THE VINCENTIAN PDF- 31-12-20

THURSDAY, DECEMBER

31, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.53

www.thevincentian.com

Non-traveller COVID cases Page 3

Vincy MDs support vaccine Page 5

EC$1.50

Point again!! Page 12

Pre-budget borrowing? Page 17

Vincy youth knifed Page 24

Right: A small lava dome with fresh magna can be seen here as a black mound at the base of the existing dome in the crater of La Soufriere. (Photo Kemron Alexander, Soufriere Monitoring Unit) Below: Volcanic Hazard Map for La Soufriere.

SVG-born Professor Richard Robertson gave a comprehensive update on the current activity at La Soufriere. by GLORIAH/DAYLE DA SILVA LAST TUESDAY, 29th December, Vincentians awoke to indications, albeit all unconfirmed, that the La Soufriere volcano was erupting. Some citizens took to giving their versions by posting photographs and videos on social media, while many more bombarded the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) with telephone calls requesting explanation. Towards this end, Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves convened a press conference, Tuesday, December 29, and invited University of the West Indies

experts - Professor Richard Robertson, Professor of Geology and Dr. Eurouscilla Joseph, Director of the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, to lead the conference via Zoom. Professor Robertson, a Vincentian, is himself a former Director of the SRC, with a long attachment — professional and otherwise — to the La Soufriere volcano.

Volcanologist statements Dr. Joseph introduced the discussions. “In early November, there was an increase in background level

Dr. Eurouscilla Joseph, Director of the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) The UWI St. Augustine Campus. Continued on Page 3.

2. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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lHE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 3.

News 3 First Ânon-travellersÊ COVID cases THE HEALTH SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE advised, into the early hours of Tuesday evening, that two (new) positive cases of COVID-19, with no history of travel, were confirmed over the last 24 hours. Health Officials assured that extensive contact tracing and testing have been initiated. All possible contacts have been quarantined This brings the number of recorded cases to 115, though this is recorded here without confirmation by the appropriate health officials. No further details were released by the Health Officials but, in what appeared to be efforts to address speculation consequent upon the release as referenced, electricity provider VINLEC and telecommunications service provider FLOW issued separate statements addressing the issue. In the case of VINLEC, as per a memorandum to staff,

dated Dec. 28 and made available to THE VINCENTIAN, that company’s Chief Executive OfficerThornley Myers confirmed that an employee of VINLEC had tested positive for COVID19. The memorandum indicated that that employee has been ‘on leave’ since Dec. 24, supposedly in quarantine, and that testing of employees with whom the infected person was in contact has commenced, and they have been advised to selfquarantine. FLOW, on the other hand, in a memorandum from Country Manager Wayne Hull and addressed to the ‘FLOW Team’, he affirmed that “none of our employees has tested positive for COVID-19”. He did, however, advise that “employees located at the (FLOW) Arnos Vale compound were exposed to a citizen who tested positive for COVID-19”.

As a result, the Arnos Vale Exchange Building was closed and employees vacated. Those employees who had come into contact with the ‘infected citizen’ were expected to be “contacted by the As of December 28, one person, of 24 active cases of COVID-19, was COVID-19 Task Force and taken through the being treated at the Argyle Isolation Centre. established protocols recovered. with a known positive; a for contact tracing”, Hull There were, as of that date, traveler who arrived from the wrote in the memorandum. twenty-four (24) active USA on December 19 with a The confirmation of these negative PCR, but who tested two recent cases — the first to COVID-19 cases imported negative on entry and day 5, be described as non-travellers from high risk countries. The four cases as referenced then positive on day 9. and which would imply the included: two (2) adult The four persons — all nonfirst presence of community travelers who arrived from the nationals — have been isolated spread of COVID-19 here, United Kingdom on December until cleared by two negative followed on a December 28 21 with negative PCR test tests. Contact tracing and confirmation that St. Vincent results, but who tested testing have commenced. and the Grenadines had negative on entry and positive Meanwhile, the adult who recorded four new positive was admitted to the Argyle cases, taking the total number on day 5; one traveler who Isolation Facility on December of COVID-19 cases then to one arrived on December 11 from the USA who tested positive 24, 2020 is stable. hundred and thirteen (113), eighty-nine (89) of which have after being in close contact

Sleeping giant awakes Continued from Front Page.

eruption, going on to say that the danger was if there was an occurrence of an explosive eruption similar to that in 1979. He went on to explain that traditionally, the volcano has erupted effusively or explosively. The explosive eruption, he said, is unlike the effusive one described before. It is more dangerous. The magma is violently fragmented and very quickly expelled; and because of the speed, it destroys everything in its path, scarring the mountainside and producing a lot of ash. The danger is that these two types of eruption could happen very closely together. “We will need more data to determine if it will become explosive,” Professor Robertson informed, adding that it was anticipated that there will be enough time to warn residents in nearby areas to get out of harm’s way. Towards his end, a team comprised of Professor Robertson and Volcanologists Ian Juhan and Lloyd Lynch was expected to arrive in the country by Wednesday, to conduct more research.

seismic activity recorded at La Soufriere in St. Vincent,” she reported. “Since then, the last recorded activity took place on 23rd December with eight events being recorded by the instruments.” Dr. Robertson affirmed that these recurring events were a cause for concern. “On 7th November, we’ve had some elevated seismicity associated with Soufriere and this was peaked with eleven events on 16th November,” he said. He further disclosed that on 27th December, a member of the (SRC) staff became aware of a hotspot from the volcano, discerned from data from a NASA satellite. That image created concern, the Professor said, and a visit by staff of NEMO, December 29, verified that there was an effusive eruption along the North-Western portion of the crater. Emissions of magma were escaping from existing fumaroles, which are basically water vapour mixed with sulphur and volcanic gas flowing onto the ground, drying up and building a new dome on the existing one. The Professor likened the current activity to the 1971-72 Local response

As a consequence of the reported volcanic activity and the uncertainty surrounding the behavior of the volcano, residents in the communities between Fancy and Georgetown on the east coast, and from Belle Isle upwards on the west have been cautioned to be on the alert, if the present situation at the La Soufriere volcano changes. Persons have also been warned against visiting the site. In fact, all recreational visits have been suspended and persons occupying lands in the area have been requested to move to safer areas. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves said that he was scheduled to meet with the National Emergency Council to go over the things that needed to be done in the event persons

needed to be evacuated. “We have to identify buildings including guest houses…we have to do so in

safe areas which are areas to the South and we have to have all the various sets of people mobilized,” Gonsalves said.

V Christmas Day burglar jailed 4. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

penalty, Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett informed AFTER BURGLARIZING the Williams that he would home of Colonarie resident have to pay the Court Nadia Lawrence on $1,500 forthwith or go to Christmas Day, Shaffique prison for six months for Williams will now have to breaching a one-year make prison his home for bond, imposed previously the New Year. by the Serious Offences Williams, a resident of Court, for a similar Sandy Bay, was offence. sentenced to nine months Burnett declared that in prison on Monday for the bond had to be entering Lawrence’s activated because he home on December 25, committed a recent 2020, and stealing a burglary while that bond Samsung cellular phone was still in effect. valued at $1,084. After imposing the Williams, who was nine-month sentence for unrepresented, had the recent offence, pleaded guilty when he Burnett told the appeared at the defendant that both Kingstown Magistrate’s sentences will run Court on Monday. He consecutively if the bond indicated that he was a money was not paid. minibus conductor. In relation to the Before imposing the

recent burglary, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel had told the Court earlier that around 11:40pm on Christmas Day, Lawrence retired to bed, leaving her bedroom window open, and the phone at her bedhead. When she woke the following morning, she discovered that the phone was missing. Lawrence inquired of others in the house if they had seen the phone, and they said no. Lawrence, however, suspected Williams whom she knew. She went to work and during the course of the day she saw Williams, but he moved off the scene quickly when he recognized the woman’s presence.

Lawrence made a report to the police, and Williams was arrested. When cautioned and questioned, he admitted that he went to the woman’s home, pushed his hand through the open window and took the phone. He then took it to someone in Georgetown to have it swiped. The phone was recovered, but not in working condition. “It is not even six months and you are back,” the Senior Magistrate told the defendant who made no reply. “The lady was in her house. The window was opened, and you went to her house, stole her phone, and took it to the

SENIOR MAGISTRATE Rickie Burnett had to enter a not guilty plea

stolen goods. The Magistrate’s decision was based on

the youngster’s explanation. Quashie has been charged with having a Samsung cellular phone, knowing or believing that it was stolen or unlawfully obtained. He was unrepresented. The phone, valued at $1,084, the property of Nadia Lawrence of Colonarie, was stolen from her home on Christmas day, while she was asleep. When Quashie appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, in relation to the phone. However, after hearing Quashie’s explanation, the Magistrate concluded that it would be in the interest of justice to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf and go to trial. Quashie was then granted $1,000 bail with one surety. The matter was adjourned to January 11, 2021, and transferred to the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. Earlier on Monday, Shaffique Williams, 26, of Sandy Bay, was sentenced to nine months in prison after pleading guilty to burglarizing Lawrence’s home and stealing the phone.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

swiped. That’s what you all do. You want to make sure that it is not traced,” Burnett contended. “I am of the view that to change you, I have to send you to a place to reflect. “The phone was recovered, but not working. That’s aggravating as well,” he added. Two lawyers at the Bar Table, when asked by the Magistrate for an input, showed no support for the burglar. Attorney Michael Wyllie told the Court that people now are afraid to plant or rear animals because of

thieves. He said that he too reared livestock and suffered at the hands of thieves. Attorney Paula David said, “I can’t count the times my house and office was burglarized. I am not begging for any burglars.”

ÂBinoÊ finds Not guilty plea entered for youth surety after all for 19-year-old Darrick Quashie of Georgetown, on a charge of handling

DESPITE his request last Tuesday for the Court to grant him his own bail on a theft charge, ‘Bino’ King had to find a surety to be released, and he did. King, originally from Sion Hill but has, in recent years, carved out a way of life on the streets of Kingstown. In his most rcent brush with the law, he has been charged with the theft of a Jansport knapsack (book bag) valued at $150, containing a Samsung S9 galaxy cellular phone, valued at $2,500, and a black waist purse, valued at $40. The items were reportedly stolen from a chefKenton James at Grenville Street, Kingstown, on December 16. After pleading not guilty to the charge, at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, King requested his own bail stating, “I am easy to find. I am always around town.” He also told the Court that he had kept out of trouble for the last five years. King’s request for bail on his own recognizance was not granted, and bail was set in the sum of $2,000 with one surety. “I don’t have nobody to bail me,” he told Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett, and as he left the dock, seemingly wanting to have the matter disposed of by changing his plea to guilty, he asked, “I could change my plea?” It was not clear whether the Magistrate heard him for he did not respond, and the Court was adjourned shortly after. Following the adjournment, King, who displayed a bandaged foot, told this reporter that he was ill, and was not fit to go to prison. He said he knew someone at the nearby George Mc Intosh Market who would bail him. However, when someone made checks there, that person had already left. King was then escorted from the Court room by a police officer, but returned within minutes, accompanied by a police officer and a surety, and King was released on bail after the necessary paper work was done. He returns to Court on February 10, 2021 for trial.

