NO ALCOHOL DURING FUNERAL PROCESSIONS
Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA
A BILL PROHIBITING the consumption of alcohol during funeral processions was passed in Parliament on September 3.
The Bill - Public Order Amendment Bill 2024 — tabled by Prime Minister
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, made it an offense to be in possession and/or to so consume intoxicating liquor while being a part of a funeral procession through a highway, road or other thoroughfare. However, it stopped short of preventing the consumption of alcohol at
defaulters
be arrested on the spot if in the opinion of the police, it is necessary to do so for the safety of other people.
Clause 15(b) of the Bill however, allows for people to be in possession
container during a funeral procession.
In describing the situation that prompted the introduction of the Bill, PM Gonsalves spoke of people drinking rum, beer and not involved in anything concerning the solemnity of a funeral procession.
“In fact, you have a situation that persons have carts inside of
Continued on Page 3.
STUDENT/TEACHER RELOCATION IN TRAIN
Below: Union
Island was a scene of utter destruction, the result of the wrath of Hurricane Beryl.
V News 3
Poor Math results: Blame the Bureaucracy
MINISTER OF EDUCATION CURTIS
KING has said that bureaucracy is to be blamed for this country’s poor performance in Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).
King, while speaking on radio on September 1, said that he believed that bureaucracy moves too slowly and added that he knew that there was a proposal put forward for some time now, to deal with the issue of the continued poor performance in the said subject area.
But the implementation of that proposal was moving too slowly.
“I am not saying that the strategy that we are seeking to employ is going to bring results immediately, but at least we
have to do something,” he said.
The Math results here were not dissimilar to what obtained across the region, with the Caribbean Examination Council, who administers the CSEC examination, reporting that there was an overall pass rate of 36 percent in Mathematics in 2024 across the region.
According to King, if the results were as bad as was reported, then that suggested that something was wrong with the test too.
“Because it can’t be bad to everybody for so long,” he contended.
The Minister admitted that between 1979 and the present, this country has performed poorly overall in Mathematics.
No alcohol during funeral processions
Continued from Frontpage.
the procession selling three for ten,” Gonsalves said, in reference to the sale of beer.
People, pastors, churches have complained about the increasing practice and urged that something be done to discourage if not stamp out the practice, Gonsalves reported, adding that the response to those appeals was the Bill.
Despite making the case against the consumption of alcohol during funeral processions, members on the Opposition side opposed the Amendment.
Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, said that he agreed that the consumption of intoxicating alcoholic beverages during a funeral procession was frowned upon, so too the sale of alcohol.
“Those are things we have seen and people have commented on it, but by and large, the idea of making the response one of legislation to make an offense of the conduct is one that many people, certainly that I have spoken to, find that it is an overreach,” Friday said.
The same way a person in a procession can tell another to behave, then a law is not required for that, Friday contended.
He went on to say that most of the arguments presented by the Prime Minister suggested that the consumption of alcohol during a funeral procession was a minor offense, and that there were similar offenses, which went unnoticed.
According to the Opposition Leader, the likelihood was that police were going to be at funeral services, and his fear was that an overzealous officer with the intent of enforcing the law, may cause more of a problem.
“You can count on your one hand the number of times we have actually gone over 50 percent average in terms of performance in Math,” King said.
Trinity breaks ground for new lab
CONSTRUCTION OF WHAT has been described as a ‘state-of-the-art anatomy laboratory is expected to begin soon at the Trinity Medical School’s campus in Ratho Mill.
Dr. Steve Wilson, former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Trinity Medical School said at the ground breaking ceremony on August 29, that it is the first time that the school had embarked on a project as complicated as this, citing as contributing factors, “The soil, all the changes that we have had to make in order for it to work out.”
Overall, Wilson said that he was pleased with the work of the engineers adding that he knew that the students and faculty would be impressed with the new facility.
He told THE VINCENTIAN that the anatomy lab was going to be a state-of-theart facility containing an additional anatomized table, six cadaver tables, plastinated models and they are going to
always have four cadavers.
“So, the students and faculty are going to have all the state-of-the-art tools that they require to complete an excellent training programme in anatomy,” Wilson told THE VINCENTIAN.
President, Dr. Ward Ulmer, said that he was aware of the passion that former President Wilson and his wife shared for adding physicians to the world.
And as President for just about five months, he said that he was excited to oversee his first major project.
“I am even more excited as we move into the next chapter and to say that this new anatomy lab will be known as the Dr. and Mrs. Steve and Sally Wilson Anatomy Lab,” Ulmer said.
This was to honour the vision they have for the school, which according to him, had grown and continues to grow over time.
(Stories by DD)
Student/teacher relocation in train
speaking on radio on Sept. 01, broke down the figures as follows: 63 out of 191 students and 13 teachers from the Union Island Secondary School; 78 out of the 121 students and 6 teachers from the Stephanie Browne Primary School; 32 out of the 96 students and 3 teachers from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School.
The numbers of those opting to remain on Union Island are: 36 students and 8 teachers from the Union Island Secondary School; 12 students and 5 teachers from the Stephanie Browne Primary School; and 32 students and 6 teachers from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School.
According to King, 38 students from Union Island who are living in private accommodations in rural communities, have been placed in other schools, including the Sandy Bay and Fitz Hughes Primary Schools.
There were a few who were yet to decide where they would want to attend school, but King said that he expected that by the time
school opened for students from these institutions on September 9, they would have already decided.
Immediately following the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, the decision was made to house the students, teachers and at least one parent or guardian for each student on the mainland, in order to facilitate face to face instruction.
However, during a consultation with residents of Union Island, a decision was taken to give the students, parents and teachers a choice of staying on Union Island or attending schools at the facility at Arnos Vale.
King explained that the facility at Arnos Vale that formerly housed the Teachers’ College and then later the Richmond Gabriel Medical School at Arnos Vale, had been identified as the relocation campus for all three schools, while repair work was being done on the facilities on Union Island.
He also informed that work was ongoing at the Union Island Secondary School to have that facility ready for those students who opted to remain on the
Grenadine Island.
Similarly, work was continuing on the new facility for the Mary Hutchinson Primary School since the wooden, temporary structure was totally destroyed during the passage of the Category 4 hurricane.
Repair work was also ongoing on the Stephanie Browne Primary School, where the entire roof of the main section of that school had blown off.
Students from these schools, i.e. students who opted to remain on island, will be housed at another location until the work is completed.
King emphasized that all the arrangements as referenced were temporary, to allow for the process of putting back the schools on Union Island.
“It’s not like we going to have two schools operating forever,” King said.
If it took three months for the work to restore Union Island and the facilities on the island took three months, then that would be the amount of time that the students would on the mainland.
Continued from Frontpage.
Dr. Steve Wilson (left) and Dr. Ward Ulmer turn the sod at the site of the new anatomy lab.
Magistrate Kaywana Jacob sentenced the young man after beginning with a considerable reduction of the allowed maximum sentence.
Stories: HAYDN HUGGINS
AJUANE GRANT, an 18-yearold Form 2 secondary school dropout of Richland Park, who attacked his mother - Keneisha Grant with a knife last Sunday, was jailed for one year on Wednesday. The youngster was sentenced to one year for assaulting his mother, causing her bodily harm, but was reprimanded and discharged on the charge of assaulting his mother with intent to commit an
Teen jailed for attacking his mother
offense, to wit, bodily harm.
Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs handed down the penalties at the Biabou Magistrate Court, sitting at Calliaqua, after the youngster pleaded guilty to both charges.
The facts showed that the defendant, the only son of his mother, lived with her at Richland Park.
On Friday, August 30, around 9 p.m., the woman was at home with her son when he asked her for money to buy food. She instructed him to go to her neighbor, Mr. Stephens, for some food and she would pay. But the boy disobeyed his mother’s instructions and instead asked Mr. Stephens for $10. He called the boy’s mother in his presence, and she instructed Stephens not to give her son any money. She confronted her son and he got annoyed, brandished a knife and went to his room.
On Saturday, August 31, at about 9:30 a.m., the boy was reported to b brandishing the knife. He approached his mother,
who was cleaning her room, held her by her throat and began choking her with his left hand while putting the knife, in his right hand, against her throat.
She held onto the knife, wrestled with him and the knife broke in the process.
The woman managed to escape, ran outside, and called on neighbours for help. They came to her assistance. Her son left.
The matter was reported to the police who visited the scene, and the boy’s mother handed over the broken knife. He was apprehended, taken into custody, and cautioned, but gave no statement. He was later arrested and charged.
Prosecutor Delano Charles told the Court that efforts were made in the past to have the defendant counselled. He contended that while he agreed that given the age of the defendant he may be a good candidate for rehabilitation, the Prosecution was submitting that a strong message be sent to him, and other youngsters that
this type of behavior, and offenses of this nature would not be tolerated.
He noted that the offense carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and asked the Court to apply the pillar of deterrence in sentencing, given the criminal record of the defendant, who was, in the past, bonded, fined, and reprimanded for other offenses.
In applying the
sentencing guidelines, the Magistrate started her sentence at 45 percent of the maximum penalty and weighed the mitigating factors against the aggravating ones to arrive at her sentence.
Fiery start to high-profile case
THE FIREARMand ammunition matter involving Ashano Benjamin, the son of Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Benjamin, and co-accused Kemani Gould, got on the way Wednesday despite submission by the defense that the case must fall, on the basis that there was a significant breach in the chain of custody of firearm, which cannot be cured.
Benjamin, 26, and Gould, 29, both of Barrouallie, have been charged jointly with possession of a .40 Smith and Wesson pistol and six rounds of .40 ammunition without a license, between October 27 and 28, 2023 at Arnos Vale.
The matter started at the Biabou Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday before Magistrate Kaywana Jacobs and continued yesterday (Thursday).
Attorney Grant Connell is representing Benjamin, while Gould is being represented by Israel Bruce.
Crown Counsel Rose Ann Richardson is leading the case for the Prosecution.
Police Officer Jemarie Roberts of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) stationed at Diamond, the first witness to testify, told the Court that he and others were on duty at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex on October 27, 2023 when they stopped and searched a vehicle, with Registration No P2525, and occupied by Benjamin, Gould, and Brian Richards, 27, of Sion Hill. Benjamin was in the driver’s seat while Gould occupied the other front seat.
Roberts said that while searching the left side of the vehicle, he found a black Nike bucket hat in the glove compartment. The hat was opened and found to contain a black, greenishbrownish firearm, loaded with six rounds of ammunition.
The occupants denied knowledge of the firearm and ammunition. They were arrested on suspicion and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) along with the vehicle, driven by a police officer.
When Richards was cautioned and asked whether he wanted to give a written statement, he said no.
When Benjamin and Gould were cautioned and asked likewise, Benjamin said, “No, because me nah know nothing about that gun. Gould said, “Nah, me nah know nothing bout dat dey”.
Roberts said that on the same day, he handed over the exhibits to Corporal Vertil Davis of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for safekeeping and on October 28, 2023, the suspects were granted station bail pending further investigations.
On October 29, 2023, the exhibits were handed over to ballistics expert Station Sergeant Julian Caine of the Ottley Hall sub-station. Caine made function checks on the gun, and one of the bullets was used for test firing in Robert’s presence. Caine then placed a white tape on the firearm and on the spent shell. He then placed his initials on the tape, and Roberts did the same. The exhibits were then placed in separate envelopes and handed back to Roberts who kept them in his
possession, before handing them over to another officer for safekeeping.
Further investigations were carried out and on November 2, 2023 the suspects returned to CID and were granted bail to return on November 9. Roberts also obtained search warrants to search the cellular phones of Benjamin and Gould.
But attorney Grant Connell told the Court that there was no evidence before the Court at this point, to show that the firearm that was handed over to Corporal Davis was the same one that was reportedly seized by the police, as there was no mark on the item, and that Roberts was now seeking to identify it.
But, Crown Counsel Rose Ann Richardson, in response, insisted that the firearm and ammunition can be properly identified by the witness, “because we have a proper description of the exhibits”.
Connell said that in relation to firearms or drugs, it is possible for an unscrupulous police officer to do what he wants with an exhibit to change the direction of a case.
Connell said that what Roberts did was hand over an unmarked firearm to Corporal Davis, and the only time the Court heard of any initialing being done was after Station Sergeant Cain testfired the weapon.
In the absence of Roberts, Magistrate Jacobs acknowledge the error, but she allowed the witness to continued his evidence.
Connell strongly objected, arguing that, “It is now prejudicial to the defense because the witness had heard the entire submissions. It is a legal injury that cannot be cured”.
He added, “My entire objection was made in his (witness) presence and the Prosecution is saying that he has an opportunity to correct the error”.
