Vin pages 10 11 17 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.45

www.thevincentian.com

BROWNE – CUMMINGS CLASH OVER QUESTION Luke Browne

by DAYLE DASILVA MINISTER OF HEALTH, Wellness and the Environment, Luke Browne, said that among his tasks as the head of the health sector, was ensuring that the highest level of quality health care was administered to patients.

This was in response to Daniel

Cummings, question to the minister to indicate the number of cases of persons dying at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) during this year.

He asked also for the minister to state whether the cases were being investigated, to provide the causes of the fatalities, and to indicate if the death of a pregnant woman was included in any of the investigations.

However, Browne, in beginning his response, took issue with the question, particularly the part where Cummings stated that “There has been this year numerous cases of persons dying at the MCMH in circumstances that are to say the least, bewildering.”

“If anything, this question is bewildering and probably does not comply with the rules of this House,” Browne sid.

The health minister said that the question was in violation of Standing Order 20 of the rules of the House.

“Moreover, there is of course no way of knowing what is or is not bewildering in the mind of the honourable member for West

EC$1.50

MIX UP IN COMMUNICATION

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Kingstown,” Browne continued.

“I wish the honourable member would concentrate his energy on asking sensible and intelligible questions in this Parliament and be less pre-occupied with playing politics, making cheap shots and

COLIN ‘COCO’ DAVID, one of three men charged in connection with the October 15, 2017 shooting of Paul’s Avenue resident Jawanza ‘Sanga’ Fraser, was denied bail again when he returned to the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday. However, Ricardo ‘Shrek’ McFee, who was also in that Court on similar Colin David charges, may have been in the wrong Court at the time.

The men are charged with attempting to murder Fraser, using a firearm with intent to commit the offence of murder on Fraser, and possession of a firearm to endanger Fraser’s life.

Jomarno ‘Small Man’ Tash, 26, of Rockies, is also charged with the Ricardo ‘Shrek’ attempted murder of McFee Fraser, and using a firearm to commit the offence of murder on Fraser, in connection with that shooting. However, while Tash was granted $30,000 bail when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court on October 19, McFee, 28, of Villa, and David, 30, of Fair Hall, were denied bail when they were brought before the Court on October 23, and were carded to return to Court Tuesday, November 7 for bail review.

However, McFee and Martin ‘Jahson’ James, 45, also of Villa, were subsequently indicted with the October 7, 2016 murder of 9-month-old Mozarie Lee, unlawfully and maliciously wounding, with intent, the baby’s father Mozart Lee and mother Shelly Ann Durham, on the same date, and the attempted murder of Belmont resident Monty Hillocks, on that date.

McFee and James were scheduled to appear before the High Court on Tuesday, according to a warrant of arrest order issued by the High Court for the men, signed by Registrar Andrea Young.

But McFee was instead taken before the Serious Offences Court, along with David.

Continued on Page 3.

Continued on Page 3.

Daniel Cummings

V Rastafarians observed Selassie 1Ês coronation 2. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

MEMBERS of the Rastafarian community in St. Vincent and the Grenadines converged on Heritage Square on Thursday 2nd November, to commemorate the coronation of Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie 1 and Empress Menen. For the millions of Rastafarians around the world, Selassie is revered as the returned messiah of the Bible, God incarnate.

Born Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael on 23 July, 1892, he took the regal name Haile Selassie 1 when he was crowned Emperor on 2nd November, 1930. He was Ethiopia’s 225th and last emperor. Among those present at Thursday’s event were Speaker of the House Jomo Thomas and Venezuelan Ambassador to SVG Yuri Pimental.

Angella “Ideisha” Jackson, head of the Lazaras Samuel

Walford McKie better known as Ras Pahiri.

Members of Rastafarian community came out to show support.

Rastafarian diet.

Among those selling items, was Uland Cambridge who goes by the Rastafarian name Sister Iland. She has been selling plant products including floral and ornamental arrangements for over 10 years. “We come to give praises to the King, give thanks L-R: Mrs. Pimental, wife of Venezuela Ambassador to the ones that to SVG; Organizer of the event Angella “Ideisha” came out, and that Jackson, and Venezuela Ambassador to SVG Yuri we are able to Pimental. show blackness,” Foundation, the Rastafarian community, said Iland, on the reason for the Uland Cambridge goes by the Rastafarian name Sister organization behind the the Venezuelan event.

Iland and sells plants and floral arrangements. commemoration of the Embassy, Solidarity In Walford McKie, event, told THE Action Inc and Patriot better known as VINCENTIAN that Cleaning Company .

Ras Pahiri, said that Thursday’s activity was The event was well Walford is his given used to showcase the organized, and the name but Pahiri is his culture, talent and the colorful, red, yellow and skills of the Rastafarians green associated with the true name. He usually sells plants including movement. She said the Rastafarians were on rosemary, different public showed display at Heritage fruits, dry herbs and appreciation for the Square; from the swim products such as banana event, but she was not wear on sale, to the bread, potato pudding, happy with the banners around the coconut healing oil, promotion, noting that venue. Among other among other things. He not enough people knew items on sale were said that when about it. Jackson stated plants, flowers, and Rastafarians gather that many business books ranging from together, it is a houses said that they topics such as black wonderful thing, and were unable to assist, but history, medicine and that more of these assistance was received ancient history. Various from the National Rastafarian cuisine were activities are needed to keep the vibes going.

Lotteries Authority, also as on sale, with Swimwear on sale by Shanice Designs.

The event also Digicel, Sky Blue foods made of chicken or witnessed live music Drumming, drama and commemoration of the Apartments, Jomo meat being noticeably from the likes of popular dance were also among Haile Selassie 1 Thomas, Joseph Delves, absent, as they are not reggae artistes Abuza, the activities that were coronation. (KH) members of the typically a part of the Dappa and Keneyatta. showcased at the

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 3.

News 3 Browne – Cummings clash over question

argued.

The Speaker of the House, in agreement with seeking to plant wrongful Cummings, asked that perceptions in the mind Browne ‘take back’ the of the public,” Browne imputation, but Browne said. replied that he did not Cummings then know what imputation reacted, raising a point of was being referred to. order, explaining to the Thomas repeated his Speaker of the House, instruction for Browne to Jomo Thomas, that the retract the imputation; question was clear and again the minister said that for anyone who that he was unsure as to understood English, will what the Speaker and know what he meant by Cummings were referring the word bewildering. to.

“And to impute “You know what you improper motive to my said,” said Thomas. question is entirely out of “What I said was that order,” Cummings it was not possible for me Continued from Front Page.

to determine what is bewildering in the mind of the Honourable member for West Kingstown, and I cannot take that back,” Browne responded.

When Browne attempted to return his attention to the question, Thomas said that he was not allowed to do so, adding that Cummings had alleged that he (Browne) was imputing improper motive to his question and that he ought not to proceed.

Browne withdrew the imputation of improper motive and proceeded to

explain that there is a review process of the management of each patient during daily ward rounds and monthly morbidity meetings.

This review is conducted by senior physicians and allied medical nursing staff, he said.

“In addition to the monthly review meetings, pediatric and obstetric services are analyzed on a yearly basis during the annual perinatal mortality conference, and the hospital is often subject to external review

by PAHO (Pan American

Mix up in communication related matters. He had also highlighted the fact that it was Senior Prosecutor Adolphus David’s third gun-related matter Delpleche told the Court that currently before the Court, and McFee should have been before the this one was higher than the High Court. He admitted that the others.

High Court should have taken Delpleche, again addressing the precedence, on Tuesday, in relation issue of bail on Tuesday, stated, in to McFee, but explained that there relation to David, “The objection was a mix up in communications. remains the same. We are not yet In relation to David, Delpleche in a position in which we could maintained his objection to bail. waiver those objections”.

When David and McFee initially But Connell, representing appeared in Court, in connection David, in his response, argued that with the Fraser matter, the Senior there was no issue with the Prosecutor had objected to bail for climate when Tash was granted both men, on the grounds that the $30,000 bail, in connection with current climate in relation to the same matter. firearm related offences had to be He noted that the prosecution taken into account, that the police made absolutely no objection to were looking for a gun allegedly bail for Tash. “What has changed used in the shooting, and that they in the climate since?” Connell were investigating other firearm questioned. He pointed out that certain comments were made by a certain caller CORRECTION: to a particular radio station, but that should In a story that appeared in the not change the climate, November 3, 2017 edition of THE or influence a Court of VINCENTIAN under the headline Law. ‘Application to inspect all boxes was made’, Connell further argued that his client the final paragraph should have read that could not be considered a source has confirmed that December 12 a flight risk because he and 13 are the dates agreed to by both had never breached any parties when the motion for the inspection of his bail conditions for of the ballot boxes used in constituency of any of his matters Central Leeward during the 2015 General before the Court. His Elections. application was refused.

Continued from Front Page.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne contended that the law gives guidelines in relation to bail, but those have to be considered in the context of what is before the Court, and what is going on in the country.

McFee, who was unrepresented, raised the issue of him being indicted with the baby’s murder, six months after he was discharged in that matter during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) at the Serious Offences Court. But the Magistrate told him she could not comment on that matter as it was before the High Court.

The Chief Magistrate had, on April 25, this year, discharged James and McFee on charges of murdering the baby and attempting to murder his parents, after upholding no case submissions from attorneys Grant Connell and Israel Bruce, representing James and McFee respectfully.

But the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was subsequently granted an application by a High Judge in Chambers for what is known in law as a ‘Voluntary Bill of Indictment’ for the men to stand trial on charges of murdering the baby, unlawfully and maliciously wounding his parents with intent, and attempting to murder Hillocks.

Health Organisation) consultants and other agencies for an objective analysis of its services complete with criticisms and recommendations,” he said.

“There are several useful indicators of a hospital’s performance and quality of health care, including data on admissions, readmissions rate, length of stay, nosocomial infection rates. And may I just say here, this simply refers to instances of infections while the patient is still a patient at the hospital, and SVG compares very favourably to its regional counterparts on this regional indicator.”

He said that Information gathered

includes from post csection/infection rates, death rates, waiting times for surgery or diagnostic procedures, the number of prescriptions filled, the downtime for the lab, the accuracy of diagnosis.

“Be assured that if there is any complaint made which justifies review, such a review will be conducted forthwith, with the results published to the relevant persons and authorities with the highest regard for transparency, patients’ rights and justice. If any negligence is found in the management of patients, there is recourse under the law,” Browne concluded.

V Lawyer, “Gag Order should be for all” 4. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

‘Sanga’ Fraser of Paul’s Avenue, using a firearm to commit the offence of DEFENCE lawyer Grant murder on Fraser and Connell is of the view that possession of a firearm to a Gag Order should be in endanger Fraser’s life. effect, in relation to the In his bail application, commenting on matters Connell questioned what before the Court, but it had changed since 26should be applied to all, year-old Jomarno ‘Small including those holding Man’ Tash was granted “high offices”. bail at the Serious Connell’s remarks Offences Court on came on Tuesday shortly October 18, in connection after he made another with the same matter. failed application for bail Tash is also charged on behalf of his client with attempting to Colin ‘Coco’ David, 30, of murder Fraser and using Fair Hall, charged with a firearm with intent to the October 15 attempted commit the offence of murder of Jawanza murder on Fraser.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Connell had indicated, in Court, that certain comments were made on a particular radio station, but that should not influence a Court of Law. Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN shortly after, Connell said, “I would not comment further on that; the matter is before the Court. But while I am of the view that a gag order should be in effect for me and others, in relation to matters before the Court, it should be applied to all, including those in high offices”.

Lawyer Grant Connell

„Cocaine destroying the nation‰ CHIEF MAGISTRATE Rechanne Browne sent a clear signal on Monday, that her Court has zero tolerance when it comes

to cocaine.

“It is destructive”, she told 24-year-old Zimron Edwards of Edinboro, as she sentenced him to 11

months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of 17 rocks of cocaine with intent to supply.

The Magistrate explained that, unlike marijuana, cocaine is infused with all sorts of chemicals.

“I am not fining you, I am imprisoning you”, she told Edwards.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told the Court, earlier, “Cocaine is destroying our nation. Cocaine is crippling our young people, and the harshest of sentence must be imposed on cocaine dealers”. Edwards was arrested around 1 p.m.

November 5 at Retreat, Canouan, after police went to the area, on receiving a report of a dispute at a function there. Edwards was pointed out to a police officer, who identified himself, and informed the defendant that he was arresting him for possession of an offensive weapon. A search was conducted of his person, and foil wrapping containing the cocaine, was found in his right front pockets.

Edwards, who told the Court that he was working in Canouan as a labourer, said he found the drug under a Hairoun case when he moved the case to sit down. He admitted, though, that if the police had not found him with the substance, he was going to sell it.

„Cocaine is a business‰? accused questions RICARDO ‘Shrek’ McFee, facing several charges, including murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent, is questioning whether cocaine is a business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The 28-year-old Villa man raised the question while making an appearance at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

The outspoken accused, who was unrepresented, told the Court that since he was small, a certain individual here has been referred to as a businessman. But he hastened to quest6ion, “Cocaine is a business?”

McFee identified this individual, by name, to the Court, but this reporter has opted not to mention the name.

McFee also told the Court that he had given the police the identity of three persons in relation to the murder of one man and the attempted murder of nine others when masked gunmen alighted a vehicle and opened fire into a bar at Diamond just after 9 p.m. on October 14. But McFee expressed concern that, to date, only two persons have been arrested and charged in connection with that incident. He expressed the view that, “They protecting some, and some getting prosecuted”.

McFee had told the Serious Offences Court on October 23, during an appearance on gun-related charges, that the attackers had come to Diamond to kill him.

McFee was reportedly in the bar among several other persons when the shooting took place, but was said to be one of the few who managed to escape unhurt.

Just after his appearance at the Serious Offences Court on October 23, McFee commented that certain persons were protecting a clique of men, “responsible for more than 200 homicides in St. Vincent”.

PI into Diamond shooting for February FEBRUARY 15 is the date set for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the October 14, shooting of several persons at the bar in Diamond.

The date was set on Monday when the accused Alaskie ‘Beaver’ Samuel, 30, of Redemption Sharpes and Obandelle Neverson, 43, of Murray’s Village returned to the Serious Offences Court.

The two are jointly charged with the murder of Gregory ‘Pecca’ Abraham, 33, also known as ‘Woody’ of Diamond.

They are also charged jointly with the attempted murders of Venus Thomas, Kenneth ‘Bullo’ Barzie, Karim Benjamin, Kerwin John, Kamani Richards, Fitzroy Iris, Oslin Thomas and Andrew Layne, all of Diamond; as well as Ricardo ‘Shrek’ McFee of Villa and Michael Richards of Choppins.

The men had initially appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on October 23, but the matter was adjourned to Monday, November 6, and transferred to the Serious Offences Court.

The charges were laid in connection with an incident at Diamond on October 14, during which masked gunmen alighted an unmarked white Toyota Sprinter vehicle and opened fire into the ‘Road Side Bar’, killing Abraham and wounding several others.

Attorney Ashelle Morgan is representing Neverson, but up to Monday, Samuel was unrepresented.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 5.

Regional

Geothermal rig to be used in the first phase of the development project on Nevis.

Geothermal equipment arrives in Nevis

EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRST phase of the geothermal development project on Nevis, began arriving on the island following shipping delays due to the recent passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, pushing the start-up dates from October to mid-November.

Mr. Mc Levon “Makie” Tross, Local Representative for the geothermal developers Nevis Renewable Energy International (NREI), told the Department of Information on November 02, 2017, that most of the containers including the drill rig have already arrived on the island.

