Vincentian pdf-08-16-2018

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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FRIDAY,

AUGUST 17, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.33

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

CSEC 2018 Standout performers in the 2018 CSEC (L-R): Sariah Jackson, Kyle Da Silva and Delaan Nedd.

RESULTS ARE IN the Bequia Community High (BCHS) and the Dr. J.P Eustace Memorial THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION has issued Secondary (DJPEMS) - have been preliminary results of the May/June lauded for vastly improved 2018 CSEC examination sat by 2,716 performances over last year. The students – 1,664 being secondary school BCHS showed a 25.21% greater pass candidates and 1,052 private rate than in 2017, and the DJPEMS candidates. recorded a 24.82% increase over this The results show that of the total same year. subject entries of 11,839 in 32 subject As for general performances, seven areas, Grades I - III were awarded to schools recorded pass rates of over 74.67% of those examined. This 80%: Girls’ High School — 97.42%; St. represents a 0.01% increase over the Joseph’s Convent Kingstown — 90.82%; 2016 results and a 1.42% increase over St. Vincent Grammar School — 88.69%; those of 2017.

Thomas Saunders Secondary — 84.89%; Mountain View Adventist Academy — School Performances 84.67%; St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua — 84.57%; and St. Martin’s Against this backdrop, two schools - Secondary — 80.82%.

by GLORIAH…

The Ministry has identified thirteen other schools for their creditable performances of overall percentages of between 60% and 80%, among which are the Dr. J.P Eustace Memorial Secondary and the Bequia Community High School. The others so grouped are: Bishop’s College Kingstown — 76.72%; Bequia Seventh Day Adventist — 74.71%; St. Clair Dacon Secondary School — 72.02%; Adelphi Secondary — 71.19%; Union Island Secondary — 67.91%; Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia — 66.88%; Troumaca Secondary — 66.09%; Georgetown Secondary — 64.91%; West St. George Secondary — 64.68%; Sandy Bay Secondary — 62.98% and North Union Secondary — 61.20%.

Lookout for more on these three outstanding students and others in next week’s edition of THE VINCENTIAN.

Top three performances

Congratulations, though, are in order for the students who took the top three positions in the exam. Placing in order of first to third in these countrywide results were: Sariah Jackson of the Girls’ High School, Kyle DaSilva of the Mountain View Adventist Academy, and Delaan Nedd of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Hailing from the Lodge Village Government School, Sariah placed 3rd for girls and 5th overall in her CPEA exam. She confessed not to have expected such great results — passes in Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 Japan to increase presence in SVG

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 3.

IF EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING to plan, the Central Leeward town of Barrouallie will see a Black Fish processing facility.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves alluded to the project during a press conference he hosted last Monday, during which he gave a report on his recent visit to Japan.

The Vincentian leader referred to a

US$1.8M venture which is earmarked to enhance the operations of and delivery of products from that industry.

The plant is expected to be located in the Bottle and Glass area of Barrouallie, one of three towns along the west coast of mainland St. Vincent.

Lands will be bought or exchanged so that the structure can be

set up, and equipment and furnishings are expected to come from Japan, the Prime Minister said.

The Health Sector is also slated to benefit from the Japanese input, and Dr. Gonsalves spoke of a series of measures under the Japan Grant Aid. Assistance or road repairs is also on the donation list.

And Japanese

technical assistance has been sought in solving the issue of Sargassum weeds, according to the Vincentian Prime Minister.

The Bus Terminal in Kingstown, built with Japanese aid and named Little Tokyo, is slated for refurbishment.

Prime Minister Gonsalves wants to see Japan becoming more “involved within

CARICOM,” and towards this end, a Japanese delegation is expected to arrive here to streamline activities for a new thrust in East/West relations.

He described the Japanese sojourn as “tiring,” but expressed satisfaction with the recognition and reception accorded to this country.

Jamaican woman wins Super 6 LAST WEDNESDAY, Jamaican Glynis Hay, who has been resident in St. Vincent for the last 18 years, walked out of the National Lotteries Authority Headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, $280,000 richer, thanks to the Super 6 game.

Hay, who resides in Cane Garden, described herself as a regular player who has been buying the same numbers - 01, 04, 06, 12, 24 and 25 - a combination of birthdates.

That combination turned lucky on the draw night of Tuesday 7th August, making the Cane Garden resident the third consecutive winner from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony last Wednesday at the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) headquarters, Anthony Dennie, Product Development Officer at NLA, congratulated Hay and noted that after what seemed a dry spell, Dennis observed that, “We (SVG) is now having what I term a windfall.”

Smiles all around as NLA General Manager General Manager at NLA, MacGreggor Sealey also congratulated Hay on behalf of MacGreggor Sealey presents Ms. Glynis Hay with her NLA. He said he knew she would spend the winnings. money wisely. to the clerk and had her check the numbers. While Hay was still upbeat when asked to make brief doing so, a bell rang out .. not sure what that was remarks. She said that she was uncertain about the clerk swiped it again, looked at me and said, whether she was still in shock. “Because you play every day and you expect to win, but you still don’t “You won’,” Hay recalled.

Still in disbelief, she went on shopping. expect to win, and that is a strange thing,” said the “I just couldn’t believe I won ….. and I wasn’t lucky winner.

Recounting the moment she found out about her even aware of the amount that I won until I came here and asked the gentleman,” said a still elated fortune, Hay said she was at a supermarket when Hay. she looked up at the NLA advertising display and She said that she has a lot of plans for the thought the numbers looked familiar. money, but she will let the Lord guide her on how to “I said those look like my numbers….. so I went spend her winnings. (KH)

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was upbeat in his report on his visit to Japan.

CSEC 2018 results are in Continued from Front Page.

16 subjects, even as she was putting in the work.

“People were calling me and congratulating me and I was confused. I have friends doing fifteen and sixteen subjects, and I thought they would be the ones,” she said. “I feel very relieved now.”

An elated Kyle, who attended the Richland Park SDA Primary, had placed 3rd for boys and 7th overall. Kyle said he learnt of his results — 16 subject passes - from his parents who are currently overseas. “They sent me a screenshot of the Ministry’s release. I couldn’t believe it,” he confided. “I was driving with friends, and completely ignored them. I had gone into a world of my own!”

Delaan, a past student of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School, had achieved 2nd for boys and 6th overall in CPEA. He saw the Ministry’s post with the top three students included. He was very elated, and admitted that only a part of his goal was achieved with those results — passes in 15 subjects. “My main goal was to get all 1’s and to get all A profiles for these 1’s,” he affirmed. He said that it is left to find out about the second half with the receipt of his individual results. He expressed gratitude for God’s help and the support of his family.

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

One-legged vagrant causes fall Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS A ONE-LEGGED vagrant, described by some persons as ‘a nuisance’, received a suspended sentence on Monday, for causing a woman to fall and damage her right foot.

Mark Gumbs, currently of no fixed place of abode but originally of Chauncey, was sentenced to three months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for nine months.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court after Gumbs pleaded guilty to assaulting Desree Guy of Belair, causing her bodily harm.

The facts showed that around 6:40 p.m. July 27,

Guy was walking along the sidewalk in Kingstown on her way from work when she saw Gumbs whom she did not know, hopping towards her. She got scared and started to run. She fell in the process and damaged her right foot. She reported the matter, and Gumbs was arrested.

Gumbs, when asked for an explanation, told the Court that he begged the woman for a dollar and they were making jokes.

“She made a running like to give the people excitement and she fell down,” Gumbs added.

“You were making jokes but she was not,” Burnett told the defendant, who was unrepresented.

“I asking you please not to send me to prison;

Mark Gumbs is a wellknown figure around Kingstown. (Photo Credit: SVG TV) me record very dutty. My Honour, have sympathy on me nah. I does get $200 a month,” Gumbs pleaded.

“This is your last chance. I know, I read somewhere that he (Gumbs) interferes with the public. You need to stop it,”the Magistrate told him.

When asked for her recommendation, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel said, “I am looking at a bond or a suspended sentence, so that he would stop harassing people in the road. At least that should deter him.”

Gumbs replied sharply, “I will cut it out”.

“Cart before the horse,” says lawyer WHILE ATTORNEY Grant Connell is commending Acting Commissioner of Police Colin John for continuing investigations into an incident involving his client Ashieka Lyttle and Police Constable 720 Delroy Williams, he is of the view that the matter should not have been brought before the Court while the investigations were ongoing.

“The Commissioner

(AG) said investigations are ongoing; but in my humble opinion, that should be done before the matter comes before the Court.

It’s like putting the cart before the horse,” Connell told THE VINCENTIAN. Lyttle had appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where she

Laughing man jailed for cursing CoP A WELL-KNOWN character on the streets of Kingstown, who makes a living by running errands for people, is into his fourth day of a onemonth prison sentence for cursing Acting Commissioner of Police Colin John, by telling him, “Haul yo mudda ….”

Daniel ‘Laugh’ Edwards, known for amusing people with his sudden outbursts of uncontrollable laughter, was taken before Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He pleaded guilty and told the Court, “I was drinking.”

The Court heard that around 3 p.m. last Friday, the Acting CoP was patrolling Heritage Square, Kingstown, when he saw Edwards misbehaving.

Edwards was cursing persons, and when John spoke to him, the 56-year-old man made use of the indecent language to the top cop.

The Senior Magistrate told Edwards that it was wrong to curse generally, but using such words to the Acting Commissioner was disrespectful.

pleaded not guilty to using indecent language to the officer, assaulting him and resisting his arrest, said to have been committed outside the Frisko Ice Cream Parlour on Bay Street, last Saturday.

Connell said that based on his information, the woman had an infant in her arms when the police officer was grabbing her, and the situation could have resulted in death or serious injury.

“This is unfortunate.

The child could have slipped out of the woman’s arms. Clearly, some police officers misunderstand their role.

What transpired in this case highlights the need to deal with certain situations, and maybe it’s time to replace the words ‘Police Force’ with ‘Police Service’. This might help some police officers to understand their role,” Connell said.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 , 2018. 5.

News

Sir V. S. Naipaul passes

One writer described Naipaul’s House for Mr Biswas as ‘a comprehension both of human motive and of a society’s dynamic that might have taken most writers a lifetime to achieve, but written by a man in his mid- to late twenties’.

(Credit: ndtv.com) SIR VIDIADHAR Surajprasad Naipaul, the celebrated Trinidadian writer whom the world knew simply as Sir V S Naipaul, died in London on August 11, 2018, six days before his 86th birthday.

He was rated as one of the

20th century’s great literary figures and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001.

Naipaul belonged to a cast of Caribbean thinkers who emerged during British colonial rule. Others included

his countryman C L R James and the St Lucian poet Sir Derek Walcott, who was also a Nobel laureate.

American travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux, who had a long-running literary feud with Mr Naipaul before the pair reconciled in 2015, said his friend had been in poor health and had recently visited him.

“He will go down as one of the greatest writers of our time,” Theroux said.

“He also never wrote falsely.

He was a scourge of anyone who used a cliche or an unthought out sentence. He was very scrupulous about his writing, very severe, too.”

Little wonder therefore,

that he had an indifferent relationship with his homeland, yet it was that homeland, Trinidad, which inspired some of Naipaul’s finest work such as Miguel Street, A House for Mr Biswas and The Loss of El Dorado.

The semiautobiographical A House for Mr Biswas, released in 1961, was his masterpiece. It was internationally praised and earned Naipaul lasting fame.

Since the 1950s when he left Trinidad to attend Oxford University, Naipaul lived in England. He was a giant in British intelligentsia, but consistently criticised his adopted homeland’s class

EVEN AS THE REGION celebrates the success of students who wrote this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC),

concern has been expressed about the number of students who are producing subpar results.

During the official launch of the 2018 results in Grenada last Monday, Registrar for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), Glenroy Cumberbatch said that a significant number of Glenroy Cumberbatch Registrar for students have failed the Caribbean Examination Council each subject they (CXC) did not hide the fact that CXC attempted.

“We have over 11,000 is concerned about the high rate of failures among students sitting the candidates who took CSEC. exams who did not receive any grades 1 to 3 “..producing persons for the in any of the subjects that they took,” Cumberbatch said. market, to either employ themselves or to be employed.

He added, “This year we We understand the high level had over 60,000 candidates of unemployment amongst doing five or more CSEC youth, depending on which subjects and 59 per cent of country it is in the Caribbean, them gained acceptable it ranges between 50 to 30 grades,” and singled out percent.”

Grenada as having exceeded One way to remedy this the regional average by having trend was to aim for a “wallet 63 per cent of pupils gain of certification” that also acceptable grades.

Cumberbatch stated further includes the CVQ and CCSLC, that, based on the calculations known to be vocational qualifications, to certify by the regional examination competence in a particular body, out of the possible population of students to write area, the CXC official exams at the end of secondary proffered.

CXC, it was expressed, will school, just over 20 percent be asking governments and actually gets the opportunity business people within the to do so.

If 20 percent of students get region to use a wallet of certification to bring people the opportunity to write the into the world of work instead exam and 13 percent are not of just a CSEC certificate. receiving acceptable grades, However, it was reported this is considered a major that this year’s CSEC results concern, the CXC Registrar were actually better than last declared. year’s. (Source: Trinidad And Cumberbatch called Newsday, Antigua Observer) out the CXC for not

CSEC failure rate a concern

St. Lucia impose visa restrictions on Venezuelans SNO reported, Prime Alva Baptiste, first deputy Minister Chastanet reasoned, “My primary leader of the SLP voiced responsibility is the safety of the citizens of his party’s oppositions to the imposition of Saint Lucia. I have no visa restrictions on Venezuelans. difficulties with the (Credit: SNO) . government of Venezuela,” then it gives us greater In justification of his leverage to expedite them,” St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen government’s action, the Chastanet added.

