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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

MAY 05, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.18

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

COUPLE CLAIMS BRUTAL BEATING DURING RAID

by HAYDN HUGGINS TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Friekesha Douglas, charged in connection with a major gun and ammunition haul at Lowmans Bay on January 18, 2017, claims she and her boyfriend, Randy Shallow, 31, were brutally beaten by the police officers who raided their home, and the blows caused her pregnancy to come to a pre-mature end.

Douglas leveled the allegation under cross-examination by Senior

Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, as the trial continued at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

Douglas and Shallow, both of Lowmans Leeward, are charged jointly with possession of a prohibited weapon, to wit, a submachine gun, and having a component part of a prohibited weapon, to wit, a magazine of an AK47 rifle.

The couple is also charged jointly with possession, without licences, of a .38 revolver, a glock pistol, 14 rounds of .40 ammunition, 42 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one round of .38 ammunition and one round of 7.62 ammunition.

Attorney Grant Connell is representing the couple.

In her testimony on Tuesday, Douglas told the Court that she was beaten by two of the police officers who raided their Lowmans Bay apartment that morning, while Shallow was beaten by about five.

She said a male officer struck her in her back, causing her to fall to the ground, and while she was getting up, the officer struck her on her left side.

“I turn to him (officer) and told him I was pregnant, ‘suppose he mek me lose the child.’ He said, ‘so, me nah (expletive) care’.”

She claimed she was also slapped by a female officer whom she identified as Asursha Miller.

The woman said that the other officers beat her boyfriend for about 15 to 20 minutes causing him to bleed from his mouth.

According to her, Shallow did not resist, as an officer she identified as Sergeant Morgan administered the blows.

Morgan, Douglas recalled, had also shouted to a police officer, who was holding a gun to her boyfriend’s head, and ordered the officer to “kill him.”

Douglas added that she was handcuffed, while Shallow was handcuffed and shackled around his ankles. They were taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Central Police Station, and it was then she realized she was bleeding from her vagina.

When questioned by the Senior Prosecutor, Douglas said she was pregnant when the officers were beating her, but did not know how far she was into her pregnancy.

According to her, she last had her menstrual cycle on November 3, 2016.

“How did you know you were pregnant?” Delpleche asked the accused, who explained that she did a test.

Douglas however added that she was no longer pregnant, when further questioned by the prosecutor.

“What curtailed the pregnancy?”

Delpleche asked the woman who replied, “The lashes I got.”

But Douglas admitted that she did not receive a medical report to that effect.

Shallow, who had testified just before Douglas, told the Court that there were about ten police officers on the raid, but only about seven entered their apartment, and he was never

Randy Shallow and Friekesha Douglas (left), in separate testimonies, claimed to have been beaten by police officers during a raid on their apartment, which resulted in the seizure of the guns and ammunition below. shown a warrant. He claimed to being struck in his face, when he asked to be shown a warrant.

Both defendants said two officers walked into their bedroom with two guns and told them, “Watch what we found.”

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Environment Feature

Sand mining in Brighton: A blot on Government’s record

there was a comprehensive study done by USAID in 2010 on the impact of sand mining in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that strongly advised against this practice. This study was commissioned by our very own National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority. Its recommendations have obviously fallen upon deaf ears.

I have brought my Construction sand has been mined in large concerns to the attention quantities from the Brighton Beach – a very of the Prime Minister damaging practice. (Credit: UNESCO.org) time and time again, but unfortunately it does not with sand mining at

by THEODORE BROWNE seem as if he is prepared Brighton Beach by the government of this country, to do anything serious I DECIDED TO WRITE this through its agent BRAGSA, about it. It is regrettable article to bring to the as a matter of public policy. that a man and a leader attention of the public an for whom I have great These actions are taking issue which is directly respect and admiration affecting me as a property place in direct should take such an contravention of the owner at Brighton, and approach. I am sorely recommendations of which is damaging and disappointed in him on numerous environmental destructive to the this matter. I am reports. As one example, environment. It has to do compelled in these circumstances to speak out publicly on this subject despite my close relationship with the Unity Labour Party. This is a most vexing issue.

An ecological disaster

The removal of substantial sand dunes at Brighton destabilised the beach, so the coastline retreated inland a considerable distance. (Credit: UNESCO.org)

Sand mining has brought on an environmental and ecological disaster. The coastal erosion in Brighton is extremely bad. Huge sand dunes have been removed. A once beautiful and idyllic

Coastal damage extends along the eastern coastline on mainland St. Vincent as seen here at Black Point Beach. (Credit: Richmond Vale Academy) coastline has been disfigured. A tranquil haven was disturbed. An archeological site was trampled upon. The once fertile lands nearby have been rendered uncultivable. This is a hard slap in the face of agriculture which my government professes to hold so dear. A turtle and bird sanctuary is being overrun by huge bulldozers and heavy machines. The road to Brighton Beach is buckling under the weight of the trucks that go there to take its sand away.

There is sand strewn everywhere along the route from spillage contributing to pollution.

I knew this beach well from the days of my youth when I was a boy attending the Brighton Methodist School. It was full of grape trees, “fat pork” trees and almond trees. These trees were still there in some abundance until the post2004 era of sand mining.

Trees and other verdant vegetation that once decorated and enhanced the coast have vanished without a trace. They are no more. This is a tragedy of epic proportions that hurts me.

What is taking place in Brighton stands in sharp contrast to everything that the government is saying about the environment. We signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change with great fanfare. We are calling international

attention to our plight as a Small Island Developing State in the age of rising sea levels, even as we remove protective barriers from our coasts. We pay lip service to the noble concept of sustainable development. Our words do not match our deeds.

There is no harmony between what we say and what we do. This is a terrible blotch against the state’s record and erodes its moral authority and integrity. I encourage the government to get it right.

Enduring personal loss As a property owner in Brighton, I have seen large swaths of my land virtually disappear. I have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in property. This is an especially hard burden to bear since my family is saddled with mortgage

Theodore Browne, Attorney-at-Law, has a personal challenge which has wider implications for the nation’s attention to safeguarding its coastal line. payments for property that is washing away.

This is literally a case of throwing money into the sea. We do so while the government and BRAGSA have been filling their coffers with illegitimate sand revenues. This is not right. The abuse that has been meted out to us is intolerable, unbearable and disrespectful to our legitimate and propriety interests. What we have faced is far worse in its effect than the Gibson Corner fiasco. We are in this position because of the deliberate actions of the government against all the environmental recommendations.

Moreover, the government has been making money from the activity without compensating affected parties. How could this be right?

I must speak up for my rights. It has been my stock and trade as a lawyer for over 40 years to defend, promote and uphold justice. I can do no less in this case. I call upon the government to stop this shameless assault on private property and nature right now and take corrective and compensatory actions.

I hope to see a restoration of some semblance of the idyllic beauty that once used to characterize the Brighton shoreline.

Indiscriminate removal of sand resulted in the loss of the beach front in Layou, and occasioned expenditure of a large amount of government revenue to safeguard further erosion and damage to the main road.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 3.

News 3 Correctional Facility gets solar PV System College (SVGCC) and a 500 kW at the Argyle International Airport.

And, according to Brenton Charles, Superintendent of Prisons, the project has had far-reaching positive developments for the prison system.

Charles informed that four male The solar panels that will serve the 50 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) System at the Belle prisoners and Isle Correctional facility. six Prison Officers at the a part of the project emission rates over the The Superintendent Belle Isle Correctional through the PACES coming years. also confirmed that the Facility have been project, and will continue To date, the PACES solar PV system “will trained in solar to support the efforts of project has facilitated greatly reduce our photovoltaic (PV) the government and thirteen Vincentians in energy bill and support installation and people of SVG’s in their becoming solar PV our programmes to maintenance. quest to reduce carbon installers. (KH) develop inmates,” The four prisoners, Jason LaCorbinière, Augustus Pierre, Damian Programme Specialist for Bristol, Mr. Jonathon Energy, Environment Browne, and Mr. Noel and Climate Change, Bynoe, will receive delivering remarks on certificates in practical behalf of the United basic solar photovoltaic installation, Charles told Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the gathering. described St. Vincent and He expressed the Grenadines (SVG) as confidence that the being among the leaders training would make in the solar PV transition those prisoners effort in the OECS. concerned, more Continued from Front Page.

He assured that the productive citizens when UNDP was pleased to be they return to society.

Shallow said five officers beat him for about 20 minutes, using their hands, feet, guns and flashlights, after which he was handcuffed, shackled by the ankles and accused of killing a police officer some years ago.

Shallow said P.C Chambers and a female officer WHEN THE VINCY MAS did not strike him, but were instead beating his launches tomorrow, Saturday 6th girlfriend.

May, at Victoria Park, performers “They (officers) were telling me to own the guns. will be under new covers.

I said, ‘I can’t own what I don’t know about’,” Chairman of the Carnival Shallow testified.

Development Corporation (CDC) The couple said they were not shown any Ricardo Adams spoke on the issue ammunition until they got to CID, where they were earlier this week. This came also shown two ski masks which the police said following reports that the canopy they had found at their apartment. owned by the CDC was not in They both told the Court that they were commission. medically examined, but were not issued injury “We had to secure a forms. replacement canopy,” Adams The prosecution’s evidence was that the guns, indicated. He added that the ammunition and magazines were found on a original one was “over 12 years window ledge inside the couple’s bedroom.

A new canopy will be in place for Vincy Mas 2017 activities at old.”

Both defendants, in their testimonies, denied Victoria Park.

This photograph shows the stage on Mardi Gras Tomorrow’s launch, which knowledge of any of the items they are charged during which the canopy is removed. culminates at Victoria Park with with having in their possession. performances by a number of St. Vincent; performances by will include floats, pan-round-deThe arresting officer, Constable Philbert featured local performing artistes, junior calypso and soca artistes at neck steelbands, and impressions Chambers, admitted, in his testimony on April 3, will be preceded by ‘Celebrations the LIME promenade during the of traditional mas. that Shallow and Douglas had to be restrained Trains’ (Music Trucks) converging morning; and an afternoon The 2017 Miss SVG contestants because they were behaving aggressively, and on Kingstown from the Leeward parade from the Cruise Ship will make their first public Shallow had started to get violent. and Windward sides of mainland Terminal to Victoria Park that appearance at the launch.

The matter has been adjourned to May 10.

THE BELLE ISLE Correctional Facility is now outfitted with a 50 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) System.

The system, commissioned last Tuesday, April 2, is expected to save some $30 000 annually on the Facility’s electricity bill, this according to Director of the Energy Unit, Ellsworth Dacon.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the commissioning, Dacon disclosed that the Director of the Energy Unit, Ellsworth Dacon is undertaking was spearheaded by the keen on moving ahead Energy Unit and the with more solar PV Promoting Access to systems installation Clean Energy Services in here.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (PACES) project, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security, Air and Sea Port Development, and the United Nations Development Project (UNDP).

He said he was pleased to see another (Solar PV) project on the ground, in keeping with the national drive to limit greenhouse gas emissions by use of an Brenton Charles, indigenous resource.

Superintendent of This ongoing drive is Prisons, considers the set to see a 200 kW solar the solar PV system as a PV system installed at positive development in the St. Vincent and the the prison system.

Grenadines Community

CDC canopy replaced

Couple claims brutal beating during raid

V Sizeable wage increases proposed 4. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

ACCOUNTS CLERKS whose monthly minimum wage was $700 will see an increase in that wage if the recommendation of the Wages Council is implemented.

They have been recommended for a 45 per cent upgrade which would see their payments shoot to $1,015.00.

This was the largest increase announced last week Friday by Camillo Gonsalves, this country’s Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Internal Trade, Information, Information Technology and Labour Minister, as he presented the Wages Council on wage adjustments here.

Accounts Clerks who were paid $800 will be allocated the $1,015.00 salary. However, their Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of increase is 27 percent.

Labour, etc. hinted at an Office Clerks earning expectation that those employers $650 per month are in for who have been paying above the a 36.9 per cent increase, recommended minimum wages moving them to $890.00 would continue so to do. per month. Office

Attendants have been upgraded to $640. 00 monthly, 28 per cent over their previous $500.00.

The recommendation for Receptionists and Typists is for a 26.9 per cent increase, moving them to $640.00 per month from $500.00.

Sales Clerks will receive an extra $100, taking their pay to $700.00 per month. Full time Check-out attendants, packers and cleaners are in for 20 per cent upgrade to monthly salaries of $600.00 each.

New categories have been added to the list of recommendations. At the minimum, Reporters are expected to earn $1500.00/month, Videographers $1, 300.00/month and Camera Operators $1,100.00 monthly.

Hotel workers, including those in maintenance, will get $1,140. 00, while Chefs see an increase to $1,395.00 from $1,100.00.

Industrial workers have been allocated daily wages of $48.00, Construction workers

$42.00 and Apprentices $25.

Security Guards get 20 percent more with wages increased to $870 per month from $720.

Adult Care Givers, Gardeners, Workers in Nursing Homes, Child Caregivers at Day Care Centres will get $635.00 from $500.00.

Food and Beverage Supervisors have been upgraded to $980.00 monthly from $775. Purchasing Clerks are in for $890.00 per month from $700.00, with Hostesses, Housekeepers, Front Desk Receptionists, Secretary, Cooks and Bartenders increased to $855.00 from $675 obtained before.

Spa/Salon attendants, General Helpers, Waiter/Waitresses, Room Attendants, and Beach attendants are set to get $715 a 26.5 percent increase from $565.00.

Gonsalves praised the National Wages Council for their work which began in 2015.

Lloyd Small, Chairman of the Wages Council.

Noting that increases for minimum wages were given in 2003 and 2008, Gonsalves said that some stakeholders might tend to dismiss workers in light of the proposed increases.

He urged employers to employ the balancing act.

On the other hand, the Labour Minister recognised that some employers were paying above minimum wages before the renewal, and he hinted that they could indeed make payments above the scheduled payments.

Ban on ‘Styrofoam’ to be phased in GOVERNMENT HERE, proposes to implement the ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) products in phases.

So, as Minister of Labour, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, etc.

Camillo Gonsalves outlined at a press briefing last Friday, importers will only be allowed to clear from Customs any order of the product made prior to the date — May 1, 2076, on which the ban took effect.

And individuals currently using the product in the course of their business, have until January 31, 2018 to begin using an alternative.

During the 2017 Budget presentation, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

announced the implementation of the ‘Environmental Health Expanded Polystyrene’ legislation, which effectively bans the importation and use of polystyrene or Styrofoam products, as they are more commonly known.

But the younger Gonsalves revealed that a decision was taken to “phase in” the ban, after it was considered that large quantities of the products may have already been ordered prior to May 1.

Although the piece of legislation has already been gazetted, the impact will not be felt immediately, Minister Gonsalves explained.

He advised importers that they will be allowed entry of the products, only if they can

show proof that the orders were made before May 1.

“There is grace period of Styrofoam of 90 days and Customs will have to examine those documents,” Gonsalves said.

He added that the length of time was considered because during consultations, some importers pointed out that orders coming in from far away often takes a while to get here.

