THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 05-02-21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

05, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.05

Budget?

Nothing new Page 5

AS WE GO TO PRESS, Thursday, we can report two significant ‘developments’ as they relate to the COVID-19.

One: This country has recorded its third death attributable to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Reports received indicate that the recent fatality was a 76-year-old female, who succumbed to complications associated with COVID19.

She died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) where she was admitted on January 31, with pre-existing health conditions.

Second: This country has crossed the one thousand (1000) mark as far as recorded cases of COVID-19 are concerned.

This was confirmed on Monday in a release by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), on behalf of the Health Services Subcommittee National Emergency Committee.

In fact, by Thursday morning, the figure for COVID-19 recorded cases, dating back to

March 11 when the first case was detected here, stood at one thousand and sixty-seven (1067), this after health officials confirmed eight (8) new COVID-19 cases from samples collected

between January 17th and February 2nd.

Among this total are nine hundred and eighteen (918) local cases. Seven hundred and twenty-six (726) cases remain active.

A NEMO release said

www.thevincentian.com

Budget 2021/ ULP Column Page 8

EC$1.50

Corruption Index Page 11

that reports on an additional 63 cases, a total of 338 persons have recovered.

Over the three-day period- Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd February, NEMO reported a total of 116

Remembering Capt. Mulzac Page 12

new COVID-19 cases: 51 on February 1st from samples collected between January 15 and January 31; 57 cases from samples for January 20 to February 1; and 8 cases from samples collected

King deported Page 24

between January 17 and February 2.

In summary, this country recorded its first case of COVID-19 on Mar. 11, 2020, its 100th case on Dec. 17, 2020, and its 1000th case on Feb 1.

‘CHANGE THE PROTOCOL,’ DR. FRIDAY APPEALS

by DAYLE DASILVA THE PRACTICE OF PERSONS who test positive for COVID-9 and are told to go home to quarantine without the assistance of any specialized arrangement needs to stop.

This call was made by Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday during his contribution to the debate of the Appropriation Bill, February 1.

Dr. Friday told the House of

Assembly that he had heard of stories of persons with no access to private transport who, after being tested positive for COVID-19 at district flu clinics, have been sent home to quarantine.

“They do not have anyone to call for a ride…and when they get on the van where there were only two persons, but then the van gets full — that is recklessness,” Friday asserted, saying in the same breath,

Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, (inset) has once again called for a time-limit closure of air (AIA pictured) and sea ports.

“There had to be a better solution.”

The government, according to the Opposition Leader, believed they can ride the pandemic out. This was not plausible.

It was with this in mind that he recommended that all air and sea ports be closed to non-

essential travel, with an exception in the case of returning nationals.

He suggested that this be implemented for 28 days initially “Let us get control of the disease in our communities,” Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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News 3

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 3.

AstraZeneca Vaccines heading to SVG A NUMBER OF CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES are expected to received thousands of vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and some Eastern Caribbean Countries who signed agreements with the COVAX Facility have been informed of the indicative allocation of COVID 19 vaccines.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to receive 45,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The vaccines are the first of the assigned doses to satisfy COVAX’s agreement with this country.

The COVAX facility has advised that vaccines will be delivered effective mid to late February with 357, 600 doses of

the AstraZeneca AZD1222 vaccine distributed among Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The main objective of this allocation is for countries to begin vaccinating their priority populations as quickly as possible.

The allocation was determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) panel of experts and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance of a public—private global health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries.t Minister of Health St Clair Prince hails the development as a significant boost in the

St. Vincent and the Grenadines was not spared a trail of business closures.

420 businesses closed The AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be in SVG by mid to late February. fight against the disease and the safety of the population, that complement the measures already in place in this country’s COVID-19 response.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache said that: “The allocation of 45,600 AstraZeneca COVID vaccines to SVG with 25% being available in the first quarter, is an extremely important

development in our battle to control the spread of COVID-19 in SVG and to return to some level of normalcy.

Studies find that the combined average across different dosing regimes for late-stage trials found the AstraZeneca vaccine was 70 per cent effective in protecting against symptomatic disease.

Pfizer’s preliminary results suggest the shots are 95 per cent effective.

Taiwan Embassy facilitates donation items included children and women clothes, shoes, school supplies, toys, eye goggles, face shields, mosquito repellent, and medical equipment, etc.

This marks the completion of a promised 3,000 boxes as promised

by SimplyHelp Foundation to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to the Taiwan Embassy in Kingstown, the donation is “the concrete practice of public-private collaboration, which upholds the spirit of ‘Taiwan can Help’. The Orando Brewster, Minister of Mobilisation, and Taiwanese collaboration between our two Ambassador H.E. Calvin Ho, are dwarfed by the 1000 and more peoples demonstrates the core boxes of gifts from SimplyHelp Foundation. value of the long-term ON BEHALF OF THE National Mobilisation. friendship between our two GOVERNMENT of the Republic As the two countries continue countries.” of China (Taiwan), the Embassy to share close relation, the The Embassy also Taiwan to of the Republic of China Embassy has collaborated with continue to help its diplomatic (Taiwan) in St. Vincent and the the SimplyHelp Foundation, a allies and like-minded countries Grenadines handed over a 40U.S.-registered non-profit foot container of donated goods organization, for five successive to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and to promote the from the SimplyHelp years, in assisting St. Vincent health and well-being of the Foundation, to the people and and the Grenadines. people of the global community. the government of Saint Vincent In all, some 1,089 boxes of (Source: Taiwan Embassy, and the Grenadines on February various items, valued at 1, 2021, through the Ministry of US$141,180, were donated. The Kingstown)

WHILE THERE HAS BEEN ONGOING REFERENCE to and speculation about the number of businesses here that have closed because of the economic/commercial downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, that figure has now been given some meaning.

Responding to a question tabled by Fitzgerald Bramble, Member of Parliament for East Kingstown, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves told a sitting of Parliament on Tuesday 29th January, that that figure was 420, representing a wide variety of sectors of the economy.

The closure of 420 businesses had accounted for 2,754 being displaced to the breadline, the Minister added.

The data as disclosed by the Finance Minister was, according to him, attributed to the National Insurance Services.

“There are other employees who have not been laid off but put on reduced time schedules, particularly in the hospitality sector – reduced hours and the like,” Gonsalves said, and assured that they were, like those who have been laid off, receiving compensation/support through various income support measures introduced by the Government.

‘Change the protocol,’ Dr. Friday appeals Yet, he noted, when Air Canada announced it was Friday said, and warned that, cancelling flights, the “We cannot be compounding government acknowledged the problem by having that as being a good thing. persons coming in every Repeating something he week.” had broached during his And in highlighting that contribution to the debate on testing has fallen behind and the 2021 Estimates of that people are complaining Revenue and Expenditure, about the long wait for and referencing that when he results, he asked, “Why first broached the suggestion compound the issue by he was ridiculed by Prime having more people coming Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves in?” and Minister of Finance Friday reminded the Camillo Gonsalves who said House that when the that the schools were Opposition made a similar designated as evacuation call in 2020, during the centres in the event of an initial onset of the explosive eruption of the La coronavirus, the government Soufriere, Friday called for rejected the suggestion and schools to be as mischaracterized it as a call isolation/quarantine centres, to lockdown “tight like a with appropriate renovation drum.” being put in place.

Continued from Front Page.

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4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Magistrate chides dishonest mother Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS THOUGH SHENEDON ISHA MATTHEWS had $200 in her purse, the 38-year-old business woman still saw it fit to steal household items from Massy Stores, Kingstown, on Friday, January 29.

“You had money on you, why not pay for them,” Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett told the woman, adding, “Yet they have people (who) will make a case for her and tell you she had a need.”

The Senior Magistrate comments came after fining the woman $500 to be paid by February 26 or six months in prison, and ordering her to pay compensation of $211.38 to the store.

Matthews, who was unrepresented, had pleaded guilty when she appeared before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday. She had entered the store around 7:10am on the date in question, pretending to be a customer, removed the items from the shelf, went to the cashier, paid for some of them, but walked past the cash desk and attempted to leave without paying for the others which she had placed in a bag. She was intercepted by the security guard and handed over to the police.

Matthews broke down in tears, as she begged the Court for leniency, saying, “I just don’t know how this happen.”

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett gave a 38-year-old lady a good ‘taking to’ before handing down his ruling.

Responding to questions from the Magistrate, Shenedon initially said she was unemployed, but later said that she sold clothes.

She said, she was originally from Georgetown, resided at Canouan for the past ten years. She is the mother of four children, ages 2, 11, 19 and 21.

The 2-year-old lives with her on Canouan while the 11-year-old lives with his father at Campden Park.

Matthews also told the Court that she has a boyfriend in Canouan who is a fisherman and father of the 2-yearold. She said she came to the mainland from Canouan by boat on January 28 and was planning to return the following day.

The Magistrate noted that the offence was committed about 7:10am on January 29.

“You planned this thing before you went into that store. You went into that store with this intention,” Burnett told the woman, adding, “I don’t understand why a mother of four

would want to embarrass and disgrace her family”.

He continued, “It is not a secret in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that cameras are all over this country. I don’t get you.

“Look what you have done; you have changed your life forever. By this act,

your name is going to go all over the world. The world is going to read about you, that you went into Massy Stores and stole items valued at $211.28,” Burnett lamented.

“I don’t know if I could blame the devil for this one,” he quipped.

Misunderstanding – no show MARCH 16 is the next Court date set for 41-year-old Belmont resident Fitzgerald Phillips, who is facing a charge of manslaughter.

Phillips was informed of this when he eventually showed up at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, after a bit of misunderstanding. He is charged with, by an unlawful act, causing the death of Belmont resident Jason Martin, 47.

Martin died after reportedly being chopped in the left leg during an altercation at Belmont on January 20.

When Phillips initially appeared before Magistrate Zoila Ellis-Browne at the Calliqua Magistrate’s Court last week Tuesday, he was granted $15,000 bail with two sureties.

The matter was then adjourned to Monday, February 1 and transferred to the Serious Offences Court.

However, when the matter was called at that Court on Monday, there

Fitzgerald Phillips eventually made an appearance at the Serious Offences Court.

was no show of the accused or his lawyer Jomo Thomas.

The Police Court Clerks told Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne that there seemed to be a misunderstanding as Phillips had returned to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court, instead of coming the Serious Offences Court.

Browne then indicated that March 16 was the next adjournment date.

Up to the Court’s adjournment neither Phillips nor his lawyer was present, but THE VINCENTIAN understands that the accused turned up later that morning, and was informed of the March 16 date when he will return to the Serious Offences Court.

Tough sentences for attacking students TWO YOUNG men of Arnos Vale were handed heavy sentences at the High Court on Wednesday.

Atilon Campbell and Marlon Chance received the sentences for having entered the apartment of two female American medical students during the night of March 2017, armed with guns and knives, and stole items, including laptops, demanded oral sex, and locked the women in a room before leaving.

The youngsters were part of a fourmember group, all masked, who had launched the attack.

Atilon Campbell was sentenced to 17 years in prison on each of two counts of aggravated burglars, 15 years each on two counts of possession of a firearm to aid in the commission of an offence, and 18 months on each of two counts of indecent assault. The sentences will run concurrently.

Marlon Chance was sentenced to 16 years on each of two counts of aggravated burglary, 15 years on each of two counts of possession of firearm to aid in the commission of an offence, and 18 months on each of two counts of indecent assault. Those sentences will also run concurrently.

Campbell had spent two months on remand while Chance spent 69 days which will be deducted from their sentences on the aggravated burglary charges.

Justice Brian Cottle handed down the penalties.

A nine-member jury had found both

men guilty of the charges during a sitting of the Criminal Assizes, but sentencing was adjourned.

Campbell was 17 at the time of the incident, and had two previous convictions for criminal assault involving females.

Chance was 23, and had no previous Atilon convictions.

Campbell, one The victims were of the two men both 27, and were who were students of the St. sentenced to James School of jail; terms for Medicine here. aggravated Reading from a acts on two victim impact Medical statement, Justice Students.

