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FRIDAY,

APRIL 20, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.16

www.thevincentian.com

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CRIME IN SVG: MOVING TO CHRONIC STAGE Professor Anthony Harriott, delivering the Keynote Address as this week’s ‘Conversation on Crime and Violence’, in which he had words of warning for SVG.

Professor Harriott, one of the region’s renowned DATA INDICATES that St Vincent criminologists and author of and the Grenadines is inching in extensive papers and books on the direction of a sub-culture of the issue of crime in his native violence.

Jamaica and the region, was And according to Professor the Keynote Speaker at a twoAnthony Harriott, Director of day (April 18 & 19) National the Institute of Criminal Conversation on Crime and Justice at the University of Violence, coordinated by the St the West Indies, Mona Vincent and the Grenadines Campus, Jamaica, skillful Christian Council. intervention is needed now in He explained that, based on order to avoid this eventuality. the data, there was a period

by DAYLE DASILVA

when there was some stability, then a period of oscillation (downward movement). SVG seems to have entered the upward movement phase.

Countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, where the crime situation was considered ‘chronic’, went through similar patterns, Professor Harriott cited, and he cautioned that it was quite a different thing when a country moved from that

Participation at the two-day ‘Conversation’ was wide and varied.

second stage and into a third, or chronic stage.

“In that third stage, your culture of peace begins to lose ground to a sub-culture of violence, and it becomes very difficult to manage the problem,” the Professor said.

A country with a subculture of violence takes on a different dynamic, so, for example, when a murder is committed, rather than the situation being one where the individual is apprehended, taken through the judicial system and eventually convicted and sentenced, it instead becomes one where reprisals occur and gangs are formed, Prof. Harriot explained.

Categorising regional countries Professor Harriott placed the countries in the region into three categories: those where the crime and violence situation was emerging; others where it was mature; and the few where the problem was chronic. In each case, the response to the problem has to be different.

“My assessment is that you (SVG) are hopefully still emerging, but you may be emergent and trending into a direction of maturity, and this calls for some urgency,” Prof Harriott said.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

Jacobs Production provides educational experience

appealed to the patrons to come on board and put the products on the map. “We must take her story forward,” he said. “We must patronize her! Her quality is as good as the foreign ones that come here and that is why we at Invest SVG are starting a ‘Buy Local Campaign’ as of April 1st.”

Coming out of its association with Invest Mr. Peter Edward, SVG, Jacobs Production Export Development An assortment of notebooks available from Green Peaks Company has been Manager Invest SVG, Books and Publishing. enrolled in the ‘High was on hand to express Export Potential Invest SVG’s support for Programme’ in which it Left: Mrs. Hazlon-Ann Jacobs showing off the largest book Mrs. Jacobs’ will function under the her company ever made. guidance of Invest SVG for entrepreneurial spirit and industry. two years; learn the Nation’s show. “I have embarked Institutional support fundamentals of packaging Youths with on a journey that will not the publishing company through attendance at Education only equip our nation’s and order all their exercise The activity was held in trade shows and other Tools’, youth with the necessary books from it. collaboration with Invest events; and upon Green tools,” she admitted, “but The formalities out of SVG, represented by Mr. graduating from the Peaks also educate them about the way, patrons took to Peter Edward, Export programme, be better

by GLORIAH… General Manager, Mrs. the history and heritage of Development Manager. placed to attract financing carefully perusing the Hazlon-Ann Jacobs our country. I visualize exhibits/products and He explained that he first and mentorship.

THE MONDAY 16TH APRIL unveiled new editions of educational tools as an there were visible signs encountered Mrs. Jacobs, Mr. Edward advocated opening of the third and existing products and, in asset. Our newest line and utterances of approval her story and her products that at least three local final term of the current addition, a completely new includes educational and satisfaction. several months ago at one schools should embrace academic year, brought with and exciting line of charts with words, of Invest SVG’s it the possibility that functional products for alphabet, shapes, body educational supplies may students of all ages. parts, icons of St. Vincent entrepreneurship training seminars. He immediately need to be replenished.

In attendance were and the Grenadines, felt that it was a project As far as Green Peaks representatives of the keyboard shortcuts and Books and Publishing is Ministry of Housing, the street maps of Kingstown.” for which his organization concerned, that matter is Bureau of Standards, the New editions were also had the power to promote and to help the young easily settled, since its Police Welfare Association, launched of the 2016 family whose first child parent company, Jacobs Coordinator of the ‘Lives homework books, puzzle [the same one that caused Production Company, to Live Project’ Mr. Elvis books, and the reading recently announced its Charles, Former and colouring book series. Mrs. Jacobs to leave school brand new line of Commissioner of Police Other products include early] was now at the University of the West educational products.

Mr. Michael Charles; and notebooks, sketch books Indies, St. Augustine, At an event held at the other well-wishers. and drawing books. performing at the top of Peace Memorial Hall on Mrs. Jacobs was excited A Binding Service was Mach 26th, under the to give details of the also available from Jacobs his class.

The Export theme ‘Empowering our products that were on Production Company.

Patrons checked out the products with carful eyes.

Development Manager

KCCU opens Marriaqua branch THE COOPERATIVE SPIRIT has existed among the people of Marriaqua.

And this is made evident when one reflects on the founding, within the valley, of the Marriaqua Friendly Society (Bunpan), the Marriaqua Petroleum Cooperative Credit Union, the Marriaqua Cooperative Credit Union and about five banana cooperatives.

With the demise of the banana industry, the banana cooperatives folded. the Petroleum Cooperative went under, and so too the Marriaqua Cooperative Credit Union.

So, it was with a welcome air of relief that the Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union (KCCU) stepped in and merged with the now defunct MCCU in order that members not lose their investment.

Speaking at the official opening of the KCCU Marriaqua Branch headquarters last

Friday, President of KCCU, Cynthia Hope-Browne explained that in 2014, the MCCU began to lose its footing.

There was a deficit in the cooperative’s equity amounting to EC$1.7 million.

But the credit union sector, along with the Financial Services Authority (FSA), passed a resolution that allowed for the assets and liabilities of the MCCU to be acquired by KCCU, and by September 2014, the merger was complete.

Parliamentary Representative for the constituency, St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince expressed gratitude on behalf of the people for the effort made by KCCU to save the investment of the people.

“We look forward to the continuation of services and the additional services that the amalgamation would bring about,” he said.

The activity coincides with

Maria Ryan (left) and KCCU President Cynthia HopeBrowne cut the ribbon to officially open the KCCU Marriaqua Branch Headquarters. the KCCU’s 60th anniversary.

Frederick Stephenson, Minister with responsibility for co-operatives lauded those involved in making the sector

The new KCCU Marriaqua branch headquarters. what it is today.

He explained that following the enactment of the revised Cooperative Act, a number of mergers took place. Today there are four credit unions, down from nine, he said.

St Vincent and the Grenadines ranks in the top five in relation to the penetration rate for credit unions in the

world and, according to Stephenson, he wanted to recognize the effort that the credit union movement made to the development of the country.

Last Friday’s activity also included congratulatory greetings from a number of sister credit unions, the FSA and Marriaqua communitybased organizations. (DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 3.

News 3 Level of crime: A concern for the Church THE FREQUENCY AND NATURE of crimes being committed here are of concern to the Church.

The Right Rev’d C Leopold Friday, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Windward Islands, and President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council (SVGCC), made the point as he spoke at the opening ceremony of a two-day — April 18 and 19 - discussion on crime and violence, held at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown.

The event, dubbed ‘A National Conversation on Crime and Violence’ while co-ordinated by the SVGCC, was refined in purpose and procedure by a wide-ranging Committee, comprised of a wide cross section of clergy and laity of Chriatan denominations, Ratsfarians, Police, Civil Society grouping, among others.

It ended yesterday, Thursday, and

according to Bishop Friday, was organized as an opportunity: to examine the cause of criminality with a desired aim of causing a reduction; to explore options for collaborating with existing institutions and organizations charged with the prevention of crime and the protection and prosecution of individuals; and to design a working plan of action to guide churches in their obligation to combat violence.

The event served as a follow-up to a panel discussion on crime held back in 2015. However, according to Bishop Friday, while in its own sense that panel discussion was a success, it did not provide a way forward in relation to reducing and managing crime.

“It is hoped that this Conversation will provide an opportunity for the church and NGOs and civil society, to take the lead in collaboration to work

with government agencies in our society, looking afresh at the complex and changing nature of crime and violence and its impact on the national psyche,” Bishop Friday said.

Participation in the two-day event included, among others, representatives from a number of church organizations, civil and community-based The Right Rev’d Calvert Leopold Friday, Bishop of organizations; the Windward Island and President of the Christian representatives of Council, said thechurch is concerned and is government and private prepared to partner with stakeholders in the fight agencies and against crime. organizations working in areas related to crime and crime prevention; representatives professions; secondary and tertiary level students and interested of organizations grouping various individuals. (DD)

Crime in SVG: Moving to chronic stage believed that things can only get worse, that the police Based on the lessons cannot solve the problem; after learned from those countries a while the police said we in the region where the crime cannot solve the problem, it is situation was regarded as beyond us; then you bring out chronic, the Professor warned the army, and then they begin that it ought to be understood to say they too cannot solve that dealing with the issue of the problem.” crime is not just one for the In that vein, a second trend state, or the police, but the to which attention must be general public as well, because paid in this period of public opinion helps to shape transition, is that when a policy. chronic condition sets in for too long, people lose faith in Public response – Jamaica’s their institutions. experience “The institutions are unable to serve and protect them. And In this regard, Professor they call for a new Harriott referred to a situation arrangement. So, in the case that arose in Jamaica where a of Jamaica, two things have level of cynicism began to set happened that I want to bring in among the population. to your attention. One, the “They (the population) loss of respect for rule of law Continued from Page 1.

among the population, so we have one third of the population who believes that police should be given a free hand and do whatever it takes to bring the problem under control,” Harriott said.

The Jamaican people also developed a second expression where they were in support of a military coup, he explained.

A military coup, not in the broad support, but support on the condition that there is an arrangement where the army takes over, fixes crime and hands it back to civil society.

According to Harriott, in 2017, for the first time. the majority — some 63% - of the population supported this type of approach to dealing with the crime situation in Jamaica.

young people in the transition into adulthood and into the world of work.

“So how do we avoid getting “Institutions need to be there?’ the Professor asked built that build participation rhetorically. among the youth in order to “First lesson and advice: Be promote social conduct,” careful to mark the boundaries Harriott advised, as he of acceptable conduct in your admitted that a lot of people society,” he suggested. are involved in a lot of The escalation to “promising activity” aimed at extraordinary levels of making our societies safer — criminality was linked to the progammes and projects which erosion of boundaries of he assessed, as having not normal conduct, Harriott said. been evaluated, “so we cannot The second was that there say with much confidence if was not enough investment in they are working or not for the institutions that are crime prevention, crime responsible for making our reduction.” societies safe.

Measures have to be specific In the professor’s view, the - targeting places, people and region needs to implement behaviour, and we have to be preventative measures at the deliberate, he emphasized. individual level, to assist

The way forward

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4. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Fraudster ordered to pay compensation Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS A MAN WHO was charged on 94 counts of deception and allegedly obtained monies amounting to EC$42,057, US$430 and Cdn$300, was ordered to pay compensation on eight of those charges, by the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne made the order after Tedroy McCree of Penniston pleaded guilty to four charges of dishonestly obtaining, by Tedroy McCree has until May 7 this year to come good on compensating Rose Clair Spencer whom he defrauded or go to prison.

deception, various sums of monies from Jefferson Lewis of Calder, and four charges of a similar nature in relation to Rose Clair Spencer of Redemption Sharpes.

McCree obtained the monies on various dates in 2016, after convincing the Virtual Complainants that he was recruiting persons to sail on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

He collected monies from Lewis, deceiving him into believing that he would make the arrangements for his friend Jozel Lawrence who was interested in sailing. He also collected monies from Spencer. He was able to convince them that he needed the cash for their registration, visas, passage, and medical expenses, and at times got them to give him additional sums, convincing them that he needed more to have the package completed.

McCree was ordered to pay compensation to Lewis in the sum of $2,315 forthwith or seven

Chopping incident leaves victim disabled JOMARLY PARRIS was fined $2,500 at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Tuesday for unlawful and malicious wounding, but the victim Ronnie David who was chopped several times, is not sure whether he would be able to use his left hand again.

Before handing down the penalty, Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett concluded that Parris, 27 of Campden Park, who told the Court he worked as a labourer for $250 a week, would not be able to compensate David, also a Campden Park resident, employed as a linesman with the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC).

Parris told Burnett that he could compensate David in the region of $400, but the Magistrate replied, “No man, it would take thousands of dollars to restore him to how he was before”.

The Magistrate advised David that he could take civil action against Parris, but David told THE VINCENTIAN outside the Court, that he had doubts that Parris would be able to pay him if he (David) was successful in the civil matter.

He showed this reporter his left hand, saying, “It is disabled.”

David testified during the trial on Tuesday that Parris had attacked him at Campden Park during the early morning hours of September 30, 2017.

He tried to defend himself, he said, but Parris’ family members and others held him down for the defendant to “chop him up.”

He received injuries to the left side of his face close to his eye, left hand and shoulder.

This incident followed

an earlier argument between both men, Parris, in his defence, told the Court that on the morning in question, he was going home with his mother and brother, and on reaching David’s gate at Campden Park, the complainant’s dog rushed him.

“I picked up a stone and blast it. I continued walking going home and he followed me, saying he go kill me. After I reach home he start coming up in front me mother place,” Parris recounted.

He added that he told his brother to follow him back down the road to buy a juice, ………….. with a cutlass in case the dog rushed him again.

“Both of us went back

down the road, I pass him (David) on a wall where my uncle live. His dog plunge after me. I pull out the cutlass to go chop the dog, and he put his hand in the way and get chop,” Parris said, adding that a fight followed, during which David received the other injuries. He said the cutlass fell and his brother pulled him off.

During her crossexamination of Parris, Prosecutor Curlene Samuel asked, “You go home and come back with a cutlass because you ah bad man?” Parris replied, “Me ain’t no bad man”.

In a statement to the police, Parris said his brother told him to pick

up a cutlass in case “the boy” trouble him.

Parris called his brother Kyron to give evidence on his behalf, but Kyron could not help him, as he contradicted most of what the defendant said.

Samuel described Kyron as a witness of convenience who came to tell lies.

The Senior Magistrate did not believe the defence’s version of the events, and convicted Parris. He was ordered to pay the fine by June 29 with an alternative of 18 months.

Parris was unrepresented at the trial.

Manslaughter charge laid in student’s death KEMAL OLLIVIERRE, a 20-year-old mechanic of Troumaca, originally charged with causing the death of 17-year-old Community College student Onixcy Hamilton by dangerous driving, is now charged with criminal manslaughter in connection with the incident.

The original charge was withdrawn and substituted with that of causing death by an unlawful act.

