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FRIDAY,

APRIL 08, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.1

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

ATTEMPTED FIRE ON NDP HEADQUARTERS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, Arnhim Eustace, says that the firebomb attempt on the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Headquarters at Beachmont, Kingstown, ought not to be taken lightly.

Eustace told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that the action raises questions as to how far people are “going to go.”

According to Eustace, under the current circumstances, the act raised questions among The broken pane of glass in the door apparently members of the NDP broken by the incendiary device. and others.

“It bothers us that Right: The entrance on the side facing the this has happened; we Venezuelan Embassy showed signs of being are not sure how far scorched. people will go,” he said.

It was on Monday that Justice Brian Cottle rejected the submission made by the legal team representing the Supervisor of Elections, to have the petitions made by the NDP following December’s General Election thrown out.

There were also a number of other fires that occurred around

by DAYLE DA SILVA Kingstown, Eustace said, for which no arrests have been made, and he THE ELECTIONS PETITIONS submitted on confirmed, based on evidence he December 21, 2015 are still intact, and that is said was collected from the scene something that we are happy about. by the police, that the incident at So says the Leader of the Opposition the NDP headquarters was a Arnhim Eustace, in response to the ruling deliberate act. handed down by Justice Brian Cottle on Addison ‘Bash’ Thomas, Monday.

Research Officer and NDP The long anticipated ruling went in favour Candidate for South Windward in of the NDP, i.e. that judge rejected a the last two general elections, submission by the legal team representing the explained that attempts were made Supervisor of Elections, to have the petition to set fire at both side entrances to thrown out. the ground floor of the building.

PETITIONS STILL INTACT

Continued on Page 3.

Continued on Page 3.

Arhnim Eustace, Leader of the Opposition, seen here with supporters after the judgement was handed down, said that his party was generally pleased with the ruling.

2. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 3.

News 3 Petitions Comments not still intact defamatory, says Counsel Continued from Page 1.

DWIGHT ‘BING’ JOSEPH cannot agree to the request made by the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Candidate for Central Leeward, Benjamin Exeter, for an apology,y because he (Exeter) was not slandered.

This was the opinion put forward by Grahame Bollers, Barrister -AtLaw, in a letter to Israel Bruce, on the matter in which Exeter is demanding an apology and compensation of EC$250,000 from Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph, host of the morning talk show, ‘OMG’ heard on Boom 106.6FM. It was reported in the media last week that Bruce, acting on behalf of Exeter, had written to Joseph citing the apology and payment following Exeter’s arrest on December 29, 2015.

In the letter dated March 29, 2016 and addressed to Joseph, Bruce indicated that his client was “deeply hurt by the downright false information” to wit:

“What I have since learned is that Ben Exeter had 50 rounds of ammunition on him.”

However, in Bollers’ response dated April 4, he stated that his client (Joseph) denied that the words attributed to him were in fact slanderous.

“The statement that your client had fifty rounds of ammunition on his person at the time of his arrest may be false but it is not clearly defamatory.”

The letter went on: “Your client, at the time of his arrest, had approximately 20 rounds of ammunition on his person and a mere numerical dispute as to the number of bullets that he (Exeter) had in his possession does not in law constitute a defamatory statement.

Additionally, the ordinary and natural meaning of the words used does not impute an allegation of criminality against your client.”

Exeter’s arrest was widely reported in all

formats of local media and was discussed extensively on radio, television and the internet.

Bollers contended in his letter, that the “allegation that the statement that you have attributed to our client was designed to further impact the present criminal proceedings against your client is a figment of your and your client’s fertile imagination.”

Exeter is a public figure and open to public criticism, Bollers explained in the letter.

He referenced Oberschlick (No.2) 119 EHRR 357 where the court stated that “The limits of acceptable criticism are wider with regard to a politician in his public capacity than in relation to a private individual.”

Joseph has a basic, fundamental right to freely express his opinions regarding Exeter’s suitability or unsuitability to run for

Barrister-At-Law Grahame Bollers public office, Bollers argued.

“His public utterances critical of the NDP choosing your client as the party’s candidate to contest the 2015 general election in Central Leeward and, of your client, are within the limits of acceptable criticism and cannot be regarded as being defamatory of your client,” the letter stated.

Attempted fire on NDP Headquarters THOMAS SAID THAT the perpetrator(s) may have committed the offence on Monday night, but that the party’s secretary discovered what had happened around 2 pm Tuesday afternoon, while making routine checks before leaving for the day.

He said that police

retrieved pieces of broken glass, suggesting that a molotov cocktail may have been used.

There was very little damage, but there there was evidence that a fire had started, with partial damage to the door at the entrance facing the building that houses the Venezuelan Embassy.

This week’s fire attempt follows in the vein of one that occurred at the former Electoral and Treasury buildings in Kingstown last August, and a January 2016 fire in January at a section of the Public Works building at Arnos Vale in which arson was suspected.

Some EC$1.3 million worth of building supplies, set aside for special government projects, was destroyed in the blaze at the Public Works building.

There were also two attempts to firebomb VINLEC’s headquarters in Paul’s Avenue earlier this year.

The petitions were filed in the names of NDP candidates Lauren Baptiste for North Windward and Benjamin Exeter for Central Leeward.

In his ruling, Justice Cottle wrote: “I agree with counsel for the petitioners that I am compelled to follow the decision of the Court of Appeal per Rawlins CJ in Joseph v Reynolds.

The application to strike out is Kay Bacchuspremature. This court had no Browne, a jurisdiction to entertain it by member of the means of an interlocutory legal team for the application in chambers. I petitioners, therefore refuse the application expressed some to strike out at this stage.” concern that on However, he continued; being re-filed, “Having had the benefit of full arguments, I am of the view that that that submission could such an application, if made at prove successful. the beginning of the hearing of the petition, is bound to succeed.”

Eustace told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, by way of a telephone interview, the NDP’s legal team was currently dealing with the situation, but said that the overall consensus was that they were pleased that the petitions would still go forward.

Kay Bacchus-Browne, one of the members of the legal team representing the NDP’s candidates on Monday, just minutes after Justice Cottle handed down his ruling, hinted that the judgment could be problematic.

She told reporters outside the High Court in Kingstown that she knew that the application would have had to be struck out.

“We wasted a lot of time doing that when up front we made the submission that this application was wrong,” Bacchus-Browne said.

She admitted, however, that if the submission was put forward again, then it might be successful.

Bacchus-Browne did not make any further, direct comment on this point, telling reporters instead, that she was going to read the ruling again.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves addressed the issue in Parliament on Tuesday, saying that he expected that since the NDP deemed the ruling in their favour, that they would have been present at that day’s Sitting of Parliament.

“Justice Cottle said that the application to strike out the petitions by the respondents was premature, because he is bound by an earlier decision that the striking out shouldn’t take place in chambers, but in law of court. That is the long and short of the ruling,” Gonsalves said.

“What are you now being at war with? You are at war with the Supervisor of Elections; you are at war with the reports from the Commonwealth, CARICOM, OAS and the Christian Council. You are at war with the courts, and at the Unity Labour Party, for the last four consecutive elections and you have lost,” he continued.

According to Gonsalves, the NDP did not want to hear the truth – and that they had no reason to celebrate.

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4. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Ragguette accused of preparing false documents Bridgetown, Barbados, falsely represented himself to be H Val Prescott, a fictitious person’.

ONE OF THE PERSONS who have played a leading role Ragguette is additionally in the development of Vincy Mas over the years, is charged with, ‘that on September expected to have a different focus during the heat of 9, 2011 at Kingstown, with intent the festival this year.

On Thursday 30th June, the day when Vincy Mas to defraud the United States Consular Officer in Bridgetown, Hugh Ragguette June 24 — July 5, 2016, is expected to move into Barbados, falsely represented high gear, veteran masman and chairman of the has been a highCarnival Bands Association (CBA) Hugh Ragguette, himself to be Mavis E. Johnson, profile carnival will return to the Serious Offences Court to be tried a fictitious person’. and cultural The veteran masman is on four criminal charges. activist here for charged further with, ‘that on The Stoney Ground resident was arrested on well over six Thursday, March 31, as investigations continue into August 9, 2013 at Kingstown, decades. allegations of the preparation of fictitious job letters with intent to defraud the United States Consular Officer in Bridgetown, and financial statements in support of persons Barbados, falsely represented himself to be Mavis applying for US Visas.

E. Johnson, a fictitious person’.

Ragguette is accused of impersonation with Ragguette pleaded not guilty to all four charges intent to defraud an official at the US Embassy in when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Barbados, on a number of occasions.

The CBA chair is charged with, ‘that on July 29, Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

2013 at Kingstown (St. Vincent), with intent to Attorney Ronald Marks, who appeared on his defraud the United States Consular Officer in behalf, made an application for all material relevant Bridgetown, Barbados, falsely represented himself to the case to be disclosed, whenever possible. to be C.B Richards, a fictitious person’.

Ragguette, who was on station bail, had his bail Ragguette is also charged with, ‘that on continued, and the matter was adjourned to June September 6, 2011 at Kingstown, with intent to 30. defraud the United States Consular Officer in THE VINCENTIAN understands that up to press time Wednesday, the US Embassy in THREE YOUNG MEN received The facts revealed that around 1 Barbados and the p.m. April 3, May left his bicycle at penalties at the Serious Offences Criminal Investigation Court on Tuesday, in connection with the home of one Randel Ashby, at Department (CID) here Pointe, and he and Ashby went to the theft of a BMX bicycle valued at were continuing Colonarie.

EC$900. investigations into the When May returned to collect his Kelvin Daniel, 21, of Pointe, an area matter. bicycle, it was not there. between Sandy Bay and Owia, was One local masman, May reported the matter to the ordered to pay EC$900 compensation speaking to THE police, investigations were carried out, VINCENTIAN on forthwith, to Sandy Bay resident Tuesday, was shocked Kayone May, the owner of the bicycle. and Daniel was arrested. When when he heard of the Daniel Hoyte, 18, and Sean Farrell, cautioned, he gave the police a statement admitting to the offence. development. He 16, both of Owia, were each fined $300 Further investigations led to Hoyte described Ragguette as a forthwith for receiving the stolen item. and Farrell, and the bicycle was ‘chief,’ both in the If Daniel fails to compensate May, recovered. production and he would go to prison for six months, When the Chief Magistrate organizational aspects of while Hoyte and Farrell will each questioned Daniel as to why he stole mas. He admitted that receive prison sentences of two months the bicycle, the youngster told the Ragguette has court, “I see the bike there, so I go on if they fail to pay the fines. contributed significantly the bike, go by me cousin and come Up to press time Wednesday, THE back. I know ah wrong but….” to the development of VINCENTIAN was unable to ascertain mas and carnival in St. Observing the boy’s demeanor in whether the trio made their respective Vincent and the the box, the Chief Magistrate payments.

Grenadines. observed, “I am not getting an iota of Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ragguette represents Rechanne Browne on Tuesday, Daniel remorse.” the CBA on the Carnival Daniel was also bonded for 6 had pleaded guilty to the theft of the Development months. If he breaches the bond, he bicycle, and Hoyte and Farrell Corporation (CDC). would have to pay the court $2,000 admitted dishonestly receiving it for When THE forthwith, with an alternative of six their own benefit, knowing or VINCENTIAN tried this months in prison. believing that it was stolen. week to reach CDC’s chairman Dennis Ambrose through the Corporation’s office for a comment, an official there said he was out of the state.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Bicycle theft lands youngsters before magistrate

Probe into cooking oil theft continues AT PRESS TIME Wednesday, police were continuing their investigations into the theft of a large quantity of cooking oil from Double Happiness Wholesale in Kingstown, owned by Ken Cho. On Monday, Riley resident Deron Layne appeared at the Serious Offences Court after being slapped The accused is charged with 20 charges in with removing a lot more connection with the theft of the cooking oil than these two bottles of cooking oil. which amounted to EC$21,850.

Layne, 23, is accused of stealing the cooking oil, contained in jugs, from the business place on a number of different occasions, between October 22, 2015 and November 16, 2015, while he was employed there. He is no long employed with the business.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that he left voluntarily.

Layne pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on Monday. He was represented by attorney Israel Bruce.

Layne was granted $25,000 bail with one surety, on condition that he report to the Mesopotamia Police Station every Friday between 6am and 6pm.

The matter was transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for hearing May 30.

Youth charged with assaulting mother TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Javez Charles of Chauncey appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, charged with assaulting his mother, Jayland Charles, 43, with intent.

Reports are that the young man pulled a knife and thrust it at his mother, after she refused to lend him her cellular phone.

The offence was reportedly committed at Chauncey, in the South Leeward district, on April 1 this year.

Javez and his mother are said to be living together in that community.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on Wednesday.

However, on observing the boy’s demeanour in the box, prosecutor Station Sergeant Elgin Richards made an application to the court for the youngster to be sent to the Mental Health Centre for observation.

Browne upheld the application and sent Javez to the institution for 14 days observation. He will return to court on April 26.

