THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 23-06-23

CARDI REP FOUND DEAD

GREGORY LINTON, a Dominican who was the representative of Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is dead.

Linton was found dead in his vehicle in the early hours of Monday, June 19, when police

from the Central Police State, Kingstown, responded to a report that there was a dead man in a vehicle - a blue Toyota Hiluxparked in the vicinity of the Kingstown Preparatory School.

Later on Monday, on confirming the discovery, the RSVG Police Force said that the Continued on Page 3.

SPEECH IMPAIRED MAN KILLED

by KENVILLE HORNE

A RILLAN HILL MANwho had a speech impediment was shot and killed in that South Leeward community on Monday 19.

Nigel ‘Urk’ Louie died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he had been taken to after being shot around 10:30pm. He is said to have died some two or so hours after he arrived at the hospital.

Louie was among a group of friends ‘hanging out’ when, according to reports, two gunmen approached the group and opened fire. He was shot multiple times about his body.

Residents in the community are adamant that Louie was not the

intended target of the gunmen.

Many Rillan Hill residents are speculating that the shooting incident is related to the May 6th killing of Jamarlo ‘Ice’ Dunbar, a Rillan Hill resident who was shot and killed in Arnos Vale, in the vicinity of Randy’s Supermarket, around 4:00pm.

Four days after Dunbar was killed, there was a shootout in Rillan Hill that resulted in the damage of a vehicle.

“Dem had a shootout last month after ‘Ice’ death. Man dey firing shots and anudda man fire back. Yo know, it have one of ‘Ice’ relative who want revenge and dat I think is de reason for all this. Urk na bin foe get killed,” one resident speculated.

Louie’s shooting death followed that of Joel ‘Nappy’ John, a 32-yearold mechanic of La Croix, who was shot and killed while he worked on a truck outside his home in La Croix on June 8. The mechanic who lived not too far from a SDA Church in La Croix, was found dead between two trucks. John originally hailed from Caruth in the Marriaqua Valley.

Louie’s death brings the total number of homicides committed by civilians to 19, with an additional three shooting deaths during police actions.

Nigel ‘Urk’ Louie might just have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Gregory Linton had endeared himself to the farming community in SVG, according to one farmer.

Work at ÂBluffÊ to begin soon

southern coast of the island.

The area was in such a deplorable condition that in May this year, when panic set in about the potential for disaster, mini-bus operators on Bequia withdrew their services for almost a week, leaving commuters on the island stranded.

Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Representative for the Northern Grenadines, expressed concern about the area saying that driving on the existing road was dangerous, especially with the left lane leaning towards the sea.

“And it frightens people who drive there, I drive there regularly,” he told THE VINCENTIAN during a previous interview and noted that personnel from the Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) was seen in the area attempting to do a temporary fix.

REMEDIAL WORKon the potion of road known as ‘Bluff’ in the Northern Grenadine Island of Bequia is expected to commence

CARDI rep found dead

0body was partially decomposed and identified the persons as Gregory Linton, a Dominican domicile in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The police also confirmed on Monday that they had taken a man into custody and he was assisting with their investigations.

From what THE VINCENTIAN could discern, the man whom the police had taken into custody was the one who had made the report to the police about a dead man in a vehicle.

And while a post mortem will determine the cause of death, one report said that Linton showed signs of an injury to one side of his head.

Linton, who lived at Glen, was a 43-yearold qualified Agricultural Engineer specializing in Agricultural Parasitology and Plant Health. He had been stationed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 2017.

While here Linton, according to a statement by CARDI, “was involved in the implementation of the Regional Coconut and Sweet Potato projects in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Just last week he participated in a Regional Coconut Workshop in Grenada where he shared his experiences with managing coconut pests.”

CARDI also spoke of Linton’s most significant achievement as being part of a team that developed a locally-produced lime, Sulphur-base organic postharvest treatment for dasheen. This allowed farmers to successfully restart export to the European market.

One person who was the beneficiary of Linton’s expertise told THE VINCENTIAN, “Greg will be sadly missed by the farming community.”

soon.

This is according to Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Transport and Works, while speaking on the NBC Radio ‘Face-to-Face’ programme on June 21.

He, however, did not provide a precise commencement date for the project.

‘Bluff’ forms part of the main road stretching between Friendship and Paget Farm along the

Friday contended that despite him raising in parliament over many years, the need for attention to be paid to this stretch of road and other roads on the island, nothing had been

Elvis Daniel, former NDP Candidate, passes

ELVIS DANIEL, perhaps remembered by most Vincentians as a former New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the North Windward constituency, died on the evening of Thursday 15th June, 2023.

His passing was first made public on Friday by NDP New Times host Igal Adams.

Daniel was also a local preacher and a mathematician of no mean measure.

He contested General Elections in the North Windward Constituency as a candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2005 and 2010 general elections, and was defeated on each occasion by the incumbent Montgomery Daniel of the Unity Labour Party (ULP).

But Daniel was also a noted and outstanding Mathematics teacher at secondary and postsecondary levels.

When the ULP government refused to reinstate him as a lecturer at the SVG Community College following his defeat at the polls in 2010, not only was there an outpouring of support for his reinstatement, but immediately

following his ‘dismissal’, results in that subject area showed a marked decline.

He was also, for most of his life a devout Christian and served for many years as pastor of the Langley Park Church of Christ, Georgetown.

THE VINCENTIAN extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

The following is a statement released by the NDP on Daniel’s passing:

NDP on the passing of Elvis

Daniel

“We are saddened on the passing of a stalwart of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Brother Elvis Daniel.

Mr. Daniel died on Thursday, 15th June 2023. He was an educator, politician and pastor. As an educator, Mr. Daniel taught at all levels of the educational institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He was recognized as one of the best Mathematics teachers in the country. His contribution to national development was exemplary.

done.

But Daniel said on radio that a design to realign the road at ‘Bluff’ was done in 2017 under the Economic Planning Division of the Ministry of Finance. The proposal involved the removal of 22 properties and was estimated to cost EC$25 million.

“It was indeed a huge cost..,” Daniel said.

He disclosed further that a second design was done since, and 12 properties were identified as having to be relocated. This undertaking was estimated to cost in the region of EC$20 million.

But in 2022, during a town-hall meeting in Bequia, Daniel said that more options were explored, and it was identified that the existing road could be shifted inland to the extent where only three properties would be required to be relocated.

“This is what has been identified and the engineers are there working on this,” Daniel assured, though he admitted that estimated cost of the work is unknown currently.

He did, however, cite a preliminary advanced cost as EC$5m to EC$6m.

Mr. Daniel contested general elections on an NDP ticket in 2005 and 2010 in the constituency of North Windward. He was one of the teachers, which the government refused to reinstate following the general elections of 2010.

The NDP extends condolences to Mr. Elvis Daniel’s family, his church family and the constituents of North Windward. May his soul Rest in Peace.

Elvis Daniel pictured on June 4, 2023.

Continued from Frontpage.

A split shot of an area at ‘Bluff’ gives clear indication of major deterioration in the road. (Photo Credit: St. Vincent Times)

Vendor jailed for ‘souvenir’ gun

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

A 29-YEAR-OLD COCONUT VENDOR of Peruvian Vale was, on Tuesday, jailed for three years for possession of a gun he claimed he found while searching for gold, and kept it in his possession as a souvenir.

Gerel Humphrey was sentenced to three years for possession of a .22 revolver without license, and four months for possession of one gram of cocaine with intent to supply.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, sitting at the Serious Offences Court,

handed down the penalties after Humphrey pleaded guilty to both charges.

Humphrey was arrested shortly after 4pm on June 19 after police executed a search warrant at his home in Peruvian Vale.

The Court heard that Humphrey consented to the search, during which a pair of bedroom slippers was seen on a dressing table in his bedroom. The slippers were searched, and 17 foil wrappings containing cocaine were found in one foot of the slippers.

When cautioned, Humphrey told the officers, “Is what I does give dem ‘crack head’ to climb coconut trees for me.”

A search of the other foot of slippers revealed the .22 revolver.

When cautioned in relation to the gun, Humphrey replied, “I found it when I was searching for gold, so I kept it as a souvenir.”

The firearm was subsequently examined by ballistic expert, Station Sergeant Julian Caine, in Humphrey’s

presence, and was found to be in good working condition.

Humphrey gave similar explanations for him being in possession of the gun, and cocaine, during his appearance at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday. He was unrepresented.

Humphrey told the Court that he was a member of the National Trust, an organization established in 1969 to assist with, among other things — the preservation and management of historical monuments and sites, and to safeguard the cultural patrimony of the country.

Humphrey said he found the gun about three months ago, and, “there is some sort of evidence to prove that I found it.” He said he painted it in gold.

The defendant added, “I buy coconuts for a dollar each, and pay the ‘crack head’ with the crack.”

In his recommendations in relation to sentencing, Prosecutor Renrick Cato noted that Humphrey pleaded guilty, co-operated with the police, and the

Lawyers: Jurors are human beings

ATTORNEYSGrant Connell and Carl Williams, defense lawyers in the retrial in which two men were recently convicted of double murder, are of the view that the jury may have had some issues of concern in arriving at the verdicts, having taken over four hours to do so.

A 12-member Jury comprised of six men and six women, on Friday, June 9, found residents of Rillan HillSchemel ‘Jacket’ Dunbar and Kendine ‘Hoody’ Douglas - guilty of the May 4, 2027 murder of police constable Danroy Cozier 25, and his brother Nicholas Cozier, 19.

The jury retired at 11:30 a.m. and returned at 4 p.m.

“Four hours is a very long time for a jury to consider a verdict. Clearly, it was not clear-cut. Maybe this case gives good reason to fuel the discussion on the issue of Judge alone (trials),” Connell, who represented Douglas, told THE VINCENTIAN, shortly after the verdicts were delivered.

“Juries have a very difficult task, especially living in a very small country, which makes it almost impossible not to be exposed to the details of the case, they (jurors) being part of a very small public”, Connell said, adding, “Sitting on a jury where the judge would tell them to forget everything they have heard outside the four walls of the Court, is literally asking you not to be a human being, because what they heard before, no matter the source, would be recorded in their subconscious, which is just being human.”

Asked whether he would be appealing the conviction, Connell said, “I am awaiting the sentencing, based on which I would follow instructions.”

Dunbar and Douglas are expected to be sentenced on July 14, following a sentencing hearing.

Carl Williams, who represented Dunbar, told the publication, “It appears as though there was some difficulty arriving at the verdicts. There must have been some issues of

concern among the jury, and even though they were directed on some aspects of the law, they are human beings, and juries are unpredictable.”

Williams echoed Connell’s sentiment, “that even though the judge would have impressed upon them to disregard things they may have heard on radio, TV, and on the streets, they are human beings and it would be difficult for them to forget what they have heard before.”

exhibits were found in his home.

But the Prosecutor added, “I can’t see how this defendant could proudly say, “I purchase cocaine to pay ‘crack heads’ who climb coconut trees for me’.”

Cato pointed out that, “His (Humphrey) only means of payment, according to him, is cocaine and the Court is well aware of the damages of cocaine. He said he found this gun about three months ago and kept it as a souvenir.”

The prosecutor stressed the seriousness and prevalence of the offenses, and the cry of the public in relation to firearms and firearmrelated offenses. He asked the Court to impose a sentence that would reflect the seriousness of the offenses.

In arriving at the penalties, the Chief Magistrate applied the sentencing guidelines and weighed the mitigating and aggravating factors.

Humphrey also benefited from a one-third discount for his early guilty pleas.

