THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 03-05-19

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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FRIDAY,

MAY 03, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.18

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Where these aircraft will end up or in what colours, the real owners, the taxpayers, have no say.

Prime Ministers Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Allen Chastanet in a photo op not at all representative about their positions on LIAT.

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2. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

VINLEC ÂReach outÊ to students

THERE IS NO DOUBT as to the commitment of this country’s lone electricity company - VINLEC, to education.

This was demonstrated last Friday when the company officially handed over a Physical Education and Visual Arts Annex to the St. Martin’s Secondary School.

VINLEC’s Chief Executive Officer Thornley Myers, a graduate of the school, described the occasion as “special” and in keeping with the company’s “outreach.”

He reflected on other activities which contributed to the positive way of making a difference, but admitted that the intervention the St. Martins Secondary school filled with a special satisfaction.

Myers expressed confidence that the facility will go a long way in the students’ overall advancement. He noted that education has many areas, and he pointed to

Monsignor Michael Stewart blessing the facility. the diverse nature the Physical Education and Visual Arts Annex will now encourage.

We have spent our money well,” Myers contended.

The venture entailed transforming two containers, and this did not escape the commendation of Education Officer Elizabeth Walker.

Walker commended the school for its initiative, and praised VINLEC for fulfilling their corporate responsibility especially

in this “stringent financial era,” describing the company’s philanthropy as “purposeful nation building.”

For Walker, Physical Education and Visual Arts are important aspects of the school’s curriculum and as such, therefore “must not be marginalised,” and in fact, Walker wants these aspects to be given “centre stage.”

St Martin’s Principal Wendell Edwards said the project had a “sense of achievement” about it,

Physical Education and Visual Arts Annex at the SMSS was funded by VINLEC.

and cited Myers’ involvement as “divine intervention.”

He pointed out that the education system was not to impose limitations, and pointed to the success of former students Obed McCoy, at the level of West Indies senior cricket, and Diel Spring a member of the current Vincy Heat Football squad.

Edwards praised Rohan Thomas and Pamenos Ballantyne for their work in the Physical

CWPPS inaugurates Caribbean Day imparting information on the islands.

This was the disclosure of Marsha Reynolds, the Coordinator of the Students of Grade One in their display ‘Caribbean wear of Trinidad and Tobago.

Day’.

Reynolds school. noted that she was Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance (hand raised) “The day went down well, as faced with teaching performing ‘One Caribbean Nation’ last the students were eager to see the students of Tuesday at the CW Prescod Primary School. what the other classes featured, Grade 3 facts about and they were well versed on the the Caribbean STUDENTS AND STAFF of the islands their classes displayed,” CW Prescod Primary School have islands, but she wanted to find a Reynolds commented. been served with more knowledge “creative” way of doing so.

Students were required to “I wanted to move away from of several of the English-Speaking study and collate information on just standing in front of the chalk Caribbean islands, as the school the islands which their classes board and teach a topic like that, hosted ‘Caribbean Day’, last chose to highlight. so I thought a ‘Caribbean Day’ Tuesday.

The classes were draped in the The objective of the ‘Caribbean will be a good idea,” Reynolds colours of the national flags of the stated.

Day’, was to find a “fun way” of various islands so chosen, and the She revealed respective national dishes were that after prepared for the students to sharing her sample. intention with In addition, the classes had other staff ready information on hand with members, it respect to facts about the Englishwas decided to Speaking Caribbean islands. have the Principal of the school- Suzette ‘Caribbean Day’ King, hailed the event, “a major for the entire success,” as the objectives were met.

King praised her staff, students Grade Two as well as parents and guardians, students for making the school’s first displaying cultural wear of ‘Caribbean Day’ beneficial to all who participated.

Grenada.

CEO/VINLEC Thornley Myers (right) and Education Officer Elizabeth Walker cut the ribbon to officially declare the Annex open. School Principal Wendell Edwards is also pictured.

Education/Sports Department.

Art students now have, according to Edwards, somewhere to store equipment and improved conditions in which to work.

The principal anticipates enhanced activity at the school with the new Annex, which should sharpen the school’s competitive edge.

Monsignor Michael Stewart, himself a graduate of the institution, extended praise first to God and then to VINLEC, before he proceeded to bless the new facility.

The School’s choir also featured with renditions of ‘Give a little love,” and the Bob Marley classic ‘One Love’, accompanied by a drum corps and Music Teacher Penola Ross on guitar. (WKA)

Five finalists for National Science Quiz FIVE SCHOOLS have advanced to the finals of the national Science Quiz, following the completion of the zonal preliminary rounds held over the period April 23 to 25.

The finalists are: Georgetown Secondary School; St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua; Intermediate High School; St. Vincent Grammar School; Central Leeward Secondary School.

The final is scheduled for Monday 13th May at 3pm, at the Guides Girls’ Headquarters.

The inaugural National Science Quiz was introduced to highlight student achievement in the area of Science, to serve as a platform for teachers’ mastery of Science concepts and to encourage the development of research and enquiry in our nation’s youth.

Participants were drawn from the Form 2 students of secondary schools here.

The activity is a production of the Ministry of Education and is being sponsored by Facey Trading, under the brand ‘America Fresh’. Prizes for the winners include tablets, smart phones & watches, and book vouchers. (Source: Min. of Education)

V News 3 LIAT/CEO: LIAT holding firm NOTWITHSTANDING THAT the Heads of the LIAT Shareholder Government Group of Countries and the airline’s Board of Directors were set to meet in Antigua on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the financially struggling airline, Julie Reifer-Jones - went on record on Monday as saying that “the airline continues to maintain its full flight schedule.”

The CEO, in a release, assured that the airline “continues to maintain its full flight schedule, even as regional governments continue to work towards a solution to keep it in the air.”

In February this year, concerns were raised about the looming closure of the airline if some US$5.4 million was not provided to help the regional carrier deal with its financial woes, even as it operated some 491 flights

weekly across 15 destinations.

Two weeks ago, Chairman of the Shareholder Government Group of Countries — Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves spoke of that closure being imminent.

But Reifer-Jones moved to allay any fears of a closure, it seemed, by assuring that the airline was meeting its daily schedules.

She reported that LIAT had had an eighty per cent on-time performance over the peak Easter season, and disclosed that management and staff

Julia Reifer-Jones, CEO-LIAT (inset), said that LIAT’s restructuring process has been marked to date by improved on-time performance and customer service. were anticipating a good summer period with many festivals and events taking place across the region.

She also referenced, with a degree of optimism, the ongoing discussions between Prime Ministers of the Shareholder Government Group of Countries and Prime Ministers

LIAT’s future still uncertain A MEETING OF HEADS OF THE LIAT Shareholder Government Group of Countries and Board of Directors in Antigua last Tuesday, has, for all intents and purposes, failed to come up with anything concrete with respect to the future of the cashconstrained airline.

According to the Antigua News Room online service, the meeting agreed “to give further consideration to a proposal by Prime Minister Gaston Browne regarding the future direction of the airline.”

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reported that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Chairman of the Shareholder Government Group, confirmed that Prime Minister Browne had made an oral presentation to the meeting, and would present a written document over the next few days.

He said further that one of the areas that Prime Minister Browne addressed referenced a particular way to finance the keeping of the three airlines owned by the Caribbean Development Bank.

It was Dr. Gonsalves who, some three or so weeks ago, purported that, had an injection of cash into LIAT not been forthcoming, one of the resulting “likelihoods” was to ask the CDB to sell those three

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 3.

Prime Minister aircraft while operating the Gaston other seven, with the Browne must possibility of convincing hasten to put another smaller airline to his words on take up the slack. paper to “They have put it on the curtail any table orally, but they will submit in writing for further unnecessary anxiety and/or study…and that proposal is gathering support from most doubt. shareholders,” Dr. Gonsalves The CMC reported said of where process now stood, that in highlighting this, Dr. adding “what it means in effect is Gonslaves also took the time to that these planes will not be sold.” comment, “Well it is only one He said he hopes that the prime minister in the OECS proposal from Antigua and (Organisation of Eastern Barbuda would be discussed by Caribbean States) who is not the shareholders “before the end putting any money, and it is of May is out.”

Prime Minister Chastanet of St. Lucia.”

More bailout for LIAT Prime Minister Chastanet is on record as saying that any injection Since the February request by of support from St. Lucia would the four principal country have to be on condition that there shareholders of LIAT for an would be significant restructuring “immediate’ injection of some of the airline.

US$5 million to “save LIAT’, Meanwhile, Trinidad and response from non-principal Tobago is reported to have agreed shareholder countries have been in principle with a Minimum slow.

Revenue Guarantee (MRG) model However, Dr. Gonsalves, following last Tuesday’s meeting, proposed.

The principal shareholders of told the media that in addition to the commitment already made by LIAT are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. the principal shareholder Vincent and the Grenadines. countries, Grenada and St. Kitts They would hope that the and Nevis have both agreed to optimism of their CEO, Ms. Julia inject some EC$1 million each.

Reifer-Jones, holds firm.

of those territories served by LIAT, but who have not bought into a proposed Minimum Revenue Guarantee Model, save and except for Grenada.

All in all, the CEO was pleased that the company was able to refine its “restructuring plan” towards meaningful ends, with the improved on-time performance and customer service bearing testimony to this.

Who said what about LIAT AUGUST 2011 - DR. JEAN HOLDER, Chairman of the Board of Directors, August 2011: “…The carrier could be pulled off routes which are not profitable unless the governments or other stakeholders in those countries provided revenue and/or marketing support as was often done for a number of international carriers.”

2018 — Dr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis: “…not one red cent for LIAT.. .”

March 2019 - Kerrie Symmonds, Barbados Minister of Tourism: “Barbados won’t be the lone ATM machine for the cash-strapped airline (LIAT).”

April 2019 — Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Chairman of the Government Shareholders: “The governments have not been responding so the shareholders are reaching a critical point now and if you ask me, what is likely to happen … there will be a transitional restructuring leading to a closure of LIAT.” APRIL 2019 — Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of St. Lucia: “…Their (LIAT) debt was forgiven; new planes were brought in and it was completely recapitalised and here we are back in the same position.”

APRIL 2019 - Lionel ‘Max’ Hurst, Antigua and Barbuda Government Chief of Staff: “We can only pray that Ralph Gonsalves’ prediction does not come true and that LIAT will be saved.”

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4. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Man jailed after taking rap in gun case concluded that there were several inconsistencies which created doubt, ONE OF TWO Ottley Hall men who were and that doubt had to be resolved in slapped with gun and ammunition favour of the accused. As a result, charges, following an early morning raid Browne dismissed the charges against of a house in that community, April 2, Bess. received sentences on Monday while the According to evidence presented by other was freed on both charges. police officers involved in the raid, a Ormond Ragguette, also known as party of lawmen, led by Inspector Joshua Guy, 27, was sentenced to Nolan ‘Grandpa’ Dalaway of the Rapid three years in prison for possession of Response Unit (RRU), executed a a Glock .26 semi-automatic pistol, and search warrant at a house in Ottley one and a half years for having ten Hall occupied by both defendants. rounds of .9 mm ammunition.

Bess consented to the search and The sentences handed down by pointed out a bedroom which he said Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at belonged to him. A search revealed the the Serious Offences Court, will run loaded gun under a bag of clothing in concurrently. that room. Both men were arrested.

Ragguette pleaded guilty to both Attorney Grant Connell represented charges, and insisted that the gun and the men, and Ragguette, who was not ammunition belonged to him. The yet sentenced, was called as a defence other defendant Attiba Bess, also 27, witness. He told the Court that on the maintained his innocence, but the previous evening, Bess, who is his prosecution proceeded against him, friend, and had done a lot of favours even though Ragguette took the rap. for him, was baking, and he proceeded However, at the conclusion of a trial to help at Bess’ request. He rested in a on Monday, the Chief Magistrate Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

bedroom in the house that night, as he got tired. He said when the police knocked on the door the following morning, Bess asked him if he had ‘weed’ on him, and he told him no, but that he had the gun. He (Ragguette) then hid it under a bag.

Ragguette said the police searched the room he occupied and found the gun and ammunition, and he admitted they were his.

However, under cross-examination

by Crown Counsel Karim Nelson, Ragguette, though insisting that the gun and ammunition were his, said he never told Bess that he had a gun.

“I am suggesting to you that you are here to take the fault for your soldier (Bess) who you said had done a lot of things for you”, Nelson told Ragguette who insisted that he was speaking the truth.

In his closing arguments, Nelson said there was sufficient evidence to prove that Bess was in possession of the firearm, and there was nothing to

suggest that the police were lying.

But Connell expressed the view that, it was clear the police wanted to pin Bess, who was Attiba Bess released from prison was freed if earlier this year after the charges. serving a 15-year sentence for manslaughter.

Reflecting on the evidence of one police officer that he used latex gloves to remove the firearm, Connell questioned why the gun was not dusted for fingerprints.

“He (Bess) is no virgin to the law; his records will be there, he spent ten years in prison”, the lawyer contended.

“He has a history, yes, but not because he is no angel, you go throw him under the bus”, the lawyer added.

Bess did not walk entirely free, as he is facing a charge of unlawfully discharging a firearm at two police officers at Ottley Hall February 18.

Cricket given priority in Court matter High Court will THE GAME of cricket is taken very seriously in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

Evidence of this surfaced at the Serious Offences Court on Monday when Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche gave cricket duties overseas as the reason for Corporal Vertil Davis’ absence in a marijuana case.

Corporal Davis, the investigator, is one of four witnesses slated to testify for the prosecution in the matter involving Rafique Williams, Cyrus Prince and Kezron Edwards, all of Rose Bank; Simon Isaacs

of Gibson Corner and Ian Edwards of Murray’s Village, who are jointly charged with possession of 4,907 grams of marijuana with intent to supply, possession of the drug for the purpose of drug trafficking, and agreeing with each other to commit the offence of drug trafficking (conspiracy).

The charges stem from a police action at Rose Place, Kingstown, September 30, 2018.

Only two of the four prosecution witnesses were in Court on Monday, and the Senior Prosecutor requested an adjournment on the basis that the investigator was overseas on cricket duties.

Senior Prosecutor This sparked strong Adolphus objections from Attorney Delpleche had Grant Connell, representing quite a ‘different’ the five men, seemingly explanation for a shocked by the reason given witness’s absence for the request Connell which infuriated argued, “We cannot entertain defence counsel, an argument where the but found favour prosecutor tells the Court with the presiding that a man gone to play Magistrate.

Youth charged in Green Hill gunfire ONE MAN has been charged with attempted murder, as investigations continue into reports of the firing of several gunshots at Green Hill last Saturday morning.

Kalique Rock, 23-year-old labourer of Green Hill, has been charged with the attempted murder of Kemanie Spencer, 32year-old farmer, also of that community.

Reports are that over 20 shots were fired during the incident which occurred around 9 a.m. last

Saturday. There were no reports of anybody being hurt.

Rock was not required to plea when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, as the charge was laid indictably. He was unrepresented.

He was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 with one surety, and ordered not to have any contact with the virtual complainant.

The matter has been adjourned to July 22.

cricket, when these men (accused) were here on all occasions”. He noted that the matter had been before the Court for the past six months.

“Hear what the prosecutor said, ‘The investigator on cricket duties’”, Connell added emphatically.

The prosecutor then explained that cricket is duty in the Police Force, and is part of the police regulations.

Delpleche, a former member of the Constabulary, who played cricket for the organization, told the Court that during his tenure, he would have been disciplined, had he failed to carry out that duty.

But Connell expressed concern that cricket duties would take precedence over a Court matter pending for six months.

He pointed out that his clients were hardworking men who came to Court on every occasion, in anticipation of the matter being heard. He noted that a boat which is detained, in connection with the matter, is owned by one of the defendants and is used for diving, while a car, also detained, is used by another defendant to go to work on a daily basis.

Connell said that application forms for traditional farmers’ licences for the Modern Medicinal Cannabis Industry, soon to come on stream, were out, and his clients are potential applicants.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne said she was aware that the application forms were out, but had no knowledge as it relates to the defendants’ involvement.

“Today is when we agreed that the matter would be tried”, Connell said; but the Magistrate told him this was not so, and set May 8, as the final adjournment date.

decide in GuardÊs murder DIAMONDS VILLAGE youth Kesean Caine has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the August 22, 2018 murder of Brenda Layne, 48-year-old female Security Guard of Rillan Hill/Chauncey.

The committal came on Monday following a Paper Committal Procedure at the Serious Offences Court.

A Psychiatric Report has deemed Caine unfit to participate in Court proceedings, but the High Court would have to make the determination in relation to that issue, as Caine, 19 at the time of the incident, has been Kesean Caine charged indictably.

The High Court had ordered the Psychiatric Evaluation during a bail application hearing last year. Caine had unsuccessfully applied to the High Court for bail on the murder charge, an offence for which persons are not usually granted bail.

Caine was unrepresented at the time, but attorney Grant Connell has since volunteered to assist, pro bono, in facilitating the process of getting the matter through the system, in light of the Psychiatric Report.

At the Paper Committal Procedure, Connell, along with Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche and Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, reviewed all the evidence and witness statements in the matter, following which Browne concluded that a prima facie case was made out.

Reports are that the Security Guard was attacked and stabbed in her neck around 6:45 a.m August 22, 2018 on Lower Bay Street, Kingstown, as she awaited transportation to go home after working the night shift at the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) headquarters at Paul’s Avenue.

Layne was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where she succumbed to the injury.

Caine had fled the scene following the incident, but was apprehended later that day at Colonaire and subsequently charged.

The accused had been committed to stand trial in the High Court last year on a charge of attempted murder, in connection with another incident.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03 , 2019. 5.

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6. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

CCJ confirms arsonist’s sentence BARBADIAN RENALDO ANDERSON ALLEYNE, who was sentenced to six concurrent life sentences after being found guilty of causing the deaths of six young women, will serve at least twenty-five years under the six concurrent life sentences he received in 2012.

This is the recommendation handed down by the CCJ in a ruling made public last Thursday.

Readers will recall that one of the six ladies for whose death Alleyne was found guilty of causing, Kellishaw Ollivierre , a Vincentian, residing and working in Barbados at the time.

Kellishaw, along with four others, including one Guyanese, died as a result of smoke inhalation from a fire that erupted in Campus Trendz Store, Bridgetown, after Alleyne had thrown two Molotov cocktails into the store at which Ollivierre was employed.

Alleyne along with an accomplice had enacted a robbery at the store

before setting it on fire.

The young women hid during the robbery.

On 15 August 2012, the trial judge, Justice Elneth Kentish, sentenced Alleyne to six concurrent life sentences.

The Barbados Court of Appeal affirmed these sentences and Mr. Alleyne appealed to the CCJ. Shortly after the CCJ heard the appeal on 5 December 2018, it came to the Court’s attention that Mr. Alleyne may have been involved in another matter of a similar nature. The Court convened a hearing on 10 January 2019 at which the lawyers on both sides confirmed that Mr. Alleyne had indeed been involved in the robbery and firebombing of the Chicken Galore building, less than one month before the Campus Trendz incident.

The Court was satisfied that as the Appellant’s guilty plea in the Chicken Galore incident was not finalised until 2013, it

Renaldo Alleyne was known to have started fires at two business places within a period of a month, in Bridgetown, Barbados. was not relevant at the time of his sentencing for the Campus Trendz matter in 2012.

However, based on legislative authority, the CCJ considered that it could take this information into account.

Accordingly, the Court recommended that Mr. Alleyne serve at least twenty-five years before eligible for consideration for release. (Source: CCJ)

Boat in drug case forfeited A BOAT WHICH WAS DETAINED by police in connection with the seizure of approximately 2008 pounds of marijuana about five years ago, has been forfeited to the state.

Justice Brian Cottle made the order April 17, during the sentencing hearing of the four men who were charged in connection with the haul.

Up to that time, nobody had made claim to the boat, and there was no evidence to establish ownership.

Ezekiel Robin of Clare Valley, Denzil Sam of Rose Place, along with Danile Baptiste and Calvert Prince both of Petit Bordel, received sentences ranging from 5 to 17 years, having been found guilty on charges of possession with intent to supply, and possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The drug was netted during a joint police operation off the North Leeward coast, February 20, 2014. (HH)

What 2008 pounds of marijuana look like. (Credit: Boston CBS/WBZ)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03 , 2019. 7.

News

Gonsalves commended for new book

Camillo Gonsalves linked writing the book to this country’s bid for a nonpermanent seat at the UN’s Security Council.

Dr. Tennyson Joseph described the book as well written, researched and presented.

‘GLOBALISED. CLIMATISED. STIGMATISED.’ , the book written by Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves, is an indication of the readiness of the next generation of the region’s political leaders, to break away from what has become the norm of Caribbean politics and challenge the world order.

Dr Tennyson Joseph, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, included this in his analysis as he delivered the review of the book authored by Gonsalves, during the launch last Monday at the Town Hall in Calliaqua.

“It will be a mistake if we were to underestimate the book as a statement of maturation of the generation in waiting,” Joseph said.

“No one should miss the importance of the book’s publication as a signal of the readiness of the next in line generation to carve for itself a new mold that breaks away from the antiintellectualism which has but a few exceptions, has marked Caribbean leadership for the most part for far too long,” he continued.

He termed the book as his generation’s ‘redemption song’ rekindling hope and confidence that there are elements within the next generation of Caribbean leaders who

are aware of the existence of alternative models of leadership.

The book was well written, researched and presented, Joseph said, and comes at a good time — going against the idea of politics of money rather than ideas, and exposes the existing world system with its double standards.

Author Gonsalves said that he was encouraged to write the book by this country’s representative to the United Nations, Rhonda King, as part of this country’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN’s Security Council.

“The book is an attempt to capture the challenges faced by island states,” Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves explained that following the Second World War, the developed nations designed a system to rebuild and set rules and guidelines to avoid global conflict…. but at the time of the setting up of these rules, the majority of small island states were colonies with no consideration.

“We have to have a discussion of those rules and that system in which we operate,” Gonsalves said, adding “We are part of an architecture that was not designed for us, but our size is what makes us different,” he said.

(DD)

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8. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

LIAT, another lease on life (Note: This was penned before news on the LIAT meeting on Tuesday in Antigua, reached us) IT WASN’T SO LONG AGO that LIAT was given what Prime Minister Allen Chatanet of St. Lucia said was “…a complete new lease on life.”

That “…new lease on life” came with debt forgiveness that allowed LIAT to recapitalize its sagging financial base, and position itself to re-fleet its aging Dash 8 fleet.

It was a ‘red’ letter day for our Prime Ministers and others, including one Captain Ian Brunton, then CEO of LIAT, as they paraded the new ATR’s for the unsuspecting tax payers who were convinced that something serious was being done about their airline.

Suffice it to say, our Captain Brunton did a quick disappearing act not long after the purchase of the ATR’s. He sped away like a wily Leprechaun with his pot of commission and who knows, a hefty gratuity, never to be heard from since.

Interestingly, and not unbeknown to LIAT Shareholder Heads, these were the same aircraft that had featured prominently when Caribbean Airlines directed Brunton, their CEO, to the exit. They had discovered, the hard way, that the ATR was a less than reliable aircraft. CAL retracted on any further purchase of the ATR, for reasons with which LIAT should have sought to acquaint itself before purchase.

Thus began a downward slide for the airline. The ATR, sold and leased back or whatever, were to become, and continue to be, a major contributor to the airlines’ astronomical operating costs. It would be interesting to learn what it cost per day to keep one of these ATR’s in the skies.

But back to business at hand.

From what we understand, the Shareholder Government Group of Countries of LIAT, its Board of Directors and Management were given, at the time of the initial debt forgiveness, three options: privatize, close down or restructure.

It appeared that the Heads of the four major Country Shareholders and their learned Board of Directors opted for restructuring.

And where are we today after

this restructuring? Nowhere different from where we were when we supposedly got “a complete new lease on life.”

After all the recapitalization, the guaranteeing of loans, management shifts and turnover, the injections of cash by fledging economies like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, LIAT effectively, has not moved one inch.

And now!!! One Head of a Shareholder Government has issued a red alert regarding pending closure because, he said, governments who benefit from LIAt service but who are not shareholders, don’t seem prepared to inject any ‘survival’ money, and the staff, he said, are not willing to make the sacrifice and accept a 10 per cent cut in salaries.

Who would want to buy into this situation? It must be with an unadulterated political intent if a Head of a Government were to extend a hand of assistance to LIAT. So, effectively, we are back to when we were handed that “complete new lease on life.” The question: How many more leases on life does LIAT deserve, if any?

Can the $1m each promised by Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis pull the airline from the brink of disaster?

Those who have been unable to separate their narrow political biases, their petty nationalism, must take the blame for exacerbating an already festering situation; they have proved they are unable to bring any semblance of balance or hope for the future.

Perhaps the Heads and their wise men might see the wisdom in restructuring that leads to a new entity. Fine, but who is going to finance that new entity? Returns from sale of three aircraft on which a third party has a lien?

The combine $1 million committed

by Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis?

Once we remove the politics and narrow petty nationalism from the table, it should become clear that we should sell, sell, sell before the market closes and we come away empty-handed.

Whatever the outcome, we have to brace ourselves for a period of turbulence nearing chaos, the storm before the calm, as we move to honestly address the travel needs of the citizens of the region through radical change.

Random thoughts on Independence (Pt 1) (Radio talk delivered by Dr. Kenneth John on structure of 31/10/82) ownership, land reform, and the CATCH YOUR BREATH, a full article on general quality of life the “true story of John Horne” will follow in of the average Vincentian man. a week or two. Meantime, dig this account The economy is still almost entirely on our approaching 40th Anniversary oI externally-oriented with foreign penetration independence. in enclave screw-driver industries and which “Three years is a short time in the life of provide at best very dubious, short-term, a nation, but it may yet offer a sufficiently palliatives. Industrialisation by invitation long time-span for us to pause, reflect, and continues apace, generated by an officially draw up a balance sheet of what gains and permissive attitude even in such areas as losses we have chalked up since our financial institutions, where new banks offer attainment of Independence. More than crippling competition to the Government that, it affords us an opportunity to spot the itself. The more the merrier- is the slogan. direction in which we are currently moving.

Meanwhile, the margin-gatherers and Broadly speaking, there are two aspects of mark-up artists, aided and abetted by the Independence- the formal and the informal- foreign banks, rake in profits predicated on the symbolism and the substance, the ritual consumption patterns that Independence and the content, the rhetoric and the goods; has done nothing to change and has, so by and large, it is my belief that we sport perhaps, intensified. and parade all the outward and visible signs In Independent St. Vincent, the lesson of nationhood- Prime Minister, Governor has yet to be grasped that the rich must General, national anthem, flag, flower, bird, learn to live more simply so that the poor etc. But that we often lack the real might simply live. attributes of Independence- changed direction, self-reliance, democratic attitudes, Culture a positive self-image of the future.

For if independence is to mean anything, The society remains crassly materialistic, it must signal some clear break with the as of old, with a pathetic impoverishment of past, with the way things went during the the soul. Here, man literally lives by bread colonial era. It is certainly not genuine alone. The measure of a man is the independence if all the changes we effect are thickness of his wallet, the size of his car, cosmetic, a change in personnel where a the location of his home and the frontage of local political elite merely becomes the his lawn. Hence has developed an political managers of absentee interests, or unmitigated rat race spiced by viciousness, where the only change of sorts in ownership venality, general corruption and fuelled by is one of a darkening complexion bereft of political patronage. changes in real wages structure or The all-too-visible conspicuous interpersonal relationships. consumption patterns border on the obscene It is for this reason that Professor Gordon in our social context of poverty, and has Lewis had looked sceptically at approaching been aptly described as the display of a Independence in these islands, lamentably whisky-and-soda mentality in a ‘mauby anticipating that it could lead to: shop’ economy. ‘… a change of masters only and, possibly, The dominance of Pre-Independence too, a change in some ways for the worse, for White Values remains largely intact. So since the bourgeois group understands them simple a matter as dress on formal occasions (the masses) better, psychologically than did almost invariably creates a minor crisis in the English officialdom, their exploitation by the lives of people. So it is that Carnival- the these groups may be made that much national cultural festival - does not get the easier.’ attention it deserves. So it is that the New Perhaps we can best measure what Artist Movement, for example, remains a progress we have made under independence voice in the wilderness calling for the by looking at the performance of some of our evolution of a native theatre based on the major inherited institutions. exploitation of the rich veins of our cultural heritage, which lie hidden in the folklore of Economic our African tradition.

In the result, a sense of drift By and large, in spite of the lip service characterises many of our alienated youth, paid to diversification and structural some of whom have sought solace in extreme changes, we still have an updated version of social and/or political movements. Others the plantation economy. Undoubtedly there have been able to sublimate their energies in had been economic growth in the sense of sport, notably soccer which has sprung up statistical gains in GDP figures and so on; spontaneously and is today an enormous but there has been little economic cohesive influence in an otherwise development, as would be reflected in the fragmenting society.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 9.

Letters

Some things we should speak about THERE ARE some things we should be talking about but we are not. There are some people who should be taking the lead and speaking boldly, but they are not, even though they are well qualified to do so.

So Randy, it falls on people like you and Gerry George and Keith Joseph and others, to speak sincerely on the issues which are causing the populace agony. So long life and good health to you all!

Yes, our intelligentsia are “spineless”, as Dr. Fraser observes in his column in The

Searchlight of 16th March 2018. They defer to politicians who are themselves not oriented to development and are now squandering the opportunity that the people have given them, to enhance the true development of our communities.

On account of this mismanagement, we are now not earning the foreign exchange that we have the potential to do.

We are now importing each year millions of dollars worth of the foods which we used to produce for ourselves. In the last

three decades, we have been indifferent to the organized maintenance, of our vital infrastructure and our own administrators have crippled the farming community. Distinctly, contrary to what they presented to the people in 2001 regarding their commitment to the revitalizing or our agriculture, the present ULP administration led

by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has “rubbed-out” the most successful farmersoriented organization in the land, The St. Vincent

Banana Growers’ Association. That organization should have been still functioning today, bringing millions of dollars to the economy.

St. Lucia and Dominica are still producing bananas for export, and recently it was reported that Jamaica had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the Banana Industry.

While it is true that Dr. Gonsalves, who seems to be the sole architect of the government’s policy

regarding economic direction must be held accountable for the stagnancy today. There are persons who stood with him who cannot be exonerated, for it was their duty to offer him counsel, when what he was doing seemed to be not in the best interest of the people. On that matter of the dismantling of the St. Vincent Banana Growers Association, brother Renwick Rose and WINFA should have spoken out!

LeRoy Providence

LIAT - Government taxes and exploitation ON MARCH 5th, 2019, the Caribbean Council published an article reporting that “LIAT urgently needed a cash injection of at least US$5m to remain in operation”.

The airline’s problems revolve around its ability to take on new debt with the Caribbean

Development Bank (CDB), Uncompetitve ticket fares, high operating cost among other things.

The Julie Reifer-Jones administration has made inroads in revamping LIAT. Today, LIAT services 15 destinations with 491 flights weekly.

Despite this reality,

LIAT is experiencing financial challenges.

In an article dated June 12th, 2018, Looptt reported, “Mrs. ReiferJones is proposing the removal of the airline’s in-transit taxes, describing the regional airports’ use of them to generate revenue as counterproductive.” This

was reported approximately 9 months before calls for an urgent injection of US$ 5 Million from Caribbean shareholder governments.

An investigation was made of Mrs. ReiferJones’ reference to intransit taxes. A ticket booking was made on the LIAT webpage. The ticket price is separated from the tax. The tax was 194.2% higher than the actual cost of the ticket in some cases. This is by no means acceptable. The picture below is a screen shot of a reservation from St. Vincent to Trinidad and back. The ticket cost US$35.00 the taxes were US$68 both ways.

It must be noted that this challenge is being encountered while LIAT is now experiencing record levels of punctuality. LIAT experienced an On-time Performance rate of 89.1%. This is amazing progress; it is clear that managerial strategies are being employed internally to curb some of the operational challenges of LIAT. However, ticket cost is one of LIAT’s major challenges. Historical data from the CDB suggest low price elasticity in the market, so changes in price is not a significant contributor to volume of air travel on LIAT. The real issue is who benefits from the high air fares — taxes included. The answer is our destination Governments.

In this simple experiment, our present reality is one where the destination governments reap the rewards of our

air travel on LIAT at the expense of the airline.’s success. Admittedly, the challenges may be more complex than this, but this is an unacceptable reality. The destination countries should rectify this predicament immediately.

Interestingly, many of the islands who were

sreluctant to answer calls for urgent injections of cash, benefit from the taxes imposed on tickets of visitors to their islands. Long live LIAT! Nazim Gittens Chief Executive Officer The Vincentian Export Marketing Services

In case we missed it IN CASE anyone missed it, homosexuality is nothing new; it has been with us since the days of yore, in Kingdoms far and wide, in homes large and small, down through the ages, from kings to kings, emperors to emperor.

Now, this is not to say that it is something that we have condoned down through the ages; in fact, it has always been a polarizing issue, one that has divided households and even nations.

As it stands in this country, given all that I could see and hear, including the utterances of the Prime Minister on his campaign trails, there is a majority of persons against homosexuality. But this does not give anyone the right to abuse a person if that person is a selfconfessed homosexual.

My questions for us is: How come it’s always some young man or men from what we would consider the lower class, (poor people pickney)

who feel the brunt of our disdain for homosexuality? Are those who shout and proclaim how ‘nasty’ it is, afraid to do the same against persons of a similar incline but who are from the higher echelons of society, with their professions and big jobs? Double standards, if you ask me.

And while we are at it, what about condemning all those who profess to be bisexual and all those who commit adultery?

The last time I checked, every man Jack proclaimed this country to be Christian. Need I remind you of the Lord’s seventh commandment to his followers? In case you missed it, it reads: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

There is a hell of a lot that plagues us, but if we want to get rid of any one plague, make certain we take the ‘speck out of our own eye’.

A believer in Christ

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10. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Partnership with the Private Sector

The NDP and Private Sector Development

Excerpt from the 2019 Budget Address

THE RECENTLY held youth forum organized by the New Democratic Party (NDP) was a tremendous success. The theme was, ‘Young Entrepreneurs; positioning SVG youth to economic prosperity’. The presenters must be commended for an excellent job. From discussion, it was clear that the youth left the session with a better understanding and a more positive mind-set with respect to the significance of entrepreneurship. It must be noted that the NDP is cognizant of the importance of entrepreneurship and the private sector to the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It is well-established that in today’s world, a thriving private sector is the foundation of a growing economy.

Private sector development has many benefits for St. Vincent and the Grenadines economy. It will expand economic development and support a sustainable source of revenue, tax and otherwise, that will fund strategic social programmes. Private sector development will become the nucleus of employment and therein accelerate the process of socio-economic development.

The Unity Labour Party regime, however, appears not to understand this basic fact. Evidence of this is seen through government’s ill-advised policies, and the fact that this government is indebted to the (local) private sector to the tune of millions of dollars; a crippling burden for a private sector already weighed down by some of the highest energy prices in the Caribbean.

The NDP recognizes that improving government policies and behavior will not only shape the investment climate and drive private sector development, it will also drive overall economic growth and improve opportunities for everyone. We will, therefore, provide a range of incentives and support to encourage private sector development, and above all, create the stable and appropriate macro-economic and social environment that will encourage investment.

In order to foster private sector development, the NDP will focus on creating an attractive investment climate. An NDP government will establish a Ministry of the Private Sector to facilitate the development and expansion of private industry in general. We consider that Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a critical factor in economic growth and we will create the conditions that will enable SMEs to play a major role in entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.

In order to create the environment in which Small and Medium sized Enterprises will thrive, the NDP will end the competition between government enterprises and SMEs, adopt and pursue appropriate fiscal and employment policies to promote an optimal economic environment, improve the attractiveness of entrepreneurship and remove the constraints to the development and growth of SMEs, through the reestablishment of a Development Bank to provide funding and financial support for SMEs. The NDP will also establish a government sponsored Laboratory, a Scientific Research Council, to provide technical assistance for all new and expanding enterprises; establish a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standards and foster strategic alliances between Vincentian and foreign companies to gain knowledge about market entry and export led activities.

Moreover, the role of the Ministry of the Private Sector will identify and seek to develop or expand a range of direct and indirect support services for SMEs, including: business prestart, start-up and development assistance; business plan development

Introduction NO GOVERNMENT in the history of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been as supportive of the domestic private sector, like the ULP administration. The ULP has introduced a number of business friendly measures, in its 18 years of government, all aimed at promoting and developing the private sector. Below we publish an excerpt from the 2019 Budget Address of the Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, in which he sets out the ongoing partnership with the private sector.

Partnership With The Private Sector Fundamental to the philosophy of this Government, is that an active, entrepreneurial State is a positive and necessary actor in the economies of small Caribbean countries. We do not subscribe to the Washington Consensus-orthodoxy of a minimalist state, ceding the delivery of all goods and services to a hypothetical, monolithic, infallible “private sector” that neither exists within the context of our limited markets, nor demonstrates a sustained and sufficient willingness to innovate and compete in the interest of the public.

We hold fast to the ethos that there is a role for the State to play — albeit circumscribed and prudent — beyond the delivery of a narrow list of public goods. To think otherwise, in small, resource-constrained economies like ours, is to subscribe to an ill-fitting dogma that has no successful precedent in our region.

However, precisely because we see the economy as important enough to require our active participation, we acknowledge an even greater responsibility to actively encourage and facilitate the work of existing businesses, foreign investors, and local entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to national growth and development. That facilitation goes beyond the broader macroeconomic levers that all governments have at their disposal. It extends to sustained, often bespoke efforts to court and assist business growth and establishment within the confines of the law and good practice.

New Business Opportunities This year, our solicitation and facilitation of new business opportunities will lead to major growth in the Vincentian private sector. In addition to the previouslymentioned hotel investors, we will welcome the establishment of the Clear Harbor Call Centre in Kingstown, which has concrete plans to hire hundreds of young Vincentians over the next two years. Rainforest Seafoods45 will establish a facility at Calliaqua that will purchase millions of dollars of fish and lobster from local fisherfolk.

The local entrepreneurs behind One Caribbean Airlines, buoyed by the establishment of the AIA and the success of their niche-filling service, will add another aircraft to their fleet.

We rely on local private investors to continue building new apartments to house our growing population of foreign medical students, now numbering over 1,000. We depend on — and have incentivised — the purchase of new vehicles and boats to carry our rapidly-expanding cruise tourists on their excursions. We count on other commercial actors to overcome the challenges of sand

importation, so that we can extend our ban on sand mining nationwide.

We expect the corporate sector to partner with the Government in the clean-up of Kingstown and the development of Rose Place and its environs in advance of the modern cargo port.

Last year, we reduced corporate income tax to new lows, a trend we hope to advance in coming years. The Government also enjoined the local private sector in our successful battle to ensure that Vincentian traders in Trinidad and Tobago would be able to receive foreign exchange for their Trinidadian earnings. We also commenced discussions with local private sector entities on the optimal use of the old ET Joshua terminal building, and hope for a mutually profitable conclusion to those discussions in 2019.

In October 2018, InvestSVG hosted the five-day Everything Vincy Plus Expo, which attracted 2,500 visitors per day to engage with the 127 exhibitors on site. In addition to strong in-Expo sales, over 30 exhibitors secured new orders — including orders to supply overseas buyers. Others, like 15 of our local fashion designers, were invited to display their products in overseas markets.

This year, in addition to expanding and improving the Expo, InvestSVG will host an investment forum to provide more information on the opportunities and incentives available in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Within the Ministry of Finance, a Doing Business Unit will be established to address not only the indicators that contribute to the World Bank’s theoretical Ease of Doing Business Index, but the more practical impediments to actual business establishment and operation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The health of the Vincentian economy is directly and causally connected to the health of our private sector. We view the private sector as partners in, and drivers of, employment, growth and development. Budget 2019 is replete with initiatives that provide both direct and indirect benefits to the Vincentian private sector. These include Renewal @40, the modernisation of customs procedures to facilitate quicker times to clear shipments, technical innovations to NIS and the Inland Revenue Department; new crime fighting tools and initiatives; measures to facilitate an influx of additional tourists; enhancement of operations at the Argyle International Airport; renewable energy initiatives to make the cost of energy cheaper and more predictable; enhancements to our road and ICT infrastructure, and initiatives in fisheries and agriculture, including the launching of the medicinal cannabis industry.

Preliminary data from the National Insurance Services indicate that the number of Active Employers has rebounded to exceed pre-crisis levels, and is 24% higher than the Active Employers on record in 2000. We fully expect our talented and entrepreneurial private sector to take advantage of the promising opportunities in the Vincentian economy and the initiatives in Budget 2019 to record further growth in the medium term.

and follow-up; business incubators — legal, accounting and financial services; information services including advice on government policies; advice on the effective application of information; provide communication and business technologies to the business process; offer consultancy and research services; managerial and vocational skills enhancement; promotion and development of enterprise based training.

In addition, provide support and offer training in occupational safety and health; assist in upgrading the literacy, numeracy, computer competencies and basic education levels of managers and employees; provide access to energy, telecommunications and physical infrastructure either directly or through private sector intermediaries.

And, assist in understanding and applying labour legislation, human resource development, gender equality practices, product design, development and presentation, packaging services, environmental management services, quality management, including quality testing and measurement and streamline business regulatory processes and procedures, in order to substantially improve the ease of doing business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Ministry will also work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our overseas Missions, CARICOM and the Vincentian Diaspora to identify trade and export opportunities for SMEs. There are also significant benefits that can be achieved through entrepreneurship. These include increasing the number of selfemployed persons through the creation of quality jobs. This new work environment will produce new economic activities, to increase the motivation and skills of the unemployed in the rural area; seek and create new employment opportunities for persons within their own communities; to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth though all sectors of the national economy. This will lead to a reduction of poverty and the negative effects associated with poverty, will empower people to trust in their own abilities and knowledge, and to learn the basic values and operating principles of business, thereby adopting a practical approach to the world of business.

Private sector development will improve the lives of our people, whether directly or indirectly. It will expand the variety of goods and services available and reduce their cost, to the benefit of consumers.

Private sector development will create sustainable jobs and opportunities for macro and micro-entrepreneurs alike.

Micro entrepreneur is one of the key pathways by which people can escape poverty. We will give each person the power to shape their own destiny.

The resultant economic growth envisioned will also help to reduce the costs of goods to our citizens. This is especially important to those who suffer the economic burden the most.

Private sector development shall contribute to an expanded tax base that will allow for investment in health, education and welfare for all our people.

It is obvious that the NDP has the better programmes and policies, and Vincentians, especially the youth, can look forward to benefit from the NDP’s private sector development initiative.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 11.

Views

Scanning the horizon

“We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon.” Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) chancellor of West Germany 19491963 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SOCIALISED in homes, communities, and schools where they are encouraged to “see from behind their eyes”, will always be inclined to look at life situations with a greater focus on exploring possibilities than those who are socialised in environments that demand that they abide by the status quo. We need to encourage those around us (including our children) to explore possibilities; to avoid boxing themselves in to merely “toe the line” and “play it safe”. It is in their best long-term interest to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. We need to encourage them to take calculated risk.

This writer is not advocating that we encourage risk taking just for the sake of doing so. Risks must be calculated. There must be a vision, a focus. Some form of analysis must be conducted. There must be a plan … and a back-up plan. We need to forever contemplate how we can do things better, faster, and with fewer resources. As good as we are, we must forever focus on how we can be better. Merely being good is unsafe.

Being good enough is not good enough. Good is the enemy of great.

We must forever scan the horizons for new growth opportunities; stretching ourselves to always better our best; to go beyond the horizons (limitations) that others may have set for us or we would have established for ourselves.

We very often have the capacity, the potential, to go beyond those horizons.

This is as true for the student who engages in academic pursuits as it is for the athlete who trains for competition. It is equally true for the young girl who seeks to break the mental shackles that would have placed by those around her who sought to convince her that careers in science are out of her league (beyond her horizon). It is just as true for the young male who desires to pursue opportunities in culinary arts but has been redirected from his passions in this field by those who have incorrectly concluded that such skills are for girls.

The scenarios described in the preceding paragraph remind us that we should avoid placing limitations on our possibilities as we scan life’s horizons. We must forever challenge ourselves to broaden our horizons; to avoid placing unnecessary limitations on our possibilities and pursuits.

Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959), the American actress, reminds us that, “You must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about – the more you have left when anything happens.” We can all extract countless pearls of wisdom from such words of wisdom.

We can also be encouraged by our review of the accomplishments of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564) or more commonly known by his first name Michelangelo. He was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance. Michelangelo was multi-talented, if ever there was

someone to fit this description. He was born in the Republic of Florence, and exerted an incomparable influence on the development of Western art — seeming to excel at any skill that he sought to develop. He refused to limit his talents and abilities but, instead, sought to excel at each of his God-given talents. It is a sad reflection on our society when we seek to restrict our children from pursuing multiple passions. In many cases, they have the capacity, the potential, the ability to do so. Many are modern day Michelangelos scanning their respective horizons and being willing to go beyond these, if only we will let them. We must develop the confidence to allow them to venture beyond their scanned horizons. Yes, we may need to guide them and coach them as they venture forth but, in the end, it is in their interest that we encourage them to soar in pursuit of their noble dreams.

My good friend and former Chief Executive Officer of Neal & Massy (now rebranded Massy) reminds us that, “We cannot discover distant lands by remaining on shore.” He would use this statement when addressing participants at the various academic programmes at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business in Trinidad and Tobago. This declaration often follows his providing examples of the need for business executives and board of directors to become proactive after having invested time and energy in scanning the business horizons. That proactive culture (and a propensity for implementation) is absolutely essential for individuals and businesses that focus on developing and maintaining competitive advantage. Failure to imbibe the wisdom of such a proactive approach, can lull individuals and companies into oblivion and uselessness. Dr. Frederick R. Stamm reminds us that, “When no new thoughts fill the mind — when no horizons beckon — when life is in the past, not in the future — you are on the way to uselessness.”

As we contemplate expanding our horizons, and encourage others to do likewise, it becomes important for us not to lose sight of the tremendous benefits that are derived even as we embark on the journey. Many benefits can emerge as we venture beyond our comfort zone to the desired outcomes that we visualize beyond the horizon. William Lyon Phelps (1822-1900), the college professor and author, reminds us that, “A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view halfway up is better than the view from the base, and it steadily becomes finer as the horizon expands.” We are reminded that the journey is often just as valuable and rewarding as the destination. May we develop new eyes to see, seek, and scan new horizons. And may we find new hearts of courage that propel us to make elusive dreams real.

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

Due process and the rule of law A FEW YEARS AGO, Justice Adrian Saunders, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, shocked listeners at a public lecture when he said that the rule of law and due process rights of citizens were under serious challenge across our Caribbean.

Due process is the legal requirement that the State must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person. Due process balances the power of law of the land and protects the individual person from it.

The rule of law implies that all citizens are subject to law, including people who are lawmakers, law enforcement officials and judges.

The lack of the rule of law can be found in both democracies and autocratic societies because of neglect or ignorance of the law. The rule of law is more apt to decay if a government has insufficient corrective mechanisms for restoring it.

Where are we in St Vincent and the Grenadines on these most vital issues?

Not bad at all, but we have to be vigilant. Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, criminal defendants in SVG get to the court mush quicker than in other places. But we have to remain on guard. There is the potential for serious erosion.

Petitioners who bring civil or constitutional claims are also challenged, but the law is increasingly being used to protect their rights. See Otto Sam and the Teachers cases.

Here are a few examples. Until recently, all detained persons awaiting trial were brought to the court at the beginning of the Assizes. Their cases were court managed and the accused or his lawyer had the opportunity to represent his interest to the judge.

Prosecutors had the opportunity to respond. This long-established practice, known for centuries as Habeas Corpus, which literally means to produce the prisoner, has stopped.

Currently, only recently accused, arrested and detained persons awaiting trial are brought up at the Assizes.

We must go back to the old practice.

An accused person must not be warehoused in the prisons until the State is ready to try his or her case.

The judge must get the opportunity to manage the cases of all detained persons awaiting trial.

Webster Woodley was arrested more than 10 years ago for murder. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced. The conviction was however overturned on appeal and a new trial was ordered.

This was more than four years ago.

The retrial has not yet been called!

The prosecution takes the position that it will not try the second murder case because its case is based on the evidence of two women who claimed to have been in an abusive relationship with Mr Woodley, and heard him openly discuss the murders. At the initial trial, both women said that it was the practice of Woodley and his friends never to discuss matters in their presence. They either went whispered, or went into the yard.

However, their evidence was that after the alleged murders, Woodley and his friends sat around the dining table and openly detailed the crime.

The women did not testify in Woodley’s trial, where they would have been subjected to wilting cross examination. Their evidence was from a previous trial. Both women were

offered witness protection and are no longer in SVG. We do not even know if they are still alive. So, the prosecution, to date, refuses to schedule the retrial or call the second murder case. Meanwhile, Woodley languishes in prison. Case management of Woodley’s case will force the prosecution to speak to the true state of affairs. This can’t be justice.

There is also the case of Donrick Richards. He spent 5 years on remand awaiting trial for murder. Tired of waiting, Richards decided to plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 9 years in prison. He was given credit for the 5 years and 1 month he spent on remand, but the long wait for trial has now worked against him. Had he been accorded a speedy trial and sentenced within a year after his arrest, the 5 years he served would have counted as 7 prison years and he would have been eligible for release by the end of this year.

However, at his sentencing, the 5 years on remand counted as only 5 years in prison, and he will end up spending an additional 2 plus years in prison.

Then there is the troubling situation where the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court has not yet met for all of 2019.

Magistrate’s Ricky Burnett was assigned by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to act as a master since January 2019. The Kingstown Magistrate Court is one of the busiest in the country. A magistrate could have been temporarily assigned to dispense with these matters. But no!

Important cases regarding the liberties and rights of persons are simply rolled over.

Some persons on remand remain in prison, unable to make bail. Others may serve more time on remand than they would receive if convicted. But the authorities prioritized matters.

Each week, traffic matters are heard at the Serious Offenses Court. Caesar’s fines, on those found guilty of traffic offenses, cannot wait. To hell with the others, but justice delayed is justice denied.

In April, two troubling experiences occurred in the Magistrate’s Court.

One concerns a young man who was arrested on traffic offences and for assaulting a police officer. He missed the court date and was bench warranted. He went to court, explained his absence, and the warrant was lifted. Then, officers arrested him. He explained that the warrant had been recalled, but they insisted on arresting him, falsely. They also beat him for resisting arrest. On his return to court, the magistrate refused a lawyer’s application to drop the minor charges in light of the false arrest and beating administered to the young man.

Another magistrate was informed of the unnecessary and unwarranted beating of a young man by police officers. The lawyer explained that the police would never have treated a child of an affluent family in such an inhumane manner. The magistrate said children of affluent families don’t break the law!

These lapses and prejudices place real pressures on the poor. They must be remedied or the poor and vulnerable would lose all confidence in the system.

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

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12. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Open Letter to The Governor General 30th April 2019 Your Excellency, WE MUST abolish the NDP and ULP breaching Section 13 of SVG 1979 Constitution to provide Tax & Customs Duty Exemptions in hundreds of millions of dollars to the Superrich White Migrants in Mustique and Canouan. The NDP and ULP failed to provide the balancing of advantages against disadvantages to our people and to our country, by introducing the illegal Mustique Act No 48 of 2002 which benefits the white people and slaps the black indigenous black population in the face.

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 Constitution, Section 13 states: ‘No law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either

of itself or in its effect,’. In other words, the NDP and the ULP did not have the legal power to approve the illegal Mustique Act No 48 of 2002, it was and still stands as a gross breach of the supreme law of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Retired British Royal Air Force Engineer Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, who spent three years full time reading for his BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and Economics at Oxford Brookes University, England, very strongly contends that there is no net benefit to the indigenous people and country of SVG from the illegal Mustique Act No 48 of 2002.

Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, leader of the SVG Green Party, writes to you in response to Prime Minister Hon Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ outrageous

statement, in the Vincentian Newspaper dated 26 April 2019, page 12, in which Dr Ralph Gonsalves stated ‘The agreement between St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Mustique Company is a unique one’.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is not the private estate of Dr Ralph Gonsalves or the ULP or the NDP, to approve the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002.

Your Excellency, the SVG Green Party is making a very strong call under the SVG Constitution, for the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002 to be abolished in 2019. The Mustique Act No 48 of 2002 is in breach of the SVG 1979 Constitution. Everyone is equal under the Supreme Law. The Freedom of Information Act 2003, which was signed by the Governor General in 2003, has not been proclaimed nor gazetted to become Law. This is stifling democracy.

During the General Elections in 2005, 2010 and 2015, the ULP Regime took millions of dollars worth of dutyfree Election Equipment for the ULP and NDP. However, the ULP regime passed regulations banning DUTY FREE on General Election equipment to the SVG Green Party. This is stifling democracy.

In 2012, The ULP Regime illegally increased the price of water, using a Financial Statement which was in breach of Statutory duty. This is gross abuse of power. The illegal increase in the price of water in 2012 should be abolished.

The technique being used by Superrich White Migrants Millionaires and Billionaires in Mustique and Canouan is to starve SVG Treasury of Revenue by not paying tax and Customs Duty to SVG Treasury, and when the Treasury has no revenue, the ULP regime sells Crown Lands to superrich White Migrants. This is direct looting of our nation resources.

Since independence 27th October 1979, the breaching of the supreme law has impacted quite negatively on our once blessed nation. The black indigenous population of our country have became third class citizens in their inherent nation of birth - being poor and powerless. The breaching of the supreme law must end, to ensure the black indigenous children and grandchildren of SVG are not pushed out of their own country.

Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal has a Master OF Business Administration MBA from University of Leicester, England. He strongly contends that duty free concession is only granted to infant Industry Startup. The Mustique Act NO 48 2002, is not an infant Industry Start Up . The Mustique Act NO 48 OF 2002 is an Apartheid legislation i.e. these white Migrants want the Black indigenous population to subsidize their rich.

Selfish lifestyle. This is gross abuse of power by the ULP Regime.

Taiwan is another… who does not pay Fish Tax. It is conservatively estimated that Taiwan owes SVG Treasury EC$54 billion dollars in fish tax for the period of 2001 to 2018.

Taiwan is looting from SVG ECONOMY.

The Black indigenous school children are paying a very heavy price for the abuse of power in SVG. In 2018, hundreds of school children were sent home from several schools which were considered highly dilapidated and not safe for the children. Yet, superrich White Migrants Millionaires and Billionaires are not paying their fair share of tax and customs duty, which they can afford. In a nutshell, SVG revenue is not circulated to the SVG Treasury.

We must Stop this radical reality of stoking poverty in our country. It is hurting the Indigenous black population and is likeable to lead to racial conflict.

The laws of science tell us when the pressure on a cylinder is greater than the volume, the cylinder will burst.

Stop this radical reality in SVG that is benefiting White Migrants but perpetuating poverty and squalor and illiteracy among the Indigenous Black population.

We will overcome.

Yours faithfully, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, BSc (hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party CC Prime Minister Hon Dr Ralph Gonsalves Hon President The Privy Council, London, England Hon President CCJ Trinidad and Tobago Hon Chief Justice of OECS, Saint Lucia Hon President of The United States of America Hon President of China His Excellency The President of Singapore Her Excellency The President of Taiwan His Excellency Secretary General of the United Nations Hon Secretary General of Caricom, Guyana Hon President of the World Bank Hon President of IMF Hon President of Caribbean Development Bank

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03 , 2019. 13.

Agriculture

Invest more in agriculture Right: A section of those who attended the opening of the workshop.

roots crops as a agricultural production.

(WKA) worthwhile area for injection and support, given that they are less vulnerable to storms and drought.

King also suggested that more attention be given to research with the intention of identifying measures that could improve and increase yield.

The Diversification Officer is also looking at Hans Born, chairman of making farmers better able to compete on the the German-based Pro global scale.

NGO! These issues and more would have been A CALL HAS BEEN MADE addressed in the HERE for greater workshop. corporate, especially Hans Born, Chairman financial institutions’ of the German-based Pro investment in agriculture.

Diversification Officer NGO! outlined aspects of his group’s drive towards in the Ministry of Agriculture Colvin King securing support for Vincentian farmers. made the appeal while He alluded to solar addressing Monday’s pumps earmarked as opening of a two-day part of the assistance to Workshop that focused the overall project aimed on ‘Corporate Social at promoting sustainable Responsibility and livelihoods among Climate Smart Eastern Caribbean Agriculture.’ farmers.

The Workshop is a Four pumps, he said, joint undertaking of the were expected to be Caribbean Policy already set up to be used Development Centre as models in the venture, (CPDC), Pro NGO! and but they have been held the Windward Islands up at the Port because of Farmers Association administrative issues.

(WINFA).

The Windward Islands King noted that most Farmers Association lending agencies regard investment in agriculture (WINFA) Coordinator as “risky”, and tended to Kozel Fraser highlighted the importance of the shy away from such partnership at Monday’s operations. opening session.

He was of the view She pointed to that investment in training, and recognised agriculture will be better the need for farmers to secured with youths organise themselves so involved, and cited as to benefit from investment in the propagation of crops like opportunities to become part of the new thrust in breadfruit, coconut, and

V ECCO gets new Chair 14. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Ms. Vernalderine Francis of St. Kitts & Nevis is the new Chair of the Organisation, Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc. Ms. Francis is the first female to serve as Head of the organization, but she is no stranger to ECCO, having served on the board since September 2016.

Ms. Francis is the co-

owner of ROOCOO, a multimedia solutions and music publishing company registered in St. Kitts & Nevis. In addition, she has 18 years of experience in the field of Information & Communications Technology.

She is known by her peers for her graphic designing, 2D animation, web development, music production and vocal

skills. Over the years, she has been summoned on occasions to provide live backups for artistes/groups such as, Chi-Lites, Christopher Martin and Edwin Yearwood to name a few.

As a songwriter and singer, she is part of the duo Jade Orchid and has produced original works on the albums Pelau and Fraco. As a creative professional,

Vernalderine is on a mission to integrate more Caribbean creations in commercial products such as online game applications, animation and marketing in the OECS and beyond.

Over the past 5 years, Vernalderine has been advocating for the rights of songwriters, producers and the performing arts, and out of that advocacy, she became one of the

founding members of the St. Kitts & Nevis Association for the Performing Arts.

Current ECCO Board of Directors are: Chair, Vernalderine Francis (St. Kitts & Nevis); Vice Chair, Ian Sanchez (St. Lucia); Secretary, Linda “Chocolate” Berthier (St. Lucia); Krishna Lawrence (Dominica), Lancelot Chapman (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Wayne

Vernalderine Francis Green (Grenada), Crispin D’Auvergne (St. Lucia), Melissa Moses (St. Lucia), Buffalo Odlum (St. Lucia), Hugh James (St. Lucia), Courtney Louis (St. Lucia) and Gilroy Hall (St. Lucia).

Coreas goes the reusable bag way OUR OCEANS and rivers are polluted, and our landfill is overcrowded with plastic bottles and bags which are either non-degradable, or take several years to degrade. These bags are harmful to the environment and to our very existence.

It is estimated that over 5 trillion plastic bags are discarded every year. It is also estimated that one person can eliminate more than 20,000 plastic bags from the environment in a life time, by using only reusable bags.

Coreas Distribution Ltd is therefore joining the fight to stop the destruction of our environment and save our planet from the pending destruction.

We are therefore appealing to our customers to join the effort to create a greener St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Commencing 6th May 2019, Coreas Food Mart will give each customer a free reusable bag on the purchase of $50 worth of goods. Every time a customer reuses our reusable bag, the customer will get a chance to participate in a monthly raffle.

Reusable bags will also be available for purchase at cost price. We will continue to bag our customers purchases. However, we will make a concerted effort to reduce the use of plastic bags.

We look forward to the support and cooperation of our customers in our effort to reduce the number of plastic bags we put in the environment, by using our reusable bags. Go Green with Coreas Distribution Ltd and help us to save the environment.

Our action is in keeping with global trends for the protection of our planet. (Source: Coreas)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03 , 2019. 15.

News

Patriots bolstered by Vincentian NÊKeal Harry

Nick Caserio said has shown proficiency in making contested catches, ESPN Sports said.

Caserio said that the Patriots had opportunities to trade the 32nd pick but thought tabbing the 21-yearold Harry was the better option, calling him “a big, strong receiver [with] good hands [and] good with the ball after the catch,” according to ESPN Sports.

“I play with a lot of passion.

Whenever that ball is in the air, I’ll sacrifice anything to go get it,” Harry told reporters when asked to describe his style of play after his selection on Thursday.

The Patriots had an ESPN Sports said that opportunity to trade the 32nd Harry joins Super Bowl LIII pick but thought tabbing the MVP Julian Edelman, five21-year-old Harry was the year veteran Phillip Dorsett better option. and newly signed veteran Demaryius Thomas atop the

by NELSON A. KING receiver depth chart. naking@verizon.net; “His arrival could help kingnaking210@yahoo.com soften the blow of tight end US CORRESPONDENT Rob Gronkowski’s retirement, as Gronkowski was a target THE DEFENDING UNITED STATES Brady often relied upon Super Bowl champions New against tight coverage,” ESPN England Patriots addressed a Sports said. top area of need by It said Harry appeared in selecting Arizona 37 career games in three State University (ASU) wide seasons at ASU, totaling 213 receiver Vincentian N’Keal Harry, receptions for 2,889 yards and with the final selection of the 22 touchdowns. first round, 32nd overall.

According to ESPN Sports, The Vincy Roots Harry’s selection should make quarterback Tom Brady Harry said Thursday night happy, as it marks the first was special, as he watched the time the Patriots have selected draft with about 50 to 60 a receiver in the first round, family members and friends in since they chose Terry Glenn Scottsdale, Arizona, ESPN in 1996.

Sports said.

The 6-foot-2, 228-pound Harry’s family hails from Harry is a physical target who Lowmans Leeward. He was director of player personnel born in Toronto, but then

moved to St. Vincent and the Grenadines when he was a baby.

Later, Harry, at four years old, migrated with his grandmother, Felna Harry, to the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Harry’s mother, Naudia Harry, is also from Lowmans Leeward.

Earlier this year, Harry said he will forgo the senior season to enter the 2019 United States National Football League (NFL) draft.

“This has been a great ride,” young Harry told a news conference then. “This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something that I will take with me for the rest of my life.

“With that being said, I would like to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft,” added Harry, who was born on Dec. 17, 1997.

“This definitely was not an easy decision,” Harry said. “I truly grew up at this university. This place has given me opportunities I only dreamt of, and I’m forever thankful for that.”

Grabbing the ball and honours too Harry, a local product of Chandler High School, began his high school career at Marcos de Niza in Tempe, Arizona before transferring to Chandler, where he won a football state championship in 2014, according to Arizona Sports 98.7FM. It said he was one of the most highly touted recruits in the US and rated as the top recruit in Arizona by multiple scouting publications.

With schools like Oregon and Texas A&M as suitors, Harry chose to stay in Arizona, in part, to remain close to his grandmother, the radio station said.

Harry accumulated 213 receptions, 2,899 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, catching a pass in every game during his career at ASU, 98.7FM said.

It said his receiving yards and receptions rank third in the university’s history.

At his size, Harry is a prototype NFL wide receiver, 98.7FM said.

It took a little while, given that his phone wasn’t working, but N’Keal Harry welcomed the news of his draft with the beam of a little boy.

Harry said the NFL was always a dream for him, not for the money but for the love of the game, according to 98.7FM. “I feel like, now that I have the opportunity to go out and get my dreams, I feel like I need to do that,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Louisville (Kentucky) Sports Commission said that Harry was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll.

The Paul Hornung Award, now in its ninth season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung, ASU said.

There’s that eye of the tiger that causes the opponent to quiver.

Harry became just the ninth true freshman in school history to start a season opener.

Settling on ‘football’ In his freshman season, it said Harry posted 58 catches According to ASU’s Craig for 659 yards and five Morgan, Harry tried several touchdowns. sports as a kid: soccer, football Additionally, ASU said and basketball, among others. Harry ran for 69 yards and “His grandmother had scored twice, and Harry is the hoped he would choose a less 215th player drafted out of dangerous sport, but agreed to ASU since 1948, with this let him play football,” Morgan marking the sixth straight said, adding that Harry year with a selection, starred at Chandler High according to azcentral, part of School after transferring the USA Today Network. from Marcos de Niza High It said Harry is the 25th School in Tempe, earning five- ASU Sun Devil to go in the star recruiting honors from first round of the NFL draft Rivals.com, and was noted by and the first to go that high many recruiting services as since Damarious Randall went one of the top wide receiver to the Packers in 2015 with recruits in the country. the 30th overall pick.

In his junior season, Harry caught 13 touchdown passes on 30 catches for 657 yards.

In the 2016 season opening game against Northern Arizona University, The family roots help to keep the star wide ASU said receiver focused.

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16. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Vincy flag flies high at Penn Relays

James Cordice, addresses reception Saturday night for Vincentian and Belizean athletes at the Calabash Restaurant and Lounge on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia.

Stories and Photos NELSON A. KING NAKING@VERIZON.Net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT

WHEN THE 125TH RUNNING of the illustrious Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia got underway last week, there was a new flag among the few at the Franklin Field Stadium.

The Vincentian national flag flew high, for the very first time, among those of the United States and Jamaica, among others, over the huge, newlyrefurbished stadium that seats 52,593.

The Franklin Field Stadium is located, at the eastern edge of Penn’s campus, across the Schuylkill River from Center City in Philadelphia.

The flying of the Vincentian flag during the three-day games, which began last Thursday, was made possible through one man, James Cordice, the Clare Valley-born pioneer and spearhead of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the oldest Relay l“I feel great to see the flag

hovers over the stadium,” the Philadelphia-based Cordice told THE VINCENTIAN in an exclusive interview after the two Vincentian schools — The Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School — competed in the Relays Carnival over the weekend.

“It brings so much joy for me to look up and see the Vincy flag at Penn,” he added, disclosing that he had to convince University of Pennsylvania officials of the importance of flying the Vincentian flag at the stadium.

“During the application process, the flag had to be 6’x10’ and specifically-made,” Cordice continued. “So, I looked around and found a company in Ohio that wanted to make the flag to the specifications.”

Cordice said he always wanted to see the Vincentian flag flown during the Penn Relays

ever since he first attended the games in 1991.

He said his desire intensified after Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) — the Queens, New Yorkbased organization that provides meals and transportation services, among other things, to Caribbean athletes at the Penn Relays — was instrumental in having the Jamaican flag hoisted at the games 25 years ago. Cordice is also an official with TJB. “I know we’re not garnering the respect in track and field as Jamaica; but, every time I saw the Jamaican flag at the Penn Relays, it made me extremely proud to see a Caribbean flag, and I always wanted it for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said. “I just want to thank the University of Pennsylvania. It’s just the most wonderful thing (to have the Vincentian flag hoisted at the prestigious event).”

In 2010, Cordice was

Vincentian flag flying over Franklin Field Stadium at the Penn Relays. among officers in the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP) to convince city officials to fly the Vincentian on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the first time. Cordice is a former SVGOP president.

Over the three days of

Penn Relays 2019, officials said attendance was 110,661, with 48,195 seated on Saturday, the grand finale.

This year, TSSS participated in the Penn Relays for the 9th consecutive year; the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School competed for the 3rd successive year.

SVGS improves Penn Relay standing massive stadium at the top of their voices.

The SVGS time in their winning heat was in 3 min., 24.90 sec.

Roban was fresh off copping a bronze medal in the Under20 800m in this year’s CARIFTA Games. He had snatched the gold medal in the 800m, in the Under 17 Category, at last year’s CARIFTA Games.

In their 4x100m heat the day before, the SVGS team of Encozie Rodgers, Jadyn Delpesche, Deron Edwards and Malik Ferdinand, running in that order, placed second in a time of 44.66 sec.

Head Coach Rawlson Morgan told a reception SVG Grammar School 4x400m team on Saturday, L-R: Handel Saturday night — at the Roban, Nellie Ambitron, Malik Ferdinand and Deron Edwards. Vincentian-owned Calabash Restaurant and Lounge, on THE ST. VINCENT Last Saturday, April 27, the Lancaster Avenue in GRAMMAR SCHOOL (SVGS) SVGS team of Deron Edwards Philadelphia — that his team has made appreciable Malik Ferdinand, Nellie was ahead in the first three movement upwards, as far as Ambriton, and Handel Roban, legs in the 4x100m, but was its standing among schools running in that order, won hampered by a “glitch” in the participating in the their 4x400m heat in anchor leg. prestigious Penn Relays yn commanding style, having led Later, Morgan told THE Field Stadium is concerned. from the start and propelled VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive The School was able to take by Roban putting in a burst of interview, that the Grammar the 31st position among 370 speed in the final leg, spurred School’s performance was schools which competed in the on primarily by Vincentians remarkable.

4 x .400m. They were ranked who trekked primarily from “Overall, I’m very pleased,” 47 last year.

New York, shouting from the

SVG Grammar School Head Coach Rawlson Morgan (far right) with athletes from the 4x100m and 4x400m teams after Saturday’s event. he said. “I couldn’t ask for more. It’s our very first plaque in the three years that we’ve come here.”

Earlier, at the reception, Morgan noted the “fast turnover” rate of athletes at the Grammar School, stating that only two athletes from last year’s contingent competed this year.

He thanked the Vincentianborn, Philadelphia-based Penn Relays pioneer and coordinator James Cordice; the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO); and Vincentian families — the Howells in Philadelphia and the Fridays in Brooklyn — for

Handel Roban anchors 4x100m for SVG Grammar School on Saturday. facilitating the team’s journey in the US. Continued on Page 17.

V TSSS girls establish new school record

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03 , 2019. 17.

Feature

Right: TSSS athletes with Head Coach Godfrey ‘Fuzzy” Harry (stooping, at far right, in front row).

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT IN THEIR EIGHTH OUTING at the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) girls broke the school’s record for the 4x400m.

Competing in their heat on Thursday, the girls clocked 4 min., 5.7 sec., in placing second and eclipsing the school’s previous record of 4 min., 6 sec. in the 4x400m.

The team comprised Tiwanny John, Shahalia Lynch, Daniella Lewis and Kaylia Edwards.

“It was a great performance, even though they didn’t get

Vincentian supporters assemble in front of Calabash Restaurant and Lounge in Philadelphia with SVG and Belizean athletes and officials after brunch on Sunday. first place in their event,” James Cordice, the Philadelphia-based coordinator of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Penn Relays initiative, said.

“The effort put in is what counts to me,” he added. “They were

Uroy Ryan (in all blue) starts 4x100 for TSSS on Friday.

running against giants.

Their journey is not an easy one either, and I even applaud them for even having the nerve to compete.”

In the 4x100m, also on Thursday, the TSSS girls’ team of Almarie Providence, Lynch, Lewis and Edwards, placed 6th among nine schools in their heat, clocking 51.17 sec.

Their performance, however, enabled them to qualify for the 4x100m inaugural International B Finals. In that event, the team remained the same, except for John, who replaced Edwards.

The boys’ team, competing in the Penn Relays for the ninth consecutive year, placed 3rd in the 4x400m heat on Saturday, clocking 3 min., 35.56 sec.

The team, competing against 14 top-ranked US schools, comprised Zamal Creese, Uroy Ryan, Zimri Stephenson and Dawson Samuel.

On Friday, the TSSS’ boys — Myron Matthews, Stephenson, Samuel and Ryan — placed fourth in their 4x100m heat, clocking 44.62 sec.

Head Coach Godfrey “Fuzzy” Harry told TE VINCENTIAN that injury to one of the female athletes, at the recently-concluded CARIFTA games, significantly affected the performance of the female teams.

“This was not the best position of both teams,” he said, “but we must commend the effort, especially for the female team, which has just established a new school record.”

After missing the Penn Relays in 2017, the TSSS girls’ team returned last year in winning their 4x400m heat in 4 min., 6.94 sec.

The TSSS has been the pioneer in representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Penn Relays in the inaugural year in 2011.

Three years ago, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School joined TSSS, bringing to two the number of Vincentian

Coach staff and officials from SVG Grammar School, TSSS and Belize Ecumenical High School receive envelope with check, as token, for participating in the Penn Relays from Cordice (2nd from L) and COSAGO officials. secondary schools competing in the prestigious event.

“We did a good account of our ourselves,” Harry told a reception Saturday night for the Vincentian athletes, as well as for a Belizean high school team, at the Vincentian-owned Calabash Restaurant and Lounge on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia.

“Never second guess yourself,” he added.

“When we came in 2011, we were not disheartened.”

He, however, said it’s a huge challenge, financially, to compete in the Penn Relays.

“The athletes have to raise the money to get things done,” Harry said.

“With the grace of the Almighty, we’ll be back

here next year for the school’s 10th anniversary in competing in the Penn Relays.”

Vincentian judge Emille Cox, who served as Master of Ceremonies Saturday night and was considered a top athlete in his years at the Grammar School, told the athletes: “You never know what you’re capable of.

“Don’t defeat yourself,” he advised. “Tell yourself that you’re just as good and better, and just move ahead.

“Some of the schools you’re competing against, their athletic budget is greater than our (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) national budget,” Judge Cox continued.

SVGS improves Penn Relay standing King, who made the trip for the third time, has also been very But Morgan added that it is an supportive. arduous task in raising funds at Among others, King was home to compete in the Penn grateful to the Brooklyn-based Relays. group, Club St. Vincent, Inc., for “It’s not an easy task to come to helping to raise funds, through an Penn (Penn Relays),” he said. “It annual walk-a-thon at Marine took the efforts of the PTA Park in Brooklyn.

(Parent-Teachers Association at Asked about the Grammar the Grammar School) and your School’s performance, Cordice told contributions to be at the Penn THE VINCENTIAN that though Relays,” he told the reception. he was very elated, he was not He added that former surprised.

Grammar School principal, Curtis Continued from Page 16.

“I expected that,” he said.

“After all the hard work, I believed the youngsters will produce a harvest, where they are doing their jobs on and on the field. And this is what we hoped for.”

COSAGO president Laverne McDowald-Thompson, told the athletes at Saturday night’s reception, “You make us proud.

We’re (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) small, but we’re a very proud people.”

Deron Edwards (3rd from left in green top) starts off 4x100m for SVG Grammar School.

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18. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Remembering John Horne Knight in Armour - John Horne.

That photograph was a treasure on which I often gazed. I remember him for his moment of Chivalry/Courtesy to my Sister.

Fast forward to the 1980s.

‘Partners of the Americas’ was introduced to St. Vincent under the leadership of Marjorie Jackson and Colonel Anderson. Mr. John Horne was the Chair of the Cultural Committee of Partners of the Americas, and I was the Secretary to the Committee as well as all the Sub-Committees through which it functioned. Mr. John Horne’s courtesy to me in these roles was very peoplecentred — he often wondered aloud about, “How this ‘Poor Lady’ managed to cope with all

CHIVALRY WAS ALIVE in the 1950s and as a Colony, St. Vincent & The Grenadines adopted many habits and idiosyncrasies of the colonialists.

One such ‘adoption’ was the ‘Coming of IF I REMEMBER Age’/’Presentation to the CORRECTLY, I gave John the public’ of the daughters nickname ‘CORNU’ (Latin for of the aristocrats. This horn), in Form 2A at SVG-BGS event was the ‘Debut’, — St. Vincent and the and the Debutantes were Grenadines Boys Grammar paraded in public.

School.

A form of this practice The camaraderie and respect was adopted/adapted in from those embryonic, halcyon SVG among young days carried over into our lives, women who wished to over the years. make their ‘Debut’. My ‘CORNU’ was an elegant, sister Jacqueline was tall, soft spoken GENTLEMAN; attracted to this social RESPECTED and event, and I fondly RESPECTFUL; a man of remember the style and DETAIL and RESEARCH; a rustling silks of her gown, and most of all her RATIONAL man not subject to emotional outbursts or quick escort — none other than

these Minutes and Follow-up Actions”.

I am grateful for that human touch. I did tell him thanks each time.

In 1984, I entered into party politics, and when his party gained power, he was concerned enough about my welfare to ask me if I wanted to return to the Civil Service. I declined, but had I said yes, I was sure he would have championed my cause. I did tell him thanks for his concern.

In the1990s, in his Ministerial capacity, he travelled extensively to the UN to participate in various Conferences. I was there, too, in my NGO Capacity. Minister Horne always welcomed my presence. He would say, “I know if I looked up to the Gallery, you would be there,” and sure enough, when he saw me, we would be waving gaily at each other, dumbfounding other NGO Colleagues who had no such ministerial attention.

I did tell him thanks for his recognition.

In 1995, Minister Horne travelled to Beijing to attend the Fourth World Conference on Women. The NGO and Peoples Forum was quite a distance from the UN Government Conference Hall, and I did not see Minister Horne until the last few days. I assisted his technical team with writing his Address without seeing him. However, on the last day, he wished to visit the NGO Peoples Forum. I met him looking bewildered because none of his team was available to travel with him, and I heard voices discouraging him from going, because, “It was too far

and everything would be shut down when he arrived.”

I quickly intervened: “Oh No, Minister, I said —you can’t come all the way to China and not visit the NGO/People’s Forum — what will you tell the Press at home when they inquire?” He said “That is true, Nelcia, but how can I go?” I said, “There are buses just outside, in which we travel regularly, and you will get there in time. I will go with you”. So Minister Horne abandoned the protocol of getting a Ministerial Car, and sat with me in the People’s Bus to the Peoples Forum! He was warmly welcomed and informed by the thousands who were still there, and who applauded his effort. We returned to UN Government Conference Hall highly satisfied! On return to St. Vincent, I never breathed a word on this encounter.

Then Minister Horne astonished me when I was told he spoke of that experience on National TV, and remarked that when none of his Team was there to support him at this important point of his ministerial career, I was there! He repeated that story several times in audiences where I was present. I told him, he did not have to do such. This chivalrous/courteous gentleman said, “It is my way of Thanking You.” This is the John Horne I remember, and let other remembrances of human failings fade...............

Nelcia Robinson

Mr Alexander John Clark Horne anger; a MAN OF PRINCIPLE and PURPOSE. Obviously being a ‘Culture Lover’, especially a STEELBAND and CARNIVAL AFICIONADO, endeared us to each other.

Over the years, we would “bounce up” in Woodbrook, POS, J’Ouvert morning and with others of our ilk (‘Lad’ Winsboro, ‘Priest’ Jacobs, Cardo ‘the Mighty Pagan’ Timm), we would enjoy Trinidad carnival. Obviously the same goes for SVG carnival.

He always alluded to the fact

that it was I who first put a carnival costume on his back.

As the Minister of Education and Culture, I know he tried exceptionally hard to take both Education and Culture to a higher level, in the people’s interest.

On those fronts especially, his passing will leave a gaping hole in our society.

Many of our generation are scattered around the world, but I know they too will be paying missed...... R.I.P., my friend. their respects and mourning My condolences and wishes the loss of our dear friend and of peace to his family.

CULTURE WARRIOR. YOU will be greatly Paddy

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24. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Training

Police Officers trained in Mental Health issues EIGHTY-EIGHT (88) more Police Officers are now better equipped for interventions with persons suffering with mental health illnesses.

They join a batch of seventy-nine (79) Police Recruits who had previously received the same training from professionals in the Department of Mental Health/Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre, in the Ministry of Health and the Environment.

Delivering brief remarks at the closing ceremony held at the Old Montrose Police Lecture Hall on last Tuesday,

April 30, Senior Nursing Officer at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre Sister Elizabeth Medford described the training as a significant step forward in the reintegration towards mental health into primary care.

She expressed the view that the police officers, who are the first responders in cases involving persons displaying signs of mental illness, were now more knowledgeable, competent, confident and certified in the delivery of effective and efficient care to mentally ill patients, and

in the de-escalation of challenging situations.

Sister Medford congratulated all the officers and challenged them to make a difference in the eradication of the stigma that is attached to the mentally ill persons, and thanked Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the staff of the Mental Health Rehabilitation and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Colin John, whose combined effort she said, made the training possible.

Speaking at the

ceremony, Commissioner of Police Colin John thanked Sister Medford and her staff for the initiative, and said the training was one of necessity, it being an important tool in the police crime prevention kit.