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 5.

Diaspora

NY-Vincy physicians support COVID-19 vaccine

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT IN LIGHT OF FEAR, reluctance or hesitance among many in the global community, including the Vincentian community, about taking the COVID-19 vaccine, three Vincentian physicians in the United States are urging nationals to embrace the vaccine, saying it’s the best thing to do amid the pandemic. In separate and exclusive interviews with THE VINCENTIAN, Drs. Desmond Browne, Kenneth “Kenny” Williams and Clifford Young, said the vaccine is the best tool now being made available to tackle the deadly virus.

Jump at the opportunity “Everything you do in life is risk versus benefit,” said Dr. Browne, an Arnos Vale native and family practice physician in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. “There are people with medical conditions and people without medical conditions, and they test positive for the COVID-19 antibodies, and they didn’t know they had the virus. “When you look at the risk, outside of the vaccine, we really didn’t have a tool to treat this disease,” added Dr. Browne, also a staff attending physician at three Brooklyn hospitals — Brooklyn Presbyterian Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn Hospital, and State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn. “We really didn’t get a straightforward cure for it. “We (should) take the vaccine, because of the risk of terrible death,” continued Dr. Browne, noting that over 300,000 people in the United States also have died after contracting the COVID19 virus. “It’s really apples and oranges here. “We should jump at the opportunity to take the vaccine,” said Dr. Browne, disclosing that he’ll be taking the vaccine this week. “Absolutely, I’m in favor of Caribbean and Vincentian nationals taking the vaccine.”

Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Williams taking the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 17 at McAllen Medical Center, McAllen, Texas. I took. So far, I have tolerated it, with no side effects. “The vaccine offers protection against contracting the virus,” he added. “It’s like any other vaccine in that respect. If you never contract the virus, you can’t spread it. “Vaccination, therefore, limits or significantly curtails the spread of the disease so we could go back to normal life,” Dr. Williams continued. “Caribbean economies would benefit from normalcy.”

Don’t fear the vaccine

Dr. Young — an attending physician at Woodhull Medical Center in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital in Central Brooklyn, in the heart of the Caribbean community in Brooklyn — said that, while “Black people in this country (US) are fearful of this vaccine, this vaccine is safe. “I look at the data, and the vaccine is safe,” stressed the Calliaqua native. “Caribbean people and Blacks should take the vaccine. “We have the most morbidity and The vaccine is deemed safe mortality; so, we should take it (vaccine),” said Dr. Young, who also has Dr. Williams, an anesthesiologist at a private medical practice in the Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Canarsie section of Brooklyn. “We suffer Edinburg, South Texas, said he did not the most, we’re are an ‘at-risk hesitate to take the first dose of the population’, and we should be at the vaccine on Dec. 17 — his second does is head of the line.” due on Jan. 4 — “based on information He disclosed that his brother, James we (medical practitioners) were given, Young, a radiographer at the expansive safety and everything else (94-95 Kings County Hospital in Central percent efficacy). Brooklyn, took the vaccine last week. “Because I deal with patients every “Should we be fearful of the vaccine? time, I decided to get myself more protection sooner rather than later,” said And the answer is ‘no’”, Dr. Young said. “When my turn comes, I’ll take it.” Dr. Williams, a Biabou native, who obtained his doctor of medicine (MD) First vaccine degree from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1992 and, subsequently, The Atlanta-based US Centers for completed residency in anesthesiology at Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the University of Texas Health Science said it has authorized and recommended Center in Houston. In August 2019, Dr. Williams said he two vaccines to prevent COVID-19: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and completed an MBA from the University Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. On Dec. 14, a Jamaican-born nurse, “Caribbean and Vincentian nationals Sandra Lindsay, 52, an Intensive Care are no different from anyone else,” said Unit (ICU) registered nurse at Long Dr. Williams, urging them to take the Island Jewish Medical Center in COVID-19 vaccine. “The vaccine is Queens, New York, created history by deemed safe, based on scientific principles. The Pfizer vaccine is the one becoming the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

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6. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 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

From 2020 to 2021 WHO CAN DENY that 2020 was a year during which Vincentians held their collective breaths? What looked like a potentially great year of ‘increased economic activity’ as promised by government, and an eagerly anticipated general election many felt by December, was thrown into a whirlpool when a new coronavirus breathed a debilitating blow on the world, and threw up challenges that very few had ever experienced. What was initially a ‘mysterious illness’ confined to Wuhan, China, morphed into a global pandemic (COVID-19), that inflicted an unbelievable death rate not before experienced in modern times, and impacted our personal and professional lives. For having been spared (to date) the extreme consequence of death by the coronavirus, we must give thanks, inclusive of thanking those who controlled the movement of people into our shores — primarily the international and regional airlines - who put an immediate halt to flights into this country, and handed us the best gift we could have asked for in the circumstance, i.e. decreasing to naught our need to respond to any mass inward movement of people from ‘infected zones’. We had no need to ‘lockdown’; it was effectively done for us, making it easier for us to control our own situation, which meant devising and implementing our own stimulus package, albeit with a heavy dose of outside help. But the economic crisis spawned by this pandemic did not escape us. Trade was affected by crises in our overseas markets, and in order to starve off a commercial meltdown within our own boundaries, we had to ensure that those affected financially were assisted with the means to keep their heads above the water line which, in essence, meant up keeping the local mercantile community and maintaining some level of economic activity. The situation called for a spirit of ‘all hands on deck’, putting country before self, and it was this prevailing attitude that created an ideal foundation — stimulus package and all - on which to call a general election, the second most telling event in our 2020 calendar. The campaign that characterized the lead-up to the Nov. 05 general election would set asunder any semblance of harmony necessary to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, the political tribalism that had come to identify us and dictate our very being but which we were prepared, it seemed, to set aside so as to present a united front against COVID-19, raised its head and reset the national agenda. To some observers, the political campaign and actual election combined to be another laughable if not despicable chapter in our political history. That many had misread the prevailing atmosphere as one that demanded ‘a change’, was supported by a result that returned the incumbents with an increased majority (two) of seats in our unicameral parliament. And as we draw closer to the end of 2020, we are right (back) where we were for the better part of the year: the same party in government amidst a prevailing (but now worsening) COVID-19 situation. There will be much talk of hotel development and how much that would mean for employment in 2021, even as we struggle to satisfy the current demand for skilled labour. All of this and other government fiscal/financial plans will be informed by the need to adjust to suit the coronavirus crises that will extend well into 2021. The point, going forward, is how much and for how long can we ride on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic? Most people hope they’ll never experience another year like 2020 that will be locked in the annals of history as one of the worst years ever. Who is brave enough to tell them otherwise?

Letter by Ralph Gonsalves (alias Albert Mc Kenzie) Cross Country Weekly, July 1st 2000

While it is fair to assess the leadership potential of Dr. Gonsalves, Dr. John should “THE EDITOR, also seriously examine the record of the NDP We are in a new century and by definition, our and see whether it deserves a conditional pass approach to politics must change. It therefore, or a dismissal F on its report card. It is clear cannot be business as usual. The electorate is from recent events that we need a new more educated, politically conscious and direction, a new tempo, a new vision. I know sensitive. Citizens and voters now have that Dr. John poses as a weaver of words and greater expectations of leaders than they did a is schooled in sleight-of-hand techniques, but, generation ago. say what you like, the NDP has lost the love The times in which we live demand that we of the people, as recent events show. No focus on the issues, not on manufactured wonder the country is now on automatic pilot. hysteria and scaremongering. Politicians must be balanced; so too analysts, commentators Jerry George and other opinion leaders. Over the past few weeks, there has been a Journalist Jerry George is another of Dr. series of staged attacks on the leadership of Gonsalves’ confirmed and recognised political the ULP, most of them targeting its leader, executioners who loses no opportunity to make Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, portraying him as a ULP issue into a headline. I do not subscribe leprous and fearsome. This smacks of the to the view that George is suffering from a politics of the 50s, 60s and 70s. This serious inferiority complex due to his lack of characterization is not only unfair but unjust. training in journalism, and feels that he must While it is true that he cannot lay claim to overcompensate by scoring points at all cost, sainthood, none of us can, we all have sinned so that he can prove that he is not stupid. and come short of glory. Frankly speaking, George is nobody’s fool, In their unfounded criticism of him, some it is just that he comes across as an NDP are motivated by jealousy. Why should anyone fanatic and rabidly anti-Ralph! Come on get at Dr. Gonsalves because of his delectable George, use your Christian teaching and be charm, brilliance, ‘folksyness’ and the fair. If Dr. Gonsalves deserves praise, please opportunity now afforded him to hold high give it to him, if he deserves criticism, do it political office? This charismatic personality has endeared himself to every one of all class constructively and stop spreading fear and alarm from your poisoned and biased pen... and creed. The few architects of the “Destroy Ralph Politics should not be regarded as a blood Campaign” behave as though the ULP was in sport where the “dismemberment” and power for the past 16 years and is responsible “demolition” of our fellowmen become an for this country being a patient at the General occasion for rejoicing rather than concern. Hospital in critical condition. This is going too far. The movement against Dr. Gonsalves is The recent merciless “cutlass attacks” and “public lynching” of Dr. Gonsalves by Dr. John beginning to look uncanny. Ralph is the cause and others of his ilk, have shocked reasonable of this! Ralph is the cause of that! GOSH! persons. “It is not fair,” is the resounding cry. What else would they do or say.” Dr. John’s unhealthy obsession with this My Take On The Letter (potentially) future Prime Minister, if continued unabated, will make him (Dr. John) As I noted, it is Ralph in print, vintage ill again. God forbid, nobody wants this. Dr. John will go to any length (within the law) to Gonsalves particularly in its self-praise and narcissism. Its penultimate paragraph now ensure that Gonsalves does not enter the applies. Ralph has been in power for the past political kingdom. Why such a frenzy? As an analyst, Dr. John is considered to be 15 years; his hour upon the stage has been unidimensional in his approach to Vincentian good in a few instances but otherwise pockmarked by one-manism, corruption, abuse and politics. As far as he is concerned Prime greed. Minister Mitchell is a philosopher-king, from Jerry George, a fellow-target of Ralph’s, has whom all goodness flows and the leader of the grown by leaps and bounds and can certainly opposition, Ralph, is a demon to be vilified, mount a defence of his own turf, if it were at week after week, month after month, using all necessary. scare tactics like communist bogey, among Incidentally, I would be grateful if Ralph others. The fact of the matter is that communism is dead and ideologically the East can refer to any article of mine that could be described as “cutlass attacks” or “public is now West. Presently the leader of the free lynching” of him. world, President Clinton, is now in Moscow. All one is tuned into these days is an Our own Sir James warmly embraced Fidel infinity of barren words that beat a tattoo of a Castro a few years ago and boasted about it swan-song of coming defeat. for all to hear.

