Vin pages 22 04 16 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

; (52; :25.&(175( ;(52; :25.&(175( '1, 0)3 35,17(5 '1, 0)3 35,17(5 Monochrome Multifunction Multi function Printer: Printer: Copy, Print, Print, Scan, Email.

Fax & Emai l.

PRICE: RICE: EC $1250.00 $12 or r $72.00 monthly mo

FRIDAY,

APRIL 22, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.17

www.thevincentian.com

CONVICTED POLICEMAN TO APPEAL COURTÊS DECISION

when THE VINCENTIAN contacted him on Tuesday.

MAYON SPRING, a police officer Spring was sentenced to who received a three-year prison three years for possession of sentence at the Serious 25 rounds of 5.56 ammunition Offences Court last Friday, April without licence, one year for 15 after being convicted on corruptly obtaining the charges of ammunition ammunition for himself, and possession, theft and corruption, nine months for the theft of intends to appeal the Court’s the ammunition. The decision. sentences will run Spring’s lawyer, Grant concurrently.

Connell, gave the confirmation The 35-year-old Cane Grove Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

man had committed the offences between November 27 and 29 last year at the Calliaqua Police Station where he was stationed. He held the rank of Corporal, and was Station Officer when the ammunition went missing.

Spring was found guilty at the conclusion of a trial which commenced about three weeks ago.

Connell indicated that he

EC$1.50

Mayon Spring, a former Corporal of the Royal SVG Police Force, was convicted for being illegally in possession of ammunition.

did not agree with the findings of Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne. He, however, declined to comment further, saying the matter would be appealed.

The Prosecution’s evidence revealed that Constable Keyron Caesar had gone to Corporal Spring’s locker for a washing detergent (Breeze), when he came upon the ammunition.

Spring and Caesar were friends and had access to each other’s locker.

Caesar reported his discovery to one of his superiors, and subsequent checks at the Calliaqua Police Station revealed that 25 rounds of ammunition were missing.

Continued on Page 3.

‘POLICE RESPECT DWINDLING,’ SAYS LAWYER DEFENCE LAWYER Grant Connell is concerned that police respect for the Serious Offences Court seems to be dwindling, given certain recent occurrences at the Court.

The lawyer made the observation during a sitting of the court on Monday after his client, Janiel Haywood, was brought to court and left on the prisoner’s bench without any explanation to justify her presence there.

Haywood, 21, of Walvaroo, was charged with possession of 23 grams of marijuana with intent to supply.

Connell informed the court that his client was arrested last Friday,

April 15, kept at the Questelles Police Station until Monday morning, brought to court in Kingstown and left seated on the prisoners’ bench.

“The arresting officer is not here or any documents to justify her (prisoner) presence here,” Connell said.

“The police are slowly losing respect for the court,” the lawyer opined.

But Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne rebutted, “I don’t believe so.”

Connell described the situation as, “an abuse of process,” and noted that

his client had been in custody for the last 72 hours.

When the Chief Magistrate inquired of Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche if he had any information with regard to Haywood’s arrest, he said no.

“Who brought her here?” the Magistrate further asked.

“I don’t know,” the Senior Prosecutor replied.

“I have to discharge her, I can’t keep her here,” Browne concluded, and Defence lawyer Grant Connell (left) thinks the police are proceded so to do. losing respect for the Serious Offenses Court, but sitting magistrate Rechanne Browne thinks otherwise.

V

2. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Carnival Beat

High Voltage ÂLathersÊ for 2016 HIGH VOLTAGE MAS BAND will launch their 2016 carnival presentation today, Friday 22, and with it comes the expectation that this is going to be the best presentation since their debut in 2003.

The presentation, entitled ‘Everything that Lathers’, features 10 sections, inclusive of one boys and one girls section.

The 10 are: Shaving Cream, Toothpaste, La Blab, Laundry Detergent (boys), Pear Soap (girls),

Bio Clear, Body Wash, Dishwashing Liquid, Shampoo and Soap Powder.

Terrence Browne is the Band’s designer this year. He has had a relationship with the band for some 10 years but, “this is his first presentation for High Voltage. He drew for other bands in the past, he is now with us,” Band leader Kingsley Collis told THE VINCENTIAN. High Voltage has captured the fourth position in the last four years of the Band of the Year competition, and Collis is adamant that they can do better than the third place the Band copped in 2010.

“We have some beautiful presentations,” he ‘La Blab’, a section from High Voltage’s 2016 presentation that has a nostalgic air to it.

said, adding that there are some educational aspects to the 2016 production.

He referred to the section ‘La Blab’, saying that this would be readily recalled by those who would have been familiar with the coconut oil factory located at

Arnos Vale, in the area which is now occupied as the Sunrise Supermarket parking lot.

“The poorer class used to go and get liquid soap called ‘LaBlab’, so this is why I brought this section… to remind the older folks. They will know what we used to

produce and what people used to wash with,” Collis explained.

Even before the band’s official launch today, there has been positive feedback.

“People are in agreement that we have gone outside the norm,” Collis said with a smile.

“This year we are looking to break the barrier – we will be going hard, entering all the competitions,” Collis assured.

The launch will be held at the band’s tent, located on Bay Street just after the Coreas Wholesale Division.

(DDD)

Zodiac Signs from Imagination Mas Band THE IMAGINATION MAS BAND will be looking to woo the judges for this year’s Carnival celebrations with a presentation entitled ‘Twelve Signs of the Zodiac’.

The twelve signs will be depicted as per the designs of renowned Carnival artist Oswald ‘Ossie’ Constance.

Eight of the horoscope signs Leo, Virgo, Libra, Aries, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces and Taurus — will comprise the sections of the band.

The other four: Aquarius is the band’s Junior Queen; Gemini — the Queen of the Band; Sagittarius - the Junior King; and Capricon - the King of the Bands.

