Vin pages 29 04 16 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

; (52; :25.&(175( ;(52; :25.&(175( '1, 0)3 35,17(5 '1, 0)3 35,17(5 Monochrome Multifunction Multi function Printer: Printer: Copy, Print, Print, Scan, Email.

Fax & Emai l.

PRICE: RICE: EC $1250.00 $12 or r $72.00 monthly mo

FRIDAY,

APRIL 29, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.18

Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA Left: Even the young residents of Ottley Hall fell into a solemn mood as they beheld the fact that a man they knew as a “good man” had been gunned down.

Below: Carlos Richardson’s son (sitting) and a close friend could not hold back the tears .

www.thevincentian.com

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Michael Charles has defended his men, in the face of allegations from some Ottley Hall residents, that the police presence in the area has become ineffective.

According to some of the residents, since the removal of a police mobile unit, and the officers being placed into ‘a permanent substation’, police presence is not being felt as was

EC$1.50

Police Officers in the area where Carlos Richardson’s body lay dead. the case a few years ago.

The concerned residents made their concern public on Tuesday, April 26, following the shooting death of 36-year-old Carlos ‘Bop’ Richardson, which occurred in the area.

surrounding areas have had issues in the past, with respect to violent crimes and crime generally, prompting Ottley Hall in particular to be declared a (crime) ‘Hot Spot, and necessitating the placement of a 24- hour mobile unit there.

Hot Spot Continued on Page 3.

Ottley Hall and

OTTLEY HALL MAN GUNNED DOWN

Carlos ‘Bop’ Richardson is listed as the 9th homicide victim for the year.

HOW COULD SOMETHING so terrible happen to someone that good?

That was the thought that came to mind of the many Ottley Hall residents who flocked to the scene, where the body of 36-year-old Carlos ‘Bop’ Richardson lay lifeless, after he was gunned down.

According to police, Richardson, a resident of Ottley Hall, died after receiving a gunshot wound to the upper right side of his back around

6:35 last Tuesday morning.

He is reported to have died on the spot.

For those who knew him well, they were too filled with grief to speak.

Continued on Page 3.

V

2. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Digicel Community Recharge Promotion commences Left: Winner Maxine Muckett receiving her free groceries from Channel Manager, Gershom Dick.

by GLORIAH… THREE RESIDENTS of Barrouallie are the first round winners in the new Digicel Community

Recharge Promotion (CRP).

The CRP, according to Digicel’s Channel Manager Gershom Dick, allows persons purchasing $10.00 or more in credit, to instantly qualify to win $100.00 in free groceries from company resellers, who operate businesses within the chosen community. In Barrouallie, three such businesses were identified to participate in the promotional campaign.

The winners, who were randomly selected are: Maxine Muckett, who purchased her topup at the Caribbean Shack Supermarket; Tracy-Ann Lowmans, who won at M DaSilva and Sons Minimart; and the lone male winner, Yoel Scrubb who purchased his recharge

at Miller Groceries.

Channel Manager Dick explained that the promotion which ran for a period of three days between April 13th and 15th, was geared at giving back to both Digicel subscribers and resellers. He said the promotion, while designed to give back to Digicel customers, will also support the core business of each reseller, adding that, “The groceries all winners will receive, will be bought at the businesses of the various resellers.”

Mr Dick affirmed that by the end of this year, all the communities across St. Vincent and the Grenadines would have participated in the Digicel Community Recharge Promotion.

The promotion will next be held in the Marriaqua community.

Winner Yoel Scrubb (right) receiving his free groceries from Channel Manager, Gershom Dick.

Winner Tracy-Ann Lowmans receiving her free groceries from Channel Manager, Gershom Dick.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 3.

News 3

Police detain man in ÂBopÊsÊ killing man, while another officer POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED that carried what they have taken a man into appeared to be a custody in connection with the homemade gun shooting death of 36-year-old and other items Carlos ‘Bob’ Richardson of Ottley apparently related Hall. to their Richardson was shot at investigations. around 6:30am on Tuesday 26th Commissioner April, in an area referred to as of Police Michael was not charged up to press ‘Fire Hill’, in Ottley Hall.

Charles confirmed later that one time Wednesday, according to At around noon on the said man was in police custody, but information received by THE day, police were seen escorting a he has not been charged. He

by KENVILLE HORNE

Police escort the man taken into custody in connection with Carlos Richardson’s murder.

Left: Persons gathered at the shop that was a frequent ‘stop’ for Carlos Richardson, to mourn his passing.

VINCENTIAN. since the placement of a mobile Commissioner Charles unit, and the subsequent setting informed that ballistic up of a sub-station there. testing would have to Some residents with whom be carried out to THE VINCENTIAN spoke, determine whether expressed favourable the gun the police impressions of Richardson, recovered from the describing him as a very humble scene, was the weapon and friendly person.

Persons gathered in a shop Continued from Front page. fact patrol the area, covering areas involved in the crime.

A female resident told THE Charles said that which Richardson is said to VINCENTIAN that there was a including Fort Charlotte and while some persons have frequented, cried openly, The escalating situation recent shooting in the area, but sections of Edinboro. are blasting the police with many calling for justice. occasioned a visit to the area by none of the officers came out to According to the COP, while for the work they have “We want justice for ‘Bop’ Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves investigate. there were complaints made of because he na deserve to die so,” and the then Commissioner of “We fraid fo we life over here. police brutality during the time the been doing, criminal cried Javana ‘Mama’ Baptiste, a Police, Keith Miller, back in 2012.

Time it 6 (o’clock) we have to look fo mobile unit was stationed in Ottley activities have declined in the area well-known resident.

During that interaction, Prime go home,” she said.

Hall, he assured that the Police Minister Gonsalves addressed the “Long time days, we used to see Oversight Body was currently issues affecting the residents, and dem patrolling, but now we not investigating these reports. identified two measures that have seeing dem,” she echoed.

With respect to the claims that since been implemented: the She expressed some concern on residents are often referred to installation of street lights at the time of day that the shooting Kingstown when wanting to make a strategic points in the community, death of Richardson occurred, report, he said that the Ottley Hall and the setting-up of a permanent saying that at after 6:30am, young unit was a sub-station, but once the sub-station. ones are making their way to report was filled out, it is then school. referred to Kingstown for further Police presence not sufficient Continued from Front page.

“People children could have been investigation. coming out –- anything happen He also spoke of the seeming COP Charles confirmed that the over here, dey sending you go However for others, they all described Richardson lack of interest shown by the police officers assigned to the area moved town,” and queried, “What sense it as a kind hearted person. last Friday when a shooting into the sub-station (rented “He always knew how to put a smile on your face,” mek to have ah station over here? It incident was alleged to have quarters) about two years ago. one resident remarked. make no sense.” occurred in the Ottley Hall area.

But one resident told THE When questioned about a probable cause, one He cited that the number of officers resident told THE VINCENTIAN that they could not VINCENTIAN: “Before 10 (o’clock), COP’s differing view at that community’s sub-station you seeing that door lock in,” think of any reason why anyone would want to do this adding, “When the mobile unit was were limited, and that there were at to Richardson.

COP Charles told THE here, we used to see them right least two other gun related Investigations are on-going; however, up to press VINCENTIAN that contrary to through.” incidents that occurred in time, police are holding one person in custody. what was being expressed by some The irate resident further added residents, the presence of the police Kingstown on the said night, to Richardson’s murder comes on the heels of the that it became apparent that the death of another Ottley Hall resident, 20-year-old was having a positive impact on the which the police were required to officers attached to the Ottley Hall dispatch resources.

Lesroy ‘Magnum’ Sam, who died after receiving Ottley Hall community. sub-station were now living in COP Charles affirmed that the multiple gunshot wounds about his body; and the “The claims that are being made luxury, saying that when residents officers will not be removed from discovery of an unidentified body of a female in the are absolutely not true,” the COP reported a matter, they would often the area, but that the sub-station vicinity of Indian Bay Beach the said morning. said. be referred to the Central Police will be strengthened.

The number of murders for the year stands at 8.

He said that the officers did in Station in Kingstown.

‘We want to feel safe’

Ottley Hall man gunned down

V Lawyer: “Client’s rights may have been violated” 4. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Police had taken up Primus during investigations into a report of the kidnapping of a young lady when the lawmen, while probing, were able to gather evidence to charge him with Greaves’s murder.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that on hearing of Primus’s arrest in St. Vincent, two cold case homicide detectives from the New York Police Department (NYPD) arrived here last week, to see if they could gather any evidence in Veron Primus remains a connection with the ‘person of interest’ in a killing of a 16-year-old case of murder in New girl, Shanel Nixon, in the York.

United States in 2006, in which Primus is a person of interest to the U.S

by HAYDN HUGGINS Police. (See related article on Page 5.)

ATTORNEY Michaela THE VINCENTIAN Ambrose is concerned that also understands that the rights of her client while here, the detectives Veron Primus, charged interviewed Primus and with murder, may have other persons. been violated while in But Ambrose told THE custody at the Central Police Station, last week. VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that she is Primus, 29, of extremely concerned Vermont, was taken to about the situation, and the Serious Offences intends to make a formal Court last Friday, April complaint to 22, charged with the Commissioner of Police murder of 36-year-old Michael Charles. real estate agent Ambrose said that Sharlene Greaves. according to her Greaves, originally of instructions, her client Dorsetshire Hill, but was read his rights by residing at Calliaqua at the U.S. detectives, and the time of her death, he informed them that was found dead at her he had a lawyer, but office, at Bijou Real they proceeded to do an Estate, Arnos Vale,on electronic interview with November 13 last year. him without allowing She had sustained him to consult with or multiple stab wounds.

have his lawyers present.

“He should have been allowed to consult with his lawyer so that his lawyer could advise him accordingly”, Ambrose said, adding, “This goes to the very root of the law”.

The lawyer is of the view that the police here need to be more assertive.

“This is our jurisdiction, not the United States. You think I could just walk into a court in the United States and say ‘Hey, I am a lawyer.’ We have to be more thorough in respect to matters like these,” Ambrose asserted.

When contacted on Wednesday, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Supt.

Ruth Jacobs told THE VINCENTIAN, “I cannot comment on the matter at this time.”

However, Commissioner Charles, who was contacted later, confirmed that Primus was being interviewed by US Law Enforcement Officers but, according to the Commissioner, during the interview when Primus asked to have his lawyer present, the officers discontinued the interview.

There was no subsequent interview as the officers had to leave the country.

Primus was not required to plea to the Greaves murder charge

when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne last Friday, and was remanded.

A Preliminary Inquiry is slated for July 18 this year.

A Police Force release of Thursday April 28 informed that Primus

had been slapped with five additional charges — one for kidnapping and four others of a an undisclosed “sensitive nature”.

Michaela Ambrose, attorney for murder accused Veron Primus, is concerned about US law enforcement officers questioning her client without her knowledge and in her absence.

Gun turned on ÂMagnumÊ after proving to be a discipline POLICE are currently investigating problem. the shooting death of 20-year-old He never Richard Lesburge Sam, also known as completed his Lesroy ‘Magnum’ Sam , of Ottley secondary Richard Hall. education, and Sam was gunned down in Rose plyed a trade as a Lesburge ‘Magnam’ Sam Place, last Saturday morning, fish vendor. succumbed to moments after being involved in an Persons attest to altercation. him being a regular several bullet wounds and Reports are that Sam was involved outside the P.H. was listed as in a dispute at Heritage Square Veira complex on this country’s sometime after 1 am that Saturday, Bay Street. seventh during which a gun was discharged, But Inspector homicide victim causing persons to “run for cover,” Atlan Browne, for the year. according to a source.

Head of the Major There are conflicting reports as to Crime Unit, had a who fired the gunshot, but the different ‘take’ on Commissioner of Police, Michael the young man.

Charles, said the shot was fired by a He told THE civilian.

VINCENTIAN that After the Heritage Square Sam was a altercation, Sam is said to have youngster who had journeyed to Rose Place, where it is some issues with said he purchased an item at a shop persons, many of in the area. whom had lodged He was gunned down in the reports with the vicinity of the Plant Shop in Rose police.

Place.

But in his Magdalene Sam, opinion, said, Sam mother of the A mother’s pain was a normal deceased, person who came admitted that Marty Magdalene Sam, mother of from a good her son had the deceased, said that although her background. He behavioural son had behavioural issues, he was a said that since problems. loving and compassionate son.

