THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 19-06-20

FRIDAY JUNE

19, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.25

No Majority Tyranny Page 7

Sgt. Chambers’ memorial Page 16

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, gives all indication that his government and party are ready to support the enacting of the Constituency and Boundaries Commission.

GOVERNOR GENERAL DAME SUSAN DOUGAN has written to the Parliamentary Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday, informing him of the pending Constituencies and Boundaries

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Commission which became due, since at least 2 of the 3 conditions that are enshrined in the Vincentian constitution have been flagged. Dr. Friday told listeners to ‘On D

Geothermal Update (Pt1) Page 17

EC$1.50

VINLEC displeases PM Page 17

PRYME to the rescue Page 32

Dr. Friday, Leader of the Opposition, has apparently agreed to the Governor General’s calls for enacting the Constituency and Boundaries Commission.

Spot’ aired live on ANN’s Facebook last Sunday, “I received a letter from the Governor General, Her Ladyship, citing basically 2 of those grounds that I pointed out to you. One being after a

census was done because there was a census, so they say, was done — the thing is we haven’t seen a published census. “And then also 8 years have passed since we’ve had the last Boundaries Commission so those are the two sections that were cited.” The third section, not invoked in Dame Susan Dougan’s missive, speaks to parliament acting on the constitutional provisions to have the number of established seats increased or decreased, or have individual constituencies realigned. Although he admitted that his Party’s nominee to the Commission is already identified, Dr. Friday did not Continued on Page 3.

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News 3

WPP provides COVID-19 Aid

WORLD PEDIATRIC PROJECT (WPP) has embarked on a mission outside of its usual scope of providing critical tertiary healthcare. The initiative, WPP COVID-19 Aid, is a one off assistance in which essentials are provided to needy families here. According to a release from the local WPP office, the initiative targets 200 families who

would receive ‘Hope and Care Packages’. Each package, estimated at a value of $600.00, contains food and hygiene items. Phase One of the project was executed over three consecutive days from June 15, 2020, and delivered pachages on mainland St,. Vincent — on the Windward side as far as Fancy, to the Central regions, and on

PCR testing in validation stage IN-COUNTRY TESTING for COVID-19 has begun, however the operation is at a validation stage. Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that samples were still being sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) lab facilities in Trinidad, but that samples were also being tested here. “This is part of the process,” she said. The PCR testing machine arrived here in May following weeks of delays due to restrictions in the United States. It was in March that the Minister of Health first announced that a PCR testing had been ordered, and that it was being purchased with funding from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). In a release issued earlier this month by the Ministry of Health, it stated that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) had assisted with the training of ten local lab technicians in conducting PCR tests, and that a piece of equipment known as a biological safety cabinet was installed, in order that in-country PCR testing can begin. (DD)

the Leeward side as far as Chateaubelair. A member of the Warren family, a recipient of a Care Package, in extending thanks to WPP said, “What WPP has done, it will go a long way, and also the love and support of being there for us over the years.” The matriarch of the Edwards family admitted on receiving the package, “My happiness receiving the box almost killed me when I saw what was in it, I am stunted. I wasn’t expecting this much, thanks again.” WPP Executive Director - Eastern Caribbean, Lauren McIntosh, indicated her delight at the opportunity to assist families. “It is undoubtedly a challenging time globally. To have stakeholders coming to the fore at this point, when our fundraising events have been either cancelled or postponed, is really heartening. … We are fortunate to execute this initiative, which ensures we stay connected to our children and provides some relief to families.” Phase Two of the initiative is slated for the Grenadines in July.

WPP Personnel L-R: Sister Jacqueline Browne-King and WPP Executive Director - Eastern Caribbean, Lauren McIntosh (left) handing over Care Package to a recipient.

Elections imminent: Constituency Boundaries Commission coming

had written to the Governor General indicating that the name the person, opting circumstances have instead to observe arisen under Section 33 established protocol of of the Constitution of first responding to the Saint Vincent and the Governor General in Grenadines, for the writing. appointment of a Several days before Constituency Boundaries that episode of ‘On D Commission. Spot’, Prime Minister Dr. According to that Ralph Gonsalves, during Section, the Commission his weekly update via consists of 3 persons: the radio, announced that he Chairman who is appointed by the Governor General in her own deliberate judgment; and one person each appointed by THE NATIONAL the Governor General on TELECOMMUNICATIONS the advice of the Prime REGULATORY COMMISSION Minister and the Leader (NTRC) donated a cheque in the of the Opposition. amount of Twenty-Seven Dr. Gonsalves named Thousand One Hundred and his nominee as Stephen Sixty-Nine Dollars (EC$27,169), Williams. on behalf of the Eastern Addressing the issue of the number of seats, Caribbean Telecommunications Dr. Gonsalves told his Authority (ECTEL) to the St. listeners, “I don’t know if Vincent and the Grenadines there’s going to be any Ministry of Health, Wellness and contention in any area… the Environment. 15 seats, it’s not going to The donation is made as be 17… it’s 15 seats.” assistance to this country’s The PM reminded ongoing fight against COVID-19. listeners that in 2010, This handing over ceremony Parliament passed a Bill took place at the Ministry of approving for 17 seats, Health’s conference room on June but it was never gazetted 8, 2020 at 9AM, and was attended (published) as the by the Senior Assistant Secretary opposition New in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Democratic Party filed Isolin Thomas, and the NTRC’s an injunction in court Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Isolin Thomas Consumer and Public Relations preventing its (right) accepts cheque from NTRC’s Consumer and Public Relations publication. Manager, Ms. Rhea Lewis. Manager, Ms. Rhea Lewis. (Photo Courtesy: NTRC) (Submitted by: NTRC) Continued from Front Page.

NTRC’s donates to the Ministry of Health

He explained, though, “…the 17 seats don’t really come into effect until the report of the Commission is published and it comes into effect after the dissolution of the parliament. “If you read the Constitution, you’d see 17 seats but that’s because we had passed a law in 2010 but there’s an error where they put 17 there because 17 comes into play only if all the other steps are followed ….. the Attorney General had to correct that in the law. And they issued a Statutory Rule and Order…, Dr. Gonsalves further explained. Elections were called and were conducted as per the existing 15 constituencies. As for the census, Dr. Gonsalves said that he had spoken to the Leader of the Opposition indicating that “we need to do the Commission because since then the census has been published.” Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves and the Unity Labour Party are seeking an unprecedented 5th term, whenever the election is called. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail .com

V Jury trials resume 4. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

assistance in this regard. “We have to bear in mind that AFTER AN absence of about three the Court is here, not just for months, due to the COVID-19 some citizens, but for all citizens”, coronavirus pandemic, Jury trials Cottle contended. And in his view, resumed at the High Court on it is not right for citizens who are Monday. incarcerated, on criminal charges, “I know it is not business as to be awaiting trial indefinitely. usual, but I think that things Justices Cottle and Angelica have changed”, Justice Brian Teelucksingh had in March, Cottle said as he delivered suspended all Jury trials until remarks at his Court on Monday. further notice, as a precautionary The Judge stressed the need to measure in light of the pandemic. get on with the country’s Both Judges are sitting business, of which the Court has a simultaneously. responsibility, and he thanked the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for its Justice Brian Cottle Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Stupid act triggers criminal record STEALING $225 from a co-worker has triggered a criminal record for 20year-old Neeka Jack of Campden Park, and the possibility of him losing his job.

Appearing at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, Jack pleaded guilty to stealing $225 from Jarron Fox of Largo Height. The facts, as

presented by Court Clerk Corporal Atnel Ash revealed that both men were employed at the Packaging Department of the St. Vincent Brewery at Campden Park. On June 12, Fox received his pay package of $240 from the Company. He took out $15, and put the remaining $225 in a bag which he placed in his locker. However when he subsequently returned for the money in the bag, it was not there. He reported the matter to the supervisor; CCTV was checked, and footage was revealed of Jack searching the bag and removing the money. A report was made to the police and Jack was

arrested and charged. He said he bought Kentucky Fried Chicken with the cash, when questioned in Court by Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche. Noting that Jack had no previous convictions, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne added, “What a stupid way to get a criminal record”. She pointed out that this would now hamper a lot of things for the youngster, including potential travel. “Stop following whoever going happy go lucky and carefree, and stop doing stupidness”, she advised. “Even if it was a small quantum, that amount of money could have done a lot. It means a lot to him”, she said, referring to the virtual complainant. But Browne told Jack she was going to give him a chance to redeem himself. She noted his age, the prospect of rehabilitation, he had no previous convictions, and that he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. She ordered him to compensate the complainant in the sum of $225 forthwith or two weeks in prison. Jack told the Court his mother was there to assist him, but the Magistrate warned, “You will not always have mommy to come and help you”.

Murder suspect being assessed TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD T-Zan ‘Zaza’ Phillips, the suspect in the recent killing of his 9-year-old nephew, Jamarie Phillips, will know whether he is fit to be interviewed by the police, based on the outcome of a psychiatric evaluation. Up to press time Wednesday, nobody was charged in connection with the younger Phillip’s death. However, Commissioner of T-Zan ‘Zaza’ Police Colin John told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday Phillips that T-Zan was still warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, with a gunshot wound to one of his legs, and he was also supposed to have undergone a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he was fit to be interviewed by the police. The 9-year-old’s body, with chop wounds to the neck, head and hands was discovered in the front yard of his home at Richland Park around 12:30 p.m. on May 29. It is alleged that the police shot his uncle in one of his legs while trying to apprehend him in connection with the matter.

Thief warned about skin cream

CHIEF MAGISTRATE Rechanne Browne has warned 26-year-old Jahmol Carter of the possible damaging effect of a skin cream he stole from Coreas/Hazells Pharmacy in Kingstown on Monday. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, Carter pleaded guilty to stealing one Precious Ultra Brightening Gel, a cream used to brighten the skin, commonly called ‘bleaching’. The security guard at the business place who had kept Carter under observation, intercepted him with the cream in his pants pocket, as he was about to leave the Pharmacy around 9:20 a.m. Carter told the Court he wanted to brighten his skin, and that he had money to pay for the cream. It was valued at $10.95. But the Magistrate told him, “This could damage your skin”. After scrutinizing his record, Browne told the defendant, “You have 13 convictions of a similar nature”, and she asked, “Where you going with that speed”? Carter was released from prison this month. “if you don’t have money, do without. Live within your means”, She told him. “You take something to change your skin”, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche lamented. “It is not food, it is not a need”, the Magistrate added. “You are too young for that, and you know right from wrong. “You had an unfortunate start in life. Let that be the catalyst to do better. Persons will be willing to assist you”, Browne advised before bonding Carter for six months. If he breaches the bond, he will have to pay the Court $900 forthwith. In default, six months behind bars.