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The caring Bureaucracy: Killing ones simple progress ALTHOUGH she was not their biological child, she grew up with the two old folks and cared for them with as much love and tenderness as any good child would. When the old folks died, relatives showed up from every part of the world and dispossessed her of everything. Does the ‘unadopted’ child have any rights? Does any law on the books make provision for them? We heard of the rights of a common law spouse, but does anyone care about these common law children? The Prodigal Son, having squandered his inheritance, returned home desiring the place of a servant but was forgiven and his rights were restored. The Bible does say that a faithful servant can gain inheritance equal to that of a son. Favour was being shown to Mary and her unborn son Jesus, when Joseph sought to avoid shame by putting them away quietly. Recently, a daughter sought to dispossess a trusted servant of her blessing gained by caregiving. She was not successful because legal arrangements were properly done transferring the assets to the servant. In the majority of cases however, Caregivers are left high and dry. In many cases their Social Security was not paid with the effect that Caregivers do not gain their just benefit when they retire and are then in need of care themselves. How does the National Insurance Services deal with delinquent employers? In the administration of estates, is any effort made to ensure that Caregivers pension funds are covered?

writing a receipt by hand in triplicate, then enter the same information into the computer and await a manual approval by a supervisor. It was mind blowing!! Another surprising and disappointing reality check was the fact that in one office, we had no way of accommodating someone in a wheelchair. In less than three minutes, I heard that “poor woman” apologize at least five times for just wanting to be herself and conduct a simple business transaction. We cannot allow ourselves to come this far to come only that far. The number of times in one week I was told, “I only work here” or “I am only following the rule”, was disappointing. Let me now say this attitude is not limited to SVG but nonetheless it still is disappointing.

In today’s environment we must allow our people to understand the principles and processes to be implemented in order to succeed; we must empower our employees to evolve and grow. We cannot continue the practice of making line level employees feel powerless by continuing to allow superiors to override the principles we ask them to uphold. If all it takes people are not machines, to get routine and a top down administrative functions bureaucratic complete is to know management style whom the supervisor is supported by an and invoke his/her name, organizational leadership we will continue this philosophy of the boss is heighten level of always right, is one sure stagnation. way to continue the When discussing my current level of frustration with these stagnation. systems of patronage, While we disagreed on over a Hairoun beer, I who or what is the said, “I know the feeling. reason for our current Anthony Stewart, PhD I am not asking for state of affairs, we all anything special, all I agreed that in order for want is the orientation our people to grow into package.” Well, this the transformational sparked a big debate, workers we need for the with a few of the guys on 21st century, AS I WRITE this, 2020 is biggest challenge that the Lord will never ABUSE. Efforts must be the block articulating the management needs to set disappointing position made by everyone to almost at an end. And as worldwide. leave us nor forsake us. standards for the that I was getting the workers, hold them stamp out these evils. we reflect on all that has The Lord’s He has been true to His orientation package, and accountable and get out As a people let us unite transpired, we will agree faithfulness was seen in promise as he always I better get used to it. of the way. in our fight against these that it has been a brining many of us safely does. After a few hours and challenging year, with through it. In Matthew As we look forward to hideous crimes of more than a few more INCEST, CHILD ABUSE beers, we agreed that our Horatio, SVG the Covid-19 being the 28:20, we are promised 2021, if it be the Lord’s will, we are hoping for a and not forgetting HOMICIDE. The effects better year. We know that the Covid-19 is here of these crimes are long and will stay with us for lasting and for some it is some time. Nevertheless, a lifetime. Let me take this we would continue to opportunity, through this trust the Lord’s medium, to first of all faithfulness to carry us IN MEMORY of Dr. Bertram Stephens, thank the Lord for through, whatever affectionately known as “Chic”: The passing of “Chic” Stephens was very sad, but granting me the strength challenges we would and courage to be able to his great legacy will live on endlessly. He will be face. greatly missed. write with the frequency As we reflect, we “Chic” was honest, helpful, kind, and had a great I have done. A special recognize that the Lord thanks to the Editors for love for fairness and humanity. His integrity is was not given the unquestionable. He was a great icon, hardworking number one place in our allowing me the and inspirational, and a great role model for lives and homes. It is my opportunity to write in Vincentians. your papers, and for the prayer that He will I remember serving with him as an altar boy at many readers who look become the number one Calliaqua Anglican Church, and also participated forward each week to my with him in Scout activities. For a while he thought person in our lives and me at Secondary School. I remember clearly the writings. Many thanks. homes, for without Him I take this opportunity death of his younger brother Vibert, who at the it would be hard to time was a brilliant student destined to do great to wish everyone a survive. things. blessed Christmas and a As we look ahead let “Chic”, it seems, took up that mantle and with prosperous New Year. I us as a nation turn our his hard work and perseverance, worked his way look forward to continue hearts towards Christ. through college and became a medical doctor in the serving you in this Let us love and forgive USA. each other. It is my hope capacity. May the Lord “Chic” Stephens was a sincere Christian. He died continue to bless this and prayer that crime in Christ, and may he find eternal peace. nation? would decrease. We “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, know there has been far and exalted them of lower degree,” (St. Luke 1:52). Kennard King too much instances of Clinton McCree, UK INCEST and CHILD MANAGEMENT and Operations in this country are sadly in a state of illhealthy, and no amount of generic treatment with modern tools like computers or social media, will fix our problems. In fact, the application of these modern tools to our daily operations results in a hit-or-miss chance of generating benefits to the average citizens’ daily lives. Unfortunately, when it works it creates an explanation/impression that we have arrived and a similar level of service can be expected everywhere. Sadly, this has not been my experience to date. My recent visits to a number of government and commercial establishments reminded me how much further we still have to go. I was surprised to see a clerk

Reflecting, looking ahead and thanks

Brilliant student passes

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8. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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Reflections on 2020: Triumph amidst challenges Introduction THE YEAR 2020 has undoubtedly been the most challenging year this country has experienced in a very long time. Indeed, the entire globe continues to bemoan the cruelty of a year that seemed to have very little mercy on humankind. As it draws to a close, many may feel a sense of relief in the thought that 2020 will be finally behind, looking forward with tempered expectations to 2021. Truth be told, the symbolism of “2020” ignited much positivity as citizens looked forward to this year, that seemed to offer so much promise through unlimited opportunities that would present themselves. What occurred, however, was nothing close to expectations as the year offered up one major challenge after another, testing the resolve of our Vincentian society, while demanding every bit of creativity and innovation present in the leadership of this country. While there can be no denying the challenging nature of 2020, our resilience and determination, in combination with wise and experience leadership, ensured that this country rose to the occasion and faced every challenge head on as we endeavoured to triumph over adversity.

Challenges of 2020 SVG welcomed 2020 coming off a very successful Christmas season, to the point where it had almost gone unnoticed that this country had seen very little rainfall within recent weeks and with the weather outlook not being very promising regarding immediate future rainfall. It turned out that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was about to experience the worst drought in decades that would adversely impact agriculture,

domestic water supply on the mainland and the Grenadine islands, basically life as we know it. As if that wasn’t enough, by February 2020, The WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic and soon enough the first case made its way to SVG, through a Vincentian national returning from the United Kingdom. The impact of the pandemic was felt worldwide and SVG wasn’t spared, hundreds of individuals in the tourism industry lost their jobs as the industry came to a virtual halt. The closure of borders of neighbouring countries as well as the suspension of flights from every continent, as countries grappled with increased infection rates and deaths, dealt a significant blow to commerce. The world economy was under siege. As the government did its best to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing local transmission or even serious illness that required hospitalisation, this country experienced a dengue outbreak that affected hundreds of Vincentians, with tragedy striking some families who lost loved-ones to this illness. This was truly an excellent example of the cliché “when it rains, it pours”, as the challenges refused to relent. Drought, followed by a global pandemic, compounded by a dengue outbreak, all dealing a heavy blow on health, economics, security and social life in this country.

Moments of triumph Amidst all of the challenges, this country with the experienced and wise leadership of the ULP government, was able to manage the situation locally, while at the same time showing great leadership regionally

By November 2020, Saint Vincent and that Grenadines had as of January 1, 2020 began its 2-year stint and internationally. The impacts of the of the United Nations Security Council, assumed the role of President drought on citizens and agriculture of the Council. The smallest country were lessened as the CWSA, used a ever to secure a seat on the UNSC, number of methods including waterwas now as the same time serving as rationing on the mainland and transporting water to the Grenadines. chair of the regional grouping while presiding over the most powerful The Ministry of Agriculture assisted decision-making body in the world. farmers of livestock with water and Prime Minister Gonsalves chaired a provided inputs for farms. number of sessions of the Council, The government through the providing moments of unbridled pride Ministry of Health established for all Vincentians, as we provided protocols, and with partnership from leadership to very important bodies, Cuba and Venezuela that provided during some of the world’s most medical personnel and testing equipment strengthened our response difficult time. to this pandemic. To this date, there Conclusion has been just one patient admitted to the isolation facility, but there has It is truly remarkable that a small been no Covid-19 related death country like ours could have performed recorded. The wisdom of this the way we did during a year of such government to not close borders, lock challenges. The other countries in the down nor institute a state of region and indeed the world closed up, emergency, allowed for economic too overwhelmed by the challenges activity to continue, making SVG the they were facing to look outwards. For country in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union with the lowest loss in us here in SVG, we can look back on 2020 and be proud of our nation, proud revenue over the period. of the leadership of the ULP In July of 2020, this country government, as we turned trials into assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community, a position that triumph, providing regional and global allowed the experience of this country leadership even as we managed the during the time of the pandemic to be challenges facing this country with such success that ours can be a best shared. During this country’s practice scenario. This year 2020 has chairmanship, the experienced reinforced our resilience as a people, leadership of Prime Minister Gonsalves played a key role in the way but most importantly, it reminds us of the importance of choosing the right the region responded to this leaders, as the narrative would have pandemic. This country took its been totally different had the ULP not responsibility as chairman seriously been in office. Because of strong and made sure meetings were convened virtually, and Dr Gonsalves leadership, we can all look back with pride of the triumphs achieved in who received a number of requests both in his capacity as Prime Minister 2020. Let’s go forward to 2021 with a of SVG and Chair of CARICOM, made renewed sense of purpose and firm determination that together we can lift himself available, providing the SVG higher. Happy New Year! regional leadership he is well known and respected for.