As Richardson continued to question Roberts as to the identity of the exhibits, Connell rebutted, “He has not identified them, they were not even shown to him. There is nothing pre-October 28 showing that he labelled and tagged. He cannot correct it, they (Prosecution’s case) must fall by it”.
Connell also objected to the firearm being tendered in evidence, saying, “I humbly submit that if the first legal injury did not flaw, this one will.
The Magistrate contended that the tag was placed on the hat and not the firearm, and it was taken to Station Sergeant Cain without a mark.
However, according to Richardson, “not placing a mark on a specific item is not fatal. What is required is for the witness to show how he can identify it, and he has shown us how he can identify it”.
The Prosecutor added that “The procedure might not be the best, but it boils down to the weight of the evidence that is presented”.
After listening to both sides, the Magistrate upheld Connell’s objection to the firearm being tendered in evidence. The trial is ongoing.
Where is Maxwell and MV Guidance 2?
THE LAST REPORTED
contact from the MV Guidance 2 on the evening of Sunday, June 30, just hours before Beryl struck with deadly force, indicated that the vessel had lost rudder control and therefore would have been adrift. It was last seen off ‘Whaling Bay’ at the north-western end of Canouan and was dragging anchor.
Stories abound as to what could have happened on that fateful day, with some still harboring hope that the vessel and crew would eventually be found even after many days at sea. Others felt that the vessel may have been broadsided by a rogue wave, capsized, and in those turbulent waters, without the chance to launch a lifeboat, all perished. Besides those men on board, only God knows what transpired and whether they are still alive.
Two months passed no MV Guidance 2
Two months have passed since the reported disappearance of MV Guidance 2 and her crew, and the relatives of the captain and crew wish to have some closure on this issue. No memorial service has been planned yet and some of the immediate relatives of the crew are asking if a philanthropic organization or individual can pay for a submersible remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with side scan sonar capabilities to map the area of the ocean floor between Canouan and Union, to see if at all the MV Guidance 2 could be located. The vessel was empty (no cargo) at the
time of its disappearance; its only ‘cargo’ was five priceless human lives.
Maxwell Burke was captain/owner of the MV Guidance 2. He extended full and uninhibited co-operation to Rainbow Radio League/Youlou Radio Movement in the staging of a maritime simulation just about the time when the AIA was under construction. That simulation tested the readiness of our coast guard, local fishermen, and ferry operators in rescuing passengers if an aircraft went down in the Milligan Cay area.
The MV Guidance 2 served as a maritime platform for that training exercise, dubbed “Operation Mike Charlie” which can be viewed on YouTube under the same title.
The chef on board was David “Pecko” Rhynd, an affable character who, it seemed, carried a perpetual smile. He was the “go between” his brother, Ian, and this writer, ensuring that whatever was exchanged between the two got to the receiving party intact.
Five precious souls are unaccounted for up to the time of writing; their immediate and extended families and friends are still suffering from the
loss of their loved ones.
Some luxury yachts that traverse the area do have sonar capabilities and it would be a kind gesture if there could be some cooperation in mapping out the seabed (bathymetric survey) within a defined search area. A visiting or itinerant British warship could also assist with such a venture. The deeper the seabed the more sophisticated and expensive that operation becomes, and the sonar on some luxury yachts only has a limited range.
More can and will be said about Maxwell Burke and his contribution to national development and service to the southern Grenadines. Over the past two decades or more, vessels captained and owned by persons like Jeffery King, Gus De Roche and Maxwell Burke, have been the backbone of ferrying cargo between the mainland and the Southern Grenadines.
So, when the maritime history of the Southern Grenadines is written, the above-mentioned names will be in for significant coverage.
Submitted by: Donald De Riggs Executive Director
MV Guidance 2 and crew have been missing since the passage of Hurricane Beryl, July 01, 2024.
Maxwell Burke (right) pictured on April 12, 2021, during the time when Kingstown was ‘greyed out’ by ash from La Soufriere.
Nine new Ham operators trained
AUGUST30, 2024 was a happy day for the newest set of Ham radio operators in SVG, as they successfully completed a Technician Class amateur radio course.
This cohort of amateur radio operators included staff of the Teacher Cooperative Credit Union (TCCU) and a staff member from the NTRC.
The course included introduction to electricity, Ohms Law, antenna construction, amateur radio etiquette, and amateur radio allocations on the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, among other study areas. During the practical session, the trainees made a delta loop antenna for the 40 Meter
band and while testing their new antenna, established contact with licensed operators in Barbados, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and SVG.
The course was organized and conducted after the management of the TCCU approached the Director of the YRM to have their staff trained, as they recognized the importance of having a reliable back up communications system, should the phone system and internet collapse following a natural or manmade disaster.
Despite the fact that satellite communication is becoming the order of the day, like every good thing it also has its limitations, as heavy cloud cover or airborne volcanic ash can block signals between satellites
and terrestrial stations/operators.
In readiness for the course, the TCCU ordered and received a set of handheld radios to ensure that their key members can communicate with each other. The management thanked the Ministry of Finance for granting the waiver of duties and VAT for the importation of the equipment. Our customs tariff laws under exemption 13 (b) allows licensed radio operators to import radio equipment duty free.
All nine candidates exceeded the 80% pass mark, with two TCCU staff members- Jozell Byron and Rohan Murray scoring 100%.
The other successful trainers were: Ronicia Douglas (NTRC), Roneisha Williams, Janelle Seales, Keshron King, Curtis Browne, Ivan Vaughn and Jave Martin.
The test was administered by Marcellus Constance, the Technical Operations Manager/NTRC, who congratulated the participants for their outstanding performances on the exam.
According to course instructor Donald De Riggs — J88CD, the practical training will continue over the next few months with
simulations and other outdoor activities to further enhance their antenna construction skills, and to test these antennas to see which designs yield the best results.
As the old saying in radio circles goes; “When all fails, amateur radio always saves the day “
Contributed
by:
Donald De Riggs
Teachers’ Co-op awards bursaries
TWO TEACHERShere are grateful to their Cooperative for helping them complete their studies. Shersita McKie and Nikesha John signed off on $5,000 bursaries each, last Tuesday.
That money will see them through their respective programmes of study.
John is working towards completing a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality at the Global Campus (formerly Open campus). She serves, and has done so for the last seven years, as a teacher at the Liberty Lodge Boys Training School.
McKie has been at the Questelles Government School for the past seven years. She is working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education and Care.
She sees the assistance from the Teachers Cooperative Credit Union as cushioning the financial burden. McKie foresees challenges and setbacks along life’s journey, but she is assured of soldiering on with help from God.
Gilbert Frederick, the Credit Union’s Treasurer, reminded the awardees of their need for persistence and hard work.
Saline Barbour, from the Education Committee, thinks that investing in education ensures
personal and national benefits.
Dixton Findlay, Chief Technical Officer in the Department of PostSecondary and Higher Education, commended the Teachers Cooperative for its contribution to the drive towards providing education for citizens.
He urged the awardees to give back to the nation and change the lives of as many Vincentians as possible.
Arkie Browne, captain of the Symphonix Steel Orchestra, as part of the awards ceremony, gave a version on pan of the Michael Jackson song ‘Heal the World’. (WKA)
Robin Murray erecting delta loop antenna while others assist and ensure his safety.
Nikesha John (left) and Shersita McKie – recipients of Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union bursaries.
Testing their first loop antenna which worked perfectly on the first try.
Views V
Managing Director: 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
Complaints abound. What next?
IF THE TRUTH BE TOLD, there is no end to the daily complaints about the failings of government that complainant say rain grief on the population of this small country.
Citizens complain bitterly about the spiraling violent crime, and need little prompting to declare that the Ministry of National Security is void of any workable solutions to combat the scourge of rising crime.
On another ‘front’, citizens shout loudly about the public healthcare system being wrought with incompetence, lack of meaningful empathy and sadly lacking in basic supplies. They complain about inordinately long waiting times for attendance at our main healthcare facility.
More and more citizens are complaining about the empty “assurances” of the Ministry of Health and the talk of imminent improved, modern facility to complement the already existing but distant advanced facilities.
And even in the face of an ongoing road improvement programme, the citizenry continues to express dissatisfaction with the bad road conditions, and extreme flooding after an hour of rainfall. And even when a programme of road improvement is executed, it comes years after endurance of the worst conditions imaginable and expenses for repairs to vehicles that would otherwise be minimized.
But perhaps the loudest demonstrations of complaints about the running of the affairs of this country are reserved, so to speak, for the cost of living.
Citizens have been complaining from time immemorial, it seems, about the cost of public utilities, not least, or foremost, being the astronomically high cost of electricity use, both commercially and domestically.
Add this, they say, to what is now a weekly, noticeable hike in prices at the supermarkets, i.e. food and other basic living requirements, and the cry for an ease in the burdensome price becomes an hourly complaint by especially, ordinary weekly, fortnightly even monthly salaried workers.
Notwithstanding, the underlying agenda of a national recovery programme following the damage inflicted by Hurricane Beryl, there are many among the citizenry who
think that Government’s preponderance with the recovery effort (an ill-founded observation, perhaps) and moreso how it is rolling it out, (more likely to be the case) is a smokescreen to deflect its abysmal failure, while ensuring that its support among those who it has made dependent on it, remain loyal to it when elections time comes around.
Given the fore-mentioned, one can easily assume if not conclude that the general population of this country is disenchanted with the Government’s ineptitude as it relates to running the country.
People are crying out and many are calling for positive changes. One will not go as far as to say that tears are being shed, but there is no doubt that a certain percentage of the population does not feel their needs are being attended to in a just and fair manner.
They complain that they feel oppressed, side-stepped, fooled, forgotten while a selected few have access to the run of things; that they are made to watch while the families of those who ‘call the shots’ continue to enrich themselves at the expense of a working class on whom more and more demand are made to produce under fear of reprisals for any protestation about their plight.
However, and incredibly so, when it comes down to voting, the only real mechanism that will ensure genuine, legal change in the status quo, a large portion of the nation’s disenchanted folks, those who legitimately complain about hardship in their daily existences, and who have experienced oppression for many years., will ponder out loud, “Who we go put?”
Needless to say that speaks to an immaturity of people whose understanding of their democratic right does not extend beyond the mere acceptance of a right to vote every five years.
And worse, it speaks to a nation that has nurtured a people that will forever be satisfied with what we have and not courageous enough to take a chance with another option. Whatever that option is it offer an opportunity to and a plan about how to transform a mindset that accepts hardship as a reality of life, a test set by God.
Complaints abound and will abound once there is inequity in opportunities; once, as last week’s Editorial purported, there are haves and have nots.
Of This and That
PLEASE ALLOW ME SOME TIMEto share some thoughts on a few things living in my head rent-free: the National Insurance System (NIS) and the appointment of a Police Commissioner.
NIS: Did we solve the problem?
As I recall, we have an estimated workforce in SVG of about fifty thousand including five thousand who are self-employed. These are workers who choose not to participate in NIS. It’s hard to believe we cannot bring them out of the shadows.
So, allow me to summarize some related facts as I understand them. With a population of just over one hundred thousand people, we have between 45% enrolled in the NIS. I am unsure what that means, but let’s assume it represents the current number of people paying monthly into the system. I am in no position to analyze these figures, and it would be unfair for me to pass judgment, for to do so is to accept them as facts with no evidence or reject them without proof. Therefore, I am just pointing out that the thing that continues to bother me is the absence of an explanation:
1. With the change in the retirement age, what happens to an employee approaching retirement today? Would they have to work extra time before being eligible for full retirement?
2. It does not seem fair that the government could change the rules after some thirty-something years of working under an implied contract. Is this not a breach of contract? Does anyone else have a problem with this, or is it just me?
3. I am still trying to understand the new concept of unemployment insurance added to the benefit package. How is it going to pay for itself? Are we setting aside a specific amount of the NIS contribution to fund this programme? If so, how much of the current contribution rate is applied to cover the unemployment benefit?
4. What exactly is the benefit? For example, how long must you be in the system before becoming eligible? How many months of benefits are members eligible to receive? What is the maximum amount of benefits someone can receive?
5. Do you have to be actively seeking employment to continue receiving the benefit? How will that be monitored?
The last report I heard from the Director of the NIS was at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year, when he decided we had an excellent first quarter. How are things now? One good quarter does not make a trend. Are we planning to use any of these funds to cover hurricane relief? Will we use the NIS system to pay farmers and fisherfolk? Will the money we collect from loans and donations for this purpose be deposited into the fund?
New Police Commissioner:
Did I miss the appointment of the new police commissioner?
With elections about a year away, it may be in the country’s best interest not to appoint a new Police Commissioner until after the elections. We cannot do any worse than we are currently doing about effectively policing the criminal elements of our society.
1. We are now willing to say the extended wave of killings in SVG is gang related. By the way, we can no longer call it a “wave”; it’s now a standard to measure the success or failure of the police performance.
2. I see no evidence of the typical case in our judicial system customarily associated with gangs or drugs. The courts are not overwhelmed with drug cases, according to the reports on the court activity in the weekly newspaper.
3. Based on the court activities, apart from the occasional marijuana possession case, we have nothing to be worried about. As an aside, in a country where I can buy a hamburger, a beer, and a few grams of marijuana from the bartender, I find it difficult to explain why we are still prosecuting the person on the street for marijuana possession.
4. As for the other hardcore drugs plaguing most other countries, we seem to escape them. It most certainly appears that Cocaine and Methamphetamine or the abuse of Oxycodone has largely bypassed us, which is a good thing.
5. So, could someone please explain the gang-related activities in SVG to me? Aside from the killing. Why are we engaging in turf warfare? What are we fighting and killing each other over?
Horatio.
A Global Perspective on Gangsterism
AS A PAN-AFRICANIST, I have learned an invaluable lesson from the liberation warrior and thinker, Malcolm X: when assessing our circumstances and struggles, we must adopt a horizontal perspective rather than a vertical one. When we examine the global situation, it becomes evident that Black people, regardless of where we are in the world, face similar challenges. Wherever the colonizers have placed us, we encounter the relentless burden of poverty, instability, and insecurity.
Our colonizers - English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese - shared a common agenda: to conquer, plunder, and control those they deemed savages, uncivilized, ignorant, and backward. Their aim was to dominate us forever, ‘by any means necessary’.
Blood-Soaked Streets
In many Black ghettos - whether in Nigeria, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Newark, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad, St. Vincent, Antigua, or St. Kitts - the ground is saturated with blood. The rise of gangsterism wreaks havoc on these communities. The crimes perpetuated by gangsters create undeniable crises– crises of unemployment, prostitution, and hooliganism. Guns, knives, and bandits show no mercy. The new generation of gangsters, with their aggressive, impulsive, violent behavior, strikes fear into the hearts of the frail elderly.
Endangered Species
I use the term “endangered species” to describe the current crime situation in our communities because of the
Needed: A strong agriculture system
FOR ALMOSTtwenty-five (25) years, farmers in SVG have been attacked by the political ruling class. The backbone of our country (food production) has been broken by Julian Francis, the advisor to PM Gonsalves, who stated publicly some years ago that agriculture is a thing of the past. Not long after, the then-Minister of Agriculture Montgomery Daniel stated that the order for the oil didn’t reach his desk to be signed, so ‘Peter couldn’t get oil get oil for the spray plane’. The result….
We had the Marketing Corporation, better known as the Marketing Board, that was established under the Milton Cato-led government. Up to the James Mitchell-led government, the Corporation assigned one truck to the Leeward and another to the Windward to buy and transport farmers’ produce, which the Corporation then sold on the local and regional markets and even beyond.
People — young and old — made any honest living from the land.
In this enlightened age, the Ministry of Agriculture does not have a comprehensive plan that includes the implementation of renewable energy to power agricultural activities; training farmers and others in climate-smart agricultural activities; measures to increase crop yields and ensure food safety through sustainable farming techniques.
Agriculture is not seen as being able to enhance economic development. This is supported by the shabby look of the Agricultural Ministry’s building in Kingstown. It reflects the unbecoming attitude to the role of agriculture.
It is shameful to see how this government has destroyed our nation together under God’s guidance.
Stop the small money handout and instead mobilise farmers for a proper national agricultural recovery plan.
Twenty million dollars can make us become the first country in the world to meet the UN Zero Hungry goal.
Christian Democrat
Grateful
alarming murder rates within the Black populace. It is shocking to hear that from 2011 to 2024, this island, once known for its Christian values, has witnessed 500 murders. I find it hard to believe that my Christian, civilized people have devolved into gangsters, ghosts, imps, and bogeymen. Trust has become elusive; you can’t tell who is a saint and who is a demon, who is a friend and who is a fiend, who is human and who is a monster.
According to crime statistics in the Caribbean for 2023, St. Vincent and the Grenadines topped the list in criminal activity, surpassing even Jamaica and Trinidad. We have, for now, become the champions of crime. Yet, despite this shocking murder rate, our leaders downplay the severity of the situation, glossing over the psychological disorders afflicting
our people. They present a façade of normalcy when the reality is toxic, gross, and murky. They try to make it seem as though all is well when the truth is that the situation is grim and ugly.
Gangland
It has been said that on this “Saintly Island”, there are hired killers–cold-blooded murderers. This revelation forces us to ask: What drives our young men to choose a life of crime? Is it joblessness, or is it the negative influence of movies and music? After witnessing and reflecting on these tragedies, I conclude that nothing stays the same forever. This, too, is a phase. The future will tell where we go from here.
Carden A. Michael
Questioning congrats to Maduro
I AM WRITINGto express my concern regarding Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ actions and statements, which highlight a troubling inconsistency in his stance on electoral integrity.
Prime Minister Gonsalves has been a vocal advocate for free and fair elections in Guyana. He was practically critical of then President David Granger, urging him to accept the election results and “stand up like a man and take his licks.” This firm stance in favour of democratic principles was commendable and aligned with the expectations of a leader committed to upholding democracy.
However, Prime Minister Gonsalves’ recent congratulatory message to President Nicholas Maduro following the controversial Venezuelan elections raises questions about his consistency and commitment to democratic values. The prestigious Carter Center has declared that the Venezuelan elections were neither free nor fair; a view echoed by the Venezuelan opposition, which has denounced the process as rigged. Yet, Gonsalves hastily congratulated Maduro without a thorough and reasoned assessment of the situation.
This contradictory behaviour is troubling. By swiftly endorsing Maduro’s victory, Gonsalves appears to
undermine the very principles of free and fair elections that he so ardently supported in Guyana. If he truly believed in these principles, he should be telling Maduro to “take his licks like a man and peacefully demit office,” just as he advised Granger in Guyana.
Such actions are vital to maintaining the integrity of democratic processes both at home and abroad. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserve a leader who consistently upholds democratic values, regardless of geopolitical considerations.
I urge Prime Minister Gonsalves to reflect on his recent statements and ensure that his
actions align with the democratic ideals he has championed. Consistency in supporting free and fair elections is crucial for maintaining public trust and upholding the integrity of our democratic processes.
Eric Samuel
Insurance Education needed!!
THE RECENTdevastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024, has laid bare the vulnerabilities of our nation, particularly in terms of our housing stock, other buildings, and agriculture. The widespread damage observed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for robust property insurance mechanisms.
IWANT TOsay I’m grateful for having an older sister who still looks out for me. Grateful that she treats me with gifts and grateful for all the things she has done for me.
As the month of September commences, mean Virgo season, I know you will have a great Birthday Weekend. Trust me I know you will. I know you’re gonna have a good time.
So, here’s my letter to you saying have a spectacular Birthday.
As for a side note, we gonna Ghost this weekend!
K. Warner
It is concerning to note that many citizens lack a comprehensive understanding of how property insurance operates. This knowledge gap exacerbates the challenges faced during the aftermath of such natural disasters as individuals struggle to navigate the complexities of insurance classes and coverage.
Given that the insurance sector is a pivotal component of our nation’s economy, it is imperative that we address this issue with urgency. I
propose that insurance companies, in collaboration with the relevant government sectors and insurance organisations embark on a concerted educational drive. This initiative should aim to equip our citizens with the necessary information regarding the workings of property insurance, including the benefits, limitations, and the claims process.
Such educational campaigns could involve workshops, seminars, and informational material distributed through various media channels. By enhancing public understanding, we can ensure that our citizens are better prepared to protect their assets and recover more swiftly in the face of future disasters.
In conclusion, the recent hurricane has highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about property insurance. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every citizen is well-informed and prepared. I urge all stakeholders to take immediate action to implement this vital education initiative.
William Derrick
Eight weeks after Hurricane Beryl: Immense progress
Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction
EIGHT WEEKS after Hurricane Beryl struck SVG, devastatingly, on July 1, 2024, immense progress has been, and is being, made in the process of relief, recovery, and reconstruction [Three Rs] on all material fronts, on all practical indicators. Still, much, much more remains to be done over a protracted period of life, living, and production. Strengths and possibilities exist in the pursuit of the Three Rs, hemmed in by major constraints of time, material and personnel resources.
Relief, Security, Social Protection
As at August 30, 2024, the Ministry of National Mobilisation had recorded that 4,582 households reported damages; over 15,000 persons were thus directly affected by the hurricane. Of this number, 2,599 households or 10,124 persons were registered into private home placement and 400 households (slightly under 1,000 persons) were in public shelter placement. The remainder were living in their partially damaged houses.
In the shelters adequate food, water, and security were, and are, being provided. Food packages numbering 4,707 have already been delivered to affected persons in private accommodation…. TheFood programme would be transitioned into monthly cash payments to affected persons of various categories. Security by the Police Force from SVG, supported by contingents from the Regional Security System (RSS), has been provided more than adequately.
Save and except the Bequia Anglican Primary School and the Georgetown Secondary School, all other schools have been closed as public shelters as at August 31, 2024. These two schools which are still being used as shelters are likely to be closed as shelters by Friday September 6, 2024, in time for their probable reopening to receive students on September 9, 2024.
Clean-up
The massive clean-up in Canouan, Union Island, and Mayreau is almost at an end. The disposal of the debris (galvanized sheetings and so forth) is being done through the barging of the material to Trinidad as scrap metal. Hundreds of workers were engaged through BRAGSA and its independent contractors. This clean-up programme has an estimated price tag of EC $22 million. In tandem with this there was the usual annual August road-cleaning programme nationally by BRAGSA involving over 5,000 workers at a cost of some EC $3.2 million.
Electricity, Water, Telecoms
On Union Island, Mayreau, and Canouan, almost every electricity pole was blown down along with the power lines; most of these poles were also damaged or destroyed. On Union Island, the power plant was severely damaged and the generators destroyed. On Mayreau and Canouan the generators were damaged or severely compromised. On all of these three islands dozens of transformers were destroyed. On the rest of SVG (St. Vincent and Bequia) the delivery of electricity was severely compromised for at least 48 hours after the passage of the hurricane. VINLEC has been doing great work to restore electricity everywhere. As at August 30, 2024, the whole of Canouan and Mayreau is energized; and on Union Island, in a short radius in the Clifton area, power has been restored. On Canouan over 100 houses and main public
facilities have been reconnected with power; on Mayreau, the clinic has had power restored. On both Canouan and Mayreau, it is a matter now for buildings to be ready and inspected to receive electricity. On Union Island, as the poles and power lines are built out, electricity would be restored in phases; the powering up of all of Union Island is expected to be concluded by the end of 2024.
On all of SVG, water delivery was compromised. Water was restored to most of SVG within 24 hours after Beryl’s passage, and everywhere on St. Vincent within seven days in parts of North Leeward and North Windward. In the interim, water was trucked into the affected areas where the delivery of pipeborne water was compromised.
In the Southern Grenadines, the water systems were destroyed, damaged or severely compromised. Regular supplies have been restored, but there is still fragility.
Normal telecoms services have been restored on St. Vincent and Bequia, and partially in the Southern Grenadines with Union Island still being the worst affected.
Public Buildings and Physical Infrastructure
In the Southern Grenadines, the reconstruction on public buildings as at August 30, 2024, is in summary, as follows:
(a) On Canouan: Full repairs and reconstruction of the primary and the secondary schools completed; the Administrative Building’s reconstruction is near complete; the airport terminal building’s roof repaired; two Teachers’ Houses near completion; Society Buildings repairs finished; the Doctors’ Quarters’ roof repaired; the Clinic is nearing completion; the Nurses’ House repairs are currently being done; the Police Station’s roof repaired.
(b) On Union Island: The Headquarters of the Police and Rapid Response Unit of the Police is being currently reconstructed/expanded; the Hospital has had its roof extensively repaired; Clinic in Clifton is having substantial repair work done on its roof; repairs on the Union Island Secondary School are completed and water tanks are being installed for likely reopening of school on September 9th; repairs on the Stephanie Browne Primary School are currently being done; ongoing reconstruction of the Mary Hutchinson Primary School, expected to completed by end of 2024; estimates for rebuilding of the airport are being done; Community Kitchen has been established in Clifton; repairing of Jones’ apartments completed; repairing of Roots Man Apartments being done; assistance being provided to two other apartments/guest houses for purposes of providing accommodation to workers; the utilization of Canouan as a “beach head” in providing 140 workers per day to Union Island; repairs started at Tobago Cays building in Clifton; repairs started on 15 houses.
