FRIDAY, JANUARY
29, 2021
VOLUME 115, No.04
No community spread Page 3
www.thevincentian.com
Frankie gratified Page 5
EC$1.50
Randy sent off Page 11
Another homicide Page 24
No Lahar Page 12
ANOTHER BILLIONDOLLAR YEAR Stories by DAYLE DASILVA THE 2021 ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE which amount to EC$1,212,601,578 and is 2.2 percent higher than the approved figure for 2020, got a safe passage through Parliament on January 27. The overall projection is for a deficit year of EC$50.7 Camillo Gonsalves, Finance Minister, tabled yet another deficit .
million. This anticipated deficit, not new to this country, was this time around attributed to the weak position in which government began 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the expected slowdown in economic activity for the coming year.
The minister of finance added that taxes on income and profit was also expected to fall by 4.3 percent, or $7 million — the same with taxes on goods and services which was expected to decrease by EC$7.2 million or 3.7 percent and taxes in international trade and transactions to fall by 7.8 percent or EC$13.7 million.
Tax sources taking a blow Expenditure – Revenue Including in that projected decrease is a Recurrent Expenditure in 2021 was blow of a 5.4 percent projected to amount to EC$895,199,329, inclusive of to tax sources. It was estimated that amortization (EC$175.1 million, 14.8 tax sources would generate EC$554 million to the Consolidated Fund and non-tax sources EC$93.4 million, a one percent drop.
per cent increase) and sinking fund contributions (EC$2 million, 51.1 percent decrease). Capital Expenditure EC$317.4 million, a 2.1 percent increase, was projected to be used primarily for physical infra-structural projects aimed at reducing the vulnerability factor. Financing was expected to come from Current Revenue amounting to EC$647,386,000, a decrease of 4.8 percent, and Capital Receipts of EC$565,212,575. Continued on Page 3.
PUBLIC DEBT INCREASES FINANCE MINISTER CAMILLO GONSALVES, during his presentation of the 2021 Revenue and Expenditure at a sitting of the House of Assembly last Wednesday, January 27, disclosed that the public debt stood at EC$1,871,029,887, as of December 31, 2020. This figure, the Minister said, represented a 12 percent increase over the figure for 2019. In detailing the debt, Gonsalves said the domestic debt increased by 17.2 percent and was now put at EC$579.6 million, with external debt registering an increase of 2.9 percent to now stand at EC$1.29 billion. The increase in the external debt was the product of soft loans from agencies like the World Bank
and other development agencies, against which some net payment were made during 2020. Those included a payment of EC$2.5 million to loans from the Caribbean Development Bank; EC$6 million on a loan from the Republic of China on Taiwan; EC$4.2 million to ALBA; EC$1.5 million to the CARICOM Development Fund and EC$5.8 million to bond holders. The total debt service for 2021 is projected to be EC$271.9 million, or 41 percent of the current revenue.
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2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
News
Medical Cannabis Pharmacy opened here THERE HAVE been some challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic on the progress of the local Medicinal Cannabis Industry. However it has not stopped the opening of St. Vincent and the Grenadines first Medical Cannabis Pharmacy. almost a month ago. On Wednesday, December 23, 2020 Green Lava Labs Pharmacy, opened their pharmacy located on the ground floor of the Nicholls
Building on Bentick Square, Kingstown. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Operation Manager of Green Lava (SVG) Inc. Hilton Dalzell thanked the Government and the Medical Cannabis Association (MCA) for its cooperation and support thus far, and informed that the pharmacy will offer a suite of medicinal cannabis products that will aid both local and visiting qualifying patients
with their medical needs. Chief Executive Officer at MCA, Dr. Jerrol Thompson noted that Green Lava (SVG) Inc. is one of a number of companies that have received a license to engage in medicinal cannabis cultivation, and is the first to establish a medicinal cannabis dispensary in SVG. He added that the MCA has facilitated training for over 90 medical doctors, pharmacists as well as veterinarians in the medical use of cannabis, and that he was pleased to see that one of those pharmacists has been engaged by Green Lava. Also speaking at the ceremony was Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Green Lava Medical Cannabis Pharmacy, located in the Nicholls Building.
Government and Green Lava official at the official opening of the Pharmacy. Caesar. He congratulate the staff of the MCA for its continued work and stated that it is the quest of the government to establish a modern, medical, wellness industry of which cannabis will play a primary part as a central pillar. In a related reference, Caesar disclosed that the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has started conversations with private sector companies in West Africa, especially Ghana,
which are keen to explore the pharmacology and science of many of the plants which were brought to the Vincentian shores by the people of Ghana. Caesar stated that it is the hope and intention of the government to be a destination of a well- planned, structured, and conceived, local nutraceutical industry. In extending a warm welcome to Green Lava Labs in the pharmaceutical field, he urged them to execute a wellorganized business.
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lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 3.
News 3 No community spread
MINISTER OF HEALTH ST CLAIR ‘JIMMY’ PRINCE maintains that the transmission of the COVID19 virus here in St Vincent and the Grenadines is not to be categorized under community spread. He made the statement during last Wednesday’s sitting of the House of Assembly in answer to a question posed by Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined community spread as being evidenced by the inability to relate confirmed cases through chains of transmission for a large number of cases, or by increasing positive tests through sentinel samples. “For the majority of confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the chains of transmission have been due to contact with known cases,” Prince said in response to the Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday in Parliament on January 27. And it was in keeping with this definition of community transmission Prince argued that rather, local cases were
clustered in time, geographic location and/or by common exposures. According to the Health Minister clusters identified so far had been associated with ministerial departments, churches, parties, private sector workplaces and families with many of the clusters having linkages. Meanwhile, the numbers published up to January 26 indicate that there were 35 confirmed new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of local cases to 657 and a total of 798 Tamara Bobb, Epidemiologist, recorded in the country. shared statistics to show the An additional 12 persons demographic impact of COVIDhad recovered bringing the 19. total number of recoveries to 165 with 631 cases determine the information. remaining active and two Persons between the ages of COVID-19 related deaths. 25 to 44 made up the majority Epidemiologist Tamara of the cases testing positive, Bobb, at a press briefing on comprising 35.4 percent Bobb January 26, indicated that said; those between 15 and 24 based on preliminary data made up 12.9 percent and there were more females who persons between 45 and 54 tested positive accounting for accounted for 11.9 percent. 47 percent of the overall There were cases recorded positive cases recorded. Males in all age groups Bobb said. made up 35 percent and there The Calliaqua, Pembroke were some remaining samples and Georgetown Health where it had been difficult to Districts led with the greatest
Health Minister St. Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince was adamant that given the WHO definition, there was no community spread of the coronavirus in SVG. number of infections accounting for over 50 percent of the total cases recovered to date, the epidemiologist added. (DD)
Some facilities off limit MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC have been reminded that visits to the Argyle Isolation Facility (AIF) and the area designated as the COVID Unit in the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) were strictly prohibited. Speaking at a virtual press briefing Tuesday 26th January, Grace Walters, Hospital Administrator, reiterated the reminder and said in addition, the decision had been taken to discontinue the 11 O’clock visitation time at the MCMH, and restrict visits to one person per patient. “So, if you are here to see loved ones, a group will not be allowed to enter because we want to limit the number of persons at a ward at any one time,” Walters said. She urged members of the public to co-operate with the procedure governing visits saying that they may be asked a few questions by security personnel, as they moved to fulfil their mandate of ensuring a curb on numbers. Persons at both facilities were still able to receive items, however, they would have to be dropped off at the booths located at the front of both the MCMH and the AIF, Walters said.
Use of the facilities As for how the facilities were being used, Walters pointed out that the MCMH remained the accepting facility
Continued from Front Page.
The Argyle Isolation Facility was used for administering patient care but is now a dedicated to isolation purposes only. for all specialized cases, as the district flu clinics did not have the capacity to continue to keep patients infected with COVID-19 and requiring hospitalization. This and the increasing number of infection have necessitated the AIF being used to offer hospital services. According to Walters, the Argyle facility admitted persons in circumstances where it had been determined that they were unable to isolate themselves. That has now changed “….by opening the doors at the facility,” and using it “as a means for isolation rather than hospitalization,” she said. To date, the AIF has had a total of 44 admissions. That number dropped to 16 by January 26, with some requiring patient care. With the rapid increase in the number of persons requiring patient care/hospitalization, the female
Another billiondollar year
Grace Walters, Hospital Administrator, asked for cooperation with the restrictions on visits to two major health facilities here.
surgical ward has been transformed to treat COVID-19 patients. As of January 26, Walters said that the number of admissions to this unit was 35, however that number had dwindled to 7 after a number of persons were either discharged to complete isolation at home, or they were transferred to the AIF. And given the need for more designated isolation areas to respond to those who do not require hospitalization but are not able to properly isolate in their own homes, Minister of Health St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince confirmed at the press briefing that government had leased a selfcontained 25-room guest house, for a period of 6 months in the first instance. Additional rooms/space would be provided should the need arise. (DD)
Under the projected (2021) Recurrent Expenditure, wages and salaries show an increase of EC$14.8 million with salaries amounting to EC$271.9 million, allowances EC$24.9 million, EC$25.2 million for wages and National Insurance Services (NIS) of EC$13.6 million, amounting to $345.9 million.
Wages, salaries, pensions, etc. The budgeted 4.6 percent increase in the wages and salaries bill for 2021 was attributed to the increases in increments to be paid to civil servants and the creation of the new positions, Gonsalves explained. The payment of pensions continued to be among the most significant expenditures for government with EC$60 million allocated for 2021. “Budgetary provisions for pensions have grown by over 50 percent in the last 10 years,” Gonsalves said, and alluded to a non-contributory scheme that posed obvious risks. He reiterated government’s intention to pursue pension reform as a priority agenda item. “I know I made a similar pledge last year, but the pandemic caused us to limit the consultations, but we cannot limit those and need to have constructive conversations this year,” Gonsalves told Parliament.
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4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Court
King penalized for breaching quarantine
Magistrate Zoila EllisBrowne handed down the penalty after King was found guilty, following a short trial at the Andrew Phillip King, Calliaqua Magistrate’s spent only one night in Court on Tuesday. quarantine at an King, said to be born approved facility. in England, had given his age as 53 and his Stories by residence as Biabou,. He HAYDN HUGGINS was charged with breaching an order by ANDREW PHILLIP KING, a Medical Officer of Health man who breached a Dr. Roger Duncan, quarantine order last requiring him to December with the quarantine himself from explanation that the Prime others. The charge was Minister had given him laid under Section 27(a) permission to leave, was of the Public Health Act. fined $1,000 on Tuesday. Persons entering the He was allowed one week country are required to to pay the fine with an quarantine for 14 days, alternative of six months of which ten are to be in prison. done at an approved
facility. King, who had arrived here from Canada on December 28, chose to go to Paradise Inn at Villa. The Prosecution’s evidence revealed that he paid US$160 for two nights, on December 29, but went to the receptionist and indicated that he would not be staying for the second day, as he was given permission to leave,. He requested a refund. According to the evidence, he was refunded US$40 and he drove himself away in a rental vehicle. The authorities at the hotel became suspicious, contacted the COVID-19
Task Force, and the matter was reported to the police. During investigations, the police went to Mangoes Restaurant and Bar at Villa where they met King. When cautioned, he told the police that the Prime Minister gave him permission to go home. King was taken to the isolation facility at Argyle where he did the remaining days, and on
Police halts security breach at HMP Fitzgerald Phillips THE VIGILANCE of Corporal 296 Davis and Constable 540 Sam, both of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), prevented a quantity of prohibited items, including marijuana, from entering Her Majesty’s Prison, Kingstown, last Saturday. That action also led to Oscar Samuel, 40-year-old janitor of New Montrose, being sentenced to four months in prison, on Tuesday. Before sentencing, the Serious Offences Court heard that around 12:15 p.m. last Saturday, Davis and Sam were on duty and while travelling through Paul’s Avenue, they said Samuel attempting to throw a plastic bag over the prison wall. When the officers shouted to him, he took off his slippers, left the bag with its contents and ran. The bag was secured and the officers went in search of Samuel. As they patrolled the Wilson Hill area, not far from Paul’s Avenue, the officers spotted as Samuel as he made to enter a gap. He ran when he saw the police and jumped over the fence of the nearby Anglican Church Yard. The officers pursued him and Constable Sam caught him in that yard. When cautioned, he told the police, “Is weed and ting in de bag. Is a work me go do.” A search of the bag in his presence, revealed four smaller plastic bags, each containing marijuana, four packs of Pall Mall cigarettes, nine cigarette lighters, tobacco leaves, three bottles of alcohol and six packs of wrapping paper.
