THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 26-04-24

‘CHUCKY’ GUNNED DOWN IN MURRAY’S VILLAGE

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

A MURRAY’S VILLAGE MAN was shot dead in his community, following an altercation with another man.

Zenroy ‘Chucky’ Lee, a former national footballer and vendor, was shot dead while selling on the roadside of the East Kingstown community.

According to reports, Lee had an argument with another man which escalated into a violent confrontation. The man then allegedly left the scene, but later returned with a gun and shot Lee multiple times in the face

Zenroy ‘Chucky’ Lee,

succumbed to multiple gun shots, plied a daily trade as a vendor, was a doting father and a former national footballer.

before fleeing. Lee’s body was discovered a few meters from where he was selling his items, which included cigarettes on a table and drinks in an icebox.

When THE VINCENTIAN arrived on scene, the atmosphere was a sober one. Residents in the community described Lee is a very nice person.

Continued on Page 3.

Members of the RSVPF conducted preliminary forensic examination of the crime scene.

A MAN SUSPECTED OF SHOOTING to death killing another man in Murray’s Village was himself killed mere hours after the deadly shooting.

Hours after Zenroy ‘Chucky’ Lee was gunned downed in his community, following an alleged altercation with Romano Pompey, better known as ‘No Mercy’ or ‘Merciless’, Pompey became the main suspect in Lee’s death.

According to reports, Pompey had an argument with Lee which escalated into a physical confrontation. Pompey allegedly left the scene, returned later armed with a gun and shot Lee multiple times in the face before fleeing.

Residents in the community of Murray’s Village were still mourning the loss of Lee when multiple gunshots could be heard in the neighboring community of Trigger Ridge, Redemption Sharpes.

When THE VINCENTIAN arrived on the scene, Roman Pompey was dead and police had already cordoned off the area.

But the sound of the deceased relatives’ anger echoed loudly. They could be heard expressing their anger at the police, saying that the lawmen killed Pompey “like a dog”.

Reports are that the police initiated a search operation for the suspect, which ultimately led them to Trigger Ridge, Redemption Sharpes. It is alleged that during the pursuit, the suspect, on seeing the police, opened fire on them before fleeing into the ground floor of a residence. However, the police managed to corner him and subsequently shot him.

A female in the hilly community, told THE VINCENTIAN that they heard a police siren and them moments after, the sound of gunshots.

A statement from the Royal Saint Vincent and

Right:

who

Romano Pompey had a past of involvement with violent crimes.

ALICE WILLIAMS,a Murray’s Village woman who was attacked and left lying in a bloody state on the Frenches/Sally Spring public road, is lucky to be alive but is still in a lot of pain even after her discharge from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) on Wednesday, four days after she was admitted.

Angelica Williams, one of Williams’ daughters, confirmed her mother’s condition since her discharge from the MCMH.

“She left the hospital despite being in a lot of pain. She [is] talking and eating but she is not talking so good, she not talking the way she use to talk. Every time she sit down, she getting dizzy, so somebody have to always be there to hold her hand. … We trying to see if we can get she go to Guyana for medical assistance,” Angelica related.

Horne to the rescue

Williams was heading to her workplace at the Kingstown Town Board sometime after 5am on Saturday 20th April, when she was attacked by a man. She was beaten in the head with a piece of steel, which was discovered near to her as she lay in the road. She was robbed of her purse and phone.

Two women, fellow villagers,

KTB employee attacked: Horne to the rescue

discovered her while travelling the same route.

Jillian Walters told THE VINCENTIAN that she noticed someone lying in the road. After a good look, she turned to her friend who told her, “Is Alice,” after which they got closer to the body and saw that she was bleeding.

Kenville Horne’s selfless action did not go unnoticed by the victim’s family.

the women saying that another woman was around the corner in a pool of blood and they asked me to call the ambulance,” Horne recalled.

Horne related that he reversed his car and stopped closer to the woman lying in the road.

“I noted that she was bleeding from the head and my first instinct was to get her into my vehicle to take her to the hospital,” Horne said.

But lifting her and getting her into the vehicle proved challenging for a friend who was with him, the two women and him, this after a man and a woman had refused to assist.

It was then that Horne called for the ambulance but in the midst of the call, Horne said that he observed that Williams was “vomiting blood and falling over from her sitting position,” in which they had managed to get her.

The women said they attempted to stop a number of vehicles to seek help but they continued on their way.

Dead bodies discovered

THE ROYAL SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES POLICE FORCE (RSVGPF) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body found early on the morning of Wednesday 24th April, on a beach in La Pompe, Bequia.

In a release of the same date, the RSVGPF said that they have identified the deceased as a 71-year-old female from Harmony Hall. No name was given.

According to the police, preliminary information indicates that the deceased was staying at a nearby apartment and was last seen on the beach around 6 PM

the day before.

However, Kenville Horne, a Reporter with THE VINCENTIAN, stopped when he saw the frantic women.

“They seemed like they wanted help, so I slowed down. I heard one of

A post-mortem examination will be conducted soon to determine the cause of death.

Since the police release, speculation was rife that the body was that of a doctor who had had a private practice on Bequia.

And in a related incident, the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a partially decomposed body on April 24, 2024 about 3:00 pm. at his residence in Argyle.

He decided then that they could not wait for the ambulance. Once again, his friend, the two women and he made another effort to get the injured Williams into his vehicle. This time they were successful.

“When we arrived at the hospital, the ambulance was just about to leave to go to the scene,” Horne stated.

Grateful to Horne

Meanwhile, relatives told THE VINCENTIAN that Williams said she remembered a homeless/mentally ill man passing her on the road. The two female villagers also recalled seeing the same man not too long before they discovered Williams.

And as her daughters consoled themselves in knowing that their mother had survived this terrible ordeal, one of them, Angelica, thanked Horne for helping her mother “in such a critical time.”

Police Officers from the Biabou Police Station received the report and responded to it where they met the male body lying naked on his back. The deceased was later identified by a relative to be that of Arnis Marshall, a retiree over the age of 60.

It was reported that his daughter called him about 2:30 pm that same day but he did not respond. She later sent someone to check on him which led to the discovery.

The body was pronounced dead on the scene by Dr Maikel Macco and Magistrate Colin John authorized the removal of the body.

Another daughter, Makalah Richards/Williams, also expressed thanks to the Reporter for helping her mother. “I greatly appreciate it. I am thankful the Lord sent you just in time to save my mother life. She is on the road to recovery.”

As for Horne, he said that he was happy to have helped a citizen in need. “I mean I would have felt really bad if she didn’t make it. I hope they apprehend whoever inflicted this potentially deadly attack on the woman, who was simply going to work to earn a living.”

(Source: RSVGPF)

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Reports are that police apprehended a suspect but that person has since been released.

Alice Williams, the target of a vicious attack by a man said to be homeless and mentally unstable.

Alice Williams, clearly showing a wound to her head as she lay in the road.

Angelica Williams, the victim’s daughter, gave an update on her mother’s condition and thanked Kenville Horne for his assistance.

ÂChuckyÊ gunned down in MurrayÊs Village

Continued from Frontpage.

One resident in the community told THE VINCENTIAN that before the fatal incident, Lee was sweeping the area where he sets up his vending business and his alleged killer was getting in his way. This led to a confrontation.

“He (Lee) tell him excuse me and the boy didn’t move. ‘Chucky’ continue to sweep the

yard and the broom touch ‘Merciless’, and he and ‘Chucky get into fight and he left and return and kill ‘Chucky’,” the resident said. He said that Lee’s alleged killer was living in the community as well and had a history of violence.

“He kill ‘Chucky’ in front of everybody,” the resident expressed in a loud voice.

A number of residents

Shelly- Ann (no surname given) remembers ‘Chucky’ as something of her ‘business partner and described him as a “nice young man’.

recalled hearing the sound of over 10 gunshots. Many of those bullets, it was assumed, would have hit Lee in his head. He lay shirtless on his back, with one side of his slippers still clinging to his foot, while his head was badly damaged. Family members, including his mother, had to be constrained and consoled by love ones. One of the more well-

Suspect killed by police

the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said that at approximately 8:50 PM, officers were conducting a routine patrol in the area

Relatives and community members voiced strong words against the police.

when they received credible intelligence regarding the whereabouts of a suspect linked to a previous violent crime.

The suspect, identified as Romano Pompey, 35, of Redemption Sharpes, was wanted in connection to a shooting incident that occurred earlier that day.

known figure in the community, a lady by the name of Shelly- Ann, described Lee as her son. She said they had a very close relationship and many times together they planned and executed social events for themselves and the community.

“Chucky is one of nicest young man in my village. He will make sure all the youth in the community go and play

soccer and he love his two kids,” said Shelly Ann.

“Every year me and he does have a joint picnic. We does go River 14, we does Mount Wayne, just the other day we bin Sion Hill. Who am I going to turn to now, Chucky gone?” questioned Shelly- Ann in a tone of grief.

Within in a few hours after Lee was killed, the sound of gunshot erupted

in Trigger Ridge, Redemption Sharps, community that boundaries Murray Village.

When the dust was cleared, Romano Pompey,aks ‘No mercy, “Merciless’, the main suspect in Lee’s murder, was lay dead, shot at the hands of the police.

The police statement continued: “Upon encountering the police, Mr. Pompey pointed a firearm at the police, posing an immediate threat to the officers. As a result, Mr. Pompey was fatally wounded at the scene. A Glock 23 pistol and thirteen rounds of ammunition were recovered from the deceased. No police officers were injured during the encounter.”

The RSVGPJ assured that the incident “is under investigation by the appropriate authorities to

ensure all actions taken were in accordance with law enforcement standards.”

In 2021, Pompey, who was serving a 20-year prison sentence for manslaughter escaped from the yard of His Majesty’s Prisons in Kingstown but was recaptured. He along with Jaybarry Charles were sentenced in November 2012 for the June 18, 2010 shooting death of Esron “Banks” Ells.

Ells, of Redemption Sharpes, died around 10 p.m. on June 18, 2010 after he was gunned down in the area of

the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) at Richmond Hill.

Pompey, then 26, who was initially charged with the murder of Ells, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter and unlawful use of a firearm. Charles, 25, pleaded guilty to wounding and unlawful use of a firearm.

Pompey’s sentence was reduced and after time spent was released from prison. Since his release he has been a suspect in a number of shooting incidents, including a fatal one in Lower Sharpes.

Continued from Frontpage.

Another victim of his own doing is on his way to the morgue.

TeenÊs murder P.I further delayed

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

AMURDERPreliminary Inquiry (P.I.), stemming from a matter involving a teenage boy and pending since July 2023, has been further delayed to May 9.

The accused, Cole Oliver, of Pole Yard, Arnos Vale, has been charged with the murder of Golden Vale resident, Kemon Orlando Roberts, 28, who was reportedly shot several times in the head during an incident at Golden Vale shortly after 8 a.m. on July 20, 2023. Oliver was 18 at the time.

The youngster was also charged with wounding Aaron Cabral of Glen with intent, using a firearm to aid in the commission of an offense, and possession of a firearm without a license. All three charges stemmed from a shooting incident at Glen on June 15, 2023.

On Oliver’s appearance at the Serious Offenses Court on April 16, Prosecutor Renrick Cato made an application under Section 68 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the gun-related charges and the wounding with intent charges to be withdrawn. However, instead of granting that application, Senior Magistrate Colin John dismissed the gunrelated charges and discharged Oliver on the wounding with intent charge. His decision was made primarily on the grounds that the complainant could not be located. But in relation to the murder charge, the Senior Magistrate granted the prosecution an adjournment to Tuesday, April 23, despite strong objections from Oliver’s attorney Grant Connell.

Connell argued that Oliver was on remand since July 2023 on the murder charge. He pointed out that the guidelines state that for persons on remand, the matter should not be in the system for

more than six months, without being heard, while the timeline for persons on bail was nine months.

