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FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 22, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.08

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

The team for their petitioners in discussion during a break.

It was there week to make their case.

by DAYLE DA SILVA FORM 16 IS THE DOCUMENT used by official workers at a polling station to record both the preliminary and final results, and gives account of all the votes cast.

The question of whether a Form 16 was presented at the final count for polling station NW1 in the North Windward constituency, during the 2015 general election, was the focus of the Elections Peition earlier this week.

According to the Keith Scotland, the lawyer representing Sylvia Findlay-Scrubb, former Supervisor of petitioner Lauron Elections, remained forthright in her Baptiste, the New responses, but may have opened some way Democratic Party’s for Scotland to pursue the issue to a hilt. candidate in North

Windward in the 2015 elections, there was none.

The assertion by Scotland came during his cross-examination of Sylvia Findlay-Scrubb, who was the Supervisor of Elections (SoE) up to the 2015 elections.

Keith Scotland, legal counsel for petitioner Lauron Baptiste, drilled the former Supervisor of Elections on the existence or non-existence of a Form 16 for polling station NW1.

as to what transpired?”

Scotland asked.

She said that such an issue would have however been resolved by the Counterfoils and ballots presiding officer, with the official numbers included on Scotland asked Findlay- the Form 16.

Scrubb if she recalled But Scotland insisted, receiving complaints from there was no Form 16 that polling station about produced for the polling excessive counterfoils, station concerned. pointing out that there were When asked if she 366 ballots but 405 produced any of the counterfoils recorded. Both documents for North numbers ought to have Windward to indicate that corresponded. the number of counterfoils “When that came to your and ballots had in fact attention, did you inquire matched, Findlay-Scrubb

said she did not.

He asked if there was a reason she did not do so, and there was a long pause, prompting Scotland to ask: “Madam, are you looking for a reason?”

“No, I am trying to recollect,” she said.

According to Scotland, the former supervisor of elections signed a witness statement, and she had three years to say to the court, I am assisting the court and here are the forms, to which she agreed.

Continued on Page 3.

2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

SVG PORT AUTHORITY AWARDEES A WA ARDEES WA ARDS AWARDS LONG SERVICE A (40 Years)

Mr Mr. r. Elwyn Joseph

Mr. Norris Gumbs receives Long Service Award for 35 years from Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bishen John.

Mrs. Germaine Nichols receives long service award for 25 years from Chairman SVGPA, Mr. Clayton Burgin.

Ms. Verne Ryan, top performer in the Accounts / Finance Department receives award from Manager, Finance & Accounting, Mrs. Kimalla Cambridge Hewitt.

On Saturday, February 2, 2019, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority held its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Cruise Ship Terminal and Ferry Berth at 7:00 p.m.

Trevor Roberts receives long service award for 35 years from SVGPA’s Chairman, Mr. Clayton Burgin.

The welcome remarks were done by Mr. Bishen John, CEO of the SVGPA, while other remarks were done by Mr. Clayton Burgin, Chairman of the SVGPA.

Mr r. Norris Gumbs Mr. Ms. Pamela Phillips Mr Mr. r. Trevor Trevor Roberts (30 Years)

Mr Mr. r. Junior Lee (25 Years)

Mr. Delroy Smart, top performer in the Security Department receives award from the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Harvey Caine.

Mr owne Mr. r. Newton Br Browne Ms. Vincelia Vincelia Jeffr ey Jeffrey Mrs. Germaine Nichols (20 Years)

The evening was one of cheer and excitement as the Port Authority awarded nine (9) employees for their outstanding performance in 2018, and sixteen (16) employees for their years of service to the organization.

Mrs. Samantha Bailey Reid receives long service award for 15 years from Council Member, Mr. Winston Davis.

(35 Years)

Employees who retired in 2018 were also appreciated for their years of hard work and service to the SVG Port Authority.

Mr. Mrr. Ebon Oliver (15 Years)

Mrs. Samantha Bailey Reid Providence Mr r. Caswald C Mr. Providence Mrs. Carina McQuilkin top performer in the Information Technology Department, receives award from Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bishen John.

(10 Years)

GunMunro Mrs. Nichole Hazel GunMunr o Sharon Mrs. Shar on Clarke Mr r. Lenski Douglas Mr. Mr r. Leslie Ferdinand Mr. Mr r. Lugo Beache Mr. MOST ST OUTST OUTSTANDING TANDING A EMPLOYEE DEPARTMENT EMPLO OYEE Y IN DEP PARTMENT A

Ms. Bonnie Allicot, top performer in the Operations Department – Kingstown receives award from Assistant Operations Officer, Mr. Sudarmo Toby.

Mr. Caswald Providence receives long service award for 15 years from Council Member, Mr. Winston Davis.

Cruise Ship Terminal & Ferry Berth

Goldd T Toney oney o Maintenance

Mr. Mr r. Olivet Peters

Retiree, Mr. Kemuel Fox receives gift from SVGPA’s Chairman, Mr. Clayton Burgin.

Operations - Campden Park

Ms. Cuwanda T Toby oby o Finance / Accounts

Ms. V Verne eerne Ryan Ryan y Mrs. Ginel Huggins, Top Performer in the HR/Admin Department receives award from the Administrative Personnel Officer, Mrs. De-Aon Sayers.

Mrs. Nichole Hazell GunMunro receive long service award for 10 years from Council Member, Mr. Vernon McDowall.

Security Department

Mrr. Delr Mr. Delroy oy Smart Marine

Mr. Mr r. Dwayne Abbott Information Technology

Mrs. Carina McQuilkin Operations - Kingstown

Ms. Bonnie Allicot HR/Admin Mr. Lenski Douglas receives long service award for 10 years from Council Member, Mr. Vernon McDowall.

Mrs. Ginel Huggins

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 3.

News 3 Integrity of ballot boxes questioned ISSUES SURROUNDING THE USE of plastic ballot boxes in the 2015 General Elections were again raised, as the 2015 election petitions hearing continued earlier this week.

The issues arose during the second cross examination of the then Supervisor of Elections (SoE), Sylvia Findlay-Scrubb by Keith Scotland, the attorney representing Lauron Baptiste, the petitioner in the North Windward petition.

Scotland asked the witness to state whether the boxes were plastic with detachable lids, which suggested that they could be removed at any time, to which she replied in the affirmative.

When asked if it were true that there were no hinges on the boxes, nor were there any locks attached, she again responded in the affirmative.

“And consequently no keys to those boxes?” Scotland asked, and again solicited a yes answer from the former SoE.

The issue of ‘ties’ Later on, during the crossexamination, Scotland declared that it was common knowledge that the boxes could not be locked in a traditional manner. It was then established that coloured ties, or straps, were used to secure the ballot boxes.

When Scotland asked whether it was possible for the ties to be cut and replaced, Findlay-Scrubb said no.

She explained that this was not possible because agents were given a limited supply of ties to be used in the process. The maximum number of ties designated of any one colour was five and the minimum was four.

Although the former Supervisor of Elections remained confident that none of the ballot boxes were tampered with, Scotland reminded her that she was not in North Windward on the day, and she had no way of discerning

Below: A specimen of a plastic ballot box. Note the ties used to secure the lid.

whether the election officers used more ties than was provided.

But she again said that this was not a possibility because the remaining ties were at the electoral office.

Those plastic boxes As for the use of plastic boxes, Findlay-Scrubb told the hearing that she did not raise a concern about the boxes since plastic boxes were used in the Referendum in 2009 and in the General Elections of 2010.

Scotland, persisting that the plastic boxes were of a major concern, questioned the former SoE about a large flap on each box, which allowed for more than one ballot to be entered at a time.

But Findlay-Scrubb said that she could not say because the ballots were entered one at a time.

Scotland persisted and again asked her if she was able to determine if

more than one ballot could be entered at any one time, to which she responded that she did not know. (DD)

Was there a Form 16 for NW1? Decision in election It provides you and the constituents with an account of how the totals “So why didn’t you were arrived at,” show the Form 16s?” he Scotland advanced. asked.

That said, he “Maybe it escaped my proceeded to say that the mind at the time,” she SoE provided the results responded. of the poll, but had failed An exchange ensued to show how the results between the attorney were arrived at for and witness as to the polling station NW1. importance of Form 16, Findlay-Scrubb during which it was explained then that the established that as per returning officer sees the the rules guiding the Form 16 and sends a elections that, Form 16 copy of the verified count is used to record the to the Supervisor. preliminary and final But when questioned count, placed upon as to whether or not she completion into an did see a copy of the envelope and lodged in Form 16, Findlay-Scrubb the ballot box. said no because they If any change is to be were in the ballot box as made, this is done by the was required. presiding officer who initials and signs.

To see or not to see “Therefore, the Form 16 is the most important Scotland asked if she document to determine was then saying that she who voted and the audit did not see any of the by the presiding officer.

Form 16s; she responded Continued from Front Page.

no and cited that the forms (Form 16) assisted her in her final report.

“Do you agree with me that in your disclosure that no such document had been disclosed?”

Scotland further asked her to look at the Form 18, the endorsement document, and to let the court know if the final figures were there, to which she responded no.

It was then established by Scotland that Form 16 did not make up part of the proceedings, and if an audit was to be done of North Windward, it would be determined that there was no such form for the polling station NW1.

“There is no working of the returning officer to show how they arrived at the [final] document,” Scotland said.

petition for end of March A DECISION with respect to two Election Petitions could be handed down by the end of March 2019.

This, according to the presiding judge, Justice Stanley John.

He gave the hint last Tuesday as the matter ended without cross examination of Winston Gaymes, Returning Officer in the Central Leeward constituency, one of two forming the focus of the petitions, the other being North Windward.

Notwithstanding the absence of Gaymes’ evidence, Justice John gave notice that he will begin hearing oral submissions during the week beginning March 4, towards a speedy decision, especially in light of the fact that the matter would have been filed following the general elections of 2015.

Hearing of the petitions matter began in earnest February 11, after a number of delays.

The first was occasioned when the matter was sent to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal after sitting judge , Justice Bian Cottle,

threw out the petitions deeming them baseless.

Further delays set in to allow for periods of technical and legal arguments by both sides, as they jockeyed to establish the viability of the petitions on the one hand, and the futility on the other.

And when all seemed set for a commencement of hearing on December 3, 2018, after accommodation for an adjustment in make-up of the legal team representing the respondents, sitting judge, Justice Esco Henry, recused herself from hearing the matter after the Registry here caused her embarrassment and undue scrutiny when it slated 12 different matters for her attention, on the said day set for the commencement of the hearing of the petitions.

When the hearing eventually got going, it proceeded without encumbrance, safe and except some initial concern about he change of venue to the NIS Conference Room.

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4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Nigerian accused of ripping off ‘Silky’ is the holder of a card issued to DaSilva.

EUNICE ARMACHI-DOWERS, a Nigerian The offence was allegedly committed by birth and a citizen of St. Vincent and in Kingstown between September 4 the Grenadines by marriage, who is and 8 last year, contrary to Section 11 accused of fraudulently using a credit of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, card issued to prominent local Chapter 16 of the Revised Edition of businessman and owner of ‘Star Garage’ the Laws of Saint Vincent and the Bertille ‘Silky’ DaSilva to obtain certain Grenadines 2014. services, will return to the Serious Armachi-Dowers is also charged on Offences Court, Wednesday, February 27 two counts, with taking a card from for bail review. the possession of DaSilva without his Armachi-Dowers, who has been consent between September 4 and 8 residing here for some eight years, and last year. was employed as a Customs Broker The woman is additionally charged with ‘Star Garage’, was remanded with stealing EC$1,200.37 and when she appeared in Court on EC$271.64 from DaSilva between Wednesday on four charges of fraud, September 4 and 8 last year. and two charges of theft.

She was not required to plea to the The Ratho Mill resident has been indictable charges when she appeared charged on two counts, with intent to before Chief Magistrate Rechannedefraud First Caribbean International Browne at the Serious Offences Court Bank, obtained services by on Wednesday. representing without the consent of In objecting to bail, Senior Bertille DaSilva of Indian Bay that she Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told

by HAYDN HUGGINS

the Court that the Nigerian is married to a Vincentian, which creates a flight risk, and noted that she was taken up at the Argyle International Airport last Sunday.

Delpleche said the investigations would spread far and wide, and the investigators are asking for time to have them completed, and done properly.

The Prosecutor said he is aware that the defendant has the constitutional right to bail, but added that the virtual complainant also has the right to proper investigation of the matter.

“We do not intent to drag out the investigations”, he assured, but reiterated emphatically, “We are asking that time be given to have the matter properly investigated.”

Armachi-Dowers’ lawyer Jamarlie John argued that the police were in possession of his client’s passport, and while she is not a Vincentian, certain

things could be put in place to ensure that she does not leave the country.

John requested that the defendant be granted bail, subject to whatever conditions the Court is mindful to Eunice Armachiimpose, and she is Dowers is bounded to comply. accused of But the defrauding her Magistrate stressed employer. that this country’s shores are very porous, and remanded the woman for seven days pending bail review.

Armachi-Dowers was reportedly nabbed last Sunday morning at the Argyle International Airport, as she attempted to leave the country. She had come here some eight years ago as a medical student, THE VINCENTIAN understands.

Thief penetrates MCMH security ÂScare DemÊ up to February 2, around 3 a.m., then went to sleep. She awoke A MAN WHO recently entered the sometime after 9 a.m. the same Milton Cato Memorial Hospital day.

(MCMH), proceeded to the Female However, when she checked for Surgical Ward, stole a cellular the phone, she did not see it. She phone from a patient, then made inquiries on other patients vacated the MCMH undetected, on the ward, and of Hospital has left serious questions personnel, but nobody could give regarding security at the her any information regarding the institution. missing phone.

