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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JANUARY 19, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.03

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

BLAME IT ON THE MEDIA

by DAYLE DA SILVA

PRIME MINISTER DR RALPH GONSALVES said that it was as a result of the media’s “inaccurate/inadequate” reporting and the hysteria of others, why the recent fiasco involving Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and model Yugge Farrell has received as much attention as it has.

On Monday, Dr. Gonsalves made the comment while responding to a question from journalist Kenton Chance, Executive Editor of the online media entity Iwitness News about his advice to the younger Gonsalves to remain silent on the matter and for him commenting instead.

It was Chance who had first reported on the court matter involving Farrell.

“I comment on the law, and I have commented on the basic facts which led to this matter coming to the court.

You notice in relation to the court, I speak in relation to the law,” Gonsalves said.

Chance taken to task Dr. Gonsalves then went on to castigate Chance, who reported that Farrell had been referred to the

Journalist Kenton Chance warded off the accusing finger pointed at him, by trying to keep the exchange confined to the issue of the court case involving Ms. Farrell.

“This matter took off when you published a story about what transpired in the court house,” Gonsalves said.

“It was a news story which had one important inaccuracy.”

According to Gonsalves, Chance reported that the incident occurred at Prospect, to which Chance responded that the information included in the article was based on the information heard in open court.

Yugge Farrell, the model who was But the Prime Minister went on to made to answer to a charge of using explain that the incident occurred at abusive language to the wife of Camillo Gonsalves, son of the Prime the office of the wife of Karen DuncanGonsalves.

Minister.

“And I further presented information which is germane. I did Mental Health Centre for two weeks’ not know until Wednesday morning psychiatric evaluation, after it was alleged that she had used obscene and that it was the honourable Attorney offensive language against Camillo Continued on Page 3.

Gonsalves’ wife.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves fingered the media for helping to create the national buzz around the Yugge Farrell issue.

Finance Minister and heir apparent to the seat of Prime Minister, has been dumb on the matter involving Yugge Farrell.

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2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Music/Industry

SVGAMP getting busy ON THE HEELS OF ELECTIONS of a new executive at its 3rd general meeting held at the end of 2017, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Music Professionals (SVGAMP) has been busy finalizing its programme of activities for 2018.

In keeping with its mission of promoting and developing the music

sector in SVG, SVGAMP, in a release made earlier this week, listed a number of activities scheduled for 2018.

According to the release, during the first quarter of the year the Association intends to reintroduce Sound Check, visit with schools and radio stations, embark on a membership drive, host the 5th

annual AMP Awards (in March), stage a National Heroes Day Screening Day and the International Jazz Day Event.

The AMP Awards has developed into one of the most anticipated events on the music/entertainment calendar here.

As far as those tasked with the responsibility of

administering the business of SVGAMP for the next year or so, noted composer, musician and performing artiste Gary ‘Troots’ Young has taken over the seat of President from the long serving Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles.

In another release made this week, the Association recognized Charles for his “..hard

work and dedication to the development of the music industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” during the time he served as its president.

Others elected to serve with Young are: Marvo O’Brien— Morgan Vice President; Joffre Venner General Secretary; Lancelot Chapman - Assistant Secretary; Gary John — PRO; Ezekiel Richards — Treasurer; Maxann Ollivierre Assistant Treasurer; Committee Members - Bertram Mason, Edgar Lewis, Edwin Johnson and Jemmot Anthony.

And in keeping with the momentum since its last General Meeting of 2017, SVGAMP will convene its first General Meeting for the year next Wednesday, beginning at 4:30pmat the Thomas Saunders Secondary School.

SVGAMP is an umbrella organization, formed and duly incorporated in 2010 as an umbrella organization, that brings together stakeholders in the music and entertainment sector, ‘with the aim to develop the local music industry through training, networking and strengthening the support structures necessary for

Gary Young, of Troots n’ Ice fame, now heads SVGAMP and is intent on keeping it on a path of fulfilling its objectives.

Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles was recognized for the steadfast contribution he made as President, in guiding SVGAMP through its formative years. encouraging professionalism’.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 3.

News 3

Still looking for a psychiatrist THE MENTAL HEALTH Centre at Glen is still without the services of a resident psychiatrist.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at a press briefing he hosted last Monday.

The Prime Minister did say, however, that the search for a psychiatrist “is ongoing”, but that despite this effort, Government has not, to date, been able to fill the position.

Government had budgeted for an annual salary of EC$116,868 along with allowances for travel, housing and entertainment, but, it

appears, this has failed to entice any suitably qualified professional.

Dr. Gonsalves acknowledged on Monday that, “It is important for us to have a resident psychiatrist, but we are trying to get (one) and we have persons who have gone to train.”

He further explained that there were some local doctors who had done some electives in psychiatry, but currently no one had a degree specializing in the field.

It was reported in March last year that the Ministry of Health was successful in securing the services of Dr. Ermine

Belle out of Barbados.

Dr. Belle was expected to provide services here five days per month.

But during the opening ceremony of the refurbished Mental Health Centre on December 6, 2016, it was disclosed that the country was without the services of a psychiatrist from as far back as 2014.

The focus turned on this issue after Yugge Farrell, a 22-year-old model, was confined to the Mental Health Centre for observation, following a court case in which she was answering to a ‘use of abusive language’ charge. (DD)

The refurbished Mental Health Centre at Glen was re-opened in December 2016 without the services of a resident psychiatrist.

on it.

“People have a legitimate right to comment on what takes place in court,” he said, adding that the Continued from Front Page. suited him. issue was blundered when Storm Gonsalves, brother of Camillo, General who asked Karen to write The exchange called in to the morning show on a report and make a complaint, Hot 97 and when Da Silva and it was he who, because he was It was at this point, nearing two continued in a similar manner on in office at the time, it was he who hours into the press briefing, that Star FM. asked the police guard there to a heated exchange ensued between Dr. Gonsalves contended that detain the young lady in question, Dr. Gonsalves and Chance. he was unaware of Storm’s and police to come from the Dr. Gonsalves repeated a involvement and repeated that it barracks, and to take her to the comment by social commentator was as a result of inadequate barracks,” Dr. Gonsalves said.

Frank Da Silva who, on the reporting in the first instance and He added that he had been January 9 edition of ULP Speaks then the hysteria by others, why informed that a statement written radio programme which referred to the story was given legs.

by Karen Duncan-Gonsalves as to an article written by Chance (a few Meanwhile, Opposition what had happened, and the years ago) at the time of Gonsalves Senator and lawyer Kay Bacchusblackmail letter dropped off by mother’s death.

Baptiste said on the Clemroy Farrell on the said day demanding Da Silva contended that Chance ‘Bert’ Francois’ radio programme EC$50,000 had also been turned in his coverage of Gonsalves’ ‘Current Affair’ on Tuesday that over to the police. mother’s death had included a leaders, or aspiring leaders ought “That is the strongest I have report on allegation that relatives to be held to high standards, and spoken on the matter thus far,” had withdrawn EC$1 million from that ethics and values were Gonsalves asserted. the woman’s savings account from important qualities.

“Why are they trying to make one of the local financial She said that Camillo Karen and her husband, Camillo institutions.

Gonsalves owed the nation an [look bad]… they did nothing But Chance, in an attempt to explanation, particularly if it was wrong and in fact, given other keep the exchange confined to the anticipated that he would become things which transpired before, matter involving Farrell, argued prime minister. you with great respect should have that the information provided by She accused the senior found out the legal context and you the prime minister regarding a Gonsalves of “emasculating” could have put a context,” he blackmail letter, and Farrell’s Camillo, saying that it was not added. mental health history, did not good advice for him not to say According to Dr. Gonsalves, come up in the open court, and if it anything.

Chance only used context when it did, then he would have reported

Blame it on the media

Presentations of 2018 Taiwan Scholarship Programmes THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Taiwan) is pleased to announce the schedule of presentations for 2018 Taiwan Scholarship Programmes. * Frenches House?Tuesday, January 23rd at 4:00 P.M. * SVGCC Lecture Hall 2, Tuesday, February 6th at 4:00 P.M. Vincentians who are interested in applying for the Taiwan Scholarships, namely MOFA Taiwan Scholarship and TaiwanICDF Scholarship, are highly recommended to attend these presentations.

The Embassy will make an introduction of the aforementioned scholarship programmes, including their respective qualifications, requirements and application procedures.

Members of the SVG Taiwan Scholar Alumni Association will be present to share their experiences of studying and living in Taiwan.

Project Managers from the Taiwan Technical Mission in SVG will brief on degree programmes in the area of agriculture and ICT in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Scholarship Programmes were launched in 2004 to encourage outstanding Vincentians to pursue higher education in Taiwan. It aims to enhance cultural and people to people exchanges between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

More than 143 Vincentians have been awarded the scholarships since their inception.

Last year, there were 17 scholarship awardees.

The deadline is March 16th for TaiwanICDF Scholarship and March 31st for MOFA Taiwan Scholarship.

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4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Politics

Dr. Friday points at a ÂNegative situationÊ Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, Parliamentary Representative for Northern Grenadines and President of the New Democratic Party, is of the view that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) latest report on the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is Dr. Godwin Friday reflecting a assessed the IMF “negative situation.” report on the He expressed economy of SVG that view during to be far from a press conference encouraging. last Wednesday, held at the party headquarters in Kingstown.

He urged members of the media to familiarise themselves with the report.

Friday mused that “the business of the people is left unattended.”

He quoted a segment from the report which indicated that ”economic activity is expected to remain flat in 2017 but recover owing to enhanced

connectivity with key tourism source countries.”

Friday paraphrased that “flat means growth of one percent in 2017, and only 2.1 percent growth projected for 2018.”

The Opposition Leader regarded the growth as “anaemic”. and that the optimism was based on the performance of the Argyle International Airport.

Friday referred to the years 2009 to 2016, and pointed out that the average growth was 0.2 percent.

“The fiscal position is expected to deteriorate in 2017-18, as new revenue measures only partially cover high outlays. Public debt will resume rising despite some debt relief. Moreover, risks to this projection are tilted to the downside, given the inadequate policy stance, the uncertain global environment, and vulnerability to disasters,” Friday stated.

“Transfers and capital outlays are expected to rise, resulting from, among things, the transfers to operate Argyle Airport and for buying back Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Friday added.

He focussed on the “external debt” which for him was “alarming.” Some $128M was allocated for commercial loans,

according to Friday, in comparison to $55m in 2016.

“Where is this money coming from?”, Friday pondered, and surmised that it may be from “increased taxes or salary cuts.”

Arnhim Eustace (right front), former Leader of the The opposition leader Opposition adding his take on the IMF report. He contended that the IMF concurred with Dr. Friday. report was condensed in “language only they and The Opposition Leader disclosed the service receiver tend to that the IMF was not “happy” with the understand.” repurchase of the Bank of St. Vincent Friday pointed to spill overs from and the Grenadines. the Argyle Airport, New Port, and They declared that it “effectively geothermal ventures, “could support blocks an envisaged merger which growth.” could have helped improve He, however, was skeptical about competitiveness through regional the reopening of the Buccament Bay diversification.”

Resort. He summed up its readiness Friday alluded to the risks as “unlikely very soon.” associated with indigenous banks and Friday condemned the to the IMF report which concluded unemployment figures which he cited that “intra-regional bank mergers may at 25 per cent, and noted that this was reduce the risk through scale and higher than 20.9 per cent in 2001. diversification effects.”

More alarming to Friday was the The Opposition Leader highlighted unemployment statistics of 46 percent the IMF report that: “Decisive for persons between 15 and 24 years measures are needed to create an old. That, as far as Friday is environment favourable to credit concerned, is evidence “that the growth and buttressing the banking government is not performing.” system.” (WKA)

Dark shadow over budget LEADER of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday would prefer to be concentrating on matters pertaining to budgetary proposals, but he finds that the atmosphere is overwhelmed by what he deems the scandal which has embroiled Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves. Friday held back no punches during a press conference at his party’s headquarters, last Wednesday.

The Opposition is appalled that there has been no statement from the Finance Minister.

Friday noted that two weeks had passed since the matter gained national attention, and that “Camillo has not seen it fit to make a public statement.

“He has a responsibility to say what he knows,” Friday exclaimed.

“It is not good and proper for a Minister of government, a senior Minister tipped to be leader, to hide behind his family in this way,” Friday outlined.

“Camillo must speak for himself. What does he have to hide? Silence is not golden, it fosters

an aura of guilt,” the Opposition Leader said.

The New Democratic Party president stated that decency, good governance and democracy “demand that it be clarified or that he resigns.”