Asked whether he would be appealing the convictions, Williams said, “Right now, I am just awaiting the sentencing. I have not been instructed otherwise.”

Teen on robbery, wounding charges

armed with an unknown object; stealing a bag containing EC$23,000 in cash, US$300 in cash, and a grey S9 Samsung cellular phone valued at US$300, all belonging to Juan Villar, a national of the Dominican Republic, and at the time of so doing, and in order to do so, put Villar in fear of being subjected to force.

and a laceration to the head.

ATEENAGEboy

accused of robbery, wounding, and inflicting grievous bodily harm, was granted bail with stringent conditions, including a curfew, when he appeared in Court on Monday.

Jamel Baptiste, 18, of Rillan Hill, has been charged with: being

Baptiste is also charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Villar, and inflicting grievous bodily harm on him.

All charges are reported to have stemmed from an incident at Cane Grove, Central Leeward around 8:16 p.m. on June 2, during which Villa was relieved of the cash and cellular phone. He reportedly suffered a fracture to his right arm

Baptiste was not required to plea to the charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday. He was unrepresented. He was granted $6,000 bail with one surety on condition that he surrender his travel documents, and report to the Questelles Police Station every Wednesday between 6am and 6pm. He was also placed on a curfew between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit, and he is not to leave the state without the permission of the Serious Offences Court or the High Court. He will return to Court on September 21.

Gerel Humphrey had ‘creative’ explanations for his possession of a gun and cocaine.

Grant Connell

Carl Williams

Jamel Baptiste

Massy Holdings records 19% profit

2022.

The profit after tax for the year before was TT$353.5 million (US$52.2).

Robert Bermudez, in his final chairman’s statement, said there was strong profit-before-tax growth of 20 per cent in the integrated retail portfolio and a motors and machines portfolio growth of 11 per cent, which offset the profit-before-tax decline in the gasproduct portfolio of about 11 per cent.

In what it described as a major step in growing its portfolio outside of the

GLOBALLY GROWING MASSY HOLDING LTD., which has among its list of subsidiaries three Massy Stores Supermarkets and one Mega Store in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, saw a profit of

19 per cent or TT$354 million (US$52.5 million) profit after tax.

This is according to its consolidated financial report for the period ending March 31, 2023, Trinidad and Tobago

media reported late last week.

Figures disclosed showed that Massy saw revenue of $6.8 billion (US$1 billion) as compared to $6.1 billion for the same period in

NTRC offers coding programme

commenced in Bequia on June 17. It will run until August 4.

The next round commences on July 31 and will run until August 18. It will be conducted on mainland St. Vincent, at the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Consumer and Public Relations Manager at the NTRC, Rhea Lewis, in an interview earlier this week on an NBC Radio newscast, explained that this year’s programme will expose participants to the method of coding basic instructions into a micro-bit. It will also introduce the coding of instructions to robots.

With a focus on secondary school students, Lewis urged interested persons to register for the second round as spaces were limited.

by GLORIAH...

“We have forms available at our office,” she stated, “It’s located on the second floor, NIS Building on Upper Bay Street. We also have forms on our website www.ntrc.vc, as well as our social media pages: Facebook and Instagram — ntrc.vc.”

The cut-off date for the return of these forms is July 30th.

Caribbean, Massy acquired Rowe’s IGA supermarket chain in Jacksonville, Florida in December last year.

And towards further expanding its investment, it also acquired AirLiquide’s operations in TT for US$57 million to solidify its position as a leader in gas manufacturing.

In a similar vein, Massy is currently working with the Jamaica Fair Trade commission to get approval for the acquisition of IGL Jamaica for an estimated US$140 million.

Massy is already in the local gas products market in Jamaica through Massy Gas Products (Jamaica) Limited, distributor of

the GasPro brand, a business that has been serving both the residential and commercial market since 2006 with LPG, butane, commercial fuels, industrial chemicals, commercial lubricants, marine fuels, lubrication, petroleum products and propane.

Should Massy’s acquisition of IGL Jamaica be approved, it is estimated to grow the conglomerate’s assets by 7.3 per cent and its profit by 7.1 percent.

Just how much of Massy Holding Ltd.’s 19 per cent profit is attributed to its investment in St. Vincent is still to be discerned. (Source: T&T Newsday, Jamaica Gleaner)

The first round of the coding and application development programme of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC)

Rhea Lewis, Consumer and Public Relations Manager at the NTRC, is urging students to register early for the second round of training.

Massy Stores Supermarket, Kingstown, is a subsidiary in Massy Holdings Ltd. which has been expanding its regional and international reach with acquisitions in the US and Jamaica.

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com

Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

Taking off from Elvis

Daniel

ELVIS DANIELwas the epitome of a humble soul. He walked among his people as politician, teacher and preacher with a quietness that those whom he sought to represent questioned why a man of his seemingly high degree of integrity, a man so ready to avail his expertise to anyone who would request, a man of his unwavering faith in the Almighty, why a man of his statue and status would want to rumble and tumble in our ungainly style of politics, so as to fulfil an ambition to become a representative of his people in this country’s highest law-making body – parliament.

Maybe Bro Daniel wanted to bring a “newness’ to our politics by injecting into the rumble a different kind of personality. Maybe Bro Daniel wanted to offer something different and he was so committed to make a difference that he sacrificed his very livelihood to take his quest that little bit closer to accomplishment.

Yes, Bro Daniel suffered at the hands of a regime, a government, who felt that it was the correct thing to adhere to some loose interpretation of an agreement, rather than to ensure that a human soul was not deprived of his livelihood. And the dastardly thing about ostracising Bro Daniel from the system in which he toiled and excelled in rendering service, was that the regime removed one of the best Mathematics teachers from the classroom, resulting in a noticeable decline in the performance of students (in that subject area) at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23: 34) That might have been Bro. Daniel’s response to those who had made life all that more challenging for him. Yet, for all to see, in the face of those who would want to see him grovel at their feet, he stood tall way beyond his slender stature.

So as we reflect on the life of this humble soul, perhaps it is that he would want us to reflect on what (some of) the attributes of a good politician ought to be, even taking a lead from his own self.

Good politicians are patriots, who are committed to strive for a near perfect nation and who understand that they cannot accomplish much by themselves. They recognize and

respond accordingly to the fact that there are people, groups, and institutions that can help to move a genuine national agenda forward.

Good politicians accept that in politics, it is rare indeed to achieve any worthy objective on the first try. That the race is not for the swift and they should avoid being overcome by an obsession with writing their own history within a period they set for themselves.

Good politicians know that setbacks and frustrations are part of the process and that there should be no undue haste to apportion blame for these on any ‘lesser’ persons in the system or group. Good politicians take the time to reflect on the true reasons for these encumbrances which must start with ‘me’.

Good politicians accept that in our system they are accountable. They take responsibility for the decisions they make, not go out of the way to put a spin on an issue when they don’t turn out well. The buck stops with them.

Good politicians are not confined to pedigree, a well-connected family, or wealth. By and large, the path to influence is open and accessible.

Usually, good and successful politicians align with a political party, which provides a base of support for their efforts. They, however, recognize the advantage, even the necessity, of bipartisanship and working across party lines.

Good politicians are those who recognize that their people do not like rude and defacing behavior from their politicians. Most people put integrity at the top of their list of attributes they want in those persons who represent them. They look for authenticity, likeability, and competence. They are not shy about pushing for the issues that really count for them–like affordable health care, good education for all, free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, and free media.

Anyone of noble character and intent can rise to the highest offices. Our history is rife with examples of our leaders arising from the grass roots: they are ordinary citizens who step up to meet the challenges in their local communities and country.

They don’t always succeed, but they take responsibility to make things better, as did Bro. Daniel.

Guns, Violence, and Mental Health

WE ARE EITHER HEARTBROKEN or marginally concerned by the news of another shooting death or some other kind of violent act inflicted on another of our brothers or sisters. I, though, still can’t get the image of a “security guard” beating a man on the streets of Kingstown with a cutlass.

One half of our brain says we must do better, while the other half says it is what it is. In other words, I don’t care as long as it’s not someone related to me. As the older people will say, we must address this issue before things get out of hand. We must commit to doing everything in our power to keep these tragedies from happening even as our nation faces an epidemic of violence. Yes, I said itour country has an epidemic. And it’s not covid-19. It’s violent death. Fortytwo deaths in one year from violent acts in a population of just over one hundred thousand is undoubtedly an epidemic. Look at how we addressed the Covid-19 pandemic. Now compare the number of deaths we had during that pandemic to what we are experiencing with violent acts leading to death.

Are we going to wait for a highprofile shooting before we are moved to action? Right now, it seems we don’t care or are unwilling to invest in the effort needed to control this epidemic. We know these deaths are a predictable outcome of our country’s lack of political will to make a change, and the underinvestment in prevention approaches that work.

Last week I heard a leading spokesperson for the ULP say something very discouraging. He said that most of the people committing these shootings and other violent crimes did not have the benefits of the “Education Revolution”. In short, they came of age before the ULP came to power; therefore, the ULP cannot be responsible for their action, my words, not his. Well, I do not have access to the statistical information about the current list of inmates to validate that claim; let’s accept that as factual for a moment. That does not absolve the ULP from their everyday responsibilities to address the ongoing problem. A recent discussion about the prison population suggests that more than half of inmates have a

mental illness. To be clear, we are not alone in this problem; over the last fifty years, the decline in proper treatment of the mentally ill worldwide has led to a reduction in treatment and an increase in the incarceration of the mentally ill.

The increasing number of individuals with mental health and substance abuse conditions in the criminal justice system has enormous fiscal, health, and human costs. Replacing proper mental health care with imprisonment does not serve anyone and certainly does not enhance our quality of life. In fact, it might be time for us to consider a separate court for those suffering from mental health issues while being accused of criminal activities other than drug use. Diverting individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders away from the prisons and toward more appropriate and culturally competent communitybased mental health care is essential.

We must have a national strategy to provide people with the support they need and eliminate unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system. Because, once someone is entangled in the criminal system, it is virtually impossible to reintegrate smoothly that person into the everyday works of life.

To secure the appropriate care for those in need, our leaders must get together and create a system of justice suitable for those handicapped with social problems beyond their control.

In order to promote fairness throughout our justice system, our leaders in the mental health system, law enforcement, prosecutors, and court personnel must get together and advocate for a system that accounts for these people’s particular conditions.

I know many among us will ask where the money will come from. I say to you, our government will always find a way to fund what they consider essential, so let’s make mental health important. In an annual budget of over one billion dollars, we can set aside the funds needed to address our mental health issues if we assign the level of importance as required.

Horatio.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Dependency politics

IAM INSPIREDby your editorial of last week to write this letter. I also dedicate it to a fallen comrade, Jemmott Campbell, and request that the letter be signed ‘Holding Firm’ so as to avoid any reprisals by my employer.

In normal and acceptable circumstances during election campaigns, political parties make pledges (or is it promises?) and offer inducements (election paraphernalia) to win or retain the support of voters. Parties then leave it up to the free will of the people to decide which candidate is best suited to serve their interest.

Sadly, in our democracy political parties, especially those who are the incumbents, have corrupted this process, and in so doing, have disfigured our democracy and dehumanized our citizens.

Governments feel no guilt if they have to use their status as the country’s largest employer, largest awarder of contracts, land, social assistance, and other state resources, and as the sole holder of coercive power, to repress the free will and conscience of voters.

Down through the years, citizens can’t have

free choice when, as the government, it is providing their main earnings. Governments, it seems, believe dependency must mean bondage. This is dependency politics.