“The rig is coming from Salt Lake City in Utah in the United States of America. It took about 10 to 12 days. It went through St. Thomas. It should have been here a few days ago but with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) we experienced some delays.

“They are giving priority to the disaster relief containers, so we had to wait a couple of days, but the drill rig is here. A lot of the peripheral [equipment] is here. We have up to 15 containers on site. We are waiting for another five,” he said.

Mr. Tross noted that installation and assembly are expected to commence in a day or two. The drilling process will follow and the exploratory drilling is estimated to take about 45 days.

DOSECC Exploration Services LLC, drilling contractors based in Salt Lake City, Utah, have been contracted by NREI to undertake the drilling process. The test well is projected to be 4,000 meters deep. It will be used to collect all data possible to satisfy the financiers.

Mr. Tross, noted that on completion of the exploration, the data will be analysed and final adjustments will be made to the engineering. The production process is planned in early 2018.

In response to whether there are any anticipated challenges with drilling in the first phase of the project, David Griggs, Operations Manager with DOSECC who is already on Nevis, explained that there could be.

“Anything that potentially delay the drilling would be the idea that you are drilling in an area that is volcanic and so, things are very jumbled up geologically and so, in a lot of mineral systems, you would kind of know where you are at in the stratigraphy [but] in these particular instances, you don’t really have a good lay of the geology right now. So there could be some technical challenges that arise,” he said.

In the initial stage of the project, four local persons will assist six drillers from the US-based company. However, in the second phase the local work force is expected to jump to 80. (Source Times Caribbean)

CCJ defends its president THE TRINIDAD-BASED Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) says “appropriate actions are being taken” to protect the integrity of the President of the Court, Sir Dennis Byron, amid allegations that a criminal complaint has been filed against him and a prominent Grenadian jurist.

In a brief statement made on the weekend, the CCJ made reference to the “recent attack in the media” on the reputation of Sir Dennis “by a dissatisfied litigant”.

While the statement gave no details of the “recent attacks in the media,” a story carried by a US-based regional online publication, claimed that the criminal complaint had been filed

by Dominican attorney Cabral Douglas.

The publication quotes Douglas as saying that in filing the criminal complaint against the two prominent Caribbean jurists, he stands ready to assist the police with a criminal prosecution in an effort to “root out the cesspool of corruption that has engulfed the highest judicial institution in the Caribbean”.

In the statement, the CCJ said that Sir Dennis has been “advised by his advisors that it would not be appropriate at this time to respond publicly in his personal capacity in any detail to the

Cabral Douglas, Dominican Attorney, said the CCJ has not grabbed the opportunities before it to build credibility. allegations made against him and disseminated in the public arena.

“However, the President wishes it to be known that every single allegation or wrongdoing or improper conduct attributed to him by the litigant in his continuing campaign to denigrate the Court is false.,” the statement said, adding “appropriate actions are being taken to protect the integrity of the President and the Court”.

Douglas has been critical of the CCJ, after claiming that the island’s highest court had “squandered a tremendous opportunity to build its credibility as an international court” when it dismissed an application he filed accusing the Dominica government of causing a breach of contract with the Jamaican entertainer Tommy Lee Sparta.

The matter was first filed in 2015, when Dominica became a full member of the CCJ that was established in 2001 to replace the

President of the Court, Sir Dennis Byron, has become the target for the tirades of a disgruntled litigant.

(Photo Credit: Chanel5Belize.com) London-based Privy Council.

Douglas had alleged that the action of the Roosevelt Skerrit government had also caused multiple violations of his rights under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), but the CCJ ruled that Douglas had failed to prove a breach of treaty rights which were intended to benefit him directly.

The Dominica government said its action was based in the interest of public safety as several organisations, including the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches, had denounced the artiste’s appearance, saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence.

But Douglas, the promoter of the Dominica show, said the stance taken by the government was illegal and he was demanding more than three million US dollars in compensation.

(Source: CMC)

Restricted use of marijuana in Belize AN AMENDED Misuse of Drugs Act, which decriminalized possession and use of small amounts of marijuana, is now law in Belize.

Governor General Sir Colville Young has assented to the Bill, following approval by legislators in the House of Assembly and the Senate late last month.

Now that the Bill has been signed into law, adults can have up to 10 grammes of marijuana in their possession and smoke it on their own premises or somebody else’s private premises, once the owner gives permission.

However, it is still illegal to take the drug on school premises, and the amended legislation provides for monetary and nonrecordable penalties for that.

Minors caught with any quantity of the drug would also be subject to punishment.

“If you are a minor and you are in possession of marijuana, you will have to be detained. You have to be arrested,” explained Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte.

“It’s just that when you go to court, the court will say ‘good, given this new piece of legislation, you young man or young lady we are going to put you through a counselling programme’. In the coming weeks or days, the Minister of Police is going to set forth some regulations that would say what the appropriate counseling is, what is the appropriate guidance. Until then,

Pastor Lance Lewis, President of the National Evangelical Association of Belize. the Juvenile Court will use whatever measures they use currently to punish minors who have committed offences.”

While Prime Minister Dean Barrow had described the partial decriminalization as a landmark move, the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has taken issue with the removal of penalties for the possession and private consumption.

“We feel that legalizing, even in a small amount, is a step in the wrong direction, as it will now allow more persons to be involved in this trade,” lamented NEAB president Pastor Lance Lewis.

Vice president Pastor Scott Stirm further complained that the Government passed the law too quickly and ignored all views opposed to its passage.

“The National Evangelical Association of Belize presented to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, on May 20, 2016, letters, reports and the signatures of 225 national pastors and denominational overseers and leaders, expressing our strongest concern and objection to the initiative to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in Belize. That packet

Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte emphasized that minors caught using or in possession of marijuana will be detained. included scientific reports… stating the scientific facts of research concerning damage to the brain from daily marijuana use, especially to teenagers…It seems to us that the alarming scientific and real life data has fallen on deaf ears. It seems that the influence of the decriminalizing of marijuana committee has overridden all other voices,” he said.

However, Peyrefitte contended that “given what the church has been found guilty of in recent years…priests and pastors have no moral authority to try and judge anybody out here who wants to smoke marijuana”.

“The churches don’t rail against cigarettes, they don’t rail against alcohol, and there’s nothing to prove that marijuana is any more dangerous than those two perfectly legal drugs,” the Attorney General argued, also questioning the church’s motivation for its opposition to the law and charging that given their late intervention, they “just want to object for object sake”. (Source Caribbean360.com)

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6. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Elated historic hoisting of Vincy flag at Philadelphia City Hall James Cordice at reception after the flag-raising at Philadelphia City Hall.

Stories by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

flag to fly on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia in 2010.

VINCENTIANS on a whole, but nationals “But this sight in Pennsylvania in particular, are reminds me of expressing elation over the historic 10/27/2010, when hoisting of the national flag at our flag was first Philadelphia City Hall last Friday. installed on Ben “It was a magnificent feeling Franklin Parkway,” watching SVG [St. Vincent and the Grenadines] flag glistening in the wind added Cordice, the architect of St. on the northeast corner of one of the oldest municipal buildings in the USA, Vincent and the Grenadines’ Philadelphia City Hall, and it will participation in the fly there for one week. Wonderful!” prestigious Penn exclaimed James Cordice, the Clare Relays at the Valley-born former president of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, in a VINCENTIAN Grenadines Organization of interview.

Pennsylvania (SVGOP), who was “Rohan Pierre, Ronaldo Pierre and instrumental in getting the national myself were there, first on scene,” he

Photo shows Vincentians gathered after historic raising of Vincy flag at Philadelphia City Hall. (Photos courtesy James Cordice) continued. “And this warm feeling of pride lingers in my heart. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Philadelphia for giving SVG this prominent gift.”

Yvonne O’Garro, the incumbent SVGOP president, who hails from Lower Middle Street, Kingstown, said “It was a spectacular sight and a momentous occasion” on the hoisting of the Vincentian flag at Philadelphia City Hall.

“Mayor Jim Kenny was unable to attend, but declared Oct. 27 a celebration of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Week in Philadelphia,” said O’Garro in a statement.

“A small group of Vincentians, decked out in their national colors, stood with their eyes fixed to the sky, as they watched with pride as the flag

of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was being hoisted.

“Ms. Claudine Mitchell sang the National Anthem with Vincy pride, and Sister John gave the invocation. It was truly a feeling of elation,” she added.

“Ms. Miriam Enrique, Director of Office of Immigrant Affairs, said she was touched by the group’s reaction as they watched their flag being hoisted.”

Sheila Hess, representing Mayor Kenny, presented a proclamation to O’Garro.

Stanley Straughter, former chairman of African and Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, said “Ms. Yvonne O’Garro has put St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the map”.

“It was, indeed, a historical day for all Vincentians living in Philadelphia and the surroundings,” O’Garro said.

UN envoy reports enhanced visitor arrivals since AIA opened ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Ambassador to the United Nations, I. Rhonda King, says that, since the opening of the Argyle International Airport (AIA), “there has already been an increase in the number of visitors arriving by air.”

In her maiden address to nationals in Winnipeg, Canada two Saturdays ago, marking the 38th anniversary of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ political independence from Great Britain, King said, “We received 7,518 stay-over visitors; this year we had 8,186 - an increase of 668 in the month of July.

“Let give thanks for AIA, for the vision and tenacity of our Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves and his government,” King told the gala ceremony, organized by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg, Inc. “Let us give thanks for the rapidly increasing

speed of accessibility to our shores. Let us give thanks for the new possibilities this accessibility will bring.

“Infrastructure and accessibility are critical components in our quest for more sustainable development,” she added. “They are not optional. Indeed, they are imperatives.”

On Feb. 14, the Gonsalves administration opened AIA, the nation’s first international airport.

King described the airport as “a beautiful, state of the art facility — arguably now the most beautiful in the Caribbean.”

The envoy noted that it was recently announced that both Sunwing and Air Canada Rouge will operate flights into AIA during this Christmas season.

She said the application process for the additional routes is “more difficult in the US and which, apparently, could not begin in earnest prior to the

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the United Nations I. Rhonda King, fourth from L — back row — with executive members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Winnipeg.

completion of the actual facility.”

King said Caribbean Airlines has now applied for direct access to AIA from John F. Kennedy International in New York, disclosing that other applications and negotiations are underway.

“In the meantime, Caribbean Airlines provides an excellent service to bridge the gap in this interim period,” she said, stating that she went home for the summer, leaving JFK at 7:30 a.m. and arriving at AIA before 3:00 p.m. on that same day.

The diplomat also said negotiations for a United Kingdom route “will advance when the Buccament Beach Resort reopens and an additional 200 rooms are made available once again.”

Stating that “the issue of citizen security” was on the minds of many patrons at the ceremony, King said “the recent spate of deaths by gun violence is cause for alarm.

“I stand here to underscore the assurance of the Hon. Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, ‘Our civilization will never allow a handful of gunmen and their opportunistic allies to hold sway. We shall be relentless in pursuing them. Our parliament, cabinet, law courts, police force, and all other security and law-enforcement agencies, at home and abroad, in communion with a supportive people as a whole, will defeat these vile threats to our citizen security.’”

King said 50 percent of the murders last year and again this year were confined to groups participating in drug- related activities, adding that 50 percent of the murders were caused by domestic violence, “with the exception of the four murders last year

committed by a mentally ill individual.”

“Nevertheless, let us be mindful that the absolute number of crimes reported is declining annually and is down significantly this year with a reduction, perhaps, of over 40 percent, when compared to last year’s statistics if we stay on the current trajectory,” she said.

On foreign policy, she said the nation’s “very robust,” stating that, recently, it was “our robust and effective defense of the principle of sovereignty, non-intervention and noninterference at the OAS [Organization of American States] that thwarted the intentions of the misguided to interfere in the politics and internal affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and possibly mount an invasion under the falsely manufactured accusations of human rights violations.

“Let us remember that in the aftermath of the recent devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean it was Venezuela that immediately came to the aid of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica,” King said.

She said while St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “still a young nation,” it has “made great strides.

“As we contemplate the journey ahead, we might be well served to recall the famous words of the late John F. Kennedy: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask, too, what you can do for your country.’

“Let us agree that, together, we will work to eradicate the nagging spirit of dependency by encouraging new attitudes to work, production and productivity,” the envoy said.

V SVG gets assistance from Japan

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 7.

News

THE GOVERNMENT OF St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in particular the Ministry of Health, is the beneficiary of generous assistance from the Government and People of Japan.

The assistance came in the form of a grant of USD 90,000 under the grant assistance facility of the Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

In fact, monies from the grant had already been used in the purchase of equipment.

During a ceremony held last week Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingstown, Minister of Health Luke Browne, in thanking the Government and People of Japan for their continuing goodwill, outlined how the money was apportioned.

According to Browne, US $34, 000 was used to purchase urology equipment,; US $12,000 for the purchase of equipment for the blood bank, and just over US $ 40,000 for a Bronchoscope.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Louis Straker also addressed the ceremony, and assured that the various pieces of equipment will enhance the operation

of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), in its delivery of proper healthcare for the citizens of this country.

Sir Louis also reminded the ceremony that “… we have to observe that this country has been doing exceedingly well in its foreign affairs.

Because it’s through our relationships that we have been able to source so much for the economic and social enhancement of our country.”

Diana Martinez, Urologist at the MCMH, expressed her gratitude for the donation. She said the equipment will be very useful for their work and will bring benefits to the patients.

Meanwhile Yoshinori Yakabe, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Port of Spain, Trinidad, explained that the Grant Assistance Contract was signed between his predecessor and Dr Charles Wood, Medical Director of the MCMH. “Indeed, it is our hope that the benefit from this grant will further enhance the quality of healthcare provided by the hospital, while

(L-R): Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Louis Straker; Yoshinori Yakabe, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Port of Spain, and Minister of Health Luke Browne. improving patients care for the citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Yakabe, adding that his government “stands committed to the bilateral relations with SVG.” The Grass-Roots Human Security

Projects (GGP) was established to assist NGOs and local public authorities in developing countries, in responding to various development needs in a prompt and complete manner. (KH)

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8. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial From a “Wake’ to an “Awakening’ TODAY, WHEN MOST PEOPLE think of Caribbean music, the first genres that come to mind are reggae, dancehall and soca.

It is a minority of people who will mention calypso as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ foremost musical genre.

Admittedly, through the years, calypso, as we know it in its purest form, has lost much of its appeal, especially to the younger crowd who want ‘something’ to gyrate to, rather than something that taxes their sensitivities. The physical has outweighed the aesthetic.

The slide prompted many commentators to ask: Is calypso dying? Is it dead? Is there a future for Calypso?

If the truth be told, calypso seemed to have been losing its place of prominence to its derivatives - ‘groovy soca’ and ‘power soca’.

Yes, lest we forget, those current day trends in Caribbean music have had their genesis in the calypso, which the pioneers of these trends have all acknowledged.

But once upon a time, a trip to a Calypso Tent at carnival was a must.

There, the people — of all classes, ages — went to savour humourous ditties and biting, expertly masked political and social commentaries on issues of the day. So much so, one British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) commentator had been moved to declare, after a single visit to a Calypso Tent, that he had never heard such “masterful use of innuendo”.

Such was the poetic genius that characterized calypso then.

But sadly, for all about two decades or more, there has been a steady decline in attendance (at Calypso Tent shows), threatening the very existence of the art form which, by and large, has its weightiest impact when delivered to a ‘live’ audience.

But, calypsonians are no different from the people they serve; in the face of adversity, they remained resilient - resolved to stay the course.

