THE VINCENTIAN PDF- 08-01-21

FRIDAY, JANUARY

08, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.01

Quarantine case collapses Page 4

www.thevincentian.com

Man-AboutTown Page 7

EC$1.50

CoP chides officers Page 13

‘Bigger Biggs’ relaxed Page 17

COVID update Page 24

Household garbage and other debris scattered across the main road in Rose Place, effectively blocking vehicular traffic.

Story on Page 3.

The drain that remains a bone of contention is an ideal breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Left: Rose Place residents took to the street to vent their frustration over the pile up of garbage in their community.

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News 3 Call to remove concrete enclosure

facilities provided for that community. And he is appealing to the relevant authorities to “close down the concrete enclosure” in particular, since it encourages an unhealthy environment. The concrete enclosure is one of two facilities provided for garbage disposal in the community, the other being a ‘garbage skip’. Residents in the community of Rose Place on Tuesday morning blocked one of the main road in the area with garbage and other debris that they said were left Kenrick Haywood, a undisposed since before resident of Rose Place, gave a detailed account Christmas Day. However, following of the misuse of the garbage facilities in that media attention health officials and workers at community by the Solid Waste ‘outsiders’. Management Unit KENRICK HAYWOOD is responded swiftly and among residents of Rose cleaned the area. Place who are calling for Haywood who lives in businesses and other proximity to the concrete outsiders to stop disposing enclosure, told THE of their garbage in the

VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that ‘outsides’ are using the community as a dumping ground. “Restaurants, Syrian stores, coconut vendors, government buildings and all, hospital and all throwing things there,” Haywood stated with a tone of disgust. “Why the business places them don’t get the garbage truck to remove their garbage? What they are doing is that they looking for the vagrants and pay them a three dollars or a five dollars to throw the garbage down here. I telling you the truth, and is early morning and late night they are throwing the garbage a lot of the times. “Me and them does have argument because I does wake up early morning too and waiting for them. Even if the garbage dump is full they still throwing their waste here,” Haywood

The concrete enclosure was in use a day after it was cleared and cleaned. detailed what seemed to be a routine. “They can do better and the health authorities should enforce the law to fine persons who are dumping their garbage illegal,” said Haywood. Haywood called for the

concrete enclosure to be “removed”, a call that was echoed by MP for the West Kingstown constituency, Daniel Cummings. He is also appealing to Vincentians on a whole to keep the country clean and stop urinating in

public or else face the prospect of being fine. THE VINCENTIAN visited the community again on Wednesday, a day after the action taken by the Rose Place residents. Garbage could be seen in the concrete enclosure. (KH)

Garbage Woes in Rose Place garbage pile-up and misuse of the facilities provided came RESIDENTS OF ROSE PLACE, on into view when it was noted Tuesday morning blocked the that a drain leading into the main road through the sea, was clearly backed-up community with household with residue, creating what garbage and other debris, which could be described as an ideal they said were left unattended, ‘A dumping ground’ breeding ground for i.e. undisposed since before mosquitoes. Christmas Day. A disconcerting smell and “They have the place like a However, following quick buzzing flies greeted THE dumping ground and we tired. postings of the action on social VINCENTIAN’s reporter when We have kids living here and media platforms, health he arrived in the community the situation is really sad,” officials and the Solid Waste Tuesday morning. said one resident, with a Management Unit responded It was not long after his concern that the drain could swiftly to have the garbage arrival that residents began breed the Dengue Fever removed and the throughway airing their grievances, some mosquito that had already reopened. using strong language, claimed some lives. Some angry and frustrated including expletives, while residents of the West others were more restrained in ‘Politics playing’ Kingstown community, which registering their disgust. is earmarked to undergo The majority, though, Rudolph ‘Shark’ Gumbs, a transformation with the attested to what they claimed stalwart of the community, construction of a New was the last visit by the voiced an opinion that the Kingstown Port, said that the garbage truck — some time treatment handed out to the community had become a before Christmas Day was the community “had to do with dumping ground for garbage consensus of the visibly angry politics.” from business places in residents. He pointed to other drains Kingstown, as well as coconut “One of dem bin say dat de that he said the authorities vendors. garbage trucks breakdown but paid to have cleaned but in The business houses and you mean to say dem cyar find pointing to the one that was coconut vendors dump their clearly a hot bed for no truck to move out the garbage, shells in the case of garbage,” said a male who did mosquitoes, he said, “Them the coconut vendors, in a large not want to be identified. say up ya, because now we ah concrete enclosure and/or More evidence of unhealthy NDP they say they ain’t giving metal skip located next to the conditions occasioned by the we work to clean up here …… by KENVILLE HORNE

hard-court, along which a number of shops (and food vendors) are located. The concrete enclosure and skip are managed by the Solid Waste Management Unit.

Carlos Wilson, Senior Environmental Health Official (right) in discussion with residents. why they ain’t paying we to clean up here?” Gumbs wondered aloud. At least two trucks — including the truck specially designed to carry the skip were involved in the removal of the garbage, after which the road was reopened to vehicular traffic. During the time it took to make this happen, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Carlos Wilson consulted with the frustrated residents. He promised to look further into the matter as it related to improving collection and removal of garbage from Rose Place, and the use of the facilities by businesses and persons not located in the community. Daniel Cummings, Opposition Parliamentary Representative for the West

Kingstown Constituency, in which Rose Place is located, was on hand to help in quelling frustrations. He told persons gathered that the situation was bigger than emptying the bin. “We have a continuous problem with the skip and the concrete box (concrete enclosure) that encourage persons from all over to use the area as a dump. I am again requesting the removal of the concrete box and provision of regular plastic bins to the residents,” said the MP. Residents, meanwhile, took to a live Facebook feed to further vent their disgust with the situation, and call on the relevant authorities to address the matter urgently so as to avoid a reoccurrence of today’s action.

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Court

Quarantine case collapses

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS LAST Tuesday’s collapse of a breach of quarantine case here was mainly the result of gaping holes in the administration of the law. That’s the view of Attorney Israel Bruce who represented the defendant, Jeyandra Jackson, a resident of Long Piece, who had resided in Canada Attorney Israel before arriving here in Bruce successfully October 2020. defended his client Jackson, 22, walked free against charged laid from the Kingstown as per an Magistrate’s Court on amendment to the Tuesday after Senior Public Health Act. Magistrate Rickie Burnett upheld a no case submission from Bruce. The submission was made at the close of the prosecution’s case in December, but Burnett had reserved his decision. The Magistrate ruled that there was no evidence before the Court to show that Jackson was issued with the order. She was charged with breaching an order by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Roger Duncan on October 28, 2020, requiring her to

quarantine for 14 days, 5 in an approved facility and 9 at home, in accordance with the Public Health Act, as it related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson’s case is the first of this nature to go through a trial, and the first in which an acquittal was secured. In his no case submission, Bruce not only challenged the flaws in the prosecution’s case, but also questioned what he described as gaping holes in the Health Care System. Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday following Jackson’s acquittal, Bruce made it clear that he does not support anybody who breaches the quarantine order as he had a duty to country, and noted that the recent amendment to the Public Health Act was put in place to protect Vincentians. But the added, “There are so many gaping holes in the administration of the law, and that is why, in this case, we had the result that we had.” He pointed out that, “They have been using a Medical Officer’s Order, also referred to as a Court Order. “This order is not prepared in duplicate or triplicate copies and clearly it leaves an evidential gap. While they (witnesses) were saying that they gave her (Jackson) a copy of the order, the state itself did not have a copy to present to the Court as evidence of that fact.” Bruce said that, “Essentially, they relied on evidence that was not cogent.”

State signals intention to appeal THE STATE has indicated its intention to appeal Senior Magistrate’s Rickie Burnett’s decision in a breach of quarantine matter. Magistrate Burnette ruled on the matter last Tuesday at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court. Jeyandra Jackson of Long Piece, who had resided in Canada before arriving here in October last year, was acquitted after the Senior Magistrate upheld a no case submission from Jackson’s attorney Israel Bruce. Jackson was charged with breaching a

quarantine order by Medical Officer of Health Dr. Roger Duncan, the offence allegedly committed on October 28 last year. Jackson had denied receiving the order. Following the Magistrate ruling on Tuesday, Crown Counsel Shackel Bobb who prosecuted the matter, officially informed the Court that the state intended to appeal the decision. When contacted later that day, attorney Israel Bruce, who represented Jackson, told THE VINCENTIAN that, “I am convinced that the Magistrate considered

clearly all the evidence that was before him.” He suggested, “What the Crown should be doing is making recommendations to the Ministry of Health as to how to tighten the system, and the procedures of quarantine,” and used the opportunity to “discourage anyone who is contemplating breaching the quarantine order”. He underscored, “That would not be in the best interest of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In her response to Bruce’s no case submission which he had

Crown Counsel Shackel Bobb gave early notice of an appeal by the state. argued at the close of the Prosecution’s case in December, Bobb pointed out that two nurses said in their evidence that Jackson was issued with the order, and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Roger Duncan in his evidence, said that he had knowledge that the order was issued, though there was no copy of the order before the Court. Dr. Duncan, under cross-examination by Bruce, admitted that he could not say for sure that Jackson was issued with the order, though it was the procedure. Bobb, in response to Bruce’s submission, argued that since the issue was one of credibility, the matter should be continued, and left to the Court, Magistrate for a final decision.

Bruce also told THE VINCENTIAN that there was a breach of the confidentially of the person in quarantine. He noted that Jackson had told the Court that on the fifth day of her quarantine at the approved facility, it was communicated to her through the receptionist that her test was negative and that she could go. According to Bruce, that information should have been given to Jackson directly by the health worker, and not through a third party. In relation to the health aspect, Bruce said that the Ministry needs to make a determination between isolation and quarantine. He is of the view that during the 9 days quarantine at home, anything could happen, as some of these houses have several persons living there, and they could go out and come in as they like. In handed down his ruling on the no case submission, the Senior Magistrate made reference to the case law of Regina vs Galbraith which stipulated that if there is no evidence, the Court should discontinue the case. If there is evidence, but it is tenuous or weak, the case should also be discontinued, and if there is some evidence and the question for the Court is if a jury properly directed could return a verdict of guilty, and the answer is no, the case should also be discontinued. In this case, the Magistrate was both judge and jury. He pointed out that the Prosecution’s case when taken at its highest, a jury properly directed could not return a verdict of guilty. The matter was prosecuted by Crown Counsel Shakel Bobb who contended the matter should be continued.