When Oliver returned to Court on Tuesday, the Magistrate indicated that he had received a letter from Connell requesting that the matter be stood down until 11 a.m. as he (Connell) was engaged in another matter in the High Court.

Connell’s request was granted as the High Court takes precedence over the lower Courts. But the matter was not called until about 12:50 p.m., just minutes after Connell turned up in Court.

Prosecutor Cato told the Court that the Prosecution was ready to proceed, and intended to call 15 witnesses, six of whom were in court and ready to give evidence. However, two of them indicated to him that they were diabetic and had to leave to eat, while the other four said that they were hungry, having not eaten since they had been in court all morning waiting for the matter to be heard.

The Prosecutor said that witnesses should be in a comfortable condition while giving evidence and being cross-examined and as a result, he asked for another adjournment for about two weeks.

But Connell said he was before a Judge all morning and could not leave as the High Court takes precedence.

The lawyer noted that Oliver’s matter had been before the Court since July 2023, and on the last occasion, April 16, 2024, Cato indicated that he was going to take a particular course of action. But the prosecutor denied saying this.

“No witness who is crucial to a Court could tell you that they are hungry,” Connell said. He contended that if an adjournment was granted, a

Craftsman fined $200 for stealing Vicks

Monday, was fined $200 for stealing two bottles of Vicks Vaporub valued at EC$19.50, from Jax Enterprises Ltd.

Bibby paid $20 forthwith and was allowed until June 21 to pay the balance of $180. In default, he will go to prison for two weeks.

Bibby was also bonded for one year. In breach of the bond, he would have to pay the Court $1,000 forthwith or go to prison for one week.

Senior Magistrate Tameka McKenzie handed down the penalties at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court after Bibby, who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the charge.

In presenting the facts, Court Clerk, Constable Lynnosia Constantine, told the Court that around 3:50 p.m on April 23, a Security Guard at the business place, Thomas Ogarro, was on duty at the store when he heard the alarm at the exit go off, following which he saw the defendant exiting the store, and heard one of the employees shouting to him to stop. Bibby, however, continued walking and the Security Guard went in search of him.

Ogarro met Bibby in Middle Street, Kingstown, held onto him, and requested a search of his person and a knapsack he was carrying.

Bibby consented and O’Garro found two bottles of Vicks

Vaporub with Jax Enterprises price tags on them.

As a result, he asked Bibby to accompany him to the store. He complied, and on reaching the store, further checks were made, and Bibby handed over the two bottles of Vicks.

Ogarro asked him to pay for the items, but Bibby said he had no money.

At this point, a customer gave Bibby $20 to pay for the items. Ogarro accompanied him to the cash desk to pay for them, but on reaching the cash desk, Bibby said he no longer wanted to pay for the items. Ogarro asked Bibby again to pay for the items, but Bibby replied, “Man give me my (expletive) money, me nah want dem dey again”.

Ogarro reported the matter to the store management, who then instructed him to make a report to the police.

Bibby was subsequently arrested, but when cautioned and interviewed, he told the police, “Officer I have nothing to say”, and gave no written statement.

Bibby told the Court on Monday that he stole the Vicks because he was not feeling well. He said he had the money to pay for them, but the security guard was in possession of the money.

Bibby said he wanted to pay for a bigger bottle of Vicks for $10. He took $20 from his pocket, telling the Court that he still had the money to pay for the Vicks.

“Why should I not send you to

The P.I. involving Cole Oliver is slated to commence on May 9, 2024. He has been on remand since July 2023.

date should be given for all the witnesses to be present.

After hearing both sides, the Magistrate granted the adjournment to May 9.

ADONIJAH CAINE, a 34-year-old farmer of Langley Park, Georgetown, on Wednesday, was, granted bail for discharging a firearm, and fined $500 for possession of 487 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

jail? This offense carries a maximum of two years”, the Magistrate told the defendant, who replied, “Well Mom, have mercy on me, put me on a bond”.

But McKenzie contended that she did not think that persons should only be bonded for offenses of this nature, and she asked Bibby to think of something else.

“Charge me money and give me time to pay”, Bibby responded.

“You are a man of 66 years, you know right from wrong”, McKenzie reminded him.

When the Magistrate asked Bibby about his level of employment, he said, he was a self-employed craftsman and makes about $20 or $30 per day.

When she asked him how much time he needed to pay the $200 fine, Bibby asked for about a month.

But the Magistrate told the defendant that she did not want him to steal to pay the money and gave him until June 21.

Bibby, a former student of the St. Martin’s Secondary School is a veteran craftsman who has done work, in the past, for various mas bands here, including working with the legendary designer/masman Lennox ‘Scully’ Hunt, now deceased.

However, ‘Kenny’ as he is affectionately called, has resorted to a certain life in recent years, causing many, who have known him over the years, to question, “What really went wrong”.

Appearing at the Serious Offenses Court, Caine pleaded not guilty to discharging a loaded firearm at Deondre Sutton, a 21-year-old labourer of New Chapmans, Georgetown. The offense was reportedly committed at Dickson Village, Georgetown on April 22, 2024.

Caine was granted $10,000 bail with one surety on the condition that he report to the Georgetown Police Station every Monday between 8 a.m and 8 p.m.

Senior Magistrate Colin John ordered disclosure by May 5 and adjourned the matter to June 3.

Caine, however, pleaded guilty to possession of the marijuana and was fined $500 to be paid in one month or three months in prison.

The facts showed that around 10:30 a.m on April 22, Corporal Chevron Laborde headed a party of police officers from the Georgetown Police Station who journeyed to Caine’s home to execute a search warrant for guns and ammunition.

Caine was met at home, and Laborde showed and read the warrant to him. He consented to a search of his home, and during the search the police found three taped packages under Caine’s bed. They were retrieved and Caine was cautioned.

The packages were cut open revealing plantlike material resembling marijuana. When questioned, Caine replied, “Officer dem is mine. Is marijuana me have in dem for me to smoke. Is store me does store dem because me have a young son in the house”.

Georgetown farmer charged with firing gun Greiggs men awaits trial

SENIORMagistrate Colin John has entered a not guilty plea for Keithlyn Glasgow of Greiggs who had initially pleaded guilty to firearm possession.

Glasgow and Jaron Cato, also of Greiggs, appeared at the Serious Offenses Court on Wednesday charged with possession of a .9mm pistol without license. The men were unrepresented.

Cato pleaded not guilty while Glasgow pleaded guilty.

However, after listening to an explanation from Glasgow, the Senior Magistrate entered a not guilty plea for him and adjourned the matter to June 10 for trial.

Prosecutor Renrick Cato did not object to bail, but requested sufficient surety and reporting conditions for the men.

The defendants were each granted $10,000 with one surety, on conditions that they report to the Mesopotamia Police Station every Monday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The charges stemmed from a police action at Greggs on July 22, 2023.

KENDALL‘Kenny’ Bibby, a 66year-old craftsman of Kingstown, on

Rotary: All about service

DISTRICT GOVERNOR Brian Glasgow has appealed to his Rotary colleagues of District 7030 to “invoke the spirit of unity and collaboration,” as they continue their role of providing hope for their communities.

His appeal came as he addressed the opening ceremony of the Rotary District 7030 Conference 2024, held at the Kingstown Baptist Church last week Thursday, April 18, and which brings together some 300 Rotarians.

It was the time the Conference was meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

SVG attached to the Rotary for 50 yrs

Glasgow noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been attached to the Rotary for fifty years as part of a District comprising 17 countries, spreading across languages of English, French, Spanish and Dutch, and encompassing religions as diverse as Hinduism, Islam/Muslim, Judaism and Christianity, as well as non-religious membership, and he described the District as a “microcosm of our Caribbean civilisation we aspire to.”

The District Governor highlighted areas of attention paid to by the Rotarians.

The question of peace is priority to

the Rotarians, and Glasgow was quick to set that out.

Sanitation and hygiene run high on Rotary’s list of concerns, and provision of clean water is a vital aspect of Rotary’s thrust. That fits in with their efforts at fighting disease, and their success at restraining the impact of polio forms a part of their achievements.

Child obesity does not escape the purview of Rotarians, Glasgow added.

Their contribution to the containment of the Covid is another display of their community involvement.

Glasgow highlighted support for education as a plank of their civic duties, describing the Homework Project that extends specialist attention to children aged eight and ten, as a genuine success.

Their focus on helping local economies to grow through technical assistance to small businesses serves as another example of their efforts to fulfil their tasks.

Environmental protection is an area that Glasgow and his institution have high on their list. Beach clean-up (including a recent oil spill) and protection of Mangrove signal deepening involvement of the Rotary family.

Mental health and the stigma attached to are viewed as “the biggest problems we face,” Glasgow outlined.

Referencing the cultural interaction and diversity among members, Glasgow asked the gathering to “embrace the differences to pathways to understanding and communication. We can weave a tapestry of hope and change… Let us pledge to keep creating hope in the world.”

Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves commended Glasgow for his presentation and thanked the Rotarians for the contribution they are making to regional development.

His government is pleased to partner for as he confides, “your goals are aligned to ours.”

Carmen Martinez Mejia de Villata, Rotary’s International Representative, was pleased to be present and for her, Rotary should be everywhere. The Honduran born recounted her Garifuna heritage and pointed to aspects of mental health and empowering girls as concern.

Vincentian born Shafia London chaired the proceedings and urged the participants to “dare to dream, transform lives for better, and create hope in the world.” (WKA)

(More on Page 15)

Brian Glasgow, Rotary District Governor, cites the organization as a “microcosm of our Caribbean civilisation we aspire to.”

Managing Director: Desiree Richards

Editor: Cyprian Neehall

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

Website: www.thevincentian.com

Email: thevincentianpublishing@gmail.com Mailing

Editorial

Achieving substantial change

A CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM was held in this country on November 25, 2009. Those citizens eligible to vote were asked to approve a new, full constitution.

It was presented in a cloud of political partisanship and was therefore, doomed to fail.

Was it too much of a mouthful? Was the citizenry apprised fully and honestly about what they were expected to approve — something in wholesome form?

Always, as political parties grandstand in preparation for general elections, the question of weaknesses in our system somehow floats to the top of the cup of considerations.

And while there are many who would have preferred in 2025/26 to be voting in accordance with a new constitution, especially as it speaks to a different system of governance, any move to impose or seek a ‘democratic’ approval of a new constitution must be founded in a foundational understanding from the grassroots level. Anything else is being dishonest and presumptuous.

Any effort aimed at effecting constitutional reform has to begin with a programme in and across all educational institutions and homes.

At some time in the future this country will return to considering constitutional reform, if we are serious about leveling the various playing fields and imbedding a true sense of ‘Vincentianism’.

That is why constitutional education must find its way into the school curriculum. The Social Studies subject is ideally suited to accommodate such an insertion.

We have to ensure that students across the educational landscape have insight with respect to the significance of constitutional reform and the deep implications, not simply an impression of style and fashion.

Consequently, it becomes essential to incorporate this knowledge systematically into the education system, ensuring all students at each level fully grasp its relevance.

Not to equip our young minds with a comprehensive understanding of the important role of a country’s constitution and constitutional reform, does not help them to mature into adults who are of independent mind- who can liberate themselves from the influences of a political party culture that is stymied as it is inhibiting.

A genuine, undisguised understanding of what constitutional reform is and its

The age of consent

ramifications for a new sense of nationhood will liberate the population, including the future leaders, from a reliance on political affiliations.

But it is not all about constitutional reform being an agent for genuine change.

We have to factor in a responsibility to nurture positive attitudes in our communities. The effort so targeted must avoid partisanship and prioritizing party affiliations over national welfare.

A true allegiance to the national welfare is not tainted with camouflaged loyalty; it is all about confronting what might be politically popular for the collective good.

Who would want to dispute that in our socio-political climate partisan allegiances too often outshines national interest.

And towards correcting this, we must address the systemic issue rather that expect that the solutions can be found in political remedies which today are promoted in heavy doses on social media platforms.

