Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture Carlos James is pleased with the addition of the new Sandals Beaches Resort will be established at Mt. Wynne.
Left: (L-R): Sandals’ Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves signed the agreement for the construction of the new Sandals Beaches Resort at Mt. Wynnelast Monday at the Sandals Resort in Buccament.
investment to a next level. That will be the Beaches Resorts, expected to be opened by 2027 at Mt. Wynne in the Central Leeward constituency.
Stewart and Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves signed the agreement last Monday at the Sandals Resort in Buccament. This agreement for the construction of a new Beaches Resort at Mount Wynne, represents a US$500 million (EC$1.35 billion) investment, the largest single tourism development in the nation’s history.
Stewart is pleased with the progress his
company is making here. He is happy with the product here, and competence and ethics of the workers and the Executive Chairman is happy with the welcome extended to his enterprise. He also points to the culture and warmth of the citizenry as attributes.
Stewart promises 20,000 jobs when the Beaches Resort begins operation. For him, “we are just warming up. We are building a product.” While Stewart admits that “competition is stiff,” he affirms that this nation has the ingredients to fulfill visitors’ wishes. For him, “we stand on a world stage and are outperforming others head to head with the biggest brand.”
Continued on Page 2.
WITH THE PROSPECT of this Sandals Beaches Resort, attendees at the signing were elated to share their opinions on the impact they think it would make on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Winston Anderson: Excited
He is Regional Managing Director, Sandals Resort, Eastern Caribbean. Anderson is Jamaican born, and is “excited” about the Sandals Beaches at Mt. Wynne. He notes the incursion here is a ‘tremendous success.”
For Anderson, “partnership with
stakeholders has been phenomenal.” He points to the “friendliness of Vincentians from Customs has pedaled our Resort to the success it is having. There is a positiveness in the marketplace about the magnificence of the country.”
Tamon Allen: Wonderful feeling
Allen is General Manager at Sandals. It is a wonderful feeling seeing this signing ceremony. I was instrumental in the training for workers here at Sandals, and to witness this today warms my heart. I have interviewed about 1400 persons. I am pleased with the true Vincentian hospitality and the warmth of the
Continued from Frontage.
For Stewart the Sandals journey from a 99 room venture made by his father Allan ‘Butch’ Stewart in Jamaica 1981. Stewart and the Sandals script have become synonymous with the Caribbean and the Sandals Executive Chairman relishes the CARICOM stamp that Sandals endorses.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is becoming part of that network. Vincentian are part of the Sandals workforce and Stewart is looking at training 250 workers in the Turks and Caicos Islands in preparation for the Beaches opening.
According to him, Designs are being finalised and he plans to work “as fast as we can.”
Stewart further outlined that couples frequent the Sandals Resorts, and he projects that with the trend weddings here, the Beaches, aimed as a family oriented solace, will complement the Buccament facility.
The Beaches St Vincent and the Grenadines development, will be built in phases and is projected to create almost 2,000 jobs during the operational phase, providing significant employment and training opportunities for Vincentians across multiple sectors, from hospitality and construction to agriculture, culture, and other related industries.
Transforming our product
Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture
Minister Carlos James is beaming with satisfaction with the fact that the Sandals Beaches Resort will be established at Mt. Wynne.
He sees it as adding to the room stock and is helping with “addressing lives and livelihoods.”
He is happy with the approach to maintaining the eco-system, and keeping people “at the heart of this development.”
James is pleased with the increasing stay over visitors and predicts a similar pattern for 2025.
According to the Tourism Ministry, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is experiencing a tourism renaissance, a four major hotel development projects, including Beaches Resort, will significantly expand our hospitality infrastructure and create lasting economic opportunities.
These transformative tourism investments include the Beaches Resort by Sandals Resorts International at Mt. Wynne, a worldclass Marriott Hotel at Peter’s Hope, the rebuilding of the iconic Palm Island Tourism Development Project, and the Cumberland Resort and Marina, which will cater to small pleasure crafts and yachting visitors. Collectively, these four projects represent well over EC$2 billion in investment and are expected to create nearly 4,000 jobs, with the Beaches Resort accounting for approximately 2,000, providing significant employment across construction, tourism, hospitality, and supporting industries.
people. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is different, unique and beautiful.”
Sunil Ramdeen: Public Relations, Eastern Caribbean Sandals
Sandals is the best example of CARICOM at work. You walk into any Resort and you can see St. Lucians, Bajans, Trinbagonians …… And everyone works in harmony. We are proud that Vincentians are part of that family.
Meven Paulen: Director, Food and Beverage
He took a half trip around the world. He linked with Sandals in St. Lucia, then “I did the recruitment here.”
He thinks the ceremony “is a blessing,” and that “the young generation will see that there is going to be a boom in tourism. There are going to be opportunities for the nation.”
Hyacinth Serville: Entertainment Manager, Sandals, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The ceremony was a great success. It signifies progress for the nation and highlights the vision of the State’s leadership.
Samara Jones: Spa Assistant Manager Montego Bay, Jamaica
The ceremony was fantastic. It was indeed a success. I am excited about this new Resort and I foresee that will bring benefit to this amazing group of islands called St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Luke Browne: Lawyer
It was was impressive exercise which signals the intention to invest $500M on a Beaches Resort at Mt. Wynne. We are taking tourism and economic development to a higher level in SVG. Thank you Sandals.
Darron John: Lecturer
As a father, Beaches will give us the opportunity to experience what kids see on television. It opens us up for more flights, which will see more persons with families coming. That ensures our economy develops and broaden the tourism sector. This is groundbreaking and projects us on a path towards first world status. (WKA)
THIS COUNTRY’S HOUSING,Informal Human Settlement, Youth and Sport Minister, Orando Brewster thinks: “Beaches is the greatest testimony of success in what we are doing at Sandals.”
He is overjoyed with the Sandals investment and he accepts the signing as a “special and
proud moment,” with the new facility an “allexclusive for the family.”
Brewster is elated that the Vincentian hospitality and landscape is making Sandals the “Talk of the World.”
Orando Brewster, Minister of Housing, Informal Human Settlement, Youth and Sport.
He sees it as “not only bricks and mortar,” but benefitting farmers, fisher folk, craft makers, taxi operators, tour guides, and the service industry.
For Brewster, the Sandals expansion “is about taking SVG to the next level.
The Union Island Ferry Terminal, expected to be handed over tomorrow October 11, 2025.
FINAL TOUCHES are being carried out on the new Union Island Ferry Terminal ahead of the official handover of the facility, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, October 11th, 2025.
The Union Island Ferry Terminal, located in Clifton, is the largest of the three new ferry terminals constructed across the Southern Grenadines as part of the Government’s ongoing reconstruction programme following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
The new terminal will feature a modern open-air market, retail spaces, and comfortable passenger waiting areas, enhancing both commercial activity and travel convenience for residents and visitors according to Chevonne Stewart, who has been appointed by the Government to assist in the rebuilding efforts across the Southern Grenadines.
This project forms part of a public/private partnership between the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and British businessman Ian Wace and his Gumbolimbo Group which is headed by John and Jessica Davidson.
Through this collaboration, ferry
A STABBING DEATHin the community of Glen, has resulted in the death of a 31year-old man and the arrest of a woman.
The incident which took place at approximately 12:50am on October 7, claimed the life of 31-year-old Denroy Black. According to the police, Black was stabbed in the neck following an altercation.
A report from the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said the force has launched a homicide investigation following a fatal stabbing.
“The deceased has been identified as Mr. Denroy
terminals were previously completed and commissioned at Saline Bay, Mayreau; and Grand Bay, Canouan; both of which were officially opened on July 1, 2025, one year after Hurricane Beryl severely impacted the Grenadines.
According to John and Jessica Davidson of the Gumbolimbo Group, British Businessman Ian Wace initially pledged US$5 million toward rebuilding efforts in the Southern Grenadines but later increased his contribution to US$25 million, significantly advancing the Government’s efforts to restore infrastructure, improve livelihoods,
and strengthen climate resilience in the area.
In an Interview with the API, Coordinator of Housing in the Southern Grenadines, Chevonne Stewart expressed optimism about the upcoming handover and the positive impact the new facility will have on the community.
“Vendors finally have a place to call home again, and residents have a comfortable space to wait for the ferry,” Stewart said. “It’s a proud moment for Union Island and an important sign of progress for the Southern Grenadines.”
Hurricane Beryl, caused widespread
destruction across the Southern Grenadines, displacing approximately 3,000 people and severely damaging housing, public infrastructure, and livelihoods. The construction of the three ferry terminals represents a key component of the Government’s broader recovery, resilience, and redevelopment strategy for the affected communities.
The handover ceremony for the Union Island Ferry Terminal will take place tomorrow, October 11, and will be attended by Government officials, community leaders, and residents as Union Island continues its steady path toward recovery and renewal. (API)
Black, 31 years old, a labourer of Glen. Preliminary reports indicate that Mr. Black sustained a stab wound to the neck following an altercation.
The suspect is currently in custody assisting investigators with their inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the offence,” the police report stated.
However, the deceased’s sister hinted at a toxic relationship between him and his female friend. In an interview with SVGTV, a sister of the deceased said that she was informed of her brother’s death after her daughter received a late call.
“When I was asleep last
night, I believe they tried to call me but my phone was on vibrate. So, they called my daughter, and I was like, I wonder who could be calling my daughter, you know she’s 10, at this hour in the night.
But listening to the conversation, I realized and then when I took the phone I heard he (Black) was saying, ‘Girl yo go do me that, and then I heard screaming in the background but the screaming sound more like the same young lady, Brittney,” said the sister, concerning what she heard during the telephone conversation.
She said that she heard the young lady screaming out in
the background but she did not know what caused the argument.
The sister who didn’t want to be identified, said that it seems like the relationship between her brother and the young lady was always in contention.
“You know it’s like it seemed as if the relationship was rather toxic. So, they are always in some contention, and I believed that my brother and my mother thought that it was just one of those nights. So, they weren’t really paying attention to them until when probably he (Denroy Black) called out to mommy and say, “Look Bri stabbed me,” the
sister stated.
The police are investigating the circumstances which led to Black’s death. (KH) 31-year-old Denroy Black
Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
VETERAN POLICE OFFICER HESRAN
Ballantyne created history last week, becoming the first and only person from the North Windward village of Fancy, to attain the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in the local constabulary.
Prior to his appointment as ACP, Ballantyne was transferred from the South Central Division, to hold the office of administration in the police force, while still being a Superintendent of Police. This move came after then Assistant Commissioner of Police, with responsibility for Administration, Leonard Fergus, proceeded on preretirement leave earlier this year.
However, after Fergus retired recently, Ballantyne succeeded him as ACP with responsibility for Administration.
Ballantyne was among several police officers whose names surfaced on the list of promotions last week.
During a telephone conversation with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, he took the opportunity to thanks Almighty God, his wife and family, as well as those in authority, who saw it fit to recognize his ability to perform in this capacity.
He looks forward to the continued support of the rank and file of the police force, his villagers and general public.
“In my opinion, when anybody joins the police force, their objective should be to reach the top by working hard, serving to the best of their ability with humility, honesty and integrity, along with other good traits,’ Ballantyne added.
He encourages those officers who were not promoted in this batch to stay focused and continue to work in the interest of the organization and the country as a whole.
