THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 16-10-20

FRIDAY, OCTOBER

16, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.42

Black Sands opening unknown Page 3

LAST WEEK THURSDAY, October 8, would go down in our history for a number of reasons.

There are, however, two (reasons) that many will consider significant, i.e. the two most important.

The first was that it was on that day, his first day out after a 14-day mandatory COVID-19 related quarantine, that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves ‘rang the bell’ and declared that November 5, 2020 will be general elections day.

The announcement was made hours after the adjournment to November 12, of a sitting of the House of Assembly. Dr. Gonsalves was reportedly in quarantine until 3 p.m. and did not attend the sitting.

Parliament was dissolved last week Friday, October 9, and Nomination Day was set for October 20.

Dr. Gonsalves, though, before he

www.thevincentian.com

CSEC passed behind bars Page 7

Alleged police beating Page 17

In announcing the elections date, Dr. Gonsalves said that he anticipated that the elections would be held in a “peaceful environment.”

He assured the citizenry that all matters related to the holding of “free and fair elections” were in place; promised “a clean, informative and uplifting campaign” in which he was Dr. Gonsalves confident now ready to rumble in earnest; and predicted that the Opposition New The date for the next general Democratic Party (NDP) was in for elections is some time before the another defeat. constitutionally due date, March 15, The ULP under the leadership of 2021.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, now 74 years It is also the first time since he was old, is looking to take an bestowed with the authority to call unprecedented fifth consecutive general elections, that Dr. Gonslaves victory at the polls; and Dr. Gonsalves was calling one outside of the month of feels that if there is a high voter December. He had previously called turnout, marked by a high turnout of elections on and led his ULP to victory young people, that his ULP will win on December 07, 2005, December 13, the election.

2010 and December 09, 2015.

made the announcement of the elections date, was visibly at the helm of a Unity Labour Party (ULP) ‘Road Caravan’ bolstered by a specially prepared truck with amplified music, and soca artistes Fireman and Luta leading the ‘Labour-laced’ chants from the truck.

EC$1.50

ULP punches NDP Page 20

We are not free Page 36

Top Left: Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, seen here on the truck that led a Road Caravan last week Thursday, rang the elections bell not long after the caravan came to an end.

Top Right: It must have been a bitter-sweet day for Arnhim Eustace (with walking stick) pictured on his final day as an MP with his parliamentary colleagues.

(Absent: St. Clair Leacock and Kay Bacchus-Baptiste)

Eustace’s farewell dampened The second event of significance that occurred last week Thursday, was paying of tributes during the sitting of the House of Assembly, to Arhnim Eustace, 76, who was retiring after 22 Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 Black Sands completion date still unknown

lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 3.

A DATE FOR THE COMPLETION and commencement of operations of the Black Sands Resort at Peter’s Hope is no clearer today that it was yesterday.

This was as much as the Minister of Culture — Cecil Mc Kie could provide in response to a question by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Godwin Friday, during the October 8 sitting of Parliament.

Dr. Friday wanted to know whether

work on the project had recommenced and the expected date of completion.

According to Mc Kie, after a visit to the site he could report that work on the 10 villas, phase one of the project, was well advanced relative to the exterior aspect of the villas and construction of driveways and roadways, and that some work on the interior - installation of windows and doors - had taken place.

Mc Kie said that the developers had “indicated that like all the other hotel projects in the country, and some of the larger projects, have been severely affected by Covid-19 and they are still awaiting the arrival of furnishings and other equipment to complete the villas.”

The furnishing and other equipment are being sourced from the US, China and France, and the Minister said

A view of the villas as of November 19.

According to the Minister of Culture, some exterior work on the villas has been effected since. (Facebook Photo)

A Thursday of two tales more than likely, have been the last before the elections. years as the New Members on both sides Democratic Party (NDP) of the House paid Member of Parliament tributes. They showered representing the West praises and thanks for Kingstown constituency. his service and The Opposition leadership, in summary Members of the House describing him as a had requested that time model public servant of be allowed for this the highest order of exercise, acting on a integrity. ‘belief’ that the And while Eustace announcement of a date acknowledged the words for next general elections of commendation and was going to be made best wishes, he did not soon, and that last week hesitate to register his Thursday’s sitting would, extreme disappointment, Continued from Front Page.

on the brink of tears, at a decision by the Speaker of the House to deny a request that members of his immediate family and a few supporters, (not more than five persons THE VINCENTIAN understands) be allowed in the ‘strangers gallery’ to share in his final day in the House.

“I wanted to have my family here today to hear this debate, but this was not to be because my request in this regard was not acceptable,” Eustace told the House.

…. I am deeply disappointed in that, Mr. Speaker, in that decision,” he said.

The Speaker rationalized, in disapproving the request, that the COVID-19 protocols had occasioned the removal of a “strangers gallery” in the House, therefore, the request to have “strangers” in the House could not be approved.

Eustace’s tenure Arnhim Eustace was

there was still no word on a precise date of arrival in SVG. Phase 2 of the project, which included the construction of a 200room hotel complex, is yet to commence.

And even as work continues on the cite with some 50 persons being employed, (no indication as to whether this is regular employment), in the circumstances, neither Me Kie nor the developers could give any date when the resort would be complete and become operational.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Black Sand Resort occurred in February 2017 with the investors — PACE Developments out of Canada indicating then that the project was estimated to have taken 24 to 30 months to complete. (DD)

Right: Carlos James was installed as Speaker of the House on March 26, 2020. first elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1998 as the representative for East Kingstown. He retained his seat in (all) the elections that followed up to 2015.

He succeeded Sir James Mitchell as leader of the NDP in October 2000, and served as Prime Minister until 2001, when the NDP was defeated in that year’s

general elections, which had been wrought on the land as a result of a period of civil disobedience, some say disorder, led by the ULP. Eustace served as Leader of the Opposition until November 2016 and was succeeded in that position by Dr. Godwin Friday. He remained a member of the House of Assembly right up to its final sitting on Thursday 8, 2020.

V

4. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Couple freed of wounding, arson Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS AN OTTLEY HALL couple who was charged in connection with a chopping incident at Lowmans Bay about three years ago, walked away free from the High Court Criminal Assizes, on Friday, October 9.

Calvert ‘Mole’ Charles and his common law wife Gailene ‘Fire’ Farrell were acquitted on charges of wounding Edward Durrant with intent, and setting fire to their house, after a nine-member jury found them not guilty on both counts.

They were also charged with the attempted murder of Durrant, but that charge was withdrawn at the start of the trial which commenced earlier that week.

Durrant told the Court that the couple came to his home around midnight on November 2017 wearing hoodies. He said he was awoken by smoke and fire.

He related that he exited house to get water to put out the fire, when he was attacked and chopped about his body. He called to his neighbours for help, and called the names of the persons he claimed had attacked him.

He said he was able to see because it was moonlight, and there was a nearby street light.

One of his neighbours, Charles Lewis testified that around 11:30 p.m. on the date in question, he heard voices in the area that sounded like that of a man and another like the accused.

Another neighbour, Joycelyn Francis told the Court that Durrant ran into her house with what appeared to be injuries.

Details of the investigation were given to the Court by Constable Verna John, who substituted for the lead investigator, Sergeant Philbert Chambers, now deceased.

During cross-examination, attorney Grant Connell, counsel for the accused, put it to Durrant that certain activities in the area had angered others and could have resulted in Durrant being attacked, which had nothing to do with his clients.

In his closing submissions, Connell argued that the lighting in the area was poor, and Durrant could not have seen who attacked him.

In their defence, the couple told the Court they were at home on the night in question, because it was Farrell’s birthday.

(L-R front): Calvert ‘Mole’ Charles, Gailene ‘Fire’ Farrell and their lawyer Grant Connell had much to be happy about with a verdict that went in their favour.

Crown Counsel Rose Ann Richardson led the case for the Prosecution.

Ganja will keep the economy afloat

ATTORNEY Grant Connell seems to have agreed with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves approach to the WHILE SENIOR Prosecutor When cautioned and court.

COVID-19 pandemic, but Adolphus Delpleche admits that questioned, Gaymes said the gun He added, “There is no evidence thinks that marijuana will he is on record as highlighting the was just to protect his farm. that the gun was used for help to keep the economy need to protect farmers from A subsequent search was anything unlawful, expect that he afloat.

Praedial Larceny, he made it clear conducted at his home, but had it on him unlawfully.”

He told the Serious that this must be done within the nothing illegal was found there.

Describing his client as very Offence Court on Tuesday confines of the law.

Gaymes’ lawyer, Dr. Linton honest and cooperative with the that St. Lucia is currently Delpleche statement came Lewis, in mitigation, said his police, he asked the Court to facing economic hardships as while he recommending client was a father of six, was in- impose a reasonable fine or a a result of their approach to Attorney Grant sentencing in relation to Desley charge of 14 acres of land on suspended sentence. the COVID-19.

Connell has made Gaymes, a 51-year-old farmer of which he cultivated fruits and But the Senior Prosecutor “Our captain was use of every Layou, who pleaded guilty at the vegetables for sale to pointed out that while he was on somewhat able to keep the opportunity to raise Serious Offences Court on supermarkets on mainland, as record as saying that farmers ship here afloat,” Connell questions about Monday, to possession of a 12well as the Grenadines. must be protected, the seriousness said, while making his usual how the law speaks guage firearm without licence, Lewis informed the court that of firearm related offences must representation of persons to matter related to and two rounds of ammunition.

Gaymes, who also owned up to not be lost in stressing the need to charged with drug related marijuana.

Acting on information, Gaymes 100 heads of animals, had been protect farmers. offences. was intercepted at Layou in his suffering at the hands of thieves “Farmers must be protected, Two such persons were Glenlyn Lee of Sion Hill jeep around 9:55 p.m. on October for years and alluded to attorney but it must be done within the who pleaded guilty to possession of 214 grams of 5, during a joint operation by Grant Connell, who was sitting at confines of the law,” Delpleche marijuana with intent to supply, and Garnet officers from the Rapid Response the bar table, and himself as reiterated.

‘Flingo’ Wilkins of Rose Place who pleaded guilty to Unit (RRU), Narcotics Unit, and victims in this regard.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne 1,266 grams of cocaine with intent to supply, and the Layou Police Station.

“Sometime he (Gaymes) met Browne applied the sentencing 2,014 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

Sergeant Shawn Chandler of thieves on his farm. Some of them guidelines, weighed the Connell pointed out that persons like these the Narcotics Unit, led that got away. Sometimes he fired one aggravating and mitigating should not be sent to prison for such offences, at operation. or two shots in the air, but none factors, did the necessary this time, when it is not mandatory for the Court to The gun, with the ammunition could complain that he fired the calculations, and sentenced do so, as the Drug Act provides for an alternative. attached to its sides, was found gun on them. He is all about Gaymes to three years and ten “Cannabis is immune to COVID, it will help to under the driver’s seat in a bag, preventing people from coming on months in prison for the gun, and keep the economy afloat legally (medical), and this after Gaymes declared that it his farm, and not to kill them. He six months for the ammunition. illegally (underground economy), one plant,” was there when asked if he had resorted to an unlicensed firearm The sentences are to run Connell posited. anything to ‘declare’. as a deterrent,” Dr. Lewis told the concurrently.

Farmers protection must be lawful

Wilkins found the packages.

In handing down the penalties, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne contended that too many persons have dealt with him while being attached to Turning to the defendant who was SENIOR Prosecutor Adolphus been destroyed and lives wasted, as a still standing in the dock, Delpleche the Criminal Investigation Delpleche has expressed shouted, “’Flongo’, I am disappointed result of cocaine.

Department (CID) several years ago. disappointment in Garnet ‘Flingo’ On the cocaine charges, Wilkins in you!” “’Flingo’ is somebody I know; he Wilkins, who is well known on the was sentenced to one year and seven Attorney Grant Connell, in his does not pass me anywhere,” the streets of Kingstown since the 1990s. months on each charge, with the mitigation plea earlier, said that Wilkins had had some run-ins with Prosecutor said. “We would speak with each other whenever we met,” he according to his instructions Wilkins the law in the early times but had sentences running concurrently. had found the packages with the added. kept his slate clean since 2009.

On the marijuana charge, he was drugs while walking through some Delpleche also said he knew This was so until Tuesday, October fined $1,600 forthwith or eight months bushes.

13 when he appeared at the Serious Wilkins’ family. behind bars.

