THE VINCENTIAN PDF-12-06-20

FRIDAY JUNE

12, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.24

One active COVID-19 case Page 3

www.thevincentian.com

Customs officer vigilant Page 4

No fetes yet Page 13

EC$1.50

LIAT”s $2.7m not spent Page 15

$1.6. jackpot claimed Page 24

FATHER FORGIVES SON Response Unit (RRU).

Both T-Zan and Jamarie THE FATHER OF A RICHLAND were described as “mannerly PARK MAN who is accused of boys” by persons in the causing the death of his Richland Park community. nephew, says that he has T-Zan, a former student of forgiven his son for whatever the Thomas Saunders deed he might have committed. Secondary School and the SVG As it stands, Phil Phillips Community College, was has now to contend with the spoken of as being an death of his grandson, 10outstanding footballer, who year-old Jamarie Phillips, and even had a stint in a semithe arrest of his 21-year-old professional league in son ,T-Zan ‘Zaza’ Phillips of Barbados.

Cotton Ground, Richland According to the grieving Park. father, “We forgive him still….

Jamarie’s bloodied body, he na do that off of his natural showing chop wounds about vibes. For the kind of the neck, head and hands, was operation that happen, natural found at about 12:30pm in the people nar move so.” front yard of his home, on He said that he was not at Friday May 29, the same day home when the incident took T-Zan was apprehended by place, and while his grandson police after he resisted arrest lived with him, his son “use to and had to be shot in his leg be back and forth,” by a member of the Rapid elaborating, “My son come Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

Phil Phillips has to contend with the death of his grandson and the arrest of his son.

Left: Shawn ‘Old Dog’ Nero, sitting in the tray of his pick-up in which he met his death, Sunday 7th June, 2020.

Right: The pick-up came to a stop after smashing into a utility pole and remained on top of Nero’s body.

home the morning because he na sleep dey.”

When questioned about his son’s general disposition as an average young man, he was adamant that T-Zan was not known to use, far less abuse drugs or alcohol.

All the more reason why he finds it “puzzling” as to what might have driven his son to kill his nephew.

The father said that he never knew both of them to be in any confrontation.

“He (T-Zan) wasn’t like that, and me never know he had any mental problem; but wha he did was not natural,” the father related, adding that regardless, the family and many of his nephew and son’s friends were still overcome with sadness and disbelief because of what happened.

T-Zan Phillips is accused of actions which many of his family and friends say are not characteristic of the person they know.

2. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 3.

News 3 PM defends solidarity message

THE ISSUE OF POLICE BRUTALITY as it currently exists here in St Vincent and the Grenadines is far different to what exists in the United States.

And further, according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the ongoing protests in the US have now become an issue of international human rights.

He made the comments last Sunday on radio as he sought to give meaning and context to his ‘Statement of Solidarity with the People of America’.

The statement was issued in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police during an arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 25.

Gonsalves said that in so far that persons here may want to critique the domestic situation, police brutality and injustice exist, but nobody has been killed locally based on their race.

“That is in a sense a red herring, a smoke screen for anyone who does not want to take a stand on a particular matter,” Gonsalves said.

Protests in the USA have now gone into their third week since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers.

He added that based on the statistics, the rate at which African Americans had been killed by the police in the United States is high.

“I have also read that one in every 2,000 African Americans have died from the coronavirus so far. That is a pandemic, but the other one where African Americans who die in contact with the police,

that is not a pandemic,” he said.

“This matter has lasted for far too long,” he added.

Some 401 years ago, the first Africans were taken away to the United States as slaves, Gonsalves said.

And although there has been much progress in the US, Gonsalves said that he thought that the objective observers

would say that the issue could be compared to a metaphoric cancer in the society, and it ought to have been addressed.

He said that the US was guilty of commenting on issues outside their borders, but their domestic issue had now reached a threshold where high officials from other countries were commenting. (DD)

Only two active COVID-19 cases in SVG AS OF JUNE 9, there were only 2 active cases of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, this according to a release of the same date from NEMO, on behalf of Health Services Subcommittee National Emergency Committee.

According to the release, 91 negative COVID-19 PCR results were recently returned from CARPHA Public Health Laboratory. This batch of results included 9 negative results which were the second ones for 9 COVID-19 positive persons, medically clearing them.

Two hundred and five Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) Crew members were released from quarantine today, June 9, following the receipt of the negative results for their second COVID-19 PCR.

There are still 153 Crew members who have not had a result from a second PCR to clear them from quarantine.

These Crew members will continue in quarantine until the receipt of these results, despite the expiration of the initial fourteen (14) days of mandatory quarantine.

In related news, NEMO confirmed that a Crew member who was repatriated on May 26, 2020 on the Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on June 9.

NEMO described the deceased as a 37-year-old male, one of 358 Vincentian sailors who disembarked the vessel on May 30, after testing negative on both the rapid and the first PCR

COVID-19 tests.

A second negative COVID-19 PCR test result for the man was received in the latest batch from CARPHA, and it confirmed that his death was not related to COVID-19. The man had completed his 14-day quarantine on Monday.

A post mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.

‘Old Dog’ killed in vehicular accident A 49-YEAR-OLD CAMPDEN PARK man known for his ability to entertain onlookers with his dancing moves and humour, was killed in a vehicular accident on Sunday (June 7) morning, around 1am.

Shawn Nero, better known as ‘Old Dog’, a father of Shawn Nero and his three, had returned home after attending fiancée Suzanne Sampson enjoyed partying and a party but decided having a good time to leave again. together.

There is no indication that anyone, including his fiancée Suzanne Sampson, knew where he was heading.

Not long after he pullled out in his pick-up, Suzanne said she heard a very loud noise.

It was raining, so she grabbed an umbrella and ventured outside to see what had happened. To her disbelief, she came upon her fiancé’s pick-up smashed into a utility pole and he was lying under the vehicle.

“I saw the pick-up upside down, nobody was there, just me alone on the street. So I run down looking for somebody but I didn’t see anybody. I return to the scene, look under the jeep, one of his hands was hanging out, lifeless,” recalled Sampson.

She said that she tried pulling him out by his hands and even attempted to push the jeep but both efforts were to no avail.

“I came up screaming, screaming like crazy, then I call the neighbours, the neighbors get alerted and everyone came to help,” said Sampson on how she was able to get help.

The heartbroken woman explained that at first those persons who came to assist could not do much because of the weight of the vehicle.

They tried pulling the jeep with a rope from over the body, but that failed. They were eventually successful with the aid of logs of wood.

“They got some logs and raised the jeep and that’s when they got him out,” said Sampson.

‘The life of the party’ Suzanne remembers her fiancé as always being happy and “he was the life of the party. As soon as he reached the party he don’t stick. He starts to dance from the time he enter until the party done.”

She also described Shawn as friendly and kind.

“I going to miss him a lot because it was me and him all the time. We go to parties a lot, we do videos together, love taking pics together and now …,” as she stopped abruptly to control her emotions.

Shawn Nero became this country’s fifth road fatality for the year.

The other fatalities are: Lucinda Brackin, 46, who died on the spot when the vehicle in which she was travelling overturned along the main road in Sandy Bay, Sunday 8th March; Shannel John, 33, who died on the spot along the main road in Rillan Hill, after being hit by a pick-up on Wednesday 18th March; Fidel Davis, 34, who died on the spot after he lost control of his bike in Biabou, May 11; and Glenron Ballantyne, 17, a student of the Sandy bay Secondary School, who died six days after the car in which he was a passenger collided with a delivery van on the Diamond Main Road, May 12.

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Customs Officer halts cocaine entry Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS THE VIGILANCE of a female Junior Customs Officer may have prevented a sizeable amount of cocaine from hitting the local market just over a year ago.

Stacy Ann Adams, who has been employed with the Customs and Excise Department for ten years, and being Customs Officer for the past three years, made a sharp detection at the baggage room of the main branch at the Kingstown Port, which led to the seizure of 1,810 grams of cocaine contained in one-litre orchard orange juice boxes.

Adams’ action also resulted in the arrest and conviction of 51-year-old Jilcina Susan DebiqueMason of Rose Hall.

Debique-Mason, a female farmer, was charged with possession

of the drug with intent to supply, possession for the purpose of drug trafficking, and attempting to import the drug.

Following a trial at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, the mother of seven (7), was found guilty on all three counts, and the following day she was sentenced to one year and five months on each charge, to run concurrently. She was convicted and sentenced

by Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne. She was unrepresented.

Adams told the Court on Tuesday that while she was attached to the baggage room around 10:30 a.m. on January 11 last year, a lady came up to the counter with two boxes bearing the name Jilcina Debique, and said they were hers.

Adams said that after verifying the name and

number, she proceeded to do her examination. She observed a one litre orchard orange juice box in one of the packages.

She realized it was hard and not jiggerly, and saw a piece of plastic sticking out of it. She asked Debique-Mason to open it, and she complied.

Adams said she noticed there was a white powdery substance inside. She was unsure what it was, so she called her Supervisor, Eddie DeFreitas, and told him of her observation.

DeFreitas, in his testimony, said that when he went to the baggage room, he met two orchard juice boxes appearing to be abnormal, along with the one Adams noticed to be abnormal.

Debique-Mason told the Customs officials, she didn’t know what it was, and that she was accustomed to collect

stuff from Trinidad and Tobago from one Jerome DaSouza.

The Narcotics Unit was called in, and the cargo, as well as DebiqueMason were taken to the drug squad base where a thorough search was conducted.

The three juice boxes were cut open and found to contain transparent packages with cocaine.

When weighed, it amounted to 1,810 grams.

Nothing else illegal was found.

The bigger box contained snacks and juices, while the other contained disinfectants, vegetable oil and other stuff.

However, in an electronic interview conducted by Sergeant Irackie Huggins and Corporal Germano Douglas, the Narcotics Officers who were detached to the

Man cleared in Edinboro shooting THE MAN who was accused of the June 21, 2019 shooting of Ottley Hall resident Attiba Bess, has been cleared of that charge.

Jamal Bobb of Ottley Hall, who was charged with wounding Bess with intent, was discharged at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday.

At the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne

ruled that a prima facie case was not made out.

Bess was shot in the left shoulder during an incident at Edinboro on the date in question.

Several witnesses testified for the Prosecution at the P.I which started at the Serious Offences Court on May 19. They included the Virtual Complainant Attiba Bess, Lead Investigator Mozart Harry, and Constable Edmond

Ollivierre who did the electronic interview with Bess, who was not represented by a lawyer.

John Ballah led the proceedings for the Prosecution.

Accused fit to stand trial ACCUSED burglar McRico Ash, who was sent to the Mental Health Centre on May 25 for 14 days observation, will face a Preliminary Inquiry (P.I).

A report from the institution stated that the Barrouallie resident is fit to stand trial.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche informed the Serious Offences Court of the report when Ash returned to Court on Tuesday.

Ash is charged with entering the Liquor and Provision Shop of Dudley Durham of Barrouallie,

on May 19, and stealing household items and $60 in cash amounting to a total value of EC$218, and at the time had in his possession a homemade shotgun.

Ash is also charged with possession of the gun, without licence, and one round of shotgun

Attiba Bess

McRico Ash ammunition.

When he had made his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, he was not required to plea to the charges as they were laid indictably.

The Senior Prosecutor had requested the 14-day observation at the Mental Health Centre after informing the Court that, based on his information, Ash may have a mental issue.

On his return to Court on Tuesday, Ash was granted $12,000 bail with one surety, and ordered not to contact the Virtual Complainant, and to surrender his travel documents.

Stop notices will be placed at all ports of entry and exit, and he is not to leave the state without the permission of the Court. A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) is slated for September 28.

Kingstown Port, when the police were called in, Debique-Mason said she knew nothing of Jerome DaSouza.

She wept for most of the interview, saying, “me nah know nutten, me nah know nutten, me nah know nutten”.

However, in her evidence to the Court, she said she knew Da Souza since 2013, and he assisted her daughter in sending the box for her from Trinidad and Tobago, as her daughter was working at the time.

But the woman told the Court her daughter did not know from whom the boxes were being sent as she could not read nor write.

