TheVincentianPDF-02-11-2018

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FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 02, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.38

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

COURT GIVES

STUDENT SECOND CHANCE

According to her, Stapleton’s problem was his attendance.

KEVIN STAPLETON, a student of the She said she was shocked on Bishop’s College Kingstown and one of hearing of his run-in with the two teenaged boys who pleaded guilty on law.

October 23 to burglarizing the However, while Stapleton told Georgetown Police Station, stealing two the Court, during his appearance motorcycles and a bicycle, has been on October 23, that he was a given an early opportunity to turn his life fourth former, Akers-King said he around. was a repeat third former, mainly The offence was committed between due to his attendance problem.

2 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. October 22.

At the conclusion of a sentencing Continued on Page 3. hearing at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett concluded that the best option for the 16-year-old Bishops College Kingstown student, was counselling.

Towards that end, Stapleton will continue his schooling and Brunette ordered that he be counselled one year, and that two reports on his progress be submitted to the Court next year, one in April and the other in October.

The Magistrate’s decision came after the Court heard from the Bishop’s College Kingstown Principal - Cecelia Akers-King, social workers Barbara Charles and Kalifa Prescott-Benjamin, attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, who spoke as a friend of the Court, and Senior Prosecutor COMMUTERS TRAVELLING Azura, no stranger to these Adolphus Delpleche. into capital Kingstown shores and one of the many yesterday (November 1, 2018), luxury liners of the P&0 Cruise Kevin: Not a lost cause especially those journeying from Line Co., marked the opening of the Windward side of mainland the 2018 Cruise Season one, Akers-King said Stapleton, St. Vincent, were greeted by the tourism officials here have said, who was transferred from the site of the towering figure of is expected to show increased Georgetown Secondary to cruise liner MS Azura, berthed at calls and increased visitors.

Bishop’s College Kingstown, the cruise ship wharf.

The MS Azure, in fact, is was a good student and The arrival of the MS scheduled to make eight calls at respected authority.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

The sentencing hearing heard testimony from Bishop’s College Kingstown Principal – Mrs. Cecelia Akers-King (centre) pictured leaving the Magistrate Court in the company of The Very Rev’d O. Samuel Nichols (left) and BCK Counsellor Mrs. Cassandra Doyle.

Inset: Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett, on hearing testimonies from other professionals, concluded that the best option for the 16-year-old was to stay in school and be counselled.

2018 CRUISE SEASON OPENS

The call by the MS Azura to Port Kingstown, was the first for the 2018 Cruise Season in SVG.

Kingstown, eight of an estimated total of 273 cruise ship calls expected in SVG for 2018.

As far as the MS Zura’s call on Thursday was concerned, it docked with some 3096 passenger and 1200 crew, much to the delight of tour and taxi operators.

2. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 3.

News 3 Vehicle damage raises concerns

NEEKA ANDERSON-ISAACS, a Communications Officer with the Ministry of Health, said that she has forgiven the man who for no reason whatsoever, damaged her vehicle when he tossed a stone at it, causing some $1200.00 in damage.

But at the same time, she has appealed to the relevant authorities to do something about persons who have mental health issues, and who pose a threat to society.

Anderson is also appealing to persons to exercise more tolerance.

the door on the driver’s side.

“Had the window been Her ordeal down, I would definitely have been physically hurt,” She recalled that she was Anderson opined. driving herself home after She drove a few feet away work on Thursday 18th before rolling down the October, when, as she got to window to check the damage. the intersection at All Saints She noticed that the man was University and Massy still standing in the spot from Supermarket in Arnos Vale, where he had launched his she noticed a man looking missile. agitated, as though he was in Anderson said that she a quarrel with someone. made a report to the Calliaqua She slowed down, took Police Station, from where notice that she was clear of police officers accompanied her the man, and proceeded on her (back) to the scene of the way. Just as she got incident. alongside him, he turned, They made their way up the looked at the vehicle and then Cane Hall road and noticed a threw a stone at it, breaking the wing mirror and damaging man fitting the description of the perpetrator, but he ran

The jeep’s wing mirror showing damage caused when the man three the stone.

Inset: Neeka Anderson-Isaacs, has endured emotional distress but came out of it with a positive attitude. into some nearby bushes on seeing the police vehicle.

He was not apprehended then nor has he been to date.

Time for reflection Now that some time has elapsed, Anderson is grateful for the support she has had, especially from the police.

“I was unharmed, however, I am still a bit concerned,” Anderson told THE VINCENTIAN”.

“I am unsure if the person

was of unsound mind… I would want to believe (however) that the person is crazy to do a senseless act like that,” she added.

If the man is insane, she is encouraging those entrusted with the responsibility for caring for those persons, to do all they can to ensure that those persons are not a danger to themselves or other members of society.

“If it was an attack out of anger, I encourage persons to try and manage that and

please be conscious that, their actions can result to the detriment of others, not only physically and financially but emotionally.”

She encouraged persons to find peaceful ways of resolving issues.

“You really could endanger other people’s lives. Even if a vehicle is owned by an individual, anyone could be driving it who has nothing to do with your issues,” she advised, using her own situation as reference. (KH)

Court gives student second chance Liberty Lodge Training Centre, said Stapleton posed no problem while he Charles, currently assigned to the was there. He had returned to live Gender AffairsDepartment and who with his father at Edinboro, but was formerly attached to the Liberty insisted that he wanted to go back to Lodge Training Centre, said she had Georgetown. worked with Stapleton at that Prescott-Benjamin thinks that institution while he was a student Stapleton needs a “structured there, for about nine months. environment.” She was of the view According to her, the youngster that his current environment at struggled as a child because of the lack Georgetown was not suitable for him. of parental guidance.

Prosecutor Curlene Samuel had told Placing him where he could get that the Court last week Tuesday, that sort of guidance, would impact Stapleton was living with the nuns at positively on his life, she advised, and Georgetown. stressed, “He is not rude.”

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste told Prescott-Benjamin, counsellor at the Continued from Front page.

the Court she was concerned about the future of the nation’s youth, and noted that there was need for structures to reform persons like Stapleton. “He needs help,” she declared.

Senior Prosecutor Delpleche, who has been consistent over the years in seeking to save young offenders from criminal convictions or prison sentences, continued that trend on Monday.

“I do agree that Kevin is a good candidate for rehabilitation. Mrs. Benjamin is offering some assistance, and I think he should be given a second chance. I don’t think the

system should be manufacturing criminals,” Delpleche declared.

Stapleton was charged jointly with Shemor James, 17, unemployed, also a resident of Georgetown.

James, who had previous convictions, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for the offence, to run consecutively with another one- year sentence he had received last week Tuesday, for receiving a stolen air rifle, i.e. a pellet firearm.

That term was to run concurrently to another one-year sentence for burglarizing the same police station earlier this year, and stealing a motorcycle.

V Not a clear PM wants more case of coroner’s inquests theft?

4. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

PRIME MINISTER and Minister of National Security, Dr Ralph Gonsalves wants to see more cases go to the coroner’s court for adjudication, especially instances where the police are involved.

He made the statement in Parliament on October 18 in response to a question posed by Opposition Senator Marcia Barnwell. Senator Barnwell had raised an issue related to an alleged beating of a person in police custody, at the hands of the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Colin John.

While Gonsalves said that he did not support members of the police beating civilians, he admitted that from time to time, the police will use force when carrying out their duties. The question, he said, was whether the force was used reasonably or unreasonably.

He referenced the case of the

April shooting death of Raphael Chewitt, alias ‘War Teacher’ who was shot by police.

Chewitt, a suspect in the March 15 robbery of a Lotto booth in Heritage Square, was shot by police after it had been reported that the man brandished a firearm when an attempt was made to apprehend him.

That matter, insisted Gonsalves, should be brought before a coroner’s jury.

In addition, he said, cases, especially those related to instances where individuals died under sudden or unnatural cases and where no one has been charged or suspects listed, should also go before a coroner’s jury.

Gonsalves explained that he was among those lawyers who advocated for a change in the selection of jurors for coroners’

inquests.

Under the previous arrangement, jurors were selected under the magisterial jurisdiction of the particular district, which created problems with the verdict.

Gonsalves recalled a matter in which he was involved as legal counsel. A man was shot and killed by a policeman in Sandy Bay. Years passed with no one responding to his (Gonsalves) request for the matter to go to the coroner’s court.

It was after he made an application for the officer to be arrested, that a coroner’s inquest was held.

“I did not want to have him arrested, I just wanted the coroner’s inquest,” he said.

Notwithstanding his call for more coroner inquests, Gonsalves said that there were two instances where no further action was taken in the face of the findings of the coroner’s inquest.

The first was following the deaths of Asborn Devon, Brezen Frederick and Barbadian national Brian Herbert who were killed in a shootout with police during operation Vincy Pac in 2009. The second related to the death of Patricia Bowman-Jack who was crushed by fallen debris, when a retaining wall on the property of Alex Jack in Ratho Mill collapsed back in 2008.

The inquest ruled that it was a case of death by misadventure as it related to the three men shot by police.

The inquest determined that Bowman-Jack’s death was as a result of negligence on the part of the engineers and contractors. (DD)

ATTORNEY Kay Bacchus-Baptiste told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday that two teenaged boys who burglarized the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, October 22, stealing two motorcycles and one bicycle, should have sought legal advice instead of taking that course.

Bacchus-Baptiste was speaking as a friend of the Court when Kevin Stapleton, 16-year-old student of Bishop’s College Kingtown, and Shemor James, 17, unemployed, both residents of Georgetown, returned to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for sentencing.

The lawyer said that, based on a conversation she had with the boys in Court that morning, their action did not seem to be a clear case of theft.

She said one of the boys told her that one motorcycle belonged to him, while the other belonged to a friend, and they felt the police had taken them away unlawfully.

But the lawyer added that the youngsters should have taken the right course and sought the advice of a lawyer, instead of breaking into the police station with the intention of removing the cycles. (HH)

Gardener charged with chopping incident JUNIOR JOHN, a 51-year-old gardener of Friendship, Bequia, has an early Court date next year, in connection with a chopping incident on that Northern Grenadines island, October 24 this year.

John is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Adrian Thomas, 37-year-old labourer of Lower Bay, Bequia, who received lacerations to his skull and fingers of his left hand, during an altercation at Port Elizabeth, around 5 p.m.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that Thomas has since been discharged from the hospital, where he was warded for two days.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told the Court that the injuries were allegedly inflicted with a cutlass.

John was not required to plea when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

Delpleche said the investigator, Corporal 154 Kenroy Campbell, attached to the Port Elizabeth Police Station, informed him that there would be about eight witnesses, and so far, five statements have been collected.

The prosecutor had no objections to bail but requested reporting condition and no contact with the virtual complainant. His request was granted.

John was granted $5,000 bail with one surety, and the matter was adjourned to January 28, 2019.

(HH)

V BERMUDA putting jobs in sharp focus

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02 , 2018. 5.

Regional

Heroes Day celebrations in Bermuda brings Bermudans together, and Premier Burt intends to bring Bermudans closer to one another as far as their income is concerned.

(Photo Credit: Bermuda Right: David Burt, Premier of Bermuda, has made the issue of job a priority concern of his administration. (Photo Credit: Twitter) BERMUDA’S PREMIER, David Burt, and his Progressive Labour Party (PLP) are bent on tackling the job and immigration issues in that country head on.

Premier Burt told his party’s annual convention that opened last week Wednesday, “In 2018, where the world is virtual and jobs are mobile, it is important to realise that we may need to take a different approach to immigration than we did in 1956 when the act was written.”

Over the years, the tenets of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956, i.e. to protect Bermuda for Bermudans, have been challenged and continue to be so, in most cases with success.

In the face of that, Burt informed his party convention that the last census report had made it clear that income inequality was getting worse.

“Black people continue to make less than their white counterparts,” he said, and deduced, “The violence we see has its genesis in that

inequality.”

The premier said that the promotion of black Bermudans in the business world would be good for companies, but those that did not, would come under more inspection.

“Particularly black Bermudians at times do not get to advance. Some companies are making efforts to change this trend, and I commend them for doing so.

“We need to move from a one-size-fits-all model of immigration to a model where good corporate citizens who hire, train and promote Bermudans are rewarded with a more streamlined system, while those who do not will be subject to additional scrutiny.”

He added: “The country benefits from a more efficient government and we will follow through with our platform commitment to reduce red tape, and will make everything from getting a truck permit to a liquor licence to a work permit or to register a business easier for our citizens to do.” (Source: CMC)

6. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V PM presents Independence package

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02 , 2018. 7.

News

SOME 120 GRADUATE TEACHERS are expected to be formally appointed in January 2019.