In this reality, we must not be too proud and dogmatic about our political allegiances to acknowledge remedies that promise to address societal concerns, regardless of their origin.

“Lasting change can only be achieved through an effort that addresses fundamental issues, free from partisan bias,” I recall the late Oscar Allen sharing,

And that “effort that addresses fundamental issues,” must recognize the flaws in our system which is the first move towards meaningful and successful constitutional reform.

And if we are truly committed to the national welfare, about promoting what is genuinely the collective good and not some narrow-minded programme of a partisan source, and we accept the limitations of that partisan remedy, we will come out of that stance showing that we are dedicated, committed to improvement and change.

To repeat, only through collaborative efforts, free of partisan prejudices, can long-term and substantial change be achieved.

And while some would say that all of the above simply skirts the rim of democracy, bear in mind that it is consistent with the core of what should be our parliamentary procedure, i.e. a genuine collaboration and honest feedback (not piccong) that strengthens democracy.

Do we hear a chorus saying we can effect change if we try just a little harder?

THE AGE OF CONSENT… so much talk and no action.

Over the last few weeks, fueled by the changes in the Criminal Code Chap. 171, to increase penalties for various sex offenses, we have heard a flurry of conversations about additional revisions needed to this section (consent) of the law.

The age of consent was once sixteen and moved to fifteen. Going on memory only, I think at that time a person could also get married below that age with their parent’s consent. It would not surprise me if the law said girls, but I could be wrong.

Some may say move the age of consent to eighteen, which I suppose is to mimic the age of suffrage (the right to vote in public political elections). Others may argue that the appropriate age is sixteen. I guess the politicians are afraid to give us a number because they are not confident about where most of our people are on this topic, and no one wants to be on the wrong side of any proposed change. Well, my friends, leaders are required to LEAD!!!

I feel that those who are calling for the age of consent to be moved up to eighteen (18) are just playing it safe, especially when they tie it to the age of voting. This argument sounds just like the Americans who want to drink before the legal age (21) when they say, “They can vote and join the military at eighteen but cannot drink a beer.” To those people and now our own, I say someone must protect us from ourselves, even when it’s setting an arbitrary age limit for our children to give consent to engage in sexual activities.

I will now boldly step out and say, let’s move the age of consent up/back to sixteen (16). I choose 16 for a few reasons and the first one is a child could be legally married under the age of 16 with consent from their parents. It is also the age at which anyone can purchase alcohol legally in SVG. Let’s face the facts: our children are drinking and having sex at or above this age.

Our new law should specifically protect young people in sexual relationships who have a small age differential. e.g. if the victim was 13, 14, or 15 years of age and the accused older person was between 15, 16, or 17. Another way to look at my suggestion is the accused abuser cannot be more than two years older than the victim. And the sexual conduct must be consensual.

We must find a balance between protecting children from unwanted sexual advances and fairness to these young adults.

There are reasonable arguments for the absolute position that any sexual activity with a minor should be punished to the fullest extent. If that is your position, make it and stand by it. But I am simply asking you to look at our reality and our success in enforcing the current law.

I believe this absolute position could or would unfairly punish teenagers in “committed” relationships. It also means we are not willing to accept that minors are involved in sexual activity, like it or not. Now, I do agree that my position on changing the age to 16 may be viewed as arbitrary, and my proposal to exempt some activities between certain ages could still allow for the exploitation of some young people. In my position, it may be challenging to determine if consent is voluntary, but I will leave that to the authorities (courts) to decide.

The truth test of our resolve is whether we are willing to trust the system to enforce the laws aggressively without fear or favor.

Now, to be clear, my proposed 16-year age of consent is not a free pass for those grown adults to take advantage of our children. Non-consensual sex is rape. Persons in a position of authority or trust, such as stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, teacher, coach, clergyperson, etc., cannot engage in sexual activity without fear of prosecution.

The brother Charles James has left us

I FIRST

the parish of St. David. He was amiable and firm and commanded the respect of the community.

I am here today as a representative of the former St. Vincent Banana Growers’ Association and its former members of staff, to join Mrs. James and her family to say farewell to Charles James who had also been a member of staff and gave valuable service to the Association. He was the supervisor at one of the buying stations that were spread throughout the state, where the farmers sold their bananas every week. The majority of those stations operated two days per

week. There were over eight thousand farmers on the books as members of the Banana Growers’ Association.

I feel compelled to use this sacred occasion as an opportunity to counter the machinations of those who have been insensitive and indifferent to the potential of the banana industry in the development of this agricultureoriented society of ours.

While these ‘pseudo-scholars’ have over the years been dismissing the banana industry as a one-crop economy like arrowroot and sugarcane and cotton, the banana had been a fifty-two week per year economic endeavour; over thirty thousand Vincentians had reliable income every

week. A lot of the agony we are suffering today has origin in the indifference of those of us whose responsibility it was to protect the interests of our communities.

As we say farewell to our brother Charles James today, may those of us remaining who have the capacity, endeavour to use our resources and assert ourselves in the correcting of the prevailing malaise now burdening our society. We need to act expeditiously if we are to effect the negation of the threatening agony that could overwhelm the next generations of Vincentians. We should be mindful of the fact that on their shoulders will rest the agonizing burden of the

repayment of the debts which we have incurred, some recklessly, over the last several decades. Our immature leadership has been distinctly indifferent, to the needs regarding the development of our economic potential in agricultural activity which has played a central role in this society for hundreds of years.

They have distinctly transformed us from ‘producers to scrunters’! I trust that Jehovah will give the James family the strength to cope with their heavy loss.

May our brother Charles James now rest in peace.

LeRoy Providence

Call the election The Goat Sins of the Father-in-law

THE WAYthe political parties are behaving, anybody could see that they are in election mode.

And while each party will have its own strategy and so forth, it is the duty of the leaders to guide their parties and the nation, since their objective is to either keep power or to win it.

So, they must have a plan for the country and, to repeat, it is the duty of the leaders to make this plan clear to the voters.

It is a pity that as we switch into election mode, that we do so with a shadow of crime hanging over us. Not only that, but I am beginning to feel that there is also too much inequality in our society. Some people seem to enjoy so much more than others and it’s the same people who are making millions.

Honestly, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and his government have faced real challenges. But to be honest, it is clear that their efforts especially as they relate to crime and opportunities have not been up to mark. Many citizens feel unsafe, and some even feel that they are left out of sharing in the pie.

So, as we get closer to another general election, we have to somehow out put aside and come together and demand that our politicians, government, be transparent and accountable. Dr. Gonsalves and his government must admit their shortcomings. There is nothing wrong in admitting when you are wrong. It can win you favour.

And when all is said and done, it’s time for Dr. Gonsalves to call the election. Ring the bell. You have nothing to fear. Let the people determine their future instead of you and others beating them around the bush. Call the elections.

Anthony, C

Num. 14. [18] The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Born in Georgetown, St. Vincent, he thought that his role in transporting the unsuspecting, innocent passengers in the back seat of his taxi was minimal. Dressed in shirt, pants and hat, the peculiar passengers’ disguise did not escape the prying eyes of the police who stopped the

vehicle. Claiming that he was only hired to transport the passengers from one place to another and consequently had nothing to do with the crime, did not impress the court. This, however, contrasted with the view of the magistrate who tried his case. As the owner and driver of the taxi, he could not escape responsibility for the crime.

The other passenger in the car denied any knowledge of the crime, although he had stolen the goats, dressed them up in clothes hoping that no one would notice as they were being moved from the hardworking

farmer’s compound to the unscrupulous restauranteur. Even though he hired Mr. Johnson’s taxi to do the work, when he (Mr. Jinson) saw the nature of the job, he should have refused. He, like many others, thinks that they would escape because they were “following orders” when they clearly knew that they were engaging in wrongdoing.

That is how my father-in-law ended up spending time in the Royal Gaol of Trinidad and Tobago. Is this sin of his in any way responsible for my loss of three (3) goats so far for this year and whatever

Tinted windows on vehicles

THEHon. Prime Minister stated recently on radio that he intends to introduce legislation to the Parliament to regulate tinted windows on motor vehicles. While I partially support this initiative by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to introduce legislation to regulate tinted windows on motor vehicles, I believe certain considerations should be taken into account to ensure fairness and effectiveness.

The CCJ: Why not?

THERE HASbeen much debate, at least in my neck of the woods, about how justice is dispensed through our court system. Many have expressed concern about the extent of jail terms guilty parties get for some serious offences. While there are procedures and ‘liberties’ that judges and magistrates enjoy under our system, it is worth the while to note how the ordinary citizen feels about the action of those who dispense justice.

And while that is a concern that we should not ignore, our legal system still lacks a true “Caribbeanisation” about it.

We here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are guided by our government (or is it our Prime Minister), when it comes to our final court of appeal.

Vincentians hold fast to the

Privy Council of London as our final court of appeal thereby throwing cold water on our own Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). If those who make decisions on our behalf would put their ears to the ground, they would hear that many of our citizens are of the view that the CCJ would better represent the interests of the region and promote a sense of Caribbean identity. On the other hand, those in authority would also hear that there are quite a number of citizens to believe the Privy Council’s long-standing tradition of independence and expertise in interpreting Caribbean law, make it the better choice.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not the only CARICOM country which has not signed on to the CCJ as its final

court of appeal. That does not mean that that position is one supported by the majority.

I am of the firm belief that a national referendum should he conducted to decide this issue, instead of having a political party or a political leaser decide for us. A referendum is a democratic approach that would allow the people of the SVG to have a direct say in the matter.

Needless to say, and I have no reason to doubt it would not be, the referendum should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner to ensure that the outcome accurately reflects the will of the people.

Of course, if we accept the CCJ it would mean making changes to the legal system. For that we must be prepared.

Gordon Kingstown.

It is critical to recognize that not all vehicles should be subject to the same restrictions on tinted windows. Public service vehicles, such as taxis and buses, as well as rental vehicles, should prioritize transparency and visibility for the safety of passengers and pedestrians.

Additionally, exempting government vehicles, including those used by law enforcement agencies, may facilitate effective response and public engagement. However, exceptions should not extend to the Prime Minister’s and the Governor General’s vehicles, as public officials should lead by example and adhere to the same regulations.

Private persons often tint their vehicles for various reasons, including protecting upholstery from direct

may befall the goat thieves? To what extent does the sin of parents affect their children?

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD

sunlight in our warm climate, and safeguarding valuables from potential theft.

While it is assumed that the proposed measure aims to address an upsurge in criminal activity, it is worth considering whether it will effectively suppress crime.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that technology exists to measure the intensity (darkness) of the tint used on motor vehicles. Tint meters, readily available, provide accurate readings of visible light transmission aiding enforcement efforts and ensuring compliance with regulations.

In conclusion, while I support efforts to enhance public safety, I urge policymakers to consider the nuances of tinted window regulations to strike a balance between security and individual needs.

Eric Samuel

METCharles James when he was a young police officer in Spring Village in

Revolutionising land and property transactions

ISSUE

THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines is investing EC $10.5 million to revolutionise the process of land and property transactions. The formal title of this sub-project is “Single Window Land and Property Transaction Project”, which is part of the larger Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) being implemented by Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and financed by softloans from the World Bank/International Development Association (IDA). SVG’s portion of this loan from CARDTP is US $94 million for the overall project for the four Windward Islands.

The central aim of CARDTP is to increase access to digital services, technologies and skills by governments, businesses, and individuals in SVG. This is part and parcel of the ULP government’s quest to build a modern, competitive, manysided post-colonial economy which is at once, local, national, regional, and global.

A workshop on the land and property sub-project was held earlier in the week in SVG.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OVERALL

The overall project (CARDTP) has several components of which the following are the most critical:

A. Enhancing resiliency especially in the government sector by enlarging the foundation of a digital government, a government that can be engaged with using online tools which will allow individuals and businesses of SVG to access important government services remotely. Several major government operations will be digitized and many of the projects are ongoing including:

(i) The implementation of the Vincy Electronic Single Window for Trade Facilitation (VSWIFT) has commenced.

