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FRIDAY,

AUGUST 07, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.32

www.thevincentian.com

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The proud Special Olympians along with coordinators, were all smiles on the return to their homeland on Tuesday.

by KENVILLE HORNE THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES team that attended the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA, received h heroes’ welcome when they returned to the state last Tuesday.

A few government officials, representatives of major sponsors, and parents of the

athletes, all joined in welcoming the athletes at the ET Joshua Airport, and the ‘champions’ seemed overwhelmed by the reception they received. With the assistance of major sponsors such as Digicel, Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the National Lotteries Authority, and other donations from individuals and organisations, SVG was able

to send a team to the games, after some years of being absent, and they did not disappoint, but exceeded all expectations.

The 32-member delegation, which comprised 26 athletes, returned home with a total of 22 medals, inclusive of 4 gold, 12 silver and 6 bronze.

They were ushered into the VIP lounge for a press conference. Special Olympics

SVG Chairman, Sir Errol Allen told the athletes that they have done their country proud; bringing back a total of 22 medals that exceeded his expectations. He emphasized that the achievements could not have been accomplished without certain support. The support came from both public and private sectors, as well as the people at large, “because it’s the community at large

that supported various fundraising events; like we had a concert, we had Bingo, and we had Barbeque,” said Allen, as he highlighted some of the fundraising activities.

However, Allen also had praise the major sponsors, noting that all the contributions were the result of a national effort.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Congrats, Special Olympics Team DIGICEL CONGRATULATES the Special Olympics Team, Team #SoVincy, on their phenomenal success in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. Digicel is proud to have been a major sponsor for such a venture, having been a supporter of the Special Olympics Committee over the past12 years. The team returned home on Tuesday, August 4th, with over 20 medals proudly on display. In the Bocce sporting category, team SVG walked away with 5 silver and 3 bronze medals; in track, they received 2 gold, 4 silver and 3

bronze medals; in the tennis and aquatics sporting events they were awarded with 1 gold and 1 silver medal; while placing 4th in Football.

On greeting the participants on their arrival at the airport, Marketing Executive, Danielle Cupid conveyed, “The light on their wonderful faces thrills us at Digicel to be part of providing the assistance to take these participants to the global stage, year after year. We are proud of their accomplishments, and we hope to continue seeing

Special Olympics Tennis coach and participants along with BOSVG CEO Derry Williams and Digicel Marketing Manager Juno DeRoche. them grow and develop and reach their full potential.”

This Friday, August 7th, the participants and their trophies will be proudly on display in a planned motorcade through Kingstown starting from Bedford Street. “Join us in congratulating the team”, Digicel invites.

Inter League Championships Football Prize-giving THE 2015 NATIONAL Community Inter League Championships powered

by Digicel, ended on April 30th, with the prize giving ceremony held on July 17th, where persons received over $12,000 in cash and prizes, compliments Telecommunications provider Digicel. Digicel’s contribution awarded five smartphones to persons receiving special awards.

Among those awarded were Andrew Durham who received the Most Outstanding Defender award; Damal Francis, awarded Most

Outstanding MidFielder; Azinho Solomon, the Most Goals award; Tevin Slater Most Valuable player award and Noland Gaymes Most Outstanding Goal Keeper. Danielle Cupid, Digicel’s Marketing Executive in her remarks, stated that “Digicel believes that developing youth in sports is a significant part of moulding the future of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and we will continue to provide positive impact by powering such events.”

Damal Francis, Best Mid-feilder, receives smartphone from Marketing Executive Danielle Cupid.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 3.

News 3 Cannabis still tops local drug trade

The drugs being burnt in an exercise last Friday.

Inset: Deputy Commissioner of Police, Reynold Hadaway.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, Reynold Hadaway, has admitted that there has been a large amount of cocaine being discovered locally; however, the marijuana trade still remains the number one drug issue that law enforcement authorities are in constant battle with.

And that is because

marijuana,

by DAYLE DA SILVA marijuana plants, cocaine marijuana is cultivated here, and rock cocaine – commonly Hadaway explained.

He was at the time speaking referred to as ‘crack’, which were seized during land and sea at an exercise on July 30 when operations between 2010 and a quantity of narcotics was July 2015. destroyed in Rabacca.

The drugs destroyed included According to the police, the 12,194.80 pounds (5,188,279 drugs that were destroyed grams) of cannabis, with a amounted to EC$25,730,400, and contained a combination of street value of EC$18,292,200; 228 grams of cannabis plants

with a street value of EC$5,000; 130.7 pounds (59,342 grams) of cocaine with a street value of EC$7,432,450, and 50 grams of cocaine rocks with a street value of EC$750.

“We would destroy narcotics seized over the years, based on the amount that we have coming out of matters that would have been disposed of in the court,” the DPC told members of the media present.

He further explained that when the storage capacity becomes overwhelmed with new drug hauls, particularly those which contain large quantities, then the decision is made to destroy them.

“So we do not have a definite time per se, but we have to base it on the quantity that we have in our custody,” he pointed out.

Special Olympics Athletes receive heroes’ welcome Continued from Page 3.

He told the excited athletes, “I believe you did the best you could have done, and no one should feel disappointed in any way that he or she did not do better. We are extremely proud of you, and I want you to know this, and that your families should also know it, and the entire community of SVG are the ones who have benefited and who are very proud,” he concluded.

Herman Belmar, ULP’s candidate for Northern Grenadines said that he is mindful of the hurdles that the athletes had to overcome to reach at the point they are. Belmar congratulated all the athletes, describing them as great ambassadors.

He expressed thanks to all those who made the journey a reality. “I know the country is proud of you; I know we here would like to put you on our shoulders and walk around town with you, showing you off. We didn’t do it before, possibly shameful on our part that we didn’t do it before; but now let us hold our heads up high , let us feel proud to know that you are somebody to be recognised” he declared.

Director of Sports,

Nelson Hillocks, speaking in the absence of the Minister of Sports Cecil Mc Kie, joined in congratulating the athletes and the Special Olympics SVG Committee. He pledged his Ministry’s support to assist the Special Olympics athletes, while disclosing that he intends to take Janice McMaster, National Director of Special Olympics SVG and Woodrow Williams to Australia for a Special Olympics event, which he said is part of the Ministry’s commitment to develop Special Olympics here. The Sports Director also expressed high praise to the major sponsors, along with the coaches that travelled with the team.

McMaster, who headed the delegation to the games, told the media conference that they are very excited to be back. “It’s very heartwarming to see everybody here to welcome us back,” she said. “The journey was an exciting one, we had fun, we competed, there were so many things that the athletes benefited from,” she explained, while admitting in the process, “I myself benefitted, I learned so many things on this journey, and it was not just about the

competition.”

McMaster, still visibly excited, proclaimed in a joyful tone, that the athletes came back healthier, because they participated in healthy exercise programmes.

“We had athletes who came back with glasses, hearing aids; we had an athlete who spent a little time in the hospital because a doctor saw something, and …… it was all free, and that athlete is better now than he went,” admitted McMaster, to loud applause.

The coaches came in for high commendation from the head of the delegation, who described their effort as magnificent, “And when I saw what the athletes did out there, I was amazed. This could not have started without the help of our two sponsors Digicel and Bank of SVG; they started this road, they started this road about three years ago, to put us back into the world games,” McMaster said, expressing thanks to the other sponsors who came on board after.

“And although we’re a small country, we were the life of the party ……..persons always recognised St. Vincent and the Grenadines because our voices were loud; we represented,” she boasted.

Excited parents and well-wishers gather at the Airport to welcome the athletes home.

Terrance Davis travelled with the delegation also; he is a good indication that disability is not inability.

He speaks eloquently, so much so that he even impressed the international media while in Los Angeles.

Davis told media personnel that it is wonderful to be back home, and even wonderful to know the athletes went and did themselves and country proud. “And now we are home, not to rest, not to say well, we went to a world games, and this is it, because our journey has just begun,” said Davis, adding, “We were as Skinny said, proud to be Vincy” .He said the athletes took years of sacrifice, and the competition was the stiffest he has ever seen

at a world games; “but we did it, and did it well”.

Gold medal winner, Lavern Allick expressed thanks to everyone for their support, “We enjoyed ourselves, and the most important thing we wanna say is that we thank God for bringing us back safely. I come to realise that Special Olympics, it push you forward…… and trust me, if I had another opportunity to go back, I will go back and do well,” she affirmed.

But when it appeared that the celebration was over, that was not the case. As the athletes exited the door of the arrival area, they were surprised to find a large crowd awaiting them. It was an emotional reunion, as parents, relatives and well-

Gold Medalist Lavern Allick. wishers embraced the returning heroes. Some shed tears, while others smiled broadly.

The athletes participated in various activities, including Aquatics, Athletics, Bocce, Football and Tennis.

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Two charged with Union Island murder who also resided at Union Island.

TWO MEN will appear at the A post mortem revealed Serious Offences Court on that Caine died from blunt September 4, when a date will trauma to the head. be set for a Preliminary Inquiry Police reports are that (PI) into the death of a 29-year- Caine was involved in an old security guard, originally altercation at a bar in from Byera.

Clifton, Union Island, just Derrol Small, 26, and after 3 a.m. last Saturday, Kemroy Graigg, 20, both August 1. THE labourers of Union Island, in VINCENTIAN understands the Southern Grenadines, are that the security guard was charged jointly with the off duty at the time. murder of Allington Caine, Small and Graigg made a Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Winds of change THE WINDS of change blowing across the globe regarding marijuana possession and use, seem to have reached the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, at least in relation to mindset.

Magistrate Carla James on Monday, following a mitigation plea by attorney Grant Connell, reprimanded and discharged Elnathan Blake on a charge of having 85 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

Connell told the Court, in mitigation, that Blake, 37, of Arnos Vale, had the drug in the privacy of his house for medicinal use and recreational smoke, and asked that his client be reprimanded and discharged, in the circumstances.

Blake pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge when he appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Police had found the drug during a search of the downstairs of a house, Blake was occupying that section, around 6:45 p.m. last Friday, July 31.

During a sitting of the Serious Offences Court on April 27 this year, attorney Joseph Delves stressed the need for persons here, especially the police, to change their mindset regarding possession and use of marijuana.

Delves had referred to a wind of change blowing across the region and the world regarding marijuana legislations. He noted that other countries were revisiting their marijuana laws, and he highlighted the planting of the first legal marijuana tree in Jamaica on April 20, 2015 at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, for research purposes.

Delves expressed concern about the mindset of persons here to the herb since, in his view, it is only a matter of time before this wind of change reaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

During an interview with THE VINCENTIAN about two years ago, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, recognizing the wind of change to which Delves referred, called for a national consultation on the marijuana issue.

brief appearance before Magistrate Carla James at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, as the Serious Offences Court is currently not sitting. They were not required to plea and were remanded.

Meanwhile, head of the Major Crime Unit (MCU) Sergeant Atland Browne is urging members of the public to avoid confrontations, and if such arise, to walk away.

He also advised that when

going to places of entertainment, persons should tell somebody trustworthy where they are, who they are with, and how they intend to return home.

“If you feel unsafe, put the necessary measures in place to get from there safely”, Browne added while L-R: Derrol Small and Kemroy speaking to THE Graigg were on Tuesday charged VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. with the murder of Allington Caine.

Caine’s death chalked up this country’s 15th homicide for the year.

Teen jailed for gun and amno MAGISTRATE Carla James is hoping that a prison sentence imposed on Tevin Williams for firearm and ammunition possession will serve as a deterrent.

The 17-year-old resident of Rockies was on Monday sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a .38 revolver, without licence, and six months for having three rounds of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently.

In passing sentence, James told Williams, “I hope this will be a deterrent for you, and when you come out, you will pull yourself together”.

Williams pleaded guilty to both charges when he returned to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He had pleaded not guilty when he initially appeared in Court.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told the Court that on July 5, 2015, Station Sergeant Hesron Ballantyne and Constable Andy James were on foot patrol at Rose Place, Kingstown, when they spotted Williams coming from the Magistrate Carla opposite direction acting suspiciously. The lawmen approached James. him, identified themselves as police officers and requested a search. Williams consented, and during the search, the firearm was found in his waist.

It was examined, and three rounds of ammunition were found in the barrel. When cautioned, Williams replied, “Ah Stumpie give me fo hold”.

Brilliant policing SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche thinks the hierarchy of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) should recognize and reward police Constable Rohan Walker for an action the prosecutor described as “a brilliant piece of policing”.

Delpleche said that, had it not been for the vigilance of PC Walker, a number of counterfeit notes may have flooded the market.

The Senior Prosecutor commented on the issue while speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday.

Walker’s action led to the arrest of Dillon Michael, a 41-year-old farmer of Chateaubelair, who attempted to purchase medication at People’s Pharmacy in Kingstown last Friday, July 31, using a counterfeit one hundred dollar note. He appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and pleaded guilty to possession of 41 one hundred dollar notes which he knew or believed to be counterfeit Eastern Caribbean currency.

Constable Shamrack Pierre told the Court that around 1:25 p.m. on July 31, PC Walker was dressed in plain clothes going about his own business at People’s Pharmacy, when he overheard a conversation between two employees there, in respect to counterfeit money.

Walker made inquiries as to what happened, and the employees showed him

a one hundred dollar bill which they believed to be counterfeit. They also pointed out Michael who was still in the Pharmacy. Walker approached the defendant, identified himself as a police officer, and requested a search of his person. Michael consented, and Senior Prosecutor during the search, Adolphus Delpleche.

40 more notes were found. He was arrested on suspicion and taken into custody. The notes were examined by Station Sergeant Hesron Ballantyne, an expert in that area, and they were found to be counterfeit.

Delpleche took time out to commend PC Walker during the Court sitting on Monday. He stressed that Walker, who was at the Pharmacy, in plain clothes, on his own business, could have turned his back and walked away, but he chose to intervene, which may have averted a more serious offence.

Michael was fined $3,000 to be paid in three months or six months imprisonment.

Ammunition lands father in jail

ELNATHAN BLAKE, a 37year-old father of three, was on Monday sentenced to two and a half years in prison for possession, without licence, of 50 rounds of ammunition which his lawyer Grant Connell claimed Blake intended to hand over to the police.

The Arnos Vale resident appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to possession of the ammunition and having 85 grams of marijuana with intent to supply. He was reprimanded and discharged on the drug charge.

The facts revealed that the live rounds of ammunition and the drug were found when police conducted a search of the downstairs of a house at Villa around 6:45 p.m. last Friday, July 31. Blake was at the time the occupant of the downstairs. When cautioned and questioned, he admitted they belonged to him.

But Connell, in mitigation, told the Court that, according to his instructions, Blake read an article in one of newspapers in respect to a gun amnesty, and he (Blake) had intended to hand over the ammunition to the police.

“They were given to him by a friend who told him he wanted to hand them over to the police, but he was afraid”, Connell said. He added that his client volunteered to hand them over, but unfortunately the police got to him first.

Connell requested a suspended sentence. He noted that 50 rounds of ammunition were off the street, and said he hoped they would be used on the firing range.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 5.

Regional

Coup: Never again!!

TRINIDADIANS MARKED the 25th anniversary of the failed military coup by the Jamaat al-Muslimeen on July 27, 2015.

And as they reflected on the events of the day, the ensuing disorder and near anarchy, at least one person, who is wellpositioned so to do, is advising the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to work assiduously to ensure another coup did not rear its ugly head.

The advice came from Dean Emeritus at the Anglican Cathedral, Canon Knolly Clarke who, along with former Planning Minister Winston Dookeran, had assumed the role of mediators during the period after the initial exchange of fire (July 27, 1990), the holding of hostages at the Parliament building and eventually standoff..

Clarke told the

After six days of negotiation, the Muslimeen surrendered on 1 August.

Trinidad Express, “I am not too happy with what is going on in the society. We must work hard to ensure there is never a coup here again. We must not be romantic about not wanting a coup. It must not be wishful thinking. I would not like to see a coup again. A coup can set us back many years.”

Clarke, a highly respected Caribbean theologian and social commentator, laid the responsibility of preventing another coup on the politicians, but moreso on educators and the general citizenry.