Recently, this attitude has manifested itself in heartless and dehumanizing expressions and actions. Dependency politics now defines our culture.

Despite the risk, I applaud those voters who stood up to coercion to influence their vote.

And in it all, we the voters must not allow out political preferences to divide us. We must at the end of the day embrace one another as

CXC must stop the leaks

I THINKwe are at a point in time when we can say that we either clean it up or get out of the way.

The recent leaking of CXC exams papers which amounts to outright cheating is just the latest in a series of similar occurrences through the years. There is no telling whether this is the last or just another cog in this sordid tale.

It is also a point in time when CXC ought to stand up and be counted.

members of one family, one nation. Let us not allow the political party to divide us as we seek to build a country where people can enjoy a good life and feel free to vote their conscience.

Holding Firm

Saluting Mr. Providence

I HAVE BEENan ardent reader of the contributions made by senior citizen and agriculturist LeRoy Providence. Not only does he impress with his style of writing but he is consistent in the manner in which he addresses the issues which he chooses to give attention. Two of those issues are: The demise of the Agricultural Sector and The State of Capital Kingstown.

And I dare say, much of what Mr. Providence has to say on these issues is very much the truth.

But what has attracted me moreso recently about Mr. Providence’s contributions are his

tributes, particularly those to Dr. Cecil Cyrus and Leon ‘Slider’ McKenzie.

Mr. Providence makes reference to the endeavours of each of these gentlemen but it is how he draws lessons from their lives and those endeavours that most impress me. He doesn’t simple retell the story of Dr. Cyrus and ‘Slider’ but he delves into how they impacted the society beyond their chosen endeavours and

therefore, helped to change lives. All the while urging his readers to take note of this and to follow suit.

I have learned from these tributes that there is so much more value when we can relate a person’s life’s work to how that impacted those he chose to serve or to live among.

There are many who would have already known the biographies of people who have passed on and the many anecdotes that filled

their lives. There are not many of us who take the time to relate the contributions of those who have passed on to how they can improve our lives directly and the life of the nation as a whole.

I salute Mr. Providence as a stalwart and patriot from whose writing we can learn so much that can impact this country in a positive manner.

Thomas

ÂBig-Up to ÂRealityÊ

I DIDN’T GETto listen to all the preliminaries in this year’s Calypso Monarch Competition so

I have no comment to make one way or the other about the final selection for the semifinals.

Suffice it to say, there are some veterans in there and I am particularly pleased to see Bernard ‘I Reality’ White among those.

I know that “I Reality’ has had his challenges recently so it is good that he sees the value in continuing to be involved actively in an art form to which he has contributed much.

The CXC assured the public that the security protocols had been revisited and strengthened, after each and every time there were breaches in this security. Yet, not only has there been another recent breach but as said earlier, this is just one in several security breaches over the past several years.

It is clear that given the frequency of these breaches that the governance structure of the CXC exam needs an overhaul. As The Group of Concerned Parents, Barbados, said recently, “The evidence is clear — grading, accountability, governance, quality assurance, security, communications with stakeholders — all major aspects of operations need to be reviewed, both within CXC’s operations, and the other stakeholder institutions who administer exams, by an expert independent external regulator.”

And while I am at it, just who is responsible for the exam administration and policy? Is it the ministries of education? Is it the CXC? There seems to be no clear direction here.

The CXC represents the pinnacle of our regional public secondary school systems. It is our exam body — our indigenous exam body - which has had great achievements.

CXC needs no telling, that when public trust and confidence are lost, they are very difficult to be regained. Once confidence is lost it opens the way for current members of CXC to explore if not take other options. Should this be the case, our nation and region would be poorer for the loss.

Teacher and Assessor

PEOPLE ARE ASKING:

* Has the Prime Minister forgotten how he stood in support of the people of Canouan when it mattered to him?

He has been around long before I was born but since I became attracted to calypso, I have watched and carefully observed his style through the years.

I congratulate him and wish him the best. My advice to him: Go out there and do it in a way only you can do.

Pity the whole calypso scene was marred with that ‘Zion I’ issue. Hopefully all concerned would have learned a lesson.

A fan in Canada

* Has St. Vincent and the Grenadines lost more of Canouan to foreign investors since the ULP was handed the reins of Government?

* What is the relation between the foreign investors in Canouan and the ULP?

* First it, was “Black Sands project in new hands”, then “PM waiting on alleged sale of Black Sands Resort” (July 2022), and then “Investors get more time to complete first phase of Black Sands Resort” (April 2023). Can somebody come clean and clear about the current state of the Black Sands Resort project at Peter’s Hope?

* Why are there no Calypso Monarch competitions, like there used to be, in the Rural Carnivals? Why is the Calypsonians Association sitting back and allowing this to happen? Is the Association going to go down in history as presiding over Calypso’s ‘wake’?

CPEA 2023, solid evidence of successes in the Education Revolution

Introduction

ONE OF THE MOST attached policies of this Unity Labour Party administration is the education revolution with its many facets covering early childhood to university education.

This revolution that was rolled out within the first term of the ULP coming into office represented a visionary and transformative approach to education that was hitherto absent from previous policy initiatives. The policy as outlined was to address immediately the issue of universal access to secondary education and increase opportunities for our nation’s students at all levels including adult and continuing education. It is noteworthy to keep in mind that the same parliamentary opposition that today speaks only negatively of the education revolution and its many successes, never supported the policy, and most importantly doesn’t have an alternative to present to Vincentians. During their 17 years of government, stakeholders in education can remember the many unresolved challenges that were encountered and their seeming inability to develop any strategy to deal with the worsening situations in our country’s education system. It was during this period of governance by the NDP, that approximately 40% of our 12year-olds were accommodated in secondary school with the other 60% left to face very uncertain futures.

Unfortunately for our 12-year-old, the then government didn’t have a plan to address this situation, since admittedly, they were unable to address the possibility during their term of office. That government was so devoid of ideas regarding education, that they could only admit defeatedly to the World Bank that any consideration of the implementation of universal access to secondary education could not occur before 2030 and even then, it was merely a consideration, not an attempt at implementation. Education was in very bad shape, and it required the preparation, planning and swift execution of a revolutionary intervention that only the ULP could deliver.

Setting the groundwork

Once the ULP got into office in March of 2001, the new government went to work addressing the deficiencies in our education system it had identified even while in opposition. The first task was to address the physical shortfalls with the schools’ buildings across the country embarking on a full-scale repair program of all education facilities including the replacement of damaged furniture. The images of parents, teachers and students from different schools picketing the Ministry of Education early in the school year to raise awareness of inadequate furniture in schools, was not something that the new ULP government was willing to let continue, and so it moved swiftly to address this. Making sure that students and teachers were more comfortable in their physical environment and that it was conducive to teaching and learning was a priority.

Another key ingredient to the development of primary education was the training of teachers, both as teachers’ college but also at university level in critical areas. When the ULP came to office in 2001, there were a total of 4 graduate teachers in the primary system and there was a need to improved training in literacy, numeracy,

and other areas in early childhood education. This ULP administration provided training opportunities through tuition assistance, scholarships, and other forms of support for hundreds of teachers to pursue various areas of training that were critical in the primary school system. Today, with the hard work and dedication of teachers, the discipline and drive of our students, the education revolution is paying dividends as our students excel and make their parents and our nation proud.

CPEA 2023, shows success across our Nation

Back in 2005, when universal access to secondary education was implemented (some 25 years before the 2030 year for consideration by the NDP), the naysayers were out loud and strong, presenting every reason why the government should abandon its policy. The Ministry of education had indicated that all students who sat the Common Entrance Examination, would be accommodated at secondary school regardless to whether they passed the examination or not. Naturally those who passed would have their choice of secondary school to attend and therefore the motivation to perform well was always present. The naysayers including the members of the NDP presented a contrary argument, suggesting that the students would lack motivation to perform since they would be accommodated in secondary school regardless and this would lead to reduced performance and pass rate at the exit examination. Year after year since the implementation of universal access to secondary education, the results have always surpassed the rate that existed when the ULP came to office, the rate of 38%-40% pass at Common Entrance. This year 2023, the pass rate at the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (the exam that replaced common entrance) was in excess of 85%, with more than 1400 of the 1692 students who wrote the exam receiving a passing grade, this in indeed remarkable. Instead of watering down the education system, instead of demotivating the students, there seems to be additional motivation for our students to do well. Additionally, the improved results are experienced across the country with more and more students from rural schools, challenge for top places among the more traditional top performers. It is difficult to understand how anyone challenging the efficacy of this policy, can even from the face of it refer to it as a failure given the remarkable results at all stages, year after year. In September 2023, close to 1700 students will start their journey into secondary school, as part of the fresh cohort of students taking advantage of universal access to education here in SVG. These students will be informed that this opportunity was not always available, for previous governments couldn’t deliver it, and even when the ULP delivered it, those who couldn’t deliver it, didn’t support it and to this day seek to discredit this marvelous policy. This ULP will continue to deliver on education to make our people marketable and able to function in the modern, competitive, many-sided, post-colonial economy that is at once local, national, regional and global that we are constructing.

The blue economy - central for economic growth

THE BLUEeconomy has been identified by the New Democratic Party (NDP) as one of the pillars for economic development for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The blue economy includes fishing, aquaculture, shipping, deep-sea mining, shipbuilding and repair and yachting. We believe that the blue economy should be central to our economic growth.

President of the NDP and Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Dr. Godwin Friday, in his 2023 Budget presentation, spoke to the government’s poor management of the development of the blue economy. He said, “The government has now been talking a lot about developing fishing, although it doesn’t seem to be taking off in the way that it should. We need to do more. In fact, they put the cart before the horse. They build up the export capacity because now you have a major exporter. And, we have the facility in Bequia called Bequia Seafood Limited. There is an operation in Owia as well, which I am sure was affected during the time of the eruption. But, all of a sudden we have demand that is greatly outstripping the supply.

In the 2022 estimates, $1.25 million was allocated for the enhancement of the tuna fishing fleet. What was accomplished? I do not know of a single tuna fisherman here, certainly not in my constituency who has benefitted from the programme. The only person who does that is actually registered as a Grenadian. And, I know a colleague who exports tuna; basically, he purchases it all from the fisherfolk in Petite Martinique. What has been accomplished with the use of that $1.25 million that was set aside there for the tuna fishing industry in 2022?

The second part of the programme is the Solidarity Fishing Fleet Enhancement. This programme has a budget of $4.4 million and it is mentioned in the estimates on page 494 and in the budget. What does this mean? It is clear that the main trust of the government is developing a fishing industry, which falls under the Solidarity Fishing Fleet Programme because a sum of $4.4 million is allocated to this programme.

The government’s plan for the development of the fishing fleet in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is to be done almost exclusively under this programme, because that is where the real money is going and this is where the enthusiasm seems to be. Of a total of $4.9 million, $4.4 million is going towards the Solidarity Fleet Programme. The fishermen have to go and find the rest of the money themselves to go and invest and to buy and to satisfy the criteria set by the financial institution to qualify for their loan.

I am told that there are other conditionalities that are just not banking: who you should sell to; who you should buy an engine from; who you should do all these things to; are creating unnecessary obstacles for many of the fisherfolk and making it seems not as attractive as it should be.

