8th June 2012 Edition

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JUNE 08, 2012

VOLUME 106, No. 23

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Carice Glasgow, Miss SVG 2012.

2. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 3.

News 3

Union Island in shock

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

THE SOUTHERN GRENADINES district of Union Island has been plunged into an atmosphere of sadness. This Sunday, the despair will heighten when Othneil White, a 54year-old Customs Guard, is laid to rest.

Circumstances surrounding his death will perhaps never be accurately defined, but White’s body went missing following a series of events during the execution of his duties last Sunday.

A release from the Office of the Commissioner of Police on June 6, stated that a post mortem examination was The Venezuelans were hurried through an obvious inquisitive crowd of Union conducted on the body of island residents.

White on Tuesday, June 5.

The report lists the cause Inset: Five Venezuelans were transported in this pick-up to the lock-up. of death as “Drowning.”

Information is that hour reach….. I will just break marriage. She is from the southern White and a Police Officer were on down,” Marilyn testified.

Grenadine Island, but Othneil patrol off the shores of Clifton in Prime Minister Dr. Ralph moved into Union Island as a that Grenadine Island.

Gonsalves, Commissioner of Police teenager from his original village of They are said to have Keith Miller, Comptroller of Rose Bank. encountered a fishing vessel with Customs Grenville Williams were They have four sons aged 31, 24, nine Venezuelans on board. Drama among those who extended their 22 and 15. unfolded in swift fashion, and when sympathy at her home last Monday.

Marilyn attested to her the tension subsided, three Colleagues from White’s workplace husband’s love and support for his occupants of the vessel were killed, have also been in solidarity, and family. and a fourth injured. there is an overwhelming sadness “He was there for the family,” The other five occupants were at the work place. she declared. taken into custody.

Marilyn described her husband She described him as a “nice Marilyn White, wife of the as a dedicated worker. man,” and that they had a “good Customs Guard was trying to cope “You call him any hour in the relationship.” with the developments. She She summed up the news of his confessed that her husband’s death night, he will be there,” she disclosed. passing as “shocking” to the was bearing down heavily on her.

Marilyn and Othniel were closing community, and indicated that “I (am) still waiting to see when in on the 30th anniversary of their “everybody will miss him.” he coming from work. When the

PERSONS OF EAST INDIAN descent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked Indian Arrival Day on June 1.

This year, the SVG Indian Foundation and the local chapter of the

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) jointly hosted an International Conference on the Indian Diaspora to mark the Day. We thought it appropriate, once the search through our

archives eventually proved fruitful, to share something of East Indian relevance with readers of this column.

The photograph, circa 1929, features a family of persons of East Indian descent in front of their

‘extremely humble’ abode a thatched house in Calder.

Thatched houses were not uncommon among the poorest of the poor at that time in St. Vincent, East Indians being no exception; but once one of these ‘houses’ was occupied by persons of East Indian descent, it was labeled a ‘coolie hut’, as a mark of identification which sought to separate the East Indian immigrants from the rest of society.

Calder, of course, developed into one of the major settlements of persons of East Indian descent who had come to St. Vincent as indentured labourers.

Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela Embajada en San Vicente y las Granadinas

Venezuelan Embassy statement IN CONNECTION WITH THE EVENTS that occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, June 3, 2012, on the Coast of Union Island, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines wishes to express the following: 1.On the evening of Sunday ,June 3, 2012, the authorities of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force communicated by telephone with the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Yoel Perez Marcano, informing him that, at approximately 600 hours on Sunday 3 June 2012, there had been an incident between Coast Guard officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Venezuelan citizens who were crew members of a fishing vessel and that as a result of the confrontation which had occurred, several were dead and injured while others were arrested , the authorities offered to provide more information on Monday morning concerning the case aforementioned .

2. On Monday June 4, 2012, in compliance with international protocols on consular proceedings concerning foreigners detained as part of a criminal investigation, there were several telephone conversations with the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Keith Miller and the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in order to cooperate with investigations of the event and to receive information on the full identification of those arrested, injured and dead, so that the relevant authorities and families in Venezuela can be informed. A Consular visit was made to the injured person, who is at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the Captain of the boat and the four detained at the police station in Union Island. As for the bodies, we are awaiting authorization from the authorities to collect fingerprint information to be sent to the national territory in order to confirm the full identification of these persons.

3. We share with the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the police authorities the fight to combat all forms of criminality, including fuel smuggling, illegal fishing and drug trafficking that under the existing “Agreement Between the Republic of Venezuela (today Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) and the State of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the Prevention, Control and Suppression of Illicit Traffic and Consumption of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances “, signed on February 03, 1993, in the city of Kingstown ,support all inquiries from the Vincentian authorities aimed at the clarification of these unfortunate events and where all detainees meet an internationally recognized fair trial, with absolute respect for the right to humane treatment and other human rights .

4. Finally, we deeply regret the death during these events of customs official Othneil Whyte, whose family we send our heartfelt words of sympathy and offer our respect and consideration in this painful time.

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Manslaughter plea accepted in Richards JrÊs death charge against his son. distribute drinks to persons in Sentencing was postponed and around the shop, and BUSSINESSMAN Alban ‘Indian’ to June 22, pending a social caused disturbance.

Thomas of Barrouallie will be inquiry report.

Thomas returned from sentenced on June 22 for The facts presented in behind the house with a rifle. causing the death of Edgerton Court revealed that on the day An argument ensued between L-R: Percival Thomas was acquitted of a charge of murder, Mc Neil Richards Jr, a former prior to the incident, Richards him and Richards, during but Alban Thomas awaits sentence for manslaughter. director of Metrocint General Jr. went to the elder Thomas’ which Richards was shot.

Insurance Co, and THE shop at Barrouallie, told him Attorney Ronald Marks the late businessman Egerton Thomas and his son were VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. that he owed him money, and represented Thomas, while his ‘Uncle Metro’ Richards who remanded at Her Majesty’s Thomas, 62 at the time, and requested payment. son was represented by lawyer had owned Metrocint and THE Prisons since April 2008 in his son Percival Thomas, who Thomas insisted that he did Kay Bacchus-Browne.

VINCENTIAN. connection with the matter. was 40, were originally not owe Richards.

Richards Jr was the son of charged with the murder of Richards left, but the 43-year-old Brighton indicated that he resident, who died after would return the receiving a single bullet to the next day. He chest, around 7:20 a.m. April returned around 7 APPROXIMATELY EC$200,000, 19, 2008 at Keartons, p.m. the following seized from Greiggs resident Tex Barrouallie. day and again asked Frederick since October 8, 2011 However, at the Criminal for his money. was returned to him last week Assizes on Wednesday, The court heard Thursday.

Director of Public Prosecutions that Thomas went The cash was released after the (DPP) Colin Williams accepted behind the adjacent Eastern Caribbean Court of a plea of guilty to house. Richards Appeal upheld an application by manslaughter from the elder then entered the Frederick’s attorney, Grant Thomas and withdrew the shop, proceeded to Connell, to strike out a notice of appeal brought by the offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Commissioner of Police (COP), to challenge Senior Magistrate Donald Brown’s order that the money be returned to Frederick.

When the application was heard last week Tuesday, May 29, Connell argued that the FIU, A POLICEMAN who was remanded on criminal acting through the AG and the charges to Her Majesty’s Prisons last week COP, had no right to appeal, and Tuesday, May 29, has been released on bail. that the Appeal Court had no Constable Andy Richards, 25, of Arnos Vale, was jurisdiction to hear a matter of granted $6,000 bail with one surety when he that nature. returned to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on The Senior Magistrate had Tuesday, June 5. He will re-appear in court issued the order March 11, 2012 at the Kingstown Magistrate’s September 5.

Court after throwing out an FIU PC Richards has been charged with using application for forfeiture of the indecent language to PC Derek Humphrey to wit, money. However, the FIU “haul you stinking mudder (expletive); you is the continued to hold the money Commissioner dog.” pending the outcome of an appeal. It was another occasion for celebration for Attorney Grant Connell PC Richards is also charged with assaulting PC (right) and his client Tex Frederick.

Connell told THE Humphrey by pushing him.

VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that Both charges reportedly stem from an incident unfortunate that he had to make engines of the speed boat ‘Sky FIU director Grenville Williams at Heritage Square, Kingstown, May 12, where my client wait so long to receive Blue’, $US67,540, amounting to misinterpreted the law and his his money”, Connell told THE approximately EC$200,000, which Commissioner of Police Keith Miller and Assistant application was based on VINCENTIAN. in whole or in part represents emotions.

Commissioner of Police were present.

What baffles Connell is “how another person’s proceeds of Connell said that it was clear PC Richards is additionally charged with four trained lawyers in the office crime. They were also charged from the Proceeds of Crime and damaging a 30x70 ½ glass barrier at the reception of the FIU could have missed the with concealing the cash. Both Money Laundering Prevention area of the Criminal Investigation Department point that the notice of appeal charges were dismissed at the Act that they had no right to (CID), valued EC$1,012, by smashing it on the had no foundation in law”.

Serious Offences Court. appeal, and the notice of appeal same day.

Up to press time Wednesday, At the forfeiture hearing, filed in the appeal court had no PC Richards pleaded not guilty to the charges efforts to reach the FIU director Frederick filed a defence claiming foundation in law. when he initially appeared before Senior were unsuccessful. that he worked in Anguilla for the “However, we all make Magistrate Donald Browne at the Kingstown Fredericks, 34, and Barrington period of time which would justify mistakes in our salad years of Harris of Bequia were initially him being in possession of that Magistrate’s Court last week Tuesday, but bail was practice, but clearly, the good charged with importing into the amount of cash. Evidence was director was blinded by his not considered at that point. country, October 8, 2011, in the presented to support his claim. inability to accept defeat. It is Attorney Duane Daniel represented him.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Connell wins legal battle with FIU

Policeman granted bail

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 5.

News

Guide to investigation and prosecution launched

The Ambassador explained that the partnership seeks to A GUIDE TO INVESTIGATION and implement sustainable durable Prosecution of Serious Organized Crime solutions that will transition has been launched here. into the responsibility of the The document, produced by Dan regional partnership initiative. and Nicola Suter, with joint funding He lauded the leadership of from the United States Embassy in Prime Minister Ralph Barbados and the British High Gonsalves for the effort in the Commission to the OECS, was area of law enforcement and presented on June 5th June, at citizen security, and made Cabinet Room. known that SVG was the first Among those gathered for the country to sign on to the occasion were the Prime Minister Dr. Corporate Sensor and Ralph Gonsalves, the United States Information Integration (CSII) Initiative. Palmer also commended SVG for updating its criminal code to incorporate DPP Colin Williams introducing the modern best practices.

Since the initial launch of the document.

CBSI, St. Vincent and the Suter and practitioners throughout Grenadines has received 2.5 million the Eastern Caribbean combined to dollars from the US to reduce illicit produce the Guide, with the objectives trafficking and increase public safety. of encouraging joint work between law He explained that the Guide applies enforcement personnel and best practices from within the Eastern prosecutors, and as a reference point Caribbean and provides a strong to the region. foundation for investigators and Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves also prosecutors to fight organized crime spoke at the launching, and with the rule of law and the full mentioned that the Guide is based on weight of justice. the criminal and statute laws of St. Palmer’s British counterpart Karl Vincent and the Grenadines, along Borrow acknowledged that when Dan with the decisions of the High Court, Suter, a criminal justice adviser the Court of Appeal and the Privy arrived in the Eastern Caribbean, Council. there was no combined resource that He said it was important that the covered practice, procedure and the L-R: Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Ambassador Larry Palmer at public and the media have a better law. last Tuesday’s launching. understanding of what is covered in the Guide , which includes: Preliminary inquiry, trial and sentencing, media PRIME MINISTER Dr. get a hold of Dudus, they communities, well they handling, presentation Right: Prime Ralph Gonsalves on had to bring in their find out that is not of evidence, guide on Minister Dr. Ralph Tuesday 5th June, army. the case,” a confident restrain and confiscation Gonslaves was firm warned that no space Gonsalves cautioned Dr. Gonslaves recalled. orders, code of practice will be given for ‘serious that there would be no Gonsalves explained in his promise to for the Identification of organized crimes’ in this space for anyone to that there are some drug be tough on those persons and financial country, under the watch imitate the Jamaican dealers who believed that who felt they could investigation code. of the ULP. Drug King Pin, Dudus, because SVG is a small reenact the role of He thanked the Dr. Gonsalves gave who was eventually country and everybody is any Jamaican United States and the the warning while handed over to the sociable, that people gangster. speaking at the US authorities who approved of them. “No, UK for their continued launching of the Guide to had requested his people don’t approve of support.

Investigating and extradition to that them. You have a few Prosecution of Serious country to face drug hangers -on who approve Offences, at Cabinet trafficking charges. of them , but they will Room.

“In SVG there are discover, the drugs “Make no mistake people who feel they can traffickers and money about it. We have seen imitate Dudus, but there launderers, that when in Jamaica what can will be no Dudus, baby they are held by the law, happen if you allow Dudus or micro Dudus these one or two someone like Dudus to (who) will be allowed to hangers-on go by the control territory. They thrive under the board, they don’t have refer to him as the watchful eyes of this woman calling them president, he has had a Prime Minister,” Dr. again, they don’t have higher office than the Gonsalves said. friends who will do this prime minister, he ran a The Prime Minister, for them or that,” he republic, he control his who is also the Minister deduced. He assured that territory,” stated the of National Security, they will be isolated and prime minister. further noted that all “dealt with.”

Of course, the Prime measures have been The Prime Minister Minister was referring to taken to ensure that expressed his gratitude incarcerated Jamaican such occurrence does not to the UK and the US for gangster Christopher take place in SVG. the assistance given with Michael Coke, aka “We have seen one or the Guide and the Dudus. two occasions when two security that they are He reminded persons of them feel they could providing to the citizens gathered that for the control territory, they of St. Vincent and the Jamaican government to could control Grenadines.

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

and the United Kingdom Ambassadors to the Eastern Caribbean, senior personnel in the Ministries of Justice and National Security, and high ranking members of the various branches of the RSVG Police Force.

Speaking at Tuesday’s launch, His Excellency Larry Palmer, United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean said that the Caribbean Basin and Security Initiative (CBSI) was founded on the idea of true partnership between the US and the Caribbean, intended to ensure common security.

No Dudus in SVG, warns Gonsalves

V Stay of execution requested 6. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

attorney Shiraz Aziz of the Law Firm Frederick Attorneys. However, ATTORNEY Kay BacchusLovelace’s sentence was Browne has disclosed to not appealed. He THE VINCENTIAN that she remains on death row has written to the relevant and could be executed. authorities, including the On July 15, 2009, a Prime Minister and 12-member jury found Governor General, Lovelace guilty of requesting that convicted murdering 12-year-old murderer Patrick female pannist Lokeisha Lovelace’s execution be Nanton of Sion Hill, stayed, pending the following a retrial. He outcome of an appeal to was sentenced to death the Privy Council. by hanging February Bacchus-Browne has 2011. been retained to appeal Nanton’s nude body Lovelace’s conviction and was found hanging from sentence to the Privy a mango tree in an area Council, after a at Sion Hill called judgement handed down London Road on the by the Eastern morning of July 2, 2002.

Caribbean Court of An autopsy showed she Appeal in March this was strangled. year, which dismissed Last week Thursday, Lovelace’s appeal against the Eastern Caribbean conviction.

Court of Appeal quashed The matter was the murder conviction of conducted by U.K-based Shorn Samuel of Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Vermont, substituted a verdict of manslaughter and commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. He had been sentenced to death December 18, 2008 after being convicted of the murder of 21-year-old Stacey Wilson, a former clerk at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. He had used a brand new cutlass with the price tag still on it, to viciously hack Wilson about her body before beheading her in full view of the public at the Leeward bus terminal around 3:30 p.m, December 11, 2006.

Bacchus-Browne was one of the lawyers who conducted Samuel’s appeal in which a case of diminished responsibility was established.

About three years ago, the Privy Council commuted Daniel

‘Compay’ DickTrimingham’s death sentence to life imprisonment, concluding that his crime was not the ‘worst of the worst’.

Dick-Trimingham had used a cutlass to disembowel and behead 68-year-old Albert ‘Bertie’ Browne, a livestock farmer of Carriere, in the Carriere Mountains some years ago.

Dick-Trimingham was also represented by Patrick Lovelace Bacchus-Browne.

Lawyer empathises with victim’s family KAY BACCHUS-BROWNE, one of the lawyers who represented Shorn Samuel in the appeal in which his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, says she empathizes with the family of the victim Stacey Wilson.

Last week Thursday, May 31, at a sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, Professor Dr. Nigel Eastman, a psychiatrist and psychologist of the United States, representing the appellant, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Professor Dr. Gerard Hutchinson, representing the crown, agreed that Samuel was suffering from a psychotic disorder when he gruesomely murdered the 21year-old hospital clerk on December 11, 2006.