Cognisant that the band’s theme was presented locally some

42 years ago by the Hill Boys co-led by Norris ‘Moby’ Dick and Raymond “Sevens Knights, both deceased, Imagination’s deputy band leader Norman Quashie assured, “Our band Deputy band leader Norman Quashie displays is different,” and two of the sections- Libra and Virgo. noted that this is a modern era of mas. when they presented ‘Love Story’.

Intending to make He is encouraged by the Most participation affordable in light of Improved Band Award his band the economic squeeze, costs for costume range from $150 to $350 copped in 2015.

The band‘s tent is again located each. in the old Marcus De Freitas Quashie is hopeful that this building, opposite the Ministry of year’s efforts will see his band Agriculture on Murray’s Road. better its sixth place in 2015,

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 3.

News 3 COP Charles: ÂNobody is above the lawÊ three years in prison for possession of 25 rounds of 5.56 ammunition WHILE COMMISSIONER of without licence; one year Police Michael Charles for corruptly obtaining admits that he could never 25 rounds of 5.56 be happy when a ammunition for himself; colleague is charged with and nine months for and convicted of a criminal stealing 25 rounds of offence, he has made it 5.56 ammunition. clear that nobody is above The sentences, handed the law. down by Chief The top cop’s Magistrate Rechanne comments came in Browne, will run response to a three-year concurrently. prison sentence handed The offences were down on a police officer committed between at the Serious Offences November 27 and 29 last Court last Friday, April year at the Calliaqua 15.

Police Station, where Corporal Mayon Spring was, at the time, Spring was sentenced to: attached.

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Commissioner Charles, in an interview with THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, said that during his tenure as Commissioner, a number of police officers have been arrested and taken to court on criminal charges. Some were convicted, while some were vindicated.

“Once a police officer has committed himself and the matter is sent for an investigation, I guarantee that the matter would be investigated thoroughly, as is evident with cases that were taken before the court, involving

A difficult exercise for senior prosecutor SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche admits that it was a very difficult exercise for him prosecuting Police Corporal Mayon Spring.

Spring was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison on charges of ammunition possession, ammunition theft and corruption, at the Serious Offences Court last week Friday, April 15.

Delpleche, a former police officer, told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, “I took no pleasure in doing it (prosecuting Spring’s matter); but as a professional, I had to do what I had to do. I had to be impartial, and the chips will always lie where they fall.”

The Senior Prosecutor

said it was very sad and unfortunate that a policeman had to find himself facing these charges, and had to be convicted of them.

“It is really sad,” Delpleche sighed.

He lauded Corporal Shelly Ann Harry for the way she gave her evidence.

“She was concise, very clear, and stood her ground in answering all the questions under grueling crossexamination from defence Counsel Grant Connell. He was not able to shake her,” the prosecutor observed.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche found no confort in successfully prosecuting a former colleague, but stressed that he did what he is duty-bound to do.

Harry was also commended by the court and Connell.

police officers.” Charles reaffirmed.

“As Commissioner, I could never be happy when a colleague is convicted; but no one is above the law, including police officers, who are responsible for upholding the law,” he declared.

“A man can only serve one master at any one time. You could either be police or criminal. You can’t be both,” the top cop added.

Charles admitted that

“like in any other organization, there are bad eggs in the Police Force.”

But he hastened to add, “Whenever these bad eggs come to the notice of the police High Command, the appropriate Commissioner of Police Michael action would be Charles, not for the first time, emphasised that no one is above taken.” the law, including police officers.

Convicted policeman to appeal court’s decision that he found the ammunition in an insecure area at the station office, and According to the evidence, the issue kept them in his locker with the was brought to the attention of the intention of handing them over to ASP Officer In Charge, Assistant James.

Superintendent of Police Sydney A formal investigation, led by James (now retired), and he Inspector Hesron Ballantyne, resulted summoned a meeting with the officers in Spring being arrested and charged. who were on duty.

In his closing submissions, Senior At the meeting, ASP James Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche announced that 25 rounds of pointed out that Spring had no ammunition were missing, and asked authority to remove the ammunition that whoever was in possession of and take them to his locker, and them hand them over. pointed to him as having used his Spring indicated that he had some position as Station Officer to ammunition, and ASP James sent dishonestly remove them.

Station Sergeant Sherrol James with Delpleche also noted that they were him to get them. restricted ammunition, and a person Spring took the ammunition from must have the authorization of the his locker and handed them to the Minister of National Security in order Station Sergeant, who on returning to to get a licence to possess them. the meeting, counted the rounds in He stressed that Spring was placed Spring’s presence. They amounted to in a responsible position, when the 25. ammunition went missing.

Constable Keyron Caesar had told But Connell contended in his the court, in his evidence, that he saw arguments that “there were questions Spring remove something from a surrounding the ownership of what compartment of the desk at the station was said to be removed from an office. insecure area of the station office.”

Caesar was at the time working as THE VINCENTIAN understands Station Orderly, while Spring was that Spring is housed at Her Majesty’s working as Station Officer.

Prison, Kingstown.

In his defence, Spring told the court Continued from Front Page.

V

4. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Industry

Honey Industry in SVG re-building falls short, as predicted by Williams in July 2015, of the 1,728 gallons harvested in 2012, the year of the highest output so far, since the revival of the industry in 2006.

Williams had said then that the short fall was expected as a result of the industry’s effort to restore some normalcy, given the occurrence of a disease called Chalk-brood (Ascosphaera apis) and operate as best as they could in a situation of inconsistent weather.

There has been, however, an increase in the number of colonies in the apiaries here, that number moving from 497 in mid-2015 to 550 as at the time of the AGM Those colonies were accounted for There are currently 550 active colonies (of bees) in SVG. by 64 registered beekeepers who man some 49 apiaries. main supplier of beekeeping According to Williams, the The estimated annual national Allan Williams, honey consumption/demand is given as paraphernalia in SVG. Ministry of Agriculture 2015 harvest was valued at $273,000.XCD, with returns 1600 gallons, valued at $384,000 XCD Resource Person to Mrs. Yvonne Bonadie, Secretary coming from the local market the Apiary industry in Treasurer, presented the Minutes of SVG, reported on the Other AGM matters and overseas markets, the 3rd AGM and reported on the status of the Honey including Canada, Antigua financial status of the Association.