Sam’s death, he has The grieving mother said she went heard all kinds of sordid stories, but to Canada on two occasions and there were persons who spoke highly returned home because of her son. of him.

“I come back because I really love Browne is advising persons that my son,” she confessed. She also told one way of addressing a problem they THE VINCENTIAN that she had might have, is to confide in someone every intention of turning over her else. ‘worldly possessions’ to Lezroy.

He also made an appeal for persons Repeating that her son had who might have information about “problems,” and that “he was no the crime, to come forward and share saint,” Ms. Sam admitted to “trying to same with the police. talk to him”, but his attitude was one He assured there is a system in of ‘I don’t care’. place to protect individuals who are Lezroy Sam attended the willing to give information.

Intermediate High School, from which A postmortem examination he was transferred to the J.P. revealed Sam died from multiple Eustace Memorial Secondary School, gunshots.

by KENVILLE HORNE

V PrimusÊs arrest attracts attention in NY

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 5.

Crime

the online news outlet IWitness News in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in which Chance said Primus is charged with fatally stabbing Vincentian real THE FAMILY OF A 16-YEAR-OLD estate agent, Sharleen Greaves, honors student who was found last fall. strangled in a garbage bag on a Greaves’ body was discovered Brooklyn, New York sidewalk in in her office last November, “but June 2006 was in seclusion last police didn’t have any suspects Friday after learning the main until a bizarre series of events “person of interest” in her murder that started last Friday, April has been charged with killing 15,” WPIX 11 said. another woman in St. Vincent and The station said its the Grenadines, according to investigators started receiving reports in New York.

Facebook messages on the Mary Veron Primus, 29, who the Murphy Mystery page several New York Police Department days ago from St. Vincent and (NYPD) listed as the “person of the Grenadines. interest” in the murder of It said the writer referred to Chanel Petro-Nixon, appeared the Mystery report from March in court in St. Vincent and the 6, 2014 – concerning the Grenadines, reported New unsolved, 2006 murder of PetroYork’s WPIX 11 TV News on Nixon, “a beautiful honors Friday. student from BedfordThe television station alluded Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.” to a report by Kenton Chance of The writer suggested that

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

recent events on St. Vincent and the Grenadines were connected to Petro-Nixon’s case, WPIX 11 said.

It said the Facebook writer sent a newspaper report from St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, in which the report indicated that PetroNixon’s former classmate from a Brooklyn middle school, Primus, “was being questioned about the abduction of an ex-girlfriend on St. Vincent.”

WPIX 11 said Primus is being questioned by the Major Crime Unit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that PetroNixon’s mother is waiting to talk to “Cold Case” detectives in New York City.

“There are eerie similarities between Petro-Nixon’s case and the alleged kidnapping on Saint Vincent,” the television station reported. “NYPD investigators always believed that the

Public will not know about deportees WHILE THE PUBLIC may yearn to know the details surrounding persons deported primarily from the USA, under the existing conditions and legislation, they will never know.

According to Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, the issue is important, but will require public consultation in order According to the COP to come up with a Michael Charles, the structure that would public has no right to accord the public the access detailed right to know details information about surrounding the deportees. deportation of individuals, back to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The reasoning, according to COP Charles, is that the jurisdiction in which the act was committed which caused the individual to be arrested, charged, convicted and then deported was different.

“Although they may have committed a crime, it was done elsewhere, they haven’t done it here,” the COP told THE VINCENTIAN. The issue of the public’s right to know of a deportee’s actions was discussed among pockets of the public, after 29-year-old Veron Primus was last week charged with the murder of real estate agent, Sharleen Greaves, she having been stabbed to death in November 2015, at her Arnos Vale office.

Primus, who grew up in the United States, was recently deported here after serving a prison term in New York for violating a protection order taken out against him by a former girlfriend.

He was also acquitted on two counts of sexual assault in the US, and remains a ‘person of interest’ in the 2006 murder of a then High School honours student of Brooklyn. (See

Between 1990 and 2005, the average number of deportees destined for the Caribbean was 2,000 per year, the same number as were repatriated in the last six months.

Information on persons being deported is, however, sent to the police, the COP confirmed.

“Right now, there is a better system. At first, we would hear about an individual to be sent home, or that they are at the airport; but now, we do receive a full antecedent on deportees,” COP Charles assured.

The individuals, on their return, are then interviewed and a record is kept on file; however, it is easy for a person to become lost in the system, he said.

For example, COP Charles confirmed that two individuals were deported from the United States this week. They disembarked in Canouan from where they were brought to the mainland and immediately taken to the Criminal Records Office (CRO) in Kingstown.

But until the law changes, there is no way for the public to be made privy to such detailed information, COP Charles reiterated. (DDD)

teenager was held captive for several days, against Veron Primus (left) was listed as a her will, before she was ‘person of interest’ in the murder of strangled to death and placed in a garbage bag.” Chanel Petro-Nixon (above).

WPIX 11 said PetroNixon had told her mother and her best friend that crime.

In the years after Petroshe was going to meet Primus on Father’s Day 2006 to fill out Nixon’s murder, Primus was accused by two, different women job applications at Applebee’s of sexual assault, but acquitted Restaurant on Fulton Street in at trial, WPIX said.

Brooklyn.

It, however, said Primus was Primus later told Petrolater sent to state prison in New Nixon’s friend “the teen had York for violating an “order of stood him up,” reported WPIX protection” taken out by an exII, adding that Primus knew Petro-Nixon from middle school girlfriend.

The Rev. Taharka Robinson, and the Hanson Place Seventh a Brooklyn minister who has Day Adventist Church in downtown Brooklyn, where they counseled the Petro-Nixon family and led marches to get attended services.

Petro-Nixon’s body was found justice in the case, told WPIX II by a sanitation worker on June that Primus was “just deported to Saint Vincent from New York 22, 2006, WPIX 11 said. last year after completing his But the station said police, state prison time for violating initially, did not have DNA an order of protection.” evidence to link Primus to the

V Sharp twist in liquid cocaine matter 6. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

the Serious Offences Court, Hooper was fined A LIQUID COCAINE matter $27,000 for possession of involving Campden Park 1,235 grams of cocaine woman Lisa Hooper took a with intent to supply. sharp twist at a sitting of She was ordered to pay the Eastern Caribbean half forthwith or two Court of Appeal last years in prison, and the Friday, April 22. balance by June 23, 2014 While the Appeal with a similar Court quashed Hooper’s alternative. conviction for possession The sentences were to of 1,235 grams of cocaine run concurrently if the with intent to supply, the fines were not paid. court altered her Hooper was also sentences for offences of handed two three-year conspiracy to export the suspended sentences. drug, and conspiracy for One for conspiring with the purpose of drug British national Naton trafficking.

Smith and others to On April 23, 2014, at

by HAYDN HUGGINS

export the drug, and the other for conspiring with Smith and others for the purpose of drug trafficking.

The matter had concluded on March 28 2014, but Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne handed down her decision on April 23, 2014.

However, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams had appealed the sentences, stating that they were too lenient, while Hooper’s lawyer Jomo Thomas appealed

the convictions.

Thomas also appealed the fine, on the basis that his client should not have been fined forthwith, unless a means test was done to find out if she could pay.

The DPP argued that Hooper ought to Lisa Hooper will now have be fined and confined. to serve ‘real jail’ time for He referred to legal conspiracy to export authorities to support cocaine and for the his argument. purpose of drug The Appeal Court trafficking. quashed the conviction for a fine of $27,000 was possession, but upheld imposed. She was the convictions on the allowed six months to two conspiracy charges, pay the fine or six and altered the sentences months in prison. to two years When contacted, imprisonment for each Thomas told THE offence, to run VINCENTIAN that, concurrently, In addition,

while he was looking forward to a better result, he respects the Court’s decision.

The liquid cocaine contained in three sealed cans, bearing the labels of local products Hairoun, Presidente and Vita Malt, was found in Smith’s luggage after police intercepted him at the E.T. Joshua Airport July 24, 2013. He was destined for his homeland.

Smith, at the time a 22-year-olod window installer of Kent, England, was sentenced at the Serious Offences Court to two years in prison for possession of the 1,235 grams of cocaine with intent to supply, one year for attempting to export the drug, and one year for conspiring with Hooper and others to export the drug.

The sentences, to run concurrently, were handed down by then Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, after Smith pleaded guilty to the charges.

V ÂSlickÊ to be laid to rest this Sunday

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 7.

Diaspora

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

Keith ‘Slick’ Bonadie-Clarke was a picture of ‘grace and poise’ on the football field.

KEITH ‘SLICK’ BONADIE-CLARKE, one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ greater midfielders ever in football (soccer) who died on April 18 at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, will be laid to rest this Sunday, in New York.

He was 58 at the time of his passing.

His elder brother, Bertie Hadaway, told THE VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive interview on Monday, that BonadieClarke, who represented the nation in soccer from the late 1970s to 1980s, died from cardiac arrest, after a period of incapacitation occasioned by a stroke in August 2015.

Hadaway also said his brother, who was born on Aug. 15, 1957, had suffered from hypertension and diabetes.

Stanley ‘Luxie’ Morris — one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Sports Ambassadors, under whose captaincy Bonadie-Clarke played at home and in New York, for Hairoun Sports Club — said Bonadie-Clarke was “destined to be one of the best ever players out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and even the Caribbean.

“And why shouldn’t he have been?

Perhaps the most contributing factor which moulded him was the fact that he was born and grew up around ‘greatness’, in the embodiment of three of

Keith ‘Slick’ Bonadie-Clarke suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered.

(Credit: Nelson King)

the truly most outstanding players ever, and who all lived literally mere yards from one another,” Morris told THE VINCENTIAN. He identified the former national soccer stars, who lived in the vicinity of Victoria Park in lower Kingstown, the Vincentian capital, as Bonadie-Clarke’s uncle, Dougie Doyle, Norbert Hall and Rudolph ‘Rudy’ Boucher.

Morris said Bonadie-Clarke “controlled the center of the mid-field with such grace and poise.

“He was very passionate about the game and played with assertion,” he said, adding that Bonadie-Clarke’s trademark was “that killer pass, which he used to open up/dissect opposing defenses.”

Morris said Bonadie-Clarke was also “a very quiet individual — an introvert even, but one who didn’t lack confidence.

“He liked to draw, and he designed uniforms for Rick’s Superstars (SVG), and also for Team SVG (US),” Morris said.

Gailene Windsor, another of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Sports Ambassadors, said she was saddened to learn about Bonadie-Clarke’s passing.

“As a sports personality, while representing SVG in netball, I found him to be very humble; never seeing himself as above the rest of his team,” said Windsor, who was also president of the Brooklyn-based Hairoun Sports Club, while Bonadie-Clarke was a member of the team. “[He was] always willing to do his best in putting SVG on the map,” she added.

“He was considered one of the best midfielders in his lifetime. May his soul R.I.P [rest in peace].”

Members of the Vincentian soccer fraternity are expected to be among hundreds of mourners paying their last respects to Bonadie-Clarke this Sunday, May 1, at a wake and funeral service, at El Caribe Funeral Home, 1922 Utica Ave., near Avenue L, in Brooklyn.

The wake begins at 4:30 p.m., and the funeral service follows at 7:00 p.m., Hadaway said.

He said Bonadie-Clarke will be interred the next day at the Canarsie Cemetery in Brooklyn.

V

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

LIAT’s game of musical chairs HERE WE GO AGAIN! It’s time to play LIAT’s Musical Chairs, for a chance to win an itinerary glazed with coatings of flight cancellations, a chance to get bumped because of over-bookings, and a whole lot more craftily packaged inconveniences, all compliments the Shareholders and their Directors who continue to offer the Caribbean the best in airline (mis)management and (mis)operations.

Sounds familiar? Maybe we ought to get Steve Harvey to host the next round, eh? He is sure to attract many more hapless players to the LIAT Game of Musical Chairs, with its ‘Round and round we go, when the music will stop, no one knows’.

The latest casualty of the Game of LIAT Musical Chairs was the Chief Executive Officer, David Evans, who, fed up with what we understand was the ‘start and stop’ attitude of the Board of Directors as per servants of the Heads of Shareholder Governments, decided to withdraw during a Game in progress Why bother, you say, with another resignation? Because it comes a mere two years since the flamboyant Ian Brunton hurriedly vacated the CEO position, after making well for himself.

