THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 05-06-20

FRIDAY, JUNE

05, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.23

Mother not angry Page 3

RICHLAND PARK REMAINS in a state of shock following the gruesome death of Jamarie Phillips, a 10-year-old student of that rural, farming community.

A Royal SVG Police Force release stated that law enforcement authorities had already begun investigations into “the circumstances surrounding the death of … [the] 10 years old student.”

The release continued to detail, “Jamarie’s motionless body was discovered with multiple chop wounds to his neck, head and hands at his home about 12:30pm on 29.05.2020. The police were subsequently informed. The District Medical Officer (DMO) was summoned to the scene and pronounced the body dead… .”

The RSVGPF Public Relations Department’s release did not include details about T-Zan Phillips, the young man who was eventually taken into custody for the alleged nepoticide .

Jamarie and T-Zan are blood relatives; Jamarie’s mother — who is currently enlisted in the British Armed Forces — is T-Zan’s biological sister.

A close family member with whom this reporter spoke on Friday last, said that T-Zan was very fond of

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No jail for gun-builder Page 4

Union fire opens holes Page 12

EC$1.50

Locks for election boxes Page 5

More water rationing Page 28

Right: T-Zan Phillips is in custody as police investigate his connection with the death of his nephew. his nephew. This was corroborated by a number of other residents.

The extended family resided — for the most part — in the same home, and T-Zan, his father and 2 brothers shared the day to day responsibilities of caring for young Jamarie.

A troubled soul At 21 years old, T-Zan is said to be a promising soccer player who proudly represented the Richland Park Pride and Joy FC, and had recently attracted interest from overseas parties.

Most people who know TZan, a graduate the SVG Community College - Division of Arts, Sciences et al, claim that the gruesome murder for which he is accused, is far out of his character.

It follows, therefore, that speculations regarding what triggered his behavioral change abound. One of the

Jamarie Phillips – 10 years old – was the 16th homicide for the year to date.

most prevalent theories describes some fabled form of religious brainwash.

Sources say T-Zan left his father’s house and moved into a dwelling with a young lady, widely believed to be his girlfriend, and her extended family. It is apparently in this house he was exposed to some level of “religious mindcontrol.”

T-Zan was apparently overheard, in the week, expressing a desire to offer up

a martyr in order to win God’s favor, according to sources. He never mentioned wanting to hurt Jamarie.

Further unconfirmed reports described T-Zan as showing signs that were not his normal behavior.

He was apparently removed from the house where he was residing sometime before Friday, but was not taken for psychiatric treatment or evaluation.

A loving child

A family source described Jamarie as a loving and wellloved youngster.

“The youth was irie. Every evening he used to pass by my mother. He would come for break or come by to check my sisters. He would come up ever-so often and play with my son, ‘cause all of them are about the same age group. ….

He would play with them before he goes home.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Vincy wins top NY Lions position

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT VINCENTIAN-BORN Ingrid

Andrews-Campbell is the new 2nd Vice District Governor for Brooklyn and Queens District 20 K1

Lions, which is comprised of seventy-five clubs.

Andrews-Campbell, a member of the Central

Brooklyn Lions Club, hails from Belair.

She told THE VINCENTIAN Sunday

that her opponent, Phillipinesborn Dr. Ishmael Holipas, of the South Ozone Park Empire Medical Lions Club in Queens, withdrew from the race soon after she delivered her launch speech at the Lions’s Mid-Winter Convention in February.

Ingrid AndrewsCampbell has been a Lion since 1984.

In that speech, she also referenced her ability to connect with people and to use that ability to inspire some of them to become great Andrews-Campbell leaders, as the main extends appreciation reason for her candidacy as 2nd Vice District “I am extremely thankful for your support Governor. “….. I want to be your and vote of confidence in servant leader; a leader electing me,” added with a passion for service Andrews-Campbell in a and a determination for ‘Thank You’ message to her home club, Central action.”

Brooklyn Lions Club, and She committed to the Lions of District 20standing “with you ready K1 Brooklyn and and able for the Queens. “I am honored leadership challenge as and humbled to serve as we work together to your 2nd Vice District move this district Governor. forward.”

“With your support, I Andrews-Campbell know I shall be able to said she started her fulfill the aspirations of career in Lionism in May the Lions and the 1984. community we serve,” continued AndrewsAwards over the years Campbell, who is married to fellow-villager Daniel Campbell.

Among her Andrews-Campbell achievements and said she was “deeply awards over the years moved by the expression are: Most Outstanding of support from Lions Lioness President — Subwhose clubs she has District 60B; Most visited and committed to Outstanding Zone work with the Chairperson — Sub membership as a team, District 60B; Lions Club to advance Lionism in International Leadership the community.

Award; Lions Club In her campaign International President’s launch, she said that Appreciation Award; over 30 years ago, as a District 20 K1 Past graduating member of District Governor the Barbados Leadership Award; and Community College Student Government Lion of the Year Award.

Council, a professor, a Andrews-Campbell Lion, told her: “Ingrid, has also served on the we are going to miss you, district level as a but there is an member of several organization that can district committees, utilize your leadership including Feeding, skills”.

TEAL, Labor Day Andrews-Campbell Parade, Family Fun Day, said that was her Testimonial Journal, introduction to Lionism Mid-Winter and and “the wonderful work Testimonial. that Lions do.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 3.

News 3 Mother of slain youth not angry Right: T-Zan Phillips (left) and Marlden Scrubb as they turned out for a Tournament in Barbados.

youngster’s murder. He was shot as he resisted arrest and after he had inflicted a blow to one of the police officers.

Neighbours, former school mates as well as team members from the Richland Park Pride and Joy Football Club are amongst those who are weighing in on the tragic nepocitide incident in which T-Zan is implicated.

The consensus is that the alleged murderer suffered from mental health issues which would be largely responsible for the drastic character change that resulted in the relatively composed young adult inflicting fatal wounds on his beloved nephew.

Marlden Scrubb and Orlando Trimmingham are two players who accompanied T-Zan and four other Vincentians in the 2019 Barbados First Division Football League. They played for the Barbados Soccer Academy.

Both team-mates remember Phillips as a “good person” who Richland Park has had its fair share of excitement but is usually a worked hard and quiet, resourceful community.

XANIQUE PHILLIPS, T-Zan Phillips’ sister and Jamarie Phillips’ mother, according to reports, is not being angry at TZan, neither does she blame him.

Alford Antoine, one of Jamarie’s grandfathers and who was at the time making preliminary funeral arrangements for Jamarie, said he was in constant communication with Xanique.

“She knows that they didn’t grow up like that and it had to be something why that had to happen so,” he posited.

Xanique is enlisted in the British Navy and has been stuck out of country due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Jamarie Phillips was found dead at his Richland Park home. Police reports say that the young student was “discovered with multiple chop wounds to his neck, head and hands … about 12:30 p.m. on Friday May 29, 2020.”

On that same day, members of the Royal SVG Police Force took Jamarie’s 21-year-old uncle, T-Zan Phillips into custody in connection with the

“always believed in good/God.” Trimmingham recalled that the last time he spoke with T-Zan must have been after the gruesome incident of which, he said, he was unaware at that time. “I called a friend and T-Zan was round she so she gave him the phone, and he was asking me if I will give my life for God and things like that.”

The previous Saturday, May 23, the two soccer players would share a conversation, “when I was coming from Church … and he did sound like himself, but yesterday he sounded way off, me nah want to say crazy but yes,” Trimminghan recalled.

Scrubb described the entire affair as “shocking news to me” while saying, “all now I still can’t believe. Trust, I don’t even know what I would say to him because if I see him is just cry I going cry.”

Another close family source

expressed heartfelt gratitude to the police officers for their restraint while apprehending an obviously agitated T-Zan. “The cops did the best they could have done. It could have gone another way. I feel if they really wanted to kill him they could have, and that would have been much more pain for us,” she said. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

Ten-year-old chopped to death police. He was shot while resisting arrest, as the police “He was always back and were reportedly compelled to forth. When he comes he employ that means of forced would hug up me sisters, submission after he inflicted a check for me mummy, you telling blow on once of the know. He was young so he officers. didn’t quite have that one He was, according to eyesport that he loved, but he witnesses, shot twice, one shot would play football or any hitting his leg just about the little sport they playing calf area. There are conflicting around the place. Jamarie was reports of the number of shot a good student,” the source that were heard. said.

T-Zan was taken to the Levi Latham Health Centre, Police an arrest Mesopotamia, where a family source said he continued to It is unclear who discovered behave “unlike himself,” while Jamaie’s chopped up corpse, receiving medical attention for but reports are that it was the police inflicted wounds. after T-Zan was spotted He was transferred to the bloodied while brandishing a Milton Cato Memorial hospital cutlass, that some residents where he remained warded up went and checked and to last Wednesday. discovered Jamarie.

T-Zan was later accosted by jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com Continued from Page 1.

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

Gun builder escapes prison term

send Nero to prison. He was instead given a twoyear suspended sentence and fined $10,000 to be paid by July 2 or nine months in prison for possession of the gun.

In addition, Nero was ordered to pay the Court $800 forthwith or serve Lenrick Nero with one of one month in prison for his two children to possession of two rounds whom he owes much for of ammunition.

Nero had pleaded not being handed a guilty to both charges suspended sentence. when he was taken (Facebook Photo) before Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett at the Stories by Kingstown Magistrate’s HAYDN HUGGINS Court last week. The matter was transferred LENRICK NERO, a 27-year- to the Serious Offences old landscaper of Owia Court. who claimed he made a In presenting the shotgun for protection, facts, Court Clerk was not sent to prison for Corporal Atnel Ash said possession of the weapon. that around 4:15am on Sitting at the Serious May 27, Corporal Nigel Offences Court on John of the Rapid Tuesday, Chief Response Unit (RRU) Magistrate’s Rechanne headed a party of RRU Browne stressed the officers to Nero’s home at seriousness of Nero’s Owia, to execute a search action and the charges. warrant.

She also noted the Nero was met at home seriousness with which and the warrant was the Eastern Caribbean read to him in the Court of Appeal viewed presence of another such offences. But the police officer.

Magistrate pointed out Before conducting the that each case must be search, Corporal John decided on its merit, and asked Nero whether he its own facts and had anything illegal at circumstances. his home to hand over to And after weighing the police. the aggravating and Nero led the officers to mitigating factors in this a bedroom and handed case, she opted not to over the shotgun, which

was in parts in a jacket.

The two rounds of ammunition were also revealed.

When cautioned, he told the officer, “A man stab me up some time ago and I made it.”

Lawyer’s plea In a sterling mitigation plea, Nero’s lawyer Grant Connell highlighted that his client cooperated fully with the police; that he had kept the firearm in the bosom of his bedroom, and not even his family knew it was there.

“He was attacked in February, and stabbed about his body with a knife. This is now June and nothing has been done (no arrest). In fear, he made this firearm and carried it to his room for protection. He never one day carried it outside. He had no intention of going in the street and brandishing it,” Connell contended.

The lawyer added that Nero had two children for whom he was the sole provider. Another child had died at age six.

Nero, Connell said, had worked in Mustique as a landscaper for several years, starting at age 18, and never broke the law despite the harsh conditions there.

He noted that his client was a churchgoer, and the pastor spoke highly of him, particularly in relation to him being a good father, and a mannerly and industrious person.

His lawyer referred to Nero’s age, that he had no previous convictions, and had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

He expressed the view that if Nero was sent to prison, he could be transformed into a potential threat to society.

“We humbly ask this Court that if it had the intention of imposing a custodial sentence, to suspend it,” the lawyer concluded.

Cannot disclaim the seriousness In response, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche said, he read the document from the pastor, listened to Connell’s submissions and had made inquiries in relation to the stabbing matter, and learned that it was still under investigation.

“This is a very sad case, and what makes it sad is when the defendant said he was stabbed up, and he built this gun to defend himself,” Delpleche told the Court.

Final adjournment in prison officer’s case JULY 6 is the final adjournment date in the matter involving Prison Officer Louis Cupid, who has been charged in connection with the October 2019 escape of murder accused Veron Primus, from Her Majesty’s Prisons, Kingstown.

Cupid, 45, of Murray’s Village, has been charged with between Louis Cupid September 29 and October 2, 2019, being employed in the Public Service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a Prison Officer, ‘did make abuse of the authority of his Office by doing an arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of the Superintendent of Prisons, to wit, conspired to aid in the escape of Veron Primus from lawful custody’.

Cupid is also charged with between September 24 and October 2, 2019, ‘did agree with Veron Primus that a course of conduct shall be pursued which if the agreement was carried out in accordance with the intention, will amount to the Commission of the Offence of escaping lawful custody’.

He has been out on $15,000 bail with one surety.

When the matter was called on Tuesday at the Serious Offences Court, the Prosecution witnesses, including Superintendent of Prisons Brenton Charles, were present. However, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche requested an adjournment, stating that the file was returned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after certain recommendations were followed, and was being

looked at again.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne granted the adjournment and stressed that it would be the final one.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, the Senior Prosecutor explained that after the file was initially perused at the DPP’s Office, it was sent back to the investigator with certain recommendations. Those recommendations were followed, and the file was returned to the DPP’s Office, and is now being perused again.

At a previous sitting, the Prosecution had been granted an adjournment in the matter after the Senior Prosecutor indicated that Crown Counsel Tameka McKenzie wanted to get certain things right, before embarking on a trial.

Cupid’s lawyer Grant Connell had responded then, that the Prosecution had not complied with a Court order to disclose all witness statements and relevant material to the case, and the lawyer questioned, “What does the DPP getting its house in order have to do with the order of the Court?”

Primus, awaiting trial for the November 2015 stabbing death of 36-year-old Real Estate Agent Sharlene Greaves of Dorsetshire Hill, escaped from the Prison around 10am on October 1. He turned himself in at the Central Police Station, Kingstown, around 3 p.m. the same day, accompanied by Attorney Jomo Thomas.

Primus was taken before the Serious Offences Court the following day. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

“Corporal John informed me that from the inception, the defendant cooperated,” Delpleche continued, and commended John for having given the defendant an opportunity to hand over what he had to the police.

But the Prosecutor added that the seriousness of the case should never be lost while recognizing the unfortunate circumstances.

The Chief Magistrate also stressed the seriousness of the matter, noting the maximum penalty for firearm or ammunition possession in the Magistrate’s Court is seven years in prison, and an offender can also be fined $20,000.

She highlighted that there was no indication as to when the firearm was made.

“The reason given as

to why it was made is for retaliation which makes the offence aggravating.

It is to get back at someone, who did something to you. The seriousness of the offences cannot be overlooked, and it is very unfortunate that that is the way you chose to go,” Browne told the defendant.

In mitigation, Browne highlighted Nero’s cooperation with the police, took his youthfulness into account, noted he had no previous convictions, had two dependent children, and that he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Using three years as a starting point, she added six months for each aggravating factor and took away four months for each of the mitigating ones, and arrived at the aforementioned penalties.

ÂSoupsÊ cleared of attempted murder FOUR DAYS after Lionel ‘Gobler’ George and his girlfriend Deneisha ‘Gazaden’ Corridon were shot and killed, Lejah ‘Soups’ Alexander, who was charged with attempting to murder George about seven months ago, has been cleared of that charge.

When the matter was called at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Lejah ‘Soups’ Delpleche indicated that the Alexander Prosecution was withdrawing the charge.

The Prosecution is not required to give the Court any reason when it withdraws a charge.

However, speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on completion of the Court’s proceedings on Wednesday, Delpleche explained that the victim in the matter is now deceased, and the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

Alexander, of Brighton, was charged with attempted murder after George was shot in the head at Lower Middle Street, Kingstown, on the morning of November 6, 2019. Reports are that he and Corridon, vendors, were unpacking clothes to start the day’s business, when someone opened fire on him, and fled.

George, 28, of Rockies and Corridon, 25, of Yamboo, were gunned down while sitting in a parked vehicle in the area of Prime Lime Bar, Arnos Vale, on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Up to press time Wednesday, nobody was charged with the double murder. Police investigations are continuing.

Alexander was out on bail awaiting a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on the attempted murder charge. George and Corridon would have been key witnesses in that case.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 5.

News

Elections Supervisor writes the NDP

Senator Kay Bacchus-Baptiste has made it clear that the NDP will be vigilant in assuring that all practices regarding elections conform to the law.

THE NEW Supervisor of Elections Dora James has reached out to the New Democratic Party (NDP) in an effort to maintain some measure of transparency in the democratic process of electing Parliamentary Representatives.

This is according to Senator Kay Bacchus-Baptiste as she responded to a query posted during her appearance last Sunday, on Asbert News Network and ITFX Digital Solutions’ interview series ‘On De Spot’.

“About 6 weeks or so ago, we got a letter from the Supervisor of Elections because, based on our query and our complaints about what went wrong in the last election, they are trying to correct first of all the ballot box, because the law says that they should be locked with a key, and we know that what they had there was incapable of being locked with a key.”

Instead of locking the ballot boxes with a key, in the last election, Bacchus-Baptiste said they used what they called tags.

“But they had The NDP is looking any number of forward to the use of tags. You can cut ballot boxes secured the tags off and with locks. replace them and nobody would ever know. They did not record the numbers of the tags.

They had more tags, despite what the [then] Supervisor of Elections said, than was necessary. Therefore it was very easy to get into the ballot boxes if you had a returningofficer who was minded to do that,” Bacchus-Baptiste elaborated.

As per the letter from the labels which you can peel on and Supervisor, Bacchus-Baptiste said, peel off. That is unacceptable. It “We wrote back telling her yes, what was very, very lax in 2015, and they should do is follow the law and we are working on that aspect.” get a ballot box that can be locked. But that alone would not be sufficient; we jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com are going to demand also that the ballot paper conforms, in every detail, Dora James, Supervisor of to the law. That is, the presiding Elections, appears to want to officer’s box should be put where the ensure that the election law says it should be so that we can process avoids shortfalls of secure the secrecy of the ballot.” the past.

The Opposition Senator recounted some of the difficulties detaching the counterfoil that returning officers suffered through, because of what she described as the ill-conceived design of the batch of ballot papers used in the 2015 elections. “All of that impacted on the secrecy of the vote, so we are insisting now that we see that ballot paper.

“It should conform according to law in every material way. In particular that the names would be placed alphabetically as the law says and, as I said, it’s perforated so that you can tear it off without destroying the ballot.”

The other issue to be addressed, in true transparency, must be how the approved ballot boxes are sealed.

“Those 2015 ballot boxes were not sealed at all according to law,” the Senator intoned.

“The sealing, when they say sealing, meant if you were to tamper with it when you — at the end of every election when you put the ballots into the box after the counting, you’re supposed to have the presiding officer’s initials and the poll clerks and the agents initial it — in such a way that if you were to remove it, it will disintegrate, it will tear up.

“They didn’t do that; they got some

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6. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Learning from the others’ protests IN OUR EDITORIAL COLUMN of January 5, 2016, we wrote: “…the degree to which a society is democratic or totalitarian usually determines the response of the state machinery to open protests.”

That Editorial was prompted by the protests that had followed the general elections of 2015.

The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) had voiced strong objection to the validity of the results, and mobilised its forces onto the streets of capital Kingstown in protest of the election process and the workings of the electoral office.

The results were tested in the Courts, and though confirmed, shortcomings of the process were revealed.

The aim of these protests seemed not removed from those mounted by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) when they refused to accept they had lost the general election of 1998 on the basis of the constitutionally prescribed first-past-the-post voting system, though they had garnered the majority of votes cast.

In the case of the ULP protests, roads were blocked, effectively halted traffic from the East and West corridors of mainland St. Vincent into Kingstown and vice versa, and disrupting the otherwise normal and peaceful functioning of Vincentian society, including education and health services..

If we are not locked away in the narrow musings of our insularity, the protests in Hong Kong and the USA would not have passed us by.

In fact, if we were true to what’s happening in Hong Kong and some 140 cities across the USA, we would have much upon which to reflect, not least being the manner in which protestors are treated by the arm of the law.

In both cases, the authorities have given law enforcement the right to use measures, other than dialogue, to quell the protest.

In the case of the road blocks of 1998/99, while there was much

pressure on the administration to put the protests down by force, better judgement prevailed, and not a man jack was arrested far less charged.

The diplomacy and calm used in 1998/99 resulted in a solution that was shaped during a ‘walk on a beach’.

(This does not sound like an option the Chinese or Trump would fancy as useful against ‘insurrectionists’.)

The path towards a return to normalcy in 1998/99 did not characterize the actions of the administrations of 2010 and 2015, which opted for a show of military-like force on the streets, to quiet the ‘insurrectionists’.

In 2010/2015, there was no real violence on the part of the protestors, but there was enough provocation as per the heightened military style presence on the streets, to result in the arrest of would-be protest leaders, bystanders and even a foreign journalist.

The lessons from Hong Kong and the USA have to be inclusive of accepting a responsibility to recognize the pain and the systemic injustices, and to act, when and if need be, by listening, reading, and supporting organizations that make justice their mission.

This is especially pointed at those of privilege who are protected in some capacity.

Always in the case of mass opposition and protest, we have to consider how to heal the wounds that might open. That solution can be found in the power of our voices and our readiness to confront bias.

To effect change, we must be willing to participate in conversations that may be uncomfortable and definitely not easy but which are critical.

From the lessons from Hong Kong and the USA, let us make a vow to be kind, to roll up our sleeves and be part of the force that bends the path toward justice.

So, protest yes, but be prepared to carry the cause towards its just end.

The Politics of Folly, the Futility of Politics Written by Renwick Rose I CAPTURED THIS ARTICLE written by Renwick Rose about a year and a half ago but have not yet responded. I honestly believed that this was one of the best articles to come out of SVG. It would certainly help us in the future, although it must be added that the problem he cited was aggravated and multiplied since the pandemic.

I give this short introduction to show that Renwick is a great social scientist, who honestly, I think should be recommended to the UWI for an Honorary Doctorate in the field of Social Science.

“As we prepare for the annual parliamentary Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, there are already signs that the context will be an all-too-familiar one, confrontation between opposing sides as they make their preparations for what seems to be their major reason for existence — the next general elections.

With the government and public sector unions at odds, (that always seems to be the case as we approach elections), the Opposition has already indicated that it would join the unions in a picket if Parliament. So, what’s new?

Here, I beg your indulgence to offer congratulations to the newly-appointed opposition senator, Hon. Israel Bruce on his appointment to the House, to wish him all the best and to urge him to try and bring a different approach to parliamentary proceedings. He has been “long in pasture” as the saying goes, having had to subsume his ambitions to those of others who have won favor with the party leadership. Can he bring something different to the parliamentary table, or are we to have more of the same?

Time will tell.

The intense partisanship which characterizes our politics is not unique to our country alone. In countries big and small, rich and poor, developed and underdeveloped, this is common practice. As a result, billions of people in the world suffer as politicians place their own selfish interests and those of the powerful forces with either support them or force them to do their will, before the welfare of the people they pledge to serve.

Just take a quick look around the globe and you will observe where selfish interests and partisan political rivalry take precedence over common sense and the interests of the mass of the people. There is perhaps no better example than in the United States of America (USA) where not only is there a shutdown government because of the selfishness of the President, but the system itself seems incapable of breaking the deadlock. As a consequence, hundreds of thousands of working people are suffering.

The figurative Rome is burning while the

modern Nero twiddles his wellgroomed thumbs.

On the other side of the Atlantic, hundreds of millions more face an uncertain future as the clock runs out on the Brexit timetable. Two months away from the deadline for Britain to leave the European Union (EU), there is still no clear indication of what will happen post March 29. Political partisanship clouded the British referendum in 2016, as indeed it influenced our own constitutional referendum seven years before, and up until today neither ‘All the king’s horses nor all the king’s men’ have been able to put Humpty Dumpty (Britain) together again.

What is even more worrying is that this situation does not affect the Europeans or the British alone. Hundreds of millions of people in the so-called ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries are linked to both sides by trade and economic cooperation agreements. The terms under which Britain leaves the EU will have profound implications for these people.

Unfortunately while the political charade is played out in Brussels and London, there does not seem to be appropriate level of concern in the ACP countries, the Caribbean in particular, in advocacy to try and secure adequate post-Brexit arrangements.

That lack of cohesion is also demonstrated by the failure of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, to act in unison in regard to external threats to the sovereignty of neighboring Venezuela. Not only is Venezuela a part of the Caribbean basin, (it is closer to Trinidad than either Guyana or Suriname), but for years it has benefitted tangibly from economic relations with Venezuela. These benefits have multiplied significantly since the days of the late President Hugo Chavez and have continued, in spite of crippling economic sanctions, under President Maduro.

Yet CARICOM has allowed itself to be divided under pressure from its powerful northern neighbor, which, incidentally, has not rendered half the assistance to the Caribbean as the region receives from Venezuela, and one beneficiary is even in the process of expropriating Venezuela’s assets.

Others have joined the right-wing bandwagon which seeks approval for armed intervention in Guyana.

At the regional level, we cannot even find common ground on a matter of fundamental importance to us all. That is the degree to which politics serves to divide us rather than binding us together to defend common interests.

(TO BE CONTINUED)”

V Take your tablet The musings

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 7.

Letters

In this period of COVID-19, there have arisen some who have neither experience nor expertise in the area purporting to prescribe solutions.

Because we live in a knowledge-based society, we should allow those with the capability to come forward with the remedy.

Shouldn’t the procurement of tablets be done by those in the

computer business rather than the pharmacies or other entities? Are the computer stores better positioned to provide warranties and repairs as needed?

How should we prepare for the arrival of 30,000 tablets?

1. Allow businesses to handle the procurement.

2. Train a minimum of 2 persons in each school, community and village in

computer repairs.

3. Provide interestfree loans for individuals (students/teachers) to select their own device (computer/tablet).

4. Survey students to determine what device they prefer.

The aspect of choice allows students to choose what they want. The interest-free loan creates a sense of responsibility and ownership, and

should cause students to value and care for the device. Repayment of loan would mean that resources would be available for the next set of students.

The last method of device distribution was not successful and sustainable. Let us not make the same mistakes again.

Anthony Stewart, PhD

The NDP mourns with families of UI WE IN THE New Democratic Party (NDP) are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the three burn victims in the Union Island gas station fire.

The fire occurred at the gas station in Clifton, Union Island on Tuesday evening May 19, 2020.

The owner of the gas station, 72-year old Freddy Naert, and teenagers 14-year old Lindani Neverson and 17-year old Gra-niqua Azaria Alexander, were seriously injured in the fire and were transported to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown for emergency medical treatment. Last Sunday, May 24th, both Freddy Naert and Lindani Neverson died at

MCMH. Later that day, Azaria Alexander was flown to Trinidad for further treatment. Last evening, Wednesday, May 27th, she too succumbed to her injuries.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims.

This tragedy is a hard blow for the family members. They need our prayers and support in this extremely difficult time. We mourn with them. No doubt, their community of Union Island and the entire nation share their loss.

The Honourable Terrance Ollivierre, Member for Southern Grenadines, who has been in regular and close contact with the families of the teenaged victims,

commented, “I am truly at a loss for words. My heart hurts for all the families. This is such a tragedy, and I know that all the people of Union Island are hurting right now. We must pray for everyone”.

President of the NDP, Dr. Hon. Godwin Friday stated, “I am heartbroken! I pray for the families and for the community. They need our love and support.”

The NDP urges that there be a full investigation into the cause of the fire, the efforts to combat it, and of the transportation and treatment of the burn victims. As Dr. Friday has stated, “We need to find answers and to learn from this tragedy.

A full investigation is a

essence, Blacks are still slaves and will continue to be treated as such since institutionally, things have not changed in the USA even though chattel slavery was abolished.

The real liberation of Blacks will not be achieved because of the ‘slave masters’ but by the ‘slaves’ themselves.

But, it is racial injustice in global capitalism that is the lock that keeps black people in ‘slavery’. The economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a classic example of racial injustice in capitalism.

The Mustique Act no.48 of 2002 allows rich white people to generate millions from SVG resources and not pay tax .They give several dozen eggs in return.

Taiwan’s abuse of SVG’s fishing licence generates billions of dollars. They give SVG wax apples.

Such policies of racial injustice by the ULP regime policies keep black citizens of SVG in ‘slavery’.

And we must say NO to the servitude that

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) predicted that the world’s population would be decimated by AIDS. I am not saying ignore COVID-19, but I am saying, we cannot expect life to ‘go on as usual’ under the rules we are encouraging as a response to COVID-19.

Social distancing sounds like a good idea, but where is the scientific proof to support its effectiveness?

During this time, business profits, like for most restaurants, would be an elusive dream, most restaurants will not be profitable with serving just 20 persons a day, they will have to fire some workers. Social distancing could cause many, many persons to lose their jobs And in my case… I am a teacher. How am I going to help a student who has a problem understanding something without (me) getting close to that student?

And as for the wearing of masks, I am glad that has not been made mandatory. Wearing a mask can make it difficult to breathe. Wearing it for long periods causes a build-up of carbon dioxide.

Further, wearing a mask distorts your speech, making communication difficult, especially between teachers and students.

COVID-19, it seems, could be with us for a very long time. Yes, it is a threat of enormous proportions, but we have weathered worse.

However, let’s be rational about how we go about that weathering.

A teacher

necessary part of that process.”

Lavern King, Public Relations Officer Email: pro@ndpsvg.org

Racial injustice in capitalism THE DEATH of black male American George Floyd repeats an everyday lesson to black people across the world; Blacks are black, poor and powerless throughout the globe. In

of a teacher

comes with tourism that is seen as the driving force in our economy.

We must work instead, to establish the agricultural industry as that force.

There are many George Floyds in the world and they are all suffering daily because they fail to recognize that the real knee in the neck isn’t the white police officer; the real knee in the neck taking our last breath is racial injustice in global capitalism.

As black people, we must recognize how we are slaves in custody of the wicked system left by the white man, and abolish those policies that keep the strong lock on the chains of black ability.

Kadmiel McFee Independent politician

We must value being black THE BRUTAL murder of George Floyd is the most depressing video I have seen.

The crime has occupied centre stage with protests all over America and even in London.

What is encouraging is that both blacks and whites are united in the protest.

This incident is historic in the sense that it has caused many Americans to rise up and call for an end to racism and the brutality and injustices meted out to black Americans.

Undoubtedly, the incident has shown the ugliness of Racism. We should never support racism. We ought to be proud to be black. But it is rather unfortunate that there are some in this country who look down on being black and even bleach their skin.

We ought to value ourselves and love ourselves as blacks.

Indeed, being black does not make anyone of lesser value than whites. For indeed, regardless to the color of the skin, black or white, we are all made in the image and likeness of God; we would all die one day and go to either a place of rest or a place of torment.

That destination is not determined by the color of the skin, but rather the lives we live and our faith in Jesus Christ.

While we condemned the heinous action inflicted on George Floyd, I call upon us all to love each other, remove the hatred from our hearts, and seek to see each other as equals, regardless of the color of skin and status in life. God is love and so should we all.

Kennard King

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When exceptionalism meets exceptionalism: The Story of SVG and ULP Leadership: Part 4 Covid-19: The Exception of the Exception

TWELVE DAYS before the mysterious illness that had first popped up in the Chinese city of Wuhan had a name, The World Health Organisation on January 30, 2020 declared the infectious disease outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern”. By February 11, 2020 the mysterious disease was called Covid-19, and that began the most extensive media coverage of an infectious disease since the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s. What soon became clear in the weeks and months ahead, was that this disease would change the way things were done, the way people interacted, but most significantly, it would bring the most powerful countries with large economies to their knees.

Make no mistake, Covid-19 was and still is, the exception to the exception, so it came as no surprise when finally, the WHO declared a global pandemic. Here at home, our citizens watched on as news of the first case outside of China was reported, overtaking countries in Europe and finally, making New York, USA the epi-centre of the disease in the Americas. Governments were making up their response to the pandemic as they went along, and with the close interaction of SVG to the USA and specifically NY, this country began to brace itself, as it was only a matter of time before Covid-19 arrived on our shores.

Response guided by Science and Pragmatism On March 11, 2020 at 8:30 pm, the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment convened a media conference to update the nation on the corona virus pandemic as SVG had recorded its first case, an imported case. Minister Luke Browne and the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache briefed the media on how the current situation involving patient zero was being handled, and outlined what was already in place to control the spread of the virus. From the very beginning, PM Gonsalves, when he spoke to the citizens of this country urged that we refrain from panic and hysteria but instead be guided by the science. He led the way and provided the kind of exceptional leadership required when encountering the exception of the exception.

Crafting a national response to the Covid-19 pandemic required a good understanding of this situation that was still unfolding and how it could impact the country on all levels. PM Gonsalves’ government quickly assessed that there were in fact 4 interconnected dimensions to the monumental challenge: Health, Economic, Social and Security (HESS) and any response must of necessity address these. This plan was clearly laid out in an address to the nation on March 25, 2020, including very specific sources of funding to ensure its successful implementation to boost healthcare, social programs and investments in the country’s security infrastructure.

In this region, every CARICOM member-state closed its border, with some enforcing curfews while other declared states of emergencies; but there was one notable exception, SVG. Dr Gonsalves with his pulse on the ground, and very alive to the economic circumstances of Vincentians, understood that a shutdown of the

country could be devastating to many families and individuals, and kept our country’s borders open and economic activity going. The opposition NDP, with ears covered and eyes closed, was adamant and consistent that the government should shut the country down immediately, using draconian measures if necessary, to prevent the spread of the virus. The NDP gave no consideration for Vincentians abroad including crewmen and women on ships; their solution was to shut down.

Our leaders showed great faith and trust in our people, they took the population into their trust, and chose instead to issue advisories for major holidays, and offer constant reminders to avoid large gatherings and practise social distancing; and our people responded in compliance.

SVG’s Covid-19 response included a stimulus and recovery package of over EC$ 74M through government offered income support to workers affected by loss of jobs, subsidy payments to van drivers, taxi and tour operators and performers in the arts, payments to vendors registered with the Kingstown Town Board as well as those elderly folk on public assistance.

Added to that, there were negotiated moratorium on mortgage and other loan payments with lending institutions, and the prevention of disconnection of utilities by the Stateowned VINLEC and CWSA. Over EC$12M was invested in agriculture, offering subsidies to farmers, buying boats to be used by fisherfolk in an effort to boost fisheries supplies, to ensure food security during this pandemic and beyond.

Monies went into the health system with the construction and equipping of an isolation facility at Argyle, the hiring of 40 nurses to improve screening and surveillance, the opening of a flu clinic at the MCMH, and a widespread public education campaign. The safe repatriation of Vincentian crew men and women on ships in a manner that would ensure the health and wellbeing of citizens, was properly negotiated, with established protocols for testing and quarantining being outlined to cruise companies to enable the safe and seamless repatriation of close to 500 crewmen and women.

Conclusion During the months from March to the present, because this country didn’t close its borders and halt economic activity, SVG was able to ship agricultural and other produce to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada. Countries such as Saint Lucia and Antigua expressed difficulty paying public servants; but here in SVG, public servants were paid early, and there was even the hiring of 105 new police officers during this challenging time. SVG has moved towards the phased reopening of school, and just recently hosted the inaugural Vincy Premier League T10 Cricket Tournament, with the cricketing world as audience. The reality is, when Covid-19, the exception of the exception, showed up and other countries were scrambling for answers, SVG showed its exceptionalism of leadership in the management of the pandemic in containing the spread of the virus, keeping the number of confirmed cases among the lowest in the region and preventing deaths among persons infected. This is our story of small island exceptionalism. Let’s be proud and share it with the world.

Vincentians are crying ÂWe canÊt breatheÊ PROTESTS erupted in the United States of America following widespread circulation of a video a white police officer pressing his knees to the neck of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, forcing his face on the pavement until he was unresponsive.

During the ordeal he could be heard saying aloud, “I can’t breathe”.

‘I can’t breathe’ has become the chant during protests in the USA and around the world.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) regime has wrapped its tentacles around the necks of Vincentians forcing them to scream, ‘We can’t breathe’.

The ill-advised policies of the ULP regime and the mismanagement of the country’s economy have created severe hardship for Vincentians resulting in an environment which makes it extremely difficult for them ‘to breathe’. They are having difficulties sending their children to school; they can’t pay their bills; most homes are still without internet; cost of living has skyrocketed and unemployment is rampant.

The unemployment rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines stands at 25 percent according to the IMF. This is worse than it was in 2001, when the ULP came to power. At that time, it stood at 20.9 percent. Today, the unemployment rate among the 15-24 years age group is estimated to be a staggering 46 percent. The youth are groaning, ‘We can’t breathe’. They need jobs. We recall during the 2001 general elections campaign, the ULP promised the youth that they would have provided thousands of jobs, quality jobs. The young people are still waiting for those jobs; they are at home frustrated.

Despite the importance of agriculture to the economy of this country, the government has systematically destroyed the agricultural sector. It is amazing today, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approaching general elections, that the government is talking favourably about agriculture. The ULP administration policies have forced many established farmers out of agriculture, and vast areas of formerly highly productive land are now abandoned. Even a cursory examination of our rural areas reveals a deteriorating situation, where large sections of land, previously deemed part of the national food-basket, are now under-utilized.

Most Vincentians continue to live in fear of political victimization, a weapon used by the ULP regime against our freedom of expression, our freedom of conscience and our freedom to associate. We think about Marcus De Freitas, Paul ‘I Madd’ Scrubb, Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel, Otto Sam, Luzette King, Vynette Fredericks, Jamali Whyte, Collin Graham, Jozette Bowens, Ordan Graham, and recently Kenson King.

These are some of the persons over the years who have suffered under this vindictive ULP government forcing them to cry, ‘We can’t breathe’.

We cannot forget the three teachers, Kenroy Johnson, Elvis Daniel and Addison ‘Bash’ Thomas who contested the 2010 general elections for the NDP. The ULP government and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union signed a collective agreement. Article 16 of the agreement says ‘a member of the union of at least three years

standing, shall on application, be granted leave of absence to contest national, general and local elections.

The leave shall be no-pay leave for a period not exceeding six months. If that member does not win the election, he or she shall return to his or her original post or one of equivalent status, all benefits intact’.

When the three teachers lost and were not reinstated, the matter was challenged in the court. The teachers won their case, but the state has refused to pay pension and cost as ordered by the court. The three are still crying, ‘We can’t breathe’.

For Vincentians ‘to breathe’, we must get rid of the ULP and elect the New Democratic Party to office. The ULP is bankrupt of ideas. The leader, Dr. Gonsalves, is tired and out of touch with the people. The New Democratic Party has the programmes and policies to make St. Vincent and the Grenadines work for all Vincentians.

NDP mourns with fire victims families “We in the New Democratic Party (NDP) are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the three burn victims in the Union Island gas station fire. Lindani Neverson and Zara Alexander will be buried on Sunday 7th June, Mr. Naert was buried during the week.

The fire occurred at the gas station in Clifton, Union Island on Tuesday evening May 19, 2020. The owner of the gas station 72-year old Freddy Naert, and teenagers 14-year old Lindani Neverson and 17-year old Gra-niqua Azaria Alexander, were seriously injured in the fire and were transported to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown for emergency medical treatment. On Sunday, May 24th, both Freddy Naert and Lindani Neverson died at MCMH. Later that day, Azaria Alexander was flown to Trinidad for further treatment. Last evening, Wednesday May 27th, she too succumbed to her injuries.

Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims. This tragedy is a hard blow for the family members. They need our prayers and support in this extremely difficult time. We mourn with them. No doubt, their community of Union Island and the entire nation share their loss.

The Honourable Terrance Ollivierre, Member for Southern Grenadines, who has been in regular and close contact with the families of the teenaged victims, commented, “I am truly at a loss for words. My heart hurts for all the families. This is such a tragedy and I know that all the people of Union Island are hurting right now. We must pray for everyone”.

President of the NDP, Dr. Hon. Godwin Friday stated, “I am heartbroken! I pray for the families and for the community. They need our love and support.”

The NDP urges that there be a full investigation into the cause of the fire, the efforts to combat it, and of the transportation and treatment of the burn victims. As Dr. Friday has stated, “We need to find answers and to learn from this tragedy. A full investigation is a necessary part of that process.”

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Repairing the nets

‘Plan-demic’ and Social Explosion

“When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they must repair nets.” - Nabil Sabio Azadi (Born 1991) – Iranian-New Zealand artist.

‘THERE ARE DECADES where nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen.’

The world is small and is getting smaller. The widespread availability of television and smartphones allows for the instantaneous relay of information from any corner of the earth.

The global ‘plan-demic’, white supremacist and racial police terror in the United States, particularly the murder of Ahmaud Arberry in Georgia, the assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the video of a white woman in New York weaponizing racial hatred about black men, guarantee that 2020 will go down in the history books as one of the most eventful on record.

The year started with the declaration of a global ‘plan-demic’ that has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people worldwide and infected over 6 million.

The major centres of the world locked their borders to travel and locked their citizens inside their homes for months.

The vast majority of workers across the earth was thrown out of work, some came perilously to starvation as their tiny savings dried up.

The ‘plan-demic’ is clearly a massive experiment in mind control. It was an experiment in assessing the many ways in which fear could be utilized to corral the citizens of the earth in doing whatever the state wanted them to do.

Had there been a suggestion in February or March that people take an untested vaccine to protect against some deadly illness, most would have lined up in droves to take it with incalculable risk to themselves. Those of us expressing scepticism about the dangers of ingesting unproven medicine that contains mercury, one of the deadliest substances known to man and human remains would have been jeered off to jail or worse.

The ‘plan-demi’ showed that climate change and global warming could be controlled if the leaders of the world were serious, if only they could commit to placing people before profits. Cities across the USA, China, Europe and India that were choking with smog and where people found it difficult to breathe, regained their pristine beauty.

Masks to protect the lungs from bad air were replaced with masks to protect us from death through disease.

Hitherto people who clamoured for a living wage or universal health care or more funding for education and other social projects were disdainfully asked where the money will come from. The ‘plan-demic’, as was the case with the world financial crash of 2008 before it, demonstrates that there is an abundance of money to be had whenever world leaders wanted to fund a project that was more about their own enrichment and clever manipulation than about environmental and humanitarian survival.

On top of these ‘plan-demic’ truths came the ruthless murder of Ahmaud Arberry in Georgia, two racist white men and the police assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The deaths coming so close to each other proved to be too much for people to bear. There was Arberry running down the middle of a street and senselessly gunned down. There was the white racist police officer posing with his knee pressing on Mr Floyd’s neck, with his partners either standing around or pinning him to the ground.

There was Mr Floyd beseeching the officers to release their suffocating hold, telling them he could not breathe, invoking the name of his dead mother,

THE QUOTATION THAT INTRODUCES this week’s essay was one of several shared

by Mr. Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, during his online presentation to private sector representatives from the Eastern Caribbean on Thursday, 28th May 2020.

His topic, “Prospectives of the ECCB on Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 on the Economies of the ECCU”, focused on how best the citizens of the Eastern Caribbean can prepare for the post COVID-19 economic regrowth. When referring to the said quotation, he noted that this was an African proverb.

Modern societies can benefit from the wisdom shared by many ancient civilizations. Many of the ancient Chinese, Indian, and African proverbs are loaded with wisdom. They invite us to consider principles that, when embraced, can enable us to live better lives. They often lay out useful plans for personal and community growth.

We are grateful to those ancient philosophers who took the time and exerted the energy to archive their “pearls of wisdom” and “jewels of knowledge”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many business, economies and societies.

Many enterprises around the world have toppled into nothingness. The list of firms filing for bankruptcy continues to lengthen. This is as true for firms operating in emerging economies as it is for those registered in developed countries. Other enterprises have had to engage in costcutting exercise that have resulted in temporary staff layoffs as well as terminations. The list of the unemployed has sored around the world. No country has been exempted.

The world economy is truly in a crisis; a crisis that is fraught with dangers but also pregnant with opportunities.

Many of these opportunities will lie in our using the “down time” wisely to plan and prepare for the post-COVID19 era.

The planning and preparation referred to must be evident at the personal level. We need to see these displayed at the community and corporate level also. We must pursue survival strategies as we seek to retain and expand our personal and corporate horizons. Using the analogy expounded in the introductory quotation, the times when we are unable to go out to sea should be used for mending our nets.

Several regional and international institutions have used the recent closure of their respective establishments to offer a variety of courses. The more progressive professional associations have also been proactive in offering online workshops and uploading podcasts aimed at keeping their membership mentally and emotionally engaged.

These have been intended to encourage individuals who are working from home or those who have been laid off to consider engaging in online activities to develop their skills. It is encouraging to observe the number of Caribbean citizens (including managers, leaders, and supervisors) who have been engaged in facilitating such courses and/or participating as attendees. This reinforces the view that there is wisdom when we engage

in activities that assist us in improving our skills and attitudes. Such engagements demonstrate prudence and foresight. There is wisdom in using such periods of inactivity to engage in self-improvement activities.

The downtime in the economy could be wisely used to create an upswing in our pursuit of enhanced performance through training. We admire and honour those individuals who continue the pursuit of excellence even as they await the opportunities that may appear to be alluding them. We are encouraged by the number of unemployed or underemployed individuals who register to participate in academic programmes aimed at enhancing their professional development. They register for online courses in a variety of subject areas.

They push themselves to be the best that they can be. These are individuals who understand and appreciate that it is better to be prepared for an opportunity that does not appear than to have an opportunity appear and they are not prepared. They convert what may often appear to be idle time to be most productive. In this way, they repair the nets while they await the opportunities to go fishing.

The idea of using “downtime” wisely is not focused only on the pursuit of formal or academic studies. The “repairing of the nets” may also require some degree of introspection as it relates to our attitudes and habits.

An objective assessment of where we are and where we ought to be should regularly be done noting that we are not perfect and that we all have the capacity to improve. However, it is insufficient to merely observe our defects. We need to be proactive enough to take that next valuable step and commit to improving. As good as we are, we can be better.

The quotation from St. Jerome (the Latin priest, theologian, and historian who died in 420 AD) reminds us of the need for each of us to constantly focus on improving performance. He inspires us to excel when he noted, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest.

‘Til your good is better and your better is best.” Our lives, our homes, our places of worship, our neighbourhoods, and our workplaces will all see marked improvement when we commit to this philosophy of constant improvement.

But we must commit to the exercise and not merely be spectators and analysts. We need to take action to be the best that we can possibly be. There are numerous local, regional, and international examples of how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many persons out of the job market or, in many instances, resulted in a significant reduction in the number of hours worked. As difficult as it may appear, we are challenged to avoid becoming idle during the down time.

We could embrace the challenges evoked by the introductory quotation, and note that, “When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they must repair nets.”

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

urinating on himself as the last breath ebbed from his body.

And America exploded in righteous indignation yet again. In scenes that reminded of the turbulence of the 1960s, particularly after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the cities erupted with protest. People were angry and it showed.

In these protests there are those who engage in righteous indignation to reflect the horror of their experience as if to say, ‘I am tired and fed up and can’t take this anymore.’ Then there are agent provocateurs who want to sully the good name and efforts of those who are protesting to place a spotlight on evildoers. And then there are the opportunists, those looking to exploit the protest to burn and loot and try to make off with some personal gain.

Add to this topic, mix the Central Park encounter between the black bird watcher and a white racist ‘dog lover.’

Told to place her dog on its leash by the black man, the racist woman decided to weaponize the hatred of black man so present in American society. She brazenly told the black man that she was going to call the police and tell them that a black man was threatening her and her dog. As she worked herself into the white woman fearing black man performance, she started to choke the dog.

Two things of note come from the killing of Mr Floyd and Central Park dog act. In both cases, people, especially white people and state officials, placed the sanctity of property or the animal’s safety over the life of the Black man whose life had either been snuffed out or threatened with either police violence and or death. Black life has been so cheapened, and the occurrences of brutality and death so prevalent, that people seem to be numbed to the horror.

These events in the United States is a clear indication that white supremacy is still alive and well in America. But there is also evidence that an awakening is occurring. A good slice of the demonstrators is white, and that’s a good sign. However, increasing white outrage over terroristic actions of the state or white supremacist citizens is not enough.

White people can no longer be just opposed to racist actions. They must be anti-racist in their daily lives. They cannot continue to comfortably enjoy the benefits of a racist system and occasionally step onto the picket line to demonstrate disgust against the brutalization and dehumanization of black bodies.

They must interrogate and challenge the system which exploits and oppresses people of African descent. No matter what happens, people of African descent must realize that their redemption and salvation lie in their own hands. Others may join, but unless they lead the fightback, little or no change will come.

The plan-demic and the explosive racial tensions in the USA have allowed people to see some new truths. We can only hope that these developments bring on a new awakening and consciousness that will result in a complete reorganization of society where citizens take pride of place over profits.

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

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Stupidity beyond belief!

ACCORDING to an iWitness news report about the geothermal project in SVG, the ULP regime is now questioning whether it makes sense to go through with the project. It’s been quite clear to many in SVG that it did not make sense to even start the project.

Since 2001, the ULP regime has exhibited stupidity beyond belief, and this geothermal project is just another example of the regime leadership’s stupidity. There are much simpler, easier and cheaper options available to our country to increase our electricity output, yet the ULP regime stupidly decided on geothermal.

The ULP regime has wasted millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money on stupid ideas that have failed, and failed badly.

The geothermal project is another example of wasted dollars. Our economy is very weak and there is poverty throughout our country, yet the ULP regime continues to waste public money.

To increase our country’s electricity output, we could have: 1) Installed more turbines on existing hydro-electric plants, so that the same water can generate more electricity as it flows down a river; 2) Brought in wind turbines to generate electricity; and 3) Installed thousands of solar panels on roofs throughout the country.

In all three of the above options, the technology involved is much simpler, the cost is much cheaper and the energy supply is free. With simpler technology, it means they are easier to install and maintain, and with cheaper technology it means they are cheaper to install and maintain.

But, rather than going for the obvious option, the ULP regime went for the stupid option.

The ULP regime has been in office since 2001. Over the past 19 years, we could easily have managed to connect

every household in SVG with cheap mains electricity, if we did not have a government with its head up its ‘behind’.

Instead, we have thousands of households that have no mains electricity, because it is too expensive.

Stupidity beyond belief!

It is the children of the poor who suffer the most, as they have no electricity for light at night to do their homework.

A Green government would make the SVG electricity supply 100% generated by renewable energy, using wind, solar and hydro. This would make it much cheaper too and affordable to poor households. Every household would be connected to the mains electricity supply under a Green government.

A Green government would bring smart meters to SVG which use the key charge system. Households could then pay as they go and top up (as people do with mobile phones) their electricity

meter key whenever they want, in amounts that were affordable to them, from $1 upwards. This way, no household in SVG would ever have their electricity cut off again, and there would be no expensive bills at the end of the month.

A Green government would also cut the price of electricity by 50%. The reconnection charge of $100 would be abolished because with smart meters, it would be redundant as no one would get cut off.

The main reason why many households in SVG are not connected to mains electricity is because we have a grossly incompetent ULP government that lacks vision and innovation.

Our country is in crisis, because the ULP regime has wrecked the economy.

SVG needs change immediately. No more stupidity beyond belief.

PRYME: PRY-ME, PRY-ME, PRY-ME I LEARNT from the Editorial of the Searchlight of May 22nd that the PRYME programme, an initiative of the government of SVG, which provides grantfunding to entrepreneurs, awarded the first $600,000 of the $4.85 million budgeted for this year.

Appreciation for the concept behind the PRYME programme was expressed as the Editorial was impressed that the effort sought to boost the microbusinesses sector and get our people to work, especially given the sense of entitlement which seems to be growing in some quarters in SVG. The Editorial noted, “It is an attitude that the responsibility for one’s welfare lies with someone else, some institution, some government, and that no matter what we get, we ought to

demand more”.

I wonder really, if there is a large percentage of the population who are so oriented, that they do not appreciate the help which they are offered in times of crisis, or is it that the pervasive sufferings of the people over the last several decades has not yet reached the sensitively of some of the more privileged among us.

The Editorial informed, that “over the years, we have enjoyed the fruits of the efforts of various governments in disaster management, and building resilience. The current government has much to its credit in this regard and must be congratulated for its leadership in times of crisis”.

I think, that on that score, the Editorial of the Searchlight has been overly generous to the

present government, for in recent months, I have been noting the pervasive “wutless neglect” of our infrastructure, a glimpse of which can be seen at the back of the properties of the St. Vincent Grammar School and the Girls’ High School.

These two institutions have for more than one hundred years featured prominently in the life of this country, so that today, many of the responsible positions in the management of the country are held by graduates of these two institutions. What is exhibited there then is an absence of pride, not an appreciation of the fact, that the environment plays a significant role in the healthy development of the young people who are developed by it.

Indeed this high commendation of the current

ULP government by the Editorial of the Searchlight is out of harmony with the welldocumented exhibition of mismanagement, when in 2009 they refused to act to address the issue of the black sigotoka disease which resulted in the crippling of the Banana Industry. It cannot be forgotten that these are the same people who in 2001 said they were going to revitalize the agriculture sector and it was on the basis of that they won the support of the farming community. They have proven to be untrustworthy and have left the farmers scrunting!

This PRYME programme which is lauded by the Editorial of the Searchlight, while the recipients may indeed feel grateful for these grants, the hoped for development and

Open Letter to Ministers of Tourism and Health: My recent visit to your island DEAR SIRS:

Humane Society on the island, no shelter, no governing body to oversee the state of I am a Cruise and Vacation Specialist in these wandering animals.

Toronto, Canada. My job is to recommend I returned to my cruise office back in different and emerging Caribbean ports to Canada where myself and the other clients, and so I was excited to spend a day consultants discussed the visit to your on your island back in January 2020, island. We are questioning how we, in good having not been there previously, after 26+ faith and good customer service, can cruises! suggest to our clients that a visit to St St Vincent potentially has so much to Vincent is a nice island to spend a day on, offer and I was excited to be adding it to when so many guests came back distraught my portfolio but, that said, after my time and upset by the animal suffering they touring the island, I was horrified to see saw? the many poor animals wandering around.

Tourism is a large part of the Caribbean It was heart-breaking and I couldn’t shake economy, and as the islands work to the sadness for the rest of the day ...taking recover from the loss of tourists due to the it back onboard with me and finding myself Corona pandemic, it’s more important than chatting to other passengers, who were also ever that you offer a positive experience. horrified by the unnecessary suffering they The vast majority of tourists care for had witnessed. animals and are troubled and negatively I found and contacted the Vincentian affected when they see animal suffering Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to and abuse.

Animals, who seem stretched and already Humane animal control is a long term doing all possible with limited resources. I strategy and one that St. Vincent can excel was disappointed to hear there is no at. It’s not about killing dogs and ‘clearing

up the streets’, far from it; improper, cruel animal control would result in disastrous PR and serious harm to the country’s tourism. A humane programme would gain St. Vincent positive ‘worldwide’ publicity and is actually cost effective. Every tourist lost because they have been upset by what they saw and didn’t return and don’t recommend the island to others, means money lost from the whole economy whether it’s from entry taxes, food purchases, taxi rides, etc. What is the point in building beautiful hotels, big airports and other attractions if tourists come away upset from seeing an abused animal, not wanting to return?

As someone in the tourist sector, I recognize that St. Vincent has wonderful eco- tourism opportunitie, and humane animal care goes hand in hand with that.

I await your response.

Kind Regards, Karen Walsh Cruise & Vacation Specialist Presidents Circle Gold

success of these targeted microenterprises will not be realized in the short to medium term.

They need a strong local economy to “feed on”.

Have we forgotten the hundreds of small businesses which were spread throughout the rural communities in the days of vibrant agriculture, when bananas brought money into the economy every week?

In those days, the farmers were busy earning money which they spent on modernizing their homes, educating their children and enjoying their lives. They did not depend on untrustworthy politicians!

Some questions which are pertinent today are: (a) Has the Ralph Gonsalves ULP government been faithful to the promises they made in 2001? (b) Where is the Crosscountry Road? (c) Where are the Feeder Roads? (d) Why are we not yet exporting bananas as St. Lucia, Dominica and Jamaica are doing? (e) What about the $1.9 million of that school repair programme not yet accounted for? It could be used for addressing the unhealthy situation at the Girls’ High School and the St. Vincent Grammar School. That unhealthy situation has been persisting for too long!

The lesson from the stresses of the COVID-19 for us in SVG, is that every conscientious citizen should stand in the lineup against the subtle disempowering of our people via disingenuous schemes by politicians, whose documented untrustworthiness over the last several decades testified that the pursuit of their personal agenda takes precedence over the welfare of the people of this agriculture oriented society.

Le Roy Providence

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 11.

Heritage

Resistance Heartbeat Drummers: 10 years old and moving forward

THE RESISTANCE HEARTBEAT DRUMMERS (RHD) celebrated its 10th Anniversary on Wednesday 3rd June 2020.

The RHD is a Cultural and Educational Organisation based in Kingstown Park, whose membership is drawn from persons from different areas of St. Vincent.

Presently, the organisation has seven members.

Driven by its motto, “Uplifting our Nation with a Cultural Vitalization”, the group’s primary objective is to revive the cultural art forms of music and dance rooted in the African and Garifuna heritage that abound in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This objective is pursued through an approach dubbed “Edutainment”, a delivery of educational awareness programmes through entertainment using songs, poems and dance, accompanied by the rhythms of African and Garifuna hand drums.

During the last ten years,

“Edutainment” sessions have been held in a number of communities and schools across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In addition to its work locally, the RHD has been given the opportunities to perform regionally and internationally, inclusive of at CARIFESTA, in Mexico, Suriname, Martinique and England.

And as part of its commitment to safeguarding the unique physical environment of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the organization adopted the (mineral) Spa in Belair, cleaning and painting the compound regularly.

Additionally, the RHD has painted the Block 2000 area in Montrose and the wall opposite the clinic in Campden Park.

Due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 10th Anniversary celebration will

take the form of the printing of anniversary t-shirts for members, and the release of a new recording “Madam Marijuana”, the organization said in a recent release.

In that release, the organization said it “takes great pride in its achievement within an environment of numerous challenges of the last ten years.”

The negative attitude of some sections of the society along with the poor response of the business sector to requests for assistance, did not make the going any easier, the organization emphasized.

The organisation might not yet have secured a permanent home, and thanks must be given to the Bro. David Culzac

The membership of the Resistance Heartbeat Drummers.

(Ras David) a group member, for allowing the use of his family’s residence for rehearsals.

Notwithstanding the challenges, President of the organisation Victor Mwata Byron is optimistic about the

future given the positive response and the enthusiasm of the young people in the schools and communities.

“I am confident this Art Form will survive for generations to come,” Byron said.

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Fire throws up shortcomings

the burn victims having to be transported in the bed of pickup trucks; the lack of proper resources to treat the potential infections and possible carbon monoxide poisoning that are known to plague such patients.

Even as he took time to laud the herculean efforts of the medical care team at the Clifton Health Centre during that fiery catastrophe, Dr. John made mention of what he qualified as the most disturbing event of the already disastrous evening.

“There is a one hour gap Fire victims from left: Freddy Naert, Lindini Neverson and Shaniqua Alexander. from the first time you get that call to administrating EVEN AS UNION ISLAND negatively impacted on the persons after the young lady emergency care that is critical CONTINUES locked in a period of burn victims’ lives. went first.” to the patient. One hour! And grief occasioned by the loss of One person told us, “Had you are waiting on Union three persons in a recent fire on the government helped to get Trained First responder Island four/five hours before that island, residents and others them (burnt victims) out reacts the Coast Guard got there. It have zeroed in on the sooner, they would have made seems to me like no other inadequacies that were thrown This sentiment was it. Even the Coast Guard, that efforts were made like even an up by that fire. supported by Dr. Ashley C. very night, was carefree. You aircraft — some kind of Not least in their venting John in an address that was had to beg them to start the emergency aircraft or was how the whole situation broadcast on his Facebook engine to carry the other two something — which could have page last Sunday.

Dr. John is not a flown down to Union Island medical doctor but much faster because these are burn victims … and they had is a trained first to be moved into a specialist responder in part of a hospital immediately, Disaster and that didn’t happen,” John Management situations, amongst told his audience on Sunday afternoon. other qualifications, and Coast Guard ‘blues’ was quick to volunteer his According to Dr. John, the services as the fire vessel arrived around 11:45 raged. pm although the request for He itemized, amongst a laundry urgent medical evacuation was communicated as early as list of things gone awry: the lack of a 7/7:30 p.m. To make matters command center of worse, the vessel’s captain any sort within the wasted more precious time at vicinity of the fire; loggerheads with the medical advice being offered by the the lack of any ambulance service nursing staff on the scene.

The remains of the fuel truck from which the Gas Station tanks were “The part that distressed which resulted in being filled. me the most about that entire night, was when we got down to the jetty to deliver the 2 patients to the Coast Guard vessel. To our surprise, when we got to the vessel and we were ready to lift the patients aboard, we were stopped. Right away we were barred from entering the Coast Guard vessel with the patients, so we couldn’t move them from the 2 vehicles.

“And I’m saying this for the record. They had some meetings inside of the vessel, and we were on that jetty for over an hour; until the people of Union Island started to curse and carry on… for over an hour, and remember they arrived at 11:45. Nurse Jones went on board to try to brief them — Residents of Union Island mounted candle light vigils in honour of the three fire victims.

Dr. Ashley C. John - a trained first responder in Disaster Management - had a laundry list of things that went wrong during and after the fire.

(Facebook Photo) it seems to me, and this is my opinion — they didn’t want to listen to her,” Dr. John said.

It took the arrival of the attending physician and the rumored intervention of the Director of Grenadines Affairs, Edwin Snagg, to move the process along. Meanwhile the male patients were left to languish on the open back trucks which transported them from the clinic.

The MedVac vessel On Sunday 24th May, five days after the Union island fire, Health Minister Senator Luke Browne appeared in the season premiere of the Asbert News Network interview series On De Spot. He reported that the COVID-19 travel restrictions enforced in Trinidad and Tobago meant that a conversation between Prime Ministers Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Dr. Keith Rowley was necessary to facilitate Shaniqua Alexander’s flight to the appropriate health care facility there.

She, along with Freddy Naert and 12-year-old Lindini Neverson had been set ablaze when the gas station exploded and went up in flames.

Senator Browne, when asked to provide an update regarding the promised MedVac vessel, responded in part: “I don’t have the details on the MedVac Vessel. I’m curious to find out how different transportation may be on a MedVac vessel versus the Coast Guard vessel which may have been used to bring the persons to the mainland.”

PM Gonsalves had announced earlier this year that government had already committed $700,000.00 as a deposit on the vessel, which was said to cost upwards of $4M. The estimated time of arrival was set at 3 months. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

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

News

SAMPASA (NA) donates tablets

SAMPASA – NA ((St. Martin’s Secondary School Past Students Association - North America), on Monday 25th , handed over 93 Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 tablets to its alma mater, in a virtual handing over ceremony.

The donation is to assist in enhancing the online teaching and learning environment at the school, and the tablets are intended for students who do not have such devices or access to any.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony held at the School in Kingstown Park, Roman Catholic Bishop, His Lordship Gerald County, Chairperson of the St. Martin’s Secondary School Board of Governors, said that when the acting Principal of the school spoke to him about the

project, he said to himself that it was the sign of the risen Christ amongst us, working in and through us.

He expressed thanks to the local and North American chapters of the Past Students Association for their support, noting that when Yohance Gibson took over as Acting Principal, he advised him to try to re-activate the Past Students Association.

“It is good to have them on board,” said Bishop County, and he commended Gibson for his hard work as well as the management team and staff of the school.

The Bishop singled out IT teacher Petrus Gumbs for special mention.

Gumbs, he said, had the online system in place before the pandemic. “In fact they have been

responding to online testing.

They got prepared for that,then the coronavirus came, and they just transferred to online teaching,” stated Bishop County.

President of the local chapter of SAMPASA Ronnie Daniel spoke of the unwavering support from SAMPASA (NA), as well as the role of the local chapter, who facilitated the process for the import of the tablets.

He singled out Treasurer Leroy James for using his office to ensure a smooth process, adding that within a week, things were

Ronnie Daniel, President of SAMPASA – SVG, making remarks at the ceremony.

mobilized and “we exceeded our target and all expectations.”

Ivan Morgan, President of SAMPASA (NA), speaking via zoom, said that the goal and vision of the organization is to assist past, present and future students of St. Martin’s Secondary School. He said that the organization is also open to anyone who is willing to work with them “to improve the status of this great institution”.

Susan Hamlet, Project Organizer and Public Relation Officer of SMPASA NA, who also addressed the ceremony via zoom, said they were initially looking at acquiring 40 tablets, but because of the overwhelming support, they were able to purchase 102 tablets.

Kay Martin Jack, Senior Education Officer with responsibility for secondary schools, said that the SMSSSAMPASA relationship

Some of the 93 Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 tablets donated for use by needy students of the SMSS. was the kind of partnership the Ministry of Education was looking to encourage. The past students could have spent their money elsewhere, but they chose to invest in their alma mater, she remarked, and called on other entities and individuals to do likewise.

Yohance Gibson, acting Principal of the school, in delivering the Vote of Thanks, noted that past students of the school continue to make tremendous contribution in the society, and this was testimony to the good work of the school.

(KH)

Yohance Gibson, Acting Principal SMSS, hands over a tablet to a deserving student.

YRM stages Pre-2020 Hurricane Season Exercise WHAT BEGAN A FEW YEARS AGO as a friendly two-island emergency communications exercise involving Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has now gathered new momentum and wider interest.

And on Sunday, May 31, 2020, Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, joined Grenada and host country St. Vincent, in a communications drill to ensure that radio operators and their respective local Disaster Management (DM), are in a state of readiness for the 2020 storm season which officially begins on June 1st.

On this occasion, three official DM agencies (Nadma — Grenada, CDEMA Barbados, NEMO —SVG) and a Communications support group (REACT Trinidad and Tobago) took part in the 7-hour exercise which

began at 06:00 hours (6:00am).

An evaluation session which followed via a Zoom Conference took the exercise well past seven hours.

Vincentians Anthony Benn KC2ADI from West Palm Beach Fla, and Paul Lowman J88DF - AD6DF now residing in the United Arab Emirates, both benefactors of Amateur radio in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also participated in the conference.

could establish and maintain contact with their respective DM agencies; to sharpen radio operators’ emergency message handling skills; to provide radio operators with an opportunity to test their emergency renewable energy devices, critical when/if the domestic power grid is compromised.

All in all, the exercise seemed to have achieved its objectives, with Courtney King 8P6JK, Senior Programme officer for Telecoms The exercise Officer with CDEMA, suggesting that the training activity be broadened to The training exercise used several modes of communication including HF, include more Caribbean territories and VHF/UHF radio, with internet reliant different internet modes and gateways.

The training exercise was an modes like ECHOLINK and PEANUT as redundant communications modes. initiative of the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) in conjunction with The main objectives of the exercise Radio Amateurs from Grenada and were: to ensure that radio operators with support from DM agencies

including NADMA, NEMO, CDEMA and REACT (T&T).

The YRM wishes to thank Mr. Sylvan Mc. Intyre, Director of Nadma and Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO who were especially pivotal in realizing the exercise.

Radio operators who played major roles during the exercise include, but are not limited to, the following: J39JX-Floyd, J39JZ- Leslie, J38HADexter, j69DS —Frans, 9Z4JAGBramie, 9Z4RG- Robbie, VP2EIH- Ira, 8P6JK-Courtney, 8P6GW-Wesley, J73WA-Wayne, j73HMJ Hilkiah, J88CU- Sean, J88DT-Sylvester, J88NEL-Vulon, J88NKC- Karyn and organizer of the event J88CD Donald De Riggs.

Report submitted by: Donald De Riggs

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14. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Penny Bank launches online banking THE ST VINCENT COOPERATIVE BANK, familiarly known as the “Penny Bank’, launched its online banking service on June 2.

“Here at the St Vincent Cooperative Bank, we are always looking for creative ways to meet our customers’ needs, and online banking was just one of these ways,” Carlita Tyrrell, Savings Manager said.

The launch of the new service was fast tracked, Tyrrell explained, this due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have one branch, and our hours may not have met our customers’ needs,” Tyrrell said.

“Online banking will now offer a more convenient means for our customers,” she continued.

Customers can now conduct transactions from anywhere that the internet can be accessed and from any device — smart phone, tablet or computer.

According to Tyrrell, online banking services allow for the transfer of funds between existing accounts at the bank, checks on balances and payment of utility bills.

“We are ready to go,” Tyrrell said.

Kai Martin, IT Manager explained that a selected number of persons were asked to provide feedback on the service. This allowed for the resolution of any issues with the new service.

He gave the assurance that

although the entire feature was up and running over an eight-day period, security is not an issue.

“We have ensured and have implemented the highest level of security on our sites,” Martin explained.

The site is also user friendly and straightforward.

“Persons should not have a problem navigating through,” he added.

The service is available to all existing Cooperative Bank customers, and interested persons may register

online, or at the bank.

One of the highlights of last Tuesday’s launch was a demonstration video which gives interested persons a visual presentation of the new service.

Information pertaining to online banking at the Cooperative Bank can be accessed on the (L-R): Carlita Tyrrell, Savings Manager, and Kai Martin, bank’s website, the IT Manager explain the new online banking feature officials noted. (DD) now available at the St. Vincent Cooperative Bank.

More water rationing, says CWSA Chief They have also invested significantly in water storage; “And we would have to try to however, water storage was only a continue to reduce our reliance on small part of the water supply rainfall and surface water,” he equation. suggested.

It is first harnessed, collected and The future will see the introduction extracted, then it has to be treated of some groundwater and desalination and stored before being distributed, he systems as alternative sources of explained. water.

So, increasing storage in the “That is going to be required going absence of addressing the other forward because we have to reduce components is not going to get you our vulnerability to this climate very far, Saunders said. change,” Saunders said.

Work has been done in increasing According to the CWSA General the storage facilities however, with Manager, they had already been the CWSA increasing its storage reducing the pipelines out of rivers, capacity from 3.6 million gallons in and have reduced water crossings, etc. 2006 to 5.4 million gallons presently.

Continued from Backpage.

“So, it’s not that we have not addressed the issue, but you need water,” he explained, adding, “..the extra capacity may only reduce the time frame before water rationing has to be implemented.”

With regard to the issue of desalination, Saunders said that method was for the time being confined for use in the Grenadines.

Incorporating it into the local water system was inhibited by its high cost.

Saunders did say, however, that given the one of CWSA’s mandates was to provide quality water at an affordable rate, it would be wise to use desalination as a buffer. (DD)

V Crime and an election year

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 15.

More Letters

I KNOW WE are preoccupied with the COVID19 pandemic and doing our best to encourage measures that will hopefully stop the spread of the coronavirus. And for that, we must recognize all those working in the frontlines of this battle.

I must, however, urge my people not to lose sight of the fact that we are in an election year, and that our two major political parties have stepped up their campaigning, albeit in different styles and fashions.

I expect, for example, that our two major parties will look to make good use of all these social media platforms, as I understand they are called. They must

remember that there are many, many voters like me who do not rely on social media to be informed. And I have heard some of my colleagues say that already they are beginning to feel left out.

This is a warning, not friendly advice, for the goodly Doctors Gonsalves and Friday.

As it stands, the incumbent has the benefit of the state apparatus and all the advantages that this current crisis will offer; and they seem to be doing a good job of making hay while the sun shines. The Opposition has been sitting for the last two elections just one seat off from forming the

government. They appear to have changed gear and may be their mathematics too, with the hope of coming to grips with the formula to change that one seat minority into a majority, for surely they have made a mess of it over the last two elections.

Rest assured, though, the incumbent is not going to make the examination road any easier for their opponents.

I want to say to these two parties, that crime has got to be a major election platform issue.

The incumbent promised to be ‘tough on crime and the causes of crime’; but crime continued on its merry upward climb.

The Opposition has not

been given an opportunity to contribute to any national effort to fight crime, so we have to accept them for what they have offered, not least their Redemption Charter.

It seems that if there is one thing the incumbent thinks is a workable measure to combat crime, i.e. increase the police force.

Funny that we have the most police men and men in our history, but we have more crime, some that didn’t exist three decades ago. And arming the police and advising that they do not read the beatitudes to those who fall short of the system, is not encouraging the fostering

of a working relationship between the police and the people. It is now worse than ever — the case of us (the people) against them (the police.)

Crime therefore, has got to be at the forefront of the agendas of both

parties.

Persons like me want to know that we are safe in our homes, safe on the streets. We have done our part; we deserve some peace.

Retiree

16. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Hurricane Season 2020: Above-normal activity is most likely AN ABOVE-NORMAL 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected, according to forecasters with The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a belownormal season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.

Against that background, NOAA experts are reminding citizens of countries included in the Atlantic Hurricane sphere, to make the

Storm Names Source: geology.com

THE 2020 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation.

The season officially started on June 1 and ends on November 30, dates that conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time, as shown by the formations of Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha, on May 16 and 27, respectively, marking the sixth consecutive year with pre-season systems.

This also marks the first time since 2016 that two or more named storms developed before the start of the season, and the first time since 2012 that two or more named storms formed in the month of May.

Hurricane Safety tips Hurricane season probabilities and numbers of named storms predicted via NOAA’s 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.

(Image via NOAA.) necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season, even as they adhere to protocols relative to COVID-19 The combination of several climate factors is driving the strong likelihood for above-normal activity

in the Atlantic this year, the NOAA said. These include no El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions to suppress hurricane activity; warmer-thanaverage sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, coupled with reduced vertical wind shear, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced West African monsoon.

As the hurricane season gets underway, NOAA will begin feeding data into weather models to help track hurricane intensity and boost forecast accuracy.

Also during the 2020 hurricane season, NOAA and the U.S. Navy will deploy a fleet of autonomous diving hurricane gliders to observe conditions in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, in areas where hurricanes have historically traveled and intensified.

Hurricane preparedness is critically important for the 2020 hurricane season, just as it is every year. Keep in mind, you may need to adjust any preparedness actions based on the latest health and safety guidelines from local officials. (Source NOAAClimate Prediction Center)

2020 Hurricane Season Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo

Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana

Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred

PRE-SEASON PREPARATION • • • • • •

Enter the season prepared.

Know all evacuation routes if you live close to the coast.

Make sure your home meets building codes for withstanding hurricanes, and they have storm shutters.

Have proper tools, supplies, and a first aid kit.

Have plenty of batteries and flashlights Always have plenty of non-perishable foods on hand.

WHEN A WATCH OR WARNING IS ISSUED • • • • • •

Leave low lying areas.

Protect windows with plywood boards, or storm shutters.

Secure outside objects.

Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water.

Have several days supply of food and water for each family member.

If called to evacuate, do so immediately.

During the storm • • • • • •

Stay in Secure Room.

Stay away from windows.

Do not use the phone, or candles.

Monitor Weather and Civil Service Bulletins on either regular or NOAA radio.

Have supplies on hand.

Remain indoors when the eye moves over your area as the storm will resume soon.

After the storm • • • •

Make sure that all is definitely clear outside, and the storm has completely passed before going out.

Report downed power lines, and stay away from them.

Use stored water and food.

Be patient. Things will take a while before they get back to normal.

Source: www.hurricaneville.com/safety.

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

Inspecting and protecting your home y following the suggestions below, your home will have a better chance of surviving severe weather.

Start at the top: Check for any loose sheetings or loose nails on your roof. Make sure the gutters are tightly hinged and that they drain freely. Check the storm drains for any clogging.

Work your way down: Check all windows and doors to ensure there are no loose panes/hinges. It is highly recommended that you install approved hurricane shutters over windows and doors to protect your home against strong winds.

B

• If the power goes out, turn off your water heater, air conditioner, electrical appliances to reduce the chance of damage.

been confirmed that is safe to do so. It may seem as if the storm has passed, yet you could be in the calm eye of the hurricane.

• If flooding occurs, turn off all electricity at the main breaker box.

•

• Do not use your computer or any electrical device during the storm.

• Withdraw money beforehand - the storm may knock out power at ATMs.

•

Do not leave your house until it has

Make sure your car has a full tank of gas.

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18. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Sex enhancers dependence Dear George, I ADMIT THAT it was his physique that attracted me to my boyfriend. We have had no issues as far as sex was concerned, but recently I’m sensing there is trouble brewing.

My boyfriend keeps using all kinds of sex enhancing substances. I have noticed he has been less and less inclined to sleep with me and passes that off as the result of pressure from his work.

Somehow I do not think he is telling the truth. I’m wondering if he is having concerns over his performance in bed. He should be upfront and let me know. Mind you, I made it clear to him from day one, that I do not want a man who is unable to service my need.

I love my boyfriend and I want a life with him. I am not going to leave him because of what could be just a minor problem, but my patience is running thin.

Suspicious lover Dear Suspicious lover, There may be nothing to this; your

boyfriend could have gotten caught up in the trend of some men going overboard with use of sex enhancing substances. A better approach would be to stick to a balanced diet, exercise and leave the rest to nature.

Notwithstanding the above, he should open up to you and share any issues he might be having with sex and/or work.

It might be good that you relax your stance of not needing a man who is unable to service your needs. Performance pressure can be an inhibiting factor as per performance in his case, and could have driven him to use these substances.

May be you should assure him that you love and accept him just as he is, and are with him for the long haul.

This might cause him to respond to you differently, both sexually and emotionally.

George

Sleeping with my neighbour Dear George, I DECIDED to warn my neighbour about being with my husband. What I got instead was a cursing from her. She made it clear my husband had said that she was satisfying him more than I could ever, and showed me pictures of two of them in sex acts I never knew existed.

There and then, I told her that I will be giving him marching orders when he returned from the Grenadines. Imagine my shock and shame when she said I could let him know that now, since he was in her bedroom and had been there for the week when he said he was going to the Grenadines.

I simply walked away, went straight home and began packing his things. I am done with this marriage; my neighbour can have him.

He does not deserve me.

I am a young woman. I will make it.

Lied to Dear Lied to, Degrading you to your neighbour and going as far as taking sexual explicit pictures have put his actions way over the line. Before you make that finals decision, I suggest you engage the services of a counsellor,

and if after that you are still determined to end the marriage, you need to seek legal counsel.

Sudden emotional response to the situation

can make matters worse, so take that deep breath, do all the counting then make that call for help.

George

Keep your distance Dear George, I’M HIDING from the boyfriend of a girl I’ve been messing with.

The truth is, I have always loved this girl, but I went away for a number of year. When I returned, she was in a relationship but we both realized that we still loved each other.

She admits she does not really want to leave the guy unless she is assured I am serious.

Further, she warned that this man can “behave ignorant” and might hurt her.

Things got very heated when the man came to her house and she refused to let him in, because I was inside. I heard him shouting that he would kill whoever was in the house.

George, I was never more scared in my life and I’m beginning to wonder if my life is worth risking for this girl. Right now I’m keeping my distance from both of them until I sort things out.

Yes-no-not sure Dear Yes-no-not sure, As far I see, there is nothing for you to sort out here. You were with this individual, went away, did not stay in touch, during which time she found herself someone else. Why put her in the position to choose between this guy who may have a serious relationship going with her and you who might just be passing by?

Continue to keep your distance and let this young lady respect you for doing the gentlemanly thing. You can always be her friend. It will be unfair to force her to choose between fantasy and reality.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be diplomatic but stem. Don't allow someone to do a job that was designated specifically for you. Don't let your emotions interfere with completing your chores. Consider making residential changes; either moves or renovations could payoff.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Try to be understanding. Secret affairs may be tempting, but keep in mind that they will damage your reputation if you decide to indulge. It's time to reevaluate your motives. Debates will stifle passion and result in estrangement.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Visit friends or relatives you rarely see.

Someone you live with may feel totally neglected. Find an outlet for any mounting frustration. CYou should consider getting your whole family involved in a project at home.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Finish up any correspondence by early afternoon. You will meet a person who may turn out to be more than just a friend. Consider a conservative investment that will stay solid when everything else goes sour. You may have to take a short trip to visit someone who hasn't been well.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Chances are you could get stuck with a colleague's job unexpectedly. You will be up and down emotionally. Opportunities for new friendships are apparent. Let your boss know your goals.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Relatives will be cordial. You can learn a great deal more if you listen rather than rant and rave. Don't be too quick to voice your opinion. Listen to others carefully. Business partnerships should turn out to be quite lucrative.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Verbal abuse could lead to carelessness.

Your involvement with groups will raise your self-esteem. Take whatever time you can to get to know each other all over again. You will find travel and lectures most stimulating.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Get busy on projects that improve your own image; you'll have the discipline to succeed. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. Think about starting your own small business. Personal changes will be to your benefit.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Travel may be confusing. Your ideas can be put into action. Don't deny yourself this week. You may want to look into warm vacation spots.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Evasion is likely if you aren't direct about your feelings. Be careful not to reveal private information. Don't settle for less than the best. You will be in the mood to socialize.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Try to keep a low profile. You will be moody and react poorly to issues concerning your mate. You may find that you are a little lucky this week. Don't overextend yourself in the process.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Try to find another time to present work or ideas this week. Don't give your heart too readily. You can do well on stage or behind the scenes, the choice is yours.

Take care that arrangements to spend quality time together are made in advance.

ACROSS 1. Judicial concern 4. Government agent 7. Achieved 10. Colorado neighbor 12. Minuscule 13. Based on fact 14. Vanished 15. Away from the west 17. Less kindly 19. Mental powers 20. Factory container 21. Fork prong 22. Singer Jackson 25. Delved deep 26. Mediterranean fruit 29. Candid 30. Thick haze 31. Gospel author 32. Plead with 33. Rainbow shape 34. Oregon’s capital 35. Spring flower 37. Hard blow 38. Grant temporarily 39. 15 times six 42. Parcels 44. Lasso formation 46. Pantry invaders 47. Bible boat 48. Tart 49. “I _ just kidding!”

50. Young guy 51. Exert effort DOWN 1. Haul 2. Molecular particle 3. Become weak 4. Like candy

5. Apple alternative 6. Spoken assent 7. Appreciative 8. Created by us 9. Actor Danson 11. Idyllic locale 13. Identical sibling 16. Skinny branch 18. Jazzy King Cole 21. Pull 22. Occupation 23. African primate 24. Leaves undone 25. Disney dwarf 27. President Eisenhower, informally 28. Diamond or

emerald 30. Sizzle in oil 31. Suit-jacket flaps 33. “M*A*S*H” star 34. _ Diego 36. Tattooing fluids 37. Hazardous

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 19.

38. Beautiful Turner 39. Roman emperor 40. Whistle blast 41. “It’s _ life!”

42. Lion “hand” 43. Chat idly 45. Nose around

V

20. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Breakers take inaugural VPL T10 title

Salt Pond Breakers - inaugural VPL T10 Champions.

Dalzel, 2 for 21, were the best bowlers for La Soufriere SALT POND BREAKERS became (May 31) final, played at the Hikers. the first team to lift the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

La Soufriere Hikers were inaugural Vincy Premier League Salt Pond Breakers took held to 81 for 9 from 10 overs.

T10 title trophy and pocket the first knock and registered 100 Only Dean Browne, Rayan winning purse of $5,000.00. for 6 in their allotted 10 overs, Willies and Jeremy Haywood They did so when they with a top score of 28 from got into double figures as the defeated La Soufriere Hikers Donwell Hector. Dillon Salt Pond Breakers bowlers by 19 runs in last Sunday’s Douglas, 2 for 15 and Kenson took wickets at regular intervals. Medium pace bowler Jeremy Layne led the bowling with 2 for 12.

The Indian Express News described last Sunday’s final as, “the biggest cricket match being held anywhere in the world since March…”

In the third place play off, an unbeaten 68 by Asif Hooper led Grenadines Divers to a victory target of 102, to secure third place over Botanic Gardens Rangers.

They occupied the crease for 9 overs and lost 3 wickets in the process, with Ray Jordon taking 2 of those for 22 runs.

Earlier, Botanic Garden Rangers posted 101 for 2 wickets in their 10 overs, Sunil Ambris, captain of Salt Pond Breakers, collected the with Hyron Shallow, the Champions Trophy and winner’s cheque from Dr. Kishore League’s eventual highest run Shallow, President SVGCA Inc.

Wesrick Straugh - Salt Pond Breakers - took the most wickets, 13. getter, being the principal scorer with 66.

As referenced, Shallow finished the League as the top run getter with 285 runs, including one half century, at an average of 40.71. Salvan Brown of La Soufriere Hikers followed with 275 at an average of 30.56 with two half centuries. He was trailed by Sunil Ambris of Salt Pond Breakers with 274 with an average 39.14 with one half century, who in turn was followed by Asif Hooper with 251 runs with two half centuries.

Wesrick Straugh from Salt Pond Breakers took 13 wickets to lead all bowlers. Second were Sealron Williams and Asif Hooper of Grenadines Divers who took 11 wickets each. Delorn Johnson and Sunil Ambris of Breakers, Jeremy Haywood of La Soufriere and Deron Greaves of Dark View Explorers took 10 wickets each.

Urnel Thomas of

Hyron Shallow of La Soufriere Hikers – the League’s top scorer.

Urnel Thomas - Salt Pond Breakers – took the emerging player award.

Salt Pond Breakers was voted the emerging player of the tournament.

Fort Charlotte Hikers and Dark View Explorers finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Shallow satisfied with first VPL T10 DR. KISHORE SHALLOW, President of the SVG Cricket Association Inc. (SVGCA), host of the inaugural Vincy Premier League T10 (VPL T10), expressed nothing more than satisfaction at the conclusion of the League last Sunday, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

“The VPL was a massive undertaking, which included the cooperation from many stakeholders, (and) the SVGCA is grateful to all those who contributed to the success of

the project,” Dr. Shallow said at last Sunday’s presentation ceremony.

He extended, “Special thanks to all the players, coaches, managers, and match officials for their role in the tournament, and huge congrats to Sunil’s Salt Pond Breakers on going on the record books as the first ever champions of the Vincy Premier League.”

The VPL T10 involved six teams (franchises) in competition over ten

consecutive days, with three games played each day, all at the Arnos vale Playing Field.

While the games here were, in effect, played behind locked doors, the games were streamed live to India where the largest concentration of viewers were registered. The matches were also streamed to other parts of the cricketing world.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of the SVG Cricket Association, is a pleased man.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 21.

Sports

Sezevra Joseph - National Direcor of Special Olympics SVG. The COVID-19 induced suspension of sporting activities throughout the world has not bypassed Special Olympic athletes here.

Special Olympics trying to remain active Sezevra Joseph, National Director of the Special Olympics SVG, said recently, “The athletes are at home since March and have been advised to adhere to physical distancing. Many of them would have underlining conditions, so definitely we have to keep them safe.”

Unlike other normal sporting organisations, Special Olympics SVG is unable to offer home-based activities, since many of the special athletes do not have access to the internet, Joseph explained.

“However, we do call them to check in to see how they are doing. Some of them are hurt because they are missing their friends. We are trying to work on a project to get some tablets,

Michael John unveils his tenure’s wish list MICHAEL JOHN, current Committee Member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF), is keen to see, during his fouryear tenure, local footballers being remunerated for their skills, and for the sport to get a ‘home’.

John who was accepted as one of two Committee Members nominated by President of the SVGFF Carl Dickson, revealed that these are his main wishes, Michael John in his four-year tenure.

“I will like to see the introduction of a semiprofessional league here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

John said.

A businessman by profession, John claimed, “I will not be happy if this fouryear term passes and we don’t have players receiving some sort of remuneration for their skills.”

Carl Dickson John, who is not new to Football administration at the national level, also believes it is high time that a more forceful effort be exerted in getting a home for the sport.

Recognising that successive presidents and executives have promised a Home for Football but have not delivered, John affirmed, “I will be willing to put my time and effort, to help to see we get a Home for Football.”

He noted, however, that realizing a Home for Football was not a venture that the SVGFF can do alone.

“The funding is there from FIFA; they just need the cohesive effort and work together with the stakeholders, the government, so that we could achieve it,” he reasoned.

President Carl Dickson, in his ten-point plan unveiled ahead of last November’s elections, listed a Home for Football as one of his priority areas.

Former President Venold Coombs, at his reelection in 2015, stated, “We have 1.3 million dollars to get a Home for Football.”

Coombs also declared then his wish to see the creation of a semi-Professional Football League in SVG.

but we still face the challenge of connectivity, but we’re looking to see how we can manage that,” Joseph elaborated.

It was building up to be an exciting year for Special Olympics here, especially with the launch of the KICK IT Unified Football Programme.

Clinics were already staged in four of five zones - Kingstown, Georgetown, Layou and Calliaqua — with Bequia scheduled to come on stream, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the programme to a halt.

The break, according to Joseph, “will allow us to identify more players and attract volunteer coaches.”

The pandemic has also pushed back SVG’s participation in overseas

activities. “We were supposed to be going to Sweden for the Winter Games to play floorball, which is a new sport to SVG; but that was postponed to hopefully in 2022,” the National Director disclosed.

As it stands, Special Olympics SVG offers training and activities in seven sports; track and field, football, floorball, bocce, floor hockey, swimming and tennis.

Joseph took the opportunity of this recent chat to encourage persons “to get on board with Special Olympics,” and said that her organization would be grateful for any assistance when they restart their programmes.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Cycling Union pedalling back into competition DESPITE staging some Keep Fit events, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union (SVGCU) will not be rushing back into hosting road races immediately.

That was disclosed by the Union’s President — Trevor Bailey last Sunday. He also claimed that his executive “is monitoring the situation closely,” and added, “Hopefully, by the end of June or early July, we might be able to have a road race or two.”

The brakes were put on local competitive Cycling, in March, when the Coronavirus (COVID19) was declared a

pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Bailey disclosed that local cyclists kept training, albeit without much intensity.

“However, the cyclists were getting very frustrated because there were no competitions and they became demotivated,” Bailey admitted.

Given this growing uneasiness among the cyclists, the executive decided to put on a series of Keep Fit races.

Adhering to the social distancing protocols, the second Time Trial was held last Sunday morning from the Sol

Second place - Sherwyn James

Zefal Bailey

Gas Station in Arnos Vale, to Oscar Machine Centre at Belair.

When the clock was stopped, it was Zefal Bailey, who registered the fastest time of 8 minutes 21.14 seconds, over the 2.6 miles.

Behind Bailey was Sherwyn James in 9 minutes 52.29 seconds, with Antonio Richardson, third, in a time of 10 minutes 9.80 seconds.

Also completing the distance were Rivas Young in 11 minutes 00.5 seconds and Orel George in 11 minutes 15.29 seconds.

Cyclists will return to

President of the SVG Cycling Union- Trevor Bailey. the same route this Sunday, 7th June, as they prepare for fullfledged road races.

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22. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Chances and choices DARREN BRAVO, Shimron Hetmyer, and Keemo Paul declined invitations for the English tour.

Replacements have been named for the three Test showdown starting July 8.

Jason Holder, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaithe, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, and Kemar Roach comprise the squad.

Eleven others make up a reserve list training for selection. That includes Vincentian Sunil Ambris who played in the inaugural Vincy Premier League T/10 competition.

To what extent players exposed themselves to viewers, will be known when the droplets of the pandemic are controlled. Efforts to normalise activities are creating some unusual configurations. Players have to be respected for their choices, and the West Indies electors made it clear that those players will be eligible for future selection.

Even with half-pay, it is better than no bread at all.

Some people complained to me recently and questioned my whereabouts. I assured them what was going on. The time spent provided me with the opportunity of seeing nature at its wildest.

The dry season has created the harshest conditions for farming. Never before were bush fires so rampant. Animals were allowed to roam as owners struggled to keep their stock.

Areas have opened which hitherto seemed inaccessible. With the hurricane season creeping, one can only hope that when the floods occur, damage is minimal.

With the elements at work, people will find themselves in surroundings they can’t afford to play around with. Those are adjustments we have to contend with.

The uncertainty continues, for there is evidence that some unnatural forces are intent on inflicting as much damage as those they have no control over.

Everyone is anticipating the reopening of borders and the corresponding lifting of restrictions. There must be the realisation that cleanliness has no season, and while the emphasis on hand sanitisation and increased personal hygiene are critical, I will add a tag that is overlooked: There must be pure heart.

That will be hard to determine. For there are shades of purity. What used to be accepted as normal in certain times, have changed.

But in all the changing scenes of life, there is a constant. That is the standard we have to aspire and keep.

There might hardly be the case of when the dust has settled. For the pattern is emerging that the dust can kick up anytime. And one has to be careful as to how one mixes with the settlement.

In some instances, there is as much ashes as the dust. And when one puts them together, that’s the ultimate story.

That’s nothing to worry about, for anytime a void appears, there are countless others willing to fill the spot. The fact is proven every day. No one envisaged what is taking place, and they never will.

When situations arise, you have to be ready to make the best use of the times. One must be flexible in all circumstances.

Vincentian duo cop NCAA accolades VINCENTIAN track and field athletes Darria Matthias and Brandon Valentine-Parris were, last week, named on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Two All Americans list for the 2020 Indoor season.

For Matthias, a former student of the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, it was her first such accolade.

A first year student of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, she is pursuing studies towards becoming a fashion stylist and a visual merchandiser.

In the case of Valentine-Parris, it was his fifteenth such award.

He is a senior at the St Augustine University and competes in the 200 and 400m.

Set to graduate this year, Valentine-Parris is on course to achieve a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Management.

A former Thomas Saunders Secondary School student, he is one of the most travelled Vincentian athlete.

Among his list of national representation are the Windward Islands Schools Games, the Barbados National Championships, Trinidad and Tobago Championships, along with the OECS Games.

Darria Matthias He has also attended the Commonwealth Youth Games, the World Youth Games, the Pan American Juniors, CAC Juniors, NACAC Under23, NACAC Championships, as well

Brandon ValentineParris as the Pan American Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Donald Thomas remembered THE LATE Donald ‘Thomo’ Thomas has been remembered by former members of the defunct Mwando Strikers Football Club, as a “passionate and hardworking person.”

Thomas, who died last Saturday after a period of illness, joined the Mwando Strikers in 1981, and served as a player with the second team and Manager of the first team that played in the then Kingstown Soccer League (KSL).

Ettiene Da Silva, who was a leading light in Mwando Strikers during the 1980s and 1990s, recalled that Thomas lived what he believed, and gave his all to the organisation. “ Thomo’ gave his all…

He loved Mwando… He loved the players and never looked down on anyone,” Da Silva reminisced.

Da Saliva noted that as Manager of Mwando Strikers, Thomas established contacts with

business houses, and sought work for unemployed members of the team.

“He was that caring and looked out for the players,” Da Silva added.

Joining Da Silva in remembering the attributes of Thomas, was Malcolm Webb.

“He was a good man to have around the team…

He wanted the best for Mwando Strikers, and went all out for us,” Webb recollected.

Thomas did not

confine his administrative services to Mwando Strikers; he served on the KLS Executive, the South Leeward Football League and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

At the national level, Thomas served as the Public Relations Officer under St Clair Leacockled Executive during 2003 to 2007, and again from 2011 to 2015, when Venold Coombs led the SVGFF.

West Indies tour of UK is on CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has agreed “in principle” to July’s Test tour of England.

Once the series is approved by the UK and Caribbean governments, the first test will bowl off on July 8.

Upon arrival in the UK, the West Indies squad, which would have to travel by charter, given the situation in the region with respect to closed borders, would have to quarantine for 14 days.

Both teams will be prohibited from contact with the public during the series, and will undergo strict social distancing protocols.

Meanwhile, West

Indies selectors have been forced to increase the squad to 25 to allow for preparation matches and injury replacements, as the touring side will not be allowed to engage English sides in warmup matches nor call up injury replacements.

CMC reported on the weekend that the matches will be played behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Old Trafford.

And despite the pay cut, West Indies players will still receive their full match fees for the series.

The series was originally scheduled for May but had to be

postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak which has resulted in 271 000 infections and 38 000 deaths in the United Kingdom, as of last Friday, May 29.

Meanwhile West Indies Test captain Jason Holder wants his team to “make amends” for their 2017 defeat in England, duuing the upcoming tour.

Holder is confident that he and his men now Jason Holder,Captain of have the experience as the WI, is confident his well as confidence to win team can turn around a Test series in England, their fortunes in a feat last achieved in England during the 1988 when Viv Richards’ upcoming tour. team blanked the hosts series. (Sources: CMC. 4-0 in the five-Test BBC)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020. 23.

Classifieds

Fancy man drowns in Canouan A 23-YEAR- OLD MAN from Fancy died in Canouan on Sunday, May 31, in what is believed to be a drowning incident.

Leonard John, said to be from Dry River, Fancy, moved to Canouan last year, to be with his fiancĂŠe. She had decided to return to her native Canouan after residing in Fancy for some time.

Leonard John died doing what he loved to day – fishing.

THE VINCENTIAN was informed that last Sunday, John and a male relative went fishing sometime in the morning, in the vicinity of the casino.

The water in that area, according to a Canouan native, is usually rough.

There are at least two differing reports as to how John actually met his death.

According to one account, sometime after the men went fishing, the male relative returned saying that a wave had knocked John

SHIRLEY IONIE ADAMS NEE GIBSON Glad Tidings Tabernacle Church, Gomea Wednesday, 3rd June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Belair Cemetery ELRITA CACHITA BAPTISTE LAMPKIN Mt Arawak Spiritual Baptist Church South Rivers Sunday, 31st May, 2020 Viewing: 12:30 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Park Hill Cemetery

off the rock into the sea, and that he had not resurfaced.

But according to another account from a family member who did not want to be identified, John’s ‘nylon’ (fishing line) got stuck. “They were on the rock and something heavy was pulling on the ‘nylon’. He (John) tried to release the nylon and he slip and hit his head before drowning,� said the family member who said the account was a repeat of what was said by others.

A detachment of

officers from The SVG Coast Guard, with assistance from residents of the island, retrieved John’s body later that day. “When you look at his body after what happen, you could see his burst chin,� said the relative John was described as quiet and easy-going person who loved fishing.

He attended the Sandy Bay Secondary. “One time me dey home and he went to fishing and he came back home because he had a vision that a man told him that God is coming

MOLINDA NADINE ARTHUR

521$/' Âľ)$11<Âś KIRBY

Brighton Church of Christ Sunday, 31st May, 2020 Viewing: 2:30 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Brighton Cemetery

Evangelical Church Barroullie Sunday, 31st May, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Glebe Hill Cemetery

EDWARD SYLVESTER a.k.a. DAVID HUTCHINSON Kingstown Chapel Sunday, 31st May, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

for the world, and he stop going for a while, but then he started back,â&#x20AC;? shared the relative. (KH)

OHRMA JUMO DALLAWAY Cathedral of the Assumption Kingstown, )ULGD\ WK May, 2020 Viewing: 12:30 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

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FRIDAY, JUNE

05, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.23

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

MORE WATER RATIONING, SAYS CWSA CHIEF

Garth Saunders, CEO/CWSA, has attributed the need to ration water as a direct result of the lack of rainfall on which our water supply is heavily reliant.

by DALE DA SILVA percent below the 10-year average.

Saunders said that prior to the rain THE CENTRAL WATER AND SEWERAGE experienced on May 29, only two AUTHORITY (CWSA) is warning its inches of rain had been recorded at customers that they may have to endure three of the major intakes during the the present water rationing for a bit month of May, compared to 10 inches longer, or until there is a significant recorded in May 2019. change to the current dry weather “So that provides the gravity of the conditions. situation, so we are down to about 35 Chief Executive Officer the CWSA to 40 percent of our operating Garth Saunders said on radio last capacity,” Saunders said.

Sunday that St Vincent and the He said that the rationing cycle has Grenadines was currently experiencing affected as much as 50 percent of the drought conditions, and that countries total consumers, and admitted that such as Barbados have reported that it some areas have been affected more is the worst drought in 72 years. than others. This shortcoming is as a He added that neighboring St Lucia result of the 12 water supply systems has implemented a water emergency, that are interlinked and that are used and that here in SVG, we are almost at varying capacities. at that point.

“So, it is never going to be cut and “We have issued a water restriction dry,” Saunders cautioned. notice, but the situation we have arrived at is simply due to the lack of rainfall and that is the critical issue,” Turning water on and off Saunders said.

Saunders explained that the water According to the CWSA’s top man, rationing was implemented to achieve five of the major systems have been the primary objectives of having an operating at 40 percent below the 10year average for the first four months amount of water in the reservoirs so as to be able to distribute evenly. of the year.

However, in reality, the CWSA is And the rainfall for April was 60

not able to discreetly distribute amounts of water to various communities.

So, for example, Saunders said that it was not as easy as distributing 1,000 gallons here and then another 100 at another place.

Instead, the water is turned on and an estimated consumption rate is calculated — but once the water is turned off, then the estimated rate is often never met, Saunders explained.

“Hence, we have to go and recalculate and reschedule the next phase, so it’s not that we are giving out a set amount to any one community. We are opening a system that has a variable demand.”

Why not build extra tanks?

Saunders addressed the issue of expansion, saying that the present adverse weather conditions can be attributed to climate change, and it was becoming clear to a lot of countries across the region that they will need to re-think their water supply systems.

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

A dry Fancy River is a clear indication of a lack of or no rainfall Continued on Page 14. even in the mountainous areas.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.