Men granted bail on burglary charge THREE MEN who are accused of burglarizing a house at Diamond two days before Christmas, have been granted bail. Shamol Williams, Jovanny Stephens and Ronel Dorset, all of Diamond, were on Wednesday, each granted $5,000 bail with one surety, and ordered to return to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court. The men are jointly charged with entering the home of Simone Fergus of Diamond and stealing items at a total value of $7,800. The offence was reportedly committed at Diamond on December 23, 2020. The men, who have pleaded not guilty to the charge, were denied bail when they initially appeared before Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last week. The Prosecution had objected to bail then, on the grounds that investigations were ongoing, and the men could hinder that process if granted bail. However, when they returned to Court on Wednesday, the Prosecution waived their objection. As part of the bail conditions, the men are required to report to the Stubbs Police Station every Monday. The matter was adjourned to January 11 and transferred to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy who pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods, in connection with the same matter, was released in the custody and care of a family member when he appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

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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

“All animals are equal...” THE TOPIC is the first part of a quotation from George Orwell’s allegorical novel ‘Animal Farm’. The full quotation reads: “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.” In the novel, the animals conspire to take control of their farm from humans, establishing seven fundamental ‘Animalist’ commandments to prevent the return of the oppressive behaviour of humans. Over time, the animals, with the pigs in the lead, pervert the commandments, carve out exceptions for themselves, and change the agenda. “No animal shall drink alcohol,” for example, becomes “No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.” Eventually, the pigs and their supreme leader- Napoleon scrap the whole charade and replace the Commandments with one of twentieth century literature’s most memorable sentences: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Try as hard as they could to convince ‘the workers’ that things are improving on the farm, the oppressive behavior of humans returns. Of course, those who have studied ‘Animal Farm’ know that this novel is a parody of Stalinist Russia. Yet it seems so ‘twenty-first century’ in appeal. The plot could apply to other situations in which people have set out to create their vision of a Utopian society, only for it to become another group’s dystopia. The way a society is structured may change, but human nature does not necessarily follow suit. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher, viewed human life as ‘nasty, brutish and short’. That taken, we should not be surprised if time and time again we replicate previous inequalities and tyrannies with only a change of ‘players’. Such is the case in ‘Animal Farm’. So what is to be done? Christianity has always recognised the tendency of humans to ‘fall short’ of the mark, something which it calls

‘sin’. At the same time, it recognises that all are made in the image of God, an expression of the worth of all human beings. All humans really are created equal and therefore should be dignified by the way they are treated. But governments, which are really political parties who are wont to please their financiers, in their frailty make laws to appease those reservoirs of support. What transpires is that if at all there are structural changes these are not likely to bring about equality. This is evident in governments’ “do as I say, not as I do” approach to the Covid19 pandemic. You shouldn’t go to restaurants or get together with family to celebrate a holiday, but it’s okay to allow a big ‘do’ in one of the world elite’s island paradises. No one begrudges anyone a haircut, a nice dinner out, or a weekend with family. But what can be questioned is the rank hypocrisy of some getting a haircut, going out for a nice meal, and retreating with their family while threatening the rest of us with dire consequences should we do so. Whether they really believe themselves or not, it is the politicians’ attitude about rules and to whom those laws apply that really matters here. The aristocrats think they are our betters. They see themselves as our keepers the way one might keep animals on a farm or at a zoo. They pay lip service to lofty ideas like liberty, responsibility, and equality but they genuinely believe that they are more equal than the rest of us. Their high social position and political support shield them, for example, from the presumption that lying is wrong. Politicians say they rule themselves. If they do, the least they can do is acknowledge that “,,,some animals are more equal than others,” as their guiding principle. Have we become the latest ‘Animal Farm’?

Jomo again (First published in THE VINCENTIAN OF FRIDAY 19TH February, 2016.) SEVERAL YEARS AGO, Jomo Thomas had publicly proclaimed that his People’s Movement for Change (P.M.C) would be prepared to face elections against the two Giants, cost it what it may. I had heard far better cocks crow that short-lived line before. Historically, for better or usually for worse, the country seems wedded to the two-party system, “till death do us part”! That is the reason that Ralph had to link his M.N.U to a mainstream party, and keep the label “Party” as in ULP. After two more years of frustration, Jomo was advised to do likewise. The emergence of his movement to control Government was a No-No in this environment. It could never have happened. An examination of the horns of PMC’s membership exposed them to be closed ideologues disguised U.L.Pites, who enjoyed the flow but did not want to get their feet wet. The PMC would go the way of most “Third Parties” in SVG, and merely add to the statistic of infant mortality rate that only showed their head to get it lopped off. Besides, Jomo almost gave away his position as virtually representing the lost soul of U.L.P. Indeed, Jomo is personally so biased in favour of the U.L.P, that he becomes purblind to their many misdeeds which he recounts easily. I hoped then that Jomo might consider enlisting in the NDP whose tent is mighty broad, and whose leadership is democratic to a fault, and would accommodate the “independence” of Jomo, within reason. But Jomo has joined the ULP which right now is in dire need of promising souls. Frankly, Jomo does not fit the mould of the bossism of ULP, and I wrote that his entry was a case of the fly innocently entering the parlour of the spider. We shall wait and see! Jomo’s and the P.M.C’s problem is that they cannot believe that the U.L.P has totally degenerated into being the personal vehicle to power and wealth of Ralph Gonsalves and his entourage. Sadly, the P.M.C has trapped itself in an intellectual cul-de-sac. Someone is badly needed to bell the cat whose ring hopefully will wake them up from their directionless sleep-walking. Jomo Thomas Follows Kenneth John (by Alpha J. Simmons “The Vincentian” 10/5/2008) “Since 1979, Dr. Kenneth John has had a fixation on Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, even though the Comrade was then a struggling politician but evidently headed for the big time, based on the high quality of his political, academic, and professional work. Kenneth John would go to his grave fixated

about Ralph. History will record the Comrade’s achievements. Ken John will barely merit a footnote. A similar fixation has gripped Mr. Jomo Thomas. Any article critical of him, he assumes to have been penned by Ralph. Ken John thought the same thing. Dr. John has even repeatedly written the lie that many of Caspar London’s articles are drafted by Ralph. If Jomo does not watch it, he is likely to end up as politically frustrated as Kenneth. At least Kenneth has in his favour more genuine erudition and elegance of style in writing. Both Jomo and Kenneth have allowed their vanities and their undeveloped political consciousness to get the better of them. They are thus led objectively into positions of political backwardness, despite their attempted progressive gloss. It is really sad. Jomo is still redeemable because he is younger, but father time is rushing on. He must grow up and be serious. If not, he would remain at the political margin”. So Ralph has now “redeemed” Jomo. As to Kenneth headed for the grave, his epitaph “will barely merit a foot-note” Amen! Are readers misled as to who is the real author of this note by Alpha Simmons, my foot!. Ralph really promoted Jomo to keep him silent outside the House, and to lessen his chances in his successor’s race, even though Jomo has expressed genuine disinterest in this regard. But Jomo will talk as it pleases him. Already, the departure from ULP testament could be highlighted: the loss of the three NDP teachers case has been branded, in so many words, as political victimisation pure and simple; Bigger Biggs’ case is a clear example of the viciousness of victimisation; National Heroes Day can conceivably be celebrated this National Heroes Day 14th March 2016, with a complement of Chatoyer plus Mc Intosh, Joshua, and Doc Parmenos Eustace but minus Cato, whom Gonsalves wanted but Jomo et al rejected out-of-hand; integrity legislation could see the light of day with Jomo presiding, having been blocked by the ULP for 15 long years! And so on. The new Speaker will face unspeakable horrors unless he acts like his predecessor, Hendrick Alexander. The more things vary, the more they remain the same. Finally, “Alpha Simmons” once had both of us in similar if not the same boat. In fact, he paid respect to my writing style which Jomo called word smith. Anyway, I was beyond redemption on account of old age. Jomo you were still redeemable and you have now entered his period of rehabilitation. Honestly, I wish Jomo all the best.

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Views

Open letter to Michelle Forbes, NEMO Dear Ms. Forbes: WITH THE CURRENT heightened activity at La Soufriere, I am hereby reminded and feel compelled to write to you concerning the eminent

danger of two sets of huge boulders precarious overhanging: (1) parts of the Community of Edinboro located in the area known as Mrs. Neverson’s Gap; and (2) the mountainous hill

Our rivers and streams are dumping grounds STOP USING our rivers and streams as a dumping grounds. Yes, I am not saying anything new, but still felt the need to say it again. I WOKE UP one morning last week after spending a night in a local hotel ready for an early morning swim, only to be greeted by a dead dog brushing up against the seashore as the tide ebbed and flowed. It looked like it was dead for a couple of days. While the hotel workers eventually took care of disposing of the carcass and within minutes the beach looked as inviting as ever, the image of the dead dog on the shore was difficult to “unsee”, and the idea of going into the water that day was no longer appealing. Now this is home for me and I will get over the sight and thoughts of swimming with dogs in a few days, and will be back swimming in our lovely water very soon. However, imagine the impression this sight would have created on someone visiting our nation for the first time. Imagine paying between US$300 & $400 a night to wake up to this experience. Would you be back anytime soon? What would your answer be to your friends to the simple question, how was your vacation? I am not going to debate the merits or the value of tourism to our economy or why this would not be a pleasing sight for a tourist, because it would have been an ugly and unhealthy experience for anyone. We must stop using our rivers and streams as dumping grounds. In a year when we had to deal with the deadly Coronavirus and a reoccurrence of dengue fever, we continued to see the rivers and streams being used as dumping grounds. Since returning (home), I have not ventured much beyond Kingstown, but the conditions of the few rivers and streams “in town” I would describe as deplorable. Heritage Square still smells like a public urinal at 10 a.m any day of the week. The rivers are littered with garbage and most definitely a contributing factor to the spread of the dengue fever, not to mention them being unsightly, unhealthy and in need of immediate attention. We must introduce new laws or enforce existing ones to protect our environment. We must be willing to fine people for using our rivers, streets and public right of way as dumping grounds. While many of my fellow Vincentians frown on the amount of funds being invested by the government to drive and even directly in fluence the tourism industry, one of the benefit this should be a cleaner, safer and healthier nation. If managed correctly, maybe we will also see an increase in the effective minimum wage paid to entry level workers. Maybe we will also see some for those jobs the opposition was talking about. Looking forward to the day when we will have cleaner rivers, streams, streets and public thoroughfares. Horatio

immediately overhanging Nine Steps in the area of Battery Hill and the Rose Place Community. I first became aware of the one at Mrs. Neverson’s Gap in 1968 by the then late Vet. Dr. Earl Kirby, my neighbour. Since then, Dr. Kirby like myself had requested of NEMO more than once to attend to it in order to avoid a catastrophic disaster, but to no avail.

