FRIDAY, MARCH
19, 2021
VOLUME 115, No.11 www.thevincentian.com
Gov’t extends unemployment benefit Page 2
Gov’t not obligated to LIAT workers Page 3
Do not take Soufrière for granted Page 13
EC$1.50
Nina Maloney remembered Page 11
Coastal Defense projects ongoing Page 14
TEACHERS WILL NOT BE BULLIED Development Exercise was a “veiled” attempt by the Ministry of Education to get teachers into the schools, so they can be vaccinated. Citing safety and security concerns as reasons, the Union, instead, proposed that the Professional Development Exercise be conducted virtually, “either during the last week of this term, or the first week of the Easter break.” The Union is firm that members must be allowed to exercise their right to make their own decision with respect to the COVID-19 vaccine. “Teachers feel intimidated,” Williams asserted. He declared that members will not be “bullied nor pressured,” into any situation. He asserted that any effort intended to force vaccines on teachers, amounted to a form of modern slavery,
Vanrick Williams, First Vice President (Acting) of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU, issued a strong message to the Ministry of Education. by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY VANRICK WILLIAMS, First Vice President (Acting) of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU), made it clear to the Ministry of Education that their members will not be bullied into taking the COVID-19 vaccine. He made the position clear during a press conference hosted by the Union at its McKies Hill headquarters, last Tuesday, to inform the media about decisions made at a general meeting of the SVGTU held last Sunday. This position comes on the heels of a Ministry of Education directive to teachers that they should make themselves available for a Professional Development Exercise from last Wednesday, March 17, to today, Friday, March 19. From what could be discerned from Williams’ presentation, teachers are suspicious that the Professional
and he reminded the authorities that, “Slavery has been abolished.” Notwithstanding their position regarding the Professional Development Exercise, teachers are not opposed to returning to the classroom on April 12, as proposed by the government. However, the SVGTU is insisting that: “All COVID-19 protocols must be in place, including social distancing and adequate sanitization stations,” Williams said. He, however, warned that there could well be a breach of the protocol as it related to social/physical distancing. Given that the students would not have interacted for some time, it was likely that they will engage in physical greetings, fisting, handshakes, even hugging, even under the watchful eyes
of teachers. Transportation was another bone of contention for the Union with Williams, on behalf of teachers, wanting to know if the Ministry of Education would ensure that reliable transportation was in placed to serve the students. He reminded that the government had enacted an SR&O, which expires on March 27, which cut in half the number of passengers that minibuses buses are allowed to carry. All in all, the SVGTU First Vice President (Ag) is of the view that the government ought to be grateful for the approach the Union is taking, as it makes a success of the ‘Education Revolution’ when persons are engaged in “critical thinking.” “You can see it is coming from teachers,” Williams said.
VACCINES NOT REQUIRED BY TEACHERS they return to the classrooms on April 12. This was the assurance given by Education Minister Curtis King, in response to the Parliamentary Representative for the Southern Grenadines Terrence Ollivierre’s supplementary question in Parliament on March 16. King explained that the non-obligatory position was based on the premise that getting the vaccine was not a legal prerequisite. Minister of Education The Minister, however, Curtis King assured that said that his Ministry is vaccine was not mandatory bolstered by the fact that for teachers returniong to government has made school. available a vaccine to all citizens, and he encouraged by DAYLE DASILVA all teachers to take the vaccine. TEACHERS ARE NOT “The Ministry,” he said, OBLIGATED to get the “had concluded the process COVID-19 vaccine before of sensitizing our teachers
on the vaccines.” Ollivierre had earlier posed a question about the mechanisms being implemented to facilitate the safe reopening of schools, to which King responded that the protocols were presently being updated in preparation for the return to the classroom. As for instructional time that had been lost due to the change from face-to-face instruction to online schooling since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, King admitted that this was difficult to quantify. He assured, though, that his Ministry was working on an academic recovery programme that will provide a multiple-prong approach to address the issue of instructional time lost due to the coronavirus.
Parliamentary Representative for the Southern Grenadines Terrence Ollivierre. The programme is being developed with the support of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) with funding from the Global Partnership for Education.
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2. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
Unemployment Benefit extended: GovÊt to bear total cost Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves assured that the Stimulus package will be extended until June.
GOVERNMENT’S INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMME introduced as part of the overall COVID-19 Stimulus Package, is to be extended for another quarter, i.e. until June. And Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves told a sitting of Parliament on March 16, that government intends to bear the full cost of the extension, since the National Insurance Services (NIS) was no longer able, given its operational guidelines, to fund its portion of the initiative. Following the declaration in March 2020 of the novel
coronavirus related pandemic, the government introduced a variety of interventions designed to strengthen social protection for the vulnerable, and to assist affected persons. Among these were two initiatives: a Displacement Supplementary Income to persons affected in the hospitality sector, sea farers, oil rig workers; an NIS funded Temporary Unemployment Benefit to persons who had either lost their jobs or had their working hours significantly reduced.
Payments began in April 2020 and were expected to be rolled out over a three-month period. However, as of February 2021 both programmes were in its 12th month of operation. As of that month a total of EC$9,826,350 was paid out: the NIS Temporary Unemployment Benefit had disbursed a total of EC$2.7 million to 2,241 claims, and government EC$4.6 million to 3,894 claims from the hospitality industry and EC$2.5 million to sea farers and oil rig workers. (DD)
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News 3 GovÊt not obligated to LIAT workers
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 3.
details for the computation of a government did not owe, nor was it possible payment of severance, obligated to pay any severance, and salaries, holidays with pay and length stressed that he was awaiting the process from the Administration and However, there is no legal obligation of service for each of the employees under the specified category. did not want to preempt anything. by this country’s government to pay Dr. Gonsalves told the Parliament (DD) severance to these former employees of that he received from the airline. Seaforth in February, According to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as he responded to a the draft severance computation for the question posed by East Kingstown workers here. Parliamentary Representative The Prime Minister, Fitzgerald Bramble during the March though, had made it 16 sitting of Parliament,information clear in his January he received from the court appointed Administrator- Cleveland Seaforth, in letter that, “The response to a January 2021 letter from government of St. Vincent and the him, there were 39 workers stationed Grenadines as a here up to the time of LIAT’s closure. shareholder of They were owed retroactive payments amounting to EC$10,910.48; LIAT(1974) Ltd., does not acknowledge that it severance payments totaling has a legal obligation to EC$887,588.73; and holiday pay of make any severance EC$245,040.22. A PAYMENT OF payment or accord The grand total of indebtedness INCOME SUPPORT holidays with pay stood at $1,143,539.43. to minibus operators beyond that which, if The information received from is expected to be Seaforth also detailed the names of all any, arises from the Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph made at the end of administration of the former employees of LIAT (1974) Ltd. Gonsalves made it clear, that this March. company.” stationed in St. Vincent and the country’s government is not legally Minister of He alluded to a Grenadines, who were severed as a obligated to pay severance to Finance Camillo promise of a consequence of the closure of the employees of the airline. Gonsalves, in a compassionate payment airline and its placement in ministerial to former workers by the administration. OVER A MILLION DOLLARS is owed to statement to a Antiguan government, No request was made for former employees of LIAT (1974) Ltd., sitting of Parliament i.e. 50% of what was information as it related to who had been stationed in St. Vincent on March 16, said owed in cash, land or Vincentians who worked for the airline and the Grenadines up to the time of the that this payment government bonds. elsewhere, e.g. pilots who were airline’s closure court appointed was being made But, he maintained employed in Antigua. administration. considering the According to Minister of that the SVG A request was made to provide ongoing restrictions Finance Camillo Gonsalves, of the carrying income support for capacity of minibuses can be expected passengers. at the end of March. And while he acknowledged that the Vincentian Transportation Association (VINTAS) had requested that the maximum number of passengers allowed be increased to 12, Gonslaves said, “.. we will pay the WHILE THE ISSUE of the Vincent and the Grenadines payment at the end of March to deal with the payment of severance to up to the time the airline limited capacity that took place in the previous former LIAT (1974) Ltd. closed, but also about what month, and we will engage further on whether workers is crucial, there is was owed to small creditors there will be an increased capacity or a second another sector of persons here. monthly payment to offset any further reduction.” whom the airlines owes, that Additionally, he requested Tightened restrictions were enforced in is also of concern. of Seaforth a list of the February this year following a spike in COVID-19 Prime Minister Dr Ralph persons who had purchased cases here. The capacity of minibus was cut in Gonsalves said in Parliament tickets for travel out of St half. In the case of those buses licensed to carry 18 on March 16, in response to a Vincent and the Grenadines, passenger, they were now allowed to carry only 9, question posed by East and the sums owed in each inclusive of 7 paying passengers, the driver and Kingstown Representative case. the conductor. Fitzgerald Bramble, that he He told the sitting of Government introduced in 2020 income support had written to LIAT’s parliament that while he for minibus operators, to wit a monthly payment of Administrator Cleveland received information that $500 for 18-seater buses and $600.00 for buses Seaforth seeking, not only LIAT owed EC$275,000 to 22 with greater capacity. information as it related to entities here, he did not This amount is expected to be paid at the end of what was owed to former receive any information about March. (DD) employees stationed in St. the tickets. (DD) LIAT Administrator Cleveland Seaforth.
March payment for minibus operators
LIAT owes local entities
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4. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Court
Attorney Grant Connell Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS ATTORNEY Grant Connell told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that two nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who were facing immigration charges have complained to him that they were beaten by the police. Connell was mitigating on behalf of Carrie Hopson, a lorry delivery man, and fisherman; as well as Korey Clarke, plumber and fisherman both 29, who had both pleaded
Lawyer complains of police brutality guilty to entering the state at Owia, by boat and disembarking without the consent of an immigration officer; entering the state by boat without a passport; entering the state at a port other than at a port of entry; and knowingly and willingly allowing themselves to be landed as prohibited immigrants. The facts revealed that around 3:25 am on March 2, police officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) went at a house of a female in Owia to execute a search warrant in respect of guns and ammunition. During the search Clarke and Hopson were found in a bedroom. They admitted being Trinidadians, but had no identification documents on them. They were taken to the Central
Police Station where they were cautioned, and gave statements. The Court also heard that the men complained of not feeling well, and were taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where they were admitted, and subsequently discharged. They were then handed over to immigration officers. Checks were made, and there was no record of them entering the state at a port of entry. But Connell, in mitigation, said that based on his instructions, his clients left Trinidad on a fishing expedition, developed engine problems, and ended up at Owia on February 28. They were assisted, during which they were taken to the homes of their relatives at Owia. On their return to where
they left the boat, there was no captain or boat. Connell said his clients complained to him that they were beaten by the police, and had to be taken to the hospital after complaining to the police of having abdominal pains. Connell said the men had to undergo a series of tests and x-rays at the hospital, and he was expected to receive the reports from the hospital by yesterday (Thursday). But according to Connell, “It is clear that there was blunt trauma.” The lawyer said that the medical bill amounted to $622.50, and his clients had to stand the expenses. “As a result of what the police did to them, they ended up in the hospital. The police
cannot take the law into their own hands”, Connell continued, “the men were then taken to the Biabou Police station, and were not even checked by a doctor”. Prosecutor Renrick Cato said Connell was making a serious allegation against the police. Cato noted that the men had given a statement to an immigration officer, but had said absolutely nothing about any police beating them. In response to Cato, Connell said he did not identify any particular officer, but was speaking generally based on instructions he received from his clients. Connell asked the Court to impose a reasonable fine, and allow the men time to pay, as his clients had
gone through enough already. He admitted that they were wrong not to have gone straight to an immigration officer, on their arrival here, adding that they were remorseful, had no previous convictions, and had not wasted the court’s time. Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett imposed a fine of $300 each, on each charge, to be paid by today (Friday). In default they would each serve a prison sentence of one month. He also made a deportation order for both defendants. Clarke and Hopson answered to the charges via zoom, from the Biabou Police Station where they were quarantined.