The charge stems from an incident, December 31, 2016, during The remains of the vehicle after it which the vehicle Hamilton was crashed into the wall and took Onixcy driving ran off the road in the North Leeward town of Chateaubelair and Hamilton’s life in the process. struck in a wall. He died on the spot. revised edition of the Laws of St. Ollivierre, who was also reportedly Vincent and the Grenadines 2009. driving a vehicle at the time of the Ollivierre was not required to plead incident, was charged with causing when he appeared at the Serious Hamilton’s death by dangerous Offences Court on Monday. driving, based on the outcome of a Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Coroner’s Inquest held at the Delpleche had no objections to bail.

Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court in Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne October 2017. granted bail in the sum of $27,000 That charge was laid under the with one surety, an increased amount Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act. to the $10,000 bail granted when However, based on a Ollivierre had appeared in Court on recommendation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the original charge.

Bail was granted with reporting the police subsequently withdrew that charge, and substituted it with that of conditions, and Ollivierre was ordered to surrender his travel documents. causing death by an unlawful act, He was represented by Attorney which was laid under section 163 of Jomo Thomas. the Criminal Code, chapter 171,

months in prison and bonded for nine months in the sum of $1,005. In default he would go to jail for nine months.

McCree was ordered to pay Spencer compensation in the sum of $1,700 by May 7 or six months behind bars. In addition, he was bonded for six months in the sum of $1,000. In default he would go to prison for six months.

The other matters were adjourned to May, 24.

A case of the act not the value STANLEY ANDREWS, a 42year-old Vermont man, was last week Thursday handed a sentence of three months in prison, for the theft of $10 worth of dasheen.

Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court after the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge.

The penalty sparked much public debate among Vincentians, with some Senior persons commenting that it Prosecutor was too harsh, especially in Adolphus light of the small amount of Delpleche dasheen stolen.

The produce was stolen from showed much concern for the the land of Cornel Penniston, farmers who 47-year-old Vermont farmer. have been But Senior Prosecutor enduring Adolphus Delpleche has described as unreasonable, the continuing acts view expressed that the three- of theft of their month sentence was too harsh. produce and He told THE VINCENTIAN livestock. on Tuesday that what was in question here was not the value of what was stolen, but the act, and the distress praedial larceny has been causing farmers over the years.

“He was convicted for stealing somebody’s hard earned property. Working land is not easy.

Farmers work extremely hard, and to say that he should have been given a lighter penalty is unreasonable,” Delpleche said.

In support of a view that praedial larceny seemed to have gotten out of hand here, Delpleche added that farmers in every community across the country have been crying out for years about the theft of their agricultural produce and livestock.

The prosecutor explained that one of the principles of sentencing was for deterrence, and “a clear message must be sent to potential offenders to leave people’s property alone, and that if they are caught stealing, they can go to prison.”

As far as Andrews was concerned, Delpleche noted that he had previous convictions for theft, dated as far back as the 1990s, and his conviction record was not even up to date when he appeared in court last week Thursday.

Andrews, he said, had several chances in the past to change his life, having been reprimanded, placed on bonds, fined, and imprisoned, but he continued along the path of dishonesty.

Interestingly, the Senior Prosecutor explained further that Andrews was not even charged under the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Act which carries a stiffer penalty. He was instead charged with theft, under the Criminal Code.

Prosecutors, including Delpleche, have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction during interviews with THE VINCENTIAN, about the police continuing to charge persons under the Criminal Code, in relation to Praedial Larceny, rather than under the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Act which was passed specifically to deal with the offence.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 5.

Regional

T&T Buggery Law Unconstitutional

and female or between two consenting males is an offence, and a person found guilty of such an office could be jailed for up to 25 years.

In his decision in a case brought by gay rights activist Jason Jones — born in Trinidad and Tobago but living in Britain — who challenged sections of the Sexual Offences Act, Rampersad declared Sections 13 and 16 of the legislation “unconstitutional, illegal, null, void, invalid and are of no effect to the extent that they criminalize any acts constituting consensual sexual conduct between adults”.

He said the legislation The LGBTQI community in Trinidad was eagerly waiting outside the high court for the contravened Jones’ rights judgement and celebrated after the news broke. (Photo Credit: Scott Cuthbertson/twitter) to privacy and family life.

HIGH COURT JUDGE in Trinidad and it, both sides accepted that the legal “The claimant, and others who Tobago on Thursday 12th April ruled that battle continues as buggery is still express their sexual orientation in a the part of that twin-island republic’s against the law, since the legislation similar way, cannot lawfully live their Sexual Offences Act which criminalizes has not been struck out. life, their private life, nor can they sexual activity between homosexual men And in an immediate response to choose their life partners or create the – whether consensual or not – is the ruling, Minister in the Ministry of families that they wish,” he wrote in unconstitutional. the Attorney General, Stuart Young, his 58-page ruling.

But even as Justice Devindra said the State plans to appeal the Reacting to Rampersad’s judgment, Rampersad handed down the ruling, decision.

Jones said: “It was a stunning victory and the local and regional lesbian, gay, Under Section 13 of the Sexual for human rights and a victory for all bisexual, transgender, queer and Offences Act of Trinidad and Tobago, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. This intersex (LGBTQI) community hailed buggery between a consenting male is not just about LGBT, this is about

Justice Devindra Rampersad ruled against part of the Sexual Offences Act, and has invited argument in favour of striking down the entire legislation. the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution.”

During the hearing of the matter, the State had argued that the legislation has never been enforced against consenting adults. But Rampersad contended that maintaining an unenforced law on the statutes “makes no logical sense and, instead, seems more vindictive than protective or curative in manner, as if to hold a ‘big stick’ over a minority to try to enforce a portion of society’s morality over it”.

However, the judge stopped short of throwing out the legislation, and instead indicated that he wanted to hear from the parties on whether the “offending sections should be struck down in their entirety”. They have until June 4 to present their views, and the judge said he would deliver his judgment the following month.

(Sources: Caribbean 360, Trinidad Media)

Buggery shouldn’t be against the Law ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP of Port of Spain, Jason Gordon says even though the Catholic Church views buggery as an immoral and “disordered” act, it should not be illegal.

In fact, he says in any country where buggery is a criminal offence, the church should find ways to remove it from the statute books.

Gordon made the church’s position clear on the heels of a ruling by Trinidad and Tobago High Court Judge Devindra Rampersad, that the sections of the Sexual Offences Act which criminalize the act of buggery between consenting adults are unconstitutional.

However, in an interview on local television, the Archbishop made it clear that the church is still against homosexuality.

“There is no question in the church’s mind or teaching that [buggery] is an act that is immoral, disordered — one would even say a sin against

nature,” Gordon said.

“Buggery or the homosexual act is a disordered act, is a frustrated act; it is an act that is not in keeping with the intention of God for human sexuality.”

But, he added, it did not mean it should be illegal.

The Archbishop said buggery is a moral matter and not a criminal one and insisted that although the Roman Catholic Church does not support homosexuality, it “does not believe that buggery should be criminalized at this time.”

And as the Roman Catholic Church takes this position, it has found itself at variance with other Christian denominations and Hindu and Muslim groups, who hold on to the view that it is both immoral and criminal, and want the buggery law to remain on the statute books.

In another response to the ruling, John, (first name withheld), a 28-year-old, well-

educated professional from South Trinidad, who has wrestled all of his life with his difference (sexual), said Justice Rampersad’s ruling would open the door for active and positive discussion.

“That conversation was never entertained and the fact that this has happened, opens the door for positive and actual discourse,” he told the Trinidad Newsday newspaper, as he reflected on his process of self-discovery and the difficulty he experienced in the absence of support and having someone to talk to. (Sources: Trinidad Newsday, T&T Guardian) Meanwhile, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) — the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic — has welcomed the T&T judge’s ruling that the country’s buggery laws are unconstitutional.

It says the ruling acknowledges that every individual regardless of their race, colour, gender, age or sexual orientation, has the right to human dignity, and is aligned with the partnership’s Justice for All Programme which calls for the establishment of procedures to accelerate the process for the repeal of laws decriminalizing sexual acts in private between consenting adults.

PANCAP noted that one of the recommendations of the Regional Consultation of Faith Leaders 2017 in Port-of-Spain, in February, acknowledged areas of litigation that may challenge religious values and the responses required to harmonize principles and practices around human rights, human sexuality and human dignity.

In handing down his decision, Justice Rampersad said that the ruling is “not an assessment or denial of the religious beliefs of anyone…

Archbishop Jason Gordon, reiterated the R. C. Church’s position with respect to buggery and the laws that address it.

However, this conclusion is a recognition that the beliefs of some, is not the belief of all”.

PANCAP has therefore encouraged continued dialogue between the Faith Community and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community on areas of agreement and commonality. (Sources: Trinidad Newsday, T&T Guardian, Caribbean 360)

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6. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Parliamentarians debate over poor sporting facilities

“THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE complaints, but we have to make sure they do not metamorphose into a permanent condition of dissatisfaction engendered by those who would wish to have people believe that that’s the case when that is not so.”

Such was the response in part by Prime Minister Dr An artist’s view of the National Stadium proposed for SVG and Ralph Gonsalves to The refurbished Arnos Vale Playing Field – the result of designed by Construction Advisory Services. This project is to Nigel Stephenson, expenditure of some EC$54 million – has not hosted a major be revisited by government.

Opposition international cricket match in years.

Parliamentary Representative for South Leeward, who at the Thursday 5th April sitting of the House of Assembly, echoed the sentiments expressed by the coaches for the athletes who competed in the recent CARFITA Games, for an improvement to the facilities for track and field athletes.

Stephenson said, in his contribution during the session allocated Victoria Park, once the purview of the Kingstown Town Board on The Cumberland Playing Field had to wait more than a decade for congratulatory behalf of the people, is now in the hands of the National before it was commissioned in October 2017. (Photo Credit: remarks, that while Lotteries Authority, and has become less of a sports facility.

Jules Anthony) our athletes have proven that they can In doing so, he also said that it was He referred to neighbouring islands opposition. compete and excel among the region’s And back in 2008, a design for a best, the time had come for the playing time that government delivered on its Grenada and St. Lucia which had promise for a national stadium. hosted the CARIFTA Games twice and national stadium was done. The cost field to be level. of the facility then amounted to EC$56 Opposition MP for Central once respectively, and St Kitts and He said that our athletes were still million, the Prime Minister said.

Kingstown St Clair Leacock chimed in, Nevis which he said, was way ahead. training and competing locally on This was done just as the Leacock further said that the hard, grassy surfaces, while the rest of saying that 17 years was too long a government had been spending money wait for the delivery of proper facilities impression was being given that the the region’s athletes were doing so on on sporting facilities throughout the to the athletes of this country. placement of a synthetic track was synthetic tracks. country, and had done some work on such a ‘herculean’ task. the Arnos Vale Playing field, in preparation for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, which amounted to EC$54 Be thankful for small mercies million.

It was the intention of the The Prime Minister acknowledged government to return to the national that the talent exhibited by the stadium project in 2009, or 2010 but, athletes, particularly those who copped according to Gonsalves, “We were gold medals, needed to be taken care under severe strictures because of the of and nurtured, and affirmed that the global meltdown in 2008 and ULP government has been spending continuing, and had to borrow money much money on sporting facilities in to deal with rehabilitative work following the passage of natural the country.

“And we must not talk of what is to disasters and heavy rains. be done, but also what has been done, “We must always put these things within context,” Gonsalves said. and be grateful and be thankful for these mercies which have been given He informed that the Minister of to us,” he said.

Sport was working on getting a The facility which now houses synthetic track. swimming at Ratho Mill, known as The April 5, 2018 sitting of Shrewsbury, was the residence of a Parliament voted in support of a Bill to allow for government to obtain a former Prime Minister, Gonsalves loan, part of which is to be allocated to explained, was handed over to sports by the present administration, despite this project. (DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 7.

News

No fishing agreement between Taiwan and SVG THERE IS NO fishing agreement between this country and the People’s Republic of China on Taiwan.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves gave The number of Taiwanese fishing vessels carrying the SVG flag has decreased considerably.

clarity on the matter in response to a comment made by Opposition Parliamentary Representative for North Leeward, Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews during a recent parliamentary debate on a Bill for an Act to amend the Customs’ Duty Act, Chapter 423, allowing for duty waivers on marine

Work at Black Sands underway THE FIRST PHASE of work on the Black Sands Resort at Peter’s Hope/Mount Wynne is expected to get underway this month.

Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture Cecil McKie said in Parliament Thursday 5th April, in response to Opposition Senator Kay Bacchus-Baptiste’s request for an update on the project, that the site plan and architectural drawing for the first phase of the project were submitted to the Physical Planning Department in October last year and approved in February this year.

Following that approval granted, the company responsible for overseeing the construction of the project, PACE Development St Vincent Incorporated, began clearing, grading and cutting the roads to accommodate the

construction of an initial ten of 40 villas. The clearing, etc., were completed in late March, the minister said.

McKie also assured the Parliament that the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) had completed the water connection, a prerequisite for construction.

Construction will be supervised by individuals from PACE Development in Toronto, Canada.

Locals have already been contracted to work between April 2018 and December 2019.

According to the minister, “The architectural team is expected to submit the plans for the remaining 30 villas, and as soon as that site plan is approved, the second phase of the project will begin.”

The third phase of the project - the construction of a 200-room hotel tower

- is expected to begin before the end of this year, subject to approval by the Physical Planning Unit, and is expected to be completed in 22 months.

The Canadian firm PACE purchased from the Government some 36 acres of land that once comprised the Mt. Wynn/Peter’s Hope estate, for EC$7 million.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held in January 2017 for what developers said then was a EC$60 million Villa/Hotel Development Project. (DD)

The site where the ground-breaking ceremony was held for the PACE Villa/Hotel Development at Mt. Wynne/Peter’s Hope.

engines of up to 115HP, up from the previous 85HP. MP Matthews in his contribution had, inter alia, suggested that fisherfolk from Taiwan fish in Vincentian waters and used that basis to further the view that even though the Taiwanese have already been very generous (to SVG), perhaps it was possible for them to offer some assistance in the area of fishing.

“The fact that they are benefitting from us from fishing,” he said.

But, according to Gonsalves who intervened at that point, there was no fishing agreement between the two countries.

“The argument has been presented, but it is entirely false to say that they (Taiwanese) fish in our waters,” the prime minister said, adding, “That is not the case.”

The PM proceeded to explain that Taiwanese fishing vessels have been registered under the local

fish registry: “but that does not give them a licence to fish in our waters.”

He disclosed that there were fewer vessels registered now, down from over 100 to somewhere between 20 and 30, because SVG had stopped the registration of Taiwanese vessels.

And this was done, not for the “bogus” reason, Gonsalves said, but because St Vincent and the Grenadines has to comply with the regulations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), which includes the monitoring, reporting and implementation of control measures for tuna and tuna-like species of fish.

Rather than getting on a black-list, Gonsalves said that the decision was made to simply not register any Taiwanese vessels. (DD)

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8. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Making use of the Commonwealth THE COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING was held this past week (April 16 – 20) in London, England.

Twelve Commonwealth Caribbean territories of a total membership of 53 countries spread across the globe, were reported as being represented at this Conference, with the likes of the Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago making it their business to attend in person.