The other one at Battery Hill, I became aware of nearly two years ago. This one is a huge spherically shaped hard granite rock, conservatively in excess of two tons. I recall vividly in May 1974 after a few down pours, a landslide occurred at the foothills of this rock bringing with it a few boulders, destroying the residence of Ms. Marie

Roach, a famous market vendor then and causing one fatality. Fearful that you may treat my request as frivolous and or vexatious, which may eventually end up in the down heap, I have decided to copy it to the media. I do hope that you would treat my request with the urgency it needs. Matthew Thomas

Lawrence Rowe.. Forgotten? is still paying a heavy price over the years, ACCEPT my best wishes having been literally to you, your family and outcast from the world of the family of THE sports and other VINCENTIAN, for the segments of the wider NEW YEAR. society, for that moment It has been some time – some would say a since I last made contact moment of indiscretion through these pages. A – in being a member of recent letter to the the West Indies team on Jamaica Observer that historic, infamous prodded me back into cricket (rebel) tour of action. South Africa during the I share an extract of Apartheid era. that letter for your Although the ban readers especially those imposed by the West cricket enthusiasts: Indies Cricket Board was “I am of the opinion subsequently lifted, there that the Government of has been no real Jamaica, the sporting compassion extended to fraternity, and the public this exceptional sports at large should jointly personality; one who has move to publicly pardon contributed so much to cricket great Lawrence the development of the Rowe at this time. psyche and confidence of Enough is enough! our people by his This former marquee exceptional exploits in cricketer, arguably one of the game of cricket. the most gifted, classic His world record of batsmen to have played being the only batsman the game, has paid and to have scored a double Mr. Editor:

of strength, he sent the ball to the boundary with pure ‘wrist’. You declared then, that his century and a century in innings was the best you his first Test still stands had ever seen from a West Indian live and in – a double in the first living colour. and a single in the I though the extracts second innings. from the letter would Lawrence Rowe is interest you and some of among an elite group of your readers especially cricketers who have scored over 300 runs in a from ‘you time’, since I doubt we have ever done single innings; and to anything to recall how think that feat was accomplished right here great a batsman Lawrence Rowe was. in Jamaica at our own Best wishes. Sabina Park.” Mr. Editor, I recall Paul from Jamaica while being a student under your tutelage at the St. Martin’s Secondary School, you sharing an opinion after you had seen Lawrence Rowe bat at Queen’s * Did a medical Park Oval in Trinidad, practitioner at the and even though he MCMH contract didn’t score a fifty that COVID-19? day, you said that that * How much money innings was the classiest, was allocated to “batsman perfect’ innings Layou for Nine you had ever seen live. Mornings and how I recall you saying was it spent? how without as much as * Like all showing any extra show Vincentians, how government proposes to spend that $125 million it got parliament’s terrible it will be for you permission to experts in religious laws. borrow, before For you to hide the key presenting a budget? to knowledge from the Is some of this for people. You don’t enter wages? the Kingdom * Is there going to be a reduced number of (government of God), passengers on public yourself, and you prevent transport? others from entry,” (Luke * Was there an 11:52). altercation involving A woman is about to two police officers lead this nation sooner that left the higher rather than later. The ranked one revolutionary gospel of hospitalised? the Kingdom of God will * Are we playing flow like rivers…. Look semantics with the for more of this drive … issue of community a New awakening for spread as it relates 2021 and onward. to COVID-19? Christian Democrat

The reason for the season THIS IS A MESSAGE of a better tomorrow. We already celebrated the birth of the Messiah. How many people understand the reason for the season? Did they reflect on the many thousands of male children who were executed by order of the political leader of the day? (Matt. 2:16-18). A reflection of Isa. 9:67 will help us understand the reason for the season: “For a Child is born unto us, a Son is given unto us. And the government will

rest on His shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God (ruler), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David”. When we read Luke 3:11-14, we see John the Baptist speaking to the civil servants, including the police. True Christianity is not about religion. It is about government. “How

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Views

Happy New Year Introduction The traditional greeting offered usually at this time of the year, promotes happiness for all with further wishes of prosperity being offered to family and friends. The beginning of a new year always brings with it renewed hope and unbridled optimism for what lies ahead and Vincentians, in welcoming each new year, extend liberal doses of this hope and optimism to those with whom we

Ralph and Camillo Gonsalves

interact. Following on from a challenging 2020, there seemed to be a deliberate effort by our people, to ensure that 2021 started the right way as if to signal to nature a determination to right the “natural wrongs” of a difficult year just ended. With all the challenges faced in 2020, and with the uncertainty that lies ahead for 2021, our people can still look forward to 2021 being a bright and prosperous year, taking comfort in the knowledge that a wise and experienced

The table shows the terrible state of the SVG public finances under the incompetent ULP regime.

should resign!!! ACCORDING TO THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of December 31, 2020, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said that while the government had to watch its long term borrowing, it became necessary for them to do what they had to, i.e. borrow $125 million in an emergency loan, in order to keep the economy afloat under the present pandemic. This article shows that Gonsalves and Gonsalves do not have the appropriate skills and competence needed to manage SVG’s fragile economy, and turn it into a strong economy. It is astonishing that after 20 years of a ULP Administration, the SVG Treasury has been run dry. Just a few weeks before the 2021 Budget Estimates, at the end of December 2020, the highly incompetent and grossly useless ULP regime was forced to borrow $125 million. Having to borrow in an amount of $125 million money in an emergency shows an extremely high level of financial incompetence. Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, who has a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance and Economics, asks: What on earth is going on at the Ministry of Finance? When you run public finances, you are meant to do financial forecasting and financial planning. You are meant to look months and years ahead to understand the financial situation at any point in time in the future. You are also meant to plan your financial activities based on the data from the financial forecasts, so that you do not go heavily into debt or need to do anything in an emergency. Clearly, this government has more water than flour! Also, what will be the true cost of this emergency borrowing ($125 million) to the people of SVG? From whom/where is this loan being sourced? Given that SVG has a poor credit rating, what extortionate amount of interest will the people of SVG be paying on the loan? Public debt is out of control and the ULP regime is just digging a hole to fill a hole.

THE VINCENTIAN newspaper article also shows that the SVG economy is on the verge of collapsing, and we question whether the incompetent ULP regime has enough money to pay public servants and fund education and health facilities/services. Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, says that there would be no need for emergency borrowing of millions of dollars, if we taxed Taiwan and the super-rich migrants of Mustique and Canouan. If we abolished the tax and customs exemptions worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year, SVG would have a strong and sustainable economy. Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA calls on the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, to table a No Confidence Motion in the SVG House of Assembly in the ULP government for the poor management of the SVG public finances and economy. Ralph Gonsalves and Camillo Gonsalves should resign for plunging SVG into emergency borrowing and destroying the SVG economy to the verge of collapse.

government, led by Dr Ralph Gonsalves continues to steer this ship in the right direction.

management of the pandemic being done ensuring the continuation of life, living and production, with the Vincentian economy continuing with a Old and new challenges vibrance not seen anywhere else in this region, all without any elevation The New Year began with the in active cases, hospitalisation or sudden announcement that there was deaths. an immediate ban on amplified music With news of the effusive eruption in public and private places to which of La Soufriere, the response of PM the public has access. This was in Gonsalves and his government was the direct response to the positive test same: seek the advice of the experts, result of 4 Vincentian nationals with follow the science, approach the no travel history, creating a small situation with a patience and a calm. cluster of Covid-19 cases that were The government has put in place all under investigation through the commencement of contact tracing. This the necessary elements to prepare for any eventuality; the alert level was announcement and the advisory on elevated to orange and individuals in social gatherings cast a shadow over the red zone were asked to prepare for what had so far been a very festive Christmas season with activities such the possibility of an evacuation order. as the Nine Morning concerts and the NEMO has commenced a series of Nine Nights at the Botanic Gardens community meetings to discuss with carried out as planned. The disclosure residents in the red zone the of the new positive tests by the Health community emergency plans and other Services Subcommittee was followed communities on the process of by a mask advisory that from all receiving evacuees. The government, appearances is being taken seriously through the agency responsible for by citizens, and the delay in the disaster management, is efficiently reopening of schools across the going about the business of country. preparation without creating undue As if that wasn’t bad enough, the panic, allowing Vincentians to go announcement was made that there about their lives with as little was seismic activity at the La disruptions as possible. Soufriere volcano resulting in the This kind of steady leadership oozing of lava in the crater, creating a reiterates and reinforces the second dome. A press briefing hosted correctness of the choice of the by Prime Minister Gonsalves, that Vincentian voter in re-electing the included a team from the Seismic ULP to govern the affairs of the Research Centre of the University of country for the next 5 years. Imagine the West Indies by zoom, provided information on what was occurring at the chaos that would have engulfed this country had there been a change the volcano and sought to provide of leadership in these trying and assurance that the activities were being closely monitored for any challenging times. The ULP changes. The team of experts from the government has managed this country UWISRC, has since moved to this during the financial crisis, built back country and has set up equipment, the country stronger after the 2013 continuing more in-depth monitoring floods, managed the Covid-19 of the volcano, providing regular pandemic well and would provide the updates to the government that is same steady leadership as we deal then given to citizens. This metaphoric with the effusive eruption of La “double-edged sword” of two very real Soufriere. and active challenges defined how SVG began the new year and the Conclusion circumstances that shaped the emotional and psychological conditions The words of former Attorney of our people. General, Parnel Campbell QC, can easily sum up the thoughts of many A steady hand during challenging Vincentians as this country deals with times the eruption of La Soufriere, during the Covid-19 pandemic, “the Lord The importance of leadership was borne out during the General Elections knows what he was doing when he put back Dr. Gonsalves as head of the of November 2020, as Vincentians were asked to choose between the tried government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines… I can sleep in the and tested experience of Comrade Ralph or change to the inexperience of knowledge that the country is in sound hands, experienced hands, because I Godwin Friday. With General Elections being conducted in the heart have confidence in the judgement of Dr Gonsalves in dealing with of a pandemic, many Vincentians agreed that the wise leadership of the something like the Soufriere.” Most Vincentians are confident that Comrade made all the difference in the way SVG was managing the Covid-19 despite the challenges that this pandemic compared to our neighbours. country is facing as we begin the New At no point during the pandemic, was Year, the experience possessed by the the leadership of this country driven leadership of this country would by panic or hysteria. Instead the voice manage its affairs to ensure that 2021 of Comrade Ralph rung clear “we must is indeed a prosperous year for us. The approach this situation with a ULP can therefore confidently wish all patience and a calm, following the Vincentians a happy New Year and a science and applying our hearts to bright and prosperous 2021. Let’s wisdom”. Those qualities saw the continue to lift SVG higher.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 9.