Kay Bacchus-Browne led Shorn Samuel’s appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.

Both experts agreed that the condition would have impaired his mental control, and it would fall under what is referred to in law as diminished responsibility.

As a result, the Crown, led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams, and Samuel’s lawyers agreed that Samuel’s murder conviction be quashed and a verdict of manslaughter substituted.

The psychiatrists agreed that Samuel should be given a sentence of life imprisonment.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, Bacchus-Browne expressed the view that Justice has been served on both sides. But she added, “I empathize with her (Wilson’s) parents. That poor girl’s life was just snuffed out like that. It was really a tragedy. I could understand how her parents feel.”

According to Bacchus-Browne, “I am not a doctor, but I have interacted with him (Samuel) and I could see he has a mental problem.

“It would not be fair to execute a man who is mentally ill; but one could not just let him go back into society, because a life was taken.”

When contacted on Wednesday, the DPP declined to comment at this point.

The experts had submitted reports, and Bacchus-Browne had the assistance of England.

However, there was no need for cross-examination or submissions as the experts had come to an agreement.

Samuel, also known as Abdul Rahim Parsons of Vermont, was sentenced to death, December 18, 2008 for Wilson’s murder. He was convicted October 13, 2008. He had used a brand new cutlass with the price tag still on it, to viciously hack Wilson about her body before beheading her in full view of the public around 3:30 p.m., December 11, 2006, at the Leeward bus terminal.

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THE VINCENTIAN. JUNE 08, 2012. 7.

News

LewisÊs appointment long overdue Right: Linton Lewis replaces Anesia Baptiste as an Opposition Senator in the House of Assembly.

during a sitting of the House on Thursday May 31, the Prime Minister AS FAR AS PRIME mused that Lewis might MINISTER Dr. Ralph have been wondering Gonsalves is concerned, what took the New the appointment of Linton Democratic Party so long Lewis to the position of in appointing him.

Senator was “long Gonsalves noted that overdue,” but the there were six previous Vincentian leader was opportunities over Lewis, “genuinely happy,” that and pointed to choices of the decision was made.

Joseph ‘Burns’ Bonadie, “I hope you have a Gerald Shallow, St. Clair good ride,” Gonsalves Leacock, Daniel quipped.

Cummings, Vynette Gonsalves warned Frederick and Anesia Lewis not to confuse Baptiste.

Parliament with the law Speaker of the House courts.

Hendrick Alexander was Gonsalves described the first to welcome parliament as a “peculiar Lewis into the fold. institution,” and advised Alexander expressed Lewis that “It shows up the hope that Lewis will people in many ways… lift the debate in the positive and negative.”

House. Opposition leader Even as he welcomed Arnhim Eustace agreed and congratulated Lewis with Alexander’s Stories by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

PM hopes for constitutional change VINCENTIAN PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is hoping that the day will come when this country has its own Head of State.

And while he will not be spearheading the move to a new constitution that might provide for that change, he wants it to be in his life time.

Dr. Gonsalves was speaking at this country’s House of Assembly last Friday, June 1. That was at a special function arranged as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne.

The Prime Minister repeated his feeling of being “profoundly hurt,” when voters here rejected the move to alter the constitutional status with Britain, but he declared that he accepted the people’s verdict.

Dr. Gonsalves declared that “we are duty bound,” to hold the function in respect of the Queen.

He traced the history of the monarchy and noted that 60 years in the monarchy was rare for many persons.

The Vincentian leader praised the Queen for her “sensitivity to people’s suffering.” Dr. Gonsalves paid tribute to the Queen for prompting Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to do something to ensure the end of the apartheid system.

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace noted the long period of the Queen’s rule. For him, the opposition “will continue to pay respect to her Majesty.”

Two other parliamentarians paid tribute to the Queen. Deputy Prime Minister Girlyn Miguel referred to the June 12 parade scheduled for Arnos Vale, which will be the official observation of the jubilee event.

Central Kingstown’s Representative St. Clair Leacock was impressed with Dr. Gonsalves’ address, and reflected on his own record in service organizations. He recalled being at every Queen’s Birthday Parade from 1957 to 1979.

position, and he echoed the feeling that Lewis will add to the level of debate.

Lewis was grateful to the Almighty God for having taken him thus far. He praised Eustace for having a hand in many aspects of his development, including

accounting, law, Off Shore Banking and recently to the Parliament.

Lewis was appreciative of the Speaker’s power, but he will be guided by the “principles of fairness and justice.”

The new senator is

hoping that his contribution to the House of Assembly will “assist with the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

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8. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Those street children Colin King, on page 16 of this edition, highlights the ‘plight’ of a teenager, not more than a child even at 17 years old, who lives on the streets of Kingstown.

This is not the first time that the reality of street children/teenagers in SVG has been highlighted. And if the truth be told, unless something is done, both at the level of family dynamics and measures taken by the state, this will not be the last time the issue is brought to bear on the public’s psyche.

So, in case you think this is an issue common only to the dark alleyways of some sprawling city in India or Nigeria, think again.

The issue is ‘right at our front door’.

Admittedly, the issue of street children may, on a global scale, be receiving the most attention now than it ever received before.

How much we, i.e. SVG, share in that scenario is still up for proper assessment.

Whatever the judgement, once cases like J.C’s remain, we must confess to having not eradicated the problem.

Deep down, we must admit that we harbour misconceptions about this issue; that it does not exist or is not a problem in our advanced, civilized society; that it belongs to those barbaric societies where children are ‘married off, suffer wanton abuse resulting in them ‘running away from home’.

The truth is that there are reports, throughout any one year, of children running away from home or being enticed away from their familial surroundings, here in SVG. If we are to address the issue, we must first of all challenge that misconception, remove the cobwebs of our class-biases which speak to us in a language that says ‘street children’ are a problem for the poor and lazy.

Once on the street, as attested to by J.C’s story, these children adopt many tactics necessary to survive: they beg, loiter, sleep rough, even prostitute themselves; they become easy prey for underworld operators.

Children living on the street face the constant prospect of physical, verbal and sexual abuse from peers and adults. Indulging in narcotic use is likely, if not already common, as a way to dull hunger pains and blot out the violence they face on a daily basis.

Sadly, heavy-handed treatment - such as violence and roundups - meted out to these street characters by the authorities, is all too common as ways of addressing the issue.

And even those ‘humane systems’ put in place by the state, e.g. the Liberty Lodge Home for Boys, foster care programme, seem to fall short in turning around some who find places in these still under-supported measures.

Being a street child is not a crime. Put another way: Street children are not criminals. But, they can become criminals if we, a society of right-thinking (as Colin King says) Christian people, turn the proverbial blind eye.

In addressing this scourge, we must first and foremost address the question of why there are street children.

To do otherwise is to continue down the road of dealing with the cough and not recognizing the breathing ground of the casual agent.

The reasons children go to the streets are unique to their individual situations. Often there isn’t one simple reason why a child is on the streets. Rather, a combination of multiple factors drive children to a life on the streets, including poverty, neglect, the breakdown of the family, losing one or both parents to HIV/AIDS or other prevalent diseases, and verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. In J.C’s case, it was the repercussions of having lost both parents in tragic circumstances, and having to deal, or not deal, with the fallout… the trauma.

The challenge here is having to deal with each case as a unique one, requiring its own specific response(s).

That is why the provision of education services for all, at a cost affordable to all, as ideal as it might sound, is the right way to go.

Stronger measures to correct wanton abuse within families must be more than voiced as we move to respect and uphold the rights and privileges of children.

So, for example, do we have adequate domestic child protection laws?

Have we truly addressed the issue of poverty, to the extent that each home can afford the basic necessities of food, health care, and safety from the elements?

Some may say that we are on that path.

In essence, the issue of street children and the resulting challenges that it throws up extend beyond the plight of the children themselves.

The entire society is impoverished by the lost potential of homeless children and youth. In the long term, street children end up unskilled and jobless, often resorting to crime. Can be ever build a nation of productive people if we carry this burden?

It is incumbent upon this generation that it deals adequately with the reality that there are children among us who are crying out for care and protection.

Failing to act now to build new structures and cultivate new attitudes would mean a continuing ‘spinning of top in mud’.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee SOMEHOW OR THE OTHER, we find ourselves taking part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, albeit as a pale reflection of the major Jamboree in London, which is distinguished by a magnificent display of pomp, money and power.

The British truly love their monarch, and historically such extravaganzas have in fact moved from being a parade of love of power to an expression of the power of love.

Of course, we had contributed mightily to the wealth of Britain in the old colonial days of sugar and slavery.

It is signally untrue, as one of our local gurus had represented, that we were colonialised during a miscalculation by Britain which was glad to be rid of us in the end as presenting to them so many headaches.

Significantly at the end of slavery, only the British landlords were compensated while our Prime Minister seeks our “Back pay” down to this day.

If the British did nothing in that long dreary night of colonialism, they certainly made sure that we were to an extent reshaped, if not created, in their own image. Mental emancipation is still to be effected.

We made many an attempt to free ourselves in various slave revolts which were generally crushed by superior military strength amid much barbarity, and when physical emancipation did come from below, it was seriously compromised by land grants to the British aristocracy, certain immigration schemes aimed at depressing wages of agriculture labourers, and granted under cover of an over-arching colonial constitution that effectively blocked the upward movement of the bulk of the people.

There was a definite movement for a change owing to a variety of causes at the dawn of the twentieth century. But most of the changes were more apparent than real. True, the Russian revolution, the First World War, the Garveyite movement, all had their effects with the emergence of a Native intelligentsia.

However, most of the leading lights among the people were really “Afro-Saxons”, having an “European mind in an African body”. With few exceptions, this type was determined to assert their “Britishness”.

One contemporary commentator had noted that a divide and rule policy had effectively ensured that the Government of the day followed a safe conservative path. “This can best be done by pandering to the taste of members individually. Social attentions and invitations to Government parties given to the family and connections of one, promotion in the Government service to the family and relatives of another, blarney and fulsome flattery to yet another — such are the cunning ways in which corruption may proceed,” these behaviour patterns with nuances persist to this day; only that the new players are the native political elite who replaced the British over-lords.

In all this, the British honours system was most helpful in wreaking havoc among peoples who hankered after their conferment. We jumpahead and quickly mention the award to Knights-Sir Vincent Beache and Sir Louis Straker, who owe their preferment to narrow political party considerations. And lurking not far behind is Rene’ Baptiste’s C.M.G, who was chiefly responsible for co-ordinating all local efforts at officially celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.

The truth is that we had grown up on strong drafts of colonialism. At age 18, I had the devil getting my mother to replace a large picture of the present Queen Elisabeth ‘gracing” the tattered walls of our humble drawing-room with one of my own!

At primary school, we marched on Empire Day, 25th May, and sang Rule Britannia. Our music maestro was Weston Lewis who came from Barbados-Little England, and he penned for us a song entitled the “Flag of Britain” that reeked of colonialism.

Small wonder that our local Labour Party Government had a miniature copy of the “Union Jack” incorporated on our Statehood flag! The nearer we approached Independence, the more we were reminded of our departing colonial status.

In most of our institutions, the British name stands out, from Her Majesty’s Loyal opposition, to the Royal Police Force, to Her Majesty’s Prison, all of which imprison us in a colonial relationship, the formal constitutional arrangement notwithstanding.

Even place-names like Queen’s Drive and Port Elisabeth were so done in honour of our present Queen. One of our local bards has composed a witty calypso for this year’s carnival, which cites many Royal and highlyplaced British military names, but the name of the calypsonian appears nowhere. He goes by the sobriquet “Ebony” which was perhaps too black for mention!

We recognised the psychological need for national heroes, but so far have been able to come up with only one deserving son of the soil, paramount Carib Chief Joseph Chatoyer. We seem to have future “Afro Saxons” in mind for veneration.

Happily we got rid of 22nd January as St Vincent’s Discovery Day, so called. But there is no historical link with the Independence Date, 27th October. Culturally, we have been left floating without moorings, and apparently want to hold to the British connection which offers little emotional sustenance.

In the long run, our Island-States seem fated to go through the motions of Independence while enjoying the fun, games and accomplishments of the former metropolitan countries with which they try hard not to indentify, in spite of themselves!

Nothing colonises as thoroughly and completely as colonialism itself.

I end with recording three deaths of persons who meant much to me in their several ways.

First, there was Treldon Morris, my Georgetown Grammar School brother who later confirmed me in the P.P.P 1972.

Secondly, the sudden death of the wife of my dear friend and colleague, Sam Commissiong, reminded me of my own mortality. Althea is the third of my sixth form class who passed away these past three years- Cecile Richards, Barbara Cuffy and, now, Althea Commissiong nee Ballantyne.

Thirdly, His Lordship Mr. Justice Albert Matthew had been a dear friend and fellow cricketer. He was thrilled that I recalled his first visit to S.V.G, during the Windwards School tournament 63 years ago. He had been a simple and great jurist whose stress was the equality of man in the eyes of the court.

May they rest in peace.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 9.

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Bigging’ up Charles and King I MUST SAY how pleased I was to listen to the Global Highlights programme aired on Nice Radio last Saturday, June 02.

It was a joy to hear how articulate Aviar Charles, Miss SVG 2012, was and how assured she was about herself and her future.

Ms. King, the host of the programme, was exceptional in bringing out the best in the young lady. Perhaps the CDC could consider using her for the interview segment in next year’s Miss SVG, or using her in the training programmes in which the contestants are involved.

Thanks you, Ms King, for a fantastic interview, and kudos to Ms. Charles for being so upright and forthright in her responses.

Daniel

Sing, Short Man, Sing THEY SAY that if barracuda jump out of the sea and say, ‘shark air ha no teeth,’ believe him.

I want to say, Mr. Editor, that if Mr. Malcolm ‘Short Man’ Marshall, an employee at the Ministry of Health, is brave enough to say what he says in his calypso, ‘Sit down and wait’, then I must give him the benefit of the doubt. This is a good example of a calypsonian carrying out his duty as the mouth-piece of society, by describing the things the way

that ‘the truth always hurts’.

I don’t think for one moment that ‘Short Man’ is being mischievous or malicious. As a matter of fact, I think the authorities should take note of what he is saying and investigate the matter.

Sing on, ‘Short Man’… the truth never dies.

Francis E. Kingstown

Gayle back on West Indies team THE WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD has been under strong criticism for quite sometime and has found itself in more deep waters, after more embarrassing defeat upon defeat.

Prime Ministers Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Portia Simpson-Miller, had to come to Chris Gayle’s rescue in order to get him reinstated in to the West Indies team, after Gayle’s outburst that angered the Cricket Board, who immediately asked for an apology.

Gayle, who abstained

Building on the interest in pan EVERYONE KNOWS by now that the steel pan is the only instrument invented in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is indigenous to the Caribbean, more accurately, Trinidad and Tobago.

The instrument has proven to be a means of transcending social and economic boundaries. It is played by rich and poor alike.

And while I commend the efforts to include the steel pan as an option in existing music programmes in school, I wonder if we are not doing a disservice to ourselves by including it among the other instruments. Could it not be a separate progamme altogether in our school?

And while I am at it, I must reiterate that the steel pan offers young people, as can be seen in the Pan Against Crime initiative, the opportunity to empower themselves through music. However, as we look at the long term, we need more composers, more arrangers and more immediately more tuners if we are to sustain and afford this new interest.

Could the YPM and the Ministry of Culture not collaborate on an effort to train tuners? As far as I am aware, there may be just two pan tuners in SVG. And I understand that the cost to bring tuners from T&T is astronomical. More local tuners means that we will guarantee the future of pan here, not to mention how much we can save.

We cannot, even as we boast of more steelbands and more young people playing pan, remain idle and not respond to a vital need of the steelband movement here in SVG. More tuners now rather than later!!

Paul

they are.

I not only believe that ‘Shot Man’ is telling it like it is, but I know, from talking with persons who have gone to the Casualty (Emergency Unit), that what he says happens.

Correct me if I wrong, but wasn’t an allegation made recently about a woman going into a coma after waiting for sometime at the Casualty?

‘Short Man’ is probably having his first lesson in understanding

from such a request, was immediately branded as a bad image, and instantly denied the opportunity to play again.

The problems with the West Indies Cricket Board are simple, among these: the selection panel does not pick the right teams for tests and one-days, and I think they should think twice when selecting.

The President travels around with the team sometimes, and

whenever he is in the pavilion, I always wonder, is he really concerned about the dismal situation of the team? And why is he not trying to put more effort in overlooking the selection of the team?

I must give thanks to the Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for his gallant effort to help Christopher Gayle, because he is a great cricket lover just like myself, and the constant beating the West Indies team has

endured has become a nightmare to fans all over.

I had the privilege to run into a youngster sometime ago, and I asked him who he rather lived with, his mother or father, and he simply replied, he rather lived with the West Indies Cricket Team, because they ain’t beating nobody.

ON JUNE 1st, the Rose Bank Development Association (ROBDA) celebrated its 25th anniversary. Events to mark this milestone will run over a period of one month.

