THE VINCENTIAN PDF-10-06-22

FRIDAY, JUNE

10, 2022

VOLUME 116, No.23

Greedy woman jailed Page 4

www.thevincentian.com

Holiday Inn is on Page 5

EC$1.50

No to relocate fishers Page 12

Karbon’s ‘Hard Times’ wins Page 13

Are we being ripped off?

Page 16

Law enforcement officer dismantling and removing the stalls of vendors who operated outside Massy Stores, Arnos Vale. (Source: ANN)

Lawyer Kay Bacchus-Baptiste (sitting) surrounded by the displaced farmers , has once again taken on the lead in the cause of the displaced vendors. (Source: ANN)

by SHERON GARRAWAY IN WHAT LOOKED VERY MUCH like an action that was threatened since 2020 but only effected some two years later, officers of the Royal SVG Police Force swooped down on the ‘vendors’ market’ opposite Massy Stores in Arnos Vale during the early hours of Whit Monday morning, June 6, and removed all semblance of a retail market.

Continued on Page 3.

Left: The dismantled stalls were removed from the scene by, among others, Police Transport. (Source: ANN)

What the ‘vendors market’ area looked like on Wednesday morning. (Source: ANN)

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2. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

News

St. Matthias Charities fulfilling its mission Pastor Robert Mc Barnette at last Tuesday’s ceremony in Georgetown.

St. Matthias Charities Inc., is a nonprofit organization established in May 2012 and headquartered in the Bronx, New York, focuses on uplifting ‘the educational, humanitarian and religious aspects of the lives of the people in SVG and the wider Caribbean’.

Its founder and head is the indefatigable Pastor Robert Mc Barnette.

The most recent demonstration of the philanthropic outreach of St. Matthias Charities Inc., was on Tuesday 7th June, when a donation of medical supplies was made to Georgetown Modern Medical Complex (GMMC).

Hospital Administrator of the GMMC - Idinga Miller-Walker expressed gratitude for the donation

and noted that the items were essential to the operations of particular sections of the facility.

Pastor McBarnett told a brief handing over ceremony, that the Charity donated items during the COVID-19 pandemic and during and after the eruptions of the La Soufriere, and he pledged his continued support to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other countries in the region.

St. Matthias Charities Inc.is a regular benefactor of the Stubs Polyclinic and readers might recall that the Charity made a substantial donation of medical equipment and supplies to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in June, 2018.

Included in that

donation were, among other items, an automated dental chair, an EKG machine and two (2) crash carts.

In addition to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Matthias Charities Inc. has reached out in its service

to Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Some of the equipment and supplies donated to the GMMC.

CORONAVIRUS ever present

have been recorded.

She had stated, “Unfortunately, AS THE 2022 Carnival season gets you know our numbers for COVID going, there appears to be an have been increasing over the last unspoken fear of another round of eight weeks and as of today, we the COVID-19 virus threatening to have 127 active cases and circulate here again in SVG. unfortunately over the last two The Ministry of Health, Wellness weeks we have recorded two and the Environment has made additional deaths.” several appeals to persons here to The latest recorded COVID-19 maintain the safety protocols that statistics as of Thursday 3rd June Vincentians have been practising. showed that there were 157 active In the circumstances, Chief cases with 27 new PCR and 18 new Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Simone Rapid Antigen cases. There were 4 Keizer-Beache has made a special recoveries. Total COVID-19 cases appeal to persons who are amounted to 8,807; recoveries to 8, unvaccinated and to those whose 542 and total deaths, 108. Three boosters are due, to take their persons were hospitalized with the shots. virus.

And to establsih the gravity of 71,819 vaccines have been the situation, the CMO, according administered in SVG thus far. to a June 1 NBC Radio news 36,594 persons have received their release, hinted that numbers were first dose; 30,678 their second dose rising to the point where deaths and 3,796 have received boosters.

by GLORIAH...

And as the Carnival season moves forward in earnest, calypso tents have opened, primarily at the Russell’s Dr. Simone Auditorium.

The Graduates KeizerCalypso Tent took Beache, Chief Medical to that stage last Tuesday 7th June Officer (CMO), appealed for and the compliance organisation’s with the Executive member, Glenroy safety protocols Sulle Caesar made it clear that already in steps were taken place. to guarantee patrons’ safety by way of sanitizing the venue for the night’s presentation.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . 3.

News 3 Vendors ÂmarketÊ demolished

Below: This is what the operations of the vendors who plied their trade outside Massy Stores, Arnos Vale prior to last Monday, looked like. (Source: SVG TV)

Continued from Front Page.

The Police dismantled the wooden stalls, other wooden structures and gathered the stores of some 20 vendors, loaded everything on to trucks and pick-ups, including Police Transport, and carted their loads to the Diamond Landfill, THE VINCENTIAN was told.

Some of those affected had traded in vegetables, food crops and other food items in the said area since the days of the Aunt Jobe Market, precursor to Massy Stores.

Vendors, while obviously being distraught by the police would have been aware that their operation was subject to numerous complaints by members of the public and businesses in the vicinity.

Full Circle As far back as July 2020, the Physical Planning Board had given the vendors a July 16, 2020 to remove their structures from opposite Massy Stores or face demolition of their stalls and seizure of goods.

Statements then, by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, hinted that an alternate location could be found for the vendors, encouraging the vendors to accept that there would be an amicable solution.

Close to two years later, the notice to remove was enforced.

One person affected said that the least they could have done was “to give us adequate notice, not come like some bully and mash up everything we had.”

Now that the issue has resurfaced, it has made full circle as the vendors, once again, have involved lawyer Kay Bacchus Baptiste.

At a press conference last Wednesday, held at her office, Kingstown, and at which a number of the affected vendors were present, BacchusBaptiste stated that the order by the Physical Planning Unit for the destruction of structures and confiscation of items by the police on Monday 6th June, was a breach of the Town and Country Act. There were laws, she said, that governed how matters such as these should be conducted.

She recounted that on 9th July 2022, the Planning Department issued letters to the vendors, giving them seven (7) days to vacate the area they were occupying, but

close down vendors who operated in front of their businesses, and questioned what could justify the antiperson actions of others.

“Where was the humanity?” she implored.

that area. in touch with the vendors.

Some of the vendors present She also called on the at the press conference tried government to compensate the their best to hold back the vendors. Towards addressing tears as they related the this, a comprehensive list of “thousands” (of dollars) they the persons affected and the had lost as they did their best dollar value of the goods and to support their families. items they lost, is being Some of the vendors who prepared.

Holding back the tears were present when the police Reports are that when the New action All in all though, Bacchuswere removing their items, area representative Curtis Her claim now was that the Baptiste, like many other law- alleged that they were sternly King was contacted by the government had taken so long abiding citizens, admitted that told to back off, and could only other media houses, he to respond to the appeal which she had no difficulty with watch as their goods and items declined to comment on the was still pending in court, trying to clean up the area or were toted away. matter.

Baptiste advised the and having realized that they trying to establishing a had no case, resorted to particular farmers mart in management of Massy to get forceful removal now, so as to keep within the stipulated five-year limit for effecting an enforcement order.

She said aside, “Even if they wanted to remove the structures...why wait until the wee hours of the morning,,,,,?”

Bacchus-Baptiste disclosed that the new St. Lucian adopt sustainable REPUBLIC BANK (EC) management at Massy had a LIMITED has announced a alternatives. This includes meeting with some of the loans to enable the new sustainable energy suite vendors about 2 weeks ago. acquisition of hybrid and package as part of its service Massy was expected to get offering to clients. electric vehicles, plus back to the vendors with a According to Michelle residential and commercial proposed arrangement to Palmer-Keizer, Managing solar technology integration. accommodate their removal.

Director of the Bank’s EC The aim is to unlock costThis was not to be. Instead, operations, “This groundeffective products and the lawyer continued, breaking sustainable energy solutions which in turn “….without warning, like a assist businesses and suite is directly linked to our thief in the night, structures leadership role in supporting consumers to accelerate the were removed.” sustainable development goal energy transition nationally She questioned how could it attainment in the region. and beyond. be reasonable for the big As the only Caribbean Specifically, we are keen to Republic Bank’s Director of business to remove the domiciled financial signatory move the needle on climate EC Operations Michelle sovereign vendors, and called to the UNEP FI Principles action and the availability of Palmer-Keizer. on Vincentians to not tolerate for Responsible Banking and affordable and clean energy. the disrespect. a founding member of the Whether a business owner, an Pointing to Massy, she UN-convened Net Zero Banking Alliance, the investor or a personal banking customer, we advised, “If you are corporate Republic Group has also set an ambitious are ready to support with affordable interest citizen...Massy must sit down US$200 million climate finance goal to help rates and preferential terms based on with vendors and find a way.” sustainability metrics.” mitigate against climate change and build The lawyer credited local This latest move further cements the Bank’s resilient infrastructure across the fourteen supermarket such as C.K. territories in which it operates. commitment to mobilize its customer base to Greaves for never trying to the matter was formally appealed and served four (4) days later on 13th July 2020.

The legal counsel said that the letter to the vendors was void and of no effect, and she described it as discriminatory and motivated by spite.

Republic Bank (EC) Launches Energy Suite Package

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Greedy woman jailed Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS A 26-YEAR-OLD SION HILL woman who used fictitious stories in which she called the names of prominent Vincentian professionals to obtain thousands of dollars from her friend living abroad, was jailed on Wednesday.

Chanesta Brazel was sentenced to one year and five months after pleading guilty to deception. Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne handed down the penalty at the Serious Offences Court.

Brazel was charged with, that between December 22, 2021 and May 29, 2022, she dishonestly obtained EC$24,669 in cash from the virtual complainant, with the intention of permanently depriving her of it.

According to the facts as presented by prosecutor, Alston Stapleton, Brazel and the complainant were friends, with the latter’s boyfriend being the former’s relative.

On December 22, 2021, the complainant left this country for the United States on vacation and resided in Alabama.

While there she worked as a housekeeper and continued to communicate with Brazel on WhatsApp, other social media platforms and by telephone.

During one of those conversations, Brazel told the complainant that her ex-boyfriend had said that he had tested positively for various types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Brazel told the woman that she would talk with a local doctor, a personal friend whom she identified by name, to have the boyfriend treated privately. Brazel also promised to have the doctor talk to her friend.

other family members and friends.

It took a while but the complainant eventually became suspicious of Brazel’s action, and returned home to find out what was going on.

Chanesta Brazel She visited the office of the doctor who was named in the matter and was informed that they knew nothing about the matter to which she referred.

It was at this stage that the complainant realized that the defendant was deceiving her, and reported the matter to the police, resulting in Brazel being arrested and charged.

The tongue of the Court

The Chief Magistrate was upset if not amazed on hearing the facts.

In an angry voice, she lamented the fact that someone would use fictitious stories, and include the names of local professions, and the court, to achieve financial gain.

When asked if she had anything to say, Brazel replied, “I am very sorry for what I did, I have learnt from my mistakes. I have apologized to Miss (complainant’s name), and I will continue apologising to her, and to all those I hurt”.

In making representation for sentencing, Prosecutor Renrick Cato told the court that nothing was mentioned of any monies being recovered.

The Chief Magistrate told the woman, “You have The plot thickens brought the whole Justice System into disrepute”.

The Prosecutor noted that Brazel had no previous Sometime after, the complainant received a convictions, pleaded guilty at the first available WahtsApp message from a strange number. The opportunity, but added that she had taken advantage person identified herself as the doctor to whom Barzel of her friend by using all means of getting money from had referred. her.

The doctor proceeded to inform her that her exCato said it was a very serious offence, and “we boyfriend had reported to her that she, the ought to send a strong message to those who feel they complainant had given him the STD’s and he was can deceive people in order to get money from them.” going to bring a case against her.

He suggested a prison sentence but added that the Subsequently, Brazel informed the complainant that Court had the option of ordering compensation. she knew someone who could “throw out the case”, and Further, the complainant can take civil action to get requested EC$200 to assist. The complainant sent the back her money. money via Western Union.

When the complainant took the stand, at the The request for money continued with Brazel request of the Chief Magistrate, she said she had to requesting $4,000.00 each month to purchase borrow money from others to satisfy her friend’s medication to be remitted to the complainant for her request, and had to rely on friend for other support. treatment. The money was remitted via Western She said that when she returned home all she had Union upon each request. was US$100.

In due course, Brazel upped the story by In outlining the consequences of the defendant’s communicating to her friend that her ex-boyfriend had action, the Chief Magistrate stressed the high level of filed legal action against her (complainant) and the inconvenience caused to the complainant, the state of doctor. financial harm and emotional distress done to her, and It was important, Brazel told her friend, that she the loss of confidence and trust in her friend. send money to employ a lawyer for herself and the Browne also stressed the overall serious doctor. psychological harm done to the complainant.