Views

Developing and Sustaining a Reading Culture

“Once you learn to read you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) - American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. CABLE TELEVISION AND THE INTERNET now enable us to learn about the lives of individuals who helped to shape the world in their own unique way. This is especially true about the individual who penned the quotation that is used to introduce this essay – Frederick Douglass. He was born a slave in Maryland, USA. It was while researching his legacy that this writer discovered that he actively supported women’s suffrage (at a time when it was unpopular). Despite his very humble beginning, he held several public offices and, without his approval, was nominated as the first African-American for the post of Vice President of the United States on the Equal Rights Party ticket in the 1872 general elections. Victoria Claflin Woodhull was the party’s candidate selected to vie for the presidential position. Ulysses S. Grant of the Republican Party won that election and became the 18th President of the United States of America (see https://www.britannica.com/event/Unite d-States-presidential-election-of-1872). During the 1888 Republican National Convention, the Kentucky delegation proposed Frederick Douglass as a possible candidate to represent the party in its bid to secure the position of President of the United States of America. He was the first African American to be so considered. However, Benjamin Harrison was subsequently selected and went on to defeat the incumbent Democratic President Grover Cleveland of New York to become the 23rd President of the United States of America. Many regard Douglass to be the most influential African American of the 19th century. Frederick Douglass did not learn the alphabet (the foundation of reading) until he was twelve years old. However, once exposed to this “conduit of learning” his thirst for knowledge intensified. His oratory skills bloomed. Reading provided new hope and “freedom” for this individual who later championed the rights of blacks, Native Americans, Chinese, and women. Reading has shaped the lives of many outstanding individuals. In addition to Frederick Douglass, others that readily come to mind are USA’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Maya Angelou, and Dr. Benjamin Carson; South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela; India’s Mahatma Gandhi; St. Lucia’s Sir Arthur Lewis, and Sir Derek Alton Walcott; and Trinidad and Tobago’s Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul. There are many others that can be added to this relatively short list. Many of this column’s readers could so easily add ten or more names. However, the ones mentioned here have carved out their respective places in history and, in many instances, highlight the positive impact that reading has in propelling us to success in a variety of disciplines and under the most dire of circumstances. Reading makes a significant contribution to our individual and communal success. There is therefore every reason for us to develop and sustain a reading culture in our “little neck of the woods”.

Through reading, we can uncover pearls of wisdom and jewels of knowledge in any and every discipline. This is as true in relation to scientific discoveries as it is for the fine arts and religion. And while it is true that we can also learn a lot from viewing videos and listening to audio recordings, there is something special that happens when we engage in reading. An extra appreciation appears to take place. Gifted writers have a way of allowing the knowledge and experiences to be seared into our memories. Their choice of words, and their clear descriptions enable us to see through their eyes — across miles of land and sea … and across time. This reader found this to be true when reading the poems and prose penned by the English poet William Cowper (1731-1800) as a teenager. His vivid descriptions of the English landscape, its flowers, and streams inspired this write to model his style when engaged in descriptive writing. History records that Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, lived his entire life on American soil; he never traveled beyond its shores. However, through his readings, he understood and appreciated the cultures, religions, and practices of citizens of other countries. Such revelations enabled him to have a good understanding of and appreciation for different cultures. These “literary adventures” would have served him well as he interacted with those who visited from distant lands. We could well imagine how persons in far-away lands could have a similar appreciation and longing for the Caribbean lands as they read the works of many of our accomplished Caribbean writers. Our Caribbean nationals continue to excel as authors describing our food, music, and landscape. They encourage readers to conjure up vivid images of our Caribbean landscapes and cultures. We are proud of our accomplished writers like Antiguan Marie-Elena John; Barbadian George William Lamming; Cuban José Julián Martí Pérez; Trinidadians C. L. R. James and V.S. Naipaul; St. Lucian Derek Walcott; and many others. Their autobiographies and biographies confirm that they each developed and sustained a reading culture (influenced by the adults in their lives). They, in turn, continue the cycle by inviting others to imbibe and become intoxicated by their writings. The adults in the society play a major role in relation to the development and sustaining of a reading culture. If/when the younger generation observe the passion that is evident in the adults who read, they will aspire to do the same. It is a natural/normal tendency. We must therefore lead by example and, where possible, support initiatives to provide books to local libraries, schools, and neighbourhoods. In doing so we not only create and sustain a reading culture but also influence the expansion of knowledge that invariably accompany such reading activities. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

The crucifixion of Julian Assange ‘WIKILEAKS AND YOU personally are facing a battle that is both legal and political. As we learned in the Pentagon Papers case, the US government doesn’t like the truth coming out. And it doesn’t like to be humiliated. No matter if it’s Nixon or Bush or Obama or Trump, Republican or Democrat in the White House. The US government will try to stop you from publishing its ugly secrets. And if they have to destroy you and the First Amendment and the rights of publishers with you, they are willing to do it. We believe they are going to come after WikiLeaks and you, Julian, as the publisher.’ Len Weinglass, American Human Rights lawyer. ‘The Assange’s arrest eviscerates all pretense of the rule of law and the rights of a free press. The illegalities, embraced by the Ecuadorian, British and US governments, in the seizure of Assange were ominous. They presaged a world where the internal workings, abuses, corruption, lies and crimes – especially war crimes – carried out by corporate states and the global ruling elite will be masked from the public. They presaged a world where those with the courage and integrity to expose the misuse of power will be hunted down, tortured, subjected to sham trials and given lifetime prison terms in solitary confinement. They presaged an Orwellian dystopia where news is replaced with propaganda, trivia and entertainment.’ Chris Hedges The decision by a British high court judge to deny the Trump regime’s extradition request to extradite to the USA Wikileaks publisher, Julian Assange, is a major victory for press freedom and the rule of law. Alluding to the US prison system’s horrendous nature, the judge ruled that to extradite Assange would be oppressive because of mental harm. She feared the prison conditions might lead Assange to commit suicide. On Wednesday, the judge refused Assange’s application for bail while he awaits the American Government’s appeal. Assange will remain in the British prison even after the UN Human Rights Rapporteur’s revelation that Assange’s treatment amounts to torture, which is illegal under international human rights law. The decision to deny bail to Assange is both cruel and inhumane. There is no pending charge in Britain against the WikiLeaks publisher. Assange’s trouble began 10 years ago after WikiLeaks released the Iraq War Logs which documented numerous US war crimes – including video images of the gunning down of two Reuters journalists and 10 other unarmed civilians, the routine torture of Iraqi prisoners, the covering up of thousands of civilian deaths and the killing of nearly 700 civilians that approached US checkpoints. First, they tried to smear him with sexual assault/rape charges. One of the women said, ‘I did not want to put any charges on Julian Assange, but the police were keen on getting their hands on him...I felt railroaded by the police.’ The chief prosecutor of Stockholm dropped the rape accusation concluding, ‘I don’t believe there is any reason to suspect that he has committed rape.’ Yet, a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct. Assange is charged with violating 17 counts of the Espionage Act, along with an attempt to hack into a government computer. If extradited, tried and convicted, he could face as much as 175 years in prison. Ominously, the judge accepted all of the charges levelled by the US against Assange – that he violated the Espionage Act by releasing classified information and was complicit in assisting his source, Chelsea Manning,

in the hacking of a government computer. If the appellate court overrules the decision to deny extradition, it will be a very dangerous ruling for the media. The publication of classified documents is not yet a crime in the United States. Bob Woodward of the Washington Post has made a career publishing establishment secrets. However, if Assange is extradited and convicted, it will become a crime to publish classified information. According to Chris Hedges, ‘the extradition of Assange would mean the end of journalistic investigations into the inner workings of power. It would cement into place a terrifying global, corporate tyranny under which borders, nationality and law mean nothing. Once such a legal precedent is set, any publication that publishes classified material, from The New York Times to an alternative website, will be prosecuted and silenced...Journalists can argue that this information, like the war logs, should have remained hidden, but they can’t then call themselves journalists.’ Make no mistake, Julian Assange has done more than any contemporary journalist or publisher to expose the inner workings of American government, and the lies and crimes of the US ruling elite. This fact explains the deep hatred towards Assange. The Democrats despise Assange because WikiLeaks exposed emails from John Podesta’s account, Hilary Clinton’s campaign manager. They exposed Clinton as a deceitful pathological liar. The emails exposed her telling the financial elites that she wanted ‘open trade and open borders’ and wanted Wall Street executives to manage the economy, a statement that contradicted her campaign statements. They exposed the Clinton campaign’s efforts to influence the Republican primaries to ensure that Donald Trump was the Republican nominee. They exposed Clinton’s advance knowledge of questions in a primary debate. They exposed Clinton as the principal architect of the war in Libya, thus turning Africa’s 2nd most developed country into a failed state. Among the documents WikiLeaks released were cables from US embassies. Assange’s lawyer, Michael Ratner said the cables ‘pulled back the curtain and revealed American foreign policy behind-the-scenes manipulations.’ Some of the most stunning revelations: * In 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered US diplomats to spy on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other UN representatives from China, France, Russia, and the UK. The US and British diplomats also eavesdropped on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan before the US-led Iraq invasion in 2003. * President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton refused to condemn the June 2009 military coup in Honduras after American diplomats described the coup as ‘illegal and unconstitutional.’ As a journalist and publisher of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange had every right to asylum. The law is clear. The exercise of political free speech – including revealing government crimes, misconduct, or corruption – is internationally protected and is grounds for asylum. Democracy dies in the dark. Julian Assange should be freed. His only crime is his courageous effort to expose the lies Democracy dies in the dark. Julian Assange should be freed. His only crime is his courageous effort to expose the lies, crimes and deceit of the ruling elite.