(c) On Mayreau: Repairs completed on Clinic; roof repaired at relief warehouse; roof repaired at hardcourt shelter; Police Base of operations (Owen Isaacs’s place) repaired; nine house roofs repaired; Bunk House for BRAGSA workers had its roof replaced.
(d) Wharves: All are being addressed by SVG Port Authority, namely: Ferry Terminal Kingstown (Berth 5); Campden Park Port; Bequia Tender Jetty; Mayreau Inter-Island Jetty; Mayreau Cruise Tender; Canouan Jetty; Kingstown Cruise Terminal; Kingstown Main Wharf. (Abridged version)
East St. George needs effective representation
(Excerpts of Laverne Velox’s presentation at a Public Meeting in Enhams)
MY SOLE OBJECTIVEin 2020 was becoming your representative to provide a brighter future for everyone. Then the plan was to work tirelessly to make East St. George (ESG) a model constituency where we felt safe, where we had jobs, where we had proper infrastructure, where we had better healthcare and where we created an economic climate which paved the way for opportunity.
In my walkabouts in ESG recently, I encountered many young people who are eagerly looking forward to a future filled with hope…hope for jobs and hope for independence. One of them said ‘Mrs. Velox you see us here drinking but this is not who we are. We just have nothing better to do’. A profound statement from a youth. A cry for help to find something to gainfully occupy his time which I’m sure was echoed by many of the constituency’s youth. But he made an extremely valid point. It indicated that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) is now a spent force devoid of ideas and plans to develop ESG.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has a huge youth unemployment problem, approximately 40% huge. This tells its own story about our beloved country’s future. It tells us that the youth of SVG have been failed by the ULP government. It tells us that the much touted ‘Education Revolution’ was a farce because white collar jobs were glorified and skilled labour was rubbished. Having a marketable skill is indeed an asset as a means of earning an honest living.
It tells us that our country’s food security is in jeopardy because, under the ULP, poor people’s children were entitled to desk jobs and farming was a relic of the past. It means we have to spend too much money importing food while our exports are meagre. It tells us that the ULP government thumped their chests proclaiming greatness but in fact, have failed those charged with taking us to the next level of our developmental stage. The development of SVG requires all hands and all skill sets on deck. It tells us that the ULP has no confidence in the nation’s youth. So, what then is to become of SVG? If we don’t recognize the value of our youth and if we don’t invest in our youth as a whole, we lack direction. What a shame and a disgrace for a government which calls itself progressive while we have in fact regressed. It’s time to send them packing.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) has a targeted approach with our Youth Guarantee pledge. We affirm that by the end of our first term in government every young person will have the opportunity to be employed, or to participate in a training programme, or be engaged in an internship programme. That’s the word from my leader Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday and I trust him implicitly to deliver this to our young people. It’s called real hope. Dr. Friday understands that our young people are our most important asset as the future of SVG…investing in them can
only augur well for our progression. When compared with other countries in the OECS we look like we’re going nowhere fast.
We live in a democracy…the cries of the people are loud. They say this government has failed them. There’s a simple solution…change them! That’s how a democracy works. When you’re being taken for granted by the people you entrusted the country to, you have to make the change. As a government, we cannot and will not practice divisiveness. We will take responsibility for every man, woman and child…the entire nation. That’s how we will grow our 32 islands and cays, together as One Nation! One People! One Vincy!
Safety
The men and women charged with serving and protecting us, our policemen and policewomen need to be provided with modernized, comfortable working and living quarters so that they can execute their duties more efficiently and effectively for the good of the community.
For the special branches and units dotted in houses throughout the constituency how exactly do they live? Do they exercise regularly for fitness? Who ensures that where they live is clean? Are there separate quarters for male and female officers? After all, these houses they occupy are their homes away from home and provide some measure of comfort. My understanding is that the officers are responsible for providing their own meals which places additional burden on them, especially those with families. The thought of providing for two homes is baffling. This needs to be looked into in the short term. There should be increased police presence in our constituency. We have seen our fair share of criminal activity, which requires regular patrolling by our police as a deterrent to criminals. There is need for ongoing police training to sharpen skills aimed at combating this ever-increasing crime situation in ESG. The police too, have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner which will command the respect of civilians to create a more harmonious society in which to coexist. They need to earn the confidence of the people, not instill fear.
ESG is one of the most densely populated constituencies in SVG and boasts of some of the most beautiful houses in the country. It is therefore imperative that a fire service, separate and distinct from the police, be established in Calliaqua and every other town in SVG for that matter, to combat fires and help save people’s homes and other properties. Firefighting requires specialized skills, and the requisite training, tools and equipment must be provided for personnel in that unit.
An NDP government will take care of and invest in the country’s essential workers. We understand the importance of doctors, nurses and policemen to our country.
Possibilities and perils of Modern Technology
“The great promise of technology is that it can make life better for everyone, but its greatest peril is that it can also exacerbate existing inequalities and create new forms of division.” – Ban Kimoon (born 1944) is a South Korean politician and diplomat who served as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations.
IT IS OFTEN QUITE AMAZING to observe infants as they navigate the internet using smart phones and tablets. They readily learn the icons and seem to know exactly where to go on the internet to get to their favourite sites. However, as admirable as this is, there are cautions that need to be pronounced. We are to be guardians of their thoughts and therefore need to monitor the sites to which they gravitate. While having them engaged in the online activities appear to give the adults in the home more “free time”, those moments can rob the youngsters of valuable time to communicate and socialize with the adults in their environment, to develop reading skills, and priceless social skills.
Similar concerns must be identified and addressed during the childhood and adolescent years as these young minds explore the various online platforms. We trust that they will learn attitudes and behaviours that are socially acceptable. However, we must be alert enough to understand and appreciate that while the internet provides numerous opportunities for sharing knowledge and encouraging positive attitudes and behaviours, there are also “dark sides” and “dark forces” that will seek to lure the innocent and unsuspecting into morally and socially undesirable and dangerous gorges. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern technology, it is useful to observe that society is perched at what appears to be a perilous crossroad. Choices that can lead to good and/or evil. There is therefore the need for thoughtfulness as lifechanging choices emerge. We are challenged by both the remarkable possibilities as well as the significant perils. We need to develop that sense of discernment as we contemplate choices to build positive traits or succumb to thoughts and actions that could generate tremendous and/or chronic pain for self and others.
From the dawn of the digital age, hitech advancements have radically altered our world. They have redefined and significantly improved communication, reshaped many industries, enhanced activities in the service sector, improving data collecting and archiving, advancing procedures in the medical profession, and so many other processes that improve our daily life. While many of these advancements have enabled more speedy analysis and developments for business, government, and society, they have simultaneously intensified numerous challenges and risks. Responsible and caring citizens are therefore required to be on guard as every effort is made to ensure, as best we can, that we use the advancing technology to enhance good and combat evil, increasing the positive possibilities and reducing the exposure to life’s varied perils.
Global connectivity has become much faster and much less expensive as a result of the advancements of modern technology. Many will attest to the fact that the internet has revolutionized communication providing instant and inexpensive access to information. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram have made it easier to connect with others across the global landscape. This has enhanced collaborative efforts across geographic distances and time zones. As a result, there has been a rapid dissemination of
ideas and greater collaboration, innovation, and problemsolving. This interconnectedness and the ease of transferring knowledge has benefited all professions and has significantly improved the lives and livelihood of many.
The rapid growth of the features and capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) provide immense promises for business, medicine, and many other professions. Health care professionals are already benefiting from AI-powered diagnostic tools thereby improving the capabilities and accuracy of early disease detection and treatment. It is also amazing to observe how developments in automation continue to increase productivity levels and efficiencies in agriculture, manufacturing, and other productive sectors. This is the reality of the technological world that we live in; with endless possibilities for more effective and efficient operations as every effort is exerted to improve systems, structures, and procedures — driving costs down while simultaneously improving quality and efficiency.
The leadership in our homes, businesses, and government need to be aware of these promising possibilities and seek to magnify the benefits that can be derived from embraced technology. However, it will be irresponsible of us if we neglect to pay attention to the perils that can so easily be infused within our lives as a result of these advancements. For example, we need to be aware of the concerns surrounding the erosion of privacy and the attraction of pornography. While we avoid becoming paranoid about these possibilities, we should be aware that digital devices and online services collect, analyze, and sometimes share vast amounts of personal data. Recent reports confirm that there is an enhanced risk of data breaches and the possibilities of unauthorized access. Fortunately, many of the institutions that are repositories of our personal data seek to protect these in an effort to shield users from identity theft and unauthorized use of the financial assets that may be lodged in their care. However, we must be constantly aware that there will always be “bright minds” that will seek to breach these firewalls with the intention of doing mischief and harm.
The incidences of online bullying appear to be on the rise globally. Caribbean nations are not immune to such challenges. Recent reports confirm that cyber bullying is having a significant negative impact on some of our young online users. This appears to be especially so among adolescents and young adults. Modern technology appears to be used as a conduit to transmit hate speeches. Parents, teachers, and concerned citizens therefore need to be on sharpened alert to intercept with intent and protect the vulnerable from the resulting feelings of anxiety, poor self-worth, and depression that such cyberbullying can create.
Amidst the possibilities and perils of modern technology, it is imperative that every effort be made to accept the challenges to encourage, design, and implement proactive strategies aimed at encouraging its positive influences and reducing its likely negative impact. By highlighting privacy, addressing mental health concerns, and committing to bridging the digital divide, we can harness the benefits of technology while simultaneously mitigating its perils.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com
Plotting to destroy the planet
THE MAD RULERSof planet Earth are inching closer to ending life as we know it. Sadly, few responsible and outspoken voices raise the alarm about the rapidly deteriorating situation.
Two weeks ago, President Biden announced a new nuclear strategy with immediate attention directed toward the People’s Republic of China. Last week, Russia declared that it had reassessed and redirected its nuclear policy to respond to American aggressive policies. North Korea is said to be on constant nuclear alert as it responds to pressures and threats to its very existence.
These days, unthinkable military actions are taken with such ease that it is as though the world leaders are having lunch rather than gambling on Earth’s future. In September 2022, western governments performed a previously unimaginable feat. They blew up the Russianowned Nord Stream pipeline. The cheaper gas was intended to strengthen economic ties between Russia and Western Europe. Seven months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine to prevent the presence of NATO forces on its doorsteps, and two months after President Biden declared the line would be destroyed, the underwater explosion occurred.
Keep in mind that Russia is one of the oldest nuclear powers and is said to hold the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. Russia exercised restraint.
The Americans are intent on testing and stoking the Russian bear. As the war in Ukraine prolonged with disastrous consequences for the Ukrainians, the US and its NATO allies have reneged on everything they said would not be done. First, they noted NATO troops or military specialists will not enter the war. Today, there is an open acknowledgement that highly trained American, British and French military personnel are fighting and dying in Ukraine. It was also announced that American weapons would not be used to strike targets inside Russia. One month ago, Ukrainian forces entered the Kursk region in Southern Russia armed with Western armaments, including Abram tanks.
If these developments were not dangerous enough, things are about to get even scarier. Reuters reports that the US is close to agreeing to give Ukraine military long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia.
This dangerous escalation places all of us, indeed the entire world, at risk. Sadly, unlike decades ago when there was an active and vibrant peace movement, today, there is just a sliver of protest. As we saw with the protest against Western-supported Israeli aggression and genocide on colleges and universities in Palestine, the government has executed a criminal assault against protesters. The anti-Israeli encampments have been destroyed, and students are warned not to exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly; independent journalists are harassed, stopped at airports, and prevented from travelling, while others are arrested and denied avenues to publish their work.
We are at a dangerous juncture in world affairs, but most people are not alert to the troubles. Only a mass awakening of people and worldwide protest could stay the hands of the bad dogs of war and prevent the destruction of life on earth.
Meanwhile, in our Caribbean, the American government continues its punitive aggressive policies against governments it opposes. Last Week, the American government seized an executive jet used by top Venezuelan officials, including President Maduro. The plane was seized in the
Dominican Republic and flown to Miami. This recent act, a clear violation of international law, is in addition to over 2000 sanctions levelled against Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Cuba has been embargoed for more than 60 years and improperly listed as a sponsor of terrorism. Venezuela, one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, has been placed in an economic stranglehold because of its government’s desire to share the riches of the nation with the population, rather than allow a small parasitic elite to get fat while their people remain deprived.
For that commitment, the Americans blocked all loans and credit to Venezuela and sabotaged and destroyed its oil and petroleum sector, thus causing millions to flee their homeland in despair.
