THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 12-04-24

CHARRED REMAINS DISCOVERED IN PARK HILL

L-R:

‘Vert’

by KENVILLE HORNE

THE OPEN SLAYING BY GUNFIREof five males, including a 13-year-old, in Kingstown on Wednesday 19th July, 2023, remains etched in the minds of a majority of Vincentians, especially those at home.

And as if that was not enough to have to swallow as one pill, the ugly face of horrific deaths has risen again to haunt the Vincentian population.

Police here confirmed that on Monday 8th April, 2024, at approximately 12:24 pm, they were alerted to the presence of two partially burned bodies found at the rear of a dwelling house in Park Hill, not far from the Playing Field.

LABOURER CHARGED WITH DOUBLE MURDER

by HAYDN HUGGINS

JUST ABOUT FIVE MONTHSafter 26-year-old Park Hill resident Aldon Thomas was freed on charges of murder, kidnapping, and aggravated burglary, he has been charged with double murder, in connection with the recent deaths of two Park Hill villagers.

Thomas, a labourer, was taken before the Serious Offenses Court yesterday (Thursday) after being charged with the murder of Brenton (Marvin) Barker and Calvert ‘Vert’ Smart, whose partially burnt bodies were discovered at Park Hill on April 8, 2024.

Thomas is accused of murdering the men at Park Hill between April 6 and 9.

Thomas, who was represented by attorney Michael Wyllie, was not required to plea to the indictable charges when he stood before Senior Magistrate Colin John at the Serious Offenses Court yesterday.

Wyllie told the Court, “The only reason for these charges is to ensure that he (Thomas) remains in custody. He added that when he (Wyllie) went to the police station on Wednesday, they were about to release his client.

“There is absolutely no evidence against this

Aldon Thomas is answerable for a second murder charge.

The blurred area indicating the spot where the charred bodies were found.

Calvert

Smart and Brenton Marvin Barker.

Doubly whammy for NICE Radio: Justin in bed, ‘Mr. Magic’ passes

by CARLYLE DOUGLAS

THE SEEMINGLYabrupt discharge of Justin Douglas from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) took centre stage on last week’s CTVIEW Saturday Show on NICE Radio.

Justin Douglas, Sports Announcer on NICE Radio for over twenty years, was admitted to the MCMH

after suffering a stroke during his live Sunday 24th March broadcast of his Sports Highlights programme.

After a period of “attention” at the MCMH, he was discharged last Saturday, April 6.

According to an irate NICE Radio owner/manager Douglas De Freitas, he received a call from the MCMH informing of the authorized discharge of

Justin, and the need to arrange transportation to facilitate him getting to his residence, since the HCMH Ambulance Service, for which a fee of as much as $175.00 is charged, does not extend beyond Arnos Vale on the Windward side of mainland St. Vincent.

Justin resides at Prospect, a ‘tidy’ distance from Arnos Vale.

It appeared, De Freitas told last Saturday CTVIEW episode, that his number (telephone) was mistaken for Justin’s daughter.

De Freitas said that he expressed disgust with the discharge order because Justin’s needs, as he knew them to be up to last Saturday, were such that ongoing training and/or consultation would have been required since he was being fed through his nasal passage, and his movements and responses were limited to the blinking of the eye or a faint squeeze of the hand.

Justin was, amidst De Freitas’s protest, discharged to the care of his mother and daughter, THE VINCENTIAN understands.

This was no magic

Also contributing via telephone to last Saturday’s CTVIEW Saturday Show was Andre ‘Mr. Magic’ Quow. He called from a bed at the Barrouallie Poly Clinic.

Quow related that he too had suffered a stroke while he was resident in St. Kitts, and was hospitalized for five months.

He described how well he was cared for during those five months and recognized the St. Kitts/Nevis Health care as “number one.”

He related how he was informed that he would not be discharged until he had regained whatever motor and/or sensory functions he had temporarily lost, and not until he had returned to some normal state of health, physically and mentally.

Quow insisted that Justin’s situation/condition was no different from his and therefore, he, Justin, should not be discharged, especially in the condition which De Freitas had described.

Fate has a funny way of playing out its hand. Quow was transferred to the MCMH where he underwent surgery for a complication, apparently related to food poisoning.

By Tuesday evening, NICE Radio was reporting that Andre ‘Mr. Magic’ Quow had passed away. Fate had played its hand, once again.

Quow had done a stint on NICE Radio on Saturday afternoon following the CTVIEW programme. He shifted recently to night programming.

Andre ‘Mr. Magic’ Quow had only just shared his experience similar to that of Justin, when he said goodbye to the NICE radio studio.

Justin Douglas was a leading radio sports reporter and commentator on NICE Radio for well over two decades.

Penalties for sex crimes revised

THE PARLIAMENT OF ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES has passed, with bi-partisan support, stiffer penalties for some sex crimes by amending sections of which amends sections of Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code.

With the exception for the penalty for rape which remains a maximum sentence of life in imprisonment, and the penalty for buggery which remains at 10 years and assault with intent to commit buggery at 7 years, here are the adjustments in brief:

* penalty for sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15 years

moved from maximum 5 years’ imprisonment to 15 years;

* maximum penalty for sex with a girl under the age of 13 is life imprisonment;

* penalty for intercourse with a defective person moved from five years maximum imprisonment to 15 years;

* maximum sentence for indecent assault on a child under the age of 15 — moved from 5 years to 10 years;

* indecency with a child, moved from a maximum of one year in prison to 10 years;

* person who permits

premises to be used for sex with a girl under the age of 15 — maximum sentence of 15 years — moved from 14 years;

* indecent assault of a girl 13 years old but under 15, maximum penalty moved from 7 years to 10 years’ imprisonment;

* for causing or encouraging the prostitution of a girl under the age of 15, maximum imprisonment moved from 7 years to 15 years;

* prostitution of a woman, detention in a brothel, a man living on earnings of prostitution, a woman exercising

More emphasis on prevention needed

MORE EMPHASIS needs to be placed on preventing sexual offences from occurring in the first place.

Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition made the point as he participated in the debate for the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2023 in Parliament on April 4.

He said that the opposition was in full support of the Bill.

“We do so recognizing that as I said, at the outset, it is not a panacea to the problem that we have throughout our society,” Friday said.

According to the opposition leader, there was no excuse to presume that somebody consented when they in no way, verbally or otherwise indicated such consent.

“And too much of that happens, that thinking pervades our society,” Friday reasoned.

“There needs to be much more done to address those issues,” he continued.

So, there is the issue of increasing penalties, but there were some crimes for which penalties could not make the victim whole.

“And the literature on sexual offences point very clearly to the fact that this is an area where the penalties may deter, but it cannot fix the harm that was done,” Friday told member of Parliament.

control over a prostitute, or keeping a brothelmoved from maximum 14 to 15 years’ imprisonment;

* person who lets premises to be used as a brothel — maximum penalty moved from 7 years to 10 years’ imprisonment; repeat offender, the maximum penalty moved from 14 to 15 years’ imprisonment;

* procurement of a woman by threats or intimidation to have unlawful sexual intercourse, moved from 2 to 7 years;

* procurement of a woman by false pretences adjusted from

The emphasis needed to be on preventing the harm from occurring in the first place, and this was the cause to which the Parliament must commit itself and that members on the opposition side will fully support he added.

He alluded to the attitude that suggested young girls brought sexual abusive acts on themselves, as thinking for ‘under the rock.”

The opposition leader also criticized the lengthy sexual offence trials, saying that penalties only mattered if the perpetrators thought they would be caught.

“But we also have to look at the time it takes to prosecute sexual offences,” he said.

This was only the beginning he added, and he wanted “this threat to the well-being of young girls to be addressed urgently and effectively.” (DD)

Labourer charged with double murder

Continued from Frontpage. guy”, Wyllie declared.

But the Senior Magistrate reminded Wyllie that the matter had not yet reached to that stage.

John remanded Thomas and adjourned the matter to July 15. Sergeant Biorn Duncan of the Major Crime Unit (MCU) is leading the investigations.

On April 17 last year, Thomas walked free from the High Court after a 12-member jury found him

not guilty of murder, kidnapping, and aggravated burglary, in connection with the death of minibus conductor Travez Fernandez in June 2021.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN then, Wyllie who had also represented Thomas in that matter, said, “The evidence in this case was so poor that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) should have never continued the trial with these

2 to 7 years;

* administer drugs to facilitate intercourse — maximum sentence moved from 5 years to 10 years;

* penalty for incestincreased from 14 years maximum for a man and 7 years for a woman to a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for both.

Charred remains discovered in Park Hill

Continued from Frontpage.

The discovery (of the bodies) as per reports reaching THE VINCENTIAN, was made during the late hours of Monday morning by residents in the area.

The police confirmed the information relayed to then once they got to the location and, upon investigation and with the help of family members, were able to identify the charred bodies as those of Brenton Marvin Barker and Calvert ‘Vert’ Smart.

In a subsequent press release, the police said the charred bodies had their limbs bound.

As is the procedure in matters of this sort, Coroner Colin John (Senior Magistrate) authorized the removal of the bodies to the Kingstown Mortuary.

Post-mortem examinations are to be conducted to determine the cause(s) of death.

As news of the gruesome deaths spread like the proverbial wildfire across social media platforms, comments ranged from “What could they have done to get that horrible death?’ to speculation, “There was no way the men died by fire. They were killed before the fire.”

A source said the house at whose rear the bodies were found, was Barker’s residence.

On Tuesday, police said that they had detained three residents of South Rivers as they continued their investigation, but did not identify those detained. The law men described the apprehension of the three individuals as “a significant development.”

By Thursday they had made an arrest and charged the person accordingly.

charges.”

He also expressed the view that the Presiding Judge Rickie Burnett should have stopped the case when he (Wyllie) made his no-case submission at the close of the Crown’s case.

Thomas was alleged to have used a knife to kill Fernandez, but Wyllie said there was no other evidence to corroborate the evidence of the main witness, Zane Lewis.

Meanwhile, some residents of Park Hill told THE VINCENTIAN that they believed the burning of the two men was in connection with the death of Quentin Harvey Hackshaw, of South Rivers. Hackshaw’s body was found lying in the road leading to Byrea, with gunshot injuries on March 26.

Whatever, a police investigation is ongoing into what they describe as “a grim discovery,” and they are soliciting the assistance of the public in this regard.

The deaths of Barker and Smart bring the homicide count for the year to 12.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Ancient methods hindering investigations

Attorney Grant Connell has called for mechanism to accompany the increase in penalties for firearm and sexual offences.

ONE OF THIS country’s leading defense lawyers is calling for the implementation of modern and proper mechanisms, to accompany the recent increases in the penalties for firearm-related and sexual offenses.

Attorney Grant Connell told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that while he does not disagree with the recent increases in the penalties for those offenses, “We have to ensure that proper mechanisms are in place, including the way the police investigate matters, to ensure that the rights of persons are protected before the Court”. Connell said that the establishment of a Forensic Department is critical in making a huge difference in the investigations, especially with regard to firearms. He also cited the issue of easier access to DNA sampling, about sexual offenses, especially

children.

Connell said that the police with their present archaic approach have on many occasions charged persons on mere hearsay.

“Maybe the system has to look at legislation regarding the taking of samples from persons charged with sexual offenses, especially in relation to children”, Connell suggested. He pointed out that currently, you have to get the consent of the accused persons to take samples from them.

“The absence of these samples could significantly hinder the investigations, including the prevention of what could have been ‘fast-tracked’ if DNA evidence was available”, Connell told THE VINCENTIAN.

He pointed out that he had done sexual offense cases already where the defense made requests, just before the trial was scheduled to commence, for samples to be tested, and the case had to be withdrawn, based on the results.

“These things are elementary. They should be done from the very beginning”, the lawyer said.

When asked about the cost factor in having these things done, Connell said, “Justice is priceless, cost is not a factor”.

Illegal weapons seizes at Campden Park Port

THE ROYAL ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES POLICE FORCE(RSVGPF) said it seized a quantity of illegal weapons at the Campden Park Cargo Port on April 9.