The Minister said that they got a loan from the ALBA Bank and they are using that to finance the

Solidarity Fishing Fleet. That is where the name comes from. There was an article that was published in ‘I Witness News’ about the programme, and I’ll read some of it, because it gives the context as to what is the intention for the industry going forward. He said, “The $4 million will go to our solidarity fishing fleet expansion which will address the challenges to supply that we will begin having because there’s so much demand from Rainforest Seafood, with the facility in Bequia and the facility in Owia, with the new hotels that are being built, and we have the demand for fish growing faster than the number of fishermen.”

Then he says, “So we have been doing a lot of consultation,” this is the Minister of Finance, “in the market, there are some industrial vessels, up to $800,000 U.S. that can harvest 120,000 pounds.” Obviously, that is not for the local fisher folk. He continues, “And there are others that are $300,000 that can harvest up to 700,000 pounds of lobster annually and can do tuna and snapper fishing.” Then he goes on to say, “The important thing now, as fishing and the blue economy is reaching a new phase, is education and training as well as capacity.” He said that the government plans to get experienced captains to work on these vessels and then train Vincentians.

Maybe he can clarify who are these captains. Are these going to be foreign captains? Are these going to be people who will operate the boats on behalf of the government? The government is now going to own a fishing fleet. They are going to be the most advanced part of the fishing industry and the rest of the fisherfolk are going to continue to do their business in pirogues.”

The NDP’s Plan

The NDP believes that we have to build an economy where everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Growing the blue economy will strengthen the country’s economy and create more jobs and opportunities.

The NDP’s plan to build the blue economy as a pillar of the economy includes the following:

* Creating a new Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Conservation;

* Develop the fishing industry to benefit fisherfolk;

* Upgrade fisheries centres;

* Invest in new equipment for fisherfolk;

* Introduce a credit system for fisherfolk;

* Help seafarers obtain certificates for jobs on ships;

* Improve safety at sea using satellite technology;

* Review marine resource management to ensure sustainability;

* Improve ship registry to generate more revenue and jobs

* Redevelop the Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard to create goodpaying long-term jobs.

The NDP is committed to creating an economy where everyone has the opportunity to make a decent wage and sees the blue economy as a key contributor to that vision.

The sickness of the sameness

“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.” — Franklin Thomas (1934-2021), AfricanAmerican businessman and philanthropist who was president and CEO of the Ford Foundation from 1979-1996.

DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES to be rampant in several geographic locations around the world. We sometimes become sickened by the reports of racial discrimination portrayed on cable television and the Internet. It is sad to reflect on how many of these atrocities occur in so-called “developed countries” providing evidence of “under-developed minds”; people lacking tolerance for fellow human beings based on the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair, shape and size of nose, nationality, gender, religious belief, and so on. The evidence of intolerance is often obvious. The sickness of the sameness is all too apparent.

Protests erupted throughout the United States of America (USA) and around the world immediately following the killing of the 46-year-old Black man, George Floyd, while in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on 25th May, 2020. Many would have hoped that the outcry against that senseless killing would have resulted in greater tolerance being evident among the perpetrators of such crimes. However, that has not happened. Since then, there have been other “killings of the innocent” by individuals who swore to uphold the law. The advocates for positive change in this regard continue to draw hope and inspiration from individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) who reminded us that, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Thus, peaceful demonstrations must continue. Newspaper articles must be published. Blogs must be produced. All of these are needed in our efforts to stamp out the instances of injustice that are perpetrated against individuals who are perceived to be different — whatever those differences are.

Many would have thought that the Civil Rights Movement in the United States of America throughout and beyond the 1950s and 1960s and the dismantling of the Apartheid System in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) in the 1990s would have created a platform for equity among the various races. However, it is quite evident that dismantling the organs of racial segregation, while considered a good start, was insufficient in flushing out the filth of racial prejudice on the global landscape. That being said, there is still good reason to hope for positive change in our lifetime. We can still muster up the courage to stand up and speak out about the injustices that continue to be meted out to people of colour around the world. Michelle Obama (born 1964), wife of the 44th President of the USA, Barak Obama, reminds us that,

“History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.” The light of equity and fairness must continue to be shown on the dark forces of evil that seek, for a host of reasons, to deny equal treatment and opportunities for all people regardless of colour, nationality, gender, religion, and so on.

There is beauty in diversity. Life would be boring and ugly if everyone looked the same. Many would argue that some of the most physically attractive individuals are those whose parents or fore parents blended their DNA across different races. We also know from animal science that when the genetic pool is confined or constrained (i.e., when there is inbreeding) the offspring will be more likely to have genetic deformities, as well as physical and/or mental defects. Such situations caution us against the sickness of the sameness.

Our leaders in business, government, and society have the privilege and awesome responsibility to encourage critical thinking among the general population. The beauty of the tapestry is not to have everything appear in the same colour. When painting a landscape, it is the shades of different greens that bring out the beauty of nature. The artist depicting the skies or the ocean enhances the appearance on the canvas through variations of blues and greys (as an example). The painting will be dull and unattractive if the various colours are not blended. There is beauty in diversity … and there is sickness in the sameness.

Although different in appearance, we are not that dissimilar. Beneath the external appearances we are “all the same beneath the skin”. Nationality, language, and place of birth do not change the design and function of our internal organs. Our blood will flow through our bodies in the same manner regardless of who we are and how we look. Our lungs take in air and extract oxygen in the same manner regardless of the shape and size of our nose. Our tongues taste sweet, salt, bitter, and sour with the same level of accuracy regardless of the thickness of our lips. The functioning of our brain is not hindered as a result of the texture of the hair upon our heads. There is therefore no need for any segment of the population to claim superiority over another. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. We all have a right to be here and to be heard. We all have the privilege of enhancing the societies in which we live — regardless of our academic attainment or lack thereof. We each add to the fabric of society and enhance its appearance and function. There is beauty and wisdom in diversity and the creation and sustaining of synergy beyond our differences. Conversely, there is sickness in the sameness.

Hurricane season and climate change

‘The effects of the climate crisis intrude with increasing regularity into our lives, and yet we do not act. We are as paralysed as past civilisations were when facing catastrophic destruction.’ Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges.

WITH THE HURRICANE SEASONupon us and Tropical Storm Brett causing jitters in the Caribbean, we would be well advised to take stock. Nature giveth, and nature takes away. Nature is also unforgiving. We mess with nature or neglect it to our chagrin.

From forest fires in Canada to ashy, smokey skies in New York, floods and mudslides in Nicaragua, Burma and Viet Nam to deforestation in Brazil and Surinam and The Democratic Republic of Congo, the earth is in a state of dis ease.

2023 is on pace for the hottest recorded year, thus eclipsing 2016. June not yet finished has topped the record chart. The earth is on a boil and getting hotter. The world’s leaders talk a good talk but refuse to move from word to action. Soon the demand for cool air and spaces will become a pressing human right.

In a foreboding piece titled ‘Requiem for our Species’, issued on June 11, 2023, Chris Hedges wrote: ‘What do we tell citizens seeking relief? Yes, this period may pass, but it is not over. It will get worse. There will be more highs and lows, then primarily lows, and then death. But no one wants to look that far ahead. We live moment to motion, illusion to illusion.’

The Caribbean has experienced increasingly violent storms and hurricanes. When the season ends in November, we pretend that normalcy will return. But has it? Climate science is unequivocal. The warming of the oceans and the atmosphere, the melting of the polar ice sheets and glaciers, rising sea levels, droughts and wildfires are bearing down on our species and other species because of the folly of human beings, mainly leaders in the developed sections of the world.

Like ostriches, we blind our eyes to the ever-present reality. We peddle the trope that technology will solve the problem. We resolve to adopt. Some find solace in denial of a realitybased belief system; the climate crisis does not exist. Some turn to religion and say Jesus will save us. To warn of a looming crisis is to be laughed at and deemed a pessimist.

People residing in the global south are already reaping the worse of the climate emergency. But the worse is yet to come. In the book “A Short History of Progress, “ Ronald Wright calls industrial society a ‘suicide machine.’ He notes that:

‘Civilisation is an experiment, a very recent way of life in the human career, and it has a habit of what I am calling a progress trap. The human inability to foresee or to watch out for long-range consequences may be inherent to our kind, shaped by millions of years when we lived from hand to mouth by hunting and gathering. It may also be a little more

than a mix of inertia, greed and foolishness. The concentration of power at the top of large-scale societies gives the elite a vested interest in the status quo; they continue to prosper in darkening times long after the environment and the general populace begin to suffer.’ Wright is mirroring what is currently happening in SVG.

The sad reality is that things are getting so bad for planet Earth that unless we act and it may be too late to stop the degeneration into complete collapse, life for those at the lower ends of society will be increasingly punishing.

There is one thing we can be absolutely sure of. The planet will survive. It has experienced mass extinctions before. Remember the dinosaurs!

The time to act is rapidly coming to an end. Doomsday is upon us. We must do everything in our power to drastically control and eventually halt carbon emissions. Unfortunately, we import more cars, strip our hillsides and mountains of critically important vegetation to build roads and houses, and pave over more and more of our dirt with concrete. All of these actions are causing a rise in temperature. As a gentleman on the Grenadine island of Union told me a few years ago, ‘We now have two suns. One that shines during the day and the other that burns at night.’

The environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion has argued that the rich and powerful will never wean us off fossil fuels which create so much of the heating problem on Earth. They are correct in their call for the overthrow of the elite. Unless radical and immediate measures are taken to end fossil fuel consumption and the industrial farming of plants and animals, our death warrants are certain. Sadly we humans will sign up for mass suicide.

Scientists have warned that melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica has increased five folds in the last 30 years. This melting ice accounts for one-quarter of the sea level rise. The sea defences we are compelled to build in the northeast section of our country are a testament to the fact that we are negatively impacted.

Plain Talk concurs with Chris Hedges, saying, ‘The hardest existential crisis we face is to at once accept this bleak reality and resist. Resistance cannot be carried out because it will succeed but because it is a moral imperative. We may fail, but if we don’t fight against the forces orchestrating our mass extinction, we become part of the apparatus of death.’

May we pass this hurricane season without death and destruction.

THE ISLANDof Mustique was purchased in 1958 – see Act no. 62 of 1989. The Mustique Company Ltd. established a tourism industry and other commercial undertakings in Mustique.

The ULP regime came into office in 2001 and brought in the Mustique Company Act no. 48 of 2002. Under the 2002 Act, no customs duties or other taxes or duties are imposed by the ULP government on any aircraft, ships, boats or parts thereof, imported by Mustique Company, its subsidiaries or any qualifying residential licensee. All materials, vehicles, equipment, tools, replacement parts, medicines, petroleum products and supplies which are considered by the company and its subsidiaries to be necessary for the constructions, operation, maintenance, improvements and proper functioning of all services and operations carried out by the company and its subsidiaries, may be purchased in or imported into SVG and/or taken

out of bond therein, by the company and or its subsidiaries free of all customs duties and customs service charges.

It is ungodly for poor people to pay 15% VAT, while the rich can import a private jet aircraft and pay no customs duties or services charges. The ULP regime introduced VAT on many food items and other essentials for living. The ULP’s VAT has made many families suffer and some children go without, and yet the rich in Mustique Company pay little tax.

Many Vincentians suffer with the high taxes on water, electricity and fuel, while the ULP regime exempts some of the super-rich from customs charges and taxes. It’s one oppressive rule for the poor and one lax rule for the super-rich of Mustique.

The ULP regime is incompetent; no one doubts that. The country is known to suffer from a shortage of medicines. The ULP regime seems not to care

about the needs of the many. They are irresponsible to give Mustique Company multi-million-dollar tax exemptions.