Industry in SVG. and Barbados.

In addition to Williams’ report, the President Reddock then presided AGM also heard reports from over the election of Mrs. Frauvaun Association President, Ms. Beverly Campbell to the vacant post of Reddock, and Secretary-Treasurer Assistant Secretary Treasurer.

Mrs. Yvonne Bonadie.

The Association, in looking ahead, Reddock reported on the main anticipates that it would be activities of the Association for the represented at the Caribbean period under review. These included: Beekeepers Conference to be hosted in technical training for young prospects Tobago, and looks forward to now attending the SVG Technical welcoming a visit to SVG of a College, and members who wished to Canadian beekeeper, with expertise in become proficient in the rearing of Queen Bee rearing. queen bees; the ‘Growth and The current Executive of the SVG Sustainable Development of Beekeepers Association comprises: Beekeeping in SVG Project’, which received part funding from Australian Ms. Beverly Reddock – President; Mr. Harvey Farrell - Vice-President; Mrs. Direct Aid Programme; and negotiations and eventual purchase of Yvonne Bonadie - Secretary-Treasurer; Mrs. Frauvaun Campbell - Assistant the inventory of beekeeping supplies from Shepherds Limited, now part of Secretary Treasurer; Mr Philmore the new entity One St. Vincent Group Isaacs - Public Relations Officer; and Inc. (OSV Group).

Mr. Allan Williams - Trustee (ExAs a result of the purchase from officio Officer).

Shepherds, the Association is now the

HONEY PRODUCTION in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2015 is estimated at 1138 gallons {505 cases 750 ml bottles), this according to Mr. Allan Williams, Ministry of Agriculture Resource Person to the Apiary industry in SVG. Williams made the disclosure during his report on the status of the industry in SVG delivered at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the SVG Beekeepers Association, held at the Forestry Headquarters, Camden Park, on April 12th 2016.

The estimated 2015 production

The honey industry is encouraged by an increase in active practitioners and the level of diligence displayed.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 5.

Regional

Eyes on customs officials LAW ENFORCEMENT officers, members of the legal profession and customs officials across the region, not to mention the Drug Enforcement Agency of the USA, will be following the proceedings of a certain Board of Inquiry with heightened anticipation.

The BoI has been set The Cheddi Jagan International up, according to media Airport (CJIA) has been the houses, in Guyana, and target of a number of drug busts. is expected to be convened soon, to April 16, 2105. investigate claims by self-confessed The Customs Anti drug trafficker Barry Dataram, about — Narcotics Unit the alleged involvement of the (CANU) were able to Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) Self-confessed seize over 225lbs of in the drug trade and corruption. drug baron cocaine, along with Dataram’s claim was made in an Barry Dataram ammunition and exclusive interview with television has pointed to cash.

Journalist Travis Chase. a web of The cocaine was In the interview posted on Chase’s corruption at found in frozen Facebook page, Dataram admitted to seafood and in loose the Customs being a drug baron, and claimed that Anti-Narcotic form; it is believed a major drug network exists at the Unit (CANU) in that the illegal Cheddi Jagan International Airport substance was being Guyana.

(CJIA) where key officers of packaged for the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit trafficking out of Guyana.

(CANU) play a vital role in the Found in the house with the illegal smuggling and trafficking of illicit items was Barry Dataram, who had substances in and out of Guyana. successfully fought off an extradition Dataram also alleged that there attempt to the United States a few was (is) massive corruption at CANU, years earlier, after he was named in with drug lords fuelling the luxurious US court documents as a drug dealer. lifestyle of officers at the counterThe raid on the house where narcotics unit, in exchange for Dataram was found, followed a information on raids and protection. number of drug busts at the Cheddi The self-confessed drug baron was Jagan International Airport. (Source: busted in a raid on a house at Guyana Media) Diamond, East Bank Demerara on

Another LIAT CEO departs LIAT, the Caribbean Airline, is on the hunt for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

David Evans, English-born, who joined the company in the position in April 2014, succeeding former CEO Captain Ian Brunton, is said to have tendered his resignation following what reports said was a heated meeting of LIAT’s Board of Directors in Barbados, Thursday 7th April.

Reports were that Evans stormed out of the meeting, supposedly after disagreement with the Directors.

However, after what seemed to have been some hesitation, or could have been a period during which the Board sought directions from Heads of owner governments, the Board issued a statement on April 13, advising that it had accepted Evan’ss resignation, effective as of that date.

The statement also informed that, “Mrs. Julie Reifer-Jones, Director Finance and ICT, who served as interim chief after the resignation of Captain Ian Brunton in September 2013 and before Evans was appointed on April 22, 2014, will again act as CEO. Evans’s tenure, just short of two years, has not been without controversy.

In fact, one Prime Minister of a government shareholder, Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, had called for Evans’s dismissal, when he had completed just one year in his position, following the leak of a plan, purportedly supported by Evans, that advanced a position that would lead to the collapse of LIAT in favour of a

David Evans came highly recommended as one who had overseen the development/ expansion of airlines with which he had served.

(Credit: LIAT) Julie Reifer-Jones, LIAT’s Director Finance and ICT, has found herself, not for the first time, overseeing LIAT during another crisis at the top administrative position. (Credit: LIAT) new airline owned by Barbados, another government shareholder of LIAT. Additionally, Evans was tasked with overseeing a period of adjustment in the airline’s operation, including the removal of routes which were deemed financially unrewarding.

Whatever the case, the reason or reasons for Mr. Evans’s sudden departure remains unofficially unknown.