Chastanet has referenced Prime Minister said, However, the main Venezuelans’ involvement in the Chastanet said that Opposition St. Lucia Labour trade of guns as a reason for Venezuelans have been Party (SLP) said it views the the visa restrictions which involved in the shipment of imposition of visa facilities on would allow for increased St. arms and drugs in Saint Venezuelan nationals and the Lucia’s action. (Credit: SNO) Lucia and throughout the simultaneous granting of visa Caribbean. free access to Chinese THE GOVERNMENT OF St. The reason for that, he nationals, with suspicion, and Lucia has denied that its said, is the Venezuelan that this scenario presents a decision to impose visa economy, which is suffering. disturbing dichotomy. restriction on Venezuelans is “People wanting to leave “The prime minister’s not politically motivated. are using these items (guns rationale for imposing visa St. Lucia Online News and drugs) to generate cash. facilities on Venezuelan (SNO) reported that that We have limited resources to nationals is seriously flawed. country’s Prime Minister, dedicate to our border control. Mr. Chastanet argues that it Allen Chastanet, last week So by putting restrictions on was for security reasons. …..

Wednesday, told reports that Venezuelans allows us the The fact is, we do not have a the visa impositions were ability to have greater problem with Venezuelan “strictly on a security basis” amounts of control,” nationals at our ports of entry. and something the Chastanet said, according to Hence the imposition of visa Venezuelan government SNO. facilities on Venezuelan understands.

“Currently, Venezuelans nationals has nothing to do Chastanet also disclosed coming here do not need visas. with the security interests of then that he had met with If in fact we find a Venezuelan Saint Lucia and Saint Venezuelan authorities in who is suspicious of anything Lucians,” said Alva Baptiste, Venezuela, and the consensus we do not have the ability of first deputy leader of the SLP. was that both sides will extraditing him (them). But if (Source; St. Lucia Online continue to work to strengthen in fact we know they are on a News, Caribbean 360) each other’s borders. visa, and we have concerns,

system and some of its literary legends, including Charles Dickens.

Naipaul’s caustic attacks earned him several foes, even among admirers.

Walcott, who died in 2017, had a long-running feud with Naipaul and once described him as “V S Nightfall”, but readily stressed the influence Naipaul’s early work had on his career.

Sir V S Naipaul published more than thirty books, both of fiction and nonfiction, over some fifty years. Many of them dealt with colonialism and attacked religion, politicians and pillars of the literary establishment. (Sources: BBC, New Yorker, Jam. Observer)

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6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Service

MOE hosts Minibus Operators Training Workshop THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (MOE), National Reconciliation and Information, in an attempt to bring minibus operators and conductors in line with its safety policies regarding school children, hosted a Minibus Operators Training Workshop at the Thomas

Corporal Mc Leon Williams addressing a section of the participants at last Sunday’s workshop.

who addressed the topic ‘Positive Behaviour Management’, emphasised as Saunders Secondary Permanent Secretary in part of the School last Sunday. the Ministry of strategy Held under the theme, Education, etc. Mrs proposed, ‘Keep us safe today, as Morine Williams, “Drivers and you take us on our way’, restated that there have conductors must the workshop sought to been many issues raised model harmonise the operations in numerous fora about appropriate Purpose of the vital minibus and public behaviour… You transportation service. transport operators. must set the Williams noted that Speaking at the “The reality, however, Opening Ceremony, is that students still have the workshop was staged example for the essentially, “To let them students to Permanent Secretaryfollow.” (minibus operators and Mrs. Morine Williams. conductors) know that we Going forward acknowledge that the services provided by the mini bus operators are of Though attended by a vital importance to the relatively small education of our nation’s percentage of minibus operators and conductors children, as well as to present to the minibus here, the general operators with the intent consensus among those of raising their who attended was that such a workshop should awareness as to the responsibilities regarding be a prerequisite for all who want to be part of students.”

Among these the industry. responsibilities Williams One driver/operator Dega Michael Scalon, as suggested that there listed as physical, she addressed the should be ongoing emotional and mental workshops like what was topic: ‘Positive safety.

Behaviour held last Sunday, and a Senator Deborah Charles — Parliamentary “certificate” of successful Management’.

Secretary in the Ministry completion of the the each one teach one training should be of Education etc. approach, even as she addressing the matter of mandatory before accepted that it would be persons can become loud and vulgar music, a difficult proposition. stated, “ What happens drivers or conductors.

Last Sunday’s meeting on the minibuses , while “We conductors break these children are being a lot of rules and put our also heard from Corporal Mc Leon Williams of the transported, is of a drivers under a lot of RSVGPF Traffic concern to us in the pressure … I can say so Department on the ministry and the because I have made a Traffic Laws, and from government by lot of drivers get tickets retired Police Officer extension… . unnecessarily”, one Jonathan Nichols on Bus “We have seen a conductor who was and Road Safety. number of incidents present admitted.

And, showing the where students have not Permanent Secretary linkage was Deputy been treated properly at Williams was also the hands of minibus hopeful that the matters Chief Education Officer — Elizabeth Walker who operators… I am not discussed would have saying that all minivan impacted on the manner examined the between the workshop and the operators do not in which they drive, the Child Friendly School understand their roles, way they treat the Initiative, while Kendall but I am thinking that students, as well as the each of us has a Burke of the Ministry of words and music they responsibility to our allow in their minibuses. Transport and Works, children,” Charles spoke on the matter of She called on those indicated. the school buses’ present to be protocol.

Dega Michael Scalon, “evangelists” and adopt to ride these buses to get to school, so we must establish that the services provided by these bus operators are vital, important to the education of our nation’s children,” Permanent Secretary Williams underscored.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 , 2018. 7.

News

NDP still open to relations with China LEADER of the New Democratic Party Godwin Friday says that the opposition New Democratic Party still intends to adopt the One China Policy which recognize mainland China (People’s Republic of China) as a single country incorporating Taiwan (Republic of China).

However, the Party seems to have left itself open when, during a press conference on Tuesday 7th at Democrat House, Dr. Friday said, “That’s the position the party has adopted, that’s the position that remains enforced in the party.

Naturally we take positions based on what we think is in the best interest of in the country …. And that is the situation as it is now, but it is a situation …… none of these things are carved in stone.”

When pressed on the contribution

that Taiwan would have made to SVG and the type of message that the move would be sending in light of that, Friday responded that it is a two-way street, and that both political parties would have benefited from Taiwan’s contribution.

“But the point of the matter is, you don’t do things that are in the national interest based on fairness and unfairness for one party or the other.

We have to look out for the interest of our country. If we think that this is in the interest of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we will persist with such policy; if we think that it’s not, then we change the policy,” Dr. Friday explained.

“And don’t forget we are the opposition, we don’t make policy there.

Our diplomatic relations are still with

Taiwan, and this is the policy the government pursues. Taiwan still continues to do all the good things you have mentioned here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and they continue to have formal relationship with the country,” he added.

Friday explained that it’s not a situation (relationship with one country) that we choose; the point of the matter is, it’s really a situation that both countries (Taiwan and Mainland China) established, that if you establish relations with one, you do not have relations with the other”.

In August 2016, Arnhim Eustace, the then President of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), announced that his party, if elected to office, would sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establish

Though Dr. Godwin Friday reiterated the stance declared by his leader Arhnim Eustace in 2016, he seemed to have left room for a change of heart. relations with China. This, by extension, gave recognition by the NDP, to the United Nations acceptance of a One China Policy.

(KH)

Cannabis Bill Inaugural Oscar Allen Memorial Lecture on next week first reading postponed THE MUCH anticipated first reading in Parliament of Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill has been postponed to September 6, from its originally scheduled August 20 date.

The postponement was occasioned by a rescheduling of the Sitting of Parliament that was scheduled for August 20.

In informing about the postponement, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said on Monday that both the Speaker of the House, Jomo Thomas, and his deputy, Senator Carlos James, would have been out of state on that date.

Once the Bill has had its first reading, it would be placed before a Select Committee which is expected to be informed by a series of ongoing public consultations.

Two other related pieces of legislation will also come before the Parliament. These are the Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill 2018 and The Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purposes Act (2018).

The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill makes provision for the establishment of a Medical Cannabis Industry, making it legal to produce and access cannabis-based medication for the treatment of a pre-determined list of ailments.

The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill caters for a reprieve for those currently involved in illegal marijuana cultivation and who are desirous of transitioning to the cultivation of marijuana to serve the Medical Cannabis Industry.

The Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purposes Act (2018) decriminalizes the use of cannabis for religious purposes. This relates directly to the Rastafarian community whose tenets provide for the use of marijuana as a sacrament in their liturgical rites.

REVEREND Patrick Perrin, a Methodist Minister serving the United Methodist Church in the United States, will deliver the augural Oscar Allen Memorial Emancipation Lecture, next Tuesday, August 21, at Frenches House, Kingstown.

The Lecture is being hosted by the University of the West Indies Open Campus in collaboration with ‘The Friends of Oscar Allen’.

Rev Perrin will speak on the topic “Oscar Allen: The Man, His Work and His Influence”.

Perrin is a native of Jamaica and is an elder in the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Pastor of the St. John’s UMC of Elmont, in Valley Stream, New York.

He is a graduate of University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies.

He was Methodist Chaplain to the UWI — St. Augustine Campus, and Chaplain Tutor at the Excelsior Education Centre in Kingston, Jamaica. He has pastored churches in Trinidad, Jamaica, and since the 80s in Brooklyn, New York.

Rev Perrin recalled his association with

Oscar in an exclusive interview with THE VINCENTIAN’s Nelson King, which was carried in the August 11, 2017 eidtion of that piblication. He was, according to information received, honoured to have been invited to do the lecture, and deemed it an immense honour.

According to the host, ‘the lecture honours the legacy of Oscar Allen for his contribution to the socio-political and religious life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the region’.

It forms part of the Open Campus’ quest to rebrand its lectures in recognition of the

Reverend Patrick Perrin, a Methodist Minister, would have first interacted with Oscar Allen during their college years in the late 1960s. outstanding contribution made by Vincentians at home and abroad.

Oscar Allen never lost his Christian foundation which fortified his fight for social justice.

Allen, 75, died July 28, 2017.

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Respect and Police THE MATTER OF AN EXCHANGE of slaps and verbal abuse between a police officer and a female with child in arms, is before the courts. The less said at this time about that incident, the better.

Suffice it to say, there appeared to have been something near to total loss of respect on the officer’s part for the lady and other citizens on the scene. This is not to say that the civilian was not disrespectful, but this concerns the upholder of what is right and proper, the police officer.

The incident calls for us to put this type of reaction by a police officer into some sensible context, and to remind them of some very basic approaches that have withstood the test of time.

Let the police understand from the get go, that failing to show respect to people may prevent them from getting information essential to their investigations. It’s as simple as that!

It must be that somewhere in their training, police recruits were made to understand and accept that respect is the most powerful tool in establishing a rapport with the citizenry, so that citizenry would trust the police with information that could advance the work of fighting crime.

Everyone wants respect from others – from the poorest person sleeping on the street to the most powerful person in society. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary tells us respect is “a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious or valuable and should be treated in an appropriate way”.

The acceptance of the responsibility therein and words like ‘important’, ‘serious’ and ‘valuable’ ought to resonate with each and every police officer.

Treating a person with respect is to show deference to them, their family and their way of life. It does not make you any less of a man or woman.

Wherever a law enforcement officer finds himself/herself, he/she is in charge in the sense that he/she must safeguard the interest of others. On the other hand, people must obey the law, and the police officer must see to that.

Granted, in an emergency, time is of the essence and the police must exert their authority so as to expedite the matter at hand. It is, however, the sad reality here in SVG, that many, may be too many police officers, carry the “I’m in charge” attitude with them in all their dealings with the public.

If ever an attitude is disrespectful to others, this is it, and officers, on reflection of this impulsive nature, must accept that this attitude can prove detrimental to an ongoing investigation.

The adage ‘To get respect, give respect’, has not gone anywhere, though it is tempting to say that it no longer exists in the police force.

And little things still matter. ‘Manners still maketh man’.

Police officers must have been taught while growing up, some basic courtesies and respect when speaking to others. ‘Thank you’, Yes Ma’am or Sir’, ‘no Ma’am or Sir’ are simple phrases that show respect, which will rebound in favour of those using them.

Asking for permission instead of being bullheaded about a matter has a dual purpose; it shows respect and avoids disputes later.

There might be certain familial or cultural rules that dictate how things are done. If the intention is to talk to a member of a person’s family, ask for permission. If you speak to a wife, child or other member of the family without permission, certain familial rules and cultures can sometimes dictate that they are not to speak, unless given the permission of the head of the family.

For the police to force themselves on a situation without regard for family or cultural order, is to demonstrate stark disrespect and denote a tactic of coercion that should never be tolerated in a civilized society.

Importantly, the police officer must also be made to realise, unless he is by nature disposed otherwise, that he is ideally placed to make a significant change in the man-woman relationship that has characterised our society, and made certain utterly disrespecting attitudes acceptable to the point that they are glorified.

All in all, ours is a small society in which we cannot escape one another. The least we can do, beginning with those who have chosen to uphold law and order, what is good and proper for daily coexistence, is to show some respect for others.

A “Legalocracy” in the making First published 6/10/2006 SEVERAL YEARS AGO, Cecil “Blazer” William had warned of the emergence of a “legalocracy” in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Now it does seem that a “legalocracy” has actually been established, if not as yet entrenched, by the ULP. What is more, Blazer himself seems to be a vital part of that strange animal.

