FRIDAY, MAY 20,
2022
VOLUME 116, No.19
No gun charge for ex-cop Page 4
www.thevincentian.com
India President welcomed Page 13
EC$1.50
Handbook republished Page 14
Convicted woman gets mercy Page 17
Mother in pain Page 28
LA SOUFRIÈRE HIKER FOUND AGAINST ‘OFFICIAL ODDS’ was safely among relatives, friends, wellwishers and his rescuers at Bamboo Range, at the foot of the volcano. A team comprising, among others, Desron Rodriguez (Lava Man), Paul Cyrus and Ozarie Williams, with ‘Queenie Bhajan’ serving as coordinator, had decided
that they were not going to leave the hiker in the cold of night somewhere on the slopes of the volcano. Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday morning, still sleep deprived from the exhausting rescue mission the night before, Rodriquez said he was
informed about 7:00 pm on Tuesday 17th May that missing hiker Colin Browne was still at the volcano. Rodriquez explained, “I got a call about 7:00 pm and by the time we mobilized, we were able to leave the Windward side about 10:00 pm. There were about 11 of us on the team, but seven of us continued while the others stayed back. It was difficult to narrow him (Browne) down because the mountain was foggy and very dark. He (Browne) was Continued on Page 3.
SVG WELCOMES THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA
Colin Browne, the rescued hiker, with some of his rescuers including Paul Cyrus (standing extreme left) and Desron (Lava Man) Rodriguez (stooping).
WHEN AROUND 7:00 PM on Tuesday official first responders decided that it was futile and foolish to continue a search for a hiker that had gone missing during a descent of La Soufrière (volcano),
they did not take into consideration that there would be a group brave enough to continue the search that very evening. And by 6:00 am on Wednesday, missing hiker, Colin Browne,
H.E Shri Ram Nath Kovind, President of the Republic of India, being greeted on his arrival at the Argyle International Airport, Wednesday 18th May, 2022, by H.E. Dame Susan Dougan, Governor General. (See Page 13 for more)
2. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . 3.
News 3 La Soufrière hiker found against Âofficial oddsÊ
Continued from Frontpage. communicating with us by phone, but we finally found him at around 1:30 am and we were able to get back down the mountain by about 6am.” Rodriquez said the team who included experienced hikers such as Paul Cyrus, Kia Best and Ozari Williams, used maps and Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates to navigate the volcano which has steep ridges. He recalled that Browne looked relieved when they found him. One of his legs had to be bandaged a bit, but Browne was otherwise ok, Rodriquez said.
A party of well-wishers who camped out at the River Bed confident that the missing hiker would have been found.
Determined to find the hiker There was no doubt whatsoever among the team that with the experience of Rodriquez and Cyrus provided, the team was going to return with Browne. According to Cyrus, the team took a route that took
Just another day in the adventurous life of Desron ‘Lava Man’ Rodriquez.
Colin Browne getting some first aid attention to his injured leg, at the spot where he was found. Right: nother member of the rescue team who is ready whenever a call for his services is made. made with Browne. He was in relatively good shape, save and except, as Rodriquez had indicated, an injury to his left leg and some swelling to the left side of his face. THE VINCENTIAN understands that while there them to about three quarter of the slopes since April 2021 was no official sanction of the erutption. the way to the summit, from search mounted by the Sensing that they were where using information Rodriquez-Cyrus led team gathered from the GPS on closing in on the missing there was no real effort to stop hiker, members of the team Browne’s phone, they made a it. shouted the hiker’s name. descent off the regular route. Persons with whom THE Browne, the hiker, would It was pitch black, windy, VINCENTIAN spoke later comment that hearing with poor visibility, as would suggested that “Lava Man be expected at this time of the calls was some of the most should have been called in year, and the team had to encouraging sounds he had from day one”. ever heard, or words to that clear cobwebs as they Colin Browne is said to be effect. This after he had ventured into unknown an experienced hiker, who had resigned himself to “spending made climbing La Soufrière territory on the precarious slopes of La Soufrière. the night out in the open on something of a past time since Cyrus noted that their the slopes of Soufrière. He its eruption. descent as per directions returned the calls with a new He was, on Tuesday, part of garnered from the GPS, led hope that rescuers were near. a 13-member group that had then into a strangely heavily Cyrus confirmed that it was taken the hike but had vegetated area, unlike the dry, about 1:15am, Wednesday, separated from them when he less vegetation that coloured when physical contact was decided to make an earlier
descent. In his characteristic manner, Lava Man described the ‘venture’ as “difficult,” an understatement of sorts given what he has been known to accept and overcome as challenges related to the La Soufrière Another case of unsung heroes who might never have their songs “officially sung”. And then there is the story of five guns and one ‘searchlight’.
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4. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Courts
Kennedy to stand trial for murder persons were injured at various locations, December 2, 2021. CORNELIUS KENNEDY, a Kennedy will also man who may be best stand trial for assaulting, remembered in Court causing bodily harm to circles for his bold, but Junior Baptiste of unsuccessful request on Redemption Sharpes. April 12, to be granted bail Following a Paper on a murder charge, in his Committal Procedure at own recognizance, has the Serious Offences been committed to stand Court on Tuesday, trial on that charge. witness statements, and The 34-year-old other relevant material Lowmans Leeward to the case were resident will be tried reviewed by the before a judge and jury Prosecution, Defence and for the December 2, 2021 Chief Magistrate murder of a Paul’s Rechanne Browne, Avenue resident and following which the handy man Lance Court ruled that there Wilson. was sufficient evidence Wilson was struck in for Kennedy to face a the head during an High Court trial on both incident in Kingstown, in charges. which a number of Wilson died at the Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) on January 5, 2022, where he was a patient for just over a month following the incident on which he was injured. Attorney Shirlan Barnwell represented Kennedy at the Paper Committal Procedure. Kennedy has been on remand since January 10, 2022 in connection with the matter. Persons on murder charges in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are not usually granted bail, except in certain circumstances. On his appearance at the Serious Offences Court on April 12 when the Paper Committal Procedure date was set,
Kennedy made an unsuccessful request for bail. He was at the time unrepresented. Some persons in the audience giggled at Kennedy’s request, but granting bail to persons accused of murder could soon become a reality in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Jurisdictions close to SVG have been looking into changing the Jurisprudence (Science of the Law) towards making bail open to persons on murder charges, and recently, bail was granted for the first time in the history of Trinidad and Tobago to a person charged with murder. The decision came just
Former cop freed of gun charges FORMER police officer Zackrie Latham has been freed of nine firearm related charges and one money laundering charge, in connection with the disappearance of guns and ammunition from the armory of the Georgetown Police Station early last year. Latham, who was at the time attached to the Georgetown Police Station was cleared on Tuesday of charges of possession of a M-4 rifle which is a prohibited weapon and possession of a number of Glock .22 pistols, both without licenses; possession of 305 rounds of .40mm; not being a licensed firearms dealer sold one Glock .22 pistol to one ‘Pet’ of Sion Hill; sold one magazine with fifteen rounds of .40 mm ammunition to one ‘Pet’ of Sion Hill; sold one Glock .22 pistol to Myron Samuel of Layou; and possession of criminal property to with $E3,200 in cash, which he knew or suspected in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented the proceeds of criminal conduct. Latham was freed of those charges at the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court after Magistrate Zoila Ellis-Browne upheld a no case submission by Latham’s attorney Grant Connell. At the close of the prosecution’s case earlier, Connell had submitted that base on the evidence, thus far, the prosecution had failed to make out a case against his client. Latham will now have to answer only to charges of entering the armory of the Georgetown Police Station as a trespasser and stealing one box of .40mm ammunition valued at EC$250; entering that armory as a trespasser and stealing three boxes of .40mm ammunition, the property of the Government
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The other charge left for him to answer is, being employed in the Government Service as a member of the Police Force, corruptly obtained property for himself on account of an action done by him in discharge of the duties of his office. The trial which started last week at the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court, will continue on May 30. Crown Counsel Maria JacksonRichards is leading the case for the Prosecution. Zackrie Latham is the last person to be Latham, former before the Court on charges in police officer, connection with the disappearance had his count of the guns and ammunition from of charges the Georgetown Police Station. reduced from The others - Avi King, Meshach 13 to 3. Dublin, both 26 of Diamond and former national footballer Myron Samuel - had received prison sentences in relation to their charges, but Samuel was released after appealing to the Mercy Committee on medical ground. His lawyer Grant Connell had raised a number of his client’s health challenges during his mitigation plea, just before Samuel, 28, was sentenced to 18 months, August 16, last year. King, Dublin, and Samuel had pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Belair man charged with murder CURTLEY NANTON, a 24-yearold labourer of Belair, who was initially charged with wounding with intent, has now been charged with murder, after the victim died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital last Saturday. Nanton has been charged with the murder of Jevorne Gibson, 24, of Welcome. Gibson received a stab wound to his abdomen, reportedly during an altercation at Belair between 7 and 8 p.m. on March 22, this year. He was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was warded until last Saturday, when he died. Nanton was initially charged with wounding Gibson with
intent, and was granted bail on that charge. However, on his return to the Serious Offences Court last week, in connection with the matter, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne informed him that she was revoking his bail, based on the medical report she received on the victim’s condition. As a result, Nanton was remanded. Gibson died in hospital a few days later following which the wounding with intent charge against Nanton was withdrawn, and the charge of murder laid. Nanton was not required to plea when he was taken before the Chief Magistrate at the
Serious Offences Court yesterday (Thursday) on the murder charge. Prosecutor Renrick Cato informed the Court that there were 16 Murder accused witnesses on Curtley Nanton file. Nanton was leaving the Serious Offences further Court on remand, remanded after hearing that pending his the charge Preliminary against him had Inquiry (P.I) slated for July been upgraded to murder. 7.
Cornelius Kennedy got nowhere with his request for bail on his own recognizance. over a month after the Appeal Court there held that Section 5(1) of the Bail Act was unconstitutional, as it had removed the Jurisdiction of the Court to consider bail for persons accused of murder.
Prison officer on corruption, conspiracy charges JUNE 22, 2022 is the next court date slated for prison officer Jason Cato who is facing charges of corruption and conspiracy. Cato, a resident of Hopewell, is charged with, being employed in the Public Service, and being charged with the performance of duties by virtue of such employment, corruptly attempted to receive property, namely money, for himself on account of something to be afterwards done by him in the discharge of the duties of his office on May 11, 2022, at Belle Isle. The Prison Officer is also charged with, agreeing with Abasia Humphrey that a course of conduct shall be pursued which if the agreement was carried out in accordance with their intention, would have necessarily amounted to the Commission of the Criminal Offence of conveying to a prisoner prohibited articles, on May 13. Cato pleaded not guilty to both charges during a brief appearance at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Friday, May 13. He was granted $6,000 bail with one surety.
Cocaine found in dog pen DAVID STOWE, a man who concealed his cocaine in a dog pen at the back of his house, was fined $1,400 forthwith or three months in prison for possession of the drug with intent to supply. THE VINCENTIAN understands that he paid the fine. Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne handed down the penalty at the Serious Offences Court after Stowe, 38, of Arnos Vale pleaded guilty, to 5.1 grams of cocaine with intent to supply. According to the facts, as presented by Court Clerk, Sergeant Atnel Ash, Corporal 66 Jack armed with a search warrant, headed a party of police officer s from the Calliaqua Police Station to the defendant’s home. On arrival, Stowe was met there, and the warrant was shown and read to him. He consented to the search which did not turn up anything illegal inside the house. However, at the back of the house, during the search of a dog pen, the police found two transparent plastic bags containing foil wrappings. One of them was opened revealing whitish substance resembling cocaine. Stowe initially denied knowledge of . Before handing down the penalty, the Chief Magistrate reminded Stowe that cocaine was a substance that the Court detest because of its harmful effects on society.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 5.
Feature
introduced to the criteria and THE ST. MARTIN’S SECONDARY duties of a SCHOOL’S LIBRARY is now library aide. served by a cadre of Library Each Aides. participant was Eleven students were so expected at the pinned with appropriate conclusion of the badges during the School’s training, to assembly held on Monday, write a letter to 16th May, after a period of the Librarian training that equipped them to explaining why carry out tasks such as he wanted to be shelving and stamping books, a library aide. keeping shelves neat and tidy Following the and in order. pinning Those assuming the new ceremony THE designation as Library Aide VINCENTIAN were: Rolando Mornix, Head spoke with Library Aide; Joshua Greaves, Rorlando Deputy Library Aide; Mark Mornix, Mark Blugh, Project Manager; Blugh, and Jaheim Jack, Secretary; Oscar Oscar Browne. Browne, P.R.O.; and Joshua Head Aide Bushay, Oshan Francis, Royon Mornix spoke Handy, Matthew John, Olani about the impact Slack, and Jordon Turtin, the group has School Librarian Mrs. created. “When Catana Punnett conducted the we just started, it was only a training. She explained that couple of us and I tried to sessions were convened on show the boys that becoming a Tuesdays at 12:15pm, where library Aide is not just helping each trainee was allowed to out in the library. It’s act as chairperson. expanding your vocabulary as Trainees were expected to in reading books and so be responsible, able to follow forth…. over the couple of instructions, courteous, and months we have more Aides willing to work, and were because of this movement.” Stories by GLORIAH...