Efforts to solicit a comment from LIAT headquarters in Antigua on the reason(s) proved ineffective, save and accept a referral to the statement issued by the Board of Directors.

(Source: Regional Media)

V

6. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

‘Address the ganja issue,’ urges Vincy attorney Stories and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT NOTING that “a clarion call” for acceptance of the marijuana plant is gaining steam globally, a Boston, Massachusetts-based Vincentian attorney, who practices law in Connecticut, is urging his compatriots to fully address “this growing phenomenon.”

In delivering the keynote address last week Saturday night, at the inaugural Awards Ceremony of the Friends of Sion Hill, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Eversley A. Linley said St. Vincent and the Grenadines is “directly positioned in the path of this imminent wave of change.”

Referring to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2014 data, Linley, who holds a Ph. D in Political Science from the University of Idaho, said that “St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the main producers and distributers of marijuana in the Caribbean region.

“It is blessed with an ideal climate and soil that provide the perfect environment for a high quality organic ‘cash crop,’” he said. “Ignoring this fact only conjures up the notion of denial, of a well-oiled, ‘black market’ infrastructural network.”

Linley, who focuses on International Law and Regional and Civic Planning, said drastic changes are sometimes “necessary and occasionally unavoidable,” adding that this occurrence is commonly associated with a “paradigm shift.”

He said “this growing movement, that is breaking new ground towards cultural and social acceptance, must no longer be overlooked,” stating that “marijuana is embedded in cultures at all levels across the globe.

“Decades of disassociation with the plant, crafted through the shrill lens of

Dr. Eversley Linley is of the view that we can no longer ignore the marijuana issue and all it means to SVG ‘s society and culture. taboos and economic propaganda, are gradually becoming extinct,” said Linley, who is still St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ national record holder in the 800 meters in both the indoors and outdoors event.

He is also a native of Sion Hill, a village renowned for its athletic prowess, overlooking capital city Kingstown.

Throughout the course of his athletic career, Linley represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics. In 1988, the former St. Martin’s Secondary and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grammar School student, was granted an athletic scholarship to the University of Idaho, where he obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Regional Development and Planning, and a Ph. D in Political Science, with emphasis on Public Administration and Regional Development and Planning.

Dr. Linley noted that the current affinity with marijuana is driven by a three-prong criterion. Pleasure and recreation; financial and economic viability; and pharmaceutical and medicinal use.

He said “change is coming,” regarding societal acceptance of marijuana in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, adding that the future of the land, otherwise known as “Hairouna, lay at the forefront of this shifting culture.”

In order to respond to this “change,” Linley urged Vincentians, from all

walks of life, to “coalesce and engage in civic and constructive dialogue.

“Failure to do so could produce irreversible unknown, unforeseen and/ or unintended consequences,” he warned. “Therefore, it is critical to consider the arguments presented on both sides of the spectrum, irrespective of one’s point of view.”

Hence, he called for “all hands on deck” to “promote, insightful discussion.”

But Linley said any engagement in civil discourse should encompass a “unified front,” stating: “We must strive to put aside argumentative

obstruction and act in the spirit of good faith.”

At the same time, the political scientist and lawyer said aligning any new policy to current trends must consider the impact to local, regional and international affiliations, such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations, the International Monitory Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

He urged Vincentians to be “proactive with this topic” and take the lead in regional discussions, stating, “there is no reason and no excuse not to.”

Justice Ash gets another appointment CHIEF JUDGE of New York State, Janet DeFiore, has appointed a Vincentian judge in Brooklyn to be a member of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Judge DeFiore, on April 1, appointed Justice Sylvia G. Ash, whose father was the late Rudolph “Fire” Ash, of Kingstown Hill, to the 11-member Commission.

Justice Ash, a judge of the Kings County (Brooklyn) Supreme Court in the 2nd Judicial District of New York, is the only African-American and one of two women on the Commission.

“I am very honored that the Chief Judge has seen fit to place her trust and confidence in me to take on this very important and challenging responsibility,” Judge Ash told THE VINCENTIAN in an exclusive interview. “And I pray that God will give me the wisdom and clarity of judgment to rise to the occasion.”

The members on the Commission are appointed by six different officers of government: four are appointed by the Governor; three by the Chief Judge; and one each by the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Assembly, the President of the New York Senate (Majority Leader) and the Minority Leader of the Senate.

The Commission was created in 1978 in the Judiciary Article of the Constitution (Article 6, Section 22). Its enabling statute is the Judiciary Law (Article 2-A, Sections 40-48).

Ash said the Commission is the sole state agency responsible for “receiving, initiating, investigation and conducting evidentiary trials with respect to complaints of misconduct or disability against judges and justices of the New York State Unified Court System,” which comprises about 3,500 judges and justices.

The agency’s sole mission is to dispose of complaints that judges have engaged in misconduct, Ash said.

She said the Commission’s objective is to “enforce the obligation of judges to observe high standards of conduct, and to seek to insure compliance with established standards of ethical judicial behavior, and to take appropriate action against judges who have violated judicial standards of conduct.”

The Commission, therefore, helps to sensitize judges to ethical

Vincentian-born Justice Sylvia Ash has once again received an honour deserving of her outstanding record. standards and deter misconduct, “thereby promoting public confidence in the integrity and honor of the judiciary,” Ash said.

“Where appropriate, the Commission has authority to render disciplinary decisions of confidential caution, public admonition, public censure, removal or retirement from the bench,” she said.

Judge Ash After earning her Juris Doctorate (law) degree from Howard University School of Law, Sylvia Ash, was admitted to practice law in the State of New York in 1985 and in the United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts in 1990.

On Mar. 15, 2014, she was among five Black female justices (the others being Sylvia Hinds-Radix, L. Priscilla Hall, Cheryl E. Chambers and Sharen D. Hudson) to receive a United States Congressional Honor, during the all-day 3rd Annual Shirley Chisholm Women’s Empowerment Conference at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.

