THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 23-02-24

TEEN CHARGED WITH VALENTINE’S DAY MURDER

by HAYDN HUGGINS

TWELVE DAYS AFTER 18-year-old

Vennel Culzac was bonded, reprimanded and discharged on four charges in connection with the brandishing of a pair of scissors at a school’s Deputy Principal, another teenage boy was brought before the Court, this time on a murder charge.

On Monday, Kayode Richardson, 18, of Campden Park, was taken before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court after being charged with the murder of Carona Jennings, 30, of the same community.

An autopsy showed that she died from exsanguination (loss of blood) due to multiple sharp force injuries (chop wounds),

inflicted on her on February 14, Valentine’s Day, Campden Park.

Police reported that around 11:40 a.m. on February 14 they responded to a report of a stabbing incident at Campden Park, and when they arrived at the scene they met a female lying unresponsive in her yard with what appeared to be stab wounds.

She was later identified as Jennings and pronounced dead at the scene by a medical practitioner.

Richardson, who was unrepresented, was not required to plea when he stood before Senior Magistrate Colin John on Monday and was remanded.

The matter was adjourned to June 10 and transferred to the Serious Offenses Court, which is not currently sitting because of the absence of a Chief Magistrate, following former Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne’s appointment as High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), December 2023.

Corporal 134 Hadley Ballantyne is leading the investigations into Jennings’ killing.

On February 7, Culzac, another 18-year-old male, was reprimanded and discharged and bonded, two days after he pleaded guilty to charges of assault, criminal trespass, and

ILLNESSES ABOUND

byKENVILLE HORNE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

here are reporting an increase in respiratory illnesses, diarrhea and vomiting among children and adults.

In an interview aired on SVGTV, Wednesday 21st February, Dr. Junior Ackie said that there was a prevalence of flulike illness and a lot of wheezing currently affecting Vincentians.

“It’s affecting children, primary schoolers, yet you have not had many children in high school but you have adults. So it seems like adults and children, ages 6, 7, 8 are more affected,” Dr. Ackie highlighted.

He added that these groups are also affected by diarrhea and vomiting, and a smaller number

have complained about dizziness.

With respect to the diarrhea and vomiting being the result of consumption of tap water, Dr. Ackie argued that if that was the case, and since many if not all of the population use water, there should have been an even greater number of people complaining.

And as far as remedies were concerned, the doctor disclosed that, “Patients have been trying what they have at home.”

possession of an offensive weapon, stemming from an incident at the Central Leeward Secondary School at Peters Hope, Barrouallie, during which he brandished a pair of scissors and threatened to stab the school’s Deputy Principal Raffique Durham.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has set guidelines as to how to deal with juvenile offenders, particularly those under the age of 18, and the Senior Magistrate, referencing the guidelines, said Culzac was bordering 18, and noted that a prison sentence was to be considered, only as a last resort. But he warned Culzac not to come back before the Court as a defendant.

He recommended that for the belly pain, “...you can take paracetamol and coconut water.”

He warned, however, “If you feel too week, you have to visit

your doctor to be infused with IV (intravenous) fluids because a lot of fluids would have be lost through the diarrhea and vomiting.”

Dr. Ackie advised parents to seek medical attention if their child/children appeared to show frequent flu like symptoms.

Kayode Richardson, 18, is charged with the murder of Carona Jennings, homicide victim No. 7.

Schools Garifuna Festival for Heroes Month

THE SCHOOLS NATIONAL

GARIFUNA FESTIVAL hosted by the Garifuna Heritage Foundation (GHF) in collaboration with the Department of Culture, will be a feature, once again, of the annual Celebration of National Heroes and Heritage Month 2024.

Readers will recall that the festival was forced into a three-year hiatus (2020 — 2022) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of La Soufrière.

This year’s celebration, the 9th

edition, is scheduled for March 5, at Victoria Park, and will be held under the theme, “Children of Chatoyer, Fruits of our Heritage”.

Ms. Claydonna Peters will continue in her role as National Schools Garifuna Folk Festival Team Leader/Representative, Min. Of. Culture, and she promises that students from a number of primary and secondary schools will make presentations in Garifuna-centric pieces in song, dance, poetry, music (including drumming) and

choral speeches.

Prizes will be awarded for the best performances in the various categories.

The stage activities at Victoria Park will be complemented by booths that will feature local drinks, dishes and artefacts.

Apart from the actual Day’s activities, schools will be involved in research as it relates to Garifuna issues.

Attention will also focus on the students’ use of Garifuna colours (yellow, black and white) in their costuming, and specials recognition will be made of outstanding Garifuna fashions worn by both teachers and students.

The students’ use of Garifuna colours and fashion will also be highlighted during a march involving the participating schools. The march will precede the activities at Victoria Park and will commence at the Bishop’s College grounds.

There is always a vibrant drumming component to the Festival… This year promises to ne no different.

The Festival team leader issued a call to schools to come out and be part of this Festival, and the public was

reminded that there is no entrance fee to the activities at Victoria Park. (See related article on Page 13.)

Students from the Belmont Government School dancing to a Punta Rock (Belizean) number at a previous Festival.

Sugar Mill Inn Academy doing a Choral speech entitled “We ah Garifuna” at the 2023 Festival.

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NDP delegation in the UK

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITIONand President of the New Democratic Party, Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday and Member of Parliament Senator Shevern John travelled to the United Kingdom this week to take part in an international conference promoting women’s participation in politics.

Dr Friday will return home on Friday, February 23rd and Senator John a few days later.

Speaking ahead of the

conference, Senator Shevern John said, “I am pleased to have been invited to participate in this important conference focussing on this crucial issue. We need to do everything possible to bring more women into the political process. This is an opportunity to discuss how we can encourage greater involvement for women at every level of politics and ensure that political parties seek out best practice to encourage and support

women.”

NDP President Dr. Godwin Friday said, “I welcome the opportunity to participate in this important event to learn from and share experiences with other parties from around the world. I believe that this is an important issue and I am pleased to take part in the conference and look forward to the discussion and debate. We must ensure that more women can play a role in politics.” (Source: NDP)

Grenadian prisoners recaptured

L-R: Atiba Stanislaus, Ron Mitchell and Trevon Robertson.

THREE (3) MALE

PRISONERS who escaped lawful custody from police in Grenada have been recaptured by police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The escaped prisoners, Ron Mitchell — 30-yearold unemployed, Trevon

Robertson — 25-year-old farmer, and Atiba Stanislaus — 23-year-old unemployed, all of Paradise, St. Andrew, Grenada, were recaptured on Wednesday 21st February 2024 about 4:35 p.m., during an

operation by members of the Narcotics and Rapid Response Units in the North Western village of Petit Bordel.

The three (3) men had been in police custody in Grenada on charges of rape, robbery with violence, and other serious offences. Two (2)

other Grenadian nationals were also apprehended during the operation.

The RSVGPF wishes to thank the general public for their assistance and cooperation in apprehending the men. (Source: RSVGPF)

Student-OnStudent wounding

OFFICERS AT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT

(CID) have opened an investigation into a report of wounding, where it is alleged that a 14-year-old student of one of the secondary schools in Kingstown cut another 14-year-old student on the right side of his neck with a razor blade.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred on Monday 19th February 2024 about 3:00 p.m. on the school’s compound.

Investigations into the report continue.

(Source: RSVGPF)

Dr. Godwin Friday (left) and Senator Shevern off to the UK. (Photo Source: St. Vincent Times)

The wound inflicted by a student on another student’s neck.

Court

Stories: HAYDN HUGGINS

SENIORMagistrate Colin John has stressed the need for business places in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to be protected from thieves.

John’s comments came on Monday after he imposed two fines and a bond on Daimen Williams of Old Montrose, who pleaded guilty to stealing three bottles of Sunset Strong Rum from Massy Stores, Stoney Ground.

Williams was fined $300 to be paid in one month or three months in prison for stealing a bottle of Sunset Strong Rum valued at EC$44.24 from that supermarket on January 30.

He was also fined $300 to be paid in one month or three months in prison for stealing two bottles of Sunset Strong Rum, valued at EC$113.38 from the same store on February 5.

In addition, he was bonded for one year in the sum of $300 or three months in prison.

But Williams could have received a stiffer penalty if his conviction record was before the Court.

“If the conviction record was there I would have dealt with you harder because the business people need to be protected,” the Magistrate told the defendant.

John said that these businesses have to pay their staff and electricity bills, among other things, while

Man accused of injuring fellow villager

SHALON WILLIAMS,a 34-year-old Campden Park resident, was granted $2,000 bail with one surety when he appeared in Court yesterday (Thursday), accused of inflicting injury to fellow villager Leonard Edwards, 42.

Williams has been charged with, that on September 15, 2023, at Campden Park, he assaulted Edwards, causing him bodily harm.

Edwards was reportedly struck in his head with a bottle, resulting in a bruise, during an altercation he had with Williams around 11:05 p.m. on September 15.

Williams pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecutor Corlene Samuel did not object to bail but requested suitable surety and conditions. As part of his bail conditions, Williams was ordered not to contact Edwards.

The matter has been adjourned to May 27.

suffering at the hands of thieves.

“I think some of these business places should take pictures of persons like you (defendant), and place them in conspicuous positions in the store so people could see who the shoplifters are,” the Magistrate told Williams.

When John questioned him about his action, Williams said he didn’t have money to which the Magistrate responded, “Because you don’t have money, you just go into people’s place and pick up their things?’

He told the defendant, “They (businesses) have to pay workers, they have to pay VINLEC. You can’t just go into the people’s place and pick up the people’s things like is yours.”

The facts, presented earlier by Prosecutor Corlene Samuel, showed that on January 31, around 4:05 p.m., the virtual complainant, a security guard, was in her office at the store reviewing the camera footage for January 30, and observed the defendant picking up a bottle of Sunset Strong Rum, following which he went to the back of the Supermarket, and placed it in his back pack and walked out of the business place without paying for it. The complainant made note of the incident and reported it to her supervisor.

On February 5, about 4:10 p.m., the complainant was at work patrolling the ground floor of the supermarket when she observed the defendant,

Senior Magistrate Colin John hinted that business places should take pictures of convicted thieves and post them for public scrutiny.

whom she recognized from the same security footage, standing close to the exit door of the supermarket beyond the cashiers. He wore his back pack on his back. The complainant approached him and requested a search of his person, to which he consented, and two bottles of Sunset strong rum were found in his back pack. But the defendant escaped from the security officers and ran out of the supermarket.

The police were called and they arrived shortly. The video footage and exhibits were handed over to the police. A written statement was recorded from the complainant.

PC Browne carried out investigations which led to the defendant.

Persons come before the Court on an almost dayto-day basis on charges of theft, in connection with incidents of shoplifting from various supermarkets.

Store burglar jailed

LONG WALLresident

Jason Williams received prison sentences on Monday on charges of burglary and damage to property, stemming from a break-in at a wellknown business place in Kingstown, last year.

Williams was sentenced to one year for entering E. Moussa Enterprise, Kingstown, as a trespasser between November 17 and 18, 2023, and stealing several men’s slippers valued at EC$420, along with other items, altogether valued at EC$2,180, the property

of Elias Moussa of Cane Garden.

Williams was also sentenced to six months in prison for damaging part of the roof of the E. Moussa Enterprise, valued at EC$399.27, the property of Elias Moussa of Cane Garden, between the same dates.

The sentences, handed down by Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Kingstown

Magistrate’s Court, are to run concurrently.

Williams had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but changed his pleas to guilty on his return to Court on Monday. He was unrepresented.

The Court heard that Moussa secured his business on November 17, and when he returned the following day he met a gaping hole

POLICE ROUND-UP

Labourer charged with wounding

ON MONDAY 19th February 2024, Police arrested and charged Rohan Peters, a 54-year-old labourer of Stubbs, with wounding.

The accused allegedly, unlawfully and maliciously wounded a 45-yearold labourer of Stubbs by chopping him on the back of his head with a cutlass. The incident occurred at Stubbs on September 02, 2023 about 10:15 am.

Peters appeared at the Calliaqua Magistrate Court on Tuesday 20th February 2024 and pleaded guilty with an explanation. After hearing the explanation, the presiding magistrate entered a not-guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf. The matter was adjourned to April 2nd, 2024 for trial. The accused bail condition continues.