Conductor jailed for burglary ALEX ALEXANDER, a 26-year-old minibus conductor who told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court he committed a burglary because he had nothing to do during the recent minibus strike, was jailed for three years on Wednesday. The Largo Height man had pleaded guilty to entering the house of Kyisha Compton a 27year-old school teacher, and Zofayah Compton, 20-year-old bartender
and stealing cash and other items amounting to thousands of dollars. The items including laptops, computers, jewellery and $5,300 in cash was stolen from Kyisha while Zofayah was releaved of just over $400. Alexander had seized the opportunity to burglarize the home of the sisters while they were out on a visit between March 9 and 14. The sisters had
secured the building in Largo Height, leaving everything intact, but Alexander was able to force open a door to gain entry. A report was made to the police and he was arrested during investigations. The conductor, who was unrepresented, told the Court, “Van been strike and I didn’t get nothing to do, so I go across by she and force open the door and go inside.” “I been looking for something to eat, and I start eating”, he admitted “that he saw
the cash and other items, took them and left”. Alexander said he spent the stolen money, and was trying to sell the other items. Only some of them were recovered. He said he get $120 every Saturday and asked the Court to allow him to compensate the sisters. One of the sister’s told the Court that Alexander usually walk through their yard, and they would give him things he needed. In scrutinizing Alexander’s record, Senior Magistrate Rickie
Burnett said, “His first offence was committed when he was a juvenile, and that was the beginning of his criminal career, and it was for burglary, and most of his offences are for theft and burglary, so what he has done to both of you (complainants), is something that is embedded in his DNA”. The Magistrate noted that Alexander was released from prison in January this year, and it was no where he was going to escape a jail term on this charge. The Comptons’ said
they would have like to be compensated, but they agreed that Alexander was not in any position to compensate them. “There is nothing that you can say or do this morning that can prevent you from going back to your home in prison”, Burnett told the defendant. “Prison is not my home”, Alexander replied in tears. But the Magistrate was not moved. “Look at your record, prison, prison, prison”, he reminded Alexander again.
„PM not a beast‰, says lawyer ATTORNEY Grant Connell told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves should be approached in relation to what is needed to upgrade the operations of the Court. Connell, who was representing two nationals of Trinidad and Tobago on immigration charges, commended the move to have his
clients answer to the charges via zoom from the Biabou Police Station where they had been quarantined. Though Connell said the quarantine period was completed, he expressed the view that had it not been for the procedure, via zoom, his clients might have been in custody much longer. He is of the view that such
procedures in relation could be applied to other matters of a similar nature, in the interest of justice, and wondered why the Prime Minister is not being approached on matters like these. “The Prime Minister is not a beast”, he said. According to Connell, there is no reason why the Court cannot be equipped in this regard.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 5.
Feature
Fancy whets the appetite on NHD CELEBRATIONS for National Heroes Day (NHD) 2021 were “low key”, occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic with its associated restrictions of movement and human interaction. As a result, no formal cultural activities were held in the “Cultural Capital”, Fancy, on Sunday, March 14 (NHD) and the public holiday on Monday 15. Yet, even with no formal activities in which to participate, several persons from across mainland St. Vincent journeyed to Fancy on the public holiday, many in expectation of savoring the culinary dainties for which the people of Fancy are known. Two Fancy matriarchs — sisters Juney Baptiste and Elna Michael — did not disappoint. They too had expected that people would travel to Fancy and had prepared Madongo bakes and fried fish, coconut bakes, potato pudding, farine ‘bam bam’ and ‘doucana’. Sadly, some of the visitors were disappointed because they did not get the quantities they desired. However, to satisfy those who relish ‘doucana’, both sisters decided to make another batch the following day,
Tuesday March 16. There were other local food stalls operating on NHD, with all vendors recording good sales throughout the day. In fact, supplies ran out. And although, like Fancy, there were no formal programmes of activities staged, many persons still visited Greiggs, the Chatoyer National Park at Rabacca and the Owia Salt Pond on NHD. Editor’s Note: On request of locals and visitors, we off the following guide to making ‘doucana’ and sweet potato pudding. The main ingredients for ‘doucana’ are sweet potato, grated coconut, tannia and spices (e.g. nutmeg). After blending these ingredients, the mix is placed in either banana or ‘Balinsay’ leaves, rolled and tied with ‘ping wing’ straw then boiled on a coal pot or wood fire for about an hour. Sweet potato pudding is prepared in a similar way but the ingredients are placed in a baking pan and baked until ‘molasses brown’. Submitted by: Donald De Riggs
Elna Michael (left) preparing the ‘ping wing’ string and Juney Baptiste (right) preparing the wrap - the ‘doucana’ mix in a ‘balinsay’ bush.
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6. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 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
The vaccine debate ACCORDING TO THE WHO/UNICEF and the United nations, ‘vaccines are the most cost-effective public health interventions.’ And as governments around the world, including ours, embrace this deduction, we assume that they do so with the singular purpose to protect the well-being of all of its citizens. Yet, we understood that in an open and free society like ours, we have the right not to accept something about which we have doubts, even if we are aware that to do so will put others at risk. There was a time when no one really talked about getting vaccinated. It was something that didn’t cross the average mind or simply something taken for granted. That said, this is a particularly appropriate time to be discussing vaccines since we are currently in a situation in which this thing we call COVID-19, has the potential to paralyze our health care system, and because it serves a good purpose to be talking about community immunity (immunization) as being relevant to our modern, social lifestyle. If the truth be told, people here and across the globe have been getting vaccinated more than ever and because of that, we have eradicated from the earth at least one deadly disease — small pox — and brought under manageable proportions the spread of others like polio. Yet, as COVID-19 pounced on us, it is almost impossible today to speak, publicly or privately, about vaccines/vaccination without sparking some debate or argument, some useful and informative but sadly, the majority useless and uninformative. Vaccines have become, it appears, an increasingly controversial topic, not least in the political sphere. There was no ruling out the government, because of its underlying responsibility and its modus operandi, from getting involved in the debate/argument. However, it appears, notwithstanding its wellintentioned drive, that government is trending toward making vaccine
mandatory. Minibus drivers are ‘threatened’ with the withholding of income support, if they refuse the COVID19 vaccine, but there is no stipulation for the passengers (reduced capacity) their buses carry. Teachers have warned, even though the Ministry of Education says otherwise, that they will not be bullied by veiled attempts to make the vaccine mandatory before returning to the classrooms on April 12. Civil Servants have been chastised for ‘abusing’ their ‘shift system and have been given a ‘stern’ encouragement to get vaccinated or else. And the carnival makers, if we are to extend the argument, must now go out and encourage mass vaccination, so that by May we would have had 80% of the 18-yearolds and over vaccinated, so that we can have the biggest party of our cultural calendar, Vincy Carnival. And, we still have no idea how many (majority or minority?) of our frontline workers have accepted the vaccine. There seems to be no effort on the part of the authorities to differentiate mandatory versus required vaccination. It appears that the choice of the state is simply to encourage getting the vaccine even if it has to attach conditions on those over whom it waves a heavy hand. And as much as we would want to encourage a positive attitude to the COVID-19 vaccine, we would be abhorred to see any action by the state to make the vaccine mandatory. No government can or should be able to mandate vaccination meaning forcibly vaccinating anyone against their will, even as it is recognized that it (state) has to stand in protection of the well-being of all of its citizens. To do so is simply an affront to one’s human right of freedom of conscience. So are vaccines a necessity to protect public health, safety and welfare of this and future generations? Among the evidencebased medicine, pseudoscience and debate, you decide.
The First National Heroes Day Rally (First published in THE VINCENTIAN on March 13, 2015.) IT IS NOW EXACTLY 23 YEARS since the first baptism ceremony was held publicly to hail whom the people considered to be our First National Hero, Joseph Chatoyer, and to celebrate the first National Heroes Day on the 14th March, the date on which Chatoyer was last seen alive. This historical-cultural event took place under the headship of a few grassroots organisations and personages without an official authorisation, whose blessing came by way of two sympathetic Ministers of an NDP Government. The day marked a milestone in our social development and was captured by a Vincentian Journalist Conley Rose, who had been a conscientious activist in the ceremony, and bears repeating if only in my column, This Week, for its socio-historical significance.
The First National Heroes Day Rally by Conley Rose published in THE VINCENTIAN 20/3/1992 In spite of the inclemency of the weather, the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) held a historic and successful National Heroes Day Rally at the Langley Park Government School, on Saturday 14th March, 1992. Under themes: “Let us Honour our Heroes” and “500 years of struggle and Resistance”, the NQC activists led by its Chairman, Renwick Rose, must be congratulated for braving the pouring rain and carrying on the day’s celebration, in such damped and uncertain conditions. The rally nevertheless started around 5:15p.m, with singing of the National Anthem, followed by a fitting prayer by Nelcia Robinson, and welcoming remarks by Tydel John, the chairman of the day’s proceedings. Opening remarks were given by the NQC chairman Renwick Rose, who stressed the significance and importance of National Heroes Day, and he emphasised the representative character of the NQC, and also indicated that the request to the Government of St Vincent and Grenadines, is one of a serious nature to be treated in such manner. In his words, “National Heroes Day has to do with our history, our self-pride, our
identity and also our cultural traditions as a struggling people”. Minister of Education, Sports and Culture John Horne delivered greetings to the rally on behalf of Government. The Cultural Minister in an emotional address, said that, “at times like these, reality must give precedence to our emotions.” He went on to state that the Garifuna people in Belize become very emotional and hysterical when reacting to St Vincent as their homeland, and he is very proud of the Garifuna response in Belize. The Education Minister stated that he knows that there is a burning desire by the people of St Vincent to recognise March 14th as National Heroes Day, but that it was up to the Cabinet to decide on the issue. Mr Horne was non-committal personally on the NQC request, but later played a prerecorded voice of Prime Minister Mitchell that he had no objection to declaring March 14trh as National Heroes Day. He later called on the people above the Dry River to recognise their roots as Garifuna people to seek to develop Calinago Culture. The Minister of Culture stated that in three years’ time, a number of the descendants of the Black Caribs from Belize would be visiting St Vincent for the centenary celebrations, and said, the question is, “are we ready and able to welcome the Garifuna people to our shores”. He then made some recommendations to the rally: (1) that Vincentians consider a programme of education on history and culture of St Vincent and the Grenadines. (2) That the History book “Rise and Fall of the Black Caribs” be taught in all schools throughout the State. (3) That Dr. Kirby and Dr. Fraser compile a book on local history to use as a history book. (4) That the Historical Society be revived as an active organisation. The Education Minister, on behalf of the Government, thanked Mayor Sylvia Flores for visiting SVG. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Yvonne Francis Gibson, followed soon after with a short address. Continued on Page 15.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 7.
