TheVincentianNewspaper-01-04-2019

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FRIDAY,

JANUARY 04, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.01

www.thevincentian.com

POLICE OFFICERS TIRED!!

(PWA) Station Sergeant Brenton Smith, while MEMBERS of the Royal St. addressing the 2018 Vincent and the Annual Police and Grenadines Police Force Retirement Awards last (RSVGPF) are awaiting the Friday, noted that implementation of a officers were overworked document that will allow and stressed. for a rationalization of This diagnosis was working hours and made following a hopefully more leave. thorough assessment of Notwithstanding, the number of hours that Chairman of the Police officers worked and the Welfare Association amount of time officers

by DAYLE DA SILVA

EC$1.50

Station Sergeant Brenton Smith, Chairman of the Police Welfare Association spoke of the continued work of the Police Welfare Association on behalf of its hardworking and overworked members.

were allotted to recuperate.

“More and more (officers) are reporting sick due to fatigue,” St. Sgt Smith said, adding that there was a report which indicated that persons working in excess of 39 hours per week were more likely to develop serious ailments.

Continued on Page 3.

REPEATERS LEAD IN PRISON COUNT

by HAYDN HUGGINS SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS Brenton Charles views unacceptance by sections of society as a major contributing factor to the high level of repeaters at Correctional facilities here - the Belle Isle Correctional Facility and the male and female prison in Kingstown.

Charles’ comments Brenton Charles, Superintendent of Prisons repeated his appeal for society not to discriminate against those who have been released after serving time prison.

came during a telephone conversation with THE VINCENTIAN last week Thursday, and followed his report on the prison population statistics delivered at the closing ceremony of the High Court Criminal Assizes, December 17, 2018.

The report showed that 294 of the 472 inmates housed at the prisons, up to December 17, were repeaters, comprised of persons serving sentences, persons on remand and those awaiting trial. The figure represents 62.29

percent of the overall prison population.

The report revealed there were 178 first timers, representing only 37.71 percent of the overall population.

While Charles is of the view that the problem could be the result of a combination of factors, and is aware that some persons are bent on committing crime, he believes that many former inmates revert to criminal Continued on Page 3.

Twenty-two inmates are involved in a programme/project dubbed ‘Grow in time’, in which they learn to use Lavender grass to make mats, hats, bags, clothes baskets and coasters, among other items.

2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 3.

News 3 Police pleased with homicide solution rate

He added they also changed the way they did things generally in relation to THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT AND THE their crime fighting tactics, and GRENADINES Police Force (RSVGPF) is stressed the significant cooperation pleased with its rate of solving homicide and support received from the public. matters in 2018.

He pointed out that some of the Statistics revealed that 11 of the 34 apprehensions made during that homicides recorded for 2018 were period led to the breakthrough in other solved, with nine of them between investigations.

August and November.

John expressed the view that many At the end of 2017, 26 of the 40 of the homicides in 2018 were homicides recorded for that year senseless, in which persons did not remained unsolved. However, in exercise sufficient restraint, while addition to the 11 homicides cracked in some were related to domestic relation to 2018, the police were also disputes. He opined that many of able to solve a number of homicides those recorded in 2017 were the result recorded during previous years. of rival groups targeting each other for Commissioner of Police Colin John various reasons. attributed the several arrests made in In 2018, 21 of the recorded the latter part of 2018 to a homicides were gun-related, while combination of factors. He told THE firearms were used in 28 of those VINCENTIAN that during that period, recorded in 2017. the police had stepped up patrols in Forty homicides were also recorded certain areas and increased targeted in 2016. Twenty-eight of those were searches. also gun-related.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Police officers tired!!

Continued from Front Page.

“We have also found that we are the only country in the region where our men and women work 144 hours per week. This is 104 more hours beyond the Geneva Convention which clearly states that employees should work a maximum of 40 hours per week,” he continued.

In setting out to deal with the issue, Smith said that a document had been prepared for each station, with recommendations as to how many more officers were required in order that more leave could be granted.

He commended

Right: Commissioner of Police Colin John attributes whatever success was reaped in relation to solving homicides in 2018, to improved police tactics and support from the public.

The 2016 record represented a spike of 15 over the 2015 count of 25, of which 11 involved the use of guns.

The top cop said that in 2019, the police intend to review the previous years.

“We would look at what worked well for us and consolidate on that.

Those things that didn’t work too well, we would work towards improving on them, employ new strategies and encourage more police cooperation with the public”, John assured.

He thanked the public for their support, cooperation and tolerance; and urged them to continue supporting the police.

“Sometimes, we would not have responded as quickly as we thought we

should. We intend to improve on our response time for the new year,” he promised.

The Commissioner also thanked the men and women of the police force for their hard work and dedication to the job, and urged them to continue in that vein.

Repeaters lead in prison count

Continued from Front Page.

activity because they are refused employment because of their criminal records.

The Superintendent said prison authorities are Commissioner of Police Smith, since the opening of the asphalt plant in trying their best through rehabilitation programmes Colin John and the rest of the AIA in February December. which include teaching inmates various skills, and of the RSVGPF for 2017, officers attached to “We must never take insisted that society also has to play its part. accepting the document, the Rescue and our health for granted and for the formation of Firefighting Services and be only concerned A consistent voice on behalf of inmates being a committee headed by there complained about about promotion;, that is, given a chance so as to earn an honest living, Assistant Commissioner the odour coming from that if you speak out Charles reiterated his call, saying, “We are again of Police (ACP) the asphalt plant located about your health, you appealing to society not to shun them, even if they Christopher Benjamin to in close proximity to the will not be promoted. come with a record showing that they went to assess the situation. unit.

Because what you would prison. I think they should be given a chance to earn “We are now awaiting “The odour was so find is that you would an honest living.” the implementation of strong, that even if you spend more than the But Charles is also appealing to former inmates this proposal,” St Sgt drank the water, it was extra $200 that you get who get that opportunity, not to breach the trust of Smith said. as if you were drinking to pay medical bills,” society and the public, because in doing so, they As he discussed the the asphalt itself,” St Sgt The PWA Chairman would not only be closing the door on themselves accomplishments of the Smith explained. promised to continue to but also on those who are seeking similar new PWA executive, He told THE work on behalf of its opportunities.

Smith further stated that VINCENTIAN that a members in the coming When asked about the problem regarding the the issue as it related to meeting was convened year, citing that among housing of young prisoners among more seasoned the officers attached to involving members of the the issues to be resolved inmates, Charles assured that the prison authorities the Rescue and PWA, COP John and were pension reform, a have been working to address this by having Firefighting Services at Minister of Transport ten percent increase for inmates categorized and housed appropriately. the Argyle International and Works Senator 2018 and 2019, and “We have not been as successful as we would like Airport and the asphalt Julian Francis, and the better working conditions to in every case, but we are trying the best we can plant, had been resolved. issue was eventually at all stations and to have them separated as far as possible,” the According to St Sgt resolved with the closing departments.

Superintendent said.

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4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Queen’s Honours List for 2019 Girlyn Miguel — former Minister of Education has been awarded the CMG for services to politics, education, community and to women’s empowerment.

Corsel Cassandra Robertson awarded an O.B.E. for services to civil aviation.

SEVEN Vincentians have been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for 2019.

They are: Dr Arthur Cecil Cyrus O.B.E., C.M.G., who has been awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Dr Arthur Cecil Order of Saint Cyrus O.B.E., Michael and C.M.G Saint George

Girlyn Miguel, former Minister of Education.

(KCMG) for services to medicine and to health services.

Sherron Jocynthia MorganPeters

Molly Aliena Baptiste

Derry Travis Williams —

Corsel Cassandra Robertson

an O.B.E for services to banking and to the financial sector.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Balcombe has been awarded an MBE for services to agriculture.

Molly Aliena Baptiste, has been awarded the MBE for services to industry and to commerce.

Sherron Jocynthia Morgan-Peters has been awarded an MBE for services to education and to community work.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Balcombe Left: Derry Travis Williams

Duncan and Jordan – top cops of 2018 CORPORAL 377 Angello Duncan of the IT Department, and WPC 599 Romancia Jordon of the recently established Sexual Offences Unit, were named top Policeman and Woman of the Year 2018.

The honours were bestowed last Friday as the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) held its Annual Police Awards and Retirement Ceremony at the Russell’s Auditorium, Kingstown.

The top honorees Corporal Duncan, IT Specialist and Forensics Expert, was commended in the Serious Offences Court back in October 2016 for work in cracking a case.

Duncan, then a Constable for 16 years, was able to produce evidence which led to the conviction of Deshawn Slater and Leron Barrow, who were both charged for possession of a .38 revolver and five rounds of .38 ammunition.

Slater was sentenced to four and a half years, and Barrow three, after Duncan gave evidence from photos retrieved from Slater and Barrow’s mobile phones.

He was attached to the Social Services Unit before his transfer to the IT Department.

Jordon joined the police force in December 2015 and was assigned to the Kingstown Port before being transferred to the Georgetown Police Station in 2017.

That same year, she completed a diploma in Forensic Science, and during her stint at

Top 2018 Women Police Romancia Jordon with (from left): CoP Colin John, ASP Hesron Ballantyne, who collected on behalf of Top Policeman Angello Duncan, and Minister of National Mobilisation Frederick Stephenson.

Georgetown, completed a two-week training course in sexual offences.

She has since been exposed to a number of training exercises in areas that include domestic violence, antitrafficking in persons, investigating organized crime and gang related homicides.

Jordon was transferred for a brief stint at the Colonaire Police Station and is now attached to the Sexual Offences Unit based at the Questelles Police Station.

She also copped the award for Most Outstanding Officer award for Colonaire and the overall Eastern Division.

“I am most appreciative that my hard work had been recognized. I always believe one should not say what they can do, but one should demonstrate so that your actions can be seen. Hard work always brings success, and that is my belief,” she told THE

VINCENTIAN. “These awards are a motivating factor for me to do my best and continue to work hard,” W.P.C Jordon added.

Other awards A number of other awards were distributed on the night, including the Top Sportsman and Woman which went to PC 178 Kenneth Dember and WPC 353 Damuris Dopwell-Browne respectively.

Other awards were given out to outstanding officers representing various branches and services, including: the Police Garage - Cpl 419 Rawle Pope; AIA Outpost - PC 247 Dexroy Baptiste; Narcotics Section - PC 282 Patrick Garraway.

Outstanding officers from each district throughout the mainland and the Grenadines were also rewarded.

Officers who retired during the year were also recognized. (DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 5.

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 Quit smoking for the New Year AN ARDENT SUPPORTER of THE VINCENTIAN suggested to the editor, a long and close associate of his, that he should do a piece on smoking, moreso on ‘how to quit smoking’.

To understand why such a suggestion would have been made, there has got to be something of a personal testimony on the part of the editor.

Yes, the editor of THE VINCENTIAN smoked for the better part of 45 years. There were periods when the quantity consumed in any one day got as high as two to three packs (twenty cigarettes per pack) a day.

As the years rolled on, the consumption rate decreased but as another friend opined, that was merely window-dressing since the vice remained.

Now, this is not a treatise on how the editor’s smoking affected his family, others, and of course his health. Those effects are no different from what is documented, and most people can recite them as easily as they do ‘Mary had a little lamb’.

Rather, this has to do more with suggesting ways to quit.

Quitting smoking can be approached in two ways: ‘cold turkey’ (stopping on your own volition), and externally induced methods, i.e. the use of ‘quit aids’.

The latter includes the use of the ‘nicotine patch, nicotine inhaler, nicotine gum, and doctor prescribed medication like Chantix.

The ‘cold turkey’ approach, employed by the editor, is the term used to describe quitting smoking without the help of quit aids of any sort. The advantage of this method is that the majority of nicotine is released from a person’s body within a few days. The discomforts can be intense, but physical withdrawal is short.

A lot of people are able to stop smoking successfully by going ‘cold turkey’, but if this sounds too extreme for your liking, quit aids are a good option.

Here are a few things learned from the experience of having been on both sides of the fence: It’s never too late to quit. While it’s best to quit smoking as early as possible, quitting smoking at any age will enhance the length and quality of your life.

You’ll also save money and avoid the hassle of the complaint of ‘second hand smoke’.

There is no contesting the fact that more than half of all smokers who have tried to quit smoking, have failed and are discouraged by those failures. Rather than being blind-sided by those failures, it is worth any real desire to quit, that those experiences be considered as steps along the road to success. It is a case of figuring out what helped during those (failed) efforts and what you can do differently.

And just as in other undertakings in life, you don’t have to quit alone, i.e. removed from family, friends and co-workers.

The experience shows that the first seven to ten days of a quit attempt are the toughest. That is why it is important to tell family, friends and co-workers that you are trying to quit, and enlist their support to help ease the process. Friends who also smoke may even join you in trying to quit.

There is no harm also in talking to a doctor about smoking medications. Talking to a doctor might just double your chances of quitting successfully.

The prevailing view is that every smoker can quit. It is just a matter of finding the right approach or combination of techniques, and then, above all, keep trying.

There are going to be slip-ups along the way, for the devil is always on the lookout with his withdrawal syndrome that includes irritability, overeating/snacking and difficulty sleeping.

Slip-ups like having a puff or smoking one or two cigarettes, are common, but don’t mean that a quitter has failed. The important thing is to keep trying to quit.

Maybe there are some smokers out there who will resolve to ‘do the right thing’ for the NEW YEAR.

Calling for a just system of awards First published about 7 years ago FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, the favouritism which we operate cannot be dignified by the term “system”, - the ad hoc honouring by the U.L.P of its own, cries shame on this land.

After the universal choice of Chatoyer as National Hero, there was a barefaced attempt to so honour the memory of Milton Cato, which wilted in the white heat of objective truth.

Then two knights were created on the basis of their proximity to the leader —Sir Vincent and Sir Louis - who today dance attendance and daily massage the egoism of their creator. Party tribalism has been taken to its zenith in S.V.G, to a point of no return.

No sooner had the U.L.P attained , than that there was a so-called State Funeral for a fallen comrade, Michael Hamlet who simply was undeserving of it.

Then the twice-yearly awards, meaningless in themselves, were rendered moreso by the quality of the choices generally. One awardee was made Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (long since vanished) in a vain attempt to cover up his brush with the law.

Names are supplied to the school and resource centres which regale the Education Revolution.

Again, Sir Louis was quick off the block with the “Sir Louis Straker Centre” in Layou. He turned his back on suggestions that the honour should have gone either to Verna Douglas or Stanley Morris (Ssnr).