Library Aides with School Librarian Mrs. Catana Punnett Project Manager Blugh described his role as, “leading the group in creating a lot of art work for the library… to make it more colourful and appealing. So far, under his leadership, the group has completed the ‘signs project’
and displays about a number of rules about plagiarism. A pop-art project to display some books is underway.” PRO Browne described his role as informing the members when there are meetings and things are to be done in the
library. “I have found that reminders are good motivation for members,” he said. The Library Aide concept is seen as another component in the school’s aim to provide for the holistic development of their cares.
SMSS gets Risograph and assistance for students crucial for the speedy duplication of documents especially for examinations; and funds to enable student support and a food programme. On supporting students, Principal Gibson explained, “It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic along with other extenuating circumstances have caused quite a bit of our student population to experience some hardships. With that in mind, our school is trying to respond to the needs of our students by providing them with some sort of financial support and assistance, to enable them to get a good quality education, The symbolic handing over of the Risograph: Principal Yohance Gibson with one that SMSS offers.” Towards this end, SAMPASA NA President Ivan Morgan live on computer and teacher, Ms. discussions with Sharifa Barrow at right. SAMPASA NA bore fruit, the principal noted. THE ST. MARTIN’S extenuating, challenging School Principal, Mr. According to Principal SECONDARY SCHOOL circumstances occasioned Yohance Gibson informed Gibson, the first (SMSS) is now better by the COVID-19 those gathered that the contribution from placed to effect crucial pandemic and the 2021 school had received teaching/learning volcanic eruptions. generous donations from SAMPASA NA toward this effort was made outcomes pivotal to its This announcement the St. Martin’s Past early in October [2021] students’ advancement; was made at a media Students Association and was in an amount of and to assist those conference held at the North America Chapter students who have been school last Tuesday, 17th (SAMPASA NA). These $12,162.16 XCD. This provided financial experiencing May. included a Risograph,
support for ten students, covering transportation, the payment of activity fees and support with food. Shortly after receipt of the first contribution, SAMPASA NA provided $8,014.60 XCD to assist with the school’s feeding programme. Thereafter, when a request for assistance with a Risograph was made, it was met with a donation of $9,180.02 towards procurement of the equipment, Principal Gibson related. And wih the SMSS now better equipped in this regard, Principal Gibson thank Curtis Greaves, Principal of the Emmanuel High School Mesopatamia for his invaluable assistance with duplicating exams and other documents. Last Tuesday’s media conference was joined via live link-up by Mr. Ivan Morgan, President of SAMPASA NA, along with members: Olrick Hamlett, Michael Alexander, Natasha Providence, and Marcus Coombs. Morgan reaffirmed: “We have made a
commitment to St. Martin’s Secondary School and to the students to try our very best to try to fulfill the needs as much as we possibly can and that is a commitment .... for the unforeseeable future.” When questioned about the means by which funds are secured, Mr. Morgan explained that each member of the seventy-member strong organization donate $120.00 a year. This amount is supplemented by additional, “generous” contributions from members. A number of fundraising activities are staged throughout the year. Morgan highlighted the highly anticipated annual ‘Games Evening’ in this regard. The President thanked the principal and staff for working with the organization and Principal Gibson affirmed this as an ongoing collaboration, promising that more interesting things are to come. These, he said, will be dealt with as time goes on.
6. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 7.
News
Women still subjects of exploitation PASTOR Cecil Richards of the Kingstown Baptist Church is continuing his mission of protecting the status of women here. He made his positon clear last Wednesday at his Church, during a Press Conference hosted by the National Council of Women (NCW), Marion House and the Kingstown Baptist Church to address the issues of violence and violence against women. Pastor Richards pointed out that his advocacy on women’s behalf has been ongoing. He thinks that “Vincentian women are being positioned for exploitation and victimisation.” He comments followed last week Thursday May 12, discovery of the mutilated body of 17-year-old female Precious Williams of Walvaroo. Her identity was a mystery for three days before family members responded to Police photos of tattoos and a gold chain. Richards thinks that the “system fails to appreciate the value of the woman,” and that the “social scripting” tends to “devalue, denude, and be
dismissive of them.” He pointed to advertisements of drinks, cricket matches, and the Carnival Magazine, as examples “that promote the denuding of women.” “We get outraged when women are killed,” Pastor Richards said, and assessed that “it is caused by the system.” Pastor Richards contends that the promotion and consumption of alcohol contribute to breakdown of law and order. Social deterioration in homes, loss of jobs, are additional factors. “We can’t punish our way out of the problem,” the Pastor observes. He asserts the need for “spiritual and value-based” traits. The Education Revolution must include selfawareness, conflict resolutions, anger management, and communication skills, Pastor Richards suggests. Jeannie Ollivierre of Marion House is not happy with the treatment meted out to girls and women from men. Ollivierre chided men for “instead of supporting us, they are failing us.” Beverley Richards, President of the
(L-R): Beverly Richards (NCW), Pastor Cecil Richards and Jeannie Ollivierre sound a common note of society failing women. NCW, called for persons to join the campaign to protect citizens’ rights and for more awareness of human rights issues. She wants citizens to live up to
their responsibilities as regards securing women’s rights and appealed for better policing as it pertains to women, and for the upgrading of the Domestic Violence Act. (WKA)
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8. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
‘Crab in a barrel mentality’ (Editor’s Note: This article was first published in THE VINCENTIAN of Friday 21st June, 2013. We can now substitute CPEA for Common Entrance – CE) YEAR IN YEAR OUT as the Common Entrance results hit the street, there are as many uplifting comments as there are unbecoming comments. At no other time of the year, is there a greater degree of ‘pulling down talk’; and some persons believe that since the ‘pulling down talk’ comes from the adults/parents, it destroys the innocence of the children; children who otherwise would simple like to ‘just get along’. No wonder, therefore, that one observer, (he seemed not to have had a ‘vested’ interest in the exams) was heard to remark that this, the Common Entrance season, is a season when the ‘the crab in the barrel mentality’ takes full bloom. Take what has been thrown up about this year’s top CE performer. Why would anyone want to question the young man’s ability, either by insinuation or direct comment, and refer to his parental link to this country’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, to imply/say that there was some degree of ‘hanky panky’ involved in computing the results? Let’s shorten the reference to ‘crab mentality’. The term is used to refer to a kind of selfish, short-sighted thinking that runs along the lines, “He only get it because of who he is.” That is why, by extension, the term, ‘crab mentality’ is also used to describe those persons who pull down others, denigrating them rather than uplifting them and allowing them to get on with the pursuit of their dreams. No one should want to be accused of having a ‘crab mentality’ for this type of mentality is a poor reflection of someone’s personality. When someone has a ‘crab mentality’, it means that he or she is unwilling to allow someone to get out of a situation or to get ahead; that he or she is not prepared to accept a person for what and who he/she is, preferring to paint a landscape of ‘discolouration’ on that person’s record of success. Take for example a Vincentian in the US who decides to pursue higher
education towards securing a good career. How often have friends, and even family, taken to ridiculing that person discouraging him by imputing that he ‘wants to be a big shot’. The sickening thing is that the ‘crab mentality’ has found nurturing at all levels of life, like at the work/office environment. The ‘crab mentality’ can be devastating, as co-workers snipe at each other to bring each other down, rather than congratulating someone who earns a promotion. All of this speaks to a thinking that is reflective of the saying, ‘We all like to see our friends get ahead, but not too far ahead’. If that is how friends are viewed, God helps us when we apply the same thought pattern to those we consider our ‘enemies’. It is not that you did something bad why others necessarily pull you down; it is just the way it is, or so we convince ourselves and accept it as ‘part of the culture’. But it ought not to be the case. Fortunately, people who learn to recognize this ‘crab mentality’ in themselves can often find ways of counteracting it. Those people are the ones who recognize that spending energy pulling someone down rather that lifting themselves up, means that they will remain there for all eternity. Let’s face it: People are constantly put down, ridiculed and publicly humiliated until their spirit breaks, leaving them dejected and often broken. The very nature of our politics reflects this attitude. Why can’t it be that instead of ‘pulling the person down’, we single out an over-achiever for encouragement and promotion? Why can’t we see that person, regardless of from whom he is parented, as a national asset? A ‘crab mentality’ is a dangerous and deadly attitude. It is not an attitude of which we should be proud nor is it one we should fuel. And who knows, may be the perpetuation of the attitude is as much to blame as our politics and economics, for our underdevelopment We will be held accountable, in the long run, for our denigration of our fellowmen; held accountable for the missed opportunities and destroyed hopes if we don’t shed the ‘crab on our backs’. I am not a crab, are you?
Health care in SVG (Pt 2.) LAST WEEK I WROTE about the need for a National Health Insurance programme. To achieve this goal, we will have to change a few laws. Changing laws is not my wheelhouse; therefore, I will stick to the benefits and purposes of offering health insurance to employees. The Government has enough lawyers on board to get the laws right. I hope. If they want to make it mandatory for everyone to purchase, we might have to make a constitutional amendment. By the way, we need to address ways to make it easy for citizens to participate in constitutional amendments. Back to Healthcare. First, let’s start by discussing some of the available options and what providing health insurance for workers will do for the nation. It will improve workers’ attitudes and production levels. When we offer employees a higher level of security and peace of mind, they usually produce more. It encourages a healthier workplace mentally and physically. Sick employees will now go to the doctor and get treatment rather than come to work and spread their ailment. One of the concerns raised by some workers over the last year with COVID-19 testing was that they had to pay for the test to be eligible to receive paid time off. This certainly didn’t promote a safe workplace for those who could not afford the cost of the test. Could this have anything to do with our overall low positivity COVID rate? When we start talking about Government-sponsored healthcare or universal healthcare, there are three basic options: 1. “Socialized medicine”. This term is used to scare people because it is essentially a system primarily controlled by the Government. The Government owns all hospitals, and the health care providers work for the Government. This allows for minimal private opinions. 2. A Single-pay system. Under a single-payer system, the Government provides health insurance for everyone. The hospital, doctors, and nurses are private business operations; however, end users’ costs are regulated. 3. The third option is Private Insurance. This option allows residents to choose their insurance company, but they must pick one. The purchase of insurance is mandatory.
This is close to the American “Obamacare” intended version, even though this was not achieved. The most apparent advantage of a government-sponsored healthcare system is everyone has insurance and access to medical services, and it is usually the most cost-effective system. It is sometimes refused, too, as the great equalizer. All available doctors and hospitals are open to everyone. The most highlighted disadvantage of this system is that people usually have long wait times for some routine services, as priority is often given to lifesaving care. Now there are several other benefits to be derived for everyone. I will discuss some benefits of providing universal health insurance to the country. * If the Government offers such a plan, it will keep the premiums low. Group plans tend to be cheaper on average when compared to smaller individual plans. The old adage says there is strength in numbers. The more people we have participating in the program, the bigger the base to spread the cost of care. * The Government could also encourage businesses to offer Health insurance to their workers by allowing the insurance premium to be paid for with pre-NIS dollars. This will have to be studied since it will affect the NIS contribution. * Small businesses could be incentivized to join the system through tax credits. * Health Insurance will increase job satisfaction; happy employees will improve the shared experience with the public when engaging in business. Having happy employees who are content with their jobs and health care benefits can make employers more optimistic. * If health insurance coverage is provided to workers as part of their compensation package, payroll taxes for the employee could also be reduced depending on how the law is written. To encourage the private sector to offer insurance to their employees, they should be given a tax incentive. Of course, the entire cost of the premiums will be a deductible operating expense for the business. The smaller companies could also receive some tax credit for providing insurance to their workers. Horatio
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 9.
Letters
Who cares about the poor? THE BIBLE says that we always have the poor around us (Matthew 26:11). It also says that the poor in spirit are blessed and would see God. It appears that the poor are among us so that we can have opportunity to express our compassion. A scientific and objective survey was done to ascertain the extent of poverty in the country. The official report is yet to be released by the Minority Government. The full unofficial leaked report is yet to be released by the Majority Opposition.