Letters
From Paul Things/attitudes in Jamaica we have to change
MR. EDITOR: I just had to share this one with you. It tells a story about the great Bunny Wailer (recently deceased) that I am certain many of us from the 70s generation would not have known. Hope your readers, especially those who are Bunny Wailer’s fan, would find it interesting and informative. Paul, from Jamaica
May Bunny rest in peace (First published in the Jamaica Observer of Friday, March 05, 2021.) Dear Editor, Bunny Wailer, the quiet and unassuming member of the world-renowned The Wailers has gone on to Zion. We are all aware of his outstanding legacy as a songwriter, singer and player of instruments in many songs. He was the recipient of many local and international awards. Of the three Wailers, Bunny was a close friend of the Goodison family while attending All Saints All-Age School in Jones Town, which was demolished in the 1980s. I have some memories of Bunny. Bunny rode a bicycle to school, which was a rarity, as most kids either walked or took the Jolly bus to school. You could say it was a form of status symbol. He would leave his bicycle at our home at Study Park Road, where he played before going to his nearby home at Trench Town. Bunny was kind enough to allow us to use his bicycle and, therefore, was the main influence in teaching all the boys to ride. Later he went to Camperdown High School and was probably the only Wailer to get a secondary education. This was the nature of colonial education of the times; you had to be extremely bright or have the ability to pay. My brother-in-law, Ted Chamberlain, was writing a book and required written permission from Bunny to include an excerpt from one of his writings. He said his word is “iron”, and he would not write anything; meaning they had to take his word as permission. He had no need to write down anything. Finally, Bunny was uncomfortable in flying on the “iron bird” (aeroplane) to the extent that he would mainly travel with his newly employed photographer, who was well known to us at Jones Town, Patrick Blackwood. These are only a few of the fond memories that I have of Bunny. My condolence to the family and may Bunny rest in peace. Karl Goodison
Take the vaccine I KNOW A lot of people who have not decided whether they will take the Covid-19 vaccine. They haven’t decide because they have not worked through all they have been reading about all the different vaccines. I understand their position but there is one thing I would like to say to these still undecided people. When you do not take the vaccine, you are setting yourself up to either infect others (since you can be carrying the virus but not show any symptoms) or open yourself to be infected. Further, if we have to wait until the world proves or accepts all the vaccines are safe, we might me all be dead, God forgive. So, isn’t it better for all of us if we took the vaccine now? Val
A FEW RANDOM thoughts about things and attitudes we must change to move our economy and increase productivity. 1. A 40-hour work week must mean you work for 40 hours each week; it does not mean that we are expected to be in the general vicinity of work for 40 hours each week. 2. Working on Sunday or after 5pm should not qualify you for overtime or double time pay, unless you exceed 40 hours of work in a define work week. 3. Shift work does not mean half the staff is off work while receiving full pay - even in a pandemic. 4. If the government is not (never) going to get into the business of providing public transportation, we must find a better way take care of the traveling public. My most recent experience at the Customs and Port Authority led me to this conclusion. A few weeks ago I sat at the Customs Office from 8:30am awaiting the arrival of a particular Customs Officer to sign off on some paper work I was waiting on for two days. As I sat awaiting my documents, I saw a Senior Officer walk into work a few minutes after I got there and soon exited the building. He returned a little after 9:30am with a bag of groceries. At about 10:15am, the same person “generously” called my broker to the window to wait our turn to have the documents signed. I could say a lot more about the “rich level” of customer service I received, but I will leave that alone because I am sure this was not the exception nor was I receiving any “special” treatment. I must relate in brief, my most frustrating and dishonest moment On this particular Saturday I needed about ten minutes to finish loading a truck with some of “my stuff” at the port in Campden Park. I was told I had to buy lunch
for a few of the guys (customs/ port employees) for helping me out. I was fine with that until I went to the office to collect my driver license. The person in the office was gone for the day. So I had the converted “Customs ID badge” and they had my driver’s license, and I
had to return on Monday to make the exchange. Now this is the kicker: I had to pay over one hundred dollars for the ten minutes of overtime even though the staff did not stay around to close out my transaction that day. We must do better.
Horatio
Justice for women WHAT IS GOVERNMENT paying policemen a monthly salary to do? The Magistrate’s Court should not have so many cases to deal with. Policemen should put themselves in place to settle ordinary matters. When a woman goes to the Police Station and makes a report or complaint about her husband or boyfriend harassing her and she can’t take it anymore, the police has a right to go immediately and deal with the problem. This could mean the police taking the husband/boyfriend to the Station and taking a statement from him as to what occurred, then locking him up until the next day, when the woman is called back to the station to hear the guy’s statement. If things work out good and they decide to settle matter, so be it. But if not, charge him, take him to the Magistrate’s Court where he can get bail with one of the conditions being that stays 100 feet away from her home. If the man and the woman decide
not to get back together and there is a matter of property involved, then the Court will make a decision in that regard. What is happening in this country is that people are questioning the justice system. Bad things are happening in the dark. I heard the news that a women got shot down and died on the spot. I never heard about her lover showing any sorrow over her death. He was only concerned about clearing himself of blame for her death. That’s not a good sign. That is shame and disgrace to the families. A woman is a mother who brought us here in pain by God’s grace. They deserve attention! We know they are not so strong; that’s why the serpent took advantage of Eve, and got away with it, without any punishment. Don’t worry, I am pleading to all the faithful people who feel the effects. They would never get away with the devil’s crimes. Their punishment is designed for the end times. Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon
COVID-19 Vaccine: Dispelling the myths TAKING the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory; we are free to accept or refuse it. As such therefore, there has been much discussion for and against it. While we appreciate the concerns and reservations of many, it is important to have factual evidence to support our position of opposing the vaccine. I am no expert and so I cannot speak authoritatively on it medically. However, there are two main ‘reasons’ advanced by those who opposed the vaccine: that it is designed to kill black people and it is the mark of the beast. None of these has any factual ground. According to information from the
USA Center for Disease Control (CDC), amongst the 54% of persons up to March 1st 2021 who took the vaccines, 65% were white, 9% were Hispanic, 7% were black, 5% were Asians, 2% were American Indians or Alaska Native, 1% were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific islander, while 13% were multiple or other race. From that data, the whites far exceed the blacks in taking the vaccines. So, there is really no factual evidence to suggest it is designed to kill blacks when more whites have taken it. What about the mark of the beast? In Revelation, 13: 1-18, 14; 9, 17 and more (scriptures) talk about the beast. The beast would of course take its
place when the church would be in heaven. While the church, comprised of Christians of various denominations from all over the world, is present on earth there can never be the beast and likewise no mark of the beast. It follows that to oppose the vaccines for these reasons, is indeed folly. It is a position that gives heed to false information and shows a lack of biblical knowledge and intelligent research. Admittedly, these two arguments have been the deterrent to many taking the vaccines. We can have our own personal view for or against it, but let it be based on sound reasoning and not on false information. Kennard King
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8. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
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by Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves
Poor implementation of E-learning
[Presented to the House of Assembly on March 16, 2021]
(Excerpts of the Honourable Terrance Ollivierre’s Budget Presentation)
Ministerial Statement
Introduction THIS WEEK, we publish excerpts of the Ministerial Statement delivered by Hon Camillo Gonsalves, outlining some of the social protection initiatives of the government in the continued effort at addressing the social and economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Social protection Since this Coronavirus first came to our shores in March of 2020, the Government has introduced a variety of innovative interventions, designed to strengthen social protections for the vulnerable and assist affected persons in their management of COVID-related economic challenges. As part of this ongoing system of social and economic interventions, the Government takes the opportunity to update this Honourable House about the introduction or extension of the following initiatives: 1. The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has offered an extended programme of income support to Vincentians in the formal sector who have been laid off or had their hours of work reduced as a result of the COVIDrelated cutbacks at their employers. To date, the NIS Temporary Benefit Programme has paid $2.7 million to 2,241 individual claims. The Government has paid out an additional $7.1 million to claims from the Hospitality Sector (3,894 — $4.6m) and Seafarers (2,325 — $2.5m). The NIS Temporary Benefit Programme and the Government’s Displacement Supplementary Income programmes were originally conceived as a 3-month programme back in April 2020. The income support initiatives are now in their 12th month. As of 26th February, these programmes have paid a total of $9.826,350 to 8,460 claims. The Government has decided to extend the programme for another quarter, thru the end of June 2021. However, the NIS no longer has the flexibility to continue funding its portion of the initiative within the scope of its prudential guidelines. As such, for the upcoming quarter, the Government will bear the full cost of the intervention. The current administrative arrangements remain unchanged. We thank the leadership of the NIS for their tremendous solidarity and patriotism in partnering with the Government on this initiative over the past 12 months, particularly the ninemonth period beyond the originally forecast duration of the programme. 2. The St. Vincent Electricity Services, Ltd (VINLEC) and the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) have both agreed to renew their moratoria on bill payments and disconnections of service. Under the VINLEC programme, residential and commercial customers currently experiencing difficulties in paying their electricity bill can take advantage of the moratorium thru May. 2021. In addition to halting the disconnection of service for nonpayment during that period, VINLEC will waive reconnection charges for those customers seeking to renew previously-interrupted service. In order to encourage continued payment by customers who can afford to stay current, VINLEC will offer a 10% discount on outstanding balances during the moratorium period. The CWSA moratorium extends to residential customers only, and runs thru June, 2021. Customers who continue to pay their CWSA bill during the moratorium period will receive a
10% discount if they zero their balance and a 5% reduction if they pay more than half of their monthly bill. The Government expresses its gratitude to the management of both VINLEC and the CWSA for crafting and implementing these programmes in the interest of the Vincentian consumer, notwithstanding the difficulties that they will pose to each company’s respective bottom line. 3. In collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and regional governments, commercial banks have agreed to extend the loan moratorium programme until September 2021. The ECCB indicates that the Commercial Banking Sector in SVG is currently reporting that 1,642 loans are currently utilising the moratorium. These 1,642 loans have a total value of $337 million. 4. The extended closure of schools has severely affected vendors within or adjacent to school compounds. Those vendors who depend on student purchases have seen their income dwindle to zero in recent months. Even with schools set to resume shortly, the Government is cognisant of the unique challenges faced by these schooldependent vendors. As such, it is repeating its earlier 2-month subsidy of $XXXX per month to those vendors and small shops located in the immediate vicinity of schools. The first payment will be made at the end of March. 5. This week, the Zero Hunger Trust Fund is in the midst of delivering nutrition support to 699 Vincentians. As this Honourable House is well aware, the ZHTF maintains an Adopt a Classroom Programme, at which students at 12 primary schools nationwide receive focused support. One component of that support has been to enhance the school feeding programme at those 12 schools. However, with the school closures currently affecting the delivery of certain benefits to classrooms adopted by the ZHTF, a decision was taken to provide direct support to the individual students at home. As such, from last Monday 8th March to this coming Friday 19th, the ZHTF is distributing a basket of goods valued at $200 each to 291 students. The contents of the basket of goods were procured on the advice of the Nutrition Unit within the Ministry of Health. Parents of an additional 58 students of adopted classrooms in Fancy and Sandy Bay will receive a $200 cheque instead of a basket of goods. In all, therefore, 349 students will receive this support by Friday. Commencing today, as part of the ZHTF’s Golden Years Nutrition Support Programme, 350 elderly Vincentians will receive $300 Food Gift Certificates. This programme, now in its fifth year of operation, has stepped up its outreach during the COVID pandemic, and has provided an essential source of nutrition support to vulnerable Vincentians. 6. The Government shall add an additional 100 YES interns to the current complement of XXXX youth. It is hoped that the YES interns will gain valuable experience during this period of COVID-related job scarcity, which will better position them for permanent employment in the post-COVID job market. The Government will also create a Community Improvement Brigade of part-time workers to engage in minor beautification, vector control and maintenance projects in villages nationwide. A minimum of 150 additional part-time workers will be employed in this initiative over the next six months.