Friday noted that Camillo Gonsalves was poised to deliver his first budget in a couple weeks, and that his refusal to say anything, “casts a dark shadow over the upcoming budget proceedings.

“It is not right that the nation be distracted by this sordid scandal,” Friday added.

The Opposition Leader was not the only person at the platform to blast the new Finance Minister.

Kay Bacchus-Baptiste cited eight areas of concern surrounding the issue.

She raised questions about integrity, ethics and morals, and outlined that “We must hold our leaders to the highest ethical standards.”

Equality of all before the law is another aspect of contention for Bacchus Baptiste.

A statement made on Boom Radio last year is

Senator Kay BacchusBaptiste will not be satisfied with a statement of denial by Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves.

Daniel Cummings, MP for West Kingstown, deemed the Mental Health Centre as being incapable of doing any evaluation.

of significance to Bacchus Baptiste. She also finds it strange that no charge of blackmail has been made on the lady in question. The use of the State machinery against a citizen is also a worry for the Opposition lawyer.

Bacchus-Baptiste is worried about the mental issues as they surface, and she is anxious as to if Yugge Farrell will get a fair trial.

She echoed the call for the Finance Minister’s resignation. Even if he responds, BacchusBaptiste will not be

content with a statement of denial. She expects something of depth.

Daniel Cummings, parliamentary representative for West Kingstown which includes the area of Buddy Gutter where the Farrell family resides, joined the call for the Finance Minister’s resignation.

Cummings blasted the provision of health care here and declared that Mental Health Care is almost non-existent.

“This is not an institution to do evaluation,” Cummings contended. (WKA)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 5.

Regional

CARICOM condemns Trump

The Haiti government of President Jovenel Moise responded immediately in condemning President Trump’s ‘dirty’ references to that country and its people.

(Credit: Al Jazeera)

THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) has moved swiftly to express disgust with a recent statement by Donald Trump, President of the USA. In a statement issued last weekend, the 15-member grouping said it is deeply disturbed by reports about the use of “derogatory and repulsive language” by the president of the United States, with respect to its member state, Haiti, and other developing countries.

Last week Thursday, Trump reportedly referred to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “s…hole countries” during a White House meeting with lawmakers on immigration reform, questioning why he should accept immigrants from those places, rather than from countries like Norway.

“Why do we need more Haitians?” the Washington Post quoted him as saying, citing people briefed on the meeting. “Take them out.”

Even before CARICOM’s response, Haiti, in an official statement said, “These insulting and reprehensible statements in no way reflect the

virtues of wisdom, restraint and discernment that must be cultivated by any high political authority.”

The statement added that the Haitian government was “profoundly outraged and shocked by the tenor of the remarks” that “at a minimum are disrespectful and insulting,” and condemned the President’s remarks with, according to the statement, “the greatest firmness these odious and abject remarks which, if they were said, would in every respect be unacceptable because they reflect a simplistic and totally erroneous racist view of the Haitian community and its contributions to the United States of America.”

But even as Trump moved to deny using the vulgar expression reported, CARICOM, of which Haiti is a full member, said it “condemns in the strongest terms, the unenlightened views reportedly expressed.

“Of additional concern, is this pattern of denigrating Haiti and its citizens in what seems to be a concerted attempt to perpetuate a negative narrative of the country.”

The CARICOM statement expressed its full support for the Government of the Republic of Haiti, in the face of what it described as “this highly offensive reference.”

The statement, emanating from the

Not for the first time, President Donald Trump has used most unbecoming language to refer to countries of majority non-white populations. (Credit: cnn.com) CARICOM secretariat in Georgetown Guyana, went on to state that the Caribbean Community “views this insult to the character of the countries named and their citizens as totally unacceptable.” (Sources: Barbados Today, Caribbean 360)

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6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Vigilant police action prevents illegal entry

Heavy sentence in major drug haul

The facts presented in Court, in relation to Thomas, revealed that DESPITE a sterling police officers from the mitigation plea by his Rapid Response Unit lawyer Roderick Jones, (RRU) arrested him Union Island resident around 7:15 p.m., Israel Thomas was January 11, during a sentenced to five years in stop and search exercise, prison on Tuesday, for along the Ashton public possession of 257 pounds road. Nine sacks, covered of marijuana with intent to by a tarpaulin were supply. found in the pan of the Thomas, 32, of Ashton, vehicle in which Thomas Union Island, had was travelling. pleaded guilty when he The sacks were taken appeared before Chief to the Ashton Police Magistrate Rechanne Station where a search Browne at the Serious was conducted, and Offences Court on several taped packages Tuesday. were found which when Thomas was charged cut open, revealed the jointly with Keith marijuana.

Williams, also of Union In mitigation, Jones Island, who pleaded not told the Court that at guilty to the charge. He age 6, Thomas’ world was granted bail in the turned upside down sum of $80,000 with when his father, who reporting conditions, and was the sole breadwinner ordered to surrender his of the family, died travel documents. He unceremoniously. will return to Court on “This had significant January 29. implications for the wellStories by HAYDN HUGGINS

being of the family.

Things became difficult.

He was unable to finish school because his mother could not afford to provide him with an education,” Jones explained. The situation, according to Jones, led his client to succumb to the illicit drug trade which is difficult to exit, once you get in, without serious intervention.

“We can all agree that he has taken the wrong route, but we could also compliment him for taking up the role his father would have played if he was alive,” Jones said.

The lawyer noted that when the police intercepted the vehicle, his client admitted that the drugs were his, and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Jones expressed the view that Thomas was a good candidate for a

Israel Thomas meaningful programme in which he could equip himself with a skill, with which he could survive outside the drug trade.

He requested a fine, and that his client be given reasonable time to pay.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche recommended a custodial sentence, stating that the quantum was substantial.

“In the hills, it may be chicken feed, but in the court, it is substantial, and a quantity of this nature attracts a custodial sentence,” the Prosecutor contended.

The Chief Magistrate took into account the mitigating factors, but stressed that a sizable amount of drugs was involved.

THE VIGILANT action of Police Constable 798 Andy Pompey of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), prevented a quantity of prohibited items from entering the prison, resulting in 24-year-old Eric Bobb of Edinboro being landed behind bars.

Bobb was sentenced to six months in prison for attempting to introduce into the Belle Isle Correctional Facility: one cellular phone, one charger, one head-set, 12 packs of Pall Mall cigarettes, five packs of Bamboo wrapping paper, and 15 packages of high leaf. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

He was charged under section 47 (b) of the Prisons Act, Chapter 397.

Bobb also received a one-month sentence for possession of 153 grams of marijuana with intent to supply. The sentences are to run concurrently.

In handing down the penalties at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne told Bobb that the attempt to introduce the items into the prison was a very serious offence, and the mission he embarked upon was also very serious.

The facts revealed that PC Pompey, who was on duty at the bottom of the Belle Isle Correctional Facility, on the outside, around 4:20 p.m. on January 15, saw Bobb walking toward the prison with a black bag. The defendant, who appeared to have recognized the police officer, hid the bag under some dry bamboo.

The officer, who had kept Bobb under surveillance, took him to where he hid the bag. It was opened, revealing another plastic bag containing the marijuana. When cautioned, he told the officer, “A man give me to drop off.”

A further check revealed the other items. He was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he was charged.

Bobb was unrepresented in Court.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 7.

News

No plans submitted for PACE development ACCORDING TO LEADER of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, no plans have been submitted to the Physical Planning Unit for the PACE Development project at Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope.

Speaking at a press conference he hosted last Wednesday, Dr. Friday said that he had been moved to inquire of the Planning Department with respect to this

requirement.

He was surprised, to say the least, to discover that no plans had been submitted and/or lodged for the project.

It was obvious, according to Dr. Friday, given the lack of this prerequisite, that the project was clouded by a veil of uncertainty.

The Mt Wynne/Peters Hope project was

launched, with a groundbreaking ceremony, on January 19, 2017.

It proposed to construct 50 residential villas on some 36 acres of land purchased from the state for EC7 million.

Efforts to reach someone in authority at the Physical Planning Unit for verification of Dr. Friday’s claim, were unsuccessful before going to press.

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8. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 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

Statesman or Politician LAST MONDAY’S ‘EXCHANGE of robust words’ between Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and journalist Kenton Chance attracted the usual reaction across the society. And like on so many occasions before, what should have been a discussion on what the ‘exchange’ means for our sense of democracy and fairplay, became mired in partisan political coloration.

This type of reaction we have grown to accept, given what observers say is because of this country’s most severe political divide since Adult Suffrage.

But if we were to clear the cobwebs and set aside what petty differences between the two gentlemen might have aggravated the ‘exchange’, and look at what is at stake when a prime minister, Head of Government, takes on a journalist desirous of ‘digging deeper’, we would see that the very being of our political culture comes into focus.

The telescope that we fix on this ‘exchange’ brings into focus the question of what we expect from our leaders — especially the Head of Government. Do we expect our Head of Government to be a politician, or do we expect that person to be a statesman?

One school of thought is that a politician is someone fixated on one primary goal — getting elected or re-elected. One view is that a stateman is someone with a sincere interest in the common good of all constituents and not his own ego.

Politicians, they say, are prone to flip-flop on issues as the polls change; they make promises but may not deliver if or when elected.

A stateman, they say, stands by his ideals and does his best with what is on offer to do what is right for the people.

Statesmen hold fast to fundamental truths. They adhere to a core of values and seldom change, if at all, to get ahead in politics at the expense of the common good. This is not to say that a statesman would not change his policies and methods of going about achieving what is best for the people. In essence, he looks at policy in terms of the effect it can have on the nation.

The politician also has strong beliefs, but they are grounded, in the main, in the narrow political sphere. That is why most politicians make their decisions, and act based on power and wealth. In the long run, instead of using that power for and on behalf of the common good, they use it instead to advance their party or government.

This interest in power may lead to the use of morally dubious means and devices that are aimed at denouncing their opponents’ or perceived opponents, and in the process their opponents messages, without any regard for the credibility that may lie therein.

The statesman, clear of vision and objective, is blessed with the foresight that he will encounter problems and will need others to inform discussion and decisions with respect to solutions.

That is why the stateman recognizes and respects the need for consensus. He is prepared to cultivate support for his ideas but is open to critical dissent and constructive instruction.

Like statesmen, politicians have vision and can articulate this vision with oratorical skill that will convince a hapless electorate that the sky is falling, and they need to build a protective umbrella to ward off the threat of disaster.

The difference, however, lies in the intent. While the statesman will compromise in the face of consensus on ways and means to get to the ‘mountain top’, the politician may direct this vision toward personal gain and/or the advancement and entrenchment of their political party, disregarding the opposing views and the need for consensus.

In that sense, the motive of politicians can be described as being sinister - an anathema to the common good.

So, where do we stand? Are we there yet? Are we prepared to demand if not cultivate leaders who are statesmen or are we satisfied to be subordinate to the guile of politicians?

How the NDP treated ‘ULP’ Public Servants (Pt 2) A reprint from 28th August 1998

respectively to the posts of “ESPECIALLY in the area of the public utilities Accountant did Mitchell zero in on brilliant sons of General and Labourite fathers.

Budget Director, Hobbes Huggins, former secretary to Labour where they drew praise for their distinguished and past candidate as well, is father to Joel service.

Huggins, the Manager of VINLEC, which in so Nor did the political orientation of their many ways had illuminated the nation during husbands in any way adversely affect the the Mitchell years. Until a recent hiccup, promotional prospects of Aberdine Browne Mitchell and Joel Huggins have got on like a (Principal Nursing Officer), Laura Browne house on fire.

(Deputy-Chief Education Officer) or Lynette And Daniel Cummings, son of Samuel Glasgow (Director of Sports).

Cummings of Kingstown Park, a Labour Social worker Wendell Paris was promoted in supporter to his marrow, was responsible for the Department of Welfare at the time that he turning around the dreadful water situation in was known to be under consideration as a ULP St Vincent, and made the local CWSA an candidate for South Leeward. example to follow in these parts. Daniel is now a In like manner, the impressive Tyrone Burke leading MP in the opposition NDP. was appointed our youngest Primary School Nor did Mitchell allow narrow partisan principal when it was known by all and sundry, consideration to limit his sights in that he was a political protégé of Dr. Gonsalves. recommending personnel for the sensitive area Headmaster Hugh Wyllie was granted study of the judiciary. leave at precisely the moment that his name had It stands to Mitchell’s credit that he felt publicly appeared as being under consideration comfortable with the filling of the post of for the ULP candidacy in North Leeward.

Solicitor-General by Donald Browne, who There is, of course, the celebrated case of Mrs contested in 1985 for the Labour Party which he Pam Browne, wife of ULP Marriaqua strongman once served as Deputy-Chairman.