And though DebiqueMason said she had stayed at her daughter’s home during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago, she could not remember her daughter’s address in that country.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche described her as a liar, as she kept changing her story.

Sentencing was adjourned to Wednesday so that he could carry out some background checks on Debique-Mason. He confirmed that she had 7

Stacy-Ann Adams children, including three who were still attending school and a husband who had suffered a stroke.

The Chief Magistrate stressed the seriousness of the offences and the sizeable amount of cocaine.

“You had an awareness of what was going on.

Your role was significant”, she told the woman before handing down the sentences. She also stressed the sophisticated nature of concealment, and commended Customs Officer Adams for her vigilance.

Browne said that in addition to adhering to the sentencing guidelines, she was applying the principles of sentencing which came out of certain case laws, and she mentioned some of those cases. Those principles are based on retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation.

Prosecutor laments wretchedness of cocaine SENIOR Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche stressed the destructive nature of cocaine, at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, as he made sentencing recommendations for Jilcina Susan Debique-Mason, a 51-year-old female farmer of Rose Hall.

Debique-Mason was charged with possession of 1,810 grams of cocaine with intent to supply, possession for the purpose of drug trafficking, and attempting to import the drug.

The cocaine was contained in Senior three one-litre orange juice boxes Prosecutor which had come in at the Adolphus Kingstown Port on January 11 last Delpleche year in a package addressed to Debique-Mason, and sent from Trinidad and Tobago.

“Cocaine is a serious, serious, serious drug. It can destroy our nation. It can cripple us, and when you try to penetrate our borders, it is even more serious”, the Prosecutor pointed out, adding, “I am looking at a custodial sentence”.

In his submissions following Debique-Mason’s conviction on all three counts on Tuesday, Delpleche said, “My honour, this is a wretched substance, and if you walk down the streets here, you could see the corrosive effects of this substance.

It is not the homegrown plant, the green leaves of what is grown in St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

But the Prosecutor noted that each case must be treated on its own facts and circumstances.

Delpleche said it took the vigilance of a young Customs Officer, Stacy Ann Adams to detect the substance in this case, while making routine checks at the baggage room of the Customs and Excise Department, Kingstown.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 5.

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6. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

What’s in an apology?

EVEN WHEN A PERSON knows that something is wrong and intends to omit that wrong from a discourse but fails, for whatever reason, so to do, that person is responsible for whatever harm that wrong might have caused or even perceived to have caused.

If that wrong is deduced by even a single person to have occasioned harm to him/her, then the manly thing to do is to apologise.

But stick a pin! If we arrive at the stage of deciding to apologise, does this mean that we have accepted that merely saying “I’m sorry,” is inadequate; that a serious hurt or betrayal has been unleashed and now requires work over time to restore trust?

In whatever circumstance, a statement of apology is tantamount to a statement of remorse… of responsibility.

When it is assessed as such, it can become difficult to execute, but always, this ‘difficulty’ must be superseded by the knowledge that an apology can do a lot to heal relationships and rebuild trust.

In the process, the apologiser becomes a better person, and the person receiving the apology should also be changed by receiving a sincere gesture of respect. Honour, in all respects, is restored, and forgiveness is anticipated.

That is the bases on which any apology should be made — healing relationships, rebuilding trust, restoring honour, anticipating forgiveness.

These bases, emerging out of a sense of both regret and reconciliation, are often brought into some doubt when the apology is induced through a court of law.

The court might order the offender to apologise, and he or she does; but can we say with certainty that it is done in a spirit intending to heal relationships, rebuild trust, restore honour and beg forgiveness?

What extenuating good does the apology occasion?

The shortcoming of the court is that it leaves it entirely up

to the parties in conflict to ‘kiss and make-up’. In the real world, that might not be plausible, so can we say that that apology has served its extending purposes?

Yet, the apology as ordered must be executed, and while we might have doubts otherwise, who, on the other hand, is to judge that even though a view from outside might say it is ordered by a third party, who can say it is not a genuine expression of regret?

So, when there are calls for certain public figures or persons who fall from time to time into the purview of the public here to apologise for certain remarks that some consider are imputed with reference to a race of people, we must, if we are sincere, question whether the apology would in all good sense, wipe out the harm it might have caused? Would it work towards re-establisng trust and restoring honour to and between the parties concerned?

Perhaps there should be an apology. In the same breath, perhaps there should be apologies for all the racially coloured remarks that have been made in the past, especially by national leaders; remarks that were flippantly made into slight banter by those who support those who made those references in the first place.

What is good for the goose has got to be good for the gander, otherwise the spirit of apology is defeated and becomes mere rhetoric, void of any meaningful feeling of regret/sorry and definitely not intending to heal a relationship.

The exercise in these circumstances would be reduced to mere recitation without any basis in a desire to heal broken relationships, rebuild trust across political and other differences, restore honour to those made to feel less Vincentian, not to mention less human, and to extract forgiveness from those parties who have felt hurt.

If this hurts anyone, we apologise!!!

Politics of folly (Pt 2) written by RENWICK ROSE THE DIVISION within CARICOM on Venezuela not only demonstrates that body’s inherent weakness in the face of external pressures, but also exposes its ideological and political submission to those forces.

That is nothing new, for even in the preindependent Caribbean, there were always elements in the national politics of each territory, all too willing to toe the line and “curry favour” as we say it, placing the interests of others before those of our region and its peoples.

That tendency has now become ingrained into our national politics with principle sidelined in the urge to please powerful external forces. It is of course backed up by the media, most of which depend almost wholeheartedly on western media sources for their “information”, and make little attempt to source alternative views. It is amazing that in this age of access to information, persons who should know better simply echo their “Master’s Voice” on issues of international concern.

Our politics falls prey to international rivalry to the extent that narrow interests are placed above national ones. What is especially galling is that often the issues are not narrow partisan ones, but ones which go against the interests of the country as a whole. Opposition parties, of whatever shade and outlook, are particularly vulnerable, and often, in their scramble for power, find it expedient to blame whatever government is in power, rightly or wrongly, for any externally-caused problems.

Thus when the developed countries, united in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), hypocritically began to accuse developing countries, including those in the Caribbean, for hosting tax-evaders and moneylaunderers, even when they are the biggest culprits, many opposition parties were quick to blame their own governments. If sanctions are threatened or activated, it seems not to matter whether they are justified or not, we all panic and fall in line. Where do we draw the line? When will we put a halt to this selfdamaging politics of folly?

If it is legitimate for the USA to recognize a person who did not even contest the elections in Venezuela as the “legitimate” President, then in the context of election irregularities in the last presidential elections in that country, could not now recognize Nancy Pelosi as US President?

Would the USA have been right to recognize

Arnhim Eustace as SVG’s Prime Minister following the election challenges of 2015?

Must these privileges only be for some and not others?

Worse, there are the attempted justifications of such high-handed, one-sided policies. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Opposition, via its leader Kamla PersaudBissessar, has blasted the Government for its refusal to sanction a clear and crude US plan to invade Venezuela, and seize its precious resources. She is quoted as justifying her position by claiming that 200,000 of their citizens hold US visas and the government’s position on Venezuela can jeopardize this. We are not to question whether the USA is right or wrong, if massa vex, then we must comply. Have we heard this before?

We cannot afford their experiments in democracy, we cannot be a carbon copy of those for whom democracy never included the poor, the oppressed and, above all, the people who are “darker than blue”. Could any of us in the Caribbean afford a government shutdown as has occurred in the USA not just on this last occasion, but previously as well? Or, how would we handle the uncertainty facing the economies of Britain and the European Union countries over the protracted Brexit crisis?

Clearly, the politics of the past, the politics of folly, are leading us nowhere. We can, and must have policy differences, but these must not lead us to a land of futility. It is not just opposition parties alone which must bear criticism. Governments must demonstrate that they are “big” enough not just to dictate conditions, but to be able to engage with those even when they disagree.

How long are we to see this repetition of public service workers, and unions opposed the government policies, whether rightly or wrongly, and ending in removing that government only for the process to be repeated a decade later? Is it a sign of weakness for a government, faced with disgruntled public servants, no matter what the antics of their leaders, to say, “come and let us talk”? Whatever the positions of the leadership, it is the perceptions of their members which matter most. Stubborn righteousness will lead us only to the road to futility. Other have experienced that.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 7.

Letters

Those CSEC & CAPE exams

I AM NOT a teacher or as some like to call themselves, an educator.

Because of that, those who belong to this privileged class/professionals might pay little regard to what I have to say, but I have to say it nonetheless, because I have children who are directly affected.

As a mother of children in both from five (CSEC) and what we used to call form 6 (CAPE), I have concern about the decision by CXC to have exams in July and the multiple-choice format of the exams.

To begin with, to have the exams across the region when some countries are far worse off than others as far as the Coivd-19 pandemic is concerned, does not show regard of the varying conditions, and how these will affect students in varying degrees and ways.

As it stands, our children will be going into the exams with no real instruction over the last three or so months. No amount of e-

classes can replace the value of person to person contact that classroom instruction brings with it.

Students have been away from school for months, some since March. Are we saying by setting exams in July, that we expect our students — our children — to automatically switch on to an exam mode? Do we not have any regard for the emotional pressure that comes with exam time? I know of many teachers who have had to deal with this situation among their students.

Our children have been home, some with little social contact at all; some whose parents have been caught overseas and find it difficult to come home at a time when their presence would mean so much to their children, But worse of all is this multiple-choice exam. Never would I have believed that we would be testing our students’ ability on the basis of a multiple-

choice exam. No writing analytical and interpretive essays that test not only their knowledge base but how much they can apply it to cases in point. Are we saying that we will award national scholarships on the basis of who does best in a multiple-choice exam?

On that score, I say defer the CAPE exams to later in the year, giving time for instructional time and reordering of the exam format. Universities now accept entrants on a semester basis so students can enter in say, January.

As a mother that is directly affected by this exam format and schedule, I am of the firm position that no student should be forced to write an examination after such an extended period at home, without some contact time with their subject teachers.

Named retained for fear of reprisals

I am in an asking mood AS WE LAYER another US$60+million debt on our next generation, I feel, in good faith and in a spirit of transparency to ask: What are the terms of these loans?

What are the interest rates, length of the loans, etc.? What is the Debt Coverage Ratio requirement? What revenue sources were pledged to these loans?

I am not even interested in how these loans will be spent; I trust that the government will do the right thing and put it where the need is greatest. Further, I am in no position to offer any suggestions as to how to spend these funds.

I can say, however, that it is time to begin the planning for the reopening of the country, and positioning of SVG to welcome the potential wave of pent-up tourists mainly from Europe and Asia. Yes Asia; we need to begin work now in that market.

This might seem like a stretch, but we need to begin to look at Hong Kong; we need to create investment opportunities for those wealthy freedom-loving former “British Subjects” who are now in danger of losing their “freedom”. I know this is tricky with our relationship with Taiwan, but it can be done.

Rahm Emanuel,

former President Obama’s advisor, said in 2008, “Never let a crisis go to waste.” So, let us start planning for our future.

We need to start a series of “What If” conversations now. We need new and innovative ideas to deal with something we have never dealt with before.

So: “What If” we ask the following questions to a newly created innovation team: * What if we stopped doing 50% of the things that we have always done? What would they be? What would we do instead? What would we do with all the extra time?

* What if social distancing and face masks become a part of our normal operations?

How will tourism do under these conditions?

What if the cruise ships never come back? What if AIA became the transportation center for products produced in SVG rather that a landing port for tourists? * What if we had to pick something new to restart our economy?

What would that be and why? What are some of the possibilities? What do we have to do now to make that possible? * What if we made available to all students those online lectures so they could replay them

at home on the weekends? What if our schools could now cater to a new group of people who cannot attend classes? What if these formal classroom lectures and activities were now available to the many youths we have incarcerated? * What if we came out of this better and stronger than we were? * What if the future does not have a role for you? Will you still do it?

This could be the beginning of facilitating conversations and a turning point in reimaging our nation.

Horatio Skeete USA

Bush fires causing a lot of damages BUSH FIRES are becoming far too frequent in these times. Every day there are bush fires in several places.

Even though the Fire Department has appealed to persons to desist from starting bush fires, a most dangerous practice, it has fallen on deaf ears.