The intruder, Atiba Phillips, A report was then made to the 29, of Redemption Sharpes, was police, and an investigation was arrested during an investigation launched, during which Phillips led by Constable 987 Joroy Peters was arrested. He was searched of the Criminal Investigations and a cellular phone was found on Department (CID). his person, matching the Phillips was taken before Chief description of the one stolen from Magistrate Rechanne Browne at the patient. the Serious Offences Court on When cautioned and Friday, February 15. He was interviewed, Phillips said he sentenced to six months in prison, removed the cellular phone which after pleading guilty to stealing was lying on the floor near to a the phone, a Samsung Galaxy S7, bed, on one of the female wards at valued $1,500. the Hospital.

In presenting the facts, Court According to him, he had gone Clerk, Corporal David Wright, to the institution to check a told the Court that the patient ‘partner’, on the Male Medical was admitted to the Hospital on Ward.

January 30. She used the phone Interestingly, that ward is

by HAYDN HUGGINS

quite a distance from where the patient, whose phone was stolen, was warded.

Persons who heard of the incident viewed the situation as very serious.

One man told THE VINCENTIAN Atiba Phillips that something will spend six much more months in jail serious than the without a theft of a cellular phone. phone could have occurred.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, head of the CID, Superintendent Clauston Francis lauded the lead investigator, PC Peters, for brilliant police work.

“I am happy that the matter was quickly ventilated in the Court, and justice was served,” Francis said.

jailed for vicious wounding

FELLY ‘Scare Dem’ Warren, a Lowmans Leeward man who used a piece of glass from a broken bottle to repeatedly and viciously slash a man who had initially walked away from him, is into his fourth day of a two and a half-year prison sentence.

Warren was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Sion Hill resident Wesley Richards.

The incident had occurred at Sion Hill on May 12 last year.

Warren pleaded guilty to the charge at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, but Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne adjourned sentencing to the following day, to have the virtual complainant present, so that the issue of compensation could be addressed.

However, when Warren returned to Court on Wednesday, Court Clerk Corporal David Wright informed the Magistrate that Richards could not be located.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told the Court that the injuries Richards sustained were too serious for Warren to get a “slap on the wrist”.

Delpleche recalled that in Warren’s explanation to the Court on Monday, he blamed alcohol for his action, but the prosecutor noted that Warren has a string of similar convictions.

The Magistrate also highlighted the seriousness of OWANI HAYNES, 26-yearregistered in the the injuries. She noted that, old labourer of Roseau, Sion name of Hailey based on the medical report, Hill, is this country’s second Anciant of Sion Hil. there was profuse bleeding, the road fatality for 2019.

Haynes was one wounds were very deep, had His death is preceded by of five persons in jagged edges, and were flushed that of Luke Browne, 23 years the vehicle, the with bits of broken bottle. She Owani Haynes’ body (covered) lay close to the old, who died some days after others being: Xarie pointed out that Warren vehicle in which he was a passenger. he fell from a truck on Brereton, 26-yearpursued and slashed Richards January 12, in Villa. old labourer of Haynes, though, died on Roseau, Sion Hill, in his face repeatedly, after the Brereton, the accident. the spot last Sunday, who was the driver complainant had walked away Andrews and As is usually the case February 17, when RL-163, a of RL—163; Elton Castllo received following incidents of this from him. blue Toyota Rav-4 in which he Andrews, 26-yearinjuries and were, nature, there was much Browne said that Warren was a passenger, ran into PT- old labourer of Sion Owani Haynes up to Tuesday of speculation with respect to was entitled to one third died on the spot. this week, warded 838, a yellow Mazda car Hill; PJ Castello, a whether the vehicle was being discount on his sentence owned by Una Sayers of Cane 13-year-old student at the Milton Cato driven at an inordinately fast because he pleaded guilty, but Hall, which was parked on also of Roseau, Sion Hill; and Memorial Hospital. rate; whether it was road the Magistrate told him, the western side of the a fifth person, unknown, who Police confirmed that they worthy; and whether the “There is no mitigating factors Fountain public road. is said to have run away from are investigating the passengers had on their seat here,” before handing the The Rav-4, police said, is the scene of the accident. circumstances surrounding belts. penalty.(H.H)

SVG records road fatality #2

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 5.

Regional

CDB not pleased with LIAT’s ‘progress’ Dr. Warren Smith, President of CDB, may just be accusing the Prime Ministers of the four major shareholder governments of LIAT, of dragging their feet.

Another recommendation was to widen the shareholding in LIAT so the (Top left clockwise) Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (Dominica), Mia Mottley (Barbados), Gaston Browne burden of funding the airline could be (Antigua/Barbuda) and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (St. Vincent /Grenadines) have to make some hard decisions. eased from the four major shareholders and allow those who benefit to pay their THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK The CDB-funded study looked at the them, and noted that, while he could not fair share.

(CDB) funded a study of cash-strapped airline’s performance, its challenges and tell Government how to run its fiscal “… There are some countries in this regional airline LIAT. That study, which was some possible solutions and affairs, the tax was “an issue that has to region that get a tremendous amount of completed and presented to the opportunities, Smith said. be addressed.”

LIAT flights and traffic, and they are not shareholder Governments of LIAT by midThe study found a number of He called on Barbados, a major player paying their fair share… but again, that 2018, outlined the airline’s challenges and weaknesses within LIAT’s human in the regional aviation system, to lead is a political issue,” said Smith. opportunities, and put forward a series of resource functions, specifically low on this along with Antigua and Barbuda The CDB president, a career recommendations. productivity and performance. and some of the other countries that are economist, contended that all of the But CDB President Dr. Warren Smith It also found that the airline was so heavily dependent on LIAT. recommendations would “lead to an in an interview with Barbados TODAY encountering problems in transferring Smith added: “One of the other issues improvement in the overall performance earlier this month, had this to say, “… I passengers from one aircraft to their had to do with the type of manner in of the airline and hopefully also am disappointed that those connection. which LIAT operated as it related to the positively impact its financial recommendations have not been taken The most startling of the findings for schedule. At the present time, there is a performance”. on-board in the way in which we had him, Smith said, was that the airline significant amount of stopping and “We know that if we don’t have a good anticipated they would have,” as he used to transport somewhere in the starting up the island chain, and one of aviation system, one that is efficient and complained of very little progress to date region of 1.2 million people per year, but the recommendations was that LIAT effective, it is going to stymie potential on the restructuring effort. was only now carrying between should look now at moving toward a growth of those islands,” added Smith.

Smith held out that “It is for them approximately 720,000 and 730,000 hub-and-spoke-type arrangement.”

(Source: Barbados TODAY) (shareholders), in collaboration with the passengers. management of LIAT, to make the Smith said: “That is a massive drop. appropriate changes that can put the So I think we don’t need to be airline airline on a different footing.” people to appreciate the impact that has Barbados Minister of Tourism and on revenues, and the overheads are International Transport Kerrie what they are, they remain.”

Symmonds told Barbados TODAY before Smith’s interview that the shareholders CDB Recommendations were awaiting a report from LIAT on its operations, in order for major changes to One of the recommendations coming be introduced. out the study was for there to be a LIAT’s major shareholder “dramatic reduction in the level of governments are Antigua and Barbuda, taxation”, which makes up almost half of Barbaos, Dominica and St. Vincent and the total airfare. the Grenadines.

Citing Barbados as an example, Smith pointed to that country increasing The CDB Study its taxes last year instead of decreasing

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6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Vincy is BermudaÊs Firefighter of the Year

Stories by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT A VINCENTIAN, who has been a firefighter for only 3 ½ years, has been honoured as “Firefighter of the Year” in Bermuda.

Lance Dale Haynes, 40, was bestowed the William Glasford Firefighter of the Year Award in late January, according to Haynes’s sister, Claudette Haynes, who trekked from Brooklyn, New York to attend the ceremony.

The Award, according to Ms. Haynes, is named in honour of Williams Glasford, an outstanding firefighter in Bermuda who died in 1997.

Her brother is the 5th awardee.

Speaking of the accolade bestowed on her brother, Ms. Haynes told THE VINCENTIAN, “It was a feather in our cap; it was very special. I am proud of his achievement as a Vincentian.”

Also present at the ceremony were, among other family members and friends, Mr. Haynes’s wife, Kevonne;

his mother-in-law, Joanne Elizabeth Rogers; and his brother-in-law, Jahdel Rogers.

Ms. Haynes said her brother was surprised about the honour, stating that he only found out, during the ceremony, from Bermuda Fire Chief, Lloyd Burchall.

Nonetheless, Mr. Haynes told THE VINCENTIAN that it was “an honor being recognized” by his peers, stating that he takes it seriously.

“It is good that people recognize the hard work I do daily,” he said. “It’s a very humbling experience as well.

“The honour came as a surprise, and it was not my intention to be awarded,” he added. “I believe in doing my best.

“You need to know your job, and you also need to take time to learn your job and make sure you are effective at what you do,” he added. “Each day you come to work, you try to learn something new — whether you have 20 years in the service or two years.”

Haynes said his thirst for knowledge helped him to complete several courses, including the promotion exam for sergeant.

He said he wanted to “set a tone” for his children.

Lance Dale Haynes was born in the Marriaqua Valley, to Velma Haynes and Harold King of Evesham, on May 15, 1978.

He attended the elementary Cane End Government School, Marriaqua Secondary School, and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

On graduation from the Community College, he worked for four years with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

After he returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Haynes worked as the Operations Manager of Nature Care Horticultural Business.

In 2008, he migrated to New York and pursued Informational Technology (IT) courses.

After getting married in New York in August 2013, Haynes travelled to Bermuda to join his wife in October of that year.

Haynes said the award will further spur him “to keep doing” his best, adding that his appetite for learning Vincentian born fire fighter Lance has helped him to do his job Dale Haynes displays his Fireman of effectively. the Year plaque.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 7.

News

The press conference head table (from left), TGHF Chairman David Williams, Director of the Alliance Francaise Vanessa Demirciyan, Dance Officer Maxine Browne, Senior Curriculum Development Officer Aldia Dyer, and Head of UWI School of Continuing Studies Debra Dalrymple.

Garifuna Heritage Month programme launched MAXINE BROWNE, a Dance Officer in the Ministry of Culture, sees the Garifuna heritage as an avenue through which students can broaden their horizon.

Browne aired her views at a press conference hosted by The Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF) last Tuesday to launch Garifuna Heritage Month — March 2019.

This year’s Heritage Month programme heightens with a parade from Bishop’s College to Victoria Park, Friday, March 8, for what will be the 5th Garifuna Folk Festival, themed, ‘Children of Chatoyer; Fruits of our Heritage’.

Incentives include prizes for the largest group, most organised group, and best use of Garifuna colours, outstanding song, dance, chorale speech and costume.

Each school will highlight an aspect of the performing arts with emphasis on Garifuna Heritage.

Events marking Garifuna Heritage Month actually kick off with “Windward meets Kingstown” Cassava Food Competition for Secondary Schools. This will be at the Kingstown Technical Institute, Wednesday, March 6.

Aldia Dyer, Senior Curriculum Development Officer in the Education Ministry, described this activity as offering students alternative ways of connecting with their past.

Participants stand the chance of receiving rewards for their efforts, although Dyer made it plain that it was not a competition.

Activities intensify March 11 with the opening of the Exhibition of Indigenous Craft, Art and Artefacts at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust, otherwise referred to as the Old Public Library.

Vanessa Demirciyan is an Anthropologist, Independent Researcher and Director of the

Alliance Francaise. She is inviting persons with documents, documentaries, artworks, books, collections and matters associated to the Garifuna story to contact the Heritage Foundation.

The exhibition will run for two days, and has as its theme: ‘From Orinoco to exile’.

Deborah Dalrymple, Head of the UWI School of Continuing Studies, reiterated her institution’s attachment to the Garifuna activities, and emphasised the university’s role as catering to the region.

She stressed the importance of the Garifuna culture, and especially commended the focus on youth and tourism in this year’s International Garifuna Conference.

That Conference, the 6th, observed under the theme, ‘Exploring the Garifuna and Kalinago Heritage and Culture — Cultural survival, Youth and Opportunities in Heritage Tourism’, takes place at the National Insurance Services Conference Room March 12 and 13, preceded by an opening ceremony at Frenches House from 9 on the first morning.

Tourism Consultant Vera Ann Brereton will be the Feature Speaker at the opening.

The activities continue with a Garifuna Fashion Show and Tea Party carded for St. Vincent Girls High School, Saturday, March 16.

Browne, coordinator of this segment, dubbed it the “Yellow, Black and White, a Fashion Explosion.”

Students will portray an outfit from one of casual, evening or cultural wear.

The focus continues April 5 with the staging of a play entitled: Mali. That will be repeated at the Peace Memorial Hall Saturday 6 and 7.

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 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

Picong or Insult Once upon a time, we indulged in some light comical banter, usually at someone else’s expense, under the cool of some tree centrally located in our community, within the ‘deaf walls’ of a popular rum shop, on the block especially where the young ‘hung out’, on the stage provided for a variety concert.

Soon, these episodes of light comical banter became a highly valued expression in our culture, finding a home in our kaiso and our kaiso tents.

We called it picong.

To picong then was to tease, heckle and seemingly make fun of another person/kaisonian, in a friendly manner.

Kaiso, when the ‘act’ was over, to a friendly drink at the nearest bar/rum shop.

The people understood that there existed a thin line between humour and insult, and respected the exponents of the art form, for they were always mindful not to cross the line, and adjusted to suit the line that was constantly shifting.

It is the awareness of that line that made picong that valued expression of our culture.

Yes, picong is part of our culture, but have those who today make use of it (or say that they do) crossed that sacred line? Have those who indulged in what they would want us to accept as light comical banter, shifted the line to suit themselves rather than shift to suit the line?

Gone are the days when we lived the art form. We have abdicated our valued cultural expression to those who wield tongues of ‘Oxfordian English’ and wave qualifications hitherto unknown.

Politicians and lawyers, and/or a combination of both, have today become primary exponents of the art form we know as picong. If we are to say that they have been saucy and/or witty, even creative, is to say that they are fulfilling the legacy of the tradition, and therefore fulfilling the responsibility to give cultural value to the expression.