In a press release on Thursday 11, the RSVGPF said that “In a strategic operation conducted on 9th April 2023, the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) executed a search which resulted in the seizure of illegal weaponry and ammunition at the Campden Park Port”. The seized items

An example of a .38 Special Revolver and ammunition –not necessarily the model included in the discovery at the Campden Park Port.

included: one (1) .38 Special Revolver; a comprehensive assortment of ammunition totaling 2,538 rounds, covering calibers such as .40mm, 9mm, .380, FN 5.7 x 28mm, and .22. ammunition; an extended magazine and a quantity of fireworks.

“This operation highlights the proactive and dedicated efforts of our specialized units in combating illegal arms trafficking,” said the police statement.

The recent discovery followed on a similar find in December 2022 when police discovered and

seized six 9mm pistols, two highpower rifles and 200 rounds of 7.62 ammunition at the Customs Department in Kingstown.

As far as THE VINCENTIAN understands, no arrests were ever made in connection with this discovery.

During a pres briefing that fold this discovery, then Commissioner of Police Colin John dsclosed that the weapons were found in transmissions for vehicles.

Another related incident occurred in November 2023 when

police and custom officers conducted a search of a barrel and discovered a 9mm firearm among the assorted items in the barrel.

The barrel was put under watch and the police questioned an individual who had come to clear the barrel. No arrest was made.

This country’s parliament, as recent as last week Thursday, April 4, passed an amendment to the existing Firearms Act which introduced stiffer penalties for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and related offences. (KH)

Lawyer: Arrest the van culture

ATTORNEYGrant Connell has called for the ‘van culture to be arrested’.

Connell issued the call before newly appointed Senior Magistrate Tameka McKenzie at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday while representing two mini-bus drivers who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. They were fined and handed suspended sentences.

Connell told the Court that the law says a person could be fined and confined for dangerous driving, but Magistrates seem to be lenient.

The lawyer suggested that imposing a custodial sentence and suspending a driver’s licence for a period of a few months would cause the driver to be more cautious, since his display of any further, ‘ignorance’ can trigger the custodial sentence.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN, shortly after, Connell said, “I have already made my submission on the point. Some who I represent may be offended, but they have a wide choice of lawyers, and this ignorance must halt. A driver of a van with 18 passengers can be more deadly than a man with a gun, say a .38 revolver with limited ammunition. The driver’s negligence can cause the death of the 18 passengers’.

The lawyer added that, “If the custodial sentence is triggered by their display of ignorance on the road, well Belle Isle has a big yard, they can be given a steering wheel, and a piece of stick. Hopefully, at the end of the sentence, they would have learned to act in a civilized manner. (HH)

Montrose man on gun, ammo charges

A 32-YEAR-OLD,Old Montrose man was granted bail when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, charged with firearm and ammunition possession.

Mickel Laidlow has been charged with possession of a .9mm Canik pistol and 19 rounds of .9mm ammunition, without license.

He pleaded not guilty when he stood before Senior Magistrate Colin John, and was granted $5,000 bail with one surety on condition that he surrender his travel documents, and report to the Central Police Station every Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Stop notices will be place at all ports of entry and exit.

Laidlow was arrested following a police action at Kingstown on April 5. He will return to Court on April 29. (HH)

He defends them before the court but Grant Connell has called for a crackdown on the “ignorance’ displayed by some mini bus drivers.

MOE clamping down on school fees

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION(MOE) and National Reconciliation is clamping down on the “arbitrary implementation and proposed increases in fees”, charged by some schools here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In a Memorandum of April 8, 2024, sent to Heads of Educational Institutions, Permanent

Secretary Myccle Burke, reminded the heads of the contents of Chapter 202 -Education Act — Act No. 34 of 2006.

Accordingly, Burke affirmed, “

Neither a student nor his or her parent may be charged tuition fees or other costs for attendance at a public school or an assisted private school except that(a) a student who is not a citizen of a Member State of CARICOM or of a Commonwealth country may be charged tuition fees and other costs as the Minister may prescribe by an order published in the Gazette, or (b) students at a public school or an assisted private school may be charged for books, specialized services and other items as the Minister may

specify by notice published in the Gazette”.

Burke, in confirming that his ministry has been receiving reports on proposed increases of fees, noted that they must be in keeping with the Education Act.

“While it is understood that schools on occasion engage in fundraising activities and fees application to support daily operation, you are reminded of the provisions of the Education Act”, Burke reiterated.

As such, the Ministry has further advised the procedures to be followed.

“Consistent with the provisions of the Education Act of 2006, all fees current and proposed are to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for review and approval of the Minister of Education”, the Memorandum concluded.

WHO dengue alert: Update on dengue promised

THE NUMBER OF DENGUE RELATED DEATHSin St. Vincent and the Grenadines is within normal levels.

That’s the response from Senior Medical Officer Dr. Roger Duncan in response to an inquiry by to THE VINCENTIAN newspaper about warnings that the rate of infection in the Caribbean region is likely to increase in 2024.

Dr. Duncan promised an update on the situation after he contacts the Epidemiologist in his Ministry.

The Pan American Health Organisation warned countries in Latin America and Caribbean that they should “prepare for their worst season ever.”

Global warming and the El Nino climate phenomenon have been identified as fueling the mosquitoborne epidemic.

PAHO’s Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa shared with media practitioners that as of March 26, the region had seen more than 3.5 million cases of dengue and more than 1,000 deaths.

“This is cause for concern, as it represents three times more cases than those reported for the same period in 2023, a record year with

more than 4.5 million cases reported in the region,” he said.

As of March, the hardest-hit countries in Latin America are Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina – which have accounted for 92% of the dengue cases and 87% of the deaths – where mosquitoes have thrived because of the warm and rainy weather this time of year.

Barbosa said, however, that they’re seeing an uptick in Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique and Mexico, “where transmission is usually higher in the second half of the year.” (WKA)

Myccle Burke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Our Youth: Hope or Hopelessness

YEARS AGO,as the story was told, a young teacher noticed that a man on a construction site, whenever there was some measuring to be done, always called a young worker to hold the side of the measuring tape that would give the reading. The teacher was shocked to learn when he inquired of the young worker why he did what he did, his reply was, “He cannot read.”

When that teacher, according to his tale, inquired about other workers on the construction site, he became even more dumbfounded when he was told that quite a number, especially the young “fellows’ could not read or write.

This tale of so many “moons’ ago came rushing back to the present when recently another report was shared; one that apparently was as a result of conversations held with a group of young men.

The report spoke of many of the young men in that group not having any idea whatsoever about what was happening in the country politically. They, however, could count the number of murders committed in this country.

Those in the group who had some employment, spoke of living from pay envelope to pay envelope; of not being able to put anything aside; of not being able to make any ‘real’ plans for the future.

Many, the report said, found solace in a “good smoke”.

Does most of this if not all of it sound familiar? If it doesn’t then something must be preventing us from recognizing a certain malaise that has overtaken our young people.

Can we not see how vulnerable our youth has become? Can we not see the temptations that avail themselves in various forms and personages to our young people?

When we consider what confronts our youth, can we dispel the argument that many of our young men are attracted to gangs or what some prefer to refer to as ‘loose associations?

These gangs are attractive to our young men, not because our young men love a life of crime, or are born with a penchant for the criminal life, but they yearn for camaraderie that would guarantee their survival and safety.

And this, my friends, reflects one thing: our generation’s failure to deal

effectively with the issues confronting our youth. Because of that many, especially those from the lower economic stratum of society, develop a sense of hopelessness.

Yes, perhaps our greatest mistake, out greatest injustice to our youth is that we have been unable to inspire them, yet we use them so as to hold on to “office” and political power.

This injustice, decorated in false wrappings of good intentions, leave little room for our young people to chart a course for themselves, and moreso to chart a development path for our country. Note, many of our brighter young minds are abroad with little plans, if you inquire of them, to return home.

Against that backdrop, what choices does our nation have for its future leadership?

The current crop of politicians, including those who occupy top political positions, guard them like fortresses, and many of them do not genuinely want to mentor the next generation far less consider new ideas and approaches to our politics.

Then there are the so-called popular younger would-be leaders. Many of them lack the moral and/or intellectual character to truly inspire anyone. Not politically formed, they say one thing today and another tomorrow just to make news, or another just to seem relevant to the politics of the day.

Many of them have no vision, no depth. They come over as ‘islands unto themselves’, with no real intellectual support base to inspire others to, at the very least, consider what they are presenting on the merits of sound research or academic inspiration.

If we are to ward off lawlessness, food insecurity, even levels of anarchy, we must find a way to inspire our brightest and our best into believing that they have a part to play in the future of our nation. But they must not be drawn into a world of political loyalty that supports the status quo. They must think, discern and act for themselves. The praxis of “See, Judge, Act” must be embedded in their understanding of how to get effectively from one place to the other.

Hopelessness must never be allowed to prevail.

WE ARE BETWEEN THE ROCK and that hard place whenever we turn around. Acting as if this was the first time someone was attacked at the hospital, we are now limiting access to the male ward to one hour per day. To use a common expression, “come onnnn now,” is this the best we can do? Can anyone tell me, with a straight face, that this security threat is limited to the male ward? This typical knee-jerk reaction is so common these days that it did not even get more than a day’s coverage by the media. So, I am just asking how much safer we are today at the hospital. What arrangements have been made to keep the other patients and workers at the hospital safe? How are we addressing the other operational issues related to this new policy? For example, when do my loved ones pay the numerous bills accumulated during my stay at the public hospital? Oh yes, if you have not had the pleasure of staying at the hospital, you have to pay for quite a few basic services while you’re being served. All things considered, these fees, in my opinion, are not high.

Over the last two months, I have had reason to visit the hospital on numerous occasions. I had to walk past at least two and sometimes three security guards each time. Yes, you guessed it. No one ever stopped me or asked me about my business at the hospital. I was free to come and go as I pleased. And I loved it. Feeling somewhat guilty during the second week, I approached one of the guards at the gate to explain the reason for my visit; I was simply waved on in without as much as eye contact. Whatever was going on in the cellphone was much more important than knowing who or what I wanted at the facility.

So now that we have an easily predictable incident, we are taking this drastic measure to limit visitations. The protective angel in me says, that’s ok, while the curious devil is asking so how is my loved one going to get their medication? How will they get clean linings and pillows to keep them comfortable at the hospital?

When will we get the complete security threat assessment from the

hospital administrator? When will you remove the bill collection process from the hospital facility? When are we going to stop demanding two pints of blood before surgery is scheduled? I was embarrassed for the operating surgeon when he had to tell me that before my loved one could be scheduled for surgery, we had to get two people to deposit two pints of blood into the blood bank. It was neither optional nor a suggestion; it was a requirement. What was even more embarrassing was him sheepishly asking me if I took care of the blood bank issue as he prepared my loved one for surgery.

My other disappointment was that I had to spend the afternoon running around town looking for one of the aftercare medicines. Mind you, this was not surprising to me, having been forewarned about this possibility.

I resisted these issues not to embarrass anyone at the hospital or the government but to point out weaknesses in the security of everyone there.

On a totally unrelated issue, I would like to know a few things from the Comptroller of Inland Revenue. How old is the forty million dollar outstanding in property taxes? What percentage of the total does this represent? Does this amount include interest and penalties?

I am only asking to understand why you are not suggesting a tax amnesty to the Minister of Finance. How about waiving the interest and penalties for those of us who pay the outstanding taxes within three months? Once again, I am also asking you to please make arrangements with the banks to be able to collect these payments on your behalf. While you have made the work environment for those working in the Inland Revenue Department much more comfortable, we, the public, are certainly paying the price for your comfort. The queuing area is probably smaller, and we are now forced onto sidewalks without shade. I will not even mention the absence of parking in the area.

The challenges of the next election

THE UNITY LABOUR PARTY (ULP)won the last general election (2020) but not for the first time, the losing party, the new Democratic Party (NDP) won the popular vote.

As you would expect in a democracy like ours, each of the parties was announcing victory long before the polls closed. Nobody is in a race to lose, especially in a two-party race where to lose really hurts and I doubt anyone who has lost could convince me

These days, with the internet, that gives us WhatsApp, and all those social media platforms, wrong information can spread very fast and accept this as gospel.