“We must look at ourselves. We must do some vital introspection.

We are all responsible for our country. Not only the politicians. The onus is on the educators and ordinary citizens to ensure we create a just and equitable society. We all have to work hard at it,” Clarke told the Express in a telephone interview.

It was Clarke’s view that people had to address their place in the wider issue of democracy.

“We have to understand what we mean by a democracy. All of us should be contributing to the wellbeing of the society. Are we really contributing? I don’t mean in terms of going to Parliament, the next political activity or waiting for the next

Canon Knolly Clarke, Dean Emeritus at the Anglican Cathedral, has called for the ordinary citizenry to work hard at understanding their role in a living democracy. election. Democracy has to deal with education and teaching. It is not just those who deal with political office. Unless we work together, the society can fall apart. We must be cognisant there are real threats. We have to work at democracy. We can’t just wish there would not be a coup.”

And in a comment that could well be addressed to the wider region, Clarke observed, “We don’t even have a coup, and so many guns about. Where are the guns coming from? What are we doing about the guns?”

Caribbean youth unemployment alarming THE UNEMPLOYMENT rate among young people in the Caribbean is alarming.

This is the latest (last week) assessment handed down by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Michael Hendrickson, Economic Affairs Officer of ECLAC, is reported to have said that, although economic growth in the Caribbean increased from 1.3 per cent in ECLAC has identified a major investment push 2013 to 2.3 per cent in 2014, in human capital development as one way of the rate of unemployment did not fall proportionately. addressing the need to train graduates for the “Growth was not as job-full According to the job market. as we would have hoped,” Caribbean Development now means that the training is not Hendrickson said, during his Bank, unemployment becoming a meeting the needs of the job presentation of the Caribbean among young people situation of market, or there is something aspect of ECLAC's economic accounts for about 30 joblessness wrong with the job market itself.” survey of Latin America and per cent of the region’s among According to Hendrickson, there the Caribbean, held at the potential workforce. graduates or was urgent need for a major Commission's Chancery Lane, trained investment push in human capital Port of Spain, offices, last persons from university, so that is development, to ensure the required week Thursday. training of graduates for the job Hendrickson stated, according to an alarming situation.”

He continued: “We would have market. the Trinidad Express newspaper, hoped that, with the acquisition of “The significant unemployment that, “In some countries, youth skills, there will be the kind to among graduates means that unemployment rate is as high as return of human capital resulting something is happening. It's not almost 40 per cent; in others the from university training; but we are that we are not training people, but average is around 25 per cent, not getting the proportionate kinds probably we are training them in which is very alarming. What we the wrong skills.” (Source: Trinidad have been seeing is that the profile of returns to human capital, and Express) of unemployed youths is very much that is something that is very concerning in the region. It either

President Nicolas Maduro (left) met with UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, and asked that the GS mediate on the issue between his country and Guyana.

UN to address GuyanaVenezuela dispute NEWS COMING out of the United Nations (UN) late last week, gave indication that the UN was preparing to mediate in the ongoing GuyanaVenezuela territorial dispute.

The word was that in a telephone conversation with Guyana President David Granger, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- After being insulted

by President Maduro, moon had stated his President David intent to dispatch UN Granger (pictured) Secretariat staffers to was in no mood for undertake a mission to face to face talks with both Guyana and his counterpart.

Venezuela.

General Secretary Ban Ki-moon is also reported as having expressed his willingness to further discussions with the presidents of both countries on the basis of the mission's recommendations.

Reports from New York also stated the General Secretary had met with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The report said that President Maduro had asked the General Secretary to help settle the longstanding dispute with Guyana over Caracas's claim to the Essequibo Guyana region, using a 1966 Geneva Agreement.

The move by the UN, according to one political analyst, would be a welcome one for other Caribbean Heads of government, since, the analyst said, “they seem not prepared in any way to intervene in the matter, for fear of taking sides.”

The involvement of the UN in trying to settle this centuries-old dispute, comes in the wake of disparaging statements made by President Maduro, causing President Granger to say that he was not open for a one on one, face to face meeting with his Venezuela counterpart.

The dispute between the two South American countries, has its foundation in Venezuela’s claim to almost three-quarter of the land territory of Guyana, and a large area of maritime territory.

The land area is a sparsely populated and dense jungle area known as the Essequibo, which is said to be rich in natural resources (diamonds, lumber, etc). The maritime area was, as recent as May 2015, declared to have large deposits of crude oil.

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6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

I can see clearly now Cathlyn Sterling

Shari Commissiong

Ezzard Stewart

Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Vice President Jorge Arreaza.

Charge d’affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy, Daliana Guanipa (furthest left, front row) is all smiles as she joins the returning contingent from the second Ezzard Stewart: batch of patients who journeyed to Venezuela for eye treatment.

Retired

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ satisfaction at having responses of some of the ANTHONY completed operations to persons involved: The trip was improve their eyesight. For successful. Thanks to the FIFTEEN VINCENTIANS many, it was a mixed Daliana Guanipa: governments of St. RETURNED from adventure. While the Charge d’affaires Vincent and the Venezuela last Wednesday emphasis was on eye care, Grenadines and after two weeks there. For patients reflected on This is the second Venezuela. I wish more many of them, it was having undergone a full batch of patients. They Vincentians could mission accomplished. health check. went to Venezuela for Helen John benefit.

Cynthia Hammond They expressed Here are the Eye Surgery. There were 14 patients along with a Shari Commissiong: treatment was excellent. coordinator. They were Staff Nurse Cynthia Hammond: We met with based in the Vargas Retired Ambassador Andreas state at the Military This was a very good Wickham and his wife. I Circle Hotel. Surgeries group. We felt at home.

THE ECONOMY was doing better in 2014, The trip was did feel like I was at were done at the Prime Minister Dr. although not by much, according to the figures home.

Ophthalmologist Centre Ralph Gonsalves came to wonderful. You only that have been released.

Cathlyn Sterling: Taxi in Vargas. There were 28 visit us in Venezuela. We have to have faith in Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr everything. I am glad Driver patients altogether. The also met with the Ralph Gonsalves mad this observation in his that God bring me back I enjoyed the view. We first batch returned Venezuelan Vice response on the fiscal showing of the country didn’t understand much home two weeks ago.

President. You felt like it home. I can see plenty from January to the end of June this year, and better. of their language, but we The journey became was a mini-vacation. In compared to 2014, showing that the Total Helen John: Social had a lovely translator. I possible following an addition to the eye care, Revenue and Grants this year is EC$256.3 am looking forward to agreement signed in it was like a full medical Welfare Worker million.

I can see clear. The the future.

April between check-up.

The figure for 2014 was EC$256.78 million.

Similarly, Current Revenue for 2014 is EC$242.4 million compared to EC$252.4 million.

Gonsalves explained that in 2014, there were some special numbers in the aftermath of the floods which occurred in 2013 for example, when VINCENTIANS ARE BEING He regards it as a contribution production as a “piece of history he sought assistance to rebuild, and moneys came urged to buy a CD featuring dub to the parents, and it will be used in poetry and song.” in from companies such as Mustique Company, poetry by Radio announcer and to help soften who was requested to pay revenues to the dramatist Martin ‘Prince Yogi’ the impact of government in advance.

Martin, with music coordinated the tragedy on Total Expenditure for the period in 2015 was and recorded by Glenroy ‘Homey’ the parents.

EC$280.5 million, a 2.48 percent increase over Delpesche at his Rocksville Also working the 2014 figure of EC$267.5 million.

Studio. along with the The Capital Expenditure for 2015 is EC$32.976 The production is a tribute to producers is million compared to EC$25 million in 2014, and the seven students from the Hezron the Current Balance is EC -$5.1 million compared northern village of Fancy who Ballantyne, a to EC$9.94 million, with the Overall Balance at perished in the road accident at Sergeant in EC$24.1 million compared to EC$10.8 million in Rock Gutter, January 12, 2015. the local 2014.

Martin and Delpesche outlined constabulary.

Profits were recorded by as much as 9 percent aspects of the venture at a media He lost his from taxes and incomes, and included increases briefing last Monday. The project daughter in international trade and domestic transactions. is dubbed ‘Voices from beyond’ the Symonique in There was a decrease in the figure for licences grave’, and is done from a first the accident. and fees; however, Capital Revenue went up by person point of view, according to Martin 200 percent, with the main item being the sale of Glenroy ‘Homey’ Martin. described the Martin ‘Prince Yogi’ crown lands.

Martin Delpesche And regarding personal emoluments, there was an increase of almost 2 percent, from EC$114.3 million in 2014 to EC$116.2 million in 2015.

The wages bill increased by 3.8 percent, and this was due to the announced increase Gonsalves explained.

Interest payments went up from EC$21.4 million to EC$23 million, and transfer and subsidies went up by 4 percent - meanwhile, Capital Spending also increased by 31.4 percent.

Fiscal situation

History in poetry and song

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 7.

Parliament

Camillo calls for unity

by WILLIAMS ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY CAMILLO GONSALVES, this country’s Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs, Information and Technology Minister, made a call for unity between the two main political parties here. His plea came during his contribution to the Loan Authorisation (Republic Minister of Foreign of China) Bill 2015 at Affairs, Foreign Trade the House of Assembly and Consumer Affairs, last Tuesday, August 4.

Information and The Bill sought to Technology Camillo borrow EC$13M to help Gonsalves has made a with construction of the plea for unity between Argyle International the ULP and NDP. Airport. The young Gonsalves, son of current Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, made his intervention with a general elections looming. That poll is set for no later than March 2016.

The Foreign Minister’s contribution came following presentations from Central Kingstown’s representative St. Clair Leacock, Senator Julian Francis, and West Kingstown’s Daniel Cummings.

Leacock concluded with support for the Bill, but not without rebuke for the government’s handling of the country’s affairs. The Central Kingstown Parliamentarian, one of seven opposition members of the House, noted that a lot of work had been done on the airport, but that a lot more was needed.

He praised the Prime Minister for what had been accomplished with the venture, and contended that Gonsalves had done enough, and that it was time for him to go.

Leacock raised the question as to the composition of the board responsible for works at the airport.

The debate grew in intensity when Francis spoke. The ULP Senator took issue with the New Democratic Party’s Central Kingstown representative for his remarks about the Chief Executive Officer of the International Airport Development Company Limited.

Francis took “strong offence” in relation to inferences by Leacock, which Francis termed were “derogatory.”

Matthias should be commended for the work, Francis outlined.

Francis’ interpretations were rejected by Leacock, who rebounded that his statements about Matthias were not derogatory.

Francis demanded an apology on Matthias’ behalf, and mentioned that further action could be taken against Leacock.

Money will be found to compensate those persons for whom debts are outstanding, Francis promised.

West Kingstown’s Daniel Cummings was not impressed by Francis’ contribution. For him, it was “ridiculous, senseless and irrelevant.”

Cummings criticised the government on issues, including performance of the regional airline LIAT. “What this government needs to do is to ring the Bell,” Cummings concluded.

Senator Gonsalves pointed to projects experiencing delays in other countries, and recounted his having to wait four hours in line on a recent trip home.

The Senator noted that persons in the Caribbean were impatient when faced with some situations.

Senator Gonsalves would have welcomed the completion of an international airport long ago.

For him, the Bill presented an opportunity for both sides of the House to show their commitment to the country’s progress. An international airport will redound to improvement on a national scale, according to the Senator.

No truth

serving a two-year sentence for his involvement in a series THERE IS NO TRUTH to the rumours of burglaries that were that have been circulating, that a committed between January quantity of stolen items was and June this year. recovered from a senior police The response issued stated: officer within the Royal St Vincent “A number of exhibits were and the Grenadines Police Force recovered. None of the items (RSVGPF). was found in the possession of, Responding to a question posed nor on the premises of any Commissioner of Opposition by the Leader of the Opposition, senior police officer.”

Police Michael Leader Arnhim Arnhim Eustace on Tuesday in “You may ask what does Charles.

Eustace.

Parliament, Prime Minister Dr this have to do with it,” the Ralph Gonsalves read from a prime minister remarked.

Gonsalves observed. response submitted to him by the He answered, saying that the He said that the question could Commissioner of Police, Michael senior police officer in question Charles – whom he (Gonsalves) shares the same last name as the have been asked during a telephone call, or in fact contact said he had contacted to respond individual that was charged and made to the Commissioner of to the question. convicted.

Police or Deputy Commissioner of The Commissioner stated in his “And that was the rumour Police. response to the prime minister, which was being circulated, that “We have to be careful that we that an individual who goes by the senior police officer was use the parliament very sensibly the name of Romano Andrews was somehow involved with this. and responsibly,” the prime charged and subsequently “This is what the parliament convicted, and was currently has come to, unfounded rumours,” minister declared.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Leacock shows rare moment of support

by DAYLE DA SILVA OPPOSITION Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown, St Clair Leacock showed a rare moment of support when he congratulated the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) for its good showing in this year’s Carnival activities.

Leacock, during the ‘Congratulatory Remarks’ segment of Tuesday’s meeting of the House, joined with Minister of Culture Cecil McKie to congratulate the CDC for what he said was a “splendid job in organizing the 2015 Carnival.”

“I think Mr Ambrose and Mr Woods continue to do a fine job in this field, year after year, and I have taken time out to indicate that to them personally, for the tireless work that they do under the trying

NDP Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock.

circumstances for what is indeed a very challenging activity in all its forms,” Leacock said.

However, the CDC has come under fire from many individuals and

organizations for its seeming lack of proper organization, with many calling for the resignation of the Chairman (Ambrose) and Chief Executive Officer

(Woods). The Parliamentarian has developed a reputation for his often aggressive behaviour during Parliamentary debates.

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Nothing to fear TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO never ceases to attract attention.

Over the last four weeks or so, that CARICOM colleague has seen a period of heightened activity: increased and intense political campaigning; the final round of the increasingly popular CPL; and a rush of accusations and actions, by the state machinery, against the renowned Jamaat alMuslimeen, in particular its leader, Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, Leader.

Detention and eventual arrest of members of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen caused widespread concern, some said widespread fear, since such state action came at a time when ‘Trinbagonians’ were marking the 25th anniversary of the failed July 27, 1990 coup by members of the Jamaat alMuslimeen, led unmistakably by Imam Yasin Abu Bakr.

If the truth be told, Trinidad’s recent focus on the Jamaat al-Muslimeen has had its quiet repercussions on the rest of the CARICOM, among both the body politic and citizens at large. This is moreso in those territories in which Islam is just about finding a foothold.

Vincentians, for example, have been of late, seeing an increasing number of persons among their midst, who, given their attire, are perceived to be Muslim. And it appears that the religion is beginning to take foundation and shape in what is predominantly small Christianbased societies.

Little surprise, therefore, that there were a number of unschooled verbal reactions made to THE VINCENTIAN, following its earlier publication of issues related to Islam. There was, according to one response, ‘no room for them here’.

Before we rush into condemning those among us who practise the faith of Islam, stick a pin.

Islam represents the second largest religion in the world. Its 23.20% of an estimated 7 billion world population is second only to the 31.50% allocated to Christianity, this according to the World Factbook (2013).

According to Islamweb, considered ‘an authority’ on matters related to Islam, Muslims represent a mere 3.75% of the total population of the English-speaking Caribbean, though there are some Muslim leaders in the region who purport that the figure could well be in a range of 5 — 15%.

The largest Muslim clusters are found in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, where they constitute 13.33 and 6.19 per cent respectively of the populations in those countries.

This is understandable, given that these countries have the largest concentration of persons of East Indian ancestry, who brought and maintained their faith (Islam) when they were ‘imported’ as indentured labourers to Caribbean plantation societies.

The point, therefore, is: Islam is not new to the Caribbean; it has been here for well over 150 years. Mosques (holy places of worships for Muslims), dot the landscape of many Caribbean territories, alongside Christian Churches, Jewish Synagogues, Rasta Fari Tabernacles, and contribute to highlighting the diversity of our societies.

On a whole, however, it would be safe to say that Christianity has failed to attract or convert any appreciable number of Muslims to that faith.

What is clear, though, is that, over the last three decades or so, persons of African descent have been converting to Islam, al la the movement in the 1970s of youth Afro-Caribbean people to Rastafari.

The ‘conversion’ to Islam, not unlike that to Rastafari, could well be attributed to that consciousness that developed out of the Black Power Movements of the 1970s.

The point is that, as the Caribbean moves into realms of new foreign policy, experimentations with economic models, the younger generations still long for a sense of belonging; of a sense of self-worth and a place in the world.

That Islam could find a ‘new’ niche among scores of Afro-Caribbean youth, is to speak of, perhaps, the failure of Christianity, in particular, to offer a sense of hope, belonging and, yes, salvation.

All that glitters is not gold. Like any global religion, there will be those practitioners who interpret the teaching of a faith to appease themselves, forging enmity instead of peace and harmony.

Persons are apt to react according to how they are treated. The battles that continue in the name of Islam could well be interpreted as such a reaction.

‘There is nothing to fear but fear itself,’ Franklin D. Roosevelt told the American people. The fear that he may well have been referring to is that fear that develops out of ignorance.

Before we condemn or seek to ostracise any persons or groups, like this society tried to do to Rasta Fari, it is well that we move to acquaint ourselves with the true meaning and teachings of Islam.

In honour of the visiting Garifuna citizens of S.V.G. National Heroe’s Day: Carib Vhief Chatoyer THIS WEEK, more support is given to the idea of National Heroes’ Day with a thumbnail presentation on Joseph Chatoyer slated to be our first National Hero.

Chatoyer was, of course, a “villain” under the old Dispensation. He was rehabilitated and enthroned, only during the last forty years, when the Black Power Movement opened the flood-gates to a new perspective on our History.

In that revolution in thinking, Chatoyer came into his own, more or less. A government boat was named after him. An obelisk was mounted at Dorsetshire Hill on the spot at which he reportedly fell, fatally wounded.

A community Bakery at Sandy Bay bore the label “Garifuna”. And Eddie Griffith deceased, named his daughter “Youlou”, the Carib name for rainbow, by which the country- or was it just the capital? was once known.

A progressive group of the times took the masthead “Youlou United Liberation Movement” (Yulimo), and was for a time headed by the current Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Another leading member, Minister of Education Mike Browne, named his first son Chatoyer, and took as his bride a Garifuna descendant from Belize, whither the Caribs had been banished following the death of their paramount Chief, Joseph Chatoyer.

There are, on the other hand, local folk who, galvanized by platitudes such as “let by-gones be by-gones”, seek to belittle the historian’s craft with the simplistic notion that what has passed is past, and need not bother us in this enlightened age.

The plain truth is that an ex-slave society as we are, can never understand ourselves, plot our bearing and chart a meaningful course for the future without an informed understanding of our historical origins. For the plant to seek after the sun and flower and bear fruit, it must first bury its roots deep in the soil.

As a young nation, we do need national heroes to act as an inspiration and beacon of hope, especially in time of crisis and threatening despair. Luckily, we can draw strength and sustenance from the Carib Peoples, our forbears, who demonstrated courage, defiance, and rebellion, in a constant struggle to gain and maintain their freedom.

In Grenada, at Sauteurs (Carib Leap), Caribs backed up against the cliffs overhanging the sea, jumped to their deaths rather than surrender. A similar feat was performed at Espagnol Point near Owia in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

An African proverb tells us that “Until the lions have their historian, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter”. Up till recently, the history of these islands was

mostly the handiwork of writers commissioned by planters and the colonial office who, in order to justify colonialism, sought to project a very negative image of the Caribs. Some local historians naively jumped off the shoulder of their master without batting an eye.

To the extent that one of our brighter girls to have entered UWI in the early days, gave currency to the propaganda that the Caribs were a nomadic race of Cannibals with a distinct preference for the flesh of French men!

Today, Dr. Bernard Marshall, Dr. Adrian Fraser and Dr. Earl Kirby with Cims Martin, have hewn an independent part, done their bit to offer a more factual account, even to the point sometimes of glorifying the hunted, which is understandable in the circumstances. Often, the pendulum has to swing the other way before it can attain a position of rest.

In the new dispensation, Carib Chief Joseph Chatoyer occupies a central place, for he epitomised the indomitable spirit and unwavering resilience of a people that stood up against mighty odds for their own rights.

From what can be gleaned even from British historians who wrote with a distinct bias against Chatoyer and all native peoples whom they lumped together as “the enemy,” our Carib chieftain displayed all the qualities of brilliant leadership. He was an outstanding military tactician versed in guerrilla warfare; a fiercely independent nationalist who brooked no degrading compromises; a man of indomitable courage and unyielding convictions.

With inferior arms and materiel, Chatoyer was able to keep the real enemy at bay for a number of years in the war for St Vincent. Over time, he learnt how to fight fire with fire, became as cunning and as brutal to his opponents as they had been to him. Naturally, Chatoyer was painted as the Devil incarnate by the foe, his people described as cannibals by the Scribes and Pharisees of the Colonial Power.

The Caribs were finally overpowered by superior military hardware during the night of March 14, 1795 in a bloody battle at Dorsetshire Hill. Their troops were decimated. Chatoyer who always led from in front was, most likely, wounded in that battle, whence he must have been whisked away by his soldiers in whose company he subsequently died, then was secretly buried.

What is certain is that Chatoyer was never again seen after the fateful night of March 14 1795.

In order to glorify and add lustre to their feat, British historians had Chatoyer falling in hand-to-hand combat with their own major Alexander Leith.

Continued on Page 12.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 9.

Letters

Teachers’ Salaries

THE ULP GOVERNMENT can afford to financially commit itself to projects that haven’t worked in the past, projects that aren’t working now, and projects that are highly speculative, that may not work in the future; but it “cannot find the money” to pay workers a long past due salary increase now? Why am I puzzled? People, workers, citizens live in the here and now. Bad money wasted in the past or money committed to chancy risks in the future, money borrowed from God knows where to be paid back God knows when, should all take a back seat to what working men and women living today need.

People need to pay today’s bills today. They have worked and earned the right. A Government that cannot meet its obligations to its workers, is a failed Government that has lost its right to any pretense of a mandate.

HJA

ChristÊs prediction OVER two thousand years ago, one Christ foretold that in the future, children will be making children. Parents will be against children, men would be lovers of themselves.

On the 13th July, 2015, I heard DJ Fuji throw out a subject, where a 14-year-old girl was having sex with an adult three times her age.

While I say age is just a

number, we must go back to our African heritage, where the young men were trained and prepared for a husband and wife relationship, by the elders of their tribes. So it is to be expected, young ladies of African descendants of which we are 90% in SVG, will pursue sex at an early age.

Men do not have a cure for this, neither will they get one

before Christ’s 2nd return, there are too many man-made tradition around. In my youth, girls started making babies after 21 years. You were considered an adult then, and had up to 13-15 children with one man, yet they were brought up in a decent and moral way. Today, it’s not so.

At 12 years, I walked the street without pants, the girls

The working class still in a bind TWO religious bodies here are to celebrate the tracing of their origin from the same root. They are the Christian Pilgrim Faith, that was approved and declared by the governor in council, a religious denomination within the meaning of section 2 of the marriage ordinance, Cap. 151 of the Revised laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 22nd May 1951 (No 245), and the Spiritual Baptists, who were made up of a break-away from the Christian Pilgrim Faith, different groups who had their ordination from Trinidad, USA etc.

According to history and the legal records, Spiritual Baptists came out of Trinidad when in 1996 the government granted them a public holiday to be celebrated on March

30th called the Spiritual Baptists/Shouters Liberation Day, in memory of the struggle and in recognition of the Repeal of the 1917 Prohibition Ordinance of March 30, 1951.

The late McDonald Williams is recorded as an appointed marriage officer in respect of the congregation of the Christian Pilgrim Faith on May 22, 1951 (No. 240) same day with the Faith.

Nowhere do we see Spiritual Baptists in SVG in any struggle or recorded in anything until the 1990s when the late Japheth Stapleton of Rose Hall came back from Trinidad.

He established the first Spiritual Baptist group, Act no. 16 of 1978, and the late Duff Walker James under Act 40. 10 of 1983.

C.N. George

MAN-ABOUT-TOWN would like to know: * Why the delay in announcing a date for prize-giving for Vincy Mas 2015? * What’s the status of that car that was promised for the 2015 Queen of the Bands? * Why are people saying that the ULP has all but forgotten about those ‘comrades’ who have passed on, like Glen Jackson and Casper London, unlike the NDP who is not giving up on E.G. Lynch? * Any ‘hidden’ reason(s) why fellows like Glen and Casper are not remembered? * Is Dr. Kenneth John for real? Nuff said, eh? * Could anybody say exactly what the ‘Banana Boat’ that comes into Kingstown every Sunday, taking out of SVG?

without bloomers; and although sex organs were exposed, we were not tempted.

Don’t blame the children, especially the girls, nor their parents; ‘babes shall make babes’. We call these babes parents. The divine prediction must be carried out, no one can stop it.

Old parent

Religious groups celebrate AS I REFLECT on how far we have come, I am convinced that 181 years since the Abolition of Slavery, and on the eve of another general elections, we, as a working class, (on whose behalf this government says it stands) are still in a bind.

I am certain that the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, a scholar of Marxism, will agree that the ownership of capital has really not changed; that the owners of capital have merely redefined themselves, diversified their endeavours, and continued to manipulate the system, aided and abetted by government.

The situation might not appear as oppressive as it appeared once, but the hardships remain alive and well — unequal economic opportunity still looms large.

The working class, Dr. Gonsalves, is not free of political and economic slavery, and no amount of education will correct that.

And if that is the reality, working class people here are still in need of a political vehicle that would free us of that cycle of dependence, imposed on us by the owners of capital and this ‘new’ political class’ that is new only in appearance.

Let us unite as a working class, and create our own political vehicle.

Old Socialist

Garifuna Bacchanal WELL, well, well! I thought the carnival and all the bacchanal was over, but it seems Vincy Mas still going down there in Kingstown.

Whether it was ole mas or new mas, that Garifuna fellow, Dr. Ramos, seems to have caused quite a bassa bassa in SVG. A friend with whom I spoke say the man ‘let go a whole set a jumbie in SVG’. Well, I wasn’t there, and I still ain’t there, so I don’t know a thing about jumbie or anything like that.

What I know is that the Garifuna have found themselves in the middle of the old political divide in good ole SVG. Let’s not forget that it was the ULP government which sought, and correctly so, to develop a relationship with the Garifuna in Belize and moreso in the Diaspora.

What seemed to have happened here is that

they liaised with only one set of Garifuna in the USA, forgetting that those with whom they developed relationships, were not the only Garifuna groups up here.

And what developed is an appearance that the ULP Government felt it had a monopoly on this Garifuna drive.

So what you expect?

Mr. Eustace bus’ the bowley by inviting another set of Garifuna to ‘speak the truth’. I don’t know if they spoke the truth, but they surely set the place on fire. Is like ‘mouth open and ‘tory jump out’. All kind a comments, left right and centre; but there is one truth that we must accept: We have a lot more to learn about these people. Let us take it step by step before we discover too late, something that we really don’t like.

Garnet, N.Y.

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The final six of the top 25 Development Strategies of the ULP administration The Issue IN THIS ISSUE, WE CONTINUE to catalogue the final six of the top twenty-five of the development strategies of the ULP administration, for the guidance of both ULP supporters, and the undecided voters who are looking for reasons to support the ULP. The last two publications have been well received by readers who were clearly happy with the cataloguing of these development strategies. Indeed, many persons have requested “soft” copies on the previous articles which were published in this newspaper.

Reconnecting with our Garifuna Brothers and Sisters (Statement by the Honourable Arnhim Eustace at the Press Conference on Wednesday 30th July, 2015)

4. Support for Education and Training.

Following the success story of the Education Revolution, the ULP administration has introduced the Support for Education and Training or “SET” programme. Under this programme, a number of graduates from the University of the West Indies and the Community College, are 1. The new Public Library. employed within the public service for a period of one year. During this When the ULP administration period, they are afforded “on the job” arrived in office in March 2001, the training, in the area of their expertise, public library services offered to the while being paid a salary. Many of the people of St. Vincent and the SET candidates have since been Grenadines was in a shambles. The employed in the public service, and as public library in Kingstown, the centre teachers, once it has been determined piece of this service, was banished to that their period of service was an area in the capital city that was exemplary. known for the level of alcoholic consumption. It was through this area 5. Development of Recreational sites. that our young students had to navigate, to do their research and Many Vincentians take this other related work. The ULP development for granted. Again, we go embarked on a plan to construct a new back to March 2001, where many of modern, state of the art library facility our tourism and recreational sites in the Frenches area. Among other were in a state of flux. It was the ULP things, this required the removal of which embarked on a process of the Technical Centre, and YWCA Pre- development and renovation, which school, to better quarters. The new resulted in the current number of library, which was constructed outstanding facilities, which are through assistance from the available for usage by nationals and government of the Republic of China visitors alike. At the top of the list is on Taiwan, is a beacon of information the recreational site at Rawacou in the and research, for the young people of Argyle area. This site has become very our beloved nation. popular for persons who want to relax and enjoy the ambience, to persons 2. Expansion to the Community who use the site for cultural events.

College.

The sites at Black Point and Mt. Wynne, have been used for a similar It is true that the NDP did some purpose. limited work in the setting up of the Community College or the A-level 6. Expansion of ICT services.

College as it was called at the time.

But it was the ULP administration The expansion of Information which modernised the Community Communication Technology services in College, giving it a new purpose, and a the state, is a story that is untold. The wider scope that has resulted in ULP administration has embarked on additional education services for our a new focus in this regard, which young people. Recently, the includes training, and the provision of government engaged in a 30 million free internet WIFI services in strategic dollar plus expansion programme that parts of the state, and in schools. But has resulted in even more educational this new focus and expansion can be services for our students. The current seen in the one laptop per child college resembles an international programme, that has resulted in the university campus, and our students distribution of some 30,000 lap tops to are proud users of this facility. primary, secondary and tertiary level children in the state. Additional, a 3. NEMO. number of IT teachers have been trained to deliver learning to many of Again, when the ULP arrived in these students. The success of all this government in 2001, the emergency can be seen on the streets of service applied to disasters, was St.Vincent and the Grenadines, where administered by a desk officer in the our young students gather under public service. Clearly, this was street lights, to surf the net, using the inadequate, but it reflected the level of free WIFI service provided by the importance that the NDP paid to the government. area of disaster preparedness and recovery. All this has changed. Under Conclusion the ULP, a headquarters building was secured for NEMO, with a full staff. In Over the last three editions of this addition, the ULP administration took newspaper, we have presented the top a bill to parliament to govern the twenty-five development strategies of operations and the conduct of disaster the ULP administration. But there is preparedness in the country. All this more, including the work in the has resulted in an improved level of agricultural industry, infrastructure preparedness and disaster response. development, the work in the The cases of Hurricane Tomas and the Grenadines, and the continued Christmas Eve floods of 2013, outreach to Vincentians in the demonstrate how efficiently NEMO Diaspora. has responded to disasters. NEMO It is all of these, plus the game will continue to play a critical role in changing geo thermal project, coupled this regard, given the unpredictability with a visionary and astute of international weather conditions, leadership, which will lead the ULP under the effect of global warming. and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, to a fourth term in office.

ON MAY 21, 2015, I committed myself and the New Democratic Party (NDP) to right the historic wrong perpetrated by the British 218 years ago on the Garifuna people, when they banished approximately four thousand of the Garifuna people on the uninhabited island of Balliceaux, where about half of them died within months. Those who survived the ordeal were then exiled to Roatan in Honduras. Today, in a remarkable feat of survival, these two to three thousand survivors have prospered and grown to a population totaling between 700,000 to 800,000 persons in several countries, with about half of them residing in the USA, and others in Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua.

What is particularly amazing, is that so far, after a two - century ordeal, they have not only survived, but many have prospered, and their language and culture have survived.

What is even more uncanny is that they have maintained their love for St. Vincent and the Grenadines as their homeland, particularly the island of Balliceaux.

Over the last five to six years, I have been reading and seeking to understand the Garifuna people, and I have thought deeply about them and their plight, and what our obligation to them should be. How should we, the nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines address this issue? Taking into account the Garifuna population is seven to eight times larger than our population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and that they have been living abroad for over eleven generations, assuming that twenty years is a generation.

How can we in St. Vincent and the Grenadines communicate with them and recognize them as our own brothers and sisters? Again, how can we show our affection and brotherly love in a tangible way? There is much evidence available as to how they regard and love their ancestral homeland.

Having given the issue much deep thought, and discussed the issue with senior members of the NDP, I made a proclamation at the Town Hall Meeting in New York on May 21 of this year that, should an NDP Government be elected at our next general elections, we would grant the Garifuna people honorary citizenship in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a tangible expression of our love for them. We also recognize that many benefits of a financial and economic nature will be brought to SVG because of our embrace of the Garifuna. These benefits would also include significant contribution to our tourism and other economic sectors.

I am not in the least assuming that this is an easy task that can be accomplished overnight. I recognize that there are many challenges related to international law that have to be overcome; but we have the faith and the belief that we shall overcome such challenges as we continue this process. We have committed ourselves to discuss all solutions with the Garifuna leadership. We will solve the problem together.

Some, including this country’s Prime Minister, have sought to instill fear and doubt in the minds of our population on this, even claiming that the Garifuna will come to take our jobs and property. I condemn

unequivocally this attitude as nothing more than political fear-mongering and a lack of concern for the Garifuna people. “Where there is no vision, the people always perish,” and those without vision will be left on the garbage heap of the so called ‘Caribbean Civilization and our Caribbean History’. Professor Ramos, you are here with us today in Yuremein. I say again “Welcome home, Garifuna, welcome home.” Our place is your place too.

We are all one people The Honourable Arnhim Eustace should be commended highly for the vision that he articulated in New York earlier this year; that he would grant honorary citizenship to our Garifuna brothers and sisters when the NDP wins the next general elections.

As a result, two brothers from the Garifuna community were in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the past week, and their visit was a resounding success. They were warmly received by their Garifuna brothers and sisters, and that was demonstrated everywhere they went throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Two rallies were held in Greggs and Sandy Bay, and they attracted large crowds, and everyone who attended and listened on radio, expressed their appreciation for the informative presentations that were made.

Vincentians were reminded of their history and the unlawful removal of the Garifuna people from Yuremein to Roatan Island, and the suffering that they went through. As a result, most Vincentians have been calling on the NDP to develop a History curriculum for the primary and secondary levels to teach the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, when it wins the next general elections.

From the visit, it was obvious that there was a rekindling of the Garifuna spirit among our Garifuna brothers and sisters. We were also advised on several occasions by Professor Ramos, that we were one people and should not be divided. But this country is divided politically by the ULP administration. Therefore, it will only take the NDP to unite Vincentians, and one of the ways it will do that; it’s through the implementation of the policy of meritocracy.

As we reconnect with our Garifuna brothers and sisters all over the world, we were informed not only of the economic, educational and cultural benefits that can be derived from this reconnection. But as Professor Ramos correctly declared, “This relationship will bring about the healing of wounds among the Garifuna people, that were left open since they were separated by the British in 1797.”

Undoubtedly, it was a historical visit, and the main player in all of this was the Honourable Arnhim Eustace. He is now on the world stage, and Vincentians must elect Mr. Eustace and the NDP to govern the affairs of this country at the next general elections. We Ready!

V Good: The enemy of great

Education for critical consciousness

“Good is the enemy of great.” - Voltaire (real name François-Marie Arouet) (1694-1778), French historian, writer and philosopher.

James C. Collins’ book “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t”, is considered a must read for students in business, government, and society.

This is especially so for those who desire to hone their skills in turning around failing enterprises. Among other things, the book provides useful insights into the lives of turnaround practitioners. Several best examples are provided of those who were able to re-energize large companies that were experiencing serious financial haemorrhaging as a result of a variety of internal and external challenges.

The book is pregnant with quotations that reveal the importance of focusing on excellence (and avoiding average performance). The writer challenges us to be determined to develop the habit of constantly seeking to improve our performance — striving for excellence in all that we do. He beckons us to develop the discipline to constantly focus on how we can improve. This is clearly understood when he says, “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”

Greatness, regardless of how we measure it, will not happen by luck and chance. We must make a conscious effort to pursue it. It calls for discipline. It calls for courage. It calls for determination. It is not for the faint-hearted or for those who merely want to settle for average performance — for mediocrity. Those who settle for just doing enough to get by, will find greatness to be a mirage — an illusion. They will find greatness illusive.

The Old Testament book of Proverbs reminds us of the need to embrace truth and mercy as we pursue knowledge and wisdom. In my teenage years, the second and third chapters of Proverbs especially encouraged me. The verses in those chapters reveal that we have to seek after wisdom and knowledge as we would for a hidden treasure. We are also encouraged to have that strong desire to pursue excellence from another Old Testament book — Ecclesiastes (Chapter 9 and verse 10).

King Solomon, through his writings, reminded us that whatsoever we find to do, we should pursue those tasks with all of our might - with energy and gusto. These words of wisdom, penned thousands of years ago, aid us in focusing on the pursuit of excellence. You and I can be assured that such an approach to every task will ensure that we enhance our chances of success.

It is truly amazing to observe individuals who exert that kind of energy and commitment in the workplace. Many readers will know individuals who are working in jobs that are considered “beneath their qualifications”, but do so with such energy and professionalism that the bystanders and spectators would never suspect that this was not their preferred career path. Those are the individuals who greet us with such warmth when we cross their paths.

They portray excellent customer service and radiate contagious warmth that leaves us wanting more of their time and service. Sometimes, by just observing them, they put a spring in our steps and encourage us to join them along the pathway to excellence. They move us from focusing on being good to being great.

Homes, schools, workplaces, and churches can benefit from individuals

THERE IS A BIG CONVERSATION about history, ethnicity and origins currently taking place in SVG. It had the potential to be enlightening, but alas, narrow partisan politics has caused the conversation to break out along tribal lines. During the struggles for national liberation and independence in Southern Africa, those fighting for freedom always maintained that, for the nation to survive, the tribe must die. There is no better time than now for our leaders and commentators to take the conversation about our origins, history and culture away from the narrow vineyard of politics, and to the broad pastures of enlightenment and understanding. We owe our people, many of whom depend on us for an understanding of everything, that much.

If we are serious about our Garifuna roots and history, there is no way we can separate a desire for understanding of whence we came from the struggle for reparatory justice and development. Yet, this is precisely what many of us, particularly the parliamentary opposition, have opportunistically done.

Many of us are old enough to remember when the history books taught us that our forebears were wild, aggressive cannibals derisively called Caribs. Slowly but surely, the period since independence has brought a better understanding of us as a people. Carib was increasingly dismissed as a proper name for the early inhabitants of these islands.

Kallinago and Garifuna are hailed and adopted as names which early inhabitants called themselves.

One can imagine the pain and sadness a reparationist feels when he observes that many supporters of the ruling party, whose leader has done more than most to bring the horror story of conquest, genocide, slavery and colonialism and its impact on our people, Garifuna/Garinagu foolishly driving around with bumper stickers which proclaim ‘I am Carib, not Garifuna.’ Inexplicably worse, was to hear our PM reducing the issue of Garifuna return to the electoral scaremongering that Garifunas will come here to take our ‘house, land and jobs.’

It cannot be forgotten that Eustace sounded the first salvo when he dismissed reparations as a ‘red herring’ intended to distract the population from the pressing issues of the day. Or that reparations is meaningless because it cannot be attained in our lifetime. One is left to wonder what is to be made of his ‘honorary citizenship proposal for all Garifunas, which can be described as hazy at best. The silly season of elections is upon us, so everything and anything goes.

Into this political cauldron jumps Dr Wellington Ramos, a Garifuna man born in Belize, but lives and works in the United States. Ramos, one of the leaders of the Garifuna Nation organization, waded into Vincentian politics, intent on getting his 15 minutes of fame. He started by saying that he wanted to speak to all of the relevant parties in the Vincentian politics; but in less than a week, so seduced by the fete thrown for him by Eustace, he showed up at a meeting in Sandy Bay urging listeners to vote the opposition New Democratic Party.

Ramos, on his very first visit to SVG, undiplomatically declared that he had no respect for PM Gonsalves, dismissed the work and effort of the local Garifuna organization, rewrote

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 11.

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whose attitudes and behaviours beckon us to follow their example and to excel at all that are noble. We are forever grateful of those individuals who blaze such a trail of excellence in service. They have developed the skill of retaining a focus on best performance that is never compromised by the detractors whose words and actions provide ample evidence that they are singing from a different song sheet; individuals who trigger casual absence at the slightest sign of a headache, or seek an excuse to get to work late or leave office early. Persons who can never be expected to contribute to any “extra activities” or always wanting to be paid for whatever little extra they do.

These individuals who engage in parasitic behaviours, can never expect to grow. Their negative attitudes retard their progress. They may never even notice how readily excellence eludes them, or consider how much farther along they would have been if they had paused to give more of themselves. They neglect to see that, as they “short change” their employers or colleagues, they end up stagnated and unhappy. For truly, it is by giving that we get, and by sharing that we receive. Life rewards those who go above and beyond the call of duty. Those who strive for excellence in all that they do.

Many of this column’s readers can think of institutions that they are familiar with that can be classified as “good”. Good schools. Good choirs.

Good steel band orchestras. However, imagine what these will be like if the participants accepted the challenge to be “great”. Let us do the introspection now, and consider the various functions that we perform. We can objectively conclude that we are good at many of these. But imagine what we will be like if we accepted the challenge to be great at these. What will it take for us to get to that level?

What choices must we make to get there? What discipline is required to get to that next level?

Individuals who focus on excellence must break away from the shackles of mediocrity. The path to excellence demands that we consistently embrace the challenge to better our best efforts - to not settle for average performance. Thus, as we continue the pursuit of our noble dreams, let us commit (and recommit) to giving each assignment the best of ourselves. Let us not be distracted by those life spectators who spend time in the shade, observing and analysing life as it passes by, or criticising those who take the risk of making this world a better place to be. Let us not be deterred by those who seek to lull us into a position of complacency, or attempt to convince us that our noble ambitions are beyond our reach or capability. We therefore continue to move forward with energy and gusto.

We take the incremental steps, making sure that we blaze a trail that others can follow en route to their noble ambitions and dreams. We will not become comfortable with performances that are deemed to be good, knowing that good is the enemy of great. Each of us must remind ourselves that, as good as we are, we can do better!

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

the history of our country, and alienated half of the nation. What could have been a sweet and redemptive home-coming, was reduced to vain- glorious, divisive and destructive ego act. But Ramos is the least of our worries. He will soon depart these shores. We will be left to put our nation on a sounder footing.

National discourse is too damn episodic. Nothing is connected to the other. It seems as though we think of issues on the fly, and quickly drop it to cling to another. Too much of what we do is premised on electoral calculations. Lost in the calculus, is the tried and tested notion that good policy is good politics.

Have we ever given a thought to the real possibility that the commission of inquiry that cost us millions of dollars, and the case brought by former PM James Mitchell could have gone differently, had it not been for that report issued by Commissioner Ephraim George just before the 2005 elections? Mr. Mitchell trumpeted that he was vindicated, and this seems to be accepted by many; but truth be told, we never got to the merits of inquiry.

Or take the purious grounds offered by the NDP for its withdrawal from the constitutional reform process.

Electoral politics trumped a critically important national project. So when these same forces talk about the absence of integrity legislation, and the fact that the PM alone can dictate the date of elections, for which provisions were made in the rejected constitution, we see the truth in the saying where there is no vision the people suffer.

Or take airport development.

Everyone agreed that an international airport is a central piece of infrastructure if we are to develop and grow. But the NDP formed the fool and raised all kinds of side shows, because as the party in opposition, it feared that the completed airport would give the ULP a bounce in popularity. There was a bill before the parliament in 2013 to raise $208 million for the airport. Every member of the parliamentary opposition voted No. Last Tuesday, with elections 2015 looming, the opposition voted for a further $15 million in financing it. No concern about national development.

Be guided by the political and electoral clock.

The same can be said about the battle for reparations and the issue of Garifuna. Our Garifuna brothers, exiled two centuries ago, make the big mistake of thinking that all Garifunas were exiled following British conquest in 1795/96. In a throwback to the darkest days of anti-communism, many of us see Garifuna as aliens coming to take the little we have.

Our politics cries out for mature voices. A true education for critical consciousness among our people demands that leaders stop playing with the minds of the people for narrow partisan ends. National development transcends partisan ends.

So let it be written. So let it be done.

Send comments, critical comments & other views to jomosanga@gmail.com

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Formal request by SVG Green Party to ULP government & IADC Board of Directors to urgently close Argyle airport project ‘assessment of wind data is to be soon done’. This is an asinine approach to building an airport. ICAO guidelines say that runway orientation should be I am a Vincentian by birth. I write to you based on reliable wind distribution as a very concerned citizen of SVG, and statistics - preferably of not less than as the Leader of SVG Green Party, five years - and these should be done strongly requesting that immediate steps before the start of runway be taken to abort and close down the construction, not 8 years afterwards! construction of the Argyle airport for the The fact that IADC is soon to assess reasons given below. wind data, suggests that IADC intends Wind studies carried out between to change the orientation of Argyle February and October 2007 show that runway, in light of the findings of the the wind direction was predominantly upcoming assessment of wind data. east to west, and that the wind speed Re-orientating the Argyle airport at Argyle reached 53 knots, and it was runway will take years and require not uncommon for the wind to be millions of dollars more. About $800 around 40 knots. This crosswind is too million has already been wasted, and much for a Boeing 747 -400 aircraft. our country is virtually bankrupt. We On page 14 of the Argyle airport must abandon this ridiculous situation Environmental Impact Assessment, it The ICAO stipulates that, when the at Argyle. The project is a shambles states that for Argyle airport, ‘The and going round in circles. runway surface is wet, the Allowable selected design is in accordance with It was unpatriotic to start the Crosswind Component decreases. the established guidelines of the Argyle airport, knowing that the IADC Determination of a runway International Civil Aviation wind studies showed that the strong orientation is a critical task in the Organisation (ICAO) Annex 141, with planning and design of a runway. crosswinds make the Argyle site the operation of aircrafts like the unsuitable for an airport. It would be ICAO guidelines recommend that a B747-400 series as per Airport unpatriotic, also, to continue with runway should always be oriented in Reference Code 4E’.

Argyle airport and waste millions of the direction of the prevailing wind.

The table shows that the allowable dollars more. There are thousands of Argyle airport has been under crosswind for Argyle airport is only 20 construction for about 8 years, but still children in SVG going hungry and knots, far less than the 53 knots uneducated. There are thousands of the IADC is not willing to confirm to recorded at Argyle airport. The airport the public that the orientation of the households without water and will not work, as the Argyle runway Argyle airport runway is north-south, electricity. The SVG government must orientation is north — south, 00/18.

00/18, perpendicular to the prevailing focus on Vincentians’ needs, not tourists’. wind.

Table - Allowable crosswind The Yambou river runs through the The CEO of IADC, Dr. Rudolph component per Runway Design Code Matthias, was quoted in The News, middle of the Argyle runway. Any soil in knots placed in this gap to fill it, will need at publication 31 July 2015, saying that least 3 years to sink and compact naturally to become hard and obtain the necessary density to take the weight of 747 jumbo jets, which weigh 400 tonnes fully loaded. The airport will take at least 4 more years to Dear ULP government and International Airport Development Company (IADC) Board of Directors,

complete, and even then, it is highly unlikely it will get an ICAO licence to operate passenger flights.

Strong crosswinds and other flight safety hazards associated with Argyle, make it an unsuitable site for an airport. We strongly request that the construction of the misfit Argyle airport be urgently aborted, so that millions of dollars of government money can be invested in creating jobs for our people, building our own university and looking after Vincentians’ needs.

Yours sincerely Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA Leader and co-founder of SVG Green Party cc: His Excellency, the Governor General of SVG President of World Bank President of International Monetary Fund Board of Directors Caribbean Development Bank International Civil Aviation Organisation OECS Civil Aviation Authority Secretary General of CARICOM Cabinet Secretary to ULP government SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

In honour of the visiting Garifuna citizens of S.V.G. Continued from Page 8.

If that story had been true, and the entire scene not conjured up, as Dr. Earl Kirby has pointed out in an interview, one could have rest assured that Chatoyer’s body would have been paraded mockingly as a trophy of war, and his place of internment marked as a stain to native pretensions. Instead, to this day, nobody knows where the remains of Chatoyer lie.

But, as is still common in trashy films, the final scene was contrived, to show the “head crook” being bested by their “Star boy” in a personal duel. Movies about the North American Indians and Tarzan in the African jungle often sought to get across a similarly lying message.

There is little doubt that in our case, history became propaganda to be used in the service of Metropolitan politics.

It was important to the British that we should be deprived of psychological uplift that comes with having native heroes to worship. They therefore tried to sweep

the cupboard bare. We are now charged with the burden of debunking theories, exploding myths, and rewriting a true history from a national perspective. The life and times of Joseph Chatoyer is a good starting point. It is a difficult task to reconstruct our history.

Most of it was oral anyway, and the Carib language preserved in Belize, was an early casualty in our tragic episode. Then the expert evidence of archaeology is hampered by the destruction wrought by volcanic eruptions. And, we have noted, European Imperial History had a vested interest in seeking to warp and twist the colonial mentality.

The job of de-briefing the mind of brainwashed colonials, is nothing short of colossal.

Look at the withdrawal symptoms suffered by the mere abolition of 22nd of January as Discovery Day Holiday!

Not even “Guy Fawkes Night” would go away quietly!

There is a revealing story published on “The Capture of Dorsetshire

Hill” in the 1949 issue of the Grammar School magazine, in which the author, a Vincentian student now an Anglican priest, identified completely with the British.

The Vincentian national, calling himself “Captain Hastings” of the British armed forces, boasted of killing two Caribs in the nocturnal encounter, “and as the day broke, I raised my eyes and beheld a flagTHE UNION JACK! the fortification was Ours!”

This is the kind of miseducation that the celebration of National Heroes Day is committed to correct and reverse.

On all accounts, there is plenty catching-up to do. We can only do our best to facilitate the process. To borrow Blazer Williams’ favourite refrain: “Time is running out”. In this regard, we probably just barely saved the day.

National Heroes’ Day is not an occasion for merriment and jollification, it affords a moment for deep soulsearching and sober reflection.

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LIME Customers receive over $4000 in prizes every week LIME CUSTOMERS CONTINUE to be rewarded every week as their summer promotion builds momentum.

Free Samsung Galaxy S6, free school bags and free CK Greaves grocery coupons are some of the items collected every week.

This week’s Samsung Galaxy S6 winner was Lisa Adams, who was elated when she received the call from LIME “Oh thank God! Things are beginning to look up! You have no idea what this win means to me!”, Adams expressed. Raymond Dougan also walked away with a new Samsung Galaxy J1 smartphone.

LIME Marketing Manager - Nikala Williams says “Can you imagine sending a text for only $1, and winning a $2799 dollars smartphone?

Customers are getting free backpacks and free grocery coupons every day. That’s what the excitement at LIME is all about.”

In the LIME UPGRADE summer promotion, customers simply have to text “#SUMA” to “6263”, to win 2 smartphones, including the coveted Samsung Galaxy S6 every week. By simply topping up $20 or more, customers receive instant grocery coupons for CK Greaves, and also walk

Flow TV airs AUDI Cup 2015, August 4 and 5 well as being broadcast by the BTC in the Bahamas.

John Reid, President FLOW TV KICKS OFF of C&W’s Consumer Group commented, “This an exciting summer of latest addition to Flow football with exclusive TV’s growing portfolio coverage of the further demonstrates prestigious Audi Cup 2015 on August 4 and 5, our commitment to two days of live, back to provide customers with relevant and popular back, riveting football content, as we continue featuring the world’s to position Flow to be best clubs. the home of the best Real Madrid, AC programming experience Milan and Tottenham across the Caribbean.”

Hotspur will challenge Bayern Munich for the The 2015 Audi Cup match Audi Cup 2015 in the biannual “best in close- fixtures are as follows: up” four-game 2015 Audi Cup Schedule tournament. Bayern Munich has won two of Tuesday, Aug. 4. three Audi Cup 5:15 p.m. GMT/12:15 tournaments, in 2009 p.m. ET and again in 2013, and viewers will be glued to Real Madrid vs.

Tottenham Hotspur their Flow TV screens for the fourth edition of Tuesday, Aug. 4. the not-to-be-missed 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. championship, which ET has fast become an Bayern Munich vs. AC essential fixture in the Milan pre-season programme of the world’s best clubs.

Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The matches will start at 12:15 p.m. EST, 5:15 p.m. GMT/12:15 and will be available on p.m. ET Loser 1 vs. Loser 2.

Flow TV in Antigua, Barbados, Cayman, Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET Grenadines and Winner 1 vs. Winner 2 Trinidad & Tobago, as Two days of Riveting Football Action with Top Football Clubs

away with a free school bag with select smartphone purchase every day.

L-R: Lisa Adams and Raymond Dougan are the most recent winners of LIME smartphones as part of their Upgrade Summer promotion.

V US assails SVG in Trafficking in Persons Report 14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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“particularly vulnerable” to labor trafficking.

In addition, it said men, women and children are vulnerable to forced labor in the country, primarily in agriculture.

“The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking;

by NELSON A. KING while Barbados and St. significantly increasing. source, transit and however, it is making naking@verizon.net Lucia were placed on Tier There is also a failure destination country for US CORRESPONDENT 2, and the Bahamas on to provide evidence of men, women and children significant efforts to do so,” the State Department Tier 1. increasing efforts to subjected to forced labor said.

ST. VINCENT AND THE Dominica, Grenada, combat severe forms of and sex trafficking.

But it added that, GRENADINES has been and St. Kitts and Nevis trafficking in persons from The State Department despite these measures, listed among Caribbean were not mentioned on the previous year; or the said non-governmental countries, which continue to any of the lists. determination that a organizations (NGOs) and “the government did not demonstrate overall come under attack by the Countries on Tier 3 are country is making government officials increasing anti-trafficking United States, for their those whose governments significant efforts to bring report that some adults efforts compared to the record in trafficking in do not fully comply with itself into compliance with pressure local children previous reporting period; persons, with claims that the minimum standards, minimum standards was under the age of 18 to therefore, St. Vincent and they are still not doing and are not making based on commitments by engage in sex acts with the Grenadines is placed enough to address the significant efforts to do so, the country to take men in exchange for on Tier 2 Watch List.” issue. the State Department additional future steps money or gifts. ThirdThe State Department In its 2015 Trafficking said. over the next year. party prostitution of noted that the Ralph in Persons Report (TIPR), Countries on Tier 2 The State Department children under 18 is a released in Washington, Watch List are those said the TIPR is the US form of human trafficking, Gonsalves administration launched an antiD.C. last week, the US whose governments do not Government’s principal the department said. trafficking public Department of State fully comply with the diplomatic tool to engage It said local officials awareness campaign, and placed one Caribbean Trafficking Victim’s foreign governments on and NGOs have also conducted anti-trafficking Community (CARICOM) Protection Act’s (TVPA) human trafficking. raised concerns about territory on its Tier 3 list, minimum standards, but It is also the world’s foreign women engaged in training for law enforcement, immigration seven on its Tier 2 Watch are making significant most comprehensive prostitution, or foreign and labor officials.

List, two on the Tier 2 list efforts to bring themselves resource of governmental workers from South It said the government and one on the Tier 1 list. into compliance with those anti-human trafficking America and the “acknowledged a Belize was the only standards. efforts, and reflects the US Caribbean subjected to trafficking problem in the CARICOM state on Tier 3; In addition, for those Government’s commitment forced labor in or while country for the first time; Antigua and Barbuda, countries, the State to global leadership on transiting through the however, it neither Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Department said the this key human rights and multi-island state.

St. Vincent and the absolute number of law enforcement issue, the The report said foreign demonstrated proactive victim identification Grenadines, Suriname, victims of severe forms of department said. workers employed by efforts nor identified or and Trinidad and Tobago trafficking is very It said St. Vincent and small, foreign-owned referred any trafficking on Tier 2 Watch List; significant or is the Grenadines is a companies are victims for care,” adding that the government “did not prosecute or convict any traffickers.”

The State Department, therefore, recommended that the administration “proactively identify and refer any suspected trafficking victims, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers, to appropriate care and services”; promote a victim-centered approach to victim identification by involving NGOs or other victim advocates in the process; develop and adopt a national anti-trafficking plan; and develop and disseminate a government-wide referral process for various types of suspected trafficking victims (child, adult, male, female, national, nonnational).

In addition, the report urged that Kingstown “vigorously prosecute and convict traffickers; take potential victims to a safe location while conducting victim identification interviews, as victims often first appear as

immigration or prostitution-related violators and are reluctant to disclose details of their exploitation in law enforcement settings; and identify a social worker or NGO to coordinate assistance, serve as a victims’ advocate, and liaise with law enforcement.”

The US will also like the Gonsalves-led government to “continue to raise awareness about forced labor and sex trafficking using the national campaign; and provide anti-trafficking training to diplomatic personnel.”

On prosecution, the report said that the government “demonstrated minimal anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts,” stating that the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2011 prohibits sex trafficking and forced labor, including bonded labor, and prescribes punishments of up to 20 years’ imprisonment with fines.

It said these penalties are “sufficiently stringent and commensurate with penalties for other serious crimes, such as rape.

“The government did not prosecute or convict any traffickers in 2014,” said the report, adding that the special police unit focusing on trafficking, sexual offenses and domestic violence initiated three potential trafficking investigations in 2014, compared with three investigations in 2013.

The report noted that Prime Minister Gonsalves chaired a ministerial-level national anti-trafficking taskforce, and that the taskforce previously developed a national action plan covering 20132015 and worked to update the plan for 20162019. The taskforce provides quarterly and annual reports to the cabinet.

“The government did not provide antitrafficking training or guidance for its diplomatic personnel,” said the State Department, however.

“Authorities did not recognize the problem of foreign child sex tourists in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“The government did not make efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts or forced labor,” it added.

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SVG to compete in ICP,Trinidad & Tobago SIXTY-FIVE (65) MEMBERS of the Starlift Steel Orchestra and a contingent of the Youlou Pan Movement will represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the inaugural International Conference and Panorama (ICP) competition in Trinidad and Tobago. ICP is the world’s largest steel pan competition.

Starlift Steel Orchestra will compete with an 8minute arrangement of Alston Becket Cyrus’ “Teaser”, and will come up against steel bands from all around the world including Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean.

The ICP will open with a ceremony on the 4th of August, followed by the grand opening of the Steel Pan Village on the 5th, 3 additional days of conferences, a Pastiche Steel day, Single Pan day,

Luke’s Kids Club Summer Programme 2015 LUKE’S KIDS CLUB is about to host its fifth summer programme. This programme would run from August 10, 2015 to August 22, 2015, according to the following schedule: Opening ceremony: Monday 10; Juniors (4-11year-olds): Tuesday 11 — Saturday 15; Seniors (1216+ year-olds): Monday 17 — Friday 21; closing ceremony: Saturday 22.

During this programme, the children would learn in interesting ways about geothermal energy, climate change and other related subjects. The seniors will also participate in a personal training and developments course (“Boot Camp”) that would be conducted under the auspices of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

The registration period is Wednesday, August 5 to Saturday 8, between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

The Club also invites interested persons to sign on to be volunteers for the summer programme. For more information on the programme, and on becoming a volunteer, please call 456-6570, 5261047 or send an email to lukeskidsclub@gmail.com.

Island Scholars Inc. announces Scholarship Awards for College Students ISLAND SCHOLARS INC., a non-profit organization located in Lawrenceville, NJ, was started by Mr. Ronald Rose (formerly of New Grounds) in 2014. The mission is to provide merit and needs-based scholarships to promising students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to advance their pursuit of a university education.

Mr. Rose, Chair of the Board of Trustees, has announced that the Trustees have approved the awards of six scholarships for a total of $42,000 XCD. The following students are the recipients: Kimesha Ashby will major in Mathematics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill.

Kenechia Charles will major in Biomedical Technology at UWI St. Augustine.

Ariel Gibson currently a medical student at All Saints Medical School.

Oshakie Gittens will major in Chemistry at UWI St. Augustine.

Cyritha Harry will major in Marketing at UWI Open Campus Bria King will major in Journalism at UWI Mona.

The board had originally approved $32,000 XCD for 2 scholarships. However, after reviewing the many applications, it was decided to increase the amount awarded to $42,000 XCD and award six scholarships. The board plans to renew the scholarships each year, as long as the recipients meet the award criteria.

and then will conclude with the grand Panorama Competition on the 9th.

The ICP serves to commemorate over 75 years of pan and 50 years of Panorama Members of the Starlift Steel Orchestra are all smiles as they head to in Trinidad & Tobago. the ICP competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Standing L-R: Kim Gun-Munro, Terron Davis, Diane Quammie and Simone Goodluck. (Sitting l-r) Micah Cumberbatch, Michele Morthely, and Nancy Ferrari.

New Executive to run Insurance Institute of SVG

by KENVILLE HORNE A NEW EXECUTIVE has been mandated to run the affairs of the Insurance Institute of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The executive which was selected at the Annual General Meeting at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown on Wednesday 29th July, comprised Michele Morthely - President, Micah Cumberbatch - Vice President, Nancy Ferrari Secretary, Kim GunMunro - Public Relations Officer (PRO), Diane Quammie - Social Secretary, Simone Goodluck - Education Officer, Terron Davis Librarian, and Joanne Hazell - Treasurer.

Gun-Munro told THE VINCENTIAN, following the election, that she is confident that they have a strong executive in place.

“We hope to go toward and be able to host several education and training

events so that we can help the industry become stronger and well informed.”

She expressed confidence in her new president, noting the President “has experience in this field, and we look forward to being guided by her.”

Gun-Munro has been a member with the institute since its inception some 15 years ago.

When asked what were some of the major issues facing the organisation, she said that one was lack of enthusiasm on the part of the members.

“But in the last two years, we have had a lot of education and training programmes which we hope will continue going forward.”

She said that there is a Caribbean Institute that handles all the training and exams which are highly recognised throughout the region.

The main objective of the Insurance Association has always been to promote, encourage and organise training and education in all aspects of insurance at all levels, and to ensure compliance with insurance legislation and the regulators.

At the meeting on Wednesday, certificates were handed out to successful candidates.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines recorded a 95 percent overall pass rate, with four persons receiving prizes for outstanding results.

Distinctions were awarded to Nancy Ferrari for the Foundation Certificate and to Kim Haydock for the Motor Certificate.

Kerry Foster and Monisia DeGrads were awarded Credits for the Foundation Certificate.

The next set of courses is expected to be held in September, this year.

Participants of the last training exercise organised by the Insurance Association, with members of thee new executive.

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First set of Ecuadorian Diplomats arrive This is the follow up point to the Memorandum of Understanding that THE FIRST SET OF ECUADORIAN was signed back in March this year by Diplomats that are expected to learn the Ambassador of Ecuador to St English have arrived.

Vincent and the Grenadines, H.E Galo The group comprises Monica Torres Yepez Holgun, and Minister of Foreign Jima, Janeth yovi Veliz, Maria Affairs, Camillo Gonsalves.

Bautista Ortiz, Myrian Norona That signing was subsequent to the Martinez and Jorge Saavedra Espana, one between Prime Minister Dr Ralph and they are expected to remain in the Gonsalves and President Rafael country for four months, when they Correa, which took place last year in will perfect their English speaking and Ecuador during a state visit by writing skills, and learn a little about Gonsalves.

Vincentian culture.

During that visit, the prime

minister said that both leaders spoke on a number of issues, and the MOU that was signed covered many areas, including economics, cultural, education, PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves posing with the infrastructure and trade.

“And we have seen heightened first batch of Ecuadorian diplomats to SVG. benefits from this thus far,” learn English at the community Gonsalves said.

He mentioned the bridges that were college and in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (Cave built by the team of Ecuadorian Hill). military engineers; the second area And the third area is what was that is expected to soon manifest itself being witnessed on Tuesday”, the will be the arrival of teachers here to prime minister said when the first batch of 25 Diplomats from Ecuador had arrived.

It is expected that there will be five groups of five - the first batch is expected to leave in December, and the second arrive in January 2016.

The programme will also see Vincentian civil servants visit Ecuador to the Ministry of Health, Wellness service to needy individuals. Each to learn Spanish and to immerse and the Environment, to be year, to realize the finances to fuel themselves in the Ecuadorian culture, distributed to Health Centres around these projects, the group hosts a tea St. Vincent and the Grenadines. party in May and a cultural concert in Gonsalves explained.

Minister of Health, Wellness and the September. The people of St. Vincent “Now, just think of it, a small Environment, Hon. Clayton Burgin and Grenadines will always be country like SVG having in Ecuador, profusely thanked President Irish and grateful to the members of the essentially, 25 ambassadors for SVG,” her organization for the gifts, “We are UVCGB. the prime minister observed. always happy, Ms. Irish, for any support that we can get from Vincentians in the Diaspora, organisations and government, because health care is an expensive venture,” he said. He went on to Karen Hall-Arthur, Laision Officer in name the centres that will receive SVG; Ralphie Cunningham, member supplies: Calliaqua, Paget Farm, of UVCGB; Kimberle Thompson and Stubbs, Park Hill, Ceders, Biabou, Maxene Paris, UVCGB volunteers; Georgetown and Byera.

President Dr. Roxie Irish.

Among other items, the Health Centres received finger pulse

by GLORIAH… oxymeters, stainless steel footstools, stethoscopes, mobile blood pressure “CONTINUE WORKING TO MAKE A machines, oxygen nebulizers, IV lines, DIFFERENCE. Be sure that whatever you UV stands, handheld fetal doplers, say you need, we are going to try, to the suction machines, vaginal speculums, best of our ability, to meet those needs. kidney dishes and bowls, crutches, God bless you.” Those were the words of surgical tapes, sutures and scissors. the President of the United Vincy According to Dr. Irish, all the Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB), Dr. supplies, including the shipping, had a Roxie Irish, at the handing over total cost of $15,000. US. Permanent ceremony of a quantity of medical Secretary in the Ministry of Health, supplies donated by her organization for Wellness and the Environment, Mr. distribution to health centres within Luis DeShong reminded the audience specified districts in St. Vincent and the that the United Vincy Cultural Group Grenadines. The activity took place on of Brooklyn has been donating Thursday 30th July, at the Nurses Hostel supplies for use by the Health Centres at New Montrose. in the country for a number of years, In giving a brief outline of their with the current shipment bringing undertaking, President Irish their coverage up to some thirty-three reminded all, of her organization’s of the many centres here. motto: “We are blessed to be a Representatives from each of the blessing.” She stressed that wherever receiving centres were on hand to take the need is, medically, they were charge of their supplies. Speaking on going to try to help as much as they their behalf, Staff Nurse Shevorn could, because that is their mandate.

Hamilton of the Calliaqua Health “We are happy to be here in SVG Centre thanked Dr. Irish and UVCGB again, to do what God has gifted us to for their kind consideration, stating do,” she reiterated. She went on to that the supplies will better enable praise the nurses, who she is them to manage the clients coming to convinced, are the true heroes in the clinics. health care, sacrificing of their time The United Vincy Cultural Group and substance. “I admire nurses who of Brooklyn is a Vincentian group do it as a profession; but I’m in love which endeavours to keep Vincentian with nurses who do nursing because culture alive, and to showcase it to they care,” she stressed. audiences in Brooklyn, New York.

With a stated mandate of blessing Medical supplies for clinics others, the group gives annual donations of funds and gifts to The medical supplies were donated organizations which render yeoman

by DAYLE DA SILVA

UVCGB donates medical supplies for district clinics in SVG

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18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Lynch off for Medical attention ONE WEEK AFTER SENDING two young boys off for eye treatment, The World Pediatric Project (WPP) is helping young Serena Lynch to get much needed cardio care in the United States.

Lynch, a six year-old grade two student of the St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, accompanied by guardian Vernette McDowall, left the state yesterday for the Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, where she would undergo procedures to take care of a heart murmur.

Serena’s mother Cassandra Abraham, who is not able to make the trip to the US because of her own medical constraints, indicated that she

discovered that her daughter was ill after teachers pointed that the once vibrant lass was sleeping a lot in class and was suffering from shortness of breath.

She said that she was referred to the WPP by a doctor, and the international organization did all it could to ensure that her child would get the medical attention necessary to help her live a normal life.

“She became tired quickly, and then would complain of chest pain, so we knew that something was wrong.

“When the doctor told us what the problem was, we were quite despaired because we knew that by ourselves we would not have been able to get her

L-R: Cassandra Abraham, Vernete McDowall, Serena Lynch and Jacqueline Browne-King. the treatment and procedures that would help her to be healthy,” Abraham said.

“Thanks to Sister King and the WPP, she will get a chance,” she added.

Jacqueline Browne-King, the East Caribbean region representative of the WPP, said that the Layou resident is one of about 10 children from the St Vincent and the Grenadines and the region who would be receiving medical attention for heart related illnesses this year.

King indicated that over the years, the WPP has helped hundreds of young Vincentians live healthier, more normal lives, and would continue to do so as long as it is

possible.

The WPP has recently appointed Chief Development Officer Simon Carey with responsibility of securing funding within the region to help to support the programme.

Abraham and young Serena thanked the WPP, as well as the Medical Air Services Association (MASA), for giving them the hope of a better life for the youngster, who, when she grows up, wants to be a teacher, “just like mommy.”

“I want to say thanks to the WPP and all others who contributed to my daughter getting the help she needs.

We would not have been able to do it without them,” Abraham noted.

Classic Country Music Club coming CLASSIC COUNTRY AND LOVE songs fans in St. Vincent and the Grenadines now has an organization dedicated to promoting their genre of music. On Saturday 29th. August 2015 @ 8; 00 p.m. The Classic Country Music Club “CCMC ‘ will be officially launched at Ruby’s Restaurant and Bar upstairs Isles Boutique.

Chief Executive Officer Arden Tanis said the launch will feature a microcosm of the club’s monthly meetings known as the “Ranch”. The “Ranch” activities includes two distinct sessions: the first being Carry your own key ( karaoke) and secondly the dance. One local business is expected to be honored at the launch. Allan Smith and Family Bakery will be

recognized for its contribution and commitment to the promotion of country music in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Club’s Aims are; to provide opportunities for classic country and love music fans to meet regularly; entertain themselves and have fun in a safe environment. Administrative officers of the club are; Joseph Jack– President/ Treasurer, Monica FindlaySecretary and Arrington RaguettePublic Relation Officer .

Club membership is open to anyone who loves classic country and love music. For more information and to be registered as a member call telephone number 784-433-3982 or email svgcmc@hotmail.com.

Gardening Tips

Cactus and Succulent Gardens ALL CACTI ARE succulents but not all succulents are cacti.

Succulents are a group of plants that have cells in parts of their body, that retain water. Cacti also store water in this way and are succulents. Examples of succulents are the jade plant, the variegated mother-in-law tongue, the tiger aloe and the kalanchoe.

Instead of leaves, cacti are covered with spines, hairs or bristles.

However, even the smaller desert cacti produce flowers.

Small varieties of cactus can be combined with other materials to create an indoor garden. One should not overwater the cactus garden. Care must also be taken In handling cacti, since their leaves consist of spiny needles.

Presented by the SVG Horticultural Society.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 19.

News

Education and fun Student displaying her craft

Director of the Youlou Arts Foundation, Camille SaundersMusser.

advantage of the occasion, and were engaged in activities at Barrouallie, Kingstown, Georgetown and Spring

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY Village.

The students were helped by TODAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, sees an teachers selected from those exhibition of works done by children who institutions. They attended a Teacher attended the Youlou Art Foundation.

Training Workshop from July 13 to 17.

Director of the foundation Camille “We gave them the instructions as Saunders-Musser has been holding these to how to get the best out of the summer programmes for the past 15 children,” Saunders-Musser outlined. years. This year, 140 children took She expressed the view that the

teachers were excited about the event, and the children responded.

This year’s focus was ‘Discovering the Botanic Gardens: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Jewel.’

This coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Botanic Gardens which is the oldest in the Caribbean.

The students were exposed to a number of activities including Poetry writing, screen printing and

Participants in deep concentration at the summer programme. production of Art books.

They were encouraged to depict a Proverb in their creation.

Saunders-Musser is happy with the response of the students, and their use of proverbs in their production.

“We try to educate the children in a fun way,” the Youlou Arts Foundation Director declared.

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20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Teenage daughter needs help church. She stays in her room for most of the time, I AM IN NEED of help with and she is not interested in anything at all, the way my teenage she used to be. daughter. Since my I found a guy about 3 husband, her father, left months ago, and I want us, she has been having trouble settling down. She to move him in to live with us because we need does not want to go to the help; but my school anymore, and she daughter is telling me does not even want to not to do so because she leave the house to go to

Dear George,

does not want anyone to take the place of her father. I am very worried about my daughter, and I am of the view that having a man around in the house will help her to come out of whatever she is in. I told her that whether she likes it or not, my fiancé is moving in, and that

she has to get her act together. She did not like what I told her, and threatened to run away. I honestly do not know what to do with about her at this stage. other emotions resulting from that. Moving a man into the house at Dear Worried, this stage of the game is unwise, and before Your daughter is you even consider such a apparently going through move, the attention a period of depression, ought to be focused on and will need to get your daughter’s professional help so that wellbeing first and she can deal with the foremost. I will suggest loss of her father and that both you and your

Worried

daughter go see someone together, as it is imperative that you get the right information as to how to handle her emotional swings, and also the best time for you to bring someone else into the picture.

George

Give husband a chance to clean up Dear George

anywhere around me.

MY HUSBAND is a thief, and I do not want anything to do with him. My neighbour pulled me aside and told me that my husband is involved with two other guys who stole a couple of goats from two different people. I was told that they stole and butchered the goats and sold them. I remember him bringing home some goat meat, and when I asked him about it, he said his friend sold it to him at a reduced price. Now I hearing something totally different, and when I confronted him, he started to eat fire and denying everything. I asked him to bring me to his friend who he said sold him the meat, and he said he would not insult his friend by doing such a thing. It has been nine months now since we are married, and I have made a decision not to continue with this marriage. I can deal with a womanizer, a drunk, and even a lazy man, but a thief I don’t want

Shock Up Dear Shock Up, This kind of behaviour on the part of your husband is certainly not good for the marriage. I know you have stated that you do not want to continue with the marriage, and I respect that decision; but the decision to continue or not to continue must not be made hastily. Let there be a cooling off period, and after that time, you can engage in a discussion with your husband about the issue. Let him know that the marriage is at stake, and give him another chance to come clean and with the promise to get professional help. It is still up to you to do what I am suggesting, or to follow through on your decision not to remain married.

George

Girlfriend too religious of compatibility between both parties. It seems that in your case, you and your friend are singing from I AM DATING this girl who says she is a Christian. I have no problem with two different song sheets. Her religious values obviously do not allow her being a Christian, but with some her to indulge in what you may term things she is holding out with. We as regular or normal acts of have been together now for four months, and she does not even want to pleasure. You have to be careful that kiss me. She is adamant about no sex your motivation for getting married is not solely for sexual access to her before marriage, but she is not even agreeing to kiss me. George, since we body. You are going to have to frankly discuss with her the reality of your are together, she has not even as relationship and the complexity of much as kissed me on my forehead not even on my cheek. I told her that marrying someone who shares a different world view on an abundance I am not ready for this Christian of issues. The love you now share will thing, but she still decided to hold on be challenged to the point of relentless to me. I proposed to her that we get frustration, should both of you insist married this year, but she is saying in joining together in Holy this year is too soon. I asked her Matrimony. You say you are going when would be a good time for her, “nuts” now, but what about after you and she says she does not know, “we are married to her, what then would will see.” This woman is driving me be your state of mind when her nuts, George, and I am not used to answer would be a resounding “no” to this kind of thing. many of your “normal” and “regular” suggestions? Be the man that you Fed Up are, and tell her that this union is not going to work unless both of you are Dear Fed Up, speaking the same language.

The thing that keeps a relationship George strong and fluent is the level

Dear George,

Leisure

ARIES (MAR. 21- APRIL 20) Involvement in groups of interest will bring you in touch with important individuals. You may want to make changes that will not be to their liking.

Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. A lot can be accomplished if you organize your time.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) This may not be the day to get involved in risky joint financial ventures. Tone down and put some of that hard earned cash into a safe, long-term investment.

Your accomplishments could exceed your expectations if you mix a little business with pleasure. Concentrate on your job.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love.

Sudden trips will take you by surprise.

Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations. You can make money through real estate or by using your head when it comes to personal investments.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You may want to get involved in financial investments presented to you.

You can look around for the right place and enlist some of your friends to help you move. You need to be sure that you aren't in your present relationship because it is convenient. Although it does look promising, be careful not to overextend yourself or you will lose in the long run.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Call siblings or old friends to catch up on recent news. Be prepared to take advantage of your good fortune. You may find your mate somewhat perturbed. You may not see your situation clearly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Disputes may start because of a lack of honesty. Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. Be diplomatic but stem. You can make some

favorable changes to your looks.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your efforts will be rewarded handsomely. Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate. Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your honesty will not only win you points but also respect. You can be sure that any dealing with large institutions should go well. Avoid joint ventures and steer clear of groups that want you to contribute financial assistance. Your social skills with people may be more than just helpful.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don't prejudge. You may get drawn into a personal situation that will not be to your liking. Concentrate on work. Be aware that joint financial ventures could fall apart. You should consider getting into self-improvement endeavors.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Take time to explain your intentions to loved ones. Property investments, insurance, tax rebates, or inheritance should bring you financial gains. Take advantage of moneymaking ventures.

Sit back and observe, regardless of how hard that might be.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Your dramatic nature may be too much to handle. You have to take hold of your life and make some crucial decisions.

Relationships will be erratic this week.

Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You will be able to catch up on overdue paper work. You can make money if you put your savings into conservative investments. Investments will cost more than you anticipated. Travel will be favorable.

ACROSS

38. Angel’s instrument 1. Govt. food39. Table regulating cover agcy.

42. “__ So 5. Very eager Fine” 9. Harris and 43. Lackland, Flanders for one 12. Ran (abbr.)

13 Mason-Dixon 46. Rabbit’s __ move 14. Exist in the 47. General present Bradley 15. Louts 49. Barcelona 16. In case beverage 17. “Get ‘em, 50. Apply Fido!”

51. Comedian 18. Exercise club Jay 19. Young 52. Glimpsed Highlander 53. Patton’s 20. Mummy’s rank country (abbr.)

22. __ and Abel 54. Male 24. Departure’s parents opposite 55. Inactive (abbr.)

25. CondimentDOWN maker 1. Aliens’ crafts of note 2. Strike 27. What a 3. Adding towel does graffiti 31. __ Domini 4. Some are 32. “See you classified later!”

5. Edgar __ 33. “Fame” Poe singer 6. Contended Irene 7. __ and outs 34. Like neat handwriting 8. Prevents 36. Small devil 9. __ as ABC 10. Faucet leak 37. Court 11. Religious divider

denomination 19. Columnist Smith 21. Food merchant 23. Apply oil to as a sacred rite 24. “Honest” President 25. Linden or Holbrook 26. Wind dir.

27. Popeye’s “yes” 28. Ran amok 29. JFK, to RFK 30. __ Diego 32. Sandwich initials 35. “Lo!”

36. Marx’s “__ Kapital” 38. Submarine sandwiches 39. Drink in large gulps 40. Be Defeated 41. Milk carton instruction

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 21.

42. One poker round 44. Combustible material 45. Plague 48. __ culpa 49. “__ was saying…”

(2 wds.)

V

22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Searchlight awards scholarships and bursaries

by KENVILLE HORNE INTERACTIVE MEDIA LTD, the Publishers of the Searchlight newspaper ,and the Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation, have awarded two students the Norma Keizer Scholarship, and Bursaries to four others, as the Searchlight newspaper celebrates its 20th anniversary as a company.

Henry, a former student of the C.W Prescod Primary School and Nanton, formerly of the Fair Hall Government School, will each receive a scholarship valued at EC$1,400.

The scholarship will be granted to the student for the duration of the student’s attendance at secondary school, and increases to EC$1,600, should the recipient decide to attend the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

One-off bursaries valued at EC$425.00 each were also presented to Phernandus Charles of Chauncey and former student of the Questelles Government school; Cha-chanie Morgan of New

Prospect , former student of the New Prospect Infant; Millicia Quashie from the Layou Government School, and Kaela Francois of Spring Village, and a former student of the Spring Village Methodist School.

The scholarship awards were distributed last Tuesday as part of activities to mark the company’s 20th anniversary.

The money awarded for the scholarship will be distributed as follows: $900 in the first term, $250 in the second term, and another $250 in third term and comes with certain conditions.

Students must maintain a sound academic performance, attendance and conduct at school.

Dr Adrian Fraser, historian and Chairman of the Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation, described the presentation of the scholarship as a very historic occasion. He told the recipients that they were entering a difficult phase of life, one where they will experience challenges and opportunities, but it was

important that they succeed.

According to Fraser, the selection committee had a difficult task in making their decision, particularly with the large number of qualified applications Sitting L-R: Cha-chanie Morgan, Phernandus Charles, Zalika submitted.

Angelique Henry, Giovanni Nanton and Kaela Francois.

The selection L-R Back Row: Suzette Ashton, Anthea Charles, Kimberly Henry, process was based on Deyon Nanton and Vernon McDowall. the applicant’s performance at the point where they would be company that publishes the Caribbean Primary Exit Searchlight newspaper. offering university Assessment (CPEA) and the “And we thought it best to scholarships. family’s financial needs. separate the two, because the Clare Keizer, Editor of the Fraser said they were able Norma Keizer Scholarship Searchlight Newspaper and foundation will be engaging in to give the one-off bursaries, Secretary of the Foundation, fundraising to try to sustain because of a special grant from gave an overview of the First Caribbean International scholarship foundation, saying this initiative,” said Keizer.

“Interactive Media has Bank, “and we have to thank that the decision taken to pledged to continue to support, them”. award scholarships to but we will need additional The Norma Keizer celebrate the milestone, was funds to be able to carry this Scholarship Foundation was conceptualized by Jude foundation over the years, so established in memory of the Knight, a member of the we would need the support of late Norma Keizer.

Board of Directors of the the general public as we go The foundation got started Foundation. forward when we launch our offering just the two Keizer said The Norma fundraising effort, and already scholarships and four Keizer Scholarship Foundation we have attracted a great deal bursaries, but is hoping to is a separate entity from of support for which we are expand their assistance to the Interactive Media, the grateful,” said Keizer.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 23.

Local Football Clubs being asked to fall in line Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT THE DAYS OF A GROUP of players coming together just to “roll ball’ in various competitions during the football season, appear nearing an end, with the coming on stream of the FIFA/ CONCACAF’s 2015 Club Licensing Regulations.

According to reports the regulations which are geared towards getting a more structured arrangement in place in a move towards a more organised and professional club football environment.

General Secretary of the SVG Football Federation-SVGFF- Trevor Huggins said that the Federation will be meeting with teams and “clubs” soon to sensitise them on the requirements of becoming a recognised unit under the CONCACAF’s Club Licensing System. He said that, since it may be somewhat difficult to have it implemented in early 2016, the SVGFF may have to look at the middle of the year to have clubs

conforming to the regulations if they are interested.

FIFA’s Club Licensing System is based on five key criteria: sporting, personnel and administrative, financial, infrastructure and legal.

These criteria aim to safeguard the credibility and integrity of club competitions while improving the level of professionalism within the football family, and promoting transparency in the FINANCES, ownership and control of clubs, the FIFA website said.

It said clubs need to fulfil the minimum domestic requirements before the start of the season, and these include: - Accurately completing a club general form, a FINANCE form, a youth development form and an infrastructure form; - Providing proof of ownership or a contract/agreement for the use of a home stadium; - Appointing a qualified coach to the

first team; - Registering all first team players and coaches through an online platform; - Appointing a General Manager, Media Officer, FINANCE Officer, and Marketing Officer; - Presenting a budget; - Submitting a legal declaration form signed by an authorized signatory; - If applicable, submitting the club ownership structure and control mechanisms; - If applicable, submitting club statutes or an equivalent legal document.

FIFA and CONCACAF took the opportunity at a seminar last year to inform and acquaint their members on the process.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, represented by second vice-president Marvin Fraser, was among member associations present which also included Anguilla, Antigua &

Senior Cricketers battling weather in Windwards Tourney Prep DESPITE HAVING TRIAL matches and practice sessions being badly affected by the weather, coach of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines senior cricket team Deighton Butler, is still upbeat about his team’s chances in the tournament.

The tournament will bowl off here on August 20th, with SVG hoping to use home advantage to regain the title they lost last year.

Butler said that whatever little time they have had in the middle, has seen some good performances from some of the batsme,n with Sunil Ambris hitting a century, and captain Lindon James and others getting some good scores.

The squad still remains at 18, with the coach team saying that the final fourteen should be named next Friday.

Butler said that concentration will be on net sessions now, and he is hoping that the players will continue with the same level of intensity to fight for selection.

The team will be missing star batsman, Donwell Hector this year, after the player asked not to be considered, as he chose to take a sabbatical.

Butler said that Hector, one of the team’s most talented and prolific batsmen, has contributed in a large measure with the bat over the years, and his experience adds a lot. He however pointed out that Ambris, who did not play last year, will step in to fill the breach, and his ability and talent should see the team still

performing with the bat.

He added that “the nucleus of the team is still there”.

Another player whom the coach was hoping to have in his line-up was the IN: Sunil Ambris, Kenroy Peters. OUT: Donwell Hector exciting allrounder, against Guyana Casmond Walters; but the player, who Amazon Warriors. is currently campaigning in the Butler said the team currently has Bradford League in the UK, decided to two injury concerns with former West skip the tournament. A hard —hitting Indies A team pacer Delorn Johnson right- handed batsman and right-arm and former West Indies U19 pacer, offspinner, the 25-year-old Walters lit Ray Jordan. up the local scene in all formats with He said Johnson, who has suffered his breath-taking performances at the a series of injuries within the last two wicket. years, is currently nursing an ankle The coach said the bowling this injury, while Jordan, who is coming year should be stronger, with veteran off a prolonged lay-off with a shoulder Kenroy Peters, who missed last year’s problem, now being affected by a side tournament returning. The 33-yearstrain. He said both players are under old Peters was called up by the West the supervision of top physio Denis Indies as a replacement for Kemar Byam, and are responding well to Roach on their tour of South Africa, treatment. but only played a solitary test before being discarded. A left-arm seamer, Fixtures: Peters has been the leading pacer in the regional first class season over the August, 2015 last two years, and was in fact the top wickettaker over all in 2014.

20th & 21st: The team will also be strengthened SVG vs. Grenada (Arnos Vale 1) by spinning allrounders in Alston SLU vs. Dominica (Sion Hill) Bobb and Keiron Cottoy who were both in Barbados-the former with 22nd & 23rd: family matters, and the latter with SVG vs. SLU (ParkHill) UWI studies.

Grenada vs. Dominica (Arnos Vale 1) Cottoy, who was called up by the St. Lucia Zouks for the Caribbean 25th & 26th: Premier League-CPL, received SVG vs. Dominica (Arnos Vale1) positive comments for his bowling Grenada vs. SLU (Sion Hill) which saw him picking up 4/18

Jebelle FC- one of the country’s few football Clubs.

Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, GS Trevor Huggins Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands and USA. Reports say the participants attended presentations by FIFA and CONCACAF which laid out the basis for the implementation of club licensing by the members, as well as panel discussions involving famous figures of the region’s football, such as Shaka Hislop (TV analyst and former Trinidad & Tobago player), Yon De Luisa (CEO of Club América) and Cheryl Bailey (US NWSL), and representatives of member associations.

The reports say that, while the AFC and UEFA have already established a club licensing system on their respective continents, FIFA is planning to organise further seminars in the CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC regions to ensure that the FIFA Club Licensing System operates in all corners of world football.

The adaptation of club licensing at confederation and subsequently at member association level, is a longterm process in which the objective is to provide essential requirements and minimum standards to further enhance club football competitions. At the end of this process, the benefits for clubs, leagues and member associations are numerous: higher level of club management, better level of home-grown players, higher level of play, increase of fans and revenues, and ultimately, better level of the national team, it added.

The SVGFF is in the process of electronically transferring the information brought back by Fraser to make it available to affiliates.

Administrative Assistant at the SVGFF office Davron Poyer said that Affiliates can provide a DVD and have to information transferred to be used at their meetings.

V Bagga Football kicks off 24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

THE 2015 EDITION OF THE Barrouallie Football Association Football Championship kicks off this weekend at the Kearton’s playing field to commence the football season in that area.

Teams are expected to compete in the Bank of SVG Senior Division, Norell Hull Under 17 Division, Maxwell Charles U13 Division, as well as Hairoun Beer Knock Out title.

The opening will take place on Sunday 9th August 2015, and will feature the official opening ceremony beginning promptly at 3:30pm, with the teams’ march-past, as well as addresses from sporting officials and sponsors.

Addresses are expected from Vice President of Barrouallie Sports Association, President of SVG Football Federation, Director of Sports, Representative of Bank of SVG, Representative of St. Vincent Brewery, Representative of Western Union, Under 17 Sponsor, Under 13 Sponsor and the Area Representative.

The featured match will be a competitive encounter, as defending champs Youngsters FC will battle North Leeward Predators from 4:15pm.

I.B.A.ALLEN

National 18-man Squad announced SVG Rugby

Keen contest expected in another Bagga football season this year.

THE NATIONAL SENIOR selection panel chaired by Roland Wilkinson, has announced an eighteen member squad for the upcoming Senior Windward Islands Cricket tournament, which will be hosted by the SVGCA later this month.

Lyndon James was retained as captain, with Alston Bobb appointed as his vice captain. The squad also features experienced players, namely: Kenroy Peters, Romel Currency and Miles Bascombe. Other first class players selected to make up the side include: Delorn Johnson, Sunil Ambris, Atticus Browne, and the inform Keron Cottoy, who ended with most wickets in the tournament last year.

Wilkinson’s panel also included three present Under 19 players, who recently participated in the West Indies tournament, two of whom has been named in the West Indies Under 19 training camp in preparation for the U19 World Cup. The two selected for the West Indies U19 are fast bowler Obed McCoy and opening batsman Gidron Pope. The other U19 player is national captain Romano Pierre. This is the first selection to the senior team for both McCoy and Pierre.

The other players that make up the squad have either played for S.V.G senior team, or have been in the reserves.

These players are Dawnley Grant, Deron Greaves, and Desron Maloney.

Marvin Small, Casmond Walters, and Kesrick Williams, who all play for local champions Team Rivals, were initially picked in the training squad, but would be unavailable for the tournament, due to overseas commitment.

The other selectors that assisted Wilkinson with this task are: Lance John, Arnold Gilkes, Wendel Glasgow, and senior team coach, Deighton Butler. The final 13 players to participate in the tournament would be named on 17th August 2015, in a Press Conference. The team would be managed by Elvis ‘Bagga’ Browne.

The 2-day tournament is scheduled to be played the 20th — 26th August 2015. The venues for the matches are Arnos Vale One, Sion Hill, and Park hill. S.V.G last won this tournament in 2013.

FULL SQUAD: Lyndon James (Cpt), Alston Bobb (Vice Cpt), Sunil Ambris, Miles Bascombe, Atticus Browne, Shaquille Browne, Keron Cottoy, Romel Currency, Kenneth Dember, Dawnley Grant, Deron Greaves, Delorn Johnson, Ray Jordan, Desron Maloney, Obed McCoy, Kenroy Peters, Romano Pierre, Gidron Pope.

I.B.A.ALLEN

has English Coach SVG RUGBY HAS ANOTHER opportunity to enhance the sport and players when they receive international support in the area of coaching.

Retired England Captain Lewis Moody travelled to St. Vincent to undertake a rugby camp at the Buccament Bay Resort for one week.

While in St. Vincent, Lewis will train both adults and children of all

ages, at the camp, and also train the SVG RU’s senior team in a session held at the Resort.

He will focus mainly on 15-aLewis side rugby, where his expertise and knowledge will be a great asset to the players who enjoy the training sessions immensely.

Lewis has been to St. Vincent several times

Moody, Rugby coach. over the last 4 years, and teaches rugby each time, and is already looking forward to his return next summer.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Vinlec North Leeward Cricket rolling favour. His dismissal caused an increase in the required THE VINLEC NORTH rate, and Rudy’s was not able LEEWARD T/20 Championship to get over the mine. resumes at the Petit Bordel Sharpes United beat Coulls Playing Field tomorrow Hill Rangers.

Saturday. Carlos James Rose Rellan Mckie 72, found form Bank and Robertson Surveying for Sharpes. and his team Future Legends square off in raced to 179 for 4 from 15 the morning’s fixture, while overs. National Under 19 Troumaca United plays Ajuba player Husani Porter, fresh in the other clash. from duties in Dominica. hit Somerset and Coulls Hill 41. Coulls Hill found Rangers meet in Sunday’s first themselves in early trouble and match, with Rudy’s Electrical never recovered. Angus Cyrus and Sharpes United bringing 37 helped to bring Coulls Hill the curtains down. to some level of respectability.

The competition opened but they were woefully short.

Saturday, August 1, with Petit Police, 73 for 3 off 7.5 overs, Bordel Secondary School beat Carlos James Troumaca securing victory. That came by Starlight by seven wickets in four runs over Rudy’s Sunday’s first game. Parnel Electrical.

Browne 4 for 24 supported by Set 116 in 12 overs, Rudy’s Kenneth Dember 2 for 11. made 112 for 7. McNeil combined to rout Starlight for Morgan 34 set a foundation, 71 off 14.1 overs. but it was Randolph Mason 24 Dember 32 not out and who stunned the Petit Bordel Parnel Browne 21, rescued bowling, and threatened to their team with a 47 run third swing the match in Rudy’s wicket stand. Last year’s

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

leading run scorer McLean Williams fell for 12 with the score on 14. and Starlight might have felt they were in with a chance. Dember and Browne stood firm. The consolation for Starlight was Browne’s run out from a direct throw at 61. However, Dember ensured there were no further hiccups for the 2014 title holders.

Peto Stars overcame Circumstance in Sunday’s second match. Circumstance, a Fitz Hughes based outfit, recovered to 143 for 7 from 20 overs. That was due mainly to Hank Hall 71. He shared a 40run partnership with Kesroy Debique 21, after Circumstance were stifled.

Shammon Hooper 4 for 38, and Vangel Small 2 for 25 were the most successful bowlers for Peto Stars.

Hooper displayed all-round quality with 53. He shared an opening stand of 79 with Vidal Edwards 24. Hank Hall 2 for

Rellan Mc Kie top scored for Sharpes with his unbeatable 72 runs.

46 showed all-round depth, but the damage was already done by the opening pair. Peto Stars were 134 for 5 off 13.5 overs when rain forced an end to the game. Peto Stars were firmly in control.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 25.

Sports

Building up the stock ‘STRIKE THE HAMMER when the iron is hot’ is an old adage. You could put it in another fashion and encourage persons to ‘seize the time.’

However your analogy, it is our duty to harness our resources. That includes our younger population. That’s where the continuity is established.

It is a delight that the vacation period has been used up so admirably.

A number of Leagues are beginning their competitions during this sojourn. Many are including the junior segments in their activities.

That is timely.

It is known that the earlier youngsters are exposed, the greater their chances of climbing to the top in their sporting discipline.

Administrators and the rest of the society have a duty to nurture the youngsters.

There is the parental obligation. If children are without the support of fathers, or mothers, and in some cases parents, that does not mean game over for them.

Humanity has its role. That encompasses: family, village, school, community, government and nation.

How we manage our setback determines the progress we make. A situation of the vulnerable and oppressed being cast aside does not raise our standards.

Certain matters may be old-fashioned, especially in this age of technology. There is the tendency to latch on to a device, whether in privacy or not, and use the time in almost addiction to those gadgets.

That will not help with your physical or complete mental development. It is more rewarding to find all round mobility in your environment. You must not be afraid of venturing within reasonable range of safety.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a natural park, filled with opportunities to broaden one’s horizons in sport.

The marine environment contains a range of possibilities for excursion into broader spheres.

There are elders who have sailed across the waters, and who have experienced the practical and theoretical, to be able to offer guidance.

The landscape presents its own encounters. We have to face them and surmount those hills. That will present us with a view from the top, and give us scope to shape the surroundings.

The audacity of youth makes some obstacles invisible. That reminds me of my youth. There are things which we as children did, which I shudder to consider today. When I reflect, it is a miracle I escaped some episodes in which I partook.

With age comes some difference in judgement.

There will always be the thrust with adjustment to the unfolding conditions.

Certain facts must be accepted. We have to reject the tendency to run into any stalemate.

Many a mystery has unravelled before our eyes.

Others pass us by so subtly that, even the events may be glaring, we fail to notice them until the toll has been taken.

There is a light that shines on all our actions.

We have to be in harmony with those elements that contribute to our sustainability.

We have to have that belief, but we must ensure that our base is firm. This is no time to wonder.

Decisive measures must be taken, and efforts put to enhance our stability.

Those moves detrimental ought to be cast aside.

We have to encourage our youngsters in sport.

The academic aspects must also be inculcated. The musical and cultural content must be part of the process. We have to cater for the complete individual.

De Aussies pile up another Bequia cricket title KEN’S TRUCKING AUSSIES carried off the Bequia Premier League Cricket title for another year, when they beat Sugar Reef Bequia United by six wickets, last Sunday.

Batting first at the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Port Elizabeth, Bequia United struggled to reach 119 all out off 17overs. Except for Cosmos Hackshaw, who led from the front with 40, no other batsman withstood the bowling of the Aussies.

Things got brown for them, as Dean Browne had 3 for 16, Razime Browne 2 for 35 and Shem Browne 2 for 40.

De Aussies then in workmanlike fashion piled up 120 for 4 in 14.1 overs. Oswald Soleyn was the foreman, as he produced 61 not out. Rickford Walker took 3 for 33, bowling for Bequia United.

Before the grand finale, Friendship United had a 115 run win over Village Apartments/L’Auberge/De Grenadines Port Elizabeth in the third place play off.

Friendship United got to 154 for 9 off 15overs.

Allan Foyle hit 49, as Jerome Toney 3 for 23 and Clint Martin 2 for 35, were Port Elizabeth’s main

The triumphant De Aussies celebrate after retaining the Bequia 20/20 cricket title. wicket takers.

Port Elizabeth, though, were then dismissed for 39 off eight overs.

Doing the demolition job for Friendship, were Desbert Yorke 3 for 3, Kirton Lavia 3 for 8 and Alrick Pompey 2 for 10; On Saturday, Royal Challengers were the last team standing, as they took the knock out title.

Friendship United got to 157 for 7 off 17.5 overs; Desbert Yorke struck 84 and Levan Stowe 30.

Bowling for Royal Challengers, Timothy Mitchell took 3 for 47 and Adinol Richards 2 for 8.

Royal Challengers in reply, scored 161 for 5 off 14.4 overs, with Sheldon Pompey crafting 63 and Ryan Richards 34.

Allan Foyle in the process gained 3 for 41.

Blazers humble Duke in Bequia EAST BLAZERS were on top of their game in every aspect when they pulled off a comfortable win over Duke 85 to 56, in a first division clash in the Vita Malt Bequia Basketball competition on the weekend at the Clive Tannis hard court.

Leading scorer for East Blazers was Elton Joseph with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists. The most accurate scorer for Duke was Jonas King with 14 points, 17 rebounds. Also in the First Division, Warriaz defeat Wizards 64 to 53.

Leading scorer for Warriaz Keon Skinner with 27 points. Wizards’ top scorer was Orando Blugh with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists. In the other result on Sunday, Dragons narrowly defeated Hornets 42 to 40 in the Under 16 division. Top scorer for Dragons was Joavanii Derrick with 25 points, 11 rebounds.

Leading scorer for Hornets was Shamar Phillips with 15 points, 5

steals.

On Friday last, Hornets defeat Rockets 39 to 17 in the Under 16 division, as action continued in the Vita Malt Bequia Basketball competition at the Clive Tennis Hard Court.

The leading scorer for Hornets was Augustine Pollard with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.

Leading scorer for Rockets was Omario Louie with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists. In another Under 16 division encounter, Titans defeat Hawks 21 to 15. Kelroy Durham led the scoring for Titans with 14 points and 20 rebounds. The leading scorer for Hawks was Darren John with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists.

In the Second Division, Blazing Heat defeat Wizards 126 to 47.

Leading scorer for Blazing Heat was Vernell Phillips with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Wizards’ leading scorer was Shian

Farrell with 15 points and 3 rebounds.

Saturday’s action saw Dragons defeat Titans 58 to 50 in the under 16 division. Leading scorer for Dragons was Jovanni Derrick with 42 points, 20 rebounds. Titan’s top scorer was Kelroy Durham with 44 points, 24 rebounds, 7 steals. In the First Division, Duke defeated Warriaz 103 to 52. Leading scorer for Duke was Keithroy Lavia with 27 points, 5

assists.

Jemuel Hutchins and Kerry Frederick with 13 points each led the scoring for Warriaz.

East Blazers defeated The Generals 61 to 43.

Leading scorer for East Blazers was Kelan Edwards with 10 points, 2 assists, 3 steals.

Leading scorer for The Generals was Glenroy Charles with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 25.

Sports

Building up the stock ‘STRIKE THE HAMMER when the iron is hot’ is an old adage. You could put it in another fashion and encourage persons to ‘seize the time.’

However your analogy, it is our duty to harness our resources. That includes our younger population. That’s where the continuity is established.

It is a delight that the vacation period has been used up so admirably.

A number of Leagues are beginning their competitions during this sojourn. Many are including the junior segments in their activities.

That is timely.

It is known that the earlier youngsters are exposed, the greater their chances of climbing to the top in their sporting discipline.

Administrators and the rest of the society have a duty to nurture the youngsters.

There is the parental obligation. If children are without the support of fathers, or mothers, and in some cases parents, that does not mean game over for them.

Humanity has its role. That encompasses: family, village, school, community, government and nation.

How we manage our setback determines the progress we make. A situation of the vulnerable and oppressed being cast aside does not raise our standards.

Certain matters may be old-fashioned, especially in this age of technology. There is the tendency to latch on to a device, whether in privacy or not, and use the time in almost addiction to those gadgets.

That will not help with your physical or complete mental development. It is more rewarding to find all round mobility in your environment. You must not be afraid of venturing within reasonable range of safety.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a natural park, filled with opportunities to broaden one’s horizons in sport.

The marine environment contains a range of possibilities for excursion into broader spheres.

There are elders who have sailed across the waters, and who have experienced the practical and theoretical, to be able to offer guidance.

The landscape presents its own encounters. We have to face them and surmount those hills. That will present us with a view from the top, and give us scope to shape the surroundings.

The audacity of youth makes some obstacles invisible. That reminds me of my youth. There are things which we as children did, which I shudder to consider today. When I reflect, it is a miracle I escaped some episodes in which I partook.

With age comes some difference in judgement.

There will always be the thrust with adjustment to the unfolding conditions.

Certain facts must be accepted. We have to reject the tendency to run into any stalemate.

Many a mystery has unravelled before our eyes.

Others pass us by so subtly that, even the events may be glaring, we fail to notice them until the toll has been taken.

There is a light that shines on all our actions.

We have to be in harmony with those elements that contribute to our sustainability.

We have to have that belief, but we must ensure that our base is firm. This is no time to wonder.

Decisive measures must be taken, and efforts put to enhance our stability.

Those moves detrimental ought to be cast aside.

We have to encourage our youngsters in sport.

The academic aspects must also be inculcated. The musical and cultural content must be part of the process. We have to cater for the complete individual.

De Aussies pile up another Bequia cricket title KEN’S TRUCKING AUSSIES carried off the Bequia Premier League Cricket title for another year, when they beat Sugar Reef Bequia United by six wickets, last Sunday.

Batting first at the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Port Elizabeth, Bequia United struggled to reach 119 all out off 17overs. Except for Cosmos Hackshaw, who led from the front with 40, no other batsman withstood the bowling of the Aussies.

Things got brown for them, as Dean Browne had 3 for 16, Razime Browne 2 for 35 and Shem Browne 2 for 40.

De Aussies then in workmanlike fashion piled up 120 for 4 in 14.1 overs. Oswald Soleyn was the foreman, as he produced 61 not out.

Rickford Walker took 3 for 33, bowling for Bequia United.

Before the grand finale, Friendship United had a 115 run win over Village Apartments/L’Auberge/De Grenadines Port Elizabeth in the third place play off.

Friendship United got to 154 for 9 off 15overs.

Allan Foyle hit 49, as Jerome Toney 3 for 23 and Clint Martin 2 for 35, were Port Elizabeth’s main wicket takers.

Port Elizabeth, though, were

The triumphant De Aussies celebrate after retaining the Bequia 20/20 cricket title. then dismissed for 39 off eight overs.

Doing the demolition job for Friendship, were Desbert Yorke 3 for 3, Kirton Lavia 3 for 8 and Alrick Pompey 2 for 10; On Saturday, Royal Challengers were the last team standing, as they took the knock out title.

Friendship United got to 157 for

7 off 17.5 overs; Desbert Yorke struck 84 and Levan Stowe 30.

Bowling for Royal Challengers, Timothy Mitchell took 3 for 47 and Adinol Richards 2 for 8.

Royal Challengers in reply, scored 161 for 5 off 14.4 overs, with Sheldon Pompey crafting 63 and Ryan Richards 34.

Allan Foyle in the process gained 3 for 41.

Blazers humble Duke in Bequia EAST BLAZERS were on top of their game in every aspect when they pulled off a comfortable win over Duke 85 to 56, in a first division clash in the Vita Malt Bequia Basketball competition on the weekend at the Clive Tannis hard court.

Leading scorer for East Blazers was Elton Joseph with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists. The most accurate scorer for Duke was Jonas King with 14 points, 17 rebounds. Also in the First Division, Warriaz defeat Wizards 64 to 53.

Leading scorer for Warriaz Keon Skinner with 27 points. Wizards’ top scorer was Orando Blugh with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists. In the other result on Sunday, Dragons narrowly defeated Hornets 42 to 40 in the Under 16 division. Top scorer for Dragons was Joavanii Derrick with 25 points, 11 rebounds.

Leading scorer for Hornets was Shamar Phillips with 15 points, 5 steals.

On Friday last, Hornets defeat Rockets 39 to 17 in the Under 16 division, as action

continued in the Vita Malt Bequia Basketball competition at the Clive Tennis Hard Court.

The leading scorer for Hornets was Augustine Pollard with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.

Leading scorer for Rockets was Omario Louie with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists. In another Under 16 division encounter, Titans defeat Hawks 21 to 15. Kelroy Durham led the scoring for Titans with 14 points and 20 rebounds. The leading scorer for Hawks was Darren John with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists.

In the Second Division, Blazing Heat defeat Wizards 126 to 47.

Leading scorer for Blazing Heat was Vernell Phillips with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Wizards’ leading scorer was Shian Farrell with 15 points and 3 rebounds.

Saturday’s action saw Dragons defeat Titans 58 to 50 in the under 16 division. Leading scorer for Dragons was Jovanni Derrick with 42 points, 20 rebounds. Titan’s top scorer was Kelroy

Durham with 44 points, Charles with 13 points, 24 rebounds, 7 steals. In 12 rebounds, 2 assists. the First Division, Duke defeated Warriaz 103 to I.B.A.ALLEN 52. Leading scorer for Duke was Keithroy Lavia with 27 points, 5 FOR RENT assists.

Jemuel Hutchins and Kerry Frederick with 13 2 bedroom points each led the scoring for Warriaz.

2 bathroom East Blazers defeated Located at Belair The Generals 61 to 43.

Leading scorer for East Blazers was Kelan Please contact Edwards with 10 points, 2 assists, 3 steals.

491-0103 for more Leading scorer for The information.

Generals was Glenroy

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2015. 27.

Classifieds

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 07, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.32

F O R

A.I. REAL ESTATE

S A L E

Sion Hill 10,689 sq.ft. @ $17.00 p.s.f. - $181,713.00 - BB138

Evesham 5,009 sq.ft @ $7.50 p.s.f. - $37,567.50 - BB236

Carapan (Belmont) 6,451 sq.ft. @ $10.00 p.s.f. - $64,510.00 - BB330

Other listings are available Office: 784) 457-2087/533-0431 Cell: (784)-493-9431 Office:718-807-4376 Email: donp@vincysurf.co Website: www.aisvg.com

www.thevincentian.com

DIABETIC SEEKS MEDICATION

EC$1.50

WITH COUNTERFEIT MONEY

by HAYDN HUGGINS DILLON MICHAEL, a resident of Chateaubelair, said to be diabetic and hypertensive, sold illegal drugs to get money to purchase legal drugs for

his illness, and to send his children to school, but was paid with counterfeit money.

This was highlighted during a mitigation plea

by Michael’s lawyer Carlos James on

Monday.

Michael, a 41-year-old farmer, had appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court charged with possession of 41 one hundred dollar notes which he knew or

believed to be counterfeit Eastern Caribbean currency. He pleaded guilty before Magistrate Carla James, and was fined $3,000 to be paid in three months or six months in prison.

No tax-free salary yet for government workers THE GOVERNMENT is not in a position currently to make a one month tax-free salary payment.

So says Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who on Tuesday in Parliament said that an agreement was reached with the government and trade union representatives, not to meet until there was a change in the current situation.

He further stated, that contrary to a report that surfaced in local media, there was no suspension of talks between the government and trade unions.

According to Gonsalves, he met with public servants last Friday (July 31), and he explained the government’s position to them then.

He said: “The negotiations concerning allowances with the police welfare association is on a different track, and we will keep the matter under review.”

But there was no suspension of talks, he said; rather, both sides agreed to meet at a later date.

The proposal was put to the government earlier this year for

government to make a one-off tax free salary payment to all public servants to make up for the four years that they have not received a salary increase.

According to the prime minister and minister of finance, this is expected to cost the government EC$25 million.

The matter continues to be under review, Gonsalves said.

Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves says a tax free one month salary payment is not possible at this point.

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

The Court heard that Police Constable Rohan Walker was at People’s Pharmacy in Kingstown last Friday, July 31 on personal business, when he arrested Michael, who had attempted to purchase medication there, using a one hundred dollar counterfeit note. A search of his person revealed 40 more counterfeit notes. When cautioned, he told the police he got them from selling ‘weed’ to a St. Lucian at Fancy.

In mitigation, James told the Court, “You heard the facts as to how he came by the notes. It is a simple fact, My Honour. He was involved in the sale of drugs”.

But the lawyer added, “Interestingly, it reflects the nature of our society.

Mr. Michael would have sold illegal drugs and thought the currency passed was legal currency. He took a hundred dollar bill and went to the Pharmacy to buy legal drugs”.

James said his client, who is diabetic and hypertensive, had to be

Dillon Michael unsuccessfully tried to purchase his diabetes and hypertension medication with counterfeit money. hospitalized while in custody, because he was unable to access the drugs he went to the Pharmacy to purchase.

He explained that, because of Michael’s poor eyesight due to his diabetic condition, “he would not have even noticed that the notes were counterfeit”.

James added that Michael is a father of four, and was also trying to earn a quick income to send his children to school in September. He stressed that his client cooperated fully with the police, and had no previous convictions of this nature. He asked the court to impose a fine, and to be reasonable in the circumstances.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.