And if 2017 was any indication, there was a ‘mild return’ to the tents, encouraging for those calypsonians who have stayed the course — persevered against odds of diminishing airplay (radio), sponsorship and the like.

So that when something happens that gives indication that there are some exponents of the art form who recognize this ‘return’, and poise themselves to embrace this opening on which to build a revival, they must be commended.

Last Saturday, at the Russell Auditorium — a venue that is gradually being established as the successor to the Peace Memorial Hall and Lyric Cinema as the ‘home stage’ of calypso — an ‘out-of-season’ calypso concert was staged.

Courageously, the Graduates Calypso Tent took the occasion of this sense of ‘return’ by the scruff of the neck, and staged what they dubbed a ‘Calypso Wake’.

And while the ‘Wake’ might have had its reference in the fact that what was being offered was an evening of rendition of the works of those calypsonians who have since left this dimension for another, and an ineffectual attempt to create a sense of death and mourning, what was dished out, in effect, was an ‘Awakening’.

As though to put demographics to sunder, Chewallee, born in 1988, long after the songs were first delivered, took on a personality uncannily similar to that of this country’s foremost entertainer, Reginald ‘D Professor’ Cornwall, and literally ‘awoke’ an audience with his note for note, phrase for phrase reproduction of ‘I am a King’ and ‘Mas in the Hospital’.

And ‘Lord Have Mercy’ on anyone who left without the shout of ‘WILLARD!!’ resonating from the deepest chambers of their psyches.

Not to be outdone, and as though to make a ‘political’ statement, Luta, a leading representative of the new wave of ‘soca artistes here, took an audience through a ‘jump-up to ‘Jump with Bra’, considered the ‘Best Road March That Never Was’.

But this is not a blow by blow review of the ‘Calypso Wake’. It is rather a reflection that speaks to that ‘Wake’ as an ‘Awakening’ - the beginning of a new track for calypso and calypso tents here.

Down the road one could see a cross-tent committee of sorts ensuring that this ‘Awakening’ continues, but they must guard against circumventing what, ideally, should be the work of a Calypsonians Association.

Off course, when that responsibility — vision — fails to ‘come forth’ from that Association, the calypsonian at large, true to his cause ‘on behalf of the people, will take it into his own hands and ensure that there never will be a ‘wake’ for calypso.

Commendations are bountiful for the Graduates Calypso Tent for their vision, their tenacity. Count yourself as having taken the lead in the ‘awakening’ of a ‘sleeping consciousness’ albeit, with something not necessarily different… but with renewed intent and commitment.

Our final complement of National Heroes (A recycled and updated article) I HAVE DECIDED to be out of the blocks early in the New Year of 2013 to throw some light on events which are likely to take place.

To begin at the top, there is the matter of choice of National Heroes which ideally should form a sort of over-arching pantheon that inspires and guides our young nation in its future endeavours. I present my slate, so to speak, purely from the standpoint of an interested citizen bereft of all the borrowed robes of society, which Dr. Gonsalves has rightly advised as the proper order of things.

There should be about three other National Heroes to join Carib Chieftain, Joseph Chatoyer.

Apart from any special qualifications of an interest in my history, social science orientation and a balanced knowledge of the “politics” of the situation, it so happens that I know of no other person who was lucky enough to have had more than a nodding acquaintance of all three larger-than-life figures.

First, there is Hugh Mulzac, born in Union Island 1886, and whose life impacted on his West Indian people, largely on account of the contributions which he made in the USA. He came back home to settle at a time when I as Resident Tutor of Extra Mural Studies, was able to embrace him. He gave two lectures under our auspices and arranged the launching of his autobiography “A Star to Steer By” of which I had been a proud owner of an autographed copy.

Captain Mulzac in his vintage also conducted Extra- Mural classes where he gave unsparingly of his wealth of knowledge to local yachtsmen, and told the stories of his contributions to the Black cause in the USA. I do not think that he should be legislated out of contention because he operated out of the dispora.

Secondly, Mc Intosh enjoyed the same birth year as Mulzac. I enlisted in a group of persons who have severally put together the Mc Intosh story that is compelling.

The group includes Dr. Adrian Fraser, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and myself who tackled Mc Intosh from different perspectives, out of which invariably emerged a towering figure of a man short of stature!

Mac had been the first trade Unionist, champion of the Shakers, founded the first “Labour Party” that picked up the pieces after the 1935 disturbances. In fact he had been declared a “national hero” by Dr. Gonsalves and myself some years before the term was in vogue.

In very many ways, Joshua was the

logical extension of Mc Intosh.

They were at one on many issues of the day: land reform, child labour, the extension of the peasantry, constitutional development, the “Shakers” religion; militant trade unionism.

All three men distinguished themselves as being “socialists” at a time when it was a dirty word in the lexicon of the western colonial world, and paid dearly for it.

They all suffered for their beliefs in descending order: Mulzac in right-wing USA of the 1940s and 1950s; Mc Intosh was made an official scape- goat during the uprising of 1935, and Joshua was constantly harassed by colonial authorities. Let them all be lionised now by their people, if only posthumously.

Robert Milton Cato cannot be measured in the same bushel of the aforementioned.

To begin with, he lacked that indefinable quality or “Charisma” that provided an aura to personalities like “Dada Mc Intosh” and “Papa Joshua”.

In practical terms, where the former two were winners from the moment that they formally entered the political arena, it is noticeable that Cato and his team were completely routed in their first electoral outing in 1957. In fact, there is one school of thought which opines that Cato captured the leadership of the Labour Party by sleight of hand when the true leader should have been Rupert John, the first Vincentian Governor.

It turned out that in a class-driven society, it was Cato’s lot to emerge as the darling of the middle —classes, in opposition to the charismatic Joshua by whose every word the people swore.

Indeed, the most damning indictment of Cato was chalked up by Ralph Gonsalves in his “Minimum Programme” of the MNU in 1983. So, Ralph has painted himself into a corner from which he cannot escape without creating a terrible mess.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves needs the Cato “Legacy” to ensure his successful run of Government of the ULP which in his political odyssey he has come to rely heavily on many old Labourites, particularly in Calliaqua-Ratho Mill area. I verily believe that Ralph cordially hopes for rejection of Cato by force of pressure from persons such as I, but he himself has to go through the motions of giving “Cato” a fair chance.

Hence his clever appointment as chairman of selection committee of Rene` Baptiste, a die-hard whose birth-date Cato selected as fitting for national Independence, ignoring the date of the 1935 riots which fell within six days of his choice!

Continued on Page 14.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 9.

Letters

Be careful!!

I WANT to add my two cents to this marijuana discussion.

Mr. Editor, contrary to what might be the popular view now, if you take the time to do the research, it’s interesting to learn that there is a lack of credible, sufficient data on the impact of legalizing marijuana.

Most experts acknowledge that concrete outcomes are difficult to determine, a result of fairly recent implementation of recreational legalization laws in at least four states in the USA. There are interesting arguments for and against legalization, but there is one thing we know to be certain — marijuana use compromises coordination, vision, reaction times, and judgment. Maintaining safe workplaces is crucial from where I sit, and it should be a big concern for us all.

Challenges exist related to regulation, enforcement, and education, and this is too important an issue to rush through quickly, just because a handful of investors in the campaign stand to gain financially.

Tom

Advancing the marijauna conversation I MUST congratulate THE VINCENTIAN for keeping the ‘marijuana conversation’ going.

I gather that the subject may still be ‘taboo’ in your country, and if this is the case, the contribution of your newspaper is even more noteworthy as we move to eradicate the misconceptions about this plant.

I want, for the benefit of those who are following or are actively involved in the ‘conversation’, the following extract from Prakash Nagarkatti, Ph.D., Vice President for Research, including Cannabinoids Research, University of South Carolina.

Here, inter alia, is what that learned gentleman had to say: “The medical benefits of marijuana come from THC (psychoactive) and CBD (non-psychoactive). Synthetic THC has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients, and to stimulate appetite and prevent weight loss in AIDS patients.

A combination of THC and CBD obtained from marijuana plant extract is available as the drug Sativex to treat multiples Sclerosis in more than 25 countries. An experimental drug derived from marijuana (Epidiolex) was recently shown to significantly reduce epileptic seizures.

And a combination of THC and CBD obtained from marijuana was shown in a recent clinical trial to benefit patients with gliomas, cancers of the brain.

‘There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases in which the immune system goes haywire and destroys organs and tissues through chronic inflammation.

These include MS, arthritis, colitis, lupus and type 1 diabetes, against which there

is no cure. Several studies suggest that cannabinoids are effective to treat such diseases because they suppress inflammation and subsequently chronic pain. It is noteworthy that we produce our own cannabinoids called endocannabinoids – which are similar to those found in the marijuana plant – that regulate memory, mood, appetite and sensation of pain. Thus, it is likely that some of the diseases may be triggered by deficiencies in endocannabinoids that we produce, and use of marijuana may help reconstitute that defect.

While additional research and clinical trials are necessary to further evaluate the medical benefits of marijuana, we should not deny its use to patients with debilitating disorders where there is no other treatment available and where the evidence for cannabis is highly indicative.”

The fastest growing industry this side of the woods, USA, is the medical marijuana industry. For too long we in the Caribbean have allowed those who come with starry eyes and supposedly large bank accounts, to railroad us into becoming mere secondary players in enterprises which they control. The history of marijuana cultivation and trade (as illegal as they have been) shows a level of ownership and control by people of farming and rural communities, many having been marginalised by the old plantation system.

The medical marijuana industry is a gold mine which we can ill-afford to let pass us by.

Johnson Henry, M.Sc - Ohio

fitness, and sessions also given by visiting experts on a wide range of subject matter. What gives? The OT programmes were an important THE ONLY and previously albeit MHRC, or at worst, out of a job. admittedly small cog in the wheels limited place of recreation and Glynn has worked as OTA at stimulation for the mental patients MHRC taking over for OTA O’Brien of the rehabilitation process; a process largely touted in the at Mental Health Rehabilitation in 2013 shortly before the establishment of the refurbished Centre (MHRC), is rumored to be appointment of recently retired MHRC, by the powers-that-be! closed and, coming soon, off-limits SNO Diana Bailey-Greaves. She It seems to be operatively, a case for patients. has run the O.T. programme of inter office politics on the part of A sudden influx of scores of efficiently. She has the certain elements of the metal bed frames now housed in the qualifications - a certificate in developments, in removing kitchen recreation room at the small Social work, professional first aid items including two stoves from the Occupational Therapy (OT) and nurse’s aide skills. She also OT kitchen (a vital aspect of patient building, and packed to the rafters brings to the job, expertise at support), and assigning Glynn to on the back porch of said building, pattern drafting, sewing, cookery, activities which currently do not fall is another impediment to the and has shown commitment by under resume in appointed position, patients who now have absolutely providing supplies out of her own apparently stirred in opposition to a nowhere to congregate on the pocket. The lady must be shaking close connection between Glynn and outside premises, at present. her head at the development. a former senior staff member.

Incidentally, acting SNO Reliable sources indicate that the Readers will recall, Special Elizabeth Medford is at press time beds are to be stored indefinitely, (Sports) OTA - Arrington Burgin, on a two-week relief effort in until the renovations to the expressed strong views on leaving hurricane-ravaged Dominica. controversial conditions at the MHRC in April, including citing THE VINCENTIAN would love Lewis Punnett Home (also in Glen) lack of cooperation by authorities in to talk with the very well-presented are complete, at which time the his take on patient rights and ag. SNO Medford on these issues beds will be moved there. Given inclusion in said programme. which scheduling conflicts have not the 2-year delay in completion of Glynn, in addition, has run the the renovated MHRC (2013 — 16), sole education programme in adult allowed up to now. She will be the beds are likely to be a figure at literacy since 2013, which will be a given leeway to comment at length on any aspect of this report.

O.T. for quite some time. setback for the albeit few who have Other senior staff are not duly Occupational Therapy Aide benefited and stand to from it. forthcoming.

(OTA) Juanita Maxine Glynn might Gone is the space for this be in for at best a reassigned role at programme, in addition to indoor One who knows

Occupational therapy beds

Use social media responsibly I AM NOT a teenage by any stretch of the imagination. I was not born into the world of the internet and this thing we call social media. I grew into this new age world since it is not something which, regardless of your age, one can hardly escape. Even if you don’t use it (internet and social media), our children will, to the point that they seem to depend on it for their daily sustenance.

That is why, even as we approach the use of social media with a Cybercrime Act to guide us, it is important that those of us, of the post-World War 11 generation whose children are the young professionals of today, who have found it useful to access special media, that we do so with a sense of responsibility and decorum.

How much worse can it get when one person could find it fit to attack someone who opposes their political view, with some of the worst language you could imagine — obscenities included.

We must educate our population on the negative effects of posting threats and obscenities on social media. It is a known fact that social media profiles now form a part of consideration by employers or business associates.

Social media should be considered as an opportunity to enhance communication — including the sharing of views, opinions, and information. It allows us to * Has the communicate in the programme to cut here and now. It overhanging and offers us the threatening trees opportunity to been discontinued? communicate more * What is the effectively. All of situation with this adds up to us reimbursement to recognizing that we persons by have a VINLEC? responsibility to use * Is that area this medium to do (corner actually) better — improve between the lives through the sharing of Metrocint and knowledge.

Winfa buildings We should now a bus stop? commit ourselves to * Who gave using this medium permission to a with respect and store operator to etiquette. place mannequins Maybe if we were on a culvert on to think of the social Egmont Street, so media as that no one can use communicating with that culvert to get someone face to on to the sidewalk? face, then, perhaps, * Why can’t we we would be more have a religious respectful and minister/pastor caring. present when those Stop the abuse of ballot boxes are the social media. opened?

L. Joseph, Kingstown

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10. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

SVG did nothing wrong in the Manafort matter

Introduction LAST WEEK, the opposition New Democratic Party found itself in a virtual quandary, in trying to pin the Paul Manafort matter on the ULP administration, and by extension, continues to badmouth the good name of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Paul Manafort is a former chairman of the campaign team of US President Donald Trump. He was charged with money laundering and tax evasion in the United States, and readers can examine the details of the indictment at https://www.justice.gov/file/1007271.

A journalist reporting out of the United States, tried to link St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the money laundering indictment, claiming that this country was a “prime money laundering destination,” and that it was “notorious for money laundering”. All this is very wrong, as we shall point out later in this article. The NDP, notably its current leader, Lorraine Friday, and the former leader Arnhim Eustace, were quick to jump on the blame train, claiming that the ULP administration was responsible for this situation, and that the government could not control the offshore financial sector.

Friday and Eustace were not interested in the facts, and as far as we are aware, made no effort to ascertain the facts. And even when the former NDP chairman and senator Dr. Linton Lewis stated in a radio programme that SVG did nothing wrong in this matter, he was castigated by all and sundry within the NDP, even as he was praised by the member for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock. It is instructive to note that Kingsley De Freitas, a taxi operator partial to the NDP, was hauled over the coals for suggesting that Friday and Eustace were simply blowing “hot air” in their criticism of SVG in this matter.

Developing the offshore financial sector The truth be told, it is the ULP administration under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, which has done tremendous work to re-develop and to better regulate the offshore financial sector in the State. When the ULP arrived in office in 2001, the country’s offshore sector was in tatters. The ULP moved swiftly to revamp the sector, introducing new laws in relation to the proceeds of crime and money laundering.

The ULP administration also moved to set up a Financial Services Authority, and the Financial Intelligence Unit, the FIU, which is arguably one of the best in the region.

