THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 04-09-20

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER

04, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.36

Can you keep a secret?

Page 2

www.thevincentian.com

Praedial Larceny Law Page 4

EC$1.50

Teachers Union quiet Page 5

Vincy makes history Page 16

Traffic flow changes Page 17

STRAY DOGS KILLING ANIMALS IN CANOUAN

Armed police converged on the scene of the robbery, cordoned off the area and questioned employees of the gas station.

SOCIAL ACTIVIST TERRENCE BYNOE has once again highlighted an issue facing the people of his native Canouan.

This time, according to Mr. Bynoe, the concern is an ongoing threat by stray dogs.

The stray dogs, according to Bynoe, have been attacking and killing the livestock of ordinary residents.

Last Sunday, he reported via a Facebook video posting, the loss of at least five dead animals, Continued on Page 3.

Inset: Terrence ‘Terry’ Bynoe has, not for the first time, highlighted a concern of residents of Canouan.

repeating the information on the men, even though the men were not charged with any offence.

PERSONS WHO FOLLOW LEGAL The police release had also MATTERS keenly have raised stated that the robbers escaped questions with respect to the with EC$1,626, the property of naming of three persons, who were Wilson Enterprises; EC$1,500, said to be assisting the police with from a resident of Arnos Vale, investigations into a report of three along with EC$180 and a bag robberies at Wilson Enterprises Inc. valued $80, the property of a (Sol Gas Station) at Arnos Vale on resident of South Wood.

Friday, August 28.

Commissioner of Police Colin The naming of the men held for John, confirmed, while speaking questioning first appeared in a to THE VINCENTIAN on release, dated August 30, 2020, Wednesday, that no charges were from the Public Relations and laid, and the persons whose Complaints Department of the names were stated in the release RSVG Police Force. as being detained in connection Those persons were identified, with the matter, were released in the release, by their names, pending further investigations. addresses and ages, and a number According to persons who were of media houses carried the story in the area at the time of the

by HAYDN HUGGINS and KENVILLE HORNE

Commissioner of Police Colin John did not address the naming of three men before they were charged, but confirmed they were eventually released.

incident, the robberies were effected without any real commotion.

“The thing happen in broad day light, around minutes to five.

But nobody really knew anything until the police start arriving,” one person told THE VINCENTIAN. Another person said that there was no discharge of firearms, and it appeared that no one was hurt.

That person added that while he did not see what took place, he became suspicious after a car sped away from the gas station, about Continued on Page 3.

The remains of one of the goats belonging to Rev Frank Garraway, that was killed by stray dogs.

V Can you keep a secret?

2. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

controversial ones, were not ‘avoided’ when, last Saturday, UK-born THE POPULAR search engine Google Attorney Juanita Maud Headley described a major problem or appeared on the CTVIEW Saturday controversial issue as a subject about Show hosted by Carlyle Douglas, on which discussion is usually avoided.

Nice Radio.

Subjects, undeniably still Headley, a self-expressed survivor of statutory rape and incest, was at the centre of this expose’, when she appeared on the referred radio programme to promote her recently published book titled, ‘Can you keep a secret?”

The Attorney/Author spoke openly and through tears, of her own experience as a victim of statutory rape and incest, and also highlighted similar experiences of people all over the world.

She interspersed her focus on rape and incest with references to her having to deal with Post Traumatic Syndrome (PTS), played out in anger issues, insomnia and her inability to keep a steady job.

The Book was titled “Can you keep a secret?” according to Headley, because she had attempted, with no real success, to speak to her grandparents ‘Can you keep a secret’ as it would appear about her ordeal with her on the shelves of bookstores.

by CARLYLE DOUGLAS

stepfather, by asking them that very question.

She is of the opinion that if that question is asked of anyone and the answer is “no” or “it depends”, then the book is definitely for that person.

The radio interview, almost two hours long, attracted several callers, including two listeners who recalled their experiences as victims of incest; one caller venturing into details of an attempted bribe with a ‘body line’ (type of sweet bread sold in the 70s) by her Grandfather.

A retired school principal who also interacted with Ms. Headley, shared that he was aware of the cases of a seven-year-old girl (now thirty) and a female police officer, both of whom have not had thirty day in court for similar transgressions against them.

‘Can you keep a secret?’ is available at Gaymes Book Centre. Sixty percent of revenue earned through the sale of the book will go towards supporting ‘safe housing’ for victims of incest in the Philippines, where the crime is rampant.

Juanita Headley is described as “a warrior on the front lines of fighting human (child) trafficking, sexual abuse, rape and incest.

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lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 3.

News 3 First cannabis dispensing licence granted

THE PATH IS NOW CLEARED for the first cannabis pharmacy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to begin operations.

This after Cabinet approved the first cannabis dispensing licence to Green Lava (SVG) Inc., a medical marijuana company with its headquarters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Green Lava Inc can now procure and dispense medicinal cannabis products legally in the country.

This milestone act comes after a process that first involved an application for a Retail Pharmacy Permit, which received approval from the SVG Pharmacy Council on July 28, 2020. Pursuant to the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act and its regulations, an application was then submitted to the Medicinal Cannabis Authority for a dispensing licence. Cabinet

subsequently approved the granting of this licence on August 10, 2020.

And this comes following the company being the first to receive the approval of Cabinet for a medicinal cannabis licence on July 10, 2019, leading to an official launch of operations on November 15, 2019 when it unveiled its 5-acre medicinal cannabis farm at Queensbury, Vermont.

The gazetting of the Patient Access to Medicinal Cannabis Regulations by the Government on May 6, 2020 provided the ground works for Green Lava to receive Cabinet approval for the medical dispensing licence.

The company will now rollout its business model with the establishment of a pharmacy to provide medicinal cannabis products to persons with

VINLEC: ‘Increased billing days in August’ ST. VINCENT ELECTRICITY SERVICES LIMITED is advising that several customers will receive electricity bills with above average billing days for the August billing period.

Over the past few weeks, the Company was impacted by a number of unexpected events that resulted in the unusual change. VINLEC is taking detailed actions internally to reduce the likelihood of this occurrence. The Company is aware that this incident will cause some inconvenience to customers and extends apologies to those affected.

Meanwhile, customers are asked to note that the Fuel Surcharge Rate applicable on August bills remains relatively low. The August rate is 22.65 cents per unit, a similar rate to the July figure which was the lowest since March 2016. VINLEC is encouraging customers to monitor consumption patterns and take practical measures to conserve energy, as some customers, are less vigilant with their consumption when Fuel Surcharge rates are low. The Company continues to monitor matters relating to the electricity industry globally and remains committed to providing a safe and reliable service. (Source: VINLEC)

The signing of the MOU between Green Lava and the Greiggs Rastafarian Progressive Society, a licensed cannabis cultivator, in Nov. 2019. qualifying medical conditions including pain associated with cancer,; severe and treatment resistant nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy;

Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, sickle cell anaemia, anxiety, sleep disorders and chronic pain.

Green Lava has also signed

agreements with two local traditional cultivator’s groups to obtain raw cannabis product from their farms.

Stray dogs killing animals in Canouan Continued from Front Page. including a prized goat, from a herd owned by Rev. Frank Garraway, a retiree who depends on rearing small ruminants as a means of supporting himself.

The attack on Rev. Garraway’s herd was just one example of the havoc being reaped on a source of livelihood of many Canouan households.

Worse, Bynoe reported, was that the stray dogs have attacked school children, persons while they are on the beach, and persons who make use of the streets for exercise.

In Bynoe’s own words, “There are more dogs than people on Canouan, and the authorities need to do something about the problem.”

The stray dogs, he warned, could well be diseased, and if they come in contact with people, they could pass on this disease.

The social activist reminded people across the state that the owners of animals (e.g. goats) on Canouan have been complying with a request that they tie their livestock, so as to allow others to indulge in their traditional crop planting.

All the animals that have been

killed so far, according to Bynoe, were tied when they were attacked and killed by the dogs.

He is urging that some action be taken by the relevant authorities since, whenever stray dogs are destroyed by residents, they are accused of being “inhumane.”

In the meantime, he is appealing to dog owners to tie them.

Should the ‘spree’ continue, Bynoe is suggesting that these dogs be “put to sleep,” but his

greatest fear is that appropriate action might be taken only when a child or some adult is seriously damaged by one of these dogs.

Stray dogs attacking and killing animals is not a rare occurrence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Many livestock farmers on mainland St. Vincent have complained of their losses in this regard. Some have had to resort to killing the dogs to prevent further loss.

No charges in Gas Station robberies Continued from Front Page. the same time the incident is said to have taken place.

An armed contingent of officers of the RSVG Police Force were quickly on the scene and, up to late Friday, could be seen questioning the gas station employees who were present during the time of the incident.

The Arnos Vale Gas Station robbery took place just under three weeks after three men were charged for, among other things, attempting to rob the Peruvian Vale Gas Station on Sunday 9th August.

Campden Park resident Keithon James was shot dead by police during their effort to botch the robbery.

The police are seeking assistance from anyone who may have information that could help with the investigations into these latest robberies.

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4. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Police not enforcing Chow mein with a Praedial Larceny Act difference

carries less severe penalties.

The latest case involved Leroy Patrick of Vermont who had pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing 75 avocadoes from a farm belonging to fellow villager Steforn Maloney, on August 30.

Corporal Wright told the Court that though the Act has been in Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS existence since 2007, he thinks that there are police officers who SOME 13 YEARS after the are not familiar with the relevant Agricultural Produce and Livestock sections.

(Prevention of Theft) Act was passed And he assured the Court that here specifically to protect farmers, he would raise the issue with the police are still not ‘up to steam’ Commissioner of Police Colin with it.

John.

That’s the view of Court Clerk The Magistrate said it was up Corporal David Wright. to the supervisors and those in Wright’s comments came at the charge of the various stations to Serious Offences Court on ensure that the officers are Monday after Chief Magistrate familiar with the Act. Rechanne Browne called on the Speaking as a friend of the Police to charge persons under the Court, Attorney Grant Connell, Act, in connection with the theft who himself has suffered the loss of Agricultural Produce and of agricultural produce at the Livestock. hands of thieves, also called on The police have instead been the police to enforce the law. He charging persons with theft, underscored that farmers have under the Criminal Code, which been suffering painfully over the Leroy Patrick was tapped on the hand with a $400 fine.

years.

Connell pointed out that the Agricultural Produce and Livestock (Prevention of Theft) Act, also called the Praedial Larceny Act, makes provisions for harsher penalties, gives the police the power to stop vehicles loaded with agricultural produce or livestock, to request a certificate of purchase, and that vehicles used in the Act could be seized and forfeited upon conviction.

“This is what they live by,” the Magistrate contended, referring to the farmers.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Connell said, “The authorities have put the mechanism in place since 2007 to protect farmers, but the police are not applying the Act.” Connell said he had no issue with giving the police stations a copy of the Act. Patrick was fined $400 forthwith or one month in prison.

The avocadoes were recovered.

Child beater ordered to pay ANDY WILLIAMS, a 44-year-old resident of Diamond, who used a piece of steel to strike an 11year-old boy to the side, was ordered to pay compensation to the youngster on Wednesday.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Williams ordered that Williams pay compensation in the sum of $300 forthwith, or go to prison for one month.

Williams had initially appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to assaulting the boy causing him bodily harm, but sentencing was adjourned.

The Court heard that the 11-year-old was walking along the public road at Diamond with his sister when Williams approached, and struck him with the piece of steel.

On inflicting the blow, Williams told the boy, “You (expletive) you.”

Connell, who mitigated on Williams’ behalf, did not condone the action, but said that according to his instructions, it was not Williams’ intention to cause injury.

Connell said that the injury was more to the buttocks area, and the defendant has expressed remorse.

He asked the Court to impose a bond.

But the Magistrate stressed that the defendant was a 44-year-old, and the complainant was a child who was walking along the road with his sister when he received the blow.

She also referred to what Williams had told the youngster when he inflicted the blow, and she emphasized that a piece of steel was used.

Senior Prosecutor Andy Williams Adolphus Delpleche also guilty of striking an highlighted that a piece of 11-year-old boy. steel was used.

“He was wrong to hit the child,” Connell admitted, but added, “He is mortal like all of us, and he is sorry, that’s why I am suggesting the bond.”

But the Magistrate opted for compensation.

IT TOOK JUST a stir of the food intended for prison inmate Kyle Providence to turn up a number of prohibited items, including marijuana.

Jamale Harry, 20, of Ottley Hall, had turned up at the main entrance at Her Majesty’s Prison, Kingstown around 11:45 am on August 27, with a black plastic bag with contents, and informed the prison officer on duty at the time that he had brought “some food” for Providence.

He opened the bag, and a container with Chow mein was taken Jamale Harry could out. consider himself to Harry ate a bit of the have enjoyed the food which is a discretion of the requirement for persons Magistrate. bringing food for inmates at the prison.

However, the vigilant prison officer at the entrance decided to stir the Chow mein, and discovered three transparent plastic bags containing marijuana, tobacco leaves and cigarette in the food.

Harry was subsequently charged with inducing prohibited items into the prison.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday. He claimed someone had given him some food to take for somebody, and he had no knowledge of the other items.

The defendant begged for leniency, and told the Court he had a six-month-old baby to care for.

The Chief Magistrate stressed the seriousness and consequences of the offence. As aggravating factors, she highlighted the breach to national security at the prison.

As mitigating factors, she noted that Harry expressed some level of remorse. She also took into account his youthfulness, and the explanation he had given.