adequate WiFi connectivity throughout the country to cater to the “EDUCATION is the most powerful needs of all is not available. weapon that can be used to change the Certainly, we can say that the world,” opined Nelson Mandella. If preparedness of teachers and students education is to be used as a weapon, to adequately and meaningfully what is the ammunition needed to help engaged in on-line learning lack the us navigate successfully through the access, participation and engagement period and mitigate against the impact necessary to be successfully engaged of the pandemic on education and safe in quality education. Yes, indeed, too guard the future of the teaching and many children are left behind. learning process? We have heard the cries of many Further, what has the national stakeholders including that of the budget of 2021 put forward to reflect teachers’ union, teachers and parents the urgency of the moment in order to as to the gaps in access to resources in secure a better future for all? The technology and the glaring gaps most important point is that we have between the ‘haves’ and ‘haves-nots.’ given meaning to the slogan, ‘no child Definitely, this is a big hindrance to can be left behind’. the teaching learning process; hence, Some educators and stakeholders we must ensure that the weapon of have called for the curricula to be re- power and the ammunition that is imagined within this age of needed to excel is available to technological advancement; with the everyone. view to allow students to thrive in this ever evolving world and to Ammunition needed successfully mitigate against the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic. Learning devices for students: In fact, the theme for the Kindergarten to Grade 5 are in urgent International Day of Education need for such devices to interact and celebrated on the 25thJanuary, interface with teachers. Too many of ‘Recover and Revitalize Education for our students remain isolated and COVID-19 generation’ gave credence disconnected from their fundamental to the need to utilize our creativity, human rights to education. knowledge and skills to effectuate Reliable WiFi: The internet meaningful change in the teaching connectivity is good in some areas to learning environment to achieve facilitate on-line teaching and quality education. learning but is weak in most areas. We in the New Democratic Party Electricity connection: This affects have recognized the need for such the poor and vulnerable. There are positive change and have stated that some who may have also lost their our aim is to cater to the rejobs during this COVID-19 pandemic engineering of the education sector to who face such reality. How can we cater for the needs of all in a change the fortune of the country and technological environment. There is the world if we do not take care of the no doubt that the pandemic has poor and working class? exposed the flaws and weaknesses in Adequate and continuous training the government’s efforts to provide an for teachers: It is alarming that the effective education system and a teachers’ union has stated that fifty sound learning environment. percent of our teachers have not been Undoubtedly, we are experiencing trained in Microsoft Teams. many problems due to the failure to Educational institution are not digitize the education system. properly outfitted and equipped for Inevitably, we are behind and now physical and virtual learning: trying to catch up. Since March 2020, therefore, reliable internet, computers the country’s educational institutions and other technological resources are have moved from face to face teacher needed to aid the teaching-learning student interactions to on-line or Eprocess. learning. Online platforms to take our However, due to the poor educational institutions ahead of the implementation of E-learning and the curve are needed: access to nutritious fact that the education system is not meals for those on the School Feeding adequately digitized, many teachers Programme while schools remain and students are faced with many closed and access to E-testing for challenges. These problems are those sitting exams, especially further exacerbated because of the external exams, CAPE, CSEC CCSLC. gaps between the ‘haves’ and the It must be noted that CXC had ‘have-nots’. Without a doubt, the reported on 30th January, 2017 that government along with the Ministry the introduction of E-testing was of Education’s slow response to successfully introduced in the seven implement measures to successfully (7) countries of the region. The overcome these challenges, has regional organization that has evidently contributed to the failures responsibility for exams, had further we are now facing. stated that in June 2017, nine We cannot afford to continue with countries (9) had introduced E-testing this approach; as there is the need to to their students. Indeed, most stop making the same mistakes over Caribbean territories have moved and over and expect different results. ahead while St. Vincent and the Most often, we have been hearing of Grenadines is still lagging behind promises to better education playing catch-up. opportunities for all, yet teachers are We must develop a skill and left without assistance to build and certification agenda or program to provide the platforms needed to reach have each child learn a skill, whether students; students are left without the music, sport, technology, cosmetology, necessary supervision to adopt to this massage therapy, scuba diving, new mode of learning; some teachers entertainment and event technology lack the training to adapt to the new as required by CXC to receive a innovative approaches to pedagogy; certification in CVQ. Then we will the percentage of students through have a modern education system that the school system either lack the is resilient, flexible, and innovative; learning devices, WiFi connectivity or that will cope with the present electricity for E-learning to be COVID-19 challenges and prepare for successful and the provision of future crisis.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 9.
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The 3 Cs of Life: Choices, Chances and Changes
“The 3 Cs of Life: Choices, Chances and Changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or you will never change.” – Hilary Hilton “Zig” Ziglar (1926-2012) American author, salesman, and motivational speaker. THERE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN a craving for motivational books during the 1970s and 1980s. Writers like Norman Vincent Peale, Dr. Stephen Covey, Napoleon Hill, and Zig Ziglar were especially popular. Several of these authors had also marketed their positive thinking and selfimprovement presentations via audiocassettes. This is how this writer was introduced to many of the thoughts presented by Zig Ziglar. The insights that he shared through his books and audio recordings encouraged many to embrace the challenge to have a more positive outlook on life and living. He provides the introductory quotation for this week’s essay … reminding us of the 3 Cs of life: choices, chances, and changes. While a student in Jamaica in the early 1980s, this writer was fortunate to have had the opportunity to go on an attachment to a Try Centre in Miami, Florida. This institution focused on using the outstanding research of Dr. William Glasser (1925-2013), the renowned American psychiatrist, to hold individuals responsible for their actions. Several teenagers visited the Try Centre for counselling on a regular basis. Among other things, the counsellors at the establishment sought to impress upon the participants that they we responsible for their actions … and the consequences of their actions. That was foundational to the concept of reality therapy. We make choices. We take chances. We are responsible for our actions and inactions. We choose. We decide. Invariably, we largely determine our destiny by the choices that we make. This is a sobering thought when we consider that a moment of indiscretion can create a lifetime of misery. For example, an individual who “experiments with drugs just for the fun of it” may learn that it really is no fun at all when brain cells are damaged and physical and/or mental capabilities become chronically impaired. There are instances where someone may be able to physically overpower another individual (as in the case of rape) or have their judgements impeded as a result of someone spiking their drink with drugs (unknown to the user). In such examples, the consequences of such actions may understandably be considered to have been imposed upon the individual. These are exceptions that we take into consideration. However, outside of these parameters where there are “outside forces” impeding our judgements or physically restraining our actions, we choose the pathways for our life. We choose whether we gravitate to goodness or evil. We determine whether we will embrace a life or honesty and integrity. We decide whether or not we will be truthful. We establish whether we will be faithful in our relationships. Others may seek to rationalize infractions and foibles but when the excuses are stripped away we discover that those were choices made — for good or for evil. We readily admit that there are instances when things appear to happen “by chance”. Good things still happen to individuals who describe themselves as “undeserving” in that they may not have exerted the effort or energy that
resulted in their receiving some special favour. Some may describe these as coming “out of the blue” as if “falling from the sky”. Believers in Jesus Christ can testify of instances where prayer appears to open doors that were previously shut or worked a miracle in our lives. God’s unmerited favour is still so very often evident in our lives. This, too, is a result of the choices that we make — whether or not we select to have faith in Him. It is not by chance. Change is possible. We all have the capacity, the potential, to change for the better. As good as we are — we can all be and do better. Relationships can improve if/when we commit to doing so. This is true in the most intimate of relationships. It is also true within our neighbourhoods and workplaces. We should accept the fact that we cannot change anyone. The only person that we can truly change is ourself. Therein lies the challenge. Here is where the change focus should lie. Each of us, every last one of us, can engage in an activity that enables us to build better relationships with others. Too very often we diffuse the thoughts that emerge to challenge us to reach out, to reach across, the chasm of a deficient or broken relationship. In too many instances we seem to be waiting for the other person(s) to make a move or to take corrective action. But we have no control of this. However, we do have control of our thoughts and our actions. May we have the courage to proceed to the next step in reaching across the divide; building and strengthening bridges of friendship and camaraderie. We can choose to be an active participant in the exercise knowing that our choices can improve lives; ours and those fortunate to be within our sphere of influence. Change is possible. Change for the better is most desirable. Choices, chances, and changes. These are Zig Ziglar’s Three Cs of Life: “You make a choice to take a chance or you will never change.” We are often required to make “important choices” that will impact our lives and/or the lives of others. Sometimes we become conscious of the fears that so often accompany such decisions. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of what others may think or say. However, as is the case in so many such instances, new revelations often emerge to provide strength and encouragement once we commit to pursuing noble tasks. That “fear of the unknown” is also often quite evident in the lives on individuals who desire to change their lives to become followers of Jesus Christ. Such individuals are confronted with a choice of whether to follow or not follow. Here again, some of the concerns described in the preceding paragraph are duplicated. Can I make it? What will people say? What will others think? These are normal (and necessary) questions. However, the same God who made the universe and mankind has not lost His power. When we make that choice to take that chance on Him, He comes through for us and will sustain the positive changes that we desire. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
Dr Beckles, UWI and Reparations THE STRUGGLE FOR THE HEART, minds and soul of Caribbean peoples intensified over the last week. This struggle pits the Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Robert Bermudez, against Dr Hilary Beckles, UWI Vice-Chancellor. This is a struggle about the future of the Caribbean. It is a struggle for our region’s place in the world. It is about strategic vision and how we position ourselves in this rapidly emerging new world order. If you were not paying attention, nothing I have said before might be apparent. You may have heard or read that Chancellor Bermudez commissioned a study into the governance of the University. The commission, led by Sir Denis Byron, former Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Caribbean Court of Justice, delivered what some have described as a ‘damning report.’ It is essential to understand that Bermudez, of Bermudez biscuit fame, is of European extraction and currently heads the Massy Group, one of the region’s most prominent business companies. Dr Beckles, a Barbadian, is the Caribbean’s preeminent public intellectual. He is an erudite and scholarly economic historian. He has published extensively on the history of the region, slavery as well as West Indies Cricket. Dr Beckles is best known for his classic work Britain’s Black Debt: Reparations for the Caribbean and Native Genocide. Dr Beckles has argued that Britain and other former slaveholding European power have a case to answer for the crimes against humanity committed against native peoples and enslaved Africans; who, through their labour, made the Caribbean into the most prized piece of real estate in the world during the 17th and 18th century. Since 2013, Dr Beckles has been the brilliant and strategic leader of the Caribbean Reparations Commission established by Caribbean governments to engage European leaders in a ‘developmental dialogue.’ Such a conversation, it is hoped, will lead to reparatory justice allowing the Caribbean to clean up the ‘developmental mess’ left behind from slavery and colonialism. The Commission said its comments and recommendations ‘are aimed solely at supporting the University in its efforts to consolidate and build on its strengths.’ The report said ‘the UWI is at a critical crossroad...and risk of becoming irrelevant to the development of the region.’ It claimed that ‘aspects of its legal framework and systems have become outdated and need revision, and noted that ‘the university’s inspirational vision to internationalise itself is tempered by some disquiet about the business soundness of its implementation.’ The report further disclosed that ‘the University’s corporate governance system revealed serious challenges.’ It said it found ‘potential conflict of interest, a weak and under-resourced risk management system; the absence of a whistle-blower policy; and chronic absenteeism at the meetings of key governance bodies.’ To correct the problems, it suggested: 1. Structural and organisational arrangements that would allow for serious debate and interrogation of proposals to support the decisionmaking process. 2. The need to identify and implement new ways of financing the University enterprise. 3. The institution of a culture of accountability in the exercise of authority. 4. Better management of risks. 5. The development, implementation and monitoring of strategic plans. None of these recommendations places into proper context what has happened