He supposedly oversaw the ‘greatest’ recent change in LIAT, after influencing the Heads of Shareholder Governments to lease/purchase the ATR’s (now proven to be a mistake) through the little-known Los Angeles, California-based Air Lease Corporation (ALC), a leading aircraft leasing company with airline customers throughout the world, ‘who engages in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its customers worldwide’.

Evans’ resignation speaks directly and forcibly to a question of stability in the management structure of LIAT. Whether that is the fault of the Directors or just the stubbornness of those appointed to top managerial positions, is not the issue.

The rapid turnover in top positions of any corporation is a sign of static in the system that obviously interferes with that corporation’s smooth operations.

It cannot be a good sign when persons who come so ‘highly recommended’, crawl out in the face of the challenges of the job, after having their fill, or find themselves in a situation of uncertainty when their Terms of Reference (TOR) are reordered because, in the final analysis, those TOR do not make good political sense for those present day Heads of Shareholder Governments.

Evans was expected to rationalize the operations of LIAT: i.e. make and

implement the hard decisions that would set the airline on a profitable (operational) path.

Are we to assume that Evans might just have taken that responsibility to heart, but could not get his way as far as business sense was concerned?

Early in his tenure, Evans attracted the ire of Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, a primary shareholder of LIAT and the headquarters of LIAT’s operations.

Browne called for him to go after he, Evans, allegedly proposed such a ‘radical re-structuring’ of the airline that in the estimation of Browne and others, was tantamount to relocating and eventually dissolving the airline.

Browne’s public call raised the eyebrows of other Heads of Shareholder Governments, some claiming that they knew nothing about the restructuring and relocation of the airline.

See where the issue of instability may have found its most recent genesis?

LIAT has been purported as providing a vital service for the people of the OECS in particular, even as surveys show that the OECS people may well have one of the lowest per capita rates of travel, given the high cost of inter-island travel.

LIAT has also been eloquently painted as having deep socio-cultural meaning for the people of the region.

All of that may be so, but the question is: Was all of that explained to the British born David Evans, whose background, from all accounts, was rooted in a pure business reality of the airline business?

Ian Brunton oversaw the ‘easier’ part of the restructuring… purchasing fixed assets with loans from the CDB guaranteed by already heavily indebted Shareholder Governments. Evans was expected to undertake the harder part of actually turning around the operations of the airline.

Some pigs are always more equal than others.

This is no defence of Evans, but an inquiry as per whether we dealt him a fair hand, and more so, an inquiry as to the extent to which LIAT’s Heads of Shareholder Governments actually tell us the whole truth about an airline that we own.

The chairs remain and the Game will continue. Who next will not find a chair we don’t know, since those who provide the music reserve unconditionally the right to (re)arrange the chairs.

Time the governments concerned come clean on LIAT, or simply get out of the Game.

Sir James Mitchell has spoken: Part 1 SIR JAMES has put in a word on the current political scene with an interview by his own son-in-law “Bing” Joseph on Tuesday 26 April, on BOOM 106.9. It was more than a mouthful.

It needs be said that, contrary to the weight of public opinion, I have never been a member of the NDP. I have been called KENDP by the YulimoUPM, and was once described by Patrick Hughes as a grovelling worshipper of Mitchell in unprintable language.

But I have followed Mitchell’s political journey in SVG from morning. I was a person who took Mitchell around in the early days to meet with Danny Williams, Doc Cordice, Duff James, et al, none of whom warmed to his idea of forming a Party with the volcano as emblem.

His party was run out of the Market Square by the PPP —Labour combination —“Archie Bruck them up”.

Mitchell then joined Cato’s SVLP and its battery of lawyers, which lost the 1966 election and won power one year later, 1967, after Sam Slater had turned coat and strengthened the Labour Party.

But Mitchell was ill-at-ease with Labour, which he left, was formally expelled, and contested the 1967 election when, as an Independent candidate, he won the Grenadines constituency, holding the balance of power, from where he played a tight hand in eventually becoming Premier with the PPP contingent, a situation which I had forecast.

The Mitchell-PPP alliance collapsed in 1974 after the two Joshuas had switched their support to the LabourOpposition, which won the 1974 and 1979 Independence elections massively.

Meanwhile, Mitchell had formed his NDP in 1975, which was humbled in the 1979 election, but grew by leaps and bounds thereafter.

A fortunate eventuality, which has been grossly overlooked, is the fact that the Educational Forum of the People and associates had decided to throw their weight behind the Mitchell Movement which infused the NDP. So, this “I and I” thing is grandly overstated, a complete misnomer.

The match was near-perfect: a team of young thinkers and radicals bursting forth to give fillip to “Son” Mitchell who had been blessed with noble leadership gifts.

Certainly, Eddie Griffith, Parnel Campbell, Marcus De Freitas and, especially John Horne, who provided the theme of the Independence Election in

Becket’s “Horn Fuh Dem”, had almost by themselves made Kingstown safe today as yesterday NDP territory.

Allan Cruickshank, Yvonne FrancisGibson and Jerry Scott who associated with Forum-DFM, added strength to this burgeoning movement.

This view cannot be over-estimated.

It took such a team, reinforced later by Carlyle Dougan, St Clair Leacock and Arnhim Eustace, who contributed to “the House that James built”. The leadership was always crucial, but the followers provided the flood that kept the NDP on the go.

So that, when the NDP vehicle hit a deep pot-hole at the end of the century, it was natural that Prime Minister James Mitchell should give the nod to Eustace to carry on. Neither Jerry Scott nor John Horne were original favourites of Mitchell. Mitchell had indeed originally selected David Bonadie and Stuart Nanton for the 1984 elections, before Scott and Horne. Similarly, Junior Kydd had been originally chosen over P.R Campbell to fight the 1987 byelection caused by Eddie Griffith’s sudden death.

In 2000, Mitchell chose Eustace who he claims at birth was first handled by his own mother, before the natural mother. He could have equally noted that Roy “Cappo” Eustace, Arnhim’s father, displayed a soft spot to Mitchell in his quarrel with the Labour Party in the early 1970s.

So if things did not quite work out as planned, there is no point sinking Eustace after five constituency victories and four national defeats, as two of them were by cliff-hangers and, in any event, might-have been caused by electoral fraud of which Mitchell, significantly, said not a word!

Our ray of hope is that he has stoutly defended a people’s absolute right to protest which could upset the whole apple-cart!

Finally, as I have repeatedly quoted Sparrow: “When a man finish, I think it’s foolish to play lickerish”.. In short, the Mitchell era is closed for good. It cannot be resurrected.

So Sir James’ comment at the end of his interview belied all he has said about his present place in politics.

Somehow he seems to believe he still has proprietary rights to the leadership of the NDP. So he wants windows opened to let in fresh air to deal with the stench of the dead apparently intended to be Eustace. Sir James has allowed himself to sink to the deepest abyss, and now sadly courts the disrespect which many Vincentians retained for him.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 9.

Letters

Real policing goes a begging THE LOCAL POLICE seem well dispatched to arrest street protesters, and the odd “grass” smoker (misdemeanors), but not so well disposed to arrest felons, and even less competent at convicting them. The number of those arrested and held for prosecution of felonies– assaults, murder, crimes against women, yacht robberies– vs. the number of felonies perpetrated, is exasperatingly small. And the number of subsequent convictions even smaller–largely due to inept, incompetent or mishandled police work.

For example, will those detained in the religiously motivated scalding of a man two weeks ago be found not indictable or if in indicted, have charges dismissed on religious grounds? Our PM’s vouchsafed views on Obeah, and its incorporation into many of the accepted religious practices in St. Vincent today, could well be an influence.

The defense lawyer community of St. Vincent is in “happy hunting grounds”. I don’t know how many of their clients are actually innocent, but the rate of dismissal of cases due to lack of evidence or prosecutorial ineptitude, or just plain bungled police practice, is extraordinarily high.

Meanwhile, higher level justice in cases involving Government interests are either delayed endlessly, or dismissed on technical grounds.

Helena R. Edwards’ letter of April 19th, 2016 to Caribbean News Now, on the internet, details unprosecuted or ignored incidents of crime in St. Vincent far better than I can. And to quote from Vinci Vin Samuel’s letter to the same publication, dated April 20, 2016, “High crime (murders, larceny, and rape): It breaks my heart to observe the sad state of crime and punishment in my homeland. Sadder yet is the fact that the persons entrusted with protecting the public safety, appear to be incompetent and negligent in their duty to the nation... This is not good for development.” Arrests are sometimes made, people are detained, and then inept police work results in their being set free.

As I write this, I am receiving news of the robbery of two foreign visitors in Mayreau, which took 12 hours for the police to respond to. There is an old Jesse Fuller song, “...send for you yesterday, here you come today...” Needless to say, no arrests have been made.

Does anyone care? Maybe, but not enough to do anything about it!

JOE

Where is the dream?

IT WASN’T SO LONG ago that our Honourable Prime Minister, the esteemed Dr, Ralph Gonsalves would make it his business to ‘walk about town’ to hear what the masses had to say.

It was so long ago either, that the esteemed gentleman would host budget consultations all over the country, to, as he implied, have the people inform the budget for the ensuing year.

It wasn’t so long ago that the Honourable Prime Minister went on Constituency treks, to see first-hand the progress especially in constituencies represented by his party, and to hear what the people thought about their representatives.

The Prime Minister boasted in those times, about how his government and party believed in and practised participatory democracy.

The views of the people were important, he said.

Now tell me, how

much of all of that ‘walking about town’, ‘budget consultations’ and constituency treks’ really and truly informed what this government, led by Dr, Ralph E. Gonsalves, has done or proposes to do on our behalf?

If there has been any informing of government’s plans and actions, that ‘informing’ has come from a privileged few. In fact, we can say that if there has been any influencing of Dr. Gonsalves, it has come from an elite group only, and definitely not from the people, the real people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; those who struggle to make ends meet; those who depend on remittances (money and barrels) from relatives overseas; those who pay a small something every month on their water and electricity bills because they can’t do better.

If the truth be told, as the Editor of this

Alexander HamiltonÊs connection to SVG I AM FORWARDING SVGRELATED information about James Hamilton, originally from Scotland, the father of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of such fame in the USA. There has been much recent interest in Hamilton with a play currently on Broadway and keeping his place on the US $10 bill.

The book ’Alexander Hamilton’ by Nathan Schachner [1946] states that James Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s father, died and is buried in St. Vincent. On p.11, it states, “From St.Croix, he went to the island of St.Vincent, a British possession; but the fatal defects of his character prevented him from ever rising above poverty and obscurity.” On p.13: “The old man died on

The time to act is now THERE HAS BEEN too much talking and not enough doing on issues facing workers here.

I am talking about the working conditions that workers generally have to undergo. Ever so often, every government claims that they are the best for workers; yet when one exams the records, all fall woefully short. They think that money is the ‘reward’ that workers appreciate and can relate to. Thus, numerous changes that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and regional and international organisations and agencies have implemented on behalf of workers, are yet to be ratified and practised here. And those that have been ratified are not suffering for want of adherence. The Labour

publication likes to say, seldom does the government listen to the voice and cries of the disadvantaged in our society.

I was one of those who was convinced that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and his ULP recognised that creative measures are needed to set us on a genuine road to economic development, and that the people at the bottom of the ladder were the ones that were going to transform the economy, once given the opportunity.

Instead, we have embarked on grand programmes of building edifices and an education revolution that boast of numbers attaining education with little opportunity to use their expertise.

I am no longer convinced by the rhetoric of Dr. Gonsalves and the ULP. The ULP dream has turned out to be a balloon of hot air, which

Department is not adequately staffed to address the numerous issues workers face.

The work places are like battlegrounds where various social issues are fought and aided and abetted by those in authority; hence, the time for talking is over and the time for action is now.

Workers need to have a greater appreciation of who they are from the domestic to the CEO. Even the vendors do not see themselves as workers in the truest sense. So how do we cause people to appreciate what they are doing as workers? There is a need for more workers’ education.

This should begin from the preschool age to the time workers retire; because I do not believe we ever stop being workers, even

after we formally retire.

A lot of things may be quite different if the public decides what society would be like. We need to be cognizant of what takes place in the workplace, in our communities, our nation and the world. We need to advance our skills and knowledge, and do not be afraid to express ourselves in front of colleagues, families, friends, fellow trade unionists, employers, politicians, pastors, preachers and magistrates; and at the same time not being disrespectful, slanderous or biased. Every positive word counts. It cannot be left to somebody else. We each has our role to play if things are to change for the workers of SVG.

