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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JULY 21, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.29

www.thevincentian.com

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COP: ÂSUBVERSIVE INTENTIONS WOULD BE RESISTEDÊ Association (PWA) were being incited by its chairman - Sergeant Brenton ANY MOVE TO SUBVERT OR DISRUPT Smith, to “storm” the office of Prime legal authority in St. Vincent and the Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Grenadines would be “stoutly resisted.”

The Commissioner said that, The stern warning came from according to the information, Smith Commissioner of Police Renold had expressed dissatisfaction with the Hadaway during an interview with Prime Minister’s response to a request THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. to meet with the Association, the PM Hadaway views as “extremely having indicated that he would serious and dangerous” information he instead have a committee meet with received last Friday that some them. members of the Police Welfare The top cop pointed out that an intention to “storm” the Prime Minister’s office is tantamount to mutinous conduct, which is an offence under section 17 (D) of the Police Regulations.

When THE VINCENTIAN asked about the possibility of such a plan succeeding, the Commissioner replied emphatically, “Never!,”but declined to comment further on this question.

He, however, disclosed that internal investigations into the situation have begun, and that the Police High Command is seeking legal guidance and direction on the matter.

Describing the development as “extremely upsetting,” Hadaway added, “In my 35 years as a police officer, I have never heard such a threat coming from a police officer before. Is it that he intended Sergeant Brenton Smith – the man at the to do the Prime Minister centre of the controversy.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

harm? One can only concluded that was the intention.”

He declared that, “A strong message must be sent to anyone contemplating such an act.”

The Commissioner recalled that recently the Police Welfare Association’s chairman had written to him asking that a Leave Committee be put in place to look at the leave structure within the entire Police Force, and inquiring about the status with regard to insurance coverage Commissioner of Police Renold Hadaway is not taking for police officers the utterance of a ‘threat’ against the Prime Minister’s travelling in police office, sitting down. transports.

Hadaway said the guidelines in place. letter had followed a discussion He pointed out that work has been between the Police High Command ongoing to fully address the issue of and the Welfare Association on these leave, one of the matters that the issues, and the High Command had Welfare Association is raising. asked the Association for a month to “Since I have taken office, the leave respond. situation at the Central Police Station According to Hadaway, the month and Calliaqua has been reviewed and had just ended, and steps were being adjusted to accommodate the officers, taken to have the issues addressed. He and the officers themselves have come noted that in relation to the Leave up with the solutions.

Committee, he was, up to Carnival Monday, putting a committee and Continued on Page 3

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 3.

News 3

Mas Man expresses concerns

DESPITE WINNING THE ‘BAND of the Year’ saying that it was important to ‘Blondie Bird’, Boyde, to express the title, SVG Players’ designer Julian ‘Peling’ maintain a standard. view that they would welcome a return Pollard has expressed some concerns Another area of concern, according to the Victoria Park for Mardi Gras. regarding the future of Mas in the to Pollard, was the lack of Mas in the This year, the Mardi Gras Parade country. rural carnivals. was held at a Little Tokyo, a major According to Pollard, there may soon He was of the opinion that there was change which was supported by the be a shortage of designers in the no cultural component to these events. Carnival Bands Association.

Julian ‘Peling’ Pollard, veteran Mas country, unless something is done to “They (rural carnivals) ought to But Pollard said that the stage at teach the up and coming generations have some cultural aspect,” he said.

Victoria Park was where they belonged Band designer/builder, has lamented the art.

Finally, he joined in with at least — to be able to display their hard work the dearth of mas designers in SVG, and has called for immediate action “We have to encourage designers,” one other Mas Band Leader - (Elroy for all to see. (DD) to address the situation.

Pollard said.

“We would like to find a young designer,” he continued.

He disclosed that it was his intention to conduct a beginners class, and admitted that the task had become strenuous over the years, forcing him to spend long hours in the mas tent.

by KENVILLE HORNE After all, he got his start in the business as a teenager with FORTY-SIX STUDENTS who were the well-respected Roy Ralph. successful in this year’s CPEA It was with this that he examination have been rewarded by the recognized fellow designer Ozzie St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Constance: “We is a man that I Cooperative Credit Union (SVGTCCU).

Last Tuesday, at SVGTCCU have great respect for.”

Scholarship recipients (from left) Headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, four The veteran Mas man also Brielle Compton, Jaydealeah Chambers students received full scholarships expressed some disappointment and Joelle Campbell. Missing is valued at $33,000, while forty-two Book Voucher recipients who were on in the direction that the art was Joshua Browne. students accepted book vouchers valued hand to receive their awards. heading. $4,200, during the SVGTCCU addition to the four scholarships, the He explained that it has been Scholarship and Book Vouchers Chambers.

Credit Union also awards two noted that mas men in St Daniel McMillan, Accountant at the Presentation Ceremony. scholarships — one student from Vincent and the Grenadines are SVGTCCU, congratulated all the The scholarship covers the students’ among the remaining few to recipients. He said that 2017 was a good Barrouallie and the other from either the educational needs for 5 years of Northern or Southern Grenadines. year for students sitting the CPEA design and build an entire secondary school and 2 years at college.

Simeon Greene Jr received a exams, as the overall percentage of The recipients of this year’s scholarships costume. scholarship from the SVGTCCU in 2012; passes increased from 83 percent to 85 are Joelle Campbell, Joshua Browne, Pollard spoke out against He said the support helped to ease the percent. what he termed ‘feather bands’, Brielle Compton and Jaydealeah financial burden on his parents. He McMillan boasted that every year before any members of the union can get expressed gratitude to the SVGTCCU, their dividend from whatever surplus is and implored the recipients to be determined and work hard, and created, the union put aside $40,000 to support university students. “So as you encouraged them to, “Listen to you teachers, choose your friends wisely, can see, every single year, the Continued from front page motivated, the top cop replied, “You SVGTCCU gives out tens of thousands of keep on studying and last but not least, put your trust in God.” can’t rule out anything because I dollars back to its members for Speaking on behalf of the scholarship “THE POLICE WELFARE have no idea as to what is behind all educational purposes,” said the recipients, Brielle Compton from the Association is aware that work is in this.” accountant.

Grenadines island of Bequia, said that a progress on these issues,” he Meanwhile, Sergeant Smith and President of the SVGTCCU Kay explained. two other officers of the Police Martin Jack said that the Union is once few years ago she stood on the grounds of the SVGTCCU to do a choral speech In relation to the Prime Minister’s Welfare Association have been again demonstrating one of the indication that he would have a transferred. principles on which the credit union was along with some of her friends, to mark committee meet with the Smith and Constable Kenroy founded, that is “people helping people”. the opening of the very building in which the ceremony was taking place. “I never Association, in response to their Martin, who were both attached to In the last 6 years, SVTCCU has dreamt that today I will be here as a request to meet directly with the Beat and Patrol in Kingstown, have given out 21 scholarships and 252 recipient of a scholarship from this very PM, Hadaway said that this was been transferred to the Union Island vouchers to students in SVG. Martin institution,” said Compton. normal procedure. “So I don’t know and Chateaubelair Police Stations Jack said that the purpose of the Noel Campbell spoke on behalf of the what is their (Welfare respectively, while Constable exercise is to recognize academic parents and expressed gratitude to the Association)motive. It would appear Jeremain Roberts, who was attached excellence and “provide community SVGTCCU for the support, noting that in that they have some hidden agenda,” to the Stubbs Police Station, support to our young and future such difficult times the support will go a he queried. transferred to the Owia Police members.” long way.

Asked whether he viewed the Station.

The President also said that in development as being politically (Related stories on page 4.)

Students receive SVGTCCU support

COP: ÂSubversive intentions would be resistedÊ

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4. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Lawyer: ‘Officer did not mean physical force’

Woman remanded on murder charge HERMINA JACKSON, 46-year-old woman of La Croix, was remanded last Friday, July 14, after being charged with the murder of her husband - Henry Jackson, 67, also of La Croix.

The woman was not required to plead when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the Serious Offences Court July 14. The matter has been adjourned to September 13.

Reports are that her husband received a stab wound during an incident at La Croix around 11 p.m. on Tuesday July 11. He succumbed to the injury sometime after midnight at the Evesham Health Centre.

(HH)

Minister’s Office must not be speak to the PWA’s lawyer. taken out of context.

When contacted on ISRAEL BRUCE, lawyer for the Commissioner of Police Wednesday, Bruce admitted Police Welfare Association Renold Hadaway told THE that the remark to ‘storm’ the (PWA), says that the recent VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that Prime Minister’s office was threat by a member of the he had received information made, but added that it must Association to ‘storm’ the Prime last Friday, July 14, that not be taken out of context. chairman of the PWA “What the officer meant is Israel Bruce, lawyer for the Sergeant Brenton Smith was that they would go to the Prime PWA, raised a concern about inciting some members of the Minister’s Office and make loyalty within the Association. Association to ‘storm’ the office their concerns known in a of Prime Minister forceful way, not that they were Dr. Ralph going to use physically force,” Gonsalves, as they Bruce explained. were not satisfied Asked about a decision by with the Prime the Police hierarchy to carry Minister’s out internal investigations into response to their the matter, Bruce said that request to meet what needs to be addressed are of 16 grams of marijuana with him to have the issues and concerns that and under. certain issues the officers in the PWA are The commendation ventilated. The asking to be dealt with. came from defence PM had indicated The lawyer, however, lawyer Grant Connell that he would have indicated that what is during a sitting of the a committee meet significant to note is the Serious Offences Court with them. appearance of disloyalty in the on Monday.

When contacted Police Welfare Association.

The matter involved on Tuesday via He noted that the officer’s Kamal Moore, 31, and telephone, remarks came from an internal his mother Evelyn Sergeant Smith WhatsApp communication Moore, who were charged told THE between the executive of the separately with VINCENTIAN Association. “It was not meant possession of 199 grams that, based on the for external consumption. For it of marijuana, and 99 police regulations, to be put out there shows the grams of marijuana, both he cannot speak to disloyalty in the Association,” portions with intent to the press without Bruce said.

Former Commissioner supply. The boy pleaded permission from In relation to the transfer of of Police Michael guilty to the charges, the Commissioner Sergeant Smith and two other Charles came in for while his mother of Police, and PWA officers, Bruce said he praise at a recent sitting advised the maintained her would speak to that issue of the Serious Offences publication to innocence. The subsequently. prosecution withdrew the Court. charge against her. imbalance.

Interestingly, the “But you agree with woman was granted bail the station bail?” Connell at the Central Police asked the Magistrate, THE PARTIALLY decomposed Station, while her son who replied, “I agree body discovered at Yambou on was not. with balance; what is July 9 has been identified as Connell, who good for the woman is 56-year-old Sion Hill resident, represented the two, said good for the man.”

Godwin Sam. that he was pleased to For possession of the According to Police, the body see that the current 199 grams, the boy was was discovered around 1pm on hierarchy of the police fined $400, $200 to be the said day clad in a pair of force is continuing and paid forthwith or one jeans, blue shoes and shirtless. developing what the month in prison, and the It was also reported that the former Commissioner started, about two years balance by July 31 or one face of the corpse was partially month behind bars. decomposed; however the rest of ago, on the issue of In relation to the 99 the body was still intact. station bail for grams, he was fined $250 Investigations are now marijuana possession forthwith or two months ongoing, in an effort to charges. in prison. determine the circumstances He also highlighted The marijuana was leading to Sam’s death. (DD) that several years ago, found during a search of while Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche was their Ottley Hall home FOR SALE on July 15. a police officer, he had Commissioner 2005 Toyota Hiluk 4-door used his discretion and Charles’ decision to make granted station bail to Pick-up - body missing engine it policy of the someone who was Price $8,000.00 or best offer charged with marijuana constabulary to grant station bail to persons 457-1535 possession. charged with possession In relation to the of 16 grams of marijuana Moores’ matter, Chief and under, had followed Magistrate Rechanne a series of requests by Browne said that since the woman was granted Connell for station bail to be granted on marijuana station bail, the boy possession charges, should have been granted station bail too, involving small amounts of the herb. citing the issue of

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Former Commissioner recognized

by HAYDN HUGGINS CREDIT WAS this week given to Former Commissioner of Police Michael Charles for making it a policy of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), to grant station bail to persons charged with possession

SVG PWA receives firm support in BVI SERGEANT Sean A Mc Call, chairman of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Police Welfare Association (PWA), has expressed strong and unwavering support for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines PWA and its chairman - Sergeant Brenton Smith.