Shooting under investigation

in the roof. He observed clothing and other items missing and viewed the CCTV footage that he handed over to the police. Williams was identified as an intruder and subsequently taken into custody. He was informed of the report, and the footage was shown to him. He was later arrested and charged.

A 49-year-old resident of Richland Park was shot in his left leg on Saturday 17th February 2024, outside Roy’s Pharmacy in Arnos Vale.

According to preliminary information, the victim and an employee of the pharmacy were involved in an altercation when he was shot. The victim was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for medical treatment where he is currently warded in stable condition.

Police in the Calliaqua district responded to the incident and have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The alleged shooter is cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information who can assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Calliaqua Police Station at 1-784-458-4200, Police Emergency at 911/999, or any police station or police officer with whom they are comfortable. Any information received will be treated confidentially.

Loaves and Fishes gets donation

CONTINUINGits effort to make what they say is a difference, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Retired Nurses Association (SVGRNA) on Thursday February 15th, made a monetary contribution to the Loaves and Fishes, better known as the “Soup Kitchen”, a charitable Roman Catholic entity.

The cheque was presented by Mrs. Ann DeRoche, president of the SVGRNA to Mr. Clyde Fitzpatrick, Director of the “Soup Kitchen”.

The presentation was made at the “Soup Kitchen” located in Rose Place, Kingstown.

Mr. Fitzpatrick thanked the organization for its kind gesture of the

well needed contribution and extended best wishes for the continued success of the SVGRNA in all future endeavors.

The Loaves and Fishes meal programme continues to expand as it welcomes donations from parishioners, other charitable organizations, and benevolent community members.

It currently provides approximately 75 lunches Mondays to Fridays, and approximately 140 on Sundays.

The SVGRNA applauds the efforts of this charitable body as they provide for the needs of some of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

(Source: SVGRNA)

SGHS Interact Club launches IWD project

THE INTERACT CLUBof St. Vincent Girls’ High School has launched its first service project to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

The young ladies have embarked on a Feminine Products Drive - an initiative intended to assist young disadvantaged females throughout SVG who are unable to afford these essential feminine care items.

The Interactors noted the need for this initiative, stating that at times, basic feminine hygiene products may not always be accessible by young females due to financial constraints, which may negatively affect a female’s confidence and sense of worth.

This project is therefore intended to empower and assist young females through donations of feminine care items such as sanitary napkins and hygiene products, body care essentials, and oral hygiene products.

The public is invited to join the Interactors by donating to this worthy cause at any of the branded drop off locations from February 21st to March 3rd, 2024 - St. Vincent Co-operative Bank Ltd., Massy Stores Kingstown, Coreas Hazells City Store, and the Girls’ High School compound in Arnos Vale.

All items received will be packaged and distributed to recipients on International Women’s Day.

The presentation party included Mrs. Ann DeRoche (centre front row), Clyde Fitzpatrick (front 2nd from left). Other SVGRNA executive members, a staff member and recipients of the service.

The SGHS Interact Club has got their IWD related project off to an early start.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Director: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com

Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

All about integrity

IT WAS SOMETHING OF A WAKE-UP CALL coming across a news item last week, which addressed the matter of high–ranking Public Officials in St. Kitts and Nevis being reminded that they had until April 30, to file their assets, liabilities, and income declarations with the Integrity in Public Life Commission.

The reminder was in keeping with that country’s Integrity and Public Life Act (legislation that also exist in other Caribbean territories) which requires that Public Officials file declarations under that Act, in relation to their assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 along with their income throughout the year.

It was even more revealing to have read in that news report that the St. Kitts and Nevis Director of Public Prosecutions, only last month, filed charges against eight public officials, who had failed to submit previous declarations under the Integrity in Public Life Act.

And that was not all to the ‘awakening’. Among those Public Officials were a magistrate; chairpersons and general managers of state-owned corporations; and even a member of the Public Service Commission.

In St. Kitts and Nevis, Public Officials who are found guilty of breaching the Integrity in Public Life Act, face fines of up to EC$30,000 or imprisonment for up to three years.

From all accounts, Kittitians and Nevisians are prepared to act in accordance with existing legislation to ensure that those in public office, and that will also include elected and nominated members of the Parliament, do not take advantage of their positions by reminding them of their need to practice transparency, accountability and honesty in the execution of their duties, for which they are remunerated by the taxpayers.

How does all of this compare/contrast with what obtains here?

The first difference between our country and that of St. Kitts and Nevis is that we do not have Integrity in Public Life legislation. This, even as we recall the promise by a leading member of the then opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP), now in government for the last two decades plus, that the ULP will introduce Integrity Legislation within the first

100 days of their ascension to government.

In 2001, the ULP won an overwhelming majority, both the popular vote and the majority of seats in the parliament, but after two decades and more in the seat of government, it has failed to even, it appears, entertain the thought of tabling Integrity Legislation. It has for all intents and purpose thrown “cold water’ on a promise by a founding member. Nothing to hide, we hope?

Of course, there have been utterances by the leadership of the ULP and its functionaries outside of parliament, that there is no need for specific Integrity Legislation when there are existing ‘Pieces” of legislation that can be “invoked” to achieve the same result.

The one demand of Public Officials that is missing from all the “pieces” to which reference is conveniently made, is the mandatory requirement that persons in elected office especially, make known to the public, their assets, liabilities and income on an annual basis.

The declaration is best made to an Integrity Commission appointed in accordance with the rule/regulations of the Integrity in Public Life legislation, since this will allow for investigation, if the need arises, before ratification of the declarations.

The need to have Public Officials, especially those elected to public office, to be accountability for their “advances” if any, while in service to the people as a whole, ensures that the country stands in good stead to itself and the world.

And while we are at it, perhaps public officials could reflect on the few things that make Integrity important to them in particular and to all and sundry in general:

Valuing integrity and living accordingly make one reliable, trustworthy; it allows for building a good reputation; it nurtures peace, for integrity means not compromising your morals; it engenders confidence which translate into security and high self-esteem; it draws people to you and encourages good relationships; it fosters qualities of true leadership for to lead one must have high morals.

Lest we forget, “Good governance is no longer just talk, it is in action,” action that upholds the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Of This and That

On the Census:

First, I must apologize for thinking the National Census was over. For some reason, I thought this had been done over the last six months. I listened to at least two hours of morning radio each day. I cannot recall any advertisements or “Public Service Announcements” in the last six months. So, you can imagine my surprise when I heard someone from the census department threatening me that if I didn’t provide the enumerator with the required information, I could be sent to jail. Well, thank you for the “warning, Sir.” I would be sure to welcome your intrusion into my private life the next time someone from your office shows up at my door.

All kidding aside, do you seriously think that this is the correct approach to get our nation’s honorable citizens to respond to your needs? To quote the great philosopher Mick Jagger, “.... You can’t always get what you want.” Put another way, you must do better. Threatening me will get you nothing. Maybe explaining why the information you ask for benefits me or the nation would be helpful. You will continue to be met with resistance and petulance until you stop making it about what you need and sharing how this information will help us.

I will not use this space to tell you how to do your job. I am sure many people have already done that, and I am confident nothing I say will change anything. It may be too little too late. I do recognize the value of the census and wish you well.

Skip Jacks everywhere

I have been back on the ground for a month, and I must ask if I am the only one to notice the only fish in town is Skip Jack, now called “Tuna.” I can’t help but wonder if this is a consequence of our investment in Rainforest. Do they not buy Skip Jacks? What kind of fish are they harvesting from our shoreline for export? Can anyone please tell me again what is this industry’s social and economic value to our nation? How many people do they employ? What is the monthly payroll? How much are they paying compared to the newly established minimum

wage? They have been in operation for more than two years now. It’s time for the Ministry of Fisheries to give us an update. You see, my friends, this is how you know if the decision to encourage and incentivize this industry works for our best interest. How about a report on how much taxes were waived to date and how much more is owed to them? What economic targets are required for them to continue to receive the incentive?

Stone Quarry:

The stone quarry in North Leeward should be in total production by now. It’s time for an update. How many tons of stone have been mined to date? Are we following the plan that required them to provide stone for the port project at a discount? What are they doing with the land not yet in quarry production? Is it too early to ask for updated statistics on Tri-Tri production in Richmond River?

Live Music:

On a lighter note, I would like to congratulate the Jazz Tropical Project (JTP) led by Dexstar Rose for a beautiful performance on Sunday, February 11th, at Jazz @ Sunset. The unique blend of Latin jazz and steel pan with Saeed Bowman was absolutely incredible.

The evening featured a few first; this was the first time Mrs. Maia Kruz, a Canadian-born jazz singer, was performing in SVG. Her first set was very well put together, and her interaction with the band and the crowd was great. Her unique rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was lovely. The attendees were also treated to the first collaboration between Saeed Bowman on his tenner pan and the JTP. It was absolutely fantastic.

I want to encourage everyone; if you have not yet made the time to listen to the JTP with Demeter Rose, please do so. You will not be disappointed.

Thanks, guys, for keeping the music playing. I firmly believe that a nation cannot grow and develop until we fund and develop the arts.

Horatio

Letters V Kartel and our Mimic Men

MR. EDITOR, here in Jamaica, the Vybz Kartel appeal to the Privy Council got going on Ash Wednesday. As expected, many, many Jamaicans followed the proceedings as best as they could, either on radio or TV.

The matter is before the Privy Council because Kartel, one of Jamaica’s most popular DJs, and three other defendants appealed a dismissal of their appeal by the Jamaica Court of Appeal against convictions for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams on March 13, 2014. They are seeking to have the conviction quashed.

I am well aware that Kartel has quite a

following beyond Jamaica, not only in the rest of the Caribbean, but in the USA. In fact, I understand that BET and Fox News have been following Kartel’s case with real focus.

Notwithstanding the actual case, I found a most interesting comment by way of a letter to the Editor of The Jamaica Gleaner, on the subject of the Privy Council. Here are a few exerts from that letter, credited to BERT SAMUELS, Attorney at Law: “… The legal issues are of great public importance. The case concerns one of the best known DJs along with three others, will soon

know their fate with the passage of over 12 years behind bars. For me, the case is not just about the law. It has resurrected our colonial history imposed on us for centuries. The Privy Council (PC) came into being on the August 14, 1833, the very year of the passage of The Slavery Abolition Act. The PC has been our final court of appeal from Emancipation Day until today.

“Section 110 of our Constitution, framed at Buckingham Palace in April 1962, gives Jamaicans the right to appeal to His Majesty in Council, King Charles II. As I observed the

proceedings in the PC, we have embarrassingly managed to remain more British than the British themselves. The Privy Council judges are in their suits and dresses for men and women, respectively. The Jamaican judges were all outfitted in black gowns with white shirts/blouses and white collars with tails called “tabs”. We lawyers were compelled by our rules to be in flowing gowns and in white shirts and tabs. In the Privy Council, both judges and lawyers were in coloured shirts and coloured neck ties. If I wore that to court in Jamaica, I would be barred from addressing

Political parties getting ready

MR. EDITOR,I couldn’t help but think, after reading the letter page in last week’s edition of THE VINCENTIAN, that elections are around the corner. I mean, of the five letters, four could be said to be about our politics and political parties.

I imagine with the leaders of the two main parties making sure they get as much social media coverage as possible, you have to think that the parties are preparing for

elections and each one is trying to outdo the other.

The thing is, the opposition NDP will always be at a disadvantage since, with the ULP in powers since 2001, they have a lot to boast about, while the NDP’s only hope is to hope that people would believe that they can deliver on what they promise.

But, in all honesty, it would be hard for the NDP to beat back what the people can see and

those things that will come on stream not too far from now.

So it seems, Mr. Editor, that the two main political parties have already begun their campaign, even if it looks like the Comrade is doing all the campaigning for the ULP. And I believe this will continue even though the trumpet has not sounded and the Comrade has not rung the bell yet.

It is a pity, though, that even at this early stage that we are seeing childish behavior by some of those people, from both sides, who will once again contest the election.

I hope that the piccong will not develop into violence and that our election campaign could be all about positive energy, positive vibes.

