TheVincentianPDF-09-28-2018

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.39

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

RESIDENTS LIVING IN FEAR which occurred in the area on Monday night.

Some residents of Lodge As it related to that Village have expressed shootout, Police concern about the level of confirmed that they were criminality that has crept investigating a report of into their community. attempted murder made The comments came by a 31-year-old labourer on the heels of a shootout of Lodge Village on

by DAYLE DASILVA

24.09.18, against two (2) armed unknown men.

But the occurrence of crime, mainly robberies in what residents say has been a traditionally quiet community, has been ongoing for about two months.

Last Monday night’s shooting is said to have begun in an area behind the Lodge Village Government School.

“The robberies started happening around two months ago… people were being held up at gunpoint,” one resident said.

There is no known drug or gang activity in the area, which led villagers to believe that the acts of violence are being perpetrated by criminal forces from other communities.

The police have been credited for their quick response to reports, but another resident noted that police patrols in the area have not been as frequent as the reports of robberies decreased.

Now, Monday night’s shootout has aroused the fear among residents.

One male resident said that in all the years of his residence in Lodge Village, he has never experienced an activity of exchange of gunfire.

“Everybody in the

A bullet hole in the main door to a residence located away from where the shootout is said to have begun. area is locking down early; we are having to live in constant fear,” he told THE VINCENTIAN. “It is scary thinking about the robberies, but in terms of the gang violence, we know it does not involve anyone from

Lodge Village Another resident shared similar sentiments with THE VINCENTIAN saying that the number of robberies was cause for Continued on Page 3.

SVG UNDER

STORM WATCH AS OF YESTERDAY, Thursday 27th September, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was officially under a tropical storm watch occasioned by the approach of Tropical Storm Kirk.

The tropical storm watch continued into today, Friday 28th September.

A Met Office advisory issued late on Wednesday, said that

Tropical Strom Kirk was moving towards the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h), and this motion was expected to continue into the next few days.

The report also warned that the storm was expected to pass between 80 to 100 miles north of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, between Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon.

As such, therefore, following a meeting of the National Emergency Council on Wednesday afternoon, acting Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel advised that all schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 27.

Beginning Wednesday night, lightning streaked across the sky and the state experienced

The Tropical Storm Watch issued for SVG led to closure of schools, beginning yesterday, Thursday 27th September. showers into the early morning of Thursday.

Overcast conditions

persisted throughout the morning, and capital Kingstown remained relatively quiet, as

citizens went about their business with a sense of caution.

V

2. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

Public Speaking prelims end tonight

Junior Bacchus, President of the Lions Club South, addressing the opening night of the 2018 Lions Club South Flow Public Speaking Competition.

THE LIONS CLUB SOUTH FLOW 2018 Public Speaking Competition will see the participation of 25 secondary schools.

The competition officially commenced on Tuesday, September 25th at the Frenches House, with six schools from

Zone One vying for a place in the Finals, set for 24th October, at the Methodist Church Hall.

Ahead of the tonight’s last of four preliminary rounds, Junior Bacchus, President of the Lions Club South, expressed his satisfaction with the

competition to date. He said he was particularly impressed with the content and delivery of the prepared speeches.

Bacchus predicted another successful Public Speaking Competition, and expressed gratitude to Flow for being the

sole, consistent sponsor of the competition, support that has been a major contributor to the success of the competition since 1976.

When asked about the positive impact the Competition has had on students, the Lions Club

South President said that many students who participated in the competition have turned out to be exemplary citizens in the Vincentian society, having succeeded in many different fields of endeavour.

He pointed out further that the competition is also a medium to build self-confidence, and has proven to be a significant way of instilling leadership skills in young people.

Meantime, Flow’s Marketing and Communications Lead, Nikala Williams, recognized the Lion’s Club South for the hard work it has invested over the years.

She stressed that the competition offers a platform for the students’ voices to be heard on various social topics, and to prove themselves before their peers. In that light, she urged them to exercise seriousness in the approach to and

participation in the public speaking competition, since their confidence and intelligence will be put to the test.

Williams outlined the rewards for the finalists.

In addition to a smartphone along with free combo plans for each finalist, Flow will provide two-year tertiary level scholarships to the winners, as follows: 1st place - $1,600.00 annually, 2nd place $1,000.00 annually and 3rd place - $500.00 annually.

The school of the 1st place winner of the competition will receive a prize of $3,000.00 to be used towards an identified school project.

Flow’s support for the Public Speaking Competition is but one demonstration of the company’s commitment to invest in the development of the youth of SVG through educational initiatives.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 3.

News 3

Criminal Assizes opens:

Murder accused get January window THREE PERSONS charged with murder ,will have their cases heard in January 2019.

Hermina Jackson, Caswell Smart, and Antonio Simon were given that indication by Justice Brian Cottle last Tuesday, the opening day of the last quarter Criminal Assizes.

Jackson, a housewife of La Croix, was charged following the death of her husband Henry Jackson at their home July 11, 2017. Henry, a chauffeur, suffered multiple stab wounds.

Hermina pleaded not guilty at the arraignment.

Caswell Smart faces a murder rap stemming from the death of Julius Murray who succumbed days after an incident in the Campden Park area, March 20, 2017.

Smart pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Antonio Simon, age given as 24 at the time of his arrest, pleaded not guilty to his indictment in relation to Vancito Balcombe’s death at Langley Park, December 21, 2016.

Justice Brian Cottle informed the accused, that cases will be heard at the next Assizes scheduled for January 2019.

The three murder charges were among 18 new matters on the Criminal Assizes.

Others before the High Court Benjamin Harvey faces charges of: concealing criminal property, disguising criminal property, and possession of criminal

Residents living in fear Continued from Front page. concern, but there was some comfort in knowing that the perpetrators of the crimes were not from the area.

In discussing possible solutions, the resident said that the issue of crime ought not to be made a political one.

He called on both the government and opposition to focus more on coming up with solutions and policies to combat crime.

He further noted that the private sector needs to get involved in the fight against crime.

“I am convinced that the business community have cash flow and can make a difference,” he said, adding that the money can be used to equip the police with resources to better fight crime.

property.

Terano Samuel is before the court for rape and wounding. Lexion Joseph and Marcus Ashby have to answer to one rape charge each; but Alaska Williams will try to prove his innocence in two counts of rape, an attempted rape, and damage to property.

Alistair Gordon is charged with having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of

thirteen years.

Garfield Nero is indicted for rape, aggravated burglary and causing actual bodily harm.

Ron McQuireCambridge pleaded not guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of thirteen, and assault with intent to commit wounding.

Grafton McDowall pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary and also to attempted

murder. His woes came from an incident at Rillan Hill, April 3, 2017.

His trial is expected to begin later in the Assizes.

Akeeni Hackshaw is charged with wounding with intent, as well as possession of a firearm with intent to cause injury.

Kimolow Quashie is on charges of robbery and causing actual bodily harm.

Uroy Edwards is

indicted on aggravated burglary and wounding offences.

Stevan Stephens faces a wounding with intent accusation.

David Legair has a possession of controlled drugs, and drug trafficking charges.

Kentish Keith Williams will have to come back later in the Assizes to answer a charge of robbery. (WKA)

SVGRA condemns spate of violent crime robbed of her mobile and her pocket money in the vicinity of THE ST VINCENT AND THE Block 2000, or the Fruit vendor GRENADINES Human Rights outside the Nurses Hostel in New Association condemns the Montrose, or the attempted, continuous spate of violent crimes armed robbery of the Black Rose which seem to plague or Blessed Bar in Arnos Vale. country St Vincent & the The St Vincent and the Grenadines, and highlights its Grenadines Human Rights explicit concern that many of Association calls on ALL Social these crimes involve the nation’s service agencies, educational Youths. institutions, Faith Based The most recent events relating Organisations, Parent-Teachers’ to Dr Browne-Caesar’s robbery Associations, the Media, the and that of the police officer at Corporate sector, the Network of gun-point, highlight the fact that Non Governmental Organisations, NO ONE is exempted from crime, the Trade Union Movement, even the school child that was representatives of the Opposition Press Release

parties, to pool their human and financial resources in an attempt to address the sore and vexed rising situation of crime in this BLESSED land, and hereby, indicates its willingness to be part of a facilitative and collaborative process.

The Association also takes this opportunity to call on the Hon Prime Minister and Minister of National Security to speak to the nation on the issue of Crime and Violence, outlining his Government’s plan and strategies to address them, as there is evidence of a culture of fear, uncertainty and anxiety permeating this BLESSED land, which impacts overall productivity, transparency and good governance.

Respectfully yours, Jeanie Ollivierre Msc PRO/Education & Training Officer.

V Gunman jailed after quick police action 4. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Mathias and Constable who examined and test 326 Cameron Bruce, all fired the weapon, finding attached to the Special it to be in good and TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Services Unit (SSU). working condition.

Jovarny Baptiste of Rose PC Mathias told the Richardson described Place, Kingstown, was Court that around the firearm as being handed a 5-year prison 12:45am of September 5, ranked among the top sentence on Monday. he was on patrol duty at ten handguns in the Baptiate’s arrest, it is Stoney Ground, USA. believed, may well have Kingstown, when he saw Bruce, in his prevented the four young men walking testimony, corroborated committing of a very towards Massy Mathias’ evidence. serious crime here, Supermarket. As the earlier this month. police approached the Witnesses for the Accused testifies Baptiste was prosecution area, Mathias said one of sentenced by Chief the men, later identified In his defence, Magistrate Browne at The witnesses to take as Baptiste, pulled a gun Baptiste denied that he the Serious Offences the stand for the from his waist, held it in had a gun when the Court, to five years for prosecution were ballistic his right hand, and ran police chased him that possession of a .40 Smith expert Sergeant 645 towards the Kingstown day, saying instead what and Wesson semiMaxian Richardson, cemetery. he had was a bag of automatic pistol, without Constable 787 Damian Mathias said he gave marijuana, which he chase, and Baptiste threw away while jumped over a wall at running through the Rose Place. cemetery.

“When I was about to He related that the jump over the wall, I saw officers who were chasing him throw something on him, handcuffed and the ground,” Mathias threw him over a wall. related, adding that He landed in an Baptiste continued abandoned yard where running, but was there were several other intercepted by PC Bruce, police officers, and those another member of the who were pursuing him HEAD OF THE Criminal Investigation Department patrol, who had come jumped over behind him.

(CID) Assistant Superintendent of Police Hesron from a different “Mathias asked me Ballantyne has assured that the police are exploring direction. what was on the ground, all leads in Tuesday’s reported robbery of one of Baptiste was brought and I told him is a their colleagues. back to the area where galvanize, and he flip Speaking with THE he had thrown the gun, over the galvanize and VINCENTIAN at press time which was retrieved and say is a gun. A whole set Wednesday, Ballantyne said the shown to him. The a dem start to beat me matter was under investigations, magazine was removed and ask me whose de gun and was being treated with as and found to contain ten and I tell dem I don’t much seriousness as any other rounds of ammunition. crime, whether the virtual know whose gun,” When cautioned, he said Baptiste said, adding complainant was a police officer nothing. or not. that the officers Later that day, the Reports are that around 12:06 continued to beat him, gun was handed over to though he insisted that a.m. on Tuesday, the officer in Sergeant Richardson, question, whose identity was not revealed, was walking in the Stubbs area, in uniform, on his ASP Hesron way home, when a car pulled up Ballantyne, Head next to him. An unmasked man of the CID. armed with a gun, alighted the vehicle, approached the lawman, and following a search, relieved him of $40 in cash, a bag containing a flashlight, and other items. The assailant then went back into the vehicle which HEAD OF THE Criminal Investigation drove away.

Department (CID)- ASP Hesron Ballantyne is Reports are that the officer, on reaching home, urging local media personnel, especially those who reported the matter by calling his colleagues, who use social media, to be careful as to what responded, in an effort to locate the perpetrators, information they put out. but were unsuccessful.

Ballantyne told THE VINCENTIAN on “We will continue as an organization which is Wednesday, that on many occasions, the charged with this country’s security to use the information reported on social media is not necessary resources, available to us, to ensure that factual.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is safe,” Ballantyne “Most of the times, the facts are with the police, commented, and thanked the men and women of the and once the proper procedures are followed, the Police Force for their loyalty and dedication to the necessary information is made available to the job. media,” Ballantyne said.

“We have seen success based on strategies we “We have a very good relationship with the have put in place, and this is manifested in the media, and would like this to continue in the numerous arrests we have made in recent times”, interest of crime fighting, to ensure that the the CID chief said. country is safe,” he continued.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

licence, and 12 months for having ten rounds of .40 ammunition without licence. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Baptiste had pleaded not guilty to both charges, but was found guilty at the conclusion of a trial at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

Police probing robbery of colleague

CID chief warns against inaccurate reporting

he was speaking the truth.

Under crossexamination by Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, Baptiste said he was born here, went to St. Lucia when he was a baby, returned in 2014 and lived at Rose Place and Ottley Hall.

He said he attended pre-school, primary school and secondary school up to Form 4 in St. Lucia.

Delpleche contended that Baptiste’s evidence was not truthful, and pointed to a number of inconsistencies.

Sentencing considerations In sentencing, the Chief Magistrate contended that the Court of Appeal holds a very strong view in respect of offences of this nature, and the Court was of the view that persons found in possession of firearms or ammunition, should be given a custodial sentence.

Browne stressed the seriousness of the offences, the time in which they occurred, and that the firearm was loaded.

“You could have been here on a more serious charge,” the Magistrate told him. She took into account that Baptiste had no previous convictions before the Court, and ordered that the time spent on remand be deducted. He was remanded since September 6.

“I want to go back to the jail now,” Baptiste said before being taken away.

