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FRIDAY,

JANUARY 22, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.03

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

HOTELIERS, TAXI OPERATORS:

ÂCOMPLY OR ELSE⁄Ê

Police moved on Wednesday to clear the area in front of the Electoral Office of pro NDP protesters.

PROTESTERS CHARGED

by HAYDN HUGGINS THREE WOMEN and one man, said to be part of an ongoing protest in front the Electoral Office on Lower Bay Street, Kingstown, challenging the results of the December 9 general elections, claiming the process was not free and fair, had charges laid against them on Wednesday.

Taxi Operators at the E. T. Joshua who do not register with the appropriate authority could well have the arm of the law brought to bear on them.

Continued on Page 3.

Right: Hoteliers who do not prvide rails for their pools, are not in compliance with the standards, and could be fined.

In fact, individuals were given one year from the time THE ST VINCENT and the Grenadines the standards became law Tourism Association (SVGTA) will and it was the SVGTA that had begin taking measures to deal with given an extension to encourage hoteliers and taxi operators who and facilitate all persons have failed to ensure basic concerned to come on board with standards are being adhered to. the new set of guidelines.

Glen Beache, Chief Executive But, according to Beache, there Officer (CEO) of the St Vincent were (still) some who were and the Grenadines Tourism resisting and not coming to the Association (SVGTA) said last realisation that this was now a Tuesday that stakeholders within legal requirement. the industry were given a two “We have been lenient for the year grace period – it being two first two years. The SVGTA have years since legislation was already sent out letters to let enacted.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

persons know that if they are not registered by a certain time, we will start charging fees for not registering – it is as simple as that,” Beache said.

Persons involved in the industry need to come to the realisation that there ought to be standards: “There are certain types of accommodation I wouldn’t send my family to,” Beache said.

Continued on Page 2.

Pro-NDP protesters have kept up a presence, though varying in size, in front of the Electoral Office since the announcement of the results of the December 9 general elections.

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2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Fire-bombing acts will impact VINLEC

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) at the state-owned power company, St. Vincent Electrical Services Limited (VINLEC), Thornley Myers, said that the attempted fire-bombing at the company’s headquarters and the burning of a pole

in Yambou, will impact the cost of VINLEC’s operations, and he has appealled to persons not to glorify the actions.

Myers was speaking at a Press conference at the company’s headquarters last Tuesday.

He explained that as a

result of the incidents, VINLEC has had to “beef up” security at its facilities, incurring additional cost for the installation of security devices and other related services.

Myers alluded to the probability of increase in

cost of services to consumers, to offset unexpected costs.

On Monday, January 4th, members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force responded to a report that a suspicious material looking like

Right: Thornley Myers, CEO/VINLEC had some not so good news and some good news for electricity consumers here.

rubber was seen burning behind VINLEC’s headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown.

Charred remains of a cloth-like material and fragments of a burnt bottle were found lying on the grass in the yard.

This incident followed on the heels of a similar incident on New Year’s Day, when a security guard at the said Kingstown headquarters, discovered a Molotov cocktail pieces of broken bottle and a cloth-like material - on the grounds of the compound.

On Friday 8th January, a utility pole at Yambou was set on fire.

Remnants of a burnt tyre were found at the base of the pole.

“Anyone who feels the activity is to be celebrated should be ashamed……. Most of you are too young to know what the company was like when it was taken over by the government in 1985,” said the CEO. He then traced the history of the company, referring to its original ownership by the Commonwealth

Development Corporation (CDC), a British based Company, up to the time of full acquisition by the government in 1985.

Myers recognized the importance that successive governments since 1985 have accorded the energy sector, especially as it relates to the role it plays in advancing the development of the state.

Surcharge The CEO also took the opportunity of the press conference to announce the fuel surcharge for January will be reduced to 20.71 cents from 49.49 cents.

Myers noted, “The last time we had a fuel surcharge lower than 20.71 cents was in July of 2004. So the fuel surcharge of 20.71 cents would essentially be the lowest surcharge in almost 11 years.”

The reduction in the fuel surcharge comes as a direct result of the dramatic reduction in price of oil. (KH)

‘Comply or else…’

Continued from Page 1.

“And we have to come to an understanding that we have to have standards; and there are only certain places that the SVGTA will recommend to people,” he continued.

It was mandatory that persons involved in the tourism industry get registered, Beache said.

And the minimum requirements were not that rigid, he explained.

Among the standards are: ensuring that there is running hot water, and towels do not have holes; and provision of guard rails at swimming pools.

The measures would also be meted out to taxi operators and tour guides, the SVGTA’s CEO said.

Those taxi operators at the E.T Joshua Airport had until last Tuesday to register or risk being denied the right to operate at that facility.

The SVGTA will be seeking the assistance of the Police with respect to the taxi operators, Beache disclosed.

The same regulations will also be applicable at the international airport when that facility opens.

Regarding their readiness to extend their services beyond simply driving, Beache commented that some taxi operators had the habit of saying that there was not anything new that could be learnt.

“Yet,” Beache said, “some taxi drivers were asked to speak for a period of three minutes in a simulation exercise resembling that of taking a visitor to the Botanical Gardens, and some were unable to do so.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 3.

News 3

Public Order Act vs. Firearms Act

KAY BACCHUS-BROWNE, one of the Lawyers representing the New Democratic Party’s candidate for Central Leeward, Ben Exeter, on a gun related charge, said that the Public Order Act, under which Exeter was charged, does not apply to holders of licensed firearms.

Exeter was charged from an incident stemming from his taking his licensed firearm to a protest during the opening of the first session of the new parliament, following the general election of December 9th.

During a press conference on Tuesday 19th at her office, Bacchus- Browne said that the Firearms Act takes Precedence over the Public Order Act. She cited Section 14 of the Public Order Act, to wit, ‘Any

person who while present at any public meeting or on the occasion of any public position has with him any offensive weapon otherwise than in potency of lawful authority is guilty of an offense’. “…I have been met with many, many telephone calls, and persons in the road, persons who have firearms were suddenly wondering if it is an offense to appear at a public event with a firearm,” said Bacchus Browne.

The veteran lawyer, who is the holder of a licensed firearm said that she does not think that the Public Order Act has any application as such to a person that has a lawful firearm. “ I say this because the Firearms Act, section 16 said

‘subject to the proviso, of section 29: 2 , a person shall not carry a fire arm or ammunition to a public place unless he has on his person a licence permit or certificate granted by the appropriate authority , authorizing him to do so’,” she continued.

Bacchus-Browne alluded to the practice of holders of the licensed firearms being told by the police that they should keep their firearm in their possession at all times, “because it is for your protection. It would be ludicrous to give you a firearm and on the other hand say that if you ever went to a public meeting with this firearm, that you are committing an offense.”

She said that section 14: 1

Kay Bacchus-Browne (centre), attorney for Ben Exeter (left), has raised concern about the Act/Law under which her client has been charged. Israel Bruce (lawyer) is also pictured. of the Firearms Act gives licensed firearm owners the permission to take their firearms in any public place, “and this is the law that governs firearm, not the Public Order Act,” declared Bacchus Browne.

Bacchus-Browne further contended that Exeter had the constitutional right to have his gun in his possession on the day he was arrested. “The Public Order Act cannot take precedence over the Firearms Act,” she declared, and made reference to a situation where

the ruling Unity Labour Party’s candidate for North Leeward, Carlos James, discharged a firearm in Petit Bordel during a gathering of both ULP and NDP supporters.

James is the holder of a licensed firearm and BacchusBrowne questioned, Why was James not charged, or any investigation at all into him, but yet there is this investigation and this change into Exeter.

Exeter will appear in court on Monday 25th.

in front the electoral office had been removed, Commissioner of Police Michael Continued from Investigation Charles explained, “We Frontpage.

Department (CID) cannot continue to stated that the police inconvenience business Violet Hannibal of had received reports Redemption Sharpes, that the protesters were people in the area from Sheridon Davis of Arnos blocking the designated parking their vehicles.

Because of the Vale/Sion Hill, Sueanne parking area for the Duncan of Georgetown electoral office staff, and barricades, they were and Osborne Jack of were annoying the staff unable to park their vehicles in the parking Level Gardens have calling them names area.” been charged with such as ‘pussycat’ and He assured that unlawful assembly, ‘thief’. contrary to section 67 of The information also police patrols will continue in the area. the Criminal Code. revealed there were Some of the Jack has been reports that the protesters were heard additionally charged bellowing from a ‘bull saying they don’t know with possession of an horn’ the protesters why or for what they offensive weapon to wit, were using, and the were taken into custody an imitation firearm. constant ringing of a and that the police were The four were bell, were affecting the lying. expected to appear at staff members of the The charging of the the Kingstown electoral office and Magistrate’s Court nearby business places. four protesters follows the recent arrest of talk yesterday (Thursday).

Information is that show host Lucette King, The quartet was police officers went to who has been playing a among a number of the scene and spoke to persons said to be the protesters, but some leading role in the protest. involved in the protest of them refused to King has been and who were taken comply with the police charged with causing into police custody on instructions and were inconvenience to the Wednesday. The others taken into custody. public in exercise of were released without When contacted on common rights contrary charges.

Wednesday, and asked to section 282 of the Information received why the barricades Criminal Code. from the Criminal which had been placed

Protesters charged

NDP supporters are expected to gather in Layou for the first of two planned major protest rallies.

NDP stepping up action THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) will be stepping up its activities as the political party continues to protest the December 9, 2015 General Elections.

Political Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, during a telephone call to the ‘New Times’ radio programme on Tuesday, said that members of the NDP had come to a decision to step up the protest action, which began immediately following the December 9 general elections, and which has been confined, for the most part, to outside the office of the Supervisor of Elections, Bay Street, Kingstown.

In detailing the stepped up action planned, Eustace said the party took

a decision to stage two rallies in the constituencies, the results from which form the basis for petitions in the High Court.

The first of these rallies is scheduled for January 30 in Layou in the Central Leeward Constituency.

The other will be held in North Windward on a date to be announced, though Eustace pointed to it being staged shortly after the one in Layou.

He also announced that the NDP will be resuming house to house and public meetings in various constituencies throughout the country.

“So that is the action that we have decided upon taking, following our meeting this (Monday) morning,” Eustace said.

V Both sides ready in protestorÊs case 4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

readiness to proceed when contacted by THE VINCENTIAN on BOTH THE PROSECUTION and defence have assured Tuesday, January 19, they are ready to proceed in the much anticipated trial minutes after involving Luzette King, the host of the Saturday Magistrate Carla morning programme Global Highlights, aired on Nice James granted an Radio. adjournment requested The matter is now slated for February 12. by the defence.

King, a Vincentian residing in the United States, King had pleaded not Luzette King has led the has been charged with causing inconvenience to the charge against the guilty to the charge public in exercise of common rights, contrary to results of the December when she initially section 282 of the Criminal Code.

9, 2015 general elections. appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on January 7, and the matter was slated for Tuesday.

However, Bacchus-Browne wrote to the Court requesting the adjournment, on the grounds that SENIOR PROSECUTOR ammunition matter Prosecutor said May Delpleche also pointed she was involved in High Court matters.

Prosecutor Richards had no objections, and the Adolphus Delpleche involving Denzil Sam, acted vigilantly and to the expert evidence of Magistrate adjourned the case to February 12. holds high praises for 30, of Old Montrose. professionally in IT Specialist Sergeant High Court matters always take precedence over Corporal Colin May of Sam was on Tuesday apprehending the Emel Jacobs, who magisterial cases. the Criminal sentenced to six years in defendant. showed the court a As she exited the Court building, King was Investigation prison for possession of a “He (May) freezed him photograph he had Department (CID), .380 firearm without with his service pistol, downloaded from Sam’s greeted by a small group of persons who had whose action on licence, and three years took hold of the exhibits mobile phone, with Sam gathered outside to show solidarity and support for December 3, 2015 may for having seven rounds and called for back-up posing with a gun in a her. have prevented a very of .380 ammunition from other police officers marijuana field, similar Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN minutes after, serious crime. without licence. The who had not yet entered to the one with which he Station Sergeant Richards assured, “The May was the arresting sentences are to be the house,” Delpleche was caught. prosecution was and is still ready to proceed. We officer in a firearm and served concurrently. said.

“We cannot say for went to court with all our witnesses.”

May apprehended When Sam was being sure that the gun in the The prosecution intends to call five witnesses, Sam around 8:20 a.m. on taken to the police photograph was the four police officers and a civilian.

December 3, 2015 when transport, he attempted same one with which he Richards said he has already disclosed to the the police officer moved to throw away his was caught, but the defence, all relevant material pertaining to the in on him at a house in mobile phone after he footage was a crucial bit matter.

Ottley Hall, where his was asked to hand it of circumstantial Bacchus-Browne assured that the defence has child’s mother, Kim over, but it was skillfully evidence, and was one of received witness statements related to the case from the prosecution, and, “We are ready to proceed.”

Charles, was staying. caught in flight by the pillars on which the The offence with which King is charged carries a Sam was wanted in another police officer. It prosecution’s case maximum penalty of six months in prison. connection with a was seized and kept for relied”, he explained.

King is on station bail. number of firearm forensic examination.

In his defence, Sam related offences.

“The firearm was who was without legal The prosecution’s loaded. Six rounds of representation, denied evidence revealed that ammunition was in the that the firearm and Sam was met in the magazine and one in the ammunition found at the house with the loaded breach ready for action, house belonged to him. gun on the floor about but May was able to He continued this denial four feet from him. A negate whatever action even after the sentences bullet was in the breach. he (Sam) may have been were handed down. He AFTER BEING convicted on firearm and Speaking with THE contemplating. It was an claimed that he had gone ammunition charges at the Serious Offences VINCENTIAN shortly excellent piece of police to the house to charge Court on Wednesday, Denzil Sam told the court, after the sentences were work”, Delpleche told his mobile phone, and “It go grieve my heart, and vengeance go dey in Denzil Sam handed down, the Senior THE VINCENTIAN. that it was the first time my heart”. he had gone there.

He alsoold Chief Magistrate Rechanne Kim Charles and Browne-Matthias, “You could give me 15 years if Winston Mason testified you want.” on his behalf, but their But Browne-Matthias had explained that a evidence failed to Magistrate has the power to impose a sentence of support his case. up to seven years for firearm or ammunition Sam has been also possession. charged with the Sam, 30, of Old Montrose, was convicted of attempted murder of having a .380 pistol without licence, and seven Dexter Rodney, 25, of rounds of .380 ammunition without licence. He Rockies, who was shot as was sentenced to six years on the gun charge and he emerged from a three years for the ammunition, to run popular business place concurrently. on Lower Bay Street, But Sam denied that the gun and ammunition Kingstown, shortly after belonged to him, even after the sentences were midday on October 1, handed down.

2015, and possession of a He left the prisoner’s box using an expletive firearm with intent to and shouted, “The gun ain’t mine, never was endanger Rodney’s life. mine.”