A first time letter writer

Agricultural Extension Officers

IN THE COLONIAL days, estates were owned by colonists who

employed slaves, massproduced agricultural crops and enriched the

* WHO ARE THESE PEOPLEdressed in blue polo shirts who claim to be officers of the Kingstown Board?

* Where do they get the authority to be acting like little policemen and women?

* How many High Commissioners, Resident and Non-resident Ambassadors, Honorary Consuls does this country have? Who are these people by name?

* Did Dr. Friday lead a NDP team to North Leeward to search for a candidate?

* Now that we seem to have the sidewalk vendors under control, what does the government have in mind for dealing with all those people who sleep on the sidewalks and by the Kingstown Market?

* Why are some roads getting repeat attention while some roads have not been touched since God alone knows when? Is there some favouritism involved here or is it just a case of looking after certain constituencies and ignoring others?

mother country. Since the estates were dismantled, the emphasis was on family farms working for themselves. The focus of Government then became Research and Development. Stud centers were established to improve the livestock quality. Experts experimented to determine the best crops to grow according to the soil type.

Our best productive years occurred when the experts focused on policy, provision of technical support through extension officers and finding markets. The instances where attempts were made for the Agriculture Ministry to engage in production all seem to have failed.

the court, yet our highest court, the PC allows us to dress down like its judges do.”

It is interesting to note that only Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana and St Lucia have accepted the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final Court of Appeal.

How much longer must we be accused of being mimic men?

Paul Roberts, Jamaica

No alcohol but⁄..

AS MUCH as I abhor the consuming of alcoholic beverages that has become popular at funerals here, there is a component to funerals that I hope the authorities would respect.

Our funerals are characterized by music (drums or steelband), loud singing and chanting (many traditional sankis), dancing and clapping. This is an expression of who we are. We celebrate life and isn’t a funeral an occasion to celebrate the life of a loved one?

What do you think would happen in New Orleans, USA, if the authorities were to move to cut out the music and dancing that have been part of funerals among Africa-Americans for generations? That is culture of the highest order.

I hope and pray that the authorities would move to regulate the consumption of alcohol at funerals, but do not touch the other expressions which some would want to believe, because it looks like a carnival it would encourage drinking. That is a wrong conclusion to make. That is flying in the face of our culture.

These may include arrowroot, farine, green house vegetables, cocoa, marijuana, sugarcane, fishing, boating, coconut water bottling, diamond dairy, soursop, chicken hatching, eggs, poultry and butchering,

Putting Extension Officers in every community to advise private farmers is the way to go. The Ministry of Agriculture should assume its rightful role. Agricultural students should find internships on local farms and guidance of what to produce and when will be useful.

Additionally, the experts in Agriculture must be heard on radio and in community meetings with farmers.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD

Let’s be merry about sending our departed ones to their final resting places without having to imbibe in alcohol beverages. Leave that for when we leave the cemetery and we congregate at a village shop so that we can have one for the road with our departed brothers and sisters.

A student of yours

Comrade Ralph’s 30 years of service to the people in Parliament (Pt 1)

HERE WE ARE: LET’S CELEBRATE

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2024,Comrade Ralph recorded thirty years of unbroken service to the people in the Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He was first elected to Parliament on February 21, 1994, as the representative for the people of North Central Windward on the ticket of the SVG Labour Party/Movement for National Unity. In all subsequent general elections (1998, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020) the Comrade was returned to Parliament by the people of North Central Windward, by huge majorities, as the candidate of the Unity Labour Party (ULP). The SVG Labour Party and the MNU merged a the ULP on October 16, 1994; at the time of the merger, Comrade Ralph was the ULP’s Deputy Political Leader; on December 8, 1998, he was elected as the ULP’s Political Leader and has remained in that position since then. He served as Leader of the Opposition from October 1999 until his appointment as Prime Minister.

On March 29, 2001, Comrade Ralph was sworn in as our country’s fourth Prime Minister, having led the ULP to office in the general elections of March 28, 2001. The Comrade has been the longest serving Prime Minister in SVG, and CARICOM, – a continuous period of 23 years, thus far. The Comrade has marked the commencement of the date of his political activism in SVG and the region as October 16, 1968 – over 55 years ago. Service on behalf of the people has been his life work! We commemorate and celebrate the life and work, thus far, of this distinguished Caribbean personality.

POLITICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND PROFESSIONAL WORK

Since 1994, and before, Comrade Ralph’s political activism has been accompanied by high quality intellectual and professional work. Elsewhere his activism and accompanying work has been documented. Today, we write about his post-1994 endeavours. His work as a lawyer, up to his election of Prime Minister, is legendary; and his intellectual output, measured in part, by his published writings has been prolific. Among his post-1994 writings are 13 published books on various subjects within the broad area of life, living, production – the political economy and good governance in SVG, the Caribbean and globally. Most are available on Amazon. They are in the National Public Library.

PARLIAMENTARY WORK (1994 – 2024, thus far)

The high quality of the Comrade’s representation of the people is evident in his numerous speeches in Parliament (available in Hansard), especially his Budget Addresses as Minister of Finance (2001 — 2017) which are available in four published volumes; his Chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee as Leader of the Opposition; the numerous Bills, inclusive of those which he piloted, that bear his imprint (available in the published Laws of SVG); the incredible output of transformative, domestic policies and programmes made flesh, which have improved immeasurably the lives of the people of SVG (inclusive of those in North Central Windward); his sterling leadership on regional, hemispheric, and foreign policies of his party and government; and his day-today communion with his people, whom he loves dearly, on a myriad of practical concerns, individually, constituencywise, and nationally.

The Comrade’s dedicated, tireless, high quality and compelling work on behalf of the people, done with cheerfulness, selflessness, and love, in a joyous manner, marks him as an exemplary representative and leader.

NATIONAL WORK

Comrade Ralph’s national work on behalf of the people of SVG has been truly impressive. All this has been documented elsewhere and is a matter of record. Every aspect of life, living, and production has been transformed for the better through the Comrade’s efforts, including: The Education Revolution; the Health and Wellness Revolution; the Housing Revolution; the ICT Revolution; Poverty Reduction; Economic Growth and Transformation; Job Creation; Increased Wages and Salaries; the Physical Infrastructure Revolution (International and Jet Airports; Port Development; Bridges, including Rabacca Bridge; Roads; Sea and River Defences, Public Buildings); Disaster Preparedness and NEMO; Social Development and Equity; Ennobling our Caribbean Civilisation, inclusive of its magnificent Vincentian component; Sports, Culture, and the Arts; Grenadines Development; Water and Electricity; Public Transport; Citizen Security; Law and Order; Good Governance; Banking and Finance; NIS, Social Security, Public Assistance; Regionalism; and Foreign Policy.

All Vincentians have had improvement in their lives especially the poor, the disadvantaged, and the marginalised; women and youth have been prioritised. Working families and their children have witnessed an unprecedented opening up of large opportunities for advancement. The tripartite economy (the private, cooperative, and state sectors) has been working in a harmonious whole for the people’s benefit, in the transformative quest of building a modern, competitive, many-sided, post-colonial economy which is at once local, national, regional, and global. Undoubtedly, SVG has advance hugely under the leadership of Comrade Ralph and his political representation –at once responsible and responsive to the people.

Amidst all these phenomenal advances and changes, SVG has remained profoundly free and democratic; indeed, its liberties and democracy have been broadened and deepened considerably. SVG’s political stability over the past 23 years has been absolutely outstanding and remarkable, despite being buffeted by will-winds from the power-hungry and backward elements internally and their aligned malignant forces eternally.

SOME SPECIFIC CONTITUENCY ACHIEVEMENTS

The national policies implemented under Comrade Ralph’s leadership have impacted positively the people of North Central Windward. A few examples will suffice: The Home-Help Programme for the Elderly and the broadening of the social safety net (including public assistance) have touched deeply the constituents of North Central Windward; similarly, the policy of universal secondary education; so, too, the tuition Scholarship programme for university education – last year 109 persons from North Central Windward benefitted or over 8 percent out of a total of almost 1,300 recipients of tuition scholarship nationally. And so on. (To be continued next week)

It’s time to combat crime

THE RAPID increase of homicides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines appears to be continuing in 2024. Fifty-five homicides were recorded last year. So far this year, seven homicides have been reported. This is a damning indictment of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government.

We have seen the homicide rate increasing year after year. Two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023, were record-breaking years for homicides. The homicide rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has consistently been above 30 per one hundred thousand of the population for the last seven (7) years, one of the highest in the world. This is a terrible and frightening statistic. Not only is homicide a major concern, so too are praedial larceny, robbery, burglary and sexual assault. In a press conference earlier this year, the Commissioner of Police revealed that crime has increased by 1.5 % in 2023 compared to 2022. In 2022, 4070 criminal offenses were reported and in 2023, 4133 criminal offenses were reported.

Further, there is presently a frightening situation for the residents of Lowmans Windward, Hadley’s Village, North Union, South Union and New Grounds. They are being terrorized by a series of burglaries. They are fearful for their lives. This is unpreceded in these communities. And, there has not been any report from the police of any arrest.

The situation must be brought under control, but the ULP does not have the answer. The Prime Minister and National Security continues to blame everyone around him, pointing the finger of blame in every direction. It is obvious that the blame for increased crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines should go in one direction and that is to the Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Our plan

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has a plan to combat crime. President of the NDP, Dr. Godwin Friday, outlined the following: “The urgency and seriousness of the problem requires that there be a full-time Minister for National Security dedicated to addressing the problem. The current approach where the Prime Minister undertakes this role in addition to his international travels is clearly not working.

We cannot succeed unless we tackle the underlying causes of crime. We have developed a comprehensive plan that will reinvigorate the economy, create employment, and pay higher salaries so people can live better in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Salaries in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the lowest in the region and many of our young people feel they must go abroad to get ahead.

We must focus on crime prevention. Remember, an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure. We should therefore invest heavily upfront, on crime prevention. In this regard, the programs outlined in the NDP’s Spiritual and Social Redemption Charter should be implemented. The Charter promotes positive community-oriented programs that would steer vulnerable young people away from crime towards socially positive behaviour.

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We must restore trust and confidence in the police and the criminal justice system. Trust in the system now is shaken and broken. Political connections should not shield anyone involved in a shooting, theft, domestic violence or other crimes from proper investigation and prosecution. Justice must be equal for all. This will help everyone and will help the police in their work and their lives. They and their families are members of society and like the rest of us are equally vulnerable to crime and violence.

Further, the police cannot solve crimes by themselves. They need the community to provide information during investigations and to be witnesses in criminal cases. We can promote this by implementing and pursuing community policing. With specific training in community policing, the police would engage in trust-building activities in communities. For example, regular meetings between the police and community members should be introduced so that they would work together to prevent and solve crimes. The police must see their mission as serving and protecting people and be keen to embrace the community in so doing. We must also increase the presence and visibility of police in our streets and communities, not in a hostile manner but to assure people that they are there to protect them.”

We must promote rehabilitation of offenders. Fighting crime is not only about punishing offenders; it must also involve rehabilitation. Offenders should be provided with programs that would help to keep them from reoffending and becoming a perpetual menace to society. In this regard, we should establish a Young Persons Rehabilitation Centre for non-violent young offenders. This will prevent many young offenders from becoming hardened criminals, lost to a life of crime.”

ULP broken promises

This ULP government is taking the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for granted. In its 2020 general election manifesto, a number of promises was listed and to be implemented. Four years later, the ULP has failed to deliver 25% of those promises.

Manifestos of political parties in general elections are not meant to be a list of hopes or ideas. They are the parties’ commitment to the people of the country how they are going to move the country forward. The ULP has had an opportunity to make real progress for this country and create opportunities for everyone but has failed to do so. The ULP cannot hide from accountability and will not be allowed to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate.

Vincentians are tired of the lies and broken promises of the ULP. After twenty-three years in power, the lives of most Vincentians have not improved. There is an unemployment crisis in the country; 41% of young people are unemployed and cost-ofliving has skyrocketed. The ULP has failed Vincentians. It is time for the NDP to govern the country.

Views V Standards, Systems, Structures and Procedures

“The standard you walk by is the standard you accept.” – Alan Allpress, Australian businessman.