Ballantyne also congratulated Commissioner of Police Enville Williams, and ACP Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, for having their positions confirmed, as well as Benzil Samuel, who was also recently elevated from
Superintendent to ACP.
Ballantyne joined the constabulary on July 15, 1994, at the age of 19, and spent 20 of his policing years as a member of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He headed that department from 2018, for a number of years, during his tenure as Assistant Superintendent of Police. He also headed the narcotics unit, as well as the Eastern and South Central divisions.
From 2010 to March of this year, he was the only gazette officer in the
constabulary, to give expert evidence on counterfeit currency.
However, following an updated course in St. Kitts, facilitated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and attended by Ballantyne and two other police officers, those two other officers are now able to give evidence in this regard.
Ballantyne has attended several other training exercises locally, regionally and internationally, including training in Washington DC, which covered a number of areas in relation to his new position.
TWO GRENADIANS WHO SAID they came here illegally to attend the recently concluded CannaBliss festival, dubbed ‘CannaBliss Fest’, ended up being slapped with marijuana charges.
The Grenadian Kimon Pursue, 33, and Andrew Paul, 28, were jointly charged with Cheyon Williams, 28, of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with possession of 2,340 grams of marijuana with intent to supply and for the purpose of drug trafficking, as well as, having 96 grams of the herb
WAITRESSof Barrouallie, has been charged in connection with last Tuesdays’ stabbing death of her boyfriend.
Brittany Audain is accused of manslaughter, stemming from an incident, during which Denroy Black, a 31 year old labourer of Glen, sustained a stab wound to the left side of his neck, at Glen, around 12:55 a.m. on Tuesday. He reportedly succumbed to the injury while being transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Audain was not required to plead to the indictable charge when she
appeared before Chief Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offences Court yesterday (Thursday).
Prosecutor Renrick Cato did not object to bail, and the Chief Magistrate set bail in the sum of $30,000, with one surety, on condition that Audain surrender her travel documents and report to the Barrouallie Police Station every Wednesday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit and the matter was adjourned to November 10.
Attorney Ronald Marks represented Audain at her arraignment yesterday.
with intent to supply.
All three defendants appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.
Pursue pleaded guilty to the charges, and was fined $500 forthwith, or three months on prison for having 2,340 grams for the purpose of drug trafficking and $400 forthwith or three months in prison for having it with intent to supply. He was reprimanded and discharged in relation to the 96 grams.
Paul and Williams pleaded notguilty to the charges, and Prosecutor Renrick Cato made an application to the Court, Under Section 68 of the Criminal Procedure Code, for the charges against them to be withdrawn.
Chief Magistrate Colin John granted the application.
John ordered that the Grenadian be repatriated to their homeland, after paying the fines. THE VINCENTIAN understands that the fines were paid.
After leaving the dock, both Grenadians told THE VINCENTIAN, in the presence of a police officer, that they were here to attend the ‘CannaBliss Fest, but Pursue said that after tasting ‘Vincy weed’, he decided to buy a few pounds to take back to Grenada to share with his friends.
“I see a man smoking a piece of ‘weed’ and he have me a smoke. It is the best grade of ‘weed’ I have ever tasted. Based on what we heard, we thought the ‘weed’ was more free up here. We thought it was legal to have certain portions in your possession, so I bought some to carry back to Grenada so my bretherin’ them could taste ‘Vincy weed,” Pursue told THE VINCENTIAN.
Both Grenadians said they enjoyed themselves at the event, and expressed the view that ‘Vincy weed’ should be exported legally, to other Caribbean countries.
“Weed is love, it makes you meditate and make you think wise,” Pursue said.
“I drink a cannabis wine at the event, it tasted real good, it was real
pure,” he added.
Pursue’s lawyer Grant Connell has told the Court during his mitigation plea, that the Grenadians were here for the ‘CannaBliss Fest’, got fascinated by the taste of ‘Vincy weed’ and bought some to take back to Grenada.
Connell said he attended the event and saw brownies on sale, and when he inquired, he was told that they were cannabis-infused.
The lawyer said there are places here where persons can go and smoke marijuana legally. “You only have to have a prescription. You don’t even have to be sick,” Connell told the Court.
Pursue, Paul and Williams were arrested around 8:52 p.m. on October 3, during a police search of a house at Lowmans Leeward, belonging to Raheem and Cheyon Williams. The marijuana was found in taped packages and zipped bags in separate parts of the house.
‘CannaBliss Fest 2025’ was hosted by the local Medicinal Cannabis Authority and spanned from October 2 to 5 at the Victoria Park.
The activities included a traditional cultivator’s village, exhibitions, lectures conferences, tours to marijuana cultivations, a catamaran cruise, and a reggae concert. 11 countries participated in the event.
The Division of Technical and Vocational Education of the SVGCC recorded the highest enrollment this academic year.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE DIVISIONof Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College has recorded its highest enrollment, surpassing that of the enrollment of the
main campus at Glen, which serves the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (DAGS). The Division has recorded 600 new students.
Speaking at the distribution of
THE NTRC’S 2025 ICODE784 Competition Preliminary Judging events for the three categories (Robotics category, Mobile App category & Open Category) took place on July 29, August 19, October 3 & 6, 2025 respectively. Teams representing various secondary schools, NTRC Myapp summer programs and the public were judged, and 30 teams from the schools, MyApp programs and the general public will be competing in the Grand Finale scheduled for Wednesday October 22, 2025 at the Kingstown Baptist Church. In addition, the 1st place team for the Open Category will win the grand prize of EC$15,000 along with a EC$30,000 grant to support the further development of their app.
In the Robotics Category, finalists include Bishop’s College Kingstown (Linebreaker), Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia (Emmanuel Bot Builders), Mountain View Adventist Academy (People), St. Vincent Girls’ High School (Robotech), Thomas Saunders Secondary School
(Robusters), St. Martin’s Secondary School (Empoderado), Union Island Secondary School (USEC), Barrouallie MyApp Valedictorian Team (Warriors), Kingstown MyApp Valedictorian Team (Claw and Order: Special Bots Unit — SBU), and Canouan MyApp Valedictorian Team (Code Crushers).
Finalists in the Secondary Mobile App Category are Bishop’s College Kingstown (WeatherWise), Canouan Secondary School (Tech Titans, Storm Tech), Mountain View Academy (Team S & T, People, Team MVAA Uno), St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown (NEMO Supply Tracker Alert), and St. Vincent Grammar School (SVGS Innovators, SVGS Byte Force, ReadySVG J&R).
The Open Category finalists are Natlan (One Gov), The Mandem (Ecotrack SVG, Vincy Venture, Youthlink SVG, Agri Assist, IslandCart, MediConnectSVG), Year 10 (Lifeline), Tropitec (GardenCare), and GEMHS (GemhsMed). (NTRC)
laptops to over six hundred students on Friday, Lecturer at the DTVE, Dr. LaFerne Browne said the increase in enrollment is a significant milestone that shows the impact of TVET. She further commended the staff at the DTVE for their unwavering dedication to the students.
“This is not just a number, it is a powerful testament to the growing recognition in our country to the value of TVET, this milestone would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our lecturers,” Dr. Browne said.
Dr. Browne extended gratitude to the Government for their continued
Dr. LaFerne Browne, lecturer at the DTVE, SVGCC.
investment in TVET and said the laptop computers will empower students to thrive in a technologybased environment. (API)
THE ROYAL SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
POLICE FORCE (RSVGPF) on Thursday, October 2nd, announced a new wave of appointments and promotions across the Police Force, the SVG Coast Guard Service, and the SVG Fire Brigade during the Sunset Parade held on the Parade Square of the Old Montrose Police
Compound. Her Excellency Dame Susan Dougan, Governor General, acting on the advice of the Police Service Commission after consultation with the Prime Minister, confirmed the appointment of Mr. Envill Williams as Commissioner of Police. The Police Service Commission further approved a series of promotions within the RSVGPF.
Police Service Commission Confirmations - General Administration
Commissioner of Police
• Mr. Enville Williams, ACP
Assistant Commissioners of Police
• Mr. Trevor Bailey, SOP
• Mr. Hesran Ballantyne, SOP
• Mr. Benzil Samuel, SOP
Superintendents of Police
• Mr. Foster Scott, ASP
• Mr. Parnel Browne, ASP
• Mr. Oswin Elgin Richards, ASP
• Mr. Dwayne Bailey, ASP (Superintendent of Prisons)
• Mr. Junior Nero, ASP
Assistant Superintendents of Police
• Mr. Angus Morris, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Nolan Dallaway, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Vaughn Miller, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Lyndon Oliver, Inspector of Police
• Mrs. Ashlyn Bristol, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Olson Rodney, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Wilmet John, Inspector of Police
• Mr. Irwin Adams, Inspector of Police
Inspectors of Police
• Station Sergeant Ken Samuel
• Station Sergeant Kenny Jones
• Station Sergeant Junior Baptiste
• W/Station Sergeant Mahlon Cuffy
• W/Station Sergeant Bernadett Matthews
• Station Sergeant Keon Graham
• Station Sergeant Kendal Horne
• Station Sergeant Biorn Duncan
• Station Sergeant Casanki Quow
• Station Sergeant Kem Smart
• W/Sergeant 594 Corlene Samuel
Station Sergeants of Police
• Sgt 163 Disirael Lett
• Sgt 689 Decon Chewitt
• Sgt 7 Wendel Corridon
• Sgt 211 Renford Jack
• Sgt 728 Casey Morris
• Sgt 333 Gamal Bowens
• W/Sgt 712 Nichola Williams
• Sgt 236 Royden Hannaway
• Sgt 729 Daniel Prescott
• Sgt 776 Stephen Billy
. Sgt. 12 Ethron Bowens
• Sgt 264 Dwight Matthews
• Sgt 138 Emil Jacobs
• Sgt 644 Malcome Alexander
• W/Sgt 593 Karla Timm
• Sgt 403 Nigel John
• W/Sgt 433 Michelle Francis
Coast Guard Service Police Service Commission Confirmations
Commander of Coast Guard
• Mr. Deon Henry, Lt Cdr
Lieutenant Commanders
• Mr. Vinton John, Lt
• Mr. William Theobalds, Lt
Lieutenants
• Mr. Brangurgon Glasgow, Sub Lt
• Mr. Vincent Gordon, Sub Lt
Sub-Lieutenants
• Chief Petty Officer 300 Kenlet Francis
• Chief Petty Officer 237 Osborne Johnson
Chief Petty Officers
• Petty Officer 361 Darron Robinson
• Petty Officer 848 Marcel Morris
• Petty Officer 780 Sasha Martin
• Petty Officer 58 Owen Issacs
SVG Fire Brigade — Police Service Commission Confirmations
Superintendent of Police (Fire Chief)
• Mr. Mark Ellis, ASP
Assistant Superintendent of Police
• Mr. Curtis Clarke, Inspector of Police
Inspector of Police
• S/Sgt Terrance Williams
Station Sergeant of Police
• Sgt 112 Etharan Bowens
Beyond the above confirmations, the force recorded additional promotions and acting appointments approved by the Commissioner of Police, as well as promotions within the Fire Brigade and the Coast Guard Service. In summary:
Sergeants of Police promoted: 21
• RSVGPF: 19
• SVG Fire Brigade: 2
Corporals of Police promoted: 31
• RSVGPF: 27
• SVG Fire Brigade: 4
Acting appointments in policing ranks: 49
• Acting Sergeants of Police: 17
• Acting Corporals of Police: 32
Coast Guard promotions (noncommissioned ranks): 15
• Petty Officers: 6
• Leading Seamen: 7
• Acting Petty Officers: 1
• Acting Leading Seaman: 1
Total promoted or confirmed across all services: 174
While conferring these promotions and confirmations, the Commissioner reminded ranks at the Sunset Parade that the burden of law enforcement in any free society is weighty, and it must be carried with discipline, restraint, and professionalism. He underscored the expectations that the Vincentian public rightly places on the RSVGPF to perform with integrity, tact, and sound judgment. The Commissioner affirmed that recognition matters and that the organisation must continue to reward good work. He also encouraged those who were not promoted to treat the moment not as a setback but as a call to excellence, and to keep their service at a standard that makes their names synonymous with reliability and honour.