Some Commonwealth Caribbean territories chose once again, not to be represented by their highest Executive officers.

And those not represented at the highest level (SVG included), might just have missed out on a particularly exacting opportunity, albeit aside to the actual Conference, to vent their feeling directly on the British Government.

We have in earlier publications registered our observation of a lessening of importance by our government on matters related to the Commonwealth. Our ‘foreign policy’ agenda has shifted away in time and energy from so called traditional partners, though we have strategically kept the lines of communication and cooperation open. So it may be that in keeping with that thrust, we have not placed any real importance on that Commonwealth Meeting, forgetting in the process that the historical and cultural similarities we share with many Commonwealth Member countries, could well be grounds to exploit in winning support for our grand quest for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Then again, maybe it is that our new found friends would line up in our corner when the bell is rung. But that is another story.

Yes, Caribbean Heads of Government, not least Prime Ministers Andrew Holness of Jamaica and Dr. Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, would have been there to personally confront the British Prime Minister, Ms. Theresa May, with respect to her government’s threat to deport people who emigrated to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s; people who have no or very little connection with the country of their birth, and would have lived in the UK for the better part of their entire life.

At a meeting in Downing Street, Prime Minister May is reported to have told representatives of the 12 Caribbean members of the Commonwealth that she took the treatment of the so-called Windrush generation “very seriously,” and proceeded to

apologise for the “anxiety caused.”

What was interesting was that this meeting between the British PM and Commonwealth Caribbean heads/their representatives, was not a scheduled one, but was ‘hastily’ put together to ward off an even more widespread embarrassment for the British government, had the issue foamed to the top for wider Commonwealth deliberation The British PM assured the Caribbean delegation that her government had no intention of clamping down on Commonwealth citizens, particularly those from the Caribbean.

Hays off to those Caribbean Heads of Government for representing the Caribbean, its people home and abroad, in the face of a threat against their humanity and, more worldly, an indictment against their contribution to rebuilding the United Kingdom after the ravages of World War 11.

And while we are on the issue of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference, it would be worth our while as a small (member) state, to familiarize ourself with that Body’s launch of ‘an innovative way for small states to obtain easier access to international trade finance’.

Called the Commonwealth Small States Trade Finance Facility, the Commonwealth Secretariat effectively acts as a guarantor on loans secured to develop trade and sustain economic and social development. This guarantee could release $100 million of incremental trade finance over a three-year period to any of the 31 Commonwealth nations classified as small states — SVG included.

With all the emphasis here on ‘readying our entrepreneurs for the export market’, we cannot be hurt for exploring the assistance that could be forthcoming through this facility.

We may, because of underrepresentation, missed out on being selected as a pilot country for the launch of this facility (Dominica is included), but we should not be disheartened. Over to Invest SVG? And as we come to the end of this tale, it is wise that we keep open the doors of access to our partners who share a common history and similarities in culture, even as we explore new openings of assistance while maintaining our ideological independence.

Recent deaths and April 17 Births THIS COLUMN is just being free-floating following some very critical events in SVG. Many of them are not only continuing but growing and will ultimately be settled in a final outburst which we must still guard lest it erupts in mass violence.

So, I go back to the peace of Death. I read a couple obituaries some years ago. I will give two samples. First of all, of Carmen Greenaway nee Mc Kie. Like many births of her past, hers was outside the pale of married parents. It was only when Death approached that her respectable father, Lynchie Mc Kie, summoned courage to let his “lawful” children know that he had fathered Carmen who had been a blessing to the Marriaqua Valley. Her generosity was something else.

Cecil Scott had been an old school mate at Cadman Fraser’s Wesley Hall School of the 1940s. He became a respected senior policeman, a master of drills who led many an impressive parade. I gave this joke involving him. He had been a court prosecutor at the time of Magistrate Oswald Jack who as a confirmed Methodist, could not let any dirty words escape his lips, particularly in court. So, he contrived this scene in “cussword” cases. He would introduce a case stopping short of the offending words. Then Scott in stentorian voice will blurt out “Pull your arse” or “you arse-hole”, etc. as if directed at Jack who then proceeds with the rest of the charge, to the delight of the audience.

To continue with my school-mates, I spoke with Jean Walker nee Barrington, who is the wife of taxi-driver Percy who recently passed away and drew abundant praise in Blazer Williams’ column, along with Caribbean Pete and Andrew Cummings.

But I had called Jean also on a personal selfish matter. She turned 80 years old, three days after my own 80th birthday on April 17.

We both deserve a round of applause for that.

Caribbean Pete, like me, had been a newspaper columnist of some worth. Douggie ‘Nose’ Joseph reminds us that Pete always blew his own trumpet. I recall Parnel Campbell’s advice to me that I should ensure that I blew my own loudly, for there were many persons bent on caulking it up!

Last Tuesday I received a call from Stanley “Stalky” John who set up a date for a chat with me for any time that he could break into his busy schedule. Over the last fifteen years or so, I have grown to respect “Stalky” as friend and lawyer. I had to point out that it was hardly a coincidence that he called me on my 80th birthday. I quite naturally phoned Dr. Edmund Sealey, who shares my birth date.

Another primary school colleague, the widow of Robert Providence, also shared an eightieth birthday with me. Also Dr. Bertie Stephens whose 80th birthday is April 19.

The best of all, however, is that Arnhim

Eustace’s son, Ajane, was born on my birthday 39 years ago.

But the most welcome call came from Dr. Bob Sutton who had been my Grammar School partner in the mid-1950s. He resides in Toronto, recently lost his Guyanese-born wife, and will also be eighty next August.

Now I will revert, back to Andrew of whom I can talk for the rest of 2018. I forgot three unforgettable figures that were associated in Andrew’s life : his paternal aunt Carmen Cummings from Chateaubelair; his life-long friend Candy Veira, whose spin-bowling at Andrew’s park had been a foil to the thunderbolts of Joel Providence; and Viola John whose house was a home away from home for Andrew: He learned the nuances of the English language from the word plays and other constructive games .

Andrew’s passing stirred many splendid articles, especially the tributes of Zhinga Horne Edwards, Adrian Fraser and Bassy Alexander.

Strange how Vincentians in the Diaspora think in precise terms of their homeland. My good friend, Dennis Mounsey, heading for 85 years in Washington USA, is grateful that I mentioned “Mountain Cabbage” as the place where Andrew’s father, Saville, staged his cricket matches featuring contemporary public servants. According to Mounsey, he was born and lived in that area. Yet for years he could not find a Vincentian who knew of “Mountain Cabbage”. My revelation apparently helped to restore his mental balance!’

Talking about death, it is truly amazing that so many lawyers have left us in the past 7 years or so. At random, we have buried Othniel Sylvester and daughter Nicole, Grafton Isaacs, Fredrick Bruce-Lyle, Carl Joseph, Carl Glasgow, Olin Dennie, Joel Pitt, Moet Malcolm, Andrew Cummings and Samuel Commissiong.

Life, however, goes on. One cannot grieve over our dead forever. We have somehow to make do and press ahead. The defeat of the ULP and the replacement by the NDP must take place, sooner rather than later.

Even Ralph once called for the appointment of Prime Ministers for a limit of two terms. Now he is in a fourth term of which the last two have been secured by oneseat majorities, and were probably all stolen anyway.

I think that constitutional changes should be effected in imposing a two-term limit aimed at preventing emergence of a Gonsalves dynasty which at the moment is very much on the cards. There is much more to come in the following weeks, but we must begin somewhere, and the top priority is that the ULP Government must be roundly defeated in the next election or else!

V “On our mother’s shoulders”

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 9.

Letters

Tribute to Winnie Mandela WHEN WINNIE MANDELA walked into a meeting of the ANC, everything paled in the joyous and prolonged sound of her welcome.

This was the

woman whose militancy and sense of purpose fanned the flame of the Women’s Movement in various parts of the world, as the spirit of the antiapartheid struggle expanded beyond South Africa to the exploited in our own villages. Winnie,

The late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

then, was indeed an inspiration for women activists. She shattered the glass ceiling of struggle and made it a field for male and female freedom fighters.

However, when glass is shattered, splinters fly, and people get hurt. One hard to accept effect was the truth that Winnie was in line for positions of power in the free South Africa, even to the level of the Presidency. That particular ceiling resisted the idea of a female of such calibre and popularity in that position. Her worth in the fight for freedom could not be denied, so her worth as a person must be destroyed.

When Nelson Mandela was in prison, Winnie in her sorrow said, “Part of my Soul went with him”.

Yet she upheld the struggle for liberation in such a fearless manner that she was called “Mother of the Nation”.

Mine was a bewildered soul when the regional and international women’s movement was silent, and bought in to the accusations brought

Let’s be honest about Winnie ONE CANNOT IN ALL brainwashed, it was Winnie HONESTY not praise Winnie Mandela who established the Mandela for her role in the Mandela United Football Club, struggle against the system of which became known for their use Apartheid in her native South of force to ensure support for their Africa. However, it would also be, founder, Winnie. in all honesty, that we do not Yes, in all honesty, Winnie’s life present her legacy as void of was not without controversy, e.g. wrongdoing. she was convicted of kidnapping Unless I have been and assaulting a 14-year-old boy;

she was alleged to have committed fraud and theft. In fact, if my memory serves me correct, she was convicted of bank fraud sometime this century.

Yes, Winnie Mandela was a freedom fighter, but she was no saint. Let’s be honest.

LP - A black man

Winnie: the embodiment of the struggle for which Nelson suffered Editor’s Note: This letter was circulated among and carried by the regional press.

AS SOUTH AFRICA marks the passing of Winnie Mandela with a State funeral, I, the Commonwealth, and the Caribbean must let South Africans know that we are there in spirit.

In the days before Nelson Mandela was

released, Winnie was his symbol to whom we all related, and she was the embodiment of the struggle for which he suffered.

When the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group sent Dame Nita Barrow (the former governor general of Barbados) into Soweto with Winnie in 1986 unknown to P W Botha, the Apartheid president

of South Africa – it was a Commonwealth and Caribbean expression of alliance with the struggle.

When my official home, as Commonwealth Secretary General, in London was the first Winnie visited with Nelson on his release – to meet his antiapartheid friends – it was a statement from her of love and gratitude

to us all – as she wrote in our visitors’ book.

On the occasion of her State funeral, we must be there with her in spirit and in remembrance of our privilege to have been by her side when it mattered most.

Sir Shridath Ramphal Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth (1975-1990)

against her. The women’s movements stood silently by when the manipulative systems squeezed Nelson Mandela to complete the betrayal by divorcing Winnie. In a different context, the women’s movements were also silent when race won against gender, to see a black man as President of the USA. The chance for a woman was lost, just as it was for two other women taking steps towards the Vicepresidency.

Renwick Rose’s fearless call to women to emulate the militancy and advocacy of Winnie therefore found resonance with me. The silence must be broken, not only to sexual abuse and domestic violence, but to the violence of political manipulation, and the numerous other institutionalized social ills that oppose progress, and have our communities bound.

I must return to the 12 critical areas for action in the Beijing Platform for Action. It took years of struggle

and sacrifice, and four world conferences, from 1975 to 1995, to hammer out those clauses which must be walked off the Platform to implementation. To remain silent and inactive is to do a disservice to the stalwart women who walked the corridors of the United Nations and paved the way to achieve these gains. We stand today on their shoulders, and it is an indelible truth that two of the shoulders on which we stand belong to Winnie Mandela.

Nelcia Robinson Coordinator/CDW April 10, 2018

Remembering Robert Etienne HEARD OF THE PASSING of my dear friend Robert Etienne. Both of us were ‘town boys’ and both of us were the products of some sound primary school upbringing of the 1960s.

We also had a common love — the game of cricket. But while I took to the field to show off, Robert knew he had a condition that would work against him on the field and therefore, he became a storehouse of information about the sport. He especially loved to keep information and statistics on the international cricketers, and could hold his own in any discussion on the sport.

If I remember well, he also became a local umpire long before that duty became a paying one — he did it for the love of it.

I will be honest and say that since my migration, we had little contact. We inquired about each other through mutual friends and I now regret not having made direct contact with him.

You see, Mr. Editor, Robert taught all of us a lesson. i.e. how to deal with a personal life challenge and not let it beat you.

He was a silent but strong person, dedicated to whatever he chose to do.

I extend sincerest condolences to his wife and children, brother and sisters. May Robert forever rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Garnet, NY

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10. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The Zero Hunger Campaign is 2 years old

The plight of the Southern Grenadines

Introduction

(Excerpts from the Hon. Terrance Ollivierre’s budget presentation

IN THE CAMPAIGN for the 2015 general election, the ULP put forward as part of its strategy for the new term, the issue of a zero hunger programme, for a number of reasons. This was also a central plank of the 2015 election manifesto of the ULP. On page 35 of the document, it is stated that “the ULP government commits to achieve ZERO HUNGER before 2020, and the elimination of extreme poverty (dirt poor poverty) by that date also. We are committed to the goal of ending general poverty, the goal of ZERO POVERTY, by 2030”.

It is important to remind the readers about the background to this issue. When the ULP arrived in office in 2001, it found the country with a poverty level of 37.5 percent, and the indigence level at 25.7 percent. By 2009, through a number of targeted interventions, the ULP administration had reduced the level of general poverty to 30 percent, with indigence falling sharply to 2.9 percent of the population.

This is a remarkable story that is still to be told. In 1995, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations assessed that 22 percent of the population was undernourished. By 2012, that level had dropped to 3.5 percent of the population. In-fact, on two occasions, the FAO formally recognised the country as being among a select group, to meet the Millennium Development Goal, the MDG’s, of halving both the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty or indigence, and the number of persons who are under-nourished.

Vincentians will remember the amount of accolades heaped on this country for this achievement by the FAO, a credit to the sterling work of the ULP administration, and the people of this beloved country. But there was still more work to be done.

It is generally accepted in mathematical circles that 2.5 percent is higher than zero, a fact that Arnhim Eustace and the NDP seem not to be aware of. Any responsible government will seek to tackle this issue by aiming to reduce indigence to zero. That is the goal of the ULP administration in the fourth term, to achieve Zero Hunger.

SINCE 2001, the people of the Southern Grenadines have been neglected by the ULP regime. The standard of living for most people has declined significantly when compared to the period when the NDP was in office. Health care is at its lowest, the roads are in deplorable condition, tourism has declined, and no attention is being paid to the fishing industry.

What has happened Almost immediately, on its reelection to its fourth term, the ULP administration set about this quest to achieve Zero Hunger in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A joint InterMinisterial Committee was established to put the wheels in motion. The Ministry of Social Development quickly produced from its data base, a comprehensive list of three thousand persons who were considered to be in indigence and hunger.

A draft plan has been drawn up, with the key component being the establishment of the Zero Hunger Trust Fund, the ZHTF. Among other things, the ZHTF will ascertain the precise extent of hunger in the State, to address the circumstances and conditions of those persons afflicted by indigence, and to establish programmes to address this issue appropriately and successfully. The ZHTF has been established by law, and is comprised of esteemed

professionals and senior public servants, and it will support the existing initiatives by the government to reduce indigence.

