THE VINCENTIAN PDF- 19-02-21

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

19, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.07

FOSH reaching out Page 2

www.thevincentian.com

$16K of bank deferrals Page 5

New Dome growth slowing Page 13

EC$1.50

Vincy Heat manager gone Page 20

Vans strike again Page 24

MINIBUS OPERATORS HUFF AND PUFF: PM DISPELS THEIR DEMANDS Right: Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves was firm as he proceeded to expose what could be considered the folly in the minibus operators’ demands.

by DAYLE DASILVA PRIME MINISTER Dr Ralph Gonsalves has indicated that the government is prepared to assist minibus operators with a temporary economic subsidy, and that it will assist with the sanitization of vehicles used for public transport.

The Prime Minister was responding to a list of demands made of his government by the St Vincent and the Left: Minibuses from the Windward formed an impressive caravan on their way into Kingstown.

Grenadines Transportation Association (VINTAS). This after minibus operators had withdrawn their services on Monday 15th February.

Continued on Page 3.

CHOPPINS MAN KILLED

by KENVILLE HORNE POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING the shooting death of a Choppins man who was killed in Fair Hall sometime after 7:00pm on Wednesday.

Rodney Cadougan, aka ‘Menace’, was, up to the time of his death, a driver with the Electrical Inspectorate Division.

He also operated a small shop in his home community, Choppins.

Reports are that Cadougan was walking in the Fair Hall area when he was pounced on by three assailants.

Rodney ‘Menace’ Cadougan, homicide victim #3 for 2021, was said to be, at least by one person, looked up to by Continued on Page 3. people in his community.

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2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Community

FOSH SVG extends food package assistance

January, by a delay in the arrival of a shipment of food items from the USA. Sixty (60) persons were earmarked for assistance, but prevailing conditions forced the organisation to extend its benevolence to some of the most vulnerable among them.

According to President of FOSH SVG- Clyde Fitzpatrick, “All things Clyde Fitzpatrick (left) handing over a food happen for a reason and package to Gabriel ‘Jessikya’ Culzac, a former the late arrival of the calypsonian who is now totally blind. food items allowed us to A FOOD PACKAGE its environs, has been give some persons in assistance outreach, extended. times when they most undertaken by Friends of The exercise, which needed.”

Sion Hill SVG to provide was initially expected to Fitzpatrick noted that basic items to some of the take place just before the as a consequence of some economically challenged Christmas season last persons’ plight, FOSH residents of Sion Hill and year, got going in early SVG has decided to do

follow ups, even assisting some who had received before.

“Since we gave out the first set of bags, we realised that there were some persons who needed that extra, so we have continued with some of them,” a pleased Fitzpatrick told the VINCENTIAN. “We would really like to do more, but the prevailing economic conditions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, has limited our funding from the parent body in the USA,” he explained.

He noted that because of the pandemic, FOSH USA was unable to host any of their fundraising

events.

But an optimistic Fitzpatrick revealed that should things turn for the better later this year, his organization, with confirmation from FOSH USA, could see an established, ongoing programme to help some of those who are economically challenged.

“It was a first time doing this on our own, and it is good that we as an organisation are able to do something for our community,” Fitzpatrick related.

Before, FOSH partnered with the Sion Hill Sports Club and the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra in a joint venture of distributing

the food packages.

Fitzpatrick said that food package programme will go hand in hand with the annual Scholarship Programme, which assists in sending students to secondary school.

The annual scholarship programme began in 2017. Thus far, six students have been the beneficiaries of scholarships.

The Friends of Sion Hill was officially launched in June 2014 in New York, USA, with the SVG chapter coming into being in 2017.

The motto of FOSH is: ‘Rebuilding Our Community, One Life at a Time’.

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News 3

Dr. Friday encourages vaccination LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, Dr Godwin Friday is encouraging the population at large to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Friday, his wife and one of his sons received their first shots of the Covishield AstraZeneca vaccine on February 14, at the Bequia clinic.

They were among those who received from the 5,000 doses, which allow for two doses each to 2,500 persons, that this country received from Dominica from 70,000 doses donated by India.

This initial vaccination

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 3.

campaign was said to have targetted frontline workers as well as vulnerable persons in society - persons over 65 and those with underlying complications.

However, after some skepticism on the part of frontline workers, health officials adjusted the campaign to target other persons.

The Opposition Leader explained that he was contacted about a week and a half prior to getting the vaccine by Dr Simone KeizerBeache, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), who indicated that they were receiving some

Both Dr. Friday and Dr. Gonsalves have had their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

vaccines and asked whether he would be interested in being among the first to be vaccinated.

“I suppose it was partly to do with public relations to try to encourage people that public officials were taking the vaccine,” Dr. Friday said on the February 15 edition of the New Times programme.

He said that he had done his research and was confident about taking the vaccine. His wife also showed interest and then his son, who he admitted was not initially among the target group.

But although his son was interested in being vaccinated against, Dr. Friday said it was not indicative of a widespread attitude among young persons.

He opined that there were large portions of the population, not least the young, who were hesitant about taking the vaccine.

He did acknowledge, however, that the decision to be vaccinated or not was a private decision for each resident/citizen.

Minibus operators huff and puff Continued from Front Page.

The withdrawal of service had to do with the operators’ disgust with a recent COVID-19 protocol that obligated 18-passenger mini buses to carry a maximum of seven paying passengers.

Public transportation service returned to some degree of normalcy after what VINTAS said was a meeting of members of the organization and the government, including the Prime Minister.

Prefacing his attention to each of the demands, the Prime Minister stressed that he “can only make policy on a rational basis and within the context of reasonableness and the economic circumstances….”

He added that he knew that an overwhelming number of members of the public did not support the minibus operators’ action and referenced the tight economic projection for the year, including a EC$50 million deficit.

Some minibuses mounted a protest by taking up parking on the runway of the decommissioned E.T. Joshua airport. stopped.

He complained that there were some minibuses who instead of going to the points where sanitization was taking place, turned around and continued along their route.

The Prime Minister cited that the revenue generated from vehicle and drivers’ licenses along with the registration of vehicles and inspection fees, add up presently to about EC$22.7 million.

Alluding to what this money Duty free concessions might be earmarked for, Dr. Gonsalves said that there were This prompted the Prime roads in the country that cost Minister to remind the minibus more than that to rehabilitate, operators current and future, that and there were still a number of persons can get up to 80 percent other roads that needed attention. concession on brand new 26seaters or similar buses.

Waiver of all traffic tickets Reduction in fuel price There was also a 75 percent And on the request by VINTAS Dr. Gonsalves, not for the first concession on the importation of vehicles to being used to transport for a waiver of all traffic tickets time, said that the fuel price here issued to minibus operators for was amongst the cheapest within students. picking up or dropping off the CARICOM member states, Economic subsidy passengers at undesignated except for Trinidad and Tobago. points, Dr. Gonslaves reminded The request for a permanent the Association that there was no “We get some taxes from fuel,” instrument by which government Dr. Gonsalves conceded but asked economic subsidy of EC$500 was scrapped. was able to interfere with the rhetorically, “…What was the Dr. Gonsalves pointed out that judicial process. government to do? Reduce the if computed on the basis of 600 “I would have thought that the extent of the taxes? … Then how minibus operators, it would cost Association would want to see would the government pay the government EC$3.6 million a proper regulation. They said the salaries?” year. system would be properly “Add a little more on that and regulated, but some of the The Prime Minister also you could build a primary school,” elemental regulations you want to alluded to the unfairness of the PM quipped. cast aside. I can’t go to the Mercy reducing prices for minibus Provisions will be made for the Committee with this because this operators only, in a country where payment of a temporary subsidy is not a sentence,” Dr. Gonsalves there were over 30,000 vehicles. for a period of two months said. initially.

The new understanding — Continuation of sanitization subsidy, sanitization, etc., has been put in place for a month.

Waiver of all vehicle licence Dr. Gonsalves said that it was Ongoing support will be decided fees agreed that the government will on later in the year. continue this service, which never

Dr. Friday also spoke on the concept known as herd or population immunity which, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), was the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.

The only way that this country would be able to get back to some level of normalcy was through population immunity, Dr. Friday posited, and highlighted the vaccine as one way of getting to that point. (DD)

Choppins man killed Continued from Front Page.

Persons in the area reported hearing up to nine gunshots and when his body was discovered in some bushes, it is said to have shown signs of bullet wounds to the head.

Information received also spoke of signs of him being strangled.

A close friend of the deceased and his family told THE VINCENTIAN newspaper that Cadougan’s “girlfriend lives in the community” in which he was killed, and “he is the father of least three children.”

The friend admitted, “He wasn’t a saint… he had issues,” but contended, “...not to the point where you could see him being killed in such manner.

The friend said that while persons might use Cadougan’s nickname to justify his death, the name is not an actual reflection of who he was, and proceeded to give an account of how the deceased got the nickname.

He related that in 2002 Codougan bought a minibus and named it “Menace’. That name was transferred to him and stayed with him up to his death.

Cadougan was described as a talented sports person in his time. “’Menace’ was one of the best sprinters in Emmanuel High School and he also came very close go joining the national Under-20 football team,” the friend told THE VINCENTIAN. “He was well known to people in the community and people looked up to him because he was ambitious. He will be missed,” said the friend, who is also from Choppins.

Codougan’s death counts the fourth homicide so far for 2021.

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4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Courts

High powered gun seized excellent. His commendation came during the sentencing of SENIOR Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche Lenford George Robinson, 38 Possession of this AR15 has lauded Corporal LaFleur Williams of year old chef and carpenter of rifle and ammunition the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) for her Kingston, Jamaica, to five years landed a Jamaica in jail. in prison for possession of an AR15 rifle, a prohibited weapon. of interest to the Robinson was also sentenced to two police. A search years for possession of 60 rounds of warrant was executed Lenford 5.50mm ammunition. at his apartment at George REYNOLD LEDGER is one of those heard earlier that on the morning of The sentences are to run Gibson Corner, and persons who are bent on reaping what February 12, Hull went to her land to concurrently. during the search the Robinson, a Jamaican they did not sow. do some work. She left around 11:45 Robinson had pleaded guilty to both high powered rifle But Chief Magistrate Rechanne a.m. leaving everything intact. charges before Chief Magistrate and ammunition were national, will Browne told the 43-year-old When she returned on February 16 Rechanne Browne handed down the serve five found. agricultural produce thief on around 4 p.m., she noticed that 16 years for penalties at the Serious Offences Robinson came to Wednesday that, “If you want to have holes of dasheen were uprooted, and Court on Friday, February 12. possession of these shores legally these things, plant them.” the bunch of banana missing.

Delpleche recommended a custodial last year, and his stay a prohibited The Magistrate added, “People can’t She reported the matter to the sentence, and that the penalties reflect here was due to end weapon. afford to plant and you coming and police, and Ledger was handed over to the seriousness of the offences. in March. reaping what you ain’t sow.” the police by someone.

The facts revealed that officers of Nero, who had Browne noted that Ledger had been He was cautioned, but gave no the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) acting stated that the marijuana belonged to before the Court several times before statement. on intelligence, went in search of a him, pleaded guilty to the charge of on charges of a similar nature.

Farmers here have been suffering at particular vehicle spotted in the South possession of controlled drugs Her comments came just after the hands of thieves for several years. Leeward area. (marijuana) at the Serious Offences ordering Ledger to pay compensation Senior Prosecutor Adolphus However, while the officers were in Court on Wednesday, February 10, in the sum of $40 forthwith to Anetta Delpleche has been very consistent in pursuit of the vehicle, it was already and was fined.

Hull of Cane End, Mesopotamia, for his call for the police to charge persons stopped by police from the Questelles Robinson was represented by stealing 16 holes of dasheen and one under the Praedial Larceny Act, which Station. attorney Grant Connell who requested bunch of banana from Hull’s land at was passed specifically to deal with The vehicle was occupied by three a fine and deportation. However, the Glenside, Mesopotamia. In default, he praedial larceny, and which carries persons, Robinson as referenced, Chief Magistrate thought that the fivewould go to prison for one month. heavier penalties and gives the police Erasto Nero of Edinboro and Eric year prison sentence was appropriate The Glenside man was also bonded more powers of arrest.

