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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

by DAYLE DA SILVA RESIDENTS IN ARNOS VALE are breathing a sigh of relief following the decision made Garth ‘Lance’ Oliver to comply with the notice from the Physical Planning and Development Board, for him to cease the operation of his food outlet, known as Chill Spot.

“Planning did not close them down, they closed themselves down,” one resident told THE

VOLUME 110, No.37

VINCENTIAN. “Do the right thing, that is what we wanted them to do,” she continued.

“The residents did it collectively, it wasn’t a one man thing.”

Notices from Planning Oliver received notification by way of a letter dated August 31 from the Ministry of Planning, stating that he had been given until tomorrow, September 16, to comply with the order to

Residents also raised concerns about the traffic problems that arose as a result of inadequate parking space.

www.thevincentian.com

cease operation.

According to the letter, the Physical Planning Board had found the reasons offered by Oliver as to why he should remain open for business, to be unsatisfactory.

The letter also reminded that he was served notice back in 2014, after it was discovered that he was operating the business without the necessary permission.

It pointed to Oliver’s noncompliance in the face of being served an enforcement notice and being refused planning permission, by continuing to operate the business, failing thus to comply with the requirements as set out in the enforcement notices, and bringing the business in violation of the Town and Country Planning Act, Cap. 334 of the laws of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

A previous notice had been served in January 2015 as a result of Oliver covering the ‘Rent and Drive’ parking lot with a roof, without authorization so to do.

An application submitted by Oliver in April 2015 was denied, reasons being: the violation of the required setback from the secondary road; the development’s

EC$1.50

Chill Spot has been ordered to cease operating by tomorrow, Saturday 16th September.

incompatibility with the existing land use in the area; and the reduction of parking space designated to the existing ‘Rent and Drive’ development as shown on the planning application approved back in 2006.

More sentiments expressed

purchase food.

He said that he has been living in the area for about five years, three of which he has had to put up with Oliver’s business.

“It seemed as if the residents had no right,” he continued.

“The place is already beginning to become quiet.”

Another relieved resident explained that it was a combination of the smoke, cement dust and loud music.

And the residents are pleased with the decision of the Planning authorities.

“I am extremely happy that they are closing him down,” said another resident.

He told THE Continued on Page 3.

VINCENTIAN that he was not Aqua – the other able to sit in operation that has his porch raised the ire of because of the residents. stench that emanated from a nearby drain.

The resident, said that although he does not reside in close proximity to Oliver’s business, he has been affected at times because of the traffic which builds up in the area when patrons come to

2. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 3.

News 3 One Act, two Assents

gazette, so as to adhere to the requirement that it is now a public document.

THE VINCENTIAN was reliably informed that the gazette carrying the Assent “went out on Wednesday.”

Reports that the Act had been gazetted earlier could well have been misleading.

The delay between Parliament’s approval of the Act and its Assent and gazetting was a cause for concern, and investigations as to what might have occasioned that (delay) throw up an interesting situation.

Susan Dougan OBE was named as Rev. Victor Job – retired Methodist THE VINCENTIAN the Governor General’s Deputy Minister. became aware, during replacing Dame Monica Dacon. the course of its investigation, that two THE CYBERCRIME ACT NO. even in the face of majority support of the separate Assents to this 26 of 2016, perhaps the intense local, regional parliament, the next step Act — one carrying the most widely debated piece and international in the process towards name of Susan Dougan of legislation in recent protests. full enactment of the OBE, Governor General’s memory, was passed in The protests were, on Act/Law lay with the Deputy and dated this country’s parliament all accounts, predicated office of the Governor August 22, 2016, and on August 12, 2016. on the common concern General, which has to another in the name of It received the full that the Act infringed on give it formal assent, Victor H. Job, Governor support of its architects, the freedom of thereby clearing the way General’s Deputy, and the government of the expression. for it to be published in also dated August 22, Unity Labour Party, Once it received the the (Government)

Residents Contented Continued from Front Page.

The residents also took issue He said that his girlfriend is with Senator Carlos James who asthmatic and that he has a two went on social media making a year old child. call for “the need to compromise Action needed to be taken, he and strike a balance” in the onsaid, because the problem was on- going saga. going for over two years.

In venting her feeling, another “The only one who abided was resident said that for three years, Trotman, but these two?” as he she was imprisoned in her own pointed in the direction of ‘Chillhome.

Spot’ and ‘Aqua’, a similar “We had to close the door to business within walking distance keep out the smoke; the place it of the other. hot — it’s noise from the night “Is like them don’t care at all, until anytime they feel like they keep saying that we fighting closing; and now people talking them down, we don’t want them about compromise?” to make a dollar. What we simply “We did all that; we called telling them is to do something them, we spoke to them; we called that could ease what we are the police, health, planning, we feeling, but they don’t want to do went to them (business owners); that. Yes they closing down, but we called the ministers of they cause that on they own self,” government, even the Prime he said.

Minister,” she said.

The affected residents did

Issue with the Senator

everything possible within the law, and now they were all breathing a sigh of relief.

But while the residents are feeling contented with the decision made by the Planning Authorities, there are still some concerns about the other operation — Aqua.

One resident, who lives in close proximity, complained about the music levels, saying that he has had to go over and ask on a number of occasions for some consideration to be maintained, however as the hours roll by, the volume levels increase, he said.

The resident also noted that some people say that such businesses are needed to promote tourism, but he said that the kind of obscenities that are often heard being used by patrons, are not a conducive environment for foreigners.

2016, had surfaced.

The indecision as to which to print and the lack of clear instructions so to do, may just have contributed to the delay.

It is understood that the gazetted Assent is not in the name of Susan Dougan and we are to assume, without actual possession of the relevant gazette, that the Victor Job Assent may be the one that was printed.

Question: When was Victor Job, a retired Methodist Minister sworn in as the Governor General Deputy? Has Susan Dougan

relinquished the post of or been replaced as the Governor General’s Deputy? Did she have a problem with the Act or the process leading to Assent? She was the one introduced to the public as the bona fide Deputy, how then does Victor Job suddenly appear to have such authority?

The passage of the Cybercrime Act through Parliament had its fair share of turbulence. It appears that it continues to attract static that leaves a bad taste the mouths’ of concerned citizens especially.

Newborn male found in hole IT WAS YET TO BE DETERMINED if the mother of a newborn baby that was discovered in a hole in the backyard of a residence in Fitz Hughes on Wednesday morning around 11:30, will be charged.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, the body of a newborn baby boy was discovered alive, and up to press time was at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

The police did not disclose a name, but did tell THE VINCENTIAN that the mother of the infant has been identified as being in her 30s, and known have a history of alcohol use and mental illness.

It is unclear how residents came to know about the the location of the infant, however a video posted on Social Media shows irate residents of the North Leeward community around the hole in which the infant was discovered; a resident is shown as having crawled into the hole and successfully fished the baby out.

As the infant is being taken out of the hole, residents realized that the infant was still breathing, and could be heard expressing their shock with and disdain for the woman who they assumed had committed the act.

The one and a half minute long video ends, showing residents wrapping the newborn before proceeding to seek assistance.

Back in 2013, the body of a dead baby was found by a vagrant in garbage receptacle in the vicinity of the Inland Revenue Building in Kingstown. The body was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a plastic bag.

No one was ever arrested or charged in connection with that incident. (DD)

V Another double recusal, Magistrate applauded 4. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

(Nelson) does not even know pointed out that, “While may feel that a real possibility matter what Magistrate the matter goes before, people what is Mike Browne’s current previous political association exists for bias.”

BACCHUS-BAPTISTE’S would always find something political affiliation. should not disqualify a application was made in a letter Magistrate, the public Crown Counsel responds to say.”

Nelson concluded, “I think to the Magistrate, dated Nelson opined that a fairthere is no real possibility of expressions of the Assistant September 9, 2016. She also But Crown Counsel Karim minded and informed observer bias in this case.”

DPP, and the highly charged made oral submissions at the Nelson, in response to in St. Vincent and the Before recusing herself in political environment we live Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court on in, make it imperative that Bacchus-Baptiste’s Grenadines would say, “There both matters, Ellis-Browne Tuesday. application, on Tuesday, is no real possibility of bias.” admitted that the application the defendants and the She referred to media expressed the view that the He also noted that Michael for recusal was not totally general public, feel justice is reports in relation to seen to be done. A fair minded point the then Assistant DPP “Mike’ Browne, has not been a unexpected, and that she had comments that were made by and informed observer in St. was making when he spoke to member of parliament for the already done some research on Colin John, then Assistant the media, was that, “No last five years, and he the issue.

Vincent and the Grenadines, Director of Prosecution (DPP), in response to questions from the media, outside the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, minutes after Magistrate by HAYDN HUGGINS Commissioner of Police, dated Prosecutions (DPP).

Bacchus-Baptiste, in a letter Pompey had recused September 9, 2016, BacchusHowever, a letter from the dated, September 13, 2016, himself from hearing ATTORNEY KAY BacchusBaptiste wrote, “I acknowledge DPP’s Office, dated September replied to the DPP’s Office, Exeter’s matter, June 20, Baptiste is requesting partial disclosure in the cases; 12, 2016, signed by DPP Colin stating that “Our defence is 2016. John was the disclosure of ballot boxes in the however, in light of the many Williams and addressed to that the ballot boxes were prosecutor in that matter. December 9, 2015 general specific charges relating to Bacchus-Baptiste, stated, indeed not properly sealed.”

According to media elections, based on the sealing etc. of ballot boxes, I am “There seems to be some She added, “It is therefore reports, John had told particulars of charges brought requesting that disclosure be misapprehension on your part imperative that the ballot boxes reporters that if the against her client Douglas made of all the ballot boxes for as to the charges and evidence be disclosed, both for me to matter goes before Chief ‘Dougie’ De Freitas.

Central Leeward and North in these matters. Our case does peruse before the case and also Magistrate Rechanné De Freitas, proprietor of Nice Leeward, and in fact, all the not contain nor rely on to be exhibited in court as Browne, the argument Radio, is facing 12 charges of (ballot) boxes, based upon the producing any ballot box or evidence. can be made that she is publishing false statements charges laid.” boxes.”

“Surely you (DPP) cannot the sister of Minister of likely to cause fear or alarm or The letter added, “This is The letter added, in prove your case without proving Health Luke Browne, and to disturb the public peace. necessary for the proper conclusion, “Accordingly, there to the Court that the boxes if it goes before EllisThe charges stem from defence of my client. is no ballot box to be shown to were properly sealed.”

Browne, it could be statements De Freitas had “I will need to see the boxes you. These charges rest plain The letter concluded, “The argued that she is the reportedly made on Nice Radio before the trial, and then they and simple upon the statements Defence will be prevented from wife of former on the morning of December 10, must be made available as made by your client. In short, preparing our case without Government Minister the day after the results of the evidence in the cases.” our case rests on what your sight of the (ballot) boxes.

Michael “Mike’ Browne. elections were declared.

Bacchus-Baptiste’s letter was client said.”

Please make same available.”

Bacchus-Baptiste In a letter to the copied to the Director of Public But Continue from Backpage

‘Dougie’s’ lawyer requests ballot boxes

Trinis jailed on drug related charges TWO NATIONALS OF TRINIDAD and Tobago began eight-month jail terms on Monday, having been found guilty of drug-related charges.

Robin Beharry and Jovan Ramroop were each sentenced to eight months in prison for having 22 pounds of marijuana for the purpose of drug trafficking, and six months for attempting to export the drug.

The men were also fined $13,000 forthwith or 12 months behind bars for possession of the drug with intent to supply.

The sentences, handed down by Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court, will run concurrently.

A third charge against them for conspiracy for the purpose of drug trafficking was withdrawn.

The men had pleaded guilty at the same court on Friday 9th September, but sentencing was postponed.

They had been charged jointly with Jaffet Williams, also from Trinidad and Tobago. Williams maintained his innocence, and the charges against him were withdrawn.

The trio had initially appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, but the matters were transferred to the

Serious Offences Court.

The facts presented by Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche revealed that around 4:29am, August 23, the Canouan Coast Guard was on patrol when they spotted a ‘go-fast’ vessel heading south.

The Coast Guard gave chase and as they closed in on the vessel, they Jaffet Williams had the observed three men on board. Two of charges against him them were seen throwing a sack withdrawn.

Jovan Ramroop will overboard. now have a taste of Court that his clients, The Coast Guard officers then jail life in SVG. who were fishermen, pressed what is known as ‘the man Robin Beharry was named were fishing way overboard button’, and continued their south as the captain of the vessel. above Grenada when their vessel chase. and They fired a warning shot, and the developed engine problems, and ended north,” up off Union island.