Ken Browne, resigning as Assistant Secretary, Later, Donald Browne acted as Attorneyonly to be later taken back on board in the berth General, the highest law office in the land. she had left.

Former Chairman of the Labour Party, the Within the last year, Winfield Williams, a venerable Errol Clinton Mounsey, sat as Senior former secretary of the Labour Party, was Magistrate whence his wise saws and counsel appointed Headmaster of the Grammar School. have helped to keep this country from moral Even when Labour launched its candidates at derailment. the Victoria Park in November 1997, the For a reasonably long time, Labour’s former organisers could include in their programme of chairperson, lawyer Rene Baptiste held forth in entertainment an item by Martin Quashie, a the offshore banking business during the NDP civil servant working in the Department of administration. Her demonstrated capacity in culture. one regime which provided her with a platform Such a climate of political freedom never and practical training, spurred her on to higher obtained in Labour’s days, yet persons have heights in Labour to be virtually First Lady of already begun to take their liberty for granted. the land in various aspects of Vincentian life, Finally, Matthew Thomas (himself a retiree in social, cultural and political. She was eventually the public interest) was able to get several public cut short of her higher ambitions, but that is servants who should know better to sign a another story. petition calling for my removal as Chairman of In the boiler-rooms of the service itself, the Public Service Commission. persons have been readily promoted without To date, not one of those offenders against the thought of their party affiliations, provided they regulations has been written to, far less met the objective criteria of competence, threatened with any form of punishment. commitment and integrity.

Consistent with Government’s policy of Amazingly, this policy has been more or less freedom to calypsonians to sing, FM stations to followed even where their personnel all but wore criticize, and the press to print as it liked, a party labels on their sleeves, and despite the breath of fresh air has been allowed to course constant leakage of confidential matters to Mr through the musty corridors of the service.

Beache via one of his ‘little White angels”.

To the extent that accusations have often It needs to be added that none of these people been made by old-school NDPites, chieftains and ever brought the party alliance (if any) to bear rank-and-file alike, that their party might be in on the work they were called upon to perform. office but that the opposition ULP runs the We are dealing with perception and image, not Government bureaucracy!” actuality or reality.

In power since 2001, the ULP Leader Dr. Personages such as Evelyn Jackson and Gonsalves is keenly aware of the phenomenon Carmen Jack might have moved in Labour and set out early o’clock to stamp it out root and circles, but that did not stop them from earning branch, and the country now reels under its the respect of the PM or gaining elevation effects.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 9.

Letters

Thanks to THE VINCENTIAN and the Director of SVG Postal Services SOMETIME ago, I wrote asking for your help to resolve a difficulty I was experiencing with the St. Vincent Postal Service. I am delighted to say the matter has been resolved to my complete satisfaction.

I want to publicly express my gratitude to you, your staff and the newspaper for helping to bring a solution to my problem.

I also want to personally thank Ms. J. J. Adams (Director of Postal Services), for her patience, and acknowledging certain facts that were not brought to my attention during that time of my difficulty.

In simple terms, this is my version of events: On October 13th, I purchased, in the United Kingdom, a Postal Service called ‘International Signed for’. This service

consisted of two elements: 1. The delivery of mail to the given address within a reasonable time frame. 2.

A signature by the recipient on delivery.

At the time of purchase, I was given a reference number, so that the mail could be tracked from when I posted it to its final destination, and signature. Over the next seven days I tracked the mail, and noted it reached the Kingstown Post Office at 10:15 a.m. on October 20th. A time span of seven days. I thought that to be quite remarkable, considering I live 600 miles from London through which the mail had to travel. I continued to monitor the mail for over three weeks. The tracking site always showed the mail was in Kingstown waiting for delivery.

Throughout that period,

it never changed. I had no way of knowing where my mail was or of contacting the St. Vincent Postal Service.

On two previous occasions I had to make successful claims against the Royal Mail Service for the non-delivery of mail to St. Vincent. I was very frustrated at what was happening. It was around that time I contacted you.

On November 13th, I received an email from the recipient on Union Island saying the mail had arrived. No time or date of arrival was given.

I continued to monitor the tracking site for a few more days but the message was still the same, ‘In Kingstown waiting delivery’. I gave up in the end as the mail was in Union Island.

On Monday, December 18, Ms. Adams from the St. Vincent Postal Service contacted me by

Talk, talk and more talk I TELL YOU. This country full of old talk and more old talk.

We have become a country of talkers. If you don’t believe me, just listen to the radio stations on any day of the week — even on Sundays.

We have something to say about everything.

Some of us even make up things to talk about.

And the bad thing is that we don’t seem to want to have a sensible discussion. We are satisfied with spreading rumours and bringing down other persons.

A friend told me recently that if I didn’t notice that no decent people call into the radio programmes.

The thing is that while we talk and talk, very few of us do anything or are prepared to do anything about what we complain about.

For example, we cry down the government for the rise in crime, but a lot of us know who committing the crimes, yet we don’t say anything about that. No way!! I suppose as far a that example is concerned, those who know are afraid that if

they speak, something bad would happen to them.

But generally, very few of us do anything to help to improve the situation.

Even the public servants — they want this and that from government, and take every opportunity to make demands, but they dragging they feet when it comes to their jobs.

Even the PM recently complain about this. I am certain that if the

law allowed him to dismiss all those who dragging their feet, he would have fired them long time. But his hands are tied. Result: No action.

Time we stop all this old talk and complaining, and get down to playing our part to improve things here. No government could do it by themselves. We all have to contribute.

Clinton, Kingstown.

email enquiring the nature of my complaint which had been aired in THE VINCENTIAN newspaper. Although the matter was done and dusted as far as I was concerned, I exchanged several emails with Ms. Adams. All of this correspondence was conducted in a very helpful and professional way. Ms. Adams was able to point out that my mail had actually been delivered and signed for on October 26th. This information was not put in the tracking system so was not available to me. If it had been, there would not have been any need for me to bring my problem into the public domain.

I fully accepted that part 1 of the Postal Service I bought was completed to my entire satisfaction, but part 2 was definitely not. The failure to fulfil part 2 of the service caused me considerable anxiety and frustration, and should

Fred Copeland BA Fred.copland@yahoo.co. uk

PM and son, pack your bags and go AS AN INDEPENDENT politician, I, Kadmiel McFee, call on Prime Minister Dr Ralph E Gonsalves and Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves to pack their bags and go.

Until the PM undergoes an investigation by an independent body of authority in relation to an allegation of rape made against him by a female police officer, I

A call for prayer I CALL ON this state for emergency prayers for our nation. I call on all Churches, prayer groups and other prayer communities to pray for our nation against the evils that exist.

Let us pray that our nation be heal spiritually, and especially our leaders. 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Let us pray that our leaders would know Yahuveh and serve Him. That Yahuveh would give them wisdom and surround them with godly counsellors. Even if a leader is

never have happened if (in my opinion) due diligence had been used by the Postal Services involved.

I want to repeat my sincere gratitude to THE VINCENTIAN newspaper and to the way Ms. Adams helped resolve this matter.

As far as I am concerned, this matter has been consigned to history and I want to hear no more about it.

* Has anyone informed or reminded Dr. Ralph Gonsalves that he is allowed only 45 minutes to make his contribution to this year’s Budget Debate? * Has a Minister of Government moved to have public servants take over the running of the Annual Masters Cricket Competition?

If so, why? * Is the work of the National Sports Council hampered by a lack of funds from Central Government? * Shouldn’t the National Lottery be contributing to the development of sports through the National Sports Council and not going off on its own? * Does the Government contribute any funds to Team Athletics SVG for the running of the Inter-Schools Meet?

stand by the view that the PM is not credible to be involved in any way or form in relation to Yugge Farrell’s allegations against the Finance Minister, Camillo Gonsalves.

Incidentally, Camillo Gonsalves’ silence on the Farrell issue is highly unacceptable and gives rise to many questions.

On that score, Ms. Farrell’s time at the Mental Health Centre will soon come to an end.

We hope that during her stay there that she would have seen an

independent psychiatrist.

I sympathize with the wives of Ralph and Camillo Gonsalves and with the many women of SVG who are being deprived of their dignity.

I am pleased to see journalists like Kenton Chance performing with impartiality. He is a major player in delivering justice in the best interest of the women of SVG. Dr. Gonsalves and son need to pack their bags and go.

Kadmiel McFee

currently not doing any of the above, we can change that reality through our prayers.

Let us all ask Yahuveh to raise up the leaders, and the wants in office.

Psalm 75:6-7 says, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

As a nation, let’s pray for the heart of parents to turn back to their children, and the heart of the children to turn back to their parents.

Let us pray for Yahuveh’s people to love and serve this nation.

Let us all repent as a nation to Father Yahuveh.

Only one Ralph Gonsalves

Yah descendent

Avil Cupid

THERE’S ONLY one Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, just like Bob Marley can’t be followed.

I guess other small nations would like a strong leader like Dr. Gonsalves, but I believe that Jamaica needs a leader with the political, economic and general expertise of Dr. Gonsalves.

If the son of Dr. Gonsalves is serious about a career in politics, he should set up stall in Jamaica where he will realize that politics is a very serious and dangerous business, not for the faint hearted.

Wish him well!

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10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

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Preparing the 2018 Estimates and Budget

Introduction IT’S JANUARY 2018, the public servants, particularly those in the office of the Budget Director in the Ministry of Finance, are busy putting together the budget for the year. This follows a series of consultations with all the ministries and heads of department, to determine the resources required to operate professionally. Here and there, there will be some changes and minor adjustments to meet the changing demands of the government, and the development agenda of the ULP administration.

Over the last three weeks or so, the public servants have been presenting their programmes for 2018 to the Cabinet. Sometimes the discussions can be robust, as the government tries to get the best out of the allocated financial resources. This year the government will present the estimates of expenditure and revenue on January 29th, 2018. The House of Assembly will spend the next two days debating the Estimates. Then on February 5th, 2018, the Appropriation Bill 2018, or the Budget, will go before the House. Before this, there will be the Throne Speech from the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, to be followed by the Budget Address to be delivered by the new Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves.

These are challenging times for small island developing states, given the current global economic conditions, and the climate change issues that have been affecting the country. In fact, Prime Minister Gonsalves, in presenting his budget address for 2016, sketched out the situation in this way.

“Financing Budget 2016 will be challenging within the context of the limitations of the small, open economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the persistent structural weaknesses of an uncompetitive economy with colonial and plantation legacies; the economic slow-down in our regional and international partners; the uncertainties in the global political economy; and the on-going fallout from repeated recent natural disasters. Still, our country possesses a bundle of strengths and possibilities which ensure that we continue to meet the multiple challenges in our national condition with a solid measure of success.

In successive Budget speeches, particularly since the massive global recession of 2008 to 2011, and its continuing adverse consequences, I have, over and over again, highlighted the structural limitations of the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the harsh effect of the removal of the preferential market treatment for our bananas in the United Kingdom, the debilitating impact of the continuing turmoil in global monopoly capitalism and its material discontents, the devastating blows inflicted on our small-island state through the terrible manifestations of a deleterious climate change, and home-grown restraints occasioned by the antisocial or violent conduct, and unproductive work habits, of a small minority of our people. I again reaffirm all of this as the composite core of the contextual weaknesses and limitations of our social economy.

Unless we grasp properly the full

The continuing scandal involving Camillo Gonsalves (Excerpts from Dr. Friday’s press conference)

meaning of this contextual frame for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it would be hardly possible for us to fashion an appropriate strategic path forward, having taken account, too, of our strengths and possibilities.

And St. Vincent and the Grenadines possesses strengths and possibilities, not only limitations and weaknesses. It is central to the development of our economy, and nation overall, that, as far as is humanly practicable, we reduce our weaknesses and limitations, and enhance our strengths and possibilities. The core of our strengths and possibilities resides in ourselves, the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at home and in the diaspora. We are, increasingly, and largely, a skilled, industrious, and sophisticated people who are capable of running modern, competitive economic enterprises. To be sure, there are gaps in the adequacy or sufficiency of our trained personnel, but such gaps can be, and are being, filled through prudent acquisition of the skills from abroad and by enhanced training of our nationals, concurrently”.

For his part, the new minister, Camillo Gonsalves, will have his own approach, and will bring to bear his own knowledge and experience to bear on the budgetary preparation process.

But the current prevailing economic situation is known to all and sundry.

Minister Camillo Gonsalves has already held consultations with several key organisations in the State, including the trade unions and the business sector. So we will await the 29th January 2018, to see what new features the finance minister, Camillo Gonsalves, will bring to the fore.

Budget Direction The election manifestos of the ULP, from 2001 to 2015, all contain the detailed policies and programmes of the government. The 2018 budget is grounded in the 2015 manifesto of the ULP, and shaped within the framework of the National Economic and Social Development Plan of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2013 to 2025. There are many regional and international initiatives which will also be included in the 2018 budget.

Overall the budget will address the people-centered approach of the ULP in terms of the socio-economic development of the country.

So on January 29th, 2018, the Finance Minister, Camillo Gonsalves will outline the fiscal situation of the country, and the plans for the development of the country going forward. We will also hear the plans of the individual ministries as these pertain to the sectors of Health, Education, Agriculture, Social Development, Forestry and Energy.

2018 looks like a good year for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, given the new projects to come on stream, or to get their official opening and ground-breaking ceremonies. Vincentians can hardly wait to see the good things in the 2018 budget.

ON MONDAY, January 15, 2018, the New Democratic Party released a statement to the media on the Camillo Gonsalves scandal. I will not go over details of the matter as set out in that Statement, which you already possess. However, a summary is necessary to provide context for my comments here today.

The scandalous matter involves Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves and 22-year-old aspiring model, Ms. Yugge Farrell. It came to public attention following the appearance in Magistrate’s Court of Ms. Farrell on a charge of causing a breach of the peace and using abusive language, resulting from statements she reportedly made in relation to the Minister’s wife. The way Ms. Farrell was treated in Court has been a cause for great public concern.

What I wish to highlight and reiterate is this: it has been almost two weeks since this scandal broke, yet, Camillo Gonsalves has not seen it fit to make a public statement about it to try to clear the air! As a Member of Parliament and Minister of Government, he has a responsibility to explain to the Vincentian people what, if anything, he knows about the claims made by Ms. Farrell.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Gonsalves has advised his son, Camillo Gonsalves, not to say anything publicly about the matter. Deputy Prime Minister Straker has apparently given him similar advice. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves and other members of his family have taken to the airwaves to defend Camillo by trying to dismiss the claims made against him by Ms. Farrell.

We know that family will defend family. So, it is not surprising that Camillo’s father and brother came to his aid. However, it is not good and proper for a Minister of Government, especially a senior Minister who is tipped to be the next leader of his political party — the ULP, to hide behind his family! The Vincentian people deserve better from someone who holds the high offices of Member of Parliament and Minister of Government. Camillo’s father, whether Prime Minster or otherwise, cannot speak for him in this matter. The Vincentian people cannot be told in effect to “Come back to Papa” for answers. Papa cannot give the answers the public needs. Camillo must speak for himself! Why is he not speaking?

What does he have to hide? Silence in this instance is not golden; rather it fosters an aura of guilt. So, it is in his interest and in the public’s interest that Camillo speak for himself.

The principles of decency and good governance in a modern democracy demand that any government Minister embroiled in such a messy scandal must clarify the situation to the satisfaction of the people or resign his position. Such a scandal reflects very negatively on the office of the Minister. In this case, it brings the office of Minister of Finance into disrepute.

The situation is more troubling and urgent in light of the fact that as Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves is poised to deliver his first Budget Address to the nation, beginning in a couple of weeks. This scandal, especially the Minister’s refusal to speak up publicly to clear his name,

casts a dark shadow over the entire upcoming Budget proceedings. It is simply not right and proper that the nation should be so distracted by a sordid scandal, when there is so much at stake. The people of this country are suffering economic hardship. The Minister and his government’s attention should be focussed on creating jobs and helping people–- farmers, fishermen, young people– to improve their lives.

The country has gone through far too many scandals, sexual and otherwise, under this ULP government. The time is up!

Having refused to address the public and having failed to clarify this very serious matter for the people, Camillo Gonsalves has but one choice. I call on him to do the right and honourable thing and resign. For the good of the nation, he must go!

The IMF Report The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently published its report on the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. My colleagues and I met with the members of the IMF team when they visited SVG late last year.

We had a long and very substantial consultation with them at our office here at Democrat House. We drew their attention not only to the problems of our economy, but also to the economy’s promises and possibilities. We will have more to say about it in other forums, such as the upcoming Budget Debate.

But I wish to highlight several aspects of the report here.

The first observation is that it reflects a negative situation on the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Executive Board Assessment summarizes as follows: “Economic activity is expected to remain relatively flat in 2017 but recover in 2018 owing to enhanced connectivity with key tourism source countries.” Flat means growth of 1 percent in 2017 and only 2.1 percent growth projected for 2018. Between 2009 and 2016 annual average economic growth was 0.2 per cent “The fiscal position is expected to deteriorate in 2017-18, as new revenue measures only partially cover higher outlays. Public debt will resume rising despite some debt relief. Moreover, risks to this projection are tilted to the downside given the inadequate policy stance, the uncertain global environment, and vulnerability to natural disasters.”

The public sector debt in 2017 was 77.5 of GDP, well above the ECCU recommended 60% of GDP. Government Revenue is expected to decline for 2017; transfers and capital outlays expected to rise, resulting from among other things, the higher transfers to operate Argyle Airport and for buying back Bank of SVG. And External debt repayment is higher as government is scheduled to repay EC$128 million on commercial loans that come due in 2017. This amounts to 5.9 per cent of GDP. (This compares unfavourably with 2016 debt payments of EC$55 million, being 2.7 per cent of GDP.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 11.

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Asking hard questions

“Ask yourself the hard questions, never stop asking, and allow your answers to change as you do.” – Colin Wright (born 1985) American author, international speaker and host of a podcast called Let’s Know Things.

DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION are often generated by those individuals who would accept the challenge to ask hard questions - to question the status quo and not be satisfied with superficial or ambiguous responses. Individuals who question the unquestionable and dig deep down for the “next why”, often create and/or improve developments in the sciences. These enquiring men and women also generate new/improved approaches to the arts. The un-muzzled questions from the uninhibited thoughts create opportunities for us to improve our lives. Such approaches in our homes, neighbourhoods, churches, and workplaces create and sustain growth opportunities. They push us to better our best efforts and to constantly expand our knowledge base. They create and sustain the winning attitudes that are considered critical to generating personal and corporate success.

Modern education institutions are seeing the benefits of encouraging participants to be more inclined to probe — to ask hard questions. Such approaches are not limited to our institutions of higher learning. We can now observe school teachers and administrators at the secondary, primary, and pre-school levels encouraging students to explore their respective learning environments and to develop skills and techniques in expanding their knowledge base through questioning.

Secure/confident educators are not threatened when hard questions surface. They know that these are often the conduits to unearthing pearls of wisdom and jewels of knowledge. They encourage critical thinking and nurture the inquisitive mind.

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama (born 1964) is an American lawyer and writer. She was First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Michelle is married to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady. She reminds us how important it is to “Focus more on learning than on succeeding. Instead of pretending that you understand when you don’t, just raise your hand and ask a question.”

Michelle Obama is well loved throughout the world. Her beauty, intelligence, and charm enabled her to champion many worthwhile causes during and since her sojourn as America’s First Lady. As First Lady, she became a role model for women and an advocate for education, nutrition, physical activity and healthy eating, and poverty awareness. Although her sleeve-less dresses were initially a source of controversy and a target for criticism by the conservative citizens of America, her ability to “weather the criticisms” also portrayed her strength of character and, over time, she emerged to be a fashion icon.

The Michelle Obama quotation that was highlighted two paragraphs earlier reminds us of the need to encourage our children, our citizens, to generate the humility and self-

confidence to ask questions when there is uncertainty or the need for greater understanding or clarity.

This is how we maximize our learning — by asking questions. Such approaches to education also invite critical thinking to take a front seat at the table of knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents can appreciate the wisdom captured in her suggestion. This is often how we expand our knowledge base — by asking questions and not being inhibited as we search for wisdom and truth. We will never know everything about everything, and should therefore be prepared to ask — even the hard questions.

The English scientist Tim BernersLee (born 1955) could never have imagined that his 1989 invention of the World Wide Web (www) would have revolutionized so many aspects of our modern day living as it has done. Tim wrote his first web computer programme in 1990. At that time, he was an employee at CERN in Switzerland. One year later, the World Wide Web was released to institutions and the general public outside CERN. The ready access to information as a result of the Internet now provides a useful platform for each of us (young and old) to broaden our knowledge base.

The World Wide Web has propelled the Information Age. It has allowed many new businesses to mushroom and existing ones to expand their portfolios. It is now the primary tool by which billions of people, from all walks of life and every nation, can interact and conduct business. By ready access to text documents, images, videos, audios, and a host of software components, we have observed the “explosion of knowledge” during the last two decades. The efficient archiving of knowledge using this technological platform now makes it so much easier for individuals to ask hard questions on virtually any subject area. In most instances, we can also receive speedy and accurate responses to our queries.

The latter part of the Colin Wright quotation (“… and allow your answers to change as you do”) remind us that situations will evolve and that new knowledge and insights may eventually lead us to change our positions on particular matters.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this. While there are principled positions that will always remain constant/unchangeable (e.g. honesty, integrity, purity, etc.) we must be prepared to go through life with some degree of flexibility. Our positions may alter as new evidence/facts emerge. It is often as we probe and ask pointed/hard questions that the truth would emerge. There is wisdom in asking hard questions (and not settling for superficial, shallow, or ambiguous responses). They enable us to get to the truth and often create opportunities for the discovery of new insights about life and living.

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

The radical King we don’t know “What you’re saying may get you a foundation grant but it won’t get you into the kingdom of truth.”

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘Dr King refused to sell his soul for a mess of pottage. He refused to silence his voice in his quest for unarmed truth and unconditional love.’ Dr Cornel West, have found out that all that I have been doing in trying to correct this system in The radical King we don’t know.

America has been in vain. I am trying THE FBI TRANSCRIPT of a June 27, 1964, to get at the roots of it to see just what ought to be done. The whole thing will phone conversation reveals Malcolm X have to be done away with.” He asked receiving a message from Martin Luther King, Jr. This message supported the idea Harry Belafonte days before his death, of getting the human rights declaration of “Are we integrating into a burning house?” He was weary of pervasive the United Nations to expose the unfair, economic injustice, cultural decay, and vicious treatment of black people in political paralysis.

America. Malcolm X replied that he was Dr King identified four catastrophes eager to meet Martin Luther King, Jr. If which must be fought: Militarism is an they had met and worked together, the imperial catastrophe that has produced radical King would be well known.

In a speech to his staff in 1966, King a military-industrial complex and national security state and warped the explained: “There must be a better country’s priorities and stature. distribution of wealth and maybe Materialism is a spiritual America must move toward a catastrophe, promoted by a corporatedemocratic socialism.” If he had lived media and a culture industry that has and pursued this project, the radical hardened the hearts of hard-core King would be well known. consumers and coarsened the On April 4, 1968, in Memphis– the consciences of would-be citizens. last day of his life– Martin Luther Racism is a moral catastrophe, most King, Jr. phoned Ebenezer Baptist graphically seen in the prison-industrial Church in Atlanta with the title of his Sunday sermon: “Why America May Go complex and targeted police surveillance in black and brown ghettos rendered to Hell.” If he had preached this sermon, the radical King would be well invisible in public discourse. Arbitrary uses of the law in the name of the “war” known.

Yet in Dr. King’s own time, he would on drugs have produced, a new Jim say repeatedly, “I am greatly saddened . Crow of mass incarceration.

Poverty is an economic catastrophe, . . that the inquirers have not really inseparable from the power of greedy known me, my commitment, or my oligarchs and avaricious plutocrats calling.” Dr King refused to silence his indifferent to the misery of poor voice in his quest for unarmed truth children, elderly and disabled citizens, and unconditional love. For King, the condition of truth was to allow suffering and working people.

For King, dissent did not mean to speak; for him, justice was what love disloyalty– in fact, dissent was a high looks like in public. In King’s eyes, too many black leaders sacrificed the truth form of patriotism. When he said that the US government was “the greatest for access to and personal gain. This purveyor of violence in the world today,” spiritual blackout among black leaders he was not trashing America. He was resulted in their use and abuse by the telling the painful truth about a country white political and economic establishment that constituted a kind of he loved. King was never antiAmerican; he was always anti-injustice “conspiracy against the poor.” This spiritual blackout–this lack of integrity in America and anywhere else. Love of and courage–primarily revealed a deep truth and love of country could go handfear, failure of nerve, and spinelessness in-hand.