Conliffe of Kingstown Park. A search in the circumstances, and in addition, for six months. If he breaches the However, the police continues to of the vehicle revealed a quantity of she made an order for him to be bond, he would have to pay the Court charge offenders under the Criminal marijuana. removed from the country on $900 forthwith or go to prison for six Code, in relation to the theft of Robinson was identified as a person completion of his sentences. months. agriculture produce and livestock.

The Serious Offences Court had Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

role in a recent police action, which led to a high powered rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition being taken off the streets.

The Prosecutor’s described the female officer’s performance as

‘Don’t reap what you ain’t sow’

„No justice,‰ says KingÊs lawyer

ATTORNEY Kay Bacchushim when the matter Baptiste has described last resumed on February 11. week Thursday hearing Bacchus-Baptiste also said involving her client Luzette that she wrote to the Director King, as a ‘travesty’, and says of Public Prosecutions (DPP) she is convinced that her asking that the Chief Medical client did not get justice.

Officer (CMO), Dr. Simone King, a social activist, had Keizer-Beache, be there so that she (Bacchus-Baptiste) appeared before a virtual court could have the opportunity to on Monday 8th February to question her. answer to a charge of failing Attorney Kay But according to the to present herself to an Bacchuslawyer, she got no response immigration officer at the Baptiste claims from the DPP and the CMO Argyle International Airport on January 30, 2021. She had that her clientdid not show up at the Luzette King, returned from the United hearing, on February 11, as has been States of which she is also a she was attending a news denied justice. conference. citizen.

She pleaded not guilty and The lawyer said Dr. was granted $2,000 bail with one Duncan said there was a backlog in surety. The matter was adjourned to the processing of the exemption, and Thursday, February 11, when the they had informed King of this.

Court was expected to hear from But Bacchus-Baptiste said that Medical Officer of Health Dr. Roger according to her instructions, the Duncan, in relation to the issue of Health Authorities did not respond to exemptions from quarantining at King’s application. hotels.

“I am convinced the Health King had applied for exemption Authorities are not handling from having to spend 14 days at a exemptions transparently. It appears hotel, as required by COVID-19 as if the process is without merit, and protocols. She gave reasons for her that they are playing politics,” application as follows: that she could Bacchus-Baptiste opined. not afford to pay for the 14 days, as Meanwhile, King has been slapped she was unemployed; that she lived with two additional charges. She is along in a house which is secure, and accused of not presenting her luggage where she could be safely quarantined; as required, and failing to present that her doctor had placed her on herself to customs. special dietary requirements which Those offences were also alleged to she would not be able to get at a hotel. have been committed at the Argyle Bacchus-Baptiste told THE International Airport on January 30.

VINCENTIAN this week, that when She has maintained her innocence King returned to the Virtual Court on on all charges, and hearing has been Thursday, Chief Magistrate Rechanne adjourned to March.

Browne heard from Dr. Duncan, but The bottom as per Bacchus-Baptiste what he said was not taken on oath,and she was not allowed to cross- is that her client now has to find money to pay the guest house where examine him, despite her request at the hearing on February 8 to question she is currently quarantined.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 5.

Regional

ECCU economy contracts: Bank Loan deferrals over 16K THE NINETY-EIGHTH MEETING of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was held on 12 February 2021, via videoconference, under the Chairmanship of Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis.

The meeting heard that the COVID-19 pandemic posed substantial economic and health related challenges to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) in 2020.

The ECCU economy is estimated to have contracted by 15.0 percent compared to a projected pre-pandemic

expansion of 3.2 percent.

Tourism, the region’s dominant export, is estimated to have declined by 75.0 percent.

The ECCU economy is projected to grow by 4.0 percent in 2021.

Financial Stability The Council was advised that overall, the

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (centre front row) with CARICOM Heads of Government during their 2019 meeting in NY. (Source: File Photo Gov. of India)

CARICOM thanks India for vaccines

THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) expressed its gratitude for India’s generous contribution of more than a hundred thousand COVID-19 vaccines to the region, in a tweet last week Thursday.

Among the major recipients of the vaccines are Barbados and Dominica, which will get 100,000 doses and 70,000 doses, respectively.

CARICOM’s Secretary-General is Ambassador Irwin LaRocque called it “a tangible expression of goodwill in this challenging time.”

Barbados and Dominica are both reported to be willing to share their vaccines with other Caribbean neighbors.

Members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as Guyana and Trinidad will benefit from India’s donation, said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

The leaders of Barbados and Dominica had earlier expressed their heartfelt thanks to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, after getting swift approvals on their requests for supplies of vaccines.

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who sought the vaccines on January 19, said he wasn’t hoping that Dominica would get the vaccines so soon.

“I must confess that I did not imagine that the prayers of my

country would be answered so swiftly,” PM Skerrit said at a formal ceremony at the airport last week Tuesday, held soon after the plane with the vaccines arrived.

“One would have thought and understood that in a global pandemic such as this, a nation’s size and might would have been the primary considerations,” he added.

Barbados PM Mottley also thanked India’s prime minister for “his quick, decisive, and magnanimous action” for considering Barbados’ humble request for an ample supply of vaccines.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mottley said: “I trust that you are well and safe. On behalf of my Government and people, I wish to express gratitude to you, your Government and the people of the Republic of India for its most generous donation of the Covishield vaccines (under the auspices of Oxford Astrazeneca).”

She also alluded to negotiations that are underway with India to buy a second batch of the vaccine for Barbados.

Mottley told the Barbados media, “These are part of the first batch of a potential 200,000 doses for Barbados.

We are asking and hoping that we can purchase the remaining 100,000 from the government of India,” Mottley said. (Source: thecaribbeannewsnow.com)

financial sector in the ECCU remained stable in 2020, despite the pandemic and the subsequent economic contraction.

To date, none of the Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs) operating in the ECCU has requested liquidity support from the ECCB. However, over the five quarters ended 30 September 2020, there was an upward trend in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) culminating with an ECCU average of 11.2 percent.

It is anticipated that the NPL ratio will increase when the current loan moratorium expires in September 2021.

The Meeting was further apprised that as at 30 November 2020, commercial banks were providing deferral on

The EC dollar remains stable amid challenging economic times for the ECCU. 16,834 commercial bank loans, with a total outstanding balance of $4.3b, which represents 32.0 percent of total loans.

The deferrals, the ECCB reported, were due primarily to loss of jobs or salary reduction because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the 16,834 loan deferrals, St. Lucia accounted for 6,635, Grenada 4,069, Antigua and Barbuda 1,684, St. Vincent and the

Grenadines 1,642, St. Kitts and Nevis 1,182, Dominica 990, Anguilla 830 and Montserrat with only 2 deferrals.

The meeting was advised that amid the challenging economic environment the Currency Union experienced expansion in its foreign reserve portfolio in I 2020.

However, the Banking Ratio declined on account of an increase in credit to member governments.

(Source: ECCB)

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 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

Lent: Pray for our leaders

BY THE TIME THIS EDITION of THE VINCENTIAN hits the streets, Ash Wednesday would have come and gone and Roman Catholics and Anglicans, in particular, would have had their foreheads marked with ash, and gone on their way.

Ash Wednesday, though, is much more than about ashes.

It begins, more importantly, the Lenten Season, the period of 40 days that precedes the celebration of Easter.

Today, therefore, we accept that Lent is a season of conversion, of cleansing, i.e. to acknowledge that we have turned away from good, and refocus on turning that around.

And while we must take care of our own transgressions, we must call into view our political leaders who might not be disposed to prayer, so we must do it for them and ask forgiveness for their transgressions.

After all, don’t the scriptures call us, the Church, to pray for our political leaders and authorities, a la Timothy 2:1-2?

First and foremost, we must commit to pray for all leaders, regardless of their party/party policy. It can be tempting to extend our prayers only to those leaders with whom we agree or for whom we voted.

But all leaders are men and women of the same flesh, prone to transgress.

Pray that leaders would make decisions that contribute to the peace of and justice for all those under their authority.

We have perhaps taken for granted that those who lead and/or aspire to lead would guarantee peace and justice for all. The danger in taking this for granted is that those who lead would feel they have a passport to run roughshod over us. We must pray that they see peace and justice as life’s virtues for all to enjoy not only their supporters.

Pray that political authorities would be able to stand firm in their beliefs and convictions. There are many in political offices who proclaim to

be followers of Jesus. But they become subsumed in wanting to please their constituents, to align with a political party policy, or even to gain favour with their peers, and in so doing they fall prey to things contrary to their ‘faith’.

Pray that our leaders would come under the positive influence of what is right and just instead of forsaking this for political power.

We should never hesitate to pray that political leaders would come to know what is forgiveness — how to forgive and how to ask forgiveness rather than to become wrapped up in an inordinate love of themselves.

Pray that all political leaders would do their jobs well, and that they would all come to a realization and acceptance that they are servants of the people.

We should pray that they do their jobs well with the resources that they have been given, and that they would do so with great integrity of character.

Political leaders are stewards of a public trust, and we pray and expect them to use that which has been entrusted to them–whether finances, resources, authority, or decision-making power–for the good of all people.

Pray that political leaders would make decisions that allow the truth to be shared freely. Pray that our leaders will concede that the truth must be fashioned across the land and allowed to flourish unhindered; that they would allow those who have something to say to be allowed to do so within the boundaries of the law of the land and not within the prejudices and biasness of their own calling.

Let us pray that our political authorities and also our judicial authorities (judges, courts, etc.) will be attuned to the need to see these freedoms protected, not only for some, but for all people.

Let us pray.

A pocketful of problems to handle (First published in THE VINCENTIAN of February 9, 2017.)

THE POLITICAL POT is approaching boiling-point. Within the next two months or so it is likely to blow its top. We continue to tread the path to which we seem committed, a fight to the finish in an internecine war.

Let us look at the current rundown. We are now in the throes of a very important budget session. As soon as it is formally through we are on to see a very significant convention of the NDP, the first since the election of Dr. Godwin Friday as the new President, following the tenure of Arnhim Eustace after some eighteen years.

All the while the election petitions have been hanging in the balance before the court, and due to be heard after about fifteen months following an election that returned a disputed one-seat majority for the ruling ULP, a record of sorts in terms of the delay involved.

Three weeks prior to that outcome, the Argyle International Airport will be opened, which has been anticipated as a worrying controversial happening.

Then March 28, National Heroes Day rolls by, which to date has offered one hero only, Joseph Chatoyer since 2002. For fifteen long years the ULP administration has been unable to enlarge the category of National Heroes. At least the AIA won that competition of sorts.

And preparations are underway for the 40th anniversary of our modern carnival next July, which just about synchronises with the like anniversary of the Comrade in the field of politics, as a fresh crop of leaders emerge to take over the fortunes of the ULP. But that is running ahead. A lot of turbulence will accompany the foregoing events, and “This Week” expects that the next six months will be hectic at least. So we will concentrate on a few pleasantries, neutral facts and small talk for the rest of “This Week”.

First of all, here are some interesting facts in SVG politics. Heads of Government often took non-Vincentian wives: Mrs Ivy Joshua, a Grenadian; Mrs Lucyann Cato, a Nevisian; Mrs Pat Mitchell, a Canadian; Mrs Eloise Gonsalves, a DominicanTrinidadian. As an educated guess, the next Prime Minister will either be Camillo Gonsalves with a Jamaican wife or Godwin Friday with a Trinidadian wife.

To date, Arnhim Eustace has been the only Prime Minister with a native wife, which probably explains why he served as PM for only half-a-term!

It has been a not dissimilar story with the

heads of state.

