THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 07-02-20

FRIDAY,

VOLUME 114, No.06

Cutlass girls granted bail Page 4

www.thevincentian.com

62 amputations Page 5

Victim’s mother traumatized Page 17

EC$1.50

La Croix couple threatened Page 18

First murder for 2020 Page 28

NO NEW TAXES

- SOME FEES INCREASED It is anticipated that the budgeted cost recovery ratio is expected to settle WHILE THE 2020 BUDGET, the second to at nine percent. be delivered by Minister of Finance Some of the increased fees include Camillo Gonsalves, contained no new medical report fees from $25.00 to taxes, there were a number of moderate EC$40; out-patient surgery fees for increases in existing fees/charges, some private patients from $30 to $36; new fees, and some concessions in maintenance and nursing fees (per construction and tourism related areas. day) from $75 to $82.50 for private The 2020 Budget of $1.2 billion is patients; operating theatre surgical the largest budget ever tabled in operations and anesthetic and gases Parliament in this country, and have moved from $250 to $275 for government has projected a $2 million major procedures, from $175 to current account surplus at the end of $192.50 for intermediate, and from the day. $100 from $110 for minor surgeries, for private patients.

Increase in existing fees Collars, crutches, splints and walkers will see an increased rental As it relates to increases, medical charge, and fee of $200 levied on all fees are prominent. Minister bodies kept after 24 hours, unless kept Gonsalves said that in 2019 the fees for medical and or legal reasons. collected at the Milton Cato Memorial Other areas that will see increases Hospital (MCMH) as a percentage of include passports. For persons 16 the amount spent at that institution years old, a passport that cost $100.00 alone, amounted to eight percent. in 2019 will now cost $120.00, and one “Clearly, a cost recovery ratio of for adults will move from $200 to eight percent is quite low. In an effort $250.00 to make a marginal improvement to this ratio, the government proposes New charges other increases moderate increases to several hospital, laboratory and dental fees paid by Among the new charges are boat private patients,” he said. licences as follows: 10 to 30 feet EC$25.00 and above 30 to 60 feet Below: A number of Civil Servants EC$50.00; and a fisher’s ID card and turned out to hear firsthand what the health certificate - EC$5 fee each.

Minister of Finance might have had Chainsaw operators will now pay in store for them. an administrative fee of EC$15.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Poultry farmers will face increased prices for chicks, with a broiler chick costing $2.25, an increase of 25 cents, and layer chicks moving from $4.50 to $5.00 a chick.

Reduced tax and concessions Those in the construction industry can look forward to a further reduction in the excise tax on heavy trucks.

In 2019, the excise tax was

reduced from 60 to 55 percent. The 2020 budget makes provisions further reduction from 55% to 30%.

This, the Minister said, was to facilitate the expected boom in the construction sector, particularly with a number of hotels down for construction here, and to address what some contractors have said is a potential shortage of heavy trucks.

Continued on Page 3.

Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves delivering his second Budget Address, which reflected the largest budget ever tabled in this country’s Parliament.

2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 03, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 3.

News 3

Three beaches to get lifeguards Ingrid Samuel of the SJCK Past Students Association, presents the cheque to Sister Martha.

Rawacou – one of the beaches that, at long last, will be served by lifeguards.

LIFEGUARDS WILL BE DEPLOYED at the Rawacou, Brighton (Salt Pond) and Villa beaches.

Provision for the service has been made in the 2020 Budget, under the allocation to the Ministry of Tourism.

In his Budget presentation, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves pointed to the service as contributing to the quality and safety of tourism sites, such as the ones earmarked, which are usually well patronized but which have been known for dangerous swimming conditions.

In fact, Rawacou has seen its fair share of drownings dating

back to: 1995 and the drowning of Collin James, Bert Bailey, Tristan Woods and Cheryl Bush (a medical student); Troy Mayers in 2002; Whitfield George in 2008; Daphne Deane/de Shomg, 2010, and Mariah George in 2016.

Brighton beach too has recorded some drownings: Maxine Dasent in 2005, Preston Browne 2008, Joeford Garraway 2010 and David Glynn in 2006.

Villa beach has taken Sachin Charles and Andre Homer, both in 2019.

“We will review this initiative next year to evaluate its effectiveness, and determine

Kingstown goes ‘live’ EIGHTY CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS (CCTV) are expected to go ‘live’ in Kingstown later this month.

Additional cameras are expected to be installed on the Leeward and Windward side of the island up until April, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said on Monday.

“These CCTV cameras will add video surveillance to the citizen toolbox and enhance the ability of the Police to solve, deter and respond to crimes,” Gonsalves explained.

The installation of the CCTV cameras started last year with the construction of a surveillance command centre in Questelles, and the immediate rollout of cameras in and around Kingstown.

“We are grateful to the Government and people of Taiwan for this important project and for the training that Vincentians have received in camera installation and repair, video surveillance analysis and drone operation,” he said. (DD)

whether additional beaches should be put under lifeguard protection,” Gonsalves told the House of Assembly.

In a related concern, the Minister of Finance also announced that allocation has been made for the creation of a five-person maintenance crew, whose specific task would be the upkeep and repair of tourism sites.

“This crew will visit sites nationwide on a weekly basis to conduct basic maintenance and upkeep — from cleaning to basic plumbing, carpentry and repair works,” Gonsalves said. (DD) Just one station of cameras in the area of Banfield (Sol) Service Station, Kingstown.

SJCK Past Students lend a hand A SELECT NUMBER OF STUDENTS of the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown will soon be assisted with transportation and meal costs, compliments that institution’s Past Students Association.

The Association, last Friday, handed over a cheque of $500 to assist in this regard.

In making the presentation, head of the organization Ingrid Samuel remarked, “We know that some students come to school, who would need such assistance one way or the other, so we are making this small presentation this morning for that purpose.”

Samuel noted that the school’s authorities had identified several areas of need, from which her Association identified the students situation as something they could not ignore.

“Previously, we have done other projects, such as the painting of the school and improvements of other amenities, such as the restoration of the bathrooms, and we will endeavour to do more,” Samuel projected.

Samuel disclosed that they plan to ramp up their fund- raising efforts, in order to be of greater help to the school.

The Past Students Association of the school was revived in 2010.

No new taxes Continued from Front Page.

Tour bus and boat operators can be said to be some of the primary beneficiaries of the 2020 Budget.

According to Gonsalves, tour buses less than three years old and larger than 26 seats will enjoy a 90 percent waiver; buses of the same size and between four and 12 years old will receive a 75 percent duty waiver.

“These duty waivers are conditioned on the exclusive use of these buses for tours and charters during the cruise season,” he explained.

Notwithstanding this condition, there will be no restriction on the use of the vehicles out of the tourism season. Local banks have already signaled their willingness to modify their loan packages to make payments less onerous during the off-season.

Similarly, it was announced that yachts and marine vessels used to offer tours will now receive a 100 percent duty with similar banking arrangements already in order during the off season.

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4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Girls granted bail on cutlass attack charges

charged with attempting to murder a female secondary school student.

Paige Baptiste, 17, and Lesha Johnson, 20, both of Greiggs, are Zannie Charles, a victim jointly charged with the of a cutlass attack, as attempted murder of 16she appeared at the year —old Zannie Serious Offences Court Charles, also of Greiggs. on Monday.

The charge which was laid indictably, is Stories by reportedly the result of a HAYDN HUGGINS cutlass and knife attack at Greiggs, around 7 p.m.

TWO YOUNG ladies were on January 29. granted bail with stringent The student is conditions when they reported to have suffered appeared at the Serious injuries to her face and Offences Court on Monday, head.

The girls were not required to plea when they faced Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on Monday.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche did not object to bail, but requested suitable conditions and sureties.

The two were each granted $9,000 bail with one surety.

As part of their bail conditions, they were placed on a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents,

and report to the Biabou Police Station every Monday and Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit. They are not to leave the state without the permission of the Serious Offences Court or a higher court, or to have any contact with the virtual complainant.

A Preliminary Inquiry is slated for April 21.

The girls were without legal representation.

Youth jail for gun, ammo possession KEVIN OLLIVERRE, a 20-year-old carpenter of Villa, was on Tuesday jailed for firearm and ammunition possession, despite a vigorous effort by his attorney Grant Connell, to save him from a custodial sentence.

Ollivierre was sentenced to two years and eight months for possession of a firearm, without licence, make and serial number unknown, and three months for having one round of .38 ammunition.

The sentences, handed down by Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court, will run concurrently.

Ollivierre pleaded guilty to both charges on Monday, but sentencing was adjourned to the following day.

In handing down the penalties, the Chief Magistrate took into

account the consequences and seriousness of the offences, as well as the aggravating and mitigating factors. She contended that firearm offences were very prevalent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has taken a stance in relation to such offences.

The facts which were presented on Monday revealed that the police, who were investigating a series of burglaries in the area, executed a search warrant at Ollivierre’s home at Villa around 6:05 a.m., January 31, in respect of firearms and ammunition.

Ollivierre was met at home, and a search of a bedroom revealed the gun loaded with one bullet, under his bed.

He denied that they belonged to him.

In mitigation, Connell told the Court Ollivierre

Magistrate’s Court, and lived with his mother an offender could also be and 87-year-old fined $20,000. grandfather, who is blind.

According to Connell, the gun belonged to Ollivierre’s grandfather with whom he shared the bedroom. The elderly man, a retired sailor, had kept the gun under the bed for over 40 years.

Ollivierre’s elder brother recently took the firearm outside, and Ollivierre put it back under the KESHURN SAYERS, bed.

26-year-old labourer of The lawyer noted that Brighton, was on the accused had no previous convictions, was Tuesday committed to stand trial by no means a seasoned in the criminal, and pleaded High guilty at the first Court for available opportunity. He the categorized the case as August being at the lower end of 2019 the scale, and requested murder of a non-custodial sentence. Odonald “The firearm was Sylvan never brandished,” he Nanton, stressed.

41-yearSenior Prosecutor old mechanic Keshurn Adolphus Delpleche of Diamond. Sayers At the responded, “He is still a youngster, a virgin to the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry law, as the lawyer (PI) at the Serious described him; but we Offences Court on know the pain firearms Tuesday, Chief are causing to St. Magistrate Rechanne Vincent and the Browne ruled that Grenadines. We must be there was sufficient cognizant of that fact.” evidence for Sayers to The Prosecutor stand trial in the High expressed concern about Court, for Nanton’s young people being in murder. possession of firearms.

The prosecution “Young people, 20 called 12 witnesses at years old… what you the Preliminary want a gun for?” he Inquiry which started questioned, adding, “The at the Serious Offences sentence must reflect the Court on December 3, seriousness of the 2019. offence.

Nanton’s body, with multiple bullet wounds, Firearm or was discovered in a ammunition possession vehicle at Diamond carries a maximum close to 6 a.m. on penalty of seven years August 16. imprisonment, in the

Labourer to stand trial for murder

Sgt. Duncan lauded for his efficiency THE EFFICIENCY of Sergeant Biorn Duncan, the lead investigator in the murder case of Mitchell ‘Mitch’ Israel, 57-year-old former civil servant of Questelles, was highlighted during Israel’s appearance at the Serious Sgt Biorn Duncan (right) escorts Offences Court Mitchell Israel from the Serious on Monday.

Offences Court last Monday.

Israel is charged with the murder of his wife Arianna Taylor-Israel, 44-year-old Cuban national, who was employed as a Nurse here.

Taylor-Israel was gunned down on the compound of the St. Martin’s Secondary School shortly after 3 p.m. last week Thursday.

Reports are that she had gone to the school to pick up her son when she was shot several times.

When the issue of deciding on a date for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) arose, the Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche pointed out that Duncan’s efficiency was well known to the Court, and to emphasize this, he said that Duncan could ask for one month and be ready in 15 days.

“His efficiency is well known,” Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne agreed.

“Well known, well known,” Delpleche replied emphatically.

The prosecutor noted that the investigator was looking at the possibility of having about 15 witnesses, and ballistic evidence was being sought from overseas.