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

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10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Business

ECGCÊs Lanel Jack takes Gold TWO (2) YEARS after being awarded the Silver Medal for NABIM’s (National Association of British and Irish Flour Milling) Advanced Certificate and subsequently accepting the invitation to pursue the Gold Award, Ms. Lanel Black, Quality Assurance Manager at the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC), has completed a thesis and has been awarded the prestigious NABIM Gold Award. Ms. Black is the first from the Caribbean or Latin America to be selected as the recipient of this award. She presented on the topic, ‘Utilizing Six Sigma’s DMAIC model to improve flour mill balance, mill performance, efficiency, finished product quality, extraction, and profitability’. It was judged “well worthy of the Gold Medal” by the Assessment Panel of NABIM, and appreciation was extended to Ms. Black for the quality of work she presented. From the commencement of her employment at ECGC, Lanel has focused

Lanel Jack (left) received her award (inset) from Paul Velox. on attaining her goals. This award is one of her many achievements of which ECGC is proud. This honour is considered the highest possible achievement in NABIM’s assessment programme. However, Ms. Black remains steadfast in her pursuit of further accolades towards self-development. The ECGC family congratulates Ms. Black on this illustrious achievement and wishes her continued success in her endeavours. (Source: ECGC)

Layne is ‘big’ Digicel TV winner Below: Dexter Layne (left) accepts his Samsung 55’ Smart Television from Caricia Taylor, Digicel Marketing Executive.

DEXTER LAYNE can say that he went out of the Old Year and entered the New Year on a wave of luck. The Digicel customer, who joined the network as recently as August 2020, was the winner of a Samsung 55” Smart Television, the grand prize in Digicel’s ‘Shake It & Win’ Christmas Text-to-Win Promotion. Layne, like thousands of other Digicel customers, had a chance to win the TV by simply texting the word “SHAKE” to short code 6789. The cost of each text was EC$1. The promotion ran for a period of one month, with draw date being December 31, 2020. The lucky winner’s number was generated using an online application that showed he would

have participated the most times during the promotional period. In addition to enjoying his Samsung TV with crystal display, Layne would now be able to watch his favourite movies and series from the Digicel PlayGo App, by using the ‘cast’ feature on his new Samsung TV. The “Shake it & Win” text promotion was a consumer-focused, life-made-easy promotion, geared primarily towards rewarding users of the brand, a Digicel release said.

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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

RSVGPF hands out awards

Tuesday 29th December, 2020, under the theme: The catalyst to success is hard work, discipline and dedication. Noticeably absent from this year’s ceremony was Assistance Superintendent of Police Junior Simmons who would normally serve as Master of Ceremony. In his absence, ASP Hawkins Nanton took up the role. This year the coveted awards of Policeman and Policewoman of the Year went to Cpl. 192 Douglas Caesar and Cpl. 228 Judy Franklyn respectively. Franklyn also received the award for outstanding performance at the Human Resources Department. Caesar, a Cpl. 192 Douglas Caesar, Policeman of the Year (right), receives his trophy member of the Rapid from Commissioner of Police (CoP) Colin John. Response Unit, was cited as a brave and loyal police officer. There were presentation of awards for the best officers at all police stations, best officers at each division, as well as all the departments and branches within the police force. The ceremony also witnessed the distribution of special awards to PC 789 Chelsley Jacobs, Joyce Jackson, Doris John, Cecil ‘Blazer’ Williams, SOP Timothy Hazelwood, the Vermont Police Station and the SVG Coast Guard Services. Awards were also presented to police officers who retired this year. Among them were ACP Carlos Sampson; Inspectors Paul Jones and Sherol Lee- James; Cpl. 228 Judy Franklyn, Sergeants 373 Mildred Policewoman of the Mofford, 70 Cleos Year (left), accepts a Billingy and 583 Keith plaque from Assistant McBarnette; Cpl. 248 Commissioner of Police Tosby Lewis; and PCs 36 Richard Browne. Leroy Charles and 4 Lorice Alphanzo Carter. THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT The Personal AND THE GRENADINES Achievement Award POLICE FORCE (RSVGPF), category saw Cpl. 192 in collaboration with the Douglas Caesar and PC RSVGPF Police Welfare 225 Jordy Derrick Association (PWA), held its receiving Awards for Annual Awards and Bravery; Cpl. 604 Aleea Retirement Dinner at Stapleton receiving the Russell’s Auditorium last Academic Achievement Left: PC 843 Vininsha King – Sportswoman of the Year, receives her trophy from CoP Colin John.

Cpl. 604 Aleea Stapleton (right) collects the coveted Award for Academic Achievement from CoP Colin John. Award; PC 843 Vininsha King - the Sports Woman of the Year Award; and West Indies fast bowler Kesrick Williams - Sports Man of the Year. The event heard addresses from Moice

Cummings- Junior Branch Chairman of the Police Welfare Association, Commissioner of Police (CoP) Colin John and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. (KH)

Elsa Hunt, Traffic Warden of the Year (right) collects her Award from Brenton Cain, Commander of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service.

Station Sergeant Brenton Smith received the Police Welfare Association Award from Justice Brian Cottle.

V Commissioner addresses unprincipled officers

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 13.

Feature

EVEN AS COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Colin John thanked the members of the planning committee for the hard work they put in to ensure that the RSVGPF’s 2020 Annual Awards and Retirement Dinner was a success, he made clear that officers who do not adhere to the generally accepted norms and principles of the organization, will be dwelt with in accordance with inherent correction mechanisms of the organization. Commissioner John made the ‘promise’ while addressing the Royal SVG Police Force Awards and Retirement Dinner held at the Russell’s Auditorium, Tuesday 29th December 2020. Notwithstanding his stern warning, the Commissioner appealed to officers not to be daunted when they do not get the promotion they feel they deserve. He urged these officers to work even harder, so those in higher authority might feel guilty for not supporting their promotion. “Be professional and continue to do so, so that at the end of the day the organization will not be able to say, ‘You are looking for promotion and you marking the time or you are not doing your job’. Let us Commissioners feel guilty for not promoting you,” John advised. He boasted that the police force has many dedicated officers, but admitted, “… We have a few persons who would not adhere to the generally accepted norms and principles of the

Commissioner of Police Colin John recognized some shortcomings of the RSVGPF but insisted it was comprised primarily of hard-working officers.

ensured a peaceful election. “… We played our part as well. Once we identified any adhered to the COVID-19 rules. organization, but I am happy to say issues or we got any intelligence that “We had to work along with the that they are few and far between, and there was something that was likely to health authorities; we had to work whenever the situation arises we try happen, we tried to be as proactive as along with immigration and other to nip it in the bud.” possible to ensure that things did not bodies to ensure that persons were John, though, said that he did not want to dwell on the negative because safe and that persons who should be in get out of hand,” said the quarantine stayed in quarantine,” said Commissioner on the role his men there are a lot of hardworking police played during the general elections. John, adding that even as they officers in the force. The Commissioner revealed that delivered service in this regard, the there has been a 6% decrease in crime Reviewing 2020 lawmen were also expected to stay in 2020 compared to last year, and safe from the virus. appealed to his officers to continue Commissioner John noted that this In referencing the November 5th working hard since perseverance and year was a difficult one as the Force general elections, he commended the was called upon to ensure that persons public for their positive attitude which persistence are important. John also congratulated the officers who received awards on the night and encouraged them to continue representing the organization well. He said that officers engaged in a lot of online studies and he thanked personal commitment and solidarity the Russell’s Auditorium. the regional security agencies, as well with the police force. Cummings noted that even though Dr. Gonsalves said that he believes as the local agencies for their support. 2020 was a difficult year, Officers who passed away this year that he is the only member of circumstances showed how “unity” did not escape the overview of the parliament who is a member of the involving the hierarchy of the Police Police Credit Union, though he has not Commissioner. Force and the Welfare Association In summary, Commissioner John borrowed any money from it nor does “could foster greater things.” acknowledged that hard work is very he intend to, but acknowledged “at He cited as an example, the important and the RSVGPF was in least it can take care of a decent Association partnering with the general, a complement of very Commissioner and his gazette officers burial.” (KH) hardworking officers. (KH) to install face basins and other facilities to aid in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus. Cummings, however, in returning to the inhibitions his association faces, raised the issue of the use of the media to address and/or highlight the concerns the Association. “If it was that every time you open a YouTube video or the Facebook App Moice Cummings, Junior Branch and you see the conditions of our Chairman of the PWA, wasted no station, I believe that they would have time in suggesting that his already been fixed,” Cummings Association needed to move into the posited. modern technological age. “… We are living in modern times, we are supposed to adapt to changes,” MOICE CUMMINGS, Junior Branch declared the Junior Branch Chairman, Chairman of the Police Welfare continuing with a call to embrace Association (PWA, says that draconian modern technology. and barbaric laws are still plaguing Meanwhile, Prime Minister and the Association. Minister of National Security Dr. Cummings made the remark while Ralph Gonsalves congratulated the addressing the 2020 Royal SVG Police RSVGPF and the PWA. Force Annual Awards and Retirement He said the RSVGPF is a good Dinner, Tuesday 29th December, at organization and he conveyed his The Commissioner’s audience included retired high-ranking officers of the RSVGPF.