Gun Munro’s wife was English. Lady David Jack was born in the USA of Vincentian parents and carried a Vincentian passport; Charles Antrobus became divorced from his Vincentian wife and wedded a Trinidadian; Freddy Ballantyne, with even-handedness, married four times - two Vincentians, one Canadian and one Pilipino. Rupert John was the sole head of state with a single Vincentian wife.

Another statistic which is most interesting: Edgie Richards is the only person to have run in three constituencies, for three parties, and lost every time - in North Windward for the PLM in 1957; for the PPP twice in East St George in 1961 and 1966; and once for Dr. Gideon Cordice’s SNM in a by-election in Central Leeward in 1983.

My better friends have always warned me of hiding my light under a Bushel. So I beat my chest a little on reading of a cricketing feat of 5 wickets for 7 in a July 2016 article

by Patmos Richards, in a soft ball match in Kingstown.

In 1950, 67 years ago, in a Junior House match played on the Grammar School pasture, with “leather seed” ball, I captured 7 wickets for 7 runs, all clean—bowled, for Green House against Reeves House.

My victims were the opening pair of Ashton brothers from Layou, Fosdick F.C Huggins, Raymond Liverpool, Alfie Roberts who played later for the West Indies, Phil Ambris who became a lawyer and was fatally shot in Arthur Williams’ chambers, and Joe Linley who is still living in Florida, USA. Lester Huggins is also still living at Layou. He claims not to recall my feat in full, but I remembered getting him first ball for nought in both innings. He shaped up as a left-hander in the first and a right-handed in the second, in which he settled for the rest of his career, which was nothing short of illustrious.

Indeed, This Week acclaims Lester Huggins our best all-round sportsman for the 20th Century — medium-fast bowler, dashing stroke-player, a left-wing in football and goalkeeper of class, a quarter-mile and performer of the jumps and hurdles, great swimmer with mastering the dives.

In short, at 80 years, Huggins deserves some national accolade as the complete sportsman of the 20th century.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 7.

Letters

A Tax by some other name…….

THE INCREASE in the Customs Service Charge by one percent is projected to raise about $9.6 million in a budget of $1.2 billion. Some of my friends have said to me, ‘So what? That’s not that much to pay for a more effective and efficient Customs Department.”

Sadly, I feel exactly the opposite and ask, why in these difficult times, through no fault of anyone, when the overall economy is expected to contract by between 2%-5%, would we increase taxes?

Why when the Finance Minister publicly admits that “...tax non-compliance in the Grenadines is 50% among residents and 40% of the majority of businesses in the

Grenadines are neither registered or filing returns,” should we increase the burden on the rest of us who pay what is asked of us?

I ask this especially when the Minister of Finance also said that we deferred a number of revenue enhancement measures enacted last year. If the time is right Mr. Minister, then let’s not add a new tax just simply reinstate an existing authorized tax or revenue source that was deferred.

This new tax (fee increase) at the Customs will most definitely be passed on to all consumers through an increase in the cost of goods purchased. I will say again: a

sales or consumption tax is a regressive tax that disproportionately affects the poor and lower individuals’ income in our country.

Let’s take two people I know, one working for $1,200 per month and the other $5,000 per month.

Let’s say they both spend $500 on taxable grocery items.

Let’s say the average tax rate on these items is 12%. Both of my friends will pay $60 per month in taxes for grocery or $720 per year.

Note from this scenario: Friend number one is paying 5% per year of his income on these taxable items, while friend number two is paying less than 1.2% of his income

for the same taxable items.

It is for this reason, if ever I am going to support a tax increase it will be based on income not consumption.

Low income taxpayers pay a disproportionately large share of their income on any consumption base tax. We must find a more equitable way to raise revenues as a nation. Giving too much weight to sales taxes isn’t just bad for those living at or below the poverty line, it’s bad for local economies!

We are never going to raise enough revenue from folks in the lower income bracket, to fund the government. In fact, to try to do so is a recipe for fiscal disaster.

So, governments lacked the political will to enact increases in income taxes, even though, in my opinion, it’s fairer and a more progressive way to tax our citizens.

I think one reason for government’s reluctance to increase income tax is that consumption tax is less noticeable by most consumers.

The one percent increase in the Customs Service Charge enacted in the last budget would hardly be noticeable at the supermarket or convenience stores, but at the end of the day it may raise about $9 million.

Horatio

Learning West Indies win but⁄

from T&T IT WAS heart-warming to note that as recent as last week, I think, the Government and the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T joined hands and voted for what they called the Evidence (Amendment) Bill.

While that is something we can learn from, it is what cause the Unity among members of the Parliament in T&T that caught my attention.

All of this followed on the kidnapping and murder of a young lady, Andrea Bharatt. Her body was discovered in a mountainous area of Trinidad nine days after her kidnapping.

Her death not only brought the Parliament together, but it seemed the whole of Trinidad and Tobago came together in a way the country has not experienced in a long time.

What is the lesson for us: While we need for all of us to come together especially in this time of the COVID19 pandemic, the prevailing dengue fever crisis and the active La Soufriere, I hope that this unity does not come as a result of a similar incident to the one involving Ms. Bharatt.

Thomas

AFTER HOW I have been ‘beating up’ on the West Indies cricket team, a friend called me after we beat Bangladesh in the second test, to say I must apologise for the bad things I have said about the team.

Now, I don’t want to get into no argument about whether what I have said in the past has been right or wrong. All I will say at this point is, let’s not get carried away.

Mind you, I must hand it to the team, for they were classified as a second rate team (which I supported) since many of the leading players, for selfish reasons in my opinion, pulled out of the tour.

Now that the

replacement team has beaten Bangladesh which we, with all the stars, could not do on the last tour to that country when we were taken to pieces, it is heartening to see us returning the favour.

So, before we go any further, let me offer my congratulations to the Replacement Team that did want the starstudded team couldn’t do.

That said, I want to take away a few things from the tour: It seems like we will have to consider Alzarri Joseph as a full-fledged all-rounder if not a frontline batsman. He has come on significantly with the bat.

Kyle Mayers, we will

have to watch and put under somebody’s wing, otherwise he will end up like so many others who began brightly but quickly faded.

What are we going to do with Joshua Da Silva?

As far as I am concerned, he would be my first choice wicket-keeper from here on in. And the man can bat 1000 times better than that fellow Shane Dowrich, probably better than some of the top order men.

And Rahkeem Cornwall will now be selected as a spinner who can bat, not the reverse.

I know my friend and others will not like my opinion but that’s just what it is. I wonder what others think.

By the way, the

victory doesn’t change anything in the Men’s Team Test ranking. We remain in 8th position just one position above Bangladesh.

Charles, Edinboro

Our ChurchesÊ influence THERE HAS been so much said about churches here. Even the Prime Minister has got in on the talk, about which church supporting which political party.

I am sorry to say, if that is what the churches have become — bastions of support for one political party or the other — then I would prefer not to be associated with any.

Look at what the PM said recently about his ‘own’ church, the R.C. Church. He literally painted his Church as a home of NDP support. (I wonder if that is since Bishop Gordon stood up to him.)

Don’t know if he was referring to the

Kingstown Church but that is not the point; his reference included the whole church, including what he said about his own church in Colonaire, the home of the Church for Portuguese.

Yes, we say all sorts of things about the church but have we even stopped to ask far less understand where is the influence of the church?

To me the answer to that question goes way beyond the ‘saving of souls’ and must apply to influence in combating all areas of national concern, e.g. corruption, crime, violence (including domestic violence), application of the law, human rights and violence.

The way I see it, if you put all the churches in SVG together, and there are many, many, some say too many of them, that one church would have the largest audience to spread a message.

Wouldn’t it be great if that message is one that says it is okay to have different views and even a different Christian

perspective?

Our churches must get out of the narrowmindedness of preaching that there is only one way of seeing things if you are or want to be a Christian. And political leaders must respect the churches’ right in this regard.

Katherine, R

* If government is collecting on every head sent to quarantine at a designated hotel/guest house, how much is the Government collecting? * Is this ‘collection’ going into a special fund to aid in the fight against COVID-19? * Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could get an idea of how much these hotels are raking in at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was supposed to have hit them so hard? And have there been any laying off of workers from these hotels and guest houses? * How come all of sudden government has to introduce a tax increase so that it could get funds to pay all them regional organisations?

Wasn’t the government budgeting for these expenses all the time? * Who do those mini bus operators feel they are? Are they living in the same space as the majority of us? Isn’t it better they did ask for the government to give them free buses and done with that? * And by the way, when are they going to appreciate that there are other vehicle users on the same roads that they have to use?

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

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Addressing COVID-19 management at the highest levels

Introduction THIS COUNTRY like all countries around the world, continues to deal with the many impacts of COVID-19 on our people, addressing the many challenges facing us.

From the very beginning, the Prime Minister of this country, Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves, saw dimensions of this pandemic that were not obvious and articulated them at various fora locally, regionally and internationally. We are reminded of the 4 dimensions articulated by comrade Ralph - Health, Economic, Social and Security (HESS) - and the understanding that tackling COVID-19 successfully required that leaders look beyond just the impact of the pandemic on health, and instead examine linkages with the other dimensions. Dr. Gonsalves also recognised that as discussions began about a possible vaccine being developed, there could arise what he referred to as “Vaccine nationalism” where developed countries, having first access to the lifesaving medication could ignore the realities of poorer countries. He raised this issue during the General Debate at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Below is an excerpt from the statement made by Dr. Gonsalves, addressing the need for a coordinated approach to the distribution of vaccines in a manner that doesn’t disadvantage developing countries. This is an obvious and clear indication of the importance of thoughtful, mature leadership, that doesn’t offer “knee-jerk” responses, but anticipates challenges and proposes solutions to address those challenges.

“Mr. President, The simple truth is that the COVID19 pandemic has brought about a profoundly altered condition of life, living, and production. None of the awesome challenges arising from this altered condition can be solved by incrementalism or minimalist pragmatism which merely tinkers with the pre-existing global economy. To be sure, human ingenuity and science will produce a vaccine within the next few months or a year and the COVID rate of infection, hospitalisation and deaths will come down globally.

But haunting questions remain: Would the vaccine be available cheaply and universally to all peoples the world over? Or would its distribution be so skewed within, and across countries, that there is likely to arise a deafening roar that: “Only Rich Lives Matter?”

The good intentions of our United Nations and its specialised agencies such as the World Health Organisation may nibble away at the inequity of a skewed outcome, but their impacts are likely to be only marginal unless there is an enforceable, international rulesbased compact between all countries and major pharmaceutical companies to deliver universally and affordably the fruits of science and human ingenuity.

It cannot be the usual result of corporate profits ahead of people’s lives, livelihoods, social solidarity, and security.

Even if, in this instance of COVID-19, the international community rises to the challenge and confirms that faith and good intentions without practical works is an illusion, would this be only an episodic response which leaves the preexisting global order in place until the next, and inevitable, pandemic arises?

This irrational dangerous cycle has to be reconfigured with a global consensus not merely to “build back better” but to build back optimally and enduringly for all of humanity’s sake.

Fundamentally, Mr. President, the

How can it be business as usual in a time of crisis?

(Pt.2)

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

It is a truism, repeatedly ignored by powerful nations globally and ruling classes in dominant countries, that our central global challenges cannot be solved in isolation of each other or only on the terms of the powerful. Yet the old reflexes kick in, harming inevitably the strong and the weak, though not in equal measure. So, we end up, metaphorically, with a proud man who is ignorant of that which he is most assured.

Right reason and mature reflection teach that over the past 50 years of the dominant human civilization, and its appending off-shoots, there has been an explosion of individualism and freedom engendered by a huge enlargement of personal, financial, technological, and social spaces. Atomised individualism has been elevated as the appotheosis of progress; and social solidarity has become frayed, tattered, and diminished as a public good. So, along comes a pandemic and the atomised individual has to rely on the prudent and collective good behaviour of his neighbors to stay healthy. This circle cannot be easily squared in an individualistic, dog-eatdog social order; and, metaphorically, all hell has broken loose.

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

Let us thus Lift Humanity Higher!