All of this got me thinking about the general election which is not far off. First, take the NDP. Its leader Dr. Godwin Friday talks incessantly about when his party takes power. I hope for his sake that he is aware of the extra work it will take to turn around the seats in his favour, since as he now understands, the majority of people might vote for you, but it still boils down to how much work you have to do at the constituency level to hold a seat or take a new seat.

Of course, as I see it, the situation is the same for the incumbent ULP. But if we are to judge by the results of the last five elections, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, leader of the ULP, is well aware of the extra work, sometimes unorthodox, that is needed to hold on to power.

Both parties must hope, no, and must work towards ensuring that there is a good turnout of voters on Election Day. It is in the interest of both parties to work towards bringing out their full support and more to include first-time voters. I have the feeling that there are many voters who have lost enthusiasm about, if not, confidence in the system. “It’s the same old khaki pants,” I have heard some people say. Do our politicians now have to deal with an issue that says many Vincentians don’t care about voting?

If so, both parties have their work cut out for them. That issue plus the fact that the political parties must not take people for granted, make for a meaningful campaign if the parties would only agree to be uplifting about enticing the voters. And, so it could well be a campaign getting people interested in voting first, then trying to win that vote.

Good luck to both parties.

Thomas

Who to blame???

MR. EDITOR, this is going to be very short.

I want to address another side, so to speak, of the crime situation in our country.

Don’t we realise how bad we treat our elderly, especially our women, the mothers and grandmothers in our society? We make no special arrangements for their transportation. Instead, they have to suffer abuse, including dirty words from commuters and conductors, as they try to use what we call public transportation in this country.

And then there is the treatment handed out to our womenfolk right in front of their children… right in front of their sons especially.

How can we blame the youth when they get filled with anger as they grow up having to witness the abuse of their mothers and sisters? No wonder they grow up to be abusers or set out to take revenge thereby contributing to the rise in violence and you know what.

I promised to be short.

Security from a most unlikely source

IN HER PRESENCE, I felt secure. I felt a protective force that was physical. I knew that she loved me and that her prayers were powerful. All my life, I experienced her unconditional good will and blessings for a prosperous future. She had something that everyone wanted. It was real but was not easily obtained.  She came to live with me at a most unlikely time when my family was just beginning, but she was a blessing and conducted herself very well. Coming from her own home where there were 5 workers, and whose combined effort did not produce the kind of care she needed in her senior years, she was most welcome at my home. I felt no tiredness in waking up early to attend to her needs before I ventured out to work on time. She had to follow my routine: wake up, use the commode, a bath with running water then breakfast. By the

time the official caregivers came, most of the work was already done. The nurses taught me how a wheelchair is used, and this made my task easier. She was never a shut-in and went out to church every week and visited friends around the island. With siblings providing every need and a wife that insisted that I learn to be a caregiver for Mother, there was no escape for me.

It is inexplicable how a bedridden individual who could not kill as much as a fly, can provide such security in my home. She had no man-made weapons but trusted in her God to provide a hedge around her children and their property. March 18th, 2007, the day she died, left such a void that I felt very vulnerable and defenseless.

In a similar fashion, many homes around the country are left

defenseless because there are no senior citizens there standing guard. They sit on the front porch, they walk around the garden, they play with the grandchildren, they watch and pray even with diminishing eyesight. They speak with strangers walking into the neighborhood making them uncomfortable should they think of a break-in. They pray for peace, safety and security. All this they accomplish without any physical weapons. With this knowledge those without seniors in their families can adopt one from the seniors’ home together with a caregiver to provide security in their homes. Having someone always at home gives better security than any camera and could be more cost effective. The need for burglar bars would be reduced and daytime crime would fall.

Out-of-school teachers

AS SOMEONEwho laboured in the classroom for more decades than the average age of teachers in any given school here, I think I am qualified to make an observation here and there about teachers and teachings.

First and foremost, let me say that the teacherstudent ratio plays an important role in how any subject is received by students. More students are likely to be left behind — or fail as we prefer to say — when the classes are large. The size of the classes (large), for example, could well account for the phobia for Mathematics that sadly, so many of our students develop from a very young age. We will get back to that.

There is also a situation in many households where a family member or family members might have a dislike for a particular subject. This is often accepted by successive generations.

But, Mr. Editor, I

don’t want to get distracted. The point of this letter is to address the case of what is referred to as out-of-field teaching. This describes the situation when a teacher is assigned to teach a certain subject but he/she has no specific training in the subject. This, to say the least, is a practice that is unprincipled. I have seen where qualified teachers (QAT’s) became “highly unqualified” when they were assigned to teach subjects for which they had little specific training or education. Sadly, we have not paid much attention to the negative impact out-offield teaching has had on student learning, such as lower achievement scores.

I am here going to stick my neck out and say that this out-of-field phenomenon could well be a contributor to the phobia so many of our students have for Mathematics. There have been all

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD

Another warning!!!!

sorts of reasons advanced to explain our young people’s challenges with Mathematics and we seem to simply give each (reason) a checkmark and move on since we have to complete a syllabus and we accept that some would be left behind. The time has come for an unbiased and holistic approach to the teaching of Mathematics. It is imperative that governments invest more resources in the training of teachers of Mathematics, and not simply those persons who have themselves done well in mathematics but who might not be the best choices as Mathematics teachers. A teacher must have not only certification and even training but moreso, a passion for the subject he/she has chosen as a specialty.

FOLLOWINGlast week’s warning about QR codes, I am pleased to share another warning and offer some advice: BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. KEEP ON TOP OF IT. DO NOT DIVULGE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYBODY — WHETHER ITS BY PHONE OR INTERNET. Did you hear that AT&T just announced a major data breach?

Seventy-three million current and former AT&T customers have had their social security numbers, passcodes, and possibly full names, addresses, dates of birth, and more posted on the dark web.

Data breaches are on the rise and once your credit card number is on the internet, cybercriminals can use it to commit theft. Recovering a stolen identity and leaked financial information can take an average of 100-200 hours when done on your own.

And don’t you think for one minute that because you are in St. Vincent, you are insulated from this threat?

Not yet on Mount Zion

THE ISSUE

LAST SUNDAY NIGHT (April 7, 2024), at the Arnos Vale Tarmac, at perhaps the largest political rally ever in SVG, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) celebrated in grand style and compelling content its 23 years of excellent governance continuously, thus far, from March 28, 2001. All the speakers on the platform (Comrade Ralph, Curtis, Camillo, Orando, Saboto, Keisal, Carlos, and invited guest Damion Crawford of the People’s National Party of Jamaica) mapped the amazing developmental journey SVG has travelled under the ULP government, and the work which is still left to be done.

Comrade Ralph, in the concluding speech at the rally, summed it up well in reciting the impactful verse of the “dialect” poem of the Jamaican Linton Kwesi Johnson entitled “Di Anfinish Revalushan”:

“histri bigga dan mi an yu yu know Time cyan steal but it can heal soh shake di dew from out yuh hed wipe di cobweb from yu face wi gat nuff wok fi dhu far wi no reach Mount Zion yet.”

As all objective observers at home and abroad know, the ULP embarked in 2001 on a programmatic framework of transformative change, for the better, in every uplifting area of life, living, and production: the economy, job and wealth creation, poverty reduction, good governance, education, health, housing, disaster preparedness, water, electricity, telecommunications, physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, international and jet airports, seaports), social protection, the citizen security apparatuses (Police, Coastguard, Prisons, Law Courts, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions), the Public Service, the empowerment of women and historically marginalised groups, the upliftment of youths and the working people, the lifting up of farmers and fisherfolk, the protection of the elderly, sports, and culture, regional integration, and foreign policy.

Transformative, revolutionary policies and programmes have been implemented, in the people’s interest, to lift SVG higher. Amazing, uplifting achievements have been effected. They are to be further consolidated and advanced; they are to be done by all of us, in solidarity with each other. We have more rivers to cross; the revolution is unfinished; we have not reached Mount Zion yet! Always, there is more to be done; always the ULP for SVG!

At the Rally, we celebrated our successful journey, thus far under the ULP government; and we outlined the pathways ahead, despite all the challenges and limitations (inherited from the past, those arising in the present, and the prospective ones ahead). We know that we will further succeed because we have been, and we are, harnessing for desired ends our strengths and possibilities (people, landscape, seascape, democratic apparatuses of a free people, regional and internationalist solidarity, and the ULP’s strengths in leadership, vision, philosophy, policies, programmes, organization, energy, and will).

HIGH HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

By 2001, SVG had barely entered the lower ranking of Medium Level of Human Development as assessed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) by way of the comprehensive, though imperfect, measurement of the Human Development Index (HDI). Today, SVG has been ranked in the High Level of Human Development. SVG’s score in

the latest Report (2023-2024) is at 77.2 percent out of a possible 100. The next level above is the Very High Level of Human Development which starts at a score of 80. We are at a touching distance of the very high of all-round human development.

This is an amazing achievement for a small, vulnerable country which in 2001 was at a place just above Guyana and Suriname which in turn were above the lowly Haiti. Today the story is much different, much better; and we are climbing higher.

REVERSALS ARE POSSIBLE

Reversals in SVG’s march to progress and advanced development are possible if we as a people make wrong choices. One terribly wrong choice is, if in the next general elections the people make the cardinal error and replace the ULP by the NDP in government. The NDP has shown that it has no leadership, policies, programmes, and organisation, adequate or sufficient to advance SVG and our people. The NDP is backward; it is led by a bunch of grumpy old men with no credible vision or compelling developmental narrative for SVG. It is a mess of organisational confusion and squabbles. It looks forward to the past in its own knowledge that its future is behind it. It has little or no confidence in, or love for, the people of SVG. It is sailing the metaphoric rough seas on sealed orders from its financiers who are bent on establishing a brand of neocolonialism and exploitation for their own gain, and some high-ups in the NDP, of our nation’s patrimony, inclusive of our passports, citizenship, and material resources.

The tremendous advances of the ULP in job and wealth creation, social protection, education, health, housing, and overall human development will be reversed under the NDP. The Persian, Roman, and British Empires, each existed for hundreds of years, declined and fell; their glory and majesty were reversed.

EMPIRE OF THR MIND

The empires of the past, and overwhelmingly still of the present, have been, and are, based largely on large military forces, huge economies, significant land mass and population sizes, lots of minerals, extensive transportation networks, and accumulated imperial cultural resources. Today, we note that advanced science and technology, inclusive of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are coming more and more to the fore. The presence of Google, Facebook, X (Twitter), and modern phenomenal advances in biotechnology and information technologies have impacted the world immensely. Small countries can find production spaces for huge advancement in what collectively can be called the Empire of the Mind.

The world tomorrow, and the day after, will consist of “Empires of the Mind”. Our education, training, mindset, and sensible behavior will take us there. The Education Revolution provides a base. Upon that base must be constructed the applied science and technology to interface, and locate an uplifting place for us, in the Empires of the Mind.

FINAL COMMENT

Thanks to all who contributed to a fantastic and impactful celebratory ULP Rally. There has been 23 years of immense progress thus far. Still, we ain’t reach Mount Zion Yet. On this earthly city of SVG, it is always the ULP for SVG!

23 years of broken promises

THE RECENT RALLY by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) was an attempt to distract Vincentians from its appalling record of broken promises and lack of progress.

After 23 years in power, Dr. Gonsalves and his minions were at the rally blaming the former New Democratic Party (NDP) government for their failure. This is clearly a sign of weakness on the part of Dr. Gonsalves and the ULP. Dr. Gonsalves’ ramblings Sunday night demonstrated that he is tired, out of touch with the people and bankrupt of ideas. His style of politics is archaic. His transactional leadership style is obviously not working for Vincentians.

Most Vincentians were eagerly awaiting to hear an action plan from the ULP of how it intends to address the critical issues that are affecting them. They wanted to hear the plans: to reduce the high cost-of-living; to combat crime; to reduce the massive unemployment rate, and to deal with the problems of violence against women and girls. Nothing was said about those issues nor their broken promises.

When the ULP gained power in 2001, it did so with a number of grandeur promises. In the 2020 general elections, its manifesto was also plastered with more promises. Promises which they have failed to deliver. Since conquest and settlement, this ULP government has the record for the most broken promises of any administration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Vincentians cannot trust them anymore.