They sought ‘go-fast’ vessel came to a halt. he added.

Having pulled alongside the vessel, assistance and the persons who came Connell pleaded with the to their help, gave them a package to the officers took two of the men on to Magistrate to impose a fine and take to Trinidad. the Coast Guard boat and questioned referred to neighbouring islands, in “Clearly the captain erred and them. The men gave their names and particular Barbados, where four identified themselves as Trinidadians. accepted the package, and when the Canadians recently caught smuggling Coast Guard intercepted them, the They took the officers to where the a quantity of marijuana were fined men threw the package overboard. sack was thrown overboard. It was and deported.

“It was just a kind gift from the retrieved and found to contain “So we see their approach. They islands. … We know that foreigners marijuana. impose a fine and deport them. love what we have here. It is often a When cautioned, the captain, Similarly, that should be our Beharry, said he was given a job while case of send this, send that, send some approach. We cannot afford to impose another occupant said he was trying to fudge, send some sugar cake, send any further liability on the state to some ganja,” Connell told the Court. help his pregnant girlfriend. maintain foreigners who come and are “There is clearly a demand for what Attorney Grant Connell, found in possession of the locally representing the Trinidadians, told the we have by our friends in the east, grown marijuana,” he suggested. (HH)

V New CDC Chair, new era

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 5.

Carnival Focus

RICARDO ADAMS, newly appointed Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), has acknowledged that he taking over ‘a hot seat’.

However, he is not the least worried about his ability to perform the task he has accepted, has pledged to give of his best, and hopes that he can have a positive impact on Carnival.

He called for unity, and for the people to support the Board, Vincy Mas and culture.

“Going forward, we need to work together,” Adams told THE VINCENTIAN, adding that he is willing to listen to the suggestions of others before doing an analysis and assessment of the situation.

Adams takes over the helm of the CDC, leading up to the 40th anniversary of the change from a PreLenten festival.

a few occasions at Calypso tents, and even appeared as a ‘prop’ for Delroy Adams remains ‘Fireman’ Hooper when he undaunted by the task ahead, given his wealth of won the Ragga Soca title a involvement in the culture few years ago.

“So I’ve touched a little of SVG, and his bit of everything though I administrative acumen. will say my closest He boasts being affiliation with pan is involved in carnival for about 35 years — inclusive pushing a pan rack, or going into the pan yards, of a long-standing but I never played the association with Blondie instrument.”

Bird and Friends Mas All in all, Adams Band, and being the explained that he has Carnival Bands always been involved in Association’s (CBA) representative to the CDC the Carnival process, and has been known to be for a couple of years.

In addition, Adams is a vocal at times, when he foundation member of the thought that there ought RJR J’Ouvert Band which to be changes.

He added: “I can’t sit has impacted the J’Ouvert outside and say this is celebrations here for the how it should be, and then last twenty years. when someone says well, As far as pageants are here is the opportunity to concerned, the new assist us, and then I say Chairman has served on no.” the Miss Heritage Committee and as a coThe task ahead chaperone for the Miss SVG Pageant.

“From a strictly He has been an MC on

What he brings

Ambrose retained for smooth transition DENNIS AMBROSE, former Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), has been retained as advisor to the CDC, in order to facilitate a smooth transition and continuity.

So too has former Beauty Shows Coordinator, Cheryl Rodriguez.

Cecil ‘Ces’ Mc Kie, Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, told THE VINCENTIAN that, under the Carnival Development Corporation’s Act of 2002, provision is made for the appointment of 12 persons to sit on the CDC’s Board, and two advisory positions.

Without addressing whether Ambrose’s addition to the already named two advisors — Hans King and Lennox Bowman — was in any way a breach of the Act, the Minister simply said that, “Dennis Ambrose has been retained because we are looking for continuity.”

The contributions that both Ambrose and Rodriguez have made to Carnival, according to the Culture Minister, were commendable.

Rodriguez, for example, had taken the Miss SVG Show from the days of it being staged at the Aquatic Club, to become one of the more anticipated shows on the Carnival Calendar.

“So we thought it was important to keep Ambrose and Rodriguez in an advisory capacity to provide continuity,” the Minister reiterated.

The minister also confirmed that both persons had previously said that they were looking to vacate their respective positions, after being there for some time.

“We have been looking since about two years ago — asking for suggestions, but identifying persons has been difficult,” McKie told THE VINCENTIAN. That difficulty has since been surmounted with the official announcement that Ricardo Adams will

Cecil Mc Kie, Minister of Culture, sought to justify the retention of Dennis Ambrose on the CDC, on the grounds of ‘a need for continuity’.

replace Ambrose as the Chairman of the CDC, and Miss LaFerne Fraser replacing Rodriguez as chairperson of Left: Dennis the Beauty Shows Ambrose is the Committee. longest serving Adams served (2001 – 2016) previously on the chairman of the Marketing and CDC since the Promotions change from a Committee of the Pre-Lenten CDC. festival.

Notwithstanding, both Ambrose and Rodriguez are expected to play pivotal roles during next year’s festival, it being the 40th anniversary of the change from a Pre-Lenten festival to a June-July one.

A series of activities is planned as a lead-up to the 2017 festival, Minister Mc Kie said.

Others appointed to the CDC include: Ellsworth ‘Ezzie’ Roberts — Deputy Chairman and Coordinator of Rural Carnivals; David Telesford Financial Comptroller, taking over from Lennox Timm; Anthony Dennie - former Marketing Coordinator now Shows Coordinator; Donnie ‘Prince’ Collins Marketing Coordinator; and John Mason — Technical officer.

Ashford Wood retains his position as Chief Executive Officer.

logistical perspective, my Carnival would now have to be spent ensuring that CDC gets whatever services I can give over that period,” he said.

“What has happened now is that I have been taken out of working only for the masquerader and working for a national effort.”

But while he stayed clear of making any reference as to how the last Board functioned, he admitted that there needed to be change.

“Culture, like anything, is a growing thing, so change is important,” he said.

There will, however, be some constraints. But his hope is to work with the Board to see how best the Board would be able to “leverage synergies with players in the industry so that we are all moving in the same direction.

“I think that in recent times, there has been too much acrimony between the Board and some of the players in the industry.

And while it is not for me to say who is right and

who is wrong, what I can say is, that is not the way I see us going forward to build the product,” Adams added.

And as for the place of private sector, in carnival, Adams posited, “We need the private sector and the private sector needs carnival.”

Continuing, he said, “I want to see us work together in trying to bring about for the nation what is best for us in terms of the carnival product.”

In the immediate future, Adams and his team will have the task of preparing for next year’s festival, which is expected to be a big year.

He confirmed that as of the day (last Tuesday) of his speaking with THE VIONCENTIAN, that Board was yet to meet, so he was unable to say what limitations currently existed.

But he was sure that there was some excitement, and people were looking forward to next year.

“We don’t have much

Ricardo Adams now occupies a position that has been held by the same person for the last sixteen years, and has already identified the need for change. time, so we have to hit the ground running,” he said.

One of the things will be to get the dates out there, Adams contended, adding that people often wanted to know ahead of time the dates for certain events, in order that they plan for their vacation.

(DD)

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6. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

SVG still eying UN Security Council seat The Vincentian leader said there is dire need kingnaking210@yahoo.com for a Small Island US CORRESPONDENT Developing State (SIDS) to sit on the Council “to ST. VINCENT AND THE assist with the GRENADINES’ Prime articulation of issues, Minister Dr. Ralph E. such as climate change.”

Gonsalves says the nation “It’s a matter that is still pursuing its we’re pursuing very, very “ambitious” bid for a non- much,” said Gonsalves, permanent seat on the adding that the nation’s United Nations Security pursuit is done through Council. the Alliance of Small “It’s still on the Island States (AOSIS) agenda, and we’re and SIDS DOCK. pursuing it,” Gonsalves AOSIS is a coalition of told THE VINCENTIAN small island and lowin an exclusive interview lying coastal countries last week Tuesday, while that share similar on a brief visit to New development challenges York. “It’s something and concerns about the that’s pretty ambitious.” environment, especially

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net;

The UN Security Council is comprised of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members.

Inset: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves confirmed that his government was still pursuing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

countries. Together, SIDS communities constitute some five percent of the global their vulnerability to the population.

SIDS DOCK is an adverse effects of global initiative among AOSIS climate change. It functions primarily as an member-countries, providing SIDS with a ad hoc lobby and collective institutional negotiating voice for mechanism to assist SIDS within the United them to transform their Nations system. national energy sectors AOSIS said it has a membership of 44 states into catalysts for sustainable economic and observers, drawn development, and help from all oceans and generate financial regions of the: Africa, resources to address Caribbean, Indian adaptation to climate Ocean, Mediterranean, Pacific and South China change.

It is called SIDS Sea. Thirty-nine are DOCK because it is members of the United designed as a “DOCKing Nations, close to 28 station,” to connect the percent of developing

energy sector in SIDS with the global market for finance, sustainable energy technologies.

SIDS DOCK was launched in December 2010, with four partners: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank, AOSIS and the Government of Denmark, which announced a grant of US$14.5 million in start-up contributions.

On December 8, 2011, the SIDS DOCK Steering Committee designated Belize as the host country for the SIDS DOCK Secretariat.

Gonsalves said he had led the UN when SIDS Dock was launched.

“We worked with the global environmental fund, we worked with several agencies all over the world,” he said.

“There are big issues. We in the Caribbean need to push to deal with mitigation.

“We have to push for the mitigation (of 2 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels),” Gonsalves added. “But we have to make sure countries, like us, get the necessary adaptation monies.”

permanent members China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States - with each having one vote.

The current remaining 10 non-permanent members, elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly, with end of term date, are: Angola (2016); Egypt (2017); Japan (2017); Malaysia (2016); New Zealand (2016); Senegal (2017); Spain (2016); Ukraine (2017); Uruguay (2017); (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (2016).

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker, told THE VINCENTIAN that, in light of the government’s quest to “boost” the Mission to the UN, ahead of the country’s application for nonPermanent Membership on the Security Council, personnel at the Mission are being expanded.

Sir Louis said that Sehon Marshall, a former Deputy New York Counsel General, has been appointed Minister Counsellor, and that The Security Council Marsena Ballantyne, the Elections for the 2020 former aide to the non-permanent Security Ambassador to the UN, Council seat that St. I. Rhonda King, has been Vincent and the promoted to Minister Grenadines seeks, take Counsellor. place a year earlier, the The Foreign Affairs prime minister said.

Minister also disclosed Under the UN that another Minister Charter, the Security Counsellor will soon be Council has primary appointed. responsibility for the “We have to beef up maintenance of our staff [at the international peace and Mission],” Straker said. security.

“We have to show that The Council has 15 we’re involved in various members — including five organizations of the UN.”

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 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 really so uncaring?

THE BACKDROP to this week’s editorial column involves the case of approximately sixty-five (65) former employees of Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd. – Ju-C. Many remain unemployed, awaiting severance from the Company, after its operational closure in May 2011.

The Commercial Technical & Allied Workers Union is (was?) the representative of the workers, but does not seem to have any clue, it seems, as to the status of severance for the former Ju-C workers. The matter is in court, they say.

THE VINCENTIAN reported in 2014 that at a meeting with the CTAWU, “The liquidators presented the severance pay package which, according to the Union, was not in keeping with the Labour Department Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The stalemate that ensured, allowed the issue of severance to become subsumed in the liquidation process, with little regard for the fact that under the law, workers’ benefits — severance included — must be given priority as assets of the company are disposed.

And as the workers wallow in self-pity — a state not of their own making — the flagship product (Ju-C) of Bottlers (St. Vincent) Ltd. has returned to the local market, the result of the involvement of the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) in a new manufacturing’ enterprise, East Caribbean Bottlers Inc. (ECBI).

The government of SVG has a 20% stake (shares) in ECGC and by extension a stake in ECBI. This is the same government that recognised the (Ju-C) workers’ plight.

In fact, at the formal launch (Nov. 2014) of ECBI, the Prime Minister disclosed that he had held discussions with the legal team representing the receivers, and discerned that the problem was the list of the workers — a list that had apparently grown.

The PM intimated then that he had been told that the lawyers representing the receivers have been instructed to go to court to have the list formally approved.

He added that he had also spoken with Burns Bonadie of the Commercial Technical and Allied Workers Union (CTAWU), and another individual, who are both aware of the individuals who previously worked at the plant and are entitled to severance.