Fish is an important economic variable ACCORDING to retired British Royal Air Force Engineer Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, who spent three years full-time at Oxford Brookes University, England, reading for his BSc (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance and Economics, fish is a very important economic variable to drive long-term financial growth in the SVG economy. SVG is one of a small number of countries that has the right to fish for tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. However, the financially incompetent ULP Regime has wrongly farmed out that golden cash cow to Taiwan, and Taiwan does not pay fish tax, which can amount to billions of dollars, to the SVG Treasury. By using our tuna fishing licence ourselves, we could create a billiondollar fishing and canning Industry. This would guarantee a very high and regular rate of return on the money

invested to set up this industry. Also, a fish Industry would create thousands of new jobs and bring long-term strength to the SVG economy, as well as enable SVG to export fish and create a cash Cow for the SVG Treasury. During the BREXIT trade negotiations towards a new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, fish was a crucial variable in those negotiations. Fish is a multi-billiondollar industry and creates mass employment and important revenue to the UK and the EU. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, fishing was very important to the UK economy in 2019. In 2019, British vessels caught 502,000 tonnes of fish, worth around £850m, inside UK waters. By June 2026, it’s estimated that UK boats will have access to an extra £145m of

fishing quota every year. As in Zanzibar, a new tuna fishing and canning industry in SVG would create thousands of new jobs in secondary local industries such as icemaking plants, cold-storage services, boat-building yards, workshops to make fishing nets, and engine repair and maintenance workshops. The ULP Regime built a $1.5 billion dollar airport and put vast amounts of money and other resources into tourism. This is a very big mistake; tourism could never bring prosperity to SVG. Neither the ULP Regime nor the NDP Regime is capable of creating an economy that is driven by a billiondollar fish industry. Substantial positive changes have to be made in 2021 or else the socioeconomic situation in SVG could break down further, with very serious negative consequences. Taiwan creams off billions of dollars from SVG’s deep sea fish licence. SVG

would be much better off replacing Taiwan with the cheap technology and ships necessary to do deep sea fishing on our own licence. This would create many jobs in the deep sea fishing industry and hundreds more jobs in SVG in the factories needed to process and can the fish. A Green Government would create a tuna fishing industry and fish processing for export. Fish will be affordable for all families. A multibillion-dollar fish industry will play a pivotal part in promoting good health, creating thousands of new jobs, and bringing prosperity for all in SVG. We have a very weak opposition, an incompetent government and that’s why we have a very weak economy.

V Developing a Personal Strategy:

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 9.

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2021 and Beyond

‘I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.’ Socrates ‘When the world goes mad, those who resist are denounced as lunatics.’ British journalist, George Monbiot.

“Don’t be average. Good enough isn’t good enough if it can be better. And better isn’t good enough if it can be best.” - Dr. Rick Rigsby – President and CEO of Rick Rigsby Communications, USA. IT IS COMMON (and a very good practice) to use the latter part of the closing year and/or the early part of the New Year to engage in some personal strategic planning. There is wisdom in pausing to see where we are, where we need to get to, and formulate plans to accomplish our noble goals. The introspection that is required can play a critical role in influencing the level of success that we eventually achieve. And while there are some who will advocate that New Year resolutions have little or no value, this writer advocates that modern research confirms that those individuals who engage in setting goals tend to accomplish much more than those who do not. Such planning engagements can significantly enhance the development in multiple aspects of our lives. The concept of Action Learning that was developed by Professor Reginald (Reg) Revans in the 1950s is now widely used by many individuals and in many firms, public sector departments, and non-government organisations. Companies such as IBM, Xerox, and Motorola (to mention a few) have used various aspects of the Action Learning programme to enhance their efficiency. Many of the employees in these firms testify of the personal and corporate value of engaging in critical selfanalysis; reviewing their personal, department, and organisation circumstances; designing plans that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART); and ensuring that these are implemented even as they regularly monitor/review performances. This simple but logical approach has enabled many to observe significant progress. There is value in planning for improvement. There is value in making the time to engage in activities that have the potential to enhance our personal and corporate development. How much progression are we planning for this year … and beyond? While this may initially appear to be a “strange” question it will be valuable for each of us to seek to respond to it before reading any further. There is value in conducting such an exercise. What physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and educational advancement would we like to see during the next twelve months (and beyond)? What skills can we learn? We (you and I) have so much potential; so many untapped and/or under-utilised skills and abilities. Imagine what our lives would look like if we dedicated a little more time to enhancing some of these. Several of these would have the potential to generate added income. However, even in the instances where income is not created, we become bigger and better whenever we utilise more of our Godgiven talents and abilities. Each skill that is gainfully engaged aids our development and generates a sense of accomplishment. While some readers may conclude that a structured approach to personal development is unattractive, we highlight the danger of designing a life that is depicted by “floating with the tide”. Good planners know the value of setting goals. Some may even advise

Demands of the times

that “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. Some individuals may seem uncomfortable with such organised structures but they do help to hold us accountable. The milestones can also help to pace our steps. The absence of these moorings can be disastrous. While a student at the St. Martin’s Boys Secondary School, our esteemed mathematics teacher, Brother Francis, reminded us that “Any dead fish can float downstream”. He would regularly use that statement to encourage us to develop the discipline and determination to focus on what was noble — and to pursue those goals with vigour. This was especially valuable when obstacles existed. We need to have a plan, and develop the discipline to pursue that plan … even against great odds. Failure to do so could very well make us prone to regression and possible catastrophe. As we put our plans in place for a productive year, we must consider that many of these may be fraught with complications. We must expect obstacles and detours. We would be so very naive to assume that it will be “smooth sailing”. William Blake (17571827), the English poet and artist, reminds us that, “Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.” We should therefore not think it strange when hindrances emerge. Among other things, these will test our resolve. Our determination and strength of character will shine through. We will plan our work and work our plan! We will make every effort to pursue our noble dreams. We will do so with gusto! So, let us start from where we are. We know where we want to go. We have some indication of what needs to be done to get there. We visualise the “new and improved me”. The weightloss programme (or weight-gain in some instances) is possible. We can learn or improve that new skill. We can commence that course of study that we previously assumed was beyond our academic or financial reach. We can form that new company. We can market that new product or service. It is feasible to improve that relationship within our home, neighbourhood, workplace, or church. We can afford to take that family vacation if we planned our time and/or budget a little better this year. Whatever the goals that we set, we can make progress with an enhanced focus and determination. We will not be side-tracked. We will not entertain the detractors. We set sail ... to discover a new land. We see beyond the horizon and embrace that new and improved me. This time next year, we will look back and see that we have developed. So, we approach the New Year with confidence. We anticipate challenges but know that, with God’s help, we can make the impossible possible. We commit to the process. We know that progression is possible! Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

THE YEAR that was blindsided all of us. We started with promise and ended in the gloom. One thing is certain; the world we live in will never be the same again. Call us conspiracy theorist if you wish, but there is no credible evidence to convince any reasoned, fearless mind that the death and the fearmongering that pervades the world are not part of a grand design to reorder planet earth to benefit the rich, powerful and privileged over the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged. The great reset is upon. The Coronavirus pandemic is a cynical dress rehearsal for something more defining, distinctive and definitive than anything we have seen or experienced. If you are in doubt, think Ebola, Anthrax, West Nile Virus, SARS, Bird Flu, Chikungunya and Zika. The dice are being rolled. Blind eye Massa cyar see; who eh catch eh kill. Some argue that the earth with 7 billion people is overpopulated. They say a billion is ideal. The earth can easily accommodate more people if we end the disconnect between the social manner in which goods and services are produced, and the private, individualized nature in which they are hoarded and or distributed. We don’t produce an insufficient quantity of food. The problem is food, and other necessities are distributed primarily with the motive to make a profit. Before the coronavirus, the World Health Organization looked for a 5 percent lethality rate before it declared a pandemic. No country on earth has climbed to that percentage, yet by April, all of the major capitals were locked down, vehicle and air travel all but ended, and millions of people were thrown out of work. There is no prospect for a recovery in sight. In fact, as the year closed, there is much hype of a second coronavirus wave with pronouncements of more death and suffering. In the parliamentary debate last Monday, PM Gonsalves predicted more difficult times ahead as the legislators passed a bill to borrow more than $100 million. The foregoing narrative is not intended to say that what we have witnessed over the last 9 months is not alarming, but put in the proper contexts we get a different perspective: Currently, 850 million people go hungry and are undernourished. That’s a staggering 1 in every 7 persons on earth. Seven million died of hungry in 2020; one million people died of AIDS last year and 40 million people live with the disease; 4.2 million people died of Diabetes and Diabetes-related illnesses in 2020; 500,000 died from malaria; 4 million from hypertension and 5.5 million died across the world from cancer. We rarely hear about these damning statistics; we need to ask why? Part of the reason why most of these diseases don’t make the daily headlines on BBC, CNN, NBC, ABC, Reuters, New York Times in the major media markets is that those most affected and dying come from the global south, mainly Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. We have to hold our nerves and interrogate powers and principalities. Why are questions about the negative side effects of medication produced by multinational pharmaceuticals companies dismissed by powerful