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

(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Budget Presentation) EVERY DARK cloud has a silver lining.

We should take advantage of the opportunity presented by the COVID crisis to deepen our integration in the region, rather than to grandstand and celebrate the misfortunes of others.

Even so, what is there for us to boast about? The notion that St. Vincent and the Grenadines may have a smaller economic decline that other OECS countries does not speak to the strength of our economy or the wisdom of the Minister. It is the opposite. With the worst hotel stock in the OECS and small tourism product, our economic contraction could easily be smaller, as we are coming from a smaller base.

For example, in 2019, our economic growth was the worst in the OECS at 0.49%, worse than Dominica which was just recovering from the ravages of two massive hurricanes in 2019. We were already at the bottom, so not far to fall. To quote the inimitable Bob Dylan, “When ya aint got nothing, you got nothin to lose.”

This is a tale not of a mighty Minister charting a course out of the storm; rather it is a tale of mismanagement and incompetence. It is little wonder we are so overtaxed in this country. We are in a tailspin going nowhere fast. We cannot deal with the economic problems without dealing with the health risk. As the virus spreads in our country, so too will economic hardship and pain.

Other countries in the region with less serious outbreaks have been decisive in their responses. They have restricted movement into the country and within the country, because they understand the virus spreads more rapidly with more contact and interaction there is among people.

When we say the government should close the airports and seaports to all but essential travel, including return of nationals, they reject it out of hand.

Yet, they cite the fact that Air Canada has stopped flight to St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a positive thing that might help in the fight against the virus. So, they agree that flights to the country should be curtailed for a time, but they don’t want to make the decision to curtail them. They note with approval that many businesses in the country closed over the COVID holiday weekend, acknowledging that the closure was a good thing for fighting the spread of the disease, yet they did not mandate closure.

And for the record, let me say that the idea I suggested last week to use schools as temporary isolation centres is not the bad idea they tried to say it was. It is an option to be used only because school is out, not to keep school out.

We don’t need all the schools, just a couple large, suitable ones. You don’t have to put in hard walls and extensive facilities. More bathrooms yes. China built an entire field hospital for thousands in a matter of

weeks; New York converted the massive Javits Conference Centre into a temporary hospital in a few weeks.

We don’t have their expertise and money, but we can do the required alterations, if the will is there. You mean we could not put in dividers and a few bathrooms in the time since the COVID-19 outbreak began here?

It has been over a month since the (last) outbreak. We would recall it was the same time, December 28th, 2020, that the Minister of Finance was here boasting about how well his government had done to contain the virus and save the economy. Are we so lacking in resources and initiative to get this done or is it that the government, true to form, intends to do as little as possible and hope for the best?

Their COVID strategy is to send people to isolate at home, and hope they will do the right thing. But if a few family members get the disease, they might just stay at home too and not even report their condition, so the numbers are suppressed as well. They seem to think that so long as people are not dying in numbers, they can ride this thing out. That is wicked. It is short-sighted. It is gambling with people’s health and lives.

You are going to wait until more people die before taking necessary action to curb the spread? The other countries around us get it, and by their actions, such as ending travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are actually helping us.

The Barbados government has imposed a temporary lockdown; and is sending health workers into communities all over Barbados to find people who might be infected, test them and respond according to the result. This, because Prime Minister Mottley said the earlier they detect cases of COVID-19 the better the chances of saving lives.

It does not matter the number. If we can save a life, we save life. We know that most people will recover without even feeling sick, but some may not be so fortunate. And it should not be left to chance and to the individuals` own initiative only, to determine if they live or die; the government has a duty to try to find them early and give them the best chance of surviving.

We Recommend: Close our air and sea travel to all but essential travel and commerce, and returning nationals, for 28 days in the first instance. Let us get control of the community spread and not compound the problem with 50 to 100 new visitor arrivals every week.

Provide adequate facilities for isolation of positive cases. Sending people home to isolate and not even checking to see if it is safe to do so in the home, is crazy. The current approach leads to further spread and prolongs the health risk and economic fallout. And use guest houses or hotels if available, but a large school if necessary.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 9.

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Beyond Tokenism

Black history outlasts February

“… Further, when markers of race, gender, gender fluidity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and other factors are the only criteria considered in hiring or admissions, students are cheated, as are those chosen to meet diversity measures on the basis of identity alone. Nothing is more essentialist or constraining than diversity understood strictly in terms of identity.” Michael Rectenwald (born 1959) American scholar who has taught at several institutions, most notably at New York University.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH is here again — and we continue treating Caribbean History like an academic subject only to be remembered in February, instead of a compulsory subject for every Caribbean student, all-year-round.

We remember Marcus Garvey, Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. However, we overlook those giants and icons still standing tall among us and designated as ‘national heroes’, but not given equal treatment regionally.

Advocates for change are pressing for urgent upgrading of the History curriculum at our schools to reflect real contemporary Caribbean History.

However, it’s still left (primarily) to individual principals and teachers to find innovative ways to introduce new subjects to classes of young Caribbean minds getting ready to shape the region’s tomorrow.

We are necessarily re-writing Caribbean History in our own images and likeness. Still, it’s also necessary to understand that many teachers than imagined have also been mostly miseducated about our history, and the process of re-learning also applies to them.

The knowledge gap between today’s students and yesterday’s teachers was technically bridged by technology. Still, IT has also widened the gap by the comparative ease with which students consume the info at their fingertips.

Yet, with all the knowledge at hand, students and teachers still need guidance – at times – about which Caribbean heroes they are searching for and why.

Our Caribbean Heroes are very much lost on Our Caribbean.

Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott are still regarded as ‘Saint Lucia’s two Nobel Prizewinners’; and few know that Saint John Pearce, from Guadeloupe, was the first Caribbean writer to win a Nobel Prize for Literature.

Saint Lucians (and Caribbean people) still don’t know about John Quinlan, who solely represented Africans and Blacks in all British colonies at the Royal Commission on Reparations commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1887; or that (ex-slave) Freedom Fighters who established a republic on Saint Lucia in the 1790s were defeated by a combined invading fleet of 15,000 French and British troops, then captured and shipped to be sold back into slavery in England in 1796 on a ship named ‘London’, only to die when it wrecked off the coast of Devon.

Our students still essentially don’t know about Haiti’s roles in reshaping the world, the roles of Frantz Fanon and Aime Cesaire of Martinique in raising Black Consciousness in Africa, who was Barbados’ ‘Bussa’ or Guyana’s ‘Cuffy’, or Jamaica’s Paul Bogle or Queen Nanny, or Amy Jacques Garvey and Amy Ainsworth Garvey.

Surinam is part of CARICOM, but most regional citizens know nothing about its Maroons and their history or their heroes; we only now accept there was never any ‘Caribs’ and ‘Arawaks’; and Caribbean students still know precious little about ‘Leaper’s Hill’ in Grenada or paramount chief Chatoyer of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), or this small CARICOM nation (SVG) being the origin of the over 800 thousand Garifunas who populate the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. We still don’t know Tim Daisy, Danny Williams or the mighty Shake Keane.

Four decades after their deaths, Caribbean students are still not being taught about the contributions of Walter Rodney and Maurice Bishop, Cheddi and Janet Jagan; nor about the February 18, 1970 revolts in Trinidad &

THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines tokenism as “the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing, especially by recruiting a small number of people from under-represented groups in order to give the appearance of sexual or racial equality within a workforce.” It is a policy or practice of making only a symbolic effort (as to desegregate).

Over the last three decades the references to tokenism, especially in North America and Europe, have tended to be related to race. For example, the civil rights movement in the United States of America pressured the American society to provide easier access for blacks to be admitted to institutions of higher learning. This was considered necessary as some universities and colleges made it extremely difficult for persons of colour to be admitted. This gave rise to affirmative action; a set of policies and practices that sought to increase the representation of blacks in areas in which they were excluded. Advocates of affirmative action also noted that blacks and people of colour were also discriminated against in relation to employment and promotion within establishments.

History records that many elite colleges and universities in North America and Europe were largely reserved for wealthy and predominantly white students. However, in the 20th century, many of these institutions evolved to be more inclusive as social pressures were created and sustained by advocates of “equality”. These activists skilfully used the media to highlight the unfair admission practices and forced these institutions of higher learning to grant access to all citizens based on their academic performance and not have this limited to race, gender, religion, nationality, or ethnicity.

While affirmative action opened the door for many disadvantaged individuals to advance their academic careers at such colleges and universities, their performance once admitted helped create the tsunami that enabled so many other previously disadvantaged citizens to gain admission. These early academic pioneers convinced the education administrators, and the society at large, that they were intelligent enough to take affirmative action beyond tokenism.

Based on the foregoing, we could understand and appreciate why some persons consider affirmative action to be one of the best tools colleges and universities have to promote diversity and to guarantee that those who are otherwise shut out of institutions of higher learning have a chance to earn a quality education. However, advocates for justice and equality must be forever vigilant as we observe the re-emergence of racial tensions in the United States of

America and Europe. This, coupled with the displacements that are likely to take place as societies grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, can easily kindle the flames of racism and discrimination that previously created obstacles for those talented individuals of colour seeking entry to the halls of academia.

In the case of the USA, while some may argue that the Supreme Court has repeatedly supported and sheltered “equality in admissions”, we must recognize that there are some groups that continue to undermine the access for students of colour. Such groups have argued that affirmative action has hurt white students by denying them admission spaces that they would have been entitled to had provision not been made to accommodate students of colour (i.e. blacks, Latinos, and Asian Americans).

It must be understood that access to quality education is a very significant conduit to alleviating poverty and facilitating increased spending power and upward mobility within the society.

It is therefore not surprising that those individuals who advocate white supremacy will be relentless in seeking to sow division in communities of colour and, if possible, seek to influence decision makers to reverse or disregard the provisions designed for the advancement of those communities that now benefit from affirmative action. We are encouraged by the commitment of the leaders of civil rights groups who, regardless of the opposition faced, continue to demonstrate the need for affirmative action. Research confirms that race-conscious admissions practices are considered imperative and priceless in the fight for racial equity in higher education.

While this essay has focused primarily on tokenism in relation to colour and admissions to institution of higher learning in North America and Europe, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are other citizens who have been “disadvantaged” for a number of years due to their gender, religion, sexual preferences, and so on. Some females are still overlooked for promotion and improved employment packages in the workplace. However, many of our Caribbean nations are proud to advertise and highlight the fact that many women hold senior positions in business, government, and society. This is as it should be. Once they are qualified and competent enough to do the job they should not be restrained from doing so. This being the case, it is considered very insulting when a female gets promoted or appointed to a prominent position in government or the private sector and comments emerge to imply that their promotion is cosmetic … intended to “look good” when, in fact, they are professionals who deserve the elevation based on their performance and character. Our society must continue to recognize and applaud talents and abilities wherever they reside; regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, and so on. When we do, we will discover that we have unearthed talents and abilities that take individuals and societies far beyond tokenism.

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

Tobago, the February 25, 1980, military takeover in Surinam, the December 1978 ‘coup’ in Dominica or the March 13, 1979, Grenada Revolution.

Enough may exist about the traditional Black Heroes embraced by the world. Still, there are untold numbers of others, dead and alive, who have also made silent and unheralded contributions that have changed humanity.

For example, the world still hardly knows it wasn’t South Africa’s Dr Christiaan Barnard who invented heart transplant surgery, but instead his Black gardener Hamilton Naki (in 1967); or that it was a black man who introduced vaccinations to the USA. Or that Black inventors invented the following things we use and see every day: Almanac (1791), Elevator (1867), Fountain Pen (1890), Mail Box (1891), Pencil Sharpener (1897), Spark Plug (1839), Stethoscope (1876), Telephone Transmitter (1884), Traffic Lights (1923), Air Condition Unit (1949) and Thermostat Control (1960) and cellphone wireless technology (the 1980s).