Samuel was cautioned again, and replied, “Is a man me go help.” He was arrested and on January 29 he was formally charged with attempting to induce prohibited items into He Majesty’s Prison. The charge was laid under Section 47(b), Chapter 393, of the Prison Act. Samuel pleaded guilty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday. He was unrepresented. The Chief Magistrate’s stressed the seriousness of the offence, as well as the consequences. She noted that a person could be fined up to $1,500, in addition to a six months prison sentence for such an offence. In outlining the aggravating factors, Browne said Samuel attempted to breach security protocols, and that he did so during a weekend that included two public holidays (January 22 and 25) declared for public health reasons, and during which persons were asked to stay indoors. She also noted that Samuel attempted to evade law enforcement, and that he had previous convictions. Browne said there were no mitigating factors in relation to the offence, but that he would benefit from a one third discount on his sentence, as he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. Using three months as a starting point, she added one month for each aggravating factor, and took away two months, in relation to the one third discount and arrived at the fourmonth sentence.
Belmont man charged with manslaughter FITZGERALD PHILLIPS, 41, of Belmont, will appear at the Serious Offence Court, Monday 1st February on a manslaughter charge. Phillips is charged with, by an unlawful act, having caused the death of Belmont resident Jason Martin, 47. Phillips was not required to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Zoila EllisBrowne at the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court last Tuesday. The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Serious Offences Court. Martin was reportedly chopped on his left leg during an altercation at Belmont on January 20. Phillips is represented by attorney Jomo Thomas.
his discharge, he was taken into custody and formally charged. The Court heard evidence from a number of witnesses including Dr. Duncan, the investigator Corporal 191 David, and the manager of Paradise Inn Hotel. King was unrepresented and opted not to give evidence from
the stand. He is one of several persons who have received penalties for the offence since the Public Health Act was amended last year to respond to the prevailing COVID-19 crisis. Of those who have been charge for breaching the quarantine protocol, only one has been acquitted.
Nigerian charged with stealing from police SAMUEL OMIDOYN, a 33-year-old Nigerian student resident here, will return to Court April 12 for trial on a charge of stealing from a police officer. Omidoyn is accused of stealing a Samsung cellular phone along with sim card, memory card and phone case, all belonging to Sergeant Rawl Pope of Lowmans Leeward, and amounting to a total value of $840. The offence was allegedly committed at Arnos Vale on January 22. The Nigerian pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He is on station bail and was represented in Court by attorney Michael Wyllie.
Van drivers urged to sanitize THE POLICE FORCE TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT is appealing to those mini-bus operators who are not sanitizing their buses, to do so. Officer Jones issued the call while speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday. He reminded operators that there are sanitizing stations at the Windward and Leeward Bus Terminals, and warned that it is an offence to keep their buses in an unsanitary condition. The Officer noted that under section 41, Chapter 483 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulations, a person who is guilty of this offence is liable to a fine of not less than $100, and not exceeding $1,500, and could also be imprisoned for 21 days. The Senior Traffic Officer said that though the Police Force has also been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, officers are continuing to work tirelessly to ensure that citizens comply with the health protocols put in place by the authorities.
V Frankie McIntosh ÂgratifiedÊ with UWI honorary doctorate
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 5.
People
by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT VINCENTIAN musical maestro Franklyn ‘Frankie’ McIntosh says he was “gratified” that the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Jan. 13 bestowed on him an honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt). McIntosh, a Brooklyn, New York resident, was bestowed the honour during a UWI’s 2020 virtual Graduation Ceremony, held on January 13, 2021. “On a personal level, I feel gratified that the University of the West Indies has recognized the work to which I have dedicated my life for over 50 years,” McIntosh told THE VINCENTIAN in an exclusive interview on Sunday. “Having worked as musical arranger with artistes from virtually every country in the Anglophone Caribbean, an honor from UWI, with emphasis on West Indies, holds special significance — emotionally and spiritually,” he added. McIntosh confirmed that e-mails and phone calls pour in from the Caribbean and Diaspora, and said “I am moved by the messages of congratulation and expressions of pride… . It makes me even prouder, reflexively, to know that people are proud of me. And this is especially so with regard to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Even at the advanced age of 74, I feel that I am still relevant — can still achieve something, which makes Vincentians proud.”
deserving of such recognition, with the tacit implication that what we musicians create may have some cognitive/intellectual import after all.” With the western mindset of “Rational Greeks” vs “Emotional Africans”, McIntosh said, “similarly, throughout history, the musician’s output has been considered as arising from emotion - except for those genres within the European ‘western musical tradition’, which their musicologists tenuously trace back to Greece and Rome — hence rendering them ‘rational’.” McIntosh said he has seen catalogues in which calypso is “subsumed” under anthropology, but the Beatles is catalogued under music. “One goes to work at his day job, but Caribbean musicians go to play,” he said wryly. “All this to say (that) academia has come a long way in its awareness of the role, function and value of local, popular art to Caribbean society; and artists, like myself, have benefited as a result.” McIntosh said the typical Ph.D. candidate earns his or her degree, then becomes of service to society — perhaps as a
college professor, with the concomitants of financial security and social recognition, or as an employee in an established firm. “The individual then retires after about 30 years with a handsome pension,” he said. “By comparison, the artist struggles in the trenches for 50 years or more, then receives an honorary doctorate — provided someone of influence makes submission on his/her behalf — then continues to struggle.”
Thanks aplenty Following on this thought, McIntosh said he was “grateful” to the Vincentian Association of Artists and Writers (VAAW), who first conferred an honorary Ph.D. on him “in their own humble way — from their hearts.” He said VAAW members were among others who floated the notion of an UWI honorary doctorate to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves — “that my name be submitted to UWI.” Now that it has become a reality, McIntosh said, “Thanks are in order to PM Gonsalves, VAAW, Granville Straker and
Artiste/musicians deserving of recognition Noting that, traditionally, universities reserve honorary doctorates for doctors and scientists, among others, McIntosh said, “It speaks volumes of UWI that artistes/musicians You can take the man out of the Caribbean but are now regarded as you can’t take the Caribbean out of the man.
other producers, Becket and other artistes, fellow musicians in the trenches — all those who have taught and motivated me over the years, particularly to my parents and family for their enduring support.” McIntosh said organizations and individuals such as the Sunshine Awards, the Accolades Committee, Birdsong, Tom Hinds and Naniki; staunch supporters, like Les Slater of The Trinidad and Tobago Folk Arts Institute and Lio Smith, jazz saxophonist — all played a part in the honor he received. “How could one entertain regrets on
having been awarded an honorary degree?” asked McIntosh rhetorically. “I do regret, however, that so many of those who would have relished the occasion are no longer with us — my parents, John Horne, Kerwyn Morris, Rafael Robertson, Michael Lorrainey, to name a few. “And, of course, thanks to UWI for the inspiration to keep looking forward: The Chancellor Mr. Robert Bermudez; Orator Dr. Francis Severin; registrars Mrs. Karen Forde-Warner and Mrs. Lois Graham; Mr. Reiza Haniff; and other UWI
Franklyn ‘Frankie’ McIntosh, D.Litt personnel who guided me through the formal process,” he added.
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6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Editorial
Local transmission -Day of prayer THE MINISTER OF HEALTH must have had a heavy breakfast last Wednesday. During the sitting of the House of Assembly that day, he unloaded a mouthful as to why this country has not declared a state of community spread, as it relates to the coronavirus/COVID-19. He referenced the definition advanced by the WHO with all its scientific jargon that, if the truth be told, must have missed the target — the majority of citizens of this country. Whether there is or there is not ‘community spread’ as per this WHO and government accepted definition, we are still at a loss as to how we can continue to promote that there is no local transmission of the coronavirus. We continue to refer to a category of infected persons as ‘cases under investigation’, which is deduced by subtracting a sub-total of imported and import related cases, from the grand total of recorded cases. On January 24 for example, communication from the Ministry of Health informed that there was a total of 746 cases of COVID19 recorded, comprised of 134 imported cases, 7 import related cases and 605 cases under investigation. What is this ‘cases under investigation’? Is it incorrect to conclude that if we have already discarded the imported and import related cases from the grand total to arrive at this ‘cases under investigation’ sub-total, that these ‘cases under investigation’ represent cases among the local resident population who we understand have not gone anywhere overseas in the recent past? Even if we factor into the ‘cases under investigation’ a number of ‘unresolved cases’ or even a number of imported cases for argument sake, are we incorrect to conclude that the majority would still be local residents who have not gone anywhere overseas? Come on!!! We are heartened that that government has awaken to the need to be stringent about the enforcement of the health protocols as they relate to combating the spread of the coronavirus, but we have to, at some time, forego the ‘scientific verbosity’ and tell it like it is. Cuss phrase or not, it is time we own up and say there is local transmission in our midst. Isn’t the recent ‘partial lockdown’ — a stay indoors test from January 22 to 25 - enough testimony in support of saying, ‘Look man, we have this thing among us locals, let us try and keep away from one another for this period’? Then again, who knows? The ‘holidays’ could have been a diversion to take the focus off the persons responsible for guiding this country through this period of crisis. Even as we confess to being untutored in the science relative to the current virus/disease, we are not void of common sense and on application of that common sense (Studiation beat Education), we insist that regardless of what panic more learned persons feel it might create, let us admit that there is a frightening degree of local transmission of the coronavirus in SVG.
Day of Prayer Not for the first time, a National Day of Prayer was mounted here as an alternative, it seems to some, to complaining about who has failed to do what, when and how. It would be folly if our religious leaders - church leaders - do not accept that they will come under the stern gaze of the wider population regardless of what they do. Then again, is there an unwritten alliance between state and church? The Caribbean Church has all but ceased to be a beacon of change, peace and justice. Days of Prayers are important but they must also be a Day for churches to focus on their shortcomings.