(ii) The implementation of a new Tax Information Management System will commence soon. Tax payers will be able to file and pay taxes online including property tax, vehicle and drivers’ licenses.

(iii) A Civil Registry and National ID Modernisation Project will commence very soon. The ID upgrade is pivotal for all other digital transformation projects: Once an electronic form of ID is available, online access to various services will become standardized and secured.

(iv) A Government Online Portal and Payment Platform will be established to allow citizens and business to make online payments for services; and submit online forms to government instead of paper forms.

(v) A Government Data Centre will be stablished whereby all servers for all major government services will be co-located under stringent requirements of data and cyber security.

(vi) The Single Window for Land and Property Transactions.

(vii) Generally, to promote an enhanced digital services culture in SVG.

B. Lifting digital technologies and the digital economy in SVG to accelerate further economic growth

and job creation. This many-sided, evolving process has to be accompanied by:

(i) Creating the digital environment where investors (local and overseas) will find SVG attractive. Thus, the need for far more Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) skills, as well as digital technology skills. CARDTP is helping in this regard. There are other initiatives, too.

(ii) Creating the enabling legislative and institutional framework for all the initiatives under CARDTP.

SINGLE WINDOW LAND AND PROPERTY TRANSACTIOBS PROJECT

This project will integrate digitally all the relevant land management activities and allow users the online tools to carry out their land and property transaction activities.

Land is a very important asset, and it must be managed properly. Access and ownership to land are vital in abundant material respects. The current systems for undertaking land transactions are inefficient, cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly.

The central elements of this revolutionary process in altering the way land transactions are done and formalised, includes the following elements:

(i) The carrying out of a digital based mapping of the country of every parcel of land. This base map will allow for land — records to be digitized and updated. This activity is expected to commence in the next few weeks.

(ii) The establishment, accordingly, of an Integrated Geospatial Information framework to address the governance and sharing of spatial or land use data.

(iii) The complete digitization of each parcel of land, those with deeds and those without. All encumbrances, if any, will be in the information system for each parcel of land.

(iv) Package of legislation to implement a “title by registration” system linked to the digitized land information.

(v) The digitization of all the parcels of land in SVG, includes those in both state and private lands.

Many lawyers may not be happy with the new system because the fees for “the certificates of title” under the digitized system of title by registration would be considerably less than at present; it would be faster and more accurate. But the general public would appreciate this advanced electronic conveyancing.

CONCLUSION

While the political elites in the opposition salivate for political power with no ideas for SVG’s development, the ULP continues to be creative, proactive, and developmental in the people’s interest.

The ULP government is performing so well across all sectors, the opposition is left looking inept and increasingly irrelevant to progress. As always, the ULP for SVG!

Economic development needed across the country

AFTER 23 YEARS IN POWER, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has failed to address the critical issues that are affecting Vincentians. We have seen a spiraling crime rate, cost-of-living has sky rocketed, deteriorating infrastructure, high levels of poverty, an unemployment crisis and a declining agricultural sector.

The ULP government does not have the plans to solve the myriads of problems that exist in our country. It cannot solve the unemployment crisis. One in five persons are unemployed, and a youth unemployment rate of 46 percent. While some persons are underemployed; others are in temporary employment. What is even more disturbing, is that too many persons cannot find jobs easily in their communities, they have to travel long distances to seek employment. For example, large numbers of persons have to travel from the rural areas to Kingstown to seek employment. This is the fault of the ULP government.

The government has abandoned a large section of the country and is hoping that the electorate does not recognize their lack of interest. As a result, too many of our young people have no option but to leave and travel abroad to seek opportunities. St. Vincent and the Grenadines net migration is at its highest level ever. Vincentians need jobs in every part of the country. There has never been any attempt by this government to build an economy for everyone in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The government needs to create opportunities for everyone; whether you are in the Grenadines, Kingstown, the windward or the leeward side of the country. No part of our country should be left behind.

In addition, wages in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are too low. Too many of our people could hardly make ends meet with their meagre wages. Inflation has eaten away at wages leaving people with even less in their pockets at the end of each week. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lowest paid in the Caribbean. The statistics bear this out. Pay Pulse report of 2023 showed that we were the lowest paid in the region with 73 percent of salaries falling below the regional average. All this under the ULP government which made grandeur promises to get into power.

The ULP has broken its promise when it comes to economic renewal. Our people deserve better than this, everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy a decent standard of living. They deserve the opportunities to build a life and a career here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Only with a strong economy, we will be able to reduce unemployment, improve the standard of living and develop the country.

Creating opportunities for everyone

The New Democratic Party (NDP) will create opportunities for Vincentians by developing the four pillars of the economy: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and the new economy to grow our economic base. We will build an economy that delivers for everyone in all parts of the country, from North Windward to

North Leeward and the Grenadines. We will do this by investing in the four pillars of the economy to drive economic growth across the country, by supporting Vincentians to establish and expand their businesses, helping farmers, fisherfolk and businesses to export, and by seeking more foreign direct investment in key areas.

The NDP is committed to building a strong local business community. As part of our plan, we will create a National Development Bank to assist local businesses to invest and thrive. We will cut unnecessary regulations that are hindering the process of establishing businesses. The Development Bank will be a true partner in local ventures. We will ensure that this finance is available at the lowest possible interest rate. And, it will provide mentorship and technical support to help businesses succeed.

We will also develop our skills base by increasing skills across the country, build a national innovation hub to develop entrepreneur and establish a national skills agency to ensure our people have the right skills for the future. We will create opportunities for our farmers to compete across the region and the world by establishing marketing boards to support businesses to access export markets and working with local business to identify opportunities. Unlike the ULP government, we will support all businesses despite of party affiliation. And, work with farmers, fisherfolk, artists, bus operators, and many more to provide opportunities for them to grow.

The NDP is committed to deliver economic growth across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Too many of our people are struggling with the rising cost-of-living and record numbers are emigrating to other countries, according to data from the World Bank.

The development of this economic approach is to ensure that every Vincentian can benefit from a growing economy, providing a better life for them and their families, so they are not forced to move abroad. To grow as a country, we need an economy that works for everyone and reaches people in every corner of our country. At the moment, the government is focused only on certain parts of the country. Under the NDP government, this will stop. We will grow the economy by focusing on the four pillars of the economic development and ensure the benefits of this are felt across the country.

The government is racking up higher costs of having to import workers, which takes away opportunities for our people and has an additional toll on our economy with more public funds being spent on this than it would cost to train and invest in our people.

The NDP is committed to growing the economy and investing the benefits for all people across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, resulting in more jobs, higher wages, better healthcare, a safer country and better infrastructure.

We are all one people

“United we stand. Divided we fall.”Aesop (620–560 BC) Greek author, Aesop’s Fables, hundreds of animal stories illustrating human follies “The Four Oxen and the Lion”.

DURING HIS SOJOURN in the White House, President Barak Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America, said and did many things in his attempt to pull the American people together. His call for unity among the various divides will probably be one of the outstanding hallmarks of his presidency. Many will testify that he has had a positive, unifying, impact on people beyond America’s shores. And while some may argue that he prematurely received the 2009 Nobel Prize for Peace “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”, we sense that deep down within this gentleman there is a drive to bridge gaps and mend bridges between persons and nations with opposing perspectives.

It was not a smooth road for this relatively young man. We will agree that he had a rather short honeymoon (if any at all) in terms of his presidency. Early in his presidency, he was distracted and criticised in relation to his “health agenda” and his decision to send an additional 30,000 soldiers to Afghanistan. But even as the American citizens argued about the pros and cons of the various sensitive issues, even as they demonstrated for and against differing positions, we had a clear sense that they were a unified people. They are American — and proud to be such. While Democrats and Republicans periodically (and conveniently) forget this reality during heightened election campaigns, they will often band together when faced with a common enemy.

Partisan politics continues to create and sustain serious rifts among the people of our various Caribbean nations. Unfortunately, many senior politicians (who should know better) appear to be the perpetrators by encouraging feelings of animosity and rage among and between our people. They seem to regularly choose words that fuel negative passions. They make statements that appear to rub salt in wounds and make sure that the enmity is sustained or rekindled. Such utterances are not limited to political platforms when elections are imminent, and emotions appear to be heightened. We also witness such behaviours in our Houses of Parliament throughout the region. Some appear to thrive on driving wedges within communities. Why? When will our politicians throw off the shackles of the “old-time politics” and embrace the new, enlightened times that our people wish to enter? When will they understand that we are all one people and that it is okay to be different and to respect those with opposing views? It is okay to have differing political opinions and still be friends. It is okay to be in different political camps and be civil to each other. It is okay to look beyond political and other differences and demonstrate a spirit of love and respect for each other; we are all one people.

All people have a right and a privilege of choice. Ayn Rand (19051982), the Russian-born American writer and philosopher, reminds us that, “Everyone has the right to make his own decisions, but none has the right to force his decision on others.” This is considered foundational to living in a democracy. This is the essence of true

freedom — respecting someone’s right to be different from us; irrespective of our gender, nationality, skin pigmentation, religion, sexual preference, or ethnicity. We often have more in common than the differences that are used to separate us and to keep us apart.

There are some individuals among us who appear to thrive on creating and sustaining divisions. Some use the strategy of fuelling prejudices and hatreds. They understand and appreciate that such negative feelings can be quite easily sustained. It is often amazing the lengths that some individuals will go to when such negative feelings emerge. This is why it is imperative that the more enlightened members of society sound the warning of the destructive nature that such emotions can usher in. History has revealed that families, societies, and nations have been destroyed by individuals who appeared to have mastered the art of driving emotional wedges between people. Family feuds have been sustained beyond generations with successive generations not even being aware of the reasons for the animosity. We must be forever on guard for those individuals who seek to separate us based on our differences. We have a shared essence of our humanity. We remind ourselves that, despite our difference in appearance, culture, language, and belief systems, we are all one people.

Throughout history, philosophers and spiritual leaders have championed the need for greater civility and mutual respect among peoples. They would have realized that in our interconnected global village, our various environmental, social, health, and political challenges transcend borders. It is therefore in our best interest as a people to consider our collective wellbeing and to live lives that reflect empathy and cooperation — walking the higher road of civility and compassion and avoiding the societal degradation that is often evident when we allow our animal instincts to get the better of us.

Our blood banks willingly accept blood from all races, religions, political persuasions and so on. Scientific discoveries repeatedly support our common ancestry and the genetic similarities that are foundational to our common humanity. We are all descendants of a shared origin.

Reflecting on the truism that we are all one people allows us to celebrate diversity while fostering understanding, appreciation, and inclusivity. It beckons us to be tolerant as we demonstrate respect to those who may appear or sound different to us and, wherever possible, to be advocates for tolerance, peace, and hope for a better, more inclusive, world. Finally, by recognizing and appreciating our interconnectedness and embracing our shared humanity, we pave the way for a more harmonious and equitable world. In so doing, we herald the triumph of unity over division, and celebrate love as it transcends all boundaries; reminding us that we are all one people.

I RECENTLY READ A LETTER PUBLISHED in the February 22, 2024, issue of the Jamaica Gleaner. I am publishing it in its entirety because of the truth, force, and power of its contents.

“The recent Privy Council hearing of Jamaica’s dancehall artiste Adidja Palmer’s (Vybz Kartel) appeal against his conviction has reignited a longstanding debate: Should Jamaica continue to recognise the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as its final court of appeal? This submission argues that the recent hearing of the Privy Council appeal, which was livestreamed, is evidence that the time has come for Jamaica to affirm its sovereignty and judicial independence by withdrawing from the UK-based vestige of colonialism.

The live-streaming of this appeal, for which many of us have been profoundly grateful, has not only situated Jamaica’s justice system under the global spotlight but also underscored the argument that the Privy Council does not possess any superior legal intellect absent from Jamaica’s own appellate bench. As the legal arguments and submissions unfolded (from both sides), the global audience watched and listened attentively to the inquiries made by the Law Lords and Lady.

This observation highlighted the fact that there is no unique wisdom or insight offered by the Privy Council that could not have been equally matched by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Continuing to rely on the Privy Council as Jamaica’s final court of appeal is incongruent with Jamaica’s status as a truly independent nation. I submit that this continued reliance on the Privy Council is a relic of colonialism that continues to dilute Jamaica’s independence and, by extension, its judicial and intellectual sovereignty. The time has come for us as a region to embrace our judicial wisdom and decisions with full confidence. We could see in real-time that the Privy Council judges, while distinguished, are not immersed in Jamaican culture and societal norms, which incur the risk of findings and judgments that do not fully resonate with local contexts and values.

Transitioning to a regional Caribbean Court of Justice not only eliminates the possible cultural and contextual dissonance of the Privy Council but will also make justice more accessible to more Jamaicans. The cost and complexity associated with appealing to the Privy Council is prohibitive to many and results in making justice available only to the wealthy, such as Mr. Palmer and his co-accused.

Critics who oppose withdrawal from the Privy Council argue that the body represents impartiality and a high quality of justice. But, I argue that a Caribbean Court of Justice and impartiality are not mutually exclusive. Other countries, such as Canada, Australia and India, have successfully established their own final courts of appeal, a move that solidified their judicial independence without compromising their quality of justice. Mr. Palmer’s live-streamed appeal not only underscores the need for Jamaica to reassess its judicial ties to the Privy Council, but also serves as affirmation that Jamaica and the Caribbean have the competence, capacity and legal framework to render justice with integrity, fairness, and independence wholly within their own regional

context.”

My take Studies also show that the number of decisions from the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal overturned by the Privy Council is on par with those overturned by the UK Supreme Court.

The Privy Council was established in 1829, when Britain was the dominant world power, controlling and dominating more than 40 percent of the world’s people. The British government established the privy Council to serve its ‘colonies and plantations.’

We unite with the expressed views of Errol Barrow, former Barbadian Prime Minister who warned against ‘loitering on colonial premises.’

Gonsalves’ Malice

Prime Minister Gonsalves has a special distaste for lawyers. This is surprising, considering that he spent about two decades at the criminal defence bar, where he made a name for himself defending the constitution, particularly the fundamental rights to liberty, free and fair trial and the association with harm or threat to injury of person.

Since his emergence as ruler of SVG in 2001, lawyers have become the PM’s targeted punching bag. Lawyers are frequently traduced in his parliamentary diatribe. Lawyers’ private tax records are brought into the public domain on radio, television, and at public meetings with salty, caustic, and toxic bile and venom.

Last July in Trinidad, PM Gonsalves lambasted judges for allowing bail to accused murderers when he knows that the constitution allows judges to exercise case-specific discretion on the issue. In Trinidad, The Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana, persons accused of murder have been granted bail. The PM accused some lawyers of prying special favours from Judges and magistrates.

Earlier this week, while announcing the digitisation of records housed at the registry, PM Gonsalves again berated lawyers, saying their opportunity for making money would diminish when the registry is digitised. This, he claimed because registry information will now be at the click of a button.

The truth is that bailiffs and other people working with lawyers make money by conducting searches. Private searches may earn up to $350 per search. Lawyers make money on the sale of the property, and the amount is prescribed by the Bar Association.

People laugh at the snide and slanderous remarks, but they are no joking matter. They amount to a serious assault on notions of justice, due process and the rule of law.

Lawyers are officers of the court and are governed by the ethics of the profession. If the PM has information that some judges and lawyers are perverting the course of justice, he should take that information to the relevant authorities, who can investigate and prosecute where necessary.

The Spiritual Baptists

I WRITE INresponse to a letter captioned ‘The Spiritual Baptists’ by Elliot and carried on Page 9 of your edition of April 5, 2024.

Let me endeavour to give him reasons that led to the Trinidad Spiritual/Shouter Baptists Liberation Day.

During the time and after the abolition of slavery (on paper) there were three main religious groups in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist.

Now, the Afrocentric people who lived on the Calder/Argyle plantation/estate, having accepted that slavery was abolished, realized they needed to own and control the means of production (the Garifuna land). The British decided in the negative and there was a rebellion.

The British went to India and deceived some Indians, telling them they were going to take them to a very fertile country where they would own their own home and farmland. The Indians took the bait. The British then used their military might and pushed the Afrocentric freedom fighters on Chapel Hill, (Grand) Bonhomme, Stubbs, and Victoria Village and placed the Indians along the border from Calder Gap, Crick Corner up to Richland Park.

Now the Afrocentrics in the surrounding Stubbs evoked their spirituality by giving out messages of things to come, and the proclamation of the end of the world. Converts were added and their place of baptism (between Victoria Village and Bonhomme, Stubbs River). This is a people knowing that their Saviour Yeshua, whom the British called Jesus, was Afrocentric and worshipped in their Afrocentric manner. They believed in

communal living… the way Aaron and Moses governed Israel.

This movement became a threat to the British government and the established churches which were not baptizing in water although they had the Bible. By the 1st of October 1912, this Afrocentric Order was outlawed under the Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance. The order went underground, some members migrated to Trinidad and met with different African Spiritual practices but retained their practices and by 1917, they were outlawed under the same 1912 Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance wording with Shouterism replacing Shakerism.

That Act was repealed in Trinidad on 30th March 1951 and those who practiced the faith were registered in Trinidad as Spiritual Shouter Baptists. By May 22, 1951 the Afrocentric order was registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Christian Pilgrim Faith although the Shakerism Prohibition Ordinance wasn’t repealed until March 22nd, 1965.

The first Spiritual Baptists group was established in St. Vincent and the Grenadines under Act No. 17 of 1978 (Spiritual Baptists Organization), Act No. 10 of 1983.

There are many Spiritual Baptists factions… a division that enables the political system to streamline them. The Christian Pilgrim and the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs made many efforts to have them united under one umbrella. We do hope that Elliot and others concerned get the idea of why the PM is not giving a national holiday like Trinidad. The Christian Pilgrim Faith remains strongly concerned with having National Holiday on May 22.

Long live, the struggle for total freedom.

Christian Democrat

Dr. Patrick Antoine, President of BACOL, made it clear that the case to go before the CCJ is effectively on behalf of all policyholders in the Eastern Caribbean.

AFTER A WAIT OF A DECADE AND MORE, policyholders of the now defunct British American Insurance Company (BAICO) will have their day in court.

April 29th and 30th, 2024 are the dates that the matter as it relates to the non-compensation of policy holders of BAICO will be heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Dr. Patrick Antoine, President of BACOL — the company set up to represent the uncompensated policyholders within the Eastern Caribbean — said that the matter was being heard based on the

BAICO policyholders to have day in court

ruling from the court that the decision was made to run with the policyholders from Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda.

Nobody left out

Dr. Antoine, during a press briefing on April 23, spoke directly to those policyholders who have not been essentially parties at this stage to the claim, assuring them that they “must not feel that they are left out because the court has made it clear that once the court has heard the arguments, which are the same for the other islands...then of course because it is the same case, it is the same arguments and the other policyholders would be accommodated.”

He emphasised, “So those of you who are from Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat you must not fear that this matter has reached this stage based on your

own participation that this matter also continues to include you.”

It was further noted that the court has a record of the names of persons from those countries other than Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda and that once there was a ruling, that ruling will apply equally across the board.

BACOL’s argument

According to Antoine, BACOL represented nearly 2,000 policyholders from throughout the Eastern Caribbean who are owed about EC$800,000,000.

The argument is that on the collapse of its parent company, the Trinidad and Tobagobased regional conglomerate CL Financial in 2009, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago discriminated against policyholders of BAICO when it compensated citizens of their country

and not those of the Eastern Caribbean.

“We have done everything that we can do. … Many of you are jittery, but you really have no good reason to be because the story is yours and all you are doing is really reflecting what has been a painful story,” Dr. Antoine appealed, and shared that it was their expectation that the court will rule in their favour.

Trinidad and Tobago discriminated

Kamisha Menns, international legal consultant attached to the case, explained that the case concerned questions of fairness, discrimination and leveling the playing field for the Caribbean Community.

“And it means that the Treaty (Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishin g the Caribbean Community) has been established and set up

LIAT 2020 welcomes two jets

IN MARCH 2024, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Antigua and Barbuda government, told his people and the region that his government was prepared to spend up to US$12 million to purchase three ATR 42-600 aircraft from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to outfit the new airline LIAT 2020.

LIAT 2020, PM Browne said, was a joint undertaking involving his government and a Nigerian Airline — Air Peace.

Negotiations are ongoing with respect to the purchase of the aircraft as mentioned.

Using one aircraft at its disposal, LIAT 2020 conducted test flights two weekends ago. The test did not go well because of certain mechanical problems.

This, however, did not weaken the determination of the Antigua and Barbuda government, and it committed to have the faulty parts replaced, so as to resume test flights towards LIAT 2020 gaining an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).

Notwithstanding the situation regarding the fight worthiness of the old LIAT (1974) Ltd

aircraft, the process towards obtaining an AOC moved closer to reality when on Tuesday, two Embraer E-145 jet aircraft, branded with a LIAT insignia, part of Air Peace’s investment in the new airline LIAT 2020, arrived in Antigua. PM Browne and a party of government and LIAT 2020 officials were on hand at the V.C. Bird International Airport to

and incorporated into the various member states, such that a provision like Article 7 of the Revised Treaty says that within the scope of the Treaty, there is to be no special provisions contained or no actions can be done on the grounds of nationality alone,” Menns said.

She further argued that the government of Trinidad and Tobago effectively, factually favoured its nationals by the deliberate use and expropriation of the CLF group of assets to benefit the Trinidadian policyholders only, to compensate its policyholders only and to form a new business entity which benefitted its policyholders only.

“It discriminated against the Grenadian and Antiguan policyholders. It created and engaged the legislative process that was discriminatory and prejudicial in the sense that it forestalled and

Kamisha Menns, international legal consultant, did not hesitate to implicate the government of Trinidad and Tobago in an injustice inflicted on the BAICO policyholders of the Eastern Caribbean.

prevented non-nationals and other groups not already subjected to their compensations scheme, from bringing claims,” Menns said.

Expected on the first day of the hearing are the submission of witness statements and according to the team from BACOL, up until the press briefing, persons do not have access to view the proceedings.

However, a link will be provided for the second day and third, if possible, and all are being encouraged to follow the proceedings. (DD)

The jet aircraft got the traditional water salute. (Photo Source: Antigua Observer)

Left: It’s now official… LIAT 2020 fleet has been bolstered with the addition of two Embraer E-145 jet aircraft. (Photo Source: Loop News)

welcome the aircraft.

The two E-145 jet aircrafts brought the number of aircrafts in the LIAT 2020 fleet to three.

Ambassador Daven Joseph, Interim Chairman of LIAT 2020, in brief remarks at the welcome, praised the Prime Minister for staying committed to the regional cause and for ensuring the sustainable livelihoods of Antiguans and Barbudans. He also

thanked Air Peace for its support throughout the challenges.

Hafsah Abdul-Salam, CEO of Air Peace Caribbean Ltd in Antigua, expressed her gratitude to the LIAT 2020 team for their work in getting the company to where it is today.

Prime Minister Browne told the listening audience that while yesterday was a “humbling” moment for him, it was one to celebrate for the nation.

“And when I look at the fact that back in 2020 we had the vision, courage and tenacity to incorporate LIAT 2020 at one of the most difficult periods in Caribbean civilization, and that four years later we are here celebrating what can be considered the establishment of LIAT 2020, I think that this is a resounding success for Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean region,” he expressed. Indications are that the two planes will not be the only aircraft to serve the new LIAT airline; a forthcoming 128-seater aircraft was also announced to be in the works. (Source: Antigua Observer, Loop News)

SVGCA convenes Judges Workshop

CALYPSONIANS, soca artistes, judges, writers, persons responsible for sound, auditors and other stakeholders, should feel enhanced to pursue their respective roles in the advancement of the calypso art form, following their involvement in a Judges’ Workshop held last Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Conference Room of the Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union.