The lament of Justice Bruce Lyle over the parlous conditions of work and the police disrespect shown him, has caused eye-brows to be raised in the community.

The question naturally has been as to whether the Judge is not liked for insisting on his independence and propriety, and is neither pliant nor partisan in any way.

Or is it a sequel to Mrs. Bruce-Lyle’s resignation from the post of chief legal draughtsman over what appeared to have been a clash of personalities with the AG Judith Jones Morgan.

One can only hope that there is no incipient political interference with the judiciary on the independence of which so much of our freedom and rights depend.

In this context, one recalls that before he became Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had strenuously objected to the appointment of Justice Brian Alleyne to serve as a judge in SVG, on the grounds that he had been a member of a political grouping in common with the then Prime Minister of SVG, “Son” Mitchell.

For good measure, Dr. Gonsalves had volunteered that Mrs. Alleyne was welcome as she was Vincentian like Mrs. Bruce-Lyle!

Incidentally, Mr. Brian Alleyne now serves as Acting Chief Justice, with not a word from his former critic.

The miscreant police will no doubt be represented as having been on a frolic of their own in their discourtesy to Mr. Bruce-Lyle.

But they are charges of the top brass of the police who have been appointed by an “independent” commission led by Cecil “Blazer Williams.

Blazer Williams struck up a bosom relationship with Ralph Gonsalves since the mid-1970s, at least.

Williams was secretary, then DeputyLeader of Ralph’s MNU, charged with the responsibility for all the party publications including editorship of the organ, “Unity”.

Later, Blazer joined Ralph’s Law Firm and unsuccessfully contested national elections in East Kingstown twice on the ticket of the MNU. On the ULP’s assumption of office in 2001, he became Chairman of the Public and Police Service Commissions which have been known for facilitating a policy of open political patronage and victimization. In short, when Ralph say “kill”, Blazer say “bury”!

The situation with Colin Williams, if anything, is worse. Colin is a nephew of Milton Cato, was a ULP Senator in the House, PRO to Dr. Gonsalves as leader of the ULP, and also a member of Gonsalves legal firm.

With those glittering Party credentials, he was appointed to the crucial and independent position of Director of Public Prosecution in a ULP government, in the teeth of unrelenting opposition by the local Bar Association!

It needs only be added that Colin was appointed to fill a vacancy created by Roger Gaspard, a Trinidadian who had had a run-in with Vincent Beache, Minister of Home Affairs, over the constitutional powers of the DPP which Beache solemnly promised to cut down to size.

The magistracy often reflects the problems caused by political tribalism invariably encountered in a small-scale society where a two-party system prevails.

Mr. Donald Browne, former candidate of the Labour Party of which he was deputy chairman, was appointed Solicitor General, then left and returned as Chief Magistrate.

Mrs. Zoila Ellis-Browne Magistrate, is the wife of Mike Browne, a senior Minister of Government.

The contract of Mrs. Daniel Cummings with the Family Court, on the other hand, was not renewed, owing to her husband being a vociferous opposition NDP Senator.

The fate of three other NDP office holders, a DPP and three Attorney-Generals in Carl Joseph, Carlyle Dougan and Parnel Campbell is instructive. Carl was simply laid aside and marginalized. The irrepressible Dougan was cut down to size and virtually regressed in the process.

Only PR Campbell has been able to hone his considerable skills to ensure respectable survivability in a hostile environment.

The present Attorney General is the hardworking and efficient Judith Jones-Morgan whose husband is a high-ranking member of several Government bodies.

The office of Attorney General recently added to its staff Yuri Saunders, son of Adrian Saunders, former political colleague of the Prime Minister and at present a respected member of the CCJ, and the son of the Prime Minister himself, Camillo Gonsalves, who has already displayed a flair for politics.

In his policy of appointing Senators, the Prime Minister has come up with three young, aspiring lawyers who are potential politiciansRochelle Forde, Ronnie Marks who has a gorgeous wife serving as Registrar-General, and Richard Williams, son of a minister and live-wire in former Labour Administration, Arthur Williams, LLM, OBE. Continued on Page 12.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 9.

Letters

Putting Vincy first No CCJ I LOVE MY Prime Minister – Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. I have been a supporter of his since 1994 when he was the leader of the Movement for National Unity, of which, you Mr. Editor, was a part of then. I supported him because he convinced me that he was sincere and committed to putting Vincentians first.

Now as I sit and reflect on my PM’s record, I am left to wonder if this is the same man I voted for in 1998.

I am not going to list how many Vincentians and Vincentian companies have been overlooked by the ULP since 2001. I can assure you that the list is long. But the most recent one has to do with Rickie Drayton, a born and bred Vincentian who built his company/service from the bottom up, in the midst of many similar

businesses going under. I want to say here that Rickie Drayton is not an acquaintance of mine.

Not for the first time, a Vincentian has been sidelined in favour of a foreigner, this time to provide a service at our airport which, by the way, is managed by another foreigner, albeit a Caricom national.

This foreigner — the one related to the matter with Drayton — appeared out of the thin air. May- be the PM knew him before or as I gather, that ‘new’ lady at Invest SVG knew him.

I don’t care how much they think they know this man and how many know him; I want to know who did the proper due diligence. We cannot be overcareful when it comes to these foreigners. We have been bitten badly before.

Even if what I am hearing is true, i.e. that Drayton’s company did not satisfy all the criteria for the undertaking, if my PM was really for putting Vincy first, Drayton could have been advised of that and allowed to adjust to suit. That is what being Vincy is all about — not this mad rush, like Invest SVG, to get into bed with foreigners first.

I am sorry to have to say it, but my PM disappointed me with respect to how he allowed a Vincentian to feel like a second class citizen in his own land.

And by the way, this feeling of being second class in your own land is beginning to run deep, and it will do the PM good to take stock of this.

Time to return to the MNU slogan: Putting SVG First!!

Claude

Plant a tree today IT’S IN THE NEWS! Barbados is now embarking on an islandwide breadfruit tree planting initiative.

And well-honed sources say that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be the major suppliers of the breadfruit suckers for this venture.

A sad irony indicates that hundreds of thousands of pounds of breadfruit here in SVG are wasted from tree drops and ‘rottings’.

It is sad truth that not even 1/3 of the local breadfruit product is exported, and that in terms of the poor- many

cannot readily access the fruit due to man-made barriers including issues of property ownership along with poor marketing strategy for the fruit.

The breadfruit is wellknown for its myriad of health benefits. Man could indeed ‘live on breadfruit alone, even as he wouldn’t or ‘shall not live on bread alone.’ The health benefits of breadfruit include: enhances cardiovascular health through potassium which relieves blood pressure and minimizes the effect of sodium; reduces cholesterol through fibre;

boosts immune system through a high level of anti-oxidants; boosts energy through carbohydrates; inhibits the absorption of glucose thereby controlling diabetes; aids in digestion through fibre flushes of toxins from intestines; and is a good source of Omega 3 and fatty acids, also beneficial to health of hair and skin.

The SVG Writers Association, arising out of unofficial interconsultation with the head of the Forestry Division, Fitzgerald Providence, is citing and procuring accessible-tothe public, land for the ongoing planting of 250 breadfruit trees.

The idea for the venture, as Dr. Toney outlines, originates in (paraphrased), a simple sentiment of National Cuban Poet Jose Marti who said that a man in his lifetime should do five things- marry a woman, make a child, write a book, build a house and of courseplant a tree.

“Let’s be frank and fair,… once you are a Vincentian, by virtue of living in this space, SVG owes you the capability to be fed... .” This is the perspective of President of the Association, Dr. Chester Toney.

The Association has its eye on vulnerable poverty-based areas

for me

I WOULD support SVG’s acceptance of the CCJ as its final Court of Appeal on all matters on the basis of merit, of a fair dispensing of justice, none of which the Caribbean has.

How can we say we have, when we look at how our court handled the Yugge Farrell-Camillo Gonsalves matter, or the Miss Andrews — Ralph Gonsalves, or still have a panel opf judges declare that another judge was bias in a ruling on an elections petitions matter?

Can a nation be so blind as to support moving from the London- based Privy Council and going to CCJ to enact final judgement on matters of justice?

Is Dr. Gonsalves saying that because the CCJ is now headed by Vincentian Justice Saunders, that SVG should embrace the CCJ? That we should ignore the result of the 2010 Referendum?

Sir James Mitchell seems to think SVG should go back to referendum on the CCJ issue.

I, however, stand firmly with the position that a referendum recommending the leaving of the Privy Council was recently rejected and there is no need for any for another ten years.

As for moving from the Privy Council on the basis of a majority vote in parliament, this is tantamount to flying in the face of a decision by the majority of people .. of going against the will of the people.

Is Gonsalves willing to take that risk?

Kadmiel Mc Fee British War Veteran/Independent Politician

Women need to support women island-wide, including the Grenadines, and will also be tabling the production and growth of Jackfruit and breadnut trees as alternative and nutritious fare in interest of holistic success.

This initiative follows in the footsteps of similar endeavours, e.g. that of Hilltop Sports, Cultural and Educational Club in the 80s, and the Rotarians. The remnants of viable tree products in the Carriere Community are still visible and thriving, attributable to The Hilltop Club.

It is a most timely venture in an era in which many environmentalists agree that in the near future, food security and availability will become urgent priorities to every person living on the planet.

In the words of a local artist: ‘Be careful to grow what you eat and eat what you grow’.

Colin King

MR. EDITOR, I am a woman, and the reason I believe women are afraid to come out and speak about who and how men have harassed them, is because they believe they will be condemned.

How would you feel if you went public with something against a big man here, and you got * What has torn apart by people you become of that know and people you ‘computer-for-everydon’t know, even other child programme’? women? * In fact, when was You will understand, the last time anyone therefore, why women saw one of these prefer to say nothing, computers? Can and live in their silence. anyone say where But what I want to say they might be? to our fellow women, is * Were they ever that when one speaks used for what they out, she does so on behalf said they would be? of all the abused and * If it’s true what a battered women who little birdie say, that remain in grief. things ain’t so rosy That is why we must in the Police Force? band together and * Was Pastor Clarke support one another, lift the first religious up one another and show man to act GG here? those hypocrites and * Any scholarships abusers, especially those to Venezuela being in high office, that our offered to time will come.

Vincentians these days?

Hurting

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Getting ready for medicinal Cannabis

The ULP neglect arrowroot

Introduction

(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Press Conference)

THE ULP ADMINISTRATION led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is poised to create history here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the plans to create a medicinal cannabis industry in the State. There has been a great deal of discussion on this matter, and more or less, societal groups and organisations have staked out their positions on this issue. The ULP has clearly stated a policy in regard to medicinal cannabis, following serious research, and consultations with related bodies.

It is well known that the growth and use of cannabis in this country is illegal. Under the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there are serious penalties for persons who are convicted for trafficking in cannabis or marijuana, as it is also called. A similar situation applies to those persons who smoke cannabis, although in recent times the police has been fairly liberal in the way they handle situations where a small amount of cannabis is involved.

Still this situation is a complex one, and requires strong leadership skills and guidance. There are those of us in the society who would love to see a radical change, a sort of “freeing up of the herb”, and there are those in the opposition NDP who have advocated this irresponsible position. It is true to say that medicinal cannabis is a growing industry worldwide, and that the ULP administration is within its rights to try and capitalize on this.

But the country cannot be reckless, since there are international conventions which control the development of medicinal cannabis.

That is why the ULP administration has been very cautious in its approach.

The ULP is also mindful that as a conservative society, there is a negative stigma in relation to marijuana, particularly among church groupings. In fact, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has already pointed out that sixty-two percent of the persons who responded to a recent poll do not support the decriminalization of cannabis for recreational purposes.

What therefore is the approach of the ULP administration?

cannabis for medicinal purposes, and there will be conditions set up for local and foreign investors to become involved in the industry.

The second Bill is called the Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purposes bill, 2018. This Bill will decriminalize the use of cannabis as a sacrament in the religious practices of such bodies, as prescribed by the relevant minister of government. This is good news for persons of the Rastafarian faith who regard cannabis as important to their religious events at their place of worship. So that these groups could seek permission from the relevant minister, to use cannabis at a declared place of worship, or event.

Naturally certain conditions will have to be observed before permission is granted.

The third Bill is the Cannabis Cultivation Amnesty Bill which will provide for a period of amnesty, from August 1st 2018 to July 31st 2019. Of course the House of Assembly may make a resolution adjusting this period. This is important for those persons who want to surrender their illegal cultivation of cannabis, so as to avoid prosecution under the law.

The three Bills have been posted to the governments web site www.gov.vc and the amnesty bill and the bill permitting the use of cannabis for religious purposes, have been printed in the Searchlight newspaper. The government has embarked on a communication plan so as to generate debate on the Bills, and the medicinal cannabis industry.

Despite all this, it is important that our young people conduct as much research as possible, so as to obtain information on the benefits of a modern medicinal cannabis industry.

It is important to note that worldwide, a number of countries are pursuing activities to start a medicinal cannabis industry. These include Belgium, Canada, Holland, Germany, Italy, Israel and the Czech Republic, to name a few.

The Medicinal Cannabis Bills

Conclusion

The ULP administration has drafted three Bills for the development and regulation of the medicinal cannabis industry in the State. These Bills will go before the House of Assembly at the next meeting, for their first reading.

Thereafter, they will go before select committees for more discussion, before the second and third readings in the House.

The first Bill, the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill 2018, will regulate the supply, possession and use of the cannabis for medicinal purposes, as this relates to the treatment of persons. It will provide for the setting up of a Medicinal Cannabis Authority, and the Medicinal Cannabis Advisory Council, as part of the regulatory process.