A Preliminary Inquiry He continued his outburst while sitting in the (PI) into those charges is prisoners’ row, shouting, “I am going to prison for slated for March 7 this year. something I don’t know about. The gun ain’t Sam had 16 previous mine.” convictions.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

King’s charge stems from an incident on January 6 this year, during a protest involving a group of supporters from the New Democratic Party (NDP), outside the Electoral Office on Bay Street, Kingstown.

King has been playing a leading role in the ongoing action staged to challenge the results of the December 9 general elections, claiming that the process was not free and fair.

Station Sergeant Elgin Richards, who is leading the case for the prosecution, and King’s lawyer, Kay Bacchus-Browne, gave the assurance of their

Prosecutor lauds police in gun case

Accused speaks of vengeance

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 5.

Regional

Economic Emergency for Venezuela measures, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ; but it gave the executive branch sweeping control over the national budget, to finance and implement policies to stimulate the economy as Mr. Maduro sees fit.

The order also called for businesses to increase domestic production of basic goods, and promised greater state control of distribution networks, the WSJ reported; but it gave no indication of how hard foreign currency was going to be made available to businesses to buy much-needed imports.

The decree/order can be extended for another 60 days, as the President sees fit.

Members of the majority opposition Democratic Unity coalition in the National Assembly, gave early indication of their intention to vet the order before approving or rejecting it.

In his state of the union address, President Maduro promised to continue his statist economic model, in the face of hardships that he blamed on lower oil revenues and capitalist speculation.

But he acknowledged the need for some changes, including raising domestic fuel prices for Supporters of Venezuelan the first time in two President Nicolas Maduro gather decades, the WSJ said. outside the National Assembly And Venezuelans woke ahead of his presentation of the last week Friday to even annual report on January 15, 2016. more depressing news,

LAST FRIDAY, January 15, 2016, Venezuela listened to an address from the presidential palace, declaring a 60-day nationwide economic emergency, and those who had not accepted it before, had to admit that the country was truly in a deepening economic crisis.

The announcement, another decree from President Nicolas Maduro, came hours before he delivered his much anticipated state of the union address, before members of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition- controlled National Assembly.

“We want to reaffirm the people’s trust in the revolutionary government,” Mr. Maduro’s top economic adviser, Luis Salas, said in a televised address from the presidential palace, as he read the emergency decree.

The decree stopped way short of giving detailed specific

(AFP Photo/Ronaldo Schemidt)

when the Central Bank released key data for the first time since December 2014 for the oil-rich South American giant.

It reported, confirming what most observers had advanced some time ago, that the economy contracted 7.1%, and annual inflation hit 141.5% through September, the world’s highest.

The Central Bank said inflation was most felt in basics like food, liquor, hotels and education services. Construction activity contracted 20% in the 12 months ended September.

Low oil prices left Venezuela with a current-account deficit of $13 billion through September, compared with an $8.4 billion surplus in 2014.

“The figures confirm a dire macroeconomic backdrop,” WSJ quoted Goldman Sachs analyst Mauro Roca as saying.

“Under these conditions, the administration will find it increasingly difficult to continue servicing its external debt,” Roc is reported as adding.

And while some experts/analysts have said that Venezuela has a long list of needed overhauls to jump-start the economy, analysts say, it must consider with priority, slashing a generous subsidy that makes gasoline almost free, easing the stringent currency controls that restrict access to U.S dollars, and relaxing rigid price caps on staples like cooking oil and detergent that deter domestic production.

President Nicolas Maduro delivering his state of the union address to a majority opposition National Assembly, the first such Assembly in 17 years. (Credit: gpv.ven) The same analysts admit that these measures are likely to further exacerbate inflation in the near term, and hit Mr. Maduro hard at a time when polls show him grappling with low approval ratings, the WSJ said.

In a glaring difference from previous state of the union addresses, Mr. Maduro’s threehour address was followed by a half-hour rebuttal by assembly leader Henry Ramos, a prominent opposition politician.

Ramos said the country’s problems were the result of government mismanagement, rather than the so-called economic war that Mr. Maduro says is being waged by the enemies of his leftist administration.

But Ramos also called for dialogue in the politically polarized nation to tackle the economic turmoil.

“It’s a crisis that is getting worse by the day, and one that affects us all,” Mr. Ramos said.

“If we can find points in common to get out this mess, we won’t be the ones denying a resolution of these problems.”

The president of the National Assembly, Henry Ramos Allup (right), pictured here speaking to the press in Caracas, has called for dialogue across political differences during this period of crisis. (Credit: AFP Photo/Juan Barreto)

People queue outside a supermarket in Caracas on January 15, 2016. (AFP Photo/Ronaldo Schemidt) (Sources: Wall Street Journal, BBC, Al Jazeera)

T&T faces economic downturn TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, whose economy has been built on oil and natural gas exports, is heading for what commentators say is a ‘punishing and prolonged downturn’.

After two decades of nearly uninterrupted economic growth and prosperity, the richest Caribbean country, and one of the richest in the Western Hemisphere, has been forced to scale back spending by 7%, and siphon some US$1.5 billion from a stabilisation fund over the next few years.

And the new People’s National Movement government, led by first timer Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, is warning the estimated 1.3 million people of the twin island republic, that they will have to do with less.

The current ‘punishing’ reality in Trinidad and Tobago comes directly as a result in plummeting

prices for benchmark crude (oil) and liquid natural gas.

In June 2014, Trinidad’s benchmark crude fetched as much as US$105.00, but that price stands today at US$30.00.

Natural gas exports are reportedly down by as much as 45%.

Trinidad gets roughly 45 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP), and 80 per cent of export revenue from the energy industry (oil and gas).

“We must all appreciate that the circumstances we now face as a nation, require sacrifice and managed adjustment in our living standards,” AP reported Prime Minister Keith Rowley as cautioning in a recent speech.

These adjustments are expected to be occasioned by, though not exclusively, the removal or lessening of subsidies on gasoline, and the discontinuation of cheap electricity.

And Just four months into his Prime administration, and Dr. Keith Minister Rowley, Prime Minister of Rowley, Trinidad and Tobago, has who took warned his people that they office in will have to be satisfied with September, less. (Photo Credit: has not www.utdc.com) backed down from Meanwhile, Dr. telling his country men Terrence Farrell, a former and women that the Central Bank deputy country will have to go to governor, told The the IMF again, if it doesn’t Associated Press that make the right Trinidad and Tobago is in adjustments now. a stronger position now Towards avoiding an than during the oil bust of IMF involvement in the the early 1980s. affairs of the country, the According to FarrelI, PNM government called the country has built up on businesses to find roughly US$10 billion in cheaper sources of official reserves and imports, and for US$5.6 billion in a consumers to buy “heritage and stabilisation whatever locally produced fund” created in 2007, goods they can find, which can help cushion measures that could save swings in energy prices. on foreign currency However, he said, leaving the economy. mismanagement and Government spending, corruption over the according to PM Rowley, decades have meant far must be slashed, as its too much money vanished expenditures are roughly or was frittered away.

35 per cent of GDP. “There’s no question we

Trinibagonians are bracing themselves for an increase of petrol at the pumps. (Photo Credit: Trin.co.)

Right: Dr. Terrence Farrell, former Dep. Governor of the Central Bank, has not shied away from highlighting the mismanagement and corruption that rocked T&T, as being contributing factors to the country’s current malaise.

(Internet photo) ought to be in a better position than we are right now,” Farrell said. “We clearly could have done a lot more with our oil and gas resources.”

For many years,

officials have repeatedly said that Trinidad’s economic base had to be broadened to provide protection from global energy downturns. Yet, little has been achieved, even as proven natural gas reserves declined.

(Source: AP)

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6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Police appeals taking too long THE POLICE WELFARE Association has expressed concern with the length of time it takes for police officers who have been suspended or dismissed, to have their appeals heard.

Chairman of the Police Welfare Association, Inspector Trevor Bailey said at last Saturday’s Police Awards Ceremony, that in some instances it has been seven years in waiting for appeal matters to be heard.

“As an Association, we will be pursuing these matters vigorously, so we can bring some closure to these issues, one way or the other,” Bailey said.

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves in his address to the ceremony, expressed agreement with Insp. Bailey’s sentiments.

“And it is something that the Welfare Association and myself would have to work properly with each other and other authorities, to ensure that you don’t have this length of time. If if a man is going to be dismissed from the Force, let it be done expeditiously,” Gonsalves said in part response to Bailey’s expression.

The Prime Minister intimated that there were instances when he was in agreement with the decision made to dismiss an officer, but there were times when he questioned the action taken.

Dr. Gonsalves, whose Inspector Trevor ministerial responsibility for Bailey, Chairman of National Security includes the Police Welfare jurisdiction over the Police, Association. cautioned the hierarchy of the Police Force, that not because they had the power, meant that they ought to exercise it in an unreasonable manner.

“Authority must be exercised with judicious care,” he advised, cautioned, adding, “And when that authority is being exercised, the Commissioner, whoever he or she is…has to assess this matter as if he is a judge sitting down making, not a final judgment, but one which is likely to be final.” (DDD)

IT WILL BE Glen Beache, difficult to Chief Executive determine Officer of the which airline (SVGTA) said will be flying that meetings into the with major International airlines are Airport at ongoing, but Argyle before warned against its completion jumping to and the conclusions at appointment of this juncture. a Chief Executive Officer to manage its operations.

This was the sentiment expressed by Glen Beache, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Association (SVGTA).

He explained that it was obvious that airline representatives would have to discuss issues with the airport’s management team, including landing fees, frequency of flights per week and accommodation expenses with overnight crew.

“Contrary to what the point while about the Traffic some people believe that addressing the Royal St Department being left to Vincent and the deal with all matters you go out and ask and Grenadines Police relating to traffic, and they will come, that is Force’s Annual Awards advised, “It’s so easy to not the situation,” Ceremony last Saturday. see when man ain’t Beache said.

He reiterated his point paying the vehicle “There are a lot of licence.” things that have to be The PM went on further to state that the discussed, and I want to matter becomes worse if repeat this, I said it a an accident occurs and it Prime Minister Dr. few times – nobody is discovered that the Ralph Gonsalves called owes St Vincent driver of the vehicle anything, if the airlines on all police officers to involved in the accident are not making money, has an invalid or expired ensure that road users driver’s licence – in they are not going to were complying with which case the insurance the laws. come to St Vincent and for the vehicle becomes the Grenadines. It is just null and void. licence. simple as that, and we He reminded his In the first case, need to understand audience, many being Opposition that,” he continued. police officers, that they Parliamentary too had children and Beache told members Representative for South other loved ones on the Leeward, Nigel of the media on Tuesday road, who were at risk of Stephenson, admitted becoming involved in an that he had been driving that the process of meeting with some of the accident with a traffic an unlicensed vehicle world’s major airlines offender. since 2010. was ongoing, and they “So it is in your Unity Labour Party interest to make sure are constantly being (ULP) Senator Luke that you check out the Browne, now Minister of kept up-to-date on the road traffic because there Health, was also progress at the airport are too many deaths on discovered to have been site. the road,” the Prime operating a vehicle, but According to the Minister advised. his driver’s licence had SVGTA’s CEO, The Prime Minister’s not been paid for the comments might hasten period 2011 to 2015. representatives from readers to recall the And in September, the various airlines will discoveries last year, in New Democratic Party’s continue visiting before which three candidates candidate for Central the facility is officially who contested the 2015 Leeward, Benjamin General Elections had Exeter, was discovered to opened.

He further explained been brought before the be operating an court to answer charges that it was anticipated unlicensed vehicle after of operating a vehicle, he was stopped by a that there will be two either with an expired police officer in airlines out of the United vehicle licence or driver’s Barrouallie. (DDD) States, one from Canada and one from the United Kingdom, and that local officials were looking at two to three flights weekly out of New York, Miami, Toronto and the UK. “That is how we are seeing it, that will give visitors better options in terms of their length of Between January 1 and December 27, there were stay,” Beache said.

15 fatal accidents, including this one with 25 (DDD) persons being killed.

All officers ought to be vigilant “IT IS THE DUTY of every police officer to ensure that road users are in full compliance of the law. However, all the traffic duties are being left to those in the

Traffic Department solely.”

So said Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Dr. Gonsalves made

Traffic at Argyle airport: Still too soon to determine

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 7.

People

The Very Rev’d Patrick McIntosh interred

CARMEL JOHNSON, the daughter of The Very Rev’d Patrick E. McIntosh, has no doubt about to whom he was committed, and that he was “called by God for a purpose.”

Carmel said in paying tribute to her father that, “He had a deep sense of commitment to God”, and summed up her father’s pillar of strength as coming from a conviction that “Without God, there’s not much sense in The Very Rev’d Patrick McIntosh anything.”

Father McIntosh, born on served St. Vincent the northern Grenadine island and the of Bequia March 22, 1947, died Grenadines with commitment and Tuesday January 5, 2016, bringing to an end, 38 years of humility for 38 dedicated service as an years as a Anglican cleric. member of the His funeral service took Anglican clergy. place at Victoria Park, in a ceremony patronised by a large gathering of Anglican faithful, members of other religious congregations and people of all walks of life, including Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace.

He was interred at the churchyard of the St. George’s Cathedral in Kingstown, where, at the time of this death, he was Dean.

He had stints at the Holy Trinity Georgetown and St. James, Layou, and endeared himself nationwide. He displayed remarkable humility, and almost everyone knew him as ‘Father Mac’.

Visits to the sick and shut-ins were part of his routine. He loved meeting people, Carmel recalled.

Many would have heard for the first time about ‘Fr. Mac’s’ love of farming, and that if he had the time, Father would have reared animals.

He was an avid reader, loved dancing, played the guitar, piano and steel pan, and loved singing, which he was bashful about as he often towered over others with his a deep and melodious voice with which the Lord had blessed him.

Carmel described him as one who “smiled in the face of adversity.” She recounted her father’s preference for “decency and order.”

She remembered her father as a “peace maker,” and “Servant of the Lord” who “journeyed with God and the people in his heart.”

His contribution to human development occasioned many hours away from home, but he ensured that time spent with family and friends was quality time.

The use of the venue at Victoria Park was occasioned owing to the unavailability of the Cathedral.

Repairs to that structure are on the cards, a task to which McIntosh had been committed.

The eulogy was delivered by John Horne.

The Right Reverend Leopold Friday, Bishop of the Diocese of the Windward Islands, delivered the Homily.

Rev’d Canon Otis Nichols, Rector of St. Paul’s

Calliaqua is to have oversight of the Parish of St. George, including the Cathedral, the restoration of which Fr. Mac had expressed his wish to see to its completion. (WKA)

‘Fr. Mac’, even as he pursued and fulfilled his clerical duties with time and feeling for all he served, found quality time to give to his family.

V

8. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Making agriculture ‘cool’ again WITH ALL THE TALK of the ‘crucial’ place agriculture enjoys in our economy, and its contribution (direct and indirect) to the livelihood of so many Vincentians, we must admit, if we are truthful to ourselves, that agriculture has an image problem.

For the majority of our youth, agriculture simply isn’t seen as being “cool” or, to use the more modern parlance, ‘Agriculture jus’ boring, man’.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that according to a table carried on page 19 of this issue, youth represented, in 2015, a mere 15% (1,125) of the registered/active farmers (7323) in this country.