A sum of $2,500.00 was requested and remitted to She highlighted the seriousness of the offence, retain a lawyer whom Brazel identified by name. noting the abuse of trust, and that it was motivated by Sometime later, the complainant was informed that the expectation of hefty financial gain and greed. she had been fined $2,000.00 and she needed to send She said Brazel, whose action was prolonged, preyed this amount to pay the court. on the vulnerability of her friend.

The complainant, not wanting any problems with Browne said Brazel even took steps to prevent the the law, did not hesitate to send the money. complainant from reporting the matter, through the Over a period of five months, the complainant had mentioning of a fictitious court order. sent EC$24,669 to Brazel through Western Union and The Magistrate found no mitigating factors in relation to the offence, and the only mitigating factor she found in relation to the defendant was that she had no previous convictions. She also noted that Brazel pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity which will earn her a one third discount on sentence.

The Magistrate contended that Brazel exhibited no genuine remorse.

“She said she was sorry, but there was no emotion,” Browne said, and recalled that when Brazel was at CID after being arrested, she flushed receipts down the toilet bowl.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, but the Magistrate used 1.2 as a starting point. She then weighted the aggravating and mitigating factors, and did the calculations.

Three charged with having homemade gun TWO MEN were granted bail while another was remanded on a firearm possession charge, when they appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

Tevon Miller and Carl Quow, both of Belair, and Anil Greaves of Chauncey are jointly Tevon Carl Quow charged with possession of a Miller homemade firearm without license.

Miller pleaded guilty while Quow and Greaves pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato requested a 2-week adjournment so that the prosecution could disclose witness statement and other relevant material to the defence.

Attorney Grant Connell, who Anil made an appearance on behalf of all Greaves three defendants, made an unsuccessful effort to secure bail for Miller.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato reminded the lawyer that when someone pleads guilty to a charge, bail is no longer a right, it becomes a privilege.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne remanded Miller pending the hearing slated for Monday, June 13, and granted Greaves and Quow bail in the sum $10,000 each with one surety.

As part of their bail conditions, Greaves and Quow were ordered to surrender their travel documents.

Quow will report to the Questelles Police Station on Mondays and Fridays while Greaves will report to the Calliaqua Police Station on Mondays and Fridays.

Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit, and they are not to leave the state without the permission of the Serious Offences Court or the High Court.

The charge against the men stems from a police action in Kingstown on June 3.

Mechanic charged with ‘Guana Man’s’ murder KENNETH DAVIS, a 49-year-old mechanic of Colonaire who was remanded since March on a grievous bodily harm charge, had a murder charge read to him instead, in connection with the matter, when he returned to the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

Davis had been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Douglas ‘Guana Man’ Codougan, 69year-old labourer of Troumaca, who was Kenneth Davis reportedly beaten in the head and other parts of his body, during an incident at Byrea, March 16 this year.

Following the incident, Codougan was warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital while Davis was remanded for bail review for several weeks, on his initial appearances at the Serious Offences Court.

However, his bail was subsequently completely denied by that Court, based on a report that the victim’s condition had deteriorated.

Codougan died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on May 17, resulting in the grievous bodily harm charge being substituted by a charge for murder.

Davis was not required to plea when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on the murder charge on Tuesday. He was unrepresented.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato informed the Court that the investigator indicated there are six witnesses on file.

Davis has been remanded pending a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) slated for July 7.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 5.

Government

Contract signed for Holiday Inn Express THE GOVERNMENT of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines entered into a contractual agreement with NH International (Caribbean) Limited, for the construction of the Holiday Inn Express hotel at Diamond.

The construction of the hotel is expected to last for 18 months and at its peak will employ in excess of 120 construction workers.

Last Tuesday, June 7, a contract signing ceremony took place in the Cabinet Room. Prime Minister Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves signed on behalf of the Government and CEO of NH International- Kit Kennedy, signed on behalf of his company.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Dr. Gonsalves said that the hotel would be a 92-room facility constructed at a cost of EC$ 52 million.

According to the Prime Minister, the company to whom the contract has been awarded is the largest of its kind in the region and has a good track

record, having done Prime Minister Dr. similar and larger Hon Ralph Gonsalves construction projects to and CEO of NH the one about to be International Kit undertaken.

Kennedy, at the Dr, Gonsales al signing ceremony. disclosed that a Hotel transfer and contributing to Project Implementation the sustainability of this critical Unit, (HPIU) headed by Dr Rudy Matthias, the person renowned for his skillset in the region.

Minister of Finance, Camillo role as Chief Executive Officer of the Gonsalves was also on hand to address International Airport Development the ceremony. He said that funding for Company (IADC), will monitor the progress during the construction phase the project has been fully secured by the government through a grant from of the hotel. the CARICOM Development Fund. He CEO of NH International projected that the hotel will positively (Caribbean) Ltd Kit Kennedy in his transform the Diamond area that was remarks focused on the values of his a pasture just over a decade ago. company and its intention of being a truly Caribbean entity.

He said that this is done through its flagship internship program where young engineers across the region are given the opportunity to develop and grow through training and knowledge

Martin-Jack appointed Chief Education Officer SENIOR Education Officer, Kay Martin Jack, has been promoted to the top position of Chief Education Officer (CEO).

Martin-Jack’s tenure began on Wednesday June 8, 2022; after serving as Senior Education Officer for Secondary Schools for seven years.

Prior to being appointed CEO, Martin- Jack was responsible for supervising about 28 secondary-level institutions in her role as Senior Education Officer.

She served as the national focal point for the CARICOM Teaching Standards initiative, as well as a liaison between the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation. Martin-Jack has also sat on several Boards related to educational matters and has served on a number of ad hoc committees.

She has a wealth of experience in

the education sector, having worked at various levels throughout the primary, secondary and Kay Martin Jack – tertiary the newly systems. She appointed Chief also functioned Education Officer. in the capacity of Education Officer for Language, Literacy and Communication at the Curriculum Development Unit.

The Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation in a statement welcomed Martin-Jack in this new capacity and wished her a fruitful tenure.

The Ministry also thanks Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mr. Dixton Findlay, for his leadership during the transitionary period. (Source: API)

Frederick Stephenson, Member of Parliament for the South Windward constituency where the hotel will be constructed, expressed happiness that the construction was about to begin and thanked the Prime Minister for keeping the promise of building the hotel in the area.

He spoke about the positive impact the hotel would have on economic activity in his constituency as many individuals would be able to benefit from the jobs that will be created during the construction phase. (Source: API) A concept design that was displayed in an earlier time for the Holiday Inn Express at Diamond. It looks very much like one in Fall River, Massachusetts.

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6. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

Not going anywhere COVID-19 - still with us Take it or leave it, there has been a relaxation if not an unofficial removal of the restrictions that were introduced in our ‘national’ effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus and its resulting COVID-19 disease.

We say this because as the decision was made to have carnival after a two-year hiatus, and even if the carnival was promised to be a scaled down activity — what has obtained at all of the pre-carnival (officially sanctioned?) rural activities speak a language that says COVID-19 related restrictions have been removed, as far as local events are concerned, suggesting as it might that COVID-19 is behind us.

In case we need a reminder. It is not!!

The Friday, 3rd June, 2022 Ministry of Health daily update informed that this country had recorded 8,807 cases of COVID19 0f which 8, 542 persons had recovered.

One hundred and eight (108) persons were recorded as having died because of COVID19. There were 157 active COVID-19 cases in SVG. Isn’t this enough proof that COVID-19 has gone no way?

And even if it is that data might suggest the acute phase of COVID-19 has been dramatically reduced, the elderly and patients with comorbidities remain at risk of poor outcomes from infection thus, personal caution remains a strong recommendation.

The truth is that no one, healthy or not, can know in advance whether they will get it.

So, as fearmongering as it might sound, Carnival related mass activities, which we expect will involve both visitors and local residents, remain almost ideal settings for the transmission of the coronavirus.

For sure, we all want to see, and should be contributing to a return to some semblance of normality — if at all there can ever be a return to a pre-COVID normal.

Whatever the case, if we are to return to a semblance of normality — newly defined or otherwise — we have to give greater appreciation of each individual’s comfort zone in all aspects of person-to-person interaction, and carnival will naturally create boundless occasions for interaction.

The way we see it is that as restrictions are lifted and/or ignored in this carnival season, exposure is no longer a possibility but a certainty. Can masking and social distancing be encouraged as viable measures against COVID-19 in this heightened season of people adulterated action and interaction we call carnival?

COVID-19 is still here and carnival is not going anywhere. While we ‘celebrate the culture’, we are reminded that reducing the

spread of COVID-19 is everybody’s business.

Calypso - still with us For the unadulterated, be reminded that Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that reached it early heights among descendants of African slaves and others who recognized its potential, in the early twenty century in the Caribbean.

Whether or not it was first sang in French creole, it is a rhythmic and heavily biased lyrical musical art form/genre that was used effectively to represent the social, political concerns of the masses, to highlight gallivanting among themselves and to poke fun at each other.

In a real, unimpeded almost nonchalant manner, calypso provided an opportunity for the masses to ridicule the pre and postindependence political administrations and commercial status quos, in the Englishspeaking Caribbean.

When the critical calypsos became a little too strong to bear, Prime Minister Dr. Eris Williams of Trinidad and Tobago, the mecca of calypso, is said to have simply removed his hearing aid, (he was hearing impeded).

In our case, Prime Minister James Mitchel simply ignored the ridicule, and tuned into some more classical form of music from one of his favourite quartets.

Just two example to indicate that calypso was allowed to thrive unimpeded through the years by administrations of different persuasions.

Unfortunately, it has become all so real in the last twenty or so years here, that calypso is under threat by the administration. Never before in the modern history of calypso here (and this writer has been listening to and associated with calypso as far back as 1960 when Young Sparrow won the crown) has local calypso come under the ominous microscope of an incumbent political administration as it has under the Unity Labour Party.

In fact, the only other time when calypso seemed threatened was under the ULP’s coparent, the St. Vincent Labour Party.

Calypsonians, especially those who are not prepared to become apologists for the status quo, should consider themselves duty-bound to protect their art form — to ward off any political authority who would want to redefine its purpose and purview, and deny its history.

Mind you, calypsonians must recognize that they must responsible, accurate and uplifting even in their sarcasm and humour.

That calypso has withstood the test of time speaks to its influence, and to the potential it holds to make and destroy administrations — political or otherwise.

Socio-political calypso ain goin no way soon, ban or no ban!!!

Selecting the Next Generation of Leaders IN BUSINESS, one of the defining traits of a successful leader is who they choose as a successor. The same is true in politics. However, in politics, the challenges are more complicated because we must let the new generation of leaders grow organically out of years of preparatory work. It cannot be forced or manipulated. If pushed, it will yield an era in the political wilderness.

A good leader understands that their success is not a solo act.

They surround themselves with intelligent action-oriented people who share their values and have complementary skills. Whenever I think of examples of good deputies this time of the year, I am forced to turn to my favorite game, basketball. So many times this year, we have seen head coaches sidelined because of the league’s stiff Covid rules. The great teams had deputies who stepped in and kept the team going. Folks, this did not happen because those teams only had great players. They also had great leaders (coaches)–leaders who were not afraid to share the spotlight. And deputies, we can describe as co-creators, collaborators, confident and capable. Yet no one will describe any of these deputy leaders as yes men.

My point in all of this is that the right deputy is not always someone that will not disagree with you or have a different opinion.

Early this year, the opposition party (NDP) elected its leadership team. Now we hear that the ULP is about to do the same thing in the coming weeks. Let me be clear, I am not a member of any of these parties. I tell you this to say I will have no say in this decision, but you know I have an opinion anyway.

I was disappointed with some of the selections by the NDP to key leadership positions, and I am sure I will be disappointed in some of those elected by the ULP as well.

For the Love of Country, please consider a few of the following as

you embark on this journey: 1. Don’t elect a “yes person.”

Your deputy should be the person who can pull you aside and say, “I’m sensing people are anxious about your pending decision to convince a meeting of the Mercy Board to discuss a pardon for that lady from your constituency, but they are afraid to speak up.”

2. Don’t elect a person you can’t trust. This should be obvious. Not every loyal team member can be trusted to do the right thing when no-one is looking.

3. This is especially true when you foster a “friendly” competitive environment among your current eligible candidate.

4. If you have any doubts about promoting a deputy, stop and examine your concerns. We need to know the candidates’ vision for the Country and the Party.

Simply continuing the current platform is not good enough. We want to know where they see us in twenty years and what they see as their role in making that happen.

5. We cannot place too high a value on accomplishments over good judgment and trustworthiness. Every current eligible candidate is capable of accomplishing great things or can acquire those skills. But, do they have the character of a leader.