How the NDP treated “ULP” Public Servants (Pt 2) A reprint from 28th August 1998 “ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA of the public utilities did Mitchell zero in on brilliant sons of Labourite fathers. Hobbes Huggins, former secretary to Labour and past candidate as well, is father to Joel Huggins, the Manager of VINLEC, which in so many ways had illuminated the nation during the Mitchell years. Until a recent hiccup, Mitchell and Joel Huggins have got on like a house on fire. And Daniel Cummings, son of Samuel Cummings of Kingston Park, a Labour supporter to his marrow, was responsible for turning around the dreadful water situation in St Vincent, and made the local CWSA an example to follow in these parts. Daniel is now a leading MP in the opposition NDP. Nor did Mitchell allow narrow partisan consideration to limit his sights in recommending personnel for the sensitive area of the judiciary. It stands to Mitchell’s credit that he felt comfortable with the filling of the post of Solicitor-General by Donald Browne, who contested in 1985 for the Labour party which he once served as Deputy-Chairman. Later, Donald Browne acted as AttorneyGeneral, the highest law office in the land. Former Chairman of the Labour Party, the venerable Errol Clinton Mounsey, sat as Senior Magistrate whence his wise saws and counsel have helped to keep this country from moral derailment. For a reasonably long time, Labour’s former chairperson, lawyer Rene` Baptiste held forth in the offshore banking business during the NDP administration. Her demonstrated capacity in one regime which provided her with a platform and practical training spurred her on to higher heights in Labour to be virtually First Lady of land in various aspects of Vincentian life, social, cultural and political. She was eventually cut short of her higher ambitions, but that is another story. In the boiler-rooms of the service itself, persons have been readily promoted without thought of their party affiliations, provided they met the objective criteria of competence, commitment and integrity. Amazingly, this policy has been more or less followed even where their personnel all but wore party labels on their sleeves, and despite the constant leakage of confidential matters to Mr Beache via one of his ‘little White angels”. It needs to be added that none of these people ever brought the party alliance (if any) to bear on the work they were called upon to perform. We are dealing with perception and image, not actuality or reality. Personages such as Evelyn Jackson and Carmen Jack might have moved in Labour circles but that did not stop them from earning the respect of the PM or gaining elevation
respectively to the posts of Accountant General and Budget Director, where they drew praise for their distinguished service. Nor did the political orientation of their husbands in any way adversely affect the promotional prospects of Aberdine Browne (Principal Nursing Officer), Laura Browne (Deputy-Chief Education Officer) or Lynette Glasgow (Director of Sports). Social worker Wendell Paris was promoted in the department of Welfare at the time that he was known to be under consideration as a ULP candidate for South Leeward. In like manner, the impressive Tyrone Burke was appointed our youngest Primary School principal when it was known by all and sundry, that he was a political protégé of Dr. Gonsalves. Headmaster Hugh Wyllie was granted sturdy leave at precisely the moment that his name had publicly appeared as being under consideration for the ULP candidacy in North Leeward. There is, of course, the celebrated case of Mrs Pam Browne, wife of ULP Marriaqua strongman Ken Brown, resigning as Assistant Secretary only to be later taken back on board in the berth she had left. Within the last year, Winfield Williams a former secretary of the Labour Party, was appointed headmaster of the Grammar School. Even when Labour launched its candidates at the Victoria Park in November 1997, the organisers could include in their programme of entertainment an item by Martin Quashie, a civil servant working in the Department of culture. Such a climate of political freedom never obtained in Labour’s days, yet persons have already begun to take their liberty for granted. Finally, Matthew Thomas (himself a retiree in the public interest) was able to get several public servants who should know better to sign a petition calling for my removal as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. To date, not one of those offenders against the regulations has been written to, far less threatened with any form of punishment. Consistent with Government’s policy of freedom to calypsonians to sing, FM stations to criticize, and the press to print as it like, a breath of fresh air has been allowed to course through the musty corridors of the service. To the extent that accusations have often been made by old-school NDPites, chieftains and rank-and-file alike, that their party might be in office but that the opposition ULP runs the Government bureaucracy!” In power since 2001, the ULP Leader Dr. Gonsalves is keenly aware of the phenomenon and set out early o’clock to stamp it out root and branch, and the country now reels under its effects.
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lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 7.
Views
COVID-19⁄ thinking aloud I MUST GIVE the Prime Minister, Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves kudos for his response to the COVID-19 crisis here. I mean, he could have enforced a curfew, put a complete lockdown on all gatherings but instead, like you said in your editorial, he has left it up to us to act in a responsible manner. The holidays on Friday and Monday last, were like a dry run to see how well we would respond without some law hanging over our heads. It was a test to see how well we can respond on our own. We can’t be speaking of
ourselves as being resilient and all that, when we can’t discipline ourselves. If we always need someone to tell us what to do and how to behave it like we have never grown up; we are like our own children. The spread of the COVID19 is now all up to us. We have to keep who we come into contact with down a bare minimum. Even our relatives we have to forego seeing as regularly as we used to if we want them to be safe. We have to wear our masks and forget all the talk otherwise,
Yes the mask could get uncomfortable but in this case, being uncomfortable might just save your life. And we cannot forget the first things: washing and sanitizing our hands. On another level, maybe it is time to put a check on those international flights coming into SVG. Maybe also, government and the private sector could think of rotating their workers… putting in a shift system. And those who can work from home should be encouraged to do so. I know
the mini bus operators might cry foul but they have to make the sacrifice as much as we have like, who knows, accepting a pay cut for working less days. The government has to be careful how it hands out cash assistance whether it be to vendors, farmers, fisherfolk or who have you. This could well be abused as I know it has been in the first round with some people who became vendors overnight. All in all Mr. Editor, as much as the responsibility of treating the COVID-19 and setting certain protocols in
Debt and the Budget
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place rests with the government, and they will be criticized if they do not come up to trumps, combating the spread of the virus rests with us as ordinary citizens. We have to do our part and make sure that others do theirs, like making sure those who stand behind you in a line strand 3 to six feet away from you. Just thinking ‘aloud’. Charles - Edinboro
Part 1
and to make sure a debt portfolio and approach. This has two that, but would like to adherence to various very obvious built-in resources to repay such know more. How does debt be identified during laws and regulations. A this borrowing authority advantages to our debt management policy this process. All fit into our National Debt economy. One, it allows disclosure requirements should improve the Plan? As we get ready for those of us with funds over the life of the bond quality of decisions, the 2021 Budget, will we available for and maintaining the articulate policy goals, investment/savings to get a chance to review provide guidelines for the earn a fixed and reliable accounting through the and comment on such a interest income. The life of the bonds are also structure of debt plan? Will every day issuance, and critical components of Vincentians be second and equally as demonstrate a this process. given a chance to important is the commitment to long-term Before we consider invest in our opportunity for us to entering or creating an capital and financial support projects that public affect our daily lives, like active local bond market planning. infrastructure? for national Now here is the roads, hospitals, a new The use of difficult part. Since any debt financing to deep water harbour and infrastructure projects fund the cost of schools. Debt financing of we must design an active debt issued by the government is backed by local public infrastructure is a debt management plan. What is a Debt the full faith and credit infrastructure is valuable strategy for our Management Plan? It is of the country and is governments to use to a critical binding on the spread the cost of a set of policies and component of a government, our debt significant long term written guidelines, normal plan should receive biassets, over their useful allowances, and functioning requirements that guide partisan support in government, and life. WE DID not pay enough the debt issuance parliament. Such support one that we It is important, attention to our agriculture. for a debt management practices of the state, should be however, to involve all That is indeed an including the issuance policy signals to rating stakeholders in the utilizing in a understatement! And all of us agencies and the capital more structured decision to issue debt process, management of who understand the history of our country are blameable, if we cannot show that we had made identifiable conscientious efforts which would have enhanced the staving off, the IT IS WITHOUT doubt that we how devastating these rise above these challenges, we prevention, of the crippling are facing challenging times, aforementioned challenges will will survive with the help of malaise which is suffocating us characterized by COVID-19 be. Thus, it is for us to adjust the Lord. today. and dengue, both of which will our minds as to what is needed It is time to serve the Lord In this responsibility, the be with us for some time, and in surviving these challenging and put him in our homes, our ULP headed by Ralph the possibility of an explosive times. lives and by extension our Gonsalves are doubly eruption of La Soufriere. While, we recognize that it nation. Let us be positive and blameable, for it was on their Surviving amidst these will be hard, we must take on have the Lord as our captain so promise in 2001 that they were challenges is what is required board the words of the national that we can effectively survive going to revitalize agriculture and while that is hard, it is anthem, “Whatever the future these many challenges facing which, to a large degree, possible. brings our faith will see us our nation. God bless SVG. influenced the overwhelming support they had from the This is not time to play through”. people. politics and ascribe blame. If In these times it takes faith Kennard King Had the ULP — Ralph we have to survive, we have to to survive… Gonsalves, the ODD, Renwick unite in our effort to ensure not faith in Rose, WINFA and others, been that protocols are followed, that men but faith faithful to those seemingly we keep a tidy environment in God. I call sincere promises, the last two and most importantly, that we upon us as a decades could have been more turn our eyes heavenward. It is people to look productive for St. Vincent and time for a spiritual healing. to Him as the Grenadines, and we would Surviving would require Psalms 121 certainly have been in a adjustments. We recognize encourages us stronger position now to cope that there would be financial to look to ‘the with the COVID-19 pandemic problems, thus an adjustment hills from and the related issues. in our lifestyle and spending is whence We have to rebuild the necessary. cometh our agriculture sector! The future is in God’s hand. help’. None of us knows how long and Yes, we will LeRoy Providence
IN MID-NOVEMBER the government sought and received authorization to issue $125 million in debt. Most news reports suggested it was just simply “authorization to borrow”. I am fine with
Agriculture deserved more attention
Surviving amidst the challenging times
markets that a government is well managed and, therefore, is likely to meet its debt obligations in a timely manner. Part 2 next week. Horatio
* Has the Ganja Amnesty kicked in? If it hasn’t, when can we expect it to be enacted? * Will the 2021 Budget detail how that $125 million, which we got permission to borrow/raise, will be spent? * Is government considering giving those frontline workers in the COVID-19 challenge a bonus of sorts? * What’s this with all those armed police walking around the place, including at the beaches? Is it a case of shoot and then ask questions? * Would government consider an ease on the rate of VAT to help out through these hard times?
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8. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
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The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Introduction ON TUESDAY JANUARY 26TH, 2021, Prime Minister Dr Hon Ralph Gonsalves delivered an address at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council convened to discuss the situation in the Middle East. In it, he outlined the position of this country on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict and underscored our commitment to a viable peace process, that would result in a lasting solution to this long-standing conflict. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has begun the second year of the 2-year term as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council which ends in December of this year, 2021. Below is the full text of the statement delivered by Dr Gonsalves, also in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Mr. President:
(2016). The critical socio-economic and security situation in Palestine, as well as the attendant humanitarian consequences, demand urgent attention. As Israel’s thirteen-year blockade continues to deprive millions of Palestinians living in the Gaza strip of their fundamental rights, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the hardship experienced by the Palestinian people. We therefore call for the immediate lifting of the blockade, and all forms of coercion against the Palestinians. The unprecedented funding shortfall for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has caused significant decrease in the vital services provided to Palestinian refugees across neighboring countries including Lebanon and Syria. In this regard, we reiterate our calls to the international community for increased assistance to be distributed swiftly to those in need. Further, we remind Israel, as the occupying power, of its legal responsibility to provide medical supplies and COVID-19 vaccinations to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. While vaccine nationalism can produce short-term results at a domestic level, no country will be safe from COVID-19 until every country and everyone is safe. We acknowledge the efforts of the Palestinian Authority to secure as many vaccines as possible, including through the COVAX facility. We take this opportunity to encourage international support for the efforts of the Palestinian Authority in securing vaccines and we call for further support for the COVAX facility. When vaccines do arrive for use in Palestine, the unimpeded and quick passage through Israeli checkpoints would be critical to allow for distribution of vaccines without further delay. Before closing, I will turn to the internal political situation in Palestine. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines commends the ongoing efforts of the Palestinian people to advance democracy in a mature and well-organised manner. We welcome the announcement by President Mahmoud Abbas to hold the parliamentary elections on 22nd May, presidential elections on 31st July and the Palestinian National Council elections on 31st August. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines remains firmly supportive of the Middle East Peace Process, within the framework of international law. We continue to support all efforts towards a two-state solution, on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. And in order to achieve this, we need to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Palestine. Let’s get this process on the road urgently! Thank you!”