The radical King was a spiritual on behalf of black leaders. They too giant who tried to shatter the often were bootlickers for big monied callousness and indifference of his interests, even as the boots were fellow citizens. King believed that crushing poor and working people. indifference to evil is more evil than evil In stark contrast to this cowardice, itself. This spiritual crisis is not King stated to his staff, “I’d rather be reducible to politics or economics. It is dead than afraid.” Although much of rooted in the relative decline of America did not know the radical King–and too few know today–the FBI integrity, honesty, decency, and virtue, due in large part to the role of big and US government did. They called money in American life. This coldhim “the most dangerous man in hearted obsession with manipulation America.” They knew Reverend King and domination drives our ecological was a revolutionary Christian, sincere catastrophe-in-the-making and our in his commitment and serious in his possible military Armageddon. calling.

King knew that white supremacy was They knew he was a product of a a global phenomenon. It remains shot black prophetic tradition, full of fire in his bones, love in his heart, light in his through our hearts and minds, institutions and structures. Empire, mind, and courage in his soul. Martin white supremacy, capitalism, Luther King, Jr. was the major threat patriarchy, and homophobia are linked to the US government and the in complex ways, and our struggles American establishment because he against them require moral consistency dared to organize and mobilize black and systemic analyses. rage over past and present crimes The response of the radical King to against humanity targeting black folk our catastrophic moment can be put in and other oppressed people. one word: revolution– a revolution in The fundamental question is: Does our priorities, a re-evaluation of our America have the capacity to hear and heed the radical King, or must America values, a reinvigoration of our public life, and a fundamental transformation sanitize King in order to evade and of our way of thinking and living that avoid his challenge? King indeed had a promotes a transfer of power from dream. But it was not the American oligarchs and plutocrats to everyday dream. King’s dream was rooted in the people and ordinary citizens.

American Dream–it was what the quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of This piece is an excerpt from Cornel happiness looked like for people West ‘The Radical King.’ enslaved and Jim Crowed, terrorized, traumatized, and stigmatized by Send comments, criticisms & American laws and American citizens.

He called America a “sick society.” “I suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com

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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

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Free, high-quality education must be our vision, not tourism

our own science and technology university.

UNESCO calls for poor countries to ACCORDING to the Leader of SVG Green pay all manner of nonsense education university. Generational poverty can educate their people. US ex-President Party, Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc charges. This is wrong. There should be eliminated if a child gets a Barack Obama’s advice to CARICOM (hons), MSc, MBA, it is very odd to see be no school fees, and uniforms and university degree, as children of leaders in April 2015 was to educate the ULP regime beating their chest about books should be free. graduate parents are more likely to their people, because ‘if they had a the ‘success’ of the tourism industry.

Pre-school and primary school are become graduates themselves.

Tourism is not a success for our crucial periods in the development of SVG can acquire about 2 billion highly-educated workforce they will people and country. children. Children whose parents dollars a year in revenue overnight, by attract a lot of foreign investment’.

There were 40 murders in 2016, 42 cannot afford to send them to pretaking back our fish licence from The low education standard in SVG murders in 2017. There is still very school or primary school, are being left Taiwan and setting up our own tuna is reflected in the very high murder high unemployment, crime and behind in education and development, fishing and canning industry. rate in 2016 and 2017. We need a poverty throughout the whole country. at this important time in their lives.

The richest and more industrial change of government with a focus on Thousands of households have no There are many children who don’t countries in the world have highly free, high-quality education from premains water and electricity, and finish primary school, and many more educated populations. They place great school to university, not on tourism. struggle to feed themselves who don’t finish secondary school. emphasis on university education. A adequately.

These children are being failed by the Green Government would focus on SVG Green Party This is not a sign of success!

ULP regime. We need more education and innovation, and build Tourism can never move our investment in education. country forward. On the contrary, Mr Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, tourism is quietly destroying the fabric MBA, is making a strong call for a of our country and causing enormous billion- dollar year investment in environmental damage. education: free, high-quality education, SVG needs to focus on education to from pre-school to university for all create a wealthy country and strong regardless of the economic status of a THE ‘HIGHER POWER’ of this bending spiritual patient who from his economy. Towards that end, SVG child’s family. This (investment) is attitude and behaviour, needs a government that invests many needed in SVG immediately to lift our manifesto (e.g. the bible) law in terms of of Christianity frowns on abnormalizing harmony and in scope of my keen more millions in education, to give our people out of poverty. eye, has broken not just and goodness is a theft- (‘thou shalt not children better opportunities in the With a university degree, the the law implied in rebellion against God, steal’). The person who, future. opportunities of employment are ‘thieving’, but many and enforcing a Satanic even in dire straits, Many poor parents cannot afford immense. SVG’s children could get school fees, school uniforms, school highly-paid jobs throughout the world, steals or misappropriates connection, which, if you other instances of law as believe in reincarnation, well. He sleeps during property, in whatever books and other school equipment for if we provided them with good the day, and at night becomes a driving force form or fashion, is their children. Parents are forced to education and our own SVG actually bending what is in the perpetrators’ lives patrols the entire section with subtle finger(life) and overall termed ‘spiritual law’. attitude. By contrast, the pocketing, and bag and Many meta-physicians mattress searches. This person who adheres to including arbiters of has personally the dictates of spiritual Christianity, purport that the universe is built law, is indicated through been observed by me.

The number of conflicts a harmony, and respect on spiritual law, and he has caused, arising for nature and God’s that activities such as gifts. A weak moment in out of these events, is theft on any level is mind-boggling. D.L is breaking a covenant with such a person’s modus the Higher Power. This, operandi, is often quickly coherent, strategic, rectified with a genuine, consistently aggressive by extension, causes, in in violence and attitude, sincere, and remorseful esoteric terms, a and comes to MHC with petition to the Higher desertion of the subject a rap sheet which speaks Power. and his environment of calculated intelligence, Stealing is rampant, from a reunion and rather than criminal subject-partnership with especially in terms of insanity. Surely, he can misappropriation of God. In more basic funds in many agencies. be held in a more aspects of the reality suitable environment e.g.

At the Mental Health which is life, it causes Jail!

Centre, it is endemic. grief, loss, loss of Because of the conscience and an This writer has been overcrowding and the opening of the portal targeted by individuals desperation of some towards greed. This such as D.L for losses, inmates, it is virtually application certainly which account for a impossible to curtail. reminds of people in sparsity of possessions Every single patient I higher positions of in particular clothing, as know has suffered losses: you the reader may have authority who, if clothes, toiletries, money, observed. allowed, can destroy an electronic equipment entire country’s moral The whole experience (e.g. cell phones, radios) compass, such as have has given me serious and the list goes on and been highlighted in pause on the logic of on. various news reports. remaining in SVG, inside D.L is a recurring One of the symptoms and outside the MHC. It is hard not to reject a country that is endorsing values of crime, and exploitation especially of children and young people - in light of the massive upsurge in crime and the lack of effective solutions to said aspects, which relevant institutions seem to tackle only in terms of words-by-mouth.

Conclusion of MHC LifeBending spiritual law article

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 13.

People

‘Lil Bit’: 25 years on stage & looking further afield TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (1993), Cecile Murray-King ventured as a solo artiste into the male dominated world of calypso. She took with her the sobriquet ‘Lil Bit’, visibly appropriate to her small stature. But over those twenty-five years, she has blazed a trail and made an impact that far exceeds her size.

In fact, ‘Lil Bit’ moved from back stage to front stage, so to speak, for her early exposure to calypso was as a member of a group ‘Nature’, which provided background vocals for calypsonians at the tent and national competition levels.

‘Nature, managed by renowned music arranger and composer Godfrey ‘Cherry’ Ince, led by Wayne Keane and including Grantley ‘I Pa’ Constance and his daughter Desiree, also provided that service for visiting performing artistes.

‘Lil Bit’ had her first taste of “calypso Royalty’ when, in 1995, she copped the National Calypso Queen title, with renditions of ‘Carnival Witches’ and Heroes Message’ written by folklorist/columnist Sebastian ‘Bassy’ Alexander.

That title afforded her the opportunity to perform in Grenada.

But even before that, she had added to her portfolio when, in 1987, she provided background vocal support for ace Vincentian performing artiste Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, on his tour to Columbia.

She would repeat that service for

Becket in 2000, when he performed in Barbados.

And even as she worked to refine her skill in the rendition of calypso, the little lady sought to broaden her scope and joined El Grupo Amistad, which exposed her to the Venezuelan genres of Kaiter and Parang music.

Looking ahead Fast forward to 2018. ‘Lil Bit’ is riding on a crest. having stormed into the final of the 2017 Calypso Monarch Competition. She was adjudged to be among the top four finishers, but she had done enough with her numbers ‘World Peace’ and ‘Somebody’ — to attract overwhelming commendation from patrons and connoisseurs of the art form.

‘World Peace’ was launched in Trinidad earlier this week. and with persons working on her behalf in that country, she is hopeful that an opportunity would arise for her to perform there.

“It will be my greatest pleasure,” ‘Lil Bit’ responded when asked about the opportunity to perform there.

As part of the promotion in Trinidad and moreso to mark her 25th year in the challenging world of calypso, she has released a collection of some of her more popular songs through the years.

That CD includes: ‘World Peace,’ ‘21st Century Lady’, ‘Tribute to Andrew (Johnson)’, ‘The quarrel’, ‘World in turmoil’, ‘Character still matters’, ‘How could you sleep?’, ‘Parental advice’, ‘Heroes’ message’ and ‘No regrets.’

A remix of an earlier recording of ‘What child is this’’ was released for Christmas 2017.

Currently a member (seven years) of the Upstage Experience, ‘Lil Bit’ is looking to break into the Ragga Soca circuit this year. She is encouraged so to do by the strides she has made in calypso, and declares that a double impact is not too much for her to think about.

The lady Unquestionably, Cecile Lil Bit’ Murray-King is entrenched in entertainment and performing arts circles here.

As much as she has etched her place in the cultural landscape of SVG and has to deal with the challenges that come as a result of that, ‘Lil Bit’ confesses to being a “quiet, down to earth, easy to approach” person.

She expressed a deep sense of commitment to fulfilling her duties as Secretary of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’Calypso Association and is working assiduously to make a success of her current job position of Career Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ Murray-King, with 25 years active years in the ‘Calypso Business’, can justly feel elated about this accomplishment.

‘Lil Bit’ performing at the finals of the Calypso Monarch Competition.

Left: This one captures ‘lil Bit’ in the early years of her solo career.

Officer at MetroLife, an agency of the Metrocint General Insurance Company.

Like so many others here, Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ Murray-King has to juggle the essentials of a mainstream job with her love for the performing arts, i.e.

Calypso. To have steered this course for twenty-five years is testimony to

the success she has had in managing that balancing act. No one would want to take that away from her.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates ‘Lil Bit’ on her milestone achievement and wishes her nothing but success in her future endeavours, both off and on the stage. (WKA)

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14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Lawyer describes PMÊs comments as „alarming‰ Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS OPPOSITION NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) Senator and prominent lawyer, Kay BacchusBaptiste has described as “alarming,” comments made by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, while he was speaking in relation to the Yugge Farrell matter, as a caller to Boom FM last Monday morning.

Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that it is an affront to the administration of justice, and is likely to cause fear and alarm, for the Prime Minister to tell this nation that the police can give information to the Magistrate who is going to try the case, in the absence of the defendant or their lawyer.

Dr. Gonsalves had said that the Magistrate can make a determination on what he has before him. He

also said that the Court may get information from the police which is not canvassed in open Court.

Bacchus-Baptiste said that if this happened when Gonsalves practised law here several years ago, it is wrong and against the constitutional rights of an accused to have a fair trial.

“This is unacceptable, it is enough for Vincentians to be alarmed, and the Prime Minister should resign for making those statements,” she declared.

“Why is he defending the Magistrate? Why is he trying to make a case for his son?”, the lawyer questioned.

Farrell is charged with, that on January 4, 2018, in circumstances likely to cause a breach of the peace, did make use of abusive language to Karen Gonsalves of Prospect, to wit, “You

dirty bitch”.

The virtual complainant is the wife of Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves, the Prime Minister’s son.

Farrell pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on January 5, but when the proceedings reached the point of having the issue of bail dealt with, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel made an application for Farrell to be sent to the Mental Health Centre for two weeks’ observation. The Magistrate upheld the application. Attorney Grant Connell represented Farrell, pro bono.

Bacchus-Baptiste had told THE VINCENTIAN last week that she understands that there was no evidence before the Court to show that Farrell needed to be assessed.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has come out in defence of Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves.

She also pointed out that the law says that an accused is sent by the Court for mental assessment to determine

Left: Attorney Kay Bacchus Baptiste condemned Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for saying that the Court may accept information not laid in open court.

whether they are fit to enter a plea, but Farrell had already pleaded not guilty.

Farrell returns to Court on Monday, January 22.