The Prime Minister, as though to show empathy with the workers’ plight, declared at the launch referred, that “It (severance) has dragged on for too long… and it pains me greatly; but I want the workers to know, though, it is not my juridical responsibility.”

In the meantime, the company went into liquidation, leaving everything, as we say, up in the air.

The question of juridical responsibility is noted; but isn’t there a moral responsibility to workers in all of this?

It is one thing to say that government’s involvement in the ECBI is an indication of its commitment to ‘grow the economy’ and to facilitate employment opportunities. However, isn’t it another thing - sinister, uncaring and irresponsible — when that same government chooses to assist in the reinvigoration of a manufacturing endeavour whose predecessor still looms at fault for not having settled an obligation by law to some 65 displaced workers?

Doesn’t the prevailing situation not bring into question the role of the trade union that had represented the workers for well over three decades, and which would have also benefited in terms of its workers’ base foundation? That it failed to have done enough to ensure that severance was paid on indication that the company was going to cease operations, would not be a farfetched deduction.

Could there not have been some compromise so as to allow for something to be paid in the interim, i.e. on cessation of operations?

Did Union and Company ever explore this? If they did, there was on all accounts no compromise. Who is really at fault?

There is an allegation that the strain of being out of work and unable to care for his family, drove one of the affected workers into a serious coronary state that may have eventually led to his death.

We would not want to even muster the slightest thought that the impact of such an uncaring, seemingly inhumane attitude could be so far reaching.

The failure to have Ju-C workers compensated for their labour is a dastardly thing. We should be ashamed.

Political jottings THE DECISION of the NDP to switch our country’s diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China is very important and rightly attracts wide debate in SVG, but not of the kind that has been generated so far.

First, any party acting as the agents of its people is free to choose its allegiances. In the present case, it is a Hobson choice that is being made, for both are, nominally at least, communist countries, and whereas the NDP does not subscribe to socialism, the ULP is theoretically on the Far left, but in practice all over the place.

It is not helpful, as Bing Joseph of OMG proclaims, that a “deal” is undoubtedly in the mix, and it is the duty of Vincentians to search out what the NDP has been offered to make this pro-China move so suddenly.

The facts are that the UN had ruled in favour of a One-China policy, and we have to note the implications of that view. And one can observe that Red China has grown not so red, but in spreading its wings afar, has actually liberalised somewhat to accommodate its growing economic power. It offers much help on generous terms to developing countries, partly to sustain and provide elbow room for its expanding might.

That is why many countries, including Caricom States, have gone China’s way. It is not a matter of ingratitude to Taiwan. It is simply that “deep thought” has led the NDP into believing that China offers a better opportunity to make progress in the modern world.

And to judge from a radio call-in programme last Monday night - Jerry George’s “Business Advantage” - our relations with Taiwan seem somewhat one-sided. In trading our fishing rights in international waters, we have enabled the Taiwanese to be reaping untold wealth for a song. Mr Lambkin in particular pointed to this massive rip-off which Mr. Ivan O’Neal of the Green Party has exposed for over twenty years in the wilderness for decades now.

Our country needs urgently to test the truth of this observation.

In any event, Taiwan is too close to the Government of the day with a corresponding remoteness to the people. The following case takes the cake. Imagine that Taiwan can pour money into a project at Layou and successfully recommend-order- that it be named after Sir Louis Straker, our Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. That amounts to interference in our affairs.

As a relatively small country, my heart tends to be with the Taiwanese fighting to keep up with the giants. On the other hand, its very successes seem to indicate that it is getting too big for its boots.

From the domestic stand-point, the governing party has reacted swiftly with much acrimony, forgetting that according to them, they will continue their Government for nearly five years, with Taiwan at their side.

Unless, of course, they expect new election

shortly.

Even- handed Justice BOOM is my favourite radio station, after Nice Radio. I particularly love all their political pieces since the recent return of the ‘Cuban Cutlass’ brimful of ideas after a threeweek holiday abroad. Perhaps he should take his breaks more often!

Stephen Joachim is pleased that at long last his pleas for the respect of laws relating to public nuisances in the Arnos Vale area bore fruit, with the closure of a businessplace, which had refused alternative solutions such as a neighbouring business Trotmans had effected.

Further, Joachim feels that if we are serious people, the same fate should also be visited on General Hardware Supplies, in which Julian Francis has interests, and the “Tree House Bar”.

Here was the Cuban Cutlass at its best swiping away at staunch U.L.Pites in the interest of the environment and the comfort of citizens.

Apparently, Carlos James, an up-andcoming 32-year-old lawyer politician, who contested unsuccessfully the North Leeward seat and now serves as Deputy-Speaker of the House, entered a disclaimer. The Cuban Cutlass fell him with a simple swing.

Juvenile first-timers, hot and sweaty, must take time and follow the path plotted by their seniors, and learn the game before venturing to make a fool of themselves.

It can be great fun when Stephen and Bing cross swords with each other; but when they hold one head, they can be devastating and deadly. Carlos was reminded of his unlawful discharge of a firearm at an NDP meeting-No Charge. Hans Kings threatened the life of Brian Alexander-No charge. But a charge for Exeter for being found with his licenced firearm hidden under his clothes at a public protest.

Above all, 9 charges slapped on Douglas De Freitas for incitement six months after the event with no substance. Here Bing and Stephen waxed warm: no wonder not even ULP-supporting Magistrates are prepared to take the case.

In their view, these cases, like Exeter’s should be struck out.

Although they favour as government a Gonsalves-run ULP, they prefer as leader of the NDP Opposition St. Clair Leacock, and will host him on OMG this Friday morning.

As has been noted, the old NDP front-line, the dream team, do still support a Eustace leadership. The only changes may happen if the petitions succeed and there are new elections. The alternative, I fear, will be social anome and political upheaval.

We are at a stage, perhaps, where some calamity will befall, and we rise painfully from the ashes a new and cleansed nation.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 9.

Letters

Build the communities

ELECTION AFTER ELECTION, we hope that those elected to office would get things done, and get them done right.

But election after election, we have the same old problems.

Elections come and elections go, and it’s the same problems with healthcare for those who cannot afford the high cost of private care, and with so many other government departments, not least

Hang them!!!

I WRITE IN RESPONSE to a letter from A. Stevens that was carried in last week’s (September 9, 2016) issue of your newspaper.

Mr. Stevens outlined a number of measures he thinks should or could be taken to combat the growing incidence of crime in SVG. That is all well and good, and I compliment A. Stevens for being concerned about the state of crime here.

However, and I make no apology for saying it; if we are serious about combating crime (serious, violent crime here), we must reintroduce the death penalty. I know it remains on the ‘books’, but it appears that we have given in to all kinds of pressure — local, regional and international like the Privy Council — and are afraid to put it into practice.

As far as I am concerned, the only way to curb the murder rate here is to ‘bring back the gallows’. Our politicians must begin to listen to the people they represent, and put the interest of those people first.

Time to reintroduce the death penalty. It would put all those thinking of committing murder on their guard.

Anthony Phillips

being licensing and Customs.

I think that we will continue to have these problems unless we decentralise and introduce local government.

Just like how the family is considered the bedrock of society, so too are communities the bedrock of a nation. So unless we make a serious effort to rebuild our communities, we will forever have these ‘little’ problems that will only get worse.

Every major town and large community (like Mespo) should have a fire and ambulance service, health clinics to treat wounds, dental care and maternity centres where women can give

birth.

There must also be community access to completing vehicular transactions, like transferring a vehicle and renewing a driver’s permit.

We must be able to pay taxes, pay traffic tickets and get permission to build or develop a property at local government offices, instead of crowding the capital and making life difficult for everyone.

And we can raise money at the local community level through retaining some of the taxes and fees collected, and even by according to the needs of introducing certain taxes each community.

When all of this is done, we will have a better SVG, and all those problems and bottlenecks in Kingstown — including traffic — will stop.

The Morality Clause

A COMPANY’S MORALITY clause can determine whether it suffers or grows. The embezzlement scandals at Enron and WorldCom in the early 2000s, rocked the world.

In SVG, Digicel and Flow are executing a market penetration strategy, which is partly the result of their knowledge that they must have an adequate moral clause in their business culture.

A market penetration strategy seeks to increase the market share for present products or services in present markets, through greater marketing efforts. Oftentimes this strategy is widely used alone, but also, when deemed more effective, in combination with other strategies.

Market penetration includes increasing the number of sales persons, increasing advertising expenditures, offering extensive sales promotion items or increasing publicity efforts. All these things reflect Flow’s and Digicel’s respect for adequate morality clause.

We, therefore, see that Flow and Digicel are competing to gain the upper-hand in this morality clause and in their market penetration strategies principle, for they see that current markets are not saturated with a particular product or service; that the usage rate of present customers could be increased significantly; that even though their market shares have been moving up and down, the total industry sales have been increasing; and finally, that the correlation between dollar sales and dollar marketing expenditure historically has been high.

Flow and Digicel, in giving back to their customers, are guided by their morality clause.

Their morality clause is the reason for their business operations. Therefore, in the future we will see publicity business of their affairs expanding, just as they see that markets will be expanding.

Adios!

Julian “Rockstar’ Williams

Steve Allen

LIAT has not learned LIAT says it is an airlines that has been serving the region for more than 50 years. But the thing that does get me vex is like that airline has not learned a thing in those 50 years.

It has been the same old story all through those five decades. Leave Island Any Time (LIAT), meaning that flights were either often late or too early, as though LIAT staff had a spite for the passengers. Further, LIAT has become famous for cancelling flights just like that. And don’t talk about your luggage; you arrive at your final destination, but your luggage either stayed back at your last port, or found itself in some other port.

The way it appears to me, is that LIAT has always fancied their routes in the northern Caribbean. Those in the south could ‘go to hell’; and as for SVG, we suffered the worst since LIAT fully well knows that they are the only scheduled flights in and out of SVG. Yes, we pay some of the highest rates, and get the worst end of an already messy stick.

And while it might seem late, I am pleased that our Prime Minister is putting down his foot. After all, we have invested a lot in LIAT, and we should get better service.

The Prime Minister should not rest until he gets the assurance from LIAT personnel, that its service to SVG will be improved.

Paul

Transport for all!!

DURING THE PAST 10/14 DAYS, my private vehicle has been “off the road” awaiting a spare part from overseas.

During this period, I have Transport for all!!been using the public van transport system. While I admit that some of the vans are not all they should be by way of service, the majority are “user friendly”.

However, I have noticed a glaring fault in this public transport system, in that there seems to be no specific vans in public service that are adapted or designed so that they are able to offer a transport service to those members of our society who are either amputees or confined to wheelchairs.

I am sure that it is traumatic enough to have suffered a misfortune that confines one to a wheelchair; but this is adding insult to injury when this person is confined to their house or environs, since no suitable transport is available to allow them to lead a semi-normal life. Every other ablebodied user takes it for granted that they can use a van, as and when required; so why should a particular segment of society not be allowed this same benefit?

Why is it that the Government and NOBA cannot sit around a table and discuss this matter, and perhaps offer various incentives to those who are able and willing to import vehicles that are suitable for the transport of those less able than ourselves?

The Government is making great publicity championing their efforts to improve the houses for those that are physically challenged. Why can’t they extend these laudable efforts to public transport??

A. W. Indupp

* Why is it people are still complaining about the time it takes to see a doctor at the A&E, when SVG has never had so many doctors and specialists before this time? * Are Doctors failing to answer their ‘call’ when they are officially on call? * How many nurses who were certified from the last training programme, have been able to get placements in the system here? * Why are people saying that the majority of the Police Force is made up of people from certain constituencies? * Anybody else other than me think that government don’t like Kingstown?

Why are also those government buildings, except the Financial Complex, looking so dirty?

V

10. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The International Airport project… LIAT - Sixty years after very close to the finishing line Introduction IT IS A KNOWN FACT that the international airport project at Argyle, is the largest ever capital project ever implemented by any government in the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It is also a known fact that as a project, the international airport has attracted the most criticism, lies, falsehoods, misrepresentations and derogatory statements, from the opposition New Democratic Party.

Daily on their Nice Radio programme called New Times, Arnhim Eustace and his unpatriotic party, “bad talked” and cursed the project. They called it all kinds of names, including referring to it as a golf course, and a peanut field. In 2010, when reality hit them in their faces, the NDP changed their tune and said that they were in contact with a company to complete the construction of the airport. Naturally, this could not fool the electorate, and the ULP was returned to governance following the election of December 2015.

Now, daily, people who travel along the Argyle road, and observe what has been completed so far, now say that they cannot wait for the opening of the international airport. Indeed the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Central Kingstown, St. Clair Leacock, was moved to describe the project as “a miracle”, explaining further that a tremendous amount of work had been completed at Argyle!