Israel, who was without legal representation, was not required to plea to the indictable charge, and the Preliminary Inquiry was set for May 18.

Until then, the accused will remain in custody.

This is not the first time Delpleche is praising Sergeant Duncan for his work as an investigator.

He had done so in several previous matters he prosecuted in which Duncan led the investigation.

Jamaican changes plea again A JAMAICAN national, who changed his plea from not guilty to guilty for marijuana possession, reversed his decision when he returned to the Serious Offences on Friday, January 31.

Novian Travis Vaught Mullins, 29-year-old mechanic of Kingston, Jamaica, initially pleaded not guilty to possession of 30 pounds of marijuana with intent to supply, possession for the purpose of drug trafficking and attempting to export the drug.

The charges were laid in connection with an marijuana seizure at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) on July 28, 2019.

On his return to the Serious Offences Court on January 29, Mullins pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to supply, while maintaining his innocence on the others.

The matter was adjourned to January 31, after Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche indicated that he would have to discuss the way forward, in relation to the case, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, when the Jamaican returned to Court on January 31, he again pleaded not guilty to the possession with intent to supply charge. The case will be heard at a later date.

Attorney Grant Connell is representing Mullins.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 5.

Health

Sixty-two amputations in 2019 STATISTICS have revealed that between January and November 2019, a total of 62 persons had some sort of leg or foot amputation here.

Males are said to have accounted for 36 of the cases and females 26.

The amputations include procedures above the knee, below the knee and on toes of diabetics who had foot ulcers.

Footcare practitioner Janice OliverCreese, speaking on the issue last Tuesday, said, “For the amount of diabetic foot ulcers that I am seeing on people coming into hospital, even though you are telling them about prevention, I think they are not taking it serious enough.”

She said that she believes some persons are a bit complacent or it might be other factors which we do not know. “I normally speak to them

(diabetics) about prevention. (I tell them) You cannot walk bare feet, you cannot walk in gunslinger or flip flops,” said Oliver-Creese.

She warned diabetics not to put any straps between their big toe and second toe; that they should instead wear shoes that cover the toes.

“I want people to take their health very seriously, especially when they are diabetic,” said Oliver-Creese, adding that they should watch what they eat.

Oliver-Cresse also advised persons, diabetics moreso, who come to the health centres, to have their feet examined on each visit, “so that we could look up very quickly if there is any change, any bruise any cut , any blister… if there is a wound that is not healing properly we can deal with it as

quickly as possible.”

But the Footcare practitioner lamented that there are persons who would get a cut, stay at home doing their own thing, “and when it gets out of control, then they come to the health centre. By that time it’s late … you hear An all too that you might lose common your toe because you sight in stayed home too long SVG. ,” said OliverCreese, adding that you can’t have diabetes and do your own thing.

(Source: SVG TV)

No case of Coronavirus in SVG THERE IS NO CASE of the Novel Coronavirus in St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to health authorities.

The Novel Coronavirus originated in China and has since spread to several countries across the globe, giving rise to the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, declaring the situation a global emergency.

At a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Environment on Monday afternoon, Dr Roger Duncan, Medical Officer of Health, stated: “We have no cases. Of course, the CMO (Dr Simone Dr Roger Duncan, Keizer-Beache) did indicate as Medical Officer of well as the Minister (Luke Browne) that the risk is Health, assured that as of Monday extremely low for us.”

According to authorities, the 3rd February, there National Surveillance were no cases of the Coronavirus in Committee has been broadened to include all counterparts SVG. involved in surveillance, particularly including immigration, customs and hotel and tourism industry.

Dr Duncan said the composition of the Surveillance Committee would reflect what that current public health threat is and to what authorities are attempting to respond.

He said they have also improved surveillance at ports of entry, particularly at the Argyle International Airport and the Kingstown sea port where most of the traffic is.

“We know we have porous borders and there are many, many, many ports all over; and that’s a significant challenge.

It’s something that we’re every day grappling with, and we’re trying to see how best we can respond.

“In terms of public health capacity, we don’t have all the human resource that we think we might need, so there is need to work much

Janice Oliver-Creese, Footcare practitioner, is pleading with diabetics to take their health seriously, comply with their diet, etc., and so avoid the chance of amputations.

Left: The Coronavirus was first identified in China and spread with at an alarming fast rate across the globe. health officers who are also trained in public health, and who are able to conduct secondary screening of passengers. He said that if anyone were to arrive “with more closer with our counterparts particularly with what we think might be suspected communicable Customs and Immigration in building their capacity diseases — and I would like to remind us all that to be able to begin to detect that something might be we’re in the middle of the sea season that’s just wrong and therefore trigger what would be our about peaking; and every cough is not Coronavirus, response,” Dr Duncan said. neither is every fever.”

Health officials were expected to meet with “So, we have to bear that in mind,” he said. officers particularly in Customs, Immigration and tourism this week.

Dr Duncan said their staff at the airport include public health trained nurses and public

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

SVG-TCCU Ltd. donates to Secondary Schools

DURING THE MONTH of January, the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Teachers Co-operative Credit Union (SVGTCCU) made donations to assist athletes at three (3) of the nation’s Secondary Schools.

The three recipient schools were: the Georgetown Secondary School — assistance towards their cricket team; and the Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the St. Vincent Grammar School — assistance towards defraying Wendy Bynoe costs to send their (left) making athletes to the 2020 presentation to Penn Relays.

Alfred John, A release from the Headmaster of the TCCU said it was St. Vincent pleased to be able to Grammar School. support extraWendy Bynoe (left), curricular member of the activities, a major SVGTCCU Ltd. contributing factor Education in the holistic Committee, making development of the presentation to John Renton, Principal of nation’s students. the Thomas (Source: SVG — Saunders Secondary TCCU) School.

Melissa Yorke-Nicholls (left), Marketing Manager of SVGTCCU Ltd., making a presentation to Ms. Shurika Jackson, Teacher attached to the Georgetown Secondary Schools’ Cricket Team.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Will there be a ‘Williams’?

LAST WEEK THURSDAY’S SHOOTING death of Arianna TaylorIsrael evoked memories of the shooting death of a nurse by attorney Mark Williams in July 1996, and recalled some similarities with the death of Fanny Darroux in October 1990 The similarities between the cases of Taylor-Israel and Darroux begin with the fact that the two women were nonnationals - the former Cuban, albeit she was a naturalised Vincentian, given her marriage to Vincentian Mitchell Israel, and the latter Dominican.

Darroux was in St. Vincent and the Grenadines serving as an officer at the OECS Fisheries Secretariat. Taylor-Israel was a nurse serving at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Similarities continue with the fact that both women died at the hands of Vincentian men.

A Vincentian working with a regional organization at the time of Darroux’s death recalled that Dominicans responded with rage, permeated with threats against Vincentians, to her death.

Dominicans, members of the OECS family, were ready to show their utter disgust in physical expressions if necessary.

The extent to which this ‘hatred’ prevailed, became clear when that person - a Vincentian — was advised to cancel an official ‘country visit’ to Dominica — a visit that had been planned weeks before and scheduled for that time, October 1990 so as to accommodate the diaries of a number of government ministers.

Since then, Caribbean people have come a long way in establishing and developing an understanding of one another, and the need to come together since we share a common history, economic systems, culture and what have you. Moreover, we have crossed language and cultural barriers where they once existed, and we are part of a Greater Caribbean.

That accepted, we can safely say that we don’t expect the Cubans to be temporarily

removed from logic and reason, and react in a manner similar to that of the Dominicans in 1990.

The outcome of the Darroux case was that the accused, Douglas Hamlett, was found guilty and sentenced to death.

Appeals did not go in his favour and he was hanged, along with two other murderers, on February 13, 1995.

Already, even from among those who are not old enough to remember Hamlett’s demise, there is a call for ‘quick justice’ for Mitchell Israel, who is charged with the murder of his wife Arianna Taylor-Israel.

Rest assured, we are not going to see this. We are a civilized people (even though sometimes we forget we are and act accordingly, a la Israel.) We don’t hang anymore but we have not outlawed it.

What we must demand is that there is full transparency in this trial; that the accused is not singled out for any preferential and/or exceptional treatment during his incarceration and trial.

Many would have lost faith and trust in our judicial system and the law, when lawyer Mark Williams was tapped on the wrist as ‘punishment’ for the shooting death of a nurse in front of the Central Police Station, during the 1996 carnival celebrations.

Williams, with the ‘best’ lawyers at his disposal, was found guilty of manslaughter based on the seldom used grounds of diminished responsibility. That must have meant that he was assessed, at the time of committing the dastardly, public act, to be suffering from depressive illness.

Already there have been disapproving reactions to the rather nonchalant manner in which Israel is ‘handled’ during his incarceration.

The due and wholesome process of the law must be allowed to play out in Israel’s case. We shudder to think that the process is already being stacked in favour of diminished responsibility.

Our kind of G.G. Freddie and Dé Gun ONCE AGAIN, I had to postpone my articles on sports, not like the ‘Integrity Legislation’ which the ULP Government has been putting off for 800 weeks now. It reminds me of Johnny Mattis singing, …”Until the 12th of Never…,” and that’s a long, long time.

I turn now to the ending of last week’s article featuring Dr. Frederick Balantyne.

It must be noted that the person whom Freddie went and confided in, Monty Maule, had earlier been harassed by the Dr. Gonsalves for his political views.

You’re now left to pick sense out of nonsense.

Then again, I did not realise that Freddie had been buried in a modest coffin made of breadfruit wood. Such a gesture is right up my street as I wrote in an article about 30 years “The Rise and Fall of the Breadfruit”, showing among other things, that it has now been used by the sophisticated. Carlos Maloney, in whose newspapers I was once a feature writer, had a coffin built of breadfruit wood awaiting his departure for over 2 decades now. Finally, I apologize for not saying a word of comfort to Freddie’s family, which I took for granted.

Next, I turn to Dr. Sydney Gun Munro, a former Governor General who died in 2007. He happened to have been appointed G.G by a Labour Government under unquestionable constitutional circumstances, which I did not appreciate.

The fact is he was made G.G years after he had suffered defeat for the Grenadines seat to lord it over to his victor. Mitchell reacted by absenting himself from the House, anytime the Governor General was present. Later on, the Labour Party lost the election. Gun resigned his post and retired in Bequia.

Once I went to Bequia to visit him at his home which was simple and modest. We got along like a house on fire. He gave me his line up from his student days during the time of the bombing of the Germans by Hitler.

Seemed we both were glad that we got to know each other so deeply so quickly.

I next visited him in Bequia after I heard that he had fallen from a banister and damaged his back. I paid him another visit where I took him to the beach where he could float on his back and not swim on

his stomach. We had lunch and I went back home and shortly got news of his death. I understood that he had requested no official funeral and later I had a call from his son stating that his father had requested that I did a tribute. The service included a tribute by me, eulogy by Rodney Gun Munro, Mother Teresa’s Prayer by Sandra Miller, scripture readings by Lorraine Gun Munro and Amanda Gun Munro, and a tribute in song by Trevor Edwards. Newly appointed Bishop of the West Indies, Leopold Friday who happens to come from Bequia, making his first official debut at home, gave a beautiful prayer at the end of the funeral.

At the funeral, the PM was present with his officials seated in the body of the church and took no official part of the service. Back home, the Searchlight newspaper reported on the funeral without any mention that Kenneth John did the Tribute, and repeated it one year later with no correction.

CLOSED SEASON 2020 The Forestry Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries and Industry is reminding the General Public that the close season for Mammals which include Opossum (Manicou), Agouti and Reptiles which include Iguana is 1st February - 30th September.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 9.

Letters

Big up our Men can be monsters women

LORD, it hurts me so much to hear the news that another creation of God — a woman — was killed at the hands of a man — a husband. We can assume that that man would have professed his love (even it was not so) for that woman, and made that woman feel wanted and secured.

It may well have been a case of see me and live with me.. two different things.

That is why women must avoid being carried away by those men who tell you that they will invest in you. Many of these men have a secret agenda.

I urge our beautiful women not go down that road with them, because when you discover that the man is cut from a different cloth than the one he showed you, and you are trying to walk away from his agenda, that is the time the real man comes to the surface.

And us men must not think of our women as something you can knock around. We must see our women as the foundation of our families. We must be men enough to admit that they make us feel happy and are our strength through hard times. Many times it is because of our women why we own anything in life.

Big up our women, not beat and kill them.

Robert Lewis

Questions in the budget I APPRECIATE the summary of the National Budget provided by the ULP column in your issue of January 31, 2020.

However, as much as I looked, I could not find any other details. So, based on this summary, I have a few concerns and questions: 1. Is the government anticipating a revenue surplus this year, and if so, what are they planning on spending it on?

2. How many incomplete fully-funded projects do we have from the current budget to be carried forward into the new budget year?

3. What is the total anticipated carryovers funding?

4. What is the General Fund balance of the government? It is a widely accepted principle that the government should have an unrestricted Fund Balance of at least 25% of upcoming budget in an unrestricted account. Some governments also include in that account the amount needed to pay the upcoming debt service.

5. The referred budget summary also indicated about $72 million in pension payments. What is the government’s plan to fund this growing liability?

What is the total anticipated pension liability? I agree with the analysis that the current system is unsustainable and, without an honest discussion, this is pending disaster. Pension reform is essential if we are ever going to see our country achieve a consistent GDP growth of about 3%. i.e. My opinion, especially if we continue to rely on government spending as a leading component of economy.

6. A few other things not mentioned in the summary that to my mind are also important: What is being done to stimulate the local small business community? Any new education initiative? With the increased level of criminal activity, what’s in the budget to address this problem?

I am hoping some of these issues are addressed in the Budget.

Horatio

WHEN IS THE last time we heard about a woman killing a man in SVG? To be honest, this is not a ‘regular’ thing here in SVG. But we will have to admit that it is the flip side of the coin that is the truth. Men seem to enjoy taking the lives of our women when they are no longer content with just beating them.

Regardless of how much you want to say the woman do this and the woman shouldn’t have done that, etc., etc., the man who beat or, Lord forgive, kill his

woman, got to be a monster.

A few years ago, there was a programme on BBC. A woman, (the name slips me now) was giving a commentary on women who were being physically abused by their spouses.

It was her opinion that when a woman makes a report about a man who is beating the daylights out of her, she should not go back to live with him or be seen in his presence, because her safety comes first.

When I think of

applying that to our situation, the thing that bothers me is whether we can guarantee that woman safety and security from that abuser, which she will definitely need.

So, when I read and hear about that man who gunned down his wife in front of their son and other students, I feel that that man should never see a lawyer. I believe he should be given the death penalty or sent to prison, lock him in the cell and throw away the key.

But, I am a Christian man and we are not animals, we are humans.

And because of that, and for God’s sake, I suppose we have to be sorry for that murderer but, we have to be even sorrier for the deceased and those two boys who now have to grow up without a mother and who knows, a father.

Come on, my brothers, we are humans too, not animals.

DB

Empower NOT Overpower WHEN WE empower people, we allow them to act responsibly, wisely and operate independently. Moreover, by doing that, it unleashes the potential of that person to become a great leader or become part of a great nation full of wisdom and understanding.

When we think of what authority is, more often than not, we see it as merely telling others what to do. This attitude results in people becoming passively

dependent, awaiting their next order. This type of authority can only lead to rebellion and discouragement.

Instead, we should view authority as an opportunity to invest in others; helping them to develop their own expertise and to utilize the gift that is within.

This would mold them into the leaders that they should be for their generation.

We must be mindful that when we find ourselves in a position of

leadership or being in a position of authority, our relatives and colleagues might come without suitable job qualifications. Instances like this must be addressed with wisdom, taking into perspective the quality and ability of the individual, rather than basing decisions purely on personal preferences.

In conclusion: Bishop EzekeiL Creese Leadership is a privilege Faith Word Ministries NOT a right. Happy New Year.

Women are gifted by God VIOLENCE against women has become an issue of major concern across the Caribbean.

One can hardly imagine that in a relatively small island of approximately 110,000 people, women have lost their lives violently. St. Vincent is definitely not what it used to be in relation to its traditional norm of protecting women. While each case must be taken and analyzed on its own merit, what is certain is that there could be no plausible or justifiable reason for these ladies to have been killed in the ways they have lost their lives, especially the recent occurrence of the husband who killed his wife on a school compound.

The wanton killings generally, call into question the sacredness of humanity. The fact is, each person is imbued with an intrinsic human dignity, having been made in the likeness of the Divine. As such, we all belong to the same

human race, whatever our gender, race or social class. It is unfortunate that we have reached a stage, whereby, the sacredness of humanity is being undermined and trampled on. No one has the right to callously take the life of another person, be it male or female, children or adult.

Given the fact that each person is of inalienable value, every violent killing must be met with outrage and condemnation. However, being a woman myself, you will appreciate my personal sympathy regarding the frequent murder of our women.

This of course should not be interpreted as an attempt to downplay the killings of our men. But, when some men can resort to violence as a means of resolving conflicts with the women who in some instances, are the mothers of their children, it leaves me to wonder if they have not been seized by an uncontrollable evil spell.

Don’t get me wrong! I am not trying to absolve them of their wicked acts; I am only thinking aloud, that no man could be in his right mind to savagely take the life of the woman he once called honey or some other affectionate name.

It is undeniable that women are the primary, if not the only source of procreation. If the trend continues unabated, the population rate will undoubtedly be threatened. Women are gifted by God to endure the pain of childbirth, nurture and nourish the young and impressionable ones and

manage our households in many instances, with admirable astuteness.

I call upon the men of St. Vincent to protect and not to prey on our women; to respect and not to ravage our women; to love and not to “lick” our women, and to cherish and not to castigate our women. As we mourn the death of our sister women, let us pledge as a people, that for the rest of the year and the decade, no more women will be murdered.

Santana Morris santanamorrisjm@gmail. com

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Excerpts from the 2020 Budget Address

Our women must be protected

Transforming the Economy, Building Resilience, Creating Jobs, and Developing Sustainability

(Statement on the frequent acts of violence against women)

Introduction BUDGET 2020 is unmistakably ambitious.

No Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has ever tabled a budget as large as this one, which projects $1.2 billion in expenditure for the year.

Specifically, we are proposing capital expenditure of $310 million, a number that has never been proposed at the beginning of any year in our history, or spent by year’s end. Successfully implementing such a capital programme will be challenging. But it can be done.

Of course, the jaded, the jaundiced, and the nattering naysayers will scoff at this ambition. Those in perpetual political paralysis will scream “election budget” or assail our vision for the coming decade as unattainable. Our response to those elements — indeed our response to all Vincentians with eyes to see and ears to hear — is to view our accomplishments, and listen closely to how and why we believe that the ambition of Budget 2020 is not simply a wish, but a detailed and achievable plan of action.

Last year, in the wake of a crucial foundation-laying budget, some members of this Honourable House decried it as “old wine in new bottles,” claiming that it offered only empty words to the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is important, therefore, to recap a small sample of last year’s pledges and their fulfilment, but as the basis upon which the Vincentian people should believe in our 2020 plans, and as the basis upon which the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines shares this faith, confidence and ambition.

Commitments kept We arrive at 2020 with an impressive record of 2019 commitments that we have kept, and promises that we are in the process of fulfilling. Last year, we said that we would begin drilling wells to exploit our vast geothermal resources. We kept that commitment, drilling three wells and moving us that much closer to our renewable energy ambitions.

Last year, we said that we would find major hotel brands with whom to partner on our planned hotels in Diamond and Mount Wynne. Today, all of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines knows that we have secured deals with the Holiday Inn Express and Marriott International.

Last year, we committed to beginning a well-regulated, exportoriented medicinal cannabis industry.

We kept that commitment, passing laws, licensing 70 entities and individuals and collecting millions of dollars in revenue.

Last year, we pledged to relocate the vulnerable elderly population of the Lewis Punnett Home to a modern, upgraded facility. This year, those residents are safer, healthier and happier in a new home. Last year, we committed to open state-of-the-art polyclinics in Buccament and Mesopotamia, and a Smart Hospital in Chateaubelair. As we speak right now, patients are in each of those facilities, receiving quality care close to home.

Last year, we promised modest wage increases to public servants. This year, with little fanfare, their paychecks arrived on time and on target, with welcome additional resources. Last year, we committed to spending an unprecedented $6 million to refurbish primary and secondary schools across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We topped that commitment, spending almost $7 million in record time to

improve the comfort of our precious students and teachers.

Last year, we promised the people of Union Island a modern solar electric facility. This year, solar energy has the capacity to power up some 33% of Union Island’s electricity use. Last year, we told villagers to expect new footpaths from the Pedestrian Access for Village Enhancement (PAVE) programme. Today, contractors across this country are building PAVE access paths to improve the comfort and safety of Vincentians.

Last year, we set “a 2020 target date for the start of construction” of a new athletic track at Diamond. We bettered that commitment, commencing construction in 2019. Instead of starting in 2020, we will finish this phase of construction by year’s end.

Last year, we told you that the Clear Harbor Call Centre would begin hiring and Rainforest Seafoods would begin construction. Both private sector entities are proceeding as promised.

Last year, we said that ICT engineers would connect the islands of our archipelago using miles of high-tech undersea cables. This year, a state-ofthe-art network is in place, and will soon bring tangible benefits to all digitally-connected Vincentians.

Last year, we promised to hire 81 new Police Recruits. Today, those Policemen and Policewomen are on our streets and in our villages, working hard to make Vincentians and visitors safer. Last year, we promised to begin the rollout of a programme of Closed Circuit Television Cameras to monitor our streets and enhance police surveillance. This year, 200 CCTV cameras are being installed on poles and buildings, acting as both a crime deterrent and a crime fighting tool.

Last year, we promised to expand our diplomatic reach by establishing an Embassy in Taiwan. This year, the Embassy is open and staffed, serving our students, exploring business opportunities and drawing us closer to our Taiwanese allies.

Last year, we committed to taking the bold, audacious step of putting forward the name of our small country as a candidate for election to the United Nations Security Council. This year, with global endorsement overwhelmingly secured, we began our historic tenure as the smallest country ever to sit on this crucially important global body.

What a magnificent record of keeping our commitments! To claim that there was nothing new in last year’s Budget, is to ignore the announcements of the Saint Vincent’s first major hotel brands, new solar plants in Union Island and Mayreau, connecting the islands of our country with fibre-optic cable, the largest school refurbishment programme in history, new clinics on the leeward coast, the dawning of a medicinal cannabis industry, a new home for our vulnerable elderly population, tangible progress to the country’s first geothermal electricity plant, the commencement of a new athletic track and the historic, momentous election of SVG to the UN Security Council. To those impressed by the raft of new accomplishments and initiatives, we say: wait ‘til you see what’s coming in 2020. Look around you. Believe your eyes.

We kept our commitments in 2019, and we will keep ourselves committed to the people-centred development of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

(To be continued)

WE ARE DEEPLY concerned and saddened about the all too frequent acts of violence against women in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Over the last week or so, there have been several incidents of violent acts against women. On or about January 4th 2020, the nation learned of the horrific attack on a Cane Garden resident, Ms. Monique Hutchins. Ms. Hutchins was allegedly beaten with a hammer by her former partner.

Following that incident, sometime on the eve of Wednesday, 29th January 2020, several voice-notes were circulated in public. The recordings captured the voice of a young woman as she pleaded with a man to stop beating her, as he threatened to kill her. Again, violence was used as the means of resolving whatever conflict there may have been between the parties. This can never be acceptable or justified.

Then, on or about 29 January 2020, reports emerged that another young woman had been brutally chopped about the face, in the community of Greiggs. The reports are that, in the incident, two other women were involved in causing the teenage girl to receive the chop wounds.

On January 30th 2020, our nation learned of the most shocking and deadly incident in the recent spate of violent crimes against women in SVG. In that shocking crime, Arianna Taylor Israel, a nurse, was shot to death in the precincts of a secondary school in Kingstown, where she had gone to pick up her son who was a student there. It is alleged that the person responsible for this fatal shooting was her estranged husband.

We in the New Democratic Party, like most Vincentians, are outraged by the seeming unchecked violence against women in our society. These are only the recent high-profile cases, but the problem of violence against women, including sexual violence, reaches into every community and walk of life. Any such act of violence or abuse is one incident too many.

Whether the cause is domestic in nature or otherwise, all such acts must be condemned and treated with equal seriousness. The full weight of the law must be brought to bear to deter them.

The recent violent incidents must galvanize our community, irrespective of political and other differences, to unite in common cause, and demand loudly and persistently that more be done to seek to bring an end to violence against women. We condemn in the strongest possible terms these violent acts perpetrated against women and girls in our country, and indeed wherever they occur.

We simply cannot continue to treat violence as if it were an acceptable means through which our differences can be resolved. The NDP stands ready to work with Government, churches and other social organizations to create and implement a comprehensive crime fighting plan – one that will target acts of violence against women.

In the meantime, a thorough investigation must be done to determine how the police responded to Arianna Taylor Israel’s complaints about threats against her life, and

what could have been done to help her. Our sympathy goes out to the family and relatives of the victims. It is time for constructive national dialogue and effective action.”

The New Democratic Party is deeply concerned with the increased violence against women, sexual assaults suffered by our women and children, difficulties in the working environment and inadequate care facilities for young children of working mothers. In order to support and empower our women and strengthen our families, the NDP will: review the functioning of the Family Court and all legislation connected with Domestic Violence and violence against women, among other things; increase the power of the Family Court to include the imposition of criminal sanctions for domestic abuse, and expand the scope of the Family Court to encourage mediation and alternative dispute resolution and conflict resolution in family situations; revise and broaden the police training manual to include training for all police recruits in domestic violence and human trafficking; implement the mandatory use of rape kits in medical examinations of rape victims at all district clinics and hospitals; and make mandatory the reporting by all medical personnel of births to minors at hospitals and clinics or wheresoever that birth may take place.

We will also begin to collect data relative to domestic violence, and violence against women nationally including its dissemination to the public; institute and enforce a code of conduct within the public service at all levels that provides for protocol on reporting sexual offences including sexual harassment in the workplace; respect for the women and girls in our society must be a part of how this government conducts itself. We will implement the Social and Spiritual Redemption Charter to provide women and children with proactive opportunities at the community level and make education programmes available on public and social media.

The NDP will support the welfare service so that it can better address the needs of vulnerable women and children; restructure and improve the Foster Care System; support community projects that include continuing education and skills training, especially those targeting young parents; engage single mothers to address issues that are specific to them as a group; provide incentives for employers whose working hours create challenges to the safety of women travelling to and from work, to address these issues and partner with NGOs to offer hotline services and support for women, children and young people who are at risk.

The NDP understands that issues of gender and the equality of women and the challenges facing our women and children require ongoing discussion at all levels. We undertake to have these discussions and engage with the relevant organizations, locally, regionally, and internationally so that we can better address the challenges that confront our women as we strive to improve their lives.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 11.

Views Black history should never begin with Slavery

Attractive people

“A person becomes 10 times more attractive not by their looks but by their acts of kindness, respect, honesty and by the loyalty they show.”

Helen Barry – born Elizabeth Short (1840-1904) – English actress.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROVERBS and quotations that are related to “beauty”.

Cultures and sub-cultures differ in relation to what they conclude is “beauty” or “attractiveness”. In many instances, we seem to direct our attention to physical appearance: facial and body contours, the shape of the eyes and lips, skin pigmentation, and so on. However, our assessment of “true beauty” should go beyond physical appearance. True beauty and attractiveness will emerge from deep within. Character is where the true beauty will reside. Characteristics such as kindness, respect, honesty, empathy, and loyalty generate much more attractiveness than superficial and transient physical appearance.

We reflect on the commentaries of our wise elderly who remind us that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”.

This also raises the question in relation to who determines what is and what is not beautiful. For example, many who judge the beauty of dark-skinned individuals (blacks and Latinos) seem to do so based on how close they resemble the Caucasian. Features such as shade of skin colour, narrowness of nose, thinness of lips, and so on, appear to receive major consideration. But in most instances, persons have no control over these variables. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made … regardless of the physical features that we have inherited. Some individuals may attempt to change some of these through plastic surgery (as in the case of facial features) and chemical applications (as in the case of skin-fading applications). And while these may seem to be attempts to “improve cosmetic appearances”, we would be much better served if/when we focus on the beautification of our inner being. We can all do that. With a commitment to self-improvement, we can design and create improved versions of self.

Jennifer Lopez, also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, dancer, fashion designer, producer, and businesswoman. Many would readily describe her as beautiful. She reminds us that “Beauty is only skin deep. I think what’s really important is finding a balance of mind, body, and spirit.” Physical appearance may create the initial attention of others.

It may even be the original source of relationships and bonding. However, the longevity of the union is often determined by the principles that influence and govern the individuals involved. If, for example, their behaviours and habits are misaligned, it is reasonable to anticipate that disharmony will reign, conflicts will emerge, and eventually the union will run the risk of being dissolved.

However, the attraction that emerges from “beneath the skin” is considered a significant variable in determining who we are and how we bond with others. The principles that we adhere

This piece was first published February 2006

to determine who we are and how attractive we appear to others.

We need not be distracted by those individuals and communities that are preoccupied by physical attractiveness. We have no control over them, their attitudes, and their prejudices. However, we can all work on our inner attractiveness; focusing more intently on our character than on the superficial and fragile outward appearances. The attractiveness that emerges from within is much more valuable and longer lasting than the outward features. This does not mean that we neglect efforts to be physically appealing, neat, tidy, and welldressed. These have their value.

However, they pale in importance when compared to honesty, integrity, kindness, empathy, and so on. These bring out and magnify our true, inner beauty. Those individuals who are endowed with these qualities, are understandably considered to be super attractive people. Others want to be around them. They lift the spirits of those who converse with them, interact with them, and/or observe their behaviours.

Attractive people, like the ones described in the preceding paragraph, enhance the atmosphere in homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces, and churches. These are individuals who encourage and inspire others to bring out the best in themselves. This is especially valuale wherever people (especially young folks) congregate.

Despite our busy schedules and demanding responsibilities, we must never neglect to portray and encourage such desirable behaviours.

We have a major role to play in creating and sustaining positive changes in our immediate environment. We must be the change that we want to see. We must not only talk about the expected behaviours, but we must live them if we expect others to follow and be encouraged to model best behaviours.

This is a responsibility and a privilege that we must not delegate. This is a responsibility and a privilege that we must not abdicate. We are all called to be at the frontline of the battlefield to advance the cause of inner beauty.

We are summoned to be at the front of the queue of persons desirous of creating attractive people; people who are at peace with self and with others.

Anna Elanor Roosevelt (1844-1962), who served as the First Lady of the United States of America from 1933 to 1945, reminds us that “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” These pearls of wisdom hold true whether we are contemplating peace with self, peace with others, or peace among nations. We all need to work at it. Similarly, we all need to work at being attractive people.

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

students of all races learn about are world travellers, inventors, and American presidents like Christopher Columbus, Ben Franklin, and George Washington. From there students are likely to learn about Michelangelo, Mozart, or Galileo. They may learn about Abe Lincoln, but (white) history never begins or ends with horror or pain.

Of course, the trans-Atlantic slave trade is an important piece in the total history of the African Diaspora, but starting off with it strikes me as a suspicious form of white supremacy.

When young white students first see that historical heroes who look like them were the glorious leaders of the world and that the first black people they learn about were owned like property and lived as mindless slaves picking tobacco, cotton and sugar, what impact do you think that has on their worldview?

To get a clearer liberating view of African history, we need to go way back, almost to the beginning of time.

We have started Black History Month off in pre-historic South Africa or in early African Kingdoms to show the true depth and breadth and beauty of blackness or we start off in present day and work ourselves backwards, introducing children first to healthy, relevant, modern examples of black leaders before we move through slavery then back to Africa. Either way, Black History Month must never begin or end with slavery.

Here’s some facts we need to know: Mathematics: The invention of mathematics is placed firmly in African prehistory. The oldest known possibly mathematical object is the Lebombo bone, which was discovered in the Lebombo Mountains of Swaziland and dated to approximately 35,000 B.C. Many of the math concepts that are learned in school today were also developed in Africa. Over 35,000 years ago, Ancient Egyptians scripted textbooks about math that included division and multiplication of fractions and geometric formulas to calculate the area and volume of shapes.

Medicine: Many treatments used today in modern medicine were first employed in Africa centuries ago. The earliest known surgery was performed in Egypt around 2750 B.C. Medical procedures performed in ancient Africa before they were performed in Europe include vaccination, autopsy, limb traction and broken bone setting, bullet removal, brain surgery, skin grafting, filling of dental cavities, installation of false teeth, what is now known as Caesarean sections and anesthesia.

Architecture and Engineering: The African empire of Egypt developed a vast array of diverse structures and great architectural monuments along the Nile, among the largest and most famous of which are the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza. By the 12th century there were hundreds of great cities in Zimbabwe and Mozambique made of massive stone complexes and huge castle like compounds. In the 13th century, the empire of Mali boasted impressive cities, including Timbuktu, with grand palaces, mosques and universities unlike anything in Europe at that time.

‘YOU WILL HAVE TO BE A DAMN FOOL to embrace an island and disown and abandon the African continent.’ Historian John Henrik Clarke.

February is Black History Month, but our celebration of all things African should be all year round. Black history is front and centre in my life.

During my college years I was referred to as a race man. Even now many describe me as racist. My simple response is that Black/African people can be prejudiced, but we can never be racist. We simply do not have the institutional and organizational power to systematically engage in racism.

Africans on the continent or in the diaspora know of everyone else except ourselves. To free ourselves of mental slavery, our task must be to teach ourselves and our children about the glorious African past.

The biggest problem that Africanists and nationalists have with Black History Month (and black history in general) is that, far too often, it begins with the enslavement and the dreaded middle passage.

At least 70,000 years ago, deep in South Africa, traces of modern men and women have been found. In 2002, in the Blombos caves of South Africa, the earliest abstract art was discovered. In Africa, traces of migration routes, art and civilization take us all the way through the Nubian kingdoms that began 7,000 years ago. During that time, millions of Africans lived and died before the idea of the trans-Atlantic slave trade would come into being.

Thousands of years before slavery in the ‘new world’, African kingdoms like the Axum Empire ruled. Other rich civilizations like the Mali or Songhai empires have so much to tell that they alone could fill Black History Month.

Hundreds of years before Columbus stumbled on the Caribbean, Mana Musa, whose kingdom dominated West Africa, was the richest man alive.

Adjusted for inflation, his wealth is estimated to have been more than $400 billion. When he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, he flooded the places he passed with an abundance of gold. Of course, this means he oversaw a complex economy with a rich culture - all overlooked in most basic retellings of black history.

In the 1500s, Leo Africanus wrote of Timbuktu that its king "hath always 3,000 horsemen ... (and) a great store of doctors, judges, priests and other learned men, that are bountifully maintained at the king’s cost and charges.”

Yes Chatoyer, Fedon, Nani, Boukman, Dessalines, Toussaint and Harriet Tubman are heroic and deserve to be highlighted, but the history of black people did not begin with their courageous efforts.

The problem with starting Black History Month off with slavery goes much deeper. It is a formative, emotional, psychological mistake to introduce the history of black people with them as subjugated, enslaved peoples. Yes, it is simply inaccurate, but it actually does damage - not just to young black children, but to all children, when they are given the distinct impression that black people began as inferior subjects.

Send comments, criticisms & The earliest white people that young suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

CBI: All about selling SVG passports to rich foreigners

THE NDP’S PLAN for a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme for SVG is very dangerous for our people and country.

It must be stopped at all costs.

Recent reported comments of the MP for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock, where he compares Citizenship

by Investment to Vincentians seeking a better life by becoming nationals of other countries, are misleading and disingenuous.

Citizenship by Investment is not about poor people seeking a better life in a richer country; it is about rich people looking to gain more passports and the ability to live, vote and buy up land in poor countries.

The clue in the name: Citizenship by Investment is ‘by investment’. Rich people pay large sums of money to buy citizenship; they pay an investment to get citizenship immediately.

When Vincentians — our relatives — go to the United States, Canada or England to seek a better life, they do not pay a million dollars to go there, and they do not automatically and immediately get citizenship of that country. They get a visa to holiday or work in that country for a while, but do not get citizenship rights.

MP for Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock, is either naïve about the real meaning of Citizenship by Investment,

or being duplicitous when he compares Citizenship by Investment to Vincentians seeking a better life when going to another country.

Leacock should have asked the members of the crowd he was addressing, to ‘raise their hand’ if they had a relative in the United States, Canada or England who had paid a million dollars — or an equally large sum of money — to get there, and immediately obtained citizenship. Few, if any hands, would have been raised then.

It was reported that Leacock also spoke of foreign ships paying for the convenience of flying an SVG flag.

Again, this is pure naivety or ‘dotishness’ or an attempt to mislead people, if he is comparing flying a flag of convenience on a ship, to obtaining full citizenship of SVG, and having the right to live and vote in SVG. Citizenship by Investment is about selling the SVG passport to rich foreigners. It’s as simple as that!

Examples of citizenship by investment programmes and the amount one pays are in the table.

Citizenship by Investment is a brainless idea and the type of thing someone who has no proper economic strategy and no idea about how to move our country forward, would suggest.

Citizenship by investment in SVG

could lead to countries such as the US, UK and Canada imposing stricter visa requirements on Vincentians, because they fear that Vincentian passports could be sold to terrorists, moneylaunderers and other crooks. This would make it harder for Vincentians to visit family or work and live in these countries.

Citizenship by Investment is bad, bad, bad. If you want young people to have a prosperous future and the ability to buy their own land in SVG, then do not vote for the NDP in the general election. Do not let the NDP sell-off our country and Citizenship by investment is very passports to rich foreigners. dangerous for our people and country.

Social Studies CSEC Results for 2019 Body that accounts to the school, the PTA, and the Community that it serves.

SIXTY-NINE PERCENT (69%) of the Each student should aspire to govern his students who wrote Social Studies own affairs in such a manner to derive passed. This should reflect our capacity maximum benefit from the institution. to live amicably with each other. School Schools should reflect good governance should teach us not only how to make a in the way all of its affairs are managed living, but more importantly how to live. so that the institution is preserved, In our Democracy, the Ruling Class budgets made, accounts are kept and the (The Party in Power) must be mindful of desired results are obtained. the rights of the minority. One such right is that to table, debate, and vote on Measuring the education revolution a Motion of No Confidence in the House of Assembly. When any of the People’s The Education Revolution calls for a Representatives is dissatisfied with the new emphasis. It means opportunity for running of the Affairs of State, taking the disadvantaged. Their plight would up arms is not an option. Instead, no longer be hidden and buried in matters are civilly discussed, having overall pass- rates. However, the extent been put in a Motion of No Confidence to which students are able to pass five that is then disposed of by voting, as subjects, including Math and English, was done in Guyana. It is not right, would constitute the better parameter to however, that elections were not held as gauge the success of our schools. was constitutionally mandated but is Using this measure, the pass rate for scheduled more than one year later. Our our schools for 2019 was 30%. This abuse of the process makes us fools. means that 30% of our students meet the requirements to enter institutions of Party affiliation rules higher learning and the job market.

Consequently, our focus primarily Another right is Equal Opportunity should be to fix this situation. Do we and Access to the resources of the have the will to do it? The consequences country, no matter where you live in the of continued low performance are grave. country and despite not belonging to the A closer examination of the data may Ruling Class. Meritocracy and Fairness very well reveal that the children of the should prevail and characterize our Education Revolution are largely not in actions. To do otherwise is not only the 30 % who pass. What will those wrong but also sinful, and would pose a responsible do about this? threat to our Democracy.

Another grave social issue that needs Advertisements should not be tailored to be addressed is the integration of remote areas of the country such as contrary to the specifications of the job descriptions and the relevant Collective Union Island. Integration can be promoted by the establishment of Bargaining Agreement, to suit a economic and reliable communication preferred applicant. To do so may through travel by land, sea, and air. constitute corruption and can attract a Economic telecommunications should aid charge of ‘Misbehavior in High Places’. in making government goods and Despite the ruling of the judge in the services more readily available in case brought by the Public Service Union, apparently there continues to be remote areas. Why should a birth paper cost $300.00 in Union Island? Why are no fair system of Seniority, Promotion, programmes of the Community College and Appointments to the available not available in Union Island? Why can’t government jobs.

People persist in wrongdoing because residents of Union Island attend meetings through the aid of technology? they figure that membership of the Why when taxes are paid in Union Ruling Class grants them special Island, they are not immediately immunity. However, why should they allow themselves to be disgraced at this reflected in the books in St. Vincent?

Why does Mayreau not have a stage of their lives? Is losing their Secondary School programme? Why is dignity worth it? Apparently, this the Celina Clouden Hospital in Union attitude is widespread in the country.

Island not equipped so that the medical Many workers are not performing their duties adequately because they feel that personnel can distinguish between a fracture and a sprain? their membership of the Ruling Class Social Studies may not have an protects them despite their deliberate answer, but people with a social infractions. The people cry out for conscience will. The people of Union justice, fairness, meritocracy, decency Island and other remote areas of the and Democracy. Nevertheless, who is country may well need a resident listening?

Every school should have a Governing ambassador in Kingstown to attend to these matters and lobby on our behalf.

by Anthony Stewart, PhD

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 13.

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14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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RVA students cherish Belize visit RVA volunteers who visited Belize (L-R): Whitney Samuel (SVG), Mami Tsuboya (Japan) and Justyna Gudra (Poland).

THREE STUDENTS from the Richmond Vale Academy( RVA) who recently returned from Belize after a 6-month stint in that Central American/Caricom country, have all said they will cherish that experience for a very long time.

The students, Justyna Gudra from Poland, Mami Tsuboya of Japan and Whitney Samuel from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, were part of a 10month programme called ‘Fighting for the Poor’.

The first phase of the programme involved 3 months of training at RVA, where they engaged in theoretical studies and were exposed to different perspectives and strategies to fight poverty.

The second phase was a 6-month volunteer assignment in Belize or Ecuador.

The final phase - a month at the RVA - was devoted to drawing conclusions and documenting information garnered over the period.

The Richmond Vale Academy’s involvement in the programme is linked to its collaboration with

Humana People to People - a network of non-profit organizations in Europe , North America, Africa , Asia and Latin America , working in the field of international solidarity and cooperation, and development.

In Belize, the RVA students joined with activists from all over the world to highlight sustainable development towards the eradication of poverty. in some of the poorest villages.

They focused on creating change in farming, education and health practices, and worked with children, parents, farmers, teachers in a small Mayan village.

Mami Tsuboya told THE VINCENTIAN that they distributed around 1500 trees among farmers, and promoted gardening to improve the villages’ diet and general state of health.

“They had basic knowledge about gardening so we transmitted some innovative ideas and techniques,” said Mami .

Among the techniques shared were: saving seeds from the food that they

eat; making sowing pots from toilet paper rolls; cultivating earthworms to prepare soil for sowing; and the importance of mulching to combat drought.

“We held several activities at a preschool to bring out children’s creativity. One of them was teaching them Origami ..how to fold a paper into a plane,” said Mami.

The team also engaged with women’s clubs, holding education sessions and practical demonstrations related to food security and preparation, health, income generation, community improvement and building pig pens.

As for the impact on their lives and life’s outlook, Gudra noted that she came away with a greater appreciation for life, and feels more creative and motivated.

She believes that the time in Belize should be extended so that students could make a greater impact.

Whitney said that what she took away from her experience, “is the freedom to choose. The freedom to do whatever you want and also to appreciate what you have in life, because there are persons out there who have it worse off than you.” “ This experience has motivated me and I appreciate what Richmond Vale has done,” said Mami.

Students who completes the 10month programme will receive a Field Work Certification from Humana People to People and Certification of Completion from Richmond Vale Academy. (KH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 15.

Politics

Bramble not ratified yet

ECONOMIST AND FORMER DIPLOMAT Fitzgerald Bramble, who is based in Canada, has been selected by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) East Kingstown Constituency Council to be its candidate, but up to Wednesday afternoon he was not ratified by the party’s Central Committee.

The East Kingstown

Constituency Council chairman Mc Cauley Peters, when asked Wednesday said, “Nothing has changed.”

Peters in a telephone interview one week prior, did not reveal the name of the candidate to replace out-going candidate Arnhim Eustace, but information from reliable sources had said that Bramble

was selected from among four persons who expressed interest in being the candidate.

Information received said Bramble received the nod from four of the six persons who attended a meeting of the Council last week Tuesday.

Peters did not mention the distribution of the votes and

Fitzgerald Bramble is still awaiting endorsement of his candidacy by the NDP’s Central Committee. he was evasive on the direct question of when the meeting took place.

He however said then that the selection took place at one of the recent meetings.

The Constituency Council chairman did say that a letter has to be sent to the party’s Central Committee informing of the selection, following which the Central Committee would announce whether the selected candidate has been approved.

The other political aspirants in the candidacy race were: Truman Quashie (businessman), Monty Clarke (accountant), and Kevern Cyrus (accountant).

Sources said Clarke and Quashie received one vote each.

In an interview last Friday, the party’s General Secretary Tyrone James said

Bramble’s selection as the candidate to represent the party in East Kingstown for the 2020 general elections was not ratified by the Central Committee.

Former leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace is on record as supporting Bramble’s candidacy. He expressed confidence that Bramble will emerge as the new representative, based on the rave reviews.

He also said he was looking forward to the party’s central committee announcing Bramble’s candidacy soon.

When asked about the selection, James said he did not hear about it. He noted that “there is a process going on” and “we haven’t confirmed anything as yet.”

“Our process to select is going on... And we will soon have something,” James reiterated.

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16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Entertainment

No problem so far for Problem Child as a segment of many flat performances.

LOOP News pointed to ‘Problem Child’ (‘Nasty Up’), Iwer George (‘Stage Gone Bad’- and ‘Lyrikal’ (‘Rukshun’) as waking up what was already a “dwindling crowd.”

‘Problem Child’, like his countryman ‘Skinny Fabulous’, is no stranger to the T&T soca circuit; he is widely acclaimed there as both composer and performing artiste.

Last Saturday was no exception to that acclaim when his performance was well-received, boosted by a small but vociferous Vincentian presence in the crowd, LOOP News Given the reports coming from reported.

Trinidad, Vincentian Shertz ‘Problem ‘Problem Child’, making his Child’ James is a front-runner in the second appearance in the final of Power Soca category of 2020 the coveted competition, his first International Soca Monarch being in 2008 on the back of his competition. (Photo Credit: ebuzzit) monster hit ‘Party Animal’, will be joined in the finals by another OECS act, the duo of brothers Luni ACCORDING to LOOP News, the Spark and Electrify —Kellon and performance by Vincentian Shertz Kelson Ogiste respectively.

‘Problem Child’ James in the After some initial doubt, most International Power Soca semis staged news agencies in T&T are last Saturday night in Trinidad and reporting that 2019 Power Soca Tobago, was one of three outstanding Monarch, Hollis ‘Mr Killa’ Mapp of spots in what the news agency described Grenada, will defend his title. He is

expected to do his 2020 chart climber ‘Soca Storm’.

‘Mr. Killa’ was the first nonTrinidadian to win the International Power Soca Monarch title.

Other than ‘Mr. Killa’, there is only one of the 11 selected to challenge him, who has tasted victory in the competition.

Iwer George won in 2007, 2003 and tied in 2002 with Bunji Garlin.

In the Groovy Soca category, SVG’s Hance John failed to make the cut from the semis to the finals. His performance was viewed by many to

be a spirited one.

Among the ten finalists in this category are Barbadians ‘Ding Dong’ and ‘Leadpipe’, and Grenadian ‘Skinny Banton’.

The defending Groovy Soca Monarch is ‘Swappi’ of T&T, and he will be the only one in the 2020 Groovy Soca category to have had a taste of victory.

The final of the 2020 International Soca Monarch is set for Friday, February 21, 2020, dubbed ‘Fantastic Friday’, with a commencement time of 5pm.

The crowd at the 2020 Soca Monarch Semis was not anything near previous years, one commentator said. (Photo Credit DPI)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 17.

News injuries to her face during the attack, in which a cutlass and knife were alleged used.

“I didn’t expect this to happen because family involved and they were close friends because many times I call, Paige is in my house,” she told reporters.

Baptiste and Johnson were taken before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias at the Serious Offences Court on Monday charged that on January 29, 2020, at Greiggs, with intent to commit the offence of murder they did an

Cutlass attack victim’s mother traumatized

“FOR ME, getting that message onboard, it was very terrible for me. It was very traumatic for me because I had to be put to be calm and to be stabilized by pills because my pressure, everything went up.”

Greiggs resident Kelly Charles, who works on a cruise ship, made the comment on Monday outside the Serious Offences Court.

She said she was away at the time when she received news

of the violent attack on her daughter.

The mother and daughter on Monday went to the court where two female teenagers of Greiggs were charged in connection with the violent attack.

The two teenagers, Paige Baptiste and Lesha Johnson, were arrested and charged with attempted murder. The victim, sixteen-year-old Z’Annie Charles, received

act which was more than merely preparatory to the commission of that act.

Indicating the closeness of the families involved, the victim’s mother told reporters she is related to Johnson and that she and Johnson’s mother grew up as close sisters.

“I didn’t expect something like this to come out of it. I am sorry the way it happened, and the law will deal with it,” Charles said.

Right: Kelly Charles, mother of the victim, spoke of the closeness between the two accused and herself.

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18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

People

La Croix couple living under threat

A RETIRED COUPLE – a teacher and an agricultural officer – is fearful that something drastic could happen to them if their reports continue to go unheeded and no action is taken.

The couple, residing in La Croix, has had to bear the brunt of verbal abuse and threats to their lives from a neighbour.

The abuse and threats date back to 2007. They continued through the years and have been ramped up in recent times.

According to the wife, she has recorded at least ten occasions when threats to their lives were made.

Complaints and official reports to the police have resulted in what can be described as rather informal approaches to the aggressor, with no action taken, resulting in continued verbal aggression against the couple.

In fact, the abuse and threats seem to intensify whenever police visit with the aggressor.

The matter has also been documented as far back as 2012 in a

letter to then Commissioner of Police Keith Miller.

The least the couple expected was that, based on the evidence they provided, that some charge would have been brought by the state against the perpetrator.

As it stands, with no redress from the state, the couple has sought the way of contracting the service of a lawyer to begin a civil matter, but this could be stymied by the couple’s inability to afford the league fees.

In the meantime, even as the threats continue amidst the recent spate of incidents of abuse and gunrelated crimes in the state, the couple is hopeful that the police would recognize the case as described here, and would, as a minimum, begin a serious investigation that could lead to some action being taken against the aggressor.

That a couple should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful retirement is the least the state can assure.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 19.

Energy

Solar panel on Mayreau.

Mayreau solar project in final stage THE MAYREAU Microgrid Solar Project is in its final stage, which is the testing and commissioning of the solar photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Storage system. St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) and the Rocky Mountain Institute - Carbon War Room (RMI-CWR) partnered on this initiative which introduced renewable energy for electricity generation on that Grenadine island.

This project is consistent with one of VINLEC’s strategic objectives to expand renewable generation in St. Vincent and Grenadines. The installation comprises of a 100kW solar PV system that converts sunlight into electricity, a 216 kWh batteries system which stores energy produced for use at a strategic time (to boost economy, reliability or and quality of supply) and several inverters that convert battery power (dc) to utility power (ac) and manage the operations of all including that of the diesel generators. The combined generation infrastructure is termed a solar/battery/diesel hybrid system.

The Mayreau hybrid generation project is expected to have a significant impact on electricity generation on the island. On site, there are 313 solar panels that will produce conservatively 164,049 kWh(units) of electric energy per year which equates to a 28% renewable energy penetration on the island’s grid based on recent demands. Every unit of energy produced from an RE resource reduces the amount of fuel transported, handled and utilized in

that fragile and pristine environment.

The cost of maintenance is reduced in that there is no degradation of expensive moving parts and less trips needed to the site. The project was empirically designed to withstand a class five (5) hurricane and has a lifespan over 20 years. Lessons learnt from the impact of resent storms on similar regional projects were implemented in the racking and mounting of the panels on this project.

The testing stage commenced in mid-January and will resume next Wednesday, February 12th.

Commissioning Engineer from SMA Solar Technology AG, Mr. Heiko Stieber along with Engineers and Technical staff from VINLEC will be on site to manage the process.

Mayreau is the smallest of the Grenadine islands with an area of approximately 3.9 square kilometers.

VINLEC’s generation plant, which is located in Saline Bay, was commissioned in 2003 and serves one hundred and thirty-three customers.

The demand for electricity on the island is low and a new project can have significant impact on the electricity system. There was a 23% increase in the all-time peak demand during the recent Christmas holidays.

Battery storage and higher PV penetration projects are being contemplated for Bequia and St. Vincent to act in conjunction with yields from geothermal production.

(Source: VINLEC)

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Two pregnancies, same man

Dear George, MY SISTER and I met this gorgeous guy, and I guessed we both liked him immediately.

I must tell you up front - my sister and I have always had a very strong bond, so when she started dating this guy, she asked me to stand down. But as the months rolled by, it was a clear that this guy had a liking for me. In fact, he told me it was I he wanted from the beginning.

Needless to say, we got involved and he promised to let my sister know he had switched over to me permanently. But before he could do that, I got pregnant for him. Worse, before I could tell him about my pregnancy, he told me he was going to stay with my sister because she was carrying his child — both of us, pregnant for the same man at the same time!!!!

If my sister finds out, it is going to shatter our relationship, and I do not want that. Of course I can tell him of my pregnancy and get him to choose me over my sister. That way, I can still end up getting what I want and

he would end up with the woman he really loves. Which way should I go?

Confuse and pregnant Dear Confuse and pregnant, The best way to go in your case would be the unselfish and moral highway.

Stop assuming that this man would dump your sister for you. What is true here is that this man has little or no regard for you or your sister, and appears to be of questionable quality.

Tell your sister the truth about your entanglement with him and give her the chance to see him for who he is, and to decide whether or not she wants to continue with him.

Having said that, there is a good chance that with timely counselling and your sister to sister bond, you two will get through this. Time is still a good healer of wounds.

George

life after HIV. Modern medicine has made it possible for HIV infected persons to live a long and for someone. The very Dear George productive life, providing same thing happened that they are compliant with this man; he slept I am 19 years old and with medical and dietary with me and then gave living with my uncle. I instructions. an excuse why he could lost my parents at an I strongly suggest you not hire me. early age. My uncle talk to a counsellor I became very started sexually abusing immediately to help you me on my 14th birthday. depressed and started deal with your present contemplating suicide.

He told me then that if emotions and put things My depression worsened back into their proper word of it got out, I when I found out I was would be finished in perspective.

HIV positive. I do know terms of my schooling The sexual abuse by who infected me, neither your uncle and others and my friends.

Furthermore, he said, no do I care. I may not even cannot be ignored and be alive when you get one would believe me with time your counsellor this letter. I have no one could help you decide over him. to talk to. I have no I started looking for when you are one. Thanks for reading emotionally ready to work but to no avail. my letter.

One businessman address that injustice promised me a job, but meted out to you.

No way out forced me to sleep with For now, focus on him first. When I YOU until you are well reported for work, he told Dear No way out enough to begin ‘cleaning me to check back in two house’.

Thank you for months, but referred me to a business counterpart reaching out. Let me George who he said was looking begin by saying there is

Abused, HIV + ….

Two-timing pastor want to stay and embarrass him before his wife and congregation, I ACCEPTED an even though I was invitation from a friend itching to do so. to attend her church. I His wife needs to left before the end of the know he is a two-timing service. so and so. Do you think I explained to her later that her pastor had I should have exposed made a pass at me at my him right there and then? place of work some months prior, but I Unsure refused to take him on.

However, he took up Dear Unsure with a co-worker.

Neither of us knew he That pastor is was a sitting pastor.

The reason why I left accountable to his God, the service, was I did not first and foremost. Now

Dear George,

that you know he is a clergyman, you can visit him one and one and encourage him to clean up his act.

If he approaches you again for anything other than on spiritual matters, then let him know you would have to inform his wife of his unwarranted advances toward you.

For now, I see no reason why he would not heed to your advice to stay on track.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Do not overspend on entertainment.

Don't play on your partner's emotions.

Stay out of other people's affairs. Make changes to your home that will be pleasing to everyone involved.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Social events will be favorable. You could be drawn to events that concern children. Do things for them but don't allow them to make unreasonable requests. You could receive recognition for a job well done.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) It may not be the best day to confront employers or to present your ideas. Join groups of a humanitarian nature. You will have a tendency to exaggerate, which will lead to major confrontations with loved ones.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate. Lovers will be less than accommodating, and decisions regarding personal direction a necessity.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You may have to take a short trip to visit someone who hasn't been well. Don't let your jealousy be the reason for a decaying relationship. Compromise may be necessary. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) New relationships will surface through work related events. Your domestic scene could continue to be in an uproar this week. Do not invest in joint ventures.

You can make gains if you work in conjunction with others.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can make money if you pursue your own business. Travel and entertainment will be pleasurable. You will back yourself into a corner if you are baited and your stubbornness will only make matters worse.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Friendships could be terminated quickly if disappointments occur. Take care of chores that have been hanging over your head. You can make some money if you get involved in a conservative financial prospect that is presented to you.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Losses are likely if you aren't careful where you leave your valuables. You can find out important information if you listen to friends and relatives. Someone you work with may be withholding valuable information.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Trips, educational pursuits, or projects that could lead to new outlooks should be on your agenda. You can make a difference if you offer your help at functions that involve children. Your attitude could be up and down like a yoyo.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Make sure to arrange in advance to spend quality time together. Changes in your home will be positive. Your tendency to dramatize may be a little much for your partner to take constantly. You can write beautiful love letters this week.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Throw yourself into your work. You might get behind if you spend too much time debating senseless issues. You will meet some interesting people if you at tend promotional functions. Use your creative flair.

ACROSS 1. Bathroom basins 5. Very proper 9. Winged mammal 12. Buffalo’s Great Lake 13. Decorative trim 14. _ de Janeiro 15. African plains grazers 17. Paid notices 18. Deep excavation 19. Locations 21. Severely inclined 24. Beach toy 26. Not tame 27. Doomed 31. Printing liquid 32. “Fantastic!”

33. Hint 34. Voice-mail recordings 36. Grind with the molars 37. Lofty poems 38. Grocery purchases 39. Royal headdress 42. Arrest 43. Leg joint 44. Shame, perhaps 50. Foamy quaff 51. Appetizer option 52. Zone 53. Drawing implement 54. Male children 55. Antlered critter DOWN 1. Asian export 2. Fancy vase 3. Fragment 4. Oozed (in) 5. Secret scheme 6. Knock swiftly 7. Drink cubes

8. More cluttered 9. Ornery kid 10. School helper 11. Mix (a salad) 16. Mouth feature 20. Needing medical assistance 21. Enjoy a pool 22. Fork point 23. Large herd animals 24. Catholic leaders 25. Giant primates 27. Extremely big 28. Reverberating sound 29. Took to court 30. Makes clothes

32. Sorrow 35. Pig mom 36. Hooded snakes 38. Remote 39. Fellow 40. Really irritate 41. Shop-door sign

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 21.

42. Short sleeps 45. Cow comment 46. Hot-dog roll 47. Creative skill 48. Octopus habitat 49. Slump

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Festival Tourism

MusicFest 2020 rocks Bequia

Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson (right) and Darron Andrews climaxed the opening night (Wednesday) with a scintillating impromptu collaboration.

HEADLINER KEVAN SAHAI and the Crashers’ rock and roll band of Barbados, together with Rodney Small and the RS Band of SVG, rocked the Bequia Plantation Hotel last Friday night, at the annual Bequia Mount Gay MusicFest.

Considered the “best event of the festival” by many who attended all six of the events over the past week, ‘Friday Nite Live’ epitomized the essence of what the Bequia Musicfest is all about: great vibes, great atmosphere, variety of music genres and live entertainment at its best.

Always well received, the pan boss Rodney Small, now a staple at the Fest, did not disappoint. His RS Band was dynamic and exceptional.

The Shuffle Demons, who were financially supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, came all the way from Toronto, and performed on both Friday and Saturday afternoon, with a fun and crowd pleasing performance with their bizarre outfits and unique style.

Jazz opening Opening night, Wednesday, saw headliner St. Lucian Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, the veteran guitarist who is acclaimed on the regional and international jazz circuits, dished out a fantastic performance to a sold-out

Left: The Elite Steel Orchestra were their usual energetic selves at the Frnagipani Hotel on Thursday.

Below: Rodney Small and his RS Band lived up to their star billing on ‘Friday Nite Live.’ (Photos by Cloud Island Media)

crowd at De Reef in Lower Bay, for the elegant evening dubbed ‘Jazz Vibes and Candlelight’.

SVG’s violinist Darron Andrews and DaBAnd, along with Bajan Jazz vocalist Kellie Cadogan gave memorable renditions.

The highlight of the evening was a truly unforgettable, impromptu collaboration involving Darron Andrews and Boo Hinkson.

the 14-piece Elite Steel Orchestra. Their usual energized performance was followed by Musicfest debutant ‘DJ Addicted’ of Bequia, who impressed his fans and won even more.

‘Music Under the Palms’ at the Plantation Hotel on Saturday afternoon Soca Weekend headlined UK vocalist Zeeteah Massiah, who wowed the crowd with her sexy, In what is supposed to be the biggest raspy, ‘Tina Turner-style’ voice, night of the Festival, Olatunji, world performing with the Bequia Blues Band beat Soca star of Trinidad and Tobago and guitarist and vocalist Joshu from headlined on Saturday night, along with Antigua, who also had an exceptional SVG’s own soca artistes Jamesy P and solo performance.

Chewalee, along with Hypa Sounds of The afternoon started with SVG’s Barbados.

Sarah Mark, and ended with Martinique Olatunji performance was deemed Jazz Creole GBK, and Saxophonist lackluster, and it was left to Jamesy P to Magalie Perrot who was truly ramp it up with his famous ‘Nookie inspiring, despite the unexpected Song’, his 2019 hit ‘Soca Land’ and a shower. taste of his soon to be launched numbers for 2020. Chewalee delivered a solid Commentary Zeetah Massiah mesmerised the performance as well.

Saturday afternoon ‘Lime’ at The climax of the festival — ‘Soca With over 100 musicians performing Plantation Hotel with Tina Turner style Sunday’ was devoted to performances by in the five-day, six event festival, Bequia vocals. a host of Vincentian artistes.

Musicfest 2020 continued the tradition of ‘Sita’ warmed the crowd, as well as Below: Jamesy P took Saturday Night Soca Monarch Magikal, Caspa G, Dymez drawing visitors and maintaining it as one of the most significant revenue Soca to the heights patrons had & DaPixel, Fonando, Lpank and Rodney earning events in the island’s tourism anticipated after the billed act failed to Small in a solo performance, all expertly calendar. do so. backed by Arbie and the Band Knetik Visitors from across the globe filled with Jace and Keith Currency out front. Admiralty Bay with yachts, and occupied The highlight though, was the every hotel room and guesthouse on the performance of Bequia Kids on Pan. who island, with mainlanders struggling to looked and sounded great. The group, find rooms at the last minute. ages 7 to 20, managed by Levi Walker Bequia was, as expected, Bequia and directed by pan teacher Shane, geared up for this important weekend. made Bequia truly proud.

Restaurants and bars, too, were patronised to capacity every night of Other Events Musicfest.

It hardly mattered to the patrons, but Other events included Thursday Sabrina Mitchell, Director- Bequia Night at the Frangipani Hotel featuring Musicfest, indicated that 2020 was

considered a transition year, where the Committee tried to cut costs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the event.

She commented that while some of the big regional names were not part of the line up for Saturday and Sunday nights due to financial constraints, generally, the events were well attended, and the weekend a success for the island.

Mitchell spoke of the challenges of running such a logistically complicated event on a small budget, and credited her team of volunteers for the success that was reaped.

Plans are afoot, Mitchell said, to effect some important and necessary changes to the Saturday and Sunday lineup, which could well include adding a Reggae Night and “giving the people what they want.”

The next Bequia MusicFest is set for January 27 to 31, 2021.

Sita the Lyrical Diva roused the Sunday Soca get down at De Reef, with her infectious style and stage charm.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 23.

Walk off hands Je Belle Football title Right: Dwight Baptiste – ordered the walk off.

A DECISION TAKEN by Dwight Baptiste, Head Coach of the Owia United Under-19 team, to order his players to walk off during the final of the Hairoun National Lotteries Authority North East Football League, last Sunday at the Chili Playing Field, handed Je Belle the title.

Baptiste, a Committee Member of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, took the action after referee Denroy Barker had refused to accept a substitution.

According to Baptiste, “I told the fourth official that I wanted to make a substitution… The card was already written up, and he, Barker, refused the substitution.”

What may have also given impetus to the walk off was that during the delay, Je Belle scored their third goal.

“Who is running my bench, me or the referee?” Baptiste asked.

Barker admitted to refusing the substitution, justifying his action on the grounds that it was requested during first half injury time.

“It was already injury time, and the time the player who was coming on was to get changed, it would have been half time, so I told the fourth official to hold on the substitution,” Barker explained.

Surprised at Baptiste’s decision, Barker asked: “ Would he have called off his team, if they were leading three- nil?”

Je Belle had established a 3-0 lead, when the walk off took place, with goals from Terrason Joseph, Kamol Griffith and Kimron Cruickshank.

Under- 15 Division Finals

Left: Je Belle – Under-19 Division Champions.

Below: Je Belle and Owia United in battle in the Under19 Division.

Mitron John and Shurtney Charles were the goal scorers for SV United, with Emi Bascombe netting for DESCO.

Village Teams Finals In the Village Teams final, Chapmans beat Diamonds one- nil, with Hosni Chandler registering the lone goal.

The Under-15 Division Final, which kicked off Awards the afternoon’s proceedings, saw SV Following last United trumping 2-1 over Sunday’s finals, the DESCO. awards and presentation

ceremony took place.

Individual awards were presented to the Best Goal Keeper, Best Midfielder, Best Striker, and Best Coach, in the five divisions.

Taking the Best Goal Keeper award in the Village Teams Division was Kensley Joseph of Diamonds, with Jamaine Jarvis of SV United, the recipient in the Clubs Division.

Hannah Charles of Owia United won the award in the Female Division; Keniel Delecia of SV United — Under-15

New sport for Special Olympians among an already enthusiastic Special Athletes fraternity here.

Williams spent from January 24 — 26 in Jamaica where he was exposed to Floorball rules, basic skills, tactics of the game and involved here.

Floorball, a type of floor hockey injury prevention.

With its similarity to Field played indoors with five players Hockey, which is already among and a goalkeeper in each team, the Special Olympics Sports has spread all over the world played here, Floorball is expected since the first Floorball to have an easy passage into the Federation was founded in fold of Special Olympic Sports Sweden (circa 1960s). It is now played in over 80 countries and is here.

It will be offered, according to a Unified Sport, involving not only Special Olympics SVG, to teams of Special Athletes but traditional teams, persons with teams of mixed individuals.

And now, with the return from intellectual disabilities only, and unified teams, i.e. a combination Jamaica of veteran Special of persons with and without Olympics coach Woodrow intellectual disabilities.

Williams, where he attended a Floorball Training Workshop, the I.B.A.ALLEN sport is expected to take root Left: Veteran Special Olympics coach Woodrow Williams will spearhead the introduction of Floorball here.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SVG will soon add another sport to the list of sports in which Special Olympians/Athletes are already

Division, and Jimmel Lewis of Je Belle, the Under-19 Division.

The Best Midfielder awardees were: Davano Bynoe of Chapmans in the Village Division; Shaville Barker of SV United in the Clubs Division: SV United’s Annique John in the Female Division; SV United’s Duvanie Williams -the Under-15 Division, and Terrason Joseph of Je Belle Under-19 Division.

Taking the Best Striker award in the Village Division was Brandon Johnson of Chapmans Village, with Johnson and Trezine Dasouza, both of Je Belle, sharing it in the Club Division.

Samaya Connel of SV United took the Female Division award; Mitron John of SV United led the Under-15 Division, and Je Belle’s Kamol Griffith the Under-19 Division.

Awards for Best Coaches were made as follows: Delroy Charles of Chapmans in the Village Division; Desroy Adans of SV United in the Club Division, and Alistair of Pride and Joy, in the Female Division.

Brandon Johnson of Je Belle, Best Striker in the Village and Club Divisions.

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24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Central Leeward tops revived Schools’ Road Relay THE CENTRAL LEEWARD SECONDARY SCHOOL ran away with both the Male and Female titles of the Secondary Schools’ Road Relay.

After an absence of over two decades, the six-leg event returned last Thursday, staged from Spring on the Windward side of the mainland to the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Central Leeward male team was first to cross the finish line, completing the course in 55 minutes 42.40 seconds.

Trailing Central Leeward to the tape was Petit

Bordel Secondary School in a time of 56 minutes 34.70 seconds.

The St Vincent Grammar School was The winning Male unit from the Central Leeward Secondary next in; they timed 57 minutes 33.90 School. seconds.

The rest of the male field in order of finish was Troumaca Ontario, Georgetown Secondary, St Martin’s, Buccament Bay, Sandy Bay, Bethel High School, with the Thomas Saunders Secondary listed as ‘Did Not Finish’.

In copping the female title, Central Leeward clocked one hour 15 minutes 28 seconds, ahead of the Petit Bordel Secondary, whose second place time was one hour 20 minutes 16.70 seconds.

Placing third was the Troumaca Ontario in a time of one hour 21 minutes 26.80 seconds.

Georgetown Secondary, St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, Sandy Bay, Bethel High School and the Buccament Bay The Petit Bordel Secondary placed second to Secondary, all completed the event, in that order.

The first (baton) changeover was at the bridge in Central Leeward, in both the Male and Female categories.

Argyle, the second at Calder, third at Diamond, fourth at Prospect and the final at Villa Flat.

Handal Roban sets new Meet Record in Jamaica Dublin wins TT Assessment Tournament

Central Leeward – Champion Female team.

DAMION DUBLIN is the winner of the first Table Tennis Assessment Tournament for 2020, put on by the SVG Table Tennis Association (SVGTT).

Dublin beat Akeil De Roche 11/7, 11/8, 11/4 in the finals played at the West St George Secondary School on the weekend.

De Roche earned his finals berth when he went past Mikael Hazelwood in a tight encounter, 11/5, 10/12, 6/10, 12/10, 11/7.

The eventual champion, Dublin, had an easier though competitive passage to the finals, dispensing with Caleb Howard, 11/9, 11/9, 11/6, in the other semi-final.

The Assessment Tournaments form part of the SVGTTA’s plan to create a system of selection and, at the same time, keep players active so that they can raise their level of play, resulting in them being more competitive locally, regionally and internationally.

Players must participate in these Tournaments to be eligible for selection to any national team.

And with its focus on youth development, the Association has introduced a mandatory minimum six-hour per week quality training requirement from all players, who are desirous of representing the country at events overseas. This training is monitored and supervised by coaches

Damion Dublin (left) accepts a victory token from Orville Haslam OD, President of the SVGTTA. assigned by the SVGTTA. There are three major overseas Championships that are in the pipeline for possible participation in 2020.They are: The Martinique Invitational in April which offers competition in senior, junior and cadet categories; the Caribbean Junior Championships in the Dominican Republic in August; and the Caribbean Cadet Championships in Guyana, in August.

The next assessment tournament is scheduled for 15th February at the West St George Secondary School.

I.B.A.ALLEN

VINCENTIAN Handal Roban did not only win the Class One 800 metres event at last Saturday’s Youngster Goldsmith National Athletic Classic staged at the Jamaica National Stadium, but he set a new meet record in the process.

Running for Jamaica College, Roban clocked 1 minute 54.37 seconds, eclipsing the previous best mark of 1 minute 54.91 seconds, set by Tarees Rhoden in 2019.

Also on Saturday, another Vincentian Uroy Ryan, also of Jamaica College, placed second in the Class Two Long Jump.

Ryan’s leap was 6. 82 metres, thus making the event’s standard set by Team Athletics SVG for the 2020 Junior Carifta Games set for Bermuda over the Easter weekend.

Team Athletics set the minimum standard for the Under-17 Long Jump at 6.50metres.

Roban, a former student of the Georgetown Secondary School and the St Vincent Grammar School, won gold in the Boys Under-17 800m at the Junior Carifta Games in the Bahamas, in 2018.

When he moved up to the Under-20 age group last year, Roban took bronze in the 800m, when the Junior Carifta Games were staged in the Cayman Islands.

Uroy Ryan Roban also pouched a bronze medal in the Under-18 800m at the NACAC Juniors, held in Handal Roban Mexico.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 25.

Sports

Fifth dimension

THE WEST INDIES play Australia for the second time in the 2020 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa today, Friday February 7. This time they are playing for the number five position.

For both of them, it will be an opportunity for redemption. The West Indies got the better in their preliminary encounter, but squandered against New Zealand, to be dumped out of the quarterfinal.

The West Indies played unbeaten until that quarterfinal clash when a mixture or incursion of overconfidence or complacency led to a loss by two wickets. It seemed like smooth sailing, with New Zealand 153 for 8 chasing 238, and duly accomplished the target in the final over.

Australia faltered against India in their quarterfinal showdown. Both teams won playoff to vie for the fifth spot. That will be most, or the least they can hope for. Under other conditions, that match might have been the platform for a final. But no one can overlook the rampaging Indians who await the result of the New Zealand/Bangladesh fixture to know their opponents in Sunday’s final/ The other positions have been determined, with Afghanistan 7th, South Africa 8th, England ninth, and Sri Lanka tenth.

Zimbabwe, Scotland, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Japan complete the 16team line up.

India secured their final berth with a walk over Pakistan and awaited the result of the Bangladesh/New Zealand encounter.

The West Indies will reflect on the Under 19 as a learning exercise. They will remember that it is never over till it’s over.

The West Indies championship continues this weekend at three venues. The Windwards host Trinidad and Tobago at Windsor Park, Dominica, in a game that started yesterday February 6. The Windwards suffered a humiliating defeat to the Leewards in St. Lucia last weekend. Having beaten Barbados and drawn with Jamaica, the Windwards were given a crucial lesson, losing by an innings and 165 runs.

Windwards scored 138 and 51, with Leewards 354 for 8 declared. Sheeno Berridge with a match haul 9 for 61 was the architect of the destruction.

Other matches this weekend see Guyana at home to Jamaica, and the Leewards hosting Barbados.

The West Indies senior squad play their first One Day International in Sri Lanka February 22 with two others, February 27 and March 3. Three T/20 matches are also scheduled.

The West Indies Women swing into action in the ICC T/20 clash in Australia starting February 20 against Thailand. They also meet England and South Africa. Cricket fans have more to look forward to when their team begins an English tour Friday May 22. Three Tests are scheduled for June 12, 19, and 25.

With the interest towards the accumulation of points to determine Test Champions, there is everything to look forward to.

The Under 19 squads from both England and the West Indies get the opportunity of erasing the horrors of the ICC Under 19 World Cup with matches at both levels in England in August.

Don’t forget the ICC T/20 Championship is carded for October in Australia. By then, the situation of bush fires would have changed the face of the landscape. Those are issues which are coming in for sharper and more focussed attention.

SVG Females retain WICBC 50 Overs title SVG RETAINED their Windward Islands Female 50 Overs Cricket title by edging past host St. Lucia by one point.

At the end of the Competition which ended earlier this week, SVG, St Lucia and Dominica had each won two matches and lost one to finish on 8 points each.

Grenada finished with a point from three matches.

SVG, though, having earned 2 bonus points to St. Lucia’s 1, totaled 10 points to St. Lucia’s 9, and were declared Champions.

The teams will now take on each other in the T20 format of the Competition, which was expected to bowl off on Wednesday.

In the final round of the 50 Overs matches, Dominica beat Grenada, while host St Lucia defeated SVG. Scores on the Dominica/Grenada match: Dominica 254 for 4 off 50 Overs Gem Eloi 73 not out, Pearl

The SVG National Female Cricket Team – Champions of 50 Overs cricket in the Windwards.

Ettienne 87 not out; Grenada 212 from 47 overs - Shantan Charles 83, Taylor Dickson 43, Pearl Ettienne 5 for 45.

Scores in the St. Lucia/SVG match: St Lucia 186 for 6 from 50 Overs - Q. Joseph 62, M. Edwards 52, Samantha Caine 2 for 18; SVG 171 from 41 overs Japhen Joseph 32, Cordel Jack 35. Q. Joseph 2 for 21, Z. James 2 for 16. M. Dubios 2 for 10.

In outstanding individual performances, Pearl Etienne of Dominica scored the most runs (139), followed by her teammate Gem Eloi (125) and Cordel Jack of SVG (116).

Yasmine St Ange of St Lucia took the most wickets (10) ahead of Dominica’s Etienne (8) and Jannella Glasgow (7).

I.B.A.ALLEN

BrowneÊs century scripts Police win SALVAN BROWNE WAS In sparkling form last weekend, as he blasted an entertaining century to propel RSVG Police Two to a comfortable 10-wicket win over Victors One, in a Premier Division encounter of the NLA/SVGCA National Cricket Competition.

Victors One batted first and were dismissed for 181- Keron

Cottoy topscoring with 38.

Bowling for the Police, Kevin Abraham picked up 4 for 49 and Dillon Douglas 3 for 10. Police Two replied with 255 for 8 declared, led by a well-constructed 108 not out by Salvqn Browne.

Solomon Bascombe took 3 for 63 and Cottoy 3 for 82.

Victors One were shot out for 83 in their second innings, Cottoy, 32, leading the batting again.

Darius Martin grabbed 5 for 30 to leave Police Two 10 for victory which they attained without Othneil Lewis losing a wicket. took 5 for 53 for In the other weekend Premier FLOW Radcliffe Division match, FLOW Radcliffe to help reduce took first inning points over FLOW Rivals to FLOW Rivals, to stay on top of a overly modest the Division standings. first innings FLOW Rivals took first knock score of 106.

Salvan Browne hit 108 for the RSVG Police.

Darius Martin ripped through the Victors batting line-up, taking 5 for 30.

and were all out for 106, Othneil Lewis, 5 for 53, and Asif Hooper, 4 for 50, accounting for Rivals’ stutter.

Half centuries from Tijorn Pope, 71, Gidron Pope, 57, and Shamon Hooper, 51, then propelled FLOW Radcliffe to 251 for 5 when the match was called off.

I.B.A.ALLEN

First Division Cricket Round-up IN LAST weekend round of matches in the National Lotteries 50 Overs First Division Cricket Competition, Smashers beat Police One by 56 runs at Buccament.

Scores: Smashers 245 all out in 28.5 overs - Ronald Scott hit Ronald Scott hit 94 and engineered Smashers’ win.

94, Gosnel Cupid 4 for 41; Police One 189 in 37.1 overs - Cupid 53, Javid Harry 4 for 30.

Strike Eagles defeated French Verandah SVG Community College (SVGCC) by nine runs at Stubbs. Scores: Strike Eagles 125 - Keroy Roberts 43, Kevin Peters 31, Jerden Jacobs 5 for 15, Azar Williams 5 for 31; SVGCC 116 Derron Matthews 42, Kenroy Roberts 4 for 10 and Chris Humphrey 4 for 38.

At Arnos Vale Two, Coreas Distribution Belfongo beat Victors

Two by 81 runs.

Scores: Belfongo 233 in 31.4 overs Andre Hunte 68, Vincent Cupid 38, Kishore Shallow 5 for 83; Victors Two 152 all out in 26.4 overs Andre Hunte had Marcus an outstanding allMcCoy 35, Hunte 5 for round performance for Belfongo – a 40. half century with I.B.A.ALLEN the bat and a fivewicket haul.

26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2020. 27.

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FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 07, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.06

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

SVG RECORDS FIRST MURDER FOR 2020 ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES was thrown into a state of bewilderment and panic, during the mid-afternoon hours of Thursday 30th January 2020, when the news broke that a female had been shot in the yard of a Kingstown secondary school.

Arianna Taylor-Israel – first murder victim for the year – was from all reports well liked and respected for her dedication and professionalism by her colleague nurses here.

When the smoke cleared, the real news flew like ‘Miss Janey Fire’: A Cuban nurse assigned to duties at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), had been shot in the yard of the St. Martin’s Secondary School, Kingstown Park, just after school was dismissed for the day at 3pm.

Confirmed reports came soon after, indicating that the victim was Arianna Taylor-Israel, who had gone to the school to ‘pick up’ the elder of her two sons.

Taylor-Israel was rushed by private conveyance to the MCMH where she died about an hour or so after arrival.

Soon after the incident, and still shaken, some students told this publication that they heard at least five shots.

Others said that a man had done the shooting and calmly left the scene in a “fancy” vehicle.

morning at the Serious Murder accused Offences Court. He was not Mitchell Israel as required to plead to the he left the Serious indictable charge, and Chief Offences Court Magistrate Rechanne last Monday.

Browne ordered that he be remanded to prison to await a preliminary inquiry set for May 18.

The relationship

Sources trusted by THE VINCENTIAN spoke of a 15-year marriage between Mitchell and Arianna as being characterized by ongoing disagreement, heightened aggression and violent acts on Mitchell’s part.

One source said that there were times when she reported for work showing clear signs that she had been physically abused.

In fact, a member of her profession said that she had spoken of her ordeal Arrest made – Husband charged to her co-workers, and had made numerous reports of her husband’s THE VINCENTIAN understands physical and emotional abuse of her that Taylor-Israel’s husband, Mitchell and threats to her life, to the Israel, a 57-year-old Civil Servant, was Questelles Police Station. The couple taken into custody by the evening and their two sons resided at Lower hours of the day of the shooting.

Questelles.

Reports also indicated that the A co-worker disclosed that Arianna police had retrieved a licensed revolver had told her that one of those reports from the person of Israel, and they was lodged just days before the fatal were treating it as the weapon used in shooting. committing the crime.

While THE VINCENTIAN has been Police confirmed on Saturday 1st unable to confirm it, a chorus of February that they had formally persons closely associated with the charged Mitchell Israel with the deceased said that Mitchell was served murder of his wife, Arianna Taylorwith divorce papers the very day his Israel. wife was shot.

Israel was arraigned on Monday

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

Who was Arianna Taylor-Israel Taylor-Israel was a member of one of the early batches of Cuban nurses recruited during 2001 to 2003, to address a shortage of nurses in the health system here.

She and Mitchell Israel were married in 2004. The marriage produced two sons - the elder a student at the St. Martin’s Secondary School, his father’s alma mater, and the younger enrolled at the St. Vincent Grammar School.

Arianna was remembered as being dedicated to her profession and was active in the Nurses Association here.

She was known to enjoy music and singing, and in addition to being active in this regard at events organized by the Cuban and Venezuelan Embassies, she was a member of the all-female choir Cantemus.

Taylor-Israel’s death is recorded as the first murder in St Vincent and the Grenadines for 2020.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.