Draconian laws plaque PWA

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14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Getting ready for evacuation

PERSONS RESIDING in the areas near the La Soufriere volcano are being told to begin planning in the event an order to evacuate is executed. “We are encouraging persons to start making arrangements, we are not alarming anyone,” Michele Forbes, Director of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)

said on January 3 on radio. The affected areas include Georgetown northwards to Fancy on the East, and the area from Belle Isle to Chateaubelair on the West. According to Forbes, Vincentians have been living with an active volcano and now it has gone into an eruptive phase.

“We are not saying that it is going to happen, but there is the possibility …. we are asking persons to be prepared, “ since ‘our volcano is such that it can become active quite quickly,” Forbes said. “And we need to be ready and that is what we have been doing,” she continued. She described the level of preparedness as ‘high’

saying that various community groups have been meeting over the past week, and that there was the opportunity to test the evacuation process during the recent Trade Winds exercise. Forbes explained that there was a District Disaster Committee set up in each of the communities and these were presently active, reviewing plans and gathering information. Among the information that is being collected are: the number of persons without private transportation within the affected communities; pick up points for those in need of transport; and a list of persons who may need to evacuate and housed in designated shelters. Forbes explained that once an area has been evacuated, it becomes a restricted zone.

Shelters – Housing evacuees Regarding shelters, Forbes noted that designated hurricane shelters will be utilized, except for those within the danger zones. It was also mentioned that the Ministry of Tourism had come up with a list of guest

A view of La Soufreire from Rose Hall. It shows the volcano as it was last Wednesday, January 6.

houses within the safe zone — some 85 guest houses offering up to 95 rooms. Neighbouring territories had also offered assistance in this regard. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves confirmed that Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua/Barbuda had indicated that a stateowned hotel with 500 rooms, currently unoccupied, would be made available. In addition, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

of St. Lucia had pledged to avail 350 rooms; Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados initially offered 180 rooms; and Prime Ministers Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica and Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada had committed to also providing space for evacuated persons. Information from the most recent Population and Housing Census Report (2012) suggest that there are about 16,000 persons residing in the affected areas, Forbes said. (DD)

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16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Trainees in an Allied Health Care Service Phlebotomy Course. (Source: AHCS)

International accreditation available through AHCS AS OF MARCH 2020, Allied Health Care Service SVG (AHCS) began offering internationally accredited courses through EduQual. AHCS, established in October 2016, offers homebased health care services and health care educational (training) programmes. Miss Cheri Seargeant, Chief Executive Officer of AHCS, recognized that the fast-growing health care industry required trained individuals who could provide services to suit local as well as international demand. It was a desire to fill that need for trained health care personnel that AHCS was established, offering trained personnel for delivery of services locally, and introducing certified courses in areas related to the home-based health care in particular. AHCS now offers accredited courses in Emergency Medical Response skills, Home Health Care, Phlebotomy Technician Skills and Laboratory Assistant. To date, 61 persons (48 Vincentians and 13 Antiguans) have received EduQual accredited certificates. EduQual is an umbrella body of the Scottish Qualifying Authority (SQA) an affiliate of the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) the collective voice of the UK’s world-class qualifications and assessments industry. In addition, qualifications issued by EduQual are credit-rated for the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), a globallyrecognized national qualifications framework aligned to other recognized frameworks, such as the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). These qualifications are recognized by universities, professional membership bodies and many other stakeholders in the UK and beyond. Holders of EduQual SCQF credit-rated Diplomas can ‘top-up’ to Degrees awarded by many British and international universities, such as University of South Wales, University of Northampton, Binary University of Business and Entrepreneurship (Malaysia), just to mention a few. In a statement issued recently, Miss Seargeant said that while she is delighted that AHCS is able to provide internationally accredited certified courses, she recognizes the need for local accreditation, and assured that she continues to work diligently with the National Accreditation Board in seeking registration and subsequent accreditation. A new round of Courses is scheduled to begin on the 18th of January at the AHCS office in Stoney Grounds. They can be contacted at 17845260691 or alliedcareservice@gmail.com (Source: AHCS)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 17.

News

Samuel relaxed but ready

Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel now has to tell the court how much he thinks he should be compensated for the trials he has had to endure.

LEON ‘BIGGER BIGGS’ SAMUEL, who has been locked in a battle with government both in and out the court since 2011, said on Wednesday that he was “comfortable” with

what he terms “a magnificent team of lawyers,’ and relaxed with the new situation. He expressed that he was focusing on “how to survive economically.”

These sentiment were expressed during a press briefing held at the Chambers of Attorney Jomo Thomas, last Wednesday.

Government disrespecting court rulings JOMO THOMAS, attorney-at-law and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, has chided the ruling Unity Labour Party for disrespecting court orders, as it relates to settling with persons against who it had loss court cases. Thomas, speaking at a press briefing last Wednesday at his Chambers in Kingstown, highlighted government’s reluctance to settle with persons against whom it had lost court matters, and referenced the matters involving Otto Sam, three teachers (Kenroy Johnson, Elvis Daniel, and Addison “Bash” Thomas), as well as the conflict with Public Servants.

He noted that the government has a way of grinding into the ground, persons with whom they have issues, and he blasted the ruling regime for violating Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel’s property rights, effectively preventing him from putting it (his property) to productive use. As far as Thomas was concerned, the government “is stiffnecked.” However, he was heartened that the “chickens are coming home to roost,” and more people are seeing the intention of the Unity Labour Party government. Thomas, who contested the 2015 general elections on a

Attorney Jomo Thomas did not let the government escape without reprimand for their disregard for court rulings against it. Unity Labour Party ticket, declared, “the government won the elections but lost the country.” (WKA)

Bars must register patrons WITH THE RECENT SPIKE in COVID-19 cases here, and the continuing patronage of bars and similar establishments, not to mention mass indoor and outdoor gatherings, owners and promoters of such operations and events are being encouraged to register patrons. Chief Medical Office (CMO) Dr Simone Keizer-Beache said that this was in keeping with the protocols guiding mass gatherings. On Thursday, December 31 the Commissioner of Police Colin John, through a public statement, said that he had taken the decision to ban the use of all amplified music. This action, he said, was based on the advice of the Ministry of Health and follows what appears to be a number of community spread cases of Covid-19 here. In appealing to bar operators and promoters, Keizer-Beache explained, “We are doing contact tracing and contact tracing requires us to know who you were with,” and added, “... according to the mass gathering protocol, you are supposed to be registering at least one person from each party group who comes to lime.” She pleaded with proprietors, persons who have a bar here and a bar there saying, “…it might be

A person (centre) who had breached the quarantine protocol was apprehended recently at a bar/restaurant. inconvenient at the beginning but if you were to find somebody who was in your establishment and who was positive for Covid, it would be easier for us to track that person,” KeizerBeache said. (DD)

Thomas is one of two layers, the other being Akin John, who are representing Samuel in his ongoing court matter with the government. The briefing came in the wake of a December 16, 2020 ruling by Justice Esco Henry, in which she dismissed the Governor General’s (i.e. the State’s) application for leave to appeal a decision made June 24, 2020, in a matter involving Samuel. On June 24, the Court ruled there were no Crown lands in Rabacca close to where Samuel was operating his Mining Operation, trading as Bigger Cement and Aggregate Inc. The issue involved property rights to lands at Rabacca where Samuel was conducting

mining operations. His claim to the property, which was filed originally in 2019, challenged government’s claim that nine acres of land in question were Crown lands. The Court ruled in his favour. John praised Samuel for his courage to stand up to the state and is of the view that Samuel has been “vindicated.” Bigger Cement Aggregate Inc., has until January 29 to assess what their costs will be. The Governor General, technically the State, will have to make that payment. (WKJ)

Attorney Akin John, buoyed by Samuel’s resilience, has committed to staying the path with Samuel.

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18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

This is a warning!!! Dear George, MY HUSBAND has been involved with this other woman for a while back and despite my pleadings, he would not leave her out. As a matter of fact, he denies any intimate involvement with her whatsoever. I am writing this to serve him notice that he has one week from reading this letter to come clean and confess his sins or else suffer the consequences. I am not going to tell him what his fate is; he will have to figure that one out. This is also a warning to his concubine to leave my husband alone and be respectful to yourself and your husband.

Angel of judgement

I get the impression that you have irrefutable evidence of your husband’s infidelity. I suggest that you get a third party (counsellor) to sit down with you two to help get some balance back into your marriage, including having your husband declare his intentions about you and the marriage. If you are not satisfied after the period of counselling, then you can always exercise your right not to tolerate his behavior and disrespect. It is my hope that all of this can be resolved through talking.

Dear Angel of judgement,

George

What a friend!! always be some persons Time has a way of who pose as your friends A PERSON I thought to exposing ‘friends’ for who but who do not want you they really are. Your to be happy and be a friend has turned successful. friend, in her selfishness, out to be begrudging, Spend less time boldface and malicious as was clearly bent on focusing on what your making life this so called friend of friend is doing and more uncomfortable for you. mine. Friends like that you do time on what your From the time she boyfriend is contributing not need. was introduced to my to making your The lesson to be boyfriend I noticed her learned from this is: Do relationship happy and tune began to change. fulfilled. My boyfriend bought me not feed your friends or acquaintances with all of a new car and the first George thing she said to me was your private/personal business. There would he is doing drugs and cautioned me to be careful. When she learned that he was helping me with my mortgage payments, she Dear George, started spreading rumours of his drug EVERYONE seems to be preoccupied with Covid-9 dealings. and not remembering anything about HIV/AIDS. What she does not I have a sneaking suspicion that I could be HIV know is that he inherited positive because of some things I’m seeing on my a large sum of money skin, coupled with my girlfriend’s promiscuous from his deceased Uncle behaviour. She has admitted to having a few who was living in New sexual flings with some guys here and there but York. don’t believe any of them has AIDS. We were out dining She refused to go get tested and I am scared to when my boyfriend get tested. I am sitting here scared stiff that I received a text from her; might be infected and don’t even want to bother he showed it to me. about Covid-9 because HIV is at the forefront of There she was telling my mind. him how much she is I do not want to get Covid or HIV and I do not interested in him and he want to keep my girlfriend either. If I can be free should consider giving of everything I will be one happy man. her a chance in his life, even if she has to be his Heavy mind side chick. My boyfriend, Dear Heavy mind, naturally, questioned how I could have her as HIV/AIDS have not gone anywhere. All the a friend. precautions that need to be taken so as not to I have not confronted contract the Covid-19 virus, HIV or anything else her on this matter. The should be taken. truth is I am not sure You need to get yourself tested as soon as how to respond. Is there possible as it is important to know your status one a way I could confront her and still preserve our way or the other. As far as your relationship is concerned you need to be with someone whom you friendship, one that goes can trust to be faithful and committed. These are back to our teens? serious times and no time to play with your future. Unsure