New Magistrate coming A NEW MAGISTRATE is expected to be sworn in here soon.

That’s according to information reaching THE VINCENTIAN. THE VINCENTIAN understands that the new magistrate is expected to preside over the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, which has not been sitting for the past two months because of the absence of a Magistrate.

The post of Magistrate at that Court became vacant when then Magistrate Carla James was reassigned to the Financial

Intelligence Unit (FIU) as Director.

All new arrests since are being taken before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court.

Both Courts are located in the same building at Paul’s Avenue.

Within the past few weeks, persons who follow court proceedings keenly, have been speculating as to who the new magistrate would be.

If THE VINCENTIAN’s information is correct, this speculation should end shortly.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 5.

Regional

St. Lucia: Ahead in animation film production

THE ST. LUCIA-BASED Malfinis Film and Animation Studio last Friday, April 1, was host to Steven Koltai and Richard Smitheman, both of the USA, two well renowned Animation Industry consultants who together share more than sixty years of experience in the industry.

The main purpose of the visit, according to Milton Branford of Malfinis Film and Animation Studio was “to conduct an institutional gap analysis as a precursor to developing recommendations and appropriate training to address what is needed to prepare Malfinis Film

and Animation Studio as to what is required to conduct the business of animation globally.

This is in keeping with of Malfinis Film and Animation Studio overall mission to understand and preserve St. Lucian traditions through the use of film and digital technology, and its more particular plan to carry out a project of preserving traditional stories through the use of animation.

Of course, the Studio, according to its website, intends to build a “low cost Animation Studio which can train young artists and provide the necessary skills for executing the production

of animation films”.

During the visit, the two consultants met with officials of Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP), as well as the contingent of local trainees participating in a 2D training programme conducted by Malfinis Film and Animation Studio at the local National IT Centre in Castries.

Steven Kola, Managing Director of Koltai Co LLC says, “When on island, we would especially want to meet with the actual artists and animators who do your work. We

can and should meet whatever other government or ecosystem supporters you have, but our primary goal is to come as ‘potential buyers’ of animation support services, so we can really see what you offer and then help, if necessary, bolster your capacity.”

Branford reckons the interface with those personalities and global experts in the Industry will enable a relationship in not only providing a broadened scope of the gap analysis, but also provide a leveraging opportunity into the global industry.

St. Lucia, through Malfinis Film and

Steven Kola, Managing Director of Koltai Co LLC, visited to see how he could help develop the industry in St. Lucia, and to see what St. Lucia had to offer.

(Internet Photo) Animation Studio, is positioned to take the lead in the Caribbean in this immensely popular area the film industry,

Milton Branford’s contribution to theatre and other stage productions at home and abroad have been numerous. His repertoire includes the design and construction of costumes and sets. (Credit: MFAS) not to mention being ready and able to exploit its earning potential.

(Source: MFAS Inc/D. Jordan)

Airport completion expected by mid-year Continued from Back Page.

He confirmed that two rounds of test flights were conducted at the site, and that they both proved satisfactory as far as meeting international requirements was concerned.

Notwithstanding, an aeronautical study is still to be conducted at the airport to ensure that it meets all international Some construction work is still ongoing. standards.

That study, according to reality, and he took shots at those he Macphail, will address all areas of the deemed to be naysayers, noting that airport’s operations, and because it will they will see the airport open. be conducted before the airport’s “But here we are, and we are within opening, there will be time to make any months, but we still have a lot of work corrections in areas where necessary. to do,” said the Prime Minister, who also Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ralph assured that top notch security will be Gonsalves, who also addressed the put in place. media conference, expressed an The airport has missed several optimistic view that “the airport is scheduled completion dates dating back within touching distance” of becoming a to 2011.

Fire Bug strikes twice Kingstown-based Fire Department was quickly on the scene. It was at the vacant Government joined in due course by a buildings that once housed unit from the E.T. Joshua. the Treasury/Accounts Aided by an absence of Division, on Halifax Street vehicular traffic and a (Back Street). minimum of pedestrian The buildings were movement as is usually made derelict when they the case at that time of were engulfed by fire last the morning in year, Sunday 23rd Kingstown, fire-fighting August. officers were able to bring Thursday morning’s the fire under control, fire was a case of and, in the process, ‘Lightning striking twice prevent any (major) in the same place’. damage to the adjacent A fire tender from the administrative building Continued from Back Page.

that houses the Postal Authority/Kingstown Post Office and the Ministry of Health.

Efforts to reach the relevant authorities for a comment as per cause of fire and estimated cost of damage proved futile up to going to press.

This fire comes on the heels of a fire bomb attempt made on the headquarters of the New Democratic Party sometime between Monday and Tuesday of this week.

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6. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Amended Traffic Bill coming soon

St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), 2015 was a record year as it related to fatal accidents.

Figures revealed that there were 25 road deaths in 2015, the most, following on 13 which were recorded back in 2013.

That is alarming, and Dr. Gonslaves, with reference to Jamaica’s 2015 road fatality total of 109, broadened the argument saying, “A vehicle on the roads across the Caribbean has become Prime Minister Dr. a dangerous instrument, Gonsalves drove home as dangerous as the the point about how the firearm, so we have to use of the roads has deal with these practical become threatening. problems.”

Police officials, THE REVISED TRAFFIC ACT including the may make its long awaited Commissioner of Police, appearance at the next Michael Charles and Head session of Parliament, of the Traffic Department scheduled for May 12.

Superintendent of Police Prime Minister Dr (SP) Kenneth John, had Ralph Gonsalves said on spoken previously on the Tuesday, before moving need for a revision of the the motion for the country’s traffic laws, in adjournment of that order to support the sitting of Parliament that police’s effort to deal with he had spoken to the offences committed on the Attorney General about nation’s roads. expediting the process as Back in 2014, SP John, it relates to the Traffic in an interview with THE Act. VINCENTIAN, said the “It is a very important officers under his piece of legislation for us command were impaired to address,” Gonsalves in their ability to deal said. with certain improper According to the Traffic driving habits.

Department of the Royal “There is nothing to say

that that person is drunk,” SP John said. “We really need the breathalyser.”

He said then, that there was nothing legally that an officer was able to do in the event that a driver was seen to be operating a vehicle, while seemingly under the influence.

SP John also addressed his department’s constraints with respect to those drivers who speed unnecessarily.

While he referred to sections under the current traffic laws that dealt with speeding, he admitted there was no device in use to determine how fast a perceived offender would have been travelling.

An offender may be ticketed for speeding; however, without a means to record the speed at which an offender was travelling, without hard evidence, it was difficult to effectively prosecute offenders, SP John explained.

COP Charles, in the same interview, added that there was nothing in the law books to charge a driver for driving while using a mobile phone, but he assured that recommendations were put forward to the Office of the Attorney General so that the existing laws could be revised.

Do not expect a major increase EMPLOYEES have been cautioned not to immediately expect a big increase in their salaries, because of the setting up of the Wages Council.

This has come from Trade Unionist Joseph ‘Burns’ Bonadie who, during an address at the launch of the Wages Council last week Thursday at the Peace Memorial Hall, said the rate of inflation in St Vincent and the Grenadines was very low, and too often, trade unions are called upon by persons not qualified to do so, to ask for extremely high wage increases.

“But in truth and in fact, you negotiate on the basis of information, and you have to justify what you [are] asking for,” Bonadie said.

The Wages Council was launched, and for the next few months, consultations are expected to be held throughout the country, aimed at reviewing the rate of wages workers in seven different areas, to wit agricultural workers, domestic workers, hotel workers, industrial workers, security workers, shop assistants and other professionals.

Chairman of the Wages Council Lloyd Small made an appeal to the government, saying that the most important aspect of the process was compliance.

And to have compliance means that the Department of Labour needs to be strengthened in terms of its administration, inspection and its capacity to effect mediation and resolution processes.

“So I am calling on the government Joseph ‘Burns’ to look into that as Bonadie says soon as we have reviewed the wages,” representing workers is more Small said.

He also cautioned than simply asking for a the business sector, wage increase. saying that it was usually the norm that following on a wage increase, there is usually a wage price spiral.

“In other words, prices go up as wages are increased,” Small explained.

“So we have to be cautious. The tripartied arrangements that we have, we must have serious dialogue so that we could maintain inflation at a certain level, so that it will not cancel out the wage increase those employees may receive,” he continued.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 7.

News

„Stop it!‰ pleads Troumaca farmer “THE POLICE must stop it … they must stop brutalising innocent people, otherwise people will lose confidence in the Police Force.”

Whether this was a warning or a genuine piece of advice, there was an air of sincerity when those words were uttered by Degrick De Bique.

De Bique, a 45-year-old resident of Troumaca, North Leeward, visited with THE VINCENTIAN on Friday 1st April, making it clear that he was not “here to pull ah All Fools Day on the paper.”

He had come, he said, to report a case of a “beating by police officers.”

He was armed with a “doctor’s paper” which he had been advised to have his District Medical Officer complete, detailing the extent of the injuries he had allegedly suffered at the hands of the police.

De Bique confirmed that he had made a report, on the same Friday, four days after the incident, to the Police Public Relations and Complaints Department, which had issued him with the “doctor paper.”

According to the Troumaca resident, who gave his occupation as farmer and displayed an identification card to that effect, he and his girlfriend had gone to Richmond on Easter Monday, to enjoy the festivities being held there.

On the way home, he said “The van we was travelling geh stop by the Black Squad,” He was removed from the vehicle and identified as a person wanted by police at the Chateaubelair Police Station, in connection with a matter arising out of an altercation he had had with another man late last year.

Interestingly, that matter was heard on Tuesday last week, the day after De Bique’s ‘ordeal’, and was struck out by the Magistrate.

De Bique related to THE VINCENTIAN that he was held at the Chateaubelair Police Station on Easter Monday, where he was questioned and then, “They throw me in the cell,”he said.

It was when he was taken to the ‘processing room’, without what he said was any reason given for his arrest, problems set in.

He was accused of staring at another officer in the ‘processing room’, who, apparently not satisfied with De Bique’s reason for looking in his direction, got up from his chair and proceeded to “box me across me face,” De Bique said.

The officer who was processing him, joined in the

beating which resulted in severe swelling to his face, especially on the left side.

“They beat me, den strip me down to me underpants, then throw me back in the cell. I had was to sleep on the bare board bed dey have dey,” De Bique related.

De Bique admitted that he might have aroused the police officers’ ire when he lit and Degrick De Bique’s face was smoked a cigarette while in still showing signs of injury the cell, “cause I was when he visited THE frustrated.”

VINCENTIAN four days after He claimed to have found his alleged ordeal. the cigarette and lighter in the cell, and that they were not different,” he said. his, a reason that didn’t go He left THE down well with the officers.

VINCENTIAN’s office still The man is still perplexed undecided about his next step. by the police action, and What he was certain about continues to be at a loss as to is that he wanted to make an why he would have been appeal to those police officers “manhandled” by the police. who abuse their authority, to “I try to stay out a trouble .. “Stop it, man, stop it. Yo’ long ago I might have been giving the police a bad name.” different… but now it

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8. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 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

Panama Papers: The Caribbean’s business too LAST WEEK the world was rocked by the release – some say leak - of what is referred to as the Panama Papers.

From what we have discerned, the Panama Papers are an unprecedented disclosure (leak) of 11.5m files from the database of the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca, headquartered in Panama..

According to the BBC, the records were obtained from an anonymous source by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) who, in turn, shared them with a large network of international partners, including the BBC.

Just what do these papers reveal?

The documents, from all reports, reveal ‘the myriad ways’ in which the rich can exploit and have exploited secretive offshore tax regimes.

Included among those who have used the ‘facility’ are twelve national leaders.

No Caribbean national leader is said to be included among the twelve. But that did not deter one Caribbean commentator from responding with the quip, “Not yet”.

And what does this seemingly distant issue have to do with the Caribbean?

Not so long ago, the Caribbean, especially those smaller countries in the north and some smaller Lesser Antillean states, were fingered as being off- shore tax havens — allowing the rich and famous to hide their millions, and escape the tax nets of their home territories.

The independent Bahamas, two British Overseas Territories - the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands - remain foremost among the English-speaking Caribbean countries offering offshore tax facilities, and therefore, were targets of fingerpointing by the Panama Papers.

But if the truth be told, the small Eastern Caribbean countries, in the main, have moved to conform to offshore finance/tax protocols laid down by the rich, developed world.

This country, once blacklisted for its legislative and administrative incapacity to ward off unscrupulous, treasure seekers looking to ‘hide money’, has since brought itself in line with international protocols, and has been removed from the European Union’s list of non-conforming countries.

But the very fact that the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are listed among the countries through which Mossack Fonseca funneled its clients’ monies, or

advised them so to do, makes the issue of the Panama Papers relevant to all of the Caribbean. These countries are within our geographical space, our political space, and one, the Bahamas, is a full-fledged member of CARICOM. When the international watchdogs go hunting, there is no telling if they will come with their brooms to sweep through our jurisdictions. And what is there to stop them?

After all, the billions of dollars available for ‘transfer’ to safer domains, remain, especially so, on the doorsteps of countries that appear to be fragile, straining under the weight of meeting budgetary deficits, and competing for much needed foreign investment and foreign exchange.

Not unlike the movement offshore of large amounts of money a la the Panama Papers, there has been one venture capitalist after the other that has sought to entice the foreign currency starved smaller countries of the region.

Last week we raised the issue of developing a proactive private sector that will seek out joint ventures to cushion/share the risks involved in any investment. We now need to warn our private sector against dealing willy nilly with any one or more sources of investment that might make overtures to it, or to which it might make overtures.

The benefits of offshore tax facilities have been translated into standards of living, as testified to by those standards in the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, that have become the objects of envy. There is nothing implicitly wrong with aspiring to these standards, and there is nothing wrong with so doing.

However, it is the means to the end that are always so much more important in one’s consideration when taking the risk.

Due diligence, moreso now than ever before, given the explosion occasioned by the disclosure of the Panama Papers, is essential to our survival as legitimate operators in the offshore finance market. We will need all the help we can get if we are to resist the temptations of easy money.

Local professionals must commit to being above board, and act accordingly, as they too are targets of enticements.

And then, there is still the question of whether, among all the billions funneled by Mossack Fonseca, there is or has been any that belongs to Caribbean business and political leaders.

The Caribbean is awash with one allegation or the other in this regard.

The hope is that none of our citizens have fallen prey to this avenue of tax evasion.

Cricket lovely cricket West Indies, that penetrated and influenced every aspect of our social life, including the political.

Our immediate problem is constitutional and more narrowly, electoral. I see the matter of the acceptability of the NDP petitions in very simple terms. There were “technical” errors which were missed by the Registry as gate-keeper, forwarded to the Court.

Any error, trivial or not, cannot be laid at the doors of the Petitioners, period.

About the sitting Judge, Cottle, there has already been exposure of criticism of him by Astaphan Q.C., who now champions him as if he is “untouchable” by reason of his post.

Further, only after Astaphan had spoken did the Bar Association move in defence of the judiciary against public attack, as conceived. But the same Association, chaired by the venerable Parnel Campbell Q.C, had passed a resolution giving sound reasons why Colin Williams was unsuited for the key position of the DPP, and was blithely ignored by the Powers-that-be.

On another score, it was Dr. Gonsalves who is on record objecting to a Dominican Judge, Brian Alleyne, primarily on the untenable ground that he had formerly been Deputy to Eugenia Charles, whose party was linked to the Vincentian NDP to which Gonsalves was virulently opposed. Therefore, concluded the goodly doctor, Alleyne will not rest his weary head in SVG, despite the fact that his wife was Vincentianborn!

I wrote before that the judiciary in the Caribbean is notoriously conservative, committed to not rocking the boat.

In SVG, the political atmospherics is so anti- “opposition,” that the people had to take to the streets to be heard, and demonstrate their seriousness. Putting an inglorious end to the moth-eaten concept of Nine-Day wonders!

Vincentians expect a long and hard struggle, moreso as they believe the ULP Government has as so far effectively covered up its skullduggery and massive mismanagement. Right now, the genie has escaped its imprisonment. Retreat is not an option.

Let it soar.

Finally, it was good news to learn that “Stalky” John, who believes in the Beyond a Boundary helmsmanship of Arnhim Eustace whom he pointed out to be a fine front-foot That is title of a book written by batsman “playing always with a straight probably the greatest West Indian bat”, leads an NDP in the current Court philosopher, C.L.R James of Trinidad, in proceedings. Such positive leadership which he depicted the all-encompassing guarantees victory in the long run. nature of the game of cricket in the AT LORDS where Lord Beginner saw it, and first immortalised it in calypso, featuring “Those two pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine”.

Since that time in the 1950s, West Indies Cricket followed a roller-coaster path, falling from the heights in Clive Lloyd’s team in the 1980s, to the depths of despair at the beginning of the twenty-first century, only to bounce back in world cricket in a revolutionised game of 20-20, with three in a row at the top —Men Women and Boys, to ensure continuance.

I shall always remember the date 4th March 2016, the venue the Eden Park at Calcutta, India, when we completed the impossible three in a row, the Men’s Final ending with a scene never to be forgotten. The West Indies having to score 19 runs in the last over for victory. Nineteen runs had not been scored in any over so far in the current match by either team. The first four deliveries yielded four magnificent 6’s or 24 runs, an amazing victory for the West Indies.

The defeated English team could only claim cold comfort that they had introduced cricket to West Indian exslaves in the nineteenth century. By our triple victory on the world stage, we had at last shown that we have come of age.

There must be no slippage from here on.

I no longer sleep in my replica of a West Indies cricket shirt, but again show it off, reflecting determination, grit and pride. In fact, I recommend the following as words of inspiration to Dezzy of Radio NBC:” “To succeed is not to keep from falling, but whenever you fall, to rise again”.

Notice, I did not pick out any individual for special mention. Teamwork is the name of the game in life itself, including politics!!

Actually, on Wednesday last, Clemeth “Baha” Lawrence, also known as Clement, who completed his century, 102 in style, was buried at the Kingstown Anglican Church -yard. Still kicking are Manning Jackson and Sonny Otway Da Sliva, both in the nervous 90s, who played cricket for the Windwards Islands in the mid-1950s.

In fact, the first Vincentian to play for the West Indies in Test Cricket was Alfie Roberts, my contemporary, 19 years old in 1956 against New Zealand.

So much for History.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 9.

Letters

Everything in harmony: Take one for the road WHEN I WAS AROUSED at 1:20 am by the squealing of a pig which was soon afterwards silenced by two blows to the head, it came home to me that things have changed.

Things and behaviour which 30 years ago would have been improper and unacceptable to and from reasonable and mature people, across the wide spectrum of our society, are now accepted as the norm. The citizens will have to make that mental adjustment.

For example, the noise and smoke which are generated by business houses in the area of Arnos Vale, and which have been drawn to the attention of the authorities since several months ago, will have to continue. This, despite the fact that a gentle lady has been appealing to them for redress, clearly explaining to them the “hell” she has to endure, almost every

day of the week, almost from dusk to daybreak.

A few days before the last election of December 9th 2015, I myself was shocked out of my bed by the loudest boom of amplified music I had ever experienced. It was coming from the Arnos Vale Playing Field where the ULP were “setting up” for their gathering. I was in disbelief when I heard a voice say “One, two, three testing, testing”. This was the behaviour of agents of the government of SVG! So from that time, I have almost resigned myself to the fate that we might indeed be “Under Leviathan’s Palm”.

If we must tolerate that type of behaviour from the officers of government and their cronies, we can also tolerate the smaller indiscretions of the less fortunate on whom the agonies of mismanagement have

Football in SVG ON GOOD FRIDAY, Trinidad defeated us 3 — 2, at Arnos Vale. A few days later we were humiliated 6 — nil by that same country, in their homeland.

Something is radically wrong with the football administration here. Our local coaches have done a very good job in getting us thus far. They have taken us across the street, but they can’t take us around the corner.

I do not know the men who ‘run’ our football, so I am in no position to criticise them. But what I do know is that they have to look closely at the direction in which we are heading, and make some radical changes.

Once upon a time, our football was played only in Kingstown and Barrouallie. Now, it is played all over St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Long ago, the national team was comprised primarily of players from Kingstown; now it has players from all over the state.

In 1960 when the national team was going to Dominica to participate in the Popham Tournament — the Windward Islands Tournament — the left winger said he was not going because he had to enjoy his honeymoon. I recall that the next in line was Jo Jo Wickham of Barrouallie, but he had problems getting transportation to get to Kingstown for the trials/practice, so George Boyce of Kingstown went instead.

But whatever, the Vincentian teams which participated in the Popham Tournament in those days were so closely knit that everybody had a nickname: Babs Jones was ‘Mammie’; Bage Lucas was ‘Alias’; Miles was ‘Pharaoh’; Nathan was ‘Ned’; Freddie Browne was ‘Chucker’; Dougan was ‘Mell’.

Now, when you select a team with players who hardly know each other, that is a recipe for disaster.

I suggest that the football authorities organise weekend camps all year round and, more importantly, try to find decent jobs for those players who don’t have any.

Alfred Charles

been taking their toll, seemingly strongly supported by our own reticence and indifference.

If the results of the last elections indicate that the people, the citizens, are happy with the quality of governance over the past fifteen years, then we should have no real issue with the widespread increase in taxes, even on the basic foods, including sugar and salt.

We probably have to be grateful to Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for the kind and thoughtful consideration of excluding our valuable and important ‘strongrum’ from the clutches of the VAT. There are some who give the venerable Sir Vincent Beache some credit for this benevolent consideration, which may well prove to be a significant contribution to the health of the nation.

So when we are confronted by what seems to be a cloud of impregnable economic

stagnancy, we can all afford a few shots of tax free strong rum to induce the drunken stupor which mercifully would allow us to forget our agonies for a while.

The suggestion seems to be implied by our officials that we should keep a bottle of ‘strong rum’, so that when the journey is rough, we can take ‘one for the road’.

LeRoy Providence

abound in today’s SVG? And while we are on the issue of marijuana, why are we not giving serious consideration to legalizing its use?

Among other things, this will: eliminate the fatalistic criminal/gang activity that has come to I MUST COMMEND characterize the illegal Prosecutor Aldolphus trade; reduce the prison Delpeche for his population and the considerate approach to attendant costs to the matters involving young state; cause the police to persons and their zero in on the real possession of miniscule amounts of marijuana. I criminals, especially am to conclude, that Mr. those involved in the much more destructive Delpeche has weighed cocaine trade. the consequences of a And, I don’t think that criminal record against it is anywhere impossible giving that person a that a tax could be second chance, and has introduced on marijuana come down, sensibly, in cultivation/sale, thereby favour of the latter.

I continually knock my opening up a whole new avenue to earn much old brain to find good needed revenue for the sense in why we spend state. hundreds of dollars to Time we take a look at keep young persons in those countries which prison for marijuana have legalised the use of possession, exposing marijuana for one them to hardened purpose or the other, and criminals. How many young lives, I ask myself, move to capitalize on an are we going to send into ‘industry’ that has proved ruin by turning them into unquestionably to have brought many a full-fledged criminals, household here out of instead of giving them a dire poverty. second chance to make good use, once guided, of Herman P. the opportunities that

Gains from legalizing marijuana

Science/Technology University for Harmony Hall

Where goeth the foreign currency?

VOICES APPEAR in print and on TV, and on Caribbean internet news sources daily, either extolling the virtues of Tourism as our last best hope of economic salvation, or deriding it as the cause of impoverishment and debt for those islands that have embraced it.

Not being an economist, I can only say that, poor as St. Vincent is, it can’t fall much farther.

Whatever steps can be taken to boost or encourage tourism here should be welcome, short of tax breaks and revenue concessions and land give-aways that lead nowhere (Buccament Resort).

Such deals are counterproductive. You book to the resort online, and the money goes to a bank or corporation in the U.K.–no foreign currency inflow. Local workers are not paid, the Government’s deals and arrangements preclude interference.

We need foreign cash flow, but it needs to be spent here and invested

MR IVAN O’NEAL is pleased to announce that, subject to planning permission, he will build a high-quality Science and Technology University at Harmony Hall in St. Vincent, starting construction in 2016.

The Science and Technology University will here to create jobs, offer degrees in a variety of subjects in the field of improve incomes, and science and technology. circulate within the All of Mr Ivan O’Neal’s children attended economy, not just pass university, the youngest being a medical doctor. So through the air to a far, five of Mr Ivan O’Neal’s seven grandchildren bank or company in have been to, or are currently at, university. another country.

Having three degrees himself, and having seen the positive impact of a university education on his JOE children and grandchildren’s lives, Mr Ivan O’Neal is very aware that a university education is important for people to obtain high-paid jobs and to have a high standard of living.

Mr Ivan O’Neal is building a science and technology university THE ONLY chosen ones that count on as a patriotic act, to provide this earth are those who are washed in the shed blood of Yahushua Ma Mashach. opportunities for Vincentian It doesn’t matter what race you are, what children to gain a university education and increase their language you speak, or the colour of your chances of getting highly-paid skin. jobs and escaping a life of Do not fall for the spirit of racial discrimination. Rebuke the spirit of racial poverty.

The university will empower discrimination in the name of Yahushua. young people and give them a There shall be all different kinds of brighter future, and in the longtongues and nationalities in heaven. term, reduce the levels of crime Yahuveh chooses the colour of your skin, and poverty. It is important for but again it has nothing to do with the us not to be dependent on other spirit within. For Yahuveh loves all countries to give our children a nationalities, all kindreds and tongues. university education.

Woe be unto those who teach the false Having a highly educated doctrine that say no black will be allowed population will create economic in heaven. growth and improve our blessed Yahuveh judge not his beloved ones on country. the colour of the skin or their nationalities.

Mr Ivan O’Neal BSc (hons), MSc, MBA Yah descendant SVG Green Party

Do not fall for the spirit of racial discrimination

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10. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Celebrating 15 years of Remarkable Progress Introduction ON MARCH 28TH 2001, the voters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines went to the polls and elected the Unity Labour Party to government, ending an era during which the New Democratic Party, the NDP, virtually destroyed the fabric of the Vincentian society. By electing the ULP, the voters were sending a message that they wanted the country to go in a new direction.

They had had enough of the corruption, the lack of planning and foresight, the absence of a philosophy, poor leadership, sweetheart mortgage deals, lands for the boys, and the list of the fallout from this mismanagement and poor governance, goes on. The country was in a tailspin.

The economy was in a mess, poverty was rampant, the country was on several “black lists”, the Ottley Hall marina was a millstone around the necks of Vincentians, and the education sector was in tatters.

Consequently, the voters of the country banished the NDP to fifteen years and counting, in the wilderness of opposition politics. At the same time, they made Arnhim Eustace the longest serving opposition leader in the history of politics in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. How much longer he can continue, will depend on the ambitions of persons in the NDP like St. Clair Leacock and Jules Ferdinand. But the sum total of all of this, is that after 2001, St.Vincent and the Grenadines embarked on a new developmental journey that has brought immense benefits to citizens.

have been paid on time, and no civil servants have been laid off. In fact the government has been able to provide salary increases to public servants, police officers, nurses and doctors, and teachers, despite these handicaps.

Added to this, the government has been able to undertake the largest single capital project in the history of the country, that is the construction of the International Airport project at Argyle, now nearing completion.

There has been dramatic progress in a number of areas, including housing, land distribution, health, tourism, and agriculture and information communication technology. There has been positive transformation in every sector in the Vincentian society, and this has been acknowledged by all and sundry, even the critics of the ULP.

The Future

Vincentians are of the considered opinion that the future of the country lies in the hands of the ULP administration, and Comrade Ralph.

They have seen the outstanding work of the ULP over the last fifteen years and they are satisfied. That is one of the reasons why they went to the polls on December 9th 2015, and returned the ULP to power for a historic fourth term in office.

The new and exciting plans of the Post 2001 ULP going forward to 2020, are all included in the manifesto of the ULP. Many Vincentians are of the These include the new city at Arnos opinion that the ULP administration Vale, the geothermal project, port is the best government in the history expansion, the expected revival in the of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. agricultural sector, the expansion of The ULP has adopted a “peoplethe tourism sector which will be centred approach” to its economic and driven by the international airport, social development strategy, and this and further development in the ICT can be seen through the many sector. successful projects which have been To crown it all, the Zero Hunger talked about on radio and television, project is ready for its launch. This and referred to in the print media and will make a significant impact in the on Face book.

Naturally the main strategy is the social sector in general, and the poor and the indigent in particular, as the renowned Education Revolution. government moves to ensure that no Before 2001, only 35 percent of the Vincentian goes to sleep hungry. This persons eligible to attend secondary school, actually got a chance to do so. is a further demonstration of the Through the Education Revolution, profound love of the ULP, for the there was universal access to primary people of St.Vincent and the and secondary education in the state. Grenadines, individually and Suddenly, more children were getting collectively. to attend primary, secondary and The party has kept its promise to tertiary education institutions in the Vincentians in every area of public State. More Vincentian students were policy, and has the country a much dominating the campuses of the better place to live than before.

University of the West Indies in a Vincentians know that the ULP is the positive way. Indeed, it is safe to say only party that offers continued hope that based on the testimonies from students, teachers and parents, that for our country. This, accompanied by the Education Revolution has touched a re-affirmation of our faith in God, is the lives of every single family in the made manifest in the works and deeds State. of our people, in tandem with each The ULP, led by Comrade Ralph, other and their leadership. This is a has demonstrated great management of the economy over the last 15 years. concept, a scenario that will enable us In the midst of a global financial and to achieve many things, individually economic meltdown, several crippling and collectively, as a nation.

Let’s move forward with the ULP, natural disasters, and the financial with its talented team of comrades, losses suffered by some citizens from the collapse of BAICO and CLICO, working together for the future of our Prime Minister Gonsalves has kept country and our children. the economy on an even level. Salaries

The legal battle will continue until justice is served THE RULING by Justice Cottle to refuse the application to strike out the elections petitions, is welcomed by the New Democratic Party.

Following the 9th December, 2015 general elections, the New Democratic Party (NDP) filed elections petitions challenging the results in two (2) constituencies - Central Leeward and North Windward. The illegitimate government then made an application to have the petitions struck out, but that was not to be.

The following is the conclusion of the judgment by Justice Cottle: “I agree with counsel for the petitioners that I am compelled to follow the decision of the Court of Appeal per Rawlins CJ in Joseph V Reynolds.

The application to strike out is premature. This court has no jurisdiction to entertain it by means of an interlocutory application in Chambers. I therefore, refuse the application to strike out at this stage.

However, having had the benefit of full arguments, I am of the view that such an application, if made at the beginning of the hearing of the petition, is bound to succeed. This indication may be of some assistance to the parties in deciding the way forward and saving costs, time and national uncertainty. I thank all counsel involved for the industry they have displayed and the assistance they have provided to the court.”

The legal battle has begun, and we have won Round One. The legal team will proceed with its work, as we await the date for the hearing of the elections petitions. Meanwhile, the NDP extends sincere gratitude to its legal team, and commends them for an exceptional job. We also praise Luzette King and the protesters for their commitment and dedication to remain on the picket line day in day out, championing the cause of democracy in this country.

That said, it is imperative that we remind Vincentians of some of the irregularities that occurred at polling stations in Central Leeward, as stated in the petition.

(23). The said ballots appeared to have been willfully mutilated in such a manner that contrary to Rule 15 (2), Rule 16, Rule 31 (1)and 40 (1) (a) respectively, of the Rules and as a result: (a) All of the ballots cast in ballot box marked “CLF” appeared to have been willfully mutilated in that they appeared different from the majority of the other ballots that were counted as valid at the final count by the 1st Respondent in that they bore neither the stamp nor initials of the Presiding Officer. Despite objections made by the Petitioner and his agents at the final count that they should not be counted, the 1st Respondent affirmed the preliminary count thereby refusing to reject any of these ballots. (b) There were a further ninety nine (99) ballots which appeared to have been willfully mutilated in the ballot box marked “CLF1” which despite objections by the Petitioner and his representatives to their inclusion at the purported final count were also included by the 1st Respondent who stated that since both candidates had received mutilated ballots, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

24) There were similar ballots in ballot boxes from various polling stations which were ruled invalid by the 1st Respondent even after he accepted similar looking ballots in ‘CLF’ and ‘CLF1’.”

The NDP remains confident that it had won the general elections that were held on December, 9th 2015.

Because of a corrupt electoral system, Vincentians were denied the opportunity to have the NDP governing the affairs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. An NDP government would have already begun to implement its programmes and policies that would bring tremendous benefits to Vincentians.

Defective Ballots Papers Vincentians would have seen a “(22). Contrary to Rule 31 (1) (a) of removal of VAT from over one hundred basic items. Instead, this the Rules, all of the ballots papers issued to the presiding officers by the illegitimate government has increased 4th Respondent had the official mark the number of items on VAT. Our programme to rehabilitate and pre-printed on them and in some replant a thousand (1000) acres of instances the official mark was printed on the counterfoil. This is also bananas, would have been off the ground. Many Vincentians would have in violation of the procedure which gone back to work, through the states that “ The Presiding Officer implementation of the Constituency puts the official election mark on the ballot paper and his /her initial, then Development Fund, and over five hundred young people would have marks the voter’s number on the counterfoil of the ballot” as set out in been employed in the Information Technology Sector.

‘Handbook for Election Workers’ In the first year in office, the NDP produced by the Electoral Office of St. had also promised to: reinstate a Vincent and the Grenadines, 2105 development bank to support the under the hand of the 4th development of enterprise in Respondent, for, ‘the more effective agriculture, tourism, etc.; pay CSEC conduct of the election process’. and CAPE exams fees; bring to Contrary to Rule 40 (3) and Rule 41(4) respectively of the Rules the 1st parliament and pass Integrity Respondent ignored objections by the Legislation; revive and refinance the petitioner’s representatives at the Book Loan Scheme; tackle and reduce final count and counted as valid in corruption and crime; develop and excess of three hundred (300) ballots maintain playing fields in every in relation to Polling Division CLF constituency; ensure the availability and CLF 1 which ballots appeared at community level of basic health defective and or willfully mutilated care facilities, and medication for and in respect of which the 1st diabetes, hypertension, and other Respondent refused the request of the common ailments; design and petitioner and his representatives to implement a National Health see the counterfoils or any other Insurance Service; and design and electoral documents to assist in implement a true low-income housing verifying the authenticity of the said programme. ballots and in relation to which , Vincentians were robbed of those similar types of ballots were previously and subsequently rejected. programmes and policies.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 11.

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Rich lessons from poor choices Musa Al-Gharbi

“You can make bad choices and find yourself in a downward spiral, or you can find something that gets you out of it.” - Raymond “Ray” Charles Jack LaMontagne, an American singersongwriter.

GUILT CAN SOMETIMES be crippling.

Occasionally we engage in actions that can result in generating and sustaining a tremendous amount of guilt for the way our words or actions have impacted others and/or ourselves. As we pause to analyse what may have caused us to venture into a particular situation, we discover that, invariably, it was the result of our not controlling our thoughts. We may have allowed our thoughts to venture into the realm of desiring something or engaging in such actions that eventually maimed us emotionally, spiritually, or physically; resulting in a tremendous amount of hurt to self or those around us. This reality came home to me quite forcefully when I read the Facebook account of a billionaire who opted to drive his vehicle while drunk, collided with an oncoming vehicle, and killed three children in the process. He made such a poor choice to drive when under the influence of alcohol. At this juncture, some readers may opt to return to the title of this article and, in so doing, wonder what good can come out of such an event.

Can a rich lesson emerge from such a poor choice? Can we “pick sense from such nonsense”? Yes, we can. It may be very traumatic and painful, but it is certainly necessary for us to learn important life lessons from such poor choices.

The preceding example may result in many readers being “emotionally charged” - upset. This is quite understandable. In addition, many questions can emerge and, with 20/20 hindsight, many recommendations can surface. In the first place, we can question why a seemingly intelligent adult would consume the volume of alcohol that would impair his judgement. We may question why he did not request that someone who was sober take the responsibility to drive him home or, alternately, why he did not take a taxi home. As happens in so many instances of drunk driving, the driver may incorrectly assume that he/she will have enough of a presence of mind to avoid an accident.

This is especially tempting to adolescents who incorrectly conclude that “bad things” will not happen to them. There is folly and danger in such thoughts. Accidents happen. As much as we may seek to avoid tragedies, there are instances when they will visit our neck of the woods.

The more impaired our brain function (e.g. through the use of alcohol or drugs), the more likely the “bad things” are to happen. The more risky the behaviour, the more likely it will be that the end result will be some form of hurt. It therefore behoves each of us to learn from the mistakes and follies of others. There are rich lessons that can emerge from their poor choices.

We will periodically make mistakes too. We are not perfect. We will stumble and fall from time to time as we walk through life’s maze.

However, as best we can, we seek to

make decisions that avoid hurting others and self. We are required to be prudent. We are expected to ensure that our choices today do not impede the progress of others and of ourselves. We are to be instruments of peace, justice, and integrity. This should be reflected in the choices that we make. Creating and maintaining such a principled focus demands that we regularly entertain thoughts that influence such desirable outcomes.

We are to avoid listening to and viewing programmes that incite us to move over to the dark side — making unwise choices. In addition, it is so very important that we associate with individuals who encourage and inspire us to live righteous, uplifting lives. There are still many wise, old persons who are willing to be mentors — interested in assisting the next generation to pursue paths of decency and integrity.

The old people have an old saying, “If you don’t hear, you will feel.”

These words were often uttered to those who insist in “doing their own thing” and pursuing a dangerous path — determined to have their own way regardless of the consequences. In their wisdom, and with their wealth of experience, the old folks are often able to anticipate the outcome of our choices. They also cautioned us that “What is sweet in goat’s mouth does sour in ‘e bam-bam.” This was often uttered when we tended to gravitate to choices that seem to give immediate pleasure, but had major hurtful effects in the long run. In such instances, the stubborn individual who is determined to “do their own thing” and “go their own way,” should not be surprised if their follies and foibles result in disappointment and/or trauma. These can also be useful lessons from poor choices. If there is a next time around, it is anticipated that common sense will prevail. Unfortunately, some of those unwise decisions can result in there being no second chances — as in the case that was referred to in the opening paragraph.

That billionaire is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the fleeting “happiness” that he may have enjoyed while consuming alcohol. He is likely to be burdened by guilt and remorse as he contemplates how his indulgences snuffed out the lives of these young persons (with such a bright future ahead of them). The emotional torment is likely to be long and painful. However, his indiscretion and error of judgement provide a rich lesson for readers who may periodically be tempted to engage in similar activities (driving under the influence of alcohol). His poor choice now appears as a rich lesson for others. His indiscretion now teaches us many priceless lessons about choices and their consequences. There can be rich lessons from poor choices.

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

BLACK PEOPLES LOVE FOR THE CLINTONS IS MISPLACED. The idea that Hillary Clinton and her husband are or ever have been stalwart advocates for black empowerment is absolutely not supported by their record.

Caribbean people seem to forget that it was President Bill Clinton who in 1993 joined Dole, Chiquita and other moneyed interest, to pressure the European Union, through the World Trade Organization, to abandon the preferential treatment given to bananas from the Caribbean. In 1992, SVG made more than $100 million from bananas.

In April 1993, in Ajuba, Nigeria, there was the first Pan Africanist Congress on Reparations. Chief Moshood Abiola, an ardent reparationist, who became chair of the African Union’s Eminent Persons Group on Reparations for Africa and Africans in the Diaspora, played a key role.

Moshood Abiola, who became President of Nigeria in 1994, stated: ‘While we demand reparations in order to enforce justice, to feed the poor, to teach the illiterate and to house the homeless, this crusade is also important because only reparations can heal our land, comfort our souls and restore our self respect.’ This is not a man the British PM John Major or President Clinton wanted as president of Africa’s most populous country. And so they unleashed the criminal dictator, Sani Abacha, on the people of Nigeria.

President Abiola was overthrown, jailed and died in prison in 1998.

The foregoing partly explains why I struggle to understand why so many of our people engage in a love fest with the Clintons. But there is more.

Some have argued that black people are terrified at the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency, and so they rally around Clinton, under the belief that she is more electable in the November general contest. However, looking at the election results so far, it seems clear that Bernie Sanders actually stands the best chance of prevailing over Trump.

The polls say so, and Sanders’ crushing victory in Wisconsin last Tuesday, should make the Clintons nervous.

Then there’s the notion that Hillary Clinton will preserve Barack Obama’s legacy. Nonsense! A few months ago, she was going out of her way to distance herself from the Obama administration over Libya, because she believed it was politically expedient to do so. Now, under threat from Sanders’ insurgency, she is cynically trying to sell herself as Obama’s sidekick. But if and when she locks down the nomination, she’ll go back to drawing a contrast. The Clintons care only about vote catching.

The most disturbing of all is the insinuation that Hillary Clinton has some kind of proud and storied legacy in the service of black empowerment. She doesn’t. Consider the comparative records of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders: While attending the University of Chicago, Sanders served as a chapter chairman for the Congress for Racial Equality. In this capacity, he worked to end segregation in schools and housing.

He was arrested for his effort.

While Sanders was organizing sit-ins and demonstrations, in 1963-64, Clinton was a volunteer and supporter for the campaign of Barry Goldwater.

Goldwater’s claim to fame is that he was the first Republican to win the Deep South since Reconstruction. He achieved this feat by vowing to undermine enforcement of the Civil Rights Act, and to prevent further erosion of white privilege. Goldwater is Hillary Clinton’s inspiration.

The trend continues. In 1984 and ’88, Bernie Sanders endorsed and supported Jessie Jackson’s bids for the

White House, which would have made him America’s first African-American president. Rather than endorsing this movement, Bill Clinton infamously sought to elevate himself among white Southern and Rust Belt voters, at the expense of Jackson and his Rainbow Coalition.

Bill Clinton’s deregulation of banks and Wall Street helped bring about the 2008 financial collapse that profoundly and disproportionately obliterated black wealth. In the wake of this disaster, and despite their long and sordid history of discrimination and predatory practices against people of color, Hillary Clinton continues to defend the institutions responsible.

Bill Clinton’s welfare reform further contributed to extreme poverty– particularly for African-Americans and other communities of colour. While Bernie strongly resisted these measures, Hillary staunchly advocated for them–referring to people on welfare as “deadbeats” who were largely responsible for their own continued poverty.

And then, of course, there are the Clinton-era “tough on crime” measures, which Hillary Clinton actively lobbied for. While Sanders ultimately voted for the bill for the sake of its assault rifle ban and domestic violence protections, he first took to the senate floor to passionately denounce the draconian sentencing provisions contained therein, which he aptly predicted would be exercised primarily against America’s poor, largely people of color. In contrast, Hillary Clinton referred to the criminalized as animals, describing them as “super-predators” who must be “brought to heel.”

More Americans were incarcerated under Bill Clinton than any previous president—almost all poor people, overwhelmingly black and brown. Yet as late as 2008, despite the by-then obvious effects of these policies on communities of color, Clinton stood by this record proudly and actually mocked Barack Obama’s opposition to mandatory minimum sentences.

Clinton supporters were the first to circulate rumours that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and might be a secret Muslim. Not only did Clinton fail to denounce these claims from her supporters, her campaign actively attempted to capitalize on this paranoia, claiming that Hillary was “born in the middle of America to the middle class in the middle of the last century” and bragging about the edge she held over Obama among noncollege-attending white Americans.

To counter the Black Lives matters movement, Clinton emphasizes that ‘All Lives Matter,’ knowing that black lives are cheapened in the USA. These are not instances of occasional misspeaking or malformed policies, but a consistent pattern of words and actions persisting over decades.

Most young people have seen through her gimmickry and abandoned her. The longer this race goes on, and the more black voters examine the comparative records, platforms and prospects of Clintons, the more likely it is that the former’s cynical identity politics campaign will once again implode, as it did in 2008 for the most basic of reasons: Hillary’s record on civil rights is indeed extensive, albeit inconsistent and often ignoble.

Nah mek dem tek yo mind this time.

Much of the research for this piece came from a much longer work on the Clintons by Prof. MUSA Al-Gharbi.

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

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12. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

SVG in need of an economic transformation IN THIS TIME of economic hardship, our country urgently needs an economic transformation. Under the grossly incompetent Gonsalves regime, there has been a scatter gun approach to running the economy.

A number of schemes have been tried in various sections of the economy, but none has managed to create a strong economy and significant economic growth.

There has been a lack of vision by the Gonsalves regime. The Gonsalves regime has failed to revive the economy, and failed to provide the jobs our people need. SVG needs surplus revenue to stimulate economic growth; but from 2005 to 2016, SVG has suffered hundreds of millions of dollars of fiscal deficits a year.

There is high unemployment, crime is out of control and our environment is littered and polluted. The weak economy and social instability mean that the environment in SVG is not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Too many people are passing away under 50 years of age.

The average man and woman in SVG desperately need jobs and economic opportunities, and children need educational empowerment in order to live without daily stresses.

There is too much suffering under this grossly incompetent and hopeless Gonsalves regime. Gonsalves has shown he is utterly useless as the SVG Minister of Finance.

Our economy is stifled by an unfair tax system and unfair paradigm of economic opportunities. The super-rich foreigners of Mustique and Canouan have been granted blanket tax and customs duty exemptions. Their businesses flourish whilst, unfairly, many Vincentian-owned, local businesses go bust or suffer under a heavy tax burden.

The economic structure rewards

the white man and punishes the black man. This is a gross injustice.

The SVG economy needs better infrastructure and factories to stimulate economic growth and to get money circulating in our country. The majority of the wealth is going to a minority. Our economy must be export driven to bring money in to our country and create surplus revenue.

A much needed project in SVG is our own billion dollar fish industry.

This would provide a very high rate of return on investment, and create about 1,000 jobs. We must take back our fish licence from Taiwan.

From the moment they are born, many Vincentian children are being condemned to a life of poverty, and little opportunity to escape it, because our country is being ‘economically screwed’ by foreign interests.

This is money that should be invested in our children’s education, welfare and future.

An important factor for economic success in SVG is free, high-quality education from pre-school to university. Having a highly educated population will equip us to devise strategies for economic growth and so improve our blessed country.

At the moment, the SVG economy is virtually dead. Vision is needed to transform our economy and make our graceful country a leader, and not a follower, in the Caribbean.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

The new FLOW launches in SVG Editor’s note: The following is a News release from FLOW carried verbatim.

It’s now official — LIME is now the new Flow. The transformation from LIME St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the new and refreshed Flow heralds the start of a new and exciting era for the brand, which underscores the successful integration of Cable & Wireless Communications and Columbus Communications Ltd. “The new dynamic Flow brand encapsulates everything that is positive about SVG and the Caribbean; the beauty of the region, the warmth of the people coupled with their passion and drive for growth and development in a culture of excellence where we strive to be the best,” said Wayne Hull, Country Manager. St. Vincent and the Grenadines stands to benefit from the combined strength of both companies. The new organisation brings together 150 years of Cable & Wireless’s legacy and tradition of expertise, with the innovation, agility and customer focused spirit of Columbus. As the nation says a fond

farewell to LIME and a warm “Hairoun” hello to the new Flow, the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines can expect a dynamic new culture of innovation, superior customer service, and technical excellence, backed by investments in technology, people and community.

The phased launch of the newly refreshed retail brand — Flow — across the Caribbean has now reached St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the ninth market to be rebranded. “This is an exciting new development for the region and more specifically it signals the start of a transformation of our business in St. Vincent & the Grenadines,” Hull also said. “Our renewed focus — putting the customer at the heart of what we do - provides us with a unique opportunity to create a new future in SVG with Flow. Our customers, employees and partners will experience a totally transformed culture and way of doing business.

Our aim is not just to meet but to exceed their expectations as they interact with us on a daily basis.” He continued, “The Company aims to deliver the most comprehensive portfolio of telecoms services anywhere

in the region, this includes a complete transformation of service delivery including the introduction of our new concept retail store designed to offer customers a new and enhanced experience with all the bells and whistles.”

The celebration of the launch of the new Flow brand began on April 7th, with an employee brand event and will culminate on Friday April 8th, with an all-day customer appreciation day, a motorcade and block party featuring performances from a few Caribbean soca superstars including the local ‘General’ and Flow brand Ambassador Skinny Fabulous, along with ‘Fireman’ Hooper, ‘Luta’ and new brand personality and renowned local panist Rodney Smalls. There will be lots of prizes and surprises for customers at this event which will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display, a fitting ‘HELLO VINCY’ welcome.

The excitement of the launch event will reverberate across the 32 islands and cays that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), as the country goes with the Flow.

South Rivers Power Station rehab progressing REHABILITATION work at the South Rivers Power Plant, owned and operated by St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC), is progressing. Work at this location, which commenced in late 2015, forms part of a larger project to upgrade all three hydro Power Stations at Richmond, Cumberland and South Rivers.

To date, a new 11kV switchgear room has been constructed on the station compound, and new 11kV switch gear equipment has been installed. Furthermore, a gantry (steel tower) was constructed to host the outgoing distribution lines for the 11kV feeders. This new gantry replaces several rotting wooden poles that were located in an area that is difficult to access.

The office building is being renovated, and construction work is also ongoing inside the Power Station building, where an area is being enclosed to house the 400 volts switchgear and alternator control panels. Other civils works are also being undertaken to refurbish and improve the structure to make it more functional.

The old woodstave pipes along the route are being replaced by Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). To date, approximately 35% of the pipeline route from the Power Station to the Headworks is completed. These new pipes are being buried (approximately 6 ft) along the route, as opposed to being installed above ground. These

Pipeline work in progress.

GRP pipes are 900 millimeters in diameter and will allow for greater efficiency, less maintenance and more protection from vandalism, natural disasters and the elements.

The South Rivers rehabilitation project is one of the major capital projects being undertaken by VINLEC this year. This Station was the first hydro power facility built in St. Vincent, and commenced operations in 1952. While regular upgrade and maintenance works have been undertaken at South Rivers, there has never been a major rehabilitation project at the location.

The project is estimated to cost 6.4 million EC dollars. (Contributed)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 13.

News

Preservation Fund launched

THE ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Preservation Fund (SVGPF) was officially launched last week.

Coordinator of the Fund, Barrister-at-Law Louise Mitchell, explained that the idea for the Fund came about through her constant battle to preserve the local environment, and with nearly no access to resources, led to the worthy cause.

This uphill battle led to knocks on many doors, including that of the renowned Canadian Singer and Recording Artiste, Bryan Adams, who now resides in Mustique.

“I toiled to raise funds project by project, until one day last year, Bryan Adams said to me, ‘Let us set up a Fund for conservation in St Vincent and the Grenadines that would exist in perpetuity, so that there will always be money to support environmental causes in SVG’.”

Similar Funds have already been established by a close associate of Adams, Mitchell explained, in the Aeleon Islands and Ibiza, making the SVGPF part of a unique global network.

Some special areas of concern were identified, including forests, food quality and sea turtles.

The SVGPF is a ‘subfund’ of the United Kingdom’s Friends of the Mustique Charitable Trust, and will be run locally by Financial Consultant Andre Iton and Mitchell.

The Board of Directors include Bryan Adams (Founder), Ben Goldsmith, Henry Channon and other Mustique homeowners.

Adams, who has been a resident of SVG since 2002, said that he wanted to make his contribution, and expressed the hope that the fund would make a difference here.

“I love the nature and the people, and I want to preserve that for my children and all children,” he said.

Adams brings a wealth of experience, as far as environmental work is concerned, having served on the Mustique Environmental Committee where work has been done in restoring that Grenadine island’s coral reefs, and reviving its flora and fauna.

Luke Browne, Minister of Health and the Environment, was present at the launch and said that environmental issues were now receiving a lot more attention, and the government had already started doing so.

He spoke of the work being done to highlight the issue of climate change, for example, adding that he was pleased with the public/private initiative.

“We look forward to us being able to heighten our capacity by fostering groups to develop projects. It is only by strengthening capacity that the needs will be met,” Browne said.

(DDD)

Expect that the SVGPF will focus on projects like protecting reefs, to return them to good health a l like this one (pictured) off Mustique

Principal members of the SVG Preservation Fund (from left) Louise Mitchell, Bryan Adams and Andre Iton.

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 15.

KICKSTART CLINIC IS BACK IN SVG!!!

Manchester City FC coaches to host the programme for 2016 Digicel continues to expand its support of the region’s talented young athletes, with the launch of its 2016 Kickstart Grassroots Football Programme.

The Programme will see coaches from top Barclays Premier League team, Manchester City FC (MCFC), hosting clinics with SVG’s best crop of Under 16 footballers.

For the past eight years, the Kickstart programme has helped thousands of players across the Caribbean and Central America to benefit from world class training by coaches from top football organisations. The partnership with Manchester City FC, which sees coaches from the City Football Schools programme travelling to the region to deliver these intensive training courses as part of the Digicel Kickstart Clinics, is another step towards ensuring that aspiring young players have an opportunity to take their game to the next level, as they benefit from the Club’s expansive footballing expertise.

Over the next 3 weeks, Digicel, with the able assistance of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, will host a series of local clinics for Under 16 footballers, from which 3of

Wesley Charles the best youngsters will be selected to participate in the Kickstart Academy, to be held on May 4th and 5th.

In addition to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the MCFC coaches will conduct selection clinics in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The local selection clinics will be held on the following dates/locations: Pre-Clinic No. 1: Central Zone Date: April 9th, 2016 Time: 9am to 1pm

Cornelius Huggins

Keith Ollivierre

Venue: Victoria Park Pre-Clinic No. 2: Leeward Zone Date: April 16th, 2016 Time: 9am to 1pm Venue: Campden Park Playing Field Pre-Clinic No. 3: Windward Kingstown Date: April 23rd, 2016 Time: 9am to 1pm Venue: Biabou Playing Field The SVGFF has once again come forward willingly to assist and support the Kickstart programme by providing a slate of qualified local coaches to be the selectors at these pre clinics.

The selectors are: Cornelius

Fabian Guerra

Huggins, Wayde Jackson, Wesley Charles, Keith Ollivierre, Kevin Richardson, Fabian Guerra and Urtis Blackette.

There have been many success stories that have come out of the Kickstart Clinic in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Scholarships and foreign-based training camps are standouts as opportunities that have opened to participants in the programme.

At last year’s Digicel Academy, the MCFC coaches selected players from the Caribbean to continue training with them for a week at their City Football Academy, an elite training and youth development

Wade Jackson facility in Manchester, England. While there, they got the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer – learning the tactics and strategies employed by Manchester City FC first team players.

The Digicel Kickstart Clinics programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity for thousands of aspiring young footballers. Through the Kickstart Clinics, participants not only learn football skills and enhance their technical abilities, but also develop an ethos of professionalism and a good attitude – key attributes of successful people across all walks of life.

Digicel extends hand of assistance

Gershom Dick, refurbishing doors at the Calliaqua Anglican School.

The Digicel Community Outreach Programme (C.O.R.P.), was officially launched on April 1st, 2016, in partnership with the Parent Teachers’ Association of the Calliaqua Anglican School.

To begin the programme in earnest, the staff of Digicel, along with private contractors, worked arduously on Saturday ,April 2nd , to refurbish the male and female bathrooms at the School.

The work undertaken included the installation of urinals, repair of the entry doors, and re-painting.

Digicel Staff members were involved, particularly, in painting, sanding and helping generally to ensure all was at hand for the more

Above: Melecia Abbott, Ronnett Scott and Danielle Cupid painting the walls of the school.

Left: Ronnett Scott preparing the walls for painting. expert workers.

Marketing Manager Danielle Cupid commented, “This is what we do at Digicel. We are an integral part of the lives of our customers and our communities. We believe that education is key, and providing or assisting in the infrastructure conducive to delivering a sound education is of extreme impor-

tance to us.”

Digicel SVG C.O.R.P will continue to seek avenues for involvement in community-based projects.

Towards this end, the Company encourages all communities to submit project proposals – large or small - to its Corporate Office, Kingstown, for consideration.

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16. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Training/Industry

Indonesia facilitates Batik workshop Education, in collaboration with the LAST MONDAY, 4th April, Ministry of Foreign some twenty-seven Affairs and Regional participants assembled at Integration, and the the Doris McKie Learning Ministry of Tourism, Resource Centre in Upper Sports and Culture.

Arnos Vale, to begin a Participants were Batik Workshop for drawn from throughout Trainers, facilitated by the the country, many of Government of Indonesia. them already having The Workshop was co- some exposure to fabric ordinated by the Division design, production and of Adult and Continuing artistic endeavours in general.

Facilitators comprised persons from the Republic of Indonesia.

The delegation was headed by Mrs. Nunung Nurwulan, Deputy Director for Technical Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

by GLORIAH…

The Indonesian delegation, including Mrs. Nunung Nuwulan (3rd from right) with Vincentian officials, including Sir Louis Straker, (centre) Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Addresses Ms. Lou-Anne Gilchrist, Chief Education Officer, expressed gratitude to the technical experts from Indonesia, and affirmed that, “The Ministry of Education constantly engages itself in acts of this kind with countries within the region and further afield to up-skill our citizens.”

Mrs. Nunung Nurwulan, Deputy Director for Technical Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and head of the visiting delegation, after welcoming those gathered, disclosed that planning for the workshop had begun quite a long time ago, and praised the Ministry of Education for the significant role it played in bringing it to fruition.

“This workshop represents a part of the symbol of the relationship between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Indonesia,” she confirmed, “and its purpose is to bring improvement to the

quality of batik here.”

Hon. Sir Louis Straker, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, emphasized the usefulness of the workshop, saying, inter alia, “Here, we are learning how to fish, and not just being given a fish. Make a livelihood for yourself and those you train. Keep the skill here, and let it propagate and benefit others.”

Workhop commencement nd participants’ expectations The formalities out of the way and an orientation session completed, participants spent the day learning about the history of batik, different types of batik, the varieties of synthetic dyes and tools used in the process, and the hand-painting and hand-stamping processes.

Many participants expressed their elation at being included, and willingly outlined their expectations to THE VINCENTIAN. Rose Simmons, a painter from Bequia declared, “I am very excited to do the practical. I’m looking to tomorrow. Today was really good, and I can’t wait to start practising!”

Nyala Charles, a cultural activist from Fitz Hughes, felt blessed to be included in the activity.

“I’m so happy to be learning a new skill,” she said, “I know it will be a good experience for me.

It’s going to help us in Fitz Hughes, because not a lot of Skills Training programmes are down there and by doing this, I can form new groups or expand current ones and teach them the art of batiking.”

All of the persons trained in this initial phase are expected to train others throughout the country.

Two pieces of material using the same pattern.

The piece (left) is complete while the other is yet to have a final background dye.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 17.

News

SVGTU recognises four stalwarts FOUR RETIRED teachers were on Tuesday recognised by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) for their service towards nation building, at the Union’s 19th Biennial Conference, held at Frenches House, Tuesday 5th April.

Plaques of appreciation for service to the profession and to nationbuilding in general were presented to Cleopatra Jackson, Elton David, Maurissa KirbyCreese and Cetroy Wilkes Jackson is a teacher of national acclaim, whose dedication beyond the call of duty made her a 2011 FCIB Unsung Hero.

Elton David, a graduate of the St. Martin’s Secondary School during its heyday, served untiringly Oswald at the Belmont Robinson, into serving a second and Cane End consecutive term government schools. as President of Maurissa Kirbythe SVGTU, Creese, started presented the teaching at the honorees with Barrouallie their awards.

Government School in 1977, and served without fair or favour in later years as a senior teacher at the Spring Village Methodist School and the Questelles Government School.

Cetroy Wilkes, a Graduate from St. Martin’s Secondary School, who was a sailor for two years before finding his life’s vocation as a teacher beginning in 1985.

Speaking on behalf of the honorees, Wilkes expressed thanks to the Union, and boasted that collectively, he and his fellow honorees accounted for an accumulated total of 130 years of service in the classroom.

He especially recognised “Sister Cleo” (Cleopatra Jackson), who he said “leads with 40 years.”

Wilkes described as heart-warming and humbling when, at this juncture in their lives, “We are still hailed as ‘Sir’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Teacher’.”

For him and his fellow honorees, Wilkes declared, “The Union is not just a Trade Union, not just a trade union

which seeks after and to defend the rights and privileges of its members and teachers in general. This for me, for us, is an institution whose visible quest and drive is for quality education for all coming through our system, thus a professional development for teachers is paramount in this organisation.”

He said the Union has ensured that the best practices have been adhered to in the institutions of learning, not only for teachers and members, but

Honorees (from left) Cleopatra Jackson, Elton David, Maurissa Kirby- Creese and Cetroy Wilkes. students as well, and he implored stakeholders to come on board.

The retired teacher concluded by advising the incoming executive to carry out the mandate for the next 2 years in a way that is exemplary and beneficial, and to work to produce quality citizens. (KH)

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V Mustique hosts Craft Fair

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 19.

News

Right: Jan O’Neil of the Mustique Company declared the fair a marked improvement over last year’s.

THIRTY-FIVE CRAFT persons from mainland St. Vincent journeyed to the renowned Grenadine island of Mustique last week Wednesday, April 30, not for sightseeing or recreational activities, but to partake in The Mustique Craft Fair, where they had the opportunity to showcase their products and earn some cash.

The artisans travelled to Mustique free of charge via two charted Mustique Airways aircraft, but their wares/produce had previously been transported by boat to that Grenadine island, also free of any cost to the craft persons.

The 15-minute flight offered them the opportunity to mingle and build friendships, according to one of the craft persons, and there were visible signs of elation when they disembarked in Mustique.

It did not take long for the craft persons to organize their display at the venue, at an area known as Fisherman

Quarters.

Jan O’Neil, Social Director in the Activities Department of the Mustique Co, explained that the original idea for the Craft Fair was conceptualized by Clare Slater of the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT), and the first fair was held in 2015.

“It (2015) went so well last year and was so popular, that we were asked to have another one,” O’Neil said, and proceeded to thank the MCT for their support and the craft workers for their participation.

O’Neil was of the opinion that this year’s Fair showed improvement both in terms of participation and products displayed.

“It’s very encouraging to see people having an opportunity to show how skillful and talented that people in St. Vincent are,” she declared.

Administrator of the Mustique Charitable Trust, Mrs Lavinia Gunn, said that the Trust felt

Craft persons got good support from visitors to the island. that many of the local craft persons were lacking exposure in Mustique, hence they felt the need to give them a boost, “so that the people who visit Mustique have the opportunity to come and speak with the craft people, and more importantly, buy their products.”

Mrs Gunn added, “It is a not for profit craft fair.

All the proceeds go to the craft persons; we just take care of the organization, including the transportation of the craft goods and the people over here, and we are very happy to do so.”

One with a proven eye for craft and the demands of the market, the MCT Administrator was also of the view that this year’s

product selection and quality were even better than last year’s.

“We are so happy that we had the support of the craft people of St. Vincent,” she expressed, and guaranteed that the Fair would take place next year, disclosing that the MCT was considering hosting the Fair twice a year — at Easter and during August. .Many residents of and visitors to the island expressed satisfaction with the craft they saw, and were pleased to make purchases.

And as the sun began Lavinia Gunn of the MCT, seemed to have had a its descent below the special fancy for these pieces made from waste horizon, beckoning to the craft persons to pack their material. wares for transport back satisfaction about them, as day was worth it in more to mainland St. Vincent, though to declare: The ways than one. (KH) there was a buzz of

Craft persons happy with Mustique Fair THE MUSTIQUE Craft Fair, held last week Wednesday in Mustique, offered local craft persons the opportunity to showcase their produce and earn some money.

Here is a sample of what some of those craft persons had to say about the Fair: NZIMBU BROWNE – artist specializing in Banana Art “The idea of the Craft Fair in Mustique is a great idea. I have been dreaming of advertising my products in Mustique. This activity is special for me. I get to travel from St. Vincent; get my material transported on spot; the area is decent and clean; people can purchase your items if they are interested; everything runs smooth. I appreciate the gesture by the Mustique Charitable Trust.”

JASMINE DEANE – ‘Jazzy Organics’ – body care products “I have been producing my products for two years now. This year’s Fair is bigger than the previous one. We have more visitors. Last year was low season, but we still got a lot of sales, but this year is very good. …. The event helps to showcase the talent

in St. Vincent, and when the visitors see what is on offer, they will be encouraged to come more often.”

DAWN BACCHUS - Owner of ‘Immense Bag’, Marcole Plaza “We design and make souvenir bags, beach bags, purses, work bags, hats, along with other products. We have been doing so for the past four years. This year marks the second year I am attending the event. I attended the event last year as a result of the promotion I received from one of my customers who works in Mustique. The organizers were so impressed with my products, they invited me again. I am very happy for the opportunity to promote and sell my products. I hope the event continues.

BRENDA MCINTOSH-IROHA – Owner/Manager ‘Afrobbean Designs’, New Montrose We recycle glass and plastic bottles to create jewellery, canisters, holders and decorations. … The response was indeed a good one for me, since it was my first year attending the event. The Fair is fantastic. I wish it could

happen on the mainland and the other Grenadines Islands. The interest was great, and many persons were impressed by what could be done with waste. I keep saying save mother earth.”

LYSTRA CULZAC of ‘Crafty Authentically Vincentian’, New Montrose “I create jewellery from cotton.

I hope the event continues, since the MCT is doing a great job in showcasing local talents.

SHELLY-ANN FRASER - Sales and Marketing Manager at ‘Winfresh Ltd.’ “I commended the Mustique Charitable Trust. The experience was an overwhelming one. A lot of patrons who visited our booth were overwhelmed with the taste of the products. They were mesmerized by the taste they were greeted with. I am looking forward to the next showcase they would be having in August.

Winfresh is about owning and celebrating our Caribbean culinary culture.”

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20. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

No faith in marriage Dear George, I AM IN A situation where my wife has cheated on me with a few people, and she has only admitted to one of them. I told her that one is too many and I can never trust her again.

When I investigated why she did what she did, I was ashamed to learn that she did so for money. She has destroyed my faith in women and certainly in marriage. We have no children but owned a bit of property.

What should my next move be? I want to get out of this as quickly as I can.

X-ROY Dear X-ROY, Infidelity is not an easy hurdle to overcome, and even though you do not wish to salvage your marriage, you should consider getting some legal counsel so that you can be properly guided about the division of property, etc.

Do not let this prevent you from being able to trust again or having faith in marriage. It will also be a good move to talk to someone about your situation, so as to relieve some of the negative emotions that will be mounting rapidly inside you.

George

Caught in the act! sick day that day.

As for my wife, I will send copies of the tape to I INSTALLED a (secret) her parents who always camera in my house to thought I was a man capture footage of my babysitter, to see how she who ran around, and was not good enough for their was attending to my 2“faithful” daughter. year-old child. I was the I never thought I unexpected turns, but a clearer picture of the only one who knew about would be in this what is important is how way forward. Sometimes this; not even my wife predicament, but here well we learn to we make decisions that knew. am I. I am hurting negotiate these we later live to regret, Each day I reviewed beyond turns. You got answers but that does not mean the footage to see what you should be overly transpired that day. You recognition. There is no to questions you asked, and also answer to hard on yourself for cannot imagine my shock way I want to reconcile with my wife; as far as I questions you did not it. Find ways to learn and anger when upon ask. from this experience, and reviewing the footage for am concerned, she is history. I knew I should Now, you know the do not let it cloud your a particular day, there not have married her, state of your union - it is vision to the point where was my wife bringing a not strong. Sending you are unable to find man into our home. This but I did! copies of this tape to all your way in your search man happened to be my and sundry will not solve for something/someone very good friend, at least Angry husband anything. better. so I thought. I have Dear Angry husband Get some professional everything they did on help so that you can sort George record.

Life sure has your feelings out and get I have said nothing to my wife so far, but I intend to do so immediately after writing this.

In the meantime, I plan to send a copy of Dear George, Dear Disappointed citizen, the tape to my ‘friend’. I will send it to his office MY GIRLFRIEND came home and It is good that your girlfriend has so he could have a very told me that her boss told his staff of communicated this to you, and has good reason to take a six women, that they will have to be chosen to maintain her dignity rather laid off very soon. He told her, than to exchange it for the promise of however, that there was a possibility job security. of her keeping her job, if she agree to While there may be businessmen take on additional work load. She around with unscrupulous practices, said she went to his office to discuss there are lots more who are decent, what the additional workload would and who respect women for their entail and, while holding her around expertise and what they bring to the her waist, explained that she had to workplace. consent to have sex with him whenever he wishes. She learned later that he told the other women the George very same thing and had them swear to secrecy.

My girlfriend has stopped working there along with two others. I can only assume that he got his way with the others. I wanted to take the matter further, but my girlfriend just wanted to cut clean from him and move on with the rest of her life. George, I don’t know what it is with sex and Vincentian businessmen.

Dear George,

‘Dying’ with her dignity

Disappointed citizen

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your input into their activities will help bring you closer together. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Be careful.

You should put a little extra effort in at work. You can pick up wonderful buys if you really look hard this week.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Try to get away with your mate. Your communication skills will bring you popularity and increased self-esteem.

Resist secret affairs that could be detrimental to your reputation. Put your money into a safe place that will ensure a profit if you let it sit long enough.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Cultural activities will prove to be quite enlightening for everyone. Go out with friends. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. Empty promises and a lack of cash may put a damper on your plans.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Pleasure trips will be a form of healing for your emotional state of mind. You don't like confrontations at the best of times; however, you may find them difficult to avoid. Get out and rub shoulders with people in high positions if possible. Your own small business on the side could ease your financial stress.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Set a limit, or you'll wind up on a tight budget. Don't get involved in other people's private doings. Try to enlist the help of those you trust in order to fulfill the demands being made of you. Try to include the one you love in your plans this week.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) This is not the best time to take a risk, to gamble or spend money you really can't afford to part with. It might be time for you to take a quantum leap from one career to another. Travel for business or pleasure will be enlightening. Your leadership ability will enhance your reputation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You may find that female colleagues will be more help than you anticipated. You may need a physical outlet that will help you relieve your tension. If you can include them in your plans, do so. Keep your feet on the ground, if you can.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Your ideas are right on the mark and your work commendable. Concentrate on your career and on making money.

You can persuade even the toughest opponents to think your way. You need a change and you need to earn more cash.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You need to be active and spend time with friends you enjoy. You will be entertained and intrigued by the logic foreigners possess. Competitive games will be your forte. Chances to express your ideas and beliefs can bring popularity as long as you're not arrogant.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Don't be disappointed if you don't get your way emotionally. You can learn valuable information if you listen and observe what others are doing and saying. Your outgoing nature might work against you this week. You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Opportunities will unfold; however, you must be willing to pay the price. Don't forget family obligations. Travel and communications will not run as smoothly as you had hoped. You can make successful moves.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Good day for romance. Don't deny yourself this week. Your best results will come through business trips. You may have major blow-ups with someone you love if you don't back down.

ACROSS 1. The West Wing actress__ Deavere Smith 5. Without a commitment: on __ 9. Society page word 12. Man vs.Wild Host Grylls 13. CSI: NY star Ward 14. Norm Peterson, for one 15. Emulate June Cleaver 16. Sonny’s home on Miami Vice 18. Verdugo of Meet Millie 20. Glaudini of Criminal Minds 21. Stacey of Clueless 23. Jack was one to the Ropers 27. “The Bernie __” (2 wds) 30. Carvey and Delany 31. Pensacola actress Landry 32. Government watchdog dept.

34. Laverne & Shirley actress Carole __ White 35. The Jetsons’ pet 41. Emmywinning PBS journalist Bill 43. Brooklyn South Actress Scott 44. Ali’s “…sting

like__ “ (2 wds) 46. Susan of Baywatch 49. __ Fire 53. Light as a feather 54. Pt. of speech 55. Cat who played Salty on Caroline…

56. Head shape of some SNL characters 57. ‘60s radical gp.

58. One __ Beyond 59. Dukes of Hazzard deputy DOWN 1. The Xavier Cugat Show singer Lane 2. Elise of The Hughleys 3. Police drama: The __ (2 words) 4. Saturday Night Fights sites, e.g.

5. Draft gp.

6. Carillon sound 7. The Untouchables agent Ness 8. My So-__ Life 9. Bilko, e.g. (abbr.)

10. Clean air gp.

11. Dog __ Dog 40. Dennis the__ 17. “Hulk” star 42. Jim Varney’s “Your World 19. Teri Polo, on Brimstone As I __” (2 wds) 22. Arnold Ziffel, for one 45. Actress Sommer 24. Disney Forte 47. Deal __ Deal (2 wds) 25. The __ Berkus 48. Carrie and Show Louis 26. Romanov emperor 27. Al Bundy’s anti-Feminist group:“NO __” 28. Too 29. Wit 33. Mork’s home planet 36. Posterior 37. Paths for the “Enterprise” 39. Any Day Now’s State (abbr.)

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 21.

49. Goober pumped it 50. Say further 51. Capt.

Hunnicut and a trucker with a chimp 52. Quench action

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22. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

ÂSantaÊ lands monster catch

by KENVILLE HORNE

A FISHERMAN on the Grenadine island of Mustique has made his biggest single catch to date, and he is obviously ecstatic about his accomplishment.

Eustace ‘Santa’ Vincent, a Belair resident, created quite a buzz on Wednesday 30th March, when he and a fellow fisherman arrived on the island with what one observer described as a “massive” Jew fish.

Eustace ‘Santa’ Vincent and the Jew fish, his The fish was identified largest single catch to date. as a member of the and it run from the stone, but I had to grouper (fish) family, and weighed some 360 pounds after the bones were let go the fish gun because it scorch me hand,” he related. removed from its body.

He said the fish “made a circle” Residents of and visitors to the before returning to its original island rushed to get a firsthand view position by the stone. of the catch, many snapping away, Santa, on seeing that, said he readying themselves to make postings decided to come out the water and on social media. relax in the boat for a while, “because Vincent has been scuba diving/spear fishing for about 32 years I ain’t believe it dead….. When I go down now looking for it, I ain’t see it, now, and while he admitted that he has spotted bigger fish before, he said but when a look so, it dey out in the the Jew fish is the biggest one he has clear with me gun. It vomit up sea cat (octopus), lobster, all kind of thing,” ever shot. said the excited fisherman.

The fish was caught off Savan, a It was then that he borrowed a fish small island off the southern tip of gun from one of his colleagues who Mustique. had accompanied him, and shot the In an interview with THE fish once more.

VINCENTIAN, the fisherman It was still showing some signs of explained how he managed to catch life, but the men managed to “haul’ it the fish.

“When I spot it, it go by a big stone, close to the boat, and then after so I pull back my gun to last track and employing some ‘rocking motion’, were able to “slip” the fish into the boat.

I go easy, because I say if it see me it The fish was sold for an undisclosed go run, and I hide myself. From the sum to Cotton House, the renowned time I see it, I go so ‘pop’ (mimicking boutique/hotel on Mustique. the action and sound of the fish gun)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 23.

Buccament Government: InterPrimary Schools athletics champs Layou Government School with 241.

Last year’s winners, Kingstown Preparatory School, had to resign to third on 240 points.

The overall female top performer was the Buccament Government’s Ulanda Lewis.

Her 46 individual points outstripped the other contenders. Lewis also won the Left: Overall top female performer- Ulanda Lewis. female 11 and over age category.

Right: Top overall male performer - Kareem Davis (right) gets his trophy from Another Rosmund Griffith of the Ministry of Education. individual award WITH A TOTAL of 296 National Lotteries the Arnos Vale Playing was secured by the points, the Buccament Authority Inter- Primary Field last Wednesday.

Buccament Government, Government School Schools Athletics Fifty- five points adrift as One Williams held on champed this year’s Championships, held at of the winners was the to the female under-11

title. male 11 and over The male Under-7 champion. champion was Park Hill The day saw several Government’s Ethan De records going by the Freitas, and Nyana wayside.

Fisher of the Diamond Government the corresponding female champion.

Joshua Harry of the Stubbs Government ran away with the male under-9, and Sion Hill Government’s Keshawna Alexander the female under-9 winner.

Meanwhile, the Kingstown Prep School’s Kareem Davis, with his 25 points, won the male Under-11 age group and was the overall male champion.

Jolani Barker of the Clare Valley Oné Williams – Under- 11 Government was the female champion.

Georgetown Secondary rolls in cricket title too THE GEORGETOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL has hauled in another sporting title, the fourth in this academic year.

The Massy United Insurances Under-21 Cricket title was added to the school’s list last Friday, at the Park Hill Playing Field.

Sent in to bat, Georgetown rattled up 266 for 6 from 34 overs, against Sandy Bay Secondary School who was guilty of a slow over rate.

Othneil Lewis slammed 61, including four fours and five sixes.

In an innings characterised by a high percentage of boundaries, in addition to Lewis’s contribution, Carmalo Caine’s 43 saw him acing six fours and two sixes ; Nimron Daniel’s 42 was inclusive of four fours and one six,; and Urnel Thomas who struck 38 , peppered four fours and two sixes.

And, Dillon Douglas’s 34 saw him registering a solitary four and a six.

Karson Hoyte took 2 for 37 for Sandy Bay, as they were guilty of aiding Georgetown’s total with several drop catches and some leakages in the field.

In reply, Sandy Bay was never in the contest, and crumbled for 150 off 28.2 overs.

Sealroy Williams topscored with 45, made up of three fours and the same number of sixes.

Player of the Final Othneil Lewis grabbed 3 for 41; Urnel Thomas - 2 for 24 and Rasheed Fredericks- 2 for 26.

The final, though, was interrupted by two stoppages, occasioned by encroachments by supporters of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, aggrieved over some on field activities.

Awards Othneil Lewis copped the award as the Victorious competition’s Top All-rounder. He scored team. the most runs, 229, and picked up 13 wickets.

His teammate, Dillon Douglas, was the Best Wicketkeeper, with Sandy Bay’s Sealron Williams the Top Wicket-taker with 18 dismissals to his name.

On their way to the final, the Georgetown boys came up with a nine-wicket win over the Petit Bordel Secondary, while Sandy Bay produced a four-wicket

Georgetown Secondary School Under-21 Cricket triumph over the West St George Secondary.

The Georgetown Secondary School, prior to last Thursday, was crowned Under-21 football champions, and retained the male and female titles in schools’ volleyball.

Victors One rebound with win over Asco sprinkling of grass.

Openers Atticus Browne (36) FORMER CHAMPIONS Victors and Chrisroy John (26) added ONE rebounded from their 42 for the first wicket, before opening defeat to Lime the latter was bowled by Rangel Radcliffe, to beat Carl Joseph Small.

Law Chambers ASCO by ten Browne and Hector added a wickets at the Sion Hill Playing further 58 for the second wicket Field, in the National Lotteries to see the total to 100/2, when Authority Premier Division on Browne was dismissed by leftthe weekend. arm spinner Andre Hunte.

SCORES: Victors ONE 239 & Windwards middle order 20/0, Carl Joseph Law batsman Miles Bascombe (19) Chambers ASCO 116 & 140. then joined Hector in adding 52 Victors One captain Donwell for the third wicket, to take Hector, called correctly at the Victors ONE to an imposing toss and elected to bat in humid 152/3. But wickets began to fall conditions, on a reasonably in clusters as Victors One tried prepared wicket which showed a for quick runs, and from the tea

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

time score of 178/3, were dismissed for 239 in 47.5 overs.

Hector ended on 91 made off 91 balls and included nine fours and four sixes.

Off-spinner Dearon Greaves, 4/66, and Hunte, 3/55, were the best of the bowlers for Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO. In the eight overs faced before the close, Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO ended the day 33/3.

On Sunday, they were dismissed for 116 in 21.1 overs, with Rangel Small’s 29 being the top score. Off-spinner Damali Phillips finished with 6/29 from nine overs.

Asked to follow on, Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO were dismissed for 140 in 34.2 overs a 59-run partnership between Kenvil Sam (41) and Greaves (36), being the only bright spot. Bascombe picked up 5/27 and medium pacer/off-spinner Nurlon Williams 3/20.

Victors ONE knocked off the required 17 runs in three overs- ending 20/0.

Donwell Hector, Captain of Victors One, showed good application, especially against the spinners, to record an innings of 91.

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24. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

‘Cammie’ Adams is Cyclist of the Year CAMERON ‘CAMMIE’ ADAMS broke away from the pack last Friday night at the Murray Heights Hotel, and rode off with the 2015 Cyclist of the Year award.

Adams received his award at St Vincent and the Grenadines Cycling Union’s ninth Annual Awards Ceremony, Friday 1st April, 2016.

In addition to the top award, Adams copped the Senior Mr Consistent and tops in Cammie Adams - Cyclist Cyclist of the Year the Masters’ categoryof the Year accolade, ahead of Peter Durrant.

Zefal Bailey and Lucky year.

Antrobus. the other major contenders.

Durrant’s main opposition came An emotional Adams dedicated his from Randy Wilkinson and Steve awards to his deceased father, Ollivierre.

Cameron Adams Sr., who died in Among the junior cyclists, Samuel March 2013.

Lyttle was adjudged the Male Junior Adams recalled his father, during Cyclist of the Year, and Niesha his illness, telling him not to give up Alexander the Female Cyclist of the on the sport.

Year.

A teary-eyed Adams also credited Last Friday’s ceremony heard President of the Cycling Union Trevor remarks from President of the SVG Bailey for his assistance and guidance Cycling Union, Trevor Bailey, as well. representative of the National Also collecting two awards on the Olympic Committee Wayne Williams, night was Peter Durrant, who copped and Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Masters’ and the Most Consistent Culture, Hon Cecil Mc Kie. Performer of the Year awards, the The feature speaker was St Lucian latter predicated partly on the fact Henry Mangal, former president of the that he participated in all events put Caribbean Cycling Federation. on by the SVG Cycling Union last

New SVGTA executive: Standing from left: Robertson Henry, Cleopatra White, Terry Ballantyne, Karen Anderson, Winfield Tannis- Abbott. Seated from left: Deborah King, Brian Nash (President) Janelle Humphrey, Donnette Lyttle.

SVGTA turns a new leaf

THE PROBLEM-PLAGUED St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association (SVGTA) has elected a new executive, to run its affairs for the next two years.

This was done last Saturday night at a special meeting staged at the National Tennis Centre at Villa.

The new executive, which has Brian Nash as its president, includes three members from the previous executive.

Nash, who is new to service of the national tennis body, has Deborah King as Vice President.

Also in is Janelle Humphrey as Secretary, while Donnette Lyttle returns as Treasurer. Robertson Henry is the new Public Relations Officer.

The committee members are Terry Ballantyne, Winfield Tannis-Abbott, Cleopatra White and Karen Anderson.

All positions were elected unopposed.

Like Lyttle, Tannis- Abbott and Anderson, were part of the Miles Boyea-led executive which was elected

in September 2013.

Boyea stepped down in 2014, handing over the presidency to James Bascombe.

A number of other executive members resigned during this period.

The election of this latest executive comes months after the due date for the SVGTA’s annual general meeting.

A letter from the “tennis group” dated 22nd February 2016, and penned by Humphrey, had called on Bascombe to stage “an Extra-Ordinary Meeting on Saturday April 02, 2016 at the Club House at the National Tennis Centre, Villa”.

Nash, addressing the gathering on Saturday, following the installation of his team, called on all stakeholders to work together for the betterment of tennis.

“We need the support of everyone players, members, executive members - as we need to go forward as a team”, Nash implored those present.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 25.

Sports

Digicel congratulates WI cricketers EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a release from Digicel and is carried verbatim.

Proud Sponsors of West Indies cricket, Digicel, congratulates the men and women West Indies T20 cricket teams on becoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup Champions after defeating Australia and England by eight wickets and four wickets respectively.

The West Indies teams faced formidable opponents in the finals — England having an impressive win/loss rate for the tournament, and Australia entering the competition as the defending champions. The players were determined to put on a good show for the fans, and that they did as the teams rose to the occasion and posted fantastic scores and fielded well to bring home their tournament trophies.

The partnership of women’s captain, Stephanie Taylor and 18-

year-old, Hayley Matthews, saw them both making half centuries, to reach a record 120-run and ending Australia’s T20 world dominance by winning the tournament for the first time. After a less than stellar start to their chase of 155 runs set

by England, Marlon Samuels and Carlos Brathwaite dug deep and found the win in the final overs, with Samuels posting 85 runs while Brathwaite sent England home with a fantastic display of skill by smashing four sixes in a row — all in the final over.

Commenting on the teams’ successes, Digicel Group Marketing Director, Peter Lloyd said; “Digicel and fans of West Indies cricket are delighted to see the teams continue to achieve success on the global stage as part of the ICC World Cricket T20 tournament. The ‘Windies’ teams fought hard, and were rewarded with a

The West Indies Female Cricket team, World T20 Champions for the first time. well-deserved win against England and Australia — both formidable opponents. We wish all the West Indies teams continued success as we look to continue supporting them through our partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board.”

Digicel brand Ambassadors from across the region gave their full support to both teams through videos which were posted on all of Digicel’s Facebook pages. These included the World’s fastest man, Usain Bolt; Olympic Gold medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Trinidadian soca music superstars, Kes and Machel Montano.

West Indies cricket has been experiencing a run of success, as the U19 team also were victorious in

Gonsalves rebukes WICB Prez WEST INDIES’ CRICKET BOARD’S (WICB) President Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron’s reproach of Darren Sammy, has not escaped the attention of Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

During a Sitting of Parliament here on Tuesday, Dr. Gonsalves described as “crass,” comments made by Cameron in response to comments Sammy made in an interview he gave after leading the West Indies cricket team to victory in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Sammy had expressed how “disappointed” the team was by the “lack of support shown by the Board (WIBC),” and how “disrespected” they felt during the weeks before the tournament.

Cameron was moved to make what he said was an apology on behalf of Sammy and the team, and tweeted thereafter, “When is the last time a critic paid one of your bills?

Always remember that when you start to give them your energy.”

The tweet was interpreted to be levelled directly at Sammy and

generally at the players.

It was to this tweet that Dr. Gonsalves responded in particular, saying that the WICB’s top man behaved in a manner as if he paid the players on the West Indies team out of his own PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was pocket, or from moved to put WIBC President some benefactor. ‘Dave’ Cameron ‘in his place’, not “The West for the first time.

Indies players themselves create the product which is sold from which they make money.

“And in fact, it is the cricketers who keep the bureaucratic superstructure going; a private superstructure managing and controlling a private and public good, [an] entirely anachronistic idea in the 21st Century and which CARICOM is determined to change ,” Gonsalves asserted.

West Indies cricket was a collective activity by a Caribbean civilization, and which was made manifest in extraordinary performances by teams, espoused Dr. Gonsalves.

(DDD)

their World Cup clash against India earlier this year. Digicel has been a sponsor of West Indies Cricket since 2004, which

The West Indies male cricket team – World T20 Champions for a second time. is part of the company’s overall strategy to help develop sporting talent across the region. Some of the members of the World

Cup winning Under-19 team will celebrate their victory with revelers who will take part in Jamaica’s Carnival road march.

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

CLAUDIA JAMES QUAMMIE Miracle Tabernacle Carapan Sunday 3rd April, 2016 3:00 p.m.

MARTIN MEDICA Park Hill Evangelical Church Sunday April 3rd 2016 Service at 3:00 p.m.

ENESTON HERBERT PORTER Faith Deliverance Church Redemption Sharpes Sunday 3rd April, 2016 3:30 p.m.

CLAVERNE HERBERT Mt. Moriah Spiritual Baptist Church Chateaubelair Sunday 3rd April, 2016 1:00 p.m.

LEONARD FITZMORE JOHN Bethel Gospel Assembly Georgetown Saturday 2nd April, 2016 2:30 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 08, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.15

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AIRPORT COMPLETION EXPECTED BY MID-YEAR he said, and went on to disclose that, “Two “WE CANNOT FORESEE management companies every problem that is have been set up. One going to arise in the called the Argyle future; but given where we National Airport Inc.are today, I believe that that company is a wholly within the first half of this owned government year we should be able to company that is going to complete all the be managing the Argyle construction works, and International Airport.” have the airport in a state He also disclosed that of readiness for a highly skilled CEO has operation.” been selected, along with So said Dr. Rudy Matthias, two senior managers, one Chief Executive Officer of whom is a Barbados (CEO) of the International national currently Airport Development helping to put the Company (IADC), during a operations procedures at media conference at the the airport in place. office of the IADC at A Jamaica national, Argyle, on Friday 1st April. media person had been Matthias confirmed hired to manage the that paving and earth second company referred, works were still ongoing, a small ground handling and work was nearing company. completion on Dr. Matthias retrofitting the terminal reiterated that the focus building, but explained: was now on the “Most of our efforts operationalization of the are now focussed on airport, saying “So putting the management within the next two systems in place to have months or so, we are the airport operational,” going to be demobilizing

by KENVILLE HORNE

Dr. Rudy Matthias, CEO-IADC, has advanced mid-year as the period when completion of construction of the Argyle International Airport would be complete. and cleaning up, and getting the Argyle International Airport ready for operation.

That is what we’re working towards.”

Retrofitting work continues apace at the terminal building.

Adding to the update on progress at the airport was Donald

Macphail, Director General of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation

FIRE BUG STRIKES TWICE

Authority (ECCAA).

Continued on Page 5.

Curious onlookers gather.

THE IDIOM ‘Lightning never strikes (the same place) twice’ was ‘put out to pasture’ during the early morning hours (around 2:00am) of Thursday 7th April, here in capital Firefighters Kingstown. ardently trying The dispensation to douse the with the idiom was flames that occasioned by an early morning fire, on the day speedily appeared to and time referred, engulf the building.

Continued on Page 5.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.