The event, staged by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypsonians Association (SVGCA), sought primarily to examine the judging criteria for Calypso, Soca, and Ragga Soca Competitions, as well as examine the role of the auditor and how the judges’ points are used to determine the results.

President of the SVGCA- Earl Bennett, in his welcoming remarks, implored the participants to accept changes and be open.

“Like any other professions, nothing is stagnant, therefore, you need to refresh…you need to reexamine what is before you, as Calypso evolves”, Bennett implored.

Additionally, Bennett called for a proper understanding of Calypso and its rudiments.

“We need to have a better understanding of what we see as Calypso … You cannot have one idea of what Calypso is and I have another idea… If you work assiduously and diligently, if you work together, we can achieve great things”, Bennett advised.

The Workshop’s Chief Facilitator Cleave Scott, historian attached to the Oral History Project at Cave Hill Campus of The UWI, and who is also a

sound engineer, in noting that the system of judging Calypso was not flawless, called on judges to continue to retool themselves.

As such, he emphasised, “Not because you have been a judge for the last thirty years you shouldn’t think you have it locked down”.

Apart from Scott, presentations also came from Junior Mason, who provides sound for Calypso tents, and Dominic Sutherland, an Auditor.

President Bennet, in assessing Saturday’s

exercise, deemed it “very informative and interactive.

“It was a worthwhile exercise, especially the facilitator- Dr. Cleve Scott…I want to commend him for doing an excellent job from beginning to the end… He brought context and different aspects of the art form, that is Calypso, Soca and Ragga Soca … I also want to commend the judges who were there for their openness…I think that at the end of the session, persons are more au fait and more appreciative of the various roles of persons”.

Terri Karelle Reid shared hope

DR. TERRI KARELLE REID is Jamaican born. But she is not the ordinary woman in her own land or, for that matter, in any other part of the world.

The veterinarian-turned-media personality, the Caribbean’s leading event host, an award- winning Media and Communications practitioner, an internationally acclaimed speaker, TV personality, author and community builder, was the feature speaker at the District 7030 Conference 2024, hosted in St. Vincent and he grenadines , April 18 — 20.

Dr. Reid enthralled the audience at the Conference’s Opening Ceremony held at the Kingstown Baptist, April 18. The standing ovation at the end of the presentation is evidence of her qualities as an orator.

Dr. Reid was amazed that a woman held the position as Governor general, Head of State, and she told her audience hat this reminded her of her 92-year-old grandmother.

She shared that a pattern of struggles marked her upbringing, which served as a launching ground from which to take the plunge into the

unknown, and coming out of it with a balance of brilliance and courage. Those shaped her, and she confessed “your character is built from challenges.”

“I do not compromise my integrity for anything,” Dr. Reid told the Rotarian gathering and spoke about her ‘Open Door Foundation.’ She was sticking to theme of Sharing Hope.

“We are not here to serve ourselves,” she pointed out.

Jamaican born Shaggy has one of the most commendable acclaim in his song dubbed:

‘Strength of a woman.’

In sharing glimpses into her life’s pathway, Dr. Terri Karelle Reid relayed a message of keeping hope alive in all you undertake.

District 7030 Conference 2024, have the footage of Terri-Karelle Reid’s presentation as another example of Shaggy’s claim. (WKA)

Dr. Cleve Scott – Chief facilitator of the Workshop.

Education

YRM celebrates WARD 2024

ON APRIL 18 every year, Ham radio operators across the globe celebrate World Amateur Radio Day – WARD, an activity which was spearheaded by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and formally established in 1925.

The Theme for WARD 2024 is, “A Century of connections: Celebrating 100 years of Amateur Radio Innovation, Community and Advocacy.”

One of the major functions and roles of the IARU is to ‘defend and expand the frequency allocations for Amateur Radio’.

Here in SVG, the Youlou Radio Movement — YRM, formerly Rainbow Radio League Inc., marked the 99th anniversary of WARD with two activities.

At 8:30 AM Director of the RRL/YRM Don De

Riggs - J88CD, was a guest at Magic FM 103.7 where the discussion centered around the role and importance of amateur radio and its usefulness during times of national, regional or global emergencies, especially when the phone service is down.

During that live, inter-active programme, radio amateurs were able use their hand-held radios to communicate directly with the announcer on duty, to report on their location and current conditions. Some of the operators made contact from their vehicles while others reported from their workplaces or homes. All radio amateurs are trained in message handling, and it is our duty to report accurately and in a timely manner, as in some cases, the life of critically injured persons depends on our efficiency or lack of it.

Radio amateurs taking part in the first part of WARD 2024, include Denise Dublin —J88NLS, Ronald Haynes —J88EA, Reni King -J88DM, Sean Patterson —J88CU and visiting radio amateur Herbert “Jeff” English —J85E. The announcer at Magic FM Arington Raguette —J88SE is the most recent radio operator to obtain an amateur radio license.

All smiles, as two Grade 5 students of the BMS engage with off-base radio amateurs.

radio amateurs, using two-way radios supervised by the hams present. Both students and teachers alike enjoyed the activity for WARD 2024. Also supporting WARD 2024 activities were Vulon J88VL and Ira J88IH.

At 1 p.m the same day, two primary schools came ‘On the Air’, the Brighton Methodist school - BMS and the Kingstown Government school - KGS. The same radio operators split into two teams with Sean J88CU and Arington J88SE coordinating the activity at the BMS, and Denise J88NLS and Don J88CD at the KGS.

Both sets of Grade 5 students were taught the reasons and use of the phonetic alphabet and were able to introduce themselves ‘on air’ to supporting

The Director of the RRL/YRM thanks the Managing Director of Magic FM, Paul McLeish and programming staff for allowing the RRL/YRM to publicize WARD 2024. Gratitude is also expressed to the Principals and staff of BMS and KGS for the full support given to both teams of volunteers.

In 2025, the IARU celebrates its centenary anniversary … and locally, the RRL/YRM its 30th anniversary with, among other events, a Parks On The Air — POTA activity in the Tobago Cays.

Submitted by: Donald De Riggs

Director of the RRL/YRM Don De Riggs - J88CD, facilitating use of Ham communication for students at the KGS.

All Athletes Inc. ÂOn BoardÊ

ALL ATHLETES

INCORPORATED (AAI)

announced earlier this month of its upcoming fundraising event dubbed ‘All Athletes On Board’.

The event is a collaboration between the renowned cruise

ship- Freewinds, and is described, in an April 02 release form AAI as “a one-of-a-kind event… an unforgettable evening of music, camaraderie, and charitable giving, all in support of Vincentian student-athletes.”

Set for the evening of April 27th, from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm, in the auditorium of Freewinds, the event is expected to feature: “soulful melodies of jazz, the infectious

rhythms of reggae, and the heartfelt blues, courtesy of the Freewinds bands,” Patrons will pay EC$30.00 and be entertained “to the max,” in addition to being

treated to complimentary light refreshments throughout the event courtesy of the Freewinds.

Every dollar raised by this event “..will directly contribute to supporting the personal growth, education, and athletic pursuits of our nation’s youth,” AIA committed.

In extending an invitation to all Vincentians, AIA declared, “ ‘All Athletes On Board’ represents more than just a concert; it embodies the spirit of community, empowerment, and possibility. By joining us on this journey, you become an integral part of our mission to empower young individuals to thrive both on and off the field.”

(Source: AAI)

About AAI

All Athletes Inc. (AAI) is a dynamic and impactful nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to transforming through

sports, the lives the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its mission is to provide the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with opportunities to develop essential life skills, cultivate a passion for learning, and harness the transformative power of sports.

With a passionate commitment to fostering personal growth, education, and competition, All Athletes Inc. endeavours to provide a platform that empowers young individuals to thrive both on and off the field. Through innovative programmes and initiatives, AAI strives to inspire the next generation of leaders who are not only skilled athletes but also wellrounded, confident, and responsible citizens.

ECF in St. Kitts Agricultural Fair 2024

THE EAST CARIBBEAN GROUP OF COMPANIES (ECGC), in the name of its subsidiary East Caribbean Fees (ECF), earlier this week, announced its sponsorship of the St. Kitts Open Day Agricultural Fair on April 25-26, 2024.

This follows on ECGC’s active participation in the event of 2023.

According to a media release of April 16, East Caribbean Feeds “has been providing top quality feeds as well as technical services to St. Kitts for more than three decades.”

The Agriculture Open Day, ECGC said, “is a significant event that aims to showcase the diverse facets of the agricultural sector, bringing together farmers, agribusiness, fishers, and agroprocessors,” with the aim of creating “a comprehensive platform for promoting sustainable agriculture by fostering awareness, education, and collaborations across all key stakeholders.”

And as it heightens its involvement in the St. Kitts fair, the SVG-headquartered ECGC reaffirmed its commitment “to supporting the livestock industry, providing feeds for maximum nutrition, for sustainable agriculture and guaranteed food security.”

Other major participants in the 2024 Fair include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Caribbean Chemicals. (Source: ECGC)

Dr. Tahomma RichardsTechnical Product & Regional Category Manager/ECF is expected to play pivotal role in ECF’s participation in the St. Kitts fair. (Photo Source: ECGC)

An unwanted pregnancy

Dear Ole George,

I AM38 years old and married for 13 years.  I have never cheated on my husband until a few months ago when a friend of a friend visited from New York. I knew from the time I saw him that I would end up in bed with him, and we did.

Things took a different turn. I am now pregnant for this man. I knew this to be so because my husband has not been sexually active after having surgery.

As it is, this guy is advising that I have an abortion. He wants me to come to New York to have the abortion. I was appalled at his suggestion but after thinking it over, what other choices do I have?

My friend also suggests that I stay in N.Y. and give my husband marching orders. But, George, my husband has been nothing but good to me, but all of this can change once he finds out about my pregnancy.

The truth is I have felt a connection with this man and his performance in bed is nothing like I’ve experienced before. My husband lacks much when it comes to the bedroom. Please help me make my mind up as to what to do.

Crowded Thoughts

Dear Crowded Thoughts,

There is a saying: ‘When you find yourself in a hole you should stop digging’.

Going away to New York to have an abortion and a plan to start a new life with a man you hardly know, sounds pretty much like a pie in the sky idea.

There is too much hinging on the unknown and that reason alone should make you pause long enough to sensibly do a rethink.

You need to weigh the pros and cons of an abortion before jumping into it.

Owning up about your mistakes to your husband and facing the consequences of your actions may be a better way to go in the long run. It might be a better idea to trust the strength of your marriage and the love your husband has for you than to trust a total stranger, who is likely to bail at the first hint of problems.

George

HIV as punishment

Dear George,

THERE IS a prominent businessman in this country who may very well be HIV positive by now and does not know it.

I went to him for a job interview and he ended up raping me in his office. I did not see it coming and he had it arranged where we were the only ones in the building.

I am not going to the police because his HIV infection would be penalty enough for him. I want him to read this then go straight and get tested. I just feel sorry for his wife, but telling her about this is not my business. This sexual exploitation of women in this country needs to stop.

Revengeful

Dear Revengeful,

I know you may be satisfied with the consequences this businessman has to face as enough punishment. However, I am still going to suggest that you ask him to go get tested. The police too should

be notified about the rape, and you can do this when you feel strong enough to report it. It would be an excellent idea to go and see a counsellor to help you sort your feelings out. This ordeal could be affecting you more than you know.

George

Aries (Mar. 21- April 20)

Your social activity should be conducive to finding love. Spend some time with people who can shed some light on your personal situation. You can meet new friends who will let you know just how valuable you are. Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent.

Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21)

Sudden romantic connections may be short lived. Short trips will be educational. Females may put demands or added responsibilities on you. Financial investments that deal with joint money can be extremely prosperous.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Travel is evident, but be cautious while in transit. Visitors may be likely to drop by. Your best efforts will come through investments concerning your home. Sudden romantic connections may be short lived.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

You are apt to meet someone special on your journey. If you take on too much of a financial burden you may make yourself ill. Get out and, about. Your dynamic, determined approach will win favors as well as a helping hand.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22)

Disruptions may set you back, but you’re strong, and in the end the choices you make will be favorable. Love can be yours if you get out and about. If you keep busy you won’t feel the personal pressures you are going through. You may find yourself mixed up in a triangle of sorts.

Virgo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23)

You will accomplish the most in the work environment this week. You just hate waste, and when someone else costs you dearly you see red. You need to mingle with people who can spark enthusiasm and confidence in you. Group endeavors will provide you with entertainment.

Libra (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23)

Be sure that you lay your cards on the table. Do things that involve children. Don’t make any drastic changes or begin new projects this week. Secret affairs can only lead to devastating circumstances.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

Believe in yourself and so will those who count. Concentrate on yourself or your work. Curb your mood swings; they could result in loneliness. Sign up for seminars that will expand your business awareness.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21)

Your dramatic approach to life has probably gotten to your mate. Your partner may not understand your mood swings but if you are willing to communicate, a lot of grief can be avoided. Arguments will flare up if you get backed into an emotional corner. Moves will be hectic but favorable in the end.

Capricorn (Dec 22.- Jan. 20)

Ask those in key positions to help you overcome the delays and to support your concerns in order to move on. You will find your personal partner taxing this week. Money can be made if your are willing to take a chance. You will have no trouble getting things to fall into place.

Aquarius (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19)

You can make money if you put your savings into conservative investments. You may be out of sorts If you have been extravagant or have let children or friends take advantage of you financially. You will be able to find the perfect outfit, and the greatest new accessory for your house. Deceit around you is evident.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20)

Unexpected changes in friendships could occur. You can utilize your versatile mind and dazzle others with your speed and accuracy. Don’t play on your partner’s emotions. A romantic dinner, followed by a quiet evening with the one who is enticing you, should be most satisfying.

__ the beans (blabs)

That boy

Chicken

Patton’s rank

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

Shafiqua Maloney has been making it a habit of erasing national track records as she prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

SHATTERING NATIONAL TRACKrecords has become an all too familiar habit for Shafiqua Maloney.

Competing at the John Mc Donnell Invitational at Fayetteville, Arkansas, Friday 19,

Maloney adds 400m record

April, Maloney timed 50.94s, breaking the ten-year old mark of 51.23s set by Kineke Alexander in 2014.

In addition, to the national record, Maloney also recorded her personal best and set a new meet record in the process. And further, her time of 50.94s meant that she has met the qualifying standard for the 2024 Paris Olympics, in July/ August.

Maloney was not done last Friday, as she returned to the track after setting the 400m feat to better the St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1500m record, running in a winning time of 4:14.60, to eclipse the 4:15.30 she did on Saturday, 13th April, at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in

Gabriel Doyle upstages Lucky Antrobus

UPCOMING CYCLIST— Gabriel Doyle was able to upstage the seasoned cyclist- Lucky Antrobus at last Sunday, April 21, 2024, 19.9 miles Keep Fit road race.

Doyle grabbed the spotlight, as he edged out Antrobus , as the two cantered to the finish line in front of Chill Spot, Arnos Vale.

Doyle clocked 1:03.3.15, with Antrobus second in 1:03. 4.29.

Completing the top three finishers was Steve Ollivierre in a time of 1:03.14.15.

Docking in fourth was Rivas Young, whose clocking was 1:04.00.19, with Emmanuel Doyle fifth, in 1: 21.18.56.

The other cyclist who started was Martin Bollers, however, he did not stay the course.

Gainesville, Florida. Thus, Maloney has now qualified for two Olympic events, having already made the 800m standard.

Speaking with the media about her 400m feat, Maloney admitted, “I wasn’t expecting it, I would have been happy with 51.1. … When I saw 50.9, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll take that’.”

Predicting what was coming next, she hastened to add, “I’m excited. You’re probably going to ask if I’m going to run the 400m in Paris, but that’s a question for Coach Johnson. I’m just out here running. My previous PR was 51.7, so I nearly had a whole second PR. I’m very happy with it.”

In her stellar year, Maloney has become the first Vincentian to have qualified for the Paris Games, and doing so in two events.

Maloney now holds three individual national track records.

On April 6, 2024, she established a new mark

in the 600m, when she stopped the clock at 1:23.80 at the Miramar Invitational, held at the Ansin Sports Complex, Florida.

On February 10, 2024, at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Maloney clocked 1:58.69 to readjust the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’

800m record, which was affixed previously to her name.

The latest is the 400m, 50.94s, achieved last Friday and referenced above.

And, as far as a team record is concerned, Maloney adds her name to those of Zita Vincent, Annecia Richards and Tamara Woodley as record holders for the national U20 women’s 4x400m relay, recorded at the 2018 Carifta Games, The Bahamas.

Jiandani chairs WAA Committee

PRESIDENT OF THE ARCHERY ASSOCIATION of St. Vincent and the Grenadines- Sanjay Jiandani, has been elected to Chair the Ethics Committee of World Archery Americas (WAA).

His elevation came at the organisation’s General Assembly, held on April 11, 2024 in Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia.

Jiandini will lead the committee for the next four years and has as his support team: Juan Morelli of Uruguay, David Rahming Jr- The

Sunday’s race saw the cyclists riding off from the Koskab Building, Arnos Vale. From there, they rode to the Diamond Estate, before making a loop, via the Arnos Vale Round About, then to the finish line. Gabriel

Bahamas, Miguel Garcia of Mexico and Curacao’s Morwenna Meuer.

Commenting on his election Jiandani said, “I was happy to accept the position, granted that World Archery Americas has a lot of Spanishspeaking persons on the Executive …..hence, very few English-Speaking nations were part of it. With me being on the Ethics Committee it gives a voice to one more small federation as well as an English-speaking federation, which is something we want to increase on the Board.”

As for the task of the Committee, Jiandani said that he will lead the committee in ensuring that all decisions made are kept, along with monitoring federations in terms of their ethics, policies, and codes of conduct.

Giving a personal spin to his recent election, Jiandani sheard: “My

appointment I believe was based on the work that I would have done with the Archery Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a short period of time and being able to promote Archery and develop the sport in the region.”

He has led the Archery Association of SVG since its induction to World Archery in 2021.

Also, at the Assembly, General Secretary of WAA- Sergio Font, singled out Jiandani for his initiative that saw the first ever Remote Caribbean Development Archery League.

It was Jiandani’s idea that gave birth to the league, that began on April 1, 2024, and is set to conclude June 29, 2024.

The inaugural league has attracted nine Caribbean federations, netting over 200 archers.

Doyle (right) getting the better of Lucky Antrobus.

Below: Sanjay Jiandani (left) and Sergio Font General Secretary of WAA.

Rugby Union welcomes DNSS Programme

IN THE NEXT six to eight months, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Rugby Union (SVGRU) will have the framework that can enhance its coaching and administrative capacities.

This will be achieved through the establishment of a Development of a National Sports Structure (DNSS).

To help the Dellon Durrant-led Executive of the SVGRU, Trinidadian Willet Wayne Pantor will be the lead in establishing the DNSS.

Pantor, began his stint last week and explained:

“Basically, my task is to prepare structures and training, evaluating and selecting players to go into both formats of the sport, that is 7’s and 15’s, as well as separating the female programme from the youth programme.

“The overall aim though, is to create a pathway. From the administrative side it will be about creating a structure for proper protocol towards the

development of teams for the Olympic Qualifiers 2028”, Pantor said.

His work will demand working with all the levels, e.g. upgrading coaches so that they understand the methodology of moving from a youth player to Under-19 to senior player.

In his capacity as a World Rugby Educator, Pantor will also be looking at certifying the coaches from Level One to Level Two.

In being more exact as far as dealing with the coaches is concerned, Pantor said, “The coaches are 45 percent of the whole structure. we have coaches who will teach the person the sport but when it goes to that higher tier you have to go into the technical aspect.... So what I am doing is giving them scenarios or giving them situations so they will be able to develop and be able to see the signs and know when to make the subs and so on…. It’s all about ‘upskilling’ the coaches and changing their mind set”.

He will also be keeping an eye out for students who could be streamlined into scholarships.

Comsport takes business houses TT title

COMSPORT are the champions of the 2024 National Properties/Republic Bank Championships Business Houses Teams Table Tennis Competition.

Organised by the Sean Staley Table Tennis Academy, the Competition was making a return to the table tennis calendar after a hiatus of a decade or more years.

And when it did, there were many who tipped Comspors to be a strong contender for honours.

And they did just that when they defeated the RSVG Police Force 3 games to 2 in an epic final last Monday night, at the Calliaqua Town Hall .

In the finals, Jeremiah Bascombe (Police) beat Michael John (Comsport) 11/4, 11/9; Davon Cato (Comsport) got the better of Clint De Souza (Police) 11/7, 8/11, 14/12; Kenneth Bibby (Comsports) beat Marlie Lewis (Police) 11/7, 11/3; Bascombe beat Cato 13/11, 6/11, 11/8; John overcame De Souza 9/11, 11/9, 11/9.

In one of the semi-finals, RSVG Police took revenge for their loss in the preliminaries against ETAD by beating them 3 games to 2. Bascombe got the better Jeff Trotman (ETAD) 12/10, 12/10; DeSouza beat Collin Cambridge (ETAD) 11/8, 6/11, 11/8; Junior Cox (ETAD) beat Lewis 11/3, 11/8. Cambridge redeemed himself after a loss in the open singles to Jeremiah Bascombe by beating him

11/3, 12/10 Then De Souza wrapped up the match for the lawmen by beating Trotman 11/9, 14/12.

In the other semi-finals, Comsports defeated Pan American Life Insurance (PALI) 3 games to 1. John beat Mark Charles (PALI) 11/5, 11/8; Cato beat Alfonso “Sleepy” Richards (PALI) 11/8, 11/5; Alford Collis (PALI) beat Bibby on 14/12, 11/8.

Cato then beat Charles in a hard-fought encounter 9/11 11/3 11/9, to earn his team a berth in the finals.

Pan American Life Insurance grabbed the thirdplace spot in the teams’ category.

To end the competition, Davon Cato pulled every shot out of the bag to beat Jeremiah Bascombe 2 games to 1, 11/9, 9/11, 11/9, in the Open Singles final.

As for an assessment of the local players he has seen thus far, Pantor agreed, “There is a lot of athleticism, there is a lot of skills, just the need to fine-tune for that higher tier competition”.

Pantor brings to SVG a background that boasts six years as Technical Director of Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union, five years in a similar capacity with St. Lucia’s Rugby Union and a stint in the Jamaica Rugby Football Union.

The DNSS allocated to the SVG Rugby Union is funded by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee through Olympic Solidarity.

Shallow hopes for consistency

DR. KISHORE SHALLOW, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), sees his legacy as one of setting West indies cricket on a path of consistency for years to come.

Shallow made these comments as a guest on the live television commentary at a CWI final round of the 4-day match between the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes played at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

“One of the challenges as one of the persons who have been involved in cricket administration, is facing up to spectators who usually place much emphasis on the president and the individual, as opposed to the bigger picture which is the development of West Indies cricket,” Shallow acknowledged.

“I am not going to be in this

position long enough to realize the turn around that I want West Indies cricket to achieve…. We are not going to be anything close to what we were in the 80s. What I want, however, for us is to have sustained success, consistent success, and the only way we can achieve that is by having programmes beyond my tenure,” he added.

Shallow referenced robust structure and systems in place in Australia that enabled that country to bounce back, and noted, “Cricket West Indies: unfortunately, we haven’t been able to establish that sort of platform to be more consistent over the years, so we are faced with tremendous challenges. At this point and we are still a very fragile and vulnerable organization, so what I am hoping is that by the end of my

tenure we would have established those structures, policies, and systems in place that regardless to who is there as president or administrators that Cricket West Indies, fans, stakeholders would be able to enjoy sustainable success”, the President stressed.

Shallow is hopeful that the upgraded training facilities will also help to produce better players and that when the World Cup is completed, “...we will see the sport growing, being popular and the interest revived.”

I.B.A. ALLEN

Dr. Kishore Shallow, current President of Cricket West Indies Inc.

Comports - Business Houses Team champion, with Davon Cato (centre), Singles Champion.

Willett Wayne Pantor demonstrating during a training session with the national rugby team at the decommissioned E.T. Joshua Airport.

Wayne Pantor

Radcliffe take Neil Williams trophy

FLOW RADCLIFFE, pumped by a belligerent 49 from Othneil Lewis, reached 165 in the final of the Neil Williams Academy T/20 competition.

Lewis also picked two wickets to help his team keep Northern Stars to 134 for 9 when the overs ran out. Radcliffe recovered from 56 for 4 to 130 for 8 in the 16th over.

Lewis’ heroics with the bat paid dividends. He was supported by Romano Pierre 30, Kensley Joseph 29, and Kadir Nedd 23.

Christopher Howe 3 for 9, continued his good bowling. He left the ground after three overs, having to attend to a shoulder injury suffered while fielding.

By the time Howe returned to the ground, North Leeward was into their run chase.

They lost openers with the score on three. Michael Joseph reached 15 from the 18 balls he faced. His dismissal at 34, sent further shock. A 67 run fourth wicket stand between Otis Matthews 64 off 51 balls and Tilron Harry 22 offered hope. Harry’s dismissal at 101, caused a slowdown and they ran out of space at 134 for 9. Besides Lewis, Wesrick Strough 2 for 6 added to the containment. Delorn Johnson 2 for 33 was also among the wickets.

It was a commendable performance by North Leeward. The Park Hill venue might have appeared as home ground to Flow Radcliffe

There is no excuse however. Conditions were suitable for cricket, and the opportunities were there for everyone.

Perhaps it was complacency on the part of the North Leeward players.

Michael Joseph was the tournament’s highest run getter with 361 runs. Romano Pierre reached 357. Joseph 19 proved enough for the title. But another 31 would have seen his team to victory. Derron Greaves filled the third position on the batting pole with 330.

Asif Hooper maintained the top of the wicket table with 23 according to the statistics. Christopher Howe is second with 18. He will consider his performance outstanding having played six matches. Hooper on the other hand had nine matches to compile his haul.

Kody Grant with 16 wickets stands third.

Attention focusses on the ICC World Cup with the clock ticking towards blast off.

How that unfolds remain something of a quiet mystery, for one never knows how the breeze is blowing.

Vincentian cricketers will look forward to the next version of the Vincy Premier League. That will be a platform for players to make their bid for recognition.

It is a nightmare that the standard of cricket here has fallen so low. I have raised question about the activities of our coaches. There must be some way to address this questions of reservoir for Vincentian cricket. Something has to be done drastically. The current episode hurts the soul of at least one person I knew.

I can’t confess to dealing with the mystic, but I feel Jules’ soul squirming with pain. It is acknowledged that teams at every level have been occupying the cellar position at the Windward level.

That is no encouragement for our country. There must be decisive effort to correct that pattern.

Guyana retains CWI Four-day title

THE GUYANA Harpy Eagles have emerged triumphant once again. They retained their hold on the title of the 2024 CWI Four-day Championship and pocketed US$250,000,000 in the process.

Guyana was assured of retaining the championship title when they beat the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) by 8 wickets, in a match played last weekend at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Half centuries by Ramon Perez (79) and Tevin Imlach (51) ensured that Guyana got to their victory target of 182 for the loss of 2 wickets and had their team finish on a winning 103.9 points.

Perez had, in his team’s first innings, hit 61 and his half century in each innings earned him the Man of the Match award.

Scores in the match:

CCC 200 and 203, with Sharmarh Brooks, 59; and Odain McCaty, 56 leading the batting in the second innings.

Guyana 223 and 182/2m with Perez, 79 and 61, and Imlach, 55 and 50, proving to be the pillars for their team’s batting. CCC’s Avinash Mahabirsingh took 8/51 in Guyana’s first innings.

Guyana’s retention of the title was due in no small measure to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Windward Islands Volcanoes playing to a draw, thereby disposing of any chance the Windwards might have had taking the title.

Harpy Eagles –

Tevin Imlach, Guyana’s captain, collects winning cheque from President Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI.

Scores in that match:

Leewards 300 and 294, Mikyle Louis getting an even 100 and Jewel Andrew, 68, in the first innings; and Keacy Carty, 65, in the second.

Windwards 197 and 296/7, Stephen Pascel, 63; and Johann Jerimiah, 51 in the second innings. Daniel Doram had a match haul of 10/99 for the Leewards.

Alick Athanze, captain of the Windwards, collects the runner-up cheque (US$100,000.00) from Enoch Lewis, Director of CWI.

Final points standing: Guyana Harpy Eagles103.8; Windward Islands Volcanoes98.2; Leeward Islands Hurricanes94.0; Barbados Pride - 92.8; TT Red Force - 92.0; West Indies Academy71.6; Jamaica Scorpions - 59.4; Combined Campuses and Colleges30.2.

Radcliffe: T20 champions once again

FLOW RADCLIFFEwas the better team on the day and deservedly defended their Neil Williams T20 title against Northern Stars, in the championship playoff last Sunday at the Park Hill playing field.

They did so by a margin of 31 runs.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the defending champions got to a “decent” total of 165 from their 20 overs, with Othneil Lewis, 49; and Romano Pierre, 30, being the main contributors to that total. Christopher Howe had 3 for 9 and Kirtney Franklyn, recently called up to the Windwards U19 team, had 3 for 39, bowling for Northern Stars.

Northern Stars, in their pursuit of victory, managed a 134 for 9 in 20 overs. Otis Matthews was the top scorer with 64; Wesrick Strough helped himself to 2 wickets for 9 runs.

Flow Radcliffe are the 2024 Neil Williams T20 Champion.

Final statistics for the 2024 Neil Williams T20 Competition showed Michael Joseph, middle order batsman of Northern Stars, scoring the most runs: 361, with an average of 45.13 and a strike rate of 152.97.

Michael Joseph of Northern Stars scored the most runs361.

Asif Hooper of Flow Radcliffe took the most wickets.

Leg spinner Asif Hooper, captain of Flow Radcliffe, captured the most wickets: 23, and finished with an economy rate of 4.29 and an average of 6.52.

Stories: I.B.A. ALLEN

Guyana

repeat champions of CWI 4-day championship triumph to another CWI title.

COURTS ordered to pay unpaid taxes: Plans to appeal

From Backpage

And for those who would speculate that Courts could turn its back on this country, the company affirmed in the referenced release, “We believe in this market, and we don’t intent to leave Saint Vincent. We will continuously work under the most stringent governance and ethical standards.”

The trail

The hearing by the Tax Appeal Commissioners followed an audit of the accounts of UnicomerCourts St. Vincent) Ltd., for the period 2007 to 2011, and subsequently to that, a review into 2015.

Upon that audit, the Comptroller of Inland Revenue gave notice to Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd. of the intention of the Inland Revenue Department to raise additional assessments to the tax in the sum of $12.66 million, inclusive of interest and

penalties.

The original case was heard on January 29, 2024, and the judgement was reserved and delivered on April 07, 2024, following which Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd. appealed to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves shared this information while speaking on last Sunday’s episode of Issue at Hand aired on WEFM.

At that time, he also indicated that the sum of $12.66 million, perhaps, is now closer to $20 million or thereabouts.

“Of course, Unicomer has the right to appeal to the Privy Council,” Dr. Gonsalves said, and while saying then that he didn’t know whether they would do so, he was of the view that they “may well do it because it is a significant amount of money.”

As for the lesson inherent in the Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd. — Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines matter, Dr.

Gonsalves assessed that “we must also be vigilant when collecting our taxes. Particularly from the 20% of the companies that pay about 80% of the company taxes.”

About the Unicomer GroupCourts

Unicomer has established itself as one of the leading, if not the leading multinational corporation in retail and financial services in the Caribbean.

Operating from headquarters in El Salvador, it is noted for its retail (including a hire purchase service) in home and office furniture/appliances, and also offers Optical and Financial (Ready Cash — Loans) services. It also owns the RadioShack brands.

Having established its first operation in the Caribbean (Jamaica) in 1959, as of 2006 Unicomer operated in the eleven CARICOM countries, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines where it has had interest since 1987.

APRIL 26, 2024

COURTS ORDERED TO PAY UNPAID TAXES: PLANS TO APPEAL

Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd. (trading as Courts St. Vincent) has been ordered to pay the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines $12.66 million in unpaid taxes, including interest and penalties.

The order was upheld by the Tax Appeal Commissioners after hearing an appeal by Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd.

Not only did the Appeals Commissioners rule in favour of the position of the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, but the ruling was further upheld when Unicomer —St. Vincent Ltd. went to the High Court.

The order was further upheld by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, acting in its appellate jurisdiction, in a judgement delivered on April 17.

Courts to appeal

And as is its right so to do, Unicomer St. Vincent Ltd. has given notice that it intends to appeal to the London-based Privy Council, this country’s highest court of appeal.

In a release dated April 22, 2024, the company said, “We firmly believe, based on specialist tax and legal advice, that we have fully complied with all the tax regulations in Saint Vincent, which is why we are now moving to appeal the judgment to the Privy Council, Saint Vincent’s highest appellate court.”

The release went on to assure that “This is a corporate matter that has no impact on Courts or our staff.”

STUDENTS „FLEE‰ AFTER FLEA INVASION

by DAYLE DA SILVA

FACE-TO-FACEclasses were expected to resume today, Friday 26th April, at the Girls’ High School (GHS) and the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) after a flea infestation caused classes to be discontinued earlier this week.

Education Minister Curtis King addressed the issue on radio April 24, confirming the reports of the flea infestation, primarily at the TSSS as the situation was not as bad at the GHS. Both schools are temporarily located at the runway of the decommissioned E.T Joshua airport, Arnos vale.

It is not the first time that there has been an infestation of fleas at the said location. A similar report was made at the GHS back in 2022.

And according to King, it has been an issue from time to time because of

the prevalence of dogs, in the vicinity of both schools.

Despite efforts to deal with the issue of dogs in the area, including appeals to dog owners to tie their animals, the erection of a fence and the occasional spraying, challenges remained.

“We do treatment ever so often especially when schools are closed,” King said.

“So, you have to find other solutions,” he added.

He explained that on the first occasion in 2022, the premises of the GHS and the St. Vincent Boys Grammar School, which was located there at the time, were treated.

“So, the ministry had to take the decision to close the schools on Tuesday afternoon and have the Public Health Department go in and do what they had to do,” the education minister explained.

Continued on Page 27.

First it was the turn of the GHS now it’s the turn of the TSSS to bear the brunt of a flea infestation.

Further, King said, because of the chemicals that were used, it would have been impossible to conduct faceto-face classes at both institutions.

Classes will resume on April 26 unless advised differently by the health officials, King advised.

Fleas are small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by ingesting the blood of their hosts.

In relation to the loss of instruction time, King said that the ministry had invested in the necessary infrastructure to allow for the continuity of education during times that force schools to move from faceto-face instructions.

“And the infrastructure that we put in place was to accommodate online delivery of education,” he said.

“Modern technology has allowed us this privilege and this facility, and we should engage it,” King said.

Courts St. Vincent Ltd. is headquartered in the building, once the operating base of T. Geddes Grant Ltd. which was said to be subsumed by Unicomer.