“We are extremely disheartened to learn of the unfortunate developments that have taken place in the policing fraternity at a time when law enforcement agencies within the region are facing some severe challenges.

“When I heard of the sudden and strategic transfer of three strong and vocal pioneers of welfare in the persons of Sergeant Brenton Smith, Constables Kenroy Martin and Jeremain Roberts, it was very clear to me that the welfare of the officers, not only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but the region, is under attack,” Sergeant McCall stated in a media release, dated July 19, 2017.

He noted that Sergeant Smith is the President of the Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Association (CFPWA), and chair of the local Association, and expressed confidence that he is quite familiar with his role as it relates to strong and effective representation. But he added that it is clear that there are negatively charged elements that exist who seek to stifle and retard the progressive ambitions of the PWA. De Call declared, “Sergeant Smith, I salute you, the ripple of hope has been felt for better working hours for your officers. I salute you, the ripple of hope has been felt for proper overtime policy and payment for officers who work these extortionate and brutal hours without reward. I salute you, the ripple of hope has been felt because someone’s integrity is swaying like a pendulum.”

In concluding, he urged Sergeant Smith to be strong, and not to give up.

Body identified

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 5.

Regional

Venezuela under attack Open letter to the Vincentian public

is accustomed to humiliating other nations in its international LAST MONDAY, July 17th, relations and thinks that the government of the U.S. it will receive President Donald Trump subordination as a issued an unbelievable response, but more than communiqué threatening 200 years ago Venezuela Venezuela with “strong decided to be free and and prompt” economic independent, for which sanctions if elections are we accept neither held next July 30th to elect tutelage nor threats from the members of the any Country.

National Constituent The convocation of a Assembly.

Constituent Assembly is At the height of the clearly contemplated in absurd, Mr. Trump’s our National government condemns Constitution (articles the holding of free and 347, 348 and 349), and it democratic elections in is a mechanism that will Venezuela, which will be allow us to promote a carried out under the great process of national authority of the National dialogue directly from Electoral Council, as the grassroots. It is an contemplated by our act of political legal system. sovereignty of the The U.S. government Republic, and nothing

and nobody can stop it.

With this behavior, Mr. Trump’s government unabashedly shows its absolute partiality with the violent and extremist sectors of the Venezuelan opposition, who favored the use of terrorism to overthrow a popular government, democratically elected on April 14th, 2013.

The Bolivarian Revolution has been under permanent threat from the U.S. government, which for years has financed conspiratorial actions against our country. It is appropriate to recall how they promoted and supported the coup in 2002 against President Hugo Chavez, which was defeated in less than 48

hours by the decisive intervention of the Venezuelan people and the patriot military.

Hidden behind the obsession of the White House against Venezuela is its clear intention to retake the control of the wealth of our country, which for decades was plundered by U.S. companies. It was with the Bolivarian Revolution that this process of pillage was stopped and our wealth was put to the service of the development of the Venezuelan people and the integration with our brothers in the Caribbean and Latin America.

We call on our Vincentian brothers and sisters, who have

permanently expressed their solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela, to understand the magnitude of the brutal threat contained in the communiqué of the White House, which is a threat against all free peoples.

The xenophobic and racist government of Mr. Trump has decided to ignore the fundamental principles of international law, such as self-determination and independence, to advance in a process of recolonization of Latin America and the Caribbean. What they are seeking against Venezuela, in a perverse alliance with the subjugated right-wing

governments of the continent, they can apply it tomorrow against any other nation that refuses to bow to its mandates.

That is why our call is to defend the sovereignty of Our America together.

In these days in which the future of freedom or submission of our peoples, of being independent or neocolonies is defined, the anti-imperialist thinking of the Liberator Simón Bolívar is more applicable than ever: “The United States seems destined by Providence to plague America with misery in the name of freedom.”

Simón Bolívar, 1829 Kingstown, July 19th, 2017

Trump’s ban not affecting Cuba’s tourism PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s ban on Cuban tourism will have the desired effect i.e. of curbing the travel of Americans to that Caribbean Country.

The Miami Herald reported recently that despite some U.S. airlines’ decisions to scale back service to Cuba or abandon their Cuba routes, a consequence of Trump’s ban, ‘Americans’ interest in visiting the island is still strong and there’s plenty of potential for growth, according to a new travel study’.

The Herald cited the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as saying that even with current U.S. travel restrictions in place, as many as 2 million U.S.

Passengers arrive in Cienfuegos, Cuba, on American Airlines inaugural scheduled service from Miami on Sept. 7, 2016. (Photo Credit: AP) travelers could visit the island annually by 2025.

Last year, visits by Cuban Americans and other U.S. travelers totaled 614,433 – a 34 percent increase.

And the BCG said demand among U.S. travelers is strong and is expected to grow over the

next three years.

During Cuba’s International Tourism Fair in early May, Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero said that Cuba had already received 2 million Manuel Marrero, international visitors during the Cuba’s Tourism tourism, trade and cultural Her Excellency first four months of the year, Minister, said that reciprocity.”

Jasmine Huggins, St. putting it on track to easily despite the The measure, which takes Kitts and Nevis surpass last year’s record of 4 recent place with immediate effect, Ambassador to million, second best in the announced policy will grant nationals up to 30 Taiwan, highlighted Caribbean after the Dominican of President days visa-free entry into the conditions Republic.

Donald Trump, Taiwan. nationals of St. Kitts Admittedly, Cuba faces a host the island will The Hon. Mark Brantley and Nevis must of challenges as it seeks to continue growing said: “I feel privileged to have satisfy in order to attract more visitors. “The and offering played a part in achieving this qualify for visa free country’s main international support to those exciting opportunity for the entry into Taiwan. airport, in Havana, is bursting that want tourism citizens of St Kitts and Nevis at the seams, and because there in the country. and for further embedding a truly of criteria. She said is an insufficient supply of that they must hold (Photo Credit: bilateral relationship. The visa accommodations, room rates a standard passport valid for at plenglish.com) free access granted today by have climbed to above the least six months; hold a return Taiwan is a clear indicator of the flight/ boat ticket, or a flight/boat Caribbean average,” the BCG reported. global confidence in the integrity Cuba also has ambitious plans to develop ticket; have a valid visa for an of our passport and the due destinations beyond Havana. onward destination; and possess diligence measures that we have During the tourism fair, the Cuban press reported put in place to make applying for no criminal record, as verified by that the government announced the creation of the citizenship by investment a more immigration units upon arrival at Punta Colorada joint venture that will develop golf robust process. It also means that an airport or port in Taiwan.

Over the last 2 years, nationals courses and tourist accommodations in western the power of our citizenship has Cuba. It also announced a German-Cuban joint been further boosted and elevated of St Kitts and Nevis have already venture to build a resort complex in Punta Gorda, had visa free travel to a range to a global level of free movement, Camagüey, that will include a marina with 300 slips of other countries, including making it one of the most and a five-star hotel.

Brazil, The Maldives, Indonesia, powerful in the Caribbean and The Cuban government also signed a letter of Seychelles, Bolivia, Sierre Leone, Latin America.” intent with China’s Yantai Golden Mountain for a Kenya, Ukraine, Kosovo, Her Excellency Jasmine real estate/golf course development in Loma Linda, Kazakhstan and now Taiwan.

Huggins advised that in order to Guardalavaca, according to the Cuban newspaper (Source: Government of SKN) benefit from this arrangement, Juventud Rebelde. citizens must satisfy a number

Taiwan grants visa free entry FOLLOWING diplomatic involvement by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, the Ambassador to Taiwan, Her Excellency Jasmine Huggins and the Honourable Mark Brantley, the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on Friday 14th July, that it was offering visa free access to nationals of St Kitts and Nevis.

The Prime Minister said: “Taiwan has been a great supporter of St Kitts and Nevis and this step further demonstrates the strength of our collaborative partnership which brings benefits to the citizens of both countries in the areas of business, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris recognised Taiwan as ‘a great supporter’ of St. Kitts and Nevis. (Photo Credit: Caribbean News Service)

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6. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Canada & St.Vincent and the Grenadines seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme John Jones.

All of these farms are large growing operations with up to 26 acres of land completely covered with greenhouses.

Toronto, we were introduced to Jim Slater, owner of Sunsation Acres in Leamington; Petro Tomanelli, owner of Tomanelli Farms in Kingsville ; and Arti Goce, the grower at Howard Huy Greenhouses in Leamington.

We talked to both the employers and the workers on an individual and confidential basis, and without exception, received positive reports related to their experience within the programme. A number of the workers had been returning to the same farms for upwards of 20 years, returning home each year with considerable savings which they said would not have been possible had they not been working overseas within the programme.

While historically, most workers coming to Canada have been male, the Federal government, in its efforts to promote equality, would like to see more women having the same opportunities as men in the programme. For this initiative to succeed, employers must be willing to provide separate housing and facilities along with suitable jobs, which could greatly increase employment expense.

Charmaine Williams said that her office had received numerous calls on

experience in farming, be at least 18 years of age, be a citizen of SVG and able to satisfy immigration laws of both countries.

Employers arrange and pay for round-trip transportation by air from St. Vincent to the location of their work in Canada. A portion of these costs can be recovered by the employer through payroll deduction.

Employers also Seven workers at Tomanelli Farms. provide free suitable housing either on the farm or off-site which has been BEN HARRISON officially inspected and approved by an International Correspondent authorized, certified official housing THE SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL Workers inspector.

All workers must be registered for Programme is a Canadian government programme that was introduced over 50 provincial health insurance and years ago between Canada and Jamaica covered under the provincial Worker’s Compensation programme. and has expanded through the years to Last week, THE VINCENTIAN include Mexico and other Caribbean visited several farms in countries including St. Vincent and the South Western Ontario Grenadines. The programme is a who have employed Canadian Federal Government guest worker programme allowing employers to seasonal workers from St. Vincent and the hire temporary foreign workers when Canadians and permanent residents are Grenadines for a number of years. not available.

Through the excellent The workers can be hired for a cooperation and maximum period of eight months between January 1 and December 15, assistance of Charmaine Williams, provided they can offer the workers a minimum of 240 hours of work within Assistant Liaison Officer at the Eastern a period of six weeks or less.

Caribbean Liaison Workers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines are required to have some Services offices in One row in greenhouse is over 1000 feet long.

Fifteen Vincentian workers at Sunsation Acres.

the subject.

While the added cost was seen as prohibitive to some employers, one that we interviewed has had women workers, and this was not a serious problem. So bottom line, while there will be numerous meetings and opinions on the subject, the shift to gender equality is a reality in most sectors, and we should not be surprised to see more female participants in the future.

One other cloud hanging over the programme is the Ontario government’s plan to increase the minimum wage for all workers, including migrant farm workers. This will significantly increase the cost of production to the farms. Many farms are looking at automating some of the jobs, which will reduce the number of workers they employ.

