THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 12-02-21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

12, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.06

Schools demolition Page 3

www.thevincentian.com

Red Cross, Barrels, Dengue Page 11

EC$1.50

New dome still growing Page 12

Tennis Champ in courts Page 16

King not going home Page 24

COMMUNITY SPREAD IS MORE COVIDHERE: 19 DEATHS NEW REGULATIONS

by DAYLE DA SILVA THERE WAS NO SURPRISE when it was announced that St Vincent and the Grenadines has now moved into a phase of community transmission of the coronavirus/COVID-19 infection.

Health officials made the announcement on February 5, the day after 103 new cases were added to the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded here since March 2020.

Minister of Health St Clair

‘Jimmy’ Prince had stated categorically during the January 26 meeting of Parliament that given the definition, the country could not be categorized as having community spread transmission.

Prince explained then that community spread, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition, was the inability to relate confirmed cases through chains of transmission for a large number of cases, or by the increasing positive tests through sentinel samples.

Rum shops are among the establishments that have been identified as cluster points.

(Facebook photo)

He said that for the majority of confirmed cases in SVG, the chains of transmission have been due to contact with known cases.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache explained, however, that based on the samples collected between January 21 and February 3, health officials noticed that the majority were from contacts of known positives.

Continued on Page 3.

by KENVILLE HORNE

PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and his wife Eloise took the Sputnik 5 vaccine at the Levi Latham Health Complex in Mesopotamia, last Tuesday.

This to demonstrate faith in the Russian vaccine and as encouragement to all residents to avail themselves of a vaccine, when it is rolled out here in larger numbers, But even as the Prime Minister and his wife set the stage, there were subsequent reports of further COVID-19 related deaths here.

The Health Services Sub-Committee disclosed on Tuesday, February 9, that an 87-year-old Hypertensive man and a 54-year-old female with Hypertension and uncontrolled Diabetes, had died from complications of COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths to six (6) .

The man is reported to have died on Monday, February 8, and the woman the following day.

Following news of these recent deaths, Prime Minister Gonsalves took to Radio 705 to make yet another appeal to persons with pre-existing conditions, especially the elderly, to make every effort to protect themselves from contracting the (Novel) Coronavirus.

And as per the most recent information received by the VINCENTIAN last Wednesday, the Health Services Sub-Committee informed that there were one thousand, three hundred and seventy (1370) cases of COVID-19 reported in SVG since March 2020.

One thousand, two hundred and nineteen (1219) of these were described as local cases.

Thirteen (13) persons were cleared bringing the number of total recoveries to four hundred and sixty-seven (467).

Eight hundred and ninety-seven (897) cases remain active.

The public is advised that the use of masks in public spaces and private spaces to which the public has access, is now mandatory under the Public Health Act 2020.

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2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Name your Prize in new Flow promotion

Tammisha Bereton - $500.00 grocery voucher winner.

(Credit: FLOW)

FLOW, THE COUNTRY’S LEADING TELECOMMUNICATIONS provider, has announced the start of a new campaign that will see customers win $15,000 in cash and prizes.

The Spin to Win promotion was launched on Monday 18th January 2021 with the first lucky winner being selected on Friday 23rd January 2021 on a live draw at a popular radio station.

Customers are eligible to win through several channels including: activating a 3, 7, or 30-day prepaid plans, Credit top-up of $10 or more, Port/Switch to Flow prepaid or postpaid and Settling monthly flow accounts in full. Lucky

customers can expect to choose between multiple cash prize denominations, up to one-year free Flow services, Samsung smartphones, spa treatment packages, Samsung tablets, grocery vouchers, shopping sprees and more.

Winners in the promotion are contacted on Saturday mornings via telephone and given the option to Spin to Win. Once the customer agrees to take part, local radio hosts along with Flow representatives spin the wheel after which the customer is informed of three prizes from which he/she can choose one.

Several winning customers agreed to video calls of the live draws which helped them make a better-informed decision.

“It’s the shock factor that makes it fun for all involved while in-studio. Hearing the customer saying ‘I am listening right now,’ you can

almost hear their heartbeat through the phone,” commented Marketing Assistant Daz Arthur who is often present when draws are being done.

“I really want the free year of service but my son would benefit from the tablet so that’s my choice,” was a lucky winner’s response.

“As a farmer when I am in the land I get good signal so give me the free [mobile] service cause my work is rough, I might break them fancy phones” another winner shared live on-air.

Marketing Manager for the FLOW Southern Venture Markets — Nikala WilliamsRodgers highlighted: “As a bonus to help ease the strain of online studies, this month customers will receive a Samsung A7 tablet absolutely FREE when they bundle a new postpaid service with their existing Flow fixed

Samsung A01 winner Damion Wilson. (Credit: FLOW) services and also enjoy 50% off their new mobile plan every month. Prepaid customers will also get triple data on Always On plans and double bonus credit with every top up of $10 or more.” (Source: FLOW)

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News 3

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 3.

Storage facilities coming CONSTRUCTION OF STORAGE FACILITIES, specifically for items to be used in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to be constructed soon.

This will be funded from a sum of EC$326,000 that government has allocated to providing infrastructural support, as part of the COVID-19 response in 2021.

According to St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince, Minister of Health, there was not sufficient space to efficiently store and manage the COVID-19 and Health Disaster Unit supplies.

“This (COVID-19 pandemic) is a new thing, a new phenomenon

MCMH to get a CEO

Health Minister St. Clair Prince highlighted the need for proper storage of COVID-19 related material and plans to provide same.

and we would not be able to have all these things in place,” Prince said during the Debate on the Appropriation Bill in Parliament last week.

Therefore, a storage unit was essential, and the state will construct a modern bulk storage facility at Bentick Square in Kingstown.

The plan is to demolish three existing structures which the government has acquired on Bentick Square, and to use the space to place retrofitted containers that will provide bulk

and cold storage.

The location is ideal since its proximity to the Molecular Laboratory makes for unencumbered service from the storage facilities.

Look out for a major administrative addition and physical works at the MCMH during 2021.

THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) for the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) is expected to be made soon.

This is according to Minister of Health, St Clair Enhancing Lab work/results ‘Jimmy’ Prince who, in making the announcement also alluded to some much-needed refurbishment On the issue of the Molecular work to be done at the medical facility in the Laboratory laboratories, the coming year.

Health Minister told Parliament Prince offered no further details regarding the that “….the Ministry (Health) CEO position, preferring to elaborate on the proposes to further expand the physical work to be done at the MCVMH. lab’s capacity and testing sites to “Repair and maintenance work at the Milton Continued from Front Page. other places.” public transportation vehicles; Cato Memorial Hospital has been deferred for too The operations at the public vehicles to transports a long,” Prince said during his contribution to the Molecular Laboratory have been According to the figures maximum of half of their 2021 Budget Debate between February 1 and 4. enhanced with the arrival of four availed as of February 5, 2021 permitted number of passengers He described the allocation of EC$1.5 million in technologists from Cuba. when the total number of inclusive of the driver and the 2021 budget as being support for the Two private laboratories now COVID-19 cases recorded was conductor; no in dining at offer COVID-19 tests but these, implementation of the second phase of the 1021, some new clusters were restaurants and bars; the Prince informed, will be rehabilitation of the country’s primary tertiary identified, and this type of enforcement of the massadministered at a higher cost health care institution. transmission was consistent with gathering protocol with than what is charged by the state.

Among the work to be conducted are: completion community spread. particular emphasis on bars, THE VINCENTIAN had of repairs to the outpatient and accident and Keizer-Beache had cautioned gambling sheds and rum shops. reported in an earlier edition that emergency departments; replacement of broken then, that based on the 14-day The above were expected to at leat one private lab was windows; repairs and retrofitting to plumbing, incubation period of the virus, it remain in effect for an initial charging $195 for the rapid test roofing, flooring and electrical wiring. was anticipated that increased four-week period. and $400 for the PCR test.

Contractors have already been earmarked and rates of COVID-19 would be seen A new penalty for infraction of And Prince was happy to report work was expected to begin soon, the health in the coming days. the protocols is the issuance of a the arrival and operationalization minister said.

In light of the change in ticket which, depending on the of the Extractor which cut as In his presentation, Prince also spoke of categorization, the Ministry of offence, may range between much as two hours in the government’s intention to construct a modern Health had tightened some EC$100 and EC$500. processing time for test samples, geriatric facility. protocols that have since been Failure to pay the ticket will and had contributed significantly He reminded the House of Assembly that in 2019 gazetted. to decreasing the back logs. result in the offender having to a temporary facility was constructed on the site of The situation was expected to These included: mandatory appear in court where the fines the former Nurses’ Hostel in Kingstown to see even more improvement and wearing of masks in all public range from EC$500 to EC$1,000. accommodate the relocated residents of the Louis efficiency with the arrival of and private establishments; There is, however, no jail Punnett Home at Glen. another extractor, the minister mandatory use of masks in all attached to any offence. added. (Stories by DD) According to Prince, it had become evident that the facility as it existed at the former site was inadequate, and with an estimated 17.3 percent of the THERE WILL BE A ONE Gonsalves, Minister of regional entities that were the functioning of these nation’s PERCENT INCREASE on Finance said in the 2021 engaged in the monitoring organizations was the Customs Service Budget address. and analysis of date as it hampered by irregular population Charge this year, with the He explained that the relates to activities at the and insufficient funding, between the age of revenue generated challenges that St Vincent volcano, La Soufriere.

Gonsalves posited.

55 and 85, expected to assist in the and the Grenadines The organizations According to the government had financing of regional presently faced have involved in that process Finance Minister, identified the need organizations such as the highlighted the role included the Caribbean governments were among to construct a Caribbean Public Health played by these regional Disaster Emergency those in the region that modern geriatric Agency (CARPHA). organizations.

Management Agency have been guilty at one facility, to house This moves the tariff “Our responses to the (CDEMA), the Caribbean time or the other, of up to 130 from 5 to 6 percent. pandemic to date would Institute of Meteorology racking up arrears to residents.

Camillo Gonsalves, “While we have been have been impossible and Hydrology, Caribbean these organizations.

Finance Minister, in An amount of cautious not to impose tax without the support and Meteorological Services And it was in light of disclosing EC$400,000 had measures at this time, technical experience of the and The UWI, Seismic that reality, that government’s decision been allocated and, indeed postponed Caribbean Public Health Research Centre. government had taken the to increase the towards the many of the fees and Agency, the Pan-American “These agencies, and decision to pass legislation Customs Service demolition of the measures passed in last Health Organization and more, constitute an that will guarantee Charge, said that existing physical year’s budget, it is the Regional Security extension of the local automaticity of financing government was structure at Glen, precisely the nature of the Service (RSS),” Gonsalves functions of our to some of these regional cautious about along with design times and challenges that said. government…,” the entities, Gonsalves imposing tax measures plans for the new demand our decisive The situation was Finance Minister said. assured. (DD) at this time. home. response today,” Camillo similar with those It was unfortunate that

Community spread is here

Customs Service Charge increased

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4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

‘King’s charge political,’ says lawyer Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS ATTORNEY Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, lawyer representing social activist Luzette King, is of the view that the decision to bring an immigration charge against her client last weekend, was political.

Luzette King has “This is not been charged ‘for about immigration failing to present or COVID-19 herself to an protocols. This is immigration clearly political,” officer’ when she Bacchus-Baptiste arrived at the AIA told THE on Jan. 30.

VINCENTIAN on Wednesday.

King, a resident of Mesopotamia, appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne during a virtual hearing on Monday. She pleaded not

guilty and was granted $2,000 bail with one surety. She was expected to return to Court yesterday (Thursday) when a determination was expected to be made as to whether she will continue to quarantine at the government designated guest house or go home.

King has been charged under section 27(D) of the Immigration Act for failing to present herself to an Immigration Officer on January 30, at the Argyle International Airport.

Bacchus-Baptiste said that if the authorities really wanted to bring an immigration charge against her client, they had two opportunities to do so.

The lawyer said King has been charged in strange circumstance because on her arrival at the Argyle International Airport, on January 30, when she was alleged to have committed the offence, they did not charge her, but instead, she was sent back to the United States.

Bacchus-Baptiste said King returned here on February 6, and they

sought to deport her again. The time, the plane did not take her, and it was then they decided to take her to the Biabou Police Station and charge her with the immigration offence.

“This is not about COVID, and this is not about immigration. This is about getting at Luzette,” the lawyer opined.

“What is most disturbing is that Luzette made an application to be exempted from having to spend 14 days in quarantine at a hotel as Covid protocols require. The application was founded on the bases that: King could not afford to pay for the 14 days as she is unemployed; that she lives alone in a house where she can safely quarantine; and that her doctor had placed her on special dietary requirement, which she will not be able to get while staying at a hotel.”

According to Bacchus-Baptiste her client got no response from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO); neither did King’s team despite numerous efforts to reach the health authorities.

Bacchus-Baptiste said King had

returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on on February 6, hoping to get the exemption when she arrived at the Airport, but that was denied.