Persons who are involved in lighting fires, can be charged, yet no one has so far been charged. I guess this is so because it is hard to find the person or persons who are doing it.

When fires destroy the bushes and forest, it loosens the top soil, and when the rain falls it can cause erosion of the soil.

Bush fires can also get out of hand and can destroy nearby buildings and worse, they can damage electrical poles causing the pole to fall, resulting in power outages.

To add insult to injuries, as was explained by the fire department,

there could well be a case where two teams from the fire department might be engaged in putting out bush fires, when a building might be on fire.

These teams would be unable to respond in a quick time because they are already engaged.

Also in this dry season and the resulting water shortage, there might not be water available for use in putting out the fires.

I call upon those who are engaged in this devious act, to please desist from lighting fires. For those who think it a fun thing to do, they need to consider that their own friends and relatives might be victims of bush fires.

We as a people have a responsibility to be good neighbours, and also to show some maturity and love. May God bless our nation.

Kennard King

Looking in on the USA protests LET ME SAY first and foremost that what happened to George Floyd, the man who lost his life at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis in the US last week was bizarre. It was almost unreal.

Those police officers should feel the full arm of the law, and must be made to pay for their misdeeds.

However, I also want to say that, while I support the genuine protest against racism in America, I am against any mob-like behaviour that associated with these protests.

Burning down businesses, setting fire to cars, destroying other people’s property and all the looting, whether it is done by blacks or whites, are not going to help the cause any bit. In fact, if the genuine protestors don’t watch it, all this misbehaving could work against their cause.

I wonder if those hooligans who involved themselves in destroying property and business places, stopped to consider that all this hooliganism only results in ordinary people losing their jobs, and some of those could be genuine protestors, some of them already getting their royals because of the covisd-19 pandemic.

Let us raise our voices and take action against this evil we call racism, but not at the expense of our own livelihoods.

Paul

Reopening schools and social distancing I TAKE that, given the ‘great job’ we have done containing the spread of the coronavirus, schools will reopen as normal in September. I take it, though, that if the coronavirus (Covid-19) hangs around, that social distancing will have to be encouraged for some time.

That is where my concern arises. To enforce social distancing in schools will be quite a challenge. How many classrooms across this country can afford the luxury of having students separated by up to six feet? Are we going to build new schools? Ridiculous, eh?

The way I see it, there are a few options we have if we are to enforce social distancing in schools when they reopen in full.

The first is that we might want to consider going back to the old shift system — classes from 8am to 1pm, and then from 2pm to 6pm, or something like that. Or perhaps we can think in terms of one week on, one week off.

Then there is the option of using tents as classrooms, where schools have opens land around them.

There is also the option of using churches to allow for more space.

Also, we can consider increasing the school week to six days to include Saturdays, split the students enrollment in two and allow half to attend on a three-day rotation.

These are just some out-the-box suggestions that as crazy as they might sound, do make sense to me and I am certain others.

G. ‘Teddy’ Mills

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8. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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Global Leadership in Solidarity Exciting times ahead for with Black Lives Matter our Youths

Introduction AS THIS COUNTRY prepares to hold elections constitutionally due this year, there will invariably be a heavy focus on leadership, and specifically, the capabilities necessary to lead this developing nation in this time of serious challenges! Over the last month this column focused on the exceptional leadership the ULP provided our country and by extension the region and the world over the last 19 plus years.

Tackling Covid-19 and its continuing fallouts is the most current demonstration of the competence of Prime Minister Gonsalves as a knowledgeable, caring and wise leader, able to literally transform every challenge into an opportunity, even in the case of a pandemic.

As if part of a tag team, the worst drought in 70 years join the pandemic, forcing the Central Water and Sewerage Authority to resort to water rationing with attending inconvenience for many communities.

Then tragedy! An inferno erupted at a gas station on Union Island leaving three dead, two being school students.

Facing all this, Prime Minister Gonsalves never succumbed to paralysis or even panic. He went about addressing each with the urgency and efficaciousness that are born of great experience, genuine patriotism, wisdom and the firm belief that “Our faith will see us through!”.

The frequency with which AfricanAmerican males meet their deaths through Police violence in the USA and the veritable legal immunity accorded to the Police in a disproportionally high number of cases, have combined to push this twin occurrence beyond the boundaries of a domestic or internal matter, onto the agenda of international human rights. Friends and allies of the USA across the globe have been urging the American authorities to address efficaciously this metaphoric cancer in their society and body politic.

It is hereby reaffirmed that “Black Lives Matter”. Without this mantra being a lived reality in contemporary America, the true greatness of that remarkable country and its people stands unrealized. As a friend of America, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with its particular history, is available to render assistance and advice to our American brothers and sisters in their attempts at resolving and healing this troubling area of their civilisation’s praxis.

The government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines know, for sure, that no bombs, guns, bullets, bullying, coercion, political manipulation or such levers of state Black Lives Matter power can resolve the challenges arising from racial injustice and The death of George Floyd, an inequality, nor can those instruments African-American at the hands of of state facilitate the achievement of police in the USA, sparking global long-lasting liberty, justice, peace, and protests, sees this country’s Prime social harmony. Another, better path Minister standing on the right side of is possible. history, showing solidarity with the So, we urge at this time of cause of justice. With the monumental challenges in our responsibility entrusted us as an hemisphere, and globally, that all our elected member on the United Nations leaders, governmental and nonSecurity Council, this country’s is a governmental, embrace both the apt voice of reason, care and deep concern question posed, and the clear answer on this matter of international human given, by the Hebrew Prophet Micah: rights. In an open letter to the USA, “And what does the Lord require of Dr. Gonsalves again showed the kind you? To act justly, to love mercy and of leadership for which this country is to walk humbly with our God.” now renown, leading the way in CARICOM, as we rally with those Conclusion seeking justice and peace. Below is the full text of PM Gonsalves It should come as no surprise to statement: anyone that Dr. Gonsalves added our “The government and people of St. voice to this call for respect for human Vincent and the Grenadines rejoice, in worth and dignity. Under his very solidarity, with the people of the able leadership, SVG has stood on the United States of America in their side of justice, be this as regards the popular, broad-based and peaceful illegal blockade against the Cuban resistance currently underway in their people, the defence of the rights of the defence and advancement of liberty Palestinian people, upholding the and justice consequent upon the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic killing of an African-American, George of Venezuela, advocating that Taiwan Floyd, in Minnesota, at the hands, is allowed its space in international and knees, of the Police. community and many others. This At the same time, we join with all struggle for racial equality by Africanright-thinking persons, the world Americans, is a just one! PM over, in expressing sympathy and Gonsalves being a champion defender heart-felt condolences to the of the Poor and Powerless wherever immediate family and friends of they may be as shown in his defence George Floyd at his sudden and of people of Haitian decent made unnatural death. We regret, too, the stateless by the Government of the incidents of violence which have given Dominican Republic; cannot and will rise to damage to property and injury not remain silent in this battle for the to some during the upsurge of popular freedom, rights and liberties of black resistance. We call on all concerned people the world over. His is to be peaceful and exercise sensible leadership that cares and knows restraint so as to avoid ignoble #Blacklivesmatter. pursuits.

“THE YOUTHS play a vital role in the constructive process of building social cohesion, economic prosperity and political stability in a nation, in an inclusive and democratic way. The involvement of youths in the nationbuilding process is a must as they play one of the most important roles.”

Shreyasa Dhaka.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) recognizes the importance of the youth to national development, and will work closely with them, and provide the opportunities necessary for their advancement.

The NDP is deeply concerned with the disrespect that is shown to the youths of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government. They are labelled as lazy and are sometimes referred to as vagabonds by spokespersons for the government.

This is not true about our youths. It is the ULP government that has disappointed them. The government has failed in its obligation to create the environment to provide sustainable jobs for the youths. The unemployment figures from the International Monetary Fund indicated that 46% of our young people are unemployed. What a shame!

The ULP regime only cares for the youths at general elections. Dr. Friday said it perfectly, “Our youths do not need a handout; they need a hand up.” Public Relations Officer of the NDP, Lavern King, sums it up correctly when she stated, “I refuse to accept that whenever it is an election year that somebody comes and try to ‘pryme’ me up only for my vote and then forget about me after that. I refuse to accept it because I know that we can do better in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

It would appear that there is an attempt to bribe the youths as general elections approach, but they will not fall for it; they are smarter than you think.

We have made it abundantly clear that our major priority is to create the environment to provide thousands of sustainable jobs for the youths of this country. We will implement a number of novel and innovative programmes and policies that will create an enabling environment for thousands of jobs to be created. For instance, the implementation of our Citizenship by Investment Programme will be an instant game changer for economic growth and development, and job creation. We have seen the tremendous benefits that our neighbouring islands are reaping from that programme. The landslide victory of Team Unity in the recent general elections in St. Kitts and Nevis is due mainly to the success of their Citizen

by Investment Programme.

The NDP has also identified Information Technology as another important area that will provide opportunities for our young people.

We will place enormous emphasis on Information Technology to tackle the unemployment situation which exists among our youths in this country.

The NDP will continue to provide the opportunities for higher education for more young Vincentians to obtain degrees at home and abroad, and create a diversified scholarship portfolio by providing incentives and scholarships for youths who excel in sports, the arts and extracurricular

activities. We will also ensure that meaningful employment is created for these youths after they have completed their studies.

Further, we will encourage a culture of youth entrepreneurship and provide the environment for them to grow. We will establish a National Development Bank, to eliminate the credit problem and make financing more accessible and more affordable for local businesspeople, especially small businesses. Our youths will benefit immensely from this bank.

This bank will also provide training and technical assistance in agriculture, tourism, fisheries, small business development and human resource development.

We will also focus on sports and skills training. Vincentians have seen the decline in these areas since the ULP took power in 2001. It is the intention of the NDP to revive these crucial areas of development, so that our youths can benefit. The NDP will restructure the schools’ curriculum so that sports education can again be a priority. More hard courts will be constructed, enclosed, lit and properly maintained to facilitate various sporting disciplines; at least one playing field in each constituency will be lit to encourage more participation in sports.

Our youths can rest assured that the NDP will not engage in political victimization, nepotism and discrimination. We will introduce a system of meritocracy — a sociopolitical system that rewards persons on the basis of their skills, effort and performances and not by virtue of their affiliation to a political party, religious grouping, race or social class.

Essentially, a meritocracy is based on merit. The concept of merit is synonymous with ability. Therefore, a person’s ability to perform at the requisite standard will attract the reward and opportunities associated with his or her position at the work place, and in that person’s field of endeavour.

Merit can also be associated with praise and adulation for the propriety or good consequences of one’s actions.

Hence, a meritocracy motivates persons not only to excel at the work place but generally to engage in conduct that can be considered praiseworthy. Accordingly, our youths can rest assured and feel comforted in the knowledge that upward mobility and career growth will be based primarily on performance.

In such a healthy environment, trust and confidence will be restored and productivity will increase. The application of meritocratic principles in the public service will have the effect of influencing the private sector along similar lines. Essentially, persons will work harder to achieve greater rewards and the country will benefit from the increased goods and services that will be the products of improved skill and greater effort.

The NDP offers hope to our youths.

The young people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have an exciting future with the NDP. They have no choice but to vote for the NDP when the next general elections are called, so that they can benefit from our stimulating programmes, as we make St. Vincent and the Grenadines work for all Vincentians.

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

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How White Women terrorize Black men?

Murphy’s Law

“Sometimes things have to go wrong.

That’s life. Then, you have to stay strong to survive.” Mouloud Benzadi Algerian writer and active member of the Algerian and Arab Writers’ Union.

MURPHY’S LAW IS A MAXIM or axiom that generally implies that, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” In addition, it suggests that such undesirable events are likely to happen when we least expect them to. Many examples abound to emphasise this adage. For example, consider the individual who has an important appointment. She gets to her vehicle, only to discover that it has a flat tyre.

