FRIDAY, MAY
28, 2021
VOLUME 115, No.20
Displaced return home Page 3
www.thevincentian.com
Crater lake returns Page 4
EC$1.50
Shower for shelter moms Page 13
CXC examsno dates yet Page 15
National Footballer killed Page 24
NOTHING FORTHCOMING IN JOHNÊS MATTER WHO WAS THE The third persons allegedly involved in an incident involving Cornelius John, is still to be identified.
that she had written on May 4, to Colin John, the COP, and copied THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE the letter to Sejilla McDowall from either the Commissioner of (DPP) and Prime Minister Dr Police (CoP) or the Director of Ralph Gonsalves. Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the It has been just over five matter of a purported investigation weeks and according to Bacchusinto the alleged shooting of Baptiste, there have been no Diamond resident, Cornelius John, arrests, and this and other issues on April 13. were identified in the letter that Attorney Kay Bacchuswas sent to the CoP. Baptiste, legal counsel for John, “To date, I have had absolutely said at a press briefing on May 21 no response from the Prime Stories by DAYLE DASILVA
Minister, the Director of Public Prosecutions, or the Commissioner — not even an acknowledgment,” BacchusBaptiste told the press adding, “Sad to say, it appears as thought they are all knocking one head.” She continued, “St Vincent and the Grenadines is a country of laws; the rule of law is on trial. Administration of justice demands that the assailants be detained, investigated and some charge be brought against them.” There were other legal options the lawyer said, but she contended that it would be unfair for her client to get justice in that manner.
Continued on Page 3.
Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste and her client Cornelius John at last Friday’s press briefing.
THIRD PERSON?
WHO WAS THE THIRD ALLEGED ASSAILANT present during a shooting incident here recently? That is the question thrown out by Attorneyat-law Kay Bacchus-Baptiste to Commissioner of Police (CoP) Colin John. Bacchus-Baptiste, legal counsel to Cornelius John — the man who was shot during the incident that occurred on April 13 - included this in a series of questions which was sent to the CoP via a letter dated May 4. To date, response from the CoP and others to whom the latter was copied, have not been forthcoming however. And according to Bacchus-Baptiste, while speaking at a press briefing on May 21, she was still waiting to find out the identity of that third person. “I have information as to who it might be, but there’s no reason for the Commissioner of Police to be hiding this person,” Bacchus-Baptiste said. She posited, “I ask myself whether he appeared to have decided to withdraw from the common design that they came there with and that he would be a good witness to support my client’s case. Is that why they are hiding who he is?” As far as Bacchus-Baptiste was concerned the issue was a public matter now and that justice demanded that the public know who the third person was in order that that person could be interviewed. John, in recounting the ordeal of April 13, said that three individuals entered his yard, two men and one woman. He said that the unidentified assailant came and stood behind him and showed his disapproval after being shot in the leg. The third person then left the compound, John said.
2. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
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News 3 SVG donate vaccines to T&T
THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF COVID-19 vaccines here, even as the country moved to donate 16,000 does of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Trinidad and Tobago, which was presently under a State of Emergency due to the high numbers of persons who tested positive for the coronavirus. This assurance was given by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves during a radio broadcast, May 23. The Prime Minister disclosed that the country was in the process of purchasing 50,000 doses of the ‘Sputnik’ vaccine from Russia, with a few contractual arrangements still to be sorted out, following which the purchase will be formalized. In addition, the country was expected to receive in a few months, another batch of AstraZeneca under the COVAX arrangement. And Gonsalves said that he had learned that Cuba was in the process of rolling out its vaccine, Sobrera, in each of the provinces
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 3.
Nothing forthcoming in John’s matter Continued from Frontpage. She explained that under the Criminal Code, a private criminal action can be brought against the alleged perpetrator, or the matter can go to a judicial review. However, both procedures were costly and required the authorization of the DPP, she said. “And it is unfair that for something like this he should have to pay a lawyer to get justice,” Bacchus-Baptiste asserted.
No offer made
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves assured that there will be no shortage of the COVID-19 vaccine even after this country’s donation to Trinidad and Tobago. in that country. Gonsalves confirmed that he had expressed an interest in this, once the trial periods had ended. A far the descision to donate the vaccines to Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Gonsalves cited the hesitancy by Vincentians to accept the vaccine and that, as he had indicated earlier, he did not intend to sit by and allow the doses of the vaccine in the country’s possession to expire. “The pace at which people were taking the vaccine — given the vaccine hesitance — it would have
been a sin for us to have a scarce commodity not to be put to use by persons who need it, like Trinidad,” Gonsalves said. To date, 18,860 persons have been vaccinated here with Gonsalves saying that he is baffled by the reasons persons offer for not wanting to take the vaccine. This country received to date, 5,000 doses of AstraZeneca in February from Dominica; 40,000 doses from India, of which 5,000 were donated to Grenada, and 800 doses of Sputnik. (DD)
John, when he spoke on the matter, denied rumors that he had accepted money as a bribe to drop the case, adding that he has never been approached by anyone. “This what they have done to me is evil…. Up to today, I have not heard anything from the police as to whether any arrests have been made or if anybody has been charged,” the man said. “I think it’s time that justice takes place, so I am calling on the citizens — particularly those that were saying that the matter has been settled because he accepted payment — I have not taken any money from any one to settle the matter,” John continued. He said that it was important that the matter be addressed immediately as it could set a negative precedence, whereby some in society were able to break the law and not be prosecuted. “God forbid, I don’t think it will be the end, it will be a continuation if they are allowed to remain free. “So, I am saying to the people, St. Vincent belongs to us, it is not just for a few people,” he said.
Residents in Orange Zone sent home DISPLACED PERSONS up to the Rabacca River on the Eastern side of the island and up to Petit Bordel on the West, began returning to their homes earlier this week. According to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves as he spoke on radio on May 23, residents from the Orange Zone displaced following the series of eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano and who were accommodated in emergency shelters, were expected to begin their return on Tuesday 25th May. He also alluded to a June 01 date for persons from the Red Zone to do likewise. Persons in emergency shelters from Chateaubelair and Fitz Hughes located in the Orange Zone, were not
required to leave emergency shelters at this time, given the amount of ash still in those communities. Gonsalves disclosed that the Perseverance water storage facility, which feeds Georgetown and nearby areas, had been restored and functioning, however, there were a few broken pipes over the Rabacca River. The system providing water to Sandy Bay, Owia and Fancy had been destroyed and according to the Prime Minister, the full extent and cost of the damage to that facility were still unknown. Regarding electricity, Gonsalves said that it was available but that it Sandy Bay included. and it declared ready for had been turned off in Electricity will be re-connection. the worst affected The clean-up of the switched on after each communities - Owia and house has been inspected roads in the Green and
Residents of the Orange Zone – e.g. Georgetown as pictured here – even before the order was given to return, had begun returning to their homes to do preliminary cleaning.
Orange Zone was clean-up has been expected to commence on estimated at EC$38 May 25, Gonsalves said. million. (DD) The total cost for ash
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4. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
Crater Lake present in La Soufrière by GLORIAH… FOR SOME time now, persons here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been speculating about what would feature in the crater of the La Soufrière volcano
once the explosive eruption phase subsided. Questions surfacing on call-in radio programmes included: Would it leave a lake as it did after the 1971 eruption? Will there be another dome
The first photograph of the new Crater Lake that was shared on social media platforms.
as was seen with the culmination of the 1979 activity? Then, before scientists could reveal what they had discovered from satellite images provided by partners working along with the La Soufriere Monitoring Team, a photograph surfaced and gained instant popularity. It showed a lake at the right side of the image and a young man standing to the left of it. The person in the photo bore a sharp resemblance to the Desron ‘Lava Man’ Rodriquez, who had attained cult hero status following his many visits to the summit of the volcano during both its effusive and explosive states of eruption, and capturing those visits on video and sharing them on social media platforms. During the May 21 ‘Eyeing La Soufrière programme aired on NBC Radio, Dr. Adam Stinton, Head of the La Soufrière Monitoring Team, acknowledged that the image as referenced above was a true depiction of what now exists inside the crater of the La Soufriere volcano. He affirmed it by saying, “We believe that to be an accurate reflection of part of the summit crater….. We have seen that lake present in the radar images that we have been provided with by some of our external partners….so that
photograph is a true reflection of the condition, certainly in that part of the crater.” Many people here credit Rodriquez with providing important information that they would otherwise not be made privy to, through the videos and still images captured during his many climbs to the summit, during a phase of explosive eruptions. Most of Rodriquez’s climbs to the summit of the volcano were made even as he was warned by the authorities to desist from ascending the volcano. And as far as the current state of the volcano is concerned, Dr. Stinton opined that there is no indication that the volcano will return to a domebuilding phase any time soon. “There is no indication of that at this present time,” he said. Dr. Stinton also said that La Soufrière was now in a state of lowlevel unrest and that there has been no unusual activity at the volcano. “There’s been no unusual activity,’ he acknowledged, “as the volcano’s continuing in its state of low-level unrest, with the steaming and a handful of seismic events each day.” Notwithstanding the disclosure of Dr. Stinton and the national alert being set at orange, residents and visitors have been cautioned to avoid making visits to the summit.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 5.
Donation
Co-operative League Ltd. donates to NEMO “This is the biggest relief effort that we have ever managed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and I want to express my thanks to every single Vincentians and every individual, the League and all the entities that have joined together and contributed to the relief effort here in our home land,” she added. Noting that it would be some time before those persons from above the Rabacca River and those close to volcano on the Leeward side of the island could return home, Forbes admitted, “We know our journey will be long but as a resilient people we know that we will continue to rise above the ashes.” The SVG Co-operative League Ltd. is constituted by four credit
Michelle Forbes, Director/NEMO (right) and Harold Lewis, President of the Co-operative League, formalize the handing over of the supplies. THE ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES COOPERATIVE LEAGUE LTD. is one of the latest benefactors of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the relief and recovery efforts occasioned by the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. Last Wednesday, May 26, at its headquarters in Lower Kingstown Park, the League handed over a quantity of medical, safety and other general supplies to NEMO. Speaking at the presentation, Harold Lewis, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Co-operative League, said that the donation was made possible as a result of partnering with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Union (CCCU), World Council of Credit Union (WOCCU), the National Leagues of the OECS, and other credit union associations, to raise disaster relief support for the evacuees from the danger zones, among whom are credit union staff, volunteers and members.
He said that since COVID-19 began affecting the country, the credit unions have been facilitating several relief programmes for their members and in terms of the volcano eruption, while the League has focused attention on mobilizing the support of the diaspora, “our member credit unions utilized their various social development funds to initiate rapid responses to provide for families’ immediate needs under the national disaster relief effort immediately following the first eruption.” Lewis added, “With a growth rate in membership of 96 percent, based on the economically active population, credit union members are in virtually every household and among all strata of the population that have been impacted by the devastating effects of the La Soufrière.” And apart from the donation made to NEMO, the League, according to Lewis, has provided water, food supplies,
cleaning and hygiene supplies amounting to an approximate cost of EC$118,000, to a total of 134 households, and is committed to continue to offer assistance to displaced families where necessary. Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO, accepted the donation. She told the ceremony that over 25,000 people were displaced and during the last 6 weeks over 4000 persons were at emergency shelters and more than 19,000 persons living at private homes. “… We have to cater to the needs of those persons who have been displaced (and) it is really heartwarming … that your donation of supplies from the Cooperative League will be used to really address the needs of those persons and assist the agencies who are providing various services to those impacted,” said Forbes. Forbes told the gathering that providing for such a large population was not an easy task.
Some of the items that formed the donation from the Co-operative League. unions with 18 branches spread across ..(the region? The world?). With a combined membership of 80,000,
the member credit unions account for EC$497million in savings and assets of EC$572 million.
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6. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 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
Welcoming Dr. Carla Barnett ANYONE FOLLOWING THE CARICOM ‘LOOP’ would have known by early April that the list of candidates for the position of Secretary-General of the15-member, 48-year-old regional organization, was trimmed to two women, both PhDs and both having worked in the CARICOM Secretariat for many years. In fact, one of the two Ambassador Dr. Manorma Soeknandan of Suriname — would have been hopeful that she would have been promoted to the post from her current position of Deputy Secretary-General. The other, Senator Dr. Carla Barnett of Belize had served in that capacity from 1997 to 2002, becoming the first women to hold that position. She continues in that vein by becoming the first female to be appointed to CARICOM’s highest administrative position. Whether or not Dr. Barnett being an alumna of The UWI had anything to do with her winning the nod of the Heads of Government among who are a number of The UWI alumni, is anyone’s guess. One thing is certain - both women are outstandingly qualified for the position. It could well be that Dr. Barnett’s tenure as a Minister of Government in her native Belize edged her ahead of her colleague, with the Heads apparently given weight to her having firsthand knowledge of and exposure to the machinations of government. So, Dr. Barnett gets ready to succeed Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, a Dominican. If the truth be told, Ambassador LaRocque, who departs the Guyana-based Secretariat in August after a tenure that began in 2011, was not your vibrant, headline-catching regional servant/diplomat like a Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal or an Allister McIntyre. In fact, he was not known to be a ‘favourite’ with the regional press. Nonetheless, Ambassador LaRocque must be sent into retirement with our appreciation of his steadfast, quiet, skillful, unassuming manner in which he went about his duties.
He must be recognized for doing his utmost to guide the region through the COVID-19 pandemic, and to have nullified those threats of fractures in the network, some amounting to real threats of withdrawal from the grouping. And of Dr. Barnett’s appointment, we state categorically that we support her and not simply because she is a woman. There is no question of gender bias here since it would be quite an undertaking to find a reasonable person who would not justify her capacity, qualifications and experience. So, to speak of rushing headlong into the gender ‘business’ and hailing her appointment simply because of her gender, is a debate that we must end before it even begins. However, readers will forgive us if we squeeze one little dig into the overview. Why did it take the male-dominated Heads of Government of CARICOM so long to ‘try a woman’? Did they not recognise that women have made remarkable strides in responding to and opening opportunities for their advance education?? ? Now that the decision in favour of a woman has been made, it is necessary to make the point that Dr. Barnett will need all the help she can get from the regional leadership, and not the usual lip service and fancy phrases, if she is to make a difference, especially in facing up to the daunting task of leading a post-pandemic CARICOM. Ahead of her are tasks, including but far from exhausting are: increasing the focus on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); giving further attention to diversification to include promoting research and development; improving regional transport not least fostering an harmonious approach to regional air travel; ensuring a governance in the region that encourages leaders to be accountable and that the general elections in member states are credible. And not by far the least, operating within a space of having to please 15 Heads.
A few comments of Ralph’s Election-Independence speech (First published in THE VINCENTIAN of October 30, 2015) IT WAS JOMO THOMAS who explained that any speech given by Ralph is expected to be magnificent, though not necessarily right. Jomo was talking of the fine oratory delivered by the P.M to support the promotion of Milton Cato to the sanctuary of National Heroism. I find myself in agreement with Jomo in regard to the P.M’s public speech delivered on 27th October 2015, Independence Day. I threatened to be carried away, or become green with envy, at first shot. Then on sober thoughts, I found that he used words for embellishment, rather than as a presentation of S.V.G of the immediate and foreseeable future. Then I recalled that Ralph prides himself on his charisma in which words become a chief tool and an end in it itself. In this respect, I think that Ralph’s real Caribbean hero was Forbes Burnham of the so called “Cooperative Republican School”, a euphemism for communist dictatorial rule. In this regard, Ralph worked on responsive soil. By and large we are descended from African slaves who worked for nothing from the White Masters, but who they imitated nonetheless by aping their behaviours at tea-meetings characterised by heavy English words, for which Ralph had cultivated a facility which was no doubt gained to exercise a compelling effect on the Negro mind, among others. I honestly do not believe that this effect used by Gairy, Joshua, Bustamante and Butler in the middle-third of the twentieth century stretches with like potency to these modern times of international communications and “the education revolution”. But the real test comes in the next election. Another thing. The U.L.P has so far given us mostly lip-service of progressive measures intended for the mass of the people. For fourteen Independence Birthdays, Ralph mainly offered pie-inthe-sky promises which generally failed to fructify. The Cross-Country Road, the National Cultural Centre, the Diagnostic Hospital, various fishing complexes, the International Airport with receding opening dates, etc. At least, this year, the P.M pledged his greatest twin-gift, which almost brought the house down with a blast of applause: landing at the airport in February 2016 will be the U.S footballers and fans, to
engage our national footballers in a World Cup Encounter, accompanied by hundreds of Americanbased Vincies. But the airport will probably be functional at the time but still not officially opened! That announcement took the cake. It looks as if elections will now take place in late January 2016, AFTER the next Budget, which will naturally make more promises, but BEFORE the football encounter and Vincy-Americans, who might face another disappointment in the further postponement of the Argyle airport for unavoidable, cogent reasons. Venol Coombs, President of the Football Association, had better concentrate on the game of football involving Vincy Heat and not be diverted by his old political boss, Ralph Gonsalves, for whose M.N.U he ran in 1989 elections, with personal disastrous results. As a matter of interest, I still hold to my belief that the elections will be held in the second week of December just before the promised payment of an assortment of Christmas goodies. I simply do not envisage a 2016 elections for several reasons, including the narrowing timeframe and the U.L.P’s deprivation of all element of surprise. Contrary to his earlier election speeches which treated the N.D.P as if it was nonexistent, when the country had taken a giant leap forward in its first threequarters of its four terms, this year there was a modicum of respect for Mitchell, if not his years in Government. But that concession was not graceful, but calculated to mending part of the fence in the emerging situation. There is a saying in Caribbean politics with regard to elections: the people always remember their last meal. Hence the lumber, cement, and galvanise which is now being given out, and news of pension rise and all sort of goodies in an election package. Once more, people are simply treated like voting cattle. Even so, it remains a moot question as to whether these gift are realisable or only show the profligacy of a reckless party facing defeat in an election, which promises to expose the eighty per cent cover-up of the skullduggery of the outgoing U.L.P. According to my books, the N.D.P will record a comfortable victory, at least two to one, which translate ten N.D.P seats to, at least, five U.L.P seats.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 7.
Letters
That payment to the Buccament Resort Workers
I FIND IT annoying to hear first a Government Minister in Barbados and then the Minister of Finance in SVG, saying that they are making an ex-gratia payment to the victimized workers of LIAT and Buccament Bay Resort respectively. Another way of saying this is we have no obligation to pay you anything, but we are going to make this payment out of the kindness of our hearts. Governments cannot do anything out of kindness; they’re obligated to follow the laws of the land. As the
elected leaders of our countries, I say it’s your obligation to take care of our workers/people. Imagine this, I just lost my house, my wife, and my dog; yet you insist on telling me what a wonderful day it is and I should be smiling. Sometimes a little sensitivity to the people being stomped on is the most prudent action. In the case of the Buccament Bay Resort, our government was involved in the sale of the Resort. From all
accounts, they did not include the payment of outstanding wages to our workers in the negotiated sale price. By the way, did the government get any of the outstanding taxes owed to them from the amount paid by Sandals Resort’s to the bankruptcy trustee? Or was this another debt forgiven by the government in an effort to close a deal? Over the last four years the government has gone out of its way to convince us that they were also a
victim of this great fraud and, regardless of the outcome, they had no legal obligation to the workers of the Resort. Mr. Minister, sometimes not repeating your cultivated truth is a good thing; some of us are still hoping that a “Labour” Government will one day stand up and do the right thing for workers, even if you have no “legal obligation” to do so. Horatio
In response ‘Ah want to be a puppy’ to LeRoy Providence DEAR MR. EDITOR,
PLEASE permit space in your newspaper to respond to an article published in THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of 7/5/2021 under the caption ‘The ash-fall of mismanagement stifling SVG’ by Leroy Providence in which he continued in his attempt to malign Renwick Rose as one of the persons who ‘had played a significant role in the traitorous crippling of the St Vincent Banana Growers Association’. This article is malicious in its content and bears no truth with regards to Mr. Rose involvement in such matters. This is not the first of such articles published in this newspaper. I find it very irresponsible on the part of both the writer of the article and THE VINCENTIAN newspaper to publicly besmirch the character of the person without any sense of relevance to the truth. To the best of my knowledge Mr. Rose was never involved in the affairs of the St Vincent Banana Growers Association in any way, never had membership in it or held any position of responsibility therein. WINFA’s former Coordinator had worked tirelessly to ensure the sustainable livelihoods for the farmers of the Windward Islands through the Fairtrade Initiative and created the enabling environment for them to become the main driving force within the banana export industry to Europe. The factors which resulted in the loss of the export trade between SVG farmers and UK buyers had nothing to do with him. He later participated in the negotiations for the Banana Adjustment Measures (BAM) with the EU so that the farmers of the subregion can benefit from the fallout of the banana export trade. Therefore, why then would he have sought to destroy their means of livelihoods? It is so absurd. Over the years, as far as I know, Mr. Rose enjoyed a good working relationship with THE VINCENTIAN newspaper and I am really disappointed at the continuous maligning of his name by the writer and the publication of such unsubstantiated allegations by THE VINCENTIAN. Ancelma Morgan-Rose Cc: Ms Desiree Richards
MR. EDITOR and you my readers will forgive me for this bit of humour. I couldn’t help but recall a certain song by Dave Martins and the Tradewinds which was all about why the singer wanted to ‘come back as ah puppy’, rather than all the others great things they could have chosen. According to the Tradewinds a ‘puppy’ will always be cuddled by the wife. However, the thing that jolted my memory to that song was when I heard that a large number (think the number was 30) of dog/puppies, which apparently got stranded in the Red Zone, were heading for Miami where they were expected to receive all the appropriate care and then put up for adoption by American families. And,
we don’t need to be told how Americans love puppies!! Now you see the advantage ‘puppies’ have? After years of me trying to get a visa to spend a little holiday in the USA, up come these dogs/puppies and in a flash, they get ‘visa’, air tickets’ and heading for adoption in the USA. Better I was a puppy. My chances of getting a visa would have been better, it seems. So as of tomorrow, I changing my lifestyle; I turning ‘puppy’. The Tradewinds knew what they were talking about. It surely serves well to be “ah puppy”.
where those charged with roguish anti-social conduct are applauded in our Parliament? Citizens who have remained silent when there have been issues in the society which they had the capacity to correct, will be held accountable when the flood overwhelm us. We owe citizen ‘Cornelius John’ an apology!
I NOTE THAT there have been a few letters published (albeit in another newspaper) from Ms. Wendy William, who signs herself as “Watchwoman appointed unto the house of Israel”. My question is how do we, the general public, know the authenticity of her claim to be appointed to this position by God? There have been no signs to confirm this, such as letters of fire written large across the sky or any other phenomenon to clarify or confirm her statement. If one is so minded it could be argued that the ongoing volcanic disturbance is not one of natural geophysics, but is in fact a sign of the wrath of the Almighty showing his disagreement to her claim. Following her example, I could now declare myself as the Grand Panjandrum of the whole OECS region. Although if I did I would most likely be confined to the mental health institute at Glen! In closing, I note that within her “messages” Ms. Williams includes a number of Biblical quotations, however she has not included the one that I feel is most important regarding her claim viz: “beware of prophets bearing false witness”.
LeRoy Providence
A.W. Indupp
Charles, Edinboro
Those who were silent are now blameable DR. GODWIN FRIDAY’S EXPRESSION of vehement disapproval of the government’s accommodating in Parliament, the Senator implicated in the incident which was made public recently, was more than reasonable and appropriate, considering the degree of the desecration of our Parliament which the ULP led by Dr. Gonsalves seemed disposed to perpetrating. I strongly disagree with those who say, that the opposition should have remained in the House to debate the Bill which was vital to the provision of resources, to cope with the disastrous circumstance with which we were faced.
That position is laced with blinded indifference and immaturity which would permit the squandering of the noble ideal of protecting the nation’s Parliament, from the polluting presence of persons who are potentially disposed to be labelled as criminals, on the basis of their recent conduct. When a nation squanders its integrity, to the point of applauding its leadership who has desecrated the sanctity of the People’s official dwelling, by sneaking downstairs in the dead of night, to carouse with an “underling”, should we be surprised that the resulting blight will spread to the point,
Fact or Fantasy?
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8. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Empowering youths, promoting excellence Is there equity in our justice system?
Introduction A FEATURE of this country’s population that is becoming increasingly evident, is the level of excellence attained by our young people, who have and continue to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them by this Unity Labour Party administration. There is no shortage of examples of young people from varying backgrounds overcoming major challenges of poverty, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, abuse or other equally difficult situations and excelling. Two points should be made clear from the onset: 1) while much emphasis is usually placed on academic excellence, at the unfortunate expense of excellence in other areas of sports, music, technical vocational areas and entrepreneurship, these areas are full of such examples; 2) there is no attempt at attaching any degree of significance to one area of struggle over another. What is being examined, is the level of access to opportunities provided for our young people to succeed, and the support offered to ensure the youth derive maximum benefits from those opportunities. Within recent months, the very regrettable and unfortunate occurrences of violence, perpetrated against our youth resulting in alleged homicides, highlight an area of concern that requires specific attention. It is still unknown, (since these alleged crimes are under investigation), whether the perpetrators are themselves youths, adding a further disturbing dimension to this situation regardless of whether this is affirmed or not, we can admit that the youth and in particular young men are adversely affected. It is against this backdrop that we should examine the benefits already experienced by thousands of young people of this country with a view of expanding these benefits to others seemingly more difficult to reach. It would require additional resources on the part of the government to expand certain programmes and initiatives, but it would also, of necessity require greater partnership with all players in society, especially the family, the church and the private sector. The current programmes of the government are bearing fruits, positioning our young to be the next generation of leaders in every sphere, despite the many challenges, we continue to see the excellence of our youth.
tangible examples of youth excellence, especially to other youths because of their appeal to young people. Young people who participate in entertainment and sports continue to raise the bar, adding their element of diversity and freshness to their chosen areas. The new and youthful local entertainers are making names for themselves and doing their part to expand the local music repertoire beyond what was traditional. These artistes have added their flavour to soca music, ragga soca and have even ventured into reggae/dancehall and the more North American style Hip Hop. Young Vincentian vocalists have broken barriers and are now regular performers regionally and internationally. This is not unique to vocalists, but also musicians, renowned and requested soloists in their field delivering high quality performances, and productions to patrons. The number of young people, including teenagers participating in panorama, youthful creators of carnival costumes, the expansion of drama in schools and school bands, all bare testimony to the increased role played by the youth in music and the arts. Finally, more and more Vincentians continue to pursue university education through sports scholarships. Both male and female athletes compete on behalf of their overseas colleges and perform well, making their mark and blazing the trail for others to follow. Youth and Entrepreneurship
Despite the inherent challenges to starting business, the young people of this country have not shied away from testing their entrepreneurial skills and many have achieved much success. The recent national exhibitions organised by Invest SVG offered much insight into the level of participation by this country’s young people in starting and managing their own business. A significant number of the small businesses on display were owned by young people ranging from agriculture and agro-processing, arts and craft, technology and web based businesses. Young people are making clothing, accessories, wines, snacks, cosmetics and toiletries, and they are building Youth and Education websites, developing apps and starting money transfer services. Some of these There will be little disagreement businesses were beneficiaries of the that the education revolution continues CARCIP programme, and the to be a shining example of youth government’s PRYME programme has empowerment and youth excellence made available significant funding as throughout this region. The policy of grants, for many of these and other this government to ensure that businesses to expand. The young education is not a privilege, but in fact people have taken full advantage of a right that all should access, is this grant programme and hundreds transforming our Vincentian society in more businesses have started as a remarkable ways. The young people of result, within the last year. This youth this country are excelling academically involvement in entrepreneurship is at all levels, with consistently very positive and will contribute to the improved results at primary, sustainability of the small enterprise secondary, post secondary and tertiary sector in this country. levels of education and training. The awards of excellence, obtained by Conclusion our students at universities across the globe are innumerable with first class The success of our young people honours degrees becoming the norm. must be acknowledged even as we They then go on to occupy senior recognise that a small minority of positions in various professional and young people continue to engage in technical fields and make their mark. undesirable behaviour. The idea can never be, to ignore these youths, but One just needs to examine both the instead to work with them as with all public and private sectors to find well youths encouraging them to make use trained, hardworking professional of the opportunities for selfyoung people who are positively development and empowerment. The contributing to the continued positive examples are numerous, the development of this country. policies; education revolution, pan against crime, sports against crime are Youth, Culture, the Arts and Sports at work; youth continue to benefit and excel, but we must continue to ensure The impact of the youth in these areas is undeniable and provides very that we reach more and more youth as we continue to build for the future.
THE EASE with which lives are destroyed by guns and knives highlights the need for a new approach to combating crime and violence. The Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime has failed to develop and implement strategies to effectively combat crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is deeply concerned with the rapid increase in the number of homicides recorded so far for the year. Our streets are not always safe to walk; murders, robberies and domestic violence are increasing. For instance, for the first five months of this year, St. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded sixteen (16) homicides. In 2020, thirty three (33) homicides were reported and in 2016 forty (40) homicides were recorded. Further, between 2012 and 2018 over 2700 women applied to the Family Court for protection orders. That is about four hundred and fifty per year (450). Bear in mind that we have only one women’s emergency shelter and many who need shelter cannot access it. Those most vulnerable to rape and other sexual offences are girls under the age of thirteen (13) years. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been ranked by the United Nations as one of the worst countries in the world for rape and sexual offences against women and children. The most obvious effect of crime and violence is of course social: the pain and suffering caused to victims and loved ones; the health care cost in treating victims; the loss of family income as affected persons are unable to work. These effects are all too familiar to us. It is an awareness of them that leads us to action that we hope will create greater urgency in addressing the problem. The detrimental effects of crime and violence in a country are welldocumented. A high crime rate, especially violent crime, scares away investors and hampers economic development. It drives citizens away from our shores to seek safer harbour in other countries. These persons tend to be well-educated and so, more mobile. This has a negative impact on national development. Unemployment and poverty are well known to be contributing factors to high crime rates. The ULP government must do more to create opportunities for our young people to find decent paying jobs, so as to enable them to lift themselves out of poverty and be given a chance at financial stability and economic independence. We must also ensure that our youth are provided with alternative paths to foster positive behavior — e.g. youth clubs, afterschool programmes and sporting activities. This requires providing adequate facilities. The NDP has spoken of this approach over the years in urging the implementation of a spiritual and social Redemption Charter. There is also a need for the establishment of an effective probation service that will monitor and counsel ex-convicts to aid in their rehabilitation and reduce the risk of further crimes. Community policing must be implemented, as this promotes trust between the police and the people and aids in the detection and prevention of crime. Indeed, the problem of crime and violence in our country requires a holistic approach and response with
all stakeholders ready and willing to play their part. A safe St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be a more prosperous St. Vincent and the Grenadines and help provide a better standard of living for all.
Criminal Justice System An effective and well-resourced criminal justice system enhances the chances of securing convictions against those who commit criminal offences. This system involves the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, lawyers, the courts, magistrates, judges and the penal system. It is of paramount importance that those persons and institutions mentioned are appropriately equipped to deal with reported crimes, in order to ensure that the guilty are convicted and the innocent are set free. But most importantly they ensure the maintenance of law and order and the preservation of the rights and freedoms of Vincentians. The NDP takes the maintenance of those rights and freedoms very seriously and will introduce measures that will strengthen the criminal justice system. We believe that critical to reducing crime and violence in our country is the presence of equity in our justice system. Persons must have confidence in the Criminal Justice system so that they refrain from taking matters into their own hands. Our police and security officers must also be properly equipped to handle and to respond swiftly to reported instances of crime before they escalate.
Where is Justice? ‘We continue our call for Senator and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ms. Ashelle Morgan, to step-down or be suspended from that position, pending the outcome of investigation into an allegation that was made against her. It has been six weeks since the alleged brutal attack by Senator and Deputy Speaker Ms. Ashelle Morgan, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Karim Nelson, and another male person, upon Mr. Cornelius John, a senior citizen, on the night of 13th April, 2021 while he was in the sanctity of his home. We repeat our call on Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John and Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Sejilla McDowall to conduct an impartial, transparent investigation and to bring charges against the alleged perpetrators of this attack based on the evidence. If, as it is alleged, Mr. Cornelius John committed any offence; he too should be investigated and charged as warranted. This serious matter must not be made a political issue. The alleged assailants must be brought to justice. It cannot be the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, especially the police, that six weeks after the shooting no one has been detained and no one has been charged. The reported comments by Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John, in the Searchlight newspaper about cross complaints being made implies, that charges are forthcoming. Is there a credible reason for delay?’
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 9.
Views
We cannot look the other way (Part 2)
Israel’s crimes against humanity
“The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King Jr. (19291968) – American civil rights leader and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964
‘There will be no viable, sovereign Palestinian state to which refugees can go. What remains of the case against Palestinian refugee return is a series of historical and legal arguments, peddled by Israeli and American Jewish leaders, about why Palestinians deserved their expulsion and have no right to remedy it now. These arguments are not only unconvincing but deeply ironic since they ask Palestinians to repudiate the very principles of intergenerational memory and historical restitution that Jews hold sacred. If Palestinians have no right to return to their homeland, neither do we.’ Peter Beinart.
WHENEVER AND WHEREVER PEOPLE congregate we will be able to observe attitudes and behaviours that may be accurately described as “the good, the bad, and the ugly”. This is as true in developed countries as it is in emerging economies like our own. The accuracy of this statement is evident among all races and religions. Historians confirm this to be true in ancient societies. Researchers and sociologists will confirm that these attitudes and behaviours are evident today. It is most unfortunate that so much of the “good” that is evident in society appear to go unrecognized. Sometimes this is due to the fact that many of today’s philanthropists prefer to go un-noticed. They are more comfortable when the “left hand does not know what the right hand is doing”. After all, they make selfless contributions from the goodness of their hearts. They blow no trumpets. They pose for no photographs. They take no selfies to capture the moment. They do not publish their giving to the unfortunate in society in newspapers or magazines. However, we are forever grateful to them for their demonstration of love for mankind through their giving. This writer is not advocating that philanthropic contributions should not receive public recognition. There is nothing wrong with being recognized for giving. For example, companies have an obligation to their various stakeholders (especially their shareholders) to receive public recognition as they “give back to society”. An article appearing in the July 2014 publication of the McKinsey & Company drew the readers’ attention to the fact that “Business is being asked to do more than ever to solve social and environmental problems. As a result, a growing number of leading companies are taking the challenge of sustainability seriously, not only to reduce their environmental footprint and bolster reputations but also to improve operations and financial performance.” Many international, regional, and local businesses can be identified as fulfilling this mandate. This has recently been evident as businesses contributed significant sums of money, materials, and manpower to aid the individuals and communities that have been devastated by the April 2021 eruptions of the La Soufriere volcano on St. Vincent. A lot of good has been demonstrated. While we recognize that individuals, companies, organisations, churches, and governments have done (and continue to do) a lot of good for their various constituents, we cannot look away from the bad that often appears to be “swept under the carpet”. Some citizens prefer not to know or to be reminded of the evil that is perpetrated by members of the community - especially those who appear to hold “privileged positions” in society. Public knowledge of rape, sex trafficking, illegal use of drugs, driving without valid licenses, possession of unlicensed or illegal firearms, etc. appear to be hushed depending on the political or social
status of the perpetrator. Too many citizens appear mummed seeming not to want to rock the boat or run the risk of losing favour or special privileges. In some instances we hear whispers of fear of retaliation from those in power. In the process, society is allowed to slide down the slippery slope toward anarchy where some members of society can engage in lawlessness with no fear of any legal repercussion. When this happens society seems to settle for “two variations of the law” — one for the privileged few and another for the masses. This cannot be right. We cannot look the other way. We create an ugly society when we allow for disparities in the justice system. Justice’s net must be seen to be all-embracing. It must not be perceived to have jaundiced eyes that pursue and reprimand one segment of society and allow “the more privileged” among us to go free for similar offences. Justice is synonymous with fairness. And whenever it appears to be unfair citizens have a right and responsibility to clamour for impartiality. We cannot look the other way. The word justice originates from the Latin word “jus”. It means right or law. It demands fairness. It embraces and reflects equity for all. Theologians, philosophers, and sociologists define justice as “the proper ordering of people and things”. Throughout history we can observe cultures, religions, and societies that have enshrined justice in their codes of law. Many professions now require their constituents to embrace these ideals in their codes of conduct. In particular, the officers designated to uphold the law (e.g. police, judges, attorneys, and officers of the court) must be especially careful to demonstrate actions and engage in conversations that reflect their respect for and adherence to the laws governing society. After all, they have sworn to do so when they were commissioned to perform these tasks. Enshrined in their various oaths is the promise to serve faithfully and to be fair. This tenet must remain true even as they are firm in executing their duties. These must not be mere utterances. Should they ever appear to veer from their oath, society has a right and a privilege to remind these upholders of the law of their commitment and responsibility. Society also expects the officers of justice to act swiftly as they uphold the law and/or seek to execute their duties. The pursuit of justice must not be seen to linger. As Walter Savage Landor (1775-1864), the English writer, poet, and activist, reminds us, “Delay of justice is injustice.” We, the wider society, therefore have a responsibility and a privilege to remind those commissioned to uphold the law of this mandate. They, like we, cannot look the other way. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
‘The idea that the land of Palestine is the land of Israel - when you hear it think about someone coming to you in the dead of night and tells you I used to live in your house 2000 years ago and because of that the house belongs to me and the next day they come with the police who says ‘they have a right, you have to give them half of their house.’ Ilan Pappé, Israeli historian.
Arabs from the area of the Jewish state to be, there could be no viable Jewish state.’ And that’s the way it has been ever since; one murderous land grab after another. Almost daily, the Israeli government sends armed soldiers with bulldozers to destroy Palestinian homes and villages to further Israeli settlements. Following the 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. Today, observers describe Gaza as the largest open-air prison in the world. Israel’s blockade of the territory is supported by the US and the criminal Al Sisi regime in Egypt and other reactionary Arab states. This is the context in which to view the righteous indignation and the tremendous sacrifice and resistance of the Palestinian people. Therefore, it is genuinely perverse to listen to the assertion of the Israeli government and President Biden about Israel’s ‘right to self-defence.’ No one spares a thought for the Palestinians who are denied a right of ‘Self.’ To describe what is happening in Gaza as a ‘war’ requires the suspension of belief in the concept of proportionality. The defenceless attacks on civilian homes and buildings are an escalation of Israel’s regular house clearing, using drones, cruise missiles and sophisticated fighter jets instead of bulldozers. Western politicians and the media work overtime to convince an uninformed population that what we see in the Middle East is a war. They do this because, in their minds, some lives are worth more than others. In some countries, it’s black lives, while in others, it is the lives of the poor. In Gaza, the solitary rational conclusion is that Palestinian lives are worth nothing at all to them. Fortunately, the narrative is changing. Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said, ‘While much of the world treats Israel’s half-century occupation as a temporary situation that a decades-long peace process will soon cure, the oppression of Palestinians there has reached a threshold and a permanence that meets the definition of crimes of apartheid and persecution.’ This is a significant shift. In 2001, Human Rights Watch said, ‘it was wrong to equate Zionism with racism.’ Some analysts remain convinced that the latest attacks on Gaza prove the need for a ‘two-state solution.’ However, a two-state solution depends on both states’ ability to elect the government they want, secure their citizens, protect their property, homes, businesses and lives. Israel will never tolerate such conditions in a Palestinian state, even in the mangled condition it has currently been reduced to. Coexistence, when one country gets to set the political terms for the other, is impossible. These neo-colonial dictates will always be resisted and should be. Thus the only real solution is one state, composed of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, where all citizens are entitled to the same fundamental rights regardless of age, religion, or ethnic identity. The only real solution to an apartheid state is the demolition of the grotesque Israeli apartheid regime.
EVERY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, the Israeli government, with the help and support of some of the most powerful countries globally, engages in brutal and wanton acts of destruction against Palestinian people. If any other government committed these acts, they would be roundly condemned as crimes against humanity. Rather than blocking UN Security Council resolutions, the United States of America, Israel’s biggest supporter, will be mobilising an international humanitarian force to rescue the beleaguered Palestinian people. It is an absolute shame and disgrace to look on almost helpless as Israel launches some of the most sophisticated weapons against the defenceless people of Palestine. Israel’s acts of impunity are supported mainly by the taxpayers of the United States. Each year America provides Israel with aid to the tune of $10 million per day. To understand the Palestine/Israeli conflict, we have to abuse ourselves of the notion that European Jews have a right to a homeland in the area that is historical Palestine. Also, we have to understand the Zionist argument that presents Israel, fulfils the dream of a ‘people without land for a land without people.’ The recorded history is clear. Palestinians always lived in Palestine and always made up the majority of people who lived there. When Israel was created in 1948, murderous Israeli nationalist militias chased more than 700,000 Palestinians from their homes. Since then, tens of thousands more have been brutalised, murdered and or made into refugees while foreigners whose only claim to the lands and houses they steal is that they are Jewish. When the state of Israel was created in 1948, the big powers - England, Soviet Union and the USA - through the newly formed United Nations, improperly allotted 55 percent of historical Palestine to Israel. The injustice of the partition is reflected in the fact that at that time, less than onethird of the population of Palestine was Jewish. Despite the unfair deal, most Zionist leaders considered this division unacceptable. David Ben-Gurion, who became Israel’s first prime minister an entire decade before Israel declared independence, said he ‘wanted as few Arabs as possible in the Jewish State...I support a compulsory transfer. Without Send comments, criticisms & some sort of massive displacement of suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
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10. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Courts (St. Vincent) pay tax not the super-rich, and Taiwan
ACCORDING TO THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of 21st May 2021, Courts (St. Vincent) was ordered to pay just over EC$13million - and other attendant fees by The High Court, after a legal battle that had dragged on for the better part of seven years. The High Court ordered Courts SVG Limited to pay the monies as it allegedly owed to the SVG Inland Revenue Department for tax liabilities. The Leader of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, who has a BSc (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance and Economics from Oxford Brookes University, England, asks: Why the same legal action and approach to tax collection is not taken against Taiwan and the super-rich in Mustique and Canouan? If the ULP regime is keen to clamp
up? There is no net benefit from Taiwan’s presence in SVG and as a people and nation, we would be much down on the non-payment of tax by There is no net benefit from the better off if they had never breached foreigners and foreign-owned entities, white businesses in Mustique and our shores. We could have used our why is action not being brought Canouan and these individuals must licence to fish for tuna in the Atlantic against Taiwan and the super-rich in pay tax and customs duty to the SVG Mustique and Canouan? Why is there Treasury. We do not need these types Ocean ourselves and put the lost EC$57 billion toward improving a different and discriminatory of narrow-minded, super-rich in our Vincentians’ lives. approach to tax collection when it graceful country. The Taiwanese came to SVG about comes to the super-rich, in Mustique It is estimated that Taiwan owes 35 years ago to supposedly help our and Canouan and Taiwan? SVG over EC$57 billion in Fish Tax For decades, there have been tax avoidance. Taiwan should urgently be country, but we are worse off now than then. and customs duty exemptions given to taken to The Hon High Court for If the ULP regime sees fit to the super-rich, in Mustique and Taiwan to pay this big heap of money Canouan and Taiwan. The hundreds of that is owed to the SVG Treasury and instigate legal proceedings to make Courts (St. Vincent) pay tax to the millions of dollars of tax and customs the population of SVG. SVG Treasury, then they should be duties exemptions given in this regard, It is very shameful and doing the same to the super-rich in is a breach of Section 13 of The Saint disrespectful that Taiwan has been Vincent and The Grenadines allowed to get away with such a large Mustique and Canouan and Taiwan. Constitution. This Section 13 says, ‘no sum of money - EC$57 billion - as fish All foreigners and foreign-owned entities should be paying tax to the Law shall make any provision that is tax avoidance. Should we discontinue discriminatory either of itself or in its relations with Taiwan if they don’t pay SVG Treasury. There should be no discrimination. effect’.
Black Liberation Day
THE SPIRIT OF THE ANCESTORS is moving in the hearts of the elders. I was at my residence on Sunday when a Pan Africanist friend called me from New York to discuss the current situation of the colonized Africans in this country. He was an active member of many groups that stood for the freedom and liberation of the black people here in SVG and globally. Tuesday morning, another elder called me to discuss the same topic and about
the vibrant Black Power Movement that once existed here. It dawned on me… it could not be coincidence; it has got to be the ancestors stirring the emotion of the elderly brethren.
The Pan African Enthusiast in NY The friend from New York spoke strongly about when things started falling apart. This began when the Portuguese entered the movement.
Groups such as Arwee, Organization for Black Cultural Awareness and the Black Liberation Action Community were infiltrated, desecrated, and crushed by the stranger man of Portuguese descendant. When the stranger man penetrated the Black Liberation Movement, he deceived those black intellectuals (brothers, and sisters) with Russian fascism. However, the conscious people of African origin know that the hierarchy of the Kremlin and the Pentagon are devils! The leaders of communism and capitalism are fiends. No one cannot convince me that Karl Marx cared about the suffering people of Africa; it is like telling me a hyena is sympathetic to a lion cub. The devils do not want to see the unity of black people. They would rather divide and control us. In so doing, they fly in the face of Garvey’s century-old appeal to coloured people to unite. This is pivotal for their survival. I am no bigot, but can’t you see the Syrians and Chinese are working collectively for the benefit of themselves in this country?
Stranger man Stranger man presented his Marxist Ideology toppling the ideas of the philosophers of Pan Africanism. He was and is quick and witty, and knows how to bob and weave. Stranger man knows how to tap into the psyche of black people. He ‘grooves’ with the Spiritual Baptists so as to give the impression, “I’m with you”. And he has even captured the hearts of the ‘Dreads’ — the Rastas who were once skeptical of the white man. Alas, the progeny of the old pirate won the hearts of the passionate black enthusiastic men and women that stood as the vanguards of the black liberation movement. Alas, alas, many of the black freedom fighters who stood as vanguards turned mercenaries.
The Elder
The elder also confirmed that when the Caucasian mastermind penetrated those black, liberation movements, the strong militant voices began avoiding the people’s platform at the old Market Square, Kingstown. He recalled that days when men like Renwick Rose, Caspar London, Oscar Allen, Conley Rose, and Jim Maloney with other passionate brothers and sisters were seen at the old Market Square, bringing an awareness to the people; teaching the people about selfreliance and solidarity and to be black and proud. He characterized those days as “some good days”, seeing brothers and sisters walking proudly in their dashiki. Now, some of them have traded the dashiki for the European jacket and tie.
A student As a student of the most honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, I see it fit to continue on the path of the work this inspiring legend did. It is time to reignite the fire; we have lost too many of our youths through gun violence. The so-called Education Revolution isn’t teaching them anything about their African history. We must mandate what The University of the West Indies must teach but set up our own institutions to ensure it happens. Our institutions can prepare our students to be visionaries. We have been sleeping for too long; this is a time for awakening. We have lots of work to do.
The spirits The ancestral spirits are restless and tired. They are witnessing the carnage and disunity among our people in this land on whose behalf they fought many battles with the slave drivers to gain respect, dignity and liberty. The progenies of the enslavers don’t have the answer. We will have to find the answer by charting our own course. Carden A. Michael
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 11.
Arts
‘Whizzy’ responds to the eruption with: “We are one family” When the La Soufrière volcano started erupting explosively, the response to our SOS from local, regional and international communities was nothing short of overwhelming.
From where I sat in England, thousands of miles away, I received regular updates via social media. The more I watched and listened the more I became anxious, and frustration set in as I was confronted, in live and living colour, by the disruption being wrought on the lives of the citizens of my homeland. As the days followed and I moved to rally support for the displaced people back home, I was heartened by the positive response from people from all walks of life. Their generosity and warmth brought much joy in the midst of this epic natural disaster. My wife, Julie, and I had decided to facilitate the comfort Ken ‘Whizzy’ Wiseman has been one of this country’s perennial performing and recording artiste.
of evacuees housed at the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, but I knew I had to go further; I had to put pen to paper to tell this story — as heart-breaking as it was - in poetry set to music. I felt I had to document the experience in audio and video. The result of those creative juices working and motivation by the resilience of my people is the release of the track, ‘’We Are One Family”, an uncomplicated This is what you have to look for when you go looking for the “We combination of words and are one family”. melody that we hope will rest easily on the listener’s heart and soul. The track will soon be officially Job Vacancy released on local, Post of Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications regional and international radio The role will be responsible for: and television, and We are committed to being the best &RQWULEXWLQJ WR WKH FRUSRUDWH VWUDWHJLF SODQV IRU WKH %DQN on social media financial 'HYHORSPHQW DQG H[HFXWLRQ RI WKH PDUNHWLQJ DQG FRUSRUDWH platforms. institution in Let us live the communications strategies St. Vincent and slogan, ‘We Are 0DQDJLQJ DOO LQWHUQDO DQG H[WHUQDO FRPPXQLFDWLRQ RQ EHKDOI the Grenadines so that we can One Family’. RI WKH %DQN positively impact /HDGLQJ DQG GHYHORSLQJ HPSOR\HHV ZLWKLQ WKH GHSDUWPHQW DQG all citizens. If Kendal ‘Whizzy’ wider organisation you feel the same, Wiseman 0RQLWRULQJ DQG DVVHVVLQJ WKH HQYLURQPHQW WR HQVXUH DOLJQPHQW then we want you join us!!! RI WKH %DQN V SURJUDPV ZLWK LWV FXVWRPHUV 'HYHORSLQJ DQG DGPLQLVWHULQJ DOO PDUNHWLQJ FDPSDLJQV DQG activities Suitable candidates must have: $ %DFKHORU V 'HJUHH RU WKH HTXLYDOHQW OHYHO RI WUDLQLQJ $W OHDVW VHYHQ \HDUV ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH ILHOG RI PDUNHWLQJ sales, or public relations $W OHDVW WKUHH \HDUV 0DQDJLQJ HPSOR\HHV DQG OHDGLQJ D PDUNHWLQJ IXQFWLRQ ([SHULHQFH LQ EDQNLQJ DQG GLJLWDO PDUNHWLQJ ZLOO EH DQ DVVHW The ideal candidate will: %H DQ HIIHFWLYH OHDGHU RI SHRSOH +DYH D WUDFN UHFRUG RI GHOLYHULQJ UHVXOWV %H DQDO\WLFDO GHFLVLYH DQG LQQRYDWLYH LQ VROYLQJ SUREOHPV :DQW WR FRQWLQXRXVO\ LPSURYH KLV RU KHUVHOI
Reigate Granby Street P.O. Box 880 Kingstown VC 100 St. Vincent and the Grenadines West Indies (t) +1 (784)457-1844 (f) +1 (758)456-2612 (e) info@bosvg.com www .bosvg.com
Deadline for submission of Application: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 $SSOLFDQWV PXVW VXEPLW D FRYHU OHWWHU DQG UHVXPH E\ PDLO RU KDQG addressed to: 6HQLRU 0DQDJHU +XPDQ 5HVRXUFHV %DQN RI 6W 9LQFHQW DQG WKH *UHQDGLQHV 5HLJDWH %XLOGLQJ Grandby Street, Kingstown $SSOLFDWLRQV FDQ DOVR EH HPDLOHG WR vacancy@bosvg.com 7XHVGD\ 0D\
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12. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Literary Arts
Mother, daughter to speak at Literary Conference VINCENTIAN AUTHORS SAMANTHA V. WILLIAMS AND KAYLA WILLIAMS share a special bond as mother and daughter and that bond will be made highlighted when the two share the virtual platform as panelists at the Caribbean Literary Conference (CARICON) 2021. CARICON 2021 will be held from June 4th to June 6th and will feature music and cultural programming from across the Caribbean region and the diaspora. It will also bring together some of the most successful elements of Caribbean Literature and cultural heritage, in an event that sets the stage for the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month celebrations in Southern California. This is not the first time Samantha is representing the country; she was the first and only Vincentian author to participate in the first virtual edition of the Caribbean Literary Festival in 2020. CARICON will be another historical
Mother – Samantha Williams (right) and daughter – Kayla Williams combine to be the first ever Vincentian mother and daughter team to represent SVG at CARICON.
achievement for Samantha but this accentuated by having her daughter Kayla alongside her, making them the first mother-daughter team of Vincentian authors, to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this event. Kayla is the youngest participating author and panelist at this year’s event. Readings of Samantha’s latest children’s book “Nah Me” and Kayla’s book of poetry “The Lost Files: 17 @ 17” will both be featured. Within the last year and a half Samantha has written and self published six successful titles: “Women! We All Can Rise: We All Can Shine”; “I Am Me; I Am Me, Too!”; “A to Z Positive Affirmations for Boys and Girls”; “You Can If You Try!”; and the most recent “Nah Me. These titles have been well received locally, regionally and internationally and have all received 5-star reviews on
Amazon where they are available. Samantha’s goal to empower and inspire others through her writing. As an author, publisher, entrepreneur, mentor and the CoFounder and Director of two local charity organizations one could deduce that Samantha is very accomplished. However, it is her welcoming smile and her thoughtful, considerate assistance that most mark interaction with her. She is an aspiring life coach who lives by the words of Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi: “be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is life philosophy has taken root in both of her children who are also credited as contributing authors on two of her publications. Kayla, a final year student at the SVGCC is an independent, kind and determined youth who is looking
forward to embarking on the journey to higher education at The UWI where she will read for a bachelor’s degree in Biology with specializations in Marine Biology. Both Samantha and Kayla are looking forward to participating at CARICON and representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the best of their ability. (NB: Copies of some of these books can also be purchased locally through the author, at the SVGTCCU, Coreas City Store, Jujube Book Store and Laynes Dept. Store.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 13.
Feature
ÂBaby MamasÊ shower mothers oil, rattles, comb and brush, hat and mittens, baby manicure set, pacifiers, bibs, Diaper Rash ointment, baby bottles, socks, onesies, vests and formula. Each mother’s package
Mrs. LaToya DeRocheJohn – the one who gave meaning and substance to the ‘Showers’ for mothers in shelters.
contained: towel, maternity pads, underwear, nighties, Epsom Salt, Breast Pads, nipple cream, sheets, Who knows? The baby detergent, baby impact of this gesture fabric softener, buckets, could last a lifetime. and mosquito net.
Mothers engaged in a game. by GLORIAH… PEOPLE ORGANIZE BABY SHOWERS for their friends who are first-time or expecting mothers. The occasion is used to ‘shower them with gifts to bless the newborn.’ Such was the intention of a group calling themselves “Baby Mamas”, when they organized two bumper baby showers at the Sunset Shores Hotel on Monday, 17th May. This time, though, these mothers were different. All fifty ladies were residing in emergency shelters, having been displaced by the explosive eruption of the La Soufriere volcano. Spearheading the activity was Mrs. LaToya DeRoche-John who told THE VINCENTIAN that the idea for the event morphed after she visited with a “shelteree”- Mary Ann Nero. “I went to deliver some foodstuff that I was handing out to displaced persons and she requested some fruits. She shared that she was eight and a half months pregnant. Her disposition was very pleasant and we had a photo shoot and talked a bit,” DeRoche-John related. Touched by the visit, she vowed to make MaryAnn and her baby her personal project. Then, DeRoche-John was hit by the thought,
“…. If there is Mary Ann out there, then there must be other mothers who would be a little anxious about getting ready for the birth of their baby too.” A Facebook post shared over four hundred times highlighted that said fact. “The moms who were recipients of the gifts were those who responded,” DeRoche John acknowledged. Choosing to focus on their mental health, the mothers were engaged in fun games and enjoyed a delicious meal in a very relaxing atmosphere. “I wanted to focus on mental health as well,” DeRoche-John explained, “I wanted them to enjoy an afternoon of fun and games as they got ready to welcome the birth of their babies; have some food and just relax; and to realise that they are loved and that there are people in St. Vincent and all over the world who care for them.” Also on board to ensure the success of the altruistic venture were Julia Akcayli, Deri Dickson, Doname Providence and Vynnette Frederick. Thanks were also expressed to the Chief Medical Officer-Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache and Ms. Nicole France, who worked assiduously to ensure that everyone was tested for the coronavirus, which was
required for entry. As for the gifts, “Persons just donated. Once we started and persons heard of it privately, they just started giving!” THE VINCENTIAN learned. Each baby package contained: playpen/crib, baby bath-tub, 84 pampers, receiving blankets and other blankets, towels, fleece, a First Aid kit, wipes, baby powder, baby wash, baby Mary Ann Nero, Julia Akcayli, Deri Dickson and Doname Providence.
14. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 15.
Education
No dates yet for CXC exams in SVG by GLORIAH…
DESPITE the fact that the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) 2021 CSEC examination schedules had been adjusted to cater for the impact of the COVID-19 virus throughout the region, education officials here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been pursuing negotiations with the Council’s Directors for a further adjustment for Vincentian students, as a result of the upheaval caused with the explosive eruption of the La Soufriere volcano the began on April 9. Minister of Education Curtis King made it clear that this has put our students at a disadvantage. Speaking on the issue on NBC’s Face-to-Face on 20th April, the Minister indicated, “When we look at the impact of the multiplicity of challenges that we have had on education, we are in a situation where our students have experienced significant learning loss ...education has suffered a great blow.” Meanwhile, the Council (CXC) has affirmed that it continues to work with the Ministry of Education here, “to ensure that its candidates will not be disenfranchised as a result of the volcanic eruption.” It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that there is equity and fairness for all candidates, i.e. “that the integrity of the regional examinations remain intact and that the health and well-being of our stakeholders remain paramount”. As it stands, the students of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will await an examination commencement date after all considerations have been addressed.
CXC decisions This uncertainty follows ongoing negotiations between the CXC,
regional governments and other key stakeholders and even after the Council released a statement on 27th May on the decisions of the Special Meetings of CXC’s Council concerning the 2021 regional examinations strategy. Firstly, the Council will maintain the administration of all papers; the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCLSC) Examinations will continue in their original format - for CAPE and CSEC, Papers 01, 02 and 031 (School-Based Assessments [SBA]), or Paper 032 for private candidates, and for CCSLC®, Papers 01 and 02; will be tested. Secondly, the examinations will be delayed by a further two weeks giving candidates extra time to prepare. The examinations will commence on Monday, 28 June 2021 with CAPE and CSEC completed between 28th June and 30th July, 2021. Results will be released between the final week of September and the first week in October. Thirdly, a deadline of June 30, 2021 will be given for the submission of School-Based Assessment (SBA) for all CSEC and CAPE exams. Special consideration during the grading process were also announced, “to account for the likely psychosocial impact on students’ performance, to ensure they are not disenfranchised”.
16. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 17.
Business
Flow launches New E-learning mobile plan
In anticipation of the E-learning plan’s launch last week, Acting Country Manager Andrea Liverpool (centre) handed over 500 prepaid sim cards to the Chief Education Officer Mrs. Elizabeth Walker (left) and Deputy Chief Education Officer Mr. Dixon Findlay.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Flow launched an affordable prepaid E-learning plan on Tuesday 25th May 2021. The 30-day E-plan comes with 90 gigabytes of data and costs only EC$20. The much-anticipated mobile plan geared towards meeting the needs of parents, and students with limited access to a fixed internet connection debuted just in time as most schools resumed online classes for the third term. In anticipation of the E-learning plan’s launch last week, Acting Country Manager Andrea Liverpool handed over 500 prepaid sim cards to the Chief Education Officer Mrs. Elizabeth Walker and Deputy Chief Education Officer Mr. Dixon Findlay at the Flow Kingstown offices on Tuesday 18th May. Liverpool in her remarks stated “Flow is extremely pleased to be apart of this venture in conjunction with the Ministry of Education. I must say thank you to the Chief Education Officer and the Deputy Education Officer for accepting our challenge. These 500 sim cards we know will be of extremely great help to the students, especially those who have been displaced and those who may be less fortunate. We know that this will help them in their education journey, we are also aware that E-Learning is very significant at this time and we (Flow) are happy to be apart of it. This a testament of our continued support to Education in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.” The Chief Education Officer shared her Ministry’s gratitude in receiving 500 sim cards loaded with data for students. She further stated that “this contribution to the students of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a corporate citizen for our students who are challenged at this time with COVID-19 and the eruption of La Soufriere. Some (students) are in shelters while others for various reason may not have the necessary facility for online teaching and learning. We are happy that Flow has again come to our assistance and wish to say on behalf of the Ministry of Education how happy we are. We can assure Flow that in regards to our student selection it will be a rigorous process to ensure those who are in most need will receive the much needed assistance.” To activate the E-learning plan which also works with E-tablets users must first register at a Flow retail store or with a Flow Retail agent. (Contributed by Flow)
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18. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Not ready Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND and I have been dating for just about six months and during that time we have had sex regularly but I remember him using a condom only twice. It so happened, I got pregnant. He demanded that I ‘get rid of the baby’ and I did but he went around saying I ‘killed his unborn’. That hurt!!! Now he wants me to give him a baby and to be honest I do not know if he is going to have the same reaction. I love this man but have doubts about his seriousness.
Thinking out loud Dear Thinking out loud, The decision to bring a child into this world is an extremely serious one
and I am not convinced that either of you is there yet. You need to be sure that the man who wishes to be the father of your children is serious about you, is mature, responsible and committed enough to take on this task. Regrettably, based on the information put forward your boyfriend does not meet the criteria. If both of you want to be sexually active, the obvious thing to do is to protect yourselves, as often as it’s required.
George
Holding a secret names and swore to expose me. I have been keeping his secret for his I CAUGHT this guy wife’s sake but he has making out with one of touched the tiger’s tale. my friends and he begged me not to tell his I hope he can explain to my friend’s boyfriend wife. His wife believes what they were doing he is a Saint. together at a certain Things took a drastic hideout etc. turn when he found out I hope he reads this that I have been involved and comes to his senses with a female coworker of his. Now he wants to and shut up. tell the entire Feeling revengeful neighborhood about my private business forgetting I am holding a Dear Feeling revengful, secret for him. I guess this is a case He has taken the of the one without sin liberty to call me all casting the first stone. sorts of derogatory Greater care has to be
Dear George,
taken as well when your house is made of glass and you take the decision to engage in stone throwing. The individual in question has no moral authority to judge you and to meddle in your private affairs. Secrets have a way of surfacing from the deep and it may just be a matter of time before his wife gets to find out about his infidelity. Some secrets can be burdensome yet liberating,
George
Inconsiderate and heartless everything about her and why I think she is not a nice person. My father I APPLIED for this job has always trusted my and got terribly judgment; he sent her disappointed when I went to follow-up on my packing. Since then she has application. I was insulted by this woman, been calling my phone leaving all sorts of fake the one who’s in charge apology messages. She of hiring. has not even realized She told me, among that her ship sailed that other things, how I was day when she insulted not “classy enough” to work there and made fun me. of my figure, calling me No Offense “fat” and “plump”. I got the shock of my life when my father, who has started dating again after six years of grieving my mom’s passing, brought this very woman to the house. He introduced her as his “lady”. When he saw my reaction he asked me if I knew her. I told him I met her once and left the house. Later that evening I told my father
Dear George,
Dear No Offense, I guess you prevented your father from making a grave mistake. A person who is genuine and considerate does not select when and where to be genuine and considerate. Kudos to your father for trusting you. With time, I’m certain, he will meet the right person to settle with.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Hidden matters are likely to surface. Don’t be too shy to promote your own interests. Look into ways that you can make extra cash. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair. Stress may cause minor health ailments. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Don’t invest too much of your own money. Don’t second guess yourself, just go to it. Visit friends or relatives who have been confirmed. Get busy trying to make more money. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You may want to put everyone to work on a project that will keep them all too busy to complain. You can form new partnerships, but don’t move too quickly; things may not be as they appear. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Don’t donate more than you can afford in order to impress others. You might find added popularity with those around you this week. You can pick up some overtime this week. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) If you haven’t planned a vacation, then at least try to get away for the weekend. Be an observer before getting involved. Don’t bother trying to make someone you live with see your point of view.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make gains if you look at longterm investments. You will encounter those who can help you further your goals if you attend functions that attract prominent people. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) A female colleague may cause problems for you. You should not get involved in joint ventures. A series of misunderstandings may be at fault. Try not to attempt to do something unless. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Put your emotional energy into passion not anxiety Make residential changes that will lift your spirits. You can’t make things better if you don’t know what to fix. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Do whatever your mate wants; it really doesn’t matter as long as you’re together. You need an outlet that will help take your mind off any troubles at work. You could have a tendency to spend too much on your home or entertainment. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Look after financial transactions this week. Snap out of it. Double check your work and be sure that your boss is in a good mood before you do your presentation. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Do not let lovers cost you money or take advantage of you. Use your ingenuity to manipulate things to get what you want.
ACROSS 1. Lingerie buy 5. “Beat it!” 9. Checker color 12. Rich source 13. Army mascot 14. Beautiful Gardner 15. Concluded 16. Connected 18. Large animals 20. Blaze residue 21. Pleased utterance 22. Library patron 26. Not as stout 30. Went by car 31. Snack on 32. Exhibit melancholy 34. Be rivals 35. January toys 38. Muscles-sculpting weight 41. Salsa ingredient 43. Prosecute 44. Fleecy father 45. Mixes (dough) 49. Deli meat 53. Factual 54. History division 55. Stranger – fiction 56. Mane-bearing critter 57. Ruby or opal 58. Emulated Lady Gaga 59. Vane heading DOWN 1. Messy individual 2. Great affection 3. Thought
4. _, place, or thing 5. Breaks 6. Use a knife 7. Church stand 8. Mocked gently 9. Pep-rally cry 10. Festive day 11. Family guy 17. Burn 19. Cargo unit 23. Cooing bird 24. Very bad 25. Film holder 26. School hurdle 27. Angelic light 28. Detail 29. Commit theft 33. Soaking up sun
36. Small missile 37. Begins 39. Sprint 40. Crawling bug 42. Nebraska city 46. Diva-delivered performance
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 19.
47. Singing pairs 48. Transmitted 49. Tent fastener 50. “How – you?” 51. Journalist Donaldson 52. Adult fellow
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20. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Hope IntÊl better served after FCCC experience Right: Samuel Matthews
Below: Guardian General Hope International
NATIONAL PREMIER DIVISION CLUB champions Guardian General Hope International’s maiden outing in the FLOW Concacaf Caribbean Championships (FCCC) in the Dominican Republic recently, has been a worthwhile experience. Despite not advancing to the semi-final stage, players and coaching staff hold the view that the outfit is better served after the exposure. Hope International finished with one win and two losses in Group D of the Championships Defender Samuel Matthews, one of many on their first overseas tour, assessed: “It was a very good experience, because we met teams which are up to standard, and who are more professional than we are… They play structured Football….. We were the under dogs in the Tournament, but we proved differently …We went out there for the first time and we shocked the teams because they did not expect that type of performance from us.”
Sharing Matthews’ sentiments was striker Kevin Samuel. “It was a pretty good experience… I still have a lot to learn, I got a lot of positives out of the tournament,” Samuel said. He was glad that he was the one to go down in the club’s history for scoring the first goal in their debut outing in the regional tournament. Meanwhile, Hope International’s Head Coach Dwayne Dennie in reviewing
his first stint, stated, “We did our best, as the team carried out the tactics.” On a personal note, Dennie commented, “The experience has been beautiful for me… At some points it felt tough, some points doubting yourself, considering it was the first time I had that opportunity on this big stage, but to be honest it was fun at times.” Dennie highlighted that having had a look in at the regional Football landscape, he believed that Hope
International should be better prepared should another occasion arise for them to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Kevin Samuel
71st and Joseph Douglas (captain), 90+2 minute penalty, converted for the SVG Results Champions; Delano Baptiste registered for Olympique de Hope International began Cayenne in the 45+2 minute. their campaign with an In their second, Hope uncomplicated 4-1 win over Olympique de Cayenne at the International was unable to replicate their goal scoring Panamericano Stadium. Kevin Samuel, 12th minute, form in their second game, going under by 3-1 to Enrique Millington, 45th Scherpenheuvel of Curacao. minute, Nazir Mc Burnette, Playing at the Panamericano Stadium, Hope International went behind in the 34th minute when Nicholas Rocha scored for Scherpenheuvel. Maximiliano Ciarnello doubled the lead in Verrol Sam erased a record that had the 61st minute, before Joseph stood for some 22 years. Douglas cut the deficit for Hope International in the 70th VERROL SAM is now this His feat counted the holder realm is Handal minute. Benjamin Gill then country’s record holder for the eleventh for St Vincent and Roban, who has the Male struck in the 86th minute, to Male Under-20 High Jump. the Grenadines, since the Under-20 800 and 1500M assure victory for the Curacao Sam, who competed for start of the year. events to his name. club. Kingston College (KC), Heading up the list is Roban, who is currently In their final match at the cleared the bar at 2.00M at Mekeisha Welcome who has attending the Jamaica College Felix Sanchez Stadium, Hope the 2021 Grace Kennedy ISSA palmed three of the records. rewrote the 800M to 1:5.30 International was clearly more Boys and Girls Welcome, a student of the and the 1500M to 3:56.99. competitive but could not get Championships at the University of Oklahoma, Joining Roban in rethe better of Cavaly, a National Stadium in Jamaica, holds the Women’s Indoor establishing marks in professional Haitian club. held between May 11-15. Long Jump (6.15M), Indoor Jamaica was Uroy Ryan, who Nazir Mc Burnette had In so doing, he erased the Triple Jump (13.40M) and also attends Jamaica College. in Jamaica, became the equalized for Hope previous best of 1.96M done Outdoor Triple Jump Ryan’s 7.33M in the Long International in the 31st holder of SVG’s 4 x100M, by Sylmond Jack of the St (13.72M). Jump, made him the new minute, three minutes after when they timed 40.13 Vincent Grammar School in Meanwhile, Shafiqua record holder in the Male Roody Joseph had scored for seconds in an event staged in 1999. Maloney, who recently Under-20 category. Cavaly. Joseph sealed the Jamaica recently. Sam, himself a St Vincent graduated from the Still in Jamaica, the match with his second in the And, Kemroy Cupid’s time Grammar School alumnus University of Arkansas, is the 79th minute. of 6.73 seconds made him the before enrolling at KC, holder of the Women’s Indoor quartet of Akani Slater, OJ Jackson, Javon Rawlins and Cavaly went on to win the holder of the Indoor 60M for continued a string of (new) 800M (2:01.22) and the Mc Kish Compton, all title, beating Inter Mongoe Males. Cupid attends Bethel national Track and Field Outdoor record of 2:02.54. students of GC Foster College College in the USA. Tapoe 3-0 in last Tuesday’s records for 2021. Sharing the double record Final.
Another Track and Field record re-established
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 21.
Sports
Hikers, Strikers, Explorers into VPL 3.0 Semis DARK VIEW EXPLORERS, Fort Charlotte Strikers and defending champions La Soufrière Hikers have booked places in the semi-finals of the Vincy Premier League VPL 3.0. Going into this week, Explorers and Strikers were locked on 12 points from 7 and 8 games respectively, while Hikers had collected 10 points from their 7 matches. Former champions Salt Pond Breakers were on 4 points with one more game in hand, while Grenadines
Divers had finished their preliminary round matches on 4 points. Breakers with a superior net run rate over Divers would have been looking for a win to secure their semifinal spot. On the other hand Divers were hoping for Breakers to lose by a big margin to help them secure their second semi-final berth in the VPL history. Botanical Garden Rangers on 2 points from one win from 7 matches, would have been looking to secure
La Soufrière Hikers are one step closer to retaining their VPL Championship title. their second win over Salt Pond Breakers. The finals set of matches were scheduled to be played on Wednesday, from which the fourth semi-final place would have been decided. In the final sets of fixtures,
Botanical Garden Rangers were to face Salt Pond Breakers and Dark View Explorers were to take on La Soufrière Hikers. The final is set for Sunday at 2pm at the Arnos Vale playing field.
