Vin pages 29 07 16 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JULY 29, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.31

VINCENTIAN contacted him on the issue of his request for THE CODE FOR PROSECUTORS a three-month adjournment of does not apply to investigators. the matter involving New That’s according to Senior York-based local calypsonian Prosecutor Adolphus Paul ‘I Mad’ Scrubb’ who has Delpleche who heads the been charged with sedition Summary Division in the and uttering threats to kill Office of the Director of Public Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Prosecutions (DPP).

Gonsalves and his family.

Delpleche’s comments came Attorney Israel Bruce, who on Tuesday when THE made an appearance on Scrubb’s behalf when he was taken before the Serious Offences Court on Monday, was quoted by another publication as saying, on the New Times programme on ‘Nice Radio’, “You’d find it very strange that there’s an application by the Crown this morning (Monday) that they would need some three months to prepare their case against Mr. Scrubb, so I wonder where is the application of the full code test.”

The publication also quoted Bruce as saying, “Clearly, if you have a matter of the type for which Mr. Scrubb was charged, there is a national interest, but where is the Senior Prosecutor Adolphus evidential sufficiency? If you Delpleche made it abundantly had that, why would you need clear that the Code for three months as of today’s Prosecutors does not apply date (Monday) to investigate to investigators. before you can properly lay

by HAYDN HUGGINS

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

your case in the court?”

According to the publication, Bruce had also explained that a full code test says that there must be an evidential sufficiency before proceeding and even on the presence of an evidential sufficiency, “You must ask yourself whether or not it is in the national interest to proceed with the matter”.

But prosecutor Delpleche told THE Attorney Israel Bruce (left) seen here with his client Paul ‘I Mad’ VINCENTIAN on Scrubb, had no immediate objection to the Senior Prosecutor’s request Tuesday that his request for a three- for the three-month adjournment. month it will then go to the DPP’s Court, he (Delpleche) made a adjournment of the matter was for the investigator to put Office for perusal, and it is at similar application in another that stage that the Code for matter in which five men were the case file together, and Prosecutors which includes the charged with murder. have it pass through the Delpleche said both different perusal stages, which evidential sufficiency and public interest tests, will be applications were made, based is normal in every matter in which there will be a applied, and a decision as to on information he received Preliminary Inquiry (PI). whether or not to prosecute from the investigators as to The Senior Prosecutor will be made. when the files would be ready. explained that after the file Delpleche noted that on the goes through the perusal same day Scrubb appeared in Continued on Page 3. stages in the police hierarchy,

2. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

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

News 3

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) writes SVG PM Editor’s Note: The following is a letter to the Prime Minister of St,.

Vincent and the Grenadines, addressing concerns with the proposed Cybercrime Bill for this country.

DEAR PRIME MINISTER GONSALVES, Dear Minister of Information Gonsalves, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international organization that defends freedom of information, would like to express to you its concern about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Cybercrime Bill currently being debated in Parliament.

We do not dispute the principle of this law or some of its provisions. The Internet should not escape the authority of the law altogether and we believe that it is perfectly legitimate to sanction such crimes and offences as the

theft of documents or data, online identity theft, cyberbullying or, even more serious, child pornography.

However, we regard some of the clauses in this bill extremely damaging to the free flow of news and information and to public debate.

For example, Section 16 (2) of Part II incorporates criminal libel, which is already a criminal offence in Section 274 of the criminal code.

Section 16 (3) states: “A person who, intentionally or recklessly uses a computer system to disseminate any information, statement or image; and exposes the private affairs of another person, thereby subjecting that other person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment, commits an offence.”

Offenders can be sentenced to up to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or pay a fine of 200,000 East

Caribbean dollars.

Under what criteria can information be considered to expose “private affairs” of another person regardless of factual accuracy (which this subsection refrains from mentioning)? This provision could very easily constitute an obstacle to the dissemination of information of public interest. It could, for example, provide any demonstrably corrupt public figure with a strong argument for refusing to be held accountable.

Clause 16 also defines cyberbullying as using “a computer system repeatedly or continuously to convey information which causes fear, intimidation, humiliation, distress or other harm to another person; or detriment to another person’s health, emotional well-being, self-esteem or reputation.” This language remains subjective and could be broadly

interpreted in a manner that negatively impacts the free flow of information.

We are also concerned about the range of the bill’s applicability. Clause 31 of Part III states that “an act [constituting an offence] is carried out in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines if the effect of the act, or the damage resulting from the act, occurs within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Here again, the lack of precision about the nature of the effect to which this clause refers could result in significant obstacles to freedom of information.

The danger posed by these provisions is, in our view, all the greater because the law gives the police and judicial authorities a great deal of scope to access the

A request for information Editor’s Note: Here’s an interesting request we received via e-mail.

DURING THE NIGHT of 03.03. to 04.03.2016, an anchoring yacht with German tourists was attacked in the bay of Wallilabou. St. Vincent (Caribbean).

During the assault, one crew member was shot and the skipper heavily injured.

According to information, one of the men shot the father, sleeping on deck and then the skipper, then left on their wooden boat with red rim on white base, with cash money.

The Department of Public Prosecution Hamburg and the Homicide Commission have taken over the investigation in Germany.

Of interest to the investigation are photos which have been taken between February 22 to March 18, 2016 in the bay of Wallilabou, St. Vincent, the coastal area or habours, and wooden boats

Walliabou Bay is a popular mooring site for yachts. (common to this region) and their users.

During the night of the crime, other sailing boats were in the bay.

Witnesses, who might have made observations during that night or in the days before, which are of

significance to the investigation, are asked to contact the editor’s office of YACHT.de, or directly contact the LKA 41 in Hamburg, Germany, either by e-mail or by phone under +1-49-40-428 65 67 89.

personal data of someone who is being investigated.

Furthermore, RSF considers criminal defamation to have a chilling effect on freedom of the press and freedom of expression and has repeatedly urged countries to decriminalize this offense.

For all these reasons, we urge you not to pass this bill into law in its present form and to

amend the most sensitive clauses. We also urge you to amend the criminal code in order to decriminalize defamation.

We thank you in advance for the attention you give to this letter.

Sincerely, Delphine Halgand US Director, Reporters Without Borders

‘Prosecutors Code is not for investigators’ Continued from Front page.

The prosecutor disclosed that the investigator in the Paul Scrubb matter had asked him for two months to have the file ready; but according to Delpleche, considering the nature of the matter and how the system works, he (Delpleche) decided to ask for three months. The court granted his request.

Delpleche also noted that the case involving Scrubb is not the only matter before the Court in which files are being prepared. There are several others in the queue.

“The Code for Prosecutors does not apply to investigators.

“Investigators don’t use the public interest test, and the evidential sufficiency test.

“Investigators investigate and gather the evidence, and then the prosecutors, headed by the DPP, apply the Code for Prosecutors and make the decision as to whether or not to prosecute”, explained Delpleche, a trained lawyer.

Interestingly, when Delpleche made the request for the three-month adjournment, during Scrubb’s appearance in court on Monday, Bruce, who was seated at the Bar Table, raised absolutely no objections to the application.

However, shortly after, he and his colleague Shirlan Barnwell, took to the airwaves of ‘Nice Radio’ to comment on the case.

V

4. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Sandy Bay teenager drowns

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

Giovanni Sutherland-Sam became this country’s latest drowning victim.

A TEENAGE FROM Sandy Bay lost his life at sea, after going fishing with friends.

That was the news that greeted the nation on the afternoon of Saturday, July 23.

The body of 15-yearold Giovanni Sutherland-Sam, also known as Joe, was removed from the sea between Clare Valley and Questelles on Saturday 23rd, around 11:00am. An autopsy The body of Giovanni Sutherland-Sam being put into one of the fishing boats that had report indicated that he dashed to the area of the incident. died from drowning.

Cetar ‘Ming’ Francis has been Sam, a resident of Francis left home and was sitting Francis recalled that the teenager affected by Sam’s death as though she had loss Sandy Bay, was under an almond along the shoreline spent Friday at home. On Saturday, holidaying in the South one of her own children. having declared that they were bored, at the Clare Valley beach, when a Leeward village of Clare villager came along shouting “Ming , he and her nephews, Kiante and fishing.

Valley at the time of the incident. He Ming (Francis) , one of the boy drown, Francis described Sam as very easy- Kareem, decided to go “shoot fish.” had left his temporary abode that day going. “You have to talk to him for one ah de boy dey in the bottom of the They left at about 8:00 that with friends, to go fishing, a pastime sea water.” morning. him to talk to you,” she said of his he loved.

Francis, confused as he was, asked, But there was something strange quiet disposition.

“Which one?’ about the day, Francis recalled. Sam So much so, she was of the view Sam was easy-going and quiet Before she got a response, she saw was unable to find his “favourite short that because he ‘stuck to himself’, her uncle bringing her two nephews pants for fishing,” and appeared many residents of Clare Valley were According to Cetar ‘Ming’ Francis, back to the shore. peeved, but because he was eager to unaware of his presence in the at whose home Sam was staying while community.

“Kiante was trembling, he couldn’t get going, he left without it. in Clare Valley, he had a passion for talk,” said Francis. She said one of the The boys used a boat belonging to When not fishing, he spent most of fishing, and was a very good swimmer. his time at home watching television nephews told her Sam dived into the Kiante and Kareem’s grandfather for Sam, she said, along with two of her or playing video games. water, surfaced then dived again. their fishing expedition. nephews, came to stay at her home On hearing the news, fishermen on during the Carnival season. Sam was Before the expedition Getting the news the beach gathered their boats and not related to her. went out to the area where the The three made it a habit of going During the course of that morning, incident had taken place.

Francis, in the meantime, tried calling the Coast Guard and the Police. She succeeded with the police who then summoned the assistance of the Coast Guard.

A MOTHER’S LOSS OF A somewhere else,” she added. friends.

A diver from the Coast Guard child is always heartrending The main problem that He would eventually recovered the body with the assistance as it is understandable that the bereaved mother had leave, with her permission, of the local fishermen. any such mother would miss with her son is the amount to spend time in Clare Sam’s body, with diving goggles and that loss child. of time he spent fishing and Valley. snorkel still on his face, was placed in The mother of the 15hunting with friends. “His On the day Sam died, his a fishing boat and transported back to year-old Giovanni hobby was fishing and mother had gone to the land, where a doctor pronounced him Sutherland Sam of Sandy hunting,” said Sutherland. mountain to tend her dead.

Bay, who drowned at in the Despite his obsession garden. On her return she “Up to now, me can’t catch me self, I Clare Valley bay, is not with fishing and hunting, he stopped in at her mother’s can’t even eat. He was so sweet. different. She made no was never known to be place. While there, her Knowing him, he would just catch the excuses for saying that she someone who ate meat. “He sister received a phone call. fish and them, sell what they want Curl Sutherland last saw will miss her son dearly. doesn’t eat manicou, fish, “I see she put her hand on and bring home the rest. Them would her son alive the day Curl Sutherland told and chicken; he would eat her head and bawl out, ‘Oh just sit down and play game or watch before Carnival Monday.

THE VINCENTIAN that white rice with sauce,” said God, Giovanni dead,’ and tv. He never use to walk around in the her son was the last of Sutherland. tears began to flow from my village,” said Francis. seven children, and he died From the age of 5 years eyes,” Sutherland recounted.

From what THE VINCENTIAN selling the fish he caught on the birthday of her first Sam began fishing. He was Immediately, she made was able to discern, it appeared that himself, went towards child. so obsessed with the craft arrangements to get to Sam was determined to shoot an angel purchasing his school He was the son of that he often took his Clare Valley and was fish, and may have descended too far, clothes and other Diamond resident Kenville fishing gear with him to fortunate enough to get making it life-threatening as he accessories.

Sam. school. He was known to there before her son’s body attempted to surface.

One person said that Many villagers and his even spend some time before was removed by persons Interestingly, since the incident, the there were many villages mother described the young and after school fishing. from one of the funeral Clare Valley beach has not seen the who depended on him for man as a loving person, who Sutherland admitted that homes. number of residients and visitors it was quiet and loved to she often scolded him for Sutherland is consoled by their supply of fish. would normal attract.

“I will miss him,” said smile. “Na care way you tell this habit. the fact that her son died Sam was expected to continue his the bereaved mother. him, he just smile,” said The last time she spoke doing something that he schooling at the Sandy Bay Secondary Sam attended the Sandy Sutherland of her decease with her son was the day loved.

Bay Primary and the Sandy School in September, as a Form 3 son. “If he somewhere and before Carnival Monday.

She confirmed that the student. he is not happy, he would go When he was with some money he often earned from Bay Secondary schools.

‘He died doing something he loved’

V

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

Regional

Kenny Anthony takes responsibility

IT IS THE NORM that leaders of political parties that lose a general election, publicly concede defeat.

It is rare, especially in the Caribbean, that those who lead and lose would

also make it public that they accept the blame for their party’s defeat.

Dr. Kenny Anthony, political leader of the recently defeated St. Lucia Labour Party, put spent to

the latter sentiment above, when in an interview with HTS News Force, a St. Lucia News Agency, he openly said that as leader of the SLP, he took full responsibility

Holness, Rowley in bilateral talks PRIME MINISTER of Jamaica- Andrew Holness and his Trinidadian counterpart Dr Keith Rowley say they have reached ‘agreements that will reset and restore the friendship between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago’.

The two signed a communiqué on July 20, at the end of Dr. Rowley’s official visit to Jamaica.

The details of the agreement have not yet been released. Suffice it to say, Dr. Rowley reiterated, before his departure, that his visit was to repel a trade war.

Reports from Jamaica are that an agreement with respect to trade is still being negotiated.

Trade would have been uttermost on the prime ministers’ agenda, since this issue, along with immigration, would have been at the centre of tension that has dragged on between the two leading CARIVOM members for some time now.

In describing the talks as “open and frank,” and speaking directly to the issue of immigration, Prime Minister Holness, in a prepared statement released in Kingston on July 21, said, “In recognizing the immigration and other difficulties that some Jamaicans experience in travelling to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Rowley has given an assurance that his Government is taking the necessary steps to

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and Dr. Keith Rowley were said to have held open and frank discussions on existing and future relations between their two countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. (Photo Credit: caricom.org) improve the situation and effectively implement the undertakings agreed between our two Foreign Ministers.”

On the issue of trade and economic cooperation, Prime Minister Holness said, “Our discussions were frank and open and conducted in an atmosphere of growing friendship and mutual respect. Prime Minister Rowley and I were firmly committed to a focused and resultoriented approach, as we considered proposals for improved economic partnerships and greater cooperation to drive our growth process and to improve the lives of our people.” (Source: Jamaica Gleaner)

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley was inducted into the Prime Minister’s Park at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, Jamaica. The park is used to honour past students who have been or are currently serving as heads of government.

(Internet Photo)

for the party’s election defeat.

Dr. Anthony’s incumbent SLP went under to the United Workers Party six seats to eleven, in the June 6, 2016 general election.

Within days of the election results being accepted, Dr. Anthony declared his intention to step down as political leader of the SLP, and added further that he would neither be accepting the position as leader of the Opposition.

Dr. Anthony rationalised his stance to HIS News Force, saying, “Having lost two general elections, I would not have had the credibility to continue as political or leader of the opposition.

The leader has to take responsibility for defeat and loss.”

Pointing to the case of David Cameron who resigned as Prime Minister of the UK after the Brexit vote, Dr. Anthony declared, “That is what honourable people do. That is what people of integrity do.”

In the interview, Dr. Anthony admitted that he was a bit surprised by the election result, but that he was prepared for anything that came his way.

He also admitted that he knew that the SLP had lost the elections as the votes were being counted.

He said, “I was following the announcements of the voting pattern, and early on there was an indication that something was happening. There was no room for any doubt.”

The former law lecturer also denied reports that he plans to leave the island, saying that he was born and raised in St. Lucia, and he did not have any intention of leaving.

Dr. Kenny Anthony retained his seat in the Vieux Fort South constituency.

He was Prime Minister of Saint Lucia from 1997 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016.