One of the packages had a cut, Offences Court and pleaded guilty to Wilkins is the son of well-known The 44-year-old labourer of Rose showing that it contained marijuana, possession of 1,266 grams of cocaine businessman Reginald ‘Spooky’ Place, the father of four children, the Knights, now deceased, and nephew of and according to Connell, Wilkins for the purpose of drug trafficking, last being nine months old, was assumed that the other package also popular calypsonian and musician possession of the cocaine with intent intercepted at Lowmans Bay around contained marijuana because both Robert ‘Patches’ Knights. to supply, and possession of 2,014 2:30 pm on October 11, during a joint Delpleche said Wilkins had walked packages were similar in appearance. operation by officers from the Rapid grams of marijuana with intent to Connell said his client was the straight and narrow for about 11 supply. surprised when the police cut open the Response Unit (RRU) and Narcotics years, prior to him committing these Prior to sentencing, the Senior Unit, acting on a tip off. offences. packages, to reveal that one of them Prosecutor, a former experienced The action was led by Corporal “He had come around to a certain contained cocaine. police officer, said Wilkins was no LaFleur Williams of the RRU. But the Court did not believe that stranger to him, as he (Delpleche) had extent,” the Prosecutor admitted.

ÂFlingoÊ disappoints Prosecutor

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 5.

V

6. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Imprisoned female gets 7 CSEC passes

Not even the ‘lock and key of the prison cell could prevent a young female inmate from advancing herself academically.

THE GIRL who in 2016 became the youngest person to be charged, convicted and jailed for murder in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was among those who performed well in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

According to Minister of Education St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince as he addressed last week Thursday’s sitting of the House of Assembly, the girl passed seven of the nine subjects for which she was entered.

The Minister made no

Queries would not affect results

WHILE NOT BEING SPECIFIC with respect to numbers of queries, subject areas, the schools involved and whether they a Grade 6 student at the she was to be accorded related to grades Lowman’s Leeward tupport so she could awarded, Anglican Primary School. continue her education.

Education The accused had, in Up to the time of her Minister St. Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince confirmed that fact, recently completed sentencing hearing, then some queries are still with the Caribbean the CPEA examinations Acting Chief Education Examinations Council (CXC). for entry into secondary Officer Beverly Neptune However, the Minister made it clear that the school. had indicated to the outcome was not expected to make a big difference However, her day in a court that the girl had to the preliminary results provided. secondary school never completed her Form 1 Prince’s disclosure came as he addressed a came as she was found schooling and was about Sitting of the House of Assembly October 8, during guilty and sentenced to to enter second form. which, in addition to the above, he congratulated 12 years in prison, in The Ministry of December 2016.

Education was ordered to the successful candidates in the 2020 external examinations.

Having pleaded guilty provide the court with There had been widespread regional protest from to the charge, her reports on the girl’s parents, students, teachers, school administrators reference to the incident sentence was reduced to progress (education), and Ministries of Education following CXC’s release a maximum of 6 years. while the prison which had resulted in of the 2020 results September 23.

Under the terms of authorities was to the girl’s incarceration, Countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, her sentencing, she was provide the court with save and except to say, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Grenada, Guyana and not to be kept among the reports on her conduct. “one student who got a Trinidad and Tobago, had all voiced concerns general population, and (DD) second chance is following the currently at Her release of CXC Majesty’s Prisons going and CAPE through an amazing results. period of rehabilitation The and she had passed preliminary seven out of nine results for SVG subjects she sat.” showed that 1,552 THE VINCENTIAN, school candidates following on the THE ST. VINCENT AND THE the programme are available for sat 10,914 subject Minister’s reference, GRENADINES Community College successful applicants. entries in 31 sought confirmation from (SVGCC), through its Division of Arts, Application forms and additional subject areas prison officials, with Sciences and General Studies (DASGS), course information can be accessed via from 26 secondary respect to the incident has announced that applications are now the college’s website www.svgvc.vc or the schools. and sentencing. open for its Associate Degree Cyber divisional office at 457-4503 ext 325.

Approximately As THE Security (part-time) programme.

The deadline for applications is Friday 81.86 percent of VINCENTIAN had The programme, expected to last two 20th November 2020. Applications must the subject deduced, the incident of years, will see students explore courses be submitted to the divisional office of entries were interest occurred in 2015 such as Foundations of Cyber Security, the Division of Arts, Sciences & General awarded Grades I when 15-year-old Computer and System Security, Business Studies (DASGS) at the college’s Villa — 111, up from Moesha Primus was & IT Law, Technical Report Writing, Ecampus, along with a $20 application fee. the 2019 figure of fatally stabbed by the Commerce, Cyber Terrorism & Crime, Classes for the AD Cyber Security will 74.33 percent. accused, who was 12 amongst others. Scholarships to pursue commence January 2021.

(DD) years old at the time and

SVGCC offering Cyber Security programme

to JOEHANNAH HOYTE for being THE TOP PERFORMER AT GEORGE STEPHENS SECONDARY SCHOOL In the 2020 CSEC She sat 11 subjects and received six Grade 1s, four Grade 2s and one Grade 3.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 7.

Regional

LIAT to return to the skies? a specific date, information shared by his Prime Minister-Gaston Browne alluded to a return to the skies “in the new month.”

Toward this end, Prime Minister Browne assured support for the ongoing process undertaken by the Antigua High Court appointed administrator, Cleveland Seaforth, who is tasked with the responsibility of reorganizing the company — LIAT (1974) Ltd., which owes creditors in excess of EC$1 million, by cutting liabilities and realigning expenses.

If what PM Browne said pans out, approximately $70 million in debt will be eliminated from the balance sheet of LIAT as a result of debt write-off by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and (Inset): Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Antigua and Barbuda, has admitted that primarily. if things don’t work out with respect to a downsized replacement for LIAT (1974) Antigua supports Administrator Ltd., then the official collapse of the company is inevitable. (Photo credits: On his government’s support for Caribbean Life news) the Administrator, PM Browne said, “What the Cabinet has decided, while the INDICATIONS from Antigua and Barbuda are that LIAT, Administrator is negotiating, we have decided that or some entity resembling the once regional airline, we will provide the funding so that the could be in the skies by November.

Antigua’s Information Minister Melford Nicholas Administrator could continue to do LIAT’s work, … told reporters last week that while he could not give we think it would be important for us to support the Administrator putting LIAT back into the skies.”

He, however, stressed that the funding his government was providing was as a preferred creditor and not as a shareholder.

“So, if things do not work out then the government of Antigua and Barbuda will be the first to be repaid. I want to make that abundantly clear,” he emphasized especially for the Antigua and Barbuda public.

Browne said the new LIAT will be a “downsized” entity, maybe with about four planes, and a significantly reduced work force.

LIAT had begun cutting back on its commercial traffic in March and would subsequently ground its service to a halt, after many Caribbean islands shut down their airports as part of the measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

By June, there were announcements of one sort or the other that purported that the airline was heading for liquidation.

In response, Antigua and Barbuda, where LIAT’s administrative and major servicing and maintenance facilities are located, unveiled a new plan for the airline with St John’s proposing reinvestment of EC$108 million, and indicating that under the new plan it was prepared to underwrite up to 50% of the required capitalisation.

Now, as a new scenario unfolds following the appointed of an Administrator, Prime Minister Browne has warned, “If the plan does not fit into our objectives of having an efficient, right-sized LIAT then clearly we’ll have a problem. And I have to say here too that if we’re unable to get a lean LIAT then we’ll have to collapse it.” (Source: Antigua Breaking News)

V

8. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial

Looking for leaders WHAT MAKES GOOD LEADERS? Why do some people say they are absent these days? Why do others say that we don’t need to change leaders, we simply need to shift the goals?

The truth is that whether or not we subscribe to the strategy of shifting goals, there is always going to be need for a single persuasive leader working directly on goals and values, so as to effect real and meaningful change in the entire system… for the entire population.

Ideally, therefore, in a democracy (like ours), leadership should be a feedback process starting from the people, who set goals in their selection of leaders and not have ‘leaders’ imposed upon them - far from our reality, eh?

So, what makes a great leader?

Float this question around and it will evoke examples of who people think are great leaders, before ever getting around to what makes those persons great in the first place.

The problem there, as this column sees it, is the word leader.

We tend to use that word to mean a host of different things.

To most people, ‘leader’ means someone who has power…. head of government…. a ruler. These are the persons who know how to gain and use power to make if not force things to happen. Believe it or not, the ‘celebrated’ US President Abraham Lincoln was a ruler who revoked the rights of free press and habeas corpus in his determination to win the Civil War. The question of means to an end comes into focus when we see our leaders as rulers.

Then there are the leaders who are persons other people follow, not by force but voluntarily. Those persons we believe, we tell ourselves have charm, charisma, fascination and credibility. They are persuasive as they are appear placid.

But there are also leaders who are in truth managers, who might not necessarily be concerned with the mechanics of the job at hand. They delegate tasks and responsibilities to people: who can organize things; who can keep the machinery welloiled; who pay attention to the details but who are (oftentimes) set up to take the blame if a particular project fails.

So, we have ‘ruler’, ‘leader, and ‘manager’. But these cover only the potential of leadership, i.e. that the instruments of power are in hand; that people are following; and that the bureaucracy works.

Each by itself is inadequate, together they are wont to express where the leader is leading to — around in circles, to the Promised Land, over a cliff?

That is why when we search for a leader, we must search for one who is a “visionary”; one who does not simply uphold and embolden the status quo, but someone who can articulate a goal so concretely that people accept it as a reality.

The USA may have some way to go in this regard, but there is no doubt that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. moved that nation with his vision: “My four little children will one day not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Fear though, that clarity must be sought with respect to the vision of a leader, for leaders can also be possessed of deluded and evil intents.

That is why Behavioural Scientists have encouraged the work ‘savant’ to describe that person who leads or is desirous of leading, as learned, well-informed; one who does not live in a simplified dream world, but who comprehends the complexity and variety of the real world; one who understands the seething ideas and politics of his/her era; one who respects the people.

The choice, my friends, is always ours to make.

“Ah writing the Comrade” This is an abridged version of the referenced article that was first published in THE VINCENTIAN Friday 24th November, 2017.

I HAVE PULLED THIS LETTER, written by Otto Sam, from my personal archives as I thought it would make interesting reading round about this time.

“Comrade, we love, respect and support you, but we resent healing and togetherness before exposing, cleansing and purging. If those sores heal like that, they would “force well” with inflammation in them. As you know, Comrade, corruption was a main issue in the last campaign, and we supported and still supporting the exposure, and the bringing to justice of the corrupt elements.

Expose all the former ministers who owe Marketing Board Supermarket, all who stole government land for 40 cents per square foot, all those who held monies from the Canouan developers that should be in the Treasury.

Comrade, ask Audrey Scott, Denniston Douglas, Dr. Ambrose and any comrade on the ground and their work places, ULP warriors are dissatisfied at the pace at which things are going! They find that the match is boring! They want action! Labour now!!! People, ULP stalwarts are questioning if Sir James negotiated an amnesty for himself.

Comrade, in 1984 when Sir James won, he immediately moved to crush the SVLP by exposing all wrongdoing and dragging Arthur Williams before the Courts. That virtually killed Labour! People never trusted them again! That is why NDP was able to last so long and even put up such a fight in the last elections although the majority wanted them out. It took your energy and skills, the statesmanship of Vincentians and the struggles of all workers in a people’s movement to rid this nation of the evil, corrupt and wicked NDP regime!

Crush them now! Owen Arthur exposed and crushed the DLP before speaking of inclusiveness. Even the fledgling NDP in his country died in the process and DR. Richie Haynes lined up with Arthur. Dr. Denzil Douglas crushed PAM and Dr. Kennedy Simmonds by exposing and investigating immediately after his victory. Comrade, you and the ULP need to do the same. Elections are forthcoming and if there are not rapid movements to expose and investigate the past, ULP supporters might go on the beach while the 41% of NDP will go voting! They are together!

You notice that they boycotted Fisherman’s Day which they created? Labour NOW, NOW! ...

Comrade, you see the embarrassment the education officials nearly caused at Prep School?

You had to suggest negligence, incompetence!

Yes, square pegs! Retire them in the nation’s interest. They cannot do their jobs! That’s change!

Comrade, how do we explain CWSA Manager (Daniel Cummings) slamming the phone on a

minister and Jeannie Olliverre blatantly refusing to implement the hundred days programme? Together now!!!