people? Ask a question, and you are declared a conspiracy theorist. The label is tarred with the same negative connotation as politically correct, fake news and alternative facts. It is a truism that we are entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. However, in the last 30 years pharmaceutical companies have recalled Zantac marketed as a cure for acid reflux, but caused stomach cancer, Valsartan, Losartan and Irbesartan, offered as blood pressure medication which was proven to cause cancer, Accutane sold as an acne treatment caused inflammatory bowel disease, miscarriage and premature births and suicidal tendencies, Vioxx marketed as a pain reliever caused deaths and debilitating strokes, Raptiva said to be a cure for Psoriasis caused users to suffer from brain infections and death, Darvocet and Darvon, supposed pain reliever caused a rapid increase in the heart rhythm of users while Lipabay said to aid with pain relief, was pulled from pharmacies after 52 users died suddenly. For decades the tobacco companies hid the fact that there was a direct causal link between cigarette smoking and cancer. They criminally marketed cigarettes to women under the motif ‘you have come a long way, baby.’ Why must we trust big pharmaceutical companies with our health? Their devilish drive to maximize profits has demonstrated a callous disregard for health and healthy living. Why should we lower our guard as it relates to the agenda of those intent on pushing their vaccines and other medicines, thus making them billions? Why are the pain and suffering caused by some vaccines and other medicines dismissed with total disregard for those who suffer side effects? In her classic work ‘Deadly Monopolies’, Harriet Washington, the Harvard medical researcher, argued that a growing corporate presence in the medical industry yielded dire consequences for patients, as drug development and research is initiated on a for-profit basis. The industry’s fiscal motivations include the reported versus the actual cost of bringing a new drug to market, and the damning indictment that the monetary value of gifts given by corporate drug manufacturers to physicians in 2000 was $6 billion. Washington also said the restricted nature of medical patents suppresses research. Even more, the reason why informed consent should be of paramount importance. Sadly, all too often queries are shunted aside. Doctors who research and find problems with vaccines and other medicines are blacklisted and dismissed from their jobs while other researchers are pressured into silence. In conclusion, we approvingly quote Randall Robinson; “We have more information but less knowledge. More communication but less community. More goods but less goodwill. More of virtually everything save that which the human spirit requires. So distracted have we become sating this new need or that material appetite, we hardly noticed the departure of happiness.” The New Year demands that we become more discerning; otherwise, we will swallow hook, line and sinker everything offered up to us only to later find out that we have voluntarily checked into a prison out of which there is no escape. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

V Steel Expressions 2020: Beyond expectations 10. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Arts/Entertainment

STEEL EXPRESSIONS 2020, the ninth edition, was held for the first time at Victoria Park last Saturday, Boxing Night, and according to Rodney Small founder and director of RS Productions – the show’s producer/promoter - the event went beyond expectations. Faced with the challenges of a new venue and its acoustic nuances, Small disclosed that a great deal of effort was put into the production, in order to ensure that it maintained its high standard. “It was really challenging, as you know Victoria Park … when you hear Victoria Park, you hear Carnival and the event (Steel Expressions) has

Shallow, on her 36th birthday day, paying tribute in song to the late Aretha Franklin.

in the last five years. This was occasioned by the travel restrictions and health protocols linked to the coronavirus (COVID‘Lifted’ was local 19) Hance John This year’s affair, dubbed ‘LIFTED”, pandemic. was strictly local as the show featured This, no overseas guest acts, as was the case according to Small, did not diminish the affair since the local acts displayed the same level of professionalism. “The mission here was to come out and create some musical upliftment … a moment when persons can stop thinking about the stress of life and come to enjoy an evening of great music of local artistes. Everything that was set here tonight was done by Vincentians… . A lot of thought went into the whole set up and I am grateful that persons enjoyed and we were able to pull it off...I am satisfied we met the expectations and anticipation of the patrons, ” Small said. Small, once again, was the main act with his mastery of the tenor pan, and the show was segmented by the performances by the Youth Ambassadors - who included dancer Lil JJ, Ahjea Jackson, Kyron Westfield, Abeni Richards, Havlyn Gill, along with the duet of Caywama and Caydonna. Among the adult performers were Brent Williams, Aretha Shallow, Hance John and Skinny Fabulous. With his eye already set on the next Steel Expressions, Small projected: Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle “Next year, we are coming right back

always attracted a lot of Christians, a lot of family, so our mission was really to see how that ambience that would drive people back to the Park, and I would safely say we have done it,” Small commented soon after curtains came down on last Saturday’s showcase. The venue was transformed into a stunning setting enhanced by complementing backdrops and décor.

Rodney Small, featured artiste, doing one of his many performances. here at the Victoria Park,” adding that the 2021 edition will be called ‘Kingdom’, and will have as its theme the empowerment of women. Toward that end, he noted that the show will highlight mainly female artistes, in an effort to address the noticeable fall off in the number of females coming to the fore in music. Cognizant that the show is held on the last Saturday in the year and that Christmas day falls on the last Saturday of 2021, Small commented, “We are going to look into it and see how we can really structure the concept to that or we have to change.” Part proceeds from last Saturday’s Steel Expressions will go to the World Pediatric Project.

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Eight in a row for Point

Hasley Roberts – the main force behind the design and production of the display.

Steelband in Sion Hill shines brightly

Tillal Webb – a mainstay in the ongoing development of steelband in Sion Hill. Sion Hill Euphonium Juniors performing at the Sion Hill Intersection on Christmas night.

The Nativity Scene - a deviation from the norm. was being adjudged to have had the Best MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR songs, the young people, ages overall placings was Almond Tree recognised early in the New Year Nativity Scene. BAND of the Sion Hill Euphonium ranging from 10 years to 17 years, in Port Elizabeth, Bequia, while when the National Nine Mornings The Village was also first in Steel Orchestra last Friday delighted an appreciative crowd Rose Hall Works was third and Committee hosts its Presentation Zone 4. The other zonal winners evening (Christmas Day) which turned out for the yearly Ceremony. Top Belair Junction fourth. were Rose Hall Works - Zone 1; brightened the organisation’s event. Olivia Da Silva won the Best Lit This year’s National Nine Top Belair Junction- Zone 2; future, as they took the spotlight Applause greeted the Private Home and Top Villa Mornings Festival which ran from A well designed and lit Tourist Ship was a main feature of Point’s presentation. Richland Park Davis’ Square- Zone Christmas Gardens, located at the 16th to 24th December, was held during the orchestra’s annual youngsters at the end of each showcase at the Sion Hill rendition, as those in attendance Hull’s residence, was adjudged the under the theme: ‘Keeping the POINT VILLAGE, referred to simply as The lights and designs were in was hard at times, we felt at times 3; and Almond Tree in Port Elizabeth Bequia took Zone 5. Intersection. lapped up every note that was on Christmas Spirit Alive’. Best Lit Gardens. Point, once again demonstrated that keeping with the theme: like giving up, but persons in the Sitting second to Point in the Playing a variety of Christmas offer. The various winners will be it possesses the winning formula in ‘Christmas in Point Nice - Unite as community would The players’ the Annual VINLEC National Lighting one, Love is the Answer’. encourage us and so we dexterity, enthusiasm Competition, by champing the title Hasely Roberts, the man went along”, Roberts and willingness to give for the eighth straight year. responsible for most of the wire commented. a treat to their Located on the north of the bending that went into making the Members of the National community, did not go Rabacca Dry River, Point has variety of designs on display, noted Nine Mornings Committee unnoticed by Tillal become a household name when it that everything eventually turned also persuaded them to Webb, their arranger. comes to the Christmas and Nine out well for them. remain in the Competition. “I was really by GLORIAH… Mornings festivities, here in St Roberts revealed that Roberts, who also did a impressed with them… Vincent and the Grenadines. preparations got off to a late start lot of the electrical work They really surprised THE 5TH EDITION of the With their usual wide array of and at one juncture, the team that facilitated the lighting, me as they sounded like Botanical Gardens Nine lights and designs, Point would strongly entertained the thought of admitted that the a real senior band,” Nights of Lights has been have scored high on creativity and opting out of this year’s enthusiasm of some Webb said with a broad touted as resounding success. staying current, as displays Competition. youngsters was a boost to smile. Reports from the organizing featured aspects of the topical “Sometimes when the pressure the production. “It is a time that the Committee indicate that there Coronavirus and Dengue Fever. came along, I got discouraged... It “The help from the community look forward was an increase in the youngsters who to, and the young attendance on several of the came on board this players were glad for key nights. This after a year was good as it the opportunity, Calisha Solomon, moderate showing for the was the first time because it is our way of Chairperson of the opening night. in my nine years saying thanks and Organizing Committee, On opening night, 15th with the group, giving back to them,” as pleased that the Nine December, Director of National that we were ready Webb added. Nights of Lights could with all our stuff on Parks, Rivers, Beaches The arranger needed be extended. Commission (NPRBA,) Andrew the night when we little or no prodding to Wilson had expressed his launch,” Roberts the first phase, it was say that the Juniors delight at the splendor of “the said with a tone of agreed that the activity “have been growing… largest lighted area” in the accomplishment in will be extended, i.e. that They are getting better country, and called it “a legacy his voice. The Pond and Doric Temple feature was quite a hit with patrons. the lights will be turned and stronger,” and activity.” He assured that on from Dec. 26 — 30. referenced their recent Chairperson of the his group will not It followed, therefore, that viewpoint: “We decided that it have large gatherings on “So, with the shopping, exposure as helping in Organizing Committee, Mrs. be relenting. “We an extension of the ‘Nine would be good to have the multiple nights and then decorating, cooking, eating this regard. Calisha Solomon attested to will be pulling out Nights’ surfaced for Nine Nights after the extend the activity even taken care of, what else is “They played for our the fulfillment of this when all the stops and consideration. Christmas season so that further, could be a challenge. there to do but bring your Pan Jamboree at she told THE VINCENTIAN, will be going after a In addition to the reviews of persons who came home from However, it was felt that families, bring your blankets Independence in “Persons were impressed with ninth straight title persons who had already abroad for Christmas, may be with a relatively marked and hang out. It is familyOctober,” Webb said, the efforts to provide more in 2021,” he visited, the Committee able to experience the unique compliance with the oriented. Take your strolls, adding that they also lighted areas along the promised. considered those who had not Vincy tradition, even if they coronavirus enjoy all the lights with the got a good break earlier pathways; and this addition To add to Point’s yet done so. arrived in the country late.” guidelines/protocols lovely music in the this month when they was noticed by persons who delight in winning Chairperson Solomon The Committee, according (sanitization, temperature background,” the Chairperson represented the band at are regular visitors to Nine for the eighth explained the Committee’s to Solomon, recognized that to checks, social distancing) in urged. the recent Nine Nights.” A section of the Point Village lighting scene. successive occasion,

Nine Nights...a little longer

Mornings festivities in Kingstown, and acquitted themselves well. Webb noted that the Juniors form the basis from which players will emerge to fill vacancies in the senior band. He recognized the transition that was taking place in the orchestra, especially since the staging of Panorama 2019, when many of the seasoned players drifted off, leaving a void in the numbers available to carry out the few activities.