For instance, the ULP has promised the electorates the following and has not delivered: to construct an Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale; develop a modern City at Arnos Vale; construct a tunnel under Cane Garden point to link the modern city at Arnos Vale with Kingstown as part of overall improvement in traffic; establish St. Vincent as a leader in nature tourism and nature-based activities; develop the local performing arts as a vital form of cultural expression, and as a source of employment; develop a School for Music, Arts, and construct energy-efficient water desalination plants in the Grenadines.

The list of broken promises continues: making the Ottley Hall Project work in conjunction with private investors; increase export-led growth in traditional agricultural commodities and fishery product; building a performing arts centre; being tough on crime and the causes of crime; making job creation, especially quality jobs and sustainable economic development our main priority; move resolutely against corruption in government; deepening political democracy, strengthening individuals rights and freedoms; upholding the law and the constitution, and modernizing and reforming government to better and more efficiently deliver all the services provided by the government. The ULP has deceived the electorates by not delivering the promises pledged in its manifestos of the various elections.

ULP Record

What have they achieved in 23 years? For the period, the ULP government has set records in all that’s bad. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the highest

unemployment rate among young people in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States - 46% of young people are unemployed. We are the lowest paid in the region. Poverty has increased significantly under the ULP administration. The poverty report of 2018 that the government shelved revealed that poverty in St. Vincent and the Grenadines had moved from 30.2% of the population in 2008 to 36.1 % in 2018. And the indigence level had moved from 2.9% to 11.3% in the country of 110,000 people Agriculture has declined significantly under the ULP government. Agriculture now contributes just 6% to the Gross Domestic Product; at one time it contributed in excess of 20%. Crime is spiralling out of control. Last year was a record year for homicides, 55 homicides were recorded. So far this year, 13 homicides have been recorded which included the gruesome discovery of two charred bodies during the week. And, our health care system is in urgent need of attention. Vincentians must not forget the cruel and evil act by the ULP government to dismiss police officers, teachers, nurses and certain other government and state entities who did not take the COVID-19 vaccine.

This ULP government lacks accountability and transparency. There has not been an audited financial statement for the Argyle International Airport, the largest capital project in this country. Petro Caribe funds were spent without the appropriate legislation in place. There has been a significant difference in figures as it relates to the Overdraft at the bank and that of the Accountant General. From 2010 to 2019, the difference between the Overdraft at the bank and that of the Accountant General is $150,062,198.00. There is also the Special Warrant issue where the government on numerous occasions has failed to bring them to parliament in a timely manner. In one instance it took the government five years to bring them to parliament. And, don’t forget the US $1 million which was deposited at the former National Commercial Bank.

Further, it would appear that the government is not interested in statistics to plan effectively for the development of the country. Where is the report of the Labour Force Survey which was conducted in 2022? Where is the progress report of the National Population and Housing Census which began last year? And, there has not been an Agricultural Census for over twenty-three (23) years.

This is not good enough. After 23 long years in power, it’s clear that this is a government that has no energy, lacks creative ideas and is clinging on to power in the hope of ensuring that they do enough to secure the future for Camillo Gonsalves. St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserves better. Ask anyone in the country: have your lives really improved? Or, has the ULP done enough for the period in power? St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserves better. The NDP has a plan to deliver for our country.

Views V Fortified Relationships

“Relationships are based on four principles: respect, understanding, acceptance, and appreciation.” –Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) - Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist

THE CRAVE FOR ACCEPTANCEis a normal part of life. This is noticeable in every society and culture. It is especially strong during adolescent years as the individual seeks to cope with the numerous physical, mental, and emotional changes that occur then. This is why it is considered critical for parents, teachers, and guardians to be vigilant as their wards transit this most vulnerable period of their life (from childhood to adulthood). However, the need to feel loved, appreciated, and accepted is evident among all age groups. We all need to feel respected, understood, accepted, and appreciated. These four significant variables help to fortify relationships.

Relationships are fortified by feelings of acceptance. By nature, we are social creatures. It is totally healthy to be social and to interact with others. In so doing, we regularly need to be validated by other people. This validation usually appears in the form of acceptance. It is therefore not surprising that adolescents are considered especially vulnerable since they may seek acceptance via “undesirable associations” if they conclude that they are not getting it in their homes, neighbourhoods, churches, etc. Their relationships during this tumultuous period in their lives should therefore be on the front burner of our educational and social programmes. Their associations can be fortified through activities designed and administered by members of caring service clubs, schools, churches, and so on. Individuals in society must care enough to be prepared to intercept with intent and, in so doing, create opportunities for the formation and maintenance of healthy relationships.

We are not perfect human beings and will periodically hurt and be hurt by others. This is a fact of life and living. Sometimes the trauma of dysfunctional or broken relationships can invite the vulnerable to contemplate living in physical, emotional, or mental isolation (to some degree). This may be perceived as “self-preservation”; not wanting to be vulnerable by retaining some degree of exposure to being hurt. However, it is part of human nature to interact with other people. In so doing, there will be exposures to hurts, disappointments, disagreements, and so on. These situations provide multiple opportunities for growth and could therefore so easily be described as blessings in disguise. It is often all a matter of focus — of perspective.

Wholesome relationships are considered essential for our mental and emotional health. It is therefore imperative that skills are developed to aid the construction of “emotional bridges” if conflicts are to be avoided or minimized. Communication (even when disagreements exist) must be maintained as efforts are made to strengthen the fabric of the relationships. Failure to do so could so readily result in the dismantling and destruction of the union.

During the Vietnam War (19551975), there were reports of various forms of mistreatment and torture of prisoners of war (POWs) by both sides. Records confirm that isolation was considered an effective way of breaking the spirit of some POWs. Some prison systems in developed and developing countries have also resorted to the use of isolation as a deterrent to “unacceptable behaviours” noting that isolation and solitary confinement can be considered most unnatural and torturous. People need to form and maintain relationships if individuals and societies are to live in harmony with self and others.

We commend those individuals and organisations that have become advocates for fostering healthy relationships within and beyond our schools. In many instances, they encourage greater tolerance by encouraging dialogue and activities that aid participants in appreciating and celebrating the differences across gender barriers, racial divide, religious boundaries, and so on. Accepting persons for who they are can have a positive physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact. In addition, such interactions create opportunities for participants to have a better appreciation of self. In so doing they are likely to realize that they need not crave validation from without and that true, lasting, validation comes from within.

Brian Tracy (born 1944), the Canadian-American motivational speaker and self-development author, advocates that, “The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” Unconditional love and acceptance must therefore be considered foundational to having fortified relationships. Being accepted leads to being treated with respect even when opposing views are evident. There are too many instances where persons with opposing views are made to feel rejected or ostracized. This need not be the case in our civil and democratic societies.

This writeR is certainly not advocating that we compromise our value systems to avoid hurting the feelings of those whose moral or ethical compasses are differently aligned to ours. No, we must forever maintain the principles that keep societies strong (i.e., honesty, integrity, truthfulness, compassion, helpfulness, empathy, and so on). However, it is probably accurate to say that we could more easily fortify and bridge the divides in such relationships if/when we portray more compassion and empathy. In fortifying such relationships, we may need to be better at forgiving as opposed to blaming and rejecting. We can learn to retain the acceptance of others even as we reject their undesirable attitudes and behaviours.

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

Gaza and the kind of world we want

THE MAIN REASONI’ve focused so hard on Gaza these last six months isn’t so much because of how evil and horrific Israel’s mass atrocity is in and of itself, but because it’s so intimately intertwined with all our world’s other problems, and with the future of the human species.

In a very real way, the destruction of Gaza appears to be a moment in history where humanity is collectively mulling over whether it wants to keep behaving in a crazy, self-destructive way and continue along its trajectory into dystopia and toward self-inflicted extinction, or abandon this madness and push for something better. Whether it wants to keep buying into the lies and propaganda and tacitly consenting to the psychopathic murderousness of the powerful, or let the light of truth shine in.

A live-streamed genocide happening right out in the open forces a civilization to start asking questions about itself. If something like this can happen in plain view of everyone, and the people in charge not only do nothing but actively facilitate it, then you have to start wondering if everything about your entire nation is deranged, and if everything you’ve been told about the world is a lie.

If something so nakedly evil?–?undisguised by anything besides a thin veneer of Zionist gas lighting telling us we’re not seeing what we’re seeing?–?can be allowed to stand by those we’ve entrusted to run things, then it means our entire society is diseased. Our government. Our political systems. Our media. Our education systems. Our worldviews. Our culture. It’s all rotted and corrupted, right down to the core.

The future we are being shown through the window of Gaza is dark. Dark, dark, dark, dark. They’re currently using artificial intelligence to create kill lists and to determine when its targets will be at home with their families to ensure maximum civilian deaths. We used to worry about a dark future where humans send machines to go kill people indiscriminately, but it turns out it’s happening the other way around?–?we’re programming machines to tell us who to kill. The horror in our present dystopia isn’t so much autonomous murderbots as ethical decisions about killing being outsourced to AI.

We’re being asked to accept this and move forward in this direction into the future. We’re being asked to walk into the future holding the assumption that it’s fine and normal for our governments to knowingly support an unforgivable act of mass slaughter upon the inhabitants of a giant concentration camp. We’re being asked to walk into the future holding the assumption that it’s fine and normal for the mass media to lie and distort and misinform the public about a matter of such urgent importance day after day, month after month. We’re being asked to walk into the future holding the assumption that it’s fine and normal for a blatant genocide to take place right in front of our faces, and then move on as though nothing happened.

And right now we’re collectively ruminating on the question of whether we’re going to decide to do those things, or if we’re going to decide to do something else instead.

The Gaza genocide is such a massive thing in and of itself?–?the injustice, the murder, the loss, the unfathomable suffering. But what’s happening in

Gaza is also about so much more than Gaza. It’s a moment in history where humanity is thinking seriously about real revolutionary change, and weighing the options between that and continuing along this tired old bloodsoaked path we’ve been travelling on for millennia.

Gaza proves that our entire civilization is cancerous, and that everything we’ve been doing has failed. When you come across information which blows apart your worldview in your personal life, you can either collapse under the weight of cognitive dissonance until you find some way to plug yourself back into the comforting lies, or you can set about the hard work of forming a new way of looking at things. That’s the sort of moment we’re being collectively offered with Gaza. We’ll either accept the invitation, or continue our slide into darkness.

Unforced Errors

An unforced error in tennis is a mistake made by a player that is not the result of a good shot by an opponent and is avoidable. A lack of focus, physical fatigue or mental intensity causes unforced errors.

Our politicians make lots of unforced errors. They are caused by carelessness, bravado and mostly the lack of consequences - they are not made to pay for their errors.

Good communicators know when to kill a story. The really good communicator knows when not to give legs to a story. In SVG, lousy communication skills abound.

Why would an aspiring politician offer as his primary motive that it’s time for him to eat ah food?

Why would a leader of a country unabashedly declare that his sole intent for excessive borrowing is to place a hook in the national gill and dare opponents to try to remove it?

Why would a politician mourning the death of a lover publicly speak about the affair without regard for his wife and children?

Why would an opposition politician cluelessly declare ‘get it from where’ when asked if he can secure continued funding for a project if his party were to win elections and take over the governance of the country?

Or why advise your son to take a dignified silence from addressing allegations accusations about an extramarital affair and then speak excessively about the issue?

Why would a sitting prime minister tell citizens that some of them are nobody and they are trying to be somebody by committing violent crimes?

Why would a leader tell citizens that his country is no more than a big stone with good soil?

Why would a leader insult indigenous Garifuna people that their colleagues who survived genocide and exile will return to take their homes, jobs and land?

Too many of our leaders, influencers and plain old Joes suffer from diarrhoea of the mouth. Until people start paying for their mouths, they may continue to dribble on us.

Guest column by Caitlin Johnstone

Cricket World Cup in SVG

by LUKE BROWNE lukebrowne@yahoo.com

Dear Editor,

I AM VERY HAPPYabout the fact that the government of this country made a successful bid to host T20 Cricket World Cup Games in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As a result, international cricket is about to return to the Arnos Vale Playing Field for the first time in 10 years. We will host 5 matches in the tournament in the period 13-24 June 2024.

The government is spending $32 million to upgrade the Arnos Vale Playing Field and ancillary facilities in preparation for the World Cup. The main cost items are the installation of floodlights, the erection of an electronic scoreboard, renovation of stands, and the purchase of field equipment. The preparations seem to be on schedule.

The decision to host the World Cup was not a financial decision. The Games would of course generate some degree of returns to the local economy in terms of income from visitors and payments to local service providers. However, I

Work

do not anticipate that we will recoup the $32 million investment over the course of the 5 Games. Fortunately, the upgraded facilities would, of course, be available for use in the future. Even so, if the decision about making a bid to host World Cup Games was to be made only on the basis of financial criteria, it probably would have been an uncertain call for us and for most other countries. Jamaica decided against making a bid for

World Cup Games presumably because the government of that country did not think that it made sense. I think that this is quite unfortunate considering the fact that Jamaica has produced one of the all-time greatest T20 cricketers in the person of Christopher Gayle.

For me, the real benefit to be derived from hosting the World Cup cannot be discussed in terms of dollars and cents. The justification is

related to the fact that hosting the Games gives us an opportunity to serve the world and to help put on an international showcase of the great qualities of the human spirit embodied in elite athletes for a global audience of billions of persons around the world. This can generate excitement.

Recently, I listened to an interview of former USA Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. Before running for president, Mr. Romney was the CEO of the Organising Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games that were held in the USA. In the interview, he made the point that people don’t get excited about a “money thing.” They get excited about special opportunities to be involved in a grand project like the Olympics that give them a sense of purpose and meaning. This analysis is also applicable to the Cricket World Cup.

I think that there is great value in exposing our children to the courage, determination, teamwork, faith, passion, and patriotism that the cricketers will display on the field during the World Cup. I would like to see local and regional crowds cheering for sportsmanship and high excellence by West Indians and cricketers from other nations. This exposure can have a profound impact on all of us. I am sure that we were all inspired in some way or the other by the recent onfield heroics of Shamar Joseph in a test match in Australia. This fact can help you understand the profound potential impact of sports.

Indeed, the exposure to excellence is likely to stimulate the development of young cricketers and inculcate in them the necessary discipline and other desirable qualities required to pursue a career in sports and to be productive and constructive citizens of our society. These are important potential

outcomes.

Moreover, the World Cup gives us an opportunity to welcome some of the best athletes in the world to our country and to show them some good ole Vincentian hospitality. They will have a chance to discover the beauty, history, and nature of our country and to learn about the character and characteristics of our nation in terms of our values, passions, history, and general culture from our people, towns, villages, or communities.

The World Cup would bring together many persons from across the world for a good cause — they will come together, eat together, sleep together, and work their hearts off together as volunteers and in other capacities to make sure that the tournament is a resounding success. This priceless experience will build and cement relationships.

If we see the decision about bidding to host World Cup Games in terms of an opportunity to serve the world, showcase great qualities, expose our children to positive attributes, welcome persons to our shores, and bring people together for a good cause; then the answer to the question of whether or not we should make a bid will always be a resounding yes!

This is why a poll that was done in Sydney Australia in the aftermath of the 2000 Olympic Games that were held there showed that 80% of the population of that city would be happy to “do it again” in relation to hosting the Olympics. I believe that those results can also be translated into the realm of World Cup Cricket.

Our government made the right decision on this matter. I look forward to seeing World Cup Cricket action at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in a few weeks’ time. SVG to the world.

continues apace at the main Arnos Vale Playing Field to ensure that the deadlines are met.

Laws V

Firearm Amendment Bill passed in House

LEGISLATORS PASSED A FIREARMS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2023during the April 4 Sitting of Parliament, which increased penalties for offences as they relate to firearms possession, etc. And according to Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, “these penalties ……. are not at the highest in the region, but have moved from the middle range reflecting the public’s serious concern about gun crimes.”

The following reflects the amendments as passed:

* Subsection 3 of Section 4, ‘Any person who has a firearm or ammunition in his possession without a license or permit or forges or counterfeits any license or permit issued under this Act unknowingly uses forged license, commits an offence’, on summary, or magistrate’s court conviction such an individual is liable to a fine previously not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.

Under the amendment however, the fine moved to $25,000 and the maximum imprisonment moved to 10 years.

* Clause 2 of the Bill inserts a new section, 11A in the Act: the holder of a license or permit who contravenes a term or condition of the license or permit would commit an offence and be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

* Clause 3 amends Section 14(4) of the Act which states that no person may be in possession of a prohibited weapon, save as authorized by statute. The new penalties for being in possession of a prohibited firearm on summary offence moves from 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment and on indictment, or conviction by judge and jury, it moves from 20 to 25 years.

* Summarily, the fine for being in possession of a restricted firearm moves from $10,000 or imprisonment for 5 years to $50,000 or imprisonment of 10 years. On indictment, the fine has moved from $25,000 or 15 years to $75,000- or 20-years imprisonment.

* Section 18 of the Bill deals with the possession of a firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause injury and the new

penalties are, on summary conviction the fine increases from $10,000 to $15,000 and moves from 5 to 7 years. And on indictment conviction, the fine moves from $30,000 to $35,000 and moves from 20 to 22 years.

* Section 19(2) which is amended by Clause 6 deals with the possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence. Summarily, the term of imprisonment moves from 5 to 7 years and on indictment from 25 to 30 years.

* Clause 7 made provisions for some new pieces of legislation to cover issues relating to ‘ghost guns’ (homemade)and 3D printed firearms. And under the amended law, a person was not allowed to manufacture, sell, transfer, purchase of possess a ghost gun — summarily the penalty was imprisonment of up to 15 years and on indictment, a term not exceeding 25 years.

* Section 23(3) was amended by Clause 10 which prohibits firearm owners to convert a firearm. They are not allowed to shorten the barrel of a shotgun to a length of 20 inches, convert into a firearm anything which is not a firearm, convert into a restricted firearm anything that is not a restricted firearm and convert into a prohibited weapon anything that is not a prohibited weapon. Anyone acting in contravention of this section on summary conviction faces up to 7 years’ imprisonment, up from 5 and on indictment 17 years, up from 15.

* Section 19(b) has also been amended, persons in possession of two or more firearms or prohibited weapons in contradiction with this Act is deemed to have the firearms for the purpose of trafficking, unless the contrary is proven. Summarily, guilty persons can be fined up to $200,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 years, or both or on indictment, can be sentenced to a term not exceeding 25 years.

* Section 20 has been amended, the restriction of the sale of a firearm moving from a fine of $7,000 to $10,000 or from 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment.

* And Section 22, if an individual purchases, acquires or transfers a

prohibited weapon summarily they can face up to 7 years, up from 5 and on indictment 25 years up from 20

* And as it related to the import/export of firearms, with respect to prohibited weapons summarily it moves from 10 to 15 years and 20 to 25 on indictment; in the case of the import/export of a restricted weapon, summarily the fine increases from

$10,000 to $50,000 and moves from 5 to 10 years and on indictment $25,000 to $75,000 and 15 to 20 years.

* And in any other case of the importation/exportation of a firearm, summarily $7,000 to $12,000 and jail term moving from 3 to 5 years; on indictment the fine moves from $20,000 to $50,000 and the term of years will move from 10 to 15 years.

(DD)

A cache of illegal firearms and ammunition seized by the RSVGPF in 2022.

JTP pulls hundres into Beachcombers

by MARALYN BALLANTYNELLB.Hons.

THE MARCH 2024 EDITIONof JAZZ@SUNSET, the monthly show presented by Jazz Tropical Project (JTP), was epic!  A sold-out spectacle!

Fans made an early start, pouring into Ada Restaurant, Beachcombers, the new venue chosen this time and for the first time. From as early as 3:15, fans positioned themselves for the advertised 5.00 PM event, a novel fusion of JAZZ and RAGGA Soca.

JTP – a flowing experience

A few days before the show, this reviewer asked JTP leader Dexter Rose to define Ragga and explain what one could expect when “JAZZ meets RAGGA”. His cryptic reply was: ”Attend the show and find out!”

That this Jazz Ragga fusion was conceptualized tells us creativity does not decline, nor fade with age, it transforms; an aging brain, like a seasoned artist, knows the contours of its canvas. Therefore, on Sunday March 24th, attendees became true witnesses to creativity flowing like a river through the entire JTP ensemble; overflowing with emotion. All present expressed huge appreciation.

Clearly, JTP is not prepared to be static in a strait-laced colonial outfit. Instead, the ensemble explores, experiments, produces vibrant new compositions and arrangements, resulting in enhanced audience experience, noticeably elevating and expanding the music landscape of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, taking it to new heights, beyond mere entertainment.

Let the patrons say it

This March edition of JAZZ@SUNSET opened with a stellar rendition of Amazing Grace by Juan Carlos Cepeda, JTP vocalist and keyboard maestro. LaFleur John, a most loyal JTP fan, described that performance as “amazing”.

Sheridan St.Jour, a Vincentian resident in the diaspora, at home on a vacation planned to coincide with this spectacle, went even further. She quipped, “upon hearing soulful Juan Carlos, tears trickled” while she relived her ancestors’ journey from the Motherland to the socalled New World. “Juan Carlos’s rendition of Amazing Grace touched the deepest core of my soul.” said St.Jour.

From Jazz to Reggae to

So, how did this fusion music show evolve?

Suffice it to say, like an unfurling rose, no pun intended! In the first segment, fans were generously served up playful jazz standards by alluring Cleo, a regular JTP vocalist who always aces the Etta James number, “At Last”, sultry and sincere throughout. With Cleo still at the mic, the JTP ensemble then moved into a mini Bob Marley tribute, mastering gems, such as, “Three Little Birds” and “No Woman No Cry”, featuring moving solos by their sensational saxophonist, Bryan Ortiz. For good measure, Neil Diamond fans were treated to a cover of his sensational hit “Play Me” done Reggae style which Cleo had earlier recorded on her own.

Left:

The beloved usual Latin Jazz segment which JTP regulars have come to expect, unfurled, the audience already in dancing shoes! Of course, “Besame Mucho” written by a Mexican in 1932, led the way.

Shaunelle’s versatility on show

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the eager audience, the ambience had been set for an evening of further extraordinary musical exploration on the spectacular pool deck of the Beachcombers Hotel, which offers panoramic views.

But perhaps the best was yet to come in the person of dynamic Shaunelle McKenzie, former singing child prodigy, who in her career copped the Primary and Secondary Calypso Monarch crowns and progressing as an adult, captured both the Female and National Calypso Monarch titles.

Shaunelle was introduced and burst into a jazz infused rendition of “Killing me softly” which set the mood for what was to come. This show, dubbed Jazz meets Ragga, proved consistently loyal to its name; Shaunelle launched into several of her Ragga Soca ditties which had the pool deck patrons swaying, waistline moving smoothly. Without an element of doubt, Shaunelle delivered!

Bomani – entertaining and enticing

such as Saga Boy from 2012, refreshed and lively, and he deliberately teased the ladies with the suggestive “Wet ‘’ which must have had blouses and skirts, lower backs and other parts…… very, very, wet….it was certainly a hot evening! Bomani was on fire and JTP demonstrated to all who may not have known, that the entire JTP ensemble is equally at home with Jazz genres as with Reggae and Ragga Soca.

JTP – a genuine foundation

The result was yet another display of Jazz Tropical Project ( JTP) embracing its genuine connection with its diverse and ever expanding fanbase, transcending generational boundaries. With each note, each song, JTP weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of sound, evoking a symphony of emotions that reverberates and enhances the cultural relevance of their performances.

JTP, never forgetting the solid contributions of SVG’s music luminaries, then offered a gracious tribute to Alston Becket Cyrus and Frankie McIntosh, two of the founders of Ragga Soca as a subgenre.