V NY Ex-Police group honours Husbands

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Diaspora

SVG Ex-Police Association, U.S.A., Inc. makes presentation to the Husbands family, with widow, Dr. Olga Husbands second from left. THE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK-BASED St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, U.S.A., Inc. on Sunday, posthumously honoured executive member Anthony ‘Tony’ Fitz-allan Husbands, by conducting a motorcade in Brooklyn leading up to his Canarsie, Brooklyn home, then showering his widow and children with gifts, flowers and plants, and offering condolences. A significant number of Vincentian groups and nationals were also on hand, to present gifts and offer condolences in front of the family home on Peardegat 7th Street. They included the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian group in the US; the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nurses Association of New York, Inc.; and the Biabou Methodist School Alumni. “Brother Husbands was a fixture that cannot be replaced,” Pamella Ferrari-Easter, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, U.S.A., Inc. told THE VINCENTIAN after presenting a huge plant and other gifts to Husbands’ widow, Dr. Olga Husbands, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nurses Association of New York, Inc. “He was a kind person, a team player; he always talked to us, telling us how we need to be better,” added the Canouan-born Ferrari-Easter, who led the group’s March-Past in front of the family home. “He was a very stern person, but he did not shy away from helping others,” she continued, and went on the say that Husbands, who served as her vice president, was “a real player in our organization. There’s no person to replace him.” Arden Tannis, a former president, now serving as a trustee of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police

Association, U.S.A., Inc., and coordinator of the event, said Husbands “was very instrumental in organizing events for our group,” adding, “It’s really a trying time for the organization,. We lost three members in the span of a year — Husbands, Winy Peters and Ingrid Matthews.” Beris Latham, a former police officer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and member of the organizing group, lauded the motorcade and ceremony. “It brought tears to my eyes,” said the former vice president and Marriaqua native. “He (Husbands) was my good friend. I wish the family all the best; my deepest condolences.” Husbands, an ex-United Nations Police Captain and erstwhile Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Officer in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, who served as president of the Brooklynbased Vincentian group Biabou Methodist School Alumni, died on Jun. 2 from complications related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), his widow said. He was 60. Dr. Husbands, a registered nurse, told THE VINCENTIAN that her husband, who hailed from Cedars, a small village adjacent to Biabou on the eastern coast of mainland St. Vincent and the Grenadines, died at Lenox Hill Hospital, on 77th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, after being hospitalized for 55 days. “He loved working at the United Nations, and spent 33 glorious years,” she said. “He looked forward to retiring in the next three years, where he would live the rest of his life back home in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” The United Nations said in a statement that its Security and Safety Service of the Department of Safety

and Security and the UN community at large were “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Capt. Anthony ‘Tony’ Husbands. … He was highly respected by his colleagues and all who knew him. Husbands joined the United Nations on Sept.1 1987, rising to the rank of captain. Before joining the United Nations, Husbands served seven years (1979-1986) with the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Besides his wife, Husbands is survived by four children — Tashema, Anthony, Jr., Chanelle and Chandelle; six grandchildren; mother Elma Husbands; several brothers and sisters, including Lynette Prince, Susan Husbands, Bertin ‘Bronco’ Husbands and Sylvester Husbands; and daughter-in-law. Husbands’ funeral service will be held today, Friday, Jun. 19, following which he will be interred at the Cypress Hills Cemetery at the border of Brooklyn and Queens.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Fitz-Allan Husbands

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 7.

Politics

No Tyranny of the Majority, says Dr. Friday

Dr. Godwin Friday (inset) promised that an NDP majority would work towards creating an atmosphere and practice of bipartisanship in SVG’s House of Assembly. A DR. GODWIN FRIDAYLED New Democratic Party (NDP) government would establish endeavour to establish bipartisanship in the House and across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This commitment came from Dr. Friday as he responded to questions from the Vincentian electorate last Sunday via Asbert News Network and ITFX Digital Solutions’ interview series ‘On D Spot.’ Dr. Friday further said an NDP administration would make a practice of listening to Opposition members, and treat their views as valid concerns. “The Opposition is also elected, you know, they represent people… Everyone who is in the House of Representatives put themselves forward in service, and people voted them so they are there. They have a voice and it must be listened to.” He emphasized that,

“It can’t be a situation where you have tyranny of the majority — simply because you have a majority of the seats in the parliament, then ‘it’s my way or the highway.’ He pointed to the fact that Opposition’s role is enshrined in the Vincentian constitution and as such ought to be respected, “don’t make them feel as though they are illegitimate which is how the Opposition tends to feel here.” He also availed himself of the opportunity to address the inherent victimization culture that pervades small states’ political regime change, asserting, “We have no place for that in our governance. We’ve seen it happen under this ULP [Unity Labour Party] government, and we’ve talked about it. But we have to get away from that.” Towadrs that end, Dr. Friday posited, “If you’re doing your job and you’re adding to the public

good, then you are doing what you are supposed to do. That’s what we want. And so the people who are sitting there and worrying and saying that the NDP is going to come and remove them from their jobs because they were appointed under a ULP administration — yo doing yo job, you’re fine.” He did admit, though, that redundancies may become necessary as government seeks to ensure its payroll is manageable. “The point is to make government effective and efficient; if we can provide jobs in alternate means, then they will go and find jobs elsewhere…. People will adjust. People who used to come and look for a job in the public sector would say there are better opportunities in the private sector…,” Dr Friday advanced. Dr. Friday, the President of the NDP and current Leader of the Opposition, is vying for what would be his first term as Prime Minister in his almost 20 year-old political career, in an election that is constitutionally due March 2021. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail .com

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Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Leadership? Look for the signs IT’S NEARING THE TIME AGAIN when eligible citizens will elect representatives to our House of Assembly. There is clear indication of who will emerge as Prime Minister should the New Democratic Party (NDP) win a majority of seats, but should the Unity Labour Party win an unprecedented fifth term, it could well have been a case of one person leading the party to ‘victory’, and another designated as Prime Minister. Whatever the outcome, the issue of leadership and the type of leader we want to take us a step further into the 21st century, should not escape our purview. Here are a few signs to look for that will indicate whether those we consider for leadership lack the basic qualities of a leader who, by definition, is not only expected to lead but to inspire.

Another bad sign is the practice of double-check everything, i.e. micromanaging. Persons who spend inordinate amounts of time double-checking everything, often don’t find the time to focus on more demanding projects. The double-checker is not someone who is going to engender trust. That is a bad sign. And then there is the sign that a leader is not communicating. It is fundamental that a leader possesses the ability to communicate, and to communicate honestly and totally, not holding back nor spinning an issue so that the rot is iced over with custard or whip cream. This honesty must be spread across all situations of communication, including press conference.

There is also the question of humility. The first sign of a bad leader is the Nobody is perfect! We make lack of empathy. mistakes all the time, but rare are We are wont to say that empathy those who acknowledge them. is a sign of weakness, but it is far A sign of bad leadership is a from that. It is the degree to which refusal to admit you’re wrong and we care for others — what makes not take responsibility for your good persons and great leaders. mistakes, regardless of the Lack of empathy is one of the most circumstances; distinguishing signs of poor To be humble means not acting leadership skills. like you know everything and that you can do no wrong; it is about And worse, lack of vision is one of building on honesty and mutual the worst enemies of every leader. respect. Leaders ought to know the direction in which tasks, projects And what of the issue of should go, not mumble over the plan confrontation? and end up being indecisive. There are those leaders who thrive This in turn creates chaos and on confrontation. Some even confusion among the people who will fabricate situations that create it demand to know what has become of where it would not normally exist. the agenda (promises) for which they Yes, leaders have to be assertive, voted. not loud-mouthed, and should not walk away from facing up especially Bad leadership is also when a to concerns expressed by others. person makes everything about This, however, does not mean that himself/herself. a confrontation should ensue. For sure, a leader is expected to express ideas and creativity, but to In summary, good leaders treat do so as part of a whole, not apart others with respect; have a clear from those around you and those vision for themselves and other whom you lead. people; take responsibility for their A leader must be able to own mistakes, and allow or encourage others to express their encourage other people to grow, ideas and creativity and not make evolve, and improve. everything about me, me, me! Look for the signs.

On “Comrade Ralph” (Pt1) Cross Country newspaper September 6, 2000 A FEW WEEKS AGO, I was hit by friendly fire coming from Cross Country. I decided there and then to write a regular column for the newspaper. If you can’t beat them, then join them. So here I am with my first column which deals essentially with an article that appeared in another place on 16th June last over the name “Albert Mc Kenzie”. Whoever that person is, the content and tone of the writing are Gonsalves’ in print. Just like “Floating Voter”. These productions are not beyond the capacity of the Comrade Leader who took great pride in his various Pen-Names — like the many disguises of the hit-man — when he put out his mouth-piece “Unity” in 1982 to 1994. Ralph would write as political commentator, special reporter and, of course as Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, among others. But “Albert Mc Kenzie” takes the cake, moreso than even “Garfield Wilson” who purported to take me to the cleaners several years ago. Imagine Ralph’s alter ego boldly enquires as to “why should anyone get at Dr. Gonsalves because of his delectable charm, brilliance, folksiness, and the opportunity now afford him to hold high office? This charismatic personality has endeared himself to everyone of all class and creed!” Says who? Ralph himself. Even if it were the voice of some other Albert Mc Kenzie, it is the hand of Dr. Gonsalves. Self-praise, they say is no recommendation. And I realised that I had hit the blls-eye with my reference of Ralph’s calling “Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who is the fairest of them all”. “Albert”, writing of himself in the third person, went on to mention my “cutlass attack” and “public lynching of the doctor”; my “unidimensional (onesided) approach to Vincentian politics,” and my alleged view of “the Prime Minister (“Son” Mitchell) as a Philosopher-King from whom all goodness flows,” while the leader of the Opposition (Ralph Gonsalves)is seen as “a demon to be vilified... using scare tactics like the communist bogey,

among others”. I have never accused Ralph of following a communist path in his approach to Vincentian politics. I hold the view, however, that he uses communist methods as a means of achieving his goal, as witness his organisation of his Road Block Revolution as a tool ... conduct and general political behaviour show that he is now a pragmatist (not to say opportunist) bent on capturing power even if it meant being “all things to all men”. But the twists and turns that our hero has made to reach his current stance, are enough to give eye-turn to any Ralph watcher. In rewinding the tape, one finds, firstly, that Ralph now subscribes to “Social Democracy”, the last official creed of the defunct Labour Party which Ralph had condemned as “deformed State Capitalism” in the good old days. The philosophical position of the MNU just prior to the merger, was one of democratic socialism, to be distinguished from social democracy. In fact, the concept was elastic and simply meant whatever Ralph intended it to mean. In 1982, Ralph had pulled the MNU out of the UPM which he co-led with Renwick Rose at the time. The UPM had been moving too close to MarxismLeninism for his liking, after the PDM had walked out in 1980. The problem was that Ralph himself had been the ideologue of Yulimo whom he goaded into following the communist path. This line had been softened in 1979 to “socialist orientation” — sort of hybrid, half-way house — in order to accommodate the PDM. PDM had seen socialist orientation in terms of a practical, mixed system around which one could rally for the foreseeable future, while a UPM led Ralph saw it as a process, a staging post on the way to full-blown communism!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 9.