I thank His Excellency Mr. Ali Nafti, Minister of State for Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, for convening today’s important Open Debate. Thanks, also, to the briefers for their informative remarks. In addition, I wish Mr. Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator of the Middle East Peace Process1, every success in advancing the peace process and sustaining it to a successful conclusion, in accordance with his mandate. The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through direct peace negotiations. To this end, we reaffirm the importance of the Middle East Quartet and the regional players in promoting effective dialogue and compromise to settle the longstanding differences between Israel and Palestine, with the support of international partners. In an effort to address the impasse between the parties, we echo President Abbas’ call on the United Nations to convene in early 2021 an international conference to launch a genuine peace process. In addition, honouring the Palestinian peoples’ long held quest for selfdetermination and statehood by revisiting the question of full membership at the United Nations is a matter that is long overdue, and an essential component of a lasting TwoState Solution in the drive for a sustainable peace in the Middle East. Peace and security within well-defined internationally acceptable borders for Israel and Palestine are central requisites for any lasting settlement. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines remains deeply concerned about the critical situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a result of the unlawful measures and practices by Israeli authorities. In this connection, we reiterate that all settlement activities, including the recently announced plans to build 800 housing units in the West Bank, as well as tenders for construction of a new settlement of over 2,500 housing units, violate international law. We are also concerned about reports of settler violence against Palestinians, including children and we call for adherence to the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and 1 Recently appointed Special relevant UN resolutions, including Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Security Council resolution 2334 Process (replacing Nikolai Mlladenov)
Deepening COVID- 19 Crisis in SVG THE UPSURGE in the number of COVID19 cases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is cause for concern. What is more troubling is the large number of Vincentians who have contracted the virus and do not have a recent travel history, and the reluctance of the government to declare that there is community spread of the coronavirus. The government has clearly demonstrated that it does not have an effective plan to manage the spread of the coronavirus. We are in a crisis. It would appear that the situation is overwhelming for the government. This is demonstrated by the reactive decisions which are made by the government. Dr Friday, President of the New Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition, has offered advice on numerous occasions to the government as to the measures that can be implemented to curb the spread of the virus, but his advice has been ignored. However, Vincentians were given two (2) public holidays, Friday 22nd and Monday 25th January. What was the main objective of the holidays? Was it to give our health personnel time to rest and reflect as was suggested? We hope that those days were used to do extensive contact tracing and systematic testing by the Ministry of Health. We recall last year that spokespersons for the government were boasting that they were doing better in managing the coronavirus than any other member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as if it were a competition. Today, the figures do not reveal that. As of 26th January, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had the highest number of active COVID-19 cases, 631, in the OECS; St. Lucia had 436; Grenada had 11; Dominica had 8; Antigua had 22; and St. Kitts had 2. All of these islands with the exception of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have implemented stringent measures to control the spread of the coronavirus. Further, what is the current positivity rate from recent tests? The system is stretched to the limit. How are they managing to isolate the increasing number of active cases? We have heard and read stories of individuals who have had problems in finding facilities to isolate. For instance, it was reported in one of our weekly newspapers on the weekend of January 22nd, of a young lady who tested positive for the coronavirus and did not have anywhere to go and isolate, and was forced to sleep on the compound of a school before she was placed in a facility. Another pertinent question: How are they managing contact tracing for so many new cases that grow more every day? We need answers. People are scared and confused. And the government appears to be paralyzed, unable to act decisively and effectively. This spike in the number of cases has heightened public concern about the situation. The government needs to act now and introduce measures to control the spread of the virus. The government also has a responsibility
to provide the public with timely and adequate information about the state of the pandemic in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This, we hope will instil confidence in the populace as it relates to information sharing.
Excerpts of Dr Friday’s Address to the Nation Dr Friday is consistent whenever he speaks to the COVID-19 situation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The following are excerpts from his address to the nation last year. Let us reflect on what was said; “This means we must do all we can to protect our people. This requires closing our borders for a while by suspending all arrivals at our airports and seaports, except essential travellers, including nationals and commerce. We would then review the decision as conditions change. Taking this action now will give us the best chance of avoiding more cases of COVID-19 in SVG and of reducing the risk of an outbreak that may overburden our fragile healthcare system. The situation as it is now is creating unacceptable risks to the health and safety of our people. It is better to be safe than sorry. As the situation stands, with all airports and some seaports open, and with very limited testing for the disease being done, the only reasonable measure that can protect the public is to quarantine all arrivals into the country, wherever they come from. Every country in the world now has COVID-19. That is, after all, why it is called a global pandemic. So, all arrivals from any country must be considered to be potential carriers of the virus and must be handled as such. Further, the present system of inhome isolation or self-regulated quarantine is dangerous, because it is unenforceable. Even when the authorities seize the passports of people on arrival, as is being done in some cases; this cannot guarantee compliance with the quarantine requirements. And a guarantee of compliance not merely a likelihood is what is required in the present circumstances. We simply must ensure that all persons observe the quarantine fully. The stakes are simply too high to have it otherwise. This calls for a government-operated isolation facility to house all new arrivals for the 14-day quarantine period. It is the only way to protect the public from potential harm and prevent the spread of the virus in our country.” The New Democratic Party continues to urge Vincentians to act responsible, remain on high alert and do all that is possible to prevent the further spread of the virus. Remember to continue to practice the basics, wear face masks, maintain social distance when interacting with the public, avoid large crowds where possible, and wash hands regularly as recommended by the World Health Organization.”
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 9.
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“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” Oprah Winfrey (born 1954) - American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. IT IS NATURAL FOR US to seek to avoid pain at all costs. However, as best we try, we will all periodically experience physical and/or emotional pain. Pain is not all bad. On reflection we realise that some of our most valuable life lessons are learned from painful experiences. In many instances these may occur as a result of willful actions of others or through some form of accident or disease. Whatever the source of the pain we can gain strength to cope with and to overcome the trauma as we reflect of the challenge that the five words in the introductory quotation from Oprah Winfrey provide: “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” Most of us will admit that during the periods when we are going through various struggles in life we tend not to appreciate their value. A sole breadwinner who receives a notice that she will shortly be laid off may not understand or appreciate why such an unfortunate situation should occur at this critical juncture of her life. However, this most unfortunate situation may give rise to her reviewing the plans that she had conjured up to start her business some time earlier. She knows that there will be challenges in keeping abreast with the payment of some bills. She understands that she may have to adjust her priorities and become more frugal with her expenditure. She appreciates that the early days of her entrepreneurial venture will be fraught with challenges and frustrations as she develops her market for the products and/or services that she must now provide. However, she is not deterred. She knows that it is possible to turn her wounds into wisdom. She knows that, with God’s help, she can proceed along the detour and find great success at the end of her journey. Many of this column’s readers have gone through adversity and can testify that they have learned a lot from the experience. Some may have struggled in a relationship, fighting feverishly to keep it alive, only to see it vaporise. Others may have lost the function of a part of their body as a result of a disease or an accident. For them, life will never be the same. But they imbibe the wisdom that even though this may appear to be a setback, there is wisdom in understanding and appreciating that there is still so much to be thankful for and that life is still so very beautiful. Yet others may have ventured forth to start a new business only to discover that they did not have a market or the cash flows to keep it going. The business failed. But they know that failure is not final. Hopefully, in many such cases, it is possible to regroup and to try again. This time, having gained insights and wisdom from their earlier venture, they press on determined to achieve their noble dream. They appreciate the pearl of wisdom that is encapsulated in the statement that “sometimes our biggest failure, sets us up for our greatest success.” The scenarios described in the preceding paragraphs may be very real to some readers. Some may have gone through such experiences. Others may be presently going through these situations. We understand and appreciate that life will periodically present us with problems and challenges. Life is fragile and
uncertain. We are all prone to hurts, pains, and disappointments. These are inevitable. However, we gain assurance and confidence that such challenges do not last forever. These, too, will past. The aftermath of the tragic moment will provide opportunities for growth and the accumulation of wisdom that is so very often disguised as a “bad situation”. Wayne Walter Dyer (1940-2015), the American self-help and spiritual author and motivational speaker, once said, “When you change the way you look at things, the way things look change.” This thought is pregnant with wisdom. So very often, the greatest obstructions in our life turn out to be great blessings in disguise. We have the capacity, the potential, to turn wounds into wisdom once we create and develop the mindset that many successes have their foundation on failure and disappointments … if we look at them objectively and with the intention of using them for growth and development. If the truth be told, many of the individuals who we regard as being successful businessmen (not gender specific) and politicians may have failed multiple times. But they were not deterred. They pressed on. Today, their stories and testimonies remind us that if we are focused on being the best that we can be, it is so very important that we dismantle the shackles of selfdoubt, pity, and fear of failure. We do have the capacity, with God’s help, to turn our greatest failure and darkest moment into something that can make a difference to our lives and the lives of those around us. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is a classic example of an individual whose life was fraught with failures, heartbreak, and setbacks but persisted to accomplish great feats. He was unsuccessful in his attempts to be elected as a state legislature in 1832. One year later his business failed. His sweetheart died in 1835 and he suffered from a nervous breakdown the following year. He failed in attempts to be elected as House Speaker in 1838. In 1843 he failed in his attempts to be nominated to Congress. He experienced similar failures when he attempted to be elected as a senator to represent Illinois in 1854 and 1858. However, he was not deterred. He persisted and was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States of America in 1860. Today, he is still regarded as one of America’s greatest presidents. There is no need to look at our failures, foibles, shortcomings, and disappointments with shame, guilt, resentment, or regret. We too often hold ourselves back when things may not have turned out the way that we planned them; when life’s disappointments and tragedies would have inflicted deep wounds on our ego and bruised our pride. However, we gain strength from Kahlil Gibran (18831931), the American-Lebanese writer, visual artist, and poet, when he notes, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Indeed, it is possible to turn our scars into stars and our wounds into wisdom. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
The Western Media: Guilty of extreme bias THE ESTABLISHMENT MEDIA was horrified when the ‘Stop the Steal’ mob stormed the US Capitol on January 6, and the sentence was swift: President Donald Trump, with his baseless fraud allegations and refusal to concede defeat, was responsible for the mayhem. Corporate outlets have summarily denounced Trump’s bogus claims of vote fraud, though for years they have faithfully echoed similarly spurious accusations made about elections held by official enemies. But the media make no effort to account for years of hypocrisy and double standards. Venezuela’s December 6 parliamentary election offers an instructive case study, with corporate journalists unquestioningly repeating Trump officials’ unsubstantiated allegations of ‘fraud’ there, at the same time that they debunked Trump’s virtually identical claims vis-a-vis the US election. And the right-wing violence that was rightly portrayed as a threat to democracy in the US was heartily endorsed as a democratic campaign in Venezuela, where it served Washington’s foreign policy goals. The media’s uncritical echoing of fraud allegations is in turn used to justify the continuation of Washington’s regime-change policies. Early signs point to this dynamic continuing in full force under the new Biden administration.