6. The deputy should be capable of stepping up and leading the country. We are not simply looking for a replacement.

In other words, they do not have to bring the same set of skills to the table as the current leader.

I know some will say this is a democratic process and the party will be the one electing the leadership team, but we both know that the opinion of the current leaders carries a lot of weight in this decision. Is there anyone among us that think Dr. Friday did not get who he wanted on his team? Do you believe the person elected to the Deputy Leader position of the ULP would be someone who does not meet the approval of Dr. Gonsalves?

May the forces be with us all.

Horatio

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 7.

Letters

Who cares about Canouan lands?

ALL OF CANOUAN is beautiful and every effort should be made to maintain and preserve it for the people who live there and for those who visit. The village of Balance conveys the approach to development that should be taking place on this pristine Caribbean island. The land space is too small for mistakes in planning to go unchallenged because the dire consequences that result, we may not be able to live with.

Beginning with the beaches, all the beaches should be cared for to hotel standard. They

should be cleaned daily and sea grapes, almond, cedar, fat pork (poke) and coconut planted to protect the shoreline.

Washroom facilities should be installed on every beach. Beaches should be managed by a Parks and Beaches Commission, perhaps with the hotels being the major stakeholders as they have a vested interest. Local sanitation workers, together with hotel workers would constitute the main beautification crews, complemented by volunteer organizations.

Beaches may be rented

for specified periods of time for private use to boost income for maintenance.

The proportion of land made available to local people and investors should be a matter of agreement among the local population. Young people must have hope that they can own a portion of their own land.

A land use policy needs to be developed together with a housing policy that maximizes the use of space. Land conservation measures need to be adopted to preserve the green spaces.

Villages of Canouan should as far as is feasible, look as well kept as the hotel property in the Gulf. The people who work in the Gulf should take pride in beautifying their surroundings.

In this day and age with so much foreign exchange being generated in Canouan, running water should be made available to the local population. Until such time as that is done, concessionary funding (interest free loans) should be made available for the construction of water tanks, and guttering for

rainwater harvesting.

The schools in Canouan should be equipped to teach the core subjects of English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Besides this, all students should have the opportunity to learn a skill before leaving school. Every effort should be made to give islanders opportunity to be trained and employed at every level of the hotel industry.

Health Care facilities on the island should be adequate to meet the needs of the locals as well as the tourists.

The Airport and Seaport should be kept in good repair to facilitate communication.

Traditional culture and livelihood should be maintained and enhanced.

In the absence of Local Government and Constituency Funds, and in consideration of its contribution to the national purse, Canouan perhaps needs its own representative in Parliament.

Anthony Stewart, PhD

The environment can contribute to crimes THE ENVIRONMENT can contribute to crime but on the other hand, it can also contribute to better society and individuals.

It is often said that it takes a community to raise a child. We recognize that times have changed and so societies and raising a child have also changed.

There were times when an elder person could discipline a child… not anymore. Today, you dare not speak to another person’s child.

When we look at some rural communities where there is a togetherness, there is very little crime.

In some communities the environment is such that

persons sometimes sleep with their houses and vehicles unlocked. In these communities the people might lime on the block playing and even drinking, but the conversations and conduct are good, not controlled by ‘bad-man talk’.

In many rural communities and other communities where the environment is good, they breed a sense of good conduct. People follow the lead of other people in the community.

In an environment that is good, people who commit crimes will be made to feel they are not accepted.

In the healthy

environment there are comrades, good role models, good friendships and looking out for others.

On the other hand, when the environment is bad it harbors criminals.

For many times, young ones grow up seeing and hearing this ‘bad-man talk’ and observing the anger and violence of others. Those who observe this think it is the way to go, ie. that you must defend yourself by being a bad man.

In an environment that is bad, there is a lack of love and respect.

People become selfish, where they live for themselves, and money and the gun are seen as

power.

I am proud to be a part of the Rose Bank community where the environment is not one that encourages crimes.

Research would show that there is hardly anyone from this village who served time in jail, except maybe for drugs.

Of course, there have been the exceptions but by and large, it is a safe community where you can sleep in comfort knowing that your home will not be burglarized and someone will harm, far less kill you.

In the healthy environment people share and show love and fear for God. Let us work together to create a

Watch it Mr. Pooran!!!

I MUST COMMEND Cricket West Indies for arranging it such that new white ball captain of the West Indies team, Nicholas Pooran, was given a relatively easy entry into the world of captaincy at the highest level.

Not that I am saying that the Netherlands are ‘good for nothings’ at cricket, but let’s be honest. Coming up against them was far easier that coming up against say Pakistan in your first outing as captain.

Whatever the case, congratulations are in order for Pooran. He goes down in history as winning in his first series as captain of the West Indies, easy ride as it might have been.

That said, I would not be true to myself if I didn’t raise concern about Captain Pooran’s form with the bat. He was simply bad, bad and bad in this regard against the Netherlands. He managed scores of seven, ten and seven in the three matches against the

Netherlands.

That is poor, poor and poor form if ever. And this was on the same wickets and facing up to the same bowlers against whom people like Brandon King, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers and Shamah Brooks made telling scores. And there was nothing bad about the pitch.

I hope for his sake that he can turn the corner on his batting and not be another one of those

batsmen who when they got captaincy they simply fell away as batsmen.

Be assured though, I am behind the team one hundred percent. It’s a new beginning and a good time to say thank you and bye-bye to all those old men who we hung on to for too long.

My best to Captain Pooran and the new look West Indies teams.

Charles, Edinboro

good environment where crimes would be minimal as a result of our togetherness and love.

Let us be socialable and be our brothers’ keeper.

May God help us as a people to work together towards the reduction of crime.

Kennard King

Thank you The Sunday School and Children’s Ministries Department of the New Testament Church of God St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia extend heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the success of the Essay Writing Competition, which took place in May, 2022.

We give special recognition and appreciation to the following for donating trophies and prizes to the winners in the competition: FLOW (SVG) The Bamboo Spa (Fountain) Glenroy’s Woodworking and Furniture Making Shop (Diamond Village) Connell’s Enterprises (Barrouallie) Jubilee Beauty Salon (Kingstown) The persons who marked the essays: Lynette Roberts Virginia Liverpool Keziah Lynch Trakeisha Davis Maxine Coombs Otto Sam. The NSSCM Board thanks members for their sacrificial donation, all the participants and those who supported.

Thank you and God bless!

People are asking: * What is the true, true reason for the hold-up in getting those houses at Orange Hill into the hands of the people for whom they were built. Must government be reminded that the houses were provided by a charitable group who must be wondering, why the hold-up? * Have we accepted that when that

St. Lucia company is finished its quarrying business in Richmond that the whole topography of the area could change? Or are we to believe that they are going to replace the top soil so people can return to living and farming there? * And by the way, while people are asking about that quarry, when is somebody from the NDP going to come

forward and present to the nation a full economic impact of this investment on the country as a whole? What it really means for us, e.g. jobs, real income, taxes, etc.? * Could the police not have given early national warning about where ‘carnival street parties’ were going to take place so that persons would not bother to plan outings — including family outings for those dates? Did anyone get stuck in the street jumps over the last two weekends or so?

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Promoting food security through support ULPÊs personalised foreign policy is bad for SVG for our fisherfolk Introduction COMING off a two-year absence, the Fisherman’s Day activities returned this year at the Calliaqua playing field on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Hundreds of Vincentians made their way to the venue to be part of this activity that was last hosted in 2019, but had to be put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic that restricted large gatherings as part of the protocols to prevent the spread of the virus. Fisherfolk from across the country participated in the various competitions with the usual fierce competitiveness vying for the chance to be crowned Fisherman of the Year, a title that apart from the prizes associated with it, carries bragging rights. For years, our fisherfolk have played their part in not only feeding their families, but also their communities with fresh fish caught in traditional ways. Many families survive from the fishing industry as the source of their income to feed themselves, take care of living expenses, and sending their children to school. The majority of our fisherfolk engage in subsistence fishing, that caters for their families with the excess being sold to communities, and greater surpluses sold to other customers, including restaurants. There are those that engage in fishing on a more commercial scale, who target restaurants and hotels on the mainland and in the Grenadines.

Regardless of their clientele, the vast majority of fisherfolk either engage in seine fishing or line fishing for a few hours per day done relatively close to land. There has been either a reluctance or inability to engage in fishing on a much larger scale, the kind that requires trawlers that spend days out at sea and harvest much larger quantities of fish. One thing is becoming more obvious, and that is, while the usual style of fishing may have been adequate in times past, it will not be able to fulfil the anticipated demands in the short-tomedium term. We must expand. The Unity Labor Party administration has a clear plan for the fisheries sector and the blue economy, and continuously provides support to our fisherfolk and this is set to continue through the recently launched fleet expansion program.

Global inflation and food insecurity One lesson reinforced by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, is countries that are heavily dependent on imports will always be vulnerable to exogenous shocks that arise from volatility in global supply chain. The Covid-19 pandemic that caused major lockdowns in many of the producing countries, created supply shortages that resulted in price increases for basic commodities across the globe as production centres closed.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Russia’s military action against Ukraine saw immediate increase in the price of oil on the global market, which is in turn driving increases in almost every product that is dependent one way or other on fuel for either production or transportation. Added to that, with Ukraine being one of the top 5 global producers of wheat, the situation

which is still ongoing continues to create major shortages in wheat and wheat-based products which also exacerbated the increases in the price of food items in source markets. These increases have contributed to a rise in global inflation, and consumers are reeling from the impact where prices have more than doubled in some instances. The price of a gallon of gas at the pump in the USA for example has doubled on average, and consumers now pay twice time for a gallon of gas than they paid just over a year ago. All of these things impact SVG in a very real way as our inflation is imported essentially stemming from our heavy dependence on imports. This situation threatens our ability as consumers to feed ourselves adequately, as a lot of what we eat, from meats, cereals, to starches, have become more expensive and our dollar buys less. We need to improve our food security as a country, and one way of achieving this is by eating more of what we produce.

If we can do this on a greater scale, we will feed ourselves and possibly our neighbours, as we did this at the onset of the pandemic.

Fleet expansion and food security As a key sector of the Vincentian economy, the development of fisheries will be vital to sustainable food production and food security in SVG. It is a sector with significant potential for expansion since our country is blessed with a vast seascape that far exceeds our landscape, offering significant fisheries resource. The proper expansion of our fisheries sector will put this country in the position to be able to supply all the fish needed for domestic consumption, while also engaging in export of fish and fish products. It is with this in mind that the Unity Labour Party administration has developed a fleet expansion program designed to modernise the fleet of fishing vessels, to enable more efficient harvesting of fish by our fisherfolk. Through this program, the government will spend $4 million on fishing vessels, and will train interested fisherfolk in the management and operation of these vessels. Training has already begun and there is very high interest in the program by our fishers who recognise the amazing opportunity presented, and are taking full advantage of it.

Local demand for fish and other products is expected to increase significantly, with the investment by Rainforest Seafoods, and with the hotels that will come on stream over the next two years. To meet such demand, it is absolutely necessary that our fisherfolk participate in this excellent initiative by the government that allows for more efficient operations in the sector. This is a first step towards food security as we will become completely self-sufficient, and be able to engage in targeted export of our fisheries product. Having learned the lessons of our vulnerability to outside shocks taught us by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, we must embrace the support of the government to the fisheries sector and work towards food security, because our lives depend on it.

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) recognizes the right of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a sovereign nation to maintain diplomatic relations with other sovereign nations of its choosing.

However, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has fashioned its foreign policy approach to reflect a personal, overly strident support of nondemocratic regimes like Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and Iran, while ignoring our more traditional allies like the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, which are significant centres of the Vincentian Diaspora.

This personalised foreign policy approach by the ULP government is reflected daily by the utterances of spokespersons for the government, as if diplomatic relations with some of these countries started when the ULP government came to power. For instance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic relations with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in 1981, and with the Republic of Cuba in 1992, when the NDP was in office.

The government’s foreign policy approach is questioned by most Vincentians. As Major Leacock said, “Prime Minister Gonsalves wants St. Vincent and the Grenadines to be seen in the eyes of the world as the country that defies our traditional relationship with North America and Europe.” To this end, the Prime Minister needs to explain to Vincentians why he did not attend the Summit of the Americas. The Summit of the Americas is an international summit meeting of the leaders of the countries in the Organization of American States.

The ULP government has failed our country on our international reputation. They have repeatedly promised to engage other countries but complacently delivered little for Vincentians. We do not receive the investment, aid or trade which St. Vincent and the Grenadines needs for economic growth and jobs.

NDP’s Foreign Policy will create jobs and economic growth The NDP recognizes that we need international goodwill to bring investment into St. Vincent and the Grenadines to help us achieve our plan for jobs and economic growth. All our efforts will be targeted to maximize our inward investment and help us deliver jobs and better standards of living for all our people.

The NDP reaffirms its commitment to invest in our international role, commensurate with our condition as a small island developing state in a globalized environment. In this regard, we will place primary emphasis on diplomatic efforts to create and exploit new opportunities in trade and business relations through bilateral and multilateral initiatives, while maintaining and strengthening, wherever possible, traditionally beneficial principles.

This new diplomacy aims at empowering our people, thereby enabling them to build the society they desire; safe, prosperous and proud of our heritage and role in the world.

For countries like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with small open economies subject to the vagaries of that condition, creative engagement in International Affairs is required, not only as a consequence of political independence, but as an indispensable area of involvement for the enhancement of national development and the provision of greater

opportunities for country and nationals alike. Our foreign policy will be tailored to maximize these opportunities.

The NDP is confident that it has devised a methodology which will enable our country to benefit from increased interaction in the international community. The NDP is proud of our people and nation, and we are convinced that we can contribute significantly, within our means, on the international stage, while conversely increasing the benefits to be derived from that engagement.

The central facet of our external relations will be to deepen the regional integration process with particular reference to the OECS, then reaching outwards through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) integration initiatives. This will provide the springboard from which we could insert ourselves into other hemispheric and global integration, especially with respect to economic and trade relations. We will pursue a broad-based political cooperation and linkages policy, geared towards increasing the economic and social benefits to be derived thereof.

Further, there are a number of Vincentians abroad who are qualified and lecture in Information Technology, Medicine, Engineering and other areas. Their expertise is welcomed by the NDP as we seek to create a knowledge based economy.

We look forward to the Diaspora playing a major role in training, teaching and investing in Information Technology and its development as a sector. We welcome the investment of the Diaspora in local business which will improve the two way trade between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Diaspora.

We also will see the Diaspora having an impact on health care. And, establish close ties with the Garifuna community around the world and deepen relations with the descendants of the Garifuna people who were banished from St. Vincent to Roatan Island.

We will also review our international partnerships to ensure we are creating the best possible environment to create jobs and bring investment into our country. And, diligently review and actively pursue the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union to secure the benefits associated with trade in goods and services. Broaden deepen diplomatic relations with the existing countries and seek diplomatic ties with other countries on the basis of respect for human rights and the recognition of participatory democracy. And, support and encourage the peaceful resolution of international conflicts and diligently participate in the fight against terrorism and money laundering.

Moreover, we will reform the operations and functions of our country’s foreign offices to feverishly pursue and attract investment and to establish and deepen trade in goods and services. And, maintain our obligations to all international conventions and treaties to which we are committed and examine and sign others as they become available and to the extent that they are consistent with our foreign policy.

Our approach will be flexible, yet purposeful, with the protection and advancement of the interests of the people of our country always being paramount.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 9.

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Failed but not Failures

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end.” - Denis Waitley (born 1933), American writer, motivational speaker, and consultant.

THERE IS VALUE IN READING the biographies and autobiographies of successful men and women. Among other things, we discover the character traits that enabled them to arrive at their pinnacles of success. Most of these individuals would have surmounted great odds and suffered many defeats along their paths to their success. They were able to see the priceless value of defeats, detours, disappointments, and failure. These setbacks often strengthened their resolve to persist. They knew that they may have failed at a particular task but they were not failures. In so many instances, failure is a forerunner to great success.

Most persons who are classified as “successful” have had significant failures in life, politics, and/or in business. We are reminded that persons like Albert Einstein (18791955), Sir Winston Churchill (18741965), and USA’s President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), to mention a few, experienced traumatic failures prior to basking in the successes that now make them legends.

Many of us forget that the great US inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931) once had a teacher writing home to his parents indicating that, “He is too stupid to learn.” These unkind words (by an insensitive teacher) were written after he was showing signs of “failing” in class. He proved the teacher wrong with many of his scientific inventions; all of the persons mentioned above exerted efforts to learn from their failures. Many of their biographies and autobiographies record some early failures in their own ventures as they struggled to obtain an education, pursuit of a career, or to establish a business. We can mentor them to success and keep hope alive. They may have failed but they were not failures.

Oprah Winfrey (born 1954), the American talk show host, author, actress, and philanthropist is a perfect example of someone who experienced early defeat but retained her pursuit of excellence and eventually archived world fame for doing so. We can describe her early life as being “hard” and “traumatic”.

She was born in rural Mississippi, USA. Her grandmother, being aware of the ever-increasing importance of being literate, taught Oprah to read at age three. This provided the young Oprah with the necessary foundation to shine academically. She excelled at school and secured a scholarship to college. She did exceptionally well at the arts and was able to secure jobs in the media following her graduation.

It is therefore quite understandable that many of her philanthropic activities seek to encourage children, especially those from depressed and disadvantaged communities, to develop and maintain a love for reading and literature.

Oprah’s tenacity was evident early in her career. A news show that she had been affiliated with as a co-host failed. The talented and ambitious Oprah was demoted. However, she refused to be deflated or to wallow in

self-pity. She regrouped mentally and emotionally and, having gained her own talk show, she harnessed her buoyant style that propelled her to stardom and world fame.

Oprah took the calculated risk and embarked on her OWN network after she had spent over two decades as a popular television talk show host.

However, her network experienced early challenges as it sought to attract a viewership that would enable it to turn a profit. Some viewers and financial analysts prematurely concluded that her network was a failure. However, she refused to accept defeat. She regrouped, engaged in a number of programme changes, sough collaboration and synergies with other networks, and kept the enterprise afloat. It remains a financially viable entity today. Her resolve reminds us that we often have the capacity to overcome life’s challenges if we would be willing to engage in critical analysis of our operations and to make the necessary changes when aspects of the operation appear to be failing.

Winners develop the ability to cope with life’s varied detours, disappointments, and failures. We are encouraged by the words of the American clergyman Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858—1901) who reminds us that, “we make a common and costly mistake in thinking that success is due to some genius, some magic – something or other which we do not possess.” He asserted that, “success is generally due to holding on”. That determination to persevere, even after we may have experienced some degree of failure, is often what determines whether or not we succeed in life. Individuals who decide to learn a language, study music, pursue a course of study, or engage in some form of physical exercise, may periodically experience failure. But failure is not final. Babcock reminds us of the lesson of patience emerging from the Chinese proverb, “With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes satin.” We may periodically fail … but we are not failures. Robert T. Kiyosaki (born 1947), the American businessman and author reminds us that, “Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success.”

Ellen DeGeneres (born 1958), the American comedian, television host, and actress reminds us that, “When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.” Failure may punctuate our progress but we must persist having treasured and learned from the valuable lessons that often accompany temporary defeat.

Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) said it well when he noted that, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Sometimes we may fail … but we are not failures.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

Vending and other vexing problems THE VEXING ISSUE of vending is headline news again. This follows the government's dreadfully wicked and callous decision to direct its security forces to destroy the structures outside Massy Supermarket at Arnos Vale. The authority's decision to command the police to destroy and discard the produce of the poor and needy vendors Compounded the cruel act.

Can there be a weighty argument that vendors offer stiff competition to supermarkets and other businesses around which they sell? Massy is a multi-million dollar business that sells 100s of items compared to most vendors whose products, mostly fruits and vegetables, may be valued at no more than $1,500. Therefore, the insistence that vendors offer unfair competition to businesses reflects a pro-business and anti-poor bias that disregards the dismal economic reality in our country.

Political parties have turned vending into political football. This malicious attempt by politicians to exploit vulnerable people must stop. Politicians cannot encourage vendors while in opposition and disdainfully smash them when they gain power.

The issue of vending is not unique to St Vincent. Vending is uniquely related to unemployment, poverty and the inability of modern societies to meet the needs of their citizens. Vending is the response of a desperate yet creative and entrepreneurial section of our population to survive, thus keeping body and soul.

To understand what drives the vending problem in SVG, we should ponder these facts. One out of every three persons in SVG lives in poverty.

According to the World Bank, youth unemployment is over 40 percent. The government celebrates, as a towering achievement, that poor relief payments of up to $250 are issued each month to over 6,000 Vincentians. At least twice per year, the government gleefully announces that it employs over 6,000 Vincentians for the paltry sum of $240 to clean the streets and roadways for seven to ten days of work.

That’s the mountain of problems we face.

Governing party apologists are quick to mouth the truism that the government cannot be reasonably expected to find jobs for everybody.

Government’s 2022 budget projects to create less than 100 jobs. The private sector, concerned as it rightly is with maximising profits, is neither required nor expected to bend backwards to create employment.

What then must the poor and needy people do?

They do as other similarly situated people all over the world. They endeavour to create a space for themselves. They think of creative ways to supply the basic needs of their families. The vast majority of our people do not steal or engage in illegal activity.

Many of them ply their trade buying and selling. Like the business person who spies a proper location to open a new business, the vendor looks for a spot outside a business place that has a lot of traffic.

Before this renewed push to clear the streets, the argument made against vending was that it created congestion.

People cannot walk the sidewalk because it's clogged with vending tables.

The debate about vending has skillfully, but meanly shifted from congestion to filth. Those who want to remove vendors now claim that the city is filthy.

Firstly, that claim is not true. But if we take that point as fact, who must be blamed for the filthy reality?

Whose responsibility is it to keep the streets clean? Who must ensure that the

toilets at the Kingstown market, Little Tokyo and the Leeward bus terminal are kept clean? These places are areas of high traffic. Unless there is constant cleaning, these facilities will deteriorate rapidly. They will be foul-smelling. The faucets will become leaky; creepy crawly life forms will invade and take over these structures.

To be sure, some vendors don’t care if Good Friday falls on a Monday. Their sole aim and purpose is the hustle. They want to maximise turnover. Some set up shop on one side of the walkway and place their stool on the other side, thus narrowing the path of pedestrians.

Others simply drop their refuge on the ground, resulting in an untidy condition. These practices must be policed and frowned on.

The solution to the problem cannot be, must not be, the wholesale removal of vendors from the street of Kingstown.

Chasing all vendors off the streets will create more problems than it solves.

Vending and marketplaces can best be described as organised chaos.

Therefore, any attempt to bring structure and organisation to this area of Vincentian life is fraught with danger. There is going to be hurt feelings and political fallout.

A way to wrap our minds around the problem is to recognise and acknowledge its genesis: poverty and unemployment. We have to live and let’s live. In the best spirit of compromise, some give and take must be thought through and implemented. Government must not try to impose a solution. It must work with the vendors.

Commercial activity for Kingstown has to be redrawn if vending is to be elevated from a kind of informal settlement to organized activity. The authorities should close Middle Street from the police barracks to Heritage Square to vehicular traffic and parking from 6 am to 6 pm. Heritage Square should also be close to vehicular traffic.

These areas should be turned into exclusive vending zones. Utilising the first in time rule, each business place on Back Street should have no more than three vendors. The same holds for Bay Street.

Buildings earmarked for vending will not work unless there’s a ‘magnet’ attracting people to these sites.

Another problem is the storage spaces for each vending stall at the sites identified for vendors are much too small for the number of goods some vendors own. The vehicle licensing or property tax offices are attractive magnets and should be considered for the top floor of the Kingstown market and the other sites.

A public/private partnership should be aggressively pursued to source and place more garbage disposal bins in and around Kingstown. This partnership should also source vending structures which should be given to each vendor on the condition that they repay the cost over time. These changes will assist in ridding Kingstown of the unsightly board structures used by most vendors.

Unless we take a holistic attitude to the issue of vending and gain an appreciation that its spread is directly related to poverty and unemployment, the problem will not go away, resentment among the poor will grow and our society will pay the price.

Are we ready for the unpleasant fallout of this anti-people policy?

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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We must accept the Singapore model POVERTY has become rife throughout our country as a result of the ULP regime’s foolish approach running the SVG economy. For over 20 years, they have been begging and borrowing and trying to run the economy with a focus on tourism. This has not worked. Our economy is very weak and there are high levels of unemployment and poverty in our country.

On top of their incompetent methods of trying to run the economy, the ULP regime have starved the SVG Treasury of revenue by giving away hundreds of millions of dollars in tax and customs duty exemption to the super rich migrants of Mustique and Canouan and allowing Taiwan to avoid paying Fish Tax. The ULP regime’s approach to managing the economy has not worked for over 20 years. The definition of madness is doing the same thing

We need to take back our deep sea tuna fishing licence for the Atlantic Ocean from Taiwan and set up our own tuna fishing and canning repetitively and expecting different Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal industry. This would bring in billions results. Our country cannot carry on BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA lived in of dollars of revenue. as usual and expect better results. We Singapore with his wife and three Leader of SVG Green Party, need change and we need a new children from 1963 to 1965 and Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BS approach to running the SVG witnessed the way free, high-quality (Hons), MSc, MBA, who spent three economy. education for every child played a years full time reading for his BSc We must urgently accept and adopt central role in the successful economic (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and the Singapore economic development development of Singapore.

Economics at Oxford Brookes model and build a knowledge-based Conversely, it is quite apparent that University, England, very strongly economy, with high-quality education SVG has a much worse education contends that we must change our as the main engine of the SVG system and standard of living leadership to create a strong economy economy. Education from preschool to parallel to that of Haiti and totally and significantly reduce poverty and our own university must be free to all unacceptable in this day and age. We unemployment in SVG. our children, regardless of their have no other option but to change We must adopt the Singapore economic background. direction and build a very strong Economic Development Model and The focus on high-quality, free economic model, based upon the build a knowledge-based economy with education for every child played a foundation of free, high-quality high-quality education as the main crucial role in Singapore’s education for every child from preengine of the SVG economy. Education development of a knowledge-based school to our Science University. from preschool to our own university economy and journey to becoming a SVG needs a highly educated must be free to all our children and World Bank economic success with one workforce, just like Singapore. should be our path for development, so of the highest standards of living in We need surplus revenue to drive we can create a university-educated the world. such a high-quality education system. workforce.

The leaving behind of unfinished tasks!

CONSIDERING the frequency with which the ULP led by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves used to be heard singing from their platforms — “don’t let me leave behind unfinished tasks”, to impress, that they were sincere in their promises they had made to the people; I feel burdened to draw to their attention some of the tasks they had undertaken and which seem to have been forgotten by them.

The revitalization of agriculture

This was a promise which won for the ULP the support of thousands of Vincentians whose livelihood depended on the cultivation of the land, as they had been doing for many decades.

They (ULP) promised that they were going to revitalize the Banana Industry which the NDP led by James Mitchell had seemingly given up on. A vital element of that revitalization was to have been the repairing of the ‘Feeder roads’. Despite the hosting of an ‘International Banana Conference’, at the Methodist Church Hall in 2004

the properties housing the two leading when decisions were taken as to the way forward, we are now not exporting secondary schools in the state. one pound of bananas to the UK. The Girls’ High School and the St. Vincent Grammar schools are now The cross country road housed in temporary structures at the now de-commissioned ‘E.T. Joshua It must be remembered, that the Airport’, and some concerned citizens funds which went into or were wasted are wondering if the authorities had on that project, had been intended for taken cognizance of the history of the improvement of the E.T. Joshua flooding in that area of Arnos Vale in Airport. Had we found it possible to do the hurricane seasons. the extension envisaged, we might well There cannot be said with sincerity have been able to defer the burden of that we have had an education the Argyle Airport and use the revolution in St. Vincent and the resources to enhance our economic Grenadines, when there is irrefutable base and maintain our infrastructure. evidence that we have a problem with students who are entering secondary The fortifying of our education school, who are not appropriately system tooled.

Some of the blame for that sad The ULP had promised that they situation will no doubt be found in the were going to pay serious attention to neglect of the Agriculture Sector by education. They called it an ‘Education the authorities. Over the more than Revolution’, in which we were to aim twenty years that they have been to have at least one university trained responsible for the management of this person in every household. A beautiful country, they have not been commendable vision indeed! But when faithful to the promises they made to the reality of their approach to the the people. management of the socio-economic arc Given the demonstration of the lack of our society is examined, one cannot of trustworthiness of Dr. Gonsalves help but wonder if they had really and the ULP over the last twenty-one been sincere in that promise, or that there was merely consistency with the years, the socio-economic pressure that many nations of the world are now ‘game-plan’, to promise anything that having to adjust to and the strong would impress the people.

One remembers clearly, that a much evidence that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and his ULP are now very close to the end acclaimed endeavour was the of their era of influence, and they have construction of the plywood school houses to accommodate the increase in not yet been able to come up with a the intake of students to the secondary plan to address the loss of over thirty thousand (30,000) jobs in the schools. Incidentally up to a few months ago, it had been reported that agriculture sector, it seems obvious that they will be leaving behind quite 1.9 million dollars relative to that project had not yet been accounted for. a significant number of ‘Unfinished tasks’.

The sad reality is that today more than twenty years later, we seem to be scrambling to address the disrepair of LeRoy Providence

V Mavcom Spearheads ÂPositive FatherhoodÊ Campaign

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 11.

Corporate

Paul Morris, Managing Director of Mavcom, lines up the resources of his company behind a cause to highlight positive ‘Father’ roles.

MAVCOM, in collaboration with several well-known businesses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has committed to highlighting the impact of positive fatherhood for Father’s Day 2022.

Paul Morris, Managing Director of Mavcom, lamented the fact that in recent times we have been inundated with far too many reports of criminal and violent activities, particularly against the women and children in our society.

Morris pointed to studies which increasingly recognize the importance of Fathers in positively impacting the lives of their children and reducing negative outcomes in society. The studies reveal that some of the positive outcomes for a child who has an involved Father include better academic performance, greater emotional security, healthy self-esteem, increased empathy and general pro-social behavior, contrasted with higher risks of drug use, truancy, criminal activity and violence evidenced by children without an involved Father.

“Therefore, as a concerned Corporate Citizen, and as a Father, I feel that the time has come for Fathers to play a more dominant role in positively shaping our society, and we need to start highlighting the

positive impact of Fatherhood.” Morris added.

Morris explained that Mavcom’s “Positive Fatherhood” campaign is aimed at: raising the awareness of the positive impact of a father’s involvement in a child’s life; recognizing and acknowledging Fathers who are currently positively involved in the lives of their biological children and other children in our country; modeling positive fatherhood to existing and potential fathers and challenging the seemingly acceptable norms of a father’s involvement being optional.

The main element of the campaign is an Essay Competition for CPEA students on “The Importance of Fathers”.

Prizes will be given to the students submitting the top 3 essays, with the winners receiving a 256gb laptop for themselves. The winners’ schools will also receive a prize.

The campaign also includes a panel discussion on “The Importance of Fathers”, and a day dedicated to recognizing Fathers through social media.

Posts must include the hashtag #daddysimpact.

Prizes will be awarded for randomly selected winning posts.

Other partners in this initiative include the Searchlight Newspaper,

the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Education, Beachcombers Hotel, G.I.

Investments, Polished Beauty Clinic and Sweet Radio SVG. Mavcom, a Vincentian electronics and

Information Communications Technology business, is well known for its ongoing Corporate Social

Responsibility programme, which generally supports education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Politics

No reason to relocate Rose Place fishers

Daniel Cummings, MP for West Kingstown was his usual animated but informative self as he addressed the Port Modernisation Project and how it should respond to Rose Place fishers.

THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE of the Port Modernisation Project in Kingstown is expected, from all official indication, to commence in earnest in the fourth quarter of 2023, and be completed in two and half years.

Works include: ‘designing and building a cargo port; relocating a sewer outfall line; road upgrades and strengthening within the port catchment area in Kingstown’, to be undertaken by the Canadian construction and infrastructure development company Aecon Group Inc. Some observers have

concluded that it is in light of this time line (fore-mentioned) that Daniel Cummings, Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) MP for West Kingstown, in which falls Rose Place, the community that is purported to be directly and profoundly affected by the project, said that there is no reason to relocate fishers, their boats and equipment from that community, from which they have operated for generations.

Cummings declared his position while addressing a NDP Public Meeting in Rose Place last week Thursday.

As an alternative to

Fishing, whether it be seine fishing or deep see fishing has been embedded in the lives of generations of residents of Rose Place. relocating the fishers, the MP referenced that government had built a proper fishing terminal in Owia, in North Windward, and suggested that a similar berthing facility could have been considered for the fishers who continue

Rose Place developed its own character as the westernmost, harbor-lining community in capital Kingstown.

to operate from Rose Place.

And the MP is so passionate about ensuring that the fishers get the best possible deal that he declared to last week’s public meeting, “… so long as the Almighty gives me health and strength, nothing will happen here with that project unless and until a proper and alternative facility is provided for the fisher folk here in Rose Place. Take my word for it. …”

Continuing to press home his position that Rose Place fishers are not getting the best “look-in”, he accused the government of pursuing a plan to put the Rose Place fishers out of business.

“The people who have the money to buy the boats come from all over the country, but many of them ain’t know a

damn thing about boat,” Cummings said, explaining further that that is why they have to come to Rose Place where the people have proven experience of operating fishing boats.

At this juncture he turned to what he described as government intention to put a wedge between the boat owners and the operators.

Government, he said, has offered boat owners a package if they would agree to relocate their boats from Rose Place.

This, Cummings reasoned, “will put the fishers of Rose Place out of making a livelihood.”

And even as he took umbrage with the government for how it is addressing or has not addressed the concerns of the fisher folk of Rose Place, the West Kingstown MP admitted that he was pleased that housing was provided for those families who had been leaving on the beach.

This, as pleasing as it was, was something that

the government had to do, in keeping, Cummings informed, with the requirement of one of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), one of the financiers of the Project.

And amidst all of this ‘contempt’ for Rose Place fisher folk, Cummings highlighted that foreign companies are given “everything they want [and] even what they don’t want.”

This is exemplified by government granting tax and other concessions to Rain Forest, a Jamaican company that deals in the export and processing of marine products, which has set up its operation at Calliaqua.

He summarized the essence of his position by relating that a consultation at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, which he had attended, had brought home to him that the government does not care about the fishers and fisher folk in Rose Place.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 13.

Entertainment

ÂHARD TIMESÊ works for ÂKarbon JamzÊ ‘Chow Minister’ featuring ‘Suhraw’ with the song ‘In De Water ‘, and third placed was assigned to ‘Element’ with the song ‘Rum pon Rum’.

After what turned out to be a winning performance by ‘Karbon Jamz’, Masters of Ceremony- Bomanai and Fugitive - had to “pause” the show as revellers had pushed down the barricades in front of the

stage.

This undesired, uncalled for action continued to the extent that it disturbed the guest performances of ‘Mirror Dan’ doing ‘Mad Government’, and ‘Grabba Finesse’ doing ‘Place turn ova’.

Also guesting were defending National Soca Monarch ‘Magikal’ and fellow Vincentian Reporter Kenville

‘Fonando’ Horne.

When all was said and done, and even when all the tired revelers dragged themselves either to the nearby beaches to revitalise their weary bodies or to their homes to their places of slumber, each one of them would remember that the evening’s activity belonged to ‘Karbon Jamz’.

‘Karbon Jamz’ performing in the Central Leeward Soca Monarch Competition, moved the patrons into a stupor as some took to crashing the barricades. provided by VC3 showed a massive crowd on Sunday 5th June, as it THE SPIRIT OF VINCYMAS snaked its way from the CONTINUES unabated to Chauncey Bus Stop to overwhelm rural the Campden Park communities here in St Playing Field where the Vincent and the Soca Monarch Grenadines, as it builds to Competition was staged. its climax in capital The heightened Kingstown, July 5. revelry in the jump-up Last weekend saw a procession was only a not-so-min celebration as trickle compared to that the Central Leeward of the Soca Monarch took centre stage.

Competition.

Drone footage Stories by CARLYLE DOUGLAS

The Central Leeward Soca Monarch title went to Producer/Artiste Kemuel ‘Karbon Jamz’ Stapleton with his hit ‘Hard Times’ aka ‘Eat Bread and Butter’.

Stapleton is no newcomer to the soca battleground, he having belted out two hits in recent years: ‘Splash’ aka ‘Rubber Duckie’ in 2016 and ‘Dip’ uin 2017.

Second place went to

The ‘Procession of revellers’ snaking its way to the Campden Park Playing Field.

‘Ploomie’ Lewis: Bassman extraordinaire discussion about today’s music or the lack thereof, in which I responded using the lyrics of ‘Jubilee’ by Touch: “We all a part of this great achievement, is we who make it what it is”.

There is no doubt that there are differences between yesterday‘s Vincy Music and today’s Vincy Soca.

Interestingly though, there seems to be a trend this year of including a dose of social commentary (yesterday) in the Power Soca Genre (today), as exemplified by ‘Mirror Dan’s’ ‘Mad Government’ and ‘Karbon Jamz’s ‘Hard Times’. They have tailor made something for the younger generation Harold ‘Ploomie’ Lewis – surrounded by the using the ‘trade secrets’ of instruments om which he finds inspiration and the yesterday generation. with which he has made and continues to create And this follows closely enthralling musical blends. on the remake of an old Classic, “The Little You Say’ BEFORE SETTLING IN on this week’s

by Harold ‘Ploomie’ Lewis. entertainment piece, I reflected on a The Vincentian caught up with conversation I had with my late father‘Ploomie’ via The CTVIEW Saturday Mr. Alrleigh Douglas, about the music of Show.