June 3, 1799, and was buried in St. George’s Cathedral, in the town of Kingstown, on St. Vincent Island.”

That, I feel sure, really should be what is today Kingstown, the capital of St.Vincent, not Kingston.

See also under History: http://en.wikipedia.org/w iki/Bequia: Under a programme instituted by Great Britain to give land to indigent settlers, James Hamilton, father of Alexander Hamilton, moved from St. Croix to Bequia in 1774 where he remained until 1790.

The land granted to Hamilton lies along the shore of Southeast Bay. Despite his son’s frequent gifts of money and entreaties to immigrate or at least visit him, neither visited the other.[1] References: 1. ^ St. Vincent Registry, deed book for 1784-1787. (from Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Press, New York, 2004.

Chapter 2, Note 21) Cheryl King

Man On De Go

hovers further and further out of the reach of Vincentians.

Charles

* Is there a problem with a hole in the waste system at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility? * Why are persons asking Man-AboutTown about who is running our Consulate in New York? Why are they saying that perhaps there is an uncredited person who calls the shots there from very close to the Counsel General? * And by the way, is that fellow Marshall on his way out of the Consulate but heading for other duties in the USA? * Shouldn’t the Ministry of Agriculture correct their boast about the first calf being born by artificial insemination to the first calf born under the most recent project or for that matter under the ULP government? * Was that police officer who tried to pull rank on the Station Sergeant/ Court Prosecutor made to apologise?

V

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Deception NDP style Introduction THIS MONTH, the NDP was at it again, trying to deceive Vincentians about the sale of land in Canouan, to finance the international airport project at Argyle.

Based on a flippant comment during a conversation between a developer and a few people in Canouan, a statement was made that if the people of that Grenadine island want access to a certain beach, then they should ask Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to return the sum of money paid for the land, to the developer.

Immediately, that statement went “viral”, as our young people would say. The following day, a Saturday, Nice Radio was putting a spin on this matter. Within a week, Arnhim Eustace was leading his party, the NDP, on a veritable charge that was going nowhere. He wanted to know about the land that was sold, where is the US$60 million dollars paid for the land, when it was deposited, and whether or not it was in the consolidated fund.

These questions had one aim in mind, and that is to create in the minds of Vincentians, particularly those in Canouan, that there was some “hanky panky” in terms of the sale of the land; that somehow the money was deposited in the hands of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and that there was some corrupt act or acts, as a result of this “sale” of land.

This whole tissue of conjecture and lies, is all part of the NDP platform to create uncertainty in the country, in the wake of their defeat at the polls held in December 2015. Unfortunately for the NDP, they forgot that there is an institution called the Parliament of this country.

The meeting of the House At a meeting of the House of Assembly on the 6th June 2013, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves moved a motion under section 70(3) of the Constitution, in relation to a supplementary Appropriation Bill No.4 of 2013, to sanction payments from the consolidated fund, for services in excess of the 2013 budget.

There were four items from four separate sources of funding, under the supplementary Appropriation Bill, which required the approval of the Parliament. Among the payments to be sanctioned by the Parliament, was a sum of money designated for the IADC, following the sale of lands in Canouan.

It is important to note that members of the Opposition, including Arnhim Eustace, Daniel Cummings and St. Clair Leacock, were present in the Parliament when the motion was debated, and in fact they participated in the debate.

As Prime Minister Gonsalves explained at the time, the money for sale of 40 acres of land in Canouan, amounted to EC$53.6 million dollars.

The parliament had to approve the transfer of the money from the consolidated fund to the account of the IADC, and that was done. So it is clear to all and sundry, including the Opposition, what this sale was all about. Further details in relation to the debate on the supplementary

Appropriation Bill, No.4 of 2013, can be obtained in the parliamentary hansard, which is available.

So it’s disingenuous and a clear deception for the NDP, and Arnhim Eustace, to pretend that there was something wrong with the sale of the lands in Canouan. It is important to mention that the NDP did not remain in the parliament for the entire debate on the bill. They walked out of the House following a disagreement over a matter between the member for West Kingstown, Daniel Cummings, and government senator Julian Francis.

Let us not forget that the NDP opposed the sale of the land in the Grenadines, as part of their overall opposition to the construction of the international airport project at Argyle.

They wanted to place as many obstacles in the way of the ULP administration, to delay, and ultimately to stop the construction of the airport. They have failed miserably in this regard.

The NDP deception Having failed in their bid to win the general election in December 2015, the NDP has embarked on a series of activities to discredit the leadership of the ULP, and in particularly, the Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Look at the way they tried to link the ULP and its leadership to the fiasco in Panama, in relation to monies lodged there by certain world leaders. There is absolutely no proof that anyone in the leadership of the ULP invested any money in Panama.

Expect the NDP to continue to try to use events to smear the name of the ULP and its leadership. Expect the NDP to continue to try to fool the people of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines in a number of ways.

Expect the NDP to seek to obtain relevance as a key stake holder, a strategic partner in the development process of our beloved state. And expect the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines to continue to reject the NDP, as an unpatriotic bunch, bereft of a philosophy and a strategy to take our country forward.

In the face of impressive progress in terms of the development of the country, the NDP and Arnhim Eustace can do no more than dream statements, wild posturing and weak leadership. Sir James Mitchell was correct in a recent interview on Boom FM, when he said that the leader of the NDP, Arnhim Eustace, had no more “shelf life” at his disposal. As simple as it is, that statement speaks volumes for the political future of the Eustace and the NDP. Finally, the ULP column extends condolences to the family of the late Roy Toney, a strong supporter of the ULP, and a frequent contributor to the radio programmes hosted by comrades of the ULP. May his soul rest in peace.

Crime and criminal justice THE ILLEGITIMATE Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime has failed miserably in fighting crime. It would take the New Democratic Party (NDP) to lead a national effort to effectively combat crime here.

Crime is an obstacle to peace, joy, happiness and prosperity. Our main resource is our people, and to have them constantly exposed to crime and violence instills fear, trepidation and despair. Moreover, crime deters investment, and impedes worthwhile efforts to increase growth in the tourism and agricultural sectors of the economy.

With the rising incidence of attacks carried out against yachtsmen, and with the constant theft of farmers’ produce and livestock, there needs to be a serious and concentrated effort to stem the flow of those dastardly acts that are being committed with impunity. The ease with which lives are destroyed by guns and knives, in many cases as a result of the trade in illicit drugs, highlights the need for a new approach to combating crime and violence in this country.

The NDP stands firm in its view that in order to effectively combat crime, the emphasis should be placed on identifying the likely causes of crime, and developing strategies to remove those causes. The NDP is also cognizant of the fact that measures should not only be put in place to combat crimes committed at home, but also to join with other countries to prevent (potential) terrorists activities. Therefore, we will continue to join in the fight against international crimes, such as terrorism and its lifeblood - drug trafficking and money laundering. Recognizing the importance of developing and maintaining an effective criminal justice system to convict, incarcerate and rehabilitate convicted offenders, the NDP will: * implement the Spiritual and Social Redemption Charter as the prime medium in the prevention of crime; * commission a review of existing research into the causes of crime, followed by research in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to determine which of these causes are applicable to here, and inform the strategies to combat crime; * establish an effective probation service which can monitor and counsel ex-convicts to aid their rehabilitation into society; * collect statistics on rates of recidivism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, review measures that have proven successful in reducing the incidence of recidivism, implement those measures that seem likely to be effective in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and institute a system to continually monitor the results; * emphasize the importance of community policing by increasing the visibility of police on the beat, and by organizing and arranging training in that aspect of policing; * institute measures that will encourage regular meetings with the police and certain communities about the resolution and reduction of criminal conduct in those communities; * develop a mechanism for informing victims of crimes on a regular basis about the status of police investigation and where appropriate, the conduct of the criminal proceedings and the outcome of the case; * improve the criminal law to secure convictions against persons who deliberately or recklessly infect others with serious sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV; * promote the establishment and maintenance of a Caricom criminal records information system containing information about convicted criminals, to make it easier for the police authorities in the region to ascertain whether a person was convicted of a crime elsewhere; * review the provision of the Theft of

Produce and Livestock legislation, with a view to introducing measures that will more easily and speedily apprehend and convict persons who steal livestock and agricultural produce; * introduce mandatory prison sentences for theft committed against yachtsman, and more severe prison sentences for sexual offenders; * establish a police website providing information on known criminals and information about the crime situation throughout the country; * reduce the prison population by introducing measures to enable prisoners convicted of specific offences to serve their sentences doing community work in prison uniform; * review the drug trafficking and money laundering legislation in order to strengthen the provisions to secure convictions and increase the number of persons who are trained to investigate and prosecute white collar crimes.

Criminal justice An effective and well- resourced criminal justice system enhances the chances of securing convictions against those who commit criminal offences.

This system involves the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, lawyers, the courts, magistrates, judges and the penal system. It is therefore, of paramount importance that those persons and institutions mentioned are appropriately equipped to deal with reported cries in order to ensure that the guilty are convicted and the innocent are set free. But most importantly, they ensure the maintenance of law and order and the preservation of the rights and freedoms of Vincentians. The NDP takes the maintenance of those rights and freedoms very seriously, and will introduce measures that will strengthen the criminal justice system.

This will be effected by: * introducing measures that will simplify and improve access to justice; * increasing the number of magistrates; * revising the laws to increase the sentencing options that are available to magistrates and judges; * expanding the High Court and improving its facilities; * upgrading the forensic lab in order to expedite the prosecution of offences and to reduce the number of cases that are outstanding; * revising the remuneration and method of promotion of police officers in order to ensure that promotion and remuneration are primarily based on merit; * revising the police legislation to bring it up to date with the requirement for modern policing; * arranging for extensive training of police and prison officers especially in the field of information technology; * establishing a Civilian Police Complaint Commission to receive complaints against police officers from both civilians and fellow police officers; * introducing a rigorous rehabilitation programme that will be designed to improve the lives of inmates after they have left the prisons and reduce the changes of them becoming recidivists; * reviewing the remuneration of prison officers and the promotion system to ensure that their career growth is dependent on performance and achievement.

It is obvious that the NDP has the better programmes and policies to effectively combat crime.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 11.

Views

The “Helicopter Vision’

“Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills — against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. ‘Give me a place to stand,’ said Archimedes, ‘and I will move the world.’ These men moved the world, and so can we all.” — Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy (1925-1968).

SOME MAY ARGUE that Robert Francis “Bobby” Kennedy was overshadowed by his older brother, John F. Kennedy (JFK), 35th President of the United States of America. Bobby was one of the main strategists and the campaign manager for John Kennedy’s 1960 successful presidential election. He became his brother’s closest adviser during the period 1961 to 1963. Bobby served as the USA’s Attorney General during this period. He was a powerful advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and was passionate about fighting the Mafia and other organized crime. However, this

accomplished attorney at law also left us with a very rich legacy and many inspirational quotations and speeches.

The quotation used to introduce this week’s essay provides ample evidence of his depth of thought and his understanding of the importance of leaders having the courage and persistence to surmount great obstacles.

These accomplishments are largely possible because such outstanding leaders were able to share their vision (sometimes not fully understood or appreciated) with their followers. They appeared to have mastered the art of sharing the helicopter vision – passing information from the privileged senior/high position down to the rankand-file (foot soldiers) within the organisation. It stresses the value of disseminating accurate information to the relevant personnel within the enterprise. This is considered absolutely necessary for the generation and sustaining of high staff morale and retaining a focus on a common purpose.

This military parallel (the helicopter vision) also supports the views that there will be times when information will be considered “classified” and/or “confidential”. There will be those times when it will be necessary to withhold information from direct reports or subordinates until specified periods. However, this article focuses on the other occasions when information should be disseminated

but is not.

Many organisations are plagued and paralyzed by leaders and managers who appear to regularly considered “information holders” and/or “information hoarders”. We observe such behaviours in some business and government circles. However, there are other bodies (such as nongovernment organisations and church assemblies) where such behaviours surface on a regular basis. There may be a host of reasons (excuses) why this may occur. Some decision-makers may be concerned that privileged information may leak out prematurely and thus erode strategic advantages.

Others may not be very trusting of their direct reports. Some leaders and managers may even gravitate to such negative behaviours when planning clandestine activities such as misappropriation of funds, falsifying statements, and so on. They may then argue that “the fewer the eyes that see these things, the better”. Sometimes it may be due to share disorganisation and forgetfulness. On other occasions, it may be due to insecurity — a feeing that the hoarding of information provides some degree of power and control over those who do not have access to it. And there are yet others who simply do not see it necessary to impart information. Regardless of the rationale used to hoard information, such behaviours are likely to retard the likely positive outcome of the department or enterprise.