As leader of the SLP, he was Leader of the Opposition from 2006 to 2011 and returned to office as Prime Minister on November, 30, 2011 following the 2011 election. (Source: St. Lucia Online News)

Dr. Kenny Anthony has decided to do the honourable thing and hand over leadership of the SLP to someone else. (Photo Credit: SL. Online)

Right: Allan Chastanet overcame challenges to his leadership by party ranks, but held on to lead the UWP to victory over the SLP. (Photo Credit: caricom.org)

Cell phones negatively affect productivity TECHNOLOGY may boost a company’s productivity in some ways but in others, it can hurt.

The observation did not come from a manager or investor.

Rather, the statement was made by Gillian Alleyne, Senior Assistant General Secretary and Human Resource Manager at the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), one of the renowned trade unions in the Caribbean.

In fact, Ms. Alleyne went further and clearer to say that cell phones were the biggest time wasters in the workplace.

“I believe the worst thing ever invented was a data plan,” Alleyne is reported by the Barbados Advocate during her contribution to the BWU’s Labour and

Productivity symposium ‘Issues, Challenges, Solutions’, held in association with the Productivity Council, at Solidarity House, Barbados,last week Thursday.

“When the cell makes a sound, we are instantly looking for it. A lot of time is wasted when we should be doing our work. We have made ourselves slaves to these phones… We have to get our faces up out of the devices,” she urged.

According to the Advocate, Ms. Alleyne’s take on cell phones on the job was not the only observation that sparked interest.

The other came from Labour Management Advisor at Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC), Brittany Brathwaite, who said that increase

productivity, there is a need to take a good look at flexitime.

She shared that BEC was currently considering a four-day work week, as opposed to five days.

“What this will do is to ensure that we have coverage six days of the week. Everybody will work ten hours in a day and we have an extra day opened on Saturdays…

We are smaller, but this can work; productivity can happen. There are persons within our working environment, such as the Accountant, who need not be there from Monday to Friday, therefore coming in on a Saturday might be ideal time for her — no distractions,” she explained.

The symposium was also addressed by Chief Labour Officer, Vincent Burnett, who encouraged a partnership between the employer and employee. According to him, this is the only way productivity could be successful. “It is all of our business, each one of us, to try to see that we do our part to make the business profitable. If the business is not profitable, we have no jobs. Therefore, it is a togetherness that we are looking at.” (Source: Barbados Advocate)

Gillian Alleyne, Senior Assistant General Secretary and Human Resource Manager at the Persons attending the Symposium on Labour and Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) urged Productivity were teased with a suggestion of a four- employees to take their faces out of their day work week. devices.

V

6. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Caribbean Life honours Vincy nurses

RN Phyllis Payne-Dublin (centre) receives award from Caribbean Life’s Grenadian-born editor Kevin Williams in the company of Mistress of Ceremonies Jamaican RN Claudette Powell.

do what I do, not to receive awards or honour, but because it is my duty and responsibility to share my Godgiven knowledge, skills and abilities with others through THE BROOKLYN, New York-based teaching and mentoring.

Caribbean Life newspaper, the “I have great respect and largest Caribbean-themed admiration for Judith [Lewis], newspaper in the United States. my nursing colleague, who Thursday 23rd June, honoured recommended me for the two Vincentian nurses for their award,” she added. “So, as outstanding performance in such, I am very proud yet healthcare and community humbled to receive it.” service.

Bequia-born Lewis, an The honour was bestowed on Adjunct Professor in Nursing Registered Nurses Celia at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers Bramble and Phyllis PayneCollege, had also nominated Dublin at the 3rd Annual Payne-Dublin for the award.

Caribbean American Lewis told THE Healthcare Awards Gala at VINCENTIAN that she was Paradise Catering Hall on “proud of these two colleagues, Avenue U in Brooklyn. who have given selflessly to Evesham native Bramble their communities here [in and Payne-Dublin, who hails New York] and in the SVG [St. from Belmont, were among 32 Vincent and the Grenadines] healthcare practitioners Diaspora. honoured at the sellout event.

“I have worked closely with “Even though one sometimes them and [have] observed their try to work behind the scenes, love for humanity,” she said. there is always someone who Payne-Dublin said her recognizes what you do,” nomination for the Caribbean Bramble told THE American HealthCare Awards VINCENTIAN in an exclusive was “an honour and a interview afterwards. privilege, letting me know that “Contrary to popular belief, I my work of service has not Story and photos

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

gone unnoticed.”

Nursing] program at Kings County Hospital Center.

Celia Bramble She has also played Bramble, a nurse consultant a pivotal role in working with faculty and retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve, is and staff at Long Island University, well known in the Central downtown Brooklyn, to Brooklyn Health Care Community, as well as in other establish on-site, generic Bachelors in health care communities in Nursing program at New York.

Kings County Hospital Like Payne-Dublin, she Center. began her nursing career at RN Celia Bramble (centre) receives In her most recent the General Hospital in award from Opal Sinclair Chung role, she collaborated Kingstown, renamed the (right), Sr. Vice President, Kings with US nationallyMilton Cato Memorial Country Hospital in Brooklyn, flanked renowned education Hospital, before migrating to

by Mistress of Ceremonies Jamaican consultants to bring New York, where she joined RN Claudette Powell. high level training to the sprawling Kings County geriatric nursing.

Hospital Center in Brooklyn, in the Central Brooklyn Family “This education provided the Health Network. These 1967. sounding board for my career trainings included customer Bramble spent more than choice and a most fulfilling service, cultural sensitivity, four decades at Kings County career,” she added. and leadership and Hospital Center until she After migrating to the US in management. retired in 2009 as Associate She maintains membership 1982, Payne-Dublin said she Executive Director of Training “sought to advanced” her on advisory boards for schools and Organizational nursing career, obtaining a of nursing, where she Development. interprets regulatory agencies’ Bachelor of Science in She said her vision for Community Health from St. standards of practice, and nursing led to the Joseph’s College, Brooklyn, provides guidance to faculty establishment of an on-site then later a Master of Science and staff regarding the need Masters in Public Health in Health Administration from for curriculum change to program and an on-site Central Michigan University. support current trends and Associate degree to BSN She also obtained issues in health care, “so that [Bachelor of Science in certification in several areas of new nurses could nursing practice; she is a successfully certified Nurse Assessment transition from Care Coordinator and student to Educator, and Gerontological practitioner,” she Nurse Practitioner. said.

Payne-Dublin said most of her career has been dedicated Phyllis Payneto the practice of geriatrics in Dublin the field of MDS [Minimum Data Set] and Reimbursement.

Payne-Dublin Over the past 40years, said she knew, from Payne-Dublin said she has held a very early age, that she wanted to several nursing positions, become a nurse. As including Director of Education; Assistant Director a result, on of Nursing; Director of graduation from Nursing; and, most recently, Emmanuel High School, Kingstown, Associate Director of Reimbursement of the 320-bed she began her Center for Nursing and nursing career at Rehabilitation (CNR) in the Kingstown Brooklyn.

General Hospital Payne-Dublin holds School of Nursing.

“The course work membership in several undertaken helped organizations, and is considered the current me to become a historian of the St. Vincent and well-rounded the Grenadines Nurses nurse,” she also Association of New York, Inc. told THE She is the extant treasurer VINCENTIAN exclusively, stating of the Caribbean American Nurses Association of New that the training York, Inc. and the current included medicalpresident of the sorority surgical nursing, Omega Chi Chapter, Inc. of the pediatrics, and maternal and child national Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. The organization’s motto is health, as well as “Service for Humanity.”

V Mixed feeling of joy and sadness

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

Feature

may have made an error on that occasion”, but hastened to add, “It did A MIXED FEELING of joy and sadness not hamper my ability to perform my was how Commissioner of Police Michael duties as Commissioner without fear Charles summed up his soon to be exit or favour”. from the Royal St. Vincent and the And he assured that if he had to Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF). relive the 2015 elections as “It is sad having to leave an Commissioner, he would never repeat organization which I have served for the action. over 35 years; but at the same time, I When THE VINCENTIAN visited am happy to go home and get some Charles at his office on Tuesday, he rest after a very long innings at the was busy putting things in place as he wicket”, the outgoing Commissioner prepared to proceed on pre-retirement told THE VINCENTIAN during an leave next Tuesday, August 2, which interview on Tuesday. will run to August 1 next year.

The top cop cited no regrets being a However, this may not be the end of police officer. When THE his contribution to the nation, as VINCENTIAN reminded him of his Charles assured that his service will turning up to a Unity Labour Party be available to the constabulary at any (ULP) rally leading up to the time, once needed.

December 9, 2015 general elections, The outgoing COP is admired by fully donned in red, he admitted, “I many for his simple and ‘down to earth’ character which he maintained even during his tenure as Commissioner.

He is a calypsonian and regular performer at karaoke outlets, and enjoys socializing with the public. His favourite liming spots are at ‘Famous Richie’ at Heritage Square, South River Road, Kingstown, and at Phill’s at the Central Market, Kingstown.

Charles stressed that during his tenure as Commissioner, he enjoyed an excellent relation with the media and general public.

TODAY, Friday 29th July, 2016, Shortly after he took up duties in marks the last effective day of duty that capacity, July 16, 2013, he for Commissioner of Police Michael declared an open door media policy, Charles. and told journalists to feel free to Today marks the end of 35 years speak to him at any time. of service as a member of the local “In my view, the open door stance I constabulary for Michael Charles. took in relation to the media and the Today, we surmise, begins a new public, helped to make my job as a phase in the life of a man who, for police officer and Commissioner much the most part of his adult life to easier”, he told THE VINCENTIAN. date, has known and has given “I will recommend a similar nothing short of yeoman service to approach by the person who succeeds the people of St. Vincent and the me”, he added.

Grenadines.

Charles recalled 2014 as his most The accompanying story on this challenging year as Commissioner. page, speaks not only to the “There were 36 homicides recorded measure of those three and a half decades of service, but also to the that year, and we had to come up with relationship that Michael Charles, strategies to deal with the situation”, both as police officer and as he explained, adding that some of the Commissioner of Police, enjoyed measures which were taken are still in with the local media in general, and place today. He cited, for example, the more particularly with THE mobile police units at Fountain and VINCENTIAN. Glen.

The relationship between COP One of his major concerns is the Charles and THE VINCENTIAN prevalence of illegal firearms, though has been irrefutably characterised he is aware that a lot of unlicensed by openness, honesty and mutual firearms have been taken off the respect. streets within the last two years. He For that, THE VINCENTIAN lauded the judiciary for the stance would always be grateful. they have been taking in dealing with We at THE VINCENTIAN wish persons who have been convicted for our friend and collegaue Michael possession of unlicensed guns and Charles, nothing but continued good ammunition. health and success in whatever he Charles has had a number of chooses to undertake, as he memorable moments as a police journeys off into a deserved ‘rest’ officer, but one that stands out in his away from the challenges of the job. mind, was during Trade Winds After all, friend, you’re still a young man.

Exercise 1990 in Puerto Rico.

“I was in charge of the shooting

by HAYDN HUGGINS

All the best, ‘Chief’

range, and I had Superintendent Leroy Latchman, now deceased, who was my immediate boss in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, under my control on the range. I let him know that day who was the boss”, he recounted with a chuckle, in his usual humorous style.

Though a constable in SVG at the time, Charles was a Sergeant as an RSS instructor in that Exercise.

“I knew Supt Latchman was very proud of his constable”, he asserted, on a more serious note.

Charles also holds fond memories of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Independence parades which he conducted, at the time holding the ranks of acting Superintendent and Superintendent.

Joining the local constabulary in

1981, he served in several departments, including Beat and Patrol, Special Services Unit (SSU), Narcotics Unit, and Special Branch.

He was also Commandant of the Police Training School, and acted as Deputy Commissioner while Deputy Commissioner Reynold Hadaway was on study leave.

V

8. FRIDAY, JULY 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

Nothing seditious this week YOU SEE WITH ALL THIS TALK ABOUT SEDITION – i.e. a type of conduct, usually open, that in speech or otherwise, tends to encourage insurrection against the established order – this week’s Editorial will stay clear of ‘inciting any insurrection’ against the established order and those who comprise and control that order.

Yes, THE VINCENTIAN, to paraphrase the 1972 declaration of Trinidadian calypsonian Dr. Hollis ‘Chalkdust Liverpool, ‘We fraid the PM, We fraid de Sedition Act (if there is one)’.

So we going to ‘ole talk’ a little bit about getting old. In so doing, we safe!

Getting older is a process in which most of us would not like to be involved.

After all, don’t we indulge in a myriad of exercise programmes to keep us fit and toned, not to mention young? Don’t we concoct all kinds of mixtures of this or that to avoid the greying? Don’t we, if we can afford it, try this or that surgical procedure to fix this flabby muscle or that wrinkle which are likely to give away our real age?

The above speaks to facilities and opportunities that are, in the main, available only to those who can afford to pay for them.

The truth is that the majority of persons in the Caribbean allow themselves to age and age naturally, because they cannot afford to do otherwise. This majority is the salt of the earth who respect the gifts and trials of nature, accepting each as it comes, and giving themselves over to the hand of fate.

Edith Etheline Young, better known as Estelle Maree Young-Davis, turned 108 last week Wednesday, July 20. (See the back page of THE VINCENTIAN of July 22, 2016.)

What an accomplishment!!! No amount of gold, silver or diamonds could exceed the value of that achievement.

THE VINCENTIAN, as of press time, has not received any accurate information that there is a living Vincentian who is older than she. That search continues. We urge readers to join us in our search.

But what concerns us as we reflect on the life of ‘Maree’ and how her very existence relates to the state of older persons — senior citizens — in general, is the issue of how, as a people, we care for our elderly citizens.

There is a school of thought that says all children should be completely and unreservedly responsible for their parents. That we should give them all the aid and assistance we can afford until their last breath.

After all, the school of thought argues: they cared for us from our childhood to our adult life; they removed our diapers; fed us when we were hungry; provided us with clothes, housing and schooling; gave us love, advice and protection when required. That makes us obligated to take responsibility for them because, ‘we owe them one’.

The sentiments of the fore-argued are well founded. But, if the truth be told, it is doubtful whether, on the other hand, modern life and lifestyles facilitate caring for our elderly, senior, retired persons to the extent that the fore-mentioned suggests.

Question: How might a person with an eight to ten hours a day full-time job from Monday to Saturday, assist his aged, perhaps ill and dependent parents? It is physically impossible, in that circumstance, to extend the quality care that is deserving of the elderly persons.

That is why, the growing attitude in modern life is that senior citizens should be assisted by professionals in residences for the elderly — i.e. Homes for the Aged. But the main problem with this solution arises in terms of money. Most of the Homes for the Aged are privately owned and managed, including those Homes operated under the auspices of charities and churches. The services are expensive. Neither the elderly persons nor their families have adequate financial resources to afford the monthly expense.

As much as one would like to say that taking care of elderly people or providing for such should be an obligation of adult sons and daughters as a reciprocal action for the care extended them by their parents, it is equally correct to say that our working life might be an obstacle.

Isn’t it too much, therefore, to ask that the State, Governments ease this ‘challenge’ to their working citizens, by providing them with financial support or ease to aid those families that want to provide decent care for their elderly relatives, but financially cannot?

Is that being seditious?

August Monday is no more First published 2/08/2002 UNTIL NOW, we have celebrated Emancipation Day on the first Monday in August, partly so that we can make use of the preceding Sunday and enjoy an extended weekend holiday.

The ULP on the other hand, in its programme of manufacturing “Historic” occasions, had ordered that we switch the holiday to the 1st of August, the original date on which slavery had been abolished in 1834.

But a case could equally be made out that emancipation was granted on the first Sunday in the month of August in 1834, with a public holiday naturally following on the Monday.

Carnival, which once took place immediately before the Lenten season, now has a date in mid July, but the Monday-Tuesday climactic scenario has been preserved for socio-economic reasons.

Similarly, in this plural State, mainland workers in the Grenadines in particular need the extra weekend day to earn a brief respite home. This has now been denied for no compelling reason. It is simply a fetish favoured by the ruling party which wishes to create the impression of a serious concern with historic-cultural matters.