The country has a clean bill of health from Caribbean Action Task Force, and the Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development, the OECD. Many of the parliamentarians on the opposition side have been present in the House of Assembly to debate tough new laws aimed at strengthening the offshore financial sector.

It stands to reason therefore that the characterization of SVG as a prime money laundering destination is uninformed, outdated, erroneous and inaccurate. There really is no basis for such a report. In fact, SVG has been for many years, effectively

addressing issues related to money laundering and financial crimes. SVG has participated in international initiatives aimed at combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism, tax offences and financial crimes. The country has been commended for cooperating with the United States in a number of matters, including the indictment against Paul Manafort.

SVG did nothing wrong As Linton Lewis has pointed out, SVG has done nothing wrong in this whole episode. In fact, if we follow the release from the three offshore administrators, SVG crossed all the “ts” and dotted all the “is” in this entire episode. It is Paul Manafort who is in trouble with the US authorities.

He failed to register with the USA as a foreign agent according to US laws, and he failed to disclose his foreign bank accounts. If you follow his indictment, you will see that he committed no crime under the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He operated two international business companies here, all completely legal, and these companies received money from overseas sources, all completely legal. Money from these two companies was used to purchase goods and services in the United States, all completely legal.

Of course, readers will see that Manafort used companies in Florida, Delaware, New York, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, the Seychelles and SVG. Yet, for some unexplained reason, the journalist only mentions SVG and Cyprus. It is important to note that before the indictment was served on Paul Manafort, the ULP administration cooperated fully with the US government in their request for information from the FIU, and the FSA. So that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has done nothing wrong, other than to act quite properly in this Manafort matter.

We do not know what will become of Mr. Paul Manafort and his legal troubles, but one thing is for sure, and that is, our country proved itself once again to be a well regulated, and fully cooperative offshore financial jurisdiction.

Conclusion One of the virtues that is embedded in politicians who support the ULP, is a deep abiding love for the people called Vincentians and the country called St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sadly, this is a virtue that is absent from the NDP, particularly its leaders. To try to score political points from this incident, without doing any research, and in the face of statements from the official agencies, and one of their colleagues, Linton Lewis, who has experience in this field, shows the recklessness of the NDP, and their desire to gain power in this country at all costs.

The people know that the NDP is an unpatriotic party which offers no hope for the development of this country. That is why they will continue to remain in opposition for the foreseeable future.

Private Sector Development: A Priority for the NDP THE RECENT dialogue with Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, and a wide cross section of youth, generated tremendous discussion on private sector development. The New Democratic Party (NDP) is cognizant of the importance of the private sector to the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We will develop a strong and sustainable economy. One of the major strategies we will utilize towards this goal is private sector development.

It is well-established that in today’s world, a thriving private sector is the foundation of a growing economy.

Private sector development has many benefits for St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ economy. It will expand economic development and support a sustainable source of revenue, tax and otherwise that will fund strategic social programmes. Private sector development will become the nucleus of employment, and therein accelerate the process of socio-economic development.

The Unity Labour Party regime, however, appears not to understand this basic fact. Evidence of this is seen through government’s ill-advised policies, and the fact that this government owes the private sector an enormous amount which has accumulated to millions of dollars; a crippling burden for a private sector already weighed down by some of the highest energy prices in the Caribbean.

The NDP recognizes that improving government policies and behavior will not only shape the investment climate and drive private sector development, it will also drive overall economic growth and improve opportunities for everyone. We will therefore provide a range of incentives and supports to encourage private sector development, and above all, create the stable and predictable macro-economic and social environment that will encourage investment.

In order to foster private sector development, the NDP seeks to focus on creating an attractive investment climate. An NDP government will establish a ministry of the private sector to facilitate the development and expansion of private industry in general. We consider that Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a critical factor in economic growth, and we will create the conditions that will enable SMEs to play a major role in entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.

In order to create the environment in which Small and Medium sized Enterprises will thrive, the NDP will end the competition between government enterprises and SMEs, adopt and pursue appropriate fiscal and employment policies to promote an optimal economic environment, improve the attractiveness of entrepreneurship and remove the constraints to the development and growth of SMEs through: the reestablishment of a Development Bank to provide funding and financial support for SMEs. The NDP will also establish a government sponsored Laboratory, a Scientific Research Council to provide technical assistance for all new and expanding enterprises, establish a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Bureau of Standard, and foster strategic alliances between Vincentian and foreign companies to gain knowledge about market entry and export led activities.

Moreover, the role of the Ministry of the Private Sector will identify and seek to develop or expand a range of direct and indirect support services for SMEs, including: business prestart , start-up and development assistance; business plan development and follow-up; business incubators — legal, accounting and financial

services; information services including advice on government policies; advice on the effective application of information, provide communication and business technologies to the business process; offer consultancy and research services; managerial and vocational skills enhancement; promotion and development of enterprise based training; In addition, provide support and offer training in occupational safety and health; assist in upgrading the literacy, numeracy, computer competencies and basic education levels of managers and employees; provide access to energy, telecommunications and physical infrastructure either directly or through private sector intermediaries.

And assist in understanding and applying labour legislation, human resource development and the promotion of gender equality, product design, development and presentation, packaging services, environmental management services, quality management, including quality testing and measurement and streamline business regulatory processes and procedures in order to substantially improve the ease of doing business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Ministry will also work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our overseas Missions, Caricom and the Vincentian Diaspora to identify trade and export opportunities for SMEs. There are also significant benefits that can be achieved through entrepreneurship. These include, increasing the number of selfemployed persons through the creation of quality jobs. This new work environment will produce new economic activities; to increase the motivation and skills of the unemployed in the rural area. To actively seek and create new employment opportunities within their own communities; to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth though all sectors of the national economy. This will lead to a reduction of poverty and the negative effects associated with poverty, and to empower people to trust in their own abilities and knowledge. And to learn the basic values and operating principles of business, thereby adopting a practical approach to the world of business.

Private sector development will improve the lives of our people, whether directly or indirectly. It will expand the variety of goods and services available and reduce their cost, to the benefit of consumers.

Private sector development will create sustainable jobs and opportunities for macro and micro-entrepreneurs alike.

Micro entrepreneur is one of the key pathways by which people can escape poverty. We will give each person the power to shape their own destiny.

The resultant economic growth envisioned will also help to reduce the costs of goods to our citizens. This is especially important to those who suffer the economic burden the most.

Private sector development will contribute to an expanded tax base that will allow for investment in health, education and welfare for all our people.

It is obvious that the NDP has the better programmes and policies, and Vincentians, especially the youth, can look forward to benefit from the NDP’s private sector development initiative.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 11.

Views

Defining moment

“In that inevitable, excruciatingly human moment, we are offered a powerful choice. This choice is perhaps one of the most vitally important choices we will ever make, and it determines the course of our lives from that moment forward. The choice is this: Will we interpret this loss as so unjust, unfair, and devastating that we feel punished, angry, forever and fatally wounded— or, as our heart, torn apart, bleeds its anguish of sheer, wordless grief, will we somehow feel this loss as an opportunity to become more tender, more open, more passionately alive, more grateful for what remains?” Wayne Muller (born 1954) executive leadership mentor, therapist, minister, community advocate, consultant, public speaker, and bestselling author.

IT IS PROBABLY FITTING to commence this essay by providing some form of description of what we mean by “defining moments”. These are events that take place in our lives that catapult us in a new direction or energise us to continue along our chosen path. In other words, these events, whether perceived to be positive or negative, appear to drive us along a particular path. They may take us to new heights of success or to new depths of despair.

They may shape or change who we are or what we pursue. The defining moments in our lives often emerge during or immediately following a refining moment; a period of trauma or crisis. The thought of refining conjures up images of intense fire and, in some instances, pain. Having visualised this kind of imagery, we can readily understand and appreciate how such experiences can define us. They change us. They shape and mould who we become.

However, moments of intense joy and a sense of accomplishment can also define us; positioning us to accomplish even greater things.

These can be described as those moments when destiny appears to smile on us; when God opens up His windows of privileges, and pours out blessings that we could never have imagined.

Sometimes, we can be so engrossed in those defining moments (whether they are generated by moments of pain and sorry of when we are at the height of ecstasy), that we seem not to fully appreciate how these impact our thoughts, attitudes, and focus. A failure can be the motivator that gets us fixated on improved planning and preparation. A failure can help us to improve our focus. So, too, can a moment of success. As the old people say, “Success breeds success.” We can leverage a good result to propel us to accomplish even better things. These can also be our defining moments.

Nelson Mandela would have had several defining moments. However, his greatest and most intense defining moment may have been when he was jailed for 27 years for what many will not agree was a “trumped up charge”.

Those long years of imprisonment would have broken the resolve of most individuals. But they seemed to intensify his steadfastness, and prepared him to be one of South Africa’s most loved and respected presidents.

What have been your defining moments? What events

shaped you into being who you are and where you are? In responding to these questions, I realised that I have had several defining moments. The one that stands out most involves my father’s anger when he received written notification from the St. Vincent Boys’ Grammar School that I had failed the 11+ common entrance examination. The physical and emotional punishment that he then provided, made me feel hopeless and abandoned. However, the “twin defining moment” that is linked to that very experience, emerged when my mother reminded me that I had failed the examination, but that I was not a failure. Her words intercepted my negative thoughts and turned a negative to a positive. That was a defining moment for me. I resolved to study hard to make my mother proud.

And that I did. That moment defined me.

Now, let us return to the two questions that ushered in the previous paragraph. Here is where each reader is invited to reflect on their defining moments. Through that exercise, you may very well discover that an event that may have previously been considered a negative, was actually quite positive. Defining moments, whether positive or negative, play a major role in making us who we are. We therefore need to develop the ability to discern when they enter our lives, and skilfully use them to direct us toward accomplishing noble dreams.

Failure, divorce, rejection, betrayal, accidents, diseases, and rape are but a few examples of negative events that trigger defining moments in our lives. As unpleasant as these may often appear, they can be leveraged for good. So much depends on our attitudes and our level of determination. When our commitment is strong and our focus is intense, we can go beyond our tragedies and trauma to accomplish outstanding positive things. Even as we seek to cope with those inevitable, excruciatingly human moments, we can avoid dwelling on self-pity and, instead, use the experience to strengthen our resolve to be kinder, better, and more accomplished as we focus on the various challenges ahead.

Successes, job promotions, the birth of a much-longed-for child, and the learning of a new skill can be considered positive defining moments.

These often generate a tremendous amount of positive energy and a sense of accomplishment or achievement.

These, too, can be considered to be defining moments. Periods that propel us to consider even greater attainments.

It is so very important that we develop a keen sense of discernment so that we can accurately and speedily identify our defining moments; using them to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

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

Marijuana and SVG IN JUNE OF 2016, a CARICOM Task Force commissioned to look at marijuana across the region came to SVG. At the consultations, the commissioners were told that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a ganja country. We have not heard of the commission or its findings since.

St Vincent’s fame as a marijuana country was buttressed by statistics and folklore that a large personage of the Vincentian population uses or benefits from the cultivation and sale of marijuana. Many citizens make their livelihood, take care of their families, build homes and send their children to school and university with proceeds from marijuana sale.

Current, there is talk of medical marijuana which is said to be an even more lucrative trade. Foreign businesses are eyeing our soil and our crop as prime target for investment and exploitation. Whether Vincentians will benefit from this venture is left to be seen. One can only hope that traditional growers are not alienated and pushed out of the trade altogether.

Plain Talk hopes that the introduction of medical marijuana will come as part of a comprehensive plan that deals will an official apology for traditional users who were wrong by state action, compensation where egregious wrongs are identified, clearing of criminal record for persons convicted of small amounts of the herb.

It is estimated that over 20 percent of the Vincentian population is using the herb in one form or another. As much as 40 percent of citizens are believed to be beneficiaries from the underground economy fueled by marijuana.

The Caricom task force was a welcomed though belated initiative by the political establishment across the region, to get a handle on the herb and the multifaceted ways it can be used.

Clearly, the Caricom initiative was fueled by a rapidly changing international environment in which marijuana has been legalized by many states in the United States of America, as well as a renewed interest in medicinal marijuana. Long before this widespread interest in marijuana as medicine, scientists in Jamaica performed important research that resulted in the discovery, development and marketing of a drug that had a beneficial preventative and curative effect on persons suffering from glaucoma.

Smoking of the herb is a very small part of the ways and benefits one can derive from marijuana. In fact, to smoke the weed is tantamount to wasting the weed. Huge companies and universities have gotten into the scientific research that is yielding significant results. There is now conclusive evidence that marijuana can offer significant relief to many suffering from many painful and debilitating illnesses.

Consequently, one of the biggest fears among traditional planters and users of marijuana in SVG, is that the small farmers and growers will be pushed out of marijuana production or sidelined, while big foreign companies gain licences to grow in our lands, gain the useful extractive properties of the herb and make a significant profit, while those who were in the vanguard pushing for the legalization of marijuana get nothing.

A central concern, as the discussion on marijuana develops, is the vexed issue of the prohibited state in which marijuana currently exists. Many want

total and complete legalization. Those making this call say that it is sad commentary on society that so many of its citizens are stigmatized for engaging in a prohibited practice. The claim is that a more enlightened approach is to view the use of marijuana use as a public health issue and to treat it as such.

A most appropriate example was offered to demonstrate the fallacy of the criminalization view. It was suggested that excessive use of sugar and salt creates havoc with the health of citizens. Thousands suffer from diabetes (sugar) and hypertension (salt), but no right-thinking person calls for a ban on salt and sugar.

Decriminalization envisages the rehabilitation of youthful offenders and small time users. Because so many of our youth smoke, criminalization hampers their life chances. Many end up with criminal records, and this seriously hampers their migration changes to choice destinations like the USA and Canada.

In this regard, it was felt that the police directorate should be empowered to use their discretion as first magistrates. If this policy becomes widespread and enforced, many who are now arrested and prosecuted for the possession of small quantities, will no longer be arrested. This will make for a win/win situation for the ‘offenders’ and the state. As it stands now, state funds are expended to arrest, charge, feed and prosecute a small time offender with a ganja stick. This included the scientific test of the herb.

Excessive use and the negative impact that such use continues to have on the mental health situation in the country, remains a concern. Hundreds of young people, particularly men, are patients of the mental hospital. A predominant indicator is that they have been using and abusing marijuana for a long time.

Deforestation is linked to marijuana cultivation. Huge patches of our hillside, mountains and forest are cleared each year to grow marijuana. A sensible policy may open up lands at lower elevations so as to protect the high land. This will protect the country from environment destruction.

There is no easy way to get around this issue. The position that marijuana is all bad should be frown on in the same way we frown on the notion that marijuana is all good. A middle ground must be soberly debated and agreed upon.

This is a conversation that should be carried on without the emotions that are so often attached to these issues.

Caricom leadership on this issue is good because it helps to remove the partisan political bickering that is so often associated with discussions within national borders. Sadly, 18 months after the task force visit, there is no further word from Caricom.

Worse, recent history in the region has shown that whenever there is region-wide initiatives aimed at harmonization, the effort is often stalled or retarded. The time to move is now. We are clearly behind in the worldwide effort to cultivate and exploit and benefit from this most important herb.

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

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12. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

After 16 years of the ULP regime, SVG economy still dying

utilising SVG’s indigenous resources for agro-processing, exporting fresh drinking water, creating an Atlantic tuna fishing and fish processing THE SVG ECONOMY is still dying, even The rural economy has been industry for export, renewable energy with Argyle airport. We were promised virtually wiped out, and this loss has production and educating our people better times with Argyle airport, but created substantial hardship for the with our own SVG university. things have not improved. poor masses. Social problems such as Due to economic and financial The financial and economic crime, poverty, the high level of ignorance, the ULP regime’s strategy problems created by the incompetent unemployment, children dropping out has been to focus on dead projects.