A police report on the promotions stated that the RSVGPF, the SVG Coast Guard Service, and the SVG Fire Brigade congratulate all officers who have been granted upward mobility. “The organisation thanks their families for their support and looks forward to even higher standards of public safety and service,” the police report concluded.
The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Director: Desiree Richards
Editor: Cyprian Neehall
Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129
Website: www.thevincentian.com
Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com
Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
AS MUCH AS THERE ARE MANY who hold out that civility and respectful discourse are still possible expressions in the political campaign, there are an equal number who will say let us stop fooling ourselves into thinking that anything polite will characterize our political campaign.
The very nature of our politics, our system of governance breeds on adversary. It is either you or I, never ‘let’s see how we can get together on this one for the sake of the country’.
How we long for the day when government would mean service, a genuine, non-partisan service to all the people all the time, and not delivery of service tarnished by favouritism and ‘politricking’.
The funny thing is that while those who clamour for our votes, those who project themselves as ready to serve us in the interest of our well-being, our nation is not far from a siege, not only from harsh, unwarranted rhetoric but from the scourges of petty and white collar crime, violent crime, corruption, institutionalised favouritism, nepotism, institutional decay, disrespect for the authority of the police and disrespect from the police. We do not see the need for a coming together (Anybody remembers Together Now?) so as to lessen the harsh realities in favour of a communal effort to protect and deliver our resources fairly.
And if you can’t see that we live in fear, why have businesses resorted to 24/7, all year-round use of hurricane shutters? Has the hurricane season become a 12month season? The shutters are now burglar preventative measures that have replaced wrought iron bars.
Young people, including students, unlike what others would have us believe, are lured into gangs… not the ‘sophisticated’ gangs that we read about and see on televisions and in movies, but gangs of our own making — with our own rules, coloured to suit our environment.
Yes, while we feel the threat of heated political rhetoric, we can ill afford to ignore the brazen killing of our womenfolk, of the frequency of
wounding and assault by men on men, encouraged subliminally by the vengeance that our politics exudes, thereby creating a picture that we are by nature a violent people, with no sense of recourse except that of some aggressive or violent means.
And we must not ignore the trauma that has invaded many of our homes; not only the result of hostility and abuse by husbands on wives and vice versa, but also the trauma of not being able to make ends meet; of having to depend on our children who beg on the streets and suffer abuse for the sake of something to take home.
What do we say of our leaderspolitical, business, religion, sports, education — who tend towards lectures — some thinking they have the moral authority to lecture us but, in the process, give no regard to the need for decisive action in the face of an existential crisis, to which they have contributed.
So, we are crying out for decisive action to deal with the many socioeconomic challenges which confront us. We are not simply crying out for softer words, less ridicule and nonsensical pronouncement by our politicians especially. We are crying out for safety, stability, enforcement of law and order and economic opportunities.
We might not be on the brink of a civil war, but we are on the brink of being consumed by our own hatred of one another.
We look for bold reform, tough legislation not legislation that fattens an already fat calf, but reform and legislation that send a clear message … among that being that crime of all kinds, colours and of the making of any class or protected enclave will not be tolerated, and the days of impunity are over.
So yes, let us choose unity, but unity in purpose not in empty rhetoric. Let us demand courage not just civility. Let us face reality — the poison in our politics is not vitriol, it is weakness. Until we replace it with strength, our future remains in jeopardy.
Anyone who encourages otherwise is not fit to lead.
IT’S FUNNY when we can sing a calypso proclaiming, “St. Vincent is not a real place”. But that’s our culture. We make fun of ourselves. On a serious note, our culture is the fabric of who we are and how we live. It is embedded in our values, customs, language, sense of humor, and shared sense of belonging. In honour of our ancestors, we cannot afford to think of culture as a luxury or a decorative accessory. And no, it’s not Ragga Soca or twerking. It is the foundation upon which we build citizens, shape communities, and create the nation’s future.
Over the last few months, my wife and I have spent considerable time visiting my few surviving aunts and her older siblings. We are enjoying every moment of it. Listening to them tell and retell their lives and experiences is a treat. While enjoying these precious moments, it struck me that the family is at the core of our cultural identity. It tells us where we come from and guides us toward where we are going. Without a strong ancestral foundation, societies risk drifting without purpose, constantly looking outward for definitions of success instead of nurturing their own. This makes family/culture a strategic resource, as vital as the Blue Economy, Agriculture, or Tourism. A nation that invests in its culture invests in cohesion, resilience, and confidence. It creates citizens who know themselves and can better contribute meaningfully to the collective good.
One of the most critical arenas where culture takes root is within the family. The family is the building block of development, where values are transmitted, traditions are passed on, and identity is nurtured. The families teach children what respect looks like, how to participate in community life, and why moral responsibility matters. If our families are strong and culturally grounded, they will produce citizens capable of sustaining and advancing the nation. Conversely, if families are weak or disconnected from their cultural heritage, we will struggle with fragmentation, disunity, and a lack of shared vision. Thus, the family unit’s strength directly influences the country’s strength.
Beyond family, culture shapes the kind of citizens we become. Do we raise individuals who are self-centered or community-oriented? Do we foster resilience, creativity, and respect for others? Or do we let external influences
set our values and ambitions?
These aren’t just rhetorical questions, they influence whether SVG can grow steadily or risk falling apart under the weight of borrowed identities and divided priorities. Ultimately, culture serves as the compass that guides progress, ensuring it stays true to who we really are.
Families and communities are incredibly important but can’t do it alone. Our government embraces tourism as a key economic development strategy, ensuring our culture is truly valued, protected, and nurtured is vital. The Government is key in guiding and supporting these efforts, helping us all work together to keep our cultural heritage thriving. Good governance protects cultural heritage, invests in education that teaches skills and values, and ensures that economic development does not come at the cost of cultural erosion. The government is responsible for safeguarding culture and societies from becoming vulnerable to outside influence.
When we bring culture back to the core, the only government role is to enact laws that protect the family unit. Strong governance transforms culture from a mere memory of the past into a vibrant, dynamic force that fuels innovation and propels social progress.
At its core, culture is the powerhouse of national success. It cannot be imported or outsourced–it must be lived, cherished, and fiercely protected. Families pass it down, citizens embody it, and governments safeguard it. Together, we create a powerful cycle that drives development and shapes an economically thriving SVG that is spiritually vibrant and socially unified.
As we work on developing our nation, culture is more than art or tradition–it’s the blueprint of our identity and the engine for transformation. By valuing culture as fundamental, we empower citizens who are proud of who they are, respectful of where they come from, and eager to channel that strength into building a brighter, more prosperous future.
The key to our success lies in the vitality of our culture. Nurturing family unity isn’t just an act of preservation, it’s an investment in our nation’s destiny, fueling our promise of greatness.
Horatio.
TO ME that even as we in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are on the verge of the important exercise of electing a government, to manage our business and welfare of all the citizens, for the next five years, we have not as yet had a manifesto from either of the two parties. Manifestos which we the people can examine and valuate to determine their relevance to the circumstances.
I seem to remember that in yesteryear, printed documents were prepared by the persons who sought the people’s authority, setting out how they proposed to use
that authority to effect the improvement of the socio-economic well-being of the people. Those documents widely circulated throughout the communities, offered a good platform for discussion among the different sectors of the society.
The information thus garnered was valuable to the people and those aspiring to be their elected representatives.
From the mound on which I sit as a member of the agricultural sector of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I feel impelled to remind us all, that since the abolition of slavery, we
have been a distinctly agricultural community, despite the fact that our population was made up primarily of the progeny of ex-slaves who had been given no compensation for the forced labour they provided on the estates which were owned by Europeans, while the estate-owners were compensated for their “loss of business” because of the Abolition of the slave trade.
Our people survived because the land was fertile, the weather conditions were favourable and the people were accustomed to working hard, so they
produced healthy food and had a healthy flow of fresh fish almost every day.
So why are we not prospering today after we had been managing our own affairs for the last forty-six years? We are still in possession of those valuable resources of land and marine territory, and the majority of our people are still disposed to working hard and desiring to improve their socio-economic standing.
I am nudged to the conclusion that the reasons for the disappointing performance we have realized, has in the main
‘Judge’ recommends cricket match to cool the
HER LORDSHIP the ‘Judge’ the Honorable Adina Regis AKA Tanty Merle, is recommending a cricket match to cool the political divide that the country is currently experiencing. She said that it pains her heart and her spirit is unsettled, nevertheless she feels inspired to call on the honorable Terrance Ollivierre to organize such an event. After observing the hard work, he put in with school sports in the Southern Grenadines, he seems to be the consummate sports event planner. How did he get those Grenadines Tournaments to function when each island is like an independent country with transportation difficulties? His reach was not only national but regional.
Everyone remembers those Carriacou games that brought Union Island Secondary in competition with the two secondary schools on Carriacou. That was a whole island affair with excursions to Carriacou. Terrance’s prowess also extended into the international realm, with Union Island hosting sports teams from our mother country England. Undoubtedly Terrance will seek the blessings of Cricket West Indies President Dr. Kishore Shallow in this matter. Her Lordship remembers well the last time a minority NDP government was in place. The majority Labor opposition vowed to make the country ungovernable, instituted a Roadblock Revolution, stagnated the whole country and forced early elections. The damage done to our democracy during the past quarter of a century of Labor rule is recorded in history. Civil Servants were not allowed to function as political loyalists reined. Nepotism, cronyism and
favoritism replaced meritocracy, Votes of No Confidence were not allowed, and Election Petitions were not handled speedily. Additionally timely audit reports for the previous year were not presented so that the Public Accounts Committee could do its work. Citizens were taken to court by their own government with the vaccine mandate case still pending. Firing so many policemen, teachers, civil servants and other workers caused immeasurable damage. Those who forced others to take the vaccine against their will violated the very soul of man.
Participation in medical experiments usually require consent from the guinea pigs. Some think that it was the unpardonable sin. Those who suffer consequently received no compensation while the vaccine makers made billions of dollars. Charlatans usurped the authority of medical experts and caused many to lose trust in vaccines.
Her Lordship is grateful that the Majority NDP opposition has acted responsibly in the face of the atrocities of the labor government. She is hoping that there would be a peaceful transition to the incoming government within the next few weeks and wants Terrance to organize the cricket match soonest.