And, if Leacock has his way, he would have no problem naming the international airport after Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Following this, there were a series of historical events, including the visit of the late President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela; the parade of the first set of construction equipment, in May 2008, from the Campden Park port, to the construction site at Argyle; the historic ground-breaking ceremony; the opening of the terminal building, and the list goes on. Now the project is within touching distance of the finishing line. It is a beauty to behold, and many visitors have been impressed with the terminal building, the control tower, the fuel farm area and the building that will house the fire services. Argyle has become a popular site for locals and visitors alike, who hear the NDP propaganda, but decide to visit the site to get a firsthand look at what is happening.

Desperate NDP

Meanwhile, there is nothing but desperation coming from the NDP camp. Readers will recall the event hosted by the IADC, where a test aircraft from the ECCAA, the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, landed at Argyle in 2015. This sent the NDP into a virtual tailspin. They challenged the test flight, claiming that it did not prove anything. Days later, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves arranged for a LIAT ATR aircraft, as well as two local airlines and a small jet aircraft, to land at Argyle. This caused more confusion for the NDP, with Eustace trying to The Beginning stop the event, even trying to get regional leaders to use their influence In August 8th, 2005, at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown, to get LIAT to abort the test flight.

The NDP is worried about the Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves massive thirty-five thousand crowd announced plans by the ULP who flocked to Argyle to witness the administration, to construct an test flight. The official opening before international airport at Argyle. the end of 2016 will create a virtual Immediately there was a wave of heart attack for the NDP. That event discussion in the country as will attract a large crowd, perhaps Vincentians debate the advantages larger than that which witnessed the and disadvantages of embarking on opening of the bridge over the such a project at this time. When Rabacca dry river. Thereafter, the jets asked, the leader of the opposition will begin to arrive, as the airport Arnhim Eustace, said that he would becomes operational, bringing visitors study the statement made by the and citizens from the central cities of Prime Minister, before making a response. Later, he would be moved to New York, London and Toronto. What make his infamous statement “Find it will the NDP do then? where?”.

Conclusion The address by Prime Minister Gonsalves was very comprehensive, Vincentians have waited a long setting out the issues related to the construction of the airport project, and time for an international airport. The economy of the country, particularly answering many of the questions the sectors related to tourism and which were in the public domain. He set out to address the issue of why the travel, and agriculture, have suffered because the country has no direct country required an international airport as a stimulus for further socio- access to international destinations.

Even more important was the economic advancement. He spoke realisation that it was only the ULP about the costs and financing of the airport project, and the compilation of administration, led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who could make this the “Coalition of the Willing” the dream come true. That is one of the group of countries who were reasons why the voters of the country contributing in cash and kind, rejected the NDP at the polls in 2010, towards the funding of the project. and then again in 2015.

The Prime Minister went on to There will be the dawning of a new address the issue of cross winds at day, the beginning of a new era, when Argyle, and provided background in the international airport becomes relation to the history of airport operational before the end of the year. development in St. Vincent and the Long live the international airport Grenadines. at Argyle!

THE CURRENT STATE OF LIAT is due to mismanagement and political interference in its operation. Yet, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, probably the worst chairman of LIAT shareholders group, has been trying his best to give us the impression that under his watch, business with LIAT is improving. How can that be, when LIAT is in its worst shape since it began operations sixty (60) years ago?

Over the years, LIAT has failed to implement a number of critical decisions. For instance, a few years ago, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves announced that the airline was considering moving into the jet age; that consideration would soon be given to flying to Miami and Panama. In typical fashion, all of this turned out to be empty Gonsalves rhetoric. Dr. Gonsalves also reported in 2015 that LIAT’s base would be relocated from Antigua to Barbados. Nineteen (19) months have passed and there has been no move in that direction.

Moreover, the management and organization of the changeover of LIAT’s fleet (aircraft) was disastrous.

At the time, we thought that things could not get any worse, but what we ended up with was even worse.

Surprisingly, LIAT purchased a fleet of aircraft that was new, but not improved .The question most Vincentians have been asking: Who approved that decision to purchase these new aircraft for LIAT? The old Dash-8 aircraft flew in and out of Arnos Vale in almost any tailwind conditions. Now, on many occasions, the new ATRs cannot fly when it is windy. The Dash-8s had no problems operating under the same windy conditions. In short, an aircraft not suited to the conditions of operation was bought.

Before the fleet was changed, LIAT had a fleet of seventeen aircraft, fourteen of which were operational and one of which was kept just for spare. Now, LIAT has a fleet of only nine (9) aircraft, with a tenth expected to be put into operation by November. Even with a fleet of ten, there are no reserves. All are in service all of the time, except when maintenance is scheduled, or when there is a breakdown; which puts a high level of stress on the entire operation. More recurrently, the workload of the aircraft increases mechanical stress on the aircraft themselves, stress on the schedules and stress on customers whose flights are delayed or cancelled; as we have experienced here over the past few weeks. Even our national footballers were affected on their flight to Trinidad. The flight had already taken off and was on its way to Trinidad, when someone instructed it to turn back to St Vincent.

As a result, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security wrote a letter to LIAT complaining about the situation. But, who complained when one of LIAT’s planes was taken off its scheduled route, to take part in a political campaign stunt just before the general elections of December 2015?

A LIAT aircraft, flown by an allVincentian crew, brought Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and some of his family and

his Unity Labour Party (ULP) acolytes, to land at an unfinished, uncertified, uninsured airstrip at Argyle, just before the elections last year. Scheduled flights for passengers were disrupted as a result of that stunt. Did the Permanent Secretary complain about that? Did Dr. Gonsalves complain about that?

Recently, it is alleged that flights have been cancelled because of infestations by cockroaches. Imagine that! Cockroaches are now causing cancellations of LIAT flights. So it means that public health standards are not being met by LIAT, in an age when Zika is a threat across the region. In addition, after sixty (60) years, LIAT still cannot get its schedule properly organized to accommodate the increased traffic during the peak seasons - Easter, Carnival, Christmas and the summer vacation.

All of that, and there is the additional menace of high levels of political interference. The ULP regime has consistently refused to allow Caribbean Airlines to fly into St Vincent, even though we already have a long-standing air services agreement with Trinidad. Is that why Dr Gonsalves referred to LIAT in an interview some time ago, as not being a business? So that politicians could continue to be allowed to interfere in the operations of the business with impunity?

There are a number of questions to which Vincentians need answers, Dr. Gonsalves. Why is it that a new CEO has not been appointed since the last one left many months ago? Why is it that an airline owned by shareholder governments gives no account of its operations to the public? Why are financial statements not published?

This depth of mismanagement is simply unacceptable. What we have seen is a clear case of an airline, after sixty (60) years, heading towards failure, under the watch of Dr Gonsalves - a man who talks plenty, but cannot manage the country.

We continue to stress that when the NDP takes office in this country, we will look very carefully at the options for implementing an open sky policy, where LIAT will have to compete, and will have to up its game, in order to continue in service. The open sky policy will also be considered in conjunction with other options for transportation between some of the islands; a fast ferry service is one option, but there are others.

The point is that we cannot simply accept this legacy of failure that is being handed down to us by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. We can do better, and we will do better, with your support.

The time has come for the NDP and the Honourable Arnhim Eustace to manage the affairs of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and implement policies that would benefit LIAT and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 11.

Views

A difference in perception

Trees and the beaches

“STUDIES HAVE SHOWN that 90% of error in thinking is due to error in perception. If you can change your perception, you can change your emotion, and this can lead to new ideas.” - Edward de Bono (born 1933) Maltese physician, psychologist, author, inventor, and consultant.

THE RAINS DON’T JUST FALL like they used to. They pour down in torrents.

Some see a pattern similar to the biblical deluge. Take your mind back to when Georgetown washed, and the horror, terror, death and destruction that befell our country on Christmas Eve 2013. Some frightened souls prayed for divine deliverance.

The sun doesn’t shine the way it once did. Now it comes upon us like a blazing inferno. We bake in the sun most days, then bake some more at night. We can hardly go about our daily chores during the day, and can barely sleep at night.

Climate scientists are telling us that we are going through a very dangerous period. If the changes in the atmosphere are not readily tackled and reversed, we may soon get to a point where no kind of intervention, no matter how radical, will make a difference. The glaring proof of all this is that every year since 2000, has been hotter than the previou,s except for one.

Our seasons are changing. Mangoes and other edible crops are flowering and bearing outside of their traditional period. Some fruit trees stubbornly refuse to bear. Our fisher folks are harvesting fewer fish, and the seines are increasingly idle.

As our environment gets crazier, the ignorance of our people seems to grow to a scare. A few years ago, one of the contestants in the Ms SVG beauty pageant shocked many when she said that global warming might be good for society, because the ice caps will melt and people in that part of the world will have warmer temperature. There is little or no regard or understanding for the fact that the rapid melting of the ice will create devastation and suffering for people living in low lying valleys and plains across the planet.

What we need most is an environmental consciousness. People need to understand that everything they do to the earth may have a negative conscience. The plastics and Styrofoam we toss into the gutters and drains close off the flow to the oceans, and whatever gets to the ocean contribute towards the devastation in the sea. The fishes are dying off or going to deeper waters to survive. Turtles and other live specifies are suffocating to death, and the entire ecosystem is dying a slow death. Carol reefs in our Caribbean are dying at a very fast pace.

The frequency and unpredictability of the weather make everything unsustainable. The heavy rains and the volume of the run off damage the roads. And roads are very expensive to construct and maintain. The rivers are overflowing their banks and causing havoc. There is now a greater demand for river and sea defenses.

These costs are mounting because of the frequency of these disasters.

They must be addressed. We definitely cannot go on in the old way.

Too many of our habits are

THE CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY defines the noun “perception” as “A belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem”. Scholars of the English language will remind us that its origin is from the Latin verb percipere which means “seize or understand”. In other words, the word perception conjures up the images of the way something is understood, regarded, or interpreted. The way we see things, the way we perceive situations, is largely influenced by our experiences; our experiences influence our perception.

Based on the foregoing, it is relatively easy to understand and appreciate that some individuals will view the same situation and have a totally different view to those of their neighbour. Students who pursue courses in the behavioural sciences will recall the drawing of the “Young Girl/Old Woman Illusion” — a single drawing in which some viewers see the face of a young girl while others see the face of an old woman (looking at the very same drawing). This famous perception illusion can be viewed at https://www.google.com.vc/?ion=1&espv =2#q=drawing%20of%20young%20and% 20old%20woman. I have used this drawing in workshops where some participants only see the young girl while others can only see the old woman. On some occasions, after pointing out the features that result in viewers perceiving either character, there have been noticeable expressions of “Oh, yes, I see them now!” With some guidance, persons can be directed to view a particular situation from a different perspective. We are reminded that we do not all see the same thing the same way — there can be a difference of perception.

Individuals who develop a keen sense of perception (and are aware of their own pre-judgements/prejudices) can, with relative ease, understand and appreciate that others will have opposing views to their own and not necessarily be wrong. In so doing, we can have a better understanding and tolerance level for those persons whose views are different to our own. Once harnessed, the respect for persons with opposing views can encourage us to better understand and appreciate that individuals will have different views in relation to politics, religion, ethnicity, academic achievements, choice of profession, sexual preferences, and so on. Our views do not always have to supersede those of others. Those who see things differently do not have to be our enemies. When we strip everything away … it is all a matter of perception.

Many readers will agree that if we, you and I, can appreciate the fact that we can look at the very same situations and take opposing views, many misunderstandings can be descaled and debunked. Shannon L. Alder reminds us that most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, “What else could this mean?” There is wisdom and value in seeking to see situations from another person’s perspective. Greater empathy can lead to greater harmony.

Our society needs that.

The difference in perception can play a major role in relation to our personal achievements also. For example, the way we perceive life’s varied challenges can determine whether we are energized and focused on pursuing the path to success, or whether we fold our arms, give up, and accept defeat. We also see this reflected in the way some individuals respond to failure. Some are shattered, while others use it to motivate them to achieve some exceptional feat. It is all a matter or perception. John Maxwell, the accomplished best selling author, reminds us that “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.”

The way we look at things can determine how well we pursue a particular path. For years, some teachers and parents incorrectly assumed that the science subjects were the purview of male students. They had a totally incorrect perception. Many females have pushed past the boundaries of mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and so on. In a similar way, some parents and teachers have incorrectly assumed that culinary sciences should be kept away from male students. They erroneously concluded that females were made for home economics and secretarial studies. They advocated that males should therefore avoid such courses at all cost.