Prior to taking the judicial bench, Justice Ash was a practicing attorney for over 20 years.

In this capacity, she was the general counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Social Service Chapter in New York City, where she provided pro bono legal services to the chapter’s members.

The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the US. Additionally, Justice Ash was very active in her community, volunteering her legal talent and acumen to numerous civic, religious, labour and not-for-profit organizations, and was a strong and vocal advocate of children’s rights issues.

Justice Ash was the proud recipient of the Brooklyn Bar Association’s 2012 Award in recognition of “Outstanding Achievement in the Science of Jurisprudence and Public Service.”

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 7.

News

Frederick’s matters stand

by HAYDN HUGGINS THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions, on Wednesday, withdrew an appeal against Magistrate Rickie Burnett’s decision to strike out six criminal charges against Vynnette Frederick, then an

opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) senator.

As a result, the Appeal Court ordered that the Appeal be dismissed, but the DPP’s Office would be proceeding with nine other charges.

Frederick, a lawyer by profession, was initially

charged on three counts of making false declarations and three counts of false swearings.

She was alleged to have made false declarations and sworn falsely before then Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, on January 11, 2011.

The former senator

Lawyer and former Opposition Senator Vynnette Frederick still has to answer to nine charges.

was also alleged to have made false declarations and sworn falsely before Fay James, a person authorized to take the oath, on June 16, 2011 and May 23, 2012.

On June 11, 2013, Magistrate Burnett, sitting at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court,

Surges expected until today THERE HAVE BEEN no reports of property damage as of Wednesday, as this country and most of the neighbouring territories continued to experience (sea) surges.

This is the word coming from the Director of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), Howie Prince, who further explained that the condition, while not having an impact on property or human life, was indeed impacting on the coastline – particularly in areas already susceptible to the problem.

Areas including Sans Souci and Georgetown along the Eastern coastline were being affected by the wave action.

There were some reports coming in from Bequia, prompting Prince to explain that

the problem was different for that Grenadine Island, in that visitors were unable to venture into the water, particularly along Lower Bay and Princess Margaret beaches.

“Walking along the boardwalk can be sort of dicey,” Prince said.

“Getting between Port The surging seas in Bequia (pictured Elizabeth and Princess here) meant that visitors and locals could Margaret Beach can be not enjoy the usual safe swimming that dangerous,” NEMO’s that Grenadine island offers. (Credit: Director continued.

An official at the Facebook photo) Meteorological Office at the E T Joshua Airport told THE nothing strange, and occurs from time to time.

VINCENTIAN that the region, He indicated that NEMO was from Antigua in the north and informed, and confirmed that the southwards, was reported to be occurrence of unusual wave experiencing surges.

The official went on to indicate action was expected to continue well into today, Friday. (DDD) that the phenomenon was

upheld a submission by Frederick’s attorney, Andrew Pilgrim of Barbados, to strike out the charges on the basis that they did not provide sufficient particulars for his client to know what charges she was facing.

However, about two and a half hours after Burnett’s decision, Frederick was rearrested, slapped with six charges of a similar nature and three additional charges relating to the fabrication of evidence.

The nine charges are pending.

The DPP appealed Burnett’s decision to strike out the six charges, but that was withdrawn at Wednesday’s hearing.

However, before the substantive matter was heard, Pilgrim asked the court to inquire of Assistant DPP Colin John who was representing the DPP’s Office, about the status of the pending matters.

Chief Justice of Appeal Janice Pereira then asked John, that in light

of the fact that there were nine other matters pending relating to the same facts, what would be the DPP’s position if the appeal was successful.

John indicated that the preferred option would be to proceed with the nine matters as they were laid indictably.

He concluded that the DPP’s Office would withdraw the appeal and concentrate on the nine charges.

When contacted for a comment later, John told THE VINCENTIAN that “The Justice system is alive and well”, and he looks forward to the next stage in the proceedings.

Up to press time Wednesday, efforts to reach Frederick were unsuccessful.

V

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 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

Still talking tax GIVEN THAT TIME of the year when ‘you’ve got to pay up or …’ and the still unfolding fallout of the Panama papers leak, we thought a print of this Editorial from our June 01, 2012 issue might still be instructive.

“Before we go any further, and lest some read otherwise into this piece, let it be understood that taxes are important; they are essential to a country’s ability to support itself.

Imagine for a moment what a country would be like without taxes.

Without taxes, there would be, just to name a few basic amenities, no health services, no education services, no policing services, no correctional services, no housing and development, and last but not least, no remuneration for Civil Service personnel, including the Prime Minister.

Imagine the Prime Minister withdrawing his services because there is no money (taxes) to pay him? What a country that would be!!

Last week’s edition featured an interview with the Comptroller of Inland Revenue. He lamented the (extent of) tax arrears that obtain currently in SVG, and exhorted those defaulters to step up and pay their fair share.

If the truth be told, the group that pays its fair share (of personal income tax) is that large pool of ‘salaried persons’; that large pool that simply cannot escape the tax net. They are bound by law and practice (regardless of how unscrupulous employers are) to have their taxes deducted, even before they rush to their respective creditors (banks) to see what is left in their accounts.

These ‘salaried persons’, workers, have no alternative. They cannot escape the system. Try as much as they might, they cannot escape that infamous Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.

So every teacher, civil servant, private sector employee, public corporation employee contributes (assuming the deductions are remitted to the Inland Revenue Department) his/her fair share, and therefore, has all right to demand the services for which his taxes are utilized, or supposed to be utilized, given the international protocol that governs the system of taxation in the so called Free World.

That said, on the one hand; on the other hand, businesses, companies and corporations are also obliged to pay taxes — corporate taxes.

However, in the world of big business and taxation, therein lies a moral issue.