“Yugge Farrell doing well,” says lawyer FORMER FASHION MODEL Yugge Farrell, charged in connection with a matter involving Karen Gonsalves, wife of Finance Minister

Camillo Gonsalves, is doing well at the Mental Health Centre, where she was been sent by the Court for two weeks’ observation.

That’s according to attorney Grant Connell who has been representing Farrell, pro bono.

Connell told reporters on Tuesday that he visited Yugge Farrel as she appeared in Farrell on a few occasions, ‘Multiplicite’, a fashion editorial by American photographer Kareem adding that the evaluation Quow. process is ongoing, but abusive language to “whether it is done by a Karen Gonsalves of psychiatrist, is a Prospect, to wit, ‘You question you might have dirty bitch’. to ask the man who has Connell opted not to been answering all the give detailed comments questions so far in this on the case, saying, “I case.” He did not say have great respect for who this man was. the court, and the matter Farrell is charged is sub judice.” But he with, that on January 4, expressed the view that 2018, at Granby Street, things happened which Kingstown, in were at variance with circumstances likely to normal practice. cause a breach of the peace, did make use of Continued on Page 15.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 15.

Court

„Put people before profit, in ganja issue‰

marijuana for several years, told reporters on Tuesday that he agrees that it’s high time St. Vincent and the Grenadines move towards medical marijuana, but he is concerned that while government intends to put new laws in place with such pace, for this purpose, the existing (drug) laws are still not amended to facilitate Rastafarians.

“I have been a server in the Anglican Church for several years, and they have been using the incense on their altars for many years. Is it because it was handed down to us by our colonial masters? Only God and the Queen know the content of that incense,” Connell said.

He added that it is Defence Attorney Grant Connell urged the also sad that the nation’s Government not to lose sight of the need to amend youth who are found in the existing drug laws, so as to cater to the possession of small religious rites of Rastafarians and preventing the amounts of marijuana, unnecessary imposition of criminal records on will continue to receive young people. criminal records that may affect them for the

by HAYDN HUGGINS disappointed that locals, balance of their lives, including Rastafarians WHILE VINCENTIAN who use the herb for their and that the state will LAWYER Grant Connell religious ceremonies, will continue to incur welcomes the stance still have to face the wrath unnecessary cost in taken by the Ralph of the law, and the police. prosecuting people for Gonsalves administration Connell, who has been small amounts, ranging from one gram to about to move towards medical advocating the three pounds. marijuana, he is decriminalization of

According to Connell, all it takes to address this is a ticketing system in which persons found in possession of small amounts can go to the police station and pay a fine, thus removing the possibility of a criminal record.

Connell is of the view that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is afraid to make the move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

“What is he afraid of, I don’t know. His failure to amend the existing laws is to put profit before people, and is a great disrespect to Rastafari,” Connell opined.

He issued a warning to the government to be careful how they deal with the medical marijuana issue.

“We are virgin territory, and the government has to protect us against those who may be coming to use and abuse, with absolutely no interest for the locals. This medical marijuana is new territory for us, and I hope that we get the appropriate advisers so that we can benefit as a people,” Connell advised.

He also pointed out that wherever there is

Marijuana talks continue THE PROCESS LEADING to an eventual setting up of a medical marijuana industry here continues apace.

On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves disclosed that he had met with the Executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council to discuss the issue.

In attendance at that meeting was the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Medical Marijuana - Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar and Executive Officer of Invest SVG — Annette Mark.

The Prime Minister, however, did not disclose details, preferring to say simply that the conversation was useful.

“We exchanged a wide range of views, and I would say that they

Right: This country joins a number of CARICOM countries that have moved or beginning to move towards establishing medical marijuana industries, even before a formal report is submitted by the CARICOM Commission on Marijuana.

(SVGCC) have an understanding of the road map of the government and that discussions will continue,” Dr. Gonsalves told members of the media.

Last week’s meeting followed on the comment made by the Prime Minister that he was hoping to bring to Parliament, by the end of the first quarter, a Bill for the setting up of a medical marijuana industry here.

And while he expressed his

optimism about the setting up of a medical marijuana industry, he cautioned that he was not prepared, at this time, to discuss issues relating to decriminalization. (DD)

excessive money, there could be corruption, and if you don’t have the right advisers, this country could return to plantation type slavery.

“I hope that everybody is pulled on board to ensure that we benefit as a people.”

Connell noted that the rest of the world, including Jamaica, is ahead of us on the medical marijuana issue, “so we have to catch up, and I hope we do.”

Commenting on the committee headed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Saboto Caesar that has been set up to deal with the issue, Connell said, “It is good to see a former St. Martin’s Secondary

School student heading the Committee. He has my full support on the issue.

“Who else is better to head the committed”? He (Caesar) is a potential leader. Hopefully, when he eventually takes leadership of the country, I hope that he would not be afraid to amend the existing laws. Unless you do that, you cannot ‘emancipate yourself from mental slavery’.”

Connell expressed the view that, once the marijuana project has the right advisers, and gets off to a good start, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) could “kiss the next general elections goodbye.”

“Yugge Farrell doing well,” says lawyer Continued from Page 14.

He noted that when Farrell appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on January 5, she pleaded not guilty, and the proceedings had reached the point where an application was made for bail, but the prosecution seemingly disagreed with bail, and made an application which the Magistrate entertained.

The lawyer admitted that he does not have all the answers, nor is he privy to information to which Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is privy.

He said he noticed that the Prime Minister has been saying a number of things of which he is concerned, and has even invited him (Connell) to a lesson.

Connell believes that the machinery of Justice will work, despite all that is being said outside the Court, in relation to the matter.

“It should not matter who is the defendant or the complainant, once justice is the common denominator,” he declared. He expressed the view that some of the comments he has been hearing from various persons, since Farrell appeared in Court, show that there are many who need psychiatric evaluation, and that the quicker a permanent psychiatrist is employed here, the better for all.

Commenting on Farrell’s future, Connell said, “She is a young person charged with a trivial offence, and I hope that the matter concludes soon, so that she could get on with her life.”

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16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

FLOW ÂGiving away $$$Ê

TELECOMMUNICATIONS power house Flow is receiving high praises from its many customers for its first promotion of the year, dubbed ‘Flow Money Everyday Giveaway’.

Launched on Monday January 8th, the promotion is designed to help customers save in January, after the costly Christmas season, says Consumer Sales Manager Andrea Liverpool.

To date, the promotion has awarded customers with cash monies.

Jeremey Deane, said he was most surprised to receive a call from a renowned radio personility to be told that he had won $200 cash, which solidified his ’staying with Flow’.

Joel Stowe of Union Island, another cash winner, said that she had big plans for her winnings; KayAnn Patterson said it is a

Jeremey Deane, one of the early winners in the ‘Flow Money Everyday Giveaway’ promotion. “good feeling” to receive cash in January.

The promotion gives two lucky customers a chance to win $400.00 every day, provided they sign up for a new Postpaid Combo Plan, Activate any Prepaid Combo Plan, Top up $15 or more, and also Text “FlowMoney” to 6263.

Meanwhile, Flow has announced a major sponsorship for the 2018 Bequia Music Fest,

which runs from January 18 — 21.

During that weekend, existing Flow customers will have an opportunity to trade in their smartphone from the competitor for a 5” smartphone with a 7-day combo plan, at only $60.

New customers will be able to take advantage of a 5” smartphone for $129 with an activation of a 7day and above combo plan.

CIBC FCIB ‘Walks’ raise thousands TWO DEVASTATING HURRICANES slowed down but could not derail the fundraising momentum of the region’s largest cancer care and awareness event.

Despite the setbacks occasioned by the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria through the region, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank was still able to stage its series of Walks under its annual WALK FOR THE CURE CAMPAIGN. Walks took place across the Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean where the bank has a presence, except for Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St. Maarten and Turks and Scenes from the 2017 Walk in SVG. Caicos Islands, which were hardest hit by the hurricanes.

Mark St. Hill and Trevor Torzsas Thousands of staff members and praised efforts of staff, volunteers and volunteers, took to the streets corporate sponsors for their primarily on the first weekend in “phenomenal fundraising efforts.. .”

October, dressed in white or pink TIn St Vincent, the Walk was held on shirts, to walk and run to raise Saturday, Sept 30th, 2017 at 4:00 pm awareness of the various cancers and starting from Bank Yard on to the their impact on families.

Solicitations during the Walks and Lowman’s Leeward Anglican School input from the corporate sector across and back to Bank Yard. Walk Manager Jacintha Hinds thanked the region resulted in over USD$450 the sponsors, participants and all 000 being raised. This brought the supporters for another successful total funds raised through this participation and highlighted that just initiative over the past six years to over $34,000.00 (EC) will be presented USD$1.75 million. to the 2017 beneficiary, SCORCH. Executive Co-Chairs of the walk

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 17.

18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 19.

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20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Sperm gets in the way Dear George, I AM A 28-year-old female, and for the last three years, I have been dating a guy who lives in Brooklyn, USA. He is 32 years old and migrated to the States when he was 4. He is the man I intend to marry.

He called me recently and told me he was going to go to the sperm bank to donate his sperm because he was broke and needed the money. I told him I was not in favour - it was against my religious principles and that I didn’t want his seed to be out there somewhere.

That was a month ago and he has not communicated with me since. He has not returned my calls.

I am here in limbo not knowing what to do. I am presuming that he did what he said he was going to do, and as such, I am caught between a rock and a hard place whether to

continue with him or just walk away.

Confused and worried

about your future, especially as it seems he has already made his.

George

Dear Confused and worried, Your partner did the right thing by informing you of his plan, even if he knew it went against your religion.

From what I gather, you have np way of knowing whether or not he went through with his plan.

Whatever, it is important that you and your partner be on the same page on every level, and that includes your spirituality. Yes, there are other factors to consider when a man decides to donate his sperm, which is why such a decision should not be made unilaterally.

His failure to communicate with you speaks volumes. You are free to make a decision

Tempted to give in Dear George,

husband?

MY BOSS made me an offer: Sleep with him just once and he would not only promote me to manager, but raise my salary by 2 thousand dollars.

I am married and have never cheated on my husband, but we are in deep financial trouble and my boss knows it. It is true that if I do sleep with him just once, as he suggested, my husband would not know, but I am not sure if I could live with myself after that.

I love my husband and want to help him with all the debts we have, but would it be so wrong to do this one thing my boss asks of me out of love for my

Predicament Dear Predicament, If you truly love your husband, you would not do anything that would bring hurt to him. Sleeping with your boss would be considered as cheating and an act of infidelity, to say the least.

This action can have farreaching consequences for your marriage, but your boss will never not explain these thing to you.

He is interested only in his own sexual satisfaction and who knows, might not fulfil his promises to you.

Preserve your dignity by looking your boss in the eye and say “No thank you!”

In the end he will respect you ten times more than he did before.

It is better to lose your job than a good and faithful husband.

George

Naked men raise questions Dear George, I CAUGHT my wife playing with herself while looking at a magazine of naked men.

We have been married for 9 years and I never knew her to be this kind of woman. In fact, she always maintained that pornographic material was of the devil, and would not even look at a movie with me if it had a hint of sex play in it.

I want to know if she has a secret life going on, so I asked her about it and she said that the men in the magazine were complete strangers to her, and it did not mean that she had intentions of stepping outside of the marriage for sexual satisfaction.

I am very worried that my wife may be entertaining the idea of doing exactly that. Is there any reason for me to worry?

Surprise and anxious Dear Surprise and anxious, Your wife may be at a stage where she is ready to make changes as it relates to her sex life. Rather than judging her, sit down with her and talk it through. In doing so, keep an open mind.

It could be that she kept this from you because she was afraid that you would have condemned her, knowing her original stance on the subject.

Whatever it is, she must see you as someone she is free to talk to without being judged. Use this opportunity to take your relationship a notch higher. You may have cause to worry if you choose to be judgmental.

Maybe it is left to you now to get with the program and follow your wife’s lead on this one.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Residential moves are evident. You can learn valuable information if you listen and observe what others are doing and saying. Offer love and affection instead of conflict and rejection.

Try to compromise rather than having an all‐ out battle.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You must refrain from overspending on enter‐ tainment. Your tendency to overreact could get you into trouble. Tempers may flare if you haven't been completely honest about your intentions or your whereabouts. You mustn't be so trusting.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Unreliable people will be negative about your ideas. You may make someone else look bad.

