The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
FRIDAY,
MAY 17, 2013
VOLUME 107, No.20
Anthony Hamilton’s body on its way to the conveyance which took it to the mortuary.
by HAYDN HUGGINS
Anthony ‘Scar Face’ Hamilton, who had had a string of convictions, was shot in the chest. Below: Commissioner of Police Keith Miller (right), Deputy Commissioner Michael Charles (left) and ASP Sydney Charles (back) visited the scene.
IN THE ABSENCE of an official police report up to press time Wednesday, speculation abounded regarding the circumstances in which remand prisoner Anthony ‘Scar Face’ Hamilton met his death. Reports are that Hamilton, who was remanded on charges of robbery and assault causing bodily harm, was shot and killed by police close to 11 am on Tuesday, after two police officers had escorted him, in handcuffs, from the Serious Offences Court’s holding area to a washroom of the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, located in the same building.
A question of being handcuffed One person, who was in the area, recalled hearing two “explosions”, following which Hamilton’s body was seen lying on the floor of the
washroom. An autopsy conducted on Wednesday revealed Hamilton died from gunshot wounds to the chest. THE VINCENTIAN was unable to ascertain whether Hamilton’s handcuffs were removed when he reached the washroom, located a few yards away. But, someone on the scene told the publication that following the shooting, one of the officers who had escorted Hamilton, was seen with his clothes in a disorderly state, suggesting that a tussle may have ensued. Persons claiming to be familiar with that washroom said it would be very difficult for a prisoner to escape from within, as the windows are burglar barred, dismissing the theory that Hamilton may have attempted to escape. One person, who was in the building when the incident occurred, told THE VINCENTIAN that, while Hamilton Right: A large crowd converged on the precincts of the Magustrate Court after the police cordon had been removed.
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was being taken to the washroom, he heard someone saying, “Why he behaving so?” referring to Hamilton. The person said that from where he was, he could not see what was taking place, but he subsequently heard an explosion. The Kingstown Magistrate’s Court has not been sitting for the past few weeks, as the presiding Magistrate, Rechanne Browne-Mathias, is on leave. Hamilton, also called ‘Max’, a 32-year-old unemployed man, originally of Old Montrose, was taken
EC$1.50
to the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday to be further remanded on the robbery and assault charges. However, Hamilton had not yet made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young. He and two other prisoners were kept in the holding area on the ground floor, while the Chief Magistrate dealt with Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) matters. It was while in the holding area that Hamilton requested to use the washroom. Continued on Page 3.
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2. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Tourism
BUON APPETITO: Italy showcased on Canaoun
the travel industry, that wine from Italy, Brunello more and more shops will Di Montalcino, range in be opening to cater both price from $35.00 EC to to local and tourist trade. over $500. All products WE SHOULD NOT BE The beautiful island are the best quality SURPRISED with the of Canaoun is no available, and are global attention St. exception, with its jet understandably not Vincent and the port and the inexpensive, but by Grenadines has been development of a luxury, dealing directly with the receiving, particularly from seven star, yet to be producers, Anjelo has named hotel scheduled to been able to bring them open next year. THE to Canaoun at very VINCENTIAN visited affordable prices. “BUON APPETITO”, set For visiting yachting on the grounds of the people, as well as guests Tamarind Beach Hotel. and local residents It is an ultra modern wanting a special treat, shop showcasing a made to order gourmet unique selection of food picnic lunches are and beverage items, that prepared on the shoppers would be hard- premises. pressed to find anywhere In an interview with else in the West Indies. THE VINCENTIAN, Buon Appetito is the Cinzia Occioni, General fulfilment of a dream by Manager of The Anjelo Gulotti, Food and Tamarind Beach Hotel, Beverage Manager of said that Buon Appetito Tamarind Beach. Every was not designed to item has been selected compete in any way with by Anjelo and sourced from the many different the two local markets on the island, but rather fill regions of Italy. a niche, making products Many products such available that otherwise as fresh mozzarella and would be next to dozens of other impossible to obtain. interesting cheeses and Following the opening pastas, plus Parma ham, of Argyle International pate de fois gras and even deer salami, require Airport on St. Vincent, constant refrigeration, and the continuous not just once they arrive tourism development on Canaoun, but during activities throughout the the two-month sea islands, we can expect voyage in 40 foot more entrepreneurs to containers directly from facilitate the Italy. On display is an introduction of goods, impressive selection of services and products virgin olive oil, an that have never been incredible array of fruit available before. and vegetable preserves and marinated items, plus a superb wine cellar. Wines and champagne, including what is considered the finest Superb selection of imported wines. by BEN HARRISON – International Correspondent
Anjelo Gulotti, Food and Beverage Manager, Tamarind Beach.
Showcase of unique Italian foods.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 3.
News 3
LIAT, Conviasa to strengthen ties VINCENTIAN TRAVELERS may soon have easier access to countries on the South American content, and indeed anywhere that the Venezuelan based airline Conviasa has connections. This, as links between the regional carrier LIAT and Conviasa are strengthened. Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made this disclosure, and dismissed talks of an Alba influence, when he spoke at a press conference last Tuesday. The issue of strengthening ties with Conviasa surfaced at the recent LIAT shareholders meeting in Barbados last weekend. Dr. Gonsalves also disclosed that LIAT is
currently negotiating a US$60 million loan with the Caribbean Development Bank, to assist with the replacement of its ageing Dash 8 fleet with modern ATR72 aircraft from July. The acquisition of new aircraft was critical to
LIAT’s operation, since it would not only broaden the scope of LIAT but, as Dr. Gonsalves put it, the current Dash 8 fleet was costly to maintain. He assured that, “We have been doing a lot of reforms to make LIAT a leaner and more efficient
Minister to deepen CanadaCaribbean relationships THE HONOURABLE DIANE Ablonczy, Canada’s Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), began a seven-day, seven-country official tour of the Caribbean region on Sunday, May 12. During her visit, Minister Ablonczy was expected to meet with national leaders, government ministers and officials to discuss the economic and security situations in the Caribbean, and consider how to advance
subsidy CAL enjoyed, which he considers a breach of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. This matter is to be raised with the Prime Minister of that twin island republic. (See related story on page 5.) Dr. Gonsalves referred
Gonsalves said he was briefed broadly on the incident, but had not yet received Mixed reaction a written report. When contacted on Wednesday, Following the shooting, Head of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Criminal Investigation Department Colin Williams told THE VINCENTIAN (CID) Assistant Superintendent of Police that, “.. the evidence that is revealed (ASP) Sydney James and his second in will determine what action is to be command, Forensic Psychologist ASP taken.” Kamecia Blake, members of the Major Crime Unit (MCU) and other police Hamilton’s appeal for help officers visited the scene, which was cordoned off as the lawmen carried out Conducting his own defence, their investigations. Hamilton was on April 15 acquitted on There were mixed reactions by some charges of threatening to kill Prime of the scores of curious onlookers. While Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and some had no sympathy for Hamilton, Superintendent of Prisons Linus others questioned whether the police Goodluck. He was freed on a no case could not have subdued him by shooting submission. him in the foot. “Why did they have to In an interview with THE kill him; they will have to pay for that,” VINCENTIAN subsequently, reported one man said. on page 6 of the Friday, April 26 Minutes after the barricades were publication, Hamilton made a public removed, Commissioner of Police Keith appeal for a home and a job to help keep Miller and Deputy Commissioner him stable. He indicated that he was to Michael Charles visited the scene, in the be released from prison since February company of CID Chief Sydney James. 9, 2013 after completing sentences When contacted on Wednesday, amounting to 17 years, but was James said the circumstances in which subsequently remanded on the threat Hamilton met his death were still being charges. investigated. Hamilton had a string of criminal At a news conference on Tuesday convictions including rape, wounding afternoon, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph with intent and robbery.
to LIAT as the “reliable donkey” that has stayed the course in service to the people of the region. “LIAT does the donkey work, and we should appreciate that,” Dr. Gonsalves said.
Right: Hon. Diane Ablonczy, Canada’s Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), will be meeting Caribbean leaders on their home soil, for the first time.
shared priorities. Minister Ablonczy will also use the tour as an opportunity to meet with Caribbean and Canadian business representatives, in order to identify new opportunities to further strengthen privatesector ties between Canada and the region. The minister’s tour of duty began in the Bahamas (May 12-13), and continued to
Prisoner shot dead by police Continued from Page 1.
airline.” Dr. Gonsalves highlighted the issue of unfair competition from the Trinidad and Tobago owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL). According to Dr. Gonsalves, the unfair competition was occasioned by the fuel
Above: Strengthening ties between LIAT and Conviasa is expected to broaden scope of LIAT.
St. Kitts and Nevis (May 1415), Antigua and Barbuda (May 15), Dominica (May 15-16) and Saint Lucia (May 16-17).
Continued on Page 7.
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4. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Court
Paul’s Avenue resident tired of police harassment by KENVILLE HORNE
wounds at the hands of the police, another resident has voiced serious FOLLOWING reports that two young men concern about police harassment here. from the Paul’s Avenue received gunshot Jawanza ‘Sanga’ Fraser was arrested on Saturday 4th May, following a skirmish between persons participating in the Leeward Carnival Caravan, which formed part of the official launch of Vincy Mas, and the police force in Layou. During the furor, Odinga ‘Oogie’ Williams and John ‘ Creeps’ Chandler sustained gunshot wounds to the right leg and chin respectively, reportedly at the hands of the police. Fraser was released the day after his arrest. However, on Friday 10th May, Fraser was again detained. He related that he was reading a Lawyer Grant Connell (centre) appears to be newspaper in Paul’s mediating. Avenue when he noticed a
Jawanza ‘Sanga’ Fraser (right) was detained for thirty hours. “They want to make it look like Paul’s Lot (Paul’s Avenue) people bin down Layou looking for trouble, but it’s nothing like that,” he continued. He is questioning the reason why the police insist on accusing him of threatening an officer when they had him detained at the Questelles police station on May 4th, and never charged him with any offence. “Now six days later, they coming with a charge of threatening an officer,” Fraser said, adding, “you can’t come tell me I threaten a police officer, when the same officer call the station we were in at Questelles and tell them to release me.” He is calling on those persons in the Layou community who witnessed what transpired during the Leeward leg of the Carnival Caravan to come forward and show their support for Williams and Chandler, “because it’s for us to Tired of the harassment put a stopping to all this police harassment and brutality.” Frazer said he was tired of the Fraser, a well-known promoter, said police harassment. He is of the view he is awaiting word from his lawyer in that his arrest was motivated by what order to decide on what course of transpired in Layou. action to take, but explained that, “It’s “I fed up of them harassing me, not about money it’s about justice.” because it look to me like they start When contacted, Inspector Hawkins something out of nothing , and they Nanton of the Police Public Relations notice that, so they trying their best to Department said he was unaware of cover up their tracks,” Fraser the situation. contended.
police jeep arriving in the area. Police officers disembarked from the vehicle and approached him. According to a resident who was standing nearby, an Officer told Fraser, “Come with me, we want you. You threatened to kill a police officer.” Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN following his release, Fraser said he was taken to the police headquarters in Kingstown, but was never questioned or charged. “They never put me in a room and talk to me one on one, nothing. They just get me round there (police headquarters),” Fraser said. He alleges that while in detention, Police Officers kept coming up to him and making all kinds of remarks, which he found quite offensive. He was released 30 hours after his arrest, without being charged.
Policewoman St. Lucians forgives offender fined for by HAYDN HUGGINS PROSECUTOR Inspector Adolphus Delpleche on Wednesday commended a female police officer who decided to forgive a woman who had assaulted her. Meshell Knox of Kingstown was charged with assaulting Avanne Charles, a police woman attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Knox had assaulted the police officer after she was arrested by another officer in connection with the theft of a blackberry cellular phone,valued $500, from Loanne Mc Donald of Campden Park. She had pleaded guilty to the offence at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, but Chief Magistrate Sonya Young remanded her at the female prison at Fort Charlotte until Wednesday for sentencing, so that she “could feel what prison life is like”. Knox was bonded for one year for stealing the phone. If she breaches the bond, she will have to pay the court $500 or go to prison for three months. However, the assault charge was dismissed after Inspector Delpleche informed the court that Charles had communicated to him that she had forgiven the defendant. Delpleche said Charles indicated that she was the mother of children, and her heart went out for Knox after she learnt that she had gotten herself in trouble.
illegal entry TWO ST. LUCIANS were taken to Her Majesty’s Prison on Wednesday after failing to pay the court for entering the state illegally. Gulit Regis and Edgliell Felion were each fined $500 forthwith or three months in prison, for entering the state illegally by boat at Owia on May 8. A patrol of Rapid Response Unit (RRU) officers recently held the men who were met in a car. When questioned, they admitted they were from St. Lucia.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 5.
Regional
Election campaign financing examined PRIME MINISTER of Barbados Freundel Stuart has expressed this view that the role of money in election campaigns nowadays has increased exponentially, to the point where large numbers of voters have become accustomed to a variety of goods and services being provided as part of the election exercise. He made the observation last week Wednesday during an address to an OAS regional forum on ‘Strengthening Regulation of Political Parties and Political Financing Systems in the Caribbean’, held in Barbados. The Prime Minister acknowledged that large campaigns stimulated some economic activity, but he was of the view that this was not sufficient justification for allowing expenditure to get
Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart called for a full declaration of election campaign receipts and expenditure.
José Miguel Insulza, OAS General Secretary, called for greater equity and transparency in the systems of political financing in the region.
out of control. Noting that the use of money to compromise democratic processes was a universal problem, he referred to data collected by the International Institute for
Democracy and Electoral Assistance’s (IDEA) Study of 2012, that highlighted the need, not only for limitations on donations and expenses so that small parties have a
chance, but also for regulations on disclosure, enforcement and sanctions worldwide to curb corruption. Even as he admitted that political parties took responsibility for most of the fundraising and expenses for election campaigns, therefore the published income and expenditure of candidates gave no indication of the total receipts and expenses, he called for this loophole to be “plugged if we want to make progress in regulating campaign finances.Meanwhile, following Prime Minister Staurt’s address, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, made a call for greater equity and transparency in the systems of political financing in the region. “Political funding,” he said,
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (right) will challenge T&T on subsidies to CAL, but would hope that LIAT could maintain some degree of ‘good working relations’ with the airline and the T&T government.
LIAT cries foul LIAT will challenge the Trinidad & Tobago government for providing “unfair” subsidies to Caribbean Airlines (CAL). This challenge will come in the form of a legal opinion, which Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Chairman of the LIAT Shareholder Governments, is expected to present to Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar later this month in Port of Spain.. The legal opinion will
argue that CAL pays US $50 for a barrel of aviation fuel, while LIAT forks-up roughly US $120 for the same. Terming the figures as a “big problem,” Gonsalves noted in a post meeting press conference, “the discrepancy was creating challenges for us.” According to LIAT data presented at the gathering, between 2008 to 2012, LIAT spent US $106.1 million on fuel, while CAL for the same period, spent US $46.4 million.
The average cost over that period for LIAT was about US $127 a barrel as compared with US $53 for CAL. LIAT pointed out that it lost 78,000 passengers as a result of the subsidies provided to its competitor. “The revenues we would have lost as a result of that unfair competition would be US $10.2 million,” Dr Gonsalves said. Despite denouncing the Trinidad & Tobago subsidy, LIAT Chairman Dr Jean Holder doesn’t
see the disagreement affecting LIAT’s ability to negotiate closer relations with CAL. But on the question of a full-blown merger, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said, “we have to date a little first before we can get married.” (Source: Observer Newspaper, Antigua)
“should not be stigmatized, as it is a necessary part of a healthy and normal democratic life. However, it is undeniable that money can introduce important distortions to the democratic process.” Insulza conceded that in most countries of the Caribbean where the OAS has deployed electoral observation missions, there is a need for greater regulation of political parties and political financing systems. He noted, however, that there was a tendency in the region to “seek a balance in the influence of money in politics, and to strengthen the mechanisms for transparency and accountability.” The regional forum brought together 42 delegates from 14 member states of the OAS. (Source: Caribbean News Now)
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6. FRIDAY, MAY 17. THE VINCENTIAN
Court
Providence back in court by HAYDN HUGGINS
A MAN who was recently discharged on a murder charge at the Serious Offences Court, was back in the same court on Wednesday, this time for marijuana possession. Junior Providence, 29, of Lowman’s Hill, pleaded guilty to possession of four grams of marijuana and a partly burnt marijuana cigarette, when he was taken before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young. The facts showed that around 12:20 p.m., police on patrol in Kingstown spotted Providence in the vicinity of P.H. Veira supermarket sitting on a bench smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette. The lawmen took it away, informed him of the offence and requested a search of his person. Providence resisted and following a tussle, the police retrieved a transparent plastic bag containing marijuana from Providence’s pocket. The drug amounted to four grams.
(MCU), made a deal with him to drop two robbery charges he was facing, “if I come court and say that Junior Providence tell me that he kill the man.” The other key witness, Earl Jack, told the Court he saw the accused and Pinder speaking in Kingstown in March last year, but he did not hear what they were saying.
Personal use versus public smoking Providence’s attorney, Grant Connell, told the court his client had not wasted the court’s time, and had been in custody for the past two days without being taken to court. “The four grams was in his pocket for personal use in a private environment at a later day,” Connell explained. According to Connell, the value of the marijuana amounted to $5.10, but added that this was exhausted with meals, while his client was in custody. “It is the public smoking I can’t handle. It is a total disregard and disrespect for the law,” the Chief Magistrate retorted. But Connell reiterated that his client had intended to use the drug in a private environment. He contended that Providence could have been given station bail. “I will not touch that with a ten-foot pole,” Young rebutted. But Connell informed her that Prosecutor Inspector Adolphus Delpleche did so already when he granted station bail to someone who was charged with possession of a small quantity of marijuana. For possession of the four grams of marijuana, Providence was fined $100 which he paid. The Magistrate did not impose a penalty for the partly burnt marijuana cigarette as she took into account the time Providence spent in custody. Providence, who had been charged with the murder of 80-year-old Ulric Hercules of Arnos Vale, was discharged on April 16 at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) after the Chief Magistrate upheld a no case submission by Connell, who argued there was absolutely no evidence before the Court. Cleroy Pinder, one of the two prosecution key witnesses, had testified that the officer assigned to the investigation, Sergeant Jeffery LaBorde of the Major Crime Unit
Junior Providence was freed of a murder charge but got caught for marijuana possession this time around.
Praedal larceny abounds REPORTS of theft of agricultural produce and livestock, especially in rural communities, across mainland St. Vincent, continue to reach the reporters’ desk at THE VINCENTIAN. As recent as this week, reports are that at least two reports of theft of agricultural produce and livestock were made to the police. It is understand that both reports were made on incidents which occurred in the Georgetown to Park Hill area. THE VINCENTIAN, upon inquiry, was informed that no arrests have been made in connection with the reports. A Rural Constable Unit was commissioned some time ago. Questions about the working of this unit and its effectiveness abound. Maybe it is time for a report to be given about this step which was aimed specifically at curbing the theft of agricultural produce and livestock.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 7.
Industrial Relations
PSU demands Triennium Review by JP SCHWMON jpschwmon@hotmail.com THIS COUNTRY’S GOVERNMENT is the single largest, labour law defaulter. So says Public Service Union (PSU) President, Cools Vanloo, in a recent exclusive sit-down with THE VINCENTIAN. The PSU represents workers at approximately seven or so statutory corporations, including the Bureau of Standards, Postal District Workers, Port Police, National Sports Council, BRAGSA, to name a few. It is the Union’s position, as voiced by its President, that said corporations “violate their Collective Agreements with impunity.” Exemplifying this, he pointed out the case surrounding the Postal District Workers where negotiations were completed “over two years ago and up to now, the agreements were not signed.” Undaunted, the Union has invited Dr. Gonsalves to set a date for new salary/wage negotiations for the 2012 — 2014 triennium. The Union boss emphasized several salient points in an April 10th letter to this country’s Prime Minister who is also the Minister of Finance, Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves. Stating mainly that the government has failed to: “meet the Union’s demand for the second payment of the 1.5% owing on the 3% due [to the civil service] since January 31st, 2013, on the salary/wage adjustment legislated for 2011; begin negotiations for salary/wage adjustments for the 2012 to 2014 triennium in keeping with government’s policy and standard practice over the years
and to make adjustments to the benefits and allowances for public servants…” which has not been adjusted to account for price increases “for over fifteen years.” No real adjustment for inflation Vanloo’s letter to the Finance Minister continues, “the point to point rate of inflation as reported by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 3.2 and 2.5 percent for 2011 and 2012 respectively. Given the current trend, we estimate that prices are likely to increase by another 2.9 percentage points in 2013. Cumulatively, the increase in prices and so the cost of living is expected to increase by 8.7 percentage points over the triennium. Salary and Wage adjustments are therefore necessary to maintain the job worth and standard of living for public servants over the period. The Union regards this situation as untenable, since the public servants are being asked to take what can be regarded as a substantial cut in their standard of living if adjustments are not negotiated.” Vanloo told THE VINCENTIAN “… it has reached the stage where, without a review of those allowances, the public servants have to continue incurring the costs.” Said costs are usually borne by the allotted stipends that contribute to civil servants’ benefits and allowances, but the government’s latent inaction where the reviews are concerned has resulted in the civil servants “paying taxes and subsidizing the government,” he stressed.
Minister to deepen CanadaCaribbean relationships Continued from Page 3. Ms. Ablonczy arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines today, Friday 17th May, and was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves at 10:30 a.m., to discuss matters of bilateral interests. Indications were that the recent visa restrictions imposed on Vincentians by the Canadian Authorities, was down for discussion. Following the meeting with Prime Minister Gonsalves, the Minister was down to make an announcement concerning Canada’s financial support for new projects for the Regional Security System (RSS), totaling $4.1 million CAN, at a press conference at the E. T. Joshua Airport. This is Minister Ablonzczy’s first meeting with these nations’ leaders on their home soil. The trip follows on the heels of the visit of Kamla PersadBissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, to Canada in April.
Using the travel expense as an example, the veteran workers’ rights advocate highlighted the negative impact the situation has had on local government employees’ “conditions of work.” He said, “Consider the cost of petrol 15 years ago, that price would have increased more than several times since then, but to date the allowances paid out by the government remains fixed at the same rate it was in 1998. So in effect, the
employee who uses his/her vehicle for work purposes must fund the difference between what they’re given as an allowance and the actual cost of the petrol incurred to conduct government business.” He also noted that since the imposition of the 15% VAT, the rate allotted to the National Insurance Services has also increased while “the income tax threshold has not been moved, so that the take home pay has quite arguably been
reduced.” Additionally, he denounced, as a trick, this government’s practice of paying out the monies owed from 2011 in 2012 and 2013. The Finance Ministry has fallen onto this strategy, he suggests, making it appear as if wage and salary increases have occurred. “But we will not be tricked; we will not be caught sleeping.…” Even though he urged the Finance Minister to respond to the issues as presented within a twoweek timeframe of the
letter’s date, that time has passed (during which SVG joined 79 other countries in celebration of International Workers Day) with nary a word from the Finance Ministry. “All we are seeing is a continued frustration of the Union’s efforts. Who do you appeal to at the end of the day?” Vanloo quipped. Dr. Gonsalves could not be reached for comment up to press time.
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8. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 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 A second chance ANTHONY ‘SCAR FACE; Hamilton was fatally shot at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last Monday. Given his criminal record and notoriety, there would have been little outpouring of sympathy for this 32-year-old man. In that relatively short life, Hamilton had served prison sentences amounting to 17 years, was acquitted recently of charges of threatening the lives of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Superintendent of Prisons Linus Goodluck, only to reappear before the court, a matter of just over two weeks ago, to answer charges of robbery and assault. Hamilton had visited with THE VINCENTIAN, April 30 this year, to make a public appeal for help with housing and a job. To those who would have reacted with some disdain that a publication of repute would have welcomed someone of the notoriety of Hamilton, the question for your consciences is simply: Would you deny someone a second chance, a chance to turn his life around? There is no way of discerning to exactness whether an ex-convict is being honest about his preparedness to ‘turn his life around’ That said, those who would have felt disdain for Hamilton will point to his recent arrest and eventual demise and feel vindicated about their judgement of this man. How quickly, in our holy abode, we forget that we should care about those who have ‘fallen by the wayside’. But then again, that Christian edict to which we say we adhere, is in application a matter of ‘horses for courses.’ In Hamilton’s case, he could not be a horse for the course of rehabilitation. Are there not other questions we should be asking ourselves, as we hold up the flag of our Christian belief? What if someone had reached out to Hamilton after he had made his appeal? What if he had received a helping hand, would he have had to resort to doing what he obviously thought was his only option, robbing someone he perceived to be better off than he was? Hamilton’s life and demise raise the question of how open, how disposed our society is to extending a second chance to those who have broken the law and transgressed against society. Pause a while. If you didn’t realize before, there are ex-convicts everywhere. The number of people, especially young men, with criminal backgrounds is growing fast, some would say exponentially given the smallness of our society. In the absence of real hard data, but on the basis of cursory investigation, it would be safe to say not many ex-convicts find employment here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It is time we accept that all ex-cons are not alike. They are not all illbred persons looking for handouts. They are not all lazy and looking for the easy way out. If it is that they appear to look for the easy way out, by returning to lives of criminal activity, is this not, partly so, because they have been offered no options? Many ex-convicts with whom this columnist has come in contact are willing to learn, if they have not already acquired some skill while incarcerated. But when they apply for a job, it all boils down to that little box on the application that asks for a ‘police record’. Corporations, businesses, employers in general, have the right to do criminal checks, but too often, just knowing that an applicant is a felon, results in that application being put in the trash. And, therefore, ex-cons are the least likely to get an interview. Exconvicts here are, in the main, not given a second chance. And lest this may be misunderstood, this is not a call for businesses to relinquish their right to filter out certain felons from others. Rather, it is a call for employers not to dismiss them willy nilly, to talk with them and thereafter decide whether they are deserving of a second chance. Evidence shows that there is a rapid rise in the incidence of recidivism. After several years of searching for an honest job and not getting one, it’s sad how easy it is for an ex-convict to return to a life of crime; in the face of continuing disappointment and rejection, they see the world of crime as the only way of bringing money in to support themselves. Is it Socrates’ fault that they become career criminals? Is it not ours? We need to ask ourselves, honestly and not as a passing course, especially as we purport to build this post-colonial and independent society, some hard questions: How hard is it for a person with a felony in their past to get a job at your workplace? How many businesses in Kingstown will consider an ex-felon? If we want less crime in our capital and in our neighbourhoods, we must help the ex-convict make an honest living. We must not continue to create the basis for them to get so depressed and desperate that they will do anything illegal to make a living. How much longer are we to demonstrate a lack of forgiveness and compassion while Rome burns around us? Why can’t we give a person who has changed a second chance? Anthony ‘Scar Face’ Hamilton may have slipped through the cracks, but the cracks may not have been of his own making.
Nearing the tape90 years plus ALTHOUGH THE MAIN FOCUS of “This Week’s” article features the 90 years young, I begin with a few centurions. The man of the hour is Matthew “Dadda” Culzac of Rose Place, better known as Bottom Town, in an area commonly called “Crab Island”. Having being born at cemetery gate, I have known Matthew all my life. His son Carl was a promising cricketer in my day, and Leslie had been my right-hand-man when I dared enter politics in 1974, running in West Kingstown for the DFM, whilst the venerable Eddie Griffith of revered memory toiled in East Kingstown. Matthew supported me in his quiet and subtle way. I salute him on his 100th birthday which falls on Saturday May 18th. Matthew had made it through thick and thin, in poverty- stricken Rose Place, now ravaged with gun- play that once forced my friend to spend the nights at Largo Heights until he discovered that it was a case of running from the coffin to confront the jumbie! Still life is a precious gift, and Matthew is advised to so treat it, and continue to be grateful and appreciative in counting his blessings. I crave this self- indulgence to make mention of my own family; the only centurion I knew was “Aunt Rose” Cruickshank of Chateaubelair who died about 8 years ago. She used to mount her donkey in her eighties by jumping on it from behind, and away to her cultivation at “Farm”. I lost two sisters, in their 90s wellknown by Matthew; Inez, on last Christmas day in New York, and Ermine two months later in Trinidad. Elsie, former chief nurse at maternity then senior nurse at the Cyrus hospital, is hanging in there at 90. Only a week ago, I was involved in cakesticking where my first cousin Mavis Maule of Chauncey celebrated her 90th birthday. I, as the last of the 10 members of the John family, did the honours with Mavis, the first of the 5 Maules. Sitting next to Mavis was 93 young Germaine Stephens, Mavis’ niece, who had foster-mothered Douggie Slater. At New Montrose is my ailing “adopted” mother Irene of 95 years, widow of Frank Williams. If I were to write of her and our relationship over the years, it would exhaust this column. Another nonagerian resident is Stella Horne who was once the wife of Eldon Anderson, of like age, living at Villa. Had this couple still been together, probably they would have featured in the Guinness Book of Record; together 75 years and individually 100 years each! Eldon is the longest living ex Grammar School boy and his G.H.S counterpart happens to be Olive James Pollard at 95. Living at Villa next to Eldon is his sister-in-Law in her mid ’90s, ‘Neeny’ Cox, the widow of Jules Cox, whose sister Joyce is still very much alive in Edinboro,
nearing the century. Whenever I feel I need a lift, I invariably summon one of my female “This Week’s” fans. I did so last Sunday to find out if she was 90 and so qualified. Back came the answer, that she was celebrating her 90th birthday at the very time of calling, so said the evergreen Eden Bennett. I can hardly complete this column without an injection of political spice. So, I checked on old politicians still alive. I bounced first on Afflick Haynes of 1954 Vintage a stone’s throw from the century. Also Augustus “King” Mitchell who went to the polls in 1961, within touching distance of 100. In that age-bracket, the only politician’s wife to survive is the stunning, statuesque, beautiful widow of Herman Young of Eighth Army Fame, now 99 years young. But remain mothers like Theresa Francis, the Prime Minister’s old Queen, and Elaine Bonadie, the sister of Milton Cato and mother of Burns Bonadie, and Elsa Scott, the widow of Fitz who was the First Chairman of the Labour Party, still full with the zest for life. A few sportsmen survived the rigours to attain a ripe old age. Take Clement “Baha” Lawrence, he was once an opening batsman of the famed K.C.C, a foot-baller and calypsonian of sorts, now poised at the threshold of 100 years. Not far behind is Matthew John who played cricket for the national team in 1938, the year of my birth! I understand that one of our greatest sport personalities visited his home lastyear, in a wheel chair. He is 91-year-old Cayley Bonadie who in the early 50s played national cricket and football. There are, of course, many others after life’s struggle are basking and reflecting in the evening of their life as they cruise towards the inevitable: they include Ena Carr (Whittle), Stella Berridge, Viola John, Keziah Lavia, Leo Anthony, Roy Andrews, Fred Olliverre, Morton Lewis, Gurney Gibson, Xavier De Freitas, Cloey Browne and perhaps leaving the best for last, the very gifted Vivian Child at the very cusp of the targeted personalities. I end with two exceptional figures. First is Jane Slater at 89. When called, she answered weakly, still devastated by the sudden and recent loss of her son, Maurice. And my dear friend and client Adlin Scott from whose 100th birthday celebration I was unavoidably absent last year. I had already decided to include her in this article when she entered hospital and was assigned a bed next to a person whom I had been visiting! I learned, moments before sending this week’s article to press, that she has passed on. I wish Godspeed to all my senior friends and associates, specifically mentioned, or not.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 9.
Letters
Pay those increments
Mr. Editor, I must congratulate you and your writer, JP Schwmon, for two balanced pieces on the saga at the Port Authority. From what I can discern, there is really no good reason for the Port Authority to be dragging its feet with respect to paying the Port Police the agreed upon increments. I thought this was a ‘Labour Government’ and ‘Workers Government’! Now, don’t get me wrong, for I am not in any way suggesting that every time a worker raises his voice about some matter in the civil service or with some statutory corporation, that the government should take the side of the workers. Far from that!!! In this case, however, one cannot help but conclude that there might be more in the mortar than the pestle. The president of the PSU, is Cools Vanloo. My knowledge tells me that he might not be a supporter of the ULP. But he is the duly elected President of the PSU and he deserves to be allowed to represent his membership without any preconceived notions about him being out in the front. Is it that the Port Police was just another move to give some people jobs without truly realizing the important role that they play? Were they simply considered like the Rural Constables? (By the way, we haven’t heard about any Rural Constable arresting and charging any goat thief, eh?) But, back to the Port Police: I am certain that the Port Authority is liquid enough to be able to afford the increments owing to the Port Police. So, Mr. John and company, do the honourable thing and give the workers what is rightfully theirs. George, T
Lost When you are not with me, I start to think, When you are not around, I feel unwanted, My days are cold without you, Sometimes I find it hard to breathe, Without you, I lose faith and heart, You know I care and love you, But right now, I’m trying to find my way back into your heart, Yea it’s true, Love makes us do crazy things, I know, I have walked that road, You are gone, I don’t know where you are, Do you know that my heart is breaking slowly? I am losing sleep, You don’t call or even ask about me, Even though I tried a million times to apologize, You left, You didn’t even say good bye, I wonder where I went wrong, Was I not loving and by your side? Give you everything and never give a damn about what people say? You turned your back on me, So here I am standing, Crying, Falling and never rising, I thought I was loved, But I was blind, So blind by a touch, Where were you when I need you the most? No words could explain my pain, No tears can I show, I have lost my will to understand what love is, Maybe one day, When these tears are dried, I will love again! Yanic Sayers St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2013.
Dishonest judgement Part 1 When are we going to see honest judgement? The reason for the slowdown in the economy lies in the hands of all of us: first the people, second the government. 1. Our money goes to big houses, cars, and cell phones. Where does the money come from to buy other commodities? Most of our money slip out of the country. 2. When is the government going to punish dishonest workers who prevent others from making the hop? 3. When are we going to see the magistrate court stop making certain lawyers famous? 4. When are we going to see those gun-totters behind bars for longer periods so as to make locals and tourists comfortable?
5. When are we going to see fair promotion in the police force so that police can go back to work? 6. When are we going to see VINLEC reduce street lights time so we can have a reduction on our bills? 7. When are we going to see stiffer penalties for praedial larceny so as to encourage farmers back to the land? 8. When are we going to see government workers on the job? 9. When are we going to see teachers without earrings and nappy hairstyles, and who are role models for our children? Which party is going to make the fix so that I can make a choice? The fix may be a dishonest judgement. SPY
A woman’s plight: AIDS I WANT to know what the government is doing about this deadly disease called AIDS. There are people who go and get tested; they know the doctors knows. The nurses know that these people are sick, and they just send these people back out on the street, to do what: to infect the world again. What is to stop them from infecting someone else with the motivation that someone gave them it so they will do the same to others. Are they any different from the murderers, rapists, and molesters etc.? They are worse but the government finds a place to put those criminals (murders, rapists, etc) and
gives them three square meals a day in a state of the art facility, proper rest, a good bath and no bills to pay. They (government) can do the same for these people too and stop the spread of this AIDS. And a note of caution to all females of St.Vincent & the Grenadines: Beware of those men who are out to spread this disease. Beware of those ‘gentlemen’ who come around with their sweet talk. R. Williams (Editor’s Note: This was edited for content.)
Traffic accident figures Mr. Editor, I heard a certain Sergeant of Police, who is assigned to the Traffic Department, declaring with some consolation in his voice, that the number of vehicular accidents for the year so far, shows a drop over the same period for last year. That is fine, Mr. Sergeant, but …. . Yes, there is a ‘but’. I am to assume that the Sergeant was basing his conclusion on the number of vehicular accidents reported to the police. The question is: How many were not reported? There are a number of unreported accidents… unreported because the persons involved prefer not to involve the Traffic Department and the Insurance Companies. They don’t want to involve the Police
because it results in a long drawn out process before the courts, involving a total waste of big people’s time when they appear for a traffic case, only to have the matter adjourned and adjourned and adjourned again. And when the person who is so involved doesn’t turn up for the case and it is called, a bench warrant is issued for that person. How embarrassing. They don’t want to involve the insurance companies because if they have to claim or settle, they lose their no claim bonus, and their premiums go up. So you see, Mr. Sergeant of Traffic Police, when you go about making declarations as it relates to statistics, and you draw conclusions, make sure that you qualify
what you say. It’s a case of putting your mouth in the right gear before you open it. Driver
* Which is higher: The amount of money it will take to pay the increments for the Port Police or all those ‘stipends’ being paid to Directors of Boards and the salaries to those many consultants with government? * Will there be any allocation made for the construction of washroom facilities at the Paget Farm playing field now that the Clive Tannis Playing Field is closed for refurbishment? * Is Hairoun not the Beer of SVG? Is Carib not the Beer of T&T? Is Red Stripe not the Beer of Jamaica? Any chance of Hairoun becoming the Beer of T&T and/or Jamaica? * Are there any men in this country who knowingly go around spreading the AIDS virus?
The midnight street I can feel the cool, cool breeze Making sounds in the swaying trees, whistling leaves It’s just like an office decorated with palms With buttercups glowing in the dark. And photos of big and small buildings Motor vehicles parked in lanes. All shops are closed, no vending Customers are asleep, ‘til in the morning. Only the drivers moving by Passing the pedestrians morning and night. The streets are so quiet and warm, It invites you to see the lighted harbor. To enjoy that peace of mind in tranquility O’ how happy to be walking along this beautiful city. It’s paradise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. P.C. Felicia Thompson
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10. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Be positive and lift up SVG Entrepreneurship and manufacturing
REPRINTED FROM 2005 Positive news Many, many positive things are happening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The positive vibes, an uplifting spirit, and a quest for progress are all around us. All this is the central defining feature of life in St. Vincent and the Grenadines today. To be sure, there are difficulties, but more and more persons, especially young people, are moving forward with their lives. There are challenges but success in the air. It is true that some people lose their heads and commit crimes of violence; but, by and large, the criminal upsurge of late last year, following Hurricane Ivan in Grenada, has been halted and reversed. And only the NDP and its propagandists are out of sync with the positive, optimistic movements of the people; the NDP remains mired in the debilitating malaise of learned helplessness. Let us look at the three newspapers for last week, Friday June 10th, for the good news. Indeed, there was an abundance of it. Let us take each newspaper in turn: (a) THE VINCENTIAN: On its front page was the banner headline “No tampering says Supervisor of Elections”. This story refuted the false allegations made by the Leader of the Opposition about the electoral list being tampered with unfairly. The Vincentian carried the following positive news items, among others: (i) The opening of Aunt Jobe’s Supermarket — an investment of some $6 million. Charles Maynard, a former Minister of Government in Dominica and a friend of Aunt Jobe’s owner, Ken Boyea, said: “It shows confidence in the economy. It’s a major investment by a person who has a strong regional thrust.” (ii) A report on “the Celebration of Excellence” for Kamal Wood and Kiokya Cruickshank which took place at the Prime Minister’s residence on June 6th. (iii) Remembering Sister Pat by the Mespo Community. (iv) The celebration of 30 years for the School of Children with Special Needs. (v) Tourism on the Move. (vi) Vincentian Fitz Bramble replaces Kingsley Layne as OAS Ambassador to Suriname. (vii) The Brewery celebrating 20 years. (viii) The Government committed to Disaster Mitigation. (ix) St. Vincent and the Grenadines on show at Diversity Day in Florida on May 22nd. (x) Beauty Pageants; Carnival News; (xi) Honouring Police Officers; (xii) Sports news especially Body Building, Basketball, Football, Baseball and Cricket. (xiii) A positive editorial on Disaster Preparedness. There were two sad items: the passing of Calvert Woods and the damage caused by heavy rains. (b) The News: On its front page was a story rebutting fully the falsehoods in “The TNT Mirror” of June 03, 2005, against Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on his spiritual retreat at the Monastery at Mount St. Benedict in Trinidad. On the front page, too, was the story about the arresting and charging of a Grenadian fugitive with three murder charges from last year. Good work, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force! Among other “good news” items in The News were: (i) Traffic tickets coming. (ii) Machine Readable Passports coming soon. (iii) Let the Youths Soar; PM: No child will be left behind. (iv) “Bless Up the Youths”, PM Says. (v) Students embrace “Education Revolution”. (vi) Student Support Service added to Ministry. (vii) Tech-Voc Tutors in Session. (viii) Aunt Jobe’s Supermarket is
here. (ix) Brewery is 20 years old. (x) Carnival, Calypso, Beauty Shows’ news. (xi) Positive mini-editorials on several matters. c. The Searchlight: On its front page, there is the story of the charging of the Grenadian fugitive for three murders from last year. The Police did a fine job. Other positive news stories include: (i) Vincentians putting country on map. (ii) Kamal, Kiokya toasted at Evening of Excellence. (iii) Mustique Workers rewarded. (iv) PM addresses National Rally on Education. (v) More Taiwan Scholarships for SVG Students. (vi) Thirty (30) scholarships for OECS students. (vii) Doors open at Aunt Jobe’s. (viii) Gonsalves asks for overseas support. (ix) PM to attend Clinton Global Initiative. (x) Guerney Gibson awarded OBE at Buckingham Palace. (xi) Special Feature on Hairoun and Brewery. (xii) Bramble to head OAS office in Suriname. (xiii) World Cup Reading: $23 million in Renovations for Arnos Vale Playing Field. (xiv) Sports news on various matters. (xv) Cultural news of various sorts. Searchlight also had a positive editorial on the National Literacy Campaign. The Searchlight had a story on the back page entitled “When Darkness Falls” with a photo of a flambeau being used by students in the squatter settlement at Diamond where there is no electricity. Clearly, this issue has to be addressed. On the same page is a story under the caption “PM addressing Diamond problem”. This inherited problem of squatter settlements is being tackled. It is getting greater urgency, but it is a big problem to solve quickly. In the three newspapers, the columnists were generally positive, even Kenneth John in his discussion of the 25th anniversary of Walter Rodney’s assassination. He did not, however, mention that the Prime Minister was attending the commemorative event in Guyana. Oscar Allen did that in his letter to the editor. On Saturday night, June 11th, Princess Monique won a hat-trick victory in the Queen of Calypso Competition with positive calypsos. Some items ahead In this week (Monday June 13th to Sunday June 19th), there are positive matters ahead, including: (i) A Cabinet retreat on Monday June 13th. (ii) A site visit to the Belle Isle Correctional Facility on Tuesday June 14th. (iii) The OECS Heads of Government meeting in Dominica at which Prime Minister Gonsalves will assume the Chairmanship for the next year. (iv) Select Committee Meetings of
Parliament on the Education Bill and the SVG Community College Bill. (v) Several Sporting and Cultural Events. (vi) Students continuing to write exams. (vii) Fathers’ Day on Sunday June 19th. Be positive always and lift up SVG! Only the NDP wants you to be negative like themselves.
The NDP recognizes that entrepreneurs are national assets, and should be encouraged and rewarded as much as possible. Developing national entrepreneurship will create more wealth, more jobs, more opportunities and more prosperity in our nation. The opportunities for companies and corporations to invest, create jobs and expand are crucial to fostering private sector development. This is intrinsic to establishing sustainable programmes aimed at attacking poverty and improving the standard of living for all Vincentians. In addition, the NDP recognises that improving government policies and behaviour will not only shape the investment climate and drive private sector development, it will also drive overall economic growth and improve opportunities for everyone. We, therefore, will provide a range of incentives and support to encourage private sector development and, above all, create the stable and predictable macro-economic and social environment that will encourage investment. The NDP will eliminate red tape and restrictive bureaucratic practices and processes in the public sector, and develop a facilitative and responsive public sector. Also, we must ensure that we put in place measures that promote competitiveness and growth in the private sector. Private Sector Development that encourages growth will create sustainable jobs and opportunities for macro and microentrepreneurs alike. Micro-economic development is one of the key pathways by which people can escape the trap of poverty. We will give each person the power to shape their own destiny. The resultant economic growth will also help to reduce the costs of goods to our citizens. This is especially important to those who suffer the economic burden the most. Private Sector Development shall contribute to an expanded tax base that will allow for investment in the health, education and welfare of all of our people.
indigenous, natural resources, whether agriculture or water, or through integration with our services sector, such as tourism. Too often we find ourselves reinventing the wheel. The NDP, therefore, accepts in principle and adopts as policy recommendation Article 189 of the international Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), concerning general conditions to stimulate job creation in small and medium sized enterprises. Small and medium sized enterprises are critical for economic growth and development. We will have small and medium sized enterprises play a major role in the creation of jobs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and help to create an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the NDP recognises that small and medium sized enterprises provide the potential for women and other traditionally disadvantaged groups, to gain access under better conditions to productive, sustainable and quality employment opportunity.
An export led economy
Let no one fool you, in a period of diminishing grants and reducing subsidies, the battle is well and truly engaged to attract more and more Foreign Direct Investments to our economy. This, of course, has its implications. Foreign Direct Investment is normally provided by the Multinational Corporations which may have their difficulties. However, we in the NDP, see this as a time for a different engagement in our epoch and nation building. The NDP is committed to build, transform and support the capacity of our companies and corporations to do meaningful trade and to make them both productive and competitive. The Manufacturing following specific actions will be taken by the next NDP government: The role of manufacturing in the establish a national productivity economy continues to receive scant centre; work with regional attention. Typically, the question governments toward a joint asked is whether or not this sector production strategy in the area of can survive in the more competitive environment of the Caribbean Single Agriculture; meet our investment and Market and Economy (CSME) or even export goals, we will use existing the more uncertain Free Trade of the state monopolies to assist in equity gap financing in critical areas, such as Americas (FTAA). If one examines the recent report of electricity, water, port activity and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank processing; provide fiscal incentives, grants and consultancy; capitalise on (ECCB), the report not only the regional investment fund through recognizes the declining contribution the CSME agreement; pursue joint of this sector, but the focus of ventures, strategic alliances, and attention is generally limited to the monopolies of the Eastern Caribbean licensing agreements with companies already trading in St. Vincent and the Group of Companies (ECGC), the St. Grenadines, even while exploring new Vincent Brewery Ltd. partners; and identify and support This sector, as it stands, gives new business portfolios, such as reason to our call for structural change. Our country, St. Vincent and pharmaceuticals. The NDP will establish a Ministry the Grenadines, like other societies, has evolved through what is described of the Private Sector which will be directed to the development of an as Import Substitution Model (ISM). enterprise culture which favours That is to say, we simply produced initiatives, enterprise creation some of what we normally imported productivity, environmental and restricted competition by one or consciousness, quality, good labour another CARICOM protocol. All of and industrial relations and adequate this is now, of course, challenged by the new global environment regulated social practices which are equitable. It is the entrepreneurs who drive by the World Trade Organisation the economy’s engine and stimulate (WTO). economic activity. The successful The NDP is committed to the new economic development of our nation challenges and will support what is will be as a result of encouraging the described as a more resource-based entrepreneurial culture of our people. approach, that is , industry and manufacturing based on our
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 11.
Views
False hopes and dashed dreams “We’re all vulnerable to fantastic offers – to scams that in reality pay off with nothing but trouble. We are offered false hope that ends in dashed dreams.” — Dave Branon Most of this column’s readers have e-mail addresses and can therefore testify about the number of offers they receive (on a regular basis) from individuals who profess to have inherited wealth and want to share their fortunes with you ... if only you would be so kind as to facilitate the funds being transferred to your account. They then proceed to offer to leave a significant part of the money with you for your “kind cooperation”. And some of us still receive letters in the mail offering similar enticements. The offers come from all over the world ... and can trap the unsuspecting and greedy. I received one such offer several years ago. I was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) at the time. I was also the Honorary Consul of Spain to St. Vincent and the Grenadines then. It was therefore interesting when the letter, originating in Spain, informed me that I had won in excess of one million Euros ... for a lottery game that I had not played. I vividly recalled the excitement of my secretary as she presented me with my “prize winning notification”. She was jumping for joy on my behalf. I knew that it had to be a scam, and immediately sent a copy to the Commissioner of Police so that he could be on the alert for local citizens who may be duped by such correspondence. I also forwarded a copy of the letter to the resident Ambassador at the Spanish Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago. My follow-up telephone conversation with the Ambassador revealed that this particular scam had drained the finances of many innocent Europeans several years earlier. As a result, the European police had clamped down on the organisers. It then seemed as though the criminals had resurfaced and were “selling their wares overseas”. Several days later, I received a telephone call from a middle-aged lady who lives on the Windward side of the island. She indicated that she was calling me in my capacity as Honorary Consul of Spain. She proceeded to inform me that she had just received correspondence from Spain confirming that she had won millions. She was excited. She had telephoned the number that was provided in the letter and had been told that she needed to forward a few hundred U.S. dollars for the processing fees related to her inheritance. She wanted my guidance in terms of how those funds could be relayed. It took me a relatively long time to convince her that she was being duped. Even after telling her about my telephone conversation with the Ambassador, she still appeared to be “willing to try her luck”. I never received a follow-up telephone call from her, and periodically wondered if she and other recipients of similar letters ever unwisely forwarded funds to those crooks. Persons who pursue such lures soon discover that they
have ventured along the road of false hopes and dashed dreams. The old people drummed into our brain that “hard work never killed anyone”. We would be much better off if we pursued avenues of hard work en route to financial gain. So many of us are blessed with talents and abilities that we have lulled into latency; we have so many opportunities to earn revenue via baking, cooking, crochet, knitting, craft, gardening, carpentry, tutoring students, and so on. Sometimes we erect a host of excuses why we should not engage in such activities. We need to be more proactive. Those folded arms need to be thawed out. The ideas that we placed on a back burner need to be brought back to the forefront. We need to replace fear with faith. We need to abandon doubt and embrace confidence in self. Many of the ventures may not provide economic returns immediately. We have to be patient with ourselves and bring the talents and abilities to an acceptable level when marketing these products and services. But we get to that level a lot quicker than we think. Let us commence the process now. A word of caution must also be given to those who would be tempted to seek to build their hopes and dream of pursuit of gain via sale of illegal drugs. My recent encounter with a group of school-age youths who were “brandishing some hundred dollar bills” brought this home to me quite forcefully. This writer will occasionally seek to intercept the members of the younger generation as the engage in “growing and/or marketing ganga” or “smoking their spliff”. Several of them react by implying that they have “nothing better to do”. They pay scant attention to my warnings about the possible health risk that such activities could create. Others seek, on the other hand, to encourage me to “try it out” and are convinced that I will experience “significant improvement in my writings and oratory skills” if I did. What a laugh! These are false hopes. So many dreams can be shattered once individuals venture along such paths. We must continue our efforts to intercept these youths — to redirect their course. We must create and sustain programmes that will veer them along a nobler path. This responsibility should not be left to the government, church assemblies, school administrators, and the community groups. We, concerned citizens, must continue to impress upon them the value of noble pursuits and the folly of pursuing paths that lead to false hopes and dashed dreams. Each of us, in our own little way, can initiate and sustain activities that provide real hope and noble dreams throughout and beyond our communities. Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
Sheriff Lewis is a National Hero “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Runaway slave, Frederick Douglas. ‘What appeared on the surface was a picture of general working class subservience and docility. Surveying the scene, colonial officials, representatives of the big foreign owned enterprises and the local employers and upper middle classes generally felt confident and secure. ... Sullen resentment and dissatisfaction were, nevertheless, swelling steadily among the working people and the unemployed in all the British colonies in the Caribbean area. By the middle years of the decade, the situation was like a cauldron of liquid slowly coming to the boil, with isolated early warning bubbles here and there disturbing the apparently placid surface.’ Richard Hart, The origins and development of the working class in the English Speaking Caribbean (1897 to 1938). During the 1930’s, the Caribbean was alight with social protests, revolts and rebellions. In Cuba (1933), Belize (1934), St Kitts, St Lucia (1935), Barbados and Trinidad (1937) and Jamaica (1938), the people were restive and unwilling to live or be ruled in the old way. In St Vincent, the spark that set the country ablaze came on October21, 1935. It was the day on which the Governor of the Windward Islands arrived in St Vincent to preside over a meeting of the Legislative Council. At that time, the Council consisted of a majority of colonial officials and persons nominated by the Governor, with only a minority of members elected on the restricted franchise. On 15 October, the Governor, in order to add to the Government’s revenues, introduced a measure to increase customs duties on a number of items of popular consumption. It was also the Government’s intention to maintain the high local tariff on sugar which had previously been imposed to assist the sugar producers at the consumers’ expense. The legislature was scheduled to meet again on 21 October to approve the Governor’s proposals, and during the intervening week there was mounting opposition to these proposals which would increase the cost of living. On the morning of 21 October a crowd gathered in Kingstown, the capital, in front of the shop of George McIntosh, a popular Town Councillor and druggist. They wanted him to inform the Governor of their opposition to the duty increases and to present to him their other grievances about lack of employment and general poverty. Mc Intosh informed the crowd that the Governor had agreed to receive him at 5 p.m., but they were suspicious that this was a trick to avoid hearing their grievances because His Excellency usually left the island before that hour, immediately after the last session of the Legislative Council. There was an angry demonstration outside the Court House where the Council was meeting, some of the demonstrators having armed themselves with sticks and stones. Some demonstrators forced their way into the building. Into this sea of mass activity emerged Samuel ‘Sheriff Salassie’ Lewis, whose bravery, commitment, determination and leadership was to help transform SVG. Sheriff Lewis’ contribution to this country’s development places him head and shoulders above everyone named as possible contenders for hero status. Only paramount Chief, Joseph Chatoyer made a greater contribution. Where Chatoyer fought to defend our independence, Sheriff Lewis’ leadership on October 21, 1935 channeled every major political and social development from the formation and legalization of trade unions and political parties to the enactment of universal adult sufrage and the eventual attainment of national independence. On that fateful October day, the toiling masses erupted in righteous anger, smashing windows of the Court House and damaged motor cars of some official’s. There were shouts of “We can’t stand more duties on food or clothing”
and cries of “We have no work. We are hungry”. The alarmed Governor adjourned the session of the Council. As he and other officials emerged from the Council Chamber, the Governor was pushed and struck. The Attorney General, who had drafted the tax measures, was cuffed by an enraged protester. In the ensuing rebellion, a crowd broke into the prison releasing the ten prisoners there, and the business premises of F. A Corea, a member of the Council and the island’s largest merchant and plantation owner, were ransacked. Following the arrival of an armed police force, the Riot Act was read and the crowd was fired upon. One person was killed and several were injured. News travels fast, and the rebellion soon spread as far as Georgetown and Chateaubelair. The rebels led by Sheriff Lewis and demonstrating a measure of organization and co-ordination, cut telephone wires and blocked several key bridges. The Governor in a panic called in the military from other islands. Armed police and volunteers from the propertied class were posted to guard the cable and wireless station and the electricity plant. At midnight on 21 October a British warship arrived. On 22 October a state of emergency was proclaimed. Although the authorities were able to quell the unrest in Kingstown by the end of the first day, the rebellion raged on in the rural areas, where many plantation workers were involved, and continued for the next two days. The police met particularly strong resistance at Byera’s Hill, Campden Park and Stubbs, where demands for land and for higher wages were heard. The state of emergency continued for three weeks. There is no doubt that the inspirational leader of the rebellion was the working class leader, Samuel “Sheriff’ Lewis. Sheriff played the principal agitational role that excited and mobilized the masses. Sheriff Lewis was also popularly known as “Selassie” because of his advocacy of the cause of Ethiopia, which was invaded by the Italian fascist forces of Mussilini. Bertha Mutt, who also played a leadership role in the rebellion, was known as “Mother Selassie”. These adopted names are interesting because they show that, even in a far away Caribbean island, there was concern about an invasion by a European power of an independent African kingdom. In the popular mind, George McIntosh, who had advocated for the downthrodden, was hailed as the leader and brain of the 1935 rebellion. A month after the rebellion, McIntosh, was arrested on a charge of treason felony. But he played no role at all. McIntosh had in fact denounced the indignation of the people as ‘acts of savagery.’ The case against him collapsed at the preliminary examination before the Magistrate. However along with Sheriff Lewis, Donald ‘Poor Fellow’ Romeo, Donald Peters, Martin Durham, Clifford ‘Hitme-hard’ Hinds, Verrol Rose and Sam McCarthy were arrested, charged and jailed by the colonial authorities for treason. Some of us arrogantly think that we are standing on our own two feet, but we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Sheriff Lewis and his band of working class warriors certainly paved the way for Mc Intosh, Joshua, Cato, Mitchell, Eustace and Gonsalves. The only reason his name is not mentioned is because of class bias. Next week, we will show how the actions of Sheriff Lewis and other rebellious leaders across the Caribbean caused the panicked British ruling class to implement reforms that make us into who we are today.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to: wefirst@aol.com
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12. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Views
Revenue drying up: Economy in collapse mode?
For the first time since taking office in SVG in 2001, the ULP regime has bluntly refused to give out to the public a copy of the first quarter financial summary of the performance of SVG economy. It seems that the first quarter financial summary has revealed that revenue is drying up rapidly. This is a serious situation and it may mean that the dilapidated SVG economy is on the verge of collapse. Since the 1960s, SVG has been exporting bananas to England. At its peak in 1990, banana exports were $120 million. Under Gonsalves’ gross incompetence, banana exports declined to $2 million in 2011, virtually killing the SVG banana industry. Exports to England have now been stopped. This incompetence has helped kill the rural economy and brought the whole economy to the point of collapse. The table shows that Gonsalves is utterly hopeless and confused in managing SVG’s finances.
(Source SVG Budget Estimates 2001 & 2013Researched by Ivan O’Neal BSc (hons) MSc, MBA.) Before Gonsalves came to office in 2001, the SVG
economy had a surplus and was vibrant and strong. Life for our people and businesses was much better. A collapse of the SVG economy will have serious After 12 years of Gonsalves’ financial ineptitude, the social and financial implications for our people and economy has a massive deficit of $114m. The the OECS region. The OECS dollar will come under economy is virtually dead; many businesses have strong pressure to devalue. This means imported been forced to close down, and life for our people is goods will be much more expensive, and overnight hard, with high unemployment and crime. the cost of living in SVG could double. This can In 2001, tax revenue was only $306m, but cause mass panic, more crime and social instability. Gonsalves is now making our people pay over $200 Gonsalves is not a university graduate in finance, million more in taxes. Our people are now paying and our economy is on the verge of collapse. For our $508 million in taxes in 2013. economy to flourish and our people to get jobs, Most notable in the table of figures, is the massive increase in Other Receipts. Other Receipts Gonsalves must resign. A Green government will build a university and are things that might happen, such as an build factories to produce agro-products, a fish unexpected increase in fines or some other new processing plant and light manufacturing. With an source of revenue. One must be dreaming if one economy based on education, science and thinks that $113 million will turn up at one’s front technology, we will create thousands of new jobs and door out of nowhere. This $113million alone shows the hopelessness of surplus revenue. the ULP regime’s approach to running the country. SVG Green Party Our economy is being swamped with imports. In www.svggreenparty.org 2008, SVG imported just over $1 billion in goods, but only exported $141 million in goods. In 2008 alone, therefore, SVG lost $859 million in imports. Many millions are being lost abroad also, as money made in SVG by foreignowned businesses is sent “It’s 2013, and with just over two years to go to the abroad. next general election, the country is beginning to consider the options available in terms of the administration of the nation, and the socio economic possibilities going forward.” Can this statement be a signal that the 2015 the consequent job losses and election campaign has started in earnest? To decide, one needs only to the post 2010 election increase in labour disputes for wages in the public pay attention to the Unity Labour sector. This brings to mind the recent Party’s (ULP) Fri, Apr 26, 2013 edition of its political party column in Port Police/ Port Authority Saga that THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, from was reported in the Friday, April 26 and May 10, 2013 editions of THE which this excerpt comes. VINCENTIAN newspaper. In fact, In fact, subsequent editions have for the ULP to have produced such indicated this more strongly. For erudite accounts of our successes, with example, in the Friday, May 3, 2013, little statistical evidence, is an insult the ULP administration boasts its “coherent development plan” which it to our intelligence. So, to enable us to genuinely claims to have been implementing consider the “options available in since their victory in 2001. terms of the administration of the In the Friday, May, 10, 2013 nation, and the socio economic edition, we are taken on a “historical trip” to the VISION NOW programme possibilities going forward,” we need answers to some ‘salt-of-the-earth’ when, on Thursday July 21, 2005, questions: 1. When was the last forty-eight Vincentians with various poverty assessment conducted in SVG, eye diseases left for Cuba to have and how available is that report to the their visions corrected, free of charge and courtesy the Government of Cuba. public? 2. Where is the statistical evidence to show that “employment is Further, someone with more political rising; salaries and wages have risen”? fervor than me, has noted that “surrogates of the ULP doing the same 3. On what premise “the public sector thing on Facebook, so it is a concerted debt-to-GDP ratio will fall from 84 per cent to a commendable 72 per cent”? effort.” The ULP boasts its successes in the 4. Is the country’s massive debt to Petrocaribe included in the ULP’s economy, among other areas. In the account of the national debt? 5. What vexed area for many of us, the ULP about the airport debt, which was claims that under its watch, supposed to be not one red cent? Is “employment is rising; salaries and that included in the national debt? wages have risen; and poverty is And what are the amounts of these falling.” debts? In another relevant area of the We must demand and have an economy, they claim that the honest discussion of the issues this government’s “debt situation is time around and for the 2015 election. manageable”, and that “the public sector debt-to-GDP ratio will fall from Luzette King 84 per cent to 72 per cent.” Host: Global Highlights Noticeably, there is no mention of globalhighlights@gmail.com the failing businesses in Kingstown,
Has the SVG 2015 election campaign started?
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 13.
Government
US critical of human rights practices in SVG (Pt 2) by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT
Corruption laws not implemented WASHINGTON SAYS the constitution and law provide for freedom of speech and press, and that the government generally respected these rights in practice. It says the independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views without restriction, but it said “there continued to be accounts of the prime minister or other officials rebuking the press for comments critical of the government, spurring some reports of selfcensorship.” The report says the country’s laws do not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and that the government has not established a system for providing protection to refugees. It says there were no refugees or asylum seekers residing within the country. The State Department says the law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, but adds that “the government did not implement the law effectively. “The government did not use anticorruption laws to prosecute highlevel government officials,” it says. “Allegations of political handouts and other forms of low-level corruption in the time leading up to the 2010
election plagued both parties,” it adds, stating that “such bribes were historically a part of the country’s political culture. “The DPP has the authority to prosecute such claims but has not used it in the past,” it continues. The State Department says there were no financial disclosure laws for public officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that “no government agency was specifically responsible for combating government corruption.” It says there was a Both parties were plagued with allegations of “sufficiently narrow handouts during the 2010 election campaign. list of exceptions outlining the grounds investigation, the report for nondisclosure but no intercourse. The State Department says. specific timeline for the It says violence says reports of unlawful relevant authority to sexual intercourse with disclose or respond. “There are no criminal children under 15 “increased significantly or administrative from 2011, which could sanctions for not be linked to increases in providing a response, transactional sex with and there is no appeal mechanism for review of minors.” It says such cases a disclosure denial,” it often were difficult to says. prosecute, “as witnesses Child abuse, women and were reluctant to testify, and discussion of these other sectors types of abuse could be considered taboo.” The report says the Despite these law provides for equal challenges, the report treatment regardless of race or gender, and that says the DPP the government generally successfully prosecuted a enforced this provision in number of cases, disclosing that, as of practice, adding, August, there were 40 however, that the sexual offense cases constitution does not address equal treatment before courts, including one rape case, five incest regarding disability, cases, 15 for intercourse language, or sexual with a child under 13, orientation. It says human rights, and 19 for intercourse with a child under 15. government, and press Police had an sources noted an increase additional 16 sexual in reports of rape, incest, offense cases under and unlawful sexual
Violence against women remained a serious and pervasive problem, says the Report.
Children continue to be the objects of sexual abuse.
The Report says that prosecution of high-level government officials is not enforced. against women remained a “serious and pervasive problem,” adding that the law does not criminalize domestic violence specifically but provides protection for survivors. “Authorities could bring charges in cases involving domestic violence under assault, battery, or other similar laws, but police were often reluctant to follow up on domestic violence cases,” it says. “As a result, perpetrators of crimes against women often enjoyed impunity,” it adds. The State Department says the government’s
Division of Gender Affairs offered 19 different programs to assist women and children, and that the government opened a crisis center in April for survivors of domestic violence, which has a hidden location, received referrals from the family court, and also served as a temporary shelter for women and children in between homes. “However, the shelter was inadequate to meet the needs of local women because it could be accessed only through court order, precluding assistance to those in immediate crisis,” it says.
14. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 15.
Hectic pre- show schedule for Miss SVG hopefuls
much appreciation, and took the opportunity to take several photos with them. The Phenomenal Women’s Conference at the Methodist Church Hall, April 13th , seemed to have made a deep impact on the ladies. They described it as “truly phenomenal.” On April 14th , contestants made a guest The 2013 Miss SVG Contestants get a guided tour appearance at the Hair of the turle sanctuary by owner and caretaker Mr. Show put on by Princess King. Diamond of Hair Talk Unisex at the Cruise THE NIGHT WHEN Bequia and were hosted Ship Terminal. CARNIVAL CITY MORPHS The girls also visited by Mr and Mrs King at INTO ‘GLAMOUR CITY’ is the School for Children the OLD HEGG fast approaching. with Special Needs and TURTLE SANTUARY, The 2013 Ms. SVG Helping Hands Centre on and also visited the J.F Contestants will grace April 17, and the Lewis Mitchell Airport. They the stage, June 1, to vie were warmly received by Punnett Home, April 20, for the coveted crown. where they participated the large crowd in Port And while they are in a prayer session, and Elizabeth, Bequia, and still preparing described that trip as “an provided the patients themselves for that unforgettable experience, and staff with gifts and night, they have been on and an event with a refreshments. They a journey thus far, that described this visit as difference.” is seemingly lifeenlightening, emotional Progressing through changing. Contestants, and a blessing. the week, April 6th, Anna Laborde, Ann The royal ‘prospects’ contestants had their Therese Chambers, visited with Cecil Mc second talent preview Brooke Legaire, Chenead and monthly meeting Kie, Minister of Tourism Hackshaw, Hannah , Sports and Culture, with the Beauty Shows Hamilton, Shara George Committee (BSC). This April 25, during which and Shannon Bess have was followed by the they exchanged had nine months of provoking ideas on contestants attending a training and preparation, concert on April 7th at national development with two and a half of and issues affecting the Marriaqua those months spent in Community Hall, where residents in SVG. the public eye. April 27 was given they rendered the song On April 1st 2013, over to visiting the ‘Shackles’ by Mary, contestants journeyed to Mary. Patrons showed Mental Health Hospital
Miss SVG Contestants show off locally designed clothing.
The contestants at the Phenomenal Women Conference. where the ladies served the patients refreshments and joined in singing and prayers. On Saturday May 4th contestants made an official appearance at the launching of VINCY MAS 2013 at the Solidarity Inc. Car Park. Their busy schedule continued May 11, when they had their final talent preview and meeting with the BSC and were up early the next day, May 12, for their Windward Road Trip that took them as far as Sandy Bay. By the time the big
night comes around, the eight beauties would have taken their Leeward Road Trip, May 19, and made an appearance at the Fisherman’s Day Awards Ceremony at Calliaqua on May 20. And the programme doesn’t end there, for on May 24, each lady will visit with her sponsor, and the next day, May 25, be ready for the Official Motorcade around Kingstown. Expect to see them at their last pre-show appearance at the Pan Launching at Heritage Square, May 26.
They will attend a CDC press conference on May 28 and climax their hectic pre-show schedule with a visit to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, May 29. Cheryl Rodriguez of the BSC assures that, “On Showtime, June 1st 8:00 pm, patrons can expect a professionally executed production, high standard performances from all contestants, an entertaining evening from all the components of carnival,…and creative acts from guest and featured artistes.”
LIME investing big in Vincy Mas TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER LIME is planning to be at the centre of activities for Vincy Mas 2013. This indication was made public when the already platinum sponsor of Vincy Mas hosted a press conference, Wednesday 15th May, to launch its collaboration with partners, including SLR, Island Network, Hot 97 and Huggies. In introducing the plans, LIME General Manager Leslie Jack asserted that “Carnival is a culture pot and an important part of our tourism industry. This culture of ours is a money generator for our country, and LIME sees it necessary to help protect it by investing.” The partners all echoed the sentiment as officials promised the biggest and best Monday Evening Band to hit the streets of Kingstown. On the cards for the third year running will be ‘Soca on the Beach’, a collaboration between LIME and
Island Network, to be held on June 30 at Rawacou. (From Left): Leslie Jack (LIME ), Miles Boyea (Huggies) , Phillippa Greaves (SLR), Herrick Billed performers Horne (Island Network) and Luke Boyea (Hot 97 FM) at last Wednesday’s LIME Partnership for ‘Socsa on the Launch. Beach’ are the LIME Soca Dans and soca H2)/’Wet Fete and the benefits derived LIME for their eight-year investment diva Destra Garcia and Nadia Baston from the partnership with LIME. in the Soca Dans. According to Horne, from Trinidad, and Allison Hinds of Boyea, acknowledged that LIME’s investment and sponsorship Barbados. Vincentian performers and Soca have afforded the artistes the But even before ‘Soca on the Beach’, artistes “are a force to be reckoned opportunity and support to the best on June 29 to be precise, LIME will with”, and that the addition of the new Soca artistes they can be. join forces with HOT 97FM to bring shows “will not only help to enhance Phillippa Greaves representing the further embellishment to the already our carnival product and entertain the SLR brand, one of the fine rums overwhelming popular H2O/’Wet Fete’, public, but also provide a practising produced by the Mount Bentick which will again feature arena for artistes to perform before the Distillery, viewed carnival and rum as internationally acclaimed soca artiste biggest shows and overseas synonymous, and assured that “the Machel Montano. performance opportunities.” marriage between SLR and LIME is a In addition to the H2O/Wet Fete The public can look forward to more lasting one that helps to enhance and collaboration, LIME will partner with information on ‘Dirty Sexy Soca’ and escalate the carnival experience.” HOT (& FM to stage two new events, ‘Stush’, the latter interestingly Jack closed by encouraging persons ‘Dirty Sexy Soca’ and ‘Stush’ , enough, being slated for the main to enjoy their Carnival with LIME, scheduled for Carnival Wednesday Arnos Vale Playing Field. and promised that there will be many (July 3, and Thursday (July 4). Herrick Horne of the LIME Soca offers and exciting things in store, Luke Boyea of Hot 97 expressed Dans and Coordinator of ‘Soca on the including the revival of the LIME how happy he was with last year’s Beach’, expressed his gratitude to Promenade starting June 7.
16. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
NSOFB says: µ/29( <285 µ/29( <285 (<(6 ¶ (<(6 ¶ Marchers, including Stanley Richards, President of the NSOFB (2nd inc from make their way through Kingstown. rom left foreground, foreg Left: The Royal SVG Police Force Band has been a fixture of support for the Annual Blindness A wareness March. Awareness bearing on children with disabilities.
‘God and one is a majorit majority’ y’ reminded the gathering that, while persons may be ‘differently able’, Stor y and photos b y Story by they were still DON DE RIGGS creations of God, “made in His own THE C APTION OF THIS CAPTION image and likeness.” PIECE is this yyear’s ear’s theme He made a call, as Awareness of Blindness A wareness he did at a rally Mayy 20 2013, Month, Ma 13, hosted earlier this celebrated byy the National celebrat ed b year by the National Society of and ffor or the Blind Society of Persons with (NSOFB). Disabilities, for citizens One of the highlights to report those “who cheat of the month of activities disabled and elderly Frederick Stephenson, people,” especially those was a march last Friday responsi-- who continue to “sexu Minister with responsi morning, May 10. “sexu-bility for services to the ally abuse children and The march, which Disabled, made a began in front of the the ‘differently able’.” passionate plea for Workshop for the Blind, His disclosure that citizens to report any Frenches Gate, took a his Ministry had taken abuse of disabled number of blind and action to stop those visually impaired persons, persons. “unscrupulous persons” persons with other who collected Public disabilities and their Assistance Assist ance for elderly Kings-caregivers through Kings and disabled persons, and town, and climaxed at the took a ‘commission’ for Kingstown Evangelical themselves, was met Church, Victoria Park with indications of Thanks-Rd., where a Thanks approval from the giving Service was held. gathering. The Minister took Repor Reportt abuse the opportunity to inform that at least Stephen-Hon. Fredrick Stephen three pieces of legislation son, whose ministerial will soon be enacted to portfolios include that of complement the regional matters related to Model Family Code. Pastor Douglas disabled persons, joined These are the Child Neverson called on in the march and also Care and Adoption Act, blind and visually delivered an address at the Status of Children Act impaired persons to the Service. and the Domestic Violence get out of the ‘pity Minister Stephenson Act, all expected to have party’.
Pastor Douglas Neverson of the Kingstown Evangelical Church delivered a message to the gathering. Taking his cue from the biblical account of Gideon’s war against Baal, a war of the few against the many, Pastor Neverson reminded those who would consider themselves less able, like the blind, that “God will use what he will use,” adding, “Remember, God is the source of our strength. He will provide the resources.” For Pastor Neverson, himself a visually impaired person, it was time that the “blind, the lame got out of
the ‘pity party’.” This was no time to feel sorrow for yourself, he urged, and appealed to the disabled to “step out in faith in the new life of Jesus.” As far as he was concerned, “God and one is a majority. We are not alone.” Stanley Richards, President of the NSOFB, summed up what appeared to be the consensus of the gathering when, in response to Pastor Neverson’s sermon, he said, “We are, as usual, inspired.” The month of activities was expected to continue this week, with pressure and blood sugar tests yesterday, at the Workshop for the Blind.
A cross-section of the gathering at the Thanksgiving Service.
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 17.
Diaspora
Stor y and photos b y Story by NELSON A A.. KING naking@v erizon.net; naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT ONE OF THE LAR GER LARGER VINCENTIAN cultural groups in the U nited United S tates recently sstaged taged a States successful ““Tea Tea P arty Party with a Dif ference” in Difference” raising muc h-needed much-needed funds tto o help its annual medical mission to to S t. St. Vincent and the GrenaGrenadines. Despite its many challenges, the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB) successfully hosted its 5th Annual Tea Party, according to president Roxie Irish, a former national netball star, who hails from Camp Camp-den Park. “The attendance this year was slightly lower than last year’s event, but neverthe neverthe-less, it was a success,” she told THE VIN VIN-CENTIAN in an exclusive interview, adding that many community groups had held other events on the same day. Included in the activities were a hat competition, an impromptu song competition and a fashion show by children, ending with lots of prizes awarded. Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Chapman, of Vermont, won the ‘Most Creative Hat’; Janice Samuel, of Barrouallie copped the ‘Most Original Hat’; Phyllis Browne, a
vonne Right: Producer Yvonne Yvonn v venue Paul’s Avenue Peters, of Paul’ sA ven v (far left) with contestants for Miss New Y o ork York Continental Beauty Pageant. L-R: Miss Brooklyn, Affene Johnson; Miss Guyana, Bay Steele; Miss Grenada, Junell Roderigue; Miss Haiti, Carla Pierre-Louis; and Kadecia Johnson, Miss St. V incent and the Vincent Grenadines.
congregant at St. Gabriel Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Brooklyn, was trium trium-phant for ‘Biggest Hat’; and Donna Ash, of Largo Heights, Kings Kings-town, won the ‘Impromptu Hat Competition’. There was also a preview by contestants for the Miss New York Continental Beauty Pageant, produced by Paul’s Avenue native Yvonne Peters, to be held on June 22 at George Wingate High School in Brooklyn, New York.
Assistance to date Since its inception in 2003, Irish said UVCGB has purchased and shipped medical supplies to several through-rural clinics through out St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To date, she said, 28 clinics have benefited from the group’s efforts. Irish said the Milton Cato Memorial
goal is to give humanitarian and assistance material assist ance to children and adults who do not have access to medical or dental services in remote areas.
On the cards Irish said UVCGB is currently in the process of dispatching a shipment of supplies to St. Vincent and the Vincie Roxie Irish, United V incie Cultural Group of Brooklyn Grenadines, adding that the next President, addressing scheduled mission, audience. next year, “will be much bigger and Hospital in Kingstown better.” has also received presiThe group’s presisupplies, as well as, dent said UVCGB has most recently, the not only been helping Lewis Punnett Home. clinics at home, but In addition, UVCGB has also donated to has hosted two medical various causes, such as mission trips tto o home, in 2010 and last year. The trips were collabora-conducted in collabora tion with HealthCare International Reachout, Inc, a New York-based voluntary organization, whose
Haiti Relief; during times of hurricanes or storms at home; toys to AGCCO, a Georgetown-based group under the Georgi-leadership of Georgi etha Nanton; and the Argyle International Airport Fund, among others. On Sept. 7, the UVCGB will host its first gala banquet at Antun’s catering house in Queens, New York, anniduring its 10th anniversary celebration. “This promises to be
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Chapman, of Vermont, V ermont, e won the "Most Creative Hat”. Right: Donna Ash, of Largo Heights, Kingstown, winner of the “Impromptu Hat Competition” Some patrons at the Tea Tea e Party Party..
a very special, elegant black tie affair,” Irish said. She said the group is also soliciting aid in facili-raising funds to facili tate its mission trip next year, “which is a very expensive process. “I believe it can be contin-done with the contin ued effort of our faithful supporters,” Irish said. “UVCGB is not just a group; it is a ministry whose motto is ‘We’re blessblessed to be a blessing,’” she added.
Phyllis Browne won the ‘Biggest Hat’.
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18. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Canival Heat
Hairoun Beer to giveaway Mazda car to clubs and the grand prize of a Mazda RX8 THE ST. VINCENT car. BREWERY launched its There are two ways to Under The Crown (UTC) win the silver Mazda carnival promotion Rx8. The first way to win dubbed, ‘Live the Hai life’, is through a sweepstake. with a massive motorcade Persons can collect five from the Company’s crowns marked ‘Hold headquarters in Campden your Own’, place them in Park to Kingstown, last an envelope and deposit Friday. in boxes nationwide. A fleet of vehicles Several draws will be displaying the Hairoun made for entrants to hold beer logo followed a flat- on to the car. bed trailer on which was The second way to win displayed an this fancy prize is being immaculately buffed one of twenty lucky Mazda Rx8, as music persons to retrieve the blasted from a sound image of a ‘hand’ under system on another truck. the crown. That crown is Along the path, a winning ticket to hold persons hastily made on the car. their way to the streets At the end of the to get a view of what was promotion, all the happening, and some persons who have the even danced to the soca ‘hand’ crown or whose music, making for a truly names will be drawn in celebratory atmosphere. the sweepstake, will The motorcade have the ultimate test of circumnavigated capital perseverance. They each Kingstown, and persons have to literally hold on were treated to free to the Mazda RX8 for Hairoun served from the “however long it takes,” Hairoun’s trademarked and the person who holds ‘Brew House on Wheels’. on the longest will drive The music and ‘free away in the Mazda. beer’ continued at According to Regional Heritage Square where Commercial Manager, the motorcade had made St.Vincent Brewery, its final stop. Shafia London, “The The Live the HAI life yearly promotions put on UTC promotion is by Hairoun always cater scheduled to be an eight- to the everyday needs of week promotion, and its consumers, offering gives beer drinkers the an element of practicality opportunity to win prizes in every prize; in light of such as cash, carnival the current unstable costumes, tickets to economic conditions.” carnival shows, free This UTC promotion is Hairoun Beer, VIP entry no exception. (KH) by KENVILLE HORNE
Curious onlookers caught up in the Brewery’s grand launch and display.
The Mazda R&R, the grand prize in the Brewery’s ‘Live the Hai life’ UTC promotion, on display at Heritage Square. Left: The Brewery’s “Brew House on Wheels’ created quite a sight and served up cool Hairoun Beer, free of charge.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 19.
Opinion
SWOT for the government of SVG Strategies THOSE of us who love business science will be familiar with the SWOT matrix. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) matrix matches the internal strengths and weaknesses of a firm with its external opportunities and threats of formulate alternative strategies to achieve its objectives. The SWOT matrix provides four types of strategies: SO strategies use a firm’s internal strengths to take advantage of external opportunities; WO strategies aim at improving internal weaknesses by taking advantage of external opportunities; ST strategies uses a firm’s strengths to avoid or reduce the impact of external threats; WT strategies are defensive tactics directed at reducing internal weaknesses and avoiding external threats. Now, I am going to propose a SWOT matrix for the government of SVG, based on my own intuition and analysis:
From this matrix, I ask myself this question: Which of the twelve strategies proposed is of the most importance? Of course, we know that an international airport is in construction, and we have begun dredging for energy, so I would choose strategy no. 1 in the SO column. This strategy stems from matching the variables S1 in the strengths column with the variables O in the opportunities column. Big Emerging Markets (BEM’s) are even very close to us. Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are obvious examples. Economic markets in these countries will certainly increase SVG’s development. Think about Ju-c owning a plant in Brazil. These countries have enormous populations. Each of us has a SWOT matrix in our head. Let us bring them on board. Let us help our government
as well as our opposition. Let us enhance our social capital. Let us all be friends.
Adios! Julian C. ‘Rock Star’ Williams
Dear St. Vincent THE COMMENTS heard among your people about abuse and violence against women would shock humanitarians. Men rarely comment on the matter or discuss it among themselves. Others may respond: “ but men are abused too, and it happens all over the world” diluting the serious issue of women as targets of violence and abuse into a generalization. Whilst the arguers are bobbing about over who agrees with who, the abusers go on their ominous way. Of course, there are incidences of violence against men by women, but the incidence of men violating women outweigh them by far- and what motivates the attacks is different. The issue is not to agree or disagree but to acknowledge our experiences and provide healing action to all abuse. To be caught in the trap of “who’s right and who’s wrong” (obviously the abuse and violence is wrong!) successfully obfuscates a serious issue. I know two men who have been criminally abused by family members. They keep it to themselves, as the stigma for men speaking out as a victim of abuse in a machismo culture is even greater than for a woman who does so. However, I know in excess of forty Vincentian women (two murdered in the past year) who have been repeatedly abused as children, by partners, or as targets of criminals for burglary and rape. Some are suffering the compounded effects of more than one or all these circumstances of abuse. Every young woman I know complains about being sexually harassed whilst walking in village or town streets. The following comments are frequently heard responses when a woman complains of being abused, some uttered by police to whom reports were being made:“You was begging for it, dressed like that. ” “He must love you a lot” “I don’t know what you have done to him to make him behave like that” “You too ‘fraidy ‘fraidy, act like a real woman, go back to your house” “ He threaten to shoot you? He only trying to frighten you, I told my girlfriend if she butt me I go shoot her”. If we find any of the above sexist statements acceptable, (whether male or female), we must recognize we have been successfully inculcated to deny the presence of abuse in all its forms, and are thus contributing to the nation’s cycle of abuse of the vulnerable. The widespread psychotic misconception that abuse-love develops when parents beat and
– Part 8
verbally abuse children. In the absence of love and positive reinforcement, the child finds they get the most attention when they are being abused. The craving for love, as a basic need, and its confusion with abuse, sets up the victim to tolerate abusive relationships later on. In America, 70% of domestic femicides occur after a woman has ended a relationship. We don’t seem to gather these statistics here, but it seems the majority occur here when a woman attempted to leave, had left or was being stalked by an abuser. So here we see the reason why many women never leave an abusive relationship or return to the abuser. They fear for their lives and those of their children. Not being taken seriously by those whose job it is to protect, many women expose themselves to more danger in a desperate attempt to protect themselves. The mental and emotional cost of all this to a human being is immense. It affects lives of mothers and children, families. The reality of the life of the abused is not being told, but it is being lived on a daily basis, making the entire nation a captive of abuse. Knowing these facts, how can we NOT take seriously the
investigation of reports of domestic abuse? The majority of Vincentians see violence from an ex/partner as different to that from a stranger. Police use this misguided differentiation as an excuse not to investigate, hence their ‘hands-off’ approach to domestic violence. Abusers thus know they will get away with their reign of terror. But in Europe, Asia and other Caribbean islands, abuse is abuse, violence is violence, and human rights are the rights of every human whether at home or in public. As women die and are being raped on a weekly basis, we must recognize the symptoms of an advanced systemic social sickness. Those of us who live on Youroumein’s shores, and those overseas who long to return, for healing’s sake, must speak out. Silence is consent. We cannot retain our humanity and remain silent about the source of damage and loss to the lives of our mothers, sisters, daughters and sons. On behalf of those who long to be silent in consent to peace. Vonnie
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20. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Youth
The Red Cross volunteers by GLORIAH…
THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Red Cross is on the road towards reintroducing its Volunteer Programme at hospitals and district clinics across the state. Towards this end, a pilot programme was undertaken at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, during the week of May 6th — 10th, 2013. The programme involved young people, members of the Red Cross Society, in assisting on selected wards of the hospital, through four shifts per day: 7:00 am. — 11:00 am.; 11:00 am. — 3:00 pm.; 3:00 pm. — 7:00 pm; and 7:00 pm. — 11:00 pm. The SVG Red Cross, on that day, joined with other Red Cross volunteers in 188 countries around the world to celebrate World Red Cross Day and the 150th anniversary of the international organization. There could not have been a more fitting way for the local organization to engage itself on such an occasion. When THE VINCENTIAN visited the hospital on Wednesday, 8th May, World Red Cross Day, Girls’ High School volunteer Kenisha Webb was working on the Female Medical Ward on the 7:00 am shift. On hand to assess the effectiveness of the programme were Mr. Bernard T. Marksman,
Director General and Mr. Bernard Morgan, President. Also making up the team of Red Cross offciails was Ms. Julia Simmons, Disaster Coordinator of the Red Cross. The other volunteers involved in the Programme were Stacey John, Amanda Lewis, Juwani Neverson, and Merissa Williams. According to Ms Simmons, the programme was instituted earlier in the 1980s by Mrs. Joyce Frank who had then organized to have the volunteers act as support for the nurses. They were taught how and allowed to do blood pressure checks, administer insulin, dress wounds and dispose of waste, among other duties. Simmons reiterated that this recent effort is only a ‘dry run’ with the hospital, to examine the feasibility of recommencing the programme in full. If it is proved worthwhile, then it will proceed in full, with volunteers also being assigned to district clinics, said Ms. Simmons. Mr. Ruby GeorgeChambers, with over forty years’ experience in the Red Cross, and Ms. Simmons recounted tales of their involvement in the programme and the benefits it brought, both to them and to the
L-R: Ruby George Chambers, long standing Red Cross Member, and Julia Simmons, Disaster Coordinator of the Red Cross, recalled the benefits of the Volunteer Programme when it was in place in earlier times.
institutions at which they volunteered. Ms. Simmons further explained that volunteers have already been cautioned that if they absolutely detest the sight and smell of blood, or dealing with persons with medical issues, they (From right): Bernard Marksman (RC/Director General), Bernard Morgan should not enroll in the (RC/President), Kenisha Webb (RC/Volunteer) in conversation with Staff programme. Nurse Spence of the Female Medical Ward/MCMH.
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Passion is inevitable and commitments can be made during the heat of the night. Unexpected visitors will be a welcome surprise. You may find it difficult to discuss personal matters with family members. You're best not to get involved in joint financial ventures. TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Spend time with friends and relatives. Travel for pleasure. You will be extremely sensual; take precautions and don't take any risks. You will find your vitality is lowered. Don't let friends or relatives make you feel guilty if you're not able to attend one of their affairs. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You may find that your emotional partner will not be too eager to accommodate you. Your doubt could lead to insecurity. Your high energy will enable you to enlist the help of those in a position to back you. After all, they may have valuable information to pass on. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can make it up to them later. You may find your nights sleepless due to bad dreams. Friends or groups that you're affiliated with may want you to contribute more cash than you can really afford. Don't give out any personal information that you don't want spread around.
financial gains will develop through your connections with other people.
ACROSS
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your lover will be extremely sensitive and now will not be a good time to make changes that they won't like. Exercise is always a good way to relieve stress. Don't push your luck with authority. Your ability to relate will close the generation gap.
1. Prego’s competition 5. __ Paulo, Brazil 8. Tabloid topics 12. “Big Daddy” Burl 13. Meir of Israel 15. Short message 16. Curl maker, for short 17. Boutonniere era 18. Dove coop 19. Gets back the equivalent of 21. “Gunsmoke” marshal 23. Home (abbr.) 24. Just 25. Looked at angrily 29. Miffed (3 wds.) 33. Rene of “Ransom” 34. Monopoly collections 36. Compass pt. 37. Military group 38. Postman’s course 39. Astounds 40. Current fashion 41. Burns 42. Napped 43. Not as stale 45. Card suit 46. Campaighandouts 47. Crooner Torme
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quit trivial after all. Your emotional state will vacillate You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move this week. Knowledge can be acquired if you listen. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Although up setting, changes in your domestic situation will be favorable. You will have the stamina and the know how to raise your earning power. Leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. Reevaluate your situation. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Children may be less than honest with you. Difficulties with your mate may lead to estrangement. Abrupt changes concerning your professional position are evident. Don't let your personal dilemmas interfere with your goals.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Be prepared to overcome frustrations and obstacles at work. Secret affairs could cause upset. Empty promises will cause upset. You may be confused emotionally.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You will be emotional with regard to your personal life. Be sure to take care of the needs of your immediate loved ones first. You can sell your ideas to those who have the money to back them. Try not to overreact to the loss.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Concentrate on work or make changes to yourself. You will find that friends or relatives may not understand your needs. Your anger may be impossible to contain if you get into debates with family members. Opportunities to make
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Electrical problems may be an issue. Offer good conversation and a nice soothing lunch. You may want to make changes in your home environment. You haven't been totally honest with yourself and it's time to review your motives.
house 51. Defensive baseball Player 55. Draft status (hyph.) 56. Make cool 58. Individual thing 60 “__ Wars” 61. Becomes weary 62. And others (2 wds.) 63. Play-group attendees 64. 19th letter 65. Ill-lit DOWN 1. Pull apart 2. Declare positively 3. Foster’s costar in “Sommersby” 4. Branch of the Armed Services (abbr.) 5. Daytime dramas 6. European mountains 7. Keats work 8. Sam and Remus 9. Mislead 10. Sgt. Snorkel’s pooch 11. Perceived 13. Used mucilage 14. Pasta specification (2 wds.) 20. Black and white cookie
22. Levin and Gershwin 24. Makes money 25. Rough 26. Moonlike 27. Stage whisper 28. Q followers 30. More recent 31. Incompetent 32. Experiments 34. Lions’ sounds 35. Italy’s cont. 38. Legislate again 39. Ga.’s neighbor 41. Wedge 42. Offer for money 44. Barbed
weapons 45. Stilettos, e.g. 47. Distance measures 48. Outlay 49. Within 50. Not messy 51. Evergreen trees
LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 21.
52. Fizzled out 53. “Tell Mama” singer James 54. Stern 57. Hurry 59. Civil rights leader’s monogram
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22. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Advice
Huge appetite for sex Dear George, I am a young man of 24 years and I will describe myself as very hard working and ambitious. I have a girlfriend who is 2 years older than I. I love her very much, but we have one problem. Maybe it is I who has the problem and it is spilling over to her. I cannot help myself looking at other women. I have said this to her over and over again, but she is pushing me off, saying I am just looking for an excuse to run around. I have a little over 15 women that I am sexually involved with. My girlfriend knows this too. I have told her that I would never lie to her. We would just finish making love, and I would get up and go straight to one of my other women’s houses and get involved straightway. Sometimes I would move to 4 or 5 women one after the other, until finally going back to my girlfriend’s
house. We live together. I want to stop this, but I just can’t. My appetite for sex, and I know it is just sex, is unending. I would ‘sweet talk’ these women just to get between their legs, and they do not seem to mind. I want to have only one woman, and that is my girlfriend, but I keep doing this time after time. I do not want her to leave me, and she is threatening to do so if I do not check my ways. How do I stop, George?
Lost Dear Lost, You have taken the important step of admitting that you have a problem. Admittance is not enough, and I am sure your girlfriend has already made that point to you in different ways. You need to get help and do so sooner than later if you still wish for your girlfriend to be around. Help is available for
A pastorÊs other activities Dear George,
individuals such as you, and it is up to you to avail yourself. It may be a case of you having an addiction to sex, and
with the right kind of therapy, you can be helped.
George
Change your cheating ways Dear George, SHOULD I take my girlfriend seriously when she threatens to take her life? I have cheated on her a few times, and each time she would threaten to take her life just to hurt me. It is what she has been saying. I do not believe her, but she keeps on repeating the same thing over and over again, and now I am wondering how serious can she be. She has a lot to live for and she knows it.
Wondering B Dear Wondering B, Why wait to see if she would carry out her threat? Why not stop your cheating ways and give her the respect she deserves? You must take all suicidal threats seriously, and should immediately begin to pay attention to the hurt/pain your actions have caused her. So far, she has been made to think that ending her life is the only appropriate response. You can play a major role in changing this thinking by growing up and commit to her if you are in fact serious about the relationship.
George
I HAVE gotten myself into some serious trouble and do not know how I am going to get out. My first thought is to just run away and never look back. I have no other solution, to be honest. I am the pastor of a local church and have managed to get the respect of my flock and of those in my community. I am married to a beautiful woman who has stood by me through thick and thin. Somehow I have gotten about three of the young women and one not so young woman pregnant in my church. I do not know how it happened, and it was not supposed to happen. I did everything to be extremely careful. Two of these women tricked me by telling me that they were on the pill, when in fact they were not. They admitted to me they wanted to carry my child so I can be paying them for the rest of my preaching career. The other two women are married and their husbands attend the same church. They are very early into their pregnancies and they do not believe in abortion, so they are not considering that option. What am I supposed to do when all of this comes out in the open?
Bind Dear Bind, To whom much is given, much is required. You have betrayed the trust of your congregation and should face the music to the drum you have been beating. Running is a cowardly response to your actions. You should first let your wife know of your deeds, and then make a decision together, to throw yourself at the mercy of your congregation. There is no easy way out of this, and you must face the consequences of your poor judgement. This a perfect opportunity for you to practise what you have preached.
George
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 23.
Business
New distributor in beer and stout market
THREE BEERS, Heineken, Carib and Stag, and one stout, Mackeson, were presented to the public at a gala media launch hosted by the products’ new distributors, Coreas Hazells Inc., last Thursday, 9th May, at the Paradise Hotel Gazebo at Villa. The event saw the four brands being promoted in glowing style, mounted on Carib Beer – colourful platforms, satisfying the with young ladies taste of those attired in the who appreciate brands’ colours, the good things whipping up in life. excitement and appeal for the product, among the invited guests.
CEO Providence At the short launching ceremony, Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Joel Providence, acknowledged the presence of those Stag Beer – sets the movement to better things.
who decided to accept his company’s invitation to attend, especially those with whom his company had done business. “Regardless of what,” Providence said, “we are friends, and friends get together and have fun too.” He told the gathering that beer had been absent from the wide portfolio of products which his company markets. They had taken the decision to seek the best and had found it in Heineken and Carib, also gaining the added bonus of Stag and Mackeson. “We believe that we are the right fit and will do what it takes not to disappoint,” he promised.
Heightened activity promised Coming on the heels of Providence’s pronouncement, Mr. Sheldon Wood, Export Manager Carib Brewery Ltd. Trinidad and Tobago, announced that St. Vincent’s worstkept secret is that SVG and Carib are now partners. He spoke of his Brewery’s global partnership with Heineken, which now allows for a deeper look into the beverage landscape in an effort to find ways of better helping the customers. “We have found the right partners in Coreas,” he stated.
Mackeson Stout – dark, quiet but tantalizing. With the first few weeks of distribution being what Mr. Wood called “outstanding,” he promised, “Consumers and customers, get ready to be rocked with innovation and outof-the-box activities with you in mind!” An extensive network of workers has been put in place to guarantee the positive difference in service which Coreas Hazells Inc. promises its customers and consumers.
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24. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Digicel gifts for mothers
by KENVILLE HORNE LAST SATURDAY, May 11, the Digicel outlet on Halifax Street was packed with customers seeking to win prizes in Digicel Mother’s Day promotion. The announcements by Digicel’s representatives over a public address system invited subscribers and passersby to add credit, for themselves or their relatives and friends, and to purchase new handsets. DJ music provided added awareness of the activity. Marketing Manager at Digicel, Juno De Roche, explained that the promotion was aimed at giving back to mothers. According to De Roche, persons who added $10 credit to their phone got an extra $10 bonus credit, while those who added $15 or more, and those purchasing new hand sets, got the opportunity to spin the wheel and win different prizes. The Marketing Manager also highlighted Coreas Hazells Inc. contribution to the promotion, noting that that partner entity provided gift sets and floral arrangements. For purchasing $ 15 credit, Jason Cadougan of Sion Hill walked away with a beautiful floral arrangement, which he said he would be giving to his mother for Mothers’ Day. “I didn’t expect to win anything when
Captain Chief Scout His Excellency Sir Frederick Ballantyne (3rd from left) with Phillip Jacobs, Michelle L. Quashie, Deputy Chief Commissioner Sherron Peters, Jonathan Noel and Huelin Brewster.
Scout Commissioners receive warrants A crowded Halifax Street Digicel outlet during the Mothers’ Day promotion. Left: Anesta Providence (left) gladly accepted her prize from Juno De Roche, Digicel’s Marketing Manager. I top up, so this is a nice gift to give my mother,” he said. Winston John from Chester Cottage was overjoyed with this luck, and openly declared that he was going to give his prize to his mother, Cynthia. “This is a special one (promotion) for all mothers,” he agreed. Paleasa Bynoe of Paul’s Avenue heard of the promotion when passing by the Digicel outlet and decided to take advantage of the opportunity. She topped up $15, spun the wheel and was elated to accept her prize of a gift set, saying,
“The gift made my day, and I thank Digicel for the gift.” Anesta Providence from Sion Hill, also took home a prize of a floral arrangement. “I am going to put in on my centre table,” she quipped. It was indeed a happy occasion for Digicel subscribers, first time customers and Digicel personnel. One customer, recognizing that each person who qualified for the promotion received a gift, was moved to say, “You can’t lose,” as she made her way outside holding her gift set.
FOUR PERSONS have received their warrants as Scout Commissioners, which accords them specific areas of responsibility in the Scout Association of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. Michelle Quashie, (Headquarters Commissioner), Phillip Jacobs, (Training Commissioner), Huelin Brewster, (District Commissioner Windward) and Jonathon Noel (District Commissioner Kingstown) received their warrants from Chief Scout Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, at a ceremony at Government House, Tuesday 14th May. The four were presented by Deputy Chief Commissioner Sherron Peters. In congratulating the Commissioners, Sir Frederick also thanked the newly installed commissioners for their spirit of volunteerism, and reminded them that their volunteering for service to the Scout Movement “comes at a crucial time for the organization and the youth of St, Vincent and the Grenadines.” He reiterated the sentiment that there was a need for more adults to step forward and assist organizations whose work focused on youth and their development. Warrants that were issued are valid for a period of three years.
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 25.
Business/Community
Canouan Resort Development giving back
behalf of the lecture series. THE CANOUAN RESORT Browne explained that Development (CRD) is the series was dedicated known to be one of the to the memory of Orman single largest employers in Cecil Forde, founder of SVG. the St. Vincent Besides that, the Corporative Bank company continues to commonly referred to as demonstrate that it is a the ‘Penny Bank’, and good and caring the St. Vincent Building corporate citizen, and and Loan. their generous The support from CRD contribution of some EC$ is expected to go towards 21,000 in cash and in transportation and kind to health, cultural accommodation for and educational entities lecturers from overseas, on Tuesday 7th at CCA’s as FA strives to attract office in Arnos Vale ,was quality lecturers. yet another example of Browne expressed the company’s thanks for CRD’s support generosity. for the O. C. Forde President of the Memorial Lecture Series, Financial Alliance (FA), and also recognized the and organizer of the O. company’s contribution C. Forde Memorial to good social causes in Lecture Series, Luke SVG. Browne, accepted a Over EC$ 10,000 cheque of EC$5000 on worth of medical by KENVILLE HORNE
equipment and supplies were handed over to the Canouan Health Centre, through the Ministry of Health. Accepting the donation on the Ministry’s behalf, Peggy Da Silva, Senior Nursing Officer at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), expressed pleasure and appreciation to CRD, noting that they have provided assistance to the health centre in the past. She said, “It’s always good to have partnership,” and assured the benefactors that the supplies will be used for the purposes for which they were intended. CRD also presented cheques of EC$ 5000 to
Julian Pollard, a representative from SVG Players International Mas Band, and EC$ 1000 to sister Naira Pajotte of the St. Benedict Hospital. Public Relations Officer for CRD, Camille Crichton, explained that the contributions were in keeping with the company’s core values of “cultural diversity, integrity and community involvement.” Ms. Crichton, in highlighting the continuing investment of CDR in Canaouan, referred to the company’s undertaking of construction of a state of the art hotel anorthern part of the island and a spectacular marina on the southern side.
Peggy Da Silva, Senior Nursing Officer/MCMH (left), accepts donation of medical equipment and supplies.
Julian Pollard (right) accepts cheque on behalf of SVG Players International Mas Band.
26. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 27.
IT Dat, X-Cel dominate athletics championships
Right: The IT Dat Athletics Club from which came the Female Champions of Team Athletics National Club Championship.
IT DAT AND X-CEL Athletics clubs took top honors in the 2013 Edition of the Team Athletics National Club Championships, which took place at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex last Saturday. IT Dat raced away with the female team title with 314 points, ahead of X-Cel on 307 points. XCeed finished third with 191 points. X-Cel turned the tables when their male team, 491 points, won top honours ahead of IT.Dat with 379.50 points. XCeed finished third with 203 points. Their male team’s margin of victory ensured that X-Cel topped the overall points standing with 798 points, ahead of It Dat on 693.50 points. X-Ceed filled the third spot with 394 points. In fourth position was Greathead with 124.50 points, followed by a Grenada representative
team with 39 points. High Class was sixth with 20 points, St Vincent Grammer School seventh with 6 points, while a Trinidad representation was eighth with 5 points. In the individual categories, 15 and under female division, national under-15 athlete Shafika Maloney of IT Dat was the top female athlete with 32 points. Trailing her were Greathead’s Jonel John with 20 points and Calisha John, 13. Neilo Thomas of X-Cel was the top male 15 and under athlete. He amassed 30 points to beat his team mates Samwick Bruce, 19 points and John Compton, 8 points. In the 16-17 female division, Kerina Hooper of X-Ceed finished on top with on 35 points ahead of IT Dat’s Sorenya Miller, 33 points, and XCel’s Aaliyah Providence on 25. In that division for
males, Lopez McFee of Xcel took the top spot with 23 points, followed by his team mate Mickish Compton on 17 points and Roberto Boyde of X-Ceed with 16 points. In the female 18-19 division, Shantel Rouse of IT Dat was the top female with 45 points, way ahead of X-Ceed’s Isha Williams, 34 points, and Nickyann Stephens, 32 points. Keron Arthur of XCceed, 42 points, ran away with the top male
Left: X-Cel provided the male champions of National Club Athletics in SVG. second and third Hamilton of IT Dat, 23 points. He was trailed by respectively. Godfrey Harry of Xhis team mates Kasique Ceed took top honours Olliver and by Kimorie among the 36 and over Shearman, both on 20 category for men. His 20 points. points beat IT Dat’s In the 36 and over Andrew Bramble, 13 category, Andrea Davidpoints, and Michael Latchman of X-Cel took Olliviere, with 11 points, the top position with 28 into second and third points, anong the places respectively. females. X-Ceed’s position in the 18-19 Pearlitha Sylvon, 24 division. He was followed points, and Helen Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN by Brandon Parris, 39 Yammie, 19 points, were points and Abiola Hinds, 18 points, both of IT Dat. The 20-35 female category was dominated by Alicoa Cox of X-Ceed. She accumulated 47 points to beat her team mate Toya FOLLOWING A PROLONGED PERIOD of Trimmingham, 34 points, uncertainty and inactivity, the Table Tennis into second place, and fraternity here has a new executive to direct and Dorcia Edwards of IT Dat managethe affairs of the sports national body. into third on 27 points. A new executive was elected to serve the St. The top spot in the Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis male counterpart Association at the Annual General Meeting held at category went to Josh the Board Room of the National Sports Council, last Saturday, May 11. Those elected to the new executive, with a tenure of four years, are: Tyrone Jack — President; Rudolph Daniel - Vice President; Andrew Lockhart Secretary; Marlon Gibson — Treasurer; Jabarri Jack - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Sean Stanley PRO; and Orville Haslam, Unica Velox and Kamal Hunte - Committee Members. In recognizing the confidence shown in him, Jack advanced, “I believe we have put together a good team, an ‘A’ Team, to take the game forward.” With eyes on the future, the newly installed president stated, “Over the next few weeks, we intend to develop a strategic plan for the sport. We also intend to engage all the stakeholders in this process. We recognize that the realization of our goals and your aspirations would be very much dependent on us getting all hands on deck.” More exacting, Jack pointed to strategic areas of concern, to wit, “youth development, venues and equipment sufficiency and maintenance, financial viability, marketing and promotion, tournaments preparation and selection policy, ranking, constitutional reform and membership, discipline, Right: Pamenos social media and publicity.” Ballantyne made And for stability over the immediate future, Jack extremely light work of advised, “We would need to unify all fragments of the other competitors in the Table Tennis fraternity. Large egos that stand in the one race in which he the way of unity will have to be moderated,” and participated at the cautioned that, “No one can be allowed to project themselves as too large for the sport. It matters not National Athletics where they sit.” Championships.
Distance runners need assistance HE IS FAST APPROACHING the 40year-old mark, but Pamenos Ballantyne, ace middle and long distance runner, demonstrated that he is still fit enough and has what it takes to win. The former OECS Sports Personality was in dominant form when he convincingly won the 5,000 meters at the Team Athletes National Championships, held last Saturday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. His dominance was such that Ballantyne ‘lapped’ the eight other competitors in the race, the second time he had achieved the feat in his career. Ballantyne was happy he had won, and explained that, “I didn’t come to the event with any intention to compete, but eventually
decided to do so as a tribute to the passing of my training partner, ….distance runnerLisa Daniel. I looked at the field of athletes for the event and I used my experience. I sat back for the first five laps then decided to take the lead which I maintained to the finish line.” But Ballantyne also expressed concern about the state and future of long distance running in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He noted that apart from “raw talent, a serious middle and distance runner needs to register top runner more mileage in his/her training. “This was missing in the athletes. After seven laps, the athletes began to get tired, and that is when
I took the advantage with my endurance which is a result of qualified training for long distance events.” These days, Ballantyne is occupied being coach at the St. Martin’s Secondary School where, he said, he is already seeing some success at the junior level. “I am willing to pass on my experience and knowledge to the youngsters. I look forward to assisting the talented athletes to live their dreams in the area of long distance running,” he assured. As far as future competition is concerned, he indicated that he will participate in next month’s CARICOM Heads of Government 10k in Trinidad, an event he has won on six occasions.
Table Tennis elects new executive
V Harper keeps Lime Radcliffe in title Hunt 28. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
Sports
by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT LEFT-ARM SPINNER Andy Harper returned match figures of ten for 42 to guide Lime Radcliffe to a ten-wicket victory over Victors TWO at the Sion Hill Playing Field, in the lone Premier Division match on the weekend. SCORES: Victors TWO 70 & 86, Lime Radcliffe 140 & 18-0. Harper, who took the new ball, exploited bowler friendly conditions to grab 5-23 in seventeen overs, after his side had won the toss and inserted the opposition. Using subtle variation as against big turners, Harper took full advantage of the ineptitude of the Victors TWO batters who seemed to play as if a danger sign had been placed on the pitch, hindering them from using their feet. His confidence, boosted by the uncertainty of the batsmen, coupled with assistance from the notwell prepared pitch, Harper stepped up to take the lead role in the absence of the experienced Dyke “Gimme de ball” Cato, and enjoyed his best figures for the season up to that point, to help dismiss Victors TWO in 39 overs. Opener Kishore Shallow got 22 and Henderson Morgan 20 to ease the embarrassment of Victors TWO. Lyndon James, who gave up the gloves to bowl, took 3-19. Lime Radcliffe did just enough to take control of the match as they also found the spinners a handful, with only the laid back Drumo Toney hitting a match topscore of 46 with two fours and
two sixes. Offspinner Roland Wilkinson took 6-51 and Denis Byam, bowling what he has described as offspin, took 4-64. Batting a second time with a deficit of 70, Victors TWO failed once more to move to the sound of the harp and
fell for 86 in 32.2 overs. Shallow got 25. Harper took 5-19 and Rodney Lawrence 3-18 to submit Victors TWO batsmen to another miserable weekend. Set seventeen for victory, Lime Radcliffe duly got to their target for no loss, ending on 18-0.
Low scores in Mustique cricket
ACTION IN THE 2013 Mustique T20 Cricket Competition continued on the weekend, with defending champs, Milsom Construction, making hard work of an otherwise easy chase set by their opponents, Rock Masters. In a match played on Saturday, a match which seemed to set the tone for the scheduled weekend matches, Rock Masters took first knock and were literally knocked out for a miserable 44 runs in 13
overs. Milsom’s Construction’s Cedric Cupid returned the enviable figures of 6 wickets for 5 runs in four overs, of which one was a maiden. Rock Masters’ top scorer was Ezekiel Welcome with 13. Milsom Construction seemed to have taken the chase lightly and lost an unexpected 3 wickets before closing on 45 runs in 7.1. overs. Cedric Cupid was the obvious Man of the Match.
Radcliffe’s Andy Harper made excellent use of the conditions to return a 10wicket match haul.
Roland Wilkinson also found the conditions suitable to his offspin.
Milsom Construction, chalked up a victory on their way to defending their title in the Mustique T20 Cricket Competition. On Sunday, Hybrid Alliance, looking to have a change of luck, must be thinking that the stars are not aligned in their favour. They went under, for the second
consecutive weekend, this time to Alumbrera Strikers. Hybrid Alliance, batting first, were all out for 89 runs in 16.2 overs. Karel Ryan contributed
Belmont record big win OFF-SPINNER Adolphus Campbell, with a 10-wicket match haul, bowled Robertson’s Surveying Belmont United to a convincing 8-wicket victory over Lime Radcliffe Too, in a weekend First Division match in the National Cricket Competition. On what appeared to be a bowler-friendly Stubbs Playing Field pitch, the Belmont bowlers made a mockery of the Radcliffe batsmen’s first round at the crease, dismissing them for a measly 56. Campbell took 3 for 13, Mikyon Delplesche 3 for 20 and Michael Jack 2 for 21. Belmont replied with 156, Jerome Samuel leading the way with 28. Alston Caine was Radcliffe’s main wicket taker, grabbing 5 for 55. Radcliffe’s second turn at the crease closed at 116, Kamene
Greene, 35, providing the only resistance to Campbell’s onslaught that saw him claiming 7 Radcliffe wickets for 28, to finish the match with 10 wickets for 41 runs. Belmont’s victory was predictable; they closed at 20 for the loss of two wickets. In another First Division encounter played at Arnos Vale Two, Police ONE took first innings points against Combine Youths. Combine Youths made 135 in their first innings, Vincent Cupid top scoring with 27. Sylvan Spencer took 3 for 41 and Gerard Gould 3 for 33. Police ONE responded with 204, Sylvan Spencer leading the batting with 48 and former Windward Islands batsman Gosnel Cupid hitting 40. Oneil
Endeavour grabbed 5 for 67. Combine Youths improved to 182 in their second innings. Marlon Farrell top scored with 46. Randy Yorke took 3 for 36. Set 113 for victory, the lawmen stumbled to 107 for 9 when play ended. Gerard Gould made 26. Farrell was among the wickets with 3 for 23 and Nesron Samuel, 3 for 22. Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors gained full points by default over Sion Hill, in a fixture that was slated for the Buccament Playing Field. This weekend, Buccament Bay Androids will play Triumph United Cricket Club at Buccament. I.B.A.ALLEN
the top score of 27 runs and Kenley Westfield and Elvis Edwards made 17 and 11 respectively. Wickets for Alumbrera Strikers were shared among Stratford Ballyntyne, 3, and 2 each for Cedric Grant, Franklyn Baptiste and Kenuth Peters. Alumbrera Strikers raced to 91 runs in 6.4 overs, losing a solitary wicket. Keith Lavia led the victory chase with 40 not out, and Cedric Grant was also not out on 37. Jeffery Ballantyne had the consolation of being the wicket-taker for Hybrid Alliance. Man of the Match was Keith Lavia with his 40 not out, which included 3 sixes. This weekend matches: Saturday 18th - Pink House Tags vs Salanga Tamahawks at 2:30 pm; and Sunday 19th - Milsom Construction vs Hybrid Alliance at 2:30 p m.
V
THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 29.
Sports
Vigorous volleyball schools’ programme needed
Caribbean action WHEREAS the Stanford Premier League folded, the Caribbean Premier League seems set to be a stabilising factor in regional cricket. Michael Holding is giving it his blessings, and that is an endorsement. Holding supports anything in the region’s interest. His influence is profound. He is accepted internationally. His record stands out. His forthrightness is respected. He does not mince words, and he is the voice of the Caribbean. The CPL may never acclaim the plaudits that the Indian Premier has accomplished. But the potential is there for the regional showpiece to leave its mark. Six international players have been incorporated into the mixture. They are Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Ross Taylor, Mutiah Murilitaran, Mohammed Hafeez, and Hershelle Gibbs. Those names will add to the international appeal. Each of those players has their following and will arouse interest in various parts of the globe. The action commences in Barbados July 30. By the time the final is played at the Queen’s Park in Trinidad, the region would have been exposed to 24 matches highlighting the Caribbean condensation. Persons will mock in typical Caribbean fashion and hope that Devon Smith finds himself on the same team with Hafeez. Even if that happens, persons will say bring on a spinner when Devon Smith comes in. It is ironic that Smith was the region’s leading run getter. Cynics apart, this is an opportunity for him to shake off the bogey that has plagued him as far as slow bowling is concerned. He must show that he has the technique and mental capacity to overcome that weakness. It is amazing how cricket turns into an impetus for regional development. Jamaica is making sure that it becomes part of the Caribbean Premier League set up by installing lights at Sabina Park. St. Vincent and the Grenadines will have to move in that direction very soon. Next round, St. Vincent must be able to host a game. We breathed a sigh of relief when the Windwards won the Super 50 title, but we returned to earth with a dismal display in the semifinal of the League championship. Congratulations to Barbados. Everyone felt pleased when the Windwards routed the Bajans in their homeland. The revenge came fast and furious. Frank Worrell predicted that the strength of regional cricket would have been the small islands. That vision manifested when the Combined Islands ruled the roost, and that coincided with a period of dominance on the world stage. Whatever has happened to the logistics, the smaller territories have suffered a reverse in fortunes. Perhaps there is too much competition among the territories that the Windwards and Leewards as separate entities can’t accommodate their neighbours. They wrangle in a self-destructive fashion. Let’s hope the CPL engenders unity. We are seeing at the IPL where former foes on the national level have turned into allies for their franchises. The West Indian players are proving their worth in the IPL. Others have a chance to flourish on the world stage. The players who make the teams must use it as a platform for their presence on the full circuit.
Joao Carlos Campos, Brazilian volleyball coach, wants to see a more sustained programme in the schools.
BRAZILIAN volleyball coach, Joao Carlos Campos, is advocating the devising and implementation of a vigorous schools programme if St Vincent and the Grenadines is to become competitive on the regional scene. Campos, who is here working with both the senior men and senior women teams in preparation for their outings in the second round of the World Championships, made this call recently, after observing the other regional teams in this phase of the qualifiers. Campos acknowledges
that there is a secondary schools’ competition for both males and females, but believes that is only the competition, but more must be done, in terms of technical skills. The Brazilian, who is on his second stint here, having made his first visit last October, stated that the fundamentals, strategies and the gaining of knowledge of the sport which is ever evolving, must be done at the schools’ level. St Vincent and the Grenadines female team heads to St Croix in the United States Virgin Islands next week, where they will meet the host,
along with El Salvador and the British Virgin Islands, in Pool K of the second round. From 27th and 28th July , the St Vincent and the Grenadines male team will be in Tortola to engage the host, the Dominican Republic and Panama. St Vincent and the Grenadines arrived at the second round, in both instances in second place to St Lucia. St Lucia, the top team in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association, is the first team from the grouping to advance to the third round of the world championships.
Facey Trading backs cycling This Sunday’s round of Road Races organized by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union has been guaranteed support for trophies and other prizes. Facey Trading, local distributors of Busta Soft Drinks, this week, donated some $900.00 towards this end. Alpian Toney, General Manager of Facey Trading, told THE VINCENTIAN, that his company’s gesture is in recognition of the work being done by the Cycling Union, to reestablish the sport among the leading disciplines in the country. “We are always open to aligning our company and its brands with efforts which afford
us the opportunity to give back to our loyal customer base, especially the youth sector. We are pleased to assist the cyclists who are, for the better part, young persons,” said Toney. Sunday’s races will be in two categories: Category 1 for road bikes, along a route from Kingstown to Bridegtown, return to the Arnos Vale Roundabout, back to Bridegtown, return and finish at Sion Hill; Category 2 for women and mountain bike, from Kingstown to Bridgetown
and return to Sion Hill. Races start outside the SVG Automotive Co-op Gas Station, at 2 pm sharp.
Alpian Toney (right), General Manager of Facey Trading, hands overs cheque to Frederick Forbes, Treasurer of the SVG Cycling Union.
Grassroot Tennis players compete overseas The Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC) continues to expose their young players beyond the shores of SVG. The latest effort in this regard is the participation of GTC member players, Antonio Caine and Akeil De Roche, in the Caribbean Junior Invitational Tournament in Antigua. May 3 to 5. The youngsters’ participation was made possible as a result of the efforts of Deron Grant, former coach of the GTC, who is now Head Coach at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) Recreational Centre in Oman. According to Grant Connell who accompanied the players as coach, “the boys performed well.” Antonio Cain, in his first outing, is said to have put up a good battle with the number one seed, Sergie Calor from Surinam, even though he lost 1 -4, 1-4. He bounced back to win the Consolation Boys title, defeating Justin Marcano of Antigua in the finals. Akeil De Roche got into the
main draw, having defeated Aiden Fuller of Antigua, but had to withdraw due to injury. On the return of the GTC contingent, Connell told the media that “the exposure is great for the children, and their confidence is building.” He singled out his former GTC coach Deron Grant for special mention, saying, “I appreciate the efforts of Deron Grant. It shows that although Coach Deron Grant he has made the GTC reached participation higher heights in possible. his coaching career, his heart is still
GTC reps Antonio Cain (left) and Akeil DeRoche (right) pose with Jamaican rep. Michaela Stephen. at the Grassroot Tennis Club. … He has indicated that he may be home for the GTC Summer Camp programme this year, and we look forward to this boost to our coaching team.” A GTC team is scheduled to participate in another junior tournament slated for St Lucia in July. The team is expected to comprise three boys and three girls.
30. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. THE VINCENTIAN
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THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013. 31.
Classifieds
MAXWELL CORNELIUS MATTHEWS Stubbs Gospel Hall Church Sunday 12th May, 2013
LISA ANGELLA DANIEL
SARAH MELVINA ROBERTS Sunrise: 12th June, 1926 Sunset: 2nd May, 2013
Union Methodist Church Saturday 11th May, 2013 3:00 p.m
2:00 p.m.
ANDREW ASHTON New Testament Church Rose Hall Saturday 11th May, 2013 3:00 p.m.
MRS. VERNA JENETTE HADLEY Born: 13th December 1941 Died: Tuesday 23rd April, 2013
Holy Trinity Parish Church Commercial Road, Georgetown, Saturday 11th May, 2013 1:00 p.m
Sunrise: 9th Nov, 1972 Sunset: 5th May, 2013
New Apostolic Church Campden Park Sunday 12th May, 2013 2:30 p.m. RICHARD GREEN Bible Missionary Church San Souci Saturday 11th May, 2013 3:00 p.m.
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ONE TRIAL: TWO VERSIONS by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY DEFENSE LAWYER Mario Merritt, addressed the High Court last Wednesday afternoon. That was the sixth day into the hearing of charges against seven men from Trinidad and Tobago. The men, Keston Mieres, David Sammy, Ronald Burnley, James Gordon, Adrian Clement, Nigel Octave and Mark Corbie, each faced four counts of possession of controlled drug, attempted export of a controlled drug, drug trafficking, and possession of one AK rifle magazine containing 28 rounds of prohibited ammunition. Their indictments stemmed from an operation by the local Coast Guard November 11, 2010 off the coast of Chateaubelair, during which nearly 1700 pounds of marijuana in 47 crocus bags and three taped packages were recovered. Merritt’s presentation followed that of Director of Public Prosecution Colin Williams. Justice Wesley James was expected to sum up the case yesterday Thursday May 16, after which the jury would have retired for deliberations. for example whether it was one or three shots fired by the Coast Guard. A case of people smuggling Williams wondered why Gordon spent more than TT$20,000 to The trial was not without intrigue, accommodate the passage of four men, and threw up some elements of drama when a flight on LIAT for himself and legal wrangling. amounted to TT$1600. Merritt pointed out to the jury that Williams dismissed the defense it was their duty to be fair to both version that Mieres, captain of the sides. “It is not a matter of Vincentian vessel, was bringing four men to work or Trinidadian, it is to be fair,” the on a banana plantation. That was the defense attorney asserted. story given by James Gordon when he He admitted that the men knew mounted the witness stand. that they were breaking the law when they entered St. Vincent and the Accused takes the stand Grenadines waters. He contended that their offense was people smuggling. Gordon testified that he arrived at Merritt described the Director of the E.T. Joshua Airport two weeks Public Prosecutions as conducting a before his apprehension off the “whole set ah grand charge, pretense, Chateaubelair Coast, but was denied and theatrics.” He suggested that that entry. “method gone long time,” and pointed “They say I look suspicious,” Gordon out, “if they are to be found guilty, outlined. they must be found guilty right.” “I end up checking Mieres to come Merritt pleaded with the jurors and back,” Gordon confessed. indicated to them: “You decide what Gordon testified that his father was you accept. See where the truth is.” Vincentian and he (Gordon) had As far as Merritt was concerned, the relatives at Evesham. “Crown has not proven its case beyond He claimed that he had a daughter reasonable doubt,” and evidence from here, but had difficulty with her name the prosecution was “not clear, or remembering her date of birth. convincing nor compelling.” Gordon spoke of the 30-foot pirogue He urged the jury to “reject the outfitted with two 200 horse power prosecution’s version of evidence.” engines experiencing difficulty off the Grenadine island of Canouan. He said Inconsistencies but… he placed a cell phone call to a relative in Chateaubelair and on getting one of Williams admitted that there were the engines restarted, they “chipped” inconsistencies in the prosecution’s to the area off the Chateaubelair coast. evidence, but he contended that those It was there they found themselves inconsistencies were not meaningful, in trouble. He recalled a white boat
The accused, under heavy police guard, on their way to court.
Some of the marijuana for which the seven Trinidadians are charged with attempting to export. passed at high speed, and the Coast Guard reaching them. They were asked to strip, and remembered the Coast Guard Officers asking Mark Corbie to take up the anchor and come over to the Coast Guard vessel. “They start to beat him,” Gordon said. He added that one Coast Guard Officer “choke (d) me, hit me a gun butt, and chopped me.” Gordon testified that the drugs displayed in court, “couldn’t hold on our boat.” He outlined that they (accused) were taken to the Coast Guard base at Calliaqua and then to the Drug Squad base at Arnos Vale. He testified that the first time he
Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;
saw the magazine was at the Magistrate courts. Besides Gordon, Mieres was the only other accused to mount the witness stand. Mieres outlined that he was hired by Gordon to bring four men to St. Vincent. The other two men on board the boat were his crew members. The trial began last week Wednesday and heard evidence from Coast Officers Alexis Bynoe and Brangorgan Glasgow, Inspector Foster Scott, and Corporal Fitzborn Chambers. Lawyer Jaundy Martin appeared for the defense.
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