The truth of the matter is that most young Vincentians view agriculture as back-breaking labour, without an economic pay-off – and little room for career advancement.

Mind you, there are young persons involved in agriculture, albeit the still illegal cultivation of marijuana, who will tell you otherwise. One has to wonder what percentage of those young persons registered as active farmers in 2015, were (and still are) marijuana growers.

The following is no new observation but it is one worth repeating: With an ageing population of farmers, it’s clear that agriculture needs to attract more young people, if it is to remain or be revived as a major contributor to the economic enterprise of this country.

One view expressed to THE VINCENTIAN, is that this ageing population of farmers is comprised, in the main, by persons 55 years and over, making the reality of our situation even more challenging as far as sustaining an agricultural sector is concerned.

As much as it sounds romantic, the first step towards introducing and/or energising national support for a programme aimed at encouraging young persons into agricultural endeavours, is to show that the agricultural sector offers huge potential for job creation.

Embracing this across the economy/society can radically change the image of agriculture among young people.

And remember, getting young people into agriculture is an opportunity to ward off the immensely, socially debilitating phenomenon of youth unemployment.

But how do we cause a change of mindset among the youth?

It is time that those who frame those school syllabi stop glorifying themselves and move to sync these with the reality of the Caribbean.

We will be making a mockery of ‘taking our education into our own hands’, a la Caribbean Examinations Council, UWI, this and that institution that carries a Caribbean reference, if increased access to education does not, in concrete and attractive methods, present for studied consideration new forms of agriculture-based enterprises

that are attractive to young people.

It was Mark Holderness of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research, Rome, who reckoned that, ‘Young people can transform the agricultural sector by applying new technologies and new thinking’.

Are we not brave enough in SVG and the Caribbean for that matter, to take him up on this challenge… to prove him correct?

But in our efforts to reach out to young people, our awareness programmes must preach that agriculture means more than subsistence farming — which is what young people would have etched in their minds as they reflect on the life situations of families involved in farming.

It must be that our education revolutions encourage today’s young people to explore career options in permaculture design, biodynamic farming, communication technologies, forecasting, marketing, logistics, quality assurance, urban agriculture projects, food preparation, environmental sciences, advanced technologies, and more, for, after all, these are all components in the encompassing nature of the agricultural sector/industry.

The national effort towards guaranteeing another generation of farmers must, by obligation, involve farmers, businesses, policy-makers, and educators, who together must sing one song about how agriculture can be intellectually stimulating and an economically sustainable career.

We simply have to make jobs in the agriculture and the food system “cool” for young people.

If as the Coordinator of WINFA advances that she is encouraged by the interest among young persons involved in a recent agriculture-related consultation, then there is still hope, and it is vital that we support this interest.

How? We can begin by introducing farmer training programmes which help young farmers learn what it takes to run a small farm operation — from business planning to workshops in livestock and healthy food.

We can host free regular social and educational events that bring farmers of all ages and experience levels together, to network and collaborate.

We can foster market demand for sustainable food while also providing youth with tools to begin growing their own sustainable food - empower vulnerable youth and provide them with skills needed for long-term food security.

We can share knowledge from lessons learned in rural youth agriculture programmes across the globe and establish and strengthen networks of youth involved in food and agriculture.

We can, if we are serious, make agriculture cool again.

The role of our lawyers then and now (Pt 1) IN THIS and a further two columns, I have produced the writings of a member of the Educational Forum of the People who forty-four years later, still is a force to reckon with.

A quartet put the magazine together which largely represented the views of the Forum. They were Arnhim Eustace, Adrian Fraser, Parnel Campbell and I, who additionally edited the publication.

I urge readers to digest the contents and lessons of these columns. They are very relevant to our present situation.

Have patience and pore over every line.

There are surprises that await you. At the end, you ought to better understand our “JUSTICE AND LAW” current predicament We have placed justice and the law alongside of Justice mainly for convenience, because law and justice do not always go together. There are some laws which are manifestly unjust in their content and operation (for example, the laws which discriminate against “bastard” children and commonlaw wives). Similarly, certain unjust actions are not unlawful at all, like acts which amount to economical exploitation and political victimisation.

The first point that must be clearly understood is that our laws and legal system represent the wholesale transplant of an English institution. It is true that over the years we have passed new laws of our own, but the fact remains that our entire legal system (the legal profession, the judiciary, the rules of court, the Police, etc.) is British in origin and in form, and that the bulk of our laws have been handed down to us or copied by us from the British laws. We are part of the English Common Law System, which means that very many decisions made today by the Courts in England are still binding on our courts.

Our criticism is not much directed to the fact that our laws and legal system have been borrowed; what we are criticising is the failure of our legal gentlemen, over the years, to amend enough of the laws and to change certain aspects of the system so as to make them suitable system to our situation. That is, our laws must be relevant to our social and economic needs;, they must relate as exactly as possible to the society we are trying to build; they must assist and not stifle our development; above all, our laws must be made to adapt to our changing circumstances, while some laws must themselves bring about changes in the society. As soon as any law is seen clearly to have outlived its usefulness, it should be removed from the laws books, or should be amended.

For a long time after the emancipation of slaves, there were no serious changes in the law to rectify the social imbalance. The slaves were set free in 1838, yet it was not until the offspring of these slaves agitated and demonstrated for changes, that any steps were taken to better the legal condition of the masses, beginning in the 1930s. To provide a few examples: the practice of employing children and young persons were not outlawed until 1935; Trade unions were not legally recognized until 1950; it was not until 1953 that the minimum wage laws were passed; and a Workman’s Compensation Ordinance was passed for the first time in 1963.

Apart from the reform of the substance of the law, there is urgent need to look into the question of legal dress. In an age when West Indians are changing from jacket-and-tie requirements of formal occasions to the more appropriate and less “dignified” shirt jac, it is interesting to note that the legal profession still insist on maintaining their wigs and gowns in court. The problem is that the progressive lawyers have no choice: they simply have to wear these alien symbols. We are told that the English lawyers can be excused from wearing their wigs and gown in summer when it becomes very hot in court; West Indians ignore the discomfort for the sake of tradition-British tradition. It should be noted that some Caribbean territories have dispensed with the wig, but it is curious to observe that in one territory they have done away with the wig and gown, but have insisted on the jacket and tie, dark trousers, plus shoes and socks.

The plain truth about the reluctance of some lawyers in St Vincent to modify their dress is that they realize that their wigs and gowns set them apart from ordinary mortals. They know that their costumes inspire awe in common folk, and they believe that this form of attire gives them a degree of respect, which respect they would not otherwise command, let alone enjoy. It is to be hoped that the winds of change will blow through the courts and lift from black uncomfortable heads the grey wig, symbol of British legal tradition and a constant reminder of our unwillingness to examine our institutions and ideas in the context to the search for our own indemnity.

This leads us to take a searching look into the legal profession.

Traditionally, lawyers as a group have been among the most conservative elements in our society, with only two or three exceptions.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 9.

Letters

Electing Mr. Trump - A terrible mistake NIS belongs to the nation’s children THE NIS is our ‘Promised Land’. It doesn’t belong to one man or any ten men. It belongs to all Vincentians. Nobody is supposed to take the nation’s children’s monies and use it for their own business, even though you manage it.

It belongs to all of us, from generation to generation.

God blessed all countries with a ‘Promise Land’, whether it is communist, socialist, or democrat.

God gave the children of Israel the Promise Land, and when they got there, they saw giants living there. They had to fight for their land. They had got to the land that God had given to them, but fear robbed them from laying claim.

Righteousness has more power than evil.

Let me share this example with you. Let me start from in the region. In Grenada, Bernard Coard thought that when he killed Maurice Bishop, he would get all the power over the Grenadian people. Instead, he became powerless and was condemned. What the Grenadian people did was simply nothing.

Bin Laden, because he won the war against the Russians, thought he could control the world. He had the terrorists bomb the twin towers in Manhattan, New York. The American people did not send a warrior like himself to kill Bin laden.

He told the American people, he will lose twenty men and kill thousands of American soldiers. The American people just simply did the rightful thing and got rid of him off the planet. Now he’s not a threat anymore to the American people.

My friends, you don’t have to be a giant to defeat a giant. You just have to do the right thing.

Alistair ‘Live up’ Simon

SINCE the announcement of Mr Donald Trump as a presidential candidate in the USA, the real estate mogul turned politician has said some terrible things.

His latest attacks on AFRICANS, especially Nigerians, to return home is SICKING. This man has forgotten who built up the USA and on whose sweat this GREAT NATION has thrived for many years. He has

forgotten that what makes it (USA) so successful is those IMMIGRANTS who’d worked so hard under enormous pressure to make AMERICA what it is today.

We shouldn’t be surprised at DONALD’S latest outburst. Here is a man who wants to be the next US president, but full of so much HATE. How could you elect someone with such hatred inside of them?

Electing Trump would be a TERRIBLE mistake.

Donald is living in fool’s paradise. Here’s his take on fighting ISIS: ‘’I am going to take away their oil ..send in some troops and defeat ISIS”.

LAUGHABLE INDEED! Well if that’s the case, the US would have already pursued such a strategy. Trump’s strategy on fighting ISIS would be a failure. His plan would mean playing

right into ISIS hands.

That’s what they want… boots on the ground.

Here is what he has to say on the US economy: “China, Mexico, and Japan are eating our supper, ‘cause we have incompetent leaders in government.” In other words, he meant too much imported products coming into the US from these countries.

Donald went on to say that he’ll make AMERICA great

My election summary CONGRATULATIONS to the ULP for an election well fought and won. That victory was secured on Independence Day parade ground, when the Prime Minister listed all the goodies he intended to offer come December 18th and beyond, and not from free cement, galvanize and lumber as stated by the NDP. This was crowned by the PM and his wife, who put their lives on the line by embarking on a flight to prove that the negative vibes that were (and continue to be) spread about the Argyle airport, are false. Sir, imagine a stranger to our nation’s (PM’s wife) believing in her husband so much, she placed her life’s stake to prove to the people of SVG they, his Vincentians brothers and sisters must trust their own more by seeing the good side of him (PM).

The NDP lost this election by popular votes and instigating opposition along imaginary lines. Mind you, both parties failed to unite the populace.

They both preached a hatred to the other side, and not one of the candidates for any of the parties conducted themselves as true Vincentians should. No one said to the voter, “I am one of many seeking to help improve the living standard of my people. All I ask of you is to choose one of us to do the job. We are all honourable men”.

Instead, each one went about bad-talking each other. They all claimed that they will do this and do that. They all lied to the nation; they cannot do anything for the nation by themselves; this can only be achieved through cooperation of the leader and other members.

Brothers and sisters of SVG, in 1955 the British made a movie ‘Macombe’. In it, the white man wanted to take over Africa, so the

Zulu nation went to war against the white. The Zulu chief knew he had to do battle, although he had only machetes and spears, while the white man had guns and bayonettes. His tactic was to send down 300 Zulu without weapons on the white colony. When they fell, the number was doubled, and so it went on until the white man army diminished to only 5 soldiers and 3 rounds of bullets each.

The whites awaited their death at the hands of thousands of Zulu lining the hills. When they observed a strange sight.

The Zulu were all raising their machetes and spears in a dance of ‘salutation’. The Zulu saluted the white soldiers as brave

warriors in combat. The Zulu turned their backs on the remaining whites after taking away their dead warriors. Now, who won that battle? It did not go to the finish, neither were there any prisoners of war. Can you see the tactic of the Zulu’s chief that caused the white man to use up his bullets?

The NDP losing 4 elections in a row, is a sign of weak leadership, and Mr. Eustace should do, as Cato did, and resign as leader but now bow out of politics. He should choose a few young people, male and female, and train them in the running of government or parliamentary proceedings. Your man in Calliaqua, who also

again. Really, Mr Trump? Just ask the head of the World Bank, Mr Jim Yong Kim, or Mrs Christine Lagarde IMF chief?

Donald is quite aware of the soundness of the US economy under the STEWARDSHIP of Barack Obama.

Kudos to the man for a job well done! A bright spot on the planet.

As far as economics is concerned, I believe Mrs Clinton would make a better President than this RACE BASHER, Donald Trump.

Jason Edwards

had 4 election failures, should also resign.

The ULP had a good campaign tactic, but the Doc’s mouth-piece on radio did not contribute to his victory in this election. So too ‘Snaggie’ and Belmar! They should do the honourable thing as Mr. Beache did.

They are all extra baggage on the tax payers’ account.

Once again, congratulations to Mr. Prime Minister. Mr. E.T. Joshua sat up in his grave to take a toast from this bright-eyed mulatto boy sitting in the front of all his political meetings with open mouth and grave interest, His prediction had come true.

Hutchie

JOMO: Speaker or columnist MR. EDITOR, I have a big concern.

Whether or not my concern would have any weight in SVG is another thing. But I must say it as best as I could.

My case has to do with Jomo Thomas and your publication, our publication THE VINCENTIAN. I note that Jomo continues to be a columnist with THE VINCENTIAN, even though he now occupies the esteemed position as Speaker of our House of Assembly.

That is the first problem I have.

This must be precedence, i.e. allowing the Speaker of the House a column to express his personal view. This is dangerous, Mr. Editor, since I think it will just encourage the same old same.

It is expected that the person who is the Speaker of the House should ensure that the business of the House is conducted fairly and impartially.

But with Jomo, who just lost in the elections as a candidate of the ULP, how can we expect that he is going to be fair and impartial?

He is on record about boasting how objective he is, but he has already, in his column, shown his true colours.

Have a read of these extracts from Jomo’s columns: “There is no doubt in my mind that South Leeward is Labour, and the NDP should not have won in 2010 and 2015. However, it must be admitted that the NDP brand in South Leeward is formidable. Even

with a weak candidate and a lacklustre performance by the party after the bell was rung, Mr Stephenson emerged the winner”.

“The truth is the ULP lost South Leeward because the party electoral strategy was not sufficiently global.

An all Leeward strategy anchored by the party’s solid support on the central and eastern parts of the country would have borne much fruits. Look closely and there is an unmistakable fact. All of the mainland is trending Labour.” January 8th, 2016.

“There is no attempt at analyzing why the opposition lost. The poor slate of candidates, the disunited and unorganized nature of its campaign, a weak and ineffective leader, as well as the lack of a focused and strategic programmatic agenda for victory are clue to the failure. Therefore, to claim cheating in Central Leeward is to offer false hope”.

“Here is the truth. There was nothing amiss in Central Leeward.”

January 15, 2016.

Now, if the above doesn’t already show the leanings of Jomo, I must be misinterpreting his writings.

How can we expect Jomo to be fair and impartial? How much longer would THE VINCENTIAN allow?

It is time to decide or have it decided for him: Jomo, either House Speaker or Columnist, not both.

Garnet N.Y.

* What’s all this talk going around about hepatitis B and top government officials? Is there an outbreak of this disease or what? * Are persons with emergencies still being told to ‘Sit down and wait’ at the Accident and Emergency Department of the MCMH? Was a certain well known Vincentian told to do so recently? * If there are companies here who are refusing to pay their taxes, why not name them? Are they being protected for one reason or the other? Isn’t it time we know who these culprits are?