Despite the many challenges faced as a community group, ROBDA has survived.

One of the remarkable activities of its operation is visiting the churches of its members monthly.

No doubt the prayers made on its behalf, as they visited the churches, went a long way. Amongst the activities for the month of celebration has been the visits to the aged and ‘shut-ins’ in the community where prayers are made on their behalf by members of ROBDA. Also, by the time of publication (hopefully) of this piece, the group would have hosted a Health Talk by the District Medical Officer.

On Sunday 10th, the group will visit the Prayer and Faith Assembly Church at Rose Bank, in continuation of its visits

to members’ church.

Other activities planned are panel discussions, AGM, community clean up, free legal consultation by a team of lawyers headed

by Carlos James, and its AGM. Coming this far was not easy, and members of the group can be justly proud of their achievement and success.

In its effort to be selfsufficient and create employment, they were ‘sabotaged’ many times.

They had embarked on a sea moss project which would have created employment and also made the group selfsufficient. Unfortunately, after some three years of doing the research, preparation and background work, they lost the project through the back door. This evil shall long be remembered.

There were other similar projects that were ‘sabotaged’ which will be written about at a later date. However, it is noteworthy to mention the last major project completed by ROBDA,

even in the face of strong opposition. However, God was on their side and the project was completed.

The project involved boat building and making of folding chairs. Sincere thanks to those who sponsored this project and ensured that it was completed.

In the area of sports, ROBDA has been involved in cricket and netball, just to name a few.

In the area of health, it continues to lead in cleaning the beaches and community centre yard.

Also they had garbage bins placed in strategic areas. The best kept yard competition offered the residents the opportunity to be rewarded for their part in keeping clean surroundings.

As they move forward, several plans are in place, such as the continuation of the beautification of ROSE BANK. If one travels through Rose Bank, some palm tree can be seen that were planted

by ROBDA. The group also plans

Everton Mercury

ROBDA celebrates

* Was there a last minute switch in the questions given to the contestants in the Miss SVG Pageant, which put at least one contestant at a disadvantage? * When can we expect to see the Carnival Road Repair Team attending to those potholes, all of which seem to reappear in the same spots, year after year? * Are there any persons in the RSVG Police Force in acting positions for more than six years? * Was the approach to that Venezuelan fishing vessel in Union Island a routine ‘customs’ check? If it was more than that, why was the Coast Guard not involved? * Is the Public Service Union going to make Government pay up? to continue its community clean-up and resurrect the soft ball village competition.

Continuation of the Rose Bank festival will be an important activity, as it would seek to display the cuisine of the community. Also there would be cultural activities which will appear in a later article.

As ROBDA celebrates, let us remember them in our prayers, and let us give them our support in whatever way possible.

Well done, ROBDA, keep going.

Kennard King

V A nation in crisis 10. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

VINCENTIANS are questioning whether St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a written agreement with Venezuela, as it relates to financing for the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

This comes as Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves disclosed in a recent address in Taiwan, that the result of the upcoming presidential election in Venezuela could have a negate of SVG, which relies on Venezuela for financing.

Opposition Leader, the Hon. Arnhim Eustace, had asked in a recent sitting of Parliament, for PM Gonsalves to show the Memorandum of Understanding between Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which would show Vincentians that Venezuela will support the international airport.

However, no understanding has been produced to date, which leads to the conclusion that no written agreement was ever done between the two countries.

There is a possibility that if a new government is formed in Venezuela, the Bolivarian Alternative for our Americas (ALBA) may be dissolved, which may lead to Venezuela no longer keeping its obligation to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially as it relates to airport construction.

Although the current Chavez led administration has agreed to cover the salary of Cuban workers on the Argyle International Airport project, according to the Prime Minister, Venezuela has not reimbursed St. Vincent and the Grenadines any monies paid in wages to the Cuban labourers as of August last year. Up to May 2012, the amount would have stood at 12 million dollars.

The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH)

Those who visit the MCMH often talk about the deplorable state of the hospital. Some have even said that they will not risk being admitted there. In the last 10 years, have you heard of a Minister of Government seeking medical attention at MCMH? Is it simply that there was never the need?

The place is dirty. Many of the fans and other accessories for the patients’ comfort are broken. Sheets and pillowcases - you better walk with your own. Medicine- ask those who recently were there. Many essential medications are not available. In short, the hospital needs attention.

The MCMH was rebuilt by the NDP. It was expanded, creating new wings, a modern emergency room and operating theatre. The roof of the operating theatre developed a leak. But rather than repairing it, a bucket was placed to catch the drip, and the NDP was blamed for the leak which developed during the administration of the ULP. Roads The condition of the roads in SVG is awful- absolutely shameful! Driving from Kingstown to Layou is like running an obstacle race. The Windward Highway is riddled

with holes and patches, the direct result of the inferior work which was allowed on that project, a project which was conceived by the NDP and implemented in the main by the ULP. Feeder roads, most of which were constructed by the NDP, have been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair, that some are now not even passable. The farmers are crying out about the state of feeder roads, which makes it near impossible to farm in a reasonable way, especially at reaping time.

One will recall when the ULP was in opposition, they made a big issue of the road conditions then- which was nowhere near the situation it is today. When will some attention be paid to the roads so that vehicle owners can reduce vehicle maintenance cost?

finances, producing a surplus budget during the period of its stewardship.

On assuming office, our learned Minister of Finance immediately showed his inexperience in money management, by starting to settle many outstanding bills in full, rather than staggering the payments. Mr. Eustace tried to advise him that that was not the way it should be done, but that advice fell on deaf ears.

Well, the chickens have come home to roost!

For example, one would recall when the Prime Minister who is the Minister of Finance decided to settle all amounts outstanding to UWI, and when cautioned by Mr. Eustace that he should pay in installments, he instead, tried to gain political points by turning the issue into “Eustace don’t want poor people children to go to University”.

They even made up the BIG SVG’s Finance in the hands of a LIE that the UWI was about to novice expel students because of Government’s non-payment. All When the ULP of this, of course, was very administration took office in dishonest. It was the NDP March 2001, there was money administration which, in fact, in the Government’s coffers. The had made it much easier for NDP administration had been poor people children to attend prudent with Government’s UWI, by adopting a policy of

paying the economic cost of ALL students wishing to attend UWI. Never before was that done.

The question now is: How much does SVG now owe the University? And is there a threat of students being expelled?

long time ago. Hence, a study was commissioned to point the way forward. It is this same study which has been used by this administration for the construction of the airport at Argyle.

The question is though, is it that necessary to complete the airport by next year to the At the peril of the people detriment of everything else? If we do not have the money, how The future successes of the are we expecting to do this?

ULP administration is hinged What of all the other needs? on the international airport, and And what has happened to the for some reason, the destiny of ‘coalition of the willing’? Was SVG seems likewise to be there really ever such a group, hinged to this. All around us, or was it another act of telling everything is falling apart, be it Vincentians anything? the roads, the hospital, schools or agriculture, to name a few.

The NDP is waiting Our national bank has been sold and the proceeds poured into The NDP has done it before. the airport. Reigate building We can do it again. This has been sold to finance the country needs guiding policies same project. We have not even which would facilitate real been extended the courtesy of development of our country for knowing the sale price of that property. Crown lands are being our people. Our youths need to sold for the same purpose. The be given a path that engenders hope for the future. We implore Ottley Hall Marina is up for you to resist lies, bribes and sale. The national debt inches upwards by 2 and 3 million US false hopes, and to stop voting dollars at a time, to finance the against your own interest. The interest of the majority, and not airport project. of the few, should take centre The need for an airport has been recognised by the NDP a stage.

Methodists launch Environmental Project

by KARISSA CLARKE “GOD CREATED mankind to have dominion over and manage our environment.”

This sentiment was at the core of the “Methodists: Stewards of the Environment Project’ launching ceremony at the Methodist Church Hall last Tuesday, World Environmental Day, June 5th.

An initiative of the women of the KingstownChateaubelair- GeorgetownMt.Coke Millennium Development Goal Committee, the project encompasses the idea of reaching and ensuring environmental sustainability under the Millennium Development Goal number 7.

Background After attending the 12th World Assembly of Methodist and United Church Women held in South Africa last year, the women of these Circuits decided that the theme of ‘Caring for the Environment: Our Christian Responsibility’ was one that needed serious addressing in churches and communities, and their interests were further strengthened by attending a district conference meeting in Trinidad.

Chairperson, Ela Davis, described this initiative as “evidence of the church’s development.”

In wishing God’s blessings on their project which is slated to span 3 years, she reiterated that “What we do today will bless generations to

come.”

This Project has a goal “to assist St. Vincent and the Grenadines in achieving Millennium Development Goal #7- the attainment of Environmental Sustainability by 2015.”

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Health and the Environment Clayton Burgin, described the initiative as “an opportunity for us to start afresh and motivate others to do their part”, especially as recently “the The audience included a number of women devastating impact of from across the Methodist missions in St. landslides and floods has Vincent. raised our awareness.” forefront, “We must realize Claudeth Lewis gave an Burgin congratulated that although many people overview of the project goals the Church on its litter they are reluctant to and activities. initiative. congregate in areas where He feels that “Our litter is a problem.” This idea the Methodist church’s failures as stewards of was used to encourage the properties, and to encourage creation impact directly on the church to keep their less fortunate”, and urged all church members to improve surrounding clean, to invite the environmental conditions present to play their part in potential worshippers in and of their surroundings. the implementation of this to remember that “Christians The church is encouraging project. can litter too” and so the work all to assist by becoming a Minister of Ecclesiastical of the project must start from sponsor through donations of Affairs, Maxwell Charles, within. called for rapt attention to be finances, trees and other Reverend Adrian Odle, paid to the needs of mankind planting materials, tools, food Superintendent of the and competition prizes for and for persons to ensure that Kingstown /Belair Circuit of their environment contests services such as garbage the Methodist Church, which they will be hosting. collection were regulated in officially launched the They also encourage persons all parts of the nation. programme. Reverend Stilson to get involved by community Claudeth Lewis of the Cato, Superintendent of the or church beautification and group explained that the Georgetown —Mt Coke Circuit clean-up activities, related project has no intention of of the Methodist Church educational activities and encroaching on the work of prayed for blessings over the planting trees and vegetable the Government and project, and prayed that other gardens.

Ministries, but would like to denominations would initiate Feature Speaker Ms. Joan work along with them. Her similar projects. Jacinth Ryan , the Public Relations overview of the Project James brought the Manager of CWSA, drew an outlined the Objectives of programme to a close with the interesting thought to the improving overall aesthetics of Vote of Thanks.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 11.

Views

No bystanders

“There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust. But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we believe that the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do. We refuse to be bystanders, even if we do not know exactly where our actions will lead”. ~ Howard Schultz (born 1953), CEO of Starbucks WE APPEAR to be a risk-averse people.

Even when so many of life’s circumstances appear to be in our favour, we seem to move in the direction of talking ourselves out of making an effort or, when we share the ideas with others, we seem to abandon those noble pursuits at the slightest opposition or criticism.

But there are many examples that abound to convince us that taking calculated risks can pay great dividends. We have seen this to be the case with Mark Zuckerberg, the 28-year-old co-creator of Facebook. But his success must not be deemed as a “flash-in-the-pan” or “overnight success”. His journey to becoming a young millionaire commenced when he pursued writing software programmes as a hobby in his middle school in New York, USA. Aided by his father, young Mark quickly grasped computer programming concepts, even as he continued to excel in the sciences, classical literature and languages. He believed in himself and his ability to “make the impossible possible”. He was willing to try new ideas and to push himself to constantly better his best efforts. It was this kind of determination that influenced him to write a computer programme called Facemash while he was a student at Harvard University. The rest is history. Facemash, which commenced as a “fun project” for college students to network via the Internet, grew by leaps and bounds. It evolved to become Facebook in 2004. By 2010, the site had attracted approximately 500 million users worldwide; linking friends and colleagues across the globe. It is presently estimated to have over 900 million active users.

It is quite possible that there have been students at the various campuses of the University of the West Indies who, over the years, may have had similar ideas to Mark Zuckerberg’s. It is also possible that comparable ideas may have emerged in some of the Information Technology laboratories located at secondary schools throughout CARICOM or in other developing nations throughout the world.

However, sometimes, nationals in developing nations like our own are hesitant to take the ideas beyond the confines of our two ears (no offense meant). It often appears that we are hesitant to try; we are easily discouraged; we quickly retreat when success beckons us to explore new ideas and new processes. We appear to be so comfortable being a bystander when we do have the capacity, the potential, to play at the various games of life. We can discover new frontiers in science too. We can invent new machines too.

We have the mental capacity to do so.

There are some among us who may be tempted to dispel the foregoing by drawing attention to the fact that persons from the developed world have access to better facilities, better teachers, more advanced technology,

museums, and so on. And while that is true, this writer is still convinced that this should not limit our imagination.

What would our region be like today if Winston “Spree” Simon had concluded that all the world’s musical instruments were already invented?

We in the Caribbean would not have the benefit of the steel pan. And the world would not have known the sweet melodies that can be extracted from a variety of depressions in discarded steel drums.

Hubert Phillips, the Vincentian inventor who now lives in Canada, was recently home on a short visit. While here, he demonstrated his chicken deboning machine which has been patented in Ontario, Canada. He showed how this relatively simple allsteel instrument, shaped like a funnel, can extract the bones from the legs and thighs of chicken. As was the case when he introduced his special “Hubert’s All Purpose Seasoning” (without artificial preservatives) to the Canadian market, several large companies sought to purchase the rights to his invention. He asserts that, while using his hands in the building construction business, many ideas emerged in relation to gadgets that he can make. This chicken de-boner was one such idea.

There are many brilliant ideas residing within the minds of our contractors, students, and teachers (to mention a few) just waiting to be born; just waiting to see the light of day.

There are many ideas in science, agriculture, and information technology bidding us to set them free; plucking at us and seemingly saying, “Don’t just be a bystander — take me up and run with me!”

It is always amazing to chat with citizens throughout the region who intend to write a book “one of these days”. Some already have manuscripts close to completion. Others have outlines of the chapters. Many can describe the characters that they plan to portray in their novels. And in so many cases, the projects are merely “ideas in the making”. Too many of us are standing by when life has presented us with the next stage to pursue. And in our delay, we rob ourselves and others of glorious learning opportunities. We need to calculate the risk, count the cost, and move forward with the understanding that we, you and I, are destined to be proactive. We are encouraged by the words of Howard Schultz when he reminds us that, “There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust. But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we believe that the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do. We refuse to be bystanders, even if we do not know exactly where our actions will lead”.

You and I must lead by example and sound the clarion call - “No bystanders”.

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

Will the world survive the current crisis?

AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION is raging among academics, policy makers and politicians. The way the matter is resolved will determine whether the world will survive the current economic and financial crisis.

The question that sits at the very core of the discussion is how to solve the serious economic, financial and debt crisis facing the major industrial and developed economies. Because much of what we do in the undeveloped world can be considered development on the margins, people in countries like ours are bound to suffer immeasurably unless real and thorough going solutions are found to the manner in which the world is governed.

While we boast of a gross national product of more than a billion dollars and a per capita income of about $14,000, at least 35 percent of the population is unemployed with no legal way of owning $7 much more $14,000.

Therefore, conversations about the way forward have to be more studied and considered. The time for glib answers has long passed.

In Europe and the United States, there is really a false debate on ways to solve the problems confronting the world economy. Merkel of Germany, England’s Cameron and Romney, President Obama republican challenger, are strong believers in the notion that economies ought to be disciplined into shape.

President Hollande of France, and to a lesser extent President Obama, maintain that too much fiscal discipline in a period of an international meltdown will spell even greater disaster for the world economic and financial system. They argue that policies that emphasise growth, especially those that help to create employment, are needed to stave off an even deeper economic crisis.

But the growth through stimulus argument is a hard sell. Any policy that is aimed at taxing the rich and aiding the poor is frowned on. While most politicians and bankers have had no effective response to the devastating economic crisis, they do have an ideological response.

Forgetting that the captains of big businesses and their political friends, who favoured no regulation, created the crisis, their spokesmen have launched an all-around offensive, using the very crisis they created to promote hostility to any idea of social responsibility for the general welfare.

They reject proposals or programmes intended to meet human needs as “unsustainable”. Universal health care is mislabeled “socialism” or the hallmark of a “welfare state”. These are times that require “austerity”; we have to “live within our means”. We simply can’t afford it. Now is the time for sacrifice and structural reform, we are told.

The question society cannot evade is: what is sustainable and what is not?

The supporters of austerity find gross income inequality sustainable. They do not lament record corporate profits in the midst of economic crisis.

But they are quick to label as unsustainable what any rational thinking person might perceive to be a basic human right. The world has sufficient resources to feed and clothe everyone on earth. The problem has to do with the social manner in which wealth is produced, and the private

manner in which it is distributed.