in the six years since Dr Beckles become vicechancellor. There is an ongoing transformation of the physical plant of the university. Other developments include the UWI Global Online programme that generates revenue by selling academic content to a global online student body; the birth and development of UWI TV; the establishment of the new Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda; the establishment of Faculties of Sport at all campuses; the pending (2021) establishment of the world’s first Institute for Climate Smart Studies; and the innovative manner in which UWI has gone about solving the vexed issue of governmental financial arrears, by permitting our governments to provide the University with physical assets in exchange for arrears, and thereby — in the case of Trinidad — provide UWI with the US$100 Million Couva Hospital, to be used as an International for-profit Medical School, as well as the reduction in unpaid Governmental financial arrears from 120 Million United States dollars to US $40Million.’ There are also critical international linkages with respected universities: 1. UWI — SUNY (State University of New York) Centre for Leadership and Sustainable Development —in the USA 2. UWI — Brock Centre for Canada — Caribbean Studies — in Canada. 3. UWI — Suzhou Institute for Information Technology — in China. 4. UWI — Coventry Centre for Industry-Academic Partnership — in the UK. 5. UWI — University of the Lagos Centre for African and Diaspora Culture — in Nigeria. 6. UWI — University of Johannesburg Centre for Global Africa — in South Africa. 7. UWI — University of Colombia Partnership — in South America. 8. UWI - European Union University Centre — in Europe. 9. UWI — University of Havana Centre for the Sustainable Development of Caribbean People — in Cuba. 10. UWI — University of Glasgow Centre for Development and Reparatory Justice — in Scotland and Jamaica, which resulted in a 20 million pounds agreement to establish a reparatory justice project. There was the opening of the Centre for Reparatory Justice in Jamaica in 2018. Against these outstanding developments, some have wondered aloud about the motive of the commission. While they do not deny that any institution can be reviewed and made better, they were clear that this initiation of the commission and its report had another more sinister motive than the streamlining of UWI. Supporters and graduates have lamented the proposals’ pro-business orientation, such as the drastic increase in tuition fees, which will adversely affect and impact the poor. They view the recommendations as a thinly veiled attack on Professor Beckles with plans to cut short his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the UWI. They note that ‘UWI’s leadership has expressed serious concerns about the Vice Chancellor’s principled, consistent scholarly, tireless and brilliant international leadership, to get the former European colonial powers and enslavers, to fully pay for their criminal accumulation of wealth from the most horrific and criminal institutions of chattel slavery in human history.’ Having read the Commission’s report and a March 11 Nation newspaper’s editorial titled ‘Time for Action,’ we share sentiments. We wait to hear from Caricom leaders who selected Professor Beckles as ViceChancellor of UWI and the CRC chairman. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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10. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
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Time to repossess Mustique THE LEADER of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, is making a very strong call for our country to repossess Mustique from the highly questionable ownership by migrants. In 1959, a lady living in Kingstown, St. Vincent, made a claim that her husband had owned Mustique and had given her Mustique in his will. It is believed that she then ‘sold’ Mustique to one Lord Tennant in 1959 for EC$120,000. There was no deed of sale to say the bloke who died actually owned Mustique in the first place. The sale/purchase of the Island of Mustique under Deed No. 315 of 1959 and Deed No. 316 of 1959 remains highly questionable, and we contend that the owner of Mustique is in fact the government and people of SVG. A significant level of obfuscation has
occurred within the various sales/purchases of Mustique. After the alleged purchase of Mustique in 1959, Mustique was sold and purchased ‘internally’ twice, firstly to the purchaser’s own estate under Deed no. 650 of 1967 and again on 19 December 1968 under Deed no. 989 of 1968 to try to ‘clean up’ the purchase. The highly questionable first sale/purchase is the stepping stone for the second phase of colonialism to take root! For example, under the Mustique Act no. 48 of 2002, the present ‘owner’ of Mustique is claiming ownership of the sea around Mustique, and has made it difficult, if not illegal, for local fishing vessels to fish in the sea around Mustique. This is outrageous and discriminatory. Vincentians who own land bordering the sea are not given
the right to ban people from using the sea near their property. Yet, these migrants are and they have not shown any respect for our sovereignty. It is time to repossess Mustique. Our people deserve prosperity and to be free from oppression driven by this second phase of colonialism, which allows the Mustique migrants to claim tax and customs duty exemptions worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. There is no net benefit from having these super-rich migrants in Mustique. They are only interested in providing subordinate employment. They like black people to serve them: cook the food, serve the food, wash the dishes, sweep the floor, make the beds, cut the grass and be their security guard. The super-rich migrants say they are good for SVG because they hand
out money via their charity. This ‘logic’ is a gross insult to the intelligence of Vincentian people. The super-rich migrants of Mustique should pay their hundreds of millions in tax, not hand out peanuts to the poor as if they are some saviour of the people. Let’s get one thing clear: these super-rich migrants in Mustique have only their own best interests at heart. For decades they have made black Vincentians suffer by withholding hundreds of millions in tax. They are no friend of our people. This second phase of colonialism must be crushed as Vincentians are becoming second-class citizens in their own country, leaving little hope for our grandchildren. We must repossess Mustique from the highly questionable ownership of the migrants.
A National Heroes Day reflection AS WE CELEBRATED National Heroes Day, I heard the custodians of colonialism hypocritically articulating the past atrocities done to blacks of this country. Year in, year out, we hear the same rhetoric from those who deceive the poor every general election. They know deep in their hearts they are not sincere when they speak of freedom and liberation of black people. And as black as they are, they still have a Europe-centric mindset. The custodians of colonialism are the said ones who insist on keeping the people of African origin dumb and ignorant. No one cannot deny that something is wrong with the colonized Negro. We have the gruesome, graphic images of crime among the youth as proof.
People who are conscious of themselves and history wouldn’t destroy each other. More so, if blacks were aware of our glorious past, we would not worship the white man’s god. John Henry Clerk said it eloquently: “When your god and your saviour look like your master and your en-slavers, you become the principal agent in your own destruction.”
A disconnection There is certainly a disconnect of ourselves and our past. Ultimately, it has left the black populace of this country carrying an inferiority complex. They still struggle with the color of their skin and the texture of their hair.
allow them to lead us like sheep. I’m skeptical of a white man or woman who captures the minds of black people, offering them false hope. Do you remember Jim Jones? That nasty son-of-a-Scum, once captured the minds of the escapist black American Where are the black Liberators? of the inner-cities of America. His Where are the Black Liberators who message wasn’t any different from once stood on the street corners Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, or the spreading the message of Black Black Panthers, who were critical of Nationalism and Pan-Africanism? the wicked political system of the Where are the likes of Parnell United Snakes. Yet, the reptilian Jim Campbell, Dr. Kenneth John and Jones turns around and poisons the Renwick and Connley Rose and other escapist African Americans in diehard Africanists who stood ‘Jonestown’, Guyana. defiantly against the British subjects, with the intention of delivering their A Paradox people from the lies and propaganda perpetuated by western scientists, A politician who constantly lies and archaeologists, and anthropologists, deceives the populace cannot be a and encourage solidarity and unity? voice of the people. That person must stay in his/her lane and leave such a The rumors task for the civil rights activists, who genuinely care for the poor and Rumor is that a Portuguese had downtrodden. infiltrated the Black Liberation Movement. I heard it from Ken John The Blues that this fellow indoctrinated the PanIf there’s anyone who can ‘sing the African scholars with a Marxist ideology, leaving a void in the peoples’ Blues’ it is the African Americans. minds of their rich ancestral past. But, we have also captured the ‘Blues’ The feisty Portuguese dude wins the in the social commentaries of our reggae and calypso. hearts of the poet/writer and political The narrative must continue to be activist Blizo Waldo. And he has captured the brilliant lawyer Jomo told by those who suffered barbarity Nthombe, who verbally banged the and cruelty at the hands of the slavemaster. ULP and NDP, claiming the two parties were agents of death and destruction. How could the black In conclusion intellectual Pan-Africans allow that man to trick them? The Portuguese dude who hat This has been the problem with the articulates a historical narrative on black intellectuals throughout the behalf of the blacks of this country Caribbean, North America, Europe, won’t deliver us from mental slavery. Latin American, and Africa: where That responsibility is our own as we there is a white minority, they always recognize and embrace Joseph dictate and rule the black majority. Chatoyer and George Mc Intosh, and other grass-root leaders, who led the My perspective way for freedom and liberation from oppression, and bondage in the land of From my perspective, as a people St. Vincent and the Grenadines. who have suffered immensely from the “Jah Guide! One love!” cruelty of the Portuguese and other European en-slavers, we should not Carden A. Michael Our people at large have not awaken from the trap of religious dogma and a warped history even as they walk and dwell amongst the different ethnicities on planet earth.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 11.
News
Veteran broadcaster Nina Maloney passes
broadcasts of Divine Worship from churches, which she was instrumental in introducing, and is (was) known for her musical program, ‘Memory Lane’, featuring music of yesteryear,” NBC Radio said. It said Maloney was a long-standing member of Soroptimist International and the Girl Guides Association, and served as district commissioner for the Grenadines, public relations officer and division commissioner for Kingstown and the Grenadines and representative on the Duke of Edinburgh Committee. She was recently honoured by Governor General Dame Susan Dougan for her “longstanding commitment and service to the Children Welfare Fund Committee,” NBC Radio Nina Maloney, a well known radio personality, said. made a name for herself in the broadcasting world, Maloney was also locally, regionally and internationally. known for her work with the Royal St. Vincent Story by NELSON A. KING male personalities and the Grenadines naking@verizon.net Legion, the local dominated the civic US CORRESPONDENT Salvation Army and the landscape of SVG (St. Thompson Home for the Vincent and the VETERAN VINCENTIAN aged. Grenadines), John said BROADCASTER, and In addition, she was: a his aunt stood toe to toe former general manager member of the House of with anyone else in and chairman of the Board giving yeoman service to Hope for AIDS patients of Directors the National and the Cancer all and sundry, Broadcasting Corporation regardless of social Committee; president of (NBC) Radio, Nina the Jaycettes (1972); in circumstances, religious Maloney, died on Mar. 11, belief, age, sex,” John 1972; visiting Justice to her nephew, Akin John, an continued. Her Majesty’s Prison; attorney, confirmed. She president for the And while admitting was 85. Committee for the she had a strong, John said his aunt — opinionated personality, Elderly; foundation who worked in John said, “Nothing was member of the St. broadcasting for over 25 too much for her to give Vincent Children’s years and served as Welfare Fund; Royal St. to anyone,” he said. manager of Radio 705, Vincent and the NBC Radio said in a which preceded NBC statement that its Board Grenadines Police Force’s Radio, from 1997-2001 — of Directors, Welfare Committee died at 1:00 a.m., at the member; organizer of the management and staff Milton Cato Memorial Anglican Soup Kitchen; were “saddened” by Hospital in Kingstown. member of the St. Maloney’s death. “She had a brief It noted that Maloney Vincent Netball illness,” John told THE worked at the Windward Association, St. Vincent VINCENTIAN on Cricket Association Island Broadcasting Monday in an exclusive Ladies Committees, and Service (WIBS), the interview. “In the last six forerunner to Radio 705, executive member of the or seven weeks, we then Carnival and that, on completion worked back forth with Development Committee. of her training at the doctors. In October 2019, the British Broadcasting “We were very close. Brooklyn, New YorkCorporation (BBC), she Since I was a little boy, based Vincentianlater became general she represented a rock in manager of the Radio American Independent our family.” National Charities, Inc. 705. Alluding to her as (VINCI) honoured “She travelled being ahead of her time Maloney, along with throughout the country during an era where Vincentian-born bringing weekly
international soca star Kevin Lyttle, at its 36th Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony. Wayne Raguette, VINCI president said on the occasion that Ms. Maloney “… has had an outstanding career in media and has helped to shape the acculturation of many through her radio programs or Brooklyn Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, presented Ms. Maloney with a congressional proclamation, describing Maloney as “extraordinary around the world.” “I’m so honored to be chosen,” Ms. Maloney said in her acceptance speech. “.. I’m very, very humbled to accept this
recognition.” In retracing her career in broadcasting, Ms Maloney said two events stood out - the eruption of La Soufriere volcano in 1979 and the country’s political independence that same year. She needed no prompting and would not have been faulted for saying of herself: “I am a people’s person and served my country faithfully over the years. In addition to her nephew Akin John, Ms. Maloney is survived by many relatives and friends, including her sister, John’s mother, Maureen John, nee Providence, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; other sisters — Hermina Cambridge (in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines), Jose Providence (in Brooklyn), Gailene Providence (in Montreal, Canada); and her brother, Lennox Providence (in the Bronx, New York). At press time, John said funeral service was tentatively set for Friday, Mar. 19, at St. George’s Cathedral in Kingstown, where Maloney worshipped.