Certain conditions will be established for those persons who wish to grow

St. Vincent and the Grenadines will come under the international microscope when the full programme to develop a medicinal cannabis is revealed. There are several international conventions which will guide the ULP administration, including the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended in 1975.

This is a critical document which applies to ALL countries, particularly those who want to invest in the medicinal cannabis industry, or those who want to become involved in the recreational cannabis industry.

Of course, we know that there are detractors, particularly those in the NDP, who will attempt to place obstacles in the way of the ULP’s march towards establishing a vibrant medicinal cannabis industry, but as the Rasta brethren would say “fire fuh them!”

ON SUNDAY, July 29, 2018, the New Democratic Party held a successful arrowroot forum in Owia. The purpose of the meeting was to allow me and other members of the party to speak with arrowroot farmers and community members about their experiences and concerns regarding the state of the arrowroot industry in North Windward.

The meeting was chaired by Nigel “Nature” Stevenson, and short addresses were presented by me as President of the Party; Roland “Patel’ Matthews, the party’s shadow Minister of Agriculture and principal spokesperson on agriculture; former representative for the North Windward constituency Monty Roberts; the NDP’s most recent candidate in the constituency and former agriculture extension officer responsible for arrowroot Lauron Baptiste; and by Member for Central Kingstown and the party’s VicePresident Major St. Clair Leacock.

Short addresses were also made by selected arrowroot farmers, most notably the largest of such farmers, Mr. Allison Balcombe. The addresses were followed by an open discussion in which farmers and other members of the community spoke about the problems in and prospects for the arrowroot industry.

The NDP has given its commitment to the people of this country to come to them to discuss problems facing the country, and to hear from them about solutions that can be put in place to address those problems. We have been doing so through town hall meetings in different parts of the country (e.g. North Leeward and South Central Windward), meeting the people in their homes in what we call our walkabouts and public meetings. We believe this approach is critically important as it allows us in the leadership of the NDP, to obtain timely and practical information from people who have first-hand knowledge of the issues being addressed. We believe also that this approach is important because it empowers ordinary people in addressing major problems in their communities or industries. This approach is profoundly democratic and has the potential to transform lives, communities and ultimately our country.

What emerged from the arrowroot forum was a tale of neglect and incompetence on the part of the government in the way in which it has handled the arrowroot industry over the years. Farmers complained about the lack of access to credit or other money to plant and care for their crops. This is made worse, they told us, by the chronic lateness of payment for the arrowroot they sell to the government-owned factory. The volume of production is down. Mr. Balcolme reminisced about the years when his family’s arrowroot plantations produced one million pounds of arrowroot, whereas presently he sells only about 20,000 lbs to the factory, and often has to wait a long time for payment. Other problems noted were: a lack of extension services from the ministry of agriculture; and spoilage of the rhizomes after delivery to the factory.

The farmers and others also said the

arrowroot factory should not be moved from Owia to Orange Hill, largely because of a lack of sufficient water in Orange Hill for the processing of the crop. Any plan to do that should be scrapped.

We in the NDP will continue to study the industry and to remain in close dialogue with the producers.

What I want the arrowroot farmers and the people of North Windward to know is this: the NDP is committed to getting the arrowroot industry back on its feet and to making it profitable for the farmers; we will keep the factory in Owia, because that is what you the farmers say makes most sense; we will empower the farmers in the industry by making them an essential part of the planning and decision-making in the industry.

We believe the arrowroot industry has a bright future; the people of Owia told us that they believe that too. With careful, sensible planning and actions together, we can make it work for farmers, the communities of North Windward and the country.

Concern about Secondary Education In the recent graduation ceremonies, I was again reminded of the poor performance of our secondary schools. Away from the high flyers in the top secondary schools like Grammar School, GHS and Thomas Saunders, a worrying picture is emerging. Contrary to government’s boasts about the performance of our education system, the picture of failure looms large. The number of children who enter secondary school gives the false impression that a secondary education is available to all.

But the stark reality is that in some schools, very little education is taking place.

Many children drop out before they reach form five and before the five years it would normally take to make that journey. I recently attended the graduation ceremony at the Bequia Community High School. Only ten children graduated. Twenty-eight children started in Form 1, only eight of them graduated recently. Two others transferred in after Form 1, so a total of ten graduated. What was also striking was the fact that of the ten children who graduated, there was only one boy! Of those who survived to write CSEC exams, we await their results and hope they did well.

In our education system, it is the test that validates the student’s entire secondary school experience. How can it be considered progress when onethird of the students did not survive to take the exam? Why are most of the children allowed to drop out before they complete secondary school? Why are there no programmes geared to those likely to dropout early so that they might have a better chance of completing secondary school?

Urgent action is needed to address this serious problem. I spoke earlier about the terrible crime situation in the country: this is where it starts or at least gets its fuel. We will be doing more and saying more about this in the near future.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 11.

Views

Inner beauty

“When we find our worth is more than our looks I think we find an inner beauty that lasts.” Jennifer Strickland young minds to look beyond – Speaker, author, and former themselves and to engage in activities international model. that build communities even as they enhance their personal skills. They THE INTERNET (especially Facebook) readily discover that as they help now provides regular video footage of others they also help themselves. females who are engaged in facial makeovers. It is often quite amazing to They grow as they learn to give.

These relationships and activities see the differences that take place as assist them in developing their inner individuals change skin colour, have beauty. lengthened eye lashes, experience Character formation/development “automatic hair growth”, and will not occur by default. It is not attractively designed eyebrows in a automatic. Left on our own or to matter of minutes. Some of the video ourselves, we tend to develop selfish uploads can be quite hilarious when and destructive traits. Inner beauty they show females who are visibly rejected prior to their makeover and the takes commitment and effort. It demands that we programme our way those same “rejecting men” thoughts and be forever vigilant about gravitate to them following the “face change”. So much attention is given to who and what we allow to influence us. This is precisely why it is so very surface appearances and not enough consideration given to the inner beauty. important that we socialise our children (from a very tender age) to We do understand and appreciate develop character traits that build that everyone wants to feel accepted and appreciated. This is especially so individuals and societies. We have the privilege to encourage them to during adolescence when peer look beyond self and to be pressure appears to be magnified.

However, we can become so caught up instruments of righteousness and generosity. We also have the with outward appearance and lose privilege of conversing with them sight of the significance of the more valuable aspects of our life — the inner about the value of inner beauty. This beauty; who we really are deep down is especially so if/when they incorrectly conclude that they are inside. The more precious aspects of physically unattractive. Parents, ourselves revolve around such guardians, and teachers are especially attributes as honesty, integrity, required to be vigilant in this regard trustworthiness, empathy, kindness, hospitality, and so on. These qualities (and to intercept such thought patterns). We all have a responsibility bring out our true beauty and value. to look and listen for those who may We often appear to be too easily be tempted to develop poor self-image distracted by (and attracted to) a as a result of these misperceptions. person’s physical appearance. The We must be prepared to intercept size and the shape of the nose, the with intent by revealing and thickness of the lips, the colour of their skin, and the texture of the hair encouraging the inner beauty that are often aspects of an individual that they (we) all possess. Beauty must never be limited to being skin deep. lead us to conclude whether or not Its true value emerges from beneath they are beautiful. Sometimes we even unwisely socialise our children to the skin.

Some children may sometimes make such superficial judgments by our commentary on beauty. It is often appear to be unkind to those who seem to be “different”. Unfortunately, necessary for us to slow ourselves some of these young citizens are down and reflect on the fact that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made socialized/programmed to say unkind things to those who may seem … every last one of us. It does not matter whether our fore parents were dissimilar, based on ethnicity, from Africa, India, or England. It does religion, nationality, skin colour, and not matter whether we have the blood so on. We therefore need to be especially on guard in our homes, of the Garifuna (Caribs) running in our veins and their DNA determining schools, churches, and neighbourhoods, as we endeavor to our physical features. It does not nip such negative comments and matter whether we are the descendants of the Chinese, Syrian, or activities in the bud. Our silence and/or disregard of such behaviours Lebanese civilisations — we are all beautiful persons. And our beauty could easily be misinterpreted as goes much deeper than our physical approval. We must condemn such characteristics. ugliness and redirect the We are all provided with perpetrator(s) to engage in more opportunities to show our inner humane and socially acceptable beauty on a daily basis. That inner behaviours. We must remind our beauty shines through when we are wards that there is beauty in courteous and respectful to others. diversity. Persons who do not look Small acts of kindness (often like us or speak like us, also have a expecting nothing in return) can right to be here. They, too, have beautify the life of the recipient. They inner beauty that enhances their often provide a lingering sense of value and ours. As we emphasize the satisfaction and accomplishment in beauty in diversity and the need to the life of the giver. We are often so focus more on character and attitude blessed when we pause to be a (and less on appearance), we play a blessing. major role in assisting our young ones We commend those adults who to harness and portray their inner volunteer to coach and mentor the beauty. younger generation by investing their time, talents, and money as leaders in Send comments, criticisms & the Cubs, Brownies, Scout Movement, suggestions to Girl Guides, Red Cross, 4-H Clubs, julesferdinand@gmail.com and so on. They help to shape these

Death of a Comrade Editor’s Note: First published in THE VINCENTIAN of August 18, 2017.

THIS WEEK’S COLUMN takes its title from a classic poem written in 1954 by the revolutionary Guyanese griot Martin Carter. Carter’s powerful poem is the lead to this column about our fallen giant, Oscar Allen, who transitioned to the pantheon working class legends and heroes on July 28, 2017.

Death must not find us thinking that we die too soon, too soon our banner draped for you I would prefer the banner in the wind Not bound so tightly in a scarlet fold not sodden, sodden with your people’s tears but flashing on the pole we bear aloft down and beyond this dark, dark lane of rags.

Now, from the mourning vanguard moving on dear Comrade, I salute you and I say Death will not find us thinking that we die.

Oscar Allen’s death has left a deep and nasty wound in my spirit. I did not expect him to die. I visited him at the hospital on the July 22 and 23, immediately following his surgery, and we talked about life and struggle and upcoming Emancipation Day activities. He reminded me that we have to keep on struggling because ‘emancipation was still comin’. I was so confident for a full and complete recovery, that thoughts of Oscar’s hospitalization slipped from my consciousness.

So when a mutual friend told me on Friday, July 28, he heard Oscar was gravely ill, I dismissed him, saying that Oscar said his doctors advised that he would be out of hospital by Thursday, July 27. I went home, giving no further thought to my friend’s dark and foreboding alarm about Oscar’s ailment. A few hours later, another friend called from Canada to say he was reliably informed that Oscar had died.

The news of Oscar’s passing sent me to FaceBook where I made the following post.

‘I am deeply saddened by the passing of Brother Oscar Allen.

His demise leaves a gaping hole in our landscape, especially in the field of social criticism. Oscar was a firm defender of the interest of all of our people, and a harsh critic of injustice.

The Italian revolutionary thinker, Antonio Gramsci said that the working people need to develop a cadre of working class intellectuals to champion and defend their causes and interests. Oscar was truly an intellectual of the people.

In these saddest of times, the best homage we can pay to Oscar’s life and memory is to live like him and be like him.’

I knew Oscar was 75 years old. I knew he had some medical issues, but when I spoke to him after his surgery, he did not look or talk like a man about to die. Understanding the sometimes instantaneous occurrence called death, the foregoing may sound silly, but I am prepared to sound even sillier. I do not buy into the dark theories that a delay in his surgery caused his death. What we should all query though is what was responsible for the septicaemia that took him to

his grave. So many of us would have preferred for Oscar to be among the living because of his calming voice, good heart, uplifting spirit and brilliant mind.

Oscar Allen was a sage. He was neither pompous nor arrogant. He listened attentively to what everyone had to say, and most often his contribution was a plus to the conversation. His voice was one of reason that led to either resolution of the matter or brought greater insight or clarity to the debate.

As a teenaged radical, I saw this first-hand as a member of the Central Committee of the United Peoples Movement (UPM). The UPM was the upful party, and it was Oscar who first proclaimed that ‘Upful was the word.’ Oscar, like Renwick Rose and Adrian Saunders, had the demeanour of cool and calculated veterans although they were relatively youthful. They never shouted or got angry. However, they were deeply committed and deadly serious about issues that concerned the poor and working people. By contrast, PM Gonsalves was illuminatingly erudite, but he was the fire-band revolutionary. Oscar remain ‘upful’ until death.

Another great experience to see Oscar up close and personal came in July 2008, when a group comprising Ronnie Daniel, Father Mark, Marlon Stephenson, Richard Byron Cox, Zita Barnwell, Luzette King, Ottis Joslyn, Maxwell Haywood and I, joined with Oscar to form the People’s Movement for Change. Oscar was always a steady voice of reason, a visionary and a leader who always placed the people at the centre of every thought and action.

As chairman of the PMC, he brought prestige, credibility and dignity to the new organization.

Without him in the early days, we may have fought more, divided sooner and self-destruct with much rancour.

Oscar was the stabilizing rock.

When I was offered the position as a ULP senator, Oscar, in his fatherly way, warned that it was a gambit whose sole intent was to institutionalize me, thus squelching my critical voice and taking away my vision. When we spoke almost 9 years to the date the PMC was formed and just days before his passing, he commanded me to continue the struggle. I was quite pleased that he, like Caspar London, swelled my head by noting that their early efforts at cadre training was not in vain.

Oscar Allen was honest as he was brave. His letter to the health establishment about delays and conditions at the hospital, is living proof that he took to heart the words of Irish poet Dylan Thomas: Do not go gentle into that good night Don’t succumb to the peaceful release of death.

Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Farewell, brother Oscar, you dare to struggle, and the people will win.

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

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12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

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Open Letter to Dr. Didacus Jules DEAR DR. DIDACUS JULES, Subject: One of the main Tenets of the Basseterre Accord of the OECS is good governance by Member States.

I, Ivan Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, a Vincentian by birth and a Retired Engineering Warrant Officer from the British Royal Air Force and Leader of SVG Green Party, very strongly contend that in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) the Indigenous population is under extremely poor governance, that perpetuates high unemployment, poverty, hunger, squalor and gun crime in SVG. (1) In 2007, the ULP Regime overshot the 2007 Budget by EC$63 million without the prior approval of SVG Parliament (Source Audit Report).

(2) In 2008, the ULP killed the National Commercial Bank with a Bank Overdraft of EC$185 million dollars.

(Source Audit Report). This shows the ULP Regime is not competent to manage the financial affairs of SVG. (3) The ULP Regime failed the Audit Report of the Director of Audit for 2008,

2009 and 2010, which shows the ULP Regime is not competent to govern the financial affairs of SVG. (4) The SVG Public Accounts are in very bad shape; the ULP Regime was forced to beg for Public Debt Relief in 2002 and 2017.

(5) From 2001 to 2018, the highly incompetent ULP Regime created very high fiscal deficits on all SVG Budget Estimates. (Source Budget Estimates 2001 to 2018) .

(6) the ULP Regime and the Opposition NDP in the SVG House OF Assembly have both been flouting Section 76 of the St Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 Constitution, by blatantly and knowingly not providing Public Accounts Committee Reports for the period between 2001 and 2018.

Neither the ULP Regime nor the NDP Opposition has any members of Parliament that are university graduates in Accounting and Finance and Economics and who are competent enough to write a professional Public Accounts Committee Report.

The Public Accounts Committee is

required to consider the Public Accounts in conjunction with the Director of Audit, according to Section 75 of the 1979 Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and in particular, report to the SVG House of Assembly with respect to: any excess or unauthorised expenditure of public funds, the reason for such expenditure and measures it considers necessary in order to ensure that public funds are properly spent; and such other duties relating to the public accounts as the House of Assembly may from time to time direct.

(7) In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tax Avoidance of billions of dollars by Taiwan, is sucking the economic blood of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The SVG Green Party is calling for an Envoy Extraordinaire to impose a Wind Fall Fish Tax of EC$53 billion on Taiwan.

(8) St Vincent and the Grenadines has been invaded by a group of Superrich White Migrants in Mustique, who are illegally occupying Mustique under the highly immoral and corrupt Mustique ACT NO 48 OF 2002.

(9) The increase in the price of water in SVG in 2012 was illegal, in that, the Financial Statement used was in breach of Statutory Duty. We are asking for a public enquiry to address this very serious matter, and the price of water put back to what it was in 2012 before the illegal increase.

(10) In 2008, the accuracy of the assessment of revenue at the Inland Revenue Department could not be verified due to non-access to the record by the 1979 Constitutionally Appointed Director of Audit. (Source Audit Report 2008).

We look forward to the Director General of the OECS sending an envoy extraordinaire to urgently appoint someone competent enough to overcome these governance and constitutional problems.

Yours respectfully, Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA Leader of SVG Green Party.

Dumbarton Propagation Station: No telephone!

IT SEEMS NOT unfair to say that after almost thirty-nine years of being an independent state, we have not reached the level of responsible conduct which the platform we had been provided with, seemed more than adequate enough to have fostered. We tend to attempt to paint out and hide our incompetencies and the roguish wastage of our time and resources, by telling ourselves, that our predicament was authored by the colonialists, who left us with a faulty education system.

But can that argument hold water?

Is it reasonable to be saying today, that our failure to have reached satisfactory levels of development is as a result of the inadequacies of the structures which the British left us over sixty years ago? Have we not been in contact with the rest of the world over those years and seen Germany and Japan rebound from the devastations of war?

Have we not taken note of the impressive strides of Taiwan, with whose representatives we seem to be shaking hands right here every week, as we receive little gifts from them?

They are in the position to do so now because they had applied themselves seriously to their own development over the last sixty years. Can the same be said of us?

In the colonial days, the roads were maintained efficiently. The standard of maintenance of the hospital and district clinics was high. The approach with respect to hygiene was well organized and consistent. Law enforcement was equitable and the maintenance of public buildings was a serious exercise. Public servants were considered to be responsible people, prominent among them were the agricultural officers who lived among the farming community.

The arrowroot factories were efficiently serviced to produce the arrowroot starch as vital to the economy and the well-being of all the people, from the standpoint of food security.

But today, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it is quite clear, that there is not the commitment to advance the welfare and interests of the whole community. On the contrary, there are immature and disparagingly callous

should be made impervious to the wiles of fickle politicians who tend to use the authority given to them by the people, to the detriment of the people. In the matter of the Banana Growers Association, an organization which was over fifty years old and had contributed billions of dollars to the economy and had made a distinctly positive impact on the society, Dr. Gonsalves and his team elected to shut it down.

Could they not have had an intensive appraisal done of the organization, with the view of instituting measures which offered reasonable hope for its improvement? Did we not have then a number of Vincentians of the relevant competencies to have devised a plan which we could have implemented?

When in 2001 the ULP and Dr. Gonsalves emphatically pronounced that they were going to revitalize the Farmers cannot communicate with officers Banana Industry, that was the sort of approach that the farming community Meanwhile, we can have persisting anticipated would have been taken. For here for almost a year, this “wutless” while, because of the WTO prompting, situation, where farmers cannot we had had our protection on the communicate with the officers at the British market significantly eroded, we main propagation station in the state, still had access to the market. the Dumbarton Agricultural Station, If there can be found no evidence to because there has been no telephone support the view, that Dr. Gonsalves service. and his team had crippled the Banana As a result, there can be no Growers Association in order to thwart intelligent co-ordinated response the independent spirit of the farming (between farmers and agricultural officers) to the devastation of the citrus. community, then the sad occurrence could be blamed on egotism, This seeming abandonment, this surrender, regarding citrus, has been in incompetence and opportunism.

On reflection, we can note that on effect for about five years now. The Agriculture Department has seemingly that 2000 Road Block Revolution team, there was hardly anyone who had given up; the task of reviving citrus is previously demonstrated competence in too much for them. It reminds one of the management of any distinguished the Black Sigatoka issue of 2009, in which our “progressive” men refused to economic entity, but the farmers gave them their support, because of their act! Thanks to them, we have no bananas today! Not such a sweet song! promise to revitalize agriculture generally and the banana industry in The Agriculture sector is still one of the more productive sectors, at over one particular. So now the farmers are ruined, and the economy of the country hundred million dollars per year, but has been set back by thirty to forty because we are not exporting much years! these days, a lot has been going to Considering the decidedly dismal waste. The crippled Banana Growers performance of this administration Association which had been for regarding the management of this our generations the strong pillar in the relatively small economy, what are the agricultural sector of SVG, should be revived, revitalized and returned to the criteria to be evaluated which would control of the farmers of the country. It qualify them for success in this soughtresponses, when citizens dare to raise concern regarding issues which they consider are against the interest of the society. In the colonial days, the Administration was more courteous! In the parish of St. David for example, projects critical to the well-being of the people were initiated by a short letter from the “school teacher” of the village.

The positive results are still identifiable today, seventy years later.

Some farmers are wondering how much of the state’s resources was used for the Prime Minister’s programme of making contact with over one hundred and fifty leaders around the world, to ensure that we enjoy the cosmetic distinction of being made the chair of the U.N Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

after position in the United Nations?

How will the people of SVG benefit?

The investment of those resources and time, if directed at such areas as the enhancing of the Dumbarton Agricultural Station, including the telephone service, the overhauling of the Arrowroot Industry, and attending to the offices of the Bureau of Standards which will have a vital role to play when once again we get serious with our agriculture, will be appreciated by the people.

Time for action from the Minister of Finance!

LeRoy Providence

A “Legalocracy” in the making Continued from Page 8.

The system may buck as with the disappointment with Senator-lawyer Andrea Young and Lyndon George lawyer of fanatical ULP parents, in the current round.

Otherwise the system seems headed for success of sorts, but perhaps offers fertile soil for the growth of graft and corruption as well as paving the road for the emergence of a political dynasty.

After Norman Manley, Michael; after Vere Bird, Lester; after Grantley Adams, Tom; after Ralph Gonsalves, Camillo?

These negative trends and seemingly natural scourges are not to be encouraged and nurtured as the ULP seems committed to do.

Blazer had once scripted the evolution of the “legalocracy”. He had not seen himself as part of it, much less a “Star” in its subsequent development by 2006 and beyond.

At present, especially the ultimate fate of the CCJ, one must ponder if I am shooting blank shots, biased and propagandistic or simply prophetic, sounding an early warning of considerable social turbulence.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 , 2018. 13.

News

Spiritual Baptists give to student

THE ST. MARY’S SPIRITUAL BAPTIST CATHEDRAL, Overland, on Sunday 12th August 2018, paid tribute to its founding father The Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey, by handing over a donation from the Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey Memorial Fund to Raniel Thomas.

Raniel was the lone student attending the Cathedral who wrote the CPEA exams this year.

The donation to Raniel was presented by the widow of Blessed Cosmore Pompey, Mona Pompey, Matriarch of the Cathedral.

Delivering the address at the ceremony, Bishop of the Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. Melford Pompey remembered his father as one who was keen in his children’s education and took pride in accompanying his five children to primary school very often.

He told the recipient and congregation that it was because of his father’s love for education that a decision was taken to establish a fund in his memory.

Rev Pompey implored the recipient and his parents to consider the thought behind the donation rather that the donation, and to reflect on the words used very often

Mona Pompey (2nd from left), Matriarch of the Cathedral, makes presentation to Raniel Thomas.

Rt. Rev. Melford Pompey is pictured at extreme right. by his father, to wit, “Little is much when God is in it”.

He further encouraged the recipient to make good use of the donation and to do his best at school, being the first to benefit from such fund.

The ceremony which was chaired by daughter of the Blessed Cosmore Pompey, Esther Pompey, had as its theme, “ Celebrating the legacy of a Great Man — Little is much”.

A similar ceremony

will be held on Thursday 23rd August 2018 at the St. John’s Spiritual Baptist Church, Sion Hill beginning at 9:30am, when eight students of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese who were successful in this year’s CPEA exams will be given a special donation from the Blessed Cosmore Mathias Pompey Memorial Fund, to assist in their education.

(Source: St. Mary’s Spiritual Baptist Cathedral)

Woods is SOL Grand Prize Winner MELDON WOODS OF CALLIAQUA is the Grand First Prize Winner in the SOL promotion - ‘WIN CASH FOR A YEAR’.

For having had Lady Luck shine on him, Meldon took home XCD$24,000.00, payable over twelve (12) months.

Close on the heels of the Calliaqua resident was 2nd place winner - Elucia Tannis of Union Level, Bequia, who won XC$12,000.00 also payable over twelve (12) months.

The Grand Prize draw, which was witnessed by members of the public and overseen by the auditing firm Grant Thornton, took An ecstatic Meldon Woods on being declared the grand winner in SOL’s ‘WIN place on Monday, August 06, 2018 CASH FOR A YEAR’ promotion. at Wilson Enterprises Inc. Service (Credit:SOL) Station, Arnos Vale, at 4:00pm.

In addition to the two grand prize winners, the promotion allowed for promotion, making it a huge success, and encouraged them to continue 40 weekly prizes of XC$100.00 each in purchasing Sol Go Further gasoline or free fuel.

Sol Go Further diesel at their branded Of course, SOL thanked all its sites. (Source: SOL) customers for taking part in the

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14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Generation Next INC. holds cocktail for a cause

by GLORIAH…

A VIBRANT SPIRIT OF ALTRUISM persisted throughout the “Cocktail for a Cause” - a bursary fundraiser put on by Generation Next Inc. at the Old Montrose Prime Minister’s Residence, last Saturday, 11th August.

To begin with, the activity was stimulated by a cause, and the guests who turned out in their numbers came with the understanding that Generation Next Inc. desired to fulfill a commitment made to challenged students desirous of attending college but had insufficient funds.

The guests were welcomed by Jodi Marshall and Alex Barnwell of Generation Next Inc. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and functioned as a mix-andmingle of sorts. It featured delectable wines and other drinks, coupled with a sumptuous

Senator Carlos James gave a detailed account of the genesis and development, to date, of Generation Next Inc.

Kelon Hooper – an early Generation Next Inc. recipient of assistance is an initiative of under “Access to College Senator Carlos James, Education Programme”.

Unity Labour Party assortment of fingercaretaker for of the licking snacks. And to North Leeward top the evening’s constituency. He enticement was the topexplained to his audience of-the-line entertainment that five years ago when provided by he came upon a young internationally acclaimed lady who had attained violinist Darron nine passes at CSEC yet Andrews, renowned was out of college, he had pannist Rodney Small, to investigate the matter. and Reajhaun Baptiste He explained, “She said on his e-pan and tenor that she had a younger pan. sister attending college and a younger brother writing CSEC exams.

Her mother, a single parent, could not afford to send her to college.”

This, he described, as the beginning of his Generation Next Inc. adventure, motivated by the fact that students could better qualify themselves for the job market or university with the programmes offered at the SVG Community College. By way of testimony, two beneficiaries of the programme, Ramon Ashton and Kelon Hooper, briefly told their stories.

The “Access to College Education Programme” that came out of this initiative is into its fifth year, and has assisted over fifty students through and/or in college.

This year, it will undergo an expansion, with new communities in North Leeward and others coming on board.

Senator James expressed his gratitude for the support given, and announced that the

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves mingles with the patrons.

Rodney Small into his Rhythm and Darron Andrews (violin) and Reajhaun Baptiste (pan) Steel repertoire. making great music. organization had musicians who provided Next to entertain was amassed $10,000 by the superb instrumental acclaimed pannist time of the function. renditions that Rodney Small, who When it was his turn encouraged nostalgia and began very demurely but to speak, the Prime who, within mere Minister cleverly turned for some, dance moves that showed minutes had his audience his remarks into a plea appreciation. Darron turning their makeshift for support of the Andrews delivered waltzes into disco, programme. poignant renditions on dubbing, and soca Rationalizing that with versions, all with varying $10,000 already secured, his violin and keytar, and skillfully added into levels of footwork. Well and with many persons this, tasteful audience caught up into his among the crowd who interactions that kept performance, Rodney could manage a further contribution, Hon. Ralph eyes and ears focused on became the ultimate Gonsalves made the first the musician. To further pannist, dishing out his add to his indulgence, rhythms. pitch and donated Darron introduced his All in all, the $1,000. The floor was guest player Reajhaun fundraiser had ticked all then open for other Baptiste, who played his the boxes and achieved altruistic individuals to do likewise. By the final e-pan to maximum effect, its objectives. Not only showing many for the would it be able to assist tally, Generation Next very first time how the more students than ever Inc.’s “Access to College instrument is before, but the entire Education Programme” manipulated. Reajhaun, audience went away with had arrived at over a greater awareness of $20,000 EC and was still from time to time, switched between this the work and function of counting. and his tenor pan, Generation Next Inc. The fundraiser was creating riveting mixes What better way to kept in perfect with the violin. guarantee continuity? momentum by the

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 15.

News

Digicel and CPL making cricket ‘louder’

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero Caribbean Premier League, made no bones about how much Digicel’s support means to the CPL. THE 2018 EDITION of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) bowled off with the Trinbago Knight Riders against the St. Lucia Stars on August 8th, at the Queens Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

And, as it has been since 2013 when it became a Founding Sponsor, supporting the tournament not just from a development standpoint, but also by introducing a new generation of fans to the game of cricket, Digicel was very much there, in the thick and thin of things.

The tournament will take place across seven countries — Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis and Florida in the United States — from August 8th to September

fans easy access to LTE 16th. plans, bundles, credit And fans won’t want and phones. to miss a single minute of the action, for CPL live coverage will be on PlayGo. And for those fans who prefer being in the ‘middle of things’.

Digicel and CPL have made it that much easier to get tickets, with Digicel stores being used as ticket outlets in countries where the games are being held.

“With 34 matches in seven countries over two months, it’s hard to catch all the games in person; so this year, we’ve made it easy for our customers through our PlayGo CPL activation plans.

Customers can opt for a season pass or a day pass, and watch our dedicated CPL channel with 2018 tournament coverage as well as past CPL games. Best of all, when customers watch the games on PlayGo, they enter to win a trip to watch the CPL finals in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Tari Lovell, Group Sponsorship Manager at Digicel.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Hero Caribbean Premier League said: “The Hero CPL is delighted with the support that Digicel has given us since the tournament started in 2013. Just like CPL, Digicel is a massive part of Caribbean culture and the Caribbean economy. ….. CPL would not be possible without the support of the number one communications network in the Caribbean.

It has been a brilliant partnership for CPL, and long may it continue.”

Across the region, Digicel will be setting up retail outlets at each CPL game, allowing

16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V Richmond Vale Academy:

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 , 2018. 17.

Agriculture

Promoting clean farming and self-reliance

IN 2016, RICHMOND VALE ACADEMY, an alternative school centered on climate change, began to establish “Pass it On” home gardens in the community of Chateaubelair, North Leeward. The goals of the “Pass it On” home garden project are many: (1) teach members of the community how to grow their own food using the principles of permanent agriculture or “permaculture”; (2) give families an understanding of permaculture’s effectiveness in the fight against climate change; (3) create a structure by which families may both feed themselves as well as support their children through the sales of their surplus crop.

Since the project’s implementation, students from around the world, along with the help of their permaculture instructor, Luke Punnett, have been instrumental in teaching members of the community permaculture principles. Twenty different home gardens now exist in the community of Chateaubelair. Recipients of the “Pass it On” home gardens use the concepts they have adopted to teach their friends and neighbours how they too can support themselves and fight the destruction climate change brings to small island communities.

Now that the gardeners are able to more adequately feed their families, they have formed an organization called Family Producers of Organic Food. Through this organization, they aim to hope to promote healthy eating and community development within their villages. One of the ways they hope to promote this development is with the establishment of a Farmer’s Market.

Our vision is to create a lively event — Farmer’s Market - in which the members of the Chateaubelair community can come together to sell organic produce that they have grown.

Papayas, mangoes, avocados, breadfruit, dasheen, cassava, chives,

The inaugural Farmer’s Market will be held on August 25.

The Family Producers of Organic Food spending time with Richmond Vale Academy (RVA) students. sustain the Farmers Market in North Leeward that will not only assist the Family Producers of Organic Food in promoting permaculture principles, but will also lead to an overall healthier island community who will be equipped to battle the adverse effects of climate change. (Source: Richmond Vale Academy) One of the home gardens built by RVA students along with the Family Producers of Organic Food. leafy greens and more, are all items one can expect to purchase weekly.

Additionally, shoppers will be able to converse with the knowledgeable farmers about permaculture’s principles while overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Fishermen will also be welcomed to to dock their boats just outside the market and sell their catch.

Local artists will be welcomed to sell their work while reggae and soca music provide an upbeat backdrop for the ears. Talented cooks will also be present at the market, providing the community, and any visiting tourists, with bowls of Callaloo soup, sorrel juice and coconut sugar cakes.

The Family Producers of Organic Food aims to provide an environment in which their friends and family can join as one in order to create a space in which to discuss issues that affect them, celebrate themselves as farmers and as a people, and promote healthy lifestyle choices. The North Leeward Farmers Market will be just that.

As it currently stands, many people in Saint Vincent do farm. However, it is a minority who are growing (farming) organically. Many use chemical fertilizers in addition to chemical pesticides. The use of these harmful chemicals, accompanied by the over consumption of imported food products, which lack all proper nutrients, create a St. Vincent which:

depends on the world; has many unhealthy citizens; contributes to climate change through both transportation and chemical spraying.

So what can be done to change this narrative? Embrace ORGANIC FARMING. Support the “Pass it On” home gardens initiative which promotes both permaculture (a solution to climate change) and economic enterprise. Patronise so as to

Seedlings exchange at RVA with home garden owners.

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18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Statement by Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines Bar Association On the passing

of Arthur Williams OBE THE SVG BAR ASSOCIATION IS mourning the loss of our Veteran Legal Luminary Mr. Authur Francis Williams OBE, head of Chambers of the respected and high profile Law Firm Williams and Williams.

Mr. Authur Williams attended the St. Vincent Boys Grammar School and went to the United Kingdom to read law. He attended the London School of Economics and earned his LL.B degree in 1967 and his LL.M degree in 1968. Where he opened his law practice in 1969, he was the only lawyer in the country at the time with a Masters Degree in Law. His practice grew and he was soon the most sought after Legal Practitioner, particularly as a Criminal Defense attorney. He was also a keen cricketer.

Mr. Williams loved politics and ran for the West St. George seat in 1974, and served as Attorney General in that Arthur Williams was a Member of term under the St. Vincent Assembly/Parliament from 1974 – 1984.

Labour Party Regime. and never liked to see the accused or He was part of the official needful without representation in delegation that attended the Court, and would often rise as a Constitutional Conference in London friend of the Court to ensure persons’ in 1979 to receive the Independence rights were protected and respected.

Constitution. He ran again in the In 2006 he was awarded the OBE December 1979 elections and was returned to Parliament and again was by Her Majesty the Queen for his contribution to the Law and service to appointed Attorney General. the State of St. Vincent and the During his tenure, he piloted several legislative reforms:- 1. Status Grenadines.

The Saint Vincent Bar Association of Children Act 1980; and 2. The has received several expressions of Protection of Employment Act 1980 sympathy from the Grenada Bar Mr. Williams worked tirelessly and relished Practice at the Bar, taking on Association, the St. Lucia Bar Association, the Dominica Bar all cases for the State.

Association, the Antigua and Barbuda Then in 1982, he was sent to lead Bar Association, the St. Kitts and the Ministry of Communications, Works and Labour until 1984 when he Nevis Bar Association and the OCES Bar Association. lost his 3rd electoral bid.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has He then re-entered his private lost an Icon. St. Vincent and the practice with a renewed vigour and Grenadines has lost a gem. rebuilt a powerful and respected premier Law Firm — Williams and August 8, 2018.

Williams; and he was joined by his sons Richard and Stephen. Richard NB: Arthur Williams will be accorded like his father sat in Parliament, but as a Senator for 2 ½ years in the ULP an Official Funeral on Saturday 18th, 2018.

Administration.

Official viewing of the body will be Last year at the end of the OCES held on Friday, August 17th, 2018, at Bar Association Council meeting held the House of Assembly from 10:00 am here in St. Vincent, the local Bar to 1:00 pm. Officials will view from Association honoured this Legal 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and the Luminary for his long and general public from 11:00 am to 1:00 outstanding service at the Bar of St. pm.

Vincent and the Grenadines.

The funeral service is scheduled to Mr. Williams would be sadly take place on Saturday, August 18th, missed. Many practitioners recall his 2018 at the Kingstown Methodist enthusiasm and effervescence at the Church commencing at 2:00 pm. This Bar; his undying loyalty to his will be preceded by viewing and open political party. He was a helpful soul, tributes from 1:00 pm.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 19.

News

The herb and its roots

Herman Edwards, aka Rasta Hezekiah, links the whole black cultural awareness movement of the late 1960s and 1970s to the cultivation and use of marijuana here.

HERMAN EDWARDS LIVES IN the area known as The Rock, overlooking the Sharpes Playing Field in the interior portion of capital Kingstown. He is known as Rasta Hezekiah, is 66 years old, and is in support of the Medical Marijuana.

Hezekiah considers himself a historian as it relates to the growth of the marijuana business here, in particular the early cultivation.

He recalls entering the “struggle” way back in the late sixties, and links the birth and growth of the Black Power movement with the proliferation of the herb here.

Hezekiah reflects on having built a shack in the interior section of the North Leeward village of Rose Hall, that was eventually burned by the Police. In that same escapade, he and four others were arrested and charged $200 each for cultivating marijuana.

“I am clean,” veteran calysonian declares

by HAYDN HUGGINS

FORMER PORT AUTHORITY worker, and veteran calypsonian Bernard ‘I Reality’ White, is wondering why some persons are now referring to him as ‘nasty man’, and seem to be scorning him.

White visited the office of THE VINCENTIAN last week, the third time in about two years, to complain of the situation and to make another appeal for persons to desist from calling him such names.

“Whatever they are saying about me, I don’t know, but I assume that it is nothing good. When I meet people who I know, and I try to greet them, they avoid me, some people will hold their noses when they see me passing, some of them will spit anytime I get close to them. I have no idea why they are doing this to me,” the 69-year-old explained.

White said the situation has reached a stage where some persons have threatened to kill him.

“I want people to know that I am not involved in any unclean activity. I am not involved in any nastiness as people presume. I put my trust in the Lord and I am constantly praying asking Him to deliver me from the hands of my enemies, and I want them to know that God is watching over all of us,” White said.

White made it clear that he was no longer involved in “sinful activities,” and his only recreation now was playing draughts and dominoes.

“I smoked weed (marijuana) for 42 years and quit. I no longer smoke,

Bernard ‘I Reality’ White is again appealing to people to desist from labeling him with derogatory references. drink and gamble, and I am clean,” White crystalized.

White has not graced the calypso stage in recent years, but persons who have followed calypso here from the early1970s would remember him bringing the Victoria Park alive in 1975 with the calypso, ‘Go colonization go’. It was the era of the Black Power Movement.

White was also an ardent pannist, and is said to be one of the first calypsonians in the Caribbean to have done a calypso with a steelband doing the backstopping.

He recalls residents of the village descending on the police station and celebrating the capture of “the guerrillas.”

Hezekiah boasts of being the sole survivor of that quintet with Henry ‘Yow’ Debique, Ainsley ‘Teeth’ Browne, Arnhim ‘Smutty’ Gordon and Nathaniel ‘Natty’ Miller having passed away.

“There is where the planting pf the Times have moved on, and Rasta Hazekiah has lived to weed set up: from see proposed legislation here for the development of a Black Power to medicinal marijuana industry. there are three.

Rastafari,” Trinidad during the highlights the role of Hezekiah outlined. stevedores whom he heights of the Black He vouches for the Consciousness Movement contended, “used to bring value of the herb, and it to shore.” admits that he knows of there. He was dubbed It was from these at least five children who ‘Black Power Diego’ owing to activities in the dealings, that seeds — have been cured from area of Diego Martin both literally and asthma through the use figuratively emerged, while he lived there. of the herb.

He was exposed to the that engendered the Hezekiah’s own marijuana cultivation, early aspects of life awareness was according to Hezekiah. including working on broadened with stints in (WKA) Shrimps Trawler. He

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20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Not the end

with him, I am still not sure whether or not he was infected before or after I slept with him.

He is accusing me of giving him the virus. All I know is right now there could be a lot of good people infected with the Dear George, virus.