So many times, experiments are done at school and we do not get the results we expected. In such cases, a reasonable explanation will still give the student opportunity to obtain full marks. Any attempt to change the results would be fraudulent and unethical. Similarly, I did not like the results from my own dissertation study here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Nevertheless, I had to publish the full report with analyses of the results. It appears that our
poverty report did not meet the expectations of the Government. Apparently, what was said thus far is that our country is experiencing extreme poverty. Both Government and Opposition apparently agree on this ‘fact’. Both leaders are lawyers and usually appreciate the factual truths before they prosecute a case. Any parameter chosen will provide evidence of the widespread poverty in the country. These include Education, Health, Agriculture, Aesthetics, Money
Management, Freedom of Speech, and Work Ethic. Throwing away money at poverty will not and has not solved the problem and is perhaps perpetuating it. The evidence is that money has probably caused an increase of poverty. The policy of ‘Learned Helplessness’ has achieved its goal of perpetual chronic poverty. Someone said that every time the toilet is flushed, it represents money down the drain, meaning that for some of us, there remains no evidence of the
Lifting the standard THE STANDARD of journalism and customer service needs to be lifted. Before I delve into my topic for today, I take this opportunity to say congratulations to WEFM on its 25 Anniversary. WEFM by far is the best privately owned radio station in SVG. It is a wellbalanced station that allows both sides to have programmes and its standard is high. Journalism is a very important entity in any country. We continue to ask for a lifting of the standard of Journalism. Too many of our journalists, news reporters and talk show hosts are just copy cats. Take for example, it appeared to sound that SVG TV recently reported word for word a news article that was written on online news.
The caption, ‘The captain of Fair Chance can be alive’. When you listen to the excerpts from a news release out of Trinidad we are yet to find anything that suggests differently. Tourism is a developing product here in SVG. We are still behind and in need of improvements. The private sector/play an important role in attracting tourists and encouraging them to spend their money. With this in mind, the customer service and receipts of cash and card payment need to be improved. As locals we often get angry with poor customer services we received from both the Government services and the private sector. This is bad but it is even worse when a visitor to
our shores walks into a store and experiences poor customers services. A bad impression. Only few stores take US currency for items purchased. Come to think of it, the US dollar is the most widely used currency in the world. Why do some places here still do not accept it? Visitors who come to our shores and are not prepared to spent time in a line to change their currency. In this modern day and age many travelers as well as residents opt to use Credit Cards or Debit card to transact the simplest of transactions. Persons now avoid walking around with cash. So, for ease and comfort they choose to use a card. However, many business places do not offer the
facility to use these cards. This can be inconvenient for visitors and even locals alike and can reduce the sales a store may receive. Not having a card facility is a turnoff for the visitor. No wonder visitors spend so little in this country. It’s all about the card and not cash in today’s world. Before closing, I would have to acknowledge those businesses that have gone out of their way to satisfy the customer and those media houses who strive to do a good job. Congrats and keep up the work. However, in a general sense, there is still a need to lift the standard of our businesses and journalism. Kennard King
People are asking me⁄.. IN THE ABSENCE of Man-About-Town, I offer, Mr. Editor, some questions that people have put to me: * Does it make sense to spend so much money to construct a temporary parliament building? * Why are the lights at the ‘La Croix Boxing Plant’ on 24/7? Who pays the bill? * When will something real be done about the loud and vulgar music that is still played on mini buses? And has anyone been keeping an
ear on the radio stations? * Is it that we have a Minister of Finance and a Spokesman on Finance? * When will the government admit that we have a gun problem that is at the centre of violent crime in our country and do something serious about it? * When are they going to admit that no amount of increase in the police force and all this RRU and SSU thing have done nothing to make
people feel safe? * How much cannabis has traditional farmers sold to those companies that have licences to purchase for medicinal purposes? * Are there really any health protocols enforced at these pre-Carnival fetes? Are we preparing for another wave of COVID like the one that followed Nine Mornings a few years ago? * How is the removal of VAT for VINLEC, AIA and the Postal Corporation going to help
the ordinary man? Perhaps somebody could give an honest explanation?
substantial monies we would have earned over the years. There is no land, house, education or business to show. For the substantial amount of funds apparently received for COVID, volcano, and hurricane relief, many ask, “Where is the evidence of where all the money gone?” The evidence is clear: The poor does not need our filthy lucre (money). What they need is jobs. No amount of money will satisfy the poor. They always want more.
Creating jobs will give them dignity and enable them to get what they need. Anthony Stewart, PhD
The Medicinal Cannabis Industry OUR FIRST writing on the Medicinal Cannabis Industry was published in THE VINCENTIAN the week before the Bill was passed in Parliament. We looked at the spiritual and natural journey in the development of the new industry. Note that the ULP tabled the Bill and the NDP supported it. Where are we today, moving into 3 years? America has an embargo on us. We cannot use the US currency in any of our (SVG) marijuana transactions. In a master stroke the government has opened a gateway with the Canadian currency. That is the same banking system used to ship out the first legal 110 lbs to Germany. The North Windward traditional growers must be looking forward to their first shipment of a 1,000 lbs, soon as the bank approves their application for their accounts. Mr. Editor, the spirit of this ganja industry was designed for the rich and powerful and not for the traditional farmers. Some traditional farmers got a slave-like license in which you have to reapply every year. The rich and powerful renew theirs yearly. If I am wrong could the MCA (Medicinal Cannabis Authority) correct me so that the public will be properly informed? (I was told that they are trying to rectify the matter in cabinet.) Donkey say the earth na level. Monkey say cook breeze. The farmers in the red and yellow zones say those in authority short-paid them from January — March. They only get pay $500 for April. Pay the farmers, Mr. Government –- a balance of $1,500. We watching the Russia (Putin) war on Ukraine. Did any of our ‘traditional’ cannabis end up in Russia? But our Creator, God, said he put hooks in Russian jars. Read Ezekiel 39: 1-4. Christian Democrat
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10. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
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ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY SHRI RAMNATH KOVIND, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA TO ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, ON THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 BY DR. THE HON. RALPH E. GONSALVES PRIME MINISTER OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
MADAME SPEAKER, HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ON BEHALF of our government and people, I formally welcome to St. Vincent and the Grenadines His Excellency Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the President of the Republic of India, his wife, his daughter, and official delegation. I take this opportunity, too, to express solidarity greetings to my friend, the Honourable Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, his family, his government, and the magnificent people of India. Today is truly historic in the relations between our two countries: It is the first time that the President of India is visiting us; and it is the first time, too, that the Head of State or any other high-office holder, of India is addressing our Parliament. Your Excellency, we are most honoured by your esteemed presence. We are thrilled that you have chosen to visit us, alongside Jamaica, on your current Caribbean journey. This is truly extraordinary; it is of inestimable consequence! St. Vincent and the Grenadines and India are inextricably bound to each other through ties of blood; our commitment to democratic values and liberty; our stance of non-alignment from hegemonic power blocs globally; our quest for peace, security, and progress for all nations and peoples; and our practical bonds of friendship grounded in high principle and mutual interests. Your Excellency’s visit will undoubtedly strengthen further our existing unbreakable ties which bind. Your Excellency, between 1861 and 1881, the records show that 2,472 citizens of colonial India were brought to colonial St. Vincent as indentured labourers to work mainly on the plantations owned by Anglo-Saxons. The wrenching crossing of the “Kala Pani” – the taboo of the dark or black waters from India to the Caribbean – remains for our nationals of Indian descent not only a source of a painful dissolution of identity but also a resource for an enduring embrace of India and a simultaneous reconstruction of life and living in our Caribbean, in our St. Vincent and the Grenadines! The incubus of British colonialism was unable to defeat or destroy the unconquerable spirit of our indentured brothers and sisters who came to us from the ancient Indian civilisation of glory, merit, and worth. Through the fever of our history, and the process of creolization, the disparate strands of our population mix – indigenous Callinago and Garifuna, descendants of enslaved African bodies, of indentured Madeirans and Indians, of the Anglo Saxon planter-merchant elite, and the more recent arrivants from the Middle East – have evolved as an integrated whole, a metaphoric symphony of oneness in which the occasional dissonances are resolved or muted through our informal, even invisible, cultural well-springs or our formal institutions. From all this has arisen “a genius of our people”, exemplars of social cohesion,
inclusiveness, tolerance, and social solidarity in life, living, and production. [Thus, in our national life, in this our veritable symphony of oneness, the chords of India lives in us; so, too, the metaphoric songs of our indigenous forebears; so, too, the rhythm of Africa, the melody of Europe, and the homegrown lyrics of our Caribbean, our St. Vincent and the Grenadines!] Your Excellency, daily in innumerable ways, the presence of India is felt in St. Vincent and the Grenadines beyond the impact of our treasured nationals who are the descendants of indentured servants from 19th century India. Today, professionals from India in various fields, including medicine, engineering, project management, information technology, and teaching, have come to live and work among us; many have become naturalised citizens of our country; many have children who are Vincentians by birth. Through the outreach of the Indian government, the Global Organisation for Persons of Indian Descent, the Indian Heritage Foundation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and with the active support of the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the joinder between our two civilisations is deepening and broadening. This is a most uplifting enterprise! We commemorate, in remembrance and hopefulness, Indian Arrival Day, every year, in the month of June. And, of course, our people have arguments about whether Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman of the 21st century. We watch the IPL on TV and we all have our favourite teams; and many of our people are Bollywood fans. Practically all of us are fond of Indian cuisine. The list goes on! And on June 21st every year we ought to follow India’s lead in embracing the “invaluable gift” of the International Day of Yoga, to aid the unity of our minds and bodies, thoughts and actions, health and well-being. Your Excellency, there is a beauty, an amazing grace and wondrous ease, in the telling story of the close bilateral nexus between our two geographicallydistant countries of unequal power, conjoined within the frame of a multilateralism of nobility and compelling congruence: Our Caribbean civilisation, including its Vincentian component, is young, searching, and enterprising; that of India is old, revered, and vibrant; St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a population of 110,000; India’s population is 1.38 billion, marginally second only to that of China; St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ land mass is 150 square miles, India’s territory covers 1.269 million square miles – the 7th largest in the world; St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US $870 million, India’s is US $3.54 Continued on Page 26.
Crime is out of hand in St. Vincent and the Grenadines THE RECENT rapid increase of homicides and the barbaric nature of these crimes have sent shock waves throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The New Democratic Party is deeply concerned about this upsurge and dangerous trend in our society. The following is a statement by the New Democratic Party: Vincentian society was shocked at the discovery of the decomposed body of a 17 year old woman in the community of Murray’s Village on the outskirts of Kingstown on Thursday 12 May 2022. Then on Monday 16th May 2022, local police confirmed another shooting death in the New Montrose area. The victim brings to sixteen (16) the number of homicides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) so far this year. This follows a four (4) day spate of four (4) murders. It does not go unnoticed that two (2) of the victims in this short period are women. Should the current rate continue, St. Vincent and the Grenadines would equal its 2016 record-breaking murder count of forty (40) for the year. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) ranks 2016 in SVG as the 6th bloodiest in the world in the period 2012 to 2020. A significant percentage of these homicides remain unsolved as the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force seems unequipped to come to grips with this crisis. This incompetence stands in stark contrast to the enthusiasm and vigour exercised in the pursuit and arrest of critics of the ULP administration and in preventing citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and association. Of greater concern is the administration’s refusal to acknowledge the depth of this crisis since 2007. It is evident that as Minister of National Security Dr. Gonsalves has failed to be “tough on crime and the causes of crime.” In twenty (20) years the minister and successive commissioners of police (the current Commissioner of Police Colin John being included) have failed to present to the nation a credible and comprehensive plan to deal with spiralling crime. It would appear that such a plan has not even been drafted. The time has come for the administration to engage real expertise While we offer our sympathies to families directly affected by violent crime, we recognize that expressions ring hollow without action. The New Democratic Party renews our call for a bipartisan, broad-based approach to the development and implementation of strategies for combating crime. We call on anyone with information that might assist the police in their investigations to contact the police immediately.
Stop the causes of crime The New Democratic Party (NDP) strongly believes that to effectively combat crime; the emphasis should be placed on identifying the likely causes of crime and developing a strategy to remove them. We will implement the Spiritual Social and redemption charter as an important programme in crime prevention; commission a review of existing research into the causes of crime followed by research in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to determine which of these causes are applicable here. This will inform the strategies we introduce for combating crime.
Also, vigorously pursue community policing by increasing the visibility of police on the beat, involving police in trust-building activities in communities, and by providing specific training in community policing. And, institute measures that will encourage regular meetings with the police and certain communities about the resolution and reduction of criminal conduct in those communities.