STANDARDS, SYSTEMS, STRUCTURES,

and procedures are foundational to effective and efficient operating systems. This holds true in relation to the operations of governments, businesses, education, healthcare, and daily life. Our leaders and managers must therefore insist on designing and maintaining these significant variables to ensure that they support the quest for transparency, accountability, consistency, safety, and reliability. It is equally important that our leaders and managers demand that these be retained and constantly improved if our various enterprises are to operate at maximum effectiveness (doing the right things) and efficiency (doing things right). There must not be a compromise in the standards, systems, structures, and procedures that keep operations and societies strong.

Based on the foregoing, we could understand and appreciate why it is essential for persons in leadership and managerial positions to “walk the talk”; to adhere to the best practices that keep enterprises and communities strong. Everyone in the organisation, including those at the top, must be observed adhering to the principles that have been established and held dear. Failure to do so will compromise the enterprise noting that “the standard you walk by is the standard you accept”. Ray Kroc (19021984), an American businessman who purchased the fast-food company McDonald’s from the McDonald brothers in 1961, reminds us that, “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” This becomes a timely reminder to all leaders that the standards they hold will cascade throughout the organization.

Standards are important. We have standards in our homes, in the workplace, in our churches, in our schools, and in the wider community. Standards provide a common framework for measuring behaviour, performance, and quality. For example, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a non-governmental international standard development organization, administers and monitors standards in an effort to ensure consumer safety and trust. In the manufacturing industry it is critical to adhere to quality standards such as the ISO 9001. This provides the buyers with some degree of confidence that products meet certain levels that would foster consumer satisfaction and confidence. Similarly, in the food manufacturing sector, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards are examined in an effort to guarantee that the food being consumed is safe. By controlling major food risks, such as chemical, microbiological, and physical contaminants, the food industry and its administrators can better assure consumers that the products are safe. Such standards are critical in providing an objective basis for evaluation and for standards, systems, structures, and procedures that are designed to increase productivity, reduce cost, and enhance overall performance must be constantly monitored and improved where necessary. To do otherwise is to run the risk of accepting mediocrity. Excusing poor performance and/or delaying the necessary corrective action enhances the probability of having such lower-level enactments become “normal”, acceptable

performance. Such negligence encourages inconsistency and inefficiencies. Adhering to standards and best practice procedures play a crucial role in enhancing efficiencies, maximizing revenues, ensuring safety, and mitigating risks. They must therefore not be taken lightly or compromised.

The rapid advancement of technology enables speedier and more accurate monitoring of our various systems, structures, and procedures. In addition, many businesses and professions testify of the significant improvements to various standards as benchmarking performance and quality can more easily be measured. The human resource capabilities can now be enhanced as the focus on continuous improvement is more evident and readily observable. Leaders and managers who insist on adherence to standards readily discover that they move ahead of the competition. They develop techniques in holding their people accountable and motivating them to constantly look for opportunities to do things better, faster, and with fewer resources. Standards drive improvement and innovation. Taiichi Ohno (19121990), the Japanese industrial engineer and businessman, reminds us that, “Without standards, there can be no improvement.” As we strive for improvements within our homes, workplaces, and the wider society we are challenged to make sure that the standards that keep societies strong are maintained.

There are some who may advocate that individuals and establishments in small, developing countries like ours should not seek to aspire to embrace world class standards and procedures. Some may even venture to describe our societies as “Third World”. This writer finds such descriptions offensive. We are not “third world”. We are emerging economies or developing countries. We refuse to settle for mediocrity or accept excuses to abandon our quest for excellence. We embrace the wisdom of the British actress Mandy Hale (born 1982), who advocates that we should “Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.” We must forever strive for excellence in all that we think or do.

In conclusion, standards, systems, structures, and procedures are vital features of modern progressive societies. These are foundational to the proper functioning of diverse systems and processes. They are considered critical in sharpening the focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies. This is as true in business as it is in education, healthcare, or everyday life. Individuals and establishments that adhere to established standards readily observe how these promote consistency, efficiency, safety, and innovation.

Recognizing the importance of these and refusing to compromise in these areas strengthen the resolve to build more reliable and resilient enterprises and societies.

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

SVG is a foreigner paradise

IN MY FORMATIVE YEARS as a youth activist, leaders of the progressive movement fed us on a diet of ideas we took as truths. Among them were the following: Let those who labour hold the rein, Dare to struggle, dare to win and the crusading call for ‘Genuine Independence, People’s Ownership and Control.

Over the last three decades, the enthusiasm we once embraced has all but disappeared. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Eastern European socialist bloc, the implosion of the Grenada Revolution with the assassination of charismatic Maurice Bishop, and the strangulation of the exemplary Cuban and Bolivarian Revolutions led by icons Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez have seen a withering of the Caribbean progressive movement. With the triumph of neoliberal policies, dog-eat-dog exploitative market ideas, the assault on community spirit and organising, along with the demise of the trade union movement, became a dominant feature of national reality.

The sad reality is that the world has changed for the worse. Backwards, defeatist ideas such as if better can’t be done, let worse continue, are glibly uttered and celebrated by former progressives. The worst misdeeds are condoned and justified. Most ‘change agents’ are now mute by malice. There is no better example than the abandonment with which foreigners are allowed to capture and dominate every facet of Vincentian life.

There is no denying that SVG is open to business. Our country is enduring high inferno fire sale for our national assets. Everything can be had at a bargain basement price. Our prized Grenadines are given away as though there is no tomorrow. Very soon, large areas of the Grenadines will be off-limit to locals. On Mustique, locals have to get permits to work and live there. Workers are housed in slave-like barracks. On Canouan, foreign-owned businesses in the north and south of the island continue to squeeze the indigenous population in the village. Promises made to the local population have not been kept. Some beaches enjoyed for generations are now the exclusive domain of foreign overlords. Bequia, like Canouan and Mustique, resemble white settler colonies.

In the 1990s, the Mitchell administration leased two-thirds of Canauan to foreign developers for a pittance. To make matters worse, they allowed the developers to sell freehold out of the lease. Simply put, the developers can sell the leased lands and keep every cent. The ULP government celebrates 23 years of power next month, yet the ‘progressive’ leadership has refused to renegotiate the unconstitutional, illegal and lopsided lease agreement. It has continued the same sell-out policy and turned over more land to the developers.

To understand the magnitude of the treacherous sell-out, consider this: Lands on Canouan are sold at premium prices. A local lawyer of blessed memory informed me that his English client man paid 5 million pounds for an acre. Imagine the going rate now. In the last year, PM Gonsalves has bemoaned that the national treasury is not benefitting from the Canouan lease agreement. He expects the owners to aggressively market the island and sell plots to wealthy people, from which SVG will make do with 16 percent fees when alien land-holding licenses are given.

In clearly demonstrating who the is boss, one of the Canouan developers flexed his muscles by closing down construction and laying off hundreds of workers. The progressive government coiled its tail and beseeched the

developer to resume construction.

Following the collapse of Buccament Bay Resort, where hundreds of workers, state entities and local businesses lost millions of dollars to the Ponzi schemer David Ames, the government took over the site worth millions. It turned it over, free of cost, to Butch Stewart, Jamaican developer of Sandals Hotels and Resorts. Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves promised plenty of employment and opportunities for fisher folks and farmers. Much of the excitement about Sandal has evaporated. Vincentians learned that Sandals’ pay scale is abysmally low. Apart from the long list of tax-free concessions, a Sandals company, RainForest, has exclusive rights to supply fish and seafood to the resort. Two weeks ago, farmers were instructed to find an ‘aggregator’ to whom they can sell their fruit, vegetables, and ground provisions, who in turn will sell to Sandals.

Rayneau, a foreign company to whom the government gave 59 acres of farmlands from which they were to mine stone but has since segwayed into the purchase of agricultural products, is tipped to be the aggregator of choice. To make way for Rayneau, scores of local farmers were pushed off the land at Richmond. Rayneau has since bespoiled the landscape by tearing off the topsoil of the mountain in its search for an illusive orgasmic stone. With its tax concessions and connections with the governing political elite, Rayneau owners live comfortably off the national trough.

Similarly, Aecon, the Canadian firm contracted to build the port, estimated to cost EC$600 million, got a big windfall when permitted by the government to dredge 1.17 cubic meters of sand for an alleged $20 million. The initial contract required the Contractors to source, purchase and transport the sand to SVG. Such an undertaking is estimated to cost about four times the amount paid to the government. The sand was dredged just off the Argyle airport. As with the Rayneau Quarry at Richmond, the environmental study for dredging the sand off the airport is shrouded in mystery. The lack of transparency and accountability to the citizens regarding these two projects may hide possible severe environmental hazards.

There is also the vexing question of employment. Beginning with the construction of the Terminal building for the Argyle Airport, contractors have been permitted to bring in workers. The Taiwanese company that built the terminals brought Haitians, Codelpo, the Dominican Republic company building Sandals Resort, brings in workers from Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Colombia. PM Gonsalves disclosed that there are 1000 workers at the Sandals contraction site. Five hundred are Vincentians. One would be naive to think that there are 500 specialist/skilled workers at the Sandals site.

Aecon has also been allowed to import workers for the port construction. It’s reasonable to assume that many of the foreign workers are labourers. Because of the exploitative labour practices, these hires offer an economic boon to the contractor.

However, with SVG experiencing such high unemployment rates, the government is ‘feathering the nest’ of its foreign friends at the expense of Vincentian workers.

SVG is nice. SVG is a foreigners’ paradise. Our nation is calling, but too many of us are still stalling. Where have all the progressives gone?

Leacock chides the Government

ST CLAIR LEACOCK, Parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown, and Vice President of the opposition New Democratic Party, is not pleased with the ruling Unity Labour Party’s pattern of governance.

Leacock made his feelings known last Wednesday February 21 at a press conference at his party’s headquarters on Murray’s Road, in capital City Kingstown.

He was standing in for Opposition Leader Dr Godwin Friday who was on “official party business” in the United Kingdom.

Leacock chided the government for its handling of security matters. He hinged his displeasure of the government’s operation on what his party terms ULP’s broken promises.

The NDP’s Shadow Minister of National Security, the Central Kingstown representative blasted the government for a number of failures. As far as Leacock was concerned, the ruling ULP’s record on security has been dismal.

He pointed to the crime situation, highlighted by 55 homicides in 2023, surpassing the previous

best of 42 in 2022, 32 in 2021, and 33 in 2020. Leacock expressed hope that people will be able to return to a life of peace under the NDP. He pointed out that people “yearn for the day when they can feel safe at home, or on the street.”

He alluded to seven murders up to present, and expressed the hope that the figure at the end of the year would not come close to last year’s record-breaking number.

He referenced a vigil in the Central Kingstown constituency for a resident shot the previous week.

The Central Kingstown Parliamentarian mentioned that it was his second vigil in seven weeks. He confided that the recent victim is a family member of one who was shot at Gibson Corner in around the Old Year/New Year breaking.

ULP’s 2001 assessment

Flanked by East Kingstown parliamentarian Fitzgerald ‘Fitz’ Bramble and Senator Israel Bruce, Leacock pulled out extracts from Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ assessment of the crime situation in the early

days of the Movement for National Unity-St. Vincent Labour Party courtship.

He also rehashed excerpts from the ULP’s 2001 manifesto which took the then NDP administration to task for its handling of the crime situation.

According to Leacock, the “NDP can borrow wholesale and adopt it as its own” in 2024, Gonsalves’ assessment of the crime situation in 2001.

Leacock noted Gonsalves’ call for reform in the Police Force while he was in opposition and asked if any such changes have been implemented.

The Shadow National Security Minister cautiously referred to a threat of this country sliding into a lawless state.

Ignoring Opposition MPs

The NDP Vicepresident was also up in arms with the ruling regime for its practice of ignoring the elected representatives of the opposition, in favour of non-cabinet persons. One example of such, he cited, was the absence of the Opposition Leader

and MP for the Northern Grenadines on matters to do with the Grenadiers.

He further cited, as an example of the ULP’s disdain for the Opposition, by referring to the fact that no opposition figure was involved in the discussions on, planning and implementation of the ongoing $600m Kingstown Modernisation Port Project.

