Vin pages 14 10 16 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 14, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.41

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

UNEXPECTED END FOR GÊTOWN RESIDENT

was attacked and sustained several gunshot wounds about CAMMALITE SUTTON, wife of 74- his body. year-old Errol Sutton who was It was further reported that shot and killed in the Stubbs Sutton was previously area on Tuesday, said that she attacked, and after having does not know what to do. visited the Polyclinic at THE VINCENTIAN spoke Stubbs, was making his way to the woman via telephone on back to the Police when the Wednesday evening, one day incident occurred just around after the incident. midday Tuesday.

“I’m sad, I am grieving,” she Cammalite said that she said. was cooking when she got the According to a release from news about her husband’s the Royal St Vincent and the death.

Grenadines Police Force She said that she screamed Public Relations and out when she got the news and Complaints Department, the although she was able to 74-year-old father of five was finish cooking, she was unable making his way along the to eat.

Stubbs public road, when he “I am trying to take it easy.

Stories by DAYLE DASILVA

I cry now and then — but I cried plenty yesterday (Tuesday),” she said.

The couple, married for 42 years, resides in Georgetown, and Cammalite said that she journeyed down to the clinic where she saw her husband’s body.

She explained that her husband left to tend to a piece of land in his native Stubbs, that was given to him by his grandparents, something that he would occasionally do since his return from the United States some five years ago.

She further explained that her husband has the deed of gift, however there are some individuals that reside in close

proximity to the parcel of land owned by her husband, and they would always stir up trouble with him whenever he went to the area.

It appeared, according to Carmmalite, that “they also wanted the land,” but although she was aware of the situation, she admitted that she never expected that her husband would have been killed.

All that she wants is justice for her now deceased husband.

Sutton’s death occurred days after 10-month-old Mozarie Lee died after being shot in the company of his parents at their Fair Hall

Errol Sutton was a native of Stubbs but moved to Georgetown when he married a woman from that town. home last Friday.

His death now brings the number of homicides committed for the year to 23.

The results for the post mortem were expected to be released yesterday.

MOZART LEE: A GRIEVING FATHER “HE WAS MY REASON for getting up in the morning and going to work.”

That was what Mozart ‘Pargy’ Lee remembered most about his 10-monthold son, Mozarie Lee, who was killed in a hail of bullets last Friday, October 7, at Lee’s residence in Glen.

Lee, who was himself still recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in the same shooting incident, told THE VINCENTIAN that the only thing on his mind was his son.

Lee’s girlfriend, and the mother of 10-month-old Mozarie, 27-year-old Shelly-Ann Durham, also received gunshots about her body during the incident.

Tears streamed down the 39-year-old audio technician’s face as he recalled the moments after the shots rang out.

“I just thinking about my son,” the grieving man said.

He said that he saw his son reach Mozarie Lee is, so far, this country’s youngest homicide victim for 2016. out to him, but he (Lee) was unable to

do anything as he was trying to control the bleeding from his chest, the area where one of the bullets entered.

“He would have turned one in January,” Lee said.

He is the father of three, and he said that he loves and cares for all his children — however, Mozarie was special.

The two were very close, and his son will forever be missed.

The infant, according to a police report, was shot in the stomach and subsequently succumbed to his injuries at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Two men, 45-year-old Martin James listed as a farmer, and 29-year-old Ricardo McFee - labourer, both of Villa, were arrested and charged on Tuesday, with the murder of Mozarie Lee and with the attempted murder of Shelly-

Mozart ‘Pargy’ Lee is still trying to Ann Durham and come to grips with Mozart Lee. the death of his The men made infant son. their first appearance at Inset: Shelly-Ann the Serious Durham is said to Offences Court have received on Wednesday. shots to both arms.

2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Properties for Sale - RE/MAX Results Realty (784) 456-2016

Visit us on the Web @ WWW.SVGHomesandLand.com or remax-caribbeanislands.com or Global.remax.com

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 3.

News 3 Two charged with babyÊs death Right: Ricardo McFee, one of two charged for the murder of a 10month-old infant.

TWO MEN WERE TAKEN before the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, charged with the murder of ten-monthold Mozarie Mozart Lee Jr. of Glen, and the attempted murder of his mother Shelly-Ann Durham and his father Mozart Lee, also residents of that community.

Martin James, 45, and Ricardo McFee, 29, both labourers of Villa, were not required to plea to the three charges when they stood before Chief Magistrate Rechanne

Browne. They were remanded. The matter has been adjourned to December 9.

The baby died in a hail of gunfire, while his parents sustained injuries, as a gunman/gunmen reportedly fired gunshots into a crowded yard at Mozart Lee’s residence at Glen, last Friday evening.

Ricardo McFee was slapped with firearm and ammunition charges in May of this year. At that time he gave his place of abode as Redemption Sharpes.

Hospital locked down THE MILTON CATO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (MCMH) was the scene of a different order last Tuesday afternoon.

Police locked down the state’s major hospital after receiving reports that a gunman or gunmen was/were observed in the area.

Indications were that the men were “out to finish off last Friday’s shooting.”

It was not clear exactly who was the target, but given that Mozart Lee, who had sustained gunshot wounds during last Friday’s shooting at his Glen premises, was at the time hospitalised at that institution, he was identified as a possible target.

Lee’s 10-month-old son, Mozarie, was fatally shot, and his girlfriend injured by two bullets in the same incident.

Police moved swiftly to lock down the hospital,

Investigation begins into young man’s death POLICE HERE HAVE CONFIRMED that they have begun an investigation into the death of 20-year-old Daleson Laborde of Petit Bordel, North Leeward.

LaBorde’s body was fished out of the waters at Fitz Hughes by residents of that community. Fitz Daleson Laborde’s body Hughes is some was found floating in distance away from the waters off Fitz Petit Bordel.

Reports are that the Hughes.

Chateaubelair Police Station received a call around 7:30 am on Wednesday morning that a body was floating in the water at Fitz Hughes.

Laborde was said to be a past student of the Bethel High School and the J.P. Eustace Memorial Secondary School. He was an active sportsman in his community. He was a member of the NL Predators football team and the Petostars cricket team.

A post mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

Teen charged with murder

The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital went into ‘quiet mode’ for a period of time after being locked down on Tuesday. allowing only carefully supervised movement in or out of the compound.

There were no reports of arrest arising out of

the police action at the hospital, though, later that day, two men of Villa, Martin James and Ricardo McFee, were arrested and charged

with the shooting death of Mozarie Lee, and the attempted murder of Mozart Lee and the infant’s mother, ShellyAnn Durham.

A 17-YEAR-OLD was taken before the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday 5th October, charged with the murder of a 49-year-old man.

The accused, Kishroy John of Campden Park, was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Sinel Williams, also of that community, by striking him with a stone on his head.

The incident reportedly occurred at Campden Park on September 25, but Williams, who was warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, died on Saturday 1st October, and the charge of grievous bodily harm was upgraded to murder.

John was not required to plead when he appeared at the Serious Offences Court and was remanded.

V Security beefed up

4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

to protect Court, prisoner a group of men was lurking in the vicinity of the Court precincts, and THE PRECINCTS of the was believed to be Serious Offences Court targeting James. was locked down on As a result, a call was Tuesday, October 11, for immediately made to the just over an hour, and Commissioner of Police security was beefed up in (Ag), and police officers the area, as police moved from the Rapid Response to protect the Court and a Unit (RRU), Special prisoner there, whose life Serious Unit (SSU) and was believed to be in Criminal Investigation danger, allegedly posed by Department (CID), were a rival group reportedly sent to reinforce the seen lurking in the vicinity. security of the Court and The accused, Martin protect the prisoner.

‘Jah Son’ James, was Persons inside the taken before that Court Court room who were not on a marijuana connected to any Court cultivation charge, to matter, were asked to which he pleaded guilty leave. That room was and was fined. then kept closed, and A source told THE persons, with the VINCENTIAN that exception of those with around 10am, while Court matters, were James was in Court, prevented from entering. information surfaced that A strong police Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Beefed up security at the Serious Offences Court was visible on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Inset: Commissioner of Police (Ag) confirmed that security at the Serious Offences Court was strengthened for two days this week.

presence, including armed officers, was maintained in the yard where the prisoners’ holding area and the entrance to the flight of stairs that leads to the Serious Offences Court, are located. Just behind the holding area is a wall separating the back of the Court yard from a street in the nearby Paul’s Avenue area.

Police officers stood guard at the entrance of that yard, and persons were prevented from going into that area.

Following his appearance before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne, James was hustled into a police vehicle and taken away, to be kept in custody for questioning in relation to another matter.

However, there was again additional security at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday when Martin James and Ricardo McFee, both residents of Villa, were brought before that Court on a joint charge of murder involving a tenmonth-old baby of Fair Hall. They are also charged jointly on two

counts of attempted murder.

Someone who claimed to be in the Court area before the lockdown on Tuesday, recalled a man coming on the scene that morning saying, “I come to see the man who shoot the baby; we want him too.”

One keen follower of Court matters was also heard relating, following the Tuesday morning drama, “Is not dat one dey want; de one dey want ain’t been in Court.

They (police) ain’t bring him.”

Some persons with whom THE VINCENTIAN spoke, expressed the view that security at the courts needs strengthening, in light of what is taking place with regard to crime in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They also expressed concern about the location of the Serious Offences Court and the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, both housed on the ground floor of the same building.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Acting Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway explained, “We have always had adequate security at the Courts because we understand the role of the Court and the gravity of the matters that are brought before the Courts.”

Hadaway added that because of the nature of certain matters that are brought before the Court from time to time, it may become necessary to put additional security in place, to ensure the safety of all involved.

He noted that there were reasons to enhance

the level of security at the Serious Offences Court within the last two days because of a particular matter which was presided over.

“The situation had nothing to do with location, but was due to the parties involved,” he explained.

Journalist acquitted of assault charge Continued from Backpage.

“When we got to the police station, we turned left to what I understood was the reception area.

“Corporal Corridon mumbled something, I didn’t hear. He pushed me towards the cell and boxed me in the forehead. Other officers came and pinned me to the ground, and Corporal Corridon kicked me in the back of my head,” Shaw continued. He said he received no injury forms.

Defence witness Lamar Allen corroborated Shaw’s story. He said he was following closely behind, on the journey to the police station, and saw everything.

In his closing submissions, Shaw’s lawyer Grant Connell told the Court that the brutal acts meted out to this client was meant to embarrass him because of an article Shaw had written in the Searchlight newspaper about a motor bike Corridon was riding with a tyre that was showing wires. A picture was also published of the bike.

“Obviously, Corporal Corridon took issue with the journalist and abused him as seen in the video,” Connell contended, adding that the assault charge against Shaw was only a cover for the abuse meted out to him.

Connell also submitted that Corridon’s testimony of Shaw boxing him in his face causing his helmet to fall off, was only a figment of the officer’s imagination, as shown by the police’s failure to bring charges of resisting arrest and damage to property against Shaw.

The prosecution, led by Constable Shamrock Pierre, made no closing submissions.

Before dismissing the charge against Shaw, Magistrate Bertie Pompey, in referring to the incident, said, “It is not right. That’s not how it is supposed to be done. The police were the aggressor.”

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, Shaw said that what Corridon did to him was very humiliating and embarrassing as the video was widely circulated.

Connell has since written to Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway on the matter.

V Dr. Nelson KingÊs achievements celebrated

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 5.

Diaspora

Right: Lisa Derrick presents New York State Proclamation to Nelson King on behalf of New York State Assembly Member Haitian American Rodneyse Bichotte.

A WIDE CROSS SECTION of the Caribbean community in Brooklyn, New York, on the night of Sunday 9th October, celebrated the lifetime achievements of veteran, prominent journalist Nelson A. King, at a gala ceremony at Glen Terrace on Avenue N in Brooklyn.

King, on Aug. 1, successfully defended his dissertation on the topic: “Exploring Female Former Sugar Cane Farmers’ Livelihood Transition in St. Kitts and Nevis: A Multiple Case Study.”

In a recent letter to King, the Registrar’s Office at Northcentral University (NCU), a fully-accredited university, whose corporate headquarters is in San Diego, CA, congratulated him on the “conferral of doctorate” — a doctorate in business administration (DBA), with specialization in international business.

King said the findings of his doctoral study provide “concrete information on social and vocational training policy recommendations to the current government in St. Kitts and Nevis, to address the needs of female former sugarcane farmers and other potential workers affected by the closure of agricultural and other industries.”

The versatile journalist, with training in diverse fields, said, in the coming weeks, he will work on articles for peerreviewed journals from his dissertation. He also said he will seek publication of extracts from his dissertation in local, regional and international periodicals.

despite the US Presidential Debate that same evening.

“All the degrees Nelson has, he earned them,” he said.

“Nelson, we’re all proud of you.

We know you’ll not walk around with a big sign. We certainly will enjoy with you your achievement.”