Reflect on the student who stayed up all night to complete an assignment after conducting extensive Internet research, only to discover that he had closed his computer programme without saving the file. His work vanishes into nothingness as he contemplates the penalty for missing the deadline. Or, consider the newspaper columnist who spent long hours researching and writing an essay, completes the exercise having concluded that his thoughts are likely to inspire readers, only to have his computer crash and his hours of work vaporise before being published. The latter scenario was my recent experience. That occurrence has prompted this publication. It was a classic example of Murphy’s Law; an unpleasant experience happening when we least expect it.

Unexpected negative events can drain us physically and emotionally.

In some instances, it may even generate anger. Each of the scenarios presented in this essay’s introductory paragraph possess the capacity to create and fuel a tremendous amount of trauma. It is therefore considered wise for us to prepare for the unexpected as best we can. The negative consequences of Murphy’s Law can be minimized when we understand and appreciate that things will not always go as we planned, and that there may be unexpected delays and detours along our path.

For a number of years, this writer incorrectly assumed that this reference to Murphy’s law was merely a local saying and may have had something to do with the Murphy family residing at Gun Hill on the outskirts of capital Kingstown (on the leeward side of the island). However, recent research disclosed that this saying is universal. It should be noted that the American Dialect Society has conducted research on this saying. They record a report that was conducted by Alfred Holt in 1877 where it refers to things generally going wrong at sea when the sailors least expect them to. The concept was featured in that publication although the report had not specifically referred to Murphy’s Law. It should be noted that individuals have written books about Murphy’s Law. Nick T. Spark, for example, published a book titled “A History of Murphy’s Law”. Reviews of this 2006 publication conclude that it is impossible to pinpoint who first

coined the expression. However, it is supposed that it may have developed as a result of an incident revolving around a gentleman named Edward Murphy who attempted to use a new measuring device and concluded that “everything that could have gone wrong went wrong”. We may never know the origins of this adage.

However, we do appreciate that there will be times when things go wrong when we may not have the time or patience to properly manage the events.

Things will not always go the way that we expect them to. In anticipation that life will sometimes punctuate our good times with the bad, we are encouraged to plan for the “bad times” whenever this is practical.

Planning for the unexpected is likely to put us in a better frame of mind when bad times unexpectedly visit.

While we will not be able to anticipate and plan for every eventuality, we should have a mindset that alerts us to the fact that life’s twists and turns may sometimes catch us off guard.

Being aware of that reality is likely to enable us to better cope with them when they do. Disappointments, betrayal, rejection, and failures,all visit when we least expect. Things will periodically go wrong. Things will not always go the way that we want them to. That is life.

In addition to the words of wisdom provided in the Mouloud Benzadi introductory quote, he also provides us with this useful reminder: “In life, things can always go wrong, so always keep your heart strong, carry on, and never give up hope.” We fortify our minds with these pearls of wisdom.

We understand and appreciate that it is imperative that we keep our hearts strong and retain hope even as we face some of life’s difficult and unexpected challenges. As difficult and challenging as these circumstances may be, they have the potential to bring out the best in us.

We may hate the thought of having Murphy’s Law applied to our lives today … in another hour or two, or several minutes after reading this essay. But that might just be the case. However, we anticipate that we will not be caught off guard the next time Mr. Murphy visits us unannounced. We are assured of the fact that bad things can happen to good people, and that life’s detours and denials are very often for our best. Life’s challenges may test our resolve and our character. We are able to cope with these delays and disappointments. We may experience a temporary setback, but we have the capacity to regroup and to plunge forward with energy and gusto in the direction of our noble dreams and ambitions. We refuse to be deterred or depressed by Murphy’s Law. We will remain strong … and survive.

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

CHARLES BLOW, a Black New York Times columnist, wrote a moving piece on May 27, 2020, entitled ‘How White women use themselves as instruments of terror’. It was a wicked reminder of the many ways in which Black people, especially Black men, are tormented and terrorized into knowing and staying in their place, normally an inferior place assigned to them by the racist society in which they live.

To make his point, Blow angrily declared that ‘There are too many noosed necks, charred bodies and drowned souls for them, White women, to deny knowing precisely what they are doing’.

Blow said the time was passed late when a monument should be constructed to memorialize ‘the legacy of enslaved black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of colour burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.’

What follows are in broad sweeps of what Blow sees as the history and reality of Blacks in America. We might add and around the world.

‘At a time of so much death and suffering in this country and around the world from the Covid-19 pandemic, it can be easy to take any incidents that don’t result in death as minor occurrences’.

But they aren’t. The continued public assault on black people, particularly black men, by the white public and by the police predates the pandemic and will outlast it. This racial street theatre against black people is an endemic, primal feature of the Republic.

Specifically, I am enraged by white women weaponizing racial anxiety, using their white femininity to activate systems of white terror against black men. This has long been a power white women realized they had and that they exerted.

This was again evident when a white woman in New York’s Central Park told a black man, a bird-watcher, that she was going to call the police and tell them that he was threatening her life.

This was not innocent nor benign nor divorced from historical context.

Throughout history, white women have used the violence of white men and the institutions these men control as their own muscle.

From the beginning, anti-black white terrorists used the defense of white women and white purity as a way to wrap violence in valour. Carnage became chivalry.

We often like to make white supremacy a testosterone-fueled masculine expression, but it is just as likely to wear heels as a hood.

Particularly in the post-Civil War era, when slavery had been undone, white male politicians used the fear of rape of white women by black men to codify racial terror.

As the writer, Rebecca Edwards pointed out in her book “Angels in the Machinery: Gender in American Party Politics From the Civil War to the Progressive Era,” white politicians have long focused their furore by claiming to be the defenders of white women, a last guard against their suffering.

As Dr Edwards noted, Mississippi’s James Vardaman, arguably one of the most violent racist politicians in American history, and that’s quite a feat, said in 1903, “a vote for Vardaman is a vote for white supremacy, a vote for the quelling of the arrogant spirit that has been aroused in the blacks by

Roosevelt and his henchmen, … a vote for the safety of the home and the protection of our women and children.”

Vardaman, who once famously said, “If it is necessary, every Negro in the state will be lynched,” won election and became governor of Mississippi.

Indeed, untold numbers of lynchings were executed because white women had claimed that a black man raped, assaulted, talked to or glanced at them.

But it goes even further than that.

The Tulsa Race massacre, the destruction of Black Wall Street, was spurred by an incident between a white female elevator operator and a black man. As the Oklahoma Historical Society points out, the most common explanation is that he stepped on her toe. As many as 300 people were killed because of it.

In 1944, 14-year-old George Stinney Jr. was electrocuted for the killing of two little white girls. He was the youngest person executed in the United States in the 20th century. His trial lasted only a couple hours. There was little or no cross-examination of prosecution witnesses or calling of defense witnesses. The all-white, allmale jury deliberated for only 10 minutes before finding Stinney guilty, and he was sentenced to death.

He was just 5 feet 1 inch tall. As Laura Bradley wrote in Slate, “He weighed 95 pounds when he was arrested and was so small he had to sit on a phone book in the electric chair when he was executed within three months of the murders.” Some say the book was, in fact, a Bible.

A circuit court judge threw out Stinney’s conviction in 2014.

The torture and murder of 14-yearold Emmett Till in 1955, a lynching actually, occurred because a white woman said that he “grabbed her and was menacing and sexually crude toward her.” His torturers beat him, shot him in the head and tossed his body into a river. A few years ago, the woman admitted to an author that she had lied.

Till’s lynching would serve as the big bang of the Civil Rights Movement.

Indeed, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus, she said that she was thinking of Till.

This practice, this exercise in racial extremism, has been dragged into the modern era through the weaponizing of 911, often by white women, to invoke the power and force of the police who they are fully aware are hostile to black men.

In a disturbing number of the recent cases of the police being called on black people for doing everyday things, the calls have been initiated by white women.

And understand this: Black people view calling the police on them as an act of terror, one that could threaten their lives, and this fear is not without merit.

Charles Blow is correct. There are too many noosed necks, charred bodies and drowned souls for these white women not to know precisely what they are doing: They are using their white femininity as an instrument of terror against black men. It is time white women pay for their criminal actions directed at black men.

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

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10. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

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White racism oppressing indigenous people of SVG

and the lives of our children for generations to come.

In SVG, we must promote, develop and maintain a black race identity for people of black ancestry. We need WHITE RACISM is oppressing the Canouan hundreds of millions of indigenous disadvantage. There is a social, political and economic indigenous people of SVG. What is the dollars of tax and customs duty huge disparity in education, empowerment of black communities point of having our independence, if we employment and particularly housing exemptions. White racism has resulted and people, and must resist the live in a country where there is one rule in a system that allows the super-rich abhorrence and hatred of white outcomes in SVG between the superfor the super-rich, white foreigners, and white foreigners to influence the rich white foreigners and indigenous racism. another rule for the indigenous people of people, due to persistent and blatant government of their choice.

Why do we send our children to SVG? White racism has resulted in the racial discrimination. school, if all they are allowed to For decades, successive white-led majority black population being led by achieve in life is to be a modern-day Under white racism, indigenous NDP and ULP governments have whites. White racism is so pervasive people are treated as inferior, have slave for the white man or spend introduced and upheld laws and that the indigenous people are highly fewer rights, not valued as much, decades in jail? The potential of the policies that favour the super-rich, fearful of expressing any form of endure economic genocide, and suffer black youth must be realised and not white foreigners in SVG, and segregation and displacement. The list dissent. sacrificed under white racism. discriminates against the indigenous According to the Leader of SVG of discrimination and wrongs is long. people of SVG. Our country’s black Green Party, Warrant Officer Ivan Indigenous people are still treated as www.svggreenparty.org majority has been controlled by racist second-class citizens, even though the Bertie O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA, https://twitter.com/svggreenparty laws, propagating white wealth and if we fail to destroy white racism in colonial days have ended. https://www.facebook.com/SVGblack poverty, white economic In a majority black country, why is SVG, then white racism will destroy us Green-Party-154937087877631/ supremacy and black destitution. it that the super-rich white foreigners White racism is perpetuating live in generational wealth and luxury, poverty and destitution in our country. and the indigenous black people live in White racism is stopping the children generational poverty and destitution? of SVG from getting a university It is because of the white racism of the education and escaping generational ULP and NDP regime leaderships. poverty. White racism is having a White racism has resulted in large long-term negative impact on our business. These requirements for swaths of our lands being sold off Article of May 18th, 2020 country. Looking at how many black registration, as opposed to regulation, cheaply to super-rich white foreigners, youths do not finish school and end up whilst many poor black people have to are similar to that which exists in FINANCIAL SERVICES jail. numerous other jurisdictions, which live jam up in small areas. White AUTHORITY (FSA) is aware of an White racism is insipid, nasty, vile racism has resulted in toxic article published by the international offer international financial services. and oppressive. White racism in SVG There appears to be a growing legislation. White racism has resulted investigative news agency, Organized must end now. trend worldwide where a number of in white enclaves, designed to keep Crime and Corruption Reporting The objective of white racism in IBCs are being established for the black people out unless they are Project (OCCRP) and local news SVG is to keep the super-rich, white serving the white man. online outlet, News784, which alleges purpose of carrying out the business foreigners rich, and keep the black of Foreign Exchange (Forex) Trading White racism has resulted in poor that two international business indigenous people poor. It is to keep black people being pushed off their companies (IBCs) incorporated in St. and Brokerage and other related the super-rich, white foreigners living land, displaced to make way for the activities. Forex Trading and Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) a life of wealth and luxury, and keep Brokerage is the activity of trading in super-rich white foreigners. White are part of a network or group of the black people cutting the white currencies. It involves traders racism has resulted in black farmers companies based in Estonia, against man’s grass, sweeping the white man’s being moved from their farmed lands speculating on the future rate of a which there are allegations of fraud. floor, cooking the white man’s food and to make way for hotels for the white particular currency and hoping that The relevant authorities in St. cleaning the white man’s toilet. man.

Vincent and the Grenadines including they get the benefit of increases in The NDP and ULP regime’s currency rates. Forex Trading can be White racism has resulted in a but not restricted to the Financial distasteful racist 19th-century policies racist tax system that gives the superdone from anywhere in the world with Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the seek to perpetuate the cycle of the only tools being an internet rich white foreigners in Mustique and National Anti-Money Laundering connection and a computer.

Committee (NAMLC), consider Until such time that appropriate matters of this nature to be very legislation is put in place to address serious and any possible misappropriation of funds from clients Forex activities, there is no legal prohibition against an IBC carrying to be equally serious. out that activity or from so stating in Investigations are ongoing in St. its Articles of Incorporation. It is Vincent and the Grenadines to however fully expected that the IBC determine any potential culpability, would obtain the appropriate licence in order for any ensuing appropriate to conduct such business in the action to be taken. St. Vincent and jurisdiction where the activity occurs, the Grenadines is also committed to notwithstanding that its incorporation giving full cooperation to any or registration is in another country. international regulatory agency in In recognition of the problem being investigating matters of this nature. caused by IBCs which engage in forex IBCs are incorporated in St. and related activities, the FSA has Vincent and the Grenadines by the over the years publicly issued FSA, an autonomous governmental advisories and warnings via its statutory body responsible for the website advising the public that any regulation and supervision of the forex business undertaken by St. country’s international financial Vincent and the Grenadines IBCs is services and non- bank financial unregulated by the FSA and that services. IBCs are not regulated clients should be aware of this and entities but are duly registered exercise caution when doing such entities which are required to abide business. with the provisions of its governing St. Vincent and the Grenadines legislation, the International Business continues to be vigilant in ensuring Companies (Amendment and that international standards and best Consolidation) Act. practices govern its international IBCs are authorized to engage in financial services and is committed to any business activity, once legal, without additional approval from the promoting safe and sound practices, as far as possible, by entities FSA, except where their proposed incorporated in its jurisdiction. business amounts to activities which are required to be licensed, such as Submitted by: Financial Services banking, insurance or mutual fund Authority

FSA issues Statement on OCCRP/News784

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 11.

Feature

Preserving Nature in the Grenadines

Laughing Gull and Grenadines Pink Rhino Iguana are some of the species found on Grenadines islands threatened by human activities. (Photo Credit: Juliana Coffey) Right: A great variety of seabirds depend on the Grenadines for nesting and fishing. (Photo Credit: Juliana Coffey)

the more than 54,000 pairs of 12 seabird species THROUGHOUT 2020, the the nations of Saint that nest and raise chicks organizations Vincent and the Environmental Protection in Grenadines and Grenada. on the most remote and inaccessible islands. the Caribbean (EPIC) and Due to their isolated Unfortunately, most of Saint Vincent-based settings, and despite their the “pristine” uninhabited SCIENCE aim to enhance small size, the the capacity of enforcement uninhabited islands in the islands of the Grenadines are actually threatened in officers in monitoring and Grenadines exist as one way or another. protecting nature on remote natural reserves for Grenadine islands through biodiversity, which refers Many islands are privately owned, some of training in modern to how many types of which are featured on the technologies, such as different plants and international real estate drones. The organizations wildlife are found at a market, leaving them will also work with local site. Because not all of vulnerable to development stakeholders to implement the islands have been projects that may not the Grenadines Seabird inventoried for Conservation Plan (crafted biodiversity, it is possible consider their environmental or cultural with community input in there may be unique values. Unregulated 2019), develop a school species on these islands visitation by tourists to curriculum focused on which have yet to be remote islands creates nature, and conduct discovered disturbance to native environmental education Throughout the island wildlife and damages programs in the community. chain, there are over 120 natural habitat, while In addition, researchers and species of birds who use improperly disposed local volunteers will census the islands and garbage regularly washes the seabird populations on surrounding waters for up on shorelines. the islands to get an breeding, feeding and Poaching of seabirds, their accurate estimate of the resting. The endemic chicks and eggs from total population for our Grenada Flycatcher and offshore islands continues region. The team is various restricted range to occur, as well as illegal regularly assessing which species, such as the vegetation control fires. aspects of the project are Antillean Crested Non-native predators, feasible, given changing Hummingbird coronavirus restrictions, (Doctorbird) can be found such as cats and rats, injure and kill native and hopes to complete all in these islands. Others wildlife, while freely aspects of the project, even such as the Scaly-naped roaming goats and sheep in modified form.

Pigeon (Ramier) and Project Coordinator Carib Grackle (Blackbird) overgraze vegetation and contribute to severe Juliana Coffey noted, “If frequently nest on erosion that ultimately there is anything to be offshore islands. Several learned from the current unique reptile species are smothers nearby reefs.

Although some of these global crisis, it is that we found on Grenadine islands are federally must begin to adjust our islands, such as the Union designated wildlife relationship with nature Island Gecko, the reserves or fall within the and wildlife. Preserving Grenadines Sphaero, the boundaries of marine biodiversity is an Grenada Snake Boa and protected areas, important aspect of both the Grenadines Pink enforcement of protective preventing and being able Rhino Iguana. In to respond to such addition, several species of legislations has been limited. The remote events.” sea turtles nest on setting of many Grenadine The Grenadines island beaches throughout the islands contributes to chain consists of archipelago, such as their inaccessibility. approximately 80 islands Green, Leatherback and Research, monitoring and — nine of which are the critically endangered inhabited — that are Hawksbill. Perhaps most enforcement at these sites has been limited, an issue politically split between impressive however, are

EPIC and SCIENCE hope to address through the current project.

(Submitted by: Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) is an independent non-profit organization founded in

2000 with the mission of protecting the Caribbean environment through research, restoration, education and advocacy.

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Lynx Mas Band continues production

DEFENDING BAND OF THE YEAR CHAMPIONS Lynx Mas Organisation has not allowed the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cancellation of the Vincymas 2020, to interfere with their production.

This was noticeable and was confirmed by Bandleader Cornelius ‘Pete’ Thomas, when THE VINCENTIAN visited the band’s headquarters at the former Roxy Bakery, located at the G & T Enterprises building, at Sion Hill.

“As you know, there will be no Vincy Mas 2020, but we never stopped preparing, and come 2021, God’s will, we will have a finished band.” Thomas highlighted.

He noted that the cancellation would have afforded his band the time to have an almost perfect presentation.

“We can make improvements, improvise on things in the months ahead...You might see

errors and make the necessary adjustments,” Thomas elaborated.

“The plan is to complete the band as early as possible, store up everything and wait on Vincy Mas 2021,” Thomas projected.

Same Presentation Thomas said that the presentation remains the same with just a slight amendment to the name.

“We are still bringing ‘Vincy Expo’ but we have dropped the 2020, so it will just be Vincy Expo,” he stated.

Thomas disclosed that, with the added time on their hands, they have included another section, entitled ‘Madarin’, bringing the number of sections up to seven.

The other sections are: ‘Creative Industry’, ‘Agro Processing’, ‘Renewable Energy’, ‘Tourism Development’, ‘Export Development’ and

Cornelius ‘Pete’ Thomas at work at his band’s Mas Tent.

‘International Financial Services’.

Thomas believes that with the anticipated 200 masqueraders and a finished production, he sees no reason why the Lynx Mas Organisation cannot retain the Band of the Year accolade.

Lynx Mas Organisation won its maiden Band of the Year in 2019, with the presentation, ‘Come Fly With’.

And, come 2021, according to Thomas, “We will be defending strong.”

Vincy Mas 2021 is set for 25th June to 6th July.

Public Speaking finalists up by one THERE ARE NOW NINE participants in finals of the 2020 National Corporate Public Speaking Championship.

Jada Ross, representing the SVG Squash Association, earned the ninth place by virtue of her winning the Social Media Communicator and Leader Award.

The finals, scheduled for Jada Ross Saturday, 27th June 2020 at the Russell’s Auditorium in Stoney Grounds, Kingstown, will now feature Ross, as referenced, and Terrece John, Coreas Distribution Ltd; Andreka Samuel, GECCU; Ruth Stowe, KCCU; Shaniese Cole, Massy Stores; Aviar Charles, NIS; Sylvorn Lavia, RSGVPF; Elingford Roban Jr., SVG Tourism Authority; Nicolette Nichols, Treasury Department.

Each finalist will present on the topic “Corporate Social Responsibility plays a vital role in SVG” in the prepared segment, and will also participate in an impromptu round.

The winner in the prepared segment will a $3,000 cash prize, second place $2,000 and third place $1000.

They will also receive trophies, certificates and company giveaways.

The impromptu segment will see the winner taking home $500 and second and third places $200 and $100 respectively.

Organisers of the Championship have assured that all COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed at the finals. (Source NCPSC Committee)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 13.

Arts and Culture

Virtual soca, calypso contests coming

The finals of the competition would take place on the 4th and 5th of July 2020.

“Hairoun Beer and Digicel have already signed on as corporate partners and together committed “$20, 000 in cash and prizes for this competition.” Sealey disclosed, and took the opportunity to “encourage corporate St. Vincent and the Grenadines to get on board with this competition….to support the entertainment industry and to support the artiste.”

Digicel’s D’Music digital distribution platform is set to feature prominently in this virtual Vincy music experience. According to Lester Iroha, “all the music Lester Iroha encouraged the calypsonians who are desirous that would be submitted to the of participating to produce some upbeat and comedic competition would get calypsos instead of the usual social and political automatic upload on the commentaries.

D’Music App, which he describes as “a good avenue for VINCYMAS may have been difficulty comes opportunity’ you to get some revenue in cancelled but Vincy soca and and Steve Wallace, the terms of streaming,” and calypso aficionados the world Creative Director of STV urged artiste to ensure over would still be able to enjoy Online saw the opportunity to everything is legal and sorted 2020 compositions and create the virtual Soca and out. performances.

Calypso Monarch Dougal Allen appeared on This opportunity morphed competitions. With this vision behalf of Digicel and reminded as a result of cooperation in mind he approached me, performers that, “It’s a great among three 3 individuals and Candice Sealey Managing opportunity for local artistes at least two corporate Director of Ignite!, a to get their music showcased partners. marketing and public relations worldwide, also earn outside of One of those individuals, consultancy, and Lester Iroha the borders and limitations of Candice Sealey, described the of Envy Nightclub and owner St. Vincent… .” genesis. of Fourth Dimension “As they say, ‘out of Productions.”

The mechanics

Listening to your favorite artistes also contribute points towards a portion of his/her final score. Hence the artiste’s chance improves as often as you play his/her song.

Winners in the individual catergories — Soca, Calypso and Ragga Soca — will each be awarded $5,000 cash, plus prizes. And because there is no limit on the number of categories an artiste may contest, the possibility of one contestant winning it all is real.

For the purposes of the competition, Iroha informed the potential Calypsonian entrants, “We know what we’re going through; what we need is uplifting music. So we’re encouraging people to do more comedic and upbeat Calypso.”

A panel of 5 judges would determine the winners based on criteria that include social reaction. Because there is no actual physical audience, reactions/postings (e.g. fire emojis, hearts) by persons watching form a critical part of the judging.

Monday June 22 is the submissions deadline for all categories. A live broadcast of the audition process is anticipated and would feature a listening party comprising all the songs submitted, and submissions would be

No public partying/feting just yet PRIVATE PROMOTERS and other entertainment service providers are technically not allowed to encourage large gatherings or host any event that includes the use of amplified sound, during this period of threat by COVID19.

In fact, as concerns about public safety grew, police officers patrolled the country enforcing what amounted to a ban on loud music emanating from local bars, restaurants and other leisure based establishments.

The police action followed on a release by the Royal SVG Police Force in which it reiterated “..all permission to play amplified music in any public place or private premises is cancelled until further notice by authority vested in the Commissioner of Police under Section 17 of the Noise Act, Chapter 278 of the Revised Edition of the Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2009.”

Of late, though, a sense of laxness, even in the face of the warning, was becoming apparent. One establishment, situated on what is known as the entertainment district in Villa, has not been complying with the

ban, ultimately becoming the centre of much revelry in a pre-COVID setting.

But that venue, as per investigations, is but one of several scattered across the country that are seeking to satisfy the entertainmentthirsty Vincentians for whom the annual Easter Festivals and then Vincy Mas were cancelled.

Further, proprietors of hospitalityrelated enterprises are complaining about the prolonged period over which they have been unable to earn anything substantial.

Against this background, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was asked on the latest episode of Asbert News Network and ITFX Digital Solution’s ‘On De Spot’ Facebook Live series, about when Vincentians would be able to fete publicly again, he responded thus: “I hope sooner rather than later,….

I would also like it to be sooner rather than later. The factual situation on the ground is that since May 2, and it is now June 7, we haven’t had a case (COVID-19) locally. We have had cases which have come in on the cruise ships and they went straight from the cruise

Candice Sealey Marketing Consultants, one of the primary players in effecting the first ever virtual soca, calypso contests in SVG. uploaded on June 24, to catch the traditional Vincymas window.

To be a part of the competition, artistes would need to fill in an online entry form accessible through the STV Online Facebook page.

Access to the competitions would be via live streaming on STV Online’s Facebook portal, but a US$20 exclusive experience would be distributed to VIP viewers.

No live audience would be allowed entry at Envy Nightclub, the actual venue for the final performances; nor would major props and the like be accommodated. Each performer would be limited to 4 dancers. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

Heritage Square, quiet with its after work hours activity since the ban, may be allow to return to its usual activities ‘sooner than later’ according to the Prime Minister (inset).

ships to quarantine or isolation; so they are not interacting at all with the rest of the population….

“On Monday [June 8] we’re having a caucus of the Heads of the Caribbean Community where we’re discussing precisely this question. And I’m listening very attentively because as you know I didn’t mimic, I didn’t rush and close down, I didn’t do any of those things and I’m waiting and watching to hear what other persons are saying and thinking as we seek to evolve a common set of protocols.”

Following PM Gonsalves’ interview, sources claimed that SVG’s newest party venue, Envy Nightclub — which has been quiet since the police enforced ban on amplified sound — was already in possession of the requisite permissions to revive its core business, feting.

A quick phone call to one of the

Envy Nightclub team members, Lester Iroha, produced, “No, that’s not true,” adding, “People should refrain from spreading rumours because they have a tendency to hurt people’s business.

My speakers are at Mark Richardson’s warehouse. Even if I wanted to play music there’s no way I could do that.”

Iroha agreed that the rumour may have gotten started since his team posted a teaser announcement meant to hype the first ever Virtual Soca, Calypso and Ragga Soca Monarchs to be hosted here. jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com

14. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 15.

News

$2.7M to LIAT not yet spent VINCENTIAN PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves described the perception that the recent $2.7M that his government allotted to LIAT fiscal relief was already spent, as one “kind of an unfortunate misrepresentation which sometimes passes for analysis.”

PM Gonsalves was at the time responding to a question fielded by a viewer on Asbert News Network and ITFX Digital Solutions ‘On De Spot’ live stream last Sunday.

The viewer wanted to know in part: What was the urgency in pumping $2.7M into LIAT at a time when you could not put $1M into the pockets of local minibus?

Dr. Gonsalves, who is currently

seeking an unprecedented 5th term, money in the supplementary to be able jp.schwmon.vincy@gmail.com told Sunday’s audience, “We have not to put the fund there — if needs be.” spent the $2.7M on LIAT. The point about it is this: LIAT is both necessary and desirable… we are one of the shareholders.

“If I’m going with a stimulus package and regional air transport is critical to that….. Barbados, two weeks earlier than when we went with our stimulus package, put in a supplementary estimate 3 million Barbadian dollars to LIAT. Antigua would have an allocation for that.

“We haven’t yet decided when LIAT is coming back, we are in conversation with the Caribbean Development Bank, but as a prudent government we had to put some LIAT’s commercial passeng er services was officially suspended until 30th June 2020.

MCT active during COVID-19 THE TESTING capacity for COVID-19 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was boosted by the donation of 8,000 Rapid Test Kits from the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT) to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOH).

The Handover Ceremony, Tuesday 19th May 2020, saw Dularie Malcolm - MCT Administration Director presenting eight (8) boxes of COVID19 Rapid Test Kits to Luke Browne Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment - in the company of Cuthbert Knights - Permanent Secretary of MOH and Elliot Samuel - Chief Laboratory Technologist.

In accepting the donation, Minister Browne expressed his Ministry’s gratitude for the donation, citing that the kits were expected to go a long way in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MCT Administration Director shared that the purchase of the kits was made possible by the generous support of the Mustique Homeowners, Guests & Friends of Mustique, and the entire Mustique Community.

This was to be one of two recent gestures by the MCT. In anticipation of the return of Fifth Form students to school on Monday 25th May 2020, MCT Administration Director presented a letter of intent to St. Clair Prince, Minister of Education, National Reconciliation, Ecclesiastical Affairs and Information (MOE), in which the Trust stated its commitment to provide lunches to Fifth Form students in need.

The intention, the Trust indicated, was to supply “daily lunches for fifth form students in need at 26 Secondary Schools across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, over the almost 5-week period for Term 3. The programme

MCT Administration Director Dularie Malcolm presents (sample) test kits to Minister of Health Luke Browne.

Minister of Education St. Clair Prince accepts letter of intent regarding lunches, from MCT Administration Director Dularie Malcolm. …… aims to provide daily lunches to approximately 40% of the Fifth Form student body”.

Minister Prince thanked the Trust for its tangible expression of care for the students, especially at this time of greatest need.

The MCT Administration Director thanked all the principals, staff and lunch providers of the 26 Secondary Schools for their acceptance of and assistance with the implementation of the programme.

She reiterated that the two recent gestures of assistance were a reflection of Mustique’s care and concern for the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

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16. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

Sagicor announces 1st Quarter standing

lowered net investment income; * Net insurance premiums declined 13%, mainly impacted by lower new annuity business in the US offset in part by premium growth across all business lines in Jamaica; * Net loss from continuing operations attributed to shareholders of $29 million in the quarter was largely impacted by Dodridge Miller, realized and unrealized Sagicor’s Group market declines from the President and Chief impact to broad markets Executive Officer, cited from COVID-19 and the disruption caused increased provisions for by the COVID-19 pandemic in the expected credit losses; markets, as having * Management’s affected Sagicor’s estimate of underlying operation. net income attributed to shareholders, excluding SAGICOR FINANCIAL asset price declines, COMPANY LTD. (TSX: SFC) increased provisions to announced last Monday, expected credit losses May 8, its results for the and other non-recurring first quarter ended March items, which is a non31, 2020. First quarter IFRS measure, was $18 reported net income to shareholders was a loss of million in the quarter, compared to net income $29 million, while attributed to underlying net income, shareholders of $15 which is a non-IFRS measure that excludes the million in the same period in 2019; estimated effect of the * Earnings per share COVID-19 pandemic, was a from continuing profit of $18 million. operations was a loss of $0.197 for quarter; Highlights of that * Strong financial announcement position with total included: capital available of $2.1 billion and MCCSR of * Total revenue 227%; declined 33% in the * Book value of per quarter to $343 million share was $7.07, a as asset devaluations

decline of 9% from $7.81 at December 31, 2019, driven by asset price declines.

Dodridge Miller, Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption to the markets in which we operate. As COVID-19 was spreading globally and entering the Caribbean, Sagicor very early undertook a comprehensive response plan guided by the objectives of the safety of our people, business continuity for our customers and compassion for our communities. “… We are also pleased that the underlying performance of our company, excluding the effects the pandemic had on asset prices at the end of the quarter, showed robust year over year growth.

Many of the asset price declines we observed in March 2020 have substantially reversed themselves already in Q2. While new business generation will continue to be disrupted for the foreseeable future, we are well-positioned to resume our growth position when the economies in which we operate return to normal function.” (Source: Sagicor)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 17.

News

Music against crime COMMISSIONER of Police Colin John is looking at the annual Summer Music Progamme conducted by the Royal SVG Police Force Band, as assisting the overall effort aimed at preventing crime, and serving as a reservoir for the Police Force.

John noted that many persons trained in Music during the school holidays end up in the Police Band. That is a ‘success story’ as far as the Commissioner is concerned.

Continuing in this vein, John alluded to an Apprenticeship Programme done in conjunction with the Ministry of National Mobilisation. The Music programme, he said, welcomed the inclusion of 20 persons from that collaboration, and those persons have who have not only been trained in music but have enlisted in the Police Force.

John’s reference to the music programme as a

crime fighting measure was endorsed by Station Sergeant Vaughn Miller, officer-in-charge of the Police Band.

Miller sees the Police band room as “the epicentre of a musical virus” that is going to take over St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He projected towards the staging of concerts in schools as part of the Police Band’s drive to arouse students’ musical interests.

Donation The sentiments by John and Miller were expressed at the Police Band Room at Largo Heights last Monday, when five musical instruments were handed over to the Band.

The gifts - three clarinets, a trumpet, and a trombone - came courtesy the Melisizwe Brothers - Marc, Seth, and Zacary.

The donation of the

No water rationing again NORMAL WATER supply has been restored to a number of areas on mainland St. Vincent.

That’s the word from Joan Ryan, After an extended period of Public Relations water rationing, the service of Officer at the pipe borne water is gradually Central Water returning to some level of and Sewerage normalcy on the mainland.

Authority (CWSA).

A release from the CWSA dated June 5, 2020 reported an “emergency shutdown of the Majorca system due to earth movement and pipeline damage at the Majorca intake deep in the forest.”

Kelbourney, Gomea, Airy Hill, Top Belmont, Ashburton, Georgie Gutter and Belair were among areas listed for disruption.

The release stated that an engineering team was addressing the situation. The disruption also targeted Cane Hall, Bom Bom, Queen’s Drive, Three Pole, Orange Grove, Miller’s Gate and Fairbarn Pasture.

Fountain, Johnny Hill. Dorsetshire Hill, Green Hill, Trigger Ridge, and Sharpes were also affected by the emergency.

Ryan cited the cause of the problem as a “broken tree.”

But even as she said the problem had been rectified and water restored, she informed that the Chief Executive Officer of the company will make an address regarding the state of affairs.

Drought conditions have seen this country recording its lowest rainfall for over 60 years.

CWSA officials have been encouraging householders to invest in a tanks so as to ensure supplies during the Hurricane season. (WKA)

instruments was part of a ‘Goldmine Music Programme,’ which the Brothers - Canadian born to Vincentian parents Mark and Sherry James - are exploring.

The seeds of the donation were planted during a trip here by the Brothers in 2015.

Samuel Browne, attached to Vincy Marketing, noted the collaborative effort which

ensured the delivery of the instruments.

Commissioner John noted the close relationship with the children’s father, and expressed his happiness that the Police are one of the first recipients of the Commissioner of Police Colin John (left) accepts donation from Mark James in the company of venture.

Samuel Browne.

He also highlighted the St. Martin’s in the middle. from the Melisizwe Secondary School alumni The Police can look Brothers. For, as James link between James and forward to receipt of a put it: “Where words fail, Browne, with he, John, second set of instruments music speaks.” (WKA)

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18. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Don’t run away!

Dear George, I AM SO FED up with this country and with all these lying women who claim me as their children’s father.

I do not have a job, and I do not have any children that I know of. Yes, I have had sexual relations with some of them, so have other men.

Whenever I had sex with them, was a one-night stand, and I made sure I used a condom. Now, six of these women are claiming me as their children’s father, and threatening to put me in Family Court when the children are born.

Tight now I just want to leave this country before I end up doing something very stupid to these malicious women. I just want them to leave me alone. Life is hard enough as it is without having to put up this nonsense.

It Wasn’t Me.

Dear It Wasn’t Me, Running away is not the answer. You said you made certain you practised safe sex, but that does not mean that something could not have gone wrong.

On the one hand, you just might not be responsible for pregnancies, but on the other, you just could be. The way to set this straight is to have the Court order paternity tests, when the time is right.

In the meantime, I suggest you get some legal advice and relevant information from the Family Court, which will give you the peace of mind that you need.

George

Leave her be... their attention.

George, she simply did not care about my MY GIRLFRIEND’S feelings, and told me looks is a catch physically, and I am the that if I was not happy with her, I could go my envy of many men. way.

But while I respect I do not want to her right to be free to continue arguing with make her own decisions, her about this, but it I request just one thing of her: not to wear those seems there is no end to skimpy pum-pum shorts the arguments. I am and tops that expose her simply not happy! breasts.

I talked to her about it Mr. Moderate and told her I was Dear Mr. Moderate, unhappy with her dressing in that manner.

When two people are She got mad and insisted she would dress anyhow in a relationship, there she pleased, and if other should be equal consideration for each men liked the way she dressed, then she would other as much as possible. When there is continue to dress to get any level of disagree-

Dear George,

ment, compromise should be sought. Both of you can have that discussion.

However, from where I stand, if your girlfriend remains resolute about her right to dress that way, then you need to do a rethink. A girlfriend who gets more satisfaction in dressing to please other men than pleasing ‘her man’, could be sending a message.

Rather than spending valuable time and energy in futile arguments, leave her to live her life the way she pleases. She has that right. You also have the right to find your match elsewhere.

George

Resist the temptation

Dear George,

Tempted

I HAVE BEEN married for five years now and never cheated on my wife.

About six months ago Grenadian lady, a younger than my wife, moved with our neighbours.

One day, the young lady came over to our house when my wife was sleeping in our room. She asked for my wife and I told her she was resting, and offered to take a message.

What a shock I got when the young lady grabbed me and planted a passionate kiss on my lips. When she was done, she informed me she would be coming by every day to leave a message just like that one.

I never told my wife about the incident, and have been avoiding this young lady since. I know if I took another ‘message’ from her, things would go much further. I am very tempted. This woman has it all! What should I do in this case?

Dear Tempted, I guess you already know the answer to your question.

If you value your marriage, and respect the sanctity of it, then you ought to nip this temptation in the bud.

Encouraging your neighbour’s friend to have her way with you cannot be good for your marriage. The next time she should drop by to ‘give your wife a message’, ask her to wait while you get your wife so she could deliver the message directly to her.

You already have a bird in your hand, why go after the one in the bush? Take another look at your wife and remind yourself that the reason you married her was because she had it all.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Minor accidents are likely if you take risks. Coworkers may not be giving you all the pertinent information. Do not expect others to do your work. Try to bend to their wishes if you want to avoid conflict.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Uncertainty regarding your mate may emerge; reevaluate what you see in each other. Your creative ability will surface, giving you good ideas for ways of making money.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can meet friends who will let you know how valuable you are. Give everyone in the house a physical chore that will help burn off some of the excess energy. A long, quiet walk alone may help you sort out your thoughts.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Read some books on self-awareness.

Don’t let an incident at work play on your mind. You need to be inspired and have your spirits lifted. Put your efforts into making constructive improvements to your environment and to your state of mind.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Help elders in your family. You may have difficulties while traveling or problems dealing with close friends or relatives.

Overindulgence may be a problem.

Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You’re ready to take action and take over.

Concern yourself with legal matters and formulating contracts rather than finalizing your objectives. Your emotions are fluctuating, so be careful not to say things you’ll regret.

ACROSS 1. Shed tears 4. Genesis murder victim 8. Borders 12. Tasty pastry 13. Apple center 14. Operatic solo 15. Function of an alarm 17. Cooking vessels 18. Swiss-cheese feature 19. Final inning, ordinarily 20. Blunder 23. Coast on snow 25. Quite noisy 26. Simmered entrée 27. Singing couple 30. Most overdue 32. Move upward 34. Job notices 35. Big slab 37. Deposited 38. Food fish 39. Terrific talents 40. Mechanical worker 43. Pitfall 45. Track shape 46. _ game, trivia pastime 50. Peddle 51. Ohio’s Great Lake 52. Cod eggs 53. Remnants 54. Hamilton bills 55. Solemn wonder

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Trips will be exciting. Make changes regarding your friendships. You should sign up for creative courses. Concentrate on your work. Monitor your budget carefully to avoid unnecessary stress.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) lover this week. You can certainly gain popularity; however, don’t do it by paying for everyone else. You have to know what your boss wants if you expect to do your job correctly.

DOWN 1. Pampering retreat 2. Frying liquid 3. Spelling event 4. Screen-test seeker 5. Seethe

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Secret intrigues could get you into trouble. Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if you have neglected your mate. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Think of starting a new business or emotional partnership. You will have no trouble getting things to fall into place.

Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) If you can, try to work out of your home this week. Try to be reasonable. Use your creative flair. You can make progress if you deal with the right individuals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Spend time by yourself to avoid any conflicts with family members. You may find that you can be the recipient of valuable information if you’re willing to be a good listener.

6. Mr. Borgnine 7. Race stage 8. Swift 9. Modern Persia 10. Cooling candy 11. Flashy waistband 16. _ Island, small state 19. Current info 20. Jazz legend Fitzgerald 21. Paved course 22. Dull routines 24. Roof drip 26. Daze 27. Hearing impaired 28. Army squad 29. Gambling statistics 31. Not open

33. Cuts (coupons) 36. Temperament 38. Highway fees 39. Vaporous substances 40. Romantic bloom 41. Baking

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 19.

enclosure 42. Lacking hair 44. Bridle strap 46. Acquire 47. Rhyming Gershwin 48. At once 49. Mild oath

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20. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Harry still hopeful of netball glory GONE, IT SEEMS, are the days when St Vincent and the Grenadines netball teams were dominant forces in Caribbean netball.

And according to Godfrey Harry, one of this country’s leading netball coaches, among other disciplines, the approach to and commitment of different generations of players cannot be removed from the discussion.

“How I view it, we are looking at Godfrey Harry wants to see a basically two eras, netball competition. the 70s to 90s and 2000 to the present,” much more physically fit.

Harry deduced.

“In today’s digital era, “In the 70s to the 90s, netball players are easily I don’t think we had that distracted, are not much distraction, so therefore, we had players inclined to go through all spending a lot more time these physical activities and, as a result, they involved in outdoor have less commitment activities, making them and dedication to

reduction in the number of teams in the national developing themselves and their game,” Harry elaborated.

Harry is still hopeful and willing to offer some advice.

In a less upbeat tone he admitted, “Netball is at the crossroad so

Godfrey Harry, netball coach, has identified some things which if introduced, can set this country on a path to netball glory once again.

which, he said, could well improve the standard of play on show.

He also alluded to a semi-professional league among the top 45 players, probably after the national tournament, which would lead, he thinks, to a better national team.

Harry also voiced support for President of the SVG Netball Francois of Trinidad and Jamaica, Association Doris Montserrat, St. Tobago returning as McIntosh’s idea of Lucia, Antigua and Secretary. introducing ‘fast five Completing the Barbuda and netball’.

Trinidad and unchanged Executive Harry thinks, “This Tobago. was Daria Poyotte of St will help because it’s five Also part of the Lucia, who was retained players, so they have the as Treasurer.

AGM were six whole court to manage. observers.

Commenting on her It will be harder and the Last Saturday’s re-election, Mc Intosh players will get better AGM confirmed said that it was a and bring out a higher continuation from where that a Jean Pierre Doris Mc Intosh fitness level.”

Under-17 she left off.

As for developing the future generation of Tournament will “I have been given “It was in the best netballers, Harry be staged in 2021, with another opportunity to interest of all to have the believes strongly that the serve regionally and that St. Vincent and the tournament next year, knowledge of the game is Grenadines, the host of is an honour,” she said. and give those young paramount among the the 2020 postponed St Vincent and the athletes. tournament, retained as ladies, many who have Grenadines was among been training hard, to be “I am advocating that host. twelve countries of the rewarded by showing off athletes, from a very Mc Intosh views the Caribbean Netball young age, must learn decisions as best options, their talents on the Association that were court,” Mc Intosh the rules of the sport granted that most part of the AGM. The advanced, adding that before they start playing, countries were in an others were Barbados, and suggest that this the postponement would advanced state of Bermuda, Anguilla, responsibility should lie preparation for the 2020 give St Vincent and the Cayman Islands, with the coaches.

Grenadines more time to Under-17 Tournament.

Dominica, Grenada, “If we teach the rules be better “prepared.”

SVG’s Mc Intosh is still CNA Second VP VINCENTIAN DORIS MC INTOSH was retained as Second Vice President of the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) at its virtual (via Zoom) 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday.

Originally set for St Vincent and the Grenadines in March, the AGM was deferred after the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, on 11th March.

Also at Saturday’s virtual AGM, St Lucia’s Rufina Paul was returned as President.

Similarly, Nisha Craigwell of Barbados kept his position as the First Vice-President, with Debbie-Ann

anything which is done will go as a positive and help the resurgence in the sports.”

One of the things the experienced coach would like to see is a restriction on numbers of teams in the national competition

from the cradle stage, it will eliminate some of those issues we are having in the Schools competitions and even in the national set up,” he proffered.

Zeroing in on the schools, Harry noted, “The Schools’ netball has been in place for some time, but what we have seen over time is a drop in the quality of play.

This came about due to an absence of netball in some of the communities, and I urge the authorities to revisit the present school structure.”

At the same time, he alluded to an uncoordinated coaching programme and unsupervised structure.

He thinks that the local Association may have to work with international bodies towards establishing a proper “coaching structure, which begins at the school/youth level.

If that can happen, where we teach the basics from the school level, it will spill off to the players in the clubs and the national teams.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 21.

Sports

Good showing by umpires in VPL

Goland Greaves, President of the SVG Umpires Association, commended his umpires for the standard of officiating during the VPL Championship.

THE INAUGURAL Vincy Premier League VPL T10 Championship was deemed a great success, and one such stakeholder who would have contributed to the historic achievement was the St Vincent and the Grenadines Umpires Association, moreso those umpires who officiated over the ten-day period of competition.

And Goland Greaves, President of the St, Vincent and the Grenadines Umpires Association, has not let this go unnoticed.

“The umpires performed exceptionally well. You cannot have a tournament of that

magnitude without one or two minor errors, but the errors didn’t cost any big problem,” Greaves commented.

He assessed that, “The umpiring was at a very high standard, and it was good to see some of the young umpires, the less experienced umpires, performing at such a high standard. This goes well for the SVG Umpires Association and for individual umpires themselves.”

The umpires were under scrutiny, especially with the fast paced games of the T10 format, and many of them were officiating in front television audience

Actual play in the inaugural VPL Championship spanned ten days with three matches a day in the preliminary rounds. for the first time.

Notwithstanding, Greaves was satisfied with how they dwelt with the on field pressure.

“Dealing with the pressure was pretty good especially in the semifinals and finals. We had some very good games where some of them could have ended up in a super over, but the umpires held the composure in these circumstances as well,” Greaves noted.

Looking ahead,

Greaves is anticipating more young people becoming cricket umpires and that those umpires in service would maintain the standard when the local tournament resumes.

“What I would like to see coming out of the Tournament (VPL), is that when our local cricket season restarts, I am hoping that the umpires would carry this impetus from the VPL into the local cricket season, and at the same

time, I would hope that young aspiring umpires who have not yet started, it would propel them to get involved in umpiring,” Greaves told THE VINCENTIAN. The SVG Umpires Association expects to be staging training seminars/workshops two days a week, Thursdays and Saturdays, beginning at 4:30pm at the Bishop’s College Kingstown.

Stories I.B.A.ALLEN

Findlay pleased with VPL THE INAUGURAL Vincy Premier League (VPL) T10 Championship came in for lots of praises from the regional, international and local circuit.

As far as the local circuit was concerned, one of the persons who joined in such sentiments was Michael Findlay, former West Indies wicketkeeper.

Findlay, who was one of the radio/TV commentators during the ten-day Championship, was quick to praise Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc. (SVGCA),

The pitches at the Arnos Vale Playing Field were said to have played well throughout the ten days of use. (Photo Credit: SVGCA Inc. Facebook Page)

and his executive for taking such a bold initiative and seeing it to a successful end.

He commented: “It was an overwhelming success. It was blessed with fine weather except for 5 overs lost in one match. The matches started on time.

The standard of cricket improved as the matches progressed, although there were instances when batsmen gave their wickets away unnecessarily because they were not reading the state of the game.”

Findlay, who played 10 test matches for the West Indies in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and who would go on to be a regional cricket administrator, Chairman of the West Indies Selection Panel and Manager to touring West

Indies teams, also gave credit to the grounds staff and other persons concerned in making the event an historic one.

“The pitches played very well throughout, thanks to good work by the grounds staff. The television coverage was of a high quality even with limited equipment, and once the Medical Authorities approved limited spectators under ‘physical distancing’ protocol, the attendance gradually increased to a fair crowd on the last day,” Findlay said.