Teens among three on gun, ammo charges TWO TEENAGERS were among three persons taken before the Serious Offences Court Monday, to answer to gun and ammunition charges.

Molissa Soleyn, 17, Jahvil Browne, 18, and Gilbert James, 38, all of Lowmans Leeward, are charged with possession of a .32 revolver, possession of a .38 revolver, having one round of .22 ammunition, and having two rounds of .32 ammunition, all without licence.

The trio was arrested following a police action at Lowmans Leeward last Saturday. They pleaded not guilty to the charges, on appearing before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne. They were each granted $20,000 with one surety.

Reporting conditions were ordered and stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry.

They are not to leave the state without the expressed permission of the Serious Offences Court. They will return to Court October 15 for trial.

Attorney Grant Connell represented Browne, while the others were unrepresented.

Schoolgirl allegedly raped UP TO PRESS time Wednesday, police were continuing investigations into the alleged rape of a 13-year-old secondary school student.

Reports are that the minor was raped by a number of young men, all said to be students, around the ages of 15 and 16.

The incident is reported to have occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Monday in the Central Leeward district.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018. 5.

Regional

Grenadians to decide on CCJ GRENADIANS, for a second time, will vote in a referendum to say whether or not they want the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as their final appellate court.

The November 6, 2018 CCJ referendum stands alone as a single bill, having been previously included as one of seven bills but which were rejected by the people in a referendum of November 24, 2016.

The Keith Mitchell-led New National Party (NNP) government, unlike the first time around in 2016, has embarked upon a highpitch campaign in support of a ‘Yes’ vote in the November 6, 2018 referendum.

They have brought in a number of high-profile regional figures to promote its ‘Yes’ vote, including the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and former CCJ President, Sir Denis Byron of St. Kitts.

PM Mitchell is confident that he can get Grenadians to vote for the CCJ this time around, since in 2016 he did not campaign for the CCJ bill.

The Grenadian leader is confident of prevailing on November 6, given his third 15-0 clean sweep at the polls on March 13.

But at least two well-known Grenadians have voiced concerns about a ‘Yes’ vote.

The New Today Newspaper reported that former Public Servant, Joseph K. Roberts staged a one-man protest last week Friday,

at the entrance of Mt. Wheldale, the road leading to the newly opened Parliament Building, while the Senate was in session.

He was reported as saying that the bill was not in the “main interest Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is and confident, this time around, that authority” Grenadians will vote in favour of the of the CCJ being their final appellate court people, and (Credit: Dominica News Online) that it sent a message Left: Senator Ray Roberts, Labour of Representative in the Senate, has disrespect warned Grenadians to be mindful to them about the current state of affairs in from the their country. (Credit: Grenada powers-that-be.

Broadcast) “I am saying it is unfair, we need respect, I am saying to the to give some backdrop to the people I am here on a Vote No referendum, asked: “What Campaign saying to the people, difference will the CCJ make to an there is no harm in voting no,” increasing corrupted Grenada Roberts told reporters.

Against that backdrop, he issued democracy?”

He warned that Grenadians a call for the people to come out on ought not to be fooled that ridding Referendum Day on November 6th themselves of the Privy Council and and “vote no” to the CCJ Bill.

Meanwhile, Senator Ray Roberts, all other symbols of our colonial past will manifest themselves into in his weekly column in the New an era of all that is wonderful.

Today Newspaper, and in an effort (Source: The New Today)

The FCIB Anguilla Branch (pictured) will officially close operation on Jan. 31, 2019. (Credit: CBC Barbados)

FCIB closure in Anguilla explained

ANGUILLA’S CHIEF MINISTER, Victor Banks, has assured his people that the decision by FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) that it will be closing its operations in Anguilla on January 31, 2019, has nothing to do with the state of that territory’s economy.

The Chief Minister prefaced his explanation by saying that he had in fact brought forward the date decided upon when an official announcement about the Victor Banks, closure would be made, because Anguilla’s Chief of information that had filtered Minister, said that out to the public through social the FCIB closure media. had nothing to do According to Banks, “FCIB with the state of was not holding its own and not the Anguillan performing up to levels that economy. would satisfy them that it (Credit: The merited to have their Anguillan.com) continuation as a branch in Anguilla.”

The Chief Minister noted that FCIB had only five percent of the overall market share in Anguilla, with the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla and Scotiabank taking most of the share.

Unofficially, the estimate of loans at FirstCaribbean (Anguilla) was put at CCRIF SPC, on September and professional development eight million (dollars) with deposits 21, 2018, from Grand programme; regional amounting to somewhere in the region Cayman, Cayman Islands, knowledge building; and of seventy million (dollars). announced its UWIsupport to non-governmental That said, Banks proceeded in a Scholarship and CCRIF and community-based statement to the nation, to refute Scholarship (extra-regional) organizations for local winners for 2018. disaster risk reduction postings on social media and other This year, CCRIF provided initiatives. public statement which alluded to the CCRIF-UWI undergraduate scholarship recipients with scholarships valued at Since its launch in 2010, FCIB withdrawal as a sign of difficult (2nd row left) Mrs. Beverly Hunter, Snr. Administrative US$129,000 to 14 Caribbean CCRIF has provided economic times in the territory.

Officer at UWI; Mrs. Desirée Cherebin CCRIF Board nationals, fulfilling its resources of over US$2.2 “The Government is doing Member and Chairperson of the Technical Assistance commitment to provide million to support this exceptionally well in turning the Committee; Mr. Timothy Antoine (back row, right), scholarships and internships programme. economy around,” Banks assured, CCRIF Chairman; and Mr. Isaac Anthony, CCRIF CEO each year to Caribbean Five of this year’s CCRIFadding, “We have a number of large nationals as part of its UWI undergraduate (2nd row, far right) (Credit: CCRIF) projects which are now hiring hundreds Technical Assistance (TA) recipients are pursuing of people. We have a number of projects Programme. degrees in Geography or Under its own scholarship Officer met with some of this in the private sector coming on-stream.

CCRIF, which is akin to a Geology at the Mona programme, CCRIF awarded year’s scholarship recipients We have in our discussions plans for not-for-profit organization, Campus; one is at the St. scholarships to: Trisha Miller when CCRIF held its serious expansion in the public sector, uses profits made to benefit Augustine campus reading from Grenada, to complete an quarterly board meeting in including airport and seaport its members through for a degree in Ecology with MS in Applied Meteorology at Kingston, Jamaica. On development; and there are private reductions in premium costs Environmental Science; and Mississippi State University; meeting the students, CCRIF sector projects that are now taking and by funding the Technical two others are at the Cave Faustina Wiggins from Chairman Timothy Antoine place.

Assistance Programme. The Hill Campus reading for Guyana, to pursue an MS in remarked that “I too am a “So the economy is looking good, resources made available for degrees in Meteorology & Environment & Development proud Pelican and I am especially for the opening of the tourist the TA Programme are Computer Science and at the University of Reading; delighted to meet with you season. We all have been impacted by derived from a portion of Environmental & Natural and Christal Benjamin from today. You are the future of both natural and human events and, as CCRIF’s earned investment Resource Management. At Trinidad and Tobago, to our region and I am pleased a consequence, there are a number of income. the postgraduate level, three pursue an MA in Disasters that CCRIF had the foresight businesses in the region that have The CCRIF Technical students are reading for Adaptation & Development at to invest in you as we seek to (suffered) and FirstCaribbean Assistance Programme degrees in Natural Resource King’s College in London. advance solutions for the International Bank is no exception. consists of three components & Environmental The CCRIF Board of sustainability of our region”.

— the scholarship, internship Management.

(Source: Business Focus Weekly) Directors and Chief Executive (Source: CCRIF)

CCRIF announces 2018 Scholarship Winners

V Frankie ÂThe MaestroÊ McIntosh to be honoured 6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

People

of Vincy/Caribbean music.”

Tannis, who is also president of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Association of New York, Inc., said Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, will “headline a cast of artistes, who will perform many of Franklyn’s musical creations.”

The line-up, among others, includes Vincentian songstress Judy Franklyn ‘Frankie’ McIntosh was destined Boucher; Barbadian Lilian to become attached to the keyboards.

Lorde; SVG 2018 Calypso King and

by NELSON A. KING Queen Zamfir Adams, and SVG naking@verizon.net; 2018 Queen of Calypso Joanna kingnaking210@yahoo.com Christopher.

US CORRESPONDENT

calypsonian and soca artist in the Caribbean.

“He is a member of the elite pantheon of arrangers, including Ed Watson, Leston Paul, Clive Bradley and Pelham Goddard, who helped forge the revolutionary soca style in the late 1970s and early 1980s,” the paper said.

The Guardian noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines “has The Frankie McIntosh Orchestra, with Frankie (extreme right) while still already given a very young man.

McIntosh the rare honor of putting him horn lines, catchy synthesizer shortly after, McIntosh on a stamp.” figures and sophisticated arranged his first calypso harmonic settings. recordings for Becket’s 1977 Born into music Though McIntosh Disco Calypso album, which included Becket’s most popular maintained his permanent McIntosh was born in residence in Brooklyn, his song, ‘Coming High’,” the Kingstown in 1946. His father, Guardian reported. influence was felt throughout Arthur McIntosh, led a popular the Caribbean.

Vincentian Granville dance orchestra, the Melotones. Straker, Brooklyn’s premier The Event It said classic calypsos that A BROOKLYN, New York-based The band played primarily won the Trinidad and Tobago’s record producer at the time, group says it will bestow its instrumental dance “Accolade, the event, is Calypso Monarch for Chalkdust was “highly impressed” with Accolade Award on renowned orchestrations of calypso, Latin, the Becket recordings, and, in intended to give accolades to in 1981 (‘Things That Worry Vincentian-born musical arranger whom it is due, while they are and American standards, but Me’) and 1989 (‘Chauffer 1978, approached McIntosh and producer Franklyn “Frankie” alive, and to appreciate the members gathered at the Wanted’), and the Road March about arranging for his label, McIntosh on Oct. 6 at the sentiment expressed by persons McIntosh home on Sunday for Sparrow in 1984 (‘Doh Back the Guardian said.

Russell’s Auditorium in afternoons for jazz jam whose lives were touched,” Back’) and for Duke in 1987 “The two Vincentians would Kingstown, the Vincentian sessions.

Tannis said. (‘Thunder’) featured McIntosh go on to forge a musical capital.

McIntosh took piano lessons alliance that would last for “The Accolade trophy is arrangements.

A&AT Promotion, founded as a youngster, starting at given only to persons who Over the years, McIntosh decades,” it added, stating that by former Inspector of Police in would have made lifetime nine, then joined his father’s has performed at popular jazz McIntosh became musical St. Vincent and the Grenadines contribution to the music and band at 10 and formed his own director for Straker’s Records, festivals, like the Barbados Arden C. Tannis and his band by 14. creative industry in the “organizing the house recording Jazz Festival and the St. Lucia Barbadian wife, Dr. Arlette After graduating secondary Caribbean,” he said, adding band and arranging for dozens Jazz Festival, the Guardian Tannis, told THE that the trophy, to be presented school, he remained active in said. of Straker’s calypsonians,” VINCENTIAN that McIntosh to McIntoash, is “a unique piece the local musical circles but It said that, in recent times, including Chalkdust, Shadow, will be honored for his “lifetime of craftsmanship made in St. evetually moved to Antigua and Calypso Rose, Winston Soso, McIntosh “has been heard contribution to the development Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbuda where he spent three around Brooklyn” with the Poser, Lord Nelson, Singing years, playing professionally with significant patriotic, talented Trinidadian pannist Francine, Duke and King and teaching. cultural and monetary value, Garvin Blake, whose latest CD, Wellington, among others.

From Antigua he migrated to which represents the character ‘Parallel Overtures’, McIntosh McIntosh also went on to New York and began studying of the recipient.” arranged. arrange for Brooklyn’s other music at Brooklyn College in Scheduled for October 6 at And lest readers and major calypso/soca labels, the Russell Auditorium, Stoney 1968. admirers of ‘The Maestro’ be Charlie’s Records and B’s While earning a Bachelor’s Ground, Kingstown, SVG, the remiss, Frankly Frankie’ Records. show, Tannis said, is in effect a degree in Music at Brooklyn As the music moved into the McIntosh, through all the College and a Master’s in Music 1980s, McIntosh emerged at coming together of today’s up challenges and tendencies of at New York University, he and coming artistes and trailthe world of entertainment, is the forefront of the new soca played keyboards with several blazers of yesteryear. an exemplary family man. style, with arrangements Caribbean and American R&B famous for their innovative The inaugural awards ceremony was held last year at groups, and “jammed with the same venue, and honoured leading New York jazz musicians,” the Guardian said.

Boucher who was celebrating It said McIntosh trained the 30th anniversary of the release of her hit single, ‘Can’t under many leading musicians, including John Lewis of the be with You Tonight’, the hit Modern Jazz Quartet and that catapulted her to Chopin expert Zenon Fishbein. international recognition.

Frankie’s among the elite In October 2015, McIntosh was inducted into the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame in New York.

Prior to the induction, on Frankie McIntosh had been Oct. 1, 2015, the Trinidad and the recipients of many awards Tobago Guardian reported that and expressions of McIntosh, since the mid-1970s, recognition, but is yet to “has arranged over 2,500 songs receive a national award by and led recording sessions the government and people of “with almost every important SVG.

The calypso journey According to the Guardian, McIntosh’s “first foray into calypso” came in the summer of 1976, when Becket, who had recently relocated to New York, approached him about “tightening up” several of his calypso arrangements for an upcoming Manhattan boat-ride engagement.