Like other misdeeds, isn’t this a crime against the state? * Why is a vehicle (truck) carrying N.L.A. on its tare plate, painted fully in red? What happen? The N.L.A. change its colour scheme or what?

V

10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Shaping our future together for the better The Issue IN DEVELOPMENT TERMS, the last 15 years in the country called St. Vincent and the Grenadines has not been an easy one. As documented, the country had to battle the adverse slings generated by the worst economic crisis for over a hundred years - the financial crash of 2008. This has created hardship for our people; but Vincentians, led by the shrewd and practical leadership of Ralph Gonsalves, have been able to weather this storm.

The elements have not been kind to our country, in the form of tropical storms, heavy rainfall, and a drought.

These events took lives, and wrecked the infrastructure in such a way, that the people and the government had to call on their reserves of resilience and creativity, to return the situation to normalcy. Again, it was the ULP, led

by Comrade Ralph, and in communion with the people, who was at the forefront of this recovery.

Who can forget the CLICO/BAICO crisis which caused the savings of a number of professionals to disappear?

Again the ULP and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves came to the rescue, enabling some Vincentians to recover a percentage of their savings. The fight is not yet over, but we are assured that there will be solutions to this issue, once the Comrade is in the mix.

All this says is that the ULP has delivered in terms of the development of the country. The ULP has displayed a record of achievement never before seen in this country, all of which have brought great benefits to the citizens of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. It is this and other factors that have resulted in the victory of the ULP at the December 9th 2015 elections, with a majority of the seats and the popular vote.

delivery of health care in the country.

Already the government has been involved in talks with investors who are interested in some development work in the Arnos Vale area, bringing more jobs to the country.

Then there is the relocation and modernization of the port, to the Bottom Town area, the extension and enlargement of the Cruise Ship Pier, to a new location at Arnos Vale, the geothermal project, the rolling out of the ambitious programme of road construction and rehabilitation, and the building of bridges, and sea and river defences; the developments in agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing services, and the further deepening of the education and housing revolutions.

The Budget

And so Vincentians await the 2016 budget exercise with much anticipation, to see how the ULP administration will proceed, in terms of how the government will proceed. A new ministry is on the books, the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour. This is a sign that the government is looking for more impetus which will lead to further economic growth and jobs.

It’s also an indication that the government will have a new thrust towards the further development and expansion of the private sector. This is really good news. There has been a great deal of discussion on this matter, but it still requires a mindset change in terms of our operators in the business sector. Still this new ministry speaks to exciting times Further consolidating our gains ahead for business, and economic activity in the country.

Now the ULP, in communion with The budget will also detail many of the people, is ready to “Shape our future together for the better”. In the the plans listed above. In terms of the 2015 election, the ULP has detailed a public service, there will be need to series of plans aimed at this purpose, employ more qualified Vincentians to carry out the development agenda of and the people have endorsed these the ULP administration, and this plans, by re-electing the party for a fourth term. Principal in this objective means further jobs. Thanks to the will be the opening and full operation Education Revolution, the country of the international airport at Argyle. now has an impressive cadre of The countdown has begun towards the professionals, particularly in the fields of project management and opening date, and while this has not development, information technology, yet been revealed, all Vincentians and engineering. know that the end is in sight.

The international airport will provide a new dimension for economic Conclusion development in the State. At the The ULP administration has start, some two hundred persons will demonstrated over the last 15 years, get jobs at this facility, and the that strategic thinking and actions avenues for expansion in tourism, are its hallmarks. Major agriculture, travel and communications, and general business developmental leaps are required if small resource-challenge economies activity, will expand. Already there like St.Vincent and the Grenadines, are strong indications of the expansion in the country’s hotel plant, are to attain genuine sustainable development. The impressive path which will immediately bring jobs changing accomplishments thus far, when the construction work begins. and the large vision and The start of operations at Argyle accompanying policies and will signal for full speed ahead, in programmes for the next five years, terms of the development of the new are evidential, in that the ULP city at Arnos Vale, bring more jobs administration is not engulfed in through the inevitable construction learned helplessness, timidity, work that will ensue. Interest of pessimism and a total lack of faith in course will center on the acute referral hospital that will enhance the our people.

Central Leeward

(A section of the Election Petition)

Voters List (12) On about the 2nd December, 2015, the 4th Respondent forwarded to the office of the New Democratic Party for purposes of the election, the Register of Voters for twelve (12) of the fifteen (15) constituencies, as well as the Polling Division lists for, in total, the fifteen Electoral Districts including Central Leeward pursuant the Act (hereinafter referred to as the November Register) and a Compact Disc bearing the words ‘final list’. The 4th Respondent, contrary to established practice in breach of her duties and in spite of numerous requests: (a) refused to and or failed to provide the Polling Station lists for the respective constituencies; (b) refused to and or failed to provide the usual five (5) copies of lists and instead insisted that the New Democratic Party should print its own lists off the Compact Disc she had provided some four (4) working days before the General Elections of 9th December, 2015 (13) As a result of the failure of the 4th Respondent aforesaid the Petitioner was put to great expense and inconvenience in having lists printed for outside agents and also to try to contrive the Polling Station Lists from the Polling Division lists that were supplied on the Compact disc by the second Respondent. Accordingly, it was not known exactly how many persons were expected to vote at particular polling stations because the polling division lists and not the polling stations where applicable.

(14) The Petitioner was therefore at a great disadvantage in that he was not afforded the opportunity to know the exact figure for the number of voters who were eligible to cast their ballot at some of the individual polling stations.

(15) Further, in the case of Polling Division CLF1, the list provided by the 4th Respondent to the New Democratic Party and which used by the Petitioner’s agent inside the polling stations differed materially from the list used by agents for the 3rd Respondent and the list used by the elections officers in that the list used by the agents of the latter persons contained additional names that were not on the list for the agent for the Petitioner. As a result, the Petitioner’s agent noted that several names that were not on the Petitioner’s agent’s list but were on the list of the elections officers and that of the 3rd Respondent’s and those persons were allowed to vote because they were on the ‘official’ list.

(16) The failure or refusal of the 4th Respondent to issue the customary Polling Station lists resulted in a lack of clarity and confusion as regards the number of persons eligible to vote at the various Polling Stations as evidenced by the Presiding Officers recording on the Form 16 ‘Statement of the Poll after Counting the Ballots’ in three (3) Polling Stations, namely Polling Divisions CLA1, CLE and CLF1 that there was a 100% voter turnout in relation to the number of persons on the voters list as recorded by the respective Presiding Officers for those Polling Stations and 101% in the case of CLD1.

(17) The Petitioner accompanied by his representatives/agents attended the final count of the votes cast in the polls for the Central Leeward constituency purported to be conducted

by the 1st Respondent and held on the 10th December, 2015 at the Layou Police Station. Contrary to rule 42 (2) (d) at that purported final count there was no amendment of the statement of the poll by the 1st Respondent who is required so to do ‘in the presence of such of the candidates or their agents as are present….’

(18) The petitioner contends that the 1st Respondent conducted the counts in a partial or improper manner by; (a) repeating the objections made by the agents of the 3rd Respondent and adopting them as his own; (b) failing to note many of the objections of the Petitioner and/or his representatives; (c) allowing mutilated ballots to be included in the counts but rejecting the same type of ballots in other polling divisions; (d) saying on a telephone conversation that he ‘preferred Mr. Straker (the 3rd Respondent herein) to come’ in spite of the agents for the 3rd Respondent being present at the counts; (e) asking the agent of the 3rd Respondent to buy him a drink while he purported to conduct the counts; (f) failing to afford the Petitioner the opportunity to scrutinize the counterfoils generally and in particular in relation to over three hundred mutilate ballots for Polling Stations CL F and CLF1, as well as other documents such as ballot accounts. (g) in breach of rule 42 (6) and (7) failed to properly consider the Petitioner’s request for s recount and proceeded to purport to complete the final count; (h) repeatedly indicating that he was under pressure from the 4th Respondent and that he was anxious to complete the counts as he had to go to ‘Government House’; (i) proceeding to finalise the count in the absence of Form 16 Statement of the Poll after counting the ballots for Polling Station CL 1, in spite of the Petitioner’s objections; (j) failing to properly consider and or accede to the Petitioner’s request to recount the votes as provided for under Rule 42 (6) in respect of : (i) CLD1: where the number of ballots used (485) exceeded the number of ballots received (480) from the First Respondent as certified by the Presiding Officer on the Form 16 Statement of the Poll after Counting the Ballots; (ii) CLA1: where there was no indication of the number of ballots received from the First Respondent on the Presiding Officer’s Statement of the Poll after Counting the Ballots and the number of votes cast equalled the number of names on Official list of electors used at the poll as certified by the presiding Officer on the aforesaid statement; (iii) CLF) where all the ballots appeared mutilated and the 1st Respondent had refused sight of the counterfoils (iv) and CLE; where there was 100% voter turnout based on the number of names on official list of electors as certified by the Presiding Officer on the Form 16 Statement of the Poll after Counting the Ballots.

V A country divided: Politically

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 11.

Views

polarized

”There is too much at stake for us to surrender to the politics of polarization.” - Charles Bradford “Brad” Henry, the 26th Governor of Oklahoma, USA. MANY OF OUR CARIBBEAN nations are politically polarized. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is no exception. While this writer is presently unable to draw on empirical evidence provided by recent research I am confident that a significant segment of our local population will agree that this statement is accurate. The situation appears to be encouraged by several talk show hosts on many of our local radio stations, as well as some of the venomous writers in the social media sites. However, all is not lost. There are still some among us who are committed to ensuring that political divisiveness is disbanded; that we respect the views and choices of those who select a different political path to our own.

The political campaign leading up to the December 9, 2015 elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines revealed some good, bad, and ugly sides of the citizens in our plural nation. In relation to the good, many friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbours who were on different political sides insisted that they would not allow their political differences to create rifts in their relationships. However, there appeared many bad and ugly situations that tarnished our civilisation: some families, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and churches (yes, even churches) appeared to have succumbed to the lures of the “darker side” and engaged in name-calling and, in some cases, the “withdrawing of conversations”.

Unfortunately, too few political candidates appeared to have cautioned their supporters about such negative, undesirable behaviours. Too few appeared to emphasise the fact that it is a person’s right to choose whom they will support but that at the end of the day we are all one people and should therefore guard against creating rifts among us that may not be easily mended.

This country is politically divided!

There are no ifs and buts about that statement. Politicians and senior executives of the political parties must take a lot of the blame for such a situation. While it is easy to rile people up in relation to “political prejudices” it must be known that putting the pieces back together after a hot political campaign is no easy task. Invariably, the individuals who spout evil are unlikely to be the ones who can subsequently speak peace and healing. There must be new voices — voices that are heard from within and outside the various political parties. Those voices must emerge soon. The silence is deafening. We have a country to build (some would say “rebuild”). It is our responsibility and privilege to be at the forefront of the mammoth effort to do so. It is not beyond us. Our love of God and love of country must be stronger than our love of political affiliation. Therein lies the challenge.

We must not be so politically polarised that we lose sight of the

bigger picture. We must not be so politically jaundiced that we allow the nation to sink to new lows of social and political decay. We want better than that. Our children deserve better than that. However, the challenge emerges: “What will you and I do about it?” It is so easy for us to incorrectly conclude that the task is beyond our control. It is so easy to wrongly abdicate our responsibility and place the task on someone else’s shoulder. It is so easy to pull ourselves away and claim that those who created the mess should clean it up. It is so easy to comfort ourselves by claiming that it will heal itself over time. We are more responsible than this. We are more patriotic than this.

The big question now surfaces: What can I do to make a positive change where our political polarization is concerned? We need to discontinue any discriminatory comments that we may have been engaged in; we need to turn a new leaf and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. We need to discourage political prejudices whenever they surface in conversations, on the Internet, in the local media, and so on; our voices need to be heard. Remaining silent while others spout venomous and hurtful words will not help the problem. We must be proactive in our efforts to disarm those who spout political divisiveness. There is too much at stake for us to surrender to political polarization.

Those who assume that the situation is beyond our control and efforts must be reminded of the power of one. It took one Rosa Parks to create freedom of seat choice on the buses in the United States of America in a period (not so long ago) when blacks were “assigned” to the back seats of public transportation. It took one Martin Luther King to champion a cause for the disbanding of racial segregation in the USA. We could add so many other “ones” to this list … but the message is already clear.

One by one we can create and sustain a social and political tide that cleans up the degradation and waste created by the political polarization. Will you be counted in that fight? Will you rally your forces to build a more civil society with God’s help? Will your voice be heard and your actions seen?

This writer is confident that there are enough individuals who are committed to the noble cause of disarming and disbanding political polarization in our blessed land. In doing so we will be on the right road to creating a blessed nation … and we will be blessed. God’s word reminds us that “blessed are the peacemakers”. We go forward with confidence that as we encourage peace and acceptance we will, in turn, find the peace that so often eludes us. The political polarization must end! May it begin with us (you and me).

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

If you ain’t scared you are ‘crazy mad.”

THE GOVERNMENT of our country is poised to present the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2016. This will be followed by the budget debate. These are difficult times for any developing country with limited resources. Therefore, our creativity is needed more than ever, if this country is to come up with solutions to many of the problems it faces.

If you think our economic situation is already grave and demands answers, it is complicated by the following forecast about the state of the world economy: ‘Europe is on the brink of economic meltdown as Germany faces economic ruin. The European financial powerhouse could be facing a huge financial crisis which would have devastating implications for Britain as a lethal storm of economic problems brews in Germany. Germany’s industrial production has slipped to ZERO per cent and customer confidence has plummeted in just part of a catalogue of disasters for Chancellor Angela Merkel.’

who voted for it, some 48 percent of the electorate, comport with the demands of our times? The opposition’s responsibility is to keep the government in check. How then does the presence of opposition parliamentarian in the legislature amount to cooperation with the government? Something seems to be amiss. Swearing in and accepting the designation Leader of the Opposition, is a sure fire sign that Mr. Eustace has accepted the status quo arising from the December 9, 2015 elections. Is swearing in simply to collect a salary and protect seats? If the opposition view is to be believed, it will win again even more handsomely, once new elections are called.

None of this bodes well for our country: Some economic experts among UK Daily Express, Monday, January 18, them George Soros, the billionaire 2016 Hedge Fund Guru are forecasting that the financial and economic meltdown ‘CHINA’s economic growth has could be worse than that which rocked officially fallen to its lowest level in a world economies to the core in 2008. quarter of a century, fuelling fears that Even super rich states like Saudi the world could fall into another Arabia are not immune to the economic financial crisis. spectre roaming the globe.