In Honduras, President Xiamara Castro has accused the Americans of attempting to instigate a military coup against her government. In 2009, her Husband, Manuel Zelaya, was overthrown in what was described as President Obama’s first coup.
On top of this is the simmering dispute between the Brazilian government and the American investor and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. Musk is refusing to accept a decision of the Brazilian judiciary regarding X’s business dealings in Brazil. Musk is no newcomer to confusion and the sowing of strife in other countries.
In 2019, Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous leader, was forced from office and exiled after a military coup. Musk was said to be one of the persons behind Morales’ ouster. Bolivia has huge deposits of lithium, a key mineral used in the production of batteries. Musk said then that if a country had minerals his company needed, he was prepared to ‘coup’ or overthrow the legitimate government to gain access and/or control. There is also a brewing conflict between the American government and Mexico. Last week, the American Ambassador expressed opposition to proposals by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the outgoing Mexican president. The proposal is to hold direct elections for judges in Mexico. The ambassador, Ken Salazar, claimed the proposal ‘posed a threat to democracy’ in Mexico. Never mind, across the United States, judges are routinely elected. Lopez Obrador, in response, said the US has long pursued an interventionist policy throughout the Americas and described Salazar’s comments as ‘unfortunate, imprudent and disrespectful of Mexico’s national sovereignty.’
Meanwhile, from September 4 to 6, dozens of African leaders gathered in Beijing for the Africa/China Summit to discuss trade, investment, and development. The next BRIC summit will also loom, with Russia acting as host. BRICS originally comprised Brazil. Russia, India, China and South Africa but is rapidly expanding. BRICS represent 45 percent of the world’s population and 28 percent of the global GDP. BRICS also holds a significant share of the world’s natural resources, including producing 45 percent of the world’s oil. Its ultimate goal is to create an alternative economic block to Western institutions and reduce dependence on the US dollar.
As America’s dominance in the world wanes, Washington acts even more aggressively to shore up its imperial ambitions.
Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com
Which end of the stick is Union Island getting?
by ANTHONY G. STEWART, PhD
IN THE AFTERMATHof hurricane Beryl with the Southern Grenadines receiving major damage, one would expect that the Ministry of Grenadines Affairs would play a major role in the reconstruction. This, however, is not what appears to be happening. Individuals from various Ministries appear to be making day-tours to the Southern Grenadines, totally ignoring residents who need to make daytours to the mainland to conduct business to restore their homes and livelihoods.
The Minister of Grenadines Affairs and Local Government is apparently being denied the opportunity to prove her planning and urban development skills. The Local Government structures in Union Island seem to be sidelined in all the operations thus far. The consequence seems to be the creation of total confusion.
The Village Council, a body normally responsible for the cleanup of Union Island, was apparently given no role in the massive cleanup programme underway. I am certain their experience would have
made a difference especially with the longterm maintenance of the beauty of the island. Perhaps they would have made provision for the recycling of the thousands of plastic bottles rather than burning them and polluting our atmosphere.
The Revenue Office normally keeps accurate accounts of the Island’s income and expenditure. Why are they apparently not playing a leading role in this area? Don’t we want all these relief monies to be accounted for?
Schools on Union Island should be opening on Monday but the local head of BRAGSA was not charged with putting on the roof of the Stephanie Browne Primary nor to work on any of the other schools. The sighting of bats at one of the schools may be an indicator that the BATS have taken over our schools, and they should be blamed if our schools are not opened on time.
At a time when mechanics should be busy repairing the vehicles damaged by hurricane Beryl, they were engaged in picking up garbage. If Minister Browne was in charge, I am sure that she would have given the garages assistance so that they could provide full service and keep us on our wheels.
Bread is in great demand and the local bakery should have been up and running. Why are the bakers otherwise engaged? The local restaurants should have all been repaired to
provide food for the local population. It may not be fair to repair only one. Cooking food in St. Vincent and transporting it to Union Island daily for over 8 weeks leaves too much room for spoilage. Grenada is closer to Union Island than St. Vincent and would we have considered that option?
Things don’t have to be perfect for school to open on time. But teachers must prepare. They should not be engaged in distributing water and food when other people can take charge of those activities. There is so much that can be done even without a building. Let’s do it!
Our society works well when the people assigned to the various tasks perform their duties well. The tailor needs to build uniforms in time for the opening of school. The Ashton District Nurse needs to take her place providing the well-needed health services to the people who live in that community. Every householder with a lower floor that was spared the brunt of hurricane Beryl has moved in. The Ashton Clinic needs to provide for the health needs of that community and move into its lower floor. Beryl has passed and we must focus on better living. If we allow our Minister of Grenadines Affairs and Local Government to function, she will do a good job, including finding a meaningful role for the military hands that are here in the rebuilding process.
YAF presents ÂThe Power of the VolcanoÊ
by GLORIAH
THE YOULOU ARTS FOUNDATION (YAF) has this year, collaborated with Vincy Writers to promote a series of workshops for artists and other creatives eighteen years and over, on the La Soufriere Volcano, under the theme ‘The Power of the Volcano.
Workshop session, free of cost, got going on Saturday 24th August and are scheduled for consecutive Saturdays. From 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Each workshop, held at the ‘Youlou
Art Centre’ at Indian Bay, sought, according to the YAF profile on the workshops, “to liberate the creative spirit of attendees, and to gather inspiration and promote discussions about our beloved ‘La Soufriere’.
THE VINCENTIAN paid a visit on August 31st when Director of Forestry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Fitzgerald Providence presented the uniquely interesting, “La Soufriere Vegetation Change- A story of Succession”.
Aided by vibrant photography, the presentation unraveled the story of how the volcano restarted plant succession after eruption.
“What would have been seen as
destruction,” he noted, “saw the plants coming back, showing that the eruption was not totally a destructive force but one that allowed us to renew and regenerate in terms of the island’s biodiversity.”
He expressed the belief that the artists should first understand the dynamics of plant and animal life and their interaction with the earth, and then interpret these into works of art. Those in attendance included poets and visual artists from among whom THE VINCENTIAN solicited some impressions about the workshop.
Maralyn Ballantyne LLB. Hons., journalist and poet, had this to say. “I encourage other writers to join the workshop, and they will be surprised at how stimulating they will be. I was fed facts, and I was also motivated due to the quality of the presentations and the facilitators.”
An earlier workshop, August 17, conducted by Sean Roache (standing) zeroed in on ‘Capturing the Essence of Volcanic Power’.
Young visual artist Ajeah Hope expressed, “I love art and when you’re an artist you like to have conversations and we had, so I was intrigued…. (and) I got to understand what was happening
during the eruption.”
Fitzgerald Providence, Director of Forestry, made a presentation that unveiled for the workshop attendees a new understanding and appreciation of the ‘power of the volcano’.
Summer Joseph Young, a student of the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, grasped the reality that “something may seem destructive at first but underneath the surface, it can be actually beautiful and can create life.” She is confident that she is armed with facts that she can share with persons like herself.
The next event, “Cultural Narratives of Volcanoes through Film Philosophy and Film Making”, will be on Saturday, September 12th, and will be presented by young, talented artist Mr. Sean Roache.
The Youlou Arts Foundation is driven by mission to develop, promote and preserve the arts and culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Skinny Fabulous: biggest winner at CMA
Story by NELSON A. KING US CORRESPONDENT naking@verizon.net
VINCENTIAN SOCA STAR Gamal
“Skinny Fabulous” Doyle was by far the biggest winner last week Thursday night during the 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) at Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Skinny Fabulous, a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cultural Ambassador, copped three awards for Artist of the Year Male (Soca); Collaboration of the Year — Soca, with Trinidadian Nailah Blackman on “Come Home”; and Video of the Year (Soca) with Blackman, also on “Come Home”.
After receiving the Video of the Year (Soca) award for collaborating with Blackman, Skinny Fabulous said: “This is what it means for Caribbean people who work together. Nailah is from Trinidad and Tobago, and I’m from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
supports Skinny Fabulous on my journey…I just want to say thank you so much for nominating me and for choosing me, thank you everybody.”
Skinny Fabulous is a six-time Soca Monarch winner and a one-time winner of the Ragga Soca crown in SVG. He created history when in 2019 in a collaboration with Trinidadians artistes Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and Machel Montano., he took the Road march title with a song entitled “Famalay”.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, also a popular soca artiste, couldn’t be prouder of Skinny Fabulous’s accomplishments.
“The significant achievements by our Cultural Ambassador Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle is a perfect example of not letting the size of the landscape you call your home limit the size of your dreams,” he told THE VINCENTIAN exclusively. “Skinny has taken our unique brand of soca music to great heights, which carries on the legacy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as being one of the top socaproducing nations in the music industry.”
On receiving the Artist of the Year Male (Soca), he told the star-studded ceremony: “I believe in myself. I believe in myself, I believe in Soca music, I believe in the people. So, I want to say thank you, ‘Famalay’ (the title of his popular hits), to everyone who
The Caribbean Elite Group, organizer of the CMA, describes itself as ‘a platform to recognize, honour andcelebrate Caribbean talent who have made significant contributions to the enhancement of our music’, said that a starstudded line-up returned to the iconic Kings Theatre for the second successive year, for an “an unforgettable night of celebration, music, cultural pride and a showcase of ‘Voices of The Caribbean’.”
Hosted by the Queen of Dancehall, Spice, and the King of Comedy, Majah Hype, CMA
said this year’s awards was “a spectacular showcase of talent”, with a lineup that underscored the “diversity and vibrancy of Caribbean music.”
The 2024 Caribbean Music Awards featured dynamic performances from a diverse range of influential and emerging artists in the industry.
Others on winners’ row in the respective categories were: 2023 Impact Award (Dancehall) 450; 2023 Impact Award (Reggae) Moritmer; 2023 Impact Award (Soca) Pumpa; Album of the Year (Reggae) Buju Banton — “Born For Greatness”; Album of the Year (Dancehall) Masicka — “Generation of Kings”; Artist of the Year (Bouyon) Mr. Ridge; Artist of the Year (French Caribbean) Kalash; Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean) Romeo Santos; Artist of the Year Female (Dancehall) Shenseea; Artist Of The Year Female (Reggae) Lila Ike; and Artist Of The Year Female (Soca) Patrice Roberts.
Others were: Artist of the Year Male (Dancehall) Valiant; Artist of the Year Male (Reggae) Romain Virgo; Best New Artist (Dancehall) Rajah Wild; Best New Artist (Reggae) Ras I; Best New Artist (Soca) Yung Bredda; Collaboration of the Year (Reggae) Shaggy & Kes with “Mood”; Collaboration of the
Year (Dancehall) Burna Boy & Byron Messia with “Talibans II”; Cruise Event of the Year, Uber Soca; Entertainer of the Year, Lee So Crazy; International DJ of the Year, DJ Puffy; Konpa Band of the Year, Zafem; Music Event of the Year, Stink & Dutty; and People’s Choice (Powered by Spotify’s Frequency) Asa Bantan.
Others continued: Performer of the Year (Dancehall) Dexta Daps; Performer of the Year (Soca) Mr. Killa; Song of the year (Dancehall) Byron Messia with “Talibans”; Song of the Year (Soca) Bunji Garlin with “Hard Fete”; Video of the year (Dancehall) Tee Jay with “Drift”; Artist of the Decade — Spice; Konpa Award Honor — Tabou Combo; Producer Award Honor — Di Genius; Chutney Award Honor — Ravi B; Gospel Award Honor — Sherwin Gardner; Calypso Award Honor — The Mighty Sparrow; Lifetime Achievement Award — Marcia Griffiths; Elite Icon Award —
Alison Hinds; and Legacy Award — Cedella Marley. Caribbean Elite Group said the Caribbean Music Awards have become a premier event, celebrating the global impact of Caribbean music and honoring those who have played a pivotal role in its evolution. It said this year’s awards were “the biggest and most exciting yet, with a night full of performances, appearances and honors” that resonated with fans worldwide.
Skinny Fabulous on the red carpet at Kings Theatre, Brooklyn. (Credit: Nelson King)
Skinny Fabulous and Nailah Blackman receive their Collaboration of the Year – Soca Award. (Credit: Nelson King)
Skinny Fabulous on receiving his award for Artist of the Year Male (Soca). (Source: Facebook).
Doris McKie - 100 Not Out
TEACHING ICON
and Nation-Builder
Mrs. Doris McKie scored a big century last Saturday August 31, 2024.
Born one hundred years ago on August 31, 1924, Mrs. McKie, nee Adams, has lived to date a full life, impacting her family, community, the Nation of SVG and by extension, through the residency of many of her students, the region and further beyond.