Austerity programmes are bound to bring on even more hardship for the majority of people. There is no denying that, if we get our priorities right, the basic needs of people will always be sustainable.

The truth is there is a profound lack of understanding or courage on the part of our political elite, to think seriously of ways to lift the majority of people out the economic hell they now live through. They seem not to have a clue.

They don’t even engage in serious conversations about our problems.

Sixty-six years ago, at least one politician, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the face of an international crisis, seemed to have the pulse of the moment.

In a State of the Union Address which was dubbed the second Bill of Rights, he said: “It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans for the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known.

We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our peoplewhether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth- is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill housed, and insecure...

“This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights - among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

They were our rights to life and liberty.

“We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. Necessitous men are not free men. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

“In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident.

We have accepted, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed.

“Among these rights are: The right to a useful job; to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation; The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living; “The right of every family to a decent home; The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health; The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; and the right to a good education. All of these rights spell security.”

Are the rights FDR spoke of years ago not rights that all human beings should aspire to? Should they be shelved in the name of austerity?

Should they be dubbed entitlement programs that should be scorned or opposed? The answer to these questions will determine whether we survive or perish.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

V

12. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Argyle airport should be cancelled

weather conditions and with no instrument runway facilities, would be in danger.

The EIA report said that the small islet of Milligan Cay Wildlife Reserve will lie directly in the THE INTERNATIONAL yardstick for the construction of massive 611 metres shorter than Barbados airport centreline of the final approach for aircraft landing any airport is a mandatory, independent 5-year wind runway. Pilots landing with a tailwind can end up at Argyle airport. It is questionable whether study prior to the construction. According to Argyle overshooting the end of the runway. Overshoot at aircrafts can land at Argyle airport with the danger Airport Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Argyle and solid rock awaits you! of birds in the air. consultants report, Argyle is lacking this crucial The best thing to do in a scenario like this The Yambou river can destroy the Argyle airport yardstick. To date, no independent 5-year wind study on (landing on a short strip with a high tailwind), is to Argyle has been made public. This is quite worrying change runways and land into the wind. This is not runway during heavy floods.

Climate change and the rise in the sea level could from a flight safety perspective. possible at Argyle, so the only option left is to go to submerge the Argyle site, since it has a history of There is a very dangerous inherent tailwind/ another country. Argyle would be redundant. marine submergence. crosswind problem at Argyle. No amount of The ULP regime has tilted The Argyle site is on shifting tectonic plates that propaganda or chest-beating by the ULP regime can the Argyle Airport runway differently from its could move at any time. eliminate this problem provided by Mother Nature. original design. This new divergence will shift the The high level of sea salt blast will adversely The tailwind/crosswind problem is a serious and angle of the tailwind/crosswind to impact more major flight safety hazard. The dangerous winds adversely on aircrafts using Argyle. This is a serious affect aircraft parked or frequently visiting Argyle airport. make it doubtful that the Argyle airport will be flight safety hazard.

The narrow runway is enclosed by high, rock cliff useable for 95 percent of the time.

The EIA report consultants warned the ULP faces on both sides. A burst tyre on landing could Landing heavyweights — a jumbo jet — on a short regime that the width of Argyle airport runway is cause an aircraft to collide with the rock face. runway is challenging; a tailwind just makes things only half the width required for an instrument It is highly unlikely Argyle Airport will ever get worse. It only takes a few seconds worth of floating approach runway, which is needed for landing in the Category 1 or Category 2 civil aviation licence before you find you are too far down the runway to bad weather conditions. The lack of an instrument make a safe landing. If the runway is wet, things approach runway is a major flight safety hazard and needed to operate international flights, due to the numerous flight safety hazards. are even worse, as the braking capability could well will likely disqualify Argyle airport from meeting PM Gonsalves is wasting money at Argyle - it is be degraded. the required 95 per cent usability factor. Argyle safer to cancel the Argyle airport project now.

A tailwind increases a plane’s groundspeed; thus airport should be cancelled now. increasing the distance needed to land and The very high cliff at the Stubbs Bay end of the stop. Barbados airport runway is 3,354 metres. The runway is a serious flight safety hazard. An aircraft SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Argyle runway is very short — only 2,743 metres — a on final approach for landing at night, in bad

Let’s give luck a chance and cross-communications among the organizations which exist in the world, ALL CHRISTIANS will agree that and the success of the process will be gambling is a sin. Legalized state in the hands of the professionalism lotteries are, however, like games that it would entail to manage when people top-up with Digicel and organizational lotteries. Now, let us Lime, or when they buy a Whirlpool at assume that the technological Courts. In fact, people do become apparatus is now in place in every better off. ICT has made and is country, the function of on-line amount, and at the end of each continuing to make great changes in purchasing being firmly established. winning, the profits are split evenly to the way we do things. We can So, then we can begin. each country, what would be the purchase almost anything, from any result? Here in St. Vincent, I am country, on-line.

Cross-organizational lotteries pretty sure, we would have an The world is made up of immaculate and superb road network organizations, groupings, and Let’s say all the governments of the and many other things. associations, etc. There is the G7, and European Union come together and The same thing would happen if G20, the MDC’s and the LDC’s; there pay a lottery of say $100 million South America or Africa does likewise. is North America, Asia, South Euros, with an equal amount coming The same thing if Canada, the USA America, the Caribbean; and there is from each member country, to be and Mexico will combine. Think about the Commonwealth, and the United played on-line among all the citizens of if India, China and Japan come Nations. This writer does not even the European Union. The lottery together and peg an on-line lottery know if Cuba is a member of the administrators should be able to among them. This ought to be the United Nations. Anyway, if the USA determine how often it can be played. greatest financial production from and Cuba are both part of the United After every winning, the money cross-organisational communication Nations then, in reality, there is really generated will be split equally among ever. no ‘United Nations’. the countries. Would Greece still have There comes a time in the life of a Nevertheless, regardless of all these austerity problems? Would Spain or conscientious person that he’s got to organizations, we must continue to do Italy have so much massive foreign speak his heart. We in the world are the wise and efficient things. There is, debt? all dreaming of a place to live without however, one thing that governments Let’s look at the situation in income taxes, property taxes, VAT; a in the world are forgetting and should Caricom. If the governments of be doing, and yet in it lies the solution Caricom could come together and pay place where we are all employed with larger incomes; a place where no to the world’s financial burdens. It all a lottery of say EC$1 million, with country will be indebted. Wake up, all has to do with the communications each country contributing an equal

by JULIAN WILLIAMS

governments, take my advice, crossorganisational lotteries is the answer.

Think about what, for instance, a cross-organisational lottery between Caricom and South America would do for Grenada.

Come on, let’s give luck a chance.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 13.

Feature

Queen’s Jubilee celebrated Vincentian style

by KARISSA CLARKE CELEBRATIONS TO MARK the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne kicked into high gear on Monday, June 4, across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms.

The highlight event was a Beacon Ceremony, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines was not to be left out.

(Foreground) The Governor General is led through the Gardens by Chairperson of the Jubilee Celebrations Committee, Rene Baptiste (right) and Sandra Davis , former permanent secretary.

Inset: Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, beside the newly lit beacon during the 6-gun salute.

Local Beacon Event The Botanical Gardens, one of the crowning jewels of our colonial history, played host to the national leg of the Beacon event, Monday, June 4. Each country was given a specific time at which their Beacon should be lit in connection with the lighting of the Royal Beacon.

After the Parade Fall-in and March off at 4:00 pm, the Beacon Event began. Members of the RSVG Police Force, SVG Cadets Corps, the Girl Guides and other uniformed bodies lined the pathway through the Gardens to Government House.

The Governor General, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, accompanied by Ms. Rene Baptiste, Chairperson of the Diamond Jubilee Committee, led a stroll through the Gardens, beginning at the Amphitheatre.

The first of the stops up to Government House was at the tree recently planted by the Earl of Wessex, where Mrs. Grace Peters-Clarke, Literature teacher at the Girls High School, read four poems depicting life in Belize, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Kitts from the years 19621972. Clad in a tie-dye dress and African inspired head

wrap, Peters-Clarke was the perfect representation of a Caribbean Woman at these times.

The Governor General’s party moved on to their next stop, the Lower Steps of the Gardens where they were serenaded by Ranger, Shanique Browne and a member of the Kingstown Baptist Church Choir. They sang a medley of Vincentian Classics, like ‘St. Vincent my Homeland’, and other inspirational pieces, representing Barbados, Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the year 1972 to 1982.

The pond area, which was encircled by members of the uniformed organizations, served as the stage for the Avenue Dancers who performed to a mix of Caribbean favourites,

featuring genres like Soca and Reggae representing the islands of Anguilla, Cayman Islands and Jamaica of 1982 to 1992.

The stroll up to Government House continued with a performance by the Genesis Steel Orchestra at the Plant Nursery Area, representing.

The small pan ensemble entertained the party with their melodious renditions of pieces representing Trinidad, Grenada and Montserrat from the year 1952 to 1962.

At the last stop, which was on the Steps of Government House, the Kingstown Baptist Church Choir sang two Gospel Numbers, ending the journey the right way.

Following this, activity was centred in the Flagpole area of Government House. The area, in the front of the Government House which was decorated in the colours of the Union Jack, was encircled by the Royal

Members of the Girl Guides Association line the path around the pond leading to Government perform to a medley of Caribbean songs.

Police Force Band, Girl Guides and Rangers. Four local pigeons were being symbolically freed.

Governor General and Queen’s representative Sir Frederick Ballantyne was responsible for the official lighting of the Beacon, in the form of a Union Jack Decorated Oil Drum, at 5:00 pm sharp. This was followed by a six-gun salute and the playing of this country’s national anthem and that of the United Kingdom.

In her closing remarks, Baptiste thanked “all the Vincentians who made this a reality,” including Latoya Deroche-John, Dwight Lewis and other members of the Jubilee Celebrations Committee.

She expressed that the event turned out a lot better than they had been expecting and reminded persons present that the Gardens was chosen for this event because it is the sight of the Jubilee Legacy Project, which is aimed at its restoration for the 250th anniversary in 2015.

The Governor General expressed thanks to all of the performers, saying, inter alia, “Above anything else, this highlights the immense talent of the Vincentian population.

Above all, remember how creative Vincentians are and what hidden talents lie among us.”

He also conveyed thanks to Ms. Baptiste for co-ordinating the activities.

Other activities

The Celebrations in St. Vincent, continued on Tuesday, June 5th with an Art and Photography Exhibition at the new Public Library. Held in the Reference area, the exhibition showcased art, craft and photography of a number of Vincentian artists, with special focus on the colonial days and visits of Queen Elizabeth.

Diplays included work from Vincentian artists Robert Joyette, Curtis Robinson and Owen Ralph; photographer Kingsley Roberts and students of the SVGCC Art Department, as well as sketches from the works of Dr. Vivian Child.

Preceding both the Beacon Ceremony and Art Exhibition was a special sitting of this country’s House of Assembly last Friday, June 1.

Leader of Government business Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Leader of the Opposition Arhnim Eustace, Minister of Education Girlyn Miguel and Opposition M.P. St. Clair Leacock were among those making presentations.

Dr. Gonsalves highlighted the Queen’s “sensitivity to people’s suffering,” and paid tribute to the Queen for prompting Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to do something to ensure the end of the apartheid system.

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace noted the long and unbroken period of rule by Queen Elizabeth, and assured that the opposition “will continue to pay respect to her Majesty.”

Events to bring the celebrations to a closure here will include a June 12 Parade, scheduled for Arnos Vale Playing Field, and a Toast to Her House as the Avenues Dancers Majesty at Government House on the same day.

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14. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Eustace:

‘Buccament problems cannot be ignored’ LEADER of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace says that the problems surrounding the multimillion dollar Buccament Bay Resorts project must not be ignored by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

At a media conference at Democrat House on Wednesday, the New Democratic Party leader said it was evident that there were serious problems associated with the Buccament project.

He said that recent disclosures indicated that a number of clients of Harlequin were seeking to recover their investments in projects in Thailand and other parts of

the world.

There exists the concern manifested by a number of local lawsuits filed against the project by contractors who claim not to have been paid in part or at all. There have also been reports of disgruntled workers who claim not to have been paid their wages.

“Based on reports received, we do not agree with the statement made by Senator Julian Francis that the nonpayment of workers arises solely because contractors have not completed their work and consequently have not been paid, and are themselves unable to pay their workers.

Arnhim Eustace has added his voice of concern about the multimillion dollar Buccament Bay Project.

We are informed that the nonpayment or delayed payment extends to some project employees as well. We say that the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines should make every effort to encourage the project investor to make payments that are due, promptly, to both employees and contractors”, Eustace told reporters.

“The Government cannot ignore the cries of those who seek to recover their monies, ” Eustace said, noting that the maintainance of an

appropriate investment climate is important to attracting foreign investment to this country and to the protection of the rights of the local labour force and businesses.

“The difficulties associated with this project and recent exposures in relation to the project investor are capable of damaging St Vincent’s investor climate”, Eustace said.

Eustace said the Government seems to want to ignore the situation, indicating

that there were labour laws and that disgruntled workers could lodge complaints at the labour department. He said that it is well-known that such complaints will take a very long time. He said the Government cannot just allow the issues at Buccama to slide.

The Buccament Bay project, located on the southwest coast of St Vincent, is controlled by an international network called Harlequin Resorts of which English born Dave Ames is a principal.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 15.

Diaspora

Vincy cultural group making a difference

Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCG), which was formed nine years ago, recently hosted its A RELATIVELY YOUNG 4th Annual Tea Party VINCENTIAN cultural group in raising funds to help in Brooklyn continues to the less fortunate back make a difference in its home. homeland.

Over 400 patrons — The United Vincie including a large number

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

of Jamaicans from the group’s base, the Miracle Temple Ministries on Thomas Boyland Street in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn — attended the fun-filled event at St. Anthony Baptist Church, 425 Utica Ave., corner of

Northern Ireland raises Funds for Banana Farmers SEVERAL CHURCHES, schools and individuals from Ards and Lisburn Borough Councils in Northern Ireland have collectively raised £1000.00 (approximately EC$4,400.00) for St. Vincent Fairtrade Banana Farmers.

Dr L-R: Dr Christopher Stange – Consulate for St. Vincent and Christopher the Grenadines to Northern Ireland and Steve Caldwell Stange from the Director of Youth Ministries at Granshaw Presbyterian Consulate for Church.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines of the SVG government and Fairtrade (SVG) to Northern Ireland and Chair banana farmers, we are delighted by of Fairtrade Belfast was contacted these local efforts to assist regarding fund raising events by internationally. There is great support different Fairtrade supporters in Northern Ireland for ethically following presentations delivered on produced commodities and we look Caribbean Fairtrade bananas and forward to strengthening these Fairtrade accreditation. relationships across Northern Ireland A special mention to the largest for the benefit of developing world contributors: Granshaw Presbyterian producers.”

Church, Carr Primary School P2/3 With “Operation Cutback” to clear Class, Alison Gibson, Jean McNally the banana fields, Fairtrade farmers and Irene Kirk. are beginning to re-plant in St. Commenting on the funds raised, Vincent, so the proposal is to have this Dr Christopher Stange said: “Our fund dedicated to inputs such as Fairtrade banana farmers in St. fertilizer, to be officially distributed Vincent have had several setbacks, through the Ministry of Foreign with Hurricane Tomas destroying the Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture in banana industry, followed by Moko St. Vincent.

Disease and Black Sigatoka. On behalf

Members of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn.

Inset: Roxie Irish, President of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn.

In addition, contestants for the Miss Continental U.S.A. Pageant made a guest appearance.

There were lots of Utica Ave. and Empire food, fun and fellowship, Blvd. in Brooklyn. as attendees sipped tea With Jamaican Wayne and enjoyed local Murray serving as delicacies.

Master of Ceremonies, “Everyone was well the entertainment began fed and happily with a “Miss Etiquette” entertained,” Irish, who session by the UVCG was born in Vermont but President Roxie Irish, a grew up in Campden former national netball Park, told THE star, followed by a praise VINCENTIAN. dance by the UVCG girls.

Over the years, she Irish told the said UVCG has been audience, among other shipping barrels of things, how one should medical supplies to St. eat, handle utensils and Vincent and the exit the table during Grenadines. meals.

To date, 18 clinics at A hat competition — home have been Most Original, Most beneficiaries of the Creative, and Biggest — supplies, Irish said. an impromptu song In 2010, UVCG hosted competition; a poem by its first medical mission Kimberle Thompson; and to St. Vincent and the remarks by Francis Grenadines, during Frank, recipient of funds which over 500 nationals at last year’s event, received medical augmented the event. treatment. In October,

the group plans to travel home on its second medical mission.

Irish said UVCG, in April, shipped home eight hospital beds, along with wheelchairs, walkers and canes.

The group, on Sept. 8, will host its Annual Cultural Concert at Meyer Levin Intermediate School 285 in Brooklyn.

“The audience will be entertained with skits, dances, folk songs and great, mouth-watering Vincie dishes,” Irish said.