ULP regime still persist, and our of school, and households unable to Hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ people are still suffering. People need pay water and electricity bills, are money have been wasted on projects jobs, and poor households need to see widespread. that do not produce any revenue for their financial income increased This clearly indicates that things the country. substantially. are going badly wrong in SVG, and we Money has been wastefully spent The SVG economy will only become must change the government and the building the Belle Isle jail, several strong when there is a new direction of the economy, and have new police stations, useless resource government that has the financial productive exporting sectors as the centres, a centre of excellence and know-how and ability to create engine of the SVG economy. more seriously, the $1.5 billion Argyle sustainable streams of revenue for the Industries such as the export of airport.

SVG Treasury. baby foods, herbal teas and fruit None of these projects was a SVG Green Party Leader Ivan juices, would make farmers prosperous priority for SVG, and none of them is O’Neal, who has BSc degree in and boost the rural economy. SVG Finance and Accounts from Oxford could create jobs and a stable economy Brookes University, England, has been if we had strong productive sectors. stressing the critical need for the SVG We need to build factories for agroeconomy to be driven by productive processing and light manufacturing I AGREE with Dr. Ralph Gonsalves sectors and to be export oriented. The and start exporting in bulk. crime is a complex issue, but I do ULP regime’s policy of begging and We have seen the best of Gonsalves, that not agree with him that because of its borrowing will not create a strong and it has been an undisputed complexity, only persons such as economy. economic failure. It seems that every himself with his doctorate and his As a nation, we are getting left day, Gonsalves is guessing when it elitist intellectualism can provide behind other countries, because the comes to managing SVG’s economy. solutions. If academic qualifications ULP regime lacks the financial ability His backward policies have left our were the answer to our problems, then to move the economy forward. The country broke. this ULP regime with its slate of past 16 years under the ULP regime SVG needs a government focused on Rhode scholars and other such have been wasted, as they have failed building a revenue base and creating luminaries would have been able to to create productive economic sectors jobs from productive export sectors. A create a virtual haven flowing with the proverbial milk and honey for all. that export goods to other countries.

Green government would focus on The reality, however, is that Dr. Gonsalves and the ULP have failed to live up to their promise to be “tough on crime and the causes of crime.” As a self-proclaimed guru on crime, with a special understanding of the criminal psyche, Gonsalves by his own admission was uniquely qualified to address crime and violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Not to be outdone, Julian Francis, demonstrating his exceptional understanding of the situation, identified dancehall music, rum, drugs and ‘tabanka’ as the root causes of crime and violence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (not a simplistic analysis by any chance?).

In 2004, the ULP regime commissioned Orville Durant, retired Commissioner of Police, Barbados to conduct a study and make recommendations for the “improvement and modernization of the police force, and in particular ensure that a better quality of service, both in administration and law enforcement, is given to the nation.” A report with recommendations was submitted in 2005. Outside of the separation of the Immigration Department from the police force, what other substantial changes have been implemented here?

Now armed with the Durant’s Report, their ULP’s 14 point strategy on crime and violence, Gonsalves’ unique insight into the criminal mind, and Julian’s in-depth analysis of the root causes of crime, how does the ULP report book stack up to scrutiny?

Any right-thinking Vincentian, making an honest assessment here, will give the ULP regime a failing grade in tackling crime and violence in this country. Instead of allocating time to identifying and implementing crimefighting strategies, the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, in his first press conference after some of the most frightening events causing the death of so many of our young men, was able to dedicate several

creating revenue for the country.

These projects are dead projects, because there is no return on the money that has been spent.

SVG must create productive export industries if we are to save the SVG economy from dying, create sustainable streams of revenue and create thousands of new jobs.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org https://twitter.com/svggreenparty https://www.facebook.com/SVGGreen-Party-154937087877631/

The rhetoric of security minutes to criticize a letter published in the newspapers that did nothing more than highlight the extent of the problem. Dr. Gonsalves is seen by some as an intellectual giant, and if he said that said letter was utter rubbish, one would have expected that would be the end of it. Why then would such an erudite fellow proceed to read almost in its entirety a letter he dismissively referred to as ‘tripe’ and ‘rubbish’?

Why would he then painstakingly attempt to dismantle and debunk the contents of that letter almost line by line? What substantial strategy did Gonsalves provide to address the problem? Is advising the police not to give any ‘beatitudes’ the answer to crime and violence?

Dr. Gonsalves is well known for his strategy of distraction. Is this another one? Vincentians need answers not another “cuss out the citizen.” Dr. Gonsalves is the Prime Minister of every square inch of this country, and therefore MUST take responsibility for what is happening under his watch — good or bad; not expend time and energy attacking a citizen because he chooses to voice his concern. There has been a spate of homicides that has left 34 of our sons and daughters dead; Vincentians are afraid.

To assist in the construction of a National Anticrime Plan, here are some questions for the National Security Minister: What specifically do you see as the immediate challenge in security? What are your short-term and long-term goals as it relates to crime and violence? Obviously, from the length of time allocated to dissecting a letter full of rubbish and simplistic analysis, you have none.

The other question I would like to pose now is this: Where are these guns and ammunition coming from?

Can we now say like you said some years ago, “ When we talk about the Prime Minister, Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police we associate them in historical terms with the tremendous increase in [murders and gun related crimes], in the sense that they have the responsibility to stop the [guns and ammunition] coming in; if they do not stop the [guns and ammunition] coming in, it have to be their fault because they are in charge of the security arrangements so to do, and one of the first responsibility of any serious government is to provide proper security for its citizen’?

Are you there yet?

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 13.

News

Digicel offers customers new retail experience

Retail and Sales Manager Fanta Williams addresses the patrons at the event.

Jamisha Wright Marketing Executive at Digicel.

DIGICEL SVG LIMITED is giving customers a new ‘experience’ in communication and entertainment. The telecommunication provider recently opened the doors to its new retail Experience Store on Halifax Street in Kingstown on Thursday, November 2nd 2017.

The retail store, located on the ground level of the MTM Building on Halifax Street, boasts a 10member team, all trained to facilitate customer requests.

Digicel’s Experience Store features a new design concept for the brand’s retail outlet, and according to the company’s Retail and

Sales Manager Fanta Williams, “We are proud to be in the first batch of Digicel territories who have implemented the new design.”

Williams added, “We have introduced ‘Smart Serve’ in our Experience Stores, which is an intelligent digital queue and customer flow management system.

This will significantly reduce wait times, provide a flexible shopping experience, and greatly increase the quality of service we are able to deliver.

Additionally, it will also provide us with intelligence on customer requests, service times and agent performance so that we can monitor

Customers interact with staff at Digicel. and improve processes”.

Marketing Executive at Digicel, Jamisha Wright, welcomed persons to the new look and feel of Digicel. She explained that “our retail store serves as Digicel’s living room”. “This is where any customers existing or prospective should come and experience and feel the true Digicel,” said Wright.

She added that the

new Digicel includes dedicated internet access for businesses, vehicle tracking services, customer care and entertainment. “I also urge persons to look forward to Digicel catering to more of their entertainment needs in the coming weeks and months,” said the Marketing Executive.

Visitors to the Experience Store on

Thursday expressed pleasure with the development, and welcomed the new upgrades.

Following the official opening ceremony, customers were treated to a cocktail .The CellDigicel’s Experience Store is now opened Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, and on Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm. (KH)

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14. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Theatre

The Bar: A Review

run were several notable adjustments, including ONE MUST APPLAUD casting and plot points.

Urban Expression Theatre Nerissa King retained Inc. for its much-heralded her lead role as ‘Ms Open return to the Bank of SVG Screw,’ and quite National Theatre Arts credibly acquitted Festival. herself. Sylvorn Lavia Sticking with returned to the stage traditional Festival following her debut protocol, the producers outing earlier this year offered an array of in Carriages’ production entertainment as the of this same piece. This pre-show fare. Arabesque time around, she Dance Company, appeared more Afrikaan songbird and comfortable as ‘Ms Lusty teacher Marie Pascal Milk’, though still even leading lady suffering slight Nerissa King and others projection challenges.

- stoked patrons’ Cast changes included appetite for a goodly newcomers to the portion of last Saturday Festival stage - Teandra evening’s showing. ‘Man Jack, Akini Hypolite and Zangie’s’ soulful Calypso Jamery John. Stanley rendition still Johnson forsook the tech reverberates around booth for his onstage Peace Memorial’s supporting role as ‘Ants’. hallowed chambers.

The ease with which he carried and coloured this Some Old, Some New mentally challenged character, was only Claude Anthony’s ‘The tempered by the Bar’ enjoyed its second infrequent but noticeable staging as Urban’s 2017 loss of character. A break Festival’s pick. In this in the cariacture’s accent

by JP SCHWMON

Nerissa King and Jeremy Boyde in confrontational exchange.

Right: Cast with local arts Patron and former Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste. or mannerisms, though at points miniscule, impacted greatly on the way the story was being told. Secondary schools’ Drama champ Jeremy Boyde took some time to get warm, delivering believable enough lines, but somehow failing to

really connect with and engage his onstage counterpart, in the first few moments of the production. Do not discount his offering though; Boyde is one on whom to keep both eyes.

The Play Altogether, the elements (cast, story, setthough somewhat disappointing-and tech support) combined to tell a tale revolving around several social maladies: human trafficking, mental health disorders, community response and responsibilities to mental health patients, prostitution, and workplace concerns like customer care, employee’s attitude to work and time management.

This conflagration of messaging pushed the overall tone of the script to a preachy kind of vibe.

Moreover, proper plot point development could not quite take place because of the influx of concerns to be addressed.

For that reason, the

audience did not always connect with emotives other than laughter. So, when ‘Ants’ attempted to trace the roots of his mental illness, one was hardly moved to empathize with him.

The director’s challenge then becomes one of balance between the wordiness of the script and translated, appropriate action on the stage. He/She must also help guide the actors to appreciate their responsibility to maintain that suspended reality that breeds believability.

This second staging of ‘The Bar’ enjoyed a better polish than the first run. Urban’s innate Festival maturity was

evident the whole night through, as the production not only started on time, but flowed seamlessly from beginning to final curtains. There were forgotten lines or misplaced cues, to be sure, but none was glaringly obvious to the patrons, and that, along with an exceptional front of house service, is praiseworthy.

Urban Expression Theatre Inc. definitely opened the BOSVG National Theatre Arts Festival with a bang. Up next is the Division of Nursing Education Performing Arts Club with their original production ‘Coconut Hut’.

Our final complement of National Heroes Independence Day, with Rene’ Baptiste as Chairman. Dr. Gonsalves had stalled On second thought, I would plump for the process for 15 years.

Dr. Parmenos Eustace’s election to this Also, the presentation of History of august circle, having been impressed by SVG by several authors was also the advocacy of Curtis King, Theo suggested by his Government fifteen Browne and, especially Vin Samuel who long years ago! re-awakened in me the real worth of Dr. Dr. Gonsalves must accept that the Eustace, earlier preached to me by people’s goodwill for him has been truly Eddie Griffith and Dr. Walford Thomson forfeited. Hopefully, after the court has who enlisted in the Doc’s original spoken on the election petition case, he education revolution. would have lost legal power, bearing in We have to ignore the honeyed word mind that he never possessed moral of our Prime Minister on Independence authority.

Day, particularly in reference to the It is only a matter of time which is slate of national heroes which he longer than twine. promised to have ready before next Continued from Page 8.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 15.

Dominica Feature

Dominicans stage first ever Flag-Raising Ceremony

FRIDAY, November 04, 2017 marked the 39th anniversary of Dominica’s independence from Britain, and to mark the occasion, Dominicans resident in SVG gathered at the Financial Complex in a flag-raising ceremony.

The event served a two-fold purpose: to commemorate the anniversary of independence, and to show solidarity with their country men and women who suffered immensely from a thorough battering by Hurricane Maria.

The event was a mix of cultural performances Dominicans gathered on the grounds of the Financial Complex to mark their and addresses from both country’s independence and bring a greater awareness to the plight of their Dominicans and country men and women. government officials and Leader of the Opposition. interludes and rendered gave an historical The RSVG Police backdrop about both national anthems Band provided musical flawlessly. This was Dominica, as well as followed by the hoisting enumerated the challenges that lay ahead The Dominica Flag takes of the Dominican flag and reciting of the as Dominica struggles to a place of prominence national prayer. rebuild. alongside the SVG Flag.

Mr. Nelson Pierre Messrs. Laura Browne provided some cultural and Josette Williams entertainment, as well as sharing his personal experience during the passage of Maria.

As a mark of respect to departed Dominicans living in SVG and those who lost their life as a result of Maria, a minute Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin of silence was held.

Friday pledged Addressing the continuing support for gathering from the the re-building effort in government benches Dominica. were Minister of Economic Development natural events will Camillo Gonsalves, who become more frequent was joined by Leader of and more intense if the Opposition Dr. global warming is not Godwin Friday. held in check.

Minister of Economic Both gentlemen Gonsalves, in Development Camillo empathized with their Gonsalves raised again, stricken neighbours, and particular, noted that the developed countries were the obligation on the pledged maximum the ones generating the part of guilty parties to support as the country excess carbon that has help fledgling Members of the Dominican Restoration team. rebuilds, even as they upset the balance nature economies. were mindful that these created, and that we in the Caribbean were the victims of these abnormal weather events.

He went on to state that the onus was on A FIVE-MEMBER team from St. Services Limited (DOMLEC) and these countries to help Vincent Electricity Services Limited other regional utilities to rebuild the fledgling economies like (VINLEC) left the island on Sunday network and restore electricity. ours to rebound from The other members of the team are November 5th for the Commonwealth these disasters.

Mr. Mowai Latham - Lineman 2, Mr. of Dominica to assist with the Cabinet has also Dwight Roberts - Lineman 2, Mr. restoration of electricity. approved Nov. 04 as Electricity supply in Dominica was Lamont Sterling - Lineman 3, and Mr. Dominica Solidarity Day, Stanley Laidlow - Lineman 3. severely disrupted following the which will now be an VINLEC is pleased to be able to passage of Hurricane Maria. Reports annual event. indicate that a large number of areas contribute to the rebuilding of these Last Friday’s activity Caribbean countries. The islands of are still without power and require was organized by the Anguilla and the British Virgin Dominican Association of extensive work. The team, which is Islands also received technical St. Vincent & the being led by Mr. Alston Scott (Line Grenadines in Supervisor - Maintenance), will work assistance from VINLEC after their systems were damaged by the passage Nelson Pierre offered a taste of Dominican music, collaboration with the with staff from Dominica Electricity of hurricanes. government of SVG. a fitting inclusion in the day’s programme.

VINLEC team assisting with electricity restoration in Dominica

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16. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Entertainment

ÂFlankaÊ flinging ÂHeatÊ KESTER CHAPMAN way to go, and took enhanced his status as the cue himself. a Soca artiste with two He did several big songs in 2017: recordings, and in ‘Whole hog’ and 2015 he launched into ‘Jessica’. He took part the arena with a in the National Soca number called ‘No Monarch at Victoria manners’. He followed Park, and even though that with ‘War he was not in the top Tanker’ in 2016, but bracket, he admits that nothing compares with he has been “highly his 2017 explosion. recognized”.