BacchusBaptiste is also of the view that the virtual hearing set up for her client, was designed to manipulate the system, and to keep the press away, as well as members of the public who may have a keen interest in the matter.

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste cites a political motive behind a charge laid against her client Luzette King.

Court will Not business as usual for Burnett continue functioning IT IS NOT going to be business as usual at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, once Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett presides there.

The Senior Magistrate made this clear during a sitting of that Court on Monday, as he outlined a number of measures he has in place to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness.

“The Court is going to manage the matters so there will no longer be automatic adjournments.

“Excuses that were given in the past will no longer be tolerated,” the Magistrate declared.

He pointed out that he had already been taking steps to ensure that the Court office operates more efficiently and effectively, and he is also expecting this from the Prosecution and the Private Bar. In relation to lawyers who have matters in his Court and at the High Court at the same time, he said those lawyers have to take steps to ensure that the matters in both Courts proceed.

Burnett also highlighted the importance of lawyers having a Junior Counsel to hold for them when they have to be engaged in other Courts.

There will now be fixed trial dates for civil matters in Burnett’s Court, and he announced the first and last Thursday for those hearings.

THE COURT will continue to function, but will do so with certain safety precautions, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is according to a memorandum circulating among all relevant and related parties and individuals, following the conclusion of a meeting of Magistrates, Prosecutors, Private Bar and Prisons.

During a sitting of the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett outlined that the wearing of face masks is now mandatory, and persons entering the courtroom, including Magistrates, will be subjected to hand sanitization and temperature checks.

Physical and social distancing will continue, and there is to be no more than ten persons in the Court room at any given time.

These will include the Magistrate, prosecutor/s, defence lawyers, magistrate clerk, and police clerk(s).

“I can’t throw out the JUSTICE Brian Cottle has issued a press, because they are reminder that the Court has a duty to working,” he said, but he protect the nation’s children from added that sometimes, in predators, and would-be predators. the interest of space, And to this effect, he sent a strong some police officers as message at a High Court sentencing well as lawyers may hearing last week Wednesday, when he have to wait outside. sentenced a 31-year-old man to a total of He said windows 21 years and 3 months on two counts of should be kept open for unlawful sexual intercourse with his proper ventilation, as daughter. advised by the medical The sentence was computed as follows: professionals.

16 years and 3 months on the first count, In Burnett’s Court, and 5 years on the second count. Those lawyers would be sentences will run consecutively. allowed to take off their He was also sentenced to 3 years and 4 jackets, if they are hot, months for indecently assaulting the same and he indicated that he girl, but this sentence will run too will be doing that, if concurrently with the sentence he received need be. for the first count.

The girl, who is now 13, was between 6 MORE ON PAGE 16 and 7 years old when the sexual

“This thing about lawyers writing letters asking for adjournments will not be tolerated. If you want an adjournment, there is a way for this to be done,” he emphasised.

“I have been very generous with the adjournments, maybe too generous, and this has got to come to an end. It will not be business as usual,” he warned.

The Magistrate also took issue with the police in relation to the serving of summons on time.

With regard to all the measures he outlined, Burnett made it clear, “I Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett has laid am not speaking for the down the ‘law’ aimed at magistracy. I am ensuring greater speaking for my Court, efficiency and effectives and he urged the at the Kingstown journalists present to Magistrate’s Court, make that clear in their where he presides. reporting.

Man sentenced for incest molestation began.

Justice Cottle had taken into account the one year and nine months the accused had spent on remand, in arriving at the sentence for the man who was unrepresented.

He had pleaded guilty to the charges at the Criminal Assizes last December, but sentencing was adjourned.

The facts revealed that in December 2018 for example, the man took his daughter to various locations and had sex with her. He used both his penis and finger in the child’s vagina.

She reported the matter to someone close to her, and when her father was confronted by that person, he said the victim was lying.

He was later arrested and when interviewed, he said he was intoxicated and admitting to rubbing penis on the victim as a joke.

He told the court on Wednesday, he was not in his right frame of mind, and asked for a suspended sentence.

Justice Cottle noted the prevalence of such offences in the society, and described this case as very troubling.

It was revealed that the man had previous convictions for matters of a sexual nature.

Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 carries a maximum imprisonment.

Justice Brian Cottle highlighted the prevalence of unlawful sex with minors and sentenced two men accordingly. penalty of life

V Soccer stalwart Fred Ballantyne passes

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 5.

Diaspora

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

FREDERICK ‘FRED’ BALLANTYNE, the patriarch of a renowned Vincentian sporting family, and co-founder and longstanding president of the Brooklyn, New York-based New York Caribbean Soccer Cup, died at a care center in East Brunswick, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Jan. 27. He was 87.

Ballantyne’s eldest son, Raymond ‘Chip’ Ballantyne, a former stout defender in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Football (Soccer) Team, told THE VINCENTIAN that his father, who moved from Brooklyn last April to be under his direct care in New Brunswick, had multiple medical complications.

The Ballantynes are formerly from Frenches, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Fred Ballantyne, a former cricketer, weightlifter and national body builder in St. Vincent Stanley ‘Luxie’ Morris and the Grenadines, testified to headed the Ballantyne’s Caribbean unwavering Soccer Cup commitment to from 1993 to building Caribbean 2018, football in Brooklyn.

Raymond Ballantyne said.

Fred Ballantyne’s wife, Gloria, and their daughter Joanne, predeceased him, months apart in 2019.

Gloria Ballantyne was a national netballer, manager and administrator, and Joanne was a national netball star.

The Ballantynes eldest daughter, Jacintha, was a national track star.

Jacintha’s other siblings — Bob, Orde and Junior (Midge) — also represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in table tennis, track and field, and soccer, respectively.

Stanley ‘Luxie’ Morris — a St. Vincent and the Grenadines sports ambassador, who captained the national soccer team and was head coach for Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Brooklyn’s Caribbean Soccer Cup — said Fred Ballantyne was “a very astute president.

“He was very intentional and deliberate with consistency in all

his dealings with the various clubs (in the Caribbean Soccer Cup), and was always re-elected as president,” said bMorris in his special tribute offered exclusively to THE VINCENTIAN. He said the Central Brooklyn Soccer League (CBSL), the Caribbean Soccer Cup’s forerunner, “thrived” under Ballantyne’s leadership.

“And while some may have even questioned his leadership as tantamount to a dictatorship, I differed and equated it as being hands on,” said Morris, a former CBSL vice president.

“But although CBSL became the most competitive league from 1984 to 1990, the bottom line was taking a beating,” he added.

So, in 1991, Morris said CBSL’s Board of Directors decided “to try something new” in forming the Caribbean Soccer Cup, alongside CBSL, with Ballantyne at the helm.

“Fred was the glue which helped the Caribbean Cup after the demise of CBSL in 2012,” the sports ambassador said. “Nothing, absolutely nothing, happened without Fred’s approval.

“Admittedly, as early as 2014, Fred confided in me that he was tired and wished to leave,” he added. “But his concern was that if I were elevated, there would be chaos.

“I was a constant at his residence on Clarendon (Road in Brooklyn), and we had many late-night conversations about the status of the league and its longevity when he would have moved on,” Morris continued.

He said Ballantyne had provided material and other support when he invited players from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in the Caribbean Soccer Cup. Morris said he and other Caribbean Soccer Cup officials, such as Frank and Junior Nicholas, and P.O. Tyrone, journeyed last Sunday to New

Brunswick to pay their last respects “to our fallen friend and also to support my central defender-partner/stalwart defender, Raymond.”

Ballantyne’s body was viewed on Sunday at the Old Bridge Funeral Home in New Brunswick.

The funeral home subsequently cremated his body, said Raymond Ballantyne, disclosing that the family is planning a memorial service for his dad in Brooklyn at a date yet to be decided.

“My father had a full life,” he said. “Daddy enjoyed his life. The old man achieved a whole lot.

“He saw his children grow up and his grandchildren (some) grow up,” Raymond added.

“Fred, will always be remembered by me,” Morris said. “May Fred’s soul rest in peace, perpetually!”

Frederick ‘Fred’ Ballantyne guided the development of soccer among Caribbean people in Brooklyn for two decades and more.

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 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

COVID has changed us THANKS TO THOSE IN AUTHORITY who, after flexing their muscles at WHO, finally agreed that we had something we call community spread of the coronavirus, that which we for some time referred to as local transmission… cluster or no cluster.

But this piece, for ardent readers like Charles, Edinboro, is not another chiding of our responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is rather, a piece with more universal appeal (hopefully) which my friend Charles, might brand as not being ‘down to earth’. Whatever!

Last year, 2020, brought unimaginable change to the way we live, and even to the way we die.

Have you noticed that today the dying die alone and the bereaved grieve in solitude. The death ritual has changed — the protocol require that we adhere to ten persons in a place of worship and 20 for outdoor gatherings.

Imagine in one of our rural communities how this would apply to a scene of coffin aloof, surrounded by people singing, hugging, and toasting the departed.

The new protocol has brought that custom and the repasts after the home-going ceremony to a sudden halt.

COVID-19 has turned death into the loneliest journey of the shared human experience. We have, if we are to adhere to the protocol, forego the value of funerals as navigating grief.

Imagine a funeral service via Zoom. No rubbing of shoulders, no hugs, no shedding of tears and no real mourning in the same physical space.

Nothing can replace that human connection that the grief-stricken require in their time of loss.

Yes, it has become painfully clear that the coronavirus and its COVID-19 disease have altered our life as we know it.

Along with the halt to our cultural expressions as they relate to death and passage of the dead, COVID-19 has had a staggering blow to our established routines involving work, education, and

family life. These have become strangely disfigured as out daily habits capsize.

Haven’t we since March, found ourselves frequently engaged in unusual behavior such as panicbuying or quarelling with strangers over the probity of wearing face masks in public?

And, that’s not all. Our cultural values are being brought into focus and judged. Example: What is essential work? Who is an essential worker? And why are we assigning the working poor disproportionately to the front line and, it is reported, so inadequately protected?

If we are to ultimately prevail over COVID-19 and viruses yet to come, the poor and the socially disenfranchised–the domestic worker, the office cleaner - must be included in the safety net that sustains us all.

In order to survive this virus, and others in waiting, we must become a fairer and just society.

An obvious truth has been exposed: In viral warfare, humanity is as strong as its weakest link.

Our collective survival depends on an ability to develop a far greater appreciation for the direct relationship between health and social justice. It also requires a willingness to take decisive steps to alleviate the never ending pandemic of overburdening poverty…. the Achilles’ heel of the planet.

And sadly, there are those among us who still underestimated the virus and considered it manageable if not benign.

Yet one would hope, as we mitigate this myopic stance, that the viral death would present us with a wake-up call, not to ignore the catastrophic health threat that now exposes our weaknesses.

In fact, these challenging times have given us the opportunity to reconsider how we depend on one another, despite long-standing, man-made, artificial divisions.

The disease has exposed all of the preexisting conditions that made us vulnerable. Is that reason to give up? Is that reason to be honest?

Lloyd Lewis and Glenford Prescott: Rest in Peace (First published in the February 02, 2018 edition of THE VINCENTIAN) IN THE CHALLENGING SITUATION regarding my health, I was served a double whammy in the death announcements of two Sion Hill icons, national heroes in the strictest sense: Glenford Prescott not yet 60 years (died January 30, 2018), and the veteran Lloyd Lewis (died January 22, 2018) in his eighties.

The deaths have contributed to our present political malaise, both men being great advocates of progressive SVG, both committed body and soul to cultural emancipation, sport development, with a particular focus on the youth.

I take the more recent passing of Pressy with whom I had no contact for nearly three years, on account of my own problems. Like all of SVG knows, Pressy had been a sports administrator, a carnival adjudicator and a journalist of class, a real fore-runner of his friend, Kenton Chance whose bold journalism today helps to keep steady a tottering SVG. I have a simple but real remembrance of Glenford. As the person manning the Sport Desk at Radio 705, he noted that his country had been blessed with a coterie of incisive commentators who contributed voluntarily to broadcasts, and deserved some token for their efforts. So, he persuaded Corlita Olliverre (Manager at Radio 705) to present the announcers with medals for their splendid contribution. In a letter to the Programme Manager dated May 5 2003, he had said: “I wish to bring to the fore the work of Messrs. Harley Williams, Lennox John, Michael Findlay, Winston Baptiste, Frank Thomas, George Phillips, Owen Cuffy, and Dr. Kenneth John, who all worked as ball-by-ball commentators or analysts on both football and cricket matches…. It is recommended that a small ceremony as a show of appreciation for these men’s contribution be held where they would be honoured, and given some form of token for their work”. It remains the only award I have received in SVG which I proudly display in my office.

Teary-eyed, I now recommend that an appropriate posthumous award be granted to Pressy, which his family and friends would no doubt revere with proud thanksgiving.

Lloyd Lewis is a household name in the village of Sion Hill, and surrounding region. He was a close and abiding friend

in politics where we generally saw eye-toeye. Lloyd was a great organiser who, with his team of villagers, elders and the youth, virtually built the modern Sion Hill with their own hands. He was an enthusiast for sports, particularly cricket. He had been instrumental in creating Sion Hill’s own cricket field where I had the honour to play in the grand-opening match. I made the first duck as opening batsman. Arthur Williams had been my opening partner.

I was again connected with the only project in which Lloyd recorded failure.

After registering a series of successes, Lloyd went for the big one! His enthusiasms about youthful cricket led him to sponsor a pair of youngsters to attend the Alf Gover School of Cricket in England.

The project flopped. The disappointed duo were Darnley Joseph and my son Adrian!

Otherwise, Lloyd was like King Midas; everything he touched turned gold.

A greater loss was when in 2001 NDP lost the national elections to ULP but like me, he attributed the loss to pilferage of votes.

Until the turn of the century, Lloyd ran a barber shop which was like a People’s Parliament. Whenever I needed a haircut, Lloyd would put me down last on his list, after 6:00pm, so that we could talk politics.

Before 2000, Ralph had been a repeated visitor who was told where to get off, but persisted until he learnt from Lloyd what the people disliked about him, knowledge that he subsequently used in good stead.

Now Lloyd has gone for good, but we still have to contend with Ralph, his family and his disciples.

As we go to print, the House is locked over a no-confidence motion where it seems that the ULP has bullied the ULP Speaker finally, to a ruling which practically dismisses altogether the efficacy of all “No Confidence Votes” for all time. No wonder the people now accept that the law is an ass whereas it is really the assinity of misinterpreting lawyer!

And the election petition is still to be decided, and Yugge’s case settled!

Lloyd and Pressy have gone to a resting place of eternal rest and peace: lucky them!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 7.

Letters

Turn the Manifesto into a Capital plan

plays an important part in the decision as to when it will be built.

The higher the operating costs the lower the What are the benefits of developing a chances of the What is a Capital Improvement Plan?

Capital Improvement Plan? project being built in the early stages of a CIP A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) A CIP is an easy and effective way to programme. The CIP also gives us a chance should contain all the individual capital measure the performance of your to determine which for which projects we projects, equipment purchases, and major government officials. I believe that a will seek international grant funding, low studies for the government, usually listed government should tell us what they are interest bilateral loans, pay-as-you earn or in the party election manifesto. The going to do, when they do it and how much debt financing through bonds. This process difference between what’s in the manifesto it will cost. Armed with that information, also allows us to link our plans with our and the CIP is a financing, construction we will then be able to monitor their fiscal capacity and inform the public of the and completion schedule. performance based on these simple metrics. government investment plans in our One way of describing the CIP is that What we do with those responsible for future. it’s a blueprint for the things outlined in delivering these objects during or after the It would have been nice to have/have the manifesto. It coordinates strategic development process is something we seen such a document during this budget planning, financial capacity, and actual should all get a change vote on. approval process.

A complete, properly developed CIP development. A CIP has two parts — a delivers an affordable capital and operating Horatio capital budget and a capital programme. budget. This is important since The capital budget is the part of the plan each capital project is usually that will describe funding in the current added to our ongoing operating fiscal year. The capital programme is the overall plan for capital expenditures within expenditure. The ongoing operating cost of a particular CIP the next five years. Why five years you I’VE CREATED many Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) over the last twenty five years. As I sat down to write this letter, I initially thought of providing the steps to develop a plan, but then decided to spend my time simply defining what is a CIP, and what are some of the benefits.

may ask? A normal election cycle is five years and I do not believe a sitting cabinet should make major commitments on future government expenditures, beyond their elected life cycle. All plans more than five years out should be conceptual in nature.

* Based on what the PM said recently, which banks in town have marks outside the bank to show people where to stand, and order people in line to wear masks? * How come the PM never wears a mask? Is he exempted? * I am a simple man so I would like to know how government could project to spend more in recurrent expenditure that it projects to collect in recurrent revenue? * If our PM was a leader who leads from the front, wouldn’t he have been the first to take the Sputnik vaccination?

We have to save SVG

Come on, Mr. Gonsalves

I WAS TOLD by a reliable associate that our Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, the son of the Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, made some statements in parliament during the 2021 Budget Debate that he thought would have simply flown past us simple people.

I mean, could anyone tell me, as Minister Gonsalves is reported to have said, how in God’s name could you say that everyone would play less taxes if everybody, especially those in the Grenadines, paid their fair share of tax? Is he saying that if all those businesses in the Grenadines who he said don’t pay tax, that if they pay up, I, as a monthly salaried person who pays PAYE every month, would pay less income tax?

I must be foolish to just soak this up!!

Minister Gonsalves should have said that if the businesses in the Grenadines funds up, that he would go to parliament with an

amendment to increase the allowance threshold for the various income brackets. Then I would understand the business about people like me possibly paying less tax.

And by the way, why every year we have to hear about how business people are not being taxcompliant? If what Gonsalves said about Grenadines businesses not being tax compliant is true, and I have no reason to doubt him, that is unfair to us mainland tax payers.

The question is: is the government doing anything about getting these businesses registered so that they can begin to pay their taxes and to contribute our recurrent revenue?

Then again, it was the Finance Minister who told us that tax revenue is expected to fall by 5.4% in 2021, so maybe the administration does not intend to address the problem of tax noncompliance.

Maybe Dr. Friday and Mr. Ollivierre, MPs for the Grenadines, can get

involved here and encourage their constituents to pay up their taxes. That is the least they can do.

If they do and they are successful, then maybe we can have new roads and wharfs constructed in the Grenadines.

But back to Minister Gonsalves: Come better or should I say clearer than that.

Thomas

MR. EDITOR, ALLOW me just a little space to get something off my chest.

Now, understand that I am a Vincentian and will remain a Vincentian even in death. I have no intention of going anywhere. I am not looking to give up my Vincy citizenship for anybody’s.

But at times when I sit and reflect I have to ask myself if something is not dreadfully wrong with us.

Look, we called a National Day of Prayer and what happens? Another young man is shot to death on that day. We are struggling to keep the mosquitoes quiet so that death by dengue fever will be kept down and BAM, COVID-19 spreading like wild fire bringing more deaths. And that is not all. La Soufriere decides to act up the same time causing much anxiety across the land, especially for those living close to it.

Weak Opposition I WANT to be short and sweet.

Last week’s Budget debate confirmed that the present Opposition is weak and could well turn out to be one of the weakest we ever had.

Somehow I didn’t get the feeling, like those NDP supporters, that it was a well-coordinated response to a Budget, which I dare say, left much to be desired.

The Opposition’s response revealed a lack of planning, and with some people being in Parliament for three terms at least, they sounded immature. Is this because there was a lack of guidance from the Leader of the Opposition?

There was too much repetition and definitely not enough substance from our Opposition parliamentarians. I look forward to better things.

Opposition Watcher

I tell you, Mr. Editor, something is wrong and it seems that not even prayer can help us.

The saying is that the Lord will never give a man more than he can bear but to me, that assumes the man is strong even to bear the burden, and I can’t say that we are a strong people at this time.

Some people like to say we have a blight and even point fingers at who they think is the blight. But I tell you, all this punishment can’t be because of one person or a group; it has got to be because of all of us.

We have to take things in stride, do the correct thing regardless of what colour you support and let us save this country together, for all of us.

Vincy All The Way

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

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Excerpts from budget 2021

Introduction DURING the debate on the 2021 Budget in the Parliament, the Minister of Finance, Hon Camillo Gonsalves, presented what is unquestionably a budget crafted for the challenging times that our country is experiencing. This week’s article would share some excerpts of the 2021 Budget presentation with particular focus on Agriculture, Fisheries and the Blue economy, Tourism and Poverty reduction.

Agriculture and fisheries and the blue economy Despite COVID-19 related delays, the Government expects to construct and procure equipment for a modern arrowroot processing facility at Orange Hill in 2021. Half of the estimated $9.7 million for the arrowroot industry revitalisation project will be spent in 2021 — primarily on the assembly of the factory shell, purchase of machinery, improvement to the water supply and external works. As arrowroot has enjoyed a resurgence, our antiquated production facilities have not been sufficient to meet the quality standards befitting its new global status as a pure, high-end health food for adults and babies. Our arrowroot farmers and the crop they produce continue to be worldclass; now, our production and packaging of the starch will be similarly top-notch. The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines once again expresses its deepest gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of India for their US$1 million contribution to the construction of the factory shell.

Budget 2021 also makes critical investments in modernisation and improved competitiveness in agriculture. $4.4 million will be spent across two projects to complete a food science laboratory at Arnos Vale, upgrade the packing facility at Langley Park and assist aggregators with business plans to help them find local and regional markets for Vincentian produce.

The Government will introduce a $1 million Fishing Development Project to expand our fishing fleet and provide capital to fishers willing to increase their capacity. With markets for our seafood growing exponentially, our challenge is not the availability of fish, but the capacity of fisherfolk to sustainably meet demand. The Fishing Development Project will provide lowinterest loans for new vessels, help to refurbish existing boats, and supply necessary materials to help fisherfolk capture more seafood.

Budget 2021 also allocates a total of $1.5 million to accelerate the construction of the modern Barrouallie Blackfish Facility. While we have acquired and cleared the land and completed designs for the facility, COVID-19 complications prevented our Japanese partners and contractors from completing necessary site visits and mobilisation last year. We are optimistic that we will be able to welcome them to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2021, and that work will commence to create a facility that will allow this specialty product to be caught and processed within the framework of our laws and regulations, and in accordance with the highest international standards.

The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is in discussions with the World Bank regarding the possibility of local and regional financing to facilitate a resilient, locallycontrolled Blue Economy. Budget 2021 targets over $40 million in investments that touch and concern the Blue economy — from the modern port, to the expansion of fisheries, to coastal defences, to marine safety mechanisms.

Private sector investments add tens of millions more to the total.

In 2021, the Government will

collaborate with stakeholders on formulating comprehensive and forward-looking institutional arrangements to advance our important Blue Economy objectives. We are optimistic that we can also work successfully with our development partners and our fellow OECS members to mainstream a common approach to our vast ocean potential.

Tourism Cumulatively, public and private investment in hotel construction on mainland St Vincent will exceed $740 million over the next three years.

Budget 2021 seeks to build upon these large scale investments with a number of capital projects designed to enhance SVG as a visitor-friendly destination with a uniquely Vincy vibe.

Over $34 million of the Capital Budget is directly connected to tourism, a number that does not include planned improvements to airports in the Grenadines.

In addition to construction of the Holiday Inn and Marriott hotels, other tourism projects include $1.5 million to be spent on the Villa Boardwalk and a tourism facility, $1.2 million on sites and signage, including the majestic Chatoyer National Park.

The Government is under no illusions that tourism will rebound to full capacity in 2021. We were fortunate in 2020 that the Pandemic arrived at the tail end of our cyclical tourist season.

We have no such luck in 2021. Indeed, the 50,000 cruise passengers that visited us last January are all absent, and we will see nowhere near the 9,000 yacht passengers who arrived in the first month of 2020. Last January, we welcomed 92,000 visitors, overall. This January, we will be lucky to host onetenth of that number.

Reducing poverty, protecting the vulnerable & combatting inequality Over 7,400 primary school children depend on the school feeding programme in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 57% of the student body. In rural school districts, over 90% of students use the programmes. Indeed, in eight of the 13 school districts of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, more than two-thirds of students rely on the School Feeding Programme. At 7 primary schools nationwide — from Fancy to Mayreau — 100% of students eat the heavily subsidised nutritious meals. Those 7 schools have 915 students.

Last July, the leaders of UNICEF, the Food and Agricultural Organization, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization issued a call to action, warning that the Pandemic and loss of school meals could force millions of children into acute malnutrition. The challenge is immense, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is not immune.

Even in households where food insecurity is not an immediate danger, the economic impact of the school closures on vulnerable families is apparent. A balanced meal on our School Feeding Programme costs parents between $0.50 and $1.00. There is absolutely no way that parents can provide a similarly nutritious meal at a comparable cost at home.

Conclusion Next week’s article would be the final part of this 2 part series that will examine other areas of focus in the 2021 Budget presentation of the Hon Minister of Finance, providing targeted information for the reading public.

How can it be business as usual in a time of crisis?

(Excerpts of Dr Friday’s Budget Presentation)

General state of the country WE FACE major challenges: the biggest is COVID-19 pandemic; the threat of volcanic eruption which Dr. Robertson said could happen without warning, though hopefully there will be enough time to get people out; higher than usual rates of infection and death from dengue fever, a preventable disease, eight (8) persons have died, including children and an uncertain hurricane season which begins in five (5) months.

We keep comforting ourselves by acknowledging that we are blessed, but we must not be complacent. The risk is there and we must prepare for it.