You will learn a great deal from people with different cultural backgrounds. Secret ene‐ mies may be holding a grudge that you're not even aware of.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) You'll need to exercise control. Do your job and don't ask for favors. Physical limitations are possible if you aren't careful. Children may be demanding, and entertainment could cost a lot more than you can really afford.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Opportunities to get involved in investment groups will payoff. Travel for business will be advantageous. Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable. Look into any edu‐ cational activities involving the whole family.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Socially, you need a fast‐paced form of enter‐ tainment. Travel for business purposes may bring the highest returns. Concentrate on home improvement. Small de tails will make a difference. You could expand your circle of friends if you get involved in unusual activi‐ ties.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Discord could be unnerving. Dig deep, ferret out any hidden concerns be fore you sign your life away Deceit around you is evident. Your energetic nature and ability to initiate proj‐ ects will add to your popularity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You should sit down with someone you trust and work out a budget that will enable you to save a little extra. Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first. Be careful not to take on other people's problems. You may find your‐ self in a financial bind. You may overspend if you travel this week; however, the trip will be one to remember.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You haven't been totally honest with yourself and it's time to review your motives. Dig deep, ferret out any hidden concerns before you sign your life away Talk to an older, established individual about your present situation. Don't let your partner put you down.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) You may find yourself in an emotional fix if you interfere in other people's problems. You can get support from groups that you belong to if you're willing to step out on a limb and voice your opinions. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet. You can make new friends if you get involved in group activi‐ ties.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Don't let your mate force you into making a decision that you aren't ready to make. You'll stay out of trouble if you pick projects that will benefit the whole family. You can enhance your reputation by making contributions to worthwhile causes. Do what you can but don't jeopardize your health trying to please every‐ one.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) If they don't like the plan, suggest that they con tribute a little. Stabilize your own position by locking up your savings. Try not to be so demonstrative. Look into making changes to your personal papers and don't neglect those bills that have been piling up.

ACROSS 1.Irritate 5. Rime 9. Curve 12. Concern 13. Off‐Broadway theater award 14. The Lion 15. Sewing case 16. Part of verb to ride 17. Climbing vine 18. Young horse 20. Confused mixture of sounds 22. Withdraw 25. Corporal 26. Give merit 27. Mackerel shark 28. Valued mineral 29. New Zealand parrot 30. Miles per hour 33. Woman who killed Sisera 35. Frighten 37. Emphatic form of it 40. Lighthouse 41. 8 th letter of the Greek alphabet 42. Bedouin 43. Illustrative craft 44. Speed contest 46. Exclamations of surprise 50. Monetary unit of Romania 51. Bone of the forearm 52. Monetary unit of Angola 53. Yes 54. Reward 55. Donations to the poor DOWN 1.Frozen water 2. Make lace 3. French vineyard 4. Young cow

5. Greek goddesses of the seasons 6. Ancient Greek coin 7. Help 8. S. African antelope 9. Person used as one’s excuse 10. Make merry 11. Shyly 19. Eccentric 21. Fuss 22. Worthless piece of cloth 23. Female sheep 24. Eccentric shaft 25. Bleat of a sheep 27. Honey 29. State of drowsy

contentment 30. Family name prefix 31. In favor of 32. Female fowl 33. Spout 34. Call to arms 35. Ocean 36. Occult doctrine 37. Republic of S. Europe

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 21.

38.

39.

40.

42.

45.

Trio Organization Baked dough Skin eruption Malt beverage 47. Tool for making holes in leather 48. Sew 49. Sister

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22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

THE FIRST ANTI-CANCER VACCINE: A response to Anesia Baptiste

By Dr. Jerrol Thompson MD / MPH Infectious Disease Specialist

health. As a result California stopped allowing “philosophical vaccine exemptions” which covered religious and Part Three personal beliefs. Wakefield, the most contemptible of the charlatans and other 1. VACCINATED PERSONS ARE NOT THE vaccine opponents countered, suggesting that the outbreak was SOURCE OF OUTBREAKS! caused and spread not by unvaccinated persons who had become infected with AFTER THE RECENT 2014-2015 USA outbreak of measles which began at the measles, but by a vaccinated person through a process known as “vaccine Disneyland Theme Park in Southern California and spread to 17 other states, shedding.” But is this even possible for Measles Anesia? Only three vaccines in infecting over 660 people. A quarter of the routinely recommended childhood the initial cases were traced and linked vaccination schedule are made using to visitor-imported measles, weakened, but live, viruses that in some predominantly from the Philippines, instances can be detected for short where measles is still endemic and a periods in the vaccinated patient and huge outbreak had affected 20,000 theoretically can lead to others being people with 69 deaths. However, the infected with the vaccine version of the spread was viewed as a result of the virus but these instances are growing number of unvaccinated extraordinarily rare. The first two viruses children, paying a price in blood for Wakefield’s fraudulence, robbing millions are 1. Chickenpox & 2. Rotavirus.

Fortunately Anesia, the Measles & of children the protection against Mumps vaccines do not shed at all. preventable illness and a threat to public

medical career and considered a true medical heretic. Yes he opposed immunization but he also opposed water fluoridation, coronary bypass surgery, licensing of nutritionists (introduced to avoid snake oil artist), and screening examinations to detect breast cancer of all things. One of his books charged that “Modern Medicine’s treatments for disease are seldom effective, and are more dangerous than the diseases they’re designed to treat”; He claimed “90% of surgery was a waste of time, energy, money and life” The biggest joke was that he was president of the National Health Federation, (name sounds nice, 2. THE DUBIOUS VACCINATION right, however very misleading). It CO-CONSPIRATORS QUOTED was a group whose primary purpose was to prevent government agencies Anti-vaxxers always have a list of from protecting consumers against trusted “experts” they refer to when writing of vaccination. For every name quackery. I saw him on a 1980’s Phil Donahue Talk Show where he dropped in an article, just google the name and add retraction or quack and vehemently opposed “all forms of routine examinations by any health you might be very surprised. Along practitioner of any kind” (including with Wakefield, Joseph Mercola, pap-smears). He advocated only home Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Sin Hung Lee, deliveries of babies, he said, no one Chris Shaw, Neil Z Miller & good old Dr. Russell Blaylock (often referred to should ever see a doctor when feeling as “quack of the day”), are some of the healthy and often created his own most common names tossed out there. biostatistics. Anesia has adopted his outrageous claim that measles and Mendelson on the other hand is not polio did not disappear because of one of them and I was quite shocked vaccines but was going away by itself.

Anesia quoted Mendelson. As a Tell this to Borno State in Northern paediatrician his credentials were above reproach but he died in 1988, 29 Nigeria (now home of Boca Haram). In 2003, politicians in Northern Nigeria years ago, long before recent medical cancelled vaccination campaigns for advances. Mendelson however, wrote over a year, claiming the vaccine was a several other books including Western plot to sterilize Muslims. This Confessions of a Medical Heretic and The Risks of Immunizations and How led to an explosion of polio that still to Avoid Them. He was well known for rages today, and the virus spread to two dozen countries worldwide due to his irresponsible criticism of the migration and travel. (To be medical profession and any sciencecontinued) based health care during most of his However, the third virus in the MMR trio, 3. Rubella can be found from 7 to 28 days after immunization, but at levels far too low for anyone to catch it. So as viral shedding does not happen with measles, the outbreak was proven to have started from visitors after detailed serological investigations were performed. https://www.livescience.com/49716measles-outbreak-questions.html http://www.thevaccinemom.com/2015/0 2/vaccine-shedding-should-you-reallybe-concerned/ The initial article suggesting viral shedding only raised it as a possibility but it became widely circulated, and Anesia reading it two years later took it as fact, unaware of articles refuting the claim. We are living in a uniquely mendacious era of web-driven “fake news”. This was fake news at its worse, which was cut & paste then requoted without an understanding of the fundamental error.

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V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 23.

SVG senior netballers back in business SVG beat Grenada 62-54 on Friday, but went under to St Lucia 42-58 on Saturday.

The Vincentian girls rebounded on Sunday morning to beat St Lucia 51-46, but lost 52-53 to Grenada on Sunday night.

Other results show St Lucia defeating Grenada 45-41 and 49-37.

Head Coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team- Thelma Foster welcomed the outing, stating, “It was a long time we have been without a ranking and it was good to be playing again…

It was also good to play teams that have a ranking.”

Foster added, “It was a very good experience and exposure for the team, especially the young ones… It was also good for the team, who was training for some time for other tournaments, but which were cancelled.”

SVG lost the services of debutant defender Suzette Jordon during the first game, putting pressure on the other players to be at their optimum.

It became a case when, in the team’s final match The SVG team on a break last Sunday morning versus during their match against St Lucia.

Grenada, she St Vincent and the herself, had to put in an appearance on the court in the Grenadines will be part of the AFNA Qualifiers set for last quarter, after injury Barbados in August, which depleted the team to a mere would complete the mandatory six available players. eight matches for entry among The SVG team which the ranked Netball playing travelled to Grenada The SVG team (from left) Shellisa Davis, Suzette Jordon, countries, in which, among a comprised: Shellisa Davis Shannique De Shong, Jose Ann Antoine, Mary Ann list of 39 countries, St Lucia is (Captain), Skiddy FrancisFredericks, Ruthann Williams, Bownie Allicott, Keisha Kirby, Ups and downs ranked 18th and Grenada Crick (Vice- Captain), Skiddy Francis- Crick.

23rd.

Shannique De Shong, Keisha She admitted to “lots of ups Kirby, Suzette Jordon, The SVG Senior Netball AFTER BEING OUT OF THE LOOP Tanteen Netball Complex. and downs to get to Grenada, Ruthann Williams, Mary Ann team last played a full for more than seven years, St SVG achieved their goal by including a challenge to raise Fredericks, Jose Ann Antoine international match when it Vincent and the Grenadines getting back into the the money for travel, and contested the Americas and Bownie Allicott.

(SVG) senior netballers returned reckonings, and are four having to trim the squad from Federation of Netball The management team to competitive action last matches away from returning ten to nine after Maxine Association (AFNA) included: Doris Mc Intosh weekend in Grenada, in a trito a rank on the World Netball James was unable to travel, tournament in St Lucia in (Manager), Joan Fosternation series which also stage. having been unsuccessful in 2010.

Baynes (Coach) and Moeth included St Lucia and host As far as results in the triher effort to get the necessary This period of long Gaymes (Assistant Coach).

Grenada. nation series were concerned, time off from her place of inactivity (2010 — 2017) left The hectic schedule saw the Vincentians won two of employment.

SVG without a ranking or each team playing four their matches and lost the The challenges continued in Looking ahead rating on the INF list. matches in three days, at the other two.

Grenada, Foster added, in that

Radcliffe makes good start to title defence DEFENDING CHAMPIONS FLOW Radcliffe made a positive start to their defense of the Premier Division title, but a possible outright win against newly promoted Providence Electronic Solution North Leeward, was thwarted by intermittent rain in their last weekend encounter.

FLOW Radcliffe won the toss, elected to bat first, and declared at 221 for 6 after 51.2 overs.

Half centuries from Derron Greaves, 58, Wayne Harper, 59 and a useful 44 from Gidron Pope led the batting for Radcliffe. Shamon Hooper had 3 wickets for 75 runs and Zimrion Providence 2 for 24 bowling for the men from

North Leeward.

In their first turn at the crease, Providence Electronic Solutions North Leeward were bundled out for 117 for 57 overs, with Othneil Lewis being the pick of Radcliffe bowlers with 6 for 47. Maxwald Edwards, 27, and Tilron Harry, 23, were the leading batters for North Leeward.

Asked to follow on and chasing a deficit of 104, Providence Electronic Solutions North Leeward were 33 for 3 from 14 overs when play was called. Dyke Cato had 2 for 7 to add to his 3 for 31 in the first innings.

In another weekend match between Police Two and Team Rivals played at Park Hill, the

lawmen posted 269 from 62 overs batting first.

Kenneth Dember ,72, was the main contributor. Orlanzo Jackson bagged 3 for 65 and Casmond Walters 3 for 82. Team Rivals in reply were dismissed for 139 from 40.5 overs., Jaheel Walters top scoring 21. Kenneth Dember took 5 for 41 and Romario Bibby 2 for 34.

Only one innings was possible in the match involving Victors One and Guardian Saints due to occasional rain. In that innings, Victors One compiled 259 for 6 from 47.3 overs, Donwell Hector playing a captain’s innings of 146.

Rayon Williams took 3 for 60.

This weekend, FLOW

Darren Greaves hit 58 and helped to steady Radcliffe innings.

Wayne Harper. 59, topscored for Radcliffe.

Donwell Hector, 146, continues to score big in local cricket.

Radcliffe face Police Two at Sion Hill, Victors One oppose Providence Electronic Solution North

Leeward at Cumberland, and Team Rivals clash with Guardian General Saints at Arnos Vale

One. I.B.A.ALLEN

V

24. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Grassroots Football Programme goes to schools THE GRASSROOTS Football Programme, which for many years has been restricted to operations in the various communities across St Vincent and the Grenadines, is being planted in the primary schools.