More Challenges And this year has been a challenging one for the orchestra, Webb conceded, especially with the onset of the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic in March. “It has been very difficult to keep the players together without Panorama, as most players look forward to Panorama, which keep them going,” Webb explained. “Our band, like other bands, look forward to Carnival and to Panorama, because it’s where we make a little money from… We, however, got some of the COVID Relief Funds from the government, but that could not compare with what we normally make from Carnival,” he lamented. And with no real Tourist Season this year, the band’s plight was further exacerbated, Webb said. “We did not get many jobs, as the hotels were either closed or scaled down…., that also impacted on our finances,” Webb disclosed. Webb is hopeful that come 2021 the threats of the pandemic would have diminished, and the Orchestra would be able to fully celebrate its 40th Anniversary, inclusive of being involved in Vincymas 2021. Webb, meanwhile, is this year marking his 30th year of active involvement in the art form.

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14. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

Graduates pose with Mrs. Dularie Malcolm (4th from left front), Project Director of the Mustique Charitable Foundation, which assisted them during their course of study.

KTI Graduation 2020 THE KINGSTOWN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (KTI) held its 2020 Graduation Ceremony on 9 December, 2020, having been postponed from its original date in July, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the postponement and the staging of the event during the period of Advent, together was a blessing, since it turned out to be an historic event in the life of the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) programme. This, as it was the first time that the graduates were being awarded their CVQ certificates. These awards usually take a while to be validated but the Sector Skills Development Agency (the National Training Agency) ensured that the trainees were able to capitalise on this delay and work towards their CVG. The graduation was held at the New Testament Church of God, Wilson Hill, and had as its theme, ‘Our skills, our Bridge’. The Principal, in his remarks, encouraged the graduates to use their recently acquired technical and vocational skills as a bridge to success, joy, peace, humility, hope, community, entrepreneurship and most of all, to Christ. He commended the CVQ instructors for working above and beyond the call of duty into August and one programme into December, to ensure that their trainees completed the CVQ qualification. The instructors were presented with ‘love tokens’ in recognition of their contribution. The Mustique Charitable Foundation received commendation for supporting the trainees with lunches during their period of training. The RSVG Police Force Fire Service was acknowledged for training the cohort in fire safety and fire suppression skills. The Government of Taiwan was praised for providing scholarship for a few trainees during the 2019-2020 school year, whilst the National Qualification Department (NQD) was applauded for their quality assurance supervision during the period. Most outstanding programme awards were presented to: Japhina Joseph (Electrical Installation 1); Temisha Caine (Data Operations 1); Lisanne Mathews (Plumbing 1)l; and Shanniah Clarke (Food Preparation and Cookery 2). Lisanne Mathews was awarded the Principal’s Award as the Most Spirited Trainee.

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Parliament

Bill passed to borrow $125m before budget A BILL THAT authorizes the government to borrow EC$125 million to assist in financing the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) was passed in Parliament during a sitting on December 28, without the support of the Opposition. The Public Sector Investment Loan No. 2 Act 2020 was presented by Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves. Minister Gonsalves explained that the government was presenting the Bill earlier in order to get a jump on the financing for the 2021 Budget season, by raising EC$125

million through the issuing of bonds, and though other means here and abroad on the best possible terms. Previously, a Bill to authorize government to borrow funding has followed the Appropriation Bill and Budget presentations. “We have to schedule our offerings on the Regional Securities Market with other countries in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU, that also seek financing on the regional financial market,” Gonsalves said. He further explained that it was best to get

legislation done early to optimize the timing not only for going to the market, but for the commencement of what is expected to be a critically important infrastructure programme in 2021. According to the Finance Minister, in the past when the government went to Parliament later in the year, it did not actually borrow the money until the beginning of the second quarter. “And that shortens the timeline for the number of important budgetary priorities that are funded by those borrowings,”

Gonsalves said. “Bringing it (the Bill) early now, lets us schedule and time and structure our forays into the regional securities market in a more optimal manner, and buys us a critical month or two months in starting our capital works programme early in the year,” he continued. Additionally, because of the present regional conditions Gonsalves said that it was likely that they may get low interest for the long-term financing of the government’s capital programme. The Minister of

Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves tabled a ULP government measure that departed from what could be described as the tradition of parliament. Finance said that while the government had to watch its long-term borrowing, it became necessary for them to do

Friday not comfortable with borrowing Bill Dr. Godwin Friday, leader of the Opposition, articulated his and his side’s discomfort with the Public Sector Investment Loan.

LEADER of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday was not comforted with the rationale provided by Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, for bringing a Bill to Parliament to authorize government’s borrowing of money ahead of the 2021 Budget. Friday admitted that bringing the Bill was part of the constitutional process, and one that he took seriously. However, it appeared that the timing of the Public Sector Investment Loan No 2 for 2020 appeared to be one of convenience, and that it was a strategy thought out and implemented by the government, Dr. Friday contended. According to Dr. Friday, the opposition received two versions of the Order Paper for the December 28 Meeting of Parliament, with the first one not containing the said Bill. “To suggest that it was added as a matter of some calculation as to the urgency of the situation and make it a part of the agenda for

today, when ordinarily we discuss this matter during the budget debate,” he said. “The explanation that we need to do it now so that we can get a jump start on the budgetary process for 2021 begs the questions, what are we financing in 2021?” The Leader of the Opposition said that he did not know what, in real terms, the $125 million was going to finance. “So, you are basically asking me to give you not quite a blank cheque, but a big cheque and I still do not know what we are spending it on,” Dr. told the Parliament. It was important to know what the money was going to be spent on … as matter of principle, Dr. Friday emphasized. He said that he understood that the government needed money, but the rushing of the Bill seemed like an act of desperation. “Whatever time it takes, that is how it is normally done,” he said. Dr. Friday told Parliament that he and Prime Minister Dr.

Ralph Gonsalves had discussed the Bill and that his expectation was that the Finance Minister would give the

rationale behind the decision to present the Public Sector Investment Loan. The Minister might

have made an attempt but he did not satisfy me, Dr. Friday reiterated. (Stories DD)

what they had to in order to keep the economy afloat under the present pandemic.

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18. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Get a hold of yourself Dear George, I AM IN LOVE with this girl and I have told her so countless times. Her excuse for not giving me the nod is that I am married. So, imaging how disappointing I was when she came crying to me about how another married man broke her heart. She chose to be with one married guy but refused to be with me, a married guy. Should I just cut her off completely for her dishonesty or do I try to get her to understand that I don’t want to be her ‘shrink’ but rather her lover? I feel used.

DJ Dear DJ,

You are forgetting one thing: You are married! Her lack of interest in you could be a blessing in disguise. If you are dissatisfied with your marriage or aspects of it, don’t go trying to get someone who is definitely not interested in you. Instead, open up to your wife and recommit to making your marriage it work. Try not to make the mistake of letting go of the bird that’s in your hand for the one that’s in the bushes.

George

She owes me!!!! Dear George, THIS WOMAN owes me $1200. She promised to pay me back in two months but six months have passed without any repayment. The situation is that she is not married but lives with a man, who can easily repay the money. He, though, does not know about the money owing to me I gave her the option of sleeping with me for one week as repayment in full and she refused. So, I threatened to let her boyfriend in on the debt she owes me but she begged me not to do because he would think she was with me. I told her she cannot have it both ways. Do you think it will be terrible of me to put the matter to her boyfriend? He has the ability to pay.

your money. Do not let your lustful desires get in the way of business and prevent you in the end from recovering your funds. I

am sure you can arrange a payment plan that would be suitable to her.

George

Pregnancies galore Dear George, FOUR WOMEN are all claiming to be pregnant for my husband of one year. He did not deny sleeping with these women when I confronted him. If I knew he was such a wild man I never would have married him. The thing is, George, I am also pregnant for him. My parents advised me to walk away from the marriage but I don’t want to do that. I intend to stay in it and make it work and my husband claims he wants the marriage to work as well. The question is, what should he do about these women who are pregnant for him?

Newly married,

Impatient

Dear Newly married,

Dear Impatient,

The first thing that has to be done is to legally establish the claims of the four women. I suggest you seek legal advice in your quest to prove paternity. If each of you wants the marriage to work, it should not be difficult to agree on what needs to be done in this regard. Let’s hope your husband learns how to become a better husband and father from this experience

I find it strange that the female in question would bypass her financially abled boyfriend and settle to be in your debt. Whatever, I strongly advised you keep the sex out of it and explore other options of getting

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will meet potential new mates through business. Tie up your personal papers or push to have legal settlements completed. Better still, take your mate and let them foot the bill. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Listen and formulate your course of action. You will be indecisive. You will learn valuable information if you travel this week. If you’re uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Delays are evident. Don’t make promises that you can’t possibly keep. You could have a change of heart if an old flame waltzes back into your life. Use your quick wit to win points and friends. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. However, you may not attract the kind of interest you had in mind. You may be emotionally unstable if you let someone you care about get away with verbal abuse. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You should get involved with activities that can be enjoyed by both young and old alike. Your intellectual charm will entice mates who have common interests. You’ll regret every word for some time to come. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Limitations will set in if you haven’t followed the rules. You may be experiencing emotional turmoil in regard to your mate. If they’re really interested, they’ll wait. Put your energy into moneymaking ventures.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Don’t ignore any emotional issues that could be causing problems. Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate. Your partner may not understand your mood swings but if you are willing to communicate, a lot of grief can be avoided. SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Be aware that you don’t get anything for nothing. Don’t let others know about your private affairs. Creative educational pursuits will payoff. Children may be on your mind. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Trips will be favorable for business as well as pleasure. You may experience financial loss if you don’t use good judgment. Do whatever your mate wants; it really doesn’t matter as long as you’re together. Don’t be too quick to judge others. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Helping children may be rewarding and challenging. Don’t allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties. It is time to clear your decks. You can come up with future trends in creative fields. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You need some excitement in your life, and meeting new people in exotic destinations will certainly satisfy your desires. Expect to pay more than anticipated for entertainment or other purchases. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Try to bend but by no means should you give in completely. Children will be of major concern if you haven’t kept the lines of communication open. Keep the promises you’ve made or you can expect to be in the doghouse.