This was among the announcements made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves at the annual Independence Day Parade at the Victoria Park last Saturday.

Among the 120 to be appointed are teachers who received their degrees prior to and up to 2012.

Those receiving degrees in 2013, 2014 and 2015 would be appointed in 2020.

And those pursuing the four-year Bachelor’s Degrees in nursing will have one third of their already subsidized fees,

paid by government, in addition to their ongoing monthly stipend of $1000 which is also made to those enrolled in the Registered Nurse and Associate Degree programmes.

Those government employees pursuing undergraduate studies at the degree, diploma or certificate level in priority subject areas at accredited institutions can look forward to continued financial assistance.

Land and Housing The programme of allocation of lands for housing remains intact.

Last Saturday, some 120 persons were allotted lands under this programme, making a total of 5,000 lots of land that have been distributed to individuals since 2001.

The Prime Minister also announced that the programme initiated to accord farmers’ leases for lands for agriculture was ongoing.

Left: As has been his practice of late, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves used the occasion of his Independence Message to announce some ‘niceties’ for public servants and the public as a whole. engines receive a 75 percent duty free concession.

The prime minister explained that this decision was made in order to boost private sector investment in the fishing industry.

among the youth, will be complemented in 2019 by a ‘Sport Against Crime’ programme.

Gonsalves noted that two sporting associations had raised the issue with him.

established shortly, charged with the responsibility of re-naming buildings, roads and parks to reflect the postColonial condition of the people.

Fishing vessels “It is high time to alter the nomenclature of A decision has been colonials; even the names Re-naming made to accord individuals Sport against crime of minor colonials are on 100 percent duty free our streets and some And on the 39th concession on large fishing The ‘Pan Against villages. This is absolutely Anniversary of vessels.

Crime’ initiative as a ridiculous in the 21st Independence, the Prime Currently, pirogues means of addressing the Minister announced that a century!” he said. (DD) which use outboard need to prevent/curb crime national committee will be

Flow partners with ECCB TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Flow last week Thursday, joined forces with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in the Bank’s drive to raise Vincentians’ awareness of financial empowerment and the digital financial environment.

The drive formed part of ECCB’s month-long series of activities to commemorate its annual Financial Information Month which, this year, was guided by the theme, ‘Financial empowerment through education’, with an emphasis on ‘Conducting and protecting in digital environment’.

Last Thursday October 25th, the ECCB hosted a financial fair in Heritage Square, Kingstown which saw the participation of various financial institutions.

According to the ECCB’s Resident Representative Elritha Miguel, the main purpose of the financial fair, as well as the month-long activities, was to bring awareness and further educate persons about the products and services that are available at financial institutions across the country, and the digital opportunities available to them.

Speaking of the significance and effectiveness of the financial fair, Miguel stated, that the annual event has provided financial guidance to Vincentians over the years, and has enabled them to take charge of their financial affairs.

She took the opportunity to encourage persons to practise safe financial banking by monitoring their accounts regularly, and reporting any irregular

There was the usual turnout of citizens to the parade.

One of the financial institutionsthat mounted a booth at the Fair.

Left: Elritha Miguel, ECCB’s Resident Representative (left), lends a helping hand. activities.

Miguel added that for persons who engage in online shopping, they should ensure that their accounts are charged appropriately, and ensure that their account numbers are not being used unknowingly. She further advised that persons should practise the habit of changing their account passwords regularly.

Miguel assessed the event as being a success.

Thanking Flow for its input, she noted that the telecommunications company continues to be a long-standing partner for Financial Information Month. Miguel commended Flow for the role it plays in communication across SVG noting that that the company continues to be a strategic partner.

The Resident Representative stated that the ECCB will continue with its host of educational programmes in several schools across the country as well as its community outreach programmes.

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8. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 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 Independence – Sports, Culture and Tourism HAS ANYBODY TAKEN NOTE of what’s been happening here as far as activities around the Independence public holiday/Independence weekend are concerned?

Barring the traditional Independence (Military) Parade at Victoria Park and the Everything Vincy Expo effort of Invest SVG that hopefully, in time, will find something it can call a home, the majority of ‘independence’ activities was either sports-based or of a cultural nature.

Each of those non-sport/cultural activities will have its own draw in terms of local patronage, but each also has the potential to extend its reach into the region with some immediacy. On the other hand, it will take some time before an effort like the Everything Vincy Expo can attract any effectual overseas patronage, the type that will come with their cheque books, so to speak.

In the meantime, it will be well that consideration be given to reviewing the frequency (seemingly every year) with which the Everything Vincy Expo is mounted.

But back to the opening question!

The traditional Independence (Military) Parade is waning in attraction, after what was an exponential increase in public support since the early 2000s, as a new appreciation of what independence meant for us was engendered.

And what is developing right under our eyes is a number of sportbased cultural activities that should not be ignored and dismissed as mere entertainment.

Not so long ago, the stage seemed set for a whole new set of activities with real economic benefit, when the Biker Association staged island wide ‘cyclecades’ and dirt track competitions - involving large numbers of regional riders — at a site in Pembroke.

This initiative, a private one that suffered for want of real state support and broader private sector support, went six feet under just about when it was showing the pull it had in terms of attracting patrons and visitors generally from the region, not to mention increasing its local fan base. Those who lived through the heyday of biking activity here would recall that it even attracted biker participation from the USA; that augured well for visitors with money in their pockets.

This year, the Automobile

Association manfully staged a poorly state-supported Motor Sports event, once again. It seemed to have shown some fall off in participation and patronage, but this is an activity that if it receives the support it deserves, can put SVG on the map as the place to be for motoring sports activities in the month of October.

The Swimmers — read Bequia — have also seen the potential of an Independence Meet, and if the one held this year can be repeated next year and supported into the future, this too can prove to be an economic windfall of sorts.

The effort at introducing a Kayaking event at Buccament must not he viewed with any belittling and/or discouraging ‘talk’. It must be seen for what it is — a nontraditional sporting activity that could well be nurtured into something that the ‘soon-to-bereopened’ Buccament Bay Resort could be enticed to adopt and market, as part of a special package to the wealthy clientele it is supposedly posed to attract.

And what of the T20 Masters Cricket Festival that already has the generous support of the National Lotteries Authority?

Expansion of regional participation in this Festival should not be considered insurmountable. The finance is near at hand. The Festival can become an October attraction for persons from around the entire region, whose only common denominator remains the sport of cricket.

And the cultural activities that can abound are encouraged by the inaugural Madungo Festival staged this year at the Chatoyer National Park at Rabacca.

From all reports, this was a ‘hit’ (see article on page 14 ) with those who took the time to patronize the event hosted by the Arrowroot Association, and involving active participation by persons from the North Windward communities.

Then there is the Drama Festival that continues to battle for survival and expansion. Perhaps it is time that it becomes part of a National Festival of Arts that could genuinely mark the spirit of our Independence.

And when all is said and done, this piece is but a simple appeal for those policy makers, national planners and the tourism, sporting and cultural experts to put Sports/Cultural Tourism on a serious agenda.

Laurels for Dr. Adrian Fraser donned another hat: “VINCENTIANS LOVE to criticise delivering a destructively, to run down, to pass short paper remarks; seldom to praise, uplift and on “Public encourage. In fact, they love to hate, often Disaffection with Traditional Policies and with a passion.

Politics”, in a panel presentation to a That is why, for example, the Public Administration class of the Searchlight radio programme which Certificate in Business Administration should have been kept on in any event, UWI Challenge Programme. was variously likened to being a May was probably an even more hectic “complaints” or “commess” programme. month than April.

Only when Vincentians fall silent can one For Adrian, it began on Friday, May 6 conclude that perhaps one has done when he facilitated a discussion on something pleasing, as note the sudden “Sustainable Development” to sixth form cessation of negative remarks concerning students for the General Paper. The the installation of traffic lights around following Sunday, Dr. Fraser addressed a Kingstown. public rally at CBC square, sponsored by There are Vincentians who contribute the NYC, on South Africa. much more than their fair share to He carried the same messages on national development, and their efforts are Tuesday, May 10 when he addressed the generally taken for granted and not Anglican community at the Cathedral appreciated at all. during their Day of Prayer for South Recently, this column has occasion to Africa. Two days later, Dr. Fraser draw the nation’s attention to the sterling switched the theme of Education Week contributions being made by some of our when he spoke to students and teachers of native managerial talent, especially that the Dorsetshire Hill School. which runs the essential services.

Another two days, and Dr. Fraser This week, not for the first time, I zero shifted the focus of education to lecturing in on Dr. Adrian Fraser, on whose slender on “the History of the Constitution” to a shoulders a formidable work-load is borne training seminar at the Police Training meekly and cheerfully without notice.

School.

I thought my best approach would Finally, for that second week of May, simply be to go into the Fraser diaries and Dr. Fraser delivered the Key-note address see what the goodly doctor has been about at the Graduation Ceremony of St during the past month or two. Then we Joseph’s Convent on the theme “Do Not might read back as well as factor in the Fear To Hope”. anticipated future to get an idea of the Significantly, the next week began with pivotal position and focal role which Adrian addressing a National Spiritual “Skinny” unobstructively plays in opinion Baptist Day Special Thanksgiving Service moulding and nation-building, at no at St Elizabeth Cathedral on Freedom to material cost to talk about.

South Africa and the Spiritual Baptists.

On Wednesday 30th March, Dr. Fraser On that same Sunday evening, May 22, lectured to the Grammar School Fourth television viewers saw Adrian on the Form on “Forts and Defence in programme “Current Issues” again holding St.Vincent”, and later sat in judgement at forth on South Africa.” the Jaycees Secondary Schools Public Speaking competitions. The topic: Update Distance Teaching.

Monday April 11, at the UWI. Centre, Indeed, the foregoing sketch of Adrian’s together with Dr. Neville Duncan, Dr. commitment to the advancement of the Fraser was a chief discussant in the Public society did not deal with his regular launching of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ routine, where it was the rare exception “precious little book”, entitled “History and where his social obligation was not the Future”. fulfilled-Current Issues TV programme Two days later, Adrian delivered an fortnightly, newspaper article weekly and, address “Our Nation, Our Resources, Our impossibly, a radio serial “From Whence Future” to the Department of Culture and We Came” daily.

Projects Promotion; and rounded off by Naturally, Adrian and I do not always taking part in the panel discussion that see eye-to-eye, but I have nothing but responded to that Draft. respect and admiration for the solid The Elder hostel group of Canada on contribution which he has been making.

Monday, April 18 at the Paradise Inn, Yes, I agree that: involvement in partisan tracked down the salient features of politics will spoil it all.”

Vincentian history under the guidance of Dr. Fraser. By Wednesday, Adrian had Continued on Page 22.

First Published June 3, 1994

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 9.

Letters

Diabolical Digicel

I HAVE, in the past, through the good offices of the newspaper, had two (2) letters printed in which I complained about the unwanted advertising texts that are received from Digicel.

This past week has been an absolute nightmare as I and many hundreds like me have been inundated by unwanted text messages, these being unsolicited and an intrusion of privacy.

I have, in the past, visited Digicel three (3) times in order to obtain some redress over this matter, and ask that my cell number be removed from their advertising database.

My requests have been met with total indifference and total unconcern, other than to offer me a number of implausible excuses why my number cannot be removed. This shows the utter contempt that the firm has when dealing with clients’ requests.

By airing my views in the open print media, I had hoped that the firm would reply likewise with some form of explanation as to why the above cannot be achieved.

I am not a computer expert, but I assume that none of these text messages are transmitted manually, but are transmitted by some form of automatic dialing programme from a directory of subscribers’ numbers.

Can the firm then explain to me and the rest of the long suffering subscribers who are inundated by text messages offering goods they do not want, events they do not wish to attend et al, why it is not possible, upon a subscriber’s request, to amend this database and delete those numbers of those who do not wish to receive such messages?

A. W. Indupp

Talk is cheap ‘A FOOL HATH no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself’. — Proverbs 18:2 Some of us are always ready to offer an opinion, regardless of whether we have any qualification to speak on a certain topic. We always have something to say. We tend to avoid, ‘I don’t know’, and simply listen long enough to learn something.

We spout uninformed judgments to anyone who will listen.

We must evaluate the worth of what we say. The saying goes that talk is cheap, but the fact is that unconsidered words can prove very expensive.

Saying the wrong things at the wrong time can lead to devastating consequences. Sometimes the wisest course to take is to keep quiet, weighing our thoughts and words to ensure they are helpful and keeping them to ourselves. If they are not, we are never free to share secrets others have entrusted to us, unless that person is in danger. We must watch what we say because our mouths can get us into deep trouble.

Giving an opinion before hearing the facts, exposes us to shame. Choosing to use our words wisely accomplishes noble ends, such as defusing a heated situation. Many friends have to pay for their mouths, like some of us who like to talk and have no facts. You must pay.