This is not in any way pointing a finger at any one or group of businesses, companies and/or corporations; but it would be folly, given what advantages the system allows them, for us lay persons to believe that these entities do not pursue (work) the system, so as to avoid paying more taxes than they feel they ought to. Their bottom line is profit and a desire (obligation?) to appease their shareholders.

This action, referred to as ‘Tax Avoidance’, must not be confused with ‘Tax Evasion’.

Tax Avoidance is very much a legal practice. It involves the prudent management of the tax affairs of any business/company/corporation, so as to legitimately minimize the tax liability. They can do so because the system (tax law) allows them certain ‘advantages’.

These entities have the resources to afford to employ Tax Consultants, whose job it is to advise those companies along the path of minimizing their tax liability figures.

On the other hand, ‘Tax Evasion’ is an illegal act. It is a deliberate, if not pre-meditated concealment of a taxable transaction and, in accordance with the tax laws and other supporting legislation, is a criminal offence.

Not that there is anything moral about big business, commerce, just as in politics; but isn’t it a little discomforting that the average tax payer (that salaried person) begins at a distinct disadvantage as far as the tax laws are concerned?

The system allows these entities to extend their reach into the wide and oftentimes gapping avenues for interpretation, something that individual tax payers might not necessarily enjoy to the same proportion.

So, the question arises: When the records show that there are large arrears as far as the nation’s expected collection on taxes is concerned, how much of that is in abeyance as entities exploit the opportunities of ‘Tax Avoidance’ and how much of it is perceived as ‘Tax Evasion’?

Tax Consultants will die with their lips curled around the conviction that ‘Tax Avoidance’ isn’t morally wrong. It’s perfectly sensible behavior.

Is it?”

Ask Ralph: Answer Arnhim I RECALL THAT in the good old days of Party political warfare, the radicals and ‘Black Powerists’ used to twist the initials of the International Monetary Fund, I.M.F, to translate Is Mitchell’s Fault.

Today, the cry is that it is Arnhim’s fault. Ironically, this swan song is a favourite with the supporters of the ULP. Remove Arnhim, and all will be well.

According to one school of thought: “What is Major Leacock waiting for to take over the reins of the New Democratic Party?”

Leacock gets a sudden recommendation from people whose leader, Dr. Gonsalves, had once said openly that Leacock could never win a seat, not even over his dead body.

In fact, Dr. Gonsalves had reportedly invited Jules Ferdinand to join the ULP, with the promise that he will be named (by whom?) Deputy Leader of the Party, and run for Central Kingstown, of which Leacock is the current representative!

Also, in their books, Dr. Friday is bad news because he had refused Dr. Gonsalves’ entreaty at the price of party adherence, to serve as Deputy Speaker.

In short, ULPites did not take seriously the observation that the NDP of the post 2010 period has developed into a ‘Dream Team’, with the entire Executive in full support of their leader, Arnhim Eustace, for his integrity, capacity, down-to-earth good sense and democratic attitude.

Everyone realises that no leader can so perform ad infinitium. But in the current scenario of corruption, skullduggery, and victimisation, this writer personally feels that Arnhim should stay on while he monitors the present situation that is fluid at the moment. In fact, Arnhim can be trusted to vacate at the most appropriate time.

Arnhim is so made up that he does not at all believe in personal power. He has never squared up as if building a dynasty, which is anathema to him. At one time, the women of East St George were discouraged by him from sponsoring as a constituency candidate his wife Jennifer, who is a qualified accountant and a lover of her people.

Nor does it seem that his daughter, Maia, a trained lawyer who impressed all and sundry during the recent campaign, entertains any hope or intention of following in her father’s footstep. From all serious accounts,

Arnhim Eustace’s entry into politics was selflessly driven by a burning desire to help his people cope with a historically hostile life: pure and simple.

It is somewhat of a paradox that the ULPites should insist that Arnhim is the problem that his party suffered a series of FOUR STRAIGHT DEFEATS, but seem not to work out that at the same time, he recorded FIVE VICTORIES at the personal level in East Kingstown, which had not been an NDP haven.

Nor has much light been thrown on the fact that of four national losses, two of them, in 2010 and 2015, were lost by the odd seat, 8 to 7.

And the last is still, in a sense, inconclusive as it hangs in the balance pending the Courts final ruling.

It looks as if the ULP expects new elections of some sort, a by-election in one or two constituencies or a reelection. There could only be one reason that the ULP seems to want a change in the leadership of the NDP at this crucial time. At bottom, they fear Arnhim’s settled leadership with its seamless unity and total devotion to the democratic captaincy that it puts on display.

An essential point in democratic leadership seems to have been completely missed by Bing Joseph. It is this: that Major Leacock has been allowed sufficient elbow room to spread his wings within the party, with not a word of protest from the Leader, except encouragement. That is a back-handed compliment to the leadership of Arnhim Eustace. Could anyone dare imagine such freedom within the ULP? Ask Ralph!

The truth is some persons are treating the last elections as a foregone conclusion. So, the NDP should go back to the House and ask questions about alleged sale of land in Canouan sale for $60 million US, never mind their failure to evoke responses over the past 15 years on integrity legislation, the fate of the mysterious one million dollars that seemed to vanish in thin air, and about the accounts of the multi-million dollar airport tab.

It is just too much to stomach. Let the NDP, with growing support of the people and led by Arnhim Eustace, continue to do their thing and whatever is necessary to restore justice and fairplay —the hallmark of democracy — to this blessed land.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 9.

Letters

The failings of FLOW I READ, with little interest, but with a great deal of incredulity, the propaganda message from Mr. Hull, regarding the corporate re-banding of FLOW. The best comment I can make on his pronouncements is that they are totally baseless and without foundation.

In Aug 2015, through the press media, I asked the management morons and corporate cretins that operate FLOW here in SVG, why they continue to subject the viewing public to such a third rate cable TV service.