On a more positive note, in Canada, chronic labour shortages continue to challenge the agricultural sector due to aging demographics, competition with other sectors, and fewer numbers of young people pursuing careers in farming. As a result, demand for workers, male or female, under the programme is projected to remain steady. The seasonal workers play a critical role in Ontario agriculture, and the Migrant Farm Worker Programme provides excellent employment opportunities and benefits for the migrant workers.

Another of the famrs visited.

V Media and Family Planning Directors chart way forward

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 7.

News

better manage their later adult lives as parents, partners and sexual beings. Across the region, daily, persons of different sexual persuasions live their lives under a cloud of stigma and discrimination. These are just a few of the many equities that will be tackled over time by the Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CCSRHR),” said Bynoe.

The Coalition is comprised primarily of Family Planning Associations from across the Caribbean, and regional and international partners. It also seeks to ensure that the sexual and

Participants in the Sex, Sexuality and the Media Workshop hosted in St. Lucia by the Caribbean Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CCSRHR).

Dr Allyson Leacock, CEO of Live Up, the Workshop Facilitator emphasised that both traditional media and social media have a great role to play in our society.

SEX, SEXUALITY AND THE MEDIA was the hot topic of discussion when twenty-six media practitioners and Executive Directors of Family Planning Associations from thirteen Caribbean countries, convened in St Lucia at the Bay Gardens Resort from July 12 to 13, 2017.

The occasion was a workshop facilitated by Dr Allyson Leacock, CEO of Live Up, a coalition of 112 broadcast media houses in 24 countries.

The deliberations were deemed successful, as they identified media strategies and areas for collaboration on issues such as the gap between the age of consent at 16 and the age of access to services by young people at 18; abortion and LGBTI rights. These strategies identified included emphasis on public education, sensitization training for media workers and a campaign on sexual awareness.

Leacock stressed the importance of the media working closely with Family Planning Associations in the various

countries, to provide accurate information and to understand the best way to present them, particularly where minors are concerned. She also advised the Family Planning Associations’ executives to provide the media with information that would help both parties spread their messages.

“The media is critical during a crisis,” said Leacock, adding that both traditional media and social media have a great role to play in our society.

“You have zero control over what Reporters/Editors write, but you have 100% control over what comes out of your mouth,” Leacock told the Associations’ executives.

At the conclusion of the workshop, Dona Martinez, Executive Director of the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago said, “This meeting was long overdue, given the significant issues in relation to sex and sexuality that impede the basic rights of adolescents and at- risk populations in particular.”

Adler Bynoe, CEO of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation, expressed satisfaction with the innovative media strategies that emerged to better communicate key messages to the public through broadcast, print and social media.

In several Caribbean countries, whereas the age of consent is sixteen, a young person cannot legally access contraceptives until the age of eighteen, creating a two-year gap unprotected by our laws. “Meanwhile our youth are also denied the right to that high-quality sexuality education in schools which would empower them to make informed decisions regarding their sexuality, and prepare them to

Participants were involved in mock interviews to test the effectiveness of some of the strategies they were exposed to during the Workshop. reproductive rights that are agreed on internationally, are in fact made real in the lives of the average citizen.

The St. Lucia workshop meeting was funded by the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, and executed by the Caribbean Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CCSRHR).

St. Vincent was represented by THE VINCENTIAN’s reporter Kenville Horne and Nellie Phillips, Executive, Director St. Vincent Planned Parenthood Association.

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8. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 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 If the truth be told A ‘Picnic of Unity’?

IF THE TRUTH be told, the Unity Picnic held annually on the second Saturday in July along the shores of the St. Lawrence River in the 1,000 Is. Area, Canada, is the largest single gathering of Vincentian nationals outside of homeland St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Those who pioneered the ‘Unity Picnic’ did not choose to name the activity after some willy nilly process or banter. Rather, given that the whole effort was borne out of a recognised need to bring together Vincentians scattered across the Canadian land mass, ‘unity’ had to feature as the operative word in any designation given to the event.

If the truth be told, for as long as the picnic has ensued, it has been characterised by just that: an unadulterated demonstration of harmony, an outpouring of sentiments of goodwill, expressions of camaraderie across status, … simply a good old Vincy party that looked like Vincy, smelled like Vincy, talked like Vincy and was Vincy to the bone.

So, when this year there were reverberations of discord, among those gathered for the Unity Picnic, that erupted in fingers pointed at the pioneers and organisers, accusations of political interference and bias, regardless of how widespread this vernom was, it didn’t smell good for a ‘Picnic of Unity’.

Subject to correction, there has never been a picnic before that threw up a situation of having to accord one political figure prominence over another.

Whatever transpired behind the closed-door discussions of the 2017 Unity Picnic Organising Committee, the planning must have taken this particular bit of ‘trivia’ into consideration.

For this year’s activity to have descended into a political tug-ofwar, regardless of how the matter played out, was not a merit note on the record book of the Organising Committee.

To have allowed one member of parliament, even if he is a member of government, and not to have at least recognised in some similar public manner, the presence of Her Majesty’s Leader of the Opposition, was not in keeping with the expected protocol and, if the truth be told, with simply good manners.

It’s a case of wheel and come again Unity Picnic Organisers.

Calypso Bacchanal As per usual, the sounds of another carnival season have not yet been driven into oblivion, but a matter of ‘call and answer’ has emerged out of the 40th Anniversary celebrations of June-July Mas. If the truth be told, it seems 2017 was destined to be a year of heightened profile for Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd.

First up, her place in the finals of the 2017 Calypso Monarch Competition in her adopted Trinidad and Tobago was challenged, to the point of that matter threatening to get to the Courts.

That scenario worked itself out, and ‘Fya Empress’ proceeded to ‘sing’ in the finals and placed 15th among 17 competitors.

Fast track to Vincy Mas 2017, and ‘Fya Empress’, satisfying, it seemed, all the requirements for qualification, was selected as a finalist in the 2017 Vincy Mas Calypso Monarch Competition, doing the same song, ‘Guilty’, that had taken her to the finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

If the truth be told, she was not ‘foreign’ to this domain, having, in fact, being crowned Monarch in 2012.

It is now written, the young lady sang her way to a second lien on the title here, setting asunder ten other contenders with her ‘Guilty’ and “Hope for SVG’.

Post victory came the tears; if the truth be told — crocodile tears of sore losers.

“Foul,” her detractors cried, “she sang two songs which were not original to the competition … songs that were done before whether in competition or not.”

If the truth be told, those crocodile tears came on flimsy basis, since that which they complained about had been allowed to pass as ‘ok,’ dating back to when former monarch Princess Monique first made her entry into the finals of the Vincy Calypso Monarch title race, with a number entitled ‘Powder’.

That right of passage went unopposed down through the years to what now is a ‘guilty’ ‘Fya Empress’.

If the truth be told, calypsonians have to cease attempting to close the gate long after the horse has bolted.

The dynamics of the competition should allow for review of the requirements, and if that is the case, maybe some adjustment to the ‘rules’ could be made so as to avoid unnecessary wrath on an otherwise innocent party.

The Hand of Dr. Kenneth John- The Voice of Dr. Richard Bryon- Cox

Free to choose our slave driver!!

By Dr. Richard A. Byron-Cox© CAMILLO GONSALVES, crown Prince and next PM, posted on Facebook a picture of his father, King in residence, PM Ralph Gonsalves, meeting white “investors” who supposedly will build hotels here. I dared enquire whether any beaches and lands will be left for the once enslaved poor black natives.

The Pandora Box exploded, and a squadron of evils flew at me!! Ram sheep noisily bleated, “What nonsense is Richard Cox talking?” A choir from the stable of black jackasses joined, braying the Party’s Sankey “God save our king and prince,” reminding that black people remain in a state of such mental disrepair; we are convinced of our inferiority to all others!!

So challenging this manufactured status quo of “black must stand back” as Sheller did, makes me the problem! I am the racist!

The British West Indies made absentee land-lordship profitable and fashionable.

Today, this practice is as prevalent as in its heyday, i.e. the days of white genocidal enslavement of us!! Now as then, the absentee hires an estate manager, a de facto slave driver who drains our very blood, maximizing profit for his paymaster who fakes decency in the metropole, far away from the “Nigger Yard” where we, his estate stock scavenge.

Absentee ownership of us and what we had is commonplace if not a total fait accompli!

Incredulously, we elect and pay the slave drivers who mastermind this! For sure there are no physical chains on our hands and feet; and these post-emancipation slave drivers are excellent snake oil salesmen, hiding the terrifying truth of our re-enslavement.

Buccuma owes VINLEC more than a million!!

Remember, VINLEC is owned by us, and a black native dare not be in arrears by EC$200.

It will “cut yo’ off!!!” to use local parlance.

Buccuma was guaranteed labour absolutely free!! People worked for up to six months and didn’t see a cent!! Isn’t this slavery? (The Minister of Labour began moon-baying only after he was sure the culprit had absconded).

A farming/agriculture community was destroyed to build this all but “white elephant!!” Buccuma didn’t pay taxes due!!

(Remember, this is our money)!! They almost singlehanded destroy our tourism reputation!!

This country’s name is dragged into British courts giving the impression that it’s a heaven for the corrupt!! And they got away with all that and more scot-free!!! Why? This absentee landlord has the best possible local manager, the government of SVG, who sells this abuse and misuse of our country and people as development for us in “Nigger Yard”!! What is the essential difference between this “development” and plantation slavery? Like Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins, I’m no “hypocrite, weak, lying, lick-bottom African!” And, will NEVER be!! Richard Byron-Cox is a BLACK man, the biological son of Ada Byron-Cox, a daughter of the conquered

Peoples of this archipelago, historically barbarized by the colonials as Caribs. I am a child of these peoples (conquered and slaves) who paid with their humanity, the price of and for SVG!! This country is built on our dehumanization, and on the mass graves in which my fore parents lay!

Honouring these sacrifices demands that I expose this neo-slavery!!

This leads me to ask: where are the anticolonialists who preached “Genuine independence, people’s ownership and control”? Apart from Jomo Thomas and Blazer Williams, they are voiceless, blissfully adjusted to these and other terrible injustices strangling the poor and black of this land!

They have accepted the ridiculous notion that black people are intellectually barren, merely field hands. This eugenics falsehood persists, through deliberate orchestration and our cowardice, and ignorance of self! At daybreak of my social consciousness I met W.E.B Dubois and have since wrestled with his fundamental question; “What does honesty do in the face of deception?” It led to me becoming a student of history, a pilgrim in search of truth, and a striving practitioner of honesty. Through these I have inter alia come to fully appreciate that black people after providing centuries of slave labour were told in 1979, “You are free, now go and develop.” We have for most of the period since, elected non-black leaders, who have made it their business to sell everything that is worth anything to white foreign interest. We are being totally disenfranchised under the pretense of providing jobs, which history has shown is largely fictitious. These jobs pay (when they do), just enough to ensure we survive for further exploitation. Just ask from security guards to maids in Canoaun. And the latest is that Italians driving trucks in Canoaun are waving knives threateningly at natives who protest!! Just ask Terry Bynoe. Is this what our people’s humanity and dignity are worth? Did Chatoyer die so that we can sell this country to white absentee landlords?

The evidence shows that these are the very people he died fighting!

Less it be said that I am against investment, let it be known that what I am against is the prostituting of SVG as Nobel Laurette Walcott points out; and the trampling of black Vincentian nobility!! We have suffered these for centuries: white people came here, murdered the majority of the conquered Peoples (my mother’s people), and forced most of the others onto reservations; they brought the black man and made him a beast of burden. So we paid for this country in full!!

But as Carlton “CP” Hall testifies, we are “losing the country to foreign hands, watch Mustique, Union and Canoaun.” And, pathetically, we elect and pay the slave drivers who facilitate and promote this!! ©Richard Byron-Cox is an international law specialist, diplomat, linguist and writer.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 9.

Letters

Carnival done, what next?

