THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 26-04-19.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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FRIDAY,

APRIL 26, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.17

www.thevincentian.com

MISSING MAN DIED BY DROWNING

EC$1.50

by DAYLE DASILVA

Residents of Owia look out to sea where Nanton’s body was seen floating early Saturday morning.

POST MORTEM RESULTS have determined that 62-year-old Errol ‘Stone’ Nanton drowned, dismissing the speculation that foul play may have been involved.

This confirmation came from a source close to the family of the deceased man, a former resident of Owia.

Nanton’s body was spotted floating at sea early last Saturday morning after he had gone missing on Wednesday.

According to the source, he was last seen around midnight on April 17 when he said that he was going down to the Salt Pond in Owia.

Continued on Page 3.

Errol ‘Stone’ Nanton – this country’s latest drowning victim.

POLICE INVESTIGATING BEATING OF ALLEGED GAY MAN

by KENVILLE HORNE THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Police Force (RSVPF) said that they are investigating the assault of a young man at South Rivers last Friday, and as of Wednesday, had taken one man into custody.

An official release from the RSVGPF read: “…Consequent upon the circulation of video on social media/Facebook on Sunday April 21, 2019 where a young man was seen being physically attacked in South Rivers; the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force launched an investigation into the incident. As a result, one man is currently in custody assisting the police with its investigations.”

The release also encouraged

persons who might have information on the matter, to contact the police.

The video referenced, posted over the Easter weekend, showed a young man, accused of being gay, being hit and taunted by villagers, as he made his way along one of the village’s roads.

Some villagers could be seen hitting the man, while others could be heard Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Another 100 trees planted

LIONS CLUB SOUTH of St. Vincent, with the expert guidance pf personnel from the Forestry Department, continued its Tree-Planting Project last Satirday, April 20.

Members of the Club gathered from 7:00am to journey to the Montreal Watershed where they went about planting 100 trees of various types.

Last Saturday’s exercise was timetabled to mark World Earth Day, April 22, and was in keeping with the Club’s Tree-Planting Project which aims to aid with reforestation and to create awareness about the value of trees to the planet’s biodiversity.

This most Lion Sally Cato recent exercise plants a tree under brings the the watchful and number of trees expert eye of planted since Cornelius Richards, 2012 to an Senior Forestry estimated 850, Supervisor. all at the

Members of the Lions Club South of St. Vincent and Forestry Department personnel who were involved in last Saturday’s Tree-Planting exercise.

Montreal Watershed.

In a statement released earlier this week, the Club expressed its gratitude to the Forestry Department, which has provided the seedlings and availed their expert personnel to guide the exercise in the field.

And in adherence to its Project’s aim to help create awareness about

the value of trees, the statement reminder that trees help to protect and sustain the environment by providing a habitat for wildlife and insects, increasing ground water recharges, preventing soil erosion, releasing oxygen so basic for human existence, and storing carbon dioxide which helps with slowing global warming.

Camillo Gonsalves to launch new book climate change, the MINISTER OF chair of the Alliance FINANCE, of Small Island Sustainable States, the chair of Development and the Pacific Small ICT Camillo Island Developing Gonsalves has States and the written a new book Permanent that will be Representative of launched Monday Canada to the 29th April, at the United Nations.

Calliaqua Town Calling the book Hall. an excellent example The book, titled of Saint Vincent and Globalised. the Grenadines’ Climatised. “thought leadership” Stigmatised., is a at the United 186-page collection Nations, President of of essays about the the United Nations specificities, General Assembly opportunities and María Fernanda developmental Espinosa Garcés challenges of small stated “‘Globalised. island states.

Climatised.

Discussing debt, Camillo Gonsalves served as Stigmatised’ is a diplomacy, SVG’s Permanent Representative provocative title that sovereignty, to the United Nations before very neatly captures blacklists, the essence of the inequality, climate returning home to serve as a Minister in the Unity Labour Party challenges faced by change, the blue administration.

Small Island economy and the Developing States. . . role of the state in it already has a guaranteed place on development, among other topics, Camillo Gonsalves takes an expansive my bedside table, and overview of the various ways in which I warmly commend its messages to you all.” “smallness and islandness” affect the Globalised. Climatised. Stigmatised. progress of islands in global affairs.

Globalised. Climatised. Stigmatised will be launched at the Calliaqua Town Hall on Monday 29th April at enjoyed a successful overseas launch 7pm. The book launch will feature a on 17th April at the United Nations. review by University of the West The book was launched by the Indies Lecturer Dr. Tennyson Joseph, President of the United Nations General Assembly and discussed by a and comments by community activist, social commentator and globalisation panel of experts including the UN warrior Renwick Rose.

Secretary-General’s special envoy for

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 3.

News 3

SVG Ambassador walks out

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES (SVG) Ambassador was among ambassadors from at least four Caribbean countries that left the room, before a Venezuelan opposition envoy addressed the Organization of American States from his country’s seat, last Tuesday.

The other countries were Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The walk-out followed earlier (April 20) joint indication in writing from eight Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to the Chair of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), protesting the decision of the Council to accept, by simple majority, the appointment of Gustavo Tarre, a representative of the Opposition in Venezuela, as the new Permanent Representative of that country to the hemispheric body.

The Caribbean countries so protesting were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, St.

Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

SVG is represented at the OAS by Ambassador Lou-Ann Gilchrist, who is also the country’s ambassador to the United States, as well as non-resident High Commissioner to Canada.

It was the first time an opposition envoy was addressing the organization in the two decades since a socialist administration rose to power in the South American nation.

The ambassadors left the room before Gustavo Tarre spoke, showing their opposition to the OAS recognition of Venezuela’s opposition representative.

Tarre delivered his speech during a session held by the Permanent Council of the OAS exactly three months after Juan Guaidó, leader of Venezuela’s opposition-controlled congress, declared himself the country’s interim president in an escalating confrontation

Caribbean membership accounts for 14 votes of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS). with President Niclolás Maduro. The U.S. and most of the regional group’s 34 member states recognize Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim leader.

Tarre plans to keep attending OAS sessions and representing Venezuela, even though Maduro’s government announced plans to hold a rally next Saturday to celebrate its departure from the organization.

Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations and the only chief of a

diplomatic mission loyal to Maduro currently on U.S. territory, used to attend OAS sessions representing his country.

But the State Department recently restricted his movements to a 25-mile (40kilometer) radius around New York.

The OAS and the Inter-American Development Bank are the only two multilateral organizations that recognize Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.

St. Vincent and the

Venezuela is no push over THE ON-GOING OPPOSITION to the Nicolas Maduro led administration in Venezuela, which has resulted in an ongoing conflict in that country, has made headlines internationally, fueled

by President of the United States, Donald Trump’s rallying support from its allies for a military intervention.

Speaking at a press briefing on April 16, Francisco Perez Santana, Head of the Venezuelan Mission here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, said that the US was using all in its power including cyber-attacks, sanctions, financial blockades and boycotting the purchase of the country’s oil, resulting in an escalation of the conflict in Venezuela.

According to Perez, sanctions had been placed on six international companies that transport Venezuela’s oil, including a boycott against the local oil company, PDVSA. But it was important for the people of Venezuela and its partners to denounce any plan for military intervention, he added.

“We have to resist all the different strategies that the United States and its allies are taking against our process and people,” Perez said.

And as the US looks to intervention as a means to end the conflict, the Head of the Venezuelan Mission in SVG noted

that they had support from countries such as Russia, China, Iran and Turkey.

It was explained that throughout history, there have been countries that have had to endure similar challenges, but the difference with Venezuela is that they had good partners, particularly since the US was rallying support among some of the country’s South American neighbours including Brazil and Colombia.

Perez explained that Venezuela was currently selling oil not just to Russia and China, but also to India and Turkey.

“And we have different types of agreements with countries and these are now taking place,” he added.

Russia and China have spoken out against plans for military intervention, and it had been announced recently that Venezuela will be looking to increase its militia by adding one million more soldiers.

Perez further noted that the sanctions needed to also be denounced as it was having a negative impact on the Venezuelan people.

People were dying while others were suffering from malnutrition; the country lacked certain medication and food because of the sanctions.

Nevertheless, Venezuela was

Francisco Perez Santana, Head of the Venezuelan Mission in SVG, called for a full denouncing of the US-imposed sanctions on Venezuela. still standing, he said, although the estimated cost of the financial blockade and sanctions have reached into billions of dollars, the Venezuelan official said.

“What they are trying to do with the international organizations is the worst crime against humanity because when a power like the US with countries that are our neighbours have a meeting to talk about our country and the possibility of military intervention, that is very important and we have to denounce that,” Perez said. (DD)

Grenadines stands firmly in support of the Nicola Maduro-led administration in Venezuela.

Ambassador Lou Ann Gilchrist was one of four Caribbean representatives to leave the room.

Missing man died by drowning Continued from Front Page.

The source told THE VINCENTIAN that Nanton recently suffered a nervous breakdown, and that the individual whom he told he was going to Salt Pond, had encourahged him to return home instead.

When relatives made checks on Thirsday morning, it was discovered that Nanton had in fact not slept in his bed and, for all intents and purposes was missing.

A search was mounted, with residents leaving no stone unturned as they checked through the village with a fine tooth comb.

While some residents chose to pass the time in their respective churches on Good Friday, some resumed the search for the missing man.

Evetually, the source said, the body of the father of two was spotted by a resident around 5 last Saturday morning.

His son was called to the scene and identified the body as that of his father, the source added.

Police investigating beating of alleged gay man Continued from Front Page. shouting, “Alyo leave the boy,” and more sarcastically, “Alyo leave Jane, ha Jane he say he name.”

The young man could be seen to be continually hit about his head and some villagers were seen to search the knapsack he was carrying.

Fortunately for the young man, he was taken to safety by persons in a passing vehicle, who had slowed their vehicle to get a hint of what was happening This is the second such incident that this country has captured on video and posted on social media in recent times. Readers will recall a similar incident in Calliaqua in December 2018.

Some readers might also recall an even more telling but related incident when, in November 2017, a young man deemed to be gay was stabbed in Kingstown.

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4. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

‘Spirit’ versus ASP Scott on ganja value

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS DESPITE THE HEAVY sentences handed down, April 17, in a major marijuana case at the Criminal Assizes, the Justice System here may be closer on the issue of clarity regarding the narcotic, with ganja farmers having a voice on the issue, within a legal framework, for the first time.

The case involved Calvert Prince, Daniel Baptiste, both of Petit Bordel, Ezekiel Robin of Clare Valley and Denzil Sam of Rose Place, who received sentences ranging from five to 17 years, having been found guilty on charges of possession of 907,546 grams, approximately 2,000 pounds, of marijuana with intent to supply; possession of 3,632 grams, about eight pounds, with intent to supply; and possession for the purpose of drug trafficking, stemming from a 2014 drug bust off the North Leeward coast.

In relation to value, the affidavits of two experts were filed in the High Court, one dated April 12, 2019, sworn to and signed by head of the Narcotics Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Foster Scott, and filed by the Prosecution.

The other, dated April 16, 2019, was sworn to and signed by head of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cannabis Revival Committee

(CRC) Junior ‘Spirit’ Cottle, and filed by the Law Chambers of Attorney Grant Connell which represented the four men at the trial, and sentencing hearing.

In his affidavit, Scott, who has been a police officer for the past 26 years and two months, and has spent more than 25 years in the Narcotics Unit, stated that, based on his knowledge and experience, “the price of narcotics varies from time to time and would depend on variables such as the type of drug, location, quantity/amount and availability”.

He further stated that in 2014, the wholesale value of cannabis was in the region of EC$500 per pound, but this value could be scaled all the way up to EC900 per pound on the retail market where the trend is that one gram of cannabis is a ‘spliff’.

According to the Drug Squad Chief, in relation to the wholesale value of the 907,546 grams approximately 2,000 pounds of cannabis, the estimated street value was EC$3,001,200.00 and the retail value was EC$5,402,160.00.

In relation to the 3,632 grams, approximately eight pounds, Scott stated that the wholesale value was EC$12,000.00 and the retail value was EC$21,600.00.

According to him, his information regarding the value of cannabis

was developed based on his knowledge of more than two and a half decades working in this field, during which he interviewed, questioned, and dealt with numerous persons involved in, and operating as drug deaders, drug traffickers, drug distributors and retailers.

However, the president of the CRC, in his affidavit, challenged ASP Scott on the issue, stating that it was not a true reflection of the value of cannabis in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, taking all the necessary factors into consideration.

In his affidavit, Cottle said that having lived here all his life, and based on his knowledge and experience of approximately 50 years in the marijuana business, he can confirm that over the last 35 years, the wholesale price of cannabis was

EC$300 per pound, with the price fluctuating slightly depending on the supply and demand.

He further stated, however that, in recent years, the price of locally grown cannabis in SVG has been between EC$200 and EC$250 per pound. This further reduction in the cost, according to him, is mainly due to increased security, both domestically, and regionally on the seas, where cannabis is frequently intercepted when attempts are made to transport it by boat to foreign markets.

According to Cottle, the value of eight pounds of cannabis would range between EC$1,600 and EC$2,400, and the 2,000 pounds would range between EC$400,000.00 and EC$600,000.00 if the fluctuating value is to be considered over the past 25 years.

Justice Brian Cottle

Junior ‘Spirit’ Cottle’s affidavit, on behalf of the SVG Cannabis Revival Committee, might just have been the first time an affidavit was provided in a Court matter, by a group of people intimately involved in the cannabis business, albeit still illegal. historic, and a positive move in the direction of hearing the issue of value settled in the interest of justice.

Murder accused unfit for Court Proceedings NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Kesean Caine of Diamonds Village, charged with the August 22, 2018 stabbing death of 48year-old Security Guard, Brenda Layne, “is not fit to participate in

Court Proceedings.”

That’s according to a psychiatric report, following an evaluation. His matter had been put on hold pending the results of a psychiatric evaluation.

When the matter came up at the Serious Offences Court November 28, 2018, it was revealed that the High Court had ordered the evaluation during the hearing of an application for bail by the accused.

Kesean Caine Caine had applied to the High was deemed Court for bail on the murder unfit for charge. participation When he returned to the in Court Serious Offences Court on Proceedings.

Tuesday, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche pointed out that the lower remand will be deducted from Courts cannot their sentences. make a The local Coast Guard and determination Police Patrol had intercepted the in respect of the men aboard a speed-boat, about recent 13 nautical miles off the North development, as Leeward coast of St. Vincent, Caine’s is during a joint operation on charged February 20, 2014. indictably to Prince, Baptiste and Sam had which he is not previous convictions for drug allowed to plea related offences. at the While Robin had no previous Magisterial convictions for drug-related level. He offence, Justice Brian Cottle assured, found all four men to be however, that intimately involved in the offence the Prosecution at hand.

A person could receive up to 25 is seeking to have the matter years in prison, along with a fine “fast-tracked”, of $5 million for possession of and that marijuana with intent to supply. attorney Grant Drug trafficking carries a Connell has maximum penalty of life volunteered to imprisonment. assist, pro bono,

Major ganja case to be appealed A MAJOR marijuana case in which four men received prison sentences ranging from five to 17 years, April 17, at the Criminal Assizes, for possession, with intent to supply, and trafficking of approximately 2008 pounds of marijuana, will be appealed.

Attorney Grant Connell, who represented the men, made the confirmation to THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday. He declined to disclose what would be his grounds of appeal, or whether the appeal would be against conviction, sentence, or both.

Daniel Baptiste, 39, of Petit Bordel, was sentenced to 13 years and 11 years on two counts of possession with intent to supply, as well as 17 years and 13 years on two counts of possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.

Denzil Sam, 32, of Rose Place was sentenced to 12 years and 10

made no specific reference to Cottle’s affidavit at the sentencing hearing, but in relation to Scott’s, he said that, based on the value per pound that Scott gave, there seemed to have been an error in his (Scott’s) calculation on the overall value.

Connell made reference to the CRC president’s affidavit in a marijuana case on Tuesday in which his client, 42-year-old, Lindon Clarke of Sion Hill was charged with possession of half-pound of marijuana. He appeared at the Serious Offences Court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $375 forthwith or one month in prison.

Cottle, speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, described the development as

years on two counts of possession with intent to supply, and 16 years and 12 years on two counts of possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.

Calvert Prince, 51, of Petit Bordel received sentences of 11 years and nine years on two counts of possession with intent to supply, as well as 15 years and 11 years on two counts of possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.

Ezekiel Robin, 38, of Clare Valley was sentenced to seven years and five years on two counts of possession with intent to supply, as well as 11 years and seven years on two counts for possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The sentences will run concurrently in relation to each individual and are to take effect from the date of conviction, April 5, 2019, any time spent on

in getting the matter through the system.

Connell then told Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne he (accused) shouldn’t have to wait on a lawyer to “fast-track” his matter, and took a swipe at the system. He noted that in the High Court, there is a list of lawyers, who are assigned by the state to represent impecunious persons on murder charges, but that system does not exist at the magisterial level which also needs the assistance, and should be provided, either through the Human Right Organization or Legal Aid by the state.

“I think that your voice needs to be echoed that this Court needs the assistance of these lawyers too,’ he told the Magistrate, who nodded her head, seemingly in agreement.

The matter was then adjourned to Monday, April 29.

Reports are that Layne was attacked and stabbed in her neck around 6:45 a.m. August 22, 2018, at Lower Bay Street, Kingstown, as she sought transportation to go home after working the night shift at the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) headquarters, Paul’s Avenue. She was at the time residing at Rillan Hill/Chauncey.

Layne was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where she succumbed to the injury.

Caine had fled the scene following the incident, but was apprehended later that day at Colonarie and subsequently charged.

He was last year committed to stand trial in the High Court on a charge of attempted murder, in connection with another matter.

V CCJ orders CLICO to pay

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26 , 2019. 5.

Regional

THE CARIBBEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (CCJ) on April 18, 2019, directed the Judicial Manager of the Clico International Life Insurance Limited (CLICO), to recognise and pay a debt of EC$1,423,329.46 to Dominican brothers Octavius John and Laurent John, within ten days of the Court’s judgment.

This judgement comes after a protracted battle in the Courts of Dominica, Barbados and finally the CCJ. The brothers, courts document showed, had invested in several “Executive Premium Annuity” policies from CLICO to fund their retirement.

At the expiration of these policies, CLICO did not pay the John brothers their entitlements, forcing them to resort to the High Court of Dominica to recover the funds.

In September 2010, the brothers obtained default judgment against CLICO in the sum of EC$1,423,329.46 plus interest.

After further delay by CLICO, the John brothers obtained a consent order in February 2011 by which CLICO undertook to pay EC$75,000 monthly, beginning at the end of April in that year and continuing until the judgment was paid. CLICO also undertook to pay costs and interest to them.

However, from 14 April 2011, CLICO was placed under judicial management in accordance with the Insurance Act of Barbados and no payment was made to the John brothers. The Insurance Act stated that all court orders must be placed on hold and further action could not proceed without the leave of the court.

The John brothers, however, sought to enforce their Dominican judgment against CLICO in the High Court of Barbados and that Court granted leave to

they had become ordinary continue to a higher court. unsecured creditors so that The Court of Appeal in their claims would not be Barbados, however, on an addressed. appeal to it refused leave to The Court stated that the the John brothers to enforce John brothers had made their their judgment, given the financial difficulties of CLICO case with sufficient evidence, and that, in their opinion, the however, there was brothers failed to make out an insufficient evidence from CLICO’s Judicial Manager. exceptional case as compared In the unique circumstances to other policyholders of this case, the CCJ felt throughout the Caribbean. obliged to resolve the issue The Court of Appeal, between the parties without though, granted the John brothers permission to appeal wasting time and costs in further proceedings, and to the CCJ. At the CCJ, CLICO filed an ordered that the brothers be paid within ten days after the application to strike out the appeal, saying that the Court judgment, failing which Justice David Hayton, who delivered the judgment, on behalf interest shall accrue at the of Appeal had erred in of the Court, said that in the unique circumstances of this allowing the John brothers to judgement rate applicable in case, the CCJ felt obliged to resolve the issue, between the Barbados. (Source: CCJ) appeal to the CCJ. parties, without wasting time and costs in further The Court considered proceedings. (Photo credit: CCJ.) whether the CCJ had jurisdiction to hear the appeal and whether leave should be granted to the John brothers to enforce the IT WAS NOT A CASE that the State could judgment from the apply taxes of 60 per OF JUDGING which High Court of cent to categories of product was better but Dominica. In these in this case. Rock Hard cement described as circumstances, the ‘other hydraulic cement’ Cement got the edge Court found that these over Arawak Cement, a — cement used to stop proceedings were water and leaks in Barbados-based ‘final’ and not concrete and masonry subsidiary of Trinidad ‘interlocutory’ and structures. The regional Cement Ltd. (TCL). therefore the Court of The Caribbean Court tariff is intended to offer Appeal in Barbados of Justice (CCJ) goods produced and yesterday ruled on April distributed in the region was correct in an advantage over 18, 2019 in favour of granting leave to Rock Hard Cement over imported ones. appeal to the CCJ. In 2015, Barbados Arawak Cement The Court was decided to return to the satisfied that the John Company, that the brothers had made out regional tax payable on CET and apply a five cement imported by the per cent tax on the an exceptional case ‘other hydraulic cement’ Mark Maloney, owner of Rock Hard Cement, the Barbadian company and had done all they Barbadian company that won a court battle to imported by Rock Hard from Portugal and could to extract their maintain a low import tax on its imported Cement Limited.

Turkey should be five money from CLICO cement.

TCL and Arawak per cent and not 60 per before a realistic cent.

Cement Company had possibility of its predictability of tax is rendered on the In 2001, CARICOM’s contended that collapse happened. structures. originating application Council for Trade and Barbados contravened Moreover, the judicial The CCJ found that in this matter, or the Economic Development the Revised Treaty of manager’s counsel the regional court varies or Chaguaramas by (COTED) had granted conceded, at the manufacturers of terminates the order”.

Barbados an exemption, unilaterally reducing hearing before the cement who had brought Rock Hard then and/or altering the CET in respect of the the action against joined the proceedings CCJ, that it no longer regional Common on ‘other hydraulic Barbados — TCL and and provided testimony treated the brothers External Tariff (CET) of cement’ and had Arawak Cement from international the same as other zero to five per cent, so misclassified extraCompany — had notice experts on the policy-holders since regional cement for several years of composition of cement imported by Rock Hard Barbados’ intention to and its classification, as ‘other hydraulic revert to the regional etc. cement’. tariff.

After that testimony, In its ruling, the CCJ TCL and Arawak TCL and the CARICOM said that where COTED Cement Company Secretariat argued that allowed a member state Limited had filed an the matter of to charge taxes higher application last May for classification falls than the regional tariff special leave to within the remit of on the importation of commence proceedings COTED and should be good from outside the against Barbados and decided by that body. region, there was no Rock Hard Cement over Last month, COTED need for the member the import tax on concluded that Rock state to obtain approval cement. They Hard Cement was from COTED to revert subsequently filed an correctly classified as to the CET. application asking the ‘other hydraulic cement’ However, it said, in CCJ for interim relief which attracts the zero these circumstances, the and the Trinidad-based to five per cent duty member state should court ordered Barbados under the CET. give reasonable notice of to “restore and enforce” However, the CCJ had its intention of the 60 per cent import still been required to returning to the regional duty on hydraulic give a final ruling on the tariff, to ensure that cements imported from matter, which it did on regional businesses outside CARICOM Thursday 18th April, enjoy transparency, “until either judgement 2019. certainty, and

Hard Rock Cement prevails

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6. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 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

Homosexuality is still illegal, but...

WHEN BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Theresa May met with Commonwealth leaders in April, 2018 as an aside to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the UK, she expressed regret for the U.K.’s role in criminalizing same-sex activity in former colonies.

“I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country. They were wrong then and they are wrong now,” she asserted, according to newspaper reports.

The truth is that same-sex relations are still illegal in nine Caribbean countries, and many of the laws so related have been there from ‘Thy Kingdome Come, as per Theresa Mills’ reference.

A quick look: In Antigua, “buggery” is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, or up to five years when committed by a minor.

Barbados punishes same-sex relations with ten years to life in prison, the harshest punishment among this list.

In Dominica, anal sex between men is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Grenada’s sodomy ban punishes anal sex between men with up to ten years in prison, but female same-sex relations are not illegal.

Guyana’s penal code lists buggery as a felony, punishable by up to life imprisonment.

In Jamaica, homosexual intercourse is punishable by up to ten years in prison, which can include hard labor.

Saint Kitts and Nevis punishes the crime of buggery between men with up to 10 years in prison, with the possibility of hard labor but, like Grenada, female same-sex relations are not illegal.

Saint Lucia punishes consensual sex between men with up to ten years in prison.

Anyone who commits “an act of gross indecency with another person of the same sex” can face up to five years behind bars in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Receptive partners, male or female, actually face up to ten years in prison.

In short, these nine countries linger in a time long gone as it relates to homosexuality and samesex relations.

And given what we have been able to discern, not least from public declarations and innuendo

by Prime Ministers and other political leaders, these countries have no immediate plan to amend far less revoke the existing legislation as it relates to homosexuality/same-sex relations.

The reality though, is that we have had ‘few’ cases of buggery between men, and/or homosexual intercourse brought before the courts.

Correct us if we are wrong, but we know of no man or woman currently serving time in our penal institutions as a consequence of being found guilty of an act of buggery/homosexuality.

But that is not to say that the alternative lifestyle is nonexistent; the reverse is true.

It may be closeted in the main, but more and more it is being paraded by a minority who are ‘brave’ enough to let their preferences be known.

The sad thing though, is that while we have not found the evidence to press charges against any individual(s), this has not prevented ordinary citizens from pouncing aggressively, even violently, on any sign of the tendency, as we have witnessed, via social media, in two recent incidents.

This open, abusive reaction is fueled both subtlely and openly by the political directorate of this ‘fair’ land, unfortunately.

Given the intensity that characterizes these reactions, it will not be long, God forbid, before someone is seriously hurt if not killed.

This is not a treatise in favour of homosexuality/same-sex relations. Rather, it is an acknowledgement of the fact that it exists in our society, and (that) we cannot simple brush it off the canvas with violent and aggressive reaction against those citizens we deemed to have ‘transgressed.

This is a repeated call for a sensible, rational, adult national conversation on homosexuality/same-sex relations with or without the sanctions of government.

It will, in the final analysis, help to shape an informed decision with respect to how we stand as a country that is part of the world in the 21st century.

John Horne 75 years young: Love conquers all TWO YEARS AGO at Indian Bay, John Horne and his wife Jeanne participated in the celebration of his 75th birthday staged by his 5 daughters. It was a memorable event that proved to be a dress rehearsal that is now being played out, the actual death of John himself. Bassy has surmised that John’s athletic limbs, especially his sturdy legs, surprised his fans in completing the lap of honour in record time.

Seriously, the whole country has lost a stalwart, icon, and hero in the death of Alexander John Clarke Horne, which has temporarily cast a shadow over the country.

The whole nation seems to be moved by John’s passing which indicate a particular virtue of his, that he was a “classless” person.

Until I can gather my thoughts and assess the effects of John’s absence.

I present what I wrote on the former occasions in 2017.

“I am still recovering from participation in John Horne’s 75th birthday anniversary celebrated at India Bay, July 22, 2017.

It was something else. a virtual fantasia that was near human perfection in creating an atmosphere of entertainment blending so many virtues-fete, humour, the spiritual that captured the final triumph of love in the testing human condition.

This extravaganza was conceived by John’s five daughters, partly because John was not man enough to produce a son, in the words of Bassy Alexander as the M.C whom everybody recognises, is no Joker of the pack!

In fact, I sat with Bassy and wife, Father Ulric Jones and his wife, who started the proceedings with an appropriate prayer and had been a classmate of John’s at the Boys Grammar School, as was Ardon Best who also paid tribute to his fellow Barclays bankclerk where Karl John and my own wife worked. Further, Ardon’s father stayed for some time when he came to live in Kingstown from Bridgetown. Our table was next to the ‘High Table” at which were seated two knights in the persons of Sir Freddy Ballantyne and Sir James Mitchell, with Dr. Lorraine Friday, leader of the NDP nearby. I did not see Arnhim and wife who also attended.

I chatted warmly with Parnell Campbell and recognised other personages such as Daniel Cummings, Stanley Stalky John, Allan Cruikshank, Carlyle Dougan and Jerry Scott. My tenderest embraces were reserved for my two favourites, Patches Knights and Kenlyn Neverson.

I had remained fixed to my seat but shifted at half-time to shed a tear, guided diligently to the Wailing Wall by my unfailing friend Paddy Corea. In my travels, I stumbled on Doggie De Freitas, my longtime political sister, Sylvia Sutherland and a third favourite whom I only made out after a tight hug and kisses galore- Margaret

London, the irrepressible “Night Nurse.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the musical interlude featuring pan of which John is enamoured, delivered by our genius Roddy Dowers and Rodney Small. But typical Vincentian, I wanted more: A song or two by say two members of the Kingstown Chorale and a like input from the Anglican Church in both of which John performed greatly.Also, a song or two by Erlene Williams on behalf of the Williams’ musical family, especially Aunty Doris Robinson, our lady of song of yesteryear, would have filled our souls to overflowing.

Highlight of the evening was John’s fullhearted tribute to his wife Jeanne, which received a standing ovation from the gathering, which spoke eloquently for itself.

All the televised inserts and clippings of friends speaking about John boiled down to a simple narrative with varying themes and emphases. Whether it was Roy Austin, Ardon Best, Karl or Ken John, a daughter or relative, without exception they harped on John’s demonstrated unrelenting love of people of all (repeat all) walks of life, and his care and generosity regardless of class, colour or creed.

These qualities naturally led to the people themselves, by petition, demanding that the NDP which they favoured by default in 1984, run John as candidate for West Kingstown instead of Stuart Nanton. That accomplished, it was “Horn Fuh Dem” in three successive elections, 1984, 1989 and 1994.

Circumstances changed after that, but commentary is not suitable on occasion such as these.

I prefer to end on a happy note of pleasant reminisces of John. I recall his visiting my home at Villa regularly on weekends to take his three little daughters to the beach. Once Karl, John and I viewed a film “Ding Dakar”, and we were so impressed by it that John selected the name Oneka, who featured in the film, for his first daughter.

Bassy would approve of the following: John is the god-father of my first son whom he promised a Christmas present of his choice at age four. Adrian replied “Uncle John, I want a camera but I know you can’t afford to buy me that”. Hence the establishment of Fast Photo.

John Horne epitomized progressive change over time. His send-off was staged at the Old Coronation Club where we danced debutantes. Adjacent to the “White Coast” from which we were barred. Within a stone throw of The Aquatic Club from which coloured people dared not approach. John and company led the way for our liberation.

WE salute him as he proudly rides his horse towards a beckoning sunset. Wire Bend and Story End!”

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 7.

Letters

Questions for the NDP WITH ELECTIONS due in just another year or so, questions regarding the New Democratic Party (NDP) abound.

Is the NDP ready and able to turn around that one-seat defeat into victory?

Is the NDP portraying an image and message that has shaken off whatever negatives it would have had to endure since losing government?

Is the NDP capable of making the negative against the ULP stick?

One thing is certain… the NDP will go into the next election with a new

leader. The question is: Does Dr. Friday possess the charisma, leadership qualities and knowledge needed to convince the electorate that he is a suitable alternative to Dr. Ralph Gonsalves?

In my opinion, an NDP under a man like Sir James would have been much more of a fight for Dr. Gonsalves.

The period under Eustace was too easy for ‘de Comrade’.

Regardless of what you say, the question of leadership is important…

VincentianS always vote for the party that has the stronger leader. So, Dr.

Friday has his work cut out for him because, regardless of whether Gonsalves is 70 or 80 years old, he will be a force to be reckoned with on the campaign trail.

Dr. Gonsalves has been able to stand the test of time because he has been able to roll with new ideas, trends, and undertsand how people think. Is Dr. Friday cut from this type of cloth?

It would be good for the NDP to recognize that it will take more than a change of leadership to defeat the ULP. People might want new leaders, but they

want leaders they can identify with and who make them feel wanted.

In the meantime, the NDP needs to ask itself: Does Dr. Friday have the respect of individuals across the different sectors of society? Does his brand of politics attract the youth? Does he come over as matured?

And the million-dollar question: Would he be able to restore trust and confidence in the NDP and lead that party to victory when the next general election is called?

Rambler

The Next Epoch is at our back door!

THE NEXT ERA or age in the history of mankind is closer than we think.

It is an era when the true, ugly, disfigured face of hypocrisy will be unmasked and reformed.

An era in which people will clamour to strive as never before, and be far better than ever before.

An era where there will be no heartaches, no violence or disease or greed, or crime; no pain or sorrow or hatred. An era where the land and desert will become unbelievably fertile, producing food and fruits in abundance. The copiousness of the production of the sky birds and sea fishes will be astounding.

No more Moko disease, or black and yellow Sigatoka; no more burrowing nematode that threaten global food

security. It will be an age without globalization, no trade, no climate change or disaster management.

An age where no devil or mankind will revile or persecute you or say all manner of evil against you. An age when witchcraft, warlocks, obeah and necromancy will be obliterated or wiped out. Yes, we are getting closer and closer to this cyclic period and it is still a conundrum or mystery to many people.

A vast number of people have never heard of it and those who have heard never understand what it’s all about.

In this next enigmatic Era, mankind will mutate back to those holy immaculate creatures that God first created at the beginning of creation. The exotic,

scenic Garden of Eden will once again become their lovely home where they will live a life of paradise on earth as was intended in the beginning of time. The time is much closer than we think, a time so close, it can almost touch our back door. Mankind’s life in paradise will be pretty awesome and enticing.

Imagine being fed from the tree of life for all times and walking and talking physically and spiritually with God face to face! What a grand time that is going to be!

This is the fulfilment of prophetic revelations decreed by God in scriptures, not a pixie tale or ‘nancy story’. You better believe it because your ounce of prevention will make no difference to your pound of cure.

An old proverb said

The crucifixion day of Jesus ALLOW ME to briefly address three points: 1. Strange as it may sound to you, Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday. When we count back from Sunday morning to Friday evening, we do not get the three days and three nights, referred to in Matthew 12:40. When we count back from Saturday to Wednesday we found Christ to be right, and man with his religious and political system wrong.

The four gospel writers confirmed this hidden truth. “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward

the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene………….to see the tomb”. Three of the writers (John 20:1-2, Luke 24:1-3, Mark 16:12) agreed that when the visitors went to the tomb on Sunday morning, the body of Jesus was gone.

Incredible! The prophet Daniel said: “But in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to sacrifice………Daniel 9:27.

2. The devil is trying to use Venezuela as his starting point for a Third World War. This could happen if the Christian Peace Makers stay blind,

deaf, dumb and inactive.

And, we shall all perish if we fail to act.

We have relatives and friends in Venezuela and we will be more than glad for one to write as a Christian Democrat, a brief history of Venezuela. That will enlighten us as regards how and when to give our support.

3. We are watching the emergence of the Medical Cannabis Industry. If established properly, it could jumpstart the nation’s economy.

Christian Democrat

that a journey of a thousand steps starts with just a single step.

Well I am taking this single first step which may seem like a giant leap, to say to you that it is high time for you to begin to read your Bible carefully, and study the prophetic pronouncements in the Book of Revelation and the New Testament, so that the eyes of your understanding can be enlightened.

Rev. Dr. Phyllis Ralph Browne

* What’s this about a $2.00 charge every time you change US dollars at the BOSVG? * What if any, is the difference between a Government function and a ULP function? * Does SVG owe anything to the UWI? * Are persons using the investment opportunities made available by the pending Medical Cannabis Industry, to open other businesses in SVG, that compete directly with local entrepreneurs?

Reduce MP’s salaries I AM CALLING for greedy parliamentarians’ salaries to be reduced by 12% immediately, and the entertainment and other allowance increases they have from 2001 up to 2018 to be paid back to the hard working taxpayers of SVG. Despite 18 years of a broken SVG economy under the ULP regime, parliamentarians have received continuous allowance increases each year from 2001 to 2018. Taxpayers have paid parliamentarians over EC$39 million. Some of this money could towards to job creation.

It’s unpatriotic for parliamentarians to be approving salary increases for themselves during our nation’s economic downturn. The Public Servants are the backbone of SVG, yet the only increase they have had is promises and a globally embarrassing insulting offer of a 1% increase.

My research tells me that a parliamentarian, earns over four times more than the teacher.

Vincentians need to ask themselves what is the value of their parliamentarians.

What is recovered from a 12% cut in all salary and allowances for parliamentarians can go towards improved benefits for public servants and improve public service for, a public service that is stress free will certainly feel and perform better.

I would certainly feel better knowing that a nurse who is about to give me an injection, isn’t bogged down by financial hardship.

Kadmiel McFee British War Veteran

Gospel Fest versus Street party GOSPEL FEST has now become a fixture on the cultural calendar of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Designated along with other planks to preserve and promote this vital genre (gospel music), and remember the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, especially on the eve of Easter, the searing Gospel Fest music to which many patrons gravitate, is too many observers and religious pundits, similar to the atmosphere of a secular street party.

In contemporary St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there are a number of religious denominations and sects that severed ties with the conservative passive style of fellowship and worship. The conservative worshippers hold fast to and advocate their belief that musical instruments should not be a part of any godly worship.

Modern Christianity, however, supports a new style of worship — the application of modern instruments to their fellowship and worship in church services, as opposed to the quiescent ambience which is largely endorsed by many traditional worshippers. The latter, traditional worshippers, strongly believe that modern musical instruments contaminate church service. They also argue that it was a snare designed to capture the attention of the younger generation of believers in Christ.

My intention is not to endorse the views of one religious denomination over another, nor to openly say that one is right and the other is wrong, but to critically examine these opposing views.

Gospel Fest music is appealing, tasty and uplifting to the human spirit, but I’ll leave the reading public with this question: Is there any major difference between Gospel Fest and a secular street party?

Patmos Richards

V

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The Health Sector

Excerpts from the 2019 Budget Address

Introduction THE RECENT BUZZ and interest generated by the official opening of three health facilities here, has provided us with an opportunity to return to the 2019 Budget address delivered by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves. During that address, Minister Camillo Gonsalves provided an overview of the developments which the ULP administration will implement during the year 2019.

It is perhaps instructive to point out that in the year 2001, the New Democratic Party spent just 35 million EC dollars on the health sector. Today, under the ULP administration, that figure is now 80 million EC dollars.

Here is the excerpt from the budget address printed below.

As the Vincentian population ages, becomes more affluent, and adopts new lifestyle choices, our expectations and demands of the health sector evolve.

New, or increasingly-prevalent, communicable, non-communicable and vector-borne illnesses also beset the Vincentian people. In response, this Government is taking Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through a multi-phase, multisectoral, multimillion-dollar Health and Wellness Revolution that is in the process of radically transforming the healthcare services available to Vincentians.

In July 2018, we opened a Modern Medical & Diagnostic Centre (MMDC) in Georgetown. That facility, when coupled with the adjacent Georgetown Smart Hospital, represents a fundamental expansion and decentralisation of high-quality health services in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the first six months of its operation, the MMDC received 4,300 Accident & Emergency visits; 1,800 lab visits; performed 4,900 tests; issued 3,700 prescriptions; conducted 1,100 Xrays, 2,500 ultrasounds and EKGs, 140 surgical procedures in the operating theatre; while treating 53 oncology patients (including 11 on chemotherapy) and 22 regular dialysis patients. All of these numbers are expected to rise.

The Honourable Minister of Health and his team deserve accolades for opening, staffing and delivering highquality hospital services to Vincentians from this superb new facility.

This Budget continues our commitment to boost the quality and availability of healthcare in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It reflects significant investments in infrastructure, manpower and administrative initiatives designed to improve the efficiency of our service.

Further, this Budget adopts fiscal measures that further disincentivise the excessive consumption of alcohol, cigarettes and sugar, whose negative health impacts require no elaboration.

In 2019, we will open new, state-ofthe-art polyclinics at Buccament and Mesopotamia. These facilities will further reduce reliance on the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital by offering services ranging from maternity to dentistry to radiology to ophthalmology to urology, and many others.

Combined, these two polyclinics and the one at Stubbs will employ 76 personnel, 65 of whom are trained in the range of medical, nursing and health fields.

In addition to these new polyclinics, renovations are continuing under the SMART hospital initiative funded by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).31 A few weeks ago, we completed SMART upgrades to the Chateaubelair clinic. In 2019, we will

commence upgrades to clinic facilities in Mayreau, Union Island, Bequia, Stubbs and Barrouallie.

Health Services Expansion The World Bank-funded design of the 140-bed acute referral hospital at the site of the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport is proceeding satisfactorily, and is expected to be completed by mid-year.

Constructing and equipping this ultramodern hospital will cost an estimated US$50 million. The Government is in the process of securing financing for this important infrastructural anchor for the new city at Arnos Vale.

From a personnel standpoint, the 2019 Budget prudently accommodates our expanding hospital and clinic offerings while buttressing human resources in support of existing services.

The Budget provides for 78 additional posts in the health sector, including nurses, doctors and others in the hospital, community health, mental health and laboratory services.

Importantly, the Government has decided to address the complaints of suboptimal coordination and delivery of hospital services through the creation of the post of Hospital CEO. This individual will be charged with the management and oversight of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, coordination of the different departments, and addressing patient complaints in a responsive manner. The Chief Executive Officer will also be charged with the mainstreaming and implementation of the newly-drafted Patient’s Charter, which details the responsibilities, obligations and legitimate expectations of patients and providers within our growing healthcare system.

Of course, a hospital is where you go when you are ill or injured. The ultimate objective of a successful healthcare system is to keep you out of the hospital altogether. This 2019 Budget is replete with substantial commitments to nutrition, active lifestyles, education, and other qualityof life initiatives that will support a healthier population. Our increased levies on cigarettes, alcohol, and sugar, should reduce use of these items, or, at the very least, increase revenue to combat the raft of non-communicable diseases that they cause.

Lewis Punnett Home There is one more developmental initiative in the 2019 Budget that demands mention. For too long, the conditions at the Lewis Punnett Home have been a stain on the collective conscience of all Vincentians. The need for sections of our ageing and geriatric populations to access quality residential health-care services is self-evident. It is similarly self-evident that such services cannot be delivered within the constraints of the existing Lewis Punnett Home.

This Budget therefore provides $2.1 million for the construction of a temporary facility — at the site of the former Nurses’ Hostel. After the patients are relocated to this temporary facility, we shall demolish and reconstruct a new Lewis Punnett Home, befitting the dignity of our most vulnerable elderly Vincentians. Design work is complete on the temporary facility and we anticipate that the residents of the Lewis Punnett Home will be relocated to the temporary facility before the end of the year.

The Honourable John Horne IT IS WITH a sense of great sadness and loss, that we share our condolences on the passing of a colleague, friend and stalwart of the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Honourable John Clarke Horne. He was an outstanding Vincentian. During his time in politics, Mr. John Horne was recognized as a highly skilled parliamentarian who served in the best interests of all Vincentians.

Mr. Horne represented the NDP in the constituency of West Kingstown after the people of that constituency petitioned him to be their representative. He went on to serve the constituency and this country with distinction from 1984 to 2001.

Many will remember the popular song “Horn fu dem” which became his campaign slogan in 1984.

Mr. Horne was an effective representative. He touched the lives of the people of West Kingstown and transformed the constituency. He built one of the fishermen’s lockers at Rose Place; constructed a number of retaining walls; resurfaced the village roads; constructed numerous “gouti tracks”; took pipe borne water to Great House and other villages in the constituency, and built the multipurpose hard court in Edinboro; some of the projects that he undertook in the constituency.

He was one of the most influential parliamentarians of his time, and held several portfolios including: Tourism, Trade, Culture and Education. Mr. Horne made tremendous contributions to the arts and culture, but it was in the Ministry of Education he left an indelible mark. He was an exceptional Minister of Education; having served in that Ministry from 1986 to 1997.

He opined that the work of the NDP government in education has been perhaps the best kept secret for 17 years. This was not the expected behaviour of any political establishment, but the truth is that the NDP was so very much at home doing things for St. Vincent and the Grenadines; it saw no need to keep trumpeting its cause. For this reason, the NDP never trumpeted the fact that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was one of the few countries in the Caribbean to use development bonds and local budgetary resources to finance education and proudly through budget surpluses. The NDP’s record in education is an enviable one, of which the party can be justly proud. It is indeed worthy of emulation.

The following are excerpts from a document, ‘The Real Education StoryTruth and Success’, by Mr. Horne.

When the NDP took office in 1984, it was clear that the structure of administration and management of education was as irrelevant and outmoded as was the antiquated Education Act of 1937 and related regulations which were guiding the system. The following necessary and urgent steps were taken. The combined posts of Permanent Secretary and Chief Education Officer were separated. A Chief Education Officer was appointed, an Education Planner was chosen and a Planning Unit created. In addition, a Curriculum Development Officer was appointed and a Curriculum Development Unit was established and with a keen eye on evaluation, the ministry set up a Testing and Measurement Unit.

Among the earliest results of the work of the new Education Planner

was the startling revelation that 60% of our school plant was grossly overcrowded. It is now history that the NDP government implemented a shift system in schools to facilitate an on-going rehabilitation and expansion of schools programme without having to close any school. The result of the exercise was the rehabilitation of 40% of the nation’s schools by a committed NDP government. It is even more remarkable to note that the NDP government rebuilt/refurbished 40% of the island’s school plant in its finest effort at a cost of 7 — 8 million EC dollars, most of which was local funding.

The teaching service suffered numerous problems, poor teacher/ student ratio, 1:45 or more. Only 28% trained teachers were in the primary schools: very limited intake into the Teachers’ College system; overcrowded and inhospitable schools; pregnant untrained teachers were forced to resign; the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union was not recognized, and hence no possibility of bargaining for improved conditions. Also, teachers were being transferred far away from their homes; very little upward mobility, and teachers of Technical Vocational subjects were not regarded as equal to teachers of academic subjects.

Therefore, training opportunities for the latter were few and far between.

The disparity in education as seen by a great many people, created a profound bias against Technical Vocational Education. This could not have been real, as all students needed a common basic preparation for any education stream. The Ministry of Education announced formally the introduction of the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Social Studies and a Science based subject. These subjects had to be pursued by all students, regardless of whether they were in the pure academics stream or in the Technical Vocational stream.

Having taken stock of what there was and where we were in education, and having put the building blocks in place, it was time to establish a sure foundation for a secure programme for the development of education. The NDP government then published in 1995 a National Education Policy which enshrines among other things, a philosophy and a Mission Statement.

It was under Mr. Horne’s watch as Minister of Education that the Community College was conceptualized and phase 1 was completed. He also played an integral role in the implementation of the Student Loan Programme which assisted students of the poor and working class to pursue studies at university.

To the Honourable John Horne, we say, “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day.”

We express our sincere condolences to his immediate family, the NDP family and friends. May his soul Rest in eternal peace.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 9.

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The will to endure

“Scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.” - Rodney A. Winters – Author and adjunct professor of business at the Cleveland campus of Indiana Wesleyan University, United States of America.

WE ARE OFTEN FASCINATED by those individuals who have encountered a tremendous amount of physical and/or emotional pain but refused to give up on life. They suffered numerous hardships but survived. Many carry the physical and emotional scars of childhood abuse, rejection, neglect, and abandonment, but they reach across time and space to ignite new hope and life in those of us who observe their victories over personal tragedies and setbacks. They motivate us. They inspire us. They let us know that we are no less human than they are. Their life stories remind us that if they can make it, so can we. Like them, we can develop the will to endure.

We can learn so much from those persons who pause to share insights of the physical and/or emotional challenges that they have had … and yet survived. We are encouraged by the accomplishment of an abandoned child, adopted by a total stranger, who is nurtured by the new-found stability and care provided, and blossoms to athletic and academic success. Understandably, such an individual may forever yearn for a healthy relationship with his/her “blood parents” or to know some details of their lives. However, he/she knows that whether the theatre of life writes a favourable epilogue to that particular aspect of the play, they have been blessed by others who filled the gaps and picked up the pieces to enable them to endure. They realise that, in spite of the “set back” and the “detour” and the distractions, they survived. They know what it is like to value life’s lessons about persistence and focus. They are forever grateful to have had the assistance of others — caring persons who demonstrated unconditional love by lending a helping hand to a soul in need.

Many of this column’s readers may be able to identify with the scenario that appears in the preceding paragraph. It is often truly amazing how many among us have been physically and/or emotionally battered and bruised by life’s circumstances … but found a reason to keep hope alive.

They may have held on to a bible verse, the lyrics from a song, the words of a hymn or chorus, the pleasant memories of a loved one, a childhood memory, the thoughts from a book, or the insights from a poem.

But they held on. They developed the will to endure.

Life can (and does) teach us so many useful lessons that aid us in keeping hope alive. This was recently evident when a backyard fire burnt away half of the recently planted Surinamese Cherry tree at our home.

Approximately half of the juvenile tree was scorched. It looked as though the burnt section would not survive. But it did. Within a matter of weeks, leaves of a lighter shade of green appeared. Over time, the darker hue of the leaves blended in with the segments of the tree that had been unscathed. Life is often like this. Sometimes we may experience

physical, emotional, or spiritual fires that leave us looking scorched, dry, defeated, deflated, and abandoned.

But if/when we develop the will to endure, and we refocus our efforts, we may soon discover that the regrowth may be just as good as (or even better) than prior to the visiting calamity.

We have good reason to hope.

We sometimes need to remind ourselves of the truth that lies in the ability to persist even after tragedies occur; when the cupboard seems bare; when the bills pile up; when accidents happen; when diagnosed with a chronic or debilitating illness, and so on. It is often during such periods of want and perceived abandonment that negative thoughts can creep in to entice us to become like a dead fish aimlessly floating downstream. But we were not designed to be easily defeated. We are made of sterner stuff. We have the ability, the will, to endure … and we must. So very often it becomes a matter of focus. We have to develop the ability to examine the half empty glass and see that it is really half full. It is a matter of perception.

The Russian writer, Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy, writing in “War and Peace”, gives us some useful advice in relation to how we may successfully deal with a variety of life’s challenges. He reminds us that, “A man on a thousand mile walk has to forget his goal and say to himself every morning, ‘Today I’m going to cover twenty-five miles and then rest up and sleep.’” Life’s journey often must be taken in incremental steps. It is no wonder that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when teaching his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13), reminded them that they should ask for their “daily bread”. While it is good to have long term plans and to set milestones for a variety of desirable accomplishments, there is value in examining the next few steps that we are required to take. Such an approach aids us in developing the confidence and the will to endure.

We all carry a variety of life’s scars — unpleasant memories that somehow seem to stay with us over the years.

Some may appear to be deeper and more recent than others. Some may seem to stay so very long to heal.

Others appear to never heal at all. It is quite possible that some readers now cringe as they read these words that, in their unintended way, seem to reopen wounds better left closed.

However, we can gain strength and enhanced coping ability when we reflect on the quotation by James A. Winters that was used to introduce this essay. He reminds us that, “Scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.”

We may have been battered and bruised by life’s circumstances … but we survived. With God’s help, we have developed the will to endure.

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

Globalized, Climatized and Stigmatized WHEN CAMILLO GONSALVES delivered his maiden address to Parliament in 2013, political watchers declared it one of the best opening statements any politician had made thus far to the local assembly. Before that delivery, many who heard him during the campaign for the Constitutional Reform, had been so impressed with the depth and breadth of his delivery, that they openly commented that a new political star was on the horizon. By the campaign for the 2015 elections, even more persons, myself included, declared that Camillo had surpassed his father as a stump speaker.

And now this. ‘Globalised, Climatised, Stigmatised’, a thin volume that is chock full with information that debunks old myths, grapples with new ideas and locates small-island states in a global context. This first text by our Finance Minister may be just the beginning of a series of thoughtprovoking publications on matters large and small, simple and complex, local, regional and international.

Compartmentalized into three sections, the first, ‘Globilised’, looks at the stranglehold of debt, aid and trade, the efforts of small island states to craft out a niche, the problem of inequality and poverty that continues to plague most small-island economies. Gonsalves also looks at the role of government as a catalyst for change, economic stability and development.

Section two, ‘Climatised’, looks at the existential threat which global warming presents to planet earth, but more particularly, vulnerable societies, which are constantly assaulted by droughts, erosion, storms, floods and hurricanes.

Problems are magnified when governments do not have the economic resources to fund revival and survival, much more the focus on development and the satisfaction of the needs of citizens.

Section three, ‘Stigmatised’, looks at the many ways in which the international, financial and economic architecture is stacked up against small-island states, and the efforts of some states, including our own, to ‘punch’ above our size and resources with tangible results.

The book concludes with Gonsalves being the Keynesian pragmatist in arguing for an alternative out of the current morass in which most smallisland states find themselves.

The book is as readable as it is digestible. It is not heavy on jargon or statistics; neither is it beyond the intellectual reach of the ordinary man.

As is the style with most authors these days, Gonsalves prefaces each chapter with one or two quotes.

The book opens with the Jamaican saying that now has regional reach “me small, but me tallawah”. In the introduction, he makes the understandable but troubling claim for Caribbean exceptionalism, citing as proof the facts that these dots on the seascape have already produced three Nobel Laureates, Usain Bolt and Gary Sobers. Exceptionalism is akin to the claim by some that a person or family comes from ‘good stock.’ We only have to go back 80 years to see that all came from the same stock. Connections and social position impact on life chances.

Camillo Gonsalves is exhibit A. Gonsalves traced the new economic regime back to Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, a time when most small islands were regaining their independence after long years of colonial domination. He correctly noted

that by independence, the neo-liberal agenda was in full flight and the rulers of the world ‘imposed an ideological homogeneity through the force of law, might and money’. This is even more so today than ever before.

Bill Clinton once said that globalization is the natural order of things. Gonsalves argues in part, that this is not completely true, and notes that institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have presented schemes for the guidance of countries which they themselves admitted were wrongheaded. He offered the example where the IMF, as early as 2012 admitted to being wrong on austerity. He praised the Keynesian economists who have long maintained periods of economic downturns are the times when monies should be pumped into the economy.

Implicit in his argument, is that his father was right in engaging in countercyclical financing before and particularly after the world economic downturn in 2008.

Gonsalves’ book argues that debt, in and of itself, is not bad. It is what is done with the borrowed money that is crucial. He offered proof that a large chunk of borrowed monies is intended for disaster recovery and climate adaptation. He makes the case that debt must be viewed differently from the days of yore, and places a call for developmental investment, debt relief and restructuring if small islands are to survive.

Some writers have described aid as raid, and have used persuasive statistics to demonstrate that the ‘donor’ countries get far more than they give from the countries they offer assistance to. Gonsalves looks at aid and trade, the Banana Wars that led to the “Green Gold’ demise in our region, the WTO and different trading arrangements.

Gonsalves says that some have argued that these institutions and agreements are reasonable and in the interest of all. He is, however, not of that mind. He points to the effort of some countries to fight back. They win a battle and are ignored, but generally the arrangements benefit the rich and powerful. Gonsalves seems optimistic that niche development is possible if not immediate. He will have to develop and clarify his arguments on niche development even more, because it is apparent that unless there is a total realignment in the international economic, financial and trading architecture, small islands would remain hewers of wood and carriers of water.

As early as 1984, Fidel Castro told a conference of economists, that the debt was immoral and unpayable and should be scrapped. Today, countries are mired in even more debt and the inequality gap has widened. Gonsalves cites the emergence of the new gilded age of the super-rich, and praises Keynes’ insight that ‘greater equality complements greater economic performance.’ He is right, but how do we get there from here? Gonsalves offers pragmatism.

Blinded by the dominant view, he disregards the efforts of the people in Cuba, Venezuela, France, Croatia, South Africa etc, and mistakingly concluded that ‘there is little popular appetite’ for real change.

The author sells the argument that the private sector is not the be all and end all of development. He proffers that there is ample room for state Continued on Page 12.

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10. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Why vote SVG Green Party?

To take SVG out of poverty THE ULP REGIME, 18 years in power in SVG, has SVG Economy. allowed Taiwan and the migrant millionaires and The Table below shows SVG Budget Estimates billionaires of Mustique and Canouan to have tax and 2001 to 2018, with large FISCAL DEFICITS customs duty exemption of billions of dollars in breach of Section 13 of The Supreme Law, SVG 1979 Constitution. Section 13 says “No law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.”

We have lost our country by professional looting.

Taiwan owes SVG EC$54 billion in Fish Tax for the period 2001 to 2018. Migrant millionaires and billionaires in Mustique and Canouan, loot hundreds of millions of dollars under the Mustique Act No 48 OF 2002, which is in breach of Section 13 of the Supreme Law - SVG 1979 Constitution.

We strongly believe Free High Quality Education from Pre-School to our own Science and Technology University, aimed at building a knowledge based economy will create prosperity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and remove the inequalities in our country created under the umbrella of tourism and professional looting.

For example, in 2018, hundreds of school children were sent home from several schools which were considered highly dilapidated and not safe for the school children. Yet the millionaires and billionaires and Taiwan are allowed to get away with billions of The grossly and highly incompetent ULP regime dollars annually under professional looting from the has not created a single cash cow to create

The Marriaqua District Health Team - An Engine for Growth make a seminal input into the Community Development, aims to THE MARRIAQUA community is do the following: (a) Work closely with off the blocks with an important community members to co-design, health team that is intended to develop, implement and evaluate bolster efforts nationally to care, facilities and strategies to promote sustainable, healthy lifestyles. The Marriaqua District meet the health needs identified at the district level.

Health team, which was (b) Annually assess the health inaugurated on July 18, 2018, of the community and determine was introduced to the public on priority areas for interventions Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the (c) Facilitate the opening of the Levi Latham Health Complex at Mesopotamia. implementation of specific projects and programmes at the The main aim of the ‘Health Team’ is to help the people of the community level. (d) Work collaboratively with various communities within the other community groups, service district to practise a healthier organisations, and public lifestyle and become more agencies especially primary productive, as a result. The health care management teams.

Health District encompasses the The executive members of the Health Centers of Evesham, Health Team are: President Mesopotamia, Richland Park, Joseph Mapp, Vice President Greggs, Lowmans (windward) Samuel Joyles, General Secretary and Calder, spanning the - Stanley Stephens, Assistant constituencies of Marriaqua, Secretary - Marva Hector, South Central Windward and Treasurer - Josephine Ollivierre, South Windward.

Public Relations Officer - Kelitha Henry, Chaplain - Ps Adolphus Community Development Isaacs, Committee Members - Sr The functioning of the District Vicklee Joseph, and Eucille Health Team, a totally voluntary Joseph.

They will serve for a two-year grouping, must be placed fully within the context of Community term.

Membership is open to persons Development, which the United who are desirous of joining the Nations defines as “a process where community members come Health Team. They can contact any member of the executive or together to take collective action and general solutions to common any Health Centre within the Marriaqua Health District, problems”. outlined above.

It cannot be over-emphasized that community development is a The will of the People process. In it, people come together to take action on what is It is often said that the important to them. Hence, the greatest asset of any nation is its Health Team, with its focus to

Introduction

people. Any development starts with the people. They must have the right knowledge, skills and attitude that are needed for the time in which they live. These assets must then be harnessed in a process that would bring about development. The people must be properly motivated to act to achieve an established goal through sound education. This is more than just the pursuance of a course of study. It will arouse latent energy that lies within them, and this power must be properly mobilized and channeled in the right direction. In this way it can safely be said that knowledge is a great power.

An Engine of Growth Within the villages which comprise the Marriaqua Health District, are people of all ages and professions, with a vast amount of knowledge and skills. They range from children in schools to retired workers.

Most of the retirees are aware of the processes that are involved in getting things done, and there’s a need for them to be refocused in an attitude of giving back something to the community without looking for material returns, thus continuing the community development thrust.

The retirees who are members on the Health Team have this goal in mind, in this way the Health Team can become a catalyst to facilitate growth and productivity.

We urge you to: Support the Health Team! Let it flourish.

Joseph Mapp

prosperity. Instead, the highly incompetent ULP regime has been selling Crown Lands to White Migrants under the umbrella of tourism, and pushing ownership of our country from the indigenous Black population to white migrants building hotels with no net benefit to our people and our country. This is very serious.

According to Retired British Royal Air Force Engineer Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA, the competence to manage Public Finance is the most important strength today’s demands of managing the affairs of any country.

Who has the propensity in Finance to create Fiscal Surplus? It is SVG Green Party beyond any shadow of doubt. Creating Fiscal Surplus is a major strength in the World of financial management.

The ULP regime failed the Audit of Public Accounts for three consecutive years, 2008, 2009, and 2010 (Source Audit Report). The ULP regime digging a hole to fill a hole, borrowing money to pay Public Debt.

Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA very strongly contends that promise of government bailouts encourages very weak Financial Control of Public Spending on Capital Expenditure, that offers nil rate of return. This process pushes up Public Debt and stifles sustainable economic development. The negative effect is very serious. “Look at the World of Today.”

We have lost financial control of our country under the umbrella of Tourism. We want our country back. It is imperative and in the best long term interest of the next generation that we take back our country from professional looting of Crown Lands and billions of dollars from the SVG Economy under the umbrella of Tourism, and the Fisheries Act CAP 59.

We want our country back, and only the SVG Green Party can take back our country from migrant millionaires and billionaires in Mustique and Canouan, and from Taiwan, and lift our once blessed nation from poverty to prosperity.

SVG Green Party

Globalized, Climatized and Stigmatized Continued from Page 11. intervention as a spur to local development. On matters of climate, Gonsalves notes that the threat is real, talk is glib, and solutions are out of sight.

Ominously, he says “destruction is all but certain” if we continue on this path.

The writer chronicles the ways in which the rich and powerful change the rules to meet their purposes.

The best examples being the tax regime aimed at regulating offshore financial services. We grew up hearing of secret Swiss bank accounts, today we are blacklisted and penalized for “exploiting a niche”.

Gonsalves triumphantly proclaims that the small islands punch above their weight. As proof, he discusses what he calls influence as a commodity, and influence as security, to show that small states can stay the hand of the rich and powerful. The argument is useful but overdrawn. This remains a world where might continues to make right.

The weakest part of the book is the conclusion.

While claiming ‘islands must reject and reinvent the circumstances of their neglect and subjugation’, Gonsalves seems to suggest that the prevailing order is so dominant that little or nothing can be done to bring real relief and development.

A better way is indeed possible. As Dr. Hilary Beckles argues ‘few enslaved Africans in 1930 would have imagined that emancipation was around the corner, but it came’. Pessimism and the acceptance of the prevailing order is not a good basis for leadership.

Although Globalised. Climatised. Stigmatised breaks no new ground it is a good read and provides much food for thought.

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

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 11.

News

RRL provides service to Bequia swim event LAST FRIDAY was a day of fun and intense competition for swimmers involved in the Open Water event, organized by the Rising Stars Swim Team, in collaboration with the SVG Swimming Federation and the Bequia Regatta Onshore Committee.

As such, therefore, it formed

part of the overall programme of the 2019 Bequia Easter Regatta staged from April 18 22.

Some 20 swimmers, male and female, participated in the three-race event in which Cruze Halbich stole the show with a convincing victory — by some four minutes — in the

grueling 1.5Km race.

The role of the Rainbow Radio League Inc. (RRL) was to provide safety communications for the event. Fantasea Tours, once again, served as a maritime safety platform on which both RRL and SVG Coast Guard personnel were embedded.

There were no accidents, and the overall success of the event was due in no small measure to the work of the organisers, the RRL, the SVG Coast Guard and the Bequia Red Cross who stood in response mode Swimmers in the 1.5K race.

Coach Tauran Ollivierre (right) briefing swimmers. throughout.

The RRL Inc is a non-profit, community service organization with a special emphasis on emergency communications. Its services are provided for motor sporting events, road races, water safety and in times of national emergency.

The RRL was also instrumental in providing emergency communications services from Dominica following that country’s devastation by hurricane Maria in 2017. Three RRL members were part of a medical and emergency communications responder team providing vital services

over a three-week period, services which included coordinating the arrival of a medical team from the US who conducted a rapid assessment of the medical crisis in Dominica. That assessment revealed that over 70% of the population was psychologically traumatized by Hurricane Maria.

The RRL also conducts its own training to keep its members in a state of readiness. One such field (training) exercise dubbed “Operation Fox Mike” is scheduled for June this year.

Submitted by: Donald De Riggs

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12. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Focus

New Community Shop for Mustique

Gonsalves said that he did not think the post office would bring in any real revenue, and suggested that a money Those who addressed the gathering: (L-R): Wayne transfer Trimmingham (MIPA), Roger Pritchard (Mustique Co.), Prime service be Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Robert Worcester added to its (Homeowner) and former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell. portfolio.

This, he said, It is anticipated that the Shop will will help persons, particularly those be patronized, in the main, by the persons from the mainland who work residents of Mustique, including on the island, to send money to their Homeowners and renters, itinerant spouses and children.

Robert Worcester, a Homeowner, is workers from the mainland, Mustique Company staff, yachtsmen and credited with having conceived and women.

Construction of the new Community Shop (pictured) in Mustique was funded originally pursued the idea of a Persons from the mainland, visiting entirely by the Mustique Company.

Community Shop.

He said that the idea was to start a the island, can also make purchases.

Patrons can look forward to the THE MUSTIQUE COMPANY officially Mustique Company and the project that would help to bind the Shop being open seven days a week handed over a new Community Shop to Homeowners on the island for their community together in a “win win during the ‘high season’ and twice a the Mustique Indigenous People input into realizing the Community situation.”

Association (MIPA) last week Thursday, Shop, which he described as “a great Worcester, it was, who broached the month during the ‘low season’. (Stories KH) April 18. achievement,” and assured that the idea (in writing) to the Mustique Construction cost of the shop, MIPA will work towards maintaining Company on the 18th of March in funded fully by the Mustique its good relationship with the 2018. The Board endorsed the idea Company, was put at US$750,000 and Mustique Company. and approved it for funding. was undertaken under the direction of Managing Director of the Mustique He said that the contractors did a Curtis Robertson.

Company, Roger Pritchard thanked “fabulous job”, and now that the The shop — a two-storey structure - the Sir James Mitchell and the current facility is finished, he expects over stands on the site once occupied by a Dr. Ralph Gonsalves administrations 100 homeowners to provide items Preschool. A new Preschool was for the support they have given to the for sale at the Shop. constructed on lands near to the company over the years.

Former Prime Minister Sir primary school.

Pritchard said the new facility was James Mitchell also had his say.

The Community Shop, as explained only a shop but it will also provide an He said that he had two encounters at last Thursday’s opening, will be office for the MIPA executive and a with the exercise; the first when managed by the MIPA. Revenue post office.

Robert (Worcester) wrote to him, generated from sales is expected, in “I congratulate the village on this and second when he met with the main, to help fund higher new acquisition. I hope the income is Wayne Trimmingham to discuss the education for the indigenous used for educational purposes, to help plans for the facility. population. people develop themselves, and that it He expressed thanks to all who Chairman of MIPA Wayne helps the village to help itself,” said were involved in making the Trimmingham told the opening Pritchard on the expectations he held Community Shop a reality, and the ceremony, “Our main objective is to out for the facility. hope that it will be profitable rather help young people obtain education at Prime Minister Dr. Ralph than having to depend on voluntary the university level.”

Gonsalves, on hand for the occasion, contributions for its survival.

In addition, he said, some revenue expressed happiness for the The Community Shop is set to will be used to assist the elderly. community. “I would have wished if it offer a variety of goods for sale, Trimmingham made an appeal for was little earlier, but as the evangelist including but not restricted to Residents and visitors got the volunteers “to help in the Shop until says ‘day by day sweet Jesus’,” clothing, sporting equipment, china opportunity to browse and purchase we can afford full time workers.” declared the Prime Minister. and other glassware, household what was already on show in the He showered praises on the Addressing the MIPA directly, Dr. items, and cosmetics.

Community Shop on opening day.

Mustique Agreement a unique one THE TWO MEN, SIR JAMES MITCHELL and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who between them have been Prime Minister of this country for the last 35 years, give a year or two, have eventually agreed on one thing: i.e. the agreement between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Mustique Company is a unique one that is quite beneficial.

Speaking at the opening of the Mustique Community Shop on Thursday 18th , Dr. Gonsalves said that the partnership between the

Mustique Company and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a unique one. “There is nothing like this that exists anywhere in the world,” he said.

“When we were doing the last agreement, the lawyer for the Mustique Company wanted it to be done as a simple amendment which we could issue as a Statutory Rule and Order on the existing Act…. I told them no this agreement in my view must always be debated in the parliament of a

free people,” Gonsalves stated. “….. There are some groups who critique the nature of the partnership that we have, but I happen to know that the overwhelming majority of the people of SVG approved of this partnership …… and it wasn’t surprising to me that after a very robust debate … both the government and the opposition side voted for the bill …. which will take this island and the relationship forward for the next twenty years and beyond,” said the

Prime Minister.

Former Prime Minister Mitchell, who spoke after the current PM, recalled being accused of building a nation of waiters and waitresses.

“But we withstood all of that and we have this unique partnership which is a model the rest of the region has not succeeded in copying,” boasted Sir James.

He recalled that the original proposal was for a 99-year lease/concession but the government at the time, in which he was a

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves cited the Agreement as one of a kind. minister, rejected it. “ I was the wicked person who said 20 years, and I am delighted that there is this ongoing partnership of renewal

Sir James Mitchell is pleased to have been party to a decision that made the Agreement bounded by renewal. by consent. I think that that is very important for the people of Mustique,” said Sir James.

V A special remembrance of John Horne

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26 , 2019. 13.

Tribute

WAYNE WILLIAMS, President of the SVG Basketball Federation, says the following in tribute to John Horne: “I have lost a teammate, a mentor and a friend.

Nothing I could write or say will do justice to this man’s contribution to nation building.

“John aspired to inspire others to realize their full potential.

“I recall as a young lad going into Barclays Bank, and this man getting up from his desk and walking towards me. He introduced himself and inquired, may be because of my height, whether I played Basketball. I told him that I had just started to play the game with any seriousness. He asked where and when we practised, and armed with the information, he showed up and the mentoring started.

“His presence and experience made the world of difference for the better.

John was like an encyclopedia; he was very resourceful, he never forgot a face; he remembered every activity, and once you told him your surname, he seemed to be able to tell you everything about your family.

“John was one of the links between the past and the resurgence of Basketball in SVG. He gave freely of his management and administrative expertise, which was highly valued by the youngsters who were trying to rebuild a sport from scratch. He always encouraged others to do better irrespective of the task, and demanded nothing but your best effort. Most importantly, he led by example, and his work ethic was second to none.

“John never committed himself to any one squad although he was a foundation member of the Hairoun Basketball Club. He was wont to

gather the ‘stragglers’ and harness them into a competitive outfit. He simply endeared himself to people wherever he went.

“When he left the bank and started his Bay 43 Company, I visited his office frequently and he was never too busy to assist when called upon to do so.

“So much so, he was instrumental in bringing the Secondary School Basketball Tournament on stream, and securing the home for Basketball located below the CWSA in Montrose.

His vision was to eventually have the facility covered. Should we fulfil that vision, it is not far fetched that we consider naming the facility in his honour.”

FRED PRESCOD, renowned horticulturist and a member of the Prescod family of musical fame, also attests to John’s athletic prowess, his organizational skills and his virtuous character. He wrote: “John was my childhood friend, though he was a few years younger than me. During the early-to-mid 1960s, by force of circumstance, we aligned ourselves in rival sports, literary and social organizations — John in Eagles Club and The Bridge Boys, and I in Olympiad Club and Sammo’s, then Scully’s carnival band.

Our membership in the rival groups often cast us in organizational roles.

But this was no deterrent to our close friendship.

“John and I did have one particular social activity in common; we were both members of the then Kingstown Chorale Group where John’s melodious voice and his musical talent were very evident.

“John always displayed an uncanny talent at basketball, enhanced by the fact that he was frequently the tallest player on the court. He was particularly proficient at passing, and he had an unstoppable hook shot. He was also very knowledgeable on the nuances of the game. So he and I often teamed up in training younger players, and those who were new to the game. In addition he had stints as a referee.

“After I migrated to Canada from SVG, I kept in touch with John; and every time I returned home, he would find time to look me up and invite me to a basketball practice, or some other activity which he knew I would be interested in. I recall one time when we were returning to Kingstown from a squash practice at Mount Pleasant, John must have stopped at least a half a dozen times to greet friends and well-wishers along the way. I was truly amazed at how popular and gregarious he still was — just like old times!

“John also had keen interests in steel band music and carnival. As such, John travelled to Trinidad each year to witness their carnival activities, and he always returned home with the current DVD of the steel band Panorama competition.

During the SVG carnival season, most people would recall listening to John’s analysis of various events. On my most recent visit to SVG in 2017, John had invited me to join him in the announcer’s booth at the Panorama competition. Due to other commitments, I was unable to do so. I now wish I had been able to join him there, as that would have been the last time I would have shared his precious company.”

Williams and Prescod together penned: “John, you enter the world with nothing, and you will leave with nothing. Your journey on earth has left the world a better place but, even more important, you have inspired

others to carry on your legacy.

“Though you retired before the completion of the game, be assured that others will step-up to lead us to victory. We may not have a behindthe-back pass as smooth as yours, nor a left-hand hook shot as good as yours, but we are better persons because of you.

“Farewell, teammate, mentor and friend. May you rest in peace.

“Condolences to his family and friends”.

V

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

All Saints students transition

Arnos vale.

A total of 29 students were donned with their White Coats, a signal of their transition from the study of preclinical to clinic health sciences, necessitating them spending more time at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

Addressing the ceremony, President and CEO of the All Saints University College of Mane Paulpillia, Medicine (SVG) - Mane President and CEO of Paulpillia said the White the All Saints University Coat signified another College of Medicine step on the way to (SVG), spoke to the becoming a physician, students about learning and described it as a from one another. symbol of compassion, honour and a standard ALL SAINTS UNIVERSITY against which “you COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (students) must measure (SVG) held its White Coat your every act of care to ceremony last Saturday, at the patient.” the University’s Campus at He acknowledged that the College could only prepare the students with the tools to perform their tasks, and in recognizing that there was a considerable short amount of time to learn a lot of stuff, he urged the students to do away with any fear of asking of and learning from others.

Dr Sanjoy Sanyal Professor in Anatomy, in delivering the Faculty Message, called on the Cecil Mc Kie, students to learn from Parliamentary everyone with whom Representative for the they came into contact, constituency of West St. especially at the MCMH, George, recognized the and to practise humility. benefits that medical “The journey itself is colleges bring to SVG. the reward because (the)

destination is what you make out of it (journey), so keep travelling on this journey of life,” said Professor Sanyal.

Cecil Mc Kie, The recent batch of White Coat recipients of the All Saints University College of Parliamentary Representative for the Medicine (SVG). constituency of West remarked, “… we are 1200 students each year from the university St. George in which the fortunate to have four participating in this provide service at the College campus is medical colleges on our process.” hospital.” located, also addressed Among the others who shores - the envy of a The All Saints Medical the gathering. addressed the gathering number of countries in College, the MP said, He recognized the “plays an important part was Dean of Academics, benefit Medical Colleges the region. .. It means in providing medical care Dr. Hughes Dougan. bring to the country, and therefore, that in SVG (Stories by KH) we have about close to in SVG, and students

Nigerian is top All Saints performer NIGERIAN CHINAZO CHUKWUNENYE emerged as the Top Performer, a scholarship Awardee and earned a place on the Dean’s List, among a total of 29 students, who were proud recipients of White Coats from All Saints University College of Medicine (SVG).

The White Coats marked the students’ transition from the study of preclinical to clinic health sciences.

Chinazo, fittingly so, addressed the ceremony held at the University’s Campus at Arnos Vale, last Saturday.

His was a moving address in which he paid tribute to his parents and siblings for their support and sacrifice, and recognized the contribution of his lecturers.

He recalled his father, now deceased, waking him in the middle of the night, “to burn the midnight oil,” never recognizing the value of that until he

graduated from high school as the best science student.

“I knew I made him proud that day and vowed to keep up the pace throughout my years,” Chinazo said.

As for his mother, he declared, “I am a testimony of the saying that our mother’s prayer goes a long way.”

He was high in praise of his lecturers for their unwavering dedication.

Directing his attention to his fellow White Coat recipients, he cautioned that “today’s ceremony is not the end but rather a start on the path of becoming doctors.

“The road that lies ahead for us will be difficult, there will be obstacles and missed exits, potholes and roadblocks. Nothing worthwhile is easy and whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.

Remember that if it is difficult to see in the mist of chaos and confusion, the only thing stopping you is yourself … Pray hard and I

Chinazo Chukwunenye delivering his moving address to the White Coat Ceremony of the All Saints University Medical College. can confidently tell you that the sky will be your starting point,” he said to thunderous applause.

The Scholarship and Dean List Awardees were Isedolapo Jideomole and Adamaka Umeh.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26 , 2019. 15.

Politics

“You have a right to be vex” Stories and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT GLENFORD STEWART, a former parliamentary representative for the Southern Grenadines and minister of government of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has declared that the electorate in SVG and members of the Vincentian-New York Diaspora have a right to be “vex” with the incumbent administration of the Unity Labour Party.

Stewart’s declaration came during his address at a town hall meeting hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Progressive Organization of New York (SPOONY), the New York arm of the NDP, at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, last Saturday evening.

A civil engineer by profession, he told his audience that he knew they were fed up with what he characterized as gross mismanagement of the Vincentian economy, but instead of simply

Former SVG Communication and Works Minister Glenford Stewart addressing town hall meeting at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center. “getting vex,” they must “..go out and vote, and get them out of office,” With clear reference to recent developments at home, Stewart said, “We couldn’t find an unbiased judge to hear our petitions. You vex, tell your relatives to vote.

“You happy that the Argyle International Airport is opened, and you still vex, …. you have to be vexed, because they (the government) can’t give you an account of the airport’s finances.”

He accused the Dr. Gonsalves-led government of “draining” the accounts of the former National Commercial Bank and is “waiting for NIS (National Insurance Services) to bust.”

ÂNDP brings hopeÊ DANIEL CUMMINGS, opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) MP for West Kingstown, told an audience in New York last Saturday it was “very painful when you see the level of theft in the (last) elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,… but I bring hope to you,” He promised the audience at a town hall meeting hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Progressive Organization of New York (SPOONY), the New York arm of the NDP, at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, that “When the bell is rung the next time, they (government is) gone (voted out of office).”

Cummings, who is the shadow Minister of Health told those gathered that the NDP will construct a new state-of-the-art hospital “in the right place,” since as he put it, “Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) is in the wrong location.”

Cummings charged that the MCMH is mismanaged.

“It’s painful and obvious that no one is accountable and responsible for everyone,” he said. “What the New Democratic Party is offering is an area of health that is comprehensive and real.”

Roland ‘Patel Matthews’, who was part of the four-member NDP delegation which addressed the meeting, told those present that “Too many wrong things are going on… .”

Daniel Cummings, MP for West Kingstown reiterated the NDP plan to construct a new state-of-theart hospital.

The Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries said, “We realize that spite, vindictiveness, victimization will not move our country forward,” he added. “We should be the ones to calm the arguments.”

Matthews said, while farmers have been the “bedrock” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, they “have not been doing well.”

The agricultural sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen from 19 percent to 6 percent, Matthews said.

Pointing out that the Unity Labour Party has failed to conduct an agricultural census since it took office, Matthews, the MP for North Leeward, promised that “The NDP, first thing, will conduct an agricultural census to assess the state of agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

MP for South Leeward, Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson also addressed the meeting, during which he described St. Vincent and the Grenadines as being characterized by neglect and declared, “This is the time for change.”

Section of audience at town hall meeting.

In direct reference to the ULP government’s announced intention to construct hotels at Diamond and Mount Wynn, Stewart declared that government should not be engaged in the construction of hotels, adding that the private sector is doing so in other Caribbean islands.

In addition, Stewart said, the government has failed to deliver on its election promise, 18 years ago, for construction of a cross country road and a national stadium on mainland St. Vincent, and is now contemplating building a tunnel from Arnos Vale to Cane Garden to ease congestion to capital Kingstown.

“Those engineers coming from

Canada already consulting me,” he disclosed. “It’s a nonsense venture.

They can’t even fix pot holes, and you say you’re going to build tunnel.”

Stewart said the administration has also failed to deliver on construction of a jetty in the Southern Grenadine island of Canouan, and is yet to repair damage done by a rain storm 5 ½ years ago to the jetty at the port in Chateaubelair, a town on the north western shore of the mainland.

Additionally, he said the populace is burdened with increased taxes annually.

Stewart was one of a four-member NDP delegation who addressed the town hall meeting.

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16. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Vincy Liberators elect new executives BOTH ARMS OF VINCY LIBERATORS – the New York Chapter and the SVG Chapter have elected new executives to run their affairs for the next two years.

Those elected to the executive of the SVG Chapter, on Wednesday 17, April were: Kenneth Skerrit — President; Ted Roberts - Vice President; Crystal John — Secretary; , Arden Alves — Treasurer; Desire Prince - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Rita Williams — PRO; Montgomery Cupid — Assistant PRO; Marius Duncan, Suzet Garrick and Judith

Thompson — Community Members; Yvette Jackson — Chaplain.

The new executive in New York includes: Doug Howard — President; Ian Sardine — Vice President; Laverne Williams — Secretary;

Annette Sardine — Treasurer; Roslyn Oliver, - PRO; Committee Members Rudsel Munroe, Errol ‘Man Age’ Rose and Patricia Browne; Viola Chaka — Chaplain.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You'll have great insight. Children could cost you more than you can afford.

Channel your efforts into achieving your goals. Don't spend too much in order to impress others.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Satisfy your passionate mood. Sort situations out as best you can. Watch your spending habits. You may get upset with peers or relatives. Family members may want you at home, when your heart is telling you to spend time with someone you recently met.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Sooner or later your partner will have had enough. Delays are evident. Try not to make waves. Look into some personal changes.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) You can finish projects early, which will bring you praise from superiors. Time is money and you must be ready to take action in order to reach your highest potential. Try not to lend or borrow money this week.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Use your head and do things to your liking. Find a quiet spot where you can work diligently and stay out of the way.

Try to communicate if you wish to help.

You need some excitement in your life, and meeting new people in exotic destinations will certainly satisfy your desires.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Try to satisfy both of your needs. Your unique contribution to the organization will enhance your reputation. You are best to be accommodating for the time being. Sudden romantic infatuations won't be lasting.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Do not borrow or lend money or belongings to friends or relatives if you wish to avoid any hassles. Take a look at yourself and prepare to make those changes you've been contemplating.

Take time to reevaluate your motives regarding friendships.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) You will get drawn into groups that are not favorable to you. You should avoid getting involved in the personal problems of colleagues. This is a great day to get out and enjoy an entertaining evening with friends or lovers.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Praise will be yours if you have been pursuing your goals. Do what you can but don't jeopardize your health trying to please everyone. Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Such over indulgence due to emotional upset will be your downfall. You need to start planning that vacation. You are best to avoid such unsavory circumstances, especially if you're in a group situation.

Your fickle nature may cause jealousy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Travel will be fun, but expect it to cost you. A female colleague may cause problems for you. Your ability to put things together will be appreciated by your comrades. You will probably have to defend your mate.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Communication will be your strong point and you should be able to persuade others to see things your way. You are best to look into investments that will grow in value over an extended period of time. Be honest if you wish to solve the problem.

ACROSS 1. Ignited 4. Field measure 8. Wee fly 12. Angry feeling 13. Make 10‐Down 14. Bother immensely 15. Family lad 16. Vault for stashing money 17. Frosted, as a cake 18. Patriotic melody 20. Fluid for 56‐Across 21. Disparage 24. Recent 27. Used a broom 30. Words of refusal 31. Logging tool 32. Food‐drive containers 33. Teacup brim 34. Hemmed in by 35. Colony insect 36. Wrestling pad 37. Weight‐loss regimens 38. Buzzing bug 39. Site for lashes 41. Line of theater seats 43. Be demanding 47. Ardent 49. Funny Myers 51. In addition 52. Citrus peel 53. Finished 54. Slip up 55. Holiday gift attachments 56. Ballpoint Implements 57. Adult fellows DOWN 1. Kudrow of “Friends” 2. Common metal 3. Camp shelter 4. Missing 5. Packs in tightly 6. Grid official 7. Sheepfold female

8. Show satisfaction 9. Lincoln’s was Abe 10. Draft beverage 11. TV’s Koppel 19. Pelvic bones 20. Of that thing 22. Come together 23. Trim (tree branches) 25. Door leading outside 26. Gets hitched 27. Covering on a healing cut 28. Lessen 29. On the way in 33. Deposit (an egg) 34. Helps 36. Feline call

37. Roadside eateries 40. Compare (to) 42. 1,3,5,7,9…

44. Article on a list 45. Painful, as muscles

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 17.

46. Shredded 47. Creative work 48. Through, on an itinerary 49. Floor swab 50. “_ been thinking…”

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18. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports Feature

SVG swimmer strikes CARIFTA bronze

Right: Shane Cadogan proudly displayed his country’s national flag after he had received his Bronze medal for 50m breaststroke.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES swimmer Shane Cadogan swam to a third place finish and the Bronze medal at the recently concluded CARIFTA Swimming Championships held in Barbados over the Easter weekend. Shane was competing in his final year of Carifta eligibility as a 17-year-old.

Shane’s third place time was 200 meter achieved in the 50 meter breaststroke (7th Breaststroke event in a time of position) and 200 30.32 seconds. Shane also meters butterfly (6th qualified in the 100 meter Position). Alex time in Breaststroke and the 50 meter the 200 meter Butterfly events where he butterfly set a new finished in 8th position in both SVG record with a events. SVG swimmers have now time of 2 minutes and won medals at CARIFTA 19. 75 seconds. swimming for seven straight In the Boys 11 to 12 years. years age group, TeamSVG: (Front L-R): Eltonte Leonard, Jamie Joachim, The 2019 CARIFTA Eltonte’ Leonard Mya DeFreitas, Kevern DaSilva, Kennice Greene, Abigail Swimming Championships was successfully made it to Deshong and Tia Gun-Munro; (Back L-R): Aaron DeFreitas, concluded on the evening of 3 finals. 200 meters Bryson George, Alex Joachim, Shane Cadogan and Kyle Tuesday 23rd April after four Breaststroke (7th Dougan (Coach). consecutive days of highly position) 50 Butterfly competitive age group (7th position) and 100 Aaron Defreitas, Bryson George, Alex swimming. Held at the Aquatic Centre Joachim and Eltonte’ Leonard.

Breaststroke (8th position) and in the in Barbados, the event featured over 13 to 14 yr age group Bryson George Team SVG had some fantastic 300 of the Caribbean’s best swimmers swims throughout the event and were got a finals spot in the 100 meters from 21 countries.

Breaststroke (8th Position) able to get 7 of the 11 swimmers to St Vincent and the Grenadines sent achieve individual finals in 13 The girls representing SVG also a team of eleven swimmers, its largest different events. made their mark on the event, with number of CARIFTA qualifiers to date. long distance specialist Mya Defreitas 2018 Carifta gold medalist, Alex In the Girls teams were Kevern finishing 6th in the 400 meters Joachim competed in his first year of Dasilva, Mya Defreitas, Abigail the Boys 15 to 17 years age group. Up freestyle and 7th position in the 800 Deshong, Kenice Green, Tia Gunagainst Boys two years his senior, Alex meters freestyle in her first year Munro and Jamie Joachim. The Boys was able to make it to the finals in the competing in the 13 to 14 age group. team consisted of Shane Cadogan, Attending her first ever CARIFTA

competition, Kevern Dasilva was swimming in the first year of the 11 to 12 age group and proudly made the finals and finished a respectable 7th place. Kevern was our first swimmer to make it to the Finals in her first year of eligibility.

Abigail Deshong, also attending her first CARIFTA swam in the second year of the 11 to 12 age group and completed the 50 meters Butterfly final, finishing in 6th position.

The SVG Swimming Federation is proud and pleased with the outstanding performances and effort of its young athletes. We continue to see improving performances and we have seen a fine group of young swimmers being developed.

We thank our partners and sponsors including the National Lottery, the National Sports Council, FLOW, CGM Gallagher Insurance Broker, the National Olympic Committee and our international governing body, FINA. Without their continued support, SVG could not compete at the CARIFTA Games level.

(Submitted by: SVG Swimming Federation)

Bahamas three-peats in CARIFTA swimming Barbados Aquatic Centre.

The team wrapped up its third straight and five out of six titles last night. “It feels good to win, but amazing to win three straight and five out of six years,” said McPhee, a former CARIFTA swimmer. “Our swimmers showed up and did what they came here to (L-R): Katelyn Cabral, Izaak Bastian, do.

We are coming Anya MacPhail and Luke-Kennedy home as champions Thompson lifting the championship - again.” trophy.

They did it by collecting a total of HEAD COACH TRAVANO 889.5 points to take the title MCPHEE liked what he saw where it mattered the most. from The Bahamas’ 36Jamaica followed with 748 member team at the 2019 points and Trinidad & Tobago CARIFTA Swimming rounded out the top three with Championships at the

676 points.

Unlike the CARIFTA track and field competition that saw a reverse in the Cayman Islands where Jamaica dominated the medal table, the total points decide the winner in swimming.

And female team captain Katelyn Cabral summed it up best when she put the focus on The Bahamas Swimming Federation, led by president Algernon Cargill and their team manager Georgette Albury.

“This victory is amazing because it is our first ever three-peat for swimming,” she said.

“Every swimmer worked hard. The coaches, team manager, chaperones, our federation president and executives powered us this win.”

For the record, the Bahamas accumulated a total

of 73 medals, inclusive of 35 gold, 18 silver and 20 bronze to top that segment of the games.

Jamaica was second with 59 medals, including 22 gold, 25 silver and 12 bronze.

With 17 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze for their total of 43 medals, Trinidad & Tobago placed third overall.

The Bahamas brought the curtain down on the games in the final event with the Boys’ 15-17 relay team smashing their third CARIFTA record.

The team of Izaak Bastian, Davante Carey, Kevon Lockhart and Lamar Taylor put the icing on the cake in the 4 x 50m freestyle in 1:35.18. (Source: Tribune 242)

The Bds$1.5 million Barbados Aquatic Centre – host to the 2015 CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 19.

Three Carifta bronze for SVG ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES copped three bronze medals at the 48th edition of the Junior Carifta Games, which concluded on Monday at the Truman Bodden Stadium, Cayman Islands.

Accounting for two of the medals was 14-yearold Ulanda Lewis, who placed third in both the 100m and 200m in the Girls’ Under-17 age group.

Lewis clocked 11.91 seconds in the 100m and did 24.09 seconds in the 200m.

Meanwhile, Handal Roban was third in the Boys’ Under-20 800m, in a time of 1 minute 52.22 seconds.

It was the second successive year that Roban had copped a medal, having earned a gold in his debut year, 2018, in the Under-17 800m in The Bahamas.

Although not medalling, Nellie Ambriton put in a creditable performance, placing fourth in the Boys Under-17 800m, clocking 1 minute 59.98 seconds.

Other Vincentians who participated at the Games were Ashanti Richards, Uroy Ryan, Jacque Edwards, Tamara Woodley, Odeshia JohnNanton, Zita Vincent , Annecia Richards and Zamesha Myle.

Richards placed 5th in the Girls’ Under-17 1500m in a time of 5 minutes 09.64 seconds.

Ryan claimed fifth place in the Boys Under17 Long Jump and sixth place in the High Jump, with jumps of 6.47m and 1.85m respectively.

Woodley finished fourth in the Girls’ Under-20 400m Hurdles (1 minute 02.84 seconds), and John was seventh (1 minute 06.60 seconds).

Above: Handal Roban. Left: Ulanda Lewis.

Woodley was 5th in her 400m heat, with a the Boys Open 25.15 seconds for the clocking of 57.06 seconds, Octathlon, 800m. while Myle suffered an totaling 4755 The quartet of Annecia injury in that same event points from his Richards, Tamara Neither advanced to and finished at the back eight events.

Woodley, Zita Vincent the next stage of the of the pack in 1 minute Zita Vincent, in her and Odeshia Johnevent.

00.99 seconds. fourth year at the Junior Nanton managed a Edwards was eighth in Carifta Games, finished fourth place in the Girls ninth and tenth in the Under-20 4 x 400m, with Girls’ Under-20 1500 and a time of 3 minutes 50.66 800m, respectively. seconds.

Her times were 5 The 2020 Junior minutes 09.64 seconds in Carifta Games will be the 1500m and 2 minutes held in Bermuda.

Halbich wins 1.5Km Open Water event again Forde of the host club in a time of 24 minutes 12 seconds, with Kenale Alleyne of the BSSS third in 24 minutes 15 seconds.

In addition to the 1.5 Km race, there were races over Scarlet Hadley – 375m Female 375m and champion.

750m.

Taking first place in the 375m for Females was Scarlet Hadley of BSSS, with Kylia Ollivierre of Rising Stars Swim Team of Bequia- second.

Dennis Sutherland of Rising Stars copped the Male category of the 375m swim. He was followed by the BSSS’ Joseph Hadleysecond and s Omarion Gooding of Rising Stars third.

The 375m race began at the Gingerbread Hotel jetty.

Champing the Female segment Tavonte Forde making his way to of the 750m race was Kate the finish line in his kayak in the Ollivierre, ahead of Dariana Des Iron Man Race.

Vignes and Krista Bynoe, all of

Ballantyne leads Benedict College to Tennis title

CRUZ HALBICH of the Black Sand Swim Squad (BSSS) once again champed the 1.5 Km, one of the events of the Easter Open Water Swim Tournament hosted by the Rising Stars Swim Team of Bequia, last Friday.

Halbich clocked 20 minutes 12 seconds for the race which started at the Princess Margaret Beach and ended at the designated finish line for all races, the Almond Tree, Port Elizabeth.

He was followed by Tavonte

From left: Kate Ollivierre, Krista Bynoe, Dariana De Vignes.

Cruz Halbich was first to make it out of the water at last Friday Open Water Swim event in Bequia. the Rising Stars Swim Team.

Corisni Pollard of Rising Stars Swim Team was the lone male entrant in the 750m race, which started at Plantation House.

Following the Open Water Swim event, there was the Iron Man Race, which was won by Tavonte Forde.

The Iron Man Race involved a swim from the Almond Tree to the Crab Hole wharf, a run back to the Almond Tree via the walk way, and a kayak component from the Almond Tree, to the Plantation House jetty and back to the Almond Tree.

The Rising Sr-tars Swim team Open Water event was held in collaboration with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation and the Bequia OnShore Easter Regatta Committee.

VINCENTIAN TENNIS PLAYER - Taj Ballantyne played a vital hand in helping Benedict College to the team title, in the South Caroline Intercollegiate Athletics Championships (SIAC) Men’s Tennis Championships.

In fact, Ballantyne won the decisive match that clinched the title for his college, making it the fifth year in succession, when he Taj Ballantyne poses with saw off Til Behrendt of the team trophy.

Spring Hill College last Tuesday, at the Peachtree City Tennis Centre in Georgia.

Ballantyne beat Behrendt, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, to ensure Benedict College victory by 4-2.

He had also teamed with Jlius Mutetwa to defeat Behrendt and Alex Demel 6-4 in doubles final, that also helped Benedict’s cause.

The win by Benedict College advanced the institution to the National Collegiate Association of Athletics (NCAA) Tournament set for May 21st to 24th in Altamonte, Florida.

Ballantyne, a former student of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, joined Benedict College, South Carolina, USA, in January 2017, on a Tennis scholarship.

Ballantyne, apart from upping his Tennis abilities, is majoring in Economics.

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20. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Belair Primary retains W.S.G cricket title BDO BELAIR PRIMARY SCHOOL retained their Championship title of the KFC West St George Primary School Under-13 Cricket Competition, when they defeated KGMG Belmont by 4 wickets in the finals, played last week Wednesday, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Belmont batted first and scored 78 for 7 off 15 overs. Nicholas Horne took 3 for 7 from 4 overs and Damani Chance 2 for 4 from 4 overs. BDO Belair Primary responded with 79 for 6 from 15 overs.

Trevon Questelles topscored Jada Hazell took the most wickets,16.

with 21, the only person to get into double figures. J’Shorn Weekes took 2 for 17 from 4 overs, while Kyel Ambris and Kody Thomas picked up one wicket each.

BDP Belair Primary had also won the Opening Knock Out segment, with Corea’s Distribution Ltd Gomea Primary second, who was also third in the open (round robin) format.

Individual awards handing out after the finals included: Most Outstanding Fielder - Nicholas Horne of BDO Belair Primary; Most Outstanding Wicketkeeper - Zioni Gordan of Belmont Government; Most Promising Wicketkeeper - Shacodi Pile of Dorsethsire Government; Most Runs Award - Mbeki King of Gomea Primary with 225 runs; Most Wickets Award - Jada Hazell of Gomea Primary with 16 wickets.

Nicolas Horne, with his 3 wickets for 7 runs from 4 overs, was named MVP of the finals.

MVP awards were also distributed as per team: Trevan Questelles — Belair ; Zioni Gordon — Belmont; Ezekiel Ashton - Dorsetshire Hill; Mbeki King - from Gomea; Kenrick Edwards of Sion

BDO Belair Primary – repeat champions.

Hill.

A donation of cricket gear was made to Luke Browne and Jaden Henry who were part of the SVG Under-15 tour to Tobago from April 15th to the 20th.

Nicholas Horne, MVP of the finals and most outstanding fielder.

Mbekie King scored the most runs 225.

U15 cricketersÊ Tobago tour helpful KGMG Belmont runners up

ShallowÊs Victors Two go under NOT EVEN a five-wicket haul and a top score by Dr. Kishore Shallow, otherwise President of the SVG Cricket Association and Vice President of Cricket West Indies, could stave off defeat of his team, Victors Two, at the hands of Keagan’s Bequia X1.

In their quarter final match of the NLA First Division 50 Overs Cricket Championship played on April 14 at Arnos Vale Two, Dr. Kishore Victors Two put in a dismal reply Shallow led of 56 all out in 23.3 overs, to from in front Bequia’s 223 all out in 36.3 overs. in a losing Shallow, with a painstaking 15 battle. off 53 balls, was one of two Victors Two batsmen to get into double figures, the other being Marcus McCoy with 11.

Bequia’s Braxie Browne had the remarkable figures of 8 overs, 2 maidens, 11 runs, 5 wickets.

Earlier, in Bequia’s total of 223, Chelson Stowe had a brisk 43 off 32 balls, in which he hit 4 sixes and 2 fours, before falling prey to the wily spin of Shallow, who ended with 5 wickets for 62 runs in his allotted 10 ten overs.

Six other Bequia batsmen got into double figures.

Keagan’s Bequia X1 joins Jules Anthony Northern Stars as the two already declared semifinalists.

The remaining two quarter finals matches will pit Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors against Police One, and Edward Conliffe Coreas Distribution Ltd. Belfongo against Smashers.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-15 Cricket team lost two and won one of their matches on a recent tour of Tobago, April 15 — 20, but the exposure was integral to the players’ development.

This was the view expressed by head coach of the team Bertram Stapleton - Head Bertram Stapleton who coach (right) and Kenroy added that tours of this Martin - Assistant coach, nature can only do well both felt that the tour for the players. contributed positively to “The tour was a the ongoing development success in my opinion.

SVG Under-15 Cricket team at the AIA, just before of the players.

Overall, it would have their departure for Tobago. given us a good insight shortcomings like McDowald’s captaincy came in for as to where our cricket is, and it playing across the line, not high commendation, with the would have offered the players a very good experience. The Tobago moving the feet, not putting away coach singling out his field placing bad balls, not judging singles, as and bowling changes as guys… I don’t think were underwell as turning blind. highlights.

15, they were much bigger and “But, given the age group of the Kenroy Martin, the assistant stronger than ours guys. But we coach, endorsed the head coach’s gave a good account of ourselves… players, the more cricket they . The experience would have done play and with close guidance and sentiments and extended assistance from the coaches, they commendations to “the SVG a world of good for the future,” will improve,” assured a confident Cricket Association and the Stapleton elaborated. coach.

Tobago Cricket Association for The head coach admitted that Aa far as the bowling was arranging the tour,” and was high there was still work to be done, in praise of the Tobagonians for including addressing the fitness of concerned, the coach, a former Windward Islands player, pointed their level of organisation in the players. out, “The bowling was not bad hosting the tour, In the batting department, throughout, however the fast The SVG Under-15 touring Stapleton acknowledged that bowlers need a bit more team comprised: Devonte there was need to address consistency McDowall (Captain), Raynolly with line Hillocks, Luke Browne, Kodi and length.” Grant, Elron Glasgow, Ajay Devonte Delpleche, Jaden Henry, Sam Burke, Jevon Richardson, Zach The SVG Thomas, Alston Bobb Jr, Zalphus team and Medica, Kevin Joseph. their Tobago The SVGCA will host the counterparts Tobago Under-15 team next year. after the final match Stories and photos by I.B.A.ALLEN of the tour.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 21.

Sports

West Indies up the fast lane WEST INDIES have named a squad for the World Cup starting May 30. The party reads: Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicolas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, and Oshane Thomas. The emphasis will be on pace with Gabriel, Thomas, and Cottrell supporting Roach. There is always Jason Holder, a vital cog in any sphere of the game.

The selection panel will weigh out pitch conditions and other factors for each game. But it will not be far-fetched if the full barrage is unleashed against teams like Bangladesh and Afghanistan, or any one.

In any event, the batsmen will have to provide a proper total for the bowlers. If the bowlers take care of business first up, the batsmen will have to ensure they complete the job.

Opportunities exist for those players in the TriNation series involving Ireland and Bangladesh to stake a claim for inclusion to the World Cup squad. There has been disappointment at Pollard’s omission. There was the trend of thought that he had performed sufficiently to have warranted an inclusion.

The words from the selectors are that they wanted to ensure some sense of continuity. The sense of rapprochement pervades with the ushering of the Skerritt/Shallow era.

The West Indies will have to pay attention to their display. Fielding has become a vital aspect of the game, especially with the onslaught of T/20 cricket. And the number of overs is going down so as to broaden the appeal and heighten the entertainment value.

So expect some acrobatics during this tournament. Weather conditions will be crucial.

Teams will have to pay particular attention to the Duckworth/Lewis scenario.

There is always a rising sun, and it sets in the evening, as far as the Vincentian pattern unfolds.

The routine is different in areas. So we in the Caribbean must not take it for granted that the world goes around for our eyes only.

While the focus is on the World Cup cricket, or the Indian Premier League, there is an International Cricket Council Cricket League Division Two series taking place in Namibia. That will enhance a team’s eligibility for One Day International status.

So far, the focus is on Oman who appears to be taking care of business along that front. They have played unbeaten, displacing the USA to second spot.

Every match is like notching points so as to bring your team closer to recognition on the world stage.

Also making raves is USA. They have benefitted from former West Indies player Xavier Marshall.

His even hundred was decisive in the victory over Hong Kong, and his 54 with fellow opener Patel 70, blew away Papua New Guinea. They racked up 128 without loss in reply.

The USA stumbled when they fell to Oman for 148. At 55 for 5 in the 21st over, the USA fancied their chance of restricting the Omanis. But Oman have showed depth and, despite Ali Khan 4 for 27, Oman managed to hold their ground.

SVG to host first OECS IntÊl Netball Series THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECCB) Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Under-23 Netball Tournament is no more.

After twenty —eight successive editions, 1991 to 2018, the Tournament will be replaced by an ECCB/OECS International Netball Series.

And, like the first OECS Under-23 Tournament, 1991, when St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted, this country will be the maiden host for the OECS International Netball Series.

The Series is set for the Arnos Vale Netball Complex 14th to 21st June.

First Vice President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association- Natasha Stapleton disclosed that the Under-23 Tournament has been upgraded to a Senior OECS

Tournament.

“It will be a Ranking Tournament, where the countries in the sub- region, will be vying for valuable points,” Stapleton informed, adding, “As a consequence, we have shelved the planned Tournament in October.”

Stapleton is hoping for maximum participation in the new Series.

“We have sent out invitations to all of the countries of the OECS, and we are hoping for a positive response… So far, St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica have responded in the affirmative,” she disclosed.

A Local Organising Committee, headed by Keith James, is already in place, and it is expected that the Committee will work closely with the National Sports Council towards ensuring that the hardcourts at the Arnos Vale Complex are readied to

Natasha Stapleton- First Vice- President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association.

accommodate the Series, Stapleton said.

As far as this country’s participation is concerned, Stapleton assured that a team is already in training.

The inaugural ECCB/OECS International Netball Series will see the honouring of former SVGNA President — Gloria Ballantyne MBE, who also served the sport regionally as an administrator and as Umpires’ Trainer and Assessor.

The records of the now archived OECS Under-23 Netball Tournament show that St Vincent and the Grenadines has secured the most titles — 14. Grenada and St Lucia have six titles each and St Kitts two.

Vincy athletes ready for Penn Relays 2019 Story and photo by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT JAMES CORDICE, the Philadelphia-based pioneer and coordinator of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the illustrious Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, says athletes from two secondary schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are eager to compete in the games this weekend.

When the three-day meet begins at the Franklin Field Stadium on Thursday, it will be the ninth time that the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) will be participating, while the St. Vincent Grammar School will compete for the third time.

Cordice said TSSS’s boys and girls teams arrived in the US Sunday night, and the St. Vincent Grammar School all-boys team arrived on Friday.

Both schools will compete in the 4x100m and 4x400m events.

TSSS’s girls will compete in both events on Thursday; the boys from TSSS and the Grammar School will vie in the 4x100m on Friday; and the boys from both schools will compete in the 4 x400m on

Saturday, usually the biggest attendance day.

In a related matter, the Ecumenical High of Belize will make their second appearance at the relay event, with both boys and girls’ teams.

That school participated for the first time last year with a boys’ team only, due in no small measure to the instrumentality of Cordice.

In a related matter, the Ecumenical High of Belize will make their second appearance at the relay event, with both boys and girls’ teams.

“It continues to be one of the most wonderful journeys to be a part of,” Cordice told THE VINCENTIAN on Monday about pioneering and coordinating the Vincentian effort. “I’m really appreciative of the overwhelming support of some Vincentians out here and other persons who’ve been really supporting this program.

“As long as St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to produce vibrant athletes who want to use sports as an academic vehicle, my support is indefinite as the Father continues to bless me,” he added.

The Grammar School delegation comprises: Rolson Morgan (head coach), Curtis King (former head teacher and manager), Randy C. Boucher, Luann Weekes (chaperone), Encozie Rodgers, Malik

Ethan Myers (3rd from right foreground) on 2nd leg for Grammar School in 4x400at the 2018 Penn Relays.

Ferdinand, Deron Edwards, Jadyn Delpesche, Handal Roban and Nellie Ambriton.

The TSSS delegation comprises: Godfrey “Fuzzy” Harry (head coach); La Rissa John, Shirnelle Thomas and Louis Seleyn — management/cocaching

assisatnts; male athletes - Jamal Creese, Dawson Samuel, Zimri Stephenson, Myron Matthews and Uroy Ryan; and female athletes - Almarie Providence, Tiwanny John, Kaylie Edwards, Zamesha Myle, Daniella Lewis and Shahalia Lewis.

22. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019. 23.

Classifieds

HAGAR TAMAR JACKSON

EMMANUEL MAYERS

Pentecostal Assembly World Wide Mission Church Charles Village Spring Village Saturday, 20th April, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

New Testament Wilson Hill, Kingstown Saturday, 20th April, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

ELLIE BUSHAY

MAXWELL A. BREWSTER

KENLYN SAUNDRA JONES

Church of Christ, Retreat, Vermont Friday, April 19th, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Kingstown SDA Church Wednesday, 17th April, 2019 Service: 2:00 p.m.

of Brighton Mt. Moriah S.D.A CHURCH Sunday, April 14th, 2019 Service: 2:00 p.m.

MILDRED VERONICA RICHARDS Celebration at Enhams Church of the Nazarene Sunday, April 21st, 2019 viewing 1:00 p.m.

Tributes 1:30 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 26, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.17

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PMs DIFFER ON LIAT’s FUTURE GASTON BROWNE, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has made it clear that he will never let LIAT go under.

Browne’s declaration, as reported by the Antigua Observer of April 24, followed a statement by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, while speaking on a popular Grenada Broadcasting Network current affairs programme in St. George’s last week, that the financially constrained regional airline LIAT was at the brink of collapse.

The imminent closure, according to Dr. Gonsalves, was as a direct result of most of the countries which use the carrier services not responding favourably to the airline’s request for an injection of US$5.4 million to ensure its survival, a request that was first broached at the February 2019 Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads, held in St. Kitts.

It was understood then that the four major shareholder governments would take the lead in contributing to this ‘survival fund’, with Barbados committing US$1.6m, Antigua and Barbuda US$960,310, Dominica US$347,923 and St. Vincent and the Grenadines US$7723,711.

Grenada, the Vincentian leader said, was the only other government that acceded to LIAT’s request, with that country promising some EC$1 million.

Failure to raise the requisite cash by end of March, and a more recent refusal by LIAT employees to accept a 10% pay cut across the board, have put the airline on path to closure, Dr. Gonsalves said.

In that circumstance, he said, it would mean there will be a transitional restructuring leading to closure of LIAT. That period of transition, the Vincentian leader explained, could be marked by, among other actions, the sale of three (3) of LIAT’s ten (10)

And in continuing efforts to explain Antigua and Barbuda’s stance, , Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, Lionel ‘Max’ Hurst, told OBSERVER that he hoped that Gonsalves’ prediction does not actualize and that the Caribbean airline will pull through, saying, “There are about 700 LIAT workers stationed here in Antigua, and we have a great interest in securing the jobs and ensuring that LIAT continues to do the service that it has done since 1956.”

Antigua and Barbuda, where LIAT is officially headquartered, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the four shareholders governments that support LIAT financially.

Prime Ministers Gaston Browne (left) and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves … one spoke Since Dr. Gonsalves’ disclosure with of pending doom, the other gave a hint of hope. respect to the precarious situation that confronts LIAT, the Barbados Today his government quickly moved to say aircraft, those three being effectively online news service reported Barbados owned by the Caribbean Development that “Antigua and Barbuda did abide Prime Minister Mia Mottley as saying, by its promise to provide LIAT with Bank (CDB) which bankrolled their without giving any real detail, that she more than one million dollars.” purchase, with the four principal has started discussions with the “Even if the payments were not shareholders guaranteeing the loan.

European Investment Bank (EIB) on made, they will be made,” Browne said possible funding for the regional It would appear that there was delinquency with respect to repayment of Antigua and Barbuda’s contribution. “transportation sector”. as well as the guarantor stepping up to fulfil their obligation.

The status of the remaining aircraft would have to be negotiated with the leasers, with whom LIAT has entered into agreement.

The sale of the three aircraft would displace up to 33 pilots and a number of inflight personnel and in country staff.

All in all, Dr. Gonsalves proffered, the transitional period could result in the setting up of a new entity.

But, according to Dr. Gonsalves, there remained for serious consideration an option proposed in a CDB study, i.e. that the airline be “given to the private sector completely.”

But Prime Minister Browne is Not for the first time, LIAT seems heading for a taste of the bitter end of the having none of what Dr. Gonsalves tongues of regional travellers. must have taken pains to admit, and

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.