King’s DBA brings to seven the number of degrees he now possesses. He has a Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science from Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY); an Executive Masters in Public Administration (MPA Exec.) from Baruch College (CUNY); and a Master of Law (LL.M) in US Legal Studies from St. John’s University School of Law in Jamaica, Queens, New York.

He obtained his undergraduate law degree — Bachelor of Law (LL. B), (Upper Second Class Honors) — from Huddersfield University School of Law at Holborn College in the United Kingdom.

King holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science (honors) and Journalism from Brooklyn College, graduating cum laude; and an Associate Degree (AA) in Liberal Arts from St. Leo University in Florida, while serving in the US Army at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.

Association of New York, and Laverne McDowald-Thompson, COSAGO president and King’s fellow Chateaubelair native, read King’s lengthy biography.

A representative from Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, the first Haitian American to be elected to New York State Assembly, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, presented King with a proclamation.

Caribbean Life’s associate editor Grenadian-born Kevin Williams also presented his colleague with a painting he did Lisa Derrick presents New York State Proclamation to Nelson on a scene in Grenada.

Saxophonist Joe Allert King on behalf of New York State Assembly Member Haitian American Rodneyse Bichotte, flanked by King's wife, Dofflyn serenaded King with “I did it my way,” and King’s friend and (L), and New York elected and other officials.

Grenadian-born entertainment producer Derek Ventour served jest, that he knew King was “a the Penn Relays in as Master of Ceremonies. doctor for a long time.”

Philadelphia, said he was Beverley Campbell, a “honored and gratified to Editor’s note: We, at THE Jamaican-born Central celebrate with Dr. Nelson King Brooklyn Lions Club executive, VINCENTIAN, wholeheartedly all of his successes and said King, an associate member congratulate Dr. Nelson A. King achievements. on the attainment of his latest “Nelson was born and raised of the club, has “inspired me.” academic milestone, and wish Beverley Regisford-Henry, in Chateaubelair, my hometown him the very best in the future. the president of the Brooklynin St. Vincent and the We are delighted to have him as based St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” said the our US Correspondent.

Philadelphia-based James, who Grenadines Adventist Association, said she looked was a member when King was president of Clubland, a drama forward to reading King’s “excellent writing.” group in the Chateaubelair Lenford Bowman, one of the Methodist Church, in the midto-late 1970s. “Because of this, I pioneers of the van system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, think it is fair to say that I must have known him virtually said he knew “the struggles” that King went through, stating all my life.

The epitome of hard work that King was one of his riders “When I look back at his in the early 1970s, as he work both as teacher and Former New York State attended the St. Vincent and Senator John Sampson, the son journalist, I can say, the Grenadines Grammar unequivocally, he has effected of a Guyanese father, who had represented the 19th Senatorial positive and lasting community School, one of the leading secondary schools in St. Vincent changes in St. Vincent and the District in Brooklyn, said he Grenadines, the Caribbean and and the Grenadines. was “proud of Dr. King.

Lawyer Curlina Edwards, the wider Diaspora of St. Congratulations from NY “I have to give you a lot of secretary of the Brooklyn-based Vincent and the Grenadines,” political figures credit,” he said. “You’re the Chateaubelair Development added the former elementary epitome of a hard working school teacher and police officer Organization (CDO), one of the “I came to congratulate my brother, despite all that we go large number of community in his native land. “I have adopted son from Vincy [St. through.” groups that have honored King personally witnessed his Vincent and the Grenadines],” Earl Horne — a founding over the years, said God has said Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, the member and former president of excellent work in action and Calypsonian Cyril "Scorcher" given him “a unique gift. saw the fruitful results.

Jamaican-born, trailblazing the Brooklyn-based Hairoun “To whom much is given, “I have no doubts that Nelson performs at gala ceremony. former New York City Council Sports Club and an executive much is expected,” she will continue to steer his Member, whose political club, member of the Council of St. said. intellectually-driven life on a the Brooklyn-based Progressive Vincent and the Grenadines Desiree Blake, the steady path, while he juggles Democrats Political Association Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. Guyanese-born with work, family, church/faith (PDPA) honored King in early (COSAGO), the umbrella president of the in God and community and July as part of its African Vincentian group in the US — Brooklyn Transition American Heritage Month described King as “really a true social actions,” James Lions Club, declared continued. “Nelson is, indeed, celebration. “So, Dr. King, I Caribbean man. incredible, and I am very proud King “an honorary come to congratulate you.

“You work very hard in member of our club.

“I know you long enough,” Dr. getting your work out,” he said. of him.”

“No one could ever Clarke added. “I know you’re “Congrats for the work you’ve think you have so Other tributes not selfish, so I give you wings done.” many qualifications,” so you can fly.” she said.

Calypsonian Cyril N. Noting that it was a “grand Effecting positive change Registered Nurse “Scorcher” Thomas, a former St. occasion,” New York State Celia Bramble, a Vincent and the Grenadines’ Assemblyman Jamaican Nick RN Celia Bramble reads part of King's Hewitt James, who former president of the biography, while Laverne McDowaldPerry, who represents the 58th accompanied James Cordice, the New York Deputy Counsel Assembly District in Brooklyn, architect behind St. Vincent and General, who performed several St. Vincent and the Thompson, COSAGO's president, said he couldn’t miss the event, the Grenadines’ participation in of his hits at the event, said, in Grenadines Nurses prepares to read the other part.

V

6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Proposed Trustee for Buccament Resort Right: The Buccament Bay Resort, a luxury, all-inclusive hotel, was touted as the flagship tourism-related development on mainland St. Vincent.

IN WHAT APPEARS to be an effort to ward off a move to have the company wound up completely, a group of creditors of Harlequin Property SVG, developers of the Buccament Bay Resort here, has filed court documents here to have the company declared insolvent.

The documents are

filed under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act of 2007, which makes provision for the continuation of the debtor’s business (Buccament Bay Resort) during insolvency proceedings, and allows creditors greater participation in important decisions

been appointed, same being Mr Brian Glasgow of the Chartered Accountants firm KPMG. In that capacity, Mr Glasgow is tasked with the responsibility of producing a proposal Prevailing situation that will be amenable to In accordance with the those making the claim, Bankruptcy and i.e. creditors, and for Insolvency Act, a restructuring, if need be, Proposal Trustee has of the company towards ensuring its continued operation.

The proposal is expected to be submitted to and sanctioned by the Supervisor provided for by the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, for furtherance to the creditors for their acceptance by majority votes.

Failure to have this proposal accepted on its first submission may occasion a request for an extension of the Proposal Trustee’s tenure, which may be granted by the Court if there are indications that an amended proposal could be amenable to the Buccament Bay Resort hosted the CARICOM conference from 10th to 11th March 2014. creditors.

Failing that, the company can then be forced into bankruptcy, at which time a courtappointed liquidator will move to dispose of all assets of the company, both local and foreign based, towards settling with creditors and others, including staff. during the proceedings.

Reference to this was made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves during his press briefing of Tuesday 4th October, 2016.

The Prime Minister disclosed further that the insolvency procedure was filed on that said Tuesday (Oct. 4), and

assured that the court action was made with the full knowledge of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

David Ames, Chairman of Harlequin Property Ltd., has found grounds on which to avoid answering charges in the courts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

excuse, documentations to support a claim that he is unwell and therefore, unfit to travel.

Harlequin’s flagship Buccament Bay Resort, located on the south-west coast of mainland St. Vincent, was officially opened in April 2011, and promised facilities inclusive of over 100 rooms.

Less than 2 full years into its operations, Harlequin and its St. Vincent investment faced lawsuits from investors, mostly UK based, resulting in it coming under investigation by a Serious Fraud Office in that country.

It has also faced ongoing claims of nonpayment to local workers and other locally contracted parties, and the referred to charge of tax evasion, to the tune Buccament Resort – a of EC$2 million, by the troubled undertaking government of St. Vincent and the This recent court Grenadines. action comes against an Even before its ongoing period of opening, the Resort in St. uncertainty at the Vincent was met with Buccament Bay Resort. scepticism by The uncertainty was Vincentians. Notably especially occasioned by among these was Sir the Company Chairman, James Mitchell, former David Ames, being prime minister, who told slapped with charges of the TRAVEL supplement tax evasion and theft, in of the Telegraph (UK) in the local courts.

2011: “I wish them luck, Ames subsequently but Buccament is on too left the state, in what big a scale and the Prime Minister misconstrued. It’s trying described as a ‘legal to market itself as a manner and means’. He beach resort on St has failed to return to Vincent, whose appeal is appear in court as all about nature.” (DD) demanded, submitting in

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 7.

V

8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Are we serious about tackling crime?

AS IF WE HAD SOMETHING to prove to the world, this country registered one of its most dastardly acts, exceeding for some the extent of their imagination.

A ten-month-old baby, innocence personified, fell victim to the bullet from a gun in the hand of a citizen, said to be of youthful age.

As we confront the ever changing, ever-demanding challenges of the development path we have set for ourselves — albeit by those we have elected so to do — we have become mired in a spate of social misbehaviour of the highest order, as though oblivious to the fact that high levels of crime hinder development.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, Latin America and the Caribbean that account for a mere 8.5% of the global population, account for 27% of the world’s murders.

In fact, other agencies speak to a reality in Latin America and the Caribbean that is one of increasing incidence of violent crime, including murder. Our own situation could well attest to that judgement.

And while we are wont to say that our contribution to the increasing incidence and character of violent crime regionally and internationally is miniscule in comparison to larger populations, the fact is that we are contributing more than our per capita share, to the overall situation and, in the process, hindering our own development.

So what has gone wrong? The fact that violent crime continues unabated could well point to the failure, the ineffectiveness of the policies and methods we have employed in tackling crime. Is it that these policies, methods are short-sighted?

We continue along our merry way, while the challenges facing the justice system as a whole, call for exact action to improve police performance, effectiveness and attitude; call for eradicating corruption within the system and promoting legitimacy; and call for stamping out abuses of power towards building true legitimacy and protecting human rights.

Merely cracking down with an iron fist on criminals is not enough. If it was, then the majority of the 12,000 people in seven Caribbean countries — SVG sadly not included — who were surveyed, would not have responded that they lived in fear of violent crime, and had little confidence in the police.

Can we say that the situation is any different here?

Even without empirical evidence, it would be safe to deduce that this fear which so many have cited as pervading their lives, has much to do with our, and the region’s, particular curse of drug trafficking, and the violence and corruption that characterise that illicit trade, with its tentacles that extend from the bottom to the top of the social ladder.

The drug trade is attractive to the many impressionable, unemployed, perhaps by now unemployable young people in our already strained economic climate. And once caught in those tentacles, they become part of the machinations of a transit route at the behest of large drug producers, drug traffickers and largescale consumers. They become mere functionaries in a wide world from which they gain much, but in the end ‘suffer the loss of their souls’.

Studies indicate that the sense of security among the citizenry is ‘greatest where the level of confidence in the institutions of law enforcement and justice is high’.

We do not need someone from the outside to tell us that much of the crime is related to our implication in the wider drug trade. We don’t need someone to tell us to build more institutional capacity to respond effectively to the problems of street gangs and organised crime.

But it seems we do, since we are wont to deny that there exist here the very being of crime and a nature of crime that abound elsewhere in the region.

This is no excuse for throwing our hands in the air.

Do we need another infant killing to wake us up to our reality?

What about “Our National Heroes”?

WE ARE GALLOPING full speed ahead towards the celebratory goal of our 37th Independence which falls in another 12 days or so on the 27th day of October, still without a recognised slate of National Heroes to guide and inspire us by the examples of their lives.

Towards the end of the 20th century, our broad masses of people had acclaimed and proclaimed on their own permanent Chief Joseph Chatoyer as our First National Hero.

In 2002, within the first year of the ULP’s forming Government, Chatoyer was confirmed and legally ratified, as such, with the ULP pledging a fuller slate in a short time, which is yet to arrive.

In fact, it is now a moot question as to which will win the obstacle race, the International Airport or the slate of National Heroes, both having so far experienced fourteen years of gestation!

In this matter, I was early off the blocks, sending the new ULP Government through their Minister of Culture, Mike Browne four articles on the persons I felt best qualified for the accolade to join National Hero Joseph Chatoyer: George Mc Intosh, Hugh Mulzac, and Ebenezer Joshua. I was given short shrift by the minister, and engaged in the subsequent run-around that is still current to this day.

In response to my original request, I learned that of my three nominations, Mulzac was ruled out by legislation which laid it down that the Hero must have generally performed within the boundaries of his country which benefited directly therefrom. Mulzac did his thing in the USA. Yet surprisingly, Mulzac Square in Union Island kicked off the current celebrations.

More on Mulzac later.

Mc Intosh and Joshua were certainly regaled a long time ago in the hearts of the people, and hardly require the published effort of Adrian Fraser, John Horne and myself to document and provide evidence on their behalf.

Further to the Three “Wise Men,” I admit that I was short-sighted to have omitted the obvious claim of Dr. Parmenos Eustace. I have to thank most profusely Vin Samuel and to a lesser degree Theodore Browne for drawing to the public attention the immense contribution of Dr. Eustace, especially to the educational development of SVG in the crucial years 1950-1970 and beyond.

The Prime Minister would have appointed a high power committee to advise

on this matter of “National Heroes” to which he professed grave importance. But this committee just cannot deliver. The bug in the rug was clearly over the question of whether or not Milton Cato deserves this halo.

To cut a long story short, the Prime Minister, who by legal stealth has the final say, wants Cato for narrowly political purpose, while his committee does not, nor a core of ULP- stalwarts including Blazer Williams, Chairman of PSC, and particularly Jomo Thomas, Speaker of the House.

In fact, Jomo resigned from the Advisory Committee on hearing the Prime Minister’s open lecture in favour of Cato, which was wrong on several counts, but it does not matter to the Prime Minister as long as Rene Baptiste carries on as Chairman, as she is of another important body, that of the Bar Association whose influence is increasingly vital in these times.

In addition to the “ban” imposed unfairly on Mulzac, there is another qualification which stipulates that the “Hero” must have died. This provision gained my attention only after I had read a letter appearing in THE VINCENTIAN of June 15 2016.

Some Caricom countries like St Kitts and Antigua court the risk of living heroes, causing embarrassment by unseemly behaviour after the event; but it now seems to me that the sorry cause of our interminable delay may well be that Ralph does not want to take chances, so would wish to be named National Hero while alive as the writer puts it. “Biases and prejudices aside, let’s give Jack his (red?) jacket and flowers while he can smell them.

“I see the current Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in much the same light as our first national hero, Joseph Chatoyer. Like Chatoyer, Dr. Gonsalves, after a 21st century model, has well liberated Vincentian people by opening wide the doors of opportunity for advancement and progression, like no leader of any government before him. I would dare say, when the discussions continue regarding naming a new national figure, maybe we should not seek to do so of one posthumously.”

Of course, this was written by “Rizpah Steward,” another pen-name of Gonsalves bent on his self promotion.

Cato could now be dropped like a hot potato. But what about Sir James Mitchell in the new dispensation?

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 9.

Letters

Act now against crime

DIDN’T DR. RALPH GONSALVES, on becoming Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, not promise to be tough on crime and the causes of crime?

I must say that there was a period when it appeared that he was making it his business to cut off the heads, as he and the system judged them to be. But from all accounts, crime, and violent crime not excluded, continue unabated here. As recent as the last weekend, October 8 and 9, there was a daylight shooting, much like what we read about happening elsewhere, in which a baby was shot to death. There seems to be no regard for age as far as today’s criminals are concerned. Nothing and no one, it appears, stand in the way of them getting ‘their man’.

Against all of that, can we say with any confidence, that we have even nipped the violent crime here in its bud?

May be it is time, Mr. Prime Minister, for another one of your ‘walk-abouts’, which of late have not been as often as they used to be. This time, take your API team, camera and all, into one of the so called ‘hot spots’ which you and I know. While there, talk to and let the camera focus on ordinary residents. May be while you’re there, you can also catch a glimpse of how life pans out on a daily basis in those communities.

Mr. PM, you promised to deal with the crime that you and yours claimed to have heightened under the NDP government. You have to admit, that it has since worsened under the ULP government.

Time to fulfil your promise.

B. Michael

Open Letter to ULP cabinet RE. Geothermal Project

Corruption in our midst?

AS I REFLECT during this period of marking another anniversary of independence from Britain, I will admit that we have come a long way and, in some respects, we have done well for ourselves.

Not least among the favourable developments during the last 37 years is the increase in the number of our people who own their own homes, even if they are repaying some bank, credit union, building society or what have you.

There is no doubt that our housing stock is the envy of many of our Caribbean neighbours.

But barring whatever progress (political, social

and economic) we have made, there is one thing that continues to cloud the atmosphere. That thing is the perception that we are plagued by the disease called corruption. I say perception, because while we continue to have fingers of accusation of corruption pointed from one side at the other, we have not been able to bring much of this to the fore, and punish those who are guilty. When we have brought ‘pieces’ of it into the public domain, those whom we think are guilty have been rewarded, it seems, rather than punished.

The saying is that, ‘If school children say so,

there is always some truth in what they say’.

If we accept that about what is being said about the prevalence of corruption here, then we need to stop ignoring it and take action, or else we will be faced with resulting increases in crime and violence and impropriety, that will do us no good in the long run.

Yet, even as I say that, I am aware that, while we have placed our governance in the hands of elected leaders, it is we, the people, who have the real power to do something about charting our course and influencing, if not demanding, action to

address the corruption perception. If we accept that there is but an iota of corruption in our midst, and do nothing about it, we would be guilty of creating a future for our children and grandchildren that is filled with greed and deception.

Percival Charles

Flooding is also because of us WHEN YOU LOOK at the situation here with an honest eye, you will have to agree that it doesn’t take much these days for Kingstown and other areas to become flooded. Hurricane Matthew only made it worse because he brought a little more rain. But as far as I can judge from what has been happening recently, half of the rain which Matthew brought would have flooded Kingstown anyway.

Yes, I know that dumping of rubbish causes flooding, and the

I WRITE as the Leader of SVG Green Party and as a deeply concerned citizen - by birth - of St Vincent and the Grenadines. I request that the ULP Cabinet urgently cancel the recently approved Geothermal Project to be undertaken in St Vincent.

This project is a great danger WE ARE PLEASED to inform that you have been to our people and country. selected to receive the prestigious Twenty- Five Geothermal, and its by products, Most Remarkable Teens Award. After intense can: review of each package, interview portfolio and (a) cause heart and lung volunteer interest, you were indisputably selected. disease; The formal awards ceremony is scheduled to (b) kill our drinking water take place in November at the Parliamentary supply, as the geothermal project Chambers, Government Headquarters, St. Kitts. is located directly above the You are required to dress in full Business Attire. precipitation area that provides We have a zero tolerance policy for immodest our drinking water; attire. A recipient wearing clothing that is too (c) cause earthquakes;, and tight, short, revealing or outside of the Business (d) shut down suddenly attire scope will not be allowed to go before the House of Assembly. without any reason.

Further, on Friday 14th October 2016, a PhotoPlease see attached a copy of shoot has been arranged to capture your image for SVG Green Party’s concerns as the Remarkable Teens magazine. We expect that set out in the SVG Green Party article for 14 October 2016 in the you will be well groomed and wearing full school uniform. Individuals who are no longer in school News and The Vincentian may wear business attire. You are expected to newspapers.

We request a formal response arrive at the Youth Department between the hours of 2:00 - 4:00 pm. from the ULP regime within 28 We at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment days from the date of this letter. enthusiastically congratulate you and look forward to a productive and impactful year.

Yours faithfully.

Hon Ivan O’Neal BSc Hons, Very sincerely yours, MSc, MBA Leader and Co-founder of SVG Sahira David Green Party Senior Youth Officer October 11, 2016.

SKN CARICOM Youth Ambassador Liaison

Congratulations to SHAFIQUA MALONEY

bad habit of throwing empty containers in drains blocks up the water courses.

But I think we might have a bigger issue here. I might be wrong, but what I call haphazard building practices, some of them illegal as far as not getting Planning permission, contribute greatly to this flooding problem.

We are supposed to have all kinds of laws and regulations for building, yet buildings spring up all over the place, and there does not seem to be any planning involved. Where there used to be drains, there are none now, as they are disregarded, covered up or made narrower.

And with all this use of concrete instead of grass, the water from very large properties especially, cannot seep through the concrete yards, so it flows off the concrete and into the roadways, causing greater flooding.

I appeal to the authorities to get behind those building inspectors, those Planning people who like to give only certain people a hard time, to get their &*^&* and get into the field for which they are being paid. If they find any building that is not positioned properly or what have you, dismantle it just like they did with Chill Spot in Arnos Vale, a business place that I am certain didn’t contribute in any great way to flooding in that area, if there was any.

Much of the flooding we experience is of own doing. All we need is some common sense and strict enforcement of the building regulations, and we can at least lessen the amount of flooding we have here.

Angus Charles

Learning from Trump I WATCHED the second debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and couldn’t help thinking that American politics is no different, basically, from ours, i.e. as I remember it, and have no reason to doubt that it has changed.

I never expected that two people vying for the top job in America, the most powerful country in the world, would be pelting attack after attack on one another’s personal lives and their families too. It reminded me of all the so called picong that passes for politics home. We used to talk about ‘gutter politics’; well, this debate was no different.

But in all the nastiness, disagreement and pulling and dragging, there was something I

heard that came over as something we can praise. I am certain I heard Trump say that he would “absolutely” support Hillary Clinton if she won the election.

Now tell me, when is the last time you heard a leader of a political party say that to the leader of another party? In fact, has any party leader home ever made such a public promise?

Whether or not Trump meant it, it is an honourable thing to say, and something from which we can learn a hell of a lot.

Mind you, unlike some Caribbean people here, if I were a registered voter, no way was Trump getting my X. Garnet, NY

V

10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Much ado about nothing: the NDP and The Argyle International Airport IN 2008, Vincentians were promised by the Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope Project the Unity Labour Party regime that it would have completed construction of Introduction THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT in terms of tourism investment in the Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope area, now comes as a death knell to the opposition New Democratic Party. This is the only explanation available, to describe the reaction of that party, to the news that the ULP administration had completed the sale of 36 acres of land at Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope, to a Canadian investment group, to build a complex with a 200 room hotel, and fifty residential villas. The construction work will begin early in 2017, but already many skilled work persons are lining up to take advantage of the employment available here.

The use of this area of the country for tourism development is not a new idea. Indeed, the former Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell made two important policy decisions. The first was the purchase of 681 acres of land at Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope at a price of five million EC dollars, from the Casson family. The second critical policy decision relates to the construction of the new road in the area, moving inland away from the old coast road.

This latter development has created opportunities for the ULP administration to develop the area.

Because of the presence of the new road, the ULP was able to construct the largest low income housing project in the state, at Peter’s Hope. The road also allowed for the construction of the new secondary school for the central leeward area. Additionally, two entities, the NIS and GECCU, have combined to sell plots of land in the area. And so it is clear that both political parties, the NDP under Sir James Mitchell, and the short term Prime Minister, Arnhim Eustace; and the ULP under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, have identified Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope as an area for tourism development.

Eustace in 2000

Those are the words of the then Prime Minister, Arnhim Ulric Eustace, in Parliament in December 2000, setting out the policy of his party, in relation to Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope.

What has changed It is the ULP administration under Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, with its clear investment policy, that has managed to attract a Canadian investor for this development, which will lead to employment opportunities for all Vincentians, especially the people of South, Central and North Leeward. In another four years, when the construction work is in full swing, and the country nears its next general election, in and around 2020, the NDP will have an interesting problem.

Having opposed the project, they will have a difficult time explaining this to the people of these constituencies. Clearly, the opposition NDP is saying that they don’t want the people on the leeward side of the island to prosper from the jobs arising from the investment.

And what of the legacy of the NDP and their former leader, Sir James Mitchell? Having served in the Cabinet of Sir James, and having gone to parliament and outlined the plan of his party for Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope, what is responsible for this turnaround? The answer lies in the way the NDP operates, where they allow internet crazies, and hangers-on like Matthew Thomas, Clive Bishop and Luzette King, to determine their policies and the direction that party should take.

Conclusion

Finally, we must point to a book written by a former senior public Let us now reprint part of the servant, Karl John, called “Land debate by Arnhim Eustace when he reform in small island developing delivered his Budget Address in 2000. states; a case study on St.Vincent”.

Hansard Dec 11 2000 Chapter ten of the book, speaks to a Budget Speech by Arnhim Eustace plan by the NDP, to establish a leisure complex on the lands bought SECTORAL REVIEW from the Casson family.

Expansion and Improvement of At that time, the complex was Tourism Plant conceptualised as being a marina, Pg.24 hotel, villas, and a nineteen-hole golf Mt. Wynne Development course. It appears that the NDP had entered into discussions with a group “There is an urgent requirement to of investors, but talks fell through, increase the number of available, good and this effort came to nought. quality rooms in this country. While Against this background, it is difficult the existing Hotel Aids Act has to understand how Arnhim Eustace resulted in upgrades of existing plant, could be driven to make a comment and some additional rooms through that “we are totally against the sale of extension of existing hotels or new Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope to foreign ones, this has still been inadequate. interests”, and to further claim that We are still unable to hold major this will deny unborn Vincentians events such as conferences or from having a stake in their own land. international business or This of course is hypocrisy of the organizational conventions. We are highest order. The NDP simply wants also constrained in our sports tourism to oppose everything for opposition possibilities. This becomes even more sake, without any logical reason, real as we confront the imminence of except for the fact that they do not the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In this want anything good for the country. regard, we are presently holding Vincentians have already rejected the discussions with a consortium of NDP and Arnhim Eustace four times investors with a view towards at the polls. The people of South establishing a hotel of over 100 rooms Leeward, Central Leeward and North in the Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope area.

Leeward will never forget that it was Among other things, the Government the NDP who opposed this project, is prepared to contribute the land as thus denying them an opportunity to equity for the realisation of this earn a living. project”.

the Argyle International Airport in 2011.

Five years after, it is yet to be completed, and the recent study that was conducted by Stewart Engineering Limited for the New Democratic Party revealed that the airport cannot be operational before December 2018.

The following is the complete report of the study: Eight years have elapsed since you requested that we undertake a determination of the budgetary estimates of the cost of construction of the proposed Argyle International Airport. We undertook that serious and important study in consultation and collaboration with fourteen (14) international professionals (Engineers, Geologists, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Airline Officials, Airport Navigational Equipment Suppliers, Environmental Scientists and Landscape Architects). We also consulted the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, as well as personnel of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) of the United States of America. We had already been familiar with the regulations and requirements of the OECS Aviation Authority, having previously undertaken the Airport Development Studies for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in association with the Consulting Firm of Marshall Macklin Monaghan Ltd. of Canada in 1998.

As you may recall, our construction cost estimates on June 15, 2008 amounted EC$1,103,132,000.00.

Shortly after you released that estimate, the Management of the International Airport Development Company (IADC), a wholly owned Government entity which was entrusted with the responsibility of constructing that airport, increased their construction cost estimates by over $100 Million. We stand by the estimates which we have determined and provided to you.

It has been well established that before such a project is undertaken, a responsible Government must first undertake the following: wind Studies at the Site for a period of at least 5 to 7 years for the benefit of the Airport Design Engineers; to submit the findings to ICAO for review, as well as for public awareness; an Economic Feasibility Study of the proposed project to show in what ways the development would impact on the national economy. An airport of itself is not a sustainable public investment.

Also, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment to determine especially the negative impacts which such a development may have on the physical environment and the neighbouring communities, and to establish an environmental management plan which would seriously address the mitigation measures which should be implemented before, during and after construction, and government must own all the lands on which the proposed airport facility will be built.

The ULP Government failed to consider, undertake or complete any of the above prerequisites when construction work began at Argyle in 2008. It is for this reason that the ULP could not obtain international development ‘low interest’ financing for the largest capital project ever undertaken in the nation.

The several missed completion dates repeatedly announced by the IADC since 2011 is symptomatic of gross mismanagement and incompetence. Please note the following: * Strom Water Drainage Works at the airport have not been completed.

Check the nature of the flooding whenever there is a significant rain storm. * Electrical Power Supply and Installations have not been completed.

VINLEC is yet to complete the installation of ducts, manholes, and armored power supply cables, etc. * The facility is still without a permanent water supply installation from CWSA. * As yet, there is no Central Sewage Treatment Plant for this ‘international airport’. How will the sewage or liquid waste from aircrafts be received and treated? How will the sewage from buildings and ancillary facilities be treated? Will it be to each its own for a modern airport facility? * Earthworks at the airport are still ongoing and there appears to be no systematic approach to completion. * The supply and installation of airport navigational lights have not been completed. * The security fence at the airport facility has not been completed.

Substandard fencing material has been procured and installed such that rapid corrosion will demand imminent replacement. * The Terminal Building was built at least 4 years before it can be outfitted and put to use. It has been overtaken by dust and corrosion. Poor economic and physical planning, a lack of understanding and appreciation of the time value of money has been so obviously displayed by the IADC and the ULP regime. * The 3 Fire Tenders and 2 unnecessary Air-Bridges have been similarly purchased and parked for deterioration at least 4 years before they can be commissioned and put to use. * Access Roads to the Argyle Airport Site are still to be completed. * Essential Navigation Equipment are yet to be installed in the Airport Tower. * The certification of the airport facility by the designated international agencies is yet to commence. The process of certification is a very serious matter not only for St. Vincent but for the Caribbean Region as well. * It is our considered professional opinion that this Airport cannot become operational before December, 2018. * Finally, the IADC as well as the ULP Government cannot afford to make public any audited accounts of the finances of the Project.

The New Democratic Party expresses its sincere gratitude to Stewart Engineering Limited for its extensive report of the Argyle International Airport. Once again, we have seen the gross mismanagement and incompetence of the Unity Labour Party regime.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 11.

Views/Regional

Shema

“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” ? Elisabeth Elliot, Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity

and fulfilment; beckoning us to focus on thoughts and deeds that are pure and uplifting. This may mean being laughed at and ridiculed. However, these kinds of responses are not new to the followers of Jesus Christ. The Christian faith will be tested.

Teasing and heckling are mild compared to what the early believers went through. In addition, when we reflect on the instances of religious “SHEMA” IS A HEBREW word that, intolerance that exist in some parts when translated to the English of the world, we realise that the language, means “hear”. The Old teasing is insignificant. For Testament records describe God’s example, there are parts of Asia, promises to the children of Israel and Africa, and the Middle East, where the multiple blessings that He would professing Christians are tortured, bestow on them for their obedience. maimed, and/or beheaded.

Obedience to God’s word generates Martyrdom becomes the ultimate peace and confidence – even when the sacrifice. battles of life appear to be so As we welcome the invitation to overwhelmingly difficult. However, embrace ‘shema’, we readily there are so many instances in the experience an increase in our faith. bible (Old and New Testament) where We become stronger and more God’s people received blessings but energized to do what is right and subsequently appeared to slide into pure when we move from being mere disobedience immediately following. hearers to doers. We become bigger Today, we are faced with similar and better citizens when we challenges to obey God’s proactively seek to live out the commandments. We are beckoned to biblical instructions that keep not only hear His words … but to obey. societies strong. Difficult tasks and There are some who advocate that situations seem to shrink when we biblical rules/laws are “a thing of the do. John Bytheway reminds us that, past”. Some seek to make right “Everyone would like to have appear to be wrong, and wrong stronger faith. By themselves, the appear to be right. To them, God’s scriptures may not strengthen your laws are outdated and obsolete. faith, but being faithful to what they However, we should realise that teach, does. In other words, faith God’s laws are intended to help us — cannot be separated from not harm us. They are provided for faithfulness.” our good — as individuals, and as a Our challenge today, as we seek to society. live more fulfilling lives, is to The writers of the New embrace the biblical principles that Testament, inspired by God, provided generate faith in an all-powerful useful guidelines in relation to how God; the God of creation. Faith in we should live. These offered His only begotten son who came to valuable instructions to the followers this earth and died for wretched of Christ in their time. The sinners like me … and rose again instructions are invaluable to us from the dead on the third day. We today also. We can reflect on the are challenged to hear … and believe writings of the apostle Paul as he … and know that this same Jesus wrote to the churches in Rome, Christ will come again. This gospel Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi. In still rings out - Shema — hear! doing so, we can receive useful Faith in Jesus Christ makes the insights into how we should live; world of difference in the lives of seeking to be honest in all that we those who trust Him. These say and do. Peter and James also followers, who trust and obey their wrote to the early followers of Jesus Master, have the potential to change Christ, providing helpful guidelines communities and nations for the in relation to how they can live better. The great apostle Paul pure/righteous lives. These leaders challenges us to never be afraid or of the early church regularly ashamed to proclaim out faith in the reminded listeners to not only hear risen Saviour; never to be ashamed but to do. They provided instructions of the gospel, the good news, of so that the believers will know what salvation through faith in Jesus is right and just. They further Christ. Writing to the saints at challenged them to have the wisdom Rome, he pronounced, “For I am not and courage to follow those ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for instructions. We are encouraged to it is the power of God unto salvation not limit ourselves to hearing the to every one that believeth; to the instructions — but to doing them.

Jew first, and also to the Greek” They invite us to understand what (Romans 1:16). We can experience we hear and to follow through with such rich, fulfilling lives when we appropriate, desirable actions. pause to hear and accept this good We can pursue and achieve noble news. Shema! We hear … and dreams when we imbibe the wisdom respond … and we go forward to that is captured in the Bible. The build better, richer lives and Bible provides those foundational communities. We know that our principles that direct our thoughts seemingly small act of obedience can and actions at what is pure, right, ricochet through time - illuminating and just. It is of little value if we the lives of others … and our own. merely engage in reading, in hearing, and refuse to respond to the Send comments, criticisms & guidelines provided. God’s word suggestions to must be a light unto our path; julesferdinand@gmail.com showing the way to enhanced peace

ÂStop the pussy-footing,Ê says LIATÊs Reifer-Jones ACCORDING to the Antigua Observer, Julie-Reifer-Jones, LIAT’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), has come public with a call for less “general discussion” and a more “specific” study that would encourage the airline’s shareholder governments to drop stifling taxes on air travel.

And she has indicated, that already the Caribbean Development Bank, one of the primary benefactors of the airline, has been apprised of the need for a “technical study” to that effect.

The Antigua Observer also reported that the acting CEO stressed that ‘the study must be targeted, from the onset, at informing the region’s finance ministers on the economics behind lowering taxes, with the hopes of recouping revenue from increased air traffic’.

“We are proposing to the governments that there needs to be a reduction in the taxes. There has never

been a study that would guide the ministers … about how and the timing and the amount of the reduction that would be appropriate. A general discussion about taxes doesn’t allow a decision to be made,” she said.

Reifer-Jones’ call follows an earlier one made by Chairman of Pan Am World Airways Dominicana (PAWA Dominicana), Luis David Ramirez, who proposed that Caribbean governments co-operate through any of their regional multinational organisations, to agree on a strategy aimed at reducing the taxes.

He said then, “Governments have to understand that … they could collect even more money if [they] lower the taxes and increase the traffic — that’s the way we see it.”

Ramirez added, “In the last five years the total traffic of the Caribbean with the rest of the world

Maybe for the first time, a top administrative/ management person has called for a look at actions by shareholder governments that are inhibiting LIAT’s feasibility. (File Photo) has grown by 20 per cent.

The traffic within the Caribbean has been reduced by 4 per cent.”

He pointed to the cost of intra-regional travel as part of the reason, the Antigua Observer said.

(Source: Antigua Observer)

LIALP makes public appeal ON HIS ELECTION as president of the Leeward Island Airline Pilots’ Association (LIALPA) in 2012, Captain Carl Burke said it was very important for both the union and the company (LIAT) to move away from the friction that has been between them.

Four or so years later, LIALPA) finds it appropriate to accuse LIAT management of stalling and delaying tactics in releasing accounting information with regard to their (pilot’s) Retirement Funds.

According to a recent press release form LIALPA, as recent as last December, ‘the Company refused to respond to proposals from LIALPA’s Attorney, with respect to the matter referred.

The latest move by LIALPA comes amidst LIAT’s continuing deductions of ‘contributions from pilots’ salaries other than towards the contracted staff provident

(retirement) fund’.

LIALPA, in its press release, stated that these deductions constitute a a breach of Labour Laws (specifically Sections C34(1), C30 and 33) and is a criminal offense.

But while it insists that ‘Transparency and Accountability’ should be the order of the day at LIAT, LIALP cites that despite repeated calls from the pilots to account for their contributions to date into the Staff Provident Fund, the calls continue to fall on deaf ears.

As recent as last month, September, this matter is reported to have escalated at a meeting, when the Company yet again informed pilots that they will not be getting any information with regard to their retirement funds.

The Company continued to quote the same reasons it has been citing for the past 36 months: “problems with accountants.”

LIALPA immediately

Captain Carl Burke, President of LIALPA, oversees an organization that just might be running out of patience with LIAT management’s failure to be forthcoming with certain information. deemed LIAT’s excuse as “totally unacceptable,” and said it had “no other choice but to make a public appeal for LIAT to produce audited statements of pilots’ contributions into their Retirement Fund.”

The pilot association also implied that it was under strain as it continued to contain its membership.

V

12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Geothermal will kill our drinking water and can cause earthquakes GEOTHERMAL energy has many dangers and is very expensive. There are heavy upfront costs associated with both geothermal power plants and geothermal heating/cooling systems. Hot water pumped from underground reservoirs often contains high levels of sulphur, salt and other minerals.

The geothermal area earmarked for drilling towards generation of geothermal energy, is located directly above the precipitation area that produces our drinking water.

There is, therefore, substantial risk that geothermal will kill our drinking water. Once our water is contaminated, we will all perish. Man cannot live without drinking water, but man can live without geothermal electricity. Also, we do not need geothermal.

Open-loop geothermal systems emit hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane and boron. Hydrogen sulphide is the most common emission.

Once in the atmosphere, hydrogen sulphide changes into sulphur dioxide.

This contributes to the formation of small acidic particulates that can be absorbed by the bloodstream and cause

heart and lung disease. Sulphur dioxide also causes acid rain, which damages crops, forests and soils, and acidifies lakes and streams.

Some geothermal plants also produce small amounts of mercury emissions.

Scrubbers can reduce air emissions, but they produce a watery sludge composed of the captured materials, including sulphur, vanadium, silica compounds, chlorides, arsenic, mercury, nickel and other heavy metals. This is a dangerous, toxic sludge.

Land subsidence, a phenomenon in which the land surface sinks, is sometimes caused by the removal of water from geothermal reservoirs.

Hydrothermal plants are sited on geological “hot spots”, which tend to have higher levels of earthquake risk.

There is evidence that hydrothermal plants can lead to an even greater earthquake frequency.

In 2009, a $60 million project to extract renewable energy from the hot bedrock deep beneath Basel, Switzerland, was shut down after a government study determined that earthquakes generated by the project

Total cost of cable and laying the cable is EC$966m + EC$3.04 billion = were likely to do millions of dollars in EC$4.009 billion. damage each year, the New York Times Let’s face it, the ULP regime can’t reported. The project was first even export a banana properly; exporting suspended in 2006, after it generated electricity is beyond them. Also, earthquakes with magnitude of 3.4 on undersea cable can be subject to failure, the Richter scale. That caused about $9 and repair is very expensive, costing million in damage to other structures. about EC$3 million.

If there is an eruption at La Soufriere, It’s hard to understand the stupidity then all the money will be lost and we of the ULP regime opting for a hugely will be left in the dark with no expensive and complex geothermal electricity. It’s a very risky investment. project to supply electricity to SVG, Why spend EC$ 55 million on the when there are cheap and simple construction of a geothermal project, solutions such as solar, wind and hydro when the end result is most likely to be that could easily provide enough negative? electricity for our country.

According to the Leader of SVG Green Geothermal sites can run out of steam Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal BSc hons, MSc, over a period of time due to drop in MBA, anyone suggesting that SVG will temperature or if too much water is be exporting electricity to Barbados is injected to cool the rocks, and this may talking out of their backside. result in a loss of all monies invested in Barbados is about 179km from SVG. the plant. Geothermal can suddenly shut The cost of high voltage direct current down without any reason, and this shut (HVDC) cable is about EC$5.4 million down can last for years. per km. Going all the way to Barbados, Geothermal is very risky and not it would cost about EC$966 million for suitable for SVG. The geothermal project the HVDC cable alone. Laying the cable should be cancelled and shut down. costs about EC$17 million per cable kilometre. Going 179 km to Barbados, SVG Green Party this would cost about EC$3.04 billion. www.svggreenparty.org

ARE YOU READY FOR RETIREMENT? THERE ARE TWO WAYS to face the future - one with anticipation, the other with apprehension. Which will yours be?

The issue of retirement can create those mixed feelings. The prospect of setting your own schedule, and spending time on favourite hobbies, may make you yearn for your eventual retirement. On the other hand, uncertainty about the future is likely to make you a bit apprehensive. You can reduce your fears by taking a realistic look at how well you

prepare for retirement. Money is the biggest retirement concern most people have, so having a clear picture of your future finances will go a long way toward putting your mind at ease.

Start Early Unfortunately, some people do not start thinking about financial plans for retirement until they are just about ready to retire. You can avoid having retirement sneak up on you by making plans early. The sooner you start preparing and the more thoroughly you plan, the more likely you are to enjoy yourself when it actually comes.

Planning a comfortable retirement in the 21st Century requires a new approach. This is not your father’s retirement. The old model of the Golden Years - in which at age 60 or so, we went from working to not working, collected a corporate pension and spent our time on the back porch has become as outdated as using telegrams to send messages.

In the new millennium, the standard of living we enjoy in retirement hinges not so much on a company pension plan, but on how much we take advantage of existing investments options. Statistics have shown that, we are living longer, staying healthier and remaining more active after retirement. In short, retirement is a whole new

determine your tolerance to risk.

4. Consider Basic Investment Principles. How you save can be as important as how much you save.

Inflation and the types of investment you make play important roles in how much you will need to save for retirement.

Six Steps to retirement 5. Mix Your Portfolio. Based on your risk assessment, you should try to 1. Know your retirement needs. allocate your portfolio to give you the Experts estimate that you’ll need a best returns. In addition to your minimum 70% of your pre-retirement tolerance to risk, the amount of years income to maintain the standard of that you have for investment i.e. before living you currently enjoy. Do a retirement, will also influence your mix. retirement worksheet listing all your 6. Review Your Position. You will expenses for both pre-retirement and need to continuously assess your post retirement. Remember some progress and adjust accordingly to meet expenses like medical, home repairs, your goals. It is therefore important that will increase, while some expenses such you have financial information. Talk to as children’s education will decrease. your employer, your bank, or a financial 2. Start now, set goals, and stick to advisor. Ask questions and make sure them. Start early. The sooner you begin the answers make sense to you. saving, the more time your money has to Financial security and knowledge go grow. Each year, the gains build on the hand in hand. previous year’s gains — that’s the power These tips should point you in the of compounding. Use it to accumulate right direction. Remember financial your wealth. Make retirement saving a security does not just happen, it takes high priority. Devise a plan, stick to it, planning, commitment and money. and set goals for yourself.

Putting away money for retirement is If, for example, you estimate that like giving yourself a raise. It is money your retirement amount should be $ that gives you freedom when you need it500,000, the chart indicates how much and deserve it. you would have to save or invest monthly, at a10% annual rate of return. Article submitted by First Citizens Bank 3. Do a Risk Assessment. With the Ltd. Investment Services Unit on behalf help of a financial advisor, do a risk of Financial Information Month, Oct. assessment that will help you to 2016.

gig that offers many possibilities, but also demands more careful planning on our part to be able to take advantage of the multitude of opportunities. The simple truth is that retirement, if not properly managed, can be a disaster.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 13.

Heritage

Caribbean Kalinago at World Conference projections of a Kalinago village in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’; while his colleague Augustine Sutherland presented on ‘The Pirogue Project’ which he spearheaded.

The other two representatives were Cozier Frederick of Dominica, Kalinago Affairs Development Officer, who presented on the ‘SHARP Project in the Kalinago Territory’, which focused on restoring what used to be John Nero the first Kalinago OVER FIFTY PERSONS settlement in Dominica; attended the latest and Irvince Auguiste, a Humanities in the former Kalinago Chief of European Research Area Dominica who (HERA)-CARIB Symposium highlighted ‘The in Leiden, Holland, held on Kalinago CommunitySeptember 26th and 27th, Tourism Experience’.

2016. The event, Among the Conference spearheaded by the topics highlighted were: Faculty of Archaeology of issues pertaining to Leiden University, was indigenous places and hosted under the theme their histories; “Caribbean Connections: Caribbean heritage in ‘Cultural encounters in a local and European New World setting.” museums; threats to Among the heritage and indigenous participants were four Caribbean awareness in Kalinago community Europe. members from the The two-day Caribbean islands of Conference is said to Dominica and St Vincent have received reports and the Grenadines. In and analyses of three addition to making years of work done presentations at the within the Caribbean, as Symposium, the participants shared their Caribbean delegation projects, results, and expressed appreciation future research for the work done by directions on the impacts Leiden University. of cultural encounters Vincentian John Nero between Amerindians, presented on ‘The Europeans and Africans. histories and future It was also a special

Augustine Sutherland (foreground right) presented on ‘The Pirogue Project’, the making and launching of a Kalinago War Canoe (also pictured), which he had spearheaded.

occasion in that it marked over twenty years of affiliation between Former Kalinago Chief Irvince Auguiste and the Leiden University.

The HERA-CARIB project aims to understand the impacts of cultural encounters on

Lesser Antillean indigenous Kalinago (Carib) societies, by studying transformations in settlement pattern and organization, material culture, and network strategies across the historical divide.

On the Caribbean front, the project has

The ‘War Canoe’, which ‘landed’ at Rose Place on March 21, 2016, in full Kalinago fashion, took the better part of three years to construct. sought to contribute to the historical awareness and valorization of cultural heritage in a geopolitically diverse region, with an

archaeological record that is under threat from natural disasters and infrastructural development.

14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 15.

V

16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Arts

Ambrose has his last word

OUTGOING CHAIRMAN of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Dennis Ambrose departed his official chair with some final words in relation to the issue involving Carnival and some local private entities and individuals.

Speaking at the October 6 CDC prizegiving ceremony for Vincy Mas 2016, Ambrose lauded some sections of the private sector for their contribution to Vincy Mas. He singled out companies like (FLOW)LIME, Digicel, The St Vincent Brewery and Mustique Company Dennis Ambrose (right) accepts a Plaque of for their role in making Appreciation for his 15 years of service as the Monday t-shirt band Chairman of the CDC from Culture Minister Cecil street party as Mc Kie. successful as it has become over the years. of certain private entities/promoters.

The former chairman also In July 2016, he accused some of them complimented the National Lotteries of “piggy-backing on the efforts of the Authority, saying that along with CDC. Ambrose is on record as having sponsors such as the ones mentioned being went on record back in July proved, they comprise the lifeline of when he criticized private promoters the Carnival product. during the first post-Carnival press And while there were many other briefing, saying that they were “piggyentities looking to play a meaningful backing” off the festival through the part in the national festival, “equally volumes of people that were created by so there are others seeking to carve up the efforts of the CDC. the national product,” Ambrose said.

He went on to challenge such According to the former chairman, promoters to host their events at some some 15 years ago when he started his other time of the year: “Let me see you tenure as the chairman of the CDC, do that, I rest my case.” Ambrose said such partnerships between CDC and then. (DD) (More CDC coverage on private entities did not exist. page 22) “However, as the CDC provided a better, more improved, more attractive product, out of the woodworks came the beetles — go ahead and challenge me on that,” he said.

Ambrose went on to say that he was referred to as “uncharitable” and called many other unsubstantiated names, but that was “like water on the back of a duck — it runs right off.”

He added, “And I remain standing and assured that some of these so called entrepreneurs seek only to grab for their own personal gain, even to the detriment of the national festival, with little or no interest to national pride.”

He said that he and the members of the CDC were proud that they were able to stand their ground, and reminded the members of the current board that the festival was for all, not just for what he referred to as a few greedy ones.

This was not the first time that Ambrose has been critical

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 17.

News

Restoring St. GeorgeÊs Cathedral

BY SEPTEMBER 20, 2020, the St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, situated in the heart of capital city Kingstown, should be restored to its original state and ready for full use.

That’s the date that chairman of the Restoration Committee René Baptiste has in mind.

Accomplishing the task will not be easy, but the members of that body are determined to restore the building to its original capacity.

Baptiste has no doubt about the overall value of the cathedral. It was consecrated in 1820, and remains a symbol of Anglican heritage.

As Baptiste puts it: “It is the Mother Church of the Diocese of the Windward Islands.”

The Cathedral, rich in history and etched in rich architectural splendour, with its distinctive clock and bell tower among its features, has been rendered unsafe, the termite ridden wooden interior support and

René Baptiste heads the St. George’s Cathedral Restoration Committee. decorative work being of particular threat.

The cost for the restoration is put at EC$3M. Fund raising activities have been planned, including a Gospel Concert scheduled for the Russell’s Auditorium on November 9, and efforts aimed at soliciting the support of the renowned Atlantic Heritage Foundation

St. George’s Cathedral has been out of use for some time now.

Right: The interior wooden support of the Cathedral, showing extensive decay. are already in train.

With the enormity of the task at hand, Baptiste and her Committee are busy fine-

tuning their plans which are expected to include activities in California, USA, as well as Toronto in Canada. (WKA)

Woman worried about her safety ROMALDA FERDINAND is a 27-yearself-employed woman. She has a threeyear-old daughter who resides with her at their house in Sharpesdale.

She is worried about her safety, a situation which was made worse last Wednesday when a wall, which had already caused damage to her residence, shifted and increased the danger.

Ferdinand attributes the shifting of the wall to the recent heavy rains.

When the first impact was felt on October 7, Ferdinand moved quickly to have the situation rectified. But she feels that her situation is not being given serious attention. She complained that the National Emergency Management Organisation has not been responding quickly enough to her plight.

She complained that she has to place buckets in her house in order to reduce the extent of water flowing through her premises.

Not only is Ferdinand angry with the slow response to her situation, but she is left with a feeling of helplessness because the owner of the property which is served by the wall is of the view that the wall’s displacement is not his fault. (WKA)

V

18. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

No majority sale of land to foreigners TO DATE, NATIONAL PROPERTIES LTD. has sold, 60 acres of land on mainland St Vincent and in the Grenadines for development purposes, to 58 local residents and 30 non-residents.

This total does not include the 36 acres of land at the Mount Wynne/Peter’s Hope development.

The total sale value of the 60 acres referred, amounted to EC$28.1 million, of which local residents accounted for EC$14.9 million and nonresidents EC#$13.2 million.