Comrade, clean up the mess. You have the mandate. Forget about E.G Lynch and the people who supported “peace party”. Labour calls for action! Give us what we voted for change! Do not be afraid! We support the Comrade yesterday, today and in the future.

Amen”

A Few Comments Otto Sam expressed these sentiments within two months of the ULP winning the 2001 election. He was obviously intoxicated with power and could not wait for a balanced assessment of the situation, but called for immediate action to control, curb and eradicate the NDP without more.

During the road-block revolution, there were many gatherings with malice aforethought. At one in Arnos Vale, a policeman, Horace Williams, in trying to restore order, only looked sternly at Comrade, thus committing the grave sin of “eye-balling” the anointed, and was condemned for that, and Otto was begging his Comrade not to forget, or forgive that insult!

Above all, Otto was against Ralph’s clarion call for togetherness without appreciating Ralph’s own deceit in the concept. He wanted no cleansing before a healing that produced “forcewell” sores that created abscesses on the body politic. His leader must first attend to the wanton corruption that they glibly talked about before they could consider reconciliation.

Sad thing is that Otto has now found that he was part of the mess and has been treated as such by his hero. The populace should ensure that Otto gets his justice which is being denied him. But one must go no further in embracing him. The Otto type could well turn out to be gallis bait in our current context of devilish political war. An acolyte now become turnedcoat needs continuous and prolonged watching.

The horns have constantly to be examined.

I was indeed happy that the Teachers’ Union recently called publicly for payment of money which the court has justly awarded Otto, thanks to the legal acumen of Jomo Thomas who remains impossibly an ULPite though not in the top-notch to which he naturally belongs.

But equally, the ULP must pay appropriate respect to Yvonne Francis-Gibson who led the Teachers’ Union at a crucial time of its history, as well as an offer to compensate and re-employ the three NDP defeated candidates, Addison “Bash” Thomas, Elvis Daniel and Kenroy Johnson, which Ralph did not honour. His promise was merely “aspirational” which is wishful thinking, which is the hallmark of most of the ULP projects.

V

lHE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 9.

Views

Shame on the speaker Editor’s Note: Since last week Thursday evening, the Editor has been bombarded been with responses to the House Speaker’s refusal to allow members of Mr. Arnhim Eustace’s immediate family and a few supporters, into the gallery of the House, to witness Mr. Eustace’s final day as an elected Member of Parliament.

Many of the responses were riddled with nasty references, not worthy of publication here or anywhere else.

We have paraphrased some of the more ‘sane’ responses and, in the interest of free and fair speech, are pleased to

share them.

Response one Mr. Editor, the Speaker of the House should be so ashamed of his childish ruling that he should board the next flight out of St. Vincent. How could a young man be so callous, so savage as to deny a man like Eustace, and I am no supporter of the NDP, his one day in the spotlight.

Come on, man, the man paid his dues, and if that was Ralph Gonsalves, the whole damn gallery would have been filled.

And, I find it difficult to swallow any reasoning

about Covid-19 protocols and setting precedent.

Get out of here, Mr. Speaker.

enough to say to me that I had done my job.

That is why, Mr. Editor, I take umbrage with that young man who is Speaker of our ULP Supporter Honourable House, when he bluntly refused to Response two grant Mr. Eustace’s As a retiree who gave request that members of his immediate family and the better years of my some supporters be life to ensuring that the allowed to witness his children of this land got send off. I understand a fair and honest that the number of educational grounding, persons would not have and to have had the exceeded five so I am yet honour of having my peers and fellow teachers to see what fuss this would have caused. give me a rousing and Shame, shame, shame resounding send off when on Mr. James. He I retired, is something that I will remember for should bear in mind that his day will come. the balance of my life.

That one day was

Retiree, Arnos Vale.

Response three Mr. Editor, I don’t care what you think, but that man Carlos James who was made Speaker of the House, should be ashamed of himself for the balance of his life.

The man is a gutless, politically immature ‘just come’. When people say that the younger generation don’t have regard for the older generation, they have all the proof with this buffoon of a Speaker.

Shame on him forever for dissing Mr. Eustace and his family.

But he must show off

now because there is no guarantee he would be around when the votes are counted in the next general election.

Tom of the NDP

You got it wrong, Mr. Chance Undoing Mr. Editor, you and I are persons of East Indian descent. Both of us know a bit of our mother country’s culture and so forth, though I would say you know a hell of a lot more than I do.

A friend called to tell me that Mr. Kenton Chance in one of his articles, had referred to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as wearing a ‘Ghandi suit’. I asked my friend to send me a photo of the PM in this suit, and he did.

So that is why I am putting this question to you: What is a “Ghandi suit”?

If Mr. Chance is linking this suit to India’s revered independence leader Mohandas Gandhi, then he first of all got the spelling wrong and he should

know that even if we put in the correct spelling, there is nothing called a ‘Gandhi suit’ far less a ‘Ghandi suit’.

The suit that the PM donned, from what I can see, is a ‘Nehru suit’ made popular the world over

by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. And for Mr. Chance’s edification, there are also ‘Nehru shirts’. Both suit and shirt are identified by the collar.

There have been variations of the style in the western world but the style is still referred to as the ‘Nehru suit or shirt, and is always classified as being of East Indian origin.

So, Mr. Editor, correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know there is no such thing as a

‘Ghandi suit’ or ‘Gandhi suit’.

And if anyone knows anything about Mohandas Gandhi to whom Mr. Chance has ascribed a suit, they would know that from the day Gandhi returned to India, he shed and shredded all his western style clothes and wore the clothes of the poor and disenfranchised — a simple dhoti (trousers like) and a shawl… and wore the same thing when he went to England to discuss the conditions of Independence for India.

Perhaps Mr. Chance should have given his friend the PM a call to verify what the PM was wearing before he took to writing his article.

Person of East Indian Descent

Police are human too REFER to a letter you carried in your issue of

Friday 2nd October, was encouraging support 2020, in which the writer for our Commissioner of Police, Mr. Colin John.

Not only am I in support of that sentiment, but I want to broaden it and say that we need to support our gallant police men and women.

First and foremost, we must remember that our police officers are among the first responders; they are always on the front line.

As police officers, they are servants of the state who took an oath to implement and uphold the laws of the land, in a fair and honest manner.

And while they do that, they are ensuring that civilians like you and I can live safely and carry out our business in a safe environment.

It would also be good

for us to remind ourselves that police officers are human beings who have shortcomings and get tired often from overwork.

Their daily job of fighting crime is a high pressure job and like anyone else, they will experience physical fatigue, stress, and exhaustion, and also fall ill.

As civilians, we hurt them most when we mistrust them, criticize them incessantly, and don’t show them appreciation.

All of us need to remember, the men and women in uniform are as human as we are.

WAK Kingstown

living poverty EVERY family needs to “eat a food” not just certain sections of the population who feel an entitlement to special favours. We may struggle with the provision of shelter, clothing, school books, food, and work for our families, but survival is possible with some ingenuity. Creating your own work is possible.

Shelter: Each community may have a number of abandoned government buildings that need someone to care for them. Your tender loving care may transform these eyesores into aesthetically beautiful and useful dwellings. You may also build your own house using waste materials, but a little help and advice from a professional carpenter can prevent your good intentions from becoming a curse on the beauty of the village. A grass house is also possible with a grass roof covering wattle and daub walls. However, expert construction knowledge is needed.

Clothing: Listen to the death announcements to determine where to ask for clothing. Many grieving families will willingly donate the shoes and clothes of their dearly departed loved ones.

School books: Check parents of students in the next higher grade than your child’s. They may be willing to give last school year’s books at no or reduced cost. Make sure to use the public library and read the Newspapers every week. This would give your child an advantage at school.

Food: My good neighbor of blessed memory agreed to plant fruit trees along the boundary lines. Every time the trees bear I get a reasonable portion of blessings. She also gave me a female goat to mind until a female kid was born. I now have a flock of 6 goats. I plant a garden in my immediate surroundings or vacant lot next door so that I can help to feed myself and share or sell the excess. I eat what is available once it is healthy and good. Boiled breadfruit or rice can be turned into porridge to make them more appealing to the children.

Jobs: Selling is the easiest available job. The walking salesperson generates more sales than the stationary one. Sales items may include food, books, newspapers, fruits, vegetables, fruit trees, seedlings, vegetable seeds, and clothing. Begging is not a job but you can beg for a job and some may create one specially for you. They may help you find something to do that is productive in exchange for their scarce finances.

Anthony Stewart, PhD

V

10. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Address by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to the general debate of the UN General Assembly 2020

Excerpt No. 2

Introduction FUNDAMENTALLY, Mr. President, the old order is passing away before our very eyes as a consequence of the pandemic, but a new one is yet to come into being; indeed, there is not in place even a transition to a better, optimal, and enduring condition. We are still quarelling about inconsequential matters, insisting on too many sideshows, and casting our gaze askance away from the main events, metaphorically.

It is a truism, repeatedly ignored by powerful nations globally and ruling classes in dominant countries, that our central global challenges cannot be solved in isolation of each other or only on the terms of the powerful. Yet the old reflexes kick in, harming inevitably the strong and the weak, though not in equal measure.

So, we end up, metaphorically, with a proud man who is ignorant of that which he is most assured.

Right reason and mature reflection teach that over the past 50 years of the dominant human civilization, and its appending off-shoots, there has been an explosion of individualism and freedom engendered by a huge enlargement of personal, financial, technological, and social spaces.

Atomised individualism has been elevated as the apotheosis of progress; and social solidarity has become frayed, tattered, and diminished as a public good. So, along comes a pandemic and the atomised individual has to rely on the prudent and collective good behaviour of his neighbours to stay healthy. This circle cannot be easily squared in an individualistic, dog-eat-dog social order; and, metaphorically, all hell has broken loose.

Thus, internally in our societies, we ought in the current altered condition, to build a social individual, not an atomised one; this social individual necessarily, has to be grounded in the requisite of social solidarity. Across nations, too, we must initiate and build a fresh compact of enduring solidarity, as we in our Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have done with much success, despite a limitation of resources. Our United Nations, and its specialised agencies, are the locales for the construction of an ambitious, renewed global compact, not of world government, but of a genuine community of nations through a bona fide multilateralism, grounded in international law. This is not merely a technical exercise but a profoundly political one of the first order in which this revitalised compact is efficaciously fashioned on the fertilised soil of genuine commitment among all nations. Let us thus lift, Lift Humanity Higher!

In this regard, powerful states must roll back their unilateralist, unwholesome and prejudicial constraints on weaker nations. The list is long and includes: unilateralist sanctions; weaponising of the trade, banking and financial system; the misuse and abuse of so-called “blacklists” by developed countries against developing ones; the unilateralist termination of correspondent banking relations on purely spurious and hypocritical, grounds; the breaking of international law, willy-nilly, to serve narrowly national interests on this or that issue, including the existential matter of climate change; and the relegation of Small Island Developing States to the expendable margins of the global political economy.

SIDS concerns Mr. President,

As a small island developing state faced with an exceptional and unique admixture of existential circumstances, ranging from our inherent vulnerabilities as a small open economy with porous borders, to the legacies of underdevelopment left in the wake of European settler colonialism, native genocide, the enslavement of Africans, and the indentureship of Madeirans and Indians, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has made tremendous strides to advance meaningfully a progressive and people-centred development agenda. Yet, despite our best efforts, the disastrous economic implications of a global COVID-19 recession threatens to stymie our advances.

These detrimental impacts, already disproportionately felt across the Global South, stem from sharp declines in remittances; significant disruptions of trade, travel and other economic activity; and the negative effects on social welfare, as limited resources are diverted to save lives.

For small island developing states, without predictable and reliable financing through concessional loans, without scaled up development assistance, and flexible and innovative forms of debt-relief, we risk falling further behind - unable to safeguard our human development agenda or provide necessary social protections to many of our people. To avert these grim prospects, ambitious reform of the international financial architecture that takes into account our Small Island Exceptionalism is urgently needed.

Cuba and Venezuela Mr. President, The continued use of the illegal and inhumane economic embargo on the Republic of Cuba, and the unilateral economic sanctions imposed for the purpose of stoking social unrest as part of an externally-driven “regime change” agenda in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are but two egregious examples of how the norms and principles of international law are desecrated for sake of power and selfinterest. Despite their own serious challenges, the governments and peoples of Cuba and Venezuela continue to stand as models for camaraderie and solidarity, dispatching medical brigades and essential supplies in response to COVID-19.

Such is the absurd contradiction that those who employ the human rights mantra as a guise for unilateral action would wilfully deprive millions of people, living in countries near and far, of their right to dignity and development by deploying the most debilitating foreign policy tools. The immense suffering of the people of Syria, as a result of a conflict that they did not choose, and geopolitical forces over which they exert no influence, stands as a prime example of the paradox of humanitarian intervention. In similar fashion, the convergence of a parallelogram of contradictory forces in Yemen has precipitated a humanitarian crisis of monumental proportions. Syria and Yemen are arguably two of the biggest catastrophes in the world which require constructive forms of multilateral engagement that yield people-centred solutions with full respect for international law. I feel sure that interested regional powers yearn for peace and stability in Yemen and Syria.

NDP will deliver on its promises ON NOVEMBER 5TH, Vincentians will go to the polls to elect a new government.

Vincentians are fed up of the nineteen (19) years of broken promises by the Unity Labour Party (ULP). They are yearning for change. It is obvious that Vincentians will vote overwhelmingly for the New Democratic Party (NDP). The NDP will deliver on its promises and provide jobs and opportunities for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

ULP Broken Promises The ULP has not delivered on its promises. They promised to: be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime; move resolutely against corruption in government; introduce integrity legislation; make job creation especially quality jobs and sustainable economic development their main priorities; build a new hospital; construct a national stadium; replant and rehabilitate two thousand acres of bananas; develop a city at Arnos Vale; make Campden Park into a town; construct new hotels and produce geothermal energy. They have failed Vincentians.

Before COVID 19, the unemployment rate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was 25 percent according to the IMF. This is worse than it was in 2001 when the ULP came to power. At that time, unemployment was 20 percent. Youth (15-24 years) unemployment rate was a staggering 46 percent. Since COVID 19, unemployment has increased by 10 percent according to the government. Young people need jobs and it is only the NDP who can provide the enabling environment for sustainable jobs to be created.

Plans that will make SVG working Job creation is the main priority of the NDP. Further, we will provide opportunities for higher education for more young Vincentians to obtain degrees at home and abroad, implement a diversified scholarship portfolio by providing incentives and scholarships for youths who excel in sports, the arts and extracurricular activities. The NDP will also ensure that meaningful employment can be had for these young people after they have completed their studies. We will restructure the schools’ curriculum so that sports education can again be a priority. Hard courts will be built, enclosed, lit and properly maintained to facilitate various sporting disciplines; at least one playing field in each constituency will be lit to encourage more participation in sports The NDP will introduce the Citizen

by Investment (CBI) programme, a programme that our neighbours in the OECS such as, Dominica, St. Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, and St. Lucia have implemented successfully. The economies of these countries are booming; while we continue to struggle. Undoubtedly, the implementation of the CBI will be a game changer for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The CBI will benefit Vincentians tremendously in a number of ways: generate thousands of jobs; attract foreign direct investment and ease the tax burden of Vincentians. Moreover, it is committed to improve and promote the tourism sector, support private sector and youth entrepreneurship, develop climate resilient projects, implement constituency development projects and

improve agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing.

One of the obstacles to development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the lack or scarcity of credit. The commercial banks see most business ventures as too risky and more often than not say “No” to their loan applications. Financing is the lubricant that makes an economy move and credit is the most accessible form of financing. But, tell that to a farmer or fisherman, or small manufacturer or Agri-processor who has been turned away repeatedly by the commercial banks. They need a hand up.

The NDP will introduce a specialized bank, a National Development Bank, to eliminate the credit problem and make financing more accessible and more affordable for local businesspeople, especially small businesses. The main objective of the bank would be to promote economic development by fostering investment and business development in this country. Since the aim of this bank is not profit for shareholders, but to serve the national interest by promoting economic activity and business development, it will be able to provide cheaper loans to businesses. It will also provide financial and technical assistance in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, tourism, Industry, housing, small business development and Human Resource Development.

Other objectives of the Development Bank will be to: promote and develop Small and Medium sized Enterprises; assist with the development of Agriculture and rural development; further develop the Fisheries Sector; promote growth and diversification of the tourism sector; finance student loans and develop new areas of the economy such as ICT. The Development Bank will contribute immensely to the economic development of the country. Funding for our Development Bank will come from a number of sources including the CBI programme which we intend to introduce.

Vincentians are being taxed more and more every year. As the government’s debt increases, so too will taxes. The VAT, by various means, was increased three years in a row following the 2015 general elections. We have the highest taxes and the lowest wages in the OECS. We can do better and will do better.

To relieve the tax burden of people and free up cash in the hands of consumers, we will reduce the VAT from 16 percent to 13 percent. The poor and working class, taxi and bus operators, local contractors and the business community will all benefit from this reduction.

We will also design and implement a true low-income housing programme that will provide quality houses at affordable prices; pay the fees for CSEC and CAPE exams; implement a National Health Insurance; construct a state-of-the-art hospital; revive the agricultural sector and tackle and reduce corruption and crime among things.

The NDP is committed to working with all Vincentians to bring about meaningful change to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We welcome your ideas; we encourage constructive criticism, but most of all we need your support.

On Election Day, go out and vote for the NDP to get St. Vincent and the Grenadines working.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 11.

Views

The Little “Add-ons”

“Silence is never more golden than when a quarrel is brewing.” — Clifford Adams, marriage counsellor IT IS OFTEN QUITE FRUSTRATING and irritating to observe or listen to individuals who just seem committed to creating or prolonging an argument by merely adding a few words at the point where some kind of resolution would have taken place. This is especially true of individuals who appear to always want to have the last word. If the truth be told, many homes, workplaces, neighbourhoods, and churches would experience greater peace and joy if/when we discover the beauty of silence when a quarrel is brewing.

The foregoing does not imply that we should never engage in debates or arguments. We clearly understand and appreciate that there will be times when we will disagree with others. Even the closest friends and relatives will periodically argue. On those occasions we have a right, privilege, and responsibility of sharing our views. They also have the same freedom of expression and should not be muzzled. Such debates provide useful opportunities for healthy exchanges and growth. We can all learn from each other. However, there are those occasions when we realise that the exchange is unproductive. On such occasions we may conclude that it is time to “pull the plug move on”. This is often the case when we realise that there will be no mutual agreement emerging from the discourse. These are the times when the insecure among us may utter comments (sometimes “under breath”) aimed at hurting or implying that they have advanced the better position. These “add-ons” can sometimes be hurtful even when they do not generate a response from the hearer. Sometimes these little negative comments are aimed at hurting another’s feelings and/or dampening their spirits. This is often true even when the utterances appear to be spoken in a soft, almost unheard, tone.

Students of the social sciences in general, and personality preferences in particular, are aware that there are some individuals who thrive on prolonged discourse. They may desire to have a discussion or argument go on into perpetuity. These individuals may not even be conscious of how regularly they resurrect and extend discussions and arguments by using snarls to agitate for and ignite extensions to arguments.

Professor Jessica Wildfire’s blog of 8th July 2018 entitled, “Stop trying to win every single argument” provided some useful insights in relation to individuals who prolong discussions through various “levels” of discourse.

She lists these as debate (you agree to take different sides of the issue, for the sake of exchanging opinions), discussion (you put your mind together with someone else in order to solve a problem, or at least understand it better), argument (you didn’t plan on having a debate), and fight (you feel like you’re losing the argument, so you start yelling or screaming). Professor Wildfire advances the view that it is pride that drives individuals to want the last say

(or to prolong arguments). She sees this as a search for power.

We do not have to “lock horns” with individuals whose egos direct them to seek to have these “add-on conversations/arguments”. We could tactfully and politely discontinue the argument. There is an old German Proverb that says, “Silence is a fence around wisdom.” This is a timely reminder that we do not always have to respond to those who seek to engage us in an unending debate or argument. Our silence may very well be the salve to the otherwise caustic situation. Such an approach should not be categorised as cowardice. We are not being coward when we seek to bring arguments to an end. We are not being weak when we conclude that continuing an argument is unproductive. There is wisdom in avoiding prolonged and unproductive arguments.

It is interesting to note that the marriage counsellor Clifford Adams comments that, “Silence is never more golden than when a quarrel is brewing.” It leads us to believe that quarrels will periodically emerge in the marriage relationship. Husbands and wives will not always agree.

Married partners will not always see eye-to-eye on a variety of issues. This holds true for relationships in the workplace, neighbourhoods, and any place where persons congregate. Such instances may lead to intense debates and quarrels. It sometimes requires great wisdom and tact to discern how best to resolve such differences of opinions. This is especially so when the diverging opinions are neither right nor wrong … but just different.

Empathic listening (where we seek to see the situation from the other individual’s perspective) is often needed if the discourse is to end in a cordial manner. And even in a situation like this, were efforts are made to peacefully conclude the debate, we may be required to avoid responding to the little add-ons; comments aimed at igniting a latent passion to prolong the discourse.

While most of this essay’s content appears to be advocating the use of silence to end arguments (and avoiding the continuation via responding to add-ons) there are time when it becomes necessary to respond.

Shannon L. Alder, an inspirational author, shares the following insights with us in relation to this very topic.

She notes that, “A wise woman knows when to stay silent. However, a wiser woman of faith knows that sometimes words can win the battle, when all odds stand against her.” We note that her comments, while relating to females, applies to all people — male and female. There will be times when the quelling of the add-ons will require our wise response. We just need to develop that sensitive spirit of discernment to know when to respond … and when not to.

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

Candidate to Candidate: 2020 elections WITH LESS THAN 3 WEEKS before the next elections, we offer an analysis of the candidates, their contribution to the national discourse, their training, ability and chances in the November 5 poll.

We offer the battleground constituencies first because any early indication of how they are going may be a predictor of the elections results.

North Leeward A rematch of 2015 between the rabble-rousing Patel Matthews, who narrowly retained the seat by a mere 12 votes, and Carlos James, Speaker of the House. Many observers wondered why the opposition went with Matthews who barely eked out a victory in 2015.

However, based on James’ nonspectacular contribution in the House of Assembly and the ULP abject neglect of the constituency until recently, Matthews could win, but history is not with him. It will be remembered that Matthews chipped away at Jerrol Thompson’s numbers until he toppled him to win by 182 votes in 2010. NL history shows that once the challenger narrows the incumbent’s margin of victory, eventually the constituency changes party allegiance.

Unless James, a lawyer, radically remakes his pompous attitude, SVG will be poorly served if he wins. Should he win and maintains his haughty, arrogant attitude, he will first embarrass himself and more importantly, our country. The party best able to get out the vote wins.

Central Leeward Watch this seat as though either party’s fortune depends on it because it does. Dr Orando Brewster takes up from where Sir Louis Straker, the retiring Deputy Prime Minister left off.

Sir Louis first won in 1994 and chalked up 4 impressive victories before going into retirement in 2010. Maxwell Charles won the seat in 2010 by a narrow 150 votes. Sir Louis was astutely dragged out of retirement for the 2015 polls and won by 314 votes.

Ben Exeter and the opposition are convinced that they were robbed out the seat and the reins of government in 2015. They will be going full force to claim the victory this time. To his credit, Exeter who lived in Canada has remained on the ground. Brewster is no Sir Louis, and the party is going for an unprecedented 5th term. The get out the vote campaign will be most crucial in Central Leeward. Too close to call.

Eustace. The party’s fortunes have seesawed from 26 votes in 2001 to a high of 467 in 2010, only to be narrowed to 145 votes by Luke Browne, the Rhodes scholar, in the 2015 general elections. Browne cannot afford a third consecutive defeat and is desperate to win. It will not be as easy as the uninformed thinks.

His impediments to victory are many.

Among them are the following: his party is going for an unprecedented 5 term, he was saddled with the difficult damned if you do, damned if you don’t health ministry. We approach the elections with a Dengue Fever outbreak that has already taken 6 lives. Government has been slammed for what some regard as its inept response to the outbreak. Add to these woes the fact that some in the ULP leadership may not want him to win.

Theo Browne, Luke’s father, has tipped him to become a future prime minister. Sadly, Gonsalves has already groomed and hand-picked his son Camillo as his replacement. Luke’s Brother -in- Law Saboto have already given way to the crowned prince, but Luke may not be that compliant.

Additionally, Luke comes up against a 36-year history of NDP dominance in the constituency and a younger, more vigorous opponent, Fitz Bramble, former diplomat, teacher, national footballer and economist. Bramble has had a constant presence in the villages since his return in July. Although the ULP is hell-bent on exploiting his illconceived call for a toll at Sion Hill, it’s anyone’s guess if he will pay for his mouth. Remember, Daniel Cummings, who proudly stoned a church, is a two incumbent and a virtual shoo-in for a 3 term.

Don’t count out Luke though. He knows the forces arrayed against him and is determined to emerge as the king of the hill. Too close to call.

North Windward The veteran Montgomery Daniel, former agriculture and housing minister, is committed to winning again, but his challenger is intent on making the task difficult. Daniel is not as impregnable as he or his party may want us to believe. Had there not been a change in the constituency boundaries in 2010, Daniel may have been retired already. Even with the addition labour supporters, he won by 250 votes in 2010 and 320 in 2015.

South Leeward The 2015 elections came after the Arguably, South Leeward is the most Rock Gutter disaster where several neglected constituency in the country. children lost their lives after a mini Therefore, Dr Minerva Glasgow has a plunged into the sea. Gonsalves spent difficult task on her hand despite the weeks in the area spending lavishly and last-minute mad rush by the ULP to Daniel, as keeper of the Housing address some of the most pressing needs. Dr Glasgow is neither nimble nor Ministry, made good use of Lumber, exciting in speech, gait or persona. Her cement and galvanize. All of that for a 70-vote increase. below-par performances to date do not This time around he comes up augur well for someone who touts a against the young, energetic and PhD in her arsenal. Before her emergence, one would have had to have confident teacher Shevern John. Plain Talk has always warned against rent a a creative imagination to believe that crowd politics. However, if the turnout anyone could have been drabber than and enthusiasm displayed at Ms John’s the incumbent, Nigel Stephenson. But the seat was won by Mr Stephenson by constituency lime at Langley Park last Friday is any indication of her only 118 votes in 2015. The opposition will make a mistake if it does not do all popularity, and if that popularity is in its power to retain this seat against a replicated across the constituency, the ‘Proud Carib’ may have a fight on his final desperate pitch from the ULP. hand.

NDP has the edge.

On November 5, 2020, some will mourn while others will shed tears of East Kingstown joy. We will soon know for whom the The NDP has held this seat since bell tolls.

1984 first by Eddie Griffith, PR Campbell, Carlyle Dougan and then Send comments, criticisms & former opposition leader Arnhim suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

V

12. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Views

SVG is at a crossroad OUR COUNTRY is at a crossroad: the choice we have to make is mass tourism and poverty or Green economics and wealth creation. Mass tourism will lead to further poverty and Green economics will lead to prosperity for our people and society. Unfortunately, both the ULP and NDP favour mass tourism. To structure the SVG economy to create wealth and prosperity, SVG needs Green members of parliament.

The case against an economy based on tourism Economies based on tourism are weak and exceptionally vulnerable to crashing when there is any kind of global crisis. The global financial crisis in 2008 caused a huge economic slowdown, and we are still feeling the effects 12 years later. Tourism in SVG and in the Caribbean region as a whole is still much lower than before 2008.

Statistics show sharp declines in stayover visitors and by cruise ship passengers. Since the global financial crisis, many Americans and Europeans have generally decided to stay home and have more (local) nter-state vacations.

Now, with COVID-19, we have another example of a global crisis devastating countries especially those whose economies are based on tourism.

For many years to come, the Caribbean will see much lower tourism

Under the ULP regime, our country is on a path to long-term poverty. This is because the ULP regime’s mass tourism plan will not create revenue for the country, because there is a global decline in tourism. Also, the 1950s mentality of the ULP regime The case for a Green economy refusing to educate our children to the university level, means our children A European Environment Agency’s will not be qualified to get high-paid report concluded that a green economy Green jobs. can not only result in a healthy Green economies are not weak and environment, but also boost prosperity are not exceptionally vulnerable to and social cohesion. Also, the global crashing when there is any form of market for environmental goods and global crisis. Green energies and services is over one trillion pounds.

Green technologies will be needed for Providing free university education for our people for the development of core business, engineering and ICT skills, can give them high-paid job opportunities all over the world. This will help raise families out of poverty.

In the USA, Green buildings are the bright spots in the economy, with a third of all new non-residential VINCENTIANS have a beautiful construction being green. The noncountry, but too many of us are not residential Green building activity is exhibiting the conduct reflective of over $200 billion in new construction appreciation of our privilege and our in the USA. This shows that Green responsibility as citizens. It would industries can be prosperous in SVG. seem, therefore, that we need to be constantly reminded of our historical In the USA, Green business is an origins, and take note of the lessons economic engine. The emerging green economy had revenues from $370-$516 from the experiences of our forbears and so fashion our conduct, in order billion as long ago as 2007. That year, to provide for the next generations a there were about 2 million green jobs. platform for a reasonable chance to prosper.

Conclusion Over the centuries, SVG has been an agriculture and fishing community. Because of its global position, it is blessed with fertile soil and richness in marine resources. It must be remembered, that when the British withdrew from SVG after Emancipation, the African families who had worked on the estates were not considered for any compensation, while the owners of the estates were compensated for their “loss of business”. But the land was fertile and the people were accustomed to working hard, so they survived.

So, why are we not prospering today? As devastating as the impact of the COVID-19 has been, we cannot blame it entirely for the present strangulation of our economy. The ominous signs were there before the advent of COVID, so let us look back over the years, to determine where we might have gone wrong.

We became an independent nation in 1979. We were at that time strong in the production of arrowroot which we converted into starch for export. It was recognized as being the best in the world. We also exported farine made from the cassava, a number of root-crops including carrots. We also exported pigs, sheep and goats to the region. “Bananas” was our big money earner, despite its susceptibility to adverse weather conditions; the people prospered because of that weekly income, the spread of which was very wide and transformative. It kept families together in the rural communities, as the menfolk were able to find rewarding employment near to home. The artisans prospered, they included seamstresses, tailors, carpenters, masons, plumbers. Small businesses multiplied including mechanic shops and vibrant village shops selling groceries.

Bananas were the driving force in the economy, until the time there receipts, stagnant economies and even higher levels of unemployment. Most destinations in the Caribbean region have been laying off people like crazy and shutting down entire hotel properties.

decades to come, whether there is a crisis or not.

A Green government will be resultsfocused with a can-do spirit and focus the SVG economy on Green industries.

We will be accountable to the people and create a strong economy, bringing prosperity and creating thousands of jobs. Invest your trust in us - we care about your future. Put your ‘X’ next to the telephone, the symbol of SVG Green Party.

On election day, reach for your dreams - vote Green.

Vincentians, arrest the retrogression began to be indicators, that we would lose our preferential market status in the UK. There was evidently a need for us to fortify ourselves; there was still an opportunity to trade. Those ships calling here every week, could have played a vital role in the expansion of trade. We were slow to address those realities!

That was the position at which we were in 2001, when Dr. Ralph Gonsalves promised that they were going to revitalize the Banana Industry. He promised to fortify all the necessary support systems, including the aggressive repairing of the ‘feeder roads’. That was an attractive promise because at that time we had over six thousand banana farmers who employed over thirty thousand workers. The farming community trusted Ralph Gonsalves’ promises but they never came to fruition. Instead he neglected to address the BLACK SIGATOKA disease which eventually ruined many farmers, and then he neutralized the largest farmers’ organization in the land, which had made such a strong contribution to our development for over fifty years. An issue that should be discussed in this election season is, what role did WINFA played in the neutralizing of the Growers’ Association. Did the ODD which had promised to defend the interests of the people to the uttermost in 2001, agree with the decision to neutralize the Banana Growers Association? The people deserve to know!

So as we are on the verge of an election which will affect our lives for another five years, some questions to ask ourselves are: Have we made satisfactory progress since 2001?

Have our leaders been trustworthy and honoured their promises? Are our citizens better cared for than they were in 2001? Are the majority of our young people confident that they will be able to prosper in this environment?

If the answer to those questions is NO, then the Ralph Gonsalves led ULP should not be re-elected.

Remember it was he himself who warned us that it was unhealthy to have the same people in leadership for more than two consecutive terms.

Heed good counsel!

LeRoy Providence

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 13.

V

14. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Safety

Action to be taken at gas station A refurbished Banfield’s/SOL Service Station situated on Grenville Street, Kingstown, a location from which it has been operating for well over

Banfield Service Station continues to throw up serious challenges and Sol, according to its general manager Steve Francis (inset), is prepared to take action to prevent any disaster.

THE MAY 2020 gas station fire in Clifton, Union Island is a reminder of the potential dangers that lurk within the environs of a fuel station.

Three persons, including a 14 and 17year-old, died as a result of injuries sustained in that fire in Union island.

It was towards raising the awareness of the potential dangers around petrol stations, that a ‘stand down’ was mounted at the Banfield Service Station in Kingstown, October 13.

According to Steve Francis, General Manager Sol St Vincent, the ‘stand down’ is a mechanism that is deployed within the company when things are going wrong.

“Whenever we see things are going wrong, we need to stop, think and act accordingly to ensure that we do what is right, in order that we arrest whatever the problem or problems are,” he said last Tuesday during the ‘stand down’.

He cited that when the station was refurbished in 2018, the flow of traffic through the facility was re-oriented, however, even with that change, the situation was one where the traffic had becoming uncontrollable.

“We are seeing many persons driving through here as if it were a thruway and which ought not to happen because this is a gas station. We also see that some van drivers are using this as a bus stop — it ought not and should not be used as a bus stop,” Francis asserted.

Francis referenced a fire in Jamaica and the one in Union Island, saying that those events were reminders about the need to adhere to safety practices in and around petrol stations.

“So, I hope that those van drivers who use this particular facility as a bus stop, … would desist from doing so,” the GM said.

He identified two other issues: individuals walking through the station and mini-buses refueling with passengers on board.

“If you take into consideration a van is a confined space, so while you are refueling and

something were to happen, how do the passengers escape that situation?” Francis asked rhetorically.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was probably one of the only places in the region where this took place and, according to Francis, what he was advocating was that mini-bus operators refuel before picking up passengers.

He admitted that there was no legislation to deter persons from engaging in such wrongs, however, he cautioned that they (Sol) may have to look for stronger ways to prevent this from happening.

He said that there were cameras installed at various gas stations, and one of the things that they were prepared to do was to record the offending mini-bus and pass the information on to the police.

“That is a step that we will take because we cannot allow this to continue — it has to stop!” he said.

“So I am definitely appealing to the general public, all the van drivers — those who know they are guilty of the practice…we want this situation to stop forthwith,” he said.

four decades, was officially re-opened on Friday 22nd June 2018.

At the ceremony marking that reopening, Francis had had cause to comment on the use of the ‘old station’ as a thru-way by vehicles — private and commercial.

He made an appeal

then for persons to desist from this practice and to comply with the reoriented flow of traffic through the station compound.

Last Tuesday event was more than enough testimony that this habit is far from being curtailed. (DD)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 15.

16. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 17.

News

Park Hill man alleges police brutality A DISPUTE between two brothers in Park Hill has led to one of them receiving a severe beating by the police officers.

Daville Gumbs and his brother were involved in a fight on Sunday 11th

sometime around 7pm.

Gumbs said that the neighbours called the police, but when the officers from the Colonaire Police Station arrived, he was already at a shop ‘hanging’ with some friends.

He admitted that when he heard the police were coming, he attempted to run, since he did not want to be arrested on a Sunday for a small domestic dispute.

“Me hear one a dem (police officer) said ‘Shoot the (expletive) man, shoot the man.’ But when me stop, one ah dem hit me with a gun in me head.

From dat is bare gun butt and stamp me get,” he related.

Gumbs displayed his upper body during an interview with THE VINCENTIAN last Tuesday while he awaited attendance at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Marks about his upper body could be deduced to be the result of blows.

The area around his shoulders showed clear signs of swelling and his head had signs of at least three lacerations, which he said necessitated 17 stitches.

Daville Gumbs’ upper body shows signs of the results of blows inflicted.

“Me head burst ya,” Gumbs said as he pointed to one of the cuts. “Is bare migraine headache I does get,” he added.

He said that he had reported the matter to the police headquarters in Kingstown and he was given two medical forms to take to the doctor; that was why he was at the MCMH. And he had a complaint relating to that.