Our plans for the Criminal Justice System The NDP recognizes the importance of developing and maintaining an effective criminal justice system to convict, incarcerate and importantly rehabilitate convicted offenders. An effective and well-resourced criminal justice system enhances the chances of securing convictions against those who commit criminal offences. This system involves the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, lawyers, the courts, magistrates, judges and the penal system. It is therefore of paramount importance that those persons and institutions mentioned are appropriately equipped to deal with reported crimes in order to ensure that the guilty are convicted and the innocent are set free. But most importantly, they ensure the maintenance of law and order and the preservation of the rights and freedoms of Vincentians. The NDP takes the maintenance of those rights and freedoms very seriously, and will introduce measures that will strengthen the criminal justice system. This will be effected by: conducting a comprehensive review of the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; introducing measures that will simplify and improve access to justice; increasing the number of magistrates; revising the laws to increase the sentencing options that are available to magistrates and judges; expanding the High Court and improving its facilities; upgrading the forensic lab in order to expedite the prosecution of offences and to reduce the number of cases that are outstanding; reviewing the remuneration and method of promotion of police officers in order to ensure that promotion and remuneration are primarily based on merit, and reviewing the Police Legislation to bring it up to date with the requirements for modern policing. Further, arranging for extensive training of police and prison officers, especially in the field of information technology; establishing a Civilian Police Complaint Commission to receive complaints against police officers from both civilians and fellow police officers; establishing a Young Persons Rehabilitation Centre for nonviolent young first time offenders and for juvenile delinquents; introducing a rigorous rehabilitation programme that will be designed to improve the lives of inmates after they have left the prisons and reduce the chances of them becoming repeat offenders; reviewing the remuneration of prison officers and the promotion system to ensure that their career growth is dependent on performance and achievement; identifying communities in which new police stations will be constructed. And, reintroducing the Police Cadet Service to provide young persons with an avenue into the Police Force. The NDP is committed to fighting crime.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022.11.
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Stabs, Scabs and Scars
“Every scar that you have is a reminder not just that you got hurt, but that you survived.” – Michelle Obama (born 1964) – American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States of America from 2009 to 2017. THE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE will periodically result in our being hurt. Some of the pain will be generated from accidents while others could be from wounds intentionally inflicted by others. These wounds could be physical (as in the case of a stab wound) or emotional (as is the instance when someone says hurtful things to or about us). Scrapes, cuts, punctures, and stabs will create some degree of pain and will result in bleeding. However, our bodies react by sending white blood cells to combat the germs that may enter the break in the skin. Additionally, the red blood cells enable clotting of the area so that the bleeding subsides. Eventually, a scab is formed and, in time, the pain diminishes as the wound heals. The area where the entry wound occurred might eventually leave a scar depending on how deep/severe the wound was. Such scars remind us that healing has taken place. We survived. The online site MedlinePlus, via the National Library of Medicine, describes a wound as “a break or opening in the skin”. Such breaks in the skin via cuts, scrapes, punctures, or burns, can allow germs to enter and cause infections. They note that the smaller the wound, the quicker it will heal. The larger or deeper the wound, the longer it will take to mend. However, within a few minutes or less, blood will begin to clot as the body reacts to stop the bleeding. The blood clots dry to form a scab. This is the body’s way of protecting the tissue underneath from germs. It is interesting to note that once a physical injury occurs, the body’s immune system begins to protect the wound from infection. We are often unaware of the fact that blood vessels open in the area to enable the blood to supply the oxygen and nutrients needed for wound-repair. Under normal conditions, the body will repair such wounds in approximately two to five days. This is another marvel of how our human bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. MedlinePlus provides additional insights in relation to how the body works to repair injuries. It is noted that the red blood cells create collagen (tough, white fibers) that form the foundation of new tissue. The new tissue, granulation tissue, fills in the wound and new skin forms over the tissue. As the wound heals, the edges pull inward thereby shrinking the size of the wound. A scab then forms over the wound further protecting the damaged area from infection and aiding the rejuvenation process. They note that a scar then forms thereby strengthening the wound. Over time, the scar will fade and, in some cases, may even disappear completely. They note that, when cared for properly, most wounds will heal, leaving only a relatively small scar or none at all. As it is in the physical world, we will occasionally experience mental and emotional stabs that result in scabs and scars. We must understand and appreciate that such occurrences are part of the real world. No matter who we are, we will encounter
individuals and situations that hurt and disappoint us. In some instances, these could seem to be as painful and debilitating as the physical trauma previously described. However, as it is in the physical, these will also heal. They do not endure forever. How we deal with or react to these scars may often determine how well we cope with the debilitating situation and who we become. Two quotations readily come to mind. Firstly, Erin McCarthy notes that, “Scars fade with time. And the ones that never go away, well, they build character, maturity, caution.” Secondly, Rodney A. Winters reminds us that, “Scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.” Both thoughts are pregnant with wisdom. As we reflect on these, we can take comfort in knowing that we all have scars of one kind or another. We therefore do not need to hide them although our physical and emotional scars are often painful to endure. A review of many bibliographies would reveal that several noticeable achievements have been accomplished in spite of dangers, setbacks, and disappointments. Individuals like author, poet, and motivational speaker, Dr. Maya Angelou (19282014); philanthropist, actor, talk show host, and TV magnate, Oprah Winfrey (born 1954); South African President, Nelson Mandela (1918-2013); Britain’s Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (1874-1965), and USA’s President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1965) readily come to mind. Their setbacks (and in many cases their unfair treatment) provided them with learning opportunities that made them stronger. Their accomplishments came with stabs, scabs, and scars. They refused to be crushed. They rejected defeat. Regardless of the magnitude of their loss or suffering, they found the strength to regroup and rebound. We admire them for their resolve and their selfless commitment to mankind. Their stories remind us of the thoughts shared by Khalil Gibran (1883-1981) the Lebanese-American writer and poet who reminded us that, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls. The most massive characters are seared with scars.” Those scars can appear like “battle wounds” but they are viewed as trophies and plaques to be admired and revered. They are unique and beautiful in their own way. We esteem those individuals who refuse to allow stabs, scabs, and scars to define them in a negative way or to retard their progress. Many of these have become our heroes and mentors. Their lives remind us that it is a privilege and great honour to overcome … to earn the scars! Craig Scott (born 1962), a Canadian politician and academic, reminds us that, “From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, ‘I SURVIVED!’” Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
State capture and fleecing of SVG ‘When I joined the struggle as a 13year-old boy in Soweto, I would never have imagined that one day I would blow the whistle on a special kind of corruption that was destroying the party and the values I had been fighting for all my life.’ Themba Maseko IS THE VINCENTIAN state in the grip of a political class that is more concerned with its economic advancement and political survival than with the welfare of the people? There is increasing evidence that we are. All we need to do is open our eyes, suspend our political allegiances and pay close attention to what’s happening in our country. State capture is a type of systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state’s decision-making processes to their advantage. Vincentians, especially change agents and top civil servants, should read John Perkins’ Confessions of an Economic Hitman to understand the problem better. They should also read ‘For My Country’ by Themba Maseko, a former state executive from South Africa. He was ostracised, slandered, and even threatened for this courageous act of whistleblowing. Sounds familiar? “… traitors, renegades and turncoats will meet their end,” PM Gonsalves told his supporters as the ULP celebrated 21 years in Power. Pilger’s work, published in 2004, offers an illuminating expose on ways in which lending agencies like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, elite banks, and prestigious consulting firms influence and convince bureaucrats and political leaders to take loans that benefit a small local and foreign elite rather than the country and its citizens. Themba Maseko’s 2021 book, ‘For my Country’, blows the whistle on the corrupt and incestuous relationship between former President Jacob Zuma and the economically powerful Gupta family of South Africa. In 2010, Themba Maseko was called to the Gupta family’s home and asked by Ajay Gupta to divert the government’s entire advertising budget to the family’s media company. When Maseko refused to do so, he was removed from his position and forced to leave the public service. Maseko’s book details a rare insider’s view of the presidencies of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma and the inner workings of government. Is the Vincentian state any different? We think not. In the 1990s, the NDP government passed a law which gave foreign investors a 99-year lease to the Grenadine Island of Canouan. The deal allows the investors to sell the land. In one deal, an acre of land was sold for US$5 million. Billionaires Desmond Dermott and Andre Pignataro currently own most of Canouan. Vincentian citizens are increasingly made to feel like foreigners in their own land. The Glossy Bay Resort and Marina owners have a horrendous labour record. They dismiss employees and refuse to pay. Both developers made empty promises that the village, what’s left of Canouan for locals, would be developed apace with the resort. This has not happened. All nationalists and progressives thought Gonsalves would renegotiate the Canouan sellout deal to block the lease owners from selling the land. Gonsalves evidently concluded that there’s no historical wrong in Canouan that’s worth correcting. In 2018 Dr
Richard Byron Cox, an international civil servant and a recent addition to Gonsalves’s choir, was so incensed with developments in Canouan that he described Gonsalves as a ‘modern-day slave driver.’ Ottley Hall deals left SVG holding the ‘shitty’ end of thick. For an asset valued at less than $10 million, the nation owed close to $200 million. We paid more than $20 million to settle the deal. The Black Sand Resort at Peter’s Hope represents the fire sale of 37 acres of prime real estate to a Canadian investor for the peppercorn fee of EC$6 million. Six years after the groundbreaking and four years beyond the proposed completion date, eight concrete shells are the only evidence of this US$200 million, 400 room hotel development. The Rain Forest seafood business at Calliaqua also received generous contractual terms. Without regard to sustainability, this project was hoist upon the nation. It is left to be seen what happens to our seafood stock in the years to come. The government’s policy is that a hotel development has to have a minimum of 50 rooms to qualify for generous concessions. However, once you are well connected, as at least one business family is known to be, you can gain the concession by adding the rooms of two smaller hotels. For the economic elite, the sky is always a cheery blue. The rest of us remain on the plantation. At the most generous terms, the Richmond Quarry project, in which 58.8 acres of state land was leased to a foreign investor, Rayneau Construction, tells an alarming story. In a deal that will net the treasury $12,000 per year and $2 for every ton of aggregate exported, the concessions offered to the developers are staggering. The Government exempted Rayneau Construction from value-added tax, corporate tax and import and export duties. When fully operational, the company projects to make a minimum of $28 million. SVG’s cut will be under a million. These deals are diametrically opposed to the developmental interest of the nation. We are witnessing the fleecing of the country. There is no other way to explain the giveaway of state resources. We have always said our political class doesn’t know what real money is, but we are confident they cannot be so stupid. For state capture to work effectively, facilitators must use threats and intimidation to enforce a demand and enablers or followers- those who compromise themselves, cover-up or legitimise public spending or giveaways. Too many of us go along to get along. Only by standing firm on principles, like Themba Maseko, would we be able to stamp out corruption and ensure that good governance best practices are developed and strengthened in our country. To save the nation, protect the treasury, preserve our national resources, and safeguard our patrimony, SVG urgently needs resisters-those who refuse to accede to corrupt demands and practices. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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12. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
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Free preschools needed for all children in SVG THE EDUCATION system in SVG is still failing children from poor families, as most of these children miss out on valuable pre-school education. The ULP regime’s so-called ‘education revolution’ has failed. Many children of the poor do not do as well as they could do at secondary school, because they have been denied a solid foundation of education and learning at the pre-school level. We need more pre-schools in SVG. Every child should have the opportunity to get a good start (at the pre-school level) to their educational journey. The lack of pre-schools is perpetuating the gap between the educational achievements of children from poor families compared to children of more wealthy families. It has been well documented that pre-schools help children to grow and develop in many different ways. Firstly, they help children to socialise and meet both other children and
adults. This is a very important stage in a child’s personal development. Secondly, they help children to learn through play and games. They can learn things like counting, sorting, colours and numbers whilst they are playing. In the UK, all children aged three and four years old are eligible for a free pre-school place. The government has a duty to ensure that enough places are available for all three and four-year-olds. Children in SVG are being left behind because of the lack of preschools. Compared to children in the UK, most children in SVG are being denied a solid foundation to their education. It should be the duty of the SVG government to ensure that there are enough pre-school places available for all three and four-year-olds, provided free of charge. Research in the UK shows that a pre-schooled child has more chance of
getting better exam results, and ultimately, earning higher wages. The Effective Pre-School, Primary and Secondary (EPPSE) research shows children who go to pre-school are projected to earn EC$108,000 more during their career than those who do not. Sam Gyimah, former UK Education and Childcare Minister, said ‘Before they have even worn their school uniform for the first time, a child’s life chances are being decided. Early education not only sets a child off on the right foot at school, but has effects that last right into the workplace. No child should start school behind their peers’. Preschool is a crucial period in the development of children. Children whose parents cannot afford to send them to preschool are being left behind in education. Preschool should be free, as many poor parents cannot afford school fees, school uniforms, school
books and other school equipment for their children. SVG can acquire about 2 billion dollars a year in revenue overnight, by taking back our fish licence from Taiwan and setting up our own tuna fishing and canning industry. We could then invest 1 billion dollars a year in providing our children with world-class, high-quality education from pre-school to university, free of charge. Leader of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, believes that education is the means to eradicating poverty, creating employment and reducing crime. Education empowers the individual and society as a whole. Our present education system is inadequate. Education is a universal right - we mustn’t fail the children of the poor any longer! www.svggreenparty.org https://twitter.com/svggreenparty https://www.facebook.com/SVGGreen-Party-154937087877631/
Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly Taiwan — it also concerns us and the rest of the world. It is a serious issue THE 75TH WORLD HEALTH with implications for the health and ASSEMBLY (WHA) is scheduled to welfare of all nations. In particular, it take place later this month in Europe. interferes with our fundamental right I would therefore like to use this to enjoy the highest attainable opportunity to make a contribution to standard of health in violation of the public awareness and education on the sacred principles and the Objective fact that Taiwan is not allowed to enshrined in the Constitution of the participate in this very important World Health Organisation (WHO). international forum. This matter does We have already learnt from the not only affect the people who live in COVID-19 pandemic that a tiny virus by R. T. LUKE V. BROWNE
could emerge at a remote point on the globe and spread far and wide with thoroughly devastating consequences. The moral of the story is that we cannot afford to have any gaps in the disease prevention and containment network. The exclusion of Taiwan from the WHA is evidence of the existence of such a gap. This gap must be closed for the sake of humanity. Taiwan is not allowed to participate in the World Health Assembly for political reasons. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) asserts that Taiwan is a part of its territory and therefore that its government representatives also represent Taiwan at the WHA. This is pure fiction. The reality is that the PRC government does not exercise control over Taiwan and cannot reasonably represent it. We know very well that Taiwan has an independent, autonomous and democratically elected government. The principle that the PRC cannot properly represent Taiwan actually already won tacit recognition in the past. Taiwan used to be invited to attend the WHA. The practice of inviting Taiwan to the WHA was only discontinued a few years ago when Beijing took a hostile approach to a new government that was elected in Taiwan. We must not play politics with health! The right to health should
override all other considerations. By the way, how can we reconcile the fact that Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organisation with it being shut out of the WHA? Is trade given greater priority than health in the conduct of human affairs? Ironically, Taiwan is being excluded from the WHA at a time when WHO leadership is professing commitment to Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage. How can there be “Health for All” without Taiwan? Taiwan is a widely-acclaimed leader in health and development and has a lot to offer the WHA and the world. Taiwan is already helping several countries to achieve their health goals through wide-ranging and constructive cooperation and assistance initiatives. I could only imagine that the scope for this type of activity will be amplified when Taiwan becomes formally incorporated into the global health system. I just sent a letter dated 12 May 2022 to the Director General of the WHO in which I expressed these sentiments and urged him to invite Taiwan to the upcoming WHA. I hold on to the hope that he would show fearless and courageous leadership on this matter.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 13.