fraud had come from. When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stood by the administration in refusing to concede defeat, corporate journalists reminded readers of the lack of evidence surrounding the fraud allegations. Yet when Pompeo declared the Venezuelan elections ‘a fraud and a sham,’ major outlets uncritically echoed the equally baseless official claim. Similarly, Trump’s allegations that his victory was stolen were immediately picked apart as ‘desperate’ by the New York Times and Washington Post, but Trump officials can routinely claim that Maduro ‘stole’ the 2018 election with no dissent from corporate journalists. The Trump administration began spinning its fraud stories in Venezuela and at home long before polls opened in either country. But in the US, Trump was confronted about the lack of evidence surrounding his pre-election claims of mail-in vote irregularities. In contrast, no one in the corporate media batted an eye when the administration pre-emptively declared that the Venezuelan elections would be fraudulent. Automatically rejected elections
Like Trump’s, Venezuelan opposition claims of electoral fraud can be easily Who needs ‘evidence’? debunked. The 2013 contest, in which President Maduro was elected for the On December 5, 2020, NPR allowed first time after Chavez’s death, was opposition politician Juan Guaidó to followed by violent efforts to challenge claim to be the rightful president of the results, leaving eight people dead. Venezuela ‘because Maduro’s 2018 Western outlets chose to echo the reelection was rigged’–no evidence opposition’s fraud claims, championed necessary. by then-Secretary of State John Kerry, Venezuela’s parliamentary elections even though all the ‘evidence,’ much on December 6 followed a familiar like Trump’s, was easily dismissed by pattern: The US-backed opposition credible sources. boycotted the vote, and the ruling US government and corporate media United Socialist Party (PSUV) and backing for the Venezuelan opposition allies won an overwhelming majority. in its refusal to acknowledge defeat Just like in President Nicolás Maduro’s paved the way for deadly street violence 2018 reelection, opposition candidates that was eerily reminiscent of the farfailed to counter their hardline sectors’ right MAGA mobs, who are convinced calls for abstention, and the government that Trump’s ‘landslide victory’ was raked in some two-thirds of the vote, stolen. albeit with a depressed turnout. Armed and ready with the ‘fraud’ Western media coverage also hit the epithet, establishment journalists could usual notes, with outlets taking their disqualify all Venezuelan elections, cue from the US State Department and without the slightest interest in Venezuela’s self-proclaimed ‘interim examining the substance behind the president,’ Juan Guaidó, in declaring allegations. The 2013 violence returned the internationally observed process a in much bigger and deadlier ‘fraud.’ incarnations in 2014 and 2017. The ‘Guaidó and his allies declined to Western press was happy to fall in line seek reelection, saying they didn’t trust behind the State Department, the authoritarian Maduro to hold a fair automatically labelling violent efforts to vote,’ the Washington Post noted, overthrow the Venezuelan government throwing in a smear against as a defence of ‘democracy’. The words Venezuela’s head of state for good ‘coup attempt,’ which immediately made measure. headlines and were subject of debate Apart from the negative portrayal of after the Capitol assault has been Venezuelan reality, reporters made no notoriously absent from the Venezuela effort to explain how Venezuela’s voting coverage. system works (and why vote rigging Beyond endorsing right-wing violence would be very far from straightforward), in Venezuela, the baseless claims also much less what this ‘fraud’ consisted of. served to justify Washington’s violence This stance is hardly new, with against the Venezuelan people. Since coverage looking like a rerun of Maduro’s 2018 victory, deadly sanctions previous Venezuelan elections, most have been justified by his second term recently the 2018 presidential election, being dubbed by Reuters as ‘widely which the Trump administration illegitimate’, or his reelection considered preemptively refused to recognize ‘fraudulent’ by Guardian. months in advance, with unanimous But in the end, the imperial chickens support from politicians and corporate came home to roost. Regardless of media pundits of all political stripes. whether Trump is impeached or not, The latest round of reporting on any semblance of impartiality from the Venezuela stood in stark contrast with corporate media has been shattered. the media’s almost instantaneous Long used to whitewashing right-wing dismantling of the domestic ‘fraud’ mobs and baselessly crying ‘fraud’ when accusations hurled by Trump and his it favoured US interests, Western allies about the US’s 2020 presidential pundits got a small, but bitter taste of vote. While conservative outlets their own medicine. afforded the president some leeway, centrist and liberal corporate journalists Most of this piece was taken from the were steadfast in fact-checking some media outlet FAIR- Fair and Accuracy described as Trump’s ‘baseless’ claims, ‘torrent of falsehoods’ or ‘false claims of in Reporting. vote fraud’. Venezuela observers would Send comments, criticisms & be forgiven for wondering where this suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com sudden quest for ‘evidence’ of electoral
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10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
Views/Regional
Abolish VAT now !!!!! EVEN BEFORE Covid-19, VAT was sucking the lifeblood out of poor households, killing businesses and our economy. The high rate of VAT has caused many businesses to record their lowest levels of sales in over 40 years, forcing them to close and put their employees on the breadline. In addition, VAT has decimated the rural economy. About 90% of the revenue collected by the incompetent ULP government is from taxes and fines imposed upon businesses and our people. In this extra hard time of Covid-19, government must reduce the tax burden on businesses and our people, to help reduce the suffering. Even before Covid-19, SVG had high rates of poverty and unemployment and too many households had no mains water and electricity. Even before Covid-19, many, many households could not feed their families adequately. The ULP regime must show compassion and abolish VAT now. It would be cruel and heartless not to. Now, more than ever, every dollar households have must be able to go a bit further to keep their family safe from Covid-19.
Around the world, governments have given businesses and their people tax breaks and reduced taxes, because they know that their people are suffering under Covid-19 and they care about their people. In 2020, the UK government introduced a whole raft of tax cuts, including cutting VAT, to help businesses and their people. They showed compassion to support businesses and their people. SVG Green Party is telling Gonsalves to show compassion to businesses and our people and abolish VAT now. Businesses and people are suffering even more than usual in this weak economy that has been decimated by ULP regime financial and economic incompetence. Any shortfall the SVG Treasury may experience as a result of abolishing VAT can more than be made up taxing Taiwan as it relates to that country’s use of our fishing licence, and the superrich in Mustique and Canouan. It makes no sense to continue to let Taiwan, and the super-rich in Mustique and Canouan get away with not paying hundreds of millions of dollars in tax. Vincentians are dying!
„Help!!!‰ cry LIAT ex-workers AS THIS COUNTRY welcomed the inaugural flight on Thursday 21st January of a newly administered LIAT service, local employees and those in the wider region of LIAT in its original configuration have again made public appeals (online) to regional governments for financial help. This, as the workers continue to wait on millions of dollars owing to them for salaries, pensions and now severance pay.
In response, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, which has taken ‘ownership’ of the newly administered LIAT, has committed to make a special plea to all regional governments, through the Administrator appointed by the Court under the amended Bankruptcy law, to make payments to their nationals, after negotiations with the several unions that represented the LIAT workers. Hundreds of workers
were terminated late last year while the airline entered a courtsanctioned restructuring process, under the supervision of an administrator, as the airline moved to avoid liquidation. The termination of workers began effectively on April 1, 2020, when over 90 per cent of LIAT staff was temporarily laid off, without being given proper notice and pay. In October 2020, about 90 per cent of the total staff, including pilots, flight attendants, engineers and ground support personnel,
The inaugural flight of a newly administered LIAT touches down at the Argyle International Airport on Thursday 21st January, 2021. (Facebook photo)
was made redundant; weeks after the controversial temporary layoff deadline had expired. At the time of the layoffs and terminations, LIAT was majorityowned by four CARICOM shareholder governments, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. That has since changed with Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines agreeing to hand over their shares to Antigua and Barbuda. The workers, noting that LIAT was publicly touted as an essential service vital to ensuring regional connectivity, said, “The shocking and troubling reality now is that these former employees have not received any monies legally due to them, inclusive of severance entitlements despite numerous pleas to those who are responsible.” The former staff members are pleading with all across the region to help them get their message spread everywhere. And Barbados Today reported that people on social media have been responding to the exworkers’ cry. One reader declared “this is an absolute disgrace” with another describing the treatment as shameful on the governments involved. A LIAT employee among those awaiting some kind of settlement declared that she was finding life difficult. (Sources: Barbados Today, Antigua News Room)
According to the Leader of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, it is clear that too much revenue is being given away in tax and customs duty exemptions to Taiwan and the super-rich in Mustique and Canouan. This creates a huge imbalance that is not sustainable. The tax system is not fair. The tax environment in SVG needs to be modernised to encourage and support small businesses. Small businesses are the beating heart of modern economies, so we must support them, especially in this difficult period, so that they can survive and flourish and stimulate economic growth. This is vital for future economic success and controlling the country’s huge amount of debt. According to the Leader of SVG Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, a Green Government would show compassion and empathy to businesses and our people by abolishing the VAT. We need to reduce the pressure on our people. We must give hope to the next generation of Vincentians by creating a strong economy and thousands of new jobs. Cutting VAT will help achieve this.
It is reported that The UWI, Mona campus, has solicited the assistance of the Jamaican constabulary with its investigation into the fake certificates scheme.
UWI, Mona probing sale of certificates THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, Jamaica, says it is currently investigating the sale of certificates purporting to be undergraduate and post graduate degrees conferred by the institution. The University has condemned the actions of those involved, adding that the matter is quite concerning. “We wish to advise employers, educational institutions and all others concerned to be vigilant and on the alert for these non-genuine documents,” a statement from The UWI read. It has also advised those who come into possession of the counterfeit documents to report the matter to the Fraud Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It noted that all certificates conferred by the University have security features to guarantee authenticity. “We encourage any organisation in doubt of the legitimacy of degrees or certificates to contact our Examinations Sections for verification of same,” the statement continued. In related news, reports are that the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has also mounted an investigation into a fraudulent online scheme, offering fake passes/certificates for its examinations. CXC officials are reported to have said that they were alerted to the scheme by Facebook posts from a user advertising certificates from The UWI, CXC and the HEART NSTA Trust. The user was said to be using the name Anny Campbell. (Source: Jamaica Observer, nationwideradiojm.com)
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 11.
People
Randy D gets his send off
College in Canada, 1973. Randy D, Boyea said, was instrumental in the formation of a Vincy Student Group at Humber. He recalled the purchase of a car for $150.00 which served as the hub of the group. That vehicle was sold for $50, having malfunctioned on the way to an Aretha Franklyn special, a Ferrand ‘Randy-D’ function to which Boyea Dopwell (May 1951 and Randy D had special January 2021) fittingly passes from Capitol with microphone in Records. hand. The account of the circumstances leading up FERRAND DOPWELL was to the sale evoked much laid to rest at the laughter. Boyea and Kingstown Cemetery last Randy D had rented Tuesday January 26, and suits for the function, but calls are already echoing following the car’s for his further recognition. malfunction they were Dopwell, popularly stranded. The value of known as Randy D, was the car was reduced by born May 15, 1951. The $25 which had to be used man regarded as one of to pay the tow fee. The this country’s most reminder was spent on a profound music analyst combination of KFC and passed away four months beer taken home on a short of his 70th train. birthday. Boyea testified to Keith Boyea, one of Randy’s sense of his diverse range of close brotherhood. He recalled associates among who accompanying Randy D were persons of the to an interview for a job calibre of Ellsworth at Capitol Records. When ‘Shake’ Keane, Robert Randy D returned to the ‘Patches’ Knights, Elroy taxi, Boyea was taken ‘Blondie Bird’ Boyde, in aback when Randy delivering the Eulogy, announced that in said that they were addition to securing a job school mates at the St. for himself, he had also Vincent Grammar School secured one for Boyea. and later at Humber
Alston Becket Cyrus and Ainsley Primus (Dynamites Calypso Tent) representatives of the entertainer fraternity many of who have much for which to thank Randy D.
Randy D’s siblings say a last farewell. Below: Pall Bearers – Eulogist Keith Boyea left front – take Randy D out of the Cathedral after the service.
connected with the 1979 outfit which brought glory to the nation and against whom Randy would have competed, were also hand . Entertainers Alston A wide representation ‘Becket’ Cyrus, Grantley Randy D would go on ‘Ipa’ Constance., to establish himself as a Kenneth ‘Scakes’ Alleyene showed their national broadcasting respects. and cultural icon. His Bernard Joseph stint at Capitol Records exposed him to a variety represented the media and Dexter Rose of genre, and as Boyea indicated, Randy D had a Dopwell’s wide family base. song for every mood. Victoria The attendance at the Alexander/Ghent burial ceremony was journeyed from reduced owing to Troumaca to attend the restriction imposed by service. She spent time the lingering Covid with the Dopwell family situation. But this did when school went on not deter a varied and holidays and has diverse attendance. maintained that East Kingstown’s connection with the parliamentary family. representative Fitz “He was a jovial, all Bramble was present. people man,” Ghent Footballers, the likes indicated. of Dorian Phillips, Virtually, tributes Raultie Lowe, Tyrone came from Garfield ‘Fleety’ Grant, Gideon Palmer of the musical ‘Ragga’ Horne, many
Randy D with his only child, Dr. Fadiyla “Fae” Dopwell Louis-Obike, on her wedding day, Dec. 31, 2011. (Photo used with the approval of Fern Dopwell)
Father’s Daughter: A Tribute Friday, January 15, 2021 21:05
band Clymax, Douglas de Freitas of Nice Radio and arranger Frankie McIntosh. Palmer testified that Randy’s exposure to music served as the basis for the repertoire which the group Clymax established early in its existence. (WKA) Dougie Defreitas, owner of Nice Radio, the last place where Randy D worked, described Randy D as an “unselfish broadcasting giant,” who forged a formidable disc jockey team with fellow broadcaster Earl ‘Capp’ Stephens. McIntosh led an ensemble in a jazzy interpretation of Pat Prescod’s ‘Right Hand of God.’ In house, a musical tribute was rendered by the band X-A-dus and the Graduates Calypso Tent, to a man who was described as a many of the people, a ghetto man.” (WKA)
IT IS OBVIOUSLY with great sadness that I speak to you today. As the only child of my father, the love he gave to me was singular and bountiful. And as I said to him on his last day, no one could have loved him more than I did. As you can tell, I inherited the ability to love with a passion and unconditionally. Daddy exhibited this characteristic in all facets of his life. As such, it goes without saying that no one has loved you all as my father had. He devoted his life to our country and Vincentian people as a whole. He respected and loved the beauty of the land and the talent and culture of our people. He built his career trying to showcase our country and all it has to offer to the world. Although his grandsons and I are his direct legacy, you all are a part of Daddy’s legacy. Therefore, I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to encourage you to continue to show the world what our country has to offer. You are beautiful and that showed through the love and support you gave to my Dad and to me, if we have met. Your posts and comments are a testimony to who he is and the strength of his character. So, as I leave you today with a scripture that sums up my father’s journey and the blessings that are to come, I thank you once again for the love and support you gave to Randy D, the King of Radio, the host of Vibes Caribbean, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, and most importantly my Daddy. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV Please stay blessed and eh, “Keep the vibes alive”.