‘Flanka’ is geared Known in the up for the 2018 entertainment festival, but before industry as ‘Flanka’, that, he is broadening Chapman hails from the interior region of his appeal, intending Vermont, and has to add to his been nurturing a repertoire with a latent talent for some number entitled ‘Heat Flanka 2: Kester ‘Flanka’ years. up the Christmas’, Chapman.

It was not until a especially for this sojourn in Canada, year’s Nine Mornings Festival. that he became attached to the studio ‘Flanka’ is bent on staking a claim vibes. That was when a friend was in the cultural arena, and as he moves working on some dance hall material. full steam ahead, he is encouraged by Flanka advised that Soca was the family and friends.

V AlvinÊs Culinary Institute graduates 18

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 17.

News

18 CHEFS GRADUATED with Advanced Level certificates from the Alvin’s Culinary Institute during a graduation ceremony held at the Kingstown Technical Institute Saturday 4th,November.

The students as well as family members, members of the Kingstown Technical Institute and Alvin’s Culinary Institute gathered outside the Kingstown Institute building for the graduation ceremony.

The Advanced Level course involved practical and theoretical sessions.

The students smiled and displayed happiness as they were presented with Chef Jackets and certificates. But there was no one as proud as Annesa Caesar the Valedictorian, who hails from the North Leeward community of Spring Village.

Caesar during her valedictory speech said that when she first heard about the Culinary Art class, she became excited, since she has interest in cooking, and since joining, she has no regrets. “I must say that it was fun and educational,” said Caesar concerning the course. She said she found inspiration from some

of her colleagues, while others saw the course as a competition. “I must say thanks to Ali (Alvin Jackson) who was like a father, a counselor and a peace maker in this group”. She also commended her fellow graduates, and concluded by telling them “You don’t receive respect if you don’t earn it”.

Chef Alvin “Ali” Jackson is the driving force behind the advance culinary course and also the tutor. He said that he started doing basic cooking classes at the YWCA, but the students from the basic class encouraged him to do an advance level course. “This year, I started the advance level, and this is the second batch of graduates, and there is a third batch already on the way,” he said. The certificate that the students received upon graduation is certified by the Ministry of Education. “I am very proud, really really proud and very much impressed. The batch before this did well and this batch also did extremely well, and it shows that people are learning, and if I can impart some knowledge unto some, I am willing to teach as much as I can,” said Jackson,

who revealed that he has great plans for the future which will benefit the entire country. “We have plans to open a culinary college in St. Vincent”.

Principal of the Technical Institute Bertillon Hamilton encouraged the graduates to aim higher and to achieve a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) so that they can move within the region. “This is just the foundation, and I Graduates pose with tutor Alvin Ali Jackson (in black). hope you can move the culinary arts. “I believe that continue on his journey, telling on to higher qualification,” your experience at this point is the audience that Jackson is on declared Hamilton. really just the tip of the iceberg. the right path.” He is thinking Featured speaker Negus I believe that the potential is ahead, and I want to encourage Bynoe paid tribute to Jackson, inside of you, you just have to him to continue to do that.” noting that he has numerous A number of students also qualifications, but he chooses to reach in and tap into it,” said Bynoe. paid tribute to Jackson as well help persons develop their He encouraged Alvin to as their colleagues. {KH) culinary skills.

Bynoe told the graduates that they have the potential to reach as far as they want in

SVGCC congratulates CAPE students THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Community College (SVGCC) wishes to congratulate all our students on the May/June 2017 CAPE sittings.

Some of our students performed extremely well and are ranked in the top ten in the region in this year’s results.

Ms. Abigail Scott was ranked No.2 for the CAPE Biology Unit 2, 3rd for Chemistry Unit 2, and 9th for Pure Mathematics Unit 2.

For Geography Unit 2, Ms. Thandi Myers and Mr. Daree Myers are ranked 4th and 6th respectively.

In Physical Education and Sport Unit 2, the SVGCC copped 4 of the top ten places. Ms. Cherice Roberts, Ms. Glenda Harry, Mr. Akinde Samuel and Ms. Shaniqua La Borde are all ranked 3rd, 4th 7th and 9th respectively.

We thank the students, parents and lecturers for their hard work in the academic year 2016-2017. Special mention must be made of the following lecturers whose students have achieved the above rankings in the mentioned subject areas: Mrs. Jo-Ann MarshallThompson-Biology Unit 2; Mrs. Veronica John-Luke-Chemistry Unit 2; Mr. Wayne Young - Pure Mathematics Unit 2; Mr. Allanson Cruickshank Geography Unit 2, and Mr. Roxell John Physical Education and Sport.

Mr. John must be especially commended, as this is the first year that

Thandi Myers

Abigail Scott so many Vincentian students have been ranked in the top ten regionally for a single subject. Last year, only two Vincentian students Daree Myers made it into the CXC Merit lists: Abigail Scott was 5th in Unit 1 Chemistry, and Richard John was 1st for Integrated Mathematics and 6th for Computer Science Unit 2.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College takes this opportunity to wish the students all the best in their future endeavours.

Nothing limits Excellence!

The complete lists can be found at http://www.cxc.org/merit-lists/

V Torrential rain an issue 18. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

the issue is resolved in the shortest possible time.

Addressing the members of Parliament on Tuesday, Francis made a ministerial statement where he spoke of the two bridges that were damaged last Sunday and Monday.

According to the minister, on Sunday, the Minister of Transport and Works, abutment for Senator Julian Francis one of the addressed the issue of damaged bridges gave bridges across the state as a way, and on result of heavy rain.

Monday, a crater was THE PEOPLE OF NORTH formed on another LEEWARD will be bridge. inconvenienced after two A team was supposed bridges in that area were to visit both sites and damaged following the provide an assessment, heavy rain last weekend.

Francis said.

However, Minister of But certainly, the Transport and Works residents were expected Senator Julian Francis to be inconvenienced well said that every effort will beyond the Christmas be made to ensure that

season, the minister continued.

While dispelling rumours that the damage was caused by the earthquake that rocked the country on Sunday morning, Francis said that the episodes of heavy rainfall have been having an adverse effect on the country’s infrastructure.

For example, he said that, based on information provided, some four inches of rain fell on Saturday night, and it was expected that another two to four would fall on Sunday.

“Rain continues to terrorize us in this country. I know it is the work of the Almighty, but you can take so much.”

“The limited land space that we have, the steep mountain sides, the rush of the waters coming down the hill, just destroys everything in its path,” he said.

Aside from the two

bridges at North Leeward, Francis identified two other areas that warranted immediate attention.

According to the transport and works minister, the Noel and Overland Rivers were causing problems with the large volumes of water.

“On Sunday, we had six feet plus of

sedimentation at the Noel River,” he said adding that the time had come for bridges to be built across these fords.

“We cannot have these particularly remote areas being cut off.”

But over the years, the rain has wreaked havoc on the country.

Some 691mm (about 28 inches) of rain was dumped on St Vincent

and the Grenadines back in November 2016 — he said.

And so far for the year, the rainfall was as follows: 105mm in January; 63mm in February; 105mm in March; 174mm in April; 84mm — May; 236mm — June; 172mm — July; 335mm — August; 244mm — September and 343mm in October. (DD)

FLOW gets bomb scare

Employees of FLOW as well as curious onlookers, waited outside the Coreas building.

Law enforcement personnel, including WORKERS AT firefighters, were quick to secure the TELECOMMUNICATIONS scene.

Company FLOW had to vacate the building’s headquarters on Halifax Street, after someone called in having to be diverted to McKie’s Hill.

Flow employees waited patiently to a bomb threat on Wednesday.

Police cordoned off the area between return to work, while the officers the St. Vincent Building and Loan and prevented persons from traversing the Coreas City Store on the southern side area.

Up to press time when THE and the Ministry of Education to the north, as detectives went searching for VINCENTIAN contacted the police for information concerning the bomb a bomb. However, no bombs were threat, none was forthcoming. An found. Affected though, were many persons carrying out normal business employee at FLOW, however, told THE VINCENTIAN that someone had and working activities in the area, who were disrupted. The flow of traffic called to report that a bomb was placed inside the building. (KH) was also interrupted, with traffic

2 killed, 1 survivor in Belair shooting THE NUMBER of gun-related killings continues to increase, as two men were gunned down on Thursday, November 2, in Belair.

Dead are Mrie Holder, a 19-yearold mechanic of Belair, and Orlando “Young Money” Jackson, 26 years, a labourer of Cane End. Mendorra Simmons, 21 years of Belair, was shot in her left thigh during the shooting, but up to press time was still warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

Reports are that the trio were walking in the area of the Gomea Primary School on their way to visiting a friend, when a man disguised in a hoodie approached them and started shooting. Holder was shot in his head and about his body and succumbed to his injuries sometime after 1 am at the hospital.

L-R: Mrie Holder, a 19-year-old mechanic of Belair and Orlando Jackson, a 26-yearold labourer of Cane End.

Police say they are investigating the incident, but no one has been apprehended. The double murder has brought the number of homicides to 37, and more outcries come from civilians for something to be done to stop the flood of gun-related killings.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 19.

International Relations

Set new standards of engagement OVER 300 delegates from Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, on Wednesday, November 8, began three days of intensive discussions on critical issues in the global banana industry, as the World Banana Forum opened its Third Global Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Delivering the opening address at the Conference, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of

the Forum, Mr Renwick Rose, called for “new forms of engagements and exemplary relationships” to be forged by the multiple players in the industry in order to avoid the negative situations of the past which had led to a virtual “race to the bottom”.

He said that the socalled “banana wars” of the past and intense competition between retailers, had hurt all

involved in the industry, especially small producers. The path embarked upon by the Banana Forum of dialogue and collaboration for mutual benefit, is the only way forward, and the experience of the Forum is already demonstrating that.

One example of this collaboration is the production of an Occupational Health and

Delegates at the Seminar.

The Garifuna Heritage Foundation attends Seminar organised by Impact Justice ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines was represented by The Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF) at a Seminar organised by Impact Justice, a Project funded by the Government of Canada, in Georgetown, Guyana from October 9th-11th, 2017. The purpose of the Seminar was to review The American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to discuss the Formation of a CARICOM Association of Indigenous Peoples. TGHF travelled to Guyana to make a presentation at the Seminar.

The American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the OAS in June 2016. The Indian Law Resource Center of Washington D.C made a presentation on the Declaration, and a discussion was held on what can be done to engage the Governments of the region to implement these rights. At the end of the meeting a statement was produced as follows: “Statement of the Network of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Caribbean Region” Georgetown, Guyana 11 October 2017 “Representatives of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs) of the Caribbean Region have gathered in Georgetown, Guyana from 09 — 11 October 2017 to pause and reflect on the status of the fulfillment and protection of our rights, as reflected in, among others, the UN Declaration on the Rights of

Indigenous Peoples and the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The meeting was convened by IMPACT Justice, a Project funded by the Government of Canada.

We have concluded that there are many commonalities and similar concerns, challenges but also opportunities among the indigenous and tribal peoples of the Caribbean region. The meeting concluded that we need to have a stronger voice, strengthen solidarity, have more effective influence on policies that affect us and proactively undertake our self-determined actions. We have therefore decided to establish a Network of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Caribbean Region with immediate effect. Over the next few months, further networking and consultations will take place, both at national and at regional level to give the network further form and content.”

“The meeting was attended by delegates from Belize, Guyana, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.”

This statement was agreed upon and circulated to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

It is expected that follow up discussions will shortly be held by the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs).

Safety manual, a cooperative effort between member organisations of the Forum, with support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The Manual, which covers recommendations on health and safety issues in the banana industry, is part of a pilot project in Ecuador and Cameroon. It was officially launched at the Opening Ceremony of the

Conference by the Minister of Labour of Ecuador, Mr Raul Clemente Ledesma.

A special conference on “Gender Equity” in the banana industry took place on Tuesday, and made a number of recommendations to improve the well-being of women in the banana industry. It was attended

by WINFA Coordinator, Ms Kozel Peters-Fraser who described it as “very productive” and educational.

A number of recommendations were made by the Women’s Conference to the main Conference, covering such issues as making banana production attractive for women, the provision of child-care facilities, microfinancing, empowering women and fostering their participation in decision-making, as well as combating sexual harassment and genderbased violence.

Renwick Rose, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Forum.

Ms Peter-Fraser will address the Conference tomorrow as part of a Panel examining “A fairer distribution of value”.

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20. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Caught in the middle Why do I Dear George, I AM A TEACHER at a Secondary School and I am having a problem.

There are at least five or more students who have been coming on to me in the most candid of ways. At least three of them are in fifth form and will be leaving school soon, but the others are in third form. The ones in third form look even more mature and sexually appealing than the ones who are in fifth form. They are inviting me to have sex with them, and they do not care if it is one or more of them. That is how desperate the situation is. I must admit that I went as far as to kiss two of them, but that was all. Is there anything wrong with me at least kissing them and waiting until they are out of school to have sex with them? One of them threatened to tell my fiancée about my dealings with her if I do

not make love to her. I am caught in the middle and do not know what to do. I do not want my fiancée to find out about her, and I am beginning to think that I should just give her what she wants and shut her up. What do you think?

Questions from a teacher Dear Questions from a teacher, You have begun to dig a hole that will eventually swallow you up if you continue to dig.

You are placed in a position of trust and authority, and you should not see your students as candidates for sex, but rather as children who were put under your care with a view to preparing them for the future and life.

The physical contact you have had thus far with those in question, is wrong and a violation of that trust. I must also

feel guilty?

Dear George, MY GIRLFRIEND admitted to me that the reason why she punched holes into the condoms I usually mention that your action before you make another use with her, was because her ex-boyfriend made is enough to have legal move. her do it, so in case she got pregnant for him, I consequences. I suggest would think the child is mine. I asked her how that you get professional George come he was able to even be in a position to make help as soon as possible such a suggestion, and she confessed that she was still in a sexual relationship with him. She said that is all over now, but I do not believe her because as she was telling me that he texted her and asked that she meet him at his house for another “session.”

Dear George, That was after she said they broke off that relationship months ago. I told her to get MY BOYFRIEND loves women who have big boobs and lost, but she is going about telling people butt. I do not have either, and to keep him, we agree to that she was the one who dumped me after let him have a relationship with my best friend who has finding me in bed with one of her girlfriends what he is looking for. We agree that he would get his whom she cannot name. She calls my phone sexual satisfaction from her, but would remain with me every day, begging me to bury the hatchet and have me as his main woman. Months after we did this hook up, he has developed a serious relationship with and get back with her but I have not paid her any mind since. Why do I still feel guilty my friend, and now they are talking marriage. She has the gall to ask me to be her maid of honour! I am out and for chasing her away? she is in. I do not deserve this after I have tried to be so Hurt and confused accommodating.

I’m out and she’s in

Tricked

Dear H&C

Dear Tricked,

I believe the reason why you may be feeling guilty could be the way in which you ended the relationship. If you did so in the harshest of ways and out of character, then that could explain your guilty feelings. Have another talk with her and calmly explain to her that she is not the person whom you are looking for to be your life long mate, and tell her why. You cannot be with someone if you cannot trust them, and once trust is being broken habitually, then it becomes a bigger problem. Stick to your decision if you must, but let her know that her actions have consequences, which is why she is now out in the cold.

You handed your boyfriend the woman he really wanted on a silver platter, and now you are complaining after he is now fully satisfied.

Consider your actions as misguided, and if you cannot be happy for your now exboyfriend, then forget that all of this ever happened and move on with your life. There is a man out there who is looking for exactly what you have. Just be patient and take the time to find him.

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Sudden changes regarding friendships are likely to occur if you have tried to change others. Travel could be in order. You will do well with clients this week. You could meet an interesting individual you'll want to get to know better.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You can win if you're open and up front with your boss. Be sure to double‐check the house on your way out. Listen to a good friend who is truly looking out for your best interests. Travel will be most enticing.

Consider a cruise.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) A quiet restful day just staying in bed or catching up on reading will be your best bet. You may find that someone you live with may be irritable; you're best to leave them alone. Do not over expand if you have your own business. Sit tight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Try to be patient with their inability to accept your new beliefs. Things are looking up. Romance may be better than you ever thought possible. You will find your person‐ al partner taxing this week.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) People you live with will not be terribly happy with you regardless of what you do this week. You can convince anyone of anything. Channel your energy into proj‐ ects that will enhance your home. Look into family outings or projects.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Just be yourself. Lovers will be demanding.

You are best to sign your partner up for activities that will be tiring. You will meet new and exciting people if you attend social activities or sporting events. You might find that the extra cash will come in handy when an opportunity to invest comes along.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Take the initiative and go after your goals.

Your confidence is growing and advance‐ ment is apparent. Take the time to sort out your personal papers and double‐check your financial investments. this week will be hectic.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You will have no problem getting your point across to those in a position to help you. Relatives will be cordial. Get the whole family involved in a worthwhile cause or cultural event. Don't blow situa‐ tions out of proportion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You may want to tell someone how you really feel. Try a barbecue or a day at the beach. You will have no problem getting your point across to those in a position to help you. Travel and entertainment will be pleasurable.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) You will find that social activities will be enjoyable and will promote new connec‐ tions. You may find yourself in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Delays are evident.

Do something that will be stimulating and creative.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) If boredom has set in, find new and unique directions that offer interesting friendships.

Friends or groups that you're affiliated with may want you to contribute more cash than you can really afford. Don't be afraid to confront situations concerning loved ones in order to solve any problems that may exist.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) You will have to check your cash flow before you decide to indulge in hobbies or entertainment that may be beyond your budget. Your self esteem will come back if you take part in organizational functions that allow you to be in the lime light. You can't always have your own way.

ACROSS 4. Highest mountain in Crete 8. Hemmed in by ice 11. Periods of history 13. Vessel or duct 14. Sweetbrier 15. Notion 17. Cut and dried grass 18. Bristles 19. Bowler hat 21. Gave food 22. Furniture wood 24. Glass container 27. Endure 29. Purse 31. Plant juice 33. Something that is owed 35. New Zealand parrot 36. Leave out 38. Vagrant 40. Pending 42. Tides that attain the least height 43. Cut 45. Kaput 49. Large flightless bird 50. To endure 51. Petty quarrel 52. French clergyman DOWN 1. Separate 2. Barren place 3. Female deer 4. Relative by marriage 5. June 6, 1944

6. Trinity 7. Consumers 9. Juniper 10. Exclamation of disgust 11. Anesthetic 12. Black bird 16. In bed 20. Unit of linear measure 21. Craze 23. Bottom of ship’s hull 25. Fine 26. Ruin 28. Ebony 29. Ingot 30. Needlefish 31. Noises 32. Mines

34. Old measure of capacity 35. French military Cap 37. Fungal infection 39. 19th letter of the Greek

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 21.

alphabet 41. Leg or arm 44. Tavern 46. Arrest 47. Flow back 48. Coloring material

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22. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Position should be commensurate with qualifications

AN EMPLOYEE shall be appointed to a position commensurate with his or her qualifications within reasonable time of the completion of his or her studies, provided that the Ministry of Education has approved such studies and the employee is qualified for promotion, in accordance with the Public Service Commission Regulations.

This is a quote from the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2005 between the Teachers Union and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which was highlighted in a Press Conference held on Monday by the St. Vincent Teachers Union, and was an integral part of their presentation.

With the announcement by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in his recent Independence Speech, of the appointment of 100 Graduate Teachers, Industrial Relations Officer Otto Sam is of the opinion that this announcement was as a result of Union Pressure, calling on the Government to adhere to Article 26-2 and 27-3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2005.

Sam also stated that, while the appointment is partially pleasing, there are Graduate Teachers who have retired and were legally entitled to be appointed, that should also retroactively receive compensation based on the agreement, some from as far back as 2005.

The Union also announced a week of activities dubbed Teachers Solidarity Week "Defending Workers Rights: An Imperative," beginning on Sunday, November 12th with Church

Industrial Relations Officer, Otto Sam. Service to be held at the Hope for Life Restoration Ministries in Arnos Vale.

Other Activities include the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 15th at the Thomas Saunders Secondary Secondary School at 4pm, and a March and Rally on Friday, November 17th from the Peace Memorial Hall to the Bishop’s College Kingstown Hard Court.

The Union also announced plans afoot to implement a Health Insurance fund for its Members, costing approximately Five Dollars per Month.

OSH gets House approval will be to control officers, and provision was also made for a medical and put them on a legal footing, and inspector. we have to strengthen the An important part of the Bill, now administrative framework.”

Act, is that provisions have been Other neighbouring Caribbean made allowing for workers to refuse territories have done it, but the time to perform duties if the individual had come to ensure the safety of feels that their life or health is in workers throughout St Vincent and jeopardy. the Grenadines.

Conditions under which a worker The Bill began as a model can refuse to work are spelt out in the legislation from the ILO, but had Act, Gonsalves said. taken on a different look, according to Now that the Bill has been passed, Gonsalves, through the OECS and Gonsalves explained that the intent following the meeting of the select was not to enact it into law “in one committee. swoop,” but it would be implemented It contains 13 parts, making in phases in order that the provisions for the enactment and, government be in a position to follow according to Gonsalves, speaks to the through on setting up the required setting up of an advisory body, and bodies and inspectorates, and to allow chief and medical inspectorates. for business houses to be given time The role of the chief inspectorate to make the relevant adjustments.

Continued from Back Page.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 23.

Awesome FC after copping the SEDI Inc. Football title at the Stubbs Playing Field, last Sunday.

Left: Action in the finals between Awesome FC and Volcanoes.

Awesome FC takes SEDI Inc. Football title AWESOME FC WERE, last Sunday, crowned Champions of the South East Development Inc. Football League, at the Stubbs Playing Field.

The East St Georgebased Awesome beat Volcanoes 3-2, in a highly competitive final.

Their goals came from Omar Cupid — (two) and Leslo Mc Kenzie the other. Hosni Chandler and Kishorn Durham scored for Volcanoes.

It was Awesome FC’s third visit to the final, but the first time coming out on top.

Zeddie Millington of

Awesome FC was named Player of the Final.

In the semifinals, Awesome overcame United 3-0, while Volcanoes saw off Diamond 2-0. Diamond went on to beat United 80in the third place play off.

Awesome collected $1500, the first place trophy and the Frankie Browne Evaluation Services challenge shield; Volcanoes - $1000 and a trophy, and third place Diamond- $800 and a trophy.

Awards

Apart from winning the top place, Awesome FC were able to snatch other awards.

Individually, Kizani Haynes won the Best Goal Keeper award; Lezlo Mc Kenzie — Most Goals, and Dominque Stowe- Most Outstanding Manager.

Awesome FC also won awards as the Best Attacking Team and the Most Disciplined Team.

Meanwhile, Country Meet Town QUESCO’s Nazir Mc Burnett was named Best Striker; Mazique Herbert of

Volcanoes- Best Midfielder, and Ishama Mc Ree of United- Best Defender.

Volcanoes copped the Best Defending Team.

The individual awardees, all received cash prizes, trophies and phone credit from Digicel.

Also, the Most Valuable Players of each of the fourteen teams, were awarded with trophies.

President of the South East Development Inc. — Yolande London announced at last Sunday’s presentation

Lezlo Mc Kenzie (right) accepts his Most Goals awards from Shania Baxter. ceremony, that with her organisation celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2018, all competitions, inclusive of the Football

League, will be restricted to the twelve communities in the South East belt.

Bob Ballantyne bows out from National TT Singles

Robert “Bob” Ballantyne ROBERT “BOB” BALLANTYNE, has vouched that he will not compete at another Open Men’s Singles category National Table Tennis Tournament, as the

2017 edition was his last.

His official signing off was last Thursday night at the West St George Secondary School’s auditorium, when he failed to wrest the title from Carlton Daniel.

Daniel, who won the title in 2016, retained his crown, beating Ballantyne, 11/5, 12/10, 11/7, 11/9.

Before reaching the final, Ballantyne defeated Kavir Gaymes 11/5, 11/9, 9/11, 11/2 in the quarter finals, and humbled Damion Dublin, 11/6, 11/9, 11/7, 12/10, in their semifinal showdown.

Daniel, on the other hand, displaced Joseph Carrington in the quarter finals, 11/3, 8/11, 11/7, 11/7, and took out Sean Stanley, 13/11, 4/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/2, in the semifinals.

On the night, Ballantyne

was seeking a swansong occasion, as he attempted to take three crowns. The 57year-old, who blamed “tiredness” for his loss to Daniel, had to settle for two, the Masters’ Singles and the Men’s Doubles.

In securing the Masters’ title, Ballantyne blanked Nixon Louis three games to nil, winning 11/4, 11/3, 11/5.

He teamed up with Carlton Daniel to play unbeaten in the round robin Doubles competition.

“I have had enough… I am done with the Men’s Singles”, Ballantyne outlined. He, however, said that he will continue to compete in the Masters, and will represent St Vincent and the Grenadines at that level if called upon.

Ballantyne, a former OECS Singles winner, leaves

competing at the National level, with many Junior and Senior titles under his belt.

Coming from a sporting family, Ballantyne grew up in Frenches, with a Table Tennis board always at his disposal.

It was no surprise that he began representing St Vincent and the Grenadines from the age of 14, at the then Windward Islands Tournament. He went on to do so at sub- regional,

Carlton Daniel regional and international Table Tennis tournaments.

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24. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Murray, Kentish encourage Youth Cricketers

Junior Murray, former West Indies wicket keeper.

--TWO FORMER Windward Islands leading players, having been invited as guest speakers for the

official opening ceremony this country’s top young of the Hope Playing Field cricketers during their last Sunday, imparted visit. valuable advice to some of Junior Murray and

Players from the SVGCA/Lennox John cricket Academy and the National U-15 team.

Thomas Kentish encouraged young cricketers of the SVGCA/Lennox John Cricket Academy and the National Under-15 team preparing for the upcoming Windward Islands Under-15 tournament.

Kentish, one of Windward Islands and Combine Islands top off spinners, urged the players to take their cricket seriously, while taking note of the quality of the coaches surrounding them. “I will like you guys to practise and play the game hard, because work hard brings success. Also, taking your school work seriously is a plus to being a rounded individual,” he imparted while wishing SVG players all the success in the upcoming Windward Islands tournament.

While addressing the three females present at the event, Kentish said that the future is bright in female cricket now because more effort has

been put into women’s cricket at the West Indies level.

The off spinner also took the opportunity to extend thanks to the parents of the players who would have made valuable contributions towards his native country Dominica, which was devastated by a hurricane recently. “My country was hit by a Category 5 hurricane, and things were really bad, so I must applaud the efforts by all who have made contributions to our country.”

Junior Murray, who also has a youth cricket academy in Grenada, said he represented his nation well. “It wasn’t easy and it’s not an easy game, but you have to have the love and passion for the game, you have to learn to work hard because nothing comes easy. If you want to achieve something in life, you have to work

Thomas Kentish, past Windward Islands and Combined Islands off spinner. hard, you have to set small goal first, but always have in mind the bigger picture. Just listen to your coaches and always look to improve”.

Jomo Thomas, Speaker of the House of Assembly and attorneyat-law, also addressed the youngsters, stating that he didn’t finish high school, and had to work hard to achieve in life.

“The science is out now that if you want to do anything well you will have to put in 10,000 hours of practice, and by doing so, you will just have to refresh yourself while you still have the basics and sufficient amount of knowledge to carry you through so you may not have to work as hard”.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Linda Mc Dowall wins South America 10k in Guyana VINCENTIAN, Linda Forde clocked 33 Mc Dowall scalped minutes 42 seconds, the Women’s Division to lead off Guyana’s of the South America sweep of the podium 10k in Guyana, last places.

Sunday.

Behind Forde was Mc Dowall’s Cleveland Thomas- 33 winning time was 39 minutes 51 seconds, minutes 50 seconds, with Winston ahead of second Missigher, third in 34 place- Grenadian minutes 05 seconds.

Kenisha Pascal Veteran whose time was 40 Trinidadian distance minutes 44 seconds. athlete- Curtis Cox Completing the top was fourth, in a time three in the Women’s of 34 minutes 18 Open was Guyanese seconds.

Maria Urquhart, who The race traversed clocked 44 minutes a route from the GTT Linda Mc Dowall 20 seconds.

Earth Centre on While Mc Dowall CARIESTA Avenue to was able to get a podium finish, the National Park.

The two are the defending Junior Ashton, St Vincent and the champions of the international Grenadines’ male representative in category of the Team Athletics SVG the event, finished fifth.

NACAC Chatoyer 10K Endurance, Ashton’s 35 minutes 53 seconds, was over two minutes slower than the scheduled for 26th November, from Gordon Yard to the Chateubelair winner- Cleveland Forde of Guyana.

Playing Field.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 25.

Sports

ASCO Netball shoots off

Congrats to Sunil SUNIL AMBRIS ought not to have difficulty getting into the West Indies Test side. He has replaced Kyle Hope. Ambris was put through a period, to which he responded in appropriate fashion.

He will have to be on guard for moves to demoralise him.

There is the undercurrent of insularity for which the Caribbean is grounded. No one forgets the Federation, even though we are together in many aspects. The venom among territories prevents us from advancing.

Each nation has its characteristics. Barbados has produced a wealth of cricketers. Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott, Garfield Sobers, Seymour Nurse, Wesley Hall, Charlie Griffith, Conrad Hunte, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner bear testimony of the Barbadian heritage on the world stage as far as cricket is concerned.

Many others will be spoken of, and more have come and gone and never created the stir. So with the West Indies cricket threatened by feud, Barbadians assumed ownership.

Other countries use Barbados as the standard bearer, and the rivalry is keener and more purposeful once Barbados is involved.

Jamaica earns props on the world stage through Reggae music and athletics especially with the exploits of Usain Bolt. Trinidad and Tobago has Calypso, carnival and steel pan to claim.

Guyanese have been known to adjust, for being part of the South American mainland, people from other regions find it strange that Guyana is Caribbean. They have gold and land.

They have other matters to contend with, including a dispute with Venezuela. Cricket has served as the nation’s therapy.

Frank Worrell predicted that the strength of West Indies cricket would be in the smaller islands. Other territories never took it seriously.

They regarded it as an affront.

Cricket is a team sport. Once there is friction, it amounts to a lost cause. No smooth talk will correct the trend. West Indies players have produced. Selectors have to provide the material.

Tour management have to overlook the partisan agenda.

Ambris will be into the New Zealand tour which will be a test of his character. He will not be without well-wishers. The entire Vincentian populace greets his elevation with pride and a sense of relief.

He is a man of the deep, and has been able to astonish with his skill and technique. Sunil has been a diamond in the making almost from birth.

His father Walford Ambris bears the humility of the typical Vincentian. He will be the happiest man, seeing that his early inspiration has reaped reward. History will record that Sunil would have waited up for as long as needed, for his father to come home to do some catching practice in the (nets) house, no matter what the hour.

Walford will be overjoyed when Sunil takes his first catch.