This information was disclosed by Prime Minister Gonsalves during a press briefing he held last week Tuesday, October 4.

The information, according to the Prime Minister, was provided by Harold Dougan, Chief Executive Officer of National Properties Ltd. Dr Gonsalves’ disclosure came, it appears, in response to a statement made by the Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, during a press conference the New Democratic Party (NDP) held on September 27.

At that media conference, Eustace said that in his view, the sale

National Properties Ltd. headquartered at Diamond, makes state-owned lands available for sale for commercial and residential purposes. of state lands has contributed to the marginalization of Vincentians.

“In some instances, the experiences are insulting and in violation of our freedoms and rights — we cannot continue this way,” Eustace said then.

The leader of the opposition went on further to say that the majority of the land available for sale was being sold to foreigners, and while the NDP was not opposed to foreign investment, the action impacted on the emotions of locals.

So for example, he proffered, a Vincentian who would have migrated to the United States and after retirement decides

that they would like to construct a house back in St Vincent, “You find yourself after your sacrifices abroad not being able to access any land because of the policy of this government.”

National Properties Limited is a state corporation and as such is wholly owned by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Its primary function is the management of real property on behalf of the state.

Among its primary roles is to generate finances to help with the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

(DD)

‘Argyle landowners still owed,’ says Eustace LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Arnhim Eustace has charged that the Unity Labour Party led administration owes some 61 landowners for lands acquired for the construction of the international airport at Argyle.

Speaking on Monday’s ‘New Times’ radio programme, Eustace said that some EC$18 million was still outstanding to former landowners at Argyle.

Back in December 2014, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in response to a question posed by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, said that up to that time, that settlement with respect to 150 parcels of land and/or houses at Argyle was yet to be made.

A total of 143 built houses were purchased and 452 parcels of land acquired by government for the construction of the international airport at Argyle.

Gonsalves explained then, that of the 143 built properties, 139 owners were paid EC$60.4 million, but an amount of EC$1.5 million was still owing to four property owners.

These four property owners, the Prime Minister assured, “will be paid when various matters relating to the

Argyle – on the east coast of St. Vincent where 143 houses were purchased and 452 parcels of land acquired by government for the construction of the international airport. particular situations in each case are resolved.”

In 2014, the International Airport Development Company (IADC) paid EC$4.6 million to 22 landowners, and the total amount paid to the owners of 259 parcels of land amounted to EC$42 million.

In that same year, Gonsalves reported that 43 landowners had negotiated and arrived at a final settlement amounting to EC$16 million — an amount which he said was to be paid during the first half of 2015. (DD)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 19.

Tribute

Remembering Kenroy Elijah Antoine/Lynch – OCT 01, 1999 – SEPT. 28, 2016 Editor’s Note: Kenron Antoine/Lynch, this country’s sole fatality occasioned by the passage of Tropical Storm Matthew, September 28, 2016, was laid to rest in his native Layou on Saturday 8th October.

THE VINCENTIAN is pleased to share an abridged version of the Euology delivered by Ms. Judith Wallace.

IT IS WITH MIXED FEELINGS that I stand here today to take you on a journey, giving you a glimpse of the life of Kenron Elijah Antoine/Lynch.

Kenron was born on October 1, 1999 to Luween “Little Gal” Antoine/McFee and Gilford “Kenny” Lynch of Layou.

They loved and nurtured him in every way that they could have done.

Education

access to the Internet.

Wherever Kenron found a WiFi connection, he would spend inordinate periods of time, causing him often to lose check of the time and resulting in his reaching home late at nights.

He also enjoyed playing dominoes, and on Friday nights, Kenron and his friends Rasheed, Jamal, Jordan and Shane would play domineso at my home, with the promise that they not indulge in any betting or make unnecessary noise.

Kenron, as we say locally, ‘liked his belly’. He often complained about the extended time he spent at church with his mother which apparently made him hungry. No wonder that going to church with his mother was not something to which he looked forward.

I invited him to attend church with me, at the suggestion of his mother.

He did so on a few occasions, some even when not invited. He also attended Conference, youth social evenings, visited other churches or was involved in other activities organized by the AME Zion Church.

Kenron attended the Layou Methodist Pre-school and then the Layou Government School, from where he was transferred while in Grade 3 to the Lowmans Leeward Anglican School.

It was from that school that he obtained a place at the Buccament Bay Secondary School at which he was a Form 4 student at the time of his passing.

Kenron was a slow learner and, as any good mother would have done, Luween sought every means to get additional help for her son. He attended after-school classes in Layou.

He was also enrolled in a Summer Reading Programme that was taught

by Mr. Bissoux — A Specialist Reading Kenron – the boy Instructor from Canada. He graduated from that programme Kenron was a fun-individual to be having shown marked development of around. He asked a lot of questions his reading skills. when in doubt.

He never exhibited an interest in Pastime Sports, and although he lived in a coastal village, he could not swim.

Kenron spent a lot of time on his One of his dreams was to join his laptop. When he dropped it and the father in the United States. In the screen broke, his mother ensured that meantime, he would ‘blink out’ among it was repaired at the pricey sum of $300.

Like most boys his age, he spent much time downloading movies and playing games on his computer.

But he also found time for sketching, a skill at which he demonstrated impressive ability.

Because he had no access to the internet at his home, he would spend a lot of time either at the Resource Centre, behind the Layou Government School or by his friends — Jamin, Tita, Jasmine, where he had free The community of Layou came out in large numbers to mourn the passing of one of their own.

The student body of the Buccament Bay Secondary School was well represented at Kenron’s funeral service, procession and burial. Inset: Kenron Antoine/Lynch. his friends as he displayed the clothes he got from his father in the USA. Kenron was never in conflict with anyone. He would not pass without greeting those he met along the way.

All in all, though, much of his time was spent with his school friend Calvert Phillips.

He must have shared his innermost feelings with his close friends.

On Wednesday 28th October, 2016 as the thunder rolled, the rain poured and the lightning flashed through the skies, water made its way into the

bathroom of his home, and also affected his bedroom.

Not heeding the warning of his mother, he ventured outside in the fury to find out and deal with the problem. That was when tragedy struck. His life came to an end.

Mourning Kenron’s passing are his mother, father, sister, grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, past and present Principals and Students of the Buccament Bay Secondary School, friends and other relatives.

May his soul find peace in the Arms of God!

V

20. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Is your friend!!!!!

Dear George, I WATCHED my so called best friend kiss my girlfriend for more than two minutes, and when I cleared my throat and let them know I was there, he began making excuses saying my girl suddenly came unto him, and pretended to push her off. She got upset at him for pushing her away, and told him to stay still and let her kiss him. She did not see me at first, but when she did, she just muttered something like, “We have to talk, you and me, because this is not exactly what it looked like.”

I told her I did not want her explanation and, as for my so called friend, I told him he can have her. I just walked away with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I cannot see how I can bring myself to trust another woman.

Never again!

Dear Never again, Your girlfriend’s action is not representative of all women, and you should not use the same yardstick to do all your measurements. Your friend was in fact an opportunist who was just lurking in the shadows to get a go at your girl. Maybe you would have need to adjust your friendship criteria, so that it would be harder for the fake ones to sneak through. Even that, I admit, is not guaranteed.

There is no shame in walking away, and yes, you are hurt, but think of the volume of pain you may have been saved from had you gone further with that relationship.

George

Fighting over the dead and maintained some contact until his passing.

He has a son who was MY FATHER died in the born in the U.S., and this USA and we (my mother son is telling us that he and I ) were told that he would be doing the would be buried up there in a few weeks. He left us eulogy at the funeral. I voiced my strong when I was pretty young and did not look back. My objections to it, seeing mother eventually divorced that I am the eldest son. But he insists that I him. I am now in my twenties, but I did manage do not know my father as much as he does so he is to get in touch with him

Dear George,

the one who deserves to speak about him.

It is true that I do not know my father very well, but I am the elder son. This is enough

Problems with batting and told me how he was so very well endowed.

I am 32 years old. I met He had my attention. this guy two months ago, However, when we and from looking at him, actually got around to doing it, he came up with he is the perfect the excuse that lately he man. He is tall, handsome and funny. I has found that he cannot thought I had found the perform the way he used to. He said I must not love of my life.

From the very onset, I be worried since he was not yet used to being told him that I hate people who lie and cheat. with me.

After about five or so He said he understands episodes of below par where I am coming performance, I gave him from. marching orders. My George, he bragged girlfriends are telling me I am stupid to throw away such a good man. I do not only want a good man, I want a man who can be an allrounder and who is able to bat, bowl, field and keep wicket. The batsman I just got rid of has serious issues with his batting.

Dear George,

Disappointed

Dear Disappointed, It is much better for you to have a partner who is balanced enough to meet your satisfaction. While it is true that sex is not all that matters in a relationship, it is absolutely and without doubt a very integral part. You are not obligated to remain with someone who is sexually dysfunctional in any way. On the other hand, if you truly love that person and you see that it could be well worth it to work with them with their issues, then you see where that leads.

You have to know what is most important to you in a relationship, and should not settle until you are satisfied that the person in question meets that criteria. You did say upfront what your expectations were and your cards were, laid face up on the table. You should not feel badly to issue marching orders to someone who chose to ignore your approach.

George

ground to support me doing the eulogy.

However, after his insistence, I told him to go ahead and do the eulogy, but he should not look for me to be at the funeral. My mother is telling me that it does not matter who does the eulogy and I will still get a chance to speak at his funeral, so I should not make an issue out it. I do not see it like that.

Hurting Dear Hurting, Your mother is right, and it would do you good to listen to her advice. What is important is that you do get to say what is on your heart, and you should not let that opportunity pass you by.

It is better to put away your anger and find the courage to say something about your father, even though he dropped the ball at a crucial time in your life.

It will be beneficial for you to let go of past baggage and begin the healing process by using the appropriate words to express your true feelings.

Use the opportunity as well to get closer to your brother. He too will be hurting at the loss of a father.

George

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Your partner may be somewhat irritable this week. Self‐deception regarding your own worth may lead you down the wrong path. You need activity. You can expect to face opposition on the home front.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too.

Children may be demanding, and entertainment could cost a lot more than you can really afford. You will inspire confidence in others. Don't let any small misunderstandings get in the way.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Your ability to deal with others will help you accomplish your goals. Don't reveal information that is personal or confidential. You could be attracting individuals who are anything but good for you. Romantic opportunities will develop through friends or relatives.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Get involved in jobs that require creative input. You can win points with both peers and superiors. Think about taking the time to complete unfinished domestic chores. Go after your goals and don't be afraid to ask for assistance. You may come down with minor infections if you have allowed yourself to get rundown.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Try to do things with children that will enable you to bond closer to them.

Opportunities to learn important information will surface through discussions with peers or seminars you attend. Be supportive in order to avoid confrontations. Do not let them in on your plans if you want things to run smoothly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You will drive your emotional partner crazy this week. You will have an inaccurate assessment of your status in society. Opportunities to upgrade your living standards will come through your

lover or through joint financial investments. You may want to invest in something that will grow in value.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You can gain approval, get kudos, and ask for help if you put a little heart into your speech or request. Talk to someone you trust in order to see the whole picture.

Don't be a pest or a troublemaker this week. Colleagues may try to undermine you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Consider the source before you believe what you hear. Social activity should be on your agenda. Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self‐esteem.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You may not be able to help, but your support will be favorable. Don't make promises. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Unexpected bills will leave you a little short.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Consider starting a small business on the side. Look for a marketable gimmick.

Money may slip through your fingers. You can expect opposition from family as well as colleagues. Don't be too hard on your mate.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Get involved in activities that will be fun for the whole family. You will get great satisfaction from your efforts. Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on. You will be accident prone if you aren't careful this week.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Your emotions have been pulled out of shape and you need to do a little backtracking. Try looking into new ways to make extra money. Assist a relative or good friend by setting of a budget for them. Do not let your mate annoy you; patience will be the key.

ACROSS

54. Pressure brewed coffee 1. Wise old bird 56. Jai __ 4. At a __ (puzzled) 57. Spill over 8. Street performer 58. Peach center 12. Narc’s org.

59. Tab 13. Sasquatch’s 60. Aria cousin 61. City roads 14. Laundry room (abbr.) item 15. Republican’s DOWN rival 17. Swimming 1.Bookie’s circuits numbers 18. Broccoli unit 2. Shed tears 19. Actress Gwyn 3. Hobbled 21. Scottish topper 4. Brand of 23. Say “enter” stretchy (2 wds.) material 27. Is a copycat 5. Above, 30. German city poetically 33. Cash machine 6. Bandleader (abbr.)

Kenton 34. Yank’s 7. Building plot opponent 8. Grinding 35. Was concerned gadgets 36. Stubbed item 9. Retiree’s 37. Yankees’ org. account 38. On the Aegean (abbr.)

30. Leopard’s 10. Linoleum Canadian cleaner cousin 11. Pennsylvania 40. Words of has three agreement 16. Dobbin’s 42, Greek letter dinner 44. Informal 20. Earth message 22. Advanced 47. Storage spot degs.

51. California wine 24. Girl of song Region with a

stuttering suitor 25. Take __ the lam (2 wds.)

26. Santa Fe’s locale (abbr.)

27. The Salvation __ 28. Soccer great 29. Abates 31. Mine find 32. Type of tide 35. Attaché __ 39. Word on a local label 41. Internet communication (hyph.)

43. Silent Marx

Brother 45. Jumble 46. Nordic capital 48. Cook’s measures (abbr.)

49. “__ something I said?”

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 21.

(2 wds.)

50. Folding beds 51. Catch a criminal 52. “The Greatest” 53. Friend 55. Candidate, for short

V

22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Ambrose departs with an apology

AN APOLOGY has been extended to winners of the various competitions of Vincy Mas 2016, for the late payment of prize monies.

That apology came from Dennis Ambrose,

immediate past Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), as he performed his last official duty at the October 6 Prize-Giving Ceremony, held at Murray Heights

Hotel, Mc Kies Hill.

Ambrose attributed the delay to the late receipt of pledged funding, but gave the assurance that the CDC remains committed to do all that was possible to

pay prize monies closer to the conclusion of the festival.

“However, the reality is that when the entities have made pledges but would not have fulfilled those commitments in

the time that has been anticipated, the outcome is that the prizes can only be paid when those funds become available,” he explained “Unfortunately it Dennis Ambrose, outgoing is not an ideal CDC Chairman, saw it fit to world, so the CDC reach out to carnival-makers apologizes for this in a spirit of apology. relatively late presentation of prizes,” Ambrose everything sorted out, all added. the problems resolved Ricardo Adams, the immediately, but incoming CDC certainly we are going to Chairman, in giving his begin looking at some of first official presentation the obstacles that are in after being appointed, front of us,” he said. said that he and the And one of the first other members of the things that he said will Board will be focusing on be addressed is structure a few things. in terms of the shows, “We cannot guarantee and that of financing. that we will get (DD)

Labor Day needs some focus MINISTER OF TOURISM, Culture and Sport Cecil ‘Ces’ Mc Kie has called on the incoming members of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) to pay some attention to the Vincentian delegation, during the annual Labor Day celebrations in Brooklyn, New York.

Mc Kie, while making his Minister of Tourism, Culture presentation at and Sport Cecil ‘Ces’ Mc Kie last week wants the CDC to recognize Thursday’s CDC how it can exploit the Prize-Giving potential of Labor Day in New Ceremony, said York, to market Vincy Mas. that he has been in communication with New York based, Vincentian born Paddy Corea on the issue.

According to Mc Kie, Corea lamented that all his efforts as one of the pioneers of the effort aimed at getting Vincentians in NY to come together to have a better showing at Labor Day, may just have fallen on barren ground.

“And I want to ask the CDC to give this some attention, reach across the seas to the Diaspora and see how we can make that possible,” the Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister said.

McKie added further that a good showing of Vincy Mas at the Labor Day celebrations was also a useful marketing tool for the local festival.

“So I want the CDC to give that some attention,” he said. (DD)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 23.

King of the Dirt Motor sport missed. The music provided by the very skillful DJ, played a valuable hand in keeping the crowd entertained LET ME BEGIN by during the long periods of commending the SVG intermission, when the Automobile Association tractor had to pull and (SVGAA) for making history sometimes even dig in Saint Vincent and the vehicles out of the dirt Grenadines, by hosting its pits. Many of the tracks first ever King of the Dirt played were songs I myself event, at Diamond. have not heard in a long Despite the challenges time. The spectators of rain, late entries, etc., lapped it all up. they were still able to pull Commendation is due off a great show, filled each and every driver who with excitement and participated with their laughter, the latter own personal and purposeaccentuated by the MC’s built vehicles. Motorsports comical descriptions of the in Saint Vincent is drivers and their vehicles presently more for as they negotiated the enjoyment than it is for course riddled with duggain, and it certainly is no out mud pits, sand pits, mean undertaking for bushy tracks and the like. them to compete In all, the spectators unsponsored and out of were entertained and even their own pockets. dazed, especially when the Notwithstanding, it vehicles ‘jumped into the appears that everyone who air’. came out to the event was there to have fun. There Not even the rain …… was no complaining that the races were unfair, due This event was really to differences in power of and truly not one to be the competing vehicles, or

by KAMAL BACCHUSBROWNE - “Bacchus Imports and Driving School”

some being all wheel or two-wheel vehicles.

And uncharacteristic of Vincentians, there was no complaint about the rain — and there was lots of rain - even though there was nowhere to shelter.

Of special mention must be Rebecca of Roco 4x4, who travelled all the way from Miami, Florida to be a guest participant with her off road 4x4 Range Rover.

She demonstrated unequivocally that not only men but women as well, can compete in an off road dirt event and drive with the best of them.

Some suggestions With an eye on the future, here are a few suggestions for the SVGAA: Please make it clearer as to where the event is being held. I had difficulty finding the

In and out of one of the dug-outs and into the sand pit.

Left: Negotiating the bushy Hill Climb track.

venue and almost returned home. Many people I spoke to, said the same thing. Placing directional/ promotional signs could be a big help in this area.

It would be good for the SVGAA to make an assertive effort to obtain sponsorship for mobile stands that would offer seating accommodation.

Finally, more tents should be provided for shelter from the sun but mostly in the event of rain!

SVGAA’s King of the Dirt event has succeeded in inspiring me to begin to

Sion Hill to add Youth Netball Competition THE SION HILL NETBALL COMMITTEE will soon be adding a youth component to its already established senior competition.

This was confirmed by head of the Committee — Sylvia KnightsClarke, who revealed that it came out of an overwhelming interest among many young females from the Sion Hill community.

Knights- Clarke stated that her Committee will introduce the competition during the next Easter vacation, which will coincide with the break from school.

She informed that during the long August vacation in 2015, the committee held a talent identification search, which spurred several young females mainly from the Walvaroo and Sion Hill Village areas to attend.

Knights- Clarke admitted that these players cannot be included in the current teams, hence a separate competition.

A long- standing servant of the sport in the Sion Hill community, Knights — Clarke noted that greater efforts will be made to seek out young players to get involved in Netball, revealing that another development exercise is earmarked for the next August vacation.

According to Knights- Clarke: “As you can see, the older women are no longer interested, so we have to encourage the young ones to keep the sport going.”

At last Sunday’s opening of the 2016 Vita Malt Sion Hill Competition, at the Sion Hill

Playing Field hard court, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Ces Mc Kie expressed disappointment that there were not more teams emerging from the bowels of the Sion Hill community.

Listed in this year’s participating Head of the Sion teams are two Hill Netball outfits which are of a Sion CommitteeHill make up Sylvia KnightsSion Hill, Clarke and Hon. which is Ces Mc Kie, competing in meeting the Best Division One, Dressed Team at and G & T last Sunday’s Sydney opening- Star Some of the young netballers, Strikers, Girls. the Sion Hill Netball Committee which is will be catering for next Easter contesting in notable absentees.

Division Two. vacation.

Among those The two are which have part of ten participated with some frequency in teams which are seeking honours in the past, but are not in the 2016 this the 24th edition of the competition are Stinger Girls, Sea competition.

Operations Nar Fren Dem and Nice Also in Division One are Star Radio Clinchers.

Girls, Yanja Young Strugglers, Sion Hill, which this year has Owia Trail Blazers and Eveready gone up to Division One, won both Future Stars, while completing the league and knock- out Division Two are Star Girls 2, competitions in Division Two in OSCO Ball Warriors, KFC Pacers 2015. and Youngsters.

Yanja Young Strugglers took last Although this year’s quota of year’s Division One league title and teams is the same as in 2015, five Layou — the knock out. in both divisions, there are some

prepare for participation in the next event and more.

I hope anyone who was at the event or who might read this article and who feels the same way as I do, would do likewise, and

help to grow this or other forms of motorsports in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

This article was in no way sponsored by the SVGAA or affiliated entities!

Rising Stars – winners of the Bequia Road Relay.

Rising Stars take Bequia 5k Road Relay RISING STARS were the first team to cross the finish line at the Clive Tannis Playing Field last Sunday, as the Bequia United Second place- Bequia Community Athletics High School.

Club staged a four-leg road relay.

It took the Rising Stars’ quartet 22 minutes 20.82 seconds to complete the route, ahead of the four other competitors.

Second was the Bequia Community School in 23 minutes 58.73 seconds, and third was the Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Team One in 24 minutes 15.12 seconds.

The Bequia United Athletics Club and the Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Team Two followed in that order.

The race commenced at the Bequia airport, Paget Farm, with the first change-over taking place at the Stoney Gap, the second at Sugar Apple Inn and the final change-over at Tony Gibbons’ gap.

Head of the Bequia Athletics Club Ulrick Gurley said that the event was first slated for 4th September as a 5k individual run; however, lack of interest forced organisers to go the way of a Road Relay instead.

Despite being satisfied with the overall participation, Gurley bemoaned the fact that no female team contested the relay.

V

24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

SamuelÊs century humbles Bequia Masters JEROME ‘Parry’ Samuel stroked a magnificent century to help St. Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters defeat Bequia Cricket Association by 41 runs, in one of last weekend matches in the SVG Masters T20 Cricket Competition.

Samuel’s knock of 106 propelled P’tani Masters to 202 for 4 off 20 overs. Alfred McKenzie 33 not out and Isaac Haywood 27 also contributed.

Shawn Glynn, 48, Calvert Hazell, 39, and Victor Williams, 33, led Bequia ‘s chase, but they closed at 161 for 7 in their 20 overs.

Sion Hill, inspired by a good allround performance by William Edwards, beat Computec Belfongo by 32 runs. Scores: Sion Hill on153 for 6 off 20 overs, William Edwards 53, Samuel Holder took 2 for 19; Computec Belfongo 121 for 9 off 20 overs, Curtis King 32, Edwards 4 for 18.

Park Hill defeated Kirk DaSilva’s La Croix by 6 wickets. Kirk DaSilva’s La Croix made 128 for 8 off 20 overs, with Benedict Phillips getting 38 and Burt Bowman 26. Cameron John took 4 for 21. Park Hill easily reached 129 for 4 off 17 overs. Elton Lavia led with 54.

There was also victory for J.G. & Sons Glamorgan over Marriaqua in last weekend’s fixture. Glamorgan made 187 for 7 off 20 overs, Augustus Mofford hitting hit 44 and James George 34. Andrew Lyttle bagged 5 for 23. Marriaqua replied with 123 for 6 off 20 overs, with a top score of 36 coming from Olando Lavia. Mofford took 2 for 13 and Chesley Ottley 2 for 14.

RSVG Police Masters beat Pastures Masters by 5 wickets. Pastures: 96 for 7 off 20 overs, Rohan Ash made 37, Sigmon Allen grabbed 3 for 12; Police Masters 97 for 5 off 16.4 overs, Elmore Alexander 34 not out, Lennox Samuel took 2 for 25.

Coreas Hazells North Leeward defeated Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie by 33 runs. North Leeward 171 for 6 off 20 overs, Ancil Hooper 54, Olando Charles 37; Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie 138 for 8 off 20 overs Augustus Bentick hit 51 and Lenif Patterson 46. Reginald Jeffrey 3 for 19.

North East defeated Stanley Browne’s Stubbs by 66 runs. North East 137 for 6 off 20 overs. Arnold Gilkes hit 44 and Deighton Butler 41.

Micah Joseph took 2 for 16. Stanley

Browne’s Stubbs were bowled out for 71 in 18.4 overs. Harvey Pope had 2 for 12 and Eric Nemblett 2 for 7.

A romping Mustique Masters defeated RYB Challengers by 89 runs.

Mustique made 139 for 6 off 20 overs.

St Clair Bascombe made 41 and Felix Greaves 33. Tyrone Walker took 2 for 18. RYB Challengers made 50 off 13.1 overs. Felix Greaves grabbed 5 for 18 and Michael Charles 2 for 11.

Tomorrow Saturday, Stanley Browne Stubbs face J G &Sons Glamorgan at Sion Hill, and Park Hill oppose SVG Cooperative Bank Ptani at Park Hill from 2pm.

On Sunday, RSVG Police square off against Rudy’s Electrical Barrouallie at Sion Hill at 10am; Bequia Cricket Association play Marriaqua at Park

Jerome ‘Parry’ Samuel hammered 106 for St. Vincent Cooperative Bank Ptani.

William Edwards stroked 53 and took 4 for 18 for Sion Hill.