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12. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Diaspora
Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson
2021 Poet Laureate has SVG roots
“acclaimed writer, an outspoken force who uses words to tell stories and ON WEDNESDAY 24th February 2021, the unite communities and open us up to Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, perspectives.” announced that Lynne Thompson is the “A native of South L.A., in so much 2021 Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. of her work, our city, its character, its Born and raised in Los Angeles of dynamism, its challenges and its Vincentian parentage, some of her resilience, they play a leading role,” he poems like “Song for Two Immigrants” said. feature imagery from St. Vincent & Thompson received an artist the Grenadines. fellowship from the city in 2015, and In his announcement, Mayor her published poetry collections Garcetti described Thompson as an include “Smart With A Small Guitar”
and “Beg No Pardon,” according to the Poetry Foundation. Garcetti said Thompson’s poem “Hammer and Pick” is about her father making it through the Great Depression. “As we march forward towards recovery [from the coronavirus pandemic], I know that her poetry will help us set our sights on a brighter and better future, and Los Angeles, that future is within reach,” he said. Lynne is the daughter of the late
Brennan Irwin “Tom” Thompson from Georgetown (related to the Wiseman family of Lowmans Leeward) and the late Cecily Thompson, née Hazell of Bequia. She is the granddaughter of Nurse Cleopatra Hazell of Bequia and niece of the late Irma Norris of Bequia & New Montrose; first cousin to Lynette Norris-Glasgow, Josette Norris, Cecily Norris, the late Audrie Simmons & the late Perry Norris Sr. (Contributed by Kimya Glasgow)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 13.
La Soufrière Feature
Do not take La Soufrière for granted
Vincentians were reminded not to get confortable as the dome at the La Soufrière volcano continues to grow with no sign of stopping.
Stories by GLORIAH…
THE LA SOUFRIÈRE MONITORING TEAM LEADER, volcano-
seismologist Dr. Roderick Stewart, shared a very forthright thought on the
Locals to assist in monitoring La Soufrière NEW SEISMIC MONITORING UNIT TEAM LEADER, volcano-seismologist Dr. Roderick Stewart is bent on having local persons/volunteers trained to assist with the ongoing monitoring of activity at the La Soufrière volcano. Speaking on the UWI SRC’s La Soufrière Today programme on Tuesday, 9th March, the scientist admitted that, “We [the team] have been working with volunteers before I came, but I am particularly working with some of the volunteers to try and teach them some elements of seismology, also how to keep the computers running because that’s the most important part… keeping the data processing running.” Dr. Stewart proffered that the best situation for monitoring would be to read the data while looking at the volcano. “It is not the optimal thing to do the monitoring from either Trinidad or from Montserrat,” he candidly stated. “Some of it,” he
stressed, “can be done but we need local capacity because it’s very important as a seismologist, as well as looking at the data around me, I see the volcano at the same time.” He lauded the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and NEMO for making sure that the observatory here at Belmont and the Soufrière Monitoring Unit have resources that will allow the volcano to be properly monitored, and that there are technicians in place to maintain/service the large number of monitoring equipment on the ground, especially at Belmont. “We really don’t know how long this is going to go on for,” Dr. Stewart reasoned. “Even if it stops tomorrow, we will want to keep monitoring it closely for quite a long time. So, we need to build our local capacity and of course, they will be supported. They will have the support of people in Trinidad, people in
Right: Volcanoseismologist Dr. Roderick Stewart. Montserrat…always happy to do that because we are all part of the same team, but we do have to get some local capacity.”
La Soufrière eruption issue when he appeared as a guest on VC3’s Round Table Talk on Monday, 10th March. “Vincentians,” he said, “should not become complacent because of the continuing effusive eruption at the volcano.” He explained that over time there has not been a lot of change at the volcano. “It continues to extrude magma slowly; the dome is slowly growing. There’s still no sign of it stopping or going to some kind of explosive eruption,” he acknowledged. But he reminded listeners that even though the dome is growing slowly, from a “quiet eruption,” the volcano continues to pose a hazard, and as it (dome) gets bigger and bigger, the hazard will change. “We’ve been fortunate,” he continued. “Some eruptions start explosively and if that had happened here, we’d be playing catch-up. Evacuations would have taken place in a
much more haphazard fashion, so it’s fortunate that it’s been a quiet eruption so far and the other activities that people are talking about, we could put them in place.” Despite all of this, he was adamant that we have to be prepared. He posited that seeing that the eruption has not showed signs of slowing down, at some stage we will have to expect either explosive activity or nonexplosive activity where the dome outgrows the existing crater, and magma flows down the valleys around the volcano. “So we should not be complacent,” he reiterated, adding, “A volcano is a very dangerous thing. We’re fortunate that we’ve had this opportunity that we can properly prepare, so that if these things do occur we can get people out safely, we could take the appropriate actions, and we can live with this volcano.” During the programme as referenced, Director of NEMO Michelle Forbes assured listeners that NEMO continues to roll out its emergency plan in the event off either of the scenarios the volcano may present.
NEMO steps up evacuation readiness AS A GUEST ON VC3’S held on 10th March, Michelle Forbes informed listeners that NEMO’s work of preparing the high-risk communities for evacuation in the event of an explosive eruption of La Soufrière volcano is ongoing. This was the assurance given by Michelle Forbes, NEMO Director, during the March 10 episode of VC3’s Round Table Talk. She went on to explain that the current phase in the emergency plan consisted of the ongoing upgrading of the emergency communication network. These communication preparedness exercises have been taken to other spheres. She noted, “What we have done also in the last month is installing our radios in all government vehicles: Police, NEMO, Ministry of Health. So we are moving now to the base stations to install these
radios in Police Stations and clinics, and mobile radios in the communities.” The Director revealed that in an effort to test the system, NEMO has scheduled a simulation exercise for March 25. “[It is] not a full-scale exercise, but at least one in which we can actually reach to the communities and they can communicate with us by radios. So we’ll be stepping that up in the next week, ensuring that the radios are in the communities.” Director Forbes expressed her gratitude to CDEMA who was responsible for the dispatching of Superintendent Sylvan McIntyre, who will play an integral role in assisting NEMO in achieving a heightened levels of readiness, as it looks at all the aspects required for a full-scale response, “from the evacuation, to the communications especially.”
NEMO Director Michelle Forbes. NEMO continues to remind the public that no evacuation order or notice has been given, and appeals to persons to desist from visiting the La Soufrière Volcano.
V Coastal defense projects ongoing 14. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Environment
River defense works at Georgetown.
CLIMATE variability (change) and the speaks of completion later this resultant rise in temperature of planet year. Earth have caused the polar ice to melt, The Georgetown and Sans increasing the level of the sea which in Souci projects, funded by the turns causes coastal erosion, St. Vincent World Bank under the Regional and the Grenadines not being exempt. Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Just forty years ago, there was a Project, are expected to exceed sizeable beach in Sandy Bay where costs of EC$30 million. beach cricket and soccer were played. The Sandy Bay Project is This is no more. funded by the Caribbean Similarly, one could have strolled Development Bank to the tune of along the beaches at Colonaire and US13.4 million. Georgetown. This is no more. Those to whom the work has Climate change and its resulting been commissioned are a St. impact have wreaked havoc, not only Lucian company, O.B. Sadoo on the areas mentioned, but on the Engineering Services - Georgetown entire east coast of mainland St. and Sandy Bay - and locally registered Vincent. Kelectric Co. Ltd — Sans Souci. The erosion is so telling that certain areas definitely warranted the construction of a coastal defense system, to prevent the ocean from gnawing away at the coast line and moving further inland. In that light, three coastal defence projects Foundation for X Blocks being laid at Sans Souci. — Sandy Bay, Georgetown and Sans Souci - are proceeding at a steady pace and despite the fact that completion of these projects are already overdue, those to whom the work has been commissioned GPS equipment (L) used to accurately place X Blocks.
Of interest is the use of ‘X Blocks’ in the coastal defence works. Each Block weighs about 1 ½ tons and are placed in an interlocking pattern so as to absorbing wave energy and action, and prevent further coastal erosion. The X blocks are made in molds at Rabacca for transportation to the various sites and according to a site official, the latest GPS equipment is being used to ensure accurate
X Blocks ready for placement placement of the X blocks and excavating works. Submitted by: Donald De Riggs
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 15.
News
The First National Heroes Day Rally
a rousing welcome and a standing ovation by the Cecil “Blazer Williams Chairman and officials paid tribute to Ebenezer present at the rally. Theodore Joshua. He Chairman Tydel John spoke on the “Life and gave a good account of Times of Joshua” and himself in keeping the reiterated the call for attention of the crowd, “Pappy Joshua” to be and moreso, for his made a National Hero. precise introduction of The highlight of the Mayor Sylvia Flores. National Heroes Day The chairman told the Rally, however, was the crowd that Sylvia Flores, feature address delivered a descendant of the by the guest speaker, the Black Caribs, is the First Hon. Sylvia Flores, Woman Mayor, (a Mayor of the City of Garifuna) of the city of Dangriga in Belize. Dangriga in Belize. Mayor Flores was given Mayor Flores asked Continued from Page 6.
the rally to observe one minute silence for Chatoyer, then recited a poem on Africa, which was well received. The mayor said that her visit to St Vincent is the fulfilment of a dream come true, of returning to her roots and homeland. She outlined the common bonds of blood relations, history, culture and struggles as a people both in Belize and in St Vincent. Several cultural performances took place throughout the rally, including the kids of New Adelphi, the Sandy Bay/Owia Quadrille Dance Group, Sulle and others. An exhibition of arts and craft, and photos of National Heroes were displayed. Local foods, including doucana and bam bam, with local juices were on sale. D.L music complemented a fine evening of rich culture and positive education, combined with a strengthening of the bonds between Garifuna of Belize and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
16. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 17.
People
Dr. DeShong is grateful DR. HALIMAH DESHONG is profoundly grateful to the President and Executive of the SVG Netball Association, for the recognition accorded her on International Women’s Day 2021, for her contribution to netball in her native land. Speaking with the VINCENTIAN, Dr. DeShong was humble in her sentiments, saying, ”I was simultaneously surprised, honoured, excited and humbled and would like to thank the Executive of the SVG Netball Association, directly for nominating me.” Admitting that netball has been so incredibly instrumental in my growth and accomplishments,” she went on to declare that she owed a huge debt of gratitude to a community of athletes, coaches and administrators in netball, past and present. “I thought to myself that this sport that I
have loved from my time as a girl growing up in New Montrose, has extended to me yet another significant honour. I am truly grateful,” she added. The recognition, she said, was in celebration of family and the communities of peers, teachers, coaches, administrators, and “in the knowledge that so many came before me and many played alongside me.” Dr. DeShong was quick to share that the efforts of many of the persons she referenced were unrecognized, but intimated that notwithstanding this, she felt even more fortunate to be part of such an amazing community of peers and mentors. She was particularly thankful to her former past president- the late Gloria Ballantyne whom she described as a “path breaker,” and whose leadership impacted not
only SVG, but the Caribbean and the Americas, in an unmatched manner. Ballantyne it was who advocated for her and several other netballers to receive support from Government to pursue tertiary education. “I was able to appreciate that beneath that no nonsense, always poised exterior, was a passionate, caring leader, who had a vision of excellence for her netball girls and women, and for beloved sport,” Dr DeShong said of Ballantyne. Now an Ambassador of St. Vincent and the Grenadines serving at the country’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Dr. DeShong confessed that in the last 5-10 years, the exigencies of her career have taken her further and further away from involvement in netball. However, she
conceded that being named as the SVGNA’s honoree as part of AFNA’s International Women’s Day celebrations, “has reignited in me that responsibility to serve the sport in a more direct capacity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” A special gratitude and tribute were reserved for Dr. DeShong’s father Ashley ‘Hammers’ a former national footballer; her mother, Iceletha ‘Girl’ DeShong a former netballer, her ‘little; sister Shanique DeShong
Dr. Halimah DeShong has not allowed her recent recognition to bypass her gratitude. an outstanding national netballer and athlete, and “my entire family who all allowed me to
indulge my obsession with netball.” I.B.A.ALLEN
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18. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
My girlfriend is a drunk Dear George, WHEN I MET my present girlfriend she was helplessly drunk at a bar. I did my good deed for that night and took her home. It so happened we became good friends and eventually ended up dating, but not before I had her make a promise to give up drinking. I do not drink. We have been together now for two years and she has not given up drinking. Yet, she is pressuring me to marry her but it’s her drinking that is standing in the way. She broke her promise. How can I ever trust her in anything she says or do? How can I fix this?
Dear Sad heart, The reality is you were blindsided. You have failed to recognize that your girlfriend has an alcohol addiction which cannot be remedied by love or marriage. She needs the appropriate treatment. You can either choose to be her sponsor and stick around to help her tackle this disease or wish her well and go your way, but not before encouraging her to get immediate help. The decision is yours in the end.
George
Sad heart
Self-satisfaction war Dear George,
man.
MY BOYFRIEND is so unfair. Our problem is a simple one we decided to reach out to you. He agreed that we will abide by whatever you say. He masturbates regularly yet he has a problem with me getting a vibrator. Just a week ago, he smashed the one I had. When I asked him why he masturbates even though I’m meeting his sexual needs, he did not reply. I have got myself a new toy to use when he is not around. He is very unreasonable and I cannot be with an unreasonable
Second thoughts Dear Second thoughts, What is required in your relationship equal consideration from each of you, for each of you. Your concern should be not letting your individual pleasure replace or water down the quality of your love life, and by extension your relationship.
George
Hiding behind COVID got caught. Making the decision to entertain another woman I HAVE NOT seen my man in three months and at his house using his Grandmother as an he was quick to use the excuse are deplorable ‘COVID excuse’ saying and inexcusable. he does not want to expose his grandmother to the virus by going and coming. Word got to me that another woman was going to his house and would sometimes sleep over. He denied it, So, I showed up at his house unexpected. He answered his door thinking it was his side chick and even called me by her name. He wants me to forgive him; he says he sorry but I do not know how to believe him. It’s not the first time.
Dear George,
Thinking of leaving Dear Thinking of leaving, I think your boyfriend is sorry only because he
You can forgive him but that does not necessarily mean you have to put up with his behaviour.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Don't put your professional reputation on the line. Overindulgence may be a problem. Your partner may be erratic this week if you haven't paid enough attention to him or her.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your emotional attitude with respect to your status and direction in society may be unrealistic. Don't give your heart too readily. Don't overspend on items for your home.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Be diplomatic and honest, and that person will only be made to look bad. Ferret out information that will hold them responsible. Work diligently and you will get ahead this week.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Maybe it's time to look into ways you can improve your health. Misunderstandings at work could easily lead to your demise. Residential moves will be hectic and may be unsatisfactory.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You will do best to entertain those you wish to close deals with. Talk to others about your plans. Drastic changes regarding your personal attitude are evident. Get out and experience the spice of life.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can easily wrap up overdue personal legal matters that have caused problems for you. Family outings that aren't expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. You could find yourself having problems with coworkers and employers.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can enjoy doing things that include children. Pamper yourself; the self esteem it brings you will be most gratifying. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Time spent with family, children, or good friends will be regenerating and positive. If you put your mind to it, you could entertain or host a multitude of social events. Try to compromise rather than having an all out battle. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Do what's best for the people you love most. Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. You should consider submitting some of your written work for publication. You will also encounter individuals who can help you further your goals.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You are best to concentrate on your professional endeavors. You can learn a great deal more if you listen rather than rant and rave. Socialize with friends, but don't overspend on lavish entertainment. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Your emotional partner will push all the right buttons this week. Don't take advantage of your expense account. Don't expect new acquaintances to be completely honest about themselves. Develop some of your good ideas. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Recognition will be yours if you meet your deadline. Y Use your creative flair. Be sure to take care of any minor ailments. Do not hesitate to help elders with legal documents that are too confusing for them.
ACROSS 1. Puppy “foot” 4. Sufficiently skilled 8. Sob loudly 12. Wondrous fear 13. Dancer Astaire 14. Bread spread 15. Motor vehicle 16. Makes fun of 18. Retina cover 20. Coal weight 21. Frozen water 22. _ plumbing, pipe system 26. Event setting 29. Regular guy? 30. Compete (for) 31. “Quit it!” 32. Opposing vote 33. Marriage ring 34. Attach 35. Humble house 36. Mopes around 37. Untidy states 39. Musical tone 40. Deep cavity 41. Deadly snakes 45. Denver resident 49. Emulate Naomi Watts 50. Single group 51. Fixed principle 52. Expert 53. Caresses 54. Graceful animal 55. Create seams DOWN 1. Walking speed 2. Absent 3. Had existence 4. Kenya’s site 5. Wedding-gown wearer
6. Went first 7. Newspaper issue 8. Leap 9. The entire amount 10. Small 11. _ Angeles 17. Megaphone shape 19. Clothing fuzz 23. Almost circular 24. Pigpen comment 25. Cincinnati team 26. Genesis man 27. Traveled by taxi 28. Finishes 29. Speck 32. Egg-based dessert
33. Future tulip 35. Will Beneficiary 36. Oklahoma native 38. Locates 39. Climb 42. Quick knocks
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 19.
43. Farm measure 44. Pack neatly 45. Tea vessel 46. Seven minus six 47. Ignited 48. Expected
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20. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Veteran keeps cycling on, and on ⁄. Leroy Constantine mounting Belmont last June in a SVG Cycling Union event.
THIS YEAR MARKED THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR that 70-year-old Leroy Constantine missed out on doing the Greiggs to Maroon Hill Sprint. Constantine has been doing the Hill Sprint since 1987 and it has become his contribution to National Heroes Day in recent years. “Last year, I was well prepared, but there was too much rain in the area and last Sunday, it was not possible either, because of some personal reasons,” Constantine disclosed to THE VINCENTIAN on Monday. He insisted, though, that he would be making the Hill Sprint, “sometime next month.” His ’romance’ with the Hill Sprint, Constance confirmed, began in 1987. “The first time I did it was in 1987, when I did it with my club boys in 17 minutes and I came out the champion… Then
on Heroes Day 2017, I did it again 13 minutes and some seconds,” Constantine related. His 2017 ride prompted him to make that Hill Sprint his Heroes Day contribution. Constantine recalled that, buoyed by the support he got on Heroes Day 2017, he went back to the course on 26th March that same year, and lowered his time. “The last time (26th March), I did 7 minutes 59 seconds, and everyone was marveled, they couldn’t believe,” he revealed with a tone of satisfaction. Now a true veteran cyclist, Constance still participates in races organized by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union. His last competitive event was in June 2020, when he took part in the Arnos Vale to Belmont Look Out Hill Sprint.
Endless Love for Cycling Fitzroy. Fitzroy had Constantine shared with THE VINCENNTIAN that from an early age, he had set his eyes on owning a bicycle. “When I used to go the Wesley Hall School, (later renamed the Kingstown Methodist School), I used to see a lot of guys riding bikes and will always tell my mother that when I finish school, I want to buy a bicycle and race,” Constantine reminisced. He recalled that he got into active cycling through a man named Fitzroy, who was a member of the ground staff at the Grammar School Playing Field. “As young boys living in Town Hill (Kingstown Hill) at the time, we would go across the Pasture (Grammar School Playing Field) and help Doyle (Chief of the ground staff) and
some bikes, and he would give us a ride, and that is how I got started,” Constantine related. And with clear articulation, Constantine confirmed that his involvement in cycling technically began in 1961, thus making this year, exactly 60 years since he started riding. Interestingly, the veteran cyclist connects his longstanding involvement in and commitment to cycling and his uninterrupted period of employment with the same business establishment. “I began working with Singer on the 2nd May, 1977 which enabled me to own my first bike, which I bought from the late Rupert Minors… Since that first one, I was able to own ten bikes, with the present
one being the best that I have owned,” Constantine reflected. Still in relatively good health, Constantine promises to be on his bicycle as often as he can as, according to him, “It
is what is keeping me looking younger than my age.” And as for looking younger that his age, that continues to mystify his friends and people generally.
Local Table Tennis set to return TABLE TENNIS RETURNS TO THE TABLES here on Friday 20th March 2021, when the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) host the first in a series of tournaments called ‘Table Tennis Stars Tournaments’, at the West St. George Secondary School (WSGSS). Matches begin at 10:00am. Each tournament will include the top six male players, the two top female players and two other players of choice from the different Academies/Sean Stanley Table Tennis Academies. Among the players expected to be on show are: Damien
Dublin, Caleb Howard, Michel Creese, Michael Hazelwood, Antwan Tannis, Akeil DeRoache, Robert Ballantyne, Odey Cupid as well as the two leading female players- Leah Cumberbatch and Shanicia deplshce. In addition to the WSGSS where matches will be hosted by the Sean Stanley Table Tennis Academy, matches will be hosted by Spencer’s Table Tennis Club (NDP Headquarters, Kingstown); Rodney Caruth’s Table Tennis School (Bequia) and Adams Table Tennis Club (Troumaca). Cash prizes will be awarded to the top four places in each
Tournament. According to the SVGTTA, the idea behind this initiative is to keep the top players active during the COVID-19 pandemic in the event that any of them are called upon to compete in regional or international tournaments. Joseph Carrington, Tournament Director of the SVG Table Tennis Association, is happy that the players can be involved in some much needed competition again, albeit under the guidelines of the Ministry of Health. Carrington is hopeful that tournaments would also be held in Campden Park and Georgetown since the Series is
Leah Cumberbatch – leading female table tennis player – must be welcoming the tournaments with heightened expectation.
Joseph Carrington, SVGTTA Tournament Director, is elated that at least the top players will see some competition. 2021.
expected to run into November I.B.A.ALLEN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 21.
