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FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 21, 2018
VOLUME 112, No.51
www.thevincentian.com
AA BEGINS SERVICE TO AIA
American Airlines (AA) inaugural flight, #1427, touched down at the AIA on Saturday 15th December, 2018.
EC$1.50
Ticket agents go through their routine at the AA counter at the AIA.
AA WILL OFFER MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Below: Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves cutting the ribbon to officially declare open the AA service at the AIA.
Stories by KENVILLE HORNE
LAST SATURDAY, December 15, 2018, at around 3:40pm, American Airlines (AA) flight 1427 touched down at the Arygle International Airport (AIA), making it the first US carrier to fly non-stop from a USA port to SVG. The historic flight was treated to a water salute in Miami, Florida before its departure for SVG, and a similar salute upon arrival at the AIA. A number of State and Government officials were on hand to witness the landing, and to welcome the passengers. Continued on Page 3.
Alfredo Gonzalez, Managing Director for American Airlines (AA) Caribbean operation, spoke of building a long tern relationship with SVG. MANAGING DIRECTOR for American Airlines (AA) Caribbean operation Alfredo Gonzalez is of the opinion that the
airline’s entry into the SVG market brings with it prospects of increased tourism and improvement in the economy of the multiisland state. During an interview with THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, Gonzalez explained that AA considers the different types of market when deciding on which country/market they would enter. Those markets, he explained were the visiting family and relatives (VFR) market, the business market and the leisure market. Along with considering the different components in a market, the airlines then gauges the size of the market before a Continued on Page 3.
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2. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Business
Flow staff members who were involved in the company’s Mission Day 2018. Bringing Christmas cheer to the needy.
Flow employees mark ‘Mission Day’ WEDNESDAY, December 5, over one hundred employees of telecommunication service provider FLOW, took to communities across mainland St. Vincent, in what was dubbed ‘Mission Day’, a day dedicated to acts of charity. To accommodate the Day, the company closed its doors of business so as to ensure that the Day and its purpose had the full and undivided attention of Flow staff members. Teams of Flow staffers journeyed as far as Fancy on the North East coast, Fitz Hughes on the North West, and Vermont and Mesopotamia more Central communities, and with the assistance of the community nurses, they met with and offered care packages to scores of shut-ins, amputees, persons living with physical (amputees) and mental challenges, differently abled persons, and persons who have no relatives to care for them. When asked about the reception they received, members of the Flow teams described the experience as emotional, but gratifying to know that they were able to touch the lives of persons who are often overlooked. Many of the recipients
of the care packages, it was reported, were themselves overcome with emotion, and expressed much gratitude for the unexpected gesture. Last year, the company marked Mission Day by embarking on a Chinese Auction, the proceeds from which were donated to assist with rehabilitation efforts in islands destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Meanwhile, Flow’s Marketing and Communications lead, Nikala Williams said the company’s Christmas promotion continues in full swing, ensuring that there is something to accommodate the need of every customer. She further stated that customers would be able to take advantage of affordable LTE enabled handsets, while others will be able to get a free LTE sim switch. Williams explained that the Flow team has spent a great deal of time to revamp the company’s mobile plans which are offering its customers more value for less. Customers would also be able to win hams, turkey, goodie bags, and the ridiculous deals are expected to continue throughout the Christmas festivities.
V News 3 AA begins service to AIA
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 3.
been serving since 1971. Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie, who had travelled on the AA flight, assured the Airline that, “You have made a very wise decision to take up the challenge of journeying from Miami to St. Vincent and return. I say challenge, but this is not a challenge, because I am confident that this is going to be a ‘win win’ situation for American Airlines, for the passengers and for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” Prime Minister Ralph Passengers arriving on AA Flight 1437 were greeted with gift bags, Gonsalves said that he compliments the SVGTA. was over-joyed with American Airlines’ Continued from CEO of the SVG Tourism counter at the AIA, Mr decision to fly to St. Frontpage. Authority Glen Beache, Alfredo Gonzales, Vincent. He said that American Airlines also extended warm Vincentians have been Among the welcoming Vincentian welcome. Managing Director for waiting for this flight party were Governor Disembarking the Caribbean, said the and “we are happy that General Sir Frederick passengers received a Airline was happy to add you are here… it is AA at Ballantyne and Prime welcome gift from the SVG as its newest AIA.” Minister Dr. Ralph SVGTA. destination in the The PM added, “We Gonsalves. Speaking at a brief Caribbean, as it are very proud of our Reigning Miss SVG expanded its network in partnership; we are Ribbon Cutting Shellisa Nanton and Ceremony at the AA the region, which it has looking forward to Here’s what some people had to say about the inaugural AA flight and landing at the AIA: from the experience, so I am happy we have our own international airport. It will play a big role in me coming home more often, and I am sure it is true for others to. ,” said Charles , adding that it was the first time he has a flight directly from the USA to St. Vincent. BENJAMIN HARRIS
TRENT CHARLES Raphael Trent Charles, originally from Rockies, has been residing in the USA for the past 39 years. He
Benjamin Harris is Antiguan by birth and married to a Vincetian. The couple resdies in the USA. Benjamin said that said he feels encouraged, Saturday was the first “…because this is time he was flying on an something I have looked International flight forward to — a diret flight directly to St. Vincent, from the USA to St. adding, “I came down Vincent. Coming here in from Miami and it was the past, I had to island very smooth flying, great hop, and that takes away landing and the people
were very warm and friendly; it’s a very beautiful place already.” Harris said he will be staying in SVG for two weeks and then he would be flying back to the USA with American Airlines. “Oh it’s gonna be beautiful, I love it here , I don’t think I wanna go back; great things are going to happen here,” declared Harris.
strengthen it, and we are hoping that it will grow from strength to strength.” American Airlines is the largest airline in the world when measured by fleet size, revenue, scheduled passengers carried, scheduled passenger-kilometers
flown, and number of destinations served. Officials here say that the service by AA brings the prospect of increased tourism and improvement in the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The AIA was officially opened on 14th February 2017.
AA will offer more opportunities Continued from Page 3. decision is made, the Managing Director explained, adding that the process can be complex because of market changes. The decision to fly to St. Vincent came down to a network planning group comprising tourism officials from SVG and senior level persons at the American Airlines headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Gonzalez is hopeful that the SVG market would grow, and projected, “We don’t want to do it once a week. We would like to have more service because the more service you have, the more options our customers have in and out of St. Vincent.” And in explaining why Miami was chosen as the USA port for the weekly AA direct flight between the USA and SVG, to the AIA, Gonzalez said, “The great thing about Miami is it is a connecting city and it’s also a tourist destination. So people love to go to Miami, and people connect from Miami,” he said. He, however, admitted that he was unsure about data on passengers using connecting flights from other Caribbean countries to St. Vincent, for transit to the USA using AA Saturday flights, since AA does not have an agreement with LIAT. “Right now, we have a daily flight from St. Lucia to Miami, and we are adding a second overnight flight from Miami to St. Lucia and departing in the morning,” said Gonzalez. The AA Executive assured that “Whenever we enter into a market, we are looking at the long term. We have got 40 plus years in the Caribbean where we are the largest carrier in the Caribbean. This is just the start of a long term relationship with St. Vincent. … We are very excited to be here.”
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4. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Court
withdraws What next for Yugge State charges against Ames Prosecution, when she had made her first appearance at the WHEN Grant Connell, holding Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, attorney for Fugge Farrell, was before Magistrate Bertie Pompey contacted after the case against the January 5 this year. former model had been dismissed, he Farrell had pleaded not guilty to told THE VINCENTIAN, “We don’t the charge purporting that she was want the Yugge Farrell issue to likely to cause a breach of peace, become a political football. We will when she used abusive language review the scenario with our client to, Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, wife and advise her accordingly as to her of Minister of Finance Camillo rights. Her interest is our primary Gonsalves; but the Psychiatric concern.” report, submitted to the Court by Connell declined to comment that institution, concluded that she further, saying, “You will have to was not fit to plea. contact my Senior, Andrew Pilgrim Senior Magistrate Rickie Q.C.” Burnett, who subsequently According to Attorney Bacchus- replaced Pompey at the Kingstown Baptiste, who said she had been Magistrate’s Court, accepted the retained by Farrell’s family to deal findings of the report. with the Human Rights aspect of However, based on a subsequent the case, “This matter should not report from the Mental Health have gotten to where it has authorities, she was granted bail reached, but thanks to the in the sum of $1,000 with one activism of the public, not only in surety, and the matter was St. Vincent and the Grenadines, adjourned to Monday, December but throughout the Caribbean, and 17. in Europe, Canada, England and Interestingly, following one of America, she was probably spared Farrell’s early appearances at the a life confined to a mental Kingstown Magistrate’s Court in institution or prison.” January, Connell had, during an When asked what next, interview with THE Bacchus-Baptiste said, “That has VINCENTAIN, called on then DPP not been discussed.” Colin Williams to discontinue the Farrell became the subject of matter. widespread public debate after Connell had said then, “Given being sent by the Court to the the corrosive effect the matter was Mental Health Centre for 14 days having on Farrell, the DPP should observation, at the request of the discontinue the case so that she Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS
SOME TWO David Ames may years and five have escaped months after the courts here David Ames fled in SVG, but the the country hundreds of while facing persons in the multiple UK who claimed criminal that he ‘fleeced’ charges, he no them of their life longer has to savings, are worry about hoping that the being prosecuted UK court will get here. Grant Connell, Attorney Kay him. The state has Bacchusholding withdrawn all Baptiste also attorney for charges against him. indicated that Fugge Farrell, The British-born businessman, principal nothing has said that Ms. shareholder in Harlequin Properties, the been discussed Farrell will be development company involved in the Buccament about going advised about Bay Resort, was charged on four counts of theft and forward from her rights four counts of tax evasion, in connection with the going forward. here with the deprivation of millions of dollars in taxes from the Yugge Farrell government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, matter. could be between 2011 and 2013. properly The matter had been adjourned on a number of evaluated.” His call was not occasions, and when it was again called on Monday heeded. at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste told the Court that it should be See related story on back page. dismissed, because the Prosecution had not complied with a Court Order for the disclosure of witness statements. At this point, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel informed the court that the Prosecution was withdrawing all the charges against Ames. Ames had been charged jointly with local ACTING Commissioner of Police Colin John attorney Samuel Commissiong, (now says that a request by attorney Grant deceased) for tax evasion. Connell for station bail to be The charges against Commissiong, who granted on charges of marijuana had pleaded not guilty, were withdrawn possession relating to three pounds before he died. and under, is not a decision for the Initially, Ames and Commissiong were Commissioner alone. slated to appear in Court on June 22, 2016, John confirmed to THE but the matter was adjourned to June 23, VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, that 2016 after the Court received information he had received a letter from that they were involved in another matter Connell requesting station bail for at the High Court. persons charged with having three However, when the matter was called on pounds of marijuana and under, that date, Ames failed to show up, and a and that he subsequently met with bench warrant was issued for him. Connell on the issue. THE VINCENTIAN was later informed However, according to the Acting that Ames and his wife Carol had cleared CoP, that issue would have to be Immigration at the Chateaubelair Police discussed with the Attorney Station around 8:15 a.m. June 22, 2016, General’s Chambers, the Office of following which they left the country on the the Director of Public Prosecutions vessel ‘Ray J’ captained by the 2015 (DPP) and the Police High Fisherman of the Year, Ray Anthony Command, among other Clarke, and are said to have returned to the stakeholders, before any decision UK via Martinique. could be made. Bacchus-Baptiste, making an appearance Speaking with THE on Ames’ behalf on a subsequent occasion, VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, Connell had indicated that she received a medical said that he made the request to certificate signed by a doctor, showing that the Acting Commissioner in a letter Ames was suffering from a medical dated December 14 and delivered condition which made it dangerous for him on Wednesday. to travel within a three-month period. The renewed call came some two This publication understands that since years after then Commissioner of the charges are withdrawn, the bench Police Michael Charles had made warrant will go with that. the decision, at Connell’s request, The charges, however, could be relayed to grant station bail on charges of since they were not dismissed. having 15 grams of marijuana and Ames, on his return to the UK, was under. charged with three counts of fraud by abuse The lawyer said he was asking of position, following a four-year for the issue to be revisited because investigation by the Serious Fraud Office of the present climate regarding (SFO) with Essex Police. marijuana, and that three pounds He has since denied those charges in the seem to be the high end of the Southwark Crown Court, and was granted range in relation to matters which bail ahead of a court hearing expected in come before the Court on Monday early January 2019. mornings. He was charged with three counts of “One hundred percent of the fraud by abuse of position following a fourcases which come before the Court year investigation by the Serious Fraud where persons are charged with Office (SFO) with Essex Police. possession of under 13,050 grams of Ames denied the three fraud charges at marijuana, the defendants Southwark Crown Court and was bailed ahead of his trial which is expected to begin Continued on Page 51. in January 2019.
Station bail for ganja revisited
V A time of hope, faith and love
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 5.
Christmas Message from the Prime Minister
are always instructive in the proper ordering of our lives and living as individuals, families, and societies. Even those who are not Christian HE ENDURING THEMES of believers admit that Christian hope, faith, and love are verities provide a sound basis deeply resident in our for the ordering of a peaceful, Caribbean civilisation, shaped just, and humane society. So, profoundly, as it has been, by at both the spiritual and the universal values of major temporal levels, the Christ in religious beliefs, especially Christmas has bountiful those grounded in our Christian offerings from which each of ethic. These themes connect us can draw to lift our lives to inexorably with those of peace highest heights. and goodwill, good It is right and proper that neighbourliness and solidarity, traditionally at Christmas, we which are emphasised as gifts think of the condition of our to all people at the season of individual lives and those of Christmas - the occasion on the our families, friends, and Christian calendar when we neighbours. It is a season celebrate the birth of our Lord which brings out the best in and Saviour, Jesus Christ. And us, to give generously and there is much for us to celebrate selflessly our love and caring despite our individual and on both non-material and collective difficulties and material terms. Each of us challenges. has love and peace to give; we To begin with, the must find these gifts in redeeming teachings of Christ ourselves and give them, even
by Dr. The Honourable RALPH E. GONSALVES Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
T
to those who have been unkind to us in the past. If we do not, we will inevitably be filled with meanness, fear, hate, malice, and war. That is not the way to spend Christmas or any other time. I am sure that the sermons and advisories of our religious leaders will instruct us more on these messages. At the broader national level, there is tremendous hope for a better material life and living in the economic improvements generally, the capital projects by both the government and the private sector, and the targetedspecific socio-economic interventions on behalf of groups such as the working people, farmers, fisherfolk, the youths, the elderly, and women. Indeed, specific interventions at Christmas lift our spirits. And we are happy to see so many visitors and nationals overseas coming
There is much more for parents, teachers, church leaders, and the communities to do to help those who have a propensity to stray from law, peace, and order. We all must resolve at Christmas 2018 and in 2019 to do better and to live better. I am personally very hopeful for our people and our nation. There will always be difficulties and challenges, but we must never descend into hopelessness and be of little faith and love. Our country has abundant blessings for direct to St. Vincent and the which we must be thankful. Grenadines, by air, from We must not become Toronto, New York, and enveloped by lamentations. Miami through the Morning by morning new international airport at mercies we see; all that we Argyle. All these practical matters lift our spirits greatly. need His hand provides; great is His faithfulness. For our At the same time, the selfishness and greed, the part, we must do justly, love wickedness and anti-social mercy and goodness, and walk behavior of a tiny minority of humbly with our God. our nationals, especially young At Christmas 2018, I ask males, cause pain, injury, that each of us help at least suffering, and even loss of life one poor, sick, or to others. We thank the Police disadvantaged person. In and other law-enforcement that, and other ways, let us authorities who are seeking always to keep us safe from a keep Jesus Christ in our Christmas! handful of violent criminals.
6. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 221, 2018. 7.
Security
Coast Guard’s ship stock increased THE SVG COAST GUARD took possession of another vessel, and with that comes a quantum leap to this country’s marine capabilities. A new Coast Guard vessel named Captain Hugh Mulzac docked at the Cruise Ship Berth last Saturday. Brenton Caine, Commander of the Coast Guard, was overcome with emotions at Saturday’s event. He was pleased with the arrival of the Captain Hugh Mulzac after its trans-Atlantic journey which started at Rotterdam, The Netherlands, November 23. The delivery captain was Erik Hajer, from a company called Damen, along with colleagues Marck Golik, Marcus Selo and Arie Lont. They were supported by eight Vincentian Coast Guard personnel: Sub Lieutenants Vinton John and William Theobalds; Chief Petty Officers Frankie John, Anthony Delpesche, and Brangurgon Glasgow; Petty Officer Alvis Daniel, and Leading Seamen Marlon Simon and Cosmos Peters.
The MV Captain Hugh Mulzac, the latest addition to the SVG Coast Guard’s complement of ships. Mulzac. That boat, he said, can be jettisoned in quick fashion and is equipped to take on other craft. The name Captain Hugh Mulzac is familiar to the SVG Coast Guard. In June 1987, tribute was given to the Union Island born Hugh Mulzac when a Coast Guard vessel was named in his honour. That vessel was decommissioned in 2010. Captain Mulzac was the first black man to captain a fully integrated American supply vessel the Booker T. Washington - from 1942. That vessel took tanks, aircraft and ammunition to the European front, and evaded the network of German submarines which had taken a toll of USA marine resources. The new Captain Hugh Mulzac has accommodation for 19 Prime Minister crew, but can be adjusted Dr. Ralph to facilitate an increased Gonsalves number. (right) and Commander Caine Commander of outlined that, with this the Coast vessel able to spend up Guard Brenton to two weeks at sea, they Caine, on their will be able to, among way to making other things, carry out an inspection extended rescue of the vessel. missions.
Commander Caine described the new acquisition as a “huge improvement in the functionality of the Coast Guard,” that was “needed and welcomed.” The vessel was commissioned at a cost of $7.5M. While the delivery crew has since returned home, an engineer remained to ensure a smooth transition. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves inspected the vessel last Saturday and projected on difficult times for those trafficking people, arms, ammunition and cocaine. The Vincentian Prime Minister pointed to a smaller boat with the new Captain
The delivery crew – comprised of seafarers from The Netherlands and local Coast Guard officers.
8. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 9.
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
Celebrating a revolutionary WHETHER OR NOT JESUS CHRIST was born on December 25, we have accepted that we will mark his coming into the world as Man, on that day. The important thing about Jesus is not when He was born, but rather that He came into the world with an agenda — a purpose, i.e. to save mankind. The thing is that Jesus was no ordinary man. All through His mission on earth, He is easily identified as one who struggled for the emancipation and rights of slaves , the poor, the oppressed and those who had been marginalized for one reason (political not excluded) or the other. In a political sense, he can be called a revolutionary of that period. In fact, one leading Caribbean Theologian/Cleric, now deceased, referred to him as “A young revolutionary who dare to attack the socio-political system the day.” But His strength lay in his spirituality. He used that spiritual strength to guide and support his revolutionary dissent against the oppressive state of that time, which was represented by both secular and religious systems and structures working hand in glove to mutual benefit. It was that (same) establishment which He attacked, that intolerant secular and religious machinery - stubborn and bent on having no dissension to its authority and laws, regardless of how inhumane they were - that crucified Jesus, not the ordinary people. And it was His very crucifixion that was to cause severe headache for that oppressive machinery. It could not deal with the mass support — the mass revolutionary movement that came to be known as Christianity — that morphed after His death. In the long run, and as Churches formed, the State — the political status quo — had to accept Christianity. Yes, Churches were formed and they grew in strength. Unfortunately, even as Churches grew in strength, they also grew in prosperity, property acquisition/ownership and bureaucracy, making it such that it can be argued that that core revolutionary spirit of Jesus, all but whittled away as the churches moved to accommodate themselves within the worldly systems and structures in which they ministered. This was perhaps best represented by Pope Francis, who, in a 2014 meeting with the Cardinals and Bishops of the Vatican Curia, gave what some described as a “blistering critique” of the Vatican bureaucracy, and denounced what he saw as some people’s lust for power at all costs, their hypocritical double lives, and described them as suffering from “spiritual Alzheimer’s” that has made them forget they’re supposed to be joyful men of God. Pope Francis’ critical observations on his Church are applicable across the board and have to be analysed from the cause and original spirit of liberation put forward by Jesus Christ. In memory of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for humanity and the Holy Bible, it is time that Churches in the region declare that there will be no peace without justice. And so it is that this Christmas should be a time for all of us to remember the voice of Jesus Christ in support of the oppressed, and the voice of His dissent against injustice. For those who do not wish to see further ‘blood on the streets’ (re the prevailing crime); for those who wish to see SVG remain a secular and democratic country; for those who uphold the values of human, environmental, cultural, economic and spiritual justice; for those who do not wish to witness an emergence of any semblance of authoritarian rule in this country, THE VINCENTIAN wishes you all `A Merry Christmas’, in memory of a revolutionary whose birth we celebrate as Christmas, and who died for our freedom, peace, justice and harmony.
The Europeanisation of Christmas A reprint from 20th December, 1996 “THIS ARTICLE WAS PROMPTED by the subconscious yearning of two children, a fourteen-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy. The one was happy the euphorbia tree near her house was blooming into whiteness conjuring up images of snow-fall in St. Vincent to make Christmas real. I reflected on the damage wrought on our psyche by the colonial brainwashing process. Political development has assisted with our emancipation, but globalisation and the media blitz have helped to turn the clock back. Christ was born in the Middle East on a date conveniently fixed at 25th December. The climate surrounding the nativity was Mediterranean not generally known for extremes of temperature, though it would be cold late in the year. Yet snow has become the dominant theme of Christmas. Ever since Bing Crosby crooned the season’s best seller, we in the Caribbean have been “dreaming of a White Christmas”. Over the years, the supporting cast of songs have reinforced the theme. “Frosty the Snowman”, “Walking in a Wintry Wonderland”, “Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow”, are Just a few. There is hardly a Caribbean child who does not desire someday to be “dashing through the snow on a onehorse open sleigh”- Jingle Bells Style. Even when West Indies applied a cultural counter-force, they were often trapped by their own indoctrinated minds. So that “White Christmas” was used as the tune with the lyrics “Dreaming of a Sunshine Christmas”. And “Silver Bells” became “it is Christmas time in the ghetto”, rather than in “the city”. The mould was enough to warp the material and produce the worse of both worlds. With the snow naturally went Santa Claus, alias Saint Nick, alias Father Christmas who originated in Scandinavia and made the rounds, appropriately dressed for the cold weather, on a reindeer-drawn sled. We have had our local Santas similarly garbed in the white heat of the tropical climate. The song-writers again swung into supportive action- “Here Come Santa Claus”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, courtesy “The Jackson Five”, a black American family that held musical court over the entire Caribbean as elsewhere. Nobody questioned Santa’s preferred form of entry via the chimney which is notably absent from West Indian homes. Santa even followed the American style of life by kissing the host’s wife under a Christmas tree, albeit in the eye of a child’s mind. And what about the reindeer-drawn sleigh? I reckon that any local business man would hit it big, if during the Christmas season he
imported a reindeer with nose painted red, and introduced it as “Rudolph”. Our children would go wild. The town would be tied up with traffic! Then there is the Christmas tree. Until very recently, Vincentians imported “the real thing” from temperate forests. Local trees were deemed inappropriate. Worse, still, cotton wool was thinned and spread out to give the “snow effect”! On the tree, we hung miniature aeroplanes in which we seldom commuted, trains which do not run in our country, and guns of all types imported for our boys. As to girls, there was always the little White or blond doll, dressed to a “T”, which occupied pride of place in the most prominent chair in the drawing-rooms of the poor and disprivileged. Meanwhile, everybody went for the English apple which flooded supermarkets and Vendors’ stalls at Christmas time. Over the last few years, in the US Virgin Islands, public Christmas fairs for children have been provided with the foam from firetrucks so that the kids can revel in their West Indian snow! The effect on the colonial mind is devastating, long-lasting and alienatingdrawing one away from the needed commitment to one’s own country. This columnist can write on this topic with some authority, having been “carried away” by Christmas in England, in spite of himself, when he was an adult of over thirty years. The chimney and the fire hearth blazing while I and family huddled around for warmth, could have formed a picture on any Christmas card we were used to. A look outside from a window blew the mind. The Christmases portrayed to us in the Caribbean suddenly sprung to life. The fields of snow, snow-covered chimney stacks; the children riding sleighs down slopes in the neighbouring park. Inside, in an understandable moment of weakness, I granted a request to kiss under the mistle-toe, with holly hand next to it. “Deck the halls with boughs of holly”- “the holly and the Ivy”. And we roasted chestnuts in the fire. The Christmas song made eternal by Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra describes scenes we saw with naked eyes. And every time my wife hears “Silver Bells”, it throws her back to the period 1969 to 1971 when she did her Christmas shopping at Tesco in the rough Westbourne Park area of West London. Continued on Page 44.
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10. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Letters
Dishonest London, Scotland judgement Yard and …..
Traffic Department
THE TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT is missing out on a lot of rules. What happen to all these trucks toting lumber, cement, electric poles, and other cargo? The Maximum Gross Weight (MGW) regulation must be removed from these trucks, because it seems it no longer applies. Every time you look at a truck, it is always over the MGW. Who allow these trucks to be overloaded with cement, lumber and other cargo? And, look at the speed of these container trucks! Are we waiting for a disaster to happen before the authorities take a look? I hope this is not another promotion blunder.
Praedial Larceny Larceny of vegetables and livestock is hurting the economy of this country. We are encouraging people to plant, and to find employment. But, who is protecting those persons? Look at this case: A person steals your pigs. He/she is caught and is charged for the offence. The complainant is always present at Court, but the police in the matter is on vacation, or is unable to come to Court. The Magistrate, not in sympathy with your loss, throws out your matter because of want of prosecution. The complainant was always present in court but misses this day. Should I say the Magistrate was awaiting your absence? And, how could a thief be fined two hundred dollars for goods he stole worth a thousand dollars? If I was a thief, I will thief again to make a profit. Is this another claim that crime is all over, and to lay blame on deported criminals? Look at the pattern of the court in this country.
ON FRIDAY 14 December, I had the (mis)fortune to hear a small segment of the radio programme hosted by Ms. London. Given that Ms. London seems to have based her entire broadcasting career on innuendo (if not lies), I have in the past done my utmost to avoid listening to her moronic rantings. However, even by her abominable standards, the utterances I heard have her really scraping the bottom of the barrel, where courtesy and politeness are concerned, and cannot go unchallenged. She made the claim that Scotland Yard detectives investigating the unfortunate murder of Mr. Jackson, removed his eyeballs and took them back to the U.K for forensic examination. She based her claim on the premise that the eyes retain the image of the last thing a person sees
before they die. This is complete and utter rubbish and any person with a grain of wisdom would consider it so. This debased “theory” dates back to 1888, when Scotland Yard were investigating the London murders of 5 prostitutes by the killer known as Jack The Ripper. The Police Commissioner at the time, Sir Charles Warren, was so desperate for any clue to assist the investigation, that he was prepared to consider this “theory”. In fact, in order to prove/disprove this “theory”, he had the eyeballs of one of the victims photographed (not removed) to see if such an image was retained. Needless to say, no such image was revealed, and the “theory” was discounted for what it was, absolute
nonsense. To the best of my knowledge (and common sense, such an “experiment” has never been conducted since. Perhaps Ms. London could explain how she has information on how a “theory” that was disproved in 1888, was then acted upon some 100 years plus later? Given the circumstances of Mr. Jackson’s passing, I think it is utterly deplorable and heartless that Ms. London should make this claim. I am sure that the family of Mr. Jackson suffered great traumatic distress over this very unfortunate matter. For this harpy to now make such outrageous claims and, perhaps, cause further grief and heartache to the family of Mr. Jackson, convinces me that the woman is totally without
compassion and heartless in the extreme. At the very least, the radio station owner and Ms. London in particular should get down on their respective knees and offer profuse apologies to Mr. Jackson’s family, for her obscene, uncalled for and untruthful statement. Better still, London should not be allowed within 100 miles of any radio station until she has learnt some modicum of politeness, courtesy and intelligence. A. W. Indupp
Those guns in St. Vincent Buju Banton and the Grenadines!!! a hero??? ‘Looker’
WE REALLY are living in a Robin Hood era. We have made it our business to make heroes out of criminals and those of ill-gotten gain. Take this Buju Banton thing which you reported on in last week’s issue. He was returning home after serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking — i.e. cocaine. Hundreds of Jamaicans turned up at the airport to welcome him. But what was most telling was that there was the same level of anxiety (about his return) among a certain age group here in SVG. I cannot for hell understand how a dance hall artiste, who all of a sudden we are saying is a reggae superstar (people like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh must be turning in their graves) can be idolized the way he is, and we turn our backs on real heroes, some long gone, others walking among us. Perhaps it has something to do with how a certain generation of Vincentians perceive who is a hero. But then again, what can we expect from our youth, when our political leaders embrace people like Buju Banton? I will never understand how we make heroes out of persons who for all intents and purposes have crossed the line of the law. Harry Thompson
MR. EDITOR, we have to admit that we have a crime problem here. But worse, we have a gun problem which we seem to just sweep under the carpet. The police could call for all the assistance from the public; this by itself will not put an end to the crime, especially crimes involving guns. If I recall very well, you, Mr. Editor, wrote about this gun issue in one of your columns in which, I think, you made the point about those using the guns not being the ones importing the guns. Our Prime Minister has over and over talked about the fact that we don’t manufacture guns here. That is like trying to make an excuse where there is none, like outing a spin on the issue. Our problem is not with who
makes the guns, but with where and how the guns come into the country. I am well aware that we have many bays strung between the mainland the the Grenadines, and the guns could be coming in at some of these bays that are never patrolled. But they could also be coming in right under our noses at the main ports of entry. Some people could be playing some hanky panky games? The thing is that, unless I am ignorant to certain happenings, neither the government nor the opposition benefits from all this crimes, especially crime involving guns. So how come they can’t get together to deal with this problem? What we paying them for?
Ordinary people in this country are going to arm themselves whether legally or illegally. It could then be a case of
the Old Wild West. God forbid. James, M
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 11.
Christmas Message from the Leader of the Opposition
Let us work together and make things better
the Christmas lights that brighten our communities also lift our ELLOW VINCENTIANS spirits and remind us and friends, let us all how beautiful we are as celebrate Christmas God’s creation. as we have done over the When we rise on years, as a special time of Christmas morning, I joy and hope. We must be trust it will be with a thankful for our blessings spirit of thanksgiving and rejoice in the hope and with a willingness to that the season brings. share and to be generous All around our with one another. Some beautiful country, friends of us will have more gifts and neighbors prepare in than others to open, various ways for the more food to eat and festive season. In our more beverage to drink. schools and churches, we Be willing to share with portray in skits and those who have little. dances the story of the There are many people in birth of Christ, and our country who may feel choirs sing out “Joy to that there is little to the World, the Lord has celebrate, because they Come”! We do these have struggled so hard in things as we remember their daily lives to make why we celebrate and ends meet. Many of us seek comfort in all the have had personal traditions and practices setbacks and losses this we love so much about year. In my many this blessed season. Let conversations with
From HON. DR. GODWIN FRIDAY
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people all over the country, I heard stories of hardship and pain. I heard from parents who have struggled financially to send their children to school; from business owners who wondered where their paying customers have gone; from farmers who continued to plant and reap but, despite the sweat of their brow, could hardly eat bread. In our politics, we were disappointed that the trial of the election petitions did not occur. But, we continue to work for and hope that, as the Court has said, it will take place early in the New Year. Nevertheless, whatever we have, we must thank God for sparing our lives throughout the year and continue to believe in His
promise that no matter how difficult things may get, if we ask, He will not fail us. Let us choose a positive way to go forward. Regard setbacks and obstacles, not as things that halt our progress, but merely tests of our strength and God-given abilities. This is as true for each person as it is for us collectively as a nation. With such resolve, we cannot fail. It is only by believing in ourselves and in working together that we can move ahead as a country. Good leadership will set the course, but we must all play a part in building a strong economy that creates jobs for our people. We must acknowledge the struggle of our young people, who have completed school and are unable to find
employment. There is risk in this, as the devil too often finds work for idle hands. We cannot continue to suffer the consequences of rising violent crime and we should not accept as normal or inevitable the loss of our young people to the dark forces that threaten our nation. It is necessary to create the conditions to engage our people’s skills and talents in constructive and productive ways to improve their lives and promote the development of our country. Let us demand of our leaders, especially those who hold the reins of government, that we do better in 2019 and beyond! I pray that we will have a happy and safe
Christmas Season. Even at the height of enjoyment, let us try to avoid excesses. Also, be good stewards and look after our communities, our country and our planet. Despite our challenges, our faith and diligent effort will see us through, and by the grace of God, we will have a brighter future.
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12. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Celebrating Christmas
“Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family, and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year.” - Joel Scott Osteen (born 1963) – American televangelist based in Houston, Texas. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON is known to be one in which we seek to share time and possessions with others. In many Christian societies, it is that period when efforts are made to encourage peace and demonstrate goodwill to those around. Some individuals travel long distances to get home to be with relatives and friends at this time of the year. The feeling of merriment seems to permeate the surroundings. This is also the time when radio stations regularly play Christmas carols. In the Caribbean, the Parang music lets visitors and locals know that the Christmas celebrations have commenced. The stores redecorate and exhibit a variety of toys, curtains, furniture, paint, and linoleum. The supermarkets announce the availability of hams, a variety of drinks, and other grocery items considered essential for the holiday season. Agricultural farmers and “backyard agronomists” display their sorrel, ginger, and green peas. Children, with loaded bamboo baskets on their heads, bellow the announcements that their agricultural produce is better than most others and less costly too. They let home planners know that something is lacking from their Christmas lunch if these are missing from their tables. These scenes are common throughout most Caribbean territories. However, there are practices that are exclusive to some countries. For example, the Nine Mornings Celebrations are unique to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Department of Culture and many of the village organisations play their role in advertising the local Nine Mornings Celebrations as they also seek to usher in the Christmas cheer. And within recent years they have also sought to encourage such activities in the rural districts; the activities are no longer confined to the capital city, Kingstown. The website for the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, and Culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines provides useful insights in relation to the origin and practice of this unique activity (http://tourism.gov.vc/tourism/ index.php/festivals-a-events/66-ninemornings-festival). The website confirms that the Nine Mornings festivity is unique to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It describes that, nine mornings before Christmas, Vincentians leave their homes during the early morning hours to partake in a range of activities. These include going to the beach for “sea baths”, window shopping, dances, bicycle riding, and street concerts. In the 1970s, talented roller skaters would display their skills throughout the streets of Kingstown during the wee hours of the Nine Mornings celebrations. Over the years, there have been various theories in relation to the origin of this festivity. It is generally accepted that the tradition relates to the Roman Catholic Church’s “novena” on the nine days before Christmas. It
is believed that the Roman Catholic early morning churchgoers began “window shopping” (viewing the items on display in the store windows) after the early morning mass. Others would don their bathing suits and engage in the relaxing practice of having an early morning sea bath. Over time, the practice of the Nine Mornings festivity grew. The Ministry of Tourism’s website notes that “although popular opinion has this practice as starting during the period of slavery, it was more likely to have been a post-emancipation practice.” Other communities usher in the Christmas celebrations in unique ways also. For example, the citizens in San Fernando, United States of America, have a Giant Lantern Festival on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. On this occasion, contestants seek to construct the largest possible lantern that is lit by a candle. Some get to be as tall as six metres high. This custom, which originated from the Philippines, attracts visitors from all over the world. The Germans have their special way of ushering in their Christmas season. Their folklore advertise a Christmas character called Nikolaus (not to be confused with Father Christmas) who travels by donkey in the middle of the night on 6th December (Nikolas Tag). He leaves little treats like toys, sweets, fruits, and coins in the shoes of “good children” all over Germany. This is especially popular in the Bavarian region. This south-eastern region of Germany borders with Austria, the Czech Republic, and Liechtenstein. Saint Nick (as he is sometimes called) is often accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht (Farmland Rupert), a character who is usually clothed in dark garments donned with bells. Farmland Rupert sports a dirty beard and can be observed carrying a stick or whip to punish any children who may have misbehaved. Regardless to where we live and/or the traditions that we observe at this time of the year, it is important that we do not lose sight of the real reason for the Christmas celebrations. History does not record the exact date when Jesus Christ was born. However, this is that time of year when we celebrate the birth of the New Born King. It is also an ideal time for each of us to reflect on the relationship that we have with Him Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As we reflect on this historic occasion, we should also allocate the time to introspect: Is He my Lord and Saviour? Can I call Him my Comforter and Friend? Can He call me His friend? What a blessed Christmas Day it will be, as we gather with relatives and friends to worship and adore the King of all kings and the Lord of lords and be reminded of the real reason for the season! We are grateful for His tremendous sacrifice. This is why we celebrate Christmas! Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
Cable and Wireless and Digicel have a case to answer WE ARE BETWEEN A ROCK and a hard place. There is really no way to turn for relief. The service offered by Cable and Wireless and Digicel is scrappily inadequate and inefficient. We are forced to contend with a case of 6 of one, half ah dozen of the next. We must find a solution as we move into the New Year. Plain Talk had long hoped that the government, through the Attorney General, would take these companies to court to seek redress on behalf of our people and country. But alas this seems unlikely. Camillo Gonsalves, the Minister of Telecommunications, is on record that nothing can be done, based on the current contractual arrangement with these companies. A ‘remedy’ floated was for us to refuse to renew the contracts until better and improved service is offered. We do not think this is enough. We do not believe that in a country of laws, nothing can be done with institutions that act improperly. For more than a century, Cable and Wireless has reaped a handsome reward from its operations. Digicel stormed into this market about 20 years ago and has sucked gluttonously on our every dollar. When Cable and Wireless had a monopoly, calls to Europe and North America were more than $5 per minute. Today, the fee per call is substantially lower but is still quite high compared to what they are in neighbouring Barbados and Trinidad. Vincentians cherish the lower fees. Wi-Fi has greatly assisted with communications, but the complaints are mounting. These companies continue to swipe credit off people’s phones, with no redress. They claimed to offer 4G service, and never delivered. Calls frequently drop disrupting serious business communications. The internet service is especially bad, and the total communications packages of the companies have gotten palpably worse, even as they claim to have spent moneys on upgrade. It appears that the only thing that is being upgraded is the amount of money both companies continue to make. This may well be in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Years ago, Digicel was making $4 million in phone card sales per month through one outlet. Then that was $48 million per year. We know that Cable and Wireless make comparable profits. And we know this because they have remained in the market rather than fold. We know that these companies pay pennies on the dollar to retailers who sell credit. We know as well that these companies are not transparent, and do everything possible to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. We know that since the ULP has been in power, it has collected more than $20 million in taxes from Cable and Wireless after forensic audits of its tax returns. We
know that Digicel was also forced to turn over millions after audits of its returns. These are profitable business entities. Why are they allowed to get away with robbery in broad day light? The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRC) has ample proof of the misdeeds of these companies. Yet it refuses to act. It is time that citizens join together to demand better, cheaper and more efficient service. I speak from personal experience in saying that both Digicel and Cable and Wireless have scant regard for Vincentians. For 13 long years I was a Digicel customer. I paid my bills promptly and in full. Yet not a month went by without complaints. About a year ago, I had enough of the abuse and switched. I switched not because I thought Cable and Wireless offered better service. I switched to show Digicel I was unprepared to continue sucking up its abuse. Cable and Wireless is equally abusive and exploitative. Firstly, neither of these companies is transparent. Cable and wireless locked me into a 2-year contract without saying so. I found out following my complaint to the Country Manager. In May, someone called offering a plan that I found attractive. I accepted the offer. Last month I found out that Cable and Wireless reneged on the offer because it claimed I was on contract for a higher post paid monthly fee. No one ever mentioned the contract terms. No one called to explain why the agreement could not be honoured. Cable and Wireless charges about $75 for data. I noticed that I could not communicate unless I was in a Wi-Fi zone. I took up the matter with the company, only to find out that ‘yes your observation is correct. There is a problem with the S8 phone.’ I was inconvenienced and robbed without notice. Yet the company compounded my disgust by adding insult to injury. Cable and Wireless took my phone for repairs. However, I was flabbergasted when the company offered me a replacement phone with a cracked screen. I was mad as hell. A company that had been robbing me and others blind, was now attempting to play me for a fool. Of course I rejected to use a broken phone for the 4 weeks they said my phone will be gone. And of course, I demanded and received a proper phone. My experience is not unique. And it matters not whether your service provider is Cable and Wireless or Digicel. So what do we do? Plain Talk is absolutely certain that both companies, Cable and Wireless and Digicel have a case to answer. Let’s see how they respond to a claim charging deceit, intentional and fraudulent misrepresentation. We have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. It was said that there will be some resistance to renewing these contracts until better service is provided. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 13.
Christmas Message from the SVG Green Party
Living environment too dangerous for social cohesion
by Warrant Officer IVAN O’NEAL, Leader of SVG Green Party UR DESTINY WITH PROSPERITY or with crime and poverty, is our choice at the ballot box, at the next general election. We can perpetuate poverty or have a regime change that will bring a higher standard of living in a safe living environment. Christmas is about coming together and social cohesion. However, it is difficult in SVG to achieve a high level of social cohesion, with such a high crime rate. Many people do not feel safe in their neighbourhood. Many people feel that their living environment is not peaceful. For the past 10 years, the living environment of Vincentians, especially the poor, has been getting worse, because of the miserly amount of money and time the ULP regime has put into preventing crime and tackling crime. This is a disgrace. Going out in some areas in SVG at night, is serious risk for some people, as there is so much gun crime and other violent crime. Last year, 2017, was a bad year for Vincentians,
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with murders reaching a record high of 42. SVG now has the fourth highest murder rate per capita in the world. How can people socialise fully and communities function properly, when the living environment is too dangerous to go out at night, and sometimes too dangerous to go out in the day? The murder rate in SVG has risen sharply under the ULP regime, and the violent crime epidemic appears to be escalating into a fullblown humanitarian crisis. The virtual collapse of our economy and the widespread poverty and unemployment in SVG, are significant factors in causing the high murder rate. The consequence of the long-term economic and financial incompetence by the ULP regime, has been a lack of investment in education, and an increase in the number of people that lack education. Many inmates in SVG’s jails have little or no education. We very strongly contend that free, highquality education from pre-school to university will have a long-term positive benefit to society and promote social cohesion. There is a significant connection between low literacy and numeracy levels and repeat offending, particularly for males. Raising standards of literacy and numeracy will open the gate to positive thinking and make it less likely that frustration and failure will result in criminality. According to SVG Green Party Leader Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons.),
MSc, MBA, the long-term lack of heavy investment in education in SVG is a major contributing factor to the high murder rate, as poor quality education does not open the gate to high paid jobs and a high standard of living. To improve Vincentians’ living environment, a Green government will bring strong economic leadership and competent financial management. This will enable a Green Government to invest significant sums of money in Vincentians’ education and community needs and create mass employment. Merry Christmas and a regime change to Green for prosperity, a safe living environment and free, high-quality education in 2019.
14. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 15.
Message fom the Commissioner of Police
„Peace and Joy at Christmas‰ by MR. COLIN O. JOHN, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (Ag)
HE ROYAL ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines Police Force extends heartiest Christmas greetings to all Vincentians and visitors to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We also wish you a very safe and Christcentered Christmas and an extremely prosperous New Year. The Christmas Season is a time for enjoyment, interaction and reflection. As an organization whose primary purpose is citizens’ security, we are doing everything possible to ensure your safety. You the public have been unwavering in your support, encouragement and assistance to us, and for that, we are grateful and appreciative. During this season, let us accentuate the positives while not totally ignoring the negatives. We have largely a loyal Police Force who is eager to work. This is complemented by a public who generally abhors evil and loves good. This abhorrence of evil has manifested itself in the public giving vital
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encourage you to let your actions reflect that. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (like every other country) has crimes; however, despite information to the police. you to be tolerant of that fact, we are still a The valuable information other people’s views, provided has assisted in thereby reducing the risk safe country. I also wish to convey of physical confrontation. the prevention and Christmas greetings and This is the season of detection of crimes, and best wishes for 2019 to peace and joy. I has resulted in an increase of the solving rate of murders and other serious crimes. The business sector has also played a significant role in crime fighting. The Mustique Charitable Trust has been a platinum sponsor of the Drug Resistance Education Programme (DARE); to you we say thank you. We would also like to say thank you to Finishing and Furnishing for their donations of fridges, stoves and chair sets to various Police Stations and Branches. Flow has been the platinum sponsor for our Crime Prevention Exhibition for in excess of five years. We are indeed grateful. In this season of merriment, we must be mindful that there are criminals out there who would use the slightest opportunity to commit crimes. Do not make yourself an easy target… secure your homes properly. Vehicle owners, do not leave valuables exposed in your motor vehicles. To the public, I urge
every police officer, auxiliary police officer, traffic wardens, rural constables, and tourist police. With God’s help and with the focus on the reason for the season, we will all have a very Merry Christmas and a bright and Prosperous New Year.
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16. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
News
Ras Izaras, as it related to marijuana use, spoke of a difference between being given permission and being accorded a right. THERE HAS never been as much division in Rastafari as there is now, and the cause relates to the proposed
‘Too much division,’ says Rastafarian elder establishment of a medicinal marijuana industry here. So pronounced Ras Izaras, General Secretary of the Moral Theocratic Order of Nyabinghi who, in an interview with THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, shared some thoughts on the events of last week which saw the successful passage of a Bill in Parliament that makes way for the setting up of a medicinal marijuana industry here. According to Ras Izaras, the issue was bigger than government because it was an industry that dealt with the health and well-being of the
population. “And this is ground-breaking for Rastafari,” he said. The Rastafarian elder spoke on a number of issues, beginning with an emphatic declaration that he was in full support of a medicinal marijuana industry. “We agree with the expansion of the industry for the glory of the nation, because that is our vision. We have to move into a system where we legitimize the movement, and this is the first time we are doing so. We would not get everything perfect, so we have to gather from the experience as we move along,” Ras Izaras said. And despite the call by some for the government to fully legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, Ras Izaras shared a different perspective. He expressed the view that marijuana was already “free” here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, even though there were adverse economic factors at stake. “Herb is recreational already in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and opening the flood gates will destroy the poor man trying to make a dollar on the side,” Ras Izaras said. He also addressed the issue of the shelving of the Bill that would have provided permission for the use of
marijuana for religious purposes. It was Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who at the Sitting of Parliament last week Tuesday said that members of the Rastafari community had requested that this Bill be shelved for a number of reasons. Ras Izaras expanded on one of those reasons, saying that the proposed Bill gave them permission, but not the right to use marijuana. He further explained that Rastafarians ought to be viewed as indigenous people. “It is not a religion although it has religious fevers; it is an indigenous culture of Africa and the rights, so the rights it ought to be securing is the right as an indigenous people,” Ras Izaras told THE VINCENTIAN. He further reasoned that Rastafari was probably not the only group that utilized marijuana as part of their religious practice and in that light, it ought to be kept in mind that these groups too should not be denied the sacramental right to use marijuana. “A space ought to be secured for these, so the permission to be granted to religious movements should not be for Rastafari only but general people who could have that freedom as well,” he said. (DD)
Drug Amendment Bill for 2019
PASSAGE of the Drugs Prevention and Misuse (Amendment) Bill of 2018 will now have to await a 2019 sitting of Parliament. Prime Minister and Leader of the House, Dr Ralph Gonsalves said in Parliament on Wednesday that he had spoken to the Attorney General, Jaundy Martin over the weekend , about some practicalities in the way the Bill was drafted. He also cited that there was no further urgency to go forward with the Bill right now. “We can have it in the New Year, have it published and put it before an established selected committee,” he explained. The Bill is expected to deal with the issue of the decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana. Last week, members of Parliament debated the much-anticipated Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill and the Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill. A third Bill - the Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purpose Bill -was however shelved after members of the Rastafarian community expressed some concerns during the Select Committee stage of the passage of the Bill. (DD)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 17.
Message from the Christian Council
The God who took off his shoes
I did not stay in my shoes and wonder No, I took off my shoes and I wandered And as I walked, I thought of what I was doing And what I had done, I had taken off my shoes. The muck between my toes The blisters under my soles And the sand all over my feet Were certainly not a dream, nor an illusion All of it was real. Yes, truly real; For I had taken off my shoes. Real as flesh made contact with earth Real as sweat a paste with dust Here indeed, I thought Humanity embraces divinity When I take off my shoes
locale, at a certain time in human history, during the Roman hegemony of the Ancient Near East; to grow from childhood to manhood, to be of the Jewish race and culture, and of a particular family lineage;to eat, to drink, to sleep, to pray, and to practise his religion (Judaism). God did not stay at a distance (See (1:1, The New Jerusalem Bette Midler’s ‘From A Distance’). God stooped Bible)... The Word down to us (cf. Ps 40:1). became flesh and lived God ‘small-up’ Himself. among us… (1:14) St. God came and mingled Paul, in his Galatian with us (See Carey correspondence, puts it Landry, ‘Great things this way: ‘but when the completion of time came, happen when God mixes God sent his Son, born of with us’ in order that we may avail of God’s gift of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the salvation in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of subjects of the Law (4:4Mary. 5). The incarnation is But to ‘take of the mystery because it is not shoes’ also implies riskaccessible by virtue of taking, that is the risk of human reason but by leaving one’s zone of faith through divine protection and comfort revelation. As such, it is and venturing unto an God who discloses to us unfamiliar landscape. It what is shrouded in mystery. To say, therefore, that God took off His shoes and chose ‘to wander rather than wonder’ is to confess that God divested himself of his divinity and assumed our humanity (since what is not assumed cannot be saved). Again, St. Paul assists us in his Phillipians brief: ‘Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross… (2:5-11). By professing belief in the incarnation, that is to say, ‘God took off His shoes’, is to declare, as in the thinking of St. Paul, that God rendered himself vulnerable to the physical world and human conditionality. God opted to be born of human parents, to live in a particular geographic
So this is what it’s like Earthy stuff, real stuff, human stuff, Making contact, Contact and more contact It’s all about contact. Friction, abrasion, wear and tear, Blood, sweat and tears. It’s real! Yes, all real When I take off my shoes and wander rather than wonder. (Michael Stewart) T MAY BE SAID that not many persons today walk about without shoes, thus not many would identify with this experience. Be that as it may, of the variety of barefoot-walking, some may have had the experience of walking without shoes on the ‘hot pitch’ bathed by the midday sun, and may have had the ‘bottom foot’ assaulted by everything on the road. Chalk it up to ‘boy days’ or ‘girl days’! Of course, others may have had no choice. They simply did not have shoes! Or the one pair of shoes was for church. Unbeknownst, however, this self-privation or lack would have provided the ground/context for a profound encounter of two fundamental realities: the physical world and human conditionality/human stuff. In this encounter, the ‘taking off of the shoes’ renders the human vulnerable to the physical world. Moreover, in a world in which human wellbeing and security are vested in ‘things’ - shoes, clothing, and other paraphernalia (symbolically used) - the ‘taking off of the shoes’ not only signifies human vulnerability, but likewise the divesting of what is considered important for human self-preservation. ‘To take off the shoes’ is a metaphor for the incarnation, the mystery of God becoming one like us, human. And this is what we celebrate at Christmas. The evangelist, John, captures this when he says in the prologue of his gospel: ‘In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and Word was God
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Monsignor Michael Stewart (Chairman) – Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday – Bishop of the Windward Islands Anglican Church.
Reverend Adolf Davis Superintendent Minister of the KingstownChateaubelair Circuit of the Methodist Church.
Major Pierre Antoine, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
is like one who is travelling out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the first time to destination Europe, Asia, Africa, South America or North America. In reminiscing, it is not unusual to hear stories of culture shock because of the experience of changed geographic, social and cultural realities. Can we not say that God took a risk when he chose to become one like us? Consider for a moment: had Joseph suggested an abortion on the discovery of Mary’s pregnancy through the Holy Spirit (cf. Matt 1:1825; Lk 1:35), and had Mary acceded, what would have been the result? Deicide? Jesus would be killed in time, nonetheless, the inevitability of the cross (cf. Mk 8:31-33; Matt 16:21-23; Lk 9:22; See also Jn 3:14-15). In all of it, God did not protect
himself (self-preserve). He subjected himself to living in the world which was his own domain though humans did not recognise him because he had chosen to wander rather than wonder (cf. Jn 1:10-13). As disciples of Jesus Christ, in this geographic space called ‘Hairouna’, Home of the Blessed, we are called to imitate the God-Man, Jesus Christ, by ‘taking off our shoes’. The vocation of the Christian is not one of standing and wondering (...like the ‘Naughty Boy’ who ran away to Scotland - John Keats), or in the gospel context, idling (Matt 20:1-16, esp. 6). The feet of the Christian are meant to impress the landscape with the good news that God is with us (cf. Matt 1:23). And just as God made himself vulnerable and did not protect himself from the vagaries of the human
condition, so too, must we. ‘To take off the shoes’, therefore, means getting involved in the lived realities of the Vincentian landscape, whether or not this translates ‘crime and violence intervention’, ‘cannabis conversations’, ‘court connected mediation’, ‘restorative justice’, ‘vagrancy in the city’, ‘frustrated youths’, ‘excessive spending at festive times’, ‘entertainment without limits’, etc, Christmas and the incarnation would only impact meaningfully our troubled social and cultural landscapes when Christians get involved, that is, like God, in Jesus Christ, choosing ‘to take off the shoes’ and wander rather wonder. The SVG Christian Council takes this opportunity to wish you a Blessed and Holy Christmas.
18. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 19.
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20. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Message from the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies SVG District
The reason for the season by BISHOP STEPHEN OLLIVIERRE ROUND THE WORLD, Christmas is celebrated in various ways. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, some people consider this the time to eat special meals and to thoroughly clean their homes. There are lots of drinking and festivity around this time. But is this the way to celebrate a birth that changed the lives of mankind? Is this the reason why the Christ child came in a manger? Christmas is a time to reflect on what God has done to redeem man to Himself. Without
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Christmas, there will be no death, burial and resurrection of our Saviour. We are compelled to use the means available to let others know about the meaning of this season. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to become all things to win others to Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:1923 New King James Version (NKJV) states: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might, by all means, save some. Now, this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may
be partaker of it with you”. Why can we not become all things to win others? That is the point, to win others, not to compromise our faith. Removing ourselves and speaking negatively about such a significant event is not helpful. It creates confusion in the minds of many. Our mission on this earth is to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So why do we desecrate this day by our actions? The birth we celebrate is a significant one. His hallmark is holiness. If we are going to celebrate His birth, why not do so in a manner that pleases Him? Consider celebrating Jesus’ birth by the excessive consumption of alcohol during this season. Research shows that such excess can have a devastating effect on the human body. This same body that is so abused is stated by the Bible to be the Temple of the Lord. Let us reflect on our relationship with others.
Many of us think only of ourselves during this season. The reality is, some of our families, neighbours and friends will not be faring as well as we are. Remember this is a time to share, but are you going to share? Christ came to save those who are lost. As a celebrant, are you serving
Him? The best Christmas gift you can give to Jesus is your life. Have you given yours to Him? I join with others and publicly acknowledge Jesus was born. In acknowledging this, it should prompt us to do an introspection of our lives. This should motivate us not only to sing about
Christ and to attend church services dedicated to Him, but also to desire a personal experience with Him. This is the highlight of December 25th. Citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, may you have a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
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22. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Message from the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of SVG
Find room in our hearts for Him by BISHOP MELFORD POMPEY Archbishop Archdiocese of the Spiritual Baptist T LUKE 1:48-49 – “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.”
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This was part of Mary’s song when she visited her cousin Elizabeth, they being both pregnant. The angel was right, for with God nothing shall be impossible, St Luke 1: 37 So Angel Gabriel had a message, Mary had a song, and God had a purpose, that was to send his son Jesus Christ into the world to save us from our sins. That is why it is
important to keep the celebration clean. While there was no room for him at the Inn, we can find room in our hearts to receive him as our savior. As we notice, his birth in a manger where oxen fed on hay did not stop the angels from announcing same. “Behold I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people; for unto you is born this day in a city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.” St. Luke 2:10. The heavenly host sang “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” St. Luke 2:14 The Shepherds were so excited that they went to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of what the Lord had made known unto them. Yes, they saw it and told others, then returned glorifying and praising God; but Mary kept all those things and pondered them in her heart. (St
Luke 2: 15-20) What about us? Let us not mess with the message, but allow our test to be a testimony about his saving grace, and remind the world that he who saves now will reappear to judge the earth with righteousness and his people with truth. May God help us to celebrate this season in humility and gratitude, in unselfish love and cheerful service, that it may be a blessing to our souls and a benefit to those around us. And as we celebrate to please Christ, let us rid ourselves of the malice, hatred, envy, jealousy, murder and such like. May the songs we sing bring glory and honour to our celebration, and not dishonor. As we come to the end of another year, let us be thankful that we were able to survive the hurricane season, and pray for those who
suffered losses. The Spiritual Baptist fraternity has suffered a lot this year, especially in our Archdiocese, with the tragic death of the late Archbishop Frank Simon and Rev. Lavette Young, preceded by the loss of Patriarch Edmund John a few months earlier. While we may have lost others along the way, including a number of Ministers, the news of the death of our Venerable Archdeacon James Harry on the 11th December 2018, was yet another test to our faith. This great humble man of God has served us well, and we are all saddened by his passing during this time when we celebrate the birth of our dear Lord. To his widow Deaconess Bobsie Harry and the rest of the family, we all share your loss and pray that God will comfort your heart. I look forward to serving you in my new office as Archbishop. Let
us continue to build bridges and not partitions, and advance the cause of our calling to gain souls for the kingdom of God. To the Spiritual Baptist friends and well wishers, on behalf of the Archdiocesan Council, my wife Chermar and the rest of my family, and on my own behalf, let me wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2019. May God Bless You
V ⁄Like all ah dem smoke! Opinion
IT WAS BY FAR the most lively debate I’ve ever listened to coming from our parliament. … Ah want to feel all ah dem bin smoking…. because the content of the debate was of a ‘high’ standard. Both sides of the House - government and opposition - articulated their positions and concerns admirably, and that solid debate produced an Act that would begin the process of building a medicinal cannabis industry along controlled lines, here in SVG. On that note of House cohesion, that is what taxpayers are paying for; to have brilliant, mature men and women combining to conduct the affairs of state. The government taxes us to keep them in office, and any alternative means of making revenue will be welcome in the government coffers. Whether we like it or not, the government has to collect revenue to enable it to provide services in education, health, housing, tourism, and to maintain buildings, roads and so on. So, with a new ‘cash cow’ on the horizon, preparations must be made to facilitate legitimate business, not only locally but in the international financial arena. I will reserve my comment on the Amnesty Bill, as you don’t need an Act to declare an amnesty. Suffice it to say, the document is shrouded in too much
legalese, and the lackluster debate, in my opinion, was a waste of time. In comparison with the Medicinal Cannabis Bill, the proverbial ‘chalk and cheese’ rings true. I doubt the proposed amnesty will yield the desired results. On Monday, December 10, two groups of protesters converged outside parliament: the progovernment group, decked in green T-shirts, advocated medicinal cannabis, while the other group, consisting of Rastafarians and civicminded citizens, pushed for the total legalization of the herb, not only for medical purposes, but legalization for both spiritual and recreational purposes. The progovernment protesters settling only for ‘half of the hog’, with the hope of decriminalization/legaliza tion somewhere down the road; with the Rasta group looking for total liberalization now, albeit with controls. What the government has not said, and which was not raised by the opposition, is in what timeframe the legalization for recreational and religious use will be brought to parliament for debate, now that the priority Medicinal Cannabis Bill is out of the way? Now that the Medicinal Cannabis Bill has been passed, the government
The way has been cleared for establishing a Medicinal Marijuana Industry in SVG. must prove that it will keep its promise to deal with decriminalization, among other related outstanding matters before the House, with alacrity. Finally, I must again appeal to the government to declare an amnesty allowing the use of a reasonable amount of the herb for both religious and recreational purposes with controls, and to forbid the police from arresting anyone using the herb. Come December 19, when the House meets again, or even before that, the declaration of the suggested amnesty will no doubt make Winston Soso’s song a reality “…maybe this Christmas, might be the best Christmas of all!“ Don’t be a Pharaoh, Comrade, you can do it! Season’s Greetings to all. Contributed by: Donald De Riggs
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26. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Business
DIGICEL first to deliver a LTE Network DIGICEL CUSTOMERS can now enjoy blazing-fast mobile speeds on St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ first superfast
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network. The move is part of Digicel’s promise to take things to the next level
with an ongoing global network expansion. LTE is the very latest in commercially available
mobile data technology, packing speeds up to ten times faster than 4G. It is capable of running
multiple applications smoothly, allowing customers to share large files in real-time and multi-task to their heart’s content. With speeds that surpass anything on a personal computer, it also enables glitch-free High Definition (HD) videos and streaming in realtime, whether on a smartphone, tablet or other internet-enabled device. The launch of LTE is another first-to-market for Digicel, and is also a major step in equipping SVG with the most modern communications and entertainment infrastructure, while improving the country’s rate of internet penetration. To this, Fanta Williams, Country Manager of Digicel St. Vincent & the Grenadines, commented, “Besides upgrading the way people connect, LTE gives a boost to local productivity and opens up significant earning and employment opportunities for the people of SVG.” She added, “Digicel brings the first LTE network to St. Vincent & the Grenadines, changing the way our customers connect, work and play. We’re very excited about moving data at much faster speeds so our customers can enjoy a
Vincentians gather at Heritage Square, Kingstown, for the launch of SVG’s first LTE Network. more seamless experience with us. The new LTE data network will work seamlessly with its existing 4G network — making Digicel the first LTE network to deliver lightning-fast mobile data, covering more than 65% of residents on mainland St. Vincent; and will very soon have 100% coverage across all of SVG, being the country’s first and only island-wide LTE network”. Additionally, with the launch of the new LTE network, Digicel has rolled out an improved suite of Freedom Postpaid and Prepaid plans, offering customers two hours of free video streaming every day, unlimited WhatsApp, Digicel calling and unlimited LTE data with its new Freedom Postpaid Max plan. Digicel launched its new LTE network with a grand celebration at Heritage Square on Friday December 14th, with a $79 smartphone special, free food and live entertainment, and also saw the giveaway of over 50 whole salted hams, bottles of wines and more to customers present at the activity.
Customers flocked The Cell – Digicel’s Flagship Store to get their hands on a LTE Smartphone.
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News
ARC+ St. Vincent Rally ends
“One of the niche markets is sailing and is a big part of the tourism product,” Porter explained. Minister of Tourism, Cecil McKie expanded, adding that St Vincent and the Grenadines as a destination offered many experiences, including that of the 32 islands and Cays. “We have diverse experiences with some of the best diving waters in the world,” McKie said. A lot has been done to improve arrivals by sea, the tourism minister said, adding that yacht arrivals had increased by 20 Crew members of the ‘White Pearl’ that copped the percent. Multihill Division. “This event marks the beginning of many THE INAUGURAL ARC+ St spaces on the ARC+ more events to come,” Vincent ended here over continues to grow. McKie said, adding the weekend, with the The fifteen boats that that there were already official prize-giving arrived in SVG had left plans to make the ceremony. Gran Canaria on experience for the The event was a first November 15, and participants of the next for this country, having departed Mindelo ten event better. been added to St Lucia days later. “That is important for as destinations in the And already, there are you and for us. We want Caribbean for the ARC+ ten boats registered to yacht rally, organized by participate in next year’s the World Cruising Club. edition. Blue Lagoon Bianca Porter, General Hotel/Mariner was Manager of the Young selected as the final Island Resort and former destination for the event Chairperson of the St which invites sailing Vincent and the enthusiasts to sail Grenadines Tourism around the Atlantic, Authority (SVGTA), starting off at las Palmas thanked Andrew Bishop, de Gran Canaria with a Head of the World stop at Mindelo in Cape Cruising Club, who was Verdes and then on to in discussion with local SVG and St. Lucia. businessman Kelly Glass This country was for bringing the event selected as demand for here.
Crew member of the ‘Amaman’ accepts the prize for being the first to cross into Vincentian waters. Left: Bianca Porter, a former president of the SVGTA, highlighted that sailing is a ‘big part’ of the tourism product in SVG.
you to have the experience here so that you can go back and tell all what a wonderful destination this is,” the minister said.
The night featured a small prize giving ceremony at Hotel Alexandrina, and among the winners was the vessel ‘White Pearl’ that copped the Multihill Division; the ‘BellaRose’ was awarded the ‘Most Beautiful Yacht’ prize; ‘Sancta Anna’ won the prize for landing the
largest fish and the award for the ‘Spirit of ARC+ St Vincent Rally. The vessel ‘Amaman’ took the award for the first to cross into Vincentian waters, with ‘Sail Be Happy’ winning the award for the shortest distance along the rhumb line. (DD)
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28. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Message from the Commitee for the Development of Women
„All seated on the ground‰
FAMILIAR CHRISTMAS Carol is: “While Shepherds watched their flocks by Night”. With great energy and joy, the lyrics and music fill the air with a message of Hope, heralding the fulfillment of a long awaited Promise of Deliverance. At the time of the Shepherds’ Watch, the Kingdoms of the world were in turmoil and at
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war. The Poor suffered because, as the proverb says — “When elephants fight, the grass is trampled”. Diseases (e.g. leprosy) were rampant; various forms of disability prevailed; issues of blood, insanity, violent crimes, robbery, murders, rape and sexual abuse plagued the earth. In the case of rape and sexual abuse, women
were the prime targets; they were seen as inferior beings to be used as bearers of children (preferably sons) or prostitutes by choice or need. The arm of the law dispensed quick “Justice without Mercy”, through imprisonment in dungeons, beheading, burning at the stake or crucifixion. There was a cry for
release from such oppression, and many sought refuge away from their birth places. Consider our modern situation. Some powerful international government structures are having a hard time dealing with their internal issues; others are bent on destabilizing independent economies in our region. The economic
formations such as the European Union are facing challenges and possible fragmentation. The United Nations structures are trying to keep the promise of Peace, as many leaders appear to have forgotten the raison d’être of that body. In our region, CARICOM is slowly working out the CSME and recently widened the categories of those skilled persons who can move and work freely in our countries There is, however, another movement of people that is affecting every country, as people escape from poverty and harsh living conditions, exacerbated international political interference, of their native lands. Think of the Mexicans at the US Border, the Venezuelans and the Cubans in Colombia and Trinidad, and the resistance to their presence. Families are separated and many women and children are suffering. In our lovely St. Vincent & The Grenadines, in spite of progress made by successive governments and non-governmental organisations, there is complaining in the streets. Our Justice system is in such need of review that there is opposition to the CCJ as our final Court of Appeal; robbery, murder and sexual offences against women, children and men are on the increase; health conditions are cause for concern as cancers, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and mental
conditions are prevalent. Many also seek to leave our shores for “greener pastures”. As in the time of that first Christmas Day, there is a cry for release from fear and oppression The carol referred to above opens with: “ While Shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.” The humble shepherds were seated on the ground, and had a good view of their flock. This Christmas, leaders should climb down from lofty positions and take a seat on the ground. From that vantage point, they will see the needs, the skills, the accomplishments of those under their watch. The Angel of the Lord will come down and the light of glory will shine through the darkness. They will be enlightened as to what needs to be done — let the wrong fail and the right prevail to forge “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Man”, as in unity, we are all seated on the ground. Nelcia Robinson
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Diaspora
Gospel artistes captivate fundraiser
Section of patrons. Daley — who received an award from St. Matthias Charities, Inc. for his continued support and community role — transfixed patrons with ‘Without Love’, ‘At the Altar, ‘The Source of my Life’, ‘Take Your Flight’ and ‘Forward March’. “I give thanks for the man (Jesus), who likes to give more than he receives,” said Daley after receiving a plaque from Evangelist LaFleur St. Matthias Charities, Inc. president Pastor Durrant electrifies Robert McBarnett, a patrons. Georgetown native. Story and photos by “A lot of times, we give NELSON A. KING flowers when we’re in our naking@verizon.net; graves,” he added before kingnaking210@yahoo.com singing a “Thank You” US CORRESPONDENT song “to tell you what love is like.” POPULAR VINCENTIAN In getting patrons in gospel artiste LaFleur the Christmas spirit, Zita Durrant and her Jamaican Adams — a public school counterpart Croswell Daley teacher in Brooklyn, also brought the house down from Georgetown, who Saturday 8th December earlier led the US with heart-wrenching gospel National Anthem — songs, as the Bronx, New rendered ‘O Holy Night’ York-based St. Matthias and ‘An Old Christmas Charities, Inc. hosted its Card’. annual fundraising prayer Venice Alleyne, who breakfast, at the Friends of sang the St. Vincent and Crown Heights Educational the Grenadines National Center in Brooklyn. Anthem, echoed ‘Joy to Durrant gave the World’, and 6-year-old enthusiastic patrons an Kairiyah Evans convulsed appetizer with ‘Look to the patrons with ‘Jesus Loves Father’, ‘In the Sweet’, ‘I Me This I know’. know the Lord Will Make In his message, Rose a Way’ and ‘In the Cross’. Hall native the Rev. She returned, after the Lemmew Samuel, pastor sumptuous breakfast with of Chebar Evangelical ‘I am Your Child’, ‘Lord, Assembly, Inc., in You are King’, ‘I Sing Brooklyn, urged patrons to Hallelujah’ and ‘I would always help the poor, not be Denied’. basing his text on Psalm
40:1. Howie Prince, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States, urged the audience to “never eat and see somebody suffering, and don’t offer them something,” alluding to Matthew 25:40. “When you have, remember somebody who doesn’t have,” he said. St. Matthias in action
McBarnett disclosed that his group, on Friday night, had packed a 46-ft. container of food and medical supplies to be shipped for distribution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Over the years, the St. Matthias Charities, Inc. has been conducting missions to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, distributing, among other things, medical supplies to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in capital Kingstown, and other hospitals and clinics in the country. To date, the group has also raised funds for and distributed eight EKG machines in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. After Saturday’s appeal, patrons donated US$868.00 towards purchase of another EKG machine for use at another clinic at home. McBarnett said St. Matthias Charities, Inc., which had conducted a mission to Grenada a few years ago, plans to do so again soon. He disclosed that his group will ship a container of medical and other supplies to the ‘Spice Isle’ during the first week of October next year. “You have to work by faith and not by sight,” said McBarnett, quoting a famous biblical verse. The group will host its annual fundraising gala dinner on April 9, 2019 at Members of St. Matthias Charities, Inc., posed with the Friends of Crown 6-year-old Kairiyah Evans after she rendered Heights Educational “Jesus Loves Me This I know.” Center.
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Arts
New Police Caroling Champions crowned FIRE BUSTERS and the Sandy Bay Police Youth Club Carolers are the new Police Credit Union – Police Caroling Contest Senior and Junior champions for 2018. The two (2) champions were crowned at the culmination of the caroling contest in the “wee” hours on Saturday December 15, 2018, at Central Police Station. In an electrifying and keenly contested competition, Fire Busters outdid seven (7) other competitors with their ‘Christmas Bacchanal’ in the original category and ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ in the traditional category. Traffic Angels placed second for the second consecutive year singing an original entitled ‘Pull Down Crime for the Christmas’ and the traditional ‘Comfort and Joy’. Third position was occupied by CPS Blasters who rendered ‘Santa Gone Santa still dey’ as their original piece, and ‘Christmas Hallelujah’ in the traditional segment. In the Junior Choir competition, Sandy Bay Police Youth Club Carolers set aside six other competitors singing ‘Oh Little Town of Bethlehem’. Paget Farm
Police Youth Club Carolers placed second with ‘Noel’, with Petit Bordel Police Youth Club Carolers taking third position with their rendition of ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’. Fire Busters received a cash prize of $700.00, one (1) trophy and one case of Vita Malt, while Sandy Bay Police Youth Club Carolers received $350.00, one trophy and one case of Vita Malt. The trophy for Best Carol went to Fire Busters. Traffic Angels received the trophy for Best Original Song. Best Speech was awarded to CPS Blasters, and the Auxiliary Carolers received the trophy for Best Turned Out Choir. This year’s competition included guest artistes The Bowmans, Man Zangie, Cleopatra, Luta, and Avenue Dancers, and was held under the theme: ‘Tis the season for Mirth and Merriment’. It was the first time in its fifteen (15) year history that the contest was broadcast live online and on television. This was made possible through newly formed partnership with S.T.V Online and VC3 T.V.
One of the Police Youth Clubs rendering their number.
Action in the Senior category of the Competition.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 33.
Message from the Seventh Day Adventists
Light in the midst of gross darkness by PASTOR DERMOTH BAPTISTE called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty President, SVG Mission of Seventh-day God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Adventist Church Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7). No doubt we would have heard and HE FESTIVE SEASON is here again, read these verses before; but time and for which the world makes it one of time again we find ourselves “living in excessive shopping, exhaustive the land of deep darkness,” bruised, cleaning, extravagant feasting, extreme battered, baffled and broken, needing decorations and exalting Santa Claus. someone who loves unconditionally; But is that what the season is all about? one who is sensitive to all our needs; I like the decorative lights, the cleaning one who can provide stability in an of the environment and the traditional unstable world, comfort in the midst of family gatherings; but what really excites pain, hope amidst chaos, and relief me most about Christmas is the amazing from the burden of guilt that story of the mystery, beauty and miserably crush us to the ground. grandeur of the ‘World’s Most These titles that Isaiah gave to Jesus Magnificent Gift’ that God gave us in the should bring courage, hope, birth of Jesus in that manger, two reassurance and comfort to us, thousand years ago. knowing that Jesus is our All John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, Sufficiency, the Man that the world emphatically states that “God so loved needs most, even though our sinful the world that He gave His only Son pride sometimes fails to admit it. that whoever believes in Him should No matter what difficult seasons of not perish, but have everlasting life.” your life you may be going through or (John 3:16). And the Gospel Prophet what troublesome times may surround Isaiah reminds us that “The people you, the title Wonderful Counselor walking in darkness have seen a great speaks of wisdom so amazing, so light; on those living in the land of unbelievable, so unexpected, so deep darkness, a light has dawned. surprising that it is hard to explain as For to us a child is born, to us a son is anything but Divine; something that given, and the government will be on can’t be found in the resources that the His shoulders. And He will be world has to offer. While professional
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counselors can be an important part of our support system during difficult seasons in our life, this version of the word “counselor” means that Jesus is not only a “therapist”, but an “extraordinary strategist, a military strategist”, who will at all times come up with a winning strategy for my particular condition in life, no matter how dark, hopeless and terrifying it may appear to be. What does it mean for Him to be MY Almighty God? There are just some situations in life where we need a really BIG God. There are times in our lives when our circumstances are just too big, too scary, too overwhelming to face. For me, it is the mightiness of God that is the antidote to fear. Numerous times in Scripture, we hear God say to us “Do not fear.” The reason He can say that to us, is because He is in control and there is no power in the universe greater than His. God’s power, strength and influence mean that we can rest in His embrace and turn our worry, fear and uncertainty over to Him. Even when we don’t understand why something is happening, we can rest assured that He has it under control, and that we are never alone in the midst of our struggles. We can retire every day, as the General Manager of the Universe handles our situations. When life doesn’t make sense, we need a Mighty God who is bigger than even the most difficult circumstances we face. Everlasting Father is the perfect picture of His eternal, personal, intimate love for each of us. This love is unequal and intimate; like a parent and child. Our Heavenly Father created us and knows our every thought. He knows our hurts and knows how to comfort us. He loves us so much that He even knows the numbers of tears we have cried. When life feels like more than we can handle, we can cling to the promise of a Father who sees our tears and loves us so much that He will never leave us nor forsake us...no matter what we are going through. Finally, Isaiah promises us that this coming Messiah will be a Prince of Peace. It seems to me that in these
times, peace might be the most elusive thing of all. When we are dealing with a season of loss or despair in our life, there are so many conflicting emotions...sadness, anger, regret, anxiety, fear, grief, guilt. These emotions can be messy, complicated and difficult to deal with. There is no earthly peace to be found in much of what life throws at us; yet Jesus promises us His peace, which is altogether different. “Peace I leave with you; MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” He goes on to say “I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you WILL have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Friend, that’s the amazing story behind Christmas! At this time of the year when there is so much “fake news and alternate facts”, I share with you the “real news, the good news, the best news” that Jesus is all that we need, and He is available 24/7 now and in the coming year. Make Him Lord and Master of your life, and experience the Spiritual Revolution that we long for and can make a difference in our lives and in the nation. On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I wish the Government, Opposition and People of our Blessed Land a wonderful holiday season and a bright, prosperous and Spirit-directed New Year, 2019.
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34. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Message from the Association of Evangelical Churches
A few thoughts about Christmas L
ADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
As we prepare to celebrate yet another Christmas, permit me
to share with you a few concerns regarding Christmas. We often sing “Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, Mary’s boy
child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day”. I have read the bible from cover to cover, and am yet to find where in the bible it says that Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. In fact, the word Christmas is nowhere in the bible. It is therefore misleading to tell anyone, especially our children, that 25th December, Christmas Day, is the birthday of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the concept of Santa Claus; this name is derived from St. Nicholas, a fourth century Monk who lived in modern day Turkey and was known for giving gifts to the needy, and leaving presents in stockings for children. The Dutch nickname for St. Nicholas is Sinter Klaas (Santa Claus in English). Two Americans commercialized the idea somewhere in 1822, making merchandise of what was originally an honest life style. Today, merchants exploit and milk people beyond measure, using the American model of Santa Claus. This is not a Christian concept, and certainly has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas dinner is a feature of many organizations and Churches today, and
while some dinners provide the opportunity for workers to socialize, it is also a commercial event where persons in the food establishment get their opportunity to exploit others. These dinners have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. Sunday shopping is one of the biggest insults to Christianity. People who traditionally worship on Sunday have surrendered their worship to commercialism and materialism. Sunday shopping has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. My prayer for us all this Christmas is that we return to the true virtues of Christmas. For Christians around the world, Christmas is a season of celebration; we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, our Savior, the one who reconciled man with God after man fell into sin. In His loving desire to restore this relationship, God sent His Son Jesus Christ; John writes ‘For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16). So how should we celebrate Christmas? Look at the feast of Tabernacles instituted by God — Leviticus 23: 33-36. It began with a holy day and ended with a holy day. Between these holy days, there were sacrificial offerings to God and there was feasting. In John 7, we see Jesus attending the feast of Tabernacle, and on the last day (verse 37) Jesus stood up and shouted, ‘If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink.’ Jesus knew that they had a lot to drink, but no matter what they drank or what we drink, we will still be thirsty. The only permanent quench aid is Jesus Christ. This Christmas, let us put away all the wastage, return to worship and let JESUS quench our thirst. A blessed Christmas to all.
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36. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Message from the National Society for Persons with Disabilities
What a year of change this has been! FROM THE PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE BOARD, of NSPD The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”
“
(Romans 8:16). Greetings! This is my first year as President Board of Executives, National Society for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD), whose mission is to advocate for and
promote effective measures for the prevention of needless disabilities and for the education, and training, rehabilitation, employment and welfare of persons with Disabilities, and to facilitate the integration of those persons into the Vincentian Society. We consider a disability to be a functional limitation that may interfere with a person’s ability to walk, hear, talk, see, think, and learn, to varying degrees. In addition, some people may have multiple disabilities. What a year of change this has been! Many exciting things are happening. We held our AGM in September after a sevenyear lapse. Our subject Minister, Hon. Frederick Stevenson and PS Ms. Nerrisa Gittens of the Ministry of National Mobilization Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities & Youth, graced our Secretariat with their presence, to discuss with our newly elected Board members the many challenges facing our organization and persons with Disabilities in our society. Coming out of this meeting, we hope to see strengthened collaborations to further advance our quest to register persons with Disabilities with special Identification Cards, which will allow holders to access especially medical services at subsidized service charge rates. We continued our lobbying for a member to be assigned a permanent post as Liaison within the Ministry, to directly address and coordinate issues related to persons with Disabilities. Last but not least, we renewed our efforts to have Cabinet’s approval of a policy paper for the inclusion and integration of persons with Disabilities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At present, we are in search of a new and/or permanent home to
house our office Secretariat so as to improve the business/training environment for our members and staff. We will like to applaud the kind and timely intervention of Minister Frederick to have renewed the service contract of our Admin Officer, whose patience and commitment help navigate us through our daily chores and into new uncharted waters. In closing, we are excited about what 2019 may bring as we anticipate the approved OECS Skills Empowerment Training Project for Vulnerable Youths and Persons with Disabilities, funded by the DFID spanning a period of four years. This opportunity will certainly serve to enhance the capacity and skills of persons with Disabilities and make them more self — sufficient. The NDPD is committed to helping people with disabilities lead independent lives by providing advocacy, education and direct services. We will continue to seek more creative ways of providing training for those with physical, mental, and emotional impairments. But there is an even greater task, i.e. to reduce the barriers imposed by a lack of understanding and acceptance of those who have disabilities. This time of year brings joy and happiness to our families and friends. We are thankful for the time that we can spend together. May we all be grateful for the many friendships here at NSPD. Do continue to enjoy the Christ — filled festivities and events of this month. On behalf of the Board, we wish the past Executive members, trustees, staff, volunteers and donors a wonderful Christmas season, and hope the New Year brings good health and happiness to each of you. Sincerely, Ms. Andrea Ashers President
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38. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
News
Prisons mount Exhibition
Roudette, exposes the inmates to the use of Lavender grass to make mats, hats, bags, clothes baskets and coasters, among other items. These products were on display at an Exhibition mounted last Friday, December 14, in an area just outside the precincts of Her Majesty’s Prisons, Kingstown. According to Roudette, the venture has gone into the cultivation of Lavender grass at plots in Penniston and Belle Isle. This, Roudette said, will ensure a steady supply of the raw material, not to mention helping with the conservation of the soil in those areas. And, in addition to learning the skill and producing items, earnings from the sale of the items go towards assisting those involved while they are serving time, and with their rehabilitation upon release. Glenroy Browne, The female inmates took charge of their cakes and Supervisor at the Belle pastries exhibits and even made a sale. SOME INMATES at the Belle Isle Correctional Institution here are taking real steps to equip themselves for life after incarceration. Some twenty-two inmates have taken advantage of learning a new craft by becoming involved in a programme/project dubbed ‘Grow in time’. The programme/project, the brainchild of creative artist Vonnie
A collection of Lavender grass products made by inmates involved in the ‘Grow in Time’ product. Isle Correctional Institution, praised Roudette for her commitment to the project. He endorsed the high quality products from the venture, and while noting the obvious talent in the prison, he pondered whether there will be continuation as free citizens. While the ‘Grow in Time’ aspect involved the male population, the females in incarceration displayed their ingenuity with decorated cakes, pastries, and drinks. There was recorded music to help
Vonnie Roudette, the brain and energy at the centre of the ‘Grow in Time’ project. create a festive atmosphere at the exhibition, and the female prisoners took the opportunity to showcase their skills on the hand drums. (WKA)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 39.
Regional
Another T&T calypsonian passes STILL COMING to grips with the passing of calypso/cultural icons Shadow, De Fosto and Superior, Trinidad and Tobago was thrown into further shock by the passing of yet another of its cultural icons, Fred Mitchell, known more familiarly as Mighty Composer. Composer, according to his son Kenlis, and as reported by Trinidad Newsday, died around 4pm on Wednesday, December 05, at his Barataria home. The calypsonian, 83 years old at the time of his passing, had been suffering from a heart condition, and had spent the last three weeks at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope, but was discharged on Tuesday. Vincentians of the day might recall a very young and lanky Composer touring St. Vincent with a cast that included the likes of Mighty Sparrow, Duke, Nelson, Rose, in the early 1960s. Composer, born in Cedros, a coastal area on a peninsula at the South-Western end of the island of Trinidad, was perhaps best known for his 1969 calypso classic ‘Child Training’ — a song that even when performed in succeeding decades, had many
an audience in stitches. Other songs of note from his catalogue of compositions were ‘Supposin’, ‘True or Lie’, ‘The Weak Man’, ‘The Vikings’, ‘Perseverance’, ‘Carnival Fever’, ‘Workers’ Lament’, ‘Black Fallacy’, Too Fast’ and ‘Leave Meh Man Alone’. Like many before and after him, Composer never won the Calypso Monarch title in his country, but that was no disgrace. In fact, he had occupied the 1st runner-up spot on so many occasions, he became known as the “Uncrowned Calypso King”. The historians have recorded that growing up, he was a member of the Singing Mitchells family group that sang chorus lines for Sparrow’s National Recording Company productions. He would step out front in 1964, when he launched out as a calypsonian with Sparrow’s Original Young Brigade. Through the years, he added the roles of master of ceremonies, comedian, impresario and tent manager to that of calypsonian, and became a staple figure portraying Red
Right: Fred Mitchell ‘Composer’ was as much an outstanding calypsonian as he was a lively advocate for the causes he believed in and lived. (Photo Credit: Trinidad Newsday) Indian on carnival Monday and Tuesday in the traditional mas component of carnival in San Fernando. And so committed was he to seeing a “better day for calypsonians,”that he along with a few of his peers, founded the first Calypsonians Association of T&T. Later, according to the Newsday, he became a founding member of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), and served as an executive member for several years. Always it seemed, according to his peers, Composer was in search of his roots… his real self. Little surprise, therefore, that, in his later years, he became a practising member of the Orisha (Shango) faith, and even took the “spiritual-African” name - Agba Olu Sino Amono,
Composer in an earlier time. some four years ago. It was he who, along with the likes of Rudolph Eastman, the late Iyalorisa Molly Ahye and others, spearheaded a movement for the incorporation of the Shango Belief System by an Act of the Parliament, that laid the groundwork for the removal of obstacles and discriminatory practices that hindered the process of the tradition, Newsday recorded. Over the years too, Composer was at the forefront of Emancipation Support
Committee’s emancipation celebrations, and also lent his talents to help raise the consciousness of people, especially during rallies celebrating African Liberation Day. Composer leaves to mourn his wife of 65 years, Cynthia Charles, daughter Juliet Mitchell and sons Kenlis and Ricky Charles, 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. (Sources: Trinidad Newsday, Pride magazine)
40. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 41.
would like to wish everyone
A Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year Telephone : 784-458-8773 Facsimile:784-4588831 Email : info@ccalimited.com
42. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
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44. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Opinion
Political failure, fraud, or feculence? WHO IN St. Vincent would have thought, after having been exposed to the utterances of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves over the last fifteen to twenty years, that we would be hearing him now tell us, that he wants to be given another
inconsistency is one of Dr. Gonsalves’ prominent character/personality traits. Did he not term in office as the Prime than two consecutive harshly criticize Sir Minister of St. Vincent and terms as the Prime James Mitchell the Grenadines? Who in Minister of any state? regarding his approach the Caribbean would have But then, on believed that this would reflection, we should not in the development of Canouan when he have been coming from be really surprised, passed on to the the man who had himself because for quite some forcefully proffered that no time now, there has been “developers” significant portions of the people’s one should be given more evidence that
land at very generous terms? And did Dr. Gonsalves himself not grant to the same developers similarly more than generous terms which will ultimately in the next thirty to fifty years impact negatively on the development of the people of our land? One of the most significant and painful of these exhibitions of inconsistency and untrustworthiness has been Dr. Gonsalves’ abandonment of the Banana Industry which he had promised to revitalize in 2001, but instead he effectively crippled the farming community when he dismantled the St. Vincent Banana Growers Association, the largest and oldest Farmers Cooperative in the land. Had Dr. Gonsalves been suitably guided by his men and women whom the people had entrusted with the authority, St. Vincent and the Grenadines could have earned over three billion dollars from agriculture over the last eighteen years. But
those men and women did not seem to have the interests of the people at heart. Their mouths were full, so they were happy and indifferent! Because of our strangled economy, we now have to be declaring to the world that we have an aggressive “Zero Hunger Programme” and our Prime Minister, has to “beg” the University of the West Indies to accommodate our economically disadvantaged students. Our development has been seriously impeded and we must now determine whether what we are experiencing is the result of failure or the evidence of fraud, and take the necessary measures to counter the crippling feculence. LeRoy Providence
The Europeanisation of Christmas Continued from Page 9. Many West Indians have been making a definite and conscious effort to celebrate Christmas in our way. In this regard, the musicians have been simply outstanding. Beginning with Lord Melody’s “Happy Holiday” in the 1950s through Nat Hepburn’s “Send a quarto and a concertina for me”, to the modern parang of “Mamacita”, “We Come out to Dance” and “Ah want a piece a pork foh me Christmas”. With our men Scakes and CP’s “Pork and Pie” and “Ah Love me Christmas,” as well as “Christmas St. Lucia Style”, we have been fighting to regain our soul. De Man Age “Christmas Time”, Becket’s “Calypso Noel” and Clifford Edwards cum Kingstown Chorale rendition of “Poinsettia Blossoms” will go down in our history long before Rudolph. Bassy and El Groupo Amistad as well as NBC ‘Nine ah We and Dem’ are in the right direction, too. The traditional carols remain universal and perennial. We would add Belafonte’s “Mary’s boychild” and “The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy”. Still, there needs to be a full turnaround in the cards we send. Putting Santa on a beach or donkey only goes halfway. It is like making Santa into a beach boy or an ass! Cards featuring an entirely local motif is the way to go.” The foregoing article was written 22 years ago. Things are certainly changing for the better, thanks to Bassy, Carlton “CP” Hall, Scakes, John Horne, Michael Peters, the Bowmans and the young Rodney Small. My grandchildren will hopefully share Christmas that is genuine and authentic to Caribbean peoples.
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21 ‐ April 20) Don't avoid your true feelings. You may not have the same ideas when it comes to what you both enjoy. Avoid joint ventures and steer clear of groups that want you to contribute financial assistance. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. TAURUS (Apr. 21 ‐ May 21) Someone you live with will get angry if you are neglecting your duties. Moves will be hectic but favorable in the end. You are best to be accommodating for the time being. Sudden romantic infatuations won't be lasting. Take things slowly, especially for the sake of those you love. GEMINI (May 22 ‐ June 21) You can make financial deals that will bring you extra cash. You have to believe in yourself and your talents. The great outdoors will allow you to teach youngsters some of the things you learned when growing up. Don't get talked into get rich quick schemes. CANCER (June 22 ‐ July 22) Listening can be more valuable than being a chatterbox. Look before you leap. Positive connections can be made if you get involved in environmental organizations. Get down to business and do the work yourself. LEO (July 23 ‐ Aug 22) Travel could turn out to be more exciting than you imagined. Try to think things through. Invite friends over. Cutbacks at work will be a cause for worry. VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐ Sept. 23) New hair, new outfit, new you. Get involved in the activities of children. They will teach you far more than you expect. Limitations on the home front can be expected if you have been restricting your mate's freedom. Be careful not to come on too strongly.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐ Oct. 23) Large organizations may try to talk you out of your hard‐earned cash. You can make money if you are wise in your choices. You're in the mood to do things such as competitive sports, or perhaps a night on the town. Unexpected visitors will be a welcome surprise. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Your communication skills may win you points. You must use discretion when talking to others. Gambling should not be an option. Get involved in creative projects that could turn into moneymaking ventures. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐ Dec. 21) Try not to overspend on luxury items. The existing problems must be dealt with one way or another. Travel will promote new romantic connections. You can't do everything on your own. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 ‐ Jan. 20) You may be able to get some good advice about your personal problems. Don't get involved in secret affairs or underhanded involvement's. Don't let criticism upset you. Hassles will delay your plans. Later in the week your boss will pat you on the back for a job well done. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 ‐ Feb. 19) Try to stay calm and do the best you can. You may find that romance will unfold through business connections. Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. You are likely to be left alone if you aren't willing to bend just a little. PISCES (Feb. 20 ‐ Mar. 20) Concentrate on spending quality time with children and friends. Don't be a pest or a troublemaker this week. Do your own research and be prepared. You should get into programs that will enhance your appearance and help you to be the best that you can.
ACROSS 1. Vice president 5. Stimulate 9. Become firm 12. Matures 13. Belonging to us 14. Exclamation of disgust 15. Not one 16. Temple 17. The Lion 18. Atop 20. City in central Belgium 22. Procurer 25. Secondary path 26. Pungent bulb 27. Um 28. Immerse 29. Ocean 30. Be in debt 33. Unit of power 35. Ancient 37. Enlivening 40. Vast seas 41. Book of the Bible 42. Seize 43. It is 44. False god 46. Speed contest 50. Seed of a legume 51. The villain in Othello 52. Mountain range 53. Wily 54. Fellow 55. Dweeb DOWN 1. Covered vehicle 2. Self‐esteem 3. Even (poet) 4. Pretended 5. High public esteem 6. Monetary unit of China
Stand tall, avoid the temptation Dear George,
Dear B&B, THERE IS THIS woman who every time she sees me, has something If your principled Ignore this woman as best you very cruel to say to me. position is that married men are She would start by warning me off limits, then you should stick to can; but if you think you are being overly harassed, then there are to leave her husband alone, and it and do not be squeezed into legal channels you can use to deal then advise me to get my own doing otherwise. with that. husband rather than going around It’s unfortunate that you are messing with other people’s HIV positive, but do not use that George husbands. as a weapon to destroy lives. George, I never meddled with this woman’s husband, and there are two good reasons why: I do not believe in sleeping with SVG with her, seeing your girlfriend that she married men, and I have Dear George, that it’s our first is not as high on your just been diagnosed with Christmas together. To list as she would have HIV. I WANT to spend the me, that’s not too big of a thought. To her, it’s But, if this woman holidays in Barbados deal. Why does this more important for you continues to harass me, I with my aunt, but my might just be tempted to girlfriend is fighting me have to be an argument? to be with your aunt for the holidays and, in the lure her husband into my down about it. She is Voice of reason back of her mind, that bed and give her the freaking out because of girl next door. nightmare of her life. this girl who lives next Dear Voice of reason, Whatever choice you I look better than she, door to my aunt. When make, will give your and I know any man, we were holidaying in I have a sneaking including her husband, girlfriend a pretty good Barbados last year, she will not refuse an wouldn’t leave me alone. suspicion that if the shoe idea as to the value you were on the other foot, opportunity to go with My girlfriend knows place on the the same argument me. I hope she reads she can trust me, and I relationship. You know would have prevailed. this and leave me be see no reason why I what to do. Clearly you have set from today. cannot visit my aunt without any drama. She your priorities for the George holidays, and it concerns B&B wants me to remain in
The choice is yours
7. In favor of 8. Compositions 9. Roman general 10. Excrete 11. Egyptian god of Learning 19. Writing instrument 21. Monkey 22. Seed vessel 23. Black bird 24. Pinch 25. Bleat of sheep 27. Veterinarian 29. Pigpen 30. Room within a Harem 31. Benign tumor of the skin 32. Abstract being 33. Very small 34. Semitic
language 35. Wood sorrel 36. French painter 37. Fragments 38. Hosteiry 39. Short literary composition 40. Lowermost
deck 42. Infatuated 45. Exclamation of surprise 47. Part of verb to be 48. Automobile 49. Antiquity
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 45.
Come clean with your friend Dear George, MY BEST FRIEND has no clue how nice I am to her, and she behaves as though I’m the most selfish person she has ever met. Her boyfriend has slept with me several times although they’re engaged to be married. The wedding is set for next June, but he is having second thoughts. He tells me I cook better than her, is better in bed, and makes him feel like a real man anytime he is around me. I have been the one begging him to stay with her and to marry her as planned, but he insists he wants to be with me instead. To show how serious I was, I chose to leave him for her. Do you think a selfish person would do this, George?
Sugar and Spice Dear Sugar and Spice, Correct me if I’m getting this wrong. Are you asking for a standing ovation from your best friend for allowing her to keep her boyfriend after you have violated her trust by sleeping with the man she intends to marry? You can make the effort to clean your act up and start by telling your friend the truth about how her boyfriend feels about her. Apologise to her for meddling in her relationship, and give her a chance to reset her relationship goals. If by doing this, you lose her friendship but save her in the long run from making perhaps the biggest mistake of her life, then you can truly say you acted unselfishly. Your friend deserves better from you.
George
46. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 47.
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48. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
SVG back on INF Rankings table ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES is back on the International Netball Federation’s (INF) ranking, after completing the minimum eight international matches within the ranking period. In the rankings released last Thursday, St Vincent and the Grenadines is at 23rd . This represents the first time that SVG has been able to attain an INF ranking since 2011. During January of this year, St Vincent and the Grenadines senior team participated in a TriNation Series in Grenada, featuring St Lucia and the host. The team also competed in the Americas Federation of Netball Championships in Barbados in August. This represented the first occasion since 2010 that St Vincent and the Grenadines was engaging in full international Netball matches. Welcoming the return of St Vincent and the Grenadines to the INF rankings, President of the SVG Netball Association- Doris Mc Intosh, related, “It was one of the objectives of my executive during 2018… We are all happy that we are back in the rankings. “ We were able to achieve this through hard work”, Mc Intosh said, and she thanked all who contributed in any way in realizing the achievement. A beaming Mc Intosh foresees an upward movement for St Vincent and the Grenadines in
On court action in the final of the Senior Secondary Schools’ Division between Barrouallie and Sandy Bay.
The SVG team that competed in the AFNA Tournament in Barbados last August. President of the SVG Netball Association – Doris Mc Intosh is at left. 2019, as they are focused on bettering the current ranking. “ We have been advised by AFNA to host a Windward Islands Tournament in 2019… This would also be another ranked tournament, and we are anticipating to do so, so we can move above some of the other countries”, Mc Intosh disclosed. Apart from St Vincent and the Grenadines, the other Caribbean countries on the ranking table are Trinidad and Tobago (10th), Barbados (12th), Grenada (22nd), Bermuda (29th), and St Maarten (35th). Like St Vincent and the Grenadines , also regaining their
ranking status were the USA (33rd), Thailand (34th) and Argentina (39th). Australia is the number one team, with New Zealand- second, Jamaica-third and Englandfourth. In order to receive ranking points, countries must play a minimum of eight matches during a given period. The number of points earned by a country for any match depends on the results (won, tied or lost), and the opponent against whom the result was achieved. The higher an opponent’s rating, the more points gained for beating that opponent.
CW Prescod champs Primary Schools’ Football THE NEW CHAMPIONS of the Primary Schools’ Football in SVG are the CW Prescod Primary School. The institution inked its name for the first time on the modern format of Primary Schools’ Football, when they registered a one-nil win over the Bequia Anglican Primary School, last week Wednesday afternoon at the Victoria Park. A second half strike by Ajani Mason landed CW Prescod the title. CW Prescod got to the final after Kevonte Clarke’s goal, the only for the match, was
enough to give victory over the Paget Farm Government in the semi-finals. Bequia Anglican did the same CW Prescod against the Primary School – Kingstown Preparatory, in 2018 Primary the other semi- School Football champs. final, with Damion Miller Right: Runner-up – scoring for the the Bequia victors. Anglican Primary. Paget Farm Government took the third place, beating the Kingstown Rasheed Knights, also Preparatory, two-nil. of the CW Prescod CW Prescod’s Gabriel Primary, copped the Doyle was adjudged award of Best Player of the Final. Goalkeeper Award.
And, Damion Miller of the Bequia Anglican Primary School recorded the most goals in the Tournament.
Ministry official unimpressed with Schools’ Netball DEPUTY CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICERElizabeth Walker, is not impressed with the Netball standards at the school level. Walker made her observation as she spoke at the Closing and Presentation Ceremony of the 2018 Inter- Primary and Inter- Secondary Schools Deputy Chief Netball Competition, held Education Officerrecently at the Arnos Vale Elizabeth Walker, Netball Complex. addressing the The Deputy Chief Closing Presentation Education Officer’s view Ceremony of the was contrary to Simone Schools’ Netball Richardson, who Tournament. represented the Division of Sports and Physical Education, and claimed that Netball was in good hands. Walker, who witnessed the secondary schools’ finals, counteracted Richardson’s statement, saying, “The basic skills that are necessary to execute effectively and efficiently, are no longer in Netball,” adding that “netball is more than just a game… It is a science and it requires your commitment, dedication.” Walker in her lamentations about Netball, also bemoaned the lack of an atmosphere at the final. A former student of the Girls’ High School, Walker reminisced on the days when invariably the Netball final would have featured her alma mater versus the Bishop’s College Kingstown, and recalled the rivalry that existed. Describing the atmosphere then, Walker declared, “ You could have not even heard the umpires’ whistles.” Complaining about the current set up, Walker opined, “We are losing that culture where supporters are cheering you on.” Walker, though, had some words of solace for those players who have shown some tenacity. “ I am encouraging those who are interested in the game to the next level, you need to be committed, and you need to put all your energy, so that at the end of the day, you can be outstanding,” the Deputy Chief Education Officer proffered. The Owia Government School won the Primary Category, with Sandy Bay taking the Junior Division of the Secondary Schools’ category and Barroualliethe Senior Division.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 49.
Sports
Cricket Executive returned en bloc THE Dr. Kishore Shallow-led Executive of the SVG Cricket Association (SVGCA) was returned en bloc when the Association held its Annual General Meeting last Saturday, December 15, at the Presidential Suite, Arnos Vale Sports Complex. The election, which was anticipated to be the high point of the Meeting, lasted a mere 10 minutes or so. Those returned for another two-year tenure were: Dr. Kishore Shallow — President; Mr. Miles Bascombe -1st Vice President; Mr. Denis Byam — 2nd Vice President; Mr. Samuel Holder — Secretary; Mr. Cleton Burnett — Assistant Secretary; Mr. Jenry Ollivierre — Treasurer; Mr. Deighton Butler, Mrs. Samantha Lynch, Mr. Roland Wilkinson and Mr. Dyke Cato — Committee Members. Responding to the results, President Shallow said, “The return of the entire executive en bloc is a strong indication of
The re-elected Executive of the SVGCA. ‘G.R.O.W Cricket’. The Strategic Plan is expected to be made available on the Association’s website the progress we have been SVGCA Inc., and suggested making as a cricket the Association was in its best before the end of 2018. According to Dr. Shallow, association. Collectively, we financial state since its “The new 5-year Strategic are pleased to be given a inception. further opportunity to service Senior Auditor and Partner Plan would be fully in effect from January, which will SVG Cricket.” of Grant Thornton, Mr. Floyd guide our focus and delivery in The Meeting also officially Patterson corroborated the future in addressing areas received a financial update, Olliverre’s position by the audited financial confirming that the association such as infrastructure improvement, youth cricket, statements having been has been prudent with its quality of cricket, and circulated to the affiliates financial practices over the exposure of cricketers, officials prior to Saturday’s meeting. last financial period. and other stakeholders.” Treasurer Jenry Ollivierre The meeting also received The president also took the stated his satisfaction with the the new Strategic Plan 2019 — time out to express how financial position of the 2024, which has the theme Affiliates attending the 2018 AGM of the SVGCA registered full confidence in the Association’s Executive.
pleasing it was that, a country of an estimated population of 107, 000, could be so constantly producing international cricketers. There are four Vincentian cricketers currently representing the Windies across all three formats - Sunil Ambris (Test & ODI), Obed McCoy (ODI & T20), Jomel Warrican (Test), and Keswick Williams (ODI &T20). Saturday’s AGM also allowed for ‘fruitful discussions on local cricket competitions, youth cricket, and female cricket’.
Seishin Karate Club wins National Championships
Paul Cyrus (right) receiving his winnings from Anne Miller of the SVG Squash Association.
Paul Cyrus takes Closed Masters Squash title PAUL CYRUS champed the Closed Masters Squash Title at the Championships’ conclusion last Friday at the National Squash Centre at Paul’s Avenue. In last Friday’s final, Cyrus laced Colin Alexander 11/4, 11/6, 11/4, to complete an unbeaten run in the Championships. Seeded number one, Cyrus had a first round bye then proceeded to dispose of Ceron Padmore, 11/6, 11/6, 11/5, in the quarter final. He faced a more formidable opponent — Dominic Ross — in the semi-final, eventually prevailing 3 — 2 (4/11, 11/8, 7/11, 11/6, 14/12). The Championships, which also saw matches hosted at the Grand View Racquet Club, had, in addition to the previously referenced player, the participation of Nicholas Boyea, Dr. Sherian Slater, Dr Perry De Freitas, Keith Boyea and Grant Connell.
THE SEISHIN KARATE CLUB, last Sunday evening at the Russell’s Auditorium, took the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) National Club Championships, by virtue of copping the most gold medals. When the gold medal count was made, Seishin Karate Club finished with 8, while the SVG Shotokan Karate Club pouched 6. But it was the SVG Shotokan Club that ended with the most medals overall (22), as they added 8 silver and 8 bronze medals to their tally of gold. In addition to the 8 gold, the Seishin Female 18-39 Christopher Joseph Karate Club got 6 silver and 4 bronze, to Most (left) in battle with Mc tally 18 medals. Outstanding Quinn Muckett in the The Sheishen Karate Club pouched four karatekaMale 8-10 age group. of the Most Outstanding awards, in the Allyson persons of Akeem Mc Dowald, Zalika Claude Bascombe Jr. Bascombe. Henry, Claude Bascombe Jr and Allyson was the Most Outstanding Bascombe. in the Male 18-39 age Division, Henry was the Most Outstanding Karateka in the with Allyson Bascombe the 11-16 age category, while Mc Dowald was tops among corresponding stand out in the the 11-13. Female Category. The SVG Shotokan Karate Club’s titles were in the 8-10, with Mc Quinn Marcus CaesarMockett, the the 40-49 Most stand out; the Outstanding 14-16, which karateka. was secured by Joel Mason and Marcus Caesar in the 40-49 age group. During the Championships, the karatekas were assessed in the Kata and the Kimite.
Champion Club- Sheishin Karate Club members pose with their spoils.
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50. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Out Ah Trouble:
New TBOP Softball Champs Youths get Windwards call THREE VINCENTIAN youths can work their way up the regional cricket ladder. They have been selected to the Windward Islands Under 15 contingent. Rashawn Lewis, Luke Wilson, and Solomon Bascombe join their Windwards colleagues for the West Indies Under 15 tournament next year. Lewis was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, with 187 runs. He was the only centurion, leading run getter, and with 12 catches and two stumpings, was the best wicket keeper. Divonnie Joseph leads the Windwards squad which includes compatriots Kervyn Gangadeen, Devin Tyson and Deshont Thomas. St. Lucians: Stephen Abraham, Kevin Cassie, Royce Paul, Shawnil Edwards, and Dominicans Stephen Pascal and Jelani Joseph complete the initial party. Vincentian Devonte McDowall, St. Lucian Tarrique Edward and Jaiden Joseph (Dominica) make up the reserves. St. Vincent and the Grenadines placed second in the competition, an improvement from their previous showing. The team has moved from a perpetual cellar instalment, a path that seemed long in existence. Suggestions were that Under 15 cricket was not given adequate attention, and a haphazard approach had overtaken the preparation for the tournament. That situation served as a source of embarrassment for Vincentian cricket, and it is encouraging that the administration has seemingly moved to adjust the flaw. There can be no attempt to take it for granted, and steps will have to be intensified to return the Vincentian Under 15 to the position of meaning. The record did not drastically translate to an erosion of youth potential here. The Vincentian Under 19 team has shown potential to be consistent. The concern is the change over to the adult level. The success rate for the Windwards zone on a whole has not been overwhelming. The Windwards Board must enhance the stock so that the regional pool is replenished. Sir Frank Worrell made the prediction over 50 years ago about the wealth of talent in the “smaller Islands.” The prophecy was revealed in the likes of Vivian Richards and Andy Roberts. The issue rolls on with occasional sparks, but there seems an absence of consistency and persistency. Dynamics, globally and regionally have altered, and the emphasis has shifted to individual concerns. There are those who value the principles of just society. Attempts to besmear the environment take foothold only for that moment of illusion. Then things kick into place and the reality resumes. This year was another hectic one on the calendar. It is marked by the mixture of extremes. What also emerged is reminder of our infallibility. A number of sporting stalwarts obeyed the call to the maker. A review of the stock will take you to far and vivid memories, and the lessons learnt will be of each one’s closeness to the end. That ought to remind us of what life is all about. Heeding those teachings about life worth may infuse with greater thoughts of humility less tendency towards arrogance.
OUT AH TROUBLE are the new champions of the National Lotteries Authority TBPO T20 Softball Cricket. They claimed the title when they comfortably disposed of Sion Hill Tallawahs in the finals played last Sunday at the Dauphine playing field. Out Ah Trouble batted first and made 133 for 5 in 20 overs. Mikel Mapp topscored with 47. Sion Hill Tallawahs never showed any real intent in their chance and were eventually all out in 14 overs for 68. Kenron Williams took 3 for 13, Resrick Strough 3 for 17 and Richie Richards 2 for 23. In the third place playoff, Gairy Construction Simple Boys beat Nice Radio Clinchers by 97 runs. Scores: Simple Boys 182 for 6 in 20 overs - Stein Joseph 55, Okeiph Andrews 2 for 20; Clinchers 85 in 11.2 overs. Okeiph Andrews 38, Stein Joseph took 3 for 13. Out Ah Trouble walked away with $3,000.00, the winning trophy and the shield. Runners up Sion Hill Tallawahs got $1,500.00 and a trophy for their effort. Out Ah Trouble dominated among the individual awards in the League segment of the
Davian Barnium – MVP and leading run-getter of the Competition.
Out Ah Trouble - new TBPO Champions.
Competition, with Kenron Williams being the highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps, and Davian Barnium the leading run-getter with a total of 345. Barnium also took the coveted title of MVP of the League, having taken 15 wickets to go with his run tally of 345. Mikel Mapp of Out Ah Trouble was Novices were named Player of the Finals for his last year’s innings of 47 runs. champions. The Most Disciplined Team was Challengers. I.B.A.ALLEN
Sion Hill Tallawahs – losing finalist.
St Lucia wins WÊwards U15 ST LUCIA EMERGED champions of the Winlott Inc/WICBC U15 Cricket Tournament, followed by SVG, when the tournament concluded on Monday in St Lucia. Vincentians selected to In the tournament the Windwards U15 Team which began on Tournament’s (from left) Rashawn December 9, St Lucia highest runLewis, Solomon finished on 24 points Bascombe, Luke Wilson. getter with 187 from 6 matches, having including one won 4 and lost 2. century, and was the most SVG tallied 19 points from 6 outstanding wicket-keeper with matches, including 3 wins 2 12 catches and 4 stumpings. losses, with one abandoned. Kervyn Gangadeen took the Grenada was third on 18 points most wickets, 16, followed by from 6 matches, with 3 wins and 3 SVG’s Luke Wilson with 11. losses, while Dominica finished at SVG’s Head coach - Bertram the bottom with 7 points from 6 Stapleton was pleased with the matches, including 1 win, 4 losses team’s performance despite not and one abandoned . winning. “The SVG Under 15 has Vincentian wicketbeen showing improvement for keeper/batsman Reshown Lewis the past three years. This year, was adjudged MVP of the the team has propelled our Toirnament. He was the progress even further, which I am very satisfied with, despite coming second. We have worked hard, and ….. there were some outstanding performances,” Stapleton said. Rashawn Ist Runner-up – St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Lewis was Champions St. Lucia. pleased with his overall performance and believes the hard work he put in paid off. He said, “The coaches were depending on me a lots so I went in and batted under a lot of pressure, but it helped while taking responsibility. …. I will continue to work hard to improve my game as I prepare for the West Indies tournament next year,” Meanwhile, three Vincentians have been selected to a 14-man Windards Under 15 team to participate in the West Indies Youth tournament next year. They are Rashawn Lewis, Solomon Bascombe and Luke Wilson. They will join: Devonie Joseph (captain), Stephen Pascal, Royce Paul, Kervyn Gangadeen, Steven Abraham, Mahid Lambert, Kevin Gassie, Devin Tyson, Shawail Edward, Jolonnie Joseph and Deshanti Thomas. I.B.A.ALLEN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018. 51.
Classifieds
Station bail for ganja revisited
Continued from Page 4. would be granted bail when they come to Court on Mondays, if they pleaded not guilty, so why should the state incur unnecessary cost in keeping them for the weekend, in cells, subjecting them to such an environment?” Connell questioned. “I don’t think there would be an issue with the powers that be if the Commissioner makes that decision, because it is in the interest of the people.” Connell noted that on November 12, there were 12 marijuana cases before the Serious Offences Court, and all were for possession of under 1,100 grams.
KEVIN PATRICK Layou S.D.A, Church Monday, 17th December, 2018 Service: 2:30 p.m. Viewing: 1:30 p.m. Interment: Layou Cemetery
VALLIE AMELIA BROWN ADAMS St. Joseph S.B.C North Union Sunday, 16th December, 2018 Service: 2:00 p.m. Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Interment: Mac Fun Cemetery
EDWARD SYDNEY O’CAROL ROSS
OMEGA DOTHILYN JOSEPH
St. Paul’s Anglican Church Monday, December 17, 2018 Service: 3:00 p.m.
Stubbs S.D.A, Church Sunday, 16th December, 2018 Service: 2:00 p.m. Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery
ALBERT NATHANIEL MARS
MYRTIE ESTELLA BACCHUS
Holy Trinity Parish Church Commercial Road, Georgetown Saturday, 15th December 2018 Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Holy Trinity Church Cemetery
Mt. Coke Methodist Church, Stubbs Friday, 14th December, 2018 Service: 2:00 p.m. Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Interment: Church Yard Cemetery
F O R S A L E
FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 21, 2018
VOLUME 112, No.51
A.I. REAL ESTATE In Loving Memory of Newsam Sampson Your life was a blessing Your memory a treasure You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure May you continue to rest in everlasting peace. (784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 whatsapp (784)-493-9431 cell (718)-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com facebook.com/airealestatesvg
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YUGGE FREED AFTER SHARP CALL abusive language to, Karen DuncanA SHARP CALL by Gonsalves, to wit, “You attorney Grant Connell dirty bitch”. for his client Yugge Duncan-Gonsalves, Farrell’s case to be the wife of Finance dismissed, instead Minister Camillo of withdrawn, Gonsalves, was at the resulted in the time a senior crown Vincentian counsel in the Attorney fashion model General’s Chambers. leaving the The matter was slated Kingstown for hearing on Monday Magistrate’s and when DuncanCourt, a free Gonsalves was called to woman on take the stand, she was Monday. not present. Farrell Prosecutor Curlene was charged Samuel then informed with, that on the Court that the January 4 this prosecution was year at Granby withdrawing the charge. Street, But Connell, holding Kingstown, in for Andrew Pilgrim QC circumstances of Barbados, lead lawyer likely to cause a breach in the matter, responded of peace, did make use of sharply with, “We are by HAYDN HUGGINS
Yugge Farrell, deckedin a black outfit that boasted an ankle-length overall, walked unescorted away from the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.
asking the Court to dismiss this matter for want of prosecution.” Connell told Senior Magistrate Ricky Burnett that the matter had been before the Court for almost a year, and to date, the Prosecution had not made any disclosure or shown their intention to prosecute. He then pointed out that to withdraw at this stage would leave the door open for Farrell to be recharged. Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, who was at the Bar table and said she had a “watching brief,” agreed with Connell. She indicated that if the matter was withdrawn and not dismissed, it could
always be brought back. Bacchus-Baptiste disclosed that last week she had received a letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) headed “Dismissal, but the body of the letter stated that the case would be discontinued”. After listening to both lawyers, the Senior Magistrate ruled, “The matter is dismissed for want of Prosecution”. Farrell, who was decked in a black coat, black gloves and wearing a wig, appeared calm throughout the proceedings. Following her acquittal and exit from the courtroom and building, and as she walked away from the precincts, , she
Karen DuncanGonsalves, whom Yugge Farrell was said to have abused (vocally), was not in court last Monday. looked back briefly and waved to onlookers, many of whom had turned up to show their support for the Vincentian model. See related story on Page 4.
SVG signs Juvenile Justice MOU Understanding, productive and setting out costly,” and pointed BY FEBRUARY 2019, a Child responsibilities of to “balanced, Justice Act will be passed each party and restorative here. A Select Committee is providing guides approaches that hold fine-tuning aspects of the for the project’s young people document. implementation, accountable without That information was were signed with compromising their disclosed by Minister of the governments future.” National Mobilization of St. Kitts and There are Frederick Stephens on last Nevis and St. challenges, and that Wednesday morning. Lucia. is why Cushing He was speaking at the Last wants to see signing ceremony signalling Wednesday was participation to cooperation on the this country’s turn embrace families, implementation of Phase Two to sign the MOU, communities, of the Juvenile Justice Reform with USAID and government and the Project (JJRP), a project the OECS. local stake- holders From left: Christopher Cushing (USAID), Minister to develop tools. supported by USAID through Christopher the OECS, that is earmarked Cushing, Mission Frederick Stephenson and Dr. Didicus Jules The USAID (OECS), the three signatories to the MOU to be implemented in the six Director USAID Mission Director governing the implementation of the JJRP in SVG. outlined that “this independent territories of the Eastern and OECS: Antigua and Barbuda, Southern approach fosters the agreement. Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts Caribbean; Dr Didicus Jules, sustainability and moves Cushing noted a pattern of countries from being and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Director General Organisation “moving away from harsh and recipients to partners Vincent and the Grenadines . of Eastern Caribbean States, punitive measures that have In 2017, Memoranda of and Stephenson, all signed equipped to chart their own been proven counterby WILLIAM ANTHONY
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
future.” There is a stigma that hangs over the project, which Cushing highlighted as one of the challenges. “Even when a person appears to be on the right track, there are always competing forces which can set them back and destabilise or derail their progress,” Cushing proffered. Stephenson described the event “momentous.” Since 2012, US$2.5M has been allocated to St. Vincent and the Grenadines through the Juvenile Justice Reform Project. Stephenson pointed to a $195.000 figure which was spent on the Liberty Lodge Training Centre. Stephenson referred to the imminent passage of the Child Justice Bill as testimony of his government’s commitment to “comprehensive reform.”
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