“The two hit it off, and,

Franklyn ‘Frankie’ McIntosh (seen here with his children) is an exemplary family man.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018. 7.

V

8. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 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 SVG seeks UN Security Council Place:

An ambitious venture?

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the United Nations (UN), the main deliberative body of the 193-member international organisation, is meeting this week in New York at its permanent headquarters.

At this meeting, important issues on policy as well as on functional and administrative matters are put before the general membership for decision.

Given the power structure of the UN, there are many who are dismissive of the annual General Assembly meetings, branding them as mere “talk-shops”, organised to let member-states, particularly small underdeveloped nations, “blow off some steam”. But while the failure of such an unwieldy organisation to take decisive action on some of the most critical problems facing the world is disappointing, that is a simplistic view of what is a most complex international organisation subject to power politics and manipulation tied to purse strings.

In addition to, or perhaps even more significant than the General Assembly debates and decisions, a lot takes place in the corridors and less formal gatherings that has real bearing on the fate of the world and its 7 billion inhabitants. The General Assembly provides a unique opportunity for networking, lobbying and extending the influence of nations within the UN system. This is of critical importance to countries like ours without the political, financial and military clout to impose their will on others.

Each year, besides the current-day issues which confront the world body, there are recurrent long-standing issues which the global body must address. One particular area is that of governance and reform of the unwieldy world body. While in principle the General Assembly operates on the basis of one-country, one vote, in which tiny SVG has the same vote as the mighty United States of America, in practice the reality is very much different.

The vast disparity in power and resources between these two countries, for example, means that, regardless of how votes are cast, some countries can continue to ignore the democratic will, using the power of their financial contributions to bring member countries, and the UN itself, into line.

Thus, year after year, the General Assembly has voted against a United States-imposed blockade against Cuba, the only such one in the world of today. Yet, based on only two votes, the USA and Israel, this UN vote is rendered meaningless.

It is no surprise that there is strong clamour within the UN, for reform of the organisation and its agencies.

There has been limited success in this push for reform. For instance, the UN Security Council, in practice the highest UN body in matters of peace and security, has now had to accept 10 non-permanent members, besides its ‘Big Five’ with veto powers (USA, UK, France, Russia and China). These are chosen on a regional basis and elected at the General Assembly.

The next vote on non-permanent membership is scheduled for the middle of the year 2019. Then, our tiny country, with a population a mere 0.03percent of that of the USA, is seeking to obtain a seat on the Security Council on that nonpermanent basis. If we succeed, and indications have already been given in that direction, we will become the smallest nation ever to succeed in such a quest.

Unfortunately, both our political partisanship and lack of understanding of the significance of such an achievement, will lead some among us to pooh-pooh its importance.

It is a clear indication of the prestige of such a small island-nation, receiving the support of nations great and small.

But more than that, its significance rests in the opportunity it provides to showcase this tiny state and its people.

It certainly is a most ambitious venture which, if successful, can bring tons of benefits not just to our country, but to the entire Caribbean region. We will be on a world stage like no other, and must act in a mature and responsible manner, not only in the UN, but here at home, which will bring credit to our region as a whole.

That obligation falls first and foremost on the Government of our country, but not on it alone. Those in political opposition to the government, must learn to separate their partisan interests from those of the country and region as a whole. When the idea of Security Council membership was first raised, it was strongly criticized by the Opposition leadership, misled by Venezuela-Colombia rivalries and the interests of those who do not wish to accommodate any views which do not coincide with theirs.

We have come a long way since, and it behoves us all, as patriotic Vincentians, not only to support the Security Council membership thrust, but to ensure that it is not one to feather the political nests of any one group, but one which redounds to the benefit of our country, our people and those of the region as a whole.

The Council’s deafening silence A “Gentle Reminder” by Arnhim Eustace of the Deadly Silence of the Christian Council on the Crime Situation, which is now in full flow, Fifteen Years Ago (“The Vincentian”, 23/5/2003) “BY THE TIME this article is published, the National Day of Prayer and Fast coordinated by the Christian Council at the request of Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves would have taken place.

Over the last few days, this issue has generated much discussion. A great deal of this discussion resulted from a letter that I had written to the Council indicating that I would not participate in the National Day of Prayer and Fast program.

Below I publish the letter, dated May 15, 2003, that I sent to the Christian Council Secretary explaining my position: “Re: National Day of Prayer Dear Sir/Madam, I refer to and acknowledge receipt of your letter on the captioned subject. In that letter I was specifically asked in my capacity as Leader of the Opposition, NDP, to do a radio/television address about the National Day of Prayer and my support for it. In addition, I was asked to read a lesson at a service to be held at the Victoria Park on May 21st 2003.

Over the last two (2) years, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council has maintained a deafening silence on all the serious issues that have been affecting the people of this country.

You will no doubt recall that at the time of the Grande Beach Accord it was agreed that a National Consultative Committee (NCC), made up of several organisations and to be convened by the Christian Council, would be established.

The NCC was expected to function beyond Election month March 2001 and its role inter alia, was to *To act as a social conscience on matters of national interest which touch the lives of people at every level of society; * To advance industrial stability, peace and quiet; *To anticipate and intervene where and when necessary so as to guide conciliatory approaches to industrial relations and matters of national interest.

The Christian Council, to my recollection, has failed to intervene or even speak about any matter of National interest since March 2001.

Where was the Christian Council on the issue of increasing crime and violence over the past year? Our country saw the Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches having their day of prayer- radio station

disc jockeys promoted and held peace marches.

Where was the Christian Council on the whole-sale victimization of hundreds of public workers, which continues even today?

I met in 2001 with the Chairman Victor Jobe, Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Council Ronnie Daniel, and discussed with them a list of six hundred and seventy-one (671) persons who had been victimized. I never heard a word from you again. The council met with the Prime Minister immediately after the meeting with me and apparently accepted his word on victimisation.

Where was the Christian Council on the deteriorating economy and the plight of the poor and the less fortunate? Does the Christian Council have a view on this?

Where was the Christian Council when in Parliament, the Opposition brought a motion for a Spiritual and Social Redemption Charter and was prevented from debating the motion which sought to tackle crime from a spiritual perspective?

Suddenly, after two (2) years of inaction, the Christian Council, at the request of the Prime Minister, has awoken from its slumber and wishes to host a National Day of Prayer. Is the Council to operate only when the Prime Minister so requests? Would the Council have responded positively to a similar request from the Leader of the Opposition? I doubt it.

Given the deafening silence of the last two (2) years and its failure to act as the social conscience on matters of national interest as required by the Grande Beach Accord, and while I encourage all our citizens to pray for the cessation of crime and violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I have decided not to participate in the programme of May 21st as requested. Yours Truly, Honourable Arnhim Eustace, MP Leader of the Opposition.”

The letter is self-explanatory. It is my belief that the Christian Council has lost its way and has failed to play the role expected of it in a society like ours. Some members in my view have allowed political partisanship to override their consciences. This has led to inaction by the Council over the last two (2) years.

I stand by the position I have taken. It is more than time that the church as a group speak out against the issues confronting our society particularly those affecting the poor and less fortunate a role that should be taken as being automatic.

Continued on Page 13.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 9.

Letters

Those illegal guns!

MY RECENT VISIT TO homeland SVG threw up quite a number of startling revelations, not least among these being the number of firearms that now decorate our once peaceful landscape.

Long ago, you literally knew who had guns and who didn’t; businessmen for sure would have licensed firearms, and persons considered to be of good standing in society stood a good chance of getting one.

But now it seems that firearms are aplenty in SVG. And from all appearances, the number of illegal guns in SVG far outnumber the legal ones. They are in the hands of young and old alike, regardless of profession and/or social standing.

One ‘youth man’ told

me he could get me a gun if I wanted… it is that easy.

And what struck me most, Mr. Editor, was the fact that the number of shooting deaths recorded over 2017 and 2018 were committed by young people.

Now tell me, just where are these guns coming from? Are guns being manufactured in SVG? Certainly not!

So why are we marking time on getting to the root of the matter?

Why are we behaving like we don’t know how and where the guns enter SVG? Why do we continue to go around in circles? Do we want to have to resort to imposing a State of Emergency, like Jamaica has done in certain communities, to tackle

the situation?

It is clear and simple.

We need to check our main bases - the airports, ports and harbor, to begin with - and stop closing a blind eye to the ‘contraband’ trade that continues unabated under the noses of the authorities, from all reports.

It seems that SVG is simply not doing enough, if anything, to address the situation of illegal weapons. It is clear that the majority of shooting incidents — fatal or otherwise — are done by persons using illegal firearms.

Are illegal guns simply escaping the eyes of the authorities? I must be missing something, but how can illegal weapons come into the island when the

Tackling the sugary drink situation

authorities boast about how much we have improved our ability to guard our territory?

Illegal guns are awash in SVG, and criminals have easy access to them.

Are we covering up something as it relates to the movement of guns into SVG and into whose hands they end up? I hope not.

Paul, Jamaica

We, teachers, and all other stakeholders I AM LEFT to ponder on marketing strategy is please any manufacturer our continuing, blatant one aimed at enticing the or any group of vendors, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of promotion of double primary, secondary and especially the Education - have to work standards, especially as young adult population distributors. together to ensure that it relates to our young into developing a fancy Principals, vicethe health of these people. for these drinks. principals, guidance youngsters is preserved.

Take the case of the As a teacher and as counsellors, teachers in It is our responsibility proliferation of sugary, one who is aware of the general and other people as teachers and carbonated drinks. broader responsibilities of influence in schools There has never been associated with this must work fast to ensure education officials, to put before in this country the profession, I don’t think that the best interests of preventative measures in place to support a better range of such drinks that the negative impact the students are and a much healthier available on our market, of these sugary drinks safeguarded. school population. and it seems that the should be downplayed to These drinks have Some hard decisions little nutritional value; that is an uncontestable will have to be taken, but they will all be in the fact. Yet, they have interest of safeguarding become the first-choice beverages for our young the health of future people, who seem to have generations. little regard for their Concerned Teacher own health.

ONE OF THE last remaining historic buildings in capital Kingstown is the Court House, which doubles as our House of Parliament.

Thank God that it has withstood the ‘wrath’ of the former and present administrations whose tendency has been to ‘destroy’ what is historic and erect modern day edifices.

Mind you, I noted during a very recent visit, that the yard is quickly being overtaken and the lawn destroyed by an overwhelming number of vehicles which are allowed to park there.

It is my hope that this building will receive the appropriate professional attention that will ensure that it is preserved in its original architectural style.

And in order to add to its preservation by reducing wear and tear, we can decide on a single use for it, i.e. either as a Court House or a Parliament Building.

Whatever the choice, the building must remain in its original splendor as best as possible.

Parliament or Court House

Terrence Adams, USA

The SVG Human Rights Association THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Human Rights Association (SVGHRA), which had its genesis in the latter part of the 20th century, provided tremendous hope for the Vincentian community. It embarked on an aggressive and forthright mission of educating and sensitizing the local population on the importance of recognizing their fundamental and constitutional rights as Vincentians.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, this august body concentrated singularly on gender issues which took precedence over other relevant aspects of human rights. For example, once it became public knowledge that a female was the victim of abuse by her male spouse, the Human Rights Association’s spokesperson would immediately seek the facility of the media to denounce the perpetrator’s action.

During its years of existence, the Human Rights Association never addressed human rights issues such as the unlawful molestation by disrespectful persons on the unfettered rights of decent citizens to walk the streets peacefully. Nor did it ever condemn national discrimination on the basis of class origin, ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds. Race prejudice is subtly extant in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Meritocracy, a sociological concept advocated by the American Sociologist Talcott Parsons, which has to do with rewarding individuals based on merit, and the right to work, are two significant factors that are integral to any civilized society. The latter, the right to be gainfully employed, is enshrined in the United Nation’s Charter. The Human Rights Association needs to pay attention to these imperatives and advise employers and employees accordingly.

Additionally, the Human Rights Association is tardy on family matters. For example, in a serious family conflict where the marriage seems to be on the brink of collapse, the wife more often than not benefits by dint of receiving alimony from her husband along with property rights. The Human Rights Association could be an arbiter in family disputes by providing or seeking professional MAN-ABOUTassistance to the marital TOWN (back from partners, especially those vacation) would like involved in empty shell to know: marriages.

Patmos Richards

* If the PM read a letter from a retiree that was published a few weeks ago in THE VINCENTIAN, in which the person spoke about how much they are afraid to leave their home? * Any truth in the claim that the police have a lead in the murder of Renwick Rose’s sister but are not following through on it? * Did government give any support to A&AT Promotion who is honouring Frankie McIntosh? * Where is Yuggie Farrell?

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10. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Neglect of the The NDP: Party of Contradictions, Disarray people of Canouan and Poor Leadership

A FORMER PRESIDENT of the United States of America once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Clearly, from the onset of this statement, the New Democratic Party continues to fail when it comes to the issue of leadership, both internally and externally. The recent occurrence of two former Political leaders of the party verbally attacking each other on issues of personalities and party policies, demonstrated the abysmal leadership portrayed by Dr. Godwin Friday. After all, Arnhim Eustace continues to speak on behalf of the NDP, while Sir James Mitchell urges the party to revisit its stance and position on adopting the “One China Policy”.

We cannot forget, since it was only recently, the Vice President of the NDP - Major St. Clair Leacock agreeing with Sir James that there must be a change in the Senate, favouring Israel Bruce to replace Zita Barnwell as Senator. This issue was played out in a public spat and brawl for all to see.

Last year December, we saw a public brawl between Mr Eustace and the Major, where the Major said he “felt very badly” when former party president, Arnhim Eustace, chastised him publicly on the radio over public comments he had made about his party’s appointment of opposition senators.

So far, no call for an apology nor any rebuke from the President of the Party was done in relation to all these circumstances, to show that he is the Leader and that it is time for Unity. It is crystal clear that the NDP continues to be divided and is in disarray.

establishment of a fish processing facility at Calliaqua. Can a ‘mass’ political party get any worse? The NDP, with Mr Eustace then as Leader, supported the idea of building a geothermal energy plant, stating that it will improve productivity and lead to cheaper energy cost. It has since made a complete about turn to oppose the project that they once saw as beneficial.

It is no wonder that the Vice President of the NDP, Major St. Clair Leacock, stated that “If the NDP does not pay attention to that which is successful in the way that Dr Ralph Gonsalves manages his assertiveness, boldness, social life, risk-taking, oratory, his presence and draw lessons from it, then the NDP will pay a heavy price”. He further stated that “the Political Leader of the Unity Labour Party, who also is the Prime Minister of our blessed island, is a very serious and formidable political figure who does not have an equal in our Caribbean politics, who also has regional respect and influence”. This remark by a top executive member in the NDP is quite telling. It even means that not even the President of the NDP, Dr. Friday is seen as an equal of our great Political Leader and Prime Minister, by Leacock. So why is it the NDP is continuing to try and hoodwink Vincentians thinking they can do better and is an alternative to the governing ULP? Is it that they only want the power for power’s sake?

Party of Contradictions

Conclusion

We have never seen a party more contradictory than the New Democratic Party. The party continues to dwindle under the leadership of Dr. Godwin Friday.

Many see him as uninspiring, lacking enthusiasm, vision and ideas. Have you ever asked yourself what idea is genuinely authentic of Dr Friday since he became President of the NDP? The NDP, which recently had a walk for jobs, is equally the party that has criticised job-creating initiatives such as YES programme, the SET programme, the cocoa project, Buccama Bay Resort, Mt Wynne/Peters Hope development and the Argyle International Airport.

Even further, the NDP is also trying to make an issue with the

We must always remember, not to forget where we were in 2001 and what we have now. It is only under strong and influential leadership with vision and real ideas, that we can consolidate and improve upon what exists, while securing and building a brighter future for all Vincentians. Anyone can see that the NDP is and will continue to be a dismal failure with an abysmal leadership, lacking real ideas and vision. The NDP’s idea is to sell SVG to the highest bidder through the sale of passports, while we in the ULP believe in our citizens. We invest in our people to continue to build sweet SVG, with tourism and hotel development, geothermal energy and increasing opportunities for all. Forward ever, backward never!!

IT IS OFTEN said that development is about people. Consequently, for any development to be successful, the focus must be people centred. People must be integrally involved for any development to be successful. If, therefore, we are to intelligently tackle the problems of human development in any society, we must dialogue or consult with the people at whom such development is targeted. We must not assume that we know what they want; we must ascertain people’s needs through a process that is above board and characterised by transparency.

Indeed, good governance should be the top priority of any administration seeking to advance the development of its citizens spiritually, economically, educationally and morally, regardless of their locality; and the people of Canouan is of no exception. For over seventeen (17) years, the people of Canouan, through their Parliamentary Representative the Honourable Terrance Ollivierre, have been lobbying the government for a secondary school on that island. The Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration has refused to accede to the request of the people, citing many frivolous reasons in spite of their much touted ‘Education Revolution’ which is supposed to offer increased opportunities to many. Not the children of Canouan who have been left behind as far as affording them easy access to quality secondary education on the island is concerned.

There is no doubt as to the many problems students from the island faced in their quest to access secondary education away from their homes and families. The scourges of school dropouts, financial difficulties, social problems, etc. have created a myriad of problems which have ultimately denied many students from Canouan the opportunity to complete secondary school. Undeniably, the system is failing them. If truth be told, we must recognize that a secondary school on the island of Canouan with a skills training component linked to on the job training, is not only a necessity but a right.

It must be recognized that the establishment of such an institution linked to the major developments on the island, will not only cater to the needs of those within the school system but also for school dropouts, out of school youths and adults. The objective is the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. The people of Canouan have clearly expressed this ideal at the PTA meeting recently held at the Canouan Government School and the Town Hall meeting at the Lodge building which was facilitated by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday, and Parliamentary Representative for the constituency, the Honourable Terrance Ollivierre. The New Democratic Party (NDP) fully supports them in this quest, and as stated in previous manifestos, will make secondary education a high priority for the residents.

No one can deny that the people of Canouan have given up much in order to accommodate the successful development of the island, and that such sacrifice should have produced many benefits to them. Indeed, they

must be given and have a voice or say in matters which would ultimately affect their livelihoods. This should be facilitated through the governing authorities or government aided through the various ministries and agencies. However, this communication has been woefully lacking by the ULP administration.

Alternatively, no one in the ULP government, not even those with responsibility for Grenadines Affairs, have seen it fit to meet and discuss with the people the government’s plans for educational development on the island, nor any form of development that may ultimately affect them positively or negatively. The government has reneged on its obligation and responsibility to the people on the island, leaving them to fight for their rights and needs, on their own. To date, this ULP administration has not held any consultation with the people about any proposed project(s). It is as if they have abandoned the people of Canouan, subjecting them to a state of hopelessness and despair.

The residents have a right to determine the kind of secondary education their children should receive.

The residents, after all, face the problems associated with keeping their children in school (off island), and this is exacerbated by the fact that they get very little or no assistance from this ULP government. As the saying goes, “who feels it knows it”.

People must be at the heart of any development plan, and the NDP has recognized the need to establish a good fit between development and the people.

One cannot simply ignore the people’s rights and concerns. The expanding gap between those who have and those who do not have, could negatively affect the social cohesion on the island, not least being aggravating an already worrisome crime situation.

On the other hand, if done properly in conjunction with the people as the main focus, there is the opportunity for significant improvements in education, employment, economic growth and general wellbeing. Consequently, all involved will be happy. People will more readily accept ownership of what is being offered.

And then there is the issue of recreation. Students and communities should never be denied their right to recreation. There are alternatives as expressed by the residents, available for the construction of the various schools.

To wake up one day to find that the school’s playing field is being bulldozed for construction, of which they had no prior notice, is an act of blatant disrespect for the people whose interest you are obliged to safeguard, protect and serve. It is through such service to the people that a government is able to govern justly and we must acquire the political will to do so without fear or favour.

The ULP regime has failed the people of Canouan. The NDP is committed to build a secondary school on the island.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 11.

Views

Growing people

“Something magical happens when you grow people.” John Calvin Maxwell (born 1947) is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, earthly pilgrim” (like you) and experienced a breath-taking, lifeprimarily focusing on leadership. changing moment. One such individual readily comes to mind; THOSE OF US WHO RESIDE in the tropics can often pause to reflect on the Augustine “Og” Mandino (1923-1996). wonderful privilege that we have to grow This American writer requires special mention. His story reminds us that fruits and vegetables all year round. even as individuals pause to grow us, And while we may describe some fruits and vegetables as seasonal, there are a we should, in turn, dedicate time to grow others. multitude of edible and decorative Og Mandino had an affinity for plants that are perennial. Many of us journalism. While at high school, he enjoy growing these and bask in the had set his sights on attending the wonder of God’s wonderful creation as we care for them and see them mature. University of Missouri’s journalism school. However, his mother died We derive such a warm and lingering from a massive heart attack in 1940 sense of achievement when this just prior to his seeking admission to happens. The same is true when we invest in people. Parents and teachers the university. He therefore opted to are especially proud when they see their work in a paper factory as he sought to make ends meet. Eventually, he wards accomplish great feats as joined the United States Army Air academics, athletes, and responsible Corps and became a military officer. citizens. It is such a wonder to see His military records confirm that he people, especially children, grow. flew thirty bombing missions over Teaching and parenting can be Germany during World War II. most rewarding. We cannot After his military discharge, accurately convey the emotions that Mandino gained employment as an emerge when we see our wards mature. On reflection, we realise that insurance salesman. However, bouts of depression resulted in him no money, no title, no award, and no contemplating suicide one wintery other form of recognition could morning. As he sought refuge from adequately convey the sense of the blistering cold winter that day, he accomplishment and the feeling of decided to enter the public library in satisfaction that we derive from the vicinity. It was while sorting having invested time, effort, and through several self-help books, that money in these young citizens. We he realised that there was still value understand and appreciate that it is not what we get from having nurtured and purpose to his life. His addiction to reading motivational books by them, but what we become by doing readers such as W. Clement Stone, so, that really matters. We become Napoleon Hill, and Emmet Fox, bigger and our horizons broaden as we pause to be the shoulder that they allowed him to alleviate his craving for alcohol. Mandino was drawn to would have climbed and cried on.

This idea of “growing people” is not the philosophy of these outstanding writers whose words intercepted his confined to the role that we must thought patterns, and placed him on a continue to play as we shape and new path that resulted in his being mould young minds. We also must inducted to the National Speakers constantly focus on assisting the Association Speaker Hall of Fame. adults around us to embark on that He allowed the thoughts of these men journey upwards; encouraging them to take root in his life and to grow, to to reach for and beyond their noble evolve, to write the best-selling book dreams. We must accept this entitled “The Greatest Salesman in challenge when it emerges in our the World”. workplaces, homes, churches, and Researching Mandino’s life neighbourhoods. There are too many revealed that his writings were among us who refuse to lend a hand to those in need. But we are thankful influenced by the bible, and several positive thinking writers (some to those who forever look for the referred to in the preceding opportunities, and pursue these, as they seek to intercept with intent and paragraph). These writings helped to encourage others along noble paths. him to grow as a person; to give him These heroes and heroines may never reason to hope and to banish the be featured in the newspapers. They negative thoughts that were driving may never make the television news. him to depression and selfRadio announcers and radio talk show destruction. His writings, in turn, hosts may never mention their names. have inspired many to pursue their noble dreams with passion. His books But they are not daunted; for have sold over 50 million copies and certainly they do not embrace the opportunity to do good to or for others have encouraged and inspired many.

Something magical happened in his to be noticed or praised. Their motives are purer than this. They are life as he read uplifting literature. He has passed on the torch as his encouraged and inspired to do good regardless of who sees. They are not writings have had a similar positive impact on others — inspiring and spectators in the game of life; they growing readers; continuing the cycle refuse to be mere observers and analysts of those around them. They and reminding us that as we have are proactive. They know that time is been blessed we should look for opportunities to be a blessing. As of the essence, and seize every others have exerted effort and energy moment presented to do good to to grow us, we should be prepared to others and to lift others to new grow others. It is an honour and heights of happiness and great privilege to do so. There is achievement. They are focused on something magical that happens growing people. These are true when we grow people. leaders and role models.

There are numerous testimonies of Send comments, criticisms & individuals who may have lost hope suggestions to as a result of some misfortune. julesferdinand@gmail.com However, their paths crossed “a noble

Why do we disbelieve women?

WHY ARE WE SO WILLING to second guess allegations made against the improper actions of powerful men?

Three women have made serious claims against Judge Kavanaugh.

Dozens of women have charged Bill Cosby with sexual assault. Now he is convicted we are told he is taken down because he is black. Across our region, rich, powerful and well connected persons are able to deflect accusations and avoid punishment for alleged crimes.

As Rebecca Solnit said in a Guardian column last week: ‘We have been here before. We have been here over and over in an unending song about how rape and sexual abuse happen: offering the same explanations, hearing the same kind of stories from survivors, hearing the same excuses and refusals to comprehend from people who are not so sure that women are endowed with inalienable rights and matter as much as men or have as much credibility.’

Why do we so really go along with the denials from our men especially powerful men? Solnit says: ‘We know why victims don’t report rapes. We know that a minority of rapes are reported; and of those, a small percentage result in arrests; and of those arrests, a small percentage result in prosecutions. Only a very small percentage results in convictions and sentences. We know that the woman who accused powerful men can experience and endure real terror and torment for speaking out.

‘We know that women have been portrayed as temptresses, more responsible for men’s acts than men themselves’ ‘We know that we are just beginning to emerge from an era of women being routinely discredited, shamed, blamed, and disbelieved when they speak up about sexual assault. Women’s credibility and character preemptively attacked. We know why women who speak up are disbelieved and punished while the career sailed on. We know why victims do not speak up, and how a whole apparatus existed — of threats, lawyers, spies — to keep them silent.

‘We have seen this all before. We saw it 27 years ago with the discrediting and harassment of Anita, who was called “a little bit nutty and a little bit slutty” for testifying against Clarence Thomas, and that one of the ways she was smeared was as a fantasist: “Do you think it a possibility that Professor Hill imagined or fantasised Judge Thomas saying those things she has charged him with?” said Senator Arlen Specter. “Her story’s too contrived. It’s so slick it doesn’t compute,” said Orrin Hatch blaming her for being coherent, as he would have undoubtedly done for being incoherent.

‘We know that the worst things that happen to us can be among the most indelible, so the argument that the accuser can’t possibly remember events from decades before doesn’t hold up. The science on the subject is pretty clear: according to the New England Journal of Medicine, rape is about four times more likely to result in diagnosable PTSD than combat.

Think about that for a moment — being raped is four times more

psychologically disturbing than going off to a war and being shot at and blown up. And because there are currently no enduring cultural narratives that allow women to look upon their survival as somehow heroic or honorable, the potential for enduring damage is even greater. A traumatic event like the one Christine Blasey Ford is alleging fractures the self, destroys one’s sense of time and place in the universe and generally changes a person completely. It is literally an encounter with death. To suggest that she wouldn’t remember it flies in the face of reason. No sane person would suggest that someone wouldn’t remember the time they were in an airplane crash. From a neuroscientific standpoint, being raped is more traumatic than war, not to mention plane crashes.” Ford reports fearing she might be killed in the conflict.