The unvarnished truth remains, however, that few people celebrate Emancipation Day appropriately. It is simply a time for fun and games and excursions. Indeed, as late as 1998, the date slipped by like nobody’s business.

True, the ULP claims that it needs first to zero in on the proper date to lay the basis for appropriate celebrations.

But we could have killed two birds with one stone, simply by choosing the first Sunday in August, as happened in 1834, and permit the holiday to fall on the following working day!

In any event, one cannot just press a button to summon nationalistic feelings and put in an order for the correct celebratory mood. We have supped full of these instant liberations, like instant coffee that stimulates momentarily without leaving an afterglow or lingering effect.

It calls for hard slogging in the field of broad education, not the slap-dash, quickfix which Ralph and Rene think they could pull off with Michael Peters, Lennox Bowman and Cecil Ryan at the controls.

Depth is the name of the game, not a skimming of the surface of things: studied reflection and deep thought, not flash and colour and music, bearing in

mind Shake Keane’s observation that they who like to jump up only develop their feet.

In this context, I take a leaf out of PM “Son” Mitchell’s book in daring to make a blast or two on my own trumpet.

My first article written on Emancipation appeared in “Flambeau” in 1965 under the title “Footnotes on Slavery”. This pioneering effort appears in the booklist of black studies in U.S Colleges down to this day.

I followed up in “This Week” with some pointed references to the Plantation mould which churned out a people sculptured in the distorted image of their Masters, Black effigies of White Colonialism.

The titles of a representative sample of the articles are indicative of their content, slant and concerns.

“Emancipation: Looking Back (1988); “Abolition and Mental Emancipation”(1993); “Some Trademarks of Slavery (1994”; and significantly, “Emancipation Day Ignored (1998)”.

Still, one has to be grateful for small mercies. After all, current Prime Minster Ralph Gonsalves of Portuguese extraction on two counts, can hardly be expected to identify with the Black cause which is a pre-condition to understanding slavery, its aftermath and the likely remedies.

Sympathy from on high, we can be assured of, but never empathy by the very nature of the situation.

Participation, patronage and paternalism are guaranteed, but never real involvement or true identification!

1st August may experience difficulty in establishing its credentials in the popular conscientiousness, but we wish it safe passage all the same, in the national interest.

Indeed, we are twice blessed in this year 2016. It is a time when Black people are seriously questioning our apparent demotion to a white value-system, just at the moment when Abolition Day falls on August Monday thus recapturing the spirit of emancipation which so far, has failed to deliver on her promises: flattered only to deceive.

There has been too much rhetoric.

This Emancipation Monday, August 1, let all our people in their several ways highlight our grievances and hope in generally “Walking the Talk.”

And the many who wish for some relaxation and fun might betake themselves to the NDP celebration of Daniel Cummings at Bottom Town, at the main entrance to the Victoria Park.

V Old Age A letter for the magistrates and judges

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

Letters

LET ME SAY THIS: God can’t lie, otherwise this world would not have been in existence.

Let us look at some examples.

The woman they caught in adultery, Moses law says to kill her. Jesus by grace, saved her.

Can you see the difference there?

Moses’ law is knowledge, and Jesus’ grace is wisdom. There is

where you can see the law is obsolete. The law kills.

CID caught a man for a crime and charged him. The law lets him go. Police caught the same man again for another crime. We don’t know what the law would do. Maybe it would do what it is designed to do.

The American people don’t use much laws, they use more wisdom. That is why they are the superpowers.

I want our judges and magistrats judge our people, with wisdom like Solomon.

Alistair ‘Live up’ Simon

Historians they aren’t OH DEAR, oh dear, Mr Indupp (July 22). You criticize Mr Corea for inaccurate historical information, and you are no better. You say that Louis Mountbatten, who changed the Germanic name, Battenberg to Mountbatten was Phillip’s uncle and therefore not related to the British Royal Family. Given that until very recently, European royal marriages were all too often arranged with another royal house to cement an alliance, one should always be cautious in stating the one European royal house is not related to

another. Especially after Queen Victoria, who had enough children married into other royal houses to be termed “The Grandmother of Europe”. So I regret to inform you that Prince Louis of Battenberg (his original Germanic name and title of Lord Mountbatten of Burma; and no, I am not making a mistake, he was Prince Louis of Battenburg, as was his father) was the great grandson of Queen Victoria. His maternal grandmother was Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, one of Victoria’s daughters. Louis’s

sister, who married into the Greek Royal family, was Prince Phillip’s mother. Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark, his original title, gave up that title and became a naturalized British citizen before he became engaged to Princess Elizabeth; and he adopted the Mountbatten surname of his maternal grandparents - hence Phillip Mountbatten. So Louis Mountbatten, Phillip Mountbatten and Elizabeth Windsor are ALL descendants of Queen Victoria. The Windsors, by the way, are also related to the royal houses of Norway,

Class is class MR. EDITOR, when you see class you must acknowledge where and whom it comes from.

The recent test match between India and the West Indies showed us, in our backyard, just how much class a certain Virat Kohli has as a batsman.

I mean, the ease with which he scored his runs was something else.

Mind you, you can’t say much for our bowling attack. But that aside, the man showed class about how he went about building his double century.

His application matched his skill, something that our batsmen could do well copying. Can we expect persons like Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuel, to learn anything when we have made them believe that they are master batsmen, equal to the rest of the world class batsmen in skill and application?

You could make all kinds of tons of runs in T20s and ODIs, but unless you can prove yourself in the longer and most enduring format of the game — five days — better you stay home and hit a flannel ball in a sock suspended from the roof.

We move on to Jamaica where we have a decent record. Let us hope we can at least put up more of a fight. After all, India doesn’t seem to have the greatest of bowling attacks, so why ain’t our batsmen doing what they are paid to do, i.e. make runs.

Robert

Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the last Tsar of Russia, the last Emperor of Germany, (Kaiser Wilhelm II of the First World War, the son of Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria the Princess Royal), as well as the former royal house of Greece. That’s Queen Victoria’s legacy.

Patricia Robinson Commissiong Kingstown St Vincent and the Grenadines

ONCE UPON A TIME, I used to think that old age was when a person gets old and getting closer to the time when he or she dies.

Then I began to think that I should not be so hard about these people.

One, because I too was going to get old one day.

And moreover, these old persons, whom we refer to today as senior citizens, were probably retired from jobs which would have been responsible for much of what I enjoy too.

Not only that, they must have spent a lot of their time taking care of their children, and many would have also cared for their grandchildren.

So when I read the back page story about Ms. Estelle of Georgetown, and how she had celebrated her 108th birthday, I began to think once again, how much do we care for our senior citizens as a nation?

What if Ms. Estelle didn’t have her daughter to care for her? What programmes are there in place that would ensure that people like Ms Estelle could be cared for, make sure they get proper meals, that they are comfortable where they live, and can get about if they are able

Misusing our money I USED TO THINK, Mr. Editor, that development and reward are the result of hard work and even a sense of excellence.

But given what obtains in many quarters today, it appears that we are prepared to reward little work, even idleness, and lack of excellence.

In fact, given all the talk of ‘owning your government’ and the likes, we are also breeding an atmosphere of lawlessness, which we try to counter by prosecuting some for their misbehaviour, but allow others to go free.

So we continue to pay out salaries to some people to do the work of a political party. Correct me if I am wrong, but what business does a Press Secretary — whether it

is the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary or the Cabinet’s Press Secretary — have hosting a blatantly, politically partisan radio programme?

And this situation is not unique. There are similar examples spread through the national wages/salaries bill.

And while we pay for the ‘upkeep’ of one political party, the former workers of Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd., one of whom is a relative of mine, have not received a cent of severance since that company folded under the weight of some illadvised decisions.

Is that the degree to which this government cares about and for the people?

Steve M USA

to?

I pray that God could grant me the health to live as long as Ms. Estelle, but I would hope that if I do, that I can enjoy some comfort in my old age.

And by the way, I am only one ‘townman’, but I don’t know of any other Vincentian residing here or abroad, who is 108 years old.

Charles

MAN-ABOUT-TOWN returning after the carnival break, would like to know: *Are the authorities going to make any effort to see that Mr. David Ames is returned to this country to answer the charges laid against him? *When the Minister of Culture talks about a Carnival Consultation, is he planning on doing anything different from all those other consultations staged in the past? And would he take a sworn oath that the recommendations coming out will be implemented? *What does the CDC have to say to my 60-year-old friend who came in from the UK for carnival and said, outside of the Park, there was no place for persons his age to shake a leg? *What is the amount owed by government to private contractors and business people?

How far back do these debts go?

V

10. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The NDP: A fondness for conspiracy atheories and lies Introduction OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES worldwide engage in propaganda activities as part of their delivery of information, which is aimed at promoting their strategies and agendas, in the overall drive to win elections, and to get into power. It’s all part of their media campaign during which they will attack the policies of the government of the day. Regional political parties try their best not to denigrate their countries in their propaganda campaign.

They recognise that it will be the same country they will govern, if they are successful in the next general election, and they assume political office. So there is no need to pull down the country.

A similar situation applies to the opposition New Democratic Party here, but with a major twist. The NDP has a fondness for conspiracy theories and lies, and the leadership and officials of that party,really don’t care if the country looks bad in the process.

The main aim is to make the ULP administration in general, and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in particular, look bad in the eyes of the Vincentian voters, and the rest of the world.

Furthermore, the NDP does not care if it is caught telling lies. They have been caught several times by ULP operators, but this is of little or no concern to the NDP, except when they have to face the courts on charges of defamation. Let us not forget the chiding issued to the late Elwardo Lynch by Douglas De Freitas, who was bemoaning the fact that his radio station was facing several law suits, because NDP operatives were saying things which were not factual.

Lying propaganda The classic approach by the NDP is to use a lie to support their criticism of the ULP. A case in point is the statement made on Nice Radio by Elwardo Lynch, that Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves used taxpayers’ money to fund a visit to Rome for his daughter and mother. In fact, Lynch stated that Dr. Gonsalves used some EC$41,000 to meet the expenses of the trip.

Naturally, this evoked all sorts of statements from supporters of the NDP: that the ULP and Dr. Gonsalves were corrupt; and that Dr. Gonsalves as Prime Minister, was guilty of misbehaviour in public office. This whole episode supported the claims by the NDP that the ULP was corrupt, and that the Vincentian taxpayer was being “short changed” by the ULP, who was using tax payers’ money to meet all sorts of expenses for family and friends, and party hacks.

All this would have been fine if the lie was supported by any evidence.

Sadly for the NDP, this was not so, and Elwardo Lynch and BDS/Nice Radio were successfully sued by the Prime Minister; and the rest is history. Did the NDP learn from this costly mistake? No. They went from one lie to another, trying to find support for their claim, that the ULP is a corrupt administration.

In some case, Prime Minister Gonsalves has had to accept apologies from persons who lie and defame him.

Douglas De Freitas was a case in

point, when he broadcast on his radio station that the Prime Minister owned two aircrafts, and further, that he had leased them to the regional airline LIAT. Of course, this was all a lie, and since there was absolutely no proof, De Freitas had to apologise to the Prime Minister. Many people considered him to be lucky, since the Prime Minister had an ironclad case of defamation against the owner of Nice Radio.

The International Airport Project The International Airport project has attracted the most lies from the NDP, as part of their conspiracy to deflect any importance of the project to the national economy. All rightthinking Vincentians recognise that this project is of critical importance to the development of the country.

Members of the NDP recognise that this is so, but they want to deflect the political kudos away from the ULP. We must remember that the founding father of the NDP, Sir James Mitchell, had advised them that if they allowed the ULP to construct the airport, then “crapaud smoke their pipe”.

So they devised a number of lies about the project and about the way the ULP administration has managed the project, the funding, the work at Argyle, and the list goes on. They have tried desperately to “bad-mouth” the project, but thanks to the good work of the public relations folks at the AIDC, and the many addresses and statements by ULP officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Vincentian public has adopted the international airport project as their own. They can’t wait for the airport to become operational.

Conclusion The current conspiracy by the NDP in relation to the 2015 general elections speaks volumes in relation to the lies that that Opposition is willing to tell, to get some sort of political advantage. In the face of their defeat at the polls, their poor election campaign, and favourable and approval statements from the observer teams from the OAS, CARICOM and the Commonwealth, the NDP has devised a conspiracy theory, claiming that the ULP stole the 2015 elections.

They are willing to throw their supporters under the bus, claiming that their election agents were bribed by the ULP. Naturally, the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines have clearly said that this is foolish talk; that the ULP won the election fair and square, and that there is no need for all this talk about protest.

In keeping with the new mandate provided by the voters of the country, the ULP administration continues to focus on the work of governance, to include the management of the economy, the opening of the international airport, the education revolution, and the other projects which will bring benefits to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Economic Growth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines THE 2.2% ECONOMIC GROWTH that is projected this year for St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will NOT be achieved. The IMF has been making numerous inaccurate projections over the years, based on figures and plans that were provided by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime during its (IMF) Article (IV) consultations. This year will be no exception.

The Article (IV) report is developed after consultations and discussions with the government, the opposition and civil society. But the important point is that only the government gets to review and comment on the report before it is issued by the IMF. In fact, the report cannot be issued until the government and the IMF agree on the working document. Naturally, every government wants a report that makes it look good, so there will always be a tendency for any government to want to push the wording of the report in a favorable direction. For instance, the ULP government, already steeped in lies and propaganda, will obviously want a report that fits its own propaganda.

However, when one examines the document carefully, there isn’t anything to smile about, as the ULP would want us to believe.

One of the sectors on which the IMF has based its projection for growth is the Tourism sector, referred to as a major driver of the overall growth. The report states, “Economic growth in tourism appears to have recovered in 2015, led by strong tourism inflows.” What strong flows are they talking about? The figures published by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank show that tourism arrivals in 2015 were not even 1% higher than in 2014. In fact, tourism has been on the decline in this country under this incompetent ULP regime! Tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has declined by 19% since the ULP gained power, while over the same period, tourism arrivals in the other Windward Islands have increased. Is this sound basis for a prediction that tourism will play a critical role in economic growth?

The report also mentioned the Argyle International Airport. It declares, “The new airport, now foreseen for completion in 2016, is expected to sustain the near and medium-term economic growth. Real GDP is projected to expand by 2.2 percent in 2016 and reach 3.1% over the medium-term, as tourist arrivals are boosted by greater airlift capacity and as construction expands tourism infrastructure.” But, Vincentians know that the Argyle International Airport will not be completed in 2016.

And no significant hotel construction will take place before its completion and certification for operation. In addition, most Vincentians are aware that the airport project has been disastrously executed under this illegitimate ULP regime.

Moreover, there are all sorts of questions being asked about aspects of the construction of the airport. A new CEO left after six (6) weeks on the job. It is alleged that he was horrified at the poor quality of what he saw.

When will it actually be certified?

Nobody knows! Not even the people who claim to be building it know.

It must be noted that the ULP government had promised to deliver the airport since 2011. Five years later, Vincentians are still waiting.

This protracted delay definitely shows the incompetence of a vindictive government headed by Dr. Gonsalves.

This private sector is the engine of growth in any country. But this iniquitous ULP regime is not assisting the private sector to grow; it’s not working to produce growth. Instead, it’s working to reduce growth. This illegal ULP government is an antigrowth government. During its tenure, strong local businesses have closed; so, how can it achieve growth?

For instance, in 2011 when the ULP government spitefully and without any justification whatsoever closed “Bigger Biggs” operations at Rabacca, throwing sixty (60) workers into unemployment, the growth rate for that year was almost zero - a dismal 0.2%.

And we are seeing a similar pattern again with Ann Joshua at Cobblestone Inn. Her VAT is paid up, her NIS contributions are paid, and the PAYE deductions for her staff are paid, unlike Mr. Ames who disappeared with millions of taxpayers’ money. She personally invested hundreds of thousands of dollars of her own money to upgrade the Cobblestone Inn’s facilities over the years. She has spent her own money, not National Properties’ money. Yet, the ULP government is putting her out - a successful business woman - and putting scores of Vincentians out of work. We will soon find out who will replace here there.