Sadly, the political heckle that we are made to ‘lap up’, that cause us to ‘roll over in laughter’, that we should forget the next day, we instead carry well into the future and in the process, cross that sacred line between humour and insult.

Today, much of what we embrace as picong is dished out by our leaders (prime minister included), leading legal luminaries and even men of religious

leaning.

To label your people ‘chatting nabobs’, ‘internet crazies’, ‘untutored’, ‘dirty dogs’, ‘conveyors of half-truths and falsehoods’, ‘dog walkers’, ‘that a black man (Arhnim Eustace) would not be seen in the dark’, none of these references is picong. Each is a downright insult … nothing more, nothing less!

But worse is the fact that what has passed off as picong here, has been embraced by fellow Caribbean nationals and used to dastardly effect right here in our own land.

How can we forget the less than becoming reference made by Dr. Kenny Anthony, a two-time Prime Minister of our neightbour St. Lucia, who found it fitting, and to resounding approval by kit and kin at a Unity Labour Party rally, to declare that Arnhim Eustace was a ‘cocobay’ .. a lizard of no repute and usefulness? Picong or insult?

Not a word of rebuke, for we had set the standard for ALL to follow with impunity.

Then there is the case of the legal luminary Anthony Astaphan who has enjoyed a bounty of service from our state coffers, and who on more than one occasion has cast aspersion on the worth of our people — the tax payers who fill the coffers from which he sucks.

First, he questioned with a tone and sense of ridicule and intellectual superiority, whether a group of our citizens had the intellect, the wherewithal to follow with any understanding the proceedings of a court matter. How insulting!!

More recently, the Senior Counsel made disparaging comment and gesture about the hairstyle and general persona of a male witness in the Elections Petition matter.

He was heard to apologise to the court, but only after the counsel for the petitioner rose to register his disdain for Astaphan’s behaviour.

We have set the conditions, the parameters that encourage this barrage of insults on us.

We must demand from locals as well as non-nationals who come to our shores, public apologies for the insults they have leveled at our people, and who do so ;mistakenly in the name of picong.

The line has been crossed between humour and insult, and those who have crossed the line must be told they have done so and made to apologise.

My sister Ena has gone MY SISTER ENA DA SILVA died in London, England about three months after the death of her husband John Sonny Da Silva, with whom she had lived in marriage for some sixty-two years. There could be no better indication of their oneness, togetherness, and love for each other.

After sixty-two years of bliss, during which they produced three adoring children Beverly, John and Robin, simply could not bear any separation but virtually bow out triumphantly, together.

Ena came from a family of Caribbean stock descended from the proud Calinago people, and lived in the beautiful island of St. Vincent.

There were ten of us, seven girls and three boys, of which I am the last.

I was spoilt rotten by the love of all my sisters owing partly to hard economic circumstances - half of the family had migrated to Trinidad by 1945, when I was seven years old. By that last time, Ena, the sixth, had worked in the Civil Service with the princely salary of thirty dollars a month, and chipped in with trying to satisfy our every need. For example, she bought for Rita and me an old bicycle wherewith we took turns in riding to and from school. She also paid for my learning to type at Mrs. Iris Mc. Kie .

I recall that I was given to voracious reading, and approached my mother to explain what the strange word “Romance” meant, and she referred me to Ena who promptly proceeded to pat my cheeks, and ended it all with a gently administered kiss, and told me, “That is what Romance means”.

The real thing was left for Milton Tim, who gave Ena her first son Trevor, who later joined the family in England, but unfortunately died years ago.

As I became a teenager, Ena, who worked at the General Post Office, would bring home some work like balancing books which she passed over to me, paying a reasonable sum for the service. Later on, she helped pave the way for Post Master Mr. P O’neil Crichton to employ me to help with the Christmas rush at 36 cents an hour, which came in handy for the season.

I was at the age when young men, beside their studies, took an abiding interest in sport, “liming” and girls. Ena contributed much in all departments. My sister in fact led me to a sixteen-year-old girl to whom I am married for fiftyseven years and continuing. And in gratitude, I helped to create the “tender trap” of her own sixty-twoyear bond that has just petered out.

We were devout Anglicans who attended church regularly on Sundays, with a sort of preparatory devotion at which my mother played an accordion, my brother a violin and Ena on piano.

When the last two children, Rita and myself attended secondary school, Ena, who then worked late during the Christmas season and some girls who lived next door to the Post Office, simply thought it would be a nice thing to offer some goodies to the late-night workers to keep up their spirits. One of these girls was Jennie Gabriel who grew closer to Ena who then invited her to visit our home in Bottom Town. The rest is history. She came, she saw and was conquered. Jennie wrapped it all up by sending me a sympathy card on the death of my father whom I loved very much.

Just at that time, June 1953, Sonny Da Silva was going great guns cleaning up the wickets of the isles and places roundabout, the “trap” tightened and was closed with the couple’s marriage in 1956, minutes after Sonny had humiliated a Trinidad side.

Then it was life in London for both parties and family, until a few months ago.

So, it is Ay revoir from the three surviving siblings survivors: the matriarch Elsie 96 years old living in New York, Rita, 94, who lived with Ena in London during her nursing training days, and me, the baby of the family at 80; cousin Mavis Maule and sister-in-law Mable Kirby.

Old folks have asked to be remembered: Lawrence “Doppie” Dopwell ex post officer, Yvonne Gally, an old neighbour Pearl Waldron-Dublin, Clifton “Harvey” Antrobus and Stephanie Clarke.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 9.

Letters

Putting Luke out to pasture Valentine’s Day

LIKE SOME MINISTERS of government really not on top of what is happening in their ministries or they just playing politics. Then again, they must be really dumb or think that we dumber.

Take Luke Browne for example - he is downright wrong about things happening in the health service, but instead of admitting it and seeking the support of people, he pampasets and denies what everybody else know is right. Is only he believes

that things at the Hospital are in the pink of shape… every bed has a sheet and we have all the drugs we need, if you know what I mean..

Ah mean, how could a young man like Luke try to get that tetanus thing past us? Look how Bing put him out to pasture.

He will have to spend the

rest of the ULP term in office grazing in that pasture if I had anything to do with it.

Here is a young man who I thought had a bright future with something to offer, but of late, I am having second thoughts.

Can you blame me, Luke?

Perhaps before he puts his foot in his mouth again, the PM could consider ‘transferring him. Then gain, who knows, perhaps the PM might prefer having him grazing in the pasture.

I gone.

Thomas, East Kingstown

Humility should rule our lives

“HUMILITY is a good less.” Phil. 2:3. virtue, humility is We the people of this nothing less of ourselves, nation of St. Vincent and it is thinking of yourself the Grenadines must recognize that God is everywhere. Sometimes it hurts when listening to grown men and women speaking in places where respect should be given to the I MUST thank the editor for the space allowed me nation. over these last three weeks. I hope that what I I think that many had to offer was of some assistance to those who have lost their way in took the time to read it, those with whom they parliament. We should shared the information. recognize the full range I bring this sharing to an end by highlighting of our strengths and the following errors in the use of our written and weaknesses, successes oral English: and failures, and receive * The plural of son-in-law is sons-in-law, and the same holds good for mothers-in-law, sistersin-law, brothers-in-law, etc. * The same rule is applied to attorney-at-law, the plural form of which is attorneys-at-law. * It is wise also to note that the plural form of Attorney General is Attorneys General, but the plural of Attorney-General, the hyphenated form * On behalf of a used in certain British circles, is Attorneypensioner, ‘How Generals. come NIS pensions * The adjective different is usually followed by never increase? ‘from’ when the expression is followed by a noun Can’t we take some or a pronoun, as in the cases of: Noun: ‘These of the surplus shirts are different from the ones I bought last money and put year. Pronoun: His car is different from mine.. towards increasing * You’ll need to use different than, however, the pensions rather when you want to follow the expression not with a than spending it on noun but with a clause.. Thus, you would say: buying real estate This experience was different than he thought it that just props up or would be. My birthday this year was different bails out the than what it was last year. government?’ * And as far as what you ‘prefer’, it is never * Who is the followed by ‘than’ but by the preposition ‘to, e.g. chairperson of the Correct: ‘I prefer coffee to tea. Incorrect: I prefer restorative coffee than tea. committee or * Last but by far not least, here’s one which I building committee have heard a little too often. It is important to of the St. George’s remember when you’re using the word “comprise” Cathedral? that the item that is the whole shebang comes * How many first in the sentence; second comes the items that international are its parts. For example, it is correct to say, “A matches have been full pack of cards comprises 52 cards.” The pack played at Arnos Vale is the whole shebang, so it come first in the since we spent those sentence. It would be incorrect to say, “Fifty-two millions of dollars cards comprise a full pack.” I must admit, for warm-up though, the use of the phrase ‘is comprise of’ is matches for the being used much more than it was years ago.

2007 World Cup? * Then, there is the question of ‘going back’ to * Is there somebody something and/or someplace. One cannot ‘revert out there who could back’ since the prefix ‘re’ already carries a tell me the exact meaning of ‘back’ or ‘backwards’. Similarly, one number of lawyers cannot ‘reverse back’ or ‘return back’ In short, involved in the the word back should never follow words that Election Petitions begin with the prefix re, since that already matter? Could denotes going back. somebody tell me in I’ll take my leave now, but with the kind all honesty how permission of the editor, I will revisit this area of much it cost to concern in the future. contract those lawyers?

Retiree – Arnos Vale

Some common English Language errors

instruction on what to do about each. Real humility makes us not self-depreciating but truthful. Jesus praised the poor in spirit “Literally and destitute”, and David expresses such people’s humble attitude in Psalm 39:4-6 where he says, “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days; that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, you have made my days as an hand-breadth; and my age is as nothing before thee. Certainly, every man at his best state is but vapour. Surely every man walks about like a shadow: surely, they busy themselves in vain: he heapeth up riches, and does not know who will gather them”.

The prophet Micah said that humility is one of three essential virtues that should rule our lives. He has shown us what is food and what the Lord requires of us only to do justly, to love mercifully and to walk humble with God or not at all. Humility affects three key areas of our everyday lives; our circumstances, our nature in managing with original sin and how we see ourselves.

Bishop Ezekiel Creese Faith Word Ministries

MR. EDITOR, Valentine’s Day 2019 has come and gone, but I would be grateful if you would allow me some space to share an insight on this day, so that it can help to inform our people for the future.

From all accounts, Valentine’s Day has become one of the most popular holidays in the Christian world, thanks to the power of commercialism. It is, some reports say, second only to Christmas in terms of how much is spent in celebration of the day. We have got caught up in the frenzy just like the rest of the world.

But as a Christian society we need to ask ourselves: What does God think about Valentine’s Day? Before I get to answering that more directly, let me say Valentine’s Day has pagan roots. A quick look at any encyclopedia or history book will tell you that Valentine’s Day is an ancient Roman festival.

Even though we celebrate it on February 14, we take the lead from an ancient festival known as Lupercalia which was celebrated every February 15. The festival was not celebrated to honour God but to honour pagan gods like Lupercus, god of fertility, Juno, goddess of marriage and women, and Pan, god of nature.

To put it simply, Valentine’s Day is about paganism and God commands that we, His people, stay away from it.

Now here is God’s word as contained in the Bible: “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.

“You shall NOT worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates, they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall NOT add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

James King

And the people wondered!

THE PEOPLE in a little village somewhere learned how to select persons who said that they will like to do things on their behalf, and for which the people rewarded them. To make it fair, the people agreed to use some marked cards.

Whoever got the most cards marked with his name will serve the people.

Jerry, Tom and Verden decided to have a go at this thing. On a particular day, the people marked the cards with the names of Jerry, Tom or Verden.

Some people who were asked to count the cards said that Jerry got the most cards with his name on them as marked by the people. Therefore, Jerry was the peoples’ choice. Tom and Verden did not think so, based on what they heard some of the people were saying. Tom said, “Let us see the cards to verify if what you are saying is true”. The counters refused, and the people wondered!

Tom appealed to a council of wise and fairminded people in the village; people who could read between the lines. But the council did not agree for the cards to be exposed for other people to see if indeed, Jerry did get the most cards marked with his name. And the people wondered!

Could it be that we have become so blinded by our own brilliance and deafened by our own rhetoric, that we no longer see or hear the reasonableness or fairness of a thing! Some people are still wondering!

Philmore Isaacs

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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Solid progress continues amidst challenges

Excerpts from the 2019 Budget address: Part Three

(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Budget presentation)

Tourism AS A CARIBBEAN country – particularly one so geographically blessed, one so imbued with cultural and historical riches, and so populated with a warm and welcoming population – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines comes to mass tourism relatively late. By almost any measure – length of time with an international airport, number of hotel rooms, presence of major hotel brands, number of cruise ship berths, etcetera – we have lagged behind our neighbours and competitors, (with the possible exception of our yachting subsector). The reasons for this belated commitment to the potential of mass tourism are numerous, but are rooted, in the main, in challenges related to access. Lacking an international airport, and located farther south in the island chain than any other nation with a similar impediment, it was more difficult, more time-consuming and more expensive for tourists to get in and out of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in partnership with our hospitality sector, is in the process of radically transforming the Vincentian tourism sector with a variety of initiatives. These initiatives are already bearing fruit. Last year, preliminary numbers indicate that we welcomed over 52,000 more visitors than we did in 2017, a 17.3% increase. Stay-over arrivals were up 4.6%. Yacht arrivals rose 10.7%. And cruise ship arrivals increased a whopping 25% to 218,000 — the largest number of cruise arrivals in our history.

The AIA The game-changing construction of the world-class Argyle International Airport (AIA) is the cornerstone of the Government’s thrust to capitalise on our country’s vast tourism potential. 2018 marked the first full year of operation of AIA. And what a year it has been. The AIA welcomed 99 direct, round-trip flights from Toronto, New York and Miami, carrying a total of roughly 14,500 passengers each way. Those direct flights from various North American cities have been indispensible to the 4.6% increase in visitor air arrivals last year. The naysayers, the prophets of doom, and the political opportunists have been proven irrevocably, embarrassingly wrong.

Even in its infancy, the AIA is an unqualified success in laying the foundations for the future of Vincentian tourism: International visitors can and will come directly to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and our infrastructure is now more than up to the task of receiving those visitors in style and comfort.

Regionally, air travel in and out of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is now markedly more reliable because of the in-built advantages of AIA versus our former airport. In 2019, we shall add more flights, from more airlines and more destinations. Discussions are well advanced with additional carriers that will expand the growing reach and scope of the AIA. Additionally, work will begin in 2019 on a high-end Fixed Based Operator and VIP lounge for private travelers. As proud as we are of the results of its first full year of operations, the AIA’s best years are undoubtedly still ahead of us.

More Hotel Rooms

The Ottley Hall Marina

Going forward, the next challenge to overcome in the growth of our tourism sector and the increase in international traffic to the AIA is the dearth of adequate hotel room stock. Simply put, we need more rooms to get more people.

As such, a major developmental priority over the next two to five years is facilitating a rapid acceleration in the construction of high quality guest accommodation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Already, the private sector is doing impressive work in expanding and enhancing our room stock. New hotels, like The Liming in Bequia, opened in 2018, while others, like Hotel Alexandrina and Beachcombers are expanding their existing room stock.

Other south-coast hotel developments are imminent. The Mandarin Oriental in Canouan enjoyed its first full year of operation, while the refurbishment of the Tamarind Beach Hotel is underway, and plans are being completed for the construction of a luxury Aman Hotel resort in the north of that island.

Over US$500 million has been spent by developers in Canouan over the last 12 or so years, and the ongoing construction has employed, at peak, some 1,000 Vincentians. The island will soon join Mustique among the most exclusive and sought-after vacation destinations in the world.

Construction of the Black Sands Resort — a 40-villa development with an additional 200-room resort hotel — is underway at Peter’s Hope. The Buccament Bay Resort, for years a magnet for British tourism in our country, has emerged from the limbo of receivership and now finally has new ownership. The Bankruptcy Trustee’s prolonged search for appropriate investors for Buccament Bay, has pleasingly found success in an investment group led by Vincentians who are familiar with our tourism product and our aspiration to become a first-class destination.

Less noticeable, but no less significant, is the explosion of Vincentian entrepreneurs who are constructing and listing individual small properties on online marketplaces like Airbnb. Today, over 300 listings, representing over 600 bedrooms across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, are offered on Airbnb. Two weeks ago, our Tourism Authority commenced negotiations with Airbnb on a Memorandum of Understanding to, among other things, ensure that these providers pay their fair share of fees and taxes.

As indicated in the 2018 Budget Address, the Government can and must play a role in accelerating the increase in hotel room stock, and in establishing the identity of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ mass tourism product. One of the advantages of our comparatively late arrival to mass tourism is the ability to adopt best practices and avoid the pitfalls of some of our neighbours who have longer experience in this sector. For example, we recognise that the relationship between visitor arrivals and economic growth can be tenuous, if the Government does not implement policies to ensure the participation of local businesses and providers in the tourism value chain.

To be continued…..

THE FINANCE MINISTER stated that this Budget rests on “10 principles for jobs, growth and transformative sustainable development.” Among the 10 principles, he included the following: “diversifying the bases of economic growth” and “supporting job creation.” Then he lists ten “significant government” and five private projects that he says will exemplify those principles.

The point I wish to make, is that once again, this government has no place for the Ottley Hall Ship yard in its plans for the economy. When the Ottley Hall project was conceived, it was intended to create modern jobs and to diversify the bases of economic growth. The very things the Minister is said to be pursuing in this Budget.

Yet, there is a deafening silence on the project.

Every time I think about the Ottley Hall shipyard, I conclude that the government is failing this country. For years, under this government, the shipyard has been left to rust and rot.

Why has nothing been done by the government to make it work? It wasn’t always so; when they first came to office, it was not so. Back then, it was Ottley Hall this and Ottley that! You could not get them to shut up about Ottley Hall. When they were talking about the Ottley Hall project to lambast Sir James Mitchell and the NDP, you could not get a break from them.

They wanted to prove that Mitchell and the NDP were corrupt. Well, the NDP government had the idea to develop the marina and shipyard because they wanted to promote development in the country. We can all accept that the financing arrangements went wrong and we paid a price for it.

The ULP rode to power on the back of Ottley Hall, and one of the first things they did, was to set up the infamous Ottley Hall Inquiry, not to find out what went wrong with the financing of the project, but to investigate what the terms of reference said was the “failed” Ottley Hall Project. They had already concluded that the project had failed, even before the project was completed or the commission of inquiry had started its deliberations.

in the Caribbean. Those were his sentiments. He was no doubt referring to the covered dry dock which makes the shipyard unique in the Caribbean.

So, why does the government not recognize this and act accordingly?

Right now, the dry dock is not functioning. Why is that so? The Prime Minister answered my question in Parliament last week. He said the dock gate had been removed for repair, and that was why the workers were redundant. But that the gate would be fixed by February 15, and work will resume. I visited Ottley Hall to see for myself. The gate is massive.

It must have been very difficult to get it out of the water and onto the dock concrete yard, and credit to the operator for doing so. But there is a lot of work to be done on it. There is no way that gate will be repaired by February 15 or March 15.

Meanwhile, over thirty workers are idle. No money for them. I wonder what their union, the National Workers Movement, is doing for them.

The main business at Ottley Hall now seems to be the cutting up of scrap metal and selling it abroad. I am told that the company that leases the facility has the right to do so under its lease. But, Ottley Hall is not a scrap yard; it was built to be a shipyard. It makes me angry to see that the facility is being neglected by the government. They will say oh we have leased it, what more you want us to do? Well, we heard last week that the lessee is in arrears on the rent.

It is time for a full assessment of the project, to see what is needed to bring it to its full potential. The fundamental problem with Ottley Hall is simply this: The PM and the ULP want to destroy the legacy of the NDP. Having said so many bad things about it, they cannot bear to see it succeed. How else can we understand the years of utter neglect of it under this government? So much so, that it does not ever factor into their plans for the development and diversification of the economy. Ottley Hall is not only an NDP legacy; it is a legacy of the people of SVG. It belongs to the people and they expect their government, however The Inquiry is now history constituted, would govern not out of spite and pettiness, but in the interest The government spent millions on it, and it found nothing. But the ULP of the people of SVG. Ottley Hall has so much to offer this country, even got what they were after: political power! Then what? There has been no now.

The facility can be an excellent serious interest on the part of the training place for students from the government in making the project technical college and other TVET work. And it can work, if the will is programs. Then it can offer wellthere to make it succeed. Anybody paying jobs to our young people. The with any knowledge of boats and Minister says he is doing so much for shipyards will tell you so. young people. Well, you are letting In fact, recently I was with a them down here. gathering of friends in Bequia, and Sadly, I have concluded that Ottley someone raised the question with me.

“What’s happening with Ottley Hall?” Hall cannot succeed under the ULP government. They will not allow it to he asked. I was pleasantly surprised fly. As someone who knows the that he had raised the matter. So, I said “I don’t know. You tell me.” And project well recently put it: The setup they have down at Ottley Hall right he responded that it is a “damn shame” because it is the best shipyard now is designed to fail. Sad but true.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 11.

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The Woe and the Weal

“Unless you have bad times, you can’t appreciate the good times.” Joseph Paul Torre (born 1940) - American professional baseball executive, serving in the capacity of Major League Baseball’s chief baseball possible to invest significant amount officer since 2011. A former player, of energy, time, and money in a manager and television commentator. relationship or an investment that fails. In business, and in personal SOME READERS MAY QUESTION the relationships, we must be prepared accuracy of the quotation that was used for the good times as well as the bad. to introduce this essay. Understandably, We must be mentally and emotionally we could argue that we do not have to prepared for better and for worse; for go through bad times to appreciate good times and for bad times too. good times. After all, we could see the This is the dicot of life; both sides of a bad times that are played out in the lives of those around us, and be thankful single coin. This is the reality of life.

And as painful as it may seem, this that we are in a better position than they are. However, be that as it may, we lends balance to life. An all have experiences that will qualify to understanding and appreciation of this reality helps us to better cope be placed in both categories – bad times and good times. Comparing these with the woes and the weals of life.

The essay that appeared in the bad and good times (the valley Daily Bread Devotional referred to occurrences as well as the mountain top the 2003 infestation of the Mormon experiences) often help us to put life cricket in a section of the farmlands into perspective. It is usually at times like these, when we do the comparisons, in the United States of America. The writer noted that the invasion of these that we realize that we still have so grasshopper-like insects resulted in much to be thankful for. We reflect on US$25 million in lost crops. Although the fact that even though we may have experienced loss, we still have so much relatively small, 2 inches long, appearing in large numbers can leave left. a trail of devastation. However, Recent reading of the Daily Bread Devotional introduced me to the word within a few years, the farming communities that were shattered “weal” (benefits). The article in the then, were able to rebound. devotional booklet referred to a Many readers may recall the 1988 passage in the Old Testament book of fire that destroyed approximately the bible that many Christians have 800,000 acres of the Yellowstone Park memorized, as efforts are made to in Wyoming, United States of retain a positive outlook on life after a America. That fire was the largest tragic experience. The passage is wildfire in the recorded history of the taken from Joel 2:20-27 and refers to park. Approximately 36% of the park the restoration that is possible when was gutted by the fire. The fire, faith is placed in our all-powerful and which began in June, lasted through providing God. The extract describes to November of that year. That was a the wanton destruction that can occur woeful time for many nature lovers when pests such as locusts invade and concerned citizens around the farmland. They can utterly destroy world. However, video footage taken the crops. However, even after such several years later confirmed that the destruction, it is possible for areas that were devastated by the restoration to take place. We can conflagration had been reforested. rebound. We can recover. There can The dark grey carpet of ash that had be renewal. We can therefore be covered the forest floor had been encouraged, knowing that even when replaced by various shades of green we face massive loss of finance, body vegetation. Birds and animals had function, relationships, and so on, it is also returned and were flourishing. possible for us to cope and, in some The woe was replaced by the weal! cases, recoup.

These examples, the lessons from Farmers know what it is like to nature and from life, remind us that experience losses. It can be very the destructions/devastations of today frustrating and disheartening when a can be a forerunner to multiple farmer cares for animals and/or crops, blessings tomorrow. There is good and then fall prey to losses due to reason to hope. The canker worms, theft, accident, or disease. This is the locusts, the Mormon crickets, and especially so when the animals or the fires of life, may seem to utterly crops are just right for marketing. destroy … but while there is life there They also know how devastating it is is good reason to hope. Financial to be at the mercy of the weather. disaster, broken relationships, tragic The scarcity of water can often signal accidents, diseases, and so many ruin. Surplus water and flooding, on other circumstances of life may the other hand, can be equally appear to have the upper hand for a destructive. However, the farmers moment. They may exert a press on … and we benefit from their tremendous amount of woe. But, with persistence. They know that it is God’s help, we can anticipate the possible to go through the woes of abundance generated by the recovery farming to experience the weal of and bask in the glory of the weal. harvest.

Life, too, can reflect the scenario Send comments, criticisms & presented in the previous paragraph. suggestions to We have our ups and our downs. It is julesferdinand@gmail.com

Venezuela: US Playbook of crime FRUSTRATION ALWAYS OVERCOMES ME when people, who are for the most part sensible, logical and rational, get taken for a ride by the establishment media. In fact, the current ‘snow job’ being done on Venezuela by the mass media, reminded me of the wise saying by Malcolm X ‘if you are not extremely careful, the media will cause you to hate your friends and love your enemies.’

The media tells us that the elected President of Venezuela is a dictator responsible for the ‘humanitarian’ crisis in his country. The media also tells us that Juan Guaido, who never ran for president of Venezuela, is the ‘interim president’ who will save Venezuela from disaster.

Britain confiscated more than a US 1 billion, while the US government impounded much more, and has even turned some of this money over to the treasonous, coup plotting, illegal ‘interim president.’

Because of the seizure of Venezuelan state assets, the refusal of the rich and powerful nation’s and institutions to offer letters of credit as well as the tough, illegal sanctions imposed by the US and others, Venezuela is increasingly unable to buy necessary products such as food and medicine, as well as make vital investment in its crucial oil industry.

A combination of these measures, intended to make the Venezuelan ‘economy scream’ and to destroy the popular base of support for the revolution among the people, has created a ‘humanitarian crisis’ similar to what we have seen before. But we fail to pay attention.

We join Jim Kavanaugh of Counter Punch in making this bold, but truthful claim: 'Is there a desperate economic situation and tremendous human suffering in Venezuela? You bet there is!

How could there not be, when the U.S., the most powerful economic force in the world, in alliance with Venezuelan oligarchy and private capital, which still controls 70% of the economy (And increasing. So much for Venezuela being “socialist”!), has been waging fullspectrum economic warfare and social sabotage against the country for almost twenty years.'

The unsuspecting may dismiss this claim as the wild mutterings of unrepentant radicals. But wait, you may be more persuaded if you were to hear the words of William Brownfield, former US Ambassador to Venezuela, who in pressing for more sanctions on Venezuela, dispensed with the standard ‘humanitarian’ cover that US officials have offered for them. On February 10, Brownfield said: ‘And if we can do something that will bring that end quicker, we probably should do it, but we should do it understanding that it’s going to have an impact on millions and millions of people who are already having great difficulty finding enough to eat, getting themselves cured when they get sick, or finding clothes to put on their children before they go off to school. We don’t get to do this and pretend as though it has no impact there. We have to make the hard decision–the desired outcome justifies this fairly severe punishment.’

And if you are not convinced of the lengths to which these high officials of major governments will go to bring to their knees governments they despise, we offer an excerpt from 60 Minutes, the popular CBS news magazine program of May 12, 1996: Lesley Stahl on U.S. sanctions against Iraq: We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?

Then Secretary of State Madeleine

Albright: I think this is a very hard choice, but the price—we think the price is worth it.

It’s worth noting that on 60 Minutes, Albright made no attempt to deny the figure given by Stahl—a rough rendering of the preliminary estimate in a 1995 U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report that 567,000 Iraqi children under the age of five had died as a result of the sanctions. In August 1999, UNICEF came out with the first authoritative report, based on a survey of 24,000 households, suggesting that the total “excess” deaths of children under 5 was about 500,000. These people are the real criminals. They have a case to answer at the International Criminal Court and not president Maduro.

The same policy of economic aggression was witnessed in the American crime plan to overthrow Salvador Allende in Chile. Allende, who was elected in 1970, was overthrowned in a military coup on September 11, 1973. Jack Devine, a junior CIA operative stationed in Chile during Allende’s presidency, told Foreign Affairs Magazine in 2014: ‘Two days after Allende’s inauguration, the Nixon Administration developed a plan to make economic success as difficult as possible for the Allende regime. They consist of efforts to ensure that other Latin American governments knew how strongly the US opposed the Allende government and to ‘encourage’ them to adopt a similar posture; to ‘coordinate efforts’ with those other Latin American governments to oppose action by the Allende government; to exclude, terminat[e], reduce, and limit economic aid to Chile in all forms (credit, ‘financial assistance,) both from the US and international sources; and to advise US firms with interests in Chile that the US would bring pressure on the Allende regime.’

Peter Kornbluh, who studied the Allende period, also told Foreign Affairs: ‘Nixon demanded that the US dump a portion of its copper holdings, ‘to quickly undermine the world price of copper, Chile’s main exports. The White House refused to give instructions to the US representative in the IDB regarding the US vote for loans to Chile, indefinitely stalling the loan process.

The Eximbank continued to give Chile a credit rating of ‘D,’ which reduced Chile’s chance of receiving loans from private US sources. Administration officials also sought to isolate Chile from its Latin American neighbours, and ‘considered trying to expel Chile…from the OAS.’ Peter Kornbluh contends that the Nixon Administration’s policy of economic strangulation destroyed the Chilean economy, destabilizing the country politically as well. In 1974 — the New York Times admitted that the CIA created the misery, making it impossible for Allende to govern so that a US puppet could be installed. The same criminal play book is being used against Venezuela.

Clearly, what the U.S is doing to Venezuela is a criminal aggression that no longer has any place in the world.

Maduro correctly asserts that the aid is cover for a military invasion. Everyone with any anti-colonial credibility must unhesitatingly and unequivocally identify and denounce this action for what it is, and do whatever they can to put a stop to it.

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

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

36 million more in taxes imposed upon Vincentians

Policy and Budgeting from Bradford University, England, and an MBA from Leicester University, England.

The ULP regime is set to squeeze 36 and around our country. VAT has In today’s world, competent Ivan O’Neal is better suited to million dollars more in taxes out of decimated the rural economy and financial management of public manage the SVG public accounts and Vincentians in 2019, than they did in caused many businesses to cut jobs or finances is critical for the economic create a strong and sustainable 2018. Life is going to get even tougher close down. VAT has caused thousands and financial success of any country. economy. for our people. of job losses.

The only way to make the SVG Squeezing 568 million dollars in The table shows that in 2018, the Increasing tax when the SVG economy strong and create sustainable taxes out of Vincentians in 2019 will ULP regime extracted over 532 million economy is so weak is a backward jobs for our people, is to elect a have a devastating impact on dollars in taxes from our people. Not step. It illustrates the incompetence of government that can create businesses, many of which are content with this already very high the ULP regime in managing the sustainable streams of revenue and experiencing their worst sales for level of taxation, the ULP regime economy, and shows that they do not competently manage the public decades. The ULP regime’s higher intends to wring a huge 568 million know how to resuscitate the dead finances. taxes will cause more poverty and dollars in taxes from us in 2019. economy and create mass employment.

The ULP regime has poorly unemployment throughout our This Higher taxes means less disposable managed the SVG economy with country. destructive income for households, which means massive fiscal deficits from 2001 to A Green government would high level of people will spend even less money in 2019. They are utterly hopeless at introduce a modern and fair tax taxation is shops and other businesses, which managing the SVG public accounts system to reduce the burden on crushing poor means even more businesses will close and weak in finance.

Vincentians and help businesses grow households. down. As more and more businesses Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal has a and agriculture flourish. A Green How are people going to feed their close down, there will be more job cuts BSc (Hons.) degree in Accounting and government would abolish VAT and children, send them to school and pay and higher unemployment, which Finance and Economics from Oxford reduce the taxes that Vincentians water and light bills with such high means less money for households Brookes University, England; an MSc must pay. taxes? …and so the downward spiral degree in Macro Economics, Planning, A huge amount of this tax is VAT. continues.

VAT is stifling the economy and is the Higher taxes are unfair and biggest barrier to stimulating economic immoral. It should not happen when growth. Ask businesses and they will the super-rich of Mustique and confirm this. Analysis of our economy Canouan get tax and customs duty shows that VAT is a major disaster for exemptions of hundreds of millions of SVG. dollars under the Mustique Act NO 48 by KIMANI WISEMAN matter found in human VAT is sucking the lifeblood out of of 2002, and Taiwan creams off billions waste serve as a food poor households and killing our of dollars from SVG’s deep sea fish DOCTORS have for algae. According to economy. Money is not circulating in licence. deemed diabetes and a report published by hypertension, if left UNICEF and the World undetected, as silent Health Organization in killers among humans.

2008, 1.2 billion people However, within our worldwide live without streams there is a any sanitation silent killer that has facilities. the potential to wreak In 2018, Florida Eutrophication in a village havoc. This silent beaches were under pond (algae float to the killer is siege with “red tide surface) “eutrophication”. algae”. This algae killed Eutrophication is 100 manatees, 12 the abundance of nutrients such as dolphins, thousands of fish, and 300 nitrogen and phosphorous which come sea turtles. It was described by many from sources, including fertilizer run as a “rotting marine grave yard”. off, sewage, etc., and settle in our Scientists believe that back in water sources. They cause an November 2017, two months after outbreak of algae, which depletes the hurricane Irma drenched the state, oxygen levels in the water and can engineers released a mass of water lead to the deaths of marine animals from Florida’s Lake Okeechobee to and plants, the effect of which can be prevent flooding; those fertilizer rich a “dead zone” in the ocean. waters flowed to the ocean and helped Agriculture is the backbone of many fuel “red tide algae”. countries across the world. According Globally, ecotourism generates $77 to the Food and Agriculture billion in revenue and makes up 5-7 Organization [FAO], more than 60 percent of the overall travel and percent of the world’s population tourism market. Can you imagine the depends on agriculture for survival. amount of money countries would lose This heavy dependency means that if eutrophication were to kill a lot of countries use a lot of synthetic marine animals and put them at risk fertilizers which have the advantage of of extinction? releasing nutrients very quickly for Here are some tips on how to plant growth. While this is good, they alleviate eutrophication: (fertilizers) are leached away very * farmers should do more easily into our streams fuelling composting and use less synthetic “euthrophication”. fertilizers; The construction of pig pens near to * do not construct pig pens near streams would compound streams, and do not tie livestock/ euthrophication. Pig waste is rich in animals near streams; nitrogen and phosphorous, which is * government should put measures essential for plant growth and in place to ensure that untreated development but, as referenced above, waste water from households and if too much enters our streams, it businesses do not seep into any would cause an outbreak of algae streams or the ocean. which would also affect our coral reefs.

Measures like proper diet and Brazil is the third largest pork regular exercise can prevent diabetes production worldwide, but has seen and hypertension. Are we also eutrophication of major river basins in prepared to adhere to certain practices the producing regions. so that we can prevent eutrophication Untreated human sewage is a and set us on a path to achieving the perfect recipe for euthrophication. The blue economy/so that countries nitrates, phosphates, and organic globally can achieve the blue economy?

Eutrophication - A silent killer in the environment

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 13.

Focus

Special Olympics swimmers prep for Abu Dhabi THE FOUR SWIMMERS who will be representing St Vincent and the Grenadines at next month’s Special Olympics Games in Abu Dhabi, used last weekend’s CGM Gallagher Swim Invitational Championships, at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre at Ratho Mill, to fine tune their preparations.

The Games are scheduled for March 8 to 22, at which the quartet of Jason Williams, Raquel Miller, Walsh Ollivierre and Krista Bynoe, all from the Grenadine isle of Bequia, are SVG’s representatives in the swimming discipline.

Under the supervision of Coach Helen Ashton, who is also from Bequia, the four swimmers are engaged in practice at least three times per week.

Ashton noted the limitations of not having a proper pool for their practice sessions.

“We use a small pool on one of the days, and we use the sea on the other days,” she said.

She was, however, thankful that the swimmers got in some work in a pool (Shrewsbury

Centre), which is close to the best type of conditions of training they would need for the Games.

Looking ahead to the Games, Ashton projected, “As much as we would want them to win gold medals, it is not all about winning, but I will like them to do their best, and show others that they can do it”.

Williams, Ollivierre and Bynoe will contest the 100m Freestyle and the 50m Breaststroke, while Miller is listed in the 50 Freestyle and the 25m Breaststroke .

Apart from Swimming, St Vincent and the Grenadines Special Olympians will contest the disciplines of Football, Bocce,

Special Olympics gets donation from NY SPECIAL OLYMPICS SVG was on Tuesday, the recipient of a cheque in the amount of US$1,000 to help defray costs involved in sending a team to the 2019 Special Olympic Games, scheduled for March 8 — 22, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Gailene Windsor (right), Emirates. representative of the St The cheque was a Vincent and the Grenadines donation from the St. Diaspora Committee of New Vincent and the York, presents cheque to Grenadines Diaspora Sezevra Joseph, National Committee of New Director of Special York, and a presented Olympics SVG. on that organization’s behalf by Sport Ambassador Gailene Windsor.

Windsor said that there were no special conditions attached to the use of the donation, saying that it could be used towards travel expenses, or any other related area of expenditure.

Sezevra Joseph, the National Director of Special Olympics SVG, accepted the cheque on behalf of the Special Olympians, and thanked the Diaspora Committee for its generous donation.

She assured the Committee that they were contributing to a cause that would see Special Vincentian young people being exposed to a different culture and competing in a variety of sporting disciplines.

SVG is down to compete in football, bocce, tennis, swimming and athletics at the Abu Dhabi Games. The team is expected to leave the state on March 6.

Tennis and Athletics.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines contingent is set to depart here 6th March and return 25th March.

From left : Sezevra Joseph, National Director of Special Olympics, Walash Ollivierre, Krista Bynoe, Raquel Miller, Jason Williams, and Helen Ashton – Coach.

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14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Japan donates to SMRC

by GLORIAH…

THE GENEROSITY of the government and people of Japan was clearly seen when, on Wednesday 13th February, Ambassador designate of the Embassy of Japan, HE Tatsuo Hirayama, signed an agreement to hand over a sum of $33,047 US to Ms. Eula Johnny, Principal of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School (SMRC).

The activity, which took place at the Catholic Diocesan Pastoral Centre at Edinboro, was also attended by Mrs. Hirayama, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy; Ms. Chiharu Hoshiai; Ms. Crystal Austin, Project Consultant; Ms. Yvette Antoine, Senior Education Officer; Bishop Gerard County, CSSP of Kingstown; Mrs. Sandy Peters-Phillips, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; student and teacher representatives of the SMRC; and Mr. Ezra Ledger, President of the PTA SMTC. Principal Johnny welcomed Ambassador Hirayama and his

delegation to “our beautiful island St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Gem of the Antilles.” She told the audience that the funds were accessed through the Japan Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project.

She explained that the school acquired a property/building six years ago to accommodate its growing numbers. The building required a concrete floor to better serve the needs of the students and to decrease the need for ongoing repairs going into the futire.

Expressing sincere gratitude to the benefactors, Ms. Johnny stated, “We are very happy for this, because it is together we will succeed in changing the future of our children.”

In his address, the Ambassador expressed his extreme pleasure in visiting the country to sign a document that will extend cooperation between his embassy and the historical school.

He was pleased to note that both countries shared the same values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law; and how the challenges of natural

disasters, climate change and regional and global instability are faced by both. These, he intimated, facilitated a friendship between the two countries, that has resulted in the assistance offered through his embassy.

The school, he said, Ambassador designate of the Embassy of Japan, with over one hundred HE Tatsuo Hirayama (right) and Ms. Eula Johnny, years of history and over Principal of the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School six hundred students, (SMRC), sign the agreement of assistance. presents a prime project for assistance. “This is why I am more “take up a major part of our national than happy to sign this document,” he budget.”

Bishop County expressed his thanks said., adding, “Education is a priority on behalf of the Diocese of Kingstown area for any country, because and the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic providing a greater education is School in particular. He called the absolutely essential for bringing the donation an expression of the harmony next generation.” for mankind that God intended at His Other speakers lending their voice creation of the world, i.e. “that people to the occasion were SEO Yvette of different nations and cultures, come Antoine who spoke on behalf of the together to bring assistance to those in Chief Education Officer. She need.” expressed the Ministry’s pleasure Then, with effusive thanks given by about the partnership fostered to PTA President Ezra Ledger, the wellpromote education, which she said, received ceremony concluded.

SVG Conservation Fund launched ON TUESDAY, February 12th, 2019, The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Conservation Fund (SVGCF) was officially launched at the Paradise Beach Hotel, Villa Beach, Villa.

A wide spectrum of stakeholders attended the event and heard speeches from the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. Saboto Caesar), the Minister of Health (Hon. Luke Browne), the Minister of Finance (Hon. Camillo Gonsalves), the chairman of the SVGCF (Mr. Michael John); the CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) (Mr. Yabanex Baptista); and the CEO of the SVGCF (Mr. Vanburn Harry). The vote of thanks was given by the Vice-Chair person of the SVGCF (Ms. Louise Mitchell).

The SVGCF was Incorporated in November 2015 as a Not for Profit Company, whose general purpose is to provide a sustainable flow of funds to support the long-term management and expansion of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National System of Protected Areas and other activities that contribute substantially to the conservation, protection and maintenance of its biodiversity.

The SVGCF functions

on a set of core values which include: Transparency and Integrity; Cooperation and Inclusivity; Conservation and Sustainability; Accountability; and Education.

The vision of the SVGCF is to ensure that the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are healthy, and communities are active stewards in its conservation and management. Its mission is to source and provide funding to support activities that contribute substantially to the conservation, protection and maintenance of biodiversity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines In consideration of our Vision and Mission, the SVGCF will work toward achieving the following Goals: protect and enhance critical ecosystems in St. Vincent and the Grenadines against threats inclusive of pollution, unsustainable development, climate change; strengthen the governance and management effectiveness of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ PAs to protect critical environments; educate, raise awareness and empower citizens of St. Vincent and the

WPP mounts Pediatric Eye/ Plastics mission

Grenadines to Government Ministers and support conservation SVGCF members at the efforts; create offcial launch of the SVGCF. sustainable livelihoods through terrestrial biodiversity the provision of funding and ecosystem resources and training to persons (e.g., fisherfolk supporting conservation associations, youth efforts. groups, church groups); A variety of recipients other appropriate local in St. Vincent and the entities of St. Vincent Grenadines will be and the Grenadines eligible to receive grants working toward the from the SVGCF. vision, mission, and goals Potential recipient types of the SVGCF. include: public sector The SVGCF will agencies responsible for support single grants natural resource, lasting no more than two protected areas and years, ranging from biodiversity $5,000 - $50,000 USD., conservation; local grantees may be able to universities or colleges apply for and receive conducting activities more funding following relevant to the vision, the completion of the mission, goals, and first grant. strategies of the SVGCF; The potential types of local or regional grantee activities that (Caribbean) NGOs the SVGCF may consider established, legallyfor funding are: registered and existing Protected Area in St. Vincent and the Management Activities; Grenadines; private Education and corporations or other awareness; Technical companies from relevant support/capacity industries involved in building; Conservationmarine/terrestrial oriented Research; ecosystem and Equipment/tools related biodiversity clean-up, to biodiversity protection, conservation, management; Policy and/or monitoring; local strengthening for community conservation; Create associations/community sustainable Livelihoods bodies with direct impact (Submitted by the on marine and/or SVGCF)

WORLD Pediatric Project (WPP) continued its outreach service to children here and in the OECS generally, with a Pediatric Eyes and Plastics Mission mounted here from February 10 — 15, 2019.

The Pediatric Plastic Surgery team evaluated Dr. Nadia Blanchet children with many (left) and Dr. Donna different physical Brown, led the anomalies, with special attention being given to the Plastics and Optical complex cases and follow-up teams respectively. cases.

A total of forty-one (41) children were seen in clinic, including four (4) from St. Lucia, one (1) each from St.Kitts and Dominica. Twenty —one children received surgical care.

The Pediatric Plastic Surgery team, led by plastic surgeon Dr. Nadia Blanchet of The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, also included anesthesiologists Dr. Jay Stone and Dr. Marvin Shapiro, pediatric plastic surgery resident Dr. Jeremy Powers, Operating Room nurse Lisa Sizemore and Surgical Technician.

Dr. Donna Brown - Pediatric Ophthalmologist led the optical team, with support from daughter and Optician in training Dr. Karen Brown, Mary O’Hanley a certified registered nurse anesthetist as well as local doctor Dr. Sherice Grant-Ledger.

A total of forty-eight (48) patients, including one from St. Kitts and Nevis, were seen, and twenty-two surgeries were performed.

Dr Brown also assisted Dr. Grant-Ledger with three (3) adult surgery cases.

WPP continues to mobilize pediatric specialty teams with an Orthopedic mission being led by Dr. Miller slated for April 7th. Parents and guardians of children who may need to be assessed are asked to contact the World Pediatric Project office at 784-451-2989 for more information.

WPP has been working in SVG since 2002 providing surgical and diagnostic services through visiting pediatric teams and facilitating advanced medical attention and service in the USA, for children in SVG and the OECS.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 15.

Tributes

SVG loses a ÂMan of all SeasonsÊ

DR. EDGAR ADAMS, known affectionately as ‘Doc’, passed away last week Thursday – February 14, 2019 - at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Adams was described as an iconic Vincentian figure who was known to be many ‘things’ to many people.

He was by training and profession an Optometrist, having graduated from the Northampton College of Advanced Technology in England.

He returned to his homeland in 1962 and became ‘the young Turk on the block’ in an area of service — eye care - that had been dominated by the likes of Dr. Pamenos Eustace and Dr. Alderman Sutherland.

He served in the national health system and also offered private service, long before he became, in the late 1960s, the resident Optometrist at Imperial Optical.

Dr. Adams also practised his craft in neighbouring St. Lucia, Barbados and Dominica.

He was, if we are to take the word of those young persons of the day, 1960s and early 70s, a major driving force in establishing the ‘excursion culture’ that developed between St. Lucia and SVG, that gave rise to many a matrimonial union between persons from both states.

In as much as he helped to modernize the eye care service

in SVG, he was at all times an ardent reader and social commentator.

His family, ship- builders of much repute, influenced his appreciation of Vincentian life and culture, and there was little surprise when he became actively involved in the arts, culture generally, and the effort to catalogue and correct the history of St. Vincent.

His involvement in the arts was both as exponent and creator. He was a dancer and choreographer of much acclaim, and was a member of the Light-Operatic Society, along with the likes of Pat Prescod, that produced the stage musicals Mikardo and Gondoliers in the 1960s.

And, his traverse in the arts did not escape an eye on and an integral role in developing the annual Carnival of SVG, It followed that the entertainment offerings of mainland St. Vincent would eventually come within his grasp, and ‘Doc’ is remembered for ‘revolutionising’ the night club business here, with his managing of Sea View and then the ever impacting Cheddes night clubs, both located in ‘Bottom’ Edinbro.

The youth of the day recall his early use of the ‘black light’ as a means of identifying patrons.

His Fishnet Restaurant and Bar, located in what has become known as the downtown KFC building, at

Dr. Edgar ‘Doc’ Adams is remembered as a multi-talented and generous human being. the corner of Back and Melville Streets, was not only a place to whet one’s appetite with the best local cuisine one could find anywhere in ‘town, but was also a rendezvous for those dabbling in or already involved in the literary arts.

He and the Fishmet made the guidance of Shake Keane available to guide many a young writer of the 70s.

In more recent times, he devoted his time, energy and money to writing and publishing, establishing himself at the forefront of those determined to record the history of our fair land.

At the last count, he had

authored and published twelve full length pieces on various aspects of the history, culture and geography of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

These range from monograms on Nine Mornings and more, to more exacting works like ‘People on the Move.’ ‘The Effects of some Important Historical Events on the People of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ (2002), ‘The Carib Country Sugar Estates & Georgetown: 1797 — 2010 (2010) and ‘The African Presence and Influence on the Cultural Traditions of St Vincent (2015), just to name a few.

These and all his other published works are available at R&M Adams Book Centre located in the Cruise Ship Terminal, where ‘Doc’ spent his twilight years enticing all who would come his way, into the wide and edifying world of books.

The legacy of this overwhelmingly influential Vincentian is assured in the persons of his daughter Jasmin and son Ricardo, current Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation, to whom THE VINCENTIAN extends sincerest condolences.

Archdeacon Adams: A Life of Service of the Parish of St. Mary, Bequia (with Holy Cross, Paget Farm); St. Michael, Canouan; Mustique and St. Matthias, Union Island for over forty-five years and as Archdeacon of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for approximately THE DIOCESE OF THE WINDWARD thirty years . He also served at the St. ISLANDS is saddened by the passing George’s Parish Church, Archdeaconry of the Venerable Charles Alexander of Grenada during the interregnum in Adams (Emeritus) of Bequia, who died 1984-85. on Friday 15th February, 2019 around Archdeacon Adams will be 11:00pm at the Milton Cato Memorial remembered for his generosity, Hospital, Kingstown, St. Vincent and hospitality, his dedication to the Grenadines, at the age of 89. education, and for his contribution to The late Archdeacon Charles the development of Bequia in Alexander Adams was born on the particular. He believed that the 19th December 1929. He is originally Gospel was concerned not only for the from Georgetown, St. Vincent and the spiritual needs of people, but for the Grenadines. whole man.

He migrated to England where he He was the founder of and person studied for the priesthood and was responsible for the construction and ordained Deacon in 1960 and to operation of the Bequia Anglican High priesthood 28th May 1961. He School, now the Bequia Community returned to the Diocese as a High, and gave yeoman service to the missionary from the Church of people of Bequia through his ministry England in 1967 and served as Rector and involvement in social and Editor’s Note: The following is a contribution from the Diocese of the Windward Islands, in the name of the Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday, Bishop of the Windward Islands.

community work.

He assisted many young people in the Parish and beyond, in pursuit of their goals, and was a source of strength and comfort to those who were in difficulty or need. Many persons from St. Vincent, including non-Anglicans, can speak of his remarkable hospitality. The Rectory doors were always open, and all were welcomed to share a meal or to be refreshed, when Archdeacon served there.

We give thanks for his many years of invaluable and faithful ministry as Archdeacon of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Rector of the Parish of St. Mary, Bequia (with Holy Cross, Paget Farm): St. Michael, Canouan; Mustique and St. Matthias, Union Island, and generally as a priest in the Diocese.

The vesting took place at 2:00pm on Thursday 21st February, 2019 followed by the vigil at the St. George’s Cathedral from 3:00 to 5:00pm.

The Venerable Charles Alexander Adams (Emeritus) impacted lives in a wholesome and fulfilling manner.

The funeral service for Venerable Charles Alexander Adams (Emeritus) of Bequia takes place today, beginning at 10:00am at the St. George’s Cathedral, Kingstown, followed by a short service at the St. Mary’s Parish Church, Bequia, and the interment in the church yard cemetery.

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16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Community

BBO celebrates its anniversary

THE LAYOU-BASED BECKET BENEFIT ORGANIZATION (BBO) this week, celebrated its Anniversary with a Week of Activities.

The 2019 Anniversary activities got going with a Church Service at the Layou Methodist Church last Sunday, February 17. Members of BBO said that it was a spirited service of thanks officiated by Rev. Michael Charles, whose message was impacting and well received.

Activities continued on Monday at the Layou Roman Catholic Centre with a lecture dubbed Health Talk, led by renowned Health Educator Harvey Farrell, who, from all reports, held his

audience in rapt attention. The information shared through this lecture reverberated well into the week, right across the Layou community.

Members of BBO and well-wishers came together on Tuesday evening for what was described as a Fun Walk from Glebe Hill, Barrouallie to Layou.

In as much as it was a walk characterised by a light-hearted spirit, some ‘walkers’ found it in keeping with their regular fitness regimen.

Activities returned to the Roman Catholic Centre on Wednesday for a Games Evening. Persons from the wider community and BBO members

Members of the Becket Benefit Organisation gathered for this group photo after the Church Service held last Sunday, February 17. engaged in a range of indoor games, played out in a spirit of healthy competition and fun.

The Week of Activities climaxed last evening, Thursday, with an Outdoor Sports Night at Layou Hard Court.

The feature event was a Cricket Match between a Layou team (comprised of BBO members) and a team from Barrouallie. Other sporting activities included volleyball, netball, and football.

The BBO handed over a quantity of workbooks to the Layou Government School in October 2017….just one of their many donations to date.

equipment for students.

Since its formation, the About BBO Organisation has established a number of community-focused The Becket Benefit Foundation activities, among these being an (BBO) is a non-profit organization August 1st Family Fun and Aquatic which was started on 16th January, Sports Day, an Annual Children 2015, on the initiative of Christmas Party, and the much internationally acclaimed recording acclaimed Soca Masters Concert held and performing artiste and Layou the weekend after the official closure native Alston Becket Cyrus. of Vincy Mas. Its primary focus is contributing to Funds for BBO community outreach uplifting the Layou community, and programme are raised through locallyimmediately surrounding based fund-raising activities and communities, in terms of education donations. and health services, and to assist with The Executive of BBO recognizes the development of sports and cultural the support it has received from the activities. people of Layou in particular and, It has a particular focus on assisting through this medium, thanks them for with medical expenses for the needy, same. and educational supplies and

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 17.

18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 , 2019. 19.

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20. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Pregnant for my teacher Dear George, I AM PREGNANT for my teacher, and he has threatened to kill me if I tell anybody. He said if I expose him, he is going to lose his job and they would send him to jail. If that happens, he said, there would be no one to help me take care of the baby.

My other class teacher knows something is wrong with me, but she does not know that I am pregnant. I know I can trust her, but I am always remembering all what my teacher said to me.

My father is not around as he is sailing, and I live with my mother and my other two sisters. I am a form two

student and I am afraid my friends would soon find out about my situation.

Please tell me what to do as I do not want to get my teacher into trouble.

only than would they know how to proceed from there.

No teacher should be allowed to get away with sexually molesting XXna students. You are in a position to help put a Dear XXna stop to this. You need not feel alone. If you Thank you for sharing need additional support, with me. You have to then you can make a call keep in mind that there to The Marion House are people in your corner and talk to a counsellor who would give you the there. support you need at this Do not have any time. You have further communication mentioned that you trust with that teacher who this other teacher. I molested you. Let the suggest arrange a process take its course, meeting involving you, and in due time, justice your class teacher and would be served. your mother. Tell them about your situation; George

Taken for a ride man. The friend who saw her, took her picture and sent it to me.

MY GIRLFRIEND has I am going crazy right taken my money and run now, George. I intend to away to Barbados, and travel to Barbados to now I have lost contact hunt for her, and I know with her.

Both of us went to the I am going to be sitting in bank to withdraw money a Bajan jail when I find from my account to assist her. The surgery she said she needed was her to get a muchsupposed to take place needed surgery in two days after she left St. Barbados. I agreed to Vincent. So much for give her the money $40,000 - as we planned that and my hard-earned to be married a year from money. now.

Duped It has been two months since her Dear Duped, departure, and the most recent thing I heard is Your situation is an that she was seen in a party in Barbados with a unfortunate one, but you

Dear George,

should not contemplating taking matters into your own hands. My advice is that you go to the police and make a formal report. Give them as much information as possible, and let them take the matter forward on your behalf. As bad as it is, 40,000$ is not worth losing your freedom over.

Get someone — a counsellor - to help you sort out your emotions.

After your mind has been cleared, you should be able to make decisions that would better serve you in coping with your situation.

George

A big belly man!!!

Dear George,

Dear Not sure,

I SIMPLY do not want to be with my husband anymore. He has grown lazy in and out of bed. Among other things, he has a belly the size of a hot air balloon. I have lost all interest in him.

To help me cope with the situation, I am spending more time with a coworker. To be honest with you, I have been to bed with him a couple of times, and my husband cannot come close to him as far as performance is concerned. My co-worker also works out in the gym four times a week and has the body of a machine.

I am now thinking whether or not to continue with my husband or just break away completely and be with this man for whom I have fallen.

There are bound to be challenges in a marriage. There is no smooth ride. What matters is that you stick with it and sort the issues out together. I do not believe that your husband has gotten this way overnight, neither do I believe that your loss of interest should be attributed wholly and solely to him.

The more you focus on this coworker, the less you will see and think of your husband. Take your coworker out of the picture and you will be able to focus more on your husband and rebuilding your marriage.

I advise that both of you see a marriage counsellor to help both of you find that spark that was once there.

Not sure

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) You should expect to have changes in your home. Take part in stimulating debates that will allow you to show off your intelligence. It might be best not to spend your money on luxuries this week.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact. If they don’t like the plan, suggest that they con tribute a little. Emotional upset at work will set you back. Your tendency to dramatize may be a little much for your partner to take constantly.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Look into some form of physical recreation. Lack of funds may add stress to your already uncertain situation.

Don’t be too quick to judge your loved ones.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Join a club to work off that excess energy; but consider ways of doing that without spending the money. You will find the perfect outfit if you shop this week.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) You can make personal changes that will enhance your appearance and bring you greater popularity. It’s time to make professional changes. Don’t be afraid to make a move if you aren’t happy with your emotional situation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Your need to get away could lead you into greater debt. Talk to an older family member you have helped in the past.

You need to take a break with the ones you love. Investments will not be as they appear this week.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Try not to make waves. Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable.

You can make headway in the workforce if you put your mind to it. If you’ve been really busy, try to schedule some time to spend with loved ones.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Empty promises and a lack of cash may put a damper on your plans. Emotional situations could bring out your stubborn nature. You can avoid hassles by sticking to your work and refusing to get involved in gossip or idle chatter.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Direct your energy wisely. Romance may be better than you ever thought possible. Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble. Your outgoing nature will win hearts.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Don’t blame every thing on your mate.

You have worked hard and the payback is now. Your sensitive, affectionate nature will capture the heart of anyone you are attracted to.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Don’t be afraid to speak in defense of others. Lighten up your serious attitude Renovations to your domestic scene will pay high rewards. Opportunities to travel will develop through peers.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) You may have a problem keeping secrets.

Good day for romance. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money.

You can complete any projects efficiently, especially if you put the effort in yourself.

ACROSS 1. Poses a query 5. Skirt border 8. Theatrical pursuit 12. “Stay there!”

13. Birthday tally 14. Eternally 15. Besides 16. Family lad 17. Scared state 18. Arid locale 20. Thick strings 21. Regret 22. Neither this _ that 23. Jar material 26. Provisional licenses 30. Balloon filler 31. Melts 33. Gambling cube 34. Highly regarded 36. Take in (strays) 38. Cease 39. Of yesteryear 40. Playground fixture 43. Duration 47. Endure 48. Feathered hunter 50. Opera tune 51. Far from busy 52. Astrological sign 53. Small pastry 54. Gaze intently 55. Grass wetness 56. Sense organs DOWN 1. Astounded 2. Retain event 3. Affectionate greeting 4. Uses a rudder 5. Unnecessary speed 6. Self‐involvement

7. Adult fellows 8. Change ways 9. Finished 10. Guide 11. Does incorrectly 19. Corroding 20. Floral gift 22. Just hatched 23. Mower fuel 24. Gloss target 25. Possess being 26. Chum 27. Bridal‐vow words 28. Iceberg peak 29. Film backdrop 32. Consumed 35. Core 37. Exhibit

generosity 39. Let 40. Lose traction 41. Step through surf 42. Sea‐encircled spot

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 21.

44. Rain‐cloud color 45. Exhaust 46. Head covers 48. Opposite of young 49. Minuscule

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Corporate Public Speaking Contest is on

SIXTEEN PERSONS representing various businesses across the country will do battle against each other in the preliminary round of the first ever ‘National Corporate Public Speaking Championship’ tomorrow, February 23, at the Girl Guides Headquarters in Kingstown.

Each participant will speak on the topic ‘What is the role of social media in business?’

Arlette Miller, Chairperson of the National Corporate Public Speaking Championship and a member of Toast Masters, explained, “This [competition] is giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their talents and for up and coming managers and other senior persons, to give them the chance to speak on their behalf, this is the reason why we have started this.”

She further noted that Toast

Masters embodied the theme ‘Where leaders are made’ and the motto is — for better speaking, better listening, better thinking.

Many individuals have become better public speakers through their affiliation with the organization, Miller added, and they can attest to the positive strides they have made in relation to speaking publicly.

As for the format of the competition, Miller said that participants will be judged on content (50 points), development (30 points) and language (20 points).

The semi-finals, featuring 10 speakers, and the finals of five competitors, are slated for March 16 and April 13 respectively, venue(s) still to be decided.

Tomorrow’s activity is set to begin at 3pm. Admission is $5. (DD)

V MenÊs WIFA Football returns to Victoria Park

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 23.

THE VICTORIA PARK, Kingstown, will host the 2019 Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) Senior Men’s Football Tournament from February 28 to March 8.

Barbados once again, joins the four Windward Islands as competing countries.

The Tournament will have five days of actual competition with a double header on each day, as per fixtures below.

The host team, under

Victoria Park is once again host to the WIFA Senior Men’s Tournament and SVG hopes to make use of ‘home team’ advantage.

new coach Kendale Mercury, will be looking to improve their performance over their last WIFA tournament in Grenada in 2017, when they had a solitary win, one draw and two losses.

The lone win was a 4-2 triumph over Barbados, a 2-2 draw against Dominica, and losses to St Lucia, 2-1, and current title holders Grenada, 4-3.

Since the return of the Tournament in 2013 when this country was the host, the winners were: Grenada — 2013 and 2017, St Lucia — 2014 and SVG — 2015.

There was no Tournament in 2016.

Ahead of next week’s Tournament, twenty- five

local players were involved in a three-day camp from last Monday to Wednesday, at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation’s Technical Centre at the Brighton Playing Field.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Head CoachMercury, has indicated that local Football fans will see a “physically ready, mentally ready, tactically ready, (Vincy Heat), to play four matches in ten days”.

Mercury was appointed Head Coach last December, taking over from Cornelius Huggins, who held the post from 2012.

See Fixtures on Page 13.

Swimmers maintain ranks SEVERAL SWIMMERS maintained their ranks when the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation staged the 2019 CGM Gallagher Swim Championships at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre (SAC), from last Friday to Sunday.

Keeping hold of the Girls Under-8 category was Eltonique Leonard of Black Sands Swim Squad. She also was crowned the Sprint Champion of her age group.

Matching Leonard, Tyler Robinson of Blue Marlins claimed the Boys Under-8 title, and added that age group’s Sprint Champion trophy to his collection.

Zariel Nelson, a member of the Blue Marlins, won the individual title and was the 9- 12 Sprint Champion.

On the other side of the gender in the 9-10 age category, Blue Marlins’ swimmer Seth Byron was the Boys individual champion.

Meanwhile, the Black Sands Swim Squad’s pair of Jamie Joachim and Eltonte Leonard copped the Girls and Boys 11- 12 individual championships, respectively.

Leonard also was the 9- 12 Sprint Champion.

Up the age group, Mya De Freitas of the Black Sands Swim Squad was the Girls 13-14 winner. She also copped the 13 and over Sprint Champion.

The lone title to leave the shores of

Tyler Robinson, double winner in the Boys 8 and Under.

Right: Grenada’s Zachery Gresham, made his mark on the championships.

Left: Mya De Freitas, winner of the Girls 13-14, and 13 and over Sprint Champion.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was the 13- 14 Boys title, which was won

by Grenadian- Zachery Gresham, who represented Grenfins.

The Girls 15 and over winner was Blue Marlins’ Jaynika Williams, with Black Sands Swim Squad’s Shane Cadogan, the Boys 15 and over winner.

And, Aaron De Freitas, also of the

Black Sands Swim Squad, won the Boys 13 and over Sprint Champion.

Black Sands Swim Squad were the overall champions, with Blue Marlins, second.

Also participating in the championships, were the Rising Stars Swim Team of Bequia, and the Salt Pond Snappers of Owia.

Seth Byron- Boys 9-10 champion.

V

24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

High Park retains Richland Park Netball Title

High Park United

HIGH PARK UNITED was last Sunday evening at the Richland Park Government School hard court, crowned champions of the 2019 Valley Sports Committee’s Netball Tournament.

But it was not the usual one way traffic for the High Park United, as they were put to the test by an equally star-studded Teachers Co- operative Credit Union Star Girls of Barrouallie.

High Park nosed ahead in the first quarter, 16/15 and stretched their lead to 31/27, at the end of the

second quarter.

The scoreboard read 42/40 at the end of the third quarter.

Things became nervy and sometimes emotionally charged in the last quarter, as Star Girls came within touching distance, but High Park United held on to win 54-53, and maintain their lien on the title.

The win placed High Park United as the lone unbeaten team in the tournament.

High Park pocketed $ 1500 and the winner’s trophy, with Star Girls gaining $1000 and the second place trophy.

Before Sunday’s final, High Park had an 82-53 win over Vulturez on Friday, in the first semi-finals.

Star Girls beat J&G Scorchers 48-41 in the other semifinal on Saturday, to set up Sunday’s grand finale.

Preceding Sunday’s final, Scorchers took the third place, beating Vulturez 63-55, and collected a TCCU Star Girls trophy and the

Bethel recognises two former teachers TWO FORMER teachers of the Bethel High School, Miriam Pompey and Wollis Christopher, who had spent a combined 32 years at the institution, were last Friday recognised for their contribution to the school’s advancement.

It was fitting for both honorees that the moment of recognition came at the school’s hosting of its Annual Day-Night Athletics

Wollis Christopher was recognised for his service to the Bethel High School’s sports education programme.

Championships at the Victoria Park.

Pompey, who served as principal of the school from 2012 to 2017, began teaching at the Bethel High in 1999.

It was under her watch as principal, that the Bethel High School, in 2015, changed the school’s track meet, to run from afternoon into late evening, under lights.

Mrs. Miriam Pompey proudly displays her plaque of recognition, presented to her for her contribution to the Bethel High School.

Since then, the Barrouallie Secondary as well as the Dr JP Eustace Memorial and the Intermediate High, have followed the path of the Bethel High, and are doing likewise.

Christopher joined the Bethel High School staff in 2001, and spent the last of his 14 years of his teaching career there, retiring in 2015.

During his tenure, Christopher, as coach of the netball units, helped the school to titles in the annual schools’ tournament.

Additionally, Christopher used his knowledge of track and field and football, to fostering the students’ talents in both disciplines, thus making the respective teams formidable competitors at school at national levels.

Reflecting on last Friday’s acknowledgement of his contribution to the Bethel High School, Christopher commented, “It has really been humbling, as following the recognition, I have received many congratulatory messages from past students on Facebook and face to

face, which showed that I have impacted them.”

Though retired, Christopher lends his expertise to the institution, whenever called so to do.

$700 purse.

Meanwhile, Shellisa Davis of High Park, was voted the competition’s Most Valuable Player, with Country Meet Town’s V Sports Youth’s Kelly Stephens, the Most Improved Player. Star Girls’ Maryann Fredericks was leading Goal Scorer with 297.

A player from each of the nine teams was awarded as their team’s Most Valuable Player.

V Sports Youths claimed the Most Disciplined Team award.

The other teams making up the complement of nine which contested the Tournament were: Island Blends Success Radio, Bruce Law Chambers Netball Team, 3 J’s Valley Strikers and Potential Girls.

MVP of the Tournament Shellisa Davis.

Maryann Fredericks (left), Leading Scorer gets her award from Kelvin Franklyn of the St Vincent Brewery.

Bailey wins BVI 75-miler VINCENTIAN Zefal Bailey was the first to cross the finish line in last Sunday’s 75- mile British Virgin Islands’ Invitational Cycling Classic.

Bailey’s winning time was 3 hours 57 minutes 40 seconds, a mere 5 seconds ahead of second placed Seon Weathered of Antigua and Barbuda, his time being 3 hours 57 minute 45 seconds.

It was, in fact, a sprint to the finish that involved four competitors, with Bailey proving the best on the day.

Completing the podium finishers was third placed Phillipe Leroy of the British Virgin Islands, who clocked 3 hours 57 minutes 47 seconds.

Placing fourth was Rena Gayral of Antigua and Barbuda, in 3 hours 57 minutes 48 seconds.

Bailey used last Sunday’s event as a warm up for this weekend’s seven- stage race in the Dominican Republic. He will be part of a combined team which includes cyclists from Bermuda, Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Zefal Bailey (centre), with Seon Weathered at right and Phillipe Leroy at left.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 25.

Sports

My mind drifts SOMEONE was pointing out to me my bias towards cricket when there are other disciplines to which I should attend. I explained that I am comfortable with areas with which I am familiar.

The discussion persisted and indeed, has been ongoing. I was flattered by some comments about my capability.

I tried to maintain some level of humility, for sometimes things come across in ways one least expects. I try to be tolerant, not that it is a trait cultivated instinctively. That tendency has developed of late and should not be regarded as a natural phenomenon.

Each one is given to idiosyncrasies. Mine are varied and have been accepted as erratic. That is according to my own assessment.

One has to be prepared for any eventuality. It is a question of for what one is geared. My mind drifts from zone to zone with the unfolding moments.

The Windward Islands Football Tournament will be an opportunity for those teams to get ready for the fourth round of the Nation’s League of Matches.

The Vincentian team will be under new guidance. The binoculars will be on new coach Kendale Mercury and how his influence affects the squad. The team has to reverse their recent trend.

The other teams are happy for the opportunity for on field action, and if this were a World Cup preparation, these would have been valuable friendlies. St. Lucia is showing signs that something must be clicking for them. Dominica is proving that they are coming to grips with the top regional teams. Grenada has been a nation with high football pedigree. They are known for their strides in athletics, and with the pride and productivity especially of 400 meters runners, it is natural that they have established themselves as a resourceful athletic nation.

Their performance in football has thrown up some disappointing results in this Nation’s League. Not that ours has been anything to shout about, but one expects Grenada to register.

Grenada will be anxious to re-establish their standard, and the time is ideal.

Barbados can consider themselves the outside sister of the Windward Islands. Before, the depth of Barbados pride would have encouraged them to distance themselves from anything Windward Islands. But there are practical gains from regional cooperation, whether it be sporting or political.

It is understandable that they make the link, for it suits their requirements.

Football continues to broaden in its appeal to the Vincentian masses. There is nothing more riveting than a tense football game. The popularity of the sport is linked to a host of factors. Even though there is not the balance in returns, there is that link.

There is the feeling that, given the right configuration, SVG can be a football giant.

Everything points in that direction. What has been lacking is coordination towards the fulfilment of our dreams.

We have proven our mettle on the football field.

Our bogey has been the Central American continent. Almost inevitably, there has been our downfall.

Our coaches are sufficiently trained, and aware of global situations. They have to adjust to the requirements. They have to carve out programmes that will get the work done.

It does us no good crying about absence of this or the other. We must step up to the next level.

We have to be honest on and off the field.

That Schools Sports are prevailing indicates that there are resources to be tapped. Youngsters are exploring the avenues. Congratulations to those who labour in the vineyard. Many go unheralded with the work they put in polishing off the roughness of our sports men and women.

The National Sports Awards will soon be held.

Sports remain an arena in which youngsters can accomplish dreams. The urgency must be instilled and there will be rewards.

Maloney’s century downs North Windward SENIOR NATIONAL player Desron Maloney slammed his highest individual score in local cricket, just missing out on a double century.

Maloney’s unbeaten 188 (9 fours and 16 sixes) helped Police Two to an innings and 44 runs victory over New Haven Funeral Home North Windward, in one of last weekend matches of the NLA Premier Division Cricket Competition, played at Park Hill.

He was ably assisted with the bat by Andrew Thomas, 97, and Rickford Walker, 87, and Police Two were able to declare at 390 for 2.

Earlier, New Haven Funeral Home North Windward were dismissed for 168 in their first innings. Othneil Thomas top-

scored with 51 and Veno Dasouza hit 50. Darius Martin was again among the wickets, taking of 5 for 12 off 7 overs.

New Haven Funeral Home North Windward trailing by 222 on first innings and asked to bat, the North Windward team could only reach 174, handing Police Two victory on a platter. Urnel Thomas led with 45 and Dillon Douglas 34. Kenneth Dember bagged 5 for 61 off 10.5 overs.

At Sion Hill, the Guardian General Saints and Flow Radcliffe match ended in a draw, with Flow Radcliffe taking first innings points.

Flow Radcliffe, batting first, made 158, to which Gidron Pope contributed 38. Geron Wyllie took

4 for 29 off 10.5 overs, bowling for Saints.

Guardian General Saints Desron replied with 154.

Maloney hit Romel Currency hit 188 not out 47 and Othneil for Police Lewis took 5 for 46 Two. off 19 overs.

Flow Radcliffe, with its slender lead of 4 on first innings, were humbled for 100 in their second innings, Pope, 31, top scoring again. Jeremy Haywood did the damage with 5 for 61 off 12 overs and Geron Wyllie was again effective with 3 for 10 off 4 overs.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Bequia, Stars, Belfongo record wins THERE WERE victories for Keegan’s Bequia XI, Julius Anthony Northern Stars, and Edward Conliffe Coreas Distribution Ltd Belfongo, as action continued in the NLA First Division Cricket Competition on the weekend.

Bequia’s win came at the expense of Ruddy’s Electrical Unique, whom

they beat by 99 runs at Arnos Vale Two. Scores: Bequia X1 275 off 31.4 overs - Cosmus Hackshaw 76, Chelson Stowe 54, . Isaacs Haywood 3 for 60; Unique Warriors 76 off 40.1 overs - Jarrell Edwards 26, Dean Browne 4 for 43 off 10 overs and Chelson Stowe 3 for 25 off 4 overs.

At Buccament, Julius

Anthony Northern Stars made light work of St. Vincent Distillers Glamorgan, beating them by 8 wickets.

Scores: Glamorgan 136.

- Newborne Joseph 57, Maxwell Edwards 3 for 28 off 4 overs and Jide John 2 for 18 off 6; Northern Stars 138 for 2 - Shamon Hooper 80 not out and Shangi John 40 not out.

Edward Conliffe Coreas Distribution Ltd Belfongo trashed North Windward by 154 runs at Stubbs. Scores: Belfongo 310 off 42.3 overs - Rajiv Roberts 77, Jemmoth Brackin 4 for 52 off 10; North Windward 156 off 25.6 overs - Denson Hoyte 34, Andre Hunte took 6 for 20 off 8 overs.

I.B.A.ALLEN

North Leeward chalks up first win JULIUS ANTHONY Northern Girls secured their first win in their debut season in the SVGCA Inc. Women Super 40 Cricket Competition.

In the match played last weekend at Arnos Vale 2, North Leeward beat Radcliffe Girls by 176 runs.

North Leeward posted a formidable 246 for 6, with their captain - Shannel Mackie leading from the

front with an unbeaten 89.

Sierra Baptiste took 4 for 36 off 5 overs. A visibly deflated Radcliffe Girls managed only 70 in their reply, with Sierra Baptiste returning the only innings of worth, i.e. 23. Yoland Granderson bagged 5 for 23 off 5 overs At Stubbs, Super Strikers beat Attacker Girls by 8 wickets. Attacker Girls made 136, 31 of those runs

accounted for by Shannel Mackie Sherian tunred in a Williams. captain’s innings to Julian Nero help North Leeward returned figures to their first win. of 2 for 29, and took that energy to the crease to hit 81 not Anthony Northern out as Super Strikers raced to victory, closing at Girls at Cumberland, and Super 139 for 2.

Strikers oppose Radcliffe This weekend, in the Girls at Park Hill. opening matches in the T20 competition, Attackers Girls face Julius I.B.A.ALLEN

Volcanoes, Pride clash at Arnos Vale REGIONAL First Class Cricket returned to Arnos Vale when Windwards Volcanoes and Barbados Pride opened their contest in an 8th round match in the Cricket West Indies PCL fourday match, yesterday, Thursday 21st February.

Having lost to the Leeward Hurricanes in Dominica, one of their home grounds, the Windwards will be hoping to make amends against Barbados, who are coming off a high after beating Trinidad and Tobago.

Windwards currently sit in

third position with 75 points in the six-team table, behind leaders and defending champions Guyana on 112.4 points and Leewards Hurricanes in second on 83.2 points.

Barbados is in fourth position on 73.6 points.

Windwards Volcanoes have made two changes from the last team that lost to Leewards Hurricanes in Dominica.

Senior left hand fast bowler Delorn Johnson is replaced by Sherman Lewis, who returns after missing two matches due to a shoulder

injury. Opening batsman Tarryck Gabriel gives way to West Indies under-19 opening batsman and debutant Kamani Melius.

In addition, Windies middle order batsman, Sunil Ambris, fresh off a 102 not out against Leewards Hurricanes, will lead the Windwards Volcanoes following the injury of regular captain, Kirk Edwards.

The Windwards Volcanoes’ full squad reads: Sunil Ambris (captain), Roland Cato (vicecaptain), Devon Smith, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Sherman Lewis, Josh Thomas, Larry Edwards, Ray Jordan, Windwards Kamani Melius, Volcanoes at a Emmanuel Stewart, training session Obed McCoy. at the Arnos Vale The match concludes Sporting on Sunday.

Complex, earlier this week.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019. 27.

Classifieds

Leacock wants No Confidence motion

OPPOSITION Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown St. Clair Leacock has declared that he will devote his time and effort to realize to have debated a No Confidence in the government.

During his contribution to the Budget Debate, February 6, the opposition MP said he wanted to start his contribution with a necessary ‘controversy’ which, he said, he holds close to his heart.

That ‘controversy’ was the ill-fated No Confidence motion that was never tabled for debate, in January 2018.

“Until we mend that fence, there is no basis for doing business with the ULP administration.

Moreso, Mr. Speaker, I am asking in this budget presentation for the government to commit to restore our constitutional rights, and to reinforce the democracy that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is entitled to,” Leacock said.

“I say so softly, but I don’t say so lightly, because I will devote much time and effort to ensure that one day, and one day soon, this honorable house does the right thing, and that you will have the strength as you have the conviction, Mr Speaker, to allow that vote of No Confidence to take place,” continued Leacock.

The Opposition’s No Confidence motion against the government was never debated. In an unprecedented step, the House Speaker allowed a ‘Confidence’ motion by the government to take precedence. This was debated and passed.

In Leacock’s assessment, this ruling by the Speaker placed the country in a backward direction.

“We cannot be the laughingstock of the Commonwealth, and we cannot be the sore in the Eastern Caribbean, in the Caribbean community and the community of nations. I leave that on your chest,” concluded Leacock. (KH)

ZENO IGNATIUS THEOBALDS

GERALDO RICARDO JOHN

Evangelical Church Park Hill Saturday, 16th February, 2019 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

New Testament Church Belair Saturday, 16th February ,2019 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

BETHEL CLARKE THOMAS MICHELLE NICOLE JACKSON New Testament Church of God Friday, 15th February, 2019 Viewing: 1:30 p.m.

Service: 2:30 p.m.

NYASHA JAMES Kingstown Methodist Church Thursday, 14th February, 2019 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m

Revival Center Church Murray Village Thursday, 14th February, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R

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‘BIGGER BIGS’ ISSUE NOT POLITICAL Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has gone to lengths to establish that the matter involving Samuel, his lands and farmers is a technical one.

by KENVILLE HORNE PRIME MINISTER Ralph Gonsalves has said emphatically that the matter concerning Leon ‘Bigger Bigs’ Samuel and farmers at Rabacca who once accessed their lands via a ‘road’ through Samuel’s property, is not a political issue but a technical one.

That being the case, the PM advised that the matter should be handled by the Physical Planning Division, Surveying Department or the Attorney General, and Samuel.

Samuel had blocked the access road, citing that the government had enough time to address the issue on behalf of the farmers, but failed to do so. He said that farmers should not expect him to allow them access to his land, but should instead direct their anger towards the government.

He had also been moved, during an interview with Dwight “Bing” Joseph on his ‘OMG’ programme on Boom FM, to remind the country that “… for 8 years I have lost everything financially. At one time, I could not even provide food for my own family. I decided that 8 years is enough, and I have the law on my side.”

Dr. Gonsalves, commenting on the issue during a press conference last Tuesday at Cabinet Room, acknowledged that, while Samuel has property rights, the people in the community would have customary rights. He said that the state as well

as other private individuals have lands (Statutory Rules and Order, No. 2 of bounded with Samuel’s property, and 2011).” that there is a survey to be conducted Two months after the 2010 general by the Chief Supervisor. elections, Government authorities revoked Samuel’s mining licence, PM gave reasons why survey citing environmental concerns. The government’s action led to the closure suspended of his mining operation and a related Gonsalves noted the Attorney block-making operation.

General had given permission for the Last Monday, Dr Gonsalves said survey to be conducted but Samuel’s that the state became involved in the lawyer countered with their own mining issue because the professionals argument, and the survey was said that the manner in which Samuel suspended. The Attorney General is was mining was not environmentally expected to advise further, the PM sound. said.

Noting that Samuel wanted him to be involved in the discussion to resolve the issue of the farmers’ access through his land, Dr. Gonslaves said, inter alia, “I don’t have to be there. If it is a technical issue, why am I imposing myself in it? I am absolutely sure that the public officials are prepared to have dialogue with Mr Samuel or his representative”.

Disclosing that he had told Samuel to speak to the Chief Surveyor, since it was a technical issue, the PM called out Samuel for having made the issue a political one.

This might also have been in response to Samuel’s assertion that “It was never political until when Ralph Gonsalves introduced that bogus SR&O

Leon ‘Bigger Bigs’ Samuel has challenged a notice indicating that his lands were to be surveyed.

Samuel would prove otherwise, and government had to reinstate the licence.

But when pressed on the concerns of the farmers affected by Samuel’s action of blocking the access road to their lands, the Prime Minister said that those farmers are hearing what Samuel is saying, as well as what the NDP is saying in support of ‘Bigger Bigs’.

Samuel moved to physically block farmers’ access to their lands through his property.

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