NOW THAT THE Carnival season has concluded, I have heard some people saying that our Carnival is the number one in the world. But not yet my friend; not until the judges stop compromising and displaying favouritism.

Let me point out to you why favouritism is destroying our good calypsonians. About a decade or so, the ‘Man Dalpin’ came out with his first calypso hit, ‘Ride de Bumpa’. It was clear that he won the ‘Road March’ that year, but they didn’t give him.

They denied him of it, and that was the talk of the town. He stopped singing.

Carnival is supposed to be for the people, not for the judges. When the people prancing and

dancing, singing their favourite song, that supposed to be the ‘Road March’.

A few years ago, a calypsonian was on reserve, and he became the Calypso Monarch.

Those who were in the finals want to know, up to today, how and why that happened.

‘De Man Age’ is our number one calypsonian, but he sang too much against the odds, and the odds got the better of him. If he had stopped singing ‘against the odds’, and sing on different things, he would have won the Calypso Monarch title more than anyone else.

I find that Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar was unfortunate not to win the Calypso Monarch on

at least three consecutive times, because the judges liked the folksong kind of calypso. The guy that won the title for three consecutive years, his songs are not recognized by the general public. If you go on the streets of Kingstown and interview people about his songs, nobody has any clue what they are. The songs of the Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad Calypso Monarchs are heard year to year.

I man, ‘Papy Live-up’, sang this year for the first time in the Graduate Calypso Tent, and I got a good feedback on the streets of Kingstown, I was building-up to make a breakthrough.

On Saturday when I heard the official

MY NAME is Jodie Dennie, and I am a teacher by profession. I have a vocation for community work, and the upsurge in crimes related to mental illnesses concerns me.

Last year, one such incident resulted in the deaths of four (4) persons, and a former cricket representative with a history of mental illness, stands as the accused.

This sparked my interest in mental health awareness, and in this regard, birthed the idea of a mental illness campaign, entitled: The Mind Matters SVG. This campaign targets 15 — 30 year olds, and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of mental health. The hope is that people within this age range could be more open regarding mental health issues, whether it be speaking with someone concerning stressful issues, or acknowledging that there is something wrong. Ultimately, the aim is to break the stigmas associated with mental illness, and get our Vincentian society on the path to mental health.

I am seeking assistance from the THE

VINCENTIAN newspaper by publishing the attached article entitled, ‘What is Mental Health?’ in this week’s newspaper.

I look forward to your assistance in making The Mind Matters Campaign a success by publishing additional articles.

are the leading cause of disability worldwide 3. About 800 000 people commit suicide each year, and is the second leading cause of death in 15 — 29 yearolds.

4. War and disasters have a large impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being.

5. Mental disorders are important risk factors for other diseases, such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as unintentional and intentional injury.

Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviours can be an early warning sign of a mental health problem: over eating or eating very little; over sleeping or insomnia; isolation from persons and regular activities; having a lack of no energy; feeling numb about your experiences in life; having unexplained aches and pains; having a sense helpless or hopeless; smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual; feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared; verbal and physical altercations with family and friends;

announcement, my picks were correct.

So my friends, when you see the judges in the auditorium, that is just to make things look good.

They don’t know who is who.

We are not number one as yet… not until favouritism is removed from our Carnvial.

Favourtism is destroying our great calypsonians.

Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon

Concern about our mental health

Yours respectfully, Jodie Dennie Founder The Mind Matters SVG Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share the following on behalf of Ms. Jodie Dennie

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their full potential. This allows a person to manage the pressures of life, work productively and make a meaningful contribution to their communities.

Mental health facts: 1. Around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have mental disorders or problems: About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14.

2. Mental and substance use disorders

problems in relationships due to severe mood swings; having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head; hearing voices or believing things that are not true; thoughts of self — harm and harming others; inability to perform routine tasks. e.g. taking care of children.

The following are some ways you can maintain positive mental health: seek screening to detect early signs of problems with mental health; undergoing the necessary treatment for a diagnosed mental illness by a physician; communicating with family and friends.

Mental Health is all about: staying positive; exercising regularly; helping others; getting 7 — 9 hours of sleep; developing coping skills.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these problems, seek professional help, if you need it, at institutions such as The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Marion House and The Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre.

Jodie Dennie

The more things change ⁄.

WHETHER ONE likes it or not, the world - the human society, civilization - is going through many drastic changes as is normal with mother-nature. We need, therefore, to come to terms with reality; we need to face the facts, uphold the fullness, feed the people the right mental foods, and channel all so that they can make informed choices.

We know that it will not be easy and there is no short term solution.

It is instead, a continuous, hard uphill struggle to get out of this demise in which we find ourselves, through no fault of our own, for it is nature’s transgression in human society, from one move to the other — from capitalism to socialism.

It cannot be stopped no matter how hard we try and by whatever means; it just cannot be stopped.

So we all have to embrace, organize and

prepare for the vortex.

Violent impacts manifest themselves in all forms, shapes, situations and conditions. They will delay, setback, put our force off course; but we will have to remain focused, keep stern, steady mind, body, and soul to withstand these troubling, shocking encounters.

Truth be told, we are living in a class society where 7% of the world’s people control 90% of the wealth, creating a privileged class on one hand, and human indecency on the other hand.

Who pays the piper calls the tune; they own the whole society.

So why blame the politicians when they are just the administrators of the system for the ruling class? Some will do just that. Others will try to advance the cause of the marginalized ones.

Bro Kayan

Open letter to the Commissioner of Police Dear Commissioner of Police: AS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST and someone who is very passionate about the protection of the health and cleanliness of our environment, the ecosystem and the very air we breathe, I am very disheartened by the harmful practice of this nation’s police force to burn tires, with the destruction of the drugs that are seized here.

I do not believe that the burning of marijuana bush requires the burning of tires to ensure that they are destroyed. The smoke of these burnt tires is jet black, thick and very poisonous, and the tires continue to burn long after the drug is destroyed.

It only suffices to go on an internet search engine to discover the harmful effects of burning tires, some of which continue to persist even after the dark, ugly and poisonous smoke clears.

I am calling on you, Sir, as the Commissioner of Police, and the relevant health authorities, to display a greater sense of concern for the health of our citizens, and this lovely tropical island of ours.

We have come a long way from the Stone Age, and our actions must display an intellectual advancement from prehistoric times.

Please stop this practice.

Concerned Citizen

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10. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Summary of fiscal operations of the Central Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the period ended March 31, 2017

(Excerpts of Press Statement by Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday, President of the NDP)

The issue SINCE THE Unity Labour Party (ULP) came to office after the March 28, 2001 General Elections, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has been predicting doom and gloom for the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, year after year, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has demonstrated sound management of the nation’s economy. While there havw been many challenges, we have weathered the storms whether they be natural or manmade. The performance of the economy in the first quarter of this year (January 1 2017 to March 31 2017) shows that we continue on a path to progress, and is outlined below.

The Central Government fiscal operations for the first quarter of 2017 turned in a mixed performance when compared to the same period in 2016.

Current Revenue increased by 1.3 percent to $121.91 million, while Current Expenditure which increased by 4.7 percent settled at $126.30 million. Consequently, the current account recorded a deficit of $4.39 million. During the period under review, the overall deficit contracted, moving from $10.48 million in 2016 to $4.58 million in 2017, as capital expenditure turned in a less than favourable performance when compared to the same period in 2016.

The ULP must be accountable to the people

quarter of 2017 and resulted in lower revenue collection from these subitems.

Figure 2: Summary of fiscal operations for the period ended March 31, 2017 compared with 2016

Taxes on Goods and Services which totaled $42.35 million, grew by 15.0 percent during the period.

Higher receipts from Excise Duty (on Imports and on Domestic Transaction up 21.7 percent), Motor Vehicle Licence (up 29.2 percent) and Telecommunications Broadcast Licence were mainly Table 1: Summary of fiscal responsible for the improvement in operations for the year ended March this tax type. Excise Duty and Motor 31, 2017.

Vehicle Licence are now benefiting from their first full first-quarter impact of revenue measures implemented as part of the 2016 budget; these measures took effect March 20, 2016. Takings from Interest Levy and Insurance Permium Tax also increased but mainly related to timing issues. Notwithstanding the above performance, revenue from Merchant Shipping (International), Yacht Licence and VAT fell by 3.7 percent, 3.0 percent and 0.8 percent respectively.

Revenue from International Trade Taxes which amounted to $30.82 million, was 4.3 percent higher than the amount collected for the Source: Ministry of Finance and corresponding period in 2016. Under Planning this rubric, it was the improved collection of the VAT, which increased Revenue Receipts from Taxes on Income and by 10.6 percent to $18.12 million, that was mainly responsible for this Profits declined by 2.6 percent to $28.98 million. This was mainly due performance. The performance also to significantly lower collections from benefited from a 1.6 percent increase Corporate Income Tax (CIT) revenue in the value of merchandise imports which was down 41.8 percent when during the period. compared to 2016 because the amount Revenue from Sale of Goods and collected in 2016 included a Services grossed $13.76 million, which significant amount of arrears;;, represents a 4.8 percent improvement however, there was no similar windfall for the corresponding period on the amount collected in 2016. This was mainly due to the increased in 2017. On the contrary, receipts from Individual and Nontakings from the CIPO business Resident(Withholding) Taxes turned registration fees which went up in improved performances growing by significantly from $0.19 million in 9.9 percent and 21.8 percent respectively.These performances were 2016 to $0.41 million in 2017 and Drivers Licence which increased by aided by forensic audits of several 19.3 percent, to $0.79 million. large taxpayers undertaken by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Capital inflows as at March 31, Revenue from Taxes on Property 2017 amounted to $0.91 million, down fell significantly (by 57.3 percent) to 32.9 percent from the $1.36 million end the period at $3.71 million. collected in 2016 due to lower receipts Receipt from all the major from Disposal of Land and Capital subcomponents of this tax type fell.

Grants during the period.

Collections from Alien Land Holding Licence and Stamp Duty on Property N.B. We will look at the are directly related to the sale of Expenditure in next week’s article. lands, which fell during the first

ON FRIDAY, June 23, 2017, as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), I met with the Director of Audit Ms. Dahalia Sealey and her deputy Joan Browne at the Audit Office. The Honourable Arnhim Eustace as former PAC chairman accompanied me.

At the meeting, I expressed my deep concern that the annual audit and report of the Director of Audit on the Public Accounts of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are several years overdue. I noted that the Director of Audit is required to audit and report on the public accounts of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at least once every year. But that the most recent reports prepared by the Director of Audit and laid in Parliament were for the years 2009 and 2010. No reports for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 have been prepared and presented to Parliament.

The Director cited scarcity of resources, including lack of enough trained personnel to do the job constitutionally required of the Director of Audit and the Audit Office.

The Director said that for years she has been asking for resources; mainly training for personnel to enable her to audit statutory bodies, which is part of her mandate. The Director of Audit indicated that she has not received the needed resources, and consequently has not been able to perform her duty to audit and report on statutory bodies.

In our meeting, the Director of Audit acknowledged that, as the Argyle Airport project and the IADC received funds appropriated by Parliament and disbursed, she has a responsibility to audit the project to determine how the money was spent.

She noted, however, that her office would have to hire technical experts from fields other than accounting and auditing to do a proper audit of the project, since her office lacked the resources to do so. Consequently, no audit of the project has been done by her office since the project started.

I also drew to the Director’s attention my dissatisfaction over the way the funds of the Petro Caribe loan programme have been handled by the government over the years, in that no legal authority for the operation of a Petro Caribe Fund existed until one was established by Parliament in 2016. She acknowledged that the Director of Audit is, under the Act establishing the Fund, directly responsible for auditing the Fund but, because of insufficient resources, she was unable to say when an audit of the Petro Caribe Development Fund would be done.

This is simply unacceptable! I call on the government, and in particular the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to provide the resources to the Director of Audit to perform her duties. There are other entities that must be given attention for audits by the Director of Audit, including National Properties. If the Director of Audit cannot yet complete the audit and report of the account of the government for 2011 to 2016 or audit statutory bodies because she lacks the necessary resources, how can it fulfill

its role? Starving the Director of Audit of trained personnel and other resources undermines governmental accountability. The failure to remedy the situation after many years of pleading for resources by the Director of Audit leads to only one conclusion, that is, the government does not care about accountability. This lead inescapably to the question: Are they hiding something and if so, what are they hiding?

Repurchase of Shares of Bank of SVG The Prime Minister recently, on July 3rd, announced the government’s repurchase of 31 percent of the shares in the Bank of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (BoSVG) from Eastern Caribbean Financial Holdings Limited (ECFH), which owns the Bank of St. Lucia. He said he had signed the agreement to buy the shares on June 30, 2017. The previous day, June 29, 2017, Mr. Arnhim Eustace, Mr. Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews and I met with Mr. Maurice Edwards, Mr. Edmond Jackson and Mr. Andre Iton at Democrat House. Mr. Edwards had requested the meeting to inform us about the repurchase of the shares by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government.

The meeting confirmed rumors about the transaction that had recently surfaced. At the meeting, we wanted to know when the repurchase would be done, why it was being done, how much shareholding the government would have in total, the role of the Central Bank in the transaction, the cost of the shares to be repurchased and how the government intended to pay for the shares. The answers given shed more light on the deal but did not satisfy all of our concerns. The statement of the matter delivered by the Prime Minister on radio on July 3rd is similar in content and effect.

It is in our people’s interest to have a stable and thriving national banking sector. This means having stable and thriving banks. We were told several years ago that the sale of 51 percent stake in the Bank to ECFH would strengthen the national bank. Today, we are told that repurchasing the shares would also achieve that objective. We naturally hope that this will materialize in the quickest time to the benefit the shareholders, depositors and other users of the services of the bank. As for the government, we wish to know how it intends to finance the repurchase of the shares.

The New Democratic Party is prepared to chart a new course, a better path and a bright and prosperous future for all Vincentians.

Against all odds we will persevere and be victorious. We will unite our people and build a nation that we can be proud of always; a nation that will hold those in government accountable to the people and that will regard good governance and transparency as a way of life.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 11.

Views

Setbacks and victories

“I think one of life’s great milestones is when a person can look back and be almost as thankful for the setbacks as for the victories.” Bob Dole (born 1923) – American Politician SOMETIMES WE CAN BECOME so focused on the mistakes and foibles that we have made, that they seem to hinder us from maximizing the opportunities that present themselves.

It seems so very easy to generate feelings of guilt and/or poor self-image when we contemplate our errors in judgement. On such occasions, we fail to realise that we have had glorious victories too. We were able to overcome many setbacks that crippled and stymied more accomplished individuals.

We were able to rebound and regrow after experiences that scorched and maimed us. These were considered useful obstacles on our road to magnificent triumphs. We are as thankful for those setbacks as for the victories. The journey provided many useful learning experiences. We are who we are because of (and in spite of) those delays and detours.

Sometimes we can generate great value from revisiting the milestones in our lives — those moments that stretched us to the limit, as well as those times when we were able to bask in the glory of having accomplished some great task. What are your milestones? What are the moments that appeared to defeat and deflate you — but later defined you?

Who were the ones that abandoned and/or neglected you? What great setbacks did you encounter as an athlete, student, farmer, fisherman, technician, politician, or teacher?

Those “defeats” and disappointments have played a major role in making you who you are today. The bad and the good, the pain and the pleasure, the disappointments and the moments of elation, have all played a role in crafting who you are.

It is often useful for us to remind ourselves that failure is not final.

Setbacks provide opportunities for a comeback. The obstacles that we face, the hurdles we overcome, and the fiery hoops that we are forced to jump through, all have a way of magnifying the victories in the end. We are survivors. We are overcomers.

However, life can sometimes place obstacles along our path and momentarily result in our stumbling.

Unexpected setbacks have a way of sucking the air from within us. When life hits us on the blind side,we can be floored and, if we are not careful, we can lose hope. This is when we need to dig deep within ourselves to unearth the resolve that creates and sustains winners. This is when we need true friends and associates who can rekindle our faith. These concerned colleagues and associates can help us to rekindle that dedication to our noble purpose and give us reason to go on.

Many will recall the now famous scene at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, as Derek Redmond raced around the track in the 400 meters race. Unfortunately, he tore his right hamstring muscle when only 150 metres into the race. In his agony, he viewed other athletes as they zoomed past him. However, although now relegated to coming in last, he insisted in finishing the race with a limp. His father joined him on

the track and beckoned to Derek that he did not have to continue the race.

Derek refused to quit. It was at this point that his father threw his arms around him and indicated that they would then do it together. He did not win the race, but he won the hearts of the thousands who viewed his determination. Readers can view the event at the Internet site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph doTThn5mw. Although faced with a physical setback, Derek’s personal victory continues to inspire many long after the event ended.

Life’s circumstances will periodically take us to the crossroad where we are forced to decide whether we would quit or continue the pursuit of our noble dream. We are encouraged by the old saying that, “A quitter never wins and a winner never quits!” We each have to find that reason to persist when faced with a setback. We have the ability, with God’s help, to turn pain into greatness. We know that it does not take any effort to be a quitter or a loser. We refuse to fall prey to the temptation to take the easy way out and to abandon the pursuit of greatness simply because we encounter a setback. We remind ourselves that the harder the struggle, the more glorious will be the victory. We search deep within and conjure up that determination to succeed even against great odds.

That determination to succeed does not appear naturally. We have to cultivate the habit of regularly feeding our minds on those winning attitudes that push us to always seek to better our best efforts; to tell ourselves that we can accomplish the task; and to discipline ourselves to pursue the task with passion. Having good mentors can make a significant difference. However, even when these appear to be scarce or absent, we can gain useful motivation from reading books that focus on creating and sustaining positive attitudes, listening to audio tapes that propel us to pursue our dreams with gusto, and viewing videos that inspire. These will aid us in removing the mental, emotional, and spiritual shackles of guilt, resentment, doubt, worry, jealousy, shame, regret, and bitterness. Such caustic thoughts weaken our resolve and must be eliminated if we are to overcome life’s varied setbacks on our route to victory.

Setbacks are not necessarily bad things. We can learn so much about our strengths and about the value of camaraderie as we face life’s varied challenges. Setbacks help us to assess the strength of our resolve and, in so many instances, the quality of our relationships. These detours can often rekindle our tenacity and remind us that we often need to reinvent self if we are to succeed. We can refocus. We can regroup. We can move forward to be overcomers, knowing that these setbacks magnify our victories.

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

Vending and justice in Kingstown SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO, Plain Talk offered some ideas for reorganization of Kingstown. Those ideas did not sit well with at least one government official. A minister of government was so incensed that he unleashed a public tonguelashing in words not suited for polite company. Nothing repeated here is personal. It is all intended to make our SVG a little better place. So here we go again.

I am all for a cleaner environment.

I am all for a cleaner Kingstown and a cleaner SVG. But as someone who has travelled extensively across this world, I want to say that I radically disagree with the notion that Kingstown is filthy. It is true that we need public toilet facilities and that our men tend to urinate any place, but I dare anyone to point me to the public urinals in London, New York, Geneva, Moscow or Havana, except when there is a major public event.

Clearly any attempt to clean up Kingstown will include a solution for the Kingstown market and the vendors there. As it stands now, the million dollar market is really a huge, glorified storeroom. People vend mostly on the outside and store their goods inside overnight. There is a suggestion that a new location be found for a Caribbean style vegetable market, and turn the current structure into a mall.

Clearly, the structure can be put to better use. However, rather than look for a buyer or someone with deep pockets to lease the building, the suggestion is for the market to be reconfigured, rehabilitated and reconstituted as the Hall of Justice. A Hall of Justice for SVG has been suggested for years, with a cost of EC $19 million. Clearly, we do not have that money, but may be able to borrow to do this job.

We can rework this building to find rooms for the Court of Appeal, High Court (criminal and civil), Serious Offenses, Magistrate and Family Courts. There is sufficient room for the Registry. Currently we rent space to house all of these except the Criminal Court which sits downstairs the House of Assembly.

A Hall of Justice in that location will not only be centrally located with all of the courts and registry in one central place. It will also ease on the millions government pay in rent over the years.

The Hall of Justice idea has to do with reorganization. Back to the effort to clean up Kingstown. It is true that toilets in the central market are in a deplorable condition. It is also true that Little Tokyo is disorganized, messy and badly in need of rehabilitation (Little Tokyo got cosmetic repairs for the carnival), but Little Tokyo is a small part of Kingstown. Any tourist can walk from the Cruise Ship Berth to the Botanical Gardens along any of the three streets, and find no filth, piles of smelly garbage, or other unsightly obstruction. In fact, the most unsightly obstruction might be a few shabbily dressed, drug dazed, homeless men. Further, most of the tourists are from the United States, Canada and England, where mentally deranged and homeless people litter the streets in far greater numbers.

I am equally opposed to removing the vendors from our streets and sidewalks. They are not and have

never been a hindrance to me or to anyone else. Vendors try to position themselves at places where they can make a sale. Some of them unreasonably place their wares too far in the streets, but that can be easily regulated.

Vendors can also be given a designated place where they can sell their products. All of Middle Street from the Police Barracks up to Heritage Square should be closed to vehicular traffic between 10 and 4 Monday to Saturday, to allow for vending.

Vending must be allowed because it is the sole means by which scores of citizens make a living. At the time of independence, there were fewer than five vendors in all of Kingstown.

Today, many have discarded their ‘foolish pride’ and have taken up vending of fruit, vegetables and clothing in order to make ends meet.

Those of us with our nice jobs and high income may frown on this activity, which may create minor inconveniences at times; but many Vincentians feed and clothe themselves, send their children to school, and in some cases build a roof over their heads from their enterprising activities in and around Kingstown.

Our economy is going through difficult economic times, and it is much preferable to see citizens trying their hand at enterprise, attempting to turn a penny into a dollar, rather than for them to engage in illegal activity.

Truth be told, much of the talk about removing vendors, is an attempt to appease foreigners. Many of these same people go to Bridgetown or Kingston or St George’s, and none of these capitals are cleaner or better organized that Kingstown. They all have vendors on the streets. In London, New York, Miami, Washington DC or Geneva, there is now the fashionable habit where restaurants place tables into the streets, especially during the warmer months, to attract their customers, and this is said to be cool.

Yet in SVG, where people have less access to resources, there is a big undercurrent to remove most if not all of the vendors. We must resist this lure. Kingstown can easily accommodate more vendors, once the Town Board offers clear, enforceable guidelines.

Markets all over the world, especially where immigrants assemble, are unsettled places. Some disorganization is inevitable, as can be seen at markets at Brixton, England, Bronx, New York, St George’s or Kingston; so SVG is not unique. Let’s find ways to fix Little Tokyo and to organize the vendors, but please let us not mash up or throw away the people’s wooden tables. Such an action by the state will be both callous and wrong.

Clean up Kingstown if we must, but the central focus must be on our citizens.

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

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12. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Gonsalves must apologise to the people and resign WARRANT OFFICER Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, strongly believes that the economy in SVG is virtually dead, and that Gonsalves’ financial and economic policies cannot raise it (economy) from the dead.

Gonsalves should apologise to the people of SVG for the economic disaster that is the result of his 16 years of gross incompetence and poor mismanagement of the SVG Public Accounts. The SVG economy is on a life support system, being kept alive by high taxes and loans.