Read Job 42.

‘Truth will trigger opposition’.

Bishop Ezekiel Creese Faith Word Ministries

I prefer same sex schooling MR. EDITOR, thanks for accommodating this short piece from me.

I was home recently after more than fifteen years in the cold where I was not as up to date with happenings home, as my fellow Vincentians who live in New York would have been. So, my relatives and some old friends had to bring me up to date on some of the new trends and happening in good old SVG. One of the things that grabbed me was what I heard about how the boys and girls at secondary schools were behaving … some even involving themselves in open sex which they filmed and posted on social media.

I tell you, this type of behaviour was unheard

of in my time, and if it did happen, that was the end of you. Out you went, and no parent could hold any big stick over any Principal or the Minister of Education.

And there was no politics involved. Who you voted for did not matter.

I want to offer an observation. I went to a same sex school, i.e. an all-girls school. I was left to conclude that most if not all the ‘new happenings’ I heard about during my recent visit, were confined to coed (mix sex) schools. It could be that our embracing of co-ed schools is at the root cause of this unbecoming behaviour.

From my experience, my same sex school allowed me to focus on my ‘books’. I did not

have the presence of the opposite sex to distract me. My class focused on academics, and we did our best to avoid anything that would distract us from learning, because we understood that school prepared us for the future.

In the end, we learned better and more, and we did not feel insecure dealing with the boys when we had to.

We must bear in mind that some students will feel intimidated by the opposite sex, and this could prevent participation in class. The same sex schools do not make students feel intimidated, and discrimination disappears.

Better facilities, less distraction contribute to better education, and

because of this, same sex school students are more likely to go on to university than those from co-ed schools.

We have here in SVG the cases of the Girls’ High School, the St. Vincent Grammar School and the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown which are all same sex schools. Are they not the top preforming schools in SVG for the last umpteen years?

I rest my case.

J. Charles (Mrs.)

SVGTU responded to problems facing Kingstown Anglican School THE ST VINCENT and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) wishes to acknowledge the prompt response by the authorities to solve some of the problems that were identified at the Kingstown Anglican School on Thursday 18th October, 2018.

Since we highlighted the issues, the National Executive of the SVGTU visited the school to assess the situation, and found that: 1 Seven (7) new toilets were installed; 2 The damaged electrical outlets were replaced; and, 3 The leaking roof was repaired.

The Executive appreciates that the actions might only be stop-gap measures, and look forward to more comprehensive repairs at the school. We also wish to remind the authorities of similar concerns and other problems at other schools across the country, and would welcome another prompt and expeditious response to address the issues.

Accordingly, the

SVGTU takes this opportunity to thank the staff for heeding to the Union’s call to withdraw services on Thursday 18th October, 2018, and advises our members at the Kingstown Anglican School to kindly return to work on Tuesday 23rd October, 2018. We also recommend that teachers

continue to exercise due care to ensure the health and safety of all students under their care, as well as their own health and safety.

Jonathan Roberts Public Relations Officer St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU)

* Why people asking me if De Comrade change his mind about turning over the Prime Minister job to Camillo before the next elections, because he getting some opposition to that move? * 100 percent duty free for large fishing vessels? Is that a nice way of getting rid of the pirogue fishermen so as to make room for the usual big fellows to make more money? * If transparency should work for all — ULP and NDP? Who are those ULP big shots who wanted to leave their party? Is this another case of brothers and sisters of the same flock, flocking together? * How many bona fide NonGovernmental Organizations (NGO’s) are there in SVG?

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10. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Solid progress continues amidst challenges

We must embrace a better way

Excerpts from the 2018 Independence

(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s presentation at the Town Hall Meeting in New York)

Introduction OUR MODERN, progressive, liberaldemocratic nation-state known as St. Vincent and the Grenadines acceded to formal, constitutional independence thirtynine years ago. Despite the material limitations of our small-island developing state and our excessively burdensome external challenges, including adverse climate change, we have built most assuredly a country which, according to the United Nations’ human development indices, is located at the higher end of the category called “middle-income developing country”.

More particularly, the material advances made in the last 18 years or so have been extraordinary, moreso in the difficult circumstances which came upon us from outside, not of our own making.

The evidence is before us of our material progress in job and wealth creation; improved living standards; education; health; housing; physical infrastructure; social equity and safety net enhancements; the dramatic reduction in indigence and undernourishment; the universal spread of water, electricity, and telecommunications; sports and culture; good governance, openness, and transparency; regional integration; and an efficacious foreign policy grounded in high principle and practical considerations. We have chalked up impressive achievements by reason of our people’s hard and smart work; our practical commitment to freedom and democracy; the efforts of our diaspora scattered overseas; the assistance and solidarity of our development partners; and wise, responsible, and responsive leadership.

Underpinning all of this is our people’s daily reaffirmation that our nation is founded on the belief in the supremacy of God and the freedom and dignity of man and woman. At Independence Day 2018, we thank God for our blessings, and I congratulate our nation on its immense accomplishments!

Associate Degree programmes. Further, supporting loans are available from the Economically Disadvantaged Student Loan Programme. Clearly, nurses have been especially privileged in the pursuit of their education. Recruitment from our surplus of nurses to the United Kingdom will begin shortly.

Fourth, this year the government has made available the highest number of awards ever, 48, at one time, to students who sat the CAPE and Associate Degrees in 2018. There are 17 National Scholarships, 11 National Exhibitions, and Bursaries. This package amounts to approximately EC $7.1 million. This is a huge investment in the 48 outstanding students in these 2018 Examinations; additionally, their economic costs are paid annually to UWI or other universities. This brings the overall package to in excess of $10 million __ absolutely remarkable. Of course, several millions of dollars more are spent on university education for other students; and other scholarships, tuition grants, and divers forms of assistance (including student loans) are always offered.

Fifth, my government is determined to bolster further the financial assistance granted to its employees (civil servants, police officers, teachers, nurses, nursing assistants) who are pursuing undergraduate studies at the degree, diploma or certificate level in approved priority subject areas at accredited institutions online, at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College or at the UWI Open Campus.

This assistance would amount to up to one-half of the cost of each course which is successfully completed.

Sixth, in an effort to boost private sector investment in the fishing industry, the Government has decided to accord a 100 percent duty- free concession to Vincentians on fishing vessels. This will surely stimulate more Ten Announcements substantial fishing. The pirogues which use outboard motor engines up to 115 First, is the issue of the nonhorse power already receive 75 percent appointment of scores of graduate duty free concession. teachers. Last year, I announced that Seventh, as a companion to the Pan those who were hitherto not formally appointed would be appointed in annual Against Crime Initiative, the Government will in 2019 implement a batches over a three-year period. This year (2018), over 100 graduate teachers comprehensive “Sport Against Crime” Initiative in conjunction with those who obtained their university degrees sporting associations which are prior to, up to, and including, 2012, interested in so doing. Two such have been appointed. As of January national sporting associations have so 2019, another 120 or so graduate far raised the matter with me. teachers will be so appointed in respect Eighth, the Government will shortly of those who obtained their university establish a National Committee on the degrees in 2013, 2014, and 2015. And Re-naming of Buildings, Roads, and in January 2020, the remainder of the Parks, to reflect the post-colonial graduate teachers will be appointed as condition of our peoples. It is high time such. Thereafter, they will be appointed to alter the nomenclature of colonials; as a matter of course. even the names of minor colonials are Secondly, the programme of on our streets and some villages. This is facilitating farmers, who were accorded absolutely ridiculous in the 21st century! leases of agricultural lands, to obtain Ninth, Ian Allen, our former West freehold title for those lands, continues Indies test cricketer, is now hereby apace. Further, later today at the appointed as a Sports Ambassador. At Chatoyer National Park at Rabacca, the same time, we send “Independence some 120 persons will be allotted Day” greetings to three of our nationals individual lots of land for housing who are currently touring India with construction. Some 5,000 lots of land the West Indies Cricket Team: Sunil have been distributed to deserving Jomel Warrican, and Obed Mc beneficiaries since March 2001. This is Ambris, Coy; Obed is actually playing One Day absolutely remarkable! An explosion of International today. We express housing has occurred among the poor, condolences to Sunil and his family on the working people, the middle-income the recent passing of his father, Walford earners, and young persons!

Ambris.

Thirdly, for students now pursuing Tenth, the date for the the four-year Bachelor’s Degree in commencement of the duty-free Nursing, the Government will pay one- concession on Christmas barrels is third of the already subsidised fees in November 12, 2018; the concession will addition to providing for them monthly run until December 31, 2018. Last year, over 20,000 persons benefitted stipend of EC$1,000 per month as was from such concession. done hitherto with the RN and

WE ARE JOINING hands together for our country, in common cause against: crime, poverty, economic hardship, political division and social strife in our homeland, St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Most of you are my supporters, supporters of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Thanks again for being here. But, I hope as well that we have been able to bring out others, who may not yet be NDP supporters, but are ready to listen and share ideas in a genuine effort to learn from one another so that we can work effectively together to build a better St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I know we share a common vision of One People, One Vincy! We can only succeed as a people by believing together, and even when we have differences, by genuinely working together. For too long, Vincentians at home and abroad have been pulled apart by the politics of pull-down and hate. The divide and conquer politics practised by those now in power in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, can only lead to chaos and hardship.

Today, to get ahead in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it matters which party card you hold and the colour of the shirt you wear; specifically that they are ULP and red! It should not be that way; it does not have to be that way! Truly, that is not our way, not the Vincentian way.

My friends, let us embrace a better way. We must look out for one another, even when we have political differences. A friend recounted to me recently her recollection of how politics once was in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, in the 80s and 90s. Of neighbors supporting different political parties during elections, but after the vote was counted and the winners declared; NDP won in those days, they returned to their normal lives of sharing breadfruit and other produce with one another, of being good neighbors and looking out for one another. In other words, they understood that what bound them together as people and as Vincentians, was far more important than what separated them. They did not just believe it or profess it; they practised it. So should we!

It makes good sense to do so. It makes sense not only because it is in keeping with our Christian values; it makes sense also because in practise it helps our country to work better. I believe this fundamentally. It informs the way I practice politics in St.Vincent and the Grenadines; it guides me in how I do my job as Representative of the Northern Grenadines, as Leader of the Opposition and as President of the New Democratic Party. My colleagues in Parliament and our other candidates in the various constituencies all work very hard to represent the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines in this way. When our people change the government, that is how we will govern St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Economy In relation to the general economic

situation: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its report released last December, that economic growth in St.Vincent and the Grenadines has been stagnant since 2009, at an annual average of 0.2 percent up to 2016, and the future does not look much brighter. The unemployment rate in our country stands at 25 percent (IMF). This is worse than it was in 2001, when the ULP came to power. At that time, it stood at 20.9 percent. Today, the youth, 15-24 years unemployment rate is estimated to be a staggering 46 percent. The national debt has gotten much worse.

In 2001 our debt-service ratio was below the Eastern Caribbean average.

Today it is higher than that average.

In fact, it is the highest in the Windward Islands and the highest in our country’s history. And the massive public spending by this government without accountability, has imposed an oppressive debt burden on taxpayers, with little benefit to them.

Our people are paying more taxes every year to pay the growing government debt, and are getting less for their sacrifice. We have the highest taxes and the lowest wages in the OECS!

Crime and Violence Crime and Violence, or violent crime, is rampant in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. It is a crisis in our country. Year after year, we break records for the number of homicides taking place in our country, 39 in 2016 and 40 in 2017. As of today in 2018, the number is 25. It could have been more, as we consider the circumstances of the latest shooting death. Shoot out in Paul Avenue last night; four persons shot, one died as a result. More people could have died!

Such events are far too common in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Every weekend, we wait to hear news of the latest shooting or other forms of killing. Weekends have become dangerous times in St.Vincent and the Grenadines; ordinary people are scared. The fear is real. In a recent edition of THE VINCENTIAN newspaper, ordinary residents of Lodge Village community speak of this. Also, rape and sexual violence against our women and children are out of control. A rape culture has grown up in our country.

In today’s papers, the Acting Commissioner of Police is accused by another officer of sexually assaulting her. He denies it. But nevertheless, this is serious stuff, especially as it comes from a police officer! On that basis alone, he must step down or be put on leave until the matter is properly investigated. Moreover, as head of the police services, he can’t be in charge of an investigation in which he is the accused. I am calling on the Acting Commissioner to step down, and if he does not, I call on the Minister of National Security to remove him from office until the matter is properly investigated.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 11.