Back to the IMF which has been making incorrect economic growth projections for this country. When we compare the figures of estimated growth to the actual growth achieved in each year, only one of the projections has been met or exceeded.

In 2007, the IMF projected 5.5%, actual growth 3.0%; 2008, projected 5.0%, actual growth -0.5%; 2009, projected 0.1%, actual growth -2.0%; 2010, projected 0.5%, actual growth 2.3%; 2011, projected 2.5%, actual growth 0.2%; 2012, projected 2% , actual growth 1.3%; 2013, projected 1.0 %, actual growth 2.3%; 2014, projected 2.4%, actual growth -0.2% and in 2015, projected 2.1%, actual growth 1.6%. It is clear that the IMF has a very poor track record of projecting growth in this country.

Vincentians, a web of incompetence, victimization and corruption continues to stifle this country, with a big red spider sitting in the middle of the web.

Ralph Gonsalves, you talk plenty, but you cannot run the country! You have put this country in a mess; you are unable to manage the affairs of this country, and you should step aside and let competent people take over to move the country forward.

When the NDP forms government, we will turn this country around, and you will see economic development and economic growth.

V Beyond the gate

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

Views

harassment that this freedomfighter encountered immediately prior to and during the 27 years that he spent in prison. The Economist, commenting on Mandela’s autobiography, noted that “Mandela writes with rare and moving candor.”

The Montreal Gazette described it as “A serious account of a life and a cause . . . wonderful insight into the NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA man who is his country’s was the first black president of combined Washington, South Africa. He was that Lincoln, and Gandhi.” The San nation’s chief executive from Francisco Chronicle described 1994 through to 1999. Among it so well when they other things, he was tasked to commented that his dismantle South Africa’s autobiogrphy was “An apartheid system and usher in engrossing tapestry of recent an era of racial reconciliation.

South African history that Many predicted that it was grips the reader from the first impossible to do so. However, pages. . . . Riveting and Mandela’s legacy will always sometimes painfully honest.” reflect his strength of character Among other things, and, in particular, his ability to Mandela’s autobiography forgive. That ability to pardon provides useful insights in relation to his early life and has eluded many. Those who harbour resentment and a spirit career as a lawyer. It vividly of un-forgiveness will forever be describes his activities as a bitter and unhappy. Alternately, member of the African National Congress (ANC), and those who embrace a forgiving spirit readily discover a peace, a the attempts by the South African Government to calmness, that ushers in and prosecute him on charges of illuminates a beautiful spirit. treason during the period 1956 Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, “A Long Walk to 1961. Mandela’s membership in the South to Freedom” (ISBN0-31654585-6) vividly describes the African Communist Party (SACP) and the militant unfair treatment and “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave the bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”— Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (19182013), anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Umkhonto we Sizwe group in the early 1960s resulted in his 1962 arrest. He was convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the South African government, and subsequently imprisoned for life.

Freedom fighters around the world constantly lobbied for his release. However, this was not granted until he had served 27 years in prison.

Many government officials and leaders of non-government organisations feared that keeping Mandela in the prison system may have erupted in a bloody civil war. In addition, there was mounting pressure from international organisations and world sporting bodies. Influenced by these events, Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. He immediately engaged in discussions with then President F.W. de Klerk to bring an end to the dreaded apartheid system. Elections were then held in 1994.

Mandela’s party, the ANC, was victorious. Mandela then became South Africa’s first black president.

Some critics disagreed with Mandela’s approach to building a better South Africa through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Many expected him to seek vengeance on those who had

inflicted physical and emotional pain on him for over three decades. He knew who they were. He knew where they lived. He had the power to extract his “pound of flesh”. But he was bigger than that. He knew that if he had brought the bitterness and hatred beyond the prison gate with him when he was released, he would always be a prisoner. True freedom meant freeing himself of the need to hit out at those who had hurt him so badly.

So many individuals go through life holding on to memories that keep them shackled to the past — a spirit of un-forgiveness that saps their joy and peace. One of Mandela’s most valuable legacies will forever be linked to his ability to forgive those who wronged him. He was big enough, and strong enough, to forgive those who inflicted severe physical, mental, and emotional pain. Those individuals who intensified his darkest moments … allowing the beauty of his character to shine through. It most certainly was not easy for him to do so.

As we advance to the gates of tomorrow, may we be as brave and wise as this icon of forgiveness. We can commit to

leaving the hurts (and the desires for revenge) behind.

Whatever the source, whatever the cause, whoever the perpetrator may have been … we need to learn how best to leave the bitterness, disappointment, resentment, and hatred behind. We can say like Mandela: “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave the bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” That dark prison where we may have been jilted or wrongfully accused of some act or “crime”. That dark prison where a relative or friend may have abused or cheated us. That dark prison where someone may have done us “a world of evil”. That dark prison where a colleague or coworker appeared to have “set us up” or “pulled the rug from beneath our feet”. Today, we free ourselves of that caustic bitterness and corrosive hatred that prevent us from embracing the freedom and peace that await us beyond the gate.

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

‘Bogus information,’ says Eustace LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Arnhim Eustace is alleging that the government provides misinformation with respect to the state of the economy, and the expected growth to the International Monetary Fund team each year.

Speaking on the ‘New Times’ radio programme on Monday, Eustace said that based on the information provided over the past ten years, there is evidence that

the IMF is supplied with the wrong information.

He explained that the IMF team visits each year and holds various consultations with different groups, including the opposition because “they want to get a grasp of the various views and they therefore at the end of the process write a report which is published.”

But Eustace further explained that the final report

is not published until it is discussed with the government.

“And then the report is published only after they discuss the report,” the leader of the opposition said.

“Every government wants a report that the economy is doing well and they want to see the report go in that favourable direction every time, but when you try to fool people, it’s because government want that version for government propaganda purposes, there may be things that may not be true but the way they are worded, it could be difficult,” he continued.

The last report released, according to Eustace, indicated that the economy was projected to grow by 2 percent, with tourism as the driver of that growth.

But the figures provided by the Central Bank indicate that tourism figures for St Vincent and the Grenadines were less

than one percent higher.

There is no significant development taking place in terms of hotel construction, nor is the airport ready to be opened. “[The] people are being fooled, so what you are doing is giving them incorrect information; when you feed that kind of bogus information, you end up with a projection for growth that will be dead wrong,” Eustace said.

He provided further evidence beginning back in April 2007 when the IMF’s projected figure was 5.5 percent, the country was able to register a 3 percent growth; in 2008 the IMF projected 5 percent, the state recorded a 0.5 percent growth; in 2009 it was 0.1 percent, the state registered a -2.0 percent growth; 2010: IMF: 0.5 percent, it was actually -2.39 percent.

He continued; in 2011 the IMF projected 2.5 percent, it was actually a 0.2 percent increase; in 2012 the IMF projected a 2.0 percent increase, the country registered a 1.3 percent growth.

Arnhim Eustace, Leader of the Opposition, has once again questioned the figures advanced as projected economic growth and indicators of growth for SVG. In 2013, the actual growth was higher than what the IMF projected: IMF: 1 percent, SVG recorded a 2.3 percent; in 2014 the IMF projected 2.4 percent and the country registered a 0.2 percent growth rate and in 2015 the IMF projected a 2.1 percent growth, the state recorded a 1.6 percent growth in the economy. (DD)

V

12. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Is Gonsalves provoking confrontation?

THERE HAS BEEN no consultation with the local, indigenous people of Canouan with respect to the sale of Crown Lands on that Grenadine Island. Gonsalves is deliberately selling the crown lands in Canouan to white migrants. In selling the Crown lands in Canouan exclusively to white migrants, is Gonsalves provoking confrontation?

Gonsalves seems to be saying to Vincentians, ‘If you do not approve of what I am doing in the sale of Crown Lands in Canouan, then take me on.’

In 1920, while still under British colonial rule, St. Vincent was cut up into very large plantations, commonly known as Crown Lands Estates. It was a gross injustice, in that, the Crown Land estates were forced on the indigenous black people of SVG. History is repeating itself in 2015/16; hundreds of acres of Crown Lands are being sold to foreigners without the consent of the local people.

Crown Lands should be sold to Vincentians only.

E T. Joshua led an inspired and correct struggle to repossess Crown Lands Estates. That struggle resulted in a riot at Mount Bentick Estate, in Georgetown. Blood was shed; several Vincentians were imprisoned for a number of years. However, in the final analysis, E.T. Joshua and his supporters were victorious. The Mount Bentick Estate was broken up.

The 1920 act of gross injustice is repeating itself. The sale of Crown Lands in Canouan to white migrants, without any consultation is a gross injustice. History has shown all over the world, that there is a correlation between injustice, strife and confrontation, sometimes violent.

In Canouan, the mentality is the same as that in Mustique; white migrants are claiming ownership of the sea. The super-rich, white migrants of Mustique have prevented local fishermen from fishing in the sea around Mustique. In Canouan, the white migrants are claiming the sea

too.

In Zimbabwe, Mugabe embarked on the land-grab programme in 2000 to address the expropriation of land from blacks during the 90 years of white rule that ended after a civil war in 1980. About 18 white farmers were killed in violent takeovers of their land.

In the biggest land reform in Africa, 6,000 white farmers have been replaced by 245,000 Zimbabwean farmers. These are primarily ordinary poor people who have become more productive farmers. Zimbabwe’s land redistribution has transformed the lives of thousands of small farmers.

They now have a steady income and can have access to loans, using their land as collateral.

In Zimbabwe, they put right the wrongs inherited from the pre-1980 colonial era, when black Zimbabweans were forced from their homelands in favour of white settlers. The same needs to happen in SVG.

Under Leviathan Palms IT IS INTERESTING to consider how our country, SVG, which for centuries past had been known as “Hairoun - the Land of the Blessed”, has “morosed” to become a pathetic cesspool of moral decay, exuding a stifling stench of mismanagement, ULP — U for under, L for Leviathan, and P for Palms — so, Under Leviathan Palms!

And how did this come about? Since the advent of adult suffrage in 1951, we have been generally holding to the principle of electing a government every five years. The process though energetically engaging the citizens, had, in the main, been peaceful. But at the end of the last millennium, an evil force attended and aroused in the people a spirit of discontent, to the extent that they were induced to feel

that they could not bear to wait until the term of the elected government had ended constitutionally. They wanted them out, now!

Fanning these flames of discontent was a group of men and women of varying levels of societal distinction and influence — the “ODD”, who had been spurred on by those individuals whose ambition it was, to “seize” the reins of power. These aspirants vouched to make the country ungovernable if their demands were not met. The prospects for serious conflagration and bloodshed were quite real!

Fortunately, the government surrendered, and their defeat was in large measure due to the perceived pompous insensitivity of Prime

Minister James Mitchell, who the people felt had become “too big for the boots”.

That was the gateway to the sad realities of today, where, the “V” in SVG seems now to represent ‘vulgarity’, particularly by our women whose exhibitions are captured for posterity. One wonders how they will handle their shame, when they are graphically confronted by the peers of their grandchildren, in the evening of their years.

To garner the support of the general population, the aspirants, the ULP and their cohorts, had effectively presented a case for the need for change. The people having begun to see in the attitude of the James Mitchell led government, failure to be seriously concerned with matters of importance to the whole society. Roads were being neglected, agriculture was suffering, the vital banana industry was under stress and receiving no serious attention, the government had focused on un-economic projects. The Kingstown Vegetable Market, the Ottley Hall Marina and the Union Is. Marina did not help our economy. A socially crippling exercise was the closing down of our stone mills. Yet later, stones were imported for road construction, with seemingly no consideration for the welfare of displaced workers.

So the people were receptive to the idea of change, were fertile to accepting the promises of the ULP, and the leader, Dr. Gonsalves, seemed to have been given licences by his party to spew out promises. It is difficult to recall if any other person had on his own volition, presented anything of significance to the people.

So in 2001, the people gave Dr. Ralph Gonsalves the mandate to govern. It will be remembered that he made sincere promises, seemingly with great passion: 1. The roads were going to be properly repaired and maintained; 2. The banana industry was going to be “revitalized”; 3. There was going to be “no

Crown Lands should be sold only to the local, indigenous people. This will make them richer, and this will lead to knock-on activities in the surrounding areas. This will boost the rural economy and the economy in the Grenadines, providing further employment.

Not consulting with the local, indigenous people of Canouan in the sales of Crown Lands is causing lots of tension. In selling the Crown lands in Canouan exclusively to white migrants, is Gonsalves provoking confrontation?

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Find us of Facebook and Twitter

victimization”; 4. Integrity legislation was going to be introduced immediately; 5. The health services were going to be seriously addressed; 6. There was going to be no tolerance of corruption; 7. There was going to be improved travel by air.

And now in 2016,more than fifteen years after, what do we have more than those promises that had been made? The roads have not yet been seriously addressed. The trade in bananas to the UK has ceased, and the several promises by the Prime Minister for the recommencement have all come to nothing.

There has been a prolonged crisis in management in the Ministry of Agriculture, and this was clearly demonstrated in the handling of their responsibility for Pest and Disease Control in the Industry.

To date, there has been no integrity legislation brought to Parliament, while there have been dozens of cases of victimization, the charges of which cannot be effectively refuted by the administration. Dozens of businesses have closed, sending many workers to join the growing sector of the unemployed, while the large numbers of graduates find it extremely difficult to find gainful employment in our strangled economy.

The stories coming out from the Ministries of Agriculture, Works, Housing, National Security and Legal Affairs do not credit the government with being strong against corruption.

On the contrary, the message seems to be “you safe in the party”!

Our ship of state now seems to be effectively grounded, marooned on the reefs in a sea of stagnancy into which the mismanagement by the crew has brought it. Yet the captain parades the deck spouting self-commendations while he smilingly acknowledges the robotic approval from his crew.

The citizens are in ever-increasing numbers coming to the conclusion that this pressure is evidence, the sign, that we now are “Under Leviathan’s Palms” — ULP.

V

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

News

Carnival: Somebody ought to pay THERE CANNOT BE a platform that is provided with the use of public and sponsorship moneys, such as Carnival, and then have others during that period promoting their events. Somebody ought to be paying.

That, in short, was the view articulated by Minister of Transport Senator Julian Francis, and Works - Senator himself a fixture in the Julian Francis as he trickledown activities addressed the issue of fed by the annual the number of allcarnival, has hinted at inclusive events that ensuring a greater share occurred during Vincy of the costs of staging the festival by private Mas 2016. event operators.

Francis echoed the point made by Dennis “Carnival has its base Ambrose, the Chairman — Mas, Calypso and Steel of the Carnival Pan - and someone had Development Corporation (CDC), who to carry the load,” he said, but lamented that said at a press briefing held by that body earlier the private sector entrepreneurs are not this month, that he felt interested in that part of that private promoters were “piggy-backing” on carnival.

Notwithstanding, the the festival. government must ensure Francis, while that somebody has to speaking on the weekly carry the main events of radio programme ‘ULP carnival, and that is the Speaks’, proposed that responsibility of the there be a licensing CDC. process, similar to what He questioned, with existing in neighbouring all the criticism leveled territories, which would at the CDC whether require the promoter to pay over a percentage of those who criticized the earnings to the CDC. wanted the CDC to go “This is not a bridle on the way of private private investment. This events.

But he insisted, is having a product that you invest in, creating a “There has to be a role platform and then others for an organization to carry the fundamentals coming, using that of carnival, and the platform. If that government over the platform was not there, years has been the ones these events would not have been as successful,” putting the resources into this aspect of Francis contended. carnival to keep it on the He noted that calendar,” he said. although some of the And as far as this private events were expensive (gate fee), they ‘divergence’ (private events) being used as an were all well attended. excuse for not Francis called for a very serious discussion to patronizing the ‘official’ shows at Victoria Park, take place in the near Francis said, “This was future, as to where we something that we have are with carnival and to look at carefully.” where we want to go (DD) with carnival.