He said that he had been at the hospital for a long period without receiving any assistance. “I analyze something in did place (hospital)… if you come here and you don’t know anybody, you cyar get through in time.

Bu if you come and call somebody you will get through fast,” said a visibly frustrated Gaynes.

In a follow-up interview (telephone) on Wednesday, Gumbs said that he had taken the medical reports forms back to the Kingstown Police Station, but all the officer did was to take his number.

“I want some kinda compensation because ah cyar work for a few days. Is like these officers taking advantage of people because ah cyar see why dey should beat me so after I couldn’t go anywhere,” Gumbs argued.

Daville Gumbs shows off one of the cuts to his head that he alleges was the result of a beating by police officers.

He was not charged with any offence.

The police said they are investigating the matter. (KH)

V

18. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

News

Sports Academy to provide support OVER 20 persons in the community of Rose Hall, North Leeward, who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or the other, will receive food hampers,

sanitary/household products, farming material and other tangible forms of assistance from the Kenville Horne Sports Academy (KHSA) this Sunday, during a function

at the Rose Hall Community Centre.

The packages of support are being made possible through a grant of $10,000 received by the KHSA, from the

Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT).

In response to the challenging situations thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen’s Commonwealth

BRAGSA to spend $2.5m to fight Dengue Fever THE ROADS, Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) has joined the fight against Dengue Fever in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This comes as the organisation launches a new initiative dubbed, “Fight Against Dengue”.

This will take the form of a road and drain cleaning programme which was expected to get going last Wednesday, October 14, and run until Thursday, October 22, and is estimated to cost some $2.5 million.

Chief Executive

Officer of BRAGSA, Mr. Kem Bartholomew says the step is being taken in an effort to assist the Public Health Department in the fight against Dengue Fever.

He says the organisation recognises the seriousness of the illness, and wants to play a pivotal role in the combative efforts, and he assured that work will be carried out in every district across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

And even as BRAGSA rolls out its cleaning programme, its CEO is appealing to persons to

Cleaning gangs were expected to take to the road by 8:00am last Wednesday. (Photo Credit: BRAGSA) make a consorted effort to keep their drains and surroundings clean, and motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution during this period.

In addition to this

initiative, BRAGSA is providing two vehicles and drivers to the Vector Unit of the Public Health Department to assist with Fogging exercises island-wide.

(Source: BRAGSA)

Trust (QCT) launched a Grants Programme, to support young leaders who were offering critical services to their communities during this time.

Kenville Horne, Founder and Director of the KHSA and a Queen’s Young Leader, said he was informed that the grant was available to persons like him and his organization, so he decided to apply.

After a rigorous process to ensure transparency and accountability, the Kenville Horne Sports Academy’s application Kenville Horne, Founder for a grant was and Director of the KHSA, approved. spoke of enduring a Not only was rigorous process before qualifying for the satisfying conditions for grant pleasing to the grant.

Horne,but he remarked, “It’s a great feeling to know that you of such assistance. The can give back and give to idea is to tackle poverty persons who are in need and inequality.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 19.

Business

Digicel Saint Vincent: Best Mobile Coverage Provider

DIGICEL ST. VINCENT was among seven service providers that copped the 2020 Ookla Speedtest Award for The Best Mobile Coverage Provider in their respective territories.

Joining St. Vincent and the Grenadines in copping this award in their respective territories were Curacao, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Barthelemy and Trinidad & Tobago.

In addition to the 2020 award for Best Mobile Coverage Provider in the Caribbean, Digicel also received other country awards for 2020 Speedtest Fastest Mobile Network and 2020 Speedtest Fastest Internet Provider.

Bermuda, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos Islands captured Fastest Internet Provider.

Oliver Coughlan, Digicel Chief Executive Officer - Caribbean & Central America remarked: “We all work very hard at Digicel to provide our customers with the best service possible. We’ve made significant investments in our networks and are focused on continuous improvement.

Ookla judges the best of the best networks all over the world, so the independent verification from them about the strength and reliability of our network is a testament to all the work we have put in and our commitment to our customers.”

Ookla, the company behind Speedtest®, is the global leader in fixed broadband and mobile network testing applications, data and

Oliver Coughlan, Digicel Chief Executive Officer - Caribbean & Central America – viewed the awards as testimony to the hard work and investment Digicel has put into improving its services. (Photo Credit: Tech News TT) analysis.

The Speedtest Awards, presented by Ookla, are an elite designation reserved for fixed and mobile providers in a market. Based on consumerinitiated tests and background scans from Speedtest applications, Speedtest Awards represent real world network performance of the internet speeds and coverage provided to customers, which in this case, resulted in Digicel being awarded Fastest Mobile Network in the Caribbean. (Source: Digicel)

Promoting Online Safety and Privacy

remote workers; how connected devices play a pivotal role in the future EKNOTEC SERVICES, Month, themed ‘Do Your of healthcare; and the a locally based service Part. #BeCyberSmart’. overall future of provider that promotes The overarching connected devices for incident response message of this year’s consumers, professionals solutions including data theme, ‘If you Connect it, and the public domain. privacy and protection, Protect it,’ dives into the Now in its 17th year, system and network importance of keeping Cybersecurity monitoring, operational connected devices safe Awareness Month efficiencies and solutions and secure from outside continues to build for remote workers, have influence. momentum and impact announced that they Cybersecurity with the ultimate goal of have joined a growing Awareness Month aims providing everyone with global effort to promote to shed light on security the information they the awareness of online vulnerabilities, while need to stay safer and safety and privacy. offering guidance more secure online.

This commitment surrounding simple Eknotec Services comes during security measures to officials say they are Cybersecurity Awareness limit the susceptibility of proud to support this Month, held annually in threats for commonly far-reaching online October, and in joining used devices. safety awareness and the global effort, Eknotec This year, the education initiative, Services have joined a Cybersecurity Awareness which is co-led by the range of businesses, Month’s main weekly National Cyber Security government agencies, focus areas will revolve Alliance (NCSA) and the colleges and universities, around: understanding Cybersecurity and associations, nonprofit and following general Infrastructure Agency organizations and security hygiene for (CISA) of the U.S. individuals across the connected devices and Department of globe, who are already home networks; the Homeland Security. committed to this year’s importance of connected (Source: Eknotec Cybersecurity Awareness devices security for Services)

V

20. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Education

Student Loans: ULP punches NDP

the general election was announced, Prime Minister and leader of the ULP Dr. Ralph Gonsalves disclosed that recipients of student loans will get a one-year waiver on their repayments, for the period September 01, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

The waiver, as per Gonsalves’ announcement, will apply to loan recipients who have graduated and are still repaying, and those who are currently studying.

This announcement, according to some who have been observing the campaign Left: Young people who are carrying Students Loans can leading up to the November 5 look forward to some ease on election, came as a direct response to the BDP campaign their repayment obligations. promise as referenced earlier (Photo Credit: caricom.org) in this article.

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) in August of this year, promised as part of its ‘to do’ list if it formed government after the next general election (Nov. 05), to reduce the interest rate on student loans from the current rate of 8.5% to 4.5%.

They may still have a chance to do so, though, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has sneaked in an early punch on the same issue.

During a virtual meeting last week Thursday, Oct. 08, the same night the date for

Education $$ for GECCU members FIVE MEMBERS of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU) have been given some help with their university studies. They are Reah Edwards, Odion Hillocks, Andia HadleyThomas, Ayana Evans-Lyttle, and K-Tricia Isaacs.

Edwards, from the North Leeward town of Chateaubelair, works at the Medical Cannabis Authority.

She is pursuing a BSc degree

in Banking and Finance. She promised along with the other recipients to “work hard,” and be “excellent ambassadors.”

Hillocks, a teacher at the Emmanuel High Mesopotamia, has been almost guaranteed employment with the GECCU on completion of his MSc degree in Data Science. The offer came from newly installed Chief Executive Officer Rohan Stowe.

Hadley Thomas is doing a

And Gonsalves delivered a more direct punch on the NDP promise, when he said he was already in discussion with the Chairman of the Student Loan Company — Stewart Haynes, Executive Director of the NIS with a view to reducing the interest rate to 5 or 6%, with a preference for the lower figure.

He promised, though, that a reduction will be made once the computations for both suggested rates have been worked through.

The Student Loan Programme was introduced in 1994. It has a maximum loan limit of EC$120,000 and loans are expected to be repaid at a rate of 8.5% per annum, in monthly installments over a maximum of 12 years.

Recipients of GECCU assistance towards advancing their tertiary level studies (from left) Odion Hillocks, Andia Hadley- Thomas, Reah Edwards, Ayana EvansLyttle, and Kingsley Collis who received on behalf of K-Tricia Isaacs.

BSc in Special Needs Education. She is a teacher at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School, and noted the need for Special Needs Teachers, even at the “regular schools”, and is looking forward to making a greater impact.

Evans- Lyttle, from the area of Paul Over on the

outskirts of capital city Kingstown, is a Teacher at the Lodge Village Government School. She is doing a BSc in Early Childhood Education has intentions of opening her own Early Childhood Isaacs was into an online study programme while the ceremony was going on. She was represented by her father Kingsley Collis, leader of the High Voltage Mas band.

Wednesday’s session was the first official one for Stowe.

He looked at it as evidence of GECCU’s commitment to education, and to the broader goal of “socio-economic development.”

He commended the recipients for the sacrifice they have shown, and he commended GECCU and indeed the cooperative sector, for their role in contributing to national development.

GECCU’s president Harold Lewis used the occasion to highlight the institution’s commitment to education. He

also lauded the recipients on the dedication to their studies, and described GECCU’s assistance as helping them to “achieve the greatest returns.”

The recipients are students of the Open Campus of The University of the West Indies.

Head of that facility Deborah Dalrymple noted the strong relationship between GECCU and the Open Campus over the years, and wished that the bond continues.

Deputy Chief Education Officer Dixton Findlay welcomed improved quality of teachers as fitting with government’s thrust to educational advances.

Ronnie Daniel, Chairperson of GECCU Scholarship Committee, was impressed with the Grade Point Average of the awardees.

This is the sixth year that GECCU has been awarding members support for them to enhance their academic training. (WKA)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 21.

22. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 23.

24. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 25.

26. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 27.

V

28. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Rastas en Poli-tricks IT HAS BEEN said that to be a Rasta was to be an outcast from regular society. Why? Rastas do not adhere to the dogma or tenets of Roman Catholicism, much less pay homage to the English monarchy as so many people of African descent do. And, they are skeptical of politicians and don’t dabble in politics.

However, the Rasta man was a lightning rod when it comes to burning out corruption no matter who committed the crimes, whether it was the Pope, your MPs or the crime Ministers that rule the masses with iron fists. The Rastas were always hot on the heels of bureaucrats and wicked men. From time to time you could hear them chanting down the wicked religious and political systems of Babylon!

You could hear them chant, “Fire burn,” pleading with Babylonians warriors to do right! A prime example is the uncompromising messages that you can hear in reggae music, like when Bob Marley sings, “Come leh we go burn down Babylon one more time.” The Rastas, in their music and lyrics were the eyes and ears of the oppressed.

For instance, Peter Tosh was almost beaten to death because he tongue whipped Michael Manley and Edward Seaga at the Peace Concert at the National Arena in Kingston Jamaica 1978, for polarizing the suffering masses. He exposed the hypocrisy and double standards in Jamaica politics.

Here in our St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the

Rastas were meted out harsh punishment and were terrorized for defending the black monarchyEmperor Haile Selassie. All throughout the West Indies they were constantly beaten by police for no apparent reason, and were made a mockery and laughing stock by the subconscious indoctrinated blacks who lived in Queen Elizabeth colonies. Now in recent time, some are being used by the said trickster politicians for one reason or another.

Rastas are to be mindful of the crafty politicians whose agenda is to fulfill the wishes of the imperialist, who have failed to pay us reparatory damage for four hundred years of force labor.

One of the biggest blunders the Rastas in St. Vincent made was when PM Gonsalves took a contingent of Rastas to Ethiopia. Without a shadow of a doubt, that gesture was to score political mileage. Not surprisingly therefore, Rastas have become complacent and lukewarm, and have allowed the cocksure, fraudster politicians to creep in among them to divide and rule them. There now exists infighting among themselves.

Even though many Rastas have become professionals and have pursued academic advancement, Rasta as a whole are still being marginalized by society. In this post-colonial St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Rastas are still categorized as low down, as ciphers, and are disrespected by the brainwashed, indoctrinated “Negroes” who still worship a white deity. Yes, it is still an uphill battle for the dreads, i.e. Rastas who live in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean region.

“Rastaman live up. Rastaman don’t give up.

Rastaman live up.”

Rastaman, be aware of the masters of deception, strife and confusion.

Carden A. Michael

Leisure

ARIES - (Mar. 21- April 20) It might be best to spend time fixing up your premises and making changes that will be appreciated. Romance could be exciting if you are spontaneous. You will expand your circle of friends if you join groups.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. Pamper yourself; the self-esteem it brings you will be most gratifying. Don’t gossip. You need a job with more responsibility and a higher wage.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) If you take on too much, you will find yourself in martyrdom. Try to get everyone involved; it will help bring you closer together. Use your better judgment before you sign up for a costly venture.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Problems with females you live or work with will try your patience and cause temper flare ups. Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self-awareness.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You have the stamina and determination to succeed. Minor accidents could occur if you don’t take precautions. You need to spend time with friends and family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You will not be able to trust someone you work with. Talk to the party involved and make sure that they are informed as to what actually happened. Strengthen your position among your peers.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can’t win and they won’t listen. Your energetic personality will make you the center of attention at social gatherings.

Find out more, if you want to start your own business. Curb or cut out that bad habit you’ve been meaning to do something about.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Be sure to pay attention to your bank account. If you haven’t already, consider starting your own business. You can meet a new romantic partner or secure the love connection you already have by going out and entertaining yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Insincere gestures of friendliness are likely to occur. You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Short trips may be tiring but rewarding.

Expect some flak. Rest and relaxation may be required; minor health problems will prevail if you don’t watch your diet.

You may find it difficult to communicate.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You might have a problem hanging on to your money this week. Business and emotional partnerships will run smoothly. Avoid confrontations with coworkers who aren’t pulling their weight.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Romance may be better than you ever thought possible. You should get into programs that will enhance your appearance and help you to be the best that you can.

ACROSS 1. Possessed 4. Meal listing 5. Be wrong 8. Middle of the week 10. Kitchen unit 11. Silent performer 12. Tour leader 13. Fold-up bed 14. Highway fees 15. Cider vessel 16. Constellation cat 19. Troubles 20. Crude house 21. Male admirer 22. Rather strange 23. Occupy a chair 24. Huge animal 25. Droning sound 26. Snow particle 27. Adored individual 29. Campus groups 30. Recipe-bearing works 32. But 33. Thick mud 34. Laudatory verse DOWN 1. Fence alternative 2. Cinematic Bancroft 3. Expected presently 4. Darns (socks) 5. Improve (a manuscript)

6. Battering device 7. Bread choice 8. Sad cries 9. Dirty air 10. Governed (a kingdom) 12. Satisfactory 13. Use a knife 14. Tango number?

15. With 18Down, protrude 16. Plumbing concerns 17. Comfort 18. See 15-Down

20. That boy 21. Throbs 23. Become pouty 24. Shelton on “The Voice” 35. Owl noise 26. Hardened,

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 29.

as water 27. Very cold 28. Gentle 24-Across 29. Grocery provisions 31. Scary shout

V

30. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Mother, daughter tangle Dear George, MY MOTHER and I are having an issue over my boyfriend.

I am 21 years old, and live at home with my 46-year-old single mother.

My boyfriend is 15 years older than I. My Mom told me that he is too old for me and he would be better off being with her. At first I thought she was joking but she continued with her refrain.

She somehow got a hold of my boyfriend’s number and has been calling him late at nights. But worse, one day I got home to find her sitting in his lap and when I questioned it she just asked me if it was a crime for her future son in law to sit in her lap.

I have asked her on numerous occasions to leave my boyfriend alone, but she would respond, “If he truly loves you, then you won’t have to be bothered about me taking him from you.”

This situation is not one that should exist between mother and daughter,

and I am at a loss as to how to handle it.

Trying to remain calm Dear Trying to remain calm, You need to take issue with your boyfriend for not according you the respect you deserve. Why on earth would he allow your mother to sit on his lap?

He has shown himself to be someone not deserving of your love and affection. If he chooses to lean toward your mother, then let him follow his heart or whatever it is that is leading him in that direction.

Your mother, on the other hand, should never stoop to such levels to become your rival.

I hope you two can patch things up after this man is no more in either of your lives.

George

Part time lover her has made her change her habit.

She has me during the Why can’t I be left alone day and all I want is to to make my own be left alone at night. decisions?

How do you I can send My girlfriend has this message so she taken to following whenever and wherever I would get it into her thick skull? go to have fun with my friends, both male and Tired female. She doesn’t see anything wrong in doing Dear Tired, that, and even butting into my conversations You do not sound like and creating a scene. someone who is in a No amount of telling

Dear George,

loving relationship.

It is not healthy to constantly ignore the needs of your partner to the point where it becomes a problem as you described. It is either you are available to her day and night or no time at all.

If you cannot be available on a full time basis, then step aside and let her get someone who can.

George

Forcing himself on me Dear George, SHOULD my husband be forcing me to have sex with him even though I do not feel well? I cannot count the number of nights my husband would literally force himself on me, reminding me that as my wife he can do whatever he wants.

I am very hurt by his behavior to the point where I no longer want to stay married to him.

Crying Dear Crying, I would strongly suggest that you and your husband get some professional help as soon as possible.

There is no way he should be forcing himself on you. He needs to be reminded that it is possible you can report him for rape. He is married to

you yes, but that does not mean he owns you.

Have a serious talk with him and encourage him to take the first step — counselling — toward correcting the situation.

George

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 31.

Sunil Ambris steered Guardian General Saints to victory with both bat and ball.

Salvan Browne’s top score of 40 was in vain in Police Two’s pursuit of victory.

Shamon Hooper hit a top score of 35 to help send FLOW Radcliffe to the finals.

Tijourn Pope took 3 vital wickets to help halt the Police chase.

T20 finalists decided

WITH DEFENDING CHAMPIONS FLOW Rivals (Team Rivals) not advancing beyond the quarter finals, it was left to be seen who among the semi-finalists would vie for the status of new champions of the NLA/Neil Williams T20 Cricket Competition.

And as it stood after the semi-finals played last Sunday, October 11, at the Arnos Vale Playing Filed, the new champion will be decided in a showdown between Guardian General Saints and FLOW Radcliffe.

Saints book finals spot Saints booked their spot in the finals after playing unbeaten right up to Sunday’s semi-final clash with Victors One, in which Sunil Ambris, captain, continued his fine batting form and uncharacteristically added a winning bowling performance.

Saints took first knock and completed their 20 overs with a score of 147 for 6, Ambris remaining not out on 64, and his opening partner -Jahiel Walters contributing 36. Kenson Dalzell, 3/19 and Atticus Browne 3/26 kept the Saints batsmen in check.

Victors One recovered from 57 for 4 with a 50-run 5th wicket partnership between in Donwell Hector, 28, and Ray Jordon, 26. However, when the two were dismissed, Victors One struggled eventually completing their 20 overs with a total of 128 for 9.

Ambris put the cap on a good all round performance, taking 3/25, while Rayon Williams bagged 2 for 19 and Geron Wyllie 2 for 35.

Radcliffe flows into semis

Nero, Williams: top women performers JULIANA NERO topped the batting average and fast bowler Isha Williams captured the most wickets, in the recently concluded National Lotteries Authority Women T20 Cricket competition.

West Indies batter Nero, who represented Radcliffe Girls, amassed 115 runs with her highest 61, at an average 57.5. She finished with a strike rate of 140.24 with two fifty.

Glendeen Turtin from J.G.

Tigress and Sons followed next with 99, her highest being 77 not out, at an average 99. She scored one half century and had a strike rate of 135.62. Tracy Byron of Radcliffe Girls scored 63 runs to occupy the third spot. Her highest was 40 not out and she averaged 63, with a strike rate of 73.26.

In the bowling department, Williams of J.G. Tigress and Sons took 6 wickets at an average of 6.17 and an

FLOW Radcliffe, playing the afternoon match against Police Two, had a sternest test in advancing to the finals.

In a match reduced to 16 overs a side, FLOW Radcliffe methodically paced their way to 141 for 7, thanks to Shamon Hooper, 35, Gidron Pope, 28, and Delorn Johnson who blasted 21 not out in 9 balls. Sylvan Spencer 2/24, Nigel Small 2/30 and Dillon Douglas 2/32 kept the Radcliffe batsmen at bay.

Salvan Browne, 40, and Dillion Douglas, 38, gave Police Two a flying

Rayan Williams, bagged 2 for 19 to play his part in Saints’ victory. start and set them on the path towards what looked like a comfortable run chase. However, from 95 for 2 in 11.2 overs, the lawmen lost wickets consistently, to finish on 133 for 8 from 16 overs. Tijorn Pope grabbed 3 for 32 to be Radcliffe’s best bowler.

Arnos Vale Playing Field is set to be abuzz with excitement on Saturday 17th October, when the finals will be played.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

Right: Isha Williams took 6 wickets, the most for JG Tigress and Sons.

economy rate of 3.36. Second was Nelia Glasgow of United Survivors who took 5 wickets at an average of 5.4 and an economy of 3.38. Marsha Hooper of Radcliffe Girls took 4 wickets at an average of 14 and an economy of 8 to finish third.

United Survivors were crowned 2020 Champions, displacing defending

champions J.G. Tigress and Sons into second place.

Northern Girls finished third and Radcliffe Girls fourth.

Juliana Nero totaled 115 runs for Radcliffe Girls.

V

32. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Volleyballer heads to Jamaica ONE OF ST VINCENT and the Grenadines’ most potent male volleyballers- Ronaldo Franklyn, will leave this Sunday for Jamaica to attend the G.C Foster College, on a four-year scholarship.

The 22 year-old Dickson resident will pursue a degree in Sports Massage Therapy.

“I always want to be active, to be on the ground interacting… I am not a person who would want to be confined to one place, so this type of study will suit me a lot,” Franklyn noted.

“I am going to Jamaica to further my academics as well as become better in the sport of Volleyball,” he projected.

Franklyn is also motivated by a desire to pave the way for other volleyballers.

“Doing well in Jamaica, both in academics and volleyball, and conducting myself properly will only help in opening up doors for others to get in, and I will be doing my best to see this happen,” Franklyn committed.

Franklyn knows what it means to have doors opened as he had previously gained acceptance to a college in the USA, however, the cost of attending that institution

was prohibitive.

The opening at G.C Foster College offer came as a result of persistent efforts of the members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Volleyball Association.

“I am grateful to the Executive of the (SVG) Volleyball Association who have always been behind me over the years, and trying their best to assist me,” Franklyn said with tone of appreciation.

Known for his humility, Franklyn has been a stand out volleyballer at various levels of national representation, including the Windward Islands Schools’ Games team, the SVG Junior and Youth outfits, as well as the National Senior Team.

He has also represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at the NORCECA Under-21 and Senior Men’s Inter- Continental Championships.

A technically gifted Outside

Ronaldo Franklyn Hitter, Franklyn has helped St Vincent and the Grenadines to several titles, and has gained personal accolades in tournaments organised by the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA).

The VINCENTIAN wishes young Franklyn nothing but the best in his pursuits.

Shallow urged the young cricketers “to strike a balance, ensure you continue to do well in your schoolwork, don’t use it as an excuse to play cricket, and likewise don’t use cricket as an excuse to not do your schoolwork.

I am sure with the right balance you can get the best of both. We are one hundred percent behind you.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

I.B.A.ALLEN

Young student cricketers who received assistance from the SVGCA pictured with Dr. Kishore Shallow (extreme right) and Miles Bascombe (extreme left back). regional cricket while pursuing studies at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, and who today holds a Master’s degree.

Reference was also made of Keron Cottoy and Romel Currency in this regard.

“So we are very happy to see that we have young players both at the Junior and Under 19 levels who are following the footsteps of these persons,” Shallow added.

And as part of his conclusion,

Murray heads to College ANOTHER young Vincentian track and field athlete is heading for G.C. Foster College in Jamaica on scholarship.

Yonick Murray, a 200m and 400m specialist, was elated on receipt of word about his acceptance.

“I was really excited when I saw the email.

First I really have to give God thanks for that because it has been four years I’ve been working and praying for this opportunity and to finally know it’s my time, I am just excited for the new challenge and journey that’s ahead of me,” Yonick said.