It is to be noted that, not only have these shows been hogged by Labourites, but a selection of them whose families go far back in the party or whose offspring are politically ambitious and driven by self promotion.

If it were only the U.L.P label that counts, Leroy Mulraine and Festus Toney, who have worked tirelessly and selflessly for this community in varied walks of life, especially in education, would long have been honoured. But they are taken for granted as, the saying goes; they have no labour advocate to plead their case.

On the other hand, when Dacon was honoured, I blew foul. There were more deserving fellows even among his kith and kin: Esau Ballah, Hubert Daisley, and Chester Rogers who was “this columnist’s “. Even Eardley Browne (Mike’s father) would rank higher than Dacon.

Dacon had been a short-lived Principal of Bishops, Speaker of the House, winner of two elections in South Windward, Minister of Education for two terms, and a lawyer to boot.

But what did Dacon accomplish in his several positions: promotion by age; presiding over the tear gasing and punitive transfers and general abuse of teachers; a ring —leader who worked for “the dread bills”. Above all, in 1984, Dacon stood up against those who would “throw Graffi and Arthur to the wolves,” after both men had been found guilty in courts, and Cato wanted their head. Dacon’s pigheadedness won out in the Labour ranks, but it caused the defeat of Labour in the country, 1984.

The Doris Mc. Kie’s case could be similarly compared. In Mrs. Mc Kie’s time at Wesley Hall, there was Viola John, a graduate of G.H.S, and Yvonne Francis Gibson.

Viola went on to be Principal of several schools in and out of the constituency of West St George.

Later on, she transferred to the higher reaches of the public service, thence to manage G.E.C.C.U. which she put on firm foundation. Through it all, Viola bore the Labour flag aloft, but never pursued a policy of patronage and victimization.

In the N.D.P.’s time, her politics notwithstanding, she was offered nomination for the M.B.E., which she declined, but accepted the J.P. which she still is. For whatever reason, her name did not come up in regard to the “Bum Bum” Resource Centre!

For her part, Yvonne Francis bore these credentials: principal of several schools, including Belair; president of the Teachers Union; head of the Women’s Desk; Minister of Education; a pillar of Methodism; and a Justice of Peace from which the U.L.P. “disappointed” her when they took power in 2001.

Strange, Viola and Yvonne share a common humanity. They “mothered” many a wandering child not their own.

Hugh Wyllie, the real guru in the “Education Revolution,” has hinted that he wants a change of heart. So of the six centres soon to be built, he has earmarked the one in Petit Bordel for Alphonso Dennie, an old N.D.P. firebrand. We shall watch developments with interest.

After all, in N.D.P’s time, Son Mitchell had had the graciousness to acknowledge the contribution of “enemies”. So there have been the Sam Slater North Leaward Highway; the Ivy Joshua North Windward Highway; the Levi Latham Health Centre in Mesopotamia; the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Bequia; the E.T. Joshua airport at Arnos Vale; and the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital to which Dr. Gonsalves only added a legal gloss.

This article is not intended to shortchange the claims of Doris Mc Kie who had held my hands in the infant Wesley Hall School before the close of the Second World War 1945! I am forced diplomatically to conclude, as Marlon Brute wrote of another situation in another place: I will endorse the choice, but given the opportunity, I would have chosen differently, in the first place.

Addendum: In 2019, we happily greet the long-delayed conferment of Cecil Cyrus, SVG’s latest knight, a position that is thoroughly deserved! Perhaps his cousin Becket Cyrus should be equally honoured following the example of the Mother Country England which has recently knighted Vibert Cornwell, brother of the Professor!

We will round off with the recommendation that Yvonne Francis-Gibson be crowned the fourth or fifth national hero whenever that grand elusive ceremony occurs.

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6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Letters

Art N’ Action’s exhibition What a difference!

THE ARTISTS’ group, Art N’ Action recently mounted an exhibition at the Reference Room in the National Public Library. The exhibition closed at the end of December.

I enjoyed the portraits of people, the abstracts, the sea-thread pieces (some with animal, mammalian subjects), all very good in their own way. And I cannot forget the African themed female portraiture and the kiss in one piece.

I am the average art patron, who knows the greats, and can spot talent, in personal interest — where it applies.

The work of Christine Browne gave me a jolt!

Here is a literal abstractionist composing images like ‘The Architect’

(hope you got that right), where the buildings collide under the brush, like a foliage collection in nature, a telling comment on imposition of man on art itself.

Another piece ‘Mountain view’ is a stunning tribute to impressionism, mon et, Cezanne in stunning collage of primary colours with beautiful underscored strokes of indefinites.

Ms. Browne’s corner at the exhibition is organized, titled, priced and riveting. That comes from her parents Ann and Ron — seasoned artistes in music.

Robert Joyette exhibits one piece only, another abstract, dripping with sensuality, shape, solid

colour with a main guitarlike (female) frame.

Standard ‘original’, but I have seen similar structure in previous work.

You out there with the businesses budding and bare walls, these paintings are bargains for patriotic posterity; it’s not all about copies of Michael Angelos.

Sad to say, Art N’ Actions president Kingsley Roberts is calling this trip his last exhibit, frustrated as he said, by the groups and certain artists’ lethargy in organizational tasks and discipline outside of the creation of art, not to mention lack of interest by patrons.

But then, Kingsley, artists in SVG are very

Some thoughts for the New Year

It is sad, but today it seems, especially because of television, that we want everything we see on it and what others have.

YOU WOULD allow me, Mr. Editor, just It is wise also to get itched in your a little space to share some things with brains that money does not fall from the my people, especially as we enter sky. Money is earned through being another year. well brought up, educated and many I am well into my 70s, have worked years of hard, honest work. hard for what little I have been able to Going into the New Year, we must retire with, and as I look back on my stop making excuses and blaming others days, there are some lessons that I for what we don’t have that we think we learned and which I think can still stand should. People must get up, get out and today. get an honest job so they can contribute My parents, like so many in my to their own livelihood and to the youth, taught us to listen, to work hard nation. at school so as to be able to get a good Like others, I do not think job.

Vincentians are lazy people. We are They also taught us that watching resilient and hard-working. It is only a what others have is never going to get few with warped minds that encourage us the same. We must understand, they otherwise. said, that there will always be people better off than we.

Retiree, Arnos Vale

The gospel was about government DO YOU KNOW Yeshua’s (Jesus) gospel message was about government?

Let the Bible speak in Isaiah 9:6: “…..a child is born, …….a son is given,” and in Jer. 3:6L: “…and the government will be upon His shoulder”.

This child/son was to become the global ruler.

Daniel 7:14: “Then to Him was given dominion and glory, and a kingdom.

That all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, ……which shall not be destroyed.”

Before this child was born, the angel Gabriel gave Mary this same governmental message: “And behold, you will be

conceived in your womb, and bring forth a son…..

He will be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end”. Luke 1:31-33.

This child, who was born in Palestine where dark-skinned people lived, had this to say, in Luke 22:25-26, 28-30 about leadership in his government, of the world leaders and their dictatorship over the people and their servantlike styling of leadership in his kingdom/government :

“….you are those who have continued with me in my trials. And I bestowed upon you a kingdom, just as my father bestowed upon me, that you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

True believers are those John mentioned in Revelation 5:9-10: “…and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God. And we shall reign on earth”.

These are just a few verses which teach us that Jesus’ gospel is a message pertaining to real government on earth.

Christian Democrat

unlucky. No sales tag yet, and who knows, the names Christine Browne, Robert Joyette, Peter Providence, etc. might emerge in a similar way to how we know ‘HYPA 4000” and ‘Problem Child’.

It speaks to our taste (or talk of it) in the arts, where the household name applies.

Literal abstractionism.

I think of Almo, Debussy, and Tchairovsky. No Fireman Hooper for me.

Frankie maybe!

Mr. Editor, I couldn’t help but compare events in two CARICOM member countries to what transpired in St. Vincent. I speak of recent NO CONFIDNECE motions that were tabled in the Parliaments of Guyana and St. Kitts/Nevis.

In neither country was there any effort to stop the motion and, in fact, from what I gathered from news reports, the motions were debated vociferously in each of the parliaments concerned.

In the case of St. Kitts/Nevis, with the Parliament majority in favour of the government, the vote on the motion was a foregone conclusion. In the case of Guyana with the government’s one-man majority , it was interesting that the debate went ahead, significantly unlike the situation here in SVG where the parliamentary seats are distributed in a similar one-seat majority.

As it turned out, the government side in Guyana lost the vote when one of its members voted in favour of the NO CONFIDENCE motion.

We must recognise President David Granger of Guyana and A Partnership for National Unity — APNU - for doing the correct thing by allowing the vote. He and the APNU were not afraid to put themselves and their record to the test. This, sadly, is not the same here, where Dr. Gonslaves and the ULP took the line of cowardice by not being ‘brave’ enough to put their record to a test.

Woe to those who allowed what should have been a decision made in the interest of the country and people, to descend to a partisan position, in favour of the ruling party.

It’s funny that in a country (Guyana) where party paramountcy once ruled the day, that this has given way to upholding fair play and openness in its politics, while we in SVG seem to have retrogressed to a politics of paramount leader and party.

‘Observer at an exhibit’

Mark Matthews, NY

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04 , 2019. 7.

Views

Courageous ULP

Introduction THERE IS ONE THING you can say about the ULP administration, and that is, the party is not afraid to attempt to cross the virtual “development chasm”, and to take huge, bold steps in doing so. The NDP, in its seventeen years in office, never displayed any inclination to attempt to cross the development chasm, limiting itself to some small projects here and there. Indeed, perhaps the largest project attempted by the NDP in its seventeen years in office, was the construction of the J.F Mitchell airport in Bequia, a project lacking in scope and purpose, and no significant contribution to the country’s GDP. Not so the ULP. Many of the critical projects implemented by the ULP showed deep thinking and consultation, and a focus on development. The ULP, under the leadership of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, was never afraid to tackle the hard issues, and the evidence is there to show.

No political party in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has provided the impetus for socioeconomic development, in the manner that the ULP has done. In the circumstances, observers have been moved to call the leadership of the ULP, bold and pragmatic. Perhaps the time has come to take a brief look at some of these projects and programmes which have defined the ULP, and its bold approach to the socio-economic development of the country.

have it constructed. Now, the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines travel back and forth, between North Windward, and the rest of the country, with relative ease.

There are two more initiatives. The re-classification exercise for the civil service, is an exercise that many Caribbean governments are afraid to carry out. The ULP completed this exercise with little or no fuss. Then there was the constitutional reform process, which the NDP supported, and then had a change of heart. In , the NDP fought against the referendum, tooth and nail, and so the 2009 constitution failed. Now, Vincentians are regretting that whole scenario in a number of ways.

Other Projects

There are two other bold strategies which we must mention, and one was implemented in the early days of the ULP administration. This was the one hundred percent mortgage programme which was implemented by the then National Commercial Bank. At that time, the opposition New Democratic Party said that the ULP wanted to bankrupt the NCB, and that the programme would fail, because the public servants would default on the loans.

As the NDP found out to their detriment, the programme was The Bold Projects extremely successful, to the point that other financial institutions in the Perhaps the project which is the State, including credit unions, decided hallmark of the bold, aggressive to follow the example of the National approach of the ULP administration, is the construction of the international Commercial Bank. The public airport at Argyle. Politicians from the servants duly repaid their mortgages, justifying the confidence that the ULP 1970s to the 1990s era, have been talking about an international airport had placed in them.

All these strategies and projects for SVG; but no one had the boldness show that the ULP is a bold and to undertake such a project. In fact, pragmatic party. So that when Prime some persons described Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Minister Ralph Gonsalves as being announced that the government was “crazy”, and even recommended that going to pursue a policy leading to the he should be referred to a psychiatrist. Well, the rest is history. development of a medicinal cannabis industry, everyone knew that this was The airport was completed and is another of the bold and courageous operational with astounding success. initiatives of the ULP. Then there is the education revolution. When the ULP proposed Conclusion the policy of universal access for secondary education in 2005, the NDP The ULP has demonstrated over said that this could only be the last seventeen years, that accomplished by 2025, twenty years strategic thinking and actions are its down the road. Not so, the ULP. A hallmarks. Major leaps are required series of bold initiatives were within a a small resource-challenged implemented, and our eleven-year-old economy and society like St. Vincent children were heading to secondary and the Grenadines, for the schools to continue their education. actualization of genuine, sustainable Under the NDP, only thirty-four development. Timidity, learned percent of them got an opportunity to helplessness, pessimism, and a lack of go to a secondary school. faith in our people, as demonstrated We come now to the bridge over the by the opposition NDP, lead to Rabacca river. For years, the people hopelessness and non-achievement. above the dry river, the residents of The ULP offers boldness, courage, Sandy Bay, Owia, Fancy, Point, optimism, faith, hope, love and the Orange Hill and Overland, lived in grace of right reason, which will lead fear of the dry river. Many stories to progress and a better life for all have been told about persons who Vincentians. were washed away while trying to We wish you a Merry Christmas cross this river. The ULP designed a and a bright and prosperous New bridge, and then sought the funding to Year!

Reflecting on 2018 THERE CURRENTLY exists in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines a crisis in governance. This is due in part to the unsettled and unresolved state of affairs related to the results of the general elections that were held on December 9, 2015 and various troubling events which have come about as a consequence of the mal-administration by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, that have destabilized constitutional government and democratic processes in the country, coupled with pervasive incidence of evident socio-economic decay, with the off-shoots of joblessness and prevalent serious crime among our youth.

The following is an excerpt of Dr. Friday’s Press Statement in February of 2018; as he dealt with the issues: The legitimacy of the single seat majority ULP Government is in doubt, due to the widespread electoral irregularities and even fraud, perpetrated on and before Election Day, which have invalidated the results that gave eight seats out of fifteen to the ULP in the elections held on December 9, 2015. And this state of affairs is being exposed and highlighted in the two election petitions in which candidates of the New Democratic Party (NDP) have challenged this result, and which for over two years have been moving at a snail’s pace before the Courts, and in the course of which photographs of the ballot papers used in the elections have been put into evidence, showing that the ballot papers were not designed in compliance with the electoral laws, and the top election officials having made sworn statements admitting that they counted hundreds of illegal ballots in one constituency. And furthermore, the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has in an appeal brought by the NDP petitioners, handed down its judgment, in which it found the judge before whom the petitions were heard initially, was biased in favour of the respondents (i.e. ULP candidates and Government officials) when he struck out the petitions. The Court of Appeal ordered that they be reinstated and be heard before a different judge.