Fortunately, we have seen a revolution in such thoughts, and our males continue to excel at these skills too.

They know that it is all a matter of perception.

Many Caribbean nationals will agree that we need to influence positive changes in perception as it relates to involvement in agricultural pursuits.

Too many of our Caribbean youth have gravitated away from agricultural sciences. There are a variety of reasons (excuses) for this. Some incorrectly assume that there is insufficient return on investments in agriculture. Others have been encouraged to avoid what is perceived as “hard work in the sun” or the “remnants of slavery and indentured servanthood”. However, there are several young adults who have changed their perception of agriculture, and can now boast of the sense of accomplishment and security they generate from their involvement in agricultural projects.

The foregoing paragraphs invite us to consider whether there are aspects of our lives that require a difference in perception — a new way of looking at what may have transpired; seeing the blessings that are disguised in trials, and having a better appreciation for someone or some event previously not understood or appreciated. We can now contemplate whether the setbacks were a setup for a comeback. A different perception could very well result in our pursuit of an illusive noble dream that we had given up on — a dream that we can now make a reality because of the difference in perception.

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

unsustainable. Unless we do something real fast, we are consigning ourselves to a future without hope.

There are two very simple things we can do to reverse many of the negative trends we are witnessing all around us. We must plant more trees and stop the mining of sand on our beaches.

We are getting hotter. The planting of trees can help to take some of the pressures off our collective self. Trees suck up carbon dioxide. But more importantly, they give off oxygen. Many scientific studies have shown that an atmosphere filled with oxygen is much healthier than one starved of oxygen. So more trees are key if we are to arrest the negative slide.

We also have to pass laws which prevent people from felling trees. In many countries, property owners need state and county approval before they can cut trees. Central to this effort is to get people to stop the convenient but bad habit of concreting their entire yard space. Cement and concrete increase heat generation and make the place hotter. In addition, the growing trend is to build homes at higher and higher elevations. This type of building allows for a tremendous amount of ground water to flow off hillsides, causing a cascading river of water that does much damage in the lower areas.

The other important license policy act is to stop the mining of sand from our beaches. This is a practice that continues to cause major damage to our shoreline. On any given morning, trucks pull up on our beaches and haul away tons of sand. If this practice is not brought to an end, we will soon be walking on hard rocks.

This will not only make our beaches unattractive to citizens; tourists whom we are desperately trying to attract will shy away.

BRAGSA currently allows for some mining at Diamond, but this is highly uneconomical. At about $15 per cubic yard, this dance cannot pay for the light. An alternative must be found to mining our beaches. In other countries, there are sand mines that are inland away from the beaches. We need to explore for these . If not, we ought to find a solution.

We know scientifically that sand from the beaches are not the best with which to build. The high salt content compromises the integrity of the building because the salt eats away at the steel reinforcement.

The time is now to grow more trees and stop removing sand from our beaches. Further delay may prove much too costly.

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

V

12. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Tax avoidance and transparency – the world’s mood has changed!

EUROPEAN UNION regulators demand greater tax transparency from multinationals. Under new proposals, tax avoidance by multinational corporations will be forced into the open. According to the EU, the massive data leak in the Panama papers has ‘shifted the public mood’. The public outcry following the exposure of the tax secrets of the global elite cannot be ignored.

The European Commission will put forward legislation requiring large multinationals operating in Europe to disclose profits earned and taxes paid in each of the EU’s 28 member states, as well as fiscal havens.

All large companies trading in Europe, including subsidiaries of nonEuropean businesses, would have to publish how much tax they pay outside the EU, including detailed country-bycountry information on their finances in tax havens.

Tax avoidance by the super-rich in SVG is a plague on our nation and is impoverishing our people. The house owners and developers in Mustique and Canouan enjoy tax exemptions under, for example, the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002. This is immoral and would be condemned by EU regulators.

Taiwan operates a fleet of tunafishing vessels on SVG’s deep sea fish licence, and uses SVG’s flag. Under the

rules of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, Taiwan’s fishing vessels must offload their Atlantic Ocean tuna fish catch in St. Vincent and pay fish tax. However, Taiwan pays no fish tax. This is immoral and would be condemned by EU regulators.

The EU loses up to €70billion (EC$200 bn) a year through corporate tax avoidance, according to the European parliament. Large corporations, such as Apple and Starbucks, pay little tax despite earning billions in profits. The SVG Treasury loses about millions a year through the tax avoidance of Taiwan and the superrich of Mustique and Canouan.

The European Commission ruled that Apple (the US tech company) has enjoyed 25 years of illegal state support — a ‘special deal’. Likewise, Taiwan and those with holdings in Mustique and Canouan have enjoyed decades of a ‘special deal’ from the SVG government.

The European Commission has hit Apple with a €13bn EU tax bill penalty over illegal state aid. Likewise, Taiwan should be hit with a tax bill for their ‘special deal’ from the SVG government.

The European Commission said it is hard to justify to small- and mediumsized companies ‘why they should be paying at a higher effective tax rate’.

Why are small- and medium-sized companies in SVG being forced to pay higher tax rates than Taiwan and the rich of Mustique and Canouan?

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, who has a BSc hons degree in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Brookes University, England and an MSc degree in Macro Economic Planning, Policy and Budgeting from Bradford University, England, says SVG must adopt the European Union’s policy of transparency and eradicating tax avoidance.

Greater transparency is needed in SVG on the tax affairs of tax avoiders, whether they be local or foreign interests. The Freedom of Information Act 2003 needs to be proclaimed and made into a working law.

SVG is in serious financial difficulty.

The economy is weak, poverty is rife and unemployment is very high. The start of the new school year is upon us, and thousands of parents cannot afford to pay the registration fees for their children to attend schools and college.

Education should be free from preschool to university in SVG for all our children, regardless of their parents’ economic status. This would be possible if SVG collected its fair share of taxes by those who use its name and resources.

SVG needs change now. SVG must move forward with the world, and take a lead from the EU’s move, which is a legal and moral one.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Find us on Facebook and Twitter

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 13.

News

Garifuna IntÊl Conference scheduled GARIFUNA ISSUES TAKE front stage once again with the staging of the third International Garifuna Conference, October 11 and 12.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for the Kingstown Methodist Church Hall, Monday October 10, at 5:30pm.

David ‘Darkie’ Williams, president of the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, outlined preparations for the event last Tuesday. He was supported by Deborah Dalrymple, Head of the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies.

Vice Chancellor Of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor Hilary Beckles is expected to deliver the feature address at the opening of the Conference, to be held under the theme, ‘Retrieval, inclusion and reparations’.

Professor Beckles heads the CARICOM Commission on Reparations for native Genocide and Slavery.

The Conference swings into full gear with a presentation by Professor Guillermo Guevara, Director of the Indigenous Experimental University of Tacau, Venezuela.

Speaking at last Tuesday’s briefing, Ambassador of the Republic of Venezuela H.E. Yuri Pimentel described Guevara as a

fighter, and is certain that the event will strengthen ties between the citizens of both countries bound by historical experience and “example of struggle and survival despite the most terrible genocide by the British imperialism.”

Director of Alliance Francaise, and Anthropologist Vanessa Demirciyan will also be a Conference presenter.

She is pursuing a PhD in Garifuna matters, and her contribution is expected to shed more light on the Garifuna story.

Dr Karen Martinez, Dean of the Ecumenical Community College of Dangriga, Belize, will share her experience of the Garifuna existence as reflected from her attachment to that Garifuna settlement.

Also on the panel will be Dominican Anthropologist and Historian Dr Lennox Honeychurch.

Presenters will also be from Canada and Barbados, along with representatives of the Indigenous Retrieval from Greiggs and Sandy Bay and the SVG National Trust.

Dr Desha Osborne, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Hunter College City University of New York will speak on the topic: ‘Locating nationhood through cultural expression.’

Tuesday’s focus will be on: ‘Retrieval techniques and tools for research’; ‘Experiences in developing relevant educational programmes for indigenous communities’; and ‘History of the Garifuna people’ — Pre-colonial and post-colonial’.

On Wednesday, the attention will be on ‘Reparations and indigenous cultural experience’ and ‘Actions for Professor Hilary Beckles, Indigenous Vice Chancellor of UWI, is retrieval’. slated to headline the panel The Garifuna of persons making Heritage presentations at the Foundation is conference. inviting everyone,

especially teachers, students at the Community College and secondary schools students to take part in the conference.

14. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 15.

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16. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Rights

Local artistes/writers/producers/publishers who turned up on Saturday to collect their first payments from ECCO. SVG’s new ECCO Director Jemmot Anthony is pictured standing second from left.

Payday for local ECCO members LOCAL PERFORMING/ RECORDING artistes, song writers, musicians, publishers, etc., who showed faith in the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) – the copyright organisation representing music-related

interests in the OECS - have seen their faith morph into benefits.

Last Saturday, September 9, at Frenches House in Kingstown, the local chapter of ECCO paid out the first ever royalties to those locals who had signed on to membership before January 2016.

Some 43 members received their share of a total pay out of some EC$9,700.00.

This payment is not only historic, Local calypsonian Godwin ‘GAO’ according to one Billy (right) was more than observer, it is pleased to receive his payment the result of from Joffre Venner, outgoing SVG stoic work by a Director on the Board of ECCO. small group of persons, led by accordance with ECCO’s ace music teacher and constitution, could not arranger Joffre Venner, seek re-election to the who beat the pavement, Board. Venner had served absorbed the doubts of his allotted three artistes and producers, and endured, moreso, the consecutive 2-year terms.

Also departing the ridicule and substantial Board of Directors under opposition from users of the same condition as the works of others, to Venner, were Mr. bring Saturday’s McCarthy Marie and eventuality to fruition.

Llewellyn Gill, Chairman And while only a and Vice Chairman handful of those eligible respectively. for payments were on Following elections hand to receive their supervised by ECCO’s benefits, the act has Attorney, Thaddeus already borne fruit in Antoine of TM Antoine that, according to one Partners, the new Board person connected to the of ECCO reads: Dr. process, there has since Anderson Reynolds (St. been a drove of inquiries Lucia), Christine for membership.

Charlemagne (St. Lucia), One person who Claudia Edward-Ladner received payment (St. Lucia), Daryl Bobb commented that he had no (Dominica), Hugh James doubt that this day would (St. Lucia), Martin James come; that he had the (St. Lucia), Shala greatest confidence in Emmanuel (St. Lucia), persons like Joffre Venner, Shayne Ross (St. Lucia), this country’s original Wayne Green (Grenada), Director on the Board of Jemmot Anthony ECCO. (St.Vincent & the “This is a great day for Grenadines). all of us involved in Officers of the Board, creating works of art. including its Chairman, Like all the big artistes will be elected at a across the world, we subsequent meeting of the deserve to benefit from Board, when it will also what we create. I hope appoint a Director for those who have not signed Antigua & Barbuda and on would now do so,” he an interim Director for St. said.

Kitts & Nevis.

Saturday, though, had The administrative its moment of sadness, headquarters of ECCO is located in Castries, St. occasioned when Venner (referred) reminded those Lucia and its General Manager is Steve Etienne. present that he, in

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 17.

Air Service Feature

SVG Air - Grenadine Airways -ABM Air A LIAT Alternative?

Negative criticisms have ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES has repeatedly the potential to become a great global been reported destination for vacation travellers. It has over not just not always been so: For many years, late or In the interim primarily due to lack of access, SVG has cancelled been one of the best-kept vacation THE VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive connecting destination secrets in the Caribbean. interview with Paul Gravel, Managing flights, but In 2008, following a great deal of Director of SVG Air -Grenadine from a total planning and location searching, Airways -ABM Air, learned that absence of personal service available to ground was broken by the ULP because St. Lucia is not on the St arriving, stranded or inconvenienced Government for a new international Vincent Barbados-St Vincent route, passengers. Gravel stated that airport in St. Vincent and the LIAT does not service the Hewanorra Grenadine Air has addressed that Grenadines, that would usher in International Airport, causing problem by having staff persons opportunities for a billion dollar incredible inconvenience to customers welcome each of the arriving guests tourism-vacation industry, as well as who in some cases have had to wait personally as they come off their unprecedented opportunities for several days for transportation. inbound carriers. They are escorted to import, export and business Gravel announced that Grenadine the departure lounge, and their development.

Air Alliance now flies daily to both luggage is retrieved for them.

While the new and soon to be Barbados and St Lucia, the two Another great advantage for those opened Argyle International Airport is Gateways to St Vincent from the rest flying direct from overseas to St. becoming a reality, frustrating delays of the world. Until Argyle Lucia, is that the Governments of St have precluded international airlines International opens and Air Canada, Lucia and St Vincent and the from including our tropical paradise on American, West Jet, Virgin, Emirates Grenadines have an agreement their flight schedules. and other international airlines can allowing arrivals to clear Immigration What has happened, however, is start daily or weekly that, under the leadership of Jennifer services, Grenadine Air Alliance will Richardson-Herbert, Communications be there to help Vincentians and other Officer for the International Airport international travellers to make Development Company Limited, along convenient and affordable connections with St. Vincent Tourism, global to and from St Vincent in a reasonable media has been giving glowing reports period of time. about St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grenadine Air Alliance is offering to an ever increasing number of daily flights connecting St. Vincent tourism operators and vacation and the Grenadines, including travellers.

Bequia, Canouan, and Union Island, This huge market-place includes not with the St. Lucia Hewanorra and only the world-wide Vincentian Barbados airports, scheduled to meet Diaspora, but the affluent, newly the arrival and departure of retired, or about to retire baby international flights. boomers and, right on their heels, an They have just added an additional equally large group of millennials who Twin Otter to their fleet, to facilitate compete to be the first to attend and the Barbados Route to accommodate brag about experiencing new visitors wanting to spend just a day destinations. either on St. Vincent or in the It is often said that you only have Grenadines. Early morning flights to one opportunity to make a good first the Grenadines allow day passengers, impression, and you can be assured for example, to spend an entire day in that just as they will spread the good St. Vincent, or relax on the Captain news and positive experiences, visitors Yannis day tour Catamaran. The to our country will be volubly critical expanded service will also serve of negative experiences. Negative residents of Union or Canouan who experiences include well documented wish to travel to St Vincent in the criticisms from hundreds if not morning and return that same thousands of international travellers afternoon. who have had to endure unpredictable delays or cancellations of confirmed A personal touch connecting flights from Barbados, to

by BEN HARRISON INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT

and from St. Vincent. Much of this criticism is repeatedly directed at LIAT Airlines who have practically a monopoly on inter-island transportation.

and Customs in St Lucia. The passengers are then considered to be on a domestic flight from St. Lucia to St. Vincent, eliminating the long lineups facing LIAT customers when landing at E.T. Joshua Airport from Barbados. They just collect their luggage and walk straight through like they had just flown in from Bequia or Mustique.

While high level meetings between Government and industry personnel are currently being held to resolve current problems, SVG Air -Grenadine Airways may indeed be the travel alternative to LIAT.

V Community College marks World Suicide day 18. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

WORLD SUICIDE DAY 2016 was marked here with a Wellness Fair at the SVG Community College (SVGCC), Villa.

The activity was executed by the Mental Health Centre/Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment in collaboration with the

SVGCC. World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated on September 10, but given that this year that day was a Saturday, the activity was held on the Friday, September 9.

This year’s celebration was

held under the theme: Connect. Communicate. Care.

Among the sessions/exercises involved, and in which both staff and students participated, were: Anxiety and Depression screenings, Suicide Risk assessments and Prevention

strategies, Free HIV Testing , STD’s and STI information sessions, along with Blood pressure checks.

Kerry- Ann Hamilton, Counsellor at the SVGCC, said that the students were also enlightened on various issues, including what puts Ministry of Health staff offering them at risk information on depression and for suicide , anxiety, and suicide risk how to cope assessment. with overwhelming social issues and also everyday life issues which can lead to suicide . “We are aware that males are more at risk for suicide … so Among those facilitating the that’s why we activity were (L -R): Roselle are doing this Solomon - representative from the along with Ministry of Health and the other wellness Environment, and Kerry- Ann issues,” she Hamilton and Jean Da Silva said.

Counsellors at the SVGCC. “We are aware that we Hamilton said that the are supposed to be representatives from those a leading postentities were very impressed secondary by the questions the students institution in the asked and the number of country, and we are persons who got tested, which trying to ensure included both students and that our staff members. individuals and “They asked timely students are given questions about STD’s and well rounded they received the answers, information in including the issues of suicide order to allow them prevention and coping skills,” to live fuller lives she stated. and be good Jean Da Silva, another contributing Counsellor at the College, said members to that students can be under society,” added stress. “Because they are in a Hamilton. new environment at college, The Wellness they are unable to handle the Fair saw stress, and that the Wellness representation Fair was something that from Planned would help them a whole lot,” Parenthood she posited.

Association, This year’s Wellness Fair National AIDS was said to be an Secretariat, and improvement over last year’s, Infectious Disease with more institutions Division. participating.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 19.

News

Sixty-five get Trinity White Coats The latest batcth of Trinity entrants to receive their white coats.

A WHITE COAT PLACED on the shoulders of a medical student signifies a rite of passage into the field of medicine. At that juncture, each student is reminded of the commitment made to become and stay proficient in the Science and skill of medicine; and to the human obligations of being a doctor.

On Saturday, 3rd September, some sixtyfive medical students of Trinity School of Medicine received their white coats at a ceremony held at Faith Temple Church at New Montrose.

Dr. Frances JackEdwards, Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs, said the act of placing those white coats represented Trinity’s confidence in its students’ ability to carry on the noble tradition of medicine.

Seven out of the sixtynine total students were Vincentians: Shanka Edwards, Angelique Fitzpatrick, Kavir Gaymes, Amog Jayarangaiah, Gabrielle Robertson and Kimberly Smith; with Kelsey Dowers in pre-med.

Presiding on the ceremony was Dean Linda Adkinson.

He welcomed other distinguished guests, including: Governor General H.E. Sir Frederick Ballantyne; President of Trinity, Mr. Steven Wilson; Mr. Monty Maule of the Trinity Board of Trustees; Minister of Education, Hon. St Clair Prince; Minister of Health and the

Environment, Hon. Luke Browne.

President Steven Wilson extended special recognition of H. E. Frederick Ballantyne, who, he said, had not missed a single White Coat Ceremony since Trinity began over eight years ago.

Faculty, parents, friends and other wellwishers also gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Hon. St Clair Prince called the event a significant one in the life of the institution and the White Coat recipients.

“We have put a premium on education,” he stated, adding, “In the last fifteen years, we have intensified our quest for education, and today we are in the process of a noble education revolution. That is why we feel so proud that this week Trinity School of Medicine is honoring us by having a White Coat Ceremony here.”

A prominent feature of the exercise was a video presentation featuring recent graduates of Trinity.

They welcomed the new students and explained their emotions at that very point in their journey. They shed some light on the misgivings they first experienced and how quickly these were allayed, touching on issues such as their first impressions of the island, the school, and their roommates. They explored work and play, outlining ways in which

The Vincentian students who received their white coats (L-R): Amog Jayarangaiah, Shanka Edwards, Angelique Fitzpatrick, Kelsey Dowers in pre-med, Kavir Gaymes, Gabrielle Robertson and Kimberly Smith.

Trinity makes a difference in the lives of its students, and gave some advice for maximizing this advantage.

Speaking on behalf of the Vincentian contingent, Shanka Edwards affirmed, “I

know it’s going to be very hard, and though we come from different countries, the workload is the same.

I’m going to make use of

the time I have.”

Gabrielle Robertson added, “I’m just ready to jump right into it and get to the point where I’ve

wanted to reach from ever since I joined premed.”

Term One began on Monday, 5th September.

V Maintain the friendship 20. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

reception when the bride came over to me and, speaking in a low tone, I RECENTLY ATTENDED a asked me what I was wedding ceremony of my very good friend, and came doing at her wedding. I away with a bad taste in my was so shocked and disgusted that I walked mouth. My friend of 30 straight out of the years got married to a reception and took my woman whom, if I had any monetary gift with say in the matter, I would not have recommended as a me. She does not deserve my money. spouse.

I have not told my The ceremony was a friend about what good one, but it all fell transpired, and that has apart for me at the

Dear George,

there. The remark made to you by the bride was out of line, and it only helped to show up a side of her of which her Bad experience husband is unaware.

I can understand you Dear Bad experience, leaving the room, but I would maintain that you Just the sort of thing should have left your that could ruin your day gift. I am sure your friend indeed. You attended that would have appreciated wedding because your your gift. friend invited you, so you That said, you still have had every right to be time to get it to him. He been bothering me. Should I tell him, and was I right to leave with my gift?

does not have to know what transpired between you and his bride. Do not let his wife’s out of place remark spoil the friendship bwteen you two.

Take the high road and

get that gift on its way with your best wishes for him to have a happy life. Wishing him well is all up to you; living with her is up to him.

George

I want out!!!

Dear George, I DON’T WANT to be married anymore. I have been married for six years, and this married life is not for me. My husband bosses me around. I have to account to him for all my movements, and it is no different than living with my parents. I do not have a life, and I want my old life back. To be truthful, I just want to be by myself and not be bothered by another man nor marriage.

My husband on the other hand is convinced that his marriage is the happiest thing on earth. As soon as he is able to take his head out of the clouds, he might get to see me slipping away from him. Poor man.

Babe I’m leaving Dear Babe ‘Im leaving, Your marriage appears to be one in which each party holds a different view.

You need to let your husband know that you are on your way out, if that is what you want. He is your husband, not your father, and it is absolutely critical for him to understand and operate accordingly. Should that be done, then there is a chance you will begin to have a new marital experience.

I suggest, therefore, that before you walk away, suggest to him that both of you get some much needed counseling. Make your decision to leave or stay thereafter.

George

Disapproval is not all Dear George,

Dear Objective mother,

MY DAUGHTER brought home a man whom she claims she loves and may most probably settle down with.

George, this man is not working and has not worked for the past five years. He is a marijuana user, and this is against everything I have taught her.

Although I let her know that I disapprove of her choice of man, she is hell bent on going forward with him.

My reaction to her boyfriend has strained our relationship.

While you can offer advice to your daughter, you cannot choose for her. She is a big girl, and her choice is her choice.

Let her know that while you do not approve of her choice, you will always be there to support her. The best advice you can give to her is asking her not to rush into marriage, but to ensure all the necessary checks and balances are done.

Assure her that even after that you would still be there for her. This should create a more peaceful environment between you two, and help to keep the lines of communication open.

Objective mother

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Your emotions may be hard to control if your mate is forcing you to undergo drastic alterations in your relationship.

Work quietly on your own and you will forge ahead. You will have to watch out for minor health problems related to stress. Talk to someone with experience about budgets or consolidating debts.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Put your money into a safe place that will ensure a profit if you let it sit long enough.

You may be tom between two possibilities.

This has left you in a confused and uncertain state. Your partner may blame you for everything. You will have an inaccurate assessment of your status in society.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You can expect to have problems with your mate if you've been spending too much time away from home. You may find yourself mixed up in a triangle of sorts. Talk to the party involved and make sure that they are informed as to what actually happened. Be careful while traveling.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Let your boss know your goals. Your emotional attitude with respect to your status and direction in society may be unrealistic. You will find that valuable knowledge can be gained if you are willing to listen. If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You may have a problem with someone you live with if you don't include them in your gathering. Channel your energy into passionate interludes with your lover. You need to be careful not to make promises that you can't fulfill. You may want to make plans to take a vacation together.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Try to make amends by planning a nice dinner for two. You're on to something tangible and need to act fast Romantic opportunities are evident if you get involved in large groups or organizations.

You can expect to have a passionate time if you go out with someone you are romantically interested in.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Communicate with relatives who may need advice in order to find solutions to their existing problems. Changes in your home will be positive. Property investments should payoff. Work quietly at your own goals and forget about situations that you can do little about. Try not to take everything so seriously.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Older family members may take advantage of you by making you feel guilty. Let them know what your intentions are. Take time to explain your intentions to loved ones.

Make your intentions perfectly clear and find out exactly what is expected of you.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Residential moves will be favorable. Try to think things through. Don't rely on others to handle the workload. You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Cultural activities will prove to be quite enlightening for everyone. Your unique approach to life will interest others. You need to control your temper and deal with the situation rationally. An older loved one may be having problems.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Try to be tolerant of the moods of those around you. Your lover will be extremely sensitive and now will not be a good time to make changes that they won't like.

Hassles with your boss are sure to erupt if you speak your mind. You can make gains if you work in conjunction with others.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Make plans to do something special with the one you love. Someone you work with could try to undermine you. You are in a high energy, get it all done, mood and you'll have little patience with those who are slacking off. You may need a good friend to lean on.

ACROSS

50. Resound, as a carillon 1. Small lie 52. Johnson of 4. Have dinner “Laugh-In” 7. Letter after bee 56. Previously 10. Dove’s sounds named 12. Untidy person 57. Fairy story 14. Letters on 58. “Feed me!” some tow trucks sound 15. Cable choice 59. Psychic’s skill (abbr.) (abbr.)

16. Rob Reiner’s 60. Author dad Stevenson’s 17. _ Fields cookies inits.

18. _ Khan 61. Wind dir.

20. Twosome 22. Floor-cleaning DOWN device (2 wds.)

25. Bunny 1. Watchdog manoeuvre agcy.

26. Barnyard bird 2. Charged 28. Groucho or particle Harpo 3. Sportscaster 31. Lancelot’s title Costas 32. ‘70s band 4. Evaded Steely _ 5. _ mode 34. “_ Loser” (2 wds.)

(2 wds.)

6. Flashlight, in 36. Actress Olin England 39. Lifted 7. Military base 42. TV 8. “Duke of _” commercials 9. Relieve 44. Gasoline pressure additive 11. Fraudulent 45. Give schemes 48. Colorant 13. Open, as a 49. Sailor’s “yes”

flower 19. Understood 21. _ creek (2 wds.)

22. Hospital figures (abbr.)

23. Muddle 24. Of old 27. Yippee!”

29. “Rio _” 30. Wolverine’s group, with “The” (hyph.)

33. Heads, slangily 35. Fruit drink 37. Natalie Cole’s dad 38. Take in an orphan

40. Frigid 41. Sauna feature 43. Assert under oath 45. Plague 46. Sight organs 47. Ooze

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 21.

51. Laundry detergent brand 53. Stimpy’s cartoon pal 54. Freight weight 55. Lamb’s guardian

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22. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

The Ship of Fools ‘IN ‘THE SHIP OF FOOLS’ (pictured above) Jheronimus Bosch, also known as Hieronymus Bosch, is imagining that the whole of mankind is voyaging through the seas of time on a sip, a small ship, that is representative of humanity. Sadly, every one of the representatives is a fool.

This is how we live, says Bosch — we eat, drink, flirt, cheat, play silly games, pursue unattainable objectives.

Meanwhile, our ship drifts aimlessly and we never reach the harbour.

The fools are not the irreligious, since prominent among them are a monk and a nun, but they are all those who live ‘in stupidity’. Bosch laughs, and it is a sad laugh. Which one of us does not sail in the wretched discomfort of the ship of human folly?

Eccentric and secret genius that he was, Bosch not only moved the heart but scandalised it into full awareness. The sinister and monstrous things that he brought forth are the hidden creatures of our inward self-love; he externalises the ugliness within, and so his misshapen demons have an effect beyond curiosity. We feel a hateful kinship with them.

‘The Ship of Fools’ is not about other people, it is about us.’

Editor’s Note: Dutch master Jheronimus Bosch (about 1450-1460 — 1516) painted his ‘Ship of Fools’ (Oil on wood. Paris, France, the Louvre) around 1490 — 1500.

Submitted by Robbie

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 23.

GTC transfers energy to Petit Bordel deputised for acting Commissioner of PoliceReynold Hadaway, lauded the GTC for partnering with the local constabulary.

Meanwhile, outgoing Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, under whose watch the training of the police officers was Co-ordinators of the Police Youth Club, along with conceptualised and carried outgoing COP- Michael Charles and members of out, commended GTC for its the Grassroot Tennis Club, pose with tennis continuous efforts to develop Practice session taking place last equipment to be used in the Police Youth Club Tennis, while adding to the Saturday at the Petit Bordel Secondary tennis programme. social control mechanisms.

School hard court. were in need of the premises Grant Connell, Head of The GTC was forced to Bertille and Casper Da Silva, to construct an expansion of GTC, explained, “The on behalf of Star Garage their business enterprise.

Grassroot Tennis Club will be vacate its known base at Murray’s Road after ownersLimited, indicated that they seeking to resurrect at least four of the hard courts across the country, and we are starting today with Petit Bordel.”

Connell said that the equipment will be stored at the police station closest to the courts, and the co- ordinators Park and Brighton.

PRESIDENT OF THE St will impart the knowledge to The football president Vincent and the Grenadines the youngsters on days best restated that the lighting of Football Federation Venold suited, but mainly on these facilities was necessary, Coombs, has indicated that weekends. as people have shown a the Arnos Vale Two Playing Through an initiative of the Field is one earmarked to be preference to attend sporting GTC, twelve police officers activities in the early/late lighted, as his Federation were instructed in the basic should be receiving funding so evening hours. strokes and other Continuing his posturing, to do. fundamentals of the sport.

Coombs made the disclosure Coombs intimated, “Some of Responsible for their the greatest leaps in football is while addressing last training was head coach of the Sunday’s, September 11, as a result of your humble President of the SVGFFGrassroot Tennis Club- Trevor opening ceremony of the 2016 servant.

Venold Coombs during his Sam. “We are at a particular COMPSPORTS /KPMG/ pronouncements last level that we need to do more Hairoun Sunday at the opening of the in terms of our developmental AFL. Brewery thrust, and we Arnos Vale recognise that,” the Football League (AFL) SVGFF president ST VINCENT AND THE The St Vincent at that venue. identified.

GRENADINES senior female and the Also addressing “We have volleyballers came away from the Grenadines team the opening were (a) lot of Eastern Caribbean Volleyball failed to emulate chair of the Arnos money to Association (ECVA) zone of the World their efforts in Football League — come to Championships qualifiers winless, but 2012, when they Michael John and organise with a lone individual accolade. advanced to the Minister Mc Kie. fields, and Contesting Group B of the qualifiers second round of This year’s AFL Arnos Vale is at the YMCA indoor facility in the World will see six teams part of the Antigua, the Vincentian women Championships contesting the exercise, and suffered losses to Grenada and Antigua qualifiers, this, invitational premier we will and Barbuda, both in straight sets. despite having six division. collaborate In their first outing last Saturday, members who The six are with Ces (Mc St Vincent and the Grenadines were were part of the Officials meeting the teams during Guardian General Kie) (Minister beaten 25-16, 25-19, 25-19 by Grenada, last qualifiers. the opening of the 2016 AFL last Hope International, of Tourism, and later that same day felt the weight Among them were Sunday at the Arnos Vale Two Playing Sion Hill, Toni Sports and of the host team, 25 -19, 25-11, 25 -21. Shaquille Field.

Stores, Avenues, Culture), in Antigua and Barbuda went on to Branker, Bownie System Three and terms of and Hope International.

Junette Young – play undefeated, stopping Grenada 25- Allicott, Krystal Prospect. lighting,” The Under-17 division, outstanding 13, 25-13 and 27-25, and head to the Ralph, Nikita Fourteen teams, divided Coombs which is still accepting second phase of the qualifiers.

Campbell, Junette spiker. into two groups, are listed in boasted. registration, has four teams When both teams met in the Young, Shannique the first division. They are Coombs confirmed to date. preliminary match on Friday, Antigua De Shong and Preanka Williams.

Richmond Hill, System three, said that the The AFL has had and Barbuda also came up trumps, 24The Vincentian men, though, like other playing Choppins, Ruddy’s Electrical permission to (also) use the 26, 25-22, 25-18, 25-21. last time, have progressed to the Strike Force, Sion Hill, KBC, fields under main Arnos Vale One Playing The only consolation for St Vincent second round set for 2017, National Properties Fair Hall, Field, and a premier division consideration and the Grenadines was when Junette after finishing runner -up to St Kitts Parkside, Toni Stores, Cato’s for lighting fixture, Prospect versus Young took an award for being one of and Nevis, when their Heavy Equipment Strike are in System Three, was set for last two best spikers, who played in the qualifications were contested last Force, Volcanoes, Computec Georgetown, Wednesday.

Opposite position. month in Grenada.

Vincy Masters, Largo Height Campden THE ENERGY GENERATED by the operations of the Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC) at the Haddon Hotel courts on Murray’s Road over the past six years, has been transferred to the North Leeward community of Petit Bordel.

In collaboration with the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, through its Youth Club, the GTC initiated its new outlet to provide that nexus of talent at the Petit Bordel Secondary School’s hard court, last Saturday.

At a brief ceremony, the GTC formally handed over the nets, balls, rackets and other equipment to the RSVG to be utilised by Police Youth Clubs’ co-ordinators, who were all trained in teaching the sport.

National Co- ordinator of the Police Youth Club — Loraine John expressed optimism in the Tennis programme, viewing it as another positive contribution to their efforts to use various avenues to keep the young people from deviant behaviours.

John projected that, once the Tennis programme is fully functional, she foresees players with repute emerging from that side of the island.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Envil Williams, who

SVGFF to assist with lighting fields

Female volleyballers winless

V TBPO looking for better season 24. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

year’s competition.

Bacchus announced: “If a person (spectator) can catch the ball going over the boundary for six with one hand, that person will receive a prize.”

He added, “We are also looking at predicting the outcome...predict the final score or the closest to it ... predict how many runs will be scored in an over,” and assured that the organisers were in discussion with Ashford Wood called for business entities to offer seeking redress through rewards to the winners of the discussion. various off-the-field competitions.

FACED WITH DWINDLING Bacchus also noted that the spectatorship, ill- discipline and pairs’ dominos competition other debilitating factors, will make a return this year organisers of the National and will be convened Lotteries Authority Top Belair Progressive Organisation (TBPO) immediately following the cricket matches, which would Twenty/20 Softball Cricket provide an opportunity for the Competition, are seeking the cricketers to show their restoration of lost ground. “versatility.”

At the opening of the 2016 Following on the heels of a edition last Saturday at the fall out last year between the Dauphine Playing Field, organisers and long standing several undertakings were participants CGM Gallagher outlined to ensure a better Novice, a more harmonious competition. relationship is being fostered Speaking at the opening, to prevent such a Junior Bacchus outlined a reoccurrence. number of incentives which Chair of the softball are intended to “prop up” this competition- Ashford Wood in

his remarks said, “For this 2016 competition, we are appealing to teams (that) if you have any issues, feel free to approach us so that we can sort them out,” all this in the interest of avoiding another “bacchanal.”

At the closing and presentation ceremony of last year’s competition, members of the Novice team resorted to the use of placards to protest against a decision taken by the organisers.

Apart from the new outlook anticipated by organisers, the prize monies remain one of the more attractive pay outs on the local softball cricket circuit.

The wining team gets $3000, second place- $2000, while the third place earns Junior Bacchus – promised $1000 and the fourth place rewards for off-the-field team $500.

The TBPO competition got competitions. started in 1982, and is competition in St Vincent and labelled as the oldest the Grenadines. organised softball cricket

Simple Boyz open with a bang DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Gairy Construction Simple Boyz, on the hunt for a 4th consecutive title, opened their 2016 campaign of the National Lotteries TBPO Softball Cricket Competition with a commanding 110-runs win over George Valley Saints, last weekend.

Simple Boyz batted first and made 162 for 7 in 20 overs, Rondell Dowers getting 32, Kelshun DaSilva 29 not out and Kentish Phillips 24.

Bowling for Valley Saints and Carlton Baptiste took 2 for 30.

Valley Saints failed

miserably in their reply, mustering a mere 52 all out in 12.1 overs, Alpheus Harry’s 14 being their only individual score of some merit.

Kimani Thomas was in top form, finishing with figures of 4 for 14.

Travis Cumberbatch snared 3 for 3 and Gairy Construction began the defence Jobari Cunningham of their TBPO Softball Cricket title with 2 for 1. a convincing win.

Stingers also bowler with figures of 2 for 27 recorded a win in their In reply, Blazers reached opening match with a 84121 all out in 20 overs. run victory over Carriere Blazers. Stingers took first Romando Browne hit 43 and P’tani Masters, Bequia Cricket Masters, North Leeward Donte’ Henson 16. Bowling for strike and made a Association Masters, Park Hill Master and Mustique Masters.

Stingers, Colbert Simmons whopping 205 for 6 in 20 United Masters, J G & Sons RSVG Police Masters are the overs. Colbert Simmons led took 3 for 22, Azmon Forbes 3 Glamorgan Masters, Kirk defending champions. Mustique for 23 and Adonis Nanton 2 the batting with 84; DaSilva’s La Croix Masters, Masters is the only new team for 19.

Kimron John hit 47 and North East Masters and in the Competition.

Vincent Cupid 23. Marlon Marriaqua Masters.