He went on to say, the fact that we cannot see mental illness is equally more devastating, but the training which the officers have undergone should make them more able and ready to identify and deal with mentally ill persons.

More importantly, the Commissioner encouraged the officers to approach

dealing with mentally ill persons as part of their preventative policing training.

He also reminded them that if they fail to respond to an initial report, they could find themselves responding to a more serious complaint which could result in something involving serious injuries or even a fatality, making the “the police work more strenuous.�

Sgt. 281 Egbert Winston Maloney, one of the participants, in giving his impression of the training, stated that the training was very timely and executed properly.

He noted that it was common for police officers to encounter mentally challenged persons at some point in the course of their duties, and he admitted that, based on the actions or response of the police officer, he/she can either de-escalate or escalate the situation.

Sgt. Maloney, though, expressed confidence that the officers who were trained would be better equipped to deal with mentally ill persons, having been taught some of the methods to employ when confronted with these situations.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Put your energy into self‐improvement programs that promise to make you into a better you. Stress coupled with diet will add to stomach problems. You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Someone close to you will get upset easily if you are insensitive to their needs. Put in some extra hours and finish those careful jobs before you move on to some fun and games. Overindulgence may be a problem. Look before you leap.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Help those incapable of taking care of their personal affairs. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. You can take advantage of opportunities if you are quick to make a move.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Try not to judge too quickly. Don't expect others to live up to their promises and you won't be disappointed or find yourself stuck with delays. Don't let someone take the credit for a job you did.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Be sure to get involved with those who can introduce you to unusual forms of entertainment. Try not to be too harsh with your mate. Visit friends you don't get to see that often. You may want to talk to your boss about your future goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Your charisma will no doubt attract a lot of attention. Be careful how you deal with colleagues. Travel for business will not only bring you valuable information but also profits as well.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Be careful that you don't overextend yourself. Travel could include delays and other minor problems. Be sure that you have all the facts before you take action.

Travel and learning should be on your agenda this week.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) You can get a promotion if you put in a little extra detail. Jealous coworkers may try to sabotage your attempts to get ahead. Take time to find out if anyone has a better suggestion before you make arrangements for the whole family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Keep your feet on the ground, if you can.

Avoid getting involved with married individuals. There's a good chance that they won't come back. Do your chores and get on with the things you enjoy doing.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Don't make excuses. Put your efforts into your work or money‐making ventures rather than your emotional life. This day was meant for love. Make creative changes to your residence. Try to be honest when dealing with your mate.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) You may be likely to have difficulties with females. You should be able to make major career gains if you plan your intentions carefully. Don't use emotional blackmail on someone you love. Ask family members for help and you will be able to complete the projects more quickly.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Your dramatic approach to life has probably gotten to your mate.

Opportunities for new and exciting relationships will be yours if you get out and join groups. You may win favors if you present your ideas and include your family.

ACROSS 1. Cry aloud 4. Entire quantity 7. Serve (tea) 11. Indefinite amount 12. Take legal action 13. Rub out 14 _ willow, tree 16. Tempted 17. Fall behind 18. Foil material 19. Before, in verse 21. Mother hog 23. Santa’s aide 26. Frog’s call 28. Hefty 30. Carving path 32. Upper limb 33. Mirror’s reflection 35. Walrus’s home 36. Foot digit 37. Dad’s darling 38. Beam of light 40. Orbison of music 42. Famous Uncle 44. Certain bar 45. Granola grain 47. Pose in query 49. Horrible 52. Collisions 56. Well‐honed 57. Salad‐dressing base 58. Glamorous Gardner 59. Pea casings 60. Moist; damp 61. Hankering DOWN 1. Board cutter 2. A single thing 3. Parting word 4. Earth’s largest continent 5. Mammals’ breathing organs

6. Race segment 7. Dried plum 8. Dinghy paddle 9. Exploit 10. Bloodshot 13. Wallach of the movies 15. Desperate request 18. Slender, Brittle stick 19. Infielder’s mistake 20. Juliet’s love 22. The 44th U.S. President 24. Ranch rope 25. Released from prison 26. Salon application 31. Auto 34. Majority (of)

39. River barges 41. “_ truly,” letter closing 43. Antoinette of France 46. Peak for Heidi 48. NaCI 49. African slitherer

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 25.

50. “Which persons?”

51. Fashion rage 52. Dairy animal 53. Baled horse food 54. Eden gal 55. _ Diego, California

V

26. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

An eight-year lie Dear George, I HAVE JUST found out that my husband is the father of my best friend’s two children – 4 and 6 years old. To make matters worse, I am Godmother of the two children.

As you can imagine, I am reeling from the shock of the discovery. This is betrayal of the worst kind — that my husband would have lied to me all these years, turning me into a complete fool.

I’ve told him to pack his things and move over to his family. I do not care about the wasted 8 years of marriage, and I do not wish to forgive him or try to work things out.

Thoughts of getting rid of him and my worthless so called friend, are still running through my mind. I have not been able to work, eat properly or function normally because of this. He

has hurt me, and all I can think of is how to hurt him back.

Pain in my heart Dear pain in my heart, Getting even is not the answer, and it will not cause the pain to go away. You are currently showing signs of depression, and need to speak to someone who can help you through this period.

It is regrettable what your husband and best friend did to you, but do not let it consume you and turn you bitter. With time and therapy, you will get past this. Always try to remember that none of this was

orchestrated by any of those children, and as such you ought not to show them any less love than what you are accustomed to showing them.

Let time and patience be your guide as you strive to regain your footing.

George

No access to my son Dear George,

No access

MY CHILD’s mother is refusing to let me see our two-year-old son. We had an agreement after he was born, that I would have access to him whenever I wanted. However, now that she has this new guy, she does not want me around, not even to pick up my son.

In fact, she has told me that her new man does not want me contacting her under any circumstance. So, she stopped taking my calls and eventually blocked my number altogether.

I have not seen my son for almost a year now, and it is killing me. I believe she is doing this out of jealousy because I’ve met and married a wonderful woman. I need your advice urgently, George.

Dear No access, Legally, your child’s mother does not have the right to prevent you from being involved in your child’s life. It is always recommended that, rather than making personal agreements as far as child caring in concerned, that you let the Family Court decide on rights of access etc. No one parent can unilaterally decide on what’s best for a child, which is why it’s best to have an official court arraignment or agreement.

The important thing here is that this child receives the love of both parents and does not get caught in any unnecessary crossfire.

George

V BESCO- Pastures: Premier Division Football Champs

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 27.

BESCO- PASTURES still has a match in hand, but are already Premier Division champions of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) 2018/2019 National Club Championships.

They sit on an unassailable 50 points, with their nearest rival, North Leeward Predators, on 45 points, with also one match in hand.

BESCO- Pastures crowning moment came last Wednesday at Victoria Park, when they avoided defeat against North Leeward Predators, as the match ended 1-1.

In 21 of their fixtured 22 matches, BESCO-Pastures had suffered one defeat, interestingly against the said North Leeward Predators, when the two met in October 2918 in their opening fixtures.

Of the 20 in their favour, the champs had 15 wins and 5 draws.

The Premier Division is expected to climax this weekend.

The other clubs in the Premier Division were Hope International, Sion Hill, SV United, Je Belle, System Three, Avenues United, CamdoniaChelsea, Pride and Joy, Largo Height and Bequia United.

It was the first time that the

Newly crowned Premier Division champions of the SVGFF National Club Championships – BESCO- Pastures. Raymond Trimmingham is standing at left.

Premiership was played in two rounds, with each of the twelve clubs meeting each other twice.

Reports are that the firstplace team is in line for $20 000, which would be the highest single payout to a team in the history of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Football.

Head of BESCO- Pastures — Raymond Trimmingham said whilst he was happy for his club

to win the title, it is more about the players.

“I am more elated for the players than for myself, because they have worked hard for this,” Trimmingham stated.

He said that the club has dedicated the lifting of the Premiership title, in memory of a former player- Roy ‘Chicken’ Richards.

Richards, a stand out

defender for BESCO- Pastures and the senior St Vincent and the Grenadines team, lost his life in tragic circumstances, when he was gunned down in an apparent robbery at a shop in his home town of Barrouallie, in July, 2017.

“This one is for ‘Chicken’ and his contribution to the club over the years,” Trimmingham

declared.

“It is also a good start for the club’s celebrations of its fiftieth anniversary next year,” he said, and went on to explain that the Pastures Club was started in 1970, but merged with the Barrouallie Educational Sports and Cultural Organisation (BESCO) in 1992, giving rise to the BESCO- Pastures setup.

Sion Hill top Masters Football again Hill as the first team in the history of the competition to successfully defend their title.

Sion Hill got to the final after winning Zone A to seal a place in the quarter final, where they won by default from Bequia.

The triumphant Sion Hill Masters Football Team.

They defeated Layou 3-1 in the semi-finals.

SION HILL RETAINED National Properties from close range.

Meanwhile, Richmond the National Lotteries Third World Man Shop Richmond Hill, Hill, which ended second Authority SVG Over 35’s Richmond Hill, in a though, did not make use in Zone A, proceeded to Organisation’s Masters’ highly competitive final. of a lifeline, as Cornelius beat Largo Height 4-1 on Football Competition last Both teams exchanged Huggins had his penalty penalties, after a 0-0 Thursday night at the raids on each other’s goal saved, to deny his team draw in regulation time Victoria Park. in the first half, but a draw which would have in their quarter final A second half goal by Pierre capitalised on sent the match into encounter.

Randy Pierre gave Sion space in the Richmond penalty kicks.

Richmond Hill again Hill a one-nil victory over Hill defence, to score The win placed Sion needed penalties to

Top Goal Scorer- Tyrone Prince (right) collects his award from Glenroy Caesar – President of the SVG Over 35’s Masters Organisation.

advance to the final, after a 1- Inset: Rohan Soleyn of Richmond Hill 1 draw in was adjudged Best Goalkeeper. the semiPrince was the leading finals versus SESCO. A 4-3 win on penalties goal scorer with nine goals, with Richmond saw Richmond Hill Hill’s Rohan Soleyn, was through to last named the Best Thursday’s final.

Goalkeeper.

Preceding the final, Fourteen teams SESCO swamped Layou contested the eight- nil to claim the competition. third place.

SESCO’s Tyrone

V

28. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Bequia United retains basketball title Right: Philbert Prescott (left) - MVP of the tournament.

BEQUIA UNITED are repeat winners of the Arnos Vale Invitational Basketball Tournament.

They took the 2019 edition of the Tournament last Sunday evening, when they beat fellow finalist Arnos Vale Heat Seekers 1, 60-51, in a physical and intense battle at the Arnos Vale Hard Court.

Nicholas Simmons led the scoring for the champions with 22 points, with Dario Glasgow doing likewise for the losers with 20 points.

Earlier in the evening, Tanty Ma of Union Island outplayed Mavrix, 81 to 58, to capture the third-place spot.

Individual awards handed out at the completion of last Sunday’s matches saw Philbert Prescott of Arnos Vale Heat Seekers 1 receiving the coveted Most Valuable Players (MVP) of the Tournament Award.

Nicholas Simmons of Bequia United was the MVP of the finals.

The Most Disciplined team was Majesty while Arnos Vale Heat Seekers 2 took the award for the Most Improved Team.

The Tournament Bequia United – repeat winners took home a Champions. purse of one thousand dollars, and runners-up, eight Right: Nicholas hundred dollars.

Simmons (left) - MVP Eleven teams took part in of the finals. the Tournament which spanned a period of five I.B.A.ALLEN weeks.

Nations League draw pleases Coach ST VINCENT and the Grenadines Senior Men’s Football team has been drawn alongside Dominica, Suriname and Nicaragua, in Tier B of the CONCACAF Nations League, which kicks off in September.

This draw pleases the St Vincent and Head Coachthe Grenadines’ Kendale Head CoachMercury admits Kendale Mercury, that the who noted, it was national team what they were needs to fill hoping for. some key “Before the draw, postions. we said that we wanted to avoid El Salvador and Jamaica, and we did...

We are quite happy that we are competing in that group,” Mercury commented.

Mercury’s comfort with the draw lies with the fact that SVG is familiar with their opponents.

“We played Suriname three years ago… We played Dominica in the Windward Islands Football Association Tournament here in March, and Nicaragua in the Nations

League Qualifiers,” Mercury related.

Mercury, however, was assertive in his call for support from the Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, noting, “If we have the support of the governing body, we can come out on top”.

This support, according to Mercury, includes friendly international matches, camps, as well as strengthening and conditioning of the players.

Mercury reinforced the need for the team to stay focused in the upcoming months as the National Carnival festivities loom.

“We need to take the players to a next level, and there are some special things we want to do, as there are some technical areas that we need to cover,” Mercury admitted.

And, Mercury and his technical team have begun screening players to fit some key areas on the team.

“There are some key areas that we would like to look at… I don’t have to hide it, we need a left sided player…

We are looking for some creativity in the midfield, and we are doing this to create more competition for places in the team,” Mercury reasoned.

“We are also exploring the possibility of recruiting players from overseas and already we have had some conversations with some players, and we shall see how that goes from here,” Mercury disclosed.

St Vincent and the Grenadines finished the Qualification Round with two wins and two losses, thus earning the Tier B status.

The wins by the Vincentians were against French Guiana and Bonaire, with the losses coming versus Nicaragua and Turks and Caicos.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, like the other countries, awaits the release of the fixtures for the Nations League from CONCACAF.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines team celebrate after beating Bonaire 2-1 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in March.