Mrs. McKie reflects with great pride on her four boy children:
Andrew (1st) and Walford (3rd) followed in her teaching footsteps and distinguished themselves in teaching Physical Education and Sports subjects both in and outside of schools.
Joel (2nd) excelled in the fields of entertainment and service, first as a DJ and owner of the household music system Wax MASTERS International and secondly as an established and accomplished Electrician.
Cecil (4th) followed her life of service dedicating nineteen years of his life in Banking (up to Manager), ten years as Parliamentary Representative of the constituency of West St. George (2010-2020) and as an Insurance Manager for twelve years and counting.
Her four boys have provided her with seven grandchildren (6 boys and one girl) and to date ten great grands (5-5).
Teaching – The early sojourn
Mrs. McKie commenced teaching at the age of sixteen (16) at the same school she attended, the Wesley Hall School (Methodist School), where she taught for ten (10) years. She was then transferred to the Richmond Hill Primary School where she spent a further nine (9) years. During this time, she got married to Clive McKie, an engineer at Public Works and moved from her family home at Richmond Hill to Arnos Vale.
She then resigned after her nine (9) years at the Richmond Hill School, just about the time when she was transferred to the Kingstown Preparatory School (KPS). She opted instead, to spend the next four years at home laying the foundation, through homeschooling, for her four children.
The homeschooling of her children did not go unnoticed and soon parents in the neighborhood were asking McKie if she could school their children as well. It was long after that there was a full school at her home and she, along with one Teacher Assistant, catered to pupils up to Grade 3. Even when she returned to the classroom, she continued offering evening classes at her home at Arnos Vale until she gave up completely the chalk and chalkboard around 2000. Returning to the classroom
Satisfied that her children were ready for and found places in the mainstream public school system, (her four boys were all
schooled at the KPS and moved on to the St. Vincent Grammar School), Mrs. McKie returned to the classroom, having been successful in her application for a placement at the KPS, to which she had been transferred just before her initial resignation.
After six months at the KPS, Mr. McKie was among the first cohorts of entrants to the then recently established Teachers College, where she undertook a one-year progamme of study on her way to being certified a Qualified Teacher.
Upon her successful completion the programme at the Teachers College, Mrs. McKie was assigned to the Sion Hill School and spent the next thirteen (13) years there up to her retirement in 1979 at age 55 years, as Head Teacher.
Worthy of honour
Worthy of mentioned is her contribution to the religious realm. A devout Christian, she was a Sunday School teacher at the Gospel Hall Church and took over the running of the Gospel Hall Bookstore in Kingstown, when her husband died in 1981.
Mrs. McKie taught generations of the same families, especially at the Sion Hill School. Many of her students went on to become outstanding citizens of SVG and many of those who migrated have become nation-builders in their adopted homelands whether in the region or further field.
In 2007, upon the insistence of the then Parliamentary Rep. Hon Mike Browne, the Learning Resource Centre in her home village of Upper Cane Hall, was named the Doris McKie Learning Resource Centre in her honour.
Mrs. Doris McKie stands out as a strong family woman, teacher extraordinary, a community activist and nation-builder, a devout Christian and Religious teacher/educator. WHAT A WOMAN!!! WHAT A CONTRIBUTION!!! CHEERS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT ‘MOTHER MACKS’. (Submitted by the McKie family)
Editor’s Note: THE VINCENTIAN PUBLISHING CO. LTD congratulates Mrs. Doris McKie on her milestone achievement of a 100th birthday. We wish you many more years but more particularly wish that your 100th year would be adorned with moments that bring you joy and reflections on the incredible impact you’ve had on the lives of your family and others.
Mrs. Doris McKie and three of her sons (from left): Walford, Joel and Cecil.
Mrs. Doris McKie – 100 years old and counting.
Vincies edged Bajans in T20 match
Stories & Photos by:
TYRONE ROACH
LEICESTERwent crazy on Sunday at CricketRama as St. Vincent and the Grenadines beat Barbados Cricket in a thrilling climax.
In a match that ebbed and flowed, SVG lost an early wicket before Gidron Pope
punished the wayward Barbadian bowling attack and made a well-deserved century with M. Hacksaw making 56, ending their innings on 208 for 1.
Barbados, in reply, also lost early wickets, but opener Alcindo Holder’s well-deserved 43 and Catlin’s 56 N/O turned the game around. With 21 runs required from the last over, a sudden hush fell over the ground. The sound system went quiet; spectators turned their attention to the cricket match, and murmured voices became loud cheers as
the game climaxed. The tension was palpable as the abuse from both camps echoed above the din, and an upset seemed likely.
Five runs from the last ball were required, and a dot ball ensued, leaving the SVG team winners. Then the bacchanal started as jubilant supporters ran on to the ground to congratulate their team.
Established three years ago in High Wycombe in Berkshire, the match symbolises the close collaboration between the two countries and a means to raise funds for designated charities.
The decision to move the game to Leicester, prompted by logistical difficulties at the chosen local club, added a unique twist to the event. Despite the smaller turnout compared to recent years, those who attended were treated to the usual mix of food, arts and craft stalls, and
products and books from the Caribbean, and the day concluded with the presentation of trophies, formal speeches, and lively performances from Singer Wheezy and Terrah Dan, followed by a “wuk up” session by Freeze, Kori, and Coolbreeze.
Vincies celebrate a nail-biting victory.
SVG National Group Chairperson Denise Stapleton presents the winner’s trophy to Captain Shaun Adams.
SVG Vice-Chair Ken Pinder (left) presents trophy to Renaldo Hyland, Barbados’ captain.
Remembering Sir Shridath
„Sonny‰ Ramphal
AGREAT TREE FELL on August 30th when Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal drew his last breath leaving his indelible footprint by way of stellar contribution to Peace, Justice, Anti-racism and Equity in the world.
Sir Shridatrh served as Commonwealth Secretary General from 1975 until 1990.
Yes….memories light the corners of my mind… joining “Sonny” for casual dining with fellow Guyanese,
economist Bishnodath Persad, and his wife Lashmi, Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson, and his wife Jacqueline, Guyanese diplomat Rudy Insanally, United Nations good officer in the Venezuela Guyana border dispute…all happy times, numerous corridor whispers, discreet briefings, joking and discussing the watrush on the banks of Rupunini River, savouring great Guyanese dahl and curry chicken…..me, clearly disagreeing that Guyanese curry food is the best in the Caribbean but highly praising Guyanese wild duck, metemgee, pepperpot with its distinctive taste of cassareep.
However, such escapades are quickly overtaken by, the man himself, his beautiful mind….so much so, I dedicated to this outstanding Caribbean born international icon, “Sonny”, poem 32, “Satisfying Find”, published in All For Love, a book of poems by Maralyn Ballantyne.
Role in ending apartheid
Nelson Mandella, one week after his release from prison in 1992, arrived in Lusaka, Zambia. It was his first overseas trip and a huge thank you to the Commonwealth, headed by Secretary General “Sonny”.
Much work did “Sonny” put in, even behind the scenes, to isolate Margaret Thatcher’s support for apartheid in South Africa. It is the Commonwealth that eventually successfully called for the release of Nelson Mandella and for unbanning of the ANC and called for free elections to be held. Clearly, under “Sonny’s” guidance and leadership, the Commonwealth campaign supporting the decades-long struggle to end the noxious system of apartheid, bore fruit.
The Commonwealth achieved global momentum to bring down South Africa’s apartheid system and forge the modern Commonwealth. So too, did the campaigns and meetings leading to the independence of Zimbabwe.
Such was the uncompromising leadership of “Sonny”.
“Sonny” – a trusted source
How well we on the media circuit during those days remember the impressive work of this departed advocate and diplomat warrior, Caribbean hero, “Sonny”. As journalists in the forefront at the time, covering CARICOM, IMF, World Bank, OECS, UN, OAS, I recall my soul sister, highly motivated media star, Guyanese Sandra Baptiste and dedicated regional newspaper columnist Guyanese born Ricky Singh, Vincentian born Trinidad-based Tony Fraser and Debbie Rankin. Our media room side bars were loaded…especially after we saw certain faces, as in the Bahamas CHOGM, upon encountering pugnacious Thatcher followers, and we will always turn to our “Sonny boy” for the real story! He never failed me nor did I; a trusted source. And it is he who encouraged me to apply to the Thomson Foundation for my journalism training in London. Luckily, as it turned out, my application was saved from the wastepaper basket with the other hundreds of applications, only because in my application essay, by chance, fate, I guess, I wrote about my entry into travel writing upon a detailed tour of Scotland…alas, the head of Thomson Foundation happened to be Scottish, unknown to me of course. At the close of my studies, “Sonny” told me,
“I am coming personally to Regent Park, London, then home of Thomson Foundation, to hand you, your well-earned certificate”, and he did; for several years, the photo hung wherever I worked.
A message for mankind
One of the occasions on which I became further intrigued by the mind of this illustrious son of the great Caribbean civilization, was while attending his 1983 lecture at the University of Hull, UK, when he shared his perception that William Wilberforce’s contribution did not end with the Abolition of the Slavery Act but continues to inspire efforts to seek release from other servitudes and inequalities.
Slavery did not begin with the British Empire, and it did not end with Emancipation. It is as old as man, casting its long shadows across centuries of human conflict between justice and degradation, need and aggrandizement, freedom and oppression.
“Sonny” reminded that human conflict will continue until man himself outgrows his baser instincts of greed and bigotry and lust for power.
In concluding, he left us a duty… “people and leaders alike, must make sure that the inhuman gulf that once yawned between master and slave never has a modern-day equivalent, today or tomorrow.”
A Personal Tribute by MARALYN BALLANTYNE LLB.Hons.
Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal, 1928 – 2024
Sion Hill Euphonium graduates 27
DESPITE THE INCONVENIENCEof damage to its base at Sion Hill Village, as a result of the passage of Hurricane Beryl, on July 1, 2024, the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra battled the odds, and hosted it 29th Summer Training Programme.
For another year, Ms Mikalla Knights and Septimus Cain were the programme facilitators, and this year, over a five—week period, introduced twenty-seven (27) new persons to the art of playing the steel pan.
The new cohort did not disappoint their tutors nor
their parents, guardians and others who were present last Sunday, September 1, 2024, at the Graduation Ceremony, held at the Sion Hill Village hard court.
The graduates showed the extent to which they had mastered the art of playing the pan, when they belted out renditions of ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus, ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele, ‘All Aboard’ by Krosfyah and ‘My Hands’ by Burna Boy, much to the appreciation of those in attendance.
Chairman of the Sion Hill Euphonium Steet
Right: The graduating class of the 2024 Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra’s Summer Training Programme.
Orchestra- Warren Knights had earlier complimented the parents for allowing their children to be part of the 2024 edition of the band’s Summer Programme.
“We must also acknowledge and appreciate the parents for recognizing and affording their children the invaluable opportunity to participate in this year’s
Summer Programme”, Knights lauded. He used the occasion to debunk some misgivings
about music and its negative influence on people’s learning, saying, “Studies consistently show
Sea Turtle Protection workshop convened
Participamts in the workshop held under the theme: “Enhancing Community and National Agency Roles in Sea Turtle Protection And Enforcement.”
A TRAINING WORKSHOPtargeting
Law Enforcement Officers and other relevant stakeholders from Colonaire, one of four pilot sites, was held under the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Strengthening Project (GEF-7 Project) was held here on Wednesday 28th August, 2024.
Entitled “Enhancing Community and National Agency Roles in Sea Turtle Protection And Enforcement”, the workshop was part of activities to be implemented under component three (3) of the project (referenced), and sought to educate participants about the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of the coastal and marine environment and its
resources, particularly sea turtles; enhance compliance and the enforcement of conservation laws and foster cross-agency collaboration to promote an effective and cohesive approach to sea turtle protection.
The workshop participants were drawn from the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service, The National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Environmental Fund, Fisheries Division and Forestry Services as well as SeaTurtle Monitors from the community of Colonaire.
Under the broad theme Sea Turtle Conservation, participants were exposed to topics inclusive of but not limited to: Introduction to Sea
Turtles (Biology, Ecology and Importance); National Regulatory Framework for Wildlife/Sea Turtle Protection; Community and Stewardship in Sea Turtle Conservation; and Challenges in Sea Turtle Conservation.
The project development objective of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Strengthening project is to strengthen the management of coastal and marine ecosystems in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Some of the challenges to be addressed by the project include anthropogenic pressures, institutional fragmentation, policy and regulatory inadequacies, and lack of adaptive capacity through datadriven solutions.
Several pilot site interventions have been identified under this project and will see the introduction of a number of programmes and activities including; biodiversity monitoring and awareness programmes, nature-based tourism activities, Alternative livelihood support, reduction of marine pollution.
