Caribbean National Weekly November 18, 2021

THE MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED CARIBBEAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN FLORIDA

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2021

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TOP STORIES

You Are Not the Father

CherlusMcCormick Wins Congressional Race

by Five Votes

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MP Calls for Mandatory DNA Paternity Testing to Fix Jamaica's Paternity Fraud Problem

‘Unparalleled Experiences’ Await Fans for 2024 T20 World Cup, says CEO Grave Fully Vaccinated Travelers Will No Longer Have to Quarantine in Jamaica

25 Percent of Jamaican Fathers Raising a “Jacket”

Teejay Trends With ‘Escobar’ On YouTube

See story on B4 – Raising a “Jacket”

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Showered with Accolades in Miramar Florida Pocket Rocket Foundation Well-Supported Eight-time Olympic medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was showered with accolades in Miramar on Tuesday by county, city, and consulate officials. The second fastest woman alive was given keys to the city of Miramar, keys to Broward County, and a lifetime achievement award by the Jamaican consulate.

Tuesday November 16 was also proclaimed Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Day, by the city of Miramar government.

Fraser-Pryce was in town as special guest of Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis, who was hosting a fundraising event for the Olympian's Pocket Rocket Foundation. Both women are alumni of Wolmer's High School in Kingston.

Scores of Jamaicans were in attendance and based on the auction figures, $7,650.00 was raised.

Attendees were also encouraged to donate via the foundation's website, so it is likely that much more went into the coffers of the foundation.

continues on B4 – Showered with Accolades

St Kitts-Nevis Opens Embassy in Abu Dhabi Courts, Local Government Ease COVID Restrictions in Florida Belize’s Public Service Union Criticizes Gov’t Barbados Opens World’s First Digital Embassy

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

CARIBBEAN

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Meet the First Haitian-American Democratic Woman in Congress A3

Son of St Lucia's First Chief Minister Becomes GovernorGeneral A4

Dancehall Star Konshens Releases New Album ‘Red Reign’ C1

Marsh, Warner Guide Aussies to First-ever World Cup Title C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 Miramar City Manager Whi ngham Gordon is surrounded by members of the Miramar Police Department including Interim Police Chief, Leonard Burgess (far right) at the State of the City Address on November 10, 2021. – Contributed

DJ Steelie Bashment (l) and Richie D from Jamaica pose for the cameras at Jerk Fete held on Sunday at Vizcaya Park in Miramar. Over 500 patrons turned up for the event. – Photo by Terrence McPherson

Tyrone, DJ Radcliffe, Daniel from Carib x and Marco Brown enjoying the fes vi es at Jerk Fete in Vizcaya Park, Miramar. – Photo by Terrence McPherson

The dominoes tables were busy all night at the City of Sunrise free Cultural Fes val held at City Park on Sunset Strip. More than 2,000 residents took part – Photo by Terrence McPherson

These ladies were having a blast Jerk Fete held on Sunday at Vizcaya Park in Miramar. – Photo by Terrence McPherson

Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce fixing her auc oned wig on the head of the highest bidder, Miramar mayor, Wayne Messam. Enjoying the moment are Jamaica's Consul General Oliver Mair (le ) and master of cermonies Steve Higgns.

Occasion was the Pocket Rocket Fundraising event on November 16th in Miramar. – Contributed

City of Miramar staff joins Mayor Wayne Messam at the 2021 State of the City Address on November 10, 2021. (From L to R): Giovanni Cas glione, Anicia Browning Thomas, Lorna Walker, Mayor Wayne Messam, Edna LaRoche-Labrousse, Natasha Babulal and Andres Hernandez. – Contributed

Chief Strategist and Adviser, Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, and (from second le ) Jamaica Tourist Board Execu ves - Christopher Wright, Francine Carter Henry, and Phillip Rose, showcase Jamaica’s Gold and Silver awards received at the 2021 Travvy Awards held at the Miami Beach Conven on Center on November 11. – Contributed

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MARIJUANA.

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NEWSMAKER Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

The First Democratic Haitian-American in Congress The third time is the charm for Haitian-American health care executive Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who defeated 10 other candidates to win the Democratic nomination in U.S. House district 20 congressional race.

After unofficial results from the November 2nd primaries showed a razor-thin margin between her and Jamaican-American Broward Commissioner Dale Holness, the votes were recounted last Friday. The 42-year-old CherfilusMcCormick maintained her five-vote margin after the final recount to become the party's nomination in the January 11th special election.

Thompsin-Herah The Democratic primary earlier this month was a special election for the seat long held by the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in April.

Sheila Cherlus-McCormick with husband Corlie and her two children.

Cherfilus-McCormick issued a statement on Twitter claiming victory after the recount. “I am of heavy television and digital advertising, Cherfilus-McCormick will now go proud to be recognized tonight finally as the among other promotional avenues. She up against Jason Mariner, the Democratic nominee for Florida's 20th garnered a total of 11,662 votes to 11,657 for Congressional District following Alcee Hastings' Holness.

Republican party's pick, in the legacy of fighting for the rights and welfare of the The democratic candidate will now go up general election slated for January common person,” she said. against Jason Mariner, the Republican party's It was her third time contesting the seat for pick, in the general election slated for January 11, 11, 2022. But given that the district District 20, which covers sections of Broward 2022. But given that the district is heavily is heavily Democratic, Cherfilusand Palm Beach - home to a large number of Democratic, Cherfilus-McCormick is already Caribbean immigrants. She wrestled with the McCormick is already being being dubbed as the likely winner and would late Alcee Hastings on two previous occasions, thus become the second Haitian-American to dubbed as the likely winner and losing by 34,928 votes in August 2020 and have a seat in the U.S. Congress. The first was 33,931 in 2018. This time around, Cherfiluswould thus become the second Republican Mia Love, who served as a Utah McCormick loaned her campaign more than congresswoman between 2015 and 2019.

Haitian-American to have a seat in $3.7 million and far outspent the other Cherfilus-McCormick was born in Brooklyn the U.S. Congress.

Democrats in the race. Her campaign consisted in 1979 to parents from Haiti and raised in

Queens. She moved to Florida at 13 to attend high school. She earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in political science and government from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from the St. Thomas University School of Law. In addition, she completed extensive coursework toward an MBA from the University of Maryland University College.

After graduating from college, CherfilusMcCormick served as a project manager for the New York City Transit Authority. In 1999, she launched her career with Trinity Health Care Services, an in-home health care provider that works across the state of Florida. After several promotions, Sheila was named Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Counsel of the company in 2010.

In 2018, Cherfilus-McCormick became the first Haitian American woman to run for Congress in Broward and Palm Beach County.

Although she did not win the Primary, she secured close to 30 percent of the votes within a three-month period and had spent only $30,000.

Shelia married lawyer Corlie McCormick in 2017. The couple lived in Miramar, Florida. Prior to getting married, she was a single mother for twelve years. During that time, she raised her daughter alone while putting herself through law school. Her daughter also had a learning disability.

In the Spring of 2019, Sheila was recognized as Miramar's Progressive Woman of the Year.

She is one of the Founding members of the Cherfilus & McCormick Foundation.

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CARIBBEAN

Barbados Adjusts Curfew Hours

Grenada Removes Mandatory Quarantine for Arriving Passengers Grenada says it will allow fully vaccinated passengers to enter the island without having to undergo the 48-hour quarantine as the island moves gradually to relax its measures.

A statement from the Ministry of Health said that the new measure comes into effect on November 15 and that passengers will be allowed into Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, once they are “fully vaccinated with a World Health Organisation (WHO) approved vaccine no less than two weeks before travel.

“Passengers will also be required to take a COVID-19 Antigen test,” the ministry added.

Meanwhile, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) said it expects at least 65 cruise calls in the upcoming cruise season after welcoming its first cruise ship call this week.

It said that the re-opening of the cruise ship sector comes “at a time when travel to the Caribbean holds the most appeal to both the US and European markets due to the warm weather and the multitude of excursion options available on the island”.

The GTA said that it has been making preparatory steps for the re-entry of cruise ships by embarking on a series of conversations with tourism stakeholders of all sectors to allow for open dialogue and clear messaging on the way forward.

It said that all passengers disembarking from the visiting cruise ships will be 100 percent vaccinated, except children below the age of 14, and will have to comply with the extremely thorough and rigorous protocols that have been put in place.

It said bubbled tours have been implemented to secure the safety of all which entails fully vaccinated frontline teams, wearing of masks, deep and consistent sanitization, social distancing and the ability to contact trace.

The GTA said that the positive impacts of the return of cruise ships to Grenada's ports of call will be felt throughout the island, giving a much-needed boost to the taxi and transportation sector, tour operators, local craft vendors, artisans and restaurants. The far-reaching impacts of this revitalization will also aid in the sustainability of agriculture.

“It has been by no means an easy task to get to this point but we subscribe to the mantra that there are no shortcuts and have therefore worked closely and responsibly with our chief medical officer to the development and implementation of a framework of protocols for the safe resumption of cruising,” said GTA chief executive officer, Petra Roach, adding “we commit to remaining diligent in ensuring that these protocols are adhered to”.

The government of Barbados has announced an adjustment to the hours of the curfew that was imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In making the announcement on Saturday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the curfew will be moved from 9 p.m. (local time) to midnight starting on Monday.

Speaking at a COVID-19 update, the Prime Minister said that following consultation with various stakeholders, it has been agreed that the curfew hours will be shortened and reviewed after four weeks, during which persons will still be encouraged to be vaccinated and maintain the protocols.

“The easing of the curfew is no excuse for people to abandon the protocols and to abandon in particular maskwearing or the other things that are necessary to keep us safe.

We also recognize that parallel to what we are doing here, that as I said, we will expand and roll out the Safety Zones such that persons can feel more comfortable in doing what they have to do.”

She told reported that the concessions regarding the curfews, is in response to several requests from across the country.

“And we hope that whether it is in Oistins where the cries from those vendors were greatest, or whether it was in Baxter's Road, or whether it is in restaurants that Barbadians have been going to, or whether it is for persons for whatever reason playing individual sports may want to play a little later in the evening.”

The Prime Minister reminded Barbadians that the pandemic is a marathon and that “while the country is at a stage where the seriousness of the pandemic is accepted, the fact remains that there are other critical issues that have to be continues on B4 – Curfew Hours

Son of St Lucia's First Chief Minister Becomes Governor-General The son of St Lucia's first chief minister has been appointed acting Governor-General of St. Lucia, according to an official statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

It said that Britain's Queen Elizabeth had approved the appointment of Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, whose father, George Frederick Lawrence Charles, was the founding member of the now ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and served as chief minister from 1960-64.

The statement said that the new acting head of state, was sworn in at the Official Residence of the Governor-General on Thursday, and that during his professional career which spanned over 30 years, served in the public service in various capacities, the longest being as a tax professional within the Department of Inland Revenue for more than 25 years.

Charles replaces Sir Neville Cenac who demitted office on October 31. He had been to the post in January 2018.

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Talk Up!

TALKUP

What has been the most challenging part of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most significant global crises in almost 100 years. From an increase in poverty, widescale migration issues, rising unemployment and so much more, the ripple effects of the pandemic are currently being felt and will be for years to come. And on an individual level, people around the world have had to deal with their own personal challenges, brought on by COVID-19. We asked some of our readers what was the most challenging part of the pandemic for them. Here are the responses:

ENROLL IN 10 MINUTES!

Tara Herman: The most challenging part of the pandemic for me was being confident in bringing my kids out in public knowing that I am making them susceptible to a virus that actually could kill them. Of course, at the time there was no vaccine available for them as of yet so I really felt like good cop/bad cop because although I wanted to bring them out to socialize like for organizational sports teams, it was at a cost of their health.

Natalie W. - Working in retail was the hardest part of the pandemic for me, I was not being able to receive the support of my shoppers because we were on lockdown. So due to the fact that we were on lockdown, sales went down and I found myself falling behind on bills and rent. I'm happy that now we're coming out of it.

Alexis McCall - The hardest part has not been confinement and social isolation. It's been watching the news that tens of thousands of people have died from this coronavirus, many more are dying today, and tens of thousands will perish in the next month. The thought of their families and friends grieving and millions of others who are looking down the barrel of financial ruin only worsens feelings of depression and doom.

Tony Wright - The hardest part is feeling like you're not being compensated for being essential, while non-essential workers stay home and receive extra money, are able to work from home (in many cases), and have extra time with their families, with less risk to themselves or their families.

Micah Lenin - Becoming a parent was the hardest part of the pandemic for me. Not being able to go to doctor visits to hear the baby's heartbeat, not having a traditional baby shower with loved ones and not having our parents see the baby face-to-face was all a lot to deal with and heartbreaking at times.

Thank God for visual communication, it got us all through those tough times. Chrystal Smith - The hardest part of the pandemic has been the uncertainty of the virus itself. In the beginning, everyone was just so scared and panicking all the time. I was afraid to go out because you just didn't know who had it. Even now, when there are spikes, its still scary. Yes, there are vaccinations now, but no one wants to get COVID19.

Joseph Hall – The most challenging part of the pandemic has been not being able to connect with loved ones like we should. I feel like I’ve lost touch with many people in my life since this pandemic began. I don't usually go out so when it comes to socializing or partying I didn’t miss out on anything there.

I’m good chilling at home. It was almost a blessing in that regard.

Jihan Karim – For me it’s taking the vaccine.

Because of the lack of understanding that there are those of us who are not ready to take it, and the segregation this has inevitably caused. Its appalling how those who took the vaccine and are supposedly “safe” from the virus, are shunning people who haven’t taken it. It’s uncaring to think that even though you are safe, you feel the need to criticize the unvaccinated.

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EDITORIAL

Are We On A Rebound?

5 Facts on the Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic

by BROOKINGS.EDU

Fact 1: In the second quarter of 2021, GDP returned to its pre-pandemic level.

Since the economy hit bottom in the second quarter of 2020, economic growth has surpassed consensus expectations formed at the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, in the second quarter of 2021 real GDP exceeded its pre-pandemic level.

T

he covid pandemic has caused innumerous damage to the lives and the economies of our Caribbean countries. In March, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that “Many Caribbean countries risk becoming COVID-19 economic long-haulers,” meaning lingering economic challenges for over forty-four million people. The IMF noted that “With annual hotel stays plummeting by 70 percent and cruise ship travel completely halted, tourism-dependent countries contracted by 9.8 percent in 2020.” It further stated that “Commodity exporters in the region (Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, and Guyana) were less affected and saw a mild contraction of 0.2 percent.”

The pandemic has caused major dislocation and inconvenience for people. Almost every country implemented, lockdowns, curfews, and measures to prevent movement and crowd gathering. Some nation saw successes but nothing sizeable enough to move the comfort level far enough.

In recent week, several Caribbean countries have begun to loosen the grip on people movement and gathering. Trinidad approved a motion to end their state of emergency, Barbados adjusted curfew hours, Grenada removed mandatory quarantine for arriving passengers, and Jamaica reduced its curfew hours. More countries now have better access to vaccines and are pushing heavily to get their citizens to get the jab so that incidence of sickness and death can be reduced.

Earlier this month, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicate that covid-19 cases are trending down in member countries, but warned that “progress in our region is not a reason to become complacent or discontinue the public health measures that help keep us safe.”

With all these activities and results, is it looking like a rebound? Just this week, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Nicola Madden-Greig, predicted a stronger winter rebound for regional tourism, based on strong health protocols in place and the increase in air service to several destinations across the Caribbean. In addition, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), “the Caribbean is recovering faster than any other region in the world with tourism's contribution to GDP expected to rise more than 47 per cent this year.”

This is certainly good news for the Caribbean, where majority of the countries depend on tourism for survival. We implore citizens to walk cautiously with these results and predictions. We ask that everyone focus on the actions that will improve our lives and our country's economic situations. While the worst may be behind us, the journey is not yet over. Now is when the strongest and best efforts are needed to maintain and improve the efforts and results of the past. Let us remain steadfast in our actions and help ourselves back to a time when our worries were not so existential.

Fact 2: The number of job openings and the number of workers quitting their jobs is higher now than in the past 20 years.

Despite job openings being their highest since the end of 2000 (the earliest available data), several factors are holding down employment gains. One factor is that the share of workers quitting jobs each month is at a series high. Moreover, in the current environment the composition of labor demand is changing, and workers may be taking time to move from temporary jobs they took during the pandemic.

Fact 3: Retail inventories are unsustainably low.

Through August 2021, much of the consumer demand for goods has been met by drawdowns of inventory. The retail inventory-tosales ratio spiked at the beginning of the pandemic when spending plummeted. Since then, however, the ratio has fallen precipitously.

This is particularly true for the automotive sector, where shortages of semiconductors have constrained production.

Fact 4: There were more new business applications and fewer bankruptcies in 2020 and 2021 than in 2018 and 2019.

Newly created businesses appear to be a major source of production of the goods and services that households are demanding. Since the summer of 2020, we have seen the highest level of applications since the agency began to track the series in 2004. Applications have perhaps reflected new business opportunities in the wake of the pandemic.

Fact 5: Millions of workers are no longer eligible for Unemployment Insurance.

Over the summer of 2021 in some states, and in the first week of September 2021 in the remainder of states, enhanced UI expired.

That set of policies had significantly expanded eligibility to workers not covered by regular UI (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance [PUA]), extended the number of weeks that a worker could receive UI (Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation [PEUC]), and increased the generosity of benefits (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation [FPUC]). Prior to the CARES Act, which created PUA, PEUC, and FPUC, only 30 percent of workers were eligible for unemployment compensation.

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A7

la section haitienne

Americans Urged to Leave Haiti Amid Political Crises

Curfew Hours from A4

addressed to allow people to live and support their families and to continue to keep their businesses afloat.”

“Against that backdrop, I encourage all Barbadians to continue to walk with us in that direction in which you have been walking. I made the point that literally, since the middle of August we have done exceptionally well in being able to increase the vaccination rates. We would like to see it go further.”

Meanwhile – the Prime Minister also called for aN expansion of mobile testing sites in communities and has asked officials in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to “look to see how else we can go into the nooks and crannies of this nation to give persons that sense of comfort that they can have access to these matters”.

She reported that Barbadians had been very responsive to Government's vaccination efforts, and disclosed that 66.3 percent, or two out of every three people over the age of 12, had taken the vaccine.

Congressional Maps

Scenes from a local Gas Station in Port-au-Prince, Haiti over the weekend.

from A8

The United States government is urging American citizens to leave Haiti now while they can still get flights, as the Caribbean nation remains in crisis.

Fuel shortages, gang violence and political instability that have intensified since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July have been affecting the country.

Gangs have blocked fuel distribution terminals for several weeks, impacting hospitals, transportation and electricity and other services.

In a security alert issued last week Wednesday, the US Department of State

urged US citizens to “carefully consider the risks of traveling to or remaining in Haiti in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges”.

“Widespread fuel shortages may limit essential services in an emergency, including access to banks, money transfers, urgent medical care, internet and telecommunications, and public and private transportation options. The US Embassy is unlikely to be able to assist US citizens in Haiti with departure if commercial options become unavailable. Seats on commercial flights currently remain available.”

The Canadian government issued a similar warning, noting that while the Toussaint-Louverture International Airport is still operational for now, it may be affected on short notice.

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“Some hospitals don't have enough fuel to provide adequate health care services. Tap water and bottled water are in short supply, and supplies of perishable goods may decrease quickly,” it said on Wednesday.

“The situation is deteriorating and evolving quickly. If you're in Haiti and your presence isn't essential, consider leaving if you can do so safely. If you choose to remain in Haiti, plan carefully to ensure you have essential items.”

Last week, Doctors Without Borders warned that the shortages have forced it to reduce medical care, with staff treating only patients with life-threatening conditions.

The aid group said its hospital and emergency center would run out of fuel for generators in three weeks or less if new supplies do not arrive.

approved constitutional amendment, the process is far from over. The House also has to propose maps, and senators can decide to scrap its staff recommendations and approve completely different maps.

The Senate has vowed to follow the constitution, which requires contiguous districts that aren’t drawn to favor a political party or incumbent. That promise was made after a three-year court battle the last time the state drew political maps.

The state Supreme Court threw out the Republican-led Legislature’s maps, which were drawn with the help of state Republican party consultants. This year, the Senate said staff only consulted with lawyers in producing the draft maps.

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY

Last Three Florida School Districts Drop Student Mask Mandates The last three school districts in Florida that required at least some students to wear masks are dropping their mandates for student facial coverings Since Friday, grade school students in Miami-Dade schools were allowed opt out of wearing a mask if they have their parents' permission. Masks already had been optional for high school and some middle school students.

In neighboring Broward County, all students can go without masks starting this week. No opt-out form from parents is required, though the school district is strongly encouraging students to wear facial coverings, according to the Miami Herald.

Masks already were optional for high school and technical college students.

In Alachua County, home to the University of Florida, masks will be optional, provided parents have given their consent starting in early January when students return from winter break, The Gainesville Sun reported.

The three school districts were among eight Florida districts that had implemented mask mandates in defiance of the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state's health department imposed a rule ordering districts to allow the parents the choice of whether their children wear masks.

The fight between the districts and the state resulted in docked school board salaries, withholding of district funding and had drawn the attention of federal education officials. A judge ruled last week that DeSantis was within his authority to allow parents to opt out of mask mandates.

Separately, the Archdiocese of Miami on Thursday said it would ease mask rules at its elementary schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. Starting Monday, students will be allowed to opt out of wearing masks if they are fully vaccinated. Masks have been optional for fully vaccinated students and teachers in high schools since the beginning of the academic year.

Commissioner Barnes Won’t Lose Job for Attending Meetings Remotely in Miramar 73-year-old city commissioner Winston Barnes will keep his job after a colleague withdrew a motion to oust him for attending meetings remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioner Barnes had attended meetings virtually since May 20, 2020, before returning to the chambers in October, when he shared his medical conditions and said a family member remains hospitalized in a coma, the South Florida SunSentinel reported.

Before withdrawing his motion to oust his colleague, Commissioner Maxwell Chambers said staff had tried their best to provide a safe environment, including plexiglass shields and mask requirements in the chamber.

“When you’re here to do the people’s business, you have to be responsible, that’s why we are here … We all came back, staff came back, and there’s no excuse,” Chambers said.

Barnes, meanwhile, filed a motion to fire City Attorney Burnadette Norris-Weeks after asking for her legal opinion on whether commissioners must attend meetings in person and not online. Her resulting memo said that a failure to attend for three consecutive months can justify removing the person from office.

A letter from Barnes’ lawyer said he had been marked “present” in the minutes for each meeting he logged into from May 20, 2020, through Sept. 1, 2021, and that he was never told he may be violating the city charter for participating virtually.

Barnes said Monday that the city attorney “literally set me up” by not telling him he needed to physically be in the chambers.

The commissioners ultimately decided Norris-Weeks should remain in her role, and Chambers withdrew his motion.

Maxwell Chambers and Winston Barnes were two of three Commissioners of Jamaican descent who were re-elected for a new term of office this past March. Barnes, who has been serving as a city commissioner in Miramar since 2003, had a commanding lead over his three challengers with 60.56 percent of the votes.

Florida Takes First Step in Drawing New Congressional Maps Florida took its first step in drawing new political maps on Wednesday, and other than adding a new congressional district in a Republican area of the state, Senate staff proposed maps aren’t overtly gerrymandered.

The Senate released four staff-produced maps that carve out Florida’s new congressional district in an area between Tampa and Orlando, but otherwise left most districts intact beyond necessary changes to add what will be the state’s 28th congressional district. Florida’s population growth of 2.7 million new residents between 2010 and 2020 led to the new seat in the once-everydecade redistricting process.

While the maps appear to adhere to a votercontinues on B4 – Congressional Maps

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COMMUNITY

Sunrise Cultural Festival a Success!

Piper’s Marching Band energized the crowd at the City of Sunrise’s free Cultural Fes val, held at City Park on Sunset Strip. – photo by Terrence McPherson

More than 2,000 residents took part in the City of Sunrise’s free Cultural Festival, held at City Park on Sunset Strip. Food trucks offered a variety of dinner options, and there was plenty of entertainment. In addition to live music by Reggae Force and Florida Latin Beat, the event featured performances by Wild Bulls Dance Group, Encore Dance, Serenity Center for the Arts, and Lee Koon Hung Kung Fu. The Piper High School Marching Band and the Village Elementary School Step Team also thrilled the crowd. To find out about upcoming events in the City of Sunrise, visit www.sunrisefl.gov.

Jerk Fete, Was All That And More!

The organizers of Jerk Fete delivered as promised last Sunday, treating fans to an array of Jerk delicacies that tantalize the tastebud. Attendees were also treated to a varied selection of music that satisfied the endearing crowd, custom cocktails, and drink concoctions to stimulate the mood topped off with a designer decorated setting that created a perfect fete ambiance.

Over 500 patrons turned out at Vizcaya Park in Miramar to experience what was dubbed as an alternative event to the annual staging of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival which was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DJs Steelie Bashment from New York, Colin Hines and Richie D from Jamaica and DJ Radcliffe from South Florida were all pretty much on point. However, it was the veteran Steelie Bashment who stole the show with his wide selection of music and canny interaction with the audience as he kept them clamoring for more.

Cherfilus-McCormick Wins Florida Congressional Race

by Five Votes A health care executive, Sheila CherfilusMcCormick, won the Democratic nomination to replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, carrying the race by five votes over a Broward County commissioner in a victory the statecertified Tuesday.

Cherlus-McCormick

Cherfilus-McCormick win comes two weeks after the special election primary in which the recount declared that she received 11,662 votes compared with 11,657 for Dale Holness, according to the certification.

She will be a heavy favorite to defeat the Republican nominee, businessman Jason Mariner, in the Jan. 11 election as Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 4-to-1 margin in U.S. House District 20, which covers portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Hastings spent 27 years in Congress before he died of cancer in April. January’s winner will serve the final year of the term and will have to seek reelection in November 2022.

Cherfilus-McCormick, 39, loaned her campaign more than $3.7 million and far outspent the other nine Democrats in the race. She has spent more than a decade as CEO of Trinity Health Care Services, which provides in-home care. She is a married mother of two.

“This is an exciting time for our district,” CherfilusMcCormick said in a statement. “It was imperative that our district has someone who understands and represents the unique complexities of our culturally diverse community. I appreciate everyone who supported me in this process and now it’s time to get to work.”

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

STRICTLY LEGAL

Immigrants Can Now Apply For A Social Security Card When Applying For Residency The USCIS has made some significant improvements in streamlining processes and procedures, including issuing many work permits for two years instead of one and allowing students to apply for work permits online, among many other changes.

In one of the most recent policy enhancements, the USCIS is simplifying the process for residency applicants to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement cards. Up to now, residency applicants who wanted to obtain a social security card were required to file an application for work authorization during the process and wait for the work permit to be issued and social security card to arrive around the same time.

Under the new policy, the USCIS will electronically transmit the residency applicant's data to the Social Security Administration, which will then automatically assign each immigrant an SSN and card, or issue a replacement card, as appropriate. There will be no additional fee for this service.

To take advantage of this new option, applicants must use the new updated residency form I-485 with the edition date of 03/29/21. However, applicants should still be able to apply for a SSN by using form I-765 application for work authorization in order to obtain a SSN earlier, once the work permit is issued.

USCIS Temporarily Extends The Validity Period of Medical Reports The USCIS has announced that medical examination and vaccination records required for residency cases will temporarily be extended from two years to four years.

This change is due to processing delays which have caused medical reports to expire due to long USCIS processing times. As such, medical reports (form I-693) in sealed envelopes will be considered to be valid as long as: lThe civil surgeon's signature is dated no more than 60 days before the applicant filed Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status lNo more than four years have passed since the date of the civil surgeon's signature.

The USCIS is also now encouraging immigrants to include medical examination reports with applications filed to adjust status (form I-485), to prevent delays caused by having to issue a request for evidence (RFE) for the I-693.

IMMIGRATION

QA

Question: I came here to the us with my husband in 2000 on a tourist visa and we inadvertently overstayed.

We had filed to request an extension of our visa, but by the time we got the immigration paper, the time had already expired. In Jan. 2001, our son was born here in the U.S. and he will turn 21 this coming Jan. He plans to file for our green cards. The problem is that we have moved quite a few times during the past years and find that we are unable to locate the immigration card that we got when we went through immigration at the airport in 2000. If we cant find it, will you still be able to file for our green cards once the time comes next year? If not, what other options do we have?

&

Answer: Unfortunately, what you are experiencing is a very common problem. Immigration regulations require that an immigrant prove that he or she entered the U.S. legally. The card you are referring to is technically called an I-94 “Arrival/Departure” card which used to be issued

by Immigration officers to every visitor who entered the U.S. up until 2013. Without providing the USCIS a copy of the card, to prove that you entered the U.S. legally, the USCIS will deny your residency case, even when you provide other evidence of entry, such as a copy of the entry stamp in your passport. These days, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) no longer issues I-94 cards at the border and instead, allows Traveler's to access and download I-94 printouts for entries within the past several years from their website, but it does not provide records that go back far enough to access your I94. If you have a copy of your old I-94 we can use that, instead of the actual card. Otherwise, we will simply apply for your I-94 replacement and either receive it before we file for your residency in January 2022, or use the receipt from that case in place of your I-94. The USCIS will then process your case and we will provide you with your I-94 replacement card to submit to the USCIS Officer at your residency interview.

CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 –

B3

HEALTH

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATIONS

Showered with Accolades On sale were numerous pieces of gear worn by Fraser-Pryce at this year's Jamaica Championships and the Tokyo Olympics. The colorful wig worn at the 100m Olympic finals fetched $800.00 and was snatched up by Miramar mayor Wayne Messam. At the behest of the crowd, the mayor tried on the wig to much laughter and applause. Other items included the bodysuit worn at the national championships which went for $1,000.00, her pair of spikes worn at the same event got a winning bid of $2,200.00 (bought separately), and a two-piece suit which Shelly-Ann broke Jamaica's national 100m record, clocking 10.63 seconds in June went for $1,900.00. Renown Jamaican artist Mark Cameron donated a painting of Shelly-Ann kissing her son Zyon after winning the women's 100m final during the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019. The painting went for $1,500.00 This was the first time the foundation was venturing outside of Jamaica to raise funds and it certainly will not be the last according to Shelly-Ann. “In Florida we have a large contingent of the diaspora and to be able to connect with them is one of our main focus. We want them to know the work that we are doing in Jamaica and hopefully they will be able to partner with us. We intend to take this initiative to as many diaspora communities as possible,” she said.

“I know how it felt to sit in a space wondering what is going to happen next.

Where is uniform coming from, where is my mother getting the money, what will the outcome for school next year be. So, to be able to see the foundation allowing kids not to worry about uniforms, books, lunch etc. is an amazing opportunity to help. It is a service that I cannot pay for and to be able render that kind of service in a country that I believe is one of the greatest in the world, makes me fortunate. I am passionate about it, and I am praying that I will be able to do so much more with the help of partners in Jamaica and overseas.

The Pocket Rocket Foundation was created by Fraser-Pryce out of a need to assist high school student-athletes. Her personal experience of receiving financial assistance that afforded her a high school

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Raising a “Jacket” from A1

Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (2nd left) showing her keys to the city of Miramar she received from Mayor Wayne Messam on her right. Other in photo (L-R) Steve Higgins, Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis, Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne, Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers, and Jamaica's Consul General Oliver Mair. – Patrick Green photo

education while she competed, provided the motivation she needed to pursue a first degree in child and adolescent development to become the first person in her family to complete a degree program.

In May 2013, The Pocket Rocket Foundation had its official launch at The Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

To date fifty-five high school student athletes, twenty-nine females and twentysix males across eleven different sporting arenas from 22 Jamaican high school have benefited from the foundation.

The foundation takes care of everything for school including books, uniform, food, and personal care items.

The foundation managers are also looking to provide PR and etiquette seminars for the athletes, to make them more comfortable in front of a mike. Recipients will also be provided with teeth cleaning through one of their partners. School is not only where it helps, however. It also focusses on communities, where the team is able to link adjoining communities through sports, to curtail the crime and the violence among youths. Additionally, they have also made donations to children and nursing homes.

Shelly-Ann gets nothing from the foundation, apart from the intrinsic benefit of knowing she is giving back, and she relishes those big happy moments.

“We had one of our recipients recently becoming a pilot. He was one of the first recipient when we started in 2013. And to see the fruits of the work that we put in at the foundation and to see that realized for him, I was really excited about that,” she said with a satisfactory smile.

But there are challenges. In her speech to the mostly Jamaican audience, she pointed out that the rate of the Jamaican dollar is having an effect on the value of the disbursements. “We have to find ways to give more because it is becoming harder for the scholarship recipients to get what they need. We are looking to increase the disbursement and that means raising more money.” Apart from her sponsors, it is difficult to get others onboard, including both businesses and individuals, she indicated. To mitigate this hurdle the decision was taken to have more functions like the one in Miramar where “we can talk about the foundation and talk about the work we are doing back home,” she said.

For her part, Commissioner Davis said she was incredibly pleased with the support from the community. “It is not very often that we get to have an Olympian among us and especially a Jamaica Olympian. I am so grateful to have been the one chosen to welcome Shelly-Ann here.

With 25 percent Jamaican men being a victim of paternity fraud at least once, a government Member of Parliament (MP) has suggested that mandatory DNA paternity testing may be the solution to the problem.

Making his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate last week, St James Central MP Heroy Clarke says he intends to bring to Parliament, a motion calling for DNA paternity testing at birth.

Clarke stated that there is a direct link between the “paternal issues” that many Jamaican families face and the high level of domestic violence in the country.

“Madam Speaker, as a legislator, I will be moving a motion for the DNA paternity test to be done at the birth of a child in order to determine fatherhood of that said child. This, I believe, will stem majority of the domestic violence in our society,” he said during the parliament session.

Clarke did not detail the proposal for paternity test at birth or indicate when he will table the motion.

During his presentation, he also cited the 2016 study done by Dr. Herbert Gayle, leading Anthropologist at the University of the West Indies, which revealed that 25 percent of Jamaican men are unknowingly raising children that are not biologically theirs —or as Jamaicans say, “raising a 'jacket'”.

The issue also affects Jamaican men in the diaspora who are trying to petition to have their children join them in the United States. DNA tests are required by the US Embassy in Kingston to prove biological relationships. But according to the leaked diplomatic cable, one in every 10 men who turns up at the US Embassy is often told the DNA test proves that he is not the biological father of the child.

A 2019 report by Polygenics Consulting, a Jamaican company which offers DNA testing, indicated that of all the paternity tests that the company has conducted since 2015, 70 percent were not the father.

Polygenics Consulting told CNW, “persons who contact us have had some reason to doubt the paternity, and as such this statistic is based on that condition.” Additionally, the company confirmed that many of the tests they administer are for immigration purposes, but declined to provide a specific number.

Anthropologist, Dr. Gayle agrees that the “jacket” issue is one of national concern, but disagrees with a national policy for DNA testing.

According to him, requiring that children be tested at birth will only exacerbate the levels of domestic violence and murder rate in the country.

“When men discover that a child is a jacket, the normative reaction is one of violence or aggression towards the partner. In a setting where it [getting a “jacket”] is as popular as one in five, why would you want to expose all the actors through a national policy,” Gayle said.

He also revealed that his studies and research have shown that paternity fraud has been the second-leading cause of murder-suicide among intimate partners in Jamaica. “If you increase the triggers of sensitivities around paternity fraud, you will consequently increase the level of violence,” he said.

Dr Gayle said that promoting economic development is what will reduce the number of “jackets” in the country. He said that is most instances, paternity fraud is committed by women who cannot afford to care for their children on their own.

While Jamaicans may continue to see the humor in giving or getting “jacket,” the offence remains a serious matter in court. A woman who knowingly names the wrong man as her child's father on the birth certificate is seen as committing a breach of the Registration (Births and Deaths) Act. For this offence, she can be charged and mandated to pay a fine not exceeding $250,000 or face imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, if found guilty.

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CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 –

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ENTERTAINMENT

Red Reign Dancehall Star Konshens Releases New Album On November 12, dancehall artist Konshens released his fifth solo studio album titled 'Red Reign', which he says marks a new era in his career.

Konshens has been dabbling in various genres of music over the years, and on this new LP, he integrates hip hop, trap, Afrobeat, and dance with traditional reggae and dancehall sounds. The project also includes a roster of collaborators like Davido, Stefflon Don, Rvssian, Dre Island, Kaelyn Kastle, Kemar Highcon, and Jesse Royal, and Spice.

With three canceled tours and forced isolation brought on by Covid-19 caused, Konshens began to suffer from mild depression and social anxiety. He says he channeled these adverse effects of the pandemic into his music and created over 70 songs, with 18 of them making the album.

One of the singles “She Got It,” featuring Rafa Pabön, hits hard with relentless reggae beats and electronic vocals. The sound defines the future of dancehall with references to Afrobeat and EDM, pushing the limits of tradition and genre.

The latest single, “Take A Shot,” infuses hip hop and reggae to create a “bad girl banger” with a video that captures Konshens' inspiration for the song.

He explains, “Since Covid restrictions have been lifted in Florida, the club scene in Miami has had a revival. I wanted to make an anthem for women to go out with their friends and behave a little badly. It is the type of video that shows how some women behave when they think nobody is watching.”

The visual has inspired a social media challenge called the #TakeAShotChallenge, where users take a shot and then show off their dance moves, similar to the scenes shown in the video.

Dancehall Star Charly Black Honors Hometown in Debut Album 'Rio Bueno'

By Ramona Samuels Popular Trelawny native Charly Black is proud of his debut album Rio Bueno, which is named after the birthplace of the star.

The album's release comes after high anticipations peaked online for the record's production to be complete.

The eleven-track dancehall project consists of party-inspired tempos, catchy choruses, and heavily layered bassline beats.

The listener is induced to instant gyration from the beat, an inescapable reflex to 'bubble and whine' charges “This is the type of album the brain. Charly's ability to use mood-lifting phrases to complement that you can just press the melody, stays true to his “Gyal Yuh A Party Animal” era. play and listen to Charly Black explained that the straight through, it's also album has songs recorded from a long time ago and new ones, including the for the ladies to feel popular hit 'Sidung' done in 2020 on happy again. I know that the 'Incredible Riddim'.

“I am happy that my first album is every song is a hit,” out and available for all my fans. I – Charly Black made a lot of sacrifices to make certain things happen, and to see my first album out and available for my fans is a great deal.

Producers on the album include TJ Records, Teflon Zinc Fence, ZJ Dymond, Crawba Genius, Kenny Gray, Big Bone Music, Team Unstoppable Entertainment, DJ Tropical, and Chris Birch.

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 –

SPORTS

CRICKET / T20WORLD CUP

Marsh, Warner Guide Aussies to First-ever World Cup Title Mitchell Marsh lashed an astonishing unbeaten halfcentury as an imperious Australia crushed New Zealand by eight wickets to win their first-ever Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.

In pursuit of 173 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Australia lost captain Aaron Finch cheaply for five but then took charge of the contest thanks to Marsh's 77 not out off 50 deliveries with half-dozen fours and four sixes.

Left-handed opener David Warner punched 53 off 38 deliveries with four fours and three sixes as the Aussies completed their run chase with seven balls to spare.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson had earlier stroked a high class 85 off 48 balls, an innings which propelled New Zealand to 172 for four off their 20 overs after being sent in.

Opener Martin Guptill added 28 from 35 balls but no other batsman passed 20 as fast bowler Josh Hazlewood snared three for 16 to keep the Black Caps scoring in check.

“It's awesome, it really is. I think there's been so much talk about this being the one that's been elusive to Australia,” said Finch.

“And to be fair, we probably underperformed in the past, if we are being honest with ourselves. We've had some great

Former Jumper Arantxa King Lands New Commonwealth Post Former Bermuda long jumper, Arantxa King, whose father played cricket for the Windward Islands, has been appointed the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) first Ethics Officer, media there has reported.

Australia’s T20 team liting their rst ever World Cup trophy.

teams along the way.

“This team is pretty special. The camaraderie, the way that everyone really cares for each other and looks after each other, looks out for each other [is] pretty special.

“So yeah, it's awesome. That's brilliant and it's great for Australian cricket.”

Hazlewood claimed semi-final hero Daryl Mitchell for 11 to a catch at the wicket in the fourth over, leaving Williamson to anchor two successive crucial stands to provide the innings with momentum.

Referee Stole the Show as Jamaica and US Played to 1-1 Draw Costa Rican referee Juan Gabriel Calderon stole the show inside Kingston’s National Stadium on Tuesday evening when he contentiously denied the home side a late winner against the United States in their crucial CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier.

The visitors took an 11th-minute lead through Timothy Weah, the son of a Jamaican mother and former Liberian football great father George, only for the red hot West Ham United striker Michail Antonio to pull his team level through a magnificent long-range strike 11 minutes later.

And during a highly competitive encounter, Jamaican central defender Damion Lowe thought he had given Jamaica a deserved lead and possible winner seven minutes from the full-time whistle when he rose majestically to nod home a Leon Bailey teasing, left-sided corner, only for Calderon to wave the goal off, citing a phantom infringement by the goalscorer on defender Walter Zimmerman.

Lowe, his teammates and fans in the venue were well into their celebration – similar to the scene of 24 years prior, to the date, when the Reggae Boyz gained qualification to the France 1998 World Cup Finals – but were stunned into silence and bemusement when play restarted in the goal area and not at the centre circle.

In other games on Tuesday, Canada edged Mexico 2-1, Panama did likewise to El Salvador, as did Costa Rica staged in a very late win over Honduras.

The result left Jamaica in the sixth position on seven points, as Canada jumped to the top of the points standings with 16 points, one ahead of the US, with Mexico slipping to third place, on 14 points. Panama come next with14 points, as Costa Rica moved up to nine points.

El Salvador remain on six points and Honduras at the bottom on three points.

Jamaica’s head coach Theodore Whitmore thought his side deserved to win the game after falling behind early. “…I think we should have gone on a win the game,” noted the head coach. “Numerous opportunities were presented and I think we didn’t capitalise.”

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Whitmore thought the visitors were gifted their lead but his players responded very well and kept their heads. “We stayed in the game, we managed to equalise,” he added.

For American coach Gregg Berhalter, his team had difficulties coping with the pace and power of the Jamaicans.

“They just executed the long balls really well, played very direct and made it difficult.

Overall, Jamaica is a physical team and they were in desperation mode to get a point or three points and it was good to limit them to one.

Played in front of 4,100 spectators in cool conditions, the talented American side struck first when Weah squeezed his shot past Andre Blake as the visitors took early control of the game.

But Antonio had other ideas and like he did when coming off the bench last Friday against El Salvador, he picked up a ball midway the US half near to the left flank, turned inside his marker, US captain Tyler Adams, before unleashing a 30-yard piledriver which gave goalkeeper Zack Steffen of Manchester City no chance as the ball nestled into the net.

The visitors continued to control possession of the game, but the home side, playing better in the second half, was always a threat on the counter via a direct route from the back.

Midway the second half the ineffective Bobby Reid was presented with a gift when the ball bounced kindly to him inside the six-yard box off a Bailey fumble at the back post, but the Fulham striker skied his left-footed blast well over the goal frame, much to the chagrin of those at the venue and in television land. It appeared harder to miss than score.

Then at the death, Lowe rose above Zimmerman to skillfully guide a deft header out of the reach of Steffen and into the goal, but as he wheeled away in celebration, Calderon called a foul on the play to let the Americans off the hook and deny the Jamaicans what should have been a victory.

The ninth round of games is slated for the month end of January 2022.

The right-hander posted 48 for the second wicket with Guptill before putting on a further 68 for the third wicket with Glenn Phillips (18), New Zealand gathering 58 from the last five overs.

In reply, when Finch top-edged left-arm speedster Trent Boult and was taken in the deep by Mitchell, the game appeared poised to be a genuine contest.

However, Marsh arrived to inspire a 92run, second-wicket partnership with Man-ofthe-Series Warner before adding 66 in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Glenn Maxwell who made 28 not out.

By the time Warner, who finished the tournament with three half-centuries, was bowled by Boult in the 13th over, Australia was already in control of the chase and Marsh's continued dominance made sure of the outcome.

King, 31, who represented the island in long jump at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, the World Championships in Russia in 2014 as well as two Commonwealth Games in 2006 and 2014, joins a seven-member Ethics Commission.

In her new role, King, a sports lawyer called to the New York Bar, will manage ethical and conduct cases.

The daughter of Branwen Smith-King, secretary general of the Bermuda Olympic Association, and Canouan-born Adrian King, who later played cricket for Bermuda, King is one of four new members of the commission, among them Jason Haynes of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I am delighted we have been able to appoint a new Ethics Officer and four new members to our Ethics Commission following a global recruitment search,” said Dame Louise Martin, president of the CGF. “It is so reassuring to have found individuals with such skills and experience.

“They will further enhance the commission as they take on the vital role to uphold the organisation’s commitment to integrity, governance and transparency.”

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C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 18 – NOV 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T