Letters

Marina in front Mimosa House Belmont Bequia Att: Secretary, Physical Planning and Development Board Dear Secretary: I AM APPALLED that there could be a marina at this location, and that public response to this planning application terminates this week Friday 12th June, with such short opportunity for public analysis. Therefore, my first reaction is to urge you to extend the time for public inspection of the said plans for another three weeks. You will, in this way, confirm that you are serious about management of the environment.

The application I have seen acknowledges that this operation will be noisy, experience oil spills, with no provision for removal of human waste from the boats. This long established residential area will be harassed by noisy traffic in getting supplies and refuse from the boats. It will reduce value of other tourist establishments in the area and therefore, I cannot envision any gainful employment. An estimate of reduction of stay over visitors should be studied. An impact on yachts downwind and anchored in Princess Margaret Bay could limit their presence, subsequent diminution of expenditure and

employment in all levels of business. The beauty and serenity of Admiralty Bay will be irreparably terminated. This site is open to the surge from occasional storms as those living here experienced. We will be left with abandoned piles in front of the best corners of the beach used regularly for exercise and swimming. The marina impacts negatively on the Belmont walkway built by public subscription and enjoyed by all Bequia, visitors, including those from cruise ships, and homeowners. This exercise should not simply be a planning application. There should be an application to government for

Girl/Boy, show me your motion BY DISALLOWING the Motion of No Confidence, the last speaker proved himself unworthy of the job. But are the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House up to the task? Time will tell. The position of speaker is a neutral one, and not everyone is suitable for this job. Some people cannot separate their personal, subjective position from the objective job that they have to do. Motions of No Confidence were proposed and debated in the British Parliament since 1742. Some were defeated but some were sustained, causing the government to fall. The latest being in 1979 when Prime Minister

James Callaghan of the Labour Party was forced to call general elections by May 1979, and was defeated by Margaret Thatcher of the Conservative party. Here in the Caribbean, a Motion of No Confidence was proposed and debated in the Guyana parliament. It took over a year for new elections after that matter was litigated up to the highest court. What a waste of precious time! In Western Parliamentary Democracies, when a government loses a vote of no confidence, it falls and elections proceed shortly thereafter. The same thing applies to the counting of votes and election petitions.

Guyana has finally and properly counted its votes and it appears that the opposition PPP has won. This was after a bold-faced attempt to steal the elections during the counting process. It is almost 5 years since the last general elections in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and court challenges to the results are yet to be resolved. All these shortcomings are an affront to our democratic traditions. Lack of resolution of the 2015 SVG elections (petitions) after such a long time makes no sense. What are the consequences if the government loses the petitions, and the seats in question are declared to be legitimately won by

of the flood. The name of his sons - Shem, Ham and Japhet. According to Genesis Section 10, Subsection 6, Ham is the black son of Noah, and the only son after whom a country was named. This is spoken of in Psalm 105, Sub-section 23, 27; and in 106, Subsection 106: 22, as the land of Ham (Ethiopia). In reality, those three sons carried the same genes, but waged war against each other for political dominance down the ages. Jesus spent most of his youth in North Africa, Egypt, and at his crucifixion the white Roman authority forced a black man by the name

of Simon to carry his cross. (Matt. Section 27, Sub-section 32). Moses was criticized by Miriam his sister for marrying a black woman. (Numbers 12:1) The queen of Sheba who journeyed to visit Solomon, was a black woman (1 Kings 10:1-3, 11 Chron. 9: 1-12). Queen Candace and her treasure who met with Phillip, were black (Acts 8:27-28). Black people had a high civilization in the early age. We were guided by divine laws, but our Asiatic and European brothers hated us and used military force in their invasion against us. They enslaved us, murdered and raped us

Sir James Mitchell Former Prime Minister and M.P. for the Grenadines for 35 years.

Racial Prejudice

the opposition? Do they then begin their 5 year tenure in office? If both the Speaker and Deputy are not prepared to accept and allow a debate of a Motion of No Confidence, then both are not fit for the office and should stand down now. Anthony Stewart, Ph.D.

The dawn of a new day THE TOTAL NUMBER of people who died in the Noah flood may be well in the billions compared to COVID-19, World Wars 1&2, and the many in the Trans-Atlantic Slave System. Before George Floyd (Adam) was born, our Father had a plan for him (Genesis Section 1, Sub-section 26). After he was born (out of mother earth), our Father gave him the plan (Genesis, Section, Sub-section 28). Look at earth and you will see the colour of his (our) mother. Our grandmother is the ocean and she has no colour. After the Noah flood, it is said that Noah, his three sons and their wives lived on this side

lease of the seabed, which should be denied. An environmental assessment should also be available for public scrutiny. This development is not one for use of private property. I, therefore, do not support approval of this project in any form. I support direct foreign investment, but not at the expense of our quality of life. With respect

of everything. They trained us to think like slaves. But it was prophesied that the end of their dominance would come like a thief in the night. A seed has to die for a plant to grow. George Floyd’s death has created the dawn of a new day, globally. Christian Democrat

THOSE OF US who are old enough would agree with me that racial prejudice is not as prevalent as it was long ago, and that we have come a long way in combating it. While growing up, racial prejudice was very prevalent; blacks were called ‘Niggas’ and Indians were called, ‘Coolies’. In some cases, each race looked at themselves as better than the other. There used to be more hatred and prejudice against each other. Thankfully, things have changed. There may still be small pockets of racial prejudice, but not to be alarmed about. So it is safe to say that we have come a long way in erasing racial prejudice; we now see each race as equal. Indeed, no one is better than no one. Sadly, we have recently been hearing this race talk especially by politicians. By now, politicians should know that these kind of talk don’t work in SVG in terms of gaining votes; instead, it causes hatred and makes some angry. Even the Lord valued everyone as equal. He died for the world which included all races and nationalities on the earth. He loved everyone equally, regardless of the person’s colour of skin and texture of hair. So we must as a people accept and love each other regardless of skin colour and hair texture. I and many Vincentians are disappointed with the racist comment made by a former candidate of a particular party. He, above all, should know better, since he was once a preacher and would have promoted equality when it comes to God’s love for humanity. It is funny how politics can make folly of some people. There is no doubt we have come a long way in terms of racial prejudice, and we must endeavour not to entertain any form of racism. This country is comprised of persons of many different nationalities and races, so we must seek to unite, love and respect each other. Let us condemn racial prejudice and racial slurs; they have no place in Vincentian culture. Let us promote love and not hate. May God bless SVG. Kennard King

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10. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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PRYME Program: Another example of the ULP putting confidence in our Youth

Introduction DURING THE DEBATE in the House of Assembly, on the 2020 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves unveiled a very innovative initiative, “PRYME,” (Promoting Youth Micro Enterprise), intended to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of our youths. While members of the opposition NDP in their presentations spoke positively of PRYME, when the time came to vote on the Bill, there was a loud “NAY!” from the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. The Hon. Godwin Friday, trumpeting their rejection of the Bill. Indeed, not a single member of the Opposition present, broke rank with their leader. Thankfully the Government had enough votes to ensure its passage, thereby securing the promise of PRYME. This isn’t the first time the NDP refused to vote on policies that would positively impact our young, the future of this nation. The record shows they voted against the education revolution, and against the provision of government-secured student loans for disadvantaged students, with the presumptuous claim that the beneficiaries would not honour their obligations to service their loans. They didn’t support the expansion of classrooms to make way for universal access to secondary education, rejecting it as “watering down the education system”. There are many other examples where they refused to show faith in our youth, thereby betraying this country’s future! The ULP knows that the energies, skills, talents and great ambitions of our youths are to be harnessed, made manifest through the practical display of our faith in them. PRYME is our latest example of this genuine faith.

now the talk of the town. Indeed, hundreds of applications are being made every week. So popular is PRYME that the government had to extend it to persons over 40 years old, introducing PRYME+ (Promoting Your Micro Enterprise) thereby embracing the more mature entrepreneurs who are equally excited about this great opportunity. The vision, care and economic intelligence of this government dictate that in this time of reduced spending due to the global pandemic, our economy needs active stimulation. What better way than to give the youth the opportunity to use their abundant creative entrepreneurial energies for the good of this nation. The most exciting thing about PRYME program is the fact that these are grants, freeing these infant businesses from the burden of repayment. This was too much for the NDP. They are now mooting a counter PRYME, telling the nation it is indeed better for youths to saddle themselves and their startups with loans from a still-in-dream-works development bank. Ludicrous is too good an adjective to describe this anti-reason falsely called an idea. The absolute absurdity of that suggestion was laid bare in the NDP’s inability to gain any traction from young people! Dr Friday in an interview kept referring to the grant program as offering free money. The NDP thinks that offering SVG’s youth opportunities to start and grow their businesses through grants, is something to frown upon. They never felt that way when they were handing off State-owned businesses to wealthy friends at The Start the Youth Need giveaway prices. This is an insult to the intelligence of our young people. They From the very beginning of the ULP’s will NOT be denied by the NDP. They governance, PM Gonsalves has loudly will fulfil their promise with the help of and consistently trumpeted the mantra PRYME. “let the youths soar like eagles with their wings unclipped.” And we have Conclusion walked the talk blazing a path of providing opportunities for the youth to The offering of PRYME during the excel in every positive endeavour. This Covid-19 pandemic, is solid testimony of has been the lived reality of this the ULP administration’s confidence in government as seen through its the young people of SVG to rise to any implementation of many policies that challenge this country may face. The directly benefit youth in the fields of government hedged its bets on SVG’s education, housing, agriculture, private youth knowing that they have been and sector development and appointments in will always be part of the solution. We the public service, to name a few. honestly wish we could say the same PRYME is tremendous, but no surprise. about the Opposition NDP! Youth is a The ULP will not play with our future! great engine in our economic From an initial EC$2.7 million development. It has the vitality, dollars, PRYME was increased to over creativity and carries the tremendous EC$3 million as part of the Covid-19 promise of our brighter tomorrow. stimulus package. Our enterprising PRYME is BUT the latest example of young persons are encouraged to apply how this ULP administration led by PM for grants ranging from $2500 to Gonsalves continue to engage the youth, $40,000 to be used as start-up capital displaying faith in them by providing for small businesses or as capital opportunities for them to excel in every injection for existing ones. Even after its aspect of our lives including our launch, NDP members and supporters economic development. The youth is called it a political gimmick, playing very central to the idea of the SVG the party politics with the future of our ULP is building day by day and handing youth. Then came the first batch of over to them. To date, PRYME has awardees, where 81 young people attracted more than 1500 applications, received grants totaling over $300,000, and continues to do so at a rate of more and all excited to get down to business. than 100 per week! As Dr. Gonsalves And so, the Opposition is singing a new has promised, we shall give them every “Sanky,” We supported PRYME. opportunity to make sure they “soar like This is not surprising as PRYME is eagles, with their wings unclipped”.