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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Volcano Feature
Effusive eruption continues
Professor Richard Robertson and drone Pilot Rommel De Freitas have combined to do some much needed and dramatic photographing of La Soufriere in its current state. (Facebook photos)
The steam and sulphur combine to create a gas that is deadly to vegetation as seen in the foreground of the photo.
Both domes – the old and the new emit steam, with the new one being much more active in this regard. (The UWO SRC) Stories by GLORIAH…
(volcano) continued quietly. On Saturday 23rd January, the Most of this country’s population volcano continued to exude magma remained in their homes on Friday 22nd and, from the Belmont Observatory, and Monday 25th January, two public steam could still be seen rising from holidays granted for the purpose of the crater. preservation of the public health, but the Persons living close to the volcano, effusive eruption of La Soufriere especially those in the Red Zone
(mainly the northern third of mainland St. Vincent) reported experiencing a very strong odor of sulphur, intensifying as per the change of direction of the wind. As it cleared, views of the volcano revealed that the vegetation was continually being damaged — some say burnt - by acidic gases constantly creeping downslope. Amidst all this activity, work on the installation of the Fancy Seismic
Station was completed by Instrumentation Engineer Lloyd Lynch and the Electronics Team. A GPS monitoring station was also installed at Richmond Vale. Professor Richard Robertson of The UWI Seismic Research Centre, and Dr. Thomas Christopher of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, took the opportunity, last week, to brief Continued on Page 13.
It was not a Lahar ACCORDING TO WWW.REUTERS.COM, “Lahar is an Indonesian word for the mud slurries that are formed from volcanic ash and debris.” They are mostly produced by intense rainfall pushing debris down the slopes of a volcano after an eruption. They are also triggered by earthquakes and steam explosions after crater lakes are disrupted. Lahars, in spite of their heavy, concretelike consistency, can build up to fast-flowing speeds. A video which surfaced here on social media around the third week of January, 2021 caused many to believe that a lahar had been making its way down the Walabou River, in the north western side of the country. The video showed a stony river bed in a tropical environment over which water
began to flow, cutting a path through the rocks. As the action proceeded, the passage of water significantly picked up momentum to the point where, within two minutes of the four-plusminute video, it had turned into a raging passage of water that clearly carried along debris, as supported by visible portions of vegetation. It was clearly raining, but what would have instilled concern to a viewer who was not accustomed to such a sight, was the tremendous sound of rushing water, and rocks hitting against each other. The UWI Seismic Research Centre’s Facebook page called the assumption, “fake news”. During the ‘Soufriere Today’ programme hosted by the UWI SRC, geologist Professor Richard Robertson sought to put a proper perspective on
the issue. “What happened is something that happens with all the river systems in St. Vincent; when you have heavy rain in the mountains, where we say locally ‘the river come down’. It gets muddy, there’s a lot more sediment in it and it flows much faster. It may or may not be associated with some landslides that happens higher up and brings the material down,” Professor Robertson said as he began his explanation. He went on to clarify that. “Lahars or mudflows is a term that refers to the
A extract from the video that purported to show a lahar flow emanating from La Soufriere. remobilization of volcanic material often associated with an active eruption or recent eruption,” he said, adding, “It’s a term that came from Indonesia and is usually associated with recent activity.” He posited that even though it was remobilization of
volcanic material, it was not from any recent volcanic activity. “To call it that would have been giving the impression that the current eruption that has its hazards confined to the crater rim and the crater itself, that the hazards had somehow gotten outside, and it hasn’t.”
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 13.
Opinion
La Soufriere, again! A North Leeward perspective
BEFORE I FOCUS ON THE INEVITABLE – La Soufriere – permit me to preface the focus with this poem entitled La Soufriere, which I wrote sometime in 2019.
awakened the volcano to rumble its temper and tumultuous attitude to fix the sinners - penalizing them for their vile behavior.
Is it déjà vu? From my veranda, I watch him with a stare The eruption of 1979 is stuck in my As if he can’t smash ants. mind like a tale from a horror movie. Wait till he gets vex Yes, I easily recall people of my He will boom! community grabbing whatever little Unleashing its fury; they could as they prepared to get out scaring bandits, persecutors, judges, of harm’s way. I recall the fireballs of and juries. ash and an imminent threat of lava. It is a harsh but the most telling When he gets angry memory in my lifetime. Foot will scatter Once again, in 2021, minds race Running for cover. with panic; no one wants to relive the experience of 1979 when La Soufriere When he gets angry erupted! Mouth will utter From the community where I reside, Asking someone to help me. I have a perfect view of the unpredictable volcano. It spreads When he gets angry larger than Gonsalves - the so-called I will politely ask La Soufriere World Boss. I can see a drastic change Please, have compassion on the lame, from green vegetation to brown elderly, and suckling babes. colourization on the summit of La Soufriere. Every so often, I look at the Lately, La Soufriere has become a boss wondering if he is thinking about fear factor, a hot topic in the news making more mischief. It is a question media and the talk of the town. After on many minds - what would or could resting for four decades, the ‘Masterbe the outcome if it blows. Blaster’ appears to want to let off some Still, I hope that it doesn’t. steam; it is showing signs of becoming However, if it does, I pray that it rude and rowdy to a population who wouldn’t be as catastrophic as already doesn’t care for each other, or 1902/1903 when many succumbed to simply does not seem to respect the its ashes laced with gasses. laws of nature. I can feel stillness in the To leave or not to leave atmosphere. On a positive note, the gangsters and bandits are keeping a In these trying times, I pray that it low profile. The ‘monster’ has would keep it’s cool and not make the preoccupied the minds of people situation more problematic for a throughout the length and breadth of nation already battling with COVIDSVG, the soothsayers and Chamber of 19, Dengue Fever, and a distressing Commerce included. But the pastors economy that could well be heading for stand out; they think that God has the IMF, whose conditions for
assistance oftentimes mean a period of crippling times for the little people, who are already enduring hard times. As it stands, some of the people have a ‘don’t care’ attitude. Others, who are resigned to not leaving their homes to go into camps, where they can become susceptible to the deadly COVID-19 disease, are taking action to safeguard themselves from hazardous elements just in case it explodes. A good friend of mine who goes by the alias ‘Shock-Out’ summed up that attitude saying ‘he ain’t running! He prefers that Soufriere ‘kills him than Covid take him to the great beyond’. And there are other residents who declare stoically they would not leave their homes, fearing that vagabonds
Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and the Seismic Research Continued from Page 12. general conditions at the other monitoring equipment Centre (SRC) hosted a 6:00 pm virtual community summit of the volcano for future deployment. Cabinet on the state of proving conducive for some Many will recall that the meeting at Georgetown on Tuesday, 26, to update volcano and the monitoring specialized work, the Belmont Observatory had operation. electronics team, led by Mr. played a pivotal role during residents on the latest Meanwhile, Dr. Adam Ian Juman, installed a the 1979 eruption. The team development at the La Soufriere Volcano, and to Stinton from the Montserrat camera and EDM reflector then was led by Professor discuss the Georgetown Volcano Observatory on the southern wall of the John Shepherd, Head of Community Evacuation conducted dome modelling crater. the UWI Seismic Research Plan. and thermal imagery work. This, the monitoring Unit, and included Dr. Director of NEMO Having completed their team said, will be important Keith Rowley, current Michelle Forbes reported pivotal tasks, Drs. for the tracking of the Prime Minister of Trinidad that this was well received, Christopher and Stinton growth of the dome, with and Tobago. returned to Montserrat on the EDM reflector checking Additionally, preparation with residents registering Wednesday 20th January. for possible instability of the of the facility at Belmont for their interest and concern through the posing of With the CALVIN Air southern wall. eventual full-time helicopter having also Even as this was being occupation by scientists was pertinent questions. To date, NEMO departed, Professor Richard conducted, the other well under way, and time maintains that the alert Robertson and drone pilot members of the Seismic was also spent sorting Rommel De Freitas Research Centre (SRC) and equipment for eventual field level is still orange and that no evacuation order or collaborated to take aerial Soufriere Monitoring Unit deployment. notice has been issued. photographs and video Teams spent the day at the Coming straight on the Visits to the La Soufriere imagery of the volcano. Belmont Observatory (Rose heels the public health volcano are still strongly And on Sunday 24th with Hall), testing and preparing holidays, the National discouraged.
Effusive eruption continues
La Soufriere, viewed from Rose Hall, on a day when he was having a quiet day. and petty thieves would break into their homes to steal their earthly possessions. From my observation, there’s a gloomy look on the horizon. The hazy atmosphere is raising the anxiety of many people, especially those with challenges, such as the disabled, the mentally challenged and those mothers with infants. The nation is in crisis yet, no matter how dim the situation gets we have to be optimistic. There is a grave concern at the moment, as the boss grumbles and rumbles, letting off sulfur. All we can do is to take the necessary precautions and take heed of what is relayed to us. Carden A. Michael
A cloud of ash from the 1979 eruption of the La Soufriere volcano was a sight to behold.
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14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN
News
Officials uneasy about COVID variants
TESTING is yet to confirm whether any COVID-19 variants presently exist in St Vincent and the Grenadines. But according to the Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache, given the disease patterns that were unfolding, there is concern among health officials that the UK variant could be present here. This concern comes as the Caribbean Public Health Agency. (CARPHA) recently confirmed 5 cases of the COVID-19 variant SARS
Co-V-2 (the UK variant) in St Lucia, which had become the third country behind Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica to record the variant within their borders. Keizer-Beache said at a press briefing on January 26 that since we share similar source markets of visitors, it was possible that the variant could be here. “But we have not had that confirmation from the lab,” the CMO said.
Keizer-Beache confirmed that the results of samples sent to the CARPHA facility in Trinidad and Tobago for testing had shown no signs of the UK variant. (DD)
Dr. Simone Keizer Beache, CMO, confirmed no presence of other variants but did register concern that they could be here.
BCK student is 8th dengue death A 15-YEAR-OLD, fourth form student of the Bishop College Kingstown died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), Tuesday 19th January, as a result of dengue fever according to health authorities. According to a press release from the Chief Medical Officer, the 15year- old asthmatic female was admitted to the MCMH in early January 2021 with acute dengue fever and a severe allergic drug reaction. “After remaining stable initially, the teenager developed complications one week ago, deteriorated and died today,” the release dated Tuesday 18th said. Her death was recorded as this country 8th dengue fever related death in this wave (2020/21) of the fever. The 15-year old, identified as Ciara Gumbs, was a Peer Counselor at her school. A GoFundMe page set up by Ciara family to solicit support for her medical needs had already raised almost $6000. According to the information on GoFundMe, Ciara was in dire need of emergency health care services that this country was not equipped to provide. “She is currently suffering from severe dengue fever, seizures and pneumonia. Soon she has to be airlifted to a more highly- equipped hospital in Martinique,” the GofundMe page highlighted. It was further noted that the teenager had swollen as a response to too many unsuccessful treatment attempts at home and at the hospital,
Ciara Gumbs had a knack for helping her peers deal with their challenges. this perhaps corroborating the health authorities’ release which alluded to the teenager having severe allergic drug reaction. An update on the GoFundMe page following her death expressed thanks to those who had and stated, “We will use the funds raised for funeral.” The health authorities also reported on Tuesday that One thousand, seven hundred and ninety (1,790) laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever have been recorded since the outbreak in 2020. (KH)
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18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Rent paid in kind Dear George, MY WIFE and I live in the upper floor of our two-storey house. The bottom floor is rented to a young man. He has been there for about a year. My wife took charge of collecting the rent. We decided that we would have to give the young man notice since our daughter recently got married and we decided to give her and her husband that space. I asked my wife to give me an update on the rent and all she could produce was a receipt for one month’s rent. I approached the tenant and he told me he had paid his rent “in kind’ and pointed to his crotch and advise me to double check with my wife. He moved out that same night! George, that man had been sleeping with my wife for the whole time he was there. I want you to advise me on what course to take towards getting my rent from this trickster. My wife I would deal with.