Cottle said the students had since discontinued their medical training. They were also victims of previous attacks and criminal assaults, and their minds could be forever tarnished by these events.

Chance was represented by attorney Jomo Thomas, while Campbell was unrepresented.

Justice Cottle followed the sentencing guidelines and did the calculations to arrive at the penalties.

Aggravated burglary carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 5.

Budget

Nothing New: Old Time Politics

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Dr Godwin Friday picked up where he left off in his critique of the 2021 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, during his response to this year’s Budget Presentation, February 1.

Friday said in his response to the Minister Finance Camillo Gonsalves’ 2021 Budget presentation, that it was not one that had been crafted for the present times.

“This is a timid response to the pandemic,” Friday said.

He added that members of the public were presently at a heightened state of concern and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, …… (and) the threat of an explosive eruption of La Soufriere.

“We must be creative and diligent and show the people that you understand the problem and are working through them,” Friday said.

It was the view of the opposition, Friday said, that the 2021 Budget revealed a lack of alignment with most of the important problems and issues that were currently facing the country.

“In other words, the

budget is not one for the times, it does not fit the circumstances that we are living under.”

According to Friday, there were several issues facing the country prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, including low economic growth, poverty and chronic unemployment.

The situation was worse now with the coronavirus, Friday said, and the country was presently experiencing higher incidents of crime for example.

“We have as well as a persistent problem, the lack of opportunities and an environment for nurturing ideas for young people to become entrepreneurs,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

And while the situation has worsened, there was talk of what the government had done and not what its intention was, Friday contended.

“So, since the emergence of the COVID-19 these vulnerabilities in our economy have been exposed,” he said, “And all the government comes up with in the guise of solutions are short sighted initiatives,

Senator Rochard Ballah highlighted the importance of keeping up with the times and to avoid finger-pointing.

‘Move with the times,’ Ballah urges

SENATOR ROCHARD BALLAH, the only dreadlocked individual in this country’s House of Parliament, is encouraging the nation to “move with the times.”

His advice came during his contribution to the 2021 Budget debate.

Ballah, otherwise known as ‘Pit Bull’, pointed to the image his hairstyle projected and warned listeners that his was not a symbol of delinquency, bad management, weed smoking, nor weed addiction.

Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, has Ballah used the occasion to encourage the found very little if anything inventive and relevant nation to “move with the times.” For him, this is about the 2021 Budget. the moment to “embrace the evolution,” and urged that persons ought not to be judged by appearance when COVID has given plasters for sores that “but by the animation of your values, and the us a chance to reset and need heavy bandaging, mobilisation of skills and integrity.” think of ways to go rather than having real Ballah, attached to the Ministry of Information, forward,’ the Leader of solutions to treat our announced an amalgamation of various the Opposition espoused. deep-rooted problems. government entities: the National Broadcasting The lack of incentives That would not have Corporation (NBC) Radio, Agency for Public been something that the to the private sector so Information (API), VC 3, and the Government that it could maintain government would be Printery. able to do in one budget, employment did not There will be no need for additional funding for escape Friday. He cited Friday admitted, the new body. Subventions allocated to the Radio that government however, he insisted, Station, plus the money it makes from its preferred to give that at least this one programming, will buttress the new merger. payments directly to should have laid the The VC3 outlet is financed by the National individuals, so it is seen foundation to deal with Lotteries Authority but, according to Ballah, the as a handout from the potential structural entity will need some $400,000 to buy video and government and in turn problems in the future. computer equipment, as well as refurbishing the deepens the dependency “There are no studio. syndrome between convincing or credible No new staff will be required as the bodies have government and the strategies for dealing enough persons to ensure a smooth transition. people. with the problems, no What is necessary, however, is a Chief “Old time politics,” thinking outside the box, Executive Officer.

Friday said. (DD) no creative solutions According to Ballah, NBC and API will retain especially now at a time their prevailing heads.

A common editorial board will be created to ensure efficiency.

Ballah who boasts of a long career in communication pointed to the importance of social media today. between medical cannabis and Appointed Senator after the marijuana as a whole and commended November 5, 2020 general elections, those farmers who dared life, limb and Ballah highlighted the need for a property on the precipices as they “proper social media product,” in the involved themselves, in the, albeit, government services. illegal marijuana trade.

With the emphasis on social He alluded to sacrifices made to distancing brought on by protocols earn a livelihood by traditional introduced as a consequence of the marijuana farmers, some of whom outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, could well be imprisoned currently.

Ballah underscored the importance of Stephenson reached out to the the social media in public awareness Mercy Committee and/or the pertinent and outreach initiatives. authorities to consider pardoning As far as he is concerned, it will be persons jailed for marijuana. prudent for the new entity to He pointed to the objective of “embrace the platform more making money from the marijuana aggressively.”

Nigel Stephenson, MP for South industry and disclosed that it was the Ballah pointed to the need for Leeward, wants a pardon for those same intention that the traditional $400,000 to buy video and computer currently serving sentences for farmers had been pursuing that led to equipment as well as refurbishing marijuana. their incarceration. (WKA) the VC 3 studio. (WKA)

MP wants pardon for ganja convicts NIGEL STEPHENSON, a three-time Parliamentary Representative for South Leeward, is calling on this country’s government to commute the sentences of persons convicted for marijuana-relate charges.

He made his position known last Tuesday as he contributed to the 2021 Debate of the 2021 Appropriate Bill/Budget.

His appeal came in light of the presence of the coronavirus/COVID-19 disease here, to which, he said, prisoners serving sentences for marijuana-related charges are exposed.

The MP’s concern comes as a drive to establish a Medical Cannabis Industry here is gathering speed.

Stephenson sees no distinction

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 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

Who the cap fits How often have we been drilled with the adages, ‘Honesty is the best policy’ and ‘The truth will set you free always’?

The truth is that for most people being honest and forthright is a hard battle, and some people lie constantly fully well knowing it is not a good trait to develop.

Some people lie day in and day out but the truth always comes out eventually. No matter how much we try and hide it, there will be a way that someone finds out that we lied.

And if the lies keep rolling off the assembly line, there will come a time when no one believes in the liar anymore; the trust and respect will disappear without the liar even noticing they’re gone.

Once we start lying, people will have a hard time believing and trusting us. Not only are friends lost because of that but reputations are tarnished. The issue is: How can we be honest with others if we are not honest with ourselves? The quicker we recognize that we can’t get away with everything we lie about, the quicker we will learn to be truthful.

Yes, it is a ‘hard ask’ but we are called upon to be always honest, even if and when it means standing alone. That stoicism will fortify us in warding off the barrage of ridicule that would be swirled at us when we stand alone on the side of honesty and truth.

Those who believe in Karma will tell us that it has a way of biting back even when we are economical with the truth.

Yes, many of us have seen it fit to lie about ourselves so as to win favour with others. We have lied about the things that impact the circumstances of a given time so as to win support for a position/solution we think is a panacea for our problems.

If we don’t strive to be honest and truthful, it will hurt, it will be demoralizing when the truth is revealed; for we will never be prepared for it.

For certain, to accept the truth will mean lessening our sense of self-importance, and will entail removing the veil of lies used to run roughshod over others.

It seems, if the truth be told, that being lied to, is far worse than anything else in the world.

That is why, when we have something to say, we should say it, and don’t lie about it. It would come out sometime when circumstances least support it. One way or the other people will discover the lies.

We can never hide anything because lies always jump out at the worst possible time. They are like poison. They affect relationships with sometimes untold repercussions.

It is written in the Bible as per one of the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exodus 20:16.

Lying, therefore, is a sin — one of the biggest sins of the world.

We are called to stand up for what is right, taking the side that is right. Always being honest is the way to go in life.

But first, we must accept that we have to be true to ourselves. It is only then that we should feel ourselves ready and worthy to go out in society and be truthful to others rather than being simply and meaninglessly impressive.

Honesty, they say, is an expensive gift which we do not expect from cheap people with their disguised personality traits.

We are responsible for whatever we say and do and should always remember that the truth can be twisted and disguised, but it can never be hidden.

A Tragi-Comedy stage of the ULP unsuccessfully competed in the last general election, tried his best to show why the ULP amended Motion had been misconceived. But THE FIRST ISSUE THAT ISSUE that we under the bombardment and pressure of the tackle is that concerning Yugge Farrell, Prime Minister and his team, especially Carlos charged with abusive language. Apparently, James, instead of “naming them”, finally there was the possibility of a more serious conceded. charge of Blackmail which was held back for After overnighting, the Speaker suddenly some particular reason. Yugge pleaded not became lucid as he jogged, and contacted the guilty and, after her plea, was sent to the media to relate the story that he had given a Mental Health Centre for evaluation. This was wrong judgement the previous day, and if he done in open court with no evidence at all were given the opportunity to rehear the matter showing any sort of deranged behaviour. the result will be completely different.

Most importantly, absolutely no explanation All hell broke loose with tongues wagging was given to Yugge or her lawyer, Grant everywhere as to what should or would happen.

Connell, who had appeared pro bono. When she For the ULP’s part, their Deputy Speaker is next appeared in court at the end of her twocalling for the head of the substantive week evaluation, Yugge acted strangely and Speakerm, while others mourn the departure of was sent back to the psychiatric ward for Hendrick Alexander who followed automatically further evaluation. Within a short time, the biddings of the Government. however, she was sent back to court and While there is one Government M.P Saboto released by the Magistrate on remand until Ceaser during the course of the happenings in December 2018, 11 months later. the House declared that without permission A hue and cry was raised nationally Gonsalves could not speak for him on anything concerning the injustice that was being done in legal. This declaration is bound to have its her case. The alarm was sounded with regard repercussion further down the road. to the treatment metered out to ordinary For the time being NDP seems to have citizens who ran into conflict with the Royal ignored Parliament by answering the Budget family of Gonsalves’. Camillo’s wife (the Prime though Nice Radio which carries the speeches Minister’s daughter-in-law) having been the of its ‘shadow’ ministers and the rest of the virtual complainant in this case, and Camillo elite. himself being the probable plaintiff in the Over-shadowing all this bedlam is a court blackmail, stayed tight-lipped for whatever ruling which hangs over the ULP like the reason. sword. In fact, the ULP Government for all its Camillo, the Minister of Finance, was urged bragging have existed over the last seven years by the Leader of the Opposition that he needed on the tenter-hook of a mere seat, having to make a statement to his employers- the amassed 8 seats as against 7 in both 2010 and people, but he has refused to do so buoyed by 2015 which is still to be determined. the Prime Minister, his father, that he must That there were questions about voting maintain a “dignified silence”. irregularities is no doubt. As far back as 2005 This led the Leader of the Opposition to you had Ralph in a speech asking those make some request of Camillo before constituencies which had helped ULP win parliament, which met in budget sessions, hands-over, to siphon some votes to ULP in starring Camillo as the new Minister of weaken constituencies.

Finance, as well as entertained a no confidence In a later contribution I would touch on the motion. And as well; it turned out to be a vote part being played by former members of the of confidence in the ULP Government which the UPM half-century later - Ralph Gonsalves, target (ULP) had “amended” to shower praise Parnel Campbell, St Clair Leacock, Jomo on itself, the complete opposite of the original Thomas, Renwick Rose, Adrian Fraser, motion. The NDP stormed out of the House, Kenneth John and Cecil Ryan. taking their grievances and message to the Does it mean the more things change the streets. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House more it remains the same? who as a member of the ULP had Damocles.

(First published in THE VINCENTIAN of February 9, 2018)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 7.

Letters

Disgusting Debt and the Budget behaviour in Parliament

purpose for the debt, prohibited uses and types of debt including LAST WEEK I spoke generally of the tax increment financing and need for a Debt Management Plan. public/private partnerships; * Financial limits often are In continuing that proposition, I will present possible elements of a Debt expressed as ratios customarily used by credit analysts. Different Management Plan. financial limits are used for This proposed plan structure different types of debt. Limits relies on the general framework may include reference to Debt per presented by the Government capita ratio, property value or as Finance Officer Association a percentage of general fund (GFOA) and includes the things revenues or expenditure. that should be addressed like: 2. Debt Structuring Practices Debt Limits, Debt Structuring Practices, Debt Issuance Practices The Policy should include specific and Debt Management Practices. guidelines regarding the debt structuring practices for each type 1. Debt Limits - Appropriate of bond, including: debt limits can have a positive * Maximum term set to the impact on bond ratings, useful life of the asset; particularly if the government * Average maturity; demonstrates adherence to such * Should interest be policies over time. The Policy capitalized during construction or should consider setting specific paid as we go. limits or acceptable ranges for 3. Debt Issuance Practices each type of debt. Limits The Policy should provide generally are set for legal, public guidance regarding the issuance policy and planning process, which may differ for each considerations: type of debt. Two critical * Legal restrictions may be component of this section includes determined by the law, how would the debt be funded and government resolution or trust the criteria for issuing advance agreement; refunding. * Public Policies will address 4.Debt Management Practices the internal standards and The Policy should provide considerations within a guidance for ongoing government and can include: the

Part 2

administrative activities including: * Initial investment of bond proceeds; * Continuing disclosure procedures; including those related to ensure compliance with any continuing disclosure’ * Monitoring use of tax-exempt bond financed facilities for private use.

Some might argue that this is an will unnecessary academic exercise that not get us anything we don’t already have. A Debt Management Plan will not affect our ability to get any low interest loans from friendly nations or international organizations. As proud as I am of the AIA, it was disappointing to me that it took as long as it did to build it; at times it looked like we would never get it done. We cannot do the same thing with the Hospital at Arnos Vale or the Modern Port in Bottom Town.

Looking forward to a copy of this year’s Budget including the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and the schedule phasing of the various Infrastructure Development Plan.

IT WAS, Mr. Editor, nothing but an enormous shame to see two leading parliamentarians — the Leader of Government Business/Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition — who are supposed to be distinguished and honourable gentlemen, engage in such a contentious exchange of rants at each other.

Worse, it seemed that the Honourable House all but became a disHonourable House with the Speaker of the House seemingly at a loss as to how to bring this simpleton exchange to an end.

These two leaders, like all the other elected Members of the House of Assembly, must be reminded that they got there by virtue of our votes and they were put there to make laws and debate the issues as they concern the welfare of all the people.

They must be reminded that not because of that Horatio archaic privilege called ‘parliamentary immunity’ that they can sink to such depths that the people’s government’s good leadership in keeping business becomes second fiddle. the nation’s ports open and still being able The exchange was not anything of which we or to handle COVID-19 well. Well, the either of the ‘leaders’ should be proud. government has certainly given us a good If that is what politics and our parliament is all deal as we now watch rising cases of about, we are going to find it difficult to encourage COVID-19 and even deaths. any significant number of young people to get The Prime Minister and his colleagues had actively involved in politics. plenty warnings but they chose not to heed them.

And excuse me, Mr. Editor, if I repeat myself, It was a gamble that backfired. but I must redirect a comment at the two I wonder: Can the families of the deceased and gentlemen: Both men infected file lawsuits against the state for the are lawyers and are mistakes of the government?

As it stands, our hospitals are going to be put generally distinguished under increased pressure. Either we close all ports and learned characters and subsidize our business sector or we settle for a in their own right, but lethal injection. their behaviour in our And there should be no excuse for not finding the Parliament was totally * When are the money to support our fight against COVID-19. We disgusting, nothing short ULP and NDP going will not accept any excuse about having to spend on of two little boys in a to ask our the Soufriere monitoring or that we are still bearing shouting match. forgiveness for being the weight of that hole at Argyle. the biggest offenders Retiree - Arnos Vale as far as breaking Kadmiel McFee - British War Veteran COVID-19 protocols are concerned? * Anybody remember the mas gatherings in the build-up to the Nov. SO, MR. EDITOR my friend, the West teams and if that is the case, it is a 5, 2020 general Indies cricket team has done it again. case of the tail wagging the dog. elections?

They have recorded another defeat, Further, it is not fair to those * In addition to this time against Bangladesh, losing ‘replacement’ players to be fooled into providing for in the ODI series three games to nil, believing they have a future in the customers to have and we can’t even say that any of the West Undies team. It would be their hands washed matches were close. interesting to see how many of them and sanitized, are I will admit that our team was an are retained in the team. supermarkets inexperienced one with most of the The tour to Bangladesh is not yet sanitizing their ‘stars’ opting out for whatever reason. over. We still have two tests to play. shelves, goods, And it is on that point that I want to I am hoping that we will save some checkout counters express a view. face and at least win one of those and shopping carts?

I don’t think that any of those big tests. * How many and shot players who opted out of the In the meantime, let us not spoil what categories of Bangladesh tour, for whatever our cricketers by giving them persons have been reason(s), should be allowed to waltz privileges that some of them have not exempted from back into the team just like that. earned. quarantining in I don’t know but maybe their designated contracts with Cricket West Indies Charles, Edinboro hotels/guest houses? allow them to waltz in and out of the

We asked for it THE PRIME MINISTER and his incompetent regime cannot escape blame for the recent spike in COVID-19 cases here. Instead of halting airlines and cargo vessels from entering our ports, they welcomed them, for a few dollars more. Likewise, the regime made sure that local businesses continued to rake in their profits.

As I write this, SVG has well over 500 confirmed COVID-19 cases and given the rapid rate of spread, without doubt, in a few weeks SVG will have thousands of confirmed cases.

The Prime Minister, as reported by the newspaper, boasted about the Unity Labour Party

West Indies lose again

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Budget 2021: Crafted to address the challenges of these times

Introduction THE OPENING of the First Session of the Eleventh Parliament occurred on Monday February 1, 2021, and coincided with the presentation of the National Budget presentation by Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo Gonsalves. This was a wellcrafted budget under the theme “SVG Stronger Together; Overcoming Today’s Challenges, Building Resilience, Strengthening Social Protection, Creating Jobs and Accelerating Transformational Development”. The year 2020 presented this country with many challenges that required innovative and creative policy responses by this government to address those challenges, be they unforeseen or reasonably predictable. That experience of 2020, coupled with the ongoing challenges of the global pandemic, the receding dengue outbreak, the threat of volcanic eruption at La Soufriere and the possible dry season followed by an unpredictable hurricane season, meant that this year’s budget needed to be crafted in such a way as to take every eventuality into consideration. Finance Minister Gonsalves rose to the challenge and delivered a budget that adequately catered for all sectors of our economy keeping in mind the unpredictability of events that lie await for SVG this year.

The pretense and dishonesty (Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Presentation on the Debate of Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure)

Some areas of focus

The established reality of Covid-19, is that is has four dimensions, Health, Economic, Social and Security that are interconnected and must be tackled simultaneously if we are going to successfully manage the impacts of the pandemic. To this end, the approach to the ULP administration is to manage in such a way that allows for the continuation of life, living and production. Agriculture and Fisheries are set to continue benefiting from targeted investments in those sectors by the government. Farmers and fisher-folk can expect the same level of support received last year to continue with some additional targeted interventions. Agriculture would benefit additionally from a $4.4 million project to improve competitiveness through the construction of a food science lab in Arnos Vale and the upgrade to the facility in Langley Park. The very successful “Love Box” initiative would be build upon as the government explores markets for farmers through the establishment of a The Budget in numbers “food market stabilisation fund”. The Barrouallie fisheries complex is set to Minister Gonsalves presented a be completed at a cost of $1.5 million budget for 2021 with Estimates of and would be complemented by a Revenue and Expenditure of $1.2 billion, representing a 2.2% increase of fishing development project costing $1 million. the approved budget for 2020. This Infrastructure development such as total reflects current expenditure of road repair (approximately 34 $698 million, an increase of 2.9% over stretches of roads), the PAVE program, the approved budget for 2020 and a capital expenditure of $316 million. In the continued port development at Rose Place, and the costal defence referring to the timeliness of the works at Georgetown, San Souci, budget, Minister Gonsalves stated: Sandy Bay and Shipping Bay, would “Budget 2021 has been carefully continue at a total cost in excess of $84 crafted to not only respond to the extant circumstances we now confront million. Millions of dollars would be spent upgrading health facilities across as a country but also to position us to take advantage of the rebound when it the country, increasing the capacity within the Insect Vector Unit, to inevitably returns. While we may be uncertain about the exact timing of the improve our fight against dengue, the rebound we know with some certainty refurbishment of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and more resources that it will come. To this end, this allocated to the fight against Covid-19. year’s budget meets the challenges In Education, the government will posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, sows seeds for future economic growth spend $14 million on the refurbishment of 13 institutions, $9.4 through investments in tourism, million on investment in the area of agriculture and public infrastructure; Technical Vocational Education, $3 consolidates our gains in Education, million for the purchasing of additional Health and Housing all with a keen eye on creating jobs and improving the computers in schools as well as the purchasing of additional tablets for overall welfare of all citizens”. students.

This year’s budget addresses in a comprehensive way the needs of Conclusion Vincentians during a time of extreme challenges and great uncertainty. It There is so much more contained in provides support for the poor and the 2021 Budget as delivered by vulnerable, invests in infrastructure Minister of Finance, Hon. Camillo through repair and maintenance projects, as well as new projects, builds Gonsalves and no doubt the fine details are contained in the specific capacity in the health and education, expands citizen security, invests in the presentations of the various ministers, who elaborated further on the work of diversification of the agricultural their respective ministries. The global sector and continues the perspective of budget provided in the transformation of the tourism sector presentation offers a very good among others. The focus given to the understanding of the approach this activities geared at stimulating ULP administration is taking towards economic activity at a time when resource allocation in light of the global trends are contributing to the sowing of economic activity is obvious, existing circumstances we face as a nation. A caring government while ensuring that investments that understands that knee-jerk reactions protect the health and wellbeing of Vincentians are made. Apart from the such as lockdowns can only serve to obvious politicking, one would be hard halt production and create unnecessary hardship on Vincentians who would pressed to reasonably conclude that this budget doesn’t adequately address struggle to survive once their means of earning a living is cut off. This the circumstances facing the Vincentian society. This article doesn’t government would continue to approach the management of SVG with permit the detailed examination of prudence and enterprise, enduring Budget 2021, but will select some principles that are applicable even examples of allocations made and discuss how the budget would address more so now as we face unprecedented challenges. some specific areas.

The context THE ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE sets out what we are going to do throughout the course of the year in terms of programmess that the government intends to implement, and how those will be financed; to make judgement about what it indicates as to the government’s priorities or lack thereof. That is the nature of the exercise, but we are doing it in unprecedented time.

The context for the debate has to be framed for us to understand what we mean when we talk about unprecedented time. We know of the COVID-19 pandemic which has been affecting lives and livelihoods all over the world. We haven’t been excused or let off the hook although, at some point and time, there were those who may have thought that we had dodged the bullet, that somehow the same way the hurricanes have past north or south of us, that maybe COVID-19 took the same track. Those persons would soon realize their perception was either foolishness or wishful thinking.

Today, as I read the news report, there were 35 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A few weeks ago, this would have been a calamity but now it seems to be a relief that it’s not 55 or 60. In the meantime, however, the number grows. We are told that all the cases were detected during tracing or testing at the flu clinics.

I remember there was a time when the Chief Medical Officer used to say if you think you have COVID don’t move we will come for you. Now they are saying go to a clinic and get tested. There are now 657 local cases, 631 active cases, 798 cases in total and more worrying, two (2) people have died. What is of greatest concern is the rate of increase that we have experienced over the past three weeks.

The crisis There is nothing that is more important to us economically, socially and in terms of our public health than dealing with this crisis. We are indeed in unprecedented times. With COVID19 exploding and La Soufriere threating to explode, right now it is erupting in a non-destructive but still a worrying way. Our people are nervous. They need reassurance that we can come out of this mess with hope and look boldly to the future.

These Estimates and the Budget that will follow should be the blue print for the way into that future, and we shouldn’t just be thinking of mere survival or riding out the storm and then go back to business as usual. All over the world, people of all walks of life - economists, spiritualists, philosophers, religious people and ordinary folk - look at what we are going through and are saying that this is a test with lessons from it and the silver lining that you can find should not go to waste. We should look at it as an opportunity to think of

ways in which we can do things better, more effectively; not just to prepare for the next pandemic or the next crisis, but to prepare our economy to be more productive, to create jobs for our young people, to create a better life for all of us. It is terrible that we have to be here today jumping through hoops, making all kinds of accommodations and changes to avoid making the situation with COVID-19 worse and to set an example for the nation. But we shouldn’t be here; we shouldn’t be at this point.

Notwithstanding the answer that was given to my question this morning by the Minister of Health, when I asked if they had dropped the ball, to say that it is happening elsewhere does not mean we have to look at the worse examples to copy.

We should look at who is doing the best and try to emulate it.

Where do we go from here? The Estimates are supposed to point the way to the future but sadly they do not. Desperate times require bold actions. It requires us to do things differently. This crisis tests our resilience but it requires honesty from all of us in public life. That is how we build trust and that is how we instill that assurance within the people that we will get through this and we will be better off at the end. When a crisis strikes and we are threatened by two (2)… we are in one (1) now with COVID-19 and La Soufriere threatens. In a crisis, all lies and pretense are exposed by the exigencies of the circumstances and by the requirement for effective, meaningful action to remedy the situation. You can’t fake it when lives and livelihoods are on the line. It is clear to see that this problem of COVID-19 is the biggest problem that we have in every aspect of our lives.

The estimates What is in the Estimates? Inside: the pretense, the dishonesty and the fake numbers continue. It’s something we have spoken about over and over.

The problem continues because to some, it’s not a big deal.

We have a budget of $1.2 billion this year. The Minister said that it was a bit bigger than what was approved last year. In reality, the revised Estimates last year was $1,343,414,746. It was revised upward. So, we are spending less, $131 million less than that $1.34 billion that the Estimates was revised to last year. The government proposes to spend less in 2021, than it did in 2020… if we go by what is projected now by the expenditures and what was in the revised Estimates for 2020.

So that’s the government’s plan. It will spend almost 10 % less than it did last year. Assuming that the government can raise that money, the $1.2 billion that it intends to spend, we know it can’t. The fact that it intends to spend less suggests that we have reverted to the pre-COVID fiscal posture. Is the crisis over?

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Budget 2021: Reality Check or Panic

Be the light

“THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” - Amanda Gorman (born 1998) – The youngest inaugural poet in US history and first to be named National Youth Poet Laureate.

AMANDA GORMAN’S presentation at the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States of America, President Joseph Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, was simply exhilarating.

Many of us would not have heard her name before that grand event that took place at the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. on 20th January 2021.

But we will certainly never forget that name. The 22-year-old young lady from Los Angeles, California, touched viewers and listeners in ways that vividly remind us of who we are, who we are meant to be, and what is expected of us … to be brave enough to be lights in a dark world. Her poem entitled “The Hill We Climb” quickly became a sought-after feature on the internet.

Amanda is the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration in the United States of America. She follows in the footsteps of other famous and accomplished poets such as Richard Blanco (inauguration of Barak Obama in 2013), Elizabeth Alexander (inauguration of Barak Obama in 2009), Miller Williams (inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1997), Maya Angelou (inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1993) and Robert Frost (inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961).

While the thoughts expressed in her poem had been focused on the American society, her global audience also benefited from the insights revealed. She challenged us, as did Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi (18691948) before her, to be the change that we want to see; to be brave enough to see and to be the light. Her personal and communal introspection beckoned us to be champions of positive change and to avoid merely being spectators when we are required to be performers (my words).

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), Rosa Parks (1913-2005), and Dr Maya Angelou (1928-2014) would have been justly proud of this young, intelligent, confident prodigy.

Her five-minute poem commenced with a stirring question, “When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?”

The brilliant orator then described the many challenges to America’s democracy before asserting that, “while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.” Those words must have been so very comforting and reassuring to President Biden and Vice President Harris. After all, here was a young citizen providing ample evidence of her commitment to bridging the divide that exists in the United States of America … and inviting others to join her as, “We lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us.”

Amanda’s challenge for viewers and listeners to be the light is not

limited to the United States of America. Her dare is much more farreaching than this. It is global. Each of us should commit to being the change that we want to see and being the light in a relatively dark world.

While we may wish to have others buy into the concept that she has illuminated, the choice must be ours.

It must be personal. Our commitment is required. Each of us, in our own way, can shed the light of love, tolerance, acceptance, and kindness.

Each of us, with our unique style and influence, must resolve to brighten the corner where we are. We have the ability to bridge the divide that exists in our homes, schools, workplaces, churches, and the wider community.

When interviewed by The New York Times prior to inauguration day, the young sensation noted that: “In my poem, I’m not going to in any way gloss over what we’ve seen over the past few weeks and, dare I say, the past few years. But what I really aspire to do in the poem is to be able to use my words to envision a way in which our country can still come together and can still heal.” She then continued by saying, “It’s doing that in a way that is not erasing or neglecting the harsh truths I think America needs to reconcile with.”

We now know that Dr Jill Biden, America’s First Lady, is credited for the insight to invite this “skinny Black girl, descended from slaves and raised by a single mother,” (Amanda’s words during her introduction) to recite her poem at the inauguration.

Jill Biden had seen a reading that Amanda had given at the Library of Congress and recommended to the inauguration committee that she be invited to perform at President Biden’s inauguration. Amanda’s mother must be justly proud of her daughter who was challenged with a speech impediment during her early childhood. So, too, would be the members of her cohort, lecturers, and staff at Harvard where she is pursuing a degree in sociology. She has been an excellent ambassador for her university, age group, gender, ethnicity, and humanity.

The reviews of her performance have been glowing. Former President Barak Obama, commenting on Twitter, noted that hers was “a poem that more than met the moment’.

This comment reflects the high esteem and respect America’s 44th president holds for this extremely talented young lady. Other accolades have been advanced by poet Jericho Brown, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Oprah Winfrey.

Amanda has presented us with the maxim that, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” We reflect on this truth and accept the universal challenge to be brave enough to see and be the light.

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

WHAT IS LIFE IN A HOPELESS SOCIETY is a question that a significant section of continues to ask. With poverty levels of 37 percent and unemployment among our youth more than 40 percent, the prospects going into this year cannot be bright.

SVG is in the throes of a dengue and coronavirus epidemic. Last week, the chief volcanologist made the ominous disclosure that the La Soufriere volcano could erupt at a moment notice.

Last Monday, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves made a brave attempt to spin gold out of straw. While delivering his $1.2 billion budget, he labelled 2020 as a year of accomplishments. He offered 15 projects as proof: bridges, jetty, roads, footpaths, early childhood centres, tablets for students, sea defence, market facilities for vendors, CCTV cameras, a medivac coast guard vessel, 1000 grants to entrepreneurs, three hard courts and a synthetic athletic track.

The Minister lauded the starting of the Joshua Centre Shopping Plaza.

Does the name of the shopping plaza portend a downgrade of the plans to build a modern city at Arnos or will this ‘new city’ be called Joshua?

He told the nation that the COVID19 pandemic turned 2020 ‘into an economic catastrophe.’ According to the Finance Minister, 9 of Caricom’s 14 member states ‘suffered a double-digit economic contraction in 2020.’ Sadly, he does not point to the economic contraction number for SVG. Similarly, the Minister mentioned that worldwide more than 100 million people have been pushed into extreme poverty by the pandemic. It would have been far more useful for him to tell us how many Vincentians lost their jobs and sank into poverty.

Gonsalves, citing estimates from the IMF, ECCB, World Bank, ECLAC or the Finance Ministry, claimed that SVG’s gross domestic product will contract between 2.2 and 5 per cent in 2021.

However, he praised his Dad’s stewardship as Prime Minister for the fact that our country remains ‘standing and unbowed though battered.’

Gonsalves said the fallout from the pandemic has been tangible. He noted that businesses have closed and jobs disappeared. Again it would have been helpful to point to the closed companies, especially the bigger one and the estimated number of lost jobs.

He pointed to the government’s stimulus package, which he said was designed to protect citizens’ health and lives, strengthen the social safety net, and keep the economy ticking. He noted that over ? of the country’s population was ‘touched’ by the stimulus, and 14,000 Vincentians were directly affected by government intervention at the cost of $20 million.

The elections are over. The ULP returned to power. With projections that the virus may be coming on more potent than ever during this year, all of us wait to see if the government will remain as generous with its distribution of ‘love boxes’ and other goodies.

In charting the government’s plan for what the Minister described as ‘a stronger SVG,’ Gonsalves said that the government does not intend to ‘place blind faith in uncertain sectors or the shifting sands of global factors’ beyond its control.

We can expect an active state intervention. There will be no implementation of austerity measures or slashing of services. Good news for an already unbalanced society!

Minister Gonsalves said the government has ‘been cautious not to impose tax measures and postponed many of the fees and measures’ passed

previously.

However, he did not name the tax measures placed on hold. He has announced a 1 percent increase on Customs Service Charge.

These are challenging times. We can only hope that the triple threat we currently face subside without further loss in life and livelihood.

We have options Vincentians have an option, but we doubt they will be allowed to exercise it.

They can either count their ‘lucky stars’ or engage their minds in reasoned judgment. It is either God is genuinely a Vincy and protect them mightily or that the coronavirus is not as deadly as it’s touted.

Our country has confirmed 1,059 cases of COVID-19, of which 910 are local cases, meaning cases detected among residents with no recent travel history.

To date, 275 persons have recovered, 782 cases remain active, and two persons with COVID-19 have died.

By contrast, with a population of nearly 24 million, Taiwan has recorded probably the world’s lowest rates per population size with less than 900 positive cases. They credit their success to strict quarantine rules and tracing of sick people’s contacts.

Our numbers tell a powerful story.

They indicate that just about 1 percent of the country’s population has tested positive for the virus. And of those who tested positive, about 25 percent of them has fully recovered. We have not heard of any lingering effects of the illness. Those who recover seem to go about their business just fine.

But there is a larger story here. In January, the number of COVID cases has grown exponentially. For three consecutive days this week, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) announced positive cases of at least 50. These revelations presuppose at least two possibilities: the country’s testing capabilities are being tested and that there may be many more positive persons in our midst.

However, with two deaths reported in SVG and with similarly low numbers across Caricom, our people may do well to recall the wise ‘Don’t Panic’ advice of former Prime Minister Robert Milton Cato following the eruption of the volcano on April 13, 1979.

Nothing said here must be interpreted to mean that people should drop their guard and become either reckless or carefree. With evidence of community spread, it remains prudent for all Vincentians to strictly adhere to the health protocol of social distancing, hand sanitising and the wearing of mask in public spaces.

The Ministry of Health should also initiate a vigorous outreach to encourage citizens to engage in preventative health measures: frequent vigorous exercise, daily exposure to sunlight, conscious effort to consume more fruits and vegetables, clean water, daily intake of vitamin C and D, as well as a reduction in the consumption of alcohol, sugary drinks, fatty and starchy foods.

People can also reduce their anxiety about the virus by not looking at the media hype that passes for news on the cable TV. Vaccines, well not so fast.

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

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ULP not doing enough to save Vincentians’ lives LEADER OF SVG GREEN PARTY, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, says the ULP regime needs to do much more to protect the health of Vincentians. Covid-19 and dengue fever are spreading around the country and taking Vincentians’ lives, yet the ULP regime still does not adequately fund this country’s health and medical services.

For many years, the nation’s health service has been starved by Gonsalves, with as little as $88.20 per person, per year, being budgeted to be spent on health.

Whilst Vincentians’ lives are needlessly being lost, Gonsalves still gives the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan tax and customs duties exemptions of millions of dollars a year. Also, Taiwan is allowed to cream-off hundreds of millions of dollars from SVG’s fish licence and not pay one dollar of tax to the SVG Treasury.

It is a sick mindset whereby a government burdens the black poor to financially support the country and lets the white rich live a life of tax-free luxury. They must really enjoy seeing the black

suffer the most in SVG as they cannot afford the medicines, let alone fly abroad for treatment. Gonsalves’ policies are destroying the health service and there is much concern about abuse of health service assets. people of SVG suffer.

We may get to a stage soon where if you are When Vincentians are ill, their families should knocked down in the street and an ambulance is not have to go begging for thousands of dollars to called, they will check your wallet before they check pay for medicines or treatment at better equipped your pulse. Can you afford to pay? Even if you make hospitals abroad. Much more money needs to be it to hospital, you may find that they put the invested in SVG’s health and medical services to stethoscope to your wallet instead of your chest. create world-class hospitals in SVG. Emergency We need to create revenue for the country so that health care services in this country need to be better we have a proper, free national health service. We equipped. Hospitals must stock all the medicines cannot have people dying or suffering ill health, just that people need.

Furthermore, the health system should be free for because their wallet is empty. We must provide a suitable free medical care system for all SVG all Vincentians. We have heard heart-breaking stories of poorer people being forced to go out on the citizens. How can the poor be expected to earn money to feed and care for their families? And for street, in a state of ill-health, and beg people for those who just might have some means, how can we money for medicines. We have heard how some expect them to go out of pocket because they have to people are not able to leave hospital until they pay spend the little that they have on medicines? This is for an ambulance or some private means to unacceptable and immoral. transport them home. This is an appalling state of The Leader of SVG Green Party says to pay for a affairs and disrespectful to all Vincentians. world-class health and medical service in SVG, a The SVG health service is woefully inadequate.

Green government would abolish the Mustique Act We have seen Gonsalves flying abroad when he and end the tax and customs duties exemptions required medical attention. It is the very poor who given to the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan, and amend the SVG Fish Act so Taiwan pays taxes to the SVG treasury.

Gonsalves’ economic policy of begging and borrowing is not sustainable and is turning SVG into another Haiti. There has to be a positive change by his wisdom delivered meeting of Parliament the city; yet no man where OUR PM is in his in our mindset, so that we put the people of SVG first, especially the poor. We need a Green economy remembered that same ‘worst behaviour’ while to create jobs and a better health service. poor man; then said I, at the same time wisdom is better than portraying some of the strength.” The second best achievements under Eccl. 4:13, “Better is a his leadership. It is poor and wise child than quite confusing! On one an old foolish king who hand you show a will no more be belligerent leader THE ATTENDANCE at funerals in this time of a admonished.” refusing to follow pandemic continues to be cause for concern.

Wisdom and humility procedure and within Amongst the protocols to be observed are the precede greatness, as seconds show the great maximum of ten persons for inside gathering and exemplified by Jesus works accomplished … a twenty for the outside, and physical distancing of Christ. glaring contradiction! three to six feet.

Having said that, I In the same meme, While churches have generally adhered to wish to comment on a the PM accuses the these protocols for their regular services, it is recent meme that has opposition of a reduction unfortunate that funerals are allowed to have been circulating with in parliamentary seats large gatherings both inside and outside. To add respect to a recent while forgetting that his fuel to the flame, most persons who attend wear party is actually a no mask and there is hardly any physical minority government distancing.

This, we know, can contribute largely when you consider the to its rise in cases of COVID-19. popular vote … and that Yes, many would love to share their solidarity is the truth! with the bereaved family and give support.

This meme bolsters However, we have to understand the times in the maxim, Wisdom and which we are living. Let us not be a contributor humility precede to the rise and even death from COVID-19. It is greatness’. important that the protocols be followed.

If we have leaders As hard as it is, let us respect and adhere to cussin’ and ridiculing the protocols for each other’s welfare. We should each other instead of never reach the position where police have to be showing unity in this present to ensure the protocols are observed. We time of national ought to be more responsible. There are many calamity, how can this other things police can be occupied doing rather nation be blessed?! than having to monitor and policing persons at I close on a lighter funerals. note. I was once asked The bereaved and the pastor in charge ought to how I would describe Dr. come to an agreement before hand about how Ralph Gonsalves. My many can attend a funeral. Where possible, a response was simple: “ … social media platform could be used for those not a case of superlatives, in attendance. the BEST and without COVID-19 is no joke! We can have a reduction going into detail, the in the cases in this country if each of us plays his WORST!” … And with part. that I gone.

The first university ⁄⁄.

THE FIRST UNIVERSITY was built by persons who did not have degrees but who had a vision. A vision that institutions like that would provide opportunities for persons with abilities and a passion for discovery, to further their research and knowledge, for the betterment of mankind.

I preface this short article to remind those who look down, scorn and vilify persons for what they say or do because they don’t have a doctorate, masters’ or

bachelors’ degree, or who are poor materially, not to despise a poor man or prophet of the Lord, when he or she speaks the truth. Be reminded: You need not a degree to speak the truth.

There are a few scripture verses from Ecclesiastes that come to mind that amplify my observations. The first Eccl. 9: 14 — 17: “There was a little city, and a few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it …. Now there was in it a poor wise man, and he

Funerals

Donald De Riggs

Kennard King

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News

SVG 40th in Corruption Index Report IN TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL’S 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 34-page report released last week Thursday, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ranked 40th, with a score of 59 of a maximum of 100 points.

Of the 180 countries surveyed, St. Vincent and the Grenadines sits third in the ranking of Caribbean countries, with Barbados leading in 29th position with a score of 64. The Bahamas was next in 30th position with a score of 62.

Other Caribbean countries to feature in the report were: St Lucia (56) received a ranking of 45th; Dominica (55) 48th; Grenada (53) 52nd; Jamaica (44) ranked 69th, Guyana (41) 83rd; Trinidad and Tobago (40) 86th; Suriname (38) 94th; Dominican Republic (28) 137th; and Haiti with a score of 18, ranking at just ten places from the global bottom.

A score of 100 indicates that a country is very clean, while a score of zero indicates high corruption.

In a telling finding, the Report

stated that assessors found persistent corruption in “undermining health care systems and contributing to democratic backsliding, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Health Care corruption documented during the COVID-19 pandemic included: demands for informal payments from patients, embezzlement and theft, absenteeism, overcharging, favouritism and manipulation of data, the Report stated.

It noted though that the least corrupt nations have tended to produce the best response to the virus.

In presenting the report, Transparency International chair Delia Ferreira Rubio warned that COVID-19 was not just a health and economic crisis, but also a corruption crisis that countries were failing to effectively manage.

“The past year has tested governments like no other in memory, and those with higher levels of corruption have been less

Transparency International said it has found corruption practices that were undermining health systems. able to meet the challenge,” said Rubio, who added, “But even those at the top of the CPI must urgently address their role in perpetuating corruption at home and abroad.”

The 2020 edition of the CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, drawing on 13 expert assessments and surveys of business executives.

Denmark and New Zealand were ranked the least corrupt with 88 points. Venezuela, Yemen, Syria, Somalia and South Sudan were ranked among the most corrupt with scores of 15, 15, 14, 12 and 12, respectively.

(Source: www.transparency.org)

New Port Project sees rescheduling THE GOVERNMENT of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has de-emphasized the resettlement of residents and fisherfolk who presently occupy parts of the site of the future modern cargo port at Rose Place, in capital Kingstown.

Rose Place is still home to a Finance Minister Camillo number of fishermen and women who ply their trade on a Gonsalves made daily basis and around home a the disclosure whole ‘culture’ has developed. during his presentation of the 2021 Budget.

He said, that given that timelines and priorities of 2020 had to be altered, “It was not necessary to move everyone out of Rose Place ahead of schedule only to leave the area vacant for months waiting for construction and land reclamation to begin.”

Notwithstanding the above, it was expected that physical work on the site will begin later this year, Gonsalves said.

“As such, we have revisited the sequencing of events and hope to assist in the resettlement of residents by mid-year,” he added.

The 2021 Budget reflected provision for the construction of 47 homes in Lowmans Bay to facilitate the re-location of residents of Rose Place.

And a total of EC$41 million has been allocated this year to the advancing of the modern port project which, according to Gonsalves, making it the single largest single capital project for the year. (DD)

V The Lady Angela disaster: Good deeds still linger 12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

People

MORE THAN FORTY- FIVE YEARS after surviving the Lady Angela ferry disaster, Cornelius Chance is counting his deed of saving lives, as one of his life-long memories.

Chance recalls the voyage on that fateful morning of December 18th 1975, as being normal; the Lady Angela had left Mustique for mainland St Vincent.

“We left Mustique about 6 o’ clock and it was regular sailing even though the sea was a bit choppy… It was coming close to Christmas, so many of the construction workers were going back to the mainland,” recalled Chance.

Chance, who was 19 years old at the time and had been a member of the crew for about two months, remembered that Captain Morris Tannis choosing to use the route next to the area called the ‘Bullet’ (to the north of Bequia) en route to St Vincent.

He recalled the vessel developing engine troubles.

“After the engine shut down, we drop (ped) the anchor, but it was too deep, so the anchor couldn’t hold, and we start (ed) to drift,” Chance said.

Chance related that the wind began tossing the wooden vessel towards the rocks at which point panic and hysteria set in.

With danger looming large, making a charge for the nearby rocks seemed to be the best bet.

Chance, a Sandy bay native who now resides in Bequia, said he used the knowledge of his upbringing and knowledge of the sea to good effect that morning.

“Some of us got into the life boat heading for the rocks but we had then to swim to the rocks. … I never panicked because I know I cudda swim… Growing up in Sandy Bay, I know that three big swells come, then the other is usually calm, so I did just that and got to the rocks,” he related in this exclusive

interview with THE VINCENTIAN. Chance said while on the rocks, he helped others to safety, however, he was forced to get back into the water to help someone who was having difficulties.

“I saw him holding on to the anchor and noticed that he was having difficulty. So I jumped off the rock and went behind his back and held him and got him on to the rock,” Chance brought back to mind.

Reports recall that about ten or so persons lost their lives on that December morning. Also perishing were animals which were being brought to the mainland for slaughter by the workers, for the Christmas festivities.

Chance maintains that had they been able to successfully negotiate the passage off the ‘Bullet’, things would have been different.

“If we bin (had) passed the Bullet, we would ah bin in the clear open sea and things

would have bin different,” Chance reasoned.

And even as the memory of the Lady Angela reminds him of good deeds he has performed, it was not the only ordeal on the high seas when Chance was able to do a good deed.

He looked back at an occasion when he helped to save the life of a Tobago fisherman.

“In 1984, I was working on ship and we were heading to Curacao, and I saw a pirogue in the water and my instinct tell me say that the fisherman was in trouble,” Chance stated.

He brought what he had observed to the attention of the ship’s captain and they were able to help the distressed fisherman, who had been adrift for some days.

One who always saw the sea as his means of earning a living, Chance went on to work on a Trinidad and Tobago vessel and with the Mustique Company, as part of

Cornelius Chance the crew of Endeavour, for 18 years.

Now 64 years old, it has been three years since Cornelius Chance has retired from the sea, but he has no regrets. In fact, he is a proud seafarer who takes joy in remembering how he helped to save lives.

Captain Mulzac remembered

The presentation party at last Monday’s ceremony, with Andre Liverpool and Rupert Mulzac (front 2nd and 3rd from left respectively.)

SUNDAY 31ST JANUARY, 2021 marked the 50th Anniversary of the death of Captain Hugh Nathaniel Mulzac, the Vincentian national who became the first black man to have gained a Shipping Master’s Certificate in the United States of America, and to later captain the ‘SS Booker T. Washington’.

The ‘SS Booker T. Washington’ was a United States Maritime Commission (MC) Liberty

ship, first of 17 Liberty ships that were named after African-Americans, and which, under Capt. Mulzac’s watch, made 22 round trip voyages ferrying troops and supplies to Europe and the Pacific theatre between 1942 and 1947.

To mark the anniversary of his death, a brief ceremony was held at the SVG Coast Guard Base at Calliaqua, last Monday.

In delivering brief remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Andre

Liverpool, a friend of the Mulzac family and a major facilitator of the event, said that the event was inspired by Ms. Ned Myers who cared for Capt. Mulzac when he lived in Kingstown Park.

According to Mr. Liverpool, plans to mark the 50th Anniversary of the death of Capt.

Mulzac’s was hatched in 2020, between Ms. Myers and himself.

In addition to the ceremony at the Coast Guard base, which took shape after a meeting facilitated by Liverpool and involving Ms. Myers, Lieutenant Commander Deon Henry and , Lieutenant Eos Hamlet of the SVG Coast, Liverpool said Ms. Myers did a television interview to raise awareness about Capt.

Mulzac’ work. Posters were also printed to commemorate the occasion.

Mr. Rupert Mulzac, a relative of Capt. Mulzac also addressed the ceremony. Mr. Mulzac, who served in the United States Navy, told the gathering that one of the things which made him very proud when he was at Sea

Rupert Mulzac (left) accepts a replica of the Coast Guard Vessel ‘Hugh Mulzac’ from Commander Brenton Cain. during his years in the Navy, was knowing that the first black man to have received a Master’s Licence in the United States was his relative, and that he knew him personally.

To him, the gesture to remember Capt. Mulzac at the beginning of Black History month is very significant.

Coast Guard Commander Mr. Brenton Cain, in his remarks, admitted the SVG Coast Guard had limited literature about Capt. Mulzac on hand.

He expressed delight in the Coast Guard receiving a copy of Capt. Mulzac’s autobiography entitled ‘A Star to Steer By, which was presented by Rupert Mulzac, and a quantity of Commemorative Posters,

presented by Liverpool.

Commander Cain reminded the ceremony that the current Coast Guard Vessel ‘Capt.

Hugh Mulzac’ was the second such vessel to bear Captain Mulzac’s name. This, according to him, demonstrates the high esteem in which St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the SVG Coast Guard hold the late Capt. Mulzac.

In a concluding gesture, Commander Cain handed over a replica of Coast Guard Vessel ‘Capt. Hugh Mulzac’ to Mr. Rupert Mulzac, on behalf of the SVG Coast Guard.

(Source: RSVGPF) (Editor’s Note: The Commemorative Poster can be seen on the opposite page)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2020. 13.

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14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Parliament

The crane at the Campden Park Container Park is not yet fully operational.

Crane at Campden Park still to be repaired HIGH WINDS are said to have delayed much needed repairs to the crane at the Camden Park Container Port.

January 15, 2021 was the deadline for completion of repairs and the return of the crane to full operation.

However, according to Senator Julian Francis, Minister responsible for ports, while giving an update on the situation during the debate of the 2021 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure in Parliament on January 27, explained that with the crane being 120 feet high, work was suspended after it was thought to be too risky for the technicians to work at that height.

Francis assured that, “All parts are available, and parts were in stock. It was just getting in some equipment from overseas which we couldn’t get to

reach up to the crane.”

Provision of EC$200,000 has also been made in this year’s budget for the purchase of parts.

With the crane having already completed 4,000 hours, it has been recommended that an engine overhaul be done, Francis informed.

Another sum of EC$200,000 was allocated for the repair and clean-up of the yards at both Campden Park and Kingstown ports, and EC4 million was expected to be available for the purchase of two reach stackers and eight forklifts, Francis said.

With the crane at the Camden Park Port out of operation, reports were that businesses and individuals here were unable to have their containers of goods and personal effects landed here before Christmas.

Contingency Fund looking good THE CONTINGENCY FUND, established in 2017, now stands at EC$34.1 million.

This despite the withdrawal of EC$10 million to partially fund the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, i.e. the Response Supplementary Budget in April 2020.

“Our Contingency Fund helped us to withstand the COVID-19 emergency last year and will continue to grow until we need it again,” Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves said during his 2021 Budget Presentation, Feb.1.

In addition to the Contingency Fund, government has set aside a portion of its development financing to be used in the aftermath of the occurrence of a natural disaster, Gonslaves added.

The Contingency Fund is solvent good going into 2021 and even as the country braces for a possible volcanic eruption.

According to the Gonsalves was more finance minister, under than pleased to reveal the World Development that it was more than Bank’s Catastrophe the government had ever Deferred Drawdown put aside to fund Option (Cat-DDO) emergency responses. programme, this country And with the recent can also access US$20 seismic activity at the La million in rapidly Soufriere volcano, deployed financing.

EC$350,000 in capital “Therefore, as of spending has been today, the Government allocated to various has almost EC$90 million or 4.1 percent of monitoring and preparatory exercises GDP in immediately and to cover the conduct available resources to of preparatory drills and address emergencies,” exercises, upgrades to Gonsalves said. the Belmont Observation This amount, while Centre and other works not a large sum when related to the placement matched against the magnitude of the of various types of challenges that could monitoring equipment. confront the country, (Stories by DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 15.

News

New UWI SRC team arrives in SVG

Right: The team (l-r) is now headed by Dr. Thomas Christopher and

by GLORIAH… Michal Camejo-Harry; the current includes Monique Techician Garth eruption. His Johnson-Lynch, THE FIRST TEAM of Mannette; and Project experience of Dr. Michal scientists from the UWI Manager of the Volcano eruptions at Camejo-Harry and Seismic Research Centre Ready Project, Monique Soufrière Garth Mannette.

(SRC), charged with the Johnson-Lynch.

Hills, responsibility of In charge of this new Montserrat provides commencing work on team will be, Dr. Thomas great insight to the team February, Dr. Christopher and his monitoring activity at the Christopher, Scientist and to NEMO. team climbed to the La Soufriere volcano, left from the Seismic Former team leader, summit and worked on the state on Wednesday Research Centre (SRC) Geologist Professor focusing the camera that 27th January. The team, based at the Montserrat Richard Robertson gave will help to track the led by Geologist Professor Volcano Observatory a brief outline of the dome more clearly, and Richard Robertson, also (MVO), who will continue work expected to be also installed additional comprised Instrumentation to work in collaboration undertaken by the new Engineer Lloyd Lynch and with UWI-SRC team. He spoke on NBC reflectors on the EDM reflector, bringing the Engineering Technician Ian colleagues in Montserrat Radio’s Face to Face number of reflectors in Juman. and Trinidad. He brings Programme on Monday place to nine. These will A second threeexpertise in geochemistry 1st February. member team arrived (volcanic gases) and “While they are there allow the scientists to that very day to continue petrology which will be [Belmont],” he said, “they look from the distance to ascertain whether the the work started. It invaluable to allow for a will be putting some southern flank is moving comprised Scientist Dr. better understanding of additional seismic and or ‘swelling’ in any way.

GPS instruments…..monitorin This will be one of the g instruments to gather data. One of the things they will focus on is the gas output. Then they will move forward in becoming more operational, more routine in what they’re doing.”

He indicated that the team plans to even bring in some volunteers to assist them in working 24/7 if they need to, and will work more closely with NEMO to make sure the community becomes involved and is informed and prepared for what can happen.

On Monday, 1 Dr. Thomas ‘TC” Christopher leading the team to the summit.

Dr. Thomas Christopher (standing) and Monique Johnson-Lynch on the summit getting ready to gather samples.

concerns as the dome becomes larger.

And in keeping with what Professor Robinson shared, the team took measurements of the gas.

These measurements will be used to understand what is happening deep within the volcano as gases are coming to the surface faster than magma. This can be used as an early warning system.

This new team will continue to collaborate with NEMO to ensure

that regular updates are given. Even though the effusive eruption continues quietly, precautions are still to be taken. Even a quietly erupting volcano presents a dangerous risk and persons are encouraged to desist from even attempting to climb the mountain and attempting to go down into the crater. The alert level is still orange and there has been no evacuation order.

16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2020. 17.

News

Prisons to gets some attention

THE PRISON FACILITIES in Kingstown and Belle Isle are expected to receive some attention this year.

Plans are afoot to effect some much needed electrical, plumbing and structural work at the facilities.

“Our prison system was the unfortunate focus of attention last year when two dangerous criminals briefly escaped from Her Majesty’s Prisons. They were subsequently reprehended without endangering the public,” Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said in the 2021 Budget address.

That aside, there are more fundamental issues affecting the operation and management of the prisons.

An investigation by the Ministry of National Security since the escape, as referenced, revealed what Gonsalves referred to as troubling deficiencies in management structures within the prison system.

And while temporary correctives have been put in place pending the conclusion of a more detailed investigations, it is expected that government will act decisively to address the existing shortcomings,

the Finance Minister said.

Veron Primus and Ulrick Hanson escaped from Her Majesty’s Prison in Kingstown in December 2020. It was the second time in just over a year that Primus had escaped from the same prison.

Following the second escape, then Superintendent of Prisons Brenton Charles was said to have been sent on early preretirement leave.

Superintendent of Police Timothy Hazelwood was appointed to the post.

(DD)

Caribbean DPPs in virtual conference DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (DPPs) from eighteen Caribbean islands came together at a virtual conference 28-29 January to discuss some of current difficulties and challenges they collectively face, as organised-crime groups exploit structural vulnerabilities and benefit from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Barbados, the OECS countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Belize and the British Overseas Territories were all represented.

Conference delegates heard from regional and international experts on a range of issues, including the resumption of trials after COVID-19; vulnerable witnesses in serious crime and sexual exploitation cases; recognizing the impact on children as online and offline sexual abuse increased.

Justice of Appeal of the Supreme

Above: DPPs and other Conference officials.

Court of Trinidad and Tobago, Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds and Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions from Belize presented and led a discussion on trials held with judges alone, in the light of the ban on jury trials during the pandemic.

DPPs were treated to a wellness session on productivity and managing stress by Mathew Brown. Legal and administrative issues faced by DPPs were the subject of a roundtable discussion led by Donna Babb-Agard, QC, DPP Barbados, including appeals on points of law during trials and sentencing guidelines.

UK Chargé d’Affaires Craig Fulton in opening the conference recognised that the last year had presented challenges which significantly affected DPPs. Noting the importance of the conference, he said: ‘My hope is that DPPs can identify some of the regional best practices in the fight against serious organised crime and explore the potential for a collaborative approach in policy-making in these areas in the Caribbean.’

Provision has been made in the 2021 Budget for some maintenance and repair work at the two prison facilities here (Belle Isle pictured).

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18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Marriage on the rocks Dear George, WE ARE into our second year of marriage. Recently, my wife admitted to me that she had a one night experience with another woman, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so, she suggested that we allow this woman to sleep over on a regular basis. In fact, it sounded like a threat since she said if I did not agree, she would have to give our marriage a second thought.

Since that, our relationship has not been the same. I have to force her into having sex with me.

To me, right now it’s like she has one foot in the marriage and one foot out.

Disappointed

The time is right for you and your wife to have a sit down. It is important for you to know what is distracting her and if she still wants to be in the marriage.

Suggest to her that you both see a marital therapist/counsellor. The counselling sessions should reveal the real issue that’s causing the rift. Your wife’s distraction could be symptomatic of a deeper problem.

Hopefully this would be spotted and worked on before things worsen.

Dear Disappointed,

George

Bury the hatchet uncomfortable since the dog issue. My son and his daughter are SINCE the last general together and have election, the tension started planning their between my next door wedding. My son is neighbour and me has upset because I told him heightened. I am a there was no way I will staunch ULP supporter be attending that and he is not.

My dog has a habit of wedding, and has not eating at his house with said a word to me since.

I need to hear from his dogs and it was never you about what is the a problem. Recently best way to handle this. though, he said to me that he was not feeding anybody who voted ULP, Looking for answers not even their dog.

Three days later my dog Dear Looking for answers, was poisoned. I confronted him and he It is unfair to accuse denied having anything your neighbour of killing to do it. your dog when you have But, there is a bigger no solid proof. issue and it has become

Dear George,

The upcoming wedding should serve as a splendid opportunity for you to bury the political hatchet and work towards renewing the relationship and being exemplary parents to your children, who have so far demonstrated how neighbours should live with each other.

Do not allow your pride and selfishness and the bad blood with your neighbour to contaminate your children’s relationship.

Take the high road.

Extend an olive branch to your neighbour. Good luck.

George

Taken for a ride Dear George, Dear Feeling Abandoned, MY BOYFRIEND is in the USA. Recently, he communicated with me that he was getting married and the marriage is an arranged marriage for him to get his green card. He promised that after he gets his green card he will start proceedings to get me up.

I objected to the idea but he convinced me that he and this girl were not living together and there was nothing between them outside of this marriage arrangement.

George, the wedding took place and I tried several times to reach my boyfriend but each time the phone rang out. One night, after midnight, I called from another phone and his girl (wife) answered and said he was sleeping. I left my name and number for him to call me; two weeks have passed… nothing.

I do not know what to think at this point. Why is he not explaining things to me?

Feeling abandoned

You are not the first and will not be the last person to end up on the losing end of an agreement like this.

You should see that the marriage was more than what he professed it to be and therefore, he is now avoiding you because he is happily married.

I suggest you quit trying to reach this man. Accept the fact that he has unceremoniously left you hopping on one foot. Use your time now to set a new chart for your future. Better would come if you exercise some patience. You could be gaining much more than you have lost. Let it go.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Look into events that you might find interesting, and compromise by doing a few things that you both like to do.

Check your personal papers and make sure everything is in order.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Go with the flow and don't let the unsettled atmosphere get on your nerves. Wait and get all the information before consulting your boss. Balance is required if you want stability.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You will find your personal partner taxing this week. You can make extra money. Rewards will be yours if you put in the overtime required. Resist any idle chatter. Don't allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your generous nature could be taken advantage of. You'll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate. Too much work and no play will not only result in fatigue and frustration but also loneliness, too.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Older relatives may be a burden.

Acknowledge your lover's needs. Don't overspend on children or on large purchases. Prove your worth; concentrate on getting the job done and steer clear of office politics and gossip.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Exhaustion will lead to minor injury if you don't know when to quit. Catch up on your correspondence and reading.

Monitor your budget carefully to avoid unnecessary stress. You're on to something tangible and need to act fast

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Try to deal with the problems of those less fortunate; however, don't allow them to make unreasonable demands.

Tempers will mount if you are too pushy at work. Empty promises and a lack of cash may put a damper on your plans.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don't let your emotions interfere with your professional integrity. Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest. You are best to sit back and think it through, rather than add to the ranting and raving.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Camping, swimming, and biking expeditions should all be considered.

You will have to do a lot of running around, so be prepared to fall short of your expectations. You may find that children are not as accepting as you have been.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Limitation could set in if you've been spending too much. You need a change and you need to earn more cash. Attend to things that you should have done yesterday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Don't spend too much in order to impress others. Your emotions may get the better of you. Go after your goals.

Try not to argue about trivial matters.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Try to be reasonable. You can learn a great deal more if you listen rather than rant and rave. Changes in your home may be alarming at first. You can pick up valuable information if you listen to those with more experience.

ACROSS 1. Partiality 5. Compensated 9. Timber tree 12. Great Lake near Buffalo 13. Similar to 14. Tilling implement 15. English noble 16. Prayer response 17. Make mistakes 18. Humorous Aykroyd 20. Designated 22. Role Player 25. Face feature 27. Strike a bell 28. Permanent 32. Convent dweller 33. Young chap 34. Big-eyed deer 35. Appears 38. Beauty parlor 40. Gladiolus kin 41. Hollywood representative 42. Kitchen lure 45. Lofty poem 46. Shred 47. Illustrated 50. Ark-building patriarch 54. Fruit punch 55. Roof projection 56. Plunge (into) 57. Cinematic Kingsley 58. Tool-storage site 59. Astronaut Shepard DOWN 1. Pollinating critter 2. Wordsmith Gershwin 3. Lung expander 4. Rarely

5. Blueprint 6. Aspire (to) 7. 1950s Presidential moniker 8. “Menace” of comic strips 9. Mild cough 10. Achy 11. Cattle assemblage 19. Exist 21. Wee insect 22. Skin affliction 23. Good buddy 24. Fork prong 25. Category 26. Ate (lunch) 29. Not busy 30. “High” time

31. Fine fellow 33. Floral ring 36. Cup edge 37. School marks 38. Feeling morose 39. Set of talking points 42. Saudi native

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 19.

43. Travel by car 44. Unseal 45. Was indebted to 48. Stadium roar 49. Festive night 51. Sultry Gardner 53. Coop inhabitant

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Vincentian athletes active in Jamaica

athletes from the MVP Club.

Akani Slater was the top performer among the Vincentians with victory in the 400m, in a time of 46.55 seconds.

Yonick Murray finished second in another 400m, in which he clocked 49.18 seconds.

Finishing in a time of 22.40 seconds, OJ Jackson was able to cop second place in the 200 meters.

Sprinter Javon Rawlins took fourth spot in the 100 and 200 meters in times of McKish Compton - 60 and 11.20 and 22.63 seconds 200 meters runner. respectively.

Javon Rawlins - 100 and 200 Completing the meters athlete.

Vincentian line-up was McKish Compton with a Left: OJ Jackson - 200 6th position in the 200 meters specialist. meters in a time of 23.06 Yonick Murray was second seconds, and 8th in the 60 in the 400 meters. my opinion. We are Slater meters in 7.12 seconds. trying to do the best said, Summing up the and all that we can “Most of us are just trying to focus on performance of the do. We are not sure the Olympics, trying to qualify for this Akani Slater won the 400 meters.

Vincentian athletes, Slater if Jamaica will year’s Olympics. To do so would be a said: “The track meet we VINCENTIANS ATHLETES on scholarship continue having major achievement for most of us, but had today was just an in Jamaica are keeping a positive meets because of we just have to see how it goes and opener to see where we are mindset as they work towards achieving fitness wise, and to see the spiking of pray we get a lot more track meets so their goals despite the COVID-19 spikes COVID-19, so we we can do good times, and we will take where we could improve.” in the country. just have to hope it from there.”

According to Slater, A number of those athletes were on “Overall, our performance was good that COVID-19 could ease for this the track last weekend representing G. and the sprinters were exceptional in year.”

I.B.A.ALLEN C. Foster College in a meet against And as for the focus of the athletes,

“Carifta rescheduling a positive,” says Morgan TECHNICAL DIRECTOR of Team Athletics SVG- Chester Morgan has conceded that the postponement of the 2021 Junior Carifta Games from April 3 to 5 to July 2 — 4 in Bermuda, is understandable given the precautions to be taken in the climate of the prevailing pandemic.

Morgan, though, sees the reset dates as a “positive” one for St Vincent and the Grenadines, reasoning that whatever team is selected they will be better prepared for the challenges.

“While some countries are on total lockdown, we have fewer restrictions, where we are still

allowed to train,” Morgan said in support of his position as referenced.

He was quick to note, however, that even with less stringent protocols, “we will have to create our own bubble to have the athletes training and more active.”

An upbeat Morgan disclosed that prospective representative athletes were already in training with a view of making the trip to Bermuda.

Among the athletes named by Morgan were Handal Roban, who took a bronze in the Under 20 Male 800m when the Games were last held in the Cayman Islands in

2019.

In addition to Roban, the Technical Director listed double Under-17 Female bronze medallist in 2019- Ulanda Lewis, along with Kyle Lawrence, Nellie Ambriton and Ashanti Richards, as forming the core of athletes for the Bermuda outing.

“It is now for Team Athletics SVG and the coaches to get together and create a solid programme for the next five months, which would take us towards the mission of gaining more medals at the Junior Carifta Games,” Morgan related.

At the 2019 Games,

(L-R): Ashanti Richards, Kyle Lawrence and Nellie Ambriton are expected to be among those making up the core of SVG;s team to the Carifta Games in Bermuda.

SVG gained three bronze medals, thanks to Lewis’ double and one from Roban.

Initially, the 2021 Games, which is the 49th

edition, was slated for over the traditional Easter weekend, but a spike of coronavirus across the region at the start of the year, forced

the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Council, to push back the Games to July.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 21.

Sports

Work to continue at Diamond Track

The Diamond Athletics Track and Football Facility as it was at the time (Oct. 21, 2020) it was handed over by the contractors on completion of the first phase of its construction.

the facility, Dyke Cato, said were some PHYSICAL works at the in what is described as the challenges posed by animals encroaching on newly commissioned second phase of the to the track.

Athletics Track and project.

He detailed the impact Football Facility at The work will proceed of this encroachment Diamond will recommence after what Overseer at saying, “It’s important to highlight some of the issues where cattle would defecate and create holes in the synthetic track which we have to continually repair.”

This problem with the cattle ensued even after there were radio Dyke Cato, Overseer of the Diamond Facility is confident that the second phase of construction will proceed smoothly.

bulletins and signs erected, aimed at encouraging livestock farmers in the area to secure their animals, Cato said.

The problem subsided only after the police were called in, and a number of heads of cattle were shot.

Cato regrets that this action had to be taken, but it was necessary since, according to all reports, owners of the cattle had not heeded the call to tether their animals.

Nonetheless, Cato is confident that the second phase of the project will proceed without delay and without a repeat of the problems.

In terms of physical works to be undertaken, these include: covering the existing bleachers and ensuring access for physically challenged patrons; construction of changing room facilities; completing the landscaping, the parking area and drains; and construction of two security booths.

But over and above the second phase of physical works, Cato is looking forward to the certification of the Track, which is conditioned upon a separate 400m warm-up track bei-ng part of the Facility.

This process, he anticipates, will unfold

smoothly to fruition within this quarter.

“One of our greatest achievement in the second phase is the certification of the Track.

The Track has already gone through all of its phases as it relates to certification and it soon will be an IAAF certified Level 2 track,” Cato assured.

Notwithstanding Cato’s excitement, THE VINCENTIAN understands that with security all but nonexistence at the facility, citizens have been make encroaching on to the track and uses it for their own purposes.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Three Referees retain International status (From left): Kenran Daniel, Moeth Gaymes, Denroy Barker, and Elron Lewis.

THE VINCENTIAN TRIO of Moeth Gaymes, Denroy Barker and Kenran Daniel, have been retained on the FIFA International Referring list for 2021.

They were among the list of match officials recently released by FIFA. Gaymes, arguably the country’s best referee, remains the lone FIFA International Referee among the three.

He has been on the list since 2014.

Like Gaymes, Barker, an Assistant

Maloney maintains good form

Shafiqua Maloney keeping watch on her relay team mates.

VINCENTIAN Shafiqua Maloney was in top form again at her University of Arkansas hosted Razorbacks Invitation Meet, held over Jan. 29 and 30.

Running the third leg in the 400m x 4 relay, she registered the fastest leg (51.70 seconds), to help her team to gold in a time of 3:30.80.

Her leg was pivotal in the win with her team mates clocking 53.31 seconds for the first leg, 53.40 for the second leg and 52.39 seconds in the final

leg.

Competing in the 400m, Maloney captured third place but was overjoyed with her performance since she recorded a personal best time of 53.20 seconds. She finished behind Jan’Taijah Ford in 52.89 and Bailey Lear in 52.95.

Her efforts in both races assisted her Arkansas University Razorbacks to finish with 133 points and take top spot in the women’s teams standings, ahead of Georgia 93, Oregon 92, USC 70, Mississippi State 30, Colorado 27, Ole Miss 27, and Iowa State 10.

I.B.A. ALLEN

Referee, first got on to the list in 2014. He is a former St Vincent and the Grenadines senior team goal keeper.

Daniel, who is also a Level One Track and Field Coach, is on the list again as an Assistant Referee.

With limited regional football competitions in 2020, the trio’s officiating was restricted mainly to the National Club Championships hosted by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

Elron Lewis, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Referees Association (SVGFRA), told the VINCENTIAN that it is his organisation’s aim to have more match officials on the list.

“We had earmarked six officials who we were planning to use in the CONCACAF Under-17 Men’s Qualifiers here this month, to give them some exposure, with the hope of later getting them on the FIFA list. But that tournament was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic (and) things have been pushed back,” Lewis informed.

He noted that the SVGFRA has been engaging in ongoing training for its members with a view to keep them on top of their craft.

Lewis also made an interesting revelation i.e. that apart from the referees’ knowledge of football (rules, etc.) and their fitness, FIFA has put a heavy weighting on their language competence.

“One of the major areas FIFA is looking at for Referees is their communication skills, both written and oral, and having a good command of the English Language helps,” Lewis declared.

Lewis is hopeful that the recent rise in the number of positive COVOD-19 cases here would be reduced significantly, so that the National Club Championships will resume and match officials could become active again.

V

22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Thanks to God I SAY THANKS to Almighty God for the life of Clement Woodrow Iton. He was buried last week Friday January 29 at the Kingstown Cemetery.

The solemnity of the event was underlined for such is the response of the soul.

Iton’s farewell came within the protocols of the Covid 19 pandemic. The event was streamed to cater for those family members abroad.

It is not surprising that Iton left a regional footprint. He was from the North Leeward village of Coulls Hill. It may be one of the smallest, built on terrain bordering the Westwood estate.

Iton found a base in New Montrose, overlooking capital city Kingstown. His neighbour Joel Providence recalled growing under Iton’s glare, and graduated with more than some insights from Iton’s intellect.

Iton took the welfare of every male in the community as keenly as he did his four sons.

Providence observed Iton’s stature, which even though outdone by the burgeoning youngsters, remained a solid base.

Providence pointed to Iton’s preparation for the regional thrust having served in Guyana with the formation of Caricom, and in St. Lucia when the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean states was set up.

It is no surprise therefore that his sons have found themselves entrenched in aspects of regional enterprise.

Iton had an interest in cricket activity which took place at an open plot of land three lots from his residence.

Many cricketers honed their skills there, but the spot was the base for many a social activity.

The Iton’s residence was one of sanctuary, in times of refreshment, for his yard was invariably filled with fruits. Providence identified Iton for his role in the formation of what is known as the general Employees Cooperative Credit Union.

As far as Providence knows, Iton was articulate, and purpose driven. He was a dedicated public servant and anti-colonialist, some years ahead of his time.

Iton’s influence benefitted all those around for there was some magic touch of magnetism. I fell into his family fold and maintained visits to his home without notice. I had a close bond with his last two sons William and Wainwright. Those ties remain.

Iton lived to be 95, the same as my father who passed away four years ago. So I can say I had an extended period of fatherhood. That was sufficient to have kept me grounded, imbued with discipline instilled by one like Clement Iton. Rest in peace.

“Let’s carry on Soccer” HAPPY NEW YEAR to all sporting organizations and their supporters. Happy New year also to spectators, sponsors, contributors, government, opposition parliamentarians and our health officials.

That said, let me say that to overcome the challenges that our football faces, we need more knowledge, commitment and properly timed preparation. God would not give us more than we can bare.

Players and coaches must listen and obey only the health officials; others with their mixed messages only want attention.

Team SVG Team SVG played their first preliminary World Cup Qualifier against St. Lucia on the 22nd March 1992. Twenty-nine years later they will play on the 25th March, 2021. Will history be repeated?

Team SVG has the opportunity not to come last for the first time in their Group, in which they are grouped this time with Guatemala, Curacao, Cuba and the British Virgin Islands. If we thought FIFA and CONCACAF were not reading our newspapers, think again. Putting the British Virgin Island in our group means ‘Rollit’ will not be writing nor reminding all of Team SVG coming last since their inception.

Growth without proper preparation is useless. Growth in participants (numbers) is the SVGFF’s only development. Each year there are more participants players, match officials, tournament co-ordinators and administrators. How many of these are knowledgeable about the sports and its process of development?

Look at how many fields there

Rollit Waldrond, former national footballer and coach insists that it is how well you are prepared and what you practise that will determine what you do on the field. are, many of different shapes and sizes. Should we therefore raise a storm when very little knowledge of constructive movements is seen on the field of play? Quiz your players!!!

Our administrators believe ‘money’ — prize money will develop the players and the game. Prize money is an incentive. What you practise that you shall do on the field.

Clubs are now receiving ‘free’ FIFA money which is not a bribe for the executive to be re-elected to office, but to help players, coaches and managers to improve and excel.

In the meantime, soccer mercenaries keep hunting players from other teams, players who they think will help their team win the prize money.

the players insured to cover injuries, not only while playing in a competition, but coverage when coming and leaving practice and during practice.

Soccer is a very serious sport.

Cheating during training and not being trained properly can cause serious injuries. There are many players — active and retired — who carry around injuries that they can prove were incurred while they were playing, but they were not able to afford the required treatment.

Who you play against is not your enemy. They are your opponent, so bullying and hurting your opponent to win is wrong and not in your favour.

When I compare the growth of newcomers to football and culture especially pan, pan players have progressed faster than soccer Insurance for players players. Why? Pan players have experienced and knowledgeable Forming players’ and coaches’ persons in charge; soccer is quite associations is imperative. In the the opposite. case of players, male and female, Let’s hope Team SVG gets the many play with fear of injuries help needed to keep hope alive which can affect both performance come March 2021, if FIFA and and life. Therefore, I am asking CONCACAF don’t cancel their players to consider asking the tournaments. owner(s) of their clubs that collect these ‘free’ FIFA money, to have Rollit Waldrond

Jamaica to assist former national sports reps

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is published with the hope that those who read it will be moved to agitate for a similar action here, and for those who are in positions to do so, to do so.)

A special fund to assist former Jamaica’s national representatives who have fallen on the hard times is to be established by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

The move was announced today (Feb.01) by Minister Olivia Grange, who said she had directed the Sports Development Foundation to set aside money for the fund, while she finalizes a body that will implement and manage it.

Minister Grange met with the new board of the SDF last week when she urged the members to treat the establishment of the fund as a priority action.

The new SDF board is comprised of Attorney-at-law George Soutar, who is Chairman; International Sports Administrator, Dr Michael Fennell; former banker Mr Lloyd Pommells; International Sports Administrator Mrs Molly Rhone; financial consultant Mr Compton Rodney; National Sports Coordinator Mrs Annmarie Heron; businessman Mr Newton Amos; chartered accountant Ms Lilian Reid; attorney-at-law Mr Alexander Shaw and General

Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

Manager Mr Denzil Wilks.

The Minister discussed her vision for the transformation and streamlining of the national sports entities during this calendar year and the critical role of the SDF going forward.

(Source: SportsMax)

V Labourer granted bail on wounding charge

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2021. 23.

Classifieds

FRED GEORGE, a labourer residing at Prospect, was granted $10,000 bail with one surety, when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, charged with aggravated burglary and wounding.

George is charged with entering the home of Calvin Findlay of Brighton

as a trespasser, and at the time had in his possession a weapon of offence, to wit, a cutlass.

George is also charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Findlay.

Findlay had reportedly suffered a 4cm laceration to his left index finger.

Both offences were reportedly committed at Brighton on January 25.

George was not required to plea to the charges when he faced Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on Monday.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche did

not object to bail, but requested sufficiency in surety, and suitable conditions. He noted that George had previous convictions of a similar nature which shows that he may have a propensity for these types of offences.

As part of his bail conditions, George was

ordered to surrender his travel documents, along with reporting conditions.

Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit, and he is not to leave the state without

permission of the Court, or to contact the virtual complainant.

The matter has been adjourned to April 25.

George was unrepresented. (HH)

LATOYA RICHARDS

WINSTON ST ELMOR HADLEY

OLLIE LEOLA BAILEY Sunday, 31st January, 2021 Barrouallie Evangelical Church Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Glebe Hill Cemetery

Saturday, 30th January, 2021 Bethel Gospel Assembly Georgetown Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Georgetown Cemetery

Sunday, 31st January, 2021 Evesham S.D.A Church Viewing: 9:30 a.m.

Service: 10:30 a.m.

Interment: Windsor Cemetery

(/9,6 2Âś%5,(1 %85.( better known as Sound Boy KETTLINE WILLIAMS Monday, 1st February, 2021 Faith Temple Church Service: 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 2nd February, 2021 Wells of Living Water Church Canouan Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Retreat Cemetery Canouan

CLARICE BLANCHE DEPRACTINE Wednesday, 27th January, 2021 Kingstown Methodist Church Viewing: 11:00 a.m.

Service: 12:00 noon Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

05, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.05

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

KING DEPORTED!!!!

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL activist Luzette King, renowned for having spearheaded the Front Line Group which mounted a sustained protest against the results of the 2015 general elections among other related issues, was on Saturday 30th January reportedly deported from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The report which THE VINCENTIAN received, said that the action was taken against King after she failed to adhere to incoming passenger COVID-19 related protocols, bypassed Immigration and Customs in what appeared to be an attempt to leave the Argyle International Airport.

She was apprehended in the airport’s car park.

King, the report said, had arrived at the Argyle International Airport from Miami on an American Airlines flight, and was travelling on an American passport.

In a Facebook post since being deported, King said that she resorted to use of her American Passport because she had lost her Vincentian passport a few years ago.

She confirmed that she is a Vincentian by naturalisation, having been born in Curacao to Vincentian parents. She is also an American citizen.

In a posting on her Facebook page while it appeared she was aboard the return American Airlines flight, King said she was heading back to Baltimore from where her flight had originated.

The report as referenced, spoke of King not being able, as required, to produce evidence that she had a confirmed booking at a government designated hotel, where she would be required to quarantine for ten days.

She is reported to have told the authorities that on each attempt to make such a booking, the hotel which she contacted was inexplicably removed from the list.

And when told, according to her, that she should have requested an exemption from having to book into a hotel, she was at a loss since she had no idea that this was possible.

She has, on her own admission,

begun the process of applying for an exemption since she intends to return to St, Vincent and the Grenadines.

King is reported also, to have refused to have a swab test as is stipulated for all arriving passengers, but she has countered this claim since her deportation, posting on her Facebook page that at no time did anybody tell her she had to be swabbed.

Sometime later King is said to have complained about the attitude of the nurse on duty and the absence of a doctor.

Understandably, the fact that King was able to bypass airport, security, immigration and customs personnel and exit the terminal building, has raised concern about the security at the airport.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, has registered his consternation with this lapse and has, reportedly, requested a full report on the matter from the Commissioner of Police.

Luzette King is said to have refused to adhere to COVID-19 protocols and made her way out of the terminal building at the AIA. (File Photo)

SION HILL CELEBRATES WITH A CENTENARIAN

Centenarian- Mrs Evelin Waldron being presented with a gift by Earl Bennett of the Sion Hill Sports Club.

EVELIN WALDRON of Roseau, Sion Hill turned the golden age of 100 last Sunday, a milestone which she celebrated with close family members, community groups Friends of Sion

Hill and the Sion Hill Sports Club, and Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown- Hon. Fitzgerald Bramble.

During the celebration, an alert Waldron participated in the celebration by singing and giving praise to Almighty God for her longevity.

She reminded those present of her favourite scripture verse: “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear?” (The Book of Psalm, Chapter 27, verse 1.)

Very much collective, Waldron thanked all those who came to celebrate with her, wishing that God will continue to bless them, and “guide you in your going and coming.”

The widow of John ‘One Man’ Waldron, Evelin was a live-wire of her late husband’s shop, which was the home of the now defunct Flying Target Domino Club.

She was the provider of the various delicacies for the players who

practised their craft at the shop on a daily basis.

Though she never had children of her own, she was mother her late husband’s daughter Paulette Waldron, since she was three months old.

Paulette, who now cares for Mrs. Waldron, noted that her “Granny” is still full of wit and has all her faculties in place.

“She still eats heartily and has a good appetite… She knows when her breakfast is late and alerts me when it is time for her lunch and when she wants additional attention,” Paulette related.

Mrs. Waldron, who has survived all of her other siblings, was known to have cared for them financially.

“Granny travelled to Barbados and St Lucia, from where she made sure that her mother and siblings were cared for… She was also employed at the then Marketing Board,” Paulette said.

Paulette summed up her “Granny”

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

Hon. Fitzgerald Bramble makes a presentation to Mrs. Waldron. as being full of life, despite challenges with movement in her legs.

THE VINCENTIAN offers its congratulations to Mrs. Evelin Waldron on her significant achievement of being able to celebrate her 100th birthday. We wish her continued good health and God’s richest blessings.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.