The world’s second largest economy Falling oil prices have pushed Saudi grew by 6.8 per cent in the final quarter Arabia into a record high state deficit of 2015, the government reported. and forced the government to plan It comes as the International spending cuts and tax rises for the year Monetary Fund was forced to slash its ahead. The Middle Eastern kingdom global growth outlook after just three unveiled a £66billion ($66bn) deficit for months. In a gloomy forecast, global 2015, 15 per cent of GDP, after fuel growth is now expected to hit just 3.4 revenue failed to provide enough to percent in 2016 and 3.6 percent in 2017. balance out the government’s lavish China’s failure to grow has had spending. serious consequences for the rest of the Trinidad and Tobago is reeling under world as statistics revealed for the the budgetary weight arising from whole of 2015 China’s growth was falling oil prices. The government has measured at 6.9 per cent amid concerns already revised budgetary projections. that the economy is rapidly The decision by our government to deteriorating. postpone the laying of the 2016 The IMF today admitted that estimates may be evidence that similar investor panic could easily become a adjustments are taking place in the self-fulfilling prophecy.’ financial complex in Kingstown.

This notion may not be farfetched in UK Daily Express, Tuesday, January 19, light of the recent elections in 2016 Venezuela where opposition forces won a majority in the legislature, and vowed “We are coming to a stage where we to renegotiate or scrap the Petro Caribe need to consider the risk of recession in agreement. This oil deal, from which the global economy. China’s tumbling SVG and the other Caribbean countries economy would have the biggest impact have benefitted healthily, may be in for Asian economies, as well as jeopardy, although Venezuelan Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile and President Nicholas Muduro has insisted Peru which depend on demand from that the agreement is solid. His decision China for vital commodities for to take over and run by constitutional industry…Oil prices could fall further decree many areas of the economy is putting pressure on stock markets. In proof that there are stresses and strains manufacturing, Hong Kong, Korea, that must be dealt with. The possible Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan are impact on our economy can be grave. among those most exposed. However, Therein lies the legislative, political Britain and western developed and economic demands of our times. economies are not immune. And now Even though the ULP has won another critics believe the US could be about to term with an increase in popular enter another recession, which would support, it must at all costs avoid being deal a double blow to the global or becoming triumphalist as it economy that Britain would not be able approaches the task of governance. The to weather.’ opposition must also recognize the sense of duty and respond accordingly. Its UK Daily Express, Wednesday, January actions so far are questionable.

20, 2016.

In the same way Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar reached across We have to wait and see if our the aisle in the last parliament and got leaders are up to the task of governance Patel Matthews, the opposition shadow in the 21st century. But we have not for agriculture to second his anti-hunger started the year well. Already the resolution, more attempts must be made Opposition, having been sworn into to have similar collaboration in the Parliament, signaled that it will not national interest. participate in the business of the people What is clear is that now is not the in the National Assembly. The time for business as usual. We will have Opposition Leader says that the to wait and see if our leaders are up to government is illegal and illegitimate, the task. and therefore, he and his party will not cooperate with it.

Send comments, criticisms & How does failure to represent those suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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December 9, 2015 Elections: Not in accordance with the law The SVG GENERAL ELECTIONS on 9 December 2015 was not run in accordance with the law.

The Candidate registration Form 2 used in the general election was altered, but the law had not been updated to allow the change in deleting “nomination paper shall give the electoral number of each person subscribing to it”, and replacing electoral number with ID number.

The lawyer representing the Supervisor of Elections, in a High Court matter brought by The Leader of SVG Green Party for leave for judicial review, has admitted that the law requires nomination papers shall give the electoral number of each person subscribing to it - not the ID number.

Why was the registration Form 2 altered and made to be in breach of the law? Who made the illegal change on the Form 2? The Minister of Electoral Affairs, the Attorney General and the Supervisor of Elections should all resign for these election irregularities and violation of electoral law. A general election rerun should be held as soon as possible.

All the Form 2s that were used in the SVG 9 December 2015 general election were in breach of the law. The illegal changes to forms used in our

general election pose a very serious threat to the true democracy of SVG and our legal system. It is worrying that the law regarding elections has been ignored.

SVG Green Party is making a strong appeal to the regional and international communities and to all CARICOM Prime Ministers, to call for a rerun of the general election in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, one that is held in accordance with the law. The result of the 9 December 2015 should be nullified for the violations of electoral law.

The Zanzibar government has announced plans to hold a rerun of their elections in February 2016, amid international and domestic pressure to resolve a stalemate after the results of the October 2015 general election were nullified, following claims of irregularities and violations of electoral law.

In the UK, an official petition is circulating calling for a rerun of the UK’s 2015 general election, saying the 2015 election results are not the result of a true democracy.

It is claimed that the conservative majority is due to a rigged election.

Thousands of people were turned away from the polling station in Hackney, London, despite turning up on time.

Green Party urgently demands fresh General Elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We deserve a government elected in accordance with our laws. People without ID cards were illegally barred from being candidates in the general election.

This is a serious breach of their rights and electoral law.

Many UK electors said that their postal ballot papers did not arrive in time, and they were unable to vote.

They say the UK election was rigged and are calling for it to be rerun, because of the irregularities and violations of electoral law. Almost 10,000 people have signed the petition asking for the general election rerun.

SVG Green Party The 2015 SVG General Election was www.svggreenparty.org in violation of electoral law. The SVG Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Treatment of violence against women in four election manifestos THE “FOUR IN A ROW” slogan, refers to much more than one party’s hopes or achievements. For me, there were four Parties contending to govern SVG, and I was very interested in what their four Manifestos had to say with respect to the treatment of women, and the violence that affects them.

The female-headed DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN PARTY proposes to address Violence from four fronts: Legislative Reform, Judicial Reform, Public Awareness/Education and Institutional Creativity The Party will: provide stiffer penalties for Rape against minors, the disabled and the Elderly; ensure mandatory reporting of sexual abuse against minors by parents and guardians, and stiff penalties for failure to do so; enforce stiff penalties for obstruction with minors reporting; establish a Special Court to address sexual offences; to improve on resolution of these cases; to aid in helping victims get justice , and to send zero tolerance message to would be perpetrators; LEGAL AID for victims of sexual offences; Human Rights education in schools, against rape, paedophiles, and incest, through schools and community activities; establishment of Safe Houses; batterer Intervention programmes; Education to reform perpetrators THE GREEN PARTY adopted a policy approach to achieve gender equality and eliminate Violence against Women through: making it mandatory for there to be 50% women on Statutory Boards; focusing on ending violence against women and ending domestic violence; strengthening women’s groups; helping young males focus on education, and keep out of jail.

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY declares that there have been fifteen years of neglect in addressing Violence against Women. It states in its Preamble that: “There are several challenges facing our society in general, and women and young families in particular, that have not been addressed during the past fifteen (15) years. These include the increasing violence in our society and sexual assault suffered by women and children…..” It proposes: a Special Victims Branch in the Police Force, staffed with female and male Police Officers, trained to handle reports of sexual offences, domestic violence and offences against children; the Unit will also have Counselors who will assist victims and work with medical personnel to ensure that all necessary medical evidence is collected for the prosecution of the perpetrator;

undertake public education in collaboration with the welfare department, legal fraternity; ensure that the training of all Police Recruits includes sensitization in the conduct of investigations in relation to Human Trafficking, Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence; partner with NGOs to offer hotline services and support for women, children and young people who are at risk.

The incumbent UNITY LABOUR PARTY proposes to: adopt and implement fully the array of “family” legislation, including those regarding children (adoption and care) and Domestic Violence. Several of these legislative reforms have already been passed in Parliament; enhance the operation of the Crisis Centre for women and children; strengthen the implementation of the comprehensive policy in respect of “gender affairs”, including teen mothers, young boys and girls at risk, “street children”, foster children (especially vulnerable ones) and young men.

The legislation mentioned above has to be elaborated to show that it covers the Sexual Abuse Unit mentioned by the Commissioner of Police, and the measures stated in the other Manifestos, with regard to Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse.

My focus now is on key words and phrases in the Manifestos: (a) adopt and implement fully; (b)Legislative Reform; (c) Special Court; (d) Special Victims Branch; (e) Safe Houses; (f) partner with NGO’s and the Green Party’s; (g) strengthen women’s groups; and (h) 50% women on Statutory Boards.

I single out the Green Party because it is the Party that fielded the most women candidates, and bold enough to state that the female half of the population must be represented in leadership positions. This, too, will be a deterrent to the violence that currently exists.

In what was described as a rare show of unity in Parliament, the most recent Domestic Violence Bill was enacted as piloted by the incumbent government. Can we have another show of unity within and without Parliament to move the high offerings in the Manifestos to action? The Change we seek has first to be manifested in us as articulated by Mohandas Gandhi’s “You are the Change you wish to see”. In our current context, the desired change — Elimination of Violence against Women in all its forms - will not come with a mere change in Prime Minister.

Nelcia Robinson- Coordinator Committee for the Development of Women

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 13.

Diaspora

Ex-Teachers group honors popular doctor

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT THE BROOKLYN-BASED St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York on Sunday, honored popular Vincentian doctor Clifford Young, at a sell-out gala luncheon at Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn.

Dr. Young, a Calliaqua native who now practices medicine in Brooklyn, was the sole honoree during the stellar event that marked the group’s 33rd anniversary, and the birthday of slained United States civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s birthday is celebrated as a public holiday in the US on the third Monday in

January.

“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate our honoree, Dr. Clifford Young. You have been one of our stalwart supporters,” said Jackson Farrell, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York, who was one of Dr. Young’s teachers at the St. Martin’s Secondary School, in his welcome remarks.

“You have also supported other organizations in the Diaspora,” added Farrell, a La Croix, Marriaqua Valley native, who recently retired after two decades of service at public schools in New York City.

“We salute you and your family,” continued Farrell about Dr. Young,

Dr. Clifford Young gives acceptance speech.

Medical Center, both in Brooklyn.

Additionally, he is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where he teaches physical Dr. Clifford Young receives award from Desmarie Greenaway, Ex-Teachers diagnosis.

Association member, in the company of (from left): Jackson Farrell, In 2003, Dr. Young president of Ex-Teachers Association, Dr. Young's wife Hilma, their son entered private practice, Clifford Jr., and Edward Conliffe, PRO and fundraising chair. and today owns and directs Citi Medical in realize that people are who was accompanied by for me, believing that I the Canarsie section of his Jamaican-born wife, personally have a part to looking at your work.

Brooklyn.

“You’re not doing it Hilma; their son, Clifford play in this, having had He is a diplomate of Jr.; and Dr. Young’s the opportunity to be one [community service] for the limelight, but you’re the Board of Medical younger brother, Selwyn, of your teachers at St. Examiners and the doing it to serve,” he among other relatives, Martin’s Secondary added. “You’re not doing American Board of friends and supporters.

School,” Farrell said. it for self-enrichment but Internal Medicine, a “It is a special moment “Continue to make your fellow of the American to bring joy to the contributions to the College of Physicians, community.” community.”

After graduating from and a member of the US Farrell later told THE National Medical St Martin’s Secondary VINCENTIAN that his School in the mid-1970s, Association. group’s executive body In recognition of his Young won a Panfully endorsed Dr. service to the medical American Health Young’s nomination. community, Dr. Young Organization/World “I’m very humbled,” has received numerous Health Organization Dr. Young told THE Scholarship to attend the awards including: the US VINCENTIAN, in an Congressional Award, for exclusive interview, in an Barbados Community outstanding health care College, where he adjacent room, while in the community, from patrons took to the dance studied Laboratory former US Congressman Technology. floor, partying to the Edolphus Towns; the In 1980, he migrated pulsating sounds of Members of the Head Table: L-R: RN Monique Cunningham, donor of door Thomas R. Fortune to New York, and popular DJ Supa Eyes. prizes; Laverne McDowald-Thompson, president of the umbrella group Health Care Professional continued his studies at “When you get these COSAGO; Ambassador Rhonda King, Counsel General Selmon Walters and of the Year; the Family Hunter College, City things [awards], you President Jackson Farrell.

Services Network of New University of New York (CUNY), graduating four York Outstanding Medical Leadership; the years later with a Caribbean American Bachelor of Science Healthcare Award 2015; degree in Chemistry.

He went on to pursue the CPAC [Carriacou and Petit Martinique studies at the State Association] Healthcare University of New York Award; and The Doctor’s (SUNY), Downstate Day Award from New Medical Center in York City’s Health and Brooklyn, where he Hospital Corporation earned a Doctor of that oversees over a Medicine (MD) degree, dozen municipal completed his medical hospitals. internship at the Albert “When I was small, Einstein Hospital in people used to tell me Manhattan, and his medical residency at the ‘you’re going to be a expansive Kings County doctor’,” Dr. Young told THE VINCENTIAN. Hospital and Medical But little did he Center in Brooklyn. fathom that, one day, he In 1992, Young would not just become a became an Emergency medical doctor, but one Room Attending who, many patients Physician at Kings would unreservedly say, County Hospital and is making a huge Medical Center, where he remained until 2003. difference in their and the community’s lives.

Currently, Dr. Young The Youngs, who is an Attending reside in Brooklyn, have Physician at Woodhull Hospital Medical Center two older children, Nyasha and Chantay. and Kingsbrook Jewish

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14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Graduands into rendering one of their songs at the Graduation Ceremony.

Marion House graduates thirty THIRTY YOUNG persons have graduated from the 2015 Marion House Youth Assistance Programme.

The passing out ceremony was held on January 13, 2016, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Edinboro, under the theme, ‘We have made it through the storm’.

The ceremony featured, inter alia, a number of dance routines, poetry recitals and songs by the graduands, after which each received his/her tool kit appropriate to his/her area of skill in which they were trained..

According to a release from Marion House, the programme is a one-year long training programme, made up of classroom sessions, concentrating on Youth Development issues, from January to June; and a six-month attachment, based on the different areas of skill of the participants, from July to December.

The 2015 programme saw attachments in 14 different skill areas.

Ms. Jeanie Ollivierre, Director of Marion House, told THE VINCENTIAN, that the 2015 batch of graduands was the 26th class to have completed the programme, which was introduced some 27 years ago.

She assured that plans are already

This female graduand chose a rather untraditional area of skill for females.

One of the graduands on his attachment. in place for the staging of the 2016 programme, with some 45 persons already making applications, and that her organization was hopeful about receiving funding for its implementation.

Ms. Ollivierre took the opportunity to register that the Marion House Board, staff and programme participants were grateful to the Direct Aid Programme of the Australian Government, for its cosponsorship of the 2015 programme.

As far as finding job opportunities when they graduate, Ms. Ollivierre disclosed that there was a current 60% rate among the 2015 graduands, with the expectation being that this will increase shortly to 80%, which has been the benchmark over the years.

The Youth Assistance Programme, with its mission of ‘Building Youth Capacities to Overcome Poverty’, targets poor, vulnerable, rural ,’at risk’, unemployed youths between the ages of 15-19, who either dropped out of school along the continuum due to poverty, or completed their schooling and are without employable skill.

Juveniles in conflict with the law, and who are referred by the High, Family and Magistrate’s Courts, are also considered for places in the programme.

Their limited alternative educational options and job access/opportunities, as well as their emotional readiness to deal with the responsibilities of parenting, are also considered in programme planning and implementation.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 15.

