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FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 08, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.06

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Dr. Friday: ‘More of the same…’ at 2.3 percent for 2018 — although, as the Leader of the opposition noted, THE 2019 BUDGET is more of the based on the figures presented by same and nothing different from those other organizations, it was difficult to presented in the past. determine the real economic growth.

“The Minister of Finance presented But the Budget was about the this Budget…you would have thought creation of jobs and a good standard of that we had won the lottery here in St living, Dr. Friday quipped.

Vincent. All these new terms and He contended that the rate at projects that are supposed to dazzle which the economy grew under the not just the members of the House, Unity Labour Party administration but the electorate,” Leader of the was constant, and despite the attempt Opposition, Dr Godwin Friday said in by the finance minister to his response to the 2019 Budget on differentiate the 2019 Budget Tuesday. presentation from the others, it lacked substance.

No hope for young people He said that there was no love shown in the budget presentation.

According to Dr Friday, there was “Because the young people who the talk of growth in the economy, placed minister say they love so much, they Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA

are still confronted with the same old budget, same old predictions of growth,” the Opposition Leader espoused, adding that the budget had no sense that “we have to do something different to jump start the economy, to give hope to the young people.”

They can’t do it Over a billion dollars had been budgeted for the fiscal year 2019, and according to Friday, that did not mean anything except to suggest that more items were included over last year.

Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, found difficulty finding Continued on Page 3. any sense of hope in the Budget for 2019.

BUDGET 2019:

SOME EXCISE DUTIES INCREASED

highest rate of mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases within the Americas, with the prevalence of diabetes doubling the global rate.

“The four main risk factors for NCDs are tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity,” Gonsalves said.

The issue was cause for concern and costly to Government, not to mention the impact on production, the health system, and quality of Tobacco life generally, the minister imputed.

The Finance Minister Against that backdrop, prefaced the new duties the excise duties for for tobacco and other cigarettes containing tobacco products by tobacco will increase saying that the from $1.55 per 100 sticks Caribbean had the to $2.75, representing the first increase on Left: Minister of Finance tobacco since 2015 Camillo Gonsalves had an when the excise duty air of satisfaction about moved from $0.55 to him, as he delivered the $1.55.

2019 Budget.

TOBACCO, ALCOHOL and artificially sweetened/sugar-added beverages are among the commodities that will attract increases in excise duties this year.

According to Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves in his Budget address, the fiscal measures in relation to these products were designed to dissuade the excessive consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sweetened beverages.

Unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse will see an increase from 6 to 10 percent; cigars will attract an increase from 14 to 20 percent; other tobacco and tobacco substitutes from 6 to 10 percent, and other types of products — an increase from 12 to 18 percent.

This is expected to yield an additional EC$500,000 in revenue.

Sweetened and alcoholic beverages Water, including mineral waters and aerated waters containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, is expected to see an increase in excise duty from 10 to 20 percent, and aerated beverages will see an increase also from 10 to 20 percent.

These measures were expected to yield EC$2.4 million.

Gonsalves also announced a 10.7 percent increase in excise on undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 percent or higher, and a 20 percent increase in spirits including brandy, whiskies, gin geneva, vodka and rum in bottles of strength not exceeding 46 percent volume.

These measures are expected to yield EC$800,000.

Petroleum products and fuel Petroleum products and fuel are also targets for increased duties.

The Minister prefaced this measure with reference to the Continued on Page 3.

V Flow: ÂA lifestyle for VincentiansÊ 2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

VINCENTIANS CAN LOOK FORWARD to the introduction of new technology, a better digital experience and even more value for their money from Flow St. Vincent is planning big for Vincentians this year with the introduction of new technology.

This assurance came from Flow’s Country Manager, Wayne Hull, who said 2019 “is the year for transition and transformation for the company.”

He stated that the company’s focus is to operate a world class telecoms company, while creating moments that matter for Even as Flow moves to keep abreast of technology and Vincentians. makes that technology available to Vincentians, it is In this expressing gratitude to the people of SVG for the support regard, Hull the company has received. said that work is ongoing on the company’s network’s products and services, all development of St. Vincent and the in keeping with the infrastructure, in an Grenadines. intention of satisfying effort to stay abreast of Vincentians can look the changes in the latest innovations which then enables Flow customers’ demands and forward to a series of community health check to offer a state-of-the-art digital lifestyle.” exercises to be hosted Reflecting on 2018, technology service to its under the Flow banner the Country Manager many customers. in collaboration with described it as being Hull also promised a “drastic transformation” “hugely successful,” and medical schools here.

“Flow is not just about on the customer Points of said it was a year during which Flow upgraded its telecoms … it is more of Sale, noting the retail a lifestyle for core HFC broadband stores will begin to see Vincentians, … and has network by 50%, some changes. a positive impact across All in all, Vincentians eliminated network many facets of the daily congestion, and are expected to see lives of the nation’s “significant improvement introduced new technology, e.g. the LTE citizens,” Hull proffered. in quality service Consumer Sales delivered to customers,” service.

Manager Andrea He thanked the including that of the Liverpool said that it is company’s many digital space. And an exciting time for further improvement and customers for having Flow. She said that contributed to that expansion in Flow’s success, and recommitted starting off the year, the mobile LTE network company is giving back to continuing to invest across the nation. to its many customers significantly in various Flow, Hull said, will with its ‘Easy Money’ sectors which would see “some heavy promotion. assist in future restructuring to its

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 3.

News 3

ÂApprentice ProgrammeÊ commences Vincentians have been given the opportunity to learn a musical skill which they can use to sustain themselves for the rest of their lives.

This with the commencement on

Thursday, January 31st, 2019 of the programme for the second cohort enrolled in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force band ‘Apprentice Programme’.

The opening ceremony saw 17 recruits, including three reinstated participants, committing to spend one year learning to play an instrument.

Commissioner of

Budget 2019: Some Excise Duties increased Continued from Front Page. significant increase of motor vehicles on the country’s roads, which he said has given rise to health and environmental concerns linked to vehicular emissions and the increased dumping of derelict vehicles and used parts.

“Notwithstanding increased Government spending on road repairs and rehabilitation, as evidenced in this year’s Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the calls from the public for even more spending on the roads are quite evident,” he said.

“Accordingly, in an effort to meet these demands for more spending on roads, health care and environmental protection, the Government intends to increase the excise on Gasoline and Diesel,” Gonsalves continued.

The revised excise for gasoline is now $3.00, up from $2.50, and for all other gas oils other than diesel, $2.10 up from $1.50.

Landing and parking fees It was noted that a

number of the user fees at the Argyle International Airport are the same as those charged at the E T Joshua Airport.

“And are out of step with current costs and regional averages,” the finance minister said.

The new landing fees are as follows: aircraft under 5,000 pounds $20.00 (US$7.40) and those 5,001 pounds or more, $3.65 (US$1.38) per 1,000 pounds or part thereof.

There was an adjustment in the fees for landing and take-off between 10:01 pm and 5:59 am (except in emergency: for the first hour of extension, EC$1,325 (US$500), and for every hour or part thereof after the first hour up to 5:59, EC$2,650 (US$1,000).

The new parking fees: for the first six hours — free; thereafter, per 24 hours or part thereof — 15 percent of landing charge and aircraft parked on cargo apron per 24 hours or part thereof, 10 percent of landing charge.

Concession on construction vehicles Having noted that the ban imposed last year on

vehicles 12 years and older had had an adverse effect on the importation of vehicles used in the construction sector, and “given that the value of heavy-duty trucks is usually high, the Government proposes to grant further Duty-Free Concession on dump trucks three tons and above, and on other types of vehicles used in construction and affected by the ban,” the Finance Minister announced .

This measure, moving from 50 percent to 60, will realize a loss of EC$250,000.

Also announced was further reduction in the excise tax from 60 to 55 percent on trucks used in construction, under the tariff headings 8704.22.10, 8704.22.90, 8704.23.10, 8704.23.90, 8704.32.10 and 8704.32.90.

Gonsalves also announced government’s intention to adjust taxes and duties related to electric and hybrid vehicle in the near future, in an effort to incentivize the importation of newer, cleaner vehicles.

Together, these new measures were expected to yield roughly EC$8 million, Gonsalves said.

Some of the 17 recruits of the 2019 RSVGPF Band ‘Apprentice Programme’.

Police Colin John in his remarks, revealed that the RSVGPF Band started here in 1951, and in 1953 the cadet programme was initiated.

The Commissioner noted that the purpose of the band includes entertainment. He also highlighted that the band’s skills have been utilized at all Calypso finals since 2001, at funerals, community activities and at Christmas festivities, among other events.

In addition, CoP John said, the band is involved in educating children, since members visit schools and impart their musical knowledge.

John also disclosed that the band enhances the relationship with members of the public, through its association with the Pan Against

Crime initiative.

Commissioner John thanked the Taiwanese embassy for sponsoring the apprenticeship through the YES Programme, and extended appreciation to the Ministry of National Mobilization for the partnership and by extension, the Government of SVG for the vision of the Youth Empowerment Service Programme.

Officer in Administrative Control at Youth affairs Division, Ena Walters, indicated that the programme is an extension of the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, and noted that last year’s programme was a resounding success.

Walters praised the RSVGPF Band for the contribution made, and

CoP Colin John highlighted the Police Band’s involvement in and with communities and community organisations. applauded the participants for choosing the programme.

She reminded the recruits that they have an opportunity to acquire a skill that will serve them for life, and urged them to work hard to reap success.

Dr. Friday: ‘More of the same…’ sector where he said that from time to time, there is a shortage of much needed “[I am] not sure if they can implement items. them.”

“On the face of it, the Estimates He referred to the item ‘other balance so that it looks like the receipts’ which amounted to EC$198.1 government will achieve what it set out million this year, saying that this was to do; but it cannot,” Friday asserted. the area where the government did not He accused the government of know where the finance was coming “clawing” back money earmarked for from. projects or to statutory bodies.

Friday explained that, based on For example, according to Friday, previous budgets, the projects set out in between 2013 and 2017, the government the budget, in most instances, the took back or failed to transfer funds government was unable to implement amounting to EC$19.5 million from the them, both on the recurrent and capital St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism side.

Authority (SVGTA).

On the recurrent side, there are Even this year, Friday remarked, things that cannot get done — he singled there has been no real transfer increase. out the situation within the health Continued from Front Page.

V Rapist awaits sentencing 4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS CLOSE TO SIX YEARS after a 24-year-old woman was taken from her home and viciously raped in the mountains, her former common-law husband has been convicted on four charges in connection with the incident.

At the conclusion of a trial at the High Court Criminal Assizes on Monday, a nine-member mixed jury found the 37-year-old Questelles man guilty of abduction, rape, aggravated burglary and assault, and causing actual bodily harm. He will be sentenced on March 8, pending a social inquiry report on him, ordered by Justice Brian Cottle who presided over the matter.

The trial commenced last week Thursday, but on Friday 1st February the accused, who was out on bail, did not show up, and a bench warrant had to be issued for him. He will remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing.

The prosecution, led by Crown

Counsel Karim Nelson, called six witnesses, including the victim, whose evidence was taken in camera.

The accused, who was without legal representation, opted not to give evidence from the dock and called no witnesses.

According to the Prosecution, the accused and the woman had an intimate relationship for about seven years. She ended that relationship in 2013 because of the man’s abusive tendencies, and had to seek the assistance of the police to get rid of him, after she had put him out and he refused to leave. He, however, continued to pursue the woman.

The evidence showed that on August 21, 2013, shortly after the relationship ended, the victim, on reaching home, saw the accused in her neighbour’s yard. He proceeded toward her, but she managed to get into her house and locked the door. He got annoyed and began cursing her. She peeped through her window and told him to leave or she will call the police.

He left, but that was not the end of the drama.

According to the evidence, the victim, who was asleep with her baby son , who is also the accused’s son, was awaken when she felt someone pulling her legs. She saw the accused over her with a cutlass, and she screamed. He told her, “Let’s go outside and talk”, and she replied, “Let’s talk now”.

He threatened to kill her, pulled her outside, took her to the mountains, then into some bushes, and ordered that she take off her underwear. She did so after he took a pair of scissors from a Jansport bag he was carrying, and held it in a threatening position.

He then placed her in a bending position, and proceeded to have rough sex with her from behind. The ordeal lasted for about five minutes, following which the accused insisted that he wanted to kill the woman. But she proceeded to speak to him regarding their baby, who was left at home.

He asked her if she would report what happened to the police, if he

Foolish act results in criminal record THOUGH CHIEF Magistrate Rechanne Browne only reprimanded Ovali Baker for the theft of a bottle of Campari valued $44.64, the youngster did not escape chalking up a criminal conviction, his first, as a result of his foolish action.

Baker, 23, of Greiggs, pleaded guilty at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday to stealing the Campari from Massy Supermarket, Arnos Vale, the previous day. He was unrepresented.

The Court heard that around

7:45 a.m., a Security Officer on duty at the store saw the youngster remove the bottled drink, proceed to one of the aisles and leave the building. He drew it to the Supervisor’s attention, and checks with the security cameras revealed footage that corroborated the guard’s report.

The Security Officer exited the store and saw the defendant at a nearby bus stop, board a minibus.

On noting this, the Security Officer informed Corporal Wendell Corridon, who was on traffic duty

Probe continues into stabbing death UP TO PRESS time Wednesday, police were continuing investigations into last week Wednesday’s stabbing death of 47-year-old Ricky Andrews, a resident of Arnos Vale, to determine whether his death should be treated as a murder.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that someone was arrested in connection with the incident, but was subsequently released pending further investigations.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Colin John explained that not every homicide is a murder, and the

law provides for some homicides to be lawful.

Andrews reportedly succumbed to a single cutlass wound to the abdomen around 4:30 p.m. at Arnos Vale, following an altercation with another man. They were said to have had an ongoing feud.

Andrews’ death chalked up the second homicide for the year, the first being the January 10 shooting death of Osborne Rogers at Pole Yard, Arnos Vale.

Rogers’ death, listed as a murder, was still being investigated up to press time Wednesday.

Love of Campari earns young am a criminal record.

at the nearby roundabout.

Corridon signaled the mini-bus to , and asked him to step outside.

He complied, and the police officer requested a search of a bag he was carrying.

Baker agreed, complied, and the search revealed the Campari. When Corridon questioned him as to where he got it, he did not reply.

By that time, the authorities at the store had called in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Baker was taken into custody.

The Chief Magistrate noted that until Tuesday, Baker had no previous convictions, and chided him for now having a criminal record, because of “this stupidness.”

Browne, however, expressed the view that the embarrassment from the situation was enough for Baker to realize the folly of his action.

She reprimanded the youngster and told him to go.

spared her life, and she said no. He indicated that he did not believe her. He then told her that he wanted to sleep with her.

She replied in the affirmative, because she was afraid of him, and he took her home. He slept at her house, got up around 5 a.m., and left. The victim then reported the matter to the police.

The medical evidence showed that the woman sustained bruises to her vaginal walls and cervix and they were fresh at the time of examination. She had also sustained an injury to her left hand.

The accused had previous convictions for theft, wounding, assault, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Man charged with stealing $thousands in credit ANDY BAPTISTE will appear at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court April 15, charged in connection with the theft of a Sim Card, and cellular phone credit amounting to $14,459 from Digicel SVG Ltd, over a one-year period.

The 31-year-old Walvaroo resident, who was employed as a labourer with a Digicel subcontractor, is alleged to have made the dishonest transactions on various occasions between January 1, 2016 and May 13, 2017.

Baptiste pleaded not guilty to one charge in relationship to the Sim Card, and not guilty to four charges in connection with the credit, when he made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

He was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 with one surety, on condition that he surrender his travel documents and report to the Central Police Station every Monday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry.

The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08 , 2019. 5.

Parliament

Straker, Daniel paid their own fees

Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves confirmed that Special Warrants were used to pay some legal fees in the Election Petitions.

legal fees.

This disclosure was made to the House of Assembly, January 29,

by Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves as part of his response to a question posed by MP for Central Kingstown St. Clair Leacock MP Leacock wanted to know how many Special Warrants were issued in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

And while on the subject Special Warrants as they related to fees in the Election Petition matter, Gonslaves revealed that a total of EC$649,500 was paid in legal fees by way of Special Warrant during 2016 and 2017.

The funds were used to pay the legal fees for the then Supervisor of Elections, Sylvia Findlay and the Attorney General, government officers named in the Petitions.

In prefacing his response, the Finance Minister said during the period in question, Special Warrants were issued to deal with unforeseen and urgent recurrent and capital expenditures.

According to the Minister, in 2016, 70 warrants were approved (46 recurrent and 24 capital); in 2017, 66 special warrants were issued (42 recurrent and 24

Construction of the AIA continued to completion, with monies still outstanding for land acquired to facilitate that construction.

Money still owing for lands at Argyle MP for West Kingstown St. Clair Leacock drew a response that may have showed up some lethargy on the part of the Ministry of Finance.

GOVERNMENT STILL OWES some EC$33,109,354 for lands acquired for the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Camillo Gonsalves made this disclosure in response to a question posed by Parliamentary Representative for East Kingstown, Arnhim Eustace, during Parliament’s Sitting of Tuesday January 29.

Eustace wanted to know how much is still owed for lands used for the construction of the international airport.

Continuing his answer, Gonsalves explained that there were 125 parcels of land for which payment remains outstanding.

These lands were divided into two categories, he explained — lands with deeds and land without, with EC$19.5 million being the outstanding amount owed for lands with deeds, inclusive of interest, and EC$13.7 million the amount owed for lands without.

“The government and the IADC (International Airport Development Company) are currently completing a plan to address the settlements of these amounts owed to the remaining land owners,” he said.

The finance minister said that the government was also working to try to resolve the land ownership issues since the majority of the money owed is for land without deeds, even though that number has been decreasing.

As of November 30, 2017, all 142 home owners had been compensated for their property to the tune of EC$60,136,672 with EC$53,825,827 being paid by the IADC for vacant lots of land, Gonsalves told Parliament.

capital); and in 2018, 72 special warrants were issued (49 recurrent and 23 capital).

The total amounts for the three years in question were EC$23.7 million, EC$48.3 million and EC$22.1 million respectively.

No Supplementary Appropriation Bills have yet been introduced in continued, saying Central Leeward the House for the years more explicitly that respectively among mentioned. Officers at he had not been others - following the the Ministry of Finance advised that the use 2015 general elections, are currently in the of a ‘plastic box’ as and that this issue may process of preparing the opposed to a wooden be one raised in the relevant cabinet papers one was illegal. court. and draft bills for “But I can say, as As a result of this, he someone who is sworn said that he thought that consideration and approval by Cabinet, the to uphold the law, he would be imprudent Finance Minister told that we will continue to say anything beyond the House. (Stories by to uphold the the assurance that he DD) constitutional had given.

The material from which a position regarding ballot box is made is not elections, including spoken to in any direct the independence of manner. the Supervisor of Elections and the THERE IS NOTHING conduct of the elections, The balance TO SUGGEST that the the Representation of the THIS COUNTRY’S PUBLIC DEBT as of September 30, 2018 outstanding on use of anything other People Act and the amounted to EC$1,614,636,050 overdrafts owed by the than a wooden box as a regulations there under, (approximately 1.6 billion dollars), public sector ballot box is illegal. and all other relevant 1 percent less than the figure for contracted by EC$9.6 In fact, according to laws and regulations, so the corresponding period in 2017. million, however, local Prime Minister Dr Ralph that we continue to have Of that total amount, domestic loans increased by 5.2 Gonsalves, ‘plastic’ boxes free and fair elections debt accounted for EC$528.2 percent, Gonsalves were used in the reflecting the will of the million, which fell by 7.1 percent further explained.

Referendum in 2009 and people,” Dr. Gonsalves when compared to 2017 and the The Finance in both General Elections told the Parliament. external debt EC$1.1 billion, Minister also said that in 2010 and 2015.

Gonsalves further Minister of Finance Camillo there was a net His remarks came in increase in the noted that he was not an Gonsalves revealed during the response to Opposition external debt for the active participant in the presentation of the 2019 Senator Kay BacchusEstimates of Revenue and period September 30, 2017 and Election Petitions Baptiste’s question in September 30, 2018, amounting to hearings brought against Expenditure on last week Parliament, January 29. then Supervisor of Tuesday.

EC$23.9 million.

The Senator wanted to The downward movement in This was as a result of the Elections, Sylvia the domestic debt was due to EC$22.8 million increase in know whether we would Findlay-Scrubb, external fixed rate bonds. return to the use of Montgomery Daniel and falling government bonds and treasury notes issued.

But net repayments were wooden ballot boxes, Sir Louis Straker — “And at the same time, the recorded on a number of external which can be locked, in Parliamentary total treasury bills outstanding loans, Gonsalves said. future elections.

Representatives for also fell by 39.9 percent or 6.1 Payments were made including: The Prime Minister North Windward and million,” Gonsalves said.

EC$7.4 million on a number of THE LEGAL FEES for Sir Louis Straker and Montgomery Daniel, the litigants in the Election Petition currently before the Court, were not paid by Special Warrant. They paid their own

Plastic ballot boxes not illegal

Public debt slightly down

loans from the Caribbean Development Bank; EC$7.8 million on various Alba loans; EC$6.2 million to the International Monetary Fund; EC$3.8 million paid on loans from Taiwan; and EC$3.6 million repaid to Scotia Bank on a loan used to purchase equipment for the Control Tower at the Argyle International Airport.

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

2019 to be a ‘… year of collaboration’

Sherill-Ann Mason-Haywood, chairperson of the Brooklynbased St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Diaspora Committee of New York, wants to see a unified Vincentian-USA Diaspora.

Stories and photos by Nelson A. King naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT SHERILL-ANN MASONHAYWOOD, chairperson of the

Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Diaspora Committee of New York, wants 2019 to be a “decisive year of collaboration” for Vincentians in the Diaspora.

“Now more than ever, the powerful saying, ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall,’ must be watch words that immigrant communities, like the Vincentian Diaspora, embrace if they are to survive and thrive,” wrote MasonHaywood in the souvenir journal, commemorating the 36th anniversary of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines ExTeachers Association of New York.

“This is especially true since, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of racist vitriol and policies that target certain immigrant communities and threaten their security,” added MasonHaywood, who succeeded her late husband, Maxwell Haywood, as chairperson of the Committee.

“These threats expose the vulnerability of communities that have not fully consolidated their political and

economic power as a strong community.”

Mason-Haywood said the Vincentian Diaspora, like other Caribbean Diasporas, can be counted among the vulnerable communities.

Although present in the United States, and more specifically New York, since the early 1950s, she said that the Vincentian Diaspora is yet to establish itself as “a fully unified community.”

“While one can point to several successful individuals who have made or are making outstanding contributions to the United States, or to numerous organizations, associations and groups that have existed, and still exist, that bring Vincentians together to raise funds for philanthropic efforts or to participate in educational, sporting or cultural events, there still remains a void in terms of lasting collective legacies,” Mason-Haywood said.

“If we are honest in our assessment, we will admit that there are few, if any, receipts that bear witness to our

collective impact,” she added.

The Diaspora Committee chair said, while there are organizations, such as the umbrella Vincentian group in the US, the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), “that have been around for decades, they still have not wielded the full power of their potential.

“We should, therefore, seek to strengthen our existing organizations rather than further continuously fragment our relatively small Diaspora community with a proliferation of smaller groupings that compete against each other to achieve noble goals that are not dissimilar,” she urged.

“It is, therefore, imperative that we urgently come to the table to pool our collective intellectual, social, economic and political resources, if we are to survive the real threats that lurk around immigrant communities.”

She noted that other Diaspora communities, which have pooled their resources and consolidated their

existence, “have shown their resilience and collective power in pushing back against real threats to their existence.”

The economic impact of the individual remittances sent back to St. Vincent and the Grenadines has “significantly contributed to the buoyancy of the local economy,” she said.

“This, in itself, should inspire us to do more collectively, but also to ensure that we are investing in our adopted home country to secure our own well-being as a vibrant community, with the means of sustaining our efforts to make even more impactful contributions,” she added.

“Hence, we must urgently find the will and the ways to bring forth a more unified Vincentian Diaspora community,” urged MasonHaywood.

“Therefore, we must endeavor to make 2019 a decisive year of change, collaboration and consolidation for the Vincentian Diaspora community,” she stressed. “We must fully embrace the motto, ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall.’”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08 , 2019. 7.

News

KingÊs advice: ÂDonÊt be distractedÊ

SOCIAL ACTIVIST LUZETTE KING said that she does not want her recent arrest to distract from the real issue at hand, i.e. government’s lack of accountability and transparency.

King walked out of the Questelles Police Station on Saturday 2nd February, more defiant and determined than when she entered a day earlier.

She had been arrested the day before as per a bench warrant issued against her for failing to attend a court hearing, February 01.

The matter in question dated back to 2016 when King was charged with causing inconvenience to the public during a protest action in Kingstown.

The protest action challenged the 2015 general election results.

In an interview with THE VINCENTIAN upon her release, King said that she has never missed a court date (before), but after failing to show up on Friday, a bench warrant was issued within hours.

According to King, there were occasions when she and her legal team had to rely on word of mouth from police officers to find out her court date.

“The first time the hearing was transferred to Mesopotamia, it was a police officer who met me on the street and told me,” King asserted.

Recounting what transpired on Friday that led to her detention, King said that she had attended a meeting and after it concluded, she received a call from her brother informing her that there was a bench warrant out for her arrest.

“And I thought, ‘Gosh, I forget the date’,” said King. She said that she tried making her way to Mesopotamia to attend the hearing, but she was informed that she had already missed the time.

At about midday, King went to the Kingstown (Central) Police Station because she didn’t want the police to come looking for her, and “secondly, I thought if I had gone to the police station, they would arrest me if there was a warrant out and take me to the court.”

This was not to be, for after confirming that there was a warrant out for her, the police detained her at the station and subsequently transferred her to the Questelles Police Station.

King was of the view that, had the DPP’s office complied with the Court of Appeal order for Disclosure (of evidence by the Crown in the matter against her), “..they would have had to serve these things to my lawyers, and they in turn would have let me know they received it and find out where the matter was…

and my not turning up in court could have been avoided.”

She spent Friday night in a cell at the Questelles Police Station. Magistrate Bertie Pompey turned up on Saturday and revoked the bench warrant he had issued the day before, citing King’s interest in the matter and her cooperation with the Luzette King (3rd from right) surrounded by wellpolice as the basis for wishers and members of the FrontLine after her his decision. release from the Questelles Police Station.

“And I think it is a travesty; this thing has “The outpouring of support is been going on since 2016, (and) not once something I didn’t quite expect. In fact, I have I missed an appearance, not once,” had people threatening to come here to said King, adding, “Now the Magistrate protest, and I said to them hold on. At is telling me that he is revoking the the same time I feel humble. We are warrant because I showed an interest, against this regime spending our money the police didn’t have to go looking for and giving no accountability. We are me. So, I asked him, “But have I ever against their wickedness, we want them missed a hearing?’.” out. We want to get to the bottom of the Members of the FrontLine Movement stolen election. Those are the issues that were on hand to welcome King after her we must continue with, not the locking release, and others turned up to show up of Luzette King,” said the defiant support, this after there had been many activist. postings on social media calling for her King is expected to be back in court release.

Friday 15th February. (KH)

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 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

Inconsistencies abound UNLESS SOMETHING extraordinary happens between now and the end of April, we can count the reopening of the Buccament Bay Resort (BBR) for the current tourist season as another unfulfilled promise.

There have been so many ‘stops and starts’ in the saga of this resort, that it is difficult to separate the where from the chaff; to discern that which is truth from that which is some fairy-like tapestry that paints a promise of gold at the end of the rainbow.

As of the last public juncture of this unfolding saga, there were three parties - government, liquidator, new investors - involved in what was supposed to have led to an amicable arrangement and the reopening of the BBR. From where things stand now, that ‘arrangement’ seems some way in the distance.

Do these parties, together or separate, not owe the citizens of this country, especially the displaced workers of the resort, an update on developments with respect to the BBR? Or is this yet another case of a ‘need to know basis’ from which the citizens of this country are, in the main, not included?

And while we are on the BBR, we have had cause to be concerned about how David Ames, a scoundrel, crook and law breaker, was allowed, under the cloak of night, to ‘legally’ depart this county, even as he was summoned to appear in a local court on tax evasion and theft charges.

Further concern arose with the December 2018 withdrawal of the charges against this Englishman, the grounds for which the state is yet to divulge. A case of a ‘need to know’ basis, you might ask?

Even after the current Minister of Finance told this nation that “we know” where Ames was, it appeared that, once Ames was charged for fraud on his return to England, that the authorities here agreed to resign his fate to the English court system.

That recourse, substantiated by the withdrawal of the charges, in the face of all those who would have been prosecuted and imprisoned for lesser crimes, emits a rather disturbing scent.

But back to Ames: Can we ever be faulted for concluding that there seems to be two levels of application of the law here?

A white, English man absconds

with serious criminal charges laid against him. No effort to have him return to answer the charges leads to a withdrawal.

But see: A former permanent secretary now ambassador, already with a record of being protected by the authorities, slips through the system with some miniscule fine and not as much as a verbal reprimand , for having been found guilty of reckless driving that caused the permanent loss of limb by a young man.

See: A young lady who is charged with unleashing a reportedly abusive verbal attack on the wife of the Minister of Finance, and makes references to hedonistic-like behavior by high officials here, is ordered by the court to undergo residential psychiatric assessment at the Mental Health Centre. The court eventually ‘sets her free’, but she is scarred for the balance of her life.

See: A young lady kept on remand for an inordinately lengthy period of time, seemingly forgotten, before a psychiatric report deems her ‘not material for jail’. How could a system turn a blind eye to a human being languishing in conditions that could have well worsened her condition?

The ‘untutored’ in this land, who might just be the majority of the population and not just a minority of misinformed who strive on innuendo and speak half-truths, should not, against this type of background, be accused of making conclusions that point to what they see an impartial application of the law.

For too long those who come clad in dollars of undetermined source, speaking of opportunities for the country and who live like kings off the sweat of the working people, have been allowed to escape with ease, while others here who break the law, are, rightfully so, made to feel the full brunt of the law.

In this country, when you are white and moneyed, it is ‘WISE’ to set your ‘AMES’” on those who can be manipulated as a means to achieving your ambitions.

The law must not appear in any way and to any degree, to favour one over the other. If it continues so to do, it will continue ‘to be an ass’.

Daphne Hadaway-Frederick every inch a queen

HER MAJESTY first grabbed our attention in 1959, sixty years ago, when she started off at seventeen years old with the coveted Carnival Queen title, at our national cultural show, Carnival.

Daphne was a beauty personified, sponsored by the representative of North Windward, Ivy Joshua, who had been the wife of the Head of Government, Ebenezer Joshua, head of the first PPP government and “national hero”.

We were at that juncture of our history suffused “with politics”. We then enjoyed a semi-ministerial system. Our Minister Flick Haynes, now hovering on the approach to 100 years, had been the Chairman of the Carnival Festival. And following the emergence of a pattern set by the former Labour Party administration, a political element continued to seep into carnival.

Soon enough, politicians began their sponsorship of ‘queens’. So it was that Daphne fitted into a growing trend.

Minister Rudolph Baynes’ daughter, June, in West Kingstown; Herman Young’s daughter Lavern Grant of Layou, and later granddaughter Donna.

But back to our Queen of Today. She gravitated to Kingstown from the depressed area of Langley Park. Given her natural beauty, charm and ambition, she was quickly snapped up in marriage by a seasoned businessman, Bertie Hadaway, with whom she produced a family of five that included a daughter of superlative charm and talent Nicole Hadaway, who won not only national but regional pageants as well.

Her husband having died, she was swept up in marriage by Trinidadian lawyer Bayliss Frederick, and added to her family a daughter Vynnette and a son John, a lawyer and a medical doctor respectively. The entire family has

always been close and loving, including a few adopted children. The husband-father Bayliss, a controversial and erratic lawyer, now 95 years old, despite the seeming challenges, has remained as “constant as the Northern Star” in relation to love of humanity and, especially his own loyal family. The entire national family sincerely empathise with the family in their loss.

As for me, I was very close to Daphne as an in-law, a fellow devotee to the people’s cause through the NDP and specifically through our membership of the PSC at a crucial period of the political stage of our national sojourn, when we had to face “the slings and arrows” of outrageous fortune.

I was Chairman for sixteen straight years, with Daphne serving as a member for about four to five two- year terms.

Daphne was always scrupulously fair, straightforward and direct, without taint of partisanship. If there was a bias, it was only in favour of her fellow North Windward brethren.

When a new ULP Government was about to be sworn in in 2001, I honoured my own pledge to resign forthwith, and Daphne and Erica Mc Intosh decided to resign with me, thus leaving Dr. Gonsalves three vacancies to fill and ensure him a majority of three to two whereby he could claim no humbug in the prosecution of his government.

The two left behind were weeded out at the completion of their two-year stint, Alexander Griffith suffering the further humiliation in having his JP badge of respectability seized. Yvonne Francis Gibson had earlier suffered similar fate, but is now being recommended by me and the president of the Teacher’s Union for National Heroism.

Daphne and other Kindred Spirits, including Elwardo Lynch who was the prince of Langley Park, are assured of an everlasting life in paradise.

I have been devastated by the death of my sister Ena John Da Silva at the age of 92, the wife of Sonny Da Silva who predeceased her about three months ago.

More about her later when I recover.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 9.

Letters

Let us be more considerate I MUST confess: I was one of those persons who received and viewed in amazement a recent video circulated on social media, that showed a man clearly stabbing another man with a cutlass, and then walking away as cool as a cucumber.

Now, it is one thing to say that social media helps us to stay in contact with family and friends, and to bring the news as it happens. However, of late I think we are going a little too far with what we post. Like the stabbing I referred to above.

We have had the good and the worst on social media, and some people seem to take delight in just looking for the worst things to post. We have got to stop somewhere. We have to stop being so gross.

If we are adults, we should give serious consideration to what we post. We can film an incident that could be of more use if we turn it over to the authorities rather than spread it willy nilly on Facebook.

Posting something gross on Facebook does not make you a star.

Let us be more considerate citizens.

Charles, Edinboro

I appreciate EDITOR’S NOTE: The following was posted on Luzette King’s Facebook page on Sunday 3rd November, the day after she was released from The Questelles Police Station, where she was held in accordance with a bench warrant.

At the risk of leaving out the names of so many others who visited and brought me food (including fruits), drinks, clothes and even bed clothes and towels, toiletries including wipes so that I could have ‘cowboy baths’, I hope all will understand if I named just a few...

With a word of caution, too, my sleeping in police cell that smelt of human excreta and

Some common errors AS A RETIRED school teacher, I am appalled at the number of errors I hear and see in the use of the English Language here in SVG. I have taken to making note of some of the more frequent errors made and, after much thought and reflection, I have decided to start sharing some with the public.

I hope that those persons who make these errors would read or be referred to my effort to correct them.

Let us begin. There is no such word as ‘irregardless’. The correct word is ‘regardless’. “Regardless of what you think about grammar, you’ll look silly if you use it incorrectly.”

One ‘emigrates from’ and ’immigrates to’, never ‘emigrate to’ an ‘immigrate from’. To emigrate is to come from somewhere and to immigrate is to go to somewhere.

‘It’s’ is not the possessive form of the pronoun it. ‘It’s’ is an abbreviated for of ‘it is’. ‘Its’ is the possessive form of ‘it’.

With it being such a popular topic, you would have thought that by now

we know the difference between ‘prostate’ and ‘prostrate’. Prostate is the gland that is part of the male anaotomy. Many men today suffer from ‘prostate cancer’. The word prostrate means to lie face down.

‘Must of’, ‘could of’, ‘would of, and ‘should of’ are all wrong. All those ‘ofs’ should be replaced by ‘have’; must have, could have, etc.

And what about that subjectpronoun agreement that we should have learned in our Grammar lessons?

Take for example the sentence “A person who smokes damages their lungs.” See anything wrong there? You should. “A person” is–obviously–one person. But “their” is a word you would use if you were referring to more than one person. Correct sentences could either read: “People who smoke damage their lungs.” Or “A person who smokes damages his or her lungs.”

More to come.

Retiree - Arnos Vale

Say no to the USA

I KNOW, I should be thankful to the great USA for welcoming me and offering me a path to personal success. The Lord knows I am thankful, but my upbringing tells me when I see wrong I can’t say it is right.

So in as much as millions have benefited from the USA and all it offers, we must call a spade a spade.

The USA, by recognizing a nonelected president in and its general stance against Maduro, has gone too far in its dealings with Venezuela.

These are not the days of the Roman Empire, and it is time that America stops thinking it can dominate the world… say what must be done, how it must be done, when it must be done, and who does it.

The world must draw a line. They are not free because of America. The world is what it is because of the struggles of people. The world must not allow itself to be influenced by the US — especially by this Trump administration.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido, who has declared himself interim president, is a puppet of the rich, who will do all they can to retain their riches and influence over the poor on whose behalf Hugo Chavez launched his Bolivarian Revolution.

Time we all stand up against the USA. It is not the policeman of the world.

Garnet, N.Y. for A. Gomez, Friend of SVG

walls spotted with dry faeces; floors that hadn’t been cleaned for months that I was expected to tread with bare feet.. . I hasten to add that I do not expect police officers to clean their surroundings and that of prisoners!!

Above everything else, Margaret London is the consummate nurse!!

And Zita Barnwell and Maia Eustace never fail to rise to the occasion when it comes to standing up for what is right...

Further, I cannot fault the leadership of the NDP who stood by me through ‘thick and thin’ during this ordeal. In fact, I had no clue as to their involvement..

Most fortuitously, De FrontLine was there, ‘present please’, to witness the arrival of Magistrate Pompey at Questelles police station, to rescind the ‘bench warrant’ that he issued for me after I missed just

one appearance in court since 2016.

Of chance (?) arrival too, was that of journalist Kenville ‘Fonando’ Horne and his beautiful daughter, whom I believe he tells a lot about me... How can I ever forget Paper (Alexander) who is always there and doesn’t yet understand the mindset of Luzette King... but was there to drive me home from the De FrontLine rocks!! place he dreaded to see me.

Thank you ALL so much for being there for me ….those in the Diaspora, at home, which include some who support the ULP. I also wish to thank all the police officers for simply doing their jobs!!

Apart from a slight headache which I think is due to lack of my usual fluid intake, I am doing rather well and more resilient for the struggle to help rid SVG of this regime of bandits!

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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Excerpts from the 2019 Budget Address

Delivered by the Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves

Promises made, promises kept IN LAST year’s Budget address, we made a number of undertakings to the Vincentian people. Today, we are proud to recall those promises, to celebrate their fulfillment, and to provide updates of those yet to be accomplished.

One year ago, we promised that, in addition to direct flights from Toronto and New York, the Argyle International Airport would see flights from “an additional major carrier from a separate North American hub.” Today, we know that that major carrier is American Airlines and that North American city is Miami.

One year ago, we announced that we would engage with the Vincentian public to establish the legislative framework for a “well-regulated, clearly defined, export-oriented, medical cannabis industry in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” Today, we have passed the enabling laws, and expect 2019 to mark the year in which medicinal cannabis is legally exported from our country for the first time.

One year ago, we committed to populating a robust “rainy day” Contingencies Fund, through the collection of a 1% tax on consumption and a small fee on stay-over hotel guests. Today, we have saved almost $13 million in our Contingencies Fund, improving our ability to respond to natural disasters.

quest to be the smallest nation to secure non-Permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council.

Today, we can report that our candidacy has been endorsed by all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, paving the way for our hopeful election later this year.

One year ago, we pledged to use our influence to place the closed Buccament Bay Resort in the hands of new private investors, and to pursue the construction of state-owned hotels with up to a total of 350 rooms.

Today, the new investment group is on board at Buccament, the Government has secured US$50 million to commence a hotel at Mt. Wynne, and we have finalised work to build another hotel at Diamond.

Other Promises

Many other promises were made and kept, from the expansion of the Zero Hunger Trust Fund, to the establishment of a programme to deploy CCTV cameras across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to the installation of fiber-optic ICT infrastructure, to the continuation of work on a geothermal energy plant and a modern port.

Other promises, while not completed within the predicted time The Vincentian Economy frame, are well on the way to fulfilment. Our pledge to break One year ago, we shared our plans ground on a new seafood packing with the International Monetary Fund facility at Calliaqua will take place in and they predicted that the the coming months. Our commitment Vincentian economy would grow by to commence physical works on new 2%. Today, we can say that we have secondary and feeder roads funded by surpassed that projection. Our the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic preliminary data indicate growth of Development is now slated for March. approximately 2.5%, while the latest Our pledge to commence collection publication from the Economic activities against VAT and PAYE Commission for Latin America and scofflaws is nearing fruition. Our the Caribbean (ECLAC) places it at a promised environmental initiatives slightly more robust 3.2%. According regarding single-use plastic bags and to those ECLAC projections, Saint grey water disposal were extensively Vincent and the Grenadines’ 2018 studied in 2018 and will see growth rate was the 4th strongest implementation in 2019. And our among the 14 independent members undertaking to establish an advisory of the Caribbean Community.

National Economic Council, while still One year ago, we promised a unfulfilled, is now at the stage of resolute response to the foreign consultation and member selection. exchange challenges facing Vincentian traffickers doing business in Trinidad Conclusion and Tobago. Today, because of our temporary imposition of Exchange Taken together, this record of Controls, the patriotism of our fidelity to our 2018 Budget pledges is business community, our advocacy impressive not only as a record of within the Eastern Caribbean Central what we have done; but an important Bank and our intense diplomatic work measure of the seriousness with behind the scenes, we have found a which we view our commitments and resolution to this thorny issue that an indicator of what will happen in benefits our traders and farmers.

2019. We are keeping our 2018 One year ago, we pledged to open promises. Put your pot on the fire that and staff the new Modern Medical & we will keep our 2019 promises as Diagnostic Centre at Georgetown. well.

Today, the Complex is well staffed by This year, the cautious optimism of Vincentian and Cuban professionals, 2018 is fuelling an even more positive and offering world-class medical care, perspective on 2019 and the mediumincluding dialysis and oncology term prospects for Saint Vincent and services. the Grenadines. While we are by no One year ago, we told you that we means fully recovered from the would markedly improve our Coast impacts of the global economic and Guard fleet through the addition of “a financial crisis and adverse climate top-class vessel . . . from the Damen events, the plethora of green shoots is group.” Today, the Captain Hugh plainly visible, have taken root, and Mulzac, a 140-foot, US$6.8 million form, collectively, a heartening patrol vessel with a crew complement launching pad for post-crisis growth of 18, is the most advanced craft in and development. the OECS, and is complemented by Budget 2019 seeks nothing less two new, smaller vessels recently than to further the process of sourced from the Government of transforming the pillars of our Japan. economy from monocrop, subsidyOne year ago, we informed you that dependent and low skill to one that is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines modern, competitive, postcolonial and would commit resources to its historic many-sided.

The ULP must be honest with the people ON TUESDAY 29th January, Parliament approved the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2019, totalling EC$1,067,343,283, in advance of the presentation of the Budget.

Following the presentation of the Estimates by the Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves, the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Honorable Godwin Friday led the response by the Opposition. Speaking for approximately one hour, Dr. Friday pointed to many deficiencies in the Estimates, including the ballooning “Other Capital Receipts” category of revenue, stated at over $198 million, which inflated the budget but will never be collected and spent. He declared that such unrealistic and dishonest revenue projections make the Estimates exercise a mirage, far divorced from reality.

Member for West Kingstown, the Honourable Daniel Cummings also responded. Among other things, he spoke about the failure to address the dire health care situation in the country and the poor planning and execution of river defenses in Kingstown. He was followed by Member for Southern Grenadines, the Hon. Terrance Ollivierre, who pointed to the continued neglect of public infrastructure, health services and education in his constituency.

It was obvious that after presenting their billion-dollar Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, those on the government side, including Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, did not seem very committed to their revenue and expenditure projections, as only Agriculture Minister, Saboto Caesar and Health Minister, Luke Browne spoke in support of them.

Why would a government that is so very media hungry bring their big Estimates to the House and most of the Ministers fail to speak in support of it?

Were they uncomfortable that the figures were highly unrealistic and sensed that the Vincentian people would realize that they were being misled again by the ULP administration? Given the 1% salary increase forced upon public servants and teachers by the government and the resounding rejection of it by the teachers and public servants, it is evident that Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP government are out of touch with reality in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The NDP Congratulates the SVGTU The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVG TU) has been vindicated by the judgment of the OECS Court of Appeal. The judges declared that the election leave provision of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that the Ralph Gonsalves government signed with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union in 2005, is not unconstitutional. The NDP is studying the judgment and will make further pronouncement in the future.

This matter was brought by the SVGTU against the government when they refused to reinstate three teachers — Addison ‘Bash’ Thomas, Kenroy Johnson, and Elvis Daniel — who had contested the 2015 elections on behalf of the Opposition NDP. The refusal to rehire the teachers was contrary to longstanding practice and an article of Collective Agreement signed in 2005 by the Unions and the Government, to reinstate teachers who would have

contested elections and were unsuccessful at the polls.

This decision by the government to disregard the Collective Agreement signed with the Unions, had not only brought the three teachers to great personal hardships, but effectively they also lost their pensions and other benefits.

The case on behalf of the teachers was first heard by Justice Brian Cottle who, in his February 10, 2018 judgment, said, “When I consider the competing arguments as well as my understanding of the governing legal principles, I am driven to the conclusion that the claimants cannot succeed.” He further noted that the matter was one “for constitutional reform and not for this court.” The claim by the SVG TU was then described as “entirely hopeless” and struck out. The SVGTU persisted in their cause, and on 29 January was vindicated.

The NDP congratulates the SVGTU for their courage and tenacity in pushing forward to seek justice for their members despite the ruling of Justice Cottle. This historic victory is well deserved, and when viewed in conjunction with the recent victory of the PSU, highlights a worrying trend by this ULP government over the years of a practice that is unmistakably antiworker and anti-union.

The NDP urges the SVGTU to continue to be true to its members and to represent their interests first.

Further, the NDP is calling on the Government to respect the SVGTU and the PSU as the legitimate bargaining agents of teachers and public sector workers, and to return to the bargaining table with the unions in accordance with their obligations under ILO Conventions and with historic practice in SVG. In addition, the government should respect the bargaining process and engage in respectful and good-faith negotiations with teachers and public servants.

The Petitions The petitions filed by Benjamin Exeter and Lauron Baptiste challenging the election returns in the constituencies of Central Leeward and North Windward respectively, are set for trial on February 11, 2019. Despite the change of judge in the matter, we expect that the new date February 11, 2019 will finally be the start date for the trial.

This matter concerns all of us. It is not just a Ben Exeter matter or a Lauron Baptise matter. It is not just a Dr. Friday matter or an NDP matter. It is a Vincentian matter, perhaps even a Caribbean matter! With all the delay we have had, and the apparent winding down of the clock to the constitutional date for fresh election, many people have been disappointed about the way the matters have gone. However, we cannot allow the cases to go on without the public knowing what is happening and taking an interest in seeing them to their proper conclusion.

Our electoral process must be free and fair, and must be seen to be so by the people who rely on it to elect their government. The petition is a necessary part of maintaining that system for all of us.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 11.

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Endurance and Glory

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear hard things, but to turn it into glory.” - William Barclay (1907-1978) William Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland Minister and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow.

MANY OF TODAY’S OUTSTANDING athletes developed the discipline to train their bodies to perform at their very best, from a relatively young age. In many instances, they were encouraged by parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens, who had the vision, the insight, to harness the potential and ignite the passion from early childhood. The names that readily come to mind are the outstanding and accomplished athletes like Elderick Tont “Tiger” Woods (born 1975), the American professional golfer who started playing golf at age 2 and emerged to become the then-youngest person to win the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championships, and winner of 14 professional golf championships; Kobe Bryant (born 1978) the outstanding basketball player; Missy Franklin (born 1995) who made the Olympics trials for the USA ice skating team when a mere thirteen-year-old and won four Olympic gold medals before she celebrated her seventeenth birthday; Carly Patterson (born 1988) who commenced performing gymnastic feats at the tender age of six (6) and went on to win the Women’s AllAround Olympic gold medal at the age of 16; Serena Williams (born 1981) who commenced playing tennis at age 4 and by age 32 was ranked the number one tennis player in the world; and Venus Williams (born 1980), Serena’s older sister who also commenced playing tennis as a child and was ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association on three occasions. These all developed their talents and abilities from very tender ages, developed the discipline to pursue their passion even against great odds.

They made the personal sacrifices to endure physical and emotional pain as they rose to prominence in their respective fields. Their examples remind us of the value of endurance en route to success; persistence has its rewards and generates glory.

Athletics is not the only field where youngsters have been able to commence their journey to outstanding accomplishments. There are also many examples cited in the field of music. Singers Aretha Franklin (19422018), Stevie Wonder (born 1950), Britney Spears (born 1981), Robin Rihanna Fenty (born 1988), Celine Dion (born 1968), and Michael Jackson (1958-2009), all commenced their journey to stardom at relatively young ages. They all embraced the challenges to practise regularly. They paid the price. They made personal sacrifices and eventually rose to the pinnacle of their careers. In many instances, they endured hardships and disappointments, setbacks and failures, to create and sustain their legacies as outstanding singers and musicians.

A similar discipline is required for those children who are introduced to playing musical instruments at a young age. Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, in an article entitled “What’s the Right Age to Begin Music Lessons?” comments that, “We’ve all heard the stories of famed musical prodigies, from Mozart writing his first symphony at the age of eight to Stevie

Wonder signing with Motown at 11.

Even if your child isn’t performing with the New York Philharmonic or the Chicago Symphony by age 11 (like violinist Midori and Herbie Hancock, respectively), your family is undoubtedly exposed to talented children in the neighborhood. Whether it’s the church preschool choir or an elementary school band concert, it seems as if parents must immerse their children in music lessons from birth if they want them to succeed, and in a way, they’re right.”

There are tremendous benefits to introducing children to playing a variety of musical instruments at a young age. Classic FM, in an online article published on 5th January 2018, provided ten reasons why individuals are encouraged to play musical instruments (https://www.classicfm.com/discovermusic/reasons-to-play-a-musicalinstrument/). They advocate that playing a musical instrument makes you smarter, improves your social life, relieves stress, gives a sense of achievement, builds confidence, improves patience, helps to improve memory, improves discipline and time management skills, enhances creativity skills, and is simply fun.

This essay will be considered incomplete if it merely focused on outstanding children in the fields of athletics and music, who accepted the challenge to discipline themselves en route to success and enjoyment — enjoying the process/journey as well as the end results. We can also table examples in mathematics and the sciences. At age nine, the Londonbased twins Paula and Peter Imafidon sat and passed the University of Cambridge’s advanced mathematics exam. Their Nigerian parents, Chris and Ann, believed in exposing their children to mathematical concepts at an early age. Anne-Marie, an older sister, won a British government scholarship to undergraduate studies at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, when she was 13 years old. Christina, another sister, at the age of 11, was the youngest student ever to study at the undergraduate level in any British University. And yet another sister, Samantha, was only 6 years old when she passed the mathematics secondary school test. Chris and Ann (the parents) are convinced that their children are no more talented than other children. They believe that adults merely need to ignite the passion for learning and provide the necessary guidance, support, and encouragement that will allow their wards to succeed.

It is indeed a great responsibility, honour, and privilege to ignite that spark of genius in our children. They have so much potential. Often what they need is to have caring adults around them to encourage them to endure, to give their very best, and to unleash their full potential as they pursue their dreams and be prepared for glory.

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

US actions immoral, unethical and illegal ‘The US government continues to plague without the Latin America with misery in the name hard currency of liberty.’ Simon Bolivar. needed to pay for basic OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS, the United necessities.

States of America (USA) has turned Latin Therefore, starving the Venezuelan American into its playground, its backyard economy of its foreign currency earnings in which only yard fowls are allowed. If a risks turning the country’s current leader emerges that asserts self humanitarian crisis into a full-blown determination and upholds his country’s humanitarian catastrophe. right to independence, the USA takes an The United States used the same aggressive stance, in an attempt to flawed strategy in 1960 when the deform, derail or destroy such an example. Eisenhower administration imposed an This is precisely what is taking place embargo on Cuba. A State in Venezuela. The sanctions, embargo Department memo had proposed ‘a line and threat of military invasion, as we of action that makes the greatest saw in Cuba, Libya, Iraq, and so many inroads in denying money and supplies other countries in the world, is not to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real about democracy, but about a mad wages, to bring about hunger, craving for other people’s riches. desperation and the overthrow of the In 2002, the George W. Bush Fidel Castro government.’ Although the administration, through the CIA, aided embargo continues to hurt the Cuban and abetted an attempted coup in people, it failed in its stated goal.

Venezuela in an attempt to overthrow The US National Lawyers Guild said Hugo Chavez’s Bolivarian Revolution. the US action in Venezuela is illegal Then the Bush administration worked under international law. ‘The shocking behind the scenes to back a coup d’état aggression and illegal interference by an anti Chavez opposition with against a sovereign nation by the political and financial support. This Trump administration is a blatant time around, the Americans and violation of the charters of the United Europeans are openly funding and Nations and Organization of American supporting a military coup or foreign States, which recognize the principles of intervention. America is leading the national sovereignty, peaceful regime change effort from in front. settlement of disputes, and a prohibition Chávez used Venezuela’s vast oil on threatening or using force against wealth to eradicate illiteracy and the territory of another state.’ poverty, and to provide education and Venezuela has the world’s largest oil universal health care. When he died in reserves, and the United States is its 2013, President Maduro won the biggest customer. elections and pledged to continue in Indeed, the United Nations Chavez’s footsteps. Maduro won again Charter requires that countries settle in 2018 following an opposition boycott, their disputes peacefully, and forbids and the pressures mounted to bring the the use or threat of force against the people and government to their knees. territorial integrity or political The naming of Elliott Abrams to independence of another oversee the Venezuela operation, the country. Military force is only public threats against Venezuelan permissible in self-defence or with the leaders by John Bolton of ‘consequences’ assent of the Security Council. Further, should they defy the empire, and the Charter of the Organization of Trump’s own multiple statements that a American States (OAS) says no country military option is ‘on the table’ for can intervene, for any reason, in the Venezuela, clearly show that the table is internal or external affairs of another set for regime change. country.

Opposition leaders, including Guaido, US imposition of economic sanctions have already met with VP Pence, and against Venezuela is also illegal. The Trump himself telephoned Guaidó to OAS Charter proscribes the use of express US support. If this is what they coercive economic or political measures are doing overtly, we can only imagine to force the sovereign will of another the depth of their covert ops in country and obtain any advantages from Venezuela. it. Idriss Jazairy, a UN special Before his election, Trump talked rapporteur concerned with the negative about regime change in Venezuela. In impact of sanctions. ‘The use of late 2017, he broached the subject sanctions by outside powers to of invading Venezuela with top White overthrow an elected government is in House officials, including former violation of all norms of international Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and law.’ Jazairy also noted that, then National Security Advisor HR precipitating an economic and McMaster. Both men tried to dissuade humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is not him. He raised the issue with the a foundation for the peaceful settlement president of Colombia at a private of disputes.’ dinner during a UN General Assembly Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, a former meeting. McMaster finally talked UN Special Rapporteur, says the United Trump out of it. When Bolton displayed States is waging ‘economic warfare’ a note pad with the words 5,000 troops against Venezuela.’ Alfred-Maurice de to Colombia written on it at a January Zayas recommends that the 28 press briefing, it was clear his wellInternational Criminal Court placed prop served as an ominous investigate whether “economic war, warning. embargoes, financial blockades and On January 28, the Trump sanctions regimes amount to geopolitical administration turned up the economic crimes and crimes against humanity pressure. It handed over Venezuelan under Article 7 of the Rome Statute’. property and assets to the illegitimate Interestingly, Trump’s sanctions and Guaido, imposed sanctions against threats of military invasion Venezuela that amount to an oil embargo. They also forbade Venezuela’s are overwhelmingly unpopular in Venezuela. Eighty-six percent of state-owned oil company from doing Venezuelans oppose US military business with most US companies.

These penalties are projected to deprive intervention and 81 percent are against sanctions.

Venezuela of $7 billion in assets, Clearly, the US and its allies do not resulting in $11 billion in export losses care how many Venezuelans starve or during the next year. die. It does not care about democracy, Clearly, the sanctions will hurt and human rights or international law. seriously harm government’s standing but not ordinary Venezuelans. But this Washington’s sole concern is to snuff the revolutionary experiment in Caracas is virtually impossible since 95 percent and control its resources. of Venezuela’s export revenue comes from oil sold by the state-owned oil Send comments, criticisms & company. Cutting off the government’s suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com access to dollars will leave the economy

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Green Party SVG Budget Estimates 2019

WARRANT OFFICER Ivan O’Neal BSc (hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, presents the SVG Green Party Budget Estimates 2019. These comparative estimates illustrate the potential of SVG under a Green government and the harsh reality of the economic mess in SVG under the incompetent ULP regime.

SVG has a very high poverty and unemployment rate. SVG must shift towards an export-oriented economy.

Education and science and technology should be the engine of the SVG economy. This will eradicate poverty, create mass employment and get money circulating our country.

Notes to the SVG Green Party SVG Budget Estimates 2019 a) A 25% reduction in tax collected as a Green government starts a phased reduction on the heavy taxes imposed upon SVG people and businesses. b) A 25% reduction as a Green government starts a phased reduction on the heavy fees, fines and permit costs imposed upon SVG people and businesses. c) A Green government would abolish the tax and customs duty exemptions given to Taiwan and the white, superrich migrants in Mustique and Canouan, and take back our SVG Atlantic Ocean tuna fishing licence from Taiwan. We would impose a ‘windfall tax’ on Taiwan and the white, super-rich migrants in Mustique and Canouan. This will give SVG a massive amount of revenue EC$3 billion - to create economic growth in SVG.

d) The ULP regime has relied upon begging and borrowing from foreign countries since 2001. This must stop as SVG is heavily indebted, so much so, that the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council has decided to extend the timetable to reduce our Debt/GDP Ratio to 60.0 per cent from 2020 to 2030. Under a Green government there will be no need to beg and borrow. e) The ULP regime has relied upon begging and borrowing and ‘raiding’ from local institutions since 2001. This must stop as SVG is heavily indebted. Under a Green government there will be no need to beg and borrow. f) This is usually the sale of Crown Lands. A Green government will not sell off our country’s lands to foreigners to raise income like the ULP regime does. g) This is a figure the ULP regime makes up to hide the deficit on the income needed. It is money they hope will grow on trees. The budget really has a deficit of EC$198 million. The ULP regime is misleading the people of SVG with a fake billion dollar budget. The government is short of money. h) Total revenue for 2019 could have been over 3 times as much under a Green government. This would boost the SVG economy and get money circulating our country. i) Under a Green government, there would be massive investment in infrastructure to reinvigorate and expand the economy. This will create mass employment in new economic

sectors and increase the number of people receiving salaries. j) The increased amount of employment will mean increased contributions to pensions and NIS. Also, pensions in SVG are too small. Our people need more money to have a good quality of life when they retire. k) General public services in SVG have deteriorated substantially under the ULP regime. Our public services need to be increased and modernised so our people get a better service and have a better quality of life. l) The year 2017 was another bad year for Vincentians under the incompetent ULP regime, with murders reaching a record high of 42. SVG now has the fourth highest murder rate per capita in the world. There is too much blood running in SVG. A Green government would invest much more in public order and safety to fight crime and the causes of crime. m) A Green government will invest more to increase and modernise SVG’s economic activities. n) Environmental protection is essential. Kingstown is very polluted and dirty, many drains are blocked, and some areas of land around the country are being used as illegal rubbish tips. A scheme to recycle household and commercial waste will be set up. This

will help protect our waterways and provide a cleaner environment for our people. o) A Green government would invest more in housing and community infrastructures to provide our people with a better standard of living. p) Our health centres and facilities need to be modernised. We need more doctors and nurses in SVG, and all health services such as dentists, opticians, medicines, hearing tests, physiotherapy, etc, need to be free. SVG needs a healthy population to have a working and industrious population. In the ULP government Budget Estimates 2019, the ULP regime invests only about EC$91 per person on health, based on a population of 110,000. A Green government would invest much more. q) The protection and preservation of our culture and heritage is important as they are vital components in nation building. A Green government will build museums, galleries and theatres so that our talented artists and performers can exhibit their works and perform cultural productions. A Green government would also fund school trips to museums, galleries and theatres so that young people can learn more about our culture.

(To be continued)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08 , 2019. 13.

Arts

Avenue Dancers hold Awards Ceremony

by GLORIAH…

THE AVENUE DANCE Company held an impressive Tea Party and Awards Ceremony at the Girl Guides Headquarters, Paul’s Avenue, Saturday, 26th January.

The occasion, a replacement for the annual party for dancers, was considered a celebration of the achievements of the dance company and the hard work of its dancers: Juniors, Intermediate and Seniors.

Patrons of the ‘celebration’ comprised parents and guardians of the dancers, affiliates and well-wishers from the immediate communities and far beyond.

The tea and sumptuous finger food aside, the ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards — gifts and trophies — to members of the dance troupe.

Some dancers who had done extraordinarily well over the years were given additional recognition.

These were: Shanyah Peters, Clarisann Joseph, Amaris Murphy, Ciara Jeffers, and Kaydee Chadband. Nasya Browne was awarded as the Most Improved Dancer.

Special recognition was made of Mrs. Krystal RobertsonClarke who contributed in no small way to propelling the group along its path of progress.

From whence it came

The Avenue Dancers dance company was started in 1986 by Ms. Bridget John, known more affectionately as ‘Bridgie’ and/or ‘Aunty Bridgie’, who co-opted, and three other teenagers from Paul’s Avenue as dancers.

The ‘group’s’ first dance appearance was at the Ms. Youth Show at the then Lyric Cinema.

That was an opening for a rush of new members.

But as time wore on, members migrated, and the group began to disintegrate. It was then that Bridget John decided to begin again, this time with eight children between the ages of five and seven years old.

Soon, what was called the ‘Village Queen Show’ phenomenon took root in Paul’s Avenue at ‘Ras Ital Ranch’.

Mr. Brian Samuel from Paul’s Avenue took over those village queen shows and broadened the scope into what became Ms. Youth. It was performing at Ms. Youth that catapulted the Avenue Dancers on to the national stage, and handed them their first opportunity in 1988, to perform at that year’s Miss SVG Pageant.

More nationally-profiled performances followed thereafter, and the group has been producing annual dance recitals of their own since 1988.

The Avenue Dance Company is grateful to the following for their contributions to the Tea Party and Awards

A section of the patrons at the Tea Party and Awards Ceremony.

Ceremony: Elizabeth Maruggio, Yvonne Peters, Dexter Boucher, Carlon Quammie, and Jasmine John.

The Avenue Senior, Intermediate and Junior Dancers with their gifts and trophies.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 15.

14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

“Live Entertainment Magic” TRINIDAD’S ERPHAAN ALVES, backed by the veteran band Imij and Company, headlined the Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest 2019 to a capacity crowd this past Saturday night at De Reef.

He gave excited fans his famous rendition of the soca ballad “Overdue” among other hits, and had patrons chanting along with him in live entertainment magic.

Photos by: Cloud Island Media

Erphaan Alves, backed by Imil and Company, left an indelible mark on the soca fanatics with an energy- filled performance at De Reef.

Hance, one of the Vincentian artistes who impressed on ‘Soca Sunday’.

Imij, together with the high energy performance of Marius Charlemagne, Philip 7, and Kweku Jelani of the NJ30+ band from Barbados, made up for an otherwise lackluster performance from WCK of Dominica, who did not deliver their well-known hits as expected, playing mostly unknown new songs.

The band Energy, with Godfred Ollivierre, opened the show on Saturday night with their unique style.

Not to be forgotten, the Saturday afternoon open-air jam under the palm trees was better than ever.

Headlining was the Barbados Band Lennox, with his unique Reggae and R&B style; the Bequia Blues Band comprised of Uthan McIntosh, Jerry Simpson, Mikey Wilke, Nicola Cornwell and guest performer guitarist Joshu from Antigua; and Jan and Louis and the Infinity Band.

The night before, Friday, Imij and Company gave the partygoers what they wanted, at the Plantation Hotel.

Despite some drizzling rain, Imij ramped up the energy and even gave

an impressive impromptu, ad lib musical standoff between their leader and guitarist Ng Wai and lead vocalist Stuart Silva..

The youngsters of the Bajan band Kevan Sahai and the Crashers also played great music, earning their place in the prestigious Bequia Festival.

Cuban guitarist and vocalist Rey Escobar, backed by local talent of Joff Venner and others, gave a great Latin performance, in a well-rounded night of music that makes this product so unique.

But the annual live music festival had opened on Wednesday, January 30th, with a candlelight dinner and jazz concert, featuring the Caribbean Creole Jazz band GBK out of Martinique, Jazz vocalist Debbie Reifer from Barbados, Spanish flamenco guitarist Hector Belda Om and local pan virtuoso Rodney Small and the Essence Band. Without question, the night’s performances set the pace for a high standard of entertainment over the five-day festival.

A plethora of Vincentian musicians perform on different nights with an emphasis on “Soca Sunday”, which was dedicated to local talent.

Sunday’s draw was the iconic Becket, the seemingly “ageless” ABC of Calypso, who did not disappoint with more sweet soca music embellished by a formidable horn section old school Vincy style, competently backed by Bequia’s Infinity led by Uthan McIntosh.

In addition to the famous ABC, the Pan Boss Rodney Small had a second performance, and many other top Vincy artistes were featured. These included Hance, LPank, Nicki Pierre, D’Termine, Kyron Baptiste, Keido backed by the Vykinz Band. They were all well received, especially

The Infinity Band getting into the spirt under the palm trees, Saturday afternoon jam.

Hance.

Other Vincentian artistes featured over the weekend included the legendary vocalist and pianist Andy Cruickshank, and trumpet player Hasani Arthur.

Not to be outdone on Thursday Night, at the Frangipani Hotel Musicfest favorite - the 14-piece Elite Steel Orchestra gave an energized performance, led by band leader and arranger Kesslon Wilson.

With over 130 regional and local musicians performing in the five-day, six-event festival, held in Bequia at the end of every January, Bequia Musicfest 2019 was “live entertainment at its best”!

The Bequia Mount Gay Music Festival is run by the Bequia Tourism Association and its Musicfest Committee, headed by Director Sabrina Mitchell, and features a wide variety of musical genres, celebrating the best of SVG and the region, and attracting visitors from across the globe.

The Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture the Hon. Cecil McKie spoke to patrons on Friday night, expressing his pleasure at being present, and welcomed visitors, yachtsmen and all attendees to the Bequia Music Fest.

Conceived by the BTA over 16 years ago to create a much-needed boost to the tourism economy on Bequia, the Minister acknowledged that the not-for-profit Bequia Music Fest is now a wellestablished event in the tourism calendar of the SVG Tourism Authority, who are also a major sponsor.

If you missed a great weekend of entertainment magic, plan for next year……dates are set for January 29 to February 2nd, 2020.

NJ30 from Barbados made up for whatever patrons felt they were missing on Saturday night at De Reef.

Right: Debbie Reiffer, Jazz vocalist from Barbados, helped to make the new Wednesday event one to remember.

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16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Mylz Williams

Education

Three graduate from CPA Canada Jorge Da Silva

Bijorn Bullock

THREE VINCENTIANS have graduated as Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA), Canada.

The three are Jorge Da Silva, Bijorn Bullock and Mylz Williams.

Williams and Bullock are out of the state, but Da Silva was present at a ceremony at Beachcombers Hotel last Tuesday, held in their honour.

CPA Vice President mindful of global changes Vice President of CPA Canada International, Nancy Foran, speaking at the event, said of the graduates: “Their achievements are nothing short of exemplary, and they should be proud of owning a globally respected business and accounting designation”.

She welcomed the three graduates to a special cohort of 6163 candidates who passed the September 2018 Common Final exam — a three-day affair, no easy game.

Foran was mindful that global changes, including technology, have affected the accounting profession and will influence the

Vice President of CPA Canada International, Nancy Foran.

future of CPA and the business community. In light of such knowledge, CPA, she said, has introduced an initiative known as “CPA Foresight”, which will help shape where the profession is going in the future.

PM recognises graduates Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was on hand to recognize the graduates. He said that he was happy to see CPA operating and that he knew a number of outstanding persons who possess certificates from CPA. “I am hopeful that I would see more young Vincentians following in the footsteps of the graduates,” said Gonsalves.

Persons participating in CPA do not need to go to Canada to do the programme since all the exams are done online.

A series of workshops in Barbados is said to be the only time when Vincentian students are required to travel overseas.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN, Da Silva said that he was pursuing the programme under Certified General Accountants of Canada (CGA-Canada) before it was integrated with CPA Canada.

He recognized the CPA course as more enduring than CGA. “They (CPA) ensure that you know your work,” said Da Silva, adding that more recognition should be given to persons who completed the course because of its challenging nature. (KH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08 , 2019. 17.

Business

(L-R): Kelvin Franklyn and Seon Ballah, Marketing Coordinator and Trade and Marketing Coordinator respectively of the St. Vincent Brewery, at the launch of the Guinness Pool Competition.

Guinness Pool Competition launched THE GUINNESS brand here has launched its first promotion for 2019.

The Guinness Pool Competition 2019, dubbed ‘Guinness Racket it Up’, was officially launched last week Wednesday at a press conference, held at the Campden park headquarters of the St. Vincent Brewery, local brewers of the internationally renowned Guinness.

According to Marketing Coordinator at the St. Vincent Brewery Kelvin Franklyn, “..pool is one

of the ways we position Guinness ,” in the market place.

The structure of the Competition will entail eight preliminary rounds leading up to the grand final on April 6, at the Spot Light Stadium in Georgetown, explained Seon Ballah, Trade and Marketing Coordinator at the Brewery.

The Preliminary rounds are as follows: Feb 01 - West Side Bar, Edinboro Road; Feb. 08 -, Nani Billingy Shop, Pembroke; Feb. 16 Captain Lano’s Bar, Villa; Feb. 22 - Drop Off

POOL TIPS

HERE ARE a few tips on the fundamentals of playing pool.

1. Make sure your stance is stable, provides clearance for the stroke, and is comfortable.

2. Keep your grip relaxed during the entire stroke (see grip technique advice).

3. Make sure your bridge is stable and still during your stroke (see bridge technique advice).

4. Use a bridge length appropriate for you and a particular shot (see bridge length advice).

5. Keep your cue still and eyes quiet when checking your cue alignment and aim (see reasons for pauses).

6. Don’t rush the transition between the final back stroke and forward stroke (see stroke technique advice).

7. Don’t drop your elbow during the stroke into the ball (see elbow drop).

8. Stay down on the shot ... don’t move your head or body during the stroke (see stroke technique advice).

9. Don’t use more speed than is appropriate for a given shot.

Night Club, San Souci; March 01 - Police Canteen, Kingstown ; March 09 - Skyline Bar, Bequia; March 15 - Cool Corner Bar, Cane End; March 23 - Azard Bar, Troumaca.

The winner in each preliminary round will receive $600.00 and advance to the grand finals, where the winner’s purse will be $6,000.00, Ballah assured.

And patrons to the preliminary rounds and the finals have a chance to share in a number of giveaways and Guinness at special prices.

And Guinness drinkers are not forgotten. They have a chance to win a Guinness-branded refrigerator filled with Guinness, when they purchase a six-pack of their favourite stout, write their name on the back of the receipt, drop it into a box provided and wait for the grand draw.

Participating supermarkets include: Massy Stores in Stoney Ground, Arnos Vale and Kingstown; Randy’s Supermarkets in Kingstown and Calliaqua, and Diamond Groceries in Diamond.

The winner will be selected from a draw.

(KH)

18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08 , 2019. 19.

News

National Corporate Public Speaking Championship

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL is a world leader in public speaking, communication and leadership development. Thanks to its presence in St Vincent and the Grenadines since 2006, numerous men and women are far better equipped to make enhanced contributions to the national, social and economic development of this country.

Toastmasters here are currently planning the first Annual Public Speaking Contest for staff of registered companies throughout the country. The aim is to encourage fluent communication in the workplace. The response, from the more than 100 business places that have received letters informing them of this venture, has been remarkable.

The schedule of the competition is as follows:

Generous cash prizes are at stake for the first, second and third place winners of the final contest.

See you all at the first Annual National Corporate Public Speaking Championship.

Preliminary Round: February 23, 2019 @ The Girl Guides’ HQ, Kingstown; Semi-finals: March 16, 2019 (venue TBD); Finals: April 13, 2019 (venue TBD).

Each participating firm will be allowed up to two (2) members of staff entering the competition.

Door prizes and many other tokens to be won by the audience, thanks to the sponsors.

Should anyone require more information on this prestigious event, feel free to contact: Tel. #: 1784-493-4746, Email: The topic for the speakers is: svgpublicspeaking@gmail.com.

Facebook: The National Corporate “THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN Public Speaking Championship.

BUSINESS.” Instagram: SVG_NCPSC

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Refocus your attention

Dear George, RECENTLY, while I was on my way to work, I ran into a woman who exhibited some strange behaviour.

She stood in my way and before I could say anything, she raised her blouse, exposing her breasts, then exposed her butt to me, saying, “This is why your boyfriend sleeps out at nights.”

I was dumbfounded! It was true that in the past 2 months my boyfriend slept out 12 times, and his excuses for doing so never made sense. Should I go tell this woman to leave my man alone?

Shocked

Your quarrel is not with this woman. You need to talk to your boyfriend. He was the one who crossed lines and involved himself with this woman. Based on his response to you, then you should know whether or not you should spend any more of your valuable time investing in a relationship that appears to be going nowhere.

Dear Shocked,

George

Put him in Family Court

if he could be so wicked to do that to me and his young child, what else would he do? He told me he will not be paying child support because it was I who threw him out. Is that so?

Dear George,

I JUST FOUND out that my boyfriend has been feeding me a bunch of lies. He has been telling me that his boss cut his days by two days because things were slow. The truth is he has been out on those 2 days looking for a hustle instead of just staying at home.

One day when he was out, his boss called and asked why wasn’t he at work on the day he said he was cut from. That’s when I got the truth — he was giving his on-the-side woman the equivalent of 2-days pay.

I got rid of him right away because

Painful discovery.

Dear Painful discovery, Your boyfriend needs to understand that throwing him out has nothing to do with the financial support of his child. One has nothing to do with the other. He has a financial obligation to support his child, and should he refuse to do so, then you can resort to the Family Court for help.

George

Abortion?

Not your choice Dear George, WOULD YOU believe my girlfriend wants to leave me because I suggested that she has an abortion?

I’ve told her many times that I love her but do not want a child with her. She, though, always spoke of one day starting a family. She actually fooled me into getting her pregnant by saying she was on the pill when she was not. Now, she wants to keep this pregnancy which is directly opposite to my wishes. What should I do now?

Unsure Dear Unsure, It’s your girlfriend’s right to keep this pregnancy, and there is

nothing you can do about that. You knew all along she wanted a family but probably never took her seriously. It would have been better if at the beginning both of you wanted the same things.

That usually works!

If there is no ground

for compromise, wish her well, but commit to take care of the child she’s carrying. It’s better you decide on your own to do so now, rather than have the courts decide for you.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You'll be dropping friends for no apparent reason. You should be trying to clear up legal contracts that have been pending. Your personal life will still be experiencing difficulties and you are best to avoid the issues for the time being.

You're in need of love.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ mMay 21) Do something that will be stimulating and creative. You will learn a great deal from people with different cultural backgrounds. You may find that your documents are not in order. You can make changes to your home that will be pleasing to all concerned.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Be discreet about your feelings, and hold back until you find out a little more about the person who's coming on to you. You should be getting into self‐ improvement projects. Discuss your objectives with partners or peers. Only offer to do the things you have time for.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Your colorful conversation may attract new mates. You are likely to reveal information unintentionally. Try to be tolerant of the moods of those around you. Residential moves will also be advantageous for all concerned.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) You need to spend some time reflecting on past experiences and involvement's.

Do your work at home, if you can.

Someone may be trying to make you look bad. Don't let others take advantage of your good nature.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Sudden changes of heart may cause disruptions in your domestic scene. You may find it difficult to communicate. Get involved in worthwhile endeavors and meet new friends. Your involvement in sports or entertainment will lead to new romances.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You might find that a coworker has been two faced. You have two choices; Get out on your own, or bend to your mate's whims. You may want to take a trip; however, before you do, make sure that your car is serviced properly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) You'll find it easy to meet new people.

Your greatest enjoyment will come through social activities and pleasure trips. Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self‐ awareness. ctive for your lover to catch on.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Enjoy some socializing this week. Be careful; you may upset someone you live with if you don't consult with them. Your anger may be impossible to contain if you get into debates with family members. Travel if it's needed to start the ball rolling.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals. Be careful how you handle friends and relatives, they may take things the wrong way. You will be highly entertaining when in contact with your lover.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Your philanthropic contributions will bring you praise. You should be setting up interviews or sending out your resume this week. Don't lend to people who have given you negative vibes. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) You need to be inspired and have your spirits lifted. Enjoy some socializing this week. Sudden changes regarding colleagues may surprise you. Do your chores and get on with the things you enjoy doing.

ACROSS 1. British peer 5. Rocker Orbison 8. Quite skilled 12. Buffalo’s Great Lake 13. Juice drink 14. Put (down) 15. Crystalline seasoning 16. Baking (turkeys) 18. Snoozing person 20. Burger disk 21. Automobile 22. Respectful title 23. Five times eight 26. So far 27. Contains 30. Tall spring bloom 31. Screen siren West 32. Puerto _ 33. Businessman Turner 34. Drone 35. Hornet homes 36. Carry around 37. Beaver‐built work 38. Laundry woe 41. Bullfighting one 45. Like prunes 47. Colosseum city 48. Close assistant 49. Wine – dine 50. Reflex‐testing site 51. Pained cry 52. Fellow 53. Mail DOWN 1. Smaller in number 2. Mouth‐related 3. Annoy 4. Notices 5. Not as common 6. Funny smell 7. Positive vote 8. Church platform

9. Enticement 10. Dryer fluff 11. Anxious 17. Barbecue rod 19. Settle up 22. Use the eyes 23. In good shape 24. Mine product 25. Get free (of) 26. Thanksgiving Veggie 27. That duke’s 28. Emulate Angela Bassett 29. Coded distress transmission 31. Coffee vessel 32. Comments

34. Lump 35. Performer King Cole 36. Flax cloth 37. Family head 38. Enjoyed a pool 39. Wee jazz band

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 21.

40. Opera heroine 41. Café list 42. Finished 43. Supernatural sign 44. Marsh stalk 46. Be a dawdler

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports Feature

Windies regain Wisden Trophy A day after Jason Holder led West Indies to a historic series win against England, the International Cricket Council suspended the skipper because of his team’s slow over rate during the second match in Antigua.

way of putting it was they will find “form” against HAD ANYONE TOLD ME a Bangladesh. They never month ago that the West did. West Indies lost both Indies would have regained Tests. the Wisden Trophy by the While the West Indies end of the second Test in were licking their wounds Antigua, my response would in one part of Asia, have been, nonsense!

England were in excellent At the end of the Test “form” in a another part tour of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka. The host were 2018, I had to apologise to badly beaten. They lost all a few of my friends. I three Tests. It was a never believed Bangladesh whitewash. To Joe Root could defeat the West and his men, cricket was Indies by an innings. My the easiest sport to play on this planet.

The stage was now set for the ICC number two team, England, to meet the number eight team, West Indies, in a threeTest series in the Caribbean. India with 116 points, stood just 8 points ahead of England - 108.

On the other hand, West Indies were bordering the ninth place on 70 rating points, just one point ahead of Bangladesh — 69 points.

by EARL W. ROBINSON

Kemar Roach deservingly leads the West Indies off the field in Antigua, after he had ensured another victory for his team.

WI rub it in

encourages batsmen to play attacking shots, and fast bowlers to bowl aggressively.

This will be the seventh Test at this venue, dating back to June 2003 when Sri Lanka opposed the home team under the leadership of Brian Lara.

Lara responded by scoring a personal 209. The result was a draw.

At it stands, of the six Tests played there, there have been four draws, one victory over Bangladesh by 296 runs in 2014, and one loss to India by 237 runs in 2016.

Although the figures favour a draw, the West Indies are on a roll and are in an excellent position to press for a whitewash over England who, in a matter of two weeks, have been destroyed mentally. The last time they were whitewashed was in 1986.

That was a five-Test series.

Captain Root’s ship is sinking. Such a finish (whitewash) will not be a good swansong for James (Jimmy) Anderson and Stuart Broad.

With an aggregate of 229 runs at an average of 114.50 and seven wickets at an average of 17.85 per wicket, Holder will be missed in St. Lucia.

Whitewash or not, congratulations West Indies!

Different venue…. same result! The Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua, venue for the second Test, saw West Indies romping home by ten wickets in only three days. Does this sound familiar?

Lack of application with England falls at Kensington the bat by England meant by the end of day one, they January 24, 2019, the were asking themselves second day of the first more questions. All out for Test at Kensington, to 187 in 61 overs. Yet again, present time, the Roach was in business, bookmakers would have taking four wickets for 30 lost huge sums of money runs. And he was well on bets in this series.

England’s dismissal for supported by Shannon Gabriel three for 45. On 77 in only 30.2 overs, the lowest total at Kensington, the second day, England added to their woes by has left their fans and dropping several catches. followers shell-shocked.

Once the West Indies The previous lowest team lead got to a hundred, the total, 81, was held jointly writing was on the wall for

by India (1997) and Root’s men. Darren Bravo Pakistan (2017). Punters 50 off 216 deliveries, who bet against England Kraigg Brathwaite 49 off prior to the start of the series, should be receiving 156 balls, and John healthy sums of cash. The Campbell 47 off 118 balls, odds were heavily against were exemplary in displaying grit and the W.I when it began.

Special mention has to determination.

England’s second be made of Kemar Roach. innings was worse than His 5 for 17 was magnificent. Opener Rory the first … all out for 132 in 42.1 overs. The batsmen Burns, Johnny Bairstow, did not learn anything Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler from Bravo and company. and Moeen Ali were his Roach was back in victims. From that point, action again. This time he England have been had four for 52, taking his playing catch-up cricket.

Captain Jason Holder 202 tally to 13 scalps for 157 runs at an average of not out, Shane Dowrich 12.07. In the four Tests he 116 not out in their has played at that unbroken seventh wicket ground, he had partnership of 295, along totaled 25 wickets — with Roston Chase 8 for a record. Skipper 60, were unquestionably Holder grabbed four wonderful contributions. for 43.

As far as spin bowlers at Kensington are concerned, Next… Gros Islet Chase’s innings figures were second to Lance Over the years, Gibbs’ 8 for 38 in 1962.

The victory margin of 381 the pitches at the Darren Sammy runs was a West Indian Stadium, Gros record at Kensington.

Joe Root, England’s captain, Islet, St. Lucia, Australia were beaten by was a dejected man after two were good for 343 runs in 1991. losses on the trot to a West stroke play. The England’s previous worst Indies team that was lowly bounce is usually was 298 in 1981. ranked among test-playing consistent. It

nations.

V „A step in the right direction,‰ SVGFF President

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 23.

Federation (SVGFF), thinks that the hosting of the National Under-13 Football Competition, “..is a step in the right direction.”

Fraser made this pronouncement last Saturday, at the opening of the competition at the Victoria Park, and noted that the Under13 Competition is part of a broader development framework for the sport.

“The SVGFF or the Executive and this Teams involved in the President, will warm up session during continue to ensure that the opening of the Football is developed National Under-13 all across St Vincent Football Competition, last and the Grenadines,” Saturday at the Victoria he underscored.

Park.

Fraser said a testimony to this is the MARVIN FRASER – fact that there are President of the St. twenty-five teams Vincent and the contesting the Under-13 Grenadines Football

Competition, with teams drawn from the length and breadth of the mainland.

The teams were outfitted with uniforms, compliments the SVGFF. “No one is being left out … No one is being ostracised …At the beginning of my tenure, I said that we are going to be all inclusive and ensure that Football is developed across our country,” Fraser reminded those gathered at Victoria Park.

The President praised those clubs which continue to suffice the National Football Programme by having teams in all the age groups, as well as Senior Men and Senior Women teams. “….. The Football Federation will continue to put the things in place to help with the

development of those clubs … We will continue to identify packages to suit the needs of every club , because FIFA and CONCACAF recognise Club Football and Club Structure,” Fraser added.

At last Saturday’s opening, twenty- one of the twenty- five teams were part of Football Festival, used to usher in the grand occasion.

After a colourful March Past, the teams were engaged in a warmup session with Fitness Trainer- Lindon James of Be Fit Movement.

The twenty- one teams were placed in seven groups of three, with the seven group winners and the best second place, making it to the quarter finals.

System Three and Volcanoes got to the final, but fading light

Teams involved in the warm up session during the opening of the National Under-13 Football.

Zefal Bailey wins 65-mile Road Race ZEFAL BAILEY showed off his prowess last Sunday afternoon, as he made light work of an inexperienced field in the SVG Cycling Union’s 65-Mile Road Race.

Bailey was first to reach the finish line at the Sion Hill Intersection, clocking 3 hours 19 minutes 52.56 seconds for a route that began at Bentick Square, Kingstown , on to Langley Park , back to the Arnos Vale Round About and then two loops of the Round About to Diamond route, ending at Sion Hill.

Bailey was one of three riders to complete the full course.

Some distance behind Bailey was Sherwin James, who endured to the end in a time of 3 hours 50

minutes 56.17 seconds.

And, completing those who endured the 65 miles, was Carlos Rebes of Venezuela. He finished in a time of 4 hours 10 minutes 53.20 seconds.

Three other cyclists who started the race, were unable to stay the course.

At least one cyclist expressed concern about the length of last Sunday’s race, especially in light of the fact that it was just the second race for the year.

A Time Trial, consisting of 4 miles, held the previous Sunday, opened the 2019 SVG Cycling Union’s calendar of events.

Zefal Bailey (left) accepts his cash award from fellow cyclistPeter Durrant, this country’s top Veteran cyclist and former national champion.

Action in last Saturday’s National Under-13 Football Festival. resulted in no winner being declared.

The competition gets off in earnest this Saturday. The twentyfive teams are placed in four zones.

The two top places in

each of the four zones will head to the Quarter Finals.

Players eligible for participation in the Under-13 Competition, must be born during 2007 and after.

Goal-scorers locked in battle THE RACE FOR THE TOP goal-scoring award in the Premier Division of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s National Club Championships, has become a shoulder to shoulder battle.

Following 12 rounds of matches, Hope International’s Valdo Anderson and Sion Hill’s Sheaquean Millington are locked on 11 goals each.

Anderson, formerly of Valdo Anderson Greiggs but who switched to Hope International for the Below: 2018/2019 season, was trailing Sheaquean Millington until last Friday, Millington when he hit a hattrick in his team’s 3-1 win over CamdoniaChelsea at the Victoria Park.

Millington, though, has been goalless in his last three outings.

Bearing down on Anderson and Millington are the BESCOPastures duo of Hosni Chandler and Chavel Cunningham, both on nine goals from 12 matches.

The goal scoring form of the quartet of Anderson, Millington, Chandler and Cunningham, has been pivotal in their team’s current standings on the 12-team table of the Premier Division.

BESCO — Pastures lead the standings on 27 points, just one point ahead of North Leeward Predators on 26 points.

Hope International is third on 21 points, also only one point better than Sion Hill on 20 points.

System Three Sports Academy on 19 points is fifth, only bettering Je Belle, who also has 19 points, by a superior goal differential.

Occupying seventh place is the SV United on 15 points.

While Avenues United and Pride and Joy have 13 points each, the former occupies the eighth place as they enjoy a better goal difference Sitting on 12 points and in tenth place is Camdonia — Chelsea.

And eleventh place Largo Height is on 10 points, with Bequia United at the bottom of the standings on 8 points.

Each of the twelve teams has 10 matches remaining.

V

24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Brereton House retains KPS athletics title Brereton House (Yellow) amassed 529 as champions.

both the Girls the Boys with 30 points. and Boys Thirty-two events Under-11 comprised this year’s Jerrold McDowall of Wilson House – Boys Mya Peters of John House – Girls champions: Under-13 Champion.

Under-13 Champion.

Deandre BRERETON HOUSE (Yellow) submariners’ Archibald (23 Brereton House’s stood tall when they amassed 529 points, just Solange Thomas, 23 points) and Xavier Ash retained their title at the enough to stay ahead of (24 points) respectively. points, and Adriano Kingstown Preparatory Wilson House (Red) with Glasgow, 20 points, were Mya Peters of John School (KPS) 70th Annual 522. John House (Blue) House copped the Underthe Girls and Boys Athletics Championship, was third with 476 13 Girls Division with 30 Under-8 champions held at the Arnos Vale points, and Eustace points, and Jerrold respectively.

Sports Complex last week. House (Green) fourth Wilson House provided McDowall of Wilson The ‘yellow with 458 points.

House did likewise for

Meet.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

Mills House: 4-time SBSS Athletics Champs

Harry anticipates good athletics season GODFREY HARRY, Head Coach of Thomas Saunders Secondary School’s (TSSS) athletics programme, is anticipating a fruitful year for his athletes.

As far as competitions are concerned, Harry noted, “This will be the 9th year Thomas Saunders will be taking part in the Penn Relays in the United States. We are also putting together Godfrey Harry – long-standing Head Coach of Thomas Saunders Secondary School’s athletics programme.

a team for a chance at CARIFTA, regional games in Grenada, as well as Inter-Secondary Cchool Championships.”

The Head Coach disclosed that “Our preparation started since in the summer… where we had ‘new’ other athletes coming in because we want to blood the younger ones who are going to the Penn Relays”.

Harry also pointed to his athletes participation in a Barbados meet as a qualifying event for the

Penn Relays.

The males are aiming at a qualifying time of 3 minutes 40 seconds, and the for the females 4 minutes 20 seconds, in the 4x400 meters relay.

“Last year our females had a good performance, but we have the challenge of the boys leaving as soon as we have got them closer to the top level of the relays,” Harry explained, adding that there were only two males who will return for this year’s relays.

As it relates to this year’s Inter-Secondary Schools’ Championship, the head coach believes it will be competitive but he is confident, “we will go one better.”

The TSSS ran second for females and third for males in last year’s Championships.

While winning is good, the development of the athletes is very important, Harry proffered, and advanced the view that , “Over a period of time, development of athletes/players will determine where you go, so once you develop to that level, you will eventually win.”

MILLS HOUSE captured their 4th consecutive overall title when the Sandy Bay Secondary School held its annual Athletics Meet last week.

The defending champions ran away with the title, having accumulated 1,113 points to finish well ahead of Ballantyne House on 1011 points and San House on 909 points.

Doven Lavia compiled 32 points Alishia Woods - Victrix to capture the Boys Ludorum.

Junior Champion title, with Alishia Woods, 34 points, doing likewise among the Junior Girls.

The Intermediate Boys Champions was Kadeem Henry with 24 points, while Kilasha Williams with 23, was the Intermediate Girls champion.

Leo Williams was the Senior Boys champion with 27 points. Monelle Doven Lavia - Victor Lavia captured the Ludorum.

Senior Girls title.

The top Junior athletes — Deven Lavia and Alisha Woods were crowned the Victor Ludorum and Victrix respectively.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 25.

Sports

Poisoned chalice THE DIE HAS been cast, and West Indies’ captain Jason Holder will be a shadow as the Third Test plays out at Beausejour, St. Lucia, February 9.

The home team has been forced into some adjustments, with Kraig Brathwaite entrusted into captaincy duties, as a result of a one-match ban inflicted on captain Holder, for a slow over rate by his team.

The ruling by the International Cricket Council comes across as harsh. The West Indies were deemed to have been two overs short of the quota.

The fact that the match was over half way on the third day was of no consequence.

If it is a question of lethargy, then something ought to be considered about the 90 overs allotted for the day.

There is the mandatory 15 overs in the last hour of the final day. It is astounding that those two overs could be so vital that they engender a suspension.

What cruel irony that such a punishment had to be let off on Holder at a time when he was enjoying his most productive period on the field. His comments, forthright assessment of the doldrums which his team passed through, distinguished him as a sober, patient and tolerant individual.

He bore the burden of our prolonged malaise with a coat of pride. He broke the jinx in a compelling manner with personal injections of value: batting, bowling, fielding and leadership. The squad coalesced around him, and there was a sense of camaraderie within the outfit, reminiscent of the times when West Indies approached games with an air of invincibility.

Holder has been denied the opportunity of amassing some more points to make the Man of the Series reward an indisputable conclusion. His double century and his returns with the ball projected him high in the reckoning.

But then, it is cricket, and there is a match to be determined. Anyone can rise to the occasion and come into contention. The West Indies has delivered on an all-round basis.

The 306 in Antigua represented a display of grit and determination. Darren Bravo batted with an understanding of the situation. His half century consumed 216 deliveries, and he had some sores and bruises to show for it. But importantly, that was the role which helped the West Indies to chisel a 119 lead. That was enough to provide the ten-wicket victory.

Kraig Brathwaite’s 49 came off 156 deliveries, and his opening partner John Campbell used up 118 balls for his 47.

England, hopefully, would have been awakened to make an effort to salvage some pride in the third test. Having disregarded the West Indies, they found themselves facing the prospect of a series white wash. That was never on the cards when they arrived in the Caribbean. England were confident of a clean sweep, so much so that they refused a proper warm-up match.

Their commentators described the West Indies as mediocre. Indeed, the results from their immediately preceding outing on the Asian contingent might have justified those sentiments. But you are as good as your present innings.

A potential setback lurked as a result of the fallout in the coaching department. Stuart Law’s departure hinted at conflict. And the daggers were out.

The results the team managed have diverted attention from the coaching and administrative darts that have been prevalent. West Indies have achieved something of an upset. England was more focussed on the Ashes series and took their eye off the duty at hand.

For the moment, the spotlight is on the third test and what impact the poisoned chalice provided by the ICC will have.

Weekend of 1st Div. centuries THERE WERE centuries scored in each of the three weekend matches in SVGCA/NLA First Division Cricket Competition.

Captain Elron Lewis stroked his first century, 105, to propel Julius Anthony North Leeward Northern Stars to their first win of the season, when they beat Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors by 266 runs in the Northern Stars amassed 354 for 7 off 50 overs led by Lewis and Vedol Edwards who hit 86. Joseph Medford had figures of 2 for 52 off 10 overs. Unique Warriors labored to 88 off 22.3 overs, Jidy John being their chief destroyer with 5 for 22 off 9 overs and Mayor Edwards claiming 3 for 21 off 5.3 overs.

At Arnos Vale One,

Ronald Scott also hit his first century as Smashers smashed Victors Two by 147 runs.

Smashers posted 213 off 37.3 overs, Scott 103.

Captain Kishore Shallow took 3 for 28 off 5.3 overs. Victors Two struggled to 66 all out in 24.5 overs. Lionel Cumberbatch getting 21 of those runs. Darren Russell picked up 5 for 33 off 8.5 overs and Kesworth Lewis 3 for 18 off 4 overs.

Combined Youths had a narrow 6-run win over French Verandah SVGCC in a highscoring game played at Arnos Vale Two. Combined Youths made 304 for 3 off 42 overs, Kevin Samuel 82, Nickie Antoine 74, Jordon Samuel 51 not out.

Tilron Harry hit 109 for French Verandah SVGCC but could not carry his team to victory.

Ronald Scott recorded his first century (103) for the season to help Smashers to victory.

Elron Lewis dedicated his century (105) and his team’s victory to the memory of Julius Anthony.

French Verandah SVGCC made a strong reply, getting to 298 for 8 Samuel and Dexter off 42 overs in fading Winfield had two wickets light, thanks to Tilron each.

Harry 109 and Zivon Walker 66. Kevin I.B.A.ALLEN

Rivals ease past North Windward TEAM RIVALS beat newcomers New Haven Funeral Home North Windward by 10 wickets in one of two NLA Premier Division Twoday Tournament matches played last weekend.

Playing at the Park Hill Playing Field, North Windward took first knock and were dismissed for 88, Lindon James taking 5 for 43.

Team Rivals replied with 252, Hyran Shallow 44, David Williams 40, Delorn Douglas 4 for 47.

Trailing by 164, North Windward were bowled out for 197 batting a second, time Delorn Douglas leading with 71 and Sealroy Williams 39. Olanzo Jackson picked up 5 for 68 and Lindon James 3 for 37. Set a target of 34, Team Rivals raced to 34 without loss, Hyran Shallow unbeaten on 21.

In the other weekend match played at Sion Hill, Victors One

gained first innings points over Guardian General Saints. Saints made 135 batting first, with Seon Sween getting 42 and Zane Edwards 33. Alston Bobb, continuing in his rich vein of form with the ball, captured 5 for 56 to take his tally of wickets to 33 in four matches.

Victors One responded with 158.

Miles Bascombe topscored with 49 and Chrisroy John got 33. Geron Wyllie took 4 for 31.

Guardian General, facing a deficit of 23, were 54 for 2 when play ended.

I.B.A.ALLEN Alston Bobb continues to work ‘magic’ with the ball, and has tallied 33 wickets in four matches to date, a feat that some persons are saying might just be a record.

Nero hits century in Women Super40

JULIAN NERO hit her first century of the season when she

pummeled the Julius unbeaten century.

Anthony Northern Girls In the process, she bowlers on her way to an helped Super Girls to a commanding 217-run win, in last weekend round of matches in the SVGCA Inc. Women Super40 Competition.

In a match played at Arnos Vale 2, Super Strikers posted 308 for 1 off 28 overs, led by Julianna Nero’s 161 not out and Hazel-Ann Forster with 83.

Julius Anthony Northern Girls were struggling at 97 for 7 off 19.4. overs when bad light stopped play.

Shanel Mckie topscored with 26. Jessica Lavia Juliana Nero on the go in her unbeaten 161.

picked up 5 for 36.

At Stubbs, in a match that featured the joint defending champions, United Survivors beat J.G and Sons Tigress by 9 wickets. J. G Tigress and Sons made 115 off 30.1 overs, Stacy Ann Adams topscoring with 35, and Japhina Joseph getting 24. Allison Anthoine captured 4 for 35 and Cordel Jack 2 for 19. United Survivors replied with 116 for 1 off 27 overs, Samantha Lynch remaining not out on 47 and Kimone Homer getting 26.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2019. 27.

Classifieds

JAMES AUGUSTUS CYRUS Wesleyan Holiness Church Campden Park Monday, 4th February, 2019 Service: 1:30 p.m.

Interment: Lowmans Cemetery

CARLTON MATTIAS DAVIS Evesham S.D.A. Sunday, 3rd February, 2019 Interment: Windsor Cemetery

RANDOLPH RALPH CUPID New Testament Church of God Diamond Village Monday, 4th February, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

MILTON RUSSEL SAMUEL aka Milton Matthias Biabou SDA Church Sunday, 3rd February, 2019 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: Biabou Cemetery

MARJORIE RICHARDSON (LAMPKIN) Evangelical Church Barrouallie Sunday, 3rd February, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Glebe Hill Cemetery Barrouallie

CLAYTON PAUL HARRY of New Adelphi New Life Ministries North Union Saturday, 2nd February, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 08, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.06

„EIGHT DIFFICULT YEARS‰ government acted with

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Highlighting the victory conspicuous and

KENROY JOHNSON is a relieved man. In his own words, they were “eight difficult years.”

During those years, he endured a reduction in his standard of living.

Moving from $6,000 a month to zero took its toll. He confessed that his wife had a job, and that there were “friends who supported me.”

A small allowance from the Opposition New Democratic Party helped cushion the ordeal.

Johnson echoed his belief in the Almighty, and sighed: “There is a God above,” and affirmed his faith in God. For him, those dismal years have disappeared and an assessment of damages he suffered for breach of his property over that episode, is expected to solve the difficulties he underwent.

Johnson, a former Deputy Principal and Senior Education Officer, was one of three teachers who were not rehired after unsuccessfully contesting the 2010 general elections on a New Democratic Party ticket. The others were Addison Thomas and Elvis Daniel.

Johnson, Thomas and Daneil contested the North Central Windward, South Central Windward and North Windward constituencies respectively.

Johnson expressed his sentiment at a press conference last Tuesday, a day after the state’s 2019 Budget was presented, at the headquarters of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Union of Teachers (SVGTU).

President Wendy Bynoe, along with President of the Public Service Union Elroy Boucher, and attorney Shirla Barnwell comprised the head table.

The Conference was called to, among other things, highlight the SVGTU victory at the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, which ruled in favour of a matter filed by the Union on behalf of the three teachers; that ruling, January 29, 2019, being that the Section of a Collective Bargaining Agreement which spoke to rehiring teachers who had unsuccessfully contested a general election, was not unconstitutional.

In handing down the ruling, Justice Kelvin Baptiste of the Appeal Court observed that, “Instead of doing what was required and provided for by the constitution, the government invoked part of the same section of the constitution to disappoint the expectation of the appellants.”

He declared that “the

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(L-R): Addison Thomas and Kenroy Johnson found something to be happy about after enduring some eight years in ‘limbo’.

manifest unfairness towards the appellants.”

difficulty psychologically, and pointed to a period of Vindication “mental stress” brought on, but not exclusively, Johnson admitted to by the loss of his pension. having felt vindicated, “It wasn’t easy. It was and praised Barnwell a lot of financial stress,” and the team of the St. he admitted.

Vincent and the Thomas said that he Grenadines Union of based his decision on the Teachers.

Collective Agreement “I can smile. We have been vindicated,” he told with the government, which, among other the press conference.

His colleague Thomas things, allowed members of the Union leave for a is elated, overjoyed. “It period of six months, is a great feeling,” he during which they could declared.

Thomas confessed that contest a general election. there was a lot of

deny citizens a right that has been accorded them.”

The Opposition Leader, on break from the debate in the House Time for new legislation of Parliament last Wednesday, said that he Meanwhile, Opposition anticipates legislation to Leader Dr Godwin be passed that will allow Friday reflected that teachers and civil “pain and suffering servants to avoid having would have been to resign in order to avoided”, had it not been contest general elections. for the “bogus” position “We will support it,” taken by the government the Opposition Leader defence team. said, and added that he Dr Friday considers it was looking forward to “a shame that our an “urgent assessment of government would rely damages so that teachers on the constitution to could be made whole.”

Interpretation of that issue served as a thorn in this extended court matter.

More tolerance for ganja farmers recently destroyed marijuana plots in a number of communities.

COMMISSIONER of Police Colin John said he had heard of the John has declared that, in light of CRC’s concerns even before he the recently enacted Cannabis met with them, and he convened Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill, the a meeting with the Gazetted police will be exercising tolerance police officers last Friday to towards marijuana cultivation. discuss the issues, during which John, speaking with THE he instructed them to relay to the VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Junior rank officers that said the move is to ensure that tolerance must be exercised, in the Amnesty is given the light of the passage of the opportunity to be effective.

Amnesty Bill.

The Commissioner said he met “If you are going to eradicate the drugs now, when the Amnesty with members of the Cannabis is put into effect, there will be no Revival Committee (CRC) this cannabis for the traditional week, and he agrees with their farmers to hand over to the proposal that though the regulatory authorities, ” the Amnesty Act is not yet in effect, the traditional farmers should be Commissioner deduced. He added given time before any eradication that he also made an order that some farming implements, is done. recently seized by police, be The top cop said the CRC returned. members complained that police When asked for his position on

by HAYDN HUGGINS

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

persons being arrested in relation to small portions of marijuana, John said, “We will continue to exercise tolerance with regard to persons found in possession of Colin John Commissioner of small Police. quantities.”

The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill is one of two pieces of cannabis related legislation enacted in Parliament December 11, 2018. The other is the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.