Anticipating that fresh elections must be called, and having previously announced that he would not lead the ULP into another election, PM Gonsalves in a desperate attempt to create a political dynasty, installed his son Mr. Camillo Gonsalves, as Minister of Finance, in preparing him to succeed as Prime Minister despite severe public opposition. Moreover, widespread domestic, regional and international condemnation and uproar have been waging over recent weeks, as a result of what has been described as a most cynical, manipulative and unethical action by the State, wherein a 23-year-old female model of a socially underprivileged background, who allegedly had a sexual affair with the Minister of Finance for over three years, was charged with using abusive language to the Minister’s wife and, upon the insistence of the prosecution, was detained by a Magistrate in a Psychiatric facility for three weeks, ostensibly for evaluation.

Also, our economic situation is dire.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the recent report on the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, paints a bleak picture that confirms the hardship and pain Vincentians have been enduring for the past several years. The IMF stated that economic growth averaged 0.2 percent over 2009-2016, was expected to remain “relatively flat in

2017” and was expected to grow by a mere 2.1 in 2018. The overall unemployment rate at 25 percent is higher now than it was in 2001, when it was 20.9 percent. More alarming is the finding that the rate of youth unemployment is a staggering 46 percent. Repayment of our external debts increased as commercial loans came due in 2017 (i.e. EC$128million in 2017 up from EC$55million in 2016). Our tourism sector continues to languish, and hope is being extinguished among farmers by inept policies and callous governmental neglect.

Most importantly, there has been an outpouring of public reaction against the unconstitutional ruling which was made by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, urged on by the undemocratic obstruction by the Prime Minister and other ULP Government members, to frustrate and undermine debate on a Motion of No Confidence in the ULP Government, which was tabled by the seven Opposition representatives in the House of Assembly.

During the intense exchanges that took place in the House of Assembly on Wednesday January 31, 2018, this outrageous statement was made: “Mr. Speaker, with great respect,….I have already said that the opposition can bring a motion of no confidence only if the government acquiesces or agrees.”

“Unless you have this initial step, which has to be overcome, you are going to have chaos in the Parliament….”

These assertions were made by Prime Minister Gonsalves in addressing the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Jomo Thomas. The Prime Minister was stridently resisting the Speaker’s indication that debate should proceed on the Motion of no Confidence in his Government that was signed by the seven elected Representatives of the Opposition (out of the total of fifteen Representatives in the House). It was the first such Motion of No Confidence to be proposed over the past seventeen years that the NDP has been the Parliamentary Opposition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Speaker of the House, in disagreeing with this absurd contention by the Prime Minister, referred in Hansard (the official records of the House of Assembly), to occasions when the ULP was in the Opposition between 1994 and 2001; (during which time the PM was Leader of the Opposition for the latter two years,) where several motions of no confidence in the NDP government were presented to the House; all of which were debated, including one that went to debate at a time when there were only three elected opposition lawmakers. PM Gonsalves retorted that he was then able to secure a debate, only because the Government acquiesced.

The outcome of his relentless resistance, which ensued over a period of three hours, was that the Prime Minister successfully bludgeoned the Speaker into making a ruling, that thwarted the Opposition’s motion of no confidence via an amendment that effectively flipped the question being proposed, from the House resolving its lack of confidence to a motion by which it was asked to express Full Confidence in his Government.

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8. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Waiting for the New Year

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century.

THE LATTER DAYS of the Old Year and/or the early days of the New Year are traditionally the times when some persons set aside moments to reflect on the past and seek to determine what attitudinal and behavioural changes are necessary to enable them to be more proactive or productive in the year(s) ahead. However, there are some who have concluded that such introspections do not necessarily add value. Others avoid setting goals or objectives, anticipating that they are unlikely to achieve them. Such an approach seems to provide evidence of a defeatist attitude. History confirms that persons who appear to accomplish most, are those who set goals and move in the direction of accomplishing them. Setting goals, and designing a plan to achieve these, can often be the critical ingredient in our success. Stephen Brennan reminds us that, “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act.

There is no other route to success.”

Based on the foregoing, this writer advocates that there is value in going through regular exercises of introspection, goal setting, planning, and implementation. Sometimes, there is additional value when we share these goals and plans with trusted individuals in our homes, workplaces, and neighbourhood. This could be invaluable if/when such individuals hold us accountable and are there to spur us on to achieve our dreams.

However, we must exercise some degree of caution and discernment when doing so, since there are some persons who are programmed to be “dream killers”; they may set out to smother and/or kill our aspirations. In other cases, there are individuals who may be “dream snatchers”. These are the ones who may take our ideas and run ahead of us to make our dreams theirs. Discernment and wisdom should prevail as we weigh the pros and cons of sharing our dreams, goals, and plans.

As we approached mid-December, our family members were engaged in a “family pow-wow”. We were assessing where we were falling short in our relationships. We observed some challenges that we were facing in relation to communication deficiencies.

One member commented that, “We have to do better for the New Year.”

My response to that comment resulted in the thoughts expressed in this essay. I asked, “Why wait for the New Year?” There is nothing preventing us from making positive changes now.

We do not have to wait for a particular time of year to create a better me, you, or us. Today is as good a day as any to turn a new leaf. We rob ourselves of many positive possibilities when, for whatever reason, we put off tasks that can and should be performed today.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the English writer and social critic, said it so well when he uttered, “My advice is to never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.” Procrastination has killed too many bright ideas. It has snuffed out too many positive thoughts and plans for self-improvement and community

enhancement.

Dramatic life-change is possible when we set realistic stretch goals and move in the direction of achieving them. These resolutions can ignite imagination and energy. They can inspire us to pursue our dreams with gusto. And as we achieve them, there is tremendous value that the sense of achievement generates. We can feel so much better about self and, in some cases, about others. We do not have to wait until we are on the cusp or have entered a New Year to commit to positive changes. So many individuals make the mistake of waiting for “a more convenient time” before embarking on the self-improvement journey. Many relationships continue to flounder and fail while we wait for a more opportune time to engage in reconstructive surgery. And as graphic as the description in the preceding sentence may seem, sometimes that is exactly what needs to be done to rejuvenate some relationships; we have to cut away pride, unforgiveness, and the ego-intoxication that so often result in caustic and cancerous associations.

Many of us need to seek improvement in the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our lives. We often have the potential to do so much better with what we have been blessed with. When we contemplate the various roles that we perform (as parent, teacher, student, brother, sister, friend, co-worker, etc.), we realise that we do have the capacity to be better. Life is too short and unpredictable for us to be satisfied to merely limp along, when we have the capacity to soar to new heights.

Today, right now, is the ideal time for each of us to commit to turning a new (and improved) life leaf. We do not have to wait for a New Year or a more ideal time to do so.

While sharing the thoughts captured in the preceding paragraph, a New Testament incident beckoned to be included among the final words in this essay. It revolves around the historic incident when the Apostle Paul was in “deep conversation” with King Marcus Julius Agrippa. In the book of Acts 26:28, we read that this powerful individual, the grandson of Herod the Great, responded to Paul’s message about the love and mercy of Jesus Christ, by saying “Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian.” It would appear that he was prepared to wait for a more convenient time. The bible does not record whether he ever revisited that thought or conviction.

Too many individuals get to that point of “almost deciding” to make that lifechanging choice of committing their lives to follow Jesus Christ of Nazareth, but fall prey to the waiting game — the procrastination trap.

Waiting for a more convenient time.

Waiting to begin a new day, a new week, a new month, a new year … when that time for action is now!

Today is as good a day as any to make that life-changing, life enhancing, decision. There is no need to wait.

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

Celebrating our women ‘Women’s fate is bound up with that of an exploited male. However, this solidarity must not blind us in looking at the specific situation faced by our women folk in our society. It is true that the woman worker and the simple worker are exploited economically, but the worker wife is also condemned further to silence by her worker husband. This is the same method used by men to dominate other men. The idea was crafted that certain men, by virtue of their economic and political status, familial or social connections were superior and destined to lord it over others.’ Thomas Sankara, former president of Burkina Faso.

‘No march, movement or agenda that defines manhood in the narrowest terms and seeks to make women lesser partners in this quest for equality, can be considered a positive step.’ Angela Davis, American revolutionary fighter for civil and political rights.

complete disregard of our duty and responsibility.

Gregory Isaacs did say in song ‘our daughters take a little longer.’ Things and times are proving the Reggae master crooner wrong. In work and seriousness, our women are taking the lead. And we hope they never relinquish it. We remain convinced that a complete domination of the professions, as well as a reassertion of womanhood and a deeper no nonsense attitude by our women, augur well for advancement of our society. We hope they encourage our men to excel.

Those who think that women domination constitutes an end of civilization moment lack a comprehensive understand of the history of mankind. From time beyond mind, women as life givers and care givers offered real meaning and sustenance to all. It is not by chance that all indigenous societies speak of mother earth in homage to the fundamental importance of women, and none offer primacy to the male. It is only in recent times that men took dominion over everything and subjugated women as well as the environment.

All of the evidence points to the fact that this subjugation is about to change and it won’t come a day to soon. The exploitation of our women as wage labourers and the further sexploitation of their bodies and very womanhood must be checked if our society is to reach its full potential. The Me too movement that has taken hold in developed societies needs to make a breakthrough in our societies. Too many of our women have suffered and continue to suffer the scars brought about by the aggression, assault and ravage of their bodies by men; some strangers, others powerful and still others close family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances. Social prostitution remains rife.

In 2019, the demand is for a greater push so as to end this abuse. This level of abuse which is grounded in the inequality of the sexes, can only be done away with by establishing a new society where men and women enjoy equal rights. Women’s high status was overturned by a domineering patriarchy that banished women from themselves and relegated them to the role of child raisers and servants. In short, women’s invaluable contributions to civilization have been written out of history.

Women were made into nothing more than a beast of burden with a human face.

Sadly, too many of our women settle for this demeaning existence. 2019 must represent a new upsurge in the participation by women in all aspects of societal life. They must commit to take care of themselves especially their health, guard against overweight and all of the ailments that come with it.

But only the fullest involvement of our women in the political and economic decision making processes of our country can guarantee their full emancipation. In short, the status of women will really improve only with the elimination of the patriarchal system that dominate, suppress, oppress and exploit them.

AS WE MOVE INTO 2019, now is as good a time as ever to take stock of where we are. Where our women are and where we are going as a people.

Plain Talk is particularly impressed with the progress of our women. And the progress we celebrate here is not their academic and employment achievements. And those have been impressive. Women are excelling at record breaking rates. They are doing well at school and at work. A virtual who is who in the state administration will demonstrate the remarkable advances of our women.

But our concern is with the increasing social consciousness of our women. Our women’s growing sense of self and self worth is admirable, their refusal to accept old and dying ideas is commendable, and their embrace of a new consciousness is to be celebrated.

Many of us are old enough to remember when the worst curse you could drop on a black women was to call her black, ugly and picky headed. Most often, she was labeled ugly, simply because of her dark skin tone.

For a growing body of our women, their blackness, thick lips and eye popping curses are celebrated. Now more than ever our women now sport bald heads, afros, dread locks. Authentic afro centric names and styles are now in vogue. Not since the black power days, did so many women and children wear their hair natural. In fact, Plain Talk is willing to wager that there are far more women now than ever before donned in afro centric clothing and celebrating their natural beauty as Africans.

We can only hope that this is not a phase grounded in style and fashion. We are aware that dread locks have been made fashionable and the stigma attached to it has been removed. We know that the progress and advancement of African people in the last 3 decades have helped massively in changing minds and bending cultural norms.

We know that this resurgence in all things African co-exist with the sickness of skin bleaching which is also prevalent in our society. We know that some of our women still prefer light skinned or people of Asian extraction because they despise natty hair and claim to want to ‘lift’ their children’s complexion.. Most of all, we know that post colonial SVG, 39 years after independence, is not yet post colonial. Proof can be found in the fact that Euro-centric standards are still the pre-dominant yard stick by which almost everything is judged. However, a failure to commend our women on the Send comments, criticisms & progress they have made and are suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com making, would amount to a total and

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 9.

Entertainment

Steel Expressions 7: The Epiphany IT IS SAID THAT seven is the number of perfection, and the staging of the seventh edition of the Steel Expressions Show, last Saturday night, Dec. 28., at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, qualified that notion.

The highly anticipated show, which overtime has etched itself in the cultural calendar of St Vincent and the Grenadines, once again did not disappoint.

An undertaking of Cultural Officer- Rodney Small, through his organisation- RS Productions, Steel Expressions 2018, dubbed ‘Epiphany’, based on the many positive responses, was the best to date.

Small, a renowned pannist/ musician, being the main act, pulled out all the stops, and in a masterful demonstration of his dexterity on both the traditional tenor pan and the electronic pan, wooed the crowd, who in turn, responded with rapturous applause at each of his twenty-three selections.

Among Small’s deliveries were Chronixx’s ‘Skanking’, Beres Hammond’s ‘Pull Up the Vibes’, and Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night Long’.

Complementing some of Small’s performances were Violinist Darron Andrews, and soca Rodney Small delivered at artiste Hance John least 23 numbers that covered as a team of fire an expansive range of genres, eaters. styles and moods.

Sharing the limelight with Small’s were Gospel Singer Kiokya Cruickshank, Brian Maloney, Azariah Gibson, Piano virtuoso Sean Sutherland and pannist Jomoro Francis.

Paving the way and whetting the audience’s appetite for the adult performers,

were emerging talents the likes of singers Nailah Samuel and Sarah Marks, and young pannists Kafayne Clasp and Jayan Allen.

The featured performer was two-time Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago- Michael ‘Sugar Aloes’ Osuna, whose relative short appearance on stage , in which his silky voice belted three of his more popular numbers — ‘I love being me’, ‘Signs of the End of Times’ and ‘Nobody loves Nobody’ - were enough to satisfy an already filled audience.

The sold out event - over three hours of high quality entertainment - had many asking for more, as the Virtuoso Sean Sutherland performances traversed all genres of music, catering for the varied age range demonstrated why he is hailed as one of the finest pianists this of the audience.

“The show was of high quality… It is country has produced. something that we must think seriously Gonsalves) mingling of exporting, so that others can see what Gospel Singer Kiokya among the people; Vincentians have,” one male patron said.

Cruickshank never ceases really, really nice.”