Wholesalers, retailers and users of Styrofoam products have until In effect, persons January 31, 2018 to use up or get rid of whatever stocks of these products they have in store. in the business of food, or any other The ban on polystyrene These and other factors undertaking in which (Styrofoam) products, precipitated the total ban on polystyrene (Styrofoam) according to Gonsalves, was in the products here, making this products are used, have until keeping with the government’s country the only CARICOM the end of January next year Member to extend the to get rid of what is remaining. policy of looking out for the environment. legislation to the extreme.

It is non-biodegradable and Guyana, which took the One alternative to polystyrene cannot be recycled, and lead in banning the products, (Styrofoam) containers is according to the United States allows for its use in made from a plant fiber blend like bllrush, kenaf, Health Department, chemicals supermarkets for the wheatstraw, bamboo, rice and found within polystyrene have packaging of some items, e.g. bagasse. been linked to cancer. grapes. (DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 5.

Regional

Financial challenges for Spicemas 2017 GRENADA’S ANNUAL Carnival, dubbed Spicemas, was officially launched Saturday 23 April, 2017.

According to the Grenada Informer newspaper, “It was an evening of fun, colour and music as patrons got a taste of Grenada’s biggest annual cultural festival…”

That same newspaper reported that thousands were attracted to the Kirk Seethal, CEO of Roy St. John Playing Spicemas Corporation, Field,, venue for the made no bones about launch, to witness pointing an accusing Spicemas’ launch for 2017 featured an cultural displays of finger at mas bands. afternnon/evening of cultural presentations, carnival elements in (Credit: New Today entertainment and a glimpse of the mas (pictured) to steel pan, soca mas newspaper) come. (Credit: SMC) bands jab jab and more last Saturday. which he dealing with government money But there was a word of caution likened to being theft. and we have to be accountable,” that hung over the expectations “It is very important for me to he said. that the launch might have understand that this is a As was the case last year, the expected.

Statutory Body, and I am SMC has once again projected a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) accountable to the Ministry of shortfall in the budget of EC$3.2m of Spicemas Corporation (SMC), Finance and the Government of for this year’s carnival.

Kirk Seetahal, according to the Grenada,” he said.

SMC, which is responsible for New Today newspaper, has Seetahal announced that as showcasing the annual event, has accused some mas bands of theft from this year, bands wanting once again reported a shortfall in during a press conference to subvention have to apply to outline plans for Spicemas 2017.

Spicemas Corporation (SMC) and the budget of $3.2m for the August Festival.

Seethal is reported as saying will have to sign a contract According to Seetahal, the that some mas bands get their binding them to show proof of how challenge Spicemas faced by the subvention from government and the money was used. corporation in raising sponsorship end up not bringing out “I want to let all Mas Bands for the festival has not changed. masqueraders on Carnival day. know that in order to receive Spicemas 2017 opens with the He informed the media that subvention for 2017, you will have Soca Monarch Quarter Finals on since taking charge of SMC, he to submit your report for 2016. It July 6 , and climaxes on August noticed that bands would have is not business as usual. I do not 15 with the Parade of Bands. received subvention but failed to intend to be mean, but we are (Source: New Today Newspaper) make a presentation on the road,

Venezuela to withdraw from OAS CARACAS, VENEZUELA, Friday April 28, 2017 — Venezuela has given official notice of its intention to withdraw from the Organization of American States (OAS).

It did so on Thursday 27th April when it formally presented a letter of intent that would begin the process of total withdrawal from the hemispheric body.

Venezuela’s decision to withdraw its membership form the OAS, follows its prior objection to an OAS resolution that called for the convening of a special meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis in that country.

The resolution was carried with support from Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United States, Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia and Uruguay.

Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Dominica, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Venezuela voted against it.

OAS Secretary General Belize, El Salvador, Luis Almagro was at the Dominican Republic, and end of accusing fingers Trinidad and Tobago of the Venezuela’s abstained from the vote.

Immediately upon Foreign Minister. (Credit: passage of the resolution telesurf.tv)

regarding the special meeting, the Venezuelan government raised objection on the basis that ‘the OAS was attempting to intervene and promote a coup in Venezuela’.

After the letter of intent was presented to the OAS Secretariat in Washington Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s DC, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, confirmed that Foreign Minister her government had formally Delcy Rodriguez, begun the process of held a press withdrawing the country’s conference in Caracas during membership of the OAS. which she (Credit: venezuelanalysis.com) confirmed the government’s Almagro, accusing him of intent, and said, inter alia, responding to US interests “Today is a day of victory to destabilize Caracas. for Venezuela. We woke In accordance with OAS up today freer and more processes and procedures, independent.” Rodriguez it will take some two years asserted. before Venezuela’s She went on to point withdrawal from the body accusing fingers at OAS is complete. (Source: Secretary General Luis venezuelanalysis.com)

Robert Bermudez confirmed as The UWI’s 6th Chancellor THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (The UWI) is pleased to announce that Mr. Robert Bermudez has been appointed as its 6th Chancellor. The appointment came after members of the University Council accepted the recommendation of the Search Committee for the Chancellor at the Council’s annual business meeting, held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at The UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. The appointment Robert Bermudez of the Chancellor of the served as regional university is always Chairman of the made in accordance with the Board University’s Statute 4 which vests this responsibility solely at Bermudez Group of Companies, of in the Council-the highest which the governing body of the Bermudez Biscuit University.

Co. is a subsidary.

Now formally Chancellor Designate, Mr. Bermudez is expected to serve a seven-year term beginning on July 16, 2017. He succeeds Sir George Alleyne who has served as Chancellor since 2003. The Chancellor holds the highest office in The UWI system, and its powers and responsibilities are laid down in The UWI Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations. The Search Committee selected Mr. Bermudez as the best candidate to fit into the Dr. George Alleyne, diversity of roles assigned to Mr. Bermudez’s this office. predecessor, was Mr. Bermudez, a national at one time the UN of Trinidad and Tobago, has Special Envoy for been an entrepreneur for over HIV/AIDS in the 40 years. He has led the Caribbean Region. growth of his family-owned business to a regional business throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, and has enjoyed a distinguished career in business, serving as either Chairman or Board Director for several other corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. His vision for the University outlines a keen sense of the mission, effectiveness, relevance and interdependence of academia and the economy. His professional experience as a Caribbean-wide entrepreneur with business acumen garnered from across the region, suggests that he will continue the distinguished tradition of Chancellorship that this University has maintained throughout its history.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Bermudez stated, “The University has had the benefit of a series of very impressive Chancellors who have provided vital insights into its governance.

Maintaining the ethical order of the institution is a task not to be taken lightly. To be considered as a successor to Sir George Alleyne is in itself an honour.”

In extending congratulations to the Chancellor Designate, Sir George remarked, “It is a privilege to have served as the Chancellor of my University for the last 13½ years, and I was happy to preside over my final meeting of the University Council at which Mr. Robert Bermudez was appointed as Chancellor. I assured Mr. Bermudez that I will be at his service to provide any help he may wish as he transitions into his new role. I am confident that The UWI made the right choice.” (Source: UWI)

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6. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

‘Dr. Friday erred,’ says Minister Gonsalves THE LEADER of the Opposition has erred.

This is the assessment of Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Minister of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Information, etc. as he commented on Dr Godwin Friday’s claim that the International Airport Development Company (IADC) was a statutory body, and therefore, the financial statements ought to be presented in Parliament.

Friday has been calling for those statements for some time now, and as recent as last month, issued a press release in which he claimed that the IADC, established as far back as 2004, had not made public a single audited financial statement.

But Gonsalves, while speaking to members of the media last Friday, addressed the matter,

saying that he was doing so in his capacity as the Minister of Information.

He produced documented evidence from the Commercial and Intellectual Property Minister Camillo Gonsalves called on Dr. Godwin Office (CIPO) where Friday to admit to the public that he had erred. statements of the IADC and now they have 2006 through to 2013 are has opposed the construction of the moved on to say that lodged. airport, Gonsalves said, there were no financial “I try not to interfere with his (Friday’s) publicity tour, however, what the Leader of the Opposition said about RUPERT AUSTIN the IADC and about the PATTERSON, a 16-yearabsence of accounts is old student who pleaded simply incorrect,” guilty to firearm and Gonsalves said.

According to ammunition possession Gonsalves, Friday said March 13 this year, that because the IADC received a 3-year was a statutory body. suspended sentence last “But it is not a Friday, April 28, for the statutory body…he made crimes. an error or he was being The teenager was disingenuous,” he said, charged with having in and explained that it was, then would have Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche’s had to be created by an assessment that Rupert Patterson was not Act of Parliament. beyond redemption held sway with the The opposition NDP Magistrates final decision.

Dr. Godwin Friday, has made the issue of Government’s lack of accountability a priority area of concern for him and his New Democratic Party. records for the IADC. In short, the minister said, Friday should have

indicated to the public that he erred. (DD)

Student escapes custodial sentence his possession a .22 revolver and four rounds of .22 ammunition, without licences.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne handed down the penalty at the Serious Offences Court following a social inquiry report on the accused, prepared by the Family Affairs Division in the Ministry of National Mobilisation.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told the Court that having read the report, he formed the view that the Vermont youngster was not beyond redemption.

Though Delpleche acknowledged that the charges were serious, and the boy could be sent to prison, as he was not a juvenile, he did not recommend a penalty.

He instead asked the Court to consider whether it would be more beneficial to send the boy to prison or to allow him to continue his education.

Lawyer Jomo Thomas, who mitigated on the boy’s behalf, asked for a non-custodial sentence.

The facts revealed that on March 12, this year, police who were on patrol in Gun Hill, Lowmans Leeward, met Patterson waking in the area of the Maryfield Hospital, coming from Ottley Hall. A search was conducted of his person, and the gun with four rounds of

The Court has handed Rupert Patterson a chance to set his life’s journey along a proper and upright path. ammunition was found in one of the front pockets of his jacket.

When cautioned and questioned, Patterson told the police that a friend, whom he identified by an alias, had given him the gun to protect his (friend’s) and himself (Patterson).

When Patterson had initially appeared at the Serious Offences Court on March 13, and just after the guilty plea was entered, Prosecutor Station Sergeant Elgin Richards requested a social inquiry report on the youngster before sentencing, and the Chief Magistrate granted his request.

The boy had indicated that he was a secondary school student, but did not attend school regularly, when asked by the Magistrate. (HH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 7.

Court

Election Petitions: Judge to hear both sides

Right: Justice Esco Henry took the part of greatest assurance by requesting that both sides present detailed arguments to support their positions.

Right: Stanley John Q.C., representing the NDP petitioners, anticipates that Justice Henry will hear the motions to strike their arguments.

JUSTICE ESCO HENRY was expected to hear arguments from both sides yesterday, with respect to whether a hearing should proceed, in the matter of election petitions laid in the names of Benjamin Exeter and Lauron Baptiste, candidates of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2015 General Elections.

The Justice was moved on Tuesday, to adjourn the matter for yesterday so that she could be informed in making a decision on whether or not she would hear the motion put forward by the respondents, to dismiss the two election petitions filed by the NDP candidates.

Lead Counsel for the petitioners Stanley ‘Stalky’ John, Q.C told reporters following Tuesday morning’s session, that the judge wanted to get a clear perspective from both sides as to how they thought she should go forward.

On Tuesday, John presented an argument for the court to give directions on a hearing to which lead counsel for the respondents, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, stated that

any question of direction raised issues about the jurisdiction of the court.

He argued that Justice Brian Cottle refused to give direction on the petitions, on the grounds that the petitions should be thrown out.

Astaphan went on to state that giving directions would incur cost if the petitions were eventually struck out.

He presented a claim to Justice Henry that the respondents ought to be given the opportunity to present their arguments.

But John, in an interview with reporters, said: “We have suggested to her in light of being expeditious, economic and fair, that during the proceedings, she ought to take into consideration all of the documents that have been filed so far on behalf of the various parties, and determine

Benjamin Exeter, NDP candidate for South Leeward, General Elections 2015.

Lauron Baptiste, NDP candidate for North Windward, General Elections 2015.

Left: Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan was concerned that any question of direction raised issues about the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Cottle showed bias, when he made the decision to throw the whether or not she would proceed to hear the motions to strike before the petition in light of the preliminary issues affecting the validity of the petitions.”

He continued saying that in response to the motion to strike, which have been filed by the petitioners, they are contending that the motions themselves are an abuse of the court and that therefore it had no jurisdiction to hear them.

“We suggested to the court that that should be heard first because if the court agrees with us for the motion to strike are an abuse of the process of the court, then the motions to strike would not be valid before the court and the court can then go on straight to hear the petitions,” he continued.

John further stated then that he was anticipating that the judge would hear the motions to strike, and that she would invite counsel to make submissions as to whether there is an abuse of the process of the court.

The matter was referred to the High Court after the Court of Appeal ruled on March 7 that the initial ruling by

petitions out.

The petitions, filed by Exeter, the NDP’s candidate for Central Leeward, and Baptiste, candidate for North

Windward, cited irregularities in the 2015 poll and called for the results to be overturned, or for the court to order fresh elections. (DD)

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8. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial The playing field not level ANY ECONOMICS INSTITUTE will tell you that most of the money earned by a country (government) comes through taxation. Taxation is the primary income source for western-styled economies, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Governments expect that the taxes they collect will fund public expenditure, to include the costs of goods and services.

In all cases, taxes are mandatory by law, and are expected to be collected from the whole society, albeit with varying intensity.

In the case of personal — a direct tax - the tax regimes are usually designed such that those who earn more, pay more income tax. In the case of a Valued Added Tax (VAT) — an indirect tax — every man Jack is subject to the same rate.

Interestingly, as of May 1, this country began to pay VAT at a rate of 16%, an increase from 15%, on a list of items expanded by the inclusion of a number of goods which were previously zero rated or not ‘vatable’. Of course, readers will recall that the increase in VAT was ‘sold’ to us as a ‘Disaster Levy’.

That said, it is the premise that ‘taxes are to be collected from the whole society’ that concerns this piece.

Year in, year out, Comptroller of Inland Revenue after Comptroller of Inland Revenue lament the state of tax arrears, attributed in the main, we are to assume, to outstanding payments on personal income tax and VAT, the latter not by consumers but by importers and the like.

The bone of contention is not that (legitimate) taxes remain outstanding and as such, government proposed expenditure would have to be re-scheduled or removed altogether. The bone of contention is that, while some are caught in the web of arrears and are subject to drilling by the Inland Revenue Department and made to comply after ‘the embarrassment’ of having to answer in a Court of Law, others seem to enjoy immunity to the extent that they fly in the face of Courts in this land.

Why is it, that the small man, those monthly paid workers who, because of a ‘little bonus’ at the end of the year, are made by law to make recompense with the tax man for personal income tax not paid, some having to bear the strain of an added incurring monthly deduction and having less disposal income at the end of the month, while others, with more substantial amounts owing, are allowed to abuse the system that allows for appeal, continue not to pay their ongoing monthly commitments to the tax man, even as the principal of arrears and resultant interest remain unattended?

The case in targeted point is that of British-born businessman David Ames, principal shareholder of Harlequin Properties, developers of the Buccament Bay Resort.

He is charged on four counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion, allegedly committed here between 2011 and 2013.

Why, in Zesus’s name, was Ames allowed to abscond, to flee this country under the dark of night, with clearance so to do by Immigration Authorities, after he refused to appear for a scheduled Court hearing in a matter of the criminal offence of defrauding this government?

Readers will recall that Ames was allowed to leave this country ‘legitimately”, according to the Prime Minister, even after a bench warrant was issued to have him brought before the Court here.

David Ames was allowed to leave this country, while others suck salt to pay their taxes. Fault no one, therefore, when speculation of the most sinister type run wild. Not that those speculations are all true. But the speculations are born out of a situation much akin to the Orwellian adage, ‘some pigs are more equals that others’.

Donkey say that ‘the world ain’t level’. Donkey had to know something that the ordinary folks don’t or didn’t know.

Until such time as people like Ames and others who have made a mockery of our tax system, are made to be accountable, we cannot boast of a fair and just society.

And by the way, we all know where Ames is. When are measures going to be taken to have him return here? He has a stay of execution so to speak, until September 2018 in the UK. Can’t we have him return during that period of ‘freedom’?

Donkey definitely not as stupid as we think he is.

Wanted: More women in politics (A reprint from March 6,1998) ONE CAN BEGIN with the simplistic democratic notion that since the population is fairly evenly divided between males and females, then women should share equally the representation in the policy-making bodies of the land, namely, Parliament and Cabinet.

Or we can tackle the matter from a standpoint of practical common-sense and hold that the larger the effective catchment area for politicians, the better the chance of getting the best people as representatives.

Either way, it follows that if politics remains male dominated, with only the masculine half of the population as real prospects to run the show, then in this vital area of public concern there is a fifty percent waste of our scarce human resources, which we can ill afford.

From the time of Adult Suffrage in 1951 to the present, there have been a dozen general Elections plus a half dozen by-elections.

Altogether, female elected members over those years can be counted on one hand-five.

Topping the list is, of course the lone ranger Ivy Joshua who won 7 elections over a period of 22 years from 1957 to 1979.

Valcina Ash won a by-election in Central Leeward in 1983; Mary Hutchinson and Yvonne Francis —Gibson came on board in 1989, with Stephanie Browne replacing Mrs. Hutchinson in a by-election in 1991 and returning to the Parliament with Francis-Gibson in the general election of 1994.

It appears that neither of the female NDP incumbents will be running next time around, and neither of the major parties has so far declared a female candidate for elections geared to take us into the twenty-first century.

As against the fearless five, there have been male candidates over the same period.

Not only that, only four unsuccessful efforts were made by women over the period under review.They are Adina John (Mitchell-Sylvester Alliance) 1974; Valcina Ash Labour 1984; Nelcia Robinson U.P.M 1984 and 1989; Celitha Davy Labour 1989; Yvette Bentick 1989 and 1994 for MNU and ULP respectively.

For almost fifty years there have been only four nominated women, with an overlapping three going on to elected membership.

Margaret Cato 1966 to 1979; Valcina Ash 1979 to 1983; Mary Hutchinson 1984 to 1989; and Stephanie Browne from 1989 to 1991 when she won the by election.

Even at the lower level of Local Government, women have not exactly distinguished themselves by their numbers.

Vilna Cox won a Kingstown Board seat in 1953 before going on to become Lady ViceChairman of the new Labour Party. Theo Saunders unsuccessfully contested a Town Board seat for the newly merged Labour Party in 1955.

Otherwise, generally speaking, women have

given a wide berth to the formal political process.

Insofar as women wished to play an active political role, their tasks were confined to operating out of a Women’s Arm which handled fund-raising and entertainment mainly.

The very existence of the Women’s Arm told its own story. There never has been the need of a Man’s Arm which is the very Party itself. Still with the growth of the party over time women did gain the administrative leadership such as René Baptiste as Chairman of Labour and Amor Ashley as Deputy- Chairman of ULP. Labour’s Women’s League was very active from the birth of the Party, with the wives of the politicians in the fore front. As a general rule, the women folk among the Spiritual Baptists who were spiritually attuned to the PPP, performed the role of a disguised Women’s Arm. It is significant that in the early days, the few women politicians to emerge in the area were the wives of the political leaders.

These were topped by the celebrated case of Ebenezer and Ivy Joshua in St. Vincent, and Eric and Cynthia Gairy in Grenada, with the wife clearly playing second fiddle in both cases.

The Jagans of Guyana, Cheddi and Janet, have remained the outstanding exception to political inequality being a West Indian couple.

Such a picture fitted outdated image of women as “the weaker sex”, not strong enough to stand up to the rough-and-tumble of politics.

In fact, women were often their own worst enemies, as witness the torrid time the Women’s League of the SVLP put Mrs. Joshua through in the hectic 60s and 70s.

Indeed strong, forward looking women are offensive to their own sex to whom they are a standing reproach “What she playing? Who she think she is?” are the standard pull-down strategies.

Today, a reverse conclusion is often used to advise the proscription of women from politics. Since politics is a man’s sport, it is argued, women who make it to the top often depend on traditional male characteristics to achieve their end.

A sample of women leaders in time and space - Golda Meir of Israel, Indira Gandhi of India, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka (following in the footsteps of her mother Mrs. Sirima (Sirimavo) Bandaranayke) are cited as examples of women who had to strip themselves of soft feminine qualities, in order to hack their way through the jungle and, in the process, became overbearing and brutal.

Winnie Mandela is only the most extreme example of this phenomenon, though there is controversial Emelda Marcos of the Philippines, about to enter the presidential race to prove a point.

Continued on Page 12.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 9.

Letters

Colonisation and God’s plan for building His Kingdom SO GOD ALWAYS wanted His sons to inherit His kingdom. Adam had lost that ‘right’ due to disobedience (Gen 3:6).

Heaven will always belong to God (Ps 115:16),while the earth He has given to his Sons to dominate, to rule, to manage.

Religion teaches that Heaven is our home, but that is not what Jesus taught. He even told his disciples that when they prayed to make sure that they prayed for the Kingdom to come upon the earth (Matt 6:10), and it did (Matt 12:28).

We are also told in Rev 21:3, that God shall dwell with men upon the

earth, not in Heaven.

Jesus once told His listeners a parable of a nobleman who gave his servants monies and told them to ‘do business on his behalf’ until He returned (Lk 19:13) - clearly a picture of Himself leaving Earth in His sons’ care until His return.

So it is not about migration, but rather about occupation; it is about staying the course, affecting Earth on the behalf of Heaven, impacting it with the culture of the kingdom.

We are to remain here and invade the systems of the world (systems of authority); to be light, salt, and yeast going into all the world and

“A dying nation”

by Adrian Wright Pride has become his greatest addiction, Money has become his god, his only motivation....

It’s sad seeing all these people suffer, No clothes, no food and no shelter.

This Dictatorship, this greed, all this is wrong, Everything shut down like Skepta’s song.

Inflation, people crying, what is this man doing?

On TV casting blame on others...in other words, doing nothing.

Rise in Crime, over 4000 murders in just one year, This man is a heartless creature, he doesn’t care.

It now costs a book bag filled with cash to buy a bag of bread, This is so sad, it’s like living on your death bed.

Now I see, this is like Deja vu to me, The beginning of the end for us...yes take a peek.

This man is not friends with Moses, so why hide behind the law?

Maybe he thinks he is Judge Dredd screaming ‘I am the law.’

He is forgetting the most important fact of all, One day my lord, we all will die and stand before God. On that day, you will tremble, cry and fall on your knees, Begging your Creator, ‘Oh please, have mercy on me!’

That’s when God will look down upon your wretched soul, And his reply will shake mountains as the prophets foretold.

‘Cease your noise, your life was such a wicked one, And the damage was done, now Hell awaits you my son’.

“preaching” the Good News (Mk 16:15).

We are to go into the world of Education, into the world of Entertainment, into the world of the Media, into the world of Politics, we must go into all those worlds… and tell them of the arrival of the Kingdom, and influence them with its culture.. Halleluyah!

We can’t accomplish this if we leave Earth.. any leaving Earth will have to be temporary.

The time is coming, Jesus said, when all the Kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our God and His Christ (Rev 11:15).

- Pt. 9

It is high time that the church begins to preach the “gospel” that it has been “commanded” to preach, and stop preaching these “feel good”, “prosperity”, and other “gospels” (Gal 1:6-9).

Jesus did not leave it up to his disciples to preach whatever they wanted. HE TOLD THEM WHAT TO PREACH!!!! (Lk 9:2) and then sent them to preach the Kingdom of God (Matt 10:7) with the instruction: “Preach, saying “the Kingdom of God” has arrived.. .”

Negus

Shame on Jamaica I WANT TO LEND my support to our government’s vote against the OAS resolution to convene a special meeting to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

On the other hand, I must condemn Jamaica for voting in favour of the resolution.

Jamaica has, like most

of the OECS, benefited from the benevolence of the government and people of Venezuela.

That country has received the benefit of a concessionary oil arrangement under the Pertocaribe agreement, and I am certain would have benefited through the other aid facilities

Support for the hurdles IT WAS GOOD to read not so long ago about the visit to SVG by a hurdler from Jamaica. Thanks must be accorded Michael Ollivieerre who, I understand, is doing his all to revive an interest in this track event.

I recall, Mr. Editor, the days when hurdling was a fixture in track and field meets here. Those days date back to the late 1950s and 1960s and was the time when the Boys Grammar School was foremost in keeping this event on the track calendar.

So much was the interest then, that a leading Caribbean hurdler, Trinidadian Billy Montague, spent a short while here assisting with refining the skill of local athletes. Billy Montague was the last man to win two individual gold medals in the hurdles at the same British West Indies Championships (1965), scoring a hurdles double.

The hurdles remains one of the sternest tests for any track athlete. It was a significant part of our track and field culture, and every bit of support should be given to the effort afoot to revive the event here.

that the government of Venezuela has put at the disposal of the Caricom region.

How can one be so ungrateful?

SVG has benefited from the kindness of Venezuela in ways that most of the other Caricom countries have not — read assistance for the construction of an international airport — and it is only right and proper that we show some gratitude.

Venezuelans are currently feeling the squeeze and people might be protesting there, but this is no time to turn our back on a friend. Shame on Jamaica!

Thank you, Venezuela, for the assistance you have given to SVG. We will always be grateful.

Lennox Roberts, USA Editor’s Note: See related story on page 5.

Another letter to CDCÊs chairman

DEAR SIR: I was and am still impressed with the manner you and your able committee responded to my suggestion of recognizing calypso icons of yesteryear.

The names I would have mentioned were Sheller, Leader, Sunblaze, Lord Hawke and Duster.

However, I am satisfied, Sir, that your organization And as you are dragged off into the eternal abyss, has decided to give way to one of these legends — By the same demons that you co-signed with, ‘Sunblaze’ in the recognition line up.

Remember, that a Vincentian Poet wrote this.

Old Timer While your organization may be currently giving consideration to the other legends, I beg permission to add some more and peace. If it is not we are going to a dark contemporary bards to the cultural recognition list: the Vibrating place, we are going to Scakes, the Man C.P, Lexi, Sullie, a dangerous place.”

ANOTHER MAY DAY is payments, holidays due and You are the first to be Bump-I, Summers and Toiler.

The time is now, more upon us, yet things remain other basic workers’ rights marginalized, ostracized, Your organization, Sir, should than ever, for the labour the same. The leaders of the are not fulfilled. victimized, abused and labour movement remain On the other side of the attacked by party hacks and movement to organize and be still consider installing statues of these cultural icons at convenient counted. It is time that they divided along, as most of the equation, there are the others. positions leading to the entrance of populace of the country. politicians who assume that The theme for Labour Day be recognized as an equal ‘Carnival City’.

Instead of uniting to they are the best thing to this year is ‘Social dialogue - partner and be given the As I would have mentioned in respect and responsibility address the (common) issues happen to the working the way to shaping the they deserve. And if they are my previous letter, posterity will affecting workers, they are people. They know it all; future of work we want”. In bring the benefit of education for it subservient to politicians, only they can do it for the keeping with, the employers not given what is due to allows a glance into the glorious them, then they should rise parties and big businesses, workers; workers cannot and the government are past. up and demand it. while the hard-working organize except these urged to open dialogue. To Best regards to you and your people are left to fetch for politicians do it for them; quote Guy Ryder, Directororganization, and may divine Man-On-the-Go themselves, not only they know the workers’ general of the International Editor’s Note: This Providence guide you all in your understanding the issues needs.

Labour Organisation (ILO), deliberations. facing them until the harsh To workers I say: Think “The future of work must be submission reached us too late for inclusion in last reality of non-payment of and ask questions. inspired by consideration of week’s issue.

Patmos Richards pensions, severance Challenge the status quo. humanity of social justice

The time for dialogue is now!

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10. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Lies, and More Lies

by Godwin Friday

Introduction GODWIN FRIDAY was elected as leader of the opposition New Democratic Party in late 2016, ending the reign of the hapless Arnhim Eustace who was in that position for some sixteen years.

There is virtually little difference between both men politically, although some Vincentians seem to think that Friday would become a better leader. All that may have been conjecture, until Friday held a media conference on April 19th 2017, and contrived to put his foot in his mouth, by telling a bunch of lies, which have been proven. In this way, Friday has proven that he is no match for Arnhim Eustace. In fact, the NDP base would have been better off if they had elected some one like St. Clair Leacock, as their political leader.

The centre of these series of lies by the opposition leader lies in the DNA of their continued opposition to the International Airport at Argyle. They have tried countless times to derail the efforts of the ULP to construct the airport, and now that it is completed and operational, they now try to find some issue to bloody the image of the airport, and by extension the ULP administration led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. So they have fashioned this latest attack around the word “accountability”, claiming that the government has failed to table the accounts of the IADC in Parliament. They further claim that this is a contravention of the constitution, and the ULP administration has broken the law.

The Lies In the year 2009, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves addressed the Parliament, and made some comments on the IADC. He said “Mr. Speaker, the airport development company, is a company registered under the company laws of this country, and they have to submit, as they have done, their audited accounts at the Companies’ Registry.

And the Honorable Leader of the Opposition, who is chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, can summon a Public Accounts Committee meeting, and he can get the Director of Audit, who has an overall responsibility, constitutionally, on, not only the central government but public enterprises, to ask questions about this matter”.

This is a statement that is absolutely straight forward to anyone, least of all the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday. So on that fateful day of April 19th, 2017, when Dr. Friday held his media conference, he uttered four lies as follows: 1. He stated that the IADC was a statutory corporation and that it was subjected to a reporting arrangement similar to other such bodies.

2. He said that the IADC being a statutory corporation, must submit its accounts to Parliament.

3. He further stated that the IADC had no audited financial statements

since 2004.

4. He claimed further that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves broke the law, in that as minister responsible for finance, he should cause these reports to be submitted to Parliament.

When a political figure like Dr. Godwin Friday, utters these lies on public radio, it brings into question his qualification to hold the office of Leader of the Opposition, and subsequently, his unfilled quest to be the next Prime Minister of this country. How can we trust such a man, who in the presence of clear and fundamental facts, chooses the option of lying to the country?

And then we have some of his key supporters, who have abandoned the need to think for themselves, following him blindly. Sadly, there are those in the legal fraternity, and in the print and electronic media, who have also blindly followed Friday and his falsehoods, much to their shame, in the eyes of Vincentians. They must be condemned and their falsehoods exposed for all to see.

In fact, Friday’s bumbling diversion of Section 75 of the Constitution, and the role of the Director of Audit, further confirms his lack of suitability for the office that he holds. He has shown a decided lack of leadership, and the people of the country will wait for him at the polls, when the next election is called, and will reject him out of hand, as someone who claims he wants the job as Prime Minister.

Conclusion We can only draw two very clear conclusions from this sorry episode in which Godwin found himself. It is clear that the NDP will continue to oppose the international airport at Argyle. They cannot allow it to exist without finding a way to destroy its image. The airport is a monument to the faith of Vincentians who longed for such a facility, the manifestation of an impossible dream.

Vincentians will always remember that they gave the mandate to the ULP administration and Comrade Ralph, to construct this airport, and they have delivered. The NDP did their worst, including criticism of the cross-wind studies, and the alignment of the runway, and their final attempts to stop flights landing at Argyle.

Friday’s latest campaign along the lines of accountability adds another item to the long list of lies and falsehood against the international airport at Argyle. He will always remember the words of Sir James Mitchell, that if the NDP allows the ULP to construct the international airport, then “crapaud smoke their pipe”.

What is the Unity Labour Party hiding?

TUESDAY 2nd May, 2017 was set aside for the hearing of the elections petitions to commence, but that was not to be.

The lawyers representing the Respondents in the matter once again filed a motion to strike out the petitions.

The questions that are being asked: why is the Unity Labour Party (ULP) trying to keep the petitions out of the court? And, what is the ULP hiding?

We recall following the general elections held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the 9th December 2015, two of the candidates for the New Democratic Party, Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste, filed petitions challenging the election results in Central Leeward and North Windward constituencies, respectively. As required by the legislation governing elections petitions, recognizances were signed by persons intending to be sureties to provide security for costs on behalf of the petitioners so that the petitions could proceed.

The Respondents in the matters, (i.e. the relevant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, the Supervisor of Elections, Sir Louis Straker, Mr. Montgomery Daniel and the Attorney General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) filed applications in the Court to have the petitions struck out on the basis that they had not met the requirements of section 58(1)(b) and (c) of The Representation of the People Act and Rule 9 of the House of Assembly (Election Petition Rules) 2014 which set out the procedure and conditions for providing security for costs.

The application to strike out the petitions was heard before Justice Brian Cottle on the 4th March, 2016.

At that hearing, the Petitioners’ lawyers made a preliminary objection to the application on the basis that the Court lacked jurisdiction to hear it at that stage of the petitions proceedings. Despite the objections of the lawyers for our candidates, the Judge proceeded to hear the application to strike out the petitions.

In a written decision delivered on the 4th day of April, 2016, Justice Cottle ultimately agreed with our candidates’ lawyers and ruled that the petitions could not be struck at that stage of the proceedings. However, unusually, he went on further to state that if the application to strike out the petitions were raised again , later, during the hearing of the petitions on their merits, it was bound to succeed.

When the petitions came before Justice Cottle for hearing on the 16th June 2016, the motion to strike out the petitions was again brought by the Respondents. The motion was granted (as Justice Cottle had previously said would happen) and the petitions were struck out. Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste appealed against that decision striking out their petitions.

After much delay, and despite the efforts of the lawyers for Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste to have the appeal heard earlier, the appeal was finally heard on March 7, 2017, in St. Lucia.

Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste won the appeal which paved the way for the hearing of the petitions.

16% is indicative of a blatant lie from the ULP administration who had said they would do no such thing. You will recall that last year, it also increased the VAT by adding more basic food items to the list of goods on which VAT is paid. These items included rice, whole chicken and chicken parts, butter, brown sugar, lentils, pigeon peas, cooking oils, shortenings, salt, yeast and baking powder.

It is unconscionable for the government to raise VAT to 16% now, especially given the increase last year.

The country’s economy is in poor shape, with people and businesses struggling to make ends meet.

Increasing taxes may help the government’s finances in the short term, but will hurt people and, overall, will have a negative effect of the economy. You cannot tax your way to economic growth and prosperity.

Rather, greater effort must be made to stimulate the economy, which will ultimately benefit the government through increased tax collection, and also improve the lives of our people.

Bearing in mind that this increase comes at a time when other Caribbean islands are decreasing their VAT. For instance, St. Lucia has recently reduced their VAT from 15% to 12.5%.

Furthermore, during the 2015 general elections campaign, the New Democratic Party (NDP) promised to remove VAT on over one hundred basic food items and remove VAT on electricity.

Accountability The NDP continues to call on the illegitimate ULP regime to be accountable and present the audited financial statements of the International Airport Development Company (IADC) to the parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For Dr. Gonsalves to argue that the IADC is a company and is not compelled to present its audited financial statement to the parliament for Vincentians to know how their tax dollars were spent is ludicrous.

Instead, we were advised to go to the Commercial and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) for the financial statement. Having gone to CIPO, we were told that the financial statement for 2013 was not registered and cannot be copied; a document that was lodged at CIPO on the 8th December, 2015, one day before the general elections.

What is the ULP hiding?

Why is the ULP afraid to present the audited financial statement of the IADC to parliament? The illegal ULP regime has a legal and moral responsibility to present to the parliament the audited financial statement of the IADC. Section 75 of the constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines speaks to that, and it was to the parliament they went for Value Added Tax (VAT) approval for most of the funds to construct the Argyle International The ULP government had Airport. announced in its 2017 budget that it Accountability is fundamental and would increase VAT from 15 % to 16% critical. It goes from the top to the effective May 1st, 2017. It is now a bottom of business of government; it reality; and the poor and working crosses all sectors, and it connects to class will soon begin to feel the effect everything else that happens in the of the 16% VAT. business of managing the country.

The increase of VAT from 15% to

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 11.

Views

Just do right

“The truth is, right may not be expedient. It may not be profitable.

But it will satisfy your soul. It brings you the kind of protection that bodyguards cannot give you. Try to be the best human being you can be. Try to be that in your church, in your temple. Try to be that in your classroom. Do it because it is right to do.” – Dr. Maya Angelou (1928-2014), American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist.

incorrectly concludes that there is no penalty for the privileged who do wrong. But deep down in the crevices of his conscience he ponders whether it would not have been better to just do right from the very onset.

We will always encounter LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE in the In Touch situations that warrant our making column of The Vincentian Newspaper, choices. It is sometimes very entitled “Teachers Make Their Mark”, challenging for young persons to shared a story of a little boy whose decide whether to exert the energy mother had instructed him to clean his and dedicate the time needed to excel. room. He was initially tempted to sweep Occasionally, they will ponder the debris under the floor mat but later whether to follow the road that leads opted to do the right thing and throw to wrong/evil or select the path to the mess in the garbage bin. He was honesty/integrity, even if it means quite relieved when his mother peered temporary setbacks, embarrassment, under the mat as her first place of or exerting greater effort and energy. inspection when her son had Dr. Maya Angelou reminds us to pronounced that he had completed the conjure up the courage to do the right chore. He had learnt a very important things … because it is the right thing life lesson then – it is always better to to do. Responsible adults (parents, just do the right thing. It may demand teachers, and guardians) have a great greater effort and take more time, but it responsibility and privilege to teach is better to develop the habit, the children the benefits of being discipline, to just do right. disciplined in mind and body by doing It sometimes appears to be what is right … even when it is expedient to “trick the system”. This difficult or unpleasant to do so. We may occasionally be the result of should challenge them to just do seeking to avoid challenging, boring right. We are irresponsible, and we and/or time-consuming tasks. In the teach them to be dishonest, when we case of students at school, it may encourage them to make right seem mean getting a better grade (at any wrong and wrong seem right — when cost). However, the “right learning” we encourage them to get ahead at all does not take place. Consider, for costs or with the least effort. In life, example, the young lady who dislikes the little things can end up being the Sewing. She is prepared to spend big things. Seemingly small long hours doing her Mathematics, compromises can result in massive Science, and English Language erosions of conscience. This is assignments — but not Sewing. Her especially so when the youngster is parents, like her, do not see the need smart. Martin Luther King Jr. for the school to be teaching Sewing reminded us that there is nothing or Home Economics in “this modern more dangerous that an intelligent day and age”. Thus, they see nothing youth who is not grounded in moral wrong in contracting a professional principles. These can evolve to be seamstress to secretly do the young some of the most dangerous criminals. lady’s assignments. Because of this, We must teach our children/wards she gets top grades (for not doing any to make right choices. We must work), the seamstress makes some provide them with the strong moral money, and the child learns to be moorings that make and keep dishonest; to get credit for someone societies strong. We must encourage else’s work. She acquires skills in them to just do right in our homes, tricking the system … by doing schools, churches, sports clubs, and so wrong. She grows up lacking the on. We must be there to mentor discipline to just do right … even if them; to share knowledge about social the task appears to be boring and/or responsibility by the examples and useless. We are reminded to be so anecdotes that we provide; to very careful of what we teach when encourage them in relation to the best we are not teaching. behaviours that they should display; Consider the teenager who comes and to always seek to be the best from a respected family and ventures examples for them to model. Once we out on a weekend spree. He does not commit to such practices, they will have a driver’s licence but he opts to learn to just do right. It may not drive anyway. He may be thinking, seem expedient to walk the moral like so many adolescents, that bad high road … but it is the right path to things (like accidents) will happen to take. It may not seem profitable to other persons but not to him. As so focus on developing character traits very often happens, mishaps occur that revolve around humility and when we least expect. He crashes the honesty (especially when it is vehicle. However, the police officers observed that dishonest peers appear who investigate the accident are to be getting ahead so quickly) … but aware of how “well connected” the it will always be the right thing to do. young man is. They engage in a Society is stronger, and its citizens “cover up” and the incident is never happier, when we accept the recorded in their log. The young man challenge to just do right. learns that justice can be thwarted and that the guilty can be “deemed Send comments, criticisms & innocent” if they have the right suggestions to connections. He unwisely and julesferdinand@gmail.com

Canouan: A battle worth fighting EVERY TIME THE SAD situation in Canouan is raised, a narrow band, intoxicated by glitz and glitters and the lure of a rich bounty, are quick to remind us that the foreign developers invested hundreds of millions of dollars and must now be allowed to enjoy the fruits of their business savvy.

Lost in the debate over Canouan is that the government essentially gave away 1200 acres of prime, pristine real estate in the tranquil waters of the Grenadines to foreign private developers.

In 1990, James Mitchell NDP Government, in its quest to develop SVG as a high end tourist destination, leased the northern two thirds of Canouan to an outfit called the Canouan Resorts Development.

Canouan comprises of approximately 1800 acres of land. The Mitchell government leased 1200 acres for tourism development. The developers proposed to spend 100s of millions of dollars.

For the first 15 years, the developers paid no taxes. This is standard procedure in these kinds of developmental deals. What was not standard, and has never been standard anywhere in the world, is that the government allowed the lessee, who had negotiated a 99 year lease, to sell free holds out of the leasehold which it negotiated.

So it is conceivable and highly probable that in 2089 when the lease expires, all of the 1200 acres of land could be developed and sold. There will be nothing that remains to be returned to our patrimony. For this sweetheart deal the developers paid $10,000 annual rent in 1996, and on the final year of the lease in 2089, the annual rent is $55,599.17.

We have essentially given away a fortune. Imagine that government recently sold 40 acres of land on Canouan for $20,000,000 to the same developers. Imagine further the amount of money these investors are making by selling our lands that have been leased to them. This can’t be right. This has to be wrong. This should be illegal. Our patrimony demands that we challenge the legality of the agreement. If it is found to be illegal, there are a lot of benefits the people of SVG can derive from such a declaration.

Follow this conversation and do not lose sight of the fact that the 1200 acres of land belong to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Understand that, even though the land is owned by the crown and was leased from the government for 99 years, the owners of the Canouan Resorts Development Limited can sell parcels of this land. Whatever fee our land is sold for, the government gets 17 percent in fees.

What is also significant about this lease agreement is that it was not only registered. It was attached as the scheduled and incorporated into the laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines as Act # 4 of 1990 as the Canouan Resorts Limited (Lease Ratification) Act. This means that it will take a courageous decision by the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines to repeal this act. Make no mistake, the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines are holding the ‘shitty’ end of the stick in this deal. If you believe foreign investors have more rights than citizens of SVG, then you have been had.

There is no doubt that St Vincent in 1990, as in 2016, needs foreign direct investment. There is no question that St Vincent and the Grenadines needs more employment opportunities. These kinds of developments will assist with employment. However, no self-

respecting national could/should/would countenance an agreement that gives away a sizable portion of a beautiful island under the pretext of development.

It is therefore hard to believe or understand how in heaven’s name the conversation in SVG is whether we support or oppose the protest action of Terrance Bynoe and his followers regarding access to the beach. PlainTalk is convinced that access is really a non issue. We should all have access to our beaches. We know however that developers are looking for exclusivity.

They want to attract a particular clientele and offer them absolute privacy. These battles are fought by nationals all the time.

One may remember when locals were not allowed to take the motor boat owned and operated by Young’s Island so as to simply lounge on the sands there. There were similar struggles over the right of access over private lands to Breakers Bay, Indian Bay and Canash.

Locals must never give up their rights, and governments must never arbitrarily negotiate away the rights of citizens regarding access to beaches. However, nationals must never abandon the spirit of compromise if they can gain in the bargain.

The issues in Canouan are not the affairs of Bynoe and his supporters on the island and the developers. This issue should concern all of us. Moreover, the issue is much larger than beach access. Central to this debate is how we can renegotiate this deal that gives away prime real estate for small change.

Some may argue that Canouan was a mosquito infested island with little commercial value in 1990 when the deal was brokered. This may be true. But there is something we ought to know about land. It never spoils, and in these parts rarely ever lose value.

Former PM Mitchell is acutely aware of this fact. He has family interest in a Grenadines island. We can be reasonably certain that it did not and will not cross his mind to lease that island and give the lessee a right to sell free holds.

In law, we know that one cannot give what they don’t have. Therefore, this agreement appears legally untenable. It is true that it has the support of an act of parliament, but governments pass and repeal laws all the time. Further, any agreement that exempts it from any section of the constitution is presumptively unconstitutional.

Millions of dollars have already been invested and this may be a long road to hoe. But there are legal minds far more knowledgeable than mine that can be brought to bear on this issue. One does not have to be very smart to know that we have given away a treasure. The question is whether there are legal avenues for us to get something or everything back. We have clearly given up too much.

This is how the debate should be grounded, and not whether nationals should have access to the beaches. We have to revive the struggle for Genuine Independence, People’s Ownership and Control.

This piece, slightly revised, first appeared on June 10, 2016 with the title ‘Beach and Land.’

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

V Argyle airport an economic outrage 12. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Development Company (IADC), National Properties Limited, National Investment Limited and the SVG Minister of Finance and Planning were responsible for the construction of Argyle airport. The project was meant to cost EC$502 million (source: Final Report Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)).

However, it is strongly believed that the amount of money wasted building Argyle airport is about EC$1.5 billion.

If this is the case, it has been an outrageous waste of money, and the Argyle airport is a stupid approach to economic development in SVG. Having spent EC$1.5 billion, all we have, in reality, is simply a transfer of operations from E.T. Joshua airport to the Argyle airport. There is no significant increase in tourism or economic trade. The ULP regime has thrown away EC$1.5 billion on Argyle

airport, and the country has not moved forward at all.

The EIA said that traffic projections for 2015 would be of 737,000 passengers a year (about 2019 every single day), with the operations of aircrafts like the B747-400 Series of jumbo jets. The projection was a gross insult to the intelligence of the people of SVG and is a total falsehood. At present, zero passengers are coming by B747-400 Series jumbo jets.

The SVG Minister of Finance, Gonsalves, said it will cost about EC$20 million annually just for the maintenance of the Argyle airport. It is believed that revenue from Argyle Airport is insignificant and far from enough to cover its light bill.

The focus on Argyle airport over the past 9 years has increased hardship, unemployment, crime and poverty in SVG. Businesses have suffered, and

education from pre-school to university; and (c) taxing the superrich foreigners in Mustique and Canouan.

Countries with high-quality education are at the top economically even though Argyle airport is finished, and financially, and their people have SVG businesses are seeing no benefit. a high standard of living. Singapore, Sales are still very, very low. Take a Mauritius and Malaysia are very good look at the taxi stand outside the examples. These countries focussed on Finance Building in Kingstown and high-quality education first, then built see that tourists are nowhere. The their infrastructure incrementally, taxis are barely used. unlike the ULP regime, who have The construction of Argyle airport virtually bankrupted SVG with one big has been economic madness. Our project. country has seen no overall economic Until such time that we make highgain. The ULP regime has virtually quality education a top priority in bankrupted the SVG economy with the SVG, we will continue to move focus on, and construction of the backwards and not make any Argyle airport at a cost of about significant economic progress.

EC$1.5 billion.

We must stop being a follower in According to Warrant Officer Ivan SVG, waiting in vain for tourists to O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc., MBA, the come, in the hope of making a dollar. main policies that need to be Argyle airport is not the cure for SVG; implemented in SVG to bring a it is the plague for SVG. significant increase in jobs and revenue creation are: (a) our own SVG Green Party billion dollar tuna fishing and canning www.svggreenparty.org industry; (b) free high-quality Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Playing footsy with our tourism promotions IS TOURISM St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ main income earner? The answer to the question should be obvious to most Vincentians.

After the decline of our banana exports and the inability to sufficiently capitalise on the export of other agricultural produce, St. Vincent has turned to Tourism, to fill a necessary gap. Tourism is now of such importance to our island state that we have devoted resources to a Ministry of Tourism and a Tourism Authority (TA), generally tasked with increasing arrivals and stay overs.

It is unfortunate that both of the bodies tasked with securing the sustainability of this sector have fallen short, glaringly so, to capitalise on significant events in our nation’s history and the nation’s annual calendar of (national) activities.

One does not wish to take away from the work these bodies do, nor the work of the men who head them. So, for this reason, the benefit of the doubt is predicated on the assumption that the development/ implementation of certain

plans is much more difficult than it appears from the outside.

During the last 2-3 months, two important things have happened which have caused many persons to question the necessity of a Minister of Tourism and the viability of a Tourism Authority.

Both bodies seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to taking the initiative.

The Region is aware of the role that St. Vincent and the Grenadines plays in LIAT and the level of clout that Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has therein. One says this to say that we have a voice, and if meaningful ideas are put forward, the management of LIAT is likely to hear our suggestions.

Prior to the opening of the AIA on February 14th 2017, a question arose, i.e. “What was LIAT doing to commemorate the occasion?” It was suggested that it would be a “nice” gesture if LIAT had promotions available or perks given to passengers flying in on that day. (After all, St. Vincent and the Grenadines does A LOT to keep LIAT afloat).

Wanted: More women in politics sex is largely historical and has worn thin over Significantly, Margaret time. It, however, persists Thatcher did not appoint as a culture-lag headed for a woman to her cabinet so the historical dung-heap. that she could emphasize Increasingly, women her uniqueness and lord it have been educated at over a totally male high levels throwing off cabinet. That’s how she the whole baggage of got her own back. inferiorities, insecurity, Such women as and enjoying an Eugenia Charles of unshakeable confidence in Dominica are said to have their femininity. Male displayed male attributes preserves are falling down in wearing the pants, or like nine pins from the “possessing balls”. occupational ladder at A serious analysis of once removing the gender the situation clearly issue from the social shows that the argument calendar. of weakness of the female In St Vincent women Continued from Page 8.

“man” the apex of the public service. They are taking over the professions, especially law which shares with politics the gift of the gab as their stock-in-trade.

The writing is on the wall. Sooner rather than later, young Vincentian women are going to invade the political arena to the general good of the nation. Already a bevy of beautiful, committed and talented young females of the NDP are poised to take over this country by the second decade of this 21st century. We welcome them with open arms!

A constant lamentation of LIAT is that it does not make any money and it operates at a deficit. etc., yet the airline does little or nothing to improve its image. LIAT is currently a necessary evil to many of the smaller islands.

On April 14th 2017, Caribbean Airlines had its first official flight to the AIA, and guess which airline had a commemorative package? Caribbean Airlines! Although Caribbean Airlines sometimes suffers from similar issues as LIAT, gestures such as the forementioned cause persons to view Caribbean Airlines in a completely different light from LIAT. This was clearly a missed opportunity which could have (albeit on a short-term basis) improved LIAT’s image, and in so doing, heighten - the region’s travelling public’s willingness to use ‘our’ regional carrier to visit SVG. Our Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism cannot continue to miss out on these types of opportunities.

Even more recently is the issue of the Bequia Regatta, which has grown and developed into a completely different creature over the past 3-5 years. All of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is aware that the Bequia Easter Regatta is heavily promoted both as a sailing festival and as a “partying” festival. Two things were evident at this year’s Regatta. One, the overwhelming presence of Barbados and their NCF promoting their Crop Over Festival (which is a major competitor to Vincy Mas) and two, the noticeable absence of the TA and the Ministry of Tourism.

Whichever way you turned, there was a display of BARBADOS CROPOVER EXPERIENCE”, the NCF logo, and there was a promotion running that allowed persons to win a chance to be part of the Crop Over Festival.

This was another missed opportunity by the TA and Ministry — a failure to make use of the opportunity to encourage repeat visitors and promote our largest festival — Vincy Mas. Not only has this missed opportunity emphasised that the TA and Ministry have failed to promote our festivals but,

more particularly, it shows that they have failed in identifying and targeting one of the most important tourism markets available to us - THE CARIBBEAN! We spend most of our time and money attempting to promote our “Tourism Package” (whatever that may be) in the UK, EU, Canada, US markets, yet one of our most easily accessible markets, we fail to make optimal use of it.

Over the past ten years or so, the mindset of Caribbean people in the 20-35 age bracket (often referred to as millennials) has significantly changed. It has become too expensive for them to do the things that their parents did (buy the house and land, the car, have children), especially with many having massive student loans to repay. As such, Caribbean millennials, like many millennials in the western world, seek to find some other form of selffulfillment/gratification, so they travel.

Bequia Easter not only caters to our UK, EU visitors but visitors that are one LIAT or Caribbean Airlines (thankfully) flight away.

The saying “without vision the people will perish” is apt in this situation. The lack of vision of the persons charged with promoting our culture and festivities (and building our SINGLE largest income earner) is causing us to perish in our very own front yard. We will now have to play catch up, after we dropped the ball.

Admittedly, this piece is highly critical of the Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism since it is very difficult for one to understand how two departments, which employ at least 75 people between them, could have failed so miserably with something so simple.

The moral to this piece is that we need to do better; we cannot do what was done 10 years ago in an ever changing and ever developing world.

One expects the excuses to flow and follow after (as usual), but it simply does not change the position that we need to DO BETTER! Ade Niles

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 13.

News

SVG added to Air CanadaÊs schedule

AIR CANADA, Canada’s largest domestic and international airline, is heading for the Argyle International Airport.

According to an Air Canada Release over the weekend, the airline has added St. Vincent and the Grenadines to its Winter Schedule, December 2017 to April 2018.

The release stated that weekly flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been scheduled beginning December 14, 2017 and ending on April 12, 2018, through Air Canada Rouge, the vacation and leisure airline subsidiary

of Air Canada.

Bookings for the Toronto — SVG route are now open, and travellers are assured travel on Air Canada’s Airbus A319 aircraft, which seats up to 142 passengers.

This is more welcomed news for SVG, following Caribbean Airlines announcement of its decision to offer direct flights between Miami and SVG, throughout the month of June, 2017.

CAL is currently offering twice weekly (Friday and Sunday) flights between Trinidad and Tobago and SVG. The Air Canada and CAL announcements

C&W/FLOW: Nothing to gain from disgruntled customers GARFIELD SINCLAIR, Jamaica born, is president of Cable and Wireless Communications Caribbean, trading as FLOW., assumed the post January 1, 2017.

He left here last week Wednesday after a one-day visit, during which he engaged in a series of activities. One of those was a meeting of media personnel at the St. Vincent Business Unit.

He described his swing through the region as a Garfield Sinclair matter of introduction, as well as one to share his plans President of Cable and Wireless for the enhancement of the Communications (technological) network that Caribbean – during serves the SVG market. a meeting with He praised the Vincentian media personnel staff, especially Country here.

Manager Wayne Hull, for their role in managing and maintaining the platform for technological service and enhancement here.

He alluded to his company’s position in the region as being that of the biggest broadband and wireless services.

Sinclair will not be resting on his laurels. He will continue to ensure that top quality telecommunication services are available throughout the Caribbean market his company serves, and he is anxious to maintain his company’s position, not as a “monopoly” but as the “sole provider,’ as is the case in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He is aware of the issues surrounding small island nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and he echoed the sentiment that his institution “has nothing to gain from disgruntled customers.”

The Kingston born executive expressed the view that Cable and Wireless/FLOW was experienced, and that it was bent on ensuring customer satisfaction.

While here, Sinclair also met with Information Technology Minister Camillo Gonsalves, a meeting he described as “amicable.” (WKA)

have been greeted with much excitement by persons concerned with tourism and the Argyle International Airport here.

Since it opened the international airport on February 14, 2017, other than a few chartered international flights for that occasion, SVG has found it difficult to secure commitments from major airlines, as far as providing a service to SVG is concerned.

The Airbus A319 aircraft (pictured) is set to serve the Air Canada Rouge Winter Schedule between Toronto and SVG.

14. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 15.

at the same qualifying time, time, that the running at 3:27.26 girls, who had and placing sixth “some among 10 schools. The setbacks” and High School Boys’ did not heat was won by Mc compete for Donogh School in the first time Owings Mills, Marythis year, will land in 3:24.77. definitely be The SVGS 4x400m part of the team comprised contingent for Gian-Luca Da Silva next year’s (52.38); Jevonie Lavia Penn Relays.

(52.22); Randolph Richards (50.73); and Ethan Myers (51.94).

Recognition In their 4x100m heat, SVGS placed Cordice, the third, with Morgan former presisingling out Peruvian dent of the Vale native and Philadelanchor Javon Rawlins, phia-based St. 17, “who powered us.”

Vincent and But, even with less the Grenemphasis on the adines OrganiJames Cordice (left), with TSSS officials, presents Otis Jack Memorial St. Vincent Grammar School (SVGS) athletes outside Franklin Field Stadium Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) athletes outside Franklin Field 4x100m, since it is not zation of Award to Immanuel Henry.

Zenron Chance (maroon, with TA inscription) with Head Coach Rawlson Morgan (R) and officials.

Stadium with Head Coach Godfrey "Fuzzy" Harry (L) and Assistant Coach a qualifying event for Pennsylvania leads TSSS in 4x400m.

Javed Marksman. the Penn Relays, TSSS did well, according (SVGOP), to Head Coach Godfrey ‘Fuzzy’ Harry.

For the past seven years, only one Vincenthe illustrious Penn Relays. where the athletes asked Harry Story and photos by NELSON A. KING “It’s not the best for us, but we have to tian school, TSSS – through the initiative For Cordice, it was an effort worth received application packages for possible and Morgan at the now annual gala recepnaking@verizon.net; commend the effort,” said Harry, stating of James Cordice, the Clare Valley-born expending. enrollment. tion on Saturday evening, to choose an kingnaking210@yahoo.com that the team, comprising Atiba Lewis, mastermind – competed in the oldest and “It was an extraordinary thing to see a “Today, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, athlete from each school who merited the US CORRESPONDENT Zenron Chance [competing in the Penn largest track and field competition in the second Vincentian school compete in the with so scarce [financial] resources, can Otis Jack Memorial Award.

Relays for the second successive year], United States.

Penn Relays,” he said in a VINCENTIAN compete in the international arena,” said Jack – who had “reached out to all EACH TIME THE PENN Relays announcers Immanuel Henry and Inglis Daniel, placed Not wanting to be left out any longer, interview. “It’s what’s the programme is Ancilla Friday, who coordinates a schools” at home, on Cordice’s behalf, to mentioned the names Thomas Saunders sixth in their heat, clocking 45.58.

SVGS joined TSSS, for the first time, in geared for – to have as many Vincentian Walk-a-ton annually at Brooklyn’s Marine compete in the Penn Relays – succumbed to Secondary School (TSSS) and the St. Vincent In the 4x400m, TSSS surpassed its best this year’s Relay Carnival, hosted annually secondary schools as possible. So, we’re Park, on April 1, for the Brooklyn-based cancer last year, Cordice said. Harry chose Grammar School (SVGS) at the 123rd Penn time at home, 3:33.12, placing fifth among since April 21, 1895 by the University of going forward with making the dream of group, Club St. Vincent, Inc., in helping to Henry, and Morgan picked Rawlins.

Relay Carnival in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 11 schools and clocking 3:27.41. The heat Pennsylvania at the Franklin Field Stadihaving multiple schools [compete in Penny raise funds for Vincentian athletes particiCordice then invited members of the run over three days, Thursday through Saturwas won by Samuel Tilden High School in um in Philadelphia.

Relays] a reality.” pating in the Penn Relays. audience, including executive members of day – the nation of St. Vincent and the Brooklyn, New York, in 3:22.74.

This year’s Meet was reported to have Cordice also had words of commendation “So, we have to keep it [competing in the Vincentian groups in the US Diaspora, to Grenadines, undisputedly, received greater TSSS 4x400m team comprised Zenron attracted over 15,000 participants from for all those who support the effort. “I’m Penn Relays] going,” added the ex-Club St. present each athlete with a medal. exposure in the international arena.

Chance (52.31), Immanuel Henry (49.05), high schools, colleges and track clubs pleased with persons who want to come Vincent, Inc. president at Saturday night’s Besides the Brooklyn-based umbrella Joel Jack (52.66) and Maurice Foster throughout North America and abroad, forward to lend a hand to the athletes,” he reception. “Teachers, teach your students; Vincentian group, Council of St. Vincent (53.40). primarily Jamaica, competing in more than said, adding, “Overall, the 2017 mission athletes, we are the wings beneath your and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., “They had a good time in comparison to 300 events. Organizers put the three-day was a success.” wings.”

Inc. (COSAGO), which organized a bus-load this year’s in the Grenada Relay Classic,” total attendance at this year’s meet at “For us, you’re representing St. Vincent of Vincentians from New York to give Harry told THE VINCENTIAN, disclosing, 108,912, with 22,894 fans on Thursday, and the boisterous support for the athletes, repre38,598 on Friday, and 47,420 on the climaxGrenadines,” sentatives from Vincentian groups in ing Saturday. said COSAGO Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and TSSS and SVGS both fielded male President Boston, Massachusetts attended the teams, this being the first year that the Laverne reception.

Eton Myers (yellow top) anchors 4x400m for TSSS did not field a female team.

McDowaKing also asked his eight athletes – St. Vincent Grammar School.

In an exclusive interview with THE ld-Thompson, Lavia, Rawlins, Myers, Richards, Da VINCENTIAN, Curtis M. King, SVGS’ turning to the Silva, Zwicka Charles, Rasheed also told THE VINCENTIAN, during a head master who led his school’s continathletes.

Fontenelle and Sage Primus – to brunch held on Sunday at the Vincengent, said his scjool’s SVGS participation “Continue present a “token of appreciation,” tian-owned Calabash Restaurant and was driven by the primary objectives of doing what containing the Penn Relays team photo, Banquet Hall on Lancaster Avenue in “exposing our students to various regional you’re doing.” to executive members of some VincenPhiladelphia, that he had always looked and international sporting competitions; US Consul tian groups and individuals present at forward to SVGS competing in the Penn exposing the students to international General Howie the reception.

Relays. meets, (so that) they’ll be exposed to Prince said On Sunday, during the brunch, “I’m very pleased,” he said about the further athletic prowess, as well as academboth teams, Vincent Heath – former chairman of team’s performance in the 4x100m relay on ic pursuits; and, thirdly, we hope this trip indeed, did the Team Jamaica Bickle, the BrookFriday and the 4x400 relay the next day. “I would revitalize the Alumni Association.” nation proud, lyn-based group that provides meals don’t think I can ask for more.

He added, “The whole experience itself calling them and other support to Jamaican and “I had concerns here and there, but the would have been great for the students. … “ambassadors” other Caribbean teams during the Penn guys [athletes] came up trumps and did It was a great learning experience for the and noting the Relays – presented a care packet to well,” he added over Sunday’s brunch. “The athletes and the coach [Rawlston Morgan].” strong organiRawlins. guys ran their hearts out.” zational skills Earlier on that day, through CordMorgan said he was particularly pleased Jevonia Lavia (yellow top) tries to break loose from ice’s instrumentality, SVGSS and TSSS Performances on the track in making the Vincies, displaying national colours, show boisterous support to their the pack in the 4x400m for the St. Vincent Grammar athletes and officials toured Arcadia with the team’s 4x400m performance, in trek to, and Maurice Foster anchors 4x400m heat for School.

Morgan, who hails from Simon/Biabou, which it eclipsed the targeted 3.33-odd competing in, athletes.

University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, TSSS.

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16. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Vincy Liberators donate to Senior Citizens VINCY LIBERATORS, a New York, USA-based organization comprised primarily of Vincentians and headed by SVG-born Doug Howard, continues to do its part in making life more comfortable for nationals at home.

The most recent demonstration of this intent came when Douglas De Freitas of NICE Radio, handed over a quantity of linens to the Garden of Eden Senior Citizens Home at Dorsetshire Hill, on behalf of the group.

According to De Freitas, the Management of the Home showed overwhelming appreciation for the donation, and Douglas De Freitas (left) making presentation of requested that their linens at the Garden of Eden Home for Senior gratefulness be Citizens. communicated to Howard and the Vincy twenty computers to the St. Martin’s Liberators.

Secondary School, not so long ago.

THE VINCENTIAN understands The work of the Vincy Libertors is that Vincy Liberators intends to co-ordinated and informed on the continue their assistance programme ground in SVG by a local chapter to nationals at home, and will focus on headed by Artis Davis - President, and making a significant donation to the assisted by Ted Roberts — Vice health service here, in the not too President; Desrie Prince — Secretary; distant future.

Gailene Weekes — Treasurer; Yvette Plans are afoot to also continue Jackson-Chaplin; Rita Williams — assistance to schools here, in the vein PRO, and Karen John and David that saw the group donating some Grant — Committee Members.

Kingstown man wins Digicel cash KINGSTOWN RESIDENT Angelo Ferdinand was all smiles on Tuesday, May 2, as he accepted a cheque in an amount of EC$2,000, compliments of Digicel SVG. Ferdinand was named winner of Digicel’s March 2017 Text to Win promotion, dubbed ‘I-Spy’.

To qualify for a chance to win, prepaid and post-paid customers were encouraged to text the word ‘Spy’ to 7171, as often as they chose.

By the end of the promotion on March 31, 2017, Ferdinand rose to the #1 position and won for himself EC$2,000 cash.

“I spent in excess of $500.00 to secure the top spot and it was well worth the cash prize at stake,” said the Digicel customer of over 13 years.

“This is not my first time winning big with Digicel, and I hope this is not my last,” he added.

Ferdinand, an avid ‘texter’, said he continues to enjoy the great services and promotions put on by Digicel, all designed to give customers an opportunity to win and win big.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s Marketing

Angelo Ferdinand collects his cheque from Digicel’s Marketing Manager Danielle Cupid.

Manager, Danielle Cupid, congratulated Ferdinand and reminded Digicel subscribers and would-be subscribers that ““Our Text to Win promotions continue to be a big hit.”

Ferdinand, Cupid said, is testimony that customers can win big and even be repeat winners with Digicel.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 17.

Youth

BHS Young Leaders focus on health issues ‘Impacting health in our school community through volunteerism’, in keeping with the RBC Young Leaders 2017 general theme, ‘I am We...

Volunteering for Impact’.

The BHS Young Leaders’ focus on health-related projects is in train with their overarching A new white chalkboard was installed and the black objective to got a repainting. promote healthy lives and lifestyles utilised by the school and community; among the population. repainting of the school’s chalkboards They are driven by their which looked terrible and caused a conviction that today’s world is strain on students’ eyes; installing becoming more health-conscious, white boards to reduce the amount of and St. Vincent needs to be chalk dust in the classroom headed in that direction also. environment; creating proper drainage and paving the water-pipe area where BHS Young Leaders giving the much used Without good health, life has no meaning. water previously settled and created a Campden Park Playing Field a much The projects undertaken thus mosquito breeding site. needed clean-up. far included: clean-up of the back Future plans include: Water dayof the school (4th Form building) NO sale of sodas during recess but THE BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG that was used as a urinal and garbage rather a distribution of water to Leaders 2017 have embarked on a dump which had a putrid smell; clean- encourage students to drink number of health and environmentup of the Campden Park playing field more water, which is healthier; Fruits related projects, under the sub-theme and scrubbing the pavilion which is

The back of the school got a good cleaning and sanitising. chalkboards

day- Sale of fruits during recess instead of artificial snacks and fatty foods; Clean class competition to encourage cleanliness among our students; Visit to the elderly to handout packages and volunteer where necessary; Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) seminars for our students; Feed the homeless in Kingstown; Free community health fair at the school compound scheduled for Saturday 6th May, 2017 at 9 am, with services such as blood pressure and blood sugar tests, HIV tests, body scans, sports therapy, condom distribution and more. (Submitted by BHS Young Leaders)

A Cultural Experience for GHS Young Leaders

Traditional Cake Dance.

ON SATURDAY 22ND APRIL, 2017, ten GHS Young Leaders travelled, with four teachers, to Canouan, where seven of them provided their services as dancers, M.Cs, decorators and photographers at two weddings there. The remaining three girls journeyed to Mayreau to work as photographer

Traditional Flag Dance.

boat, ‘Gotta Go,’ to Saline Bay, Mayreau.

The varied tasks undertaken by the Young Leaders ensured that each couple’s day flowed as smoothly and beautifully as possible.

For Mr. Brannay and Charleen Francois, the girls decorated the church, performed dances and hosted their reception. The other couple from Canouan, and finger food Mr. Gale James and Mrs. chefs/servers at a Caniesha James, had the wedding on that island.

Young Leaders decorate In the true spirit of their reception venue. volunteerism, Uncle At the wedding of Mr Chenny offered the Voistin George and Canouan team free Hazel Ann George on transportation in his Mayreau, the Young taxi, and Uncle Albert, Leaders served finger also a native of Canouan, foods, which were volunteered his services provided by the Young to transport the three Leaders team, and made Young Leaders in his the wedding programmes.

Wedding photo and video albums of the weddings were prepared by a GHS Young Leader, and presented to the brides on Sunday before the girls returned to mainland St. Vincent.

No doubt, the highlights of the Canouan and Mayreau volunteering experiences were the cultural

activities, which involved the dancing of the flags and the wedding cakes.

Usually, the bride will assign a family member, God parent or villager to dance her cake and flag, and the groom will do likewise.

These age-old Grenadine traditions involve the young and the old in the communities where the brides and the grooms live, and commonly take place on the morning of the wedding, with the bride’s flag and cake being danced from one side of the village, and the groom’s flag and cake from the other side of the village. The flag and cake dancers, accompanied by string band music (drums and guitars), finally meet at a pre-arranged place — quite often the location where the reception will be held later on in the day.

Villagers, family members and bride and groom are involved in the procession through the village, and there is an air of festivity. An important part of the tradition, the dancers carefully dance and hold

GHS Young Leaders appropriately attired and ready to serve at the wedding in Mayreau. the groom’s flag and cake purposefully higher than those of the bride — symbolizing the wife’s submission to her husband, i.e.the husband’s dominance in the union of marriage.

One Young Leader was fortunate to have participated briefly in the dancing of the groom’s cake in Canouan.

As instructed, she ensured that she did not drop the cake while dancing.

The flights to and from Canouan were sponsored by members of the GHS New York alumnae. The GHS RBTT Young Leaders Team sends a special thank you to them for their generosity.

A GHS Young Leader performing the master of ceremonies duites at one of the weddings in Canouan.

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18. FRIDAY, ---, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Foreign Affairs

SVG leads adoption of a resolution at UN

By Nelson A. King naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

THE ST. VINCENT AND THE Grenadines Permanent Mission to the United Nations says it has led the successful adoption of a UN resolution on World Creativity and Innovation Day. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the UN, I. Rhonda King, said on Friday that the resolution was successfully tabled by her Mission the day before and adopted by the UN General Assembly.

“This resolution calls for the international recognition of April 21 as the day to highlight the role of creativity and innovation in problemsolving and, by extension, the implementation of the [UN] Sustainable Development Goals and, ultimately, achieving the future we want,” King said.

“Beyond the obvious call for the recognition of the day

internationally, the resolution also intends to initiate a discussion around the options available to countries, especially developing countries, in addressing the many issues that they grapple with in their quest for development,” she added.

King said that, while developing countries, such as those in the Caribbean, are “unfairly seen as too dependent on aid from developed countries, the application of creative thinking and the use of available technologies can provide solutions to some of their most pressing problems, such as poverty eradication, the elimination of hunger and job creation.”

The UN diplomat pointed to the construction of the Argyle International Airport in her native land as “a prime local example of the use of creativity in a large scale, macro infrastructural project that was otherwise, and through ‘business as usual’

methodologies, seen as an insurmountable challenge.”

In a statement before the adoption of the resolution, King pointed to recent research that explored the role of creative expression in problem-solving and innovation.

She said that Scott G. Isaken, at the Norwegian Business School “focused on the development of methodologies aimed at deliberately nurturing creative thinking,” and mirrored the creative process “in ways that allow individuals and groups to explicitly call on and employ their creative faculties.”

“Developed and developing countries around the world are recognizing the utility in these research findings and are embracing the idea that our creative capital is our most valuable asset today,” King said. “We agree also that it is an asset that should be deployed in the implementation of [UN] Agenda 2030.”

King said the resolution received widespread support from Member States of the United Nations, stating that more than 85 countries joined St. Vincent and the Grenadines as cosponsors, “signaling their support for this initiative and choosing to claim ownership of the Ambassador Rhonda King said the resolution by their resolution received widespread support co-sponsorship.” from Member States of the United The Vincentian Nations. envoy said the adoption of the resolution will be UN Permanent Mission, will followed by the launch of a act as the coordinating agent website in the summer of this for events at the United year that will be dedicated to Nations Headquarters in New the promotion of examples and York on April 21 annually, best practices that highlight beginning with a World the use of creative thinking Creativity and Innovation and technologies toward the Summit on April 20, 2018 to achievement of sustainable celebrate the first official development.

World Creativity and She said St. Vincent and Innovation Day, April 21, the Grenadines, through the 2018.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 19.

Industry

VINLEC re-energising our commitment to safety St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) is hosting a series of activities during the month of May in observance of Environmental, Thornley Myers, CEO of VINLEC.

A section of the audience.

Health and Safety Awareness Month. The main objective of the month is to heighten awareness among employees on matters relating to Environmental Sustainability, Safety and Health and Wellness.

An official ceremony to signal the start of the month was held on Tuesday (May 2nd) at the Cane Hall

Engineering Complex. The event heard remarks from Environmental, Health and Safety Officer (EHSO) Mr. Anthony Patterson and Chairman of VINLEC’s Board of Directors, Ms. Rene Baptiste. Mr. Patterson outlined the Company’s Safety Policy, noting that in order to have exemplary safety records, there must be commitment both at the individual and team levels.

He said Safety is about people and personal well being.

Chairman Baptiste used the opportunity to commend VINLEC’s work in Environmental, Health and Safety, and noted that the Company is a pioneer in this field. She complimented the Company’s management for its consistent effort in ensuring that staff is kept abreast with emerging issues in Occupational Health and Safety. According to Ms. Baptiste, Safety in the organisation is critical at all stages namely, personal, team, management and at the Board level. She encouraged the staff to support and participate in the activities for the month.

In addressing the gathering, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thornley Myers, reiterated that for the Company to have a sound Safety record, there must be a commitment by employees at all

levels throughout the organisation. He called on employees to work towards shifting the culture of Safety in a manner that enhances the Company.

Mr. Myers said that the term “Safety Culture” should not just be a statement, but that it should be evident in all that is done. He noted that there are a number of key steps to creating an effective Safety Culture including management commitment, employee engagement, reporting systems, safety rules and procedures, training and safety communication.

The CEO said that EHS is a priority for the Company, and noted that VINLEC will provide the necessary resources to ensure employees execute their duties in a safe work environment.

There were cultural performances by the Company’s Choir —VINCOICES, as well as the VINPAN group.

The discussion on the Environmental, Health and Safety Awareness continued throughout VINLEC on Tuesday afternoon at Safety Stand-Down sessions across the Company. The discussions were held at seventeen different locations, and the focus was on how the employees and the Company can work together to improve the Safety practices in every area of work.

A number of activities are listed on the Calendar, including a Department Public Speaking Competition, National Occupational Safety and Health Bill Presentation, Health and Wellness Day and Safety competitions. The theme for the month is “Re-energising Our Commitment to Safety.”

(Submitted by VINLEC)

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20. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Never too late unemployment list.

I applied to where I’m I GOT THIS JOB when I was working now and my most desperate, i.e., I had employer told me he would give me a chance, returned from university not because I had the and spent quite a long qualifications but while on the

Dear George,

Thank you, George Dear George, THANK YOU for the advice you gave me when I was about to take my life because my husband had left me for a younger woman.

I went back to school and got my identity back. I am married again and we are expecting our first child. My husband treats me like a queen. He is so sweet and loving.

We are living in his country of birth, and we are both earning good incomes.

George, thank you again, and I want to tell every woman out there who may be going through what I went through, that there is always hope, but you have to reach out to someone and talk about your situation.

Grateful

to the police. He laughed, saying, “Go ahead, we’ll see who is going to believe you.” because I looked “sexy” I don’t work there and that I was a good anymore and I haven’t image for the company. told anyone about it. My Within days on the job, question is, do you think he started touching me inappropriately and had it is too late to report this to the police, or the balls to ask me to sleep with him. I refused should I just leave it to sleep with him but did alone? It is bothering me and I want him to pay nothing about the for what he did to me. touching because I needed my job.

Ashamed and hurting One day he volunteered to take me Dear Ashamed and home (I live alone). On hurting, the way, I noticed I started feeling sleepy. I It is never too late to must have been knocked out because I woke up in make such a report to his bed at his house. All the police. As far as you have said, you were of my clothes were off violated in the worst and there he was, possible way, and you sipping on a glass of cannot be faulted for wine, telling me how wanting to do something good I was and how he was looking forward to a about it. However, you must admit, you chose to long lasting sexual ignore several warning relationship. signs such as the basis I was furious and stormed out of his house, for your employment and threatening to report him the touching and advances.

You may want to get tested for STDs, and I strongly suggest you get extensive psychological counselling.

I repeat, what happened to you wasn’t your fault, and please do not see yourself as a bad person because of it. You just had the misfortune of working for someone who values women at zero and who also is in dire need of a psychiatric evaluation.

George

Man thief!!!!!!

There is one fact you cannot change, and that is you cannot undo the PLEASE TELL if I act of birth, which means should still respect my your mother will always mother and whether or not I should disown her. remain your mother.

What your mother did I have already told her was despicable, to say what I thought of her. the least, and she George, my mother unknowingly cheated not only took away my herself by lowering man, but she is telling herself to a standard me that she cannot be that has cost the faulted if she looks younger and sexier than relationship between you me. She told me that if I two.

I understand your looked better than she, my man would not have disgust and anger at this chosen her instead of me. time, but you have to be careful not to allow that George, the most hurtful thing she told me anger to get the better of you. Unfortunately was that the man in parents do not always do question is better off the right thing, but that with her because she is does not mean they saving me from the should be disowned. monstrosity he would I suggest you find a have unleashed on me. way to talk to your I do not want to hear mother and let her know or see her ever again, and I regret the day she how much you are hurting, and how gave birth to me. We do not speak to each other, disappointed you are. If she refuses to give you and she is still with the that chance to talk or to man, my man. He does not have anything to say listen to you, and has no intention of changing her about his actions and is way, then you have to also not talking to me. turn a new page and move on with your life.

Fuming Please get some professional help because Debra fuming, this level of emotional devastation could be deeper than you think.

Dear George ,

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You may want to get a little extra rest. You are prone to infections and fevers. Try to compromise rather than having an all out battle. Money can be made if you use your ingenuity. Get involved in philosophic groups that will enlighten you.

your reputation if you treat family and friends with respect and dignity.

Opportunities for new and exciting relation‐ ships will be yours if you get out and join groups. You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. Organizations may cost you more than you can afford.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Don't get talked into get rich quick schemes. You will expand your circle of friends if you join groups. Be prepared to counteract the damage that adversaries are about to create. Don't push your opinions on others this week or you may find yourself in the doghouse.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Things are looking good for you, so open your eyes and get to it. Someone you live with could be frustrated and upset. You might find group functions tiring. Money problems will get worse if your partner hasn't been playing by the rules.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Financial limita‐ tions are likely if you take risks. Mingle with those who can further your goals. Take time to help children with projects that may be too hard for them to do on their own.

You'll find it easy to charm members of the opposite sex this week.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Emotionally you won't see things accurately.

You might not accomplish all that you want to at home this week. You could have a ten‐ dency to spend too much on your home or entertainment. Don't be too confident that co‐workers are on your side.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Luck is with you, regardless of the financial venture. Make changes regarding your friendships.

Unexpected events may be upsetting. You will be quite excitable this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) You are best to put in some overtime rather than get involved in family gatherings. You need to look into some private matters before you can proceed with your plans. Try to be understanding. You will attract potential lovers, but be sure that they're unattached.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Family trips or proj‐ ects should be on your mind. Spend time with friends or family. Re‐evaluate your position and make decisions about your future goals. Sudden disruptions will cause upset and a change of routine in your home environment.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You will enjoy interacting with those who come from dif‐ ferent backgrounds. Partnerships will be favorable and contracts can be signed. You are best to do something energetic with friends instead. Don't forget that your budget is limited right now.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You can enhance

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) It might be best not to spend your money on luxuries this week. Changes in your residence will be favorable in the long haul. You have the stamina and determination to succeed.

Friends may not be completely honest with you.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. Double check your work and be sure that your boss is in a good mood before you do your pres‐ entation. Plan to get out and do a bit of travel. Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections.

ACROSS 1. Baths 5. Attach family 11. Once more 12. Tear away forcibly 13. Remain 14. Discussion 15. Steamship 17. Chield 18. Small child 19. Routine 20. Three‐masted ship of the Mediterranean 23. Tied 24. 6th month of the Jewish calendar 25. Pewter 26. Convent dweller 27. Newspapers 31. Mite 33. Root of the taro 34. disavowal 35. Authenticating mark 36. Convenient for use 37. Identical DOWN 1. Labels

2. Single entity 3. English monk 4. Knitted jacket 5. Washedout 6. Affirm with confidence 7. Prefix “beneath” 8. Aztec god of rain 9. Plantation 10. Required 16. Family name prefix 19. Unlit 20. Place of contentment

21. Draws forth 22. Tropical fruit 23. Wreath of flowers 25. Scoop 27. Clock face

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 21.

28. Notion 29. Yellow cheese coated‐ with red wax 30. Flat‐fish 32. Curved bone

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22. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Vineyard Vincy Fest suppliers paid in full

OVER XCD$48,000 was disbursed among ten small business owners on Tuesday, 25 April, marking the final payments in the outstanding amounts for products supplied for the inaugural Vineyard Vincy Fest last year.

At a ceremony held by VincyKlus Inc., the agroprocessing cluster who, along with the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc., spearheaded the procurement of goods for the historic event on Martha’s Vineyard, cheques were presented to the suppliers. The first set of payments were made last October.

Vineyard Vincy Fest 2016 was held on August 27 on Martha’s Vineyard, a popular summer spot located south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It was held under a

Simeon Bacchus, President of VincyKlus.

Suppliers, CED, Vincy Klus and former Consul General at the ceremony that marked final payment for products displayed at Vineyard Vincy Fest 2016.

Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government of SVG and Dukes County, Martha’s Vineyard, on September 27, 2014, to encourage and facilitate closer relationships towards

enhancing and expanding cooperative efforts in preserving common traditions, and celebrating a long history of shared indigenous cultures.

Over fifty (50) different products,

valued at US$20,000 from sixteen (16) small businesses, were consigned to the SVGMV Sister Islands Committee, formed by former SVG Consul General to the USA, Selmon Walters, the group’s Director.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of VincyKlus Mr. Simeon Bacchus explained that the products were showcased at The Marketplace, which was the center point of all activities at Vineyard Vincy Fest 2016. These products included chips (plantain, eddoes, breadfruit, banana and sweet potato), local fruit wines, pure and flavoured coconut oils, green seasonings, hot pepper sauces (original and flavoured), cocoa sticks, guava cheese, coconut fudge, soaps, body wash, arrowroot flour, brooms, mats, craft, visual arts, peanuts, ginger sauces, foot scrubs, creams, lip balms, and candles.

“Overall, Vineyard Vincy Fest 2016 was a favourable experience that has great potential for expansion and for

marketing products from VincyKlus and the wider Vincentian small business sector,” Bacchus noted. “Despite low-level marketing of the event, the turnout was encouraging, with patrons interacting with the VincyKlus reps, to offer their approval and praises about the quality of the products that were displayed, and also, to have questions answered on various products.”

Businesses and potential buyers on the Vineyard and Long Island expressed interest and arranged to negotiate to purchase, Bacchus added.

The former CG, in his remarks thanked the suppliers for their patience and implored them to take advantage of the opportunity which the demand for their goods presents in the diaspora.

“This is and was a very worthwhile venture.

The initial aim was to introduce your products to the United States market…So now that Vineyard Vincy Fest is over, there is a market there for you for your produce, but what you

Selmon Walters, former SVG Consul General to the USA, addressing suppliers and representatives of the facilitating agencies/organisations at last month’s ceremony. need to do is work as a group and find agents who would carry your goods,” Walters stated.

He commended the small businesses, CED, VincyKlus, and the committees in NY and St. Vincent for their roles in ensuring that Vineyard Vincy Fest 2016 came off successfully. (Source: VincyKlus)

One of the display booths mounted at the Vineyard Vincy Fest, Martha’s Vineyard, 27th August 2016.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 23.

Bequia High, Petit Bordel win 3x3 schoolsÊ Basketball titles

Winning male unit- Bequia Community High School.

Petit Bordel team- female division champion.

THE BEQUIA COMMUNITY HIGH team one and the Female MVP- Ranique Harry.

Nicholas Lewis – male MVP. Petit Bordel Secondary team one, technical support from the Troumaca, got past emerged the male and SVG Basketball Federation female division, respectively, Bishop’s College in the first ever schools’ 3 x Kingstown team one, 6-3 in to their schools’ respective Basketball programme. the other semi- finals.

3 Basketball tournament.

The two—day 3 x 3 Taking the Most Their crowning schools’ tournament, Valuable Male Player of moments came in last played last Thursday the two-day tournament Friday afternoon finals, and Friday, was used to was Bequia Community played at the Girls’ High select players to suffice the High’s Nicholas Lewis, School’s hard court.

SVG schools’ teams for the with the Petit Bordel Bequia Community upcoming Windward Secondary’s Ranique Harry High (BCH) squeezed past Islands Schools’ Games, doing likewise among the the George Stephens which are scheduled here females.

Senior Secondary 9-8, after in July.

Apart from trophies for the two had played to a 7-7 Seen as a fast paced the winning teams, tie in the 10 minutes of format, 3 x 3 Basketball is runners-up and the Most regulation time. played using half of the Valuable Players, in store On their way to the for the Bequia Community court, with each team final, BCH had a 7-4 win consisting of four players, High School and the Petit over the Bequia Seventh Bordel Secondary will each with three on court during Day Adventist team one , the 10-minute match. while the George Stephens receive a HP Laser Jet Every successful shot 2600 printer.

Senior Secondary strolled inside the arc is awarded Also, all participating past Bequia Seventh Day one point, while every schools were listed to Adventist team two, 10-3. successful shot behind the receive two Wilson 3 x 3 Meanwhile, the Petit arc is awarded two points. basketballs each, while Bordel Secondary also There is 12- seconds those entering teams in narrowly got home over shot-clock, with the first both the male and female fellow North Leeward team to reach 21 points or institution- Troumaca, 3-2, divisions were promised best after 10 minutes, five basketballs each. in the females final. declared the winner.

Another promise to the The winning unit had a If scores are locked at Bequia Community High 4-3 win over the Girls’ the end of the 10 minutes, and the Petit Bordel High School team three, over time is played.

Secondary is ongoing while runner- up

NCCP Director: ‘Upgrade alcohol law to protect children

Nichola Evans – Director of the NCCP DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP) Nichola Evans, wants to see a stronger national policy on alcohol consumption by students.

Evans made her

sentiments known while addressing the closing ceremony of the Secondary Schools’ 3 x 3 Basketball tournament last Friday, at the Girls’ High School’s court.

The Director acknowledged that whilst there are laws against the sale of alcohol to students, there is need for the laws to be firmed up to fill the gaps. “…There is a fine for the licensed dealer that gives you alcohol when you are under age or you are a young person … there is no penalty stated in the law for the students who we catch drinking alcohol,” Evans claimed.

As a consequence, Evans revealed that she,

as Director of the NCCP, will be embarking on an effort to have the issue addressed through legislative means.

“Hence , there is a proposal on my desk for a national policy, and I am hoping that there are laws that the government would make and change within one day….

There are laws made within one week and I am hoping that it would be generally recognised that this national policy must come into effect immediately,” the NCCP Director stated.

Detailing some of the measures contained in the draft Proposal, Evans outlined, “Those students who are caught drinking

alcohol will be taken to the Family Court You will lose your weekends … …You will have no phone that weekend … You will have no television that weekend… You will have to be on acounselling programme.”

This drew some pockets of giggles from the predominantly student audience, who were listening attentively.

Evans further informed that when students in uniform are found guilty of consuming alcohol in public, it will be the decision of the Family Court “to take you to the Juvenile Justice Reform Programme and have you complete some form of

community service.

“We cannot have the laws punishing the licensed dealers and not take care of our children …We have to start at this level… we have to start to protect you the young people … You are our future leaders and we have to protect you,” Evans added.

The NCCP Director reminded her audience: “It is illegal for you to consume alcohol or to buy alcohol from any shop or any person whether it be the supermarket, hotel, vendor in an ice box….It is illegal as long as you are a student in uniform regardless to your age.”

And amidst her

admonition and concerns, Evans told the studentathletes, “Continue to participate in Basketball and other sporting events …Use sports instead of committing a crime.”

The NCCP was established 20th February 2003, through a unified parliamentary motion.

Its main objective is to form partnerships towards preventing and combating crime.

The NCCP is partnering with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation in hosting the national 3 x 3 Basketball programme, which includes a National Secondary Schools component.

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24. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Trinidad Women retain WICB Title TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (T&T) retained their Cricket West Indies Women’s Super50 title when they beat Barbados by 21 runs in the finals played at the Arnos Vale Playing Field last Sunday.

Leg spinner Felicia Walters followed her resolute half-century

Merissa Aguilleira, captain of T&T displaying the Championship Trophy, commended her team for being focused.

with a destructive spell to earn the Player of the Match award, and help spur T&T to their second consecutive title.

She bagged 3 for 25 as Barbados were bowled out for 143 in 45.5 overs.

Fellow spinner Karishman Ranharack took 2 for 10 and . West

Indies Women’s offspinner Anisa Mohammed collected 2 for 36, as the Barbadians lost their last eight wickets for 73 runs.

Kyshona Knight and Windies Women’s teammate Deandra Dottin led the way for Barbados with 32 apiece.

Earlier, Walters was the main stay of the T&T innings, hitting the top score of 53 from 140 balls, to anchor her team to 164 all out in 46 overs, after they were sent in to bat. Fellow opener Reniece Boyce hit a breezy 29. Leg-spinner Keila Elliot was the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with 4 for 47. Dottin picked up 3 for 41and Hayley Matthews, grabbed 2-17.

Commenting after the victory, T&T Captain Merissa Aguilleira said Afy Fletcher, Captain of that after a first round the Windwards, was the defeat to Barbados, her team “was more focused tournament’s joint top and had one mission, “to wicket-taker with 15 retain the title. I think scalps.

The victorious Trinidad and Tobago team with coach Gerald Garcia at extreme right. we had the belief in each other and with a united team, that’s where we are strong.... We knew Barbados was going to be a hard team to beat, but we needed to remain calm and focused and believe in the players’ ability.”

Coach of the team, Gerald Garcia said his team was always confident of retaining their title. “I wasn’t thinking anything about last year, I was just basically trying to accomplish something I started four years ago,

SVG Masters take Carriacou Masters 20/20 SVG MASTERS are champions of the eighth annual Carriacou Masters 20/20 Cricket Festival, played at the Hillsborough Recreational Ground.

Facing off with the New York Masters in the finals last Sunday, the Vincentians Over 40s eked out a four-run victory over the former champions.

SVG Masters batted first and scored 186 for 8, with leading scores coming from Deighton Butler - 35, Olanzo Jackson - 32, Arnold Gilkes - 25 and Ellie Williams - 24.

Bowling for New York Masters, former Windwards and Combined Islands off spinner-Thomas Kentish picked up 2 for 30.

In reply, New York Masters, despite a typical robust 96 from Vincentian Dawnley Joseph, stopped short of the 187 target, making

182 for 6.

Deighton Butler had 2 for 28, as SVG Masters collected the winner’s trophy and the US$4,000 cash prize.

Earlier on Sunday, SVG Masters clinched a place in the final by ousting fellow Vincentians Vincy LOG Masters by 51 runs.

SVG Masters scored 167 for 7, with Harvey Pope scoring 72 and Isaac Haywood-22.

Mc Neil Morgan 2 for 24, Elvis Browne 2 for 26 and Leon Samuel 2 for 31, were Vincy LOG’s most successful bowlers.

Vincy LOG Masters were 121 for 6 with two balls remaining, and needing 47 runs, when the captain decided that it was pointless to continue.

Olanzo Jackson, who was the competition’s leading wicket taker with 12 scalps, took 5 for 26.

SVG Masters played

Champion team- SVG Masters. unbeaten in the competition, beating St Andrews Masters of Grenada by 44 runs and inflicted a 50-run defeat on Brooklyn Masters.

Also in SVG Masters’ winner’s column was an 84-run triumph over Mustique Masters.

The other Vincentian team in the competition was RSG Police Masters, and completing the list of participating teams were Victoria Masters and Grenada Masters.

Olanzo Jackson also had the best bowling average, and former Jamaica batsman Delroy Morgan, representing beaten finalists New

Olanzo Jackson of SVG Masters - top wickettaker and best bowling average awardee.

York Masters, was the competition’s leading run scorer and the lone centurion.

which is to win the tournament consistently and play good cricket,” he said, and advised, “It’s all about adapting to the condition and handling the process well and dictating the outcome.”

Trinidad finished ahead of Barbados, with the Windward Islands third. Other Harley Mathews was participating countries adjudged Player of the were Jamaica, Guyana Tournament for her total and the Leeward Islands. of 158 runs and 15 wickets.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Greaves: A good start in English Cricket League VINCENTIAN cricketer - Deron Greaves has taken up invitation to play cricket in the English League system, and has hit the pitching running.

The left-handed, hard hitting batsman, who also bowls off spin, hit 60 (11 fours and 1 six) in his first outing for Idle Cricket Club, in the Bradford Premier League.

His innings contributed in good measure to his team’s total of 220 all out against Deron Greaves is Hopton Mills. having his first “It feels good being a outing in the cricketer and playing away English League from home, which has opened system. doors for me, as I expect to develop my cricket skills, playing in different atmospheric conditions...,” Greaves analysed. “... The league that I am playing for is a very good one, and as a cricketer from the Caribbean, I am looking forward to enjoy my time here in England, and to develop my career as a cricketer,” Greaves added.

Greaves, who has played for St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Under-19 level, is yet to break into the senior national team, although being called up for trials on several occasions.

In the 2016 domestic season, Greaves, a member of the Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO, was the leading run scorer in both the National Lotteries Authority Neil Williams 20/20 competition and the National Lotteries Authority Premier Division.

In the 20/20 format, Greaves scored 261 runs at an average of 45, and in the Premier Division he amassed 446 runs from five matches, also with an average of 45.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 25.

Sports

Ul Haq: The mystery one THERE MUST be something about Misbah-UlHaq and that figure of 99. He has become the master at getting there. When he was left stranded at Sabina, hardly anyone expected him to end another innings at 99, at least not in a hurry. The Sabina episode was the second time that he had fallen one short of the century. The first time was in Wellington, New Zealand in the 2010-11 series.

On that occasion, he was dismissed.

There were 13 innings of 99, out or not out by captains in Tests.

Misbah casually brought up the 14th, this time at Bridgetown. He was dismissed for a second time on 99, caught in the slip by Shai Hope off a Jason Holder delivery which he attempted to leave alone.

That Test Match ended yesterday Thursday.

Given the low esteem with which the West Indies team is held, it must have been a surprise in the first place that the West Indies extended the game into day five.

Everyone expected the West Indies to fold before the end of the fourth day. They mustered some resistance, even though having appeared to have weathered the storm and on the brink of safety, there was the meltdown.

When the reliance was on lower order resistance, the team endured a collapse and from 235 for 4, the position evaporated to 236 for 7.

The fourth day ended with West Indies 264 for 9, a lead of 183.

The target should have been a formality for the Pakistanis.

But we have seen uncertainties, and it is not the realms of possibility that the West Indies pulled off a victory.

That was what I was looking for. The pessimists would have said that the lead was not enough. A pattern had been established in that match whereby overnight batsmen fail to carry.

The match may also have ended in a close tussle, and depending on the margin, the run missed by the Pakistani captain could have been a talking point.

The third Test comes off in Dominica.

Whatever the results, West Indian fans have reason to be optimistic. There is a changing of the guard.

West Indies cricketers have to live up to their responsibility. There is no sense in complaining about which player has been omitted, regardless of what country he comes from.

Administrators have the interest of regional cricket.

There may be the cases of insularity, or even instances of bias. But when the decisions are made, it is not to our benefit to persist with the bickering.

When youngsters are thrown into the deep end, they must be given scope to develop. Players have taken it as their responsibility to enhance the prospects of the product. If they were not capable, they would not have been entrusted with the role.

Cricketers however ought not to be allowed or encouraged to hold our cricket to ransom.

West Indies cricket has become the object of ridicule. Many would have anticipated the customary meltdown such as what happened late on Wednesday when, against the odds, West Indies appeared to have been heading to relative safety. One would have expected the lower order to prop up the innings as they have done over recent times.

It turned out to be what has become a familiar scenario as far as the complete batting resistance was concerned.

At least there was semblance of grit, and the top order resisted at least to a stage.

The hope was that the bowlers played their part and lift the team out of the dire straits. Any other script would have been fuel for the detractors.

I would have been pleased if the naysayers had nothing to gloat about.

Woodrow „Keylee‰ Williams in demand THE EXPERTISE of Vincentian Woodrow ‘Keylee’ Williams continues to be in demand as an official for track and field meets across the North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) region.

And in that vein, Williams, an International Technical Official, will be busy in the next months.

He is assigned to be part of the technical team for the NACAC age group championships set for Trinidad and Tobago, 17th and 18th June, and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas from the 19th to 23rd July.

Additionally, Williams is set to lend his expertise to the Trinidad and Tobago National Open Championships, slated for the 23rd to 25th June.

Williams attained his International Technical Official badge in 2015 and had his first

‘big break’ at the NACAC senior Championships in Costa Rica, in August of that year.

His resume included officiating at ten Junior Carifta Games, with his debut in those Games coming in the 1989 edition held at the Barbados National Stadium, and his most recent at this year’s Games held in Curacao over the Easter weekend.

While his expertise is focused on the field events at the regional and international levels, Wiiliams disclosed that at these championships, “I am mainly in charge of the multi — discipline events, the heptathlon and the pentathlon events.”

Williams recognises that he is well respected in the region, and is grateful for the ongoing requests for his services at championships around the region.

He said he is particularly pleased with the recent

assignments since it is not normal for one person to have three appointments Woodrow in one year.

‘Keylee’ Williams Williams was an official at this year’s Junior Carifta Games held in Curacao, over the Easter weekend.

A certified IAAF lecturer for technical officials and a holder of a diploma in the coaching of jumps, Williams has officiated in countless inter- secondary schools championships, dating back to the late 1970s.

The 2017 Inter-Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships staged last March at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, was Williams’ last as a public servant as he is set to retire later this year.

Vincy Heat in rebuilding mode THE ST VINCENT and the Grenadines National Football Team, ‘Vincy Heat’, has intensified preparations ahead of their defense of the Windward Islands Football Championship, set to take place in Grenada next month.

And Head Coach of the team, Cornelius Huggins, said that the intention is to expose as many younger players as possible during the Tournament, as the SVG Football Federation looks towards the future.

“I’m looking at it as more exposure for the younger players as we look at the long term instead of short term,” Huggins said, adding, “However, we are going to take the competition serious because we are

the defending champions, but we have to look at some of the players for the next qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup.” Huggins admitted that “While we can take away some positives from our last showing in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, … there are a lot of areas we need to improve in between now and the first match in the next qualifying round. This can only happen if the squad is together and

National Cricket resumes MATCHES in all National Cricket competitions continue this weekend, after a break for the staging here of the West Indies Women’s Super50 Tournament.

In the NLA Premier Division, Police Two take on Team Rivals at Park Hill; Flow Radcliffe oppose Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO at Sion Hill; and Victors One face off against Guardian General Saints at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

In the NLA First Division 50 Overs Sunday League, Smashers oppose Triumph United at Buccament; Belfongo take on Prime Consulting Marriaqua at Stubbs; and French Verandah SVG Community College play Combine Youths at Arnos Vale Two. In the NLA Women’s 40 Overs Competition, United Survivors and J.G Tigress will do battle at the Stubbs Playing Field.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Vincy Heat in training for the upcoming Windward Islands Championship. Inset: Cornelius Huggins, head coach of the Senior National Football Team, spoke of being focused now on building for the future. exposed to the different areas of players’ development.”

He stressed, “With all this in mind, we will be looking to start working towards getting the best players with the right attitude, discipline and a good work ethic, and with enough time to work with the players, I believe we can improve.”

Huggins also expressed the view that “It’s about time to start

looking in a different direction. …. Some of the players have done the country a good service over the years, but we have to turn another page now and look towards the younger players who can bring something new to the table.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 05, 2017. 27.

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VOLUME 111, No.18

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INTRUDER AT LAWYER’S HOME POLITICALLY MOTIVATED? POLITICALLY Attorney-at-Law Kay Bacchus-Baptiste is convinced that the intrusions at her home had a politically motivated mission about them.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS ATTORNEY Kay BacchusBaptiste says she has been informed that the intruder at her premises last week, was sent there on a politically motivated mission to kill her.

Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN that the security cameras at her home, had, on Tuesday, April 25, picked up images of a man armed with a cutlass and carrying a knapsack.

Bacchus-Baptiste said her information was that the knapsack contained clothes for the intruder to change after committing the act.

She added that a suspect was identified to her, and she passed on the information to the police; but as far as she is aware, no arrest has been made, to date.

When contacted on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Colin John told THE VINCENTIAN that Bacchus-Baptiste had given the police the identity of a suspect and they went in search of him, but he was not yet

located. He noted that the house in which the suspect had been living was destroyed by fire, but the police are continuing their search for him.

John added that on two occasions, following

the report, police had gone to BacchusBaptiste’s home, but she was not there, and they left information with persons at the house. He said the police returned there subsequently and collected information in

The image which security cameras at Kay Bacchus-Baptiste’s residence picked up on April 25.

relation to the matter, as part of their ongoing investigations. BacchusBaptiste also recalled, in speaking to THE VINCENTIAN, that in 2008, her security cameras had picked up

images of a man carrying a jug of gas, on her premises.

She is of the view that the recent images and those in 2008 look alike.

She noted that, to date, there has been no arrest in the 2008 incident

either.

“I feel that a citizen should be able to make comments without having their lives threatened by persons with opposing political views,” Bacchus-Baptiste said.

Defence seeks evidence from media A LOCAL MEDIA house is among three witnesses the defence is seeking to call when the high profile firearms and ammunition matter involving Randy Shallow, 31, and his fiancée Friekesha Douglas, 23, both of Lowmans Leeward, resumes next Wednesday, May 10.

The others are firearms expert Corporal Alvin Gibson, and firearms dealer Gregory Ferrari.

Attorney Grant Connell, representing the couple, had requested, and was granted an adjournment in the matter on Tuesday, after the defendants testified.

The lawyer told the Court that he had written to Acting

Commissioner of Police Renold Hadaway, requesting permission to have Corporal Gibson testify for the defence, but was yet to receive a response.

Connell did not say which media house he was seeking to call, but he indicated that he had contacted two others previously, in relation to having them testify for the defence, but they refused, after expressing certain concerns.

Connell is also seeking the authors for the entries made in the station diaries, the Armory Register and exhibit room, with respect to the matter.

The couple is charged jointly with possession of a prohibited weapon, to wit, a submachine

gun, and having a component part of a prohibited weapon, to wit, a magazine of an AK 47 rifle. They are also charged jointly with possession, without licences, of a .38 revolver, a glock pistol, 14 rounds of .40 ammunition, 42 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one round of .38 ammunition, and one round of 7.62 ammunition.

The items were reportedly netted during a police raid on January 18 this year, and the acting Commissioner had held a news conference the same day to highlight the seizure, and to display the items.

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

Attorney Grant Connell is doing his utmost to have a media house present testimony in the gun and ammunition matter involving his clients Randy Shallow and Friekesha Douglas.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.