It will be funded through the consolidated fund, along with a special levy on telecommunications, and grants and donations from individuals, and local, regional and international organisations. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves himself has already pledged a donation of one month’s salary over the next five years, towards the fund. Other Vincentians have made similar pledges, and they should be commended for their efforts to help their fellow citizens.

The response of the NDP So, Godwin Friday and the NDP are not in support of the ZHTF. As far as they are concerned the country could live with the 2.5 percent indigence. The NDP seems willing to condemn three thousand Vincentians to a life of hunger and indigence.

Godwin Friday and the NDP don’t care if these Vincentians go to sleep hungry. This must be another black mark against a party that has shown no love for the people of this country, and the citizens must punish them at the polls on the next occasion, for this outrageous attitude.

But Vincentians cannot express any surprise at this attitude, since this is par for the course, in relation to the NDP. They have opposed every single project proposed and implemented by the ULP administration, all aimed at enhancing the lives of Vincentians.

Recently they opposed the increased social welfare payments to poor people in the State, calling it an election bribe.

They opposed the international airport project at Argyle, the Education Revolution, the Housing Revolution, the expansion to the health sector, the bridge over the Rabacca River, and the list goes on. If you love Vincentians, if you love this country, you would want what is best for the motherland and its people. Not so for the unpatriotic NDP and Godwin Friday.

Conclusion When the history of this country is written, it will judge the ULP as the most progressive administration to govern St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ULP has shown an overwhelming and profound love for the people of this country, that is unmatched. That is why the Zero Hunger Trust Fund will succeed and will bring more than 3000 Vincentians out of indigence.

History will judge the NDP and will remember that party for wanting to condemn these 3000 Vincentians to a life of hunger and indigence, almost like a death warrant. What a shame on the NDP! The Zero Hunger Trust Fund will continue its excellent work, providing support to those Vincentians who are affected by indigence. Expect the ULP administration to unveil new initiatives as the fight against indigence continues.

Health Facility in Mayreau Ever since my early years of representing the people of the Southern Grenadines, the call has been made for proper health services in these islands. Let us look at the more critical area of the situation in Mayreau - not that the others do not have problems.

On April 16th, 2003 and February, 28th, 2005, I asked questions of the Minister of Health concerning the clinic in Mayreau. According to the Minister, it takes three (3) years to train a nurse but it took over fifteen (15) years for them to place one in Mayreau. But more importantly, let us look at the answer to the question in 2005. Minister Slater replied, “Honourable Members, our government is a government that believes that people must work in a proper environment. The clinic at Mayreau was built many years (ago) and was never staffed and as we know, buildings that are not fully utilized tend to deteriorate. A nurse was appointed and in fact that nurse has already been deployed at the services of the Mayreau people. The nurse, however, is based at Union Island because of the condition of the building where he should be living in Mayreau.”

After all the promises, the clinic has never been renovated after fifteen (15) years, and the nurse who was placed there in 2017 is in similar conditions or even worse than what was so accurately described by the then Minister of Health in 2005. The people of Mayreau have suffered so many years without access to basic health care on the island. Having witnessed the neglect of my people in regards to basic health care and witnessed the difficulties they have to access basic health care, I was moved with emotions in parliament for the plight of the people I represent, as my plea seemingly fell on deaf ears. I was disappointed by the comments that I heard from members of the governing party. Sadly, the situation remains the same.

Airport from the Marine Park, similar to the sale of lands from Canouan and Bequia? We all would agree that the National Marine Park and protected areas should be better managed, and that the underlying principle is that these areas must meet the needs of the people who must be able to earn a livelihood from the natural resources.

Tourism Tourism is the mainstay of the country. However, nothing much is spent in the Grenadines from the revenue that government is collecting from the Grenadines tourism industry. The Grenadines is heavily dependent on the yachting sector.

When the sector isn’t doing well, the restaurant operators, the local shops and groceries, including the market vendors in Clifton, do not do well. All because of terrible regulations implemented by the ULP government.

Most of these regulations are not encouraging the yachts to stay longer.

Additionally, most tourists to the Southern Grenadines travel straight from Barbados or St. Lucia. The cost of travelling such route to the Grenadines is high. It costs $1400 to travel from Bequia, Canouan or Union Island to Barbados or St. Lucia. On the other hand, travelling from Barbados to Miami costs about $960.

It is cheaper to travel all those miles from Barbados to Miami, than to travel from St. Lucia and Barbados to the Grenadines. Flying the Grenadines is the highest cost per seat miles in the world.

The number one factor to this is the high taxes imposed by the government, and the second contributor is that there is no competition. I wish to point out that when tourism in the Grenadines is not doing well, it also affects farmers and businesses on the mainland.

Union Island airport

Union Island was at one time a favourite destination for Trinidadians.

In fact, Union Island airport was known to be the busiest airport in the Southern Grenadines, with daily flights from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Martinique. The airport is now a shadow of what it used to be. It is now in a deplorable condition. I believe the Taiwanese would be ashamed to show anyone what they have built. On a number of occasions, the airport has Tobago cays to be closed for reasons which could have been solved by proper I have tried on numerous occasions maintenance. When this happens, it to get a financial statement on Tobago does not only affect the tourism sector Cays Marine Park, but have never but also people’s daily lives. been able to find out, no matter the inquiries I have made. My concern Canouan and that of many persons relate to the cost of operation of the Marine Park We know what the NDP did for the in the Tobago Cays, in terms of people of Canouan - land was revenue and expenditure. What is the allocated at reasonable prices. The money being spent on and how is it people of this beautiful island got being spent? I want to know the money to borrow at low interest rates. answer. The yachting sector and most Some of this money came from the importantly the people of the development itself to allocate to the Southern Grenadines want to know if people of Canouan. The big question the Marine Park is profitable. As a for which a solution has to be found is matter of fact, the whole country to find more land for the people of wants to know if the Tobago Cays Canouan. The people of the Southern Marine Park is being properly Grenadines have been suffering for managed. For instance, has money too long. been used at the Argyle International

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 11.

Views

“Care and Concern not Command and Control

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.”

Kenneth Blanchard (Born 1929), Author of The One Minute Manager THE TITLE OF THIS WEEK’S ESSAY was provided by Conrod Shuffler, one of this column’s regular readers. He is frequently involved in leadership and management training in the insurance industry throughout the Caribbean. His feedback and insights in relation to the essays appearing in this column are always appreciated and welcomed.

Dr. Kwame R. Charles, Managing Director of Quality Consultants Limited, has conducted employee surveys throughout the Caribbean for over two decades. His database contains responses from over 100,000 employees from throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. His research has focused on ten (10) core areas: engagement indicators, leadership, management/employee relations, strategic alignment, people management practices, communication, supervision, work systems and processes, customer focus, and corporate social responsibility.

The results confirm that many of our leaders in business, government, and society should pay greater attention to leadership styles and management systems as they seek to enhance employee engagement. He sees this as critical, as efforts are made at improving employee performance, productivity, and work ethic. These are considered critical variables, as leaders and managers seek to enhance their effectiveness and efficiencies.

Professor Betty-Jane Punnett, in her 1999 publication entitled “David and Goliath: Smallness in a Global Business Environment — Suggestions for the Eastern Caribbean” (Journal of Eastern Caribbean Studies, Volume 24 (3), pp. 11-14), noted that “…

Businesses in the Eastern Caribbean need to put behind them the obsolete management practices of the colonial and plantation past and develop and implement appropriate modern management approaches which focus resources to exploit international opportunities for which smallness is an advantage.” There is good reason to believe that, two decades after this statement was made, too many of our Caribbean leaders and managers are engaged in the “practices of the colonial and plantation past” — pushing and plodding direct reports through the use of authority as opposed to influence.

While it must be understood that there are some institutions where the autocratic style is “desirable” (e.g. the military and some aspects of the medical profession), it is known that the better approach is to encourage greater communication and consultation. Having said this, this writer is cognizant of the fact that there are instances when an autocratic approach is necessary (as is the case when enterprises are in need of corporate turnaround initiatives and speed of response is demanded).

However, good leaders and managers are required to develop their soft (people) skills and to seek to influence their direct reports to follow them rather than appear to force followership via authority/power. We readily discover that when the latter

approach is evident, the employees may respond to the “control systems and approaches” when the senior member of staff is present but neglect them when they are physically absent or if they can avoid being detected when non-compliant.

Wilbert Lee “Bill” Gore (1912-1986), the American businessman and entrepreneur who founded W.L. Gore & Associates, provides us with useful insights about the importance of the need for leaders to focus on soft skills.

He reminds us that “Leadership is a verb, not a noun. It is defined by what you do, not who you are.” Leaders have a strong influence on creating and sustaining the firm’s corporate culture. It is therefore not surprising that Bill Gore’s positive impact on his firm lives on long after his death. For decades W.L. Gore & Associates has received numerous awards for its products, services, and corporate culture. The firm, which now employs over 10,000 persons and generates annual revenues in excess of US$3.2 billion (2013), is considered one of the best places to work in North America.

Care and concern, not command and control, have been at the forefront of Bill Gore’s success. He created a culture that revolved around freedom, fairness, commitment and employee engagement. Readers of Malcom Gladwell’s book, “The Tipping Point” (published in 2000) would recall that special mention was made of Gore’s mastery of soft skills and how these significantly influenced the firm’s success. We can learn from these insights and experiences.

When we follow individuals because we like and respect them, we readily discover that we are so much more willing to go beyond the call of duty; to do more and to do better work because they inspire us. On the other hand, those moments when we have had the misfortune to forcibly follow individuals because we have no choice, we tend to be conscious of feelings of resentment. In such instances we may do the various tasks in a lackluster manner. These two scenarios remind us of the significant value of honing our leadership and management styles in ways that reflect care and concern, not command and control.

However, even as we encourage the development of soft skills, this should not be misinterpreted that we are portraying “soft leaders” or “soft managers”. Leaders and managers must continue to hold their direct reports accountable. Productivity levels and efficiencies must continue to be improved if enterprises are to survive in an ever-competitive business environment. Leaders and managers who master soft skills, must continue to be fair and firm, discerning and demanding. When employees are convinced that they are cared for and respected they will experience enhanced feelings of self-worth.

Expressions of care and concern, not command and control, can go a long way to enhancing productivity and profitability.

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

Gaston Browne takes the lead ANTIGUA PRIME MINISTER Gaston Browne ought to be congratulated on his historic announcement regarding marijuana. It made for pleasant listening last Monday to hear a Caribbean Prime Minister point to the colonial and imperial roots of prohibition, recognition of the historic role of Rastafari in the fight to free up the herb, and for its use as a holy sacrament as well as their right to reparations and a seat at the table whenever the conversation on the legal exploitation of marijuana begins.

Throwing to the wind, PM Browne, days before the March 21 elections, boldly announced that his government would decriminalize marijuana, because among other things, marijuana use has become part of the culture of Antigua.

And so Antigua joined Belize, Cayman and Jamaica in the long awaited march toward decriminalization of the herb.

As early as 2001, the Professor Barry Chavannes Commission on Ganga (Jamaica) made the following recommendation to then PM PJ Patterson: 1. that the relevant laws be amended so that ganja be decriminalized for the private, personal use of small quantities by adults; 2.that decriminalization for personal use should exclude smoking by juveniles or by anyone in premises accessible to the public; 3.that ganja should be decriminalized for use as a sacrament for religious purposes; 4.that a sustained all-media, allschools education programme aimed at demand reduction accompany the process of decriminalization, and that its target should be, in the main, young people; 5. that the security forces intensify their interdiction of large cultivation of ganja and trafficking of all illegal drugs, in particular crack/cocaine; 6. that, in order that Jamaica be not left behind, a Cannabis Research Agency be set up, in collaboration with other countries, to coordinate research into all aspects of cannabis, including its epidemiological and psychological effects, and importantly as well its pharmacological and economic potential, such as is being done by many other countries, not least including some of the most vigorous in its suppression; and 7. that, as a matter of great urgency, Jamaica embark on diplomatic initiatives with its CARICOM partners and other countries outside the Region, in particular members of the European Union, with a view (a) to elicit support for its internal position, and (b) to influence the international community to re-examine the status of cannabis.

This was 18 years ago. Last November at the launch of the Centre for Reparations Research in Jamaica, there was an acknowledgement from the Jamaican government that its policy towards Rasta and marijuana was wrong, and there was an offer of reparations for the destruction of Rasta property.

In 2014, PM Gonsalves wrote to then CARICOM chair, Trinidad PM Kamla Persad Bissessar calling for a regionwide conversation on marijuana. More than two years ago, a commission of Marijuana visited SVG as part of a region-wide-fact-finding tour. At the meeting St Vincent was aptly described as a Ganga country.

Plain Talk is disappointed that our country has abandoned the lead on this issue. This government has been avant guard on a series of big issues: Airport development, its push for universal secondary education, securing a seat on

the United Nations Security Council, fight for the unity of CARICOM, the defense of sovereignty and independence, particularly as it relates to the recent efforts to destabilize and overthrow the elected government in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Any time now, a bill on marijuana will come to parliament. However, the government has adopted a cautious approach on the issue. Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves hinted as much when, in delivering the 2018 budget, he disclosed that the government was primarily concerned with exploiting the economic potential of medical marijuana. He noted that scientific poling suggests deep pockets of resistance to decriminalization, especially among the organized Christians. The Christian Council in a statement, expressed grave concern about the manner in which government was going about the matter. Therefore, the government’s position, as expressed by our finance minister, has been viewed by some as a genuflection to the Christian Council.

While all sections of the society must be brought into the discussion, Plain Talk thinks that the weight of the evidence, medically, economically, culturally and politically, points to the need to free up the herb. The state must take the lead. It led the process of demonization that places marijuana in an unfavourable light among sections of the population. A close analysis will show that there is little, if any fallout to be had from decriminalization.

Firstly, Rastafarians have been making this call for a long time and the cultural influence of Rasta is strong among those 16 to 40 primarily because of the influence of Reggae music.

Secondly, two opposition candidates Pattel Mathews and Israel Bruce - have called for the freeing up of the herb.

Most importantly though is the emergence of the Unity Labour Party and the New Democratic Party as the most important institutions in society.

Plain Talk is on record as saying that this is a most unfortunate development, but it is the fact.

These parties are more influential than the family, the church and the school. They exercise overwhelming sway in most matters. They tear apart families, churches and businesses, villages and the nation. All and sundry bend to their will. Therefore, once NDP and ULP agree on decriminalization for possession and use of a limited amount of marijuana, and for medicinal use, there is really no need for the government to allow this initiative to become hostage to political and electoral considerations.

We do not have to reinvent the wheel. The Chavannes Commission recommendations should become the template on which we proceed. As a first step, we should apologize to Rastafarians and all those brutalized, demonized and criminalized for possession of small amounts of marijuana, wipe their criminal record clean and move forward in confidence.

To do anything less will be to sell ourselves short and forever remain behind the curve on this critically important issue.