Team NDP fields 15 players: Dr. Godwin Friday (Captain), St. Clair Leacock (Vice Captain) (bowling and fielding), Nigel Stephenson (vice-captain batting), Daniel Cummings (manager), Fitz Bramble, Terrance Ollivierre, Israel Bruce, Cheiftain Neptune, Conroy Huggins, Dr. Kishore Shallow, Andrew John, Kaschaka Cupid, Phillip Jackson, Laverne Gibson-Velox and
Shevern John. No one could question the credentials of this well-balanced team. They can all claim a well-deserved place in the team. Their credibility in fitness and fair play as players and administrators are beyond question.
Team ULP on the other hand could not field a first 11. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves selected himself as captain even though he is in his 80th year and may be unable to stand guard, apparently because he could not even see the crease. He is not fit to play. Saboto Caesar should have been the named captain but is unable to secure the vice-captain spot. The other members are Dr. Grace Walters, Darron John, Camillo Gonsalves, Curtis King, Jimmy Prince, Luke Browne, Marvin Fraser, Keisal Peters, Grenville Williams, Dr. Orando Brewster, Carlos James, Carlos Williams and Chevonne Stewart. Except for Marvin, the whole team appears to lack sporting credentials.
There is controversy over the venue for the games because most of the fans support Team NDP and Team ULP fears being booed so close to the polls. North Central Windward was a strong contender but since things “turn up,” the comrade fears for the worst. The stadium in Carriacou was considered, but it would reflect badly that we have none.
The Clifton Playing field in Union Island was selected because at the last change of Government, the people of Union Island voted for the change.
Tanty Merle said that it was not good to put the strong NDP team with the second 11 of the ULP. She predicted a landslide victory for team NDP.
Anthony G. Stewart, PhD
been due to the lack of maturity and the lack of development-orientation, in those persons who had been given the authority to manage the business of this beautiful country of ours, over the last forty-six years.
From my observations, taking into account those issues which have distinctly impacted our society over the last several decades, what seemed to have propelled our leaders, was the deep desire to enjoy the authority to use the power which the British administrators had enjoyed when we were a colony of Great Britain. That conviction is sustained. When I look back to the year 1975, just twenty-four years after the introduction of “Adult-Suffrage”, when a peaceful demonstration by our teachers was violently broken up, as they were treated like ‘lawless criminals” by armed policemen and thrown into “unhealthy cells.”
Sometimes one is inclined to the view that the same spirit which had authored that evil against those respectable teachers in 1975, is still active today. The COVID Vaccine Mandate and its repercussions, the inability of peaceful law-
abiding citizens to have the Courts address their issues in reasonable time, has indeed created a very unhealthy socioeconomic environment which we might find it very hard to repair in the next seventy-five years. On the 27th of October this year, as we mark the forty-sixth year of the independence of our precious country, every Vincentian who is able, should feel duty bound to join the conversations which we would be having, in order that we can devise a plan, the platform of which will be strong enough to give us the hope to prosper, as we endeavour to arrest the distinct socioeconomic retrogression we have been suffering over the last two decades.
LeRoy Providence
IF YOU ARE PLAYING MUSICin a public venue. You need a license to cover copyright for the songs performed.
The way to get these licenses in the Eastern Caribbean is through the Performing Rights Organization, ECCO Music Rights, which represent songwriters, composers and publishers.
ECCO also has reciprocal agreements with other PROs across the world. These agreements are to protect the rights of the composers, authors and publishers in each other's territories. (ECCO)
THE TEN-DAY PERIOD,from Monday September 29th to Thursday October 9th, has been one of blazing success for the Unity Labour Party (ULP) on both the governance and politics. Remember, too, that good governance is good politics!
Let us present, first of all, the ten-day highlights on the governance front:
1. A hugely successful sitting of Parliament for the ULP on September 29th. On that day the ULP government passed five substantial bills covering the following: (i) The restructuring of the institutional arrangements to own and manage the modern port; (ii) the frame for the setting up of a stateowned company to develop, in conjunction with the private sector, the foreshore lands and adjacent seas in the old port area; and (iii) the separation of the regulatory functions of the port authority from its ownership/managerial functions.
2. The Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Financial Complex compound, on the evening of Wednesday October 1st, sponsored by the National Independence Committee, at which the Prime Minister delivered an inspiring speech of the highest quality to mark the start of “independence month.”
3. The Launch of the Cannabliss Festival at Victoria Park on Thursday October 2nd. Camillo, Saboto, Carlos James, and the Comrade, among others, delivered major addresses.
4. On Thursday, October 2nd at the SVGCC, the commencement of the distribution of high-quality laptops to students. Orando Brewster and Ralph Gonsalves delivered important speeches.
5. On Friday, October 3rd, Saboto and Comrade Ralph visited Venezuela officially: Saboto to sign the MOU on the two Venezuelan fishing trawlers; and Ralph to address a global conference on colonialism and neocolonialism.
6. On Friday, October 3rd, the laptop’s distribution continued at the SVG Community College (Divisions of Nursing and TVET). Camillo delivered an incisive address.
7. A well-articulated passing out parade of newly-trained police officers at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Friday October 3rd.
8. Cannabliss concert took place at Victoria Park on Saturday night starring Beenie Man and Spragga Benz.
9. The signing at Sandals Resort, of an agreement between Sandals and the government, on Monday October 6th of a US$500 million investment for the construction of a 500-keys Beaches Resort (the Sandals family brand) at “private” Mt. Wynne. Adam Stewart of Sandals, Orando Brewster, Carlos James, and Ralph delivered excellent addresses.
10. On Monday evening, October 6th, the Monroe University scholarship event occurred for 324 scholars who received scholarships.
11. On Thursday, October 9th, Comrade Ralph delivered a public lecture on Rosie Douglas’ contribution to the development of the Caribbean, sponsored by the Dominican government.
The political highlights of the ten-day period include:
1. Internal preparation for elections in several constituencies, and nationally, by various organs of the ULP.
2. Red Limes in several constituencies across SVG, including Mayreau.
3. A massive “Glow Walk” in North Windward from Sandy Bay to Rabacca on Saturday October 4th. Nearly 5,000 persons walked along with the Amazing Grace Walters, ULP’s candidate for North Windward. Other comrades in the party leadership, including the Comrade, joined the Walk.
4. On Sunday, October 5th, the North Central Windward Constituency Council staged a huge “Fun Day” at Black Point for children, students, parents, and other adults.
On Saturday, October 11th at 12:00 noon, the formal opening of the magnificent Ferry Terminal on Union Island, takes place.
An on Saturday, October 11th, at Layou, the ULP juggernaut opens the pre-campaign with an expected massive rally focusing on “Labour is Working For All” and “Own the Future with Labour”. Several leaders of the party will deliver addresses. The Comrade will put us at the starting line: “On your marks!”
Meanwhile, the opposition NDP is looking decidedly lame and lazy; stale and stupid. They were heard to be complaining that the ULP is liming and having fun while they are serious in presenting policies. What a joke! Nobody is paying the NDP any attention; so, they are griping. The NDP has no plans for the country; and it is running on empty. At the same time, the ULP is effecting policies that it has been articulating for years upon years.
The NDP’s “calling card” promises are easily rubbished one-by-one:
(i) The NDP’s promise to reduce VAT by one-fifth will cost the Treasury $60 million per year. This is a give-away to merchants and supermarket owners; it will not reduce prices. This cost of $60 million will mean an inability to pay salaries to civil servants, teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers. One month’s salary amounts to $35 million. Already, the ULP government has dozens of basic goods and services either zero-rated for VAT or are exempted from VAT; in the case of domestic electricity cost, 250 units per month attract no VAT; 90 percent of domestic consumers do not pay VAT; mainly the rich folks pay VAT on electricity above the 250 units per month.
Our pledge for the first 60-days in government
(Excerpts of Political Leader of the NDP, Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday’s Press Statement at a recent Press Conference)
THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY(NDP) is launching a series of proposals spelling out not only what we are planning to do but when we aim to do it. That is, within 60 days of an NDP government, we will deliver real progress for everyone. We believe in delivery and accountability—you have heard talk about accountability before.
This election is going to be dominated by grand promises from the ULP. In the past, most of them were not fulfilled. The NDP will tell it like it is, setting out what we are going to do and when we will do it.
This coming election is going to be about Delivery- who has the best plan for the economy and accountability- who can be trusted to deliver the plan. As we ramp up to the election, there will be a lot of noise and energy. I want to take this moment to make my personal pledge to the voters very clear. You have known me for many years now: so, you know, I don’t make idle promises or seek to take advantage of people. I tell it like it is.
My NDP government will place the economy at the center of everything we do. This is because we understand that we must have robust economic growth to deliver more and better paid jobs, to tackle the high cost of living, to create opportunities to young people, to invest in health care, and to rebuild and expand road and infrastructure.
I want to be clear with voters on how all our people will immediately benefit from an NDP government. I am presenting to you my pledge in this pledge card. The NDP is pledging to immediately make people’s lives better. Within 60 days of being elected an NDP government will do the following:
a. Slash prices- by cutting VAT on everyday goods and residential electricity
b. Give a salary bonus for all public servants.
c. Double poor relief from $250 to $500.
d. Reinstate jobs and benefits lost under the ULP government’s draconian Vaccine Mandate
We have to tackle the high cost of living. Too many families are being increasingly crippled under the yoke of ever-increasing prices. And the government has done nothing to address this. Look at what our people are facing every day: Price of bananas has increased from $1.43 in December 2020 to $2.58 in June 2025 — an 80% increase; people will tell you they now pay a dollar for a banana. A dozen eggs increased from $9.28 in 2020 to $13.37 today — a 40% increase. Toothpaste (130g) has gone from $9.60 in December 2020 to $15.40 today (a 60% increase). Chicken (leg quarts) — 1lb has gone $2.63 in December 2020 to $3.95 a 50% increase. A pound of flour has
gone from $1.35 in December 2020 to $1.88 in June 2025 — a 39.3% increase. 1lb of rice has gone from $1.85 in December 2002 to $2.33 in June 2025 -a 25% increase and the costs of utilities are up. This is a crushing blow for many families.
The Government has failed completely to deal with the cost-ofliving crisis. We, in the NDP, have proposed ideas such as the school support payment and VAT cut to help struggling families, but this government is simply not listening to the cries for help from the people.
I launch this card because I want to be clear with voters what they can and expect from an NDP government. We will tell it like it is, tell people what we are planning to do and then do it. I will hand this out to people in Kingstown and then across the country. I want everyone to keep it in their pockets and tick off as we complete these tasks. And of course, this just forms part of the overall plans the NDP will deliver to improve our country.
For young people, we have made the national Youth Guarantee Pledge in which we pledge that we will grow the economy so that that every young person has opportunity for a job or has access to skills training that could equip them for jobs, or be placed in an internship program with public or private sector employers that may lead to permanent employment with that employer or another employer. We will create a National Development Bank to make financing available to persons to grow their businesses and help them succeed. This will be particularly helpful to small businesses who may not be able to get financing from other financial institutions.
For our innovators and entrepreneurs, we will create a National Innovation Center to support you to take advantage of new technologies. For farmers, we will provide marketing support and open new markets abroad. They can access financing through the National Development Bank. For fisherfolk we will help them improve their boats and tools, open new markets, and invest in new technologies. They will be aided by the creation of a separate Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Conservation. We will create a national investment program to invest in roads and facilities to make it easier to move products across the country, especially agricultural feeder roads. And we will establish a wellregulated Citizen by Investment Program that will generate the funds without increasing the bloated national debt and make those funds available to our people for development.