The special treatment Mustique Company Ltd. receives violates equal rights in SVG. This Act 48 of 2002 that discriminates against all Vincentians and the SVG Treasury is losing out on millions of dollars of revenue because of the preferential treatment enjoyed by the Mustique Company Ltd. The burden of the loss of revenue is placed on the people. This is one of the reasons our bills are so high and SVG has high levels of unemployment, poverty and crime in 2023.

Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, strongly believes the Mustique Company should pay back the unpaid custom duties and taxes for the period 2003 to 2023 to the SVG

End tax exemptions to the super-rich of Mustique Father under stress

by ANTHONY G. STEWART, PhD

against father either by design or happenstance. When he was born, his father’s name perhaps was not

registered on his birth paper due to no fault of his. This had implications for not only his self-esteem but also for his inheritance. Sometimes too, he might have been given the wrong father, a situation that is only corrected as he grows older and claims the correct father because of the tell-tale resemblance. Nevertheless some claim all the fathers who cared for them, whether biological, adopted, foster or step.

School brings a new set of discrimination. Most boys want to do practical things in line with the careers they are likely to pursue. These include construction, plumbing, electrician, fishing, farming, auto mechanic, computer and office equipment maintenance, landscaping, pharmacy, medicine, and music. It is not that they would have no interest in subjects like Literature, English, Social Studies and Foreign language, and Accounting, it is the way they are taught. When we think of boys we must link with doing something in the practical world that allows them to see the relevance.

At school he is not allowed to do Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, the very subjects that would give him the capacity to understand the theory behind the kind of work he envisions in the future. We could

Treasury, and that these tax exemptions should be repealed. Fellow Vincentians, it seems that some people are more equal than others and their rights overrule our rights. Remember, when you pay your next bill it’s not just your share of the tax you’re paying, it’s the super-rich of Mustique’s share too.

We need a change of government. A SVG Green Party government will bring in a fairer tax system so poor families will not have to suffer and poverty will be reduced. A Green economy is also needed to create jobs and start up new industries, as this will mean less need to tax the people.

understand why walls crack, vehicles are not adequately maintained, farming chemicals are not properly used, equipment is not adequately maintained, and electrical work is substandard. Even though teachers notice the interest and aptitude, nothing is done to academically prepare the boys for their future technical skills. Although schools have unlimited opportunities for boys to gain theoretical and practical experience, many leave with no skill.

The job market poses new challenges as the entry level jobs offer low wages and the man is challenged to learn from scratch without adequate preparation from school. Things could be different if he had adequate reading skills and was taught how to teach himself and how to find and learn new information.

With the first pay check, he is disappointed by the financial institutions that turn him away requiring too much of him to open an account. This prevents savings and learning to be responsible. Thus, there are too many men without a savings account. Since the jobs require no reading, their reading ability regresses.

While he is attracted to a high maintenance woman and desires to form a stable long-term relationship, competition from high maintenance men prices him out.

If we become conscious of what is happening to our fathers, we would change the way we raise them. By next father’s Day we hope to see changes.

EVERYTHINGseems to be stacked

Awards V

Detective Sergeant Biorn Duncan and Sergeant Stephen Billy placed second runners-up in the Top Caribbean Crime Fighter 2022 category Top Community Police Officer 2022 category respectively, in the Amalgamated Security Services Ltd. (ASSL), Regional Recognition Awards Programme for public law enforcement.

TWO OFFICERSof the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have been recognized for their outstanding work in their respective field of policing.

receive a cash prize of US$5,000.00 to be applied to a welfare project.

According to ASSL, the awards are “intended to publicly recognise police officers who by their efforts have contributed significantly to crime reduction; to the enhancement of community relations; to the improvement of general safety and security; and who

SUB-LIEUTENANT ADAIAH PROVIDENCE-

CULZAC, of the British Armed Forces, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2023.

have made an overall difference in their police forces, communities and by extension nationally and regionally.”

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Sergeants Biorn Duncan and Stephen Billy on being recognized as standout law enforcement officers among their colleagues from across the region.

Vincy police officers recognized Vincentian soldier honoured

The Recognition Awards Programme took place during the 37th Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Annual General Meeting and Conference, held from May 22-25 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

For the 2022 and 2023 years, eighteen officers (9 for each year) were recognized across three categories: Top Caribbean Career Move, Top Crime Fighter and Top Caribbean Community Police Officer.

Each first-place winner is awarded an all-expense paid trip to the conference to receive his/her award in front of their colleagues, the Caribbean Police Commissioners, national and international VIPs and specially invited guests.

In addition, the three Police Forces that nominate the three first-place winners, each will

His honour means that he has been designated a Member of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his outstanding performance in the Diversity and Inclusion Team at Navy Command Headquarters.

The SVG High Commission in the UK posted the information on its social media pages. It said before commissioning to an officer, Adaiah served in the rank of Logistician (Writer) at Navy Command as the policy lead on Climate Assessments.

In his citation, he was credited for: creating a climate assessment to measure the Diversity and Inclusion culture of Royal Navy ships and establishments; and setting up the framework which provides Commanding officers with recommendations and tools to make positive changes within their Units. The work was commissioned following a high-level review of inappropriate behaviour within the UK armed services.

Director of People and Training and Naval Secretary Rear Admiral Jude Terry OBE in her

notification letter stated, “Your charitable endeavours which raised significant funds were also especially noteworthy. The results that you delivered for Royal Navy people were most impressive and far above that expected of your rank and were in the finest traditions of the Royal Navy.”

Adaiah was also commended for his work with various stakeholders including service charities, immigration experts, and members of the Royal Navy Commonwealth Network to resurrect and redesign the guide for non-British nationals joining the Royal Navy, “that provides advice for Service Personnel and their families and demonstrates to a wider audience the complexities faced by the overseas community.”

SLt Providence-Culzac who is also a first year doctoral student at Birkbeck, University of London, was St. Vincent and the Grenadines flag bearer at the King’s Coronation. (Source: SVG HC. UK)

Detective Sergeant Biorn Duncan.

Sergeant Stephen Billy

SLt. Adaiah ProvidenceCulzac, making himself and his country proud.

Artistes boycotting Soca Monarch 2023

by KENVILLE HORNE

A NUMBER OF PROMINENT SOCA

ARTISTES have declared their intention not to participate in this year’s Soca and Ragga Soca Monarch competitions.

Among the artistes who have already so declared are the duo act of ‘Dymez and DaPixel’, Keronna ‘Keke’ Samuel, Keith ‘Grabba Finesse’ Charles, Charlie Chewalee ‘Rummist’ Johnson and reigning Soca Monarch Derron ‘Magikal’ Rouse.

This decision by the artistes was

brewing for a while, especially following the Carnival Development Corporation’s indication that it could not commit to increased prize money and appearance fees.

According to the CDC Chairman, Ricardo Adams, the request by Soca artistes amounted to $280,000.00 in total.

On Tuesday Johnson declared that he was out of the competition with the following Facebook post: “After several conversations with the CDC I find myself most disappointed. With that being said I will not be entering

‘Caspa G’ calls out critics and CDC

SOCA ARTISTE ZAVIQUE ‘CASPA G’

MORRISis taking issue with critics of local soca music/artistes, as well as the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC). Morris in a Facebook post on Wednesday expressed his frustration.

According to the entertainer, it really gets to him when people are inconsiderate and come off like they just want attention.

“This post is about people complaining about the music. First of all it cost cash to make music. When the pandemic came for two and a half years and the CDC only give us $400 for that time, grateful for it, but it’s nothing really, cause that $400 is what it cost to mix and master one song,” said the soca artiste.

He said that last year after the soca monarch finals, the winners waited 6 months to be paid, while the CDC opened a brand new lounge with luxurious

amenities.

any of the soca competitions this year or any other year as long as things remain the way they are.”

Johnson said otherwise that that during the time of negotiating with CDC, he had been accused of trying to boycott carnival, holding CDC at ransom and trying to corner the organization.

“My stance has rubbed many the wrong way to a point where some friendships aren’t as friendly anymore. Nonetheless, I’m strong in my convictions. What we demanded was more than fair and some can argue we

Zavique ‘Caspa G’ Morris has detailed the basis for his frustration with what obtains in the soca (music)

“For years men been begging the CDC to do better and years they show us that they don’t care. What sense does it make to enter a national competition and it causes more damage to your career than it does good? Ain’t make no sense to me.

“People complaining saying the music is trash but the man them exhausted, fed up and most of all disappointed. The first place money for soca monarch has been $25,000 for years. Each year cost of living goes up, the fees at the ports are ridiculous and I could go on and on,” said the artiste.

He said that soca artistes recently asked for $40,000, an additional $15,000 on the first prize, but “I hear people say we asking for too much. Too much when man has image to maintain, production to pay for and videos. etc.? You want good music? Then defend man and help man get

could have asked for more. Those who know me will tell you when I believe in something I will stand for it even if it’s just me.

“Whatever ties are broken were meant to be broken and I will sleep well knowing that I did what was right,” said the former Ragga Soca monarch winner.

In announcing their nonparticipation, DaPixel tweeted on behalf of the soca duo of Dymez and DaPixel: “We apologize to all our fans who have been anticipating DXdP’s performance, but we will not be participating in the Ragga Soca and Power Soca monarchs this year. However there are other stages and events during the season where you will be able to meet us or see us perform.”

Soca Monarch Derron ‘Magikal’ Rouse declared that it is with a heavy heart that he was announcing that he will not be participating in this year’s Soca Monarch competition, scheduled to take place on 8th July, 2023 at Victoria Park.

better, then you’ll see good quality of music. It’s not like we can’t do it, we did it over and over again,” Morris stated.

‘Caspa G’ had not declared his nonparticipation in the 2023 Soca Monarch Competition, but the sentiments he has expressed have led his fans to conclude that he will not be on that stage this year.

(KH)

“Let me take this time to wish all artistes who will be competing in the competition the best of luck. Sorry for any disappointment this news may bring. I wish everyone a safe Vincy Mas 2023,” Rouse said in his post shared to Instagram and Facebook.

Female songbird, Keronna “Keke” Samuel said that as a result of CDC’s failure to

Continued on Page 13.

landscape here.

Ricardo Adams, Chairman of the CDC, has assured that the Soca and Ragga Soca competitions will go on as planned.

‘Grabba Finesse’ had a coming out year in 2022 and has built a fan base since then.

With Magikal out of the competition its makes way for a new Soca Monarch in 2023.

Charlie ‘Rummist’ Johnson, who became a spokesperson for the soca artistes’ casue, has vowed to ‘stay out of competitions’ until things change.

Calypso semi-finalists announced

Gosnel ‘GC’ Cupid, Shena Collis, Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ King, debutant Omani Cupid and past monarch Shaunelle McKenzie and Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd, who is also the reigning Calypso Queen.

Graduates will be represented by five of its cast led by past monarch Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar and accompanied by Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Hendrickson, Denise ‘Lady D’ Stephens and Phylicia ‘Nubian Empress’ Alexander.

And the New Yorkbased Dynamites Calypso Tent, making its return after a oneyear hiatus, accounts for four semi-final places in the persons of Delahanty Isles, Dennis Bowman, Jose Juan and past monarch Carlos ‘Rejector’ Providence.

the one song policy for both the semifinals and finals.

“We think a lot of the patrons appreciated that fact, and a lot of the Calypsonians appreciated the fact that they could come forward with one powerful song rather than coming with one powerful song that everybody knows and a second song that people are hearing for the first time on the night,” Adams told THE VINCENTIAN.

The one song also addressed the concern that the show, allowing for two songs, might just have been too long.

The backing bands for the semifinals, dubbed Fantastic Friday, are Nex Level and The Festival Band.