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SVG welcomes India’s President
THE GOVERNMENT and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines welcomed India’s President, H.E Shri Ram Nath Kovind, on Wednesday 18th May, 2022, following his visit to Jamaica. H.E Kovind, accompanied by his wife Savita and daughter Swati, was greeted at the Argyle International Airport by H.E Dame Susan Dougan, who then accompanied him to the saluting dais on the tarmac where he H.E. Shri Ram Nath Kovind, takes the took the salute at then inspected a salute in his honour. guard of honour by the Royal SVG Police Force. The President’s delegation also included Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State within the Ministry of Finance, Shri Satish Kumar Gautum and Rama Devi, both Members of the Indian Parliament. Following the Guard of Honour, the President then met Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves who introduced him to a welcome party comprised It was time to mingle with the children from the of Cabinet Ministers, Calder Government School who had a special Members of Parliament welcome for the President. and the Diplomatic Corps.
While here, the Indian Head of State was involved in several activities, including a tour of the Leeward coast and a tree planting ceremony at the Botanical Gardens. He was also involved in Inspecting the Guard of Honour specially some high-level working mounted as part of the President’s welcome. sessions with members of the local government and availed himself of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Automatic Exchange of Information and Assistance in Collection of Taxes and on Health and Medicine. A special Parliamentary Session was convened on Thursday. The President addressed the Parliament after remarks by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Opposition Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Leader Dr. Godwin Friday. introduces President Shri Ram Nath A highlight of the state visit Kovind to a welcoming delegation that was the President’s involvement included Parliamentarians, Diplomats in a ceremony to rename the and specially invited persons. Calder Road ‘India Drive’. Calder is known as one of the clusters of descendants of East Indian President Kovind and his indentured workers who arrived here delegation left the state on May 20. in the late 19th century. (DD)
V Republished ÂSt. Vincent HandbookÊ launched 14. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
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regard, the Government initiative named the National History Project, expected to be a comprehensive and accurate history of St Vincent and the Grenadines in two volumes. Historian, Dr Adrian Fraser who, is one of four historians assigned to the National History Project, lauded the partnership between Gaymes Book Centre and CoPublishers Marc Erdrich and Ruth Boerger of Hobo Jungle Press in ensuring the transformation of the book. For him, the book was a point of reference for dates as well as information that is not found elsewhere.
The ‘new’ St. Vincent Handbook and Almanac, 5th Edition’ that is now available for purchase.
Changes; From old to new
The text, written by Robert Mowbry Anderson and originally published in 1938, by GLORIAH... underwent a journey towards ON THURSDAY, 5th May, the ‘St. republication, which coVincent Handbook and Almanac, publishers Mark Erdrich and Ruth Boerger outlined. 5th Edition’ was launched at a Erdrich explained how brief activity held at the bookstore proprietor Mr. Methodist Church Hall in Dennis Gaymes had Kingstown. The book was introduced him to ‘An republished through the instrumentation of Gaymes Book Historical Account of St. Vincent’ by Charles Sheppard, Centre and Hobo Jungle Press and then recalled that Mr. (St. Vincent). Gaymes later showed him an Speaking at the Launch, incomplete copy of ‘The St. Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Ralph Gonsalves noted though Vincent Handbook and Almanac’. the book as authored by “It began at page 250,” he Robert Anderson did not leave said, “...the prior pages were a perfect history, the account in photocopies in a brown was still noteworthy. envelope and the rest on paper Pointing to the need to too brittle to handle. In record and document more of looking at it, it blew us away Vincentian history, Dr. when you consider it was 1907 Gonsalves referenced, in this when the 1st edition was
published.” Mr. Gaymes implored him, “We need to get this out of here!” Ruth Boerger explained the difference between reprinting and republishing: “Reprinting means that its exactly duplicated,” she advised, “republishing means that we take some of the original document and make changes, some cosmetic, some editorial; ....we also relied on The Chicago Manual of Style when we decided on style for editing, proofreading, layout and design and that gave us the consistency that we wanted..” To make it more engaging for the reader, the book underwent changes in size, font, formatting, and layout while maintaining the order and content. Commonly used words replaced archaic ones, very long paragraphs were broken into smaller parts and editor’s notes were added. A foreword and an introduction were added and so was an excerpt on Robert Mowbry Anderson by Sir Rupert John.
The state of the ‘book’ (pages) with which the republishers had to work.
“tour” of St. Vincent, beginning with the island’s “discovery” in 1498. It then becomes a nearly unbroken yearly record of important events that occurred in the country through to 1938. Few would question that the book is a collector’s item for it abounds with: telegrams between the Colonial What the book contains Administrators and the Royal Families before, during and According to Hobo Jungle after the World War I; first Press, the “Handbook”, nearly person accounts of hurricanes, 600 pages in length, was the fires, volcanic eruptions, and culmination of decades of work other tragedies that befell the by Vincentian Robert island; myriad accounts of Anderson, a man of many visitors relating St. Vincent talents, among them solicitor and the Grenadines’ beauty, and publisher of The health benefits, and its Vincentian newspaper.” people’s friendliness. The book contains a Finally, the book has a descriptive “sketch” of the wealth of charts that list in island, with an historical
detail fees for everything from taking a letter to a boat in the harbour to the rental for Youngs Island; and village taxi fares. It also lists all the birds found on St. Vincent, protected animal species and much more. All of the prominent people who played a role in the government and business of the Colony were also highlighted. The republished work affords a new generation the opportunity to read first person descriptions of events that shaped the island from the 1700s through the fourth decade of the 20th century. The ‘St. Vincent Handbook and Almanac, 5th Edition’ can be bought at Gaymes Book Centre for $80.00.
NTRC makes computer donations
The presentation party at the handover of the computers to the SVGCC. NTRC’S DISTRIBUTION of Computers to Union Island Secondary School & SVGCC. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) made donations of computers to two educational institutions here.
On May 4, 2022, eleven (11) Lenovo all in one Desktop Computers were handed over to the Union Island Secondary School. The computers were received by the Principal of the Union Island Secondary School, Mr. Darrel Williams. Two days later, May 6, the
NTRC donated a total of fortyfive (45) Lenovo all in one Desktop Computers to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. The computers were handed over to the Director of the Collehe, Mr. Nigel Scott. Of the forty-five (45)
Darrel Williams accepts donation from NTRC representative, on behalf of the UISS. computers, thirty (30) were assigned to the Smart Lab at the Division Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) which is currently utilised by ICT, Business and Engineering students for academic and research purposes. The remaining fifteen (15)
computers were assigned to the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (DASGS) Library. These initiatives were covered under the SMART project that was signed on March 26, 2020 and funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF). (Submitted by: NTRC)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 15.
News
Advanced Health celebrates 5th Anniversary In a show of appreciation for the support it has received, the health institution, on the eve of their anniversary, hosted a free clinic for persons to address health conditions or simply to receive vital health information/counselling. Dr. Conrad Nedd, a native Vincentian from New Montrose is Advanced Health’s resident consulting physician and his Sri Lankan born wife Kaushalya Nedd, its Managing Director. According to Mrs. Nedd, this was the second time they were hosting the free clinic. “We decided to give Dr. Conrad Nedd - resident something back to the consulting physician at community because God has Advanced Health. been good to us and even through Covid, even through (La) Soufrière, we were able to sustain the place. We did not close the place, so we decided to give something back to the community,” Mrs. Nedd explained. The clinic was served by expertise inclusive of two general physicians, a Paediatrician, a Obstetrician/ Gynecologist, a Dental Surgeon, a Physiotherapist, Registered Nurses, and a Health Planner. Kaushalya Nedd, Managing A pastor was also on hand Director - keeps it all to carter to those who wished together. spiritual counselling. SUNDAY, LST MAY marked five In addition, there were a years since the Advanced Health number of volunteers who Clinic opened its doors at New assisted with registering Montrose, across from the persons, as well as serving headquarters of the Central refreshments provided Water and Sewage Authority, through Subway and Randy along the Leeward Highway. Supermarket.
A client gets his vitals checked during the open clinic.
Advanced Health - five years of service and expanding. Mrs. Nedd confirmed that the number of persons accessing the clinic this year far exceeded the 400 plus who benefited from the first one. This year, she said, the focus was on persons who were affected by the La Soufrière eruption, including those in shelters, and persons who might have lost their jobs because of some COVID-19 related reason. Transportation was provided for those who needed it. Mrs. Need admitted that some persons became agitated because of the time they had to wait before getting attention.
Some who provided service Franz Jordan, a Health Planner who came in from Barbados said it was the second time he was volunteering. His task for the day involved determining where the patients are supposed to go, the services required, and preparing them to go to the different specialties they were requesting. Barry De Freitas, a volunteer, described his role for the day as assisting with the registration of persons seeking medical help. He enjoys a good relationship with the Nedds. Dr Inga Peters-Myers, Dental Surgeon, said she spent much time giving oral hygiene instructions. Rev Aldoph Davis, Methodist Minister told THE VINCENTIAN that he came to assist and provide spiritual
records is very hard, Mrs. Nedd shared. To ensure that those they Advanced Health serve do not experience this encumbrance, Advances Advanced Health as per its Health has partnered with IT Facebook page, is described as bitlands to provide digital ‘the premier healthcare and registration of patients, medical services provider in allowing for information to be Saint Vincent and the forwarded upon request, in Grenadines’, delivering its quick time. services through ‘highly And towards responding to qualified staff and excellent additional needs, Advanced patient care’. Health has partnered with Mrs. Nedd, though, points specialist doctors and moreso, to the running of an a neurosurgical team from institution such as Advanced Boston. This team has Health as corning with its travelled to St. Vincent twice, challenges. said the Managing Director, Among its greatest and, using the facilities at the challenges was not being able Milton Cato Memorial to provide some of the services Hospital has performed over required. 25 brain and spinal surgeries. “Sometimes patients would “That’s an ongoing thing come from the government and we are looking to expand system who would need and provide the service to the assistance and to find the community,” she said. (KH) intervention for patients who are desirous of such service.