Dexter Richards, a Vincentian, who is based in to captivate those who Part proceeds of New York, USA, was totally impressed with the would normally be last Saturday’s show show. described as non-gospel would go to the St “ This is my second time to the show, and I am music enthusiasts.

Vincent and the highly impressed… It is the only show in its class that allows parents to bring their kids and make it a Grenadines Medical Association, in its fight against cancer among children. family affair ”, Richards commented.

Other charities which have benefited from part “ I am particularly pleased with the fact that proceeds of previous editions of Steel Expressions Rodney (Small) has given a platform for young aspiring artistes and musicians to see music beyond have been SCORCH and the School for Children with Special Needs. the traditional reggae, kaiso and soca , more of an international flavour; giving the artistes a wider gamut to look up to.. . He is the only person who is doing it consistently in St Vincent and the Grenadines”, Richards evaluated, adding that the Carnival Development Corporation could take a page from Small’s book.

First timer to the event, former Barrouallie resident Charlene Douglas, said, “It was a great show, great environment, great fun… It was good to have a show like this, and have the Prime Minister ( Dr Ralph

Darron Andrews complemented and enhanced Small’s interpretations with guile and enthusiasm.

Eight-year-old Kafayne Clasp showed no sign of nervousness during his performance last Saturday night.

Michael ‘Sugar Aloes’ Osuna, the only foreign act on the show, impressed even with a short burst on stage.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 11.

10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Âł1LQH 0RUQLQJ LV DOLYH ´ 0LFKDHO 3HWHUV Nine Nights of Light There were a total of fifty-one communities which were involved in the festival this year, making it the largest participation to date, Peters noted, and he advanced several contributing factors to the success of the festival. “The weather was very kind. We had in the most part dry mornings , so there were little interruptions for rain , plus there was a beautiful moonlight for all nine mornings ‌When you add that with the fact that a lot more people seem to have come home, including Best Lit Private House. visitors and returning nationals‌ Also a lot of persons returning, brought able to bring her one month old with them, the entire family,â€? baby and her grandmother comes CHAIRMAN of the National Peters reasoned. with her grand children, it says Nine Mornings Committee Peters also highlighted that as you are doing something‌ When Michael Peters is pleased for the activities in Kingstown, you have the churches fully with the staging of the the Committee sought to engage involved and supporting, and 2018 Nine Mornings more persons, by expanding the gospel artistes and secular Festival, which ended 24th sporting activities, which he artistes‌ When you have soca December. thought brought more persons artistes transitioning from CarniPeters noted that the out. val to Nine Mornings ‌ When 2018 festival can be He was excited most perhaps, by you put all these things together , counted as the biggest in the newest addition to the Nine it says that the festival is alive,â€? the twenty years, that Mornings Festival’s activities in Peters related.

Nine Mornings has been Kingstown, i.e. ‘the Nine MornThe Chairman, though, wants organized as a festival. ings Train’ which was accompato see more businesses in KingsAccording to Peters , “ nied on the lap around capital town especially, buying into the Performing stunts on the bicycle re-emerged at Kingstown, by live steelband The general feedback two strings of lights policy, as the Nine Mornings Festival in Kingstown. from the public, was music, on each morning of the being advocated by the National that it was a good year Festival.

Nine Mornings Committee. ‌We saw an increase in the attendances across the country... “We have spent all these years “ We in the Nine Mornings number of communities staging Starting with the official launch crafting a festival to cater for Committee have been trying for Christmas and Nine Mornings on 2nd of December that set the everybody ...When you have a twenty years now, to get the activities ‌You can tell about the tone for what was a good year.â€? festival when a mother is comfortbusiness community to make St A section of the large crowd that populated Heritage Square in Kingstown, during the Nine Mornings Festival.

by GLORIAH‌

The Nine Mornings Train on one of its laps around Kingstown.

Vincent (and the Grenadines),the Christmas capital‌ We want the business community to light up Kingstown, to give it that festive feeling�, Peters bemoaned.

National Lighting Competition this drawback, the VINLEC National Lighting Competition was again a success.

Triumphing for the sixth successive year as National Community Lighting Champions was Point Village.

Winning the Best Lit Private House was Olivia Da Silva of Cane End, with Ces For West taking the Best Lit Garden title, and Town Hill- the Best Nativity Scene.

Peters disclosed that all

Lighting winners, inclusive of the other categories, which have not been announced, will be presented with their prizes at a ceremony set for this Saturday, 5th January, beginning at 9am, at the Peace Memorial Hall.

Nine Mornings is a tradition which is unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines, and is celebrated on the nine days before Christmas.

It is believed that Nine Mornings activities evolved from the Roman Catholic Church’s Novena, in which they worshipped and prayed for nine days, seeking special graces.

Bequia’s fireworks thrill yet again!

BEQUIA IS ENJOYING a promising start to the season, with encouraging numbers of cruise ship and stay-over visitors discovering the delights of Bequia over the holiday period, and yachts of all sizes and nationalities thronging Admiralty Bay. Thousands, including excited Bequia residents, crammed a multitude of bars, restaurants and all waterfront locations on old Year’s Night, when 1/2 ton Yachts packed into Admiralty Bay of pyro burst over the on New Year’s Eve. harbour on the stroke of Left: Sir James Mitchell – origina- midnight, in a truly spectaction of the Bequia NYE Celebration ular fireworks display which left the crowds stunned with – recognised the team of volunteers who give selflessly to ensure delight and amazement.

Brainchild of Sir James that visitors and locals alike can Mitchell, his all-volunteer celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Bequia New Year's Eve Bang!

TRADITIONALLY, a fifth year anniversary’s symbol is ‘wood’. The modern version of this, though, is symbolized by ‘silverware’. Where the Botanical Gardens Nine Nights of Lights is concerned, both symbols speak highly of its achievement: wood, signifying the verdant nature of the setting, and silverware, the sparkle that the lighting brought to the facility.

In truth, the Nine Nights of Lights Organizing Committee and other persons who worked arduously on the 2018 project outdid themselves. The activity went from December 15th to 23rd, and in the true spirit of development, each sector that comprised the finished product was expanded and enhanced.

Celebration Committee is solely responsible for organizing and mounting this magnificent annual New Year's Eve event. This year , Canadian pyro-technician Adam Horton of Fireworks Fx Midnight fireworks over Admiralty Bay on Old Year’s Bequia’s fireworks even came in Vincy colours! was flown in to Night. replace the able to celebrate Old Year’s Night in such ed by the Commissioner of Police.

Committee’s resident pyrotechnical magnificent style and start the New Year Speaking after yet another fabulous expert, and very grateful thanks are due with a bang! After a long summer, finally fireworks display this year, Sir James to him and Fireworks Fx for their superb the season can begin with renewed commented: “Our dedicated Bang Gang production. optimism. We look forward to more working together with Fireworks Fx Funds for the event continue to be donors coming forward to ensure this continues to earn the gratitude of all of raised entirely through the generous magnificent event can continue in 2019.�

Bequia and its many visitors. It is only contribution of private individuals, local (Source: Bequia NYE Celebration through their selfless commitment that businesses and well-wishers, with import Committee) the island and its hotels, villas, guest concessions provided by the Ministry of houses and waterfront businesses are Finance, and permission to import grant-

According to Ms. Curlan Peters, clerical worker at the Botanical Gardens and member of the organizing committee, not only was an extraordinarily large number of lights needed because of the sheer size of the Gardens, but moreso a variety in the types of lights (net, string/rope, shower and tube lights) so as to create lighting patterns that would define and identify features at the Gardens.

Visitors would have easily recognized the tunnel with seating along the main pathway on the grounds; the spirals and arches; the tree and area identification and many more.

The water area was enhanced with lighted rail around the main pond to avoid accidents. The steps and pathway towards it, the structures surrounding it and the pond outline itself were defined with sturdy rope lights and tastefully decorated arches at ground level, which provided a clear view for walking the area. The Doric Temple above the pond was also highlighted with thematic blue lights.

Additionally, the entrance booth, bridge and rose garden were given attention; so too was the kiosk at the exit. All the ixora shrubs heading from the kiosk into the midst of the Garden were clothed in net lights.

What Ms. Peters called, “spot areas,� like the manger scene and the children’s area, were also targeted.

The crowning glory, however, was the Curator’s House which stood with majestic prominence washed by radiant

The Curator’s House washed in green. green, rope lights.

Evening Entertainment As for the programming, there was a different expression each night. ‘Gospel Night’ saw the ‘YELL’ Band taking the audience on a journey through the season of Christmas and beyond. ‘School Band Night’ featured the Bethel School Band with its youthful vocalists, bass players, keyboardists and drummer. The ‘Upstage Calypso Tent’ provided Christmas cheer with classic and local Christmas songs. ‘Dance Night’ was taken over by La The covered pond – transformed Gracia Dance Company, and into a near Doric Temple. there was even a ‘Movie Night’.

The Epic Sounds Steel Orchestra and Janelle Alexander filled the air with the sounds of the steel pan on ‘Pan Night’, and the Rose Hall Cultural Organisation featured on the ‘Drum Night.’ Bars and local food stalls were available throughout, and the children were catered to in a special way with punch boards, dips and face-painting.

Feedback The Organizing Committee has reported that the patronage was tremendous.

A spokesperson reported that many persons called to have the activity extended to December 31st. The visitors to the island were especially pleased with what they saw, and many, as well as locals, made on-the-spot donations to assist with lighting costs.

Both the organizing committee and the patrons have reported high

The Rose Hall Cultural Organization with their infectious drumming, seemed to invoke the Christmas spirit of old. expectations for the upcoming year.

The Manger set among the Gardens’ lighted greenery.

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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Miss Jarplum Enterprises is Miss Claus 2018

Ince displays her Best Sportswear outfit.

STEPHANIQUE INCE, representing Jarplum Enterprises, will , for the next twelve months, reign as Miss Claus.

Ince, who appeared as contestant number three in the Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem Sports Club organized Miss Claus Pageant, beat four other delegates when the pageant was held on the night of December 25, at the Old Greiggs Community Centre.

On her way to the coveted title, Ince won the Best Talent, Best Interview and Best Sportswear categories.

The 14 year-old resident of Mount Pleasant , expressed satisfaction that her input paid off.

“I enjoyed winning because I worked hard…

The show took up a lot of my time and patience,” she stated.

A Form Three student

of the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, Ince noted that she would not have been able to be crowned Miss Claus 2018, had it not been for the support of her immediate family, who she said gave her “one hundred percent support.”

Having whetted her feet in a Pageant, Ince revealed that a crack at the Miss SVG title is part and parcel of her long term goals.

But for now, she said that she is reveling in her reign, soaking up all limelight in winning Miss Claus.

Taking the First Runner-Up spot was Keandra Joseph- Miss J’Ouvert in January — who copped the Best Evening Wear as well as the Best Christmas Wear segments, and was also adjudged as Miss Photogenic.

Winner of the Best Christmas Wear Category- Keandra Joseph.

Second Runner- up was Sueshe Haywood, who appeared as Miss Lil G Investments.

The other contestants were Zarina Woods Miss Caesar’s Real Estate and Z’annie Charles - Miss Rodney Trucking Services .

Peters being the Woods was voted by inaugural winner. the other four delegates as the most sociable, Miss Jarplum giving her the Miss EnterprisesCongeniality sash.

Stephanique Ince, poses The first Miss Claus after being crowned Pageant was held in Miss Claus 2018.

2017, with K-toyna

Inaugural Christmas Boat Parade staged SATURDAY 15th December 2018 marked the inaugural Christmas Light Boat Parade in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Organized by Mark Bayne, Leslie Barnard and Khari Dougan, the event attracted participation from nine boats, representing a mixture of locally and foreign-owned boats, the latter involving sailors from the international sailing group Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), which had berthed at Blue Lagoon Marina.

The boats departed the Blue Lagoon Marina around 6:30pm and sailed through the Young Island-Villa channel, attracting cheers from patrons at the bars and restaurants that line the Villa beach, and then circled the Kingstown harbour.

Organisers said they intend to work with the ARC to make the Parade an annual event, and promised that 2019 will be bigger and better.

The boats gathered at the Blue Lagoon Marina from where the parade took off.

One of the boats that participated in the Parade.

Thanks and recognition, said the organisers, are due the St. Vincent Brewery for their support of the inaugural parade. Wider private sector support is anticipated in 2019.

(Source: Kenrife Matthias)

Part of the flotilla of lighted boats as they made their way to the Young Island-Villa channel.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 13.

News

Message on 60th anniversary of triumph of Cuban revolution THE ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES/Cuba Friendship Society (SVGCFS) and friends of Cuba in our country warmly congratulate the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Cuba, on the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959.

Few revolutions have had such a tremendous impact on the course of human history, and for it to have survived for six decades in the face of unprecedented attempts to stifle and crush it, even by the most despicable means, is not only a remarkable feat but ample testimony of the depth and resilience of the Revolution. It also speaks volumes of the resolve of the heroic Cuban people and the vision and wisdom of the leadership over the years.

Cuba, in spite of all its difficulties and shortcomings, has much of which it can be justifiably proud, its achievements in the fields of health and education having been universally recognized. All this has been achieved right in the face of implacable hostility by successive governments of the

United States of America and the complicity of some governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in the efforts to isolate Cuba.

Fortunately these efforts have not been successful, though they have created great difficulties for the Cuban people. Today, Cuba is one of the most respected nations in the international community, and its record of solidarity with developing nations, its unstinting support for the struggles for national independence and self-determination for oppressed peoples are unmatched at the global level.

Indeed the Cuban Revolution has not just been for the Cuban people but has had positive effects on Caribbean and Latin American nations in promoting and charting their own paths to development and in resisting the dictates of others. There is hardly a country in this hemisphere, the USA included, whose people have not benefitted in one way or another from Cuban solidarity.

In this regard, the Cuban Revolution has, in practice, been a Revolution for all of the Americas, following the vision of Jose Marti and

Forbes notes SVG action re: marijuana

By NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT INTERNATIONAL publication Forbes magazine has highlighted the recent marijuana-related legislation passed in the Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In its Dec. 26 edition, Forbes says: “When most people think of smoking ganja in the Caribbean, Jamaica immediately springs to mind.

“However, the sunny vacation destination now faces some stiff competition for cannabis tourism and foreign investment from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),” it says. “A southern Caribbean nation, comprising the main island, St. Vincent, and a chain of smaller islands, SVG is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

“The tiny islands are the first OECS members to decriminalize cannabis for medical purposes and scientific research,” Forbes notes.