The Calypso Finals as has been the tradition will held as part of the Dimarche Gras show which will also feature the King and Queen of the Bands competition. (DD)

THE ON TOUR CALYPSO leads the way with seven selections into this year’s calypso Semi Finals, set for June 30 at Carnival City, Victoria Park.

The seven are: Marvo Morgan, Robert ‘Patches’ Knights, Derrick ‘Man

The ‘Upstage Experience Calypso Tent follows with six selections: ,

‘Summers’ legacy

According to Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Ricardo Adams, the organizers are pushing ahead for the show, which is the official kick-start of the final 10 days of Vincy Mas.

He said that the decision had been taken to maintain

to be upheld

Earl Bennett, said that his organisation will be exploring ways of ensuring that the rich legacy of calypsonian Leonard Forbes, who went by the sobriquet ‘Lord Summers’.

He died on Monday, 19th June, 2023, at his residence in Green Hill.

According to Bennett, “The Calypsonian Association is saddened by the passing of a giant and icon of a calypsonian, who contributed significantly to the development and promotion of the artform especially in the 1970s… We will explore means of ensuring that the rich legacy this champion of a Calypsonian lives on.”

Noting that ‘Summers’ has left a mark on the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ calypso art form, Bennett added, “We were certainly

Artistes boycotting Soca Monarch 2023

Continued from Page 12.

“attempt to meet us halfway with our requests to improve our delivery to you on Soca/Ragga Monarch night, July 8th 2023, I will not be participating in this year’s competition.

“I am extending best wishes to all the artistes’ part taking in this year’s competition and I apologize to you for not being able to showcase my growth. I look forward to your continued support throughout this season and I look forward to seeing you for the seasons to come,” said Samuel.

richer for having him in our lives, but poorer for his passing.”

‘Summers’ rubbed shoulders in the 1970s with, among others, the likes of Sun Blaze, Mighty Sheller, Mighty Toiler, Lord Priest, and his close friend Lord Hawke.

Bennett on behalf of the national Calypso body stated, “The SVG Calypsonian Association takes this opportunity to express our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fans of ‘Summers’.”

Bennett, punning on the calypsonian’s most popular calypsos, called on well-wishers to “Come out in yo numbers”, when his interment takes place.

The passing of ‘Summers’ comes on the heels of another calypsonian of the 70s Leon ‘Slider’ Mc Kenzie, who died last month.

Keith “Grabba Finesse” James who placed 2nd in the soca monarch competition last year, simply said in his post “No Entering Of Soca Monarch 2023”.

On Wednesday, CDC Chairman Adams told THE VINCENTIAN that there has been strong registration and that there were, in fact, “persons registering even today, Wednesday, the closing date for registration.”

He assured that the CDC was “going ahead with our preliminary judging on Friday (today) and our Soca and Ragga Soca competitions during the carnival period.”

The Soca Monarch competition has continued to be an avenue for a lot of the emerging artistes to be able to express themselves, “and it also remains an avenue for a lot of our artistes to get their music highlighted in the Vincy Mas product,” Adams said.

The preliminaries are set for Heritage Square but this is subject to change depending on the approaching weather.

Sick’

Alexander, Bernard ‘Reality’ White, Kirk ‘Ninja’ Knights. And past monarchs Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abby and Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance

Leon ‘Lord Summers’ Forbes the calypsonian, was known for his rhythmic variations and masked lyrics.

Increased promotion of CCJ processes

strengthen awareness of the judicial process.

CCJ’s President, Justice Adrian Saunders has made it clear that the court will embark on several projects to promote public awareness of the legal system.

CCJ’s President, Justice

Adrian Saunders has promised that the the CCJ will implement a number of activities to increase public awareness about the role of the court and its methods, and to provide insight into the position of the court in the operations of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

CIVIL ENGAGEMENTSwill form an integral part of the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) development agenda, in an effort to expand access to and

Justice Saunders was speaking during the opening ceremony for the second itinerant hearing of the CCJ in Guyana on Wednesday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

He emphasised that these sittings are crucial to the perception of justice, and play an essential role in sensitising the public to the functions of the court.

“A regional apex court cannot function as effectively if it is perceived as a remote, brooding infallible omnipresence. Judges must avail themselves of appropriate occasions to interface directly with key stakeholders. Throughout the region, people from all walks of

life need to have the opportunity to see, in flesh and blood, those who pass ultimate judgment on them,” Justice Saunders explained.

To this end, the CCJ will implement a number of activities to increase public awareness about the role of the court, and its methods, and also provide insight into the position of the court in the operations of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

In particular, these activities will build on the ongoing project developed with the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (CARIFORUM), under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), which called for attention to people-centred development.

“This project aims to, specifically in Guyana, sensitise the judiciary, the bar, and other stakeholders about the CSME and the role of the court and national courts and tribunals

within that CSME regime,” the judge stated.

The CCJ President added, “We will also engage with civil society and the public, including a session with students from the University of Guyana. Over the next week, we have scheduled a compact and robust schedule, and we look forward to the mutual exchanges and learnings that will no doubt ensue from all of these interactions, as we discuss matters concerning the administration of justice and how we can serve the people of Guyana and the community with excellence.”

Reminding that since its establishment in 2008, the CCJ has presided over 111 matters for Guyana alone, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards stressed that Guyana’s legal landscape has been significantly transformed through its processes.

“This court is known to be revolutionary, forward-thinking,

and even groundbreaking in some of its decisions that have been handed down over the years. The judges have had their dockets dominated by a number of subject areas including criminal law, land law, constitutional law, and a number of election cases from Guyana. It is evident that Guyana has contributed significantly to the development of the CCJ and its jurisprudence,” she said. She added that physical presence is an important component of the delivery of justice.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George emphasised the importance of engendering public trust and confidence in the justice system in upholding the rule of law.

Over the next two days, the court will preside over five cases, two of which are from Guyana. (Credit: CARICOM Department of Public Information)

ÂPapa NicenessÊ jailed for causing womanÊs death

ago, was jailed on Wednesday.

Roberts was sentenced to one year, eight months, and five days beginning last Wednesday, for causing the death of Aletha Dina Dover on January 6, 2020, by dangerous driving. He was also suspended from holding a driver’s permit for three years.

CORDEL‘Papa

Niceness’ Roberts, a 58-year-old tour guide taxi operator who caused the death of a 74-year-old woman by dangerous driving about two years and five months

A nine-member jury found Roberts guilty on May 10, following a short trial, but sentencing was adjourned.

Robert was unrepresented at the trial, but attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste was retained to mitigate on his behalf.

The facts showed that around 5:30 p.m. on December 16, 2019, Dover, her sister Agatha Williams of Glamorgan, and another person were crossing the road at James Street, Kingstown, when a vehicle stopped for them to pass. Roberts’ vehicle which was driving alongside the other vehicle, also stopped.

Dover’s sister and the other person crossed, but as Dover, who was behind the others, got in front of the vehicle Roberts was driving, Roberts sped off, struck Dover, and dragged her some distance from where she was struck. Roberts took the woman to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in his vehicle.

Dover was warded at the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on January 6, 2020. An autopsy showed she died from multiple trauma due to a road traffic accident.

Roberts gave the police a statement saying, “The car in front me was going too slow. I pulled from behind, and when I pulled from the car, I saw two ladies. I ain’t see the third lady”.

Roberts opted not to give evidence from the dock.

In her mitigation plea on Wednesday, BacchusBaptiste contended that based on the evidence of police Sergeant Atnel Ash, who was driving the other vehicle, “The defendant came to a stop alongside a van to allow two pedestrians to cross. His (Roberts) evidence was that the third pedestrian came from nowhere. It was an accident, and he did stop to allow two pedestrians to cross. There is no crossing in that area”.

The lawyer noted that Roberts was a tour guide taxi operator, and enjoys listening to music, singing at Karokee events, reading and listening to the news, and had worked in the government service for ten years. He has no previous convictions for reckless driving and was very remorseful for what happened. She added that Roberts took the victim to the hospital, and subsequently visited her. She noted that Roberts was a driver for 19 years, was described by many as being courteous to his passengers, and as a safe and experienced driver.

Causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum penalty of seven years.

Justice Brian Cottle placed the offense in Category C which is the lesser category and started at two years and four months.

Justice Cottle stressed that a life was lost and that the aggravating factor for the offense was that Roberts had allowed himself to be so distracted that he did not see the third person. In relation to the mitigating factors, he highlighted Roberts’ prompt action to assist. He found no aggravating factors for the offender, but for the mitigating, he stressed Roberts’ clean record and his remorse. He concluded that the mitigating factors outweighed the aggravating factors and moved down by six months. He also deducted the one month and 25 days Roberts spent on remand, resulting in the final sentence of one year, eight months and five days.

On deliberating his sentence Justice Cottle placed , Cordel ‘Papa Niceness’ Roberts’ offense placed in Category C which is a lesser category.

Do narcissists care about you?

FROMWHATWE

UNDERSTAND,thereare twomainthingsthatmean theworldtotheNarcissist. Iftheydon’thavethese thingsgoingforthem,in theireyes,theyhave nothing.

Image

Thefirstthingthat meanstheworldtothe Narcissististheirimagethewaytheylook,dress, etc.Imageiseverything toaNarcissist. Sociopaths,ontheother hand,aredisposedtobe ruffledanduntidy, becausetheydonotcare howtheylookorhow theyareperceived.They makeaneffortonlywhen itsuitsthem.

ButNarcissists, especiallyintheirprime years,areobsessedwith lookinggood,ofstanding outeventothepointof makinga‘fashion statement’.Whenthey walkoutofthatdoor, everypublicappearance, theyseeitasa performance.Everything hastobeinlinewiththe imagethattheyare tryingtopush.

Narcissistshaveno probleminvestingtime, money,andenergyto lookgoodsopeoplecan thinkhighlyofthem. Everythingtheydoisto improvetheirreputation andstatus.Theonly peoplewhogettosee behindthedisguiseare thoseclosesttothemlike theirpartnersand

children.

NarcissisticSupply

Thesecondthingthat meanstheworldtothe Narcissististheir NarcissisticSupply. Theyneedattention, compliments,andpraise tofeelgoodabout themselves.Theyneedto knowthattheyareloved bythemassesandheldin highesteem.Theyalso needthatdark Narcissisticsupplythat theygetfromhurtingand betrayingthosethatthey claimtolove.

Andinordertoget this,theyhavetodeceive peopleintogettingintoa relationshipwiththem.

WithNarcissists,people arejustameanstoan end,andthatiswhythey arenotabletotrulylove orcareforanyone. Becausealltheywant fromusistheir NarcissisticSupply.It makesthemfeelpowerful andincontrol.

Butinessence, Narcissistsareweak, insecure,andhighly dependentonthepeople aroundthemtomake themfeelbetterabout themselvesordistract fromtheirinnerturmoil.

So,theydocareabout theirfakeimageasthisis theirgreencardtoget accesstomorepeople. Andmorepeoplemean moreNarcissisticSupply.

NarcissisticSupplyis theNarcissist’sfuelfor lifeandmoneyandpower

aretoolstohelpthem gainevenmorecontrol, maintaintheirimageand providefurther NarcissisticSupply.

Theconsequences

Underestimating someoneispartoftheir personalitydisorder. Narcissistsspenda lifetimeperfectinga campaignof manipulativeskills,so theyfeelveryconfident underminingothers. Theyfeelthatmost peopleareinferiorto themandareweak minded.Theycarryout moremanipulative actionsinaweekthan mostpeopledoallyear. Theiractionsaredriven bypowerandcontrol. Theybelievethatmost peopledeservetobe bamboozled.Thisgives themnarcissisticsupply, andagratifyingfeelingof superiority.