Black History Month is observed in Africa and America, Europe and The Caribbean. However, it’s still tough to find a continuing compendium of ‘Blacks in History’ or ‘Black Creators and Creations’. In many cases — such as in South Africa and the USA – Black inventions were only accepted if painted white.

And then there are the home-grown indigenous solutions to age-old historical problems that are acknowledged for ceremonial purposes, but not entered into the annals of history, like the invention of the steel pan in Trinidad & Tobago, the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century, but which is copyrighted offshore.

Or a celebration of the old farmhand on a cocoa plantation in Grenada honoured during the Revolution in 1980 for having discovered how to use usually discarded parts of a popular local fruit to protect cocoa trees against a parasitic pest effectively.

Black Heroes exist everywhere, heralded or not; but the word ‘Black’ also has, over time, become subject to its unfair share of ethnic engineering.

The word has become so universal today that it’s presented with such adjectives as ‘Part-Jamaican’ and ‘PartAsian’ and ‘Half Black’, or ‘Black American’ – as in the cases of President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamla Harris, ex-US Chief of Staff Colin Powell and tennis star Tiger Woods.

But then, if purity is applied exclusively, those documenting Black History today and tomorrow can easily and unfortunately erase the real stories of the critical roles of Whites like Joe Slovo who helped lead the guerilla struggle alongside the ANC in South Africa, or Caribbean leaders of nonBlack complexions like Jamaica’s Michael Manley, SVG’s Ralph Gonsalves, Guyana’s Janet Jagan and Saint Lucia’s Kenny Anthony.

Such ethnic-cleansing avoidance is necessary now more than ever when at least one bearded preacher of Black Power in the 70s is today preaching that at least one Caribbean nation ‘is not yet ready for a Black prime minister!’

The veteran St Lucian journalist and colleague, Earl Bousquet wrote this piece. We adopt it, with minor additions, with his permission.

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

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

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ULP whipping Vincentians with high taxes

IN AN ARTICLE in THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of Friday 12th February 2021, it was stated that there will be a one percent increase on the Customs Service Charge this year, with the revenue generated expected to assist in the financing of regional organisations, such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

This moves the tariff from 5 to 6 percent.

SVG Green Party Leader, Warrant Officer Ivan Bertie O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, contends that SVG is the South Africa of the Caribbean.

Apartheid exists in SVG, as the black, poor and powerless indigenous population is forced to pay tax and customs duties, but the super-rich, white migrant millionaires of Mustique and Canouan are granted tax and customs duty exemptions worth millions of dollars a year.

The ULP regime is whipping Vincentians with high amounts of tax.

This is yet another nail in the coffin for many people. If there is a need to assist in the financing of regional organisations such as the Caribbean

Public Health Agency, then the ULP regime should tax the super-rich, white migrant millionaires of Mustique and Canouan. The ULP regime is trampling on Section 13 of SVG 1979 Constitution.

Abolishing the tax and customs duty exemptions given to Mustique and Canouan will bring the SVG Treasury over $500 million every year in revenue. The opportunity cost of not collecting this $500 million dollars is staggering. We could build three science and technology universities, create mass employment, put a science lab in every school, provide free wireless internet to every house and positively change the academic landscape of our beloved country, by making high quality education the engine of the SVG economy.

Many poor households cannot afford to send their children to school and are forced to beg for a bowl of food. We should all be concerned that some children in SVG may be suffering from malnutrition, because they only get one small meal a day.

Gonsalves must be confused when it comes to finance: there is no net benefit of these tax exemptions given to the super-rich, migrant millionaires of Mustique and Canouan, and the costs - malnutrition, children dropping out of school, mass unemployment and the disadvantaged being forced to sleep on pavements - are nothing but oppression. The equation clearly does not balance.

This rather stupid impediment must be removed from our country, so that

we can competently move forward as a nation. White migrants in Mustique and Canouan who continue to refuse to pay tax and customs duty should be deported as soon as possible.

A Green Government would end the blood-sucking by the super-rich in Mustique and Canouan, by abolishing the Mustique Act and the Canouan Act. Those who are advantageously placed aid by Gonsalves, destroy the dreams of our young people.

These differential laws and policies that perpetuate apartheid in SVG must be abolished. The Mustique Act

No 48 of 2002 is discriminatory.

Mustique and Canouan are major obstacles to the sustainable development of SVG. Our country needs a new direction in order to build a strong economy and create mass employment for our people. Only then, will there be prosperity for all.

The one percent increase on the Customs Service Charge, moving the tariff from 5 to 6 percent, is unfair and unreasonable. Tax the super-rich instead, not the poor!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 11.

Diaspora

Vincy declares candidacy for Trustee in NY

that her petition was accepted for her to be put on the ballot.

Even as she continues with her campaign, she awaits clearance from the Nassau County Board of Elections.

Small-Morgan — who is also the Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Autism Who Knew Inc., which caters primarily to the African American, Caribbean and Latino populations — said the Incorporated Village of Hempstead is “due for a change.”

She said this change should involve bringing Rosanne Small-Morgan has a clear and defined more services and programme of service that she wants to deliver to economic opportunities to her constituents. the residents.

The role of the

by NELSON A. KING is reportedly the first Trustee, as described by naking@verizon.net Caribbean-born woman Small-Morgan is to set US CORRESPONDENT to seek the office of policies, approve budgets, Trustee in the and generally oversees VINCENTIAN-BORN Incorporated Village of the work that involves ROSANNE SMALLHempstead. reviewing and approving MORGAn, a senior A senior consumer the various appointed advocate for the elderly, advocate, author, boards and committees blind, disabled and mentor, motivational in the Village. underserved population, speaker, radio and talk Her campaign planks, has declared her show host, with a weekly she said, are focused on candidacy as an newspaper advice economic development; independent candidate for column, Small-Morgan mentorship and the office of Trustee in the told THE VINCENTIAN internship programs, Incorporated Village of on Wednesday that she’s especially for the middle Hempstead, Nassau been “sitting on this and high school children; County, Long Is., New York. announcement for a developing a new first There are four couple of weeks, going time Home Buyers Trustees in the back and forth with God. program for young Incorporated Village of “Literally, if He didn’t families; helping the Hempstead that has a speak to my heart, I elderly and the population of about wouldn’t do this,” she underserved to get more 55,000 residents, said. “I am confident services; and aiding according to the United that, with my many families with special States Census. years of public service, needs children.

With a heavy along with the many On economic concentration of connections that I’ve development, she said Caribbean Americans, made networking she would foster an Hempstead is personally and environment to lure big predominantly African professionally, I can help and small businesses American (Blacks) and enhance and bring alike to the Village.

Latinos. There is also a positive changes to the Small-Morgan said the small population of Inc. Village of mentorship and whites and Asians.

Hempstead.” internship programmes Small-Morgan, 51 — Small-Morgan, who is would enable who moved with her running on the ticket, family to Hempstead in Transparency for October 1994 after Hempstead, also works residing in Queens in the utility industry, Village, Queens, New where she manages York — is a wife and a Nassau County and the “proud mother of two Rockaways in Queens. gifted children,” one of whom has autism.

The platform A former Frenches, Kingstown resident, who Small-Morgan migrated from St. explained that she has Vincent and the filed and has since Grenadines in 1988 — she received a letter stating

intervention before middle and high school children are recruited by gangs.

The new, first time Home Buyers program for young families would “bring more pride of ownership in the village,” she said.

Small-Morgan said she would fight for more services, such as energy efficiency programs, addressing food

insecurity and financial literacy, for the elderly and the underserved.

For families with special needs children, she said she would assist them in accessing “their rightful services.”

And about her chances of winning, she confidently said, I think I stand a great chance of winning.”

Small-Morgan’s mother, Lorna Small,

who was shockingly murdered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2008, was the retired Director of Libraries and Archives in her native land.

She acknowledges that her strengths of having faith, persevering and giving to the community were instilled in her by her mother.

Small-Morgan’s father is the late Claude Small.

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

New Dome growth slowing

Right: Position of new lava dome inside the summit crater.

(Photo Credit: The UWI SRC)

Stories by GLORIAH… ON FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY, The UWI SRC seismic team made another of their many trips to the summit of the La Soufriere volcano to conduct a dome survey.

The following Monday, February 15, on the Face to Face programme on NBC, team leader Dr. Thomas Christopher told listeners that the volume of the (new) dome was close to 6,000,000 cubic metres.

“It’s probably around 5.9 million cubic metres,” he stated, “and that’s a very significant figure, because since the last measurement we took on February 1st, it means that the growth rate has slowed a bit.”

Dr. Christopher attributed the slowdown in growth to a number of factors, one of Left: Dr. Adam Stinton installing a permanent temp probe at a fumarole of the Soufriere Hills. (Photo Credit: The UWI SRC)

which he said “could be variations in pressure within the system; but as I pointed out before, when you got these domes …the extrusion rate ebbs and flows. It’s not constant…it will vary. It goes up a bit sometimes, it goes down a bit sometimes.”

He cited the falling growth rate as a good thing since it indicates that the magma is coming out in a gentle fashion, as opposed to a case where an increased rate could have implications for greater hazards.

The process of magma forcing its way to the surface in the current volcanic eruption at La Soufriere, is called extrusion.

According to https://agupubs.onlinelibrary. wiley.com , “The rate of lava extrusion at erupting volcanoes is a key parameter for tracking changes in magma flux, eruptive behavior, and associated

hazards, through time.

Variations in lava extrusion rate have been observed on timescales varying from minutes through to decades.”

The extrusion rate at the La Soufriere volcano, Dr. Christopher remarked, was not observed to be as it was before the current slow growth rate.

The team leader concluded that, “We have no reason to think that the volcano is going to change behavior and get more violent at the moment.”

He disclosed that another survey was schedule for this very week, in an effort to “increase the tempo of how often we get a volume (check)”.

With monitoring activities pivotal for acquiring data on the progress of the current eruption, it becomes even more important for persons to desist from ascending the mountain.

Hoping for an early warning AT PRESS TIMe of this article, the effusive eruption of the La Soufriere was ongoing, and The UWI SRC monitoring team continued to monitor its progress.

On Monday, 15th February, seismic team leader Dr. Thomas Christopher told viewers of the ‘La Soufriere Today’ hosted by Stacy Edwards, Education and Outreach Manager at The UWI SRC, that equipment for strengthening monitoring activities have been upgraded making it possible to issue reasonably early warning in the event of an escalation from an effusive to an explosive eruption.

“So far, we’ve beefed up the GPS network and the seismic network so we have quite a

few GPS continuous instruments, which look at the deformation of the actual crust; also seismometers working 24/7, looking at vibrations in the ground,” he acknowledged.

He admitted that all monitoring procedures must be taken into consideration to arrive at any kind of eruption prediction. He offered the explanation that, “…when a volcano is erupting it deforms the crust. It generates earthquakes. It pumps out gas. Today we don’t have any permanent degassing instruments and hopefully we can get to that stage. But if we can look at all of these signals and see what the stories we’re getting from each of them - earthquakes,

deformation, degassing, the dome volumes which we do via dome survey - then we should be able to put a picture together as to what the volcano is doing and better understand what we think is going to happen.”

He summarized the team’s main objective as to “just paint a picture of what is going on given the information that we’re getting from the different instrumentation.”

He revealed that during the 1979 La Soufriere eruption, some of the techniques that they are currently using either did not exist or were not able to be applied to the volcano.

“So a lot of the stuff that we are seeing now…. a lot of the information we’re gathering right now, is quite new and

useful in terms of helping us better understand what La Soufriere is doing,” he went on to explain As for how long this current situation will continue, Dr. Christopher called it a case of, “the longer it goes on for is the longer you expect it to go on for.”

He noted that the systems are quite complex and much larger than can be imagined.

“With the large volume of magma probably down there waiting to come out, the question is, can the system generate enough energy to erupt that magma,” he contended.

He ended by inferring a possible “few months longer maybe” but cautioned that “it’s hard to say how long it will go

Dr. Thomas Christopher, seismic team leader, admits that there is no telling for how long the current activity at La Soufriere will continue. on for, although I don’t get the impression that it is going to stop tomorrow.”