The four components of the project that have been identified to address these
challenges are:
* Component 1: Institutionalizing Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management.
* Component 2: Piloting participatory planning and nature-based solutions in selected sites.
* Component 3: Managing knowledge and data management, and mainstreaming gender.
* Component 4: Project Coordination and Management
This was the first of similar workshops to be held with various stakeholders including Government organisations, NGOs and community groups under the GEF-7 Project.
(Source: MoT)
that music has the unique ability to activate the brain, maximise learning and improve memory… Thus, we encourage parents to allow their children to continue to attend follow-up training sessions, as this will undoubtedly complement their academic growth.”
Apart from Knights, Sunday’s Graduation Ceremony was addressed by Leroy Llewelyn, who represented National Properties, and FitzGerald Bramble, Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown.
A drug problem
Dear George,
WHEN I FIRST met my girlfriend I knew she had a drug problem. I thought she just needed some support and encouragement in order to kick the habit.
For the 16 months we have been dating she never once used drugs, until recently. I was so disappointed in her and I made her know that.
We had all these plans to get married and have children but that is all behind me now. She is now accusing me of being “just like the others” who met and dumped her for the same reasons.
George, how can I trust her again? She gave me her word and went back on it. Is it not my choice not to marry a “druggie”?
Doing What’s Best.
Dear Doing What’s Best,
When you met her, you knew she was using and yet went ahead with the relationship. Your lack of
knowledge about drugs and those who use them is the reason for your present predicament.
Once an addiction has been formed, to stand any chance of getting back to function at an acceptable level, the user will need to be properly rehabilitated and receive ongoing treatment or therapy.
It is not enough to take the word of a user that they will not use again. While they may have that intention, they are up against fighting the addiction. No one is ever fully recovered from using but rather they are classified as “recovering”.
Having said that it is still your decision to continue or not to continue with the relationship. However, at the end of the day it is unfair to blame her for slipping when you had prior knowledge of her habit.
George
Who is the father?
Dear George,
IHAVE BEEN seeing this married woman for over ten years now and during that time she had two children, and I am convinced the children are mine. She says otherwise.
I am thinking of having a paternity test done to clear the air, but she is having none of it. She says such actions would destroy her family. I, on the other hand, want my children to know I am their father.
I am not married, nor do I have children. She should have thought of her family before opening her legs to me, don’t you think?
Determined to Prove Otherwise.
Dear Determined to Prove,
It takes two to tangle and if you had not indulged in an affair with a married woman, this conversation would not be taking place.
You can begin, by suggesting to her to come clean with her husband about the affair with you. Also, let her know how important it is to you to know the truth about the children.
I suggest, also, that you engage the services of a counsellor to advise you step by step regarding this situation. This is to ensure that whatever action is taken is taken in consideration of all the parties involved.
George
Deceived by my wife
Dear George,
IT IS RIDICULOUS that I have to be writing to you on the second day of my honeymoon.
My wife claimed to be a virgin when I met her and I had no reason to doubt her. So, on the first night of our honeymoon, I eagerly jumped into bed and attempted to make out with my wife. She shrugged me off with the headache excuse. On night number two she tried the same thing, but this time I insisted. We had a little struggle before she finally gave in.
George, my wife is no way close to being a virgin! It was not my intention to marry a virgin but at the same time I was excited I met one. I questioned her about her sexual history and she admitted to having sexual activity just about one month before our wedding. She also admitted to being with several men during the past year.
I love my wife but this one is too much for me too soon. My wife does not appear to be too worried about her deception. She has adopted a ‘so what’ kind of attitude. I know I’m newly married but I’m willing and ready to get out. How can I do so easily?
Fooled but not a fool
Dear Fooled but not a fool,
It is rather unfortunate that you have to be in such frame of mind at a time when you should be at your happiest. This should tell you that it is important to take enough time to get to know your partner before marriage and to get adequate counseling before taking that step.
You can safely conclude that there is deception in your marriage. The question is had you known she was not a virgin would that information change the decision to proceed with the marriage?
You can opt out of the marriage by using the deception line but you are best advised to seek legal counsel before doing so.
Mind you, there is still the option of trying to fix what is wrong. All of us can find things in our past of which we are not proud. You should think again before throwing in the towel at such an early stage. This is the kind of test that will break a relationship if love is not at its core.
George
Leisure
ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)
Be a leader, not a follower! Keep business dealings at a high level of integrity. When connecting with loved–ones make allowances rather than expect too much. Money is on the increase, stay positive. To understand what a friend is going through, listen to what they are not saying.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21)
If you want to change your life, you need to change your life – take action. Work is demanding, but don’t let spending extra hours at the office cause you to neglect your health. A friendly heart–to–heart chat with someone close can prepare them for what’s to come.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21)
Look for solutions, not problems. When you have a positive attitude, it can improve every area of your life. Tighten the purse strings – this is not a week to be extravagant. At work, use your common sense to stand out from the crowd.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Love and work can connect when you least expect. Say “yes” to business events. Your perfect partner could be closer than you think. Don’t back away from a challenge; it’s what keeps your spirit alive. A financial hic–cup will be short lived.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
For love to last, you need an unbreakable connection of trust and respect. Be optimistic at work, with lucky stars on your side, anything is possible. Beautifying your home creates a sense of peace and harmony for family closeness to grow.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)
Love and money often connect, and how you deal with this combination will determine the outcome. Don’t get confused, business is business, even if it does fall in to the personal area of your life. At work, don’t let a past incident have influence over the decisions you make today.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)
Be diplomatic. Watch what you say and how you say it. A sensitive comment can be taken the wrong way. Beware of being tempted to indulge in an out–of–control retail therapy splurge. Great things are happening; the best is yet to come!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Finish what you start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, deal with one thing at a time. With money, be patient and finances will turn in your favor. If the moment of truth has arrived in your love life; it may be time to give someone the key to your heart.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)
It can cause mistrust when you keep secrets from a sweetheart. If you have something to say, don’t hold back. Divulge how you feel to clear the air. With money, check the fine–print. You are in control of your life, keep it that way.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)
Your career life is headed for the top; you can take a giant step ahead now. The right people will step forward to help you – look for the sign posts of synchronicity. Love and friendship go hand–in–hand. With money, be optimistic.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19)
Passionate love moments can have your heart racing. Couples can tie the knot. Singles can meet someone wonderful. Work life is up for review with change on the horizon. People you meet now can make life–changing decisions. Think carefully about your next moves and those you share life with.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)
Be career smart – focus on the details to see what’s really happening. It is easier to make money when you are passionate about what you do. When discussing a sensitive topic, tread carefully, someone close could be emotionally fragile.
ACROSS
1.Sports lover’s cable choice
5. Dunderhead
8. Islands (Fr.)
12. Brazil’s neighbour
13. Practice
14. Certain party members (abbr.)
15. Energy source
16. The girl
17. “I __ Song Go Out Of My Heart” (2 wds.)
18. Brat
20. Between HST and JFK
22. Mocks
24. Results in (2 wds.)
28. Edgar __ Poe
29. Time periods (abbr.)
30. Bobby of the Bruins
31. Select the best
32. Mothers, informally
33. Dolt
34. Wordsworth poem
35. “__ a Rebel”
36. Onionlike plant
37. Type of onion
41. Sills solo
42. Raised children
45. Guitarist Paul
47. Pleasing
50. __ Flynn Boyle
51. French summer
52. God of love
53. Those people
54. Panasonic rival
55. Fender bump
DOWN
1.Environmental agcy.
2. Place
3. Airplane blade
4. Integer
5. Eject from office
6. Gray shade
7. Birds’ “restaurants”
8. Sat in neutral
9. Jamie __ Curtis
10. Ambulance worker (abbr.)
39. Father, in ancient Rome 40. Common connecting word
11. Govt. agcy.
19. ID digits
21. Marx’s “__ Kapital”
22. Biblical ladder owner
23. Avoid neatly 24. Tibet’s capital
25. Card game for one
26. Buried treasure
27. Neatnik’s delight
32. Busybody
33. Shackled
35. Attila, for one 36. Lifesaving
On the Aegean
Deli sandwich, for short
College cheer
skill (abbr.) 38. Feminine title
44. Poetic “before”
46. And so on (abbr.)
48. Trick, commonly
49. Guess at a price (abbr.)
New Football Academy imminent
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES will soon be welcoming the Touchmasters Football Academy.
Led by former national player- Desmond Morris, the academy will cater for players, both male and female, between the ages of 5 and 17 years.
Towards registering its first cohort, a tryout will take place at the
Arnos Vale Two Playing Field, from 9am to 3pm, this Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Why the Academy
Explaining the reason for the establishment of the academy here on local soil, Morris said, “We have been conducting giveaways, camps, clinics in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines for over 20 years now… . This progression is timely and the best course to help Vincentian Youth Football, so Touchmasters have decided to open our own Football Academy”.
Morris noted that there is an abundance of untapped Football talent here, which needs nurturing.
“Our young footballers need to be fast tracked through organized and structured practices and coaching sessions, in order to bring out their talents and innate skills…This academy will focus on developing local talents and provide that pathway for our players”, Morris emphasized.
Ready/qualified for the task
Morris, who
represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a short period during the country’s sojourn in the qualifiers ahead of the 1994 World Cup finals, will bring to bear on the work of the local academy his many years of playing and of coaching in the USA.
Overtime, Morris has framed his own methodology of coaching, known as the Touchmasters Soccer Training System (TSTS).
The TSTS has enabled several players in the USA to gain scholarships to colleges, universities, which have paved the way for some to be drafted into the Major League Soccer (MLS).
For his part, Morris has worked with the LA Galaxy (MLS franchise), coached at the Kennedy Catholic School in New York, done private coaching, scouted for the
SVGFF donates to Hurricane Relief
THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES FOOTBALL FEDERATION(SVGFF), in a show of social responsibility, donated a sum of EC$50,000, to the Hurricane Relief effort.
A cheque in that amount, drawn entirely from funds generated from activities carried out locally, was handed over to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at his office, last Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
President of the SVGFF- Otashie Spring said that he was happy that his organization was able to play its part in the Relief and Recovery period, following the devastation caused by the July 01, 2024, passage of Hurricane Beryl.
“This donation is a testimony of the social conscience that I lead… We feel obligated to do
New York City Football Club, established relationships with other international academies, and attained a National A licence with the US Soccer Federation.
He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Spanish.
All in all, Morris believes he has the knowledge, experience, expertise and know-how to unearth and develop the budding Vincentian Football talent, through the Touchmasters Football Academy.
He and former national player and coach- Adolphus ‘Pabits’ Davis recently conducted two weeks of coaching at the Arnos Vale Two Playing Field, giving insights into the TSTS.
Maloney reboots national 600m record
SHAFIQUA MALONEYimproved on her personal best and in the process erased her St. Vincent and the Grenadines women’s 600m record, when she sped to 1:22.98 at the ISATF Continental Tour Silver meeting at Olympiastadion, in Berlin, Germany, last Sunday, September 1, 2024.
so, given the extent of the loss caused by the hurricane’s devastation”, Spring explained.
“We have in the past done similar donations, such as the 2013 December floods and assisted with food
packages and other supplies during the volcanic eruptions of La Soufriere in 2021”, Spring assessed.
He said that among the persons affected were coaches and players, hence the
SVGFF’s contribution, and projected a hope that the funds would help in the recovery efforts undertaken by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and its departments/agents.
In the one and a half lap event, Maloney, lowered the previous best of 1:23:40.
Maloney’s clocking saw her finishing second to Kenya’s Mary Moraa, who timed 1:21.63 to better the previous world best and meet record of 1:21.77.
South African Caster Semenya set the record in 2017.
It was the second time in a month that Moraa was clipping Maloney.
In the Paris Olympics on August 5, Moraa finished third (1:57.42) while Maloney placed fourth (1:57.66) in the 800m final as the pair were separated by 0.24 of a second in a battle for the bronze medal.
A multiple record holder, Maloney has St. Vincent and the Grenadines best times in the outdoor 400m, 800m and 1500m.
She also shares in the national 4 x 400m records both at the Under-20 and senior levels, as well as being the custodian of the indoor 800 and mile records.
Shafiqua Maloney on her way to establishing another (600m) national record.
Adolphus ‘Pabits’ Davis (center) giving instructions to two youngsters.
From left: Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Ezra Hendrickson (Senior Male Head Coach), Yosiah Dascent (Second VP of the SVGFF), Dwight Baptiste (SVGFF Committee Member), Peter Edward (General Secretary Acting SVGFF), Otashie Spring (SVGFF President).
Desmond Morris, the brainchild behind the Touchmasters Football Academy.
SVGFF hosts Referees Course
THIRTY LOCALfootball Referees/Assistant Referees and five instructors are better equipped to execute their roles.
This, after their participation in the FIFA sanctioned Assistant Referees Course hosted by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF).
The course which ended on Monday, was held at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex Media Centre and was aimed at increasing the pool and knowledge of the officials.
Javier Santos, Development Officer for the English-speaking countries in Concacaf, was pleased to share his knowledge in a more structured setting.
“There are some talents here with three FIFA referees in Moeth Gaymes, Denroy Barker and Kenran Daniel so we need to see more people and that’s why we are here looking for more talent, more prospect, and
Javier Santos, Course instructor, is looking forward to assessing the participants, in a year’s time.
then in a couple of years they can reach to the highest level,” Santos commented.
He explained that that course zeroed in on updating the officials about the laws of the game and emphasizing the importance of fitness.
“I am really looking forward to see how the referees progress next year as we continue to give them the opportunity to be in high level competitions,” Santos said.”
Lawson Lewis, Head of the Referees Department for the SVGFF, while happy for the course believes there is still work to be done.
“We are really deficient as our numbers are just over 30 plus referees so ideally if we can double that number of active national referees in the country that will help,” Lewis disclosed, adding that the minimum would be to have “ten persons actively working on the circuit.”
Lewis recognized the importance of fitness
Budding Football referee excels
TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD
Jazini Kydd of Redemption Sharpes had his introduction to being an Assistant Referee when he “filled in” during the Sharpes Football Competition for two years.
Today, he can look back with a sense of accomplishment as he was catapulted on to the regional scene, when he officiated at the Caribbean Football Union’s Under-14 Boys Challenge in Trinidad and Tobago, August 2024, notwithstanding that the that 23 years is the minimum qualifying age to become an Assistant Referee.
Kydd,
Kydd was among budding officials who were part of a developmental exercise to help them sharpen their skills and knowledge.
It was an experience and opportunity he cherished.
“I really enjoyed it… I learned a lot and being in that setting helped me to understand what is needed at that level”, Kydd related.
He rates being part of the officiating panel for the finals between Jamaica and French Guiana in Tier One of the Tournament as
referenced, a high point of his travel to the twinisland republic.
As a result, his horizon has broadened.
“I plan to work harder, train harder, watch videos, do more reading and try to be better at officiating”, Kydd promised.
And he recognized that the journey to the top would not come overnight.
“I want to get my FIFA badge first, but I know I have to wait until I am 25 to get that…. in the meantime, [to] get better to officiate in the National Club Championships and work my way up to the highest possible level… (that) is my goal”, Kydd said.
Recalling his initiation into Football officiating, Kydd said: “I started in the Sharpes Nine-A-Side League and John Hinds, Mahalia Thomas and Leevan Victory were impressed with me, so they encouraged me to attend the Referees Training sessions and join the Referees Association”.
He did and it was a decision about which he “has no regret”.
among the match officials and confessed, “… we have shown up poorly in this area.”
He expressed the hope that the emphasis the course placed on the need for fitness will propel the participants to change their approach to preparing themselves.
I.B.A. ALLEN
Lawson Lewis, Head of the Referees Department for the SVGFF, is looking forward to an increase in the number of active referees.
Course participants engaged in a classroom session.
Jazini
budding referee, is in it for the long haul.
Sports V
SVG seeking Gold Cup
THE CHALLENGEfacing newly Ezra Hendrickson, newly appointed coach of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines senior male national football team, opened yesterday Thursday September 5, against Bonaire. It was expected to be an interesting encounter with Bonaire benefiting from (home) crowd support, and wanting to prove that their elevation from League C, was no fluke.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has not been the dominant force recently, tending to run cold when the heat needed to be exerted. But they capable of handling the stiffest opposition. That depends on the team’s approach, mental preparation and timely execution as evidenced from performances at the Caribbean Union level in 1979 and 1981.
The team, however, has been plagued in recent time by issues of one kind or the other. On many occasions it has been for lack of preparation, not to mention that the Vincentian football environmental has an enduring impact on what happens on the field itself.
It will take a serious analyst to unravel the complexities of local football. What makes the team sparkle at times, and suffer the humiliation on other occasions is a worrying situation.
There are 37 teams lined up for possible Gold Cup appearance. The contenders will be decided at the end of the Group stage in November.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines will have to top their Group in League B, or be one of the best second placed outfits. They face Bonaire, Montserrat and El Salvador at this stage.
Coach Hendrickson will bring his experience to bear. The commitment of his players will be needed for him to achieve success. His work also entails engagement with the Football authorities. Questions about training, financing, and other logistical matters surface at critical junctures of the team’s campaign.
Hendrickson will be hoping for a smooth operation, aware that there are many subtleties that surface and impact the morale of the squad. Announcement of Oalex Anderson inclusion in the team comes as welcome news. But football is not an individual sport no matter how skilled that person is. The chemistry and coordination must be a hallmark, and those are not overnight accomplishments.
Hendrickson, having gained a wealth of experience on the field as a player, then in coaching capacities, is anxious to prove his worth. His contract will be reviewed after one year. There might be a sense of anxiety as Hendrickson embarks on entrenching himself. Some positive results in the early stages of his tenure will boost his chances of continuation.
That is the task Hendrickson is faced with and one he has to adjust to in the quickest time.
Bahamas might wonder how they squandered a two goal lead which saw United Sates Virgin Islands rally to secure a draw. Bahamas scored in the second minute from the penalty spot. US Virgin Islands equalized in the 27th minute. Bahamas surged ahead with goals in the 37th and 58 minutes, only to be stunned by conversions in the 76th and 86th for a three all draw.
Cayman Islands beat British Virgin Islands one: nil, the goal coming in the 84th minute. Anguilla beat Turks and Caicos 2: 0, thanks to goals from Germain Hughes in the 57th, and Lamar Carpenter in the 74th.
TAJ BALLANTYNE, current number one male Tennis player for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is committed to being an integral part of the renaissance of the sport locally.
Toward fulfilling this, Ballantyne, at age 25 years, has taken to coaching.
And, he believes he has the tools of the trade, having learnt a lot from attending and playing Tennis at Benedict College in the USA, and been exposed to a high level of coaching.
“I am trying to develop the next set of players …
I honestly want to see Tennis get better in St. Vincent and the Grenadines because we have the potential …We have coaches, but they are advancing in age and are not in tune with some of the modern ways of coaching”, Ballantyne stated.
Getting involved in coaching though was not on his agenda, at least not so soon, Ballantyne admitted.
“I never thought I would have been a coach, but getting into it I am loving it now… I have found a love for it (especially) when I see my players getting better
and see the potential they have”, he assessed.
As his players make progress, Ballantyne has set some short, medium and long-term goals.
He currently works with the top Under-18 male player — Che Connell, as well as the top Under-14 male and female players- Ethan Kent and Loukhya Premraj.
“For my Under-14s I want to see them win
THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Sailing Association continues to strengthen its technical capacity, as six young sailors attained Level Two coaches’ certification.
The six - Akira Brown, Isaiah Blackett, Tegan Deane, Joseph Hadley, Scarlett Hadley and Zach Mac Lawrence - were part of a seven-day Technical Level Two Course for Coaches, staged at the Coconut Grove Beach Club at Canash Bay.
local tournaments, then go on to do so regionally, because they have the potential … The longterm ambitions for my charges are to get to the professional level. I am trying my best to prepare them as best as I could and instill the right things in them”, Ballantyne projected. Ballantyne coaches at the National Tennis Centre at Villa.
Ballantyne commits to tennis revival Sailors attain Level Two certification
They, along with Azalia Renaud of Grenada, Stephen Phillip of Trinidad and Tobago and Adonai Doneste of St.
Level Two coaches pose with their certificates. President of the SVG Sailing Association - Jenny Trumble is pictured with arms outstretched.
Lucia, were under the tutelage of Tania Ellis Callis of Mexico and Tim Cross of the United Kingdom, both Coach Developers from World Sailing.
Cross in his assessment, thinks that the participants are better equipped to sail, race and help fellow sailors.
“The focus was to support them to develop a club level race programme, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an emerging resource, equipment, location, so through the regattas, we got to see not only the ability of participants to support each other in a good coaching role, but we noticed throughout the week, their sailing competencies and their racing competencies have increased”, Cross noted.
World Sailing facilitators - Tania Callis (left), and Tom Cross (right).
Zooming in on the specifics of the course, Callis disclosed: “We introduced the coaches to get into the role of getting sailors to the racing …During the week, they were taught about the skills that they can implement into racing, so we covered different aspects of the starting, learning processes, safety signals”.
Like Cross, Callis believes the attendees at the course are better able to sail and race.
“They have a lot more skills with the sailors they work with and apply with their own sailing”, Callis proffered.
And the locally based newly certified coaches, were given an opportunity to apply their knowledge and expertise, as they were responsible for organizing a Regatta, last Saturday, August 31, 2024, in the waters of Canash Bay.
Taj Ballantyne (left) giving instructions to Che Connell.
Classifieds V
President Maduro’s plane seized: SVG implicated
From Backpage.
“Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset.”
The U.S. has sanctioned 55 Venezuelan-registered planes, mostly belonging to stateowned oil giant PDVSA. It has also offered a $15 million bounty for the arrest of Maduro to face federal drug trafficking charges in New York.
(KH - Source: Associated Press)
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
has seized a luxury jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that officials say was illegally purchased through a shell company registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and smuggled out of the United States in violation of sanctions and export control laws.
The Dassault Falcon 900EX was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the
custody of federal officials in Florida, the Justice Department said Monday. The plane landed at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport shortly before noon Monday, according to flight tracking websites.
U.S. officials say associates of the Venezuelan leader in late 2022 and early 2023 used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the purchase of the plane,
valued at the time at $13 million, from a company in Florida.
ABC News on Tuesday confirmed that the plane was previously registered in the U.S. and owned by Lorida, Florida-based Six G Aviation, a broker that buys and sells used aircraft. FAA records indicate it was exported to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and deregistered in the U.S. in January 2023.
The plane was then
exported to Venezuela, through the Caribbean, in April 2023 in a transaction meant to circumvent an executive order that bars U.S. citizens from business transactions with representatives of Maduro’s government.
The plane, registered to San Marino, was widely used by Maduro for foreign travel, including on trips earlier this year to Guyana and Cuba. It was also involved in a December swap in the Grenadines Island of Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, of several Americans jailed in Venezuela for a close Maduro ally, Alex Saab, imprisoned in the U.S. on money laundering charges.
The plane was also used in December to transport Maduro and his delegation to St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he was involved in discussions over a territory dispute with
Guyana. The website of Flightradar24, a live flight tracker that shows air traffic in real time, gives indication that the plane flew to Venezuela after arriving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in April 2023.
Venezuela’s government acknowledged the seizure in a statement Monday.
It characterized the U.S. government’s move as “a repeated criminal practice that cannot be
FRIDAY WANTS ANSWERS
THERE HAS BEENat least one public reaction to the news that the aircraft belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was seized by US authorities on Monday.
Leader of the Opposition- Dr. Godwin Friday, wants to know why the said aircraft made a stop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in April 2023, from where it proceeded to Caracas, Venezuela, on the same day.
Speaking on HOT 97.1 SVG last Tuesday, Dr. Friday referenced data from the Flightradar24 website which appeared to show that the plane in question, in April 2023, flew to
Caracas, Venezuela, after a stop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is not clear when the plane arrived in the Dominican Republic where US authorities seized the plane on Monday, citing the grounds for the seizure as violations of US export control supported by sanctions imposed by the US on the South American republic.
Dr. Friday’s probe into the matter was perhaps bolstered by the claim by the American authorities that Venezuela allegedly used a Caribbeanbased shell company, purportedly registered in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, to hide that country’s involvement in the purchase of the plane from a Florida-based company sometime between late 2022 and early 2023.
Dr. Godwin Friday wants answers to SVG’s implication in the purchase of a plane seized by the U.S.
The plane, a Falcon 900EX aeroplane, according to US government sources, was bought illegally for $13 million (£9.8 million) and smuggled out of the United States.
described as anything other than piracy.” In a further statement, the Venezuela government that it reserved the right to take legal measures to repair the damage this recent “unilateral and illegal” action has inflicted on the people of Venezuela. Matthew Axelrod, an assistant secretary for export enforcement in the US Commerce Department, countered with:
Continued on Page 27.
President Maduro’s jet in the back ground of a photo showing SVG Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves welcoming President Maduro to SVG in December 2023.
The Venezuela President’s plane under control of the U.S authorities in the Dominican Republic.