ACROSS 1. Drags behind 5. At a distance 8. Unruly child 12. Russian czar 13. Inventor Whitney 14. Nevada destination 15. Roman emperor 16. Pinch 17. Stable morsels 18. Golf legend Palmer 20. Dodges artfully 22. Macabre writer 23. Interstate truck 24. Possess 27. Jimmy (open) 29. “—she goes!” 33. Excited cries 35. Marine expanse 37. Peacock feature 38. Sci-fi regular 40. Occupy a pew 42. Cinematic Hanks 43. Gave lunch to 45. Furry pest 47. Medieval fortification 50. Sums charged 54. Experience pain 55. Sports expert 57. Lawn burrower 58. Press (cloth) 59. Your and my 60. Leisure 61. Current info 62. Dynamite cousin: abbr. 63. Snow coaster DOWN 1. Vocalist Turner 2. Across 3. Caution

4. Busybody 5. Dent locales 6. Rhyming boxer 7. Less green 8. Carried (along) 9. Study (maps) 10. Poker verb 11. Throw gently 19. Chop (off) 21. Kindled 24. Lifeboat pole 25. Identity query 26. Capture (a fugitive) 28. “Sure thing!” 30. Have a snack 31. Brazilian metropolis, briefly 32. Graceful tree 34. Makes pliable

36. 47. He slew Abel Transportation 48. Lot size hub 49. Display 39. __ Aviv, Israeli publicly 51. Natural fuel city 52. Besides 41. Black goo 53. Plant start 44. Rail station 56. Compete 46. Multiplied by (for office)

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 19.

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20. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

SCGCA recognizes Lewis, Daize and Shallow

Rudy Daize (right) receives his plaque of recognition from Dr. Kishore Shallow. and service to cricket in the region and to the state. Rudy Daize, who founded and heads Rudy’s Electrical Contracting Co. Ltd, a firm Dr. Linton Lewis (right) accepts a plaque from President Dr. that has done work in SVG Kishore Shallow, in recognition of his contribution to the and in many other Caribbean sport. territories, is a cricket THE SVG CRICKET ASSOCIATION practicing attorney at law, was enthusiast who has put his INC. (SVGCA), in keeping with a a former national and regional resources at the benefit of the sport. He was honoured for tradition, recently bestowed opening batsman of no mean honours on three persons. class, and his record speaks to his generous sponsorship of teams and cricket organising This exercise took place as a successful career at both committees throughout the part of the Association’s 2020 levels. When in 1991 Dr. state, the latter not more Awards Dinner Ceremony, Lewis called it a day from pronounced than what he has held on Thursday 17th active participation in the December, at the Arnos Vale sport at the regional level, he done for cricket, and other sports, in his native the North Sports Complex. had amassed 1238 runs with leeward. His tangible support The honorees were Dr. two centuries and five fifties, has contributed in no small Linton Lewis, Rudy Daize and from 32 matches. He was measure to the development of Dr. Kishore Shallow. recognized and honoured for Dr. Lewis, who is now a his outstanding performances cricket and cricketer across

Dr. Kishore Shallow receives his plaque of recognition from Michael Findlay.

SVG. Dr. Kishore Shallow, who up to the evening of the Awards Dinner would have been the sitting president of the SVGCA, would, by the weekend, have given up this position, he having completed his third successive two-year term as constitutionally stipulated. Dr. Shallow was recognised as having taken the Association from a seemingly fractured organization to being one that was named Sports Association of the Year. His tenure saw (among other achievement): the introduction of a number of changes to how competitions were run; increased benefits to teams and players; improved training

facilities; the inauguration of the Lennox John Cricket Academy; a programme of assistances to young cricketers to aid in their education; and the introduction of the Vincy Premier League (VPL). His contribution to the development of the sport in SVG and his service at the sub-regional and wider regional levels did not go unrecognized by the SVGCA. His rise to position of Vice President of Cricket West Indies Head and Head of the Windwards Islands Cricket Board of Control is testimony to his acumen and professionalism. Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

Young cricketers get assistance TWO MORE YOUTH CRICKETERS Rayshawn Lewis and Jennelia Glasgow - are the recipients of assistance from the SVG Cricket Association, to aid in their schooling and training. Dr. Kishore Shallow, outgoing president of the SVGCA, told the Association’s Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 19th December, “I believe part of the responsibility of the organization is to look out for the well-being of all players, and once resources permit there is no reason why that should not continue.

“Going forward, we have decided to retain two players: Jennelia Glasgow, 16-year-old national female player whom we expect to make the West Indies team in the next few years; and Rayshawn Lewis, national Under-15 player who made a century in the Windward Islands Under-15 tournament. These two players will receive 400 every month for the next year as contribution towards their education and training.” Lewis, who is a resident of Rose Hall, was thankful he was

selected as one of the two recipients. “It feels good especially for my mother… she works hard for her children especially me where I have to travel to town for training, so with this contract it will help her a lot. “Whenever I represent the country I try to make the SVGCA proud and my family,” he added. He hopes this will inspire other young players to work hard. “The need to work hard and self-belief will always bring success and with the support from family and everyone else

you can do it,” he advised. Glasgow, who hails from and resides in Park Hill, expressed similar sentiments. “Firstly I want to thank the Cricket Association for this financial support. I am humbled by my selection. My parents made every effort with their resources to support me getting to practise matches and also to college, and they certainly will welcome this support from the Association.” She said her goal “is to make the West Indies

Jennilea Glasgow national female cricketer

Rayshawn Lewi national Under-15 cricketer

Cricket team,” and in pursuit of that goal she is prepared to continue training and to develop a good understanding of the game. The young lady, who is

bent on making her parents and people of SVG proud, had much thanks for her coachSamantha Lynch who, she said, “recognized my talent.”

V Five-A-Side Football Competition inaugurated

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 21.

Sports

WHAT STARTED as a regular Sunday mornings and public holidays “sweat” for a group of Over-40 footballers at the Arnos Vale Two Playing Field, has morphed into a full-fledged Five-A-Side Small Goal Competition. And the first edition of the Sweaterz Christmas Day Five-A—Side Small Goal Competition was staged last Friday, at the back of the Arnos Vale Netball Complex. Emerging as inaugural winner was the Red Team. A single strike from Matthew Jackson gave Red a one-nil win over Blue to seal the first hold on the title. Red, with former national player Dexter Walker as its marquee player, played unbeaten in the four-team Competition, which also featured

Green and Orange teams. Another former national playerChristopher ‘Brazilian’ Harry was Blue’s marquee player, while Charlie Thomas and Davorn Cato were similarly designated for the Green and Orange teams respectively. Matthew Jackson walked away with most of the individual awards. He was adjudged the Player of the Competition, rewarded for having scored the Best Goal, was named Best Under- 23 player on show, and was the joint top goal scorer with two goals, the same as his team mates Ezrom Holder and Geovanni Bascombe. Dimitri Walker of the Red team and Gabriel Jackson of the Green team were recognized as the two youngest players who participated. At the other end of the age range, Rohan Keizer of the Blue team was adjudged to be

Matthew Jackson (left) receives one of his awards from Shannique De Shong.

Red team – winners of the inaugural Five-A-Side Small Goal Competition. the Best Over-40 Player on show, while Blue’s Michael Ollivierre, 68 years, was the Oldest Participant. Whilst the honours for winning the competition were merely bragging rights, head of the Organising Committee- Dexter Walker revealed the genesis of the competition. “A lot of the guys were tired of going to the other parks to witness what they are having, so they asked that we put together something… It is competitive but more of the fun nature,” Walker disclosed. Walker noted that to ensure transparency and format to the competition, the selection of the four teams was done by having over fifty players pick to know their respective teams. Buoyed by the success of the first edition, Walker said that his committee is already looking to broaden the competition, Best DefenderJerome Samuel (left) gets his award from Denika Peters.

Youngest player - Dimitri Walker (left), accepts his award from Randolph Durham. which would also require a larger venue. “The format won’t change, we want to keep it small, but efficient, however, we want to have the same competitive nature, hence, we are thinking of asking a proprietor who owns a private field, to move the competition from here,” Walker projected. Walker, on behalf of his committee which included Charlie Thomas, Christopher Harry and Randolph Durham, expressed thanks to those who supported the inaugural competition, especially those who gave towards the various individual awards.

USA-based coach knocks SVGFF KENRICK ALEXANDER, a Vincentian who is a football coach in Rochester, New York, has taken a dim view of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s (SVGFF) effort to have a meaningful Youth Development Football Programme. And having made his assessment, Alexander is calling on the President of the SVGFF- Carl Dickson and the Technical Director- Keith Ollivierre, to address the matter with urgency. “Looking from the outside, there is nothing much happening in terms of Youth Development…. Honestly, I don’t see our country moving forward in that structure … We are not building a foundation for the sport of football in our country,” Alexander reasoned. He added, “The fundamentals of the beautiful game is being jeopardised and our youths are suffering… No organised games, tournaments,

training or structure from the National Executive level for these youths….Look at this, the last time the SVGFF was looking for youth players for the Under-15 boys and girls, they had to go into the communities and look for players, because there was no competition, so no database on the youths.” Calling on the Executive of the SVGFF to place a firm handle on Youth Football, Alexander proffered: “Leaving it up to clubs defeats the purpose of Youth Development.” Continuing his swipe at the lack of progress in the development programmes, Alexander noted that the Technical Department of the SVGFF should be deploying coaches to the various communities, and have the young boys and girls active and learning the rudiments of the sport. “There are coaches who are being paid by the SVGFF, get them out to help develop the youths… Children were out of school.. no football, no camps

...They do not have a future in sports if they don’t play, as it makes no sense,” Alexander lamented. In offering further advice to the national policy makers of football, Alexander said a critical part of the development process should involve the procurement of equipment for administering a proper Youth Programme. Alexander said that from his analysis, the powers that Renrick Alexander be in football here in St Vincent and the Grenadines believe that football is only for grown people, hence, their neglect of a meaningful Youth Development System.