Persons awaiting service during the 5th Anniversary Open Clinic.
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16. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
People
WPPÊs Speech & Behaviour Therapy Mission
The Burgin Family accessed the service on behalf of their son.
WORLD PEDIATRIC PROJECT (WPP) continues to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment to enhance the quality of health care extended to the children and families of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The current focus is the Speech and Language Therapy Mission, ongoing at the Helping Hand Center in New Montrose. The mission commenced on
May 14th and ran through to the 18th. Dr. Miriam Kerr, the mission leader and her team were supported by our very own Paediatric Neurologist Dr. Mishka DuncanAdams. Other memebes of the team included a number of Speech Pathologists with varied specializations, including: Miriam Kerr Cleft Lip and Palate Specialist; Melissa Ruge Autism Behavior Specialist; Wendi McMillan Augmented Communication and Non-Verbal Specialist and Perry Flynn Language Articulation Specialist. Also accompanying the team was WPP’s Managing Director of Emerging Opportunities, Ross Silkman. With this being WPP’s fourth mission for the year, it takes a different approach from the previous three surgical teams. This team concerned itself with problems of vocal challenges, speech delays, articulation, behavioral and adjustment issues. It also addressed cleft lip and palate concerns, including followup therapy, as
Perry Flynn - Speech pathologist & Language Articulation Specialist. well as children with speech delays or nonverbal communication attributable to autism. The WPP and its ground support were encouraged by the fact that close to one hundred children accessed the services of the mission. In fact, the team was proud to be able to play a role in helping families to access the care that is needed for their children. This would draw persons to advocate strongly against the stigma and
discrimination towards our children who may have disabilities or health conditions beyond their control. Looking forward, the local WPP office encouraged parents, whose children may need that special support, to reach out to the WPP or to Dr. Mishka DuncanAdams at the Milton Cato Hospital, to get on to the programme. (Contributed by WPP, Kingstown)
Melissa Ruge - Autism Behavior Specialist and one family.
Miriam Kerr - Speech Pathologist &Cleft Lip and Palate Specialist interacting with a patient.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 25.
News
Convicted woman gets mercy
Face programme on NBC Radio, that the Committee met on May 17, and that Bailey had received clemency, after she and 28-year-old Glendon DeFreitas were both sentenced to 38 months in prison. According to Gonsalves, the Committee was presented with three sets of documents: one provided by the Superintendent of Prisons, Superintendent Timothy Jemelia Bailey Hazelwood; one which came from the Ministry of Social JEMELIA BAILEY, the 31-year-old Park Development and the third being a Hill women charged and convicted for transcript of what transpired at the possession of a .380 pistol without a magistrate’s court. license was released following mitigation Having reviewed the fore-mentioned by the Committee on the Prerogative of documents and all the facts of the Mercy, familiarly referred to as the Mercy case, the Mercy Committee decided Committee. that it would provide a release She was released on three forthwith, subject to the three conditions: that she reports to the conditions listed, Dr. Gonsalves Colonaire Police Station once per further disclosed. week; she is prohibited from traveling Bailey was a farmer with four overseas — except with the written children, two girls and two boys — both permission of the Chairman of the under the age of 10, Gonsalves said. Mercy Committee; and that she is not “It is not open for me to say to you convicted of an offence which carries a all the details of the decision of the term of imprisonment of 12 months or discussion by the Committee, except to more. say that we considered all these three Prime Minister and Minister of reports which were before us and the National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves Committee agreed under the confirmed, while speaking on last constitutional provisions dealing with Wednesday’s edition of the Face to the prerogative (of the) Committee of
Tribes to highlight the ‘Market Place’ ability of the Market Vendors ro rise from the COVID-19 pandemic, and deliver quality service to the public. Serieux said there would be no king or queen portrays, in the senior, and junior categories, in keeping with joint decisions made by the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), and the Carnival Bands Incorporated (CBI). He said this is mainly due to limited time, Have your pick because of the late from the five decision to stage sections of Vincy Mas 2022. Tribes’ ‘Market Fernando Place.’ assures that work has been progressing well at by HAYDN the mas camp at HUGGINS Beachmont and at his home in AT LEAST Diamond. He is ONE MAS urging persons to BAND here visit his mas camp or will recognize the role of sections: Banana call his cell no: 532-5740. the Market Place, and its Farmers, White Sorrel, Fruits, Red Snappers, Serieux welcomes the vendors, when Vincy return of Vincy Mas Mas returns to the stage and African Souvenir Dolls. saying, “It will give this year, following a Band leader Fernando Carnival makers and two-year absence. Serieux told THE revelers an opportunity ‘Tribes’ 2022 to again showcase their production, ‘Rising above VINCENTIAN that the band is using artistry costumes and release COVID at the Market and craft to highlight the some energy”. Place’ will feature five
Mercy, they agreed and upon their own decision and advice as Prime Minister, I advised H.E the Governor General to effect the release subject to those conditions and that is what happened,” Gonsalves said. Bailey and DeFreitas were jointly charged after a photograph of Bailey posing with the gun was posted on social media (Facebook).
Quick action by the police led to the arrest of the Park Hill residents where they were charged. The Mercy Committee is a constitutionally provided-for body which is chaired by the Prime Minister. The current Committee’s membership includes: the Attorney General Jaundy Martin, Ministry of Public Service, Consumer Affairs and Sport Frederick Stephenson, Pastor Noel Clarke, Dr. Conrad Nedd and senior retired civil servant Alma Dougan. (DD)
18. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
V Grenada gets date for General Elections Regional
Nomination Day being Wednesday June 1. Police officers will vote on June 20. “So you know what that means, if you do the right thing, we feting Prime Minister of Grenada and Thursday, leader of the New National Party Friday, (NNP) is on a quest for a third Saturday and consecutive victory at the polls. Sunday,” Dr. (Source: CMC) Mitchell told last Saturday’s GRENADIANS WILL GO TO public meeting. THE POLLS on Thursday Mitchell’s confidence 23rd June, 2022. of another victory is Prime Minister Dr predicated, in part, on Keith Mitchell, made the what he said was his announcement at a Party’s successfully political meeting in building the bridge to Telescope, St Andrew on the future. Saturday night, as he He boasted that his urged supporters to give administration had been his ruling New National able to stabilize the local Party (NNP) a third economy, brought back consecutive term in discipline to the office. budgetary process, a And as per the Prime situation that found Minister’s request to the favour with the Governor General, international Parliament was community. dissolved effective “We need to judge the Monday 16th May. last nine years,” he said, The last general adding that the last four election was held in years had also been one 2018, and the NNP of application and swept the polls in the devotion. last two general “We said we will elections, winning all 15 deliver and we did in fact seats in the Parliament. deliver, sisters and Mitchell, 75, one of brothers. We delivered to the longest serving heads the public servants of government in the millions of dollars of Caribbean Community increases after a period (CARICOM) has already of getting not one cent. signalled that this We delivered to the election would be his last youths who had been as leader of the party. cast away by re-investing The NNP will face a in training and personal challenge from the main development,” he told the opposition National loud and supportive Democratic Congress gathering. (NDC), which is He said his contesting the elections administration had also with a new party leader - developed the the young attorney, environment for Dickon Mitchell. increased investment in The publication of the the country, warning “we elections writs would be cannot go back to made on Wednesday, stagnation.” May 18, with But he acknowledged
Dickon Mitchell – the youthful Political Leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress. that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had an effect on the local economy, but “we have stopped the bottom from falling from the economy in our darkest days. “We were determined not to abandon you and while we are not totally out of the woods as yet, we are making progress. There are new challenges but we have the team that will meet them,” Mitchell told cheering supporters promising to outline his party’s socio-economic plans during the days of the campaign. Saying once again that General Election 22 will be his last time on the battlefield, he said that the upcoming campaign “is for me, my one for the road.” “…I mean it,” said the Prime Minister who has made similar statements in several previous elections. According to PM Mitchell, he believes the NNP has built a team over the years to take the process forward without him at the helm. He appealed to the electorate “to keep this nation in the safest hands” which is the NNP theme for the election campaign. (CMC, Grenada Now)
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022. 19.
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20. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
Faith Temple marks Child Month The Faith Temple Church highlighted the importance of
children following the precepts of The Creator with a production entitled, “The Children Of God”. Written and directed by Michael Peters and coproduced by Mauricia Moncherry, the variety concert which was showcased last Sunday featured dance, song, drama, poetry, choral speech, pantomine and sermonette, presented and even stage managed by children. The production which was also a tribute to National Child Month under which the acronym “SM-I-L-E” stands for “Special, Marvelous, Important, Loved and This young couple entertained in song.
Enough “ - acknowledged that children were gifts from God. Keython Gaymes who delivered the sermonette on the topic, “Even As a Child, God Can Use” preached that every child, no matter the age, could be used for the greater good. He also warned that disobedience had consequences but emphasised that children helped to teach parents life lessons such as patience and forgiveness. (SG) Young ladies performing chorale speech called “Staying On The Straight Track”.
Keython Gaymes delivered the sermonette.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20 2022. 21.
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22. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Husband snatcher!!
Dear George, MY FRIEND of 22 years has snatched my husband from right under my nose! All that time she was coming by the house and helping with the kids and even sleeping over at times, I did not know she was also helping herself to my husband. I am very hurt and have not spoken to her since. My marriage is about to crash and my husband doesn’t seem to care. How can I pull things back from the edge?
Let Down Dear Let Down,
Your friend did not snatch your husband, rather it was your husband who chose to disregard his marriage vows and give your friend the licence to have free reign over him. You need to take this up with your husband to find out whether or not he wishes to continue in the marriage. There is always the option of counselling which I would strongly advocate.
George
In need of a man insulted him in the past. I need a man in my LONELINESS is killing life, George. I cannot continue like this. What me, George. The days I looked the part, was sexy should I do? Where do I begin? and was the talk of the town, I had 5 different Frustrated marriage proposals but turned them all away. Dear Frustrated, Today, l am all alone and wishing for a You need not be permanent ashamed to approach relationship. But my body is not as before. I’m this guy to see whether or not he is still struggling to keep it interested. At times it is together. One of the guys who proposed to me necessary to swallow your pride and go after back then is still not what you want. married but I am Do not beat up on ashamed to approach yourself because you him seeing how I
Dear George,
declined to have a relationship in the past. You made that decision then because you thought it was in your best interest. With the wisdom you now have you are best positioned to use your remaining time effectively. Get out of the house and be with friends. Do not keep it a secret that you are in the market looking for a partner but, at the same time, proceed with caution as there could be some who are ready to pounce on your vulnerability.
George
Bad, bad Maths Dear George, You do not have to be I WAS NEVER very good a rocket scientist to know your girlfriend’s at Maths, but my Math does not add up. girlfriend has given me Given what you know some numbers that and how you feel, you cannot add up. I have been at sea for have enough on which to over 9 months and away decide to move on. You need not feel any from my girlfriend for a pressure because of your total of 12 months, yet she just announced to me that she was pregnant. She ‘explained’ that it happened the night before I left, when we slept together. I am no fool; she should try that on another man. This is a woman who swore she will never ‘butt’ me. My friends are begging to give her another chance especially since we had planned on getting married. Another chance to finish me off? No sir, I am done!
Angry as Hell Dear Angry as Hell,
plans to marry. Circumstances can change and plans can also change. Once you are very clear about what you want, there is no need to feel guilty about anything.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You can enhance your cash flow if you pick up additional skills. Don't rely on others to do your work. Trouble could be brewing at home. You have more than enough on your plate already. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Opportunities for travel must be carefully considered. Make arrangements to spend quality time together. It's a good time to make changes to your living quarters that will give you more space. You will reap the benefits if you put money into upgrading your residence. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can utilize your versa tile mind and dazzle others with your speed and accuracy. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. Try to take care of the needs of those you love. Protect your interests legally if necessary. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Get busy. Be sure that the person you're drawn to is not already involved. It's time to reevaluate your motives. Family responsibilities are mounting. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You should socialize with clients or upper echelons of your industry if possible. You can make money if you put your savings into conservative investments. Do not jump to conclusions concerning your romantic partner. Residential moves are evident. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Unfortunately, your personal life may suffer from a lack spare time. Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived. Strong willpower will come to your rescue. Moneymaking ventures may just turn your life around. LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
Changes in your home will be positive. Property investments should payoff. Bring work home if it will help you get caught up. You can mesmerize anyone you meet with your cultured attitude and outlook. You can make amends by taking them somewhere special. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Travel will be fun, but expect it to cost you. You will reach the most people if you speak out at an organizational function. Sooner or later your partner will have had enough. Do your own thing and everything will settle down. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You will enjoy events that lean toward theater, art, or music this week. Personal alterations will be in your best interest. Get involved in groups that can offer intellectual stimulation. You can learn a great deal if you listen to those who are older or more experienced. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You need to get out and challenge yourself. Don't be too eager to buy things for those who really don't deserve it. You may feel a need to make changes to your legal documents. Listen and formulate your course of action. You will be indecisive. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Business conducted in your own office will proceed smoothly. Stop telling others about your problems. Deceit around you is evident. You will get along well in social situations. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You should look into making some physical changes, such as new hair color or toning up your body. It's time to make professional changes. Try to be there for someone if they need assistance. If they're too demanding, reconsider this union.