Michael Findlay, who as a commentator would have seen most of the on field action, was high in praise of the SVGCA for hosting the VPL.

The Ricky Burnett Award

LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE headlined ‘Breakers take inaugural VPL T10 title’ and carried on Page 20 of THE VINCENTIAN, made mention of the Salt Pond Breakers middle order batsman Urnell Thomas, being named Best Emerging Young Player of the Championship, which ended on Sunday 31st May, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

What we did not highlight was that that Award was made by Ricky Burnett, St Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Magistrate, who is an enthusiastic cricket fan and who Urnell Thomas, winner of the Best Emerging Young Player Award.

would consider himself to be a decent cricketer of sorts.

The Award, from what we now understand, was made “on the spur of the moment” at the closing ceremony held on May 31, and was therefore, not among the pre-arranged list of Awards.

Information provided since, shows that Thomas earned this accolade on the basis of his contribution to Breakers’ eventual title haul, featuring in many crucial partnerships, not least with his captain Sunil Ambris, who must have brought the benefit of his experience to bear on the young man’s performance.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Thomas on his Award, and recognizes Magistrate Burnett for his generosity and continuing support for the sport of cricket here in SVG. Ricky Burnett, St Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Magistrate, provided the Award for the Best Emerging Young Player of the Championship.

V

22. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

A race to end IT SEEMS that a section of the US Police is intent on ending a race. And like a pattern, seen more often than the rising of the sun, black people meet their deaths in questionable circumstances. What makes it frightening is the immunity the officers are given in the courts.

Vincentian Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, amplified by the Frankie McIntosh arrangement, put the issue of civil rights in the international arena long before George Floyd met his death May 25.

This new episode has awakened the consciousness of oppressed people globally. Sports personnel complained about racist chants time and time again in whatever country. There are tales of black people in countries who have faced open hostility just because of their colour. And the authorities seem to accept it as normal.

Discrimination has been rampant, so wonder symbols of slavery have been targeted all over.

Some countries consider it a policy to “sanitise” their contingency so that there is minor evidence of blackness on the team no matter the talent is available.

While there is wider renaissance of black awareness, fuelled by the recognition that the content in one’s character is a better bench mark than the colour of his eyes, or skin for that matter, there is also a sense of growing selfrejection. So much so that some people relish in their own degradation.

Some genuine causes are manipulated and when the reality sets in, one is worse off than before.

This current upheaval might be a diversion from the Covid 19 pandemic. There are tentacles to this affair.

People are becoming used to sporting activities from their homes. That is live action. It fits in with transition from lock- down to gradual normalising.

The recent Vincy Premier League is an example of seizing the moment. Things played out at Arnos Vale almost in a nonchalant manner.

The fact that it came off is symbolic of a number of factors.

One has to be prepared to show flexibility.

There is hope that the venture could be enhanced with any other opportunity or given occasion.

If things continue to peter out, the Caribbean Premier League will add to a new direction of entertainment. The St. Lucia Zouks will be viewed with suspicion, for the likes of Darren Sammy, Chris Gayle in the realm. There will be plenty to project and reflect on. Sammy by then might have sorted out his subjection to racial slurs while on duty in the Indian Premier League.

With Andre Fletcher, Kesrirck Williams, Obed McCoy, Kimani Melius, and Kem Hodge forming a core of that out, there will be no surprises if they raise any eyebrows.

They have things to prove.

The hope is that there is adequate use of the adjustment cycle. There is nothing to earn from fiddling around. There must be proper orchestration so that there is harmony among mankind, transfixed with the realities of nature.

TASVG commends Diamond Track Facility KEITH JOSEPH, President of Team Athletics SVG (TASVG), has commended the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, on realization of the construction of the Diamond Track Facility.

The sod for the facility was turned on 24th January this year and, since then, work has progressed steadily.

Joseph, writing on the Team Athletics SVG’s website (teamathleticssvg.com) stated, “TASVG commends the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the construction of the national stadium, and encourages the establishment of an appropriate management

team that would allow for the facility’s sustainability for the foreseeable future.”

His acknowledgement came at the stage of placement of asphalt on the synthetic track, and he highlighted the anticipation and eagerness building up among the track and field fraternity.

“Track and field athletes, coaches and aficionados are all very keen on the fact that before their very eyes, a national stadium is being constructed at Diamond.

For many, this is the realization of a long-held dream… Already, coaches have begun conceptualising strategies that would allow them appropriate

Diamond Track Facility, as it was last Tuesday.

use of the facility to bring them (their athletes) to a higher level of preparation for regional and international competitions,” Joseph commented.

Joseph added, “We encourage parents, teachers, and coaches to work with the children, introducing them to athletics, our sport, and the world’s leading sport for individuals… They can all make St. Vincent and the Grenadines proud by serving up outstanding performances on the track and showcasing their growth as roundly developed persons.”

With the coming on stream of the synthetic track at Diamond, St.

Keith Joseph President of TASVG. Vincent and the Grenadines leaves Montserrat and Anguilla as the two remaining Caribbean countries yet to have such a facility.

The Diamond Track Facility is being constructed at a cost of EC$4 million, and is expected to be completed by year end.

Apart from the synthetic track, there are designations for field events, namely - Shot Putt, Javelin, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Steeplechase, Long Jump, High Jump, Hammer Throw - as well as a full size Football field.

Young cyclists enjoying the sport ANTONIO RICHARDSON and Rivas Young, two of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ upcoming cyclists, are enjoying the sport and are looking to the more experienced ones for guidance.

Richardson, who took up the sport seriously within the last two years after being first involved in Track and Field, admitted it has always been his pet sport.

“I always loved Cycling even though I was running,” Richardson commented.

He started cycling on a BMX bicycle but revealed it was always his desire to own a road bike, so he could enter competitive events.

“I always wanted a road bike, so I saved up money to get one, and now I have one to compete in races,” Richardson said with a smile of satisfaction.

For 17-year-old Young, who is a student of the Bishop’s College Kingstown, the tale is similar, as he too began with BMX riding.

“I always like Cycling and was riding during Nine Mornings, when ‘Sailor’ (Trevor Bailey - President of the SVG Cycling Antonio Richardson (left) Union), encouraged me and Rivas Young.

to take it up seriously,” Young said.

Young began competitive Cycling last year, and is not afraid to rub shoulders with the senior riders.

Both Richardson and Young are lapping up all they can, and are taking every opportunity to practise their craft.

The duo were part of last Sunday’s third Time Trial staged by the SVG Cycling Union, from the Sol Gas Station to Oscar Machines at Belair.

Richardson, was third, in a time of 9 minutes 44.03 seconds, while Young timed 10 minutes 47.32 seconds, to finish fourth.

Clocking the best time Zefal Bailey pedalling was Zefal Bailey - 8 his way to the finish minutes 10.09 seconds, line in last Sunday’s bettering his 8 minutes 21 Time Trial. seconds.

Second to Bailey was former top SVG cyclist Albert Quammie, who rode the 2.6 miles course in 8 minutes 40.14 seconds.

Veteran cyclist- Orel George also competed. He stopped the clock at 11 minutes 21.24 seconds.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020. 23.

Classifieds

MORALIS STANLEY Better Known as ³5DSSHU´ Methodist Church Thursday, 4th June, 2020 Service: 3:00 p.m.

JENEFER THERESA PHILLIPS ASHBY a.k.a. Tanty Claire Mt. Carmel Spiritual Baptist Church Chester Cottage Saturday, 6th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Georgetown Cemetery

ALWIN HOWELL I.P.A Church Park Hill Sunday, 7th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Park Hill Cemetery

GLENRON BALLANTYNE St. Agatha Spiritual Baptist Church Sandy Bay Saturday, 6th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: London Cemetery, Sandy Bay

IRENA MARIAN SAMPSON Streams of Power Church San Souci Saturday, 6th June, 2020 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Sans Souci Cemetery

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FRIDAY JUNE

12, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.24

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

CONSTRUCTION WORKER COPS $M LOTTO JACKPOT warned.

Ballantyne has been playing the THE ANXIETY, some say controversy, surrounding the games for over 30 years, and recalled National Lotteries Authority draw for the $1.685M using the services of the Mustique jackpot are over. ferries M.V’s Geronimo and Robert Joseph Ballantyne, a 58-year-old construction Junior to do his purchases when he worker who hails from the village of Sion Hill in worked on that Grenadine island.

Sandy Bay, collected the prize money last Tuesday, Ballantyne shared the joy of last at a ceremony staged at Victoria Park in capital city Tuesday with Relita Nanton of Kingstown.

Fancy. She collected $60,000 as As would be expected, Ballantyne struggled to winner of the June 2 draw. Her control his emotions and had to be supported by his numbers were 19, 15, 12, 28, and 01. daughter Jolene.

Ticket agents also shared in the It was fulfilment for Ballantyne. He followed his windfall. Bonicia John accepted a daughter’s direction to ‘play’ a series of numbers that $25,275.00 cheque on behalf of had come to her in a dream. Those numbers were: Bally’s Grocery and Bar where the 8, 33, 21, 30, 3. million-dollar winning ticket was He ‘play’ the numbers for the draw of Tuesday purchased.

26th May, but had no success. That was Saturday Auto Klick, North Union, received May 23. $900 for the sale of Nanton’s ticket.

He recalled that ticket almost to the door of his Manager MacGregor Sealey and residence. He wanted that particular ticket because Promotions Officer Anthony Dennie that was the one with the numbers his daughter had emphasised the NLA’s capacity to given him. He repeated the numbers for the Friday deliver on the highest jackpot paid Million-dollar jackpot winner Joseph Ballantyne 29th May draw, spending some $30 in sales out to date. They also noted the fact that last (back) shares the historic moment with immediate including 3D and Play 4.

Tuesday was the first occasion on which back to back family members, including daughter Jolene (right).

When his daughter saw the combination for that winners received prizes in the same ceremony.

(Photo Credit: NLA) draw, she inquired of her father whether he had ‘played’ the numbers.

He acted nonchalant, choosing initially to inform her that he did not buy the numbers.

He later confirmed that he did.

Story and Photo by project, including the services of press time, THE VINCENTIAN It took him seven days to come forward, but CARLYLE DOUGLAS an engineer and a time-keeper, met with two members of the regardless, Ballantyne was the toast of last Tuesday resulting in the team of Ministry of Transport and works, at Victoria Park.

WITH THE Central Leeward volunteers becoming daily paid who were inspecting the site.

His daughter Jolene is in need of surgery, and town of Layou poised for workers.

They disclosed that the some of the winnings will definitely be used for that development of its Other community members intervention by the residents was purpose. hospitality/entertainment sector, have come forward with support, timely since it had exposed an Chairman of the NLA Murray Bullock advised residents have taken to offering food and other such even greater danger.

Ballantyne to use the money wisely, encouraging addressing some of the physical, items.

They assessed that the base of him to put $1.5m in the bank and negotiate a good environmental shortcomings and This effort, according to the Bridge had been compromised rate of interest. eye sores that have plagued the Osborne Denny, a volunteer and and would require immediate “I don’t want to hear you invest in some community. a resident who lives within the remedial work, so as to avoid a questionable venture ten years from now,” Bullock A group of eleven communityvicinity of the area of the river potential collapse before more spirited residents, all volunteers, attended to, is a timely one since lasting work can be done on the headed by Ms Eve Lewis of Eve’s it also aids in clearing the river bridge.

River Lime, has taken on the as another hurricane responsibility to clean up that season is already section of the river between the upon us, as well as Bridge on the road to addressing the Bambereaux and Jackson Bay. menace of mosquito According to Ms. Lewis, work breeding. commenced on May 30th with On Wednesday support (beverages, etc.) from June 10th, close to Benjamin Exeter, Opposition New Democratic Party candidate for Cleaning under and the area. around the bridge Since then, Area Representative Sir Louis Straker revealed that it was in need of much has stepped up and had a team Relita Nanton collects her $60,000 cheque from more serious MacGregor Sealey, Manager of NLA. (Photo Credit: from BRAGSA assigned to the attention.

NLA)

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

LAYOU RIVER CLEAN-UP A REVELATION

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.