Re-engineering our Education System “EDUCATION is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.” Nelson Mandela. If education is to be used as a weapon of change, what are the ammunitions needed to enable us to effectively bring about positive student outcomes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, thus putting us on the path of job creation and economic success? In the New Democratic Party (NDP), we envisage the creation of a whole new world filled with ammunitions to capture the creativity of our young people, giving opportunities to all to reach their full potential. We must re-engineer our education system to cater to the needs of all in a technological environment. The context in which schools operate and the purpose of education are undergoing drastic and rapid changes through the action of technology. We must pilot and provide new initiatives filled with ammunitions for our people to learn and perform, in pursuit of opportunities to change their circumstances, their communities, family prospects, their country and the world. You may inquire what ammunitions are required for the re-engineering of the education system to create better opportunities and positive outcomes for all. These include: the use of technology/E-Learning in delivery of the curriculum; building of online platforms — to take our educational institutions ahead of the curve; skills training and certification/CVQ in Secondary Schools and the payment of CXC/CSEC, CCSLC and CAPE fees. The re-engineering process must address the educational and social needs of our students as we develop appropriate measures and implement strategies to support multiple pathways to success. We could have achieved more if this Unity Labour Party administration had the proper innovative measures in place, in accordance with major trends in education, to bring about the desired change, especially in the use of the technology in the delivery of the curriculum, skills training and certification at secondary schools. We would not have been scrambling now to put the appropriate measures in place. COVID-19 has exposed the shortcomings of how unprepared the country is, in implementing and utilizing digital or E-learning in schools. The Ministry of Education was caught with its ‘pants down’. Totally exposed! We were promised technology in teaching and learning, but this government has failed to deliver on its promise. One just has to look at the failed one laptop per child initiative. Teachers were not trained in the pedagogical use of the technology but had training in the general use of the computer. Also, the Ministry of Education recognized that phase 1 implemented in academic year 2010 — 2011 and phase 2 academic years 2013 — 2014 had failed. Additionally, a significant proportion or percentage of our student population is without electronic devices, internet connections to access online education, curriculum delivery, and some do not have electricity. This government, through the Ministry of Education, is scrambling trying to put things in place. We are faced with poor implementation of the initiative of one laptop per child, with limited evaluation and the failure to put adequate procedures in place to facilitate maintenance of the devices. Since 2014, what have they done?

They have failed to deliver effective use of the technology in our schools. They have not implemented any proactive strategies; they are just reacting, and COVID-19 has exposed the shortcomings. The inability to properly transition to remote or E-learning has raised issues related to access, quality and equity. Everybody must have access. We must accelerate the delivery of Information Technology in the education system. There is no doubt that the ‘Education Revolution’ has failed. It’s all Talk. We must revolutionize the ‘Education Revolution’ because it lacks the ammunitions necessary to bring about positive change. Further, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is behind in the implementation of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). Since the establishment of this initiative in 2007, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had only been approval to grant CVQ in 2016. It must be noted that while other CARICOM territories are offering CVQ’s at levels 1 & 2 with much success at secondary level, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has in effect been granted approval to award the CVQ to persons who pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes, in and out of post-secondary institutions. This means that our students are left behind their counterparts in the region because the necessary instruments are not in place to facilitate the implementation at the secondary level. Alternatively, our students are not only left behind in the achievement of educational development and skills at home, but also in the region. The NDP recognizes the continuing problems of failure of children to complete education at all levels throughout the system. This is cognizant by the high dropout rates, the lack of suitable curricula to meet the varying abilities, aptitude and interest of secondary education and the earlier phases thereof. The ‘Revolution’ is all talk and lacks the ammunitions necessary to empower our youths. Unemployment among youths stands at 46%. The IMF stated that the unemployment rate was highest among secondary school graduates. Undeniably, the system is failing our children. Despite the increased access to secondary education, enough is not being done to cater to the diversity of the expanded population or the varied ability of students. Hence, the percentage of students exiting secondary education without certification, or with 5 or less CSEC subjects is too high. Towards rectifying the situation in education, the NDP will conduct a meticulous and qualitative investigation into this phenomenon, and seek available evidence to bear on finding solutions to reducing school dropouts; initiate a total review of the system of secondary education to provide a system and curricula appropriate to the needs of students which allow them to maximize their individual potential, while at the same time minimizing truancy and dropout rates and ensure competency based curricula linked to the CVQ framework. The NDP will make SVG work for all Vincentians.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 11.

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Supporting the Rotary Wheelchair Project

Rotarians and Friends: Rotary Wheelchair Project “Rotary opens opportunities.” Rotary International Theme 2020-2021 THE PREVALENCE OF DIABETES has resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of persons who need wheelchairs. Many Caribbean nations are struggling with the task of providing services to those impacted by this chronic disease. Throughout the region health professionals are battling with the number of individuals who have lost their sight and/or limbs as a result of uncontrolled and/or excessive glucose levels. During the last decade, the various regional ministries of health, along with several groups and organisations, have sought to introduce programmes aimed at increasing physical activities (e.g. through exercise programmes) and reducing the consumption of high sugar products. This is most commendable. However, despite such efforts, many of our Caribbean nations continue to record alarming levels of amputees as a result of reduced blood flow in the feet and legs; a common medical challenge for diabetics. Approximately ten years ago, the Rotary Club of St. Vincent embarked on a project aimed at providing wheelchairs to those individuals

unfortunate enough to lose their legs due to the complication of diabetes or as a result of accidents. The joint efforts allowed the local club to supply over 1,000 wheelchairs to individuals and institutions at no cost to the recipient. The club regularly engages in fund raising activities aimed at defraying the cost of these much needed mobility assisting items. The club has been ably supported by the Wheelchair Foundation, as well as several Rotary Clubs throughout the region. In addition, concerned citizens and leaders of business entities have joined forces with the club by making financial contributions. The members of the club, and the society at large, will be forever grateful for their philanthropic efforts. The Rotary Club of St. Vincent will shortly be importing approximately 250 wheelchairs of varying sizes. Individuals desirous of making a financial contribution are asked to contact any member of the Rotary Club or to deposit their contributions to bank account #109758 (Rotary Club of St. Vincent) at the Republic Bank, Kingstown. Each contribution, large or small, provides an opportunity to enhance the mobility and relieve the suffering of citizens who would otherwise become a major strain on their respective care providers. As we each pause to help, these are the moments when humanity shines through as Rotarians and their friends open opportunities for the disadvantaged in particular and local communities in general. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand @gmail.com

Black lives matter everywhere THE CALCULATED MURDER of Black people in the United States have captured the attention of the entire world. People are shocked into a reality that black people are forced to live every day. They saw Ahmaud Arbery running down a street and shot to death by two white men; they saw George Floyd strangled to death by a white police officer, even as he beseeched him to remove his knee from his neck, with the plaintive plea ‘I can’t breathe’; and they saw pictures of two black men hanging by the neck from trees in Texas in the year 2020. And even as the protests and demonstrations gain momentum and international reach with people of all races and genders marching and picketing to express righteous indignation, police officers still don’t get it. A few days ago, white officers in Atlanta Georgia woke a sleeping Rayshard Brooks, took him from his car, and shot him dead as he ran away from them. It is easy to think that these killings are new and out of hand, but they are not. As early as 1951, a group of African Americans took a petition to the United Nations in which they charged America with genocide. The petition said: ‘Once the classic method of lynching was the rope. Now it is the policeman’s bullet. To many an American the police are the government, certainly its most visible representative. We submit that the evidence suggests that the killing of Negroes has become police policy in the United States and that police policy is the most practical expression of government policy.’ This was 1951, 79 years ago, and the killings have not stopped. They have only become more visible because police are required to wear body cams and citizens are armed with cell phones. By the 1967, Dr Martin Luther King had had enough of America’s criminality towards African Americans. Addressing the eruption of violent protests in America’s cities, Dr King said: 'I am not sad that Black Americans are rebelling; this was not only inevitable but eminently desirable. Without this magnificent ferment among Negroes, the old evasions and procrastinations would have continued indefinitely. Black men have slammed the door shut on a past of deadening passivity. Except for the Reconstruction years, they have never in their long history on American soil struggled with such creativity and courage for their freedom. These are our bright years of emergence; though they are painful ones, they cannot be avoided.’ Bright and painful years of emergence cannot be avoided, said the prophetic Dr King. He did not condemn the protests or violence, he celebrated it. He knew that Black people were not burning their own neighbourhood, the so called American ‘melting pot’ was burning us alive. Dr King would have certainly supported basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar in saying, ‘'I don’t want to see stores looted or even buildings burn. But African Americans have been living in a burning building for many years, choking on the smoke as the flames burn closer and closer. Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible – even if you’re choking on it – until you let the sun in.

Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it wherever it lands. But we have to stay vigilant, because it’s always still in the air.' We must keep shining the light. We must create our own narrative and fight like hell to make it popular. This is what Dr King had in mind when he said, 'Riots are not only the voice of the unheard, but they are also the rowdy entry of the oppressed into the political realm. They become a stage of political theatre where joy, revulsion, sadness, anger, and excitement clash wildly in a cathartic dance. They are a festival of the oppressed.' Black people are not destructive by nature. We are not self-defeating in our actions. We instinctively know that certain things, structures and institutions must be torn down so that a better foundation and superstructure can be erected in place of the old exploitative system of oppression. The demands of the young black people are clear. They want an end to racism, police abuse, and violence; and the right to be free of the economic coercion of poverty and inequality. But the very refusal or inability of this society to engage the question of how to meet those demands, is a big part of why protesters now swell the streets with clenched fists and expressive eyes nationwide. These protests are different than the others because for the first time, a significant slice of the white population has joined in solidarity with African American youth in demanding justice and fair play, an end to police violence and for equal opportunities. Where this new upsurge will lead is still to be decided, but we seem to be turning a corner in the right direction. In the past, too many Americans, especially white citizens, preferred to cling to brutal and unjust systems than to give up political power, the perceived benefits of white supremacy and an exploitative economic system. Some of these white citizens are developing a new consciousness as is reflected in the number of white young people joining the protests and demonstrations. However, polls and surveys still show that most of the white population continue to frown on the protests. They still think that African Americans are creating unnecessary strife. They maintain that if only we could wait our turn, things will be better. Well a new day is dawning. If America and indeed the world do not learn the lessons of history and choose a radically different path forward, we may lose our last chance to create a truly inclusive, egalitarian democracy. African Americans may lose patience and decide to fight fire with fire. Today African Americans are fighting for human rights and equal rights. All of America should shudder to think of a day coming when some African American citizens include revenge as a motivating factor in their fight for redemption. Next week race and class in SVG. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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No progress in SVG under the ULP regime

government would. A Green government would abolish the hundreds of millions of dollars of tax and customs duty exemptions given to SVG is in a really bad state. There are We still do not have factories in no different among the young inmates the foreign millionaires of Mustique high levels of unemployment, poverty and SVG. SVG could have a much stronger in the ULP regime’s jail. It is no and Canouan. deprivation throughout the country, and economy if we had factories and we surprise then that many youths find it This white racism must be rooted the economy is virtually dead. These were exporting agricultural products hard to get a job. out of our country, so that the black things illustrate that there has been no and manufactured goods. The last 19 Before the ULP regime, the youth can get a good education and not progress in SVG under the ULP regime. years have been wasted under the economy was better. Talk to any end up in the ULP regime’s jail. This Before the ULP regime, the ULP regime. business owner in SVG and they will white racism must be stopped in order agriculture industry was more robust Amazingly, we still do not have our tell you that it is hard to get sales. to end generational poverty in SVG. and farmers had a higher income. own SVG University. The ULP regime Some businesses say it is their worst Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, Now, things are bad. There is very chose instead to build a jail. This is sales period in over 30 years. BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA very strongly little agricultural exports, and when their flagship project; this is what they The ULP regime has destroyed the contends that real and positive change farmers bring their produce to the offer our youth. How on earth are the economy to such an extent that there’s can only come with a Green market, they can barely get sales. children of SVG meant to compete for virtually no money circulating in the Government. They often have to throw stuff away or university graduate jobs all over the country. A Green government would create take it back home. Farmers are world, if government does not provide The ULP regime wasted about 1.5 thousands of new jobs and a strong suffering and the agriculture industry our children with a university and the billion dollars on Argyle Airport, and economy by: creating a high-quality is virtually dead. opportunity to graduate? we were promised that this would education system, making it free from We still have thousands of The ULP regime has created such a create a strong economy. Well, pre-school to our own Science and households all over the country that poor education system, that for many businesses are still closing down, even Technology university; building have no mains water or electricity. It of our young people, this has become a businesses in the airport. The ULP factories to export agro-products and does not take 19 years to get water virtual ‘conveyor belt’ from school to regime has been a massive failure. manufactured products; making the and electricity to every household. incarceration. Many children still According to the Leader of SVG super-rich, white foreigner millionaires Willful neglect springs to mind. The leave school unable to read and write Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan of Mustique and Canouan pay tax; people have been let down. properly or do basic maths, and this is Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, reducing corporation tax; cutting ties the one crucial thing that has to be with Taiwan and establishing ties with done to move SVG forward, is that we China; revitalising the agriculture have to break the chains of the white industry; building a billion dollar tuna racism that is holding our country fishing and canning industry and down. emphasising import substitution. The ULP and NDP regimes have There has been no progress under been too scared to do it, but a Green the ULP regime. SVG needs change.

Black Lives Matter by R. T. LUKE V. BROWNE

I ASSOCIATE myself with the protests going on in the United States of America and across the world under the title “Black Lives Matter.” The people have risen up with righteous indignation against the evil of police brutality mixed with racial discrimination. These protests were sparked by that now famous incident in Minnesota in which a white police officer suffocated a black man by the name of George Floyd to death by pressing his knee to the neck for almost 9 minutes. Shocking. Horrific. I looked at footage of the incident in disbelief and outrage. The police officer had accomplices in his colleagues and wore a smug look of sinister satisfaction on his face. The people had to rise up. The George Floyd matter is just the latest scene in a long string of mistreatment based on colour prejudices playing out in the USA. The litany of abuses need not be covered here. It constitutes a blotch against an otherwise largely glorious history and stands in the way of a great nation living up to and being true to its highest ideals. It must be brought to an end. Discrimination on any grounds is wrong. Being Black is not a Crime. It is a Virtue. The recent turn of events made me think of our forebears in the Caribbean who fought to rid themselves of slavery (and then colonialism) which invariably labelled them as “sub-human,” “second class citizens” or “chattels” (property). We remember too the activities of more

contemporary freedom fighters like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X who struggled and ultimately sacrificed their lives for justice. They sought to topple an oppressive system drawing inspiration from one of our West Indian compatriots — Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Thank God we live in an age where advanced technology is so ubiquitous that a bystander can use her or his cell phone to capture a recording that shines a bright spotlight on injustice and triggers worldwide reaction. The problem of racial discrimination and police brutality is not particularly acute in SVG given the fact that we have a relatively homogeneous society. However, a problem for our brothers and sisters in the United States is a problem for us. My message to the racial oppressors of the 21st century is simple: take your knee off our necks. Stop trying to hold us down, suffocate us, stifle us and prevent us from breathing. Americans are rising up against police brutality and racial discrimination in all settings — healthcare, law enforcement and criminal justice, schools, public parks and beaches, the streets and everywhere else. George Floyd may end up playing a powerful role in bringing about necessary and desirable change in this world even after he left it. It’s interesting how we could take a powerful stance by kneeling down. In the words of 12-year old Keedron Bryant who sang a powerful song that went viral: “We are just trying to live.”

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 13.

14. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 15.

News

Invest SVG hosts beach clean up The Invest SVG Clean-Up Party in front of some of the debris collected at the Questelles beach. (Photo Credit: Invest SVG) TO CELEBRATE WORLD OCEANS DAY (June 8, 2020), staff at Invest SVG successfully executed a beach clean-up event at Questelles; joined by residents, members of the wider public and the Minister of Finance, Sustainable Development, Economic Planning and Information Technology. The event, which took place last Saturday, June 6, saw approximately 26 persons collecting garbage — giving the beach a muchneeded boost to restore its usual state of cleanliness. Questelles Beach is usually cleaned on a regular basis by a community group, however, due to the onset

of the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts have understandably tapered off over the past couple months. Invest SVG Marketing Manager Omari France said that the investment agency is pleased with the quantity of garbage that the team was able to remove from the popular beach. He also urged beach users to be more mindful of disposing of refuse properly. “As part of its mandate to facilitate direct investments, Invest SVG is also tasked with enhancing the investment process for local and nonlocal investors. It is imperative that we do our

Open Campus Online Recruitment Fairs WITH THE RESTRICTIONS on public gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus is taking a major part of its recruitment efforts for the 2020/2021 first semester student intake online. In this regard, the Campus hosted Day One of its Online Recruitment Fairs on June 18 and will do so again on June 25. The Fairs begin at 6:00 pm Eastern Caribbean time and run for two hours. “The management of the COVID-19 pandemic comes with several restrictions including physical distancing, and this has limited the ability of the Campus to do face-to-face promotions across the region,” explained Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro ViceChancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus. “The Online Recruitment Fairs give us the opportunity to reach prospective students, provide all the information they need in one place, answer their questions and help them to make a decision about their university education.” Day One focused on all the online programmes offered by the Campus, ranging from certificates to doctoral degrees, and shared information on the application process, documentation and registration as well as a live demonstration of the Learning Exchange. Day Two will focus on the Open Campus Country Sites located in 16 countries across the Caribbean. Representatives from the Sites will make presentations about their local professional development programmes. They will also provide information about application, registration and costs as well as how persons can access these programmes for retooling and personal development. These Fairs will connect potential students with key campus personnel who will answer their queries. The presentations during both events will be punctuated with entertaining performances from Open Campus students. Live broadcast of both events will be via YouTube @ https://www.open.uwi.edu/livestream and Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/uwiopencampuscaribbean

part as good corporate citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to protect our thriving ‘blue economy’,” explained

France. “We boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with excellent sailing, diving and snorkeling waters, which also offer an abundance of food. We must do our part in protecting our resources for future generations of Vincentians and potential investments. “Our intent is to set the ball rolling for other institutions, individuals and community groups to

get involved in regular beach clean-ups across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We all play a part in shaping the nation that we all envision.” Items removed from Questelles Beach included: plastic bags, packaging, broken toys, bottles (plastic and glass), galvanise, sanitary items, car parts and discarded fishing equipment — amongst other items. Invest SVG extends its

gratitude to the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA), OSV Group, Bonadie’s Supermarket #2, Tus-T Water and the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority for their contributions and assistance. France added: “A special thanks to the community of Questelles — who welcomed us with open arms, members of the public and the Minister of Finance Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, who all chose to give their personal time to this worthy cause!” (Submitted by: Invest SVG)

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16. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

People

(L-R): Philbert Chambers’ mother and father, in the company of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, unveiled the portrait of their son.

OfficerÊs brother calls for dedication

FITZBORNE CHAMBERS, the brother of Acting Police Sergeant Philbert Chambers who died in the line of duty, April 26, 2020, has appealed to police officers here to dedicate themselves to serving their country. Speaking at a Plaque Unveiling Ceremony in commemoration of the

fallen officer, at the Central Police Station on Thursday 11th June, Fitzborne, himself a former police officer, implored the officers “….not to look at promotion, not to look at the way the station is, the condition. Not to look at leave ….. do like Philbert,

This portrait forms part of the memorial to the fallen officer. dedicate yourself to the service of your country. Not to the Commissioner of police, not to the Prime Minister, not to anybody else.” He described his brother as a very hardworking and dedicated officer, who wanted to see improvement in the Police Force. “Philbert,” he said, “had an interest in seeing the Force develop, and that is the reason why he would have been involved in youth clubs … that is why he worked at a very high standard; the Judge will tell you that, the Magistrate, the Prosecutor, the Commissioner and his team would tell you Chambers was different in the performance of his duty.” He added, “If every police officer emulated Philbert, then our country will be far much better… less crime, less violence, better youths and so on.” And as for reforms in the Police Force, Fitzborne called on the authorities to address this need with urgency, a need he said he had identified when he was a serving police officer. Commissioner of Police, Collin John also addressed the ceremony. He described Chambers as a vibrant leader in the police youth club, excellent investigator and good at

community policing. John revealed that it was the first time they were unveiling a plaque to a fallen officer. “This is the first time that we are unveiling a plaque of a fallen comrade. We are honestly hoping it is the last because we don’t want any police officer to die in the line of duty, but we know the nature of the job and it is very likely that things of this nature may happen again,” the Commissioner told the gathering. Also speaking at the Ceremony was Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. He said that he was saddened by Chambers death. He also said that he was advised by the Chief Medical Officer to stay away from funerals for the time being, hence the reason he did not attend the late officer’s funeral. Also in attendance was the fallen officer’s immediate family, including his mother, Coleen, and father, Calvert. His father expressed how pleased he was that his son was honored for his service. A memorial to fallen officers is to be established at the old Montrose Police Station, it is understood. (KH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. 17.

Energy

SVG Geothermal Update

Drilling, Wells and the Rig (Pt 1)

An aerial view of the geothermal project site at La Soufriere.

And although the SVG Geothermal Company fulfilled its obligation, “to Editor’s Note: The exclusive interview with make sure that the following is the first of a THE VINCENTIAN (drilling) rig was three part series which Newspaper to help set the transported safely to the seeks to give an account record straight. site without any of how the Geothermal Dacon also put to rest hiccups,” the projected Project at La Soufriere a rumour alleging the drilling schedule could has panned out. The possible cover up of the not be strictly series makes no attempt decommissioning of the maintained. to be editorial in drill rig which was As such, the approach. Instead, it retired on March 16, anticipated “60 days per reports the facts as 2020. well” along with the relayed to the writer. An estimated US prearranged 10 days to $22M was allotted for move the rig in between THE DRILLING PHASE of what should have been a wells had to be revised. the geothermal energy 10-month drilling Dacon explained, “We exploration project has contract which was had several delays. We ended. This, according to awarded to the Iceland also went deeper. It’s not the project’s manager Drilling Company, also an exact science — you Ellsworth Dacon, who known as Jarborboranir don’t know what rock availed himself of an hf. you’d meet or when [the

PM Gonsalves disgusted with VINLEC THE MANNER IN WHICH VINLEC, the state-owned sole provider of electrical power in the state, deals with less fortunate citizens has raised the ire of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Speaking on radio recently, the Prime Minister expressed his disgust with how VINLEC has gone about dealing with less fortunate consumes; stipulating that they pay a twomonth security deposit before their electricity can be restored. This expression of disgust followed a telephone call which the Prime Minister said he received from a woman. While Dr. Gonsalves reiterated that by law VINLEC may charge a deposit amounting to two months of the maximum of what is owned on an ongoing basis, he admitted to his own problems faced in coming to grips with how the electricity company interprets the law and how it computes the amount (deposit). The Prime Minister was so incensed as he ventilated the issue,

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has warned VINLEC to act more humanely or face the consequences. that he gave warning to VINLEC that he was considering having parliament repeal the section of law pertaining to the deposit.

well] will collapse.”

Rig demobilised Almost one year and 3 wells instead of the predicted 4 wells later, the SVG Geothermal Company, “ordered the rig to be demobilised; once we have ordered the rig to be demobilized, all payments stop. It is up for the rig now to pack up and leave; use the balance of the money that they have, because we have a demobilization fee, and they would proceed to the next job. The rig is still on the site. They haven’t gone anywhere yet,” Dacon asserted. The rig, christened Odin by its Icelandic owners, was reported to have been spotted onboard an outward bound vessel at the Kingstown cargo port sometime in March. Dacon dismissed this buzz as an uninformed opinion. He noted, “They have reduced their crew, they went back to Iceland and they were supposed to demobilize the rig and move it and take the rig to the Azores; they would normally change some parts, service it up and get it ready for the next job. However, COVID-19 — they’re trapped [out of State]. “And we can’t do any testing due to COVID-19, because the testing team

The SVG Geothermal Company ensured the drilling rig, in collapsed form, was safely transported to the site at the La Soufriere. they sent them to Trinidad to see if they were still good and come back — that’s what they were doing in the night, moving pipes.” According to the project director, “the drilling phase is normally capital intensive; usually high risk because it requires a lot of money and you could have zero returns.” To mitigate against this, two financiers of the project - the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank - and the government of SVG negotiated a “contingent plan” described as a novel feature in the financing protocols of the Post drilling contract project. This means that Dacon continued, “What normally happens monies committed to the when a drilling contract alternative energy ends, there are materials venture would only be that are leftover, and the recouped as a loan if the exploration is deemed SVG Geothermal successful. And if the Company can sell these testers, when they do get to the contractor. And here, fail the initiative the drilling contractor would want to know that then the monies would be ascribed as grants. these casings are still good so they’d try and jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail get them certified. So .com is also trapped. Right now, we just doing some monitoring of the wells; we’re taking some pressure and temperature readings, and we’re logging that. We have not been sneaking out the rig in the middle of the night. During the whole drilling operation, we have to use certain steel casings. In order to use the casings, each casing has to be certified. If the casing sits in the atmosphere for a while, they have to be recertified. Because there is rust and so on, and you don’t want to put down a casing that is no good.”

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18. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Service

Donald de Rigggs, YRM Director (right) in the NBC studio with ‘Face to Face’ host Colville Harry.

YRM conducts live radio test with NBC radio RADIO AMATEURS from the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) conducted another emergency communications test, towards ensuring that its members are in a state of readiness for the 2020 hurricane season in particular, as well as for any other hazards that may arise. The actual test was prefaced by an episode of the NBC morning show “Face to Face’, featuring YRM Director Donald De Riggs as guest. The discussion focused on providing information about amateur radio, how it began and the advances it has made since it was founded. Time was also taken to explain the name change of the amateur radio operators’ oraganisation, from the Rainbow Radio League — RRL to the Youlou Radio Movement — YRM. One of the reasons as alluded to by De Riggs was that the rainbow has been associated with the LBGT community, and “while amateur radio operators are not homophobic, we prefer not to be associated with that lifestyle.” The YRM remains an organization of volunteers who put their equipment and skills at the service of the society, in times of need. The actual test was aimed at demonstrating how two-way radio can be used to provide live coverage from the filed, in the absence of telephones. Radio operators who participated in the demonstration by reporting live, included Marilyn J88NEE from Barrouallie, Molica J88NFM from Union Island, Sylvester J88DT and Clayton J88NFE from Bequia, Vulon — J88NEL from Belvedere, Karyn — J88NKC from Middle Road Belair,

with Sean J88CU and Justin J88DA reporting from around Kingstown. There were some technical difficulties experienced from the radio operator on Canouan, but overall the demonstration was a successful exercise. According to Don De Riggs, there is need for more equipment including repeaters, to widen the coverage. The YRM is hopeful that the business community and other philanthropists will assist in this regard. And looking further ahead, De Riggs pointed to the time when the YRM would need to enhance its service by acquiring its own SAR vessels, which would assist the local Coast Guard with the management of accidents at sea, as well as for their ongoing training programs. Included in the wish list also is an aircraft to be used in responding to accidents in the Grenadines, by way of deploying emergency communications personnel, as well as for aerial reconnaissance following the disruption caused by hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The aircraft service could also extend to neighbouring territories. Next on the YRM calendar is participation in an emergency communications exercise organised by the Waitikubuli Amateur Radio Association (WARA) of Dominica, scheduled for the end of June 2020. The YRM is also on standby as a ‘Yellow’ alert has been issued for increased activity of the ‘Kick em Jenny’ submarine volcano.

(Submitted by: Donald De Riggs.)

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Advice

Dear George,

MY HUSBAND has discovered he can’t make children. We have been married 16 months and have been trying. Finally, we both got tested and he was told the horrible news. My husband suggested we adopt a child, but I disagreed since my one desire is to have my own child. I suggested to him that we leave the country and find who can make me pregnant with no strings attached. He reluctantly agreed. What he did not know is the man I chose was an old friend from way back. We had sex several times and I finally I got pregnant. The thing is, George, I have to be honest and admit that I really enjoyed the sex with this guy; so much so I am considering leaving my husband to be with him. It is his child and I have developed deep feelings for him. Please advise me what to do.

Change of heart.

Dear Change of heart, It would have been wise if both of you had gone to a marriage counsellor to walk you through the pros and cons of the decision you eventually made. Getting pregnant at any cost was not the best way to go and, as you see now, it may cost you your marriage. It is not too late to go see a counsellor. What you see as a newly developed feelings may just be a temporary ‘hoo hah’ for someone with whom you enjoy sex and got you pregnant. It is not too late to have a rethink and give yourselves the chance to reconcile. You owe the truth to your husband.

George

My two-timing husband concerned, he has made his decision. I am about I CAUGHT my husband to contact a lawyer to begin the legal work in bed with my best toward separation. friend, her sister and I am hurting and their cousin. I was shattered. After 4 years wondering whether or of marriage, this was the not to tell my best friend’s husband about thanks I got from him. her escapade with my I told him there and husband. Nothing would then that when he was give me more done he could come and satisfaction. What do get his things at the you think? house. To my utter shock, my Traded so-called best friend invited me to join them, advising me not to spoil Dear Traded, a good sport. My Yes, your husband husband one remark was made his decision. a two for one deal was Undoubtedly it was a better than what he fleshly decision. His currently had. failure to show remorse As far as I am or shame could be

Dear George,

indication that he no longer cares about your feeling or the marriage. Taking your anger out on your best friend by talking to her husband, is not the way to go. Focus on cleaning your portion of the mess, but avoid making any major decision while you are in this fit of anger. Give yourself time to calm down then seek the guidance of a counsellor, just to explore whether there exists a remote possibility of salvaging your marriage. The outcome might just surprise you, who knows?

George

Patience, not a Âcut tailÊ Dear George, My eleven-year-old son is adamant that he is never going back to school but is not saying why. Further, he isn’t talking much and is afraid to even go outside the house, and he shows no interest in doing any online school work. It is a job just to get him out of bed on mornings. Needless to say, I am very worried. What should I do to remedy this situation? I think he just need a good ‘cut tail’, but my husband thinks otherwise. It is stressing me out.

No clue what to do.

Your son is showing signs of depression, and you need to handle this in a non-punitive way. He could well be one of many young persons (students) who have slipped or are slipping into a state of depression during this period of COVID-19. Engage him in a conversation about his fears. It is also advisable that you make an appointment with a child psychologist as soon as possible. He will need your patience, understanding and motherly instincts to help him get through this, not a ‘cut tail’.

George Dear No clue,

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Read some books on self-awareness. Travel will be favorable. Someone you work with could have a personal interest in you. Channel your energy into decorating or household chores.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can come into money that you don’t necessarily work for. Opportunities to get involved in self-improvement projects will be rewarding. Family may not want to get involved but an entrepreneur.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) careful disclosing information. You’re in the mood to spend time with your lover. You can convince anyone of anything.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Don’t spend too much in order to impress others. Entertainment should include sports events or physical activities. Be careful what you consume this week. Help others solve their dilemmas.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can surprise members of your family, which in turn will bring you a pat on the back. This may not be your day if you are overly melodramatic and unnerving everyone around you. Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if you have neglected your mate. Secret affairs will eventually backfire on you. Reevaluate your motives. You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You need to be inspired and have your spirits lifted. Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first. Don’t be afraid to make additions to your house. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Any difficulties with peers could be unnerving. Physical limitations are possible if you aren’t careful. Do yourself a favor and leave your plastic at home. Work at home if at all possible. Legal matters that have been pending may be alleviated through compromise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You have more energy than the rest of the people you live with anyway. Take a short business trip if possible. Problems with your mate will develop if you don’t let them have their way. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Be cautious when dealing with foreigners. Avoid letting family get involved in your personal life. Travel will be favorable. You can gain knowledge from dealing with foreigners. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will feel compelled to do some travelling. You will have a greater involvement in groups; however, they may not be to your advantage. Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You will accomplish the most in the work environment this week. Get help to finish a project if you need it. Make sure that all your legal papers are in proper order. You may not be able to help, but your support will be favorable.

ACROSS 1. Sheep cries 5. Limousine fuel 8. Beaver created work 11. Lacking much concern 12. Chamber music group 12. _ de Janeiro 14. Approach 15. Noble title 16. Adoring verse 17. Bad-looking 19. Poisonous serpents 21. Mama’s mate 23. Bother 24. Preserve 25. Squeaky barks 28. Connecticut institution 32. Diamond call 33. Stocking flaw 34. Horoscope cat 35. Cry for mercy 37. Riveted by 39. Wrestling coup 40. Public carrier 42. Singer Diana 44. Boot points 46. Informal farewells 48. Cut (grass) 49. Speedy hopper 51. Soda favorite 55. Sooner than, poetically 56. Genesis setting 57. Nautical shout 58. Exchange vows 59. Use oars 60. Strong cord DOWN 1. Flour container 2. Summer drink 3. Patterned after: 2 wds. 4. Maple product 5. Neutral color 6. Light melody

7. _ plexus 8. Let fall 9. Assists 10. Hotheaded Stooge 12. _ Aviv Israeli port 18. Mirthful 20. Cloud locale 21. Lumberjack Bunyan 22. Poker stake 23. Common contraction 24. Police employee 26. Eye part 27. Play on words 29. Swiss peaks 30. Luau loops 31. Billion-year stretch 36. President

Lincoln, familiarly 38. Mine extract 41. She seats patrons 43. Writer Wilde 44. Ripped (down) 45. Had debts

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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46. Steep (tea) 47. Urge 48. Kitty sound 50. Excitement 52. “Now I see!” 53. Snip (off) 54. Scottish affirmation

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System 3 Academy launches new website Ian Sardine, Founder and Director of SVG System 3 Sports Academy. System 3 Sports Academy has launched its new

website: http:// system3sportsacademy. com. The website which was designed by Akeil Howard, a former St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 footballer, is considered more user friendly and caters to an increased amount of information. Persons accessing the website can learn about and keep up to date with the activities of the Academy, as well as register new players. In addition, the website provides users with the opportunity to purchase the Academy’s merchandise. In welcoming the site,

Some of System 3’s male scholarship recipients.

Some of System 3’s female scholarship recipients.

founder of the Academy, Ian Sardine, noted, “It is just another step in the development of System 3 and sports here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.” Established in 1997, System 3 has since developed the academy arm which fuels the continuity process. At present, System Three Sports Academy has an enrollment of 300 members and caters to persons interested in Football and Athletics. System Three has competed at the community and national levels and is considered the most successful club for the past two decades. Regionally, System Three is a regular participant in tournaments in Barbados, and most recently has been a fixture in the annual Hamilton Lashley Foundation Charity Shield, which moves around the Caribbean. With its base located at the Grammar School Playing Field, System 3 has been able to help itself with the establishment of a Tuck Shop. Also, the Academy has been able to develop some of the field’s infrastructure, inclusive of storage facility and the erection of a dug out, to shade players from the elements.

Sessions for Pre-schoolers conducted by System 3. The System 3 Academy, for the last three years, has taken on the task of delivering Physical Education sessions to some preschools and primary schools in capital, Kingstown. But for Sardine, the major achievement of System Three over the years has been the securing of scholarships

for players to attend schools in the USA. According to Sardine, “This has given me a great sense of pride and personal gratification, and has been the highlight of System 3 for the past twenty-three years.” He noted that several of the players who have gone out on Football scholarships, have

already earned themselves degrees in various fields. Sardine, whose unwavering efforts to develop youth football here in St Vincent and Grenadines is irrefutable, wants to see a greater thrust towards bettering the structure of the various age groups involved in the sport.

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28. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

The VPL will benefit local players do a lot for players, teams together. The experience I have Keswick especially if it’s going to uniforms were good, but gained over the Williams, be a yearly thing where there is always room for years, playing SVG-born players will have improvement, it can only international West Indies something to look get better,” Williams cricket over the 20/20 forward to like playing a said, adding that he also world.” tournament that would thought the umpiring He commended specialist fast bowler, be aired on TV or was commendable, and the younger, streamed live. was pleased “with how junior players for sees “They will have an players and officials their openness to nothing but benefit to opportunity to live and abided by the rules set the senior be derived execute their skills, out for the tournament.” players. from the which means local Williams told THE As for those VPL. cricket here would be a VINCENTIAN that he players who did lot more interesting. was grateful for the not make it into And guys will want to opportunity to captain one of the six teams in perform, so they will put one of the teams, saying, the 2020 Championship, competitions, put your in the hard work,” “I was fortunate enough Williams offered the head down and perform Williams offered as an to build a close following advice: “For and so increase your opinion. relationship with every those who were not in chances of being in next The West Indies player in the the Championship, it’s year’s draft.” specialist 20/20 speedster tournament, and I tried just a matter of going was in high praise of the to share some of the back into the local I.B.A.ALLEN Tournament organizer. “I think the SVG Cricket Association did a brilliant job in There was no shortage of effort by the players terms of getting the GODFREY HARRY, a involved in the inaugural edition of the VPL. Level 5 Track and Field Coach attached to the Thomas Saunders Secondary Schools (TSSS), needs little convincing that the synthetic track currently being THE ST VINCENT AND THE installed at Brighton, GRENADINES Cycling Union held will redound in an Keep Fit Time Trials, over for four increased medal tally consecutive Sundays, and one for SVG. notable absentee was veteran Peter “Definitely, with Durrant. the availability of a As a consequence of Durrant’s syntactic surface, the absence, there was not the lively talent pool in SVG atmosphere at start or finish lines of will rise; it would the events. definitely boost the Godfrey Harry (left) pictured with the Durrant is still something of a TSSS male team to the 2018 Penn performance of the athletes and as a benchmark for the current crop of Relays. result, the medals pool will rise for younger cyclists. SVG,” Harry advanced in a recent But things are set to return to inter-secondary schools’ male and conversation with this publication. ‘normal’ when, come Sunday 28th female track and field titles (with the “I am hoping, once certified by the June, Durrant will saddle up for the Emmanuel High School and TSSS); and IAAF, that we will be able to host SVG Cycling Union’s race scheduled being the first coach to take a school for that day. Junior CARIFTA Games and other team to the prestigious Penn Relays.” Peter Durrant still presents Durrant told THE VINCENTIAN regional meets, which will not only And to a question about what other something of a ‘threat’ to the that he was unable to participate in provide added exposure and things he has in store for himself before younger cyclists. the previous races because of a competition for our athletes, but also he retires, Harry responded with; “My “busy” work schedule. expose them to scouts,” Harry added. aspiration, and I have started it, is to Behind them was Antonio “I also used the time to take a The coach also looks forward to the Richardson who stopped the clock at start coaching younger coaches to carry little rest,” he quipped and shred track aiding his quest and that of other on. If you don’t, then what you were 11 minutes 40.53 seconds. that he has had calls to “return to coaches, to see athletes perform at the doing would have been a lost because In fourth place was Orel George the fray,” to add some excitement. highest level. with a time of 13 minutes 17.55 there would be no one to carry on. And The usually fit-looking Durrant “Once that happens, I don’t have a seconds. I want them to be better than me disclosed that he has been prepping problem,” Harry quipped. Rivas Young, the baby of the lot, for next event by putting in the because if they are not, then I would Turning reluctantly to what he has did 15 minutes 59 seconds. He was miles. have failed.” the only other cyclist to accomplished, the coach listed among Evidence of this came last enter and complete the his achievements: “..Being one of the Sunday morning, as he I.B.A.ALLEN race. few persons to have won back to back crossed path with the The Keep Fit races cyclists involved in the are being used to get fourth Time Trial. cyclists back in shape, In a race staged from the following the enforced The official Sol Gas Station in Arnos disruption of the SVG sod turning Vale to Dauphine, a Cycling Union calendar, ceremony for distance of 3.7 miles, Zefal consequent upon the the Track at Bailey claimed his fourth declaration of the Brighton was successive. COVID-19 pandemic in held on Jan.24 Win, clocking 9 minutes mid-March. this year. 37.77 seconds, to finish Work ahead of second place Albert Zefal Bailey continues continues Quammie, whose clocking to show his class steadily on the was 10 minutes 16.26 among the present crop project. seconds. of younger cyclists.