Privately promoted Carnival events, like this fete, are said to be expensive but well attended.

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

14. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

“Plenty of people to chat to. I’m Toronto, New York, Philadel atmos-Philadel-enjoying the music; lovely atmos phere.” phia, Miami, Brooklyn, New York resident Boston and Washington, Nolene King, originally from the Rose D.C. Bank/Troumaca corridor, brought They along her elder sister, Ester, and Samp-proclaimed, Trinidadian friend, Marilyn Samp in interviews son, during the 10-hour bus trip, with THE organized by the Brooklyn-based VINCEN VINCEN-Vincentian umbrella group in the US, TIAN, that the Gren-Council of St. Vincent and the Gren get-together is adines’ Organizations, U.S.A. Inc. (COSAGO). a must!

“I love it, it’s purchas-“I really like it,” said King, purchas great,” said ing Vincy memorabilia at a tent with Cassandra a plethora of Caribbean merchandise, as a DJ nearby struck up Kevin GonsalvesThompson, a Lyttle’s “Coming Home for Carnival.”

Guard on duty at entrance to Brown's Bay Park. banker in “Meeting people, family and friends is great.”

Toronto, Sampson agreed: “I’m meeting originally from Biabou, sitting on a large blanket under a tree. “They people and enjoying some of the good Community leaders: Alred "Jack" food.” (organizers) picked the perfect Dear (centre), president of the SVG location.

Further away and closer to the Association of Montreal; Laverne “You have folks from Montreal, water’s edge at the expansive park, McDowald-Thompson, president of Toronto and the [United] States – all COSAGO; and James Cordice, SVG COSAGO set up tents, with busloads Gonover the place,” added Gonof supporters volunteering to prepare Penn Relays architect. meals. salves-Thompson, enjoying her “I like it – a lot of unity and third picnic. “This is great. You get to meet the people you grew up togetherness, and you get to meet with. It’s good to reconnect, and people,” said Kimberly David, from it’s a good reminder of how you Belmont, on the environs of the grew up. Vincy spirit alive!”

Marriaqua Valley, as she prepared Gonsalves-Thompson’s friends, vegetables with Celloy Williams, of daughRose Place, Kingstown. “Everybody Carol Hendrickson and her daughworks together.” ter, Leanna Estwick, along with recon“It’s a great opportunity to reconHendrickson’s parents, Charles Diasponect with Vincentians in the Diaspoand Pauline Hendrickson, of ra,” said Williams, enjoying her Layou, joined her at the picnic. fourth Unity Picnic. “You meet new “It’s a lovely day out – to see old people, make new friends.” friends and family,” said Carol, Ruth Browne-King, of Prospect, who was born in London and said the picnic served as “a great recently migrated to Toronto, as get-away time for me Leanna, enjoying her first Unity Roasting breadfruit: Lawyer Curlina [organiz“Whatever thing they’re [organizPicnic, turned chicken legs and Edwards. ers] doing here, they’re doing a great thighs on a small gas grill. job in getting people together,” said “I love the family aspect of it – Story and photos photos b Story byy Nelson A A.. King Browne-King, grinding garlic and the food, the music,” added Carol, naking@verizon.net; naking@verizon.net; preparing chive. later putting corn on the grill. “It’s kingnaking210@yahoo.com kingnaking210@yahoo.com As she turned breadfruit, roasting worth the drive [three hours by car US CORRESPONDENT on charcoal, lawyer Curlina from Toronto].”

SVG Counsel General to Canada Fitzgerald Barbadi- Huggins (centre) donates book on SVG to Edwards, part of the COSAGO “Very nice!” intoned her BarbadiTHOUSANDS OF VINCENTIANS from all THOUSANDS an-born mother, who met Carol’s Haley, Mayor of Mallory T own (leftt )and organizing committee and co-captain Roger Haley, Town 6, walks of lif e on Saturda y, July 1 walks life Saturday, 16, father in London before the couple Steve Clark, Member of the Provincial ParliaParlia- on one of four buses from Brooklyn, y Park Park 20 16, con verged on Bro wn’s Ba 2016, converged Brown’s Bay said she did not mind getting her decided to retire in Layou, Mr. County. ment for Leeds and Grenville County.

Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada for the in Western fingers dirty.

Hendrickson’s place of birth.

Unity Picnic. annual Vincy Unity Organizers said about 20,000 nationals from major North American cities trekked to the picturesque site, bordering the St. LawLawrence River in the 1,000 Is. area, for the extravaganza.

In almost picture perfect weather – temperatures in the 70s – nationals displayed a cornucopia of colors, gyratgyrated to pulsating Vincentian and Caribbean music, and feasted on a potpourri of national delicacies, washing them down with local drinks, such as sorrel, ginger beer and mauby.

Vincentians, their friends and supporters came on the annual pilgrimage from Cassandra Gonsalves- Thompson (2nd from left) with the The Allen Family: Former national cricketer Selwyn Allen (in red shirt), major North American cities, Hendrickson family, family, L-R: Pauline Hendrickson, Leana r, with L-R: Allen's nephew Cuthbert "Mr "Mr.. Cool" James; James's sister sister, such as Ottawa, Montreal, Estwick, Carol Hendrickson and Charles Hendrickson.

Kathleen Jack; Allen's daughter, daughterr, Kelcy; Kelcy and Allen's wife, Jacqueline.

Michelle "Hibiscus" Hillocks, winner of the New Song ork, o York, Competition in New Y performs during the entertainment segment.

Section of the party crowd.

Right: Party crowd at the main stand.

“I’m a country woman,” said KingsEdwards, who was born in Kingstown, grew up in Park Hill, and whose mother is from Fitz Hughes, Chateaubelair and father from Spring Village – both in North Leeward.

“I enjoy serving my people,” she breadadded. “I don’t mind roasting breadfruit, doing food preparation and doing what’s necessary.”

While peeling mangoes, Joanne DeShong, of Bentick Square, lower Kingstown, expressed amazement about COSAGO’s organizational skills.

“They’re my favorite organization,” said the Registered Nurse, attending her fourth picnic. “They seem to inspire people to contribute for Vincy [the Vincentian community]; that’s very good.”

Nearby, Kingstown Hill native Arlette Dopwell-James, former president of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Pennsylvania [SVGOP], attended the picnic for the fifth year.

“I’ve enjoyed this picnic from Day One – just how people work together,” said Dopwell-James, who trekked from Philadelphia, courtesy driver James Cordice, also a former SVGOP president and architect behind the nation’s participation in the prestigprestigious Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“One day, I’ll like to take a week off [from work] and go down [to New York], and help them [COSAGO] prepare [for the picnic],” she added.

COSAGO president Laverne

McDowald-ThompMcDowald-Thompson, said the group’s work “exemplifies the capabilities of the Council in bringing our people together.

“One of our aims is to continue to foster a relationship with the Vincentian community,” said the former elemenelementary school teacher at home. “So, I’m very pleased and grateful for the people who support this event.

“Over the years, people have formed great relationships from these trips, keeping them together,” McDowaMcDowald-Thompson continued. “And more and more, I’m seeing the support to the Vincentian commucommunity from our people.”

Erline Granderson and Cornetta Mason, members of the Unity Picnic organizing committee from ToronToronto, said the picnic has grown by leaps and bounds over the years.

“It’s always a pleaspleasure seeing your compacompatriots in one place,” said Right: Picnicgoers pose for a final group shot on Sunday morning before heading back to the US.

Granderson, who sold 20 tickets to bus travelers from Toronto.

“This organization has done a fabulous job in pulling this off,” added Mason, who, with Granderson, also plans to attend the Vincy Unity Picnic in Long Island, a New York

City suburb, on Aug. 20.

“It [picnic] helps to bring Vincentians across North America rememtogether and to remember the culture back continhome,” Mason continued.

Alfred “Jack” Dear – an ex-Customs Officer at home, who heads the St. Vincent and the AssociaGrenadines Association of Montreal and who helped to organize four busloads of nationals from MontreMontreal to the Unity Picnic in Ontario – said he was grateful to COSAGO and all nationals who went beyond the call of duty to make the picnic an overwhelming success.

“I feel we’ve come a long way,” he said. “It’s past the embryonic stage.

“The picnic is very big, but we still want more,” he, however, added.

V Exhibition to close YAF Art Programme 16. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

THE 2016 ANNUAL Art Programme for children and young adults organized by Youlou Arts Foundation will climax here on Wednesday 3rd August, with a grand exhibition at the Methodist Church Hall. The programme commenced on July 18.

A release from the YAR said that the programme organizers are in the midst of organizing the participants’ work which will comprise the exhibition’s display.

The exhibition opens at noon, and the public is invited.

This year’s YAF Art Programme was themed, ‘It’s All About Just a glimpse of what will be on display at the YAF exhibition.

Me’, “focused on getting the children to do some self-reflecting,” the YAF release said.

Activities included jewellery making with emphasis on using recycled materials to produce jewellery and other craft and art items.

Visiting the island for the first time, to assist with the jewellery making projects was Marina Seevak, an educator in children’s art from Massachusetts, USA. Ms. Seevak’s expertise Careful hands demonstrating the use of was also made available recycled material. to the Teachers’ Training Workshop held from July 11 — 15.

The Youlou Arts Foundation was established in 1999 by Vincentian artist Camille SaundersMusser. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose focus is on developing, promoting and preserving the arts and culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Right: Marina Seevak, Children’ Art Educator, availed her expertise to the 2016 Arts Programme.

V

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

News

RSS trainees involved in ganja raids AS HAD BEEN the custom, the final week of a Regional Security Services (RSS) Training Couse held here, saw field activity in the mountainous terrain of mainland St. Vincent.

Reporting during the graduation ceremony held at the Old Montrose Police Station, , July 22, of the RSS Basic Course One of 2016, conducted here from July 3 to 22, Course Officer Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Randy Connaught disclosed that some 47 searches were conducted over a 3-day period, during the final week of the Course.

According to the Course Officer, those searches accounted for the destruction of: 347,170 mature marijuana plants; 3.1 million marijuana seedlings, 325 dried marijuana plant material; and 57 huts.

The searches also resulted in the

seizure of some 510 pounds of compressed marijuana and the arrest of one ‘illegal immigrant’.

As far as the Course was concerned, 32 police officers from 6 Caribbean countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines), successfully completed the course work.

The Course was conducted in two phases over a 12-week period. Phase One was held in Barbados, May 3 — July 1, and Phase Two in SVG, July 3 to 22.

Also addressing the graduation ceremony was Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, under whose watch the Course would have been conducted.

Commissioner Charles, in congratulating the graduates, urged them to share the knowledge and

New deputy to advise on case files He added that there were occasions when the FORMER POLICE proper procedures were OFFICER and current not followed, which led Assistant Director of to some cases being Public Prosecutions dismissed.

Colin John says he John said he intends intends to use the to use his legal training experience gained and experience to help during his tenure at the the constabulary DPP’s Office, and legal improve in these areas. training, to give advice He will succeed aimed at effecting Deputy Commissioner improvement in the Reynold Hadaway who preparation of case files, will act as when he takes up duties Commissioner when as Deputy Commissioner Michael Commissioner of Police Charles proceeds on prefrom August 2. retirement leave on John told THE August 2.

VINCENTIAN on While John is of the Tuesday that during his view that police officers tenure at the DPP’s are generally loyal and office, and particularly hardworking, he thinks as Assistant DPP, part some officers need to of his duties was to portray a better work peruse the files of police attitude. officers and to give legal He assured that as opinions.

Deputy Commissioner, “While perusing the he will do his best to files, I have seen some ensure that those good work from some officers who are lagging police officers; but I behind, step up their have also noticed areas game for the betterment where there is need for of the police force and improvement, in terms the country. of the way in which John is no stranger to confession statements the police force, having are recorded,” John served the organization revealed. for 23 year, during

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Colin John will assume his position as Deputy Commissioner of Police to ensure that police officers follow procedure in the course of effecting their duties. which he attained the rank of Station Sergeant.

He was called to the local Bar in October 2010, and joined the staff at the DPP’s Office the same year. He was appointed Assistant DPP in 2013.

St. Vincent & The Grenadines continues to be a primary source for cannabis cultivation in the EC, with most plants being grown for export. skills they would have learned with their colleagues.

Deputy Executive Officer of the RSS - Mr. Bertie Hinds, in his address, pointed to the future undertakings of the RSS, among these being the eradication of corruption in the member Police Forces and to continuing retune and refine efforts to combat transnational, organised crime.

The RSS Basic Course One was made possible through funding provided by the government of the United States of America in keeping with that government’s commitment to work with the Caribbean under the terms of the Caribbean Basin Security

Initiative (CBSI).

The Regional Security System/Services (RSS) was established by a treaty signed by contracting parties in March 1996, in which they agreed, inter alia, ’to maximize their strength in the interest of the defence of their State, and to achieve social and economic development for their people’.

Original signatories to the treaty included the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

V

18. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Carnegie Corp recognises two Vincentians TWO VINCENTIANS ARE among a list of 500 distinguished foreign-born honorees named by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, to mark the 240th Independence Anniversary of the USA. The Carnegie Corporation of New York

was established

by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding”, and has helped to establish and endow a variety of institutions, including the Carnegie libraries,

including one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The list, published by the New York Times newspaper, listed Vincentians Dr. Roy Austin and Adonal Foyle among the 500, which also included persons

from Africa, Europe, India, China, Vietnam and Canada.

There were seven Caribbean nations listed. In addition to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, these included Cuba, Adonal Foyle – Jamaica, Haiti, basketballer extraordinaire Dr. Roy Austin – Trinidad and academic, ambassador, Tobago, Guyana and – philanthropist - activist. sportsman, culture man.

Dominican Republic.

The honorees the University of His career in the NBA were recognised for their Washington. traversed the period distinguished service to Austin was Associate 1997 -2009, during which their homelands and the Professor of Sociology, he saw service with NBA USA. Justice, and African franchises Golden State American Warriors, Orlando Magic Dr. Roy Austin Studies at Pennsylvania and Memphis Grizzlies.

State University, and In 2001, Foyle Dr. Roy Austin is a served as director of the founded ‘Democracy former USA Ambassador Crime, Law, and Justice Matters’, a non-partisan to Trinidad and Tobago, Program and the student organization, as serving in that capacity Africana Research an effort to counteract from October 2001 to Center. political apathy on December 2009, during He is renowned in college campuses. The the two-term presidency SVG, not only for his organization’s signature of George W. Bush. academic achievement, issue is ‘campaign Born in Rose Place, but also for his prowess finance reform’. Active Kingstown, SVG in on the football field and in over 50 college 1939, he moved to his leadership of the campuses, ‘Democracy the United States to Bridge Boys Mas Band Matters’ involves study, and later became that impacted carnival hundreds of students and a U.S. citizen. He here in the 1960s. faculties nationwide attended Yale through teach-ins, letter University and Adonal Foyle writing and petition graduated with campaigns, educational a Bachelor of Adonal Foyle was born seminars, and voter Arts in sociology. While in Canouan, SVG, in registration drives. there, he befriended 1975. He became the In 2005, Foyle founded future President George first Vincentian to play the Kerosene Lamp W. Bush. He earned professional basketball in Foundation, which serves a Master of the world acclaimed NBA children in St. Vincent & Arts and Ph.D. in of the USA. the Grenadines. sociology from

Martha’s Vineyard-SVG strengthening ties VINCENTIAN ARTISTS AND CRAFT persons, home and abroad, now have another avenue to showcase their creativity.

As per the intentions of a Memorandum of Understanding between Martha’s Vineyard and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Books about St. Vincent and the artists and crafts people have been Grenadines on display at the West invited to display their wares at a Tisbury Library, Martha’s Vineyard.

Vineyard Vincy Festival, slated for (Photo Credit: westtisburylibrary.org) August 27, on Martha’s Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard is an island Clinton’s Office on Global Women’s off the coast of Massachusetts, USA, Issues at the Department of State, was and in addition to be second-home a former Peace Corps volunteer on St. residence to many wealthy homeVincent. owners, the island attracts droves of The West Tisbury Library recently tourists from all over the world.