Dear George,

Get tested

Dear Unsure,

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Travel could bring you the adventure and excitement you require. Don't even bother trying to get their approval on the things you want to do. If you're uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your charm and generosity will bring new friends and romantic opportunities. Don't let someone talk you into parting with your cash unless you can truly see the benefits of doing so. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Older family members may try to make demands that are impossible for you to handle. Try to accommodate them without infringing on your own responsibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Try making some changes to your appearance and your attitude that will reinforce just that. Your creative ability will surface, giving you good ideas for ways of making money. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Be inquisitive about unfamiliar circumstances. Your ability to charm others will bring added popularity. Your hypnotic eyes will capture the hearts of those who interest you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Uncertainties are still prevailing. Your home environment appears to be a little shaky. Get on with business. Children may be on your mind.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Relatives will want to get together. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. Overindulgent people will cause disruptions in your life.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don't think the worst if you hear something negative about your partner. Be careful when dealing with female members of your family. Rid yourself of that which is old and no longer of use. Be sure that you lay your cards on the table.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) It might be time for you to take a quantum leap from one career to another. Someone close to you will get upset easily if you are insensitive to their needs. You will be in the mood for entertainment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will feel the limitations if you have been overdoing it. Your involvement in groups will be favorable for meeting new and exciting individuals. If you're uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations. Social events should be the highlight of your day. You should be getting into selfimprovement projects.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Put your efforts into job advancement. Refrain from arguing with your mate. Turn your present relationship around or start a new one. You may want to make changes that will not be to their liking.

ACROSS 1. Corn core 4. Senate icon Kennedy 7. Copied 9. House portal 10. Supervise (employees) 12. Baseball-game segment 15. Almond shape 16. Mulish noise 18. Contend (for) 19. Offer 20. Lumberjack Bunyan 21. Gave temporarily 22. Bank safes 24. Accept a challenge 25. Supposes 27. Stillness 29. Skin irritations 32. Indiana locale 33. Shadowy 34. Western star Rogers 36. Prone (to) 37. 1492 craft 38. Broad valley 39. Grabs hold of 41. Correctional facility 43. Saturate with water 44. Sock away 45. Kindergarten kid 46. Existed DOWN 1. Ottawa’s land 2. Milky gem 2. Seek handouts

4. Theater award 5. Vast span 6. Bus operator 8. Argue 9. Clock face 10. Crowd 11. Tel __, Mediterranean city 13. Ten minus one 14. Perceive 17. From Moscow 20. Prune source 21. Mascara target 23. Repulsive 24. Patio alternative 26. Leather bands 27. Draped garment

28. Painting pro 30. Rubs off 31. Unaccompanied musical piece 32. Mower fuel 33. Flat, round

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 19.

object 35. Keen desire 37. Orderly 38. Opera celebrity 40. Animal park 42. Inexperienced

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20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Footballers assist Salvation Army ChildrenÊs Home THE PROCEEDS OF A FUNDRAISING event spearheaded by three of this country’s national footballers- Oalex Anderson, Kyle Edwards and Chelsea Cordice, have put the Salvation Army Children’s Home at Pembroke in a better position. The takings from a Charity Football Match between Wetmen and Da Boys, staged at the Arnos Vale Two Playing Field last month, was able to procure toiletries and other supplies for the eight children, who are presently housed at the Some of the members of the Wetmen and Da Boys teams at the institution. handing over at the Salvation Army Children’s Home. At the event, patrons were encouraged to place that the initiative was done by VINCENTIAN that he their donations, whether welcomed the gesture by a group of young persons. monetary or otherwise, into He quipped that others are young footballers, noting, “We barrels, which were placed at are appreciative of the invited to make inputs to the strategic points of the playing donation.” Home. field. Gachelin explained: “We are “It is not only around this The takings from the event season that we accept such always in need… we have were then handed over to the bills… we have the children to donations, so others can come officials of the Children’s forward to assist us,” Gachelin take care of and we have Home. appealed. workers to pay.” Captain- Ernest Gachelin of A pleased Gachelin said Meanwhile, Anderson, who the Salvation Army told THE that he was specially moved hatched the idea of the charity

Oalex Anderson (left) and Kyle Edwards. posted his idea on social media and got support from Edwards and Cordice. Edwards, who like Anderson hails from Barrouallie, also plays professionally in the USA. He plays for Rio Grande Valley FC Toros in USL Championship Division. The other lead player in the Charity event — Chelsea Cordice, a former SVG UnderChelsea Cordice takes time 17 Female captain, is a out to play a game of moral student at the Salem with some of the residents of University in West Virginia. the Home. Anderson, though, was high in praise of Chelsea’s mothermatch in aid of the Children’s Liz Cordice, who took care of Home, said that he was happy most of the logistics for the that their efforts were able to event. assist the less fortunate. Anderson hinted his intent “It was a good event, and I to assist similar causes in the am pleased that we were able future. to contribute to a worthy The Salvation Army cause,” Anderson said. Children’s Home was Anderson, who plies his established in 2012. The trade with the Richmond current population of the Kickers in the United Soccer Home ranges from age 4 to 12 League (USL) in the USA, had years old.

Deane applauds batting cage initiative STEDROY DEANE, coach of the North Windward cricket team, has given the Dr. Kishore Shallow-led SVG Cricket Association a thumbs up for their initiative to construct a batting cage on the London playing field. Deane, a certified CWI Foundation Level coach and a teacher by profession, works with the youth cricketers in the North Windward area. He believes the batting cage will help to further develop the talent in the area. “We have now an area that we would utilize and I believe this move the association took will

expose and encourage more young cricket in the community to practise and develop their skills so as to become better cricketers. We appreciate it (batting cage) and applaud it,” Deane told THE VINCENTIAN. Deane also welcomed the batting cage especially at this time when the cricketers from the area are preparing for the national cricket competition. The coach declared that he is working towards taking the NLA First Division competition title this year. “Our objective now is to see how we can

continue to develop all of our players, especially now we have a team (VJ’s Roof Top Restaurant and Bar North Windward) in the national competition. Since we started in 2017 we have gotten to the finals and semi- finals on different occasions so we are looking to continue to perform better and win this year.” On the note of competitions and real playing time, Deane commented that while training is good, having young players playing more cricket will be better for their development and performance. “The younger players

Stedroy Deane, coach of the North Windward cricket team.

One of the batting cages provided through the SVG Cricket Association. should be exposed to more matches. In the 1990s the Primary School Cricket Competition produced a

number of cricketers… North Windward was a dominant force due to the high volume of cricket they were

playing. And despite some of the challenges young cricketer face, not having enough equipment, financial constraints as well as the lack of support from their parents, they benefited from playing more cricket,” he asserted. I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 21.

Sports

TASVG innovations in 2021

TEAM ATHLETICS SVG (TASVG) is quickly out of the blocks and has announced a number of changes/initiatives for the 2021 Track and Field season. Among the changes is making the Annual Relay Classics an afternoon event. In announcing this change, President of Team Athletics SVGKeith Joseph informed that the rationale was to make the event viable. “In an effort to make our events financially viable, we will reorganise the annual Relay Classic as an afternoon event, with entry fees for participants and entrance fees for patrons... We will also have concessions that are revenue-generating… . Efforts will be made to boost participation and attendance,” Joseph disclosed.

Joseph also pointed to changes in the hosting of Zonal Championships, as precursors to a Grand Finale. The Zonal Championships will be contested at both the school and community leve: the All Leeward Zone is set for the Cumberland Playing Field; the Windward Zone takes place at the Chili Playing Field, Georgetown; the Central Zone is set for the Arnos Vale Playing Field and the Grenadines Zone at the Clive Tannis Playing Field, Bequia. The Diamond Track Facility is the venue for the Grand Finale. Meanwhile, a Points and Ranking System is another of the additions to the TASVG set up as of 2021. According to Joseph, “TASVG will introduce a points system for all of

TASVG Technical Director enthused CHESTER MORGAN, Technical Director of Team Athletics St. Vincent and the Grenadines (TASVG), the governing body of Track and Field in the country, is excited about what benefits certain initiatives in 2021 will bring Chester Morgan, for athletes here. Technical In addition to Director of Team Developmental Meets on Athletics St. Saturdays which will now Vincent and the allow coaches to share their Grenadines experience with athletes as (TASVG). well as review the events, Morgan is especially enthused by the TASVG plan to stage Zonal Inter Schools competitions, with a finals set for the Diamond Track. This, Morgan said, can only augur well for the development of our youth athletes by keeping them active and motivated. Morgan also applauded the TASVG plan to stage community zonal competitions involving senior/adult athletes. The Technical Director is also optimistic about the benefits to be derived from a focused programme for a select number of coaches. This would help to improve and encourage expertise at the community and school levels. All in all, despite the encumbrances thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic, Morgan is anticipated an active 2021 track and field season, and an even more exciting Inter Secondary Schools Championship, than the one staged in 2018. I.B.A.ALLEN

its events, including Development Meets, that at once encourages increased participation as well as allows monthly rankings of athletes by categories.” The TASVG boss said that the new ranking system “will serve as an important addition to the selection criteria regarding national A snippet of the recent Pre-Season Relays held at the Diamond representative Track Facility. Inset: President of TASVG - Keith Joseph. teams.” Adding to selected And, the local Track This towards ensuring the list of new coaches will be and Field body is set to that athletes can meet initiatives is exposed to procure training and the requirement od use that TASVG continued competition spikes for of spikes at the Diamond will usher in a theoretical and practical use by the primary Track Facility. programme where sessions. schools and upwards.