“All these precious moments that we carved in stone, are only memories after all.” - Shawn Mendes (born 1998) – Canadian singer and songwriter.
LAST WEEK’S PUBLICATIONin the In Touch column of THE VINCENTIAN Newspaper appeared to have generated some interest as older readers reflected on some of the characters who provided unique experiences in and around Kingstown in the 1970s. The article referred to individuals like Pipperi, Mother Bakes, Larwood, Gatty Boogaloo, Lester, Keizer, Roach, and Paddy. Several readers provided comments and suggested that the list be extended to include individuals like Arthur Jumbie, TinTin, Nylon Girl, Bay Rum Baby, Stink-aWallops, Jumbie Umbrella, Piggy, Dogolooks, Crapo Belly, Mission Monkey, Jubilee Farine, Cucumber Heel, Breadfruit Soup, Cat Tongue, Pop-and-Porridge, Don’t Dance, Saga Quart, and Fowl Bones.
Unfortunately, this writer is unable to provide details in relation to many of these additional characters whose names would have emerged prior to the 1970s. There is a slight recollection of Bay Rum Baby whose skin always had a gloss as a result of her using bay rum as a moisturizer. It was also alleged that she drank the bay rum when regular alcohol was unavailable or considered too expensive.
Mission Monkey never liked that name. As school children we made sure that we were well out of his physical reach before shouting his name and scattering through the various alley ways. He was a short, dark, fierce-looking man whose body language appeared to reflect that he was carrying the world on his shoulders.
Stink-a-Wallops, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy his name and fondly referred to himself by that description when conversing with children. The younger generation of his day therefore did not consider teasing him about his name to have been so much fun.
Cat Tongue never liked his nickname. When teased he tended to be very vulgar with his responses. He had a very slow way of walking and never attempted to chase any of the offending children. However, he was quick to throw stones in the direction of the teasing children once such missiles were in sight. On occasions, he would make very offensive remarks about the offending child’s mother even though it was quite evident that he could not identify them.
Saga Quart and Fowl Bones received their nicknames prior to engaging in active politics. Periodically their names were heralded from crowds that attended public political meetings. This was done as a strategy to distract them during their respective presentations. However, this never seemed to bother them very much. Both held ministerial positions as Minister of Education and Minister of Health respectively. They served the country well in those capacities.
Name calling is probably part of our tradition. It is truly amazing how speedily we affix nicknames to individuals. Some of these names (e.g., Roll It and Vibrating Scakes) became so widely used and accepted that individuals seldom referred to these
persons by their real names. Once considered “pleasant” and “acceptable” such names enabled individuals to retain their dignity and respect. However, the names that were considered unpleasant and unacceptable could quite easily have been a source of agitation and anger.
There is an old saying that “what is joke fo’ school children is death fo’ crapo”, in other words, school children may think it funny kicking a frog but the animal on the receiving end could end up dying. We should therefore proceed with an understanding that even as temptations are there to make fun of others, it should not be at the expense of them feeling bad about themselves or ending up being humiliated. It is so very important that individuals are respected and have their dignity preserved even when they are disadvantaged in any way. Poverty, physical defects, and mental ill-health should not be considered laughable occurrences.
On a related note, several schools have recently been reporting instances of bullying and name-calling. Every effort should be made to discourage such behaviours that often emanate from insecure and/or unhappy individuals who incorrectly assume that by pulling someone down they automatically elevate themselves. Parents, teachers, concerned citizens, and student peers have roles to play in discouraging individuals who gravitate to such behaviours. We need to care enough to intercept with intent.
Recent research has confirmed that bullying can have serious long-lasting effects on victims and perpetrators. The negative impact can be physical, psychological, emotional, and/or social. Bullying can generate serious mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. They can also affect academic and social functioning, influencing poor academic performance and social isolation. Victims of bullying also complain of sleep disturbances and stress-related headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension. All of these contribute to low self-esteem. It is known that low feelings of self-worth can lead to truancy from school.
It is important to understand that bullying does not just affect the individuals involved; it can create and maintain toxic sub-cultures in schools, workplaces, and communities. In addition, it can generate and maintain harmful emotions. Such behaviours and activities therefore negatively impact the collective well-being. We therefore need to care enough to discourage such teasing and bullying activities whenever and wherever they emerge. As concerned citizens, we can reduce the negative impact of such undesirable behaviours through early and consistent intervention, support, and continuous education.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
THE BREAKING NEWS that the Trump regime has asked the Grenadian government for permission to place military assets on the island, is a dangerous escalation of American regime change operations in our Caribbean. On Monday, news broke that Trump ordered his envoy to end all discussions with the leaders of the Bolivarian Republic. The decision to halt diplomatic efforts is further evidence that Washington is intensifying its pressure on the revolutionary leaders in Caracas.
territory free of coca leaf cultivation, marijuana and cocaine processing.
The epicentre of activity remains in the Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia), but production is concentrated in Colombia.
America’s pressure on Grenada to house military assets stems from an essential development in Colombia, Venezuela’s neighbour. And that is the growing rift between President Gustavo Petro and Washington.
President Petro recently called for an international military brigade to fight Israel and stop the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Trump cancelled his visa, which is a violation of international law regarding diplomatic relations.
More importantly, President Petro withdrew Colombia from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), criticising the militaristic logic that, he said, has supported crimes against humanity. ‘We do not belong to NATO. We are not from the North Atlantic. We are from the South Atlantic, and our land is called the Caribbean. What are we doing there? These are drastic measures, but I think they must be taken now.’
These announcements are a setback to America’s military plans. Thus, the attempt to ensnare Grenada into his unholy alliance against Venezuela.
Last August, Kamla PersaudBissessar, Trinidad and Tobago’s reactionary Prime Minister, had already signalled her support for Trump’s aggression on Venezuela. Guyana’s neoliberal President, Irfaan Ali, whose country has a century-long territorial dispute with Venezuela over who owns the oil-rich Essequibo region, and whose People’s Progressive Party removed its commitment to socialism from the party constitution in May 2024, also pledged support for America’s aggressive actions.
Like the United States, both leaders pledge their unswerving commitment to fighting drug cartels and the transshipment of drugs across regional borders to the US and Europe. Informed sources say that the alleged efforts to combat and stem alleged drug transshipment from Venezuela, are a ruse to manufacture consent for the removal of President Maduro and the installation of a more pliant leader who will kowtow to American dictates and allow for the exploitation of Venezuela’s enormous resources, especially oil.
President Trump had long cast a greedy eye on Venezuela’s oil. Regime change in Caracas was high on the White House agenda during his first term. In January 2022, John Bolton, the arch-reactionary and Trump’s former National Security advisor, admitted on CNN, he ‘helped plan coups d’état in Venezuela and other places.’ Trump has also publicly salivated on his desires to turn Venezuela into a vassal state and have American companies dominate its economy.
The allegations against President Maduro and other high government officials, are belied by both the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), America’s drugfighting agency. According to the UNODC, Venezuela has consolidated its position over the past 15 years as a
Further, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 2024 report did not mention Venezuela as a drug haven. Colombia was identified as the primary source of cocaine seized by the US. About 84 percent of the cocaine seized in the US was found to be originating from Colombian coca.
A classified assessment by the US National Intelligence Council released in April repeatedly stated that there was no evidence of coordination between Tren de Aragua and any senior leaders in the Maduro administration.
Yet Trump and his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, an anti-Cuba emigre, are determined to liquidate the Bolivarian leadership because the American ruling circles see the government in Caracas as a bulwark of support for the Cuban Revolution, which has faced serious problems as a result of the criminal blockage and sabotage of its economy, which Washington is ramping up.
The attempts to tarnish the leadership of the Bolivarian Revolution are two-fold. Firstly, they tried and failed to overthrow President Chavez in 2002 after he won a democratic election in 1998. After the opposition won the legislative elections in 2017 and Maduro was elected in 2018, they hoisted the virtually unknown Juan Guido as president of the republic. Those attempts, along with John Bolton's coup plotting, also failed.
The drug smuggling smear/charge comes from an often-used playbook. It was used in Vietnam to oust the South Vietnamese leadership in the 1960s, whom Washington had soured on. Then in 1999, the Americans employed the same tactic against Manuel Noriega, the spy who collaborated with the CIA to kill Omar Torrijos, the leftwing leader who fought mightily to regain Panamanian sovereignty over the Panama Canal.
Noriega, used, abused, then discarded by his American paymasters, was imprisoned in the US for drug trafficking, then sent to prison in France and later returned to jail in the US, where he died.
For over a century, Venezuela, with the world’s largest known oil reserves, has exploited its resources to benefit foreign corporations and the local elite. Millions of people are mired in poverty and squalor. After President Chávez was elected, a shift in emphasis occurred in the South American republic. The country’s riches were spent for the first time on alleviating the object conditions of the people. Health care and education became free. Millions of homes were built for the poor and middle classes.
The Americans would have none of it. They have made the Venezuelan economy scream, thus impoverishing millions and forcing them to leave. They charged that the leadership of the Bolivarian Republic was undemocratic. Now they claim President Maduro and his other leaders are narco traffickers. It is long past time for people to see through the lies and demand the right of all states to independence, sovereignty, and noninterference in their internal affairs.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
“SO E BE 40 YEARsince ah reach bac a Sin Vincen an mek here me home base. Tank Gawd fo d Vinci birt paypa! An how U kno is rite bac in d Methodist Manse dat ah was running fram dat ah had to reach an start again!”
Is like “The Church” and I cannot separate. Not surprising because Mummy says she had to help Daddy lift the car out The Dry River when she was pregnant with me coming from some Mission back home to the Manse in Georgetown! Basically Frances was in Church from “in utero”!
“And how you know “, as a grown person coming back from “A Mission” with Youth For Christ, we had to turn back because “the Dry River cum down!” From The Womb to The Tomb is Church! To tell the truth is a Blessing because “I would rather be a doorkeeper in The House of GOD than dwell in the splendid tents of wickedness!” Psalm 84
I love The Body of Christ! “I goin’ Church in pickme basket, in pram, pon two little feet, in me Sunday clothes can-can and matching frilly knickers, to drive up in my own car in my
Afrocentric attire and my head wrap!”
Church music is nice!
Now all the music genres are accepted from John Wesley’s hymns to Jazz and everything in between. Maybe I am partial to music because my Dad was a musician. In fact, Frances has been in the choir in school and in church. And in the Church we can learn many skills; for example, public speaking. Mind you some of the preachers are really just motivational speakers not Bible Teachers! But hey there are all types in the visible congregation. Is a mixed multitude. But Jesus knows those who are HIS. My task is to make sure “I am HIS!” When Judgement Day comes every man jack has to give an account for oneself.
Mum told me about a time I nearly died as a child. Frances had high fever from some allergic reaction it seems ‘till convulsions were involved and my Dad thinking I was going to die started to cry. Mummy says, “Eric you are the preacher you are crying, Pray!”
Maybe that’s why Frances loves to see
humans “walking their talk”! As the Jamaicans say “mout mek fi say anyting!”