Bascombe, Wilson top VPL 3.0 stats GOING INTO this week’s final preliminary round of matches in the VPL 3.00, Miles Bascombe — captain of Fort Charlotte Strikers — and Luke Wilson of Dark View Explorers were the
Tournament’s leading batsman and bowler respectively. Bascombe led all batsmen with a total of 225 runs after 8 matches, with an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of
164.23. His aggregate included two half centuries including a tournament top score to date of 69 not out. Following Bascombe in the pecking order was Dillon Douglas from La
Soufrière Hikers — a total of 220 runs, average of 4, strike rate 194.69, with two half centuries (top score 56 not out. Third in the top runs scorer’s table was Shamon Hooper of
Trinidad and Tobago, 2020-2012 Super Cup Champions.
CWI franchise teams to be decided THE PROFESSIONAL Cricketers Draft was scheduled for last Tuesday, May 25. It was expected to be by video call and provided for ahead of the 2021/22 home summer of cricket. The territorial Board Franchises were expected to meet to choose the final two players for their separate squads for the 2017 domestic season, which will feature the Super50 Cup and West Indies Championship. The draft will be held in two rounds, with each round requiring franchises to select one player from a pool of approximately 100 cricketers. After two rounds, the two
players chosen by the franchises will complete their respective 15member squad, out of which 13 were pre-selected. For the upcoming season, each franchise will be allotted a pick number according to their standing in the last West Indies Championship which was held in 2019/20. Each franchise will be given 90 seconds to make their selections, and if they do not do so within that time, they will have to wait until all of the other franchises have made their selections. A total of 90 cricketers from six franchises will be maintained on a full-time contract for the
following 12 months after all clubs have made their respective picks over two rounds. “The draft, now in its eighth (8th) year, demonstrates that CWI remains committed to our professional cricket structure and system, even in these times of uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ninety (90) regional players who will be awarded regional franchise contracts, will be able to train and practice professionally as CWI hopes for a return to normalcy in regional cricket later this year,” said Cricket West Indies’ Cricket Operations Manager, Roland Holder.
Explorers for Dark View Explorers - 89 runs from 7 matches, average 47.25, strike rate 162.93, two fifties (top score of 63 not out). Other of note: Sunil Ambris, captain of Salt Pond Breakers - 158 runs with one fifty; La Soufriere Hikers’ Desron Maloney - 149 and one fifty, Explorers’ Asif Hooper - 148 runs; Explorers’ Romano Pierre and Divers’ Shem Browne Shem -146 each; Gidron Pope of Strikes on 117 and Deron Greaves of Explorers 116. National Under-19 off spinner Luke Wilson, turning out for Dark View Explorers in his first VPL, leads the bowlers with 11 from 7 matches for an average of 9.73 and an economy of 7.83. Fast bowler Beniton Stapleton of Hikers followed with 10 wickets, an average of 10.8 and an economy of 8.31. Fast bowlers Kirton Lavia of Strikers and Sunil Ambris of Breakers were next with 8 wickets apiece. Lavia had an average of 9.25 with an economy rate of 8.22, and Ambris averaged 14 with an economy rate of 8. Explorers’ Shamon Hooper and Rayan Williams, and Othneil Lewis of Hikers each had 7 wickets. Denson Hoyte of Breakers and Kemron Strough of Hikers with 6 wickets apiece, complete the list of top wicket-
The experienced Miles Bascombe led the scorer’s table for batmen going into this weeks matched.
Luke Wilson, off spinner, one of the bright young prospects in local cricket, led all bowlers going into the final round of preliminary matches. takers. Stories I.B.A.ALLEN
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22. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
‘Hard work paid off,’ says Woodley VINCENTIAN track athleteTamara Woodley has had an outstanding Spring Semester at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), both on and off the track. First she was named to the Dean’s List and was, over the last week or so, named Most Outstanding Women’s Freshman, Most Outstanding Women’s Track Performer and UTRGV Athlete of the Week. And all of her accomplishment she has put down to being the result of “hard work,” in the classroom and on the track. “This semester was the most challenging,” Woodley said recently. She spoke of having to adapt to a track and field season in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which athletes had to continually undergo testing, regardless of the status of previous tests. Tamara Woodley displays some of her awards that “You didn’t even have bear testimony to her outstanding performance on to test positive but the the track for the 2021 Spring Semester. simple fact of being around someone who already established 400m. tested positive you could practically “So when I saw what I did in the miss an entire season,” she explained, 200m at the WAC, first in the Heats “I had to be extra careful and careful and then the Final, I was ecstatic of where I go and what I was doing,” especially that I was more concerned she added. about and focused on running a The travel and the ongoing training personal best 400m,” she admitted. also put up an additional challenge as And as for how she approaches her it related to her course work. competitive races, Woodley said, “I “Many times after practice, I had to always go and focus on myself. It’s email my assignments to the just me versus the clock… that’s how I professors. Thankfully they were think about it, me competing against understanding. I got through my myself to break my barrier and courses and it paid off. I did well,” she surpass all of my expectations and shared. prove to myself what I am capable of.” Speaking of her recent double gold The Semester has meant a lot to (200m and 400m) at the closing out her and she recognizes that she has meet of the Western Athletic been surrounded by people who push Conference (WAC) two Saturdays ago, her and want the best for her. Woodley disclosed that it was when She also recognizes the support she she got to the UTRGV that her coach receives “from back home.” recognized her potential and encouraged her to add the 200m to her I.B.A.ALLEN
Tamara Woodley on her way to recording a personal; best in the 400m in April 2021.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021. 23.
Classifieds
National Goalkeeper murdered
Continued from Backpage
Chewitt, meantime, had suffered a stabbing in prison while on remand and was eventually shot by police on Tuesday April 17th at Gibson Corner, after he attempted to escape a police patrol. Sandy’s death is recorded as the 16th homicide in St. Vincent since the year began. His death followed that of Eddie Dabreo of Layou who was stabbed in the neck in the vicinity of Didips Hideout in Layou, around 1 am on Monday 17th May.
PERMISTER LOURINCENIA GEORGE Wednesday, 26th May, 2021 Mt. Coke Methodist Church Stubbs Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Church Yard Cemetery
ROXANNE WELCOME Sunday, 23rd May, 2021 S.D.A. Church, Kingstown Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery PETER O. CAMPBELL
RAPHAEL LENNOX FREDERICK a.k.a. Specialist & Sampi Saturday, 22nd May, 2021 6W 0DU\¶V $QJOLFDQ Church, Port Elizabeth, Bequia. Viewing: 10:30 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Interment: Port Elizabeth Cemetery
MAHLON EDBIRTH LAWRENCE Saturday, 22nd May, 2021 Layou Methodist Church Viewing: 10:00 a.m. Service: 10:30 a.m. Interment: Layou Cemetery
Thursday, 27th May, 2021 Kingstown Baptist Church Viewing begins at 10:00 a.m. Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
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FRIDAY, MAY
28, 2021
VOLUME 115, No.21
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
NATIONAL GOALKEEPER
MURDERED CONCACAF 2020 World Cup Qualifiers in Curacao, in April of this year. Following the shooting, Ollivierre wrote in a Facebook post: “I am lost for words, did not even know when I was shot. My feet carried me; my heart has left me, am broken. Am so numb, my hallelujah belongs to you God.. ride out this storm with me. I love you Tajai Sandy… will always do. I am so lost.”
on a number of occasions he had to be detained for his own safety. In June 2013, the police issued a wanted bulletin for Sandy in connection with the June 13 robbery of a postal worker and the shooting of a police officer in Kingstown. He turned himself in after returning from Grenada in the company of his lawyer Grant Connell. He claimed to have been in that neighbouring Caribbean On the police list state when the incident referred was said to have Sandy graduated from occurred. service on the national He was released Under-20 and Under-23 without charge after 48 teams to senior duty, and hours of detention. established himself as Colin “Cocoa” David, Dwaine Sandy, 32, was recognized by many in the the first call senior who is similar to Sandy football fraternity here as perhaps the best goalkeeper for a number in physique, was charged goalkeeper at this time in SVG. of years. subsequently in But even during what connection with the could be described as a robbery and shooting. by KENVILLE HORNE the arm during the promising football career, incident. which included short Another escape NATIONAL goalkeeper Sandy, had he not stints in the semiDwaine ‘Tall Man’ Sandy, been excluded for The legal issues 32, was gunned down discipline-related reasons professional league in surrounding Sandy did sometime around 8:30 p.m from the senior national Trinidad and an outing not end there. In June in Guyana, he had a on Friday 21st May, 2021. football squad that had 2015, he was charged, number of run-ins with The Brighton native, travelled to Grenada on along with Raffique reportedly, was shot Monday 17th May, might the law here. Alarmingly as it might Chewitt and Noval multiple times while have escaped the fatal Sayers, with two counts sound, a police source playing cards at a shop bullets. of attempted murder, described Sandy as a in Calliaqua. His His last service with that of Natterell young man marked for girlfriend, Naressa the national football death, and disclosed that Stapleton, a 30-year-old Ollivierre, was shot in team was in the FIFA-
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farmer of Calder, and Martin Davis, a 27-year-old unemployed resident of Villa, and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The two men were shot in an incident which occurred in the vicinity of the Young Island Dock, Villa, on June 10. On their first appearance at the Serious Offences Court on June 11, the trio was not required to enter a plea the trio and was denied bail and remanded, pending a report on the condition of Stapleton who was still hospitalised. A subsequent application to the High Court for bail was also denied. As fate would have it, the charges against the trio did not stand up in court after, what THE VINCENTIAN understand was a case of witnesses not being willing to come forward, when the matter came
Naressa Ollivierre, Sandy’s girlfriend, suffered a non-fatal shot to her arm during the shooting incident in which her boyfriend was killed. up for hearing. Sandy is said to have returned actively to football, and in time, found his place once again in the senior national team. Continued on Page 23.
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