The economic situation in SVG is very serious, and we risk turning into a Haiti or Venezuela-type situation of social breakdown.

The 1979 Constitutionallyappointed Director of Audit of Public Accounts cautioned Gonsalves in the 2007 Audit Report, for the overspending of $63 million of public money without the prior approval of the SVG House of Assembly.

The Director of Audit also warned Gonsalves of the serious financial danger of spending public money without the constitutional oversight of the Public Accounts Committee, as mandated by section 75 (2) of the SVG constitution.

The Finance Act No.1 of 1964 makes provision for the issue of public funds to cover unforeseen expenditure not exceeding $7.5 million. However, during the fiscal year of 2007, one hundred and thirty—nine (139) Special Warrants totalling $63,082,458.06 were issued. The amount represents 10% of the original budget of $630 million.

None of the Special Warrants approved in 2007 were submitted as Supplementary Estimates for the approval of the House of Assembly during 2007. This illustrates the recklessness in Gonsalves’ management of public funds.

Gonsalves has shown, by his miserable track record between 2001

economy is strong and stable.

A Green Government would invest wisely and build projects that bring sustainable financial returns and and 2017, that he does not have the competence to move the SVG economy surplus revenue. Then, with the forward. His gross incompetence in the continual surplus revenue, a Green government would invest in the management of the public accounts infrastructure that our country so has led to SVG being in a serious badly needs. financial crisis.

A Green government would There’s virtually no money modernise the SVG economy to be an circulating in the economy. All around export-driven economy. SVG can only the country there is dilapidation and increase revenue and create thousands destitution. Our people are suffering of new jobs by exporting new products unbearable high rates of poverty and such as canned fish, bulk tankers of unemployment. The almost dead economy is stoking crime and murders fresh water, and agro-products like tea, juices and baby food. It is crucial at random in the country. In 2016, that SVG creates new productive there were about 44 murders and economic sectors and builds factories. people no longer feel safe in their Gonsalves should apologise for his living environment. financial and economic failures and The safe and responsible way to manage SVG’s public funds and other then resign, so that our country can move forward. resources is to invest in projects that bring financial returns,and then use SVG Green Party the financial returns from these www.svggreenparty.org projects to modernise infrastructure https://twitter.com/svggreenparty such as hospitals, schools, factories https://www.facebook.com/SVGand roads. This way, thousands of Green-Party-154937087877631/ long-term jobs are created, and the

Beware the results of this process WHEN GLEN JACKSON, the popular radio host of the ‘Shake Up’ programme, and press secretary to PM Gonsalves, was murdered some years ago, within hours, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had called from the far East

to inform the nation that Glen had been assassinated. It was generally assumed that he was making that pronouncement, on the basis of the information which he as Minister of National Security was privy to.

Today, the 8th July 2017, after having been awakened at midnight by the loud boom of amplified music which is coming as accompaniment to lyrics which salute the “bad boy” and the “rude boy”, and inviting listeners “to get on bad”, and “mashup the place”, I perceive that the country is in the process of being “ass-assinated”, yes “Ass-assinated”, and the end result of this process, could reasonably be expected to be gross antisocial behavior, expressed in reckless criminality, bred by the frustration from the erosion of productive capacity and income generation to satisfy basic needs.

These days when I hear this senseless noise, in the wee hours of the morning, at these

wickedly insensitive levels, often lasting until three and four o’clock in the morning, my mind is firmly on Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the senior officers of the Police Department. This reckless indifference seemed to have had official clearance in the election season of December 2015. One finds it remarkable, that Dr. Gonsalves could be mouthing our need to work harder and smarter, yet there is this exhibition of lack of concern for the wellbeing of the citizens.

Shallow rhetoric can hardly be expected to advance our cause in this critical period!

It is well known in the Arnos Vale area, that some of our respected senior citizens had a terrible time in their last

days on earth, because of this unbearable noise for such extended periods at night. This makes me wonder, whether Miss Theresa Francis had suffered in that manner; I hope not! She was a person of amiable spirit, and very hospitable, and had worked conscientiously, managing one of the largest rural shops, which had between the 1930s and 1980s, provided a vital service to the agricultural communities around.

There are yet sincere citizens alive, like Mrs. Hilda James of South Rivers, who can testify to the quality of the contribution of Miss Theresa Francis to the people of those villages.

May her soul rest in peace; condolences to Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and the rest of the family!

A word which could be considered pertinent for these times, is, “retrocompulsion”, which hints of “retrogression”, for indeed it can hardly be disputed, that we are now caught in a distinct malaise — retrogression under Ralph Gonsalves, and that invites the phrase ‘R for Ralph, R for Retrogression’!

This is most distinctly evident in matters relating to agriculture, fishing, environment and

roads.

Quite a few other persons who have enjoyed prominent profile over the last several years, are going to have their honour sullied, when their actions and inaction are examined, relative to the crippling of our agriculture sector. Those persons must be held accountable. They had pretended to be offering a “helping hand” to the arming community, but their hands were “full of grease”. They claimed to be offering love, but that love was akin to the love of the love-vine which chokes the hell out of the host-plant, in the interest of its own survival and growth.

Kenneth John says that those persons have been ULPied; I say they have been “Uelpated”, squandered their honour as they continue to exert the pressure under Leviath’s Palm.

We will ultimately all have to endure the result of this ass-assination, this process by which the basic rights and reasonable expectations of citizens are flagrantly violated under the supervision of the very persons who have been entrusted with the responsibility to protect those rights.

LeRoy Providence

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14. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Coffee project taking root

Gary Blackman

Sam Shenton

Philmon Allen

Lennox ‘Hucks’ Dabreo

DISTRIBUTION of the first set of coffee plants has commenced, and the first few hundred trees under a recently initiated coffee production project here have already been planted.

Bearing the name ‘Shenton Farms’, the process commenced around September 2016 when provisions were made for the initial 50,000 plants to be germinated at the Government’s Agricultural Facility at Orange Hill.

That phase complete, the process of distributing the first set of seedlings got started last week.

According to Gary Blackman, Operations Manager at Shenton Farms, during a visit to the facility earlier this week, 15 farmers are already on board among whom the 50,000 plants will be distributed.

According to Shenton Farms personnel, the plan is to make some 120,000 available for

Coffee seedlings nursery at Orange Hill. distributions as an effort to increase the number of coffee farmers ensues.

It is anticipated that by the time the project takes root, 1,000 acres of coffee would be grown at various farms across the country.

Blackman explained that the arrangement is that the farmers are the custodians of the trees — plants are essentially lent to the farmer — but the company will pay the farmer for the crop.

Philmon Allen, Senior Extension Officer with the Coffee Project, explained his role in the project — that of reaching out to the farmers.

Allen explained that the response from the local farmers has been good so far, with many expressing an interest.

But there were some setbacks, he said, in that the crop, as was explained, requires cooler temperatures — ideally lands laying at 1,000 feet.

Getting it going “When I checked the lands however, they were This latest located at low altitudes, development in the local acres of land, but at the coffee project follows wrong altitude,” Allen months of planning and told THE VINCENTIAN. initial discussions with The other issue was those behind Shenton that of access. According Farms. to Allen, there were The faces include Sam instances where excellent Shenton (Project lands were discovered, Manager), son of the but access to these areas Chief Executive Officer posed a serious problem.

(CEO) of Ziferblat, a So far, the ideal chain of coffee shops in locations have all been the United Kingdom and mapped; these including Europe. the Lot 14 area on South Shenton explained Rivers, Congo Valley and that early discussions Montreal. were held with the His next mission will government, and the idea be to follow up in these was expressed that there and other idyllic areas in was an interest in order to bring more farmers on board. growing coffee here.

But he too expressed Following months of optimism in the project, initial talks and saying that, once sensitization exercises, established, coffee can be the project began to harvested over a period shape. of years.

The type of coffee being produced originates from the Coffea Arabica, which is also grown in the Kona regions of mainland Hawaii, and according to Shenton and Blackman, is among the best in the world, but requires cooler temperatures to ensure best quality product, meaning growing at higher altitudes.

Leading farmer on board Another local who was very much enthused to be a part of the project was renowned farmer Lennox ‘Hucks’ Dabreo, whose farm is located in the Congo Valley region.

He indicated to THE VINCENTIAN that he intends to cultivate up to 5 acres in coffee. To date, he has already planted about 300 seedlings.

Dabreo explained that one of the reasons he decided to get involved was because of the present state of agriculture. He said that the sector was currently plagued with disease affecting some of the main income earners, including banana and some root crops.

Having already invested in the cocoa project, the decision to expand into coffee was easy, he said.

“So now I have decided to get into coffee,” adding that he was getting too old to continue struggling in the banana industry.

“My thinking is, in farming, nothing beats a trial but a failure, so once you try and you fail, then you try again,” Dabreo said, adding, “I don’t give up that easily.”

(DD)

Challenges Taking the seedlings to be planted.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 15.

News

Another mural adorns the SVG landscape STUDENTS AND LECTURERS of the Fine Arts Design and Cultural Communications (FADCC) Associate Degree Programme of the St. Vincent Community College, have graced the Vincentian public with yet another vibrant mural.

The mural, pursued under the theme ‘Together on a Mission to Success’, is mounted at the main entrance of Division of the Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) at Arnos Vale, and was completed on July 7th this year.

It features figurative and still life, close-ups and townscapes of various areas of the programmes offered by the DTVE, including Agriculture (Horticulture and Husbandry), Architecture and Building Construction Technology, Business Studies and Travel and Tourism.

The colour theme expresses warm and cool hues which depict energy, urgency and integration. The moving horizontal and diagonal structures expand and integrate.

The Art 2E Course (Mural Art, Urban Space Enhancement) is taught in the first year at the SVGCC. Prior to the mural at the DTVE, an earlier batch of students undertook the painting of a mural on the wall at the Argyle International Airport, which runs, for the better part, parallel to the terminal building.

The mural is another clear demonstration of the skill of up and coming young artists in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. (DJ)

The site had to be carefully assessed before any actual drawing began.

Ongoing discussion and planning by the young artists was a daily exercise during the period of the project.

The mural that now adorns the entrance to the Division of the Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE) at Arnos Vale.

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News

DonÊt lose what you donÊt use

Say hello to Unlimited Rollover Data and Talk from Digicel WITH DIGICEL’S UNLIMITED Rollover Data, lost data is a thing of the past.

Today, the total communications and entertainment provider announced that prepaid and postpaid customers can browse, stream, share and chat to their heart’s content on Digicel’s 4G and rollover their unused data to use whenever they choose — without losing their data or worrying about overages.

A first for St. Vincent and the Grenadines,

prepaid and postpaid customers on a Quick Pick bundle can enjoy Unlimited Rollover Data and will find it easy to understand, easy to use and easy to track via the MyDigicel app.

Customers will not be required to do anything to activate rollover — it’s automatic.

Calling it a “game changer”, John Davies Country Manager of Digicel SVG said, “We’re changing things. This is all about simplicity and putting our customers in control. Now they keep

the data they paid for because it’s rightfully theirs. No strings attached.”

Digicel recently launched Quick Pick Bundles designed to keep customers always on and always connected to the things they love. Jampacked with value, Digicel’s Quick Pick Bundles combine unlimited talk and access to WhatsApp. Now with Unlimited Rollover Data, Digicel is supercharging its offering to make sure customers always win.

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20. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Money can’t buy love and asked me if I was still interested in her. I reminded her that I was I NEVER GOT to finish not educated enough for secondary school and my her, but she countered first job was working at a supermarket in Kingstown that by telling me that once I got money I did as a bag boy, and doing not need education. She general work here and told me that money was there. the one thing that could There was this very solve all of life’s attractive woman who problems. would always tease me I wanted to chase her when she came to the supermarket, telling me away, but a voice kept telling me that here was she loved me. I my chance of getting the approached her one day and told her that I would woman of my dreams.

Should I take a chance like to be with her, but and go for it? she shut me down by telling me she did not Chance in a lifetime want a man who had little or no education and ambition. I was hurt and Dear Chance in a lifetime, walked away.

Sometime ago I It is clear that this inherited a sizable sum woman is only attracted of money, and word of to your money. She will this got to this individual. She made it ride with you until there is no more gas in the her business to find me

Dear George,

Big feet are misleading Dear George,

tank, and when that happens, she will just simply hitch another ride, leaving you at the side of the road.

One should not take chances with love. One has to make careful calculations and informed decisions whether or not to get involved. While money may solve a lot of life’s problems, it cannot purchase the kind of love you seek.

Let this one pass. You would want to use your money wisely, e.g. investing in furthering your education and going on to build yourself a solid future where you will eventually be able to

I MET THIS GUY at a shoe store, where I work, two months ago. He asked for a size thirteen, but unfortunately we did not carry his size. We had a find the woman of your conversation about shoe sizes and men, and he told dreams. me what I already knew, i.e. that men who had big The woman of your feet also were well endowed. We exchanged dreams can be found numbers, and it was not long before we started with or without money. dating and sleeping together.

I was terribly disappointed with what he brought George to bed. I asked him why he went around proclaiming that he was so well endowed What a mess indeed!

Dear George, and showing off his Surely you must have big feet as proof of been aware that there was it. He said that if I I SLEPT WITH my the possibility of tenant, and now she is was silly enough to pregnancy, once you were believe the theory of saying she might be indulging in unprotected pregnant with my child. men and big feet, sex. You should have also This after she said she then I deserved to be was on the pill and we had been aware of misled. He said it other concerns that come unprotected sex which was my curiosity that with engaging in pleasured her most. unprotected sex, especially got me involved, so I I am not sure if she is should just deal with pregnant, but her claim of with someone who is not it and “hush”. He is committed to one sexual being pregnant was long gone, and I am partner. enough to get her out of You choices are: let her much wiser now. paying the rent. My wife continue to live for free or thinks she is just Didn’t Fit get her out. Whatever, delinquent in paying the rent, and wants me to get you have to clean up your Dear Didn’t Fit, her out by force or through act which would involve confessing your sins of legal means. Of course I infidelity to your wife, and You can chalk this know differently.

My hands are tied; I do promising to be a better one up as experience, and wiser not know what to and be thankful that husband. Coming clean do. There is a possibility things did not turn would take away the that if she is pregnant as out more costly for advantage of blackmail she states, it could be for you. Rather than from your tenant, and the man she is being on the lookout expose her pregnancy to with. What a mess I am for men with big feet, the truth of who the real in! father is. Mixing business start searching for those men with big with pleasure is never a Landlord in crisis hearts and dreams. good idea.

What a mess!!!

Dear Landlord in crisis,

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career.

You must strive to get the most important projects completed properly, rather than doling everything in a half-baked way. You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects. You can’t win and they won’t listen.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) You will get bored quickly, so make sure that you have scheduled enough activity to hold your interest. Don’t overindulge in anyway.

Delays are evident. You can discuss your intentions and ideas with your colleagues or friends this week.

TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) Don’t let any money slip through your fingers this week. Don’t exaggerate. Opportunities for new friendships are apparent. Regardless of your first reaction, the outcome will be favorable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Secret affairs will only lead to heartache. Look into making changes to your personal papers and don’t neglect those bills that have been piling up. Read some books on self-awareness.

Upgrading at this point is not a bad plan.

GEMINi (May 22 - June 21) Do not give your heart to someone who may not live up to your standards. You can’t lock your partner up and if you keep restricting their freedom you may be left out in the cold. Try to stay calm, and whatever you do, don’t nag. It’s time to reconnect with some of the people you used to know.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) You can make gains if you look at long-term investments. Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. Get some sound advice and help setting up a workable budget. Do not let lovers cost you money or take advantage of you.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Don’t share your dilemma with those you work with. Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quit trivial after all. Your interest in helping others may take you back to school. You can make headway if you share your intentions with someone you care about.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) Be prepared to lose friends or alienate loved ones due to your stubborn nature lately. You can make money if you put your mind to it. Romance may be likely if you travel. Stay calm and focus on things that will help you understand the situation better.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Pleasure trips will turn out to be better than anticipated. You can make money if you’re willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. You can make new friends and get involved in new hobbies successfully.

Don’t push your luck with your boss.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20) Make residential changes that will lift your spirits. Think before you act if you wish to avoid friction. Travel will result in new romantic attractions. Be prepared to step into the limelight if you wish to promote your ambitions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Keep an open mind when dealing with youngsters. Travel will initiate new friendships or love connections. Stress coupled with diet will add to stomach problems. Physical limitations are possible if you aren’t careful.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with, but try to do things by the book. You will feel so much better about yourself if you can control your addictions. You may have problems with children. You’re undergoing changes. Valuable information can be yours if you listen to those with experience.

ACROSS 1. Joint in the hind leg of a horse 5. Angel of the highest order 11. Capital of Yemen 12. Fit to be eaten 13. Air (prefix) 14. Mend 15. Greek 17. Son of Jacob 18. Colorful form of the common carp 19. Wife of a rajah 20. Primp 23. Devilfish 24. Listen to 25. Thigh 26. Donkey 27. Emptiness 31. Fisherman 33. Adverse fate 34. Glacial epoch 35. Against 36. Flowing water 37. Never DOWN 1. Dutch name of The Hague 2. River in central Europe 3. Cover with

wax 4. One that knocks 5. Caravansary 6. Paradise 7. Tear 8. City in SW Iran 9. Pliable 10. Rupture 16. Electrically charged atom 19. 9th month of the Islamic calendar 20. Aspect 21. Do a

resection on 22. Simpler 23. Family name prefix 25. Seraglio 27. Star of the first magnitude

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 21.

28. Not one 29. Pigeon coop 30. Primordial giant in Norse myth 32. Not

22. FRIDAY, JULY 21 , 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 23.

SVG getting ready for Senior CASA hosting The Championships Director disclosed that seven countries have confirmed participation — Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the OECS. Giving a precise update on the registration process, Kevin Hannaway – Championships Director of Hannaway stated, “The entry forms are the 2017 Senior CASA Squash Tournament. coming in… some championship which will be like at countries have not finalised their the end of this month, just to give teams as yet, as they are still them a facelift.” having play- offs.”

Two venues will be used, the Noting that about 105 persons National Squash Centre at Paul’s are expected for Avenue and the Dr Cecil Cyrus Vincentians Jason Doyle (left) and Jules Snagg, will the championships, Squash Courts at New Montrose. represent the OECS in the Championships.

Hannaway said, Hannaway, in delving further “ The men’s draw into the publicity aspects of the will be around championships, added, “We would sixty- two players , be putting some streaming in place the women will be as the tournament will be thirty-two , the streamed live … We also will be veterans and using the social media platforms … females events will We have already allocated our have six teams and Junior Squash players who are just had general the men’s- seven strength social media savvy to assist…We teams.” training, also have a tournament site which He revealed that is up and running.” endurance and the preliminary the basics skills Referring to logistics and seeding of the to help with their accommodation, Hannaway players will be sprint technique, related, “The transportation of finalised soonest, but this year we which I am also in charge, that is and that balls to be soon to be finalised …The hotels decided to open used in the up more to sports Participants in this year’s Summer Camp. have been allocated, but team championships are assignments and rooming have specifics.” competitions. already sourced Interestingly, the Camp been done.”

The Camp will run for two and the score opened an in house session Even as he agreed that dealing with the media, “What I days (Tuesday and Thursday) a sheets have been organizing the championships “is week, ) over a six-week period, formatted. found out over the years is that hard work and planning,” he and is open to all ages.

In terms of most of the athletes have a admitted, “We are not new to this; Other coaches involved in the readiness of the phobia with the media,.. so we we have done this before ... We are venues, Hannaway using the old model and the are trying to have this session to camp are Kahlil Cato, Ronique Dowers, Javid Marksman, with remarked, “The help them to open up as to how approach from 2010.” input from Azarie Williams venues will be to cope with the media.

St Vincent and the Grenadines refurbished as it “Other off track sessions will last hosted the Senior CASA I.B.A.ALLEN comes closer to the Championships in 2010.

Godfrey Harry - Head Coach of address dieting and hygiene, the Summer Camp. education in sports, I think these are topics that are ASPIRING TRACK AND FIELD important to the kids”. youngsters here have another As for the actual track and opportunity to enhance their BERTON FORDE’S 111, including 11 sixes Carry Port Elizabeth (MCCPE) won by 4 field disciplines, the first half of and seven fours, off 52 balls, all but ensured wickets over Friendship United. Scores: knowledge and skills, with the the Camp will deal with field MCCPE 164 for 6 from 17.4 overs - Ryan opening of the 6th edition of the events ( throws, jumps), with the victory for Davis Construction Port Elizabeth Masters over Royal Challengers, Richards 48, Alrick Pompy 3 for 32; Summer Camp organized by second half attending to the in one of last weekend matches in the Friendship United 162 for 7 from 20 overs National Coach Godfrey Harry. basic requirements for track Bequia Premier League 20/20 Cricket . Alrick Pompy and John Miller 27 each, Harry, commenting on the events, including the use of competition.

Romano Warren 3 for 28.

Camp that got going earlier this starting blocks.

Forde’s innings helped propel Masters to Sugar Reef Bequia United beat Fully week, said, “This Summer Camp The camp is expected to 253 for 3 off 20 overs, to which Royal Loaded by 50 runs. Scores: Sugar Reef 254 is the sixth camp, but this year conclude with a mini competition Challengers replied with 161 for 8 in 20 for 5 from 20 overs - Cosmos Hackshaw 66, we have decided to change the among participants. overs. Ian Gonsalves was the losers’ top Rickford Walker hit 57, Chelson Stowe 52; . format and include some sports Harry is hopeful that scorer with 46, and Roland Ollivierre Fully Loaded 204 for 7 from 20 overs. specifics and some personal involvement in the Summer accounted for 3 Challengers’ wickets for 20 Micron McDowall 79, Cosmos Hackshaw 4 development aspects to make the Camp will encourage athletes to rounds. for 35. athletes a little more rounded.” continue their training, in In another match, Monica Cash and He admitted, “In the past we preparation for the schools I.B.A.ALLEN THE LOCAL ORGANISING committee that is putting plans in place for St Vincent and the Grenadines’ hosting next month, of the 25th Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Squash Championships, is reporting a state of readiness.

Revelation of this has come from Championships Director- Kevin Hannaway, who updated THE VINCENTIAN on behind the scenes preparation for the championships, set for the 13th to 19th August.

Hannaway said that the various sub- committees are working assiduously in carrying out their respective responsibilities.

Coach Harry holds another Summer Camp

Forde’s century inspires Masters’ win

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Sports

WISG 2017 gets going tomorrow Saturday THE 2017 CBN/ Winlott Inc. Windward Islands Schools Games get going tomorrow, Saturday, with the opening ceremony at the Games Village – the West St George

Some members of the male Volleyball team going through drills, last Wednesday at the Kingstown Preparatory School court, ahead of the WISG. Secondary School.

The ceremony is set to well as witness the raising begin at 10am and will hear several addresses, as of the national flags of Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada and host St Vincent and the Grenadines. A segment of cultural performances is also included in the opening ceremony.

With the formalities out of the way, it will be down to business, as competitive action will commence at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, where the Female and Male Basketball will be hosted .

Football action will be staged at the Arnos Vale One Nikita Campbell is optimistic that Playing Field.