NDP Charter and More Bramble, an economist, pointed to the Social and Spiritual

St. Clair

Left: Fitzgerald Bramble questioned whether in fact the ULP’s plan for advancement of SVG had made any headway.

Redemption Charter which the NDP had put forward in parliament, but which has been overlooked by the ruling administration.

He also read extracts from the National Economic and Social Development Plan launched in 2013, that was advanced as a

Senator Bruce: ‘We will clean up the fraud’

Democratic Senator in the House of Assembly. He was appointed after the last general elections of November 5, 2020, which he contested but lost to Saboto Caesar in the South Central Windward constituency.

Bruce, for all intents and purposes, has been designated his party’s Shadow Minister of Agriculture, a portfolio held by Caesar.

One of his concerns, as expressed during a NDP Media Conference on Wednesday, was a practice he alleged of non-farming people obtaining Farmers Identifications Cards.

He contended that those people use those identification cards to help thieves with selling items they have stolen from legitimate farmers.

He accused the people who abused the Farmers’ ID programme as “aiding and abetting the commission of criminal activities,” and promised that “under a New Democratic Party (government) that will be brought to a swift end.”

Bruce was also unhappy with the

trend of people getting Farmers IDs and using them to import vehicles with duty free concessions. “WE must not cheat the system,” Bruce warned.

A former National Youth Council activist, Bruce disclosed plans foremoving the department that provides the Farmers ID, to a separate section of the Agriculture Ministry. He warned, though, that if the reason for removing the department “is to facilitate fraud, I will be the first to call you out.”

Rural Constables and more

The Opposition Senator announced plans to reintroduce the Rural Constable Programme, distancing himself from the closure of the programme in 2019.

He attributed the failure of the Rural Constable Programme to an absence of proper planning.

There must also be training for the persons assigned to the task, and he assured that under the NDP, the

plan aimed at improving the country’s standing at the macro-economic level, and increase national wealth. Bramble painted a picture of dire poverty in the state, brought about by the low wages paid to workers, and the high cost of living compounded by persistent inflation.

(Stories by WKA)

programme will be equipped with transport to allow the Constables to get to the root of their duties.

In support of the effort to combat praedial larceny, Bruce said an NDP government will amend the laws to stiffen penalties for those charged with that type of crime.

There are also plans to provide a court which will deal with matters of praedial larceny in a speedy fashion, and consideration would be given to employing undercover agents to sniff out the criminals.

With St. Clair Leacock, Vice President of the NDP and National Security Shadow Minister, at his side, Bruce appealed to his would be National Security Minister for an “enhanced budgetary allocation for a roving police unit.”

And to those who involved themselves in acts of theft against hard-working crop and livestock farmers, Bruce promised, “We will make your (criminals) operations uneasy to carry out.”

Senator Israel Bruce had much to say about ‘unholy’ practices in the agricultural sector.

Leacock, the Opposition’s National Security Shadow Minister, painted a dismal picture of the ULP’s record of policies and programme to combat rising crime.

Doing a good thing ÂwrongÊ (Pt 2)

IT WOULD APPEAR THAT A TREND IS DEVELOPING,or has already developed, as we observe the same modus being repeated even as our country’s independence matures. In an earlier commentary under the same title, the spotlight fell on the ‘free laptops’ given to students without pre-installing applications and soft texts including off line dictionaries, and encyclopedias relevant to the age group and Grade/Form to which these devices are distributed.

That article also mentioned in passing, concerns about parental control, the blocking of porn sites, and the potential threat of cyber bullying through the use of ‘open’ devices. All of this presumably fell on ‘deaf ears’. Yes, these devices are key tools in providing an excellent gateway for future stellar performances by our emerging population. Our children are young plants that need to be free from the weeds of porn,

perversion and sexual disorientation. Instead, they must be nurtured with wisdom and the ability to make the right choices in life… as one’s choices in life ultimately determine one’s destiny. The Good Book exhorts to train a child when they are young so that they will not depart from good teachings when they mature.

Yes, we also need development in our beautiful but fragile multi-island state,

Saying farewell to Carl Stephens at St. Paul’s Anglican

GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,I

am

LeRoy Providence here today as a representative of the Harry and the Providence families of the village of Troumaca in the parish of St. David and of those in our diaspora, to stand with the Stephens family as they say farewell to Carl.

Carl’s parents, Teacher Stephens and Mother Stephens, had been well respected and their family played a prominent role in the development of the Calliaqua community, and have made commendable contributions to the welfare of our nation. Their distinct trustworthiness makes them good examples of patriotic citizens. Their societal development impact is traceable back to possibly one hundred years ago.

Our calypsonian IPA of the Constance family has cautioned us in song, that when the family fails, the society will fail. We should therefore be mindful of the societal impact of the deaths of family members. Given the socio-economic circumstances burdening us as a nation today, that impact could be very debilitating indeed.

It almost seems to me, that it has been just a few months ago that we were here saying farewell to another member of the Stephens family, Carl’s brother, Dr. Bertram Stephens. He had given useful service to the Vincentian community in the area of healthcare over a significant period of time.

It is quite evident that this beautiful country of ours has

been experiencing over the last few decades an erosion in its welfare, so much so, that very often, it almost appears that we are not on the same road we thought we had set out on seventy-odd years ago. So today, too many of our citizens have lost the hope to prosper in peace and justice.

So much so that our Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was prompted to very distinctly highlight the unhealthy situation, when he addressed the nation in his Christmas message in 2022. He lamented then, that too many of our citizens were carrying around the agony of their circumstances printed on their faces and he then solicited the citizens’ participation in the correcting of the malaise. He forcefully declared then, that 2023 was going to be the year of RESPAIR. But though that noble stance was seemingly reinforced several times during the succeeding months, there had apparently been no distinctive guidelines as to how the RESPAIR — “retrieval, repair” - was to be approached. So here we are today in 2024, with half of the month of February gone and the trajectory of societal failure continues.

But since the need for RESPAIR and RETRIEVAL is still relevant, let us who are gathered here today stand with the Stephens family who have over the years asserted themselves in the noble cause of the development of their community; let us also endeavour in that spirit, (and) assert ourselves in the saving of our society.

Our constitution boldly declares, that we are a nation founded on the belief in the supremacy of Jehovah God the creator. If we therefore endeavour to live by that principle, we will survive.

We will all pass on, just as our fathers before us have done, let us therefore be about the addressing of matters, so as to ensure a

but it MUST be structured development, so that projects like the failed Union Island marina project are NEVER repeated. Therefore, it is the short sightedness of the government and developers/investors not to sort out matters like buying produce from local farmers to supply the hotel. Bringing the issue to the public just two months before the project is to start officially is a faux pas. Or is it that they have already worked out a deal with their cohorts, in the process leaving out our farmers and fishermen.

order to streamline supply logistics and guarantee regular supplies. In our reality, where farmers were displaced, the hotel investors could have worked with local entrepreneurs to provide that service, thereby ensuring that currency circulates locally to keep the economy buoyant. However, it is not too late to start, get farmers involved in a structured manner if you are serious about their development.

reasonable chance for the next generations to prosper, in peace and justice; bearing in mind, that we will in fact be leaving them heavy debts to repay, in a world growing in hostility.

One man by himself may not be able to dam the river, but several men working diligently together can effectively change the course of any stream.

May Jehovah give the Stephens family the strength to cope with this loss. And may our brother Carl Stephens now rest in Peace.

LeRoy Providence

When this project was launched about two years ago, the same farmers that were displaced to make space for the hotel, should have been provided with alternate plots, invested in green houses and irrigation systems and conducted several test crops in the interim, to ascertain which varieties of sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli and other crops would grow favorably under our climatic conditions. This was NEVER done, so there’s going to be a BIG loss of income for local farmers as these fresh vegetables will have to be imported with no guarantee that they will be organic.

To compound the issue, farmers will have to work through a ‘middleman’ in order to supply the hotel. Now that is how most big hotel enterprises operate in

Tourism is a very risky industry, but the ‘bigger the risk, the bigger the return’ philosophy is what drives investors to use our natural beauty as the critical mass for their success. And why not. However, this is our country, and the money is generated here, so a significant portion of the profit made here MUST circulate here, that is our philosophy … a ‘win, win for everybody’, ‘innit’?. As a resident from Buccament said at the beginning of the project, as the hotel brings development to his community, so must be the standard of living for him and others. I totally agree with him along with many others who feel and think likewise.

Come on, “let’s do a good thing right” and almost everyone will be happy at the end of the day, … ah nah so e go ?

Contributed by:

Donald De Riggs

Carl Stephens

Danger of oil spill still looms

THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY(NaDMA) of Grenada said it was continuing to carefully monitor the ongoing oil spill which occurred off the coast of Tobago on February 7.

A preliminary investigation levelled blame for the oil spill on an overturned and abandoned barge that had departed from Panama and was being tugged to nearby Guyana, when it began to sink off Tobago’s coast.

Reports said that there were no records of any emergency calls and early inspection indicated that there were no signs of any crew.

NaDMA, meanwhile, has held meetings with several entities including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, the Information and Training Centre (RAC/REMPEEITC CARIBE), and the Office for Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The objective of these engagements was to ascertain the exact location and likely continued trajectory of the oil slick to determine the extent to which it may affect Grenada’s marine areas,” said NaDMA in a release on Saturday.

The agency also said that an oil spill committee has been activated and will continue to work with regional and hemispheric partners to monitor the situation.

Impact on Tobago’s tourism

Notwithstanding the growing concern about how far north of Tobago the spill could extend, various other concerns have begun to surface.

At least one local economist, Dr Vanus James, has weighed in on the situation, warning that the long-term economic impact of the oil spill could

(Source: TEMA)

be profound, and that this could result in deepening the island’s dependence on Trinidad, depending on the extent of the contamination of the island’s ecosystem.

He said the oil spill could have a short-term impact on Tobago’s tourism as the story of the oil spill has been all over the international media.

Worse, he added, was that depending on where and how much damage is done, the impact on the island’s tourism product could be long term. People could lose their jobs, Dr. James said.

He offered some consolation by reasoning that since Tobago is a “a government-dominated economy and not a tourism economy,” the island enjoys a certain degree of insulation from the economic impact of the oil spill.

Government’s response

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley addressing the House of Representatives last week Friday, said Energy Minister Stuart Young and Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan was offering continued support and expertise from their Ministries, to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the Tobago

‘BEACH CLEAN UP’ launched

MONDAY 12TH

FEBRUARY, 2024

marked the beginning of an ongoing “Beach Clean Up’ activity undertaken by the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority (NPRBA).

On that day, focus was directed on the Buccament Bay.

Interestingly, this Bay boasts the location of the multi-million dollar Sandals Resort at one end, with the other given over to fishing activities conducted by the local residents.

The Buccament Bay received this attention since Sandals has already been confirmed as the venue for the 2024 Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC,

Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

Dr. Rowley said Ministry of Energy personnel were also present and have been participating in and providing expertise in the response exercise which is underway.

On Tuesday this week, the government of Trinidad and Tobago announced that it was partnering with international expertsT&T Salvage, a Texas-based company, and QT Environmental, of Minnesotato remove the wreckage/barge, the cause of the spill.

Prime Minister Rowley cautioned that the costs of the cleanup were likely to be high. “This is a national emergency and therefore it will have to be funded as an extraordinary expense … You have to find the money and prioritise. So this is priority and we have to respond,” he said, adding that “some not-so-insignificant costs are being incurred just to respond to

rescheduled from February to March. In addition to the underlying reasons as expressed above, the Buccament Bay, like other beaches throughout the state, has experienced recent sea surges, resulting in the spread of waste material (rotting wood, tree branches) along the

beach.

Some of the beaches have also been affected by the deposit of debris inland, which finds itself in waterways and ends up on the beaches.

According to the NPRBA, ‘the implementation of the beach clean-up is being carried out as recommended by the

government to maintain the integrity and beauty of beaches in the country and maintain order during daily activities being carried out on the beaches.

Organisations and individuals are urged to join in the ongoing ‘Beach Clean Up’ activity.

this incident”.