Question is: “Is your word becoming flesh?” GOD set us an example. GOD The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit were together in the beginning of all time and then, HE came in the form of human flesh to live among us humans. That is the very WORD of GOD taking on human shape. Why? To show us that it can be done! Cost it what it will, we can live on the side of light and good, seeking and
following after GOD. Life has shown that the writer M. Scott Peck is on to something. There is a “Road Less Traveled “ where even though you walk through the Valley of Death, you are confident because GOD is there. Don’t bother with the naysayers, doubters and the wicked. There is an Almighty. Everlasting, Intelligent, Someone who is ultimately responsible for this Universe of which we are a mere dot. We humans are hardwired to know that there is an All
Knowledgeable Creator, and compared to HIM we are very small and hardly know what is going on, how and why. It is interesting how people who refuse to live like an All Powerful GOD exist, always checking the stars, the tea leaves, the obeah man or the scientist or something for information! “The ONE who sits on HIS Throne in heaven laughs, The Lord makes fun of those rulers and their plans”! Psalm 2.
It seems to me that human life moves in
(ii) The NDP’s promise to raise public assistance from $250 to $500 is hogwash. First, the public assistance (not poor relief) is not $250 monthly; it is $300; secondly, the monthly public assistance is only one item in a big package of special safety net measures including housing grants for rent up to 6 months; support for children of the poor; school uniform, school meals, school books and so forth. The ULP increased public assistance by 6 times since 2001 from NDP’s $50 per month to $300 monthly.
Note, too, that a too-high increase of public assistance directly will distort the NIS contributory minimum pension: “the NIS contributing minimum pension: The ULP, in any event, had an increase in public assistance on the cards for 2026.
(iii) The NDP’s promise to “reinstate with benefits” civil servants’ jobs because of the requirement of the COVID vaccine is bogus. Already, these civil servants, teachers, etc. have been reinstated and have been paid their retirement benefits if they reached retirement age. Does the NDP intend to pay over $50 million for their backsalaries? Tell us! Are they going to disregard the Court of Appeal judgement in favour of the ULP government?
cycles. Is either you are spiralling upwards or downwards! We can’t be “spinning top in mud!” The question must be answered “why am I here?” Is life just to eat, sleep, lime, party, work, change clothes, acquire stuff including the house in a nice area with the garden of course, a vehicle (preferably 4 wheel drive), get married, have children, repeat these and then die? Seems pretty pointless! What do you think?
Blessings from Frances
one-month’s salary as bonus annually to public servants is fraught with problems. This amounts to $35 million dollars. Civil servants’ salaries were significantly reclassified upwards in 2007; before that year, the ULP government paid halfmonth salary as a bonus. But the reclassification exercise of 2007 and the additional perks and benefits placed the public servants, comparatively with private sector workers, in an advantageous position. Should other workers fund through their taxes, an additional perk of a 13th month salary to public servants? Further, this giveaway will mean less scholarships for students, including for public servants, and other benefits for the working people and their children.
(iv) The promise to pay
Generally, the NDP maths do not add up. They are desperate and have no clue as to the running of government. Children and fools must not play with edge tools. The people cannot afford the risk and lurking danger of a NDP government.
Voice of the NDP continued from Page 8.
We will pay for our measures through the following: Economic growth by building a more productive economy that will deliver more revenue for businesses, workers and government; we will introduce a wellregulated CBI program, and we will tackle waste and increase efficiency and return those savings to finance growth and development.
To anyone worried about what an NDP
government will bring I say this, everyone, regardless of their political background will benefit from my NDP government. I don’t care how you got your jobs, as long as you are doing your job of serving the people, I want you to continue to do that.
That is my pledge to everyone in SVG, there will be no victimization under NDP government. Anyone who says otherwise is only trying to frighten people and to take advantage of them in the upcoming election. But our People won’t fall for it.
H.E FIONA HUEI-CHUN FANagain commended the local government for its continued support in the campaign for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to participate in global organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and
Interpol. Fan, the Ambassador of Taiwan was at the time speaking at a ceremony to commemorate that nation’s 114th National Day which is formerly observed on October 10.
Ambassador to Taiwan, H.E. Fiona Fan xpressed that the relationship between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan, is built on mutual respect, among other things.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1981, our two nations have enjoyed a partnership built on mutual respect, shared prosperity and unwavering faith in democratic values,” H.E Fan said.
Continued on Page 14.
Continued from Page 13.
“We also thank your government for its continued support in our campaign for global organizations such as WHO concerning health, UNFCCC on climate change, ICAO on civil aviation, and INTERPOL on crime prevention,” she continued.
According to the Taiwanese official, her country was a defender of democracy adding that Taiwan face constant challenges from Communist China through military intimidation, economic coercion and diplomatic suppression.
But Taiwan remains calm, determined and resolute she added saying that her country will never resort to provocation and remained resolute.
“We will continue to defend our sovereignty, safeguard our democracy, and preserve peace and stability in the region,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that St. Vincent and the Grenadines had diplomatic relations with a number of territories of which Taiwan was a part of.
He explained that while this country has diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Cuba for example, but those countries did not have relations with Taiwan.
“And people as the question, how do you manage this? Well, we are friends of all and we strive for a better world,” Gonsalves said.
According to Gonsalves, there were Chinese companies and operatives who were seeking to influence the General Elections in order to secure the selling of passports and to get out a government who supported relations with Taiwan for one that supported
relations with mainland China.
But SVG had no quarrel with China and this country work with them in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other world agencies and groups.
He said that SVG has maintained relations with many nations because we demonstrate our loyalty and friendship on the principle of noninterference saying that the people of Taiwan had the right to choose what type of government they wanted and how they should be ruled.
“That is fundamental,” he said.
“That is a major precept in the charter of the UN. There are some who dilute that proposition and put power relations above it, but not St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves said. (DD)
THE FINALISTS for this year’s Lions Club South Public Speaking Competition will be determined today Friday October 10 at Frenches House. That winds up preliminaries which started last Monday. Those chosen from the 20 schools will look for glory on Thursday, October 30, at the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall. Speaking last Wednesday at the Carnival Development Corporation’s office at Carnival City, Lions Club South President Michael John commended schools for their participation and praised telecommunication company Flow for their involvement.
According to tournament organiser Michael John, ten teams are vying for the 2025 Masters’ Football Tournament. A businessman, community figure and social pioneer, John points to the “growing prestige’ of the Seven Man Football tournament. Matches are set to take place at John’s Comsport Facility located at Arnos Vale. He notes that the tournament, in its fourth year, is gaining traction, noting that there are participants from Layou and Barrouallie,
Independence. James is urging people to show love and unity, and to let the Vincentian spirit of warmth and hospitality be the hallmark of this year’s commemoration.
James wants the younger generation to grasp the significance of the occasion and for all to focus on “building a bridge of solidarity.”
He urges persons to “take care of the environment,” and points to a “transformation,” that is taking place nationwide, urging citizens to show patriotism in their daily approach.
waters become a hive of activity in October.
At least, one Secondary School will leave its mark during the celebrations as the Intermediate High School students stage a reunion venture with a host of activities.
With some input from a Brewery connection, Ellsworth Roberts is keen on one production called ‘Hairoun- Taste of the nation.’ That is part of a month-long celebration marking the 46 anniversary of Independence.
For him, “Everyone has a role to play,” as there is “equal opportunity for prosperity and growth for everyone.”
regarded as pillars of this country’s football heritage.
Roger’s Photo Studio Older Boys are the defending Champion. John is pleased that the tournament is attracting individuals from neighboring territories wishing to share the excitement. Vincentians living in the USA are using the Independence activities to link up with their homeland and have a team in the showdown. He is also appealing to business houses to be part of this initiative.
Carlos James, this country’s Culture Minister is appealing to citizens here to put differences aside as the nation marks its 46th anniversary of
After the Military parade at Victoria Park on Independence Monday, October 27, the action swings to outside the Port in Kingstown for a salute. Lieutenant Commander of the Coast Guard William Theobalds outlined the procedure earlier this week.
Armed and unarmed outfits will decorate the parade square.
A cultural segment is attached to the Parade and Rodney Small, is alerting spectators, and viewers that there will be an amazing package.
Small envisages an aspect dubbed ‘Time longer than twine,’ and
another ‘One Road’ to be worth some attention.
Small hints that the package features elements of this country’s Carifesta highlights, with drummers, dancers and singers contributing.
When October comes around, Vincentians cling to their identity. They hold on to their Vincentian personality with pride.
One occasion when that spirit rises is at the Everything Vincy Expo. This is scheduled for Diamond on the South eastern coast of mainland St. Vincent, October 23 to 27. This is not purely a Vincentian affair. For with the thrust towards regional integration gathering momentum, St. Vincent and the Grenadines maintains its pride as a genuine CARICOM member, with regional countries showing more and more interest in this country’s Independence celebration.
Some come with their motorbikes, and Vincentian streets and
Bring in the UWI Lecture, carded for October 23, and one sees how the observation widens.
Independence celebrations are not just about showing one’s love for country. It is also paying attention to one’s health. And that’s what the Breast Cancer Awareness Society is doing.
Dr. Rhealyn Burke wants persons to take issues of health seriously and she promotes the Pink Lily Walk set for
October 10 as a time to raise the awareness. Burke wants persons to “march with us,” all dressed in Pink as a symbol of solidarity. She points to a ‘Pink Sale Day’ at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital as part of the drive. Those are preludes to a Pink Walk in Georgetown on October 17.
Don’t be disappointed if you missed any of these events. Dr. Burke looks at health care as life-long exercise and is encouraging everyone to make health care a daily aspect of living. (WKA)
Continued from Backpage.
Day 1 ended with two panel discussions focusing on regulations surrounding the use, sale and export of cannabis as well as ‘views and perspectives on advancing the medical cannabis industry’. The final panel discussion was led by local cannabis activist Junior “Spirit” Cottle.
Day 2 saw several professionals in cannabis research presenting their findings as well as providing insights into best practices in the cannabis industry. Most of the presentations were live with one being virtual. An introduction was also given on
the use of mushrooms in the treatment of neurological disorders as an adjunct to medicinal cannabis treatment.
Dr. John Holliday President and CEO of Mushroom
Technology LLC who has been conducting research in mushrooms in SVG for about four years, gave some valuable insight into the uses, effects and dosage surrounding mushroom use for specific medical and neurological conditions but not necessarily as a ‘party drug’.
On Day 3, the visiting delegates toured cannabis production and processing facilities where they were able to see firsthand, how the plant is grown in its various stages. The first stop was at Minors Farm in Gomea, then the ‘Medicinal’ brand processing
facility at Spring, with the last stop at the Summus facility in Georgetown.
Later that day the public was entertained at the Victoria Park by both Vincentian and Jamaican artistes. The Vincentian performers included rising star Hannah Archibald, Yaphatu, Bongo Prime and DJ Q. The foreign artistes included Spragga Benz with Beenie Man bringing down the curtains on lively night of
music. The weather held nicely; therefore, patrons had a rain free outdoor event to enjoy.
The final event for the visitors was a catamaran ride to Bequia on Sunday, October 05. Chatting with some of the visitors, they all said the fourday activity was well organized and for some, was a learning experience. All of them looked forward to similar activity in the future as the cannabis industry expands.
Support for Vincentians at the Expo.
APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO, Invest SVG, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, spearheaded the largest and most successful display of Vincentian excellence in Asia. As a participating country at the 2025 World Expo in Japan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines celebrated a National Day that highlighted the nation’s culture, creativity, and contributions to the global community.
Under the theme “Vincy Vibrance”, two events–a formal morning ceremony and a grand evening concert–showcased music, dance, and artistry that captured the spirit of the Vincentian people. Headlining performers Kevin Lyttle, Hance John, Bongo Prime, Saeed Bowman, and DJ Q, supported by local dancers, captivated over 500 attendees, both in person and online, with their homegrown Vincy energy.
“Our National Day is not only a diplomatic moment… it’s an opportunity to share the soul of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with the world,” said Glen Beache, Executive Director of Invest SVG. “We are proud to represent our country in any corner of the globe.”
The success of this showcase has set the stage for the upcoming Everything Vincy Expo Plus, running from October 23rd —27th at the Diamond Industrial Estate. Building on the international attention and pride generated in Japan,the Expo will highlight Vincentian innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing together local enterprises, regional partners, and international investors. The event reflects Invest SVG’s mission to present the nation as stronger, vibrant and growing, while offering a platform to explore trade, tourism, and investment opportunities at home. Registration for booths is open until October 16th, and Invest SVG encourages local businesses to participate in this revitalized, exciting and modern showcase.
Applications can be submitted online at https://bit.ly/464bhX2 or in person at the Invest SVG head office on the 2nd floor of the Financial Complex.
For more information, follow Invest SVG on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn or contact us at 17844572159 / communications@investsvg.com.
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)
Generosity will put you in the poorhouse. You can convince anyone of anything. You can put in some overtime and make extra cash. Some relatives will be extremely perplexing.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)
Consider making residential changes; either moves or renovations could payoff. Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals. The great outdoors will allow you to teach youngsters some of the things you learned when growing up. Don't make those you live with feel unloved or unworthy.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
You may find that purchases or entertainment could be expensive. Cultural activities will prove to be quite enlightening for everyone. You will be overly sensitive when dealing with your personal life. Risky financial ventures will result in unrecoverable losses.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Sign up for tours or courses that will enlighten you. Your suggestions for fund raising events will be well received. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance this week. Residential moves will be favorable.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
Don't overdo it. You can easily wrap up overdue personal legal matters that have caused problems for you. Don't let someone take the credit for a job you did. Make sure you concentrate if operating machinery or vehicles.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
Help children complete projects they're having difficulty with. Frustrations and limitations could cause anxiety this week. Children's needs could be more costly than you anticipated. Alienation may be the result of a misunderstanding.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
Get involved in jobs that require creative input. You can win points with
both peers and superiors. Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. Monitor your budget carefully to avoid unnecessary stress. Inlaws may cause difficulties. Travel should be considered.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
You can get support from groups that you belong to if you're willing to step out on a limb and voice your opinions. Investments that deal with property will pay off but could cause conflict with some family members. Travel for business will not only bring you valuable information but also profits as well. You will learn a great deal about yourself if you go somewhere secluded.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
If you've taken on a lot of work, be sure to leave some time for yourself and family. Take the whole family and make it an enjoyable outing. Avoid any petty ego confrontations; they could lead to estrangement if you aren't careful. You should be traveling to that exotic destination you've been dreaming about.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
You can ferret out secret information if you just listen to what others have to say. Family members may want you at home, when your heart is telling you to spend time with someone you recently met. Remember; talk to them, not at them. Make plans to do the things you enjoy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)
Think before you act. Emotionally you won't see things accurately. Find out all you can; secret enemies may lead you astray. You will have excellent ideas for changing or renovating your home.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
Use discrimination and play hard to get. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Take care of the needs or responsibilities of elders. Your stability will aid you in getting support from your fellow workers.
ACROSS
1.Nasty cut
5. Amorous glance
9. Trash receptacle
12. Mitch Miller’s instrument
13. Quarterback Aikman
14. Gardner of “Earthquake”
15. Actress Moore
16. Become fatigued
17. Yank’s foe
19. Kennedy and Knight
20. Concluded
22. “__ a Parade “ (2 wds.)
24. Tremor, slangily
27. Fore and __
30. Mamie’s hubby
31. Cooped up
32. Takes a nap
34. Kiefer Sutherland’s dad
35. Indirect suggestions
36. Hoagie
37. Thumbsdown vote
38. Sundance’s woman
39. Water jugs
41. Courtroom excuse
43. Flats (abbr.)
46. Broadcast watchdog agency (abbr.)
48. Cooking amounts (abbr.)
50. Consumes
52. Reaction to an IM Joke
53. Leak slowly
54. Zone
55. Shoshonean Indian
56. Commentator Rooney
57. Cheerful
DOWN
1. Jupiter, e.g.
2. Help
3. Unspecified number
4. Shirley Temple role
5. Baseball’s Mel
6. Feel heartache
7. Actor Greene 8. Watched sharply 9. Sweater style
10. Roadway (abbr.)
11. Catch a
19. Ship docking spaces 21. Writer Hunter 23. Finds acceptable
25. Scary Lugosi 26. Nelson __ 27. Tennis star Arthur
28. Move like a butterfly
29. Feeler
31. Mongoose’s prey
33. List ender (2 wds.)
34. Payable 36. Filched
39. Entertainer
Dear George,
I AM A THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, and I desperately want to experience that other part of life. I do not know how to go about it. I am terrified of approaching a man to ask him anything that has to do with sex let alone opening myself to him. My girlfriends all think I’m heavily into sex so there is no way I can seek advice from them. I would like to one day have a family, but the problem is where to begin.
At this stage I am ready to do anything just to say I did it. Where should I begin? My sexual urges are very strong but at the same time I want to safeguard myself. Should I continue to be very selective as to who I choose, or should I just close my eye and pick a man?
Deep in Heat.
Dear Deep in Heat,
You may have more time on your side than you think in terms of finding Mr. Right. Do not let the pressure of ‘breaking out’ force you into making rash decisions. There are consequences attached to the choices we make in life which is why one should never rush into making a decision. At the end of the day, we must be able to live with the choices we
make. It won’t hurt for you to get some relationship counseling before moving forward in ignorance.
George.
He “horned” me with my daughter
Dear George,
IF ANYONE TOLD ME that my man would end up “horning” me with my own daughter, I would not have believed them. The truth? My man chose to be in a sexual relationship with my 19year-old daughter. George, my daughter has no remorse for what she did. The thing is, he is well-endowed and I have no clue how my daughter managed to survive him. Now she tells me he will never go back to me after experiencing her. I have since put her out of the house and will not speak to her. My boyfriend is now begging me to give him another chance.
As far as I am concerned, both of them are wicked. Should I
Dear George,
MY DAD ALWAYS SAID that if any of his children choose to leave home for anything other than work, they would be banned from returning. About three months ago, he and I had a fight, and I left home and rented an apartment with my girlfriend. She ended up leaving me for a man and the rent became too much for just me. I have since reached out to my dad, but he said there was no way he would let me back into the house. There are two empty rooms there and I think it is wickedness what he is doing. Is there anything in the law that would compel him to take me back?
Repented.
Dear Repented,
Once you are over the
delete his contact information from my phone.
Your daughter has overstepped her bounds, and your boyfriend has demonstrated that he is as low as a crawling insect.
Do not even attempt to mend the bridge that he chose to destroy. Trusting him again will be close to impossible.
Your daughter, on the other hand, is your blood and despite the error of her ways you should try to reconcile with her. At some point you should try to engage the services of a counselor to help you get past this terrible hurt.
George.
age of 18 years your parents are not legally obligated to provide shelter for you. At age 18 you are considered to be an adult and then it becomes a privilege to be entertained at home by your parents. It is unfortunate you had to part ways under such circumstances, but you never know. Your dad may very well reconsider his position if you find the right words with which to apologize.
George.
Cuba put up a spirited performance in the
A 7- NIL TRASHING AND A 1- NIL WIN gave host Vincy Heat a 2- nil series win in their two international friendlies football matches against Cuba at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex earlier this week.
Vincy Heat cruised to a commanding 7-0 victory over Cuba on Sunday at the Arnos Vale Stadium in their first game. Captain Oalex Anderson opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Steven Pierre doubling the lead in the 29th.
expected us to play, but we won and it’s a good feeling. I am going to be on them to get better because we need to play football on a more consistent basis.”
Hendrickson said the team will start training for their next outing in November after a few days off. “First and foremost, we are going to continue to get better, so we will give them a
couple days off and then we go right back at it and start training again. In November, we have the Concacaf series, this is a tournament put on for teams who are no longer in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, so we play the Dominican Republic as well as St.
Lucia. Both games will be played in the Dominican Republic and while it’s not going to be an easy task, they are predicted to win in our group which also contains Martinique and Cuba.”
I.B.A. ALLEN
Cornelius Stewart’s stunning free kick in the 44th minute made it 3-0 before halftime. Second-half substitutions added more fire, as Garret Leigertwood scored twice (74’, 90+1’), while Azinho Solomon (89’) and Malcolm Stewart (90+4’) completed the rout. In the second match Vincy Heat earned a hard fought 1-nil win to win the series 2-nil. Captain Oalex Anderson scored the lone goal for Vincy Heat.
Coach Ezra Hendrickson, was happy with the wins, but believes the team need to be more consistent.
“After the second game, I mentioned to the players, winning is contagious and we want to make winning a habit for this team, so winning is a happy feeling. We didn’t play as well as I
THE THIRD STAGING OF THE Senator Shevern John Annual Road Relay took place on Saturday, August 4, 2025, starting at London Playing Field and finishing at Senator Shevern John’s Office. The event began at 3:30 p.m. and drew an energetic crowd of supporters from across North Windward, with both young and old coming out to cheer on the athletes.
The relay showcased outstanding performances and community spirit as several teams competed for top honors.
Results:
1st Place: Sugar City Valors – 26 minutes, 12.99 seconds
2nd Place: Georgetown Secondary School (Combined) – 26 minutes, 32.74 seconds
3rd Place: St. Vincent Grammar School – 28 minutes, 35.63 seconds
4th Sandy Bay Secondary School –31 minutes, 16.85 seconds
5th Georgetown Secondary School Juniors – 31 minutes, 52.70 seconds
Female Category: Georgetown Secondary School – 39 minutes, 26.50 seconds
This year’s race marked the second consecutive victory for the defending champions, Sugar City Valors, who once again demonstrated remarkable endurance and teamwork.
Senator Shevern John expressed heartfelt appreciation to all participants, supporters, and sponsors, emphasizing that the event reflects her ongoing commitment to the people and youth of North Windward.
Winners of the Senator Shevern
“The Road Relay is not just about competition, it’s about community, togetherness, and developing our young athletes,” Senator John said. “I want to thank everyone who made this event another success, especially those who continue to believe in our mission to uplift and empower North Windward.”
Special thanks were extended to all sponsors and supporters, including the
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross, Team Athletics SVG, Mr. Keith Joseph, Mr. Tyrone James, Mountaintop Springwater, Chill Spot Restaurant and Bar, all drivers, transporters, volunteers, participating teams, clubs, and coaches. The Annual Senator Shevern John Road Relay continues to grow each year, celebrating athletic excellence, community unity, and the enduring spirit of North Windward. (Submitted)
THE CONCLUSION OF THE FUZION VINCY TAKEOVER2025 tennis tournament was a vibrant celebration of young players. The tournament was held at the National Tennis Centre, Villa, October 3 to 5, 2025.
Krishtian Puga Cuba was triumphant in the Under-8 category. Israbella Grannum of Guyana won the Girls 12s, with Nakayda Caine from St. Vincent as the runner-up. Eszron Quashie dominated the Boys 12s segment, while 5 years old Janiah Grannum of Guyana took the Girls 8’s category.
The tournament accommodated players between the ages from 5-14 years competing in several categories.
The annual tournament was designed to provide an opportunity for friendly rivalry and serve as confidence building exercise geared towards encouraging participants to take part in more challenging national events.
The entire weekend was packed with exciting matches, creating a festive atmosphere where everyone including
parents and well-wishers joined in the excitement. The TAKEOVER saw players from Guyana, the largest contingent ever to visit SVG to play
FOR THE FIRST TERM OF THE academic year 2025/26, the Inter schools’ sports competition officially launched earlier this week at the foreign affairs conference room.
The athletes will be involved in various sports including: athletics (cross country, road relay competitions), inter schools’ primary and secondary football, netball and table tennis.
Jomadean May, Acting Coordinator of Sports and Physical activities, outlined the divisions’ view behind this initiative. “This initiative is where we are looking to promote inclusion of all sports. We are also hoping to use these competitions as a learning curve and we are very keen on stakeholders’ engagement, for example the Ministry of Education to address issues that may arise. We are keen to work with the federations. I actually believe the federations and associations who have the mandate for the development of the sports should be spearheading these sports and the Department of Sports along with the Ministry of Education should be facilitating the development of these sports.” Additionally, “We do look forward for discussion with the Ministry of Education regarding possible time changes and having the sponsors on
board on how well we can market these sports. The truth is, based on research, these sports can only grow if we have community engagement. So we look forward for these sports to be a community building tool,” May said.
Orandi Brewster Minister of Sports said, “We can all have a consensus that in order for us to develop, we have to start at a very early age. If we want to see our young people blooming into professional athletes, we must start at the grassroots level and primarily in the schools. Since last year, we made a big push to develop the different disciplines here and our sporting facilities, because both work hand in hand, and what we are putting in place is a management system for the facilities, so that we can have the regular upkeep for the benefit of the athletes.” He added, “We have a number of young and talented athletes in the different discipline, and to all those who are involved we need to continue to support them.”
Cross country was expected to start on October 9th, football will shoot off on October 12, Netball will start on October 12, while table tennis serves off on November 13th.
CK GREAVES BEAT KFCStrikers 2-0, thanks to second half goals from Teron Muckett and Kyle Quashie, to win their first title in the Firms Division of the 2025 ACADO Breakaway Masters Invitational Tournament that concluded last Saturday, October 4, at the Richmond Hill Playing Field.
However, it was national Women’s goalkeeper- Marsha Marshall of KFC Strikers who was adjudged Player of the Final.
Muckett though walked away with the Most Goals award, whilst CK
Greaves’ Josh Davis won the Best Goalkeeper accolade.
More individual awards went CK Greaves’ way as Nickron Laidlow was named Best Midfielder and Ronald Belgraves was the Best Defender and overall, Player of the Tournament.
RSVG Police took the Knock-Out segment of the Firms Division.
The Tournament also included an Under-17 and Under-19 Division.
The Under-17 was won by System Three Team One ahead of Toni Stores and Roxdale in that order.
On the honours list, System Three Team One took all the awards, as Denesh Grant was listed as the Best Goalkeeper and Player of the Tournament: Joshua King- Best Defender, Brenon Young- Best Midfielder and Zebeon CunninghamTop Goal scorer with five goals.
In the Under-19 Division, won by North Leeward Predators, with System Three- second, and Adarethird, Predators’ Curt Caesar was the Best Goalkeeper. Maldini Simmons was adjudged the Player of the Tournament and Best Defender.
Lazaro Lynch of System Three was named the Best Defender with Omarion Lyttle of United Strikers, taking the Most Goals award. Twenty-six teams participated in the Tournament.
The Breakaway Masters Tournament started in 2011, and with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021, the tournament has been held annually.
MOST VINCENTIANS ARE KNOWN by their nicknames, sometimes more than one. They have the distinction of aliases coined in different ways. Roy Smith is no different. One reference to him in the North Leeward village of Troumaca was ‘Mint.’ I never knew how he got the name. Perhaps his two older brothers: Dennis and Carlos might explain. They are children of John and Mabel Smith.
The Smiths occupied a prominent spot not just in Troumaca, but throughout the North Leeward constituency, and by reason John’s pioneering status, the Smiths are held in high esteem throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
John Smith followed the pattern of migrant workers. He was one of those who journeyed to Aruba in the 1940’s to work in the oil industry. That was enough to provide him with the cushion with which he carved out more than a survival instinct. John was a businessman, keen on doing everything necessary to keep his head above waters.
The Smiths established operations which gave the entire village a sense of pride. That board bus, splashed with the name ‘Cherry S’ was a symbol of transport for the North Leeward area. There were many other buses. The way those vehicles were built reflected an era of pride in Vincentian heritage.
Owners bought the chassis, and that was fitted out in skillful style on the Windward side of the island. Construction was dynamic, allowing for the seats, and a section to the rear to take care of goods brought from anywhere.
Those builders were so adept, that the seats could be removed, the roof of the bus adjusted, and the vehicle transformed into a truck. So when for example, stacks of rhizomes from the Arrowroot field had to be transported, ‘Cherry S’ was one of those carriers.
You might be wondering what’s all of that has to do with Roy Smith. That was the environment Roy grew up in. When the bus took passengers to and from Troumaca, Roy invariably operated as the conductor.
This was a family enterprise, and Roy knew his role. That was a duty the brothers fulfilled. John Smith was a cricket fan.
Whenever a match was playing at Arnos Vale, ‘Cherry S’ would be parked outside the ground, and Leeward fans were guaranteed transport home.
One most of those occasions, John Smith looked at it as perhaps a contribution, and he did not take up fares from persons going from cricket. He was a shrewd businessman, and when on normal duties, the fare had to be paid.
We as youngsters didn’t mind riding ‘Cherry S’, for Roy as a normal Troumaca man played cricket. If you not one a Cricket team in Troumaca, you must have been handicapped. Roy was a decent left-handed batsman.
He ensured things went well for the squad, if ever anything was needed. When he migrated to the USA, it came as a loss to the sporting community.
Roy passed away in his adopted land at age 66 and was laid to rest there. His spirit lingers through the trees of the village and his image and memory are etched on the streets where footprints are carved. Thanks for the blessings of the Smith family and to Roy for the impression he leaves.
GUARDIAN GENERAL SAINTS are the champions of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines 50 overs competition when they defeated Flow Radcliffe by 97 runs in the finals last weekend at the Sion Hill playing field.
Scores: Guardian General Saints 229; Noelle Leo, Windward Volcanoes wicket keeper and batter, top scored with a well-constructed 104. Other contributions also came from Sunil Ambris 26, Romel Currency 36, Ryan John Windward Volcanoes all-rounder, 39 not out. Off spinner Deron
Greaves bagged 3 for 41 while Captain Asif Hooper took 3 for 46. Flow Radcliffe in pursuit of the target, faltered and was eventually dismissed for 132. Kodi Grant top scored with 49, Othneil Lewis hit 28. Off spinner Jeremy Haywood picked up 5 for 50, and leg spinner Geron Wyllie captured 4 for 29.
I.B.A. ALLEN
matches won or lost by default, especially among the units in the Firms Division.
This was ventilated last Saturday, October 4, at the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 edition at the Richmond Hill Playing Field.
Claudius Millington, Treasurer and Games Coordinator of the tournament, spoke expressively on the matter, stating “it is disheartening”.
Noting that he was not talking with “water” in his mouth, Millington proceeded to chide offenders.
“How could you be representing a firm and forfeiting games?” Millington inquired curiously.
Millington in his lamentation
added, “Some teams forfeited more than the one game; this is not nice because you are representing your firm and if your firm gives you time off to come here and play, why should you not be able to field a team”?
The organisers were hit with a last distasteful experience, when on Friday, October 3, the thirdplace playoff between Why Hunger Fisherfolks and Ministry of Housing and Sports was not played.
The irked Millington bemoaned: “Even the third and fourth who were playing for money, both teams were not able to field a team”.
The Breakaway Masters Firms Football Tournament began in 2011, to provide employees with down time recreational activity, as well as build camaraderie among the participating players.
THE 2021 HOUSING AND POPULATION CENSUS in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is now two years behind, revealed Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves.
During the recent sitting of the house, Minister Gonsalves while responding to a question by Opposition Member of Parliament Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble regarding the expected completion date, said that the delay was due to setbacks in producing the analytical report, which is a key phase in the census process. He
stated that the project has now progressed to the stage of recruiting consultants, who will soon undergo training to begin analyzing the data collected.
“Completion of the main analytical report was delayed slightly by the knock-on effect of delays in the data processing.
Notwithstanding, the recruited consultant has submitted the inception report and the preliminary summary analysis report. The final report is expected by the end of November, first week in December of 2025. The procurement process for selecting consultants to prepare thematic reports for education and training, as well as on the economy, using data from the census, is currently underway,” Gonsalves told
parliament.
He said that a consultant is expected to be on board in November, and those consultancies will be executed over a threemonth period.
“So, you’re looking at the main census, the thing that we call the census, by the end of November, early December. But then, as you recall, when we had presented it, there will be some deeper analysis in some thematic sections related to education and training and the like. And then that has a knock-on impact on the agricultural census. The data that came in, in the end, I don’t have the precise numbers in front of me, but we counted, in terms of formally individual getting the detailed data, about 80% of the larger populations.
We counted the population as a headcount, but then you go and you ask all of these specific, detailed questions that are asked on the census, and about 80% of the population is willing to sit down and give us all of that information. And there were some geographical discrepancies. People in town were less likely to sit down and talk to you than people in country. And people in the northern Grenadines were more likely than people in the Southern Grenadines, and these sorts of things, in the
process. So therefore, the consultant then has to come up with statistical formulae to extrapolate from the 80% to get to the 100%,” the finance minister further said of the challenges involved in the census process. He also acknowledged the challenges involved in conducting a national census, especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic, but noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was able to collect its census data more efficiently than several other countries in the region. (KH)
by DON DE RIGGS
AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS of planning which included a media launch on August 25, CannaBliss 2025, organized by the Medicinal Cannabis Authority (MCA) was launched on October 02, with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves cutting the ribbon to declare the second festival of its kind formally open. This followed the formal opening of a four-day event which included among other things a tour to a ganja farm, a series of panel discussions and lectures, a musical concert and a tour to the Grenadines mainly for the visitors.
Day 1 saw the formal opening at a CannaBliss village set up in the Victoria Park, which turned out to be the epicenter for the main CannaBliss activities which also included displays of cannabis related products, including but not limited to ganja wines, oils, edibles and fertilizers used commonly in the production of medical cannabis. Patrons were given samples of the ganja wines as well as other products.
The opening ceremony began with a drumming session by Rose Hall drummers, while the Arabesque Dancers thrilled the audience with their agile and acrobatic moves. The main speakers during the ceremony included MCA CEO Dr. Jerrol Thompson, with remarks being made by government ministers including
Visiting delegates toured several cannabis farms and processing facilities.
Carlos James, Camillo Gonsalves and Saboto Caesar, with the keynote address being delivered by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. The audience included participants from Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Jamaica, Holland and USA. Fifth form students from several secondary schools were also invited to attend the opening ceremony and exhibition. Rastafari ‘Sistren’ and ‘Bredren’ from across the region also attended CannaBliss 2025.
Continued on Page 16.