The newly laid court at the Volleyball will show up for SVG. Gomea Methodist School compound will host Female Volleyball on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon and evening sessions take place at the Keartons hard court, where Male Basketball and Netball will be on centre court.

A break with tradition sees Track and Field running off at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on Monday from 1 pm.

Male Volleyball consumes Tuesday morning’s activities at the Gomea court, while Football heads to the Chilli Playing Field in the afternoon. The evening will feature female Basketball at Arnos Vale.

Wednesday is the official rest day in the Games schedule.

Thursday’s agenda sees Female Volleyball at Gomea in the morning, and male Basketball and Netball set for the Keartons venue.

The penultimate day, Friday, has Male Volleyball listed for Gomea, with Football and Female Basketball on fixture for Arnos Vale.

The final round of competition hosts Female Volleyball, Netball and Male Volleyball at Gomea, ahead of the closing ceremony at the Games Village in the evening.

When the 2016 WISG were held in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines was joint third with Dominica, as both finished on 23 points.

Male Volleyball was the only discipline that SVG trumped. The next best finish was a second place in Female Volleyball.

The disciplines of Netball, Football and Male Basketball, all came in third, while Track and Field and Female Basketball placed last.

Once again, Male Volleyball holds the best prospects for the Vincentians.

Coach of the Volleyball units- Nikita Campbell harbours them retaining the title, with the females “giving a good account of themselves”.

The rest of the SVG coaching staff is Rawlson Morgan- Track and Field; Kia Prince-Basketball, Rohan Thomas Jr.- Football and Wollis ChristopherNetball.

A combined total of close to 300 student athletes and officials will be part of the 2017 WISG. Grenada has won the overall title for the past five years.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 25.

Sports

Soca Warriors in must show TRINIDAD and Tobago found an equaliser in their last away World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica. They failed to find another equaliser, and Costa Rica went out with a 2: 1 win. That result kept Trinidad and Tobago to three points, in sixth position in the hexagonal.

There are three automatic spots to Russia for 2018.

A fourth team stands an outside chance with a play-off against a team from the Oceania grouping.

Mexico enters the seventh round of matches with 14 points, having played unbeaten in their six games, including two draws.

Costa Rica lost one match, won three, and drew the other for a total of 11 points. USA has a consistent pattern with an equal number of wins, draws and losses.

Panama - seven points and Honduras five complete the chart. Trinidad and Tobago must take full points against Honduras at home in their September 1 encounter. Anything short of that will all but ruin their chance of advancing.

Four days later, the Soca Warriors head to Panama for a crucial battle. They can ill afford allowing Panama to run full throttle.

Their penultimate encounter sees them in Mexico where they will have to pull out all the stocks if they are to give themselves any hope of surviving.

October 10 will amount to a rehash of the November 19, 1989 scenario when the USA stunned the Trinidadians, who were looking for a draw to earn a berth to Italy.

That strike in the 31st minute remains the most epic moment in clashes between those two nations.

How closely related to the 1989 encounter this battle will turn out, is left to be seen. It will be a major accomplishment, should the Soca Warriors manage to succeed. Their recent ranking of 78 should be incentive for them to intensify their effort.

Compare that to St. Vincent and the Grenadines at 179. We are between Dominica, 177, and Barbados, 181.

Some effort is needed to put this country in a position that will make its players more attractive to potential scouts.

It is unfortunate that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is not capitalising on its rich football tradition. There is a sense of a carefree attitude, and even when we are within striking distance of breaking through the barrier, so as to take us into the hexagonal, things appear to flounder.

A deliberate preparation strategy is necessary so as to provide us with the tools to go to the next level.

The Inter Islands School Games, carded for this country, is another stage for athletes to showcase their talent. Footballers will want to take advantage of such an opportunity to gain exposure. But then, there is the national cause at stake, and a sense of coordination has to be established so that a path that speaks to nurturing, harnessing and channelling our talent will be carved.

The Students Games have the capacity to sharpen the youngsters’ approach to life and health issues. Inevitably, the foundation is in place for persons to enhance their academic career, pinned to serious and dedicated adherence to their chosen fields of sport endeavour.

Breakaway Masters: More than concern for football

Anaelia Williams is presented with her cheque by Allison Weekes, Secretary of the Breakaway Masters Organisation.

THE Breakaway Masters With Williams Samuel also explained that, Organisation is not all about football being a close associate of the “Every year, we will select from and hosting its Annual Firms’ Breakaway Masters organisation, our community, a child who would Invitational Tournament. Its having sung the National Anthem have been successful at the CPEA membership cares about the holistic of St Vincent and the Grenadines, examination for that year… The development of others. at one of the opening ceremonies word community denotes a child This sentiment was made of the football tournament, her who may be a player in the manifest last Saturday at the choice as the recipient to launch tournament… A native of St pavilion of the Grammar School the Breakaway Masters Vincent and the Grenadines, Playing Field, when Anaelia Educational Assistance Fund, was spectators, well —wishers and Williams, an 11-year-old resident easy. contributors and any child the of Hopewell, Mesopotamia, was Williams and her mother, organisation deems appropriate to presented with a $700.00 cheque, Michelle Williams, were thankful receive the fund.” to assist with her secondary for the assistance extended by the The Educational Fund is schooling education.

Organization. supported through returns Williams, a former student of Meanwhile, Vice President of realised from activities held the Marriaqua Government Breakaway Masters — Camillo during the annual Breakaway School was successful at this Samuel outlined at last Masters Firms’ Invitational year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Saturday’s brief handing over, Football Tournament.

Assessment (CPEA), placing that the sum made available by The seventh edition of that 116th for girls and 188th overall. the organization was $500.00, but Tournament is set to kick off on She will attend the Girls’ High that was topped up by personal Saturday 6th August, at the School at the commencement of donations from members, which Grammar School Playing Field. the new academic year. amounted to an additional $200.

Huggins disappointed but still hopeful ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines failed to retain its title as Champions of Windward Islands football.

That apart, and the contingent disappointment, head coach Cornelius Huggins remains optimistic about his team’s future.

“I am disappointed that we did not retain the cup. In my opinion we were the best team in the competition, but if you create opportunities and can’t make them count, you will pay the price, and that is what happened to us,” the head coach told THE VINCENTIAN. Reflecting on the recent Championship held in Grenada, Huggins expressed the hope that the players would have learned

from the experience.

He especially hopes that they would take away the need to “always play as a team and not as individuals … to remember their roles and responsibilities.”

Over all, the head coach said he was impressed with the performances of the younger players, especially those who were given their senior team debuts.

“They showed a lot of maturity,” he said.

Looking ahead, Huggins asserted, “I believe we are on the right track by investing in the young players. We saw it in the recent Tournament. We also need more international friendlies so the players will grow to understand their roles and

responsibilities, and (get to) know their teammates also.”

Vincy Heat, as the national senior football team is known, finished 4th in a five-nation 2017 Windward Islands Football Championship, played from Cornelius Huggins, June 28 — Head Coach of July 6, in Vincy Heat, says Grenada. that SVG is on the I.B.A.ALLEN right track by investing in the young players.

SVG Vikings second in Beach Rugby THE SVG Vikings Rugby team returned home after placing second in last weekend’s 2017 Annual Carnival Beach Rugby 5s Tournament, played in St. Lucia.

The eight-member Viking team was one of six male teams and three female teams which participated in this year’s Tournament, played on the Vigie Beach just on the outskirts of capital Castries.

The Vincentians were not outdone, save and except having to give way to the championship title to St. Lucia’s Rogues Rugby Team.

St. Lucia also claimed victory in the female category, Veterans making certain of that.

Beach Rugby is described as a fun game that can be played with a minimal amount of resources and equipment. The game is fast moving, suitable for boys and girls of all ages. Because it is played on sand, there are some differences to the conventional game of Rugby.

I.B.A.ALLEN

The Vikings Rugby team – pleased with their 1st Runner-up position.

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26. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017. 27.

Classifieds

VIANDRA VELETA RICHARDS

GODWIN SAM

New Testament Church of God Kingstown Tuesday 18th July, 2017 2:00 p.m.

Chebar Evangelical Rose Place Tuesday 18th July, 2017 2:00 p.m.

MAVIS GURLEY Kingstown Methodist Church Monday 17th July, 2017 3:00 p.m.

DANLEY AL ALEXANDER DND ³%XGG\´ New Testament Church of God Wilson Hill Monday 17th July, 2017 3:00 p.m.

OHRANDAY NEVERSON Cathedral of the Assumption Kingstown Monday 17th July, 2017 3:00 p.m.

JUNIOR ANTHONY HARRY Hope for Life Restoration Ministry Church Monday 17th July, 2017 2:00 p.m.

THERESA %$/%,1$ FRANCIS 6W -RVHSK¶V Catholic Church, %HOOHYXH Saturday 15th July, 2017 2:00 p.m.

F O R

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NO TRUTH TO ALLEGATIONS OF THEFT AT AIA Closed Circuit Television cameras installed at the AUTHORITIES at the Argyle AIA, Miller explained.

International Airport (AIA) have said that to date, Bad for business – they have not been able to Another complaint verify whether any of the complaints of theft Miller’s response came committed against in the wake of a number passengers is true or not. of allegations brought Chief of Security at against security staff at the AIA, Keith Miller the AIA, primarily on said on a radio broadcast Social Media, indicating on Wednesday, that they that individuals, upon have used several inspection of their methods in their luggage after leaving St investigations, but Vincent, have discovered uncovered no evidence to personal items - clothing, suggest that security underwear and shoes personnel have been missing. removing items, other One individual, who than those prohibited for asked to remain flight. anonymous, told THE “Screeners are not VINCENTIAN that she allowed to take bags into discovered some items the baggage area — no missing from her luggage personal items — so how when she arrived in are they removing these Barbados, on her way to articles out of the hold the UK. baggage area?” Miller She said that she left questioned. the state on July 12 and Cameras are when she arrived in strategically placed, and Barbados and was management determines reunited with her where the search tables luggage, she realized are positioned which, that the lock had been more often than not, is in broken. A quick search close proximity to the revealed that items were

unable to confirm if any of the allegations have been true.

“And it’s unfortunate, we have had some success cases, had one yesterday (Tuesday), where an individual found items they initially assumed were misplaced.”

He admitted that when security personnel cut the locks, the luggage becomes compromised.

“But based on data Management sympathetic and the complaints, it is a certain trend we are Hadley Bourne, Chief seeing, and we will Executive Officer (CEO) continue to monitor and of the AIA, also stated investigate,” Bourne that management has said.

Bourne confirmed that tried to be sympathetic there has been a gradual with all who have made complaints. However, in increase in the number and frequency of some instances: “When we try to investigate, the accusation of theft against AIA personnel. information is not “But take a step back forthcoming.” and think. We are The authorities have getting this outcry. Do even looked into setting you think that people up a unit to deal with the know they are under issue, Bourne said, and scrutiny and (would) continue to do what they assured that every complaint made has been are doing? We would have to be the most investigated. brazen thieves if that He reiterated that to was the case,” he pointed date they have been out.

She estimated that the missing items valued some 300 pounds sterling, and included clothing, sunglasses, underwear and cosmetics.

According to her, her children and sister were similarly affected.

“It’s unacceptable and disgusting. I love St Vincent, but I’m reluctant to come back.”

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Hadley Bourne, Chief Executive Officer/AIA, said that each complaint about theft at the AIA is thoroughly investigated. missing.

According to her, there was no ‘Checked by AIA’ card anywhere in her luggage, which was explained as the procedure when luggage is searched after check-

Keith Miller, Head of Security/AIA, has asserted that there has been no evidence uncovered to support the theft of personal items from checked-in luggage at the AIA. in.

“I have been to St Vincent over 25 times, from the age of 5 years, and this has never happened to me,” she said.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.