And with respect to the ‘insinuations” that the Central Government was concealing information from the public, particularly the THA, Rowley stressed, “There has been no hint of any coverup.” And while authorities seek further, including the location of the tugboat and its owner, Trinidad’s Fishermen and Friends of the Seas, a nonprofit organization, has questioned who will compensate fishermen whose livelihood and equipment were affected by the spill. (LOOP News, The Guardian, AP)

Approximately 1000 volunteers were said to have begun to contain the oil spill on Tobago shores. (Source: TEMA)

Debris deposited on a beach after sea surges and (debris) flows from inland.

The ‘Beach Clean Up’ activity got going at Buccament Bay. (Photo Credit: St. Vincent Times)

Upturned and largely submerged vessel of unknown origin leaking hydrocarbon off south-west coast of Tobago. (THA)

A section of the oil spill at a bay in Tobago

International Garifuna Conference is on

Professor Jovan Scott Lewis of the University of California, Berkeley, will get the Conference going with an opening, keynote address.

ONCE AGAIN, the International Garifuna Conference will form part of the Programme of Events for the Celebration of National Heroes and Heritage Month, March 2024.

This was confirmed by the Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF), the co-host and co-ordinator of the Conference, during a media launch Tuesday

13th February, at The UWI Global Campus

Conference Room.

The Conference, its 11th edition, to be held from March 11 — 13, 2024 at The UWI Global Campus Conference Room, will be hosted in collaboration with The UWI Global Campus, and will be guided by the theme: “Promoting Reparatory Justice: Towards the Development and Implementation of a 2030 Indigenous People’s Development Plan”.

It will be conducted, according to TGHF, in HYBRID Modality (Face to Face and Virtually), and will open on Monday 11th March with the Keynote Address by Professor Jovan Scott Lewis, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley.

TGHF, in a media handout, said that “through analyses of injury, violence, repair, and community, his work has been centrally concerned with the

question of reparations as a means of understanding the historical constitution but also the future of Blackness as a lived and political project.”

On Tuesday, March 12th the Keynote Address will be delivered by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on the Topic: “ Balliceaux: Representation of Reparatory Justice for Indigenous people in the Caribbean”.

This address will be complemented by a panel of speakers presenting on the topic “The significance of Balliceaux to Garinagu in the Diaspora”, which will highlight the situation of Garifuna Communities in various countries including Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

There will also be presentations by other speakers on the topic of Balliceaux, including one by Dr. Esther Nunez, Professor — Medgar

Evers College, New York, on the theme “Retracing the Footprints of my Ancestors through Pilgrimage in Search of Reconciliation and Healing”.

Wednesday, March 13th the final day of the Conference, will focus on the theme of Reparations. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Professor Christian Callejas Escoto — Attorney—at—Law, Costa Rica, Professor of Law, University of San Jose, Costa Rica and University of San Fransisco, California. Professor Christian Callejas Escoto is a prominent human rights attorney who has litigated cases before the International Court of Justice in relation to the fight for land rights of the Garifuna people in Honduras. He will speak on the topic, “The use of Systems of International Law for the Promotion of Ancestral Rights of Garifuna People”.

He will be followed by Dr. Lennox Honychurch -

Professor Christian Callejas Escoto, University of San Jose, Costa Rica and University of San Fransisco, California, will speak on the Ancestral Rights of the Garifuna.

History Lecturer, Researcher and former Resident Tutor, UWI Open Campus. Dr. Honychurch will address the issue of the rights of indigenous people in Dominica.

Dr. Garrey Dennie, Associate Professor, History, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, USA and Dr. Adrian Fraser, Historian, will

Dr. Lennox Honychurch, will highlight the place of the indigenous people in his native Dominica.

both speak on topics relevant to the historical basis for Reparatory Justice for the Garifuna.

The final presentation will be delivered by Andony Perez Castill and Mick Castillo, representatives from Garifuna communities in Honduras and Belize respectively. The conference will end with a formal closing ceremony.

Registration is free and each day’s session commences at 8:00 am.

Sagicor supports CBU Awards

SAGICORFinancial Company Ltd. (SFCL) is proud to support the work of Caribbean media through the annual Caribbean Media Awards, hosted by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU). The financial services entity will again sponsor awards for work in the areas of financial literacy journalism and health education journalism in the television and print categories.

The health education journalism awards recognise current affairs content that focuses on and promotes an understanding of the national or regional health sectors, while the financial literacy journalism categories recognise news or current affairs content that focuses on and promotes an understanding of the financial components and skills pertaining to the effective management of money and debt. Last year’s awards for financial literacy journalism were won by Great Belize Productions Ltd. and the RJRGLEANER Communications Group of Jamaica, while the awards for health education journalism went to WESN Content Capital, out of Trinidad and Tobago

Dr. Claire Grant, CBU President.

and the Daily Observer in Jamaica.

In announcing support for the fourth consecutive year, Sagicor’s Vice President, Communications and Brand Experience, Ingrid Card, reiterated the need to appreciate the important work done by the region’s media practitioners.

“We are pleased to be able to support the CBU in their commitment to informing and educating their audiences in health education and financial literacy. As our audiences continue to take a greater interest in their health and management of finances, we wanted to give whatever support is necessary for the media to be able to continue its work in these key areas.”

CBU President, Dr Claire Grant noted the depth and duration of the relationship with Sagicor around the CBU Awards as evidence of the significant benefit to both the private sector and the media sector in these kinds of collaboration. Dr. Grant said, “CBU is pleased to partner once again with Sagicor in highlighting these themes so critical to the region’s development.”

For more than three decades, the CBU has annually presented its Caribbean Media Awards to celebrate the best of content created by print, digital, television and radio media houses in the Dutch, English, French and Spanish Caribbean. The NGC 35th CBU’s Caribbean Media Awards Gala will be hosted on August 13 in Plancencia, Belize, during the 55th Annual General Assembly taking place from August 12 to 14, 2024. (Source; Sagicor)

Ingrid Card, Sagicor’s Vice President, Communications and Brand Experience.

St. Lucia not ready for Rayneau

THE GOVERNMENTof St. Luica has not to date received a formal proposal from Rayneau Industries Ltd. as it relates to the purchase and marketing of agricultural produce.

However, the Government of St. Lucia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, has given indication that such an arrangement that St. Lucia would welcome willy nilly.

St. Lucia’s Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere is on record as saying, “It is something I am still thinking about, but I am hoping something can work out, but I am not sure at this time we are ready for the same arrangement that he has in Saint Vincent.”

Rayneau Gajadhar, a St. Lucian native, launched Rayneau Industries Limited in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The company buys all farmers’ agricultural products, reportedly pays the farmers immediately, and seeks export markets.

“We have not received any proposals from him in terms of government,” the Agriculture Minister assured.

“I know we have had a lot of discussion around it, and you know, how we think it can work,” Prospere recalled.

Nevertheless, the Agriculture Minister explained that St. Lucia differs from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Prospere pointed to the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, where farmers are

already registered.

He also observed that some farmers have contracts to supply places like hotels and Massy Stores Supermarket.

At the same time, Prospere acknowledged that the Rayneau project would have been best for Saint Lucia farmers, ensuring that they get paid for whatever they produce.

In addition, he noted the importance of competition.

“But at the same time you want to ensure that the decisions you make would not negatively impact the farmers,” the Minister said.

Gajadhar, in response to Prospere’s statement, blamed the apathy of successive governments for the failure to implement the project in Saint Lucia. (Source: St. Lucia Online)

St. Lucia banana production exceeding demand

BANANAproduction in Saint Lucia is above what the market demands, Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere has disclosed last week.

The excess production starkly contrasts with last year when the Minister expressed concern that the country was failing in its desire to realise its target of 15,000 boxes weekly market demand for export.

While Prospere recognised that up to seventy-five percent of the banana and plantain production had been affected by Tropical Storm Bret, but pointed out that that situation has since changed.

In fact, the Minister boasted, “We have more production on the ground than we can market or export.”

In support of this assessment he referenced his meeting with the National Fair Trade Organization (NFTO), during which it was reiterated that the country had a surplus as result of not expecting market demand to

change that drastically.

Against that background, the Minister reported that he had learned that the Dominican Republic and Suriname provide Barbados with bananas, making things difficult for local exporters. So difficult that producers were giving bananas to pig farmers to feed their animals, Prospere said.

“I was a little surprised when I heard that because I am saying those bananas could have been sold by the market or provided to the schools. But again, that is just what I have

been hearing. I hope it is something that will not continue,” the Minister stated.

“Our bananas are too important to be used for that purpose,” Prospere explained.

Nevertheless, the Minister revealed that he engaged a new buyer in St. Thomas.

In addition, he hoped that the situation of excess banana production would not continue and that through both public sector and private sector initiatives new markets would be identified and exploited. (Source: St. Lucia Online)

St. Lucia’s Minister of Agriculture, Alfred Prospere (right) said St. Lucia might not be suited to Rayneau Gajadhar’s (left) attempt to reproduce Rayneau Industries Ltd. plan in that country. (Photo Credit: St. Lucia Online)

St. Lucia is hoping that new markets would be identified for its bananas.

Mother-in-law blues

Dear George,

MY BOYFRIEND proposed marriage after 6 years of dating.  Soon after, his mother requested to see me. When I met with her she told me my boyfriend plans to build a house on the family land but she never gave permission to him to do that, and will never agree to such a move on his part.

I never knew my boyfriend had such a plan. His mother believed I was the one encouraging him. I told my boyfriend to let’s get our own parcel of land to avoid confusion but he insisted why he should have to buy land when his mother had acres of land available. This is causing a terrible divide between us and I do not know what else to do to fix it. Up to my Neck.

Dear Up to my Neck,

This is not a healthy situation. It is a trap waiting to fly and if you walk into it, you would have none to blame but yourself.

It is best to start your life together on a clean slate with no strings attached, and your boyfriend’s failure to communicate his intentions to you leaves much to be desired.

You should insist that your boyfriend addresses the lurking presence of bad blood between his mother and you or him. What is important going forward is your relationship with your boyfriend should be solid enough to withstand any external pressure, even from inlaws.

George.

Forgive and forget

Dear George,

IFORGAVEmy boyfriend 9 times over the same issue. He seems to have taken my soft and forgiving heart for granted for he is back again asking me to forgive him for the same thing.

I know I should have second thoughts about being with a man who does those things to a woman, but deep down inside I know he is a good man that’s why I keep forgiving him. What should I do now that he is

back begging for forgiveness?

Tired.

Dear Tired,

If your boyfriend is as good as you claim he is, he would not be a 10times repeat offender. You might want to forgive him again, in this time around, you should forgive him then forget him.

George.

An over-demanding husband

Dear George,

HOW OFTENshould a wife give herself to her husband?

My husband wants a piece of me anytime and every time. He keeps forcing himself on me time after time and it is never enough. I cannot handle it. I am tired and worn and I need a break.

I find myself doing what he wants out of duty and nothing else. I cannot tell him my feelings because he is a man who gets upset very easily.

Being Careful.

Dear Being Careful,

You need to sit your husband down and have a candid talk with him. Express your feelings to him and let him know what you need from him. Let him know that when you give yourself to him you want to do so out of a genuine

willingness to do so. If he fails to heed your pleadings then your next step would be to see a marriage counsellor who may be better able to get your message through to him.

George.

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)

It has likely become obvious of late that what has been important in life may be waning and that new things might need to be considered, especially when it comes to how finances might be affected. Spend time reflecting on these rather than rejecting them.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)

If there is an obligation you are not happy about, now is the time to discuss this. There cannot be total escape but you have the opportunity to bring about greater balance that will give you some personal free time.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

Much more can now start to be expected of you up to 10th March, which could be a bit of a shock. This could encourage you be more proactive when it comes to ensuring things will be balanced in the long term.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Someone else who has been intent that things are done their way of late may now begin to modify this. Even so, you may still need to be on the alert that what is important to you is not put to one side.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)

Anything you want to bring together with others, will work well, though initiating it would be good right now. It is important you realise the detail involved in any discussions of late as it can be presumed so by somebody else from now on.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

Whatever has been necessary to put your energies into of late can now begin to reach a more settled point if you have been diligent. This could open up better lines of communication but it will be up to you to keep a watchful eye on things.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

There can be much to enjoy from now. You will need to ensure things please you just as much as what somebody else thinks is great. You will need to put your mind to work that needs to be done from this week, which could turn things into a bit of a juggle.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

It can become much easier to generate more balance when it comes to anything that requires a good underlying structure. You may need to take up the challenge with somebody who expects greater freedom or that much of the work is up to you and not them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Anything you have agreed to, even promised of late might now require some fine tuning because the details or the amount of work involved may be turning into something greater than you anticipated. You need to turn your mind to making it

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

Before you spend your money on something very appealing, think about whether you really need it or will it have lasting value. There can be many distractions, which could also include a lot more running around from now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)

Venus now in your sign until 12th March will be helpful in bringing a balanced perspective to the new directions Mars is encouraging you to take. Life can feel so different to what it has been in a long time but there is no reason to rush anything.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Mercury, the planet of thought and communication moves into your sign this week where it will remain until 10th March. You will no doubt have some decisions to make on where things stand at the present time.