I finally decided to tell LIFE HAS gotten very my husband, and that miserable for me lately did not go down too well, and it happened very even though he too quickly. Up to a few weeks admitted to cheating ago I was a happily with some ‘happily’ married woman bathing in married women, whom I a lot of money. My know very well. husband is a successful This is all one big and popular business mess and it’s driving me executive and we lacked nuts. What now, nothing.

George?

I had a fling with two different men. Well, I Scared crazy just found out that one of those men tested positive Dear Scared crazy for HIV. After speaking

As difficult as it might have been, your decision to tell your husband was the right one. He now has to talk to each of his sexual partners, encouraging them to get tested. You and your husband need to get tested to clarify your statuses.

I encourage you both to talk to a counselor and do what needs to be done in order to still live a productive life, in the event that you test positive. There is life after HIV, so do not despair to the point where you throw your hands into the air hopelessly.

George

Cheating for money Dear George, I HAVE PICTURES of my wife stark naked in bed with a so- called friend of mine. She said she did it for the money, seeing that we have found ourselves in a financial rut recently.

I gave her two choices. She has to ask this man to pay off our mortgage in full or risk seeing the pictures on social media. Either

way, she will cease to be my wife. This is a woman, George, who is deep in the church, and it was the last thing I was expecting from her.

Hurt bad Dear Hurt bad, Forget about that ultimatum you gave to your wife. I realize you are hurting but if you have already made your

mind up to dissolve the marriage, why not just walk away and leave your wife to her own guilty conscience?

Resorting to blackmail and whatever else, will bring you to a new low, and I’m sure that is not where you want to be.

Notwithstanding, my wish is you would consider the counselling option.

George

Be open-minded

I must admit, though, that your love for your girlfriend ought to allow you to want the best for her. There is MY GIRLFRIEND has just dropped some very heavy news on me. She has a lot of time to get married and live a happy, life so do not let this short decided, all of a sudden, to go to study period prevent you from Jamaica to study. She said that she capitalizing on a chance to be with the thinks it best that she gets a university education now rather than one you truly love.

Do not surrender to your later.

The thing is that we had decided we insecurities, but rather lend your would get married early next year and support to your girlfriend. She will love you all the more in the long run. start a family. Now she is coming with this university business. I know George that once she goes away, she is going to get involved with some other guy and leave me in the cold. I want to know what is really behind this decision of hers.

Dear George,

Doubtful Dear Doubtful, I would urge you to sit down with your friend and explain to her the doubts that you have about her decision to leave. If you two truly love each other, then you would respect whatever decision is made thereafter.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Take a look at your legal position. Take the time to do something nice for your friends and relatives. You are best not to say too much to colleagues. Don't evade important issues; you may find yourself backed into a corner.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Get involved in philosophic groups that will enlighten you. You can pick up wonderful buys if you really look hard this week. Avoid too much discourse with colleagues this week. Much knowledge can be obtained through the experiences you have.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Opportunities will develop through those you encounter while attending organizational events. Don't be angry, but be on your guard.

Problems with large corporations or institu‐ tions are apparent. Refrain from overspend‐ ing on entertainment or luxury items.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Be aware that minor accidents or injury may prevail if you are preoccupied. Any intimate relationships with colleagues will lead to gos‐ sip that could easily affect your position. You can meet interesting new friends if you join worthwhile groups. Your ability to communi‐ cate with ease will win the hearts of those you are in touch with this week.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Your emotions are fluctuating, so be careful not to say things you'll regret. You will learn a great deal about yourself if you go some‐ where secluded. Your time, not your cash, will do a lot more for your relationship.

Chances are they are jealous.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Don't let situations get out of hand. In‐laws or relatives may oppose your personal inten‐ tions. False information from someone trying to start problems is likely. You have to let go of your past if you wish to get out of any sen‐

timental mood that might be hanging over your head.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You can make new friends and experience new things if you do a bit of traveling.

Someone may be trying to damage your repu‐ tation. Don't be afraid to speak in defense of others. You need to take some time out to decide what you want to do.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Concentrate on work and on making money.

Residential moves will be hectic and may be unsatisfactory. Organize your day to avoid any setbacks that might ignite temper flare‐ups.

You may be tired of working for someone else.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Your ability to converse with charm will entice someone you may have had an interest in for some time now. Put aside any decisions con‐ cerning your position at work. You will have a great deal of insight when dealing with others.

Keep your feet on the ground, if you can.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Be sure to take care of the needs of young‐ sters. In‐laws or relatives may oppose your personal intentions. You can make a difference if you take a position of leadership. Try to be understanding.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) You may be ill‐treated if you have to deal with institutional environments. Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals.

Make changes regarding your friendships. If you want to make your mark, try to get involved in projects that will bring you some glory.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Someone around you may not be trustworthy.

You will be best suited to doing things around the house or inviting friends over for a visit.

You may find travel to be most rewarding.

Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make.

ACROSS 1. Unspecified in number 5. Certainly 9. Besides 12. Second son of Adam and Eve 13. Gentlewoman 14. Impair 15. 10 cents US 16. Periods of history 17. Evening 18. Dressed 20. Progressive emaciation 22. Rural 25. Military decorations 26. Got up 27. Limousine 28. Oxlike African antelope 29. Vulgar, ill‐bred fellow 30. Regret 33. Plebeian 36. Sound 37. Dormant state 40. Become sad 41. Last letter of the Greek alphabet 42. Chilled 43. Color 44. Fresh‐water fish 46. Large wading bird 50. Label 51. Ebony 52. Edible tuber 53. Part of verb to be 54. Unit of force 55. Tibertan oxen DOWN 1. Sorrowful 2. Japanese sash 3. 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 4. Chooses 5. Pertaining to the ileum

6. Division of a hospital 7. Highest moun‐ tain in Crete 8. Method 9. One‐celled protozoa 10. Umbilicus 11. Apparel 19. Falsehood 21. Fuss 22. Worthless piece of cloth 23. Vase 24. Former coin of France 25. Being at the middle 27. Laboratory 29. Brown‐capped boletus mushroom

30. To free 31. Exploit 32. Even (poet) 33. Fastener 34. Containing tetraethyllead 35. Not 36. Pecularity 37. Main artery

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 21.

38. Sully 39. Flat shelf 40. View 42. Image 45. To endure 47. Bleat of a sheep 48. Annoy 49. Distress signal

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22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

CED to host Business Plan Pitch PERSONS who successfully completed a one-week training on Writing a Business Plan,

will be going before a panel of business and financial consultants to pitch their business ideas

next Monday, August 20th.

The Business Plan Pitch is an addition to

the recent seminar that was put on by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED),

where business operators, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs learned how to develop and pitch a business plan to investors and financial institutions. The seminar was facilitated by business consultant and former CED Business Gateway Project Manager, Mrs. Simone Murray.

Both Murray and the CED came in for high praises from participants at the close of the seminar last Friday night. Participants expressed satisfaction that their expectations were surpassed as the indepth training has equipped them with skills and broadened their understanding of how to research and analyze the individual components needed for a successful business plan, and how they can apply these newly acquired skills to create a business plan for different audiences.

Come Monday, each participant will go before a five-member panel at the CED Conference Room and pitch their business ideas.

“Having gone through the training, participants began working on the drafts of their business

Some of the participants in the one-week training programme with facilitator Mrs. Simone Murray. plan, which they are to continue working on to present on the pitching day,” says CED Training Coordinator Keisha Phillips, “We anticipate some very interesting presentations, based on the level of participation in the practical aspects of the seminar between August 6 and 10. They will each receive feedback on their ideas and pitch from the panel of professionals — this critique is very important and it will be feedback which they will take to improve their business plans as well as their techniques in pitching.”

Miss Phillips says the CED is happy that its objectives for this training were met.

“Although we were disappointed that more small and medium enterprises did not take advantage of this opportunity to attend the seminar and participate in this pitching exercise, we are pleased that those who did will be able to move forward with their businesses and business ideas after they develop winning plans and ideas.” (Source: CED)

Participants in a working session.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 23.

Two newcomers in SVGÊs Senior Netball team

Naomi Williams.

TWO NEWCOMERS HAVE been named in the St Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Netball team for the Americas Federation of

Kaywanna Charles.

Netball Associations (AFNA) World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Barbados, from 24th August to 2nd September.

Making the cut for the first time are defensive players Kaywanna Charles of Mitres and Naomi Williams of Twilight Trading X- Ceed.

The two make up a SVG squad of 12 to be led by Nicole Sandy- Stevenson of Mitres, who is joined by teammates Anella Samuel, Shannique De Shong, Shellisa Davis and Maxine James.

Also included are three players from Metrocint General Maple - veteran Goal-

Shooter- Skiddy Francis- Crick, as well as Joseann Antoine and Vasha Adams.

Mary Ann Fredericks and Ruth Ann Williams, from Twilight Trading XCeed, complete the team’s make-up.

Moeth Gaymes is the team’s Head Coach and O’Neil Cockburn Assistant Coach.

President of the SVG National Netball Association- Doris Mc Intosh, has been named Manager of the team.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is among others seeking the two qualifying spots for the World Cup next July in England.

Also in the qualifiers are, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bermuda, Canada, Grenada, St Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America and host Barbados.

Apart from vying for a place in the World Cup in 2019, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ other aim is to get on the International Netball Federation (INF) Rankings. At present, St Vincent and the Grenadines is not ranked, but has a rating.

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina and the United States of America, are the other three countries in the AFNA Qualifiers, without a world ranking.

Trinidad and Tobago (10), Barbados (12), Grenada (23), Canada (24), Bermuda (29), St Maarten (32) are the ranked countries in the Qualifiers.

(qualification), “This for us, will indeed be a wonderful achievement.”

Previously, this country has participated in the World Netball Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago (1979), England (1995) and Jamaica in 2003.

An invitation extended to St

Vincent and the Grenadines to the 2007 World Netball Tournament, was not accepted.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ last major Netball outing was to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

And St Vincent and the

Grenadines last played in the AFNA tournament in St Lucia in 2010.

And, this country first senior outing since 2010 came in January this year, at a TriNation Series in Grenada, with St Lucia and the host, being the other two nations.

Harry wants Netball Tournament restructured

FORMER PRESIDENT OF National Club Tournament, the St Vincent and the is advocating that clubs Grenadines Netball which finished outside the Association (SVGNA) top of this year’s Godfrey Harry has concluded tournament, must apply for that Netball here is St Vincent entry to the 2019 and the Grenadines “is at the tournament. crossroads,” and corrective “All teams outside of the actions must be taken soonest. top 5 units in Division 1, 2 Among his list of remedial and 3 must apply to the action is a restructuring of the SVGNA by October 15th this FLOW National Netball Club year, for a spot in the 2019 Tournament. tournament,” Harry Harry lamented to THE suggested.

VINCENTIAN: “We need to He recommends that a seriously address the structure select committee be set up to of our National Netball deal with the application Tournament ... Presently there process. are too many teams, which Before that, though, takes away from the quality of Harry wants to see “a this competition, which should meeting with clubs/teams held showcase our top talent, but soonest to critically review the instead shows quantity.”

2018 Flow National Netball The 2018 tournament, Tournament and the way which concluded last month, forward.” counted 32 teams competing in He contends that changes four divisions. have to come to the Harry subscribes that under tournament, to re- invigorate his suggested reform, the four interest from sponsors and the divisions remain, but with public. some adjustments.

“We need to take a closer “We maintain the four (4) look and make harsh divisions, with Division 4 decisions… The St Vincent consisting of eight teams two and the Grenadines Netball tiers: one for school-based Association is now in a great teams and the other for the position to hold the bull by the top clubs, featuring players horns and toss it… Netball is who are just learning to play at a crossroad, and anything the sport,” Harry posited. that you do now to improve Harry, who served as the the image of the sport locally, SVGNA’s President from 2010 to 2012, also proposes Call for support that Division 1 Speaking ahead of the St contain seven Vincent and the Grenadines clubs, and team’s departure next Thursday, Mc Intosh, said that Divisions 2 and 3, eight clubs “support is still being each. welcomed,” and called for But Harry, support of “all fund-raising activities which the Netball who is head of Association will organise.” the X- Ceed Looking ahead to the Sports Club Qualifiers in Barbados once which has three attained, Mc Intosh teams contesting Godfrey Harry wants to see a Division 4 tier underscored that the achieved the FLOW still learning to play the sport.

Godfrey Harry. regionally and internationally is a win for the sport,” Harry concluded.

Harry’s concerns follow that of President of the SVGNADoris Mc Intosh, who at the Closing and Presentation of the 2018 FLOW National Netball Club Tournament, emphatically stated, “I am not completely happy with Netball here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Mc Intosh in expounding, listed concerns about the annual tournament, umpiring as well as the need for former administrators of Netball “to get back on board.”

that caters to persons who are

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Under-14 Male pouch CFU Challenge ST VINCENT and the Grenadines Male Under-14 football team did not only play undefeated in Group A of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Challenge Series held at the Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis last week, but also impressed Head CoachBishon John.

Notching up three wins and a draw, the St Vincent and Grenadines

team returned home last Monday with the winner’s shield, the symbol of supremacy of the series.

After an opening 2-2 draw with Dominica,2, the SVG boys reeled off three wins, improving their score line along the way.

Krange Alexander scored the only goal for St Vincent and the Grenadines, in a one- nil win over Montserrat.

Then a goal each from Oryan Velox and David Holder earned the Vincentians a 2-0 triumph over host St Kitts and Nevis.

And the Vincentians crowned off their campaign, thumping Antigua and Barbuda, 40, Krange Alexander accounting for two, and Velox and team captain — Team captain- Saviola Blake proudly displays the shield.

Bishon Williams Saviola Blake, one each.

Velox, who scored both goals versus Dominica, ended on four goals to his name.