ACROSS 1. First name in animation 5. Polit designation 8. Prof helpers 11. A little bit of everything 12. Drink 14. Biblical transport 15. Law and Order writer, Dick 16. Soap, e.g. 18. Gretzky’s milieu 19. Hard to take 22. Emirates, for short 23. Galahad’s title 24.- Brewer Frederick 28. Judges 34. Cupid, to the Greeks 35. Credit card name 36. Sri Lanka export 37. Act subserviently in the office 42. London-based label 43. Tropical root 44. Miner’s discoveries 45. Pebble Beach hazards 48. Foul 49. Antelope of the Himalayas 50. FedEx rival 52. Doggie barked 60. Fiat model 61. Warnings 62. Tennis star Lendl 64. Proverb 65. Yield 66. Hand over 67. Fig. in identity theft 68. Still 69. Was aware of DOWN 1. Awesome! 2. Tremendously 3. “___ & Stitch” 4. Good source of protein 5. Summer cooler 6. Cruel Roman emperor 7. Speaker’s spot 8. Copter parts 9. Fuel provider 10. Twist, as polling results
12. Government Safety org. 13. Slangy turndown 17. Pet with a Hollywood star 20. Fishing-tackle material 21. Fleur-de-__ 24. Lap dogs 25. Fragrance 26. Showing respect to a king 27. Mach 1 breaker 29. Hearst’s need 30. Order to Fido 31. Numerical ending 32. Start again 33. Pert 38. Home of hockey’s -Senators 39. Combat
40. Singer’s syllable 41. Snake 46. Scooby-___ (cartoon dog) 47. Give in 48. Australian state, abbr. 51. Hitching place 52. Bother 53. Much may follow it
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 23.
54. Pole employee 55. Not 56. Unwavering 57. Lighted part of a candle 58. Rachel Ray equipment 59. Slosh through water 63. “Brave __ World”
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24. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. THE VINCENTIAN
Road Tennis Association Netball Head outlines elects executive AFTER A YEAR OR SO of having the affairs of the sport planned for and managed by an interim executive, the Road Tennis fraternity is now officially the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Road Tennis Association and has elected its first executive. Conrad Simon, who headed the Interim Executive, was officially elected president of the SVG Road Tennis Association at a meeting held on Thursday, May 12 at the National Sports Council’s Conference Room, Arnos Vale. The others elected to serve for a term of four years were: Lloyd Small - Vice President; Annette Joseph - Secretary; Winston Snagg — Treasurer; Roxanne Williams - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Sean Stanley - Public Relations Officer; Alonzo Jackson, Rafique Hadaway, and Romique Hooper - Committee Members. Speaking to the VINCENTIAN after his election, Simon said, “It’s a privilege to serve in this capacity… my experience gives me an added advantage to drive
the body to achieve their objectives.” Simon brings to his new position several years of service on the executive of the SVG Basketball Federation. “I have served on several positions on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation and it will be a privilege and honour to share my experience with the Road Tennis Association,” he added. As for the immediate tasks of his executive, Simon spoke of focusing on creating an awareness of the sport via print and social media, and to meet with representatives of the different Road Tennis playing communities. More advanced plans include: energizing the sport in communities where the sport is played; establishing the sport in other
SVGNA’s plans
The newly elected executive of the SVG Road Tennis Association: (standing L-R): Alonzo Jackson, Romique Hooper, Roxanne Williams, Sean Stanley, Winston Snagg, Rafique Hadaway; (seated L-R): Lloyd Small, Annette Joseph, Conrad Simon. communities; establishing the sport in schools, training for leading local players and coaches in Barbados — the birthplace of the sport. Road Tennis has been played here since 2015, having been introduced through the efforts of Sean Stanley. In fact, competitions were
KIA participants on show
organized in that year as part of the Nine Mornings festival activities. Since then, there has been Road Tennis activity in the communities of Chester, Villa, Arnos Vale, Layou, Petit Bordel and Bequia. I.B.A. ALLEN
ONE WEEK AFTER BEING ELECTED President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA)Natasha Baptiste has outlined some of her organisation’s immediate and medium term plans for the development of the sport. According to Baptiste, “On a short term, we have to ensure that the right mechanisms are in place to prepare the senior national team to represent Natasha Baptiste well at the Americas brings a wealth of Netball Tournament in experience – Jamaica in October”. administrative and While noting that the core of the team is already technical – to the top post of the SVGNA. in training, Baptiste revealed, “We will be opening up the training for all persons who are interested in being a part of the training to be eligible for selection”, she highlighted. Other immediate action will be the “setting up a coaching committee that will comprise a number of persons who will be charged with not just preparing the teams, but come up with programmes to advance coaches throughout the country,” Baptiste detailed. This approach will also hold well for the umpiring component, with Baptiste saying, “…it is about getting the right capacity in On the matter of strengthening the umpiring component, Baptiste related, “Additionally, the same will be for umpiring… It is not about preparing national teams, it is about getting the correct capacity in the various communities.”
Chester Morgan commenting on the prgramme, said, “After seven weeks, I must say that the Programme was indeed a success, thanks to the coaches who worked at both the school and community levels.” The programme, fun-based, athletecentred and coachKIA participants gets an early taste driven, was of the hurdles. conducted in two sessions per week, running, jumping and with each session focusing throwing as well as the give on running, jumping and them an insight into the throwing. KIA participants demonstrating the throws. attitudes needed in Track Morgan, who was the and Field, albeit in a fun lead person in getting the OVER 300 BUDDING SVG’s Wendell Hercules way,” Morgan expounded. programme out to the ATHLETES between the National Open Morgan expects that coaches, shared that the ages of 4 and 14, converged Championships, the young coaches were delighted with most, if not all of the on the Diamond Track athletes were able to put on the overall improvements in participants will continue Facility on 7th May, as part show what they had learnt the participants’ skill levels their training at their of the Kids In during the seven weeks of over the seven-week period. schools and in their Athletics(KIA) Festival. the Programme, as well as communities, as the overall “The overall aim of the Held on the occasion of see senior athletes in training was to provide the intention is to swell the (World) Kids In Athletics competition. number of Track and Field young athletes with the Day, may 7, and the Technical Director of athletes in St Vincent and fundamental skills of hosting of Team Athletics Team Athletics SVG — the Grenadines.
Community Netball Baptiste revealed that her Executive is big on reviving Community Netball. Highlighting the importance of this thrust, the President posited, “The days when we were shining gloriously in Netball, was when there was a good push of community Netball”. She recognized netball at the community level as the breeding ground for talent which could then be guided into clubs/teams which participate in national competitions/tournaments.
Bringing experience to the table Baptiste, who served as First VicePresident, Secretary and Public Relations Officer on previous SVGNA executives, was elected to the top post on 9th May, 2022, when she edged out former First Vice- President Semone Richardson 17-15, following a 16-16 dead heat in the first round of voting. In addition to these posts, Baptiste was coach of the SVG Schools’ Netball team to the Windward Islands Games, the SVG Under-23 team, the SVG Male team, as well as Manager of the SVG Under-23 team. She is also a Level One Umpire.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 25.
Sports
Latchman: Lone weekend T20 century-maker WICKET-KEEPER batsman Anson Latchman of Carlos Veira Rivals was the top performer in last weekend’s round of matches in the NLA/Neil Williams T20 Competition. He smashed a 62-ball 100 (5 sixes, 8 fours) to help his team to a mammoth 235 for 4 in 20 overs against Dominic
Alex Samuel, 63, guaranteed Saints’ victory over Keegan’s Bequia.
Sutherland/Lloyd Lewis/Memorial Funeral Home, who were hapless in reply being all out for 24 in 8 overs, at Stubbs Playing Field. Kissinger McLean’s 65, was also among the runs for Carlos Veira Rivals whose leading bowlers was Reynolly Hillocks, 4 for 7.
Dillon Douglas was in fine form with bat, 72, and ball, 4 for 18 and 2 for 28.
Salvan Browne’s knock of 68 was vital to Police Two’s victory.
Unfortunately, Latchman’s top score of 68 in his team’s innings of 158 for 5 from 20 overs, could not prevent them going under to Vee Jay’s Roof Top and Bar North Windward, at Sion Hill. Shem Browne, 84, had earlier guided North Windward to 178 for 5 from 20 overs. Flow Radcliffe was in good touch, recording two weekend victories. The first came at the expense of Police Two by 1 run, at Arnos Vale. Scores: Radcliffe 127 for 7 from 17 overs - Tijourn Pope 48 not out, Dillon Douglas 4 for 18, Beniton Stapleton; Police Two 126 for 6 from 17 overs Stapleton 51, Othneil Lewis 2 for 14. They then beat Carlos James/MSDA Jules Anthony Northern Stars by 72 runs at Arnos Vale. Scores: Radcliffe 190 for 6 from 20 overs - Asif Hooper 42, Richie Richards 39; Northern Stars 118 for 7 from 20 overs: Tilron Harry 61. Othneil Lewis 4 for 16.
Keegan’s Bequia X1 went under to Guardian General Saints by 50 runs at Arnos Vale. Scores: Saints 139 for 7 from 20 overs - Alex Samuel 63, Romel Currency 45, Meshack Williams 3 for 2; Bequia 89 for 9 from 15 overs. - Cosmos Hackshaw 44. Romel Currency 4 for 11, Jeremy Haywood 3 for 24. Flow Rivals beat Victors Two by 5 wickets at Arnos Vale. Scores: Victors Two 67 from 13 overs - Dave Duncan 27. Marlon John 4 for 7; Rivals 73 for 4; Cody Horne 26. Victors One outplayed SVG Community College beating them by 122 runs at Sion Hill. Scores: Victors One, 186 for 5 from 9 overs. Ethan Gibson 53, Atticus Browne 44, Kyle Bobb 2 for 19; SVGCC 64 from 11 overs. Zevron Bobb 25, Luke Wilson 4 for 14. Smashers recorded their first win with a 25-run victory over Strike Eagles at Arnos Vale. Scores: Smashers 174
from 20 overs Ozico Williams 33, Imran Samuel 31, Anson Kesworth Latchman’s Lewis 31, weekend Keroy comprised one Roberts 5 century, 100, and for 30; one half century, 68. Eagles 149 from 18 overs - Ronique Harry 35, Rohan Ash 5 for 21. In the battle of law enforcement, Police Two humbled Police One by 90 runs at Sion Hill. Scores: Police Two 187 for 8 from 20 overs. Dillon Douglas 72, Salvan Browne 68, Osrick James 3 for 17; Police One 97 from 15 overs - Vertil Davis 24. Nigel Small 4 for 14, Dillon Douglas 2 for 28. I.B.A.ALLEN
Basketball hosts FIBA coaching course OVER 20 Physical Education (PE) teachers here are better equipped to impart the
fundamentals of Basketball to their students. This, after their
CARIFTA athletes rewarded
THE GOOD performances of this country’s athletes in the recently held CARIFTA games in Jamaica were recognized at a cocktail held at the Prime Minister’s Residence Saturday, May 14th, 2022. Athletes who brought home silver and bronze medals were each presented with a cash prize of EC$1,000.00, while the rest of the team members who participated received EC$500.00 each. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon Ralph Gonsalves reaffirmed government’s commitment to facilitating the development of the youth through sports, which, he cited, was seen in the investment made in constructing, repairing and maintaining sporting facilities nationwide. The Prime Minister called upon young people to use the power of their youth to excel. Also giving remarks at the event was the Minister of Sports Frederick Stephenson. He praised the athletes for their performances and thanked the coaches and parents who assisted the young athletes to prepare for the games. The Minister of Education the Hon. Curtis King also spoke and join in extending praise to the young athletes. King encouraged the young athletes to balance their academic pursuits with their sporting activities. (Source: API)
involvement in an introductory coaching course hosted by the SVG Basketball Federation (SVGBF), and conducted by Nelson Isley, FIBA Instructor. The course is part of the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC) Introduction to Coaching Program, catering mainly to Physical Education teachers, parents and community members who would like an introduction to teaching/coaching Basketball. Coach Isley commented, “The course is really an introductory course. …. I thought it
was a good chance to get some of the PE teachers here involved.” As for the actual course, Isley said, “I was very pleased with the turnout of the participants and I think it’s really been a successful session, and I will leave here fully satisfied.” While here, coach Isley was expected to meet with the eight local Level One Accredited Basketball coaches, to review their experiences and prepare them for the Level Two programme. According to Isley, these coaches are expected to drive the development of basketball in this country. He also disclosed that FIBA is looking for local instructors, “…. a local instructor supported in every country who will take charge of these courses.” Commenting on the usefulness of the course, Winston Snagg – VP of the SVGBF, identified the course for PE teachers as in keeping with the federation’s programme.