Namely, why do we, an English speaking nation, have forced upon us a myriad of programmes that are in every language under the sun other than English?

Needless to say, this offering of mine was totally

ignored by the management of FLOW who offered no response whatsoever.

I can only surmise that this means one of two things: that they fully agreed with the comments made in my letter regarding their abysmal service and could offer no explanation; or (more probable) they are so arrogant and asinine that they feel it is below their status to comment upon the (justified) complaints of a client.

Are these simpletons under the (mistaken) impression that every single FLOW customer/viewer is fluent in a variety of tongues?

Not only that, but when you can detect a programme in English, it turns out to be an American programme with content that would be an insult to a mentally retarded mongoose.

Blessing for some, curses for others THE FULL FORCE of the Ministry of Labour, backed by the voice and (hefty) weight of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is being brought to bear upon a small, independent restaurant owner who may have improperly dismissed an employee. Meanwhile, the stepchildren of the Government, the Buccament Bay Resort and the St. Vincent Shipyard Limited, are free to hire and fire or pay or not pay whomever they wish to, whenever they wish to, without Governmental comment or interference. God help the small businessman, and let this be a warning to any entrepreneur foolish enough to seek to establish himself in St. Vincent, independent of the direct aid and benediction of His Dynastic Most High.

Do you think, at the time that the Ottley Hall shipyard lease was signed,

if the Government had said that the operators would be Venezuelans, that there might have been some vociferous discussion ensuing? Well, no truth was told, so now we have a situation where “yachts” from anywhere can enter St. Vincent, ostensibly for “repairs”, and offload what, and on load what, and be bound for where. What is the procedure for the inspection of vessels seeking “repairs”, entering the shipyard? Doesn’t anyone wonder at the termination of skilled Vincentians to be replaced by undocumented Venezuelans? Or is that an overbold question that may insinuate questioning the rectitude of the Dynastic Incumbency? (Here, his grumbling is cut short by the “Black Squad’s” knock on his door.)

JOE

FIRE for FLOW The midnight street

SO CAMILLO finally has something to say about cable TV rates, and it is a backward step, in an attempt to conciliate irate subscribers. We are being, and have been being ripped off.

Here is a free plug to get around all the horse manure of your local cable tap dancing. I have had enough of being jerked around from one company to another, and having my rates increase no matter what I do.

Look at Amazon Fire TV and see if that might not be better for you. It was for me. I get all the stations I want and more for less money. Check it out for yourself. Screw poor selection and stations you don’t want but have to pay for, in favour of every station you want for free, forever.

Maybe this will work for you, maybe it won’t, but it’s saving me a fortune monthly, and I can watch all the channels I used to miss from around the world (mostly news and documentary, for me, but entertainment channels for you). And the internet can afford you other alternatives when you look up Amazon Fire. Consider those. Screw Flow and Lime: they’re all the same: pay for more and get less.

Hugo

I can feel the cool, cool breeze Making sounds in the swaying trees, whistling leaves.

It’s just like an office decorated with palms, With buttercups glowing in the dark And photos of big and small buildings, Motor vehicles parked in lanes.

All shops are closed, no vending, Customers are asleep, till in the morning, Only the drivers moving by Passing the pedestrians morning and night.

The streets are so quiet and warm It invites you to see the lighted harbor, To enjoy that peace of mind in tranquility.

Oh, how happy to be walking along this beautiful city.

It’s paradise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Joanna Felicia Thompson PC 823

Part of Mr. Hull’s disinformation states, “We are focused on you the customer.” This, I believe, is a complete falsehood. Given that FLOW has just increased their charges and fees, I think he should have said: “We are focused upon getting as much money from you as possible, for as little service as we can offer.”

Each month, I remit to FLOW 100% of the amount due per their account to me. I think it only reasonable that , in return, FLOW should reciprocate and allow me to view and understand 100% of the programmes I am paying for, and not the less that 60% that I am able to view.

In closing, I would end with the same comment I made in my letter of Aug. 2015, i.e. I do not know or care what the acronym FLOW stands for, other than to say that it should be for Flaming Load Of Wastrels.

A. W. Indupp

Congrats to W.I. cricket champions PLEASE PERMIT a space in your column to express my views about the West Indies men, women, and under-19 cricket teams.

I must congratulate all three teams for the recent success in world cricket cup events, when each team won convincingly. Every West Indian is totally happy with the recent achievements, and it is clear indication that cricket fans, not only in the West Indies but all

over the world, are eventually happy that West Indies cricket is finally back to some degree of normalcy.

We all have to congratulate the respective coaches for a job well done, and really wish them more success in the future. With the recent rise in West Indies cricket, everyone is desperately hoping that more achievements actually are possible because investing in West Indies cricket is

The other side of Cuba THE TRUTH about propagandists is that they serve the interest of a cause without even blinking an eyelid.

Take our Speaker of the House, Jomo Thomas.

His meanderings about Cuba (I read the first one but couldn’t stomach the second after a few paragraphs) highlight what he perceives as the good that Cuba has accomplished and, as he implied, shares with the rest of us.

Now, that is good, and for all intents and purposes truthful. But isn’t there another side to Cuba that we must not deny?

Here are a few questions for Jomo. Isn’t it true that Cuba continues to crack down on dissent in the worst possible ways, and to have people behind bars for voicing opinions opposed to the ruling Communist Party? Isn’t it true that Cuba only very recently demolished a building used by an Evangelical religion? Isn’t it true that, even with the reopening of diplomatic relations with the USA, Cubans continue to flee Cuba, and head for the USA? Is there no poverty in Cuba? Are artists made to produce only works that are in support of the Revolution?

We have to be truthful always — to share the good with the bad. When it is good, we must say it is good, and when it is bad, we must say it is bad.

It is as simple as that.

Remember, there are ‘three’ sides to a coin: your side, my side and the truth.

Sam

the best thing to do at this present moment, in order to gain the respect of many youngsters.