The dissemination of accurate and timely information throughout and beyond the organisation is imperative if maximum benefits are to be derived.

The subordinate or direct report (the foot soldier) is likely to perform his/her

tasks much more efficiently and feel much more secure if the senior member (helicopter pilot) becomes a conduit for correct and appropriate information. In addition, the direct report is more likely to feel a part of the team, and his/her performance will tend to be more effective as a result of the increased sense of security and feeling of appreciation that this sharing engenders.

Many of us underestimate the valuable contributions more junior persons can make when participating in discussions related to their business environment. Many have valuable experiences that have been generated by years “in the trenches”. They are often willing to share their insights in an effort to better direct the enterprise. Being closer to many of the situations influencing their performance and the organisation’s effectiveness, their insights can be most invaluable. Many of them possess ideas/dreams that, if opportunities are provided for them to ventilate, could make significant improvements to their lives and those around them.

They should not be taken for granted.

In their own unique way, they can have a positive impact on the helicopter vision. In their own distinctive style, they can create and sustain a force that champions positive change and innovation within and beyond the enterprise — enhancing the helicopter vision.

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

V

12. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Lack of security in ULP regime governance THERE ARE two incidents which have occurred in our country, which are a real cause for concern.

The first incident is the case of a police officer stationed at Calliaqua, who was found to have had in his possession a gun and about twentyfive rounds of ammunition. The gun and ammunition are the property of Calliaqua Police Station.

This incident shows that systems and procedures for security at police stations are seriously inadequate. The fact that an individual can help themselves to ammunitions and guns means the public is at risk. An individual could easily wreak havoc and go on a shooting spree in SVG. Procedures for the storage of guns and ammunition should be secure and not so easily compromised by an individual. An armoury should be controlled by a ‘two key system’, whereby it needs two responsible persons to be present for the armoury

in Macro Economics, Policy and Planning from Bradford University, to be opened, and for armour to be St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in England, and an MBA from Leicester issued out and returned, says Leader which there was an allegation of University, England. of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, mishandling of large sums of money. It During the period in which the who spent 31 years in the British was claimed by the Attorney General, alleged breach of trust happened, how military with distinguished service. that there was a breach of trust by the many checks were carried out by the Surely also, alarms should be used former Registrar in dealing with the office of the Accounting General at the to prevent the sort of incident that has money, as some money went missing.

High Court Registry to ensure proper been alleged to have occurred at This incident shows that systems accounting and finance controls?

Calliaqua Police Station, to stop access and procedures for the security of It should not be so easy for a lone, by a lone, rogue individual. money at courthouses are seriously rogue individual to misuse public The Permanent Secretary in the inadequate. The fact that individuals monies. The Attorney General and the Ministry of National Security should can help themselves to large amounts SVG hopeless Minister of Finance, pay random and frequent visits to of money, means that public funds are Gonsalves, should take full police stations, and other locations at risk. responsibility for the incident at the where weapons are held, to ensure a Procedures for the storage of money High Court, which involved the former high degree of accountability and should be secure and not so easily Registrar, and resign. control, and to prevent malicious use compromised by an individual. Monies Both these incidents highlight the of guns and ammunitions by an should be controlled by a ‘two key lack of secure systems in the ULP individual. system’, whereby it needs two regime government. A public enquiry Gonsalves should resign as Minister responsible persons to be present for is needed to find proper solutions for of National Security for allowing lax monies to be issued out and received, security in our country. controls of guns and ammunition in says Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr SVG. Ivan O’Neal, who has a BSc (hons) in SVG Green Party The second incident involves the Accounting and Finance from Oxford www.svggreenparty.org former Registrar of the High Court in Brookes University, England, an MSc Find us on Facebook and Twitter

‘Saddened by Bruce’s passing,’ Bacchus-Browne

by HAYDN HUGGINS KAY BACCHUSBROWNE, defence lawyer and former president of the local Bar Association, says the late former Magistrate and retired Senior High Court Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle, was not aloof and arrogant.

“He was down to earth and very easy to get along with,” BacchusBrowne told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, adding that she had a long professional relationship with him from since he was a

Magistrate.

“He presided over many of my matters, both criminal and civil, too numerous to mention.

I consider him to have been a very dedicated and hard-working Judge,” the veteran lawyer added.

She indicated that she had some great successes before Justice BruceLyle, but specifically applauded him for his ruling in the murder trial involving the death of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ former press secretary, Glenn Jackson.

Bacchus-Browne, who had represented the accused Francis Williams in that matter, pointed out that Bruce-Lyle had upheld her submission to throw out an alleged confession by the accused. She noted that the alleged confession was the main plank of the prosecution’s case and, after it was thrown out, the prosecution withdrew the murder charge, resulting in her client being acquitted.

Bacchus-Browne recalled that during the period of her colleague Nicole Sylvester’s illness,

and subsequent death on July 2 last year, BruceLyle was very concerned and supportive.

In an interview with THE VINCENTIAN shortly after Sylvester died, Bruce-Lyle had said, “I was shattered, I was stunned when I heard the news.

I thought she was coming along good”.

He had ranked Sylvester as one of the best lawyers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and probably the Caribbean.

BacchusBrowne said she considered him Retired Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle shares a moment that to be a friend. brought a smile to himself and his fellow judge Gerthel “Even after he Thom. had retired, he would call me to serving in that position Belize, and was discuss general issues. I subsequently elevated to until 2002, before being also had a good appointed High Court Senior Magistrate. relationship with his wife He left for the British Judge there. and children,” BacchusBruce-Lyle served as Virgin Islands (BVI) in Browne disclosed.

High Court Judge for 15 the early 1990s, and Bruce-Lyle was called served as the only years, doing stints in to the Bar in his Antigua/Barbuda, St Magistrate in Tortola homeland Ghana in until 1997. He was then Kitts/Nevis and St. 1979. He took up duties Vincent and the appointed Chief here as Magistrate in Grenadines.

Magistrate in 1989 following a stint in Antigua/Barbuda,

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 13.

News

Flow is proud to have this opportunity to bring a more enriched Olympic experience to our region, according to John Reid, President of Flow.

FLOW brings the Olympics to its customers FLOW subscribers across the live sporting action, the region, are in for a treat, as widest range of Olympic far as the Rio 2016 Olympic programming, available.

And as if that is enough Games are concerned. appreciation for its The cable television Caribbean subscribers, service provider will Flow has inked regional broadcast the Games in HD endorsements with several across the region on Flow Caribbean athletes, Sports, as well as on up to including: Olympic Gold three additional HD medalist Kirani James channels. Flow will also be (Grenada); athletic delivering the Games via hopefuls Khalifa St Fort the innovative Flow Rio (Trinidad and Tobago); 2016 Extra app, giving Delano Williams (Turks John Reid, Flow customers access to every and Caicos); star hurdler President, has Olympic event at their Jaheel Hyde (Jamaica) and fingertips, and “on the go”, much to be happy 2015 Pan Am Games gold about, as he a first for the Caribbean oversees bringing medalist, high-jumper, region.

Levern Spencer (St. Lucia). the 2016 Olympic The news of this The package continues Games to opportunity was made with the April 22nd launch Caribbean public in a release from of Flow’s regional ‘text-tosubscribers.

Flow dated April 27, 2016. win’ competition, which John Reid, President of Flow, was will give customers from across the understandably elated, and is quoted region the chance to win the ‘Ultimate Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tour’. Four in the release as saying, “As we join the rest of the world in celebrating the lucky winners will be recipients of the Gold Tour Package, which includes 100-day countdown to one of the tickets for two to the coveted men’s biggest sporting events in the world, and women’s 100 metre finals, the two we are indeed excited at the prospect football semi-finals, and beach of delivering the highest quality HD volleyball matches. The winners will broadcast across multiple platforms, enabling customers to view the games also be treated to guided tours of Rio de Janiero, as well as a grand farewell not only on TV but on their mobile devices,” said John Reid, President of dinner.

“We wanted to make this the best Flow. possible Olympic Games experience Flow guarantees over 2000 hours of for our customers,” said Reid.

V

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

SVGS Young JPEMSS Young Leaders deliver Leaders in action

STUDENTS AT THE DR. J. P. EUSTACE Memorial Secondary School (JPEMSS) were on Tuesday, April 26th sensitized about mental health issues.

Mr. Samuel Joyles and Mrs. Anya Abbott, Counselors from the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC), made a presentation on this topic to third form students of the school.

Mr. Joyles and Mrs. Abbott told the students that mental health influences their thoughts, actions and self-esteem. The students were informed that some mental illnesses could begin during adolescence and could lead to problems such as aggression, substance abuse and risky behaviour.

They were sensitized about types of mental illnesses, and measures they could take to ensure their mental health.

The activity was organized by the JPEMSS Young Leaders as part of their project, which focuses on health.

Working under this year's theme 'ME...YOU...WE...

A shared vision for a better society', the young leaders have developed the sub-theme 'ME plus YOU equals aWEsome.' AWESOME is an acronym for A Well Environment and Society Obviously Matters to Everyone.

Other activities carried out by the young leaders included the Clean Class Contest, where classrooms at

THE ST. VINCENT GRAMMAR SCHOOL Young Leaders have come to the assistance of the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre and the School for the Kingstown Children with Special Needs.

The institutions were identified the two institutions as avenues for the outreach component of their 2015/2016 Young Leaders project, and in the process of their interaction with staff and students, recognized certain needs of the institutions.

According to the young leaders, the Training Centre was in need of, among other basic items such as clothing for those in residence, computers. The Special Needs School was ‘crying out’ for a photocopier.

JPEMSS Young Leaders and community members cleaning Edinboro beach.

Continued on Page 19.

Inset: Mrs. Anya

Abbott, Counselor at the school were awarded the Mental Health prizes monthly for keeping their environment trash free Rehabilitation and tidy.

Centre, talks to third The young leaders also formers of JPEMSS cleaned the beach at about mental health.

Edinboro, and gave talks on environmental health to grade five students at three primary schools in Kingstown - the Kingstown Anglican School, Kingstown Government School and St. Mary's Roman Catholic School.

Continued on Page 19.

(From left): Miguel Francis (PRO), Shane Cadogan (President) and representatives of the recipient institutions at the handing over ceremony.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 15.

News

Minister Gonsalves appeals for investment Development, Industry, Information and Labor, flanked by Tourism, Sports and Culture Minister Cecil “Ces” McKie, as he listed a number of projects the AS THE ARGYLE government has on INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT stream on completion of nears completion, new the Argyle International Vincentian Economic Airport by June this Planning Minister Camillo year, e.g. construction of Gonsalves is appealing to a new city at Arnos Vale; nationals in the Diaspora, hotel construction at Mt. to invest in the country Wynne; new cruise ship before it’s too late. berth in Lower In addressing a town Kingstown, Rose Place; hall meeting Sunday and development of night, (April 24) at the geothermal energy.

Friends of Crown “Land in St. Vincent Heights Educational and the Grenadines is Center in Brooklyn, New going to get more York, Gonsalves, a expensive; rental former Foreign Affairs apartments are going to Minister and erstwhile go up; those will soon be Ambassador to the gone,” added Gonsalves, United Nations, said speaking at his first “There are investment town hall meeting in opportunities, because Brooklyn since becoming St. Vincent and the an elected Member of Grenadines is taking off. Parliament at the “We’ve come to you general elections on first and say, ‘what you December 9, 2015. can do for your country,’” “And we can’t let the said the eldest son of New York Diaspora lose Prime Minister Dr. out on things in St. Ralph E. Gonsalves, who Vincent and the also holds the portfolios Grenadines. And it’s of Minister of time to reap some of the Sustainable benefits in St. Vincent Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.c om US CORRESPONDENT

Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Economic Development, addressing a Town Hall Meeting in Brooklyn, during which he urged Vincentians resident there to consider investing in SVG. Section of those in attendance at last Sunday’s Town Hall meeting. and the Grenadines.

“You can build something in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I’m getting something from the Canadians and the British every day, but I’m not getting enough from [Vincentians in] Brooklyn,” Gonsalves continued. “You can keep your 9-5 [job] and have a little thing on the side in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Where are you? This is a serious

opportunity to get to the ground floor before the elevator takes off.

“The Black community buys a lot of things from other people. You have the opportunity [to have] for Vincentian-owned businesses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.

The Economic Planning Minister noted that the Vincentian community in New York, particularly in Brooklyn,

has a “very rich tradition of supporting St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“You donate to VincyMas [the national carnival], you make donations,” he said.

“When you add up all the money you send to your family, to your church…, even though you think you don’t have it, you have it [to invest].

“I want you to realize that the airport will not transform St. Vincent

and the Grenadines overnight, but it’ll [St. Vincent and the Grenadines] be transformed quickly,” Gonsalves added. “You will have to help us retain what you love about St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We need your ideas, your investment,” he urged. “St. Vincent and the Grenadines is at the crossroads, let us hold our hands, and let us walk together.”

Electric/Hybrid cars and charger unveiled in SVG THE GOVERNMENT of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is currently executing a project to test and analyze the effectiveness and cost of operating alternative energydriven vehicles on the terrain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all towards addressing the broader issue of ensuring a clean environment.

On Thursday 14th april, a press conference and the cutting of a ribbon outside the Administrative Building in Kingstown, signaled the official launch of an electric car, a hybrid and charging station, under a project called Access to Clean Energy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Coordinator Dr. Alston Stoddard, in his address at the launch, said the project was conceptualized by the government of SVG and supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), an international partnership of 183 countries that provide assistance to entities geared towards tackling environmental issues.

According to Stoddard, “GEF main concern is to provide support for efforts of

climate change mitigation and those aimed at reducing pollution of the environment generally.”

Highlighting that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a signatory to a number of international protocols and Conventions, he said that because of thisd the nation has to show commitment to, among other things, reduced emission.

The project to test alternative energy cars in SVG is important, said Dr. Stoddard, since it can result in a clean environment, economic advantages, including the reduction and dependency of gas at the pump.

“This is the technology of the future, and the future is now,” declared Stoddard.

In accordance, the government’s Energy Unit has been mandated to work towards reducing dependency on fossil fuel within the transportation sector by 10% in 2015 and 15% by 2020.

The Energy Unit Director, Elsworth Dacon, made this disclosure even as he admitted that the move to renewable energy has its own challenges, as exemplified by the fact that the test car cost around USD 28,000, and the battery USD

Dr. Alston Stoddard, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Coordinator, sees the project to test alternative energy cars in SVG as a step in the direction of ensuring a clean environment.

Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in front of the two cars to be used in the pilot project.

Right: The charger (for the cars) was also unveiled.

told the gathering, adding, “We have to be in the business 10,000. to have credibility globally, we Prime Minister Dr. Ralph have to do things in our own Gonsalves, whose portfolios back yard, in our own include responsibility for jurisdiction.”

Energy, addressed the launch He observed that even and underscored that every though the project is at the country must have a pilot stage, he anticipates that comprehensive energy policy. more of such vehicles will be Small island states at the imported. most adversely affected by The Prime Minister also energy, mainly through hydro climate change, even though disclosed that by 2019, SVG and geothermal means. (KH) we contribute very little to the will produce 80% of its climate change, Dr. Gonsalves electricity by renewable

V

16. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Economy

Ministry of Agriculture launches 20-point Plan The Ministry of Agriculture has unveiled a 20-Point Plan which it said “clearly articulates the way forward for the next 100 days.”

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room, Monday, April 18, Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar described the Plan as the result of his Ministry’s thrust towards strategizing and positioning resources for a genuine development of the agriculture industry in SVG. The Minister assured that the Plan was the result of consultation with stakeholders, reference to documents from the Ministry of Finance and the

Central Planning Division, and input from regional and international agencies.

Among actions proposed in the Plan are: a national consultation with farmers, traffickers and other stakeholders in the Agricultural sector; reform of the administrative and technical structures of the Ministry of Agriculture to better serve all stakeholders; provision of technical assistance for data collectors by the utilization of drone technology; increased attention for long-line fishing, agro-processing, diversification cultivation of 250 acres of new banana with bananas, and youth involvement fields in 2016; the enhancement of the Core Farmers Program intended to in agriculture; the Preparation of the return export to the UK through Winfresh; the establishment of a Land Bank Registrar of available agricultural lands for purchase and lease; and the continued process of privatizing of the fisheries facilities in Owia, Calliaqua, Kingstown, Bequia, Canouan and Union Island.

Implementation of the plan is expected to benefit from a further The Plan proposes the cultivation of 200 acres of new banana fields.

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar (left), with his Chief Agricultural Officer Ashley Cain, at the launch of the Ministry’s 20-Point Plan of Action. injection of funds from PetroCaribe through the farmers Support Company.

Six thousand (6000) copies of the 20-point 100 Days Plan will be distributed across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, “ because it should be a hand book for farmers, fisher folks, investors, to see the intention, aims and the objectives the Ministry of Agriculture .” the Minister said. (KH)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 17.

News

ECGC launches Health and Safety System

Osmond Davy, CEC/ECGC, sees the introduction of a new Safety Management System at ECGC as offering a more structured programme.

THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN GROUP OF COMPANIES (ECGC) has officially launched its Safety Management System, referred to as the ECGC OSHAS 18001 Safety Management System.

Last week Friday’s launch came against the backdrop of the enactment of an Occupational Health and Safety Act here, by the end of the year.

The concept of Occupational and Health and Safety is nothing new for ECGC, according to Chief Executive

Officer (CEO) Osmond Davy.

However, the implementation of the new system allows for a more structured and formalized programme.

“In March 2016, we embarked on beefing up the entire Occupational Health and Safety programme,” Davy said.

This has given rise to a full set of changes and initiatives, including the hiring of a full time Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator (HSEC).

“And in addition, we have engaged a consultant in fast tracking this process,”

Davy explained.

But the implementation of such a programme was more than simply trying to comply with legislation.

“We need to be in full compliance for when that time comes. But beyond that, we have to provide a friendly and safe environment for all,” he said.

And while Davy said that he anticipates that it will be an uphill task to ensure a successful programme, he expects that the company will be in full compliance within 18 months.

Samantha LugayCharles, ECGC’s HSEC, with whom the task of implementation of the programme rests, said that Occupational Health was an integral part of the decent work agenda.

But to be decent, work ought to be safe and while the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) mandate is to promote decent work for all, she said that the company she worked for adhered to that principle.

She further explained that the system was developed as a result of the demand for a recognized standard against which to be certified and assessed.

The management system ensured that the legislative requirements were met; however, according to LugayCharles, it ensured the continued improvement of the Occupational and Health and Safety performance of the company.

Other benefits included reducing the

Samantha LugayCharles, ECGC’s HSEC, said that ECGC is committed to providing descent work for all its employees. risk of accidents and incidents, and improving the company’s reputation with customers and shareholders. (DDD)

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

JPEMSS Young Leaders in action

Continued from Page 14.

The JPEMSS young leaders are also collaborating with the Forestry Division to remove a frangipani tree from the school compound, and replace it with neem trees. The frangipani tree is said to attract termites, while the neem tree acts as a repellent. The school has had a serious problem with termites, which has resulted in damage to the wooden portions of the structure.

The young leaders are happy with what they have been able to accomplish, and thank all those who have supported them throughout the project. (Contributed)

SVGS Young Leaders deliver Continued from Page 14.

To work went the Young Leaders, and their approach to the Rotary Club of St. Vincent bore dividends.

Two desktop computers and a photocopier were made available to the institutions in need.

On Thursday 21st April, 2016, the Young Leaders officially handed over the items to representatives of each of the institutions concerned.

Commenting on the effort and accomplishment of the Young Leaders, Curtis King, Headmaster of the St. Vincent Grammar School, said, "I am very proud of what they have done thus far in the project and even if they don’t win, I am still happy that they have gotten the experience."

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 19.

V

20. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Re-think your position people congratulated us on the (baby) boy we were expecting. From all MY WIFE AND I are expecting a baby. My wife accounts, this ‘runwanted to know the sex of mouth’ had see it fit to ‘broadcast’ that wife was the baby, so she went expecting a boy. ahead and got the I asked her about it, information. The only and her response was, other person we told of “So, what if others know? this was her best friend That is not a secret to the person whom we keep.” I told her that asked to be the God she should have Mother. respected our wish for We both were very privacy, to which she upset when we went to responded, “Well, what church and quite a few

Dear George,

can I say?” and walked away.

I told my wife that we should no longer ask her to be the God Mother… after all, she had shown no respect for our privacy, and could not be an example for our child.

Should we tell her we changed our minds about her being the God Mother?

Let Down Big Time Dear Let Down,

I guess you have both learned a valuable lesson here. If you wanted that information to be private, then you should have kept it to yourselves. Releasing it to anyone else is to risk having it propagated.

That said, one error in judgement should not be used as a yard stick to measure the quality of

this individual. I am sure there are other qualities you would have seen in her that made her your choice as God Mother.

Rise above this one incident, which is definitely an isolated one, and let her know that you want to be able to trust her in the future

with certain things, and she would need to be more respectful of your wishes , especially now that she is to be the God Mother of your child.

This can only continue to be a problem if you let it.

George

Issues should be addressed Dear George I ASKED my wife if she would marry again should I die before her. Without hesitation, she said yes. Then I asked her what kind of man would she would marry, and she said she would choose someone who was tall, educated and, of course, very much endowed.

Now, George, my wife would sometimes tell me things like “I wanted to marry a tall man, but here I am with you.”

As far as choosing someone who was ‘very much endowed’, I asked her if she was satisfied with our sex life.

“It is what it is. I just have to be satisfied, no choice,” she answered, without any elaboration.

That left me to wonder many things. I have a feeling that she is seeing someone else, but I cannot prove it. I also reflected on when we make love, and how quiet she is as though she was doing me a favour. I have brought that up with her, but she would just dismiss the subject.

There are too many questions

hanging over this marriage, and I want answers.

Fingers crossed Dear Fingers crossed, I am not sure about the wisdom in discussing a subject that would be a , should the scenario put forward come to pass.

The conversation with your wife has most certainly indicated that there are areas in your marriage with which she is not completely satisfied. The best way to proceed is to have an open discussion in which the questions dangling in your head are addressed. The focus should be on resolving as many of these questions.

A marriage is always considered as under construction. Staying on the job gives you a much better chance to fix what is needed to be fixed, and to agree on a compromise to accept each other’s limitations.

George

‘Have to be in it to win it’ Dear George, THERE IS THIS GIRL that I am madly in love with, and I have done everything in the book to show her signs of that, except telling her how I truly feel.

Whenever I am in her presence, I just freeze up, and cannot express what I am feeling for her. I believe she knows that I have feelings for her, but I am wondering if she suspects that I love her.

I have heard speak about what kind of man she wants in her life, and I know that I fit the bill, but I just cannot bring myself to tell her that I am that man. About two weeks ago, I saw her having a meal at a restaurant with this guy, and I got scared that she could be dating him. My worst nightmare would be to have that guy take her away from me. My whole life would crumble beyond recovery. The other nightmare that I have is for me to tell her I love her, and she rejects me. Rejection does not sit well with me.

I have heard her say she is ready to settle down, once she finds the

right man, and I too am ready to settle down, once I’ve found the right woman. There is no doubt in my mind that she is the right woman for me.

Waiting game Dear Waiting game, While it is good to be patient about some things, one needs to recognise when it’s time to make that all important move. It appears as though you have thought this one out extremely well, and you are convinced that you are that missing piece to this woman’s life. How else would you know if that is so unless you make an effort to fit that piece? Some things are worth the risk and, as far as I am concerned, if this woman is all that you say and think she is, then it would be well worth the risk of rejection to go up to her and say what is in your heart. You may be surprised to discover that she was waiting all this time for you to make that move. You have to be in it to win it!

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Get involved in worthwhile endeavors and meet new friends. You can make alterations to your appearance that everyone will admire. Friends may not be completely honest with you.

Residential moves will be favorable, and larger quarters the most probable direction.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. Your love will not be willing to listen to your criticism. Take some time to change your house around. Things are looking up.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Travel will promote romantic connections. Loved ones may be annoyed if they feel restricted. Talk to peers who you trust in order to get sound advice. Try to accommodate them without infringing on your own responsibilities.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged.

You can make gains if you look at longterm investments. You can expect to have problems with your mate if you've been spending too much time away from home. You mustn't be so trusting.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Someone you live with is ready to play emotional games. Your intellectual charm will win hearts and bring opportunities that you least expect.

Social activity should be on your agenda this week. You will be able to pick up on future trends if you keep your eyes peeled for unique ideas.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You will attract potential lovers, but be sure that they're unattached. You can buy or sell if you're so inclined. Make love, not war, and all will be fine. A residential move may be in order.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You will drive your emotional partner crazy this week. Focus, and concentrate on yourself and your future. Real estate investments will be extremely profitable in the long run. Visitors may be likely to drop by.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Don't be afraid to pursue unfamiliar grounds. You will have additional discipline that will aid you in your objectives. You can't live your life for others. Mishaps due to preoccupation will be upsetting.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can get the attention of important individuals but it might not be the time to get them to help or to back your ideas. You need to focus on yourself, not on others. Minor accidents could occur if you don't take precautions. You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Health problems may prevail if you don't take care of them immediately. Be cautious of making any residential changes this week. You can make money if you are careful not to let it trickle through your fingers. You will have no problem getting along with clients.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) This will be a good day for research and for sitting down with some good, informative reading material. Don't consume more than necessary. Don't let your mate bully you into thinking that you owe them your time and your life.

Use your quick wit to win points and friends.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Compromise will be necessary. Secret enemies may be holding a grudge that you're not even aware of. You can make alterations to your appearance that everyone will admire. You can expect to have some problems with skin, bones, or teeth if you haven't taken proper care of them.

ACROSS 1. Yes indeedy, in Yaguaron (2wds) 5. Wane 8. __ It Out 11. Scent 12. What, in Juarez 13. Acclaimed Documentary: “__ Dreams” 15. Florida resort, for short 16. Burn Notice network 17. Where Heathcliff roamed 18. Kiely Williams’ role on The Cheetah Girls 2 20. Kurtz of Knots Landing 22. The Islanders’ gp.

24. Greek philosopher 26. Celebrity attorney Melvin of Whodunnit?

28. The Next Generation’s Q: actor John de __ 32. Summer of A Different World 33. Corn serving at Ponder Blue’s 34. Auctioneer’s shout 36. Ice-T’s Law & Order: SVU rol: __ Tutuola 38. Animaniacs lab rat 39. Maxwell and Lanchester

41. Opp. Of WNW 42. Matlin of Reasonable Doubts 46. The Super Station 48. Peruvian Indian 49.Commercial baker?

51. “__ from Muskogee” 54. Phys-ed locales 55. Felicity school (abbr.)

56. Keenan of Call to Glory 57. Monica and Rachel shared one (abbr.)

58. Weekly item 37. The Invisible comedy show Man actress 14. Snoop (abbr.) around Melinda 59. Just Shoot 19. CNN news 38. Calif. Zone me prop source 40. The __ Truth 21. Jean Marie 42. Russian jet DOWN of Man From 43. Ocean Atlantis Hellman, on 1.__ story Dateline__ Almost Grown 22.

2. Phrase 44. Constable heard on The 23. Big sandwich Benton Fraser’s Wedding Bells 25. Rosenberg (2 wds) and Ruck 3. My __ Life 27. Thompson of (hyph.)

Lifetime’s for 4. Neighbor of The People Syria 29.Helgenberger 5. __ Justice series crime 6. Otto drives 30. Covington one 7. You Can __ Cross’s Eleanor (2 wds.)

(3 wds) 31. Antlered 8. Woeful animals words (2 wds.)

33. Brennan and 9. __ Million Heckart 10. Home Improvement 35. Hair coloring

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 21.

Due South org.

45. _ Comic Standing 47. G.E. College __ 50. Jamie __ Bauer of DOOL 52. Newhart set 53. McHale’s Navy’s Parker, e.g. (abbr.)

V

22. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Shakespeare still lives on

by LEROY ‘POKES’ MULRAINE

EDITOR’S NOTE: When it comes to Shakespeare’s legacy, it seems safe to conclude that “what’s past is prologue.”

To mark 400 years since the day Shakespeare died, people are celebrating his life and work around the world.

We are pleased to present this piece by one of this country’s foremost voices on English Literature, Mr. Leroy ‘Pokes’ Mulraine.

The piece was first published in The Searchlight newspaper of Friday, April 27, 2001.

‘St. George’s Day, April 23, 2001, marked the 437th anniversary of the birth of that celebrated English dramatist William Shakespeare, who incidentally died on his birthday at the age of 52.

Apart from the Bible, I do not think there is any text more widely read and studied, more highly acclaimed or diversely translated, as the Complete Works of Shakespeare or any of his individual masterpieces, be it historical play, comedy or tragedy.

Critics over the years have sought, without much success, to decry Shakespeare by attributing his works to Christopher Marlowe or Ben Johnson or a fraternity of contemporary dramatists. They apparently could not comprehend how one man, who had never been among top scholars of the day, could span so wide a range of human experience, be so prolific and knowledgeable, and exhibit such a command of the language art forms. They did not cater for genius, which Shakespeare undoubtedly was.

It was one of Shakespeare’s characters who said, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them’”.

Our knowledge of

Shakespeare’s his life is rather sketchy, but we do know he was born at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 of fairly well-to-do parents, attended the local grammar school, married at 18 to Anne Hathaway, and had three children. He apparently taught for some time, did some law and travelled abroad, before he worked in London at a theatre, holding horses and doing minor parts.

His talent was discovered early, and he was elevated to more major roles, and worked his way up the theatre ladder, writing plays of his own, eventually ending up with his own troupe and theatre.

Apart from the 40 or so plays his career produced, he also wrote numerous letters and sonnets on a variety of topics related to his personal experiences, and filled with an intensity of passionate emotions of affection, devotion, resentment and despair that make them stand out from the usual conventional poetic exercises.

The majority of his plays constitute a rich legacy handed down over the ages for posterity to enjoy.

The comedies, especially, are replete with fun and laughter, interspersed with glimpses of rare pastoral beauty, songs, dancing and general merrymaking. Yet, there is often some message, some lesson we can learn from life, as we follow the skilful interweaving of his cleverly contrived plots.

But, for me, it is his great tragedies that really reveal the incredible genius of the man. They cover a wide variety of human failings, behaviours and situations which are ever kept before us, renewing and refreshing our experiences.

Whether it be the folly of old age; the lust and greed for political power; the unfeeling ingratitude and cruelty of children to

parents; the unrelenting enmity of feuding families; the jealous and envious scheming of illegitimate against legitimate children; civil strife, whatever one can

imagine, it is there for our edification.

Additionally, Shakespeare is undoubted the most universally quoted and enjoyed writer; for one

can find an apt quotation to fit almost every situation of human experience. We all have our favourite ones.

Let us cherish them, and join in paying tribute to this genius, in the words of another great English poet John Keats: ‘Bards of passion and of mirth, Ye have left your souls on earth.

Ye have souls in heaven too, Double-lived in regions new.’

William Shakespeare

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 23.

SVG System 3: Double football champions IT WAS SVG System 3 all the way when the two remaining divisions – male and female - of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation of the National Club Championships were decided at Victoria Park, last Sunday.

At the sound of the final whistle in each case, SVG System 3 revelled in a champion’s dance.

The first piece of silverware for SVG System 3 edged arch rivals Campdonia-Chelsea , 1-0, in the female showdown.

After a goalless first half, multi- talented sportswoman Shannique De Shong poked in a cross from the left side in the 45th minute, which turned out to be the decider.

Both teams went into last Sunday’s game level on 10 points. By virtue of its win, SVG System 3 earned three points to pull clear of their rivals.

Volcanoes, who finished on 11 points, settled in the second position, with CampdoniaChelsea third. North Leeward Predators took the fourth place.

Six teams contested the female division.

Crowning moment SVG System 3’s second

could not find its final bearings despite many surges on their opponent’s goal.

But the crowning moment was still to come, and it did in the 80th minute, when Curlon Joseph completed his hat trick by dribbling his way past three defenders, to register his team’s third goal and put System 3 runaway victors with 3 goals to Hope’s 1.

Joseph’s strike put him top of the list of goal scorers with 15 goals.

SVG System 3 finished on 32 points, gained from 10 wins, two draws and one loss; second place Bequia United got 28 points, from 9 wins, one draw and three losses.

Hope International put together 26 points, acquired from 8 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses and Campdonia- Chelsea was fourth on 25 points. From 8 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses.

At the other end of the table stood Dove FC, Parkside Rollers, Prospect 1982 and Toni’s Stores Jugglers. They will be relegated to the First Division of the next Club Championships.

On the other hand, Volcanoes and Richland Park Pride and Joy, first and second place finishers respectively in the First Division, head to the premiership in the next round, as the numbers Most Outstanding would be

champagne moment on the night came when their marquee team, the senior men’s outfit, did battle with 2014 winners of the Premier Division - Guardian General Hope International.

The permutations were Hope International had to win by three clear goals to remain champions, while System 3 needed only a draw to land the title.

As early as the 8th minute, Curlon Joseph benefitted from a penalty after Hope International’s defender Kendol Douglas unwittingly stopped the ball with his hand, after seeing the assistant referee’s flag raised for an offside.

Joseph slotted home the ball to make it 1-0 putting his team closer to the championship title.

Another infringement in the box in the 25th minute, offered Joseph another opportunity to fire home from the penalty spot , to make it 2-0 in System 3’s favour.

There were no more goals in the half, however, on the resumption, Hope International looked rejuvenated as a result of substitutions, and in the 48th minute, Kemron Osment pulled a goal back.

Hope International though

Top footballers rewarded TOP PERFORMERS in the recently concluded 20152016 National Club Championships hosted by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, were rewarded with trophies at a closing ceremony, held last Sunday at the Victoria Park.

Under-17 Division The Most Outstanding Goal-keeper in this division was Delaney Quow of second place Layou, with Avenues United’s Joash Nash the Most Outstanding Defender.

Trivis Fraser, also of Avenues United, was adjudged the Most Outstanding Midfielder, and taking the Most Goals Award was SVG System 3’s Carlos Solomon for his 9 goals.

Avenues placed first, Layou second, North Leeward Predators third and Green Hill fourth.

3,; and the Top Goal Scorer was Volcanoes’ Asha Richards with 16 goals.

Final standings : first — SVG System 3; second — Volcanoes; third Campdonia Chelsea One; fourth - North Leeward Predators.

Defender in the first division Kishorn Durham (left) of Volcanoes collects his trophy from Director of Physical Education and Sports Nelson Hillocks.

National senior team goal keeper Kevan Henry of Je Belle was named as the Most Outstanding Goal-keeper, with Bequia United’s First Division Ozani Ollivierrre the Most Outstanding Defender.

North Leeward Securing the Most Predators’ John Williams gained the award of Most Outstanding Midfielder award was SVG System Outstanding Goalkeeper, while Kishorn Durham of 3’s Ezra Alleyne, while top leading goal scorer in Volcanoes won the most the premier division was outstanding defender accolade and Cruz Young, SVG System 3’s Curlon also of Volcanoes- the best Joseph, who had 15 goals.

First- System three, midfielder.

Bequia- second, Hope The top goal scorer in Women’s Division that division was Richland International — third and Campdonia- ChelseaPark Pride and Joy’s Giany Marshall of Nalroy Peters, who scored fourth North Leeward Predators 7 goals.

Fifty-nine teams was named the Most competed in the Final team placing: Outstanding Goal- keeper Volcanoes- first, Richalnd championships: fourteen among the women. in the Under-17; six in the Park Pride and JoyThe Most Outstanding second, North Leeward women’s division; twentyDefender was Campdonia- Predators- third and 1998 five in the first division; Chelsea’s Giselle Wilson; and fourteen in the Hillside Rollers- fourth.

Most Outstanding premier division.

Midfielder- Gabrielle Premier Division Ollivierre of SVG System

SVG System 3 senior men’s football team – winners of the 2015-2016 premier division of the SVGFF national club championships.

Women’s division champions of the NCC – SVG System 3. reduced to 12 from 14.

All four top places in the four divisions of the championships -

premier, first, Under-17 and female women’s - received cash awards.

Rugby 15-a-side opens COUNTRY PIRATES open their Rugby campaign with a bang, beating Town Sharks in the first match of the relaunched 15-a-side Rugby League, last weekend at the Calliaqua Playing Field.

In the first half, tries were scored by (captain) George Kruger (x2) and Dellon Durrant for the Country Pirates, and Justin Tittle and Shane Samuel for the Country Pirates, victors in the opening match of the reTown Sharks, making the score launched SVG Rugby Union 15-a-side League.

15 vs. 10 at the conclusion of the Last Saturday’s opening match was a first half. particular significant occasion for the The second half saw one try each SVG Rugby Union, since it had been from Country Pirates players Kit Horne, unable to stage the League, given that Ronald Richards and Giles Garraway. there was not, in recent times, an Town Sharks’ Justin Tittle (1 try) and adequate number of teams/clubs to Shane Samuel (2 tries) again scored make the activity feasible. tries in the second half, bringing the The League is expected to run until final score to 30 vs.. 25, in favor of the June, and will see competition among Country Pirates. four teams: (Town) Sharks, (Leeward Next encounter will be the Leeward ‘Invaders’), (Country) ‘Pirates” and Invaders taking on Country Pirates this (Canouan) ‘All Blacks’.

Saturday 30th April, at the Petit Bordel Playing Field from off 2pm.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V

24. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Team Rivals move to the top teammates found trouble negotiating the Victors DEFENDING cHAMPIONS Team Rivals ONE attack, and it was moved past Victors ONE at the top of the only a partnership of 56 standings, after taking first innings with Roneil Jeffrey (13) for points in their drawn National Lotteries the fifth wicket, that pulled Authority Premier Division match at the Team Rivals out of serious Park Hill Playing Field, on the weekend. strife at 61/3. But even so SCORES: Team Rivals 228 &194/7, when the partnership was Victors ONE 134. broken, the innings once Team Rivals are now on 82 points more returned to a state of Leg spinner Orlanzo Jackson took 5/25 for from four matches, and Victors ONE insecurity, with wickets Team Rivals.

77 from five matches. falling regularly.

Winning the toss and electing to Shallow was eventually when Atticus Browne (37) and captain bat, Team Rivals battled their way to dismissed for 61 when he was well Donwell Hector had taken the total to what turned out to be an adequate caught at point by Shaquille Browne 92/1, after losing Chrisroy John (4) off Miles Bascombe, from a cut shot, total. with the total on 11. However, with with the total 143/6.

They were led by Hyron Shallow the dismissal of Browne by veteran leg The lower order, led by with another impressive half century spinner Orlanzo Jackson, the innings wicketkeeper Delan Douglas (37), in trying conditions, against a useful went into decline. added important runs to push their attack.

Hector, who took his season’s tally team to way above the average score of He went to the wicket after his team had lost captain Asif Hooper (10) 160 on the pitch. Bascombe once again to almost 300, was stumped off Jackson, and Victors ONE slipped led the Victors ONE with 5/56 from with the total 20/1, and despite some 19.5 overs, his second five -wicket haul quickly to 112/7. The collapse early anxious moments, put his head continued as they lost their last three this season, and Nurlon Williams, down and was not afraid to capitalise wickets for three runs, narrowly 3/25. on the bad balls.

Victors ONE looked in total control avoiding the follow on.

While he gathered runs, his Jackson finished with 5/25 from

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Hyron Shallow led Team Rivals recovery with his 61. nine overs, to record yet another fivewicket against Victors ONE. Armed with a lead of 94, Team Rivals were in a spot of bother at 59/4, but were taken to safety through a century stand for the fifth wicket between captain Hooper (63) and Jeffrey (79). While Hooper played second fiddle, Jeffrey wreaked carnage, hitting three fours and nine sixes in his 50-ball innings.

When stumps were drawn Team Rivals were 194/7, a lead of 288, with Bascombe taking 4/64 and Williams 3/19.

Lawrence sets up impressive Radcliffe win with a wide array of shots, Lawrence was not afraid to hit the A MAGNIFICENT ball in the air against century by Rodney pace or spin in his Lawrence, and a nineinnings of 113. He wicket match haul by off survived a chance spinner Dyke Cato, when in his seventies — propelled LIME Radcliffe dropped by Charles at to an impressive innings short extra cover off and 30-run victory over Currency. His Guardian General Saints, partnership with in their National Richards (49) saw Lotteries Authority LIME Radcliffe taking Premier Division match the ascendancy. at the Sion Hill Playing Lawrence was the last Field, on the weekend. man to be dismissed SCORES: LIME when he held out off Radcliffe 243, Guardian Ambris after batting 146 General Saints 51 &162. minutes, facing 213 balls LIME Radcliffe went and striking seven fours into the weekend’s and six sixes. fixture on 44 points, Guardian General courtesy of two victories Saints, who were on 46 from their two opening points from their two matches. victories as well and Lawrence arrived at hoping to extend that the wicket with his team tally, were instead routed uncomfortably placed at on Sunday for 51 in 22.2 39/2, after Romano overs, with Cato 5/31, Pierre (5) was caught off and James 3/3 with his Ray Charles and Kadir medium inflicting the Nedd (26) had his middle humiliation. stump removed by Asked to follow on, Kenroy Peters. Lawrence Guardian General Saints survived some close showed a little more shouts for LBW off fight, but were dismissed Peters, but settled in on for 162, with Zain a pitch that served up Edwards holding the little peril. He added 57 innings together with an with Urnel Thomas (22) accomplished innings of for the third wicket, and 64.. Currency (30) added after the fall of captain 63 with Edwards for the Lindon James (7), fifth wicket in taking the stumped attempting a total from 36/4 to109/5, big swipe at Romel when the former was Currency, added a trapped by Delorn further 90 with Richie Johnson (3/27). But while Richards for the fifth Peters (22) tried to bat wicket. his team to safety, the A tall right-hander

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Century maker Rodney Lawrence. lower order proved inept at keeping out Cato (4/74), Othneil Lewis (3/24). The last rites were administered when Peters was caught off Lewis.

Zain Edwards batlled stoutly for Saints.

Cricket training squads selected CRICKET authorities here have announced training squads for selection to the National Senior Male and Female teams.

Senior Male squad: Sunil Ambris, Asif Hooper, Donwell Hector, Jerron John, Gidron Pope, Othneil Lewis, Seon Sween, Romano Pierre, Delorn Johnson, Miles Bascombe, Kenroy Peters, Kenneth Dember, Keron Cottoy, Rodney Lawrence, Atticus Browne, Shaquille Browne, Marvin Small, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Desron Maloney, Deron Greaves, Romario Bibby, Casmond Walters and Rickford Walker.

Senior female squad: Julianna Nero, Latoya Providence, Nyasha

Williams, Jephenia Joseph, Stacy Ann Adams, Kayleen Garrick, Shavorne Clark, Vinisha King, Cordel Jack, Crystal John, Glendeen Turtin, Kimone Homer, Shenezia Daniel, Samantha Cain, Xavian Stevens, Shonica Campbell, Cleo Hoyte, Ronique Forgus, Giany Marshall, Roshell John, Melessa Charles, Camille Garrick, Terisha Lavia, Hazel Ann Forster.

The seniors males squad, called up for training in preparation for the Windwards Tournament — a 2-day format in Grenada from May 27 to June 4 feature some notable omissions.

Former captain Lindon James and batsman Rommel Currency

have both opted for voluntary breaks, and Alston Bobb and Ray Jordan are unavailable, due to commitments to play League Cricket in England.

The females will be seeking selection to the national team that will represent SVG in a three-match series tournament against Grenada, from May 20th25th., to be played at the Sion Hill playing field.

From these games, a SVGGrenada representative team will be selected for participation in the West Indies regional competition in July/August.

I.B.A. ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 25.

Sports

Layou school gets Table Tennis equipment THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Table Tennis Association continues to make good on its intention to grow and sustain the sport here.

In keeping with its Strategic Development

Plan, which includes ‘Spreading the game far and wide throughout the State’, the Association equipped yet another school with table tennis pre-requisites.

This time around, the

Layou Government School was the recipient of a table tennis board, net, rackets and a quantity of balls, same being presented at the school on Wednesday of this week.

The Layou Government School has taken on the sport with vigour, and was the Girls Champion Team in the 2015 inaugural Primary Schools Competition.

Deputy Principal of the Layou Government School receives donation from Sean Stanley, PRO/SVGTTA.

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

Commerrcial space for Commercial or rent re in Paul’’s Avenue Avenue (top floor) Paul’s Contact: 456-1821 or 454-3780 for more information morre infor rm mat mation

RAYMOND SIMMONS aka JAMBA 6W -RKQ¶V &KULVWLDQ 3LOJULP &KXUFK 6LRQ +LOO :HGQHVGD\ WK $SULO S P

5$1'2/3+ /(:,6 6WXEEV 6 ' $GYHQWLVW 6XQGD\ WK $SULO

S P

$'2/3+86 '256(7 6 ' $GYHQWLVW &KXUFK &RORQDULH 6XQGD\ WK $SULO

S P

*5(*25< $8*86786 &2//,16 &KXUFK RI &KULVW /DQJOH\ 3DUN *HRUJHWRZQ 6XQGD\ WK $SULO

S P

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A.I. REAL ESTATE Sion Hill 10,689 sq. ft @ $17.00 p.s.f - $181,713.00 -BB138 Queensbury 22,186 sq.ft ($10.00 p.s.f - $221,860.00 -BB165 Rivulet 11,220 sq.ft @ $13.00 p.s.f - $145,977.00 -BB800

S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 29, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.18

www.thevincentian.com

(784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 office (784)-493-9431 cell 718-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com

EC$1.50

“BRUCE WAS ‘ROOTICAL’ BUT ETHICAL” without security, and hold conversations with persons on the THE LATE FORMER Magistrate and street. “He could have spoken on any retired Senior High Court Judge topic, and had a strong sense of Frederick Bruce-Lyle has been described humour,” Delpleche recalled. as being “rootical but ethical.”

“Bruce-Lyle was a humanist; he The remarks came from Senior never thought that he was better than Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche who anyone. He would treat every human had known Bruce-Lyle personally for being with love, respect and dignity,” just over 27 years, and had developed added the Prosecutor. a very close friendship with him.

He stated that Bruce-Lyle was a ‘Bruce’, as he was affectionately loving and caring person who helped called, died on Thursday, April 21 in persons in need.

Trinidad, where he was undergoing Delpleche had first met Bruce-Lyle medical attention. He was in his early in 1989 in Kingstown, less than 24 sixties at the time of his death. hours after he (Bruce-Lyle) had Some members of the legal arrived here to take up the fraternity and many persons outside appointment as Magistrate. those circles, whose lives Bruce-Lyle Then Director of Public had touched in one way or another, Prosecutions (DPP), Oscar Ramjeet, were reduced to tears on receiving the had introduced the Ghanian native to spine-chilling news of the retired Delpleche who was at the time a judge’s sudden passing. young police constable, attached to the Delpleche will always remember Criminal Investigation Department him for his simple, humanistic and (CID). down to earth character.

“I had not known or heard of him “He was a Magistrate and a Judge (Bruce-Lyle) before. We spoke for a of a difference. He was a down to earth brief moment, but it was as if we had person. He was ‘rootical’ but ethical, known each other before. From then the Senior Prosecutor told THE right up to his passing, we were like VINCENTIAN during an interview on brothers.”

Tuesday.

Delpleche said Bruce-Lyle loved Delpleche recalled that Bruce-Lyle, socializing, and had many friends. “He during his tenures here as a was a very interesting person. There Magistrate and High Court Judge, was never a dull moment being around used to walk the streets of Kingstown him.”

by HAYDN HUGGINS

According to the Senior Prosecutor, a trained lawyer, Bruce-Lyle was one of the driving forces behind him pursuing studies in law, and had always been supportive and helpful along the way.

“Of course, like any human being, he was not perfect. He had his strengths, weaknesses, limitations and possibilities; but Retired High Court Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle is when his balance remembered as a learned but down to earth human sheet is written, he being. would have a lot Editor’s Note: The management and more credit than debit,” he staff of THE VINCENTCIAN extend underscored.

Bruce-Lyle’s retirement had taken sincerest expressions of sympathy to effect from February 17 last year, but the wife, children and other family he had proceeded on 249 days vacation members of the late High Court leave prior to his retreat.

Judge, Frederick Bruce-Lyle.

The learned judge had told THE THE VINCENTIAN enjoyed an open VINCENTIAN during a telephone relationship with the learned jurist, a interview on March 13 last year, that relationship characterised by mutual his legal mind would always be respect and trust. available to St. Vincent and the We will miss him, especially his Grenadines and the Caribbean, but at readiness to be of assistance. the moment he was enjoying his retirement.

(More on Page 12.)

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.