“We are blessed to be a blessing,” she affirmed, stressing UVCG’s motto.

“Life is about people; and if we are not touching lives, then I don’t think we’re living a fulfilled life,” she added.

“I take my cue from the greatest person who walked this earth, Jesus Christ,” the devout Christian continued. “He was about people.”

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16. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Horror movie on the streets

The case of J.C.

by COLIN KING

STEPHEN KING, writer of horror stories many, like ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Shinning’, made into top-grossing blockbuster Hollywood movies, could easily have penned a gruesome heart stopper, in terms similar to those of Young J.C’s story.

J.C is a homeless Vincentian young person who, at the age of three, watched as his father, now in prison for murder, broke his mother’s neck, and shot her in a potato field in Fitz Hughes, 1998. She had cheated on him.

J.C has been on the streets since 1998. He recalls the macabre scene of his mother’s death and funeral, as though it were yesterday.

Of witnessing his mother’s murder, he says: “I watched the play go down. After everything I feel real

“Why did I come to this place, because, this is not a place for me, I wasn’t bad.”

situation at age 8. He was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with swollen hands and feet, and other evidence of abuse.

On discharge, he was sent to the Liberty Lodge Boys Home/School, and mused on entering: “Why did I come to this place, because, this is not a place for me, I wasn’t bad.”

He walked out of Liberty Lodge at around On losing his parents age eleven or twelve, because, as he put it, After his mother’s “the boys were ruling the murder, he endured five school,” in reference to years of abuse with delinquent behaviour relatives, who he said, apparently not stemmed “did not want me around by the authorities and too much, and disliked adult figures who, from me through my father.” his inferences, have lost Social Welfare (Family control at Liberty Lodge.

Affairs) as he puts it, The Liberty Lodge took him out of that

pain, real sorrow, nobody could have talked to me because of the way I been feeling. I was in another world, stand up over the coffin, like I been dead already.”

At 17 years old, J.C resembles a young Terrance Howard, an actor in dirty clothing, with a resilient face of innocence betrayed, having spent three years on the street.

A sad reality that goes unattended to in many countries, including SVG.

challenge The Liberty Lodge Home for Boys was started in 1973 by Colonel Anderson, a Chief of Police. It was run in its early years by the police, until it was turned over to civilian directorship.

Eight years ago, the board of directors issued guidelines to alleviate problems there, not dissimilar in root causes to what J.C described. A proposal was presented to then minister of Family Affairs, the Hon. Mike Browne, but according to a member of the board, despite glowing promises and affected concern, no changes were made based on the proposal; no action taken.

In the more progressive times of the school, training and production in agriculture and carpentry provided a source of income, and a way for the youngsters to cope financially once they left. One young man, on leaving the institution, made all his furniture for use in his intended domicile, sensible preparation for his ‘graduation’ from the home/school.

Still those boys felt the need to get away from what would seem to

be an ‘institutionalised’ environment.

One source, remembers a boy who ran away, and was recovered later having been raped.

J.C can relate. He says he had tough choices to make surviving on the street. He could steal, sell drugs or prostitute himself. He was routinely abused by the ‘respectable’ adults, who make use of his ‘services’.

A happy but passing time To return to the sequence of the continued gothic nature of his account: He started attending the Petit Bordel Secondary School, and placed third in his first outing in Form 2, about the only happy note, here.

For some reason, Family Services discontinued his support, and the overwhelming burden of surviving without assistance of any kind to facilitate him attending classes, sometimes starving and faint, he gave it up for a life on the streets.

In our Christian society, one wonders who those ‘respectable adults, picking up J.C., and others like him, when that effort turned in

another direction could stabilize and compensate the youngster for the insensitivity of the environment which abused him, cut off his support, exhibited callous indifference, and turned a blind eye to him, except as a sexual pawn.

I am sure this is not a general practice in adult behaviour, may be I hope so. But THE VINCENTIAN appeals for help for J.C in getting off the streets, finding housing and employment.

J.C is different from the other inmates of the ‘street prison’ who are visible, yet invisible fixtures on our consciousness, but not our conscience. He speaks enthusiastically, quietly, even philosophically about that happy Form 2 year at Petit Bordel. His favourite subjects were math, social studies, agriculture, and English A and English B (Literature).

This kind of story is one which should be brought to the attention of civic organizations, even the U.N. The Stephen King horror stories seldom end in hope. Which parties in the drama will burn in hell streets? You decide.

‘Refuge’ if any is sort wherever and whenever.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 17.

News

SVG pauses to pray MEMBERS OF VARIOUS RELIGIOUS organizations, students, teachers and employees from the public and private sectors congregated at Heritage Square last Monday to observe a National Day of Prayer.

Deputy Prime Minister Girlyn Miguel admitted that SVG needed to be healed.

The event began at about 11.00am and heard prayers offered by leaders of some churches, These persons were devout and focused. addresses by government officials Miguel was clear that “The of prayer, and remembering and musical Government of St Vincent and “I may not understand the renditions. the Grenadines realizes that economic jargons, but I do According to our land needs to be healed. understand the economy of Deputy Prime And so this morning I want to God’s Kingdom. And it says, Minister and give God praise and thanks for ’be not misled for God is not Minister of Education Girlyn those of us who have taken the mocked. Whatsoever we sow that shall we reap’,” he said.

Miguel, “We are time off to come here that we can gather together and raise “Is it a good thing, my here this our voices in deep humility friends, that the most morning because and ask our Heavenly Father prominent activity of a country we need this is an activity that encourages land of ours, this to please spare our land.”

Minister of Ecclesiastical our people to dress scantily, plural country to Affairs, Maxwell Charles, said to have on little pieces of be spared from it was heartening to see clothes and to go reveling and the ravages of persons take time out to then we are called to bless it?” hurricanes, of attend the prayer event he asked. tsunamis. We “I tell you the truth, the want this land of because “if we ever needed a season of prayer, it is around Bible says that we are to tear ours to be spared this time in earth’s history.” down all the high places in our from illness. We He implored the youth to land.

And the highest place in want this land of remember God in all they do. our land, the most prominent ours to stay as He recognized the efforts of thing that brings destruction blessed as it is the National Day of Prayer in to our nation — and I believe — called.” is the carnival celebration. So, She continued: ensuring the event became a reality, lauding the chairman so, what we need to do in our “And even as we of the committee, Pastor land is repent. And repentance pause to pray we Stephen Ollivierre. don’t mean speaking it by your need to know Pastor of the Church of the mouth only, but doing it, ” said that there are Nazarene, Kelron Harry, drew Pastor Harry. conditions that from the Biblical story of King “The people need to surround the Solomon, imploring the youth understand that if they sow prayer. to understand the importance immorality, they will reap immorality……

Some persons will not be happy with these things, but I tell you, it is better to please God,” said

A section of the turnout of citizens to the call for a National Day of Prayer.

Pastor Kelron Harry challenged the youth to be mindful of sowing seeds of immorality.

Pastor Stephen Ollivierre, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Committee.

Pastor Harry, receiving the biggest applause.

The event ended with the youthful Saeed Bowman playing ‘Light your Candle’ on pan.

Some persons formed themselves into small prayer groups.

18. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 19.

Business The Subway outlet is ideally located on the main driveway into capital Kingstown.

- Eat healthy KNOWN IN SOME 100 COUNTRIES and 36,916 outlets across the globe for its ‘eat fresh’ tag line, the Subway franchise could well be adding to that tag.

From today, Friday 8th June, the franchise could well feel it within their purview to declare that when you eat at Subway, you not only “eat fresh” but you also “eat healthy.”

Today is the day when the American Heart Association will begin to point those seeking help finding ‘better-for-you’ restaurant food, in the direction of Subway restaurants.

Today is the day the AHA will announce plans to expand its ‘HeartCheck’ food certification programme from grocery stores to restaurant meals.

And the first chain of ‘fast food’ restaurants to earn the new seal is Subway.

“The move comes at a time nutritious options have become hot sellers.

Up to 42% of Subway’s food sales meet the heart group’s requirements that limit cholesterol, fat, saturated fat and sodium,” says Subway Marketing Chief Tony Pace.

According to Pace, while some others “joke” about how healthy they are, “eight Subway

sandwiches, nine salads Subway outlet opens in and four kids meals meet downtown Kingstown. the criteria.”

Expect the AHA to expand to other chains, but in the meantime, Subway has the right to claim a perceptional win in the ‘race’ to honestly declare that it sells healthy food.

The first Subway outlet was opened here on August 5th, 2010.

The journey to date, according to principals of local franchise holders Rybeck Foods Ltd., has been challenging but rewarding.

“We stake our reputation on the line with everything we serve. We are proud to be associated with a franchise that not only cares about the freshness of its products, but now we are further strengthened by this recent AHA certification that we also care about our patrons’ health”, says Ryan Gonsalves, Managing Director of Rybeck Food Ltd. And, even as he invites Vincentians to “eat fresh and healthy at Subway,” Gonsalves is ever grateful for the support the franchise has received and continues to receive from persons “of all walks of life.”

Vincentians are encouraged to keep their eyes, ears and appetites open in case another

One of the Subway menu offerings that have received AHA certification.

20. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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22. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Evonnique Pierre Miss Calliaqua Cardo

Jeanetta Richards Miss Golden Vale National Properties Ltd.

Kimberly Garraway Miss Fair Hall CDC & Hairoun Beer

Kimmersha Williams Miss Ratho Mill Kelectric Co. Ltd.

Mischleen John Miss Villa Howard’s Marine Ltd.

Molissa Richardson Miss Glen Sprott’s Distributors Ltd.

Carnival in East St. George SIX LADIES WILL VIE for the Miss East St. George Pageant which comes off at Club Swallows, Villa, tonight, Friday 8th June.

The evening event will also feature a calypso/soca show.

Carnival activities in East St. George will continue tomorrow, Saturday 9th June, with J’Ouvert and Street Jump-up in the afternoon.

Activities will climax on Sunday 10th June with the Kiddies Carnival.

Buccament Secondary holds Pageant ATHE BUCCAMENT BAY SECONDARY School held its inaugural Miss Buccament Bay secondary School Pageant on Friday 1st June.

Held under the theme ‘Kalaidescope of Colours’, five girls, each representing a different colour, vied for the coveted historic Miss Buccament Bay position of the Secondary School, first ever Miss Terreka Nero.

Buccament Bay Secondary School.

When the judges’ gavels were brought down, Terreka Nero was declared the winner, with Rhianna Welch and Sonoya Browne in first and second runner-up positions respectively.

Ms. Nero copped the Best Interview and Best Introductory Speech categories, whileMiss Welch won the best Evening Wear award.

Other contestants were Brean Gloster and Denielle Bascombe. Miss Gloster was adjudged to have had the best talent.

The Pageant was held at the school’s compound.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 23.

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24. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Another successful Canouan Regatta

were sponsored by C.R.D. Holdings Limited which, this year, increased its support from $10,000.00 in 2011 to $12,350.00.

The Activities kicked off with a Cultural Extravaganza on Thursday May 24th at the Sailing Club, where an address was made by Area Representative, Terrance Ollivierre.

Father Frank Garraway of the Anglican Church blessed the Event.

Dancers from the Canouan Government School performed, the Sayzon Modelling Group made appearances, and Class 6 Winners - Black Berry Crew - Bequia.

Adam Sobers and Damian Harry entertained the crowd with their Raga Soca numbers.

There was also a Domino match between King’s Domino Team and the Sailing Club. That match was won by King’s team.

Other activities held over the weekend were a Foam Fete, Wet Young Sailors from Bequia.

Fete, Back In Time THE 2012 Canouan Whitsuntide Regatta and its associated activities were staged over the period May 24 to 28.

As has been the case for the last twelve years, prizes for the Regatta

Dance and a Family Fun Day. The highlight of the event, the sailing, was exciting as it was homely.

In highly spirited competition, ‘Aqua Finn 1’, captained by Clyde Laidlow, made light work of other Boats Sailing competitors to take out to sea. the Class I category, ahead of ‘Flash’, captained by Kenal Baptiste in second place and ‘Phil’, under Phil De Roche, in third.

In the Class 2 category, Hudson Williams captained his vessel, ‘D Shark’, to first place, with ‘My Love’, under Captain Stanley Harry, in second place.

Class 3 saw Damian Harry piloting his ‘Scope International’ into winners’ row.

There were few worries for ‘More Worries’ in the Class 4 race, as she was ably captained by S. Farrell to the first position. ‘Tornado’, under K. Corea, and ‘Nerrissa J 2’, under V. Laidlow, had to settle for second and third respectively.

There were victories for Captian L. Daniel and his ‘Limbo Dance’ and O. Ollivierre and his ‘Black Berry’ in the Class 5 and 6 categories.

The ever popular 3’ 0’’ Gum Boat race threw up healthy competition and when all was done, ‘Angelica’,

Commodore Matthew Mc Lauren Canouan Sailing Club - receiving sponsorship cheque from Roxanne Israel, Public Relations/Employee Relations Officer - C.C.A. Limited. marshaled by L. De Roche, was declared the winner, ahead of ‘Hard Target’ and ‘Sunna’ in that order.

The Prize-Giving Ceremony took place at the Canouan Sailing Club on Monday 28th May, at 7:15 p.m.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 25.

News

Clarke wins Carnival Costume MRS. RHONDA CLARKE is the second winner in Karib Cable’s ‘Come Celebrate and Win with Karib Cable,” promotion.

Mrs. Clarke, a resident of Green Hill, collected her winnings at the Karib Cable office on Tuesday June 4.

Her prizes included a carnival costume from Karib Cable sponsored section ‘Fiber Optics’ of the Guinness, Y. DeLima, Hitz Fm, Blondie Birds and Friends mas presentation for 2012, ‘A Glimpse of Kingstown’.

“I feel real good to have won this time,” said Mrs. Clarke as she collected her prizes. “I been getting fed up filling out all of the entry forms, because whenever I pay my bill I was handed a form, but I decided to fill it out again and then I put it in the drawing box. I guess it was my lucky day as I have won! I will give the costume to my daughter as she likes those things. I want to say again, thanks to Karib Cable for the fine work they are doing.”

Vance Garraway, Marketing Executive of Karib Cable, congratulated Mrs. Clarke and assured her and all Karib cable subscribers that his company

L-R: Elroy ‘Blondie Bird’ Boyde, Rhonda Clarke, Ronnica Williams (Clarke’s daughter) and Vance Garraway, Marketing Executive of Karib Cable. strives always to provide the best services, products and prices.

To be part of this promotion, persons simply have to sign up for any of Karib Cable’s services,

while subscribers have to pre-pay their bills or pay off their full account balances, upon which their names are entered for the weekly draw.

Image on a search for models

THE IMAGE MODELLING AGENCY is looking for models to join their ranks.

The locally acclaimed Modelling Agency is known to take pride in the development of and ensure opportunities for the models.

Training is basic to its programme, and its work in this regard has produced Face of Shabeau winners Odini Sutherland, Melissa Solomon, Andrew Russell and Perry Norris, and Elite Caribbean finalists Terranza Franklyn and Sherina Slater.

Image Models have also graced numerous runways here and abroad, including the catwalk of the Agency’s signature event, Fashion Caribbean, and continue to be the first choice in many promotional events.

Against this background, the Agency is in search of the next batch of Image Models and will host a Model Call on Saturday, June 9th, at 5pm, at The Grenadine House conference room.

Males 5’10’ and taller, and females from age 14 who are 5’ 8” and taller are encouraged to make application.

Interested persons can check out Image Modelling Agency on twitter @Imagesvg and by visiting their Fashion Caribbean fan page on Facebook.

26. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

V Goodbye to the Whale Hunt!

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 27.

Opinion

Part 1

Whaling policy - a policy with little science (according to many experts) but with more whale meat on the

by PAUL LEWIS dinner table or restaurant, and a little variety in sandwiches for Japanese A POWERFUL pro-whaling group of OECS school children - if only they would eat Fisheries Ministers, their technical it! I gather Japanese pets do not mind experts, and Japan met in Kingstown on it. The point here is that we are May 9 and 10, 2012, to strategize for the supporting a practice that is upcoming IWC Meeting scheduled for unsustainable for everyone, both in Panama this June. It was an interesting Japan and SVG. Scientific whaling is mix of politicians, fisheries officers, IWC just as much a farce as the call by commissioners and Japanese whaling Minister Caesar for Whaling to be officials. This group included Edwin promoted as food security.

Snagg and Raymond Ryan of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and Davin Joseph of What food security?