Both the team and NEMO continue to remind persons about the dangers of visiting the volcano.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 13.

A CLIMATE-RESILIENT FUTURE

Feature

By HE M Mrr Bruce Lendon, Lendon, Australia’s High Commissioner to the Caribbean 2020 20 20 tested tthe he sstrength trength and resilience of communities world-wide. byy It was a year dominated b COVID-19 the C OVID-19 pandemic, but for Australians it with mostt started wit h the mos devastating bushfires in our history.

Increased activity at the hot spring at Wallibou raised concern among persons familiar with it.

Hot Spring poses no danger

by GLORIAH… PERSONS WHO LIVE on the Leeward side of mainland St. Vincent and close to La Soufriere (volcano) have for some time been expressing concern about the unusually strong smell, which they believe to be emanating from the crater.

Reports made to The UWI SRC monitoring team concerning this smell by someone who makes regular visits to the hot spring at Wallibou, prompted an investigation into the matter by the monitoring team.

Team leader, Dr. Thomas Christopher, had on previous occasions recognized the value of ‘local knowledge’.

“If you see something, say something,” he urged during his interfacing with radio stations here.

On the February 8 edition of NBC’s Face to Face programme, Dr. Christopher outlined that, “We had a report of some excess sulphur smell at one of the hot springs in the Wallibou region, so we went to investigate that.”

Led by Dr. Christopher, the team, on February 7, did gas sampling, took temperature readings, and gathered liquid samples for further analysis.

The initial result of this inquiry revealed that the temperatures were much higher than usual and there was

with COVID-19, COVID-19, As with Australia’s bushfires he demonstrated tthe importance of marshalling collective will, innovation, collective resources and leader ship leadership to overcome our most pres sing challeng es. pressing challenges.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Photographer: W. Stewart, Copyright: Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA).

The C limate Adapt ation Climate Adaptation Summit hosted b he byy tthe Net herlands in Januar his year was a ttimely imely opportunity for the Netherlands Januaryy tthis international community, including Australia and countries of the Caribbean, to work toget her towards a more climat e-resilient future. together climate-resilient Australia has reaffirmed our commitment to ambitious and practical action to combat the impact change at home, in our region, and around the impactss of climat climatee change world. inent in the world, Australia has committed over As the dr iest inhabited cont driest continent AUD15 billion to make our natural resources, environment and water infrastructure more res ilient to drought and climate disasters. resilient We are sspending pending more tthan han AUD2 billion on bushfire recovery efforts to reg enerate hab itats, help nat ive animals recover and build knowledge for regenerate habitats, native bet ter land management better management..

Australia recog nises that climate chang recognises changee is the biggest long-term threat to the healt h of coral coral reefs worldwide. health We’v ted AU D2.7 billion to the effectiv We’vee commit committed AUD2.7 effectivee management and protection of Aus tralia’s Great Barrier Reef. We’ve also launched the AUD150 million Australia’s Reef R estoration and Adapt ation Program that brings together world leading Restoration Adaptation mar ine science tto o research strateg ies that can help reefs recover from marine strategies bleaching events and adapt to changing ocean temperatures.

While our adapt ation and resilience wo rk starts at home, Australia is also adaptation work committed tto o supporting neig hbouring and global communities to tackle neighbouring climate chang e. change.

Australia has pledg ed AU D1.5 billion fo pledged AUD1.5 forr global climate finance. AUD500 ploy renewable million of tthis his will dir ectly help our Pacific neighbours de directly deploy energy and improve ttheir heir climate chang changee and disaster resilience.

We are joining the C all for Action on Raising Ambition for Climate Call Adapt ation and Res ilience tto o encourage greater ambition, finance and Adaptation Resilience coordination to protect against growing climate risks.

A member of the monitoring team collecting samples from the spring. also a strong smell of sulphur.

“There was definitely a smell of sulphur. I measured the emissions......, and actually found that there was hydrogen-sulphide,” Dr. Christopher revealed.

He continued: “I think basically, there was increased gastric emissions because there was a lot more gas generated at the moment, because the volcano is actually misbehaving.

“The significant thing is that the temperatures have gone up a bit, maybe like five or six degrees, and there’s a lot more gas down there than normal.”

He explained that despite these findings, the hot spring is really “not a dangerous place to be, based on what we found,” and advised that there was no reason to be alarmed with the subtle differences that those familiar with the spring would recognize.

And Australia has joined tthe he C oalition for Climate Resilience Investment, Coalition which aims to shift private inves tment towards climate resilient infrastructure investment and support vulnerable communit ies to attract priv ate sector investment. communities private Of cour se, adapt ation action must go hand in hand with reducing emissions. course, adaptation Australia is aiming to reach net zero emis sions as soon as possible. We emissions remain resolut ely commit ted tto o the Par is Agreement and are on track to meet resolutely committed Paris and beat our 2030 target ing reduced emissions by almost 17 per cent target,, hav having since 2005.

Australians are b uilding and investing in renewables at world-leading rates. building Almost one in four Australian homes now hav havee solar — the highest uptak uptakee in the wor ld — and we expect renewab les will contribute at least 50 per cent of world renewables our elect ricity by 2030 electricity 2030..

Whether responding to COVID-19 or tackling the challenges posed by climate change, we need tto o embrace embrace innovation and strengthen global partnerships.

Our scientists tell us that, even wit h the most ambitious global emissions with reduct ions, we will sstill till need tto o adapt to changes in our climate over coming reductions, decades actions that help us adapt to those changes and strengthen decades.. Practical actions the resilience of our local environments environments are are critical.

Australia looks forward tto o working hand-in-hand with the Caribbean.

Toget her, we will mak ence.

Together, makee a differ difference.

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14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Complaints aplenty from AIA workers state of the vehicle assigned to that department.

The vehicle needs to be replaced, the workers told the Union.

The release stated that though the PSU is the recognized bargaining agent for workers at the AIA, it has not had the courtesy of any response to letters it has written to the Airport Management urging that the complaints of the workers be addressed.

The Union, in the news release, pointed an accusing finger at the Borad of Directors and management of the AIA, going as far as to say that they are anti-union persons who may be affected by stance.

The PSU warned: “If the COVID-19 which has this attitude towards caused a downturn in the the Union and workers’ economy. issues continues, we This against a situation in February 17 on radio that will have no other which some operators said they government had agreed to pay alternative but to take cannot make it with that income support over a twowhatever action is capacity, Friday added. month period initially, similar necessary to have the According to the Leader of to what was granted in 2020. issues addressed.” the Opposition, he had seen a Back in 2020, 451 minibus There remains, copy of the requests submitted operators had registered to notwithstanding the by VINTAS to government and receive two months of income warning, a willingness support - EC$500 for 18-seaters found them to be reasonable on the part of the PSU and negotiable.. and EC$600 for 26-seaters or to engage in dialogue, “And government ought to larger buses, each month. and it urged the IA come to good faith to see how But Friday contended that Directors and they can assist them while the there was nothing in the 2021 management to adopt a restrictions are in place,” Dr. Budget to suggest that there similar attitude.

(DD) Friday suggested. was any funding to assist

complaining to the Union about several issues that are affecting them.

Among the complaints by the workers, the PDU said, was the nonpayment of increments to workers All is not well with and for workers at the Argyle International who have completed their probations.

Airport.

The workers also cited that the uniforms they received more than THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNION (PSU), in a news release two years ago are in dire need of replacement. made available earlier this week, claimed that workers Workers assigned to Aviation Security at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) have been Department have also vented their disgust with the

Minibus action predictable THE RECENT WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICE by minibus operators, was a predictable action.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday said on the February 15 edition of the ‘New Times’ radio programme, that this was so because government had made the decision to reduce the number of passengers that minibuses can carry, and that although this decision was made based on health factors, it was bad for business.

“You cannot simply say to

the van drivers that they must bear the cost by yourself. They can’t do it,” Friday said.

Curtailment of minibus operations began on February 12 when operators from the Georgetown area withdrew services after government tightened the COVID-19 protocols, including making it mandatory that minibuses carry no more than half the licensed number, 18.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced on

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 15.

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16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 . THE VINCENTIAN

Covid-19

VINLEC donates to antiCOVID-19 fight

ST. VINCENT ELECTRICITY SERVICES LIMITED (VINLEC) is partnering with the Health Services Subcommittee COVID-19 Taskforce in its efforts to respond to the pandemic. To this end, VINLEC made a financial donation of ten thousand ($10,000) EC dollars to support the fight against COVID-19.

VINLEC recognises that the pandemic has created both public health and socio-economic challenges and made the decision to aid in the efforts being undertaken in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The donation will go towards the Hand, Space, Face, Vaccine Campaign, designed to focus on specific measures which have been proven to reduce the spread of the virus which causes COVID-19; and are being used to purchase packages to be distributed in areas identified by the health care professionals as highly vulnerable.

So far, the Committee has distributed five hundred packages to residents in the north of the island.

The Company is obliged to support the efforts of the local health care personnel and applauds the frontline workers who are doing exemplary work in hospitals and health care facilities, including treating and testing patients and administering vaccinations.

VINLEC is encouraging persons to continue to adhere to the standard recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include: frequent cleaning of hands using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; covering the nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing, and social distancing. (Source: VINLEC)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 17.

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18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Panicking about COVID Dear George, EVERYTHING has got so complicated so fast that my head is spinning. I had the dengue fever and almost died; it scared me stiff. Now I am panicking about this COVID. I don’t want to get it. I don’t want to die.

My two sisters, my uncle and some friends had it. I still do not understand much about it and my parents are not telling me much.

They keep telling me I am young and would not get it. I am 14 years old.

Please tell me what to do. I feel so much fear.

Scared girl Dear Scared girl, I can understand your fear especially after contracting dengue.

While there is no guarantee that you

will never be stricken by COVID-19, you have to protect yourself and those around you.

Follow the protocols set out by the COVID Task Force like washing of your hands, etc. I am certain you know these.

Talk to your parents about your fears and should you not be getting satisfactory answers, then talk to someone who’s on the COVID Task Force. If that fails, then get in touch with a counselor at the Marion House.

We all experience instances of fear but what’s important is how you address that fear. The more you arm yourself with information, the less fearful you will be.

Do what is required of you to keep safe.

George

Secret $$$ Accounts Dear George, AFTER 7 years of marriage, I just discovered my husband has two secret bank

accounts at two different banks and a credit union account. George, we have a savings and a checking account at a financial institution in Kingstown

A masturbation issue Dear George, MY WIFE walked in on me masturbating and took me to task for it. As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with what I was doing.

George, it has been a task getting my wife to agree to having sex. The last time we had sex was January 14. Imagine now, she wants to play vex with me when I take steps to satisfy my desires.

Her argument is I am masturbating because I am fantasizing about other women. She cannot be further from the truth.

I am beginning to wonder if she is having an affair. Why is she so concerned about my actions when she is avoiding me like the plague?

Until she decides to give it up more often, I will carry on with my business. She better cool it or I will take things a step further.

More than mad Dear More than mad, There is absolutely no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.

There is a sacred rule for married couples; never withhold yourself from the other.

Sexual pleasure and activity are privileges that married couples should be enjoying. Neither party should be using his/her body as a negotiating tool. Your wife can easily solve the masturbation problem by availing herself to you.

Maybe both of you need to see a marital counsellor to pinpoint the reason for the limited sexual activity. Usually when the sex slows down or stops it is symptomatic of a larger problem.

That you can explore with a counsellor.

George

and that’s it; at least so I thought.

When I confronted him about it, he said his money is his money and refused to discuss it further.

This discovery has me shaken up. I am wondering what else he is hiding from me.

I am not going to tell him anything but I am going to start my own private accounts. Let’s see what he would do if he ever finds out.

I thought everything between us was transparent but boy was I ever surprised!

Smarter now.