Theyunderestimate peoplemoreoftenthan not;thisfeedsinto inflatingtheirfragileego. Theyareofteninsecure anduseunderminingasa waytomakethemselves feelbetter.Theyoften haveaneedtofeel superiortoothersand derivepleasurefrom seeingthemfail, defeated,andin emotionalpain.

Theconsequencesa narcissisthasto eventuallyfacecanbe severe.Remember, Narcissismiswhen

someonehasanextreme senseofself-importance andexaggeratestheir talentsand achievements,while expectingtobe

recognizedassuperior. Intheshort-term,this behaviorcanoftenseem advantageous;however, inthelong-termitwill inevitablyleadto negativeconsequences

forthenarcissist themselvesaswellas thosearoundthem. Therecomesatime whentheydocomeacross someonewhotheyhave wronglyunderestimated whowillstandupto themandnotallowthem toabuse,undermine,or manipulatethem. Hopefully,thispersonis you!

CBMN

Suspicious of my girlfriend

Dear George,

I WASat this party with my girlfriend and there was this guy who was hitting on her.  Several times I had to assert my presence so that he would know she was not available.  As the night got older, he introduced himself to me and I learned he was visiting from the USA.  We ended up drinking together.

The story is, I woke up at my house to find my girlfriend taking a shower and this guy sprawled off on my living room sofa. I asked my girlfriend for an explanation and she said I was too drunk to drive after the party and so this guy arranged for a ride to take everyone home. She said he even had to assist her in getting into the house and that was when most likely everyone including her fell asleep.

I do not know whether the two of them got involved sexually. I know she is not one to take a shower that early in the morning.

I think both of them arranged the whole thing. I need to know the best way to handle this. I need help to clear up my confusion.

Highly Suspicious.

Dear Highly suspicious,

It makes no sense trying to apportion blame especially when you had the opportunity to operate in a responsible manner and didn’t. You should have never put yourself in a situation where you were too drunk to drive. It was your responsibility to get her home safely.

You should be thankful that you are safe and apologize to your girlfriend. Use this experience to be better at managing things.

George.

My girlfriend bounced me

Dear George,

WHENI found out I was inflicted with a life threatening disease, my girlfriend began cheating on me and eventually left me for someone whom she said was “richer and more successful” than I. It so happened that I got a second opinion while in the USA. It turned out I was wrongly diagnosed. I decided to remain in the USA. My ex knows the true story

and is now asking about us. I told her there is no us. I have found a young lady and from the looks of things I believe I’m on the right track for marriage.

My ex-girlfriend wants to be invited to the wedding to wish me well. Should I invite her?

Change of Fortune.

Dear Change of Fortune, Your girlfriend

bounced on you when she thought you were infected. She showed clearly that she did not have your best interest at heart. What makes you think she really wants to wish you well at your wedding?

She can wish you well via text message, etc. Give thanks that her true colours were exposed then, clearing the way for you to make the right decisions.

George.

Kissing is out the door

Dear George,

THE LAST time my wife kissed me was two years ago. That was the time I decided not to attempt to kiss her anymore.

We would have sex once in a while, like about 2 to three times a month if I’m lucky. That used to be different in the past.

I am not sure what is going on but I am not comfortable with where we are in the relationship. She does not want to speak about the matter and that is driving me up a road I do not want to be on. Your advice please.

Feeling Deprived.

Dear Feeling Deprived,

Based on what you have outlined it seems

like there is no intimacy in the marriage/relationship. That could be so for a number of reasons.

Kisses flow when the love flows over and intimacy is at its peak.

There could be unattended issues in the relationship. I suggest you both see a counselor to help unearth whatever is there hiding beneath the surface.

George.

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)

Secret affairs may be tempting, but keep in mind that they will damage your reputation if you decide to indulge. Don't push your opinions on others this week or you may find yourself in the doghouse. You can meet potential new mates if you socialize with friends.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)

Wait and get all the information before consulting your boss. Your creative imagination will help you in coming up with unique ideas. You may find yourself changing plans for some form of entertainment. Your nerves are frazzled.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

Changes will not be easy for the youngsters involved. Good day for romance. Enjoy taking courses or lecturing others. You need a break from your daily routine.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

You must lay down ground rules so that you can complete a job. You can get phenomenal returns if you present your ideas to those who can back your interests. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)

Your home environment may be volatile if precautions aren't taken. Complete those hobbies you started a long time ago. Use your energy wisely. Investments may not be as lucrative as you thought.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

Don't make accusations unless you are completely sure that you are correct. Think about your priorities. Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent. Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

Travel will lead you in new directions. Attend trade shows that will allow you to look at new products. Be careful not to come on too strongly. Be careful disclosing information.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Advancement can be yours if you put your efforts into work related matters. Pleasure trips or friendly get-togethers will be satisfying and intellectually stimulating. Hidden assets can be doubled if you play your cards correctly. Think before you act.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Travel, although enticing, will cost more than you expect. You can pick up additional responsibility that will lead to higher wages and a better position. A day at the beach may satisfy the whole family.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

You can expect opposition from family as well as colleagues. You could easily lose your temper at work. Don't push your opinions or ideas on others. Your sensitivity toward those you love will capture their hearts. Concentrate on yourself or your work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)

Your financial situation may be draining and it's time to make some serious changes. Get rich quick schemes will not be successful. Don't bother trying to make someone you live with see your point of view. The existing problems must be dealt with one way or another.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Minor health problems could result through exhaustion. Don't let the erratic behavior of someone you live with interfere with your professional performance. You need to reevaluate your situation. Don't take advantage of your expense account.

ACROSS

1. Dance night

5. Baths of a sort

8. Use a cloth to clean

19. Volcanologist’s study

13. That ship 14. English rocker Billy

15. Operator 16. Mock

1. Furthermore

2. Reckless

3. Concluded

8. In an unrestrained manner

9.

DEPTOR CULZAC won both the Time Trial and Road Race in the Masters segment, his sonGabriel Culzac, the lone entrant did likewise in the Juvenile category, but honours were divided in the Elite category, when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union held its National Championships last weekend, June 17 and 18.

In taking the Time Trial on Saturday, Deptor Culzac clocked 12.19.96 and on Sunday, he timed 2:39.07.40 to clinch the 44-mile road race.

Meanwhile, Gabriel stopped the clock at 12:20.26 in the

Father, son storm National Cycling Championships

close second in 4:59.28.16.

The other cyclists who competed were Steve Ollivierre and Rivas Young.

Time Trial and 2:53.40.65 in the road race, in bossing the Juvenile category.

However, in the Elite category, Cammie Adams stopped the clock at 10:06.51 in Saturday’s Time Trial to maintain his hold on the National event, only to be nipped by Zefal Bailey in the 88-mile road race on Sunday.

Bailey’s winning time was 4:59.27.58, while Adams was a

Ollivierre, who joined Deptor Culzac in the two-way fight in the Master’s bracket, registered a time of 12:33.20 in the Time Trial and 2:45.05.76 in the road race.

In the case of Young, who contested the Elite category, he timed 13:27.23 in the Time Trial, but was unable to finish the road race.

Saturday’s 3.8 miles Time Trial, was from Arnos Vale to Belvedere.

Sunday’s Road Race began at the decommissioned ET

Joshua Airport and ended at the Sion Hill Intersection.

Elite cyclists journeyed from the starting point to Orange Hill, and returned to the Arnos Vale Round About and back to Orange Hill, finishing at the Sion Hill

Classic 11: Biabou Football Double Champion

Intersection.

The Masters category made one loop from the start point to Orange Hill, then to the finish line.

Cane End finished third in the League segment.

In the Under-15 Competition, Overland took the title beating Biabou on penalty kicks after a 1-all draw.

Georgetown finished third.

CEASERS REAL ESTATE CLASSIC11

defeated Biabou Top Strikers on penalty kicks in Sunday’s League final, played at the Biabou

Playing Field, to be crowned double champions of the 2023 Carib/Village Ram Biabou Football Tournament.

Classic had earlier won the knockout title when they beat Biabou Top Strikers in the finals.

In the League finals,

Classic came from behind with a 1-nil deficit in the first half to equalize in the second and force the game into penalty kicks, with the score tied at the end of regulation time. Classic converted their five penalty kicks.

As for individual awards, Jason Hunte of Biabou Top Strikers was the MVP of the Tournament and the Best Defender. His teammate, Elron Baptiste, was adjudged Best Goal-keeper.

Cane End’s Osei

Delpesche copped the Best Striker Award and the award for the most goals scored. Dan Laborde, also of Cane End, was the Best Midfielder.

The Most Disciplined Team Award went to Stubbs.

Zefal Bailey

Deptor Culzac

Cammie Adams

Gabriel Culzac

Jason Hunte was the MVP of the Tournament.

Ceasers Real Estate Classic 11 - Biabou Double Football Champs.

Biabou Top Strikes runner-up in both the League and Knockout segments.

Basketball in revival mode

“THE OVERALLobjective is to get back Basketball as a competitive sport throughout the country…… make it as vibrant as it used to be.”

So said SVGBBF Suzette Jackson, President the SVG Basketball Federation (SVGBF) while speaking recently with THE VINCENTIAN.

“Since our (Executive) election in March 2023, it has been somewhat challenging, especially in regard to regularizing our legal status, but still yet rewarding because there are persons who are still very passionate about investing in the sport and willing to do what is necessary to see the sport advance…,” Jackson related.

She added, “There was a requirement for a strategic plan, but even as we addressed that, among our chief objectives is to basically improve and enhance the relationship between the SVGBF and the affiliates.”

In that regard, the President said, while “we

welcome and support the various basketball academies hosting matches and training programmes,” she recognized the need to polish and strengthen the relationship with those academies and all affiliates.

She identified the mending of strained relationship with some of the academies as being pivotal to “moving forward,” and assured that action in this regard was addressed in the strategic plan.

As far as challenges, Jackson targeted finance as being major among these and also listed the playing facilities as “not up to standard.”

With respect to the latter, the President disclosed that her Executive has engaged the services of engineers attached to the Ministry of Transport and Works, to do a “systematic analysis” of the state of “all the infrastructure”

available to basketball in the state.

And as for the immediate future, Jackson informed, “..we are in the process of finalizing the 3n3 Basketball Tournament as a means of generating some level of income. Some of that income will be used to host summer camps in August.”

In an effort to grow the sport, “we are using our eight level 1 coaches that we currently have to do a training of trainer’s programme for the schools…,” the President said.

Plans are also in train to increase the number of match and table officials and to get the Level 1 coaches to move on to level 2 certification.

Junior CASA comes back to SVG

Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships, set for July 15 to 22.

The tournament will be preceded by an official welcome ceremony on July 14, with the individuals’ competition serving off on July 15 and running until July 19. In between is the Opening Ceremony, carded for July 18. The team competition is from July 20 to 22, with the closing ceremony taking place on the final day.

Matches in the tournament are scheduled for the National Squash Centre in Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown, and the La Vue Hotel courts at Villa.

Affiliates show for Olympic Run/Walk

TODAY, Friday, June 23, 2023, marks the official commemoration of Olympic Day, with St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee (SVGOC) playing its part.

Toward that end, the SVGOC, from June 11 to 17, hosted Olympic Week as a prelude to today’s commemoration.