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

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12. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

ULP lacks vision and dedication to move SVG forward THE FINANCIAL and economic situation in SVG has deteriorated vastly since the grossly incompetent ULP regime took power in 2001. Leadership in SVG has been in sharp contrast to the leadership of the historic, great world leaders like Fidel Castro of Cuba and Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore.

Their vision and dedication turned their countries into great nations. In comparison, the ULP regime’s lack of vision and dedication has turned SVG into one of the most highly-indebted and economically unstable countries in the world.

When Fidel Castro took power in Cuba in 1959, the sugar industry could not sustain Cuba’s economy. Fidel Castro focused on three variables: (1) free, high-quality education from preschool to university for everyone; (2) high-quality health care: (3) import substitution, to build a very strong and sustainable economy.

Today, Cuba is an international success story, with a good economy, great healthcare and a great education system. Cuba exports doctors, and many students travel to Cuba to study. This is due to the vision and dedication of Fidel Castro.

When Lee Kuan Yew took power in Singapore in 1959, Singapore was very poor, had a high level of destitution, and

the revenue from Singapore’s ship-yards could not sustain the Singapore economy. Lee Kuan Yew focused on three economic variables: (1) free, highquality education with equal opportunity for all ethnicities from pre-school to university: (2) high-quality health care; (3) import substitution.

Today, Singapore is an international success story, with a strong economy, the highest average salary in the world, the highest number of millionaires per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Singapore exports knowledge and highly-skilled services, and many students travel to Singapore to study. This is due to the vision and dedication of Lee Kuan Yew. In contrast, since taking power in 2001, the ULP regime has focused on four variables: (1) a foreign policy of begging and borrowing, because they lack the innovation and ability to move our country forward without begging; (2) a policy of debt relief, because they lack the ability to manage the public accounts competently, as seen in their failure of the Director of Audit’s public accounts audit in 2008, 2009 and 2010); (3) a policy of tax and customs duty exemptions for Taiwan and the superrich of Mustique and Canouan, that deprives SVG of the financial resources needed to build vital infrastructure and

provide our children with free, highquality education; (4) a policy of building jails and not universities.

Today, SVG is an international failure story — heavily indebted, high crime and unemployment, high levels of poverty and destitution, 3rd highest rate of rape per capita in the world, 4th highest murder rate per capita in the world, and a failing economy nearing collapse. Vincentian students have to go abroad to get a university education. This is due to the lack of vision and dedication of the ULP’s leader, Gonsalves.

According to Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, the grossly incompetent ULP regime has failed our people and country in a big way; there is poverty and destitution throughout SVG. Only a new government can create an economic model similar to that of Cuba or Singapore, and bring prosperity to our people.

SVG Green Party

Open letter to the House of Parliament

HEAR THIS all ye people, give ear all ye inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of overstanding. — Psalm 49:1-3 Greetings in the name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie 1, JAH Rastafari!

To our esteemed members of parliament, I and I bring salutations.

It has been nearly two years since the Caricom Ganja Commission came to St. Vincent and took our views on ganja. We have heard nothing of the Commission since then and of course, in the meantime, Jamaica has gone ahead and removed the unjust laws which made it illegal for Rasta men and Rasta women to practise their religious rights and use ganja. Belize has decriminalized, so too the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, just last year; and the US Virgin Islands in 2014.

Antigua has passed it in one part of their parliament, and St Kitts and Nevis has set up its own commission.

As we all know also, in the US, eighteen states have decriminalized and ten states have legalized it. Uruguay has fully legalized possession, cultivation, transportation.

The Caricom Commission is a waste of time, and our parliamentarians should not wait on it.

We hear that ganja for medical use will soon be allowed, and even though it may or may not benefit I-and-I, we overstand that in these hard economic times, ganja, the low hanging fruit, can’t be resisted. As Junior Gong said, Babylon fight it for years, now all ah dem want shares. That’s the world we live in. We know how global capital works. But we think I and I are being treated unfairly. We are Rastas. That is our levity, our religion as the world calls it. We smoke ganja as part of our religion. The constitution says that we have a right to practise our religion, and all the tenets of that religion. All I and I want is that right.

We hear that only medicinal cannabis and not religions use be considered at this time, in large part because of the views of the Christian Council and community. We are not politicians, but we overstand the politics of the matter. Votes are at stake. We get it. But that does not make it fair or just. We are religious people too. Bit Church 1, Big Church 2, and Medium Church 3 cannot tell I and I how to practise our levity (religion) simple because they are in the majority and we are a minority. (And neither can the law for that matter, since our right

is a foundation right. Everything else must give way). That would be religious persecution. We don’t tell Big Church 1, Big Church 2, and Medium church 3 what to put on their altar. We put Selassie and the holy herb. We cannot tell Big Church1, Big Church 2, and Medium Church 3 what to drink and eat in their ceremonies when they worship. We smoke ganja when we praise Him. In the Binghi House, when we chant His name, we beat our drums and draw on we chalice.

So why, in 2018, is our way of life treated with such disrespect? It is because we are poor, marginalized, disenfranchised, or, as Bunny Wailer says, blackheart men and women? Is it because Rastafari is the most African of the religious in this country? The days of illegalizing our afrocentric religions should have ended when the Shakers Baptists were finally allowed to practise their religion, adorn in their splendid robes, ring their bells, stomp their feet, and enter their moaning room and their trances, free, decades ago.

The Church of His Majesty Ivine Order was incorporated under Act No 32 of 2006 by your parliament, the first Rastafarian Church in the Caribbean to be so honoured. So you recognize us but don’t really accept us?

It’s nonsensical to tell the Rastaman, “get a licence (if you can); we will allow you to grow the herb to sell overseas and get some money. But you can’t use it to worship”. No Church puts money before God. It’s a mistake to try to cut off man from his culture and to eat the fruit of the tree but chop at the root.

If it’s the money as you say, then that’s not a problem since you must know that African culture in the West has value and a money value. Just two examples: the richest family in the Caribbean is the Marley family, sitting nice from Rastafari works; one of the biggest movies in the world, which opened last month, is about an African hero in an African land.

Please Parliament, do the right thing. When you vote in March or whenever, let the Rastaman practise I and I levity, our religion, freely, without fear of getting locked up and brutalized.

Don’t leave it to some policeman’s mood as to whether he will give us a pass or not. He might not.

Give us our equal rights.

Church of His Majesty Ivine Order, in collaboration with Rastas from Bobo Shanti, and Twelve Tribes of Israel and with Rastas who are not from any Mission of Rastafari.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 13.

Industry

Drying fruit: A good option

Oscar Gelvez, Academic Coordinator of Colombia’s National Vocational Training Agency and the Chief Training Facilitator, spoke of drying-fruit as a direct response to dealing with the surplus fruits that go unattended.

OSCAR GELVEZ is the Academic Coordinator of Colombia’s National Vocational Training Agency known as SENA. He, along with SENA Instructor Ricardo Villamijar, spent a week (April 9 -13) here engaged in passing on the skills of fruit drying to some fifteen Vincentians.

The training (Workshop) was co-ordinated by the Ministry of Education’s Adult and Continuing Education Department, with assistance from the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs.

Speaking at a closing ceremony and exhibition which took place outside the Post Office in Kingstown, Friday April 13, Gelvez pointed to the art of fruit drying as a way of “coping with the surplus of fruits that is lost here seasonally.”

He looked at the low cost of carrying out the process, the potential of extending the life cycle of the fruit by six months, the advantage of the “space” the dried fruit occupies in comparison to its original stage,

and the fact that the dried fruit is “ready to consume.”

Gelvez described the operation (fruit drying) as a “good option for the problem of waste.”

The dried fruit is “ready to consume,” he explained, but the water can be retained, and the commodity used for whatever purpose desired.

Some fifteen Vincentians took advantage of the opportunity of the week-long Some of the products of the participants involved in the week-long training conducted at the Fruit Drying Training programme.

Centre of Excellence at Diamond.

Merle Gellizeau, one of the are wasted here.

This first phase served as the trainees, was “grateful for the “We can gather fruits, process platform from which ten persons opportunity.” She considered it them. They can last for months,” have been selected to undergo an “excellent foundation”, and Goodluck stated. She outlined further training at SENA, expressed the view that she and that the training is of special Colombia, from May 5 — 15, 2018. her mates were ready to share value, given that she is into wine That phase would expose the their knowledge. making on her home island of participants to a process that She praised SENA for and Bequia. “It will help me,” allows for coating the dry fruit welcomed the exposure which Goodluck hinted. with chocolate for example. covered areas like Maths and The closing ceremony also Joselle Joslyn White, sanitising. heard brief remarks from Chief Programme Officer at the Adult Brennette Goodluck is of the Agricultural Officer Ashley Caine and Continuing Department, view that it was “very good for and Representative of the expressed gratitude for the us.” She accepts that it will Ministry of Education Earl collaboration in bringing off the reduce the amount of fruits that Bennett. (WKA) event.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 15.

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sion Hill group honors 5 Stories and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT THE THREE-YEAR-OLD FRIENDS OF SION HILL, a Brooklyn, New York-based Vincentian group, last Saturday night honoured four individuals and an organization for their outstanding service to the community.

The group also presented its president, Oxley Lowman, with a surprise award at the packed, gala ceremony at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, Brooklyn.

Veteran Vincentian mas producer Wesley Millington received the Community Service Award; former St. Vincent and the Grenadines national football (soccer) star Raymond ‘Bally’ Ballantyne the Diaspora Award; Wilfred Miller the Pillar of the Community Award; the Get Nice Crew the Trailblazer Award; and David Augustine “Darkie” Williams, who trekked from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

huge village overlooking the Vincentian capital, Kingstown.

Being the son of one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ premier mas band leaders (‘Samo’), Millington first participated as a child masquerader at age six.

His involvement in Brooklyn’s carnival began in 1972, when, at the suggestion of the late Vincentian mas man Roy Ralph, a group of Brooklyn-based Vincentians, including the late Sam DeBique and EJ ‘Paddy’ Correa, started “Caribbean Festive Associates.”

Millington, like the other honorees, expressed gratitude for the honour, but additionally, used the occasion to appeal for support for his 25-year-old mas band, Mas Productions Unlimited, which he founded and still leads.

“Going forward, we cannot do it without your support,” he added. “We’ll like to support young members.”

Millington is a Laboratory Technician by profession, and is currently attached to Brookdale Hospital, New York.

Raymond Ballantyne Ballantyne hails from a sporting family in which he and his siblings have represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in various sporting disciplines, including soccer, table tennis, netball and athletics.

Before migrating to Brooklyn in 1986, Ballantyne represented the nation in soccer at the junior and senior levels.

In Brooklyn, he played for the Vincentian-owned Hairoun Sports Club in the Central Brooklyn Soccer League.

Ballantyne also represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in table tennis, along with two of his brothers, Bob and Orde.

Additionally, he is an accomplished pan man. He began playing in 1979 with the local 20th Century Steel Orchestra, and became a member of Century USA Steel Orchestra, Brooklyn, when he took uP residence in NY. Having put away his soccer boots, Ballantyne is concentrating on growing KBB Shipping, of which he is part owner.

Get Nice Crew Formed in 2005, the Get Nice Crew has successfully organized fundraising events in Brooklyn to support several causes in Brooklyn and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Furthest left: Debbie Thomas presents award to Raymond "Bally" Ballantyne.

Left: Father and son: Wilbert Miller (L) receives award Candace Gordon Llewellyn receives award from his son, for Get Nice Crew from Friends of Sion Hill Elvert Miller. president Oxley Lowman.

‘Darkie’ Williams gets Lifetime Achievement Award DAVID AUGUSTINE ‘DARKIE’ WILLIAMS, described as the “consummate culture man” and the “Father of Drumming” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was honored Saturday night with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was bestowed on Williams by the Brooklyn, New York-based Friends of Sion Hill at the group’s 3rd annual gala at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn.

Williams told the sell-out crowd that, when he began active community service in

1969, in his home village, Sion Hill, he did so “not to gather accolades for myself but to be of service to people voluntarily.

“Now, 50 years of that voluntary service to community and country, here I am, and am highly excited about tonight,” the former elementary school teacher in St. Vincent and the Grenadines said.

“I am doubly proud not just as a recipient of one of your awards, but as a contributor,” added Williams, referring to the Friends of Sion Hill.

Wilfred Miller Wesley Millington (L) receives award from Franklin ‘Supadex’ Richards.

Wesley Millington Wesley Ivor McGregor Millington is the son of Annis Millington and Winston ‘Samo’ Quammie.

Millington grew up in Sion Hill, a

Sion Hill native Miller is described as “a dedicated, generous and hardworking Vincentian and an inspiration to all.”

His biography says, “Wilfred’s multitude of professional accolades and awards, doesn’t get in his way of his greatest accomplishments - being a loving husband to Joyce, a devoted father to his children and grandchildren.”

NYC Council honors James Cordice

James Lovell (L) and Awusu Slater did a drum recital to introduce David "Darkie" Williams.

In 1975, Williams became the first president of Sion Hill United Cultural and Sports Club.

According to his biography, Williams’s “simple leadership style of being less autocratic and allowing volunteers and other group leaders the space to carry out their functions with absolutely minimal interference from the executive, brought to the forefront the many talents Williams giving acceptance available to the communi- speech. ty, and for everyone to become aware of the fact Right: David "Darkie" that there is a channel - a Williams (L) receives place within this commu- award from Calypsonian nity that could serve as a Cyril "Scorcher" Thomas. variable outlet for whatever skills you possess.” referred to Williams was also the as the Father of “main mover” behind the drumming, having formation of the Sion Hill been directly Euphonium Steel Orchestra, involved in training “and continues to be a technimany of them who in turn cal advisor to that entity even pass that training onto their up to today,” the biography peers,” the biography states. says.

In a career spanning 44 In 1974, Williams joined years, Williams has “travelled up the then recently formed the world as a theatre expert.

New Artist Movement (NAM), “On the strength of intenexcelling in dancing, drumsive training at the Universiming and acting. ty of the West Indies, the “In fact, among drummers across SVG (St. Vincent and Edna Manley School for the the Grenadines), ‘Darkie’ is Performing Arts, and the

John F Kennedy institute of Arts in Washington, his dedication to the development of culture and the Performing Arts in SVG is unquestionable,” the biography says.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards locally, regionally and internationally.

NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL last week Thursday, April 12, 2018, honoured Vincentian community leader James Cordice during a gala celebration at City Hall in commemoration of Garifuna-American Heritage Month.

The Council said it was “proud to honour” the Philadelphia-based James Cordice displays proclamation, flanked by Cordice, the supporters Kylla Herbert and Hewitt James. architect behind St. Vincent and As a member of the Grenadines’ Garifuna United in participation in Spiritual Healing, the illustrious Cordice said he continPenn Relays at ues to “wait for all my the University of opportunities to serve.”

Pennsylvania, Cordice, a former for his “outpresident of the St. standing service Vincent and the Grenaand enduring dines Organization of contribution to Pennsylvania (SVGOP), our community.” has been coordinating Cordice was St. Vincent and the among three Grenadines’ participahonorees at the tion in the illustrious event. The Penn Relays at the others were University of PennsylvaJanel Martinez nia (UPENN) for the and Andy Romel past seven years.