Dear Nobody’s fool, You could and should have kept a closer eye on things, but that’s hind sight. There is nothing to redeem in terms of rent seeing that it can be argued there was an agreement entered into between your tenant and your wife. Let it go. And even though you say you ‘can deal’ with your wife, I suggest you have a heart to heart talk with your wife and you may discover that she could have been trying to get your attention without much success. All is not lost; make an effort to salvage your marriage.
George
Nobody’s fool
Paying for my stay husband was working. During that month I I LIVE in the USA. My had to buy two cylinders of gas, pay the rent for most recent visit home that month, stand the was for a month, and I bill for all groceries and stayed with my cousin who lives in the country fund the children’s expenses for school. It side with her three got to a point where I children and husband. had no more money to What a stay it was! The moment I got in the spend. When she learned that house, she started hinted my money was gone with at things she needed to get done with the house the wind she started showing me a different but couldn’t because face. Everything I did neither she nor her
Dear George,
Get tested!! Dear George, LATELY, my skin itches and I have noticed some sores appearing on my body. I shared this with a friend with whom I have an on and off sexual relationship, and she was of the opinion that I might be HIV positive. She has been avoiding me since and it is obvious that it’s because she thinks I am HIV positive. If she believes I am HIV positive, why can’t she agree to have me use a condom? I am willing to do that if it would put her at ease. What do you say?
More questions Dear More questions, An itchy skin and sores do not mean you are HIV positive. If you have been having unprotected sex and you are worried about your HIV status, the best thing for you to do is to get tested immediately. And you should suspend all sexual activities until you get the result. You can go a step further and get a full medical examination to get more answers to your questions.
George
was a problem for her. She even accused me of trying to take her husband from her. I was so embarrassed and vex that I ended up spending my last two days at a friend’s house. Now I’m back in the USA, she calls me very often and every call ends with send this and send that. I am tired of it. I think she is a user. I have also learned since returning that she did have a job but took off the month I was there to “eat” me out. Should I just lock her off or confront her first? She has no class. I am not interested in ever seeing her again.
No user fee Dear No user fee, You should confront this issue head on. It is not healthy to keep it bottled up inside and let it eat away at your happiness. Let her know how you feel and your displeasure with her decision to free load for that month. I would not advise locking her off because at the end of the day she is still your relative and relatives should settle their differences in an amicable way. The next time you visit you may want to state upfront what your expectations are.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Put your time and energy into home improvement. Focus on what's important rather than spreading yourself too thin and accomplishing little. A change is as good as a rest.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your ability to take hold of a situation will surely bring you popularity and leadership. Property investments should payoff. Your mate will enjoy helping out. Don't make unreasonable promises.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may find yourself caught in the middle of an argument that has nothing to do with you. Rely on yourself and you will look good to superiors.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Make amends if you can. Romance is quite possible if you are willing to approach someone who interests you. Put your emotional energy into passion not anxiety.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Limitations will set in if you haven't followed the rules. Visit those less fortunate than yourself; be sure to help them with their personal problems.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. Acknowledge your lover's needs. Your tendency to overreact could get you into trouble. Try to enlist the help of those you trust in order to fulfill the demands being made of you.
CANCER (June 22-July 22) Take the whole family and make it an enjoyable outing. If your lover tries to curtail your freedom, it may lead to conflict. You can help a close friend find solutions to personal problems. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Keep your mind on your work and stay away from situations that could ruin your reputation. Don't allow someone to do a job that was designated specifically for you. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your lover may be annoyed if you have been flirtatious or not attentive to their needs. Your personal life will still be experiencing difficulties and you are best to avoid the issues for the time being.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Get busy trying to make more money. Changes in your home may be alarming at first. You can get others to do things for you but be sure not to overpay them or lend them money. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will be in an overly generous mood this week. You need an energetic outlet that will help you dissipate your anxiety. You will have the stamina and the know how to raise your earning power. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Residential moves should be considered carefully. Resist any idle chatter. Empty promises will cause upset. Verbal abuse may lead to walkouts; don't make any rash statements you may regret later.
ACROSS 1. Place 4. Commercial presentations 7. Cinematic Pitt 11. Stable female 12. Sharp humor 13. Dressing gown 14. Breakfast orders 15. “_ takers?” 16. Unspoiled spot 17. Wobbles 19. Flavorful 20. Previous to, poetically 21. Perched 22. Vocalist Ronstadt 25. Most towering 29. Actress – director Lupino 30. Paycheck deduction 31. Sticky slime 32. Clay dishes 35. Unconfined 37. Informal salutation 38. Beehive sound 39. Hair tangle 42. Myth relatives 46. Ripped 47. Pekoe brew 48. Gaze (at) 49. Kazakhstan’s continent 50. Armed conflict 51. Covetousness 52. Necklace bit 53. Peculiar 54. Caddie-carried gadget DOWN 1. Magazine leaf 2. Basic desire 3. Gave exams to 4. Mindful (of)
5. Rackets 6. Hog residence 7. Inhalation 8. Drapery poles 9. Assist feloniously 10. Contradict 11. Ran across 18. Timeline span 19. Shirt label 21. Three plus three 22. Tumbler edge 23. Altar words 24. Musical King Cole 25. Horse chow 26. Self 27. Emergency transmission 28. Shoe point
30. Aim (to) 33. Sewing supply 34. Reef-dwelling Fish 35. Haul (around) 36. Brunch request 38. Got news of 39. Dagger attack
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 19.
40. Face feature 41. Opera melody 42. Heavy metal 43. Zilch 44. Pigeon kin 45. Blue expanse Above 47. 21-Down minus four
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20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Arnos Vale cricket pitches get attention
The Irrigation System at work before sprigging operations Miles Bascombe, Manager of began. the Arnos Vale Sporting Sprigging operation on one of the pitches at the Arnos Vale Complex. MILES BASCOMBE, Vale wicket, while it the filed was Playing Field. Manager of the hasn’t been bad, it hasn’t concerned, National Sports Coucil stood out and we Bascombe said need to have a little bit well with the help from which overseers the recognize that’s probably he felt it was the right everyone involved. We management and ongoing for the last… in the time to begin the process. of an advantage, and with quite a lot of removed approximately operations of the Arnos excess of 15 years, that The intention, the Vale Playing Field, among the square hasn’t been NSC Manager shared, is wickets in the region still 4-6 inches of the soil after which we then back other sporting facilities in relaid. It is something to have the status of the struggling I think that this is a good opportunity fill and compact until we SVG, is pleased that the that we have been Arnos Vale cricket for us to make ourselves got the level we want,” field’s cricket pitches are looking to do for some pitches elevated to be Edwards explained. getting some serious time now, but we have among the better wickets stand out as having one of the better wickets in The process will attention. had difficulty securing in the West Indies. continue with spraying, Speaking with THE quality soil that would do “Once that is the case, the region,” Bascombe sprigging and seeding, VINCENTIAN recently, justice to the type of people will want to come reasoned. Bascombe has nothing irrigation and top Bascombe rationalize the wickets that we want to and play cricket here… but confidence in the dressing which will be undertaking, saying, “As prepare at Arnos Vale.” that is what we want. I team that has been ongoing. William ‘Bill’ Edwards we look around the Once the proper soil am looking forward to entrusted with the Cricket authorities Head groundsman of region and we hear the was sourced and with the time when we can operation. “I have a lot of here are hopeful that the the Arnos Vale Sporting cries about wickets in the somewhat of a down have international faith in the operation field/pitches will be ready Complex. Caribbean, the Arnos period as far as use of matches again so we team which includes to welcome the West Lance John, Ian Allen, Indies Under-18 Nixon McLean, Sonal Tournament scheduled Adams, William ‘Bill’ for July-August. Edwards, the head That Tournament is VINCENTIAN SHAFIQUA MALONEY, groundsman, and his expected to be preceded representing the University of Arkansas, grounds staff,” he by a series of trial clocked 2:05.52 to win the Wooo Pig Classic declared. matches which will serve Meet’s 800m. Head Groundsman as test runs for the The Wooo Pig Classic Meet, hosted by the Edwards is happy how readiness of the pitches. University of Arkansas and staged last week things have progressed. Friday, January 22, at the Randal Tyson Track “The project has gone Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN Center, also involved universities: Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Southern California and Texas. Maloney’s victory was her second in as many weeks, she having taken the 800m in Arkansas Invitational Meet hosted by her University, also at Randall Tyson Track, two weekends ago. The race was a good one for Maloney, a Richland Park native, as her winning time, 2:08.60, meant that she erased 3.08 seconds off her Shafiqua Maloney heads the field as they recent victory at the Arkansas Invitational. approach the finish line in the 800M of the Wooo But unlike in the Invitational two weekends Pig Classic. prior when her team took gold in the 4 x 400m In addition to savouring the world-leading relay, she and her colleagues had to settle for 5th performance, the Razorbacks top the Wooo Pig place in that relay at the Wooo Pig Classic. Classic Women’s table with 129 points, ahead of But the University of Arkansas ladies track team, familiarly known as the Razorbacks, had the Texas (72), LSU (64), South California (53), Kentucky (51), Oklahoma State (33) and Missouri joy of winning that relay with a second team, in a William Edwards applying fertilizer to the young (31). world-leading performance of 3:32.18. spriggs.
Maloney wins another 800M
V SVGFF building its administrative capacity
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 21.
Sports
EXPECT in the coming months a more professional approach as it relates to the administration of Football in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is the anticipation of the Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football
Federation (SVGFF) as the organisation embarks on the professionalisation of its Secretariat. Towards this end, an eight-week training programme for office staff will commence soon. Responsible for the training is Dr Janelle
Allen, the Lead Consultant of Millennial Advantage HR Solutions (MAHRS). Understandably, Dr. Allen is excited with the undertaking. She declared at a signing ceremony between the SVGFF and MAHRS, “I think it is a good move...
Six Vincentians in Volcanoes Team SIX VINCENTIANS have been named in a 15-member Windwards Volcanoes squad to compete in the Cricket West Indies CG Insurance Super 50 Cup 2021 Regional Cricket Tournament, scheduled to commence February 4, in Antigua and Barbuda. Sunil Ambris leads the team which includes fellow Vincentian fast bowlers Ray Jordan and Obed McCoy, batsman Desron Maloney, leg spinner Keron Cottoy and off spinner Kenneth Dember. The rest of the squad reads: Andre Fletcher (Vice Captain), Alick Anthanaze, Roland Cato, Larry Edwards, Ryan John, Preston McSween, Kimani Melius, Emmanuel Stewart and Kevin Stoute. This year’s tournament reverts to the six original regional franchises: Jamaica Scorpions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Guyana Volcanoes, Barbados Pride, Leeward Island Hurricanes and the Windward Island Volcanoes. This means the West Indies Emerging Team, champions in 2019, will not be defending their title. United States, Combine Campus and Colleges and Canada who competed in previous tournament will also miss out. In the last edition the teams were split into two groups. This time around, each team will play each other on a round-robin basis, with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. The Tournament is scheduled to climax with the grand final on February 27 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, originally known as the Airport Cricket Ground before it was taken over by American businessman and cricket enthusiast Allen Stanford, rebuilt in 2004 and named the Stanford Cricket Ground. I.B.A.ALLEN
Sunil Ambris – Captain and batsman
Keron Cottoy - leg spinner
Ray Jordan fast bowler
Desron Maloney - opening batsman
Obed McCoy - left Kenneth Dember off spinner arm fast bowler
It is a good opportunity to lead the way to show other organisations that once you have your administrative systems in place, that makes way for good practices throughout the sport.” She added, “We will be ensuring that policies are in place that will help achieve its targets, and work towards making Football a sport that is more than just the love of the game, but a sport that is organised that other organisations can copy.” Meanwhile, President of the SVGFF- Carl Dickson, emphasized, “It is essential for the administrative staff to understand the value they add to the organisation… It is also important that they understand the vision of the organisation and how they will play a part in helping us realise success in this particular dispensation.” Dickson disclosed that the training of the office staff will be followed by a similar exercise for the Technical Staff of the SVGFF and noted: “What comes out of it, will help us to understand where we will need to go from here”. Dickson, who cited the professionalisation of the Secretariat as one of the pillars of his 2019 presidential campaign, projected that persons will soon be seeing and experiencing, “a fresh look, a fresh attitude and a fresh approach to the administration of Football.” Among the topics to be elucidated, through a combination of virtual and face-to- face sessions, are: the importance of quality service in effectively executing the Federation’s mission; the technical and soft skills and techniques necessary for the consistent delivery of service excellence; along with effective strategies for professionally dealing with difficult situations and clients. At the end of the
President of the SVGFF- Carl Dickson (left) and Dr Janelle Allen (right), signing the agreement to pave the way for training of the SVGFF’s staff. training, it is expected that the staff would be equipped with the competence and skills necessary for functioning effectively as a high
performance team, and understand and apply the core principles of professionalism and workplace etiquette.