The Largo Height resident also recognized G.C Foster College for giving “me this opportunity to further my academics and track career,…. and set me along a path to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional athlete.”

Yonick, an alumnus of St. Martin’s Secondary School and the SVG Community College, is “looking to complete my Associate Degree then move on to a Bachelor’s even maybe my Master’s.”

And even with his eyes now set on the global track and field stage, including competing in the Olympics and the World Championships, Yonick is not about to forget those who have supported him thus far.

He is particularly grateful to coach Michael Ollivierre, founder and head coach of the Integrated Team Developing Athletics Talent (IT DAT ACADEMY), of which he is a member. He credits Ollivierre as being primarily responsible for him being where he is today, both as a young man and as an athlete.

He is also indebted to: his family “for always giving me words of encouragements,” and his deceased “Granny, who always tell me to put God first and always;” his friends “who have been a support system since day one;” his benefactors “who normally sponsor me when I have to travel to compete.”

SVGCA assists young cricketers IN KEEPING with its thrust to ensure that young student cricketers here are set on a path of rounded development, the SVG cricket Association (SVGCA), once again, made a monetary donation to a number of young cricketers, towards offsetting their education costs.

Dr. Kishore Shallow- President of the SVGCA, in addressing the players and their parents at a brief ceremony at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex said, “It’s always good that we can get together for what we consider as a celebration for our young cricketers in terms of the success that they have achieved with their academics….. Obviously, we at the SVGCA want you to do well in cricket but we have realized the importance of balance in your education with cricket or sports.”

Shallow then, in an effort to make it real for the young cricketers, refereed to Miles Bascombe who played for the West Indies, and who played

Yonick Murray is the latest Vincentian athlete to be offered a place at C.G College in Jamaica.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 33.

Sports

Dennie gets son’s admiration TREVOR DENNIE, the surviving son of former parliamentarian Alphonso Dennie, is proud of his father. Trevor gave his tribute at the Kingstown Methodist Church last Monday. The ceremony was a Thanksgiving for the Vincentian born.

Trevor extolled his father’s virtues, marked for his love for poetry. Alphonso cultivated a penchant for teaching, and distinguished his calibre from an early age.

His passion was such that he became a father figure of many, once there was an interest in education. That was borne out by Dr Daniel Garraway who also paid tribute.

Dr. Garraway traced a path of nostalgia during his presentation, and attributed his accomplishments in life to the dedication and support he received from Dennie. Alphonso was his teacher at the Troumaca Primary School, and later was at hand to assist when Garraway was progressing with his studies in medicine.

The shared the trait of having not attended a secondary institution, but there was no impediment to either of them venturing on the path of success.

Dennie taught in Union Island along his career, but wherever he went, he left a trail of outstanding students.

Former West Indies wicketkeeper Michael Findlay delivered the eulogy. For there is close family connection. Findlay’s mother Valcina, is Alphonso’s wife’s sister.

Findlay noted Dennie’s loved for sports, especially cricket and boxing. It is coincidental that the names of his sons carried a touch of famous cricketers.

One of those Olin Jenkins Bedser Dennie passed away in 2016.

Dennie’s wife Stella died in March 2012 aged 82.

Former Prime Minister, and Premier Sir James Mitchell joined in the tributes at the Kingstown Methodist Church.

Sir James reflected on Dennie as one who advised him to incorporate George Owen walker with the formation of the New Democratic party while Dennie was living in Barbados.

Sir James was impressed with Dr. Daniel’s use of poetry during his tribute, and attributed that to Dennie’s impact. Sir James outlined that Dennie taught himself poetry and was a student of the English language.

Those traits must have contributed to Dennie’s involvement in wider community involvement.

He contested at the polls here, and his triumph over John Thompson in the 1972 elections paved the way for his elevation to the Education Ministry.

Dennie subsequently served in a variety of ways.

The Dennie family has borne its share of losses over the time, and Alphonso is an addition. The family is heartened however by the outpouring of solidarity. Those included one from Central Kingstown’s representative St. Clair Leacock at last week Thursday’s Sitting of the House of Assembly.

Leacock praised Dennie for his role while he (Dennie) served at the St. Vincent Electricity Services (Vinlec) at which Leacock was also attached.

Dennie was distinct because of his height, as identified in some of the nation’s folklore. But there is no question as to the heights he went to instil a sense of urgency to everyone to embrace education.

Dennie came in for recognition for his services during the latter part of his life, a matter commended by Sir James Mitchell during his presentation.

One with distinct Garifuna roots, Dennie displayed a level of pride in his country’s heritage. His family maintained farming operations at De Volet on the north coast of mainland St. Vincent in those days when communication to those areas was something of a distant concern.

Up in the Hole wins Sharpes Football Title UP IN THE HOLE beats Hollywood 3-2 on penalties last Sunday at the Sharpes Playing Field, to win the Mona Academy’s Sharpes Inter- Vllage Nine -A -Side Football Competition.

The two had played to a goalless draw in normal time, resulting in a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

It was, however, a match in which both teams were guilty of squandering opportunities. Poor shooting techniques but n otherwise good goalkeeping display, kept the scoreline 0-0.

Up in the Hole advanced to the finals with a 4-0 victory over Kingstown Park in the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final, Hollywood beat Lower Sharpes 3-2 on penalites, after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Kingstown Park won the third place by default after Lower Sharpes failed to show.

Up in the Hole collected the winner’s trophy and $1000, while Hollywood got a trophy and $500.

Third place Kingstown Park received a trophy as well as the Most Disciplined Team award.

Hollywood’s Alonzo Bute with five goals was the leading goal scorer, with Up in the Hole’s Carl Raguette, the Best Goalkeeper.

Best Goalkeeper- Carl The other competing Raguette

Winning team- Up in the Hole teams were Plan and Rocks.

Main organiser of the competition — Carlton Dennie noted that it was a lot of “hard work, sleepless nights and personal sacrifices,” to see the competition to completion.

“It was my first time organising Football here in Sharpes, because the people bin (were) calling for it and with the help from the Almighty and others, I came forward and did Carlton Dennie – this,” Dennie explained.

Competition Dennie disclosed there is a organizer. donor out of England who is willing to work through his academy to assist with the development of the Sharpes Playing Field, but there are certain things that must be put in place first.

Senior Female Footballers resume training THE NATIONAL Senior Female Football team is back in training.

“With the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were forced to hold up the training but we started back about three weeks ago,” Cornelius Huggins, coach of the team, told THE VINCENTIAN. And though the turnout was not “at its best,” Huggins was encouraged that some made the effort to attend.

Huggins is happy that funds have been allocated specifically for the development of female football.

“It’s a really good step… as you know I think we need to put a little more emphasis on the

National Female Team in training at Sion Hill.

females since Cornelius female football Huggins, Head here is Coach of beginning to National Senior show signs of Female Football development.”

Team, wants to And he see the females asserted that playing more the females football. need to play more football locally, regionally and internationally.

In this regard, Huggins is hopeful that “we could end (the year) with an international friendly.”

And as far as talent among female footballers is concerned, the coach believes that SVG does not lack in this regard

He is concerned, though, that, “Some of the players need to have a better attitude if they want to get far. This will serve them on and off the field.”

He added, “Football is a team sport, and in order for us to have a better team, the players need to show a better attitude towards training and being humble.”

I.B.A.ALLEN

34. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 . THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020. 35.

Classifieds

ISABELLA CARMINA SAMUEL WYLLIE

JEANETTE CLYDETTE DU PONT

Sunday, 11th October, 2020 Stubbs S.D.A Church Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: St Joseph Cemetery Stubbs

Sunday, 11th October, 2020 6W 3HWHU¶V Spiritual Baptist Church Dasent Cottage Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown

Thursday, 8th October, 2020 Kingstown Methodist Church Service: 3:00 p.m.

IRMA CLAUDIA BAPTISTE

LIZMA CARLITA GLYNN

MARGARET VERONICA AMBRIS

Sunday, 11th October, 2020 Kingstown Chapel Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 1:30 p.m.

Interment: Belair Cemetery

Sunday, 11th October, 2020 Church of Christ, Brighton Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Brighton Cemetery

MARIA EMERITA JEWETTE DANIEL Saturday, 10th October, 2020 6W 3DXO¶V Spiritual Baptist Church Sandy Bay Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: London Cemetery

AI REAL ESTATE Orange Grove 5,464 sq.ft @ $15.00 p.s.f.

-$81,960.00 - BB206 Cane Hall 5,525 sq.ft @ $11.50 p.s.f. -$63,537.50 - BB226 Cane Hall 7,500 sq.ft @ $10.00 p.s.f. -$75,000.00 - BB228 Cedars 4 bedrm Property on 7,955 sq.ft.

- $325,000.00 - H130 (784)- 457-2087/(718)-807-4376 office (784)-493-9431/(784)-533-0431 whatsappcell donp@vincysurf.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER

16, 2020

VOLUME 114, No.42

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

SIR JAMES: “WE ARE NOT A FREE SOCIETY”

Sir James Mitchell has not allowed his retirement from active politics from preventing him from commenting on national issues. (Photo Credit: IKTV)

ACCORDING to former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell, the November 05 general election is about healthcare, poverty, and the climate of fear.

Sir James shared this and other sentiments during Tuesday’s edition of the OMG programme aired on BOOM 106.9 FM. And in combating that “climate of fear”, Sir James suggested, “You need to have a government that is not vindictive, you need to have a government that will be fair with the people… .”

Sir James was even more profound in this regard, declaring, “We cannot say with all the talk about independence, that we have reached the zenith of freedom in this country.,” and he continued with emphasis and in a ‘veiled’ reference to the incumbent Unity Labour Party, saying, “You cannot criticise the government, you cannot speak your mind, and this is what is frightening a lot of people in the voting process.”

He was adamant that, “We are not a free society and democracy is supposed to produce freedom, liberty; you should be able to feel free and you have a situation where you are not going to get business. The playing field is not level.”

As for the upcoming general election, Sir James said that the choice is “between more broken promises, complacency, and the self-interest of the governing party.”

He posited that the task ahead of November 05, was to get the people to understand that this election, held amidst the presence of the coronavirus and dengue, also comes with pressure on the economy, borne out by a collapse of tourism and agriculture.

“What you vote for now, you will have to vote for many, many years,” Sir James cautioned.

Turning his focus on the New Democratic Party (NDP) which he founded in 1975 after the collapse of the Mitchell-PPP arrangement,

Sir James said the NDP administration had a “clear and unambiguous policy,” aimed at creating “a property-owning democracy…. to ensure that people have money in their pocket, so that they can talk freely, and we were developing a middle class.”

Focusing on the incumbent Unity Labour Party, the elder statesman admitted, “When Prime Minister Gonsalves took over, he said one thing that I admired him for and he was absolutely right in it. He said he had been a lawyer dealing with criminals and he knows the mind of criminals and as a result he would be able to deal with crime.

It didn’t seem as though his practice led to any results.”

In short, Mitchell seemed to have come down in support of a section of the electorate that had already declared, “AH FED UP A RALPH”.

NINE MORNINGS FESTIVAL 2020 IS ON COMMUNITY groups and individuals who engage in activities that comprise the annual Nine Mornings Festival here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, have been urged to get ready to do so.

This encouragement came from Chairman of the National Nine Mornings Committee- Orande Charles, while addressing a meeting of community groups’ representatives and private home owners last Saturday, at the Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown.

“Nine Mornings 2020 is on, but we will hold it responsibly and we will hold it safely and we will ensure that our

citizens have a fantastic Christmas,” Charles declared.

Charles noted that whilst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still present, measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of all during the Festival, much in keeping with this year’s theme: ‘Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive’.

In this light, the Chairman revealed that there will be alterations to some of the happenings of the Festival, including the usual official launch of the festival.

“We adapt the festival to the circumstances and we carry on,” Charles informed those present.

And, despite the possibility

of reduced funding from corporate St Vincent and the Grenadines, Charles assured: “We will maintain the financial assistance that we give to communities …

This year we have chosen to give some additional support to the Nine Nights at the Botanical Gardens.”

Charles said that the Botanical Gardens’ Nine Nights will become pivotal should the pandemic take a

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

turn for the worst, as that venue presents an oportunity to implement some crowd control.

The Nine Mornings Festival runs from 16th to 24th December.

The popular Nine Nights at the Botanical Gardens’ will receive increased support this year, so said Orande Charles (inset) Chairman of the Nine Mornings Festival Committee.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.