News

Ex-Teachers prez troubled by Ânew lowÊ Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net;

kingnaking210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT PRESIDENT OF THE ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York, Jackson Farrell, says he’s deeply troubled by what he characterizes as a “new low” in electioneering in his native land.

“As we end our 33rd Anniversary Celebrations with our annual luncheon, we are operating in trying times at home and abroad,” said Farrell, who recently retired as a public school teacher in New York City, after over two decades, in his welcome remarks

Sunday, at the gala event, at Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn.

“We have taken the elections to a new low,” added Farrell in his prepared statement, taking the unusual step in commenting on the political status quo at home in his association’s official ceremony.

“Tensions, divisions, character assassinations and destruction of property seem to be the hallmark of that event.

“What is even more troubling is the fact that the elections are over, but the saga continues,” continued Farrell, who taught elementary and secondary schools at home before migrating to New York. He was flanked at the head table

by UN Ambassador I. Rhonda King and Counsel General Selmon Walters.

“What happens to the least among us?” queried Farrell, a La Croix, Marriaqua native, rhetorically. “What happens to nationbuilding? These seem to be foreign concepts at this time.”

In diverting from his script, Farrell said: “St. Vincent and the Grenadines is bigger than Ralph (Gonsalves, the Prime Minister), Eustace (Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace), the Red Party (Unity Labor Party), the Green Party, or any other party,” adding the Democratic Republican Party in a later exclusive

SVG Diaspora Committee of N.Y:

Haywood re-elected MAXWELL HAYWOOD has been returned as Chairman of the SVG Diaspora Committee of New York.

Haywood was reelected when the Committee held its Annual General Meeting on January 16, 2016, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, Brooklyn.

Others elected to serve on the Committee’s executive for the period 2016 — 2018 were: Glenroy ‘Gobels’ Phillips - Vice President; The recently elected Executive of the SVG Philmore Sprott Diaspora Committee of New York, with Counsel General Secretary; Dawn General Selmon Walters (extreme right).

Dopwell — Treasurer; Executive Members (L-R): Sherrill-Ann MasonCamille English Haywood, Garnes Byron, Dawn Dopwell, Philmore Assistant Sprott, Peter Burke, Glenroy Phillips, Camille Secretary/Treasurer; English, Atiba Williams, Maxwell Haywood, Sherrill-Ann MasonConsular General Selmon Walters.

Haywood - Public Relations Officer; and other Vincentian organizations and Peter ‘Poskie’ Burke, Atiba Williams non-Vincentian communities in the and Garnes Byron - Trustees.

USA. Following his re-election, Haywood In the afore- referred release the said that he was looking forward to following were listed as comprising a “an exciting year,” which will see the programme of activities for 2016: launching of a website and a Cultural Launch of Cultural Association of Arts Association Vincentians in the Vincentians in the USA (CAVUSA) — United States of America (CAVUSA) Saturday January 30, 2016; Launch of as early as the end of January, the Vincentian American Chamber of latter undertaking being part of the Commerce (VACCI), TBA — April; effort to strengthen and consolidate Fundraising BBQ — May 14, 2016; diaspora institutions created by the Diaspora Leadership Workshop: Diaspora Committee.

Migration, Caribbean Diasporas and Vincentians in New York can also Development — June 11; Black Tie look forward, according to a release Diaspora Awards Gala — Sept 17, from the Committee following last 2016; Community Consultations on Saturday’s AGM, to an intensified SVG’s National Diaspora Policy, TBA membership recruitment drive; a re— November; and Diaspora energised public awareness Week/International Migrants Day programme highlighting diaspora (IMD) — Dec. 18-24, 2016. issues; and greater partnerships with

interview with THE VINCENTIAN. “Those of us out here (in the Diaspora) really should be setting an example for folks back in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; but it seems to me that, in some ways, we’re worsec v, because of comments posted on Facebook and whatever.

It’s ridiculous.” said Farrell in the interview.

In a recent press conference in Kingstown, Gonsalves accused some United States-based nationals of directing terroristic activities against St. Vincent and Grenadines via the social media, primarily Face Book.

In this nexus, he said that he had informed the Barbados-based US Ambassador to the subregional Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which includes St. Vincent and

the Grenadines.

Jackson also described as “ridiculous” statements made on Facebook by some Vincentian nationals in the US, urging their Ex-SVG Teachers compatriots to boycott Association President Vincentian-owned Jackson Farrell businesses that are seemingly or perceptibly addresses ceremony. not supportive of their political views or stance. people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines working “The message we should be sending is that together, we will not have development, St. Vincent and the because our greatest Grenadines is bigger than any political party,” resources are the people,” Farrell warned. said Farrell, who was The St. Vincent and considered a militant in the Grenadines Exthe teachers movement Teachers Association of before migrating to the New York also presented US. bouquet of flowers to “The [international] “long-term patrons” airport project is very important,” he added. “If Dawn Matthews-Baker and Pamela Mornix, and we believe that will be the alpha and omega (the basket of cheers to Dawn beginning and the end) of Duncan, Margaret the country, that will not Knight and Don Bobb, veteran Vincentian radio happen. personality, who served “If we don’t have the as Master of Ceremonies.

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16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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customers get free data THOSE PREPAID subscribers who stay with LIME for an extended period of service, and who complete their top up of $20 or more by the 5th of each month, automatically qualify to receive 50mbs of data free of charge every month for the duration of the relationship/service.

This remarkable hand of value was announced Friday 15th January.

Senior Marketing and Corporate Communications Executive — Nikala Williams, substantiating the offer, explained: “Our free data gift does not discriminate at all. It is available to all existing and new prepaid customers.

This is our reward to our customers for doing what they usually do — top up to stay connected — and we reward them with automatic free data just like that.

No fuss, no opting in, no coming to the office.”

LIME customers are also encouraged to take advantage of their value added data plans by dialing *129# from their mobile handsets.

‘Get with the Flow,’ Corey urges

enhancement of sound quality as well as better movie packages.

Garrett pointed to aspects of control, highlighting the feature that allows parents to block access CORY GARRETT, Sales and to certain programmes.

Marketing Manager at Flow, part of Clients can follow their favourite CW Communications, is encouraging radio station through their Flow users to be part of the ‘Swap and Flow’ connections, and the opportunities are promotion’. there for persons to record This campaign runs to March 31, programmes for viewing at their and is aimed at getting clients to convenience. ‘migrate their services to new Internet Persons can rewind their TV sets and Television platform’, with Garrett and look at programmes they might preferring a ‘phased migration.’ have missed while away from home.

“Remove yourself from the legacy of Garrett spoke of ‘Flow on Demand’ the old platform,” Garrett urged. programmes, and access to a library of A variety of offers are open to movies through which patrons can customers who make the move to rent movies for 24 hours.

Flow.

Garrett was supported by Oscar Garret boasted of “smart devices,” Veira, Flow’s Service Delivery which “could communicate and Supervisor, and Norda Delves, Acting operate with each other.”

Country Manager, at the recent Flow users will see improvements launch of the ‘Swap and Flow’ in their packages, including promotion. (WKA)

Regional Lions to meet in SVG THE LIONS CLUB KINGSTOWN SVG will, this weekend, host the Annual Region Meeting of Region 3, which consists of Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

The weekend will open on Friday 22nd January with a Vincentian night hosted by the Lions Club Kingstown SVG, with the business meeting following on Saturday 23rd January at the Lions Den, Frenches Gate.

Saturday’s regional meeting will be chaired

by Lion Monica Felix of St. Lucia, and will see Lions and Leos

discussing their work in several fields across their service areas, in their respective islands.

This will be preceded by the meeting of Zone 3C. The meeting will receive reports from constituent members Grenada and St. Vincent and the Zone Chair’s Quarterly Report. Zone C is chaired by Lion Carla Wilson of Grenada.

President of the host club, Lion Monica Glasgow, is looking forward to a productive meeting. “We are happy this year to be hosting both the Region and Zone Meetings, and look forward to extending the warm Vincentian hospitality to our visiting

Lion Monica Glasgow, President of Lions Club Kingstown-SVG. Lions.” she stated.

The weekend will conclude with a closing dinner at the French Verandah, Villa.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 17.

V The role of ECCU to hold public the FSA and the Pensions consultations Industry 18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

THE PUBLIC, including representatives from the insurance and pension industries and other stakeholders, are invited to a consultation on January 29, 2016, to be held at the Methodist Church Hall, (Upstairs), on the project to establish an integrated insurance and pension market in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) commissioned the project to create a more efficient and better regulated insurance and pension market in the ECCU. The project, which

commenced in 2012, was a response, in part, to the challenges caused in the region by the collapse of the CL Financial Group.

The key elements of the project are: the passage of uniform modern legislation throughout the ECCU; and the creation of a single well-resourced insurance and pension funds regulator.

The Monetary Council also established a Steering Committee to implement the project.

The Committee comprises representatives from the insurance industry,

insurance regulators, ECCU governments, and an international expert.

As part of the consultations in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Steering Committee will meet with the media, the insurance industry, insurance and pension regulators, and government officials.

The objectives of the consultations are to provide information to stakeholders on the project plan and progress to date, and receive feedback on the design and key features of the proposed market. The insurance industry and

regulators in St Vincent and the Grenadines have had two previous opportunities to provide comments on the draft uniform Insurance Bill.

There are also plans for additional consultations on the project.

The public and all other stakeholders are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the project to establish an integrated insurance and pension market in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and to provide feedback on the project plans.

The following may be contacted for further information:Financial Services Authority, 2nd Floor, NIS Building, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines Tel: 457-2577/Email: info@svgfsa.com

A PENSION is the main source of income for many persons at retirement. Having an income during retirement is typically provided through private pension plans. Employer sponsored private pension plans provide an important source of retirement income not just for employees but also their families. Employers generally set up pension plans voluntarily, however, of notable mention is that, once a pension plan is established, it must be funded and administered in compliance with applicable tax and pension laws.

By reason of the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) Act, No. 33 of 2011, the FSA was given the mandate to regulate and supervise the pensions industry. This mandate involves the registration and regulation of pension plans in accordance with the Insurance Act, Cap 306 of the Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Revised Edition, 2009 “(Insurance Act).

The principal objectives of such regulation are: to protect the benefits of members of occupational pension schemes; to promote and improve understanding of the good administration of occupational pension schemes; and to promote compliance with the provisions of the relevant legislation that governs pension fund plans.

In order to achieve these objectives, the FSA must be provided with information for the proper exercise and performance of its duties.

Accordingly, registered pension plans must file the following with the FSA: audited annual accounts; any information or return relating to the plan; and an actuarial report, every three years.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, there are currently twenty-four (24) pension plans registered with the FSA, of which twenty (20) are defined contribution plans while four (4) are defined benefit plans. It is significant to note, that in order to operate a pension plan, that plan must be registered under the Insurance Act. The FSA continues to monitor and promote the registration of all occupational pension plans, and with continued sensitization of pension plan providers and trustees, it is anticipated that there will be additional plans registered.

A critical component in building a stable industry and protecting pension plan beneficiaries is for trustees and their agents, such as administrators and investment managers, to operate in an ethical manner by faithfully discharging their fiduciary and other responsibilities.

The overall strengthening of the industry’s standards and modus operandi is an ongoing process that will be continuing under the guidance of the FSA. In this regard, the FSA is in the process of introducing Guidelines setting out the roles and responsibilities of trustees and administrators and general information that should be made available to plan members. The single market for insurance and pensions under the proposed regional regulatory body for Insurance and Pensions, the Eastern Caribbean Financial Services Regulatory Commission (“ECFSRC”), will also guide further developments of the sector.

The FSA intends to fully engage stakeholders and the industry in this process, as it seeks to enhance the regulatory and supervisory landscape for pension fund plans.

(Submitted by: Financial Services Authority)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 19.

News

Greenhouse Parks getting attention EFFORTS are afoot to establish a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model, to be used in the management of three proposed greenhouse parks in Montreal, Orange Hill and Richmond.

Towards this end, the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) joined with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, to host a national consultation to solicit input from a cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives from farmers groups, policy makers, and representatives of financial institutions, credit unions and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The consultation was held at the Fisheries Complex, Kingstown, Thursday 14 January.

Addressing the consultation, Chief Agricultural Officer Ashley Cain, posited, “If we - stakeholders involved in establishment of the PPP - can craft a model for the management of the Greenhouse Parks in SVG, it would prove beneficial to our country, with particular interest in the area

concerning health Ashley Cain, and wellness.”

Chief Recognizing that Agricultural the underlying Officer, purposes of these highlighted greenhouse parks are the relation to increase vegetable between production, growing food competitiveness, crops in income, and food greenhouses security, both and health Philbert Gould, the and wellness.

Fruits and Vegetables component leader under the Banana Accompanying Measures programme (BAM), and WINFA Coordinator and Marketing Component Leader of BAM, Mrs. Kozel Peters-Fraser, called for the process to remain inclusive, and to ensure that the model for management of the parks meets the goal of poverty alleviation, and benefits the broader farming and rural communities.

A release from WINFA stated that the consultation threw up three main recommendations: continue efforts to sharpen and conclude on the

Youth in Agriculture consultations on stream “YES! Youths are interested in agriculture, but we need a supportive environment.”

This appeal was made by youths of North Leeward, at a regional consultation organized by the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry and Fisheries, held in Chateaubelair on Tuesday 12th January 2016 .

The consultation was the first in a series of consultations scheduled to take place throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the upcoming weeks.

According to a release from WINFA, this consultation, like the others to be held, addressed a specific set of issues, mainly: youth perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector; the need to build capacity to respond to identified gaps and challenges through the agri value chain; and designing a framework for increased youth participation.

In addition, the consultations are intended to allow young persons to articulate issues and ideas that can help to frame the National Youth in Agriculture Policy for SVG .

Along with the call for support, the young persons from North Leeward also called for greater attention to be paid to the challenges that are inherent to youth in agriculture. Some of these were access to land, access to markets, financing for development, risk and insurance, Preadial larceny, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and mechanisms to encourage youth involvement.

WINFA’s Coordinator Mrs. Kozel Fraser indicated that, “Based on interactions with youths in North Leeward, WINFA WINFA’s is confident that, Coordinator Mrs. provided with the Kozel Fraser is right facilitative encouraged by the environment, response of the young persons young people from will be attracted North Leeward. to and invest in the agricultural sector.”

The Consultations will continue on Tuesday 19th January in Evesham at the Marriaqua Learning Resource Centre, and on Thursday 21st January at the Sandy Bay Learning Resource Centre.

It is anticipated that at the end of the consultations, a firm youth policy will be submitted to the Government for consideration. If the desired result is achieved, this will be the first Youth in Agriculture Policy for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Funding for the consultations leading to an agred policy is provided under the Government of SVG’s BAM programme.

ownership and Participants receiving training in the starting up and management maintaining greenhouses which are being promoted as a mechanisms means to allow farmers the ability to grow vegetables out of for the Green season, and to increase local farmer sales. (Credit: www. house parks; favaca.org) widen and deepen the engagement process at the circulated in the next two weeks, and national and community levels to that BAM would assist in presenting ensure transparency and clarity in the the business plan and other pertinent selection process, and to make clear information to individuals and the financial and economic benefits for organisations interested in becoming potential investors; and to embark on shareholders of the greenhouse parks. a public sensitisation programme The greenhouse parks initiative is a aimed at further stimulating interest collaborative effort undertaken by the and support among policy makers, Ministry of Agriculture and the producers, consumers, and investors.

European Union (EU). Funding for The expectation is that a modified this venture has been accounted for in version of the business model would be the BAM budget.

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20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Being ‘tipsy’ – no excuse! this woman is pregnant It would have served for me? Suppose she is you better had you been Dear Rocky place, honest with your wife I MADE A STUPID mistake playing with me and telling me this just to get and slept with a friend of You have got yourself from the beginning. us to break up? I am Trapping her into tying my wife. She happens to in deep, and getting out her tubes was a terrible would require much be 15 years younger than really in a sticky situation. Is this woman more effort and honesty and distasteful act on my 45-year-old wife.

She claims she became playing me or is she on your part, much more your part, not to mention selfish. There is no other interested in me after my really pregnant? that what you have way out of this but to wife regularly shared our displayed to date. come clean with your bedroom stories with her Rocky place at work. She said what really made her curious and wanted to sleep with me, was when my wife repeatedly described me driveway.

Dear George, as a “stud.”

I pounded on the door while calling George, I knew I her name. She finally came to the MY GIRLFRIEND and I have been should have known door partially dressed. I attempted to seeing each other for six months. better and resisted her enter the house when she stopped me Recently I had the opportunity to visit advances, but she threw and told me it was not a good time. I her folks for the first time. She lives herself on me one asked her why and she looked in the with her mother and 3 sisters, 23 evening when she invited direction of her bedroom. years, 20 years and 18 years.

I found me and after one drink I I pushed my way past her and went it a bit strange that they live in a became tipsy. rented house, own 2 vehicles, but none to her bedroom, and sure enough, We did what we had there he was, the man who was also to do, and I thought that of them work. sleeping with her mother.

I asked her about it, and she was the end of that.

I just walked past her and left the admitted that they were all using About two months after, house. I said to myself that day it was their body for money. Each of them she came and told me going to be last day my heart gets has a man who visits them and gives she was pregnant. The broken by a woman. them money, and whatever they want, problem with that is I all for sex.

It was unbelievable and had lied and told my wife Suspicious mate worse when she said her mother told that I had a vasectomy. her that the man who was sleeping We had agreed that if Dear Suspicious, with her (mother) wanted to sleep she got her tubes tied, I with her (my girlfriend). would also get a It is a clear case of you and your Things got worse when I went to vasectomy. She thought I girlfriend being on different pages and visit her and found it strange that the did but I never did. neither of you knew what the other house was all locked up and nobody How am I going to expected from the relationship. was answering the door. But there explain to my wife that This was a very rude awakening for was a strange car parked in the you. It is unfortunate that your girlfriend resorted to an easy way of living, rather than leveling with you and making a pact to work together towards the same goals.

She has made her choice. You have to accept it and leave her to carry on with her life the way she sees fit. You have control over your life and your life only, so focus on regathering your composure and move on positively.

You will one day meet someone who shares your values and to whom you can commit and build the kind of relationship you want.

Dear George,

A house of infidelity

George

wife and put all the cards on the table.

Nothing short of a full and honest confession would do at this point.

That would give your wife the choice of continuing with you.

Getting drunk or “tipsy” is a lame excuse for sleeping with her friend, and you need to take full responsibility for that, and accept whatever consequences that follow.

There is a lesson also

in this for your wife which is: never share intimate information with anyone outside of the union between you two.

Take a deep breath, have that talk with your wife and let the chips fall where they may. If you think you may need help, then engage the services of a professional counsellor.

George

Answer her call Dear George, I AM IN LOVE with a woman from Trinidad, and I have visited her country several times. As a matter of fact, we met in Trinidad. We have been going out now for about 1 year.

One day we had a very heated disagreement and she used a word that made me think twice about continuing with her. She told me that we people from the small islands such St. Vincent are not too “civilised”, and that is why I cannot see her point of view.

George, this hurt me to the core, and I just walked away from her. I have not said a word to her to this day. She has been calling me nonstop but I never answer.

How can she say she love me and have such an impression about Vincentians? This to me is a yellow light for me to slow down, and that is exactly what I have done. I hope she gets to read this letter from me. I will remain here in my little country and get someone as small as myself to love.

Heart break Dear Heart Break, Your girlfriend may have hurt you with her statement, but that does not mean you should not take her call.

Take the call and let her know that you do not wish to continue with her. Take the high road and explain to her that the sentiments she expressed hurt you deeply, and how disappointed it made you.

Maybe she will be happy for the opportunity to apologise and to make a fresh start.

Relationships are all about making mistakes and using those opportunities to grow and to gain a better understanding of the other person.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your intellectual wit will bring greater popularity with your peers. Talk to peers who you trust in order to get sound advice. Use your better judgment before you sign up for a costly venture.

If you join intellectual or cultural groups, you should meet individuals who stimulate you.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You'll get to your destination just as quickly. Be discreet about your feelings, and hold back until you find out a little more about the person who is coming on to you. Someone may be trying to pull the wool over your eyes. You will meet potential new mates through business.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Your romantic inclination should lead to a committed relationship. Chances are you split up the last time because you didn't really want to make a commitment. Think of joining a health club that will benefit your physical appearance. You will be emotional with regard to your personal life.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Make plans to attend group discussions or get together with friends who like to talk as much as you do. Extravagance will be a problem. You don't need to pay out in order to have fun. You could experience delays in shipments or mail, and should be careful while traveling.

hard to avoid.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) However, be careful with luggage; it may be rerouted. You can expect your mate to get fed up and make the choices for you or back off completely. Sudden changes could result in estrangements.

You could make extra cash through creative hobbies.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Join groups of a humanitarian nature.

You may find that someone you live with may be irritable; you're best to leave them alone. Don't hesitate to voice your opinions at a group meeting; however, keep your thoughts to yourself at home. You'll need to exercise control.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Family outings should include visiting friends or relatives. You'll feel much better when your slate is clean again.

This will not be the day to lend money to friends or family. You need to get involved in groups that offer physical activities.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Try to curb overindulgence this week.

Things will be emotional with your mate. Your ability to help others will win you points. Travel for business will not only bring you valuable information but also profits as well.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Unpleasant situations concerning family members will be unnerving. Get involved in physical activities that will stimulate you. The experience will be good. You can stabilize your situation if you compromise.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Travel will stimulate your need to experience exciting new things. Don't overextend yourself in order to add luxury items to your entertainment center. Real estate ventures will be to your advantage. You can meet new and exciting friends who will provide mental stimulation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Work on legitimate financial deals that may enable you to bring in some extra cash. You can make alterations to your appearance that everyone will admire.

In-laws or older individuals may give you a bit of a hard time this week.

Disputes on the home front may be

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Compromise will be necessary.

Investments that deal with property will be lucrative; however, upsets with family members may be likely. Exercise is always a good way to relieve stress.

Problems with large corporations or institutions are apparent.

ACROSS 1.Country lodging 4. Army deserter (abbr.)

8. Col. Sanders’s outfit 11. Excessively 12. Imitate 14. Promissory note 15. Listening locale 16. Cracker Jack gift 17. Speckle 18. The melancholy Dane 20. Gravy spoon 22. Primary color 23. “Gentle __” 24. Health resorts 27. The Hanging Gardens of __ 31. Over, in verse 32. Malt beverages 34. __ de cologne 35. Picking up 37. __ chip 38. Ill-behaved 39. Advanced business degree (abbr.)

41. Prayers 44. Baby garment 47. Tennis redo 48. Actress Watson 50. Large cask 52. Certain grain 53. “Lorna __” 54. Barely get by 55. Singer’s syllable 56. Raised, as animals 57. Critic Reed DOWN 1.Follower (suffix) 2. Ark’s skipper 3. Author Roberts 4. Abundant 5. Electrified 6. Fail to mention 7. Actress Taylor 8. Pirate captain 9. Speak in jest 10. __ as a button 13. Stars, slangily 19. __ Butterworth

21. Non-picky one’s word 23. Prohibit 24. It follows fa 25. Architect I.M. __ 26. Sandy’s bark 27. Plead 28. Writer Tolstoy 29. Rowing blade 30. Sister 32. Slanted 33. Remnant 36. Vague schedule info (abbr.)

37. Nurse’s topper 39. Pooh’s creator

40. Howled 41. “Family __ (Hitchcock) 42.Shakespeare’s tragic king 43. “Tell Mama” singer James 44. Couturier

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 21.

Christian 45. For always 46. Leafcollecting tool 49. Angry crowd 51. Range rider’s nickname

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22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Trade

Tariff issue to be addressed IT IS YET TO BE DETERMINED if traffickers, who trade in agricultural produce, would see a reduction in the duties charged on items they import into the country. It is an issue that will be reviewed.

So said Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, in response to a local trafficker who expressed the opinion that the levies and tariffs charged on goods imported from Trinidad, after the sale of farmers’ produce, are too high.

The issue was highlighted in the January 15 edition of THE VINCENTIAN where a trafficker explained that agricultural produce is bought locally and then shipped regionally, particularly to Trinidad and Tobago.

The trafficker noted that because the TT dollar was as low as it is, compared to the EC dollar, traffickers have resorted to purchasing goods, reselling them on import to SVG, and then settling with farmers from that sale.

It was noted, however, that after settling costs for freight and paying customs duties, it has become difficult for the trafficking business to remain profitable.

The trafficker

Returns from Vincentian agricultural produce sold in Trinidad (as pictured), is used to purchase Trinidad manufactured goods. interviewed for the story referred, said that individuals pay EC$16 per sack for root crops and EC$10 per box of bananas. She compared that to 70 percent duty charged, and an additional EC$12 levy per case, on aerated drinks imported from the more developed countries in CARICOM. Caesar responded last Monday, during a press conference, saying that it was the business of the government to collect revenue, but the trafficker also played an important role. “….and if they do not have a feasible business set up, they would not be able to purchase as much as they do from the farmers.

“So I think that

putting both in the balance, it would have to be an issue that would have to be considered by the ministry of trade, most importantly the Ministry of Finance,” he said.

Caesar reiterated that persons trading agricultural produce played an important role within the sector, and if they did not do well, then there would be a ripple effect on the farming community.

“So it is something that we are going to raise at the highest level, and I hope that when everything is placed in the balance, that the best will happen for the Ministry of Agriculture and the agriculture sector,” he concluded.

Ministry looking to train marketers THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE will be looking to ensure that the requisite capacity building programmes are in place, that offer training for persons involved in the trafficking of agricultural produce.

According to Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, this was necessary to ensure that traffickers or marketers were equipped with the skills to make them competent and competition-savvy, when selling produce in markets such as Trinidad and Tobago.

His Ministry, he said, had conducted an analysis and it was discovered that there was a shortfall in the human resource capacity among the current marketers (traffickers), who sell produce on behalf of the farmers in the country.

“We want to ensure that a cadre of young and enterprising marketers would be brought to the fore to seek new markets for produce, and utilize modern technology to ensure that the marketing intelligence required to be competitive is at their fingertips,” Caesar said during a press briefing last Monday.

Equipping the marketers with the

relevant skills was important, the agriculture minister conceded, because although a farmer may have done what was Saboto Caesar, necessary to Minister of obtain top Agriculture, quality identified training for produce, if the marketers/traffickers marketer was not armed with as fundamental the appropriate towards ensuring that Vincentian intelligence, produce fetched the the price best prices available obtained for on regional markets. produce will not be one that promoted profitable business.

“In fact, what you would have is, at some point in the chain, either the state would have to subsidize, or the marketer would take the loss. And if the marketer takes the loss, eventually you pass on that loss to someone, and most times this is passed on to the farmer,” Caesar said.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 23.

Sports

Team Rivals make impressive start dangerous Casmond Walters (12), also to the bowling of Shallow’s TRIPLE-CROWNED and defending champions Team ‘medium spin’, to make Rivals commenced the 2016 domestic cricket season the total 161/2. The with an imperious performance, when they recorded a arrival of the flamboyant comprehensive 169-run victory over Victors TWO, in Hyron Shallow brought their opening match of the National Lotteries T20 the usual pyrotechnics, as competition last Saturday, at the main Arnos Vale he lashed 28 in his Playing Field. ‘quicksilver’ stay at the Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Team crease, counting four Rivals benefitted from a number of chances, but fours and one six off the Veteran leg spinner Orlanzo Jackson finished with 4/12. took control of the match from early. Openers Asif 11 balls he faced.

Hooper and Marvin Small set about the Hooper looked set for a Walters, who used the new ball with Williams, got inexperienced Victors TWO attack, to help their century before Shallow’s was eventually bowled by 2/5 with his off spin. team to 217/3 in their 20 overs. Team Rivals then Shamic Roberts, leaving the opener nine short of the Only Kishore Shallow with 22 showed any shot out Victors TWO for 48 in 17 overs. milestone. In his 91, he struck ten fours and one inclination to remain at the crease, until he ran The pair raised the 50 by the fifth over, and the six. himself out attempting a tight second run. hundred in the 12th.

None of the bowlers could be said to have covered The competition continues this weekend.

Small, who was not afraid to hit the ball over the themselves in glory, Marcus McCoy proving to be infield and over the fence, was the first to go when he was bowled by Kishore Shallow for 54 in the 16th the unreal ‘McCoy’ by conceding 38 runs in his two over, with the total on 147. He struck four fours and overs, with 27 coming off his second.

Set the task of scoring at almost 11 runs an over, three sixes.

Victors TWO, already reeling from the pummelling Hooper continued his merry way, but lost the with the bat and taking cover, so to speak, on the ropes, were shown little sympathy by their opponents, who mercilessly went for the kill.

RECENTLY ELECTED Parliamentary The slippery Kesrick Williams, Representative for Marriaqua, St Clair Prince, operating from the Bequia end, has called on the residents of the area to “own” their sporting facilities. bowled at a good clip, which left His call came in response to the growing his opponents visibly shaken. He vandalism inflicted on those facilities which are removed Ardinal Richards (0) with one that kicked off a length, struck in place.

Prince’s plea came last Sunday afternoon as he the number three batsman Shamic spoke at the opening of the Marriaqua Area Roberts on the helmet, and Netball competition, at the Richland Park collected a second wicket to finish Government School’s hard court. with 2/one in his two overs.

Concerned about the unfortunate occurrences, Then it was the turn of veteran Prince lamented: “Those who would have seen the leg spinner Orlanzo Jackson to Oval (The Richland Park Playing Field), would exploit the turn and bounce on know that the toilet facilities, the playing offer, as he finished with 4/12.

Kesrick Williams bowled with good pace. facilities have been vandalised by people in this area, and this is the hurtful part... The people who benefit most from the facility are the ones who destroy it.”

He continued: “Even at Cane End, we have a problem ... A lot of money was spent there, but we end up with having the field vandalised by THE NEWLY formed gymnastics team of Dolphin irresponsible people who don’t have the Valley at Gymnastics and Health Academy will compete in heart.” the USA on February 6th, 2016, at the Houston That said, Prince proceeded to appeal to his National Invitational. constituents “to own the facilities at Richland Zanthe Bascombe, Dakia Child, Abigail Deshong, Park and at Cane End.” Teya Garraway, Chiamaka Jackson, Jasmine He noted that by doing so, the people who want McLawrence, Adiah Phillips and Saskia Truchot to destroy the facilities, would not get an comprise the 8-member gymnast team that will opportunity to do so. compete in the USA, as this country’s first Despite the issue of vandalism, Prince said gymnastics team. that another effort will be made, in the upcoming Those concerned with the development of months, to have some work the sport here, say that it is still hard to done on restoring the believe that these incredible young ladies Richland Park Playing were able to learn routines on each of Field.

The Dolphin Gymnasts who will compete in the four Olympic gymnastics apparatus, in This facility was the the Houston Invitational. just under 3 months. result of a project funded Their coach, LaPrise Harris-Williams, through the Social states, “….the girls have increased their Inset: Coach LaPrise Harris-Williams views Investment Fund, in 2011. training hours considerably to prepare the international exposure as important to the Prince also promised a skill sets needed to compete.” development of the gymnasts and the renewed charge to tackle Williams feels it’s necessary to expose sport generally. the Cane End Playing the athletes internationally, since this is Field, even while looking in Houston, Texas. one way of helping them transcend sociocultural for another sporting venue On February 4th, the SVG Dolphin Gymnasts differences, and develop leadership skills at Evesham. will train with their coach at the World Champion and teamwork.

He also revealed his Centre.

“This will be an invaluable experience and She is hopeful that the visit to Houston would intention to explore the a privilege for my team,” Coach LasPrise said. help establish links with sports professionals and possibility of erecting a Anyone interested in learning more about the peers. hard court in Glenside, as St Clair “Jimmy” sport can contact coach LaPrise To begin the process, Coach LaPrise will link up well as properly lighting Princeat prisewill11@gmail.com or stop by Prospect with one of her longtime friends, Aimee Boorman, the Richland Park parliamentary Raquet Club, Tuesday through Saturday to view the who is the coach of the most decorated female Government School hard representative for gym.

Class times are 3:30-5:30pm TuesdayFriday gymnast to date, three time World Gymnastics court.

Marriaqua. and 10am-11:00am on Saturday.

(Contributed) Champion Simone Biles of World Champions Centre

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Vandalism irks Marriaqua MP

SVG gymnasts for U.S competition

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24. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Ruling: FIFA and SVGFF over Guyana

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Goal or Gold THE ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines national football squad has an opportunity to extend their reach, even if they falter at the World Cup Football qualifying level.

Having etched their way through two strenuous rounds to reach the third round, they have found themselves needing a miraculous change of fortunes.

They started in dazzling fashion, registering a goal in the sixth minute against the Missouri, US. They conceded six goals thereafter, and four days later, on home soil at the Arnos Vale Playing field, the team turned up a demoralising display to be swept aside 4 - 0 by Guatemala.

Trinidad and Tobago and the USA played to a goalless draw when they met in the Caribbean.

Both teams might have been satisfied with that result. Trinidad and Tobago secured vital away points in Guatemala, and even though the full points might have been ideal, they will be happy to share the top spot with the US. Therein lies the Vincy Heat dilemma. Everyone else has hit the points column. Reversing the trend will call for a revival of proportions.

The gravity of the situation may have overwhelmed the players and administration, and rectifying the issue will demand extensive measures.

Inclusion of additional players have been mooted by the coaching staff in the aftermath of the Guatemala debacle. Their next outing is scheduled for March 25, a date which has sparked debate owing to the religious sensibilities attached to that fixture.

Whether there is an adjustment is left to be seen. What bearing there will be on the other match, carded for March 29 in Trinidad, is also on table.

The Vincentian footballers will be asked to put on their gear again for the Second Round of the Caribbean Cup qualification process.

They are listed in Group 7 to compete with two teams from the First Round. The Vincentians have proven, to an extent, their mettle at the Caribbean level. Their barrier appears to be the Central Americans. Haiti has somehow thrown up some obstacles.

The Third Round of the Caribbean Cup will be October 3 to 11. That will be almost one month after the World Cup qualifiers.

September 2 will see the USA at the Arnos Vale Playing Field for the World Cup qualifiers, and Vincy Heat journeys to Guatemala for the final round of matches.

Our advancement to the Hexagonal will come as the heist of the millennium. Optimism for progress in the Caribbean Cup might be more realistic.

It is a pity that some of our players have been forced to advance their financial situation by playing in the Barbados League. But that is a matter of survival, and no one can blame the players for looking after their own welfare.

The idea that national players ought to be working or attending educational institutions does not seem to have been fully coordinated.

Communication between the relevant sources does not seem to have been undertaken. So matters are allowed to drag on in a meandering cycle.

Sports have the potential of forming a solid base for any country’s national development. This has to be executed in a systematic manner.

There must be the acceptance that sports and academics go hand in hand, and even in cases where there are differences in the confluence of talents, there can be measures deployed to iron out any discrepancies.

Persons have to be anxious to make the adjustments.

THE COURT OF ARBITRATION for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, has ruled in favour of FIFA and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) in the dispute with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), putting to rest the near eightmonth-old matter.

Last week Thursday, January 14th, a copy of the judgement handed down by sole Arbitrator, Professor Luigi Fumagalli, attorney at law, Milan, Italy, was delivered by courier to the office of the SVGFF in Kingstown.

The Guyanese had lodged a complaint with FIFA in June last year, claiming that the SVGFF had used an ineligible player, Gavin James, when the two teams met in a Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier at the Providence Stadium, Guyana, on June 14th 2015.

The GFF filed the complaint to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on June 16th and was informed on July 29 by the Disciplinary Committee that, “after careful examination of all the requested information and documentation, it was considered that no further intervention was necessary in such context,” according to reports

The GFF then followed up with an appeal to FIFA’s Appeals Committee, but was once again notified that it was not a party to the relevant proceedings, and would therefore, not be eligible to appeal, the report said.

The report said FIFA further added that an appeal was lodged against a letter issued on July 29 by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and not against a decision of the Committee.

And according to the reports, the GFF then, in September, took its case against FIFA and the SVGFF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which sits in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The GFF was contending that James was not the holder of a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Passport at the time the game was played, as was required by Article 19(3) of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Regulations.

Reports say that at the time of the game, James was the holder of a United Kingdom Passport. He had a stamp inserted in the passport indicating he was a citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by descent.

This, according to the GFF, is a violation of the said Article 19(3),

which recognises a passport as the only form of valid proof.

FIFA’s Gavin James, Disciplinary the subject of Code Article 55 much (1) states: “if a controversy. player takes part in an official match despite being ineligible, his team will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a minimum fine of CHF 6,000.”

Reports say that after assessing the matter and looking at all the evidence, Professor Fumagalli found the case put forward by the GFF to be flawed in a number of ways.

And in his conclusion to the matter his ruling is that: (1) The Appeal filed on 3 September 2015 by the Guyana Football Federation is not admissible; (2) The cost of the arbitration, to be determined and served to the parties by the CAS Court office, shall be borne in their entirety by the Guyana Football Federation; (3) Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this arbitration; (4)All other motions and prayers for relief are dismissed.

Bentick returned as squash president JAMES BENTICK has been returned as President of the SVG Squash Association.

He was re-elected for a second consecutive term at the Association’s Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 16th January, 2016.

Bentick is joined on the Executive by: Dominic Ross — Vice President; Dr. Sherian Slater — Treasurer; Anne Miller — Secretary; Kevin Bailey — Public Relations Officer; Colin Alexander and Janine Doyle — Committee members; and Jason Doyle — Youth representative. The Executive will serve for one year.

When THE VINCENTIAN spoke with President Bentick on Wednesday, he expressed optimism for “another active year for squash.”

As far as competition is concerned, junior players can look forward to some early contest in the National Junior Championships, scheduled for February 19 — 21.

And he assured that all the established national championships will be held as per usual, and that this country will participate, as it has done, in the sub-regional and regional competitions.

Attention will be paid to the preparation of Junior players — ages 11 to 18 years - for participation in the Junior Commonwealth Open Championships.

Bentick expects that 2016 will see a re-energised effort, on the part of the Association, “to spread the sport.”

Towards this end, a programme is to be launched aimed at bringing the sport to the rural areas, with the Resource Centres, all things being even, serving as centres for this effort.

This (effort) will complement the overarching intention of increasing the Association’s membership, which currently stands at 60.

He looks forward to the Association’s effort, at the least, making a dent into what he sees as the dearth of meaningful physical activity among young persons here.

The sport of squash here continues to be served,

The recently elected Executive of the SVG Squash Association- (L-R Back): Kevin Bailey, Dominic Ross, James Bentick, Dr. Sherian Slater (L-R Front): Jason Doyle, Ann Miller, Janine Doyle (missing Colin Alexander). in effect, by two courts, both located at the Kingstown Squash Complex in the National Lotteries Authority building, Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown, Bentick confirmed.

He admits, however, that notwithstanding the far from ideal situation with facilities, the two courts currently in use are two of the better courts in the region.

A lot rests on his shoulders for yet another year.

In addition to the leadership that he has committed to provide in accepting, once again, the position of President, Bentick, a World Squash Federation Tutor, will continue to serve as the Association’s Technical Director and National Coach, and expects to remain an active player with the intention of defending his regional 40+ and Masters titles.

Vincentian-born Dr. Cecil Cyrus, retired General Surgeon, is credited with introducing the sport of squash to SVG in 1966. He is said to have built SVG’s first squash court under his clinic at New Montrose, and spearheaded the construction of the Kingstown Squash Complex in 1983.

Through the years, SVG has held its own in regional squash competitions, with the names Paul and Mark Cyrus, Leroy ‘Fly’ Edwards, and more recently James Bentick becoming household names in this regard.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 25.

Sports

SVG to host Rugby World Cup Qualifier

THIS COUNTRY, a relative newcomer to the world of the sport of rugby, will host a Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualifier.

The match, featuring Jamaica versus SVG, will be played at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, Saturday 5th March 2016. The match is the opening game for the preliminary round of Qualifiers.

Members of the SVG Rugby Union are understandably excited about being chosen to host this opening match.

And while Sophie Goddard, President of SVG Rugby Union, promised that her organization will unfold, in the near future, detailed plans for hosting the historic match, she confirmed that World Rugby will be sending a film crew and VIPs from World Rugby,

The Webb Ellis Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup, will be on display during the Jamaica-SVG Qualifier at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Nigel Owens, International Rugby World Cup referee, will take charge of the qualifier in SVG. as well as placing the World Cup ‘William Webb Ellis Cup’ pitchside.

She also confirmed that the match will have the services of world renowned, Welsh international rugby union referee, Nigel Owens.

“This is an excellent opportunity for not only

the Rugby Union but for the whole of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as this event is due to be very high profile globally,” SVG Rugby Union said in a release.

The 2019 World Rugby World Cup finals, the ninth Rugby World Cup, will be held in Japan, from September 20 to November 2. This is the first time that the tournament will be held in Asia.

Twenty nations are expected to compete in the 2019 finals.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Teachers get Table Tennis exposure FORTY-FIVE Physical Education instructors and teachers responsible for sports at their schools, are now better versed in techniques to be used in introducing the sport of table tennis in their schools.

Described as an enthusiastic group, the teachers’ exposure came as a result of their participation in a twoday coaching workshop, organised by the SVG Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The workshop, held last week Wednesday and Thursday at the St. Vincent Grammar School, was conducted by Georg Silbersmidt from Switzerland, who is in SVG on an Olympic Solidarity sponsored stint to work with the SVG Table Tennis

Association in Developing a National Sports Structure (DNSS).

An official of the SVGTTA told THE VINCETIAN that the participants were taken through drills in the type of games involved in the sport, scoring methods and procedures and judging.

They were also taken through demonstrations of the styles and strokes that characterise the sport.

The official said that his Association is hopeful that some of the participants would take the opportunity to take the next step of becoming Level One Coaches.

The Teachers Workshop was another activity among a series of activities that are expected to inform the DNSS.

PE Instructors and teachers going through a drill at the recent Table Tennis Workshop.

26. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016. 27.

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

JANUARY 22, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.03

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EC$1.50

NSC: USER FEES ARE NOTHING NEW and the Stubbs Playing Field, and the window,” a disappointed EC$100.00 for the lesser grounds. looking Shallow said.

FACILITIES MANAGER at the In addition, they will be paying In his defence, John said that National Sports Council (NSC), EC$200.00 per weekend for the negotiations were started by Lance John, believes that the user ground staff per major venue.

Shallow and May, and he was fees now charged by the He said that regional and only asked by the manager to sit organisation for the use of sporting international matches are in for him at the meeting as he facilities is reasonable and just. expected to attract higher user had other engagements. So what And according to John, fees, according to his discussions he had put forward could not associations “were getting away with the NSC. supersede the decision of the with murder for years,” and it was Shallow, while recognising that manager. time for them to pay their fair the NSC needs monies to take He cited the SVGCA for failing share. care of its operations, is aggrieved in its obligations to the NSC since John, like his manager, with the different rates he 2011.

Jomadean May, was at pains to received from different personnel The NSC, which was set up in underline that there was no at the Council.

1995, reportedly gets increase in fees, but simply a re“I had a meeting with John, EC$40,000.00 as a monthly invigorated effort to implement and he gave us a fee of EC$ subvention from the National what was agreed upon for some 2,500.00 for the season and a Lotteries, to assist with its time now. payment of EC$100.00 per operations. But officials say Kishore Shallow, President of the SVGCA, says that the “These fees have been in weekend, per venue for the this amount, while implementation of the ‘fees’ existence since 2007, but for ground staff. That would have welcomed, is still comes at a time when his whatever reason, some persons at worked out to about EC$8,000.00 inadequate, and hence the Association has already the Council never bothered to for the season. But at our next reason for the budgeted in accordance with enforce them, so now all we are meeting on Monday with the implementation of the fees its promised sponsorship. doing is putting the regulations manager, this was thrown out of at this time. for the use of facilities in place,” John, a former chairman of the NSC, said.

A number of sporting bodies here have raised concerns with what they claim was the sudden introduction of user fees, which they believe will put a serious strain on their limited sponsorship.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association ((SVGCA) is one such organisation which appears to have been caught out by the fees.

President Kishore Shallow, who met with the NSC on Monday, his second meeting in a week, said that, with the levying of these fees, the SVGCA will have to find EC$2,000.00 to cover the season, and it will have some serious implications for their finances.

“We never budgeted for this, so it means we are against it already, because what we had negotiated for towards sponsorship had already been earmarked to run the various competitions,” he said.

Shallow said that they would be paying ES$150.00 per weekend for the use of Arnos Vale One and The National Sports Council, reportedly operating under constrained financial support, may well Two, the Sion Hill Playing Field procuring funds to fulfil its responsibilities.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

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

Lance John, Facilities Manager/NSC, says that the Council is simply implementing what has been on the books for some time now.

be on a path towards

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.