Caribbean National Weekly December 16, 2021

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021

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Heroes Jamaican Senator Bats for Marley, Bolt Miss Lou, & Jimmy Cliff to Become National Heroes

by Sheri-Kae McLeod

Ahead of Jamaica's diamond Independence celebrations in August 2022, an opposition Senator is calling for four Jamaican icons to receive the honor of national hero.

Making the case for the conferral, Senator Floyd Morris said that he believes that these four icons have all given distinguished service to the country across various fields.

On December 10th, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris announced that he will be tabling a motion in the Upper House for Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Miss Lou and Usain Bolt to be named national heroes.

The island currently has seven national heroes, all of whom were political activists, and in some way, linked to either slavery and colonialism or political independence.

But according to the National Honors and Award Act of 1970, the only criteria for a Jamaican to be named a national hero is that they “at the time of his or her death was, a citizen of Jamaica and rendered to Jamaica service of a most distinguished nature.” The honor can also be awarded either posthumously or on the occasion of the recipient's retirement from active public life.

Making the case for the conferral, Senator Morris said that he believes that these four icons have all given distinguished service to the country across various fields.

“Whereas the Honourable Robert Nesta 'Bob' Marley”; the Honourable James Chambers, Jimmy Cliff; the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley, Miss

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Former St. Vincent Prime Minister to be Buried in his Hometown of Bequia

Junior Reid To Feature On New Fetty Wap Remix

Lauderhill Police Department to Host Secret Santa Holiday Toy Giveaway

continues on B4 – More Heroes

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

EDITORIAL

HAITI

SPORTS

Whitmore’s Tenure as Head Coach of the Reggae Boyz has Come to an End A3

Give to Help This Christmas

Fireball from Overturned Tanker Kills 75 in Haiti A7

New Coach Hall Wants Reggae Boyz to Strike Fear into CONCACAF Rivals C3

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A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (RIGHT) greets Global Teacher prize winner Keisha Thorpe during her visit to the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Miss Thorpe, a Jamaican-born English teacher in Maryland, won one million US dollars as her prize money out of 800 applicants globally.

(Photo Derrick Sco )

Lauderhill Commissioner Denise Grant (le ) and Vice Mayor Melissa P. Dunn (right) were the 2021 honorees at the Noble Women Organiza on Christmas Empowerment Brunch on Saturday, December 11, 2021. Center is Monique Henry, founder of the Nobel Women Organiza on in Lauderhill.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (forefront), lays a floral tribute for late reggae icon Toots Hibbert, at a wreath laying ceremony in celebra on of his birthday on December 8 at Na onal Heroes Park in Kingston. Others (from le ) are Mr. Hibbert’s granddaughter, Cressida Ra gan; Chairman, Entertainment Advisory Board, Howard McIntosh; Chairman, Jamaica Reggae Industry Associa on (JaRIA) Ewan Simpson; and member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Melonie Blair. – Contributed

Legendary Reggae ar st Barrington Levy (center) pays a visit to the Jamaica Consulate Office in Miami on December 10, 2021. Pictured here is Jamaica's Consul General for Southern USA, Oliver Mair to his le and Lindell Douglas, promoter of the Caribbean Food & Rum Fes val to his right. – Contributed

Ac ng Consul General of Trinidad & Tobago, Andria Narinesingh (center) making sure her country was represented at the 2021 Caribbean Rum and Food Fes val in Hollywood, Florida on December 12, 2021.

Kierra Hope (L) and Olivia Lawson (R) shared lens with the ac ng consul. Photo CNW/Patrick Green.

Jamaicans Dave and Allison, enjoying some of the food and drinks at the 2021 Rum and Food Fes val in Hollywood, Florida on December 12th. Photo: CNW/Patrick Green.

Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis a ended the Coali on of Jamaican Alumni Associa ons of Florida’s Annual Health Fair & Fundraiser Walk-A-Thon held at the Miramar Regional Park on December 11, 2021. Davis is an alumnus of both Wolmers Girls High School and the University of the West Indies.

– Contributed

Mark Golding, President of the People's Na onal Party, visits the grave of Former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Michael Manley, on the 97th anniversary of his birth, Friday, December 10, 2021. – Contributed

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NEWSMAKER

END OF AN ERA

Theodore Whitmore's Tenure as Head Coach of the Reggae Boyz Comes to An End

T

heodore Whitmore has coached Jamaica's senior men's football team, in some capacity, since 2008. But a controversial tenure came to an end on December 9, when the Jamaica Football Federation accepted the recommendation of the Technical Committee to dismiss Whitmore as head coach.

The technical committee gave Whitmore a failing grade and as a result lost faith and confidence in his ability to take Jamaica to the World Cup. The national team, even with arguably the best squad it has ever had, has seen a less-than-impressive qualifying campaign so far. Jamaica currently lie in sixth place in the eight-team points standings with seven points. Paul Hall is expected to take up the job of carrying Jamaica to the World Cup next year.

The 48-year-old Whitmore ends his tenure as head coach with an

overall record of 55 wins, 21 draws and 29 losses. After leading Jamaica to a win in the 2010 Caribbean Cup, he had set his sights on winning this year's edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

Theodore Whitmore has been a notable name among the Jamaican football community since he was a student at the Montego Bay Secondary School (now St. James High), where he was an agile football player.

As a teenager, he excelled in the Inter-Secondary Football Junior League and played for two community teams, Whippets United and the Sugar United community team.

After graduating high school, he started his club career at Montego Bay Boys Club, and later played for Violet Kickers and Seba United.

Whitmore made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in a November 1993 friendly match against the

Whitmore scored two goals in Jamaica's only win of the competition, a 2–1 victory against Japan. In that same year, he was named Caribbean Footballer of the Year.

Clubs overseas took note of the skilled Jamaican and in 1999, 27year-old Whitmore was signed by English league side Hull City. On his league debut, Whitmore scored a league debut goal. During his 77 games for Hull, he became a fan favourite for the club.

In 2001, while in Jamaica, Whitmore was injured in a car accident that led to the death of Reggae Boyz' teammate Stephen Malcolm. After the accident, he was charged with manslaughter, of which he was later acquitted.

While at Hull City, he caught the attention of Scottish team Livingston who signed him in 2003. A year later, he signed to Tranmere Rovers where he played for two years. In 2006, he returned to Jamaica to become player/coach for his former

After taking over the team once again in 2016, Whitmore guided Jamaica to back-to-back Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal appearances in 2017 and 2019, reaching the final in 2017. That same year, he was honored with the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his contributions to sports.

United States. Whitmore earned 105 official international caps and scored 24 goals for the Jamaica national team. He was a key member of the Reggae Boyz' squad who advanced to their first and only World Cup in 1998. Although Jamaica was eliminated in the first round,

team, Seba United. He coached Seba for two years, and in the midst of his tenure, he was brought on as interim coach of the Reggae Boyz after the firing of Bora Milutinović in 2007.

In 2008, he was retained as an assistant under Renê Simões, his former coach who helped the team

from 1994 to 2000. However, this time around, Simões lasted nine months as head coach due to poor play in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Upon his release in September 2008, Whitmore was again appointed interim coach until John Barnes was available in November.

As interim coach in October 2008, Whitmore guided the Reggae Boyz to back-to-back 1–0 wins against Mexico and Honduras. He again took the reins of the national team when John Barnes left the position in 2009.

In December 2010, Whitmore led Jamaica to the 2010 Caribbean Cup title, the only championship won under his leadership.

In April 2013, Whitmore resigned as head coach of the team.

Tragedy struck a few months later when one of his sons, 14-year-old Jouvhaine was killed after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in November. The vehicle belonged to People's National Party Councillor Sylvan Reid, who was later freed from the charges.

From December 2014 through February 2015, Whitmore served as Jamaica national u20 coach. In September 2016, he went back to his former post, as interim head coach of the Reggae Boyz. He officially signed on to the team in 2018 and was supposed to serve as head coach until the end of his contract in 2022.

After taking over the team once again, Whitmore guided Jamaica to back-to-back Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final appearances in 2017 and 2019, reaching the final in 2017. That same year, he was honored with the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his contributions to sports.

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A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN

Bahamas Reverses Travel Ban on African Countries The Bahamas government has reversed its policy of imposing travel restrictions on persons coming from certain African countries, indicating that the decision had been taken due to the “milder nature” of the Omicron Variant of the coronavirus (COVID-29) pandemic.

Several countries, including those in the Caribbean, had imposed travel restrictions on South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe after the newly detected COVID-19 variant was detected in South Africa a few weeks ago.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Michael Darville, who announced that due to the milder nature of the Omicron Variant, the country will remove the travel restrictions, also announced that the ministry has started the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout.

Darville

continues on A4 – Reverses Travel Ban

Grenada Government Lifts Curfew The Grenada government has announced that it is lifting the four-hour curfew as the island continues to “manage” the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Health Minister Nickolas Steele, speaking at the post-cabinet news conference, also announced that travelers entering the island will now have to be tested on arrival as Grenada joined the rest of the global community in expressing its own concerns about the Omicron variant of the virus.

“We are observing what is happening with Omicron and we are observing what is happening in terms of spikes or waves we are seeing in other islands. We are monitoring. As a result of the Omicron threat as well as the spikes we are seeing in the region…we made a decision to start back testing on arrival, but not quarantine.

“Individuals would be PCR tested on arrival at the Maurice Bishop International Airport

(MBIA) and allowed to leave pending their results within 12 to 24 hours. So there would not be a quarantine, but there would be a testing,” Steele said adding that the measure “is like most other countries that implement this system so to have a sense of the epidemiological situation and the external threats.

“On the good side, though, based on our current situation, it is our belief and Cabinet has endorsed that the quarantine that exists from midnight to 4.00 am (local time) is to be removed with effect from today.”

Steele said the removal is as a result of the authorities believing the current epidemiological situation has improved, adding “as to how long this will remain will be based on our monitoring…it is based on other external factors.

“It is based for us as well on our social interactions and social behavior,” he said, adding that the Cabinet had agreed to lift the

curfew because “we do believe that the midnight to 4.00 am curfew has been having a psycho-social effect on us all.

“As a result, the balance must always be sought and at this point in time we believe it is possible to safely remove that curfew and hopefully not have to bring it back,” Steele told reporters, adding “so it is breathing space and we do hope that this breathing space remains indefinitely…but we will adjust accordingly”.

Last month, the Grenada Parliament gave its unanimous approval for the State of Emergency to be extended until May 2022.

Steele also disclosed that three students in the sister island of Carriacou tested positive for the virus.

“They are all related to the cluster that was identified from one of the inter-island ferries,” he said, adding that further testing will be done on Tuesday and “at this point in time these are contacts from the inter-island ferry.” (CMC)

Bermuda Confirms First Case of Omicron Variant Bermuda has confirmed its first case of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus that has already been detected in more than 30 countries on six continents.

But health officials have warned residents against panicking.

Health Minister Kim Wilson said that the active case came in from overseas and all close contacts were in quarantine.

The case was identified last Sunday from an arrival test. But Wilson did not say where the person came from. Test results on close contacts have all come back clear for the coronavirus so far.

“The Omicron variant was identified quickly and, in our view, there is no need to panic,” said Wilson.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ayo Oyinloye said Omicron had been classified as a variant of concern and early evidence said it was more transmissible than the Delta strain.

“At this stage, most of the cases that have been seen so far have had mild symptoms and there has not yet been any deaths recorded from this,” he said, adding “it is very early days though as much of the information we have is from South Africa, where Delta has not been the dominant strain.”

Wilson said it was too early in the new strain to make any announcements on potential restrictions or advice for gatherings over the Christmas holidays.

She said 70.3 per cent of the population have received two vaccine jabs while 24.1 per cent have received a booster shot.

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Talk Up!

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EDITORIAL

Give to Help, this Christmas Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. If you are a Christian, this period takes on even more significance. It is a time filled with merry making, lots of food, entertainment, and big spending.

According to the National Retail Federation, spending in November and December is expected to grow by as much as 11.5% or between $834.4 and $859 billion. This amount according to the federation, does not include spending at automobile dealers, gas stations, and restaurants.

December is also one of the most popular months for charity giving, according to definefinancial.com. This year, we hope the records will be shattered in this regard. With so many people suffering from the effects of covid, the needs of the less fortunate have grown dramatically.

There is an expectation that more people will be without food, clothing, and some of the bare essentials to celebrate the end of another year. We hope you will find the desire to reach out and give, especially if you have the resources and means to do so.

You don't need to be rich to give to others. If you have something you can share with other people, why not share it? Why not let others enjoy what you have? Giving is also about making yourself happier. When you feel happy, you are naturally more generous too. When we share with others, it makes us feel better. Additionally, when we help someone, we are not only sharing with them, but we are also sharing our blessings.

Helping can be an extremely rewarding experience. It is often one of generosity and a feeling of making someone else feel better about themselves. As soon as you begin to give, your life will change forever. You will have so much more, you will feel happier, and you will live a fuller, richer, and more satisfying life.

Helping others at Christmas is one of the most rewarding things to do. But it is not always easy to figure out where to start. There are several different ways to help others. You can give money, food, clothing, love, or you can teach them something.

Some charities are looking for volunteers in their communities while others need money to provide help. Think also about others when you do your shopping. Do you need to give that much to your family? Could someone else in need benefit if you spend a few dollars less? Make a choice and act upon it.

Christmas is about happiness but the most important lesson we can learn in life is not how to be happy, but how to help someone else become happy. When we reach out to help someone, the entire world opens out before us.

On December 25th, millions of people all over

the world will spend the day with their families and friends. They will eat lots of food, play games, and enjoy conversations. For most of these people, Christmas is about spending time with loved ones.

For others, it will be about helping those less fortunate than them. We hope you are one of those who will consider the needy this year. It is especially important, and your giving is really needed. How will you give back this Christmas?

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You don't need to be rich to give to others. If you have something you can share with other people, why not share it? Why not let others enjoy what you have? Giving is also about making yourself happier.

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la section haitienne

Fireball from Overturned Tanker Kills 75 in Haiti A gasoline tanker overturned and exploded in northern Haiti, unleashing a fireball that swept through homes and businesses on its way to killing at least 75 people Tuesday, according to local authorities, in the latest tragedy to befall the Caribbean nation.

The blast occurred shortly after midnight in Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second-largest city, along the northern coast. Hours later, buildings and overturned vehicles were still fuming as firefighters covered the burned bodies of the young victims in white sheets and loaded them onto the back of a construction truck.

Hundreds of Haitians — who aren’t easily shocked amid their country’s multiple misfortunes — looked on from rooftops in disbelief at the loss of so much life. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, himself a physician, visited a hospital where victims bandaged head to toe were fighting for their lives amid a shortage of medical supplies and health workers.

“It’s horrible what happened,” said Patrick Almonor, deputy mayor of Cap-Haitien, who said late Tuesday that 75 people had died.. “We lost so many lives.”

Among survivors who spoke with the prime minister was Riche Joseph, who spent hours on the floor of Justinien University Hospital, the city’s largest, connected to an IV while he waited for a bed.

His sister, Bruna Lourdes, said her brother stepped out of the house late at night where they lived together with their mother to look for

People gather by the gasoline truck that overturned and exploded the previous day, killing dozens in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) something to eat. When she heard the explosion, she rushed down from the hillside shantytown in panic.

“I’m praying to God that he won’t take his life,” said Lourdes, who is studying to be a nurse and plans to spend the night by her brother’s beside to offer whatever assistance she can to the overstretched medical staff.

Early reports indicate that the tanker was trying to avoid an oncoming motorcycle when it flipped. Onlookers then rushed to the scene with buckets to scoop up what they could of the tanker’s valuable cargo, likely for resale on the black market, as the fuel spilled toward a nearby pile of smoldering trash.

“It was after midnight and I heard a loud noise so I asked one of my boys to go and look.

He told me a gasoline truck exploded,” said Abraham Joanis, 61, as he carried around a

guitar rescued unscathed from the charred remains of his home, one of 50 gutted by the blaze.

“Right away, I left with my family, and I headed the other way to the bridge,” he added.

Contributing to the high death toll is the desperation that has forced impoverished Haitians in recent months to scramble for gasoline due to severe shortages that have shuttered gas stations, sent fuel prices on the black market spiraling and forced businesses to close as the U.S. and Canadian governments warn their citizens to leave while they still can.

The shortages are the latest manifestation of a society that has been on the brink since the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake a few weeks later that killed more than 2,200 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes.

The country of more than 11 million people also has been hit by a spike in gang-related kidnappings, including 17 people with a U.S. missionary organization who were abducted in mid-October. Five of them have been released but another 12 are still being held.

“It’s terrible what our country has to go through,” said Dave Larose, a civil engineer who works in Cap-Haitien.

Hospitals in Haiti’s second-largest city seemed ill-equipped to deal with the disaster and 15 victims had to be evacuated by air to hospitals in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Some of the burn victims were being treated by teams from Doctors without Borders.

“Surviving and recovering from a severe burn is a difficult process that requires specialized medical care, often for weeks or months,” Jean-Gilbert Ndong, the group’s medical coordinator. “We will continue to receive patients according to the needs and our capacity.”

Burn victims at Justinien hospital screamed in agony as they pleaded for basic supplies and more medical staff.

Henry, wearing a biohazard suit, clasped his hands and leaned over to console one man collapsed on the hospital’s concrete floor because there were not enough beds in the historic city’s largest hospital.

The prime minister promised more help in the form of field hospitals and a contingent of medical professionals. But minutes after he left the facility, five more patients died.

“The entire Haitian nation is grieving,” Henry said on Twitter while declaring three days of national mourning. “It is with a torn heart that I see the critical condition of some of our compatriots admitted to this facility.”

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A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY

Barrington Levy Gets Lifetime Achievement Award The Jamaican Consulate in South Florida recognized 57-year-old Dancehall singer-producer Barrington Levy last Sunday, for his long and illustrious career in the music industry. Levy was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award

by Jamaica's Consul General to the Southeast Oliver Mair, right after completing his set at the Rum and Food Festival in the city of Hollywood.

Responding to the accolade, Levy said: “It is a respectful thing they did, and I appreciate it very much.” He was coy about how the award made him feel, however. “I don't know about the feeling.

It takes that person from the Jamaican consulate to recognizes me so all the respect and big up to Oliver Mair. Oliver Mair ah di big man. He saw that I deserve it and gave it to me.” On the night of the presentation, the Grammy nominated artiste told fans that “This is the first thing my country ever gave me, and I appreciate it.”

Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Levy is in his 45th year as a Jamaican Reggae Dancehall artiste.

During his career he created over thirty-five albums for several labels including VP Records, MCA, Greensleeves, and Tuff Gong. His song Better Than Gold was recently featured in the Netflix highly rated movie, The Harder They Fall.

He has also traveled extensively over the world to

Barrington Levy being presented the Lifetime Achievement Award

by Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southeast USA, Oliver Mair.

display his talent to his adoring fans and has created a massive fan base in North America and Europe. In 2015 the veteran dancehall artiste was nominated for a Grammy in the best reggae category with his album, AcousticCalLevy.

Three years ago, Levy shocked his fans when he announced on social media that he had a “virus.” It turned out that he was referring to his latest single by the same name. The stunt got him

some publicity, but he was forced to go back to social media and explain what he meant.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Caribbean National Weekly this week, he said “we still need to spread that love,” referring to the powerful single about spreading the love “virus.” The single is one of his most popular and has racked up over a million views in just over a year on YouTube.

Carvalho Named Next Superintendent in Los Angeles The Los Angeles Board of Education has chosen the longtime superintendent of MiamiDade County Public Schools to be the next superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation, officials said Thursday.

The board announced the appointment of Alberto Carvalho after a unanimous vote Thursday, as Carvalho held a live news conference in Florida, describing his career path as a story “that could only be told in America.”

An admired and experienced educator, Carvalho, 57, is credited with improving graduation rates and academic performance at Miami-Dade, the country's fourth-largest K-12 public school district, during a long, stable tenure that started in 2008. Like many students in Los Angeles and Miami-Dade, both large, urban districts, Carvalho grew up in poverty. He came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant, he said. He moved first to New York City and then to Miami.

“I am the poor kid from Portugal whose first job in this country was as a dishwasher, second job was as a day laborer,” Carvalho said.

On his way to Thursday's news conference, Carvalho said he drove through a Miami neighborhood where he had been homeless 30 years ago.

Carvalho attended Broward Community College and graduated in 1990 from Barry University, a small Catholic school near Miami, with a biology degree. He became a high school

Palm Beach to Get New Area Code Starting Next Year Palm Beach County will soon get another area code, officials said.

The county, which has used the 561 area code for almost 25 years, will start using the new area code next summer. The Florida Public Service Commission cited a growing population and emerging technologies requiring new phone numbers in approving the plan on Tuesday, the Palm Beach Post reported.

People who are already have 561 phone numbers will not be affected, officials said.

New customers, or people getting additional phone lines, will receive the new area code.

The code's three digits have yet to be announced. The new area code will have the same geographic boundaries as the 561 area code.

Florida originally had just the 305 area code statewide. Now the state has 22 area codes.

Broward and Miami-Dade counties each already have two. The 786 exchange was added to Miami-Dade's 305 area code in 1998. Broward County broke off from the 305 exchange and began using 954 in 1995, then added 754 in 2002.

Palm Beach County originally used the 305 area code, which started becoming overused in 1988. That's when new phone numbers from Palm Beach County to Orlando began using the 407 exchange.

Then, in 1997, the county was assigned the 561 area code, because of continued growth there and in the Orlando area.

A workshop is now planned for Dec. 21 to discuss a proposal that would add another area code in Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys, the Public Service Commission said. They recently added a 448 area code in Florida's Panhandle, which is currently serviced by 850. And central Florida got the 689 area code in 2019.

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 –

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strictly legal

Non-Citizens in NYC Win Right to Vote in Municipal Elections New York City Council has passed legislation expanding the right to vote in municipal elections to an estimated 900,000 non-citizen New Yorkers, including Caribbean nationals, with legal permanent residence status or other valid work authorization.

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for more than 200 immigration groups in the New York State, said it collaborated, for years, with other groups and allies, such as the Our City, Our Vote Coalition (OCOV), and United Neighborhood Houses (UNH), in ensuring the eventual passage of the historic measure.

NYIC said last Thursday's vote, “the most significant expansion of New York City's democracy in over a century, also marked a significant victory in the ongoing fight for voting rights across the country.

“Today, we finally gave immigrant New Yorkers who raise their kids here, build our economy, and contribute to this vibrant city every single day a voice in their local democracy,” NYIC executive director Murad Awawdeh told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“This groundbreaking legislation gives nearly one million New Yorkers a voice in the issues we all care about; the quality of our schools, the safety of our streets, and

countless other large and small ways the city government impacts our lives.

“Now, it's time for Mayor (Bill) de Blasio to immediately sign Intro 1867 into law,” Awawdeh said. The mayor will demit office on December 31, after two consecutive terms.

“This legislation will usher in the largest enfranchisement of New Yorkers in more than a century and marks a bold step forward in the fight for protecting and expanding democracy. New York City can once again serve as a model for cities and counties across the country.

“When powerful forces lobby to restrict access to the ballot box and seek to turn our country back, New York can and must offer a strong reminder that our leaders don't get to choose their voters; the voters choose who leads them,” Awawdeh added.

UHN's executive director, Susan

Stamler, said Caribbean and other immigrants are “New Yorkers through and through,” adding that the City Council vote “gives them a voice in the neighborhoods where they live, work and participate in civic life.

“With this outcome, Speaker (Corey) Johnson and the City Council have corrected a historical inequality and given power to voices that have been silenced for far too long,” she said.

Legally documented, voting-age noncitizens comprise nearly one in nine of the city's 7 million voting-age inhabitants.

The measure would allow noncitizens who have been lawful permanent residents of the city for at least 30 days, as well as those authorized to work in the U.S., including so-called “Dreamers,” to help select the city's mayor, city council members, borough presidents, comptroller and public advocate.

Immigration Group Appeals for Roadmap to Citizenship for Caribbean Immigrants The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), has joined national partners in calling for United States Senate Majority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer to include a roadmap to citizenship for millions of immigrants, including Caribbean nationals.

The US House of Representatives last Friday passed the US$1.75 trillion Build Back Better reconciliation package.

NYIC, which is a coalition of over 200 immigrant groups in New York, said the House’s spending plan includes immigration provisions that would grant temporary and time-limited immigration and work benefits to immigrants who entered the country before 2011 but would not provide any roadmap to citizenship.

“This is yet another blow to immigrant communities, who need and deserve more than the temporary solutions and half-measures offered by House Democrats,” NYIC’S executive director, Murad Awawdeh told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“It’s time for Senate Majority Leader Schumer to use his power and deliver on the promises he and President Biden made to immigrant communities.

“We can’t afford to wait any longer, and we won’t accept the scraps of a makeshift stopgap as a solution because we know all too well the human costs of deferring a real, lasting and permanent solution.

“Senate Majority Leader Schumer has the power to build a better vision of our country and secure a true recovery,” Awawdeh said, adding “it’s time he and the Democratic caucus listened to the majority of the American people who support a roadmap to citizenship and ensure stability, safety, and opportunity for all of us who call America home”.

Last week, NYIC joined several immigrant rights advocates for an 11-mile march to highlight the need for a pathway to citizenship.

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 –

B3

ENTERTAINMENT

Rum and Food Festival was Really Enjoyable International band Third World, Dancehall singer Barrington Levy and Soca queen Alison Hinds, made the 2021 Rum and Food Festival an enjoyable production last Sunday, at the Hollywood Arts Park in Hollywood, Florida.

A good mixture of island people and those who love the culture, witnessed a quality entertainment package and savored the tastes of Caribbean food and rum at the rescheduled festival. The show was originally scheduled for September 5th but was postponed to December 12th due to a surge in COVID-19 delta variants in Florida, and the subsequent directive from the City of Hollywood.

Patrons had a wonderful time sampling various brands of rum and enjoying the many Caribbean delicacies from numerous vendors.

Andriene Parker came in from New York for the show, and even though she seemed a bit

tipsy, she was sober enough to express her sentiments. “I came specifically to see Barrington Levy because I haven't seen him since 2003. I enjoyed his performance, but it was obvious he wasn't in his usual element. I am glad I made the trip though because he is one of my favorite dancehall artiste.”

Kingsley Wilbert and his wife Savana-Kaye were moved by the “amazing” performance from Third World. “You cannot get it better than AJ Brown and Third World. They have never disappointed, and tonight was no exception,” said Kingsley. His wife was also very excited about Alison Hinds crowd-pleasing performance. “Alison is in a class by herself when it comes to exciting the crowd. Tonight, she again proved why she is the queen of soca,” she noted.

The evening's entertainment started out with an amazing performance from gospel sensation, Pastor Kimola Brown-Lowe. She was exciting, lyrical and entertaining in delivering her Reggae gospel songs. Trinidadian Soca star Patrice Roberts also gave a credible perfor-

mance as she worked the crowd through her top singles.

International Reggae infusion band, Third World took the stage at 7 pm and for one hour and fifteen minutes, fused the small crowd numerous hit songs. Their playlist included Loving You is Easy, Sense of Purpose, Reggae Ambassador, 96 Degrees, and Try Jah Love. Cat Coore again demonstrated why he is one of the best multi-talented musicians

Barrington Levy

Alison Hinds AJ Brown

A good mixture of island people and those who love the culture, witnessed a quality entertainment package and savored the tastes of Caribbean food and rum at the rescheduled festival. around, when he delivered an award-winning performance on the cello. His rendition of Bob Marley's Redemption Song really showed his incredible talent. The Grammy nominated band ended their stint with vocal extra-ordinaire AJ “Boots” Brown teaming up with Coore on cello. Brown gave an emotional performance of Andrea Bocelli's Time to Say Goodbye, which got an enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Barrington Levy took the stage at 8:40 to a warm welcome from the waiting crowd. His entrance was not as energetic as he once was and was also marred by microphone issues.

Once those problems were sorted out however, the ace dancehall performer took the fans down memory lane with his barrage of hits. He had the crowd rapt in songs such Murderer, Under Mi Sensi, Too Experienced, Here I come, and Prison Oval Rock. His forty minutes was engaging and kept the crowd rocking to their favorite tunes. At the end of his performance Levy was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, by Consul General for the Southern United Sates, Oliver Mair.

But if the crowd was rocking to Barrington Levy, they went wild when Soca Queen Alison Hinds touched the stage. Dressed in a bodyfitted white shorts that sucked to her O-shaped butt, the “Roll it Gyal” singer had the crowd gyrating, jumping, and waving. For forty minutes she gave the receptive crowd an extraordinary lesson in “bumper rolling,” stamina, and hip flexibility that defied the normal movements of a 51-year-old woman. The “Baddest Wine” performer mesmerized the crowd with two epic performances that showed why she was “Born wid it.”. First, she brought on her friend Peter Ram who got her to “back it up like a Bedford truck” to his gyrating hips.

Then she got the crowd to pick a male audience member to ride her riddim. The eventual choice did not disappoint, and both gave the appreciative crowd a night to remember.

Overall, the promoters of the event should be happy with the production, even though the crowd support was understandably below satisfaction.

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B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATION

More Heroes

from A1

Lou; and the Honourable Usain St Leo Bolt have all given most distinguished service to Jamaica in the areas of music, sports, and culture; and whereas these citizens have presented Jamaica in a fabulous light across the world and contributed to the dominance of the country in reggae music, sports and culture since the country gained political independence in 1962; and whereas their prodigious efforts through their career have contributed to the global recognition of Jamaica, be it resolved that this honourable senate calls upon the Government to put in place the necessary mechanisms and procedures for these iconic Jamaicans to be declared national heroes and heroines, respectively, and be it resolved that these conferments be made in time for the 60th anniversary of Jamaica's Independence on August 6, 2022,” Morris said in the sitting.

The Jamaican national hero debate is an annual one - triggered by the country's National Heroes Day celebrations in October. But Morris's call comes more than one week after Bajan superstar and billionaire Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty was conferred the Order of National Hero in Barbados. The country also

cut ties with the British Monarchy and became a republic.

The move by the Barbados government has particularly reignited calls for another largerthan-life controversial entertainer to finally be given the honor. Among the Jamaicans batting for Marley to become a hero is veteran dancehall artist Spragga Benz, who posted on social media, “While Jamaica seem to await the Queen's approval to honor Bob Marley as a National Hero … Barbadian singer Rihanna joins in the celebration of Barbados becoming a Republic and will be appointed National Hero.”

Another industry veteran, Tommy Cowan, who was once marketing manager for Marley, also supported the move. But he argued that the main hurdle is Jamaicans “who cannot get beyond the fact that they see this man with a spliff that he can't be a National Hero.”

This past October, another politician, Hugh Graham, Member of Parliament for St Catherine North Western, had called for the government to make Marley a national hero.

In an opinion piece published in the Jamaica Observer, Graham stated, “He [Marley] never incited physical or violent

Reverses Travel Ban

Alberto Carvalho from A4

“The new Omicron Variant labelled by the World Health Organization as being more transmissible than the Delta Variant has already spread to some 40 countries around the world and is moving closer and closer to our shores,” Darville told legislators.

He said, however, given the pervasiveness of the Omicron Variant, the Bahamas through the Ministry of Health and Wellness would remove those travel restrictions recently imposed on African countries.

“It is therefore very important that each of us does our part in stopping the spread of the virus by strictly following all health protocols.

“As we ramp up our vaccination efforts we remain hopeful that we will reach our projected target of 200,000 vaccinated Bahamians and residents by the end of the year. The increased vaccination of our citizens and residents will certainly reduce the severity of the impact of the virus and make it easier for us to keep our economy open and enable us to continue our lives with some degree of normalcy.”

Dr. Darville said the Ministry of Health and Wellness earlier this week started the first phase of the booster shot roll out for individuals who are 60 years and old, who are fully vaccinated, and the second phase will include healthcare providers, front line workers and uniformed branch personnel, followed by all eligible citizens and residents over the age of 18 years.

“This is great news and we encourage Bahamians everywhere to capitalize on this vaccine opportunity,” he said. (CMC)

science and math teacher before quickly moving up the administrative ranks, becoming a principal before moving to the district office where he was the district's spokesman and an assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent.

His 2008 hiring in Miami revealed that Carvalho had been exchanging explicit emails with a former Miami Herald reporter. He denied an affair, but conceded that the exchanges were inappropriate.

He earned numerous accolades during his tenure, including being named Superintendent of the Year in 2014 by the national superintendents association. In 2018, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio named him as education chancellor of the nation's largest school district, but Carvalho backed out of the deal the next day. He said Thursday that New York's lure was that it was where he arrived in the United States, but it became apparent quickly that it did not have all the elements necessary for him to succeed. He did not elaborate.

Carvalho said Thursday he is proud of his time in Miami. He said when he took over as superintendent, the graduation rate was 58% and dozens of schools received D and F grades from the state. Nine inner-city schools were threatened by the state with closure. The district says its current graduation rate is 93% and has no D or F schools.

“Alberto Carvalho brings the deep experience we need as an educator and leader of a large urban district to manage L.A. Unified's ongoing response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Board President Kelly Gonez said in a statement. “As the longtime Miami-Dade Superintendent, he established a clear record of positive student outcomes and has relentlessly worked towards greater equity for historically underserved communities. I

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Morris's call comes more than one week aer Bajan superstar and billionaire Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty was conferred the Order of National Hero in Barbados.

rebellions like some of our most beloved national heroes but he was a reggae pioneer.

Through his music, he led a rebellion against all factions that perpetuated inequality and systems that exclusively favoured the haves. He withstood institutionalised classism becoming a hero among the have-nots.”

Bob Marley is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time, and his brand has become a symbol of peace and unity. In 1981, just months after he died of cancer, Marley received the third-highest honor from the Jamaican government -- the Order of Merit.

Jimmy Cliff, another legendary reggae musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has also been conferred the Order of Merit. As has Louise Bennett-Coverley/“Miss Lou”, the legendary folklorist and actress who is often cited as the forerunner of dub poetry.

Meanwhile, Usain Bolt was conferred with the Order of Jamaica, the island's fourthhighest honour, in 2009. Although retired, Bolt still holds the title of the world's fastest man and is considered the greatest track athlete of all time.

from A8

know he will continue that focus in Los Angeles, and he is ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”

The school board said it had unanimously voted to select Carvalho as the next superintendent but still needed to finalize his contract, which would be voted on Dec. 14.

In Los Angeles, Carvalho succeeds Austin Beutner, who stepped down as superintendent in June at the end of his three-year contract, after steering the school system through the early stages of the pandemic and a full year of distance learning, while all schools were closed to in-person classes.

Since Beutner's departure the district has been managed by Interim Superintendent Megan Reilly.

Carvalho arrives in Los Angeles at a critical moment, as the district that serves about 600,000 students finds itself flush with funding from state and federal COVID-19 relief money but still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic, including learning losses and declining enrollment.

Carvalho and several other Florida superintendents sparred this year with Gov. Ron

DeSantis over their imposition of mask mandates to combat the state's then-rapid spread of COVID-19. DeSantis, through his education commissioner, banned mandates, saying that should be left to parents. He cut funding to some districts that defied him.

But Carvalho and others refused to yield, saying masks protected students, teachers and staff. Carvalho dropped Miami-Dade's mandate last month as the state's infection rate dropped and a judge upheld DeSantis' power to allow parents to decide for their students.

Mask mandates remain in effect in all California public schools, and Carvalho will be arriving in Los Angeles as the school district becomes one of the first in California to put a student vaccine mandate into effect in midJanuary for all children 12 and older.

Carvalho said that when he arrives in Los Angeles, he plans to spend some time learning the district and its culture.

“Certainly, I will bring my personal philosophy but at the same time I will listen carefully to the culture, to the tradition, to the practices of Los Angeles,” he said.

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CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 –

C1

SPORTS CRICKET

Windies Brace for Difficult Pakistan Test After COVID Hits Camp Beleaguered West Indies will attempt to shake off the disruption of four positive COVID-19 cases in their camp and refocus their attention.

The Caribbean side arrived last Thursday but saw their preparations rocked after the trio of Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers tested positive and were ruled out of the entire series, which comprises three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.

The fourth positive case is a non-coaching member of the support staff.

Captain Nicholas Pooran, who will oversee the series in the absence of the injured Kieron Pollard, said while the developments were “unfortunate”, West Indies would look the most of the situation by getting the best out of the remaining players.

“It's unfortunate that a couple guys got COVID. Anyone can get it so it's a little bit unfortunate,” Pooran said in Sunday's media conference.

“Selectors, coaches, we had original plans of what the XI was going to look like – who's going to play and who's not going to play.

“But in saying that, other guys are going to get the opportunity to showcase their talent and their ability and I'm looking forward to seeing those guys take their opportunity.”

He continued: “Obviously it's a rebuilding stage for us now. It's unfortunate that we don't have other senior players here but I'm very excited for one to see this new group of players get on to that cricket field.

“I believe they're a lot of talented players here, a lot of special players especially when it

“It's unfortunate that a couple guys got COVID. Anyone can get it so it's a lile bit unfortunate....

I believe they're a lot of talented players here, a lot of special players especially when it comes to the shorter form of the game.

For me, I'm looking forward to see us play together and sticking to our plans as much as possible and being hungry for success.”

Nicholas Pooran West Indies Captain

comes to the shorter form of the game.

“For me, I'm looking forward to see us play together and sticking to our plans as much as possible and being hungry for success.”

The squad is a new look one, marked by a plethora of changes following a failed T20 World Cup title defence in the United Arab Emirates last month.

Missing are the likes of the retired Dwayne Bravo, veteran Chris Gayle who has also hinted at retirement, ageing seamer Ravi Rampaul, along with the quartet of Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons, who are unavailable due to “personal reasons”.

And with all-rounder

Jason Holder rested and Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy recovering from injury, West Indies will be fielding an inexperienced unit.

However, Pooran said there were several younger players who he backed to step up and play important roles during the series.

“We have many players. When it comes to all-rounders, there's Odean Smith, there's Romario Shepherd, Dominica Drakes – these are three young all-rounders and they are very, very talented,” Pooran pointed out.

“We just saw what they did in the recent T20 tournament (in Abu Dhabi) and even at CPL so there's a lot of talent there.

“I know [Bravo] has been grooming them and I'm happy to see them on a cricket field when they get that opportunity and I know they are going to take full advantage of it and everyone will be proud of them.”

The fortunes of the two teams could not be more different heading into the series. While West Indies finished one from bottom of their group at the T20 World Cup and failed to qualify for the final four, Pakistan played unbeaten before losing in the semi-finals.

Pakistan, who beat West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year, also followed up by sweeping Bangladesh 3-0 in Dhaka last month.

“Obviously Pakistan are playing really good.

They had a really good World Cup – actually a very good 2021,” Pooran conceded.

“But in saying that, it's T20 cricket and you always have a chance in it … and in T20 cricket, it's anyone's game. It just takes one individual to have a brilliant game and that can turn the results in our favour.”

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C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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SPORTS

SOCCER

TRACK & FIELD

Hall Wants Boyz to Strike Fear into CONCACAF Rivals Interim Reggae Boyz Head Coach Paul Hall believes that with the requisite commitment from the players and a shift to a more front-foot approach, Jamaica could pose a serious threat to all and sundry for the remainder of the qualifiers.

Speaking from his England base via a Zoom presser, Hall, who was last week selected by the Jamaica Football Federation to replace Theodore Whitmore for the remainder of the FIFA CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, sounded like a man clear in his mind of the magnitude of the task at hand and how he plans to execute same.

“The pressure is there, we know what we have to do. There is no hiding away from the fact that we need to pick up points. I believe that we’ve got the players to be able to pick up those points and really strike fear into the rest of the CONCACAF group, said Hall.

He added: “The squad must be committed; that’s one thing that I’ve always shown and I would expect commitment from each and every player.”

Though the 49-year-old appears to have clarity on how he wants his team to play, he’s very much cognizant that for now, maximising points is what really matters.

“We are looking for results and we are just picking a team and a squad that is going to get us results. However, I do like to press really high, I do like to make sure that the team is attack-minded, and we like to pass the ball around, possession-based play. How much of that we can get out in the short term is going to be down to the work we do beforehand, but tactically we are looking to press and counter-press and hopefully in the five phases of the game try to dominate the opposition.”

The Reggae Boy legend who also works as Head Coach of the Queens Park Rangers Under-23 squad also explained that it was not easy to change a team’s personality overnight.

“It’s the way how you ask the players to play, so you are asking them to play a certain way. We have got players who can receive the ball and keep the ball in deep-lying midfield areas. We’ve just got to make sure that we create the situations for us to be able to not lose the ball, and focus on that and really focus on keeping the ball. The opposition have the answers, don’t they? If they come on a high press you might have to go around it or you might have to go over it.

If they want to keep their team central you go around the press and if they go wide we can go through the press.”

Hall, who played as a forward in his days, hinted that his philosophy is to try to win the ball back as quickly as possible, get his players up the pitch in a controlled manner with intricate ball

C3

“I really do believe that this group of players can respond to that pressure and really make it difficult for teams to play, especially in Jamaica. We’ve got four out of six games at home and we want to be able to make it a fortress and a difficult place for them (opponents) to come.” – Hall movement.

“I like to build play, I like to get the midfield players on the halfturn, playing forward.

Hall was appointed assistant head coach in June just prior to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament in the US. He has been with Whitmore for the first eight games where Jamaica currently sit in sixth place on seven points, only ahead of El Salvador on six and Honduras on three points.

The group is being led by Canada on 16 points, followed by the United States on 15, Mexico and Panama on 14 and Costa Rica on nine points in the eight-team final round.

Elaine ThompsonHerah Nominated for BBC Sports Star Award Jamaican Olympic triple gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah is going up against an American football legend, an international tennis player, a contender for a Formula 1 championship and a female Irish jockey who created history for the BBC's World Sport Star of the Year 2021 award.

Fresh on the heels of being named Female World Athlete of the Year, she was announced as one of the six nominees for the award that goes to the world sports star whose sporting achievements have most captured the public's imagination during 2021.

The other contenders are: American football legend Tom Brady who this year extended his record of Super Bowl wins to seven; Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic who sealed victories at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year; Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen who is seeking his first World Championship in a tight competition with his Mercedes rival, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton; Rachael Blackmore who became the first female rider to win the Grand National at Aintree and the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival; and Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez, who became the first undisputed super-middleweight champion of all time just last month.

Thompson-Herah made history as the first woman to complete the Olympic sprint 'doubledouble' and became the second-fastest ever woman in both events, behind only Florence GriffithJoyner, as she took gold in the 100m and 200m.

The 29-year-old sprinter successfully defended her Rio titles despite being hampered by an Achilles tendon injury for several seasons.

Voting for the BBC's World Sport Star of the Year 2021 closed on December 14. The award will be presented during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show live on December 19.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 16 – DEC 22, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T