But Bomani had been waiting, perhaps impatiently in the wings, to continue to put fire under a warm audience of Ragga Jazz fetters. The stage, well set by all that came before, was now left for this charismatic brother to completely set ablaze. Graced with the prodigious talent of both of these Vincy icons, who once campaigned with the band Hot Sand, together, event temperatures soared, the patrons broke loose -literally- in response to the JAZZ RAGGA fusion and boy, oh what a night! Energetic Bomani began his set with a soulful rendition of a Freddie Jackson number to whet appetites and then unleashed his charms on the mostly female patrons dancing poolside. Has Beachcombers ever seen anything like this before? We doubt! Bomani came, he sang, he performed, he conquered, he delivered. The audience was treated to his multiple RAGGA household hits,

The World Tourism Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for assisting member states with the development of tourism policy, says, cultural tourism implies activity where visitors’ essential motivation is to learn, experience, consume tangible and intangible cultural attractions in a tourism destination; surely, JTP presents such activity in its JAZZ@SUNSET concert series, which celebrates it first anniversary in May with a big celebratory show. However, JTP founder, Dexter Rose, will be quick to remind that he created JTP for the people of SVG and beyond. JTP is on a mission to enrich the kaleidoscopic tapestry of Vincy music.

Sponsors ECGC and new entrants Corea’s Distribution with their flagship Johnney Walker and Gonsalves Liquors, can all rest satisfied that they have associated themselves with a project which Earl Capp Stephens calls “... more than a touch of class.”

Juan Carlos Cepeda, JTP vocalist and keyboard maestro, set the ante and excited the patrons’ expectations.

Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Hendrickson – was as smooth and mesmerizing as she has been from JTP.

Shaunelle McKenzie packed all her years of experience – from child prodigy to senior performing artiste – in a captivating performance that promised an encore.

Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles put his guile, personality and unquestionable performing skills to impact his audience in more ways than one.

LIAT 2020 pushing for approval date

All things being even, and given Antigua and Barbuda’s optimism, aircraft branded with the LIAT sign could be in the skies soon.

If this is real, then the LIAT 2020 fleet would certainly show an upgrade on what obtained in the past.

THERE SEEMS TO BE NO

STOPPING the Gaston Browne-led government of Antigua and Barbuda from fulfilling its plan to create a fully authorized new, ‘regional’ airline, already christened LIAT 2020, to replace the defunct LIAT (1974) Ltd. which officially ceased operations on January 24, 2024.

And there was recently another step in the direction of making LIAT 2020 a bona fide airline service.

AntiguaNewsRoom.com (ARM.com), a news website, reported on the weekend that LIAT 2020, the newly established airline spearheaded by the

Antigua and Barbuda government, had completed a series of training flights under the observation of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). The ECCAA is the regional authority responsible for all aviation-related matters in the Eastern Caribbean. These flights are prerequisites for the issuing of an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) which would allow the airline to commence operations as a regular scheduled flight service provider.

ARM.com reported that two flights were launched

from VC Bird International Airport, Antigua, on Saturday afternoon to St. Kitts and back, with two more similar flights made on Sunday morning. All the flights were monitored closely by ECCAA.

THE VINCENTIAN understands the training flights were successful, and the ECCAA has provided this new and other feedback to LIAT 2020 the ‘new airline’ hastens to meet all requirements to receive the AOC.

Aircraft fleet for new airline

LIAT 2020 is a joint venture between the Antigua and Barbuda government and Nigerian airline, Air Peace.

As part of its contribution to LIAT 2020, Air Peace committed to provide three aircraft to the new airline, which are expected to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda shortly.

However, a photograph of an Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BVD and emblazoned with a LIAT sign across it fuselage, appeared in media outlets across the region.

While no confirmation was forthcoming, observations believe this to be part of the aircraft oromised by Air Peace.

Further news coming out of Antigua and Barbuda said that the Cabinet there had agreed to deposit US$12.1 million into an Escrow account towards the acquisition of the LIAT (1974) Ltd. planes, which were repossessed by the Caribbean Development Bank when the airline failed to meet its commitment on a loan payment to the bank.

Though news reports pointed to an actual purchase, THE VINCENTIAN could not confirm one way or the other whether this US$12.1 million was Antigua and Barbuda fulfilling its 32% share of the LIAT (1974) Ltd. debt to CDB, a debt that must be paid, according to the conditions of the loan, no matter the outcome of LIAT (1974) Ltd.; or whether it was a payment toward the actual ‘purchase’ of the aircraft.

More Sargassum this year

FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS or so, Sargassum (seaweed) has wreaked havoc on beach front businesses and residences, and disrupted the livelihoods of fisherfolk across the Caribbean to the point that many fishers have had to suspend their activities.

And according to a report by Marine Ecologist Ruleo Camache, this year could see even greater amounts of Sargassum being deposit along the shore lines of the Caribbean archipelago.

He, in fact, has noted that

the amount of Sargassum heading towards the region is already surpassing previous years’ levels.

In March 2024 alone, the amount of Sargassum exceeded 75% of all previous recorded years, and Camacho has advised people across the Caribbean to find safe means to manage the seaweed.

Some hotels have resorted to using heavy (duty) equipment to clear beaches so that their guests continue to use the beaches.

In addition, recent findings

As of January this year, only one of the three aircraft in possession of the CDB was in working condition.

Flooded with applications

And in further related news, the Antigua Observer newspaper reported on April 4 that “..after just over a month of advertising, LIAT 2020 has attracted hundreds of job applications”.

Indications are, the Observer said, that the new entity has received more than 800 applications in response to advertisements for experienced people to fill several positions crucial to the airline’s operations, including positions of CEO, captains, first officers, cabin crew, and maintenance and engineering, information technology, and ground operations personnel.

Ambassador Daven Joseph, Interim Chairman of LIAT 2020, says the new entity is committed to giving preferential consideration to applications from former employees of LIAT.

Interim Chairman of LIAT 2020 Ambassador Daven Joseph confirmed, as per the Observer report, that the 800 plus applications included interest from “.. a tremendous amount of [former] LIAT workers”. Joseph also expressed that the two major investors (Antigua and Barbuda and Air Peace) have agreed “… to give priority to LIAT workers, and that is what is being done”. (Sources: AntiguaNewsRoom, Antigua Observer, IPB)

(L-R): Allen Onyema, CEO of Nigeria’s Air Peace, and lauded Prime Minister Gaston Browne have forged a relationship which they hope will result in improved regional air travel.

Record amounts of seaweed are expected to choke the shores across the Caribbean.

from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab indicate a surge in Sargassum concentrations, particularly in the Central Western Atlantic and the Caribbean region. Satellite images show a notable increase in Sargassum quantities, with the Eastern Caribbean Sea being particularly affected. While Sargassum serves as a vital habitat for marine life, it poses a threat once it reaches the shorelines. The seaweed may contain harmful heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium, which could endanger both humans and animals. (Source: Antigua Observer)

ÂWhizzyÊ at it again!

KEN‘Whizzy’

Wiseman is committed to advancing Vincymas and moreso committed to making his contribution to the music that drives Vincymas.

And toward this end, ‘Whizzy’ is adding to the music collection for Vincymas 2024 with the release of two tracks — ‘Don’t Stop This Par-Tay’ and ‘Push Back Yuh Bum Bum’.

The tracks will be released on radio and all social media platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Amazon.

Whizzy said that this year the compositions are targeted at “a more matured audience,” as he thinks, “there has been a serious void targeting this category of music lovers who have been starved over the years.”

In his own words, Whizzy decribed the track thus: “ ‘Don’t Stop This Par-Tay’ regenerates the unique Vincentian style. i.e. Raga Soc, whilst ‘Push Back Yuh Bum Bum’ captures the fun of Vincymas with its main components of pan, mas and calypso, and endless parties.”

The releases for 2024 follow on ‘Whizzy’s’ 2023 ‘We Nah Go’ a full music album.

The two tracks for 2024 are composed by ‘Whizzy’ and arranged by Carlos Sampson of CS Studios SVG.

Dancehall artiste ‘salutes’ local law breakers

JAMAICAN dancehall artiste, Jamaican dancehall artiste, Timoy Jones — commonly referred to as ‘Teejay’ was heard saluting local ‘gunmen’ during his performance on April 7, at the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 23rd anniversary rally held at the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale.

He was one of two foreign entertainers down to perform on the night, the other being reggae sensation Marcia Griffiths.

However, just as the Jones was about to make his exit from the stage, he shouted “..respect to all gun man in St Vincent”.

Just days prior, April 4, the ULP government brought the Firearms (Amendment) Bill to Parliament, changing some of the penalties for certain gun-related offences.

The government has even resorted to an amnesty to rid the streets of illegal firearms. And this has been in response to the recent spate of gun-related crime taking place in the country.

The homicide count for 2023 stood at 54 and the government has often been criticized for the manner in which it has dealt with the situation.

During the recent Parliamentary debate, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves pleaded with holders of illegal firearms to take advantage of the gun amnesty which is expected to run until May 31, 2024.

“We gave an amnesty, if you have a gun turn it in now because when this (Bill) comes into being, the penalties are stiffer,” Gonsalves told members of Parliament. (DD)

Poster promo for the track ‘Don’t Stop This Par-Tay’.

Jamaican dancehall artiste, Timoy ‘Teejay’ Jones

SVBL celebrates World Water Day

quoted as saying,

can do so much”, as part of International World Water Day Celebrations on March

22nd, 2024, members of staff from St. Vincent Brewery Limited teamed up with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Leo Club and residents of Rusha Bay, to remove oceanic garbage and other debris from the neighboring Rusha Bay beach.

Most of the garbage comprised of plastic bottles, metal scraps, and almond tree leaves.

Plant Manager Colin Huskinson shared: “Our company was pleased to be able to provide the resources and dedicate the time to clean up the beach area adjacent to the plant as part of World Water Day celebrations. Our emphasis here is twofold: one, our company sees itself as a strong partner in St. Vincent’s water and marine conservation and second, we believe in being a “good neighbour” with our Rusha Bay businesses and residents.”

He added, “Each year we celebrate World Water Day to raise awareness of our achievements in water management, renew our focus, and encourage staff to innovate and further improve. This year, we decided to focus that energy on

cleaning up our surroundings for the benefit of us all”.

Cheraz Sutherland, People Coordinator who facilitated the initiative with the safety and environment team, also expressed her pleasure with the Brewery’s commitment to the beautification of the area. “Here at St. Vincent Brewery Limited we place strong emphasis on our environment stewardship, and we see it important to give back to our community”.

Over the past several years, St. Vincent Brewery has been dedicating the time and resources for at least two Rusha Bay cleanups annually.

(Source: SVBL)

Practice proper kite-flying measures

THESt. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) is reminding everyone to prioritize safety when flying kites this season.

It is important to be aware of potential hazards, particularly in relation to power lines and utility poles, the Company advised in a recent press release.

“Kites,” VINLEC suggests, “should only be flown in wide, open spaces — away from power lines and utility poles,” and kite flyers should “always maintain a safe distance to prevent any accidents or electrical hazards.”

Individuals should desist at all times from attempting to retrieve kites that become entangled in power lines.

If a kite becomes entangled in a power line, individuals are strongly advised against attempting to retrieve it, the release warned.

VINLEC encouraged parents to closely monitor children when flying kites and discourage flying near power lines, trees, or any other structures where kites may become entangled, as this can lead to dangerous situations.

By prioritizing safety and awareness, we can all enjoy the thrill of kite flying while minimizing risks, the Company posited.

VINLEC remains committed to promoting safety within the community and appreciates the cooperation of all, in adhering to these essential safety measures of choosing safe locations and being aware of potential hazards during the kiteflying season. (Source: VINLEC)

HELEN KELLER is

“Alone we can do so little; together we

SVBL staffers collecting garbage in Rusha Bay as part of the company’s Beach Clean Up to commemorate World Water Day activities. (Source: SVBL)

A domineering pastor

Dear George,

MY PASTORis on my case to get married.  He has gone as far as suggesting who I should marry.

I have dated a couple of females in the church and he is telling me I should not be dating like that. According to him I should select the person I’m interested in and stick to that person until it’s time to be married.

I disagreed with him vehemently and because of that he is judging me and telling me he is doubtful of my salvation, and has stopped my participation in church.

It seems like whatever he says we should just follow blindly.

Dating is something that ought to be encouraged. It is by dating that you get to properly analyse an individual and to see whether there is a meeting of the minds on many things. I do not think any Pastor has the right to regulate the dating practices of a member or give guidelines, unless there is contravention of any biblical laws.