Hill also at 10a.m Mustique take on Computec Belfongo in Mustique from 11am; and at 2pm Sion Hill play RYB Challengers at Sion Hill; North East oppose Kirk DaSilva’s LaCroix at Park Hill, and Pastures clash with North Leeward at Buccament.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Middlesex cops second Brooklyn Title MIDDLESEX copped their second title in the 2016 Brooklyn Cricket League (BCL) when they beat Junoon by 10 wickets, in the finals of the BCL 35 overs Knockout Championship.

The 35 overs Knockout title follows on their T20 Championship they took a week ago.

In a match reduced to 30 overs due to inclement weather The first title was sweet, the second must be sweeter conditions at Marine for the Brooklyn-based Middlesex cricket team.

Park C, Brooklyn, Middlesex won the toss and asked Junoon to take first strike. and 8 fours. The versatile Manning gave good support at the other end, Junoon found themselves in early with a gritty 33 not out, to allow trouble, reeling at 20 runs for 4 wickets as Middlesex opening bowlers, Middlesex to ease to victory with 110 fast medium Tegana Mckenzie and leg without loss in 11 overs. spinner Rushane Manning, made I.B.A.ALLEN early inroads into the top order.

Star batsman Syed Haider’s top score of 31, and Awais with an unbeaten 23, helped THE 2016 ROAD RACE calendar picks up after Junoon to 110 all out the postponement of the Log Enterprises Byrea 5k from 27.2 overs. After Raod race, originally scheduled for October 10, the early onslaught by with the Digicel Biabou Road Relay set for McKenzie, 2 for 11 and October 23, from 3:00pm.

Rushane Manning, 2 for The race, a Community Race, will start and 15, it was Kavir Singh’s finish at the Biabou Playing Field, with this route who did the damage, constituting one leg of a four-leg relay. claiming 4 Junoon Participation is expected in three categories: wickets for 22 runs.

Primary Schools —open to mixed (2 males, 2 Middlesex runs chase females) from schools in the North Windward was inspired by openers Mark Audain, the former Constituency; Secondary Schools - open to only male teams from secondary schools from Carapan St. Vincent and the Grenadines youth player, to Sandy Bay; Open - this category is open to male teams from any other club and secondary schools and Manning, a former outside the Carapan to Sandy Bay district.

Jamaica youth player.

Given that the event is a Community Race, the With one eye on the conditions of participation are laid down by the weather, Mark Audain Biabou community organization(s) responsible for executed a clinical managing the event. batting performance, Cash prizes will be awarded as follows: stroking the ball effortlessly to all parts of Primary School — 1st $150.00, 2nd $100.00, 3rd 75.00; Secondary Schools — 1st $200.00, 2nd the field, on his way to $150.00, 3rd $100.00, Open — 1st $300.00, 2nd 66 not out, an innings $200.00, 3rd: $100,00. that included 2 sixes

Next Road Race in Biabou

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 25.

Sports

Extraordinary business THE WEST INDIES are into the new era of the pink ball, in a Day/Night Test match, for their first time.

Maybe they will relish the occasion and, being the bunch of unpredictable soldiers they are, they might just put paid to any suggestions of dismissing them. Conditions are anticipated to be different from the searing heat for which the United Arab Emirates is known.

How quickly one adapts, will determine who gains the ascendency.

This extended format has not brought out the ultimate in Caribbean determination recently. We have become engrossed in mediocrity and have fallen victim to that spasm of hopelessness.

The current-day generation seems to have lost that resilience that distinguishes ordinary from the extraordinary.

Nothing else matters as long as one satisfies the frailest ego, and that may explain why there is not a sense of pride as displayed by some of the senior West Indies players.

It is ironic that West Indies cricket, once a symbol of pride, has been reduced to an object of ridicule. Some (foreign) pundits appear to be interested in a revival of West Indies cricket, but they gloat inside and take it as vengeance for the suffering they endured at the hands of the rollicking West Indies speedsters.

Those countries are adopting a long term and varied approach to sports. As far as cricket is concerned, they are manufacturers of: cricket bats, balls, gloves, mittens, helmets, pads, clothing, shoes, stumps, bails, and other accessories.

Many off-field activities are taken up by persons from countries with interest in the sport, with the intention of entrenching the game in their quarters.

West Indies cricketers often get lost even before their careers have taken off.

Why are West Indies entities not grabbing aspects of cricket that provide them with revenue?

For example, a Vincentian furniture outlet can produce stumps for use not just locally but globally.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is known to have some of the finest craftsmen when it comes to building construction. Vincentians pride themselves in the possession of a place of abode, above other material objects.

That craftsmanship includes design on wooden attachments. Our furniture builders, or indeed enterprising innovators, ought to have moved into the exploration of producing cricket stumps.

Given the dynamics of today’s technological environment, that will be an exciting venture for an individual, institution, or department to venture out as an exercise aimed at satisfying the demand.

It could serve as platform for economic sustainability if our regional sportsmen, administrators and entrepreneurs plunge into the productive arena.

It needs not be restricted to cricket. Sports are spreading. Of course there will be alternative choices.

West Indians have to adjust to climate changes. That does not relate to changing weather patterns only. The changes affect agriculture, food preparation and almost everything else except the heart of mankind.

Opportunities are there in the sporting domain.

We have to make an effort to deal with them on a genuine basis. That entails making use of all available resources. There is enough in the Caribbean. We have to find them and use them in the best way possible.

North Leeward cricket: Sharpes wins and loses

SHARPES UNITED, powered by Edson Williams 57 not out and supported by an unbeaten 18 by Osbourne Nash, secured a four-wicket win over Rose Bank United, in the VINLEC North Leeward Cricket Championship last Saturday. Husani Porter and Winston Skinner, 21 each, joined the chase as they cruised to 163 for 6 off 17.4 overs. Simon Jack 2 for 25 was the main bowler for Rose Bank.

Rose Bank United were dismissed for 162 with two balls of the 20 overs remaining.

William Edwards 81 was the top scorer, with Action in last Saturday’s VINLEC North Leeward Alex Harry, 23, also contributing. Troy Prince 3 Cricket Championship, played at the Petit Bordel for 24, Husani Porter 3 for 37 and Alfred Howe Playing Field. (Photo Credit: Jules Anthony on 2 for 32 were the main wicket takers for Facebook) Sharpes.

Sharpes dropped their momentum and similar dominance over Rudy’s Electrical. Shang I conceded easy points to Peto Stars the following John 38 not out, Omalie Lavis 31 and Kuthberth day, when they made a no show.

Springer 23 took Big League to 112 for 1 off 11.3 Meanwhile, North Stars, 114 for 1, made light overs. Rudy’s scored 109 all out off 13 overs, with work of Summerset who mustered 108 for 8 off their Curtis Edwards 27 leading the way. reduced allotment of 15 overs, due to rain. Nelson Defending champions Circumstance meet Carlos Williams, 29, and Bishon Williams, 22, were among James Troumaca Starlight in tomorrow’s first the runs in an innings undermined by Javon encounter, followed by a Rudy’s Electrical versus Samuel, 2 for 9, and Wasim Browne, 2 for 26.

Ajuba clash.

The North Stars batting followed up their Rudy’s return for Sunday’s final clash with bowling with Summerset facing a ‘browne’ patch.

Upsetters. Big League and Roberson Surveying Shem Browne, 62, and Dean, 35 not out, left the Future Legends open Sunday’s schedule. (WKA) issue beyond doubt, with North Stars achieving the target in eight overs.

Big League romped to

Layou football, netball on the cards THE CENTRAL LEEWARD TOWN of Layou swings into action October 23, with the opening of the 2016 Layou Football and Netball championships.

The championship will feature teams from communities like: Pasture, Plan, Bethrimy, Texier Road, Cashville, and Buccament. Eight teams are slated to take part in each discipline of the competition.

The Football kicks off at the Layou Playing Field at 3 pm, and the Netball is carded for the hardcourt from 7 pm.

Layou has produced a number of this country’s outstanding sporting personalities, especially in football and netball.

Organisers are hopeful that the championships will help to cement the area as a bastion of these sporting disciplines.

Teams have until Monday, October 17 to complete registration.

The Championships are spearheaded by the Layou Sports and Cultural Organisation, which has also indicated its intention to play a pivotal role in Lightingup activities for the Nine Mornings celebrations in Layou.

(WKA)

V

26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Simple Boyz stun United GAIRY CONSTRUCTION Simple Boyz remained on course in defence of their NLA TBPO 20/20 Softball Cricket Tournament title, when they eased to a comfortable 50-run win over Richmond Hill United, last weekend.

Simple Boyz took first knock and made 142 for 6 in 20 overs.

Desron Maloney topscored with 38, Xavique Alexander hit 36 and Nicos Davis 27. Deptor Culzac with figures of 3 for 25 and Colin Lee 2 for 25, were Richmond Hill best bowlers. In reply Richmond Hill United reached 92 all out in 12.2 overs.

Raydon Bentick made 31 and Marvin Harry 26. Maloney took Desron Maloney hit 38 and took 4 4 for 21. for 21 for Smart Strikers beat Young defending TBPO Stars by 8 wickets. Young Stars Softball made 114 for 8 in 19 overs. champions Rodon Perry made 20. Bowling Simple Boyz. for Smart Strikers, Atnel Ash took 2 for 15. In reply Smart Strikers reached 116 for 2 in 7.1 overs. Harvan Smart made 56 not out and Britol Scott 48.

Gomea Bombers defeated Dipcon Road Warriors by 37 runs. Bombers made 159 for 6 in 15 overs.

Bernard Bushay led with 46 not out, Alwyn Quashie hit 37 not out and Noel Carr 33. Jamal Williams took 3 for 35 and Damon Mason 2 for 13 for Dipcon Road Warriors. In reply, Warriors reached 122 for 5 in 15 overs. Everson Thomas made 45 and Larson Mason 38.

I.B.A.ALLEN

REPAIRS

Washing machine and microwave repairs HOME SERVICES 455-5018

FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

2007 Nissan Urvan Manual Tel: 527-1994 530-1234

Lands at Lower Questelles Contact: 491-7156

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

1 bedroom unfurnished apartment at Upper Richmond Hill fully secured 451-2411

Fully furnished apt at Belair - 2-bedroom with AC. Parking available Easy access to main road 454-4739/454-2227 457-2788

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 14, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.41

www.thevincentian.com

A.I. REAL ESTATE McKies Hill 6,005 sq.ft @ $25.00 p.s.f. - $150,125.00 - BB234 Victoria Village 19,503 sq.ft @ $7.50 p.s.f. - $146,272.50 - BB116 Pembroke Farm 59.063 sq. ft with building. - CALL - CC002 (784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 whatsapp (784)-493-9431cell (718)-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com facebook.com/airealestatesvg

EC$1.50

JOURNALIST ACQUITTED ON ASSAULT CHARGE

by HAYDN HUGGINS A VIDEO SHOWN at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday revealed a journalist, employed with The Searchlight newspaper, being savagely manhandled by Corporal Wendell Corridon of the Traffic Department of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

The video which Magistrate Bertie Pompey said

“speaks a million words,” was tendered in evidence in the matter in which the reporter, Ari Shaw, was on Tuesday acquitted on a charge of assaulting the traffic officer by striking him, causing his helmet to fall off.

The incident occurred last J’Ouvert morning, July 4, and was captured via cellular by Romain David, employed at SVG TV as a driver and cameraman, from July 18.

The video corroborated Shaw’s evidence in relation to the brutality meted out to him.

The journalist told the Court that on the morning in question, he attempted to ‘part’ a fight in which a friend of his was involved, in the area of the old Public Library. However, the men involved were too aggressive, so he discontinued his efforts.

As he stepped back , Shaw said, Corporal Corridon grabbed him by the waist.

“I told him I was not part of the fight. He told me shut up or he go bloody me up, and raised his hand as if he was going to slap me.

He held on to me and started dragging me going uptown. At that point, I asked him where he was taking me. He didn’t reply. I told him ‘not everybody with locks stupid, where you taking me’’? Shaw who sports a dreadlock hairstyle, recalled.

Corridon and another police officer, whom Shaw identified as Williams, then held him at each side of his pants waist, tugging him left and right. They took him uptown, turned right along the road on which This extract from the Subway is located, then continued along that video presented in route to the Central evidence shows Ari Police Station.

Shaw’s face to the “I tripped, and ground, at the mercy Corporal Corridon of the two police grabbed onto my locks officers.

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

Attorney Grant Connell, pictured with his client Ari Shaw, has since written to the Commissioner of Police, seeking his attention to matters of overextension of his officers’ authority. and started pulling them,” Shaw recounted.

“He was holding one hand to my locks and one hand to my waist and was pushing me through people,” Shaw told the Court.

He said Corridon never identified himself as a police officer or informed him that he was under arrest, adding that he never retaliated or resisted arrest.

Corridon released his hold on Shaw’s locks, only after persons in the area repeatedly called on him to do so. But, according to the journalist, Williams maintained his hold on his pants waist.

Continued on Page 4.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.