ACROSS

1. Uncomfortable spot

8. Lack of light

15. Flow out (from)

16. Ridiculous

17. Indiana county or its seat

18. Woodstock group

19. Back together, for now

20. Wrinkled

21. Uninvited guests

23. Field-clearing tool

27. Medieval melodies

28. Aaron Spelling show “The ___ Squad”

31. Actress Julianne

32. One involved in match play?

33. Restaurant listing

34. Not well known

37. Give the impression of being

38. _____ arch

39. Tighten, as laces

40. Something increased by exercise

41. Canine holders

42. Sung parts, as of carols

43. Order takers

45. Soapbox output

48. Lemur and wombat, e.g.

53. Caffeine-rich seed

54. Cypriot hub

55. Historian Stephen

56. Egg-shaped instrument

57. Did some wishful thinking

58. Bends

DOWN

1. Whirlybird

2. Certain sultanate

3. Mulberry bark

4. Smooch, in Staffordshire

5. Cases for otologists

6. Something to wear

7. Mrs. Mulder on “The X-Files”

8. Send packing

9. A challenge

10. Workers with Headlights?

11. Madrid memos

12. Followers of Zetas

13. ____ die

14. Ton

22. Artful quality

23. Apply, as a pie to the face

24. Funnel-shape

25. Alpine song

26. Barbershop job

28. Former Los Angeles and New York Philharmonic conductor

29. Baseball great Buck

30. Fancy dressers

32. Colored

33. Tiny time meas.

35. French city that was the birthplace of the Concorde

36. Kind of funny

41. Begin to catch up with

42. Grand Canal locale

43. Oldest of the Beatles

44. Posh abode

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

45. Alright

46. HBO series set in the first century B.C.

47. “Dark Angel” star Jessica

49. Gourmand’s wish, perhaps

50. “It’s ___ to tell a lie”

51. It may get the brush-off

52. Software offering, abbr.

INTEGRATED MEDICAL URGENT CARE

and Byam’s ‘THE REHAB’, through what they named the Integrated Medical Rehab Centre, is readying itself to offer a range of services in sports medicine

Integrated Medical Rehab Center coming

consultations.

Included in the range of services are: sports injuries therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation, acupuncture, massages, onsite imaging (X-rays and ultrasounds), acute care pain management, steroid and PRP infiltrations and wound care.

Dr. T’Shaka Patterson, The UWI (Mona Campus) Sports Medicine graduate, one of the doctors at the forefront of this integrated service, highlighted the reasoning behind the collaboration, saying, “Sports medical consultation is a broad topic, it’s not just about sports but it’s for orthopedic injuries, sports injuries and rehabilitation as well. With sports medicine, doctors and physiotherapists should not be separated as a lot of people feel; it should be a collective effort to carry out certain functions. It

should be an integrated thing.”

He also took time out not to pigeonhole the services as though they were for sports people only.

“In one’s everyday life, a lot of people end up getting a lot of work injuries, for examples sitting a lot at work and developing back pain. neck pain from sleeping wrong. Teachers and police officers tend to get a lot of heel issues standing for long periods, so the idea is to get a team together where it is not separated anymore,” he observed.

Patterson also emphasized the need to address the method that is usually applied to manage and treat an athlete with injury.

“We only tend to check the athlete when they are already in the spot light, we don’t cater for them at a young

National U-20 Male Team named

A TWENTY-ONE MEMBER St.

Vincent and the Grenadines Male Under-20 team has been named to participate in the Concacaf Qualifiers from February 23 to 27, 2024, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The travelling squad of players comprises, three goal keepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.

The three goal keepers are Devon Morgan, Triston John and Jermaine Jarvis.

The defence comprises Lerence Benjamin, Dimitri Thomas, Amaro Charles, Joenaldo Payne, Tyrique Stephens and Lazaro Lynch.

Midfielders selected include J’Quan Glasgow, Juemar Luke, Mackellie Ferdinand, Sebastian Alexander, Emroy Edwards, and Kirtney Franklyn, with AJ Delpesche, Isiah Charles,

Frankroy Cain, Logan Cozier, Steven Pierre and Kentre Gordon, the forwards.

The Vincentians open their quest for Group D honours, against host Trinidad and Tobago, this Friday, February 23, from 7pm at the Haseley Crawford in Port of Spain.

Then on Sunday, February 25, they face Canada from 4pm and round off their sojourn with an encounter versus Dominica on Tuesday, February, 27, also from 4pm.

Head Coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines outfit- Wayde Jackson told the VINCENTIAN last Tuesday, February 20, one day before their departure to Trinidad and Tobago, that his charges are confident.

“They are confident… My coaching staff and I are

confident… We are up to the challenge that lies ahead,” Jackson said.

However, he highlighted, “We are not getting ahead of ourselves… We are looking at each of our opponents and strategizing accordingly, while playing to our strengths.”

He noted that the final squad of twenty-one players, is a blend of local and overseas-based players.

“We have a blend of players, among them five who are playing in the USA and Canada and attending colleges and universities,” the Head Coach related.

Apart from Group D, there are five other groups. Groups A, B and C have five teams, with Groups D, E and F containing four teams.

Following the preliminary round, the group winners advance to the next phase, where they will be joined by the USA, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

The twelve teams will be placed in three groups of four. They will engage in round robin play, with the two top teams in each group, as well as the two best third places going forward to form eight quarter finalists.

The four semifinals will gain automatic berths to the Under-20 World Cup Final, in 2025.

age. So, we want to change that approach. ….. i.e. to deal with them from a young age from the primary school level,” he assured.

“They sustain a lot of injuries at a young age, for example knee injuries, and if untreated, their athletic life is curtailed because of prior injuries, so if we capture, nurture and look after them from a young age, you can help them to have a longer sporting career,” he advised.

In addition to Dr. Denis Byam, noted Vincentian Physiotherapist, others involved in the collaboration are Dr. Rishi Jagdeo and Dr. Maurice Fisher.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Mack qualifies for World U-20 Championships

DEVONRIC MACK has qualified for the Men’s 200m at the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 Championships, set for Lima, Peru, August 27 to 31.

Mack, competing for the Jamaica College last Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Corporate Area Meet in Jamaica, clocked 21.23s, thus running faster than the minimum standard for the World event. World Athletics’ standard is 21.35s.

In addition, Mack’s time also saw him making the St. Vincent and the Grenadines standard in the event for this year’s 51st edition of Carifta Games in Grenada over the Easter weekend, March 30 to April 1. The A Standard as listed by Team Athletics SVG is 21.80s.

It was the second such qualification for Mack at the regional showpiece for 2024, as he met the 400m standards as well, when he timed 47.83s at the Queens/Grace Jackson Meet in Kingston, Jamaica, January 27, 2024. The A standard set by Team Athletics SVG is 48.52s.

Mack joins Thyra Charles at the Peru event. Charles has qualified for the Women’s 200m. Based in St. Kitts/ Nevis, she ran 24.32s on January 14 at a meet in Nevis. World Athletics qualification standard is 24.35s

It will be Charles’ first outing at a World Athletics event, while Mack competed at the 2022 World Athletics Under-20 Championships, when it was staged in Cali, Colombia.

Dr. T’Shaka Patterson looking to spearhead a different approach to treating sport and work-related injuries here.

Devonric Mack is now qualified to run both the 200m and 400m at the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships.

SVG’s Male Under-20 Football Team. Head Coach- Wayde Jackson is at left standing.

BlueChip retains SVGCC Basketball title

BLUECHIP BASKETBALL

ACADEMY are three-peat champions of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Invitational Basketball Competition.

They achieved the feat by outplaying Playaz Basketball Academy, 77-51, when the curtains came down on the 2024 edition of the Basketball

Competition, Friday, February 16, at the Villa Campus Hard Court.

Playaz Academy enjoyed a 13-6 first quarter lead. The second quarter however, saw a gathering of composure by the defending champions, who had turned things around to take a 37-30 ascendancy.

BlueChip Academy maintained control to complete the last two periods leading 65-44 then 77-51.

Maxron Dublin was the top Scorer for BlueChip Academy with 23 points and Marques Thomas added 19 points. Aquando Henry led the charge for Playaz Academy with 21 points.

Earlier in the afternoon,

Sports Sciences Ballers took third place with a 5129 victory over the Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies (DASGS).

Sports Sciences Ballers led in all quarters 10-6, 249, 37-21 before ending the game 51-29. Adrian Sam sunk 32 points for Sports Sciences while Temal Gopaul top-scored with 12 points for DASGS.

Among those earning individual team MVP awards were: Gadiel Joseph - DTVE Combined; Tema GopaulDASGS; Adrian Sam - Sports Sciences; Aquando HenryPlayaz Academy; Marques Thomas - BlueChip Academy.

MVP of the finals was Marques Thomas, with Aquando Henry and Adrian Sam similarly awarded for the

SVGCC B’ball Competition to

AMYRIADof unsavoury incidences might just force the organisers of the annual St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College’s Invitational Basketball Competition, to implement some drastic changes in ensuing editions.

The need for the adjustments was highlighted by Sports Coordinator of the College- Roxell John, at the Closing and Awards Ceremony of the 2024 edition, last Friday, February 16, at the Villa Campus Hard Court.

Counting some of the infractions that affected this

year’s competition, John revealed: “A player was banned… We had officials being asked to make sure their comments and behaviours are better.”

John’s comments were timely, as the final between BlueChip Academy and Playaz almost ended prematurely, as tempers flared in the latter stages of the title match.

The Sports Coordinator hinted that the ongoing decline in the conduct among players, inclusive of students from the College, is hampering support from the institution’s decision-makers, and he

semifinals.

Kirk Hamlet was adjudged the Competition’s Best Defensive Player.

Sam was by far the most ‘decorated’ individual player. In addition to his semifinal award, he was named the Best Offensive Player and was the Competition’s MVP.

I.B.A. ALLEN

be examined

lamented, “We have not been able to get the support from the individuals who give us the funding to get new kits.”

John’s predicament has been compounded by the attitudes displayed by students of the College.

“We had games which teams did not give their hearts… We had games in which teams came and just gave up the ghost before it was even started…They had teams defaulting games and this is not what we are about at the Community College,” he bemoaned.

When future discussions are

convened, among the College’s directors, “… some serious decisions have to be made going forward,” John declared.

And, in striking home that the Basketball component is vital to the College’s sports programme, John pleaded, “We want to have Basketball, we want to continue to have Basketball. We have invested heavily in Basketball and for the College students primarily”.

Despite the downsides of

Zefal Bailey wins two-stage event

ZEFAL BAILEYbossed

both events in the twostage road races put on by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union, last Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18, 2024.

On Saturday, Bailey

was the first to reach the Belmont Look Out in the Hill Sprint that began at Arnos Vale. He topped the 2.8 miles event in a time of 17:52.40. Following him were Lucky Antrobus, whose time was 19:19.78 and Sherwin James — 19:44.76.

The rest of the field finishing in order, were Steve Ollivierre, Deptor Culzac, Martin Bollers, Carlos Rivas and Emmanuel Doyle.

Bailey returned on Sunday to take the road race from the Tarmac at the ET Joshua Airport to Colonarie, finishing at Argyle. His winning time was 1:19.40.33.

Trailing Bailey in

Category One of Sunday’s race was Sherwin James1:20.48.03 and third was Max Alvis in 1:26.34.97.