Dear Smarter now, Transparency should be one of the watchwords in every relationship and once practiced, it will bring a sense of security.

That said, getting secret accounts of your own is not going to remedy the situation.

You and your husband need to have a frank talk.

If at the end of that conversation, there is no shifting of position with your husband, then I suggest you see a counsellor who would explain the negative implications of such actions.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) The key to feeling good about yourself will be to do something about it. New romantic ties can be made; however, you must make sure that your motives are not selfish before you make your move.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You will feel so much better about yourself if you can control your addictions. You will enjoy physical activities more than you think. Plan to do things with your faithful pet or with youngsters who have interesting hobbies.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Problems with gas, oil, or water in your home may disrupt your routine. Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or relatives.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Be honest in your communication and don’t lose your cool if someone backs you into a corner. Travel will promote new romantic en counters. Try to communicate if you wish to help.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your attitude could be up and down like a yo-yo. You might be overly emotional concerning situations at work. Any intimate relationships with colleagues will lead to gossip that could easily affect your position.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Focus, and concentrate on yourself and your future. Don’t hesitate to visit someone who hasn’t been well. You may want to take extra special care of your luggage if you are travelling this week.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Friends may not understand your situation. Be discreet about your personal life or whereabouts. Be mysterious.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Family may not want to get involved but an entrepreneur will. Your charisma will no doubt attract a lot of attention. Your intellectual charm will entice new love interests. You may need the space, but you need the extra cash more.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Property investments should payoff. Curl up with a good book or go for a drive in the country. Get help to finish a project if you need it. Be careful of the groups you join or the people you associate with.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You may have problems with those you live with. Spend time with your lover this week. You are best to concentrate on your professional endeavors. Your selfesteem will come back if you take part in organizational functions that allow you to be in the lime light.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Take care of your personal needs. You must not let others talk you into doing things that will probably limit you financially at a later date. Don’t be too quick to judge. Spend some time with the one you love.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You can make progress professionally.

Entertainment could cost you more than you expect. Take time to deal with authority figures or government agencies.

ACROSS 1. Grown guy 4. Grooming aid 8. Biblical brother 12. Vigoda of “The Godfather” 13. Heed 14. Eruption flow 15. Move a canoe 16. Golf cry 17. Capture 18. Everyday contraction 19. Fixed charge 20. Urban vehicle 21. Spookily strange 23. Vicinities 26. Diminish 30. Drain-cleaning solution 31. Spherical Plaything 34. Irish tavern 35. Trebek on TV 36. Manipulate 37. Poked 39. Enjoy a rink 41. Barn storage sites 45. Old soldier 46. Grass carpet 48. Starfish extension 49. Sulfuric – 51. Utterly uncommon 52. Singing pair 53. Polliwog home 54. Sorrowful expression 55. Yellowstone critter 56. Anxious 57. Thaw 58. Salon application DOWN 1.—Antoinette, French queen 2. On top of 3. More contemporary 4. Tea alternative 5. Symphonic woodwind

6. Paltry 7. Parting word 8. Church platform 9. Muscles sculpting weight 10. Actress Gabor 11. Racing circuit 20. House-paint container 22. Not healthy 24. Shipboard assent 25. Gender 27. Beauty resort 28. Hero sandwich 29. Lose vitality 31. Tour transport 32. Invite (to dinner) 33. Taking off 35. Big commotion 37. Fast plane 38. Firstborn of

three 40. – bear, plush toy 42. Disappeared slowly 43. In fact 44. Fire indicator 46. Retail event

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 19.

47. Like some presentations 49. A primate 50. North Atlantic catch 51. Lamb-siring animal

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Vincy HeatÊs Manager quits

SVGFF affiliates to get laptops

EACH AFFILIATES ORGANISATIONS of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) will soon receive a AFTER SERVING AS MANAGER of relieve myself of the position,” laptop, compliments the the St Vincent and the Grenadines Thomas said.

National Football body.

Senior Men’s Football Team- Vincy He referenced, though, that it First Vice- President Heat for the last two years, Rohan was not an overnight decision, as of the SVGFF — Otashie Thomas Jr. has tendered his there have been some mounting Spring informed THE resignation, effective 8th February. tensions and unresolved issues.

VINCENTIAN that the In a terse letter addressed to Thomas recognized that his roll out of the laptop to Wayne Grant, Second Viceresignation will make way for a affiliates forms part of President of the St Vincent and new Manager to effect the his organisation’s the Grenadines Football necessary changes. response to the COVIDFederation (SVGFF), Thomas As it stands now, the Executive Otashie Spring – First 19 pandemic. wrote inter alia: “This letter of the SVGFF will have to get that Vice- President of the “Part of our purpose serves as formal notice of my new manager in place in time for SVGFF. of the laptop initiative resignation from the post of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ is to provide the Manager of the SVGFF’s Senior matches in next month’s matches affiliates with the necessary tools to deal with the Men’s National Team with against Curacao and the British pandemic in terms of meetings and so on,” Spring immediate effect. Thanks for the Virgin Islands, in the related. opportunity.”

CONCACAF Group C of the “The laptop initiative will also help the Grant, in acknowledging World Cup Qualifiers. affiliates to keep their financial reporting up to receipt of Thomas’ letter, thanked In a quick look back on his scratch,, and no better way to do so than with him for his service and wished tenure as Manager, Thomas such technology,” he added. him the “Best of luck” in his The SVGFF will have to fill the described it as a “humbling” The second in command of the affairs of the future endeavours. post of Manager of SVG’s Senior experience, and cited player SVGFF proffered that with the Annual Congress Thomas, in a conversation with development as one of his major men’s Football Team, following upcoming, the laptops would serve in good stead THE VINCENTIAN, shared that the resignation from that post of achievements. should the Congress take place virtually. his decision stemmed from Rohan Thomas Jr. “The staff of the team, myself Spring disclosed that the second batch of the differences of opinions with included, would have prioritised laptops arrived last week and is in the hands of persons in pivotal positions of Thomas replaced Othnell player development... We really the Secretariat. the SVGFF, as well as personal Douglas as Manager of Vincy tried to develop them holistically “The laptops are in the care of the Secretariat reasons.

Heat. Douglas had served for an by improving their education which is in the process of sorting them out and “Over the last few months, extended period of time. about the game; improving their packaging them for distribution,” Spring revealed. there have been some If at all the SVGFF has decided He noted that the 60 laptops have been discrepancies, to which the parties training methods, their on a replacement for Thomas, preparation methods and imported at a cost of EC $170 000. involved have failed to see eye to they did not, up to Wednesday, instilling certain lifestyle Spring underscored that the laptop initiative is eye, so along with other personal make it public. changes,” Thomas elaborated. part of the organisation’s overall effort to reasons , I thought it best to “empower and assist” affiliates.

The SVGFF Second VicePresident also gave the update that further assistance was forthcoming, with the THE ST VINCENT AND THE distribution of the second GRENADINES Football Federation tranche of the COVID-19 Relief (SVGFF) has released the names of 23 Package. home-based players who have been When the first tranche was invited to join a training squad, with a given out last September, fiftyview to be selected to the National six (56) affiliates were the Senior Men’s Football Team — Vincy beneficiaries of approximately Heat - for participation in the US$ 400 000 of the $500 000, CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifiers, which was provided by FIFA. starting next month.

Included in the list of Vincy Heat, drawn in Group C along recipients of the package were with Cuba, Curacao, BVI and clubs, leagues, associate Guatemala, is scheduled to start their leagues, match officials, match campaign on March 25, with an away commissions, and national game against Curacao, followed by a players at all levels. home game on March 30 against the Affiliate Clubs received BVI. $7000, while affiliate Leagues Included in the squad of 23 are seven got $10 000. players who are categorized as ‘Future The SVGFF made it clear Development Players: Josh Stowe and that the remaining US$ 100 Jeoval Morgan (U17) of Bequia United 000 were earmarked for FC; Nigel Charles of Camdonia Chelsea; procuring equipment and Orion Velox (U17) of Layou FC; upgrading playing environs to Khalique Bowens (U17) of North make them as bio-secure as Leeward Predators; Renson Sayers (U17) A previous Vincy Heat team. Would this squad do any better? and Garwin David from the System 3. possible.

Audain - BESCO Pastures; Dwaine Sion Hill FC; Kizani Haynes, Javid The others called up for training are: In all, the SVGFF received Sandy - Glenside Ballblazers; Terrason Sutherland, Kishawn Johnny, Azinhno Erel Hector - Avenues United; Mark US $1 million, with $500, 000 Joseph and Zidame Sam - Jebelle FC; Solomon and Ted Roberts - System 3.

Browne and Marlon Simmons - Bequia specifically allocated to the Curtlon Williams and Jadiel Chance United FC; Derron Hamlet and Java Female component of the sport.

North Leeward Predators; Jomal Yorke - I.B.A.ALLEN

SVGFF names training squad

V Overseas invitations for TT players

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 21.

Sports

Orville Haslam, President of the SVGTTA, has an open mind about SVG participation in overseas tournaments.

EVEN WITH the challenges posed by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, Orville Haslam OD- President of the St Vincent

and the Grenadines Table Tennis players will get the opportunity to Association (SVGTTA), is holding out hope compete at the regional level. that some of this country’s leading Haslam disclosed recently that, “The SVGTTA has been invited to participate in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Martinique, between March and April. We are looking at the possibility of attending Caribbean Seniors, Juniors and Cadets competitions in these countries.”

He added, “The SVGTTA General Secretary is checking with the Ministry of Health on what protocol, re. COVID-19, the teams would have to follow if we accepted, i.e. things like the length of time the teams would have to spend in quarantine when they return to SVG.” The President, in a tone of compromise, said that he was open to any eventuality as far as participation in these overseas competitions is concerned.

Whatever, Haslam said that a meeting involving some of SVGTTA/ITTF trained Level 2 coaches - Sean Stanley, Joseph Carrington and Romano Spencer — and Asqutth Training programmes will continue in accordance with health protocols.

Ballah- SVGTTA General Secretary, Players looking to get back in full time table tennis. and scheduled for the end of February,

will determine the Association’s next move.

“The meeting will also address ways of keeping the young table tennis players interested in continuing to play,” Haslam said.

As it stands, the Association has been encouraging limited monthly invitational competitions.

Additionally, Carrington and Unica Velox have been conducting training Camps on a six weeks rotation, which culminate with a competition among the participants.

Plans are also in place for a training programme for the country’s leading player.

This will be supervised by the Association and conducted by top coaches Stanley, Spencer and Carrington, at the West St George Secondary School in Belair, and will adhere at all times to COVID-19 protocols as laid down by the Ministry of Health, Haslam assured.

Lewis optimistic about plans for NL

WITH THE indefinite suspension of the 2021 national cricket competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elron Lewis - President of the Jules Anthony Sports Club and Coordinator of Cricket in the North Leeward - is not deterred and is optimistic that cricket in the area will unfold as per the plans already agreed.

“We have some good Elron Lewis- President plans in store for cricket of the Jules Anthony in the area,” Lewis said Sport Club. recently. “We want to

bring back the Under-15 cricket which we recognise as where the development begins. The Under-15 Tournament is slated to start in the summer. We did one last year but this year we want to make it bigger where each village will be represented, something that the late Jules Anthony always wanted to see. We haven’t had for 10-15 years.”

Lewis also pointed to continuing the female Competition which was introduced last year with three team participating.

He also promised that the Male Competition will be staged this year.

Lewis continued, “We are also looking at the possibility of bringing back 50 Overs Cricket where the players will have a longer playing time, especially the batting.

“The North Leeward female team took part in the national tournament last year and our male

Maloney wins another 800m VINCENTIAN Shafiqua Maloney, currently pursuing studies at the University of Arkansas on an athletics scholarship, continued her rich vein of form on the indoor track, when she won the 800m at the Tyson Invitational on the weekend.

Maloney, who hails from Richland Park, clocked 2:04.65, a personal best, in the 800 meters finals on Saturday.