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22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
Standing still A GLANCE at this country’s preparations for its international/regional football commitments suggests that the authorities have adopted a hands off approach. There is no urgency in getting a squad match fit. There is no doubt that the level of uncertainty over the national scenario has added to that state of dilemma. But sporting authorities have to show some sense of initiative, productivity, and they ought to be serious about their projections. World Cup qualifiers have been announced since August, but the state of abeyance prevails, with sporting events more likely to face cancellations. Perhaps that is the local Football Federation’s hope. There is no excuse for the slow pace in which national outfits are being arranged. Even though there might not the possibility of internationals, arrangements should have been heightened for the squad to reach a level of match fitness. In addition to the World Cup qualifiers, there is the Gold Cup agenda to complete. There will be need for a deep bench to cater for both those tournaments. Everyone knows how delicate the situation can get as it relates to players’ availability. The number of factors influencing changes can unfold in quick time. There is also the looming health risks that go beyond concerns about Covid19. The matter of persons having to adhere to stricter health and social protocols add to the complexity of the situation. There have been complaints about the neglect players have received from the Federation, while attention is given to aspects not directly beneficial to the game. We are scheduled to have away matches in Curacao and Guatemala, with home games versus British Virgin Islands and Cuba. It is a question of the winner takes it all, for only Group winners from the bottom placed 30 placed CONCACAF countries are into that preliminary stage. The six Group winners advance to the second round, with the winners engaging in home and away eliminators. The three teams that come through in that category join the top five nations of Costa Rica, USA, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico. It will be a hard grind towards Qatar. The Gold Cup has been adjusted in light of the fluid Covid situation. Sporting organisations have been forced to contend with changes to life patterns as the reality of the crisis continues to take effect. There is the ongoing debate as to the likelihood of the Tokyo Olympics., and there is the possibility of a further postponement of that affair, and more ominously a cancelation. In essence, a new timetable has arisen as far as sporting activities are concerned. Besides the Covid challenge, other national concerns have not disappeared. Dengue fever remains a live threat, and even as Vincentians have grown used to it, La Soufriere volcano announced its presence in practical fashion. It is surprising that the new generation of Vincentians have not gotten a grasp of the impact of the volcano and will shudder at the slightest occurrence. One can rest assured however, that the Soufriere does not operate in secret. When it’s time to erupt, it announces its intention with clarity. The world will see and know that the giant has awoken. One must remember it is an active volcano and will live up to its billing from time to time. Soufriere has provided the backdrop for many of the scenic and idyllic conditions that the nation possesses. There are also training facilities provided naturally whether hills, valleys, or beaches. So we have some home grown circuits. But there is that cloud of mist lurking over the Vincentian horizon, and we have to be vigilant about the conditions.
Carifta Games to break Easter tradition VINCENTIAN track and field athletes, like those in the region, have a few more months to prepare for the return of their marquee event- the Junior Carifta Games. This after the 2021 edition was rescheduled from 3rd April to 5th April, to 2nd to 4th July in Bermuda. This was announced by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), last week. The new dates break with the long standing tradition of being staged over the Easter weekend. General Secretary of NACAC, Keith Joseph, in making the announcement declared, “The NACAC Council, at its meeting of Thursday 21 January 2021, unanimously approved the convening of the 49th edition of the Annual Carifta Games in Bermuda during the period 2 — 4 July 2021, with arrival being on 30 June and departure on 5 July.” Donna Raynor – In addition, the NACAC President of the Council also approved the retention of the existing Carifta BNAA, said that Games programme of events, as the new dates well as team quotas. were a workable Joseph noted that despite alternative.
the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) “ remained committed to the Games and was preparing to host the 2021 edition.” Vincentian Keith In response to the new Joseph- General proposed dates, President Secretary of NACAC – of the BNAA, Donna relayed the change of Raynor noted, “.. that dates to all parties first weekend in July is a concerned. good weekend for us... It fits in well with our calendar and our school system. School is out in July… It’s the perfect weekend, and the weather will be great in July, not as cold as in April.” The 2020 Junior Carifta Games was to have taken place in Bermuda but was cancelled after the spread of the coronavirus was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Joseph is looking forward with great anticipation to the return of the event. He assured, “NACAC stands ready to work with the BNAA to ensure that Bermuda and all of the Carifta family enjoy the benefit of another very successful edition of one of the world of athletics’ most exciting spectacles, the Annual Carifta Games.” The Junior Carifta Games was inaugurated in 1972, when the event was staged in Barbados.
Daniel happy with T&T stint SHENEZIA DANIEL, a national female cricketer, is pleased with her performance for the Waterloo All Stars cricket team in the 2019/20 Trinidad and Tobago Women Cricket competitions. Back home after an eleven-month stint with T&T club Tamana United, Daniel told THE VINCENTIAN, the exposure to playing in different conditions and playing more competitive cricket have made her a better player. She was quick to admit, though, that she needed to continue to put in the work if she is to be more consistent. “In the bowling area I was satisfied with my figures. I was aiming for most wickets in both T20 and 30 overs Competitions but due to the Covid the competitions finish prematurely,” Daniel
said. As for her batting, she confessed, “I wasn’t pleased in some of the games because I know my ability, so there’s room for more improvements going forward.” Daniel, who served as Vice Captain of her team, highlighted, “Playing lots of night games (flood lights) and batting on matting were really great experiences. All in all I had a very good experience and exposure and hope that maybe from this experience someone would have interest in me as an all rounder.” In the competions that were curtailed, Daniel amassed 172 runs with her best being 43 not out against Strikers, and took 21 wickets with her off spin, 5 for 16 being her best bowling figures. Moses Lendore, Coach
of Tamana United, was quick to sing the praises of Daniel. “As coach I am pleased with her performance for the 2020 season which was an asset to our team. Daniel as our vice captain of our team which took part in the Darren Ganga charity match, and was one of our stars in that game in batting and bowling. She continued her good form in the Trinidad and Tobago Women’s Championship division, which was interrupted by the Covid, but in the limited number of games she was still shining …. picking up wickets in every game she played. She was definitely on track to pick up the most wickets had it not been Shenezia Daniel, for the Covid which national cricketer, was brought a halt to all pleased with her formats. attachment in Trinidad and Tobago and was I.B.A.ALLEN praised by her coach.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021. 23.
Classifieds
VIOLA EUGENA STEPHENS better known as Vivi 6W 3HWHU¶V Anglican Church Mt Grennan Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: 6W 3HWHU¶V Church Yard
CHRISTOPHER BERNARD JAMES Thursday, 21st January, 2021 Kingstown Methodist Church Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
MARTINA GEORGINA JOSEPH Saturday, 23rd January, 2021 Cathedral of the Assumption Kingstown Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
CATHERINE ROBERTA DURRANT Saturday, 23rd January, 2021 Freedom Hall Church Reeves Level Viewing: 12:00 noon Service: 1:00 p.m. Interment: Biabou Cemetery
HERLINE EARMINE LEIGERTWOOD
DESRIE NATALIE STAPLETON
Saturday, 23rd January, 2021 6W 6\OYDQ¶V Anglican Church Stubbs Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m. Interment: Church Yard Cemetery
Sunday, 24th January, 2021 Eden Memorial S.D.A Church Spring Village Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Spring Village Cemetery
CARL WILLIAMS Thursday, 21st January, 2021 New Birth Evangelical Assembly Church Rose Place Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
FERRAND COURTNEY LAWRENCE DOPWELL aka RANDY D Tuesday, 26th January, 2021 6W *HRUJHV¶V Cathedral Kingstown Viewing: 1:30 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery
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VOLUME 115, No.04
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DORSETSHIRE HILL MAN KILLED IN VILLA Stories by KENVILLE HORNE pronounced dead at the scene by the District POLICE are said to be Medical Officer. investigating the shooting A family member who death of a 27-year-old spoke with THE Dorsetshire Hill man. The VINCENTIAN newspaper incident is said to have in said that Greaves had Villa on Saturday 23, around mental health issues. 8:18 pm. The family member said A release from the Royal that it was rumored that SVG Police Force said that Greaves might have on Saturday evening, police witnessed a shooting were notified of a body of an incident at a night club unknown lying on the road some weeks ago, and he in Villa leading to the probably was killed before Community College. he could give evidence. On arrival at the scene, Greaves was raised by his police found a young man, mother. He was a graduate later to be identified as of the West St. George Corey Greaves of Secondary School. Dorsetshire Hill, lying in a THE VINCENTIAN also pool of blood with what spoke to Jay King, who appeared to be gunshot identified himself as Corey’s wounds to his head. He was father. King disclosed that he Jay King, admitted to have resided overseas and spent little time in his admitted he was not present son’s life.
in his son’s life. ‘We weren’t on good terms,” he acknowledged. “He asked me to bring him to Canada but he had a mind of his own. He was trying and just needed some direction,” King said, adding that Greaves like a lot of girls and wanted to make money. Greaves death is listed as the second homicide for the year. His death follows that of Jason Martin, a 47-yearold man of Belmont who died on Wednesday, after he was chopped on the left foot by another villager, during a disagreement.
Gorey Greaves of Doresetshire Hill was said, according to a source, to have frequented the Calliaqua/Villa area.
DAYLIGHT SHOOTING IN ROSE PLACE A YOUNG mini bus conductor literally ran and left his cap and shoes behind him, when a masked gunman attempted to shoot him in Rose Place (Bottom Town), on Thursday 21st January. The conductor, who works on a bus that plies the Green Hill route, was in the vicinity of the Magic Clean laundry in Rose Place, when the mask gun man appeared from an alley and began firing at him, sometime around 11:50 am. One eyewitness said that the conductor took off “running for his life,” as the gunman gave chase and continued to discharge his weapon. The conductor is said to have ran in the direction of a
plant shop in a relative busy part of the community. Sources said that the gunman, apparently on recognizing that his target was in a “busy area,” decided to end his pursuit and walked calmly away with gun in hand. Persons who were in the area when the shooting unfolded had to run for cover. A popular member of the community, who operates a shop in the area, sustained injuries as he sought to seek safety when he saw the gunman walking in his direction. Another person who witnessed the shooting but requested anonymity, said that the assailant was carrying a Glock handgun
with an extension clip. That person also opined that the assailant seemed to be familiar with Rose Place. In the aftermath of the shooting, the conductor’s cap and shoe could be seen on the road, and it was observed that at least one bullet was lodged in an SVU parked in the vicinity of the shooting. Reports are that there is an ongoing feud between persons from Largo Height and Green Hill, and that the shooting was another expression of this ongoing conflict. “The shooting on Thursday is in relation to the shooting that happen in Largo Height
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
A section of the street where the shooting took place. Inset: The conductor’s cap remained behind as he had ran away from the attack. sometime ago when three persons were shot,” said a Rose Place resident. Police are said to be
reviewing surveillance footage from security cameras of one nearby business place.
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