Vincentians in CWI U-19 female squad TWO VINCENTIANS Jephenia Joseph and Jannilla Glasgow have been included in a Cricket West Indies (CWI) 18-member Female Under-19 training squad.

The squad was selected on completion of the CWI Invitational Under- 19 Female Limited Overs Tournament which was played in Trinidad.

Opening batter Joseph and off spinner Glasgow are two of five Windward Island players called up, the others being Zaida James, Shawnisha Hector, Qiana Joseph.

The Windward Islands finished second to Trinidad in the Invitational Tournament which also saw participation from Canada, Barbados,

Guyana and Jamaica.

The others called up top training are: Alysha Gomes, Anjali Gooradeen, April Ramoutar, Djenaba Joseph, Reanna Farrow, Shania Abdool, Shunelle Sawh, Steffie Soogrim of Trinidad; Cherry Ann Fraser, Jephenia Mandy Mangru, Shabika Gajnabi of Joseph, one of two Vincentians Guyana; and Shai called up, had Carrington, Shaunte Carrington the second most runs in of Barbados. the Tournament.

I.B.ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 29.

Sports

Leaving an impact SALOMIE ROBERTSON, popularly known as “Miss Coutan”, will be laid to rest Sunday, May 5.

She was 100 years old. The North Leeward village of Troumaca honoured her in a special way October 10, 2018, when she achieved the milestone.

Salomie was the embodiment of the Vincentian citizenry. She joined family members in Trinidad early in her life, but returned in time to take Gerald Robertson as husband. That union produced seven children: Mercia, Fairy, Virgil, Maxwell, Avon, Esam and Philemon.

She must have crossed the fourth generational link, for her progeny spawned remarkable tentacles. Salomie was deep into farming, and the family ensured their progress over the years. She was the ultimate Peanut vendor, and her early business acumen spilled over into her children.

While her husband attended the Methodist Church, Salomie was a Spiritual Baptist. Her Yard was the venue of many a “praise”, mounted by her denomination. It was perhaps for that reason why her House became the defaced ‘Community centre’ for many of the youngsters growing up.

Salomie was more than the average cricketer. She was a leading figure in the organisation of the women’s activity. Teams from Trinidad, especially Gaspirillo, made regular trips to Troumaca, and cricket was the main item on the agenda.

The village lived to respect Salomie, and her views were taken seriously, for there was a sternness about her, and she never compromised any aspects of dignity.

Her hundredth birthday party was greeted with jubilation. It was clear then that she was not too embroiled in that landmark. Her input had been in real life accumulation, and the years spoke for themselves.

It is perhaps symbolic that she chose April 23, to make the move. That was after the Easter Monday observances, and in her traditional fashion, Salomie wanted to be part of the resurrection, She was no doubting Thomas, and needed not to be convinced of anything. Her life had revealed her value. The impact she has left on many who interacted with her has been profound.

I cultivated a healthy respect for her. Not just because I was one of those who had open access to her bases. Her children and I shared many critical moments, and the grounds on which she thrived, are still attractive alternatives anytime for me.

Her lessons are of real life value. Her death preceded that of another national stalwart. John Horne will be remembered as a long serving Education Minister among other portfolios. But it was affinity to a basketball that vibrates in me.

His dedication to that sport shaped his outlook in life. He realised the benefits of exercise, and proceeded to ensure that as many persons were engaged as possible. He stuck to whatever assignment had value to him, and his commitment was to the development of mankind.

There is a shift in the dynamics of sports. At one time, Sports was seen as a fringe exercise, and those who engaged in such frolics did so at their expense. It is accepted that sport is as big an industry as any.

Persons like Salomie and John Horne must have recognised that long ago. Their records, as diverse and apart as can be, are linked in their departure.

But the impact has been made.

Pierre destroys North Windward ROMANO PIERRE was devastating!

Opening for FLOW Radcliffe in one of last weekend’s Premier Division 50 Overs Cricket Competition matches, the young man belted 15 sixes and two fours in compiling an innings of 131, and propelled his team to a commanding 240-run victory over E&R Robertson Construction North Windward.

Flow Radcliffe posted 307 from 45.1 overs. Pierre was ably supported by Gidron Pope, 54, and Richi Richards 36. Kurtbert Springer was the pick of the North Windward bowlers with figures of 4 for 58.

North Windward in reply were bundled out for 67 in 16 overs. Off spinner Othneil Lewis, 3 for 40, fast bowlers Delorn Johnson and Obed McCoy, 3 for 7 and 3 for 5 respectively, did the damage for Radcliffe.

Smashers into First Division semis

the back foot, as they lost wickets regularly.

Romania Tilron Venando Primus put Pierre Harry dowe his ten overs in blasted 131 continues which he captured five for Flow to impress Smashers wickets for 59 Radcliffe. with the runs, but his fellow bat. bowlers could not force victory and Smashers held out for 138 for eight in 29.5 overs to claim victory by two wickets, with Kirton Lewis topscoring with 34.

The three already declared semi-finalists now await the outcome of the last quarter finals between Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors and Police One.

One win, one loss in T20 Two matches were scheduled to be played last Saturday, April 28, at the Arnos Vale Two, in the 2019 NLA Neil Williams T20 Competition.

Both matches involved Strike Eagles and they came away with conflicting results.

In the first, set to commence at 10am, Strike Eagles had easy passage when they were awarded victory by default, their opponents, Star Garage Ltd, failing to turn up at the commencement time.

In the second, which bowled off at 2pm, Strike Eagles lost to French Verandah SVG Community College by 6 wickets.

Strike Eagles took first knock and managed 121 for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Ahmed Baptiste top scored with 32.

The Community College, led by top junior batsman Tilron Harry with 40, closed at 125 for 4 in 14.4. overs.

Matches in the competitions organised under the auspices of the SVG Cricket Association Inc., will continue this weekend.

One more semi-finalist was decided last Sunday in the NLA First Division 50 Overs Cricket Championship.

Smashers joined Keagan Bequia X1 and Jules Anthony Northern Stars in the semi-finals, when they disposed of Edward Conliffe Coreas Distribution Ltd Belfongo by 2 wickets, in a match played at Sion Hill.

The match was, for all intents and purposes, a low scoring one, and it should come as no surprise, therefore, that it threw up two five-wicket hauls.

Batting first, Belfongo found the going tough against Smashers’ opening bowler Kesworth Lewis, who made victims of five of their batsmen for 37 runs, in eight overs.

Travis Cumberbatch, batting at number 10, topped the batting for Belfongo, who could manage only 132 all out in 24.2 overs.

Smashers sensed victory after their commendable bowling performance, but were themselves put on I.B.A.ALLEN

One title decided in Netball Club Tournament SION HILL JUNIOR Netball Team was the first unit to claim a title in the 2019 FLOW National Club Netball Tournament.

In fact, they had an added distinction last Friday afternoon at the Kingstown Netball Court, when they beat Bethel High School, 40-8, to stay unblemished in the League Competition of the Sonya Lewis Division Four.

It was also the second year on the trot that the Sion Hill Juniors played unbeaten in this Division.

Before last Friday’s encounter,

Right: Sion Hill Junior Netball Team.

Sion Hill had won their three previous matches.

First up they had to stave off a competitive Maple Five, but won 18-16.

Sion Hill then humbled the Bishop’s College Kingstown 41-4 and had a 34-6 win over JDS Success Radio Netters.

Last year, Sion Hill Junior Netball Team won all their matches in the League Competition and did the same in the Knock -Out Competition, to be crowned double champions.

Still to be decided are titles in the Gloria Ballantyne Division One, the Marlene Arthur Division Two and the Joyce Frank Division Three.

The Sion Hill Junior Netball Team and the Bethel High School in action last Friday at the Kingstown Netball Centre.

V Johnson achieves a first 30. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

RAMON JOHNSON is the first Vincentian to achieve a Level I FIBA Referee Certificate.

He was so accredited after successfully completing an intensive final session between April 25 — 28, in Panama.

In a lead-up to the certification in Panama, the course involved intense face to face online workshops and ongoing tests, 6 — 8 weeks of strictly online testing, and a 12-month period of practical sessions under a national instructor.

This was only the second such Course offered by FIBA, and in addition to this country, other Caribbean participants represented Barbados, The Bahamas, Suriname, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.

Johnson, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Sports after pursuing same under a

basketball scholarship in Cuba from 2009 — 2015, admitted that he was “excited, overjoyed,” having attained this level of certification, making him the first Vincentian to ahold that level of qualification.

“It was a very proud moment representing my country … that will always be an honour,” Johnson told THE VINCENTIAN, adding that it was quite something in Panama, “having to put St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the map, since many of the other participants did not know where SVG is located.”

Now, his intention is to do all he can to impact positively on the development of referees here, so that the standard of officiating can improve.

His course of study, he said, has prepared him to train other officials and match commissioners. “It is now my

obligation to see that we can execute this side (refereeing) of the sport in a professional and internationally acceptable manner,” he explained.

Johnson also has his eyes trained on encouraging “new” persons to become officials.

He spoke of beginning screening and interfacing with officials at the Community College which, he said, “is an ideal place to start the development process… and I am also looking forward to host the first clinic soon.”

He is confident that he being the first Vincentian to qualify as a FIBA Level 1 referee will impact positively on the current batch of referees here.

With their support and that of the new recruits, Johnson is hopeful that, as is now accepted and practicsed worldwide, that three officials can be used on the court here,

at any one time.

Johnson also finds time to coach young basketballers, and has served as the coach of both the boys and girls’ teams to the 2017 Windward Islands School Games.

He is also an executive member of the Arnos Vale Basketball Club.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Johnson on his achievement and wishes him all the best in his efforts to ensure that the sport of Basketball here is played and officiated at the highest possible level.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Ramon Johnson is the first Vincentian to be accredited a Level 1 Referee by FIBA.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2019. 31.

Classifieds

JOEL YEARWOOD

ALTON ADOLPHUS RYAN

Calder S.D.A Church Sunday, 28th April, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Choppins Fundamental Baptist Church Sunday, April 28th, 2019 Service: 2:00 p.m.

MICHAEL CODOUGAN Seventh Day Adventist Church Stubbs Sunday, 28th April, 2019 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

LISA INDIRA LEWIS Mt. Coke Methodist Church Stubbs Saturday, 27th April, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

ELFREDA YVONNE REGISFORD 6W 0DWWKHZ¶V Anglican Church, Biabou Saturday, 27th April, 2019 Viewing: 2.00 p.m.

Service: 3.00 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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NO LETTING UP ON RECKLESS DRIVERS THE DRIVER of that mini bus who thought he could get away with driving against the designated flow of traffic around the Arnos Vale Roundabout, has been charged for reckless driving and has had his driver’s licence suspended pending the outcome of the charge.

That driver was among six (6) drivers charged for dangerous driving over the past week, according to a release of Monday 29th April, by the Traffic Department of the Royal SVG Police Force.

The six included four (4) minibus operators, one (1) taxi driver and the driver of a privately-owned motor vehicle. Two of the minibus operators were also charged for using an

uninsured motor vehicle, the release said.

The taxi driver was charged after he was seen to be driving recklessly behind an ambulance on call. He appeared in Court and pleaded guilty and was fined $2,500.

Another of the minibus operators charged, has had his driver’s licence suspended. His vehicle was involved in an accident on the Mandela (Leeward) Highway.

The Traffic Department, even as it intensifies its effort to curtail reckless driving and keep our roads safe, is urging the general public to continue to abide with the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Regulations.

Accident victim appeals for help Two charged for

The driver of this minibus had his driver’s licence suspended.

A FAMILY here is appealing to the public for assistance towards facilitating a surgery for one of their loved ones.

Carlos Trotman, who suffered major injuries in a vehicle mishap on Friday 22nd March this year, is currently lying flat on his back in the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, unable to move or be moved.

He has serious spinal injuries, rectification of which is not possible here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

His family says that they are in need of some US$15,000 as a downpayment towards surgery, overseas.

In addition, the family is finding it all but impossible to afford to have Carlos transferred to a private institution here. They understand

assault of young man

that he cannot forever Carlos Trotman – accident victim on his hospital bed be a bed-ridden patient at the hospital. (Photo source: News 784) Readers will recall precipice. that Carlos was on his While THE way to work when, in an VINCENTIAN has not effort to avoid an been provided with oncoming vehicle which details about how seemed to have been persons can make heading for him, he contributions to this swerved his vehicle but cause, we encourage was unable to regain interested parties to control and instead the contact the proprietor of vehicle went off the road the NEWS 784 online and over the aligning service.

POLICE HERE moved swiftly to take action following what appeared on a posting on Social Media, to be open, physical abuse of a young man as he walked along a public Road in South Rivers, during the mid-morning hours of April 21, Easter Sunday.

A release from the Public Relations and Complaints Department of the Royal SVG Police Force indicated that they had arrested and jointly charged Kadir Nedd, 25-year-old School Teacher of South Rivers, and Ezra Cruickshank, 35-year-old Entertainer of South Rivers, with the assault of a 17-year-old unemployed man of Edinboro.

The police, from their viewing of the posting and information from residents, said in the release, that the accused men allegedly slapped the complainant about his face, and hit him in his head with their hands.

The young man at the receiving end of the abuse was taken to safety by persons in a passing vehicle, who had slowed their vehicle to get a hint

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

A not-so-clear photo of the young man as he walked along a road in South Rivers. (Photo: Facebook) of what was happening.

This is the second such incident that was captured on video and posted on social media. A posting on December 2018 recorded a similar fate handed out to two young men in Calliaqua.

Even worse was the incident in November 2017, when a young man deemed to be gay, was stabbed in Kingstown.

The men were expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court to answer the charge.

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