In addition, the pre-COVID-19 persistent maladies of the government: low economic growth, lowest in the OECS; lack of diversity in the economy; limited capacity to resist and recover from external shocks; growing poverty, including indigence; high rates of unemployment, over 50% for youth; unacceptably high levels of crime, two (2) homicides have already been committed for this year and the lack of opportunities and an enabling environment for flowering of ideas and nurturing of entrepreneurship especially for our young people.

Since the emergence of COVID-19, all the problems have gotten worse.

Existing vulnerabilities and inequities in our economy and society have been exposed. All the government has offered us in the guise of solutions, are short sighted initiatives to plaster the sores, rather than remedies to treat the deep-rooted problems. Poor resilience of our country is laid bare and exposed with no credible or convincing strategic response from the government. Instead, everything is a political spin; everything is done through political lens.

Further, the lack of support to the private sector at this critical juncture is very much in keeping with this government’s long record of antagonism towards the private sector. At no point has any incentive been provided to the private sector to maintain employment, because it is not politically expedient. Government prefers to offer them a small payment from the NIS, and move on, so they know it is coming from government and they would be grateful and dependent. Also, outrageously high levels of unemployment made worse by the pandemic; unnecessary exposure of the indigent, aged and most vulnerable segments of the society to the ravages of COVID-19 through government’s timid and ineffective response. Our people are in a state of heightened concern over the situation. Meanwhile, the government is on cruise control with no credible and meaningful response to the challenges which beset us as a nation.

My remarks here are intended to help the situation, by bringing to light what is wrong with this budget and show a better path forward. My review of this Budget and the Estimates reveals a lack of alignment of the Budget with the most important problems and issues currently facing our country. In other words, this Budget is not one for the times we are living in. It fails to adequately and proactively shore up our resilience. The government does

not care about financial accountability and treats it as an optional request to be ignored when it suits them.

Poor handling of Covid-19 The Minister of Finance speaks of the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “The corona virus is a killer.” Then he speaks of support programs implemented in the Recovery and Stimulus Package. The Minister further stated that the government intervention was timely and targeted which seems to suggest that the government has done its part. No more relief to come.

The safety and health of the citizens of this country should be our number one priority; anything else is scant disregard for the lives of our people. One (1) life lost due to COVID19 is one too many. It has been proven that an approach that favours no restrictions has long run adverse effects on the economy. The more people get sick, the more likely there will be more deaths. And more people will withdraw from the economy as producers and as consumers.

In other words, a contagion such as COVID-19 adversely affects the economy, more or less immediately.

As soon as there is increased spread, people retreat to the safety of their homes. Why therefore would anyone and especially the government allow the virus a free reign in our country?

It puts our health systems under tremendous strain. And we are at the juncture now where we simply do not have the capacity to deal with this.

Our health workers and frontline workers have not only been placed under undue stress but themselves are at greater risk of contracting the disease themselves.

Having allowed the virus to get out of hand, we now have to direct scare resources to fight it. Resources that could have gone to keeping more people at work and providing proper technological tools for our students and teachers; yet, this government is comfortable risking sickness and death and the productivity of this country with an approach that defies science. We are fighting this disease from behind rather than taking a proactive approach. Members of the government might be cautious and concerned about a lockdown because they know and fear the rampant rising poverty in our midst and the extremely high unemployment. It was bad before COVID but is worse now and given that the government dropped the ball and COVID-19 is spreading into all communities, we can expect economic hardship to get worse.

We in the Opposition understand this concern but would approach the problem differently. It would be better that our people miss a meal than lose their lives. We want to minimize hardship. The way to do it, is to bring the crisis under control as quickly as possible. The current approach of doing as little as possible and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster.

And that is what is on the menu for us now. The lame boast of the Prime Minister and others in the government that St Vincent and the Grenadines is doing better than our neighbours has backfired.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020. 9.

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Contaminated and Compromised

Plotting and planning for Reparations

“Do not compromise yourself and put your goodness in the same impermanent category as whatever circumstance happening. Be the best you in every circumstance.” Steve Maraboli (born 1975) – Military veteran and writer.

DR. BECKLES WAS ‘AMBUSHED’ last Wednesday during a meeting of the Caribbean Reparations Commission (CRC).

Earl Bousquet, St Lucia Reparations Committee, and Prof. Verene Shepperd, Caribbean Reparations Research Centre, Mona Campus were the ring leaders. Other plotters included PM of SVG Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Dorbrene O’ Marde of Antigua, David Commissiong and Mighty Gabby of Barbados, Cikiah Thomas and Glenroy Watson of the Global African Congress residing in Toronto and London, Carla Astaphan of the St Kitts Reparations Committee and Artley Gill of the Grenada Reparations Committee, among others.

Dr. Beckles was honoured for his 41 unbroken years of commitment to the University of the West Indies. Dr. Hilary Beckles, chairman of the Caribbean Reparations Commission (CRC), is undoubtedly the most prominent reparations voice in the Caribbean. Dr. Beckles is an unrelenting campaigner against Britain and other former enslaving European powers for their crimes of genocide, the slave trade, slavery and colonialism.

Dr. Beckles’ central task is to take the message of reparatory justice to every corner of the earth. He has done so with aplomb. In the simplest of terms, Beckles tells all those prepared to listen that Britain and the other European powers have created a development mess in our region and has a case to answer for their crimes.

In recognition of Dr Beckles’ brilliant work as a reparationist, the region most outstanding public intellectual, author of seminal ‘Britain’s Black Debt: The Case for Reparations for the Caribbean’, along with other illuminating texts on slavery, West Indies cricket, in addition to his scholarly and administrative prowess as Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, won tributes and honours from a virtual who is who in the regional reparations movement.

PM Gonsalves lauded Dr Beckles scholarship and strategic leadership of the Caribbean Reparations Commission.

In turn, Beckles and all others involved praised Gonsalves for bringing the reparations issue to the Caricom leadership, and being the intellectual force that helped get a unanimous decision in 2013 for the regional governments to pursue this crucial human rights campaign.

In tribute, Eric Phillips of Guyana said ‘the most important thing a leader can do for his people is to give them back their future. He credited Dr. Beckles for doing just that with his contribution.

Carla Astaphan reminded all present of Dr. Beckles’ prophetic words during one of his visits to St Kitts: “We fought for Freedom, and we got it. We fought for independence, and we got it. We are fighting for reparations, and we will get it.”

David Commissiong cited his long history of struggle and connection with Dr Beckles. Commissiong credited Dr. Beckles for his commanding leadership skills. He mentioned the stellar work Dr. Beckles performed as the Barbadian and Vincentian delegation leader during the United Nations Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. Commissiong noted that one of Dr. Beckles’ strengths is his ability to “eveal our people to themselves.”

Cikiah Thomas told Dr. Beckles his ‘transformative leadership style differentiated him from other transactional leaders. Adrian Greene credited Dr. Beckles with shaping his consciousness.

The tributes were touching and

any woman”. Unfortunately, such situations exist. It is not all fantasy.

THE REFERENCE TO “CONTAMINATION” is There are individuals in authority who synonymous with soiling, infecting, or may seek to “contaminate” and staining by contact or association. It is “compromise” others for a host of selfish within this context that the thoughts reasons. Our youth, and our citizens in emerging throughout this essay highlight general, must be prepared to be brave the need to be forever vigilant for those and bold enough to resist such advances who may seek to have us compromise our even if/when they appear to be principles and subsequently hold us to desperate for money, material things, ransom by the threat of exposure and the employment, or a host of other wants subsequent ridicule and embarrassment. and needs. Compromising principles We are to avoid being naive in thinking result in unravelling an individual’s that our friends and associates will always moral fabric and, in turn, create look out for our best interest; some may multiple deficiencies in the moral fabric seek to contaminate and compromise us of society. for their selfish ends.

Singing Sandra’s death on 28th Several years ago, this writer had a January 2021 resulted in many local most interesting conversation with a and regional radio stations featuring powerful regional politician who prided her calypsos to punctuate the himself in relation to his ability to commentary on her outstanding control certain individuals as a result of performances throughout her career. having influenced them to engage in Songs like “Voices From the Ghetto” unethical practices, thereby “having reminded listeners of her early something to hang over their heads”. childhood days living in relatively He had developed the art of depressed conditions in Morvant. Her contaminating individuals and political and social commentary henceforth placing them in a most emanating from calypsos such as “Sexy compromising position. From Employees”, and “Song for Healing” thenceforth they were required to obey provided listeners with useful insights his every command or risk public into this activist’s commitment to exposure and ridicule. having a positive influence on the However, politicians are not the only citizens of the region. However, she will individuals who engage in such be forever appreciated for the lyrics of practices. There are individuals who her song “Die With My Dignity”, notice when others are in sensitive or reminding listeners, especially our vulnerable positions. They may then youth, to adhere to the principles that lure these innocent and unsuspecting keep societies strong and not to be persons into engaging in activities contaminated by the powerful and/or deemed to be wrong, and forever wealthy who may seek to contaminate threaten to expose their “bad deeds” and compromise (my words). should they subsequently seek to walk There are many stories that abound the moral high road. Unfortunately, in relation to individuals who seek to adolescents (when they are at their influence others to “walk the moral low most vulnerable stages of development) road” and engage in activities that may fall prey to adults who, aware of society identifies as wrong, evil, and/or their vulnerability, encourage them to immoral. Situations may arise in the compromise their principles and engage public sector, private sector, halls of in activities that could maim and mall academia, and even in the church. their future. These selfish prowlers However, we are most appreciative of could ponce on the innocent and those among us who regularly caution unsuspecting by providing “undivided the innocent and unsuspecting about attention” or a “variety of gifts” that the dangers of “sinking to the lowest these vulnerable individuals may moral denominator” in pursuit of gravitate to, only to later discover that personal gain. These beacons of light the snares and traps could maim them and hope remind listeners and viewers physically, emotionally, and/or that it is always better to do what is spiritually. right. It may be a more challenging While these examples/scenarios may option and a lengthier journey but it is appear to be shocking, they are not far- always the better option in the long run. fetched or unreal. Such incidents take Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of place. We will periodically come across the United Kingdom, reminds us that, individuals who see nothing wrong with “Sometimes it is better to lose and do “contaminating” others for their own the right thing than to win and do the selfish reasons. Then, having done so, wrong thing.” these individuals are often placed in a There will always be temptations to spiral that, if not abated, leads forever compromise principles and to do the downwards into further dangerous and wrong thing to get ahead. However, we compromising behaviours and/or can be strengthened by the thoughts outcomes. shared by Gunnar Peterson when he Sandra DesVignes-Millington (1957- says, “I try to do the right thing. If you 2021), the Trinidadian Calypsonian, do what you know is right, and you’re a whose stage name was Singing Sandra, good person, you might not win shortwon the Calypso Monarch title in 1999 term all the time, and financial gains and 2003. She is probably best known might not be there all the time, but for her calypso entitled “Die With My ultimately, you can be pretty happy, Dignity”. This popular calypso provides and you can do some pretty good things many scenarios where females are in the world. Keep a positive outlook.” asked to compromise their principles in With such a focus we can avoid being order to get and/or retain their jobs. We contaminated and compromised. frown on the individuals who seek to “see wey your doctor never see” and Send comments, criticisms & “using the power of their cash and suggestions to position waiting to abuse and exploit julesferdinand@gmail.com

overwhelming, and they brought Dr Beckles to tears. On more than one occasion, he was forced to dab his eyes dry.

In response, he said, “When babies cry, we give them a hug. When you hug a grown man, you make him cry. The tributes made me cry.”

He said he was confident that the hug he received was a “hug of love, integrity and care. My tears are not based on fear of what’s going to happen.

My tears are based on a realization that we are an army, and I know we are going to win.”

Dr. Beckles, in speaking of the work of the CRC, said he was buoyed by the fact that during the seven years of its existence, “…we have not betrayed each other and we have not undermined each other.”

Dr Beckles expressed the confidence that the 21 century will be when the struggle for reparatory justice will gain significant successes.

Following the tribute to Dr Beckles, the CRC went about its work and heard reports from the Prime Ministerial Steering Committee on Reparations’ chair. Dr Beckles described the meeting as “magnificent.” PM Mottley, who leads this committee, was enthusiastic about pushing for this vital work. PM Gonsalves was also credited with being steadfast with his commitment to ensuring that the fight for reparatory justice remains front and centre of the international agenda.

When SVG chaired the UN Security Council, both Dr Beckles and PM Gonsalves raised the issues of genocide, the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, slavery and colonialism and the debilitating effects on the Caribbean.

Caricom took the strategic decision to broaden the base of its reparatory justice work. The CRC planned a Pan African Summit on Reparations for late 2021.

The CRC agreed to step up regional community work, especially among young people, and get more youths involved in reparatory justice work.

Dr. Beckles said regional reparations leaders from across the region must not lose heart because there is no better time than now to be a reparationist. The movement is growing in intensity and scope. Dr. Beckles disclosed that the Indian parliament has been very active in examining colonialism’s harmful effects on India. The Indian Parliament estimates that Britain extractive exploitation cost the country $350 trillion. Some parliamentarians say this is responsible for the widespread poverty and structural dislocation.

Then there is the momentum to the reparatory justice work in the United States. This work has gained especially around the fight for racial justice after the brutal assassination of George Floyd in Minneapolis. There are now reparatory justice bills before the US Senate and House of Representative.

This development is a historic first.

Here at home, the work continues in 2021 with a presentation on reparations and the Windrush Generation to the Rotary Club. Radio programmes on reparations also featured Earl Bousquet, Claremont Chung and Dorbrene O’ Marde.

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

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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SVG needs its own University of SVG IT IS VITAL to the future of our country and our people that SVG has its own Science and Technology University. This is necessary to stop generational poverty and to lift our country into prosperity with a strong economy. Presently, the economy in SVG is virtually dead.

The main route to a university education for young people in SVG is to go abroad, either to Taiwan or to one of The UWI Campuses. But these routes are not accessible by most people as the living expenses are so high. Only the rich can afford this.

Poorer families have had to withdraw their children from universities abroad or just not send them, as it is too expensive.

Young people in SVG need a university in SVG. In most western countries, 50% to 75% of young people graduate from university. In SVG, only about 2% of young people graduate from university… a shockingly low number.

To achieve 50% to 75% of our young people graduating from university, we need our own university in St. Vincent. With a university in St. Vincent, young Vincentians would not

have to worry about living expenses, because they could live at home or with relatives. Also, with a university in SVG, young people would get the support of their family and that would cut down the dropout rate.

There is a big difference between studying in Taiwan and being away from your family and alone for three years, and studying in SVG and being able to see your family. We must consider the mental wellbeing of students when offering university opportunities.

Having a university in SVG would provide the ability for our country to scale-up the number of university graduates each year to 50% to 75% of young people, just like most modern wealthy countries. If each year, 50% to 75% of our young people became university graduates that would boost the chances of us having a modern economy driven by knowledge-based sectors. By adopting the Singapore or Swiss development model for our medium and long term economic development, we can create thousands of new, highly-paid jobs for our young generation.

It is very short-sighted and, more importantly, not cost effective, to beg for a few places at university around the world like the ULP regime does.

The young people of SVG will be the future of SVG and it is important that they are given all the resources they need to reach their full potential, so they can be great leaders and problem solvers.

Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal, who has a BSc (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance and Economics from Oxford Brookes University, England, an MSc degree in Macro-Economics Policy and Planning in Developing Countries from the University of Bradford, England, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester, England, is making a very strong call for the education strategy of Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland to be urgently adopted in SVG. We need high-quality education from pre-school to our own University of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The ULP regime’s education revolution has been a failure for the younger generation. The education system in

SVG is backward under the ULP regime.

An Education for All Report shows that education generates productivity gains that fuel economic growth. That report shows that for every US$1 spent on education, between US$10 and US$15 would be generated in economic growth.

Countries with high-quality education and a high number of university graduates attract high volumes of foreign investment, therefore, it makes very good strategic sense to drive an economy by very high-quality education and knowledgebased sectors.

Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA strongly recommends that we give a very high priority to constructing a top class university in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

U-ndeniably L-ittle P-ride

basic issues? They have squandered their integrity!

The comment from the Editorial of the Searchlight of 4th October 2019 is FOR SEVERAL YEARS now, I have prospering. Indeed, we have enough have given the privilege to lead us. worth mentioning: “Kingstown, our been endeavouring, as I consider it my resources under our authority, to If we are serious about the welfare capital city, has been the subject of duty as a citizen, to draw the permit our people a much better of our people, we need to be having many discussions about its attention of the relevant authorities quality of life. Our forebears endured serious discussions now, about the disorganized and ill-disciplined and that of responsible citizens much agony to secure for us, reason to approaches we took over the last nature. Several have been the generally, to some issues which from be hopeful and optimistic. We today twenty years, so that we might promises and attempts to rectify this the mound on which I sit, are clearly must not prove ourselves traitors to determine the reasons for the present situation, all to no avail. If we are negatively affecting the welfare of the that mission. Let us not continue to retrogression. serious about our tourism thrust, the people of our land. But I have been so accommodate the duplicity of those One of the issues haunting me, is Renewal at 40 would have provided an far unsuccessful. miscreants who would have us believe the blatant neglect of the road at the ideal opportunity for a new approach, I, however, am resolved to continue that our circumstances are bad today back of the properties of the Girls’ linking pride in our nation with its to do my part, so that my because the British crippled us.

High School and the St. Vincent appearance, including that of its grandchildren and their peers, the While the British will probably be Grammar School. It is disgraceful capital city”. generations on whom we will be quite soon made to answer for the evil indeed! How can the administrators But then maybe ULP means leaving the burden of the repayments exploitation of the African people, expect the people to have faith in their “Undeniably Little Pride”! of the heavy debts we have incurred, what is intimately impacting us pronouncements on matters, when it will have a platform which will afford negatively today, is the is so obvious that they are not LeRoy Providence them a reasonable chance of ‘mismanagement’ by the people we honouring their obligations on such

Support for Cuban Nobel nomination THE ST VINCENT and the Grenadines/Cuba Friendship Society (SVGCFS) warmly welcomes and strongly supports the action of the Vincentian Government to nominate the Cuban medical Brigade, named the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade, for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

The nomination was one of several

by Parliamentarians, academics such as the prolific economist and writer Noam Chomsky, and leading cultural artistes in support of the Cuban medical professionals.

While the nominations have been sparked by the role of the Brigade in assisting many countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the Brigade has performed heroic deeds all over the world in the fight against disease, notably in Africa against the deadly ebola disease.

In the case of the Caribbean and Latin America, Cuban medical personnel have been playing an invaluable role in many countries, helping them to strengthen and

develop their capacity to combat COVID-19.

At a time of extreme selfishness and narrow nationalism on the part of many countries, particularly rich and powerful ones, the role of Cuba and the Henry Reeve Brigade in particular, is especially commendable for its unselfishness and solidarity.

Many countries have publicly not only acknowledged the Cuban contribution but have praised the Brigade and the Cuban government for it.

Ironically, while the nomination of the Henry Reeve Brigade for the prestigious Nobel Prize recognizes the role of international solidarity, among the nominees for this year’s prize is someone who represents exactly the opposite — former US President Donald Trump, now facing impeachment charges. There could not be a greater contrast between nominees.

Renwick Rose SVGCFS

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 11.

News

Red Cross working to reduce dengue habitat for these deadly mosquitoes.

This project saw the first ever white goods collection in Union Island where a whopping 30 truckloads were collected, and which made a significant dent into the breeding places for these vectors.

The collection of white goods is continuing in South Windward, Marriaqua and Bequia.

According to Harvey Farrell, coordinator for this Red Cross driven project, the initiative is supported by the Ministry of Health and the Environment (MOHE) and complemented by radio jingles as part of a public awareness component.

Philanthropists and civic-minded organisations are encouraged to support the Red Cross Society so that they can expand and extend the “Safe Barrel Initiative”, to a wider crosssection of the Vincentian community.

Drilling the hole where the tap will be placed.

THE LOCAL RED CROSS SOCIETY is currently spearheading an initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of the deadly dengue fever, which has already claimed 8 lives since the outbreak last year, the last fatality being a mere two weeks ago.

The project, with the code name “Safe Barrel Initiative”, seeks to reduce the breeding areas of the aedes aegypti mosquito, carrier of the deadly dengue virus.

With assistance from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), the Red Cross has employed the services of four (4) teams of skilled workmen who will be retrofitting drums/barrels currently used for harvesting rainwater, which is in turn used for drinking water for animals, watering vegetables, sanitation purposes and laundry, and even for cooking.

The retrofitting involves the affixing

Inserting the tap around which a sealant is applied. of a mesh over the top opening of the drum/barrel, to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding, and a tap at the bottom end of the receptacle, to allow for controlled flow/use of the water.

The project, which started in November 2020, has to date seen the installation of the coverings (mesh) and taps at 60 homes and farms in Union Island, 20 in Mayreau, 70 in Bequia.

Another 150 homes and small farms are targeted in the following communities: Campden Park, Lowmans Leeward, Montrose, Sharpes, Stoney Ground, Stubbs, Overland and other communities in

A barrel with affixed mesh.

Contributed by: Donald De Riggs.

North Windward, making a grand total of 300 households and small farms.

Also included in the project is the ongoing free collection of white goods, including discarded refrigerators, washing machines and other utensils which when left outdoors, provide a breeding Right: Farmer Alford James awaits the goodwill of the Red Cross Team.

Two schools down for replacement

Opened in 2000, the Sandy Bay Secondary School will be demolished and a new modern facility built.

AN ALLOCATION OF EC$14 MILLION has been made in the 2021 Budget for the demolition/replacement of two (2) schools, and the refurbishment of eleven (11) others in the state.

The schools earmarked for demolition are the Mary Hutchinson Primary School, Union Island, and the Sandy Bay Secondary School.

Provision is inclusive of the EC$14 million for the construction of temporary classrooms and the commencement of modern replacement schools as far as these two schools are concerned.

Those expected to see some level of refurbishment include: The St Vincent Grammar School, the Girls’ High Schools School, Thomas Saunders

The Mary Hutchinson Primary school in Ashton, Union island is to be replaced.

Secondary, St Clair Dacon Secondary, Bequia Community High School, Kingstown Anglican School and the Barrouallie Anglican and Barrouallie Primary schools.

Minister of Education, Curtis King, a former Headmaster of the St Vincent Grammar School, welcomed the announcement having, as he said, called for work to be done on the school during his watch.

“Forgive me, I feel a bit elated because I see among those schools down for repairs is the St Vincent Grammar School. Oh yes, I know how many times in the past I lamented that that school needed a plant that is appropriate to the quality of students past and present…,” King said during the debate on the Appropriation Bill.

(DD)

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

La Soufriere Feature

New dome continues to grow A view of the dome with gases still being emitted. (Photo credit: Dr. Michal Camejo-Harry.)

Volcanic gases being emitted from the vent of the new dome within the crater. The area where the new dome interacts with the old dome also results in gas emissions and the brown vegetation is a result of these emissions. (Photo credit: Monique Johnson.)

View of the western side of the crater. The new dome is spreading along the crater floor and the vegetation on the crater wall has been burnt (black areas). (Photo credit: Monique Johnson.)

by GLORIAH Photo use courtesy: The UWI SRC, St. Augustine) AS OF MONDAY, February 8, reports indicated that a lateral spreading of material could be observed, as the new crater dome of the La Soufrière Volcano continues to grow.

Lead scientist of the monitoring team on the ground, Dr. Thomas Christopher, admitted to this as he spoke as a guest on the daily Face to Face programme on NBC Radio on Friday,

February 5.

“What we noticed was that the aspect ratio of the actual dome has changed,” he revealed, “sort of growing in an elongated, north-south fashion and not vertically as fast as it was growing in the past. That changes the whole dynamic of how it is actually filling the area it’s occupying.”

He verified this from information collected from a dome survey conducted on Monday, 1st February which showed a “volume of 5.9

cubic metres” that indicated growth over the previous week.

As far as measuring the dome goes, Dr. Christopher stated that there are currently no instruments in the crater.

“That is something that we hope to achieve in the future,” he admitted, “right now we have deformation instruments on the crater rim. Any kind of deformation that are being looked at in the actual crater is being done by satellite.”

He said that one of the things the team is looking at in addition to the growth of the new dome, is if the old dome is actually moving.

“Anyone who has seen photos of this eruption will realise that the new dome is being squeezed to the side of the old dome,” he said, “so there’s the question of how much is being

deformed by the magma coming up and pushing up under it, because at some point in time, it seemed to be directly under the old dome at a shallow depth, and it is being forced to the side as it becomes shallower.”

He affirmed that if there is enough of it there, it might generate a definition signal on the old dome, and that is what the team are looking for but haven’t seen yet.

Is there the possibility of a problem arising?

Dr. Christopher opined that if the new dome acts as a plug and prevents the new magma from easing out properly, a problem could arise.

A most likely The new dome within the crater of La Soufrière in the foreground and the old 1979 dome in the background. scenario though, is The volcanic gases from the new dome continues to impact the surrounding vegetation closest to it. (Photo if the new dome credit: Monique Johnson.)

keeps growing, the new material might likely cover the old dome and grow over it.

If there is enough energy to punch through the old dome, it could probably punch a vent and start exuding material. If there is an explosion for some reason, it could probably destroy the old dome. He added that if the eruption remains effusive it could simply cover the old dome and not fragment it.

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) continues to appeal to the public to desist from visiting the La Soufrière Volcano, considering the extreme danger that it presents; and to remind the nation that no evacuation order or notice has been issued.

Regular updates will continue to be provided by the organization.

V Stop spreading mis-information

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 13.

La Soufriere Feature

by GLORIAH…

Officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were forced recently to denounce as “fake news,” reports that citizens were advised to evacuate their homes after a volcano, dormant for decades, came back to life and began spewing ash.

DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION (NEMO), Ms. Michelle Forbes, cautioned persons who continuously circulate incorrect information about the status of the La Soufriere eruption, to discontinue the practice.

She made the appeal as she spoke on the NBC Radio’s Face to Face programme on Monday 8th February.

“We just really want to ask them to desist from doing this because it causes a level of anxiety. Almost every day we have to answer to erroneous information in what people are saying: ‘Oh yes, I spoke to the scientist and he or she said this and so on…’”

She inferred that in most times these persons would not have had any conversation with any such person.

The NEMO Director went on to lament that people are posting different photos and different information from around the world, giving an impression that they relate

to the SVG situation, La Soufriere in particular.

She reminded listeners that credible information and updates are easily accessible and advised that residents should focus on the legitimate sources of information about the status of the volcano.

Legitimate sources of information include NEMO’s website and Facebook page, and the Facebook page of the UWI SRC. She invited those seeking the correct information to also call NEMO to find out what is happening.

Additionally, Ms. Forbes expressed the view that the sharing of false information could be traumatic for those persons living close to the volcano.

She emphasized: “The part that is most disturbing is that people would two-week period. just share all this information without The Observatory is now home, so to speak, to Doctor verifying what is happening.”

She encouraged those who are Thomas Christopher and his six-member team, comprised engaged in this activity to “just stop it”, as the persons close to the volcano of four regional personnel tend to be extremely anxious and the and two Vincentians.

(Source: BRAGSA) posts make the situation worse.

Observatory Station gets an overhaul

Doctor Thomas Christopher, head of the monitoring team currently on the ground in SVG, sits in comfortable conditions at the Observation Station.

THE BELMONT OBSERVATORY STATION, located in Rose Hall, North Leeward, is pivotal to the ongoing monitoring of La The refurbished Belmont Observatory Station, critical in our monitoring of La Soufriere.

Soufriere (volcano).

That said, it has had a complete refurbishment.

Given that La Soufriere continues to show ominous

signs of activity, this has heightened the need for a comfortable and wellequipped Observation Station.

The Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) announced last week that it had completed renovation work on the site, which included work on the living quarters for the scientists and the monitoring station, two separate structures.

Work included tiling, plumbing, carpentry-related work and painting, and was effected over a

Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO, has made a passionate plea for persons to desist from spreading misleading information of La Soufriere.

V La Soufriere monitoring to be intensified 14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

News

University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC) announced the donation of seismic equipment from the USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP).

The release stated that, “The USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) recently donated equipment to build four seismic stations and radios to enhance communications.”

It stated that three of the stations are “solar powered installations with posthole seismometers; while the fourth sensor is a spider seismometer, a device that is designed for rapid deployment in high risk Equipment – cables, digitizer, power locations where human exposure to supply and seismometer. hazards should be minimized,” as in

by GLORIAH… volcanic craters.

The VDAP donation was approved MONITORING OF ACTIVITY AT LA upon the receipt of a request from The SOUFRIERE VOLCANO is to be intensified UWI-SRC following the effusive following the donation of seismic eruption of la Soufriere, which was stations and telemetry equipment. first detected on December 29th, 2020.

On Wednesday, 10th February, the UWI-SRC Instrumentation

Engineer, Lloyd Lynch explained that, “This equipment is needed as it allows us to densify the seismic network by placing them in locations where there are significant gaps, and the spider seismometer will fortify the nearcrater monitoring.”

This heightened monitoring capacity should give scientists sufficient time to alert authorities to activate appropriate emergency responses like evacuations.

Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves expressed his gratitude to the UGSG VDAP and The UWI-SRC. He acknowledged that, “The partnership between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) is vital in the monitoring of the La Soufriere volcano; the SRC is a tribute to our Caribbean civilisation. The contribution of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and its Volcano Disaster Assistance Programme (VDAP) to the work of the SRC in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is generous and deeply appreciated by our government and people.”

The spider seismometer He additionally posited that, “Multilateral support across countries in every area of human endeavour is the way forward for humanity’s further upliftment.”

In expressing their own thanks, The UWI-SRC lauded the partnership with the SVG National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

These strengthen not only the various networks but to engage in data collection and sharing to better understand the current activity and plan for any scenario.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 15.

Community

Brewery recommits to fight Dengue DRIVEN by its recognition of increasing numbers of Dengue Fever cases in the state, the St. Vincent Brewery Ltd. has strengthened its commitment to be a major player in the fight against the mosquito borne disease.

Trade Marketing Supervisor, Kelvin Franklyn, re-impressed the Brewery’s long-standing association with the National Blood Bank and re-committed to continuing support.

Kelvin Franklyn, The Brewery, recogninsing that blood is a Trade Marketing Supervisor at basic requirement in the treatment of Dengue Fever, St.Vincent Brewery Limited. has for the last ten years, been providing Vitamalt to the Blood Bank, to be used as a supplement by blood donors.

That assistance is, according to Franklyn, is a demonstration that, “We are very concerned about the rise of Dengue and the devastating blow it has dealt our families,” adding, “It pains us to learn about loss of life especially amongst our children and we understand the sadness it brings to loved ones.”

The Trade Market Supervisor declared that the Brewery “was eager to play our part in the care of those who are suffering,” and commended the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Environment for doing “everything in its power to combat the mosquito population.”

Franklyn encouraged Vincentians to join the Brewery in aiding in the recovery of those suffering from Dengue, by donating blood. (Source: SVBL)

School meals supplemented STUDENTS used to getting their lunches at schools will continue to have their nutritional needs met.

The Mustique Charitable Trust rounds off delivery of 330 packages to parents or guardians of children under the school feeding programme, today Friday February 11 on the Windward coast of mainland St. Vincent.

That followed delivery on the Leeward side Wednesday, and in Kingstown at the Thomas Saunders Secondary School yesterday Thursday.

The packages/hampers comprised a one-off donation.

Dularie Malcolm, MCT’s Administration Director expressed satisfaction that the children will be supplied with food stuff for at least one month.

She outlined that some $80,000 was set aside to take care of the venture and indicated that the contents “mirror the basic needs list identified by the

CID gets donation THE CRIMINAL Investigations Department (CID), the main investigative arm of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), was recently the recipient of a refrigerator and freezer compliments Fred Dare and Company Limited.

During a brief handover ceremony held at the Police Headquarters, Kingstown on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, Supervisor at the Company, Ms. Sharmin Mc Dowald, thanked the staff of CID for their exemplary service to the citizens and the country as a whole, and encouraged them to continue their good work in this regard.

On receiving the donation, Head of CID Superintendent of Police Mr. Clauston Francis expressed sincere

gratitude on behalf of his staff.

He, in particular, thanked Mrs. Mona Dare, Director of Fred Dare and Company Limited, for her support and the kind donation at this critical time.

Supt. Francis pointed out that Mrs. Dare has been partnering with the Department for several decades in various ways, and this recent donation The refrigerator (right) and was another the freezer that now adorn demonstration of the office of the CID/RSVGPF. her ongoing generosity. the members of staff are Also delivering brief happy with the remarks was additional amenities at Commissioner of Police their disposal.

Mr. Colin John, who also The Commissioner thanked Mrs. Dare for took the opportunity to her very important emphasize that crime contribution to the CID fighting is a joint effort Department and by and when members of extension the RSVGPF. the organization are He proffered that the happy, job productivity donation will ensure that will naturally increase.

Welfare Department.

Malcolm praised home owners, guests and friends of Mustique for making the venture possible. She noted that the donors “are monitoring what is happening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The Mustique Charitable Trust has been in operation since 2008.

Mustique is one of the islands of the Grenadines, south of mainland St. Vincent. It is renowned for its pristine beauty and is the reputed stomping ground of some of the world’s ‘rich and famous’.

(WKA) Dularie Malcolm, MCT’s Administration Director, hands over food packages to a parent.

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16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Tennis Champ to face further legal action in the face several times and sustained a 2 cm laceration to the lower lip IMAN BALLANTYNE intends to take civil during the incident, replied in the action against her uncle Robert ‘Bob’ affirmative.

Ballantyne, for striking her during a When the Magistrate asked her recent incident. what level of compensation she was Iman made the disclosure during a looking at, she indicated that she had sitting of the Kingstown Magistrate’s not given full thought to it. The matter Court on Monday. was then stood down for Iman to ‘Bob’, who is a former National decide.

Table Tennis Champion and has When she was recalled to the stand, represented this country in that sport she told the Court that she had a in a number of regional and lawyer, and intended to file a civil international tournaments and action against her uncle. As a result, championships, was bonded for one the Senior Magistrate did not order year after pleading guilty to assaulting compensation, but imposed the bond his niece, causing her bodily harm. instead.

In breach of the bond, he would The facts as presented earlier by have to pay the Court $500 forthwith Prosecutor Curlene Samuel revealed or go to prison for three months. that on the date in question, ‘Bob’ But the 60-year-old plumber of went to his niece’s room and Frenches may have another Court date questioned her about a missing key coming, in connection with the belonging to his son. incident.

The young lady denied knowledge of Before Senior Magistrate Rickie the key, and ‘Bob’ responded by Burnett decided on the bond, he asked slapping her in the face and cuffing Iman, who also hails from Frenches, her several times. He then left. whether she wanted compensation.

In mitigation ‘Bobb’s lawyer, Israel Iman, who was slapped and cuffed Bruce told the Court that the incident

by HAYDN HUGGINS

resulted from a family issue that went sour.

“There was an issue of a missing key for a house occupied by the complainant, and the defendant lost control of his emotions and reacted by striking her,” Bruce explained.

The lawyer said his client was sorry for his action, and had made several attempts to apologize to his niece but his efforts were unsuccessful.

Bruce noted that ‘Bob’ is a father of six children, ages ranging from 18 to 35, including two girls, and will be 61 in May. The lawyer highlighted the fact that for 60 years, ‘Bob’ maintained a clean record.

He added that ‘Bob’ an excellent table tennis player, representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the national level, and is a member of the famous Ballantyne Sporting Family of Frenches.

He begged the Court not to impose a custodial sentence.

When on the stand, Iman told the Court she had removed the key because her uncle’s son was doing

Robert ‘Bob’ Ballantyne is now on a bond but is likely to return to court to answer a civil matter. things in the house that he was not supposed to do.

She said ‘Bob’ had struck her many time before, and when he entered the room that day, she knew he was going to strike her again.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 17.

Regional

Plea on behalf of LIAT workers

BASED on preliminary estimates, it is highly unlikely that any significant portion of the employees’ severance would potentially come from the sale of the LIAT estate, upon eventual liquidation.

This is according to Cleveland Seaforth, the Antigua and Barbuda court-approved Administrator who is charged with administering the affairs of LIAT during its current restructuring process.

Against that backdrop, Seaforth has written to Heads of Regional Governments appealing to them to look seriously into paying the EC$79 million in severance, owed to the 564 workers who have already been terminated.

Information received indicated that that letter went to Prime Ministers Mia Mottley of Barbados, Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada, Dr. Timothy Harris of St Kitts and Nevis, Allen Chastenet of St. Lucia; Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Seaforth is reported to have informed the regional leaders that another 103 employees were set to be terminated, bringing the total number to whom the collapsed regional airline was liable to 667.

He also disclosed that as at April 30, 2020, the total unpaid entitlements to employees across the region amounted to EC$119,006,962, a figure that could well see some increase.

And in advancing his case for governments to settle the severance

The Heads of Regional Governments are in receipt of a letter which appeals to them to settle the outstanding severance pay for LIAT workers.

entitlements of LIAT workers, Seaforth told the leaders that it was, “… most unfortunate, as over the years, notwithstanding the continued financial ill-health of the company, the employees committed themselves and continued to provide service to the company.”

He stressed that in spite of financial challenges the airline faced, the staff believed they would not have experienced any hardship since LIAT was owned by regional governments; that they would never be abandoned by the respective governments.

The Administrator referenced the respective governments’ Letters of Comfort to the company’s auditor to provide financial support for the continued operations of the company, as something on which the employees relied, and raised for the Heads’ attention that, “The letters of support as issued by the respective governments do [sic] in fact create a litigation exposure for the governments.”

To date, only the Antigua and Barbuda Government has tended a proposal for how it would respond to settling with its workers; that included a maximum of 50 per cent of their severance either by cash, land or government bonds or a combination of the three.

Seaforth asked the regional heads whether the Antigua and Barbuda proposal could be something that they would want to consider.

The Administrator left the door open to discussing the issue of severance with the governments “in an effort to chart a way forward for the employees to receive some form of compensation for their legal severance entitlement.”

Cleveland Seaforth – LIAT Administrator – has gone out on a limb of sorts, on behalf of (Barbados Today, Antigua LIAT workers who have been terminated.

News Room)

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18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Move on - Let him beg

Dear George, I OVERHEARD my boyfriend telling someone on the phone that he is not into fat women, and the only reason he is with me is because of COVID travel restrictions.

I yanked the phone from him and told his caller that she can have him.

George, when my boyfriend met me I was 190lbs. Since COVID-19 I have put on some extra pounds. My boyfriend swore to me that he loves big women and hates women who are like broomsticks.

Since that incident, I left his house. He has been calling me crying, asking me to forgive him and apologizing for what he said and did.

He said it was just an urge to have sex with her, nothing serious.

He is so determined, he even got his sisters to call me.

Personally, I don’t believe him and want him to forget he ever met me but

I just wanted to run it by you first.

Very hurt Dear Very hurt, Your boyfriend is only sorry that he got caught bad mouthing you with his new found friend.

Your take from this situation is that you know now how he feels about you; that he will step out on you, sex being his main motivation.

You have decided wisely to walk away and should be careful not to be dragged back into the same situation by rehearsed apologies and crocodile tears.

George

Step aside and let her be make her feel bad, but now I am thinking I do I CAUGHT my girlfriend want to kill myself.

It hurts me that she cheating on me in a threesome ; she was with would do such a terrible thing and not feel guilty a very good friend of or anything. How would mine and another man you explain this? I whom I did not know. cannot.

I was so distraught I told her I was going to Disappointed lover kill myself; she would have to live with my death for the rest of her Dear Disappointed lover, life.

George, I was I I am happy that you shocked when she said I did not follow through on could go ahead and kill taking your own life. myself so she could be Given how she responded free to sleep with to you after being whomever she pleases. caught, it is very The truth is, when I first told her I was going unlikely your death would have made a to kill myself I did not mean it. I just wanted to difference to her.

With respect to get her attention, to whether your girlfriend

Dear George,

was ever in love with you, she has demonstrated that her relationship with you only has surface value and nothing more. You are deserving of someone who will reciprocate the love and affection that you are giving out.

I suggest that you find a counselor to help you work through these emotional issues. The good news is that you are alive to pick up the pieces and move on to better than what obtains now. The pain will pass and day by day you will grow emotionally stronger and wiser. Good luck to you.

George

Time to make up

There could be another issue brewing; something has led her to be MY WIFE is upset because I told her of the view that there could be another woman in the picture. Maybe that if she dies before me, I will your behavior or actions gave her that immediately remarry because I am impression and it is something you not one to be living alone. Now she is going about telling everybody how I need to deal with immediately.

Find ways to convince her that she am wishing her dead so I could remarry, and that she has a good idea is the only person in the picture. And avoid giving any hints that she is of who the individual is, I am competing with another person. planning to remarry.

Step, back, reassess and treat her I have tried in vain to convince her as the only woman in your life. otherwise but to no avail. Was I wrong in saying the truth? What am George I do now?

Dear George,

Confused Dear Confused, You did not exercise good judgement when you told your wife what you told her, truth or not. It is very insensitive if you ask me.

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your communication skills may win you points. Take time to listen to children and help them with projects that seem impossible to them. A series of misunderstandings may be at fault.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You may want to clear the air where older relatives are concerned. Your need to get away could lead you into greater debt. Get into fitness programs to keep in shape. Your ambitious mood may not go over well with loved ones.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You'll be angry if those you live with aren't pulling their weight. Social activities or travel should be in your plans. Adventure will result in added knowledge. A change is as good as a rest. Don't go looking for change.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Talk to peers who you trust in order to get sound advice. Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation. Your mate will be pushing you to do things that you really don't want to do.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Money can be made if you are willing to take a chance. Sudden disruptions will cause upset and a change of routine in your home environment. Organization will be the key to avoiding discord and family feuds.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can come into money; however, perhaps not under the best circumstances. You will get along well in social situations. Love relationships will flourish. A long, quiet walk alone may help you sort out your thoughts.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make some favorable changes to your looks. After all, they may have valuable information to pass on.

Someone you live with is ready to play emotional games. Travel will result in new romantic attractions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Opportunities to show your worth will enhance your reputation and bring possible advancement. Entertainment could cost you more than you expect.

Visitors may be likely to drop by. Secret affairs will only lead to deception.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You might find that coworkers will support your endeavors. Organize social events or family gatherings. This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers.

Relationships have not been the best for you lately and it's left you somewhat gun shy.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Be careful while traveling. Your charm will be captivating. Your high energy, original ideas, and excellent memory will aid your accomplishments. You will earn recognition for the work you are doing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Start sending out those resumes. You may find that your generosity has been taken for granted. Love and romance are evident. Your desire for excitement and adventure may be expensive.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Someone may try to damage your reputation. Changes in your residence will be favorable in the long haul. Be sure that you lay your cards on the table.

Opposition is present and you should be prepared to counteract it as best you can.

ACROSS 1. Seed holder 4. Take __, rest 8. Nile vipers 12. Wall-clinging vine 13. Mined minerals 14. Fly-directed command 15. Futile 17. Narcissistic focus 18. Concluded 19. Flat hat 21. Green vegetable 22. Spider-woven Structure 24. “You bet!”

26. Singing syllables 29. Form holes 31. Small birds 34. Sworn statement 36. Earth tone 38. Farm concern 39. Hubcap site 41. Shooting-range tool 43. Lacking rain 44. Guitarist Clapton 46. Involuntary twitch 48. Naughty tot 50. Stream blocker 52. Big swallows 56. Brown soft drink 58. Wool protector 60. Always 61. Correct (a Manuscript) 62. Statuesque actress Arthur 63. School table 64. Optical glass 65. Maple liquid DOWN 1. Cone producer 2. Food heater 3. Tinted 4. Did a laundry chore 5. Deep anger

6. Suit part 7. Compositionclass assignment 8. Braying creature 9. Flock supervisor 10. Warsaw resident 11. Cozy couch 16. Grass wetness 20. Cat utterance 23. Nibbled on 25. Curving line 26. Far down 27. “How lovely!”

28. Church spires 30. Neither this — that 33. Intelligence agent 35. Yonder

heroine’s 37. Bolt fastener 40. Trunk cover 42. Dark times 45. Desert animal 47. Young grizzly 48. Froze (over) 49. Chess play

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 19.

51. Fashion 53. Chemistry rooms 54. Heartfelt request 55. Swat 57. Boat for Noah 59. Silvery metal

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

„We need to be realistic,‰ Head Coach

Kendale Mercury, Head Coach of SVG Senior Men’s Football Team, is not fooling anybody about SVG’s chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

AS ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ Senior Men’s Football team - Vincy Heat, prepares for the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, Head Coach Kendale Mercury wants the general public to be “realistic” about the team’s chances.

Mercury stated emphatically that his team does not have what it takes at this juncture to qualify for the World Cup finals, but there are other achievable goals.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is placed in Group C, alongside Guatemala, Curacao, Cuba and the British Virgin Islands.

The Vincentians are set to play Curacao in Curacao on 25th March and host the British Virgin Islands on 30th March at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Then in June, St Vincent and the Grenadines will be away to Guatemala on the 4th and take on Cuba here, four days later.

Entering the qualifiers with

an open mind, Mercury told the VINCENTIAN: “Realistically, we are going to try and do our personal best in this group … The Group is very tough but it is football and anything can happen on the day.”

Mercury admits that he understands everyone wants the best and that best usually has a high measurement, e.g. reaching the last round of the CONCACAF qualifiers or even further.

Mercury, who is into his second stint as Head Coach, having returned to the post in late 2018, noted that he is carving out a philosophy into which, he hopes, stakeholders would buy.

“People who are supporting Football,., fans especially, have to understand that it will take time...We are on a medium to long term development drive with the senior men’s national team, and holistically we are trying to spread that ‘philosophy’ to all of the other teams… It is

those players — especially those players who are available - to St Vincent (and the Grenadines), for the World Cup Qualifiers … The issues that we have, which are out of our control, are the health measures and protocols that are in place right now at various jurisdictions, … airports mainly…,” Mercury proffered.

“The other challenge we face with the foreign based players is getting them here at a particular time, so that they can have enough time to quarantine and after that join Other challenges up with the team for training,” the Head Coach In addition to what acknowledged. encumbrances there are on the St Vincent and the ground, Mercury noted that Grenadines has a mandatory preparations are also being fourteen day’s quarantine for hampered by the uncertainty persons entering the country. of getting the services of the St. Vincent and the overseas based players.

Grenadines was eliminated Notwithstanding obstacles from advancement to the final raised by travel and other round of CONCACAF attending health protocols, qualifying for the 2018 FIFA Mercury said, “We are trying World Cup. our best to see how we can get

not a quick fix,” Mercury related.

Part of the Head Coach’s ‘philosophy’ is to gradually incorporate some sub-20 players, with a view of realistically making a push towards World Cup 2026 qualification.

He disclosed that whilst preparations have been hampered because of the restrictions/protocols occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, a camp for local players should commence on or about the 19th February.

Hope Int’l to compete in Club Shield GUARDIAN GENERAL HOPE INTERNATIONAL, the 2019/2020 Premier Division winners of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation National Club Championships, will compete in the 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield.

The Tournament is set to take place 1st to 11th April, at a venue soon to be announced

by CONCACAF. And, despite the challenges of training, the Hope International unit plans to give the occasion its best showing.

Dwayne Deenie, Hope International’s Assistant Coach, admitted that participating in the Club Shield has always been a quest of the Club, and they are obviously elated at having achieved it.

“We have been looking forward to participate for years…Our preparation has been not ideally what we wanted to be like, because of the pandemic… .

Nevertheless, Hope International as a club has decided to put our best foot

forward and find the best ways how to get our players ready for the Tournament,” Dennie told the VINCENTIAN. As for the Club’s preparation plans, Dennie disclosed, “The coaches came together and decided that we will be using social media platforms, to send out our weekly training sessions for players to use in the comfort of their homes and on nearby playing fields.”

Dennie noted that the coaches are in constant communication with the players via group chats, to which players have to send videos of their sessions.

“Players have been participating and responding well to these sessions, which is very encouraging,” Dennie underscored.

He revealed that the club’s management continues to liaison with the Secretariat of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, to get updates on the Tournament, especially the health protocols that they may have to follow whenever a

Hope International, SVG’s representative to the 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield.

Dwayne Dennie is standing extreme left. host nation is finalised.

“All in all, the preparation for this Caribbean Club Shield is beautiful in its own way, with pressures from COVID19 and pressures from the idea of not only representing Hope International FC, but St Vincent and the Grenadines…

It is welcomed pressure that we are proud to be having,” Dennie summed up.

Hope International and the region as a whole, welcomed the return of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield and, effectively, the resumption of

regional football.

The 2020 edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That cancellation meant that BESCO- Pastures, the Vincentian champions for 2018/2019, was denied their first opportunity for regional exposure.

The Caribbean Club Shield is open to the winning clubs from twenty- seven (27) Caribbean Football Union members, which do not

possess a professional football tournament.

The winner of the Caribbean Club Shield will engage the fourth place team from the 2021 Caribbean Club Championships for a place in the 2021 CONCACAF Club League.

The CONCACAF Club League comprises the first and second place clubs from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, countries which have a professional Football League.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 21.

Sports

Shafiqua Maloney, competing for the University of Arkansas, is having a good track season so far.

Maloney not easing up ON THE BACK of the 800 metres and 4X400 metres victories for the University of Arkansas in the 2021 athletics season so far, Vincentian Shafiqua Maloney is satisfied with her progress, especially after coming back from injury.

Maloney copped the Arkansas Invitational and the Wooo Pig Classic 800 meters, and was part of the Arkansas 4X400m metres team that won at the Razorback Invitational track meet.

She needs no convincing that her performances to date all came down to the hard work she has put in leading up the meets.

“Firstly, I must thank God for this talent he has blessed me with and the ability to showcase it at the highest level. I’ve been working really hard the past 10 months, since April of last year, and I am happy that we even got a track season to run with the pandemic, which has changed the dynamics of things. I am also happy the hard work is paying off and I am very elated of course, about my performance both in the 800 and the 4x4. It’s always a good feeling when you run fast and PR (personal best),” Maloney said in a recent hook-up.

Even now that she is in her final year at university, Maloney admits that there is more work to be done going forward. “…. winning the races, it’s very exciting!

However, I am not satisfied with certain aspects so I know there’s more work to do. So going forward I am not settling for less but will maintain my focus on the goals I have set this season, which are to stay healthy,.. get faster, become an All American and qualify for the Olympics,” Maloney detailed.

Stories I.B.A. ALLEN

Good marks for Vincy athletes in St. Kitts LATAVIA SIMON and Xaria Bascombe, Vincentian athletes presently attending and training at the Verchilds High School in St Kitts, continue to make steady progress in their academics.

Janice Daley, under whose care and guidance the girls have been placed, reported that Simon moved from 3V1 to 3V4, and as a member of her graduating class for 2019/20, she received a certificate for passing all subjects for that academic year. She was also on the Honour Roll.

Simon also received a badge for academic excellence and a trophy for placing second in her class.

“So, she is doing ok.

She is not at her best yet but her efforts are LaTavia Simon shows commendable thus far,” off her awards and Daley said. certificates that reflect And as for Bascombe, her good performance Daley was quick to point academically. out her improvement, saying, “She continues to do well, where she moved from 3V3 to 3V2, moving from a 60 - 70 percent average up to 90 percent average, so overall that’s great improvement.”

Bascombe is also actively involved in extracurricular activities. She plays the steel pan and was the only female in a steelband ensemble’s performance at the school’s graduation. Bascombe is also a member of a dance group.

And as for the Xaria track, “They are Bascombe has doing well where found time to training is play pan and concerned, dance but despite that we keeps her have had to cut academic back on the pursuits on intensity due to course. the uncertainty where track meets are concerned,” Daley disclosed.

Daley is optimistic that once repairs at the Kim Collins Stadium are complete, “the girls will be competing.”

Daley did not allow the opportunity of the chat with her to escape extending commendation to Shafiqua Maloney, who is currently showing good form representing the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas.

Maloney was herself a graduate of the same high school which Simon and Bascombe are currently attending in St. Kitts.

“Shafiqua paved the way for these girls so they should be looking at that as an incentive to emulate her,” Daley suggested.

Janice Daley - coach and guardian of LaTavia Simon and Xaria Bascombe.

Mavrix, Playaz receive SVGBF assistance TWO BASKETBALL academies here were recently the recipients of donations of basketballs, compliments St Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF).

On Friday January 29th, the SVGBF handed over three (3) basketballs to the Playaz Basketball Academy and two (2) basketballs to the Mavrix Basketball Academy.

In making the presentation at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, Ramon Johnson, second Vice President of the SVGBF, said, “This (donation) is in our continued effort to develop the sport in SVG.” Orlando Ferguson, founder, coordinator and head coach of the Playaz Basketball Academy, expressed appreciation and

(Back row): Richard Cato of Mavriz (left), Ramon Johnson 2nd VPSVGBF (2nd from right), Orlando Ferguson of Playaz (right), and members of the Mavriz Academy, comprised the presentation party. thanks for the gesture, and assured that the balls will aid his Academy’s ongoing programme, aimed at developing and refining the skills of the young men enrolled with Playaz.

Richard Cato, accepted the balls on behalf of the Mavrix Basketball Academy, of which he is founder and coach.

He extended thanks for the donation which he said was in

response to a request his academy made of the SVGBF. The balls, he said, will be used in the 7-14 years division of the Mavrix’s coaching programme, which also includes a Premier and A divisions.

Like all other sporting disciplines across the state, basketball activities have been brought to a halt by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Tomato: Real life champion PHILLIP ANTHONY otherwise known as ‘Tomato’ grew up in Troumaca. He passed away last Sunday February 7, three months short of his 69th birthday. He was born in Aruba where his parents Leopold and Miriam Anthony began their union. They brought up nine children of which Tomato was the third.

Tomato shot into prominence when he hit 152 in primary school cricket. His quality righthanded stroke play for Club, village or profession, like St. David’s, Troumaca United and Police put bowlers off line.

His formidable approach ensured that opponents had to be at their best. He faced trials but found means of recovery.

He was a foundation member of Mr. Cool Veterans which played in the Vinlec North Leeward Cricket championship. Off the field, Tomato never dropped interest. He would turn up to hand over the Man of the match reward: a flat of eggs.

That might be small value, but there was anticipation on the package.

Tomato had mobile and speech constraints but those didn’t stop him. He kept up with events from his diary where he recorded the birthdates and anniversaries of those he knew.

He hardly ran out of choices for his greetings.

The intensity with which Tomato was engaged in cricket is perhaps a trait, family and regional.

One of his sons, Emil represented the Windwards Under 19. Another, Phillip is a livewire on the Carlos James Troumaca Starlights.

Tomato was a farmer, a natural extension of his upbringing. He was a father figure in the community, respected for judgement, and cherished for humility. He was musician, skilled with the guitar.

Tomato’s passing came amidst a realignment by the West Indies Cricket team. They are currently in second of the two Test showdown in Bangladesh.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed caution after the win over Bangladesh completed last Sunday morning.

There will be time to assess the impact of the performance. No one expected such batting from Myers and Nkrumah Bonner.

They shattered the record books with a 216 run fourth wicket partnership. In normal circumstances, neither would have been playing Test cricket.

That accomplishment is tribute to the reserves of West Indies cricket.

Bangladesh was perhaps dismissive having dealt with the first choice West Indies squad on the previous tour.

The details of that encounter will be replayed over and over, until they are removed by next thunderbolt unfolds.

There is the tendency of unusual seismic activity, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to experience. That has been part of the natural phenomena. Tomato lived through some turbulences. The recent activities would have intrigued him, with scorches to vegetation on the western ends of the mountain.

Tomato would have part of the contingent of early hikers, drawn into the annual pilgrimage to the summit at Easter. But with the monitoring exercise taking place, persons will have to follow certain guidelines and climate changes and no one knows what to predict.

Joseph grateful for exposure NATIONAL female cricketer Japhina Joseph is thankful for the exposure, after completing a one-month

Japhina Joseph, one SVG’s leading national female cricketer, is back home after a one-month Cricket West Indies camp in Antigua.

Cricket West Indies women training camp held in Antigua.

Joseph, a resident of Stubbs and representative of J.G Tigress and Sons in the national women cricket competitions, was among twenty-four (24) of the leading women’s cricketers in the region, who participated in the camp.

Participants were taken through intensive skills training particular to their specialization and as it relates to responsibilities as a whole, and were involved in practise matches all under the watchful eye of Head Coach of CWI women’s cricket- Courtney Walsh.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN via telephone from her designated location while still under quarantine since her return, Joseph said the time spent at the camp was very beneficial.

“First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the ability and getting me to be a part of the set-up which was a great experience and opportunity to show my talent, and what I am

capable of doing.

“I learned a lot which I believe will help to improve my cricket…, an indication that my work in cricket is just beginning.”

The Vincentian all-rounder was grateful to the coaches and praised them for a well-executed programme.

“I think the work at the camp was well planned by the coaching staff. They spent time with players one and one, and also shared their experience with us, so we had fun together.”

As for her fellow ‘campers’, she said, “I was also impressed with what I saw from the players, including senior ones, which meant a lot for the togetherness during the camp.”

Joseph is anxious to get out on the playing field to continue working to improve her cricket skills.

“Now I am back home, my plan is to continue to improve my cricket, put in the hard work and not just focusing on me but also to share my experience with other players.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

McCoy satisfied with his T/10 outing VINCENTIAN left-arm fast bowler- Obed Christopher McCoy, is satisfied with his performance in the recently concluded T/10 League in Abu Dhabi.

In the 2021 edition of the League, which ran from January 28th to February 6th, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, McCoy, from the Central Leeward town of Barroullie, was the Tournament’s fourth leading wicket taker bowling for Team Abu Dhabi.

Against some of the world’s leading cricketers, he ended with 10 wickets from 9 games at an average of 13.90, with an economy rate of 8.17. His best bowling figures were 2 wickets for 9 runs against Pune Devil, which earned him the Man of the Match award.

This was the second time the young fast bowler was selected to participate in the League. He was unable to fulfil his obligations in 2018 with the Northern Warriors, who went on to win this year’s edition with a squad that included Trinidadians Nicholas Pooran and Lendl Simmons.

McCoy’s Team Abu Dhabi finished a decent third.

In an interview with THE

VINCENTIAN newspaper since his return, McCoy expressed satisfaction with his performance, given the tournament’s short format and the batmen’s propensity to go after every ball.

“I think my performances were good in terms of keeping the run rate down, good economy throughout the tournament, also getting wickets at crucial times. You know as a bowler in that tournament it is very difficult keeping down your run rate, knowing that batsmen would be going at every ball you bowl,” said McCoy. It has not been an easy road for McCoy. Early in his career, questions surrounded his bowling action and he struggled with injuries.

“I did a lot of work on my bowling action, and my biomechanics… a lot of strength work, fitness, including running which was able to help me physically and mentally,” he said.

And the hard work has paid off for he has gone on to played for the West Indies Senior Team, St

Obed McCoy showing off his ‘cheque’ for being Man of the Match, in a match in this year’s T/10 League in Abu Dhabi.

Lucia Stars, St Lucia Zouks, West Indies B, West Indies Under-19s and Windward Islands Under-19s.

Now back home, McCoy will turn out for the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the CG Insurance Regional Super 50 tournament.

“I Just have to work hard and perform to the best of my ability,” the faster bowler told THE VINCENTIAN when asked what is his immediate objective.

News now coming to hand said that McCoy was selected to the Team of the Tournament for the 2021 edition of the T10 League, Abu Dhabi. (KH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021. 23.

Classifieds

EVANS NANTON MRS. CLEONE NOEL Sunday, February 7th, 2021 at the Temple Emanuel Spiritual Baptiste Church.

Saturday, 6th February, 2021 Sandy Bay Gospel Chapel

Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: London Cemetery

GILBERT EZEKIEL JOHN GERALD LIONEL JACOBS Sunday, 7th February, 2021 Green Hill Evangelical Church

Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

Thursday, 4th February, 2021 Kingstown Chapel

Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

BERTRAM SYLVESTER DAVID better known as Sim Sunday, 7th February, 2021 Church of Christ, Brighton

Viewing: 2:30 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Brighton Cemetery THEODORA BLAKE better Known as Misty Thomas Saturday, 6th February, 2021 Bethel Gospel Assembly Georgetown

Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Georgetown Cemetery

ESTELLA AGATHA BERNARD Thursday, 4th February, 2021 Holy Trinity Anglican Church Georgetown

Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Church Yard Cemetery

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VOLUME 115, No.06

www.thevincentian.com

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LUZETTE NOT GOING ANYWHERE refused an exemption?

On the latter score, there appeared MUCH AS SHE would like to go home, to be some variance between the social activist Luzette King is not going responses of the Medical Officer of anywhere soon.

Health, Dr. Roger Duncan, and the She will continue her quarantine at Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Simone the designated guest house where she Keizer-Beache. began her mandatory 14-day Dr. Duncan acknowledged receipt of quarantine, following her arrival in St. King’s application for an exemption Vincent and the Grenadines, Saturday and offered the reason for not acting 6th February. on it as it having got caught up in a On her arrival at the Argyle backlog, which he admitted, King was International Airport (AIA) from the not told on her inquiry before she USA last Saturday, King was charged, arrived, but instead was told that her ‘that on Saturday, January 30th, at application was being processed. the Argyle International Airport, she However, Dr. Keizer-Beache was entered the state of St. Vincent and more forthright, saying that the the Grenadines by air and did not application was denied hands down, present herself in person to the and, according to Bacchus-Baptiste, nearest immigration officer’. had indicated that the grounds for However, on Thursday when she denial includes dementia. appeared to answer that charge, she King will reappear in Court on was slapped with two additional March 29. She continues on bail charges, to wit, that on Saturday 30th already set. at the AIA she refused to present In the meantime, the Magistrate herself and failed to produce her bags said that the issue of exemption should to Customs. be dealt with by the Ministry of Luzette King would love to be The charges arose from an action by Health. quarantined at her home where she King on January 30, when she, can be as comfortable and Want to go home composed as she is in this file photo. without permission, bypassed immigration and customs, and was apprehended the airport’s car park In speaking to THE VINCENTIAN before being deported to the USA. newspaper before Thursday’s hearing, When she returned to SVG on King said that she had attended a Saturday, she became embroiled in a virtual court hearing at the Biabou standoff with airport and security Leaning Resource Center on Monday officials, after it appeared that she had 8th February, after being detained at neither a confirmed reservation at a the Biabou Police Station since designated hotel where she would be Saturday 6th. quarantined, nor an exemption for At that hearing, 67-year-old King, a which she said she had applied but got Vincentian - American citizen, pleaded the ‘push around’. not guilty to the one charge as When she appeared virtually before referenced, and was granted bail in Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne on the sum of $2,000 with one surety.

Thursday as ordered, her lawyer, Kay “I’ve been locked away since Bacchus-Baptiste, sought to have Saturday night when the police took answers to: Why persons with me to Biabou…. I didn’t even know negative tests should quarantine in a where they were taking me,” said King hotel for 14 days, while persons with about her arrest. positive cases are allowed to “… I would like to be at a place quarantine at home? Why King was where I can quarantine properly.

Being in quarantine should include proper nutrition and hygiene among Luzette King took up this sitting other things, (it) is not simply about position and resisted efforts to making sure you are locked away from remove her. (Photo from Video others…. . And quarantine facilities posted by Asbert News Network)

by KENVILLE HORNE

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

On ending her resistance, King was formally charged for not checking with immigration on an earlier arrival at the AIA. (Photo from Video posted

by Asbert News Network) should be supervised medically,” said a defiant King.

She stressed that she was frustrated and wanted to be in a quarantine facility or preferably at home, where she would be comfortable and could quarantine effectively.

“The government protocol at the airport is not about health and safety… you can’t even see a doctor.

There is a big difference between nursing care and doctor care,” the activist, who is a qualified nurse, advised.

“I am saying I want to go home and want to know why I didn’t get a response to my application for exemption?” she asserted.

More on Page 4.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.