Views

The Rise of Problem-Based Learning

“The ability to solve problems is more than just accumulating knowledge and rules; it is the development of flexible, cognitive strategies that help analyze unanticipated, ill-structured situations to produce meaningful solutions. Even though many of today’s complex issues are within the realm of student understanding, the skills needed to tackle these problems are often missing from instruction.” - Reich, on the PBL webpage of California State University and San Diego State University.

MANY TERTIARY LEVEL INSTITUTIONS have embarked on the use of problem-based learning (PBL) as a means of enhancing the acquisition of knowledge and skills of the students enrolled in their various programmes. Problem-based learning is encouraged among the students who have enrolled in business courses, engineering, and medicine. It is anticipated that the students who are properly trained/coached in PBL are more likely to develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving. In addition, such participants are also likely to embrace the challenge to innovate and be proactive.

Problem-based learning is not a new concept. John Dewey (1859-1952), an American psychologist, educational reformer, and philosopher, advocated such an approach (although it was not called such) as he sought to influence the education system and social reform of his day. However, it was not until the mid-60s that this method of teaching actually took root. It emerged at the McMaster University’s medical school. It was here that the cooperative learning theory blossomed and participants realised the beauty and benefits of working in groups to enhance learning and achieve improved overall performance.

Students at the medical schools at the University of the West Indies (UWI) are encouraged to use this approach to enhance learning. One of the lecturers at the St. Augustine Campus of the UWI (Mount Hope Facility) granted me the privilege of sitting in on two such sessions as medical students engaged in PBL activities. During the discussions and debates, they used constructive imagination and critical thinking as problem-solving tools.

All education encompasses either problem solving or training for problem solving. The various school curricula prepare participants for dealing with real life challenges. The education systems in many European and Asian countries now embrace and encourage such an approach. Finland, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea are noted to have introduced problem-based learning with great success. Within recent times, some North American schools, having seen the benefit of such an approach, have developed their curriculum to be more focused on problem-based learning and less on rote. Canada has been especially noted for embracing such an approach to education. The Canadian educators focus on appealing to students’ natural instincts to investigate and innovate. They encourage teachers to guide students through the problem-formulation stages in the various subject areas. This includes historical study (“What occurred, and why did such an event happen in this manner?”), mathematical calculations (“What does this equal?”), scientific experiments (“What caused

this to happen?”), and literary evaluation (“How do we interpret this?

What does this mean?”). In such a setting, teachers function more as facilitators as they guide their wards to ask the right questions and to probe for the answers; they encourage them to investigate by themselves. The teachers avoid “spoon feeding” the participants by providing them with facts and procedures. Such problem-based learning techniques encourage students to better internalize the learning, and enable them to develop structures and skills that are readily transferable to other real life experiences. Students learn to be proactive and to innovate.

This encourages them to explore new boundaries of learning and life.

Education administrations and practitioners who encourage the use of problem-based learning understand that persons who operate in the world outside the halls of learning improve their knowledge and skills by solving real problems — not through abstract exercises. There is therefore wisdom in designing academic programmes that dovetail with such approaches. It is no wonder that the medical schools have adopted such an approach. It was considered traditional for medical school to teach by requiring students to memorize a tremendous amount of information. They were then required to apply the knowledge gained in clinical situations. Unfortunately, it was felt that this straightforward approach did not adequately prepare doctors for the real world situations where some suffering patients were unable to adequately identify their symptoms. Dr. Howard Barrows (19282011), a medical educator and physician at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, sought to develop improved methods for instructing physicians. He championed programmes that focused on having students develop their own capabilities so that they can better respond to and manage the health problems of their patients. His focus was on encouraging the medical practitioner to be in a better position to use the medical knowledge gained in a competent and humane way. Through problem-based learning they were encouraged to not only gain the knowledge but also to develop skills in using and sharing it.

His novel approach to medical education involved having students research the situation, develop appropriate probing questions, and developing their own plans to solve them.

Today, other disciplines (beside medicine) use similar techniques to enhance and cement learning.

Participants who engage in problembased learning are encouraged to learn how to learn. They develop techniques that encourage higher standards and greater achievement. They testify that problem-based learning encourages critical thinking, fosters reasoning skills, enhances independence and creativity, and fuels self-directed learning. We welcome the rise of problem-based learning.

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

Health, Good Nutrition is Human Rights ‘A new, better and more equitable world the view that is not only possible, it is absolutely good nutrition necessary.’ Fidel Castro. and the resultant end IT IS SAID that the real work starts when to hunger and summits or conferences end. This is a malnutrition will only come when truism that was brought into full relief at leaders, especially those in the developed countries come to view health the 1st world summit against hunger and as a battle against injustice and malnutrition which took place in Madrid, inequality.

Spain on October 29 and 30, 2018. The Parliamentarians were warned that summit was preceded by a meeting of they cannot simply legislate, but they Latin American and Caribbean countries must educate their populations to battling these serious and intractable problems, and was attended by more than understand that their health and wellbeing depends on what they place 200 officials from 80 countries. into their mouth.

Among the most telling and Parliamentarians were charged with compelling revelations at the summit the responsibility to go back to their were the following: 1.

One in every 9 persons on earth countries with a renewed commitment either go to sleep hungry or suffer from to warn, educate, organize and legislate for the protection and health of those malnutrition 2.

821 million human beings suffer who elected them.

Among the many useful suggestions from hunger and malnutrition is for governments to pass laws that: 3.

Over the last 3 years, hunger 1.

Prevent businesses from and malnutrition have increased from directing their advertising at children 750 million in 2015 to 821 million in 2.

Removal of treats with 2018. excessive fats, sugars and salt from 4.

There are now as many people suffering from obesity as those suffering checkout counters 3.

Disallow the sale of products from hunger 5.

7000 persons died each day and like cereals which are packed with fats and sugars, since in reality these are 2.6 million die each year because of not food but trash. deficiencies in their diets.

4.

Disallow the sale of sodas, 6.

155 million suffering from stunted growth and lifelong deficiencies above a given sugar content, from being sold in schools or near to schools. because of chronic malnutrition.

5.

Promote a strong persuasive Parliamentarians from all of the campaign to get citizens to return to continents were present. Conspicuously local and indigenous foods and away absent was a congressional delegation from processed foods. from the United States.

Among the most telling affirmations There has to be a renewed from parliamentarians were the understanding that ‘foods’ should not be following: ‘In the fight to eradicate hunger and killing people. Foods should be malnutrition, compassion is not enough. nutritious and life sustaining.

Although the summit was to address Only serious and sustained action will the problem of hunger and malnutrition result in a reduction and the ultimate eradication of hunger and malnutrition. in keeping with Sustainable We have to make good laws that protect Development Goal #2 which called for the citizens of the world from the global the end of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, it was persuasively argued that food giants whose primary concern is parliamentarians must maintain a profit.’ holistic and aggressive approach in ‘Obesity kills more people each year addressing and attempting to achieve than crime and drugs. We need to all of the sustainable development goals. quantify the cost of illness and disease While St Vincent has made real so that governments and leaders will strides in overcoming deep pockets of see the real impact of inaction.’ poverty and hunger, more than 30 ‘Only political will to act will percent of our population remains mired seriously impact and end hunger and in this wretched condition. Our malnutrition. The world produces country’s efforts to combat hunger and enough food to satisfy the nutritional malnutrition were showcased. needs of every living person. It is the Participants were enlightened about private ownership and mal-distribution the zero hunger initiative and the of the food that create the problems that targeted approaches directed at result in hunger and death.’ students with hot meals in schools, ‘The world needs to proclaim and youth with training that provide them declare that the artificial and deliberate with employable skills, and the elderly creation of famine is a crime against with food baskets and other timely humanity.’ interventions.

‘Nutrition and food safety are public Many of our citizens, especially our and political matters. Therefore, only women, are overweight or obese, and sustained political action will make a this is creating real stress, strain and dent on the ghastly scourge.’ harm, not only on these individuals, but ‘Poverty is a predictor of obesity, on private and public employers as well hypertension, cancers and other organ as the health system. Kidney and liver failing diseases.’ failures as well as cancers, diabetes and ‘It is necessary for legislators to place hypertension are creating havoc in our a heavy tax on sugars, sweets and society. beverages as we do with tobacco and The health reality in SVG is not alcohol.’ unique. Therefore, parliamentarians, There was a greater recognition especially those from countries with few among parliamentarians that the very resources, were charged with the lives and health of citizens were at responsibility to take to their respective stake as the big giant food companies countries the call for increased position themselves to grab more emphasis on preventative medicine and market share in the drive for more individual responsibility. There must be profits. a pervasive ‘we are what we eat’ Hitherto many saw only the salt, campaign. sugars and Trans fats as transmitters Everyone agreed that everyone had a for bad health and disease. However, right to safe, sufficient, healthy and there is an increased recognition that nutritious food. The producers of most of the transmitters that flew under the the food consumed by people do not radar are advertising, social media, think so. Therein lies the challenge. The neuro-science and the major brands summit was a call to action. We must which manufacture taste, determine now prove that we are up to the task. habits and create addictions especially for children and young adults.

Send comments, criticisms & Many elected officials were strong in suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

SVG Minister of Education should resign immediately

WARRANT Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA, the Leader of SVG Green Party, calls on SVG Minister of Education to resign immediately, and for EC$3 billion to be invested in education and technical skills empowerment annually, to lift our country out of despair and stimulate economic growth.

Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA very strongly contends that this sum of money can be obtained by a windfall tax imposed on the Super-rich White Migrants in Mustique and Canouan, who have not been paying Tax and Customs Duty to the SVG Treasury for a number of years, and on Taiwan who owes the SVG Treasury about EC$51 billion in Fish Tax. It is so sad to learn that many schools in SVG are in such a deplorable state that they are being forced to

close. That sort of neglect in education and disrespect toward SVG’s children, is totally unacceptable. Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal is making a very strong call on SVG Minister of Education to resign immediately for this gross neglect in education.

Singapore is a World Bank success story, with one of the highest standard of living in the world. The foundation of the path of Singapore’s success was education. Singapore’s visionary Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, made free, high-quality education from pre-school to university for all, the priority for Singapore’s economic success.

SVG needs to do the same and prioritise educating all our children from pre-school to university. At the moment, less than 2% of each school year’s new intake go on to be university graduates by the age of 21.

This is a huge failure when you consider that in Iceland 78% of the women are getting university degrees; in the Slovak Republic it’s 77%, and in Finland 80% of young women are now going to university - currently the highest proportion of graduates in the world.

SVG’s education system is abysmal.

This is a real shame for the children of SVG. It condemns most children to a life of poverty and unemployment, and takes away their opportunity to get highly paid jobs around the world.

This is why it is imperative that we have a change of government, and impose a windfall tax of EC$3 BILLION annually on Taiwan and the super-rich white migrants of Mustique and Canouan. They owe billions to the SVG Treasury.

A Green government would use this EC$3 billion a year to build more preschools and refurbish all schools in SVG, so that they could be in a good condition. At the moment, children of the poor are being left behind. It is important that all children go to preschool and get free education from preschool to university. We must abolish school fees, make books and uniforms, provide free transportation for children, in order for them n to succeed in education in SVG, gain a university education and escape generational poverty.

SVG has had 39 years of hopeless governments since independence. We must change direction and follow the economic path of Singapore and invest EC$3 billion a year in to education.

This will boost the economy and bring prosperity for all who live in SVG. SVG Green Party

Mismanagement crippling the agricultural sector COULD the agricultural community really be expected to trust the pronouncements of the present Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar and his Permanent Secretary Mr. Ryan, when these days

they try to impress us, that they are exerting themselves to advance the welfare of the farmers?

When a few days ago I heard them suggest that their ministry was doing great work, which has

resulted in impressive gains in the export of agricultural produce, I could not believe my ears.

For Mr. Caesar seemed to be saying that we had done commendably well in the

areas of banana and arrowroot production and in the export of live cattle to Grenada. The gusto with which the Minister made these pronouncements, merely served to remind me that he was in fact the parliamentary representative of the constituency of South Central Windward, where the industrious hard-working people live near to good agricultural land. But they have been starved of the support that they need to farm successfully.

that the 100 Days Plan, and it was to have been effected between April 26th to July 31st 2016.

None of those plans came to fruition, and no explanations have been given.

In view of the fact that Minister Caesar and his staff have not yet returned to the community, to discuss the reasons for the failure to implement those plans, the Ministry should be regarded as being decidedly unqualified to proffer any new plan for acceptance by the Banana promises farming community today. Indeed, it is hard Mr. Caesar and his to understand what staff should not need to drives the Minister’s be reminded, that since exuberance, in 2001, they have made a attempting to convey plethora of promises to that the management of revitalize the Banana agriculture has been in Industry in St. Vincent capable hands in recent and the Grenadines. years.