Ordonez.

He was the youngest Cordice told Cordice gives acceptance storeroom manager to be THE VINCENemployed at the Cotton TIAN afterwards speech flanked by City House Hotel in Mustique, that he endeav- Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. before he migrated to the ours to do his Virgin Islands, where he best at all times. resumed his hospitality employment He said this ideal propels his at Trade Winds Resort. He eventuinvolvement, zeal and relentlessally became the culinary supervisor ness in serving the community. and, by 1988, when he migrated to He thanked many, including his New York, he was certified in parents, siblings, teachers, “good French, Italian and English Carvery friends” and his village (Clare showmanship cooking.

Valley in St. Vincent and the To finance his culinary education Grenadines) for “the nurturing, for in the US, he worked as an auto the tough love, the guidance and the mechanic, and interned at the spirit of my Garifuna predecessors,” Waldorf Astoria in midtown Manwho molded him in “being dependhattan. He introduced French able. cooking to a Russian Banquet Hall, “I am pleased and proud to then managed a restaurant with a have been chosen (honored),” staff of 18.

Cordice said. “I looked around the In 1991, Cordice relocated to room and saw many Garifuna Philadelphia and was employed as a brothers and sisters whom I am chef at Mel’s Italian and Chef-Café familiar with.

Raphael. He was Head Chef, Main “I am humbled and pleased to Street Café, kitchen supervisor at receive this award,” he added. “Then Howard Johnson, and Sous Chef at I think of all of my Garifuna famiSheraton NE. lies who never made it off BalliIn 1992, he started a vending ceaux [a small, uninhabited rocky business, later contracted for Wade island in the St. Vincent GrenaCable, worked as a business tech at dines] alive.

Bell Atlantic, among other places; “Those who never made it to and managed his small construction Roatan [a small island off Honducompany, specializing in the design ras], I weep for them,” Cordice and construction of fine kitchens continued. “But I am saddened and bathrooms. because our children have to grasp at the way forward.”

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16. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Economy

New initiative in arrowroot marketing

A NEW INITIATIVE in the processing and marketing of Vincentian arrowroot starch is expected to be undertaken shortly in a joint arrangement by the local Arrowroot Association and the regional marketing

company, WINFRESH and its subsidiary undertaking, Vincyfresh, with the full support of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This follows a recent meeting between representatives of the

The Arrowroot Factory at Owia will once again come in for attention to ensure that it conforms to international standards.

parties involved and the Government, held at the Conference room of the Ministry of Housing, under the Chairmanship of Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Housing and Parliamentary representative of the North Windward constituency, the major arrowroot-producing region.

The initial outcome of the discussions is a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.

The MOU sets out two stages for action: (1) an immediate action plan aimed at bringing the arrowroot processing plant and its products up to acceptable standards for export through the WINFRESH channels; (2) a medium- to longterm plan where the

The unique Vincy arrowroot is expected to benefit from a new and focused attention. parties will explore options for a joint venture between them to commercialise the operations of arrowroot industry of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The parties agree that this will require substantial investment to ensure that both the manufacturing plant

itself and the arrowroot products meet the highest international food standards.

The new initiative is aimed at a significant upgrading of the local arrowroot industry, once a major export earner, but which has encountered difficulties in recent times.

WINFRESH is better known for its role in the export of bananas from the Windward Islands, but is now expanding its portfolio by focusing on sustainable agricultural production and agroprocessing in the Windward Islands.

(Submitted by: Renwick Rose, WINFRESH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 17.

International

Taiwan makes case for WHA/WHO participation THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Taiwan) is once again making its case for participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and by extension the business of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a statement from Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Chen ShihChung, he called on the WHO and related parties “to acknowledge Taiwan’s longstanding contributions to promoting human health worldwide,” and to “recognize the significance and legitimacy of Taiwan’s involvement as an observer in this year’s WHA. Even as Minister ShihChung recognized that political obstruction led to Taiwan being denied an invitation to the 70th WHA in 2017, as an observer, and that the WHO was failing by ignoring Taiwan’s appeal for membership and the widespread support for same

to abide by its Constitution, he expressed his country’s commitment to helping “enhance regional and global disease prevention networks, and assisting other countries in overcoming their healthcare challenges.”

Towards this end, Taiwan is seeking to participate in the 71st WHA this year in a professional and pragmatic way, “as part of global efforts to realize the WHO’s vision of a seamless global disease prevention network”, Minister Shih-Chung said.

Not to include Taiwan in WHA and WHO deliberations is to run contrary to “the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages by 2030,” Taiwan declared.

Against this backdrop, Minister Shih-Chung appealed to the WHO and related parties “to acknowledge

Taiwan’s longstanding contributions to promoting human health worldwide, recognize the significance and legitimacy of Taiwan’s involvement as an observer in this year’s WHA. Because we believe that to achieve health for all, Taiwan can help.”

In terms of Taiwan’s developments with respect to health care and health related services, it has offered universal health coverage to its 23 million citizens since 1995.

It launched the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative by integrating medical programs from existing insurance systems for laborers, farmers, and government employees, which covered only half the population. This has since been expanded to provide equal coverage to all citizens from birth, regardless of age, financial status or employment

status. Furthermore, all foreigners who legally work or reside in Taiwan are also afforded the same coverage.

Healthcare costs are far lower in Taiwan than in most highly developed countries in Europe and North America.

Life expectancy in Taiwan is said to have increased to levels seen in key OECD countries, with women living on average to 83.4 years old, and men to 76.8.

Taiwan attests to having a great deal of experience in building and maintaining a universal health insurance system, from service provider management to financing and coping with socioeconomic change, and has openly expressed the belief that its healthcare system can serve as a model for other countries.

According to Minister ShihChung, “Taiwan has a constructive role to play in creating a robust global health

Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Chen Shih-Chung has yet again made out a cause for Taiwan’s inclusion in the deliberations of the WHA and the business of the WHO. network, and the best way to share our experience with other countries is through participation in the World Health Assembly and the WHO.”

V DAM, SVG AMP host drumming Master Class 18. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Arts

by GLORIAH…

Hector Lewis, percussionist and Class facilitator, stressing a point.

MR. HECTOR LEWIS, percussionist with ‘The Zincfence Redemption’ the backing band of renowned reggae artiste Chronixx, facilitated a Master Class for drummers last Saturday 14th April at the Venezuelan Institute. The activity was hosted by Darron Andrews Music in collaboration with SVG Association of Music Professionals (AMP).

In a very interactive session, Mr. Lewis began with a warm-up roll, then progressed to unfolding the proper beat of the ‘nyabinghi’ which he called the ‘fundae’.

Delving somewhat into its origins, he showed it as a natural beat to Caribbean people. He exhibited its fundamentality as the “background beat”, explaining, “This beat is important for knowing how to move in and out, as the beat that supports the rhythm.”

Medium tempo and lead drumming were also explored.

Participants – active drummers, hobbyists and even persons of general interest – in rapt attention during one of the sessions.

Medium tempo, he likened to the sound of the warrior looking out on the edge of the camp; lead drumming, to the drum that talks and carries the musical conversation.

The session was executed with energy from both facilitator and participants, as Mr. Lewis took his musicians through their paces, moving from rhythm to rhythm then putting the understanding into practice so as to arrive at a unity of sound in songs like, ‘By the Rivers of Babylon’ and others.

All of this in a session that also included discussion on the role of the percussionist; “getting the feel” of the music; understanding the history of the rhythm, and other related issues; understanding adjustments that allow the music “to breathe” like proper placement of the drum for playing and positioning of the body.

It was a wonderfully inspiring occasion in which interaction and action were prevalent.

Gary ‘Troots’ Young, President of SVG AMP, underscored how vitally important sessions like this one are to keeping young would-be musicians focused.

direction of getting a career in music.

Right now, AMP wants to get as much information as we can to the masses so they can use it. If we could have more musicians coming, it would lend to the mission of SVG AMP to try and make an industry for music outside of carnival.”

Many participants went away overwhelmed. Victor ‘Mwata’ Byron, leader of the Resistant Heartbeat Drummers, spoke of personal benefit.

Impressions “I have so much knowledge about percussion, but today, I added to it.

The facilitator expressed his What I learnt here from a leading satisfaction when he remarked, drum professional in the Caribbean “Knowledge is being gained because will improve the quality of my music.” we are all drummers: all of us here in Randy Patrick belongs to no a band, playing as one!” organized band but owns a drum.

Darron Andrews of DAM had this to “Today, I learned some techniques and say about the exercise. “I’d always tips from the professional, especially dreamt of giving my country the about body positions; hand positions in exposure to formal music which I had. relation to the drum; and When I went to Edna Manley, I spent incorporating your moves into the an entire year correcting bad music. It was a great eye opener for techniques that I picked up teaching me.” myself to play the violin and piano. So Felix Richards, drummer at I was really excited to have Hector on Kingstown Baptist Church, reflected, board. The drummers went away “I found the concepts of percussionists more knowledgeable than they came, playing alongside the drummer; the and I’m grateful for that due to the role of the drummer and how the short time we had.” percussionist fits in to what the Gary ‘Troots’ Young, President of drummer does quite critical. As the SVG AMP, said, inter alia, “Little facilitator said, it is a coordinated moments like these are vitally effort with a coordinated rhythm.” important especially to our young There is intention on the part of people who want to stay in the DAM to do follow-ups.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 19.

Crime

Police shootings not a first option Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions SHOOTING SOMEONE is (DPP), to support a not the first option of the Coroner’s Inquest into police, but the law the shooting death which provides for the police to occurred last Tuesday. use reasonable force for Police reports are that the protection of around 3:45pm, police themselves, their property, officers on patrol saw and other citizens.

Raffique Chewitt of Glen, So said Colin John, originally of Murray’s Acting Commissioner of Village, at Gibson Police, when he spoke Corner. He was acting in with THE VINCENTIAN a suspicious manner. The last Wednesday, on the officers stopped their heels of the shooting transport, alighted and death of a civilian at the approached him. He hands of police here. began running and the And the top cop has lawmen gave chase. assured that files would Reports are that bybe submitted to the

by HADYN HUGGINS

Chewitt ran into some bushes, drew a firearm and pointed it at the officers, who responded by firing two shots at him. One caught him in the chest and the other in the arm.

He was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Chewitt is said to have been found in possession of a .45 semiautomatic revolver containing eight rounds of ammunition. He was also found in possession

of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana.

The Acting COP took the opportunity of last Wednesday’s interview, to express condolences to the family of the deceased.

“Notwithstanding the life people may choose to live, they are children of mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters of other siblings. In short,

they have relatives.”

He is advising persons, who are inclined to embark on a life of crime, that it is not the best decision to make.

Acting Commissioner of Police and a former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Colin John has assured that relevant files will be sent to the office of the DPP to support a Coroner’s Inquest into a police shooting death here.

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20. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Finding new satisfaction Dear George, THIS GIRL and I have been best friends for many years. I have listened to her sad stories time and time again.

This day, she was crying on my shoulder because of the way her husband was treating her. I invited her to sleep at my place and to remain there until things were sorted between her and her husband. She shocked me when she came on to me one night inviting me to pleasure her. We soon discovered that we both enjoyed pleasuring each other, and things got deeper.

She is still not back with her husband; as a matter of fact, she does not want to go back. I asked her to think about

it, but she insists she wants to stay, and even indicated that she wants to take the next step to ask her husband for a divorce.

Her husband has been constantly calling for her to come back home to him, but she never takes his calls. Should I tell him the truth or leave it to his wife to do that?

Undecided Dear Undecided, It is not up to you to inform your friend’s husband that she no

Don’t give up!!

longer desires him, but you should encourage her to let him know the truth.

That said, you should not rule out that this intimate fling with you could be just temporary.

In that light, get your personal feelings out of the way and suggest to your friend to go get some professional counsel to help her explore all options available to her.

Staying with you after that must be her decision and hers alone.

George

Torturous relationship Dear Torturous relationship,

Dear George,

There has to be a reason or reasons for your wife’s behaviour. Dragging I HAVE a feeling that my wife has on this cold war will only result in resigned herself from our marriage harming your children who, by the but is just too afraid to say it. She speaks to me with venom in her voice way, would be busy making mental notes. and can hardly manage to hide her Ask for a truce that’s long enough contempt for me. She prepares meals for both of you to decide which for our children and herself, but not direction you want the marriage to for me. go.

Be the adult in the relationship However, when she is around our and get her to tell you what is eating friends, she is an entirely different her down. If she chooses to remain person, laughing, etc., but goes all silent, then ask her to go with you to silent, once we get back home. see a marriage counsellor.

We continue to sleep in the same Do not throw your hands into the bed, but she makes it obvious that air and be ready to blame the state of she does not want to be disturbed. your marriage on her. Rather, make I asked her one day to tell me whether she wanted to remain in the a plan to find a way to put right whatever went wrong. marriage. Her response was, “What Let her know that you are not do you think?” happy with the way things are and I’ve noticed she is very chummy you are ready to do whatever it takes with this guy, but I do not intend to make any noise about it. I just feel it to get back to that happy place. is time for both of us to move on.

George

Avoid all shortcuts to marriage Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND and I live together. While we are not starving, things are rough with us financially as we live from pay check to pay check.

We made plans to be married in December of this year but, given our situation, I have suggested that we put it off for a year. He would have none of it.

I then told him that if that is the case I should get another job. I can definitely bring in more cash if I start doing what quite a number of my friends are doing, i.e.

sleeping with a few men, no strings attached, and be well paid for it.

Should I do this job secretly and get out when I get financially stable enough? What my boyfriend does not know surely cannot hurt him.

Right, George?

Want to help Dear Want to help, Now is the time to practise having an honest and open relationship with your would be spouse. The important thing is that both of you agree to do what is best for the

relationship. If you are planning on being together for the rest of your lives, then waiting an extra year before getting married should not be that big a problem. Ciontnue this line of conversation with your boyfriend, and in the meantime, some premarital counselling sessions may very well give your marriage a much better survival chance.

Do not entertain the idea of taking shortcuts to the altar. Wait things out.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. You will be in the mood to socialize. You can make amends by taking them somewhere special. Red tape could be impossible to clear up this week.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You must make them stand on their own two feet regardless of how much you want to make things better for them. Take care of any dealings with government agencies.

Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions. Don’t use emotional blackmail on someone you love.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You will be a bit of a spendthrift this week.

Conflicts over joint finances are likely.

Make alternate plans just in case you need to make a career shift. You will accomplish the most through or.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your emotional life may be up in the air if your mate has been going through a change of heart. This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career. Expressing yourself in novel ways should lead you down new avenues.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You need to take a long, hard look at yourself and your personal situation. You must steer clear of overindulgent individuals. You may find yourself in a romantic situation. Your lover will cost you dearly if you let them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Opportunities will come through long term investments. You need to get out and challenge yourself. You don’t like confrontations at the best of times; however, you may find them difficult to avoid. Your flair for dramatic appeal will unleash itself at social functions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can expect changes at your work place.

You have bent over backward trying to help them and now it’s time to let them stand on their own two feet. Not everything you hear will be legitimate. Look for something entertaining to do. You’ve got that competitive edge.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) have to be careful not to let infatuations with colleagues get out of hand. You may find that you are a little lucky this week.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Try to be fair in your dealings with acquaintances. Don’t turn down an invitation or a challenge that could enhance your chances of meeting someone special. Loved ones may be annoyed if they feel restricted.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Secret affairs may be tempting, but keep in mind that they will damage your reputation if you decide to indulge. You must refrain from overspending on entertainment. Use your quick wit to win points with friends.

You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move this week.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) It’s time to reconnect with some of the people you used to know. They won’t get away with it. You will be emotional when dealing with coworkers or employers. You can dazzle members of the opposite sex with your quick wit and aggressive charm.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Stop those bad habits. Take the time to sort out your personal papers and double-check your financial investments. After all, they may have valuable information to pass on.

Minor health problems could result through exhaustion.

ACROSS 4. Powdery residue 8. Atomic research center 11. Holly 13. Cereal grass 14. Large hairy spider 15. Feathered creature 17. Ten decibels 18. Indigo 19. Register 21. Class 22. Yes 14. Plaything 27. Strike breaker 29. Wrath 31. Prohibit 33. British nobleman 35. As previously given 36. Epic poetry 38. Contradicts 40. Hurried 42. Distribute cards 43. Periods of history 45. Eccentric man 49. Admiration 50. Period of human life 51. Impeccable 52. Small blemish DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

9.

Fruit ice Small rocky island Be seated Give consent Authenticating mark Fail Elevate 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 10. Tap gently 11. Republic in S. Europe

12. Biblical high priest 16. Female rabbits 20. Ornamental fabric 21.Electronically charged atom 23. Dutch name of The Hague 25. Dull color 26. Soft lambskin leather 28. Small nail 29. Highest mountain in Crete 30. Printer’s

measures 31. Advantage 32. Facial feature 34. Vassals 35. Small island 37. Dry Stalks 39. Not

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 21.

41. Ship’s small boat 44. Perceive with the eyes 46. Move quickly 47. Self-esteem 48. Soak

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22. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Robert Andrew George Cummings – a Partial Portrait of a Legal Artist and Technician

by THEODORE L. V. BROWNE ROBERT ANDREW GEORGE CUMMINGS was one of only four Vincentians, who were all young at the time, in the first batch of students to enter and then graduate from the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies located at Cave Hill in Barbados. The other members of this talented Vincy quartet were Parnel Randolph Campbell QC, John Orestes Cato (who now lives in St. Kitts and Nevis) and yours truly (Ras Theodore L. V. Browne).

Incidentally, the fact that I was able to go to law school may have had something to do with Andrew’s mother.

One fateful Saturday early afternoon, a black well-polished car owned by “V” Young interrupted a cricket match in which I was involved on a newly paved road close to my home in Belmont. We were not very happy that our game was interrupted, especially since I was in the middle of a magnificent innings, but soon a wellspoken lady of dignified presence emerged from the vehicle and greeted us warmly — she was Mrs. Ercelle Cummings, Andrew’s mom. I was impressed and captivated by her beautiful use of the English language.

Not only did she bring our cricket game to a halt, she arrested my attention.

From her searching questions, Mrs. Cummings discovered who I was — a somewhat frustrated Secondary School Teacher with A-Level and O-Level subjects who did not have money to go to university and study law. She offered some advice and set me on a course that allowed me, with help from my Uncle Chippie Browne, to gain employment at the Statistical Department in Kingstown, become exposed to a scholarship opportunities and ultimately to land a scholarship! I sometimes wonder where I would have been were it not for the intervention of Mrs. Cummings — God bless her soul.

What I know is that it was at least partially because of her that I ended up in the company of her son at Cave Hill as guinea pigs in the law programme.

There was fierce competition for the spaces in that charter law class but we made it in, we made it through, and I would say that we all went on to lead successful careers in our own right.

Back in those days the University of the West Indies was considered to be a microcosm of life in the West Indies, and we dominated every facet of Campus life. This is not the place to present the details. Suffice it to say here that Andrew excelled in sports and simply reigned supreme in field events.

He was also a master in the art of verbal communications — his fluency and ability to find the exact word to verbalise his thoughts was a sheer delight and inspiration. We all profited greatly from our association with him.

Andrew was a good example — a man of consummate graciousness. His polite, courteous and firm but soft spoken manner, completely devoid of pretensions, motivated us to do well.

He had a keen sense of what was right,

and his views were well-respected. I recall conferences in the judge’s chambers where Andrew’s quick “no, we can’t do that” during contemplations on the settlement of a matter, carried infinite weight and put an end to any further discourse on a potential course of action. Throughout a trial he was on the most fraternal terms with the other side. This experience caused me to recall Shakespeare’s observation that “adversaries in law strive mightily but eat and drink as friends.”

In addition, I have observed through the testimony of Andrew’s life, that success at the bar–which he enjoyed so immensely and abundantly–is rooted in a solid mastery of legal principles and their appropriate application to the facts in harmony with the law of evidence. Flamboyance, gimmickry, eloquence, showmanship and brass sounding noises are like a cheap perfume which is no substitute for the real and indispensible qualities of integrity and a solid mastery of the law as well as logical reasoning to achieve the desired resolution favourable to the client. All elements of histrionics are vain and are often deployed to cover up a lack of knowledge or insufficient acquaintance with relevant legal principles.

Andrew was a gifted public speaker, and this of course is a valuable asset in the arsenal of an accomplished trial lawyer, it is not all that is necessary.

The important requirement in this respect is that Counsel should have a good command of the English language and be skilled in the art of communication and persuasion.

Andrew was gifted in both. I discovered that it is not necessary to indulge in profuse oratory or to have mastered the techniques of acting to achieve desirable legal outcomes. Whether Andrew was speaking to the judge, the jury or a witness, he chose words to convey precisely and clearly the thought he wished to express. As is well known, words are tools of our profession, and their selection deserves the same careful consideration that a carpenter gives to a problem to determine whether a plane or a chisel or a file will best serve his purpose for a particular job. Unless a lawyer possesses some measure of competence in the use of words and grammar, he will not be able to convey his message clearly, forcefully, accurately, cogently and persuasively on behalf of his client.

Andrew was an ideal advocate — a master in the arts of delivery and persuasion.

Lord Birkett once stated: “I like the advocate who speaks up so that he can be heard. I like the advocate who uses good English, who selects his words and becomes more effective because of that.

I like the advocate who is not a sycophant, who will stand up to the Court. It is essential that he should know his facts perfectly. But my belief has been and is that for an advocate to reach the highest height, he must be more than a man of law. He must be in

some degree a man of letters.” This is a description which fits Andrew. He was more than a master legal technician. He was a man of letters, a fully rounded human being — the heir to millennia of literature. We can better understand this type of lawyer — he is more inclusive and humanistic. What really makes an effective trial lawyer is every experience that helps him to understand the nature of the human condition and the thoughts and feelings of his fellowmen.

Musicians like Bach, Beethoven and Handel help to make a trial lawyer.

Writers like John Milton, Francis Drakes, Christopher Marlowe, William Hazlitt and William Shakespeare help to make a trial lawyer. A detective story by Arthur Conan Doyle helps to make a trial lawyer.

Andrew was the first and only person I know who transformed the community of New Montrose into an Olympic stadium, with all villagers, young and old, witnessing and cheering or applauding the exploits of their sons and daughters — some of the athletes showcased peaked locally, regionally and internationally in their chosen field of specialisation. Andrew Cummings was in every respect a nation builder.

On his dying bed he expressed great delight and irrepressible joy on learning that Justice Adrian Saunders had been appointed President of the CCJ — a gentleman who had emerged as a national Table Tennis Champion under the guidance and exemplary sporting motivation of Andrew Cummings. Andrew knew how to draw the best out of us. That was true since our days on Campus.

By life, love and lip, Andrew brought honour to our noble legal profession.

May we be inspired and motivated to do likewise. It appeared as though Andrew, who was a voracious reader, had taken advice from Walter E. Craig, former President of the American Bar Association who said at an annual meeting in 1963 that “CONSTANT DILIGENCE, CAREFUL

Robert Andrew George Cummings PREPARATION AND CONTINUOUS STUDY do more to make a good and successful lawyer than native ability and genius.” At any rate, what we call “genius”, as Thomas Edison reminds us: “is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration!”

ANDREW was a conscientious pursuer of the truth.

The Honourable Charles Evans Hughes, a chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, once stated: “The highest reward that can come to a lawyer is the esteem of his professional brethren. That esteem is won in unique conditions and proceeds from an impartial judgment of professional rivals. It cannot be purchased. It cannot be artificially created. It cannot be gained by artifice or contrivance to attract public attention. It is not measured by pecuniary gains. It is an esteem commended solely by integrity of character and by brain and skill in [the] honourable performance of a professional duty.” Andrew Cummings was held by us in high esteem.

As we say a final farewell to a great legal icon, we would do well to strengthen our resolve to fight the good fight and to pursue with unflagging zeal the goal of perfecting the art of bringing honour to our noble profession.

After all, it is the noblest of all professions. Thank you, Andrew, for your example and testimony. Goodbye, my friend. I extend condolences to his dear and devoted wife, sons, daughter, and to all his other relatives, friends, colleagues and loved ones. I note approvingly that Andrew managed to persuade his children to study law. For Andrew, death in not a termination but a transition into a more glorious life.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). May Andrew Cummings rest in perfect peace.

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THE VINCENTIAN.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 23.

Weightlifter Rayen Cupid encourages women to be strong RAYEN CUPID, who recently represented St Vincent and the Grenadines in Weightlifting at the XXI Commonwealth Games, hosted in Queensland, Australia, would like to see more Vincentian women do so, but believes, they first have to get rid of the stigma. ”People believe that you might get bulky, but that is not the case, so it is getting over that stigma,” she noted.

Cupid, who describes herself as a “powerful” person, added, “People don’t really know what is weightlifting when they hear it … Weightlifting is very empowering; you can be the strongest person (physically) out there, but if you don’t think you can lift, it would not happen.”

And her message to women is straightforward: “Sport does not change your femininity, if anything it strengthens it…Your body would change but in a good way… .”

Competing at the

Commonwealth Games, Cupid, who was born in England to Vincentian parents Agnes Young and Kenneth Cupid, contested the 75kg category at the XXI Commonwealth Games, and placed seventh among twelve competitors.

Reflecting on her first major international championship, she said, “It is so surreal.”

Cupid’s entry into Weightlifting came as recent as three and a half years ago.

“I started by collecting charts as I was already doing KickBoxing and Yoga for two years,” she revealed.

Cupid, who is also a qualified personal trainer and a part time Special Needs Teacher, recalled: “One day I came across a magazine and it had a (Weightlifting) competition being advertised at the back of it, so I was interested, because I wanted to do something different and I applied … was

Rayen Cupid in the Snatch event.

Left: Cupid performing in the Clean and Jerk at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia. selected and it all started there”.

She acknowledged her late entry into the sport as an obstacle, but quipped, “I am a strong woman,” to emphasise that that did not deter her.

She began training with the Crystal Palace Weightlifting Club and met Vincentian George Manners.

Through the efforts of Manners, a Commonwealth Games medallist for St Vincent

and the Grenadines and for England in Weightlifting, Cupid found added support in pursuit of her goals.

Within six months of training for the Weightlifting event, Cupid was contesting the National and British competitions.

Having medalled at both competition levels in her weight class, Cupid, with the encouragement of Manners, embarked on formalizing her

representation of St Vincent and the Grenadines at this year’s Commonwealth Games, which ended last Sunday.

In the snatch, Cupid’s best effort was 84kg and in the Clean and Jerk- 103kg.

At age 32, and a single mother of one daughter, Cupid is hopeful about getting further opportunities to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines in the not too distant future.

Female footballers off To CFU tournament A 22-MEMBER CONTINGENT — comprised of 17 players and 5 officials - left St. Vincent and the Grenadines earlier this week for St. Kitts and Nevis, for participation in a preliminary round of the 2018 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Senior Women’s Football Tournament.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in Group A along with Dominica, St. Lucia, and hosts St. Kitts and Nevis, and was scheduled to face St. Lucia on Wednesday, St. Kitts/Nevis on Friday and Dominica on Sunday.

All matches have been scheduled for the Warner Park Sporting Complex Before the team left for the tournament, Arrington Burgin, newly appointed national female football coach, said he was working to achieve the best for the players.

“Based on the team’s performance from previous tournaments, fitness was a crucial factor. … Once the girls stay fit and injury free, they can finish more games, and based on what I have seen during training, they have shown that they can play for longer periods; so I think this will bring the best out

of them.”

We hoping to come out top of the group and wait to see what happen next.

We also have the FIFA World Cup qualifiers coming up at the end of May in Antigua where we will be in a group with Antigua, St Lucia and St Croix in five team groupings where the five top teams will qualify for the next round as well as the three best second place advance to the next phase of the qualifiers.”

Shevorn Trimmingham, Manager of the team, stressed that the team will go into the tournament not taking any team lightly. and believed the team has what it takes to win.

“We look at this tournament also as a preparation phase for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and while we may get a tough run from St Kitts who we will meet for the first time, we back SVG Female team in a practice against a male team before ourselves to win all games,” the they left for the tournament.

Right: Shervon Trimmingham - team manager.

Manager asserted.

SVG’s first round FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are set for late May in Antigua, in a group that comprises the host,St. Lucia and St. Croix.

The 17 players currently in St. Kitts/Nevis are: Kasilda James, Altica Benn, Kristiane Wyllie, Coreen Yorke, Nadia Peters, Keisha Morgan, Chelsea Cordice, Shelley Browne, Amalis Marshall, Roxanne Hannaway, Zeyanna Charles, Aryel Lewis, Toesha Culzac, Jessica Millar, Ikeya Providence, Samantha Carrington, and Kitannia Richards.

The Management team comprises: Shevorn n Trimmingham — Manager; Arrington Burgin - Head Coach; Urtis Blackette Goalkeeper Coach; Shevon Smith — Physio; and Wayne Grant - Chairman of Female Committee and Executive member.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Arrington Burgin – Head Coach of SVG Female Football Team.

ERRATUM Re: Article headlined ‘Be-Fit Launches Fitness Dance and 5K’ carried on page 24 of THE VINCENTIAN of April 12, 2018.

The article referred to one ‘Helen Wilson Secretary of the SVG Diabetes and High Potential Association’. That should have read ‘Ellen Wilson, Secretary of the SVG Diabetes and Hypertension Association’.

We are also pleased to clarify the following: Mission of the Association: To raise awareness of Diabetes and Hypertension and to contribute to the prevention, management and control of these conditions.

Objectives of the Association: 1. To promote the interest of diabetes and Hypertension and to assist persons in the management of their conditions; 2. To specifically target groups of persons with Diabetes or Hypertension and the general public, during the Association’s outreach programme.

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24. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Avenues out on goal difference WHAT SEEMED to have been a clear path to further advancement for Vincentian Football Club, Avenues United in Teir Two of the 2018 Caribbean Club Championship, turned all cloudy and overcast and eventually impassable.

The Vincentians, with a comfortable 2-nil lead over S.V Real Rincon of Bonaire going into the last half hour of regulation time, inexplicably allowed the Dutchmen to crawl back to draw level and earn themselves a place in the next round.

Interestingly, Rincon

goals were scored within an 8-minute span — the first in the 82nd minute and the second in the 90th minute.

All of this after Avenues United had taken an early lead after Myron Samuel converted in the 5th minute.

Romano Snagg added to the lead in the 62nd minute.

The draw left Avenues and Rincon on 3 points each from a win and a draw, but S.V Real Rincon advanced because of a +2 goal difference over Avenues United’s +1 goal difference.

Inter Moengo Tapoe of

Suriname emerged as the best overall winner in Group “B” of the Championship. Club Franciscain of Martinique was second, followed by S.V Real Rincon of Bonaire.

Inter Moengo Tapoe was set to meet S.V Deportivo Nacional of Aruba in the first semifinal and Club Franciscain S.V Real Rincon in the other semifinal yesterday, Thursday.

In addition to Avenues United, the other teams involved in the recent Teir Two round played in the Dominican Republic,

Avenues United must be ruing the opportunity that they let slip by. were: SV Deportivo Nacional of Aruba; Weymouth Wales — Barbados; S.V. Real Rincon — Bonaire; Bodden Town - Cayman Islands; RKSV Centro Dominguito — Curacao; Hard Rock Sports Club — Grenada; USR SainteRose - Guadeloupe; Guyana Defence Force Guyana; Club

Awesome FC: 2018 Futsal Champions

Awesome FC – 2018 National Futsal Champions.

AWESOME FC dug deep into their arsenal to hold off a spirited SVG Police team, last Friday evening at the Calliaqua Hard Court, to lay claim to the 2018 National Futsal Championship title.

Awesome FC grabbed the lead in the 45th second of the game, but SVG Police fought back to level the score, and from then, the two teams traded strategies, taking full advantage of the substitutions

allowed.

Each time one side took the lead, the other moved swiftly to equalize, and into four minutes to regulation time, the score was tied at 5 all.

But it was Awesome

FC who held their nerve and slotted one past the Police goalkeeper and stood firm with their one goal lead until the final whistle.

Earlier, in the semifinals, Awesome FC defeated Sharpes FC 09 5-4, and Hill View lost to SVG Police 1-5.

In the third place play-offs, Sharpes FC 09 defeated Hill View 9-6.

There was on to the final between SVG Police and Awesome FC, which saw 11 goals scored.

Futsal, introduced here in 2017, is a variant of football played on a hard court, smaller than a football pitch. It is played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Unlimited substitutions are permitted.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Marriaqua Softball Cricket bowls off EIGHTEEN teams will compete for top honors in the 2018 Flow/Carib Beer Marriaqua Softball Cricket Competition bowled off at the Richland Park Playing Field last weekend.

The Competition, organized by the Valley Sports Committee, opened with a formal ceremony last Sunday, with addresses by President of the Committee Gishell Peters; Director of Sports Nelson Hillocks, and

Teddy James, representing Coreas, agents for Carib Beer.

Bruce Law Chambers Smashers FC won Teams lined up at the opening of the Marriaqua Softball the Ballarama, Cricket Competition. which followed the Ballers, CMT Outta Gallagher Novice, opening ceremony.

Trouble 1, CMT Outta BOSVG All Stars, The teams competing Trouble 2, Challengers, Fairbourn United, Sion in the tournament are divided into two groups. Clean Sweep Bar, Bruce Hill Tallawahs, Owia Group One comprises Law Chambers Smashers Young Strikers, Carrier CC. Blazers, Mt. Plesent, Street Fighters, Doctor Group Ywo comprises Dipcon Road Warriors.

Thomas Injectors, Ean Gomea Bombers, Trading and Block Glenside, CGM I.B.A.ALLEN Making Fully Loaded

Franciscain — Martinique; Cayon — St Kitts and Nevis and

Inter MoengotapoeSuriname.

National Table Tennis Championships serve off THE 2018 SVG National Table Tennis Championships served off last week with the Junior and Cadet segments, at the West St George Secondary School.

Two categories of competition for Girls were completed on the weekend, with Leah Cumberbatch taking the Under 18 title and Delecia Michael the Under 15.

Cumberbatch defeated a field of four to claim her title. She beat Delecia Michael 11/5, 11/8; Derecia Michael 15/13, 11/8; Vedel Charles 11/5, 12/10; and Julia Nichols 11/6, 8/1,1 11/7.

Michael took hold of her title when she dispensed with Vedel Charles 11/8, 11/5; Derecia Michael 11/9, 11/9; and Leah Cumberbatch 11/4, 11/8.

Among the Boys, the Under 13 Division will be decided this weekend following semi-finals battle between Michel Creese and Caleb Howard, and Kenjay Phillips and Ezer Lucas.

The Junior Doubles title will also be decided this weekend when Akeil De Roche and Michel Creese come up against Caleb Howard and Juwan Howard.

After a number of round robin matches, the following players have advanced to the quarterfinals of: Boys Under 15 Boys - Akeil DeRoche, Michel Creese, Caleb Howard, Dureese Nelson, Joshua Joseph, Kristian Christopher, Zedon Joseph and Mirac Creese; Boys Under 18 Akeil De Roche, Michel Creese, Caleb Howard, Joshua Joseph, Dureese Nelson, Juwan Howard, Augustine Pollard and Mirac Creese.

The finals in the remaining categories of the Junior and Cadet divisions will be played on Saturday 21st April 2018 at the West St. George Secondary School.

The seniors are set to begin their battle on the 26th and continue into the 27th and 28th April.

Matches on each day begin at 5:30 p.m, at the West St. George Secondary School from 5:30 p.m.

Overseas based players David ‘Sky’ Llewellyn and Kavir Gaymes are expected to compete in the Senior Championships.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Participants in the Junior and Cadet Divisions of the 2018 National Table Tennis Championships.

V

THE VINCENTIAN.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 25.

Sports

Golden glow WHEN IT GROWS dimmer, a flicker clicks and the nation prides itself in recent sporting achievement. To the average citizen or those observing form beyond the borders, it might be a case of what the fuss is about.

The gold medals by Alex Joachim, Handel Roban, and the quartet: Annicea Richards, Shafiqua Maloney, Tamara Woodley and Zita Vincent took care of this country’s best performance at the CARIFTA Games.

Those responsible must be commended. We in the media and those in other fields have been critical of the various authorities when they fail to deliver the goods. It is fitting and courteous to pay homage when something special has occurred.

Having been overwhelmed by this syndrome of inferiority, it would have been easy to succumb to the disease.

Parental and community support must have been instrumental in providing the platform from which those athletes took off. It must have been challenging to witness below par performances over a period.

The results reminds us of the potential of sports. They come in the backdrop to the staging of the 2017 National Sports Awards.

Last year seemed casual, except for instances where the system of fraud was being prepared for greater things.

However things will pan out that year, the writing is being etched for this year’s rewards.

Alex Joachim, Handel Roban and those four Relay gold medallists will come in for reckoning.

The home and community environment are crucial to the athlete’s development. Stephen Joachim is not a fish out of water.

Alex is not without inspiration home. His sister Shne has been the Vincentian flag bearer for swimming.

Nicolas Sylvester has been associated with excellence. Jamaica is the team to beat when it comes to athletics. That covers a broad spectrum.

When our gold medallists are rewarded, there is nothing one must do than give praises.

The 800 M medal must have been one the Jamaican management ticked off in the done column. They will have to admit that Handel Roban was there. If the Jamaicans had been realistic they would have analysed that Roban was in for a medal.

The 2017 National Sports Awards will be under the theme ‘Welcoming opportunities: Cementing the future.’ Who will stand out will be known in a matter of hours. It takes years of sweat to brandish and reap the awards at the competitive level.

There will be complaints about the absence of whatever shortfall or requirement. Don’t allow any obstacle to hinder the path to success.

Walking in the cold for Vincy athletes at Penn Relays Story and photo by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

James Cordice, busload of Vincentians from Brooklyn to render coordinator of boisterous support to the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Penn Vincentian athletes on the final and biggest day Relays initiative, poses with walk-aof the relays.

Two secondary schools thon patron Erlene Williams-King, a in St. Vincent and the former aide to the St. Grenadines — The Vincent and the Thomas Saunders Grenadines’ New York Secondary School and the St. Vincent Grammar Consul General.

School — will again compete in the Penn journey,” the Relays Carnival at the Franklin Clare Valley-born Cordice told Field Stadium at the University of THE VINCENTIAN. “The road Pennsylvania. that is seemingly paved with The Penn Relays Carnival perils can yield satisfactory begins on Thursday, April 26 and results. culminates on Saturday, April 28.

“2017 contributory funds from For the past seven years, the this event [walk-a-thon] did so Thomas Saunders Secondary much to offset the expenses,” he School has been participating in said, adding “I’d like to say a the games. The Grammar School bountiful thank you to all who took part, for the first time, last sponsored and/or walked on year.

Saturday. Special thanks to SVG Philadelphia-based James National Lottery for your Cordice, the architect behind St. continued support for SVG Vincent and the Grenadines’ sports.” participation in the prestigious Friday hopes next year’s walkathletic meet, and coordinator of a-thon will be “bigger and better.” the Vincentian event, trekked “I am hoping our 30 walkers from the “City of Brotherly Love” will grow into 300, then into to participate in Saturday’s walk- 3,000, so we can cover all a-thon. expenses for Team SVG for the “For the two-hour, threePenn Relays.” minute-drive up from The walk-a-thon is held on the Pennsylvania to New York, I kept first Saturday in April each year. thinking of this SVG Penn Relays

EVERY YEAR, for the past three years, as the Brooklyn, New Yorkbased Vincentian educational and cultural group, Club St. Vincent Inc., hosted a walk-a-thon to support Vincentian athletes at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, it rained, was bitterly cold and blustery, or there was the threat of snow.

This year was no exception: there was the imminent threat of snow and rain.

But, despite the ominous weather prediction, about 30 diehard supporters still journeyed, in the very cold conditions, early Saturday morning to Marine Park in southern Brooklyn, to participate in the annual event.

It turned out, however, that the weather was much better than predicted.

“We had some new faces this year,” said Ancilla Friday, the Ratho Mill-born walk-a-thon coordinator and Club St. Vincent, Inc. vice president, in an exclusive VINCENTIAN interview. “Some of our former patrons were hesitant to come out because the weatherman predicted a snow storm for that morning.

“However, some 30 of us braved the weather, which turned out to be sunny and warmer than expected,” she added.

“There was one Vincentian gentleman, invited by one of our members, Frankie George, who came for the first time [and] who never heard of Club St. Vincent, Inc., and was not aware that schools in SVG [St. Vincent and the Grenadines] participate in the Penn Relays,” Friday said.

Friday said staffers at Marine Park were “very accommodating by providing us with tables and chairs, whereas, in the past, we had to take our own.”

“They treated us like family,” she said.

“Our Vincy Saturday morning Supporters of walk-a-thon at Marine Park pavilion. breakfast of saltfish and bakes, along with hot cocoa, tea and coffee, warmed up the walkers for the five-mile/six laps walk around the park. We also had a warm up exercise session.”

Members of other organizations, who are part of the SMASHERS and E&J Pompey 4 for 23. Denson Hoyte 2 Brooklyn-based Council of St. Construction North Windward for 31, Jemoth Brackin 2 for 33; Vincent and the Grenadines Youths will square off in the North Windward 121 for 9 from Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. finals of the First Division 22 overs - Sealroy Williams 22, (COSAGO), also supported the Sunday League 50 Overs this Sealron 28. Vennordo Primus 4 worthy cause.

Sunday, at the Sion Hill playing for 35, Andre Hunte 3 for 44.

“Regardless of the weather, our field.

This weekend finals will bring Vincentian patriots came out in North Windward’s place in the the curtain down on competition support of our teams from home,” final was decided last weekend in the First Division. said COSAGO president Laverne when they defeated Belfongo by The four top teams from the McDowald-Thompson, who 1 wicket, in a low scoring semiPremier and First Divisions will participated in the walk-a-thon. final encounter. then meet in an inaugural Club As in previous years, Scores, Belfongo 120 from 22 Championship.

McDowald-Thompson said overs - Devous Williams 21, COSAGO will be organizing a Oswold Soleyn 30., Kirtney I.B.A.ALLEN

Smashers, N. Windward in First Division Finals

26.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018. 27.

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 20, 2018

VOLUME 112, No.16

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves argued against pigeonholing the causations of crime.

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Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday described the event as timely given the present situation as it relates to crime and violence.

POLITICAL LEADERS AIR VIEWS ON CRIME many mothers in this country,” Dr. Friday said.

THE TWO-DAY (April 18 – 19) The Conversation, he said, National Conversation on Crime was long overdue, adding that and Violence coordinated by the he “welcomed” the event St. Vincent and the Grenadines because it was a timely Christian Council (SVGCC) reminder of the present provided an equal opportunity situation. for brief presentations by Prime He recognized that the Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves perpetrators of crime in SVG and Leader of the Opposition Dr. were, in the main, young Godwin Friday. males, many of them being involved in the illegal drug Dr. Godwin Friday trade that seems to necessitate them being armed.

Addressing the opening For Dr. Friday, too many ceremony last Wednesday, Dr young men were incarcerated Godwin Friday began by and many were repeat referring to a monologue offenders. which portrayed the reaction While acknowledging that of a mother whose son had the causes of crime were just been shot and killed. complex, he also admitted that “The scene we just it had been long established witnessed is drama for us that there was a correlation today, but it has played out for between economic hardship

by DAYLE DA SILVA

committed violent crimes.

While acknowledging that a total of 79 homicides had been committed within the last two years, the Prime Minister said that it was difficult to determine if a trend was developing. He cautioned against those figures being accepted as the norm.

“Part of the challenge is to stem the increase and reverse it,” Dr. Gonsalves said.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves The number of gun related homicides have increased.

According to Dr. Gonsalves, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in his address, gun-related homicides accounted for 46% of the seemed to counteract Dr. Friday’s argument that issues annual total committed relating to economic hardship between 2008 and 2015. Over was the primary cause of the past two years, that number had shot up to 72 increasing criminal activity, saying that there were various percent. causations of crime, and they In that light, the Prime varied among individuals who Minister highlighted the case and an increase in crime.

He took the opportunity to recommit his party, the New Democratic Party, to a national effort to fight crime, and, in support of this commitment, made reference to the Social Redemption Charter which outlines his party’s understanding of and responses to the crime situation in SVG.

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

of the availability of guns and ammunition as something that was worth some reflection.

Guns, he said, were not manufactured anywhere in the region. Countries such as the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Venezuela have a direct impact on the easy access to guns.

As a response, Prime Minister Gonsalves posited that it was not simply a matter of building a culture of peace — that, according to Dr. Gonsalves, already exists.

“The challenge is to make it stronger… [and] ensure the rupture of this culture is reduced. The extent of this rupture is unacceptable and intolerable,” Gonsalves concluded.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.