Joining Bailey in

winner’s row was Gabriel Doyle who took the Category Two of Sunday’s race. Doyle stopped the clock at 1:27.24.97, beating his father, Deptor Culzac into second place. The elder Culzac’s time was 1:28.11.45, with Carlos Rivas completing the podium, clocking 1:48.21.49. The other to complete the course was Martin Bollers.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Culzac won Category Three (Juvenile) in 1:15.24.11, as he rode from the start to Bridgetown, Biabou, then to the Argyle finish line. He received a trophy for his efforts.

The top finishers in

the competition, John praised the efforts of those who stuck to the ideals of the sport. BlueChip Academy won the 2024 competition, repeating titles won in 2022 and 2023.

Categories One and Two received cash awards.

BlueChip Basketball Academy are the unprecedented three-peat champions of SVGCC basketball.

Adrian Sam - MVP of the Competition.

Marques Thomas - MVP of the Finals.

Roxell John, Sports Coordinator of the SVGCC, gave early warning of changes to be made in the College’s Basketball Competition.

Zefal Bailey, in winning mode on Sunday.

Emmanuel Culzac

Gabriel Culzac grimaces as he approaches the finish line on Sunday.

Bequia pulls off a heist

THE NEIL WILLIAMS T/20 tournament continues this weekend with a number of matches. Players from the Keegan’s Bequai squad will be anxious for that next encounter.

They are buoyed by last weekend’s performance highlighted by an exciting one-run win over Guardian General Saints.

It boiled down to the final over with eight runs needed to win. Delroy Gregg produced something of miracle and bowled his team to a dramatic victory.

Keegan’s Bequia recovered from the loss of three wickets thanks to an 87 run fourth wicket stand between Cosmus Hacksaw 51, and Jenry 46.

They took the score from 56 to 143, then it appeared that Saints had found their groove.

Former Windward Island opener Romel Currency showed his all-round ability with a hat trick, removing Hackshaw and two other batters to slow down the Bequian advance. Currency had figures of 4 for 15 from three overs. Bequia reached 166 for 9 from the 20 overs.

Saints were 49 for 6 at one stage. It appeared like smooth sailing for the Bequia squad, but there was a Currency to bat. He found an ally in Travis Cumberbatch. The pair put on 92 runs for the seventh wicket partnership.

At 141 Currency departed. Cumberbatch was run out at 165 with one run needed to tie.

Saints were kept at bay providing Keegan’s Bequia with their triumph.

That marked their third win of the four matches they have played so far. The cricket fever is building as the ICC World Cup draws near. A heightened sense of expectancy is pervading the hemisphere with matches scheduled at venues in the United States of America and Caribbean regions including St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The countdown intensifies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with preliminary round matches at Arnos Vale followed by two Super Eight clashes. By the time the matches are staged. Arnos Vale will have transformed. The ship carrying the lights will have circumvented the threat to shipping caused by the conflict in the Middle East. And the electronic scoreboard will add a sense of enhancement to the facility.

Altogether, the nation will get increased publicity, and exposure on the international arena.

But don’t think cricket is the only item on the agenda. Persons are keen on how our Under 20 football team does in the Concacaf qualifiers. They will have to overcome some of the giants if they are to go further. For this is a situation where only the strong survives.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a history of holding its own on the football field. There is also a tendency to vacillate or take things for granted and squander some platform for success.

There is the Athletics season on, and with conditions ideal for outdoor activity, persons will have to be mindful of the weather factors and ensure they are aware of the environmental changes. For they can occur suddenly and without warning.

St. Lucia takes W’wards Super50 Cup

TEAMSt. Lucia is the winner of the 2024 Windward Islands Women Super 50 Cup Championships, which came to an end last Sunday, February 18, in Grenada.

They added this title to their T20 championship victory, when they beat Grenada by 21 runs in a lowscoring final.

St. Lucia took first knock and were all out for 129 runs in 32.3 overs. Mailika Edwards was the spark in the St. Lucia innings, top scoring with 50 (including 6 fours) in 66 balls, while skipper Afy Fletcher was Grenada’s leading wicket taker with 6 for 25 in 10 overs.

Lucia – Super50 Cup and T20 Tournaments winner.

defeated Dominica in this year’s 3rd place playoff.

Grenada never made a serious chase to victory and were bowled out in 29.3 overs for 108, Edwards returning to take 3 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines took the third position by beating Dominica, in a match in which SVG’s skipper, Jannilliea Glasgow, took top honours with a knock of 63 not out.

Jannillea Glasgow captain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines team ended her tournament with a good time in the middle with 63 not out as St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Jannelliea Glasgow, captain of SVG, closed with a sparkling innings of 62 not out.

As expected, a 14-member squad was named to represent the Windwards in the upcoming Cricket West indies Female Limited Overs Championship.

Three Vincentians, Jannelliea Glasgow - all-rounder; Kimone Homer - top order batter and Tracy Byron all-rounder, have been named in that squad, which also includes: Afy Fletcher, Niamiha Marcelin, Malaika Edward, Zaidia James, Nerissa Crafton, Pearl Etienne, Amaiah Gilbert, Eamisha Fontaine, Carena Noel, Selena Ross and Quiana Joseph.

Reserves are Shema WrightQuashie, Cassie Williams, Vanessa Bushay, Brittney Pascal.

Grenada’s Afy Fletcher, leg spinner, showed her class throughout the Championship.

A captain and vice-captain will be announced at a later date.

Regional Cricket Round Up Centuries galore!!

Mikyle Louis, 113 and 130, inspired a Leewards’ victory.

THE JAMAICA Scorpions completed a dominant ten-wicket win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), with the Windwards, Trinidad and Tobago and the Leewards also having wins, in their 2024 West Indies Championship second round fixtures played last weekend.

Chadwick Walton’s 163 for Jamaica, reminded the regional about his class.

At Sabina Park in Jamaica, Jamaica beat CCC by 10 wickets. Jonathan Carter 135* was the backbone of CCC’s first innings of 307, to which Jamaica replied with 332, West Indies discarded wicket-keeper batsman murdering the CCC to register 163. Gordon Bryan returned figures of 3-66 for Jamaica, and Zishan Motara, 7-108, for CCC.

Windward Islands Volcanoes made it two-in-two, as they completed a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Barbados Pride at Kensington Park, Jamaica. Scores: Barbados Pride 214 - Kevin Wickham 74, Shane Dowrich 37, Ryan John 4 for 47 and 126; Windwards 325 - Jeremy Solozono 86, Sunil Ambris 72, Kimani Melius 53, Jomal Warrican 5 for 59, and 18-1.

At Warner Park in St. Kitts,

Leeward Islands Hurricanes captain Rahkeem Cornwall spun a web around Guyana Harpy Eagles batsmen, as he snared 6-61, and Mikyle Louis struck centuries in each innings to lead their team to a handsome 273-run win over the defending champions. Scores: Leeward Islands Hurricanes 352Mikyie Louis 113, Jahmar Hamilton 77 Rahkeem Cornwall 54. Ronaldo Ali Mohamad took 5 -69, and 295 Mikyle Louis 130, Kacey Carty 34. Guyana Harpy Eagles 188 - Jeremiah 3 for 42, Daniel Doram 4 -40, and 186 - Veerasammy Permaul 34.

Trinidad and Tobago Red force beat West Indies Academy (WIA) by 6 wickets at Perth Stadium in St. Kitts.

Scores: Red Force 329 - Jyd Goolie 113, Vikash Mohan 54, Amir Jangoo 40, Ashmead Nedd 6 for 78, and 60 for 4; WIA 163 - Teddy Bishop 65, Anderson Philips 3 for 63, Jayden Seales 3 for 26, and 224 - Carlton Bowen-Tucket 46 not out, Mbeki Joseph 34, Phillips 4 for 33 and Bryan Charles 4 for 57.

Stories: I.B.A. ALLEN

Jonathan Carte - 135 not out- is bringing his experience and class to the CCC team.

Jyd Goolie hit 113 in a Red Force win.

St.

Maloney’s int’l participation uncertain

From Backpage.

Expounding on the processes and the ramifications, Maloney said, “I am okay now because, it’s processing ... I heard something like that I have thirty days to leave the country and I haven’t heard anything, I can’t leave the country right now… I emailed them and told them about the situation recently … I am still sitting and waiting to hear back something, like I said I can’t pay the

expedited fee so I have to sit and wait.”

Some assurance

Since that interview though, Maloney has been given some assurance by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Addressing a Press Conference on Friday, February 16, 2024, Gonsalves promised to look into the matter, noting that the relevant government agencies will

play their part.

“The US visa authorities are problematic… There is a new ambassador who may be able to make some representation,” Gonsalves commented.

THE VINCENTIAN understand that a GoFundMe account was created by Sydney Hammit to assist the Vincentian track athlete in securing the necessary financial assistance to realize her dream of reaching the next level of her athletic career.

Maloney, a former student of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the Verchilds Secondary in St. Kitts and Nevis, moved to the USA in 2017 to fulfil an Athletics scholarship at the Southern Illinois University before moving on to the University of Arkansas.

In spite of some challenges in her relationship with local athletics authorities, she has represented St. Vincent and the

Grenadines at various regional and international championships, including the CAC Age Group, Carifta Games, Pan

American Under-20, NACAC Under-23, World Under-20 Championships, World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games.

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MALONEY’S INT’L PARTICIPATION UNCERTAIN

DESPITEQUALIFYING FOR NEXT MONTH’S World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as the Paris Olympic in France, this July and August, Vincentian- Shafiqua Maloney, is running against time, because of her immigration status in the USA.

Given the ticklish circumstances, Maloney might have to forgo the opportunities, should her documentations not be in time.

Maloney, who turns 25 on February 27, 2024, qualified for the World Indoor Championships set for March 1 to 3, 2024, when she timed 1:58.69 at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, on February 10, 2024.

That clocking elevated her to the number 2 spot in the world in the 800 meter and also met the standard requirement for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France, as well as resetting her own St. Vincent and Grenadines national record.

Maloney, in an interview on Sportsmax TV, Thursday, February 15, five days after the fore-mentioned feat, said she was “..in disbelief… that week was hard for me mentally.”

Visa issues

She also detailed her predicament going forward, telling hosts, Lance Whittaker and Ricardo Chamber, “As for World Indoors, I don’t think I will be able to go… My visa process, each year I have been able to switch over and I have recently applied for my 0-1… It has been processing since July last year and it’s February and I haven’t heard anything… So, (if) I leave the country, ah can’t come back in

until I hear anything,” Maloney explained. An O-1 Non-immigrant visa is reserved for persons who possess extraordinary talent in the Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics. Additionally, that visa extends to persons who have achieved recognition in the motion picture or television industry, with national or international recognition as an asset.

Continued on Page 23.

Shafiqua Maloney on her way to a record-breaking run in the 800m that also qualified her for participation in the Paris Olympics.

MISS EASTERVAL PAGEANT POSTPONED

THIS YEAR’s Union Island Easterval (Festival) will not include the much heralded Miss Easterval Pageant, as part of its Easter Weekend Programme of Activities.

In a statement released to the media over the weekend, the Union Island Easterval Committee stated, inter alia, “… despite our efforts to attract attendees and generate revenue, the financial outcome of the Pageant has not been substantial.”

And in order to give focused attention to the Pageant, the Committee said that it had made a decision to postpone the event to October 2024, but gave no actual date.

Among the reasons given for the removal of the Pageant from the main program of activities, according to the Committee, was the competition the show faced from others events scheduled for the same evening.

The Union Island Easterval as the

name suggests, is held over the Easter weekend. While some would refer to it as another carnival, the festival is a potpourri of fetes, pool parties, street parades and jump-up, sports (basketball), sailing (boat racing), a Cultural Show and the Miss Easterval Pageant.

The Pageant is, to many, the focal point of the weekend of activities since it attracts participation from not only Union Island and mainland St. Vincent, but also from neighbouring Caribbean Islands.

The Miss Easterval 2023 title was won by Kewanna Hackshaw, Miss Union Island. The Pageant included six contestants representing Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Union Island.

Kewanna Hackshaw, Miss Easterval 2023. Her reign will be extended.

Shafiqua Maloney as she appeared in a Sportmax TV interview, in which she detailed her current challenges in respect to her visa status in the USA and support for her training.