Michael Jackson (my time) and that of ‘Ploomie’, bass player extraordinaire, ‘The King’ [having difficulty an icon, undoubtedly was the most remembering his name] - Elvis Presley. influential Bass Player/ Showman of the Also coming to mind was a Facebook

Seventies here in SVG. One can remember going to parties and fetes especially at a bouncing castle like (shaking floor) Peace Memorial Hall, not to socialize with the opposite sex but simply to watch Ploomie playing the Bass behind his head or with his teeth while singing and dancing.

Harold ‘Ploomie’ Lewis was a musical sensation to hear and see as he dominated the stage all over St. Vincent and the Grenadines, inspiring other musicians.

This writer was not apologetic about disclosing that he copied his performance style in his successful stint as a Bassist/Performer on the Treasure Coast in Florida.

According to a Facebook posting, Harold I. Lewis aka ‘Ploomie’ was born in Curacao and raised on the beautiful island of St. Vincent.

‘Ploomie’ developed an interest in the Arts while in Secondary School. Age 13 he began honing his skills in music, both in theory and in practice.

When he embarked as a marketable Bass Player he found a place with the youthful Mastermind and would go on to be a founding member of ‘Revolution’.

What would become his major composition, ‘The Little You Say’, was the first written for the band Mastermind in 1974 but released in

1976 with the band Revolution.

He recalled the trip to the Merrymen studios in Barbados and consultation with the Mighty Gabby that got the song registered with PRS, and helped it to reach number 2 on the British Charts.

His migration to the USA would land him backing gigs with likes of the Mighty Sparrow, Arrow, Singing Francine, Beckett, and shared performances with bands like The Meters, Three Plus One and Fab Five.

He settled for some time as bass player with the Haitian band called ‘Strings’, touring Europe, the United States, and Caribbean.

Today, Ploomie resides in sunny South Florida where he writes, records, arranges, and masters in his private, home studio. His CD “I’m Coming Back” received air play on local radio stations in South Florida and the Caribbean.

A skilled musician who has mastered many styles of music plays both the bass guitar and steel drums and moves easily through genres of Pop, Jazz, Soca, Fusion, Reggae, R&B and his own sound which he calls “Modungo”.

He continues to captivate audiences with his funky but smooth sound of his bass guitar, the exquisite sound of the steel drum, and his unique style of vocals.

He isn’t going anywhere soon!!!

V Eggs price could go up, up⁄ 14. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

Industry

‘DON’T BE SURPRISE if the cost of a flat (30 eggs) of eggs gets to $40.00.”

That was the warning of one housewife with whom THE VINCENTIAN spoke recently about an indications that the price of eggs will increase. She said that this was not her assessment, she was merely repeating what was told to her by a poultry (egg) farmer.

As it stood as of Wednesday of this week, a flat of eggs was still available at $20.00, and it appeared from cursory observation that consumers were prepared to invest in egg purchases that far exceeded what they would normally make.

Vincentians, in fact, had been warmed to be prepared for an increase in the price for eggs.

Veterinary Officer Dr. Coleen Phillips told API recently that the rising costs of grain on the world market, along with other economic and environmental impact over the years have brought the Poultry Industry to a standstill.

As a result, Dr. Phillips said, feed

costs and other production costs are severely hurting Poultry farmers in St Vincent and the Grenadines. “…the price increase (feed, etc.) right now is actually crippling the farmers…for all of us it means less eggs,” she said.

Dr. Phillips offered some relief by saying that Government would try to provide SVG might be self-sufficient in eggs but that is now subsidies given the circumstances, but it challenged by the situation that surrounds the cost of producing those eggs. is still a case where “we would not be eggs was still be retailed at $20.00 able to maintain the subsidies,” and however, she projected “…for them insisted that for farmers and the (poultry farmers) to really make a industry to remain sustainable, an profit they would have to sell for increase in the price of eggs is probably $28.88 dollars a flat…, there inevitable.

Dr. Phillips recognized that a flat of is no way the industry can remain

Dr. Coleen Phillips, Veterinary Officer, did not veil her analysis that a price increase for eggs in inevitable. viable if we sell at $20.00 a flat, the farmers are not going to make it and the industry will crumble.”

According to the World Data Atlas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines production of eggs primary was at level of 588 tonnes in 2020, down from 602 tonnes the previous year. In 2019 the country recorded a glut on the local market with the price of a flat of eggs going at as low as $10.00 during the 2019 Christmas season.

It is an accepted fact that this country is self-sufficient in egg production. How long poultry famers could continue to sustain this unless there is an exorbitant price hike at the wholesale/retail markets, is anyone’s guess.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 15.

V Are we being ripped off?

16. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

“EXPERIENCE IS OUR BEST TEACHER”, only if we learn from those experiences. (An old saying) On Wednesday, June 08, 2022, I visited a Digicel office in Kingstown with a complaint that on two occasions I paid for credit on my phone, but it never arrived, and an unsolicited voice prompt keeps coming up at all odd hours, day and night, stating; “you have no credit left”.

Now, before I continue, there were at least three persons in that short line of about five persons that had the same complaint, all of those persons from my casual observation were in the over 50 age group.

When it was my turn to discuss my problem with the customer service agent, she noted that a virus was stealing the credit, but that their technicians could fix it

for $40. I find it unethical and improper for Digicel to be charging their customers a fee to get back a service to pay Digicel, when they should be protecting their customers from cybercrime.

Digicel, once they found out that a malicious program was stealing money that should be coming to them, should have immediately alerted the NTRC, FIU and Cybercrime Unit, and together worked on identifying the culprit/s and bringing them to justice.

Or is it a ploy, similar to what both apple and android and several other service providers have purposely done in the past, by offering updates which were actually designed to slow down the end user devices, forcing them to purchase new hardware?

If that is the case,

offenders must be sued by all who were fleeced of their funds and compensated proportional to the amount stolen. So if a customer was ripped $5 or $100, she/he would be compensated not only for the amount stolen, but also compensated for the inconvenience and embarrassment. When finally exposed, both apple and android were fined in the millions which they paid without blinking, because they were caught ‘red handed’.

We do not have an active Consumer Affairs office with teeth, that could look into matters like these, in the interest of poor Vincentians.

The following is a hypothetical scenario.

Let’s say 100 customers are randomly ripped off by these scammers on a daily basis, each on the average paying for $15 credit, that is $1500 in one day. This has been

going on for at least 2 weeks now, because the first time I was ripped off it was about 2 weeks ago, when I thought my phone had accidentally ‘self-dialed’ as can happen when your phone is in a bag or pocket.

When I checked the phone call history, no calls were made, neither was the data function activated and happening a second time in as many weeks, is what prompted me to visit the Digicel outlet.

So, come on Digicel.

Protect your customers by locking out the malicious hackers by providing that service free of cost. Why should we be made to pay $40 to restore the service, when you are the one standing to benefit from correcting this issue?

Digicel is aware of the issue and should be the

first to protect their customers from being ripped off. If the hypothetical 100 persons each had to pay $40 to restore a service for which Digicel is the main beneficiary, that would amount to $4000 plus the $1500 ripped off daily.

Then multiply both sums by 2 weeks and you see how much both Digicel and ‘con masters’ would

have fleeced from innocent customers.

All Digicel customers must INSIST that Digicel cleans the malicious virus from their customers’ phones, FREE of cost. Find out who the hackers are and bring them to justice. It can and MUST be done!

Donald De Riggs.

June 08, 2022.

The Bloody Democracy AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES to escalate in the streets of the United States of America, some folks are trying to fathom why America is such a violent country. One must remember that American democracy was founded on the principles and premises of the shedding of blood. The so-called pilgrims who came from England to establish America as a colony; were gangsters.

The subculture of the American democracy is to shed blood. Had not the blood of the Native people been shed, they would have lived to populate North America.

The color red enshrined on the American flag is a clear indication that it took the blood of those soldiers to establish America’s dominance on the world scene… to become worldleading superpower… the “World Police”.

The land of North America is soaked with the blood of Africans slaves, which allowed white aristocrats who benefited from this free labour to establish capitalism.

The barbarity of chattel slavery spilled the blood of the Africans.

One of America’s leading export is the culture of gangsterism and hooliganism as projected in the movies. The western/cowboy movies depict the nature and culture of the inhabitants of America; soap operas and other seductive movies highlight the decadence of American society; not to mention the killing and rampage we see in those movies starring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The intention of the American movie industry is to spread the culture of its people as a dominant feature.

American culture is a toxic culture.

For instance, if you want spoilt brats, send them to New York City, the home of degeneration and immorality.

America - the home of the free and the brave - has locked millions of African Americans in captivity, which the American sociologist and civil rights activist describes as a prison… an Industrialized Complex.

America has programmed its children to be thugs and cold-blooded murderers. There’s no other country where you see children randomly shooting up schools, killing students and teachers. If there is another country that has this unorthodox way of life, show me! The other countries with a similar lifestyle have been copycatting from the world-leading democracy.

I remember someone telling me that America is like a woman seeing her menstrual period, meaning that America loves blood! Whatever she wants, she takes it by force. Yes, it took violence to murder Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein and all those leaders whom Washington saw as hindrances and stumbling blocks in their way.

The way to maintain America’s dominance on the world scene is war!

Yes, America is a cowboy town.

Even in school, the children have to pass a metal detector before entering the classroom, telling us that America is a volatile country. America is the only country where you would find a diversity of ethnic gangs and organized crime fighting over drug turf. The shedding of blood is what made America a superpower.

Carden A. Michael

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 17.

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18. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

On the brink of suicide Dear George, I CANNOT feed myself much less my 7 and 9-year-old children. I live in Kingstown and I am working but my salary is just enough to give to my landlord. Let me give you some numbers: salary - $760.00/mt.; rent $550.00/mt.; transportation for me $120.00/mt. Note I haven’t given you anything for water, light, food, etc.

Truth is I have no one to turn to for help. Recently, a girlfriend hooked me up with some of her friends who meet every Friday night at her house. I accepted her invitation once but was bothered by what went on. Different men would show up and before the night was out everyone would have had sex with everyone, and each female would walk away with no less than 1000.00 dollars. I refused to participate so I was never invited again.

I do not want to use my body to get by but what other choice is there? I make calls and trips to social welfare but that’s a waste of time. But I have a solution I know would get everybody’s attention. Yes, George, if nothing changes in a couple of days, I

will take my life. What else is there?

Before I do that however, I will leave a list of names of the people to whom I went to for assistance and refused me.

You will be shocked when you see who is on the list.

Desperate Cry Dear Desperate Cry, I know you are the one who’s feeling the heat because it’s you who’s in the kitchen. I also recognize that you have stood your moral ground even in the face of want and desperation.

Don’t give up. Reach out to The Marion House and I’m sure someone there will give you not only a listening ear but could guide you to a possible source of help.

Keep me posted on your progress.

George

Too much coughing….

Dear George, MY WIFE had asked me not to sleep in the same bed with her because I was coughing too much.

She said she did not want to catch what I have. The thing about that is I have not been coughing for over two weeks and yet I have to be sleeping elsewhere.

I am convinced it is not about my coughing but rather she is not into me like before. Having been starved of sex for nearly a month, I decided to get my

satisfaction elsewhere.

She is now mad at me because I brought another woman to the house. She got angrier when I asked her, “Aren’t you glad someone else will catch my virus and not you?”

Now she’s asking for a divorce. You just can’t please women!

Confused Dear Confused, Bringing another woman into your matrimonial home was not the way to go; it was

extremely disrespectful. The time you were assigned “to the couch” was her way of signaling that something was wrong and that should have be checked into.

Obviously, all is not well with the marriage and you need to have that talk with her. It would be even better if both of you saw a counsellor.

It is always a good thing to fight to save a marriage and the sooner you begin the better.

George

Sex, but not with me Dear George,

Dear Just Asking,

MY HUSBAND is showing no interest in sex no matter what I do to get his attention, and I have done everything imaginable. Yet, he has been caught cheating twice, one occasion in bed with two women.

What am I to make of this?

The answer is staring you in the face. Perhaps you need to wash your eyes. Your husband is interested in sex. He is just not interested in you.

You need to find out why that is so and take the necessary steps, one way or the other.

Just Asking

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be careful not to reveal private information. There's lots to be done and if you meet your deadline you'll be in your boss's good books. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your ability to be practical in business will help. Don't be too quick to sign documents. Residential moves will be in your best interest. Keep important information to yourself.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Go with the flow and don't be concerned about your own job. Your interest in helping others may take you back to school. You may have been trying to do too much, leaving yourself exhausted and open to colds and infections. Empty promises are evident and deception probable.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. Try and avoid getting involved in idle chatter or gossip that might get you in trouble. You can make successful moves. Your talents might just be discovered.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Be careful not to overexert yourself.

Concentrate on yourself or your work. Tie up your personal papers or push to have legal settlements completed. You may find acquaintances being deceptive.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Uncertainties are still prevailing. Someone may not be thinking of your best interests. Mishaps due to preoccupation will be upsetting. For now just do the best you can.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don't push your luck with your boss. If it can make you extra cash, it will be even better. Try to be understanding. You can make money if you concentrate on producing services that will make domestic chores easier.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You are best to work at home if you can.

Be sure to spend time helping children with projects that are too difficult for them to accomplish alone. You can get ahead if you present your ideas to superiors. Don't let your personal partner hold you back.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) However, you may not attract the kind of interest you had in mind. Expect to experience a sudden reversal of fortune.

You will be emotional about your personal life. Put all your energy into moneymaking ventures.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order. Talk to an older family member you have helped in the past. Your family needs to spend some time with you, too. You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Investments may be misrepresented this week. You need to distance yourself from the situation for a little while first. It's a good time to make changes to your living quarters that will give you more space.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You need to look into new philosophies.

Things are looking up. Losses are likely if you have left your financial affairs in other people's hands. If you can't trust someone, question the connection.

ACROSS 1. Big bunch 5. Old Russian autocrat 9. M.’s counterpart 13. Cupid’s weapon 15. Chantilly’s department 16. Coup d’___?

17. Byron heroine 18. Les Etats ___ 19. “Yes ___?”

20. Exercising Fido 23. Comparative suffix 24. ‘Midnight at the ____, put your camel to bed’’ Maria Muldaur song 25. Swimmer’s gear 29. Some N.C.O.s 31. “King Kong” star 32. Cousin of a mandolin 34. Middle card 39. It’s black and tan 42. ____ Max 400 43. Asian staple 44. “Alice’s Restaurant” singer 45. Neb neighbor 47. Pass something on 49. Booze 52. Truck, in a way 53. Give Fido food 59. “ ___ pis!” (“Too bad!,” in France) 60. Barbell move 61. Type of shark 63. Comic Johnson 64. Nobelist Wiesel 65. Commercial designer 66. Cold war initials 67. Refuse 68. European erupter DOWN 1. Mineo of “Exodus” 2. Ship members 3. Stage solo 4. “Mama” speaker 5. Dracula, for one 6. Animation 7. __ ___ is?

8. Did a double take?

9. States of feeling 10. Object of an old French

cheer 11. Heathers 12. Rock group from the 70s 14. Roused 21. Capri, e.g.

22. Relaxer 25. Cashless deal 26. ___-dieu 27. Tombstone lawman 28. Gives a looksee 29. Rare order, perhaps 30. “___ life!”

33. It parallels a radius 35. It’s south of Georgia 36. Encircle 37. Prefix with pad 38. Move briskly 40. “Saturday Night Fever” music 41. Result

46. Between aces and treys 48. 1996 Madonna role 49. Boxes 50. Relatives 51. Verbalize 52. Carry around 54. Jethro ___ 60s rock band 55. Chamber group, maybe

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022.19.

56. Campaign worker 57. People in charge: Abbr.

58. “Mystic River” star who won best actor 2003 (first name) 59. Kind of cross 62. Cellular material

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20. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Vincentian athletes Âhold their ownÊ in Grenada

the Under-17 Male Shot Putt and Discus; Kirk Hamblett in the Male Discus Open; Elizabeth Solomon in the Under-17 Girls 400m; Shykeima Dickson in the Under-15 Females 200m and the Men’s 4 x 400m Open.

AJ Delpesche was third in the Under-17 Male 100m.

Sean Henry of the St Vincent Grammar School Track Team took bronze in the Under-17 Male Long Jump, Shaquana Jacobs (Under-17 Female 200m) and Malik Ferdinand of L-R: Jonathan Medford – gold medallist, Saddique Stephens – gold medallist, AJ Delpesche X- Cel in the Male Over-20 – gold medalist and Kodi Grant – gold medallist.

400m.

In total, ninety-one athletes ATHLETES FROM FIVE Under-17 Male 100 and 400m Sports Club’s Kodi Grant who represented St Vincent and VINCENTIAN TRACK AND FIELD as a representative of the St won the Under-17 Male Long Bronze Medallists the Grenadines at the 2022 made good of last Saturday’s Vincent Grammar School Jump; and Jonathan Medford edition of the Whitsuntide experience at the 2022 Track team. of the St Vincent Grammar HP headed the list of bronze Games, which dates back to Whitsuntide Games, staged at Meanwhile, Mac, who like School Track Team with medallists: Waynell Lewis in the 1950s. the Kirani James Stadium in Davis made his debut at the victory in the Under-17 Male Grenada.

2022 Junior Carifta Games, Shot Putt.

The five clubs were High left his mark on the SVG’s other gold medal Performance (HP), the St Whitsuntide Games, winning went to AJ Delpesche of Vincent Grammar School the Under-20 Male 100m and Troumaca Mustangs. He Track Team, the X- Ceed 200m. His 21.20s clocked in claimed the Under-17 Boys Sports Club, X- Cel Track the 200m rewrote the 2017 High Jump.

Club and debutantsrecord of 21.49s.

Troumaca Mustangs.

Silver medallists Joining Mac from the HP When the championships set up to gain two golds were ended, the Vincentian Desroy Jordan of X- Cel Hepburn and John. Hepburn contingent all tolled had won the Under-17 Male 1500m (Male 20 and Over 800m), netted 12 gold medals, 15 Israel Cumberbatch of the St and the Men’s Open 3000m, silver and 11 bronze. while John copped the Female Vincent Grammar School Four athletes were double Track Team (Under-17 Male Open 1500m and 3000m. gold medallists - Keo Davis, 800m), AJ Delpesche of The HP Club secured Devonric Mac, Zichri Hepburn further gold through Saddique Mustangs (Under 17 Male and Kesiann John.

400m), as well as the X- Ceed Stephens in the Open Male Davis, a double medallist at Long Jump.

Sports Club’s trio of J’Var this year’s Junior Carifta Not to be excluded from the Cato (U-17 Male Long Jump), Double Gold medallists (From left) Keo Davis, Kesiann John, Games in Jamaica, won the gold medal club were X — Ceed Shaquana Jacobs (U-17 Zichri Hepburn, Devonric Mac. Female 100m) and Kodi Grant( High Jump), were all silver medallists.

Jaheim Roberts(Under-11 Male 100 and 200m), Zacri Sobers of HP(Under- 17 Male 100m), Romaul James( Male Open Long Jump) and Trish Henson (Under-20 Female 400m) were silver medallists for HP. Additionally, HP gained silver medals in the Females 4 x 100m, 4x 400m Open and the Open Men’s 4 x100m relays.

The St Vincent Grammar School also got a silver in the Under-17 Males 4 x 100m.

Harry pleased with athletes’ performances THREE THOMAS SAUNDERS Secondary School/’X-Ceed Sports Club athletes were among the SVG contingent who captured 28 medals at the 2022 Grenada Whitsuntide Games held last Saturday, at the Kirani James Stadium.

And their coach, Godfrey Harry, is pleased with their performances.

The three: Kodi Grant - gold in the male U17 long jump and silver in the U17 high jump; J’Var Cato - silver in the male U17 long jump; and Shaquana Jacobs — silver

in the female U17 100m and bronze in the U17 200m.

Commenting since their return, Harry said that the young athletes can only do better.

“Kodi’s qualification to the Carifta Games this year was an indication that he is an upcoming talent in the long jump and he continues to improve. Cato at 14 years and jumping 6.44 is a great achievement… he can only grow and develop from here on.

And Jacobs … she continues to perform well in an uncharted environment, so she can

only get better,” Harry said of his three athletes.

On a more open note, Harry, one of the more experienced and tenured track and field coaches in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, took the opportunity of this conversation with THE VINCENTIAN, to say how pleased he was with the improvement in the field events, as demonstrated by the current crop of young athletes.

“In the past we have had some good athletes in the field events but now we have younger guys coming in and doing

well here and in Jamaica …. Long jumper Uroy Ryan is ranked number 2 in the world in the Under-20 category …. that’s great promotion for SVG,” Harry said.

He, however, made an appeal for increased attention for the throws, the shot putt and discus in particular.

He laments what he said was the current state where since Adonson Shallow left the scene, we have not had anyone at regional/international level in the throws.

“We have two specialist coaches in those fields so we just

have to scout for the talent,” the coach suggested.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Coach Godrey Harry (2nd from left) welcomes homes athletes (from left) Shaquana Jacobs, J’Var Cato and Kodi Grant.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 21.

Sports

Oalex Anderson ensured a draw for Vincy Heat Vincy Heat - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ senior male national football team - rebounded from their 1-0 defeat by the Bahamas on Friday in the Bahamas, to a 2-2 draw with Nicaragua, last Sunday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

This, as Vincy heat continued its campaign in Group C of League B of the Oalex Anderson ensured a draw for Vincy Heat.

2022-23 Concacaf Nations League.

Fielding an almost different outfit from that which lost to the Bahamas, Vincy Heat went ahead in the third minute when Azinho Solomon gainfully completed a counter attack by lobbing, left footed, pass Nicaragua’s goal keeper- Alyer Lopez.

Vincy Heat was inches from doubling their tally, when captainCornelius Stewart’s rasping shot in the 21st minute hit the far post, with the Nicaraguan goal keeper clueless.

But one minute later, Byron Bonilla got the equalizer for Nicaragua thanks to a defensive error by the Vincies.

Matias Moldskred Belli’s curling

shot in the 41st minute made it 2-1, before an Azinho Solomon free kick deep into first half stoppage time, was steered in by Oalex Anderson to level the score.

The second half saw the home team creating several chances including substitute Hosni Chandler’s effort in the 82nd minute. In the end, the match ended in a draw.

Both sides were coming off contrasting results from Friday’s opening matches, as Vincy Heat lost to Bahamas, while Nicaragua had beaten Trinidad and Tobago 2-1.

While Vincy Heat and Nicaragua played to their draw, Trinidad and

Azinho Solomon opened the scoring for Vincy Heat.

Tobago made amends from their loss to Nicaragua by edging out the Bahamas 1-0.

Group C resumes on Friday, with Vincy Heat hosting Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas hosting Nicaragua.

Vincy Heat then plays the reverse fixture with Trinidad and Tobago on 13th June at the Hasley Crawford Stadium and on that same day, Nicaragua hosts the Bahamas.

Adams returns to take National Cycling Championships Cammie Adams (right) receives his winnings from Wayne Williams.

CAMMIE ADAMS returned from his base in England, to win the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union’s National Championships, last Sunday and Desron Bynoe (right) winner of the Masters Category of the Road Race, gets his cash prize from Emmerson Holder.

Monday.

As he did in 2021, Adams trumped both stages of the Elite Category.

On Sunday, his 10:14.66 clocking in the 3.8-mile Time Trial from the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport Tarmac to Belvedere, set the pace.

In the process, Adams beat second place- Lucky Antrobus’ 10.41.06 and Zefal Bailey, whose thirdplace clocking was 10:52.79.

Adams returned on Monday to maintain his position in the 91.65 miles Road Race.

Riding off from the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport Tarmac to Tourama to the Arnos Vale Roundabout, and back to Tourama, before returning to finish at Arnos Vale, Adams was first in

WICB gets donation of HoldingÊs book “I HAVE ALWAYS advocated balancing education and sports.”

These are some sentiments expressed by Dr. Kishore Shallow as he donated 100 books to Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) to disseminate to cricketers.

The book “Why We Kneel, How We Rise”, written by West Indian cricket legend Michael Holding, “… is just another manifestation of my commitment to championing this philosophy.

Affording cricketers in the Windwards the opportunity to learn more about our history, especially through the lens of a West Indian icon, Michael Holding. ..”

This was just part of the sentiment expressed by Dr. Kishore Shallow, Vice President of Cricket West Indices Inc. as he presented 100 copies of the book to the Windward Island Cricket Board.

Dr. Shallow also shared that, “This book has summarized our history in true Michael Holding style. It is fantastically written, and perfectly encapsulates black history in particular. Every single West Indian should educate

5:05.31.64.

He proved to be the better sprinter as he clipped Bailey at the finish line.

Bailey’s clocking was 5:05.32.80.

Completing the podium finishes was Lucky Antrobus whose third place time was 3:16.44.

Reflecting on the race, Adams said that he had training from his coaches in England, geared specifically towards the National Championships.

“I had two weeks of training with the Army team in Spain, in which we did a lot of hill training, along with another week of training with another Amber Glasgow – group,” he disclosed. lone female competitor.

Masters Category

Members of the Windwards Senior Female Cricket Team show off their copies of Michael Holding’s book. themselves through this amazing book.”

The books will be distributed among players who will represent the various male and female groups in Windwards cricket, over the next year.

In fact, the first group of players to receive the book was the Windward Islands Women team. The travelling squad was gifted the books before departure from the Argyle International Airport on June 5, 2022, for participation in the 2022 Regional 50 overs and 20 overs tournaments scheduled for Guyana.

“Why We Kneel, How We Rise”, was published in June, 2021 and came on the heels of an emotional interview Holding did with the BBC on the issue of racism in sport, in which he shared some of his personal experiences.

A legendary West Indian cricketer with 249 wickets in 60 tests and 142 wickets in 102 ODIs. World Cup champion in 1979. Since playing, he has become a prominent cricket commentator with over three decades of television commentary.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Unlike the Elite Category, the Masters shared the titles.

In Sunday’s Time Trial, Peter Durrant registered the fastest time of 12.03, ahead of Desron Bynoe’s 12.01.60 and Martin Bollers’ 12.29.44.

Bynoe, who is the Country Manager of telecommunications company Flow in Barbados, turned the table on the local riders when he took Monday’s Road Race.

With a clocking of 2:44.20, Bynoe beat Durrant into second place. Durrant’s time was 2:48. Third was Bollers in 3:12.

The Masters’ route was from the Tarmac to Tourama with a finish also at Arnos Vale, a distance of 43.46 miles.

Amber Glasgow was the lone competitor in the Female Category of the Monday’s Road Race. He completed the 39-mile distance from the Tarmac to Langley Park to the finish line at Arnos Vale in 3:26.26.

All podium finishers received cash prizes.

V

22. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Playing oneÊs heart out The Senior National Football squad, dubbed Vincy Heat, gave an improved performance in their second game of the Concacaf Nation’s League, but had to settle for a point as they drew 2: 2 with Nicaragua.

The Vincies shot to an early lead when Ahzino Solomon showed his skill with a decently placed left foot strike in the third minute.

The lead could have double in the 21 minute, but Cornelius Stewart rolled the ball onto the left upright instead of into the goal.

That signalled a momentum sift. The Nicaraguans stepped up the attack and found the equaliser in the 22nd minute. The intensity raised thereafter as the Vincentians were jolted into a reaction.

Relying on speed and counterattacking, the Vincy Heat squad used long overhead passes, but there wasn’t the accuracy required, and the Nicaraguans enjoyed more possession and strung more passes together.

The Nicaraguans went ahead in the 41 minute which stunned the 3,000 fans at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

The team was not going to surrender however and with five minutes added on to the first half, the home team found the equaliser when Olex Anderson placed himself between two defenders to flick a header into the nets.

The goal created pandemonium as the team, celebrated with fans at the ‘Party Stand’ and those in the Frank Thomas Pavilion.

The teams went into the break level, and so the score line remained despite numerous forages by both sides. Coaches maximised their substitution options in a bid to find a winner, but neither found the nets again.

Played in cool conditions, the match maintained a competitive edge. Ground conditions, hardened by dry atmosphere took a toll on many players and exposed the fitness level of some players.

The second half was goalless, contrasting with the party in the first half.

The result favoured the Nicaraguans who beat Trinidad and Tobago 2 1 in Nicaragua the previous Friday.

Last Monday’s result left Nicaragua topping Group C. Trinidad and Tobago rebounded with a one nil win over Bahamas for second spot while Bahamas filled the third position on account of their one; nil win over Vincy Heat in Bahamas June 3.

The action continues today Friday June 10 when Vincy Heat takes on Trinidad and Tobago at Arnos Vale while Nicaragua continues their road show in Bahamas.

Group C action resumes at the Halley Crawford Stadium when the Soca warriors host the Vincentians. Later that evening, Nicaragua welcomes the Bahamians.

There will be a lull until group action winds up in March 2023.

One team from the Group advances to the final of the Nations League.

The West Indies senior men’s squad found the going tough against Pakistan in their three match tour which opened last Wednesday. The Windies could not defend 305 for 8 in their 50 overs.

Pakistan replied with 306 for 5 with four deliveries to spare. There is an opportunity to salvage some pride and some points in the other matches Friday June 10 and Sunday June 12.

Heightened activity for W’wards cricket YOUTH and senior cricketers in the Windward Islands can look forward to the return of major championships in the foreseeable future.

This indication was forthcoming from the Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) Annual General Meeting in Dominica, on May 28, 2022.

A revamping of the cricket schedule of and a strategic response to cricket in the Windwards were top of the priority lists of matters discussed in the meeting. The discussion revolved around a comprehensive plan presented by the newly appointed Technical Director, Miles Bascombe.

The plan supports the return of the Windwards Under-19 Boys and Senior Men Championships in July and October respectively.

Camps were confirmed for the Under-15 Boys, Under-17 Boys, Under-19 Girls and Senior Women.

The Board also approved a Legends Programme in which two West Indian Cricket Legends, a

WIBC Board members in deliberation at their recent meeting in Dominica.

Right: Dr. Kishorne Shallow, President of WICB, presided over a meeting of the Board that took an in-depth look at cricket in the sub-region. bowler and a batsman, will visit each of the Windward Islands to conduct skills training sessions.

The programme will be executed from September to October.

WICB President Dr. Kishore Shallow expressed satisfaction with the meeting saying, “It was a productive meeting, where we delved into cricket matters and discussed the future of our cricket. The Technical Director presented a practical plan that, once implemented, will surely see the game evolve in the Windwards and, by extension

West Indies.”

He also highlighted the financial stability of Windwards cricket as reflected in the Treasurer’s Report, which the Meeting also received.

“It is timely as we look to make some necessary investments in the development of cricket. My colleagues’ enthusiasm from the meeting certainly suggests an exciting few years ahead for Windwards Cricket,” said President Shallow.

More centuries in National T20 TWO MORE centuries were scored in the NLA/Neil Williams T20 last weekend, as the competition moves close to the quarterfinals stage.

Shem Browne, 133, and Veno Da Souza, 109, stroke unbeaten centuries to help North Windward beat Memorial Funeral Home by 302 runs at the Stubbs Playing Field. This, after the target was reduced to 104 from 6 overs contest due to rain interruption. Scores: North Windward 343 for 1 from 20 overs - Browne 133 not out, Da Souza 109, Sealroy Williams 42; Memorial Funeral Home 41 for 3 from 6 overs.

In weekend match, Smashers beat Victors One by 98 runs at Sion Hill. Scores: Smashers 193 for 2 from 20 overs - Rawdon Bentick 68, Ozico Williams 57, Ronald Scott 51; Victors One 95 from 15 overs Newton Browne 20; Jerando Jardine 2 for 3.

Keegan’s Bequia Eleven defeated Victors Two by 10 wickets at Arnos Vale. Scores: Victors Two 91 from 16 overs - Jenry Ollivierre 2 for 13; Bequia 95 without loss from 5 overs - Cosmos Hackshaw 54 not out.

Bequia recorded a second weekend victory when they defeated SVG Community College by 60 runs at Arnos Vale Two. Scores: Bequia 218 for 4 wickets from 20 overs - Chelson Stowe 63, Jarrell Edwards 52, Jenry Ollivierre 49, Kimson Strough 2 for 35; SVGCC 60 for 6 from 11 overs- Coby Dabreo 30, Braxie Browne 2 for 6.

Strike Eagles forfeited their game against Flow Rivals at Sion Hill, after they were dismissed for 72 from 15 overs - Dean Browne 2 for 12, Lindon James 3 for 12, Mahlon John 3 for 26.

Victors One beat Strike Eagles by 86 runs at Sion Hill. Scores: Victors One 186 for 5 from 16 overs - Reshawn Lewis 67, Miles Bascombe 38, Donwell Hector 23; Strike Eagles 97 for 4 from 16 Veno Da Souza overs - Ronique Harry 52, Hector - 109 not out 2 for 19. for North Flow Radcliffe defeated Carlos Windward.

Viera Rivals by 54 runs at Stubbs. Radcliffe 139 for 7 from 20 overs - Tijourn Pope 46, Asif Hooper 32. Anthonio Barker 3 for 32; Rivals 85 from 17 overs Orlanzo Jackson 21, Deroy Strough 4 for 12, Othneil Lewis 3 for 32.

Shem Browne - 133 not out for North Windward.

Franklyn hits century in U19 Trials WHEN the trial matches leading up to final selection of the national U19 cricket team continued last weekend at the Arnos Vale 2 Playing Field, Kirtney Franklyn hit a well-crafted century for Luke Wilson’s team against the Reshawn Lewis Eleven.

Classified as a Kirtney Franklyn bowling all-rounder, impressed with both Franklyn hit 101 not out bat and ball. as his team reached 195 for 8 from 36 overs. Sam Burke hit 22. Leg spinner Watson Seaton 2 for 33 was Lewis Eleven’s best bowler.

Franklyn then followed up his good batting performance to lead his team’s bowling with 2 for 11, to help restrict Reshawn Lewis Eleven to 57 for 7 from 21 overs. Damili Phillips stroked 30, Mario Baptiste 37, and Jordan Charles 21.

Stories: I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022. 23.

Classifieds

JULIAN RAYMOND FORBES ETHIE SKEETE Thursday, 9th June, 2022 Kingstown Methodist Church Service: 10:00 a.m.

Kingstown Cemetery

MAXWELL ANTONY BOBB Saturday, 4th June, 2022 St Peters Anglican Church Mt Grennan Viewing: 10:00 a.m.

Service: 11:00 a.m.

Interment: San Souci Cemetery

Thursday, 9th June, 2022 Faith Temple Church New Montrose Viewing: 9:00 a.m.

Service: 10:00 a.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

MARK BINSDALE JAMES a.k.a Parpaslim Sunday, 5th June, 2022 Emmanuel Baptist church South Rivers Viewing: 12 noon Service: 1:00 p.m.

Interment: Park Hill Cemetery

WIBERT MITCHELL YOUNG a.k.a. Buddie Saturday, 4th June, 2022 Questelles Apostolic Church Viewing: 9:00 a.m.

Service: 10:00 a.m.

Interment: Chauncey Cemetery

KEON PHILLIPS Biabou SDA Church Wednesday, 1st June, 2022 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Biabou Cemetery

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FRIDAY, JUNE

10, 2022

VOLUME 116, No.23

www.thevincentian.com

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FISHERMAN’S DAY SCALED DOWN

by KENVILLE HORNE AFTER a two-year absence, Fisherman’s Day activity took place on Monday, 6th June, 2022. at the Calliaqua Fishing Complex/Calliaqua Playing Field, without the usual fanfare and official ceremony.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Saboto Caesar, had told reporters that there were some doubts about whether the event would take place this year after a two years absence, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the volcanic eruption.

“Of course we did not have the 80 something persons but we had 17 registered persons and about 30 something persons participating because some persons were not registered,” Caesar said on Monday.

Eli Slater, a Clare Valley resident, had the day’s biggest single catch but he was not registered.

According to the Minister, SVG is blessed with a potentially strong blue economy and the nation has worked hard to develop the fishing sector.

“I always begin from the premise that the Argyle International Airport laid the foundation for us to develop in SVG the fishing industry that we have today. The AIA definitely provided a link between SVG and the rest of the world with direct flights and we can boost today of sending as far as Hong Kong, live lobster,” said Caesar.

He noted that since the launch of the KCCU SVG Fleet Expansion Program, several fishers have applied for loans and in the coming weeks his ministry will reach will out to those persons interested in getting involved in the sector.

The technical staff at the Fisheries Department

Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, being interviewed by Colville Harry of NBC Radio, highlighted the demand for fish from this country.

Minister Saboto Caesar (centre), with fishers associated with the Day’s largest catch, acknowledged that this year’ activity did not attract the usual large number of registered entrants. are expected to guide those interested in being a part of the project, Caesar said.

Ministers of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves in an interview, said that it a great time to celebrate the fishers since fishing is one of the largest grown areas and persons are making money and creating wealth and noted that industry can grow further.

“In 2012 we landed 8.9 million pounds of fish. In 2020 we landed 21 million pounds of fish. So we went from 9 million pounds to 21 million pounds in eight years. The value of the fish has gone up over a 130%, there are more and more players in the market. We have Rainforest Seaford who wants to buy themselves 20 million dollars’ worth of fish. The market for Vincentian fishes is in demand not just in SVG but all over the world,” said the Finance Minister on the progress the fishing sector has made and the potential it has.

Winsbert Harry, President of the National Fisherfolk Organisation said that after a two years absence he was happy to see the Fisherman’s Day event back on board after a two-year absence.

“I am encouraging persons to get involved in the industry. There are a lot of room in the industry and you could see here at the Calliaqua Playing Field

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

Fisherman cleaning freshly caught fish for sale to patrons of the Fisherman Day activity. that persons were waiting for it,” said Harry.

A price giving ceremony is expected to take place at a later date, at which the Fisherman of the Year and the crew with the Heaviest Catch will be announced and rewarded.

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