“Fifteen nations in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) organization also place marijuana decriminalization high on its agenda.”

Speaking from SVG, Minister for Agriculture, Saboto Caesar told Forbes that the passing of the Bill in Parliament on Dec. 11 “signifies the Caribbean island is now positioned to become a globally leading medicinal cannabis hub, not only in terms of high-quality production but research, according to an OECS news release.”

“The planning of this innovative industry has been carefully conducted over a long period in close consultation with the agricultural sector and many different stakeholders to reach the level of

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar reiterated that SVG is positioned to become a globally leading medicinal cannabis hub.

maturity we see today,” Caesar said.

“There is broad recognition and buy-in of the economic benefits this tightly controlled and regulated industry is expected to bring regarding direct employment, the creation of support industries and foreign investment,” he added.

Caesar, according to Forbes, described the unique microclimate of the islands boasting, “SVG’s growing conditions are suited to producing the highest quality grade medicinal cannabis available on the global market.”

Forbes says Caesar’s sentiments “echo previous, similar claims

by Honorable Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries of Jamaica.”

As with the landrace for Jamaica, Forbes says “foreign investors are already circling SVG like buzzards.

“The minister points out the ‘increase in investor sentiment and inquiries we are receiving from both regionally and abroad,” Forbes says.

It says traditional cultivators, stakeholders and others have joined the Ralph Gonsalves-led Government in “celebrating the passing of the Bill as the government now moves to direct its focus toward implementation of the legal framework for the production of medicinal marijuana.”

In addition to boating, cannabis tourism is budding in St. Vincent,” Forbes says.

the early Cuban patriots and expanding under the leadership of the immortal Fidel Castro Ruz, the wise openings of immediate past President Raul Castro and the continuity of today’s leadership under President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

We, the Vincentian friends of Cuba and its Revolution and people, are proud of the achievements of the Cuban Revolution, and reiterate our continued solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba, and our implacable opposition to all efforts to isolate and strangle the Revolution.

Long live the Cuban revolution and the friendship between our respective peoples!

Renwick Rose President SVGCFS

Revolution leaders Fidel Castro (right) and Che Guevara on their arrival in Havana on December 31, 1958.

14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You can make money if you are careful not to let it trickle through your fingers.

Spend some time on yourself. Your boss may be pushy. Stay calm and focus on things that will help you understand the situation better.

Taurus (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Involvement in fitness clubs will be conducive to engaging roman tic connections. Romance will develop through work related activities. Be sure not to burn any bridges. Don't get involved in other people's problems.

Gemini (May 22‐June 21) Compromise if you have to, to avoid verbal battles. Don't neglect these problems; deal with them once and for all, then move on to more pleasurable tasks. Keep a lookout for any individuals eager to confront you with unsavory situations.

Cancer (June 22‐July 22) You will have the discipline to make changes you feel are necessary.

Situations could easily get blown out of proportion if you have made unreasonable promises. Friends may not understand your situation.

Leo (July 23‐Aug 22) Major moves will be emotional and not necessarily to your benefit. Visitors may relieve the tension. Make sure that you have all the pertinent facts before taking action. Coworkers may not be giving you all the pertinent information.

Virgo (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Don't be too quick to judge partners or those you work with. Don't fall for damaging rumors, and refuse to get involved in gossip. Don't upset elders in your family who don't understand your present situation.

Libra (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Any attractions toward clients will be one sided and must be put right out of your head. Your colorful conversation may attract new mates. Don't press your luck with your loved ones. You are better off visiting friends or relatives than entertaining at home.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Look into events that you might find interesting, and compromise by doing a few things that you both like to do. You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities. You may find yourself in the midst of a pretty good deal.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Deception regarding joint finances or investments will cause upsets between family members. Don't be shy; if you want to spend more time with a special person, make a commitment. You could lose money or precious belongings if you aren't careful.

Capricorn (Dec 22‐ Jan. 20) It's time you let your true feelings out.

Don't let someone you work with put words in your mouth. Misunderstandings at work could easily lead to your demise.

You may find yourself in an opportune position if you are willing to take a bit of a risk.

Aquarius (Jan. 21‐ Feb. 19) Don't say something you'll live to regret.

Short trips will be educational. Get some sound advice and help setting up a workable budget. Focus on forming business partnerships.

Pisces (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Don't expect support from your mate.

Get promises in writing or you will be disappointed. Don't hold yourself back because you think you're too old. Travel will lead you in new directions.

ACROSS 1. Air‐cooling device 4. “M*A*S*H” star Alan 8. 44‐Down bone 12. Legendary span 13. Plays the suitor 14. Baby‐faced 15. Hugs warmly 17. Take a nap 18. Biblical vessel 19. Employ, as tact 21. Slides on ice 23. Propelled a boat 26. Twirls rapidly 27. Torme of music 28. Form a hole 30. Grain for a horse 31. Feeling glum 32. Merry; lively 33. Biting humor 34. Hamburger holder 35. Wake‐up buzzer 37. Synthetic material 39. Each 40. Canoe blade 41. Geological period 42. Young cow 45. Annoy intensely 50. Assist an arsonist 51. Remarked aloud 52. Bit of timber 53. Pleads with 54. Lambs’ moms 55. Wooden fastener DOWN 1.Fixed charge 2. Elbow site 3. Seize for arrest 4. Tony and Emmy 5. Secures with a key 6. She‐deer 7. Gave confidence to 8. Hardware item 9. Delicate shade 10. “_ NotUnusual”, Tom

Jones hit 11. Mesh fabric 16. Shower droplets 20. Fifth scale tone 21. Madrid’s nation 22. Poker pool 24. _ Allan Poe 25. Dailey journal 26. Distribute (seeds) 27. Grown guy 29. Phys‐ed room 31. Dawn event 34. Feather stole 35. Steers clear of 36. Allowed to borrow

38. Atticlike spaces 39. Creepily weird 42. Taxi 43. Actor Vigoda 44. Lower limb 46. Inexperienced,

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 15.

as recent recruits 47. Swiss peak 48. _ the line, obey 49. Nest find

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16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Throwing away 30 years

things be put in their TWICE I HAVE tried to kill proper could be experiencing a perspective so that you myself. All of this has midlife crisis. This can come upon me because can continue to make the all be sorted out during right decisions. of my husband of 30 counselling. Thirty years You need to get years, who decided to of marriage should not yourself tested as soon as sleep with the daughters be thrown away at the possible so that you can of the very woman who snap of a finger. Take know your status and dumped him years ago, the next step of move forward with a for another man. counselling and plan clearer mindset.

He claimed he was from there.

You did not mention drunk and they seduced your husband’s age, but him, but he is still to George it is possible that he explain how they were able to seduce him for the past two years. As far as I know, my husband does not drink.

There is a rumour Dear George, going around that one of the daughters is HIV MY SISTER never got the education that I got positive. I do not want to and is not as beautiful as I am, yet she was able get tested, only to be told to get married before me to a man who has I have HIV; I rather kill money. myself first.

My friends say that this man is a big time drug Since all of this, my dealer, and it is just a matter of time before his husband has left home empire comes crashing down. My sister insists and has been sleeping at that he is not a drug dealer, and gave me another the house of the story as to how he came by wealth; but I do not youngest daughter. I buy that story. She tells me I’m jealous of her don’t know what came which I’m not, and asked me to stay out of her over him, but he is not way. the same man I married.

Is it wrong for me to wish for her husband’s He told me he wants a empire to fall so I could be proven right? divorce and there is no changing of his mind.

Concerned sibling Please tell me what to do, George. This is all too Dear Concerned sibling, much for me to handle.

All that you have said could be summarized in Depressed wife two words: jealousy and envy. Her looks and educational level have nothing to do with her Dear Depressed wife, husband’s wealth, yet you brought it up. Why listen to your friends and not your sister? Get a Your decision to share grip of yourself and be happy for your sister. She this with me was a good does not have to prove anything to you regarding one. Given your present her husband’s money. If you can’t be happy for emotional state, it will be her, then just be quiet and leave her to live her extremely difficult to life. think clearly which is It would do you a world of good to wish her why it is absolutely well, and get rid of that envious streak that is necessary to speak with exposing its ugly head. a counsellor immediately.

George It is important that

Dear George,

Wish her well

Where is the trust?

Dear George,

Unsettled

MY GIRLFRIEND insists on taking a job at a project which employs mainly men. The job requires that she be out of town sometimes on weekends, and I begged her not to accept that job because it’s an environment for men.

We both live in Port of Spain. I am Vincentian and she is Trinidadian. I’m trying to tell her these men would have her for supper; but she insists she can take care of herself and I must trust her.

I know she is soft natured and may give in to an attempt by a man to get at her. I told her if she goes, she must bid our relationship bye bye.

Dear Unsettled, If you cannot trust your girlfriend to handle herself and remain faithful to you even when she is bombarded by curious men, then you have no business being with her.

Are you planning on constantly being there to direct ‘traffic’ so she can steer clear of men? It’s a good thing for her to pursue her goals without that kind of interception from you.

Trust is followed by love. If there’s no trust, then you need to re-examine your profession of love.

George

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 17.

Semi-Pro Football League coming to SVG FOOTBALLERS in St Vincent and the Grenadines who compete in the National Championships, under the aegis of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), would soon be paid for their skills.

SVGFF’s President — Marvin Fraser, at a press conference held recently, said that this development is expected to come via a planned Semi- Professional League, to be undertaken by the sport’s local governing body.

“We are planning for 2019, to try to implement our semi-pro league,” he assured.

Moving towards a Semi- Professional League is one of the dictates of CONCACAF, the confederation which

oversees the sport in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

As it stands now, several players leave St Vincent and the Grenadines to ply their trade in Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, in those countries football leagues, on a semi- professional basis.

Fraser explained that he is scheduled to hold discussions with FIFA administrative offices in May 2019, towards fleshing out the plan and getting guidance on how best to prepare and advance the project for funding that will ensure the players are paid.

The president proffered that by paying the players, “it will help to lift the standard of football in St Vincent

and the Grenadines.”

As a perquisite to the proposed SemiProfessional League, Fraser said that the SVGFF would be empowering clubs and other stakeholders, by hosting capacity building courses.

Courses will be broadened to include, among others, courses for referees, TMS(Transfer Matching System) training , marketing and financial governance course.

In addition, the Federation is positioned to embark on a brand new project to assist clubs financially; but, Fraser cautioned, “Clubs have to show us that they have the relevant structures in place.”

Addressing the state of the current National

Club Championships, Fraser disclosed that the championships will run from October 2018 to March/ April , 2019.

The 12 clubs in the Premier Division will play two rounds of matches, moving the complement of matches from 11 to 22.

Significantly too, there has been a doubling of the prize monies , with the winning club being assured $20, 000.

Previously, the top club got $10,000.

Other Developments Also announced at the Press Conference were changes in the make-up of the Technical Committee.

The major addition to the Technical Committee was the appointment of

Three titles decided in North East Football League THREE of the five titles at stake in the Hairoun/National Lotteries Authority North East Football League, were decided last Sunday at the Chili Playing Field.

Crowned as champions were Chapmans, SV United and All Stars.

First up, Chapmans had a dominating 5-0 win over Greiggs, to snap the Under-17 title.

Two goals by Kadeem Duncan and one each from Saiedo Dabreo, Iruel Matthias and Jahvar Audain accounted for Chapmans’ rout.

Then, SV United defeated Owia United 2 — 1 to be crowned Under13 Division champions.

SV United’s goals came from Ashal Henry and Kelvon Charles, while Kyle Pollard scored for Owia United.

In the final of the Community Shield, All Stars got past Greiggs 3-2, to be crowned winner of the Knock Out. Dwayne Cupid hit two and Derron Rouse the other, as All Stars champed their piece of silverware.

SV United- Under- 13 winners

Dan Laborde and Yekeme Miller had netted for Greiggs, to draw level, before Rouse scored what turned out to be the eventual winner for All Stars.

On Saturday, there were the third places play offs in the Under-13 and Under-17.

DESCO defeated Owia United Females 2 — 0 to claim the Under13 Division third spot. Mitchron John and Simeon Joseph netted for DESCO .

Chapmans – Under-17 Champions.

And, Owia United beat SV United 3-0 in the Under-17.

Denelson Nero, Sydbert Kydd and Terraneo Lavia scored for Owia United.

Still up for grabs are the winners of the First Division as well as the Premier Division.

The League is set to close off on 13th January.

All Stars – winners of the Community Shield title.

Kendale Mercury, to New SVG Senior Marvin Fraser the post of –President of the Men’s Head Head Coach SVGFF. Coach- Kendale of the Senior Mercury.

Male St Committee and has been Vincent and the assigned coaching duties Grenadines team. with the Under-17 team.

Mercury replaces Ian Sardine, a Cornelius Huggins who household name in has been shifted to the position of Head Coach of football in SVG, has been the SVG Senior Women’s appointed Coordinator of the Youth Development team.

Programme.

In addition, Michael Harris joins the

National Open Tennis Championships conclude ARNEL HORNE and Gabrielle Benn were crowned Mixed Doubles champions when the National Tennis Open Championships concluded last Saturday at the National Tennis Centre, Villa.

Horne and Benn had an uncomplicated 6-4, 6-0, 6-0 win over Richand Hoyte and Amarlia Benn in the Triple champion Gabrielle final.

Benn (left) and her twin The win for Gabrielle Benn meant sister Amarlia Benn with that she secured three whom she shared the Open Women’s Doubles titles, having title. previously won the Open Women’s Singles and had teamed with her twin sister Amarlia to cop the Women’s Doubles.

In the Singles final, Gabrielle Benn outlasted Nyka Williams, 6-1, 6-0.

And in the Women’s Doubles final, Gabrielle and Amarlia defeated Sherri Ann John and Michelle Gun-Munro 6-3,6-1.

Meanwhile, Hoyte and Horne won the Men’s Doubles when they triumphed over the pair of Akeem Guy and Akeizo Quammie, 7-5, 6-1.

Hoyte added his second title, when he beat Josh Mounsey 6-4, 6-0, to win the Men’s Singles.

Running alongside the Open Championships was a Junior Tournament.

Taking the Male Under-10 was Angelo Morgan, and the Female Under-10 winner was Sarah Foster.

Che Connell took the Male Under-12, and Afe Lucas the Female Under12.

The Male Under-14 champion was Afi Lucas, with Richand Hoyte champing the Male Under-18, and Nyka Williams the Female Under-18 title holder.

Richand Hoyte (left) and Arnel Horne – Open Men’s Doubles Champions.

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18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

‘Footballers need to train harder’

Written off NOTWITHSTANDING the record, the taunts, the finger pointing, the social media commentary, the resulting trend of dismissing the West Indies as possible Champions of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 may just be the inspiration the squad needs.

Speculation will be rampant as to the semifinalists, scheduled to meet on July 9 and 11, the forerunner to the Sunday, July 14 finale at Lords.

The West Indies have nine matches to silence their critics. They barely scraped through and placed second to Afghanistan in qualifiers.

The West Indies have to bring out the fire that former units displayed.

The talking ceases Friday, May 31, with the Caribbean outfit battling Pakistan at Trent Bridge Nottingham. Thursday, June 6, Australia comes into sight at the same venue.

Monday, June 10 features the South African battle at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.

The West Indies return Friday, June 14 for what will be a spectacle at The Rose Bowl against England.

It will be time to settle scores with Bangladesh Monday, June 17 at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

Saturday, June 22 sees the West Indies in action against the Kiwis at Old Trafford.

Thursday, June 27 will be an added spark to the preliminaries with India and the West Indies in battle at Old Trafford Manchester.

By then, the West Indies will have acclimatised, and the Sri Lanka showdown at the Riverside Ground, Chester-Le-Street July 1 will be crucial in determining their semi-final chances.

The July 4 episode with Afghanistan will be a test of the West Indian resilience.

Much has been made of the West Indies. The intrigues and sideshows engender discussion, especially as the on field results show dubious returns.

The duty is ours to maintain some dignity. We have to be strategic about the mission. Our cricketers are ambassadors representing the aspiration of a sizeable section of the sporting world, including those outside the Caribbean.

There is something contagious about West Indies cricket.

It is bringing home the CLR James vision into perspective. This continues to expand beyond the boundary.

That is why there is that connection. We join in ridiculing the squad when it is convenient, and in the midst of the turmoil, our wish is for their ultimate success. If that does not happen, we take our anger out on anyone.

Many of our sporting fanatics will not be around for the unfolding of any spectacle. The list will always throw the unsung.

Those have preceded us to the Promised Land.

Like Walford Ambris, Glenford Prescott, and Jules Anthony. Or others whose pedigree may not be so established. There is a reality about life which marks the closing chapter. But that page will not be the final version. For untold mysteries lurk within the paths of those who have given their time to the fulfilment of an intense sporting dimension.

We will continue to project on positive development. And there is the sense that the idea of a sporting oriented society presents benefits for the whole nation. We must press on with that spirit of nurturing our sporting resource.

Seymour ‘Rollit’ Waldron, renowned football coach, is still willing to assist if requested so to do.

SEYMOUR ‘Rollit’ Waldron, former football administrator, national footballer, national coach and commentator, believes, once footballers think about the game more, they can become better players who can compete with consistency with any top team.

“Beginning in 2019, players could help themselves by putting more thinking and train smarter…. . What they do at the local level (club) will transfer up to the national level. We have seen the national team losing the ball after four passes because the same thing happens at the club level,” Waldron proffered.

He also observed that, “We just kicking the ball

with no structured formation to control the ball for long periods,” and advised that players have to learn to pass the ball around, holding it for preparation for scoring goals.

“When we execute well by getting everyone involved and get away from relying on one person to score goals, we can look back and say our plan worked. But this can only come with continuous practice,” he added.

By way of a specific approach, Waldron suggested that coaches should encourage their players to string six passes together and then shoot to goal, with the number of passes increasing as the

players implement properly.

“I believe it’s something they (coaches) can incorporate into the training, even at the school level, for the New Year,” he said.

Waldron, who has not been active for some time, has expressed a willingness to provide his services to the SVG Football Federation.

He has not given up hope for this country’s football, saying that, once proper techniques are applied by coaches, etc., “We can produce more and better footballers to compete consistently, not just at the regional level but also internationally”.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Brighton Playing Field set for upgrade PLANS ARE at an advanced stage to have the Brighton Playing Field upgraded.

This was disclosed during a recent Press Conference held by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).

President of the SVGFFMarvin Fraser, in outlining the plan, stated that when completed, the facility will become the “Home for Football”.

According to Fraser, the plan has already been drawn out, documents presented to FIFA including the first look in 3D. The development is expected to include: seating for 3000 — 4000 persons, parking area, capacity, resurfacing and fencing of the field.

“That is going to run us into a cost about US$ 1.4 million,” Fraser said, adding, “We are going to try to work with the government to develop the roads going in and out of Brighton.”

The SVGFF has a twenty-five year lease on the Brighton Playing Field dating back to 2010,

The Technical Centre at the Brighton Playing Field is set for a redo. giving it the right to develop it for the benefit of football and the surrounding environment.

The SVGFF constructed a Technical Centre, which has been primarily used by national teams to camp in preparation for tournaments.

The Technical Centre was funded by FIFA, becoming SVGFF’s Goal Project Number One. However, the Venold Coombsled executive, which was voted in 2011, seemingly dragged its feet

Bascombe calls it a day VINCENTIAN Miles Bascombe has decided to call stumps on his cricket playing days.

Bascombe, an aggressive toporder batsman, played a lone T20 for the West Indies against England in 2011 at The Oval, London.

His senior regional outings comprise 75 matches, spread across the 3 formats: he played 24 First Class matches, 26 List A, and 25 T20.

Bascombe, who represents Victors One in the local cricket competition, played the better part of his regional career for the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and Windward Islands. He also featured for the West Indies A team.

In his final outing for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Windward Islands tournament, he had the added responsibility of vice-captaincy.

In his retirement letter to the SVGCA Inc., Bascombe stated that he was satisfied that “ any further future in cricket for me likely lies beyond the boundary,” adding that he saw his mission now as assisting in creating an environment in which upcoming crincketers can “realise their full potential.”

A BSc and MSc graduate of the University of West Indies (Cave Hill Campus), Bascombe also expressed his gratitude to the SVGCA, WICBC, UWI Cavehill, CWI, Sir Hilary McDonald

in advancing the next phases of the development of the facility, which would have included the lighting , seating, fencing and resurfacing of the playing area.

Upbeat about the refurbishing and upgrade of the Brighton facility, Fraser promised, “Our mission is to develop football, and no true development can happen without a Home for Football…Brighton (Playing Field) is going to be our primary Home for Football.”

Miles Bascombe – played at the international, regional and local levels.

Beckles - ViceChancellor of the UWI, University of the West Indies and Floyd Reifer — coach of the CCC, “for their investment in me over the years.”

He also shared his appreciation for former teammates, with special mention of Romel Currency, his opening partner “with whom I enjoyed my most memorable successes.”

Miles Bascombe is currently Manager of the National Sports Council of SVG..

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 19.

Classifieds

MISS. ENA JESTINA PRESCOTT / ENNA WILLIAMS

GALENE ANGELA AKERS DELPESCHE

Gorse Apostolic Faith Mission Saturday 29th December, 2018 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Tromaca Evangelical Church Saturday 22nd December 2018 Viewing 1:30 p.m.

Service 2:30 p.m.

NORMA ROSEATHA WILLIAMS Salvation Army in Calder Sunday 30th December, 2018 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Belmont Cemetery

BRENDA JOSEPH Community Centre Rose Bank Sunday 30th December, 2018 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: Dark View Cemetery Rose Bank

ARDON ANTHONY GOODRIDGE S.D.A Church Barrouallie Sunday 30th December, 2018 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

JANUARY 04, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.01

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www.thevincentian.com

PRISONSÊ MURDER STATS DISTURBING awaiting trial, and 14 on remand.

JUSTICE BRIAN COTTLE has That’s according to a report expressed concern regarding on the prison population the large number of persons statistic delivered by housed at Correctional Facilities Superintendent of Prisons here in connection with offences Brenton Charles, at the of murder. closing ceremony of the High Up to December 17, 2018, Court Criminal Assizes, ninety-eight of the 472 December 17, 2018. inmates accommodated were “We have a disturbingly there in connection with high proportion of persons who murder offences, representing are in prison for murder 20.76 percent of the prison offences and a lot of them population. involved the use of firearms,” The ninety-eight comprised Justice Cottle commented as 37 serving sentences, 47 he delivered remarks.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Her Majesty’s Prison Kingstown continues to house some prisoners serving time but moreso persons on remand.

The figures also revealed there were 12 persons housed in connection with offences of manslaughter, all serving sentences.

Eleven persons were sentenced for attempted murder, four awaiting trial, and six remanded.

Wounding related offences amounted to 35, comprised of 24 serving sentences, ten on remand and one awaiting trial.

Six persons received sentences for aggravated burglary, one awaits trial and one is remanded.

Forty-three of the 52 persons who were on burglary charges, have received sentences, while the other nine are still on remand.

Unlawful sexual intercourses, a serious public concern for quite a while,

Passengers hurt in crash A NUMBER of persons wee left nursing minor injuries following a vehicular accident which occurred along the Nelson Mandela (Leeward) Highway last Friday evening.

According to Police, the accident involving motor vehicle HT710 and HE850 occurred just around 8pm.

Information provided by the police stated that HE850, a passenger van, was travelling in the direction to Leeward, while HT710 was heading in the direction of Kingstown.

The passenger van, which had about ten occupants, according to police, had stopped and was signaling to make a right turn into the parking lot of Massey

EC$1.50

The Belle Isle Correctional Facility was opened in October 2009 and was earmarked to ease the cramped situation at Her Majesty’s Prison in Kingstown. amounted to 25, of which 21 are serving sentences, three awaiting trial and one remanded.

Offences of rape stood at 12, with 11 serving sentences, and one on remand.

Indecent assaults stood at eight, with six serving sentences and two remanded.

Interestingly, in all 43 cases for possession of unlicensed firearms, as well as two recorded for ammunition possession, convictions and sentences have been secured.

Six persons are serving sentencing for damage to property, four for criminal trespass, three for deception and one for possession of an offensive weapon.

Three out of the four persons who were on charges of handling stolen goods were sentenced, while the other is still remanded.

Twenty-four persons were serving sentences for theft,

while seven were on remand.

Robbery offences amounted to 22, thirteen of them serving sentences, six on remand and three awaiting trial.

Of the 23 persons behind bars in connection with possession of controlled drugs, 20 were serving sentences.

The other three were on remand.

Sentences were recorded in all twenty-seven non-criminal matters.

The statistics revealed that up to December 17, nobody was behind bars in connection with any money laundering offence.

Up to press time Wednesday, long-distance runner Patrick Lovelace was the only person on death row.

His death sentence for the 2002 murder of 12-year-old pannist Lokeisha Nanton, who was strangled, is still being challenged before the courts.

OOOPS!!!

There were a number of reported injuries following the crash which involved HE850 (pictured) and HT710 that occurred last Friday, along the Leeward Highway.

Supermarket, when HT710 pulled away from another vehicle that was exiting the said parking lot, and collided

with the passenger van.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged.

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

IT IS WITH OUR HUMBLEST APOLOGIES to Mrs. Karen Duncan-Gonsalves that we acknowledge our misrepresentation of her with a photograph we carried and captioned as she, on our back page of our edition of December 21, 2018.

That photograph we have since learned was not one of Mrs Duncan-Gonsalves and we accept that we have erred.

We do hope that Mrs. Duncan-Gonsalves accepts that we had no ill intent; that it was an honest mistake.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 1a.

2a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE METROCINT STORY - „Dreams of my Father‰

From the Desk of MS. DESIREE RICHARDS, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the Metrocint Group of Companies THE DATE JANUARY 10TH, 1929 is a significant date. It was the date that our founder, Egerton Richards, better known as ‘Uncle Metro’ or simply ‘Eggie’, was born in Texier Road, Layou.

On that day, St. Vincent and the Grenadines welcomed one of the greatest sons to its soil. He was born with a striking brilliance.

‘Eggie’ Richards was a genius and a born leader. He would go on throughout his life to blaze a trail of phenomenal achievements, always standing out above the crowd, always a leader.

Beyond his genius, he was strikingly daring and adventurous, but his crowning characteristic was that he was a consummate patriot who loved St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its people with every fibre of his body.

This patriot, adventurous, daring genius, is the Egerton Richards who was our founder — the founder of Metrocint General Insurance Company Ltd, the 50th Anniversary of which we are more than elated to celebrate on December 31, 2018.

In addition to the lasting memories he left us, his legacy is rich. He left a gift of a bold, can do, creative, determined, innovate, patriotic spirit.

In short, he was a shining example for all Vincentians of what it means to be an exceptional Vincentian.

underwriter. He ran Fancy Estate, Diamond Estate, Rotary Bar and Restaurant, Olives Hotel, TallyHo Apartments, Happy Hill Quarry.

He was a politician, and though never successful at the polls, he was the lone voice, through what he dubbed the ‘People’s Parliament’, in opposition to the Mitchel Government, during the period 1989-1994 when it commanded a 15 - 0 seat majority in the House of Assembly.

achieve, and who worked hard to establish Metrocint. The story will be told in all its colourful format. This year, we will document the memories.

My tenure of leadership

I inherited a great company in 2001 with the goodwill of my father’s legacy and with a core complement of loyal staff including Ian Da Silva, Catherine Sergeant, Coline Fraser and Vida Graham among others. These folks Crowning Glory were the backbone of the stability that was needed as I There are many stories to navigated through the courses be told of this adventurous of learning the company and life, and one version is developing a strategic plan. documented in Luke Browne’s The first major challenge book, Entrepreneurs of St. was to immediately Vincent and the Grenadines. restructure the company as I That Egerton Richards was was bombarded with revised fearless as he was generous, is legislation that could have no overstatement. closed the company down, if But above all his other we did not implement a achievements stood the reinsurance programme. This crowning glory of founding the was a tall task to learn the Metrocint General Insurance company and at the same time Company in December 1968, change it. making it the first indigenous The second was to diversify insurance company in St. the product range so that we Vincent and the Grenadines. could be competitive in a Not only was it the first changing landscape. Towards homegrown insurance this end, the expansion into company, but Metrocint grew property and other classes of to become the leader in the insurance was launched. motor insurance in the The third was to transform market, and ‘Eggie’ did it with the workforce to a new culture Vincentian flair — launching so as to meet the needs of a the Metrocint ‘Love Your changing business landscape.

Country Campaign’ which This was challenging and a generated such excitement long road. We sought to: transform our women into among children that it gave stronger professionals who rise to the persona of Uncle didn’t crumble with tears at Metro; introducing the the slightest challenging Metrocint Calypso Competition, the Uncle Metro conversation; enhance Touching lives communications skills to a Cycling Competition and more sophisticated level; offering many scholarships In a recent meeting with marry employee and employer and supporting numerous the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph sports, cultural and charity into a synchronized and Gonsalves, he spoke with articulated vision; implement organization and events. warmth of the rich memories the orientation which is the In as much as Metrocint of my father, and stated how process that ensures that the General Insurance Company much he loved this great man. became his ultimate company’s vision is The truth is that all maintained. achievement, the organic throughout St. Vincent and To accomplish all of these relationship between the the Grenadines, the story is company and himself made it things, we invested heavily in the same. Egerton Richards recruiting persons with new such that they became one. touched all people: those who and professional skill sets, and In hindsight, ‘Eggie’ dared walked with the stars and to think that he could make a employed the services of danced with the ordinary men. success of this company; and consultants like Afzal and He uplifted spirits young and he did, with the support of his Shanti Khan of Prosperity old, and impacted lives. His wife Noreen Richards. To get Concepts, and Stanley De charity is unforgettable.

Freitas and his team of De to the point of founding ‘Eggie’ was a teacher, a Freitas and Associates.

Metrocint, was a road paved police officer, a tailor. He was with tremendous sacrifice and We are thankful for the an inventor, a writer, a team that we have. grueling hard work. They publisher, a poet, a farmer, a were an enterprising couple navigator, an insurance Continued on Page 3a. who were motivated to

CEO of the Metrocint group of companies, Ms Desiree Richards looks on as she receives a standing ovation, after being presented with an award from Mr. Stanley De Freitas of De Freitas and Associates for her Visionary Guidance and Unwavering Leadership.

Mrs Noreen Richards, Chairperson of the Metrocint group of companies receives an award for her Oustanding Dedication from Mr. Stanley De Freitas of De Freitas and Associates.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 3a.

METROCINT – 50 YEARS: ÂShaping the future, honouring the pastÊ Houseowner/ Householders, Commercial Fire and Perils, Consequential Loss of Profits, Burglary, Employer’s Liability and Public Liability.

That expansion has continued more recently with the collection of Individual and Group Life, Accident, Health, Annuities, Pensions schemes, offered by its subsidiary Metrolife, which represents Pan American Life Insurance Group, one of the largest such insurance service entities in the Americas.

That Metrocint would have won favour with the likes of Pan American Life Insurance group is, in Mr. Cyprian Neehall, Editor of THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, receives itself, an the CEO’s award for Excellence for his Dedication and Committment accomplishment of from CEO Ms Desiree Richards and Mr. Ken Thomas (right). immense proportions, and is testimony to the strength of its leaders,

by CYP NEEHALL when a 50-year-old company its operating capacity, Editor - THE VINCENTIAN amidst and through the turbulence associated with the enhanced by a clear vision of METROCINT GENERAL competitive insurance market: where it wants to go and what it wants to achieve.

INSURANCE CO. LTD. celebrates the challenges to its another milestone – this one legitimacy; the pessimism of being perhaps its most the naysayers; the strain and A Founder – never to be forgotten auspicious to date - its 50th periods of doubt that are Anniversary. thrown up by expansion of its It is safe to say, that the Yes, Monday past, portfolio and services - can huge gamble taken by its December 31, 2018, marked honour its commitment with founder Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ the day fifty years ago when consistency to a loyal and Richards, has redounded in Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ ever-growing clientele. returns on a humble Richards dared to oopen the investment, improved services doors of the Metrocint General Expanding its portfolio to an expanding clientele, and Insurance Company, the first injected a healthy competitive indigenous insurance company Those who have been in St. Vincent and the intimately associated with the atmosphere to the insurance Grenadines. company speak to an unlikely industry.

As such therefore, And today, in an era when journey that began 50 years Metrocint is today an integral mergers and buyouts - some ago. Many were those who amicable, some hostile - and doubted the ‘feasibility’ of the player in the broad financial service sector of St. Vincent outright closures - whether investment, and predicted its and the Grenadines, because forced by creditors or for other demise within a year. of its founder, who had the reasons occasioned by a less As fate would have it, courage and vision to take the than encouraging economy Metrocint blossomed into a unprecedented step of making cloud the landscape of the rigidly controlled, staid world of business and industry, to become a national a footprint in and on an otherwise foreign and colourcommerce, Metrocint stands leader. dominated industry. towering on a foundation set Its services, originally Yes, we learn of great men and moulded by the hands of founded on a portfolio that from history books, memorials, the people of this country, included only coverage for museums, art and literature some like to refer to as the motor vehicles, took its first that immortalise their Land of the Blessed. step of expansion when it achievements, sacrifices and And there must be a special added a full complement of even downfalls. In the case of and deserving feeling of pride General Insurance Products:

right makes might — truth is power; and never, never. never give up.

Few would be brave to question that we have high expectations of our leaders, especially our elected leaders.

We expect them to do the right things, to respect our rights, to bring growth, to ‘Uncle Metro’, one only has to deliver on promises, always look at the progress of mindful that with great power Metrocint General Insurance comes great responsibility.

Company over its fifty years, We lower our heads in to feel and be impacted by his disappointment when they fall person. short. But ultimately, they are And if it is that Metrocint still human beings with marks its Golden Anniversary different roles to play, with an equal distribution of including being politicians. the spotlight on its own The above all but success and the vision, summarises the man that perseverance and focus of its Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ founder, it is because they are Richards was, i.e. the synonymous. foundation, the shoulders, the There will and should never constitution, so to speak, on be an apology for the efforts to which the success of commemorate Uncle Metro’s’ Metrocont general Insurance contributions and popularise Company has been solidly his values and ideals that laid. characterized his life and In wishing Metrocint a endeavours beyond the world Happy 50th Birthday, it is as of insurance, to include an good a time as any, active interest in the politics of posthumously as it is, to say a his beloved St. Vincent and big Thank You to Uncle Metro the Grenadines. for his vision and guile, and Among those values and for not fearing the unknown. ideals, those that shone May Metrocint live for brightest were: justice, love, another 50 years and more, kindness and humility; always and may it never forget the begin the work; do the right single figure that gave it birth thing for the right reason; and meaning.

THE METROCINT STORY “Dreams of my Father” Continued from Page 2a.

And added to this was the challenge to maintain and grow the THE VINCENTIAN newspaper. Egerton Richards had bought THE VINCENTIAN in 1982 when it was at the point of bankruptcy. He felt it was an important organ — one that could become the voice of the people.

That THE VINCENTIAN has withstood the test of time and can boast of a history of more than a hundred years, is testimony to the vision of its saviour, Egerton Richards.

Re-commitment The long and the short is that we have a tremendous legacy in Uncle Metro. His legacy is the light of this company and must never be extinguished.

We should ask ourselves: If Uncle Metro was alive, what would he expect of me as an employee? How could we have made him proud?

We have to continue the legacy. We have to epitomize the things, the values for which he stood stoically. We have to make sure that Metrocint continues to be Number 1. We have to continue to give of our best and see ourselves as owning the company.

Let Metrocint General Insurance Company continue to shine as a beacon of the best of Vincentian enterprise, in fulfillment of the legacy of a committed patriot who gave his life works to this country.

We say Hip! Hip! Hooray! Cheer to the memory of our founder, Egerton ‘Eggie’ Richards, as we launch Uncle Metro Day as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.

4a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 5a.

Ian Da Silva is the longest serving member of staff of Metrocint General insurance Co. Ltd.

A tenure of memorable and joyous moments

by HAYDN HUGGINS

IAN DA SILVA’S 46 years with Metrocint General Insurance Company Limited could be described as a tenure of memorable and joyous

moments.

A product of Chile Village, Georgetown, Ian, at the time a young vocalist with the Georgetown-based Affetusos Combo, joined the company in the early 1970s as a clerk. He

Ian Da Silva doing what he does best - satisfying another Metrocint Customer.

worked his way up, receiving a number of promotions, and has held the position of Insurance Manager for about the last 20 years or so.

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the company. When he made his debut, the staff was comprised of three persons, under the astute leadership of the company’s founder and General Manager Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ Richards. The struggle to gain recognition presented serious challenges.

“We had some rough times because we were the first indigenous Insurance Company here. We were not recognized by our own people because it was founded by a black man, and in those days all we knew about was

foreign Insurance Companies,” Ian told THE VINCENTIAN during an interview at his office on Wednesday.

But the simple and cool going individual hastened to add proudly, “Because of the perseverance and dedication of management and staff, we were able to overcome many of the challenges and today we are one of the leading Insurance companies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Ian also held high praises for ‘Uncle Metro’s daughter Desiree Richards, currently the Company’s Managing Director, whom he said played a critical role in keeping the company on a good footing, following her father’s death in 2001.

Metrocint General

Insurance is the only place Ian has ever worked. He attributed his love for and dedication to the Company as being primarily responsible for keeping him going over the years.

“I never had any problems with management and I realized that Insurance is an interesting career and I developed my love for it over the years,” he said.

His mentors are ‘Uncle Metro’ and Trinidad and Tobago’s Bertrand Doyle, the Principal of the Academy of Insurance in Trinidad, where Ian underwent training in General Insurance in 1979.

Ian concluded by thanking customers and friends for the faith they have place in the company over the years.

“That support has been the foundation of our progress over the years and we look forward to our relationship on that togetherness for 2019 and beyond,” he underscored.

And as the company celebrates 50 years of existence, Ian looks back with pride and joy at an entity he has spent almost of his life helping to build.

To him, those years have being like spending time with a family away from home, without missing home.

6a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 7a.

8a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 9a.

Ms Vida Graham receives an award for her 29 years of dedicated service from CEO Ms Desiree Richards.

Metrocint hosts Star Spangled Awards Dinner

by KENVILLE HORNE METROCINT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ first indigenous insurance company, turned 50 years on December 31, 2018.

As a precursor to that day’s celebration, over 25 employees of the Metrocint Group of Companies — Metrocint, Metro Life and THE VINCENTIAN Publishing Company and partner entities were recognized for their contribution to the Company, at a gala Star Spangled Awards Dinner on Thursday 27th December, at the Sugar Mill Academy, Ratho Mill Ian Da Silva, Vida Graham, Maria Cupid, Coline Fraser and Stanley Quammie were recognized for over 20 years of service.

Awards for 10-20 years of service were presented to Cyp Neehall, Alinka Gellizeau, Rhandez Browne, Monisha Ashton and Dwight DaSilva.

Jacinta Elliot, Frank George, Sharon Boatswain, Rachelle George,

THE VINCENTIAN’s Ms Maria Durham receives an award for her 26 years of dedicated service from CEO Ms Desiree Richards.

Ms Coline Fraser receives an award for her 24 years of dedicated service from CEO Ms Desiree Richards.

Rafielia Herbert, Rhea Ryan, Cathrine Gibson and Aaron John were awarded for 1 to 10 years of service.

Special recognition was made of Ian Da Silva for 46 years of service to Metrocint General Insurance, Lubian Olliviere for service to Metrocint in Bequia, and business partners/consultants Afzal Khan and Shanti Khan of Prosperity Concepts and Defreitas and Associates for having contributed significantly to the reforms the Company had to make to improve its competitiveness.

Tributes and Addresses Canada-based, retired Insurance Executive and THE VINCENTIAN’s international correspondent Ben Harrison paid tribute to Metrocint General Insurance Co. In a statement read by General Manager (Ag) Jacinta Elliott, Harrison said, inter alia, that 18 years ago he Continued on Page 10a.

Mr. Stanley Quammie receives an award for his longstanding service to the company from CEO Ms Desiree Richards.

10a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Star Spangled Awards Dinner

Mr. Dwight DaSilva receives an award for 11 years of committed service from Mr. Ken Thomas, while CEO Ms Desiree Richards is also pictured.

Ms Jacinta Elliott receives the CEO Award for Distinguished Service from CEO Ms Desiree Richards, in the company of Chairperson Mrs Noreen Richards.. established before this country’s independence met the current CEO, and statehood, “And in and his background in those conditions, the insurance allowed him to singular agent of this assist the insurance gentleman is that he was company, playing the able to establish the first “devil’s advocate” at indigenous insurance times. company in St. Vincent Harrison said that he and the Grenadines, and was confident that 50 by doing so he years from now, a contributed to our different but equally economic decolonization.” talented management He described the and crew will be company’s founder, celebrating the Metrocint ‘Uncle Metro’ as a General Insurance pioneer who took risky Company’s centenary business initiatives and Stanley De Freitas of made them successful De Freitas and and recognized. He also Associates, in his recognized Richards’ address, said that the wife, Noreen, as helping achievement of the 50th to anchor those anniversary milestone businesses.

Ms Rhandez Browne receives an award for 16 years of exceptional service from Mr. Ken Thomas, was testament to the excellent foundation laid Metrocint is not only a while CEO Ms Desiree Richards is also pictured.

by Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ name Richards and determination to succeed.

The evening’s (His full address can be formalities were marked found on Page 19a of this by a wide-ranging supplement.) address by Ms. Desiree Minister of Health Richards, CEO/Managing Luke Browne, who Director of the Metrocint deputized for Prime Group of Companies.

Minister Dr. Ralph In recognizing her Gonsalves, admitted that father, she deemed him he had had no “… one of the most relationship with the brilliant men that I have elder Richards, but ever met in my entire gathered information on life,” and reminded the his life and gathering that he was a accomplishments trailblazer, having been through conversation at some time in his life a with his (Browne’s) politician, tailor, father, and from research policeman, inventor, for his book businessman, writer, ‘Entrepreneurs of St. newspaper editor.

Vincent and the She said that her Grenadines’. father would always Ms Monisia Ashton receives an award for 13 years Browne noted that start a new initiative of outstanding service from Mr. Ken Thomas, while Metrocint was while her mother, CEO Ms Desiree Richards is also pictured.

Continued from Page 9a.

Noreen Richards, would always do the finishing touches.

“He found the buildings, she put in the decorations,” said the CEO of how the business chemistry between her parents worked.

The CEO said the idea of starting an insurance company was broached by her father to her mother one night when he shook her and said, ‘You know, too much money is leaving St. Vincent. I got to do something about it , I got to start my own Ms Alinka Gellizeau insurance company’.” received an award for 18 Thus was born, on years of devoted service.