Participating countries are Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago as well as host St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Delighted that the tournament has returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Squash Association - Amber Glasgow, noted that the event goes beyond the sport itself.

“This tournament is more than just a display of Squash skills… It is (an) immersive, cultural and historic experience”, she expounded.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines last hosted the Junior CASA in 1986 and walked away with the Male Under-12

title, pouched by Enrique Riveroll.

Before him, Paul Cyrus won backto-back Male Under-16 titles in 1982 and 1983.

Following Cyrus was Diara Venner, who took the Male Under-13 in 2004 and Jason Doyle doing likewise in 2010.

Venner and Doyle sandwiched Kevin Hannaway’s hold of the Male Under-15 title achieved in 2008. Jayden George won the Male Under-11 title in 2019 and went on to win the Under-13 last year, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines brought home two titles.

George was joined by Jaydon Williams who copped the Male Under15 crown, when the tournament touched down in Guyana.

The week culminated last Saturday, June 17, when affiliates of the SVGOC assembled in Georgetown, along with residents of the areas, to participate in the annual Olympic Day Run/Walk.

Held under the theme “G/Town Moves”, participants gathered at the Georgetown Mall and proceeded to the Chili Playing Field.

Among the participants were selectees to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Team to the Commonwealth Young

Games in Trinidad and Tobago in August, and athletes who will compete in the NACAC Age Group Championships in the Dominican Republic, next month.

At the Chili Playing Field, there were demonstrations from the SVG Rugby Union and the Hairouna Karate Federation.

In addition, persons in attendance were able to have health checks, primarily for their sugar and blood pressure levels, and involved themselves in brief dance workouts.

Before last Saturday’s culmination of the Week of Activities, there was a Church Service, a Radio Programme and a Bingo Night.

Olympic Day hinges on three pillars: Move, Learn and Detect.

I.B.A. ALLEN

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES will host the 2023

Suzette Jackson, President of the SVG Basketball Federation.

NLA’s representative - Kamara Duncan (right) presents sponsorship cheque to President of the SVG Squash Association - Amber Glasgow. Dr. Sherian Slater is at left.

A section of last Saturday’s Olympic Day Run/Walk.

Members of the Rugby Union engaged in Tag Rugby.

This World Cup fever

YESTERDAYThursday 22, the West Indies played their second qualifier this time against Nepal. Three teams from the group progress to the Super Sixes.

West Indies meet Zimbabwe tomorrow June 24. They wind up first round duties June 26. If West Indies fail to advance it will be cause for upheaval.

The other teams in Group A are Nepal, USA, and Netherlands. The pace has been torrid so far and both USA and Netherlands will have to reverse fortune.

Nepal rebounded from a loss to Zimbabwe to ensure that USA remained pointless following their (USA) defeat by the West Indies. Zimbabwe disposed of Netherlands who might have thought 315 for 6 was defendable.

Group B generates some excitement with Oman establishing pedigree with wins over Ireland and United Arab Emirates. Their game today Friday 23 against Sri Lanka is one to which fans will be glued.

Scotland will be buoyed by their win over Ireland last Wednesday, but UAE, having suffered two losses, is anxious to justify their presence.

Oman and Scotland meet on Sunday. By the time Scotland and Sri Lanka face off Tuesday June 27, the Super Six would have taken shaped.

The top two teams from that showdown move on to the World Cup in India, where they join the eight other nations. The intensity of the qualifiers has called for more team in international Cricket Council competitions.

There are jibes at the West Indies even from the coaching staff as to why the squad has sunken so low as to be in the qualifying zone. That’s an aspect of concern to recently appointed assistant coach Carl Hooper, whose taunt in this regard has apparently not been well received by the current crop of players.

They feel that Hooper has been too raw, and not sensitive to the situation. Hooper may feel that it is his way of rekindling the fire in the West Indies belly.

The players have a duty to show the world that they deserve to be in any World Cup competition. It is important that they complete the mission.

Getting to India is the first objective. Thereafter, the task will be bringing back that element of regional cricket to which the world has become familiar with.

The Caribbean spirit must be revived. And if players take a casual reflection, they will realise that players of a former era carried a sense of passion and pride about them. The rest of the cricketing world would have loved to ridicule the West Indies cricketers. We see what happens in the world of sports. There is the tendency to downplay achievement by black athletes. When the opportunity affords, black athletes become the object of taunt and contempt.

It is strange that respect only comes when the results matter. As is obvious in sport avenues of human contact, black (coloured) athletes are left to bear the burden of oppression. And it boils down to the colour of their skin.

It is for reasons like those that real cricket fans relish the performance of their regional squad. Conflicts dissolve on the field and West Indies cricketers carry the mantle of ambassadors. That is why we have to rally with them.

Roban: Another Freshman of the Year title

VINCENTIAN, Handal Roban has copped his second Mid-Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year Award.

Roban, 20, a freshman of Penn State University, was the choice following a string of impressive outings.

He crowned off his outdoor season with a personal best of 1:45.95 in his pet event, the 800m, in the final of the NCAA championships on June 9.

In the process, he lowered the all-time St. Vincent and the Grenadines record, of which he was the holder.

Additionally, the sub 1:46 clocking placed him fourth on Penn State University’s list of best showings in the 800m.

On gaining the Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year

Award, Roban became the first male awardee during the outdoor season for Penn State, since Robby Creese won it in 2012.

Collating a standout year, Roban was named the top indoor Freshman of the Year in March, in the event on the NCAA circuit. It was the first occasion that an athlete from Penn State University was the recipient.

Besides his exploits on the track, Roban made the Dean’s List for Liberal Arts, in his first year at the institution.

Before heading off to the USA last year, Roban was a student at the Jamaica College.

Also, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Under-15 Cricket team captain, Roban attended the Pamelus Burke Primary School, the Georgetown Secondary and the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Roban will be in action for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the upcoming weeks, when he competes at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador.

Six Advance in National SVGTTA Trials

SIX MALEand three female players have advanced to the second round of trials from which selections will be made for a team to represent this country at the OECS Table Tennis Championships, slated for October 2023 in Dominica. The male players are

seniors Damion Dublin, Sean Stanley and Romano Spencer and youth players Akeil De Roche, Caleb Howard, and Mikael Hazelwood.

The females who have advanced are Shanecia Delpesche, Leah Cumberbatch and Jessica Mc Carter.

The players gained selection when the SVG Table Tennis Association held its first of three trials on Saturday 17th July at the West St. George Secondary School.

The next trials would be in July.

Australia takes First Ashes test

AUSTRALIAsomehow prevailed earlier this week at Edgbaston Oval, to beat England by two wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes Series.

On a tense final day of another Edgbaston classic, ninth-wicket pair Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon added an unbroken 55 to defy England and get Australia to their target of 281.

Australia reveled in their victory for to them it was sweet revenge for their now famous two-run defeat on this ground 18 years ago, when the tailenders just fell short of reaching a target of 282.

Captain Cummins, with 44 not out, and off spinner Lyon’s unbeaten 16 took Australia to their narrowest Ashes win in terms of wickets since 1907.

England would have been encouraged when captain Ben Stokes produced a magical slower ball to bowl first innings century maker Usman Khawaja for 65. But as a breathless match entered its final hour, Cummins and Lyon swung the bat at England’s short-ball plan to inch Australia closer.

The target ticked down, with three runs required and less than five overs remaining, Cummins deflected Ollie Robinson towards third man, a diving Harry Brook fumbled and Australia had an incredible victory.

All in all, the test match lived up to the hype that usually surrounds an Ashes series.

Scores: Australia 386, Khawaja 141, Alex Carey 66, Travis Head 50 and 282 for 8. England 393 for 8 declared. Joe Root 118, Johnny Bairstow 78, John Crawley 61, Nathan Lyon 4 for 149 and 273 Pat Cummins 4 for 63, Nathan Lyon 4 for 80.

The second Test is scheduled for Lord’s commencing on 28 June. (Source: BBC Sports)

Compiled by I.B.A. ALLEN

I.B.A. ALLEN

Handal Roban chalks up another accolade.

Akeil De Roche will be looking to impress against top players.

Caleb Howard will be looking to bring out his ‘A’ game.

Action in Round One of the Table Tennis trials.

Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, led from the front.

St. Kitts music festival is cannabis friendly

From Backpage.

Marsha Henderson as she addressed a press conference on Monday, June 19, “We will have an Act once it is passed, for designation of certain public areas as smoking areas for which the Warner Park stadium on the mound will be what we call the smokers’ lounge,” she said at a press conference on June 19 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

And so it was, that the way was paved for the 25th staging of the annual event be 420friendly for the first time in its history, to include the smoking of cannabis

in public spaces, when on Tuesday’s (June 20), National Assembly sitting, Members of Parliament unanimously approved the Smoking (Designated Areas) Bill, 2023, the Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023, and the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023. Henderson also said at the press conference that, “The music festival is a part of the overall tourism product as we prepare to emerge for the market of cannabis

tourism, which has the potential to stimulate the local economy and create a niche in the tourism industry. We see this as a pilot project. Of course, the first major music festival in the OECS is our music festival here in St. Kitts and we are happy to embrace a cannabis-friendly festival environment.”

And in anticipation of the passage of the Bill, the Tourism minster openly declared, “…. we’re asking patrons to come with your prerolled and I’m sure everybody knows what that means. I see some people looking stunned.

But we are asking patrons to bring their own pre-rolled cannabis for personal consumption within the designated area as we are not going to have it on sale.”

She added, “More and more of the world’s top festivals are now cannabis friendly and the time is right for us to work towards normalizing the use of cannabis so that it is no longer seen as taboo or unacceptable.”

St. Kitts continues to break barriers and set new standards, one observer said on hearing of this development.

No problem using this during St. Kitts’ Music festival.

ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL IS CANNABIS FRIENDLY

“COME WITHyour pre-rolled cannabis for personal consumption.”

That clear and unambiguous invitation formed part of the welcome to the 2023 St. Kitts Music Festival that kicked off last Thursday, June 22, and will culminate on June 24.

The St. Kitts Music Festival features an array of musical genres and regionally and internationally renowned performing artistes. This year’s Festival will have as one of its billed acts Vincentian Skinny Fabulous.

According to St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister,

Continued on Page 23.

SVG UNDER STORM WATCH

AS OF 5:00 P.M WEDNESDAY 21ST

JUNE, St Vincent and the Grenadines was officially under storm watch as Tropical Storm Bret continued to bear down on the region.

In addition to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, storm watches had also been issued for Dominica and Barbados while Martinique and St Lucia remaining under storm warning.

According to the local met office, the system is expected to pass SVG around Thursday even into Friday, given its current speed.

Indications are that rainfall could measure from 1 inch by early Thursday increasing to 2-3 inches on Friday and into Saturday.

Residents are warned to also prepare for accompanying thunderstorms and flash floods.

Persons in areas prone to flood are

urged to take every pre-caution.

Data provided by US Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Bret’s maximum sustained winds had increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Forecasters said that little change in strength is forecast during the next day or so while Bret continues its approach to the Lesser Antilles.

Once it has passed the Lesser Antilles, by Friday, the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday.

However, through Saturday, storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados. Residents must remain on guard since the heavy rainfall could lead to flash

flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Urban flooding is also possible.

(Source: NHC, Florida)

Bret’s path projected from Tuesday 19th June to Friday 23rd June. (Source: NHC, Florida)

The Annual St. Kitts Musical Festival is not in want of patronage. (Photo Credit: St. Kitts Observer)

Marsha Henderson, St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister, extended an “official” invitation to bring your ‘ganja’ and come to the Music Festival.