On Saturday, St Vincent I.B.A.ALLEN Thomas was Blazers best Zone B will feature Pastures Coop Bank Ptani Masters, RSVG Police Masters, play DaSilva’s La Barrouallie Masters, Sion Hill Croix 2pm at Masters, Computec Belfongo Sion Hill, and Masters, RYB Challengers Sion Hill oppose THE EAST CARIBBEAN RYB Callengers Group of Companies, at Buccament under its Ju-C Water from 2pm. brand, is once again Sunday, lending support to the ANOTHER OF THE NATION’S Marriaqua face SVG Masters Cricket promising athletes has taken Stanley Browne’s Tournament, set to up an athletics award at an Stubbs at Sion commence this Saturday American Institution.

Hill from 10am, 17 September, 2016.

Kemroy Prince, and Bequia ECGC is no stranger to affectionately known as ‘Bob, is Cricket this tournament, having Association play sponsored prizes during a former student at the St. Martin’s Secondary School and JG and Sons the first three years of (L-R): Rachel Haslam – Marketing Manager, Glamorgan in a former double 400m winner this nine-year old ECGC, hands over cheque to Selwyn Allen – at the Inter Schools Track and Bequia also at tournament. Last year, Chairman of the SVG Masters Cricket 10am.

RSVG Field Championships. the company decided to Tournament Organising Committee.

Police play re-kindle its relationship He is also the 2015 National Computec with the organisers of the Senior 100m Champion in 2015 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Belfongo at Sion tournament, which saw RSVG and represents local club and is especially pleased to support Hill from 2pn, Police Masters taking home the Excell. the Masters tournament, which has and Barrouallie trophy.

Prince has already started sixteen teams vying for the title oppose Pastures While handing over the cheque classes at Colby Community at Buccament for one thousand dollars, Marketing this year.

College in Kansas, and is She also committed to donating from 2pm.

Manager Rachel Haslam stated pursuing a degree in Computer ECGC’s products for the special that ECGC tries to lend its support Science. prize winners of the tournament.

I.B.A.ALLEN to most of the sporting fraternities

Masters T20 bowls off THE 10TH EDITION of the SVG Masters 20/20 Cricket competition will officially begin this weekend, with games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at three venues.

The 16 teams participating in the Competition have been placed in two zones.

Zone A includes: Stanley Browne’s Stubbs Masters, St.Vincent Cooperative Bank

Another athlete on scholarship

Kemroy Prince joins a still small but growing number of Vincentian athletes on scholarship in the USA.

Ju-C support for Masters Cricket

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 25.

Sports

Happy Birthday, Dad LEOPOLD DAVID ANTHONY, turned 95 yesterday, Thursday, September 15.

Born to Ambrozine Lewis and William Anthony, Leo, popularly known as Antho, developed into one of this country’s outstanding citizens. His former students from institutions in North Leeward will remember him as the disciplinarian who insisted that education was serious business.

Music was a part of his curriculum, and singing at any institution at which he served became an integral part of the network.

Sport was also his forte. He saw himself as perhaps the most dynamic all-rounder the world had ever seen. Tales of his exploits in cricket were echoed with pride. I became familiar with them, for I grew up as one of his loyal followers from the time I started to form any shape of what life was all about. Anthony spent some prime time of his life in the Dutch oriented island of Aruba. There he had migrated to work in the oil industry which provided a foundation for many a Vincentian. It so happened that I became the first of his family production to be Vincentian born. My elder siblings boasted the prestige of having Aruban passports.

Having that mixed Caribbean upbringing, Anthony progressed as an independent Vincentian thinker and, having been exposed to the trials of overseas travel and cultural interaction, his outlook had to have displayed a different slant. While the music was inevitable, his sporting attachment was distinct.

His standing and resourcefulness made him something of value to any community to which he desired to be attached. He recognised the value of sports, especially cricket, and set the stage for his family to become ardent West Indies cricket supporters. Those traits were, encouraged by his interest in following the fortunes of West Indies cricket wherever they were in India, New Zealand, Australia, or England. And being a practical man, he seized those teaching opportunities and when questioned as to the reason why cricket was being at nights in Australia, that provided him with the reason to expand on the value of longitude and the time factor.

Ninety-five years for anyone represents a landmark. Whether he achieves the magical three figure is up to the Most High. Suffice it to say that, given his record, he has already proven himself to be a giant.

There will be tales and episodes of his groundation over that period. He still remained blessed, and the full extent of his accomplishment will be reproduced in the process of time. He is one I have become used to throughout my life. His impact on my existence has been profound.

He has shaped and moulded me into whatever I have become. My early exposure to everything worthwhile has been at his insistence. And those include sports, music and academics.

His impact extends to the wider community, national, regional and international spheres. But perhaps the area where his record stands out is music. He remained a full-fledged and genuine article to every step of his journey, and resorted to the reluctant departure of his skills only after the frame is becoming too frail to endure the rigours of such requirements.

His philosophy has been profound, and there is everything that one can gain from his contribution to life. Happy birthday, Dad.

Different skills on show in the sport of Drifting.

Drifting - a growing car sport expected, every drifter’s goal is to one day compete in this prestigious event.

It is my hope and dream that drifting may one day become a local event here in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. I encourage everyone who reads this to take interest and look more in depth into how the sport is developing in Trinidad.

Interested parties can do so online or by visiting that country when a Drifting event is scheduled, as I did.

I thank the TTDA for welcoming me with open

by KAMAL BACCHUSBROWNE

big drift to see who was the best. Today, ‘a Drifting’ is considered the DRIFT MOTION is a local fastest growing motorsport event, in that it motorsport in many parts is not just a get together for of the world. car racing enthusiasts. It is At most events around a family friendly attraction the world, the judging for all ages. criteria remain the same.

This I experienced A driver is judged by the firsthand when I attended speed and angle in a recent meet in Trinidad relation to clipping points and Tobago. The event in the corner. featured cars built for The top competition in show and drifting; a the world is the variety of food and drinks, international event The music supplied by a DJ D1 Grand Prix and, as who could probably take top place in stand-up comedy, and even a truck selling different flavoured VINCENTIAN FAST BOWLER Kesrick snow cones!

This event, billed Drift Williams, recently called up for duty with the West Indies cricket A team, Motion 3 and hosted by was last Friday, September 9, officially the non-profit signed as a brand ambassador of Digicel organization TTDA St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

(Trinidad and Tobago As an initial welcome gesture to the Drift Association), was the Digicel family, Williams was presented third installment for this year. Although only a few with a brand new Samsung S7 and a bill free postpaid plan for the duration of his years in the making, it ambassadorship. already had professional The young man, who had an and amateur categories, outstanding season in this year’s CPL, both characterized by expressed thanks to Digicel for believing drivers with no lack of skill in the art of drifting. in him, and specifically for signing him as an ambassador.

Drifting is a form of He described the honour as an motor vehicle racing that extraordinary opportunity — one that started in the hills of Japan where enthusiasts, will be used as encouragement for him to realize and live his dream, and one instead of trying to make the cars go around corners that should inspire other youngsters to work hard. as fast as possible in the Williams pledged to give his best and normal grip fashion, to make Digicel and SVG proud. resorted to continuously Digicel’s Marketing Manager Danielle sliding (the cars) around multiple corners sideways, Cupid said the telecommunications company was more than happy to be on connecting them into one

arms and providing me with a pass and vest, and allowing me to be on the track for a firsthand experience of Trinidadian Drifting. Before allowing me and others on the track though, there was a briefing for us and the media about the track, its dangers and where we were allowed to go.

I hope that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other Caribbean islands, could one day come together as one, and host a championship of our own!

Kesrick Williams: Digicel’s newest ambassador

Kesrick Williams receives a Samsung Galaxy S7 from Digicel’s Marketing Manager Danielle Cupid. board with the young Vincentian cricketer, and promised that Digicel will make all the possible investments to ensure that Williams “becomes the best fast bowler and cricketer he can be.”

Cupid further wished Williams all the best, and challenged him to continue to work hard and strive for the best.

Double duty on this weekend in N. L’ward RUDY’S ELECTRICAL play back to back matches this Sunday September 18 as the VINLEC North Leeward Cricket Competition warms. Their first opponents will be House of Graphic Summerset, followed by Robertson Surveying Future Legends.

Police also carry out whole day duties against Rose Bank United in Saturday’s first match, then against defending champions Circumstance in the afternoon.

Last weekend saw a dominant performance by Ajuba of Spring.

Powered by Roneil Jeffrey 56 not out, Kenny Stapleton 49, Michael Joseph 38, and Leon Samuel 35,

Ajuba piled up 218 for 6 off 20 overs. Their bowlers dismissed Summerset for 139 off 15 overs.

North Stars staved off a challenge by Robertson Surveying Future Legends to win by four runs.

North Stars reached 146 for 8 from 15 overs. Dean Browne 24 was the leading batsman for North stars.

Vernon Primus 3 for 24 was the best bowler for Future Legends who responded with 142 for 8 from 15 overs. Benniton Stapleton 38 kept his team in the hunt, but North Stars bowlers defended their total.

Coulls Hill Rangers beat Sharpes United of Chateaubelair by three wickets in Sunday’s first match.

Akeem Shallow 32 and Orlando Charles 28 helped Rangers to 139 for 7 off 18.2 overs.

Sharpes made 138 off 16.4 overs, with Winston Skinner 58 leading the batting in an innings undermined by Peter Morris 3 for 21 and Leon Quashie 3 for 35.

Peto Stars scored 146 for 9 from 20 overs, with Ronique Laborde 36 being the team’s top scorer. Vidal Edwards 3 for 26 and Kenrick Westfield 3 for 36 combined to restrict Carlos James Troumaca Starlight to 139 for 9 from their 20 overs. Keshaun Lewis 23 and Kishnel John 21 were among the runs for Starlight.

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26. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016. 27.

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Another double recusal, Magistrate applauded recusals, Ellis-Browne transferred both matters to ATTORNEY KAY Bacchusthe Biabou Magistrate’s Court Baptiste has lauded Magistrate where Magistrate Rickie Zoila Ellis-Browne, for upholding Burnett presides. the defence’s application for her The cases will go before to recuse herself from hearing Burnett on September 30, at the criminal matters involving which time, dates are expected her clients: Nice Radio to be set for the hearings. proprietor Douglas ‘Dougie’ De Freitas; New Democratic Party The charges (NDP) Central Leeward Candidate, Benjamin ‘Ben’ De Freitas is facing 12 Exeter; and NDP Youth Arm charges of publishing false member Shabazah George. statements likely to case fear Bacchus-Baptiste made the or alarm, or to disturb the commendation while speaking public peace. to THE VINCENTIAN on The charges were laid in Tuesday, shortly after Ellisconnection with statements De Browne made the double Freitas had reportedly made recusal at the Calliaqua on Nice Radio on December Magistrate’s Court, becoming 10, the morning after the the second magisterial recusal results of the December 9, from these matters.

2015 general elections were Magistrate Bertie Pompey, declared. who presides at the Kingstown Exeter is charged with Magistrate’s Court, was the unlawful possession of an first Magistrate to have done offensive weapon, to wit, a so, and the matters were firearm, at a public meeting transferred to the Calliaqua outside the House of Magistrate’s Court, where Assembly: assaulting police Ellis-Browne presides.

Constable Granville De De Freitas’ matter was Freitas, causing him actual scheduled to be heard last bodily harm; assaulting Tuesday, while Exeter’s was Corporal Cuthbert Morris and down for hearing on resisting arrest.

September 26.

George, who will be tried However, after making the alongside Exeter, is charged

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste described both matters as “highly political.” oath of office.

Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, “I Magistrate Bertie Pompey was indeed heartened that she was the first to recuse (Ellis-Browne) said she had himself from hearing the anticipated the application for cases against Douglas De her to recuse herself, and that Freitas, Ben Exeter and she had done research on the Shabazah George. issue. with obstructing Corporal “I commend her for that. It Morris during the execution of shows that she wants to make his duties, and with having an sure that justice would be offensive weapon without pure in the eyes of the general lawful excuse, to wit, ‘a public.” zapper’.

The charges against Exeter The basis for the application and George stemmed from incidents at an NDP protest Bacchus-Baptiste described outside the House of both matters as “highly Assembly, December 29, last political,” and stressed that year, where members of Ellis-Browne’s decision to parliament were taking their recuse herself in the interest

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

Magistrate Zoila EllisBrowne admitted that the application for recusal was not unexpected.

of justice and fair play, was commendable.

Ellis-Browne is the wife of Michael “Mike’ Browne, a former Minister of Government in the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration.

Bacchus-Baptiste had requested the Magistrate’s recusal in both matters, stating that the three defendants, as well as a fair section of the general public, are deeply concerned that, “There is apparent bias, or a real possibility of bias, should you (Magistrate) adjudicate of these matters, which are highly political and politicised matters.”

Continued on Page 4.

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