FOR LEASE Ground and First Floor Tyrel Street, near General Hospital, Kingstown Can let separately.

Tel: 457-2110 531-8458

SIXTEEN TEAMS will contest in the 2017 Edition of the ASCO Netball Tournament. The competition resumes following a two-year absence, and is expected to be of a high standard as the past years.

The opening last weekend at the Gomea Hard Court, witnessed addresses from Denisford Foster, President and founder of ASCO, who believes there is a lot one can achieve from getting involved in netball, and urged the captains, managers and players to commit and educate themselves towards Teams being inspected during the opening ceremony. the development of the part of the competition this year: from the physical education and game, as ASCO will continue to Gomea Methodist, Belmont sports will be assigned to each play their part to ensure they Government, Belair Government, team to work along with the produce netballers at all levels.

Sion Hill Government and Cecil McKie, Minister of Sports, school, and we are hoping from Dorsetshire Hill Government. The next year, some of the young presented some netballs for the remaining teams are ASCO 1, 2, 3 senior and junior competitions. In players will go on and represent and 4, Pace Setters, Young SVG at the junior level.” doing so, he said “I am pleased Strugglers, Everready Future General Secretary of the SVG today, that we were able to add to Stars, Valley Scorchers, Greggs Netball Association Dian the teams in your various Juniors and Island Blend Success Robinson, who congratulated the divisions in this competition, the Netters 1 & 2.

West St. George Primary Schools ASCO Netball Association, The Best Dress and Best stressed that as we look towards development festival, where we Banner went to Island Blend will have the five primary schools the development of netball, persons are encouraged to attend Success Netters, and Gomea in that area competing in that the netball umpiring session every Methodist School got second place festival. We intend for this to be the feeder ground into the ASCO Tuesday at the Kingstown Netball in the Best Dress.

Games will be played each and the Sion Hill competitions, so Centre, as no team will be allowed evening at the Gomea Hard to enter the competition in 2018 we will have a team from Court.

Belmont, Dorsetshire Hill, Belair, without a practising umpire.

Five Primary Schools will be Gomea and Sion Hill. A coach I.B.A.ALLEN

Creese dominates National Juniors Tournament Ballantyne.

In the Cadet Division Semifinal, Creese overcame a spirited fight from elder brother Mirac Creese 12/10, 6/11, 11/9, 4/11, and 11/8, to meet Akeil DeRoche in the finals.

DeRoche, who had been impressive for the whole tournament and in earlier Cadet Michel Creese, Predivision rounds, had Cadet and Cadet defeated Caleb champion.

Howard in the champion Quarters, three games to Andre zero: 11/4, 11/6, 11/8, and top Mitchell: seed Rondre John three Rondre games to two: 15/13, 12/14, 10/12, 11/6, Mikel John captured 11/8, 7/11, Hazelwood and 11/8, 8/11, 11/7 could not the Juniors 11/5. cope with the control Caleb Howard Singles Open.

In the won the Juniors attacking game of Creese, and lost the finals Junior Doubles Open to Michel 11/6, 5/11, 11/7, Doubles Open Finals: Mikel finals.

Hazelwood and Caleb Howard 11/8.

Rondre John, teamed up to capture the title when they defeated Andre playing as Mitchell and Rondre John 14/12 the No. 3 seed 8/11 10/12 13/11 11/5. in the Junior In the presentation ceremony, division, which followed, Michel was rebounded awarded the Most Outstanding from his Cadet Player trophy, Rondre John surprising loss the most Outstanding Junior in the Cadet division to Akeil Player Trophy, and Akeil DeRoche was adjudged the Most Promising DeRoche, to Cadet Player. meet and conquer threeI.B.A.ALLEN time defending

MICHEL CREESE, Rondre John, Mikel Hazelwood and Caleb Howard took top spots in the just concluded National Table Tennis Championships, which came to an end last Saturday at the West St. George Secondary School.

In the Pre -Cadet finals, Creese defeated Secondary School Champion Caleb Howard 5/11, 11/4 12/10, 12/10; this was after he got an easy passage into the quarter fnals, winning by default over Tai

V

26. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports Feature

Everything Vincy Motorsport a success

Scenes from the Motorsport scene.

THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED Everything Vincy Independence Festival that was presented by the Vincy Motorsports Club (VIMOC) was deemed an overall success by both our visitors and residents alike. This unique festival was made possible by a collaborative effort of VIMOC, SVG Motorcycle Club, Invest SVG, SVG AMP, Department of Culture, Midnight Racing Club & Kart Club SVG along with the festival partners.

The series of events included several motorsport races, cultural performances, a business exposition, and a local music concerts all combined to highlight Vincy Pride and showcase all things Vincy. The 9-day festival of events kicked off on Saturday, October 21, 2017, and concluded on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

The motoring aspect of this festival saw an influx of visitors from the region and beyond. SVG received guests from several Caribbean islands which included over 145 automobiles and several hundred motorsport enthusiasts, by far the largest contingent of motorsports fans to grace our shores to help celebrate the 38th anniversary of our independence.

At the end of it all, Vincentians were entertained by some of the fastest vehicles from the region along with some incredible stunt and drift performances.

With five (5) days of motoring events, this festival showcased our local talent, and brought together the best of the southern Caribbean to make history at the decommissioned ET Joshua Airport.

The independence weekend saw two very exciting events that brought the masses out to the ET Joshua Airport.

Friday October 27th (Independence Day) saw the opening of the Everything Vincy Expo in the terminal building. This expo was tastefully produced, and highlighted many of our local businesses in the various economic sectors. While the expo was running in full gear, many gears were shifting on the tarmac outside, as racers from SVG, St. Lucia & Grenada participated in the 1st ever regional solodex time attack. This dexterity type speed event tested the drivers’ skills as they maneuvered through obstacles on their way to set the fastest time of the day.

Results of the Regional Solodex: 2WD Category — 1st Place (Fabian Holder of Barbados

— Toyota Cressida) 2nd Place (Stephan Goodluck of SVG — Shifter Kart) 3rd Place (Hadley Bourne of SVG — Honda Civic) 4WD Category - 1st Place (Llewelyn Duncan of Grenada — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 2nd Place (Ike Alcindor of St. Lucia — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 3rd Place (Brian Evans of St. Lucia — Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)

drift specialist out of Barbados, who dazzled the massive crowd with his precision driving skills and drifting stunts. A definite crowd pleaser who was complimented by the ever-popular Bajan Biker Sergio.

Both of these talented individuals perplexed the audience with the stunting skills.

Sunday, October 29th brought the festival to a close as the drag racing took center stage. Several of our local competitors came out to be part of this momentous occasion.

Throughout the day, we were given a glimpse of the potential growth of motorsport in SVG as thousands came out to support the event.

Audio Warz Sound Clash which was held in stages due to the weather. In the end, heated rivalries were on display, as competitors from the region clashed to claim bragging rights in the sound categories.

Sound Clash Results: Best SQ Lightweight - Team Unruly (SLU) Loudest Lightweight - Team Mikie (GRE) Best SQ Heavyweight - Team Joe Knows (SLU) Loudest Heavyweight - Team THUG (SVG) Grudge King: Team Joe Knows (SLU) Best Install/Creativity - Team Hot Rod (SLU) Overall Winner - Team Hot Rod (SLU)

Part of the culture package also saw the introduction of the “Creole on the Promenade” series which showcased local talent, food and craft for four days on the FLOW promenade on Halifax Street. This portion of the event will 9 Sec Bracket - Kelvin “Bird” Daniel likely grow into a larger and more (Kawasaki ZX10) BGI 9.23 Seconds Motorbike Category interactive cultural activity for the next 1st Place (Kevin Gibson) festival in 2018.

10 Sec Bracket - Gregory Boyea The Everything Vincy Festival (Mitsubishi Evo) SVG 10.44 Seconds The weekend also saw the first ever Committee wishes to thank the general Regional ¼ Mile Drag Race event to be public for their amazing support of the held in SVG. Dubbed “Deep Stage”, Drag 11 Sec Bracket - Gus Marcellin (Nissan festival and its components. Special Skyline) SLU 11.11 Seconds cars & Bikes from TNT, Barbados, thanks also goes out to the Minister of Grenada & St. Lucia joined our local Tourism, Sports & Culture Hon. Cecil racers to battle for the right to claim the 12 Sec Bracket — Brian Evans Mckie and the Chief Cultural Officer Mr. (Mistubishi Evo) SLU 12.93 Seconds fastest times in the various time Anthony Theobalds for their support and brackets.

The highlight of the weekend was the 13 Sec Bracket — Pascal Reddock (Nissan input into the overall product. A gracious thank you also to all our valued Pulsar) SVG 13.30 Seconds two Trinidadian dragsters: Andy festival partners who helped make this Bissessar with his Havoline sponsored venture a success. Special mention also 14 Sec Bracket - Carl Joseph (Subaru Rail Car, and the famous Hollister to Mr. Flambo Edwards, Ravi Rajpaul “Flambo” Edwards in his popular Bucket Impreza) SVG 14.06 Seconds and Patrick Nicholas of Trinidad for v8 open wheel dragster. This was the 15 Sec Bracket — Bernard Williams their generous work in preparing the first time a parachute was deployed to slow down a race car in SVG. That honor (BMW 3 Series) 15.26 Seconds track. Sincere gratitude also to the goes to Andy and the Rail Car who also Invest SVG team and SVG AMP for Best of the Rest — Farrah Mascoll set the local record for the fastest time their amazing work in bringing the (Subaru Impreza) SVG 16.06 Seconds on a full ¼ mile run of 8.4 seconds. festival to greater heights. And to all the Saturday’s entertainment began with members and fans of Vincy Motorsports Fastest Female — Nakita John the test n tune segment for the drag Club, SVG Motorcycle Club, Midnight (Mistubishi Evo X) SVG 13.52 Seconds racers, which was followed by the Racing Club and Kart Club SVG…Thank evening entertainment session. you! We look forward to bring you a The final competition of the Saturday evening’s entertainment bigger and better festival in 2018 and independence weekend was the popular round brought out Mr. Fabian Holder, beyond. (Submitted) Results of Deep Stage ¼ Mile Drag Race: 8 Sec Bracket - Andy Bissessar (RAIL CAR) TNT 8.48 Seconds

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017. 27.

Classifieds

PROPERTY FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

Tel: 457-2788/454-4739 or 455-9773/(1-869)660-4176

at Whim, Fair Hall Tel: 492-8382

3 bedroom house on 19,266 sq. ft of land at Cane End

house use at Belle V Vue ue for ¾ One three (3) bedroom ho EC$200,000 (NEGOTIABLE) (NEGOTIABLE).. se at Ke K e earton Hill, Barrouallie Kearton ¾ One five (5) bedroom house for EC$$500,000 (OPEN TO OFFERS) OFFERS).. ¾ One three (3) storey property with apartments at Belair OFFERS) . for EC$625,000 (OPEN TO OFFERS). ft . ¾ Land at Bequia from EC$11.34 / US$4.20 per sq ft. ¾ 5.18,000 sq ft of land at Chauncey for EC$185,000 OFFERS) .

(OPEN TO OFFERS). ¾ 6. 8,308 sq ft of land at Cane Grove for EC$207,700 OFFERS) .

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Website: h ps://www.sutherlandsrealestate.com h ps://www.sutherlandsrealestate.com Website: sutherlandsrealestate@gmail.com E-mail: sutherlandsrealestate@gmail.com Te el: 1-784-498-1924 1-784-498-1924 / 433-9362 Tel: 433-9362

ADOLPHUS JOSEPH SUTHERLAND

CHARMINE DURRANT

6W %HQHGLFW¶V Roman Catholic Church Georgetown Saturday 4th November, 2017 3:00 p.m.

Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church Block 2000 Monday 6th November, 2017 2:00 p.m.

LEON SAMUEL Mt. Coke Methodist Church Stubbs Saturday 4th November, 2017 3:00 p.m.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

JEANETTE DERRICK New Testament Church /RZPDQ¶V +LOO Saturday 4th November, 2017 3:00 p.m.

Family of the late NELCIA MOORE MC GUIRE of Calder Ridge/Freeland, Mesopotamia who died on September 6th, 2017 would like to thank all those who offered words of condolences, attended funeral, sent wreaths, cards, paid tributes on social media or sympathized with us in any other way during our time of bereavement.

Your support was deeply appreciated.

Sadly missed by mother and father: Maple and David Moore, brothers/DUU\ DQG .HOO\ VLVWHU ă 6KDQLTXH 0F*XLUH ILDQFp ă /HRQ 6KDOORZ grandmother, relatives and friends.

Rest in peace, our love.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.45

A.I. REAL ESTATE Kingstown Park Commercial Property on 3,138 sq.ft.

- $795,000.00 - CC086 Kelbourney 4 bedrm Property on 8,000 sq.ft.

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www.thevincentian.com

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OPPOSITION MEMBER SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ‘Times’ magazine where there was an article detailing the amount of profit OPPOSITION Parliamentary that can be had from the crop.

Representative for Central Kingstown, St “My position is that I am in Clair Leacock has thrown his support to support,” he said. the idea of the production of medical Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, marijuana. a few years ago, spoke on the issue of While making a presentation during medical marijuana, and while he said the congratulatory remarks at that he did not intend to pass any law Tuesday’s session of Parliament, as it related to medical marijuana, he Leacock said that he had spoken to has made provisions for open dialogue members of the visiting International to further discuss the issue.

Monetary Foundation (IMF), and that Leacock went on further to indicate the time had come for all involved to that he had also spoken to the IMF rethink the position on medical officials about adding value to locally marijuana. grown fruits.

He referred to an edition of the He highlighted the booming coconut Stories by DAYLE DASILVA

St Clair Leacock has become the first member of the New Democratic Party (NDP) to openly support a medical marijuana industry in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

milk industry and all that was being manufactured using coconuts.

“It is about time we show value added contributions to St Vincent,” said Leacock.

He said further that he was volunteering his time, and that of the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) shadow minister for agriculture Roland Matthews was to be part of a steering committee to work with the government to see if they can develop

this country as an organic centre of the world.

“It is a great opportunity for us to create jobs [and], I am not afraid to cross the aisle on this matter,” he said.

OSH gets House approval

Camillo Gonsalves, this country’s Minister of Labour, moved the motion for the new Occupational Safety and Health Bill to become law.

THE OCCUPATIONAL Safety and Health Bill successfully made its rounds in Parliament and was passed during last Tuesday’s session of Parliament.

The Bill replaces the Factory and Occupational Notification Acts, this according to Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Labour, and who moved the motion for the Bill, declaring that need for an enhanced occupational safety Bill has been self-evident.

“The headlines in the country are replete of workplace injury and death in our country,” the labour minister said.

He identified instances where individuals were either injured or died while on the job, and further

explained that one only needed to drive throughout the country, and they will be able to see examples of unsafe work practices.

“It highlights that the simple act of going to work can be fraught with danger, and you can be going to work as you do all the time, and if conditions are not optimal, you can be injured or worse, and we have the mandate to provide an environment to create a culture of prevention and to preserve employee rights,” Gonsalves said.

According to statistics provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO), globally there were about 3 million deaths related to occupational deaths and or health

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

related illnesses.

There was also a high number of non-fatal injuries, or work place diseases, Gonsalves continued.

“As we open our doors for business, one of the first questions asked is what are minimum wages, what package of concessions, and invariably shortly thereafter, what is the legislative framework for occupational health and safety, and in our quest to attract entities, we may be attracting entities that have a different culture of worker safety, and may have a history of paying less than optimal care, and we have to strengthen the best practices Continued on Page 22.

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