‘We know that as a society we hold people responsible for “youthful indiscretions”. The same Republican politicians who have been trying to dismiss an allegation of sexual assault against Kavanaugh as boys-will-beboys stuff support a president who, in 1989, placed full-page ads in four newspapers calling for the death penalty for the five non-white boys — two of them 15, one 14 — falsely convicted of the 1989 Central Park jogger rape and beating. (Donald Trump even asserted they were guilty in 2016, long after their exoneration.)

We treat many juveniles accused of crimes as adults, sentence some to life without parole, and saddle them with felony convictions and/or put them on registers of sex offenders for life. We do not excuse them for being drunk or high. The infamous Stanford rapist Brock Turner was 19 when he was arrested for felony sexual assault, banned from the Stanford campus, and given a six-month sentence and a lifetime on the sex offenders registry.

‘We know that too many men are full of empathy — for perpetrators, not victims — when stories such as Kavanaugh’s emerge, and that apparently they cannot imagine what it is like to be a woman who has been assaulted, because they’ve never tried.

We know that Kavanaugh is not facing punishment for a crime, just consideration of whether he deserves not only a reward but power over the lives of all Americans. This week in the Atlantic, the writer Caitlin Flanagan told of her own near-rape. It was an exceptional story — in that the perpetrator approached her to apologise wholeheartedly when they were both still young. Her story was about an incident in the late 1970s that she remembers with painful clarity — and she says that she believes Professor Ford. I believe in redemption and forgiveness — as things that must come after atonement and transformation….’

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

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12. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Migrants must end illegal occupation of Mustique now RESEARCH by Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, has revealed that the Migrants’ (majority being white) claim of ownership of Mustique is highly dubious.

The Migrants have sold Mustique twice internally to themselves, and have used the second internal sale/purchase of Mustique to themselves in the Mustique Act No 48 OF 2002, to claim ownership of Mustique.

This backdoor deal is dodgy. There is no historical land title deed given in the Mustique Act No 48 OF 2002 to show Mustique is owned by the Migrants.

Backdoor ownership is totally unacceptable. It is a classic example of land grabbing by foreigners.

Migrants, get the message now: Mustique

is the property of the people of SVG. End your illegal occupation of Mustique now and pack your bags and go back to where you came from.

In Venezuela, foreign landowners must demonstrate a consistent chain of property title back to 1848 if they are to enjoy full property rights – otherwise they face expropriation. We should do something similar in SVG to foreign land grabbers.

In Mexico, the federal police evicted more than 200 foreign retirees, most of them Americans, from their homes in a Baja California resort, under orders from Mexico’s highest court, which has ruled that the Americans have no right to live there.

The Mustique Act No. 48 OF 2002 is in breach of Section 13 of CAP 2

Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which states ‘No Law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect’.

The Mustique Act No. 48 OF 2002 says that ‘No customs service charges shall be levied against the company or its subsidiaries on the import of goods to SVG’.

However, the indigenous black population of SVG has to pay tax and customs service charge.

Is this not a violation of our human rights and discrimination against the indigenous people of SVG? According to Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, no legislation passed by the SVG House of Assembly shall have the power to supersede CAP 2 Constitution of Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines. The Mustique Act NO 48 OF 2002 is not valid and not legally binding. The Mustique Act No. 48 of 2002 should be abolished.

The Mustique Act No. 48 OF 2002 is highly counterproductive to the long-term development of SVG, in that it perpetuates ruthless colonialism and discrimination in favour of Migrants. It permits these Migrants to operate Mustique like a state within a state, with special privilege to not pay tax and customs duties.

The United Nations Human Rights office will be invited to scrutinise this dirty breach of human rights of the people of SVG. (White) Migrants in Mustique want the indigenous population of

SVG to subside their luxurious lifestyle. They want to use the roads and other services funded by SVG taxpayers’ money, but not contribute themselves. This is disgusting greed and arrogance.

The (white) Migrants are out of order in claiming the sea around Mustique as their

property. Our local fishermen have been fishing in the sea around Mustique for hundreds of years.

These Migrants who have a few believe they can buy the sovereignty of SVG, including the sea. They must pack their bags and go back to where they came from.

SVG Green Party

V Forestry Focus: Take care of nature

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018. 13.

Environment

“TAKE CARE of nature, or nature would take care of us.”

That was the advice coming from Joel Poyer - Forestry Officer and coordinator of this year’s Forest Focus, which is a concentration of forestry related exercises celebrated this year under the theme ‘Enhancing our forests through urban communities.

Every tree counts’.

He was at the time addressing those gathered at the car park outside the Post Office in Kingstown last Wednesday, for the opening of an exhibition which formed part of celebrations of Forestry Focus 2018.

The exhibition featured services and products linked to the preservation of the environment, and among those mounting displays were Nature Care, BRAGSA and the Botanic Gardens.

Poyer took time out to highlight the clearing of sections of the Mandela Highway as another activity of this year’s Forest Focus, and he recognised

the involvement of VINLEC and BRAGSA in making it a success.

Visits to schools and collaboration with National Parks Authority also marked aspects of the commemoration, Poyer pointed out.

But whatever Poyer emphasised was to reinforce that which was presented by Forestry Supervisor Casmus McLeod.

McLeod urged citizens to help with the conservation of trees, and pointed to the value of the green sector in the cycle of oxygen production and absorption of carbon dioxide.

He contended that if there is “no forest,” there will be “no life.” As far as he was concerned, it was a “symbiotic relation” between stakeholders of the environment, a call for “support for each other in the interest of sustainable development.”

McLeod acknowledged the value of trees — not only their role in the cycle of life (oxygen production) but also

their contribution to cooling the environment and decreasing reliance on electricity, their provision of animal life habitat and their aesthetic value.

There was a need to increase more ‘green life’, as far as McLeod was concerned. (WKA)

Both Forestry Supervisor Casmus McLeod and Forestry Officer Joel Poyer stressed the importance of trees in the cycle of life.

Tools and implements that if professionally and correctly used can aid in preserving and enhancing the natural environment.

Hunters urged to comply with best practices Part of the exhibition mounted by Nature Care, a professional garden and landscape service.

THE HUNTING season begins at midnight this Sunday.

Wild meat lovers, as expected, will welcome this with salivating mouths. The long wait is over.

But even as the hunt is on for the wildlife in our forest, Law Compliance Enforcement Officer in the Department of Forestry Department, Bradford Latham, is encouraging citizens to select their catches with consideration and their hunting tools with discretion.

Latham is discouraging persons from using gadgets Bradford Latham, Forestry’s like the air rifle, blow pipe Compliance and sling shot. These may be “effective” but they harm Enforcement Officer, has called the animals, he said at last Wednesday’s Forestry Focus on hunters to employ best exhibition held in (hunting) Kingstown. practices.

And for aquatic life, Latham suggests the use of fishing baskets, rod and nets, and encouraged The sling shot – one of hunters to return premature catches to their the ‘weapons’ Forestry habitat. officials advise against.

He urged hunters to: “Do it the right way.”

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14. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Dr. Friday: Too much haste about ÂGanjaÊ Bills THREE BILLS relating to marijuana were advanced to the select committee by this country’s Parliament on September 6.

The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill intended to regulate the supply and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes; the Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill that will provide for the granting of an amnesty for the period commencing Aug. 1, 2018 and ending July 31, 2019 to persons engaged in the cultivation of cannabis, and the Permitted Use of Cannabis for Religious Purpose Bill which provides

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the latest CARICOM member country to move towards legalizing the cultivation and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, a member of the Select Committee examining the draft ‘Ganja Legislation’, is concerned that we may be moving too fast on the issue.

for the decriminalisation of the use of cannabis as sacrament in religious practice as per the Rastafarian faith — were introduced in parliament by Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar.

Some three weeks since that sitting of Parliament at which the Opposition was duly present, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday has expressed concern about “the haste” with which the government is moving on the matter of legislation,

geared towards encouraging and accommodating the establishment of a Medical Marijuana Industry here.

Dr. Friday expressed the concern during last Monday’s airing of his weekly programme on NICE Radio.

Listeners to the programme heard that Dr, Friday had attended a meeting of the select committee that very morning.

According to the Opposition Leader,

given how that meeting proceeded, it appeared that there was a certain haste to get the matter over and done with as quickly as possible.

However, Dr. Friday opined, this haste was not going to do the process any good, and the Bills were of such importance that they demanded detailed and informed discussion.

Dr. Friday also expressed the hope that, once the select committee had discussed the bill, made amendments accordingly, and was satisfied that there was a final version for advancement, that this (version) should be put to the people for their feedback. “.. I will hope that more time will be given for that, not just the select committee, but for the people to understand what’s in the bill, how it is going to function, who is going to benefit from it, before it is debated in the Parliament,” Dr. Friday said.

The select committee - comprised of government and opposition members of Parliament - was scheduled to meet again last Tuesday.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018. 15.

News

Insurance Institute on Cyber Crime watch CYBER CRIME was on the main course on the menu when members of the Insurance Institute of SVG met for their September Seminar on Wednesday, September 12 at De Salad.

CID Officers PC Romeo Browne and PC Jeremy Joseph led an informative and interactive discussion on the web of Cyber Crime that was being spun right here in SVG. Sextortion, they explained to the Institute members as a situation of receiving emails threatening to disclose all your alleged nasty secrets to all your email contacts… unless you pay the ransom of course.

The officers heightened the interest of their audience when they turned to Online Shopping, encouraging those who used the facility, to always check beforehand about the security of the website.

Fake websites are being used to get your Credit Card details. These look like the real thing but are actually “mimic” copies of the site persons might have thought they were buying from, the officers warned.

And as far as cell phones passwords were concerned, the officers boldly declared that they were not secure. The Memory Card retains the password, so the password is not so secure after all.

Not done yet, the officers shook their audience when they turned to the risks of Ransomware, i.e. when a business is told that all its date/records have been encrypted, and it must pay a ‘ransom’ to order to recover access to their date/records.

Access to date/records is so crucial to the operations of any business, that many businesses pay the ransom since it will cost an exorbitant sum to employ IT experts to retrieve access.

In concluding, PC Browne and PC Jerome shared some ‘DO’s’ and ‘DON’T’s’ which the members of the Insurance Institute felt were worth sharing: Do: be alert for not-quite-right Websites; buy only on “htpps” secure websites; update your antivirus regularly; change passwords regularly.

Don’t: open links unless you are absolutely certain of them; give personal details on any friend’s phone or laptop; use the “save password” option; use someone’s Flash Drive without scanning it first.

Since 1997 the Insurance Institute of SVG has committed itself to raising standards in SVG insurance, through training, education, examinations and seminars.

The next training course will start in October, followed by professional examinations.

The Council’s deafening silence Continued from Page 8.

If major church leaders are afraid to speak out and initiate action on issues of increasing crime, violence, poverty and victimization, our country will continue to decline and our democracy will be seriously compromised.

As a Christian, I thought long and hard before declining the invitation of Christian Council- but I am comfortable with my decision. It should be noted that I did not call on the Supporters of the New Democratic Party to boycott the programme although some undoubtedly follow my lead. But for me, this is a matter of conscience and principle.

While the letter has engendered much discussion, I express the hope that the Christian Council will reexamine itself and its role in our society. It is my understanding that there have been some recent changes in the Christian Council.

I venture to express the hope that the “New Council” will seriously examine its role and perform its function in this society as directed by Almighty God not man.

I will continue to critically examine the Christian Council’s role until I am of the view that the Council is operating independently.”

(Standing L-R): CID Police Constables Jeremy Joseph and Romeo Browne shared much on the issue of Cyber Crime in the relaxed and conducive atmosphere of an Insurance Institute seminar.

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16. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports and Culture

The new home of the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy (DGHA). (Credit: DGHA Facebook page)

Dolphins Gymnastics opens new home

THE FORMER MUSTIQUE AIRWAYS hangar at the decommissioned E.T. Joshua Airport, is the new home of the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy.

The retrofitted facility was officially commissioned last Saturday, September 22, with an opening ceremony and demonstration of some Gymnastics routines.

A far cry from two previous places of operations, the new facility offers a significant increase in space and range of Gymnastics equipment.

The new facility is the result of the vision and determination of the founders of the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy, the husband and wife team of LaPrise and Kerry Williams of the LaPrise Harris- Williams and Kerry Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Williams, of the USA. Academy.

Johnathan Palmer of Mustique Airways, National Properties Limited played their part in the process. and the SVG Olympic Committee, were “There is not a moment that any of us the other main partners in realising the associated with the Olympic movement new facility. in St Vincent and the Grenadines regret A substantive injection of funds from having become involved and embroiled in the Pan American Sports Organisation this project,” Joseph declared.

(PASO), through the SVG Olympic He described the transformation from Committee, went into retrofitting the ‘idea to fruition’ as a tremendous feat. hanger.

“When we were asked at the Olympic Committee level to assist, one wondered A Tremendous Feat what was going through the minds of Kerry and LaPrise (Williams),” Joseph Speaking at last Saturday’s Opening stated.

Ceremony, Secretary General of the SVG Joseph noted that the facility will get Olympic Committee — Keith Joseph said a second opening, a grander one in 2019, that his organisation is happy that they when officials of PASO will be in St Vincent and the Grenadines to get first hand impression of the use of their input and the achievements of the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy and the SVG Gymnastics

Another demonstration by a young, An advanced gymnast on the bar in one of last Saturday’s demonstrations. local gymnast.

The new facility now boasts an increased amount of appropriate equipment. (Credit: DGHA Facebook page) Inset: Keith Joseph- Secretary- General of the SVG Olympic Committee, addressing last Saturday’s Opening Ceremony.

Aiming for the stars

With further expansion expected, LaPrise Williams is optimistic that in the not too distant future, St Vincent and the Grenadines could be represented in Gymnastics at the Olympic Games.

“This facility will totally transform Gymnastics in St Vincent and the Grenadines… We have Olympic apparatus, where we can now train kids the way kids are trained in other parts of the world,” she projected.

LaPrise Williams is also the Technical Director of the SVG Gymnastics Association, which is headed by Simone Churaman.

The meteoric rise in Gymnastics in St Vincent and the Grenadines is substantiated by the numbers who are involved in the sport, since the Williamses began the Dolphins Gymnastics and Health Academy in October 2015.

The introductory programme began with eight students.

Even with the small numbers, St Vincent and the Grenadines was able to contest the Houston National Invitational in February 2016, where they copped bronze.

In addition, Vincentian Gymnasts have competed in Florida, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

At present, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Gymnastics programme has in excess of one hundred and eighty participants, with operations extending to the Grenadine Islands of Bequia and Mustique.

There could well be an Olympian among this group of young Gymnasts … that’s the goal of Technical Director LaPrise Wiilliams.

Association.

The tenacity of the Williamses was also lauded by Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture- Hon Cecil Mc Kie. “It is an achievement which we must highlight here in St Vincent and the Grenadines…It is a clear reflection that we can achieve if we put our hearts, our minds, our energies together,” Mc Kie pointed out.

“You are on to a great thing, and you have now offered the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines an option; a new option where you ventured into waters,” Mc Kie underscored.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 17.

Sports and Culture

Local fashion designer in USA programme

Karen De Freitas is the lone Vincentian participant in this year’s YLAI Professional Fellows Program.

LOCAL FASHION DESIGNER/ ENTREPRENEUR - Karen De Freitas is among a group of thirteen persons from Barbados and the OECS currently in the USA, where they are participating in the U.S. Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program.

The thirteen were expected to join

up with counterparts from Latin America for the programme that began on September 20 and is scheduled to run until October 3.

In addition to Ms. De Freitas, the other Caribbean participants are: Shawn Maille from Antigua and Barbuda; Christina Hunte, Corey Jackman and Phillip Kellman from

Barbados; Lien Philogene-Norville from Dominica; Michael Thomas from Grenada; Shane Browne and Janeel Boone from St. Kitts and Nevis; Nyus Alfred, Johanan Dujon, Laurah John and Chadia Mathurin from St. Lucia.

According to US Embassy officials in Barbados, the programme is aimed at helping the participants to expand their leadership and entrepreneurial experience through fellowships at businesses and civil society organizations across the United States.

It is also hoped that the YLAI Fellows will build networks and lasting partnerships to attract investments and support for their entrepreneurial ventures.

Karen de Freitas is a graduate of Parsons School of Design — The New School, New York, from which she earned a BFA in fashion.

She is a professional designer and instructor, and designs, produces and showcases her creations under the brand name ‘SOKA’.

Her work has been featured in local shows, regionally in shows such as Virgin Islands Fashion Week and internationally at the annual Miami Fashion Week and Nolcha Fashion Week, New York.

Karen has also been featured in local and regional magazines such as SHE Caribbean, Posh Caribbean, Caribbean Styling and Panache JA magazine and Caribbean Beat.

18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V Cocaine lands Bequia resident in jail

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2018. 19.

Court

DERON HAZELL, a 35-year-old resident of Paget Farm, Bequia, was on Thursday handed a 2year sentence for possession and intent to supply cocaine.

He had been apprehended on March 9, 2018 with 1,133 grams of cocaine.

Chief Magistrate on September 26th, 2018, he changed his plea to a guilty one.

When asked by Browne what he had to say in mitigation, Hazell expressed regret and sorrow for having committed the action, and informed that he was coming to the Court for the first time.

He confessed that he could have entered the guilty plea “earlier”, but he wanted to see the birth of his third child and time to look into the matter of the theft of the engine for his boat.

When he appeared in Court both charge,s and there being He begged the Court for on March 12, he was charged no objection to bail, Chief leniency, but the Chief with possession of 1,133g of Magistrate Rechanne BrowneMagistrate adjourned cocaine, with intent to supply, Matthias granted bail to him sentencing to Thursday. and for the purposes of drug in the sum of $25,000, with Hazell’s charges arose as a trafficking on March 9 in one surety. result of a police action on Kingstown.

When he re-appeared in the Hazell pleaded not guilty to Serious Offences Court before March 9th, 2018 in the

vicinity of Massy Store at Upper Bay Street, Kingstown.

The Court heard that on the date in question, police, acting on certain information, proceeded to an area at the Grenadines Wharf where they say Hazell walking along the public road.

He proceeded to the Massy Store Supermarket where he spent a few minutes and on his exit of the supermarket, he was approached by a female Police Officer who was dressed in civilian clothes.

The Officer identified herself and requested a search of his person and a green knapsack he had on his back.

Nothing was discovered in the knapsack, but the drugs were discovered in a black plastic bag strapped to his back.

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20. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Grammar School still has an important role So if today, there is evidently a shortfall of the delivery on the society, THE ST. VINCENT GRAMMAR SCHOOL is reasonable expectations in such areas as this year marking the one hundred and public health and sanitation, road tenth year of its existence. It must be servicing, trade and manufacturing, then remembered that it had been instituted a those persons who had been trained to mere seventy years after emancipation. manage those areas are blamable. One is While it may be debatable that this country now to wonder if there should have been commenced its socio-political journey in over the years, a distinct emphasizing to earnest after 1951, it is indisputable the students, their obligation to the however, that the St.Vincent Grammar society which they had been preparing to School has been a landmark institution in go out into. For one sees today, the lack the state over a significant period of time. of involvement by these graduates in Therefore, if St. Vincent and the those areas of societal life, where their Grenadines seems now to be threatened training and experience adequately with being classified a failed state, then equip them to play an ameliorating role. the graduates of the school must accept These potential shapers and builders some degree of culpability. Graduates of seem content to use their talents and the school have distinguished themselves energy merely for their own personal in Education, Law, Medicine, and immediate survival and Engineering, Government, Commerce advancement. Somewhat like the river and Theology. Several of them have fish known as the “suck-stone”, their become governors and prime ministers of predominant focus is on holding to and the land. protecting their status quo.

In this way, they unwittingly create

by LE ROY PROVIDENCE

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School as it appears today. the space for ambitious “pseudo messiahs” to establish themselves and grow to become the “colossus of evil” in the society. It is in this space, defined and protected by the apathy of these good people, that unscrupulous politicians have been thriving, so that today they seem to be like a giant octopus, wrapping its tentacles around everything, to the detriment of the people. The reality today is that social unrest is threatening, because of the political discrimination and seeming victimization, the large scale selling off of our lands by the politicians, the arrogant acquiring of private property, and treating the affected citizens with disdain. These are but a few of the factors which have been exerting severe pressure on the “societal bottle”. The threat of conflagration is real!

Our leaders have failed us!

The drainage at the back of the school beckons for some notice and attention.

The unsightly perimeter fence at the SVGS needs immediate attention.

On top of all of this, the Agriculture sector has been crippled by our administrators, and they have been ably supported by persons who had in yesteryear presented themselves as champions of the people. The role of Renwick Rose and WINFA in the dismantling of the St. Vincent Banana Growers Association, the largest and oldest farmers’ organization in the land at the time, is painful. That treacherous act has left tens of thousands of Vincentian farmers crippled, and the economy of the land starved of billions of dollars over the last fifteen years.

Considering that the Grammar School has been initially set up as an Agricultural School, the graduates of the Grammar School should be strong in expressing their dissatisfaction with the mismanagement of the Agriculture sector over the last two decades. For it is now more than ever obvious, that Agriculture offers the best chance for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to retrieve hope over the short to medium term.

The original Boys Grammar School (Photo Credit: Clifford Edwards) challenge of getting the cooperation of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Health and the Environment, the Agricultural Authority, First Caribbean Bank, the NCB and others. The support of the Girls’ High School should be solicited.

Trickledown effect and more needed

The success of this project might well prompt a parallel effort on the aesthetic enhancement of that portion of the North River extending from the NEMO offices to the bridge on the Back Street.

This project should see the cooperation of the CWSA, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism and the several businesses having interests in the area.

By the way, when are we going to have the aforementioned bridge repaired? And when is that “rotting container” in the foreground of the Public Health Dept going to be removed?

Are we hoping to impress our distinguished visitors with them? We could do better than that!

I feel duty bound, to once again draw the attention of the relevant parties, authorities and parents, to the issue of the absence of proper bus stop facilities, for the thousands of children who gather at the area of Murray’s Road to catch their buses. I have expected that the Police Traffic Dept would have long ago urged that the issue be appropriately Revising its intention addressed. Where are the children to The Grammar School will perhaps shelter when it rains? need to revise its charter so that its The enhancing of the Grammar graduates would be imbued with a School property will also necessitate a strong sense of responsibility to serious appraisal of the drainage system advancing the interest and welfare of at the back of the schools where the runtheir societies. In that way, there may off water from the residences nearby be produced a sufficiency of citizens of ends up at the back of the school. The independent spirit and economic scene there exudes neglect! The very strength to effectively contain/restrain integrity of the school structure is quite the miscreancy of over-zealous political likely being threatened. leaders.

Grammar School deserves better than To this end, the Grammar School that after one hundred and ten years of could use this historic milestone of one tremendous contribution to the hundred and ten years to demonstrate development of our country! awareness of this need. The physical The implementation of the manifestation of this new consciousness could be in the aesthetic enhancement of aforementioned suggestions could represent the beginnings of a beautifully the Grammar School property and its environs. The area in mind lies between rewarding relationship between the St. the entrance to Murray’s Village and the Vincent Grammar School and others in the society, and could be the catalyst of a bridge between the First Caribbean thrust towards the wider retrieval of the Bank and the NCB on Back Street. dignity and ambience of our capital In this project, the river banks and Kingstown. the nearby drains could be landscaped, This land belongs to all of us, and and the lawn of the Grammar School each of us has a duty to see that it rebuilt, accommodating organized paid prospers in an atmosphere of peace and parking around it, bringing income to justice for all. After a hundred and ten the school, to support their sports years of existence, the St. Vincent programme. In this exercise, the Grammar School still has an important Grammar School Past Students role to play.

Association should undertake the

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 21.

News

Maintenance: key to reliability IN KEEPING WITH VINLEC’s mandate to provide reliable and quality electricity supply to customers, a major overhaul is ongoing at the Lowmans Bay Power Plant.

A team from the Generation Department is currently working on Unit #2, the 4.35MW MAN Diesel engine that was officially commissioned in 2006 during the first phase of the Lowmans Bay Project.

Overhauls are done to

maintain an engine’s rated power output, economy, and durability, and they form part of VINLEC’s ongoing maintenance programme.

The engine concerned has already been stripped and components that have life hours will be renewed. The base components are also being examined and measurements are being taken for reference on continued life in service.

VINLEC’s skilled

Technical team is required to execute numerous tasks, among them loosening, removing and refitting pistons, cleaning cylinder heads, inspecting camshaft and cam follower, inspecting safety valves and cylinder liners. The team will also check oil drainage, refit injectors, high pressure lines and other parts of the engine before the start up and recommissioning of the

engine.

The Mechanical and Electrical staff continue to work diligently to complete the 12,000-hour overhaul, which began on September 14th. It is expected to be completed by mid-October.

(Submitted by VINLEC) Right: Diquan Dennie cleaning cylinder head exhaust and inlet valves in preparation for machining.

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22. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

AROUND THE CRIME SCENE (Editor’s note: The follow is meant to give some indication of the varied and challenging nature of crime that abounds here.)

Magistrate’s Court to answer the charge.

Criminal Assault

Police are investigating a report of robbery which occurred in the vicinity of the old Stubbs Police Station on the morning of the 24th September, 2018, about 11:50 pm. nothing of value allowed him to leave.

Preliminary investigations revealed that an offduty Police Officer, while on his way home, was accosted by an unmasked gunman, who later Attempted murder relieved him of $40.00EC. The complainant indicated that the man searched Police are investigating the report of Attempted his person and his belongings and after finding Murder made by a 31-year-old labourer of Lodge Village on 24.09.18, against two (2) armed unknown men.

According to reports, on 24.09.18 at 09:45 p.m. at Lodge Village, the assailants with intent to commit the offence of Murder on him, did an act, which was merely preparatory to the commission of the offence by shooting at him with a gun.

The police are soliciting the assistance of the public, in the retrieval of any information that will assist in this case or any other case, by contacting the ACP in charge Crimes at 17844561339 or the officer in charge CID at 17844561810.

POLICE ARRESTED and charged Dudley Dariel Rodney, 29-year-old farmer of Greiggs for Criminal Assault, on the 22nd September, 2018.

According to investigations, on 31.08.18 about 04:40 a.m. at Greiggs, Rodney chased a 33-year-old farmer of Greiggs with a gun and a cutlass with intent to commit an offence.

Rodney is expected to appear before the

Robbery

Indecent assault Police arrested and charged Wazim Simon, 25year-old labourer of Brighton for Indecently Assaulting a 15-year-old male student, on 25.09.18.

According to investigations, on 24.10.17 about 08:15 p.m. at Brighton, Simon indecently assaulted the student by inappropriately touching him about his body with his hands.

Simon is expected to appear before the Family Court Magistrate to answer the charge.

Arson Police are investigating the report of Arson made by a 22-year-old labourer of Chateaubelair on 25.09.18, against some unknown person(s).

According to reports, on 25.09.18 between 7:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m., the unknown assailants without lawful excuse destroyed by fire, one (1) galvanize house and its contents.

Firearm possession Police arrested and charged Gilvert James, 38year-old Self-employed, Molissa Soleyn, 17 years old Student, and Jahvil Browne, 18-year-old Fisherman all of Lowmans Hill, for Illegal Firearm Possession, on 23.09.18.

On 23.09.18 at 12:15 a.m. at Lowmans Hill, the accused persons were met in possession of one (1) .32 Revolver and a .38 Revolver without licences issued under the firearm act. They were also charged for having in their possession two (2) rounds of .32 ammunition and one (1) round of .22 ammunition without licences issued under the firearm act.

The accused appeared before the Serious Offences Court to plea to the charges.

(Source of Information: RSVGPF Public Relations and Complaints Department)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 23.

People

Sergeant Bess completes Master’s degree MEMBERS of the Royal SVG Police Force continue to make use of every opportunity to advance their education and training, so as to better equip themselves to effect their duties and responsibilities.

The most recent officer of the Force to achieve advanced qualification is Sergeant Michael J.A. Bess of the Fire Department.

Bess, boasting 13 years of firefighting and fire service management experience, recently completed a Master’s degree in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health, from the University of the West Indies, and is said to be the first Vincentian to be conferred a Master’s degree in that field of study/specialization.

Bess’s Maste’sr degree follows a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, an International Certificate in Fire and Disaster Management, and a Certificate in Disaster Management.

His curriculum vitae also includes several international certifications awarded from internationally recognised organizations, among them being the Pan American Health Organization, Red Cross and FEMA. Bess said that he had much to thank God for, especially in steering him through successful completion of his programme of study.

And even as he recognized his mother, Yvette Bess, for her support, he dedicated his recent achievement to his

Early Childhood specialist retires GWENETTE CAMBRIDGE was on Friday 24 September, 2018, showered with accolades during a ceremony to mark her retirement as a Senior Education Officer.

Cambridge was retiring after some 32 years service to Education, almost eleven of those years spent in the Gwenette specialized field of Early Cambridge is Childhood Education.

Her colleagues described her recognized as as having “a passion for Early having left an indelible mark Childhood Education” which on the growth of trickled down to those with Early Childhood whom she worked both in the Education and Ministry of Education and in Services in SVG. the classroom.

She was especially recognized for her role in trying to get the Early Education standards proclaimed.

The fact that Cambridge departs active service before those standards have been ratified, does not denigrate the work and time she gave to the effort.

Chief Education Officer Ms. Beverly Neptune described Cambridge as one who kept up to date with emerging tends in early childhood education, and was ever ready to share these with her colleagues and early childhood practitioners.

Sergeant Michael J.A. Bess takes a seat of honour in the company of his colleagues at the Fire Station at the Argyle International Airport.

wife, Jessica, who he said Bess was also thankful participated in his was steadfast in her to his colleagues, research, retired support for his especially those who Commissioner of Police endeavour.

Michael Charles and current Commissioner of Police (Ag), Colin John.

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24. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Don’t blame the van driver Dear George, I AM AMAZED as to how ‘fast’ and malicious people can be. I entered this van with a young lady who was not my wife. I was taking her on a date at a certain restaurant. We rode in the front seat and she took the liberty of holding my hand. The driver, who remained very quiet throughout the journey, went and reported to my wife that he drove me and a woman to a restaurant to have dinner.

My wife confronted me about it, and even went to the work place of the female in question and caused an embarrassing scene. Since that time, my wife has been threatening divorce and says that she does not care for counseling because, “an old dog cannot learn new tricks.”

The van driver, meanwhile, refuses to have me ride in his van. I do not know what wrong I have done him. If

only he had minded his own business!

Terribly Upset Dear Terribly Upset, No use in laying blame at the van driver’s feet. Instead, you should accept full responsibility for your present situation.

Judging from your wife’s response, it appears that infidelity is a common practice as far as you are concerned.

Your wife is calling for exclusivity, and having exchanged those vows with her, that is not too much for her to ask.

You’ll simply have to deal with the pieces as they might fall.

George

Harboring evil thoughts Dear George, I WALKED in on my wife and our landlord in the sanctity of our bedroom. I ordered him out of the room and the house. My wife, to my great surprise, warned me that I ought to think about the back rent we are owing him, and all that she was doing was erasing the amount owed.

George, my body went numb, and for a minute I saw myself in jail serving a life sentence for a double murder.

Somehow, I managed to

walk away that night and proceeded thereafter to walk away from the marriage.

But to be honest, I am hurting a lot deep down and every now and then, thoughts of going after her would cross my mind. How do I get rid of these very dark thoughts and the pain I feel?

Out to sea Dear Out to sea It’s good that you reached out for help.

Walking away from that

scene and situation was an extremely admirable thing to do. It takes a big man to do that, and it’s a testament of your inner strength.

That pain you feel and the thoughts you are having should not be viewed as abnormal, and help is available for that. With the appropriate counselling in due course, you will be able to resume living your life as before.

Please see a counselor immediately. The Marion House can help with that.

George

Take time to heal

Dear George

Dear Betrayed,

I HAVE BEEN dating this girl for one year now. She was a virgin when I met her, and she told me she wanted to remain that way until she got married to me. Our wedding was planned for late next year, and George, I have been exercising immense restraint, all because I wanted to respect her wishes.

Can you believe that this very woman went and slept with a man who was just visiting from America, and gave the excuse that he promised to take her to the USA and get her a Green Card? She had the gall to say she was doing it “for us”.

My friends want me to forgive her and marry her anyway, but I’m not anywhere close to doing that. I cannot trust her!

Once trust has been broken, it is difficult to build it back. I can understand how broken and pained you must be. Give yourself some time to heal from that pain, and maybe, after the dust has cleared, you will find a way of forgiving her and moving past that incident.

Love is kind and forgiving, and will allow you to look past that one error in judgement and see the remaining beautiful qualities that your girlfriend possesses.

Betrayed

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) This is not the time to lend or borrow money or possessions. You need to be inspired and have your spirits lifted.

Look into alternatives that would better suit both your needs. You will have to watch out for minor health problems related to stress.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Your lover will be annoyed with your participation. Entertain those who can provide you with valuable information and knowledge. Family may not want to get involved but an entrepreneur will.

In‐laws or relatives may oppose your personal intentions.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) You will have a little more energy than usual. Your energy will be high. You can make money if you work on personal investments. Get busy making those changes to your home.

CANCER(June 22‐July 22) Opportunities to make financial gains will develop through your connections with other people. Your stability will aid you in getting support from your fellow workers. You can get a great deal accomplished.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You will learn easily if you put forth an effort. Delve into worthwhile causes that will show results if you put in the effort.

Hard work will bring rewards. You will get upset over trivial matters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Obstacles may stand in your way where career and success are concerned. Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. Avoid getting trapped in internal disputes. You may find yourself mixed up in a triangle of sorts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Turn your present relationship around or start a new one. New relationships will surface through work relate events. You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Don’t agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you’ve been considering. You can expect changes in your financial situation as well as in your status. You will be uncertain of your feelings. Romance will unfold if you take trips or get together with friends.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) You may find yourself changing crowds.

You should look into a healthier diet.

You can pick up additional responsibility that will lead to higher wages and a better position. Educational courses will be stimulating and successful.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent.

Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable. Don’t get talked into get rich quick schemes. A lack of support and negativity have been the main problems.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You will be extremely sensual; take precautions and don’t take any risks. Do not sign your life away. You could experience delays in shipments or mail, and should be careful while travelling.

Misunderstandings at work could easily lead to your demise.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Travel will be favorable and bring you the greatest rewards. This will not be the best day for communication or travel.

Don’t get involved in expensive entertainment that involves gambling.

Don’t hold yourself back because you think you’re too old.

ACROSS 1. Dull sound 5. Kingdom in SE Asia 12. River in central Switzerland 13. Benign tumor of the skin 14. Malarial fever

15. Remain 16. Consume 17. Fragments 18. Doze 20. portable bed 21. Electrically charged atom 22. Self‐defense 24. Contour feather 27. Cover 28. Sailor 29. Dutch name of The Hague 30. Cushion 31. Waist band 32. Viper 33. Roll of bank notes 34. Traitor 35. Enquine sounds 37. Fabled bird 38. From 39. Portend 43. Drug‐yielding plant 45. Meadow 46. Loch 47. Inhabitant of Serbia 48. Organ of hearing 49. Holly 50. Impetus 51. Prehistoric sepulchral tomb DOWN 1. Labels 2. Frozen rain

3. Official language of Pakistan 4. Judging 5. Between 6. Listen to 7. Insect 8. Toll 9. Excited 10. Kernel 11. Sweets 19. Fur scarf 20. Vulgar, ill‐bred fellow 22. Monetary unit of Western Samoa 24. Apparition 25. Relaxation 26. Turnip‐shaped

27. Chield 30. Step in ballet 31. Pastoral 33. Which person 34. The least amount 36. Diving bird 37. Arm again

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 25.

39. Sweetheart 40. Wife of Shiva 41. Supplements 42. Immediately following 44. The Lion 45. Permit

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26. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

SVG to sign environmental agreement ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES was expected to sign the “Escazú Agreement” on regional environmental matters on Thursday, at a high-level ceremony at United Nations headquarters, New York.

Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and Saint Lucia were expected to join SVG in this regard.

The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, known as the “Escazú Agreement”, will open for the signature of all the countries in the region in the framework of the UN General Assembly.

The Escazú Agreement — named because it was adopted last March 4 in Escazú in Costa Rica — is the region’s first environmental agreement and is the only one of its kind in the world, since it includes specific provisions regarding defenders of human rights in environmental matters.

It is the first legal instrument to have emerged thus far from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Río+20).

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) provides the technical secretariat for the agreement.

From September 27 onward,

any state that has signed the regional agreement will be able to ratify, accept or approve it.

Ratification, acceptance or approval can be undertaken immediately after the signature. To enter into force, the agreement will require 11 states parties.

The Escazú Agreement seeks to ensure that all persons have access to timely and reliable information, can participate in an effective way in the decisions that affect their lives and their environment, and can access justice in environmental matters, thereby contributing to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 27.

Five new winners in Round D Town Road Relay Fitz Hughes Primary doubled the Male and Female categories.

Male Secondary Schools’ winning unit- the St Vincent Grammar School.

FIVE NEW WINNERS were installed at last Sunday’s four-leg Round D Town Road Relay, staged by

Team Athletics SVG. Returning to the top place in the Primary Schools’ Division was the

third.

It was also One and Two for Fitz Hughes Primary in the Female category, with Team One trumping in 43 minutes 47.89 seconds.

The Kingstown Preparatory, which won last year’s race, placed third.

Dethroned as well, was the Barrouallie Secondary, last year’s winner of the Female category of the Secondary Schools’ Division. They were displaced by Troumaca Secondary.

The new winner’s time was 40 minutes 20.30 seconds. Barrouallie Secondary was second, with Thomas Saunders Secondary — third.

Meanwhile, IT- DAT Academy was the first Experience – winners of the Male Open. team to finish in the Open Female. IT- DAT Fitz Hughes Primary.

Hughes Primary swept Winners of the 2016 both the Male and Female Academy timed 36 edition, but absent from categories in their return. minutes 50.18 seconds.

The Barrouallie last year’s event, Fitz In fact, Fitz Hughes Primary, with three Male Secondary, which won in teams, placed first, second 2017, had to settle for second place, while Xand third. Team One’s Ceed Sports Club placed winning time was 36 third. minutes 14.43 seconds.

The other new winner Team Two was second was the Pamenos and Team Three was Ballantyne- led team

IT- DAT Academy’s quartet who won the Female Open.

named Experience, which left the defending champion IT DAT Academy, to finish second in the Male Open.

Experience’s time was 27 minutes 51.69 seconds.

X- Cel was third.

As it turned out, the St Vincent Grammar School was the lone unit to successfully defend a title.

The School’s quartet retained the Male category of the Secondary School’s Division, timing 30 minutes 23.22 seconds.

Trailing the St Vincent Grammar School to the finish line in second place was the Barrouallie Secondary School, and third was the Petit Bordel Secondary.

Cash prizes were presented to the top three places in each of the six categories.

Thirty —eight teams, one more than 2017, started last Sunday’s event. Three teams, however, did not complete the course.

Each leg of Sunday’s event began and ended at the intersection of Halifax Street and South River Road, in capital Kingstown.

Athletes in the Primary Schools’ Division and the Secondary Schools Females set off.

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28. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

New record in North Leeward T20 cricket CHRISROY JOHN and Hyron Shallow were the pride and joy of last weekend round of matches in the VINLEC North Leeward T20 Cricket Tournament.

The pair shared in a record-breaking 235-run opening partnership to lead Ajuba of Spring Village to an Augustin overwhelming 164Bentick took 5 run victory over a for 16 for hapless Ruddy’s Rudy’s Electrical.

Electrical, to In the match be the played last Sunday at weekend’s top Cumberland Playing wicker-taker.

Field, John recorded 7 sixes and 9 fours and remained not out on 111 after facing 65 balls. Shallow helped himself to 14 fours and 4 sixes in making 105 not out in 58 balls.

Ruddy’s Electrical were dismissed for 71 off 16.3 overs. Asif Hooper captured 4 for 5 and Leon Samuel 2 for 12.

Roger Gibson hit 51 not out for Ruddy’s Electrical.

Stars by 9 wickets.

Peto Stars 103 off 14.5 overs, Allison Samuel 43, Vangel Small 23, Augustine Bentick Record-breakers 5 for 16; Ruddy’s In other results: Chrisroy John (right) Electrical 104 for 1 and Hyron Shallow. off 14.2 overs, Upsetters defeated Somerset by 14 runs. Upsetters 146 for 7 off 20 overs - Roger Gibson 53 not out, Seon Rickford Walker’s Orville Franklyn 32, Cklon McKie 22. Sween 23 not out.

75 not out ensured RSVG Police defeated Carlos James victory for RSVGPF Nelson Williams 3 for 22; Somerset 132 for 9 off 20 overs, Nelson Williams Troumaca Starlight by 6 wickets. over Starlight.

30, McKie 3 for 17, and Desroy Samuel Starlight 147 for 7 off 20 overs, Nicklon Alexander 39, Bennitton 2 for 30.

Stapleton 2 for 11; Police 151 for 4 off Ruddy’s Electrical defeated Peto I.B.A.ALLEN 16 overs, Rickford Walker 75 not out.

SVG footballers in action this Sunday SVG SENIOR National Football Team will engage the Barbados National team in a ‘friendly’ this Sunday — September 30 — at the Chilli Playing Field, as the Vincentians step up their training activity for their continuing participation in the CONCACAF Nations League.

SVG is scheduled to take on French Guiana, in Cayenne, on October

Cornelius 11, in their continuing first round Huggins, Head Coach of SVG of matches in the Nations League, and national senior men’s football Cornelius Huggins, coach of the national team, admits to some team, is happy that shortcomings. his team will get to play a team like Huggins Barbados, since, he said, admitted “they are a good team that there are some and will give us a good areas the team needs to challenge to see where work on, as revealed in we are and how we SVG’s 2-nil defeat at the compete against better hands of Nicaragua. teams.”

“The goal-keeping

Beaten but not into the ground THE SVG MEN RUGBY 7s team did not set the field ablaze with victories in the tournament held in Barbados on the weekend, but remained in high spirits.

The team returned from Barbados in high spirits after a tournament which featured 14 countries battling it out over two days. St. Vincent started off on a losing streak in a tough group that included the likes of power house Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands and St. Lucia.

SVG later faced Guadeloupe and Curacao and beat the latter 20-0.

A source from the SVG Rugby Union said, despite not securing many wins, the squad played well against much stronger teams and showed determination and improvement since their last 7s tournament.

In fact, SVG finished in 12th place above Turks & Caicos and Curacao.

Jonte Bowens of SVG was adjudged

The SVG Men Rigby 7s team that comepeted in the recent Rugby Americans North RAN 7-ah-side Tournament. the Best Newcomer. The 19-year-old, reports indicated, showed great potential in his first tournament.

The overall winners were Jamaica among the men and among the women.

I.B.A.ALLEN

SVG Senior Men’s Football team in training at Buccament. aspect needs to be better and more assertive in transferring the play from defense to attack,” Huggins cited.

He also conceded that while it is evident that the players possess much skill abnd potential, the team is still plagued by a problem of converting good plays into goals.

“The players need to play more … that’s the only way they can get experience and get better

at what they do,” Huggins said.

The twenty (20) man SVG national senior men’s football squad includes: Lemus Christopher, Kevan Henry and Jahvan Peters (goalkeepers); Jahvin Sutherland, Keshorn Johnny, Joseph Douglas, Jalen Miller, Akeem Williams, Jolanshoy Mc Dowall and Devin Francis (defenders); Wendell

Cuffy, Brad Richards, Diel Spring and Joel Quashie (midfielders); Zenroy Lee, Nazir Mc Burnette, Azinho Solomon, Chavel Cunningham, Denis Prescott and Travis Fraser (strikers).

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 29.

Sports

Ensuring stability WHATEVER happens until May next year, teams in the ICC World Cup will have to cater for the English conditions and the potential hazards.

Bangladesh and India will have done themselves some good by making it to the Asian Cup final which winds up today.

That was some tournament. Some may be astonished with the strides that Afghanistan continues to display. West Indian fans are used to the drama.

The test is for the regional management to ensure that they prepare for the final showdown.

That includes the threat of be it spin or pace from any quarter.

The decision by Stuart Law to quit before his contract expired, is a sign that something may be brewing.

There have been moves towards rapprochement so that the West Indies could field what fans will deem to be their most competitive outfit. The administration found itself at loggerheads with players over the years. They had to contend with a makeshift squad for those qualifiers. Most persons were anticipating that the West Indies would have succumbed and it might have been a case of: ‘I told you so,’ as far as the stars were concerned. They opted for bigger money franchise rather that parade in the West Indies colours.

No one can stop a worker from opting for the best wages for his labour.

There is a feeling that some players have long abandoned the sense of patriotism or commitment to the region, for better wages.

There has been no scandal surrounding West Indies representatives, and that they having been tainted by unscrupulous or middlemen match fixers. One hopes that the veil of suspicion remains a distance from the faces of any of our cricketers.

Given the global trend, it will not be out of order to wonder to what extent West Indies players have become vulnerable.

It takes the mildest contact to instigate some scenarios.

The West Indies are in India facing a cauldron.

According to the records, another smashing is envisaged.

West Indies players threw the contents into the open when they aborted a tour to India recently, after going some distance in limbo. Memories of that fiasco have left a feeling of mistrust between different sectors of the Caribbean fraternity.

Some players seem capable of manipulating the political landscape, and regional leaders in their quest for popularity, have found ways to accommodate questionable actions by some.

The important task political leaders have of ensuring economic progress, is shelved on the axle of expediency so that it always boils down to being the one eyed King in a blind man country.

CARICOM has to come to grips with the sporting situation. The movement has gained some strides, and there is a sense that the spirit of regionalism is not completely extinct.

But the tendency of selfishness which has become the hallmark of the majority of Caribbean leaders, is not amounting to the benefit of the entire population.

The cracks appear every now and again.

Attempts at covering them are at times superficial. For they reappear with subtle venom, and our best efforts at whitewashing them do not always have the desired effect.

Organisations receive Kiddy Cricket kits SIX ORGANISATIONS which are not part of the Scotia Bank Kiddy Cricket Primary Schools’ Programme, were last Tuesday, presented with kits.

Those receiving the kits were the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre, the Salvation Army School for Orphans, School For Children with Special Needs, the Sion Hill Sports Club, along with the Chateau Stars and the Cyril Adams Methodist Day Care/ PreSchool.

In addition, a kit was presented to the Chateaubelair Methodist School, winners of the 2018 Scotia Bank Kiddy Cricket Festival, as a token of reward for their triumph.

Speaking at last Tuesday’s ceremony, Pamela Herbert — Daniel, Country Head/ Manager of Scotia Bank, said the decision to “rebrand”, some years ago, thus paying more attention to the youths in the community, has paid greater dividends.

She noted that the thrust towards more community involvement, “has helped Scotia Bank in having a bigger impact and presence in the community where we live and work”.

Herbert- Daniel said that the donations of the kits should serve as introduction to the sport of

Cricket.

“We envision that these kits will bring the fundamentals into the schools and organisations in a fun and engaging format when teaching discipline format, while embracing teaching skills and discipline”, Herbert- Daniel related.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. Samuel Holder thanked Scotia Bank for its continued support in the region.

“The St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc., on behalf of the CWI (Cricket West Indies), thank the Bank of Nova Scotia for the eighteen years of sponsorship to the young people of the Caribbean… We here in St

Some recipients of the Kiddy Cricket pose with their kits, along with Scotia Bank and Cricket officials.

Vincent and the Grenadines cannot thank you enough for your financial input which would have helped with the promotion and development of the sport of Cricket here in St Vincent and the Grenadines”, Holder lauded.

He noted that through their involvement in the Kiddy Cricket Programme, countless Vincentian young cricketers were able to gain life skills.

The Scotia Bank Kiddy Cricket Programme got started in 1999, as a joint undertaking of the financial institution and the West Indies Cricket Board, which has since been rebranded Cricket West Indies.

Through the Programme, the fostering of skills and passion for Representatives from the the sport of Cricket among Salvation Army School for primary school students in the Orphans accept their kit Caribbean, is the major goal. from Pamela Herbert – The Programme has been Daniel, Country Head/ Manager of Scotia Bank and crafted as a developmental tool for Norman Cumberbatch, also both the athletic and academic abilities of the students. of Scotia Bank.

Police earn easy Masters win AN UNBEATEN century by former national opening batsman Neil Baptiste helped propel RSVG Police Masters to a 51-run win over Ruddy’s Electrical Barrouallie, in last weekend round of matches in the National Masters Cricket Competition.

Playing at Buccament, Police Masters made 180 for no wicket off 20 overs. Neil Baptiste 101 not out, Trevor “Buju” Bailey 67 not out; Ruddy’s Electrical Barrouallie 129 for 7 off 20 overs, Lennox Douglas 30, Dexter Small 24 and Lenif Hector 24, Renford Jack took 3 for 12, and Carlos Sampson 2 for 17.

At Arnos Vale, Digicel Glamorgan Masters defeated Kirk DaSilva’s LaCroix Masters by 7 wickets. LaCroix Masters 107 off 20 overs, Sobers Thomas hit 43, Augustus Mofford took 2 for 18 and Elvis John 2 for 20; Glamorgan Masters 108 for 3 off 10.5 overs, Mofford 33 not out, McNeil Morgan 30 not out, Raymond Ryan 2 for 23.

At Arnos Vale 2 on Sunday, Teachers Credit Union North East Masters defeated A.R.& G Trucking P’tani Masters by 67 runs. North East Masters 162 for 9 off 20 overs, Deighton Butler 51, Elton Williams 43, Isaac Haywood took 3 for 32; P’tani Masters 95 all out off 16 overs, . Cassius Welcome 29, Olanzo Jackson 4 for 14, Otis Wright 3 for 16.

At Park Hill, Davis Construction Bequia Masters defeated Marriaqua Masters by 98 runs. Bequia Masters 218 for 8 off 20 overs, Daniel Williams 60, Jeffrey Richards 31, Lanzo Lavia took 3 for 23; Marriaqua Masters 120 off 18.2 overs, Ricky King 28, Williams 3 for 18.

At Buccament, General Hardware Pastures Masters and Sion Hill Masters game ended in a tie. Sion Hill 160 for 3 off 20 overs, Ashley Cordice 84 not out, Israel Abraham took 2 for 20; Pastures Masters 160 for 7 off 20 overs, Rohan Ash hit 46, Brian Davis 3 for 36, Sylvester Vanloo 2

Trevor “Buju” Bailey hit 67 not out.

Neil Baptiste hit 101 not out.

for 9. At Park Hill, Stanley Browne’s Stubbs Masters defeated North Windward Masters by 5 wickets. North Windward 133 for 9 off 20 overs, Augustin Bentick 32 not out and Michael Jack 31, Micah Joseph 3 for 25; Stubbs Masters 136 for 5 off 17.4 overs, Darnley Joseph 69 not out, Bentick 3 for 22.

Matches continue this weekend at Arnos Vale, London, Park Hill, Cumberland, Buccament and Sion Hill.

I.B.A.ALLEN

30. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018. 31.

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.39

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„ULP BLIND TO CRIME SITUATION‰, SAYS NDP

THE OPPOSITION New Democratic Party (NDP) has accused the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration of Ralph Gonsalves of being “willfully blind and indifferent” to the crime situation in SVG. The finger-pointing came in a statement by the NDP released last Wednesday, on the heels of the robbery of a police officer.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to

struggle under the ever-rising crime crisis, while Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP remain willfully blind and indifferent,” the statement said, and continued, “The recent incidents in which a policeman in uniform was robbed at gunpoint, close to a police station in Stubbs, and the robbery of the

Minister of Agriculture’s wife at her home, sent a clear message that no one is safe from crime here in SVG.”

‘SPACEMAN’ SHOT IN STUBBS Stories by KENVILLE HORNE THE VINCENTIAN has been reliably informed that a shop-keeper was shot on Wednesday night, in Stubbs.

The report is that Rollin ‘Spaceman’ Parris, a 44-year-old shop-keeper who operates a small shop in ‘Bottom’ Stubbs, was shot about his body around 8:30p.m.

He was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he remained warded up to press time.

Information received said that Parris, while in his shop, was attacked and shot by two masked men.

This shooting came three days after a police officer was robbed at gunpoint in the same community.

Police are investigating both incidents.

Rollin ‘Spaceman’ Parris

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

Reference was also made to the armed robbery of a school child of her cell phone and money in the area of Block 2000; the attempted armed robbery of Elvin Edwards’ shop in Mc Kie’s Hill; the robbery of a fruit vendor in the area of the Nurses Hostel, and the attempted armed robbery at Black Rose Bar in Arnos Vale, as having “reinforced the fear and insecurity that many Vincentians feel.”

The statement also highlighted the refusal by Dr. Gonsalves, who is also the Minister of National Security, to accept that there is a crime crisis in the country, and his constant attempts to provide academic analysis as excuses.

Against that backdrop, the statement reiterated the NDP’s call on the Prime Minister “to formally address the nation on plans to deal with the ever-worsening crime situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” and the NDP’s “willingness to work with the government and other organizations to address the problem.”

The expressed willingness

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday have locked horns in battle on the issue of the crime situation in SVG. to work with the government came even after Dr. Gonslaves, on Boom Radio on September 17, had declared that he had “no trust in the Leader of the Opposition,” because ““…he is being opportunistic about it … making statements which are plain wrong… erroneous to the nth degree.”

Prime Minister Gonsalves, for his part, has described SVG as among the safest countries in the world, and mocked the NDP’s recent walk against crime.

“Now, if you are truly saying that criminals have overtaken the country and are overrunning it, you will be asking that the police force come out in their numbers to give you protection along the way,” said Gonsalves in response to Dr. Friday’s alluding to criminals overrunning the state.

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