I spoke to other elders in the church about my situation and they concluded that he is the pastor and we should not go against his guidance. I am beginning to question whether or not I’m in the wrong church. How do I resolve this?

Frustrated and Frankly Disappointed Dear Frustrated,

You disagreeing with his position has nothing to do with your salvation and such judgements can be considered as over stepping of his boundaries.

The elders should be able to advise the Pastor but if no one is allowed to give advice then you may have to reconsider your stay in that church.

Have another talk with your Pastor along those lines, and if he holds fast to his position then that will be your cue to move on.

George

Stick to your guns

Dear George,

APPARENTLY, my girlfriend best friend’s brother planned to visit the island of SVG in May. He needed a place to stay and my wife said he could stay with us. We live together in a two-bedroom house.

Her unilateral decision got me angry and I told her it would not happen.

She said she had already given her word and it would be embarrassing to go back on it.

George, I do not care how embarrassing it is for her; I am holding my stance. She had the gall to tell me it is because I am probably insecure I don’t want him at our house.

I insisted that it was her best friend’s responsibility to house her

brother or find appropriate accommodation for him. Why can’t my girlfriend see it my way?

Slightly concerned

Dear Slightly concerned,

You are absolutely correct in saying that it is your girlfriend’s best friend who should be worrying about the accommodation arrangement for her brother. This is not your girlfriend’s responsibility, period.

That said, you should have been a part of the accommodation discussion and it is disrespectful on her part not to include you.

Stick to your guns on this one and I do not see your girlfriend prolonging this argument further.

George

No cooking, cleaning, etc.

Dear George,

I AM NOTenjoying a normal married life of one year. My wife does not fix my meals nor clean or iron. She said her friends, do not do such things for their husbands and I should not expect it from her. She has left me wondering about what I got myself into. I did not bargain for this and I’m afraid it is going to ruin our marriage.

Fearful

Dear Fearful,

The discussion that you are having now regarding roles should have been had from the very onset of your relationship. If so, this position that your wife has taken would not have come as a surprise. I strongly suggest you both see a counsellor to try to find some sort of middle ground.

George

Aries (Mar. 21- April 20)

Secret affairs will eventually backfire on you. You will meet new romantic partners through the company you keep. Selfimprovement projects will payoff in more ways than one. Don't count on getting any help from those you live with.

Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21)

Sudden changes regarding your domestic scene are probable. Insincere gestures of friendliness are likely to occur. Only bite off what you can chew. A need to express yourself may come out in creative ways.

Gemini(May 22-June 21)

Your intellectual charm will win hearts and bring opportunities that you least expect. Catch up on your reading and correspondence. Trips should be your choice. Make plans to meet again in the near future.

Cancer(June 22-July 22)

You will have to control the way you feel. Don't be angry, but be on your guard. Try to do things with children that will enable you to bond closer to them. Spend some quality time with your lover.

Leo(July 23-Aug 22)

It might be best not to spend your money on luxuries this week. Set the ball in motion and be relentless until you complete the project. You will find that money could slip through your fingers. Do not let them blow situations out of proportion.

Virgo(Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

Some situations may be blown out of proportion. Calm down and take a step back. Keep your feet on the ground, if you can. Don't overlook that fact that someone you care about may be hiding something.

Libra(Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

Plan a nice evening for two. This may not

be the day to get involved in risky joint financial ventures. Be careful when dealing with female members of your family. Opportunities for romance will develop through activities with large groups.

Scorpio(Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Travel should be on your mind. Problems with in-laws may cause friction in your personal relationship. You can take advantage of opportunities if you are quick to make a move. Moneymaking opportunities will surface.

Sagittarius(Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Family members may feel anxious if you make promises you don't deliver. You will make new friends through physical activities. You can expect changes at your work place. Someone you live with may feel totally neglected.

Capricorn(Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with. Be diplomatic and honest, and that person will only be made to look bad. Don't bother trying to make someone you live with see your point of view. Don't depend on coworkers to help; they may only hold you back.

Aquarius(Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)

You can enjoy entertainment if you join in and follow the crowd for a change. Enlist coworkers in order to get the job done on time. You can make changes to your living quarters, but not everyone will be pleased with your efforts. Focus your efforts on your work.

Pisces(Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Don't let someone try to bully you into doing things their way. Property purchases should be on your mind. You could come into extra cash. Help if you can, but more than likely it will be sufficient just to listen.

SVGOC to host Safeguarding workshops: Attention on marijuana use

AS A MEANS OF REDUCING THE INCIDENCES of harassment and substance abuse among sports people, namely the youth here, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee(SVGOC), from Saturday, April 13, 2024, will host a series of Safeguarding workshops targeting its affiliates.

Shimano Bailey, the lead officer of the Safeguarding Committee of the SVGOC, and the main facilitator of the workshops, shared the reasoning behind the initiative.

“The aim really is to inform the affiliates, as well as equip them with the knowledge and put measures in place to ensure that all athletes are treated with respect and dignity, and are provided with the necessary resources to support their mental health,” Bailey stated.

Admitting that safeguarding is not a new concept, more and more information is being gathered, hence the need to constantly retool and bring fresh ideas to the fore, Bailey added.

“Safeguarding of our athletes is not a new concept to us, because for example, we use chaperones to protect our female athletes and other measures… Nonetheless, the committee will go one step further and provide athletes with a more comprehensive approach to safety, as it is obvious that safeguards need to be put in place to prevent harassment and abuse”, Bailey advanced.

Use of Marijuana

Bailey, who is Social Worker attached to the Modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre at Georgetown, noted that a significant part of the workshop will zoom in on mental health of athletes, especially as it relates to the use of marijuana.

“We also need to think about how substance abuse affects our athletes’ mental health. Since the use of medicinal marijuana was introduced in this country, marijuana laws have been relaxed somewhat”, Bailey

commented, and suggested that with the relaxation, young people seemed to have received mixed messages about the use of marijuana.

While not providing statistics, he advanced the view that over the last five years, there has been an increase in the numbers of persons using marijuana, with the a younger demographic showing a tendency towards the narcotic.

“When cannabis is used early in a child’s life, it alters mental abilities and processes associated with knowledgeincluding memory, judgement, evaluation, reasoning, computation, problem-solving, and decision-making - and decreases long-term function while increasing the risk of addiction”, he advised.

Bailey added that the potential risks are far reaching, hence, young users should be aware of the dangers to which they are exposing their system.

“According to most experts, the brain reaches its full potential by 25 years old. Consequently, young people

Decathlon for Carifta 2025

the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago.

Making this known was Chief Executive Officer of NACAC, Keith Joseph, who made the disclosure at a press conference, April 1, 2024, at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium, Grenada.

Joseph disclosed that having the Decathlon at the Carifta Games is in keeping with international standings, as the Octathlon (eight events) is not prevalent with Under-20 Boys at that level.

“At World Juniors and Pan Am Juniors there is no question about what multievent is being held, the Octathlon does not feature in that”, Joseph proffered.

THE BODY RESPONSIBLE for the annual Carifta Games, the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC), has announced a major change for 2025, the introduction of the Decathlon. The ten-event discipline will be part of Carifta 2025, set for

As obtained until the recent hosting of the 51st edition of the Carifta Games in Grenada, March 30 to April 1, 2024, the Octathlon was an open event for males.

However, Joseph announced that the Octathlon will be for the Under-17 males.

“For the benefit of the continued growth of the sport…the Octathlon will stay

as an Under-17 event and the Decathlon will replace the Octathlon at the Under-20 level…We see this as a natural out-growth of the sport, but also being consistent with what is happening at the World Athletics level”, Joseph said.

The events that comprise the Octathlon are the 100m, 400m, 1500m,100m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Putt, High Jump and Javelin. The Decathlon includes the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Discus, Javelin and Shot Put.

Joseph also informed that NACAC has decided that host countries will be given more than one year to prepare for upcoming Carifta Games.

As such, he indicated that Guyana has shown interest in hosting the 53rd edition of the Carifta Games in 2026, with the Turks and Caicos Islands and Curacao doing so for 2027 and Barbados for the 2028 Games.

The Carifta Games began in 1972 in Barbados.

should be aware of the potential risks associated with marijuana use, particularly during their developmental stages”, Bailey underlined.

Bailey is hopeful that the workshops will result in an increased awareness among all concerned, especially those involved in sports.

He impressed that the undertaking by the SVGOC to host the workshops, is in keeping with the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Shimano Bailey, the lead officer of the Safeguarding Committee of the SVGOC, said the workshops will focus, though not exclusively, on the use of marijuana.

Consensus Statement on Harassment and Abuse (non-accidental violence) in Sport (2016), as well as the

IOC Consensus Statement on Mental Health in Elite Athletes (2019), and the IOC Toolkit for IFs and NOCs.

Maloney establishes national 600m record

THE FORM OF TOP VINCENTIAN female athleteShafiqua Maloney continued last Saturday, April 6, 2024, when she established a new St. Vincent and the Grenadines record in the 600m.

Maloney won the event at 1:23.80 at the Miramar Invitational, held at the Ansin Sports Complex, Florida, USA, on Saturday 5th April.

This was the second national record for Maloney in 2024. On February 12, she ran her alltime best in the 800m indoor event at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre in Fayetteville, clocking 1:58.69.

Shafiqua Maloney

career to date.

This time also ensured her qualification for the 800m at this year’s Paris Olympics, in July and August.

The 600m and 800m records add to her national 4 x 400m Under-20 record,

which she shares with Zita Vincent, Annicea Richards, and Tamara Woodley. The quartet earned the national accolade at the 2018 Carifta Games held in the Bahamas.

Keith Joseph, CEO/NACAC, announced changes to the events schedule for future Carifta Games.

may well be in the best form of her track and field

Junior Squash players express themselves

THERE WEREthree double champions, when the Tus-T Water St Vincent and the Grenadines Squash Association National Junior Championships concluded last Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the National Squash Centre, Paul’s Avenue.

Savante Padmore took the Boys Under-11 and Under-13 titles. In trumping the Under-13 title, Padmore beat Zavin Garrick, Ethan Webster and Sebastian Fraser, all by 3-0 margins, while in the Under-13, he defeated Garrick and Webster, and added Alexandro Brackin and Lucas Huggins to the list, registering 3-0 victories as well.

Meanwhile Caeli George claimed the Girls Under-13 and Under-15, overcoming Amiyah Bascombe and Caeli Samuel in both age categories. She won all matches by a mardin of 3-0.

Joining them as double winners was Jaydon Williams. He champed the Boys Under-17 and Under-19 crowns.

But unlike his double champions colleagues, it was not a walk in the park for him.

In the Under-17 category, he had to ward off a determined Jayden George, before crossing the line 3-2, in a truly entertaining victory. Williams though had previously steamrolled Malachi Mc Master and Kyle James, recording uncomplicated 3-0 wins.

In the Under-19s, Williams swished the Mc Master brothers (Malachi and Jlan), as the two siblings suffered 3-0 defeats.

Other winners in the three-day Championships that commenced Thursday April 4, were Shannice John who won the Girls Under-11; Ciara George, the Girls Under-17; Nadira Morgan - the Girls Under-19; and Jayden George, the Boys Under-15.

SVG: 5th in U16 Under-16 Netball

VINCY JEWELS, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Under-16 netball team placed fifth in the just concluded 20th Caribbean Netball Association’s Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Tournament, which was held in St. Lucia. Barbados claimed the Tournament title when they defeated Grenada 27 — 19 in the final. Scores at the end of the quarters were: 5-6, 12-11, 20-15 and 27-19.

Dominica finished third in the standings, followed by St. Lucia then SVG.

SVG’s performance showed that they scored 111 of their 191 attempts.

En route to the Girls Under11 title, John beat Cahya Bascombe and Chloe Samuel by 3-0 margins, with Ciara George claiming her title with 30 triumphs at the expense of Niara -Skye John and Zoe Martin.

Morgan’s journey to the Under-19 title saw her defeating Ciara George 3-2 and Zoe Martin, 3-0.

And, Jayden George had wins over Deron Lewis, Raejon Dover, Aiden De Freitas and J’quan Stevens, all 3-0, as he underlined his quality among the Under-15s.

Two special awards

were presented, as Ciara George was named the Most Outstanding female and Aiden De Freitas, who was the runner up in the Boys Under-15, was adjudged the Most Outstanding Male.

Vincy Jewels, though, had something to take away with Jueneka Quow, wing defence being adjudged the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. In addition, Quow, who is a wing defence, and her teammate goal defence Kalia Wyllie were named among the top 16 players of the Tournament.

Vincy Jewel Kendra Stay, 11 years old, was recognized as the youngest player in the Tournament.

Maryann Frederick, coach of the team, commented post-tournament: “…I am very proud of the way they played. We didn’t get a medal but we did great. I loved the energy, the vibes when they

Vincy Jewels placed 5th in the Tournament.

went out on the court.

“Going forward… we are going to correct some mistakes that were …. get them to handle the ball more, help them to have a team bond with each other. The girls have a bright future with netball and we are going to help build a chemistry together.”

I.B.A. ALLEN

Double winners: From left: Jaydon Williams, Savante Padmore, Caeli George.

Nadira Morgan – Girls U-19 winner.

Shannice John – Girls U-11 winner.

L-R): Ciara George – Girls U-17 winner and Jayden George – Boys U-15 winner.

Jueneka Quow MVP of the tournament.

Fine-tuning preparation

NEPALESE CRICKET SECRETARY Paras

Khadka looks at it as a significant moment in his country’s history, i.e. the decision by Cricket West Indies to send an A team to Nepal as part of their preparation for the 2024 ICC T/20 World Cup.

Khadka hopes the tour will “ignite more future tours and bilateral cricketing tie-up” with the wider cricket fraternity. Nepal is in Group D, along with Netherlands, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Bangladesh.

The West Indies heat up their Nepal hosts in five T20 matches from April 27. The fifth is scheduled for Saturday, May 4.

Miles Bascombe, Vincentian-born Director of Cricket/Cricket West Indies, emphasizes the importance of A team tours as part of their preparation. He cites the impact of players who can fit into the arena in short notice.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is of special interest to Nepal They play two of their Group matches at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

The World Cup opens with the USA versus Canada fixture in Dallas USA, Saturday, June 1. The West Indies begin their campaign June 2 against Papua New Guinea at Providence in Guyana. That same day Namibia plays Oman at Bridgetown at 8:30 p.m.

Nepal plays their first match against Netherlands at Dallas USA from 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4.

West Indies play their second match against Uganda, Saturday, June 8 at Providence, 8:30 p.m.

Earlier that day, one of the most anticipated clashes would have taken place at Kensington Oval Barbados where Australia and England faced each other at 1 p.m.

Nepal’s second match sees them against Sri Lanka at Lauderdale Tuesday 11.

West Indies’ third will be against New Zealand at Tarouba Wednesday, June 12, 8:30 at Tarouba.

Nepal’s second match will be a Lauderdale Tuesday, June 11 against Sri Lanka. West Indies and New Zealand vie for Super Eight spots Wednesday, June 12 at Tarouba from 8:30 p.m.

The first match at the Arnos Vale Playing Field sees Bangladesh and the Netherlands in action.

That will be novel viewing for Vincentian spectators. Bangladesh will consider themselves more familiar with Vincentian conditions having been the only team to win a Test match at that ground. That was in July 2009 against a reenacted West Indies squad that featured Floyd Reifer as an improvised captain. Netherlands have enhanced their reputation on the international stage and will look at Bangladesh as fair game.

The Nepal /South Africa showdown will make for exciting reading. It will be neutral grounds for both teams. When the showdown starts at 7:30 Friday, June 14.

Thereafter, Vincentians will await the Super Eight stage with 52nd match at Arnos Vale Saturday, June 22. Who the combatants are depends on the Group stages. Arnos Vale hosts another Super Eight Monday, June 24.

That sets the stage for the semifinals carded for June 26 and 27, at Taraba and Providence. The finals are set for Saturday, June 29. At 10 a.m.

Works are going at the Arnos Vale Playing. Delays in the arrival of lights, and other ground arrangements are being finalised at the Vincentian facility.

Stephen Pascal will want to emulate his Volcanoes captain as an outstanding batsman from Dominica.

WILOTT U19 Tournament Sports

Pascal gets First Class call-up

DOMINICANStephen

Pascal, opening batsman and captain of the West Indies Under-19 Cricket Team that competed in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Africa from 19 January –11 February 2024, has been called up to the senior Windward Islands squad.

Pascal is one of three players who have been drafted into the senior squad, known as The Volcanoes, currently involved in the CWI Four-Day Championship. He joins wicket keeper

Grenada leads

Gian Benjimin and fast bowler Gilon Tyson as the replacements for Kamini Melius (batsman), Tevin Walcott (wicket keeper) and Shermon Lewis (fast bowler)

The Volcanoes, currently second on 71 points, will face the West Indies Academy on 49 points, followed by the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, sitting first on 80 points, in their two remaining matches.

Defending champions

Barbados sits on 67

points, followed by Guyana 66, Jamaica, 53, Trinidad 51. Combines Campus and Colleges are in the cellar position on 25.

The full Volcanoes squad reads: Alick Athanaze (Captain), Ryan John (Vicecaptain), Sunil Ambris, Jervin Gian Benjamin, Darel Cyrus, Larry Edward, Kavem Hodge, Johann Jeremiah, Daurius Martin, Stephen Pascal, Jeremy Sloozano, Shamar Springer, Gilon Tyson.

AFTERtwo rounds of matches in the 2024 WINLOTT Inc. Windwards U19 Super 50 tournament being played in Dominica, Grenada sat at the top of the points table with 8 points.

Grenada has played unbeaten through the first two rounds, recording victories over St. Lucia in the first round and Dominica in the second.

In round one, Grenada, batting first, closed on 175 after 32.5 overs, to which St. Lucia replied with 126 in 40 overs. Notable contributions with the bat came from Rickell Sylvester, 55, for Grenada; and captain Tarrique Edwards, 68, for St. Lucia.

Grenada then edged Dominica by 10 run in the second round. Batting first, Grenada put up 202 from 41 overs, Kirsten Murray getting 73. Jelani Joseph copped 5 wickets for 32 for Dominica, who replied with 195 from 48 overs, Kyne George 64 and Earsinho Fontaine 55. Devin Tyson, 3/38 was Grenada’s best bowler.

In the other second match, defending champions St. Lucia defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines by 8 wickets. St. Lucia won the toss and sent the

Vincentians to bat, and dismissed them for 150 in 39.2 overs, with 29 from Kodi Grant being the top individual score. Tarrique Edwards took 3 for 41.

Kirsten

Theo Edwards, 65 not out, and Stephen Abraham, 63 not out, led the St. Lucians to victory.

Points standing at the end of two rounds: Grenada — 8 points; Dominica and St. Lucia — 4 points; St. Vincent and the Grenadines — 0 points.

Business Houses TT gets going

MARK CHARLES ensured that Pan American Life Insurance remained unbeaten after three matches in the National Properties/Republic Bank/Sean Stanley Table Tennis Academy Business Houses Table Tennis Competition, which got going on April 8 at the Calliaqua Town Hall.

Charles led his team first to a 3-1 victory over the Royal SVG Police Force. He beat Officer Jeremiah Bascombe

11/3, 11/9 to make way for his colleagues Alford Collis to trump Syon Shoy 11/9, 8/11, 11/4, and Alfonso “Sleepy” Richards to Bascombe 11/6, 8/11, 11/4, this after Richards had gone under to Clint De Souza 11/5, 11/7.

The Pan American Life Insurance team then disposed of VIBLEC 3 games to luv, with Charles defeating Anthony Patterson 11/4 11/9, Richards doing away with Roland Bowman 11/3 11/5, and

Cecil “Ces” Mckie earning victory by default when the third VINLEC player was a no show.

In the other match, Comsport defeated Republic Bank 3 games to luv, with Michael John beating Cosem Millington 11/5, 11/5; Davon Cato defeating Norman Cumberbatch 11/5, 11/6; and Kenneth Bibby getting the better of Britney Straker 11/5, 11/8.

Mark Charles got his Pan American Life Insurance team off to a winning start.

Grenada tournament’s leader celebrated a wicket.

Murrayhit 73 for Grenada.

Jelani Joseph bagged 5 for 32 for Dominica.

Dead manÊs mother

overcome with grief

From Backpage

The grieving mother said that her son focus was farming and to “rear his little pigs and them” so that he could take care of his two children.

“My son was burnt like a bad dog on the road. When I look at Marvin... they kill him and they put him here and they put him in his mattress, a new mattress he just bought. You could see they tied the mattress together and every piece of his clothes they throw on the mattress and they burnt him,” said the deceased man’s mother, as she used a rag to wipe away her tears.

Despite her grief, Barker scrolled through the rubble at the site where her son’s body was found, in the hopes of finding important items belonging to her son.

NORRIS JEFFERSON PHILLIPS

Monday, 8th April, 2024

Cathedral

WAYNE SHELFORD ARRINDELL

Saturday, 6th April, 2024

Church of God

Port Elizabeth

JOHN WESTMORE HAZELL

Monday, April 08, 2024

Church

ELVA GAYMES

Sunday, 7th April, 2024

S.D.A Church Barrouallie

Glebe Hill

ENOS WARNER

Saturday, 6th April, 2024 Chauncey

KEMIESHA HAYNES

April, 2024

Church of God

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

THE MOTHERof Marvin Barker, one of two men whose charred bodies were discover at the rear of a house in Park Hill on Monday, broke down in tears as she reflected on that fatal day.

A statement from the RSVGPF said that at approximately 12:24 p.m on Monday, April 8th, Officers were alerted to the presence of two partially burnt bodies found at the rear of a dwelling house, in the vicinity of the Park Hill Playing Field. The men were identified as Marvin Barker and Calvert “Vert” Smart.

Debra Barker, the mother of Marvin Barker, said that she was at work in Villa when her brother called and told her that two bodies were found behind a house and one appeared to be that of her son.

“And with that I fell to the ground,” said Barker.

She then left her work place and journeyed to the area where her son body was discovered. The distraught mother said that from what she observed at the crime scene, “… you could see there was a tussle”.

DEAD MAN’S MOTHER OVERCOME WITH GRIEF

She said that a plastic drum that was found lying in the yard where the bodies were discovered, was used by her son to store water to wet his plants. Barker speculated that a trail of blood located next to an outside sink was where her son was attacked. “And the other guy now, I don’t know if he come and meet them in the act but like he try to run, and over the old abandoned building is where they knock him out because there is a big stone where there is a pool of blood in the

bush. So, there is where like they knock out the other guy,” the Park Hill woman said.

She stated that her son was not a

trouble maker but was likely to react if bothered. Continued

MENTALLY ILL MAN KILLED BY POLICE

THE ROYALSt. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has confirmed that one of its officer, shot and killed a mentally ill man.

A police report on the matter said that they are currently conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting incident that transpired on Sunday 7th April, 2024.

The individual who was shot has been identified as Anthony Joseph,

also recognized by the alias “Tumba’.

“Initial reports indicate that the police officer’s engagement was precipitated by a formal complaint lodged against Mr. Joseph, who is reported to suffer from a mental health disorder,” police said in an April 9 press release.

The police said that in response to the complaint, Police Officers, accompanied by the complainant, proceeded to Mr. Joseph’s residence to address the reported concerns.

“Upon establishing a perimeter at the location, Mr. Joseph, reportedly armed with a knife, initiated a hostile act against the officers. Following operational protocols designed to

ensure the safety of all involved, officers applied appropriate levels of force to neutralize the immediate threat posed by Mr. Joseph. Joseph was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) where he subsequently died. A subsequent inspection of the deceased body revealed the presence of an additional weapon in the possession of Mr. Joseph,” police Said.

According to the RSVGPF, “Further updates will be provided as the situation develops and more information becomes available.” Joseph was an employee of the now defunct Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd. (KH - Source: RSVGPF)

Anthony ‘Tumba’ Joseph – the latest to did during a police action.

Debra Barker, mother of Marvin Barker deceased, is grief-stricken.

The area where Debra Barker thinks her son was killed before he was burnt.