Williams looking to pick up the pace LOCAL TRACK Shantel (sprint) athlete Williams has returned to Shantel Williams is back her studies and training at at Benedict Benedict College, Columbia, South College, USA. Carolina, USA, where she is on a Track Scholarship, and is ready to “pick up the pace.” Williams had to cut short her first year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned home to complete her studies online. She is pursuing studies in Business Administration and Management together with receiving advance training and coaching in track and fulfilling (track) commitments to her College. “Despite the pandemic, I’m grateful that I got back home and did what I had to do which was study hard and train harder, and I am looking forward to do even better in both areas now I am back at the University,” Williams said in a hookup with this publication. She admitted to being able to manage and complete her online work, since it was selfpaced. During her time at home, Williams continued her training at the Arnos Vale Playing Field with her coach- Pamenous Ballantyne, and is

During her forced return home, Shantel continued to train under the guidance of her local coach confident she Pamenos Ballantyne. will continue to interesting year. My goal for the put in the hard work for the upcoming year is to continue season ahead. excelling in my academics and “My training while at home also on the track. I am looking was very effective in preparing me forward to great things.” for the upcoming year, and I am looking forward for a very I.B.A.ALLEN

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22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Gordon Butch Stewart: International GORDON ‘Butch’ Stewart is a Caribbean citizen of worth more than in terms of financial value. Whether by nature of intuition, he found himself in the channels of influencing changes in lives of many the world over. His story begins in Jamaica where his knack for business plunged into widespread pioneering activities. He was a business man of profound wisdom. He was not a dreamer, yet fulfilled many ventures which heart pounded. His initiative led to the staging of direct flights on Air Jamaica to Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia from JFK international Airport. That signalled an injection to the economies of those countries. That highlighted his Caribbean identity, but his projection to the international shaped his outlook. He is known for in innovation in the hotel industry and never got weary. Butch confounded the sceptics. Whereas he was white man, his heart and soul showed no complexion. He had a deep touch for mankind however tinged one’s skin might be. When there was a haste in relinquishing ties with the West Indies Cricket Board, Butch through his hotel brand Sandals carried the burden. His partnership may yet have yielded the adequate returns, but the administration rests assured of some stability, over the butch stewardship. The West Indies team display the Sandals logo on their garments and equipment. Butch maintained St. Vincent and the Grenadines in his sights. Even though he had no functioning outlet there, the splendour the islands provided was enough to lure him on a regular basis. He was on the verge of completing his vision, when his skills were needed for higher duties. Ever so often, a Caribbean personality surfaces and makes his/her contribution. Butch is another in that realm. He has ensured the perpetuation of his legacy, and his family and business contacts have been sufficiently enshrined to ensure the Butch phenomenon remains. The ‘Butch’ will unravel over time. His ghost will stalk the earth after his interment. This will emanate in a spirit where values of hard work, pride, progress and persistency, distinguish the Gordon Butch Stewart philosophy.

NÊ Leeward basketball gets assistance EFFORTS aimed at reviving basketball in the North Leeward area received a much needed boost recently. This when The North Leeward Sports and Cultural Organization (NLSCO) took possession of a basketball hoop and a quantity of balls, compliments the SVG Basketball Federation (SVGBF). The handing over took place at the SVG Football Federation conference room last week. Otmar Marshall, an executive member of the SVGBF and Coordinator of the basketball revival effort in North Leeward, spoke of his and others’ role in the formation of Northern Boys Basketball Academy, which caters to young people ranging Presentation party at the handing over of the equipment (L-R): from 8 to 16 years old, teaching the Elron Lewis, Bernard Bibby, Rohan Providence, Norlan ‘Jimmy’ fundamentals of the sports. Allen and Otmar Marshall. Marshall said that the aim is to return the sport in North Leeward to donation. the level it was when the Northern Boys Basketball Rohan Providence, SVGFF President welcomed Team, managed by Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews, was the collaboration, saying, inter alia, “When our once a competitive force in SVG, even winning the executive got into office, one of the first things we National Championships in 1996 against what recognized was that we had to work through the would have been much more fancied teams from various community organizations if we wanted to Kingstown and even Union island. revive the sport of basketball here in St Vincent and Norlan ‘Jimmy’ Allen, President of the NLSCO the Grenadines. It meant that we had to work with expressed the view that the assistance had come at those organizations who are working at the grass the right time. root level, and the North Leeward Sports and “…. The North Leeward Sports and Cultural Cultural Organization is one such organization. Organization… we are for all sports in North This move makes the SVGBF’s work easier in Leeward and basketball is part of our plan. The ensuring the sport gets back into North Leeward.” equipment will go a long way in getting basketball back on board,” Allen said on receiving the I.B.A.ALLEN

Allen optimistic about 2021 NORLAN ALLEN, President of the North Leeward Sports and Cultural Organisation (NLSCO, is upbeat when speaking about sporting activities in the North Leeward constituency in 2021. “We have already set a plan in place for 2021 that involves all sports in North Leeward, and we will also be focusing on capacity building — e.g. training our people in terms of our officials - and also bringing back those sports that have gone dormant,” Allen said recently. He continued, “We are here to support and give whatever help we can to get the resources and manpower, but it’s all about revival and trying to get sports back up to a level.” The President, noting that North Leeward has been at the forefront of sports here in SVG, said with a tone of confidence, that 2021 should see more competitions for sportsmen and women in North Leeward. ”Cricket and football are our two main sports… but going forward we definitely will be bringing back to North Leeward, netball, basketball, and table

tennis tournaments. We also have a lot of track and field events planned,” Allen added. He assured that his organization will be reaching out to and tapping into all available resources. “My push is not to alienate anyone because they might be trying something, but to bring them under the umbrella, and once we can push forward together,… we can achieve Norlan ‘Jimmy’ Allen President of the North our goal,” Allen declared. Leeward Sports and I.B.A.ALLEN Cultural Organisation.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2021. 23.

Classifieds

CAROL CORNELIUS WALKER a.k.a Ashes

TYRONE HAMMIE ISAACS

Saturday, 2nd January, 2021 New Creation Ministries, Church of God of Prophecy, Biabou Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m. Interment: Biabou Cemetery

Sunday, 3rd January, 2021 S.D.A Church Barrouallie Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Glebe Hill Cemetery

RAY WILLIAMS a.k.a Billy Boy Saturday, 2nd January, 2021 Wesleyan Holiness Church Campden Park Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 2:30 p.m.

JERLIE CECELIA THORPE ANDREWS a.k.a Mams Sunday, 3rd January, 2021 Belmont S.D.A Church Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Golden Vale Cemetery

SHAFFINA LATOYA CUPID Saturday, 2nd January, 2021 Biabou Evangelical Church Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Biabou Cemetery

6<'1(< µ'$9(¶ PEREIRA Saturday, 2nd January, 2021 South Rivers Playing Field Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Park Hill Cemetery

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FRIDAY, JANUARY

08, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.01

www.thevincentian.com

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HEALTH, POLICE OFFICIALS IN QUARANTINE Stories by DAYLE DASILVA MINISTER of Health Jimmy Prince, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache, Permanent Secretary/Ministry of Health Cuthbert Knights and two members of the administrative staff of that Ministry have, “out of an abundance of caution,’ entered selfquarantine. The officials have been advised to selfquarantine after a relative of a member of staff of the Ministry of Health tested positive for COVID-19. And on Wednesday it was reported that the High Command of the Royal SVG Police Force, including Commissioner of Police Colin John, had entered self-quarantine, this after Deputy Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph had tested positive for COVIB-19. All those officers who had recently been in contact with the Deputy Commissioner were ordered to enter self-quarantine. Also on Wednesday, it was reported that five police officers had tested positive for COVID-19. Some of these were said to have been assigned to the Port, while others were members of the Rapid Response Unit. They are currently in quarantine. And news reaching THE VINCENTIAN on Thursday morning, indicated that the Curriculum Department of the Ministry of Education was closed, after results showed a member of staff had tested positive for COVID-19. All of this followed a confirmation by Dr. KeizerBeache last Tuesday during a press briefing, that two health care workers had tested positive for COVID-19. The two health workers were both in stable condition, according to Dr. Keizer-Beache, with none requiring treatment. Ivestigations revealed that they had not contracted the virus from their workplace. Testing of all contact workers had been completed as per on one of the workers — all of which turned up negative. Testing on work and family contacts for the second health worker was ongoing as of Tuesday.

The CMO, Dr. Simone KeizerBeache, who has since entered quarantine, confirmed that COVID-19 had made a presence among health care workers here.

Meanwhile increasing but unconfirmed reports speak to a ‘cluster’ of COVID-19 cases at a public entity here, and relaxation of health protocols in relation to persons on at least two Grenadine islands. The public has since taken to the radio waves and social media platforms to voice strong condemnation of health officials for what some have described as “double standards” and for ‘confirming that community spread of the COVID-19 exists here. Keizer-Beache took the opportunity of the reference press briefing to remind persons to wear facemasks but stopped short of confirming any presence of community spread in the state.

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

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has set in motion efforts to procure COVID-19 vaccines within the first quarter or 2021.

SVG to procure COVID vaccines St Vincent and the Grenadines will be seeking, in a first instance, to procure Covid-19 vaccines for about 70,000 persons — or 70 percent of the population. Government is prepared to purchase 20,000 vaccines with the remaining being procured through COVAX — a global initiative (facility) ‘that brings together governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines reach those in greatest need, whoever they are and wherever they live’. According to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache, health officials here were working with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the COVAX facility in determining what (vaccine) was available and making the vaccines available within the first quarter of this year. COVAX, according to Keizer-Beache, was still seeking to raise the required funding to meet the commitments they have made. In terms of the roll out locally, the CMO said that they have been discussing with health care providers about which groups would be targeted first. She added that the Ministry of Health was in the process of procuring the appropriate fridges to store the vaccines, and vehicles to transport the vaccines. The only impending issue was the uptake, she said, following the concern raised by some to the relatively new vaccine. Keizer-Beache urged Vincentians to seek information on the vaccine from reliable sources and to be prepared to get the vaccine, especially since it will be given free of cost.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.