They have not lived up It is universally to those promises, but recognized that they are instead, they systematically set about the ones who have crippled the banana to neutralize the St. industry here. Since Vincent Banana Growers’ Association the 2001, they have been making plans for the then largest and oldest farmers’ organization in strengthening of the the land, which had been industry but they have not kept those promises. over the years, the conduit for the inflow of Arrowroot – same treatment billions of dollars to the economy of our land.

The same “wutless I consider it ludicrous indifference” has been that Minister Caesar and exhibited, regarding the his team could be contemplating some new management of the precious arrowroot work in bananas soon. industry, where we had Do they need to be the unbelievable reminded that one year after their declaration in situation of rhizomes rotting in the yard of the 2015 that they were factory, while arrowroot going to plant 3,000 starch was fetching acres of bananas, they $10.00(US) per lb in the published in 2016 U.S.A. another plan to plant We were told that the 250 acres of “new reason was the bananas”? They called

breakdown of the machinery at the factory.

There was also the withholding of payment to farmers for the rhizomes they had carried to the factory.

Considering that there are still among us skilled members of the family of Basil Balcombe who had been for decades, the largest producers of arrowroot in SVG, machine breakdown at the factory cannot be accepted. We need more details!

So, with the loss of income from arrowrootstarch and bananas over an extended period, almost three billion dollars have been sucked out of our economy. We are now all feeling the pressure, and no shallow cosmetic “ZERO HUNGER” programme will effectively address the needs of those most acutely affected.

A new programme of action The regional institutions should by now recognize the need for them to be involved in the fashioning of programmes of action, to address our malaise that is the crippling mismanagement of the agriculture of SVG. The local institutions WINFA and The Chamber of Commerce should feel duty-bound to get involved, and the regional bodies, ECCB, CARDI, IICA, FAO, CDB, OECS and others should recognize the benefit to the region, when there is vibrancy in the agriculture sector in St. Vincent earning billions of dollars.

LeRoy Providence

V Ian Allen appointed Sports Ambassador

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02 , 2018. 13.

News

FORMER WEST INDIES (WI) Test cricketer – Ian Allen has been designated a Sport Ambassador of his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Allen’s designation was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves when he delivered his Annual Message at the Independence Day Parade, Victoria Park, Oct. 27.

“I feel honoured to have been appointed a Sports Ambassador for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said Allen during an interview with THE VINCENTIAN. The newest member of the family of Sports Ambassadors here said he “is grateful to the government and people of SVG for seeing it fit to recognize me.”

He also expressed thanks to his family, his wife and children especially, “for putting up with my involvement in cricket and all the

travelling.”

His mother, siblings and teammates as well as friends, supporters and well-wishers did not escape his thanks.

He made special mention of former Vincentian and Windward Islands batsman Bertram Stapleton, as well as Mark Audain and Collin Shoy for helping him to get to where he is today.

“These were the guys who were pretty close to me,… we were always on the park, played a lot of cricket. There is where it all started, and the support these guys have given me and even to the present, I want to thank them very much,” said Allen, before he hastened to thank Venold Coombs for affording him national exposure when he, Coombs, journeyed to Coulls Hill and convinced him to join his Victors Cricket Team.

His accomplishments

Ian Allen was born on October 6th 1965 in Coulls Hill, St Vincent.

His rise to the highest level of the sport was methodical. From schools cricket he moved on to national club cricket, represented SVG at both sub-regional junior and senior levels, campaigned successful with the Windwards in regional cricket, was called up to the WI Under 19 and then the Senior WI teams.

He made his West Indies Senior team debut on June 1991 against England at the Lords Cricket Ground.

Allen continued to play regional crocket even after his Test-playing days were over, and during that time, prepared himself to become a coach on full retirement from the game.

With the strength of certification under his belt, Allen, since his retirement, has served as Coach of the West Indies

Skills to be certified IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED that St. Vincent and the Grenadines boasts large numbers of skilled craftsmen in many fields.

However, there remains the problem that these skilled craftsmen/workers have no means of proving their competence.

Efforts have increased on the regional scale to provide these citizens with certificates which will authenticate their abilities.

The drive will be intensified during this month with a series of activities here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Kenroy Questelles, Director at the National Qualifications Department, along with Stanley Browne, Chairman of the Sector Skills Development Agency, last Tuesday, provided reasons as to the importance of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET), during the official launch of TVET Month (November).

Browne is hoping that more persons will gravitate towards TVET programmes as a result of the sensitisation.

The SSDA chairman

noted that many of today’s population were looking at other “prestigious” spheres and abandoning aspects of manual skills.

He lamented the absence of skilled personnel in many aspects of national development, and pointed to the level of independence that skilled persons could enjoy.

“When you are skilled, you are independent and almost always employed,” Browne indicated.

He added that the emphasis on Technical Vocational Education Training can “take young people off the streets.”

Browne bemoaned the situation that many Vincentians, with years of experience in their fields, had to start at the bottom when they sought employment abroad.

He wants to ensure that the certification programme takes root.

Browne’s sentiments were endorsed by Leron France, an Electrical Inspector in the Transport and Works Ministry.

France alluded to a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) programme which he outlined “is helping to narrow the gap in the

Stanley Browne, Chairman of the Sector Skills Development Agency, is hoping that the month of focus will attract more persons to TVET programmes. skills area.”

France, who trained and worked at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), endorsed the PLAR venture and looked at it as helping “workmen to become more professional and proficient….. It is making sure that you are doing the right thing and doing the thing right.”

The month of activities is being held under the theme: ‘Discover your potential with TVET’.

(WKA)

A team and the Windward Islands team for a number of years.

He is particularly pleased with his tenure as Coach of the Windwards, having seen the team rise to become a top regional contender, witnessed a number of his cares Kenroy Peters, Deighton Butler, Andre Fletcher, Johnson Charles, Shane Shillingford among them graduate to the highest level of the sport.

Currently, he is Territorial Development Officer for the Windward Islands, and Development Officer of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. In addition, he is a qualified tutor and assessor accredited by Cricket West Indies.

“So while I am on the park coaching, I am also coaching coaches to become certified,” he

Ian Allen is the latest in a line of local cricketers to have been accorded Sport Ambassadorial status.

Left: Ian Allen during his debut Test match in England 1991. Sure looks as though the weather is getting to him. explained.

Allen is also a contributing sports reporter for THE VINCENTIAN. It is Allen’s hope that his status as sports ambassador will give young people an idea of what hard work and humility mean. “I think those are my main attributes .. what I bring

to life and sports. I hope this position will serve as further motivation for sports men and women.”

His advice: “Once you go out there and set your priorities right, manage your time and manage what you want to achieve in life, the ultimate is inevitable in terms of achievement.”

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14. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Inaugural Madungo Festival is a hit

The process of making the Fungi begins with the grinding of the arrowroot starch.

THE FIRST-EVER MADUNGO FESTIVAL organised by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Arrowroot Association, and staged last Saturday, Independence Day Oct. 27, at the Chatoyer National Park at Rabacca, turned out to be a hit with persons who attended.

Persons who attended the Festival were able to observe firsthand the processes involved in making the Fried Mandungo as well as the Fungi.

Served with fish, both

delicacies drew long queues of people, who were eager to sample for the first time or reignite their taste buds.

As the aroma of the Madungo emanated from the pots, a Vincentian male, who resides in England but was on the day waiting patiently in the queue, stated: “I have not eaten Madungo for years, and I can’t wait to taste this thing.”

His anxiety was shared by others, as persons used their various handheld devices to

record the processes.

Calvert Knights — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, who was on hand at the Festival and who indulged in the Madungo, believed that such a Festival must be encouraged to blossom.

“The Festival here today, I think, speaks a lot of our Heritage Fried Madungo and the way in which we eat …We can start to think again of what we grow we can eat… It also gives us a sense of wanting to revisit a way of life of eating and diet pattern of the indigenous people,” Knights related.

Knights believes that the Madungo Festival provides an opportunity in the promotion of healthy living.

“We seem to be gravitating to the processed foods … And what we have here is very plant based,” he commented.

at the ready for consumption.

Knights, though, wants to see measures put in place to have the promotion of the consumption of Madungo locally.

“This (Festival) is very good; what is important is the sustainability, not just in this area, but we have to try to get it going throughout the island,” he advised.

Joining Knights in calling for an island-wide spread of the Madungo Festival was Valentine Sampson.

“This needs to be spread to other parts of the country similar to the way you have the various Fish

Fests… I think we are on to something good, but we have to find ways to make it grow,” Sampson stated.

Last Saturday’s Madungo Festival was held under the theme: ‘Eat what you know, eat what you grow, let’s go with Madungo’.

Madungo is a product of the arrowroot rhizome.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Arrowroot had announced that the Mandugo Festival was organised to create awareness and promote agricultural diversification, as well as to increase the local consumption of arrowroot starch.

The Fungi being taken from the pot to be served.

V Everything Vincy gets exposure

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 15.

News

scheduled this Everything Vincy Plus THE SECOND EVERYTHING Expo in the lead-up to Vincy Expo hosted by our Independence Invest SVG was officially celebrations,” he said, “In opened on Tuesday, 23rd an era of globalization, October at its new venue - modern independence is the Geest Shed in tied, not simply to Kingstown. This year’s celebrations of activity was rebranded to accomplishments. It is include the word “Plus”, inextricably linked to indicating that business economic viability, persons from throughout diversity, and the region and other independence; and that countries were involved as independence, not selfexhibitors. sufficiency, but certainly Over one hundred independence has as its Vincentian cornerstone the health entrepreneurs along with and strength of local other exhibitors, buyers businesses.” and stakeholders from Calling the Everything Antigua and Barbuda, Vincy Plus Expo a Guyana, Trinidad and celebration of local Tobago, Barbados and businesses, he Taiwan took an active encouraged all part in the Expo.

Vincentians to cultivate the habit of buying local.

Remarks “At a macro level, the A number of speakers more we support our own products and services, addressed the issue of the more revenue we will the Expo, its timeliness generate for the and overall benefits to government to exhibitors and the implement its projects country as a whole. and programmes from Minister of Finance, education, to health, to Economic Planning and infrastructure, to quality Sustainable of life concerns,” he Development, Hon. entreated the audience.

Camillo Gonsalves gave the feature address. He “Buying Vincy also helps to keep Vincentians lauded the strategic organizing of the activity employed as it creates within the independence new job opportunities, as local businesses retool celebrations. “It is no and expand. accident that we have

by GLORIAH…

“Additionally, buying in Vincy helps to retain foreign exchange and reduce our trade deficit.”

Executive Director of Invest SVG, Annette Mark, gave a run-down of Invest SVG’s mandate and the organisation’s progress towards its fulfillment. She also expressed her wish that the Everything Vincy Plus Expo become the mainstay of economic activity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, commenting that, “The economic development of our nation in any form, and the empowering of our people is a collective responsibility. It is for all of us, the public and private sector, Invest SVG and all other stakeholders to come together to ensure that we build our nation’s economy and empower our people, particularly the more vulnerable groups of our society.”

To add to this, Gayle Gallop of the Caribbean Export Development Agency thanked Invest SVG for the opportunity to partner with them in the endeavour. Even as she outlined the mandate of her organization and its work throughout the region, she stated that the focus on growth of the Vincentian economy in the coming years is clearly recognizable, with its emphasis on the sustainable growth through enhancement of the private sector.

She congratulated Invest SVG on its second and upgraded trade fair, stating that, “Such participation allows marketing to large groups of potential customers, with millions of dollars resulting.”

Presentation

Taiwan’s Ambassador to SVG, His Excellency Calvin Ho, hands over a cheque in support of the Expo, to Annette Mark, CEo Invest SVG.

Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, H.E. Calvin Chen-huan Ho, praised Invest SVG for putting on an Expo which explored business opportunities for the future. He took some time to introduce to the audience members of an international delegation from Taiwan

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Sustainable Development, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves cut the ribbon to officially declare the Expo open. visiting to participate in the event. He then handed over a cheque to Invest SVG’s Executive Director, Annette Mark.

Even with all the pomp and ceremony, room was provided for segments of tasteful

entertainment. The New Kingstown Chorale ushered that segment in with their characteristic harmonious rendition of numbers across a range of genres.

Then, with Hon. Camillo Gonsalves

cutting the ribbon, the Expo was offcially declared open.

The exhibition ran from October 23rd to 28th and hosted several hours of local entertainment each evening.

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16. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

People/Arts

Vincentian wins Barbados Best Video Commercial FILM MAKER Tolga Akcayli from Villa, St. Vincent, is the winner of the 2018 VIMAS Best Video Commercial.

The 2018 VIMAS ceremony was held on Sunday (Oct 28) night at the Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados.