KESWICK WILLIAMS, one of the international players who turned out in the recently concluded inaugural Vincy Premier League (VPL) T10 Championship, believes

the League will benefit the local players. “I think for the first time playing in the semiprofessional tournament, it was well executed. “The tournament will

Harry welcomes synthetic track

Durrant to get back into the saddle

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Sports

Unlikely to happen THE T/20 WORLD CRICKET scheduled for Australia this October seems set to follow the pattern of most events. And the postponement seems likely. When or if the tournament will be played is left to the pattern of the outbreak. Gradual return to normalcy is shattered ever so frequently with reports of a resurgence here or there. The sporting world is feeling the impact. Never before have so many competitions been shelved. Optimism about their return fade as the reality sinks in. Staging of the ‘Tokyo’ Olympics is a drifting hope and the attention has shifted to the 2024 episode. How that plays out is left to be seen. As much as fans relish the rivalry among top performers, everyone agrees that safety is a priority. The world has been thrust into a new dawn, with fans having to be content with looking at sporting events from their home. That might be something of a welcome gesture to many a viewer, but there is no replacement for seeing the live action first hand. The crowd serves as an important contributor to the spectacle. The sounds, screams, spontaneous outbursts, perhaps even the racists taunts, add complete to the image. Empty stadiums provide a shadow of the drama, but that is the stage we have arrived at in present coverage of any activity. While certain leagues are endeavouring to fulfil their end of the bargain, the truth of the matter is driven home every day, and repercussions of the slowing down in economic affairs is adding its share of the global effect. As bad as the heath issues are, there are other aspects that are assuming more deadly proportions. The loss of income has the potential of creating havoc in the countries. The Caribbean is no exception, and the economies in the region will fall into the category of shrunken performances for the rest of this year. Even with the creativity adopted to cater for the survival and preservation of some semblance of order, there are unknown factors that must be assessed. Therein lies the uncertainty of the affair. The speed with which the cancellations have occurred highlights the urgency that has developed. Job losses, pay cut and re-evaluation have added to the wave of doubt. There are still hazards on the horizon and they are not directly related to health issues. They may increase the strain on the health sector already stretched owing to the Covid element. In spite of it, there is the need to look at the situation in a rational manner and continue with the adjustment necessary to cope with all the vagaries that are thrown up. The North Leeward sports administrators are making strides towards continuing their efforts towards restoring a sporting calendar. Some of it is tribute to the fallen hero Jules Anthony. His legacy is too profound for him to be easily forgotten. Jules took his retirement just under two years ago, months after his 65th birthday. June 30 would have marked his 67th. But God knows best.

Three giving back to tennis TENNIS PLAYERS here who are desirous of securing tennis scholarships to colleges/ universities in the USA, have been receiving some pertinent direction. That direction comes via their participation in the second edition of the High Intensity Camp, the brainchild of Corey Huggins. Corey is joined by Kevin Huggins and Kirk Da Silva to comprise the team of facilitators for the Camp, which is being conducted at the National Tennis Centre at Villa and will run for one month. Corey, a former number one tennis player in SVG and now a qualified coach, told THE VINCENTIAN he and his colleagues were happy to give back to the sports by contributing to the development of talent players. “We’re just basically empowering more kids, empowering the youths to try and get out there and create opportunities for themselves. I have gotten it, so why shouldn’t someone else get such opportunity,” he said.

He continued, “In the Caribbean, we have excellent talent, we can’t doubt that, but the only problem that we face is the mental aspect of the game, so we will be trying to work on that aspect with the young players.” Corey explained that anyone going off to college needs to be mentally strong. “You need to be strong to be able to keep up with the school work and be able to play tennis, train for two, three, four hours a day and then having to go and do school work,” he emphasized, adding, “We will start doing a lot more games and real live situations.” Kirk DaSilva believes the players need to live their dreams. “We want to ensure the players get something out of this exposure, not just the tennis experience but the lessons that come with it that will take them through life,” he said. Kirk recognized the “dip for a very long time in the standard

Camp facilitators (from left) Kevin Huggins, Corey Huggins and Kirk Da Silva.

and quality of the tennis,” but he is hopeful that the High Intensity Camp will set the participants on a path towards raising the standard once again. Kevin Higgins, a certified level 1 tennis coach, expressed the view that bringing together the good local players who are looking for scholarships with persons who have gone through the US College/University circuit, is a good thing. “We have seen some progress in the players from last year, which is good, but we want to see the sport develop even further, and this (the Camp)is one way of doing it,” Corey declared. The facilitators of the Camp expressed gratitude to ECGC and Coreas Distributors Limited who have returned as Corey Huggins sponsors in 2020. demonstrating a shill for the I.B.A.ALLEN participants.

Black Sand swimmers set new records BLACK SANDS SWIM SQUAD (BSSS) swimmers have spent the last 6 weeks resetting some of St. Vincent’s national swimming records. With the support of the SVG Swimming Federation, BSSS hosted time trials event for 6 consecutive weekends from 9th May — 13th June. Complying with the recommended social distancing and event holding guidelines in relation to Covid-19, 34 swimmers participated in the time trials which resulted in a total of 14 national records being broken. Jamie Joachim, the youngest of the Joachim swimming family, broke a total of 5 national records in the Girls’ 11-12 age group as follows: 100m Freestyle — 1:02.16; 100m Breaststroke — 1:11.26; 100m Butterfly — 1:09.77; 100m Individual Medley — 1:11.31; 200m Individual medley — 2:36.51. Kevern DaSilva achieved 1 record in the same age group, setting a new mark of 32.22 for the 50m Backstroke. Mya DeFreitas, selected as an Olympian for the now postponed

The Black Sands Swim Squad from among whom were five swimmers who accounted for 14 new records. (Photo Credit: BSSS) 2020 Games, produced a total of 4 record breaking swims in the Girls’ 13-14 age group. Her record-setting marks were 1:01.46 in the 100m Freestyle; 4:35.48 in the 400m Freestyle; 1:07.65 in the 100m Butterfly and 1:11.07 in the 100m Individual medley. Abigail Deshong also smashed two records in that age group for girls, registering 32.95 for the 50m Backstroke and 29.63 in the 50m Butterfly. Back from his first year at Stanford University, Shane Cadogan managed to break 2 national records in the men’s open

age group. His time of 23.74 is the new record for the 50m Freestyle and he also set a new mark of 1:00.44 for the 100m individual medley. BSSS Head Coach Kyle Dougan commented that some of the times would have placed our age group swimmers among the top 10 swimmers in places like the United Kingdom. Swimmers here now look forward to the SVG FLOW National Invitational Swimming Championships to be held from 10th — 16th August 2020. (Source: BSSS)

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Classifieds

CEDRIC STEPHEN MILLS 1940 - 2020 Kingstown Methodist Church Saturday, June 13th, 2020 Service: 3:00 p.m.

SYLBERT ROSEVELT ROBERTS a.k.a. Rusty Clare Valley Adventist Church Sunday, 14th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Chauncey Cemetery

MISS SOETNOFA (SIET) KING

JAHMARI TYRELL PHILLIPS

Wesleyan Holiness Church Port Elizabeth Bequia Friday, 12th June, 2020 Viewing: 12:00 noon. Service: 1:00 p.m. Interment: Port Elizabeth Beqiua

Richland Park SDA Church Sunday, 14th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:30 p.m. Service: 2:30 p.m. Interment: Richland Park Cemetery

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FRIDAY JUNE

19, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.25

PRYME TO THE RESCUE ANOTHER batch of 80 budding entrepreneurs was, on Tuesday, awarded grant financing under the Promoting Youth Micro Enterprise (PRYME) and the PRYME Plus Programme. Together, this batch, representing an age range of 18 to 62 years and drawn from areas diverse as Union Island and Fancy, shared in a total disbursement of EC$600,000. They encompassed several fields of commercial activity — e.g. music production, fashion & beauty, agriculture and information technology.

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Some of the second batch of PRYME$ and PRYME Plus grants with Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves (left) at last Tuesday’s presentation. (Facebook photo)

you succeed, to help you feed your family, to help your business grow.” This micro-enterprise intervention has not come a moment too soon, given Addressing the presentation the economic calamity that is facing ceremony, Finance Minister Camillo St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Gonsalves referenced this latest cohort the wider Eastern Caribbean subof recipients as a “wonderful snapshot region, Minister Gonsalves posited. of the Vincentian people and their To date, he said, some 261 desire to work hard, even in this Vincentian businesses who actively difficult time of COVID.” contributed to the National Insurance According to Minister Gonsalves, Services were closed due to COVID, the grants — the maximum single and 2,500 Vincentians have lost their grant being $40,000 - are used to jobs since March this year. procure assets “from high end Revenues across the region fell by computers, high quality digital 18 — 20 percent last month. equipment to cutlass and “When we lose 20 percent of our wheelbarrow,” which he described as money, that’s a big problem, but “necessary tools for your job to help

COVID-19: TWO NEW CASES RECORDED ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, as of last Wednesday (June 17), had recorded 29 cases of COVID-19 according to health officials. That figure registered an increase by two since the official figures were last released. The two new confirmed cases were said to be from among 59 Crew members of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, who arrived here on June 15. Samples for the 59 Crew members were tested as part of a batch of 83 samples sent for testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) lab in Trinidad, Results showed the two confirmed cases. The remaining 57 crew members on board Royal Caribbean tested negative. The two new cases have since been isolated in a government facility for fourteen (14) days, and the remaining 57 members will continue mandatory quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days. As for 19 students who arrived over

Last Monday opened with an unprecedented scene of three cruise ships in the Kingstown bay area. They brought home Vincentian crew members, including two new COVID-19cases, not tourists. the weekend from Barbados at the Argyle International Airport, none of the students tested positive following the first round of testing, according to a release from the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) on behalf the Health Services Subcommittee - National Emergency Committee. Samples for three Disney Cruise Lines Crew members who also arrived here on June 15, were sent to Trinidad for testing on Wednesday,

EC$1.50

according to Chief Medical Officer Simone Keizer-Beache. Crew members from Norwegian Cruise Lines also arrived here this week. The latest positive results mean that this country now has four active cases of COVID-19 with 25 persons having recovered. Those active persons are being held in isolation for fourteen days at a government facility. (DD)

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compared to other countries in the OECS we’re doing better than most because their revenues have dropped by 50 percent,” the Finance Minister clarified. He underscored the situation facing this country by pointing to the fact that SVG needs more money to cover the local COVID-19 medical response and economic stimulus, “but yo making 20 percent less than yo made last year.” Add to that one of the worst droughts in recent memory, he quipped, as he painted the stark imagery of economic turmoil that lay ahead. His government’s solution, Minister Gonsalves said, was betting on small businesses; that they will help to keep the Vincentian economy going. And optimism in this regard is heightened by the evidence that some 1,509 Vincentians have applied for PRYME or PRYME plus grants as of June 12, 2020. Of those, 160 applicants have already been granted with 100 or so applications set to be reviewed on Wednesday 17. An estimated 100 applications are being submitted weekly. All of this is in keeping within this context that over 1,600 vendors and over 100 hand cart operators have been supported by the government; over 600 Vincentians were added to poor relief/social assistance payments,; and over 2,500 love boxes, an Agriculture Ministry led initiative where local produce are bought from farmers and distributed amongst the most vulnerable by churches and nongovernmental organizations. All told, 15,000 plus Vincentians have accessed COVID -19 related support directly from the government here, Gonslaves summarized. Government is expected to again increase the almost $5M EC PRYME — PRYME Plus grant project, it was announced. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

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