Martha’s Vineyard and Saint Vincent received a gift of books about St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These and the Grenadines officially became books were presented on island by the Sister Islands in September 2014, Selmon Walters, Consul General of St. formalizing a relationship between the Vincent and the Grenadines. two islands that stretches back to the The books range in subject from 19th century.

The Sister Island programme is built pocket-sized tour guides and coffee table photo books, to essay collections on diplomatic initiatives and West about the various Prime Ministers, Tisbury resident Anita Botti’s longstanding personal relationship with St. notable scholars, and the nature of the Vincent and the State Department. Ms. islands. (Story prompted by Youlou Arts Foundation) Botti, former Chief of Staff for Hillary

V

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

News

Police Band Master retires 7th, 1980, but was a band cadet from March 15th, 1976.

“The love for the job primarily playing music, my love for music kept me in the Police Force, so even if I had the opportunity to leave, I didn’t,” said Inspector Haynes as he reflected on his tenure.

Inspector Haynes, who is married to Joy Davis Haynes and is the father of four children - Reajhaun Sgt Vaughn Miller of the Police Band presenting Baptiste, Anique Edwards, Bernique and Jonique Inspector Bernard Haynes with a plaque.

Haynes - said: “Over the years, I served and I INSPECTOR OF POLICE Bernard Haynes taught people. I was assigned by calls time on his longstanding policing former Commissioner of Police career this Saturday, July 30th, 2016.

Haynes has been a police officer for Osborne Quow to even teach music at Troumaca Secondary School in forms the past 36 years, leaving the Royal one, two and three. All that was a St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force as the band master of the Police sense of achievement, as music is something dear to my heart, and my Band. passion is to just share that The 55-year-old was enlisted as a knowledge.” member of the Royal St.Vincent and Inspector Haynes said one can make the Grenadines Police Force on March a rewarding career from policing and

it can be a career for life.

Haynes said he would like to thank He said a police officer can pursue the Commissioner of Police and other professions alongside policing. members of the Police Force for their “You can be a police officer and a support over the years, as well as the lawyer at the same time, as well as a government and people of St.Vincent counselor and many other diverse and the Grenadines. professions. You also get to know a lot Inspector Haynes is the only police of people, but music plays an officer that has played in every important role in bridging the gap Independence Parade since 1979. between the public and the police, The Commissioner of Police and especially at independence, carnival members of the constabulary wish and school sports”.

Inspector Haynes well in his future As Inspector Haynes goes into endeavours. (Contributed) retirement he plans to teach music.

“I hope to make myself available to tutor children in JUST BY SIGNING UP for FLOW’s Turbo the art of 12 Internet reading music and the playing service, Chezelle of instruments. Williams was able to go My intention is on an all-expense paid to have a music trip to Barbados, for ‘Soca on the Hill’. school Soca on the Hill, eventually,” he dubbed ‘The World’s said.

Greatest Soca Party’, is Inspector an event that celebrates the musical Chezelle Williams is pictured with offerings of the annual Rudy Maloney of 4D Entertainment.

Crop Over Festival of Barbados, Barbados, and features a This year’s cast included Chancellor, through its Institutional ‘potpourri of rhythmic FLOW ambassador Skinny Advancement Division, the Giving Week vibrations from the top local Fabulous of SVG, Lil Rick campaign is endorsed by global patron, UWI and regional artistes and and Allison Hinds of Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne and other bands’.

Barbados and Lyrikal from regional patrons including: the Rt. Hon. Owen It is one of events Trinidad and Tobago.

Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados, the organised and hosted by 4D According to Williams, “It Most Hon P. J. Patterson, former Prime Entertainment in Barbados. was great, very good.”

Minister of Jamaica and Her Excellency Dame The event was held July Williams won the trip as Pearlette Louisy, Governor-General of St Lucia. 17, and was once again part of FLOW’s Carnival (Contributed) staged at the beautiful Farley Hill National Park in Promotion, which saw persons who signed up for a service they never had before, being entered in a draw.

The draw was done on LAVERNE ‘GYPSY’ PHILLIPS, here and are so moved to assist, can Friday, July 15th at FLOW’s THE UNIVERSITY OF THE West Indies will announcer with NICE Radio, is in make a donation at the Nightingale Halifax Street Branch, and need of urgent medical attention.

Bookstore in Middle Street or use the hold its inaugural Giving Week as it moves Williams said that she was Sources indicate that Phillips, who quick deposit facility at FCIB to towards new ways to support the regional extremely happy to have won. is currently hospitalised at the Milton deposit their donation to Account tertiary education institution. UWI Global This, she said, was the first Cato Memorial Hospital, is in need of #106983792.

Giving Week runs from August 1-7, 2016 under time she has ever won surgery which necessitates her Those in the Diaspora can do the theme “Educate, Emancipate, Donate”. It anything from FLOW. travelling overseas. likewise via Western Union or send marks the beginning of an annual tradition to FLOW was one of the Indications are that the procedure their donation to Wells Fargo Bank, connect with friends and cultivate support to major sponsors of ‘Soca on the is deemed to be urgent.

Account #1630634616. strengthen The UWI’s capacity to drive NICE Radio has begun an appeal to THE VINCENTIAN joins in urging Hill’ 2016. regional development. persons to donate to this cause.

The University which has traditionally relied assist the young lady towards ensuring that she on regional governments for financial support, can afford the medical is now moving towards launching a campaign attention that she needs. that targets alumni, public and private sector Those who are resident organisations, donor agencies and members of the public with an objective of bringing them closer to the University. Proceeds of the campaign will go towards student support and scholarships, research, facilities and equipment, capital projects and infrastructure.

Gifts can be made online 24/7 at uwi.edu/giving. Cash and cheques may be delivered to the Open Campus Site at Frenches.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines is one the UWI 16 Countries and has one of the largest noncampus countries populations at the Mona and Cave Hill campuses. Thousands of Vincentians are also alumni of the UWI including several notable Vincentians such as: Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dr. Richard Robertson, Director of the Seismic Research Unit and Hon. Rene Baptiste, Speaker of the OECS Assembly.

Laverne ‘Gypsy’ Phillips is in Initiated by The Office of the Viceneed of your assistance.

UWI holds giving week

An appeal for help

Williams revels in ‘Soca on the Hill’

V

20. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Get tested then own up Dear George, I HAVE A FRIEND who is pregnant for a man who has his family already. As a matter of fact, he is a very high profiled man in this country and is using his rank to threaten my friend not to link his name with her pregnancy. He promised her a house and lots of money if she would get rid of the baby. She does not want to get rid of the child, and she is distraught that he wants her to do such a terrible thing.

The situation is worse.

My friend confided in me that she is more than 90% certain that she is HIV positive and she wants her child to live in the event that she (friend) develops AIDS later on. She has not told this man he should get

tested because she is afraid of what he can do to her. What should I tell my friend?

Dear George,

partner. The counsellor can guide her as to the best way to go about doing that. Keep her close to you and keep the line of communication open between you two.

MY WIFE WANTS to change from a female gynaecologist to a male. Her reason? She feels more comfortable having a man touch her.

Her position infuriated me, and when I asked her to explain further, she had nothing to say.

I am left to conclude that she probably gets turned on by a male gynaecologist touching her.

The one she has now is very good, by her own admission, so how all of a sudden she wants to change? She must think I’m an idiot.

I told her to stay with her present gynaecologist or I am gone. Am I wrong?

George

Suspicious

Concerned Dear Concerned, It is good that your friend has someone to talk to about such delicate matters. You need to encourage her to get tested so that she can be 100% sure whether or not that she is HIV positive. She should also

seek appropriate counseling so that she can be made aware of what support is there for her as a new mother.

If she tested as being HIV positive, then it is incumbent on her to inform her sexual

Secret bank account Dear George, CAN YOU IMAGINE that after 4 years of marriage, I am just finding out that my

Get over your insecurity

husband has another bank account in which he has well over fifteen thousand dollars? The most hurtful thing is that he has another

woman’s name on the account. This is a woman whom he has denied having anything to do with.

I have not made him wise about my findings because I do not know how to proceed. I am still in shock.

This man knows how much hell we are experiencing just to make it day by day, yet here he is with all that money stacked away.

What does this tell me about him and my marriage?

Dear Suspicious, Your wife has the right to choose her own gynaecologist. If her choice offends you, then it could be that your feelings of insecurity are getting in the way of rational thinking.

If you trust your wife, then it should not matter the choice of gynaecologist. The ultimatum you have given her must be revisited as it shows up a degree of insecurity and a hint of a controlling behaviour on your part.

George

Forget and move on Dear George,

There should be no secrets in a marriage, and any discovery of such can have serious repercussions. You need to get an explanation from your husband and then make a decision about the way forward.

Maybe he would have an explanation that might surprise you.

Use this opportunity to begin a candid discussion on transparency and trust, and see where it leads from there.

MY DAUGHTER got married not too long ago, and the wedding went alright except for one incident, which is still bothering me.

At my daughter’s request, the guest list was fixed at 50 persons. Invitations were sent to our close friends and in some cases relatives, inviting them to join us at the church, as we could not accommodate more than 50 at the reception.

During the reception, someone called me to attend to a matter at the entrance. A relative of the groom, who was not invited, was at the door with four of his friends demanding entrance. I explained to him that there were only seating for 50 people and he should respect that. He made such a noise that it caused an embarrassment to the couple. My daughter had to call him aside and ask him to quietly leave because he was embarrassing her. He left, but not before telling her that he never wanted to hear or see her again.

That incident put a damper on things, but she managed to get through the rest of the evening. I know the incident is still bothering her, and I encouraged her to speak to someone about it professionally as I am not able to do that job.

Should she stay away from this guy or should she try to go to him to make amends?

George

Mother of the bride

Disappointed Dear Disappointed,

Dear Mother of the bride, Rules are rules, and that relative should have been more respectful of the wishes of the couple.

What he said about her, not to have anything to do with him again, could have been just an emotional outburst. After having time to cool down and reflect on his behaviour, he could now have a different attitude. It is good that she is talking to you, and the most you can do is to continue to reassure her that she has done nothing wrong and she has no need to feel guilty.

She should just get on with her new life and leave that relative to grapple with his own conscience.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will also encounter individuals who can help you further your goals. If you take on too much, you will find yourself in martyrdom. You may enjoy doing something musical for entertainment.

You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may be more emotional than usual. Don't be too quick to judge others. Get domestic chores out of the way early. Be careful what you say.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Relatives will want to get together.

Keep your feet on the ground, if you can. Don't be shy; if you want to spend more time with a special person, make a commitment. You will be emotional with regard to your personal life.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Don't take your frustrations out on the ones you love. Your emotions may get the better of you. Be careful not to get roped into uncertain joint financial deals. You may find out that someone has not been completely honest with you.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Use your high energy and dynamic approach to win favours from superiors.

You will enjoy events that lean toward theatre, art, or music this week. If you have treated them equitably, you might be able to count on their loyalty.

Talking to those you trust and respect will help you sort out any problems.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your involvement in interest groups may bring you popularity. You'll get to your destination just as quickly. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavours. You may have difficulty trying to get your mate to understand your position.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) False information is likely if you listen to

idle chatter or gossip. Try not to be too emotional with those around you.

Unique forms of entertainment could capture your attention and bring about a romantic interest. Try to calm down emotionally about personal financial matters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) However, you may not attract the kind of interest you had in mind. Be discreet about any information you uncover.

Verbal abuse could lead to carelessness.

You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate. Don't depend on coworkers to help; they may only hold you back. Social activity should be on your agenda. Personal alterations will be in your best interest.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Talk to employers in order to promote your career objectives. Deep discussions may only lead to friction. Don't let friends convince you that you should contribute to something you don't believe in. Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Don't push your mate away. Family members may feel anxious if you make promises you don't deliver. You may be admired by colleagues and employers for your diplomatic way of handling your work and those you work with. This is a great day for a family outing or just a drive.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Help with your aspirations is likely, and profits could follow. You will get drawn into groups that are not favourable to you. Take time to help children with projects that may be too hard for them to do on their own. You can make changes to your domestic scene that will benefit all who reside there.

ACROSS

45. Car parts 48. Clock’s 1.Dessert three selections 50. Crawl 5. Loving __ 52. Froglike 8. Moment creature (abbr.)

54. “__ 11. Palo __ voyage!”

12. Uncork 55. Irritated 14. Selfstate importance 56. Actress 15. Bright light Sommer 57. Coffee 16. Jean who holder makes bath 58. Tofu products ingredient 17. FBI worker 59. Think (abbr.)

18. Obstructions DOWN 20. Evading army duty 1.Springform (abbr.) __ 22. Quarterback 2.

Islands (Fr.) Aikman 3. English 24. A whole school bunch 4. “Moonlight 26. Tel Aviv __” native 5. Type of TV 29. Fair cabinet 31. Formerly 6. “__ Lazy named River” 32. Actress (2 wds.)

Davis 7. Animal 35. Poet’s prior rights gp.

36. Computer 8. Elevation company reference 38. Tagged point 40. Sir’s female (2 wds.) counterpart 9. Hen product 42. Gunslingers’ 10. Barracks fixture conflict 43. Supermodel 13. CNN offering Banks

19. Actor nine Kinnear 41. Diagnosis 21. Bullfight cry tools 23. Highway (abbr.) sign 44. Landers and 25. Did exist Jillian 26. South 46. Actor’s Bend’s state desire (abbr.)

27. Appear 28. Comparing 30. Author Buntline 33. Ill-behaved 34. Have __ in one’s bonnet (2 wds.)

37. Place (down) 39. On cloud

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

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

47. Welfare 48. Computer co.

49. Gambler’s marker 51. AFL-__ 53. Rep.’s opponent

V

22. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Tribute to Barbara Agatha De Freitas

BARBARA WAS BORN to James and Agatha De Freitas on 3rd February 1947, in Belle Vue. I first came into contact with her some forty-five years ago when we both attended a Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) weekend workshop at Prospect House. She sat about two tables away from me and persistently interjected during the speaker’s presentation. I became irate and blurted out at her.

Ingrid Williams, sitting beside me, chuckled and said, “Gail, that is Barbara.”

At the end of that session, she introduced her to me.

Guess what? About two years later, on completing my Teacher Training, I was assigned to the Lodge Village Government School. Lo and behold, Barbara was a member of staff! We recounted the incident; the rest is now history.

Barbara visited our home at Town Hill, and

immediately became a family member. She brought Ricky, a child whom she baby-sat and who became her surrogate son, to meet my Mom. When her sisters, Zita and Val, visited from England, my mother packaged them with guava cheese and jelly to take back.

Barbara began her teaching career at a tender age at the Diamond Government School, as a Pupilteacher. She then moved on to Kingstown Anglican and Kingstown Preparatory. She was an excellent Math teacher. Students and teachers alike benefited from her skills. She recalled travelling to Barbados to help prepare Maia and Ajani Eustace for their Common Entrance Examination.

Her expectations of her students were very high.

She hated mediocrity. She followed her students’ progress and spoke proudly of them. She would say of ASP Johnathan Nicholls, “He was a smart kid.”

Commissioner Michael Charles, who also came under her tutelage, recalled that lashes on their backs were pointless, so she resorted to stinging them on their legs.

Today, he is humbled and grateful. She loved the naughty ones too.

Barbara was an active member of the Anglican Youth People’s Association (AYPA), and subsequently served as General Secretary to the National Youth Council (NYC). She was one of the earlier members of the now General Employees Credit Union, serving selflessly to recruit members and participating in training sessions nationwide.

As a member of the Teachers Union, she found herself on the front line during that historic 1975 Teachers’ strike. She knew what a jail cell felt and looked like.

Barbara was family. When she migrated to the U.S, she lived with my younger sister, Hazel, until she was able to gain a footing. She was a true friend, and we shared precious moments. Barbara was there for my mother’s funeral. She was there for my wedding. She was there for the birth of my sons, and finally, the birth of my granddaughter. The loss of her triplets was traumatic. We cried.

She loved my children as though they were hers.

When they didn’t call for her birthday, thanksgiving or Christmas, I was sure to get a call.