Tolga’s winning video, entitled ‘East Coast Cave Man’, was commissioned

by Capital HD Radio, and can be viewed on Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE7 xVeOy_LI .

Tolga Akcayli – from world class swimmer to award-winning film maker.

The ‘East Coast Cave Man’ beat back five entrants in the Best Video Commercial category of the 2018 VIMAS. Tolga’s brother Richard Akcayli did the honours of collecting his brother’s award, because he was off island at this time.

Tolga’s recognition didn’t end there.

His short film ‘Unexpectedly Incredible’ received seven nominations: Best Director, Best Sound Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Story, Best Actress and Actor in a Lead Role, and Best Editing. The film can be viewed on YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guF 9Qom9TqU In fact, it was Tolga’s brother James who was nominated Best Actor in a Lead Role. Richard also acted in the film.

In the best Short Film category, Tolga found himself competing against six other films by Barbadian film makers, including Kia Redman’s ‘Roots, Routes’ which went on to win five awards, and against works by

acclaimed film makers Ramario Hunte, Nicholas King and Stockton Miller.

The Barbados Visual Media Festival, during which the Barbados Visual Media Awards (VIMAS) are announced and presented, is an annual celebration of film which gives local filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and be rewarded for it.

The festival is now in its 5th year, and since inception, has also received film submissions from around the region and also internationally.

Editor’s Note: Vincentians might best remember Tolga as the world class freestyle swimmer who represented this country in the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2011 World Aquatics Championships.

Akcayli also competed in the 50 m event at the 2012 Summer Olympics and was ranked 45th in the world.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Tolga on his recent achievement, and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02 , 2018. 17.

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18. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Community

Joel ‘Paddy’ Morgan, (second from right) receives his vouchers from Clemroy ‘Bert’ Francois. Also pictured from left are Akin John, Gosnel Cupid and Darnley Harry, all members of the Calliaqua Masters Football team.

Calliaqua organisations show appreciation TWO CALLIAQUA-BASED organisations used the occasion of last Saturday being the 39th Anniversary of this country’s Independence, to show gratitude to two residents and two business entities of that community.

The ceremony was held at the Culture Pot Square in Calliaqua.

The Calliaqua Members of the Masters Football A Team, hand team, the initiators over the food of the gesture, hamper to Edith acknowledged the Whiskey agents for Rock (second from Hard Cement, as left), during last well as Howard’s Saturday’s Marine Limited. activities at the Both entities are Culture Pot sponsors of the Square in team.

Calliaqua.

Clemroy ‘Bert’ medical Francois, a leading and food member of that football supplies to team, said that both Morgan. businesses were very Morgan, who is supportive of their retired, is an ardent efforts. supporter of sports and He noted that their culture in the Calliaqua contributions were of district. significant helped in He was a pan player propelling the Calliaqua and live wire with the Masters team to second now defunct Disco place in this year’s SVG Over 35’s Organisation’s Harmony Steel Orchestra and its tournament.

The Calliaqua Masters successor Potential Steel Orchestra.

Football team also, last Responding to the Saturday, made a presentation of vouchers gesture, Morgan remarked, “ I feel really, to the value of $ 500, to really great today… I feel Joel ‘Paddy’ Morgan. appreciated.”

This sum would go Also on Saturday, a towards providing

new grouping known as the ‘A Team’, handed over a food hamper to Edith Whiskey, one of the oldest residents of Calliaqua.

At the age of 90 years, she is said to be the oldest resident of Calliaqua proper.

Apart from Saturday’s presentations, activities at the Calliaqua Culture Pot Square included the hosting of ring games and board games.

The event promises to be an annual undertaking.

RRL provides safety coms services Submitted by: DONALD DE RIGGS THE RAINBOW Radio League Inc. (RRL) provided safety communications for two events held the Scene from the IndeKayak water sporting event.

Independence weekend.

The open swimming race formed The first activity for which services part of the second day’s programme of were required was the inaugural what was a two-day traditional IndeKayak water sporting event held sailing event. at Buccament Bay, on Independence Also on hand for water safety duty Day, Saturday 27th October. was the local Coast Guard.

Notwithstanding the relatively There were no injuries or accidents sparse participation, there was an air during any of the two events. of security about the events, new to Thanks are in order to Fantasea many, once participants became Tours for allowing the use of their aware of the presence of the Safety boat as a safety communications Communications services that were available. platform, as well as allowing it to be The following day, the used by the swimming officials to communications team journeyed to start and observe the race.

Bequia to provide safety Radio operators for the Buccament communications for an open water Bay event included J88NLS Denise, swimming race organized by the J88NFG Jedi and J88CD Don. For Bequia Traditional Sailing Academy. the Bequia event, the team included J88CD and J88NFG with J88DT Sylvester and J88NJB Jeremy as back up radio operators.

Both the RRL and the SVG Coast Guard were on duty at the Sailing/Swimming event in Bequia.

V AVCA celebrating four years

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 19.

News

IT HAS BEEN four years since the Arnos Vale Covenant Assembly (AVCA) has served the community and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with an “Authentic Voice, Compassionate Action.” AVCA places precedence on sharing the unfiltered gospel of Jesus Christ to the nation and the world by extension. The Christian assembly is known for its involvement in a number of social outreach responses including disaster relief, small business development, and helping to build and

repair homes for the displaced both locally and regionally.

Following the Christmas floods of 2013, while AVCA was just in thought, Pastor Thompson led a small team who delivered supplies to the victims in Spring Village and Troumaca in particular, and ended by building a house for the young man who survived the collapse of his home in which he lost five family members. That house was built in Rose Bank.

Since AVCA was officially

The Executive members of the SVG Professional Taxi Association with reps of partner organizations.

Professionals Taxi Association officially launched AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY was held last Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Cruise Ship Terminal in Kingstown, to launch the SVG Professionals Taxi Association.

This new Association aims to offer professional and reliable taxi and tour operator services here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

President of the Association, Mr. Arrington Burgin, speaking at the launching, stated that they are looking to change how taxis are operated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, through the provision of service by professional taxi drivers.

Mr. Burgin also added that, as an association, they want to work together as a unit and a body.

Hon. Ces Mc Kie, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, also addressed the launching, and underscored the need for such an association which, he said, will add to the transportation services available here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, especially throughout this Cruise Season which commences on Thursday, November 1st, 2018.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Kenny Jones, of the RSVG Police Force Traffic Department, encouraged the members of the Association to be professional at all times, whether they are in uniform or not, and to adhere to the traffic laws.

A new Executive was elected on

Saturday, October 20, 2018 and comprises: President-Mr. Arrington Burgin, Vice President-Mr. Eli Francis, Treasurer-Mr. Wayne Butler, Secretary-Mrs. Jamella Samuel, Public Relations Officer-Mr. Demiron Samuel, and Trustees-Mr. Dollwin Dupont and Mr. Orvil Samuel.

The SVG Professionals Taxi Association operates in partnership with Sentry Insurances Ltd and the SVG Teachers Co-operative Credit Union.

established four years ago, members of the congregation have received help in housing, starting their own businesses and other areas of counselling. It is the stated objective of the Church leadership to focus on encouraging and assisting members in personal development as a priority.

The fourth-anniversary celebrations begin Friday, November 2 from 7:00 p.m. with a mission focused service with guest speaker Pastor Hanspeter Bolli of Martinique. On Saturday, November 3, the men will meet for a prayer breakfast, and the ladies will meet for afternoon tea. Sunday morning is a thanksgiving worship service, and the anniversary celebrations will conclude with a special evening service from 6:00 p.m.

For information about the different events, interested persons can call the church office at 458-4122.

AVCA is located upstairs the Eastern Caribbean Eye Care Center on the Windward Highway in Arnos Vale. The church is shepherded by Rev. Dr E. Walford Thompson along with a pastoral team in the persons of Pastor Robert Fitzpatrick, Pastor Roy George and Bro. Bertram Mapp who leads the young congregation in worship, prayer and the study of God’s

Rev. Dr E. Walford Thompson has been at the head of a pastoral team that has seen the AVCA through four years of fruitful ministry. (Credit: AVCA Facebook photo) word. The assembly meets every Sunday from 9:00 a.m, and Wednesday afternoons from 5:30 p.m. (Source: AVCA)

V Caught in the act

20. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Dear George, MY NEIGHBOURS have informed me that my husband has been seen regularly at a certain house, during hours when he should be at work. I never believed it until one day I called and asked where he was, and he said he was at his office. I told him that’s strange because I was standing in his office.

I knew he was at the house my neighbours told me about so I got someone to quickly drive me there, and when I barged in, there he was, stone cold naked in the bed with her. I simply told her she can keep him, and walked away.

He is now threatening to kill me if I divorce him, but I am going to divorce him because it has been lies, lies and more lies since I married him, and I have had enough. How should I go about this?

Hurt wife Dear Hurt wife The option of (marriage) counselling should not be ruled out.

However, given the

determination I sense in the tone of your writing, I advise that you seek legal counsel with respect to the divorce proceeding.

The threats on your life must not be taken lightly, and that should be reported to the police.

The hurt you now feel will heal with time, and in the interim, you should not let it (hurt) influence you into making rash decisions.

George

Bottom line? It’s her decision Dear George,

Dear Worried stiff,

MY DAUGHTER insists she is in love with this man whose lifestyle is very questionable. This man’s name has been called in connection with drug trafficking and other crimes. I do not want her anywhere close to him, but she is not listening to me. She is even talking about marrying him!

The young man’s parents do not even talk to us because of politics, and I warned my daughter about that.

The young man is for one party and she is for the other. I told her that would not work, but she seems to think otherwise.

I don’t know what else to do.

The objections you have to your daughter’s relationship with this man must be reasonable and fair. Nothing you present should be based on hearsay. Once you can back those drug trafficking allegations, etc. with proof, then you would have done your duty. What she does after is entirely up to her.

Your daughter is an adult and must be responsible for her actions. Leave her to work through the ‘politics’.

Your role is to offer advice and guidance when called upon. At the end of the day, it is your daughter who decides.

Worried stiff.

George

Time-table for sex Dear George,

Dear Dismayed,

ALL OF A SUDDEN, my husband wants us to have sex once per month.

He said his Pastor told him that communion is once per month and therefore, the elders of the church can use that as a guide and have sex with their wives once per month.

He also said his Pastor said sex on Saturday is not a good idea, seeing that it is too close to Sunday, and they ought to come to church “clean” on Sunday.

George, I have news for him… I am not going to pine away with my sexual urges unsatisfied.

Unfortunately, there are (misguided) religious leaders who force this type of teaching down the throats of gullible individuals. It appears, from what you have said, that your husband has succumbed to this kind of teaching.

There is nothing unclean about sex and, therefore, there is no need to abstain from it a day before Sunday.

Have a serious talk with your husband about the future of your marriage, and try to encourage him that you two get some marital counselling before things disintegrate any further.

Dismayed George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Don’t be afraid of opposition; your sug‐ gestions are valid. Things at work have been moving quickly and you may be feeling a little uncertain about the changes taking place. You should be on the road.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent. You need some rest. Talk to peers who you trust in order to get sound advice. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Catch up on overdue paperwork.

Opportunities for new partnerships will develop through the organizations you encounter. You will have a great deal of insight when dealing with others. This is a great day for a trip.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) You’re on the right track and you can make money if you are willing to go out on a limb. You can make alterations to your appearance that everyone will admire. You must use discretion when it comes to lending money or making dona‐ tions.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) You will do your best work on your own.

Recognition can be yours if you present your ideas and stand behind your beliefs. Be precise in your communica‐ tions to avoid any misunderstandings and arguments.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Use your charm, but don’t be phony.

Watch your tendency to live for the day and to spend too much on entertain‐ ment and children; it could set you back.

Try looking into new ways to make extra money. Travel will be good if you are seeking knowledge.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. Romantic rela‐ tionships could be under pressure.

Someone you live with may cause drastic alterations in your usual routine.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Plan a trip to the country or take a drive to the beach. Get busy putting your place in order. Do not confront situa‐ tions unless you are sure you have a good understanding of the dilemma.

Turn things around, make sure that they do their share.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Job changes are in order. Go for inter‐ views or send out resumes. You can change your living arrangements. Use your genuine warmth and compassion to win hearts. You may find that your gen‐ erosity has been taken for granted.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) This may not be your day if you are over‐ ly melodramatic and unnerving everyone around you. Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate.

Difficulties with females you live with could cause emotional stress.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Seminars will provide you with knowl‐ edge and amusement. Your family needs to spend some time with you, too. New hair, new outfit, new you. You may find a rare antique this week.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Your health may suffer if you don’t con‐ trol your present situation. Your high energy will enable you to enlist the help of those in a position to back you. Don’t let situations get out of control. You need more time to think this whole situation through.

ACROSS 1. Rotate 5. Forcible impact 9. The Lion 12. Drug‐yielding plant 13. Robust 14. Comforter or quilt 15. A bubble 16. Holly 17. Consumed 18. Rabble 20. Norwegian dramalist 22. Rejection 25. Vast seas 26. Representative 27. Foot covering 28. Deity 29. Vietnam 30. Mire 33. Have regard 35. Sound 37. Adhere closely 40. Become sad 41. Helping theorem 42. Chilled 43. Period of human life 44. Fresh‐water fish 46. Large wading bird 50. Impair 51. Ebony 52. Edible tuber 53. Wield 54. Unit of force 55. Tibetan oxen DOWN 1. Label 2. Unwell 3. Fish eggs 4. French painter 5. Slight puff of wind 6. One of two equal parts 7. Malt beverage

8. Republic of North America 9. Capital of Tibet 10. Consumed 11. Unfolds 19. Toward the stern 21. Honey insect 22. Worthless piece of cloth 23. Self‐esteem 24. Used for resting 25. Unit of electrical resistance 27. Sorrowful 29. Born 30. Being at the middle 31. Exploit

32. Lair 33. Thigh 34. Eluded 35. Not 36. Peculiarity 37. Brace 38. Juridical 39. Very hard

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 21.

mineral 40. View 42. Image 45. To endure 47. Bleat of a sheep 48. Annoy 49. Distress signal

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22. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

A returnee gives back THERE ARE MANY PERSONS among us who have been helping in many but significant ways.

Ms. Iza Garrick is one such person.

Since her retirement and return to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from the USA in 2004, Ms. Garrick has been running a Sunday School in Rose Place.

She has also committed herself to providing meals for up to four homeless men every Sunday.

Last Christmas, she distributed presents to all the children who were warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

During that visit, she observed that “the Children’s Ward could do

with some uplifting,” and decided then and there to establish a library, “to bring some stimulation and comfort to possible healing to the children.”

Towards this end, Ms. Garrick, on October 26 this year, took the first step by donating a cabinet in which to store the books, a supply of which she would have

Right: Ms. Iza Garrick and the cabinet she donated to the MCMH Children Ward to be used to store the library books. donated previously.

Nurse Phillips was on hand to accept the donation from Ms. Garrick.

Laurels for Dr. Adrian Fraser Continued from Page 8.

The foregoing was first published some twenty-four years ago, when Adrian was most active and belligerent. Since then, he has narrowed his focus on articles and public presentations.

Adrian has pledged a book by which to be his magnum opus, to be celebrated probably around our 40th anniversary of Independence, a year adrift.

Throughout his life, Adrian has been particularly close to me. I “discovered’ him as an ardent enthusiast when as Resident Tutor I chaired a panel discussion in Barrouallie on Black Powerism featuring Danny Williams, who swept the young Fraser off his feet!

Later, Adrian followed me into Resident Tutorship of the UWI. Before that, he became President of the NYC of which I was a founding father and first Patron. Then he became member of the Flambeau group which I had formed. Adrian was a member of the four-some involved in the famous 1972 production of the Forum magazine which produced the crystallized views of the group.

Both Adrian and I narrowly escaped being active parliamentarians: I was asked by Prime Minster Mitchell to be a Senator after the hung election in 1972; Adrian was asked to be independent senator by Acting Governor General Henry Williams after the election of 1989 in which NDP had won all fifteen elected seats.

The nation suffered political loss which represented on the round-about societal gains.

The talk on the 39th Anniversary of our Independence is expected to reflect the huge amount of research and back-log of historical analyses that he had been engaged in.

I look forward to a sober assessment as to how we should set our sails to confront the murky water which now threaten. Trust Dr. Adrian Fraser to navigate between the Scylla and Charybdis to a secure anchorage.

Dr. Fraser’s lecture on Three Score Years and Ten of the UWI was historical, historic and in a sense futuristic. Like vintage wine, it flowed smoothly and pleasantly.

Clearly, the best of Fraser is reserved for his twilight years. More on this later.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 23.

Central Trinidad Touring Team took the title in the Festival Shield Division.

Munroe Road Masters - Fete Division Champions.

T&T takes Independence T20 Titles MUNROE ROAD MASTERS and Central Trinidad Touring Team, both from Trinidad and Tobago, are the Champions of the NLA SVG Independence International Masters T20 Cricket Festival, Fete Division and Festival Shield Division respectively.

The Festival climaxed last Sunday, OCT. 28, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, with the finals in both categories.

In the finals of the Fete Division, Munroe

Road Masters Road beat the Prime Minister X1 by 12 runs. The Prime Minister’s XI won the toss and elected to field, and proceeded to restrict the Trinidadians to 131 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Anil Barlo 43, and Rajnarine Ragoonath 39, were their leading batters. Dexter Small, Arrington Burgin and Leroy Douglas picked up two wickets each for the Prime Minister’s XI. In a disappointing

response, the Prime Minister’s XI struggled to 119 all out in reply, with 37 rus from 17 balls from Burgin, Ramesh Singh (centre) scored the being their only individual score most runs in the Fete Division.

Trinidad Touring of any merit.

Team squaring off The Shield David Ramsingh picked against East Masters, championship final was up 4 wickets for 16 runs who had put an end to an all T&T affair with an defending Champions to ensure victory for the unbeaten Central visitors.

North East Masters’ hope

Cricket loses stalwart Ambris THE CRICKET FRATERNITY MOURNS the loss of a fervent cricket fan and cricketer in Walford Ambris.

Ambris, the father of two national cricketers, Romel Currency and current Windies batsman Sunil Ambris, passed away on October 24, 2018, after a period of illness.

A Saints Cricket Club member for many years, Walford was a left-handed batsman, but it was his slow left-arm spin that made him a greater threat on a cricket field.

Denis Byam, 2nd Vice President for the SVG Cricket Association Inc., expressed his fond memories playing against Ambris Sr. “Ambi was one of the most competitive people on the cricket field, but an absolutely jovial person to be around on and off the field. He has certainly made an undeniable contribution to Vincentian cricket,” said Byam.

Family and longtime playing colleague of Ambris, former 1st Vice President, SVGCA Inc, Elson Crick highlighted that Ambris’s impact was equally in his community as it was nationally.

Crick shared, “Walford Ambris was an iconic figure in the Marriaqua area.

He was involved in the banana industry for a number of years.

But it was in the area of sports that he made his mark.

He was a member of almost every representative team from the Marriaqua area, where he was a very keen allrounder. The village of Glenside will miss him.”

Walford Ambris with son Sunil Ambris.

President of the National Cricket that his legacy in cricket will live Association, Dr. Kishore Shallow on through his sons. Thank you, echoed sentiments of the cricket Ambi!” circle. Shallow expressed, The SVGCA Inc., on behalf of “Ambris’s passion for cricket was the cricket community, expresses incredible. His contribution as a condolences to the family and player, fan, and parent is friends of Walford Ambris. incomparable in our national (Submitted by the SVG Cricket space. I have absolutely no doubt Association)

for a repeat, at the semifinal stage.

On the actual field of play, Central Trinidad Touring Team, in uncharacteristic style, were confined to their crease, so to speak, and could muster only 117 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Victory seemed a formality for East Masters. That was not to be. They put in a tired reply and got to 93 for 8 when their 20 overs ran out.

Rayan Jones, 2 for 22, Kenneth Hazel, 2 for 12, bowled their team to victory.

Earlier, Rajendra Mangalie scored 36 from 31 balls and Syed Mohammed 20 from 17 balls for the champions, with Dale Douglas taking 3 for 15 in four overs for the losers.

In the individual awards handed out, Ramesh Singh of Munroe Road Masters T&T, with 178 runs, scored the most runs and had the highest individual score, 115*, in the Fete Division.

Lincoln Roberts (centre) scored the most runs in the Festival Division.

He collects his awards from Richard Branch and Miles Bascombe, Chairman and Manager respectively of the National Sports Council.

Lincoln Roberts, with 240 for East Masters T&T and an individual high of 103*, did likewise in the Festival Shield Division.

In the Fete Division, Curtis King of the Prime Minister’s XI and Anil Barlo of Munroe Road Masters T&T with 8 wickets each, were the leading wicket-takers; Dale Douglas of East Masters T&T with eleven 11 wickets led in the Festival Shield Division.

Central Trinidad Touring Team, New York Masters, North East Masters, The Prime Minister XI and SVG Police Masters took part in the Festival Shield.

Canada Masters, East Masters of Trinidad and Tobago, Mustique Company Masters and Vincy Log Masters competed in the Fete Division.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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24. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Top Strikers take Stubbs Football title 0 draw, won via kicks from the penalty spot, against Walvaroo City, in the other semi-final.

Immediately preceding last Sunday’s final, Walvaroo City had it all too in taking the third spot, as Volcanoes were unable to field a team.

For winning the title, Top Strikers earned $1800, the first-place trophy and a one year hold of the Shield.

Second-place Diamond gained a trophy and $1000, and third-placeTop Strikers and Diamond in battle last Sunday in Walvaroo City got a the Stubbs Football League Final. trophy and $800. the finals as well as the Awards Best Midfielder award.

Top Strikers’ Desborn Diamond’s Anthony Lavia won the MVP of Hazell was adjudged best goal keeper, with Nature Boys’ Deomaji Samuel taking the Best Striker Persons in attendance at the September 29 award. meeting.

Kevin Glasgow of Top Strikers copped the

TOP STRIKERS made good of their kicks from the penalty spot to win 4-3 over Diamond last Sunday at the Stubbs Playing Field, and landed the Stubbs Football League title.

The penalty shoot-out was occasioned by a nilnil draw at the end of regulation time.

But the Diamond outfit had only themselves to blame, as they missed a first half penalty.

Top Strikers got to last Sunday’s final with a 2-1 win over Volcanoes, while Diamond, after a 0-

SVGFF aims to strengthen Female Football THE SVG FOOTBALL FEDERATION is bent on strengthening female foolball here.

In its latest initiative in this regard, a release from the SVGFF said that chairman of its Female Football - Mr. Wayne Grant - on Saturday 29th September, convened a meeting with the coaches, physio, doctor and management staff of all the female teams in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to discuss plans going forward and the steps to be taken that will see the continued development of Women’s Football in the country.

The SVGFF’s President - Marvin Fraser, General Secretary - Devron E Poyer and Technical Director - Keith Ollivierre were also in attendance, brought remarks to the meeting and weighed in on the discussions which ensued.

In addition to receiving reports and updates from all the coaches and managers, the meeting also discussed the way forward for the youth and senior teams and the Secondary School female football programme.

Issues relating to health and safety, fitness and finance were also explored, the release said.

Chair of the Committee Wayne Grant led the meeting, seeing the topic of roles and responsibilities topping the discussions ensuring that all are clear when performing their duties, in an effort to bring about positive changes to female football and its continued upward development.

Presentations were made by Technical Director Keith Ollivierre and the Female Development Officer Tonicsia Baptiste. The FIFA Women’s Strategy was looked at during the meeting.

Since that meeting, the SVG Football Federation Female Committee met on Oct. 16, and a number of young professionals were co-opted, with the intention of bringing fresh ideas on board that could help to breathe new life into female football.

I.A.B. Allen

Best MidfielderDesborn Lavia

Anthony Hazell – Best Goal keeper.

Top Strikers- 2018 Stubbs Football League champions.

Best Defender award, and Top Strikers added the Best Attacking team prize to their winnings.

Diamond won the Best Defensive team title; Stubborn Youths- Most Disciplined team, and

Volcanoes- the Spectators’ Most Favourite team.

Also rewarded were the Most Valuable Player of each of the eleven teams which participated in the league.

Bequia hosts Open Water Swim Meet THE RISING Stars Swim Team of Bequia, in collaboration with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation and the Bequia Traditional Sailing Academy, held a Traditional Sailing Event/Open Water Meet, last weekend - Independence Weekend.

Part of Sunday’s programme was ‘Swim the Bays’, and comprised of three races.

The 375m race which catered

Under-11 Female 350m winnerKylia Ollivierre (right) and second place- Sandy Friday (left).

for swimmers 11 and Under, was from Gingerbread Beach to Port Elizabeth.

Topping the Female category Top three males in the 1.5 Km. Cruz Halbich was Kylia (centre) – first place; Third Place- Tavonte Forde Ollivierre, with (left) and Second Place- Alex Cyrus (right).

Sandy Fridaysecond. In the Elizabeth, Mya De Freitas took Male Category, the winner was Dennis Sutherland, with Omarion the first place in the Female bracket.

Frederick and Aiden Ollivierre Cruz Halbich won the Male finishing second and third segment, with Alex Cyrus trailing respectively. him. Tavonte Forde finished in In a 750m race which took third place. place from Plantation House to Nineteen swimmers contested the Almond Tree in Port the event.Elizabeth, there were two age Among those organisations and categories: 13- 14 and 15 and over. individuals to whom the Winning the Female 13-14 age organisers expressed thanks were: group was Kate Ollivierre, with Coach Tauran Ollivierre; the Ariana Ollivierre placing second. nurses; Fantasea Tours for The Male 13-14 winner was providing the safety boat; BTSA Samari Ragguette.

Among the 15s and over, Krista for providing the snacks and the trophies; SVGSF for the medals Bynoe champed the Female and caps; Rainbow Radio League bracket, while among the males, for safety support, and officials Kyle Dougan copped the first Jonelson Compton, Zane Friday , place ahead of Corsoni Pollard.

Delroy Stapleton, Ralph Stowe And, in the 1.5 Km race from and Tyrell Ragguette.

Princess Margaret Beach to Port

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 25.

Sports

Vincy youth taking steps A BATCH of Vincentian youngsters have begun a journey which they hope would take them to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup final scheduled for 23 May — 15 June in Poland.

The first step — the CONCACAF championships - began yesterday, Thursday November 1, when they played Trinidad and Tobago in Florida, USA. All the teams have the same ambition, so it will be a winner taking it all. They are in six groups, and the winner from each group advances to the qualification stage, where they will be divided into two groups.

Th winners and two second place finishers will advance to the final in Poland.

This format, redesigned from previous qualifiers, provides teams with the opportunity of playing more top level matches.

The Vincentians play Suriname Saturday November 3 at 5:30 pm. They pit skills against the US Virgin Islands Monday 5, but perhaps their most formidable opponent will be the USA Wednesday 7 at 8pm.

If the Vincentians emerge unbeaten after that, they may feel buoyed for Puerto Rico November 9.

Management of the Vincentian contingent expressed confidence before they left these shores.

They took their cue from preparations during which the squad achieved some credible results against merited rivals.

One realises, however, that football is not played in front a microphone nor at press conferences.

While a lot hinges on what takes place ‘behind closed doors,’ it boils down to what transpires over the course of play.

Fitness has been an issue with which Caribbean people have been grappling. The matter of an extended workload seems to be of little consequence to the average citizen.

That effort needed to be fit is not appreciated, and the tendency is to settle for the mediocre when an added kick was required.

Certain coaches have managed to instil into students the importance of fitness. Owing to the liberal nature of the entire package, blatant acts of sacrilege have been allowed to manifest without compunction.

The team includes Jadiel Chance goal keeper, Jay-Z Ryan, Dondre Charles, Lesroy Craigg, Javal Samuel, Joel Quashie, Osei Thompson, Derron Hamlet, Romano Johnson, Gidson Francis, Carlos Solomon, Alpheus Medica, Jellando John, Kenyon Delpesche, Diel Spring, Dexran Wilson, Trivis Fraser, Danny Spencer, Trezine DaSouza, and Brandon Johnson.

You might have wondered about the cricket round up. The West Indies escaped a whitewash in the ODI, when they contrived to tie a match they ordinarily would have won. But winning seems to have become a lost product for them.

They went the distance in the third ODI to raise hopes of a victory. But they returned to the consistent consistency of ineptitude to surrender the fourth by a huge margin.

One would have thought that the good old adage of not changing a winning combination might have held sway with the West Indies tour selectors. It was surprising that Vincentian Obed McCoy having made his way into the squad would have been discarded that quickly. His returns of 2 for 71 and 2 for 38 are by no means flattering, but in bowling attack where wickets are few, McCoy was worth another go.

Whether he was injured may not have been announced, but the exclusion left a bitter taste on many Vincentians.

Volleyball Coach confident EARDLEY MARTIN – Head Coach of SVG’s Senior Men’s Volleyball team - has a single mission: seeing that St Vincent and the Grenadines maintains its status as the number one unit among those grouped in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association.

The Vincentians are currently in Grenada trying to maintain their supremacy, as the 2018 ECVA Championship got going last Wednesday, Oct. 31 with a closing date set for Nov. 5.

Martin, who took charge of the team following the unavailability of previous Eardley Martin – SVG’s Senior Men’s Volleyball Team Coach.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Men’s Volleyball team in practice last week at the Girls’ High School hard court.

Head Coach- Brian Burke, stated, “We are cognizant that we are the defending champions, and the only thing for us is to stay at the top.”

In expectation of a strong challenge from their opponents, Martin commented, “We are not being lethargic, but assertive, and plan to take each match one step at a time.”

A confident Martin is banking on the fact that the team has been playing together for the better part of two years, and is still relatively young.

“We have most of the team which started together two years ago in Grenada, but we have lost two of our Middle Blockers,” Martin disclosed.

St Vincent and the Grenadines will be without the services of Marcus Thomas and Kemaul Lee, who have both migrated, along with Cleuvvan Cumberbatch, who is unavailable because of work commitments.

But the Daryl Franklyn-led team still include Asmond Franklyn, Ronaldo Franklyn, Jad Martin, Jahmal Small, Delshun Welcome, Travis Cumberbatch and Deandre Quashie, who were all part of last year’s triumph in St Lucia.

Making a return to the national team is Devon Williams, while the lone newcomer is Ewansie Peniston.

The Vincentians are among eight teams which are registered for the Championship. The teams would be placed in two groups of equal number.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, after winning Group E of the ECVA championships held in St Lucia, earned a debut place at the NORCECA Continental World Championship Qualification Tournament finals in Colorado Springs, USA. At that championship, St Vincent and the Grenadines beat St Lucia to become the number one team in the ECVA region.

U-20 Male footballers on CONCACAF mission A 20-MEMBER St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 Male Football team left here last Monday to be part of the CONCACAF championships set for Bradenton, Florida, USA. The team includes Joel Quashie, Jadiel Chance, Jay- Z Ryan, Romano Johnson, Alpheus Medica, Lesron Craigg, Osei Thompson, Danny Spencer, Dondre Charles, Gidson Francis, Deron Hamlett, Trezine Da Souza and Javal Samuel.

The team is completed by Jolando John, Kenyon Delpesche, Trivis Fraser, Brandon Johnson, Dexran Wilson and Carlos Solomon.

The Management Team

includes: Wayde Jackson — Head Coach, Shandell Samuel, Urtis Blackette and Alfred GrantAssistant Coaches; Dr Denis Byam- Physiotherapist, Dr. Najah Peters — Team Doctor, and Anna French- Sports Psychologist.

Yoland London is the Team’s Manager and John HindsSVGFF’s Executive member.

St Vincent and the Grenadines were set to meet Trinidad and Tobago yesterday and play Suriname tomorrow, Saturday.

On Monday, the Vincentians meet the US Virgin Islands, before tackling the USA next Wednesday.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ final preliminary round match is

SVG Masters resumes COMPETITION in the National Masters T20 Competition will resume this weekend, following a two-week break to accommodate the NLA SVG Independence International Masters T20 Cricket Festival.

On Saturday at Cumberland, North Leeward Masters will play Mustique Company Masters, and A R & D P’tani Masters face Stanley Browne Stubbs Masters at Arnos Vale Two. On Sunday from 10am at Park Hill, Joseph DaSilva’s LaCroix Masters take on Davis Construction Bequia Masters.

At 2.00 p.m at Arnos Vale

Two, Mustique Masters oppose Sion Hill Masters and, also from 2.00 p.m, North East Masters clash with Floyd Bullock’s Trucking Marriaqua Masters at Park Hill.

Sunday’s fixture will also feature General Hardware Pastures Masters against Barrouallie Masters at Buccament beginning at 2:00pm.

A North Leeward versus Digicel Glamorgan Masters fixture will commence at 1:30pm at London Playing Field.

I.B.A.ALLEN

next Friday versus Puerto Rico.

Speaking last Monday prior to the team’s departure, Head Coach — Wayde Jackson expressed confidence that his charges have what it takes to advance to the next stage of the championships.

“Six teams are in the group, and one team is gonna come out of the group, and that would be us …That is just the way it is … We are up against some strong regional opponents and we are going to defeat some giants in CONCACAF.” Jackson boasted.

Continuing his optimism, Jackson added: “As a coach, I don’t coach teams to stay in CFU — Caribbean Football Union, it’s CONCACAF …It is all the way to FIFA World Cup — Poland — 2019 … That is what the boys and I have been training for…We are going to make St Vincent and the Grenadines proud”.

The Championships’ format shows that the six group winners will advance to the Qualification stage, where they will be divided into two groups of three teams each.

The two group winners along with the second place finishers of the Qualification stage will get berths to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland in 2019.

Also, the two group winners will be engaged in a final to determine the CONCACAF champions.

26. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2018. 27.

Classifieds

CARMEN ANITA RICHARDS Biabou S.D.A Church Sunday 28th October, 2018 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

RICARDO ALBERT WILLIAMS New Apostolic Church Campden Park Sunday 28th October, 2018 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

ELMORE FELIX HARRY LUCINA RAIMIE Mesopotamia S.D.A Church Sunday 28th October, 2018 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Barrouallie Family Worship Centre Sunday 28th October, 2018 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 3:30 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 02, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.38

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BAILIFF FREED OF CRIMINAL CHARGES

by HAYDN HUGGINS MAGISTRATE’S COURT BAILIFF Donald Soleyn was this week cleared of three criminal charges, hanging over his head since November 2017.

The charges against Soleyn were dismissed on Monday, after the virtual complainant, Wayne Peters of Bequia, failed to show up for the trial despite being summoned, and warned personally to be there.

Soleyn was charged with stealing $200 in cash, the property of Wayne Peters, and possession of criminal property, to wit $200 in cash.

He was also charged with, ‘being employed in the public service and being charged with the performance of any duty, he corruptly solicited, received

or obtained $200 in cash for himself on account of anything to be afterwards done or omitted to be done by him in discharge of the duties of his office as Bailiff of the Magistrate’s Court’.

Soleyn was accused of committing the offences between December 31, 2015 and January 1, 2017 at Bequia.

Effort to contact complainant Police Constable 503 Donna Kennedy, attached to the Process Department which is responsible for the distribution of summons, told the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday that on October 24, she had a telephone conversation with Peters, and

Donald Soleyn had to wait almost a year, only to hear that the complainant in his matter, got ‘cold feet’ and failed to make an appearance in court.

informed him of his Court date. He assured her that he would be present.

According to Kennedy, Peters told her to leave the summons at the Port Elizabeth Police Station in Bequia, from where he would collect it.

She sent the summons with Constable 510 Jacobs who is attached to that Police Station.

Kennedy added that Jacobs told her that when she noticed that Peters was not coming to collect the summons, she went to look for him at his Bequia home, but he was not there.

She also called his cellular phone as per number on the summons, but it kept ringing and went to voice mail.

She added that as recent as

Monday, she tried to reach Peters by phone, but was unsuccessful.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche said it was the third occasion the Prosecution was trying to get the virtual complainant and was unsuccessful. He pointed out that the prosecution could not proceed without Peters’ evidence. As a result, Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett dismissed all the charges.

One witness, Sharona Ollivierre, former Magistrate’s Court clerk, had already testified for the prosecution.

Her evidence was taken July

27 this year, when the matter was adjourned.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, Soleyn’s lawyer, Kay BacchusBaptiste, said she was confident that, even if the trial was continued, she would have conducted a successful defence. She said one of the charges was bad for duplicity and the others were weak.

TWO HOMICIDES, ONE ARREST

POLICE HAVE made a breakthrough in one of two reported cases of homicides, that have occupied their time and resources since Oct. 26.

A release from the RSVG Police Force Public Relations and Complaints Department on Wednesday, indicated that Police had arrested and charged Roneam BakerCaine, 26 years Farmer of Byrea, for the murder of Wayne Fitzgerald Gregory Morris, 59 years old, also on Byera.

According to the police, their investigations revealed that on October 26, between 11:09am and

12:00pm at Byera, Barker-Caine caused the death of Morris of Byera, by chopping him multiple times about his body, with an unknown object.

The incident is said to have occurred on the road leading to Manning Village, Byrea.

The other homicide that is still receiving the attention of law officers here, concerns the death of Rodesha Bailey, 30-year-old domestic of Mesopotamia.

Bailey’s body was discovered about 3:50am on October 26, in Sayers, Mesopotamia, with multiply stab wounds.

The deaths of Bailey and Morris bring the homicide count for 2018 to 28.

Police are soliciting the assistance of members of the public who might have information that could assist in these investigations, to contact the ACP in-charge Crimes at 1784-456-1339, Officer in charge of South Central Division at 1784-458-4200 or Officer in charge C.I.D at 1784-456-1810.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.