Harry had previous convictions but none of a similar nature. He also benefitted from his early guilty plea.

After weighing the aggravating and mitigating factors, the Magistrate fined Harry $700 forthwith or three months in prison. He paid the fine.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 5..

News

SVGTU silent on possible action RESPONDING to a question last Tuesday at a Press Conference hosted by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, Oswald Robinson, the Union’s President said that he could not disclose what the next response of the organization he heads would be, in relation to the issue of the re-opening of schools on September 7.

He promised, though, that the Union intends to “fight a good warfare,” and assured that, “We are testing the ground, and the authorities are testing the ground to see what is the response from the teachers.”

Robinson urged his membership to “have no fear… we know what to do and what we could do; that is all that we are saying,” the President said in concluding his response.

Observing the protocols According to the president, the union maintained that while the continuation of the education of the nation’s children was important, their concern remained on the observation of the protocols established to deal with Covid-19.

“A lot of schools are not ready,” he said.

“There were guidelines given by the relevant authorities and we have been visiting schools, we are in contact with our membership [and] this preparation issue is a priority issue,” Robinson said, adding that the health and safety of teachers and students should not be compromised.

Education Minister St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince outlined in Parliament last month a number of protocols to be adhered to as face-to-face instructions in schools resumed.

The new protocols as they related to students, required that they: avail themselves of temperature checks to be administered by teachers; wear face masks when using public transportation; wear facial coverings when in public places.

The Hand-washing protocol will also be vigorously applied.

However, on Tuesday, Robinson said that he along with Vanrick Williams (Second Vice President) and Andrew John (Industrial Relation Officer) made it clear at a meeting with officials at the Ministry of Education, that the Union did not support teachers having to take the temperature of the students. This, they learned, was not mandatory.

“And we left there with an understanding, but it seems that there is some type of secret thing that is going on,” Robinson suggested.

“We are saying to our teachers

Oswald Robinson, President of the SVGTU, raised a number of concerns the Union had goping into the recommencement of face-to-face instructions. doing temperature checks, that is not your responsibility, and if you are forced to do it, then just inform the union,” the Union president continued.

As far as the provision of face masks, Robinson insisted that this was the responsibility of the employer.

“They have to make the work-place safe and healthy. And as a union, we want our teachers and students to have face masks,” he said.

Security, et al Another issue addressed at the Press Conference was that of security on school premises during the day.

According to Robinson, this was a time of COVID. There were instances in the past when persons walked unchallenged into the school compound, and in some cases inflicted bodily harm on students and/or teachers.

But this was a different time, he argued, someone may enter a school and may infect others within the school setting.

“We want our teachers to be safe and our students,” the SVGTU President repeated.

He touched on two other issues, one being the absence of proper garbage bins at some schools, and improper fencing of the school perimeter, the latter opening the compound to stray animals that leave excreta in their path.

To add to this, Robinson said that not much was being said about protocols to govern transportation and social distancing.

Social distancing, he said, could pose a problem for those schools with a high enrollment of numbers.

“We just want the protocols to be adhered to,” Robinson said, adding a word of caution, “Don’t just dash in on our teachers.” (DD)

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6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Regional

And as Dr. Gonsalves prepares to meet with LIAT workers here, Administrator Seaforth is working on ways to put a reorganized LIAT in the air.

LIAT makes request for debt write off FOLLOWING on a report last week that a request would be made by LIAT’s Administrator Cleveland Seaforth that regional governments write off LIAT’s debts to them, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has reported that he has received correspondence to that effect.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the request was made to write off the full amounts totaling some EC$14.5 million, and that a response was expected by September 25.

Seaforth in his letter stated that writing off the debt “will go a long way towards enabling the airline to flying operations.”

Readers will recall that the Administrator, who was appointed in late July, was tasked with preparing proposals “of one sort or the other,” for a reorganization that would make it possible for LIAT to return to the sky.

He promised a report within 120 days.

Now, with the formal request in hand, Prime Minister Gonsalves has had a turnabout with respect to meeting with LIAT workers here in SVG. Previously, he had said that he would not meet with the workers since he had nothing new to say to them.

The Union representing the workers had complained that they had had no official response to a letter requesting a meeting with him. That letter was delivered to the PM’s office some ten or so weeks ago.

Now that it appears the write offs could well enhance the prospects of

After putting them off Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will now meet with LIAT workers here. the airline’s employees having their outstanding payments (salaries, severance pay, etc.) settled, Dr. Gonsalves is ready to meet with the Vincentian workers, since, as he said, “I now have something new to tell them.”

Prime Minister Gonsalves had also said that he will give serious consideration to a request that his government write off LIAT’s debt to this country. Confirmation of this is still forthcoming.

In addition to the EC$14.5 million owing to SVG by LIAT, this country also carries guarantees in an amount of EC$48.7 million on behalf of the grounded airline.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 7.

Education

Bethel High School holds graduation took the awards for being the best student in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Information Technology, Mathematics and Spanish.

Interestingly, her sister Casita Stephens was Valedictorian at the school’s 2018/19 Graduation, and she was on hand to receive the Student of the Year and Outstanding CSEC Performance Awards for 2019.

Other students taking home awards were: Sharon De Freitas — for Principles of Business, English A, Integrated Science and Social Studies; and Dahalia Campbell — for Principles of Account and English B. Non-academic awards went to Shaielle Williams - Most Disciplined Student and Indera Cadore —the Perseverance Award.

the school during his tenure.

“The Bethel High School Music Band has been a tremendous agent of transforming the lives here at the School, and I have seen students who have entered the institution as troubled and problematic, and have been wonderfully transformed after becoming members of the Bethel High School Music Band,” said Scott.

He embellished his assessment with examples of students who personified that transformation.

And as for parting words to the graduates, Scott advised, “As you leave the door of the Bethel High School, continue to aim for success.”

emphasizing, “Adversity is the driving force behind excellence.”

And on commending the graduates for having so willingly adhered to adjusted school and examination schedules, Horne urged them to use that lesson of overcoming adversity as they continue to strive for excellence.

“Your time is now, but I can guarantee you that it is going to get even harder because adversity is all Kenville Horne – Keynote Speaker around us. It is incumbent upon you, graduates, to make the changes that THE BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL, aka the excellence requires,” he said, and he Campden Park Secondary School, held encouraged then to “develop a passion its 2019/20 Graduation and Prize-Giving for what you want to achieve in the Ceremony on Thursday 13th August, at long run, believe in yourselves, learn the Apostolic Faith Mission in Campden from the best ( role models), work Park.

You can overcome adversity really hard and never give up even The Ceremony was held under the when the going gets rough.” theme ‘Striving for excellence’, and Horne appealed to the graduates adhered to strict COVID-19 pandemic Period of Transformation In concluding, Horne posited: “The and students to rid themselves “of bad protocols, including social distancing. realization that no matter high you and toxic company,” and to use In addition, there was a limit on the rise in life, how hard you work to be a In addition to the traditional criticism to strengthen and motivate number of family members per Valedictorian’s address, the ceremony themselves “rather than allowing it to good person, a good parent, a good graduate, allowed to attend. citizen, for some folks it will never be heard the Principal’s report and an discourage and defeat your pursuit of enough, and all of that is going to be a address by Feature Speaker Kenville excellence.”

Outstanding students heavy burden to carry. But graduates, Horne - Journalist with THE The Commonwealth Queen’s Young I want to make it clear that those VINCENTIAN newspaper and Leaders Award winner used references Among the students who were feelings are not an excuse to give up.

Community Activist to his difficult upbringing — recognized for their performances was They are not an excuse to lose hope Principal Michael Scott, among homelessness, expulsion from school Reneasha Stephen. She was not only and to give up on your goal of other things, highlighted the in an effort to inspire the students, the class Valedictorian, but she also achieving excellence.” (KH) transformation that has taken place at

Blessing in disguise RENEASHA STEPHEN, the Valedictorian at the 2019/20 Graduation Ceremony of the Bethel High School, prefaced what would be a message to her fellow graduates, with a personal testimony.

Stephen recalled being “forced” to relocate to the Bethel High School in Campden Park because of two unfortunate occurrences which she deemed to be the scariest and dramatic experience she has ever encountered.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Valedictorian Reneasha Stephen

self-doubt and mainly home sickness,” she confessed.

She recalled that when her sister graduated and left the BHS her pain got worse and she became careless.

“But at the end of the day, I set my goals and I make it my business to succeed, knowing that nobody else would do it for me. And I did it with motivation of family members and friends,” said Stephen.

Turning to her colleagues, she said: “I am sure that my fellow graduates would agree that this journey has been anything but easy. There were so many depressing nights, so many sleepless nights. Times when we would say that this is not worth it …… especially around the time we had SBA to complete. Teachers giving us a whole set a work with impossible deadlines, but we did it, and you guys are so awesome because you are here right now making this big step towards your future, and I am so proud and grateful to be a part of this class,” the Valedictorian said wiping a tear from her eyes.

“On the 6th September, 2017, my whole reality changed thanks to Hurricanes Irma and Maria who both struck my home. I had to move from my home and change school,” said Stephen.

She recalled being nervous on her first day at her new school. In fact, she did not want to return after that day, which she realized very quickly was only a thought.

“The first two terms I refused to participate in any classes, I refused to speak or get to know anybody around the school. I mainly stuck to people that I knew, like my sister,” Stephen related.

By the third term she had begun to I overcome many “come out of my shell. I got more comfortable but still I had a lot of stuff challenges going on. I had to deal with anxiety,

She told the graduates that they have the ability to overcome whatever challenge, depression and doubt they might entertain.

“You guys are meant to be a voice in this generation; you guys are meant to be strong. You are not an echo, you are not a whisper … you are leaders. Each of you will lead something in life, you will be so great that you will make everybody proud and you will make those people who doubted you vex. We can put our minds to anything and succeed, so always try your best and never give up,” Stephen told her colleagues. (KH)

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8. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 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

Vote-buying: A threat to our democracy THE POLITICAL SEASON is well upon us, and the conversation about the buying of votes has not escaped the headlines.

Only last week, this publication carried a ‘Letter to the Editor’ that highlighted the issue.

Vote-buying, which many will claim is not new to our political landscape, can be described as a transaction in which parties and candidates distribute material benefits, e.g. lumber, galvanize, school books, raw cash - to individuals, in exchange for their support at the polls.

But even as the practice might be so entrenched and widespread as some people claim, it is worth being reminded that the practice — the culture of buying votes is both illegal and corrupt, and amounts to bribery.

That is why it is shameful when we are oblivious to these misdeeds to the extent that we accept them as not only being fashionable but as part of our culture, not realizing that to accept same is a reflection of who we are, and what we are prepared to accept.

And if the truth be told, not only is vote-buying illegal and perpetuates corruption throughout the entire political system, it is a threat to the democracy we hold so dear.

When candidates choose to pay for support rather than compete fairly for votes, they demonstrate disregard for democratic norms in favour of a readiness to use illegal means.

Broadly speaking, vote-buying obstructs the democratic process by interfering with the rights of citizens to freely decide who will represent them and their interests. This can result in the candidate with the most to hand out winning the election, rather than the candidate who would best serve their constituents.

And if vote-buying is allowed to determine voter turnout and the eventual result of a general election, then political accountability and equality are at risk.

This is particularly the case, given the deliberate target of and disproportionate influence of vote-buying on the most vulnerable members of the society, i.e. those with the greatest need, and those who, therefore, are prepared to throw caution in the direction of something material coming their way.

Undoubtedly, these are the people who are most likely the people who will go out to vote, and who will have a deciding influence on the outcome of the election. If that is the case, those elected on the ‘strength’ of the dollar, will have no one to whom they would feel accountable. Having bought their votes and won, the people become dispensable.

And if a victorious candidate sees that all he needed to do to be elected is pay off voters, he will have no incentive to be responsive to issues his constituents care about – issues like water and sanitation, education and unemployment. Is this familiar?

And when those with the deepest pockets see that buying support worked in their favour, what is to stop them employing that strategy in other areas of governance? Just a thought?

It’s not far-fetched to posit that big spenders who win are likely to enter public office burdened by significant campaign debts.

International protocol speaks to every citizen having the right to stand for office, subject to reasonable restrictions as prescribed by respective constitutions. Vote-buying, by its very acceptance and entrenched place in our politics, makes it virtually impossible for the economically disadvantaged, especially women, minorities (e.g. the Disabled) and independent candidates to meet these standards.

Unfortunately, there appears to be an increased number of voters who openly and unapologetically declare that they need to be paid for their votes. The questions that need to be asked are: Why are votes being sold?’ Why has a price been placed on a vote? A failed democracy by chance?

A message from Kenneth John, Chairman of the Public Service Commission To the Conference of Public Service Unions of OECS : January 2001 THEME: The Survivability of the Public Service into the 21st Century (First published in THE VINCENTIAN of September 11, 2015) “THE MARCH OF HISTORY, the ideas of progress-call it what you will-moves relentlessly on in linear progression, slowly or in spurts, with peaks and troughs, experiencing even pauses and reverses, dictated by its own pace and inner dynamic, and wary of dancing to the drum-beat of previous periods of time.

It is the human mind that finds comfort and convenience in dealing with epochs and resultant parcellisation of time into years, decades, centuries and millennia.

This preoccupation with time-frame has led most individuals, groups and institutions into a soul-search which often generates anxiety feelings as to how they would fare in the future and whether in fact they would survive the crossing into the next century, unscathed or enhanced.

The good news is that the Public Service will certainly carry over into the new dispensation. The caveat is- and it is not necessarily bad news- that serious adjustment changes will have to be made to fit the service into an already unfolding process that is emerging into a new order.

Public Servants, therefore, need not get uptight, and can relax and breathe more easily provided they remain alert and amenable to respond to the call for drastic change. A notice board can be posted up: no dinosaurs in the coming century.

So, on the one hand, there is no conspiracy to plan the obsolescence of the Service. Nor is it expected to atrophy over time from lack of use or relevance.

Still less would it “wither away” like the State in the theory of classical communism.

On the other hand, however, there is a fairly heavy price to pay for its sustainability. Thorough-going and farreaching changes must be taken on board both in regard to concept and role.

A rather tall order was placed by a workshop on Human Resource Development held in Barbados four years ago on the theme of Public Service Reform.

The description is again recommended.

In licking the Public Service into shape, there must be due regard to “safeguarding

the values and cultures of the societies; transparency of government policies; consensus on governance and the role of the state; involvement of all social partners in decisionmaking; impartiality and equity in access to public services; provision of efficient quality services to citizens; exemplary working conditions and human resource management practices”.

Essential ingredients appear so deceptively simple in the foregoing statement.

It means that the current institutional milieu and prevailing ideology that advocate results by resolution of conflict situations must give way to consensus through cooperation and collaboration, with all the players and stake-holders-the PSU, PSC, Government and people-clientsperforming meaningful and respectful roles.

Our people in general have been traditionalists known for their persistent resistance to change and crippling fear of the unknown, and the Public Service in particular has gained well-earned notoriety for its conservative approaches to problem solving.

Psychological shifts in orientation that are seismic in nature will have to be undertaken. For the new technologies dominated by the computer and informatics industry have thrown us into a pressure-cooker existence, into a fast lane in which the Devil takes the hindmost. We have to make haste just to keep up. And we already have much catching up to do.

The Public Service Unions are especially challenged to equip its charges with the attitude and competencies that are essential to meet new and increasing demands on the Government bureaucracy.

It is as if the Public Service has, first, to be absolved of its original sin; then to be born again to enter the kingdom of the next millennium which poses as a New Jerusalem.

We can do it, because we have to. There is no alternative, no other viable option.

I wish this conference God speed in its week-long deliberations”.

The above was my line on the eve of the 2001 election that was won by the ULP including Conrad Sayers and ULP minions heading the SVUT. Fourteen years later we are about to pronounce on the fate of that partnership.

Sayers realised his own comeuppance within months of their initial victory.

Others had disappeared without trace.

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Tell me more: You I HAVE listened to a few of NDP online meetings over the last couple weeks and must say I was hoping for more by way of policies and programmes.

Maybe that is “still to come” but if the NDP hopes to take over management of our country, they need to do a better job of articulating what policies and programmes we can expect to see under a NDP Government. “We are not like the ULP” is not enough. While I understand the need to run against the ULP at the ground level, it’s equally as important to have a conversation with the people about where you will take us as a nation.

And please stop telling us that everything you want to do will be funded by the “Citizen by Investment” Programme. I fundamentally dislike this programme on principal, but I do not think it is as bad as the ULP is making it out to be. I, however, do not think there are that many “Good” people left in the world who are looking for a third world country to invest clean money, using this almost forty year old idea. But keep it if you have to and if you do, please tell us what the plan will look like in SVG: How many will you target in the first year and how many are you expect to have after four years? We have a right to know.

By the way, which of the failed “noble ideas” outlined by Major at the last virtual meeting on August 26th, will the NDP honour? I am not saying that you have to adopt any of these standards; I would just like to know if you are elected, what laudable code of ethics can we expect?

Please tell me you have a few more ideas other than rebuilding the Ottley Hall Shipyard and Marina. I must say, though, other than the toll road idea, I like some of the fresh ideas I am hearing from Fitz for East Kingstown. I will continue to listen.

Horatio, USA

A fixed date for election I DO NOT recall whether or not the proposed new constitution that was voted down in a referendum included a clause that said there should be a fixed date for election.

Even if it did and seems to have been lost in all the muddle since then, there is no reason why this particular issue should not form the interest of a separate Bill to Parliament.

I do not share the view or the practice that one man — the Prime Minister — should have the sole right to set the date for general elections.

There should be a fixed date — like they have in the USA — so that all parties and individuals will know how to better organise, how to better plan for the elections.

This will also better guide those persons who work in the elections office and on election day.

They will know that whatever is to be put in place must be ready by a certain date.

I am cautious, though, to suggest that election day should be a public holiday. I am well aware about how our people treat public holidays — any holiday it seems is an occasion for a party.

So, while I would stick my neck out and cautiously suggest that the fixed date for elections should be a public holiday, if it was not so declared, I would not lose any sleep over it.

Christopher James Kingstown

Mr. Editor, yoe see that article ‘bout the Police Stellband dat yoe carry las’ week, that go hut some people here bad, bad, bad. And yoe know why? ‘Cause you and Pastor Haynes (Yes, Mr. Lennox Haynes is now a pastor and ah good pastor, too) mek dem shame.

It was a wonderful article ‘bout de 50th anniversary of the Police Steelband visit to Canada.

But you know, it should ah been the Police who ‘pose to be bigging

ÂDISÊ dem up deyself, but I shore as the rain does fall and not go up, dat not a man John or Jack in de Police Force we ha teday, know a damn ting ‘bout whay Haynes was talkin ‘bout.

Dat is the fuss shame, the fud ‘dis’.

And wait nah, even if Haynes went to the top brass in de Force, ah bet me las’ five sense, dey woulda run he.

And de nex set ah people yoe shame, yoe dis, is the Pan Movement people. Not a pan woman or man, no matta

if dey small, large or medium, know ‘bout dis piece ah history. Maybe Tanny boys and dem ’casue he woulda tel dem.

But most ah de odders know nothing ‘bout this.

Dey don’t know dey own history. I doubt dey ha ten people beating pan now who know that wha dey article say bout the police band winning the fus tree panorama.

Really nice piece. Yoe beat everybody to the punch again, Mr. Editor. history goin.

An tanks to Pastor Man on the Run Haynes for keeping de

NDP and winning the election IS THE NDP serious about winning the next general election?

I doubt that very much. Its failure to have a team of young, vibrant persons as candidates speaks for itself.

In 1984, the NDP under the leadership of Sir James Mitchell was able to defeat the might of the then St. Vincent Labour Party. Let us bear in mind that Mitchell was once a member of Milton Cato’s Labour Party and was the Minister of Agriculture in a Labour Government.

When he left the

Labour Party and became a member of the Opposition bench, he never walked out of parliament and did not waste time spewing hatred of Milton Cato and the Labour Party.

Rather, he dealt with the issues at hand. The Labour at the time had 11 out of 13 seats, and yet lost government to James Mitchell and the NDP in 1984.

The NDP then, under Sir James Mitchell, was able to attract, and ran a team of young, vibrant, energetic and intelligent men, including some who were members of a party

to which Dr. Ralph Gonsalves belonged. But unlike the NDP under Sir James, the present day NDP spends most of their time demonizing Ralph and in the last four plus years, talking about ‘stolen elections’, while the real issues are left unattended.

The failure by the present NDP to have on its slate fresh, young, vibrant, energetic professionals with new ideas, brings to the fore the question: Is NDP serious about winning?

While many people desire a change, it’s the young people who would

make the difference. For we know that young people attract young people. The youths must feel that they have a place in chartering the course of this country.

Time will tell if the NDP would suffer another defeat because of its failure to attract young, intelligent and energetic persons to its camp, and also to embrace persons who were once ULP. May we have a peaceful election campaign and one void of slander.

Kennard King

Urgency for true leadership THE SENSE of true leadership is of urgency as a land without water.

After slavery was abolished (on paper) in the 1800s, only a privileged few could have voted on matters of nation building.

Then came the 1950s and Adult Suffrage which gave the right to vote to all citizens with little restriction. From the 1950s to the 2000s we enjoyed that voting right. But how about the right to brainstorm, and have collective discussion and decision? That was, is, always for a collective few.

However, Dr. Friday’s approach of going into the communities to enable final decisionmaking is the art of true democracy. God said, “Come let us….” A true leader will teach his/her people to stand on their own feet as leaders in

their own right. Instead of trying to blind people with their false brilliancy, a true leader reflects the light on to the people so that they might see themselves anew. A true leader develops the minds of the people, and allows and guides them individually and collectively to shake themselves out of poverty. It is not good for leaders to bring people to a state of being dependent on handouts, a cheap way of buying votes. True leaders will teach people their history. (Acts 7).

People need to know where they came from, where they are now, how they got here, what they are doing here, where they are going from here, how to get there and when there what conditions will be like.

We all are important links in a chain of

generations past and present, moving into a global civilization. We have a legacy worth preserving and a future worth fighting for.

Much thanks to the late George Mc Intosh, George Charles, E.T.

Joshua, and R.M. Cato.

And to those that are with us today: Sir James Mitchell, Arnhim Eustace, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Dr. Godwin Friday.

Christian Democrat

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ULP has failed our farmers and All-important National Council Meeting by the ULP fisherfolk: NDP has a plan for them (Excerpts of the Hon. Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews’ presentation at a virtual Meeting)

Introduction LAST WEEK the ruling Unity Labour Party signaled its seriousness to meet the challenge of the opposition New Democratic Party in the upcoming general election, by holding its largest ever National Council meeting, at the Arnos Vale sporting complex on Thursday 27th August, 2020. All the constituencies were represented by large numbers, upwards and beyond what is normally expected at a national council meeting.

Last week the ULP confirmed and officially accepted the fifteen candidates who will represent the ULP at the next general election, expected to be called soon. Almost immediately one notices the difference between the candidate slate for the ULP, and that of the NDP, which has not been completed as yet.

The ULP boasts several young persons as candidates, including Carlos Williams from the Northern Grenadines, Luke Browne from East Kingstown, Carlos James from North Leeward, and Orando Brewster from Central Leeward. All in all, it’s an impressive slate of candidates, including the experienced Saboto Caesar in South Central Windward, and Montgomery Daniel in North Windward, all ably led by the Five Star General, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

The truth of the matter is that the Unity Labour Party is the only political entity in the country with the prepared plans, the organized skills, and the leadership, to take the country forward. The evidence is clear for all to see. In the midst of the Covid 19 Pandemic, with the world in chaos, it’s the safe guiding hand of the ULP, led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, that is taking us through this crisis. We hear all sortS of talk about closing down the country, and keeping people out; but now all the hasty and rash talk has died down.

The country now knows that the ULP is providing the leadership, and is handling the Covid 19 crisis, with remarkable ease.

The response of supporters They came in their numbers. They came from North Windward in support of Montgomery Daniel, from Central Leeward in support of Orando Brewster, from North Leeward in support of Carlos James, and from Bequia in support of Carlos Williams.

The Mike Findlay stand which holds just over one thousand persons, was filled to capacity, with supporters moving to the Phillip Veira pavilion.

As the National Council approved the ULP, the response from the supporters was overwhelming, and there were no dissenting voices.

Clearly this was a sign that the ULP was getting stronger and stronger, and this is of comfort to some of the doubters in the ULP camp. For sure, the response from the ULP supporters has sent a shock wave through the NDP camp. Friday and company could never imagine that the ULP continues to be strong and is getting stronger every day.

In the meantime, as the campaign gets more robust, we have the NDP candidates making errors after errors, with Friday being unable to provide some leadership, by ensuring that there is disciple in the camp. So we

have the likes of Fitz Bramble talking about a toll road as if this is part of the NDP campaign, and maybe it is.

And we have the messy situation in Marriaqua, where a former ULP prospective candidate, Kirk Da Silva, made a mess of the NDP’s campaign strategy, that rendered that party clueless, without any direction.

This left Friday with the dubious task of being forced to jettison Phillip Jackson, in favour of the resurrection of Bernard Wyllie. We expect more and more errors and mistakes from the NDP as the campaign continues.

Lifting SVG Higher The ULP is committed to the theme of “Lifting SVG Higher”, as the party gets ready to further unfurl its development programme beyond the year 2025. This will be driven by the developments in the tourism sector, including the developments around the Sandals and Marriot hotel chains, the expansion of Port Kingstown and the development of the new city at Arnos Vale.

All of the existing programmes which have driven the development of the country over the last 20 years, including the education revolution, the expansion in the health sector, further developments in agriculture, to include the expansion in marijuana, and infrastructure development, will all be enhanced. New programmes will be included in the eagerly awaited new party election manifesto.

The ULP has already demonstrated that strategic thinking and actions are its hallmarks. With the mix of energetic and well-trained youth, coupled with the mix of experienced candidates, and led by an astute and enterprising leader, the ULP is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.

Each of the fifteen ULP candidates is of high quality, well-trained and experienced, and possessed of endearing attributes and personal achievements. Even more, they are blessed with an enduring love for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ULP slate of candidates as approved by the National Council, is far better than what the NDP has to offer. The NDP cannot conclude its line-up of candidates, having a difficult time in deciding on a candidate for North Windward and North Central Windward.

This is a party that is not ready for governance in this country. They have no development plan, and no vision.

They talk glibly about giving them a chance so that they can show Vincentians what they can do. This of course must be a fool’s errand. St. Vincent and the Grenadines cannot be likened to a lotto game, where the people take chances on the election of a government. We must have clear progressive policies to allow our people to decide. That is what the ULP is offering, a clear progressive development policy, and a qualified group of fifteen gifted candidates to carry out this plan, for the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

NOW IS THE TIME for the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) plan to create jobs, bring in new investment, and create opportunities for our young people so they can get ahead here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

One of the key points in our plan is to grow and support our fishing and agricultural sectors. It is important because it is a big part of our economy, and we have many skilled farmers and fisherfolk who have been let down.

The Unity Labour Party (ULP) has no vision for our farmers. Do you know that we have not had an agricultural census in over 20 years?

This means they cannot even take stock of where our farmers are, what they are growing, how they can help them to improve their yields, or even what land is available. It is wilful blindness!

The ULP also expects farmers to be all things: to plant their crops and raise their animals; to tend and care for them; to harvest, transport, market and sell them. In 2015, they promised to implement a Banana Production Plan. They promised to implement legislation to improve the situation of praedial larceny and to strengthen the penalties for persons caught stealing agricultural produce.

Neither of these have been delivered.

The ULP complacency stops our green and blue economy from growing and creating jobs for our people. They have taken our agriculture and fisheries for granted and failed time and time again, to deliver on their promises to support these crucial industries.

Plan for our farmers and fisherfolk We in the NDP know the central role of agriculture and fishing to the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its contribution to the livelihood and well-being of Vincentians throughout successive generations. We need to nurture these vital industries to unleash potential, grow our economy and create jobs.

That’s why as part of our plan, we will help our farmers and fisherfolk with the financing of new equipment they need to succeed. We won’t dictate to them that you need this or that. We will work with them through our Development Bank as partners in their enterprises, to help them get ahead. This means if you are a fisherman who needs a better boat, so you can go out to catch tuna or other high value fish, we have a plan to help you.

You only have to look to our neighbours in Grenada to see how this can provide real income and create real jobs for our people. And it does not just mean jobs for our fisherfolk or on the deck: it means jobs in processing the fish; in marketing and transporting them; in repairing and maintaining the boats in the fleet. It means more money in our local businesses. All it takes is the will and the investment to make it happen, and that is what we will do.

For our farmers, it means new equipment that is suitable for our

steep hills. That can help you to prepare your fields and harvest your crops or transport your stock. That increases your efficacy and reduces the amount of manual labour. How can we expect our young people to join these industries if we are not up to the cutting edge of technology and cutting down on the work in the hot sun where we can?

We also will help our farmers to get better prices with organic farming to enable St. Vincent and the Grenadines to become synonymous with healthy farming practices. Do you know that the US Department of Agriculture research shows that the price premium for processed organic products ranges from 22 percent to 54 percent? I want to see our famers getting the best possible prices, and this is just one way we plan to help.

We will also re-introduce marketing boards so our farmers can be farmers.

Some of you will not remember when we had proper marketing boards under the NDP, so that our farmers could be farmers — focussing on what they do so well. We will bring them back. It means that marketing your produce, getting the best possible price, and transport is taken care of.

And, in a co-operative model, it can ensure that our farmers keep more of the proceeds — meaning money in their pockets.

Our plan will also re-introduce an enhanced agricultural and manufacturing exhibition. This is something that you see all over the world in the great farming nations.

We can all learn from each other to improve what we are doing and see what is available on the cutting edge.

There has been a ‘willy nilly’ approach from the government that sees them take lands from farmers for purposes other than agriculture, and we will address this as a matter of urgency. Many available crown lands that have been left abandoned must be documented and made available to persons interested in agriculture.

Our plan means that agricultural lands will be made available to farmers through the Land Reform Programme. We will designate areas for small ruminants (goat, sheep and pigs) production and some for root crops to generate national food security.

We will create a land bank with landowners locally and abroad of unutilized and under-utilized lands, to bring them into productive use, while respecting the rights of property owners. The NDP will also complete its work on land reform in the Mt. Bentick, Langley Park and Orange Hill areas by making it possible for all who occupy farmlands to be given the opportunity to obtain titles to their lands.

A process to grant titles to farmers will give them certainty over their future, aid in giving them more collateral to invest in their enterprise going forward. We must create jobs in this country. We must create opportunity. We must get St. Vincent and the Grenadines working.

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“Remember, action today can prevent a crisis tomorrow.” Steve Shallenberger, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders MANY OF TODAY’S BUSINESS LEADERS are seeking to recruit staff members who are considered proactive and innovative.

This is considered an imperative as competition among firms become more intense. Such staff members tend to pursue their assignments with passion.

They are committed to constantly improving their performance. It is also encouraging to observe the many firms that are investing in training employees for improved attitudes (and not limiting training to the development of skills).

They know that the firms that embrace and encourage positive attitudes and exceptional customer care will be the ones that excel in the market place.

Some years ago, I was sharing some insights on leadership and management with a group of regional managers and supervisors. The participants were senior members of staff in the public sector, the private sector, and nongovernment organisations. Several had expressed the view that they were dissatisfied with the “poor attitude” of their direct reports and junior staff.

The representatives from government departments were especially vocal about their inability to encourage positive changes in the workforce. Some commented that the managers in the public sector, unlike those in the private sector, could not influence positive change in their respective departments.

They provided a host or reasons why this was so. However, I disagreed. I challenged them to be instruments of positive change and to intercept with intent. As a people, and as leaders, we need to resist the temptation to be observers and complainers in the game of life. We are irresponsible when we limit ourselves to merely being spectators. We can influence positive changes in the workplace. However, we must plan for those changes. They will not happen by default.

It is often amazing how speedily some positive changes can occur when we plan them well. Negative situations that may initially appear to be unchangeable readily vaporise when we commit to analysing the causal factors and proceed to implement corrective action. For example, many managers and leaders are aware that the time and effort spent conversing with (and listening to) their members of staff will provide a clearer indication of their attitudes, values, aspirations, and so on.

Knowing their interests (and their prejudices) can often put the senior staff in a much better position of creating opportunities for their employees to feel more fulfilled on the job. It is truly amazing how much more proactive individuals can be when they are directed to work in areas that ignite their passion and/or when they conclude that their managers really care. Having those conversations provide ample opportunities for us to intercept with intent.

Many persons in our homes, schools, workplaces, and churches will occasionally be exposed to traumatic situations. We sometimes observe their struggles (even though we may not know the cause). It takes maturity and a deep love for humanity for us to be vulnerable enough to show that we care.

It becomes too easy for us to conclude that “it is none of our business”. We sometimes hold back because we

assume that they are likely to misunderstand our expressions of concern. The suggestion here is not to encourage probing or, as the old people would say, “poking your nose in other person’s business”. But it really does not take much from us to indicate that we observe the struggle and are confident that they can make it through. That kind of intercepting with intent can go a long way towards igniting the winning attitude and the survival instinct in the hearer. We all need that encouragement from time to time.

There are so many individuals (including children) that cross our paths on a regular basis who can benefit from our encouragement and/or support.

Words of encouragement can be like winds beneath their wings. Sometimes we need to go beyond words to provide material support at a crucial time. We should not only observe their struggles but seek opportunities to be a brace, a harness, or a means of support as they go through their particular struggle.

We, you and I, are called to be instruments of positive change. We are summoned to the frontline of the battle against rejection, discrimination, hunger, poverty, and so on. We are commissioned to intercept with intent — to take action today that will redirect someone who may otherwise head down a spiralling road to catastrophe and pain.

One person, with a commitment to intercepting with intent, can change the life of another. That individual could then influence an entire community and beyond. History records that the music professor Peter Davis regularly volunteered his service at a reform school. He went out of his way and sacrificed his time to provide musical training to a group of boys who would otherwise not be able to afford his classes. There was a young boy there who had been abandoned by his father as an infant. His early life was filled with want and pain. He was admitted to the reform school when he was 12 years-old. Professor Davis introduced him to music and he soon excelled on the cornet (a brass instrument similar to the trumpet). Today, many recognize this outstanding musician for his smiling face, raspy voice, and his skilful trumpet playing. This boy grew up to be the world-famous Louis Armstrong.

He received a new lease on life because someone cared enough to intercept with intent.

We can share many other examples of individuals whose lives were turned around because someone cared enough to share their talents and their time.

We have been blessed in so many ways.

Sometimes all it takes is a little time and effort to be proactive enough to reach out to touch another’s life through a donation, a word or encouragement, a gentle reminder that they are winners; that they have so much potential. We will never truly be able to measure the sense of accomplishment and self-worth we experience when we pause to make this world a better place by lending a helping hand or sharing an encouraging word; as we intercept with intent.

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

Gonsalves, the Vote Catcher ORANDO BREWSTER says God led him to medicine and God is leading him from medicine to politics. Most Vincentians will affirm that God will never mislead anyone. Therefore, Brewster is either misleading himself or he is being horribly misled by the ULP leadership, and all those who pass negative aspersions on anyone who questions his wrongheaded decision to enter politics at this time.

Orando Brewster is the ULP candidate for the constituency of Central Leeward. Brewster, a 33year-old resident of Layou, recently completed the classwork necessary for his medical diploma. He has not fulfilled his 2-year residency requirement and certification necessary for him to practise medicine.

As he celebrated his achievement and ULP supporters applauded his candidacy, some of Brewster’s classmates took to radio and social media questioning his claim that he has fulfilled the requirements for graduation. Some students affirmed that Brewster was not in class for the most recent set of exams. However, Brewster claimed that he took the final requirements online and was successful.

When the ULP got into power in 2001, Brewster was a 13-year-old child. His entire life has been touched if not shaped in one way or the other

by Ralph Gonsalves, Sir Louis Straker and the governing party. Brewster has been involved in ULP youth work for years. He is one of the party’s rising stars.

The big question is whether his time is now? The question does not speak to his electability. He is running for the governing party which has the power of incumbency. His chance of victory is good but he has a fight on his hand.

Most people may not know this, but in most academic fields, credentials are time-sensitive. If you fail to do what you need to do to qualify within a certain time, all your previous work would count for nought. If you are still interested after that time elapse, you will have to start over. PM Gonsalves, a former university lecturer, and the rest of the party leadership must know of these most basic facts.

Why would Julian Francis, Brewster’s political uncle, refrain from using his political muscle to dissuade Orando from taking on this task at this time?

Why would Sir Louis Straker, Brewster’s mentor and political grandpa, refuse to do everything in his powers to persuade the young political aspirant against making this decision?

Camillo Gonsalves, heir apparent to the party leadership, why did you not use your emerging star power to plant an earworm into the heads of Daddy Ralph, Uncle Julian and Sir Louis, so that they would tell Brewster his time will come?

Most importantly, why would Orando’s political father refuse to sit him down and tell him ‘not so fast youngster; you have a bright political future ahead of you. Hold on just a little longer. Take your time and complete your studies. Begin a career in medicine?’

The reason can be found in the fact

that the ULP is a powerful votecatching juggernaut. Its leaders are driven by one motive that is to get into power and remain in power.

Everything else is secondary.

Clearly, the party serves itself well by offering Brewster as a candidate.

He comes from the bosom of the people in Layou; a young man who made good on his academic promise, was a good athlete, a teacher and a man of the religious cloth.

Many citizens may say that Brewster is a big man who has free will and can make his own choices. Of course he can. But ideas and choices don’t just fall out of the sky. They are embedded in our consciousness by those around us. And even if he was headstrong and remained convinced that this was his calling and the call is now, the role of leaders is to nurture, guide and lead.

Deputy Leader Straker, Party General Secretary Julian Francis and leader Gonsalves should have lectured and mentored Brewster against taking on the responsibility at this time. By allowing him and possibly encouraging him to cut short his studies to run for the ULP, these men did not only fail the test of leadership, they also failed the youth of our country.

As a qualified, practising physician, Brewster has a contribution to make to his family, his people and the country. To allow him to cut short his studies to enter politics, the ULP is demonstrating that it is more concerned about its political fortunes than about the welfare of a young man and his family.

The erudite Emmanuel Quashie, a PhD candidate and strong supporter of the ULP, was being goaded by some to enter competitive electoral politics for the 2020 elections. He correctly answered that his primary consideration is to complete his studies.

But this is the silly season of electioneering and voting. Brewster’s candidacy is clear proof that the ULP is willing and ready to go through hell or high water to win for the 5th consecutive time. There is no legal transgression in the party’s decision to woe and win Brewster as one of its candidates. However, the morals and ethics of the decision present some challenges.

The party may win but Brewster will be the loser. If he were to win and become an elected parliamentarian, he will not be able to finish his studies to become a doctor. If he wins and ends up on the opposition benches, he cannot practise medicine because he has not yet fulfilled the residency requirement.

If you want to get a seat of the pants, a feel for why this decision by Orando Brewster is wrong, here’s a simple Yes or No test. Do you think Ralph Gonsalves would have allowed/encouraged any of his children, similarly situated as Orando Brewster, to contest the 2020 general election?

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

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Vote Green to make the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan pay tax THE MUSTIQUE ACT NO 48 OF 2002 is financially foolish. The Act grants the super-rich foreigners of Mustique blanket tax and customs duty exemptions. This chokes off hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue in tax and customs duty from the SVG economy and treasury. This is totally unacceptable and bad for our economy.

The next election is a great opportunity to make the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan pay their fair share of tax. Both the ULP and NDP regimes are happy to allow them not to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in tax. It is only SVG Green Party that is brave enough to make the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan pay their fair share of tax.

At the next election, vote SVG Green Party to make the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan pay their fair share of tax. This is very important for our economy and country.

The argument that Mustique is good for employment is false. It is conservatively estimated that for every $3 million in employment that is created, about $100 million of revenue is lost ***, because the super-rich of Mustique get blanket tax and customs duty exemptions. Let us not forget that some of the properties rented out

on Mustique are priced at over EC$135,000 per week.

The Mustique Act means that, super-rich foreigners of Mustique can import anything they like and pay no tax, yet Vincentians must pay tax when they turn on the light, and they must pay tax when they turn on the tap for water. This disparity is blatantly discriminatory and immoral and perpetuates poverty and unemployment.

It is unfair that the Mustique Act allows the super-rich foreigners of Mustique to get away with not paying hundreds of millions of dollars in tax and customs duty, while our children go hungry; while our children live in households without mains water and electricity; and while our children fail to get an education, because their family cannot afford books, uniforms and fees.

The Mustique Act creates a modernday apartheid system in SVG, favouring the predominantly white foreigners of Mustique over the predominately black Vincentian people. This new colonialism is bad for our country and a Green government would abolish the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002.

The Mustique Act promotes

preschool to university, set up a renewable energy industry to reduce segregation. The indigenous black electricity prices and provide free workers are forced to live apart from wireless internet. the super-rich. Segregation is not the Vote Green Party to make the way forward for our country. super-rich of Mustique and Canouan Apartheid was overcome in South pay tax.

Africa. It will not be tolerated in SVG. According to Warrant Officer Ivan A Green government would abolish Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002. This Leader of SVG Green Party, these will bring the SVG Treasury hundreds super-rich should pay tax and customs of millions of dollars of revenue. We duty or pack their bags and go back to will use this revenue to build factories, where they came from. create thousands of new jobs, create a *** THE VINCENTIAN could not strong economy, set up a tuna fishing verify these figures, and because the and canning industry, build a science Green Party did not quote a source, we and technology university, provide urge readers to take the reference free, high-quality education from made with a pinch of salt.

Local Government better by far not bitter by far

by ANTHONY STEWART, PhD RONNIE CLOUDEN and Nathan Daniel functioned as Forest Rangers in Union Island, dating back to the days of George V1.

Together they managed the forests and watershed areas. Illiterate as they were did not inhibit them from accomplishing their tasks. They guarded the forest jealously; a tree could not be cut down without permission. The local public water sources of ponds and wells were well maintained. Washing and bathing were prohibited around them.

In those days we had local government. The District Officer, who lived in the Big House in Clifton, managed the affairs of the island together with the District Council.

Apparently, it was recognized that management from overseas was difficult if not impossible.

Moving from Colonial Governance should not have meant that the management system would have become ‘bitter by far’.

It is ironic that the modern-day political systems have dismantled the traditional local government structure, though a reintroduction was promised some 20 years ago. They remind us of a bellyful dog preventing hungry dogs from getting something to eat. This seems to suggest that neglect is not by chance but by choice.

If we had local government, the Teachers House at Badeau would have been repaired; the police living quarters opposite the morgue and in Papaland would not be left to deteriorate; the Ashton Government School building would have been adequately maintained; the guttering spilling water unto the Union Island School auditorium would be fixed together with the stand-by generator there.

The consequences of what is being done to us are grave. Stray animals roam the island at will; some even attend the primary and secondary schools daily. When the local people organized to bring the island under

Union Island in the 21st century. control, action of the authorities restored the communities back to chaos.

The average food bill on Union Island is astronomical, so when ordinary people desist from growing crops to feed themselves because of animals on the loose, it gives the impression that POVERTY is an official policy.

There is no doubt that the island has regressed since colonial days.

Small showers cause top soil to be washed into the streets and eventually into the sea, with dire consequences for our coral reefs and sea moss farmers.

When Union Island was surveyed around 1910, residents were given the opportunity to purchase small parcels of land in the towns and villages and large parcels outside of those areas.

This meant that the people had means of survival living from the land. The lands were to be handed down from one generation to the next. However, in recent times, ‘Heirs of Law’ living overseas have been selling out the lands creating to some extent, a level of hardship among local family members. Union Island is unique in that almost all the lands are privately owned.

Selling the lands is like killing the goose that laid the golden egg. This resulted in less care given to the lands, and the demise of many fruit trees that graced the forests. This was not the intention of our fore parents, and those of us with any remaining inheritance need to be mindful of the legacy left by Nathan Daniel and Ronnie Clouden: A legacy of sustainable development and land conservation and healthful living off the land.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 13.

Industry

INVEST SVG and partners host Music/Arts Festival SEVERAL MEMBERS of the music and arts industries and small business owners had the opportunity to reach a wider audience last weekend, having taken part in a mini festival organized by Invest SVG, Café Soleil and Rodney Small Productions.

‘Boardwalk Rhythms’, which took place on Saturday, August 29 at Café Soleil in Ratho Mill, is intended to be a recurring event that fosters the growth and development of youth, culture and

small business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Pleased with the turnout of the inaugural event [AM1], Invest SVG Executive Director Annette Mark dubbed the festival “a success,” adding, “The Vincentian public was very supportive of our young and emerging artistes — they came out in all the rain to offer their support!”

She committed Invest SVG to “continue to champion and assist our local talent to grow and develop. The broadening of the cultural sectors falls under our mandate as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Investment Promotion agency, and we take this very seriously.”

The artistes who The product line of ‘Ernos’ on display.

Patrons take in one of the live acts. performed at ‘Boardwalk Rhythms’ were Kyron Westfield, Jordan Hamlett, Saeed Bowman and Krystian Mark, who were all backed by Rodney Small and the R.S Band — with a special performance by Rodney Small himself.

There were also six exhibitors on display: Alitha Gibson (Lacoda Bath and Sparkles); Manyi Florence Fotabong (AfroVincy Chips); painter/artist Donnie Collins; Ernie Harris (Ernos); Dwight Hillocks (Tus-T Water) and Jerry Simpson (Grenadine Wild Sea Salt).

Lacoda Bath and Sparkles displayed a wide range of their products.

Invest SVG’s Executive Director also expressed her hope to see an even bigger turnout at the next event — which is being planned for October.

(Source: Invest SVG)

V „Stay with the art form!‰ 14. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Arts

Starlift graduates proudly display their certificates.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER at last Saturday’s Graduation Ceremony of the Starlift Steel Orchestra’s Summer Programme - Krystal Jacobs, has appealed to the twenty-four graduates to stick with the art form.

Jacobs, who is a member of Starlift’s Junior and Senior orchestras, informed the graduates that while they may be excited with their new found musical skills, there will be rough

times.

“You may occasionally get frustrated with a challenging run or phrase, (but) once you keep practicing, you would overcome that challenge,” Jacobs told

the graduates, as she spoke from behind her tenor pan.

Not shying away from saying aloud what she thought of the Starlift Steel Orchestra, Jacobs told the new group of pan players that they had made the best choice.

“I would like to take this moment to encourage the 2020 graduands who chose this beautiful art form of steel pan, that you could not have picked a better steel orchestra to begin or continue your steel pan career with….The Starlift Steel Orchestra is like a second family, and this panyard is like a second home,” Jacobs asserted.

And in welcoming the ‘newbies’, she said, “I have no doubt that this family of which you are now a part, will also help you to grow as individuals and develop skills that would be an asset in the other aspects of your lives… I hope you

grow to love pan as much as I do... I wish you all the best, and with that, I now officially welcome you all into the Starlift Steel Orchestra”.

The Ceremony also heard remarks by: Starlift’s CaptainRoddy Dowers; President of the Youlou Pan Movement- Rodney Small; Area Representative for Central KingstownKeynote Speaker, Krystal Hon. St Clair Leacock; Jacobs spoke fittingly Minister of Tourism, from behind a tenor pan.

Sports and CultureHon. Cecil Mc Kie, and Roberts said that he is former Minister of eagerly looking forward Culture, Miss Rene to next year’s training as Baptiste. it will mark the fortieth The twenty-four anniversary of the graduates were involved annual programme, in a five-week training which started in 1981. programme under the Apart from receiving tutelage of Cultural their certificates, the Ambassador Kingsley graduates were given an ‘Hero’ Roberts, who noted opportunity to showcase that numbers were their skills with two smaller this year because renditions: ‘Winner takes of the protocols it all’ and a musical associated with the overture (instrumental) coronavirus. from a movie.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 15.

Arts

Pan training spreads far and wide

THE 2020 SION HILL EUPHONIUM Steel Orchestra Summer Training Programme has seen the widest geographic spread since its inception in 1995.

When the roll call was made for this year’s cohort which numbered thirty-five, included were participants from Layou, Biabou, Enhams, Edinboro and Green Hill.

This reach of the programme, was welcomed by Chair of the Sion Hill Steel Orchestra- Warren Knights.

“We have built a reputation for offering a good quality product… Our Sion Hill Euphonium brand is well known throughout the country, and parents are satisfied with the benefit to be derived from registering their children in our Summer Programme,” Knights told THE VINCENTIAN. “We are pleased that we are contributing positively to

society by helping with the development of our nation’s youth,” he added.

He noted that there was an extra effort aimed at recruiting Chair of the members of Sion Hill the Sion Hill Junior Netball Euphonium Steel Team, who Orchestra – were inactive Warren following the Knights.

COVID-19 induced suspension of the 2020 BOSVG/ FLOW National Club Tournament.

Looking ahead, Knights told the gathering the Graduation Ceremony held last Sunday at the Sion Hill Village hard Court, “Next year, God spare life, the Sion Hill Euphonium

Most Disciplined traineeJulian Browne (right), with trainer Mikalla Knights.

Steel Orchestra will be celebrating forty years of existence, and we are planning to celebrate in a big way…

Rest assured, you will be updated in due course of our celebration plans.”

Parliamentary Representative of East Kingstown- Hon. Arnhim Eustace; Minister of Tourism,

Graduates of the 2020 Sion Hill Euphonium Summer Programme rendering ‘Roar’ at last Sunday’s Ceremony.

Sports and Culture- Hon. Cecil Mc Kie; and Minister of Health , Wellness and the Environment- Hon. Luke Browne, all thanked and encouraged the parents to support their children in learning to play the pan.

Trainers for this year’s progamme were Mikalla Knights, Shawn Carrington and Tillal Webb.

And special awards were

handed out as follows: Julian Browne - Most Disciplined Award; Cornel London - Most Improved Player Award; and Machalie Hazelwood and Diane Toney - joint Outstanding Trainees.

The ceremony was entertained by the trainers who rendered three numbers: ‘Buried Alive;, ‘Roar’ and ‘Workey- Workey’.

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16. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

People

Dr. Jacqueline JamesLyttle creates history

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY (USCGA) says that Vincentian national Dr. Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ JamesLyttle will be inducted, along with five other new members, into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 7, 2021 during the academy’s Hall of Fame Banquet.

She is the first Vincentian to be so honoured.

“This is a remarkable slate of inductees from top to bottom, and their athletic accomplishments resonate on a national level,” said Dr. Dan Rose, USCGA Director of Athletics.

USCGA said that Chateaubelairborn Dr. James-Lyttle was a two-time All-American on the track, earning the honor during the indoor season in 1999 in the 100 meters, before placing second in the 55 meters during the 2000 indoor season.

She holds the school record in the 100 meters outdoors (12.22) and previously held Coast Guard Academy records in the 55, 100 and 200 meters.

The Coast Guard Academy said James-Lyttle was a school record holder in two relays when she graduated, and was the 2000 New England 100-meter champion.

She also won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Award for scholarship and athletic prowess.

Awards and Honours When James-Lyttle arrived at the

academy for “swab summer” in 1996 from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as an international cadet, little was known about her. In her 4-year stay, she would come out for track and during her collegiate athletic career, she won numerous track and field awards and honours.

She was awarded the Women’s Auxiliary Fleet Award for greatest impact on varsity athletics by a female cadet at the Coast Guard Academy; the Eastern College Athletic Conference Award for scholarship and athletic prowess; the United States Coast Guard Academy Coaches Award for outstanding contributions in women’s indoor track; the United States Coast Guard Academy Athletic Association Monogram Award for outstanding participation in women’s outdoor track; and All American in Track and Field in both 1999 and 2000.

This list of awards is rarely collected by a single athlete, Dr. Rose stressed.

Academic excellence In addition to her outstanding student athletic career, Dr. JamesLyttle excelled academically.

She was an outstanding civil engineering student and, in 2000, was the first Black female engineering graduate from the USCGA, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Summa Cum Laude).

In furtherance of her education,

James-Lyttle moved on to the University of Miami where she received her Master of Science in Architectural Engineering, and a Ph. D. in Civil and Architectural engineering from the same university.

During her time at the University of Miami, James-Lyttle was honored with the title Featured Graduate in 2005 for her contributions to ‘Novel Work on Sustainability’.

From 2005-2006, Dr. James-Lyttle returned to USCGA on the Booz- Allen Hamilton, Visiting Faculty Fellowship and taught as a visiting professor in the Civil Engineering Section, Rose said.

While there, she also volunteered as an assistant track and field coach.

When her fellowship ended, she returned to Miami, where she began her lucrative professional practice and blossomed as an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurial accomplishments In 2007, Dr. James-Lyttle founded IMARA Engineering Consulting, and currently practices in South Florida.

In that same year, she started comanaging her husband’s, Kevin Lyttle, musical career and co-founded, with him, Tarakon Records. Lyttle is a Vincentian-born multi-platinumselling, international soca artist.

In addition, she founder and is coowner of: KidsVille, a unique indoor playground, babysitting and tutoring concept being developed to be offered at malls in the US; Chill’n Restaurant in St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

Dr. Jacqueline James-Lyttle from naval academy recruit, to top track athlete, to engineer, to successful business woman and climbing higher.

Imara Engineering; Universal EME; and Global 27 LLC, a development company aimed at responsible community development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

She is currently designing a massive, premiere entertainment complex in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Honours and recognition continue to pour in for James-Lyttle: 2011 honored as a trailblazer by the Miami Commission on the Status of Women; 2012 — recognised as one of the women who have made outstanding contributions to the University of Miami community; 2014 — named one of Miami Dade County’s 25 most influential and prominent Black women in business and leadership; 2015 - presented with the Visionary Award by the Brooklyn, New Yorkbased, Vincentian philanthropic group, Vincy Cares, Inc; 2017 - honored by DDEA organization as a humanitarian for work done with the Janice Lyttle Foundation.

She also sits on the board of Recapturing the Vision and The Galleon Foundation.

Dr. James-Lyttle told THE VINCENTIAN on Monday that her induction in the USGCA Athletic Hall of Fame would be “quite an honor.

“I got involved in track and field because I was told that I was ‘fast’”, she said. “It became my ticket to acceptance into the academy on account of being good at the physical part of the Coast Guard Academy’s entrance exam.

“It, thereafter, became a part of who I am, because it provided me with the discipline, personal growth, leadership skills and confidence I needed to succeed at the academy and beyond,” she added. “I am so blessed.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 17.

News

SVGTU President calls out ISPs

Internet Service Providers (ISP) here have been called out as wanting the quality and extent of service they provide.

THE ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Teachers’ Union President has taken local Internet Service Providers (ISP) to task, calling their service “poor” and “unreliable.”

Oswald Robinson, last Tuesday, Sept. 01, while addressing some issues affecting the Teachers’ Union, spoke to the issue of teachers training in the use of the platforms to conduct virtual teaching.

Teachers were forced to conduct classes virtually following the closure of schools back in March due to the Covid19 pandemic.

And Robinson knocked the officials at the Ministry of Education for

but so many people are having problems with failing to provide proper reliable internet for the poor internet access,” he training for teachers in education sector?” said.

According to Robinson, this area — something he “It (service) is this was the reason why said was promised to teachers were not able to them. reach all students during “We reminded the the early stages of the ministry that it is not pandemic. only about COVID, but He did, however, we are in the height of stress that the Union the hurricane season,” was opposed to operating Robinson said. schools on a shift system, “They need to receive supporting instead, the the training required in order to execute this sort option of all students being able to access of teaching,” he remote instructions in continued.

But then, he said that their homes, from their teachers. it had been discovered “But without internet that there were IT labs at various schools across and compatible devices, this proved difficult. And the country but no I know that the internet internet. providers must come out “What are the suppliers doing? Are they for some licks — not just in the education sector, being paid to provide

Changes to the flow of traffic SCHOOL WILL REOPEN on Monday, September 7, 2020, and it is anticipated that there will be a heavy flow of traffic into Kingstown.

As a result, a number of changes will be implemented by the Traffic Department to ease the anticipated traffic congestion.

Superintendent Kenneth John, Head of the Traffic Department outlined that as of Friday, September 4, 2020:* motorists travelling into Kingstown via Richmond Hill public road can now do so by traversing the Mc Kie’s Hill public road (entering via the bridge at the Girls’ High School gap) between the hours of 6:30am — 11:30am and 1:30pm - 3:30pm, onto White Chapel road and exiting left or right in the vicinity of St. Vincent Building and Loan Association; * motorists exiting Kingstown between 11:30am -1:30pm and 3:30pm — 5:30pm will be able to utilize White Chapel road onto Mc Kies Hill public road, exiting at the bridge in the vicinity of Girls’ High School.

Further, as of Monday September 7, 2020, persons who are desirous of letting off their child(ren)/ward(s) at the Girls’ High School, will be permitted to stop their vehicles on the

left hand side of the road at Girls’ High School to do so, then proceed up Mc Kies Hill public road, then onto White Chapel road into Kingstown.

Additionally, parking immediately in front of the Kingstown Preparatory School will be prohibited; ‘keep clear’ and ‘no parking signs’ have been painted along the surface of the road in the area. However, motorists will be allowed to stop and let off students attending the Kingstown Preparatory School.

Parents and guardians wishing to let off their child(ren)/ward(s) at the C.W Prescod Primary School can do so by stopping in the vicinity of the Curriculum Unit or on the opposite side at Frenches Gate. It must be noted that parking on the right or northern side in the yard of the C.W Prescod Primary School is strictly prohibited.

Traffic Officers will be strategically positioned on the roads to ensure that the Traffic Regulations are adhered to and enforced.

Towards avoiding unnecessary encumbrances, the Traffic Department is soliciting the cooperation of parents and guardians, motorists, commuters and pedestrians in relation to these Traffic guidelines.

unreliable! And you need to do better or give it to somebody else.

“How could students and teachers do

research? We need to get it right at all levels,” Robinson said.

(DD)

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18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

KGS gets makeover Mrs. Thedica CommissiongJones, Principal, is eagerly awaiting the move into ‘new conditions’.

by DON DE RIGGS MRS. THEDICA COMMISSIONGJONES, Principal of the Kingstown Government School (KGS), aka Stoney Ground Primary School, is elated that her staff and students will be in virtually new conditions when the 2020/21 school year begins.

The ‘new conditions’ come, thanks to a $2.9 million project financed by the World Bank, under the Regional Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Programme.

The KGS is among a number of schools that are designated Emergency Shelters, but following an annual inspection around 2016, engineers assessed that the roof and other facilities were in dire need of repair, and as such the School was not suitable to serve as an Emergency Shelter.

The School ‘makeover’ was

included in a broader assistance response that also provided for refurbishment to a number of bridges and river defence works intending to make this country safer.

The school refurbishment project began on July 15, 2019 and was expected to be completed within 12 months. However, delays in the arrival of roofing materials occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic held back the project for close to two months.

The refurbishment of the school was undertaken in two phases.

Phase One saw the completion of the Senior Block and new toilet facilities, while Phase Two, which includes a cafeteria, store room, counselling room and Junior Block, should be realized in another two weeks, even as electrical fittings, painting and paving of the court (yard) is now nearing completion.

This project was undertaken by Franco Williams Engineering Services under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information and Labour.

Work continues apace on the courtyard of the KGS.

Gittens launches second book YVETTE GITTENS, Early Childhood Practitioner and Reading Coach, has added a second book to her library of published books.

The book, a collection of poems entitled ‘Use the Talents God has Given You’, is dedicated to the author’s mom, and was launched on Sunday 30th August, 2020, at a The cover of the book signing ceremony featuring the author Yvette held at Calvary Gittens and her mom Baptist Church in (inset).

Arnos Vale.

Among the poems included in the collection are: The Christian Walk, A Mother’s Love, Living for Jesus, The Greatness of God, and Prayer and Thankfulness.

In her address at the launch, Mrs. Gittens, inter alia, expressed the hope that each poem will bless someone’s heart to the glory of God, and she thanked the pastor and members of Calvary Baptist Church and friends for sharing the experience with her.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 19.

News

Four more SVBLA Scholarship awardees

JOSEL DASILVA AND OLIVIA PRESCOTT will attend the St. Vincent Girls’ High School, and Ky-mani Johnson and Sakeri Burnett the St. Vincent Grammar School when the new school year (2020/21) commences here next Monday.

And they will do so as St. Vincent Building and Loan Association (SVBLA) Scholarship recipients.

The four received their awards at a Ceremony held on Thursday August 27th, 2020 at the Association’s Headquarters, Kingstown.

Guest speaker at the Awards Ceremony, 2008 SVBLA Scholarship Holder Zinzi Horne — Geoscientist, encouraged the students to invest in their future by being focused, tackling their assignments in a timely manner, getting involved in extra-curricular activities.

She emphasized, “In everything you do, make excellence your goal.”

According to a release earlier this week, the

Lions with several of the recipients of school supplies.

Lions donate school supplies

L-R Back Row: SVBLA Director- Colin Bacchus, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer- Pethion Greene, Customer Service Manager- Ava Weekes and Insurance Manager- Sebastian Forde. L-R Front Row: Scholarship Awardees: Sakeri Burnett (SVGS), Josel Dasilva (GHS), Ky-mani Johnson (SVGS) and Olivia Prescott (GHS).

SVBLA, founded in 1941, has been offering scholarships to secondary and tertiary level institutions for well over 30 years.

At present, SVBLA has 19 scholarship holders at both the secondary and tertiary levels.

Through its scholarship programme, the Association continues to contribute to the lives

of youngsters and their families. The release went on to say that it is proud of its past and present scholarship holders, who have gone on to become professionals in a varied range of endeavours, and that it is pleased and humbled to be a part of nation building through the lives of its scholarship holders.

(Source: SVBLA)

Taxi Association driving education THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Taxi Drivers Association (SVGTDA) is helping with the education of their members’ children, even with the slow down in business as a result of the COVID crisis.

Three students - Sydelle Campbell, Samaya Duncan and Sanjay Cuffy, who begin their secondary education this school year, received assistance from the Association.

The three received their rewards last week Thursday during a ceremony held at the Association’s Office at the Cruise Ship Terminal, in capital city Kingstown.

Sydelle, as a student of the Windsor Primary School, placed 29th for girls and 40th overall in the 2020 CPEA. She will attend the Girls’ High School.

She is the daughter of Sidney Campbell.

Sanjay Cuffy of the St. Mary’s RC School (SMRCS) placed 35th for boys and 99th overall. Son of Rodman Cuffy, Sanjay will pursue his secondary education at the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Samaya Duncan, also of the SMRCS, placed 53rd for girls and 81st overall, and will move on to the Girls’ High School. Her father is Andy Duncan.

This is the first time that the Taxi

Beneficiaries of assistance from the Taxi Association (L-R): Sydelle Campbell, Sanjay Cuffy and Samaya Duncan.

Drivers Association is assisting their members’ children with their secondary education needs.

According to information received, it was an Executive decision to do so, and it is anticipated that this will become an annual affair.

Funds to assist the students were drawn from members’ subscriptions.

(WKA)

HONORING THEIR MANDATE “TO SERVE”, the members of the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG presented 20 less fortunate, deserving students with book bags filled with school supplies (books, stationery, etc.), on Tuesday, August 25th.

The handing over ceremony, held at the Lions Club Building, Kingstown, marked the ninth year that the Club

was making such a donation.

An added feature of this year’s ceremony was a presentation on COVID-19 by Ms. Shanika John, Health Promotion Specialist in the Ministry of Health.

Ms. John not only provided the students with the information needed for when they return to school, but also reached out to the parents who had accompanied the

recipients of the donations.

The Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG remains dedicated to developing the youth in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by providing them with the tools needed to help them reach their full potential, while lightening the load of parents in these uncertain times.

(Source: Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG)

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20. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Fun from both sides Dear George, HAVING bEEN HURT BY MEN drove me to mingling with members of the same sex but after several different hook ups, I decided to go ‘straight’ again.

As it turned out, I ended up seeing two men at the same time, but I make it clear to both that I was not ready for a serious relationship. Word got to me that the men had an altercation and it was because they’re both “serious” about me.

I met with each of them and told them to step back only to be told by one off them that if he couldn’t have me, he would kill; himself.

All of this happened after I went to a party and there were three girls there who almost got physical because of me. Each of them wanted to go home with me but I left with another girl instead.

George, I do not want to be tied down to anyone right now. I just want to have my fun from both sides of the fence. How do I get this message across?

Free as a birdie

Dear Free as a birdie, The decision that you are not ready to settle down with any one person should be respected. Your situation might be that you are leaving big clues that you are just might be preparing to do the opposite.

You need, therefore, to send that message, i.e. your decision, as clearly as possible to both sexes. You must not leave it open to any question.

As for that individual who is threatening suicide, he should be encouraged to get professional help.

Unfortunately you cannot control his actions but you can cut out any double messages.

Dating should be healthy but it can get unhealthy when you send wrong or confusing messages to your dates.

George

My wifeÊs inappropriateness she responding, “I don’t mind being eaten.”

As it is, I no longer I HAVE HAD to scold trust her around my my wife on three occasions about being too friends. But when I scolded her the last time, friendly with my male friends. She would know she asked what was wrong about other men they are coming to visit but would still not dress talking sexy to her. How appropriately and would can I fix this? sit very inappropriately Fed up husband in front of them.

Of late, when they Dear Fed up husband, visit, my friends have taken to speaking in First, you need to rather vulgar terms to start talking to your wife her, with one of them instead of scolding her. even referring to her as She’s an adult not a “good meat to eat”, and

Dear George,

child. Sit down with her and share your concerns.

Secondly, you may want to take a look at the type of friends you entertain at your home.

If you cannot trust your wife around your friends, then you cannot truly refer to them as friends.

A good place to begin to fix all of this is to treat your wife as best friend. In so doing you might find it much easier to address the other issues.

George

A dildo issue

Dear George,

I HAVE TOLD my wife many times that I do not want her to have dildos in my house! When she does that, she is telling me I am not enough for her. To make matters worse, all of the dildos are oversized!

I work 7 days a week and make enough money to give her everything that she needs. What am I missing here? Why is she doing the things that she knows would upset me?

Mad Dear Mad,

Ask yourself: Is your wife feeling sexually abandoned when you work 7 days a week? How much energy and time do you devote to her?

Answer these questions might get your answers to the dildo issue.

These answers can be confirmed or not by asking your wife in a civilised manner, instead of scolding her, about her use of the dildos and their sizes. Her answer(s) might be revealing and cause you to rethink certain things.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Uncertainty about your relationship is prevalent. You must try to help.

Partnerships will be successful. Old friends may not like your choices.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Get together with friends for some competitive physical activities. Your boss may be pushy. Stand up and propose your ideas, and you’ll be surprised how many people will follow you.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Don’t be afraid to make a move if you aren’t happy with your emotional situation. If you join intellectual or cultural groups, you should meet individuals who stimulate you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your ability to charm others will bring added popularity. Valuable information can be yours if you listen to those with experience. Don’t make promises that you can’t possibly keep.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with.

Think twice before you speak. You hard work and dedication will payoff, so stick to your guns and do your job well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Educational pursuits can bring interesting, helpful people. Go to the top if you’re being harassed or held back. Elders may need your help.

Uncertainties are still prevailing.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make changes to your domestic scene that will benefit all who reside there. Your efforts will be rewarded handsomely. Don’t let your personal dilemmas interfere with your goals.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You must be sure not to be frivolous, because as the saying goes, easy come, easy go. Try not to argue about trivial matters. You can pick up some overtime this week.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations. Do not make rash decisions about your personal life.

Older family members may try to put unreasonable demands on you.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) If you go shopping, only take what you can afford to part with. Don’t draw too much attention to yourself at work.

Social activities or travel should be in your plans.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Do your best, but don’t make too many promises or you may exhaust yourself.

Jealous coworkers may try to sabotage your attempts to get ahead. You don’t need to pay out in order to have fun.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Take time to catch up on overdue correspondence. Help elders with their concerns. Try not to skirt issues if you think you’ll hurt some one’s feelings.

ACROSS 1. Fashion craze 4. Daisy support 8. Summer retreat 12. Festive night 13. Ask earnestly 14. Cincinnati’s state 15. Sushi fish 16. Feedbag grains 17. Come ashore 18. Requiring great care 20. Browns (bread) 22. Decreases 24. Auto style 27. Strong anger 28. Move (a tail) 31. Astronaut Shepard 32. Sneaky 33. Naval station 34. Not well-lit 35. Hair preparation 36. Pop open 37. Surmised 39. Writing assignments 42. Elapses 46. The item there 47. Genesis name 49. A contraction 50. Ice-cream holder 51. Hardly narrow 52. Even up 53. Large pigs 54. Went quickly 55. Lawn tree DOWN 1. Yard divisions 2. Declare definitively 3. Bagel seller 4. Oral

5. Cafeteria platters 6. Enjoy pie or pizza 7. Unexplained event 8. Soda options 9. Delighted cries 10. After-dinner candy 11. Pea containers 19. Family group 21. Small bill 23. Window ledges 24. Mournful 25. Actor Wallach 26. River barrier 28. Juvenile card game 29. Braying beast 30. Obtain 32. Playground fixtures

33. Blossoms 35. Fellow 36. Glowed happily 37. Pasture entrances 38. Digging implement 39. Draw in acid

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 21.

40. “Beat it!”

41. Emulated Dolly Parton 43. Place 44. Nefarious 45. Appear (to be) 48. Chips accompaniment

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22. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Amidst the crisis and fear, a passport to the future

World Agriculture Day – September 9, 2020 Submitted by: MANUEL OTERO, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

pandemic. Despite the decline in global trade and the difficulties imposed by the virus, it has been able to increase its exports and to reaffirm its strategic role.

We are celebrating World Agriculture Day during one of the worst crises in memory. The pandemic IN MANY COUNTRIES, it has been the has created and will continue to create only sector that has continued to operate more poverty, inequality and social without interruption during the despair, and yet it has not halted

production or the supply of food.

During these past months, many Latin American nations have produced entire harvests that will feed the world and will keep the wheels churning in an activity that is vital for life. It is clear that this is not the time for complacency, but a time when we must insist that this sector that offers structural solutions for the most serious problems of human civilization should be accorded the greatest priority in public agendas.

Poverty, inequality, unemployment, food and nutritional insecurity, family disintegration, mass migration and environmental challenges: the resolution or mitigation of all these issues may have a common denominator. This Manuel Otero, Director General, ICCA common denominator is agriculture, which is an intrinsic aspect of economy; and the smart solutions to a disturbing reality. industrialization of our societies, based By its very nature, agriculture is on the use of biological resources, transformational and, along with which together have the potential to education, is the most efficient option convert rural territories into a vast to tackle structural poverty in rural green factory, producing food, areas. Moreover, coupled with bioenergy, biomaterial and probiotics. production processes or territorial Let us celebrate and recognize the development plans, reflected in value of agriculture. modern technical cooperation, it may The modern concept of agriculture also be seen as an effective social recognizes it as an activity that can policy. create opportunities more than any It is also an essential engine for other. It is, therefore, as it was development, due to its significant thousands of years ago, our surest interaction with science and its passport to a better future. intensive use of technology.

Furthermore, it enhances the position of Latin American nations in the global market, based on the region’s unparalleled wealth of natural resources, enriched by production and entrepreneurial capacities that we must perfect, by incorporating social, environmental and technological dimensions.

This dramatic period is also a THE ST. VINCENT AND THE fitting moment to once again GRENADINES Community College’s look to rural territories as areas Division of Arts, Sciences and General of opportunity and social Studies (SVGCC: DASGS) is offering an progress, which will call for Associate Degree in Business Management appropriate institutional on a part-time evening basis this upcoming structures, a new generation of 2020/2021 academic year. public policies for family Maxwell Fergus, Dean of the DASGS, farming and the facilitation of commented that the programme being access to digital technologies, to offered is of a very high quality which can allow all our farmers to increase later be used as part of students’ entry their output and boost their requirements for regional and international income. universities. It also provides a solid With its production linkages, theoretical and practical foundation for agriculture is the activity that aspiring business owners and professionals. can most rapidly guarantee The programme will span 2 ½ years and improved living conditions and includes courses such as Introduction to fuel the expansion of services Business, Small Business Management, related to education, justice, Fundamentals of Marketing, Business Law, telecommunications and Strategic Management, Communications infrastructure for rural and more. A full list of courses and inhabitants, in order to resolve additional information can be obtained the problems that lead to rural from the divisional office. flight and migration to urban Application deadline is Tuesday 15th centers.

September 2020.

These objectives are key Application forms may be obtained from aspects of the new technical the Division of Arts, Sciences & General cooperation agenda, which will Studies’ office at the Villa Campus or via also include the facilitation of email/phone request dasgsoffice@svgcc.vc, producers’ access to commercial 457-4503 ext 325. chains; the promotion of the bio-

New part-time course at SVGCC

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 23.

Hope International take football title GUARDIAN GENERAL HOPE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL CLUB has been crowned the Premier Division champions of the 2019/2020 St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation National Club Championships.

Hope International, which led the division from the get go, was installed officially as champions last Friday, when Jebelle stopped Hope International’s main rival- System Three.

System Three losing to Je Belle meant that Hope International’s 47 points, gained from 15 wins, two draws and two losses, was unassailable, with two matches still in hand.

It was a welcomed triumph for Hope International, which is celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year.

Taking the 2019/2020

title was first and foremost on the minds of the Hope International’s management.

Akin John, one of the lead administrators of the club, disclosed that they had set about rebuilding their brand.

“At the end of the 2018/2019 season, the coaches and managers of the club realised that some hard decisions had to be made in terms of the future direction both from the make-up of our team, the culture and from a technical perspective,” John informed.

“We were an ageing club, a number of older players who were in their mid to late 30s were still actively involved, and although we had a lot of young players, we realised that it was not sustainable in the long term,” John further

Hope International came out on top in the Premier Division National Club Championships 2020.

Akin John is pictured 2nd from left in the back row. explained.

He noted that among those who decided to give way were Dwayne Dennie and Paul Farrell, who moved immediately to take up positions on the Technical Staff of the club.

“As the season went on, we very early gained

the belief that once we were consistent that we would be able to bring the title, and this we did,” John commented.

He summed up the club’s performance as a “ total team effort … a lot of credit must go to the players; they did a great job, along with the

coaches Dwayne (Dennie) and Paul (Farrell), and our ever present Manager — Roddy Dowers, our club Secretary and other members of the Technical Staff.”

Apart from winning the title and pocketing the first place cash prize

of $ 20 000, Hope International has earned the right to be SVG’s representative at the 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield.

The Premier Division of the 2019/2020 National Club Championships closes officially this Sunday.

BESCO- Pastures counting losses HEAD MAN OF BESCOPASTURES, Raymond Trimmingham, is ruing the cancellation of the 2020 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield that was originally scheduled for later this month in Curacao.

Elaborating on the decision to cancel as predicated on the prevailing circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, CONCACAF’s Director of CompetitionsCarlos Fernandez said, “Given the development in the Caribbean over the last months, including the constantly updated travel guidance issued by countries, the uncertain accessibility into Curacao and discussions with the Curacao Football Federation, we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 CONCACAF Caribbean Shield.”

Whilst agreeing with the

decision to cancel the Shield, Trimmingham said that his club is worse off financially.

“I fully understand the circumstances, because with the virus and the likelihood of quarantine and so on, it was an expected decision, but it has left us in a bad financial position,” Trimmingham related.

He said that part of his club’s preparations involved the purchasing of training and playing kits.

“We have spent about $20,000 in uniforms. As you know, with that type of competition, players have to have two sets of uniform and in double, in case of blood or if they get torn while on the field,” Trimmingham revealed.

The long standing chief of BESCO- Pastures disclosed that they had already procured one hundred outfits

Raymond Trimmingham for the team.

Apart from the uniforms, Trimmingham said that other expenses were incurred.

“That was part of our preparation, and we had gone ahead and started to put things in place”, he added.

Trimmingham is hopeful that some assistance from the regional Football authorities will come their way in light of their expenditure.

BESCO- Pastures, winners of the Premier Division of the 2018/2019 St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation National Club Championships, earned the

BESCO- Pastures right to be this country’s representative.

The Shield’s hosting was originally set for April of this year, but the threats of the coronavirus pandemic caused a reset to September.

BESCO- Pastures was to have met SV Rincon of Bonaire and St Lucia’s Platinum in Group D. Three other groups were slated to be contested.

SV Vesta of Curacao, the Barbados Defence Force of Barbados, Club Franciscain of Martinique and South East of

Dominica, were the entrants in Group A; while SV Inter Moengo of Suriname, Metropolitan Football Club of Puerto Rico, FC Santiago de Cuba of Cuba, and Scholars International of the Cayman Islands, were placed in Group B. And, One Love of the British Virgin Islands, Liberta Blavkhawks of Antigua and Barbuda, SV Racing Club of Aruba, and Guadeloupe’s Amical Club D’ Etang Noir, were the participating clubs in Group C.

V Windwards cricket on good $$ footing 24. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Dr. Kishore Shallow was especially pleased that the revised constitution had easy passage.

WINDWARD ISLAND CRICKET administrators and affiliates received the good news that both the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and Windwards Cricket Inc. trading as Windwards Volcanoes – were on sound financial footing.

Word of this was relayed by the Board’s Treasurer, Vincentian Dougal James, who reported same during a virtual Annual General Meeting of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control on Saturday.

James confirmed that the two Windward entities were in the best financial state for at

least the last five (5) years, with savings in both accounts and no Accounts Payables.

The meeting, which was constitutionally due in May 2020, but which had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is said to have lasted all but five hours.

And in addition to receiving the Financial Statements for the entities as referenced, the Board adopted a proposed revised constitution as prepared by former Windwards Cricket Director - Saint Lucian Patrick Felix, and former West Indies Cricketer/Chairman of

Selectors - Vincentian cricket legend Michael Findlay.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that among the changes proposed in the revised constitution is a change of name from the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control to Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB); and a term limit of four consecutive two-year terms for the President.

The Meeting is said to have also agreed to prepare a WICB Strategic Plan for 20212012.

WICB’s President Dr. Kishore Shallow indicated that it was a

productive meeting.

“We had a fruitful meeting with some significant strides … none more important than the adoption of a revised constitution,” said Dr. Shallow.

He expressed “sincerest gratitude to Patrick Felix and Michael Findlay for conducting a prudent exercise to revise the constitution”, and commended his colleagues for being “forward-thinking with their positive reception to the proposed changes.”

CEO (Acting) and Director Dwain Gill said he was pleased with the

Dougal James, Treasurer of the WICB, delivered some heartarming ‘news’ as far as Windwards cricket’s financial situation was concerned. progress of WICB. “We have progressed well over the last year or so, with an established management structure and prudent financial management practices.

Accountability and excellence have been identified as priorities with our operations, even as we navigate through these COVID times.”

Joseph in WI Female Reserves HAVING BEGUN as a batter with local club J.G. Tigress, then moving up to represent SVG at the Under-19 and Senior levels, local female cricketer Japhina Joseph has moved a step further — she has been selected as a reserves in a West Indies Female team for a tour to England, for a T20 series

this month.

On receiving the news via telephone, Joseph was obviously excited.

She said, “I was thankful because I was waiting for that call a good while now.”

As far as what might have accounted for the recognition she has gained, the young lady said, “What I think

caught the selectors’ eyes was last year in the West Indies Invitational Under-19 Female Tournament. In a vicecaptain’s role for the Windward Islands team, I played extremely great throughout the tournament and finished one of the top five batters.”

Joseph, who boasts a

cricketing lineage includes her uncle former Windward Islands Captain Dawnley Joseph, told THE VINCENTIAN, “My goal is that, if I get the opportunity to represent the regional team, is to go out there and be an ambassador for my country… put my best foot forward and try to maintain spot in the

T20s bowl off this weekend AS FAR AS national cricket is concerned, attention turns this weekend to the commencement of the 2020 NLA/Neil Williams T20 Competition, and the Women’s T20 Competition.

Action bowls off in the two Competitions on Saturday.

In the Neil Williams Competition, Victors One will face Guardian General Saints from 2pm T20 cricket action returns to playing fields at Arnos Vale One, and Police One oppose North followed by North Windward Windward beginning at 2pm at against Strike Eagles from 2pm Park Hill, at the same venue. At Park Hill, In the Women’s contest, J.G. FLOW Radcliffe take on Pollard Tigress take on CJ MSDA Julius Investment North Windward Anthony Northern Girls at Combine from 10am, and Police Buccament, and United Survivors Two clash with CJ MSDA Julius clash with Radcliffe Girls.

Anthony Northern Stars at Sion On Sunday, in the Neil Hill also from 10am.

Williams Competition, Strike This year’s Neil Williams Eagles face Dominic Sutherland competition fields thirteen (13) Lloyd Lewis Memorial Cricket teams in two Groups. Group One Team at Stubbs from 10am, is comprised of: defending

across the state this weekend. champions FLOW Rivals, Victors One, Guardian General Saints, Police One, Strike Eagles, Vee Jay’s Roof Top & Bar North Windward, and Dominic Sutherland Lloyd Lewis Memorial Cricket Team.

Group Two has FLOW Radcliffe, Police Two, Keegan’s Bequia XI, CJ MSDA Julius Anthony Northern Stars, Victors Two, and Pollard Investment North Windward Combine.

team. I know I have to continue to train hard and be positive.”

Meanwhile, Joseph’s coachCleton Burnette is happy she is part of the West Indies set up and expects great things from her.

“Japhina is just 20 years old with great talent, and the Japhina Joseph has Cricket West Indies one foot in the Senior Board had their eyes on W. I. Cricket set up. her since the West Indies Under-19 Tournament says a lot so it’s for her last year. Her selection now to continue to work and keep ready for whatever opportunity comes by (including) the ICC Women World Cup. SVG has had female players on the West Indies before, so Joseph’s inclusion is another huge inspiration for young players coming through the system and will send a message that opportunity is there once you put in the work”.

Vincentians who have made their name at the West Indies level of Women’s cricket are: Cordel Jack, Geneille Greaves, Phernal Charles and Juliana Nero.

Cleton Burnette, Stories I.B.A.ALLEN Joseph’s coach.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 25.

Sports

Indian connection THERE IS SOMETHING about India and cricket. And any way one looks at it, the Indian influence is profound. The Trinbago Knight Riders has its base in India. After all, its parent company is the Kolkata Knight Riders.

It was through that outlet that one Pravim Tambe has been able to ply his trade in the Caribbean. He is a part of the Trinbago outfit, and his age and experience must be having some impact on the TKR squad. He was the first Indian to register with a regional outfit, even though a former India Under-19 player Sunny Sohail has made his presence felt. He registered however as a US national.

The Caribbean Premier League is winding to a climax. The guns will be aiming at the Trinbago Knight Riders, for there is the cliché about the head wearing the crown.

And one of the limelights of the TKR contingent is the very Tambe. He seems to defy all odds. Next October 9, Tambe will be 49, but given his performances, he seems likely to go on well past his 50th birthday.

Tambe gave reasons for his sustainability last Wednesday. He had figures of 1 for 12 from four overs. And that is a T/20 match. His bowling helped to restrict a hapless St. Kitts/Nevis Patriots 49 run short of the TKR target.

If you think that might have been a one-off performance, Tambe has proven his wicket-taking ability in T/10 match. He had the figures of 5 for 16.

Tambe started his career with the Rajasthan Royal in 2013. Born in 1971, if one thought that the wine had mellowed then, he is still proving his mettle. Tambe is in a squad which boasts the likes of Sunil Narine. But the franchise is afraid of drafting local youngsters alongside Tambe.

That might account for the confidence of Khary Pierre and Akeal Hosein.

The CPL continues to throw up its share of drama. As short a version as it might be, there is a length of drama in every appearance. Who would have thought a team could defend a total of 92 in a T/20 affair. But that’s what the St. Lucia Zouks achieved.

If one didn’t look at the details carefully, one might have thought it was Under 15 cricket. But the story unfolded in full glare of the international arena.

With the Barbados Tridents set to make 92 to win in 20 overs, one could imagine the misery when the Tridents fell short with all the overs finished.

They say lightning does not strike twice in the same place. The Tridents were at in two days later falling for the very target they failed to achieve. That time it was them batting first.

Any thought of pulling it off that time was put to nought as the Guyana Amazon Warriors cruised to 93 for 2 in 16.4 overs.

This tournament is far from over, and it only takes a minute for someone to change the agenda.

There is the worry that selection of the teams has been overwhelmed by a proliferation of foreign players. One would agree that there is the need for exposure of regional youngsters.

The appearance of a variety of international players had some flair to the spectacle, and the region may benefit in the long run.

National Cycling Championships staged

Zefal Bailey won both stages of the National Cycling LOCAL CYCLISTS scored valuable Championships. points, when the St Vincent and and Juveniles. the Grenadines Cycling Union Finishing first in the Elite hosted the 2020 National Cycling Category was Zefal Bailey. He Championships on 22nd and 23rd crossed the end line at the August.

Langley Park junction in a time 2 The first day of the Championships saw the 4.5 miles hours 52 minutes 46.93 seconds.

This, after cycling for 63.5 miles, Time Trial, from Arnos Vale to circuiting from the Gas Station in Stubbs.

Mount Young to Tourama, 6.5 Topping the Time Trial was times.

Zefal Bailey. He completed the Bailey had to fend off a strong distance in 10 minutes 30.06 challenge from Quammie who was seconds. Second to Bailey was clocked at 2 hours 53 minutes Albert Quammie- 10 minutes 29.40 seconds for his second place.

46.32 seconds, while Antonio Richardson was third in 3 hours Richards docked in third in 11 34 minutes 06.48 seconds. minutes 44.62 seconds.

Taking the Masters Category The second day saw the staging was Orel George in 2 hours 11 of the Road Race contested in minutes 18.44 seconds, ahead of three categories: Elite, Masters

Orel Georgewinner of the Masters’ Category.

Ronaldo Knights – winner of the Juveniles’ Category.

Peter Durrant — 2 hours 11 minutes 15.06 seconds.

The Masters did 4 laps of the course a total of 42 miles.

And in the Juvenile Category, Ronaldo Knights’ time of 38 minutes 13.90 seconds placed him first. He and second placed Omar Baptiste rode 11.7 miles, equivalent to one lap of the course.

The cyclists therefore gained points as the event was a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) sanctioned championships.

Table Tennis camps held in Bequia IN FULFILMENT of its mandate to spread the sport of table tennis throughout the country, the SVG Table Tennis Association partnered with the Vincy Table Tennis Foundation (VTTF) to stage a oneweek training Camp for young persons, in the northern Grenadine island of Bequia.

The Camp, dubbed the Vincy Table Tennis Foundation Summer Training Camp, was held last week and was coordinated by local Level 2 Coach - Rodney Caruth.

Caruth told THE VINCENTIAN, on completion of the camp last Friday, that he was happy to see and be encouraged by the interest shown by the young people who attended the camp.

“The camp was a learning experience for me as well as the children. I have been coaching for a few years but still learning. The children had fun yet learned a lot over the week of camp. We teach each other, so I think it was great,” Caruth said.

There were 12 (3 females, 9 males) participants, ages ranging from 10 to 17 years.

Caruth explained that the Camp focused specifically on footwork, accuracy and consistency, with training lasting 3 hours a day, and culminated with a friendly competition among the participants.

The Coach acknowledged the importance of training, and applauded the organizers of the Camp which, he said, “will only aid in the development of the kids going forward,” and called for more camps of this nature.

And as for the participants, who he said have been under his watch for some time now and have demonstrated a passion for the sport, he expects them to continue training towards becoming some of the best players in St

Participants in the Vincy Table Tennis Foundation Summer Training Camp held last week in Bequia.

Inset: Rodney Caruth, coach, was the Camp’s co-ordinator and chief facilitator.

Vincent and the Grenadines.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Anderson heads back to the USA VINCENTIAN Oalex Anderson has been given another shot to play professional Football in the USA when, last Monday, he was signed by the Richmond Kickers in the United Soccer League (USL).

Anderson, 24, who hails from Barrouallie, was previously a part of the Seattle Sounders set up in Major League Soccer (MLS).

A nippy forward, he caught the eyes of the Americans when he netted a splendid goal for St Vincent and the Grenadines versus the USA, in the World Cup Qualifiers in St Louis.

He joined the Sounders’ first Oalex Anderson (right) during a recent team in 2016, after a stint with the training session with the SVG Senior second team in the USL. Team at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Anderson’s MLS sojourn has seen him appearing fifteen times in the He has represented St Vincent and MLS and sixteen times in the USL. the Grenadines at the Under-17, A knee injury sustained in 2017 while with the Seattle Sounders, put Under-20, Under-23 and Senior levels. him out of contention for the better At the Senior level, he has made 24 part of two years. appearances and scored 13 goals, the He made a return last year, when last of which came against Nicaragua he represented St Vincent and the in a 1-1 drawn match Sin Nicaragua, Grenadines in the CONCACAF in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Nations League.

26. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2020. 27.

Classifieds

WINNIFRED PHILLIPS

URIAS EPHRAIM DOYLE

MICHAEL CAESAR Sunday, 30th August,2020 Maranatha S.D.A Church Block 2000 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

Sunday, 30th August 2020 at the residence of Phillips family, Langley Park, Georgetown Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Georgetown Cemetery

Sunday, 30th August, 2020 S.D.A Church Stubbs Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery,Stubbs HERBIE AGUSTUS AUDAIN

SAUNDRA AGATHA PETERS BROWNE

Sunday, 30th August, 2020 St Mary Spiritual Baptist Church Fountain Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Belair Cemetery

Saturday, 29th August, 2020 New Testament Church of God Belair Viewing: 12:00 noon Service: 1:00 p.m.

Interment: Belair Cemetery

CHARLES MC GREGOR SAMUEL a.k.a. Coconut or Johnny Wong St. Sullivan Anglican Church Stubbs Saturday, 29th August, 2020 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER

04, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.36

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

LEAKED LETTER? ‘NOT ME,’ SAYS DA SILVA

Kirk Da Silva has distanced himself from being involved in any way with the leaking of a purported letter of resignation of members of the NDP Constituency Council.

AN UNSIGNED letter making the rounds on social and conventional media was the subject of much discourse, as its contents purported that an undisclosed number of the New Democratic Party’s Marriaqua Constituency Division

executive members had tendered their “resignation…. with immediate effect.”

The latest scuttlebutt to surface on Thursday, September 3, reportedly on local radio, was that Kirk Da Silva, one of 3 other persons who vied to be the NDP’s area representative, had leaked the supposed mass resignation letter.

Dated August 27, 2020, the 2page document was addressed to the NDP’s president Dr. Godwin Friday and read in part, “….. we have lost all confidence in our party’s leadership. As a result, we are uneasy in continuing our work as members of the Marriaqua Constituency Division in such a toxic and biased environment.”

The letter provided a space for Berisford George, chairman, to affix his signature. And although it referenced ‘other executive members’, no proof as to who they were was shown.

Speaking with this reporter on Thursday 3rd September, Da Silva denied having any previous knowledge of the document. “People will make those assumptions; I am not a member of the Committee. Somebody actually WhatsApped me the letter,… I think I got it this morning.

“It was unsigned and so forth and I actually told somebody that I — in fact, the person asked if I thought it is genuine, I said ‘I think so’ but I don’t

know who all signed it. I haven’t seen the letter but I guess that’s politics,” he said.

According to Da Silva although he spoke, informally, to former chairman George, there has been no formal meetings of the Constituency Division since the ‘primary’ which selected him as their candidate of choice. He also said, “I heard — I was told that the Committee was planning to resign, by a member of the committee, I was told that they were planning to resign; but to say I — to know about the letter or to help draft it or to be there or to see it or to be copied, nah. That’s not so at all.”

In 2015, Da Silva offered his constituency stewardship services to the governing Unity Labour Party’s ticket and was rejected in place of St. Clair Jimmy Prince.

Having conceded to Bernard Wyllie’s candidacy, Da Silva on Thursday affirmed his support for the New Democratic Party. “I am a supporter of the New Democratic Party. I haven’t left the membership of the party.”

Meanwhile, NDP Public Relations Officer Lavern King described the development as a non-issue and said, “The Central Committee of the New Democratic Party — representing Members of Parliament, the Executive and membership — unanimously voted to endorse our candidates for the 2020 election. We do not comment on any internal matters leaked to the media.

“Our sole focus is on putting the

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

La Verne King, PRO of the NDP, described the development as a ‘nonissue’. best team forward to represent every constituency, win the next election and getting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines working. Our first, second and third priorities is job creation — as 46 percent of young people are not working and over 26 percent of Vincentians are employed.”

The recently resigned Beresford George was said to have been seen on the NDP’s latest constituency (Marriaqua) walk around with other members of the NDP team. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.