Head Coach- John evaluated the progression of the team from the first match to the last.

He assessed that it was a case of being mentally strong.

Part of the SVG Male Under-14 team, which returned from St Kitts last Monday.

“I must commend the that we definitely should hard, be aggressive and fellas for moving from have won.” go the extra mile for the strength to strength from John said that his team,” John said. the first game to the very charges were a bit overOverall, John believed last game,” John related. confident against that all the off the field The Head Coach noted Montserrat, whom they efforts paid dividends in that there were “lapses,” thought was their the long run. which resulted in weakest opponent.

“The guys really Dominica clawing back to “It was our smallest impressed us in carrying earn a draw in the first score line, so they out instructions and match, as “It was a game showed us again that moving from strength to they needed to be more strength.” mentally strong … They It was though not the were rather wasteful in end of the journey for that game,” John seven of the players, who admitted. detoured to St Lucia, to He thought, though, join up with the System that all the plans came Three Sports Academy, together when they met which is contesting the St Kitts and Nevis, Hamilton Lashley acknowledging that they Human Development had “to step up.

Foundation Caribbean “We kept asking them Children Charity Shield to concentrate and work Soccer Classic.

T&T are WI U19 three-day cricket champs TWO CENTURIES highlighted the deciding match — Jamaica versus Trinidad and Tobago - in the threeday format of the CWI Under 19 Cricket Competition.

And when the points were tallied, the results showed that Trinidad and Tobago had emerged champions with 45.2 points, ahead of Barbados on 40.7, Guyana and Jamaica on 23.4, Leeward Islands on 23.1 points and the Windward Islands on 13.1 points.

In last Monday’s deciding encounter played at Arnos Vale, Jamaica took first turn at the crease and declared at 190 for 9, Andre McCarthy leading with 44. Allrounder Rivaldo Ramlogan, 3 for 35, and spinner Justyn Gango, 2 for 23, restricted the Jamaicans.

The Trinbagonians, on the back of an innings of 173 not out from 319 balls and including 19 fours by opener Cephas Cooper, declared their innings at a whopping 400 for 2. Leonardo Julien supported with 56. Cooper’s 176 was the highest individual score of the competition.

The Jamaicans fared better in their second innings, reaching 267, thanks to Kirk Mckenzie who hit 129 from 186 balls with 15 fours and 3 sixes.

Avinash Mahabirsingh bagged 5 for 90 and Navin Bedaisee 2 for 63.

T&T sealed victory, reaching 58 without loss, Cooper again being among the runs with 40 not out.

In other final round matches, Barbados beat Guyana by 3 wickets at the Park Hill Playing Field.

Scores: Guyana 203 and 142; Barbados 214 and 134 for 7.

There were first innings half centuries from Guyanese Kevelon Anderson, 71, and Barbados’ Nico Reifer with 69. Kelvin Umroa took 5 for 83 for Guyana.

Kirk Anderson, 44, was also Guyana’s McKenzie hit lead batsman in their second innings, 129 for with Nyeem Young turning in the Jamaica against T&T. remarkable figures of 4 for 6 for

Trinidad and Tobago – Champions of CWI U19 threeday cricket.

Barbados.

Kelvin Umroa took 5 for 51 but could not prevent a Barbados victory.

In the battle at the bottom, Leeward Islands beat Windward Islands by 6 wickets at Sion Hill. Windward Islands made 115. Johnel Eugene topscored with 34 and Uri Smith grabbed 3 for 11. Leeward Islands replied with 156, Cephas Cooper’s Demari Benta topscoring with 173 not out for 54. Lincoln Durand took 5 for Trinidad and 35.

Tobago, was also Windward Islands, with a the competition’s deficit of 47, were dismissed for highest individual 98. Kimani Melius hit 30, Elroy score.

Francis took 5 for 23. Leeward Islands reached 60 for 4, Micah Joseph taking 2 for 24.

The one-day format, which includes Canada, began on Thursday. Matches will continue on Saturday when Windward Islands face Jamaica at Cumberland, Leeward Islands play Trinidad at Park Hill, and Guyana oppose Canada at Arnos Vale.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Bentick remains in WSF Junior top 40 VINCENTIAN Kai Bentick has moved up two places in the World Squash Federation (WSF) Junior rankings.

When the release was made last Wednesday, Bentick was listed 38th, from his previous 40th.

Bentick has been in the top 40 for the past year, having also attained a ranking of 32nd, as well, and is one of three from the Caribbean who are in the top 40.

The others are Barbadian Khamal Cumberbatch, the reigning Kai Bentick Junior Caribbean Area Squash holds his Association Under-17 champion, place among who is at number 13, and the world’s Guyanese Daniel Islam who, like top 40 ranked Bentick, is at number 38.

The other Vincentian on the list Junior of 217 players, is Mikhail Quashie, Players by the World who is ranked 152.

Daniel Nurhaqiem of Malaysia is Squash Federation the highest ranked player.

(WSF).

In the Under-19s, the highest ranked Vincentian is Mikal Quashie, at 159th.

This represents a big slip by Mikal Quashie, who during 2017, was the highest ranked Caribbean Under-19 player, attaining his best position of 12th Kai Bentick has a ranking of 193rd in the Under-19s.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 25.

Sports

Starting over DISRUPTION in an administration impacts on the performance of those charges under that management. Smooth operations go hand in hand with stability within the team.

Vincy Heat faces Nicaragua at the Arnos Vale Playing Field September 8. The party will have to cast aside the spillover of recent upheavals at the executive level.

The impasse would have hampered not only the physical preparation, but there must be some lingering mental apprehension.

The players will have to pull deep reserves, for even though it is a home match, except for the few days prior to that match, Arnos Vale would be as foreign to the Vincentians as to the visitors.

October 8 will be another test of strength at the mental and physical levels. That clash will be in French Guiana at 7:30 pm. November 18, Vincy Heat will be part of a Sunday afternoon showdown in Turks and Caicos.

Soccer fans will be in for a treat March 22, 2019 with a 3pm pact at Arnos Vale Playing Field with Bonaire.

By then, the race for places up the ladder will be established. The dust might have settled on the executive debacle. How those actions affect development will be answered in time.

There are opportunities for advancement in the sporting arena. Football is one of those sports capable of providing a lifeline for Vincentians. It has been proven. Ian Sardine is familiar with this trend. His labour in the vineyard has been documented, and his works have been manifested in many a national outfit.

Other patriots have contributed to sporting developments, from their sacrifices on the field of play, support and structure of institutions.

There are people capable of managing football.

Administrators have to look at it for what it is worth.

Once there is continuity in the programmes, there is bound to be sustainability up to the seniors.

The coaching and technical aspects have to be settled, not for anyone’s satisfaction but in the nation’s benefit.

We have to stop casting blame and cease building an ego at the expense of improving sporting endeavours. The duty is ours to fulfil.

We cannot leave it up to anyone else.

We have to start at the beginning. The Nicaraguans may be faced with even more distractions than we have. It will be a test of wits, and while our fraternal ties are rooted and spiritual, the aspect of fairplay will be the hall mark of the contest.

Nicaragua laid the foundation for a potential upset in the World Cup qualifiers when they beat Jamaica at home. The victory turned into despair in almost miraculous fashion when Jamaica reversed the fortunes in Nicaragua.

Although not regarded as Central American power houses, Nicaragua has erased the tag of easy walkover. The on field drama will determine the extent to which times have caught up with the respective units.

Coach pleased with first Camp AT THE END of a twoweek basketball camp organized by the Players Youth Academy (PYA) at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, 40 youngsters have increased knowledge about the sport and have been trained in the basic rudiments of the game.

Orlando Ferguson Camp participants display their certificates, in the company of Coach Orlando President of the Ferguson (extreme right).

Players Youth Academy and Chief Instructor of the camp, expressed his satisfaction with the effort. “I am extremely pleased at the turnout of the first ever ‘Players Youth Academy’. We had just over 40 kids at different age groups, and what was also pleasing to see was the parents who came out to support their kids.”

He added, “I am also happy with the progress and performance of the kids who have improved so much over the past two weeks.”

Going forward, Ferguson Victor Prescott - MVP said that there will Cejay Jame - Best Rebounder be a Saturday morning programme, Best Shooting a focus on the Guard - Tyler Liberty Lodge Training School and Lewis; Best Point Guard - Jedieal the continuation of Collymore; Best the two-week Rebounder - Cejay programme which hopefully would see James; MVP Victor Prescott. a number of this year’s participants I.B.A.ALLEN returning.

Awards were Jedieal handed out at the Collymore - Best Tyler Lewis - Best Shooting end of the camp.

Point Guard.

Guard.

Among these were:

SVG fails to impress at NACAC Championships ST VINCENT and the Grenadines’ athletes failed to impress at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships held at the Varsity Stadium in Canada, last weekend.

Kineke Alexander, this country’s most decorated athlete, with whom all hopes lay, was again disappointing at a major event.

Running in the 400m, her pet event, Alexander clocked 54.91 seconds in the heats, but her 55.36 seconds in the final placed her 7th.

Also, Reberto Boyde and Mc Kish Compton were down the field in the 100m Men’s Semi — Final, both failing to

make it into the final..

Reberto Boyde, after clocking 11.01 seconds in his heat, did 10.90 seconds in the semi—finals, but this was the end of his sojourn in the event.

Compton’s 10.96 seconds was good enough for him to advance to the semi-finals; however his 10.85 placed him 7th in his semi-final.

The other half of the Boyde’s twin- Reuberth, in a time of 22.50 seconds, did not make it out of his Men’s 200m heat.

Similarly, the pair of Kimorie Shearman and Oj Jackson, timed 48.19 seconds and 49.10 seconds respectively in the Men’s 400M, but

Some members of the SVG team to the NACAC Championships, last weekend in Canada: (l-r) Oj Jackson, Reuberth Boyde, Reberto Boyde, Mc Kish Compton, Akani Slater, Rawlson Morgan.

Absent from photo are Kineke Alexander, Kimorie Shearman and Kasique Oliver. neither qualified for the final of that event.

Neither Kasique Oliver (1 minute 51. 331 seconds ) nor Akani Slater (1 minute 51.337 seconds ) made it to the finals of the Men’s 800m.

And, the quartet of Jackson, Oliver, Slater

and Shearman, competing in the Men’s 4 x 400M, was disqualified for a violation. They had run a time of 3 minutes 14.24 seconds.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines team was managed by Rawlson Morgan.

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018. 27.

Classifieds

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 17, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.33

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TRINI TEEN FLEES GANG WAR area in San Juan, Laventille, but the house in which he lived was burned AN 18-YEAR-OLD NATIONAL of Trinidad out about three years ago. and Tobago told the Court on Monday Miller said he then moved to that he took refuge here to escape the Oropune Gardens, Piarco, supposedly wrath of the ongoing gang wars in his a ‘Muslim City’ area, where he was homeland. living with his grandmother, a Brandon Shakiel Miller gave the national of St. Vincent and the interesting explanation to the Grenadines.

Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on According to him, members of Monday, after pleading guilty to three ‘Rasta City’ were saying he was Immigration charges. affiliated to ‘Muslim City’, while He was charged with entering the members of ‘Muslim City’ were saying state as a prohibited immigrant by that he was affiliated to ‘Rasta City’, boat without a passport; entering the and both gangs wanted to kill him. As state by boat other than at a port of a result, his grandmother took the entry; as well as entering the state by decision to send him to St. Vincent, as boat and disembarking without the she did not want to lose him. He said, consent of an Immigration officer. he had been living here since March Miller told Senior Magistrate Rickie this year.

Burnett that the streets of Trinidad The Senior Magistrate said he was and Tobago are separated by two rival in tune with what was happening in gangs, ‘Rasta City’ and ‘Muslim City’. Trinidad and Tobago, and the The youngster explained that he explanation Miller gave to the Court was born and grew up in a ‘Rasta City’ could be correct. But he told the Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

teenager that he would have to be deported, and if he wants to return to these shores, he must do so by following the correct procedures. No other penalty was imposed.

The facts presented in Court earlier, revealed that on the evening of August 9 this year, police officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) patrolling the Layou district, saw Miller walking along the public road. Most of the officers on patrol were from Layou, and because they were not familiar with his face, they decided to approach and question him. The lawmen observed that he had a foreign accent, and when questioned about his identity, he admitted that he was from Trinidad and Tobago. He had no travel documents, and checks revealed there was no record of him coming here legally.

Brandon Shakiel Miller will be deported to Trinidad and Tobago where he said his life is being threatened.

Woman charged, but probe ongoing

Ashika Lyttle

EVEN AS 25-YEAROLD Ashika Lyttle of New Montrose has been charged in connection with an incident in Kingstown last Saturday involving her and Police Constable 720 Delroy Williams, investigations are ongoing into the matter.

Acting Commissioner of Police Colin John told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that he had seen the video circulated on social media with regard to the issue, and has since spoken to both individuals.

John said the woman gave her version, and the police

officer gave his, and investigations are ongoing.

On Monday, Lyttle appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, charged with using indecent language to PC Williams, telling him, “Whey de (expletive) does do you? Even if you lock me up and carry me court, you can’t win me.”

Lyttle is also charged with

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

assaulting PC Williams, he being a police officer acting in due execution of his duties; and resisting the arrest of PC Williams, he being a police officer acting in due execution of his duties.

The incident is reported to have occurred outside the Friskco Ice Cream Parlour on Bay Street, Kingstown, last Saturday.

Lyttle pleaded not guilty to all three charges when she stood before Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett on Monday.

She was represented by Attorney Grant Connell.

The woman, who was already on station bail, had her bail continued, and the matter was adjourned to October 8.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.