Everton Mercury

* When will a new magistrate for the Kingstown cant be appointed?

Has the person who was offered the post declined? * When will the Traffic Department place a traffic police on that Cane Garden road between the hours of 4:30pm and about 6:00pm? Is it that they have relaxed the speed limit through developed residential areas? * Has Dr. Linton Lewis resigned as Chairman of the NDP, or has he simply taken ‘extended leave’ from his party duties? * Is there now a designated home in Kingstown for vagrants? Does anybody think that a person would burn down his own home?

V

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Can Arnhim Eustace and the NDP get more stupid?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ZHTF has been established by law, is comprised of esteemed professionals and senior public servants, and will support the existing initiatives by the government to reduce indigence.

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

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

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

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

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

They opposed the international airport project at Argyle, the education revolution, the housing revolution, the expansion to the health sector, the bridge over the Rabacca river, and the list goes on. If you love Vincentians, if you love this country, you would want what is best for the motherland and its people. Not so the unpatriotic NDP and Arnhim Eustace.

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

History will judge the NDP, and will remember that party for wanting to condemn these 3000 Vincentians to a life of hunger and indigence, almost like a death warrant. What a shame on the NDP! They must remember the words of Proverbs 17:5: “Whoever mocks the poor, shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster, will not go unpunished.”

A lack of transparency and accountability THE SILENCE of the illegitimate Unity Labour Party (ULP) government on the recent sale of lands in Canouan, is seen as disrespectful and insulting to the residents of Canouan, and has caused most Vincentians to speculate about the transaction.

Canouan came under the spotlight in the late 1990s, when major development work began by investors there, after lands were leased to them by the former the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration. During that period, a number of concerns were raised by residents. Most residents were concerned that because of the size of the island and the number of acres that were leased to the investors, it would be extremely difficult for them to obtain lands on which to construct homes, and for agriculture. They also feared that ‘generations to come will not be able to own a piece of the rock’.

In addition, they had difficulties accessing their beaches, and took to the streets in protest to demand access, which was and still is their constitutional right. The ULP, in opposition then, joined with the protestors and created mayhem on the island. They blocked roads, disrupted the free flow of traffic. The business of the Resort and ongoing construction were affected. The then Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell, intervened, and an amicable agreement was reached.

The ULP, in its ‘youthful exuberance’, promised the residents of Canouan that it would not involve itself in any future sale of lands, ‘when it got into power’. They echoed the position that Canouan lands were for the people of Canouan and generations to come.

Needless to say, a barrage of criticisms was leveled against the former NDP government by the members of the ULP, for leasing the investors the land, even though the transaction between the NDP and the investors was transparent.

General elections were held in 2001, and the ULP formed the government. Fifteen years later, the people of Canouan have begun to fight a similar battle to that of 2000 — a fight for lands and access to beaches.

Be reminded that it is the same ULP, which is governing illegally, and its leader, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who supported the protest actions in Canouan in 2000, when the party was in opposition. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

What has caused this battle between the people of Canouan and this illegitimate government?

Recently, the people of Canouan began to experience problems in accessing the beaches. They called on Dr. Gonsalves to address the issue, but he has failed to do so. Unlike 2000 when Sir James Mitchell went and dealt with the situation, Dr. Gonsalves is quiet on the matter. Can anyone say why Dr. Gonsalves is so silent on the Canouan issue?

But the real shock came during a (recent) meeting between the people of Canouan and the investors. That meeting revealed that the illegitimate ULP government had sold more lands to the investors. Even the parcel of land that was reserved for a marine park by this government is/was up for

sale. What a revelation!

The residents of Canouan were dumbfounded when they heard the news that more lands were sold to the investors, including the land the ULP promised the people of Canouan that it would have set aside for the inhabitants and generations to come.

Undoubtedly, the ULP and its leadership have betrayed the people of Canouan. It would appear that the deal was done in a cloud of secrecy.

Why? Questions abound: How much (additional) land was sold? Is it forty acres as reported? Were the lands sold for US $60 million? If yes, where is the money? Was it paid into the Consolidated Fund? What was it used for? If it hasn’t, for what use is it earmarked?

Simply put, Vincentians, calypsonian Poorsah, want to know, ‘Wey the money gone?’

The ULP government has a track record of a lack of transparency and accountability. For instance: there has not been an audited financial statement for the Argyle International Airport, the largest capital project in this country; they have failed to include the $112 million owed to Petro Caribe in the national debt status report; there has been no answer to the question which was asked by the Honourable Arnhim Eustace about the US $1 million which was deposited at the former National Commercial Bank. And the list goes on and on.

Now, further silence and unaccountability with respect to further sale of lands in Canouan.

The lack of accountability and transparency presents a major challenge to good governance and, as theory and practice support, breeds corruption. No wonder so many label the ULP administration the most corrupt ever to govern St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The ULP has failed to deliver on its 2001 manifesto promise as it relates to corruption. Since 2001, the ULP has been plagued with a number of allegations of corruption. For instance, a former chairman of the then National Commercial Bank was involved in a questionable banking transaction at the said bank; the Director of Audit found that officials managing the Cuban Integrated Health Project in the Ministry of Health had bought computer supplies and fast food, and paid monies to the International Airport Development Company, contrary to government policy; persons in the Ministry of Agriculture, under the Agriculture Diversification Project, imported microphone cables at US $12.14 each, and sold them to the ministry for US$555.46; and at the Ministry of Tourism, a senior government official was involved in a company that was formed to market and promote tourism in this country.

Vincentians deserve better, and it’s time for the illegitimate ULP regime to come clean and be transparent or get out of office, the latter being no indication that they will be exonerated of their wrongdoings.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 11.

Views

Disappointments and Uncertainties

“So often we focus on the disappointments of yesterday or the uncertainties of tomorrow, and miss God’s matchless gift to us: Today!”— David McCasland, Author.

“TