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THURSDAY,

MARCH 24, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.13

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Left: The War canoe that took over three years before it was deemed seaworthy, nears the beach at Rose Place Oashigunny Bay. Right: Crew (warriors) disembark with a sense of achievement.

Below left: The crew – warriors – move towards the high water mark after being greeted by warrior princesses.

Below Right: The crew – warriors – into their ceremonial chant and dance.

2. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 3.

News 3

War Canoe landing re-enacted

by GLORIAH… IT WAS PURPORTED to resemble an arrival of our Kalinago forefathers into Oashigunny Bay, maybe from some trip they had made to another island in the region.

When on the morning of Monday, 21st March, a slowly moving speck was spotted on the horizon as travelling from Lowmans Bay towards the Rose Place shore, a ready enthusiasm was whipped up among those eagerly waiting to witness the historic event.

Among those gathered were History enthusiasts, members of cultural organizations, primary and secondary school students/members of a Heritage Clubs, drummers, Kalinago dancers and other tribesmen, fishermen, residents of the area and members of the media and other passersby.

Kalinago tribe, led by ‘Chief Sardo’, Augustine Sutherland.

Expectant onlookers took on conversations giving their own reasons for the absence of the war canoe, as the time elapsed. Then, spotted between The re-enactment Old Woman Point below Fort Charlotte and the small headland at Rose Place Emotions seesawed, but a previous air Bay was the majestic pirogue, of excitement was deflated when the commandeered by Chief Sardo and his speck in the water turned out to be a able Captain Rex ‘Ijahman’ Browne. The fishing boat, and not the vessel engaged pirogue was in fact being escorted into in the re-enactment — the majestic the bay by the formerly spotted fishing pirogue built by descendants of the vessel, which was captained by seasoned fisherman, Mark Dennie of Rose Place.

Then in total view of their spectators, the crew of six, including Chief Sardo, Captain Ijahman, Vanwayne Lavia, Sherwin Peters, Kawayne Child, Codmus Francois, and Walford Hoyte triumphantly rowed their way into the bay, called Osahigunny by their forefathers. The rhythmic strides of hands that strategically positioned their ceremonially decorated oars to wage a war with the sea, was a perfect picture of co-ordination and skill.

It was then that a sure conviction seemed to settle on the consciousness of the onlookers, that the action really resembled an arrival of our Kalinago ancestors into the bay.

As the pirogue hit the shore, its occupants hurriedly disembarked and, along with other Kalinago tribesmen, Frankie Sutherland and Jason Derrick, took control and rested it upon the sand.

Their dress and demeanor made them look like persons with whom spectators were not familiar, and this, combined with what they had just accomplished, signaled the resounding success of the venture.

A ceremony of arrival then ensued.

The ‘Chief’ was escorted to the grand Augustine ‘Chief Sardo’ Sutherland circle by a waiting Kalinago Princess, (l) and Captain Rex ‘Ijahman’ Browne, where the sailors conducted what

the main forces behind the journey.

All hands to the ‘wheel’ – canoe – to make sure it is safe on the beach.

Left: A warrior princess does her enactment of a tribute to another successful battle by the menfolk. seemed like a prayer session of thanksgiving. This was followed by cultural renditions from groups affiliated to the Kalinagos.

another scenario,” Chief Sardo explained. He praised Mark Dennie’s expertise in instructing them on how to work against the waves and succeed.

Before the re-enactment

Looking forward

According to Chief Sardo, it took the men a year just to “dig out” (hollow) the tree, to give the canoe its interior. It took a further two years to shape it, in accordance with style, width and length, before it was deemed seaworthy.

Chief Sardo believed that it would have been “400 hundred years since such a canoe pulled into our shores”, and that 21st March was most appropriate for it fell in the month the nation was celebrating National Heroes and Heritage Month.

Prior to the departure for Rose Place Bay, the ‘warriors’ (crew) camped out on the beach at Lowmans Bay, cooking in the traditional way, preparing among other things, a meal of with iguana, they sought to fortify themselves for the journey.

The vessel left under smooth conditions, but by the time it got further out to open sea, the unpredicted tide proved a formidable adversary. Nearing Old Woman Point, the tide became overwhelming and the canoe capsized.

The accompanying fishermen offered direction to the crew who put the canoe ‘back on keel’ and changed direction so as to ‘hug’ the coastline.

Captain Mark Dennie, in brief remarks at the welcoming ceremony, was moved to remark, that “When the canoe nearly sank, that was the reality of the journey… real life, since it helped to show the hardships which the ancestors underwent to survive.”

“We are all from Sandy Bay and we have rugged waters out there, but when it comes to Old Woman Point, it was

As far as Chief Sardo is concerned, this is not the end of the activity. He promised to revisit the dispensing of the fire-arrows which were soaked when the canoe overturned. He also promised, with greater assistance, to look into restaging the event.

He and his group promise to continue teaching the wider community the traditional means of existence of the Kalinagos, who he stated were simply Garifuna without a name-change.

Certainly, our cultural heritage could only become richer for such an exercise.

Captain Mark Dennis, willingly assented to accompany the canoe, and proved to be of vital assistance during the canoe’s passage from Lowmans Bay to Rose Place.

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4. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Another person jailed for killing artist In the statement, he said that he and two other ALMOST TWO YEARS after Brighton resident Randy ‘Ratty’ persons, including Gurley Gurley was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the murder of whom he identified as British-born artist and educator, Jennifer Lewis, a second ‘Ratty’, went to Lewis’s person has been jailed in connection with the incident. house to steal. They broke Last week Wednesday, March 16, Yshangus McMillan a window when they got 22, also of Brighton, received a 15-year prison sentence there. He stated that a for causing Lewis’s death by manslaughter. woman in the house Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo handed down the penalty screamed and lashed out at Jennifer Lewis was at the Criminal Assizes. them, adding that Gurley shot dead during what McMillan was originally charged with murder, but a fired a shot and he was an attempted 12-member jury convicted him on the lesser charge (McMillan) jumped off the break-in at her home at earlier this year. porch and ran.

Belvedere.

Sentencing was postponed pending a social inquiry McMillan was also report on McMillan. That report stated that he had sentenced to 15 years in expressed remorse for the offence, was learning a trade in prison for possession of a firearm with intent to commit prison, and was a good prospect for rehabilitation. an offence. His sentences will run concurrently.

Attorney Dwane Daniel represented him.

Gurley had pleaded guilty to murder on July 28, 2014.

Lewis was shot in the chest during an early morning Lewis’s death had sent shock waves across the country. incident on June 17, 2012 at her Belvedere home, where The professional artist, who had Vincentian roots, was she was living with her 88-year-old mother, Daisy Lewis. killed two days after celebrating her 46th birthday.

The prosecution’s case had hinged primarily on Lewis had reportedly taken up residence here to care McMillan’s caution statement to the police. for her ailing mother. She was actively involved with the In that statement, he admitted that he was on the arts fraternity here, and was a member of the local scene, but denied being the one who pulled the trigger. organization ‘Art in Action’.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Prosecutor prevents criminalization of student SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche moved swiftly at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, to prevent a student from receiving a criminal conviction.

The student had pleaded guilty to possession of 560 grams of marijuana with intent to supply, and told the court that he was going to sell the drug to raise funds to finish his academic education because his mother could not afford it.

However, before any sentence was imposed, the Senior Prosecutor told Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne that having heard the facts and circumstances in the matter, as well as taking note of the student’s circumstances, he made a decision, using his prosecutorial discretion, to withdraw the matter.

A prosecutor has the authority to withdraw a matter at any stage before sentencing.

Both Delpleche and the Chief Magistrate were of the view that Once again, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche has seen it fit to apply procedures available to a prosecutor, to prevent a criminal record from being imposed on a youngster here.

the student should be given a second chance in life, and that a criminal record would hamper his future severely.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN later, Delpleche explained that he made the decision after applying the Full Code Test for Prosecutors, which includes the Public Interest Test and the Evidential Test.

“In my assessment, it did not satisfy the Public Interest Test to criminalize a student for just over 500 grams of cannabis (marijuana),” the prosecutor explained.

“I believe that as a youngster, he deserves a second chance in life. I took the opportunity to give him that second chance to make something good of his life,” Delpleche added.

He pointed out that if the matter was not withdrawn, the student would have received a criminal record which would have had a devastating effect on his development generally.

The Senior Prosecutor, however, made it clear that marijuana possession is still an offence under the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and he is advising citizens, especially the youth, not to get involved in the use, trade or trafficking of illegal drugs.

This is not the first time that Delpleche has applied the Full Code Test for Prosecutors, to prevent the criminalization of youngsters/students by withdrawing charges, in the appropriate circumstances, for possession of very small amounts of marijuana.

The Prosecutor had, in a previous interview with THE VINCENTIAN, called for a national consultation on the marijuana issue.

The issue of young people here being criminalized over the years, by receiving convictions for possession of small amounts of marijuana, thus hindering their general development, has been the subject of an ongoing debate for quite some time.

Many concerned Vincentians, including lawyers, have expressed the view that far too many young people here are being criminalized in this manner.

As one way of addressing the situation, attorney Grant Connell had suggested, during an interview with THE VINCENTIAN some years ago, that a ticketing system be introduced to deal with persons caught with small amounts of marijuana.

St. Lucian fined and confined ATTORNEY Ronald Marks has described the decision by Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne to impose a three-year prison sentence and a $15,000 fine on St. Lucian Ricky Philgence, for possession of a 9mm pistol without licence, as “a fair sentence and a positive move in the right direction.”

The 32-year-old also received a threeyear jail term for ammunition possession, but that would run concurrently to the other penalty.

Magistrate Browne handed down the penalty last Friday, March 18, at the Serious Offences Court.

If Philgence fails to pay the fine, which was ordered forthwith, he would serve an additional year behind bars.

Up to press time Tuesday, THE VINCENTIAN was unable to ascertain whether Philgence paid the fine.

Philgence had pleaded guilty to the charges when he initially appeared at the Serious Offences Court on March 15, but sentencing was postponed.

Speaking as a friend of the Court when the matter surfaced on March 15, Marks suggested that there are cases where it would be appropriate, in certain circumstances, to impose a less lengthy custodial sentence along with a fine for a firearm offence, and if the fine is not paid, the offender be made to serve the balance of the sentence.

Marks had said that this approach would take all the elements of sentencing into consideration, such as the appropriate retribution and deterrent, and at the same time ease the burden off the state in having to house and maintain the offender for a long period.

Philgence’s lawyer, Matthias Stewart, had, in mitigation earlier, asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence, noting that his client came here legally, pleaded guilty to the charges, and had no previous convictions.

Stewart had no problem with the sentencing approach, but he told THE VINCENTIAN that he believed , “the fine was on the high end for a first time offender who had no criminal record.”

He, however, agreed that, “The decision in itself is a good one and should be pursued.”

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN this week, Marks expressed the view that if the fine was not imposed, Philgence could have received a prison sentence of about five years, and the state would have had the burden of keeping and maintaining him for a longer period.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN that this approach to sentencing is nothing new, as the Firearms Act provides for a person to be fined and confined for a firearm offence.

While he admitted that the approach had not been pursued in recent times, he confirmed that it was done before.

Delpleche said that without the fine, Philgence could have received a prison sentence of about four years.

He noted that the maximum penalty for firearm or ammunition possession is seven years in prison, and a guilty plea, according to law, would result in a onethird reduction in sentence.

The charges against Philgence stemmed from a police action at a house at Fountain, March 14.

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 5.

Regional

Barack Obama on historic visit to Cuba

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA arrived in Cuba at around 4:15 pm, on Sunday 20th March, 2016, after a three-hour flight from Washington, on board Air Force One, – the official carrier of the President of the United States of America.

Air Force One touched down at Jose Marti International Airport amidst rain, but that did not deter President Obama from waving as he and his wife Michelle, together with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, disembarked.

Once on Cuban soil, he moved with his characteristic swagger towards a welcoming delegation of Cubans and Americans, including Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, the Cuban foreign minister, and the chargé d’affaires of the United States Embassy, Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

On setting foot on Cuban soil, Barrack

Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Cuba since president Calvin Coolidge inaugurated the panAmerican congress in that country, in 1928. The visit comes just 15 months after the announcement that the U.S. and Cuba would be restoring diplomatic ties.

As Air Force One was still on the runway in Havana, ABC News reported that Obama, as he arrived, used a Cuban phrase meaning “what’s up?” when he tweeted: “¿Que bolá Cuba? Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people.”

There were no addresses or formal statement on his arrival.

Instead, President Obama and his family party, which also included his mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, were whisked

Buildings in Havana got fresh coats of paint to mark the visit of President Obama.

Obama brings hope

President Obama, wife Michelle and their daughters greeted by Cuban and American officials at Jose Marti International Airport, Havana. (Credit: ibtimes.com)ent’s visit. (Photo Credit: Reuters) away in a convoy of official vehicles, Cuba media sources said, to the grand US embassy mansion, that will be the place of abode of the Obamas during their Cuba visit.

Havana’s streets were uncharacteristically empty, save and except

small groups of onlookers gathered on ramshackle patios and palm-lined medians to watch.

Families usually found strolling along the Malecon seaside promenade on Sundays or going out for a late lunch or ice cream, reportedly stayed at home.

One reporter explained this as the result of a combination of the rain, heavy presence of plainclothes security agents on virtually every corner along the president’s route, and the general absence of calls for citizens to ‘come out’, as is the custom on occasions like these.

During his three-day visit, the President was expected to: visit Old Havana on Sunday, where he will meet Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, the archbishop of Havana, who helped broker the deal to restore relations; hold talks with President Raul Castro on Monday, after which the two leaders were expected to address the media; attend a state dinner that night; deliver a speech at the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, and meet with Cuban dissidents on Tuesday; attend An exhibition baseball game Tuesday afternoon between the Cuban national team and Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.

The President and his party will depart Jose Marti International Airport in the evening of Tuesday 22nd March, en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Sources: prenza.latin.cu, BBC, Reuters, Daily Mail, The Guardian/UK, Financial Times)

THE LAST TIME a sitting president of the USA visited Cuba, he arrived in a battleship. That was 1928, and the President was Calvin Coolidge.

It follows, therefore, that some eighty-eight years after that visit, and some fifty-six years since the USA imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, that at least one Cuban, a 48-year-old refrigerator repairman, Carlos Maza, according to the Globe and Mail website, would be moved to say about President’s Obama’s visit, “This is an incredible thing, … a big step forward.”

That Obama’s visit to Cuba was the focus of attention worldwide may be the overstatement of the year. But one thing is certain: Cubans went out of their way to prepare Havana to welcome the visitor.

Buildings got a fresh coat of paint, roads got their pot holes filled and American and Cuban flags were hoisted alongside one another, creating an air of welcome.

But on the day of the President’s arrival, March 20, many Cubans opted to stay home.

Reports from international media that had been allowed to work freely before and during the visit, reported that Havana boulevards, and promenades were largely deserted on Sunday, the day of the US president’s arrival.

It appeared, according to the Mail, that Cubans had not got the now accustomed call to ‘come out in their numbers’.

Reuters and AP reported that just hours before President Obama’s arrival, security personnel broke up a demonstration staged by the dissent group Ladies In white, with whom the president was expected to meet.

Some of the group were detained briefly and then Images of US released, the reports said.

President Barack But Cubans will be Obama and Cuban heartened by the easing of restrictions on both travel and President Raul Castro in commerce between their downtown Havana, country and the US, which welcome the US began some fifteen months or President’s visit. so ago, and the economic and (Photo Credit: social reforms launched by President Raul Castro in 2008, Reuters) allowing, for example, hundreds of thousands of people to work in the private sector.

Only Congress can lift the trade embargo against Cuba.

The ease in travel restrictions has resulted in an 80 percent increase in 2015, in numbers of Americans traveling to Cuba. That’s expected to increase as airlines resume scheduled service later this year, with up to 110 flights a day.

And as another demonstration of his own commitment to the easing of restrictions, the President, last week Tuesday, gave U.S. banks the clearance to process dollar transactions for Cuba, as long as neither buyer nor seller are U.S. entities.

Mr. Obama was accompanied by a large delegation of members of Congress from both parties who are eager to support his call to lift the trade embargo against Cuba, and dozens of American business executives seeking lucrative opportunities on the island.

All in all, the visit brings with it much optimism, and as Gustavo Machin, Cuba’s deputy director of U.S. affairs, told The Associated Press, “Cuba is ready… we don’t fear ties with the United States.” (Source: Daily Mail, Reuters, AP)

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6. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Just one idea of the star quality that Karisma Hotels and Resorts bring with their investments.

Invest SVG: Bigger and better things to come THE TOURISM SECTOR is expected to get a boost this year through the targeted and aggressive approach adopted by Invest SVG, in attracting foreign direct investment.

So says Benadette Ambrose-Black, the Executive Director of Invest SVG, who explained that government had already signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that will see major projects, as it relates to hotel and tourism development, begin here soon.

“There are a lot of plans in store for this year. It is going to be an exciting year for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially with the coming on stream of the Argyle International Airport,” Ambrose-Black said in an interview earlier this month.

The focus is on two major projects: the development of 250 acres of land at Mt Wynne/Peter’s Hope for which an MOU was signed with Karisma Hotels and Resorts, that will see the construction of three five star, allinclusive gourmet resorts; and the development of a new city at Arnos Vale, once

the E.T Joshua Airport has been decommissioned.

The Karisma brand is a large one, AmbroseBlack explained, operating in a number of countries, including Mexico, Jamaica and Colombia.

“They are interested in developing the Caribbean region, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines is on their map,” said the Executive Director who also noted that Karisma partners with entities like TUI Group (UK) and Sunwing Travel Group (Canada) which are large tour operators that are also linked to Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts.

There are a number of benefits for already established local hoteliers who have expressed an interest in collaborating with the Karisma brand, she said.

“I have put them in contact with local hoteliers, and they are in the process of negotiating partnerships with these hoteliers. I am hoping that these partnerships will be realized and therefore bring flights here,” she said.

In relation to the new city at Arnos Vale, Invest SVG’s top official said that the Trinidadian

Bernadette AmbroseBlack, the Executive Director of Invest SVG, promises that her Agency will pursue the attraction of foreign investment with vigour and focus. franchise, Movie Towne, has already signed an MOU that will see the construction of an entertainment facility that includes a Cineplex, boutique hotel, shopping plaza and an amusement park.

It is anticipated that the shopping plaza will attract some international brands such as Burger King, Popeye’s and HaagenDazs.

But while the focus is on these, Invest SVG is working assiduously to attract even more foreign investment, even as it works at strengthening its own institutional capacity.

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 7.

Arts

Vincy Mas 2K16 out of the blocks

Calvert McAllister Jones has joined a long list of local artists who have designed the carnival poster through the years.

A NEW DESIGNER is making his mark on this country’s cultural landscape.

Calvert McAllister Jones, originally from the South Windward district of Cedars but operating from his adopted base at Casson Hill, prefers to be called a Design Consultant, but whatever, he is the designer of the Vincy Mas 2016 poster.

Combining his artistic skill with his penchant for photography, Jones has come up with a near perfect representation of the multi-faceted nature of Vincy Mas: two rings, one encircling the theme, and the other commemorating 50 years

of King of the Bands; elements of components, with the Steel Band taking prominence, and a perspective of last year’s winnsing King of the Band costume; and crowds of persons feinted in the backdrop.

All of this is set against a fiery backdrop promoting the theme, in keeping with the tagline, ‘Vincy Mas - Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean’.

Additionally, Jones’ creativity emerges with three feathers in the nation’s colours displayed in the ‘V’ of Vincy Mas. And there is a brick work section characterised by arches, symbolic of capital city Kingstown.

The launch of the 2016 poster formed part of last Tuesday’s press conference, which signalled the official start of activities for 2016 carnival festivity.

CDC’s Chairman Dennis Ambrose praised Jones for his design, and used the opportunity to speak about the View Cards which have become a feature of this year’s marketing operations, and which were also launched on Tuesday.

The CDC Chairman outlined the programme of events for this year starting with the launch of Vincy Mas May 7 at

The 2016 Vincy Mas poster was launched last Tuesday.

Victoria Park that includes New Song Competitions in Calypso, Ragga and Soca categories. This event will be preceded by the usual musically-driven traverses from the Leeward and Windward sides of the island. A parade from the Cruise Ship Berth in Kingstown to Victoria Park is also planned.

The 2016 Miss SVG

Pageant is slated for June 4, also at Victoria Park.

The programmes of activities run as per usual: Fantastic Friday 24th June; Junior Carnival — Saturday 25th June; Junior Pan fest — Sunday 26th June; Junior calypso/Soca — Tuesday 28th June; Steel and Glitter — Thursday 30th June; Miss Carival — Friday 1st July; Soca

Monarch — Saturday 2nd July; Dimanche Gras — Sunday 3rd July; J’Ouvert/Evening Street party — Monday 4th July; and Mardi Gras — Tuesday 5th July.

The all-inclusive drinks feature introduced in 2015 for Fantastic Friday will be discontinued, but the entrance fee will be reduced.

Calypso tents will be

relieved of some financial burden, with LIME making arrangements for the use of the Russell’s Auditorium for staging of Tent shows here.

Calypsonians will face the judges from June 4, when the first round of preliminary judging in the National Calypso Monarch competition gets going with the Dynamite Calypso tent, New York. (WKA)

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8. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 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

Easter’s hope EASTER IS HERE again. While it is first and foremost a Christian (religious) holiday season, the message of Easter, regardless of how sacrilegious and ugly it might sound, can also be applied to politics.

Consider what the Easter story is. Christians hold fast to the conviction that Easter is all about the resurrection of Christ; that Jesus was crucified (by the Romans on the instigation of the Jews), and died on the same day; that He was laid in a tomb where he remained for three days; that he rose and appeared to his disciples. Easter, therefore, is all about rising.

The resurrection of Christ is crucial for Christians, as it proves to them that Jesus was in fact God, and that he effectively conquered death. This is tantamount to saying: everyone is born, but only the holiest of holiest can rise from the dead.

And that may be so, but it does not take away from the fact that Easter’s primary message is about Easter ‘rising’, which translates to us Christians as a message of hope.

Many Vincentians today feel that their country is at an all-time low. Unemployment has remained stagnant, if not increased in the last decade or so; the national debt continues to grow; balancing the national budget remains a formidable challenge; trying to remain competitive in the tourism market takes a heavy toll on our resources, a la the construction of the airport; and the country remains starkly divided, even though it has elected the same political party to government on four successive occasions.

But even if some would want to place the country in its tomb, the Easter message rings true, for our history speaks to an overriding presence of hope.

And that hope may well be founded on what is purported, i.e., that this country is far from being bankrupt; that we can meet our monthly commitments and stay afloat amidst all the economic and social challenges and deviations, and some are wont to say the ideological divisions, that threaten to disrupt our equilibrium.

The point is: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is unbelievably resilient. The situation may be one in which one side of the divide believes that we have begun a new ‘resurrection’ with the reelection of the Unity Labour Party, while the other side believes that no resurrection is forthcoming unless they are returned to government.

Whatever, it would appear that if within the foreseeable future (into this term of office), reforms and improvements don’t start to click in, the people will demand change.

And even in demanding change, there lies the message of Easter; for in doing so, we say to the world, that we are resolved and have the ability to adapt; that we can change for the better.

To write prematurely the obituary for our country, is to deny that we are a resilient people, fortified by the Easter message of hope, and ready and prepared to pull our feet out of the ‘quicksand’ that threatens to pull us down.

Our reality is that people can still vote for whomever they want, as proven with the re-election of the Unity Labour Party.

But ours is also a reality in which people can voice very different positions, as proven by the protests that continue on our streets since the December 9, 2015 general elections.

But we can destroy that hope that drives us, if we do not allow those two fundamental things to remain. Therein lies the hope for SVG. It is obvious that there are things in this country that need to be done. Since December 9, 2015, and before Christmas, we have been a fearful and divided nation. Some saythat we did not celebrate Christmas as we should. There has, for many, selfimposed or otherwise, much pain. As a country, a nation of one people though spread across the globe, we are not well. It is obvious that we are in need of healing.

This season of Easter, a season of rising, must be used to renew our faith, renew our resolve, renew our commitment to each other, all of which will guide us along a path to compromise, that will lead to the right and just thing to do.

If we believe in Easter, then we have the hope that a solution to the divide is possible. Not to, is to deny the message of the Risen Christ.

“Good Friday” to passing generation of stalwarts GOOD FRIDAY is, of course, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the death of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and happily anticipates the glorious Easter when the risen Christ proclaimed to have gained dominion over the whole world.

Naturally, I welcomed the knowledge that my mother was born on a Good Friday (1893), and gave birth to me on an Easter Sunday morning 1938! I will deal with the death now, and our glorious resurrection subsequently.

As has been my wont, I visited the Thompson Home regularly, but missed my routine lately owing to my own illnesses. On this occasion, I share Christian hope and blessings with 90 plus years Marian Woods, an old client from Richland Park; and old teacher from Georgetown Elaine Duncan; Evelyn Quammie of Bottom Town, her home separated from mine by the cemetery; and, of course Granny Rose of Stoney Ground. I say this proudly, as one of my greatest moments in my short-lived political life was a public meeting the UPM held one Sunday at Upper Edinboro to sponsor my candidacy in 1979, with Granny Rose standing on my right and Renwick to my “far left”!

Of the Thompson Home inmates, I probably left the best for last, the dignified and charming Eileen Connell-Woodroffe, widow of one of my personal heroes, Anglican Bishop Woodroffe.

I make reference as well to Granny Rose’s brother who has been my friend since my sister Ena got a Christmas holiday job at the Post Office for me, then attending the Boys Grammar School, at a princely rate of thirty-six cents an hour! There I met my long-lasting friend postman Lawrence Dopwell who is now 90 plus years old.

Evelyn Quammie’s brother Frank “Tarpy” is also in the nervous nineties and used to play dashing football for the allconquering Colts in the late 1940s .

But the oldest footballer still around is Clement “Baha” Lawrence, a celebrated centurion who also opened bat for KCC champion for whom he also kept wicket. He was a noted calypsonian as well.

Miss Duncan had a contemporary teacher from the Georgetown area who, in fact, went to G.H.S from my home where she was captivated by the baby-boy, Kenneth John. She played netball, taught at various schools before helping to establish GECCU. In her nineties, Viola Daisley-John still manages to put a spritely “Pep” in her step.

Of course, Viola is not the oldest survivor of GHS. That honour proudly falls to Olive James-Pollard who attended the pristine

school, and is now knocking down the door to register a century. Clearly, as Sparrow maintains, age is but a number!

The Grammar School counterpart to Mrs Pollard is Eldon Anderson who survived two wives and, at least one child, Dr. Stanley Anderson, my boon companion of yesteryear.

To go back a bit, Viola Daisley-John formed part of a trio of teachers who made contributions in the constituency of West St. George, including Doris Adams-Mc Kie who had a Learning Resource Centre named after her, and Yvonne Francis-Gibson who once manned the Woman’s Desk, was president of the Teacher’s Union, a Minister of Government and a Justice of Peace, before she was fired by the ULP. Nearing 90, she still maintains her defiant dignity.

On the extending teaching front, there is the everlasting striking figure of Leopold “Sleepy” Anthony of Troumaca, a village cricketer of note and a tuneful violinist.

Where cricket is concerned, we still have among the living, our finest batsman and the most penetrative pacer for the Combined Islands in the 1950s,Owen “Manning” Jackson and Sonny Otway, otherwise known as (John Da Silva), now living in England. The pair are approaching 90 years old.

Incidentally, John Da Silva’s 90 year-old wife is my sister Ena. She left in SVG some great friends headed by Beryl Richards who is nearing her nineties, along with Carteil Trotman, Georgina Providence-Barrow, Rosie Brisbane and Eden Bennett following in train. For her own part, my oldest living sister, Elsie, resident at the Bronx, NY, USA, left in SVG Ena Mars apart from Evelyn Quammie.

To wrap up, Afflick Haynes in mid-90s, is the oldest living politician, having served as a Minister in Joshua’s PPP Government 1957. Runner up is Alphonso Dennie, a PPP Minister in 1972, now in his mid eighties.

Bayliss Frederick, on the other hand, has crossed 90 years and is the most outspoken of our radical lawyers.

In fact, Ages 85 to 90 contains a rich vein of Vincentian patriots: Clement Iton and wife Millicent; Cecil Cyrus; James “Son “Mitchell; Vincent Beache; Bertram Commissiong; Dougal Cox and Bertram Molly Arthur.

Let us ALL pray that GOOD FRIDAY this year leads to a BETTER SVG Spiritually, Socially and Economically if not Politically.

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 9.

Letters

Easter Message: An unforgetable kiss “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

God is not only a God of loving kindess (mercy, love and forgiveness) but He is also a God of truth (integrity and justice). He does not merely PSALM 85:10 succinctly describes the represent peace (safety, wholeness transaction that took place on the cross and rest), but also righteousness of Jesus. (holiness and purity).

“Mercy and truth have met each The dilemma is how can a truly other; Righteousness and peace have holy, righteous God simply forgive, kissed each other”. grant mercy to or bestow peace to Here we have a moving fallen man without compromising His personification of God’s attributes. character? Sin cannot be excused, it The figurative kissing of God’s must be judged. How therefore can attributes. God had a dilemma, as this holy, yet loving God marry the expressed by these four attributes, two? How can God be both righteous (mercy and truth, righteousness and and merciful at the same time? peace). These four attributes parted at The cross provided this meeting the fall of man. This truth is place. John further explains this expressed in Scriptures. “The soul meeting for reconciliation. “For the that sinneth it shall die” (Ez. 18:20). law was given to Moses, but grace and “The wicked is like the troubled sea truth came by Jesus” (Jn. 1:17). Isaiah that cannot rest, whose waters cast up predicted that He was “wounded for mire and dirt, there is no peace, saith our transgressions and bruised for our my God, to the wicked” (Is. 57:21). iniquities, the chastisement of our

by Bishop SONNY E. WILLIAMS Presiding Bishop – Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies St. Vincent and the Grenadines district

peace was upon Him and the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:5-6). This cross of Christ joins God’s holy righteousness and His overwhelming love.

Dutch Sheets concurs that through the cross: mercy met judgement; righteousness met sin; light met darkness; humility met pride; love met hate; life met death; and the cursed one on a tree met the curse that originated from a tree. Only God could marry such extremes in one occurrence. Who could shed blood to create life? Who could use pain to procure healing? Who could allow injustice to satisfy justice? Who could accept rejection to restore acceptance?

Who could use such an evil act to accomplish so much good? Only God could have caused the serpent who accomplished his greatest victory from a tree to suffer his greatest defeat from a tree.

Mercy met truth, and righteousness

kissed peace at the cross. It was at the cross the righteous demands of God were met in the death of His son Jesus Christ. At the confession of Christ as our Saviour and Lord, mercy rushes of his son Jesus Christ. At the confession of Christ as our Saviour and Lord, mercy rushes to meet truth.

At the confession of Christ as our Saviour and Lord, peace runs to kiss the righteousness imparted to us.

However, as long as we deny our sins, truth stands ready to expose us; righteousness demands punishment, and peace becomes elusive.

We celebrate this glorious transaction of the cross: “Mercy and truth fell for each other; Righteousness and peace kiss each other”. (Psalm 85:10) The honour is mine on behalf of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, St. Vincent and the Grenadines District, to wish you God’s mercy and peace.

Artistic Legalise medicinal marijuana talent abounds I WOULD like to thank and congratulate (belatedly) your paper’s extensive coverage of the art show two weeks ago. Although the quality of the writing was lacking in critical assessment, the opportunity for an art reviewer to hone their skills by covering art exhibits in St. Vincent seldom presents itself.

It was a real pleasure to see art being displayed that consisted of more than palm fronds and banana leaves. Clearly, there is talent here that needs to be encouraged, mentored and fostered.

How likely that is, I am unhappily skeptical.

Leaving the island is a budding artist’s only real chance for growth, wider recognition, and beneficial critical assessment.

But again, thanks for your effort to broaden these artists’ exposure.

Perhaps future exhibits can be juried and prize money awarded, if local support is not just verbal, but concrete.

Albert Hipple

UNFORTUNATELY, I was not able to attend the open forum on Marijuana that was held at the Methodist Church Hall last week Wednesday. I, however, would like to share some thoughts on the issue.

I want to confine my bit to the case for the legalisation of medicinal marijuana.

The first question we must ask ourselves, given the needs of our country, is whether or not a move to legalise medicinal marijuana would generate any substantial amount of revenue for the state. I want to believe it would. A study on legalising medicinal marijuana

in Britain estimates that that country stands to rake in £1bn in tax revenues. Why can’t we do the same - not £1bn, but I’m sure it would be a substantial amount.

Of course, if the tax collection on sale of medicinal marijuana is to be effective, we have to establish licensed stores or grant licences to established stores, like they have done in parts of the USA, so that we can keep tab on their returns, so that they pay their fair share of tax.

I take it that medicinal marijuana would be sold in specially packaged and marked containers.

If it is that cigarette smoking is legal, a habit that is undoubtedly more harmful to the body than marijuana, why can’t we seize on the opportunity that our farmers present us, and start capitalising on what is potentially a million dollar industry?

I fear that if we don’t take the first step and legalise medicinal marijuana, when I do sometime down the road, we will lose the opportunity to large corporations who are lining up to profit big time.

Paul B

vanguards of our judicial system must do everything to enforce them with maximum efficiency. A perceived THE ISSUE of praedial and its culprits. in place to combat this weak judicial system larceny is one that has However, leniency from problem. The rural that seems only to been haunting and the victim, the court and constables who are dishearten farmers, breaking the back of our mediocre penalties have especially assigned to would deepen the stigma farmers for decades. I done nothing but prolong deal with praedial know of an actual story and escalate this terrible larceny, no disrespect to attached to agriculture in our country, and where a perpetrator was practice. One way of anyone, but their taken to court and addressing the problem training or lack of it, do promote praedial convicted for stealing a is to have buyers not command the respect larceny. We will continue to lose our farmer’s produce. He recording the farmer’s needed to execute their was ordered by the court name and identification duties effectively. If they farmers. The implications of this could to pay a sum of money. number, using the are not regular police He went and stole the ‘farmer’s ID’ card, the officers, then their duties be catastrophic.

Effectively dealing identical produce from produce type and must be spelt out with the issue of the said farmer, sold amount, and having the clearly. If the calibre of praedial larceny is one them and paid the farmer’s name and officers used in this way of boosting our farmer from ‘his’ signature on such department is to agriculture sector. An earnings. The truth is, document. A buyer who juxtapose the effective plan would not praedial larceny is not fails to authenticate the government esteem of only hurting the legitimacy of his agriculture, then we are only stem praedial larceny, but it would farmers, it is also transaction by his or her surely awaiting the hurting every inability to produce this official obituary of this also ensure the farmers community, the document, if and when vital industry. are respected, which in country’s economy, and asked to do so by the Austere examples turn would attract hence our very police, would be in must be made of those, persons, especially the development. Praedial breach of a regulation. If regardless of stature, young, to join their larceny retards our such regulation is not in who are caught ranks. economic advancement. place, then it should be. purchasing produce There are laws to deal The appropriate illicitly. If the laws are Things As I See Them with praedial larceny framework must be put there, then the

Praedial larceny

What a pity!

A CRUISE SHIP was in town on Wednesday the 16th of March. One of the sites the few tourists who braved the pot holes and crumbling pavements and shipping-crate-palletboard vendor stands that block the sidewalks, was a man urinating on the side of the Market Building, directly across from the Court House, about 1:00 p.m. He was polite enough to nod to the pedestrians who had to walk around him.

Among the many laws that the police do not enforce, being preoccupied with repressing protesters, and arresting threats to national security, public indecency would seem to be one. What a pity!

Margo

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10. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Excerpts from the Budget Address delivered

by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves Part Four (I) SOME STRATEGIC Public Sector Ventures.

In the ULP’s Manifesto for the 2015 General Elections, major strategic ventures or initiatives were identified for our pursuance over the next five years which impact further on economic growth and job creation.

I shall comment briefly on five of them, namely: Argyle International Airport; the Geothermal Project and Energy; Climate Change and Ocean Governance, and Resilience; the City at Arnos Vale; a Modern Port Kingston; and Education Services as an Economic Niche. (a) Argyle International Airport The completion of the Argyle International Airport is imminent. As a consequence, much focus has been placed on three urgent matters: putting the management structures in place for the airport’s operation and recruiting the requisite personnel to operate the airport; finalising arrangements with several airlines which are interested in flying into Argyle International Airport; and securing the requisite regulatory approvals from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, with which our officials have been interfacing continuously. Satisfactory work is being done in all three areas. Our government intends to commence actual operations at the airport, soonest! This international airport has a central place in our government’s strategy for economic growth in the immediate future and beyond. In this regard, it is to be noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff indicated that the international airport is expected to increase tourist arrivals by 10 percent yearly over the next three years following its completion, with a cumulative impact on real GDP of up to 4.2 percent. (b) The Geothermal Development Project and Energy In December 2015, the requisite documents formally establishing the legal relations between Emera Caribbean, Reykjavik Geothermal, and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, were signed. The delays encountered in the formal preparation and signing of these contractual documents have inevitably pushed the commissioning and start-up of the geothermal plant from the end of December 2018 to early April 2019.

Some important milestones on which I now report are: * A scoping report on the environment and social impact was completed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and submitted on December 29, 2015. * An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) commenced on February 08, 2016.

The consulting firm, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) has been awarded the contract for the ESIA services. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has provided grant funding for the services of ERM during phase I of the project. The IDB’s grant of US $250,000 is part of the government’s equity contribution to the project. * On February 02, 2016, I signed in Abu Dhabi on behalf of our government the agreement with the Abu Dhabi Development Fund (ADFD) for the US $15 million concessionary loan. These funds would be utilised in the post-drilling phase of the project, after the first production well is dug. Resources are available from the CDB and IDB for the drilling phase. * The project schedule is as follows:- Civil works (Soil and Water Investigation): January 25, 2016; - Civil Works Contract (to be

awarded): July 25, 2016; - Construction of Well Pad (for production wells): August 15 — September 23, 2016; - Construction of Well Pad (for injection well): September 26 — November 04, 2016; - Drilling Contract (to be awarded): July 2016; - Rig Mobilisation: August 1 — November 25, 2016; - Grid Study: August 1 — October 28, 2016; - Drilling (3 production wells): November 28, 2016 — May 5, 2017; - Drilling (1 injection well): May 15 — June 23, 2017; - Well Testing (including all production and injection wells): July 16 — August 04, 2017 - Engineering Procurement Contract (EPC) (to be awarded): September 4 — October 13, 2017; - Plant Construction: March 05, 2018 — April 05, 2019 - Commencing and Start-up: March 11 — April 05, 2019 These time-lines are by their very nature flexible. It is anticipated that they may well be abbreviated as the process unfolds.

Mr. Speaker, I remind Honourable Members that the estimated cost of the project overall is US $82 million of which the drilling phase is expected to cost US $32 million. The project will be financed by 35 percent equity and 65 percent debt.

Our government is continuing its search for additional funds of a grant or low-cost kind. Further promising funding opportunities exist through JICA, IDB, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom government, and additionally from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. The government of New Zealand is also lending technical advice.

Meanwhile VINLEC continues to invest in the improvement of the hydro-plants and in solar energy. The Energy Unit of the government continues its excellent all-round work in the area of renewable energy, particularly in respect of solar energy facilities on selected government buildings. The initiatives of VINLEC and the Energy Unit are consistent with our government’s National Energy Policy, and Action Plan, upon which I have repeatedly commented. (c) Climate Change, Ocean Governance, and Resilience Global climate change is creating immense challenges, and in many instances causing havoc to Mother Earth and her inhabitants. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), contribute very little to global warming yet we are on the frontline of the very damaging consequences of climate change.

To St. Vincent and the Grenadines, climate change is an existential issue of the highest order; it goes to our very existence as a country. For this very reason, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the OECS and CARICOM are at the forefront internationally in championing the cause of SIDS, in seeking to ensure the arresting of harmful climate change and the prodding of developed countries and emerging economies, which are largely responsible for “man-made” climate change through the excessive carbon emissions into the atmosphere, to embrace meaningful “climate change” goals and to provide a sufficiency of resources for adaptation and mitigation.

Central Leeward THE NUMBER of irregularities that occurred at Polling Stations on Election Day throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines on December 9th, 2015 was unprecedented. As a result, two candidates of the New Democratic Party filed election petitions in the court.

The following is a section of the Central Leeward petition: Defective Ballots Papers (22). Contrary to Rule 31 (1) (a) of the Rules, all of the ballots papers issued to the presiding officers by the 4th Respondent had the official mark pre-printed on them and in some instances the official mark was printed on the counterfoil. This is also in violation of the procedure which states that “ The Presiding Officer puts the official election mark on the ballot paper and his /her initial, then marks the voter’s number on the counterfoil of the ballot” as set out in ‘Handbook for Election Workers’ produced by the Electoral Office of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2105 under the hand of the 4th Respondent, for, ‘the more effective conduct of the election process’.

Contrary to Rule 40 (3) and Rule 41(4) respectively of the Rules the 1st Respondent ignored objections by the petitioner’s representatives at the final count and counted as valid in excess of three hundred (300) ballots in relation to Polling Division CLF and CLF 1 which ballots appeared defective and or willfully mutilated and in respect of which the 1st Respondent refused the request of the petitioner and his representatives to see the counterfoils or any other electoral documents to assist in verifying the authenticity of the said ballots and in relation to which , similar types of ballots were previously and subsequently rejected.

(23). The said ballots appeared to have been willfully mutilated in such a manner that contrary to Rule 15 (2), Rule 16, Rule 31 (1)and 40 (1) (a) respectively, of the Rules and as a result: (a) All of the ballots cast in ballot box marked “CLF” appeared to have been willfully mutilated in that they appeared different from the majority of the other ballots that were counted as valid at the final count by the 1st Respondent in that they bore neither the stamp nor initials of the Presiding Officer. Despite objections made by the Petitioner and his agents at the final count that they should not be counted, the 1st Respondent affirmed the preliminary count thereby refusing to reject any of these ballots. (b) There were a further ninety nine (99) ballots which appeared to have been willfully mutilated in the ballot box marked “CLF1” which despite objections by the Petitioner and his representatives to their inclusion at the purported final count were also included by the 1st Respondent who stated that since both candidates had received mutilated ballots , “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

(24) There were similar ballots in ballot boxes from various polling stations which were ruled invalid by the 1st Respondent even after he accepted similar looking ballots in “CLF” and “CLF1”.

(25) In the above circumstances, given the First Respondent’s refusal to entertain any requests for recounts

by the Petitioner the validity of the final count is doubtful.

(26) Further and in addition to the above, the majority of the ballots (over ninety percent,) counted at the purported final count by the 1st Respondent bore the official mark and the Presiding Officer’s initial in a matter which is contrary to Rule 31 (2) as a result the Petitioner and his representatives/agents objected persistently to their inclusion in the count because: (a) Rule 31 (2) of the Rules (Voting Procedure) provides that ‘ The voter, on receiving the ballot paper shall forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his ballot paper....’ He shall then fold the ballot paper so that the initials of the Presiding Officer and the official mark can be seen without unfolding it, and hand the paper to the Presiding Officer who shall without unfolding it ascertain by examination of the initials, the numbers and the official mark appearing thereon that it is the same paper as that delivered to the voter and if it is the same, he shall forthwith in full view of the voter and all others present remove the counterfoil and deposit the ballot paper in the box. (b) If the Presiding Officer folded the ballot to the line marked ‘Do not Fold Beyond this Line’ he could have only verified that it was the same ballot as she or he is required to do by law, by examining his initial and the official mark by opening the ballot thereby invading the secrecy of the poll. (c) The invasion of the secrecy of the vote is inimical to one of core principles for the conduct of the election namely that of secrecy of the vote and is tantamount to a substantive departure from the law with regard to the conduct of elections and specifically, section 54 (3) of the Representative of the People Act and Rule 31 (2) of the Rules.

27. Contrary to Rule 40, the 1st Respondent refused to accede to the objections of the Petitioner and his representatives/agents and count in counting various ballots as follows: (a) the authenticity of the ballots counted in respect of Polling Division CLB and CLB1 which comprised a total of two hundred and twenty three (223) and two hundred and one (201) votes respectively was questioned because although the presiding Officer complied with the requirements of Rule 31 the ballots seen at the final count differed in material respects from the ballots seen at the preliminary count. ((b) Similarly, the authenticity of the ballots counted in respect of Polling Station CLA which comprised three hundred and forty one (341) votes, the ballots seen at the final count differed in material respects from the ballot seen at the preliminary count.

(1st Respondent-Winston Gaymes, Returning Officer and 4th Respondent- Sylvia Findlay-Scrubb)

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 11.

Views

The University of the West Steel sharpens steel Indies: A Beacon of Hope for the Region (Pt 2) The China Connection

“Transforming the academy to make it more responsive to today’s world, will require the adoption of unconventional methodologies, in as much as it will require the forging of new alliances, as we search for new ways to fulfill our mission and new stakeholders to join us on our journey. Out task of educating the region remains central to our mandate and requires firm and steady hands of commitment.”— Professor Violet Eudine Barriteau, GCM Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UWI, Cave Hill Campus.

PROFESSOR VIOLET EUDINE BARRITEAU, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), is an outstanding academic, lecturer, and social activist. Professor Barriteau’s research interests embrace feminist theorizing, gender, and public policy.

She is well respected throughout and beyond the region for her exceptional work in these and related areas. Like her predecessor, Sir Hillary Beckles (now Vice Chancellor of UWI), Professor Barriteau is a visionary and proactive leader. She is now championing the initiative to link the Cave Hill Campus with China’s Global Institute of Software Technology.

Just over a year ago, on January 21, 2015, Professor Sir Hillary Beckles, in his capacity as Pro ViceChancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, signed an agreement with the Global Institute of Software Technology (GIST) based in Suzhou, China. Suzhou is a city that is located west of Shanghai. It has a population of approximately 5.3 million (World Population Review, 2016). Within recent times, Sozhou has attracted several industries that engage in tool manufacturing, plastics, knitting, sporting goods, software, and so on. It is therefore not surprising that the farsighted and proactive leadership of the UWI sought to forge links that would be mutually beneficial to the two institutions of higher learning.

The joint venture will be called the Suzhou UWI Global Institute. The Cave Hill Campus will house the UWI-Suzhou Institute for Software Engineering, and will be responsible for ensuring that the necessary facilities are made available. The Suzhou-based Global Institute for Software Technology will design the new curriculum in conjunction with the faculty at Cave Hill. In addition, they will also provide the furnishings and the teaching materials. As part of the agreement, students enrolled in the four-year programme will spend two years at the UWI and two years in China. An additional benefit will be that the participants will have course credits and dual degrees from both institutions.

It is anticipated that China will continue to forge ahead with major developments in computer sciences.

It is expected that Caribbean nationals who participate in the programmes being offered the UWISuzhou Institute for Software Engineering, will have ample opportunities to be employed by software companies that span the globe. Many of these now have parent companies in China. In addition, it is possible that some of the brightest and best students in such a programme will be able to launch out as entrepreneurs — designing and developing companies and software programmes that will change the world as we know it. This must therefore be considered an exciting time for the University of the West Indies and, by extension, the people of the region. This institute has the potential to generate lots of opportunities for our people — especially our talented computersavvy youth.

We commend the leadership and faculty at the University of the West Indies for their insight in pursuing such a joint venture. In doing so, they will not only create opportunities for the students and faculty that will be involved in this exercise; they will encourage Caribbean citizens to appreciate the positives that can emerge from working together with people, companies, and institutions from other nations. This venture allows the UWI to demonstrate and teach best practice in establishing joint ventures with entities from different countries, where partners speak different languages, and have a different culture. These life lessons enrich the teaching/learning experiences that the new UWI graduates embrace as they prepare to manage and lead public and private sector entities throughout and beyond the region.

We applaud Professor Barriteau and her team for forging ahead with this project. We anticipate that students will shortly be registering for the courses being offered by the UWISuzhou Institute for Software Engineering. Students from throughout the region who have a passion for software development will no longer have to consider the inconvenience and excessive costs of having to pursue their passion for skills in this area at institutions outside the region. Through this institution, citizens of the Caribbean can carve out a niche in this fastdeveloping discipline and, in so doing, extract the wealth that such opportunities provide.

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

IF PRESIDENT OBAMA really intends to do away with the last relic of the cold war, he will return to Washington and lend his effort and prestige to ensure the removal of the US blockage against revolutionary Cuba.

But as Raul Castro affirmed last Monday, ‘There are profound differences between our countries that will not go away.” When Obama raised the question about human rights in Cuba, Castro rebutted forcefully: “In our view, civil, economic, social and cultural rights are indivisible, interdependent and universal. We find it inconceivable that a government does not defend and secure the right to healthcare, equal pay and the rights of children. We oppose political double standards in the approach to human rights.”

I spoke too soon, December 18, 2014, when I wrote that by deciding to open diplomatic relations, Obama had resolved to end the blockage against the Cuban revolution and finally bring an end to the cold war.

President Obama’s visit last Monday is one small step that brings American policy in line with that of the international community, which time and again voted overwhelmingly at the United Nations against the policy intended to strangle the revolution. Or it may just be another tactic. Obama did say the 5-decade policy of aggression had failed.

The mighty United States, committed to overthrowing the revolution, aggressively threw all its power against the Cuban government, but failed measurably. In the end, Cuba’s revolutionary leadership remains intact.

Raul Castro is president, Fidel though frail by age, is alive and revered, the Cuban people remain proud and most important of all, the Cuban revolution lives. President Obama should spend political capital to get the US Congress to remove all legal restraint against Cuba.

It is an important story that offers an adoring lesson, a people united can be battered, bruised and held back in their nationalist, revolutionary task of development, but can never be defeated.

The blockage, started by the Kennedy administration in April, 1961, was crippling and deadly, but the Cubans’ experiment survived. Against the odds, Cuba is today recognized as an education, sporting and medical power.

The blockage is estimated to have cost the Cuban people more than US$100 billion. Imagine what Cuba could have done with all of that money.

In its fight against revolutionary Cuba, the Caribbean people came face to face with American sponsored terrorism. On October 6, 1976 Cabaña airliner 455 was criminally blown out of the sky off Barbados.

Luis Posada Corrilles, the agent trained and financed by the American Central Intelligence Agency, lived a happy life in the USA, following the criminal act that took the lives of 57 Cubans, 11 North Koreans and 5 Guyanese.

Germ warfare was used against Cuban agriculture, causing serious damage to its tobacco and sugar. Swine fever was introduced, and this forced the Cuban government to slaughter over 1 million pigs. Cubans, particularly those well trained, were encouraged to defect. Cuba must put on the negotiating table with the US the issue of reparations.

There were times when life became very difficult in Cuba. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, this hard period tested the mettle and endurance of the Cuban leaders and people; but the

revolution survived. Fidel Castro, reviewing the period said “In those difficult times, we never closed a school.

We never closed a hospital, and we never brought to an end our commitment to our friends whose sons and daughters we offered to educate and train…Through all of this, no one went homeless or hungry on the streets, and most of all there were no mass protest or rebellion against the revolution.”

None of this fazed the Cuban leadership. It continued with its mission to protect the people and provide service to the world. Cuba’s selfless assistance, to Pakistan and Haiti after the devastating earthquakes; the leadership in the fight against the dreaded Ebola disease in West Africa, and most famously, the role Cuba played in ridding Africa of colonialism in Angola and the collapse of the apartheid system in South Africa will long be remembered. Today, no one doubts that whenever the world calls, Cuba answers the need for help and assistance.

The Cuban example proves that through education for consciousness, organization and mobilization, a people can defy the odds, survive and prosper.

President Obama admitted that the policy of aggression and isolation of Cuba had failed. He called for a more enlightened approach which will see more contact between the people of the United States and Cuba. But it must be understood that Obama is the poster boy for big business and US hegemony.

He wishes for the revolution to disappear.

To show how cynical the policies of powerful countries can be, the USA has removed Cuba from the list of nations and organizations labeled as terrorist.

In the same way there was a promise to remove North Korea from the list of terrorist nations. You are smeared with labels that the unsuspecting accept without questions.

The thaw in US/Cuba relations helps to take Cuba out of isolation, but it also increases the threat of subversion and counter revolution. As the Cuban society becomes more open, it will be much easier to penetrate. However, if there is a country capable of navigating a brave new path, Cuba can.

President Obama’s visit is important for all kind of reasons. Sixteen months ago, Plain Talk declared ‘‘The clock on political discourse even here in SVG. In many ways the normalization of relations between the US and Cuba is a vindication of the foreign policy of PM Gonsalves and the Unity Labour Party government. It is a policy that has brought many benefits. Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, Libya, Mexico, Taiwan and Venezuela have all offered assistance that takes us a little further on the path to develop.”

“Leaders may now see the wisdom in thinking ahead rather that toady behind a given leader or nation, no matter how powerful that entity might be. The dark refrain ‘what will America say’ will hopefully go the way of the dinosaurs.”

In all of this, we welcome the new relations between Cuba and the United States, and salute our Cuban cousins for being a living embodiment of what it means to walk on our feet and not on our knees.

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

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12. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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UK-based Vincentians: SVG’s dilapidation ‘beyond belief’ A GROUP OF VINCENTIANS on holiday from the UK, told the Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, that SVG has fallen into ruin. They said that the dilapidation and destitution in SVG is beyond belief.

They said that SVG has gone to the dogs.

Before returning to SVG, they had thought how nice it would be to return to their home country; but when they got here, they were horrified. They were

amazed that there is so much poverty, squalor, unemployment, crime; and thought that the government must be dysfunctional.

They found it extremely difficult to comprehend how their country has fallen so fast and so deep into ruin and destitution.

The poor state of the country saddens them.

Travelling around the country, they were surprised at how many people are forced to

survive on one meal a day and are living off chicken back. They said that some people are living in such dire poverty that they feel there is no hope of things getting better.

One of the UK-based Vincentians on holiday, said that many people’s living environment is very dirty and a serious danger to their health. The Vincentians said they found it hard to see how the capital, Kingstown, has fallen into a rat-

infected place with so much pollution. It seems like the country lacks pride.

They wondered why there has been no progress in providing sport facilities for young people, and why the country is so heavily polluted with garbage everywhere. They have seen for themselves that the country is in need of change, to preserve and protect the living environment, and steer the country away from a very bleak future.

The UK-based Vincentians were very thankful to the former SVG High Commissioner to London, Mr Carlyle Dougan QC, for his initiative in getting the British government to

recruit Vincentians into the British Army and Royal Navy.

They asked why the recruiting to the British Army and Royal Navy has stopped, as joining the Army or the Royal Navy is a good career move (to get a skilled trade), and provides the chance to live in England after you have completed your military service.

Having spent a couple of weeks back in SVG, the UK-based Vincentians feel that there is no incentive to return to SVG, in the near future. There are no jobs to come back to, and the level of poverty and crime is very high.

The ULP regime has hugely neglected the basic needs of Vincentians for 14 years. Many

households exist without electricity and a mains water supply.

The people of SVG need opportunities to get jobs and improve their standard of living. In the short-term, factories are needed to create jobs; we need our own SVG tuna fishing and canning industry.

For long-term economic strength, substantial investment is needed in education, from pre-school to university, to give our children a high level of education. Having a highly educated population will lead to foreign investment.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Budgetary Response: Reality Checks (Pt 2)

by GODSON CAIN MR. EUSTACE CLAIMS that for nine years, government has been running

budget deficits. On the face of it, it is appalling. But, nah we alone. Budget deficits have become the rule rather than the exception. Balanced budgets

are ideals, but the economic environments in the country and externally dictate the fiscal stance of any caring nation. I am not saying that budget deficits are good: they have to be financed from somewhere, because they have financial implications for the monetary authorities and ultimate austerity programs. When we examine our economic environment in which, since 2001, external and internal shocks, like tidal waves, have impacted us; thereby throwing the country off its long run growth trajectory. Prior to then, we could have boasted growth upward of 5%. These days, negative growth to 2% seems to be rule. Do we have control over these phenomena? Had the guru been at the helm, he would have been equally apologetic. Growth is a random walk: it behaves like a drunkard unable to walk a straight line. His frequent utterings about four years of negative growth beg the question whether he could have done better, given the economic circumstances.

Why do we have fairly persistent deficits may be a political decision emanating from a desire to keep the people at work rather than live with the pains that austerity may bring.

However, it appears that these deficits are structural and very difficult or painful to eliminate. Therefore, to have a balanced budget, the economy will have to go through some restructuring. It appears that revenues are cointegrated with GDP, and growth in GDP will show itself in growth in revenues, given a fairly elastic tax buoyancy. Therefore, it is desirable to always have a “go —forgrowth” strategy backed by a productivity drive. But shocks regularly spoil the binge. The harsh reality is we cannot ‘robustify’ our economy against these shocks which seem to be quite unique and cannot be treated with tools used before. Deficits, following on the heels of these shocks, seem to be our lot and, as a population that cannot bend any further, we look to government to tide us over until…or be voted out of office. One can conclude that budget deficits are a political imperative.

Mr Eustace’s lament is understandable. It appears that government is not making any effort to rein in the budget deficits. He is fuming at the idea of fiscal consolidation when he sees a deficit of $151 million in 2016, $168 million in 2017 and $205 million in 2018. These are provisional estimates and the fiscal outturn may be different.

The quantum may be alarming, but it may be a stable proportion of GDP. I want to believe that the figures are predicated on a positive growth rate in GDP. I also want to believe that the PM will still say it is still within the acceptable debt to GDP ratio, the lowest in the region. Obviously, Mr Eustace will say this is why we can’t grow because there is need for serious cuts, may be, in transfers, as too many people are on poor relief, and that government is bragging about it. He is scorning government effort at fiscal consolidation at the same time he is calling for government to spend more to create growth and jobs. Fiscal consolidation and job creation hardly work in tandem.

The imposition of taxes, especially VAT on previously exempted items, has been a case where his honourable members understand the intent of the imposition of the VAT, but sought to play on the sensitivities of their followers at a time of heightened political anxiety. Mr Eustace would have studied sumptuary taxation as part of Public Finance training and practice, knows that these taxes are designed to reduce the impact of the consumption of certain goods and services and whatever paltry revenue derivable from them are ear-marked for use in institutions carrying the social cost of curing or eliminating those diseases. He would have heard from Mr Ferdinand’s presentation that non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in SVG and salt, sugar and the newlyVatted items are contributors to our health problems, and the heath institutions are underfunded for the task; yet he rebuked them not for vilifying the initiative. I find this abhorrent, and we must be fair and honest to our fellowmen.

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 13.

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 15.

14. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Digicel Recognises Employees with Longstanding Service

Digi l St. Vi D V S Vincent Digicel d the h Grenadines G d di ess and a t e e ad b ates its its 13th celeb celebrates 3th i d y anniversary y today, s y, so ih gh up p with we caught CEO, John J h Gidharry G dh y, Gidh CEO, Gidharry, y, discuss some discuss to d so e of of highl hligh off the h highlights h he the i ess over b business bus ove the the h past 12 months. p H d you ow do co ti t ue u How you continue continu Ho to deliv d li er e on de deliver to o our ou b i off bes bestt promise p v alue, l , network netw t ork value, o k and a d ice? ser service? se vice?

O custo Our customers are a Ou e sa e at h heart h the everyoff every yh d, as hi g we d thing do and, h, we work kh d such, hard i ly pro to consistently pro-p i ovative d vid vide de innovative products d and p d he eir services se vices to meet eet the ttheir needs. w d As A a team,, we D g l truly believe that the b l h Digicel ly offers ff h best b network l , best b k and d best b d value, service,, and our investth s iss evident ev d de t in ou u continuous co t uous invest vestthis ur h networ k, and d the h innovative network, i i rk, ments to the d ou f our i h, for we provide ur customers with, plans pl p id example; i bundles SMS, d S and d voice b dl S, S pl ; data, , SMS hi h give hi g they customers want h h y wan gi customer nt which rs everything yh under umbrella. b ella. u d de one o e umbrella u G owth h in i Business Busi ess Gro Growth We W have ignificantly ifi significantly h f ly across the h grown sign g ast llast b i ess over W o ths. We bus ove the the la a 12 2 months. business networks provide ll our net k to 4G G to provid d pg d d all p de upgraded tworks h most areas, so dd l coverage additional g to the ll stay d to friends f d customers will y connected fa ili l es at all i es. We W also dd d and imes. a d families all ti ttimes. also added d f lli , and d opened da products to ourr p portfolio, portfolio new p p center ds b a d new ew call call cente ce te e to cater cate to the the needs eeds brand er ll and of fo b of our ou customers custo e s an a the about all a d inform them d. the services se v ces offered. offe ed. the Ho tii ue tto g H d you How grow St continu gro w iin S St. ow do you continue Grenadines? tth Vii ce t and dii es? he Gre Vincent enadines? a d the G e ad One a assets is staying O off our biggest b gg y g community. mmunity. d to the h com y We connected h fibre f b e off the h community pp d into the y tapped h d spon community spongh many y comm munity y and p through sorship h llike k hip activities i i i lik Digi l Kick Ki k ke Digicel back-to-school back-to-sc S t and k to scchool d ives. We W Start Sta a db bac chool drives. i d to l l o developing d l pi g local y d committed stayed across talent in all cross the l ll areas a h business, b , d we are proud d off promotions off p p and ddl senior V ce t a s to senio se o and or a d middle dd e Vincentians

JUNO DE ROCHE

itions, ii h have h l ar positions, clear g posi p a clea management , who di understanding works the d d g off how h h market k work ks to the d can relate l h changes h g in the h and a ket. market. ll continue h campaign campaigns W will ill i i the drive We to d p ig s h will ll p d easy d affordable ff d bl ill id provide that y and S Vincent Vi and options people f the h pe V for d eople pi p pl off St. di hill giving the the wh h Grenadines, G d k to th h he gi i g b while back ook W llo k communities in meaningful look m gf l ways. y We forward celebrating f d to celebra l b ating h decade d d with w h g another h people h wonderful d f l island. l d p pl off this the

Juno De Roche started with Digicel in March 2004 as Marketing Executive. She developed and rolled out several Marketing campaigns and initiatives geared to introducing the brand to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

On her promotion to Marketing Manager in 2007, she continued this drive and then focused on enhancing the lives of hundreds of Vincentians on a whole. In a sit down round table discussion hosted by the Head of Mobile Operations Dionne Emtage and Marketing Manager Danielle Cupid, she fondly reminisces initiatives which she holds dear. She recalls when Digicel launched campaigns such as ‘Live Free for a Year’; Key to Your Fortune with a grand cash prize of $12,000’, and the two years when St. Vincent won the Digicel Rising Star competitions.

“I like working for Digicel because I like the dynamism of the company; I like the innovation. We stand out the way we do because of the way that we do things. There is always room for flexibility and change.”

MARILYN HUSKINSON Marilyn Huskinson will be celebrating her tenth year with Digicel SVG. She is affectionately known as ‘Maro’ to all the staff within the company, and has seen many come and go.

She remains consistent in her care for staff, and considers all employees as part of her extended family. One initiative she recalled was when the company donated assistance to the less fortunate in the communities.

In her visit, she recalls clearly how seeing the elderly person who was visited

by Digicel SVG in such a dire state deeply impacted her. It is these community events which make the brand stand out for her, and she believes that this is the true meaning of the brand of Digicel.

O’CELIA JAMES O’Celia James recalls her early days, March 2003.

She recalls that one of the main reasons she joined the company was for the promising future they offered.

Joining the company one week before

launch, she recalls the long hours of preparation which she willingly gave. She has enjoyed the family type atmosphere encouraged by the company and her relationship with colleagues and lifelong friendships that she has formed over the years.

One of the initiatives she fondly recalls is that of ‘Five Hours Flat’.

This is where the staff of Digicel completes a community initiative in five hours. “I remember going to Owia to build a step for a resident in the community. That was a great memory in my mind.

Another instance I helped to repair a house. Those are moments that mean a lot to me as an employee of Digicel.”

BRENDA BARBOUR-CHARLES Brenda Barbour- Charles is seen as a stalwart of Digicel.

“Listening to all of the stories and experiences has brought back so many memories which bring tears to my eyes. To see where we moved from start up to open doors in St. Vincent is totally amazing to me. To this day, I still have the passion to work for this company. Digicel has opened my horizons personally and professionally because I have managed to see many countries that I never thought that I would have seen in my lifetime. In addition, I like the fact that Digicel is not a company

that goes around in circles; it has always been dynamic, and is constantly changing and growing, which is good.” She declares her love for Digicel after fourteen years of service, while fondly recalling the ‘pandemonium’ of the launch in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

NICOLE DELPECHE Nicole Delpeche, in her terms, joined Digicel as a baby just out of school. Joining Digicel at the age of seventeen she recalls being outside, on the days leading up to the launch, trying to field the many queries from potential customers on handset

pricing and voice rates. “I remember talking to customers until my throat was dry because there were so many people,” she recalled fondly.

“I remember going to Bequia to give away baskets, and the impact that we had on the islanders. It’s been an experience for the last thirteen years, one which I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

On congratulating the employees on their tenure, John Gidharry, Country Manager remarked “It is such an honour to work with each and every one of you. ”Personally being a part of this team with you has been rewarding for me personally, and by extension the business. I wish to express sincere gratitude for your hard work over the years.

“The fact that you are compliant with where we want to go and still are a force is beyond words is sincerely appreciated.”

Digicel SVG Celebrates 13 Years.

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16. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Bequia woman wins largest ÂScratchieÊ payout

by KENVILLE HORNE A BEQUIA WOMAN has won the largest payout in the history of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) scratch card games.

A delighted Elizabeth Ragguette turned up at the NLA headquarters in Paul’s Avenue on Monday, to collect her record winnings of $50,000.00.

The mother of nine said she purchased almost $40 in Mobile Money scratch card.

“I scratch, I scratch again, I scratch again, the last ticket now, and I scratch it, a see 18 and 18. I went up and I told my sister; she never believe me,” an elated Ragguette related.

She admitted that she is an regular player of the NLA games.

“If I have one $5, I going play 3D and Lotto.

This is my day (and) I

History maker Elizabeth Ragguette (right) collects her cheque from NLA Product Development Officer Anthony Dennie. say thank God for Jesus,” said Ragguette, who assured that she has plans for the money, but declined to give any details.

NLA Product Development Officer Anthony Dennie

confirmed that it was the biggest payout in Scratch card history, and in congratulating the winner, urged her to use the money wisely.

The Mobile Money game was introduced in 2014.

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 17.

News

PM makes weekend safety appeal COMING OFF the news which broke earlier this week of the drowning of 13-year-old Kimron Lowman at Villa, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves is urging the general public to exercise caution if they intend to go sea bathing this weekend.

Gonsalves offered condolences to the youth’s family, saying that he had contacted the boy’s mother and had arranged for her to meet with the

Cabinet Secretary, Kattian Barnwell.

And it was in this regard that he made the appeal to the nation, particularly that the upcoming Easter weekend will be filled with activities.

“This is the Easter weekend coming up, let us try to not have these unfortunate incidents at the sea,” Gonsalves said.

“A lot of people go to bathe - try to avoid going places dangerous for swimming, make sure you can

swim [and] don’t be too adventurous,” he continued.

According to the prime minister, persons would consume large quantities of alcohol and then when they get into the water, they are not able to coordinate their movements in the water.

Gonsalves also urged road users to be cautious this weekend.

“Let us see if we can get Prime Minister Dr. past this weekend from Ralph Gonsalves Thursday until Tuesday recognised the PRIME MINISTER Dr Ralph morning.

Easter weekend Gonsalves has reported that “We know that the long as one filled with bilateral talks with the out-going Easter weekend, when people President of the Republic of fun and leave work, they tend to let China on Taiwan, H.E Ma Yingtheir hair down – it’s a excitement, but weekend of fun,” he said. jeou, went well. urged for caution Gonsalves told members of He made the comment at on the roads and the press that he will be trying at beaches.

Tuesday’s press briefing to avoid being on the road on following his return from a brief Easter Sunday and Monday, visit to Grenada, Belize and explaining that it was on Easter Monday in 2007 Antigua.

President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan (centre) met with Regional Prime that he was almost involved in a fatal vehicular Gonsalves was joined by Ministers (from left) Prime Minister Dr H Kenny Anthony of St Lucia, mishap. other Heads of Governments “It is the Grace of God because I could have so Dean Barrow of Belize, Dr Timothy Harris of St Kitts and Nevis and Dr from across the region in Belize easily been dead; Sgt Parris could have been dead,” Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines. for bi-lateral talks with he said.

President Ma, who was on a There were a lot of friends who died as a result of important public servants were expected to continue after the new farewell tour. road fatalities or were now confined to a wheel chair also present during the President, Tsai Ing-wen is sworn or bed after being involved in a car crash.

The Heads of Government of discussions, which took place in this May. “I am making this appeal, I know some persons the Caribbean Community, between March 16 and 17.

President-elect Tsai Ing-wen who may drive recklessly, or drink and drive are not CARICOM, were in Belize for Among the issues discussed, and Gonsalves have already hearing me, but I am asking for that push.” their 27th Inter-Sessional according to Gonsalves, were started communicating, he said, Gonsalves said that he had spoken to the Meeting, which began on March economic and infrastructure and it is anticipated that Deputy Commissioner of Police Michael Charles on the 15. development.

Prime Minister Sir Louis Straker importance of the police being alert this weekend, “These would have been part But there was also a new item would lead a delegation to and to pull people off the road if required, for their and parcel of ongoing discussions on the agenda — one dealing with represent St Vincent and the safety and that of other road users. with the Taiwanese new the issue of law and order and Grenadines at the swearing in Gonsalves also noted that he requested that the administration,” he explained, Coast Guard remain fully mobilised throughout the training. ceremony. (DDD) adding that a number of weekend. (DDD) And those discussions are

Bi-lateral talks with Taiwan went well

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18. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

(L-R) Inga Jackson and Tamara Job-Scott, VINLEC representatives, with Ruthlyn Johnson of the Jamaica Public Service Company.

VINLEC Reps at inaugural Women in Energy Conference St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) was represented at the inaugural Women in Energy Conference that was hosted by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) from 10th-11th March, in Jamaica.

The local electricity company was represented at the historic gathering

by Ms. Inga Jackson, Dispatch Engineer and Mrs. Tamara Job-Sprott, Communications Officer.

The Conference brought together women in the energy sector from the Caribbean, Africa, North America and Europe, to build capacity for gender (women) enhancement, and to address numerous challenges facing the women in this male-dominated industry.

Close to four hundred participants engaged in discussions on matters relating to the environment, renewable energy, developments in the energy and economic sectors and professional development.

The Conference, hosted under the theme, ‘Doing Power Differently’, addressed specific topics such as Leadership: Being Your Authentic Self as a Female Leader; Power and Energy Starts with You; and Identifying and Removing Barriers to Your Success - Unleashing Your True Potential.

The presenters at the Conference represented a wide cross-section of accomplished women from within and

outside of the energy sector, among them being: Vincentian Scholar, Ms. River Providence, President and CEO of JPS Mrs. Kelly Tomblin and 2016 Rhodes Scholar, Ms. Sherona Forrester.

According to Mrs. Job-Sprott, the Conference was an ideal forum to network and exchange valuable ideas and experiences. She said that by building networks, women have more support and greater opportunities to effect change in their environment.

She also noted that there was meaningful discussion on all aspects of responsible stewardship, ranging from energy security to personal career development.

Meanwhile, Dispatch Engineer Inga Jackson said that the Conference was a phenomenal experience, noting that it was well-organized and executed. She said that while she particularly enjoyed the session dubbed “Actioning the Journey,” which gave the participants a chance to reflect on what was presented and come up with practical ways to apply the knowledge imparted, she thought the most impacting presentation was on the topic ‘Let’s face it- Women lead differently’, which encouraged women to be their authentic self as leaders.

According to information from JPS, plans are already being made to host the Conference from March 9th-10th 2017.

Zero Hunger Thrust Fund Board to meet THE BOARD of Directors of the Zero Hunger Thrust Fund are expected to hold its first meeting on April 6.

This with or without the appointment of a Board member who is expected to interface with the Oppostion leader.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said on Tuesday during a press briefing, that despite consulting with the Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, for the naming of the individual whose responsibility will be to interface with him (Eustace), a response

was not forthcoming.

“I haven’t seen as yet any response,” Gonsalves said.

Notwithstanding, the Prime Minister described the Board as “a good one,” saying that its membership includes the Minister of Economic Planning, Camillo Gonsalves, and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG) Derry Williams.

As promised, Dr. Gonsalves declared his readiness to issue a cheque equivalent of one month of his basic salary, to be deposited

into the Fund’s account once that was set up.

Back in February, during the 2016 Budget presentation, Gonsalves implemented some new taxes/levies from which the revenue generated will go towards the Zero Hunger Thrust Fund initiative.

The fund was set up as the government pushes forward to achieve zero hunger here. (DDD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 19.

News

AMP honours stalwarts

calypsonians through the years. In fact, it is believed in some circles that he might have arranged for every calypsonian who performed in a particular season here. He was especially responsible for the works by the late, unforgettable Reginald ‘D Professor’ Cornwall.

Grounded in his native Barrouallie, he even tried his hands at local government politics, and was elected to the Barrouallie District Council but never took his seat.

Olsen ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters is up Olsen ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters (right) in the company of royalty where he to the present a columnist with THE deservedly belongs, (from left) The Mighty Sparrow, D’ Professor and NEWS newspaper, contributing historical and contemporary reviews of Calypso Rose. the arts here and in the region. landscape in the late 1980s and 1990s Among the members of the band is unquestionable, with the band, who were present to accept the award Randy D during that time, leading the way in were Jules Williams, Willis Williams, pioneering electronic instrumentation Brian Alexander, Godfrey Dublin, and Ferrand Dopwell, affectionately in SVG. Ifil Shorte. known as ‘Randy D’, was honored for With a string of full album The members of the band expressed his unstinting dedication to promoting recordings to its name, it is no wonder thanks to the organizers of the Vincentian culture, here, in the region that the band won the Road March Awards, and much to the delight of the and in North America. title here on 7 occasions. audience, performed some of their Ferrand ‘Randy D’ Dopwell, received His guile and style as a radio Touch’s recordings transcended more memorable songs, including recognition for his unselfish, market boundaries, making it big here, ‘Hickee’, ‘Tamika’, and ‘Butt’. ongoing dedication to the promotion announcer and disc jockey, talent scout, shows organizer/promoter have in the region and further afield into The Awards may have been of Vincentian culture/music. proved to be the bench marks for those North America and Europe; and its numerically slanted in favour of who have followed him in these musical appeal and innovations today’s Vincentian THE ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines endeavours. continue to influence not just today’s musicians/performers/producers, but it Association for Music Professionals Not only did ‘Randy D’ help to listeners, but also today’s musicians certainly held a special place for those (AMP) Lifetime Achievement Award was coalesce the calypso art form here, but and songwriters. stalwarts who were so honoured. (KH) presented to Olsen ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters, and AMP Special Honours Awards he often used his slender resources to initiate and promote calypso tents (e.g. to Ferrand ‘Randy D’ Dopwell and The Graduates) here, and is remembered Band Touch, at AMP’s 3rd Annual as recording and producing the first Awards, held on Saturday 19th, at the Vincentian Calypso Tent Album.

Russell Auditorium at Stoney Grounds.

‘Randy D’ currently produces and hosts the radio/television promotional ‘Caribbean Pete’ magazine show Vibes Caribbean, which has attracted acclaim locally, Olsen ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters, is a regionally and internationally. retired Head Teacher and former In accepting his award, Randy D Calypso Monarch (1962 and 1963).

A graduate of the Jamaica School of recognized Robert ‘Patches’ Knights, Music, ‘Caribbean Pete’ taught himself Roland Sardine , Errol ‘D man Age’ to play trumpet and flute, and became Rose , Leslie Matthews, who he said “pushed Vincentian music long before one of this country’s leading records.” He also expressed thanks to trumpeters through the 1960s to the Nice Radio, noting that enough 1990s, when he retired from active recognition is not given to that radio playing. He was a leading member station. and arranger of the famous Blue Rhythm Orchestra (from the 1960s), and played with a number of the local The band TOUCH bands when that band disbanded in The musical band Touch was the early 1970s. recognized for its standout place in the Peters turned to arranging, especially calypsos, and provided that history of electronic music in SVG. Its command of the local musical service to a number of leading local

‘Touch’ members (left) Jules Williams, Willis Williams, Brian Alexander, Godfrey Dublin, and Ifil Shorte received their due award from former Minister of Culture, René Baptiste.

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20. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Helping out the wrong way nothing wrong with her back. How come she has a back problem that caused her not to be working, but does not prevent her from having sex with Tom, Dick and Harry and their friends?

George, I love my wife, but I never expected this to happen, and right now, I am not sure where I am going with this. Something has to give, and give now!

problem.

If your wife wanted to help out with the finances at home, she could have I got the shock of my life when I learned easily discussed her concerns with from reliable sources, that my wife has should look like, in terms of the you. That way, together you two been prostituting herself for the past quality of your marriage. You may could have then plotted a course that need help in doing so, and you should year or so. would help to change the situation.

I confronted her about it, and she call on the services of a marriage Prostituting herself creates other admitted that she only began doing it counsellor in this regard. problems that both of you would a year ago. When I asked why she rather not be dealing with, and this had to do it, she said there were a lot practice ought to stop immediately, if George of things she wanted to get for herself both of you desire to to and the home, but decided it would remain married. have been unfair to put me under any Mad as Hell Have your wife drop more pressure, knowing that my what she is doing, and sit Dear Mad as Hell, salary was already small. her down and have that George, my wife has been staying Dear George, It is good that you chose to talk all important talk about at home due to an injury she had with what is happening now, her back, making her unable to work. about this, which is the first step MY WIFE, out of the clear blue sky, said she and what the future I am beginning to believe that there is toward finding a resolution to the would like to know what it is like to kiss a woman. I asked her if she was serious, and she said yes. So I jokingly suggested that she call one them a fire they would never of her girlfriends (whom I named) for a kiss. forget. They want fire, then they To my amazement, she there and then called will get fire! I am fed up with this her friend. She made her request to her friend, now, man! saying in front of me, that it was my idea. more than one occasion, I have Dear George, In about one hour, there was a knock on the had to rush him to the hospital.

Hurting Neighbour door. The friend had come over. When I I have raised the issue with MY NEXT DOOR neighbours are questioned about whether they were really them, but it’s as though they do unreasonable, and I am tired of serious, my wife said, “Just watch us.”

Dear Hurting Neighbour, not care. They have made it In a flas, they were kissing each other, shyly at talking. first, then quickly getting more passionate until My 5-year-old son suffers from known to me that they are free to I am not at all sure what kind they ripped off each other’s clothes, all of this in do what they want, and their fire of fire you are referring to when a breathing problem. He was not front of me. is no business of mine. I tried to exactly diagnosed with asthma, you say that they will never forget Worked up now, my wife asked me to leave the show them how it became my but I’m pretty sure he is not far it, but I must tell you that tit for room. business, but to no avail. from having that condition. tat never solves anything.

In short, the friend slept over that night, and George, I am saying this to you My problem is that that my when she was leaving the next morning, my wife Try again to talk to your now, and please do not tell me I told her, “Come over anytime so we can do it over neighbours keep lighting fires neighbours when everybody is should not say it. One of these again.” outside their house, and all the calm, and explain to them how Since that experience and the many times my fine days, which might be just smoke blows into my house, the smoke is affecting your son. wife and this friend made it out in our house, my creating problems for my son. On around the corner, I will give Let them know if it was wife has been avoiding me. We have not slept not for your son’s together for some time now. condition, you would not I have a feeling I have lost my wife, and I want to know how I can get her back. have been talking to them about this, but you Tricked have a responsibility for your son’s wellbeing.

Dear Tricked, If that talk does not work, then I would I am still trying to understand how you could suggest that you engage stand by and allow your wife to follow through on her fantasy, without cautioning her about the the services of the law. repercussions on your relationship.

The police may advise The minute you allowed a third party to get you to see a lawyer, and you and your partner, you invited if so, you should seek out between trouble. Your wife got you to sanction her the best legal advice you fantasy, and now that an addiction has been can, with a view to have formed, you are wondering how you can break it? the situation arrested.

Having a fantasy does not mean you must follow through with it, and your wife needs to If all of your efforts understand how her present ‘hobby’ can and will fail, you may have to ruin her marriage to you. If she still cares to have consider the idea of you in her life, then I suggest you find help. Find moving elsewhere. Good a counsellor who can serve as a bridge to both of luck to you! you finding your way back to happiness.

Dear George,

Beware of fantasies

Inconsiderate neighbours

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Do not invest in joint ventures. You will have a greater involvement in groups; however, they may not be to your advantage. You can beautify your surroundings by renovating or redecorating. Put your efforts into job advancement.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Financial limitations are likely if you take risks. Advancement can be yours if you put your efforts into work related matters. Your partner's a little jumpy.

Your temper may erupt if you have allowed others to cost you too much money.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event.

Someone may be trying to damage your reputation. You should consider getting your whole family involved in a project at home. Emotional partnerships may develop through projects you initiate.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Talk to an older family member you have helped in the past. You should put a little extra effort in at work. You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues.

Changes in your home environment are likely.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You may find that your emotional partner will not be too eager to accommodate you. Opportunities for partnerships are present; but get every detail in writing. Partnerships may be strained if one of you has been erratic and hard to deal with. You will be extremely sensual; take precautions and don't take any risks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Things are looking good for you, so open your eyes and get to it. You may have major blow-ups with someone you love if you don't back down. Discuss your problems and complaints if you wish to rectify them. Your family needs to spend some time with you, too.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You will feel compelled to do some traveling. Think before you act. Do not get into uncertain financial deals. You may find that your family responsibilities are piling up.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You'll need to exercise control. Take time to make physical improvements that will enhance your appearance. You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity.

Escapist tendencies may lead to overindulgence.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your outgoing nature might work against you this week. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment. Try to be considerate in your personal obligations. This week will be hectic.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Social activities that involve the whole family will be enjoyable. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. Don't let others try to create unwarranted guilt if you can't meet their demands. If you've been really busy, try to schedule some time to spend with loved ones.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don't lament to a friend about any grievance regarding your mate, or it may be hard to rectify your relationship. Finish those changes you've been talking about making to your residence. Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. Do not let in-laws upset you.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) People you live with will not be terribly happy with you regardless of what you do this week. Don't be too open or put your faith in unreliable co-workers.

Minor accidents may occur if you don't concentrate on what you're doing. You could have trouble persuading others to accept your ideas and opinions.

ACROSS

Sinatra’s sister 1.Friendly cat’s 44. That guy’s perch 45. Christmas 4. Betting __ advantages 48. Professors’ 8. Sassy talk aides (abbr.)

11. Airline 51. Supped schedule 52. Reel abbr.

53. Seer’s gift 12. Sir’s opposite (abbr.)

14. Actress 54. Narc’s org.

Lupino 55. Wise birds 15. Water (Fr.) 56. Once 16. Stadium bitten, twice 17. Deep _ 18. Folk myth 20. Diamond and DOWN Sedaka 22. Coast Guard 1.Grant’s foe women 2. __ glance 24. London art (2 wds.) gallery 3. “Diana” 26. King of the singer (2 wds.) jungle?

4. Bradley et al.

27. Egg dishes 5. Have courage 31. Irritate 6. Before JFK 32. __ Fools’ Day 7. __ Juan 34. Chinese 8. Actress chairman Taylor of 35. Verses “Mystic Pizza” 37. Norms 9. False god 38. “Simpsons” 10. Terrier’s bus driver tootsies 39. __ salami 13. Fireplace 40. Work very 19. Gp. hard 21. Slippery 43. Nancy

swimmer 22. Aspen items 23. Sweet red wine 24. Sculpture’s “midsection” 25. Pierre’s friend 28. Radiates 29. Edible, tropical tuber 30. Former slugger Sammy 32. Ancient Mexicans 33. Tap lightly 36. Before Dec. 37. Cage

39. Fish organs 40. Fish market purchase 41. Word on a lo-cal beer can 42. On the Baltic

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 21.

43. Implement 46. Military mail abbr.

47. Use oars 49. Soot 50. Professional snooper

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22. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

What is medical marijuana (marihuana)?

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article by was first published in The Nation newspaper, Barbados.

Medical marijuana is terminology used to refer either to the use of the unprocessed marijuana plant or to specific extracts to treat a disease or symptom. Currently, the two main cannabinoid extracts from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are (THC) tetrahydocannabinol and (CBD) cannabidiol. Other than THC, the plant contains more than one hundred cannabinoids, and scientists and illegal manufacturers alike have produced many cannabinoids in the laboratory, some of which are extremely powerful and when subject to abuse lead to serious health effects.

In addition, the body produces its own cannabinoids that play a role in regulating pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, body movement, appetite, pain and the five basic senses; touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing. With this in mind, scientists are currently conducting trials with marijuana extracts in such diseases as HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, pain, and inflammation among others.

CBD is a cannabinoid that does not affect the mind or behaviour, and may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating

mental illness and addictions.

Recent studies in cancer research in animals show that marijuana extracts may help kill certain cancer cells and reduce the size of others, while some have shown slowing in the growth of cancer cells of a specific type of brain tumour, and increasing the cancerkilling effects when used in combination with radiation in other cancers in mice.

To be clear, whereas studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors are “over expressed” on tumour cells found in breast and lung and prostate cancers indicating that they may be more susceptible to cannabinoid- based treatments, work is still ongoing on how this form of therapy may be useful.

Dried cannabis is not an approved drug or medicine in Canada, and whereas its Government does not endorse the use of marijuana, the courts have required reasonable access to a legal source when authorized by a health care provider.

Studies supporting the safety and efficacy of cannabis for therapeutic purposes are limited and do not meet the standard required by the Food and Drug Regulations for marketed drugs in Canada.

The US Federal Drug Administration has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine, however it has approved two

marijuana drugs (dronabinol and nabilone) used to treat nausea and boost appetite. Like many other drugs, dronabinol and nabilone, can cause side effects and complications.

The FDA requires carefully conducted clinical trials in hundreds to thousands of human subjects in order that the benefits and risks of a possible medication may be determined. Researchers have not yet conducted enough large-scale clinical trials to show that the benefits of the marijuana plant outweigh the risks in patients it is meant to treat, and while studies so far have indicated that cannabinoids can be safe in treating cancer, they have not shown any help in controlling or curing the disease.

And, relying on marijuana alone as therapy while avoiding or delaying conventional medical treatment for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Researchers are of the view that further preclinical trials are necessary to identify the patient population which is most appropriate for cannabinoid treatment, and which

cannabinoids specifically present the best therapeutic option for patients before any trial can advance to the clinical stage. Until these factors are established, there is no rational for oncologists to prescribe cannabinoids for the treatment of breast cancer.

Are we in Barbados then being asked to allow the importation and supply of a ‘drug’ without the relevant legislation and clinical evidence to support its use? If so, the answer has to be a resounding ‘no’ until there is the creation of a professional and ethical framework for providing reasonable access to marijuana for medical purposes.

Dr. P. Abdon DaSilva

V Team Rivals opens with big win Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO won the toss and decided to bat.

FOUR-TIME DEFENDING Even with nine men, they CHAMPIONS Team Rivals failed to take advantage of began the 2016 domestic a Team Rivals attack cricket season with a minus Jamaica Tallawahs commanding performance. bound fastbowler Keswick They obliterated Carl Joseph Williams and West Indies Law Chambers ASCO by an U19 left-arm seamer Obed innings and 77 runs, just McCoy. after lunch on Sunday’s Team officials say final day in National Williams opted not to play Lotteries Authority Premier after complaining of some Division, at the main Arnos soreness in his legs, while Vale Playing Field.

McCoy was said to have Their path to victory been occupied with was engineered by a commitments. second wicket partnership Carl Joseph Law of 277 between Hyron Chambers ASCO were Shallow, 153, and Marvin also affected by the Small, 124, in 28 overs, a absence of some players record second wicket including captain and partnership for the opener Desron Maloney.

Premier Division, Reports say that Maloney, information suggests. one of the leading run SCORES: Carl Joseph scorers and top Law Chambers ASCO 99 allrounders over the last & 172, Team Rivals 348/6 few seasons, was out of dec. state.

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 23.

Hyron Shallow (153) turns through midwicket.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Left: Marvin Small (124) drives straight.

But Maloney’s absence apart, Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO put on a below par effort, posting 99 in 18.3 overs, with most of the wickets falling through rash and injudicious shots. Only Rodger Gibson 32*, which included three sixes and one four, was prepared to occupy the crease.

SVG offspinner Casmond Walters, 4/32, was the best of the bowlers.

When Team Rivals batted, they lost Asif Hooper, 10, with the score

second time around, when Greaves (85) and Da Silva (36) added 79 for the first wicket, before the latter once again gifted his wicket away as he lofted the wily Jackson into the on 19, and went to tea on 325/3 when he was bowled hands of long- on. Greaves 44 for one off seven overs, by Greaves (2/94), was then bowled by a with Shallow on 25 and attempting to race the Jackson long hop, and his Small on eight. clock for a double century. dismissal signalled the The next two hours and He faced 103 balls spent customary collapse, from 15 minutes after tea saw 150 minutes at the crease 138/3 to a final score of some of the most breathand struck 18 fours and 172 in 31 overs, ASCO taking stroke play at the four sixes. Team Rivals batting with eight men. local level, as the pair went to stumps 348/6 and Greaves batted 94 added 252 in 23 overs of declared overnight. minutes, faced 87 balls carnage. The partnership Faced with a deficit of and struck seven fours was broken when Small 249, Carl Joseph Law and three sixes, as was caught by Deron Chambers ASCO looked to Jackson 4/37 once again Greaves off the bowling of be making a better effort led he bowling.

Nerlon Toby (2/55) for 124, made in 148 minutes off 87 balls, with 14 fours and three sixes. Shallow was next to go with the total

Classy Pierre leads Radcliffe home

By E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT LIME RADCLIFFE conjured up a come-from-behind four-wicket win over Victors ONE at the Park Hill Playing Field, in their National Lotteries Authority (NLA) - Premier Division match on the weekend.

SCORES: Victors ONE 127 & 119, Lime Radcliffe 108 &134/6.

Victors ONE, won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping, it appeared, to get what it is said to be the best use of the wicket. But they faced all sorts of problems on a wicket still in the throes of proving itself to be a good cricket wicket.

They were bowled out for 127, with SVG opener, Atticus Browne, getting a topscore of 40, hitting six fours and one six. Former SVG U19 pacer Westwick Straugh took 7/39 from 11 overs, with three maidens.

Lime Radcliffe did not fare any better, as they were dismissed for 108, with former U19 captain Kadir Nedd, 24, and current Windwards U19 opener and SVG 19 captain Romano Pierre, 22, topping the batting. Windward middle order batsman Miles Bascombe was the surprise wrecker with 6/17, with his “accommodating offspin”, and Windwards left-arm spinner Alston Bobb took 2/37.

Batting a second time with a lead of 19 in even more trying conditions, Victors ONE were humbled for 111, with Bobb, 31, and SVG top order batsman Donwell

Romano Pierre scores a match high 51.

Hector, 27, battling gamely, as former SVG offspinner Dyke Cato grabbed 5/51.

Set a victory target of 131, Lime Radcliffe behind Pierre’s battling half century (51) , ended on 134/6.

Nedd, 25, and Wayne Harper, 24, gave good support. Pierre, who is held here in high regards, batted 132 minutes, faced 90 balls and struck one six and five fours.

Bobb, 3/22, and former West Indies U19 pacer Ray Jordan, 3/35, tried to get the points for their team, but their efforts were just not good enough.

A note on the Park Hill Playing Field: Since being opened just over three years ago, the ground has

Miles Bascombe, 6/17. gained popularity as a lively venue, with the SVG Cricket Association hosting the finals of both the Super40 and T20 there with great success.

And while being moved up to not only host domestic matches but Windward Islands senior and age tournament matches, concerns have been raised with regard to the quality of the wicket. This has been acknowledged by NSC officials who are said to be working to get the pitch up to the required standard.

SVG Rowers off to Qualifiers

A THREE MEMBER rowing team left St. Vincent & the Grenadines for Chile on Friday 11th March ahead of competing in the Americas qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Members of the SVG Rowing Games, Rio de Association Team (L-R): Kevin Janeiro, Brazil.

Gibson, Coach Jason Gibson The team and Daron Shallow. comprised of rowers Kevin Gibson and Daron Shallow, along with coach Jason Gibson are in Santiago, Chile, for a oneweek training session, after which they were scheduled to go to Valparaiso Chile for the Olympic Qualifiers, from 22nd — 24th March.

The team, according to Rowing Federation officials, has been training at Jackson Bay in Layou, as well as doing indoor rowing runs at the Fitness Quest gym.

They are confident that they will make a good showing for St. Vincent and the Grenadines by taking one of the available spots for the sport in the 2016 Rio Games, the local Rowing Federation said in a statement released earlier this week.

Technical Director of the SVG Rowing Federation Raffique Browne is excited at the chance for competing for an Olympic spot.

“Our athletes have been exposed to international training and competition in El Salvador and are ready to put SVG on the Olympic map,” he noted.

He also thanked the many entities who helped to cover the expenses of the athletes, especially Olympic Solidarity through the National Olympic Committee and the International Rowing Federation (FISA).

The team will return to SVG on March 25th.

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24. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

‘Vincy Heat’ praying for a ‘Good Friday’

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Anything is possible Vincentian Football coach Cornelius Huggins expressed optimism about his team’s chances in tomorrow’s World Cup Qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago.

Huggins, a former defender with the same squad, said that his determined squad was not going to roll over.

Those are encouraging statements, aimed at boosting the team’s morale. The Vincentians enjoyed a dream start to their Fourth Round campaign when they shocked the USA, and indeed the rest of the world, when they scored within six minutes of that first match in the US. They suffered a relapse subsequently, and let in ten goals since: six against the US, and four at home when the Guatemalans visited four days after the US engagement.

Vincy Heat is wallowing at the bottom of the Group, and seem to be one of the automatic choices for elimination.

But don’t tell Coach Huggins that. Two of the four teams in this group move into the Round of Six. The Vincentians displayed a degree of lethargy at home against Guatemala, at a time when the home fans were expecting a justification into the team’s progress to this stage. Some observers attribute the numbness to the impact of travelling from the St. Louis, USA. They appeared jaded and were outrun, outmuscled and out-manoeuvred by the Central Americans.

The US pulled out some reserves and secured a goalless draw away in Trinidad, while the Guatemalans were manhandling the Vincentians here.

Those results placed Trinidad and Tobago and the USA on four point,s with T&T having disposed of the Guatemalans in foreign territory.

With that morale booster, it will be phenomenal if the Vincentians come away with positive results.

Huggins is counting on the addition of England based Aaron Crouch and David Pitt to add a cutting edge to his team. The Vincentians went under to Martinique 4:0 in a Friendly last Sunday.

That was the same country which thwarted the Vincentian hopes of advancing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup two years ago.

After tomorrow’s clash, the Vincentians head to Hasley Crawford Stadium for the continuation of the campaign Tuesday, March 29.

By then the points standing should point in the direction as to the likely qualifiers. Two other qualifying matches will be September 2, at Arnos Vale against the USA, and in Guatemala September 6.

There is the Caribbean Cup, with the final set for the US, May 18 to 24, 2017. The Vincentians will be hoping that their Caribbean Cup sojourn will be more productive than their world cup endeavour.

Tomorrow’s excursion will be an opportunity to kick start their campaign in every direction.

There is a hint that cohesion among local stakeholders is not a feature. There appears to be a dereliction of duties, and the country’s true potential is not being realised.

What is responsible for the malaise is a matter of speculation. There appears to be a lack of progress and stability in the administrative circles, and there may be an under-current of discontent swirling somewhere.

How can the course be revived, is a matter the affiliates respond to the situation that confronts them.

Football appears to have lost its dynamism, and the giant steps we achieve from time to time are withered away with some untimely reversals. How long will we dabble in this state of abeyance is left to be seen. Persons with the ability to maintain a level of stability, appear to be reluctant to offer their services. Until these issues are sorted out, we will continue to grapple with aspects of mediocrity, with little hopes of achieving a path of sustainable growth.

(L-R): Shandel Samuel, Myron Samuel and Oalex Anderson get ready to practise penalty kicks.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES senior men’s national football team Vincy Heat- will be going into Friday’s (March 25) 2018 World Cup qualifier CONCACAF semi-final round against Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors, seeking to put the recent bad results behind them, according to head coach Corneilus Huggins.

The Vincentians suffered a 1-6 defeat to the USA in their opening away match, and four days later lost 0-4 in a home ties against Guatemala at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

And two weeks ago, they suffered another 0-4 loss, this time to Martinique, in a friendly encounter at the Victoria Park.

Huggins said that the team, despite being on the losing side, is fully focused on the match against the Trinidadians.

“Those were poor results and they are in the past, and now the guys are concentrating on what lies ahead- a game against Trinidad and Tobago, and we must go there to give a good account of ourselves,” Huggins said on Tuesday.

He said that the coaching staff team is still uncertain about the composition of the final squad, since

there were some players who will have to visit the physio to determine the level of their fitness.

“We cannot risk players now who cannot give us at least 90%, so we have to take time and assess the players to see where they are for this crucial match”.

He said that the main unit is fully fit for the most part, and that gives him a “good feeling” for the match.

The TnT squad, unlike ‘Vincy Heat’, boasts a number of foreign based players, giving coach Stephen Hart the luxury of being able to call upon a bevy of professionals to take on the mostly amateur SVG unit.

However, Huggins, while admitting that they may not be able field a team of such experience, was quick to point out that it is a game played on the field and it is all about match day.

“In the past when people heard about Brazil, every team wanted to run and hide….now teams no longer

are afraid of big names…..our players just have to go and play to the best of their ability and let us see what happens after the 90 minutes,” the former national captain and defender said.

SVG will look to Seattle Sounders Oalex Anderson to partner with the prolific Tevin Slater and Myron Samuel to hurt the Warriors.

Huggins said that they would be looking “to get out of the blocks fast and put their opponents under some early pressure”.

SVG are at the bottom of the standings after losing both of their matches, while TnT are joint top with the USA on four points, by virtue of one win and one draw, and Guatemala on three points from two matches with one loss and a draw.

The match on Good Friday is set to kick off at 3.30 pm.

Petit Bordel and Bequia champ schoolsÊ basketball titles WHEN THE FINAL whistles were blown last Friday on the 2016 Secondary Schools’ Basketball Tournament, the Petit Bordel Secondary and the Bequia Community High left the New Montrose Basketball facility in the highest spirits.

Petit Bordel completed their unbeaten run with a 43-33 win over the Bishop’s College Kingstown in the female final. Leading in all quarters, Petit Bordel Secondary ran out 18-8, before Bishop’s College pecked away to reduce the deficit in the second, 26-20.

The margin was reduced yet again in the third quarter, but Petit Bordel still held out to lead 3429.

Bishop’s College could not keep up their momentum developed through their second and Female division champions - Petit Bordel Secondary. third quarters, and had to bow to the stronger Petit Bordel.

For the winners, player of the final Kannique Lewis netted 32 points. Gabriel Lewis had 12 for the Bishop’s College Kingstown.

Before reaching the final, Petit Bordel had doused the Girls’ High School 71-8, while Bishop’s College had downed West St George Secondary, 32-12.

West St George went on to secure the third place, defeating the Girls’ High School 44-6. The Girls’ High School was adjudged the most disciplined team.

Meanwhile, the Bequia Community High upstaged the 2015 winners, George Stephens Secondary, to emerge as the new male champions.

Jordley Bynoe registered 25 points and Reon Ollivierre 18, to lead Bequia Community High to a comfortable triumph over the defending champions. The quarter scores read, 19-16, 4918, 58-24 and eventually 77 — 34, all in the Bequia Community High School – new male winners.

Bequia Community High’s favour.

Vivian Smart scored 12 points to lead George Day Adventist 63 - 54 to take the third place, along Stephens Secondary’s tally. with the honour of being named the most disciplined St Vincent Grammar School won Bequia Seventh team in the male division.

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 25.

26. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

ANGELA GIBSON

BERTRAM LEONARD THOMAS

Mt. Moriah S.D. Adventist Sunday 20th March, 2016 2:00 p.m.

Kingstown S.D. Adventist Thursday 17th March, 2016 3:00 p.m.

CECILIA DA BREO

GEORGE MARSON

Age: 76 Years Kingstown Methodist Church Monday 21st March, 2016 3:00 p.m.

Mt. Moriah Spiritual Baptist Church Spring Village Sunday 27th March, 2016 1:30 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

THURSDAY,

MARCH 24, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.13

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EC$1.50

Look out for increased protest, Eustace warns.

Windward, Loren Baptiste, complained of an undue return in those PRESIDENT of the New constituencies, during Democratic Party (NDP), the December 9 General and Leader of the Elections.

Opposition Arnhim And on Tuesday night, Eustace is promising Eustace assured the increased and vigorous nation that, “Tonight I protest action within the say to you that we know next few weeks. now beyond doubt that The promise comes something did go wrong, based on what Eustace and I come before you to said is evidence which he arm you with that said suggests that the information.” election process was not The petitions filed, conducted in accordance according to Eustace, with the law. suggest that it was not In a nationwide about who got votes, but radio/TV broadcast last whether the conduct of Tuesday night, Eustace the Supervisor of said, “We do not accept Elections and other that we must abandon electoral officials acted in what is just and fair for accordance with the law. the sake of peace. Peace And according to is simply not achievable Eustace, under the that way.” country’s laws, any ballot He continued, “As that does not bear the such, over the next days official stamp shall be and weeks, we shall be void and therefore, not engaging in various and counted. vigorous forms of acts of He went on to state protest in relation to the that the ballot (paper) acts and omissions of the used in the 2015 general Supervisor of Elections, elections was defective Mrs Sylvia Findlay by not containing a space Scrub, and the returning for the initials of the officer Mr Gaymes presiding officers or (Winston) in the conduct mark. of this election. We the Eustace pointed to at people are deserving of least two polling stations the rigorous standards of in Central Leeward election, and as such we where presiding officers expect nothing less.” failed to put their initials On December 21, and the official mark.

2015, the NDP filed two In polling station CLF, petitions in which there were 222 such candidates for Central ballot papers discovered, Leeward, Benjamin and in CLF1 there were Exeter, and North 99 – a total of 321

by DAYLE DA SILVA

ballots that by law, should not have been counted, according to Eustace.

However in an affidavit, Winston Gaymes, the returning officer for Central Leeward, stated that he went against a decision to reject the ballots, after Exeter and his legal team indicated to him that they were not objecting to the ballots.

The affidavit also

declared that, even if the ballots were rejected, the Unity Labour Party’s candidate, Sir Louis Straker would have still won.

“He says that he recognised that they were invalid, but decided to count them nonetheless, by law he could do but one thing, not count them,” Eustace said.

He referred to the 1974 case, Gunn v

Sharpe, UK, where the result of an election was affected when election officials failed to stamp ballot papers, and the judgment handed down determined that it did affect the result.

And that is what the High Court will have to determine - if the petitions are not struck out, Eustace said.

Lawyers representing

the Supervisor of Elections have made a submission that the petitions be thrown out, on the grounds that the sureties were not properly referred to.

“In other words, they seek to suppress the will of the people,” Eustace said.

Footballer cleared of criminal charges

by HAYDN HUGGINS FORMER NATIONAL goalkeeper Dwaine Sandy was among four persons cleared of criminal charges at the Serious Offences Court on Thursday, March 17, stemming from an alleged shooting incident at the Young Island Dock at Villa, around 9am, June 10 last year.

Sandy and Leger Alexander, both of Brighton, along with Raffique Chewit of Calliaqua and Noval Sayers were discharged from the court after Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne upheld no case submissions from the defence on two charges of attempted murder, and two charges of possession of a firearm to endanger life.

The quartet was charged with the attempted murder of Martin Davis of Villa, the attempted murder of Natterel Stapleton of Calder, possession of a firearm to Dwaine Sandy was among four persons cleared of attempted murder charges.

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

endanger Davis’s life, and possession of a firearm to endanger Stapleton’s life.

When the Prosecution rested its case at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Joseph Delves representing Sandy, Michaela Ambrose representing Alexander, and Arthur Williams representing Sayers, made no case submissions on behalf of their clients. Chewitt was unrepresented.

The lawyers submitted that the identification evidence was weak, and all the other evidence presented by the prosecution were circumstantial.

Stapleton had received a bullet wound, reportedly as a result of the alleged incident.

This is not the first time that Sandy is in the spotlight.

Police had issued a photograph of the footballer, deeming him “wanted” and “armed and dangerous,” in connection with a daylight robbery in Kingstown June 13, 2013, during which postal worker Cleopatra Wilson was relieved of approximately EC$102,000 belonging to the SVG Postal Corporation, and Police Constable Juliane Jack was shot.

Sandy was detained for questioning on both charges, but was released without charges.

Long Wall resident Colin David was subsequently charged in connection with the incident.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.