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22. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Hoop for North Leeward THE NORTH LEEWARD COMMUNITY, known for its involvement in sporting activities, is spreading its reach. One area that is earmarked for increased attention is basketball, and this week saw the handing over of a basketball hoop and two balls. The presentation of the equipment was made by President of the Basketball Federation Rohan Providence, accompanied by his Public Relations Officer Bernard Bibby. President of the North Leeward Sports and Cultural Organisation Noland Allen accepted the gits, in the presence of his Vice President Elron Lewis and basketball coach Otmar Marshall. The presentation took place at the conference room of the local Football Federation’s Office in Kingstown. The Hoop replaces a broken one at the Petit Bordel Hard Court where Marshall has been keeping a cadre of youngsters in shape. The handing over came at an opportune moment, just on the breaking of a new year. The moment symbolises a thrust towards sporting development, not just in North Leeward but the entire nation. Providence is keen on seeing a revival of Basketball in SVG. Activities in that sport have tapered off slightly, not least because of the COVID-19 conundrum. But Providence is hopeful that by March next year the situation would have stabilised enough to ensure the staging of a national tournament, in which a squad from the North Leeward district would be part. In any event, Marshall is counting on being able to develop the skills of those North Leeward youngsters who demonstrate an interest in the sport and, in the process, rekindle that spark that saw the Northern Boyz Basketball squad as a force to reckon with at the national level. Marshall boasted of the support given by former Northern Boyz player Oswald ‘Paradise’ Hooper. Marshall, with roots in the North Leeward town of Chateaubelair, would be pleased that his footprint has seen some of his trainees in the success lane. When the last Secondary School Basketball Championship was staged in 2018, Troumaca Ontario Secondary School took the female version. Their male counter parts went under to Union Island in the final. With the addition of the Rose Hall Hard Court, the restoration of the Rose Bank facility, plus the existence of other surfaces at Fitz Hughes, Troumaca, and Cumberland, interest in basketball is set to intensify. Concerns have been expressed here about the state of Basketball. Up to the time the tournament went into dormancy, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had distinguished itself on the regional scene, but the paucity of resources here and intricacies of assembling a team comprised of a combination of local and foreign based players, have been challenges that have interfered with the team’s progress. Providence is determined to rectify the situation. He is convinced that sport has the potential of being an opportunity of training, education and employment for our young people. His purview is national, and he sees it as his duty to strengthen the foundation so that the structure and administration fall into place. I sympathise with those West Indian cricketers who have decided to forego the Bangladesh tour scheduled for early 2021. While the players have accepted the voluntary pay cut engendered by the Covid-19 uncertainties, the intricacy of the Covid outbreak is still cause for caution. Normal, abnormal or new normal, everyone must determine their destiny. Covid-19 has thrown up some complications and enough issues implications of which everyone has to be concerned.

Female cricket begs for more emphasis notably, we won the Female Windward Islands One Day Tournament this year and came second in the T20 tournament,” Shallow expressed the view that, “More emphasis needs to be placed on female cricket.” He added, “Quite often over the year, we have supported male cricket and sort of closed our eyes on female cricket, so going forward, we need to play equal emphasis on both male and female cricket.” But even with that shortcoming, Dr. Shallow said he was happy with the progress made by the Association during his presidency. Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of He cited the following in the SVGCA, delivering outgoing support of his assessment: “Apart remarks at the Association’s from spending over $20,000 on Awards Dinner. cricketers in 2020 during the (COVID-19) pandemic, we hosted IN REMARKS made at the 2020 two Vincy Premier League (VPL Awards Dinner of the SVG Cricket T10) competitions. We believe the Association, outgoing president Dr. VPL was the best local Kishore Shallow made a call for tournament we ever had and more emphasis to be placed on despite having incurred some female cricket. losses, it was a worthwhile While recognising that it was, investment for our players… . I “By and large a fruitful year

would want us to continue in this direction, especially with the VPL T10.” And in support of the view that more incentives will increase the interest among the players, the outgoing president alluded to the local cricket competition from next season, that will see, in addition to the $10,000 for winning the national championship and $100 if you take 7 wickets or score a century, the investment of a further $6,000, at least, to the premier division, inclusive of $400 on weekends if a team wins a game outright, and $200 if a team wins first innings. Reference was also made to the construction of an indoor facility as part of the overall Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Dr. Shallow was hopeful that this will come to fruition, investment permitting, within the next two years. “This facility,” Dr. Shallow posited, “will take our reputation to another level.” I.B.A. ALLEN

North Leeward to hold Awards Ceremony A NUMBER of male and female cricketers from the North Leeward area will be rewarded for their outstanding performances in 2020, when Jules Anthony Cricket Academy holds its Awards Ceremony at the Petit Bordel Hard Court, this Saturday. The Academy has released a list off categories and nominees. The Senior Male Cricketer of the Year nominees are Ojay Matthews, Dorson Cottle and Donold Delpleche, while the female nominees are Shenol Lewis, Sueann Matthews and Yolande Granderson. The nominees for Male Under-19 Cricketer of the year are Kirtney Franklyn, AJ Delpleche and Reshawn Lewis, and for the Under-15, Orico Matthews, Llani Slack and Kewonnie Matthews. The Most Promising Female Player will be selected from Denela Creese, Sherranne Gaymes and Delita Bentick and the male equivalent will come from among Kirtney Franklyn, Ojay Matthews and AJ

Delpleche. The Best Male Batsman will be selected from Tilron Harry, Ojay Matthews or Leshawn Lewis and the female counterpart from Jussel Jack, Ayasha Williams and Sueann Matthews. Jade Matthews, Maxwell Edwards and Dorson Cottle are the nominees for the Best Male Bowler, while the best female bowler nominees are Delita Bentick, Shenol Lewis and Yolande Granderson. The Best Female Allrounder nominees are Yolande Granderson, Ayasha Williams and Shenol Lewis and the nominees among the men are Ojay Matthews, Donald Delpleche and Jade Matthew. The Female Youth Player nominees are Denela Creese, Sherryanne Gaymes and Kerrace Boyea. Reshawn Lewis, Kirtney Franklyn and AJ Delpleche are down for the Male Youth Player award. The Best Female Wicketkeeper will be selected from Kacy Johnson and Cottila Hooper, while nominees

in the male category are Newbourne Joseph, Tilron Harry and Akeil Mason. Ancel Hooper, Sueann Matthews and Sharmon Hooper are the nominees for the Coach of the Year award. The Most Disciplined Senior Male Player will be selected from among Akel Mason, Keyon Edwards, and Leeshawn

Lewis, while the award in the female category will come from among Sueann Matthews, Ayasha Williams and Kacy Johnson. The Most Disciplined Youth Player will be Olani Slack, Sherryanne Gaymes or Orico Matthews. I.B.A. ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020. 23.

Classifieds

KIMANI MATTHIAS WILLIAMS Tuesday, 29th December, 2020 Church of the Nazarene Arnos Vale Viewing: 12:00 noon Service: 1:00 p.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

&2152< ³0('',(´ MEDFORD Tuesday, 22nd December, 2020 Apostolic Faith Mission Church Paul Over Service: 10:00 a.m. Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

RAYMOND DAVID SUTHERLAND ESTELLA DAVIS Sunday, 27th December ,2020 S.D.A Church Choppins Viewing: 1:00 p.m. Service: 2:00 p.m. Interment: Golden Vale Cemetery

IRWIN TYRONE PATTERSON a.k.a Charma or Pato Monday, 28th December, 2020 S.D.A Church Layou Viewing: 2:00 p.m. Service: 3:00 p.m. Interment: Layou Cemetery

Tuesday, 22nd December, 2020 Holy Trinity Anglican Church Service: 3:00 p.m. Interment: Georgetown Cemetery

AI REAL ESTATE Mayreau 30,772 sq.ft @ $ 35.00 p.s.f. - $1,077,020.00 - BB293 Bequia 15,012 sq.ft @ $16.00 p.s.f. -$240,192.00 - BB361 Golden Vale 12,165 sq.ft. @ $16.00 p.s.f. - $194,640.00 - BB287 Kingstown Park 32,731 sq.ft @ $25.00 p.s.f. - $818,275.00 - BB215 (784)- 457-2087/(718)-807-4376 office (784)-493-9431/(784)-533-0431 whatsappcell donp@vincysurf.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER

31, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.53

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

VINCY YOUTH FATALLY KNIFED IN NEW YORK the back,” she added. “They pronounced him dead at Methodist Hospital. “The medical examiner still THIS CHRISTMAS couldn’t be has the body,” Carlene sadder a Vincentian family in continued. “They’re doing an Brooklyn, New York, who lost a autopsy. son through an unexpected “They said ‘we are the knife attack. Crips,’” said Carlene, referring New York police are to the alleged gang members. investigating the death of “It’s so hard; 21 years old, and Tyler Nichols, 21 — the son of they snatched him away from Sherma Chambers, formerly of us. Thank God Shane lives to Frenches, Kingstown — who tell the story.” met his death two days before Christmas while walking Attacked while walking home home with his older brother, Shane Nichols, 24. According to WABC TV, the Sherma is the daughter of fatal incident took place before Brooklyn resident Elizabeth 8:00 p.m. last Wednesday, “Betty” Chambers and the late Dec. 23, at the corner of Coney Adolph Chambers. Both also Island Avenue and Turner resided in Frenches. Mr. Place in Kensington, Brooklyn. Chambers was originally from The television station said Belmont in North Leeward. Tyler and Shane were walking Carlene Chambers told home “when a group of men THE VINCENTIAN on jumped out of a car and Monday that her nephews — assaulted them. Tyler and Shane — had gone to “Tyler Nichols was stabbed, a barber shop a few blocks and his brother attacked,” it from their home in the said. “The four men then ran Kensington section of away, leaving a red four-door Brooklyn, when they were sedan at the scene. attacked by about four youths “The four attackers are reportedly from the Crips described as two Black men gang. and two Hispanic men, all in “The guys jumped them,” their 20s, all approximately said Carlene, a registered 5’6” tall,” WABC TV said. “The nurse. “They made some gang victim was rushed to New slang, and five others showed York-Presbyterian Brooklyn up. Methodist Hospital, where he “They also stabbed Tyler in was pronounced dead.” by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

At press time, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said there were no arrests, and that the investigation was ongoing.

Peace-loving young man Carlene described her nephews as quiet, peace-loving youths, who didn’t hang out. “These children, they don’t go anywhere — just work and school,” the aunt said. “Tyler, before this happened, was scared to go out. He went to the barber shop to accompany his brother. “Christmas this year for us: We will never be able to spend another good Christmas,” Carlene added. She said Tyler was a big fan of Kobe Bryant, an American professional basketball player, who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. “He went to Kobe’s camp in California,” Carlene said. “He was filled with life — a very loving kid.” Sherma, too distraught to avail herself of an interview with THE VINCENTIAN, pointed instead to a New York Daily News article. “He was the most loving son you could ever have. All he did was stay in the house and play video games. The only time he went outside was to walk his dog,” the tabloid quoted

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

Tyler Nichols was said to be heading for a career as an electrician. Sherma as saying. electrician. Sherma’s eldest son, “We played a lot of video Shomari Nichols, 29, an games together,” Shomari electrician, said Tyler said. “I started skateboarding, graduated from trade school in and my younger brothers took Manhattan earlier this year it up and got way better than and planned to follow in his me. We lived life; we grew up footsteps in becoming an here. It was great.”

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.