This task of implementing this programme is in the hands of Sammy Carrington, a Vincentian who has resided in the USA for many years.

Carrington, who has had experience coaching St Vincent and the Grenadines age group

and senior teams in the past, kicked off the programme at the Victoria Park recently, starting with three schools in Kingstown.

Speaking after the first week of the programme, Carrington said, “The first week of the programme was successful. We have had over 600 kids attending.”

Carrington said that Whilst he admits to having knowledge of an existing Grassroots Programme carried out by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football

Students have a kick about during their session in the Grassroots Football Programme.

Federation, he has always felt that there needed to be a wider spread.

“There has to be a Grassroots Programme around the country, especially in the schools… We just want to start the programme in the schools, because we know how to do it,” Carrington advanced.

Apart from Carrington, five other local coaches are

Williams brothers sink Warriors NORTH WINDWARD Youths, powered by top performances by Sealron and Sealroy Williams, crushed Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors by 6 wickets, in a NLA First Division Cricket match on the weekend.

The Warriors posted 200 from 36.1 overs. Bill Edwards topscored with 45.

Sealroy Williams, the Windward Islands Under-19 leg spinner, was North Windward’s best bowler, returning figures of 5 for 35.

North Windward Youths responded well and raced to 202 for 4 from 29 overs, Sealron Williams leading the runs chase with a stroked-filled 94, inclusive of 7 fours and six sixes.

In other First Division action, Belfongo’s 164 from 24. 1 overs proved just that bit too much for Combined Youths who replied with 160 for 9 in 30 overs.

Standout performances came from Combined Youths’ Frankie Farrell who hit 74 in his team’s losing effort, and Kevin Samuel who took 3 for12.

This weekend, Ruddy’s Electrical Sealroy Williams Unique Warriors took 5 for 35 to face Police One at undo Ruddy’s Buccament, Electrical Smashers oppose Unique Warriors.

Belfongo at Arnos Vale Two, and Carl Joseph Law Chambers ASCO take on Strike Eagles at Park Hill.

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assisting in the initial stages of the schools’ programme.

Carrington explained that he has had the verbal endorsement of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

Continuing his explanation of the programme, Carrington said, “We are trying to identify all the schools which have a playground close by, and we are partnering with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports, and also looking for coaches who are willing to learn about coaching.”

He also informed that

in a matter of course, the Grassroots programme here in St Vincent and the Grenadines will be taken to the wider communities.

Carrington’s re-entry to local Football comes following the appointment of Grenadian Marlon Glean, who, last September, was appointed as FIFA Development Officer for the Eastern Caribbean.

Among Glean’s mandates, Carrington stated, was ensuring the proper implementation of all projects and programmes.

In reinforcing this, Carrington reconfirmed,

“He (Glean) is an advocate for the Grassroots Programme, and when he had the meeting with all the associations, he encouraged them to invest in the Grassroots Programme… FIFA asks for one thing in return for all the money given to them, just have a Grassroots Programme for boys and girls in the schools, and he is trying to sell that idea to all the association’s presidents.”

Carrington disclosed that he should be heading to Barbados sometime, to establish a Schools’ Grassroots Programme there.

Douglas happy with donation FORMER Windwards Under-19 batsman Dillon Douglas was recently, the recipient of a quantity of cricket gear.

The gear, including a bat, batting gloves, pads, tight pads and a helmet, came as a donation to

the young man from Mark Audain, a former SVG Under 19 player who now resides in the USA. Douglas came to the fore in last season’s Windward Islands Under-19 tournament, during which his batting exploits included a double century against St. Lucia.

Douglas believes the gear will assist him in his cricket, and was very grateful for the kind gesture.

“First, I want to say thanks to Mark Audain for acknowledging my talent in this way. … It wasn’t easy for him to buy these specialize gear for me, and I intend to use them to the best of my ability, and show him it was a worthwhile gesture.”

Douglas has now graduated from Under19 cricket and is currently campaigning with Team Rivals in the Premier Division of the local cricket competition.

He recognizes that his game at the senior level

Dillon Douglas (left) receiving gear from Ian Allen on behalf of Mark Audain. will be a tougher experience, and as such, he will “…back myself and play tough and hard cricket with the best in the country,” adding, “I am looking forward to score the most runs in the local cricket competition and have at least a few hundred.”

The young man is also committed to being a “positive example in my community and country.”

He hopes, one day, to begin making a living from cricket.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 25.

Sports

Cricket hits Cumberland PROVIDENCE Electronic Solutions North Leeward will endeavour to make a better showing in their second match of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Premier competition against Victors starting tomorrow Saturday January 20. That will be ground breaking in an almost imperceptible way. That match will be at Cumberland.

North Leeward eked out a draw in their first match. They found the going different at the top league, and didn’t find early penetration against defending champions Flow Radcliffe whose 221 for 6 was formidable enough to provide them with first innings points. Wayne Harper 59, Deron Greaves 58 and Gidron Pope, the former West Indies Under 19 opening batsman, provided the platform for Radcliffe.

The score represented a comeback so to speak

by North Leeward. Radcliffe were rollicking at 200 for 2 at one stage. Pope’s dismissal at that score triggered some sort of collapse, but Radcliffe might have felt secured.

They knew they could have counted on the off spin of Windwards Under 19 player Othneil Lewis, and he tormented the North Leeward batsmen returning 6 for 47. North leeward battled to 117 all out, helped by Maxwell Edwards 27 and Tilron Harry 23. They shared a 44-run fifth wicket stand which accounted for some restoration. North Leeward earned some credit for the time they occupied the crease. The productivity might have been meagre, but the 57 overs they spent ensured that Radcliffe was not going to slice through. They were 33 for 3 off 14 overs in their second innings.

That was that for starters. They face Victors One and the might of Donwell Hector, fresh from his plunder against Guardian Saints. Hector, made best use of conditions to remind the Windward Island selectors that he is around. He shared the spotlight with discarded Windwards’ all rounder Alston Bobb 44. They rattled up a 136 fourth wicket partnership to snap the energy out of Saints. Rain had the final say as Victors reached 259 for 6 when the match was curtailed.

Kenneth Dember showed that his exposure at the regional level paid dividends as he produced an allround performance for his team Police. He hit an unbeaten 72, and grabbed 5 for 41 as his team took first innings over Rivals Dember and Sylvan Spencer 65 were involved in a rescue act with a 104-run eighth wicket stand. They pulled the choke on Rivals when they thought they had the lawmen in custody at 137 for 7.

Rivals struggled, and Jaheel Walters 21 and Roneil Jeffrey 20 were the only batsmen to offer any resistance.

Radcliffe and Police meet in a top of the table clash, while Saints and Rivals will battle at Arnos Vale.

Greaves looking at more innings GOLAND GREAVES, retired international umpire, believes he still has the energy to carry on his duties in the middle, and even after thirtyfour years of service is convinced that he has more to contribute.

Greaves, in fact, continues to umpire at the local level.

“I am just a

Goland Greaves may be retired from the regional and international umpiring scene but he remains ready and able to assist with the training of young umpires.

local umpire and I believe I have a few more years umpiring. I still feel pretty good on a cricket field, and I have a lot to offer to our younger umpires, which I will continue to do whether its on and off the field until we get more young umpires.”

Greaves is also willing to channel his energy coordinating umpiring sessions in the SVG, the Windward Island and the wider West indies circuit.

“When it comes to the West Indies, they organize training sessions for the umpires through ‘umpires coach’ from Australia working along with umpires from the regional and international panel. I was sent along with Billy Doctrove to India a few years ago to do some seminars, but since then

our services have not been utilised.

Hopefully, one day I will get the opportunity to continue to educate the young umpires in the region,” he said in an exclusive conversation with THE VINCENTIAN during a break of a SVG Umpire Association workshop last weekend at the Bishop College Secondary School, at which he served as facilitator.

Reflecting on his career, he recalls starting “umpiring locally in 1984, then going on the Windward Islands scene in 1989, the regional scene in 1998 and on the international in 2007”.

He finds it “difficult” to identify the high points in his career, but did relate the “time when Lara edged the ball and walked. He didn’t wait, he just walked and when players operate like that it makes you feel good.”

After a little prompting he also singled out when Dr. Kishore Shallow – he was named on the President of the SVGCA – international panel and described ‘Talk Cricket’ as an going to Guyana for the effort to increase interest in 2007 World Cup as the sport. highlights of his career.

Greaves reiterated, “My expected to boost more main focus now is to get statistics for all national younger umpires to cricket tournaments in SVG. understand the laws and Prospective writers for Talk to implement them.”

SVGCA Inc. is paying to ÂTalk CricketÊ Editor’s Note: The following appeared on the SVGCA website on January 14, 2018.

We are pleased to share it with a wider readership.

The SVG Cricket Association Inc. introduces “Talk Cricket!”, an initiative to encourage more writing and publication about cricket.

The intention is to have articles published more frequently on the website of the cricket association (www.svgcricket.org), which will create more interest in and popularity of the sport.

While the primary topic for the articles is expected to be SVG cricket, related materials on the sport globally would be welcome.

Submissions will go through an approval process before publication.

Contributors would be remunerated for their work. Authors of published articles will receive up to $15 per article.

President of the SVGCA Inc., Dr. Kishore Shallow explained, “This initiative is two-fold in the sense that it gives individuals the opportunity to practise their writing skills while earning some extra dollars, and obviously it helps with the promotion of cricket.”

He elaborated, “Many options compete for our attention daily, so administrators have to continue to be innovative to ensure that cricket and sports remain relevant. .. Through this initiative, we anticipate an increased interest of Vincentians, both our seniors and youths.”

The Talk Cricket! launch coincides with the upgrade of the website of the SVGCA Inc., which shows an improved fresh look. In addition to more articles, the site is

Cricket! can contact the association via talkcricket@svgcricket.org or ffice@svgcricket.org.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018. 27.

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DEATH OF NEPHEW

by DAYLE DA SILVA

ALVIN ‘RAZER’ JOHN recalled the last moments he saw his nephew Kelvin Richards alive saying that he tried his best to help the young man, but there was very little he could have done.

Richards, 24 years old, formerly a resident of Montaque in the Mesopotamia Valley, died from injuries he sustained when a retaining wall fell on him at a construction site at a residence in Evesham, last Tuesday, January 16.

According to a release from the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) Public Relations and Complaints Department, the incident occurred around 10:20 a.m.

John told THE VINCENTIAN in a telephone interview, that he and Richards were both inside the foundation; he said that he was digging while his nephew was removing the excess dirt.

They were working on the foundation of a retaining wall and it was only the second day on the job for both men.

He said that he had completed one section of the area where they were working, and was about to make his way past Richards, when the existing wall collapsed.

Although deep in grief, he gave an account of what took place, saying that he was struck on the shoulder by the a piece of the falling wall, but before he could pay attention to his own injuries, he heard Richards calling out to him.

John turned and saw that the wall was about to fall on Richards, who was standing directly in the path of the falling wall.

“I heard him call me by my nickname “Razer, Razer!”

He said that he focused his attention on trying to apply pressure in order to prevent it from collapsing immediately and in an effort to give Richards some time to run to safety.

But with the weight becoming more and more unbearable, he was forced to let go and unfortunately for Richards, the concrete mass came crashing down.

“I tried to help, but I couldn’t manage the weight of the wall,” John recollected.

“He was my sister’s only child; we grew up; now I had to watch him suffer right in front ah me.”

Mother Kaylorne Richards also spoke to THE VINCENTIAN via telephone.

Kelvin Richards met his death on the second day of work on a construction site.

She said that the hours following her only child’s death were the hardest.

“I am just crying, I feel so stressed out,” she said.

Richards admitted that it has been difficult for her to come to terms with the circumstances of her son’s death, but she realized that she would eventually have to deal with that reality.

She explained that she was in Kingstown around the time the incident occurred and was unable to visit the scene.

He will be missed, she said.

Up to Wednesday, Richards said that she was yet to receive the results of the post mortem which she understands was to be sent first to the police, before being turned over to her.

Richards’s death comes just about two months after the Occupational Safety and Health Bill was passed in Parliament.

The law was introduced to replace the Factory and Occupational Notification Act and makes provisions for employees to refuse to perform duties if it is felt that their lives, or health is in jeopardy.

The new piece of legislation, although successfully making its rounds in Parliament, is expected to be enacted in phases to allow for the setting up of the requisite authoritative bodies, and for business houses and other relevant parties to make the relevant adjustments.

Arrow marks the spot where Kelvin Richards lay pinned by a piece of the wall that had collapsed.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.