Barbara was a compulsive talker. In any one telephone call, she would touch about ten topics, recap them and then give you a review the following day. On several occasions, many of us fell asleep and left her talking. At the end of one of these marathons, my eldest son, Omari, once asked: “Mommy, what are you going to do with Auntie Barbara?” I said to him: “Love her.”

Barbara was a phenomenal woman. She was a light that illuminated a dark world. She left country, but country never left her. On each visit home, she journeyed to Belle Vue to visit relatives and friends.

By then, the entire village had become family. She loved people. She helped the poor without fanfare, always giving according to your needs. She lived for God and others; in that her life’s lessons offer hope.

After battling breast cancer for some ten years, complications developed. She fell, began experiencing pains in her legs, and had difficulty walking. This injury necessitated surgery. Perhaps, learning to walk again would have been a long, difficult and painful struggle. God stepped in and saved her the pain and agony.

The news of her death greeted everyone with profound shock. It left us all totally devastated. She died as others would have wished - without pain and suffering.

Barbara was a devout Christian. She loved her God and her Church. She had a deep abiding faith which helped her to accept her fate and rely on God’s healing. She was optimistic, resolute and never lost hope through it all.

Her passing reinforced the words of Job: “Man born of a woman is but a few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like flower and is cut down”. Job 13: 1-2. It made us realize that our days can expire very quickly and with little or no warning. The Psalmist reminds us of the fragile beauty of our lives when he writes: “As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of the field so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone and its place remembers it no more.” (Psalm 103: 1516).

Today, we hold on not to years, but to cherished memories. Our faith assures us that what is dark for us is clear for God. To all of Barbara’s relatives, I extend my condolences. To her long standing friends Jennifer Eustace, Amy Richards, Minetta Bynoe-Ollivierre, Shirla King and Candice Horne, I know you will miss her. I too was blessed to have had her as a friend, but God has chosen a better path. It is this knowledge which comforts us and allows us to go forward.

Farewell my sister, farewell. I will see you later.

Gail D. James Davis July 15, 2016.

V Vincy mother ecstatic over daughterÊs Olympic bid

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT THE VINCENTIAN-BORN mother of United States Olympic Fencer Nzingha Prescod is ecstatic over her daughter’s second bid in fencing at the Olympics.

Nzingha Prescod, 23 — who competed in the 2012 Olympics in London and, in 2015, became the first female African-American fencer to win an individual medal at World Championships — will be among two Foil Fencers who will represent the US in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the Summer Olympics next month.

“I’m excited, proud!” exclaimed Attorney Marva Prescod, who practices family law in Brooklyn, New York in a THE VINCENTIAN interview Monday before her departure the next day for Trinidad and Tobago, en route to Rio to watch her daughter perform on Aug. 10 in the Olympics.

“It’s amazing what she has achieved and continues to achieve,” added Prescod, who hails from Upper Quarry, Kingstown, and whose mother, Etol Prescod, was the first woman police officer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“She’s an extremely great role model for everybody. Working hard is her weakness. She’s very committed to whatever she takes on. She couldn’t make me more proud. I’m amazed about what she can accomplish.

“Caribbean people can achieve if they work hard,” continued Prescod, who was trained as a Registered Nurse in the United Kingdom before migrating to New York, where she practiced nursing for two years before graduating from New York University School of Law (NYU) in 1983. She was admitted to the New York Bar a year later. “Support each other; you can work hard and focus. It’s doable.

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

Nzingha Prescod, proud member of the US Olympic fencing Team.

Left: Marva Prescod with daughters, Nzingha (L) and Tekeya, on Mother’s Day 2016. medal at Senior World Championships, adding that her mission is to win Olympic gold.

“Obviously, I want to medal,” Nzingha told the New York Times, “but what gets me really excited is the idea of little black girls turning on the TV to see someone like them fencing.”

When Nzingha first began “Nzingha can show people the next year with her second fencing — historically the how to achieve,” said Prescod World Championship title. province of the white and the about her daughter, who last In 2011, she continued her year graduated from the Ivy dominance on the world stage aristocratic — she had few models in the sport from League Columbia University with another World similar backgrounds, in New York with a bachelor’s Championship win in the according to the Times. degree in political science, Junior (under-20) category.

It said Nzingha’s mother with a concentration on race That same year, Nzingha tried to keep the girls out of and ethnicity. was also featured in Essence Nzingha — who was born in magazine, as part of the Work trouble by packing their the Flatbush section of & Wealth Power List, with US schedules from a young age: piano, ballet, gymnastics, Brooklyn and has an elder First Lady Michelle Obama karate, swimming. sister, Tekeya, 25 — was gracing the cover.

Ms. Prescod dismissed named one of Glamour After qualifying for six fencing as “prohibitively magazine’s Top 10 College consecutive Cadet/Junior expensive before reading about women while at Columbia World Championship teams the Peter Westbrook University. and three consecutive senior Foundation, a nonprofit that Nzingha hails from the teams, Nzingha ended her brings fencing and tutoring to well-regarded Peter Westbrook final year in Junior on the young people from Foundation, a Manhattan2012 Olympic team at 19. based organization dedicated Entering the 2012 Olympics underserved communities,” to bringing the art of fencing as 16th seed, Nzingha said she the Times said.

It said the foundation was to the inner-city youth of New fell in the round of 32 to fiveestablished in 1991 by Peter York, where she has been time World Championship Westbrook, “who made history fencing since she was nine medalist, Aida Mohamed, himself in 1984 as the first years old. finishing 22nd. But, in the A graduate of New York team event, she said she City’s highly acclaimed helped lead the American Stuyvesant High School, team to a 6th-place finish.

Nzingha said she has always In recent years, Nzingha dedicated her time to “dually said she has continued to hone excelling in school and her skills in climbing up the fencing.” world rankings. In 2013, she She said she displayed won the Marseille Grand Prix extraordinary talent for - the first women’s foilist to fencing at a very young age, ever do so. winning her first Youth 10 In the 2013-2014 season, national competition in 2003.

Nzingha said she made her By 15, Nzingha said she second senior podium in was ranked in the top 5 of the Gdansk, Poland, with a silver Senior Division, among the medal.

US’ elite and Olympic women’s This year, Nzingha, who fencing foilists. leaves for the Olympics on In 2008, Nzingha won her Saturday, said she continues first Cadet (under-17) World to make history as the first Nzingha Prescod practising at Championship, following up African-American woman to Manhattan.

black fencer to win an Olympic medal.”

At 9, Nzingha began taking free lessons through the foundation, said the Times, adding that, a year later, she won a national championship for her age group.

“Nzingha is exactly the same today as she was at age 9,” her coach, Buckie Leach, said. “Just a fantastic athlete with a lot of smarts and a high fencing I.Q.” Tekeya told the Post that her younger sister is focused, adding that her “diligence is unmatched, and has always been something I admire and aspire to find within myself.

“Nzingha has defied odds and overcome feats to emerge as one of the world’s elite fencers, qualifying for the Olympics twice — a young, beautiful Black woman,” Tekeya said.

As for Ms. Prescod, Nzingha “wants to make an impact, especially for Black children,” she told THE VINCENTIAN. “Show them the way, let them know there’s a possibility, give them hope, watch them blossom. It’s there; they just have to dig deep for it.”

the Fences Club in lower

V Bermuda win Group 3 U17 World Cup Qualifier 24. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

next round as winners of this round, when they held Grenada to a one all draw in the first of a double header played at Victoria Park, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on Sunday 24th July.

Grenada’s goal came by way of the penalty spot through Christian James, this after Rahzier Jones had netted as early as the 12th minute for the Bermudans.

In the other match of the double header, St. Lucia appeared from the starting whistle, to be on a mission The victorious Bermuda U17 football team. against a hapless SVG, who were BERMUDA, WHICH MANY this part of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-17 going into the match hoping to salvage Caribbean might not have fancied, took World Cup Qualifying Tournament. some pride, having lost to Grenada, 2first place in Group Three of the They ensured their passage to the 0, and

Two karate Gold Gedals for SVG

Bermuda, 1-0.

The St. Lucians knew that they had to score as many goals as possible against the Vincentians to remain in the running to advance to the next stage.

And this they did by putting 5 past the Vincentian custodian, Linus Clovis accounting for a hat trick and Romario Leaander and Bryan Polius converting the other two between them.

At the end of it all, Bermuda finished at the top of the standings with seven points. St. Lucia finished second on six points, with Grenada third on four points. Host St. Vincent and the Grenadines finished at the bottom of the table with no points.

Shining Stars Swim Club gear up

SVG’S NEWEST SWIM club — the Shining Stars Swim Club - will look the part the next time the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation holds a meet.

Coming to the aid of the Teran Matthews of Shining Stars Swim Campden ParkClub (right) accepts gear from Grant based club is the Grassroot Tennis Connell of the Grassroot Tennis Club.

Club, which meet because they did not donated a quantity of the have the entrance fee; that Speedo brand of swim caps will not happen again as the and goggles.

Grassroot Tennis Club will Grant Connell, Head of undertake to pay the the Grassroot Tennis Club, registration and I think my said he was moved to make pocket is deep enough to do the donation after attending so”, Connell said. a swim meet recently at the Connell singled out the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre, talent of Kisharie Lewis, who and recognised that the he thinks has a lot of Teran Matthews-led swim potential in the sport, hence club was deficient in that his added interest. area.

In a twin approach of Apart from the gear, sorts, members of the Connell pledged that the Shining Stars Swim Club Grassroot Tennis Club will were part of the Grassroot pay the registration fee for Tennis Club Tennis two-week the club in future meets.

Summer Camp which ended “ I understand you could last Friday at the Haddon not participate at the last Hotels Courts on Murray’s Road.

The 28 members of the Swim Club got the opportunity to get some THE WINDWARD ISLANDS occupying the cellar position in Guyana. Each took 9 wickets. cross-training as they were senior female cricket team finished their first outing at this level.

Wicket-keepers introduced to the sport of 4th in a 6-team table, when the As far as outstanding Merissa Aguilleira of Trinidad Tennis.

2016 edition of the West Indies performances were concerned, and Tobago and Tameka Sanford Head of the Shining Stars Regional Women’s Twenty20 Shemaine Altia Campbelle of of Jamaica each had 5 dismissals, Swim Club, former national Tournament ended in Guyana last Guyana scored the most runs, 182. to be top performers in that area. swimmer Teran Matthews, weekend.

She also recorded the highest West Indies captain expressed gratitude for the Trinidad and Tobago were individual score of 70 not out.

Stafanie Taylor of Jamaica was donations and the expose to eventual winners of the Trinidad and Tobago and West the best all-rounder with 172 Tennis . tournament, which was severely Indies off spinner runs and took 4 wickets.

This year’s Grassroot affected by rain. Jamaica finished Anisa Mohammed was among the Next year’s tournament is Tennis Club Summer Camp, in second, and Barbados third. top wickets-takers, sharing that expected to be held in SVG. for the first time, received Stafanie Taylor – Guyana filled the fifth position, accolade with Shanel Daley of sponsorships, compliments Top All Rounder. with the Leeward Islands Jamaica and Erva Giddings of I.B.A.ALLEN Scotia Bank.

past the first round of the individual kumite, while Zak Burke and Bascombe were ditched in the first round of the individual kata adjudication.

Meanwhile, Jerome Burke, after getting The Vincentian team in action past the first SVG Team to the Caribbean College Karate at the Karate Championships round of the Championships (L-R) Claude Bascombe, individual in Jamaica last weekend Jerome Burke and Zak Burke. kata, did not get further REPRESENTED BY A Grenada to than the second round of THREE- MEMBER team of settle for second place in the competition.

Zak and Jerome Burke and Enbu and Jamaica ended Head of the delegation — Claude Bascombe, St Vincent third. and the Grenadines fetched Grenada also placed second Claude Bascombe evaluated that the championships were of two gold medals and one silver in the Bunkai and third was a high standard. medal, at the Caribbean Guyana.

He said that of combination College Karate The Vincentians, though, of donations from GECCU and Championships. had to settle for second place the National Insurance Held at the auditorium of in the Team Kumite, outdone Services, sponsor sheets and the University of Technology in by Trinidad and Tobago, with inputs “from our own pockets” Jamaica from 19th to Guyana finishing third. realised the trip to Jamaica.

23rd July, the trio’s top medals Whilst the Vincentians The championships were came in the Team Enbu and excelled in the team categories, the Team Bunkai. their journey in the individual being hosted for the twelfth time and also saw participation In the process, St Vincent events was short lived. from Barbados and St Lucia. and the Grenadines left The three did not make it

Windwards Females 4th in WI Tourney

V

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

Sports

We have to rebuild OUR CASE could be one of starting at the top.

Since we announced our arrival in the mid-sixties as a source of great footballers, we have succeeded in keeping a profile, so much that we could have been in contention for a place to Russia in 2018. We squandered that opportunity through losses to the USA, Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago in qualifiers.

The final thrust concludes in September with encounters against the USA here at Arnos Vale, and in the Central American zone of Guatemala.

The fate of the World Cup qualifiers was sealed from the homecoming against Guatemala, which compounded the destruction in the USA in the opening round, and riveted against Trinidad and Tobago at home in close circumstances only for a demolition in Trinidad and Tobago. Since then efforts to continue the football development at the Caribbean Cup level hit a premature snag and caused an exit.

Hopes were pinned on the performance of the Under 17 Lads, and our ambition to host the Group 3 leg turned out into a spectacle for the home supporters which they might want to forget.

One can’t be too harsh on the players, for they are not responsible for their own preparation. At least, they have a commitment to personal fitness, but the duty is the coach’s to work out strategy and match preparedness.

The squad played their guts out. What they lacked is no fault of theirs. And they will have learnt by their sojourn that home fans tend to be most easily swayed. And from once they conceive that you are not exactly the mould they expect, you are thrown to the wolves. In fact, many turn coat and portray a sense of betrayal.

Whether they are dissatisfied with authorities, sporting or otherwise, some fans seem content on taking their frustrations out on the symbols of national representation. And to that extent, the local players are made to bear the brunt of their misgivings.

The goals scored in the first two matches resulted from set pieces. The two for Grenada came from corners which indicate that the coaches might have spent more time on such aspects. The one against Bermuda was from a free kick which climaxed a moment of rampage in front the Vincentian goal as early as before the goal was converted.

The shot curled tantalisingly across the goal and the defence was caught ball watching, even as the header looped into the centre of the goal where attackers were left unmarked. It was easy pickings, even with four minutes on the clock. The Bermudans held on stubbornly and proved decisive winners. That victory propelled them to their final showdown with Grenada.

A late conversion by the Grenadians made it one all, but that was insufficient time for the Spice Islanders to gather the energy to ruffle the Bermudans.

They join hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Curacao, Suriname, and Guadeloupe in a quest for places to the final in Panama next year.

Five teams from the Caribbean, and three each from Central America and North America will look for spots in Panama.

Sandy-Stephenson: ‘The girls gave it their all’ “I AM A BIT disappointed but happy with the girls. I think they gave it their all, they really tried.”

This was the sentiment by Nicole Sandy-Stephenson, Head Coach of the SVG Under 23 Netball team, at the conclusion of the ECCB OECS Under 23 Netball Tournament which was held here — July 8 — 13.

“Playing at home is good and it’s bad,” Sandy-Stephenson said, adding, “It brings added pressure on the girls, especially from everybody on the sideline who shout out instructions. … Some of the girls who played for the first time at this level found it difficult to determine who to listen to.”

The coach admitted that the team made some basic mistakes, especially in pressure situations.

All in all though, she thought, “The girls played a good tournament. We had a rocky start, but we got better coming to the end of the tournament.”

Sandy-Stephenson, who has represented this country at the U16, U23 and Senior levels — on teams that have won at each level - needs little convincing that SVG can get back to its winning ways.

But in order to do so, she opined that the players need to be more disciplined, and that more attention needs to be paid at the foundation

level.

“We can start at the Under 16 level where they will be coached and groomed at an early stage,” SandyStephenson stressed.

She also called for the inclusion of past players into the system, which would help in building discipline and correct attitudes.

Still relatively new to the coaching area, Sandy-Stephenson is committed and ready “to assist and impart my knowledge and experience to the players. I love the sport of netball. I want us to get back to our winning ways, so I am willing to give back and, once I am called upon, I am willing to go and work with the

Nicole SandyStephenson, Head Coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-23 Netball team. girls in any way.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

Hornets outplay Hawks in Bequia basketball TRISTIN STOWE was in top form and helped propel Hornets to a 20-13 victory over Hawks, as the Vita Malt Bequia Basketball continued at the Clive Tannis Hard Court last Saturday.

Stowe led the scoring for Hornets with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal in the Under -16 division encounter.

Kentuy Phillips and Daria Barbour had 4 points each for Hawks.

In other Under-16 action, Dragons defeated Rockets 42 to 16. Dragons’ Omario Louie was outstanding with 28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks. Rockets top scorers were Eltino Bynoe and T-Shorn Louie each with 8 points.

In another encounter, a close one, Young Wizards defeated Titans 18 to 17. Jerry Joseph led for Young Wizards with 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 3 steal. Chadwin Tannis had 14 points, 2 rebounds and a remarkable 10 steals Titans.

Dragons had the better of Hawks, 28 to 6, in another weekend under 16 division clash.

Leading scorer for

Dragons’ Elton Wilson turned in 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Corsini Pollard accounted for 4 of Hawks’ 6 points.

In the Second Division, Southern Stars defeated Rising Stars 66 to 44. In top form for Southern Stars was Camal Bess with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assist and 5 steals.

Rising Stars were led by Kirsty Baile - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 9 steals.

The First Division weekend contest saw Wizards inflicting a runaway victory, 76 — 56,

over Generals.

Xavaughn Dennie lit up the court for Wizards with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Jonas King had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals for generals.

On Sunday in the Under 16 division, Young Wizards defeat Rockets 32 to 30 in the U16 Division. Jerry Joseph was again in top form for Young Wizards with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 10 steals, 9 blocks. Leading scorer for Rockets was Eltino Bynoe with 17 points.

Rising Stars beat Young Duke 75 to 68 in

the Second Division.

With Jadley Bynoe accounting for 36 points, 3 assists and 1 block Rising Stars. Jermaine John has an equally outstanding game for Yound Duke, ending 32 points, 3 assist and 2 steals.

East Blazers defeated Raptors 69 to 54. East Blazers top scorer was Philmon Taylor with 16 points. Raptors were led

by Shavia Farrel with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Cavaliers take Brooklyn 40 Overs title NICHOLAS Browne’s 107, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes, ensured that Cavaliers Cricket Club, comprised primarily of former Vincentian national players, beat Middlesex by 4 wickets in the finals, to take the 2016 Brooklyn 40 Overs Cricket title.

Browne led the chase for Cavaliers in the final played against Middlesex on July 24, at the Marine Park, Brooklyn.

He singlehandedly took his team to victory, with the next best individual score being 17 not out by D. Coomansingh.

Earlier, in taking first strike, Middlesex closed their 40 overs allotment at 217 for nine, their leading scorers being Captain Rod Michael with 48 not out and Rawle Jackman who stroked a quick fire 39, which included 3 sixes and 3 fours.

Bowling for Cavaliers, Orlando Mofford had figures of 8 overs, 31 runs, 3 wickets; Nicholas Browne 8 overs, 18 runs, 2 wickets; and Timothy Warner 5 overs, 36 runs, 2 wickets.

Even in defeat, it has Continued on Page 27.

FOR SALE Commercial ground floor space.

Near Frenches Gate 454-0410

V

26. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Vinlec grants four scholarships

ST. VINCENT ELECTRICITY Services Limited the sessions. He said that education is a (VINLEC) has granted four scholarships to children significant part of the social fabric of the of employees who were successful in the 2016 country. He called on the children to capatilise CPEA examinations. The children were awarded the on the opportunity provided, and encouraged scholarships under the Company’s Education the parents to support and supervise them.

Awards programme.

There are currently twenty-nine children VINLEC’s Education Awards programme was enrolled in the programme, twenty-seven at the established in 1984 to provide financial and secondary level and two at the tertiary level.

(Front Row L-R: Rheanna Harry, Ngozi Johnson, Kamol moral assistance to children of employees, in an Since 1984, a total of one hundred and ninetyeffort to help them reach their greatest potential five students have benefitted from VINLEC’s Jeffrey, Tai Ballantyne, surrounded by parents, Elrias and prepare them to participate in national Education Awards programme.

Williams (centre back) and Noel Jackson (extreme left). development.

This year’s awardees are Kamol Jeffrey, Tai Ballantyne, Ngozi Johnson and Rheanna guardians and loved ones, heard and to be careful that their Harry. Awardees will be THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES’ addresses on the theme: ‘Success children’s creativity is not provided with $1200.00 Co-operative Credit Union (GECCU) is continuing to through perseverance’ from stifled.

EC dollars annually, to demonstrate its commitment to GECCU stalwarts.

Chelsia Ferdinand assist with school investing in the education of this Dr. Mineva Glasgow, provided an Inspirational related expenses. country’s children.

Chairperson of the Scholarship address. A graduate in Speaking at an Last Wednesday, GECCU Committee, warned the Psychology and orientation session for recipients that if they wanted to Entrepreneur winner 2013, the children and parents extended assistance to 162 students, to see them through succeed, they had to strive for Ferdinand was a 2001 on Wednesday, secondary education. excellence.

GECCU scholar. She VINLEC’s Manager Twelve received scholarships GECCU’s president Kelvin explained perseverance as Engineering (Acting) Mr. Those on hand to receive their valued at $1200 a year. They Pompey reminded the youngsters ‘working hard, working Elrias Williams certificates of assistance were were: Akayla Crichton, a former that their journey had just smart.’ congratulated the (Front L-R) Akayla Cruichton, Windsor Primary School; Aturo begun, and pointed to at least 11 One hundred and fifty children on their Nefertiti Nero, Davanah Yearwood Parsons and Solomon Bascombe, years of continuous training in other students received accomplishment. He and Rodele Ticker; (Second Row the making. Those included five assistance to help defray encouraged the children both from St. Mary’s Roman L-R:) Kaje Jack and Kasim Mc Kie; Catholic; Kaje Jack, Kwesi Jack at secondary school, two at the cost of their secondary to always study hard (third row) Aturo Parsons and Kwesi College, and four towards education. and strive for excellence, and Davanah Yearwood of the James.

Georgetown Primary; Leah Bachelor of Science and Masters’ Deran Maule and Alron noting that this is one degrees.

Harry, 2011 GECCU sure way to success. Mr. DaSilva, Kasim Mc Kie and of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, and Rodele Tucker, past students of Pompey warned parents to be scholars, combined on piano and Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Williams also said that the Kingstown Preparatory mindful of their responsibilities, pan to provide moving renditions Wonderful World’. (WKA) the children will be School; Lodge Village required to make sacrifices if they intend Primary former student Laurenike Snagg; Ashara to continue to do well.

Adams of the Mary He called on the recipients to be positive Hutchinson Primary School; PERSONS GATHERED the Police Co-operative and Nefertiti Nero, an exleaders.

UPSTAIRS THE Central Market Credit Union (PCCU).

Bequai Anglican Primary General Secretary of in Kingstown last Wednesday for Aljay Henry, Antonia School student the National Workers a handing over ceremony of Boyea, and Zinelle John The youngsters, Movement, Mr. Noel scholarships and bursaries by received scholarships, each accompanied by parents, Jackson also addressed to the value of $7,000, allowing Representatives of the Police High them assistance Command, PCCU officials and onto tertiary level recipients of PCCU assistance. education.

National awards. He noted that Williams, Gabriel Henry, a former CPEA successful students were Sutherland, Kimani the scholarship is an indication Kingstown Anglican given financial assistance from Husband, David Dunn that the company is delivering School student, enters the PCCU. on its responsibilities as a and Tiah Garraway. the St. Vincent Addressing the ceremony, There are currently corporate citizen to St. Vincent Grammar School from Station Sergeant Junior 39 active FLOW and the Grenadines, and September. Boyea, who Simmons, president of the implored the students to scholarship holders, previously attended PCCU, referred to the estimated to cost the maintain good grades and Lowmans Windward scholarships and bursaries as conduct if they want the company some Anglican School will testimony that the Police Credit pursue secondary scholarship to continue. $50,000.00 annualy.

Union “is not only committed to Scholarship and other recipients with education at the St. “We value them Kay Martin-Jack, Senior educating and nurturing our officials of FLOW and the Ministry of Joseph’s Convent Education Officer in the dearly and we will nation’s youths, but doing so for Education.

Marriaqua. John had Ministry of Education, continue with our a life time.” primary education at The Police Co-operative Credit support and commended the company for TELECOMMUNICATION Union president urged the commitment to them as they go looking out for the wellbeing of the Barrouallie GIANT FlOW continues its Government and will awardees to be disciplined in through their academic school its employees and their commitment to advance the continue her schooling their studies and courteous in life,” said Wayne Hull, Country children.

“It is always good standard of education in St. Manager at Flow. when an employer can take an at the Central Leeward behaviour at their new Vincent and the Grenadines.

Secondary School. institutions.

Hull disclosed that the interest in their employees by Last Wednesday at the Those receiving He warned them that they partnering with them in company, in addition to the five Professional Secretariat will encounter setbacks and already committed, will be ensuring that their children can bursaries were Teona Building in Kingstown, the make mistakes, but left a have the opportunity to excel in Weekes and Courtney company presented scholarships awarding three scholarships to their educational pursuits,” she Harris, both from Fair Bernard Shaw quotation: “A lifethe top three finishers in the to five students. Each Hall Primary, and time spent making mistakes is said. scholarship will last for 7 years Lion Club National Public Felice Joseph formerly not only more honourable but The scholarship programme and for the first year, assistance Speaking Competition, and one of the C.W. Prescod more useful than a life spent to the student who is adjudged has been running for 34 years. to the five will total some Primary. doing nothing.” (WKA) EC$10,000. the Top Student after (KH) In addition, 54 other The five are Deshorne Remediation during the

GECCU gives children assurance

Police educating for a lifetime

Flow continues scholarship programme

V

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

Classifieds FOR SALE

FOR SALE

2006 Honda Steam Seats 7 454-0410

Honda CRV 2001 Condition: Good Tel: 456-2431

Cricket action at Marine Park in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Cavaliers take Brooklyn 40 Overs title From Page 25. been something of an

achievement for Middlesex to have reached the finals. The

team is a relatively new one to have entered the completition. The man

behind them is former Vincentian national Under 19 all rounderMark Audain.

I.B.A.ALLEN

OSWALD RICARDO LOCKHART

HENRY WILLIAMS

Apostolic Faith Mission Questelles Sunday 24th July 2016 Service at 2:00 p.m.

Greggs S.D. Adventist Church Sunday 24th July 2016 Service at 2:30 p.m.

EVROD CORDICE Richland Park S.D. Adventist Church Sunday 24th July 2016 Service at 2:00 p.m.

FRANCIS GUMBS

VIOLA PETERS

DANALD INNISS

S.D. Adventist Church Questelles Sunday 24th July 2016 Service at 2:00 p.m.

Opening Bible Ottley Hall Saturday 23rd July 2016 Service at 2:00 p.m.

Gospel Hall Kingstown Saturday 23rd July 2016 Service at 3:00 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

JULY 29, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.31

A.I. REAL ESTATE Arnos Vale 7,694 sq.ft @ $17.00 p.s.f - $130,798.00 - BB183

Twenty Hill 5 bedrm Property on 13,464 sq.ft.

- $760,000.00 - H116 Biabou 7,890 sq.ft @ $7.00 p.s.f. - $55,230.00 - BB173 (784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 whatsapp (784)-493-9431cell (718)-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com facebook.com/airealestatesvg

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

ÂI MADÊ FACES UP TO TEN YEARS

Scrubb was not required to plead to Paul ‘I Mad’ Scrubb will be in limbo the charges when he was taken before for the next three months as the NEW YORK BASED local calypsonian Paul Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at state details its investigation into the ‘I Mad’ Scrubb could receive a penalty of the Serious Offences Court on Monday. matters for which he has been up to ten years in prison, if he is Senior Prosecutor Adolphus charged. convicted on a charge of uttering threats Delpleche had no objections to bail, to kill Prime Minister Dr. Ralph but requested suitable surety and Court or a higher court, and stop Gonsalves and his family. conditions. notices would be placed at all ports of Scrubb, originally from Barrouallie, Delpleche also had an application entry and exit. has been charged with between granted by the court for a three-month The matters have been adjourned to December 9 and 31, 2015, maliciously adjournment of the matter, to allow October 31. sent or uttered threats to kill, to wit, the investigator time to prepare the Attorneys Israel Bruce and Shirlan “Ralph Gonsalves should be case file.

Barnwell appeared on Scrubb’s behalf. assassinated, also his whole damn Scrubb was then granted bail in the Reports are that police officers, family period; Blessed love”. sum of $25,000 with one surety, on attached to the Narcotics Unit, picked The charge was laid under Section condition that he surrender his travel up the 52-year-old calypsonian at the 165 (1) of the Criminal Code, Chapter documents and report to the Calliaqua E.T. Joshua Airport around 8 a.m. last The calypsonian, said to be an 171 of the revised edition of the Laws Police Station on Mondays and Friday, July 22. He was about to leave equipment operator in the United of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Fridays. for the United States via Trinidad.

States, had been in St. Vincent and 2009.

He was also ordered not to leave the Scrubb was then taken to the CID the Grenadines for five weeks prior to This matter is indictable and carries country without the expressed where he was interviewed and his apprehension. He was reportedly a maximum penalty of ten years in permission of the Serious Offences charged. staying at Gomea with a friend. prison.

Scrubb is also charged with, between December 9 and 31, 2015, condition of the former uttered seditious words to wit, “Ralph facility that was referred to as Her Majesty’s Prisons in Gonsalves should be assassinated, also

by Dayle DaSilva that when she accompanied Kingstown, where his whole damn family period; blessed her client into the area of individuals who have been love”.

ATTORNEY AT LAW, and the Criminal Investigations denied bail are usually held In this matter, Scrubb is charged Opposition Senator Shirlan Department (CID) where on remand pending their under section 53 (1) (B) of the ‘Zita’ Barnwell has spoken there is a holding cell, she scheduled appearance in Criminal Code, chapter 171 of the out against what she has saw seven young men. court.

Laws of St. Vincent and the described as “deplorable” She continued, saying “We have a snail (pace) Grenadines 2009. conditions to which that three were seated on a justice system. Sometimes This was not laid indictably, but individuals who are being bench, but the other men you have to wait there for a because both charges reportedly arise held on remand are were lying on the floor. time. What about those out of the same facts and subjected.

“When you look at that, who are found not guilty, or circumstances, they would be heard Barnwell, who is also you think that although I the case thrown out because together at a Preliminary Inquiry (PI). legal counsel for Paul ‘Iam being detained, am I not of insufficient evidence?”

The sedition matter carries a Attorney at law, and Madd’ Scrubb, who was entitled to be treated in a she questioned. maximum penalty of five years behind Opposition Senator recently arrested and humane manner?”

Scrubb was granted bail bars.

Shirlan ‘Zita’ Barnwell charged for using seditious “People may look at this in the sum of EC$25,000, Assistant Superintendent of Police has come out against words in comments he and say, ‘Oh, they are and according to Barnwell, Clauston Francis of the Criminal what she described as made regarding Prime young boys,’ but they ought had he not, he would have Investigation Department (CID) laid deplorable conditions at Minister Dr. Ralph to be treated as human been confined to that place, both charges.

Gonsalves, said, while a holding cells where beings and must be treated although not yet convicted The allegations stemmed from guest on Monday’s ‘New remand prisoners are properly,” Barnwell said. of any wrongdoing. postings made on the social media site, kept.

Times’ radio programme, She also spoke of the ‘facebook’.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Conditions deplorable

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.