Kesroy Ryan, murder accused, seen here on his way to court under the watch of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, is at the centre of an uncommon action by the prosecution.
Michelle Fife, Counsel for the accused, has called the action by the prosecution unconstitutional.
LOWMANS LEEWARD RESIDENT Kesroy Ryan may face a High Court trial on three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, without having to go through a Preliminary Inquiry (P.I) or Paper Committal Procedure in the Magistrate’s Court.
Ryan, a 25-year-old labourer, had initially appeared at the Serious Offenses Court on May 26 for arraignment on the charges. The matter was adjourned to Monday, June 2, for a status hearing.
However, when Ryan returned to Court on Monday, Prosecutor Renrick Cato informed the Court that the Prosecution intended to proceed with this matter by way of a ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’.
A ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’ is a legal procedure that allows the Prosecution to bypass the usual Preliminary Inquiry or Paper
Committal stage at the magistrates’ court, and directly bring a case to the High Court for trial.
The application for a ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’ is made under section 162 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
In the process, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) makes the application before a High Court Judge, and if it is granted, the matter will go straight to the High Court for trial.
Continued on Page 3.
by HAYDN HUGGINS
V News 3
Hurricane season forecast Âabove normalÊ
to a confluence of factors, including warmer-thanaverage ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear and the potential for higher activity from the west African monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes. All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation.
provides more energy to fuel storm development, while weaker winds allow the storms to develop without disruption.
A COMBINATION of warmer ocean temperatures, forecasted weak wind shear and other factors has resulted in predictions for a higher-than-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The season runs from June 1-Nov. 30.
The agency is forecasting a range of 1319 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has 70% confidence in these
ranges.
“NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. “With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season.”
“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm said.
Influencing factors
The season is expected to be above normal due
The high activity era continues in the Atlantic Basin, featuring highheat content in the ocean and reduced trade winds. The higher heat content
This hurricane season also features the potential for a northward shift of the west African monsoon, producing tropical waves that seed some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms.
“In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we’ve never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,” NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said. “This outlook is a call to action: Be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you’re ready before a storm threatens.” (Source: www.noaa.gov)
Hurricane Season 2025: Citizens urged to be ready
COGNIZANT OF THE DAMAGE WROUGHT
across St. Vincent and the Grenadines by Hurricane Beryl on July 01, 2024, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has made an early appeal to citizens to be vigilant as the 2025 Hurricane Seasons dawns on the region.
In an address to the nation on June 01, 2025, the official start of the Hurricane Season which ends (officially) on November 30, the Prime Minister urged citizens to remain focused and
Below: Hurricane Beryl caused substantial destruction on Union Island, where over 90% of buildings and critical infrastructure were destroyed.
stay informed by following reputable agencies which will provide accurate information.
New twist in triple murder case
Continued from Frontpage.
If the application is not granted, then the defendant will have to go through the usual Preliminary Inquiry, or Paper Committal Procedure, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand a High Court trial.
Cato requested an adjournment of the matter to allow the Prosecution time to facilitate and complete the process.
Attorney Michelle Fife told the Court to take judicial notice that the defense was objecting to the application on the grounds that that the process did not seem fair and therefore, not in the interest of her client. .
Chief Magistrate Colin John granted Cato’s request for an adjournment and adjourned the matter to July 1.
During a conversation with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Fife said that her comments in open court were not extensive because the issue was discussed privately in the Chief Magistrate’s Chambers, before it was raised in open court.
She hastened to add, “The ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’ is unconstitutional because it contravenes the right of the accused to the due process of the law”.
Fife questioned, “Why should the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) make determinations regarding where the matter should first be heard Ex Parte (In the interest of one side)?”
And she stressed the need for “The law behind this practice to be examined, revised and reformed”.
Ryan has been charged with
the murders of businesswoman Lesline Davis, 68, Dameon Cumberbatch, 38, and Haynesly Browne, 30, and the attempted murders of Lorna Davis, 60-yearold Chef, Bancroft Abbot, 65year-old plumber, and Haydon Ballantyne, 60-year-old labourer, all of Belmont.
The charges stem from the May 16, 2025 mass shooting at Lesline Davis’ business place at Belmont around 9 a.m.
Police reports are that (Lesline) Davis, Cumberbatch, and Browne died after being shot about their bodies.
Ballantyne was shot in his left foot and Lorna Davis and Abbott were shot at.
The investigations, led by Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey - Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of crime, are ongoing.
“You have a duty and an obligation to your family to be better informed,” he said.
Forecasts from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration point to a season that will throw up 13-19 named storms, with an estimated 6—10 expected to develop into hurricanes, 2-5 of those being major hurricane.
Dr. Gonsalves appealed to citizens to “….. plan for yourself and your own supplies to last you and your family supplies for at least a couple of days, …you have an obligation also to be prepared, do not forget the elderly and those who are challenged. Remember to have enough medication and food supplies because these may not be directly available after the immediate passage of the storm…trim the overhanging trees, fix the loose galvanize, add
hurricane straps to strengthen your roof.”
Dr. Gonsalves, as the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) did in a subsequent appeal, also urged citizens to store enough water to last at least three days.
Businesses and Government departments are expected to design their own disaster plans.
The estimated cost of damage to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from Hurricane Beryl is said to have been around $230 million, equivalent to 22% of the country’s GDP. More specifically, initial estimates put the damage and loss at $1 billion, or roughly onethird of their GDP. A World Bank report indicates that the Southern Grenadines — primarily Union Islandwere the hardest hit, accounting for 81% of the country’s total damage.
A 2025 seasonal outlook picture generated by the NOAA.
Names of hurricanes for the 2025 season
Protesters await appeal hearing
One of three accused who are confined to further ‘limbo’ as far as their appeal matter is concerned.
Stories: HAYDN HUGGINS
CARLY JOHN, the husband of Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) Senator Shevern John, along with Drissey Jeffers of Barrouallie and Sherry Ann Caine of Georgetown, are awaiting the hearing of an appeal against Senior Magistrate Tammika
McKenzie’s decision to continue proceedings in their matters, which have been before the Court since September 2021, without trial.
Their lawyer, Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, filed the appeal on May 8, 2025 after McKenzie overruled her submissions for the charges to be struck out.
Carley John, a resident of Owia has been charged with assaulting two police officers and resisting arrest, while Jeffers and Caine are facing separate charges of obstructing police officers, in due execution of their duties.
The charges stem from an incident during an anti-government protest in front of the Kingstown Vegetable Market, on August 9, 2021.
Bacchus-Baptiste had given written submissions to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on
September 4, 2024, stating that the matters should be struck out on the grounds that the charges amounted to an abuse of process and were malicious.
She noted in her submissions that John was assaulted by the same police officers and put into a choke hold, resulting in lifethreatening injuries. All of this, the submission claimed, happened in the public domain in the presence of many witnesses.
She stated that the Chief Justice’s directions are that a trial should commence within six months, but the defendants were charged since September 13, 2021, exceeding the Chief Justice’s guidelines.
She also cited that most of the delays were due to the Prosecution not being ready at one time or another.
In her submission,
Lawyer to challenge
voluntary indictment
Renowned defence
Attorney Kay BacchusBaptiste has given notice of her intention to challenge the Voluntary Bill of Indictment.
PROMINENT
CRIMINAL ATTORNEY
Kay Bacchus-Baptiste intends to legally challenge the ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’. This procedure allows the Prosecution to bypass the usual
Preliminary Inquiry (P.I.) or Paper Committal stage at the Magistrate’s Court, and directly bring a case to the High Court.
Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN that the Procedure has now become a trend and the basis on which the Prosecution has been granted several High Court applications in recent times, for cases to be sent directly to the High Court for trial.
One such matter involves her client, Olan ‘Metal’ Lyscott of Old Montrose, who is facing charges of murder, in which an application was made and granted.
Bacchus-Baptiste said that even though Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows it, the procedure is against the administration of justice because the application is heard behind the defendant’s
back. She noted that Section 162 speaks to the consent of the defendant in writing.
“The (Prosecution) must state that their case is substantially true, and has strong evidence to satisfy the Judge.
“I don’t know what procedures they followed to convince the Judge that it (case) is substantially true, or that it has strong evidence, or if any procedures were followed, because it was done behind the defendant’s back”, the lawyer said.
She pointed out that, based on Section 163(5), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) needs to convince the judge that there is a strong legal basis to bypass the Preliminary Committal Procedures.
“I can’t see how they
Bacchus-Baptiste relied on Magistrate John Ballah’s decision on May 28, 2024, to discontinue a criminal matter against suspended school teacher Adrianna King, which had been in the Court system for nearly three years without trial.
The DPP’s office, represented by Prosecutor Devon Bute, responded on November 27, 2024, stating that the Prosecution did not agree that the charges were an abuse of process or that the delay in the hearing of the matters was prejudicial.
When the defendants returned to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on April 29, 2025, Bacchus-Baptiste relied on her submissions, but the Senior Magistrate McKenzie overruled Bacchus-Baptiste’s submission and agreed with the Prosecution.
As a result, BacchusBaptiste appealed the
Olan ‘Metal’ Lyscott, murder accused represented by Bacchus-Baptiste fell ‘victim’ to the Voluntary Bill of Indictment.
can satisfy the hurdles required, which are very high, and it was done behind the defendant’s back”.
She added, “The defendant must be given a chance to be heard; that is how justice is served”.
The lawyer also explained that whereas a matter could be thrown out at the Preliminary Inquiry stage, the defendant will have to come up with much more money to have it done in the High Court.
magistrate’s decision. The grounds of appeal are:
(1) That the learned Magistrate misapplied the law in relation to delay and prejudice to the appellants.
(2) The learned Magistrate failed to consider all uncontroverted affidavit evidence filed by the appellants, along with exhibits.
(3) The learned Magistrate failed to give a reasoned decision, oral or written, and failed to give a written reason for
her decision when asked to do so by the appellants.
(4) The decision is unreasonable and cannot be justified.
(5) The learned Magistrate chose to deliberately ignore the Hon. Chief Justice’s regulations regarding trials in the Magistrate’s Court.
When the defendants returned to Court on Monday for case management, McKenzie informed them that Bacchus-Baptiste had appealed her decision.
Thief chalks up 33rd conviction
A 45-YEAR-OLD KINGSTOWN MANchalked up his 33rd conviction on Monday after pleading guilty to theft, and on Tuesday, was sentenced to 24 months and 9 days in prison.
Senior Magistrate Tammika McKenzie handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.
Javed Clarke was charged with stealing a plastic bag valued EC$1.00 containing 16 corner braces valued at EC$25, ½ inch screws valued at EC$10.70, two INGCO screw driver bits valued at EC$50, ten matured grafted mangoes valued at EC$10, and $30 in cash, a total value of EC$126, the property of Leslie Jack, a 73-year-old furniture maker of Richmond Hill.
In presenting the facts, Constable 196 Lynosia Constantine told the Court that around 9 p.m. on May 29, 2025, Jack was making his way to his friend’s restaurant and bar on Higginson Street, Kingstown, with the bag containing the items when a man, later identified as Javed Clarke, came from behind, grabbed the bag and ran.
An onlooker shouted, “Boy Javed, leave the man”.
The matter was reported to the police and personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were dispatched. They went in search of the suspect and met him in Paul’s Avenue.
A search was conducted of his person during which a transparent plastic bag containing 16 corner brace and ½ inch screws were found on him. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and taken to the CID.
On May 30 about 6:40 a.m. Jack returned to CID. He was shown the items and identified them as his property.
Clarke was cautioned and interviewed, and volunteered a written statement admitting to the offense.
Clarke, who was unrepresented, told the Court on Monday, “I thought it was something he had in the bag to eat because I was hungry”.
Clarke said that the bag contained four mangoes, but he gave them away because they were too sweet”.
When the Magistrate told Clarke she was going to sentence him at a later date, he replied, “I want to be sentenced, now, I don’t want to come back”. Clarke had 32 previous convictions.
Dr. Gonsalves calls out CWI
Dr. Kishore Shallow might just be thinking that Dr. Gonsalves has crossed the line that separates cricket and politics.
OF LATE, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has taken to writing and publishing on matters related to West Indies cricket.
He has published two pieces to date — One of the West Indies (W.I) victory over Australia in 1965 that pronounced them World Champions of Test Cricket for the first time, and the other about the region’s triumph in the first World Cup (ODIs) in 1975. In both pieces, Dr. Gonsalves chided Cricket West Indies Inc., which is
currently under the presidency of Vincentian Dr. Kishore Shallow, for failing to recoginise the significance of these accomplishments.
The following are some extracts from the referenced publications:
“CWI has remained comatose, unresponsive. And they are sleepwalking through the 50th anniversary of the 1975 triumph. Perhaps CWI’s leadership has no sense of our cricket history and its existential importance to our current cricketing condition and our cricketing future. Or perhaps, CWI is too busy chasing after ephemeral passport-selling money or gingering up support across some countries in the region for the illusory pot of gold from the dangerous, addictive video slot machines of gamblers. Or maybe they are too preoccupied with dreaming in India in a further marginalisation of West Indies cricket, show-boating without substance, for our players and our cricket. Or CWI is just plain lazy, lacking in creative ideas as to the way forward, most assured about that which they are most ignorant; insufferable men, pompous to the core, dressed in their brief authority, who play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as to make angels weep.”
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) is too important for our region to allow its continued drift. Its current leadership, self-evidently, is incapable of arresting the jetsam and flotsam of the wreck that is official CWI. We the West
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, to his credit, has always had an affinity for West Indies cricket.
Indian people, the clubs, the players, the national cricket entities, and the regional governments – all the relevant stakeholders – must save our cricket, despite the weight of the overbearing encumbrance of CWI, propped up only by the international recognition of the ICC and some dreamers in India, and turn its setbacks into advances, consolidate its successes, and restore this existential body and mind known as West Indian cricket to its former glory and standing.
looking for a moving dog that does not bark or bite. Thus, expect nothing of any consequence, for the better, from official CWI.
CWI is busily engaged in the minutiae of managing this or that, in the absence of any transforming strategy, while regressing in every material particular.
CWI’s descent is predictably accompanied by tiresome, incoherence, stylising facts in search of a theory of explanation for its stagnation and regression; the optic equivalent of an exasperated blind man (CWI) in a dark room, knocking over chairs,
Let us be clear: Hustling on the side to sell passports and citizenship of this or that country or proselytizing for crumbs from youth-destructive video slot machines or dreaming as gamblers, will not lift cricket in the West Indies. ……… CWI is fast becoming an irrelevance save for its formal international nexus with ICC; fundamentally, it is a brake on cricket’s further advance. We the people must rescue our cricket. This is my clarion call to all relevant stakeholders outside official CWI.”
V
CEO challenges teachers
A CALL HAS BEENmade for teachers to elevate their level of engagement with students by enhancing their leadership capabilities.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack threw out the challenge while speaking on day one, Tuesday, of a two-day Workshop (June 03 and 04) related to the OECS Programme for Educational Advancement and Relevant Leaning (PEARL).
Participants at the Workshop included Head Teachers and Senior Teachers drawn from Primary Schools across the state.
Martin-Jack reminded the educators that delivering quality education required teachers to continually improve their professional and leadership skills.
She stated that the revised education curriculum, developed by regional education experts, “is designed to better prepare both teachers and students to meet the evolving demands of education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Martin-Jack also urged teachers to stay updated with technological advancements and new developments in education, highlighting the importance of integrating digital tools into teaching and learning processes.
“You are the bridge between national education policy and classroom practice. And I would like for you… to embrace it. No longer can you stand on the sidelines and see our children swept away by the raging distractions that limit or hinder their learning. Be the one who ensures that they cross the education bridge safely,” the Chief Education Officer emphasized.
Speaking about the PEARL project, Martin-Jack said, “It is one of the most forward-thinking and contextual, relevant reforms we have seen in our region. It is grounded in the realities of the 21st century, yet rooted in the values of the Caribbean child. It
features include, for those of you who have not had a chance to look and you will have some idea, thematic integrated learning that breaks down silos between subjects, inquiry-based approaches that encourage curiosity and exploration.”
“We are indeed standing at a significant crossroad in Caribbean Education,” Martin-Jack said, as she noted that teachers have a critical role as leaders and managers in bringing this bold vision to life.
The Chief further reinforced the view that there must be a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, digital skills and value education. Additionally, technology enhanced content, which is available in both online and offline formats.
The PEARL project, a four-year programme launched in 2021, is part of a broader OECS initiative to improve access, equity, and quality in early childhood education across member states.
It is being implemented at the primary level (Grade K to Grade 6) in nine OECS member countries, with emphasis on the four Windward islands that belong to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) group. (KH)
Mrs. Kay Martin-Jack called upon teachers generally, to make use of every opportunity to enhance their leadership capabilities.
Head Teachers and Senior Teachers formed the core of participants in last week’s PEARL related workshop.
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Director: Desiree Richards
Editor: Cyprian Neehall
Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129
Website: www.thevincentian.com
Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com
Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
Education? Not just about information
HISTORICALLYin our liberal democracies, the men were given either the ‘hard ministries’ like Finance, Economic Development, National Security, Health and Agriculture; and the women were assigned the “soft ministries” like Education, Youth Culture, even the Environment.
What we see today is that Education, Youth, Culture are far from “soft ministries”. They are part and parcel of what is referred to as a country’s “soft power”, and are essential stones on which the future of any country is founded.
But, amidst all the talk of an Education Revolution, about our impressive enrollment in The UWI network, a look at our failures and our spiraling crime situation will speak to us about the predicament in which we find ourselves.
(And as we do so, we wait with bated breaths for the release of another round of CPEA and CSEC examinations results.)
Children absorb what they hear, see… and you know the rest…. and have no problem absorbing the lessons of the world playing out around them.
The problem they have is with education — the system we devised to teach them things.
The biggest fault of the education system today is its over-emphasis on information. The system demands that a teacher piles on information on children requiring that they store up these heaps of information, while the administrators and parents sit back and bask in the misleading noting that this constitutes “good education”, fueled by their belief that the more information a child absorbs, the more educated he/she is.
This system has become onedimensional. Every year we turn out a small group of “winners” and twofootball fields of “losers”.
Yes, our system nurtures end results, i.e. a small group of “winners” and a majority of “losers”. Can a system get crueller? Are we not as guilty today of creating an elitist class as the colonial government which we condemned for their classist attitude to delivering education to the masses?
Are we not guilty, in the process, of hanging out our young people to dry as they act out their angst?
If truth be told, we are leaving too many minds behind because we are
Speaking to a bigger issue
not owning up to the truism that academic or intellectual ability, as measured by our exams, is a very specific ability, that uses essentially one dimension of intelligence.
Science tells us that the intellect functions exclusively with the backing-up of memory. So, if we lose our memory, the intellect is just about useless.
What we are continually doing wrong is equating the mind’s capacity to record or store information with intelligence, thereby ignoring the broader dimensions of intelligence. In so doing, are we not creating a new dimension to what it means to be disabled?
Children from all walks of life are told that they have problems or disorders that, on proper assessment, they may not have. If we are brave enough to redefine “ability” many of these problems will disappear.
The universal acceptance is that the more information you heap on a young mind, the easier it is for that mind to develop an aversion to attention… more information, less focus, absorption, and attention.
Psychologists tell us that inundating children with information diminishes the possibility of true intelligence. There is also a school of thought that dictates that overwhelming children with information diminishes and even eliminates the possibility of true intelligence.
The result is that we producewhether winners or losers — a group of people who excel in regurgitating information that has been spoon-fed to them; they lack the ability to think critically, which is what our system purports to foster.
What we produce, even as they advance to higher levels of academia, is a class of people who go through life repeating what others have said — as is manifest by those who function as political operands of their leaders.
This is why, as a starting point, giving laptops to children should be accompanied by some training in digital literacy. Do we take to the roads and drive before being taught to and before getting a licence?
Accepting that there are fundamentals flaws in the education system is the first step to rectification.
I WANT TO EXPRESS my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young man, Zachary Harry, whose life was cut short last week in the most untimely, unthinkable, and unfortunate incident. As we mourn the heartbreaking loss of this young man due to, as reported, a self-inflicted gunshot, let us come together in compassion and remembrance. This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have.
Today, let us hold our loved ones a little closer, express our feelings a little more openly, and shower those around us with kindness. Life is an extraordinary gift, and in the wake of such sorrow, may we find the strength to spread love, gratitude, and appreciation for all the precious moments we share. Together, we can honor this loss by committing ourselves to address the state of mental health in our nation.
While the circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear, it’s undeniable that those left behind will need our unwavering emotional support in the weeks and months to come. As a society, let’s break the silence surrounding mental health – a subject we often overlook. We should strive to encourage our young minds to consider a field of study like psychology, recognizing the power of therapy in healing and the shortage of such professionals in our country.
May was Mental Health Month, and I can’t stress enough that mental health issues are a serious reality that we must confront.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is essential for coping with life’s challenges, realizing our potential, and contributing to our communities. It’s staggering to learn that one in four individuals will experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. Yet, shockingly, many people do not seek the help they need – often due to stigma or lack of awareness. Remember, we all go through tough times, and we must normalize mental health discussions just as we would for a cold or annual checkup.
What can we do to make a difference?
First, let’s take charge of our mental well-being. Seek help when needed, speak to our friends and family, and break the stigma surrounding those who seek assistance. Our government also plays a crucial role in fostering this
conversation; we can’t rely on a few public service announcements during Mental Health Month. Let’s push for a year-round public awareness campaign. Picture engaging infomercials, vibrant social media ads, lively talk shows, and informative pamphlets circulating throughout our communities throughout the year. Every village clinic should be a beacon of mental health resources, guiding residents toward the support they need.
We must be deliberate in reviewing and updating laws and policies to reflect the urgent need for better mental health systems. While building these systems may take time and funding, remember: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Starting with our schools and children is vital. We must vigilantly enforce our laws against child neglect and abuse. Our family courts are busy for a reason – let’s analyze these cases to identify and tackle the underlying structural issues presenting themselves.
I also cannot overlook the high cost of living and its toll on our mental health. Our Minister of Agriculture has championed food security for years and aimed to reduce food imports by twentyfive percent. There has been no progress report on this overly ambitious and unfunded promise. Meanwhile, rising prices for essential items leave families struggling and frustrated. We must find innovative ways to ease our cost of living. A three percent cent reduction in VAT will not do it. The struggle to pay bills and put food on the table can spiral into depression and anger, impacting mental health across the board. Let’s also address other social and environmental issues affecting our mental well-being. Overgrown bushes, abandoned vehicles, and closed recreational facilities can clutter our minds. A clean and inviting environment allows us to thrive; when we feel safe and welcomed, we can focus on what truly matters.
So here’s my call to action: BE KIND! Your kindness might be the lifeline someone needs to get through the day. We all have our struggles, and a small act of compassion can make a difference. Let’s come together to create a culture of understanding and support — we have the power to change lives.
Horatio.
Decentralising gov’t services
REGARDLESSof which party wins the next general election, I would like to hold whoever is the winner to a solemn promise.
Year after year, election after election, we hear talk about how capital Kingstown is overrun; how citizens have to come to the capital to transact the simplest of business, not to mention business as it relates to the state, e.g. birth certificates, paying taxes.
It is time to move beyond talk and take action to make decentralisation of government and government services a reality.
Relocating government offices and services outside of Kingstown has advantages, not just that it means that citizens will have access to certain services more closely at hand, but it could also mean savings, especially as it relates to rent for government offices. Rental rates are going to be lower in outlying areas than they are in the capital.
Decentralisation will also mean easing the severe traffic congestion faced in the capital, and decrease pollution making our capitals so much more comfortable for locals and visitors alike.
Decentralisation also provides an important opportunity to stimulate economic growth in less developed areas. Encouraging investment, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure outside the capital city would promote balanced development.
All of this can be best served through Local Government. Those who occupy the seats of government, and more widely speaking, those who sit as law-makers in our parliament, should not, should never feel threatened by Local Government. Local Government will certainly unearth leaders in our communities but those who come to the fore in this regard, are not necessarily those who will put themselves up as candidates in a general election.
Decentralisation is a must and the quicker a party commits to it the better.
So, which one of the two parties is prepared to make such a PROMISE?
Thomas.
CharlesÊ idea is not so crazy
IN ONE OF YOURissues in the month of May, your regular contributor to Letters to the Editor, Charles, Edinboro, shared what he termed ‘A Crazy Idea’.
That idea had to do with the appointment of persons to sit on Government/State Boards. Charles called on Dr. Friday, in particular, to consider appointing “qualified, independent people, people who are not members of your party,” to these Boards, should he and his party win the next general election.
On reflection, there was and is nothing crazy about Charles’ idea. It is, however, a challenge to Dr. Friday; a challenge that if he accepts will see the introduction of a new mindset and a new approach, i.e. distinguishing between the party and the government, and an acceptance that government is all about serving all the people and not just those who support a party.
If Charles’ idea is accepted, it will diminish the amount of doubt that
Some (state) casualties
IN 2002, A MAN came to the fore in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Listening to him, one would have believed that SVG never existed before his arrival. Some dubbed him the new Columbus given his intent to make “discoveries.”. Consequently, many
The great pretender
I LOOKEDat the wild boss at the function held by the Baptists on 21st May 2025; his behaviour was extremely disgusting, to say the least.
As soon as he exited the vehicle, he kept moving through the crowd. The people had a serious and sacred service in progress. They were singing, dancing, clapping, ‘working’, etc. All that changed when he arrived. He kept interrupting and distracting the proceedings by shaking hands, hugging, whispering in people’s ears, etc. To crown it, he held different members as dancing partners, and mockingly attempted to ‘work’ like them. Our boss can really act. He should be in Hollywood. He is the Great Pretender. I hope that the Baptists did not fall for his acting and his attempts to show he is one of them. Here’s some advice:
1. At Baptists functions or any other for that matter, all that is required is for the Boss to arrive early. Don’t be deliberately late to get cheers (although the cheers are diminishing).
2. Desist from waving in the manner of world dictators.
3. Take the provided seat and follow the proceedings.
4. Don’t distract people next to you by constantly talking to them.
On the next National Heroes Day, March 14, 2026, (if he is still in office), he should perform an enactment of Chatoyer. Dress like him, talk like him, fight like him, etc. This will be proof that he is like the Caribs and is down-toearth.
things were left to ruin, through deliberate neglect.
Some of the casualties of the new Columbus are: The Nurses’ Hostel, Treasury Building, Ministry/Printery Building, Central Police Headquarters and District Stations, Court House/Parliament, Kingstown Hospital and District Clinics, building, Hospitals/clinics, Farm Lands roads, Traffic lights; Ottley Hall Marina, The Deep Water Pier, Arrowroot Factory, Marketing Board; Banana Growers Association/Export, National Labour Congress, National Youth Council, The Police and Nursing Fraternities.
We welcome the Argyle International Airport (AIA), but don’t think the E.T. Joshua Airport should have been destroyed. I believe, like St. Lucia, we could have operated both.
I am longing for the day when some of these casualties will be attended to and returned to their former state.
people have about who these Boards serve.
But while fully endorsing what Charles suggests, to go one step further and say to whosoever wins the election that they should consider the character and reputation of the individual before appointing that person to sit on a Board. Yes, I am all for qualifications and experience, but a sound reputation based on
honesty and integrity should be the determining factor.
Kenny D.
Saint Vincent
Saint Vincent Jewel of the sea, Where emerald hills kiss skies so free, Your waters sing in sapphire tones, Winds hum soft and gentle through island stones.
Banana fields in golden glow Cocoa dreams in breezes flow, Your sunset pours in crimson streams, A paradise of island dreams.
But beneath the palm trees, A dark current hides For hands once clean, Now grasp tight, The truth is traded in secret.
The people’s voice grows faint and thin, While greed and power feast within What once was proud now bears stain A silent way wrapped in pain.
O sweet land of rhythm, hope and grace Let justice find its rightful place, May honest hearts and steady hands Restore the glory of your lands
Saint Vincent, Hold your head up high The storm will pass, The truth will not die You will be free from the tainted chain Your song shall rise again!
* The Ministry of Health needs to state if the Sahara Dust is really Sahara Dust or is it an engineered dust which is used as an agent to transport harmful/deadly diseases across the region?
* How much money do the taxpayers spend on rent for privately owned buildings to house government departments?
* Why was Minister Browne not chosen as the candidate for South Leeward instead of the A.G.?
* Were sporting facilities here constructed only for use by the members and supporters of the ruling party?
* When are we going to see the result pf the Central Bank action against those commercial banks and their fees?
* Is a certain bank here charging $200.00 a month on Credit Cards accounts even if you don’t use them and have paid up your yearly fee?
Rebuilding after Beryl as 2025 Hurricane Season begins
THE ISSUE
AS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE accelerates with devastating knock-on effects to vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as SVG, the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season commences, officially, on June 1, 2025. This year is predicted to be an “active season” following upon the “very active” 2024 season which delivered the category 5 hurricane Beryl to SVG on July 1, 2024.
Currently, we are deeply engaged in the continuing relief, recovery, and rebuilding after Beryl while preparing for the 2025 hurricane season. So far, the rebuilding is proceeding very well despite some hiccups and the efficacious preparations for 2025 are ongoing, always with the uncertainties and challenges associated with our country’s vulnerabilities and the global climate condition. One major hurricane can cause havoc to our lives, living, and production.
It is estimated that hurricane Beryl racked up damage and loss to SVG of roughly EC$1 billion or some 30 percent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ten months after Beryl have witnessed incredible recovery and achievements in SVG in relief efforts, a return to normalcy despite some especial challenges in Union Island, rebuilding of houses and other physical infrastructure, real economic growth in 2024 — 2025, job creation and significant reduction in unemployment, enhanced social protection, all-round restoration in the functioning of society, continuing political stability, and good governance. Objective observers are hailing the massive endeavours of our government in solidarity with our people as a whole, and friends and allies overseas.
ON GOING RELIEF
On St. Vincent, there are some 1,000 persons (mainly from the Southern Grenadines) who are living in touristic accommodation (guest houses, apartments, houses) paid for by the government – rent, electricity, and water; there are also a few dozen persons, too, in shelters across SVG.
The shelterees are being assisted fully with food, water, medical assistance, and psycho-social support. As the rebuilding of home continues apace, the shelterees and occupants of touristic accommodation are returning to their homes. Thus far, some 4,000 of the roughly 6,000 houses to be repaired or rebuilt, have been attended to.
Meanwhile, millions of dollars have been spent on sea transport to provide free movement between St. Vincent and the Southern Grenadines.
PRODUCTION SUPPORT, INCOME SUPPORT, FAMILY ASSISTANCE
Between July and December 2025, over $30 million (excluding spending on housing repairs was expended by the government to recipients who suffered from hurricane Beryl. These monies were paid to over 10,000 persons in income support, production support, and family assistance of various types.
Between January and June 2024, over $27 million is being spent through the Ministry of National Mobilisation, at the rate of $600 per month to the head of over 5,000 households assessed to be in need as a consequence of Beryl:
In April 2025, $1,800 ($600 for each month from January to March) was paid to 4,135 heads of households. Last week Wednesday, these persons received their April monies and on Friday they received their payments for the month of May. An additional 800 or so persons who were subsequently assessed as deserving of payments were each paid $2,400 (January to April monies) last Wednesday and on last Friday they were paid $600 each for the month of May. At the end of June 2025, all 5,000 plus persons will each receive their payments for the month of June.
Sometime in the first week of June 2025, over 3,000 farmers and fishers will receive a special payment of $1000 in support. A further $2 million is to be paid out later in June to fisherfolk who had their boats severely damaged by Beryl.
Never in the history of SVG has any government been so generous to persons affected by a natural disaster. This is the way of Labour Love! The Beryl payouts in 2025 are from monies borrowed from the World Bank by the ULP government for this purpose. We borrow money to give the people! Absolutely remarkable.
HOUSES ARE BEING REBUILT
It has been assessed that some 6,000 houses require repairing or complete rebuilding due to Beryl, plus a residue from the damage caused by the volcanic eruptions of 2021. The estimated cost of this venture is in excess of $480 million. Thus far, over 4,000 houses have been repaired or rebuilt. The government continues to mobilise resources for the rebuilding of houses. Challenges reside, too, in a shortage of building materials from time to time, and an insufficiency of builders and construction workers, especially in the skills trades. We have trained in excess of 2000 persons in the last five years in skills of the building trades and have certified them appropriately. But the local and regional demand for our workers is huge.
In this rebuilding process, the government has been assisted with resources from the Gumbolimbo group of Ian Wace, workers from Romania, and a contingent of soldiers (40) from Guyana. Within a few weeks, some 20 construction workers will be arriving from Cuba to assist with the rebuilding in North Windward, North Leeward, and North Central Windward, among other areas.
It is worthy of note that almost all the houses on Canouan and Mayreau have been repaired or rebuilt; and some 60 percent on Union Island which was completely devastated.
Further, hundreds of stoves and fridges, free of cost, have been delivered, to home-owners who were affected by Beryl.
Due to bureaucratic delays, the supportive monies from the Saudi Fund for housing is yet to be realized. We are working assiduously to secure the release of these funds.
SVG experiencing record high unemployment
HONOURABLE FITZGERALD BRAMBLE, Member of Parliament for East Kingstown, has expressed strong criticism of the remarks made by Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, in the article published on Iwitness News captioned ‘Low unemployment cushioning falling remittances’.
Mr. Bramble commented in an address on the New Democratic Party’s Facebook page. He said:
“Am here to talk about an article published in Iwitness News highlighting comments made by the Minister of Finance of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, where he talks about low unemployment, cushioning falling remittances in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His comments are utter rubbish, total nonsense, and paints a very unrealistic picture of the unemployment situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The minister said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is experiencing its highest rate of employment in the history of this country since slavery. But what baffled me is that the minister essentially is saying or essentially said that the only time we had higher employment in this country prior to now is during slavery. And I would give him the benefit of the doubt to think that he just doesn’t understand the phenomenon of slavery. There was no employment during slavery. Our people were totally devastated and treated as subhumans. So, the minister needs to go and retract that comment.
But that is not really the focus of my response to him. The focus of my response has to do with what he said. He said we are experiencing the highest rate of employment in this country’s history. And I am categorically denying and refuting that and I will go further to say that we are experiencing the highest rate of unemployment in this country certainly since independence in 1979.
If the minister is going to make such sweeping comments and conclusions, he must provide the evidence to support what he’s saying. In 2016, about nine years ago. that was the last time any credible Labour Force survey was done. The minister said he has the data to support what he’s saying now, but he needs to produce the evidence, produce the data, produce the source of that data. Who conducted whatever survey to provide that information? Was it credible? And the method that was used to provide that information, was it an internationally accepted method?
He talked about the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and using that as a proxy to present evidence to show the level of employment. He said that our labour force right now is about 60,000 persons based on NIS (records), and he further went on to say that of those 60,000 persons in the labour force, we have about 45,000 who are working. So, it stands to reason that if you have a 60,000-labour force, and you only have 45,000 working, then it means that 15,000 are not working. The last time I checked, 15,000 was 25 %
of 60,000. So based on what the minister is saying, we really have a 25 % rate of unemployment. But the issue is further, how do you determine your labour force? Your labour force is basically people between 15 and 64 who are either working or are looking for a job, actively seeking work. So, if you’re not actively seeking work, it means that you’re not in the labour force. So technically, the number of persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines of working age who are not working, in addition to the official unemployment rate is even higher. And there’s no mechanism in this country to determine whether or not somebody is looking for a job. Where’s the mechanism to figure out? Well, somebody applied here, or another person sent in their resume there. So it’s all conjecture, it’s all a guess game. And until the minister can come and tell us and provide the evidence to show that what he is saying is true. I mean, how preposterous, how ridiculous of the minister to come and say that our unemployment rate right now is bordering on single digits. Does he live in another world? Seriously?
Then he came and said, in addition to that, that contractors are complaining that they can’t find workers. Well, tell us why not? Is it a problem of so many people on poor relief that they don’t care to go and look for work or make themselves available? Is it an issue of so many of our people leaving and going overseas to work so you don’t have people to draw from the labour force here the required number of workers? Is it a problem that their skills don’t match what is required? Or is it a problem of people are just psychologically and socially discouraged when they look at their neighbours who are making much better wages, much more money for doing the same job? Or maybe they’re working for salaries and wages here, which really can’t even help them to make ends meet.
Before you go and make these pronouncements and say, well, even the persons who don’t want to work and the figure is close to single digits, you must have the evidence to support what you’re saying. The last Labour Force survey was done in 2016. The last Population Census was done around 2012. The last Poverty Assessment was done in 2008. So we have no credible evidence, no credible data on which to rely and verify what the Minister of Finance is saying. It’s all bogus information.
And until he can verify that, we ought to dispel what he’s saying and discard what he’s saying. The bottom line is this: The unity Labour Party government has failed to provide jobs, sustainable jobs, for the people of this country. The New Democratic Party will make sure that we provide jobs for our people, better paying jobs than what they’re getting now. And we will make sure that the lives of our people are improved.”
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Refined by struggle
“Your struggles do not define you, but they refine you.” – Reyna I. Aburto (born 1963) Nicaraguan-born American religious leader, language translation specialist, and public speaker.
MANY OF OUR MOST ACCOMPLISHED athletes, business leaders, and politicians faced multiple challenges along their journey to success. They testify that their life’s journey is defined by the challenges that they faced. Many pause to share their valuable stories and anecdotes with others in an effort to encourage them to create and sustain a mindset of hope as they pursue their noble dreams and encounter distractions and disappointments. Their sharing reminds us that life’s varied paths are not always smooth but that it is often through hardships that we find our strength.
Steve Jobs (1955-2011), the American inventor, businessman, and co-founder of Apple Inc. is a classic example of someone who exemplifies this truth. His life story is filled with struggles and setbacks before he achieved success. Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. in the 1970s and helped revolutionize the personal computer industry. However, in 1985, following a power struggle with the company’s board of directors, he was ousted from the company that he helped create. His exodus was a huge blow to his personal image and his career. Jobs then redirected his attention to a new business venture. He started a computer company, NeXT, that focused on higher education and business markets. Regrettably, NeXT did not achieve the commercial success that he had anticipated. However, through NeXT he was able to develop software that would later play a key role in Apple’s success when he returned to revitalize the company in 1997. This was a period when Apple Inc was struggling. His ideas from NeXT enabled Jobs to introduce groundbreaking products like iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad — products that transformed Apple Inc. and the entire tech industry.
Through his story, we obtain an understanding and appreciation of how failures, setbacks, and disappointments did not define him. Instead, they set the stage for his eventual comeback and enormous success. Jobs’ willingness and ability to learn from failure and to keep pushing forward resulted in him being one of the most prominent tech entrepreneurs of all time.
We are reminded that while the path may not always be smooth, it is often through hardships that we find our final true strength. “Refined by Struggle” reflects this truth. It illustrates how adversity can mould us into stronger, more resilient individuals. Just as a piece of raw metal must endure the intense heat of a furnace to become a finely crafted product, we too are shaped by the trials that we face. The trials that we encounter in life may appear harsh, but they often provide valuable opportunities for growth and transformation — teaching us valuable lessons about the value of patience and perseverance.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) faced many struggles as he sought justice and equal rights for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals. He is noted as saying, “If there is no struggle, there is no
progress. Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” His struggles did not define him. Conversely, they refined him and strengthened his resolve to address the plight of thousands of individuals throughout and beyond the United States of America.
We can learn from the commitment and persistence of such individuals. This is true whether our struggles take the form or health issues, personal loss, academic failures, political defeats, job loss, or financial hardship. Each of these struggles, while traumatic and difficult to endure, serves a vital purpose in our development. As uncomfortable as they may initially appear, they tend to push us from our comfort zones — forcing us to identify our weaknesses, and vulnerabilities while simultaneously inviting us to create and maintain strategies that enable us to overcome them. Sometimes aided by other well-wishers, we emerge on the other side stronger, more competent, and with greater resolve and empathy. Among other things, struggle teaches resilience. Resilience is that ability to bounce back from adversity and to persist along the paths to our noble dreams and ambitions regardless of the challenges and setbacks. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do keep moving forward.” It is that kind of resolve that ignites the faith and hope that transforms setbacks and defeats to victories — it refines our character. Whether it is struggling through a difficult academic programme, coping with a financial crisis, recovering from drug addiction, or recouping from a debilitating illness, the strength we develop through these experiences often provide the foundation that we need for other challenges we face.
The foregoing reminds us that struggle is not something to be feared or avoided. While we will never be able to predict the various challenges and obstacles that we are likely to encounter, these examples remind us of the value of being mentally prepared for such possibilities. That mental preparation encompasses a mindset that reminds us that our true potential and our capacity for greatness will revolve around our ability to rise above the negative circumstances that will arise. Like a diamond created under enormous pressure, we are refined and shaped by the struggles that we face. And while the process may be traumatic, uncomfortable, painful, and difficult, the result is a life depicted by strength, resilience, and purpose; it is through struggle that we are refined, and it is often through that refining process that we discover our true strengths and purpose.
SVG, Cuba and Taiwan
Nations do not have permanent friends or enemies, only interests.’ Henry John Temple, former British Prime Minister.
‘The Cuban revolutionary leadership will never harbour ingratitude towards the Soviet Union.’ Fidel Castro.
PRIME MINISTER RALPH GONSALVEShas reiterated his government’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The phrase ‘ We will never break ties with Taiwan’ has become something of a mantra as our country moves ever closer to the next elections, expected before the end of the year.
To gain some perspective, we need history’s help.
Our country attained independence in 1979. Two years later, the Milton Cato government established relations with Taiwan, then an undemocratic society that routinely violated the rights of its citizenry and frequently crushed workers’ efforts to organise in trade unions to defend their interests.
The decision to foster relations with the government in Taipei was roundly condemned by local progressive forces, among whom Gonsalves had a prominent role. To be sure, Taiwan has made rapid strides economically. Its democratic bona fides have vastly improved, and its respect for workers’ rights is no longer brought into question in human rights circles. From all reports, it is a thriving bourgeois democracy.
Taiwan emerged as a distinct entity in international politics following the victory of the communists led by Mao Zedong in 1949. After the triumph of the Chinese revolution, Western countries immediately moved to isolate the communist, and Taiwan was given a seat at the United Nations. This situation all changed on October 25, 1971, when the United Nations voted to bestow on Beijing its rightful place at the United Nations as the authentic representative of the Chinese people.
Over the next five decades, the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations with 181 of 193 countries represented at the United Nations. Of the 12 countries that maintain relations with Taiwan, five are from the Caribbean - Belize, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent.
What explains this hardened position? What does SVG get in return for this iron-clad expression of support for Taiwan, a country that is increasingly isolated around the world?
The government says that the relationship has served us well. Has it?
For one thing, St Vincent’s debt to Taiwan is rapidly approaching a billion dollars. This figure amounts to onethird of our national debt. So massive is the debt and so entangled is the Gonsalves regime with Taipei that Gonsalves gloated that our indebtedness to Taiwan is a hook in the gill of our nation that he dared anyone to attempt to remove.
Over the years, Taiwan has provided assistance to build the Rabacca bridge, funded the public library, offered budgetary support for the YES and SET programs, donated a few vehicles and motorcycles, and awarded hundreds of university scholarships. Some may point to the terminal building at the Argyle International Airport, but that was built with a loan from Taiwan.
The hospital in Arnos Vales, a government facility, is being constructed with a US$126 million loan from Taiwan. However, we must remember that initial funding (US$93 million) for that hospital was secured in 2022 from the World Bank and the
Saudi Fund.
Gonsalves is now squandering that money by giving cash awards to individuals to win favours for the upcoming elections.
The government may point to a few other Taiwan-inspired initiatives, but these are far from contributions that significantly contribute to the transformation of our country.
Compare the assistance we have received from our Cuban cousins, who are far less economically endowed, to that of our Taiwanese counterparts.
Cuba’s selfless assistance to our country became evident in 1979, in the aftermath of the April 13th eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. The unsolicited gift of a shipload of humanitarian assistance sailed into Kingstown harbour a full 12 years before James Mitchell’s New Democrats established diplomatic relations with Havana. The gesture stunned Milton Cato and the colonialminded political stooges around him, whose instinctive response was to refuse the gift because it came from revolutionary Cuba.
Cuba’s assistance has continues unabated even as the American and European Union leaders maintain a crippling strangulation blockade intended to subvert the Cuban people’s efforts for liberty and development.
Over the last 45 years, Cuba has offered over 300 university scholarships, training our young people in a wide range of disciplines. Cuba has sent nurses and doctors. It built, equipped and supplied specialist staff to assist with the efficient functioning of the Medical and diagnostic centre at Georgetown. Its medical brigade has had a continuing presence over the last 30 years.
The Vision Now program offered renewed sight, vision and relief to hundreds of citizens.
Cuban architects designed the Argyle International Airport, and 100s of Cuban workers and engineers played a lionised role in its construction. Cuban technical teams in agriculture, education, tourism, and road construction have quietly helped with our development.
On balance, Cuba’s assistance is far more transformative and meaningful than that which we have received from Taiwan. Most important is the fact that we do not owe only a single cent to Cuba, while our debt to Taiwan gallops towards $1 billion. Taiwan boast that it has the 14th largest foreign reserves in the world. It is a global leader in electronics and other cutting-edge fields. None of this is brought to bear on our relations. It gifted a concrete box for a library and a far-from-modern bridge at Rabacca.
Based on the relative development of Cuba and Taiwan, Cuba’s assistance to our country in per capita terms far outstretches the meagre contribution we receive from Taipei. Yet no one in the ULP sings praises to Cuba as we do to Taiwan.
Therefore, Gonsalves’ never-ending commitment to Taiwan cannot stem from a deep understanding of the tenets of international relations and what is in the best interest of our country. The time is long past due for an investigation into the dealings of a leader who celebrates the fact that another country (Taiwan) has a ‘hook in the gill’ of the nation he leads. This level of puppetry is damn near treasonous and undoubtedly amounts to misbehaviour in public office.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosangagmail.com
Join the conversation - Retirement blues
by SHIMANO BAILEY
SEVERAL WEEKSago, I discussed her upcoming retirement plans with a colleague. We discussed everything from the
excitement of having more free time to concerns about adjusting to life after work. She mentioned plans to travel, pick up a few hobbies in which she’s always been interested, and spend more time with her family. There was a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, but she seemed ready for this next chapter in life. Reflecting on that
conversation, I found myself thinking even more deeply. As someone who deals regularly with retirees, I could not help but reflect on this demographic. The unique challenges and opportunities they face are fascinating, and it’s interesting to see how each person navigates this major life change differently.
At a broader level, the world’s population is ageing at an unprecedented rate, with people living longer thanks to advancements in healthcare, disease prevention, nutrition, and exercise. In the past, many died at a younger age due to limited medical knowledge and resources. Today, however, longer, healthier lives mean more people are retiring, reshaping society profoundly.
When that day comes, on the day of your
retirement, people will undoubtedly congratulate you, saying, “Congratulations, you have earned it!” But let’s be honest, it doesn’t always feel as joyous as expected. For many, retirement brings emotional upheaval, uncertainty, and sometimes even sadness. However, this time of change doesn’t have to be bleak. By planning, staying active, building new relationships, and pursuing new goals, you can transform retirement into a fulfilling chapter of life that offers growth, happiness, and new adventures. After all, you’ve spent your whole life working hard; you deserve the chance to thrive in retirement and enjoy everything you have earned.
Ultimately, retirement marks a significant life transition, offering both opportunities and challenges. While it can be exciting to break free from the structured routine of work and enjoy more time for hobbies, relaxation, and family, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness and loss of purpose. Many retirees struggle with isolation and boredom as they adjust to life without the daily demands of work.
To better understand this emotional journey, Dr. Riley Moynes, a psychologist and retirement expert, outlines four key phases of retirement that many experience:
1. Honeymoon Phase: Retirement begins with excitement and freedom. Retirees enjoy the lack of routine and pursue travel, hobbies, and relaxation, often feeling like they have “won the lottery.”
2. Disenchantment Phase: The initial thrill fades, and feelings of boredom or disappointment may arise. Some retirees feel aimless or struggle to find purpose without a work structure.
3. Reorientation Phase: Retirees reflect on what they want from retirement and begin to build a new routine. They may explore hobbies, volunteer work, or other meaningful activities to redefine their purpose.
4. Resolution Phase: A sense of balance and contentment is achieved. Retirees feel comfortable with their new identity and enjoy a fulfilling, well-adjusted lifestyle.
Understanding these phases can help retirees navigate the emotional ups and downs of retirement more effectively. Rather than seeing each stage as a setback, they can be viewed as part of a natural adjustment process, one that ultimately leads to clarity and fulfilment.
Making the most of retirement
Retirement can be deeply fulfilling if approached with purpose and adaptability. Here’s how to avoid the “retirement blues” and make this chapter meaningful:
1. Set New Goals — Stay motivated by learning new skills, travelling, volunteering, or pursuing long-held interests.
2. Stay Active — Regular physical activity boosts both mental and physical health.
3. Stay Social — Maintain connections and build new ones through clubs, classes, or volunteering.
4. Explore New Interests — Use your free time to dive into hobbies or passions you previously put aside.
5. Reflect and Appreciate — Celebrate your life’s journey and reflect on your accomplishments. Retirement is not just an end; it’s a fresh start. With the right mindset, it can be one of the most rewarding phases. Retirement marks a major life transition, but it can be a time of growth, joy, and renewal. Retirees can find purpose and fulfilment in their daily lives by setting meaningful goals, staying active and connected, and embracing new interests. With a proactive approach, retirement becomes not an end but the beginning of a rewarding new chapter of life. With so many possibilities ahead, now is the perfect time to start shaping your vision for retirement.
V
Pannist Joshua Regrello lauded
Joshua Regrello well into what would be a 31-hour marathon of pure, unadulterated pan music.
DECEMBER 28, 2024, 26-yearold Joshua “D Pan Man” Regrello made history by becoming the world record holder for the steelpan marathon, playing for 31 consecutive hours. This remarkable feat not only placed Joshua in the Guinness World Records, but also underlined the richness and depth of Trinidad and Tobago’s musical culture.
When Joshua hit the last note of Olatunji’s “Inventor”, a wave of emotion washed over the crowd of fans. Initially, his goal was to play for 30 hours, but his determination pushed him to continue for another hour.
Once confirmed by the Guinness World Records authorities, the Ministry of Culture and Community Development moved swiftly to congratulate the Trinbagonian steelpan musician.
In a statement, the Ministry said: “The Ministry of Culture and Community Development proudly extends heartfelt congratulations to Joshua “De Pan Man” Regrello, whose 31-hour steelpan playing marathon has been officially accepted by the Guinness World Records.”
The Ministry noted that the achievement was noted on the Guinness World Records website which confirmed Regrello’s 31hour steelpan session as the longest marathon for playing the steel drums.
Regrello’s marathon session took place from December 27-28, 2024, at the WACK 90.1 FM studio in San Fernando.
The statement continued: “This extraordinary accomplishment sets a new global benchmark for musical endurance and shines a spotlight on Trinidad and Tobago’s National Musical Instrument, on the world stage,” and recognised the support he received from a vibrant community of family, friends, cultural stakeholders and fans from across the globe, both in person and online..”
The very minute, as seen on the clock (background), that a new record was accomplished.
Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin added her personal congratulations, saying: “Joshua’s world record is a win for all of us. It shows what is possible when talent, hard work and love for culture unify. He played his heart out for Trinidad and Tobago, and the whole world watched on with awe and excitement.
The Minister and Ministry took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to supporting local artistes, the steelpan fraternity and to preserving and promoting the arts as a vital part of Trinidad and Tobago’s national identity, cultural confidence and holistic development.
This is not the only time that Regrello’s career has been marked by a “first” – he was also the first pannist to perform at the Great Wall of China. Through his enthusiastic efforts as an ambassador of sorts for the instrument, he has tried to inspire audiences both at home and abroad.
The Trinidad Guardian reminded that, “Regrello’s historic sustained and quality playing, also told of the nature of the parenting he received from the former mayor of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, a staunch pannist himself and founding member and former captain of the steel orchestra Skiffle Bunch, and his mother Kamla, who must have surely given him the width, support and encouragement to develop his panmanship to the point of this achievement.” (Sources: Loop News, T’dad Guardian)
A ‘head start’ in Child’s Month activities
“Hats Off to Reading,” day was spent partly at the National Public Library for reading and story-telling sessions.
(Photo Source: Headstart Preschool)
HEADSTART PRESCHOOLgot its Child’s Month (May) celebrations off to a brilliant start with the launch of a series of fun, developmental, and educational activities that engaged students, staff, and parents alike.
Children from each age group participated in their very own Sports Day, taking part in a variety of activities designed to showcase their welldeveloped gross and fine motor skills.
From sack races and egg-and-spoon challenges to “fill the bottle” competitions and sprints to the finish line, the day was filled with laughter, energy, and teamwork. The event
The children have fun filling the bottles even as their fine skills are tested.
Below: The race is off to a finish line that says the race is not only for the swift.
received enthusiastic support from parents, who came out in their numbers to cheer on the young athletes.
The four-year-olds also enjoyed a special literacy event, “Hats Off to Reading,” which included an exciting visit to the National Public Library. There, the library staff engaged the children in storytelling and readingbased activities that sparked imagination and a love for books.
In addition to these celebrations, Headstart announced the upcoming launch of a brand-new farming programme, which will become a
structured part of the school’s curriculum.
Principal Mrs. Lavina Francis shared that this initiative has been a dream of hers for some time. She explained that beyond teaching children responsibility and care for the environment, she hopes the programme will also help break the negative stigma often associated with agriculture.
“We want children to see farming as a valuable and fulfilling career choice, especially in light of rising food costs and growing concerns about food security,” Mrs. Francis said.
Headstart Preschool is proud to be a continuing contributor in effecting creativity, care, and innovation in early childhood education. (Source: Headstart Preschool)
Justice Adrian Saunders –President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) from 2018 to 2025.
Justice Adrian Saunders: A beacon of Âunwavering integrityÊ A beacon of Âunwavering integrityÊ
A CEREMONY AT QUEEN’S HALL, Port of Spain, on the two island republic of Trinidad and Tobago last Tuesday was a send-off for Caribbean Court of Justice President Adrian Saunders. But it came across as ‘sad to know that you’re leaving.’
Commendations echoed. With Bar Associations from sixteen zones giving testimony is evidence of his impact.
Saunders arrived at the Caribbean Court of Justice with a distinguished career. Yet he used that trait of fairness to influence his actions.
His record in the legal sphere, spanning fifty years deepens his character as one immersed in the quest for justice.
He admits that he came to law by coincidence. Adrian emerged as a gift on the Caribbean horizon. Tributes at Tuesday’s function reflected the respect he commands.
Retired at age 71, with a grandson named Thomas, Adrian embraces that youngster with the fervor through which he built and sustained his career.
Remarks about his humility interspersed the presentations. Others were connected through the University of the West Indies network, steamed live.
Sheldon Cambridge, attached to the CCJ staff for 20 years revealed lessons he learnt over the time.
Saunders built on the platform carved by Michael de la Bastide who served as President from the start of the CCJ April 16, 2005.
The second president was Michael Dennis Byron installed September 1, 2011.
Saunders’ tenure as President commenced July 4, 2018.
His passion for judicial outreach highlights his career.
He is a founding member of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CADO), and also Chairman of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
Saunders is associated with many a landmark ruling that catapults that body as a bona fide court.
Saunders expressed confidence in the Vincentian
newspaper, days before the official farewell. He considered it a privilege to “give some opinions on the CCJ.”
He vouches for the integrity of the CCJ noting that it attracts “good quality judges,” from intentionally acclaimed jurisdictions. He admits that their processes are “transparent,” and “free from political control.”
Saunders thinks that as regards to the CCJ, no one can “point to any instance of political manipulation.”
He points to the Guyana elections of 2020 when the court had to make, “sensitive and delicate decisions.”
Asked about St. Vincent and the Grenadines not being a member of the Appellate Court, Saunders predicts that will happen “when the political parties align.”
He surmises that there is “no good reason why St. Vincent and the Grenadiers should not have acceded.”
He thinks that Vincentians are being deprived of “justice at the highest level.”
Saunders cites costs of Privy Council matters, and distance from Caribbean reality as “inimical to the justice system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
He admits that people lost money in the Clico episode. He raised concerns as to whether the case was properly made out.
He grew up in the Cane Garden area, on the eastern point of capital city
As President of the CCJ, Justice Saunders also chaired the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission which, among other functions, is responsible for making appointments to the office of Judge of the Court, other than that of President.
Right: Justice Saunders was appointed to the ECSC’s Court of Appeal in 2003 and served as acting Chief Justice between 2004 and 2005.
Kingstown. Saunders was imbued in activism from his father, Thomas, after whom a secondary school is named. Thomas Saunders, a one-time president of the Teachers Union was transferred for drawing attention to salaries teachers received.
Thomas is credited with being a pioneer of the Credit Union movement here following a trip to Guyana in the 1940’s. That venture came
as result of the October riots which saw masses taking to the streets of St. Vincent in response to increase in cost of living.
Saunders alluded to the Shanique Myrie case which brought regional governments to accept their obligations as CARICOM nations.
For Saunders, CCJ is a “most important pillar in regional integration.”
(WKA)
Below: Justice Adrian Saunders took the oath of the office of President of the CCJ on July 04, 2025.
Justice Saunders returned home to chair a sitting of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, July 20th, 2018, for the first time since its establishment in 2001.
Arts & Culture
Changes to Judging criteria made
THERE WILL BE“slight” changes to the judging criteria for this year’s Ragga and Soca Monarch.
This was disclosed but not detailed by President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypsonians Association, Earl Bennett.
He indicated the intention last Saturday, May 31, at his organisation’s hosting of a Judges Workshop held at St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cooperative Credit Union’s Conference Room, Paul’s Avenue.
Bennett said, “There has been an examination of the criteria, and it was thought that some changes were necessary,” specifics of which will be released in due course.
The Soca Monarch semifinals, dubbed Bacchanal Bay, is set for June 22, with the finals - Big Bad Soca Monarch final carded for the Victoria Park July 4.
The Workshop
Last Saturday’s Judges Workshop attracted participation from calypsonians, soca artistes, song writers, sound engineers, music producers, judges, and lovers of the art form.
The workshop had Vincentian Dr. Cleve Scotthistorian, calypso judge and an accomplished sound engineer — as its chief facilitator.
His presentations were supported by videos of past events and involved practical sessions led by musicians- Earl Martindale and Willis Williams. The workshop was also informed by BarbadianAnderson Parris, who for many years has done stage management for Vincymas. Fellow BarbadianDerek Marshall — teacher, arranger, vocalist, vocal coach — made his presentation virtually.
Workshop Appraisal
Summing up the format of the workshop as “novel,” Bennett said, “It augurs well for the development of judging in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Also, what the workshop did, it found a nexus between the artistes and the judges, hence, the judges could understand what the artistes are looking for and the artiste could understand what the criteria are.”
He added, “All in all it was a wonderful workshop,” and buoyed by the success and the engagements, Bennett believed that a follow-up workshop would come sooner rather than later.
“The judges and participants are asking for it not to be annual but for follow up even as soon as September, I said right after Carnival. This showed how enthused, how engaged, how invested the participants were, and that is always a good sign when you hear the participants wanting more,” Bennett related.
Calypso Monarch 2025
Meanwhile, Preliminary Judging for the 2025 Calypso Monarch Competition is set to kick off tomorrow, Saturday 7th June, in New York. This, when the cast of the New York-based Dynamite Calypso Tent takes to the stage of the Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn.
Among those down to face the judges are: Persona, Ulric Hamlet, Dennis Bowman, José Juan, Oscar James, Boney Man, Abby, Lenny C, Gregory Olive and former Monarchs - D Man Age and Rejector.
Lively, Fireman Hooper and Scorcher are down to make guest appearances.
As has been the case in previous years, musical accompaniment will be provided by The Matadors. Judges will travel from Kingstown to do the adjudicating.
The Workshop panel of facilitators (from left): Willis Williams, Earl Martindale, Cleve Scott, Anderson Mapp and Earl Bennett.
Right: The Soca Monarch Final attracts the largest patronage of all the shows for Vincymas.
Three home-based tents are expected to face the judges. They are Graduates, Upstage Experience and On Tour, with respective, tentative dates for their preliminary judging down for June 10, 11 and
The Calypso Monarch semi-finals and finals are scheduled for June 29 and July 6 respectively, at Victoria Park.
12.
The Soca Monarch Final attracts the largest patronage of all the shows for Vincymas.
Cooking with Chef Jack: A Tribute to Matthew Jack
SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGOwhen
Matthew Jack was born in Daphne, there were no stars glittering above his head; there was no indication that this one of twelve siblings would rise to accomplishing greatest things in the highly competitive and quality-demanding field of culinary arts.
Matthew Jack passed away recently to little fanfare. Few had known about his illness which had all but taken him over by January, after a bout of dengue fever. That he laboured well into May is testimony to his resilience but even that could not prevent his succumbing to failure of his vital organs.
He spent the last month of his life in the care of his sister as he requested. His trust in and care for family was unmatched; no birthday went without a cake or some culinary expression of his own.
He had promised to spend a month with his sister during which he was determined to recover; he spent one day shy of that month before his Maker called him.
In search of his niche
Matthew Jack had left home when he was fifteen years old, a mere boy throwing himself into a sea of wolves determined to find employment to support himself, his mother and siblings. His household, after all, was not a wealthy one and school meant spending time “winding away in thought’ when you could be fending in the world of work.
What drew him to the
world of culinary arts is not something that is easily pinpointed. What is clear is that he loved cooking from an early age and family members recall that could well have begun his career in the culinary arts while assisting his grandmother and aunt in the kitchen.
The smell of spices, with a taste beyond your wildest imagination and meat melting as soon as it heat the palette were experiences that enticed him though he remained a distant observer.
He would brave the waters that separate the isle of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and successfully sought employment in places seemingly reserved for the skilled and experienced.
He had stints at Cotton House in Mustique, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent resorts.
On becoming a Sous Chef
eventually being honoured with the title ‘Chief’, and soon becoming known as Chef Jack by others in the profession, by hotel proprietors and guests from far flung areas of planet earth.
The down time in the Grenadines he spent reading, studying the recipes of the world, perfecting Caribbean delicacies and generally acquainting himself with the demands and responsibilities associated with a professional kitchen.
Before long, Chef Jack was promoted to Sous Chef- second-incommand in a professional kitchen at Petit St. Vincent.
He delved into effecting his new responsibilities like a true veteran: overseeing day to day execution of recipes and production; managing and training others; scheduling, and supervising kitchen operations and staff; ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to standards; helping with various tasks like menu development, inventory management, and quality control; ensuring guests receive their orders promptly.
Not surprisingly, Chef Jack had become one of the most powerful in the kitchen and took on the role of leader and problem solver.
A Rep. of SVG
He had made his mark, so much so he represented Petit St. Vincent at Workshops, Conferences and Culinary Competitions in the USA.
And this did not go unnoticed by local authorities; he was called upon to play facilitating roles - lectures and practical sessions — at training programmes.
While still at Palm Island Resort, he copped “Best Chef
in St. Vincent” recognition by the Meat Export Federation.
He and his teammates also brought home a bronze medal in 1999 from the Caribbean Culinary Federation Competition.
Back on mainland St. Vincent he joined the ranks of Private Chef availing himself to many of the established catering service. He had a stint at Paradise Inn and spent his latter days — three years - ensuring that the culinary offerings at the Cobblestone Roof Bar and Restaurant were of a consistently high quality. It would be an understatement to say that Chef Jack found overwhelming satisfaction in the kitchen.
In his own words: “It makes me feel so good when our guests enjoy our food and every day, I just want to make the food better for them, including giving them something unique, like my ‘Caribbean Pureed Pumpkin Soup’.” Chef Jack is resting in Peace with his Lord who might just release him to prepare a spread for those rewarded with places in heaven.
Chef Matthew Jack, aka Chef jack, was for all intents and purposes a self-taught culinary exponent who rose to highly commendable heights in the hospitality industry.
(L-R): Chef Jack and assistants Franklyn Phillips and Dexton Williams earned the 2018 Best All-round Restaurant Award for the Cobblestone Roof Top Restaurant.
Below: Chef Jack showing off one of his culinary creations this one in which he used salmon as his base meat.
Whenever it was possible Chef Jack supervised the growing of vegetables and seasonings that he used in his dishes.
Disagreement over unemployment rate
sectors of the economy, reported that “there is difficulty in finding workers for major projects currently taking place throughout the country,” e.g. the construction of the Acute Care Hospital.
In the case of the Hospital, Gonsalves disclosed that contractors have requested permission to bring in workers from neighbouring islands because there is simply not enough workers.
Right: A perplexed MP for West Kingstown, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, found the Minister’s unemployment figure unpalatable and misleading.
unemployment.
Additionally, Bramble stated that he conducted his own unemployment survey in the East Kingstown constituency, and the results, he said, are “startling”. The results, he said, point to a much higher unemployment rate than the government acknowledges.
ACCORDING TO AN API SVG release of May 25, 2025, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves is reported to have said that given the current employment date and the overall performance of the economy, unemployment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines could be less than 10 per cent.
“We are seeing a number of reports (e.g. from the National Insurance Services) that employment is up in SVG, and up considerably so, the last data we have, the last firm data is from 2022, which said that unemployment was at 10. 8 per cent, but in 2022, this is prior to the opening of Sandals resorts, and the full operational functionality of Sandals resorts and before some major construction projects got underway fully, we believe now that the unemployment number would be in single digits,” Minister Gonsalves explained.
In fact, Minister Gonsalves, citing the tremendous growth in major
“The major constraint is not money, the major constraint is labour and the contractors are telling us, we cannot find enough people to do the work,” Minister Gonsalves.
But Opposition member of parliament for East Kingstown, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, has disputed the statements made by Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves regarding the country’s unemployment rate.
Bramble, an economist, took umbrage with the 10% unemployment rate quoted by the Finance Minister, stating that that the figures shared by the Minister do not reflect the economic reality.
Bramble also questioned the credibility of the reported labour shortage.
He called on Minister Gomnslaves to retract his statements, describing them as misleading, and demanded that the Finance Minister disclose the source of his data, particularly the figures referenced from the National Insurance Services (NIS), which were used to support the claim of lower
Massy Stores issue alert
THURSDAY JUNE 5, 2025,Kingstown St.Vincent. Massy Stores St. Vincent operation is alerting the public and our valued customers to be vigilant in the face of an increasing number of fraudulent social media accounts impersonating our brand.
We have received reports of unauthorized accounts attempting to engage with customers under false pretenses. Please be reminded that Massy Stores will never request sensitive personal information such as bank account details or credit/debit card numbers, via social media platforms or direct messages.
To protect yourself and others, we strongly advise the following:
• Verify the authenticity of any communication by ensuring it originates from our official social
media accounts.
• Refrain from sharing personal or financial information online, unless certain you are interacting with Massy Stores through our official channels.
• Report any suspicious activity or impersonator accounts directly to the relevant social media platform and to our Customer Care team via email at: customercare.svg@massystores.com
Your trust and safety are of the highest importance to us. If you are ever uncertain about the legitimacy of a message or profile, please verify through our official platforms:
• Instagram: @massystoressvg
• Facebook: Massy Stores SVG
• Website: www.massystoressvg.com
We appreciate your continued support and encourage everyone to remain alert and informed.
Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves was upbeat in reporting a figure of 10% as representative of the unemployment rate in SVG.
Corporal of Police #949
Edson Smith stayed the course and successfully completed the Higher University Course of Specialization in the Control and Investigation of Drug Precursors.
THE LANDSCAPE OF NARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is shifting. As the region adapts to changing trends in drug trafficking, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is preparing for emerging threats that go beyond traditional drug seizures.
One such threat involves the movement and misuse of chemical precursors, which are substances used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs. In direct response to this challenge, the RSVGPF proudly recognizes Corporal of Police #949 Edson Smith for successfully completing an advanced international training course focused on precursor chemical control and investigation.
The Higher University Course of Specialization in the Control and Investigation of Drug Precursors was conducted virtually over a sixmonth period, from September 23, 2024, to April 11, 2025. The programme was hosted by the Fundación UNED (FUNED), an academic institution affiliated with the National Distance Education University (UNED) of Spain. The training was delivered through the COPOLAD III Programme (Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union on Drug Policies) and supported by the International and IberoAmerican Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), the ItaloLatin American International Organization (IILA), and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).
The course involved 500
Police Officer completes high level training
hours of training and focused on several areas directly relevant to current and emerging drug enforcement challenges in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These included the inspection of chemical operators, administrative control of precursor substances, and international regulatory frameworks governing chemical movement. Participants also received instruction in the safe handling and disposal of seized chemicals, along with case studies demonstrating how precursor-related investigations have resulted in the dismantling of drug production networks. These modules are especially applicable as criminal groups increasingly turn to synthetic drug production and chemical diversion across the region.
Corporal Smith described the course as academically intense but immensely rewarding and emphasized how the knowledge gained can support national enforcement priorities. He said, “The course exposed me to the ways precursor chemicals are moved through legal and illegal channels and how their control is essential to cutting off drug production at its roots. This training is directly relevant to policing in SVG, especially as we prepare for evolving trends in synthetic drug activity.”
While Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has adopted a framework of decriminalization and regulation in
relation to cannabis for medicinal and traditional use, the RSVGPF continues to monitor other evolving threats within the broader drug landscape. The diversion of chemical substances for nonmedical, illicit purposes is a growing concern both globally
and regionally. This training contributes meaningfully to the Force’s strategy to strengthen investigative capability in this area. With synthetic drug production and chemical trafficking emerging as real and present risks, the knowledge gained equips the
RSVGPF to act early, build stronger cases, and collaborate more effectively with regional and international partners.
The Commissioner of Police and other ranks of the RSVGPF congratulate Cpl. Smith on the successful completion of this fundamental training course, which aligns with the strategic and operational objectives of the organization.
Rebuilding after Beryl as 2025 Hurricane Season begins
Continued from Page 10.
WATER, ELECTRICITY, INFRASTRUCTURE RESTORATION
The delivery of water and electricity services were swiftly restored to affected areas and houses, as all the circumstances permitted. There is a current upgrade of these supplies in every material particular. Meanwhile, important
infrastructure in schools, clinics, hospitals, police stations, government’s administrative buildings, airports, and seaports have been repaired or rebuilt. The government has also assisted private sector entities in rebuilding their guest houses and apartment buildings in affected areas. And the Gumbolimbo group and Romanians have done exceptional work in assisting the government
in providing an infrastructure uplift at the waterfront in Canouan. Plans are afoot to do the same in Union Island.
PREPARATIONS FOR 2025 HURRICANE SEASON
As Comrade Ralph has repeatedly informed the Parliament and the nation, we need to put aside “rainy day” money of at least EC $120 million. This is done as
follows: $50 million from the Contingency Fund set up by the ULP government; $54 million from the World Bank/International Development Association, a 45-year soft-loan through the instrument known as the Catastrophe Drawdown Deferred Option (CATDDO); $13.5 million available in a disaster loan from the CDB; and an unspecified but certain grant from our
trusted ally, Taiwan. Usually, within 2 ½ weeks of any natural disaster the ULP government is before the Parliament with a Supplementary Estimate and Supplementary Appropriation Bill to address the disaster funding. In those 2 ½ weeks, Comrade Ralph usually secures additional monies, and still more when he goes “on the road” overseas. It is like clockwork. We in the ULP are skilled at this; we have the experience in doing this.
NEMO is prepared and goes through its check-list of emergency shelters, training, community involvement, media engagement, linkages with external agencies such as CDEMA and RSS, and public education. NEMO emphasises plans by families and individuals in preparation for natural disasters. Disaster preparedness is everybody’s business.
This year, our Prime Minister is the Chair of the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency (CDEMA); on June 27th he will Chair the Ministerial Council’s deliberations at the meeting in the Bahamas. On June 18th, Comrade Ralph also assumes the Chairmanship of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). And he is active in the Council of Ministers of the Regional Security System and has
a leadership role in 2025 in CARICOM’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) which has an important role to play at the time of natural disasters. Leadership counts!
On June 1, 2025, our Prime Minister delivered his annual address to mark the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. In his address he spelt out the importance of individual and family plans and obligations in the preparation and management of natural disasters. The address in online. Please listen to it.
SUMMATION
Since 2001, SVG has been buffeted by 12 weather-related natural disasters of real consequence (hurricanes, storms, major landslides, major sea surges), 21 volcanic eruptions in April 2021, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. The ULP government is skilled and experienced in preparing for, and managing, natural disasters. We have built the requisite institutions, including NEMO, and have established the regional and global linkages. Still, we can never be too prepared. Crucially, our people must stay informed and act in solidarity. One storm or hurricane can cause devastation and deaths.
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)
Look into intellectual and physical games that will test your abilities. Don't allow your personal problems to interfere with your professionalism. Try to put your money away for a rainy day. You can accomplish a lot if you direct your thoughts toward starting your own small business on the side.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)
If you address those in a position to grant you favors you should get the support you require. Be careful not to reveal private information. Use your head and do things to your liking. Don't count on others to cover up for your shortcomings.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
A lot has changed and so have you. Get busy putting your place in order. Be careful not to hurt someone's feelings. Find out all the facts before you jump to conclusions.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Your financial situation may be draining and it's time to make some serious changes. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. Try not to get backed into corners. Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
Your dynamic, determined approach will win favors as well as a helping hand. You should get out and meet new people this week. Try to visit a country that excites you. Your own small business on the side sounds pretty lucrative.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm. Don't be afraid to talk to close friends or relatives about pressing personal problems. You should get involved with activities that can be enjoyed by both young and old alike.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
You should want to feel good about
yourself and your goals. You'll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate. Don't let others bully you into agreeing with them. Try to deal with the problems of those less fortunate; however, don't allow them to make unreasonable demands.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
You will be able to talk to your lover about future goals and perhaps make plans for the two of you to take a vacation. You must be careful not to reveal secr-ets or get involved in gossip. Taking on too much won't help the situation. Underhandedness regarding legal matters or contracts must be counteracted.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
Your ability to dazzle others with your unique and innovative ideas will attract attention. Your fun loving approach will be admired and appreciated by others. You will need to take a look at the renovations that are necessary and try to find the cheapest way to get things done. Your colorful conversation may attract new mates.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
You will find your personal partner taxing this week. Disruptions may set you back, but you're strong, and in the end the choices you make will be favorable. Children may be demanding, and entertainment could cost a lot more than you can really afford. Travel will be in your best interest regardless of whether it is business or pleasure.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)
Avoid getting trapped in internal disputes. You will find yourself tied to the phone. Don't let your partner goad you into wearing your heart on your sleeve. You may want to stay in the background this week.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
Do not let them blow situations out of proportion. Be prepared to counteract the damage that adversaries are about to create. You could experience delays in shipments or mail, and should be careful while traveling. Try to have patience and refrain from being judgmental.
ACROSS
1.Jolson and Gore 4. “Which thing?”
9. Plunder 12. Vintage auto
13. German car
14. Singer Jenny 15. Carousels (hyph.)
18. Knitter’s unit 19. NYC summer setting
20. Stew meat 23. Bride’s portion
27. Bistro
30. Inning’s six 32. Modern (prefix)
33. Join 34. Gp. once headed by Heston
35. Footnote abbr.
36. Public TV letters
37. Believe 38. Baby word 39. No longer the fashion
Change 44. Bad mood 46. Deposit of sediment 47. Sour 48. Drains energy
49. Businessperson’s deg.
50. Evita’s country (abbr.)
51. Expire
52. Heroic pilot
53. Sun. follower
A bag full of issues
Dear George,
MY MOTHERis constantly telling me and my sister to get somewhere to live because she can no longer afford to provide for us.
I am twenty-one and my sister just turned nineteen. None of us is working and my mother gets by the best way she knows. That is another story.
She is forcing us to go and live with the men we are seeing. We do not want to do that and we are begging our mother not to force us out but she is hell bent on doing so.
Things got worse. Just last week I caught my man making out with my sister. She blamed him for tricking here into doing it. My sister and I are not on speaking terms.
Besides, my man is very abusive and I would not want to continuing with him. However, if push comes to shove I might have to end up living with him.
I am all confused and honestly do not know which way to turn. I need to know what to do.
Feeling lost
Dear Feeling lost,
You are dealing with multiple issues at the same time and it can be overwhelming for you.
In summary: Your mother seems to be acting out of desperation and has probably reached her coping limits. Mind you, she is within her right legally to ask you to leave since as you have reached adulthood. Your boyfriend does not appear to be committed and moving in with him will not change things for you positively.
Given that, it will be useful for all three of you to talk to a counselor immediately and you may get to do so by contacting The Marion House. Arising out of that could be ideas as to how the thee of you can live in the same space.
In the meantime, try to make things up with your sister. You will need all the emotional support you can get. Take that first step and see a counsellor.
George
Tired of the nagging
Dear George,
ILIVE IN NEW YORKand my girlfriend lives in SVG. She visited me a month ago. Since then she has been insisting that I marry her and sponsor her.
George, she does not seem to understand that things do not work like that. I have only recently received my Green Card and got a job that pays just enough to pay the bills. I told her to give me a year or two to get settled in and I will definitely marry her, but she thinks I am just leading her on and have a secret life living in New York and I can’t convince her otherwise.
I am tired of her nagging and failure to understand my situation. I want to jump ship but do not want
her people to say I dumped her unceremoniously. Tired.
Dear Tired,
Your lady should be able to trust you. She should not be putting unnecessary pressure on you to do her bidding.
You do not have to spend precious time trying to convince her of your commitment to the relationship. If she refuses to trust you and keeps on accusing you of living a double life, then give her the option of leaving the relationship or patiently wait for things to fall into place at the right time.
George.
Dear George,
HOW OFTEN should a married couple engage in sex. I need to know because my wife thinks this is not important, and whenever I raise the issue she thinks I have a problem.
We have been married eight years now and right now I’m down to once or twice per month, if I push the issue. She
has no medical issues and as far as I know we are good otherwise.
Impatient.
Dear Impatient,
It could very well be that a lot more could be going on with your marriage and with your wife of which you are unaware. If there are unresolved issues, then this could impact the
frequency of sexual involvement. One such issue could be the quality of intimacy that exists in the relationship. There needs to be an evaluation of things. Towards this end, it is advisable that you (both) seek counselling so as to get to the bottom of any hidden issues.
George.
Netball League titles decided
The winners of all five divisions of the Bank of SVG National Netball Tournament have all been decided.
As expected, DHL Mitres, who played unbeaten in Division One winning all eight matches, finished on 16 points to retain their hold on that Division’s title, ahead of On Trac X- Ceed One, who ended on 12 points.
Maple Netball Team- 8 point - was third, with InterIsland Trading Mitres next on 2 points and National Properties Netters, also on 2 points, in fifth place.
Sion Hill Sports Club One took Division Two, doing so
with a maximum of 10 points from their 5 matches. Nature Care Netters- 6 points ended runner-up. San Souci was third on 5 points.
Bagga United docked fourth also on 5 points, with X- Ceed Sports Club Two and 3 J’s Valley Strikers, following on 4 points and 0 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, X- Ceed Sports Club copped Division Three, tallying 14 points from their seven matches. All Stars, 10 points, was second, with Success Netters third on 8 points. Sion Hill Sports Club Two ended in fourth place also on 8 points. Clinchers followed
DHL Mitres continues to reign supreme over the top tier of the National Netball Tournament.
in fifth place on 6 points.
Completing Division Three’s final standings in order were Maple- 4 points, Blaze Strikers- 2 points, and Total Ten Technologies Netters- 0 points.
Antonio Success Netters topped Division Four with a perfect 12 points from their six
matches, followed by Maple10 points, with North Leeward Youths closing out the top three with 10 points.
X- Ceed Sports Club — 6 points, Sion Hill Sports Club4 points, Police Youth Club
Rising Stars- 2 points and Chachara Stars- 0 points, secured the remaining places.
SVG readying for WISG
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES will host the 2025 CBN/WINLOTT Windward Island School Games, from July 26th to August 3rd.
The 2025 edition of the Games will feature seven disciplines: Track and Field, Male and Female Volleyball, Male and Female Basketball, Male Football, and Female Netball.
Competition gets going in Track & Field on July 26 at the Diamond Track and Field Facility.
The authorities were forced into cancelling the 2024 edition of the games, due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl.
And even as the country grappled with relief and restoration work, sporting and education officials have been working feverishly to ensure that the 2025 edition remains on track.
Toward this end, the organising committee for the Games held a twoday regional meeting on May 22 and 23, 2025, in Kingstown.
Deputy Chief Education Officer
And Maca Crushers won the Male Division with 8 points, AM Shottas — 4 points from their four matches was next and Advent Ballers were unable to register a point from their four matches.
Teams are into the Knock-Our phase of competition.
The 2025 edition of the National Netball Tournament is set to conclude June 21.
Officials met in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), ahead of the 2025 Windward Island School Games scheduled for SVG from July 26.
Joycelyn Blake-Browne, and Tamara Barrow of the Education Media Unit, attended the preparatory meeting, which brought together officials from the four Windward Islands, inclusive of delegates from the Ministries of Education and Sports, coaches (football, basketball, volleyball, track & field and netball) and administrators from relevant sports associations.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the meeting, Minister of Sports, Orande Brewster assured that “everything is in place to host the 2025 edition.”
The Windward Islands Schools’ Games (WISG) is an annual multisport event that brings together student-athletes from Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent
and the Grenadines.
In 2023, the last year the Games were held, Grenada emerged champion with Dominica coming in second, St. Lucia in third, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines last.
The host, buoyed by home support, will be going all out to pull themselves out of the cellar position.
I.B.A. ALLEN
The 2025 Edition of the WISG will get going at the Diamond Track and Field Facility on July 26.
Left:
X- Ceed Sports Club – Division Three Champions.
Antonio Success Netters – Division Four Champions.
Beach Volleyball duos off to St. Kitts
Male reps. Stephan Woods (left) and Dishawn Alexander (centre) with coach Ronaldo Franklyn.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINESwill compete in the 2025 Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships, set for Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis, June 6 to 8.
Dishawn Alexander and Stephan Woods are the male representatives, with Veronique Matthews and Roneika Gibson, representing the females.
They are accompanied by coaches- Ronaldo Franklyn and Nikita Campbell- Cumberbatch.
All four players are debutants in the Under-21 level; however, Matthews has exposure at a higher level, having competed in the ECVA Senior Championships in April of this year.
She will be hoping to bring that experience to bear positively on her playing partner.
“Competing at the senior level will help me in these championships, because I have gained some experience which I plan to bring at the Under-21 level”, Matthews projected.
FAIRBAIRN UNITED, Kombat Warriors, Dr. Thomas Injectors, Kentish Jacobs Prime Consultant Marriaqua have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 Frederick Trimmingham F15 Softball Cricket Tournament, following their quarterfinals victories last weekend at the Richmond Hill Playing field.
Marriaqua CC beat VINLEC by 26 runs. Scores: Marriaqua 121 for 5 in 15 overs - Dorian Dallaway top scored with 38, Rokeem Roberts 23. Asroy Frederick took 2 for 25. VINLEC 95 for 8 from 15 overs - Randy Hooper took 4 for 24, Rakeem Roberts 3 for 12.
Fairbairn United defeated BOSVG All Stars by 30 runs. Scores: Fairbairn 103 all out in their 15 overs - Maurice Cordice top scored with 34 runs. Bowling for BOSVG Rasheed Fredericks took 3
In her debut regional Beach outing in St Lucia, Matthews partnered with Campbell-Cumberbatch.
The Vincentian quartet join Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Eustacius, St. Lucia, along with host St. Kitts and Nevis as participants in the Championships.
The first, second and third place finishers will gain qualification to the NORCECA World Championships in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, July 3 to 7, 2025.
When the championships were held in 2024, the Dominican pair of Bill Frederick and Mervin Mingot won the male title and Anguilla’s Lavesha Richardson and Deandra Flemming took the female gold medal.
SVG to host King’s Baton Relay
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
will host its leg of the King’s Baton Relay (formerly known as the Queen’s Baton Relay) from June 9 to 15, 2025.
Spearheaded by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee (SVGOC), there will be three (3) major activities during the period as referenced.
The first takes place June 11, when the Baton will be taken to the island of Mustique, where a Relay event will be hosted.
Then on Friday,
June 13, the Baton will take a tour to primary and secondary schools on the Windward side of mainland St. Vincent.
Finally, on Saturday, June 14, there will be a River/Beach Plastic Clean Up. This event will be hosted in conjunction with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN). The selected river and beach are located in Bridgetown/Biabou.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the fourteenth and final leg of the Baton Relay for the Caribbean, as the Relay moves to Africa, then Asia, Oceania, the Americas, before culminating in Europe.
Unlike previous relays where the Baton moved from
wickets for 6 and Newborne Joseph took 3 wickets for 29. BOSVG All Stars made 73 runs for 7 wickets in 15 overs - Chrisston Williams took 3 wickets for 11, and Zach Haywood took 2 for 5.
Dr. Thomas Injectors beat Young Stars by 6 wickets. Young Stars posted 95 runs for 4 wickets in their 15 overs - Zivon Walker top scored with 34 runs. Injectors’ Travis Cumberbatch took 2 wickets for 8. In Dr. Thomas Injectors response, they comfortably chased the runs with 96 runs for 4 wickets in 12 overs, Javon Nero top scored with 45 runs. Jason Daniel took 2 for 8 and Rod Collins took 2 for 10.
Kombat Warriors won by default over Richmond Hill United.
I.B.A. ALLEN
territory to territory, the King’s Baton sees each of the 74 countries being the recipient of a Baton. Hence, the member countries can personalize it and highlight their cultures. Likewise, the Commonwealth of Jersey (CGA) is an integral part of the Baton Relay, as they join forces to combat plastic.
The Relay which began March 10, 2025, will last for 500 days, ending at the Glasgow Opening Ceremony, July 23, 2026.
The XXXIII Commonwealth Games 2026 takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 to August 2. It will feature 10 sports.
Frederick Trimmingham, deceased, former National Cricketer, in whose honour and memory the F15 Softball Cricket Tournament is named.
A flashback to 2022, with the Queen’s Baton Relay in Mustique.
Female reps. Veronique Matthews (centre) and Roneika Gibson (right) with coach Nikita Campbell-Cumberbatch.
Adrian Saunders: Justice the human fashion
THERE IS AN advertisement that refers to St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the ‘Caribbean you are looking for.’ I am altering that promotion slightly. It will surround the cause of justice as it relates not to the Caribbean, but the entire world.
Adrian Dudley Saunders, born in the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines retired as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice June 3.
Praises were heaped on him from every quarter and there is no question as to the sincerity of those remarks. One sensed a chord of genuine respect, for that the way Adrian’s life has been governed.
He has been a brother for life and he is something of the glue that binds Vincentians in many aspects. He has an inborn hunger for justice, cultivated by the circumstances that shaped.
In his response to the outpouring of solidarity at the ceremony, Adrian dealt with his infancy in blunt manner.
It was revealed in that style which persons with whom he has been interacting over the past 50 years might have found nearly alarming.
Adrian is a gift manifested through his mother and father.
The father Thomas has carved his name in the pages of Vincentian history. When you talk about education, there is the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, a hint of honour to the former Head teacher who also served as president of the Teachers union.
Thomas Saunders’ effort to seek improvement for not just the teaching profession, but the nation as a whole has been documented.
He suffered at the hands of colonial administrators for the humane act of trying to improve the standard of living and learning for the Vincentian population.
Typical of colonialism, or the rule of tyranny, Thomas faced the weight of the state, and he had to face the wrath for challenging the status quo.
Thomas never cringed and pursued his purpose with dignity. That must have been the spark that lit the flame that nourished Adrian’s compassion for justice.
Adrian recalls his father’s treatment, affected his mother to the extent that her breast milk dried. and Adrian latched into baby formula before Theo, his mom, was ready to wean him.
That’s another facet of Adrian’s mystic unfolding. He cruised through whatever life threw up, shielded by the hands of the Almighty, and guided into paths of righteousness.
Adrian adjusted to the elements and he was more that the average table tennis player. His neat frame gave him mobility a trait sportsmen welcome.
There is the argument as to whether he is a School House Boy, or Crick. The thing is School transposed into Crick House. Adrian is active in the sporting circles, bringing his wisdom to bear on any aspect, and his experience and acumen put him in good stead to instill any thoughts on sports.
His retirement may benefit the Caribbean community. Any segment who engages his resourcefulness will shape the regional landscape in many ways.
Maloney hits century in TBPO T20
WINDWARD ISLANDSopening
batter- Desron Maloney, crafted a stroked filled 141 to help propel Kombat Warriors to a 67-run win over Dauphine United, in last weekend’s round of matches in the National Lottery Authority TBPO T20 Cricket Competition, played at the Dauphine playing field.
Maloney struck 5 fours and 19 sixes in his 72-ball innings to lead Kombat Warriors to a commanding 228 for 6 from 20 overs. Romano Pierre chipped in with 58. Bowling for Dauphine United, Leo Williams took 2 for 67. In reply, Dauphine United reached 161 all out in 19.2 overs. Asborne Franklyn hit 22, and Juan Laborde 21. Bowling for Kombat warriors, Kamel Jackson bagged 2 for 13, Kerwin Browne 2 for 20, Romano Pierre 2 for 31. In another weekend match, Young Star defeated AIA Reload by 13 runs. Scores: Young Star 162 for 5 in 20 overs - Dillon Woodley 51, Deron John 37, Tyrone Smith 2 for 18, Jerome James 2 for 38 bowling for AIA
Reload: In reply, AIA Reload reached 149 all out in 18.3 oversTyron Smith 43, Zeron Harry 26 not out, Okeitho Williams 21, Raffique Sayers 20. Bowling for Young Star, Cody Javis 3 for 32, Jason Daniel 3 for 33.
Out ah Trouble beat East Kingstown by 120 runs. Out ah Trouble closed on 214 for 7 in 20 overs - Staine Joseph 63, Davian Barniam 60, Jabari Cunningham 42, Sunil Ambris 24. Bowling for East Kingstown - Otis Hector 2 for 36, Delano Webb 2 for 37. In reply, East Kingstown managed a mere 94 for 9 in 20 oversWinston Patterson 21 not out. Bowling for Out ah Trouble, Kenron Williams 3 for 27, Richie Richards 2 for 7, Sunil James 2 for 24.
Duck Squad had the better of Older Boys by 3 wickets. Older Boys batted first and made 100 for 6 in 20 overs - Wilfred Bascombe 25. Bowling for Duck Squad, Dante Williams 2 for 5, Tevin Miller 2 for 27, Deon Soleyn 2 for 33. In reply Duck Squad
Desron Maloney went home on the Dauphine United bowlers, smashing 19 sixes in an innings of 141.
reached 106 for 7 in 12.1 oversJabari Guy 43 not out. Bowling for Older Boys - Rohan King 4 for 42, Wilfred Bascombe 2 for 12.
Action in the Peto Stars – North Leeward Predators opening match in the male category.
N. Leeward T20 softball bowls off
THEVINLEC North Leeward Softball T20 Super League got going last weekend, June 01, at the Fitz Hughes playing field with two matches, one in the male category and the other in the female category.
In the male encounter, in a match reduced to 15 over a side.
Peto Stars struck first blood when they disposed of North Leeward Predators by 15 runs.
Peto Stars, first at the crease, compiled 147 for 7 in their 15 oversDesroy Hooper leading with 69 not out and Shaman Hooper getting 38. Predators’ Gideon Richards took 2 for 36.
Golden Predators and Starlight Females got the female category going.
North Leeward Predators made game of it, but in their overzealousness, closed on 132 all out in 14.5 oversAddeem Charles getting 26 and Gideon Richards and Diel Spring 21 each. Fitzmore Edwards took 3 for 49 and Kelvin Whyte 3 for 19 to hold Predators in check.
In the female encounter, it was Golden Predators who gave early notice with a 7-wicket victory over Starlight Female by 7 wickets.
Starlight Female took first knock and posted 94 runs. In reply, Golden Predators chased down the target in 9 overs, finishing at 95/3, led by a
spectacular innings from Tonicia Creese, who remained not out on 63 off just 31 balls. Her explosive knock included 7 fours and 4 sixes.
Starlight’s top bowler was, Shenezia Daniel with 2 for 16 runs.
Stories: I.B.A. ALLEN
Classifieds
AI REAL ESTATE
VINCY HEAT BLANKS ANGUILLA
IT WAS ONE-WAYtraffic last Wednesday night at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines senior men’s team – Vincy Heatblanked Anguilla 6- nil, to register their first points in Group F of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
Accounting for the Vincentians’ tally of goals were Oalex Anderson with a brace in the 20th and 69th minutes, and single strikes by Cornelius Stewart, a penalty in the 25th minute, Micah Joseph- 59th, Kyle Edwards61st and Kirtney Franklyn in the 85th.
Vincy Heat continue their World Cup Qualifiers journey against Puerto Rico next Tuesday, June 10, at the Estadio Centroamericano de Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Getting off the mark in the group that also includes El Salvador and Suriname, delighted Vincy Heat’s Head Coach — Ezra Hendrickson.
Aware that Vincy Heat is placed in another must win situation, Coach Hendrickson declared, “We are going to come out in Puerto Rico even if we are at their place… push the game, push the issue, because we have to win. We need a win. A tie does not do us any good.”
St Vincent and the Grenadines was defeated by Suriname 4-1 and by El Salvador 3-1 in the June 2024 window of the qualifiers, and as such is playing catch up.
At present, Puerto Rico is on 4
Captain Oalex
Anderson once again led from the front by accounting for 2 of Vincy Heat’s goals.
Much of the on field action was concentrated in the Anguillans’ half.
points, therefore, Hendrickson’s men have to ensure that they come away with nothing less than a win.
“It is not going to be easy, but we are on a mission, and we want to make sure we to do our part in trying to get to the next round. If what happens in the other games do not go in our favour, so be it; but we want to make sure that we are not leaving
anything on the table,” Hendrickson reasoned. Suriname leads the group with 6 points, with Puerto Rico and El Salvador, both on 4 points, but Puerto Rico has a
superior goal difference. The Puerto Ricans were set to engage Suriname on June 6, lifting Hendrickson’s hopes for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
CARDI CONDUCTING TRIALS FOR DASHEEN
THE CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTE (CARDI) is conducting a fertilizer and spacing trial for two varieties of dasheen (local and IND 512) in Montreal Garden and Greiggs.
According to a release from CARDI, the aim is to provide optimal fertilizer and spacing recommendations to farmers, so they can achieve maximum yields while reducing costs and negative environmental impact.
Dasheen remains important to the local diet and valued as a commodity with high export potential. It is currently exported to the UK and France, with the regional market, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, being a major importer.
“Data is being collected for several plant growth and
development parameters such as petiole length, number of suckers, number of corms and leaf length and and diameter. At harvesting data will be collected for number of corms, corm weight, length and diameter,” according to the organization, adding that with the recurring spikes and high price
volatility of fertilizers in the Region, it is important that farmers get research backed information to guide their decision making.
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)[1] carries out research and development for agriculture in the
Caribbean region.[2] Its headquarters are on the campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), at St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago and it also has national offices throughout the region.
Future trials are being planned for organic fertilizers.
(Source: API SVG)
CARDI explores the use fertilisers for optimal dasheen production as well as exploring the use of more organic fertilisers. (Photo Source: API – SVG) Top of Form.
It was another show of overwhelming home support for Vincy Heat.