Nelson Isley, FIBA Instructor, is working towards having local coaches assume greater responsibility. Winston Snagg - Vice President of the SVGBF, said it fitted into the Federation’s youth development plans. “This course was specifically focused at the grassroot level for the PE teachers so we can do the basic coaching in schools, so by the time these players advance they will already have the fundamentals,” Snagg said, adding that the focus will be on the primary schools. Snagg recognized the need to get more
qualified coaches on board to ensure effective and ongoing implementation of the grassroot programme and he disclosed that, towards this end, “We have requested coach Isley to conduct a coaching course specifically for the Grenadines.” Once this is done, Snagg thinks that the SVGBF will be adequately equipped to cover all the schools. I.B.A. ALLEN
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26. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 . THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Duty calling THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Football Federation has a task on their hand as they go on with the preparations of the Senior Male Football team for the World Cup. The results of the two recent Friendlies in Dominica, the second played last Sunday may just have provided the wake-up call needed. The Vincentians lost 5:2 on aggregate, having registered a single goal on both occasions, conceding 2 and 3 consecutively. But that might not be the end of the road for the squad. In any event, the qualifiers have yet to start. There is time to complete the assessment. It has been established that the coaching staff opted to groom youngsters in preparation for the longer haul. Some pundits have questioned the approach. They ponder on experimenting so close to the actual clashes. There are even some persons who are unclear about the sincerity of the Football Federation as it relates to progress of the team. Football always engenders more than its share of discord wherever it surfaces. One would have thought that the sport would have served as a platform of peace globally. However elements keen on perpetuating and promoting their version of events have often shaped and influenced the acceptance and outreach of the sport. Recent suggestions of Israel hosting football events appeared. I will echo a position outlined at that occurrence for the local Federation to be excused from any competition where Israel is given priority status. There has to be something wrong morally if Israel is concerned as a country worthy of normal sporting activities. The recent killing of a Palestinian journalist, and the subsequent beating of mourners of that burial will remind the world of the callous nature of the Israeli Police. If the world continues to ignore the plight of the Palestinian people, there should be no outrage when acts of terrorism occur to nations who encourage and embrace the level of apartheid to which the Palestinians are subjected. There is a line between politics and sports. Some see it as unavoidable, or intertwined. Others try to be naïve about the correlation. Until there is recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, there will be differences in the approach to solving that Middle East conflict. Viewers will recall the drama of the 1972 Olympics when Palestinian guerrillas ambushed the Israeli team and raised the entire issue of the dispute before the eyes of the entire world. That was shortly after the six-day war which served as a platform for Israeli expansion. That pattern continues to day with some intensity and connivance on the world stage. It has reached to a point where extermination of the Palestinians seems to be the ultimate agenda item. It is interesting to see how the rest of the world responds to this scenario. While that dilemma persist, there are other items on the agenda that sometimes attract attention. What impact they have on the minds and consciousness of people is another issue to be addressed. But those are perhaps outside my jurisdiction.
Development as in soccer Editor’s Note: This article was submitted for consideration before St Vincent and the Grenadines women’s football team defeated BVI 5 – 1 in the Concacaf Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, on April 6 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. Notwithstanding, we think that the article still speaks to us in ways beyond the performance of any of our national football teams – male and female. COME ON DOWN to Arnos Vale on the 6th April to see the SVGFF Executive female representatives team play against the British Virgin Islands team. The BVI are considered the weakest team in the Group. Let’s look at both teams as they perform or attempt to perform some of the principles such as: marking, covering, having possession for a purpose, positioning, passes, attacking in depth and width, overlapping, pressing, fitness, shooting to goal, tackling, balance in defence, heading, and who played good and not so good. A part of the ‘development fund’ allocated to the SVGFF is expected to go towards developing female footballers. What does development mean in this sense? Ask any player what development is in soccer, then, you can determine with what to agree. In 1994, a coaching clinic began for females not by the SVGFF executive. Today, but they will have to participate or pay a fine to FIFA, after they received funds from the FIFA. It appears that they never produced any
development programmes for females — nothing or very little to encourage, motivate then to learn any principles of the game plus how to address their psychological preparation. We know their travel and accommodations are paid but they remain unprepared as to purposes or meaning of development as decided by the football executive. The question remains: What does development mean to the executive? Is it all participating only to receive the ‘development fund’? As long ago as two decades you could have found the principles of soccer, relevant terminologies and even drills on your cell phone. These same principles are found in books since in the 1900s, and it is on what was found in those books that all great and outstanding players and teams were produced. Today is no different. All kinds of information concerning soccer is at one’s fingertip. So why are our footballers, especially our females not improving? Why are we not producing any outstanding players and teams as we did up to say 1998? Soccer is not simply about running, kicking and wondering if and when you will get a pass and what you will do with it. How to play a game is organized and agreed to first off the field. In the meantime, come to the game to encourage and support. After, an analysis of the game, you can say something and do something for the good of the game and the player’s future. Rollit
Table Tennis hosts Cadet Tournament THE SVG TABLE TENNIS Association (SVGTTA) will host its first Cadet Assessment Tournament tomorrow (Sat. 21 May) at the NDP Headquarters, Kingstown. Romano Spencer, the Tournament Coordinator and Coach of the SVGTTA, said the tournament is open to males 15 years and under. Spencer described the tournament as a correct and timely one. Given that the emphasis is now on “...
cadet players in competitions regionally and internationally, we are now focusing more on the younger players. The Table Tennis Association targeted players in the schools and at the grassroot level and from these sessions grew the idea of staging a competition for this age group,” Spencer explained. He is hoping for a “good turnout” to tomorrow tournament. From this tournament the SVGTTA will select a squad for training
towards Romano Spencer, participation in Tournament Coa cadet ordinator, is competition in excited by the Guyana in focus on Cadet August. players. With this in mind and with to the school competitions inculcate coming up, Spencer is an hoping this will help to improved encourage participation by those already targeted attitude to the sport generally and to and to sensitise more competition in particular. young people, students, This, Spencer said, has to the sport. Also of value, as far as been a challenge presented by old players. the cadet force is concerned, is the I.B.A. ALLEN opportunity it presents
Address to Parliament on the occasion of the state visit of His Excellency Shir Ramnath Kovind, President of the Republic of India to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, May 19, 2022 offered to our region a generous line of credit of US $150 million. trillion, the 5th largest economy in the world. India is St. Vincent and the Grenadines is keen on a growing world power, which cannot be ignored; St. deepening and broadening our relations. Importantly, Vincent and the Grenadines, a small island we have accorded favourable consideration to the development state, insisting on its rightful place at the establishment of a diplomatic mission in India, a global table. subject that I have discussed with Prime Minister Still, these unequal measures hamper not our close Modi; I expect that this will be effected in 2023. I very friendship: We work with each other in an equitable much look forward to informal discussions with Prime partnership in this complicated, challenging world to Minister Modi on our further work together when we make lives more secure, more peaceful, more meet next month at the Commonwealth Heads of prosperous, more inclusive for all humanity. Globally, Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. We are in India is supportive of the agenda of Small Island search of investors from India, and enhanced trade Developing States; we share similar perspectives on particularly through regional initiatives. climate change, on bio-diversity, land degradation, and [Personally, I fell in love with the nobility of the desertification; we work closely together at the United Indian, African, Arab, and Latin American Nations on practically every issue arising from the civilisations some 55 years ago. I am still in love with global political economy, including the reform of the these, and all the world’s civilisations – the majesty United Nations itself, particularly in respect of the of humanity. I was one year old when India became structure and functioning of the Security Council; and independent; I have watched India develop we are in sync on the 17 Sustainable Development extraordinarily under an array of distinguished Goals, the achievement of which both our countries leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi.] are deeply committed. Your Excellency, please inform the people of India Further, our bilateral cooperation on education, that, among other things, India lives in the heart and cultural exchanges, science, technology, health, solar mind of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the energy, disaster preparedness, “quick impact” projects, Grenadines, and of each Vincentian, at home and and the arrowroot industry, among others, are very abroad! Long may all this so remain: A unison beneficial to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And between the civilisations of India and our Caribbean! through an initiative with CARICOM, India has Welcome again; and thank you! Continued from Page 10.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022. 27.
Classifieds
Daughter killed: Mother in pain
that the tattoos on the body of the unidentified female looked like those She described how of her daughter’s. some persons who lived “So I run back in town near to the boyfriend’s and go by the police home prevented her from station because I have a going near the house. tattoo mark “Love is “So I stand up outside pain” on me foot and she and shout Precious had one on her hand. So name…. but Precious did they take me down there already dead,” she (Morgue) and I say is managed to relate and Precious there,” said then broke into tears Williams still overcome once again. by grief. When she got back The mother told THE home she received a VINCENTIAN that she phone call informing her and her daughter were Continued from Backpage.
very close. “When she was smaller she used to say she want to become a teacher,” said the heartbroken mother about her daughter’s dream. The Walvaroo resident conceded that she will have to rely on the police for justice. A post-mortem examination performed on Williams body on May 16, 2022 revealed that she died as a result of being inflicted with “multiple injuries”.
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FRIDAY, MAY 20,
2022
VOLUME 116, No.19
www.thevincentian.com
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DAUGHTER KILLED: MOTHER IN PAIN by KENVILLE HORNE THE TREMENDOUS grief that Jillian ‘Ras’ Williams is experiencing following the brutal killing of her only daughter Precious Williams is a tale that only she can tell, but her tears and the occasional chant, “I want Precious back,” help to tell the story. The body of 17-year-old Precious was found in a
crocus bag outside Joyette’s Auto Collision in Richmond Hill on Thursday 12th May 2022. She had stab wounds and lacerations on her hands and neck. As though to answer aspersions cast her way since her daughter’s death, Williams told THE VINCENTIAN that her daughter was at the age of consent, and was allowed to “stay over” with her boyfriend. So, a routine developed: Precious spent the weekends at her boyfriend’s home which he shared with his mother and stepfather, and returned to her home at Walvaroo on Mondays. Williams said that she had sort the service of the police earlier in the year to get Precious home but was told that her daughter had reached the age of consent and therefore, they could do nothing under the law. The mother said that she last saw her daughter on Friday 29th April, but she did not return home that (holiday) Monday. “The last time I talk to her on WhatsApp was on Tuesday 10th May but then I see one tick while we bin talking but because like how I think she over there I didn’t think anything happen.” By Thursday 12th May news broke of a young lady’s body being discovered in Richmond Hill. Williams said she had no idea it was her daughter.
talk”. She left it at that. It so happened that on leaving the boyfriend and making her way to meet her son, she encountered the boyfriend’s stepfather. “So I asked the stepfather how it go with Precious? He tells me Precious leave since the Monday. So When he tell me Precious leave the Monday, I turn to him and say how you telling me Precious leave since the Monday and I now ask your stepson how it go with Precious and he telling me alright, but you telling me she leave since Monday,” she said .
No sign of Precious The observation had her confused and in need of answers and she decided that on Monday 16th she would visit the boyfriend’s home. Continued on Page 27.
Conflicting news about her daughter
Precious Williams’ death was listed as the 15th homicide so far for 2022.
While in Kingstown that day, she saw her daughter’s boyfriend who is a conductor. “And me and he go to the side and I turn to him and asked him if Precious sick,” Williams said holding back the tears. Sobbing she continued, “I asked him if Precious sick or something because I ain’t getting on to she and he turn to me and say Precious alright.” She had walked away when she remembered she should have asked about her daughter’s phone, and when Jillian ‘Ras’ Williams, she returned to mother of Precious the boyfriend and Willaims, in the inquired about company of MP for the whether the East Kingstown Fitz “phone mash up,” Bramble who visited to he responded lend support duimng with, “We go talk, we go her time of grief.
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