December 31, 1968, transitional law studies the Metrocint General at the UWI, but was Insurance Company thrown into the mix, still which, according to Ms. unprepared for Richards, “is not just a leadership, with the name, it’s a being and sudden passing of her those who work with us father in 2001. would know, and the “I was unsure about personality is very large, how to run the company; the personality is a but with the grace of personality of God, the help of my patriotism.” mother and staff, I was For the next 33 or so years, Egerton Richards able to overcome the challenges of managing worked with his staff to such an organization. build the company, but “One day at a time, I died suddenly in 2001.

Ms. Richards recalled started to gain the confidence to learn about having resisted initially the company, and bit by her father’s appeal for bit , time by time, I was her to return from her able to master my USA residency, to assume responsibility in environment and applied the education that I got the company. ,”said Richards She admitted being “Throughout our hesitant and trying to avoid having anything to difficulties, I can tell you today we are still the do with the company, choosing instead to focus number one motor vehicle insurance in on her career as a SVG, and I think that is Lawyer. a tremendous When she did return accomplishment because after much prompting there is still a lot of and a spine-shivering “I foreign competitors,” the am depending on you,” CEO boasted. from her father, she completed her

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 11a.

Star Spangled Awards Dinner

Mr Afzal and Mrs Shanti Khan receives an award in recognition of exemplary support to the development of our team.

Mr Frank George receives the CEO Award for Dedication from CEO Ms. Desiree Richards, in the company of Chairperson Mrs Noreen Richards.

Ms Sharon Boatsawain receives award for 8 years of committed service.

Mrs Rachelle George receives award for 7 years of Ms Rafielia Herbert receives award for 4 years of committed service. oustanding service.

Mrs Cathrine Gibson receives award for 2 years of committed service.

Mrs Aaron John receives award for outstanding initiative.

Mr. Haydn Huggins accepts a token of appreciation.

Mr. Kenville Horne accepts a token of appreciation.

Ms Rolana Mc Dowald accepts a token of appreciation.

Ms Moline Da Silva accepts a token of Mrs Nicole Bramble accepts a token of appreciation. appreciation.

12a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Customer Appreciation Mr. Augustin Ledger was rewarded for his dedicated service.

Mr. Norman Cuffy was rewarding for his long standing support and was also awarded free insurance for a year. Mrs Cuffy recieved on his behalf fromCEO Ms. Desiree Richards.

Ms Estelle Revierre was rewarded for her longstanding support, and received her award from Chairperson Mrs Noreen Richards.

Mr. Keith Allen was rewarded for his valuable support to the company.

Mr George and Mrs Elizabeth Frederick were rewarded for their long standing support. Mr Frederick received his trophy from Mrs Richards.

Bally and Bally Investments Ltd. were rewarded for its valuable contribution to the company. Here Cameron Balcombe receives from Ms. Richards.

Mrs Sally Cato receives on behalf of Cato’s Heavy Equipment Rentals Ltd. for their valuable contribution.

Mr. Joseph ‘Charlie’ Grecia received a reward for his unwavering support to the company from Mrs. Noreen Richards.

The SVG Taxi Drivers Association was rewarded for its unwavering loyalty.

Mr. Josiah Rodney was awarded free insurance for a year as appreciation for his long standing support.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 13a.

Customer Appreciation

The token of appreciation to the Richards family from the members of staff.

Jacinta Elliott, Acting General Manager, being presented with a token of appreciation from the staff.

VOX POP

For those whom Metro serves

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY METROCINT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY is heading towards the attainment of its 100th year in operation. And the Company completed the first phase of the landmark with an Appreciation Day Monday December 31, to mark its 50th Anniversary.

That date has become a symbol of

transformation in the vehicle Insurance industry. It was on December 31 1968 that the Metrocint Insurance Company was established.

Its anniversary has justified the visionary and inspirational capacity that Egerton ‘Eggie’ Richards possessed.

This year was ground-breaking.

Here are some responses from persons at the commemoration.

Tours. I have never gotten into any serious accident.

I congratulate Metrocint on its 50th Anniversary. I recommend it to everyone.

Josiah Joey Rodney: Trucker Gerald Kenton Nichols: Bus Driver.

It is an alright company. I am with them since 1982. That was when my mother, Valma Jenny Nichols, gave me a passenger bus.

She encouraged me to enlist with Metrocint because it was the only local insurance.

I got my own vehicle in 1984 and have not looked away from Metrocint. Most of the work I do is with Coreas

They are the best insurance right now. You have no problems with Metrocint. Your problems are settled easily. I have been insured here for 44

wasn’t good I would have left. I never find a problem with Metrocint.

I say to vehicle owners that Metro is the way to go.

They have expanded insurance field, so that’s a sign of progress.

Saline Barbour: Civil Servant businessman, engineer….. He inspired lots of people. He has been a role model to me, my brothers and sisters.

He is a true Vincentian.

years. My first vehicle was a board bus called El Paso. I used to carry passengers from Greiggs.

Later I changed to a passenger van.

From the time I insure, I never had a problem.

I moved into Trucking 1999.

Joseph ‘Joey ‘Haynes: Chauffeur I have been insured with Metrocint since I started driving. If it

Velma Maloney: Selfemployed

Elma Franklyn Jack: Teacher

I have been insured with Metrocint for 16 years. The service is commendable. I am not going anywhere else. I will recommend it to all.

The warmth of the staff is outstanding and there is a family atmosphere.

Mr DaSilva always accommodates you. If you are dissatisfied he is there to lend a hand.

Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance: Calypsonian

I have been insured with Metrocint for four years. I love the service they provide. They have met me where I needed them. I wish them a happy 50th anniversary and to St. Vincent and the Grenadines joyful 2019.

I have been with Ken Thomas: Real Estate Metrocint for over five Agent years. I have different Egerton Richards was policies with the all things to all men. He company. Their service has been excellent. was an inventor,

Fifty years is a milestone. Metrocint is the first local insurance company so that’s an honour for people like me.

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16a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

METROCINT celebrates 50 years of service

native insurance company in this fair land.

There would have been mixed feelings about the company through the years. Some would have felt they needed to express dissatisfaction with the services they received for one reason or the other.

However, it must have been that these were a minority, for they were far outnumbered by those who remained loyal to the company, convinced that they were recipients of genuine professional service.

Originally, Metrocint offered only Motor Vehicle Insurance. As Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ Richards, founder of the the years rolled on, it Metrocint General Insurance Company, was an expanded its scope to impacting figure. offer Household and Fire Insurance services, and

by PATMOS RICHARDS numerous challenges. today, a subsidiary These it was able to company, Metrolife, I JOIN THE PUBLIC in overcome through a offers Life Insurance congratulating Metrocint consistent approach to coverage.

General Insurance and genuine interest in Metrocint General Company on the occasion its clientele.

Insurance Company is of its 50th Anniversary, Metorcint’s founder indisputably St. which it celebrated on and visionary — the late Vincent’s number one Monday 31st December Egerton ‘Uncle Metro’ insurance company when 2018.

Richards - must be it comes to Motor Like in every situation turning in his grave with Insurance service. It in life, Metrocint would pride, satisfied that he enjoys most of that have experienced pioneered the market. But for a teething problems and establishment of the first company to capture such

loyalty and to have attained 50th years of unbroken service to Vincentians, must have come on the backs of hard work, commitment and dedication.

In that light, praise is in order for Metrocint’s conscientious staff led by its Insurance Manager Mr Ian da Silva, Office Manager Coline Fraser, Senior Underwriter Cathrine Gibson and other staff members.

However, the real driving force behind Metrocint current success is its Chief Executive Officer - Miss Desiree Richards, daughter of the late Egerton Richards. Her astute leadership skills, sense of innovation and initiative have contributed significantly to reforming the company to ensure it

At Metrocint there’s always time to lend an ear to a customer, especially so during an Appreciation Day. remains a key player in the insurance industry.

All in all, it has been no easy journey, and all those associated with Metrocint must be recognized for having contributed to the

building of an institution in itself.

I wish Metrocint General Insurance Company many more years of success in the insurance industry.

A Message for Metrocint DECEMBER 31, 2018 you celebrate 50 years of operation as a general insurance Company — an achievement and significant milestone that must be recognized.

This is no small feat and everyone who has played a part in growing this organization, from the first locally owned and controlled insurance company to an institution that is rivalled among the leading organizations in the industry, must be commended.

I wish to honour the founder, Egerton Richards. He laid the foundation on which those 50 years of accomplishments rest. Without his vision, his fearlessness, his insistence and focus there would be no fifty years to celebrate.

And those whom the founder gathered around him to help grow Metrocint through its teething period, were not simply pencil pushers, but were recognized by the founder as people with knowledge, a sense of dedication and determination — attributes so essential to advancement and progress.

So here we are 50 years later, not by chance but because of the hard work and commitment of a number of persons — leadership, the management and the employees - who day in and day out struggled to take this company where it is today.

Core human values such as trust, honesty, integrity and teamwork are the qualities of those who wish to

survive in the insurance industry or any other industry for that matter, and no doubt these are elements which you took with you through the 50 years.

Always though, the customer experience is what is important and it must have been the driver of your success over the last 50 years.

Metrocint has shown a willingness and ability to adapt to a dynamic and ever-changing operating environment that unquestionably encompasses more complex issues than what existed in 1968 at the time of its birth.

This means that service based companies like yours need to be cognizant of the value of technology and communication patterns that attend the needs of the current and future generations.

So, you would do well to look to a future of technology to broaden your perspectives in a really interconnected world.

Metrocint’s contribution to national development must be acknowledged as it is an integral part of the financial and insurance activities industry The ladies and gentlemen associated with Metrocint ought to be proud of the achievements , and I am certain you are prepared to play your part to help unfold and realize great plans for the future of the company.

Executive leadership, management and staff, I wish you every success in the next 50 years.

Anon

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 17a.

18a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. 19a.

L-R: Stanton De Freitas of Defreitas and Associates, CEO of Metrocint group of companies Ms Desiree Richards, Ms. Indira Narine of Defreitas and Associates, Chairperson of the Metrocint Group of s Mrs Noreen Richards and Mr. Stanley De Freitas Managing Partner of Defreitas and Associates.

De Freitas and Associates received an award for their Immeasurable Support and Outstanding Guidance in the devlopment of the organisation.

Metrocint: A major brand on a solid foundation ADDRESS DELIVERED BY STANLEY DE FREITAS OF DE FREITAS AND ASSOCIATES AT THE 5OTH ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY OF METROCINT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY – DECEMBER 27, 2018.

I AM TRULY HONOURED to be asked to persons have different viewpoints on leadership in recognizing that those make a few remarks on this auspicious matters, Metrocint’s management charged with governance must make occasion – the 50th anniversary of way for others who must takeover. As generally canvasses its staff for their Metrocint. input. To illustrate the need for such, Metrocint’s continuance is as a Jeff Bezos, Majority Shareholder, understanding different points of view, result of the superb leadership of Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Desiree Richards, her management I am reminded of a dispute between a Amazon.com Inc, is currently the Trinidadian and a Jamaican team and staff that is always wealthiest person in the world at 150 concerning the proper pronunciation of undergirded by the wisdom and Billion Dollars. I recall Mr. Bezos the word PREFER; whether it is ‘preguidance of Mrs. Noreen Richards. saying on a television programme, that fer or pra-fa. It took a Vincentian to Metrocint is an indigenous, locally a person would be very lucky to have a owned and managed general insurance ‘settle’ the dispute. He proclaimed, “I start-up company survive 20 years, prefer prafa.” company that has made significant and even more fortunate to outlive the contributions to the insurance It is my view that everyone needs organization. an enemy to get to their destination. industry in SVG as well as the We recognize the late Egerton That enemy may be an event, person national economy. Metrocint’s Richards- fondly known as “Uncle and/or circumstance, but whatever it management team should be Metro” — Founder of Metrocint, did not commended for guiding the company is, it causes that person to shift focus. outlive Metrocint, but we all know I believe Metrocint’s strength is as a over the years through turbulent that Metrocint surpassed 20 years and times, to become a formidable player result of past difficulties and is now celebrating 50 years of in the industry. It is my view that the challenges that shaped it to become existence. I do believe “Uncle Metro” one of the most significant companies secret of success is to do common understood the principle that the in SVG today. In other words, things uncommonly well. Metrocint achievement of your goal is assured Metrocint’s management understands has been a master in this regard. the moment you commit yourself. obstacles are problems you see when For those of us who drive Steven Covey, in his book The you take your eyes off your goals. automobiles, we understand the need Seven Habits of Highly Effective I recall a story of two men who got for “rear-view mirrors” and People, states that one of the keys in into trouble with the law and were “windshields”. The reason why your life is “beginning with the end in incarcerated for their crimes. One of rear-view mirror is small, is that it mind”. Although Covey is speaking of them got frustrated and hanged deals with matters behind you — one’s personal life, the statement is matters that you cannot influence. On himself with his bedsheet. BUT the also valid with respect to business other man wrote a “somebody done me the other hand, your windshield is ventures and the alike. Without being large as it is forward and future wrong” song and sold it for $150,000. considered presumptuous, it is proper looking — filled with possibilities. I Same circumstances — different to believe that “Uncle Metro” would approaches and outcomes. believe Metrocint’s management have envisaged Metrocint becoming a understands the importance of forward While it is necessary to attract major brand name in the insurance foreign direct investments to SVG, it is planning, considering the changing industry in SVG. paramount for all of us to encourage insurance landscape and related The achievement of this milestone is headwinds, particularly on the advent and support local companies like testimony to an excellent foundation Metrocint, as they generally have a of the proposed OECS Insurance Bill laid by the late “Uncle Metro” and his consequential of the relatively recent profound and unwavering interest in determination to succeed. I believe the national development of our BAICO and CLICO debacle. that Uncle Metro understood that country that is not necessarily Forward planning requires input “finesse” always determines the imbedded in the culture of foreignfrom all members of the organization outcome of life’s more dangerous based entities, as per Scotiabank to ensure “buy-in” and acceptance of pathways. I also believe he understood organizational objectives. Because leaving the OECS

Mr. Stanley De Freitas, Managing Partner of Defreitas and Associates.

Conclusion In conclusion, let me say that Metrocint should be emulated by aspiring entrepreneurs and existing local companies, regardless of their operational activity, as Metrocint is and continues to be a trailblazer in corporate SVG. I thank the management of Metrocint for inviting me to speak at this important event and you the attendees for your attentiveness, and I hope we all would be around to celebrate future Metrocint milestones.

20a. FRIDAY, JANUARY 04, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN