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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 06, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.40

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Kenrick Scott, homicide #33, is reported to have received a single bullet. gunshot wounds he sustained.

Pierre’s bullet-ridden FOLLOWING ON LAST body was discovered WEEK’S spate of around 8:15 p.m. in the shootings, this vicinity of the Seventh country recorded two Day Adventist Church, more shooting Belmont. deaths this week, The deceased man’s bringing the number son, Krys Payne, who of murders recorded resides in Kelbourney, for the year thus far said that he could not to 33. believe the news that he The first for the had lost the only parent week occurred on he had.

October 1, when 42Payne explained that year-old Calvert Pierre his mother died eight of Belmont died as a years ago, when he was result of multiple then 10 years old, and since his mother’s death, Calvert Pierre, homicide #32, was said to have he did not see his dad as received multiple gunshot wounds.

Stories by DAYLE DASILVA

much, especially after his father had left Kelbourney and had relocated in Belmont.

According to Payne, he got the news of his father’s death early Monday when a friend informed him.

Although he said that the relationship between him and his now deceased father was not “100 percent,” his father still showed love and respect towards him whenever they met.

“I am feeling much better now, just have to live with the fact that he’s not around

anymore,” Payne told THE VINCENTIAN. “I done shed a few tears; I can’t make it hold me down too much. [I am] just holding down the faith,” he continued.

In an unrelated incident, 32-year-old Kenrick Scott, known as ‘Lamar’, was shot and killed on Tuesday night in Old Bluff, Campden Park.

Reports are that Scott

received a single bullet to his head and died on the spot.

Up to the time of his death, Scott was said to be on bail after being charged with two counts of aggravated burglary and 17 counts of theft.

SENATOR STANDS BEHIND HIS WORDS SENATOR JULIAN FRANCIS says that he has nothing to apologise for, with respect to the language (and references) he used during the September 26 edition of ‘ULP Speaks’ aired on Star FM, to address the prevailing crime situation in SVG. During that airing, Francis made the point that the public needed to come to the realization that there were gangs operating within the country, who engage in gang warfare, to the deaths of individuals and eventually to revenge killings.

He opined that “normal Vincentians going about their lives, are not fearful of this, from the point of view that they will die; they may get killed by a

stray bullet, but the shooting is not intended for innocent persons.”

Francis’ comment caused much discussion thereafter.

However, on Tuesday, the senator said that he felt that he was justified in making the comment.

“There were a lot of deliberate misinterpretations of statements, but the fundamentals of the situation were touched on - gang violence, revenge killings, turf war and family feuds,” Francis said.

“When men going to shoot, they know who they going to shoot — very rarely is there a case where there is a stray bullet,” he continued.

Getting specific, Francis went on to

say that the individual who killed Raphael O’Neil on September 22, knew who his target was…. that the individual who killed Raphael was eventually killed by his (Raphael) brother Wendell O’Neil, who was eventually gunned down in Kingstown in broad daylight on September 26.

“Specific persons are named and intended to be hit, and that’s the point I was making… and I am not clothing it in any other language. That’s the point I was trying to make last week.”

Francis said.

Senator Julian Francis has been called out by opposition supporters for knowing much of what obtains among the criminal element in SVG.

2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 3.

News 3

NDP calls for abolition of special voter registration period THE OPPOSITION New Democratic Party (NDP) is challenging the Dr Ralph Gonsalves-led Government to abolish the 15-day special voter registration period, which was established under Section 17 of the Representation of the People Act. The matter arose out of a letter written to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves by opposition leader Dr Godwin Friday on September 18th, 2017, calling for the abolition of the special registration period.

The Prime Minister, responding in a letter dated September 25th,

stated firmly that he would not abolish the special voter registration period. He accused the NDP of attempting to prevent the registration of new voters, most of whom would be supporting his party.

“There is absolutely no evidence that this special registration period compromises in any way, the fair and proper conduct of general elections. I continue to be amazed at the bare-faced attempt by your NDP to subvert popular democracy and disenfranchise, practically, young first-time voters

through your ignoble demand,” Gonsalves stated in his letter to Dr Friday.

During a press conference hosted on Wednesday by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) at its headquarters Murray’s Road, attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, who is part of a legal team representing two NDP candidates who filed petitions following the December 2015 general elections, refuted Dr Gonsalves claims.

She asserted that because the 15-day special registration period poses

More Cuban medical specialists for SVG THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA has, once again, come to the assistance of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Two Cuban medical specialists - Anesthesiologist Dr. Perdro PerezFerrer and General Surgeon Dr. Rafael Pinila Gonzalez arrived in the state recently, to take up (L-R): Dr. Perdro Perez-Ferrer, Anesthesiologist; Dr. Rafael Pinila Gonzalez, General Surgeon; Minister of duties at the Health Luke Browne, and Grace Walters, Hospital Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Administrator arrive at the MCMH on Oct. 2. effective October 2. development in the operations at the Minister of Health, Wellness and MCMH, as it moves to effect its the Environment, Luke Browne, was rightful place in the delivery of health on hand to welcome the Cubans as care services in the country.” they were about to commence their According to Browne, “The hospital duties, and thanked them and Cuba is now in an even better position to for so readily responding to requests from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, efficiently perform surgeries, make life- saving interventions and give at a critical time. effect to the government’s policy of Minister Browne described the Health for All.” (Source: Ministry of arrival of the two medical Health) professionals as a “significant

challenges for observers and others to monitor, it was a threat to democracy.

According to BacchusBaptiste, after an election writ is issued by the Governor General, there is a special 15-day registration period,and because of the haste to register voters, it leaves very little time to monitor the registration. She said that at the end of the 15 days, the office of the Supervisor of Elections has 3 days to publish the final list before the day of the elections.

Bacchus-Baptiste referred to Dr Friday’s letter in which Observer Missions made statements of concern.

“A former Supervisor of Elections described it as ‘nerve wrecking.’

Following the 2015 general elections, the current Supervisor of Elections reported: ‘The Special Voter Registration period which ended on Monday November 23rd, 2015, again proved to be a most challenging exercise for all stakeholders in the process,’ she realled.

She quoted an OAS Observer Mission report which, following the 2015 elections, stated: “The Special 15-day period to register overloads the work of the Electoral Department. It is therefore suggested that the admission of new registrants to the voters list be closed in advance of the elections, perhaps on the date that the elections are announced.”

Also expressing concern in its 2015 elections report, the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM) stated: “Since the inception of the NMCM, the body has called for the

abolition of the fifteen-day registration period after the Election Writ has been issued. This period could be opened to illegitimate transfers and registrations, as it does not provide parties with the time to make objections. It also places extreme pressure on the office of the Supervisor of Elections to have the final list published without the necessary time for checks and balances.”

Bacchus-Baptiste called on Vincentians to agitate for the total elimination of the 15-day special registration period.

“We’ve got to get rid of that piece of legislation,” Bacchus-Baptiste stated.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said, in his letter of September 25, that the special voters registration period “is to ensure that all eligible voters are facilitated optimally to be registered.

“Let me state emphatically yet again, that the ULP government will not countenance your bogus and hypocritical stance on this matter. The special electoral registration period will remain,” he also said.

Bacchus-Baptiste refuted Dr Gonsalves’ claim about cutting out youth voters, contending that only about a quarter of those who register in the 15-day special period are youth voters. She referred to North Windward constituency where she said that in the 2010 elections, 78 persons registered and only several were young people.

She said they were registered before they reached the age of 18 years.

“You cannot check it. It is illegal. It is wrong. It is

Attorney Kay BacchusBaptiste led the NDP’s detailed argument in the party’s call for the removal of the special registration period for voters.

Daniel Cummings, MP for Central Kingstown and a vice president of the party delivered the opening remarks and set the tone and purpose of the press conference.

Patel Matthews, MP for North Leeward, also weighed in on the call for the abolition of the special registration period. an affront to our democracy. We have to call for its abolition,” Bacchus-Baptiste reiterated.

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4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

JournalistÊs P.I rounding up Randy Lawrence’s death was recorded as this country’s first homicide for 2017.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS THE KEENLY followed Preliminary Inquiry into the February 14, 2017 shooting death of Randy Lawrence, 39-year-

old Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines employee, is winding down, and may conclude today (Friday) at the Serious Offences Court.

Journalist and Public Relations Consultant Junior Jarvis has been charged with Lawrence’s murder. He is also facing charges of attempted murder, abduction, assault causing actual bodily, harm aggravated burglary and using a firearm to aid in the commission of an offence.

All the offences were reportedly committed at

Electrician granted bail on burglary charge

CARDELL JACOBS, a 45-year-old electrician of Junior Jarvis had Arnos Vale on Union Island, who was February 14, 2017. told THE denied bail when he So far, thirtyVINCENTIAN, in appeared at the Serious three witnesses an exclusive Offences Court last week have testified for interview, that he Monday on a burglary the prosecution at was trying his charge, was granted the Preliminary best to keep a $3,500 bail with one Inquiry which “sound mind, surety when he returned started at the body and spirit”. to Court this week.

Serious Offences Jacobs has been Court on Prosecutor charged jointly with two September 12, and Adolphus 17-year-old secondary is being heard Delpleche leads school students. The trio before Chief the case for the pleaded not guilty to Magistrate prosecution. entering the dwelling Rechanne Browne.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that the testimonies of three more witnesses are expected to complete the list A TEENAGED boy of Edinboro, who was denied bail last week Monday on an attempted today.

Attorney Israel murder charge, was left in suspense on Monday, this week, when Senior Prosecutor Bruce is Adolphus Delpleche informed the Court that representing there was no improvement in the victim’s Jarvis. Senior condition.

Asbert Rodney, 18, has been charged with the attempted murder of Christopher Wilson, also a resident of Edinboro.

The offence was reportedly committed in that community on September 22.

When Rodney appeared at the Serious Offences Court last week Monday, the Senior Prosecutor had told the Court that Wilson was warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Asbert Rodney had his remand extended. suffering from a blow to his head, allegedly inflicted by a blunt object, and that he was in a semi-conscious state. The Prosecutor asked that Rodney be remanded, and that the Court be provided with a medical report on his condition.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne remanded Rodney and adjourned the matter to Monday, October 2.

However, when Rodney returned to Court on Monday, Delpleche told the Magistrate that Wilson was now warded at the Intensive Care Unit (IU) and his condition was serious.

The Prosecutor said that, according to the Investigator, efforts were made to obtain a medical report on Wilson’s condition, but to date, he was unable to do so, and that what was obtained was a verbal indication that Wilson’s condition had not improved.

“He (Wilson) is still in a semi-conscious state. We will continue to monitor his condition, and seek to obtain a prognosis. It is serious, it is serious”, Delpleche contended.

The Chief Magistrate further remanded Rodney, and indicated that bail will again be looked at in the next seven days.

Rodney, who was unrepresented, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

TeenagerÊs remand continues: Victim remains critical

house of Collis Ambrose at Campbell, Union Island, between September 20 and 21, and stealing foodstuff, toiletries and other items which altogether valued EC$637.

However, while Jacobs was denied bail at that stage, the students were each granted bail in the sum of $2,500 with one surety, on condition that they remain in their parents’ custody and control, and were placed on a curfew between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

They were also ordered to surrender their passports, report to their nearest police station on Mondays and Fridays, and not to leave the state without permission of the Court.

In objecting to bail for Jacobs, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche had told the Court that investigations into the matter were not complete, and those investigations had led to other investigations which were ongoing. He had expressed concern that if Jacobs was released on bail, he would hinder the investigations. He asked for a seven-day period in the first instance, and that Jacobs be remanded at that juncture.

Jacobs’ lawyer, Roderick Jones had strongly opposed the prosecutor’s objection, arguing that to simply say that investigations were ongoing was not a good enough reason to deny someone bail. He had suggested that bail be granted with certain conditions. But the Magistrate upheld Delpleche’s objection and remanded Jacobs.

However, when Jacobs returned to Court on Monday, Delpleche told the Magistrate that he was no longer objecting to Jacob’s bail.

Jacobs was then granted bail with reporting conditions, ordered to surrender his travel documents, and not to leave the state without the permission of the Court. The matter was transferred to the Union Island Magistrate’s Court and adjourned to October 19.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 5.

Regional - Cop Focus

Cops granted $1m bail each TWO POLICE officers in the service of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Services, who were arrested and charged with transporting illegal guns, drugs and ammunition in a police vehicle, were granted bail in the sum of $1 million each, September 27, after a night behind bars.

The Trinidad Guardian reported that Stephen Johnson, 28, who was last attached to the Firearm Interdiction Unit, and Toola Jack, 25, who was last attached to the Inter-Agency Task Force, reappeared in the Siparia Magistrates Court on September 27, after appearing before a Port-ofSpain Magistrate on Tuesday, when they were remanded in custody. Their charges were transferred to Siparia Court.

Interestingly, their lawyers, Ian Brooks for Johnson and Darryl Worrell for Jack’s attorney, did not request that their clients be kept separate from other inmates while on remand, as has been the case with police officers who have found themselves in similar PC Toola Jack (Photo Credit: situations in the Trinidad Newsday) past.

The police officers, according to the Guardian, were brought to court in a police vehicle, and were placed with other inmates in the prisoner’s dock inside the First Court as they waited for their matters to call.

The men were charged with possession of 54.3 kilogrammes of marijuana PC Stephen Johnson (Photo Credit: Trinidad newsday)

(estimated street value of TT$733,000) for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of three pistols and a quantity of ammunition. The ‘bust’ was made on September 19.

Johnson’s attorney Brooks, stood in for Jack’s attorney Darryl Worrell, who was unable to attend court, in making an application for bail for both accused, included in his mitigation that Jack had five years’ service while Johnson had four, and that neither man had any previous convictions.

Prosecutor Sgt.Starr Jacob did not object to bail but asked for certain conditions to be attached.

However, the Guardian reported that Johnson had another charge of possession of ammunition in

the Port-of-Spain district, and as part of his bail conditions he had to report twice to the Besson Street Police Station.

Following Johnson’s arrest, the police searched his home and allegedly found ten rounds of ammunition, on being charged, Tuesday, he was granted bail in the sum of $45,000 and a cash alternative of $20,000, and ordered to report to the police station twice weekly.

As a result, Magistrate Alert did not order any further reporting conditions for Johnson. However, she prohibited him from making an application for a T&T passport until the completion of the matter.

The magistrate ordered Jack to surrender his passport and report to the Belmont Police Station twice weekly.

The police officers will have to return to court on October 25.

Guyana: Head of Narcotics Dept. transferred SUPERINTENDENT Wayne DeHearte, Head of the Guyana Police Force Narcotics Branch, has been transferred, effective Monday, October 03, 2017.

Supt. Dehearte’s transfer comes as police in Guyana probe the disappearance of almost four kilograms of cocaine from the Police Headquarters, Newsroom Guyana reported.

The same News agency reported on Friday that Supt. deHearte had been transferred to Berbice, where, in a move that amounts to a diminution of his responsibilities and authority, he

Travis Mendonca, a former police officer, is already serving a prison term for possession of cocaine.

is likely to head a subdivision, during which he will now have to don a full police officer’s uniform unlike the plain clothes he would have (donned) as head of the Narcotics Branch.

Some police indication is that the now missing cocaine was stored in a property room, which is accessible through DeHearte’s office A businessman, Superintendent Wayne and, according to DeHearte was said to have at least one source Delvor Bunbury, was named as a an unblemished record as a of Newsroom, other persons also party of interest in police officer. (Photo: Facebook) have access to the the case. general office, have supplied the cocaine to which leads to DeHearte’s.

Mendonca, but Bunbury turned The cocaine was discovered himself in on the day that the missing on Tuesday, September, cocaine was discovered missing.

26.

Supt Dehearte is into his 14th According to Newsroom, the cocaine in question is connected to year as a member of the Guyana Police Force. He has headed at a case involving a former policeman, Travis Mendonca, who least two Divisions during that time before his appointment to was recently sentenced to three years in prison, after almost four the Narcotics Branch.

He is reported to have had an pounds of cocaine was discovered “unblemished record” during his stashed in a false bottom of his 14 years of service, and no suitcase. disciplinary action has ever been A businessman, Delvor taken against him, nor is he Bunbury, was also wanted in known to have been involved in connection with the cocaine any actions that would constitute Bunbury, who turned himself in breaking the law. (Source: on the day the cocaine was Newsroom — Guyana) discovered missing, is alleged to

Inspector of Police pleads not guilty to sexual misconduct INSPECTOR of Police, Clevroy Antoine of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), who was charged with two counts of indecent assault, pleaded not guilty to both counts as he made his first appearance at the St

George’s Number Two Magistrate’s Court, last week Monday.

Insp. Antoine, referred to by the Grenada Informer newspaper as a well-known traffic police attached to the South St George Police Station, was accompanied by defense lawyers Ruggles Ferguson and Dr. Francis

Ruggles Ferguson, one of two lawyers appearing on behalf of the accused, brought the media up to date on the court proceedings to date. (Photo Credit: The New Today Newspaper – Grenada)

Alexis when he appeared before Magistrate Francine Foster, to answer sex-related charges.

The charges were laid against the Police Officer after a complaint against him by a Grenadian born Canadian national, who claimed that she was assaulted by the officer while attempting to make a report at the station.

The Grenada Informer reported that Insp.

Antoine was accused of making inappropriate sexual advances to the complainant, including touching her private

parts.

The matter was reported to the head of the station and legal proceeding ensued.

Members of the media were not allowed during the accused’s brief stint at the court last Monday, given the sensitive nature of sex-related matters.

However, shortly after the proceeding, defence lawyer Ferguson brought the media up to speed with what had transpired in court.

According to Ferguson, the charges, both summary, were read and

the defendant had pleaded not guilty, after which the matter was adjourned to December 19th and 20th when the prosecution would commence proceedings to prove its case.

The prosecution indicated that it will call up to eight witnesses.

Inspector Antoine, who is currently on suspension from duties and on nine thousand dollars bail, if found guilty, faces a minimum of ten years behind bars; five years on each count. (Source: Grenada Informer)

Inspector of Police, Clevroy Antoine is described as a no nonsense police officer.

(Photo Credit: WE FM Radio Grenada)

V NY group honours D Man Age 6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Errol ‘De Man Age’ Rose made his debut in calypso (1976) during a period of heightened political and social awareness among disenfranchised people of the region.

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT A BROOKLYN, New York-based Vincentian group recently honoured former National Calypso Monarch Errol ‘D Man Age’ Rose for his 41 years of contribution to the advancement of the calypso art form, in

and outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Vincy Liberators New York bestowed the extraordinary award on D Man Age, known for his biting social and political commentaries, at a gala ceremony in Brooklyn devoted exclusively for him.

In a joint statement submitted to THE VINCENTIAN after the ceremony, Ian Sardine, vice president, and Lavern Williams, public relations officer, said the group wanted to honor D Man Age “while he’s alive and not waiting until he’s dead to take flowers to his grave, where he [obviously] would not be able to appreciate it.”

Sardine and Williams stressed that D Man Age “needed to be acknowledged and recognized for his contribution and hard work over the years,” adding that they were “disgusted with the Ministry of Culture and Calypso Organization in SVG [St. Vincent and the Grenadines] for not honoring D Man Age over the years, and for not recognizing him as a Cultural Ambassador for his years of service, commitment and contribution.”

D Man Age, one of the founders of Vincy Liberators New York, was presented with a plaque and a cheque for US$1000.00, in addition to all proceedings from the ceremony that was broadcast live on Nice Radio in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Success Radio in Canada, according to Marissa “Lady M” Gregg, a former radio personality in Brooklyn, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, along with calypsonian Skarpyon.

Inset: De Man Age performing in the 2017 preliminary judging of the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent.

New York, an affiliate of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), known by the acronym SPOONY — said that he has known D Man Age for most of his life, and that he admires the calypsonian “because he doesn’t brag, boast, beat his chest, nor wear what he’s done on his sleeves.”

Howard — who, along with some members, broke away from SPOONY, a few years ago, over a bitter internal dispute to help form Vincy Liberators New York — further described D Man Age as “someone who touches lives in a tangible way, through the message in each song.

“This honuor for D Man Age is long overdue,” said Howard in a statement in the souvenir journal, adding that D Man Age, over the years, has been “consistent with his songs and deliveries.”

The ceremony also featured performances by calypsonians Rejector, Fabulous T, Jose Juan, Lively, Gregory Olive, Denis Bowman, Ziggy and D Man Age himself.

Those who performed in his honour, those who bestowed the honour, those who patronized the honouring event, and Vincentians at large agree that, as the journal said, “D Man Age is known and described as best calypsonian: fearless, calm, focused, a people’s person, role model, mentor, humble, selfless, hardworking, great father, albums, adding that he has also recorded disciplinarian, (and) respectful.” in other genres, including reggae.

Yet, it is for a number of non-winning calypsos for which de Man Age will remain unforgettable. These, according to the Liberators’ citation include: ‘This Society Needs a Spectacle’, ‘Who have Eyes to see, Let them See’, ‘Dey Smoking Too’; ‘Take Back We Country’; and ‘What More Do You Want From We’.

passion for the steel pan at a very young age, stating that he visited the pan yard after school on afternoons, mastered the instrument, and became an official member of the Starlift Steel Orchestra.

The citation by the Vincy Liberators New York claimed that he Why Calypso? was dubbed ‘D Man Age’, “because he was “This is not something that was part much smaller for his age as a youngster of my agenda since singing,” D Man Age growing up in his village [Rose Place in told THE VINCENTIAN in a brief Kingstown].” interview after the ceremony, alluding to De Man Age, now a member of the the honor. “I got into calypsos in the ‘70s Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent to be more politically conscious. [Social since his migration to the USA, has activist and political activist] Renwick taken part in numerous calypso Rose, my cousin, Patches Knights competitions over the past 41 years. [calypsonian], [the late social and political activist] Caspar London and Achievements even [Prime Minister Dr.] Ralph Gonsalves were conscious individuals.

Among his achievements are National “I wanted to sing to set the example Calypso Monarch titles; in 1978, in for those guys who made me politically which he did ‘Dey Go Ban It; and ‘In De conscious about the administration that Ghetto’; 1999 in which he won with was suppressing and repressing them at ‘Country to Build’; and 2000 with ‘If Ah that time,” he added, stating in the same Coulda Ah Woulda’. breath that such was still going on now.

To his credit, Vincy Liberators New “That’s how songs like ‘Ghetto’ and all York said D Man Age has over 100 those things came out,” he continued. recorded songs/tracks and 10 recorded

Before calypso

De Man Age with his wife Sabrina Howard-Rose.

D Man Age (L) receives award from President of Vincy Liberators New York Douglas ‘Doug’ Howard (R) and Vice President Ian Sardine. (Photo credit: Ernie Hoyt).

Before pursuing his singing career, Vincy Liberators New York said D Man Age, was “a dedicated and devoted educator/teacher at the Kingstown Methodist School.”

He attended and completed two years at the Teachers Training College, and was later transferred to the Questelles Primary School “because of his song, ‘Dey Go Ban It’,” Vincy Liberators New York said.

“After being politically victimized for his calypsos and political and social commentaries, he showed his dedication for the teaching profession by walking to and from Kingstown [the capital] to fulfill his duties as an educator in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the group said.

The group said D Man Age also had a

A personal testimony Douglas ‘Doug’ Howard — the Edinboro, Kingstown-born former president of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Progressive Organization of

Errol Rose, aka De Man Age (front extreme right), is a founding and current member of the Vincy Liberators New York.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 7.

News

Bruce to receive lawyer letter LAWYER Bruce was Israel Bruce contained in a could well be Facebook posting on the other the lawyer made. side of a The proposed ‘lawyer action stemmed letter’. from Francis’ Senator statement a week Julian before on the Francis, issue of the speaking on influence of last music on crime, Tuesday’s and in which he edition of referenced to ‘ULP lewd and violent Israel Bruce Speaks’ lyrics by could become aired on the recipient of a renowned Star FM, Jamaica artistes said that he lawyer letter on like Andrae behalf of a intended to ‘Popcaan’ Government instruct Sutherland and Senator. attorney Earlan ‘Alkaline’ Rochelle Bartley.

Forde to write a letter to Francis claimed not to Israel Bruce, asking that he withdraw a statement have included Vincentian soca star Gamal ‘Skinny in which he (Bruce) Fabulous’ Doyle in that misquoted him. statement.

Francis explained However, according to further, that the Francis, Bruce’s misrepresentation by Facebook post read, inter

Belmont youth dies after fall from truck

THE NUMBER of road fatalities for the year is now three, following the death of 23-year-old Alieke Gibson.

Gibson, a resident of Belmont, died after falling off a moving truck.

The incident occurred last Sunday, October 1 in the Belmont area when, according to reports, Gibson fell from the truck T8920 owned by Leslyn Davis, but driven by Dwight Davis, both also Aleike Gibson residents of Belmont.

Gibson was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he died.

(DD)

alia, “…he (Francis) says blame the music on the likes of Popcaan, Alkaline, Skinny Fabulous and others.”

“I did not mention Skinny Fabulous,” Francis continued last

Tuesday evening.

He went on to say that if he and the popular Vincentian and now regional Soca artiste enjoyed good relations and that if he wanted to say anything about the

entertainer, he could — but on the said occasion, he never mentioned the name. (DD)

Senator Julian Francis is intent on making Israel Bruce answer for his ‘misquotation’.

Strike action: Road repair work begins in Sharpes ROAD REPAIR work in the Redemption Sharpes area was to commence about one week before mini-bus drivers and operators decided to withdraw their services, at the beginning of this week.

When this did not happen, Minister of Transport and Works, Senator Julian Francis said he advised the officials at the Roads, Buildings, and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) to hire a new contractor.

Francis made the disclosure on last Tuesday’s edition of ‘ULP Speaks’ aired on Star FM. According to the Minister of Remedial work – patching Works, following previous – came as response to the strike action by mini bus strike action this week. operators, significant work was in the Central Kingstown government, to address constituency, from the ‘Block 2000’ area, through Lodge Village the five roads requiring immediate attention, in to the vicinity of Browne’s each constituency.

Hardware.

This project was well The area identified for underway though the attention in the next phase, was shortage of asphalt hot from Browne’s Hardware up to mix, adverse weather The deplorable state of the road in Trigger Ridge.

Redemption Sharpes.

“The men decided to withdraw and bad planning were their services because the road is hindering completion in too bad ……so what I can do is to the time anticipated, in the Sharpes area.

Francis said. try fix the road. … I am not vex Francis appealed to the mini The entire project is estimated with the ‘fellas’; they have taken a bus operators “…,to have a second to cost EC$13 million. decision,” Francis rationalized. look at what they have done and Since the strike action by mini realize that Central Kingstown is Francis said that he had bus operators this week, remedial not the only area,” and to “give spoken to President of the road work had gotten underway National Omni-Bus Association the travelling public a break.”

(NOBA) Anthony ‘Code Red’ Bacchus and explained to him that work was in the pipeline for the area, but there were some factors that were delaying the project.

The road repair work in Central Kingstown is part of a project outlined by

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8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial The fear of crime REGARDLESS OF WHERE or when he or she speaks, a Minister of Government will be deemed to have spoken on behalf of government and party.

So, when a minister assesses that the current spate of crimes does not affect the ‘innocent’, he should think again about the misinformation he is relaying, and how narrow he has made the issue.

The ‘innocent’, to whom the Minister referred, those he would want us believe are not the targets of a ‘few’ miscreants who indulge in or harbor criminal tendencies, are in fact the majority in society who, because of this crime, have become victims of fear — a fear of crime.

This (fear) is, in itself, a social problem that cannot be removed from the debate/discussion on the crime situation in SVG. To do so is to be simpleton in one’s assessment, and to renege on one’s responsibility to the nation’s people — all the people — the innocent and the guilty.

More and more people — the innocent - see and recognize crime as a problem within and for society. The fear that they develop as a consequence is incompatible with their values, such as safety and livability, and therefore, they feel unsettled in their homes, irrespective of whom the bullet is aimed at or how far removed physically a crime committed might be from their places of abode.

That fear that currently prevails must have been sharpened by a recent shooting death which occurred in broad daylight, in a busy area of the capital. Not that this is a ‘new’ occurrence, for we recall the horrific circumstances that led to the death of Stacy Wilson in 2006.

So, fear of crime is not a ‘new’ problem that occurs in today’s society. If the truth be told, It has been on the agenda in most countries since the ’70s and ’80s of the previous century.

The difference between others and us, is that those ‘others’ developed public policies aimed at increasing the sense of security of their people.

The main focus was on reducing the crime rates in society, because they saw crime, if not as the primary variable, definitely as a contributing variable to the fear of crime phenomenon.

They deduced, correctly so, that the higher the crime rates, the more insecure — unsafe - people feel.

One wonders if this line of reasoning is either not known to our policy makers or known but simply tempered in favour of more grandiose projects, with an eye on the election clock.

Physical disorder - bad roads, flooding, fires, disruptions in public utility services - has only a total effect on the lives of individuals.

Social disorder — crime - has both a direct and total effect on the fear of individuals as composites of communities.

And while crime is not the only variable that breeds fear in a community or society, its contribution to this debilitating phenomenon is undisputed, and magnified ten times over, given the size of our population.

That is why we must guard against the possible effect of neighbourhood decline, manifested by individuals withdrawing physically and psychologically from community life.

Withdrawal will weaken informal, traditional social control mechanisms and could well stimulate further delinquency, miscreant behavior and eventual disorder.

That is why, no number of visits by politicians to perceived crime infested neighbourhoods, no number of promises of stepped-up police action will suffice, in the long run, as genuine combatants against crime in its broadest sense. Maybe it will suffice if we accept the Minister’s assessment of the situation. But if we are to accept that the problem is not just crime but a fear of crime, then we have to devise a plan of action that is both short term and long term in vision.

No one wants to be an alarmist, but given the superficial pronouncements by persons in leadership and their painting of the canvas in strokes that fail to represent any creativity in our response to a debilitating social problem, we need now, a non-partisan devised plan of action.

The scourge of crime is one thing; the more profound scourge of an escalating fear of crime threatens the very order of society.

We cannot treat the contributing factor — crime — as a simple sign of the times, that will go away with a puff.

Time to get serious — as a nation — about addressing the social problem of crime and the even bigger one of the fear of crime.

The social climate and political weather WE HAVE BEEN FORCED out of our comfort zone so far as our weather conditions are concerned.

From the time I was a school-boy several moons ago, Cutteridge geography placed our weather system in a simple limerick: ‘June too soon, July stand by, August come it must, September remember, October all over’.

Wow, ‘climate change’ is the innocent name of the games, whose rules we are strictly to obey, with devastation and ruination as the brutal reminders of disobedience. With the extreme cases of blind punishment for even the most respected response to angry Mother Nature!

Still, life has to go on — regardless!

Over the past few years, a representative section of our citizenry has passed on, that deserve some honour on quitting the scene.

The first has been the last who was intered earlier this week. She was a well-known public servant, singer of some acclaim and devout Anglican who did much in spreading the fine work of her church. Miss Beryl Richards had been a great friend of my sisters, still living, Elsie and Ena. Mrs Norma Howard was the correct wife of George Howard who predeceased her by only one year. The Howards were great Vincentians in their little ways, a piercing light from Edinboro which partly lit up the whole of SVG. We hail their passing with the simple but meaningful coinage, describing their sojourn on earth — as “Call that George”.

A younger Vincentian who also made her contribution to the national wealth through the cultural stock and rose via the national cultural festival, had been the unforgettable Katie Daisy.

I met the beautiful Helen Small at THE VINCENTIAN office when she had been the wife of Saluche Small, of whom I was a close friend.

Saluche died suddenly, and Helen who checked my “This Week” contribution, soon married a Hazel, left THE VINCENTIAN and drifted out of my circle of friends. Then suddenly I met her at the eye-specialist a few months ago. She had maintained her basic beauty, but appeared to be distant and reserved.

I regretted her passing in her mid-fifties.

I could not have this delightful bunch of ladies without a male protection. So, I have chosen Horace Lewis, who, with his living brother Cleve, had been a Grammar School footballer, athlete in the late 1940s, but significantly transformed their home into a sort of youth centre, sponsoring Falcon teams in boxing, athletics, football and netball during the 1950s.

Individuals associated with various Falcon teams included Eddie Griffith, Carl Glen, Nathan Johnson, “Micey” Webb, Gloria Ballantyne and her crop of athletes, footballers, table tennis experts, etc. There

were also boxers galore including “Fighting Eddie”, Godrick Spence and Leon John, and other uncles of Dr. Richard Cox! In later life, Horace Lewis made a significant contribution in heading the first Technical College of the new Dispensation.

There are a few scattered bits which act as agents of hope in the rapid deterioration of our-social make-up.

The surprised appointment of Jaundy Martin as our Attorney General is a happy case in point. As a matter of fact, I recall that in 1998 I had been requested by his mother, who then worked in the Magistracy, officially to introduce him into the legal profession. It has turned out to be my pride and joy. Long may it continue to be so.

The next election We think that the low level of politics in these parts generally ensures that national disasters to which we are heir, in fact help to project the image of the governing party, especially if, as in our case, the Government is mainly on a power trip.

The race is on in earnest, with both sides sharpening up for the final assault which comes from an early election, pre-empting a count decision on the election petitions.

I anticipate an election called by January 2018 which, all things being equal, will see the return of the NDP Government by say, a two to one margin which translate to 10 seats for the NDP, as against 5 for the ULP. But “all things equal” is a pious term that is defiant in practical terms.

Will one see, for instance, the actual removal of the Supervisor of Elections and legal punishment meted out too to Mr. Gaymes who must be brought back home to face the music?

It is a widespread belief that the ULP certainly stole the 2015 election, and probably the 2010 as well.

Even so, it is worth noting that in both cases, the ULP ended with a so-called majority of one.

A lot of registration of people imported from over strong ULP areas are being done right now. Apparently, the PM himself had advocated the legitimacy of this method since in 2005!

We also believe that Dr. Gonsalves will have ready his slate of National Heroes to let go on an unsuspecting people on the eve of the 38th anniversary of Independence.

Naturally, the list will include Robert Milton Cato, to whom many in the hierarchy of the ruling ULP are opposed: Renwick Rose, Blazer Williams, Mike Browne, Jomo Thomas and the deceased Oscar Allen and Casper London.

I will say more on this theme next week.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 9.

Letters

THE VINCENTIANÊs cartoon I AM WRITING in relation to the comic pieces in your papers, The Vincentian, which have been in very poor taste for the last 2 weeks.

The previous one spoke to vagrants being selected to be sent to islands which were hit by category 5 hurricanes with serious destruction and loss of lives. Now this week, we suffered a number of lives lost due to shootings, and again a very heartless cartoon.

Just remember our nation is affected when these things happen in a number of ways: 1. The families of victim and the assailant, when caught. Children inclusive.

2. The general public by a possibility of stray bullets.

3. Commerce as people are fearful of going out.

4. Visitors to our shore.

I would like to see THE VINCENTIAN stick to political satire or things of that nature rather than the current one which can cause anxieties in readers.

John R. Jacobs Editor’s Note: No comment.

Focus on things local in October SO IT’S OCTOBER once again. The month should mean a lot to us since it is the month during which we celebrate our independence from Great Britain.

It is the month that marks the beginning of our journey to true nationhood.

How much we have achieved since October 27, 1979, I’ll leave to the more distinguished commentators among us. Suffice it to say, one of the things we must look at is whether our sense of patriotism has grown and developed over the years since 1979.

I am not going to speak for others, but I will declare myself to be a true patriot — ‘Vincy to the Bone’ as they like to say. That is why I get annoyed when, especially during the month of October, we continuie to highlight things that are not Vincy.

Take our radio stations for example. All the dee jays and announcers like to give the impression about how they more Vincy than many of us; but come October, how many of them and the radio stations for which they work, devote the month of October to things local — like playing local music.

I heard where the Graduates calypso tent is organizing a show to feature calypsos from yesteryear. That is commendable. But even the Graduates should have considered having the show during the month of October, to help foster a sense of nationhood and things Vincy.

I look forward to hearing all the radio stations here making a decision to, at least, hand over their radio waves to local music during this month of October. And by the way, we have lots and lots of local music so there is no excuse.

A National Day of Prayer Editor’s Note: THIS OPINION piece was submitted too late for publication in last week’s issue. Notwithstanding, we consider it to have relevance. It has been abridged for length and edited for content.

I must first say upfront that I am saddened by the way the National Day of Prayer here in St Vincent and the Grenadines is being organized and presented. I believe it is too superficial in its delivery. From where I stand, it seems that our Church leaders and elders have not grasped the real significance of this day, i.e. that they have lost a common understanding of this concept.

To me, our National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation seems not that important enough to be considered to be a main feature on our national calendar; it is not a national holiday; Then again, it is truly breaking my heart that of a population of over one hundred thousand people in St Vincent and

the Grenadines, less than two hundred people turn up for an event of this nature. I often wonder why this is so, especially when I note that for carnival thousands of people turn up to those events, It’s a very sad state of affairs, don’t you think?

Are we too double standard as a people? I think the Vincentian people need some serious retrospection on this issue.

I, therefore, make this urgent and definitive call for a well and proper structured organization to be put in place to implement a National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation for St Vincent and the Grenadines, and to declare this day a national holiday. It must not appear to be a mere sideshow as has been done at Heritage Square in the past.

The churches have to get this right, and if they are not too sure as to what to do, my advice to them is to ask God in Jesus’ name, through much praying and

fasting.

The churches are too laid back, as though they are waiting on God to speak, not realising that the truth of the matter is that God has already spoken.

‘Righteousness will always exalt any nation, but sinful actions the downfall of any nation; and people.’

Righteousness simply means to do what is right, but having a clear vision is very essential to its manifestation.

From where I stand, I can say God is not happy with us at all.

Clearon Cleave Francis

The Police Force

So much so, some of the better policemen have seen it fit to just bide out their time to their earliest retirement date, leaving the Force void of essential expertise and experience.

What do you expect when an officer of two decades or more sees some lesser ranked officer being jumped so many positions over him?

I am not saying that the Police Force must not be accountable — in this case to the Ministry of National Security — but we must not make accountability the same as blind loyalty — no questions asked. The Police must be allowed to do their work, and one of the things they have to guard against is making their task one of simply reacting to the whims Anderson: Vincy to the Bone and fancies of the government. parents here beating surroundings in which Let the police do the their children with the the beating took place. policing. We must keep first thing they put their And who knows, maybe an eye on them, yes, I, LIKE MANY and social media about hands on, so we are no she had some mental Vincentians, would have the display. better. breakdown. This was no but we must not make seen a video in which a What irked me was We have to be normal woman. Her one them feel that they half-naked woman those persons who tried outraged when we piece of clothing tells me must wait on a directive from some (almost nude if you ask to make fun about this witness actions like this. civil service office me), in Jamaica, was act of abuse. these.

We have always to before they execute unleashing a beating on No child, regardless of However, I also want look beyond the cover of their duty, fair and a child, whom I assumed how ‘bad’ he or she to say that we need to the book before we pass square and equally was her daughter. The might be, should be spare a thought for the judgement. across the board. video created quite a stir subjected to such mother. It appears that here, and there was a lot brutality. And, sorry to she comes from a low A concerned father Nanton of discussion on radio say, but I have seen economic level, given the

That beating!!!

FROM WHERE I stand, Mr. Editor, I am led to believe that there is too much interference in the running of the Police Force.

To begin with, there has been a history, moreso over the last 16 years or so, of appointments to the top position — Commissioner of Police — that seem to be more of a hand-pick act than a true process of appointment.

The last two appointments before Mr. Hadaway seem to be a straight case of whom the Minister of National Security preferred. Not only that, the practice of accelerated promotion has also been tainted with Ministerial involvement.

All this has done, is to create discord and static in the Police Force.

Government and Opposition IT IS NORMAL for the Opposition to be ‘attacking’ the Government, not the other way around.

This Government needs to be reminded that they are the Government, not the Opposition.

Before this Government, I have never heard of or experienced one whose focus is always on the Opposition. In parliament, on their radio stations, in the press, it is always the Opposition in focus.

They are dictating who the Opposition members/candidates should be. I have never heard of a cricket, football team, or who have you, dictate whom their opponents should select to play against them.

I can recall, not too long ago, a government Senator was posing questions for the Opposition to answer.

Please take note: the questions were not asked during ‘cross talk’, they were down to be asked.

Someone can tell me if that ever happened here before 2001.

Melee

* Did a police officer recently unleash a slap on a Milton Cato Memorial Hospital staff member in front of bystanders?

If this is the case, can we expect an investigation into the matter? * Is it now official policy that the Prime Minister makes statements of national importance on radio stations other than the state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation — Radio 705? * Is a certain Sports Administrator being groomed as a candidate in the next general elections? * When is the man who created the deep political divide in 1994, truly going to do something about bridging it?

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10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The Facebook challenge

Introduction THE SOCIAL MEDIA and networking service Facebook is providing challenges to most democratic governments the world over. The United States is grappling with the fact that the service may have been used by a foreign country to influence the 2016 general election, which brought President Donald Trump to power. Facebook is accessed by many persons using desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones, and the traffic is directed over the internet and mobile networks.

Created by the American computer programmer and internet entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has expanded since it was launched in February 2004, to the point where it is now capitalized at a value of US$104 billion. Zuckerberg is quoted as saying that the “most important thing is that we create an open information flow for people”. And that is what Facebook has become an open avenue for people to spread all kinds of information, some factual, others lies and half-truths.

The Facebook administrators have found it difficult to adequately oversee the large volume of traffic that passes through their network. There is some censorship when words are used which threaten the United States, and those persons lose their Facebook accounts. For example, in 2016 the Israeli government accused Zuckerberg of having some responsibility for the deadly attacks by the Palestinians. The Israelis claim that Facebook was not doing enough to ban posts to its network, which advocate violence against that Jewish nation. In fact, Facebook has been credited with the success of the “Arab Spring”, the series of uprisings and protests across the Middle East and North Africa, which affected several governments in the area.

The Vincentian experience There is wide-spread use of the Facebook network here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Many persons use it to share important information related to personal landmarks like birthday and wedding anniversaries, while others used it for business purposes, to advertise this or that service. For example, in the recent drive to assist those persons in the Leeward Islands who were affected by hurricanes, Facebook was used to good effect, to raise awareness and to send messages about the collection process.

So it is clear that there are some Facebook operators who are engaged in some positive activity on that social network. But the unfettered freedom offered by Facebook entices individuals to embark on a programme of evilness and destruction. And it is in the political arena that most of these users are evident.

To be sure, the political parties in St. Vincent and the Grenadines use the Facebook network to spread their messages. Several government agencies and statutory corporations have adopted Facebook accounts, so as to create more awareness among

The Minister of National Security is responsible for the crime situation in SVG (Excerpts of Press Statement by the Dr. The Hon. Godwin Friday, President of the NDP)

their customers. Nothing is wrong with that, and indeed this can be described as a positive move.

Unfortunately, like in other countries, a number of political activists, mainly supporters of the opposition New Democratic Party, have created Facebook accounts, some of them using “non de plume” identity, so as to create mischief. They hide in the apparent security of their adopted countries, mainly the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, from which they perpetuate their mischief. They denigrate the work of good Vincentians, sometimes stooping as low as to call them dirty names.

The leadership of the government has come in for particular attention, especially from those who have sought jobs under the ULP administration, without any success.

That is not to say that some members of the ULP have not been critical of the NDP on Facebook. By and large, they adopt a professional approach to their criticisms, unlike those on Facebook who support the NDP. Their names are well known, the Doug Howards and the Jeffery Providences for example. They have taken their activities to a new level, creating an account called “the War room”, from which they dispense their evil and dirty postings.

The ULP administration, like other governments in the region who are facing a similar problem, have passed the Cybercrime Bill to curb some of these activities, without affecting a person’s right to free speech. Even so, while the anti-Vincentian activity has lessened, perpetrators are still finding ways to get around the Cybercrime Bill.

Thankfully, there are those who use Facebook for what could be called legitimate reasons. They promote their social activities on their pages, and share information on family activities, events and sometimes businesses. They avoid lies and halftruths, and are not involved in activities to pull down their country.

Conclusion The current issues with Facebook will be with us, regardless of which political party is in office. Persons will use this social media for their own individual purpose. It is incumbent on right-thinking persons in our society, irrespective of which political party they belong to, or support, to get involved in a debate aimed at ensuring that our citizens make better usage of Facebook.

We must always remember that our children are among the thousands of Facebook users in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Do we want them exposed to the evils of that social media? It is time that we bring a new behavioral code to Facebook, to make it a virtual tool for development and national discourse in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

ON FRIDAY September 22nd, 2017, two men were shot to death. On Saturday, September 23rd, a young woman was shot to death, two bullets to the head we are told. A day later, a man died in hospital from gunshot wounds he had sustained days earlier. He was elderly and had been shot 8 times! On Monday September 25th, two persons were shot in Vermont; one of them died as a result.

On the same day, another man, a security guard, was found dead at Fairburn Pasture. His throat was slashed! On Tuesday in Kingstown, in broad daylight, a man was shot to death and a woman wounded at the bus terminus. This all happened over a period of just five days!

Thirty-two people (up to the time of preparing this statement) have been killed so far in 2017! No wonder people throughout our country are in a state of disbelief and shock, as they wonder who is next, or what comes next. A sense of lawlessness pervades the land. The country, it appears, has become ungovernable.

We recall that the same people who are in government today and appear impotent in the face of the rising tide of crime and violence, when they were in Opposition, blamed Prime Minister James Mitchell and then Commissioner of Police, Randolph Toussaint, for all the crime in the country. Murders, drug trafficking, burglaries, you name it, it was Mitchell and Toussaint’s fault. Who must take responsibility now? Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, must bear responsibility for the situation in the country. As Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, he has permitted the situation to get out of hand and evidently can no longer control it.

But there is a context for understanding where we are today.

Recall that after their loss in the 1998 general elections, leaders of the ULP said they would make this country ungovernable. People heard that call to lawlessness. I say “lawlessness” because it is only lawlessness that can make a country ungovernable. Now that the ULP holds the reins of government, they find that the chickens have come home to roost, and they are now powerless to do anything about it! How else can we explain initial silence on the matter and later, Dr. Gonsalves’ response of trying to downplay the situation, by, for example, asking if he must have a press conference every time someone is killed; or Senator Francis saying on radio that the shootings are not intended for innocent persons but are gang and drug related. Does that make it less of a problem? Do the rest of society– the innocents– throw our hands up, lock ourselves in our homes at night and let the carnage rage outside? Surely, such an approach is an admission of governmental incompetence and failure!

There was early evidence of this incompetence and failure on the part of the government. In the Searchlight Newspaper of August 27, 2010, Ralph Gonsalves made the analysis thus: “Most crimes”, he said, “by far, are committed by young men between the ages of 17 and 35 years who have had little formal schooling, who possess few marketable skills, who have come from dysfunctional families (often without a male father figure), and

who are poor, who do not attend church, who are invariably part of a loose sub-culture of crime, and whose life histories suggest social alienation and psychological scars which predispose them to crime.”

Having made that analysis as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, one would have expected that Gonsalves and his government would have implemented creative and effective strategies of intervention to improve the situation.

Instead, 7 years after Gonsalves made that analysis and 16 years of a professed commitment to be “tough on crime and the causes of crime”, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is plagued with 32 homicides, and we are still only in September! And our country is contending for the dubious distinction of having one of the highest murder rates in the world!

And to date, not a reassuring word from our Minister of National Security or from the Commissioner of Police!

How is this possible? This is so because this ULP regime is about the rhetoric, the sound bites and about the appearance (as opposed to the substance) of intellect. For them, all you must do is sound bright. Part of the problem here is that “they too bright.” They posture and beat their chests, while Vincentians in general sink into despair as our sons and daughters are wantonly murdered.

How do we explain the brutality being inflicted by and on our young people? Many may agree that people are angry and frustrated and that such feelings are fed by poverty and joblessness, exacerbated by the policies of the ULP rulers, who demand that you must own the party to get a job to take care of yourself and feed your children.

This ULP regime has constructed this present reality by their discriminatory policies and by fostering an environment that emboldens criminals. Remember: the murder of Glen Jackson and killing of Edgar Cruickshank; the reinstatement of police officers who were convicted of crimes; the slap on the wrist given to former Registrar Tamara Gibson-Marks for stealing court money; the parcelling out of jobs to their children, party hacks and other associates; and the lack of accountability in the spending of government money?

It pains me, as a citizen of this beautiful country and Leader of the Opposition, to be constantly addressing the crime situation here. I say this because the seriousness of the matter demands a community response. But those who have been charged with managing the affairs of the nation must be in the forefront.

You might remember that not too long ago, the Honourable Arnhim Eustace, as Opposition Leader, asked Prime Minister Gonsalves to have a joint (bipartisan) appeal to the nation to address crime and violence. Dr. Gonsalves refused to do it and instead sought to belittle Mr. Eustace and his offer by saying Eustace only wanted to look Prime Ministerial.

We know that crime is a complex and multifaceted issue. However, people expect their government to provide security and create an environment that facilitates economic and social development.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 11.

Views

Suppose we were North Koreans

Eusebia

“People do not drift toward Holiness.

Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.” Donald Arthur Carson - Canadianborn, Reformed Evangelical theologian and professor of the New Testament EUSEBIA IS A GREEK WORD that means godliness. The great apostle Paul, in writing to his young mentee Timothy, used this noun as he encouraged Timothy to not limit himself to being right in his belief but also to be right in action. Today, we are encouraged to imbibe Paul’s God-inspired instructions to have right beliefs and to follow this up with right action (godliness). Our actions, our behaviours, must reflect what we believe and who we are on the inside.

We sometimes incorrectly believe that godliness and righteousness belong to a different time or individual. We may even appear to be hesitant to describe any human as righteous or holy. However, we (you and I) can qualify to be so described when we adhere to the same instructions that Paul provided to Timothy. He challenged him to live a godly life and to be content. He noted that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6-11). Those instructions confirm that we, imperfect human beings, can live godly and righteous lives. We can live lives that reflect virtue, justice, and equity. We can exhibit actions that mirror obedience to scripture and faith in God. Eusebia is possible.

God created us with the ability to choose. Unless forced, as in the case of rape, we are responsible for our choices. We are incorrect when we say, for example, “The Devil made me do it!” Others may encourage and/or entice us to follow a particular path and to engage in a certain activity … but we choose. We can accept the invitation to do wrong, or we can reject such inducements and do what we know to be right, honest, and holy.

We choose. We determine whether we embrace or shun eusebia.

Dr. William Glasser’s book entitled “Reality Therapy” provides some useful insights in relation to how relatively easy it is for some persons to seek to “push blame on others” for their foibles and infractions. Years ago, while on attachment to one of Dr. Glasser’s Try Centres in St. Petersburg, Florida, I had the distinct pleasure of interacting with a secondgeneration West Indian teenager who was at the Try Centre as a result of his extensive use of marijuana. This young man had refused to accept any responsibility for his actions. As far as he was concerned, “the system made him do it” or “his mother made

him do it”. During one of our conversations, he even ventured to tell me that, “The Devil made me do it.” Regrettably, there are persons who go through life seeking to abdicate their responsibility. They readily seek to convince themselves and others that some “outside force” is responsible for their actions or, in some cases, their inactions. These are individuals who drift downstream and swim in the murky waters of dishonesty, greed, theft, murder, and the like. But the reality is that we have the ability to make alternate choices. We can choose the path to honest, decency, holiness, and eusebia. We choose.

Parents, teachers, and other concerned adults have a tremendous responsibility to teach the next generation to make wise choices. The lessons that culminate in obtaining eusebia are not only taught by words.

They are especially inculcated when our wards observe our actions. We have to live it if we are to teach it.

Children learn what they see — not merely what they hear.

Too many in society seek to rationalise dishonesty. Some who are in positions of power, wrongfully conclude that they are “powers unto themselves” and “can do what they like — when they like”. Some may even venture to say or behave as though they are exempted from the law. Regrettably, there are some individuals who seek to justify wrong behaviours, claiming that there are many who are doing it anyway — they are merely following the crowd. For example, we know of employees who seek to justify “stealing days” (by remaining at home when they should be at work), by claiming that “everyone else is doing it”. Some see nothing wrong with stealing the company’s assets by declaring that they are underpaid and therefore need to “make up their package” by engaging in such dishonest means.

However, we should never seek to rationalise dishonesty and unholy deeds. Regardless of our circumstances, we are required to live in a manner that portrays honesty and integrity. We listen to the Eusebia Drummer inviting us to march along the moral high road. We walk to that beat. We choose to do right. We shun the forces of darkness and declare that we are different. We swim against the tide of dishonesty and corruption.

We are not only required to live right; we have a responsibility to encourage others to live right too. We share the stories and anecdotes that encourage our wards to walk the moral high road. We encourage prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We encourage self-control and selfless giving of our time, talent, and possessions. We invite them to imbibe and embrace eusebia.

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

‘TO DISAGREE WELL, you must first understand well. You have to read deeply, listen carefully, watch closely. You need to grant your adversary moral respect; give him the intellectual benefit of doubt; have sympathy for his motives and participate empathically with his line of reasoning.

And you need to allow for the possibility that you might yet be persuaded of what he has to say…

‘No country can have good government, or a healthy public square, without high-quality journalism – journalism that can distinguish a fact from a belief and again from an opinion; that understands that the purpose of opinion isn’t to depart from facts but to use them as a bridge to a larger idea called “truth”; and that appreciates that truth is a large enough destination that can be reached by many bridges of radically different designs. In other words, journalism that is grounded in facts while abounding in disagreements.

For free societies to function, the idea of open-mindedness can’t simply be a catchphrase or a dogma. It needs to be a personal habit, most of all when it comes to preserving an open mind toward those with whom we disagree…’

Bret Stephens, The Dying Art of Disagreement.

Nuclear logic and logistics

soul of Chechnya to smithereens? Did it plot to assassinate Che Guevara or Patrice Lumumba?

Walls of death and destruction Does North Korea collude with Wall Street, London to financialise assets and planetary commons? Did it bring the Middle East, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, North Africa to powdery walls of death and destruction?

Orphaned millions of children, widowed millions of women?

As the United States pivots further and further into the North Pacific, threatening China, Russia, North Korea, surrounding these nations with bases, nukes, destroyers; as Governments come under increasing threats from their populations in the face of income shortfalls; as the global economy declines, too many goods chasing too few markets; as conventional arm sales escalate globally, North Korea sees war as a logical outcome.

The United States and Western Europe would sooner smash up the global economy, substitute war for trade, than forebear competition from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations.

In the face of such global threats of war, North Korea has decided to build the ultimate deterrent. No magic here, just common logic. It is the US that napalmed and carpet-bombed North Korea in the early 1950s, not the reverse. The premise of ‘the international community’ is that it should not possess its own deterrent, nuclear missiles. Why not?

If nuclear weapons are a deterrent, North Korea should have them more than any other. It has historically been invaded by both Eastern and Western foes; it has been globally demonised; it is philosophically anti-imperialistic; it is non-aligned; it aspires to economic selfdeterminism.

Must only large, wealthy imperialist nations own nuclear weapons? Must they own all for themselves? And small, poor nations shall have nought? Must the principle of nuclear deterrent apply only to large nations? How many Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Africans, Sikhs, Apaches, Chinese, Buddhists, and Australian ‘Aborigines’ have the North Koreans killed? Can North Korea rely on the UN for fairness, which beats its brows in despair, or launches afterthe-fact sermons and platitudes, or practises learnt silence in the face of Western atrocities?

Serfs of imperialism, including ThirdWorld governments and citizens everywhere, the mainstream media in the Caribbean, blithely accept the current bullying of North Korea. Who is left to stand up for the poor, hapless, and small nations of the planet? If China, Russia, the UN, India, allow the US to bomb North Korea, how could small fiefs feel safe among the medieval duchies and kingdoms? And if President Trump’s logic is that the US will “have no choice but to totally destroy” North Korea if attacked (UN speech, September 19), why should this logic not be used by any nation that the US itself attacks?

This piece by Wayne Kublalsingh, a Trinidadian environmental activist, is so forcefully reasonable and logical that it deserves the time and attention of our readers.

If nuclear deterrence is a cardinal principle, why should it be a cardinal principle only for a few? Why should North Korea (Syrians, Iraqis, Cubans or anyone else) denuclearise when others are not doing so? When the others are testing and enhancing their nuclear capacity? When the US has militarised the Northern Pacific, with its selfdeclared Pivot to China? With its nuclear-armed submarines and 400 bases around this region?

Why should the UK, the US, France, Russia, India, Pakistan, China, Israel own 15,000 nuclear warheads, plus intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine nuclear payloads, and North Korea not have one, five, 10?

What nation or region has North Korea invaded? Has it invaded Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, North East Asia? Wreaked havoc of Hitlerite proportions all over the planet since World War II? Does it own a global military arms complex that profits from continual genocide? Does it sell weapons of mass destruction to vulnerable regions of the planet?

Has it dropped Daisy Cutters (15,000lb) and ‘mother-of-all-bombs’ (18,000lb) on hapless nations? Has it committed reckless, mad, irresponsible, psychotic actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia?

Has North Korea ever tried to destabilise Russia, China, India, the United States, Western Europe? Tried to intervene in their electoral processes?

Assassinated their national sovereign leaders? Plotted and executed civil wars? Armed terrorists? Pulled off military coups far and wide? Sent its warships into the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Arabian Peninsula? Does it possess thousands of military bases throughout the planet?

Has North Korea hatched global surveillance states, financial empires, global corporate kingdoms? Has it built an economic system intent on destroying the planet? Is it a fan of consumerism, materialism, overproduction, and overconsumption? Does North Korea spend billions of dollars in gospelling empire, war, genocide on CNN, BBC, Fox, MSNBC, and Voice of America?

Has North Korea killed a few million indigenous people in North, Central, and South America? Did it enact slavery laws? Did it cause two World Wars in Send comments, criticisms & the 20th century? Did it slaughter six to suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com eight million Jews? Did it carpet-bomb London or Dresden? Did it bomb the

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12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Taiwan, Mustique, Canouan: A serious exponential threat to SVG? TAIWAN AND THE SUPER-RICH migrants of Mustique and Canouan pose a serious exponential threat to SVG. The longer the billions of dollars of tax exemptions given to Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan continue, the greater will be the destruction of our economy, our living environment, our people and our society.

The SVG economy is virtually dead: there’s no banana, no arrowroot, no fish canning factory, no agroprocessing factories, little tourism and very little investment in education and skills training. The consequence of all of this is an exponential growth in the level of poverty, hunger, destitution, unemployment and crime.

The recent brutal killings of black people by black people is an example of how dangerous this exponential threat is to our people and our country.

The longer Taiwan and the superrich of Mustique and Canouan continue to not pay tax, the more starved of revenue our country will become. This will break up our country and we will see an exponential growth in poverty, hunger, destitution, unemployment and crime.

Things are very bad now, but they will get a whole lot worse, and quickly,

if the country does not get a huge increase in revenue.

SVG is going in the wrong direction.

More people are going to jail than going to university to get a degree.

There were 8 brutal killings reported in September 2017. The murder rate is high and it seems like it is rapidly getting higher. The streets in SVG no longer feel safe.

SVG needs the billions of dollars given away in tax exemptions to Taiwan, Mustique and Canouan. We must act now to destroy the exponential threat from Taiwan, Mustique and Canouan by ending these tax and customs duties exemptions.

We could use the billions of dollars of annual revenue to create a knowledge-based economy and a safe society for our people. We could create thousands of new jobs by building factories, and give our children opportunities for the future by providing free, high-quality education from pre-school to university.

According to Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA, it is total lunacy to give away billions of dollars in tax exemptions to Taiwan, Mustique and Canouan, and then run the SVG economy on peanuts.

This financial strategy of the SVG Minister of Finance, Gonsalves - who is not a university graduate in accounts nor finance — is killing our economy, killing our living environment, killing our society and killing our people.

SVG needs major changes to stop the blood running and to stop our country from breaking up further. We

need change to avoid an exponential growth in poverty, hunger, destitution, unemployment and more brutal murders.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org https://twitter.com/svggreenparty https://www.facebook.com/SVGGreen-Party-154937087877631/

Financial Information Month (FIM), October 2017

Retirement Planning: Making Your Golden years Golden PROPER RETIREMENT planning is an integral part of every worker’s preferred future. This is even more critical in today’s environment where persons are living longer, healthier lives. But achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances, and start to save early in your working career. The retirement process involves transitioning to a new identity. This process can become selfempowering and can lead to creative ways to self reinvent.

Lack of planning directly influences the way retirement is experienced.

Persons who suffer most are those who have most difficulty thinking about their retirement during their economically active period of life. If not fully understood, it can have unexpected implications and consequences. When satisfactorily negotiated, retirement can lead to a new and enriched life, but for those who fail to plan, it can be traumatic.

Research has shown that many people stay healthy and active for fifteen (15) years or more after they retire. One of the best ways to maximize your retirement and to have enough savings is that those persons in the work force need to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves now, so that they can live happier and more productive lives in their later years.

Retirement planning has two main phases - the remote phase and the proximate phase. The remote phase is that period where retirement is seen in a positive way, but perceived as a distant and abstract event. The proximal phase, on the other hand, is that period where time pressure and the imminent cessation of working are seen in more detail. While working, retirement can seem like both an upcoming burden, and a distant paradise. While logistical and financial plans about retirement are being made, psychological and emotional aspects of retirement should not be overlooked or minimized. Working through these aspects is one hallmark

of a successful transition process.

Several factors affect one’s reaction to retirement. These include, but are not limited to, life history, relations with society, particularly in a professional role, and your way of dealing with loss and adjusting to new situations.

Like any other transitional phase, however, there are strategies that can be employed to help you to transition successfully. Some of the most tested and tried ones are : having satisfying relationships (reorganising one’s time to include new experiences in family life); leisure activities; sociocommunity life (volunteer work); new job-reduced pay; setting up your own business; learning new skills and professional endeavours; visualizing who you want to become; gradually implementing lifestyle changes; sharing your new plans and goals with family, colleagues, and friends; using your emotional intelligence by recognizing that it takes conscious effort, time, and perseverance to evolve; creating new relationships and social ties/network (to people of all ages); and becoming active in projects you couldn’t pursue while working.

Whatever happens to you in your retirement depends to a large extent upon you. We join with Harry Emerson Fosdick in advising you that you should not simply retire from something, but you should have something to retire to; for as William Shakespeare said in his work, ‘As you Like It’: “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances...”

Submitted by the National Insurance Services

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 13.

News

Christian Community holds March Against Crime The march stopped for an exhortation and short prayer in the vicinity of the Kingstown Vegetable Market.

by GLORIAH… THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY in St. Vincent and the Grenadines united in a grand march around Kingstown, in demonstration of its disgust occasioned by the recent spate of murders here.

The march, according to Rev. Chesley Ferdinand of the New Testament Church of God, organized against the norm: in the middle of the week, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the town, was a message from God. Wendell Davis, Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Church of God in SVG, St, Lucia and Dominica told THE VINCENTIAN that on the National Day of Prayer last Monday, he had been praying, and the Spirit of God told him to get up and do something specific.

“He said we are praying, that’s good; we are fasting, that’s good; but it’s time to come out and show our united strength,” he stated, “and He told me that we’re going to have a march of over three thousand people through the streets of Kingstown.

‘I will bring the powers of darkness down’, He said; and that’s what I obeyed.”

Rev. Kelron Harry, District Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, Windward Islands, summed up the impact of the activity on persons looking on.

“This shows that there is still a yearning for the gospel. The responses of people through the street is showing that they want to see the church make a stand,” he offered, “We were well received: persons didn’t frown or push their faces when they saw the truck and the people passing, showing that they who don’t know Christ are

The march was led by a number of church leaders from different denominations. still looking to see God’s response to violence and crime,” he added.

The march commenced at the Girls’ High School bus stop on Murray’s Road, turned onto Bay Street at the Customs Department, moved along Bay Street and turned into the Windward Bus Terminal, then continued to the Leeward Bus Terminal.

The marchers then headed back up Bay Street and turned into the street between P. H. Bishop Wendell Davis Veira and the Kingstown said he obeyed God in Vegetable Market. From helping to bring the there, it headed towards concern to the streets.

Back Street and came to a final stop at Heritage Square, where a rally was held.

Go forward, Wendell Davis affirmed, “We are now looking for a decrease in crime and violence. We are also looking to follow this up in our schools and communities, hoping to have town hall meetings of a Christian nature, to have the reintroduction of Sunday School and Sabbath School on Rev. Kelron Harry came Saturdays. It is not away with confidence about denominations! that the people had We must teach tolerance gladly and warmly to our children, and welcomed the march patience, the power of and its purpose. saying sorry, and accepting forgiveness.” bring change.

He is firm in the belief Participant Diane that God will provide the Questelles added her next step as time goes voice to the discussion, on, as there must be a saying, “I believe God curbing, something to can do it for the nation.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 15.

People

Sardine on a Mission of Peace MARK SARDINE has taken his Mark Sardine campaign from the sea to the land, (inset) has adorned this time with the aim of creating his vehicle with an awareness about the need for all slogans citizens of SVG to do their part in appropriate to his the fight against crime. current campaign Sardine told THE to encourage a VINCENTIAN that he has since need to do taken to the streets, travelling to ‘something’ about the Leeward end, through crime in SVG. Kingstown, and along the Windward coast as far as Fancy.

Sardine’s vehicle is adorned with “graphics’ carrying messages appropriate to his intention.

“I just get into my vehicle and I drive,” he said, adding that the feedback has been good, but admitting that more needs to be done, and more people need to become aware of the situation.

“What happens on the streets affects everyone in the country,” he posited.

“This is an opportunity to make tomorrow brighter,” he continued, emphasising that it would be difficult to advertise the country with “blood stains.”

“Our mothers and fathers are losing their children, they don’t know how they are going to make it.”

The time had now come for something to be done, and for the Vincentian public to understand their role, he asserted.

He raised concerns about the widespread consumption of alcohol, citing that “When the mother or father spend time drinking, that money does not make it home,” The radio stations and mini-buses both needed to be held accountable too for the lyrical content of the music they unleash on young people.

But the work has just begun, he conceded as he appealed to “the forces at large”’ to “hold down the violence”.

Jervonne Christopher, survived the fury of Hurricane Maria.

I survived Maria

IF YOU SEE HIMVon the streets of Kingstown, it will be easy for you to pass him off as the average Vincentian.

It is when you hear about his circumstances, that you realise that we living in a small world.

Or perhaps how fortunate we have been here.

Jervonne Christopher is Dominican. He arrived here recently from his homeland. He survived the wrath of Hurricane Maria, September 18, a storm that skipped three categories to develop into a category 5 hurricane when it passed over Dominica.

Christopher, in between sharing recollections of the challenges to survive in the midst of destruction, told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, that he was making himself comfortable, though he seemed to exist in limbo as he awaited the reconstruction at home.

Other family members are preparing to head to Guadeloupe, he said, in hopes of restarting their lives, so to speak.

“The whole experience hasn’t sunken in as yet,” he confessed. He admitted that his stay here is “indefinite.”

Christopher remains bent on honing his songwriting skills while here. (WKA)

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Focus on Calliaqua

Airport.

Right: H. E. “There is the Baushuan Ger, potential to grow Taiwan’s Ambassador and develop with to St. Vincent and the Argyle,” Grenadines, Gonsalves pointed addressed the out, as he made Opening and reference to recent underscored the works in existing amicable Calliaqua, i.e. the relations between his refurbishing of the country and SVG. Calliaqua Playing Field; the the area resurfacing of the Square representative around which Culture was concerned, Pot activities are held. was its The cost for connectivity to the fibre construction of the optic cable from the Calliaqua Town Hall, Coast Guard base, Camillo Gonsalves, which was formally situated a stone’s throw Parliamentary opened last Tuesday, was away, which equips “the Representative for East put at $2.5m. Funding St. George, spoke of was provided by the Calliaqua being poised Republic of China for a revival.

(Taiwan). It will house the Magistrate Court, THE TOWN OF CALLIAQUA Post Office, Day Care is poised for a revival.

Centre, Town Board That’s the claim from Office, Town Hall, Camillo Gonsalves, Computer Room, and parliamentary Library. representative for the East Camillo boasted of the St. George constituency, of situation of having such which Calliaqua is of a multi-purpose pivotal importance. structure in the heart of “There is a the community and he renaissance happening,” called on residents to Camillo posited. He put make full use of the the matter in the context facility. of the likely spill over But the feature of the from the opening of the new venture, as far as Argyle International

The new Calliaqua Town Hall was constructed at a cost of $2m and counting. facility with a faster, more reliable internet service than any school in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Camillo

boasted.

He insists that the building must be made available to the residents and urged that it must

not be locked up.

He envisages drama, music, and other like productions being held at the new Town Hall.

Epic moment

Darron Andrews, violinist extraordinaire, added his versatility to the occasion.

Left: The Prime Minister made a public promise to assist the Epic Sounds Steel Orchestra.

A NEW MUSICAL OUTFIT is on the scene.

It is called the Epic Sounds Steel Orchestra.

They surfaced last Tuesday at the opening of the Calliaqua Town Hall, and they will be equipped with pans to carry out their functions.

“I am going to get pans for you,” Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves stated. He invited leaders of the outfit to meet with him and added: “I will make arrangements for you to get your pans.”

There might even be a home for the outfit.

There are areas for consideration, and there is hope that “common sense” prevails as regards a home for the band.

Epic Sounds Steel Orchestra was part of the cultural component of the opening ceremony.

Darron Andrews held the audience in awe with his virtuoso on the violin. His rendition of Gerald ‘Rasum’ Shallow’s ‘Perseverance’ in particular, drew responses of approval of his interpretation and improvisation.

Also addressing the ceremony was H. E. Baushuan Ger, Taiwan’s Ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who used the occasion to thank SVG’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Louis Straker for his support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the membership of the United Nations.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 17.

Focus on Calliaqua (cont’d)

ÂGet out of the crime business,Ê PM urges THE MIGHTY SPARROW, revered for his contribution to the art of calypso, issued a warning to criminals, in his 1961 calypso ‘Royal Jail’.

Said Sparrow, inter alia in this song: ‘I done tell me friends and me family, not to worry, Anyone ah dem interfere with me, take it easy.

Doh worry to beg the jury, save the lawyer fee.

If you have any mail, send it me at the Royal jail.’

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made an impassioned plea to those involved in crime to get out of the business.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves is adopting a different approach. Rather than upholding vigilantism as Sparrow purported, he is advising persons bent on criminal activity to “get out of that business.”

Speaking at the opening of the Town Hall in Calliaqua last Tuesday afternoon, the Vincentian leader responded to the recent spate of shootings that has occurred here.

“No set of gunmen can shake our civilisation,” Dr. Gonsalves assured.

He affirmed a “determination to maintain law and order.”

He surmised that “It (criminal activity) might appear to be the easier path,” but he identified the risks: like “jail, serious injury or premature death.

“Get out of that!” the Vincentian leader advised.

But Dr. Gonsalves soon opted to “focus on the positive”, and acknowledged that, “His (god’s) Grace has brought us safe thus far.”

In establishing direct contact with the

audience which included many residents of Calliaqua, Dr. Gonsalves pointed to outstanding individuals of the community, referring to the National Insurance Services Executive Director Stuart Haynes.

Haynes, he indicated, was not yet 40 years old and was in charge of an entity worth $500m in assets.

Distinguished surgeon Hughes Dougan was identified as a “sign of goodness” for his decision to assist with the care of the nation, having carved out a reputation at the highest level abroad.

Dr Linton Lewis, the New Democratic Party candidate for East St. George in the last general elections, came in for commendations from the Prime Minister.

“Amidst goodness in human civilisation, there is always iniquity and badness,” he stated. He advised that in life, “We have to seek to be the best,” and to be “guided by truth and light.”

A section of those who attended the opening ceremony, including Stuart Haynes, NIS/CEO (foreground), to whom the Prime Minister referred.

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22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Relief

Digicel pledges to help rebuild Dominica Digicel is committing to help the people of Dominica to rebuild in the wake of the devastating category five hit from Hurricane Chairman of Digicel – Denis O’Brien Maria.

On a visit and CEO of Digicel Dominica, to the island Nikima Royer speaking at a press on Tuesday conference in Dominica last week.

26th education and housing.

September to see the In the meantime, damage first hand and establish how Digicel can Digicel engineers, riggers assist in kick starting the and technical teams are country’s recovery, Digicel working round the clock to restore the networks, with Chairman and founder, good progress being made Denis O’Brien, met with up to last week.

The Honourable Mr. Commenting on Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Digicel’s commitment, Minister of Dominica, to Denis O’Brien, offer Digicel’s support. commented; “Our first As such, Digicel will priority is to get our concentrate on three key networks back to full areas in the south-east strength, and our teams region of Dominica: the are working tirelessly to Kalinago Territory, La do that. But of course, Plaine and Castle Bruce. we’re also clear on the role With meetings that we can play in helping the were expected to take place during the course of country to recover and rebuild. Our work to help last week with transform the Government Ministers communities of Kalinago and church and Territory, La Plaine and community leaders in its Castle Bruce in the chosen communities, southeast, will see them Digicel will work to help being given new transform the lives of opportunities and, in time, people there, by build in them a new sense supporting community of hope for the future. We projects in the areas of can’t wait to get started.”

ECGC donates to Antigua, Dominica and Tortola EAST CARIBBEAN Group of Companies (ECGC) has joined the list of donors to relief efforts following the destruction wrought to many Caribbean countries with the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

ECGC ensured that a shipment of flour, rice, semolina, milk, Water and Ju-C beverages were shipped to, Antigua, Dominica and Tortola. The value of the donation was put at over EC$110,000.

C.E.O of ECGC - Mr. Osmond Davy noted that ECGC is a company which serves the region and has been doing so for the past 40 years. “…. reaching out to our brothers and sisters is not a task but a commitment on our part as a people to assist,” he said.

Mr. Davy also recognized with gratitude, the assistance of the Management of the Geest shipping line, who facilitated the free shipment of the containers to Dominica and Antigua. He added that cooperate partnership is key, and applauded the shipping line for its assistance to those in need.

The donation was assigned to the offices of Disaster Preparedness in the respective islands.

A part of the goods donated by ECGC to hurricane ravaged Caribbean territories.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 23.

Health

WPP completes general orthopaedic mission THE WORLD PEDIATRIC PROJECT (WPP) held its general orthopaedic mission at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with consultation day being Sunday, 24th September, and corrective surgeries undertaken between Monday, 25th and Thursday, 28th September.

This mission, according to Eastern Caribbean Representative Jacqueline Browne-King, was organized to cater to those persons who would not have received consultations during the previous clinic, regularly scheduled during April each year, and about other six cases out of Barbados.

“With this additional clinic on stream,” she explained, “cases are now more totally covered in terms of issues like physical onsite assessment, which identify landmarks in the progress of individual cases, especially for regional cases. It reduces the number of persons on the waiting list.”

A team of volunteer specialists, with lead surgeon Pediatric Drs Eric Gordon (left) and Justin Roth Orthopaedic Surgeon - Dr. Eric take a break from their busy schedule.

Gordon, worked assiduously in fulfilment of the WPP mandate, i.e. for surgery this week, doing various ‘Every child, regardless of geography, orthopaedic procedures. Hopefully, will have access to quality, life-saving we’ll help them get back to those critical care’. things they enjoy doing.”

Other team members included: Pediatric Orthopedic Fellow, Dr. A tale of success and joy Justin Roth; Pediatric Anesthesiologist, Dr. Robert Moore; One of these patients was Marcelley Recovery Nurse, RN Kim Cordia; OR Noriega from Grenada. He was quite Nurse, Patricia Long; Physical willing to volunteer his story Therapist, Tracy Przybyiski; Team chronicling his journey through two Leader, Megan Donnelley; and hip replacement procedures in 2016 Company Representative, Sarah and 2017; this, after being on the Poorman. programme for what he called, “many With consultation day completed, years”. the records showed that a total of Marcelley, who, because of severe, thirty patients were seen. Dr. Gordon ongoing pain, was unable to attend elaborated, “This has been a fantastic school, said, “My journey wasn’t the trip. We were able to see about thirty easiest one, but World Pediatric children in the office. We evaluated Project — the doctors, the staff, them, and twenty of them will be seen everyone involved in the organization made it somewhat easier for me.”

He made sure to speak of the benefits that his involvement in the Project brought to his personal life, saying, “The hip replacements were successful. No longer do I have to walk around, with people looking at me like if I’m an alien or I did something wrong. Now, I can walk with my head held high and chase my dreams.”

Apart from offering direct attention to and care for the young patients, the missions of the WPP envelop a broader focus, engaging the interest of health care workers who grasp the opportunity to work alongside specialists from whom they can garner updated information, and learn new techniques and procedures.

Medical students are also engaged in clinic attendances in which they observe, scribe for the lead surgeon or specialist, and advance their own learning by posing questions about procedures and techniques.

The next WPP mission, focusing on urology, should be convened in An abled-bodied Marcelley Noriega October. The World Pediatric Project from Grenada (left) pictured with continues to “Heal a child. Save the local Orthopaedic Consultant Dr. Charles Woods. world”!

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24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Lies and more lies Dear George,

I AM STRUGGLING with whether or not to forgive my girlfriend.

I work in the Grenadines and come to the mainland once per month. On one of those, I decided to phone my girlfriend from the wharf to let her know I was coming home. I could hear planes and airport announcements in the background of our conversation. I asked her where she was and she said she was at home. I decided not to probe further and went on home.

Sure enough, when I got home she was not there. I called her again and

asked her where she was and she repeated that she was at home. I asked what part of the house she was at and she said the bedroom. I told her that I was in the bedroom. And she said that I was just trying to trick her, that I was not in the house. I took a selfie and sent it to her.

That was when she admitted that she was at the Argyle airport seeing a friend off. I told her I was coming, but she advised me not to, since she was leaving. I insisted on coming. She then confessed that she was not at Argyle but at the airport in Barbados with a guy over whom we had argued.

I told her she did not have to hurry

back home to me as I would be gone for good.

She begged me to forgive her, and not to leave her but I’m not sure about that. I can’t trust her, and this is not the first time she was caught lying to me.

occasion, and you confirm that she has a history of lying to you. Going forward, this is not the kind of individual to whom you would want to commit fully.

You need to heed the warning signs Forgiving but not stupid — some not so visible - and turn your heart in a different direction as you Dear Forgiving, look for true love. Lies are often told to cover up other despicable acts. You It is important that for any relationship involving two people, that can forgive her, but you need to keep they trust each other. moving.

Based on your writings, your girlfriend lied to you on more than one George

Married to a porn star shameful positions you can imagine.

Apparently, she has I HAVE NEVER been this shocked in my entire been doing this for quite a while, unknown to me life! I saw my wife’s of course. I confronted picture on a porn her about it, and her site. When a friend of defense was it was mine hinted it to me, I strictly business, and thought he was asked me if I knew how joking. He finally we could afford the cars showed me, and what I we have and the house saw was embarrassing and shocking. There she we live in. It was, she said, because of the was in the most

Dear George,

money she earned from the movies she made. And she even named others who were doing the same thing.

I am so ashamed. Here I am, thinking I was married to a decent woman, when all the time she is nothing but a porn star. I am sending a warning to all men out there to check their

wife’s history, that’s all I’m saying. As for my marriage, it’s done.

Let down badly Dear Letdown, I can understand how this sudden discovery about your wife’s dealings could have impacted negatively on you. It is not something anyone can plan for, and I understand your present emotionally state. If you are convinced that it is not possible to live this one down, then you need to do the next best thing, which is to separate.

It may be useful for you to get some immediate counselling just to get you back some emotional balance, and for you to be sure about your next move. It is important that you do not act solely on impulse, and these sessions can help you in this regard.

George

Doing what he wants Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND had had me go with other men, all because it gives him a “high”. At first when he made the suggestion, I thought he just wanted a one-time threesome, but then he requested that I have a one and one with one of his friends. I foolishly complied. This continued for some time, but now I am tired of it.

I think he is with me only for the thrill of what being with me brings, and it has nothing to do with loving me. I told him I am through doing this sort of thing, and he said that I can leave whenever I feel like. He then said that I will never find another man who is so liberal. What should I do? I really love this dude.

Undecided Dear Undecided, Whenever you start introducing other people into your relationship, you are asking for trouble. Things get complicated, and judgments and decision-making become clouded.

It is wrong for your boyfriend to force you to sleep with other men, and his answer to you saying you are done with that life, is evidence enough that he is not connected to you through love.

You do not want a liberal man, but rather a man who is solely and deeply committed to you. That ought to be your final answer to him. If he cannot promise that, then it is totally up to you to stay and settle for more of the same or move on to better things relationship wise.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You will find that you can work progressively at improv‐ ing yourself this week. Self‐deception is likely. Overindulgence may cause conflicts.

You are best to sit back and think it through, rather than add to the ranting and raving.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead pro‐ fessionally are apparent. You need time to think things through. Your determination may make you a little overbearing when dealing with others. Physical activity will help defuse your frustration.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Travel will stimulate your need to experience exciting new things. Listen and formulate your course of action. You will be indecisive.

Don't get involved in other people's prob‐ lems. Communication will be the source of your knowledge and you must be sure to spend time with those who have more experience.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) You'll find it easy to deal with government agencies or large institutions. Empty promises are evi‐ dent and deception probable. Keep on your toes when dealing with others. You can enjoy your involvement in organizations that make charitable contributions.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Work hard on improving your living quarters. Social activi‐ ty should be on your agenda this week. Try to understand their point of view. You will be emotional with regard to your personal life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Consider the source before you believe what you hear.

Try not to be too lavish with your lover.

Take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. Find out all you can; secret enemies may lead you astray.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You need time to make things better. Travel oppor‐ tunities look positive, but be cautious while driving. Your intuition will be right on. Follow your feelings in matters per‐ taining to financial investments. Make changes that will enhance your appear‐ ance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Look into alternate means of sup porting your financial burdens. Travel and learning should be on your agenda this week.

Don't overdo it. Do things that involve children.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You'll be dropping friends for no apparent rea‐ son. Take care of yourself or you can expect to suffer from minor illness. You can buy or sell if you're so inclined. You might be a tad overindulgent this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) It's time to make professional changes. You will have the discipline and fortitude to accomplish what you want this week.

There'll be difficulties if you spend too much. You will gain a lot if you listen.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) New partnerships will develop if you join investment groups. You will meet poten‐ tial new mates through business. You can elaborate on your creative ideas and get involved in groups that relate to the arts.

You'd be wise to control your spending so your debts don't get out of hand.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Problems with your mate will develop if you don't let them have their way. Changes regard‐ ing family members will set you off.

Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate. Secret ene‐ mies will be eager to spread rumors about you.

ACROSS 1. Republic in SW Asia 5. Private detective 11. Basic monetary unit of Ghana 12. Like a dog 13. Paradise 14. Conundrum 15. Melodious 17. Breach 18. Tap gently 19. English monk 20. Military unit 23. Measured 24. Wallaroo 25. Fabled bird 26. Taxicab 27. Act of soaking 31. Joined 33. Comply 34. Elaborately adorned 35. Hawaiian goose 36. Resound 37. Sledge DOWN 1. Frozen treats 2. Repeat 3. Capital of Yemen

4. Seaport in Shandong province China 5. Rub vigorously 6. Frozen rain 7. Besides 8. Miniature 9. Unload 10. Oozed 16. Craze 19. Calls 20. Zone 21. Inquire 22. Sophisti‐ cated 23. Extinct

flightless bird 25. Cowboy display 27. Third son of Adam 28 Second son

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 25.

of Adam and Eve 29. Basic unit of heredity 30. Having eyes 32. Family name prefix

V

26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Eulogy in celebration of the life of Beryl Irene Richards, OBE. Delivered by Ms. Richards' niece, Mrs. Deirdre Millington-Myers.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE the life of Beryl Irene Richards - in the words of Maya Angelou – “A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”

This lady of passion, compassion, humour and style, slipped quietly to the other side on Sunday 24th September 2017, around 10.00am. She was seated upright in her lounge chair in her bedroom at her residence at Belvedere; eyes closed and head back against the cushion, as one would take a nap after a long day. She passed as she lived — with style.

She has predeceased her five brothers (Jemmott, Leroy, Bruce, Errol, and Alban) and two sisters (Merle and Ynolde), many nieces, nephews and their families. She has now joined her other three siblings — Brian, Sylvia and Carlos.

The 89-year-old family matriarch was born on 22nd April 1928, in the small North Leeward village of Troumaca, but she blazed a trail for herself and her family as a pioneer — achieving in areas uncommon to women of her time. As a master of mathematics and languages, she heralded the Mulraine trademark knowledge of French and Latin.

Her journey began at the tender age of ten, when she was awarded one of the two government scholarships, to pursue secondary education at the St. Vincent Girls’ High School in Kingstown. She was the third of Granny Lou’s nine children, and her success set the standard for her junior siblings, who all followed her in pursuing secondary education in Kingstown. So much so, Granny Lou was forced to uproot the family and move to Kingstown. The rest is history.

Auntie B assumed the role of ‘matriarch’ at the passing of Granny Lou in 1965; she accepted this honour with grace, confidence and a level of dedication and seriousness from that day onward. So grand was her influence that her siblings and their families revered her to the very end.

In fact, any family matter, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, created a buzz among the siblings — the popular questions being: ‘Did you tell B?’ or ‘Who is going to tell B?’ Even my sisters and I were bound to that code of, ‘Did you tell Auntie B?’ That critical action needed to be executed quickly because no one wanted her to hear it from someone else.

Auntie B was the life of the party — we fondly remember her at the GHS 100th anniversary dinner when she was reluctant to leave the dance floor, much to the amusement of her great nieces. She loved celebrations, especially family events.

She celebrated her birthday as if it was the only and the most important day in any year.

And you better remember to call with the greetings and attend her social gathering in the evening at her home in Belvedere. Of course, she called for your birthday and sang you the happy birthday song.

Her 80th birthday party was held at my House, and was that a celebration of her Life! She was in her element. I recall her very emotional speech that Sunday, when she expounded on her love for her family and how important we were to her. She reflected on that role entrusted to her from 1965.

She was important to us too. My generation recall with pride her colourful outfits (complete with matching accessories), her deportment, etiquette, sense of place and pride, and super confidence.

Oh, let’s not forget her hair, which, by the way, was all hers and all natural? she never added chemicals.

That high-top hairdo was a work of art? the process was something to behold. Her upright position in the driver’s seat of her green Morris Minor P3241 — who can forget — she fixed herself well in her seat before moving the car with that high top almost touching the ceiling.

On the other side, we recall her admonishments over our considered transgressions — sometimes that meant simply our incomplete attire — ‘You did not wear those sandals to church?’

Auntie B was meticulous, strong in language and skillful in its use. Words meant everything to her, so you had to be careful when selecting birthday and Christmas cards, for example, as she took the words as a deliberate message from the sender. You were required to report in great detail any family event that she was unable to attend — so when I thought I was well-prepared to report on a family wedding in Trinidad and did so in as much detail as I could, she simply asked, “Where were the cars parked?’

Beryl Irene Richards was a pioneer, and may well have been ahead of her time. She had a most distinguished career as a public officer. She began in 1945 as a junior clerk at the General Post Office (GPO) and had stints at the Department of Audit and the ministries of Labour and Agriculture. She ended where she began, at the GPO, appointed to the position of Postmaster General, the first female to hold that position in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

She remained there until she retired in 1986.

Her achievements were recognised in 1986, when she was awarded with the insignia of the Most Distinguished Order of the British Empire (OBE), for her long and meritorious service to country.

The name Beryl Richards was synonymous with music in St. Vincent and the Grenadines — she pursued this path with love and Passion, and performed so well that she commanded attention always.

Her introduction to the piano came when she moved to Kingstown and

lived with Mrs. Lyn Douglas who owned a piano. Her formal training was given by nurse Marion Robertson. Beryl never looked back.

As a pianist, she played at many functions as an accompanist to vocalists, and even on occasion, played the organ at the Anglican Church. She also became a music teacher as she shared her talent with all willing to learn. She imparted her knowledge and love of music to her nieces and nephews on those Saturday mornings in the living room at Park Cottage, Wilson Hill. She prepared numerous students for the Royal School of Music exams with great success. She had a great love for calypso and steel Pan. I recall the many discussions about the performances after the Dimanche Gras competitions.

She served as a judge at the Panorama Competition, and the story is told of her using her lunch hour one day, to prepare a young pannist who needed to play a funeral march that afternoon with the Melody Makers Panside. It was a success!

Her commitment to sharing what she learnt led her to form and direct vocal groups over the years — the St. Cecilia Singers and the Girls’ Friendly Society Choir in her church are examples. She assisted in the preparation of other choirs for their participation in the national music festivals — Ministry of Agriculture Choir of mixed voices and the Dewlighters Choir of Brighton are noted.

She was also an accomplished alto — spanning at least 60 years. She loved to sing and she did even in her final days when words began to fade, and she hummed her tunes with selfassurance. This talent was harnessed and developed in the early years in Troumaca, when the family assembled every Sunday to read from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, and to sing hymns which were learnt by heart.

Beryl joined the St. George’s Anglican Church choir at the age of twelve, and remained committed until circumstances prevented her from actively participating.

She was a member of the Orpheus Choir of mixed voices in their 1945 production of ‘The Seasons’ and their 1949 production of ‘Handel’s Messiah’.

She was a member of the St. Vincent Light Operatic Group and played the role of the ‘Duchess of Plaza Toro’ in Gilbert and Sullivan ‘Gondoliers’, staged at the Russell’s Cinema in 1966.

Beryl was a long-standing member of the Kingstown Choral group and the New Kingstown Chorale; she participated in their numerous productions in the mass choir, female

voices, quartets and solo performances - the most memorable being as the ‘Empress Yulu’. She journeyed with the Chorale to perform in Cuba, Trinidad, USA, UK, and to CARIFESTA 1972 in Guyana.

Beryl covered all facets of the promotion and instruction of music, as she worked to ensure that all would come to appreciate the tremendous value that music brings to one’s life.

She was a member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Music Association for over fifty years, and held the office of Assistant Secretary in 1956, Vice Chairman in 1964, Member of the Festival Committee in 1981 and Chair of the Association for an extended period from 1989. Her organisational skills were displayed in such functions as the Community Carol Singing, National Music Festivals, and examinations for the Royal School of Music in piano, wind instruments, violin and music theory.

Beryl Irene Richards had a full life and she brought much joy to all of us; but it became obvious in recent years that she was slowing down. I had the honour of becoming Auntie B’s Caretaker, and today, I wish to publicly thank the persons who were always there to assist me and most often on very short notice: Carlita Daniel, Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache, Louann Caine, Elsie ‘Olive’ Williams, Anita Williams, Elmore and the guys at Huffles Ranch.

Soon we will lay her to rest in the yard of the church where she worshipped for several decades. It was a long and fruitful journey, and following her interment, the family will return home to quietly reflect on her life.

On behalf of the family of Beryl Irene Richards, OBE, we sincerely thank you for your support here today and all the prayers and well wishes received via the various media now available to us.

‘Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us……’

Sleep well Auntie B …until.

October 02, 2017.

V Two teams retain Round D Town Road Relay titles

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 27.

26.68 seconds.

CLSS defended their Females Secondary Schools’ title, winning in a time of 41 minutes 04.72 seconds, to best the Thomas Saunders Secondary into second place in 44 minutes 55.04 seconds, and Petit Bordel Secondary School in 48 minutes 15.32 seconds.

There were new winners in the IT- DAT Team One (from left): Ryan other categories.

Kingstown Preparatory School John, Pamenos Ballantyne, Akani Slater, CLSS - Secondary Schools’ champs – The Kingstown Preparatory females (from left): Skye Williams, Javiel Saxon. (from left): Annsonae Ollivierre, Ashanti School (KPS) was first in both the Keronique Sterling, Kiana Bailey, Richards, Marlene Richards and Male and Female Primary Schools’ Davicia Palmer.

Another new winner was the CLSS Shahalia Lynch. component. The KPS’ male quartet who won the Open Female in 37 IT- DAT ACADEMY retained the Open Male, clocked 29 minutes 02.84 seconds, to minutes 44.62 seconds, with IT DAT places- $200. and the Central Leeward Secondary School better the Sandy Bay Primary School’s Academy One second in 37 minutes teams who took second in 30 minutes And, in the primary schools’ bracket, (CLSS) the Female Secondary Schools’ 59.36 seconds) and IT- DAT Academy the first places of both sexes earned segment, when Team Athletics SVG staged 06.66 seconds and third in 31 minutes Two, third in 40 minutes 23.53 seconds. $300, with the second places getting the four-leg Round D Town Road Relay, last 45.55 seconds.

And, the St Vincent Grammar School $200 and $150 allocated to the third Docking in second among the females Sunday. was top among the Male Secondary was also the Sandy Bay Primary in 41 placed finishers.

The relay began and ended at the School competitors, racing to victory in Thirty-seven teams contested intersection of Halifax Street and South minutes 17.15 seconds in the two-team 30 minutes 45.60 seconds, ahead of run off.

Sunday’s event.

River Road, in front of First Caribbean Sandy Bay Secondary (30 minutes 57.03 International Bank. From there, runners seconds and the Petit Bordel Secondary headed up to Sharpe Street, then via (31 minutes 02.10 seconds).

Linley Street on to Back Street, thence The top three clipped last year’s to the changeover at the starting point. winners the St Martin’s Secondary, who The Primary Schools category headed led the race going into the last leg. St on to Back Street, up from Higginson Martin’s had to settle for a disappointing Street. fourth place.

IT- DAT Academy Team One, The open category winners in each reinforced by veteran long distance gender got $600, with the second places athlete Pamenos Ballantyne, clocked 27 earning $400 and third places $200. minutes 45.52 seconds to again boss the For copping the Secondary Schools’ Central Leeward Open Females (from Male Open bracket, ahead of IT- DAT SVGS (from left): Handel Roban, category, the winners of the male and left): Zita Vincent, Chaunte Williams, Academy Team Two in 29 minutes 40.42 Malik Ferdinand, Jerry Cato, Kevie female divisions earned themselves $400 Amanda Solomon, Zanique Vincent seconds, and X-Cel One in 30 minutes Frederick. each; second places- $300 and the third

North East Football Junior titles decided…

Unique Warriors – champions of the Under-15 Division.

Right: Overland – winners of the Under-19 segment.

Elite Division opens THE CHILLI PLAYING FIELD

was the venue last Sunday for the finals and closing of the

North East Football League age group competitions, and the opening of the Elite (Premier) component.

Grabbing the titles at stake were Unique Warriors, who took the Under-15 Division, and Overland, winners of the Under19 segment.

It was all Unique Warriors as they trounced Owia United 6-1 in a lopsided final.

Kenson Pope scored in the 5th and 50th minutes, while Shemar Adams netted in the 12th and 33rd and Keion Mc Millan in the 38th and 42nd, to account for Unique Warriors’ tally.

Kadeem Henry had equalised in the 10th minute for Owia United.

But Overland didn’t go away empty-handed, turning out to be better at kicks from the penalty spot, winning 3-2 over Chapmans in the Under19 showdown. Both teams had played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Before getting to the Under19 final, Overland had defeated Unique Warriors 3-1 in the semi- finals, with Chapmans gaining a one nil win over Richland Park Pride

and Joy in the other semi-final.

Richland Park Pride and Joy edged out Unique Warriors 2-1, to cop the third place

Delano Mc Dowald of Richland Park Pride and Joy, was adjudged the Best Goal Keeper.

Awards

Elite Division

The individual awards list Nineteen teams have showed Unique Warriors carting registered for the Elite off with three of the four that component of the North East were up for the taking.

Football League, with Unique Warriors’ Delano registration being restricted, Moore was voted Best Goalthis year, to teams within the Keeper, Saied Debreo - Best radius from Fancy in the north, Midfielder, and Shemor Adams Biabou in the south and and Kenson Pope joint winners Richland Park in the west. of the Best Striker award.

Last year, PYOLA of Layou The other award, best champed the then Premier defender, went to Owia’s Division.

Raysean Matthias.

The 2017 edition also It was a similar happening in includes a First Division. the Under-19 Division, as championsOverland grabbed three awards, as follows: Curtney Peters — Best Defender; Terris Joseph- Best Midfielder; and Delano Da SouzaAction in the Under-19 finals between Best Striker.

Overland and Chapmans.

V

28. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

“Continental outing was more than an experience,” Brian Burke Right: Coach Brian Burke speaking to his charges in their first match of two outings versus Martinique.

BRIAN BURKE, head coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Men’s Volleyball team to the Continental Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the USA, from 26th September to 1st October, says that the debut outing was more than an experience.

Burke, a former national player, took the team of nine players, including six under the age of 20, to their biggest test of their Volleyball career.

The outing saw the Vincentians, the lowest ranked team in the ten team championships, pitted against the likes of Mexico, Costa Rica, Martinique and St Lucia.

St Vincent and the

Grenadines finished ninth with a 1:4 win/loss ratio.

Assessing the championships, Burke related: “The championships were a real eye opener for the players in terms of where we are and where need to be, and what needs to be done to compete successfully at this level.”

Burke noted that as the championships wore on, his charges improved and were able to come away with a win against arch rivals St Lucia.

Playing for the ninth and tenth places, St Vincent and the Grenadines ousted St. Lucian volleyballers - the most decorated sporting team in the Organisation

of the Eastern Caribbean States - 22-25, 25-20, 2519, 25-15.

“We were elated to get a victory at this level and against St. Lucia, one of our rivals for years…

They have been beating us at the senior level for as far as I can remember…We savour the moment and are using it as a motivation in going forward,” Burke commented.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, playing in Pool C at the Olympic Training Center, suffered 3-0 losses to Mexico (257, 25-16, 25-10), Costa Rica (25-10, 25-19, 25-21) and Martinique (25-16, 25-18, 25-16) in the preliminary phase.

Another 3-0 loss was endured by the

Vincentians against Martinique (25-10, 25-14, 25-20) in the seventh to tenth places play off, before the Vincentians ended the championships on a high with the triumph over St Lucia.

Burke concluded, “The outing has created a stronger bond among the players, and has given them a lot of self- belief and confidence to compete at the regional level.”

The St Vincent and the Grenadines team included Cluevvan Cumberbatch (Captain), Asmond Franklyn, Ronaldo Franklyn, Delshun Welcome,

Deandre Quashie, Jad Martin, Kemaul Lee, Jahmal Small and Marcus Thomas.

The Vincentians gained the right to the continental finals after winning Group E of the ECVA final in St Lucia, in August.

When the continental finals concluded last Sunday, the USA finished first, the Dominican Republicsecond, Canada- third, with Mexico- fourth and Guatemala- fifth.

Trinidad and Tobago placed sixth, Martiniqueseventh; Costa Ricaeighth and St Luciatenth.

The USA, the Dominica Republic and Canada, head straight to the FIVB finals next year in Bulgaria and Italy, while Mexico and Guatemala will go into a play-off with Cuba and Puerto Rico for the other two spots allocated to NORCECA. Cuba and Puerto Rico were originally part of the continental finals, but were unable to travel to Colorado Springs, which NORCECA cited as “due to complications of force majeure generated by the path of hurricanes Irma and Maria throughout the Caribbean zone.”

BOSVG All Starz consolidate in Greiggs Softball Competition BANK OF SVG All Starz cashed in last Saturday at the Greiggs Central Playing Field, winning by 11 runs over Warriors CC, in the SVG Brewery/ FLOW/ Sea Operations

Nar Fren Dem Greiggs 20/20 Softball Cricket Competition.

All Starz posted 129/7 from their 20 overs, with Asquith Mapp the topscorer with 68 not out.

Winston Holder grabbed 4/19, for Warriors CC, whose reply ended at 118 all out in 18.1 overs.

Kenny Stapleton led with 29, with Desmond

Bramble taking 3/32 and Kelly Murray 3/41 bowling for All Starz.

Then on Sunday, Fully Loaded made 105/ 6 in their 10 overs, in a match reduced because of

Two local cricket umpires slowing down their pace TWO LOCAL cricket umpires- Dillon Child and Ivan Eddie Williams- with a combined stewardship in excess of eighty years, have decided to slow down their pace.

The two announced last Saturday, at the SVG Umpires Annual General Meeting, that their bodies are speaking to them, hence they would only be available for the limited overs competitions.

They were thanked by those present for giving their many years of service to the top flight of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Cricket.

Child, who has been at it for over forty years, said to the general body, “My body is speaking to me... It is saying that it cannot stand the rigours of two-day Cricket anymore.”

Child, though, noted that he will render his services mainly Ivan Eddie “to school cricket and other Williams

youth competitions.”

It means that Child will not be available for the two-day Premier Division competition hosted by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. Like Child, Williams revealed that he too will not be doing anymore Premier Dillon Child Division matches.

Williams, who has been umpiring for the past 38 years, said that he would only officiate in matches at the school level and at one-day matches put on by the SVG Cricket Association Inc., as well as other area competitions.

“It is not easy to umpire two-day matches”, Williams said.

The matter of getting younger umpires on to the local panel was one of the matters discussed at last Saturday’s meeting.

At present, there are twenty- eight members who are part of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Umpires Association.

rain. Javil Harry topscored with 56 not out.

Olando Lavia picked up 4/9 for Shop For Less Clinchers #2 who did not fare well with the bat, crumbling for 25 in 8 overs.

Suneel Paul took 3/1, as Fully Loaded won by 80 runs.

Also on Sunday, Caesar’s Defenders crafted a 45-run win over Log Enterprise Supreme Strikers, in a 17 over affair, occasioned by a late start because of rain.

Caesar’s Defenders made 132/ 8 from their 17 overs. Marlon Clarke topscored with 31 not out. Tydell Richards took 2/9 and Augustus Ballantyne had 2/23.

Supreme Strikers fell for 87 in 16.2 overs.

Raffique Browne scored 23 runs. Imron Samuel took 4/25.

And, Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem beat RSVG Police on a faster

Asquith Mapp stroked 68 not out for Bank of SVG All Starz. scoring rate, after bad light stopped play in Sunday’s final match.

Ceon Phillips stroked 40, as Nar Fren Dem got up to 125/9 from their 20 overs. Kevin John was RSVG Police’s most successful bowler, taking 3/19.

RSVG Police were 100/ 9 wickets in 17 overs; Desron Maloney topscored with 40 and Damron Prince took 3/14.

At the corresponding 17 overs, Nar Fren Dem was 109.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. 29.

Sports

This is action time IT IS SATISFYING that Cumberland Playing Field has come to fruition. It endured trials, but nothing comes before its time.

Perhaps the opening could have been earlier, but anything before 2013 would have placed it in the floods which retained a pattern of natural disaster prevalent at times.

Cumberland rolled on, and the day has arrived for its recognition. This signals the beginning of a new dawn, and North Leeward has been thrown into the limelight.

The pieces are coming together, and if there were doubts, those will be put to rest.

The facility serves as a basin of pride for North Leeward residents in particular, and the rest of the nation will share in the moments of enchantment that such trends engender. North Leeward people have been used to their homegrown playing field, many of them carved out in rustic fashion by passionate villagers.

For the ball ground, as some old people used to say, was where most community energy filtered.

At nights, moonlight or not, persons found themselves there, and the Playing Field was the place where everyone cherished the innocence of nature.

The price of progress carries some heavy costs, which is hardly seen in the social calculation.

For example, a shadow of a playing field on the sloping area within the Rose Hall community was uprooted to make space for a housing project.

Since then, no meaningful alternative was provided for the people.

It is coincidental that Cumberland is on stream. Plans are advancing to ensure that the zone justifies its construction. Hopes are high that a revival takes place in the North Leeward area.

One knows that it will not be confined to the sporting sphere. There are going to be economic benefits. Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to enlist in entities not entrenched in that part of the globe.

This is a new ball game. One doesn’t have to wait until it folds to build a bridge. In fact, we have biblical precedents and Noah is an example.

Sufficient restoration and protection might have to be put into the completion, but one never knows to what extent the forces of nature can be.

Given that Cumberland is still somewhat of a river bed, no one can complain about having launched into the construction.

Despite the shortcomings, North Leeward has a commendable facility. The nation on a whole will benefit from its existence. It serves as a counterfoil for attraction to both sides of mainland St. Vincent. And those keen on the marketing thrust will find ways of incorporating Cumberland into the national attractions. The neighbourhood is on the verge of life-changing opportunities.

We have to nurture the crop so that it blends into the national path of development in keeping with the splendours around which it cuddles.

Youngsters here have an incentive, and a platform on which to spring into action. The presence of West Indian heroes on the ground at Cumberland will be enough to increase the interest and attraction to sports by youngsters.

Sporting facilities enhance the prospects of any neighbourhood. There will be the soothing effect.

A contented soul has little room for deviant behaviour.

Outdoor sporting activity heals the body and mind. There is therapeutic value.

Investment in sporting facilities will redound to be proper investment. It may not have been proven scientifically, but the evidence is there that sports have overall economic impact.

The formula must be embraced and incorporated as public policy. Those who heed this concept will see the fruits of their sacrifice as time deepens.

will put me in a frame of mind to balance myself”, he told THE VINCENTIAN. McCoy feels assured that what he learned from playing for the St Lucia Stars in the CPL will encourage him to keep working to improve his cricket.

“As far as the experience in the CPL was concerned, and once given the opportunity with the Windwards Volcanoes this season, I am going to give it my best shot.

“At first it was nerve- wrecking mainly because of the crowd.

After the first game, I got used to it and became comfortable.

Thereafter, I just concentrated on hitting my areas and trying to create problems for the batsman.

They (batsman) had a lot to say about my skills levels and I am encouraged by that”, McCoy said.

THE VINCENTIAN wishes McCoy the best as he journeys up the ladder in West Indies cricket.

McCoy looking to make an impact VINCENTIAN BORN, left arm West Indies Under-19 fast bowler- Obed McCoy has his eyes set on making an impact on the regional scene, given the opportunity that has recently presented itself.

McCoy has been included in the Windward Volcanoes Franchise as one of the 15 contracted players for the 2017/2018 CWI PCL first class Obed McCoy West Indies Under 19 fast bowler.

season.

The young man is presently back home, along with fellow Vincentians Delorn Johnson and Ray Jordan where they are continuing their training, after they were forced to travel from Dominica following the passing of Hurricane Maria a few weeks ago.

The tall fast bowler believes the confidence gained from representing St Lucia Stars in the CPL will serve him as he ventures into an arena that features the best players in the Caribbean.

“My expectation going into the tournament (CWI PCL) is high…

I know it’s a different level of fitness and training but I just want to try and be consistent with everything including my routines, dieting, rest and recovery, which I.B.A.ALLEN

Bequia Masters Registers Big Win A HALF CENTURY from Burton Forde helped guide Bequia Cricket Association Masters to a 62-run win over A R & G P’tani Masters, as action in the SVG Masters 20/20 Cricket Competition continued last weekend.

The Bequia Masters posted 217 for 5 off 20 overs. Burton Forde top- scored with 76 and Ronnie Gregg had 40. Cassius Welcome took 2 for 29. A R & G P’tani Masters replied with 155 for 9 off 20 overs, with Isaac Haywood 40 not out and Zenus James 25. Calvert Hazell 3 for 23 and Vibert Williams 3 for 21 bowling for Bequia.

In other matches, Stanley Browne’s Stubbs Masters defeated Kirk DaSilva’s LaCroix Masters by 7 wickets.

Kirk DaSilva’s LaCroix Masters 73 for 5 off 16 overs (overs reduced to 16 because of rain), Basil Weekes 23, Patrick Thomas 21, Micah Joseph 2 for 6 Ricky Thomas 2 for

10. Stubbs Masters 75 for 3 off 8.3 overs Micah Joseph 29 not out, Raymond Ryan 3 for 24 Mustique Company Masters defeated Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie Masters by 6 wickets.

Barrouallie Masters 66 all out off 17.4 overs -.

Michael Charles 3 for 15, Andy Spring 2 for 11.

Mustique Company Masters 71 for 4 off 10.2 overs - Chadwick Carrington 34, Oneil Thomas 24.

RSVG Police Masters defeated North Leeward Masters by 11 runs. RSVG Police Masters 113 for 9 off 20 overs - Elgin Richards 23. Kenneth Lewis 3 for 27. North Leeward Masters 102 all out off 19.1 overs. - William Edwards 23, Lennox Douglas 22, Elmore Alexander 2 for 14, Sigmon Allen 2 for 15, Parnel Browne 2 for 19.

Computec Belfongo Masters defeated Sion Hill Masters by 25 runs.

Computec Belfongo Masters 136 for 3 off 20 over - Denis Byam 39,

Jocema Browne 34, Arrington Burgin 21, William Edwards 2 for 24. Sion Hill Masters 111 all out in 18.2 overs Ashley Cordice 52.

Junior Bacchus 4 wickets for 5 runs, Felix Greaves 3 for 23, Cassius Bascombe 2 for 25.

Teachers Credit Union North East Masters defeated Marria qua Masters by 110 runs.

Teachers Credit Union North East Masters 183 for 6 off 18 overs - Elton

Burton Forde stroked a top score of 76 for Bequia.

Williams 84, Harvey Pope 64.

Elroy Nanton 2 for 29.

Marriaqua Masters 73 all out in 12.3 overs.

Cornelius Springer 3 for 15.

I.B.A.ALLEN

North Leeward Cricket nears Quarter Finals CARLOS JAMES Troumaca Starlight swamped Circumstance by 150 runs at Petit Bordel Playing Field last weekend, as the 2017 VINLEC North Leeward 20/20 Cricket Competition heads into the quarter-finals stage.

A depleted Circumstance team won the toss but decided to field, resulting in Troumaca Starlight amassing 181 for 3 off 13 overs, overs having been reduced due to a late start. Leshawn Lewis hit 56, Jeroni Haywood 42 and Tilron Harry 37 not out.

Circumstance were then dismissed for a paltry 31 off 11.4 overs, with Zimron Providence taking 3 for 11 and Donald Delpesche 2 for 8.

Ajuba and Upsetters won by default over Ruddy’s Electrical and Circumstance respectively.

The Competition continues this Saturday with two matches at Petit Bordel Playing Field: 10:00 AM - House of Graphics Summerset vs Robertson Surveying Future Legends; 1:30 PM - Big League vs Kishore Shallow Coulls Hill Rangers No tournament matches are scheduled for Sunday 8th October, 2017 in support of the official opening of Cumberland Playing Field.

The final preliminary match, RSVG Police vs Peto Stars would be played on Saturday 14th October, at the Petit Bordel Playing Field.

V

30. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06 2017. 31.

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BERYL IRENE RICHARDS, OBE The Cathedral of the Assumption (According to Anglican Rites) North River Rd., Kingstown Monday October 2nd, 2017 3:00 p.m.

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VOLUME 111, No.40

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PARTLY BURNT ‘SPLIFF’ SPARKS REACTION member of the Police High Command applied common sense to the situation, and Lewis was eventually granted station bail.

by HAYDN HUGGINS DEFENCE LAWYER Grant Connell has lashed out against some police officers in the lower ranks for “giving priority” to arresting and charging persons with possession of very small amounts of marijuana, in the wake of an upsurge in gunrelated crimes here.

Connell was speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, shortly after his client, Ronald Lewis of Arnos Vale, appeared at the Serious Offences Court charged with possession of a partly burnt marijuana cigarette, commonly referred to as a ‘spliff’.

The Arnos Vale resident was arrested at Calliaqua last Friday, September 29. He pleaded not guilty when taken before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, and the matter was adjourned to January 29, 2018.

“In this present climate when there has been an upsurge in gun crimes, it is rather disturbing to know that some police officers would give such priority to arresting somebody for a partly burnt cannabis cigarette. If the Police put the same priority on guns as they put on ganja, we will have a safer society,” Connell told this publication.

According to Connell, “Some police officers in the lower ranks seem not to have gotten the memo on the topic.”

Directive of former COP

Defence lawyer Grant Connell questioned whether there was a change of heart by the local constabulary regarding arrest for small amounts of marijuana.

The lawyer acknowledged that, “It (marijuana) is still illegal, so the police officer who made the arrest did nothing contrary to the law,” but he added, “If the officer’s action makes sense in relation to the broader picture, then

Connell noted that immediate past Commissioner of Police Michael Charles had given a directive, during his tenure, for station bail to be granted to persons charged with possession of 15 grams of marijuana and under.

The lawyer also referred to a backpage story in THE VINCENTIAN of Friday, September 29, in which Deputy Commissioner of Police Colin John stated, during an interview with THE VINCENTIAN, that if someone was seen in possession of very small amounts of marijuana, such as Senior Prosecutor Adolphus five grams and under, an arrest is not normally made, Delpleche did not disclose once that person does not what he said were “unique” show disrespect for the police, circumstances surrounding the case. or lawful authority while in possession of the drug. that’s a horse of a different John had made it clear, in colour.” the interview, that marijuana Connell said that what he was still illegal under the also found disturbing was that Drug Prevention and Misuse after his client was charged, Act, but for more efficient use the officer in charge at the of resources, the police were Calliaqua Police Station diverting their resources to denied him station bail, and it the solving of more serious was only after he (Connell) crimes, including possession of used his contacts, that a

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

Example of a burnt ‘spliff’ that landed Ronald Lewis before the court. larger amounts of marijuana, and harder drugs.

Undisclosed unique circumstances When contacted on Tuesday, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, who has, on several occasions, withdrawn charges for very small amount of marijuana, told THE VINCENTIAN that the prosecution would be proceeding against Lewis because of the facts and circumstances in the matter.

“The possession of cannabis is still an offence on our law books, so it is not an automatic decision that every time somebody is arrested for small amounts of cannabis the matter would be withdrawn.

As a prosecutor, the facts and circumstances in each case would dictate my prosecutorial discretion in giving a defendant a chance,” Delpleche explained.

Delpleche did not disclose the facts and circumstances in Lewis’ case as the matter was before the Court, but he described them as being “unique.”

Lewis’ station bail was continued.

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