Sports
Athletes prepping for overseas meets LOCALLY based athletes will this Saturday 20th March, return to the Diamond Track Facility for another in a series of Development Meets, with the view of making the cut for regional and international Championships. Saturday’s event, set to begin at 9:30am, will cater for competitions in the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Open categories. The Under-13 males and females will compete in the 60m, with the females running the 800m and the males the 1000m. Male and female competitors in the Under-15 category will run the 80m. The females will do the 1000m and the males the 1200m. Mixed teams (male and female) will do the 4 x 400m relay. Athletes in the Under-
17, Under-20 and Open segments, are slated to run the 100m, 200m and 1500m. Competitors in the Under-13 and Under-15 categories will be seeking selection to St. Vincent and the Grenadines team to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Age Group Championships in Nicaragua, in June. Athletes in the Under17 and Under-20 age groups are putting their names up for possible places to this country’s team for the 2020 Junior Carifta Games, set for August 13 to 15, in Bermuda. The first Development Meet, and first event for Team Athletics SVG’s first event for 2021, was staged last Saturday at the same venue. Among the races contested were: 100m in all age groups as
Matthias looking to improve DARRIA MATTHIAS — a Vincentian athlete presently on an athletics scholarship in the United States - is progressing well but believes she needs to keep working if she is to achieve her goals. Matthias attends the Academy of Art University in California where she is pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Styling. “So far, the season has been going good even though it started Darria Matthias is off pretty bad since we focused on improving had limited time to her form as she enters qualify for indoors… we the outdoor track and only had two meets to field season. qualify for nationals… but we had to make the best of it,” Darria reported recently. “My first meet of the season, I wasn’t satisfied with my times but couldn’t be down about it. But my second meet was my last chance to try to make the qualifying time and I did,” she was pleased to report. Undaunted by the challenges now and those that might lie in waiting, Darria is determined to improve. “I’m learning something new everyday and put what I learn into practise until I get it right. Now I am looking forward to see what the outdoor season brings. My form isn’t the best right now but better than before and slowly progressing each day,” she admitted. I.B.A.ALLEN
referenced earlier in this article, and genders; 400m and 800m in the Under-15, Under-17, Under-20 and Open categories. The Open category males and females crowned off the day’s activities with the 4 x 400m relays. Participation in last Saturday’s Development Meet was drawn from ITDAT Academy, X- Cel, Troumaca Mustangs, XCeed Sports Club, High Performance, Chatoyer, the St Martin’s Secondary School, the St Vincent Grammar School, with one athlete High Performance’s Ulanda Lewis on her way to winning the Under-20 who competed Females 100m, at last Saturday’s Development Meet, at the Diamond Track unattached. Facility.
Woodley back on the track VINCENTIAN female track athlete Tamara Woodley finished second in a much-improved time in the 400 meters, at the Longhorns Invitational Meet last weekend. Woodley clocked 54.49 seconds and was happy with her finish. “I am over satisfied with my performance. I focus on times more than position and this is a big improvement for me especially coming back from a not so good last year, having multiple injuries. “I was confident going into the race… I knew what I was capable of, it was my first outdoor race, back after almost two years so I am just shaking off some of the rust. I was working hard in practice and just kept praying, trusting God and the process, doing the small things to make me be better overall,” Woodley said in a recent
Tamara Woodley is determined to keep on improving her performances.
conversation. Woodley is aware of the competition on the track, but is determined to improve her form. “There are always things we need to improve on. I am
gradually getting better, my form is ….. it is coming along. I think with more focus on technical work everything will get better. ….. As the season progresses, I know I will
get better in every aspect, but I am just grateful to be back, healthy and doing what I love again,” Woodley said. I.B.A.ALLEN
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22. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Vincy Heat in action SPORTS LOVERS will welcome the return of international football as far as St. Vincent and the Grenadines is concerned. The venue will be in Curacao on Thursday March 25 for the World Cup encounter. That fixture throws up some intrigue. It will be unfamiliar territory for the Vincentians and so too will it be for the home team. They have a record of dominance and prominence in regional football and neutral observers will place their bets on the home team. Whatever the records, the outcome is determined by the final whistle. The Vincentians will assume the national colours with dignity and pride. The depth of preparation attributes to the final product. Having played ‘Away’ there, the Vincentians have opted for their home against British Virgin Islands at the same venue five days later. The World Cup Qualifiers continue with matches against Cuba and Guatemala. The winner advances to the Second Round. Curacao emerged as a zone of comparative safety in regard to Covid 19. Perhaps for that reason and other factors, the Vincentian Football Federation opted for that route. The Qatar count down is gathering momentum with the acceptance that there is unlikely to be open conflict in the neighbourhood. The election of a different president in the USA has eased the tension in the Middle East. Or it has provided space for peacemakers to work out approaches. Whether that is possible will be seen. People are impatient with the isolation, and the natural tendency for direct contact is driving them to be risky. To such an extent that when one feels there is a lull, there is a resurgence. The situation is forcing demands for wider visual presentations and as such, sporting bodies have stronger investments. Teams appearing in the business zone of the operation will be in for profitable returns. As the World Cup campaign intensifies, Vincentian Footballers shift attention to the Gold Cup encounter with Haiti. That will be another window for players to put their names on the international market. The Gold Cup has been hit by the upheaval in the world order. There has also been changes in that tournament. How teams come out of the hibernation is critical to success. It is unfortunate that players had to go through this period of uncertainty, but that’s how life is. In any event one must thankful. There is the mental aspect to consider, for one never knows how the mind works. Coping with the factors is a task everyone has to do. The realities of life dawn on us every day. We have to take it as a blessing. Those mount into weekly, monthly and annual condensations. It is within the foundations of those times that one must ensure that time spent on earth is worth something to humanity. There is one opportunity you have to show it.
US-based coach on Football gear drive US-BASED, Vincentian Football Coach - Renrick Alexander has launched a drive to equip young footballers in St Vincent and the Grenadines with gear. Alexander’s intention is to collect gear to suffice 5000 youths. “My goal is to reach at least 5000 used football cleats (shoes) by June 1st of this year,” he told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. Alexander noted that from his analysis, there are about that number of young footballers, here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, who are without football shoes of their own. His drive, though, extends beyond shoes to also include shin guards,
used uniforms, back packs and any other football paraphernalia. To his prospective donors, Alexander has made it clear that he is not asking for “financial support,” in any way, but for those who are in positions to give, to do so by making the gear available to him. He disclosed that as of last Tuesday, he has so far secured 120 football shoes, uniforms, 100 balls, cones and bibs. “I have been giving back to South Leeward since 2007, sometimes twice to three times per year, but I see the need now to extend this to the whole country and get the youths playing and developing properly,” he informed THE
VINCNETIAN, and added, “I am doing this because I want to see the start of a proper Youth Development Programme done in my country.” Originally from Questelles, on the Leeward side of the mainland, Alexander has been living and coaching in the USA, for the past 21 years, but returns to his birth place regularly. Alexander confirmed that once he procures the gear, he will be making the trip to St Vincent and the Grenadines to present them to the various clubs and schools. He said persons desirous of contacting him to make donations, can do so at telephone number: 914- 844- 4830
Renrick Alexander – determined to help ‘gear up’ youth footballers in SVG. or by email: scrambler899@icloud.com
Roberts relishing senior training
Ted Roberts is overjoyed with his selection to train with the national senior football team. TED ROBERTS is overwhelmed with the opportunity accorded him to train with the senior men’s football training squad, in preparation for the qualifiers for the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers. The 19-year-old St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College student who is pursuing studies in Environmental Science and Physical Education, is a member of the System 3 Sport Academy’s Football team, in which he fluctuates between being
a defence and mid-field player. Roberts is one of seven development players invited to training by the head coach of the national senior men’s team. “It’s a pleasure being in the national senior team setup for the first time after being part of the national Under-20 where I played in Nicaragua. I really like
football and have had high expectation to play for the national team since I was small. So, I am happy to be part of this senior unit.” Roberts admits the training is “tough” but he accepts that he can only learn from this exposure. He is confident about SVG;’s chances in the Qualifiers. “I am confident in the team and believe we will
qualify for the World Cup because we have a good bond and we are training hard,” Roberts said. Looking ahead, Roberts has his eyes on the big picture and would like to see himself in the next five years playing professional football. I.B.A.ALLEN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021. 23.
Classifieds
CARLTON SUNNY GREAVES Tuesday, 16th March, 2021 Open Bible Standard Church Dasent Cottage Old Montrose Viewing: 11:00 a.m. Service: 12:00 noon Interment: Kingstown Cemetery ISAAC LESTER JOHN Saturday, 13th March, 2021 Open Bible Standard Church Dasent Cottage Old Montrose Viewing: 9:00 a.m. Service: 10:00 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
IVICA OTTLEY BOWENS Sunday, 14th March, 2021 Mt. Zion Spiritual Baptist Church Questelles Viewing: 8:30 a.m. Service: 9:30 a.m. Interment: Chauncey Cemetery ARDON DENNIE BARTHULEMY JEFFERY FRANCOIS Saturday, 13th March 2021 Gorse Apostolic Faith Mission Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Byera Cemetery
Sunday, 14th March, 2021 St. Theresa Spiritual Baptist Church Barrouallie Viewing: 10:30 a.m. Service:11:30 a.m. Interment: Glebe Hill Cemetery
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FRIDAY, MARCH
19, 2021
VOLUME 115, No.11 www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
BUS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COMING ON STREAM The first Solar-Power Smart Bus Stop installed at the Peace Memorial Hall, intended to aid minibus passengers to know when a bus will be arriving.
Phase, which is already operational. Desiree Armstrong, AS THE INTELLIGENT BUS Project Coordinator at MANAGEMENT and the Information Monitoring System Project Technology Services moves into phase 2, smart Division in the Ministry bus stops are being of Finance, Economic installed at about 40 Planning, and locations throughout the Information Technology, country, and 200 while giving an update Telematic Control Units on the project during (TCUs) are being placed on NBC’s Interface Government-owned buses, programme on as well as privately owned Wednesday 17th March, buses who agree to be said that this phase will part of the system. consist primarily of the The project, as per an installation of intelligent agreement signed on bus stands at different January 26, 2019 bus stops throughout St. between the Republic of Vincent and the China (Taiwan) and the Grenadines. Government of St “At this point we are Vincent and the only focusing on main Grenadines, aims to roads. We are not doing improve the the inroads at this point management of the in time,” Armstrong said. public transportation The Project sector under the eBus Coordinator informed phase, and enhance that 40 intelligent bus surveillance in public stands will be installed areas under the CCTV and at least 200 units will be deployed on buses whose operators/ owners agree to come on board, so that information can be relayed to a central point. All of this will allow commuters to use an App, “to Stories by KENVILLE HORNE
The technology consists of hightech screens to provide clear information. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
be able to know where their buses are at any given time, so that they can organize themselves in a way that is more conducive and avoid these long waits at the bus stops,” Armstrong explained. This phase of the project is being implemented by two
teams comprising consultants from Askey Company of Taiwan and staff of TaiwanICDF, personnel from the Information Technology Services Division (ITSD and Ministry of Transportation, and members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
FATAL DRIVE-BY SHOOTING IN MURRAYÊS VILLAGE
Nekeita ‘Cheeks’ Roberts succumbed to multiple gunshot injuries. A YOUNG MAN was gunned down while another is nursing gunshot injuries at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, following a drive-by shooting incident in Murray’s Village around 11:15pm. on Thursday
11th March. Residents in Murray’s Village and surrounding communities said they heard loud and continuous explosions on the night of the shooting. “I deh Sion Hill last night and hear about 25 shots. It sounds like a machine gun over that side. I say that can’t be nobody testing out gun,” said Viraj Jacobs from Sion Hill. On the receiving end of the gun shots were Nekeita ‘Cheeks’ Roberts, a 26-year-old labourer of Murray’s Village and Glenroy Isaacs, a resident of the same address. Roberts was allegedly shot multiple times about the body and Isaacs was shot in the leg. Both men were transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for medical attention. Roberts subsequently succumbed to his injuries, while Isaacs is said to be in stable condition.
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
“According to investigations, some unknown assailant(s) opened gunfire on both Roberts and Isaacs at Murray’s Village, in the vicinity of the Revival Centre Church,” said a police report. A woman in Murray’s Village, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, told THE VINCENTIAN that both men were liming at a shop when a vehicle pulled up and shots began to ring out. She said that the men were hit and the shop located near to the church was plastered with bullets. “Ah real shots dem fire, me can’t even count. De shop shoot up real bad,” said the woman. Roberts’ death marks the 7th homicide recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2021. As is the case with ongoing investigations, the police have appealed to the public for any assistance that could advance their investigation.
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