St. Kitts –all familiar faces and vociferous supporters of Japan, Norway, I find it quite strange that, even in Greenland and other pro-whaling entities the heyday of whaling, Bequians never at annual International Whaling viewed whaling in that light — even Commission (IWC) Meetings. Most when times were tough .Whale noticeable, however, was Japan’s strong products had some very practical uses presence at the meeting for locals, especially in the provision of Japan undoubtedly carries a big oil for fuel in the absence of electricity stick within the OECS body. It has in Bequia. But what does the Minister influenced the region’s fisheries policy mean by whaling for food security? through its largesse in providing new Was it a clarion to kill more whales or refurbished fisheries complexes. In and stockpile the oil to be used when SVG, for example, between 1998 and Vinlec goes on the blink? Or, to be 2005 both the NDP and ULP used as food when shoppers cannot Administrations received over afford to buy back and neck in the US$35million in grant aid for fisheries supermarkets because they haven’t buildings. The complexes are integral received their salary from the to a National Fisheries Policy and so government? What are the health Japan’s contributions were critical to implications when we eat more whale the realization of this policy. meat? Perhaps our fisheries scientist In return, however, we are Raymond Ryan can tell us about the expected to pull out all the stops and relative health of the whale stocks in vote for Japan’s disastrous Scientific the region, and indicate to the nation

how many whales in the last decade have been examined to determine whether they are fit for human consumption, and what toxic contaminants were found in the whales. In light of the annual complaints by the IWC on SVG’s failure to produce adequate data on whale hunts to the relevant subcommittees and documentation centres, one must challenge the overexuberance of the Minister in advocating this policy, and suggest that he must reactivate and promote the scientific and educational mandate of the fisheries department under Ryan.

Pollution, toxins and health Russell Fielding (2010) wrote a PhD dissertation on “Artisanal whaling in the Atlantic “. It is a comparative study of various factors involved in the whaling regimes of Barrouallie and the Faroe islands. Marine pollution is an often overlooked factor that can have serious negative consequences on the health of fish stocks and whales.

The ship MV Edwina ran aground on the Leeward coast many years ago and caused much alarm about its potential to pollute the marine environment-the area where many of our pilot whales are caught. A larger issue today is the almost exponential increase in marine traffic that begs for additional scientific tests to determine the health of the marine environment and all cetaceans-small and large species found in these environments.

D. E. Gaskin et al, Mercury, DDT, Dieldren, and PCB in two species of Ondontoceti (Cetecea) from St. Lucia, Lesser Antilles (1974) produced the last report in this field. If there are more recent reports then the authorities must let the nation know about them. And if the government’s argument is that we must whale for food security and by implication we should eat more whales, perhaps this is a matter too for the Local Medical Association to comment on. I fear, however, that many medical personnel may not see it as a scientific or health issue but rather a political one and would rather say nothing about it. The government of SVG must end its wilful continuation of policies that place the health of our people at risk and that

bring international criticism to Vincentians. A failure to take such corrective action is nothing short of criminal behaviour.

In 2008, the Chief Medical Officers of the Faroe Islands concluded after extensive testing that pilot whales were unfit for human consumption due to high toxic levels found in the whales. The whales’ blubber and liver contained too much mercury, PCB’s and DDT derivatives to recommend its safe use for humans. Consumption of such chemicals through eating contaminated pilot whale meat result in damage to neural development, an increase in high blood pressure, circulatory problems and impaired immunity in children. Yes, an argument can be made that maybe we do not have the high density traffic around the waters of SVG as in the Faroe Islands. But since Gaskin’s report, marine traffic has increased exponentially in the area, and the potential for contaminated pilot whales has increased significantly too. .Without checking, we will never know what we are eating until it is too late.

The consumption of contaminated humpback whale meat could expose one to prohibited levels of DDT’s and PCB’s resulting in citizens suffering from any number of ailments including problems with the liver, reproduction systems, cancer, suppression of the immune systems etc. Exact medical information should be obtained from your local doctor. The discovery of contaminated pilot whales around the Faroe Islands, and the relay of this scientific data to the residents resulted in a significant drop in the consumption of pilot whales by locals.

This writer is not trying to be alarmist but to point out the danger in eating products that we do not have adequate information on; and as a warning to those in authority not to use the food security issue without explaining the implications of eating whale meat in great abundance. And while higher levels of pollutants have been reported in toothed as opposed to baleen whales-of which the humpback is a species- that is no reason to be complacent about the health of the humpback stocks or the general health of the Nation. Yes, we must have food security, but at what cost?

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Pleasure trips will be most enjoyable and should lead to new and lasting friendships. A second chance will result in good work.

You will find your vitality is lowered. Losses could occur if you haven't been careful when dealing with joint financial ventures.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You need to distance yourself from the situation for a little while first.

You must take care not to over exert yourself if involved in sports.

You will be best suited to doing things around the house or inviting friends over for a visit. Don't hesitate to sign up for lectures or seminars that will enlighten you.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) The experience will be good.

Travel opportunities should be your first choice. Be sure to take care of the needs of your immediate loved ones first. Don't blow situations out of proportion.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Look into the cost factor, but don't try to get backing yet. False information from someone trying to start problems is likely. Sudden changes could result in estrangement's. Don't be alarmed.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Disharmony will result in a lowered vitality. Stress may result in minor illness. You need to get out and have some fun to reduce tension.

Trying to deal with your mate will be unproductive and possibly hurtful. Make changes to your living quarters that will please the whole family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can make money if you put your savings into conservative investments. Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy.

Sudden changes regarding friendships are likely to occur if you have tried to change others.

Don't get involved in other people's problems.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Travel may be confusing. Social functions will bring you in touch with new lovers. You will be prone to carelessness that could result in accidents. You will enjoy interaction with others this week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your tendency to overreact could get you into trouble. You can help sort out problems that friends are facing. Channel your energy wisely and you can score points with the boss. Your reputation may be at stake if you partake in gossip.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Get involved in groups that are creative in nature. Your need to be in a leadership position will help you surpass any rivals you might encounter. You will benefit through hidden assets and property investments. Evasion is likely if you aren't direct about your feelings.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) A passionate party for two might be just the remedy. You must not let others talk you into doing things that will probably limit you financially at a later date. Be careful not to get roped into uncertain joint financial deals. Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You will find travel and lectures most stimulating. Emotional disputes will only end in sorrow.

Don't point your finger unjustly at others. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Any intimate relationships with colleagues will lead to gossip that could easily affect your position.

Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans.

Be discreet and don't present your ideas until you're certain that they're foolproof. Travel will be in your best interest.

ACROSS 1. Baseball stat 4. Mrs. (Sp.) 7. Toe-wiggling sounds 10. April “honoree” 11. Vietnamese New Year 12. Fibber 14. Kelly Clarkson, e.g.

15. Momentous 17. Sign of the zodiac 19. Winds around 20. Motion pictures 23. Not fancy 26. ‘30s relief agency (abbr.)

27. Reporter’s question 30. Public tumult

31. WWII org.

32. Castor, to Pollux 33. Building addition 34. Winter ailment 35. Witty remarks 36. “__ Fideles” 38. Stoplight’s red preceder 42. Connecticut seaport 46. Capital of Serbia 49. Prima donna 50. __ as a bug…

51. Reaction to an IM joke 52. The “A” in U.S.A (abbr.)

53. Hospital workers

(abbr.)

54. Perform on stage 55. Word of assent

21. Follow 22. __ Fields cookies 23. Prior to (prefix) 24. Diamond girl DOWN 25. Internet service (abbr.)

1. Went by bus 27. “All Quiet on 2. Baby __ the Western 3. Unlawful Front” 4. Beer mug conflict 5. Race a motor 28. Upper leg 7. Choir joint member 29. Switch 8. Stereo’s settings relative 31. Grizzled (hyph.)

9. Author Bellow 32. Monday follower 10. __ newton 34. “M*A*S*H” 13. “Treasure actor Jamie Island” inits.

35. Amount 16. March (abbr.) madness 37. Food fish sponsor 38. Six-pack (abbr.) muscles, 18. Author Anais

informally 39. Fix a rip 40. Make fuzzy 41. Bacon and __ 43. Use a stopwatch 44. Currier & __ 45. Pontiac product 47. Pie __ mode (2 wds.)

48. Medic’s moniker

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

28. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

THIS WEEK ON

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

June 8th, 2012

June 9th, 2012

June 10th, 2012

June 11th, 2012

June 12th, 2012

June 13th, 2012

Morning

Morning

Morning

Morning

Morning

Morning

6:00 CNN 9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel 10:00 Caribbean Newsline 10:30 Vincy Carnival Rewind 11:30 TBA

6:00 CNN 7:30 Cubix 8:00 Sonic X 9:00 Yu-Gi-Oh 10:00 Dragon Ball Z 11:00 Tai-Chi: Chasers 11:30 Yu-Gi-Oh

Afternoon

Afternoon

FRIDAY

12:00 Headline News 1:00 Still 1:30 3D 2:00 Las Vegas 3:00 Youn 4:00 Cat In The Hat 4:30 Jelly Jam 5:00 My Little Pony 5:30 Martha Speaks

12:00 The Young Icons 12:30 On The Spot 1:30 3D 1:35 TBA 2:00 Vincy Carnival Rewind 4:00 Vidio Train 5:00 Inside Story Evening

Evening 6:00 The Right Of The People 6:30 Yes There Is Hope 7:00 SVGTV News 7:50 Caribbean Passport 8:25 To Be Announced 8:50 3D/Lotto Draws 9:00 Tele-Classifieds 9:10 SVGTV Obituaries 9:15 Bold & Beautiful 9:55 Super 6 Draw 10:00 Movie Com ‘Pg’ “The Bodyguard” 1:00 Movie Hor ‘R’ “Stigmata“ 3:00 Movie Horror ‘R “Single White Female” 5:30 CNN News

6:00 Ran 6:30 Living Water Ministries 7:00 SVGTV News 7:25 Sportweek 7:55 Voice Of Freedom 8:25 F H Videos 8:55 3D 9:00 Guinness Rush Hour 10:00 Movie Com ‘Pg-13’ “Blade Runner” 12:00 Movie Hor ‘R’ “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” 2:00 Movie Com ‘Pg-13’ “Pacific Heights” 3:45 Movie Com ‘Pg-13’ “Friday After Next” 5:10 CNN

THURSDAY June 14th, 2012 Morning 6:00 CNN News 9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel 10:00 Caribbean Newsline 10:30 House Of Payne 11:00 House Of Payne

6:00 CNN 7:00 Your Destiny 8:00 Trinity In Touch 8:30 V 2 V Church 9:00 Bible Speaks 9:30 Faith & Truth 10:00 Movie Adv ‘Pg’ “What If” Afternoon 12:00 Paula 12:30 Turning Point 1:00 Direction 2:00 Movie Dra ‘R’ “Girl Crazy” 4:00 Movie Dra ‘Pg’ “Underdog” Evening 6:00 6:30 7:00 9:00

Health Talk Flash Back Miss SVG 2012 Movie Act ‘R’ “Howard The Duck” 11:00 Movie Com ‘Pg-13’ “The Jewel Of The Nile” 12:45 Movie Com ‘R’ “Surviving Christmas” 2:30 Movie Com ‘R’ “The Prisoner Of Zenda” 4:00 CNN News

11:30 We Cooking Afternoon 12:00 Headline News 1:00 Challenge 1:30 3D 2:00 Burn Notice 3:00 Pink Panther 4:00 Chowder 5:00 Jewel In The Palace

6:00 CNN News 9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel 10:00 Untamed & Uncut 11:00 CSI: Miami Afternoon 12:00 Headline News 1:00 Las Vegas 1:30 3D 2:00 The Doctors 3:00 Kick Buttowski 3:30 Fish Hooks 4:00 Phineas & Ferb 4:30 Suite Life On Deck 5:00 Caribbean Power Outreach 5:30 Girl Friend Evening

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

6:00 CNN News 9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel 10:00 Caribbean Newsline 10:30 Meet The Brownes 11:30 Meet The Brownes

6:00 CNN News 9:00 Shepherd’s Chapel 10:00 Caribbean Newsline 10:30 House Of Payne 11:00 Meet The Brownes 11:30 Caribbean Passport

Afternoon 12:00 Headline News 1:00 Law & Order 1:30 3D 2:00 CSI 3:00 Planet Earth 4:00 The Cat In The Hat 4:30 Jelly Jam 5:00 Jewel In The Palace Evening

Victorious We Cooking SVGTV News 6:00 Paula A.P.I Presents 6:30 In Touch 3D/Lotto Draws 7:00 SVGTV News Tele-Classified 7:55 Encounter SVGTV 8:25 The Law & You Obituaries 8:55 3D 9:15 Bold & Beautiful 9:0 Tele – Classifieds 9:35 Caribbean 9:10 SVGTV Newsline 10:10 Movie Act ‘R’ Obituaries “They Won’t 9:15 WWE Monday Believe Me” Night Raw 11:30 Movie 11:00 Common Law “Dead 12:05 NCIS Reckoning” 1:00 CSI 1:30 Movie Act ‘R’ 2:05 Movie “Mask“The Dimitrios.”

Detonator” 3:15 Movie Act ‘R’ 4:00 Law & Order CI “The Bride.”

5:00 CNN News 5:00 CNN News

Evening 6:00 New Life Baptist Church 7:00 SVGTV News 7:55 A.P.I Presents 8:55 3D 9:00 Tele- Classifieds 9:10 SVGTV Obituaries 9:15 Book Review

6:00 6:30 7:00 7:55 8:55 9:00 9:10

9:25 Bold And Beautiful 10:00 Movie Comedy ‘R’ “Personal Velocity” 11:00 Movie Horror ‘R’ “Daddy & Them” 1:30 Movie “Eye See You” 3:10 Movie Drama ‘Pg’ “The Master Gunfighter” 5:00 CNN News

Afternoon 12:35 Headline News 1:00 House 1:30 3D 2:00 Modern History 3:00 Youn 4:00 Fish 4:30 Deck 5:00 Kick It Evening 6:00 Paula 6:30 Serving The People 7:00 SVGTV News 7:50 Chronicles 8:00 North Leeward In Focus 8:35 Book Review 8:55 3D 9:00 Tele-Classifieds 9:05 SVGTV Obituaries 9:10 Bold And Beautiful 9:30 Caribbean Newsline 10:05 Movie Act “R” “Welcome To Sarajevo” 11:45 Movie Com “R” “Shooting Gallery” 1:30 Movie Com “R” “Ringmaster” 3:00 Movie “Niagra Niagra” 4:30 CNN News

* Programme guide subject to change.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 29.

Advice

Why hit a woman?

Dear George, SOMETIMES I get the feeling that you are defending women over men when it comes to domestic violence. I do not condone domestic violence but I can see where it can happen and can be explained.

Women do a lot of things to harass their men and people never talk about that. My woman has a way of wanting to talk to me ‘any old how’ and tell me the most hurtful things she can find. If I didn’t raise my hand and discipline her, she would have been still disrespecting me to this day.

Sometimes hitting a woman is justified when she is attacking you. What would happen to you if you don’t hit back? Women seem to have all the rights in this country and this must change.

Upful man Dear Upful Man, I do try to give balance to the answers I offer and I am sorry that you have gotten the idea that I am totally into defending women.

Under no circumstances should a man ht to hit a woman. There is no excuse for that. If you are being attacked, it is your duty to get away as fast as possible to a place where you are safe. Striking a woman is a sign of weakness. It shows the inability to reason, etc. If you are in a relationship where hitting is a ‘solution’ to problem-solving, then you need to get out of that relationship or seek professional help with a view to equip yourself with the necessary tools to resolve conflicts in your relationship.

George

Thanks for your advice One month after marrying this individual he began physically SOMETIME BACK I wrote to you about my boyfriend abusing her and she had and you advised me not to to seek refuge at her parent’s place. They are marry him since, he was now going through a wrong for me. To be honest, I did not like your divorce. He also had two other women beside her advice and still intended and both of them were to marry him. About two weeks before the wedding, pregnant for him at the I heard that he was going same time.

I am just thanking out with a friend of mine. you for the advice you I investigated the matter gave me although I and true enough he was never quite followed it. I going out with her and deserved better and I planned to marry her as have found better. I am well. He ended up marrying her and it broke now with a man who loves me very much and my heart to the point we are taking it slowly where I almost lost my for the time being. mind.

Thanks again.

Dear George,

Grateful Dear Grateful, I am glad things turned out well for you in the end. Sometimes the people we are holding on to are the people we should be letting go. Letting go is never easy but at times very necessary.

It is a good idea to take your time and get to know this man and give him the time he needs to get to know you as well.

Love is the best foundation on which to build a relationship and you are definitely on the right track, from all appearances. Good luck to you in the future.

George

Problems with my wife’s privacy invade her privacy. I have argued that there are certain things we MY WIFE and I have have to share, but she is been married for a year now and we are having a holding her ground. For example, she says I have problem with this no right to be asking privacy thing. My wife about her whereabouts. is making me to know that I must not take our She leaves the house marriage as an excuse to sometimes at night ( 7pm or so ) and does not return until 3-4am, and tells me I have no right to ask her where she was or why is she going and coming without my knowledge.

I do not want to control her but I feel I should know these basic things. Her cell phone rings at odd hours in the

Dear George,

night/morning (1 and 2 AM) and she stops whatever we are would, answers the call and stays on the phone until I either fall asleep or get mad her. The argument would start then and never stop.

What kind of wife I have that I cannot question her or have any say in what she does, even when her actions offend me? She says she is a liberated woman and does not need a man to keep her in bondage. I still do not know what she means by that!

Unhappy

Dear Unhappy, I do not know what kind of pre-marital counseling you had but I am suggesting you see a marriage counselor as soon as possible, to assist in bringing some leverage to your situation. It is a wise approach to settle certain issues (e.g. finances, children, religion, sex) before marriage; your wife could have used that opportunity to discuss her idea of boundaries and privacy in a marriage.

Being married has its responsibilities; one is to inform your partner about your whereabouts; that is a wise thing to do for a number of reasons.

Those reasons can be discussed at your counseling sessions. One reason that jumps out at me is basic respect for the other person, knowing that a marriage is between two people.

The sooner you sort this out is the sooner you would get to enjoy your marriage.

George

30. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012 . 31.

Business

Vincies aid in Cave Hill win

VINCENTIAN students, Jason Da Silva and Shamir Francois, ensured that the UWI Cave

Campus retained the Championship title in the 5th Annual CIBC First Caribbean

International Bank Case Analysis Competition.

Da Silva and Francois were

Karib Cable donates to ÂHealthy Heart WalkÊ KARIB CABLE continues to demonstrate its commitment, not just to ensuring a clean physical environment as per its support for beautification efforts in and around Kingstown, but to encouraging good health practices and awareness.

Towards this end, the cable television, telephony and internet service provider joined the Sugar Mill Academy in support of that school’s ‘Healthy School Walk Event’.

The Event is not only a fund-raiser but is the culmination to an ongoing programme of impacting positive health habits among the student population.

“Each term at Sugar Mill Academy has a specific theme. The first term is called ‘Healthy Snack’, during which the children are encouraged to eat snacks ‘in God’s package”.

Second term is called ‘Healthy Heart,’ which sees teachers, parents and students enjoying aerobics exercise several mornings in the week,” explained Liz Cordcie, Principal.

“Our Healthy Heart exercise prepares us for the Annual Healthy Heart Walk. The Walk was the idea of a student who thought it would be a good way to involve the children in fund-raising for their school. All money raised by this event is allocated to fund projects which are decided upon by the students,” Cordcie added.

She expressed her appreciation for Karib

Liz Cordice, Principal (right back), Vance Garraway, Marketing Executive of Karib Cable and students of the Sugar Mill Academy.

Cable’s support, declaring, “Once again, Karib Cable has demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of our children.”

In other Karib Cable (KC) news, subscribers can view live coverage of this weekend’s TNA wrestling on Pay View View on channel 201, for a fee of $15.00. To order this service, visit the KC office at Frenches Gate or 570-1600 or 570-5705.

part of a four-person panel which represented the Cave Hill Campus in the Competition hosted by UWI, St. Augustine, July, 1st 2012, in which they were pitted against panels from UWI St. Augustine campus, UWI Mona campus and The University of Technology from Jamaica.

Francois was voted most spirited team member for his efforts in encouraging team work, and for his dedication to Jason Da Silva the team. Last year Francois also won the award for ‘First Year, Student of the Year’ from the Management Studies Department.

In addition to laying claim once again to UWI/FCIB Challenge Trophy, the Cave Hill team took home a US$1500 cash prize as well as US$500 for the winning the Best Case Analysis category.

Da Silva is a final year Management student, while Francois is a second year Accounting & Finance student.

Shamir Francois

V

32. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, made the announcement about Digicel’s srong position.

DIGICEL announces strong financial results DIGICEL Group Ltd, has announced a strong set of financial results for the year ended 31 March 2012.

The disclosure was made in a statement dated June 5, 2012 which also states that subscribers were up 27% to 12.8 million, and revenues for Digicel Group Limited (which comprises 30 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific) up 14% to US$2.54 billion, EBITDA margins remained steady at a robust 45%.

The company posted EBITDA of US$1,082 million — up from US$954 million in the previous year — representing a year on year increase of 13%.

Value Added Services and data revenues were up an impressive 47% year on year and now account for 20% of overall service revenues. This growth was supported in part by Digicel’s 4G Mobile offering which is now available in 14 markets across the globe (with further rollouts planned) and by the rise in smartphone usage.

The Diaspora business meanwhile saw its revenues grow by 28% year on year.

Digicel’s balance sheet and liquidity position has continued to improve with cash reserves of over US$657 million at 31 March 2012. The Group’s strong financial performance has been endorsed by ratings agency, Fitch, which in May reaffirmed the Group’s debt rating citing its “strong operational performance”.

Commenting on the performance, Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said; “I am pleased to report that Digicel has closed out another strong year in which, for the first time in our 11 year history, our annual EBITDA was over US$1 billion. With 12.8 million subscribers across 30 markets, Digicel has delivered 14% revenue growth placing us at the leading edge of performance amongst telecoms operators worldwide.”

He continues; “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their loyalty to Digicel and our partners and staff who always go the extra mile to ensure that our customers benefit from what we do and how we do it.”

Speech impairment being addressed CHILDREN here, who are challenged by speech impairment and/or speechlanguage delay problems, now have some measure of recourse.

Already, some ten children so affected have been assessed and exposed to speech therapy services, held between April 10 and 13, 2012, and delivered by Speech-Language Pathologist Cheryl Morris from Barbados.

Indications are that a recent study conducted in SVG recognized that a Cheryl Map flanked by a student and his significant percentage of brother.

Vincentian children have speech impairment or speech language delay.

Recognizing the urgent need to rectify this situation, Dr. Rose-Mary Boyle, Dr. Shakel Henson and the SVG Medical Association under the leadership of Dr. Rosalind Ambrose, have embarked on a project that will provide speech therapy sessions to children in SVG, who require these services.

Ms. Mapp’s initial visit is a Cheryl Mapp with a student and her father. result of that initiative which should see the SVG will also have the opportunity to expert making monthly visits for at receive free training sessions. least one year.

The next visit by Ms. Map is Interested teachers throughout scheduled for the 15th June, 2012.

V On Tour takes over Victoria

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 33.

Carnival Heat

By Gloriah…

Performances

The ‘On Tour Calypso Tent’ rolled into Victoria Park last Thursday, 31st May, with its 2012 cast of some twenty-two calypsonians. They were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of expectant calypso supporters, with the regular group of front line die hard fans like Snuffy, Sappy and Marty.

Among the cast was the largest group of females in any one tent for this carnival season. These included Lay-lee, Jammie, Ranking Bash; Sherika, Shannel and Queen B. They were joined by male bards Broom I, Reality, Walty, Short Man (Marshie), Ipa, Man Sick, Zion I, Struggler, Vibrating Scakes;, Soharo, Azarah, Abijah, Black-I , Rastaman I and Speshie.

Their renditions ranged from the slower social and political commentary to the rhythmic up-tempo soca.

Broom began by encouraging the children to ‘Go School’. Artistes like Shannel with ‘A Vision’, Ipa’s ‘Read More’, Man Sick’s ‘Together as One’, Struggler with ‘Water is Life,’ Scakes with ‘Stand Tall’ a tribute to the Credit Union Movement, Lay-lee’s ‘Tell the Youths Dem’, Soharo’s ‘Times Ha’, Speshie with ‘Vincy Blood’ and Queen B with ‘The Worst Enemy’, set the tone for the evening’s enjoyment.

These performances were matched by several other up-tempo renditions which many will remember. These included Ranking Bash with ‘Don’t Pick on Me’, Jammie with ‘I Just Want to be Free’, Walty with ‘It’s Walty Again’, Sherikah’s ‘Killer Bee’ and Black I with ‘Jouvert’. These gave the crowd opportunities to get involved.

Rastaman I gave a performance with a song entitled ‘Lovin’, a number that many in the crowd labeled

First timer Short man (Marshie) thrilled with his ‘Sit Down and Wait’, a commentary on services at the Emergency Unit of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Zion I was encored but left some wondering if he had not gone too far with his references.

‘Volume 44’. I-Reality’s ‘Not St. Vincent’ showcased his smoothness with the art form, while Abijah’s ‘They Love the Poor’ showed once again the importance of lyrics in

Owia holds first ever carnival the Owia Sports and Cultural Organization (OSCO).

THE VILLAGE of Owia held its Action in Owia began on Friday first ever Carnival, organized by May 25th and ended on Sunday May 27th, under the theme ‘Our Culture-Our Heritage’.

Activities began with the Miss Owia Pageant where two princesses where crowned.

Anika Pollard, competing as Miss Hill Top and sponsored by Alvin Merryn Investment, won the Miss OSCO Princess title, while Mariah Hoyte, Miss Bottom Town sponsored by Coco Cola, took the Miss Ultimate Princess title.

Alvin ‘Quazo’ Nanton will go down in the history of Owia carnival, since he captured the first ever calypso competition.

The J’Ouvert activities followed on Saturday May 26th.

There was also a street party on the evening of the 26th, and the Anika Pollard, Miss OSCO Princess. festivities culminated with a River Lime at the Owia big river on Sunday May 27th.

The executive of OSCO expressed heartfelt thanks to the following businesses for their major contribution: St.Vincent Brewery Ltd., Hitz Fm, Courts SVG limited.

Other sponsors included Karib Cable, Poppies Pop corn, Coco Cola, Sheep pen Disco, Alvin Merryn Investments, DOT investments, GECCU, Coreas-Hazells Inc. and Lauron “Shera” Baptiste.

Special thanks were also in store for Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar, the New Sensation band, New Flava and New Koncep Mariah Hoyte, Miss Ultimate Princess sounds.

J’Ouvert action in the first ever Owia carnival.

by KENVILLE HORNE

Lay Lee made a calypso. welcomed return to the Azarah calypso stage. offered a song entitled ‘Tribute to Euphonium’ which was, in itself, a well-played panoramic symphony, an excellent number for the pan.

But there were two calypsonians who brought the house down: Short Man (Marshie) with his ‘Sit Down and Wait’ and Zion I with ‘I Brave’.

‘Sit Down and Wait’ was a very dramatic presentation with an interesting and hilarious script. Short Man (Marshie), a first timer, showed that he understood how to please an audience. His challenge now is to carry this across to the judges.

Zion I showed that, indeed, he was brave with his ‘I Brave’ — a number loaded with suggestive lyrics and name calling.

Both bards received encores.

The On Tour Calypso Tent was scheduled to face the judges last night, Thursday 7th June, in their preliminary judging for the National Calypso Monarch Competition.

They will try to prove many points in the Preliminary Round of this year’s carnival.

34. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 35.

Cane End tops again in Biabou Football

Cane End took the championship title for a fourth consecutive year.

CANE END are the champions of the Biabou Football League, making it four times on the trot.

Cane End continued on the unprecedented path, this time around, under the sponsorship banner of Carib, when they defeated Richland Park, on penalty kicks, in an all-Marriaqua final played last Sunday, at the Biabou Playing Field.

The score was 1-1 when the eighty minutes of regulation time was called.

Cane End drew first blood through former national player, Alwyn Guy, as the first half ended 1-0 in their favour.

Julian Mc Nicholls made sure that the match would end 1-1, when he scored late in the second half.

In the penalty shoot-out, Cane End netted three to Richland Park’s two.

For their triumph, Cane End was rewarded with the champion trophy, a replica, and $1200.

Richland Park took home $ 800.

In the semi-finals round, Cane End defeated Monster United 3-1 and Richland Park outscored Choppins No Nonsense 6-3.

Choppins went on to take the third place and $600, winning by default as Monster United made a no show last Friday. Choppins also claimed the title in the Knock-out segment of the competition.

Taking away the major award was Alistair Williams of Richland Park, as he was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the competition.

Cane End’s Orande James was the top goal scorer with 14 strikes. Cosmore Toney of Richland Park was selected as the best goal keeper, with Yurick Child of Carib Warriors, the best midfielder, and Rodney Lawrence of Unique Warriors, the best defender. South Rivers claimed the award of most disciplined team.

The competition was declared to be incident free.

action was deemed to have been a forfeiture of the match, leaving Calliaqua to lay claim, for the second consecutive year, on the championship title.

Commenting on his team’s win, captain of Calliaqua, Randolph ‘Sticky’ Williams said although it came prematurely, they are still focused on keeping basketball alive in Calliaqua.

Intent on getting new players to enter the sport, Williams revealed that a Village competition is in the making for the Calliaqua area.

In the brief presentation ceremony which followed, Calliaqua’s Ishama Mc Ree was the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He registered the most points, 297, including the three pointers, 14.

Rookie of the Year was Advent Ballerz’ Kenroy Blugh, with Bequia All Stars adjudged the Most

Cosmore Toney – The Best goalkeeper of the Competition.

Calliaqua crowned National Basketball champs CARIB CALLIAQUA were awarded game three and ultimately the National Lotteries Authority National Club Championship title last Sunday night at the New Montrose Basketball Facility, but they did so without much of a sweat.

It was, to say the least, a big disappointment for the large number of basketball fans who had turned out in anticipation of a clash that one fan hoped would have been “a game down to the last second.”

The teams entered the final of a three game playoff locked 1-1. As expected, the score progressed at a ‘basket for basket’ tempo until early into the second quarter when Playaz refused to continue the match, after one of their lead players, Orlando Fergusson, was deemed to have fouled out of the match.

At that point, both teams were locked 19-19.

Given the rules of the championship, Playaz’s

Action in the aborted Calliaqua-Playaz playoff.

Disciplined Team.

Awards were also handed out to the Most Valuable Players of each of the nine participating teams.

Those awards went to: Keithroy Lavia - Bequia All Stars; Steveon Taylor - Mattafix Playaz; Andel Bailey - Hairoun Hardcore; Damien Ishama Mc Ree of Carib Haywood - Cam- Park; Calliaqua was the Wendell Weekes Tournament’s Most Advent Ballerz; Valuable Player.

Grantley Toby - Eagles Brien — Mavrix; Philon One; Lezlo Mc Kenzie Mitchell - RSVG Police.

—Calliaqua; Kenneth O’

Johnson gears up for home challenge WEST INDIES A team leftarm fast bowler Delorn Johnson will be looking to impress his home crowd when he represents the West Indies A team in the second unofficial four-day Test against India A team, here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, starting tomorrow Saturday.

Johnson, the lanky Vincentian who had a first full season with the Windward Islands senior team in this year’s four-day tournament following his stint at the High

Performance Centre (HPC), will also be looking to hold his place in the team after a late inclusion in the regional second team last year.

His first outing wasn’t enough to prevent India from taking a 1-nil lead in the three match series, with a 2-wicket win in Barbados; but he is determined to help his team square the series with an improved performance in front of his home supporters.

Both teams will play three unofficial Tests in Barbados,

St Vincent and St Lucia. The two 20/20 matches are scheduled for Trinidad, while the three One Day matches will be played in Grenada.

The teams read, West Indies A: Veerasammy Permaul (Captain), Jason Holder (Vice Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Kyle Corbin, Delorn Johnson, Leon Johnson, Kevin McClean, Donovan Pagon, Lendl Simmons, Devon Thomas

(Wicket-keeper).

India A: Cheteshwar Pujara (Captain), Wriddhiman Saha (Vice Captain/Wicket-keeper), Abhinav Mukund, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Jalaj Saxena, Parviner Awana, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Robin Bisht, Akshay Darekar, Sami Ahmed.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Delorn Johnson, Vincentian left arm fast bowler.

V Ambris’ century earns Saints honours 36. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

played at North Union, LOGS Enterprises Masters won on first innings from Radcliffe Too. Radcliffe Too made 206 for 8 declared batting first. Arnold Gilkes topscored with 56 and Rennie Pierre 50. Junior Bacchus took 4 for 41 and Sylvester Vanloo 2 for 31. In reply, Log Masters made 227. Sylvester Vanloo turned Sylvester Vanloo donned his cricket back the years to crack 101. boots and registered a century.

Delshorne Welcome made 43 and Samuel Williams 33. Kevin Peters took 3 for 27 and Arnold Gilkes 2 for 43. Radcliffe Too were 73 for 3 batting a second time at the close of play.

DESRON LAVIA and Burton Forde had good There will be no performances but with mixed team results in the matches in this weekend Bequia Twenty/20 Cricket Competition matches, due to the staging of the played on the weekend, at the Clive Tannis four-day Test match Playing Field.

Desron Lavia’s half century proved not to be between West Indies and India A teams at the Arnos enough, as Village Apartments Port Elizabeth created the biggest Vale Playing Field, upset for the season, starting on Saturday. when they defeated Sunil Ambris stroked 137 in Saints’ RBTT Carib Stars by I.B.A.ALLEN first innings. seven wickets.

Batting first, Carib Stars posted 188 for seven from their 20overs, led by 71 from Desron Lavia.

Shirlan Pompey hit 32 and Vernon Williams added 24. Bernard Dereck claimed three for 20 and Calvin Hazell took two for 30 for Port Elizabeth.

Port Elizabeth then raced to 192 for three in 18.3 overs on the Desron Lavia led his shoulders of a team’s batting with 71. blistering 83 from Burton Forde and 67 from Orlanzo Billingy.

In another weekend match, Morgan stroked an important 49 as Admiralty Transport Company Youth Combine beat Christ Warriors Canouan by 18 runs. Batting first, Youth Combine made 156 for eight off 20-overs. In addition to Morgan’s 49, Jenson Ollivierre made 36 and Chelson Stowe added 28. Zano Mack captured three for 34 and The Mustique Tennis Club (left of trophy) and Grassroot Tennis Club teams after the first Tennis Kevin Hazell took two for 18 for Canouan. In reply, Challenge.

Canouan closed on 138 for six. Colin Williams topscored with 53 and Kazim Yearwood chipped in with 25. Jenry Ollivierre bagged two for 25 and Ellis Lavia finished with two for 31 for Youth Combine.

South Side United beat MANI-COU by eight

by PAUL JAMES willingness to foster a closer ranks, humbled the Mustique wickets. MANI-COU made 112 off 18-overs. Veron relationship, and committed their team, 4-2, in the challenge Henry made 41, John Whitney hit 17 and John singles. groups to work together towards THE GRENADINE CUP Farrell added 14. In reply, South Side United took The Mustique team, after a improving the standard of tennis CHALLENGE served off last just 8.2 overs to reach their target 114, for the loss spirited show of force, eventually in St Vincent and the Grenadines. of two wickets. Ronald Campbell hit 53 not out and weekend at the Mustique Tennis Connell intimated that his Club Kenrick Cozier made 43. went under to the Grassroot team Club Courts, when a six-member has plans of constructing lawn of Trevor Sam and Grant Connell This weekend, On Saturday, MANI-COU will team representing the Grassroot in the doubles contest, ensuring tennis courts in rural play Imperial Pharmacy West Side Knockers from Tennis Club came up against a that the mainland-based communities and will also be 2 pm. On Sunday, Admiralty Transport Company team from the Mustique Tennis providing coaches to serve in Grassroot Tennis Club laid first Youth Combine will meet Village Apartments Port Club. those areas.

Elizabeth from 10 am, and later at 2 pm, Knights The Grassroot Club, fortified by hold of the Challenge trophy.

Grant Connell, Manager of the The return clash between the Trading Aussies will oppose JSM Royal the presence of top Junior Player Challengers.

Grassroot Tennis Club, and Clubs is scheduled for September, Rafi Bentick and top national Richard Schaffer of the Mustique at the Grassroot Tennis Club player Deron Grant among their I.B.A.ALLEN Tennis Club, both expressed their Court, Murray’s Road.

WEST INDIES under-19 middle order batsman Sunil Ambris stroked his first century for the season, to help propel Saints to first innings points over ASCO in a drawn match of the NLA Premier Division national cricket competition, played on the weekend at the Stubbs playing field.

In a match which produced two century makers, ASCO, batting first, compiled 262. Darren Greaves led the batting with an aggressive 115, Desron Maloney made 39 and Bernard Bushay 38. Kenroy Peters took 4 for 37 and Kentish Jacobs 2 for 50. In reply, Saints cruised to 267 for 8 declared. Sunil Ambris topscored with 137 and Mozario Matthews 45.

Darius Martin took 3 for 34 and Elric Morris 2 for 51. ASCO, batting a second time, were 89 for 1 at the close of play. Desron Maloney made 45 and Darren Greaves 36 not out.

In a NLA First Division match

Grassroot take first challenge

Lavia, Forde shine in Bequia 20/20

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 37.

Sports

Kojah unplugged THIS WEEKEND marks the return of happiness for many persons. Those keen on World Cup Football will have many dishes to feast on. We in the Caribbean will be following the fortunes of Jamaica, Antigua and Guyana as the race for the hexagonal gathers momentum.

It is worth repeating that anything can happen within the space of a ninety-minute football game.

So being an optimist with my sentiments buried deeply with the underdogs, I am looking forward for Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and Jamaica to spring some surprises and advance to the next round. I know I will be dismissed as a dreamer, for some will think that there is no hope for Antigua and Barbuda against the likes of USA and Guatemala. Jamaica is also in that group, so loyalties will be divided when those Caricom giants clash.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be trying to improve their ranking when they take part in the Digicel Cup scheduled for later this year. There is an avenue for the new management to stamp its authority. But that will not mean imposing any autocratic ruling on any situation.

Those cricket fans will be pleased with the resolution of the Chris Gayle saga, an impasse which lingered for an inordinately long time.

Kudos must go to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for bringing the situation to an end.

What transpired behind the doors may never be revealed, but one hopes that the hatchet has been buried once and for all.

There is the wish for a smooth transition from exile to freedom for Chris Gayle. The energies should be focused on the opposition and building up a West Indies unit instead of sniping at each other was the case for over 15 months.

I have the suspicion that some West Indians are unhappy that the impasse has ended. They would prefer to grab at each other’s throat in defense and attack of Chris Gayle on one hand, or on Darren Sammy, Otis Gibson, and the West Indies Cricket Board on the other.

I am hoping that nothing sinister surfaces with the West Indies team. And situations where the West Indies like when the WICB had to scramble an outfit to fulfill an obligation, does not recur.

That seems unlikely, for that is the reason why Sammy was appointed as captain.

Many people criticised his appointment and are still doing so. But the WICB has ensured that its troops will be battle ready when called upon. The fact that the team has been on a losing streak is secondary if the alternative has to be hastily summoning a unit.

Vincentian cricket lovers will be anxious to see the West Indies A team in action against their Indian counterparts. That support for the West Indies senior squad was so overwhelming during the three One Day matches against the Aussies is no guarantee however that the crowds will be spilling over.

But at least they will be a reason to turn up. For Vincentian Delorn Johnson is expected to parade in his maroon. So the diehards may want to see how he acquits himself at the higher level.

Action in the Vinlec North Leeward T/20 tournament is set to spark off in earnest. How this year’s competition proceeds will be known in a matter of time.

It is a pity that the Cumberland Playing Field could not be used to help speed up the showdown and enhance the package. But that remains a festering legacy that drags on with worsening social consequences.

Eight for Guinness Street Ball Final

the Regional Guinness Street Football Challenge.

That final is slated for Guyana, on June 23.

EIGHT TEAMS will this Saturday, June 9th, In addition, the winner of the regional converge on the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, to do Championship will have a multipurpose, Street battle in the final of the local leg of the Guinness Football pitch built in their community, courtesy of Street Football Challenge.

Guinness.

The teams are: Full Force — Calliaqua; Crew — Saturday’s final is expected to involve a total Georgetown; In and Out — Layou; Guinness Boyz — prize package of some $10,000.00, inclusive of cash Bequia; Double Trouble — Greiggs; Sea Side — and in kind prizes.

Kingstown; Mad Rockaz — Campden Park; and Patrons will also be entertained by Crystal Sharpes F.C. — Rose Bank.

Audio, featuring Sargeant Simmons and D.J. Cain.

The eight qualified for the final after some six Brand Manager for Guinness (St.Vincent), Kasai weeks of competition, involving over 50 teams.

Simmons, has expressed satisfaction with the Up for grabs in tomorrow’s final will be a Competition so far, and hopes that supporters will winner’s cash prize of $2,000.00 and the turn out to witness what he describes as “a highly opportunity to represent this country at the finals of anticipated finals.”

L-R: Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Chris Gayle, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and Julian Hunte at last weekend meeting in SVG.

Gayle formally recalled CHRIS GAYLE’S 15-month international exile is over after he was formally recalled to the West Indies ODI squad for the forthcoming series against England, starting in Southampton on June 16.

His recall was confirmed after a meeting of a more political than selection nature in St Vincent, last weekend.

Gayle and his agent Michael Hall spoke with an array of political and cricket figures including this country’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, WICB president Julian Hunte, WICB director Elson Crick and the WICB’s legal officer Alanna Medford.

The meeting, devised to smooth over any “residual matters” between Gayle and the WICB, was followed by the announcement of the squad for the limited-overs segment of the England tour, with Gayle returning to the ranks for the

first time since the 2011 World Cup. “Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board recently met by teleconference and are pleased that, consistent with his previous commitment, Mr. Chris Gayle has made himself available for selection to the West Indies team,” a WICB statement had said of the meeting. “The board believes that Mr Gayle’s stated commitment to West Indies cricket will be an asset to the team, and looks forward to his contributions in that regard.”

Gayle’s recall was first mooted during West Indies’ earlier home series against Australia, when he met with WICB officials to repair a relationship that had deteriorated around the emergence of Twenty20, and the rise of the Indian Premier League. It then dissolved entirely when the former captain criticised the coach Ottis Gibson and the WICB during a radio interview last year.

In England, the mood for

Gayle’s return has gathered strength, pushed along by the words of Kevin Pietersen, who said it would be “brilliant for the game” if he was recalled, while the former West Indies fast bowler and widely respected commentator Michael Holding effectively challenged the WICB to stop delaying Gayle’s rehabilitation as an international player.

Lendl Simmons is the other notable recall to the ODI team after he missed the home matches against Australia. Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell also return to the team for limited-overs matches after completing their IPL duties.

Squad: Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Darren Sammy (capt), Dwayne Smith, Andre Russell, Tino Best, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine.

(Contributed)

V

38. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. THE VINCENTIAN

Classifieds/Tribute

‘Cornie’ Blugh: Moving on to a higher calling Matthew Cornelius ‘Cornie’ Blugh lay as THE SPIRIT OF GOD was tributes were expressed in alive at the Barrouallie both song and poetry.

New Testmament of The first lesson was Church of God on Saturday read by his son Densil 26th May 2012, where John, the second lesson the mortal remains of by step-son Floyd Francis.

A poem was rendered by daughter Azander Gaymes, a song by Hetlyn and Yolande Francis, a spiritual rendition in song by his sister Kay Gaymes, a soothing presentation by the Georgetown/Mt.Coke Methodist Church Circuit choir, and the spoken word by Pastor Sylma Mc Kenzie, all filling the atmosphere with spiritual thought and nourishment.

‘Corney’ was born in the Central Leeward town of Barrouallie on 20th September 1959.

From an early age, he was seen as a hard worker with a penchant for organisational work and a commitment to people and their development.

Hon. Maxwell Charles, in his tribute at ‘Cornie’s funeral, made reference to his (Cornie’s) insistence in relation to a project which he (Corney) had conceptualized, and had the makings of great

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advancement, but did not make it due to lack of sponsorship.

‘Cornie’ loved music, and it was he, along with Desmond “BAM” James and his brother Olson James, and several others, who formed the band Resurrection, that exceptional musical ensemble which rocked many a dance hall throughout SVG for many years. After Resurrection disbanded, he helped form the musical outfit “SIGNAL” in 1994, which had Anthony ‘Papa Das’ Glasgow as its lead vocalist, alongside Desmond ‘BAM’ James.

The rest is history.

In the Eulogy read by Phyllis James who deputised for her husband Olson, she mentioned that he selected his friends carefully and was very forthright in his operations. She spoke about the young days of the band Resurrection of which she was a part, and the togetherness which was fostered by ‘Cornie’.

He never feared a challenge, and was responsible for the management and marketing of his bands.

He could be seen at the mixing board with Dr Cleve Scott on many occasions at Victoria Park and other shows,

discussing music and other things related to the development of the music industry in SVG. ‘Cornie’ was also politically involved and was a member of the Movement For National Unity (MNU) and a major part of the production team which produced the MNU’s weekly paper ‘UNITY’.

He worked first with the Organisation for Rural Development (ORD), an organisation which interfaced with farmers and assited with the marketing of their produce in the late 1970s and the 1980s. He then ventured into the insurance business and spent many years working with British American ,Demerara Mutual Life and Sagicor. His last workplace was with the Everready Funeral Home before he could no longer function physically, because of the debilitating effects of Diabetes which reduced a once very ‘chubby’ youngster to a mere frame of a man, who had to be cared for by friends and family at his home.

Tributes at the funeral came from Hon. Maxwell Charles; Bernard ‘Santo” Joseph, his best man at his wedding; Byron Lewis, his long time friend who shared with the congregation the many good times they had as youngsters at

‘Corney’s’ home where there was always something to eat and drink, and Aubrey Burgin who was a friend of both Cornie’ and his wife for many years.

He is survived by his

wife Herma and several children.

‘Cornie’ has completed his earthly sojourn and has left his mark on SVG. He has moved on to higher calling. May his soul rest in peace.

Cornie Blugh laid to rest

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY HIS NAME is Matthew Cornelius Blugh, but for most people, he was simply ‘Cornie’, or for those who grew up to respect his quiet moving, slimly built man, he was Mr. Blugh.

For the past eight years, he was a major pillar of the Peter’s Hope Community.

That community opened up in 2004, and Blugh was one of the first persons to move into the residences.

He chose a two bedroom structure, for he knew well what his intentions were. In a short place of time, that building was transformed into a two storey structure and it existed as a landmark on the newly established community.

When the village was searching for some identity, the Blugh’s residence was the virtual meeting ground. Whether it was a birthday party for his son Devron, or the annual Old Year’s Night escapade, his yard was the hub of the Peter’s Hope activity.

Sometimes when the place was quiet, it was the pounding sounds from Blugh’s garage that reminded of many of life’s pastimes.

Music was one of his passions. He was given glowing tribute at his burial, for anyone associated with the Resurrection era would remember his role in the formation and life of that Combo.

When Resurrection faded, Blugh turned his attention to the band Signal, and maintained his affection with music.

Anything he put his hand to, he latched on earnestly, as revealed during the funeral service.

Blugh was one of those politically conscious activists. That he was a member of the Movement for National Unity is evidence of his pioneering approach.

At the time of his death, he was attached to Everready Funeral Agency. He gained experience in the world of business, having grown up under the tutelage of his father who was one of the Town of Barrouallie’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Blugh also served in the insurance industry.

There is no doubt about his loyalty to those with whom he confided, or to any cause he identified with.

Blugh was a forerunner, ahead of his time. He was a positive thinker and seemed ahead of his contemporaries.

THE VINCENTIAN joins in expressing sympathy to his family, loved ones, close relatives and acquaintances. Rest in peace, Cornie.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 08, 2012. 39.

Classifieds

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

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VOLUME 106, No. 23

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Leader of the Oppostion Arnhim Eustace (2nd from left), seen here with parliamentary colleagues at a press conference last Wednesday, has called for the Speaker’s resignation.

WILL THE SPEAKER BE SUED? Hendrick Alexander, Speaker of the House, has rebuffed previous calls, including from non-parliamentary quarters for his resignation.

THE OPPOSITION NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY has hinted at a strong possibility of legal action to be taken against Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hendrick Alexander.

Party leader Arnhim Eustace, in a press statement on Wednesday, said the Speaker opened himself to the possibility of a lawsuit because of an article published in a local newspaper earlier this year.

He, however, declined to say whether the party will pursue a lawsuit when questioned.

“You, Mr. Speaker, must recognize that this statement was made outside the House and its privileges, and therefore, is subject to a lawsuit,” said a letter dated Tuesday 5th June 2012,

signed by all the opposition MPs and addressed to the Speaker of the House.

The Letter Eustace told reporters that the letter was a consequence of an article published on March 30th, 2012, in which the Speaker made disparaging remarks against Central Kingstown MP, Major St Clair Leacock.

“In that article, you are quoted as saying to the Searchlight that you ‘do not expect anything different from Leacock because he is simply a rude and out of place man who is not fit to be a parliamentarian to represent people anywhere in this country’,” the letter cited.

Eustace said that in further reference to Major Leacock, the Speaker was quoted as saying “ “Sometimes I wonder if he does not suffer from some sort of complex or the other; he just simply believes that he can flaunt the Rules of the House at any and all time and must be allowed to do that’.”

Call for Speaker’s resignation The opposition leader said his colleagues are once again calling on the speaker to resign because of his lack of impartiality.

“On many occasions, the Opposition has raised several issues on the lack of impartiality on your part in Parliament, including those raised by the Honourable Daniel

Cummings and Dr the Honourable Godwin Friday at the sitting of May 31st with respect to the manner in which the Speaker was elected, also concerning the statements made by the Honourable Prime Minister in relation to Vincy Pac and repeated by the honourable Nigel Stephenson,” the letter read.

The letter stated further that the opposition members had raised other issues, including the physical maltreatment of the opposition’s parliamentarians on March 3rd, 2011, when they were manhandled and tossed out of Parliament by members of

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

the security forces, and that since then, there has been no retraction by the Speaker on the comments the opposition parliamentarians concluded that they were meant for public consumption. The letter said that coming from the Speaker, that was untenable since he is expected to be impartial and a keeper of the peace.

(SS)

“The Opposition Members of Parliament therefore call on you to step down from office so that a more impartial individual can be elected as Speaker in the interest of our democracy,” the letter read further.

The letter was copied to the Governor General, the Prime Minister, members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the media.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.