This was her second first place finish in the 800 meters this season and the middle distance specialist says she is bent on maintaining this form right through the season.

She has also recorded a personal best in the 400 meters - a time of 52.51- on Friday.

Maloney was also part of the Arkansas female team, that took first place in the Distance Medley Relay

(DMR), ran over legs of 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 meters, on the Friday.

The Razorbacks finished in a time of 10:53.77, the top collegiate time this indoor season, and which broke the meet record of 11:11.32, set by Tennessee in 2007.

It also was the second-fastest time ever run by Arkansas to the school record of 10:51.89 set in 2015.

Maloney ran 2.03 split for the 800 meters leg.

Arkansas again copped the in the team score with 140 points. Alabama was next in line on 64 followed by Oregon 62, Texas A&M 52, Texas 51, Florida 49, Florida State 42, LSU 28 and Oklahoma State 4 points.

Shafiqua Maloney added another victory to a 2021 outing and helped her team to Stories I.B.A.ALLEN a year’s leading time in the DMR.

team won the first division for the second consecutive year where we gained promoted to the premier division, so we are looking to promote out talent where in both male and female teams we have Under-19 and Under-15 players,” Lewis added.

And as for the resumption of national cricket, Lewis is of the view that the cricket administrators need to keep their focus in this difficult period.

“We would have already started our preparation for the new season but it’s a bit difficult with the COVID. The well-being of the players is our first priority so we encourage them to look at cricket on the TV and learn as much as they can until things get back to normalcy. There is a lot can be derived from cricket - players can make a living from the sport - so we are hoping we can get back to cricket soon,” Lewis suggested.

V

22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. THE VINCENTIAN

Sport

CG Insurance Super50 Cup Windwards Round-up Windward versus Leeward - February 7, 2021

Renewed focus THERE WILL be renewed focus on the home team when the Sri Lankans tour of the West Indies, next month.

The action tis confined to the Coolidge Cricket Ground, previously Allen Stanford’s Sticky Wicket.

The T/20’s are scheduled for March 3, 5, and 7.

This provides the West Indies the chance of qualifying for a spot in the World Cup set for India later this year.

The three One Day Internationals are on March 10, 12, and 14. Here will players will have the opportunity of breaking through on the international circuit having staked their claim from the CG Insurance Super 50 which climaxes on February 27.

The tour winds up with two Tests. The first is Sunday March 21 and the second March 29.

The West Indies were recently on course for a whitewash in Bangladesh having lost both the ODI and T/20 series.

When Bangladesh reached 430 in the first innings of the first test, the Sri Lankan commentators and supporters were lulled into what would turn out to be a false sense of security. They felt convinced that 395 was enough.

By the time they realised what was happening, Bonner and Myers had played out both sessions and the target was within grasp.

Whereas the West Indies took care of matters with the bat in the first test, it was the bowlers who accomplished the mission in the second Test.

The fact that West Indies took the rewards in the Tests hinged on their team effort. Besides, the squad gelled into some sense of ‘task to accomplish’.

The West Indies were on the verge of carrying home an empty plate having succumbed in the shorter format. Commentators, analysts and fans made fun at West Indies players.

Some comments during the Test underlined that patch of discrimination that West Indies personalities have to face.

West Indies’ winning the first test caused consternation in Bangladesh. They grafted 409 in the first innings and secured a 113 lead. They felt assured, so much so that they declared their second innings.

The West Indies total was based on partnerships in the middle and lower order in the second Test.

Set 231 to win, Bangladesh began their chase in rampant start and at once it appeared they would have won on a haste. But the West Indies found ways of breaking through and regularly derailed the home team. The victory came and sparked jubilation by the touring party.

The West Indies’ success was the opposite of the Bangladeshis. It revealed their vulnerability.

But Bangladesh have proved their propensity to knock out any team.

It was a team effort in Bangladesh which the rewards table shows. Rakeem Cornwall took the Man of the Match in the second game, and the Man of the Series was Nkrumah Bonner.

He shared that record breaking fourth wicket stand with Kyle Mayers which formed the platform for the West Indies’ successful chase.

With the players familiar with the bubble having been part of the Super 50/s, it will be interesting to see what the West Indies selectors come up with.

WINDWARD ISLAND VOLCANOES batted first and totalled 284/10 (49.3 overs) - Sunil Ambris 70 and Kevin Stoute 86 the main run getters. Quinton Boatswain4-38, Sheeno Berridge 3-65, and Hayden Walsh 3-86 were the wicket takers.

In reply, Leeward Islands Hurricanes were bowled out for 254, 31 runs short of their target - Nitish Kumar scored 112 of that run chase.

“I am very happy. It’s always great to start on a winning note,” captain Ambris said after the match. “I thought we played a decent game and I think we can only get better from here. I would’ve taken this at the start of the game. It’s a win, a convincing win

Barbados born Kevin Stoute with a knock of 86 against the Leewards, has come the closest so far to recording a century for the Windwards.

at that.”

Windward versus T&T February 14, 2021 Windward were bowled out for 227. Allrounder Kerron Cottoy top-scored with 72 from 75 balls, and captain Sunil Ambris stroked 66 from 77 balls.

Off-spinner Jason Mohammed (3-50), fast bowler Anderson Phillip (3-63) and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (225) made inroads in the Volcanoes innings.

T&T Red Force replied with 228-6 off 45.3 overs.

Man-of-the-Match Lendl Simmons cracked 102 off 114 balls and in the process, reached the milestone of 4,000 List A runs.

Captain Sunil Ambris, to date, has two half centuries and leads from the front.

recorded their second win when they beat Jamaica Scorpions by 92 runs.

Volcanoes made 260-8 off their 50 overs, leftWindwards versus hander Keron Cottoy topJamaica - February 17, scored with a 64 off 47 2021 balls, and Andre Fletcher got 60 from 51 balls at The Volcanoes the top of the order.

In reply, Jamaica were bowled out for 168 in the 37th over. Left-arm spinner Larry Edward celebrated his 26th birthday in style with a spell of 3-36 off 10 overs.

“It’s always good to perform for your team Andre Fletcher showed signs of especially in what he is capable of doing with victories. I’m an innings of 60 in 51 balls.

All-rounder Keron Cottoy also showed form with the bat and has two half centuries to his name so far. just glad I’ve been able to put up my hand and bat deep into the innings and it paid dividends,” said Cottoy. “We have to take it one game at a time although it feels good to win two out of three.”

Pan Am Cycling Championship postponed LOCAL CYCLISTS who had their bikes trained on Peru for participation in the 2021 Pan American Elite Track Cycling Championships, will have to keep their bikes well-oiled and their bodies fit and ready for a while longer.

This as the Peruvian Sports Federation of Cycling has opted

to shelve the competition, which was scheduled to pedal off from 31st March to 7th April.

The reason advanced for the postponement is that that South American country is experiencing a second wave of the coronavirus/COVID-19.

The impact of this second wave has been such that Peru’s Cyclist here will have to have to wait some time before they can taste regional and/or hemispheric competition again.

government has had to enforce another lockdown measure across most of the country. The second wave has shown a marked increase in the number of cases of COVID-19, and has put added pressure on hospitals and the national health care service as a whole.

The second lockdown came amidst an existing protocol that requires persons entering Peru to go into a mandatory quarantine for six days.

Meanwhile the Peruvian Sports Federation of Cycling informed the Pan American cycling fraternity that it was in ongoing communication with the Pan American Cycling Confederation, to decide on a new date for the Championship.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021. 23.

Classifieds

WALFORD ANTON LEWIS

LEROY SYLVESTER BRADSHAW

KATIE CECEILE WARDROBE

Sunday, 14th February, 2021 New Grounds S.D.A Church Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Sans Souci Cemetery

Sunday, 14th February, 2021 Dorsetshire Hill Evangelical Church Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Dorsetshire Hill Cemetery

Sunday, 14th February, 2021 Church of the Nazarene Penniston Viewing: 12:00 noon Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Penniston Cemetery

GLORIA YOUNG Sunday, 14th February, 2021 Mt Sinai Spiritual Baptist Church Carriere Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Windsor Cemetery

ESTELLA ANTHONY Sunday, 14th February, 2021 St Bethel Spiritual Baptist Church Vermont Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Penniston Cemetery

AL GIBSON Saturday, 13th February, 2021 Community Baptist Church Fitz Hughes Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: Fitz Hughes Cemetery

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY

19, 2021

VOLUME 115, No.07

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

MINIBUSES STRIKE AGAIN the Leeward route asked aloud, “Them say them na work but “How it is that I still have to pay them dey a drive up and down NOT FOR THE first time, and license for 18 passengers under empty. Them still have to use according to one operator not for the rule? How am I going to pay gas,” she said. the last time, minibus operators the government? And if I can’t A female awaiting a bus that withdrew their services. pay the government to keep my would take her to Spring Village, Operators from the all areas of bus on the road, how am I going empathized with the van driver. mainland St. Vincent took the to take care of my family?”

“It very hard, especially for the action on Monday 15th February, The VINCENTIAN newspaper drivers them because you have to to show their disgust with the spoke to one operator who refused take about 7 people from Spring government’s decision to restrict to withdraw his service. He did Village to Kingstown. You cannot buses to carrying half the number not like the idea that vans were make anything. You have tires, of passengers for which they are told to carry less passengers you have gas and so many things, licensed (18), a measure in without any concessions. “But me and because the road is so bad keeping with efforts to combat the can’t afford to stop run because you have to go to the mechanic spread of COVID-19. things done bad with me already.” every week,” said the lady.

The measure could not sustain As for whether the minibus On Tuesday the Vincentian their operation, they said. operators’ decision made sense, Transportation Association Since the passage of this one commuter commented that (VINTAS) presented a list of regulation on February 6, Traffic she was unable to get a van to go demands to Ministry of Transport.

Officers have been enforcing the home and that the van drivers rule, stopping and removing were not passengers from buses that had making sense. over the limit.

For having infringed the Traffic Officers regulation, operators were fined have been up to $100. monitoring the And as the buses took to buses to ensure that they moving slowing into Kingstown, comply with the commuters with mixed passenger expressions looked on as their capacity favorite buses passed them by limitation. with only the driver and conductor on board.

Commuters had to resort to hitch-hiking, even walking. A few were lucky to catch one of the few buses that did not withdraw its service.

In all the commotion, one driver who had taken his bus off the road said, “We don’t mind carrying fewer passengers but they ain’t compensating we nothing. This can’t happen because I have rent, loans and children to feed.”

Bus drivers and commuters intermingle along the foreshore in Kingstown One driver who plies where the buses had been taken up parking.

by KENVILLE HORNE

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

HAMLET ÂHOLDING TIGHTÊ

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

COWDREY HAMLET, a former watch man from the Central Leeward Town of Layou, is taking life one day at a time, in the hope that his problems will be over one day soon.

In any event, he has to wait until the COVID-19 eases so as to allow settlement in an industrial matter he has before the Labour Department.

Hamlet worked with Concrete Aggregates Ltd. from Cowdrey Hamlet August 17, 2008. He provided have not been watchman services at the Company’s operation located in able to rid himself of the the interior area of the Mt. nightmares that Wynne estate referred to as have haunted ‘Jill Bay’. He has since been him since he relieved of his position.

Matters escalated November discovered his colleague dead 24, 2020 when Hamlet’s work body. colleague Irwin ‘Charmer’ Patterson was murdered. It was Hamlet who found the body when he went in search of his colleague, after relatives noted that Patterson had not returned from the previous night’s shift.

Investigations into that incident are continuing, but Hamlet has his own concerns.

He is still haunted by nightmares of the horrible image he encountered that fateful Tuesday afternoon.

“Me still in fright over the death of the man,” was how Hamlet put it.

Besides the psychological trauma, he has to contend with his daily living. But without any source of finance, his bills are mounting and there is no imminent source of income to see him over the crisis period.

But even with those challenges facing him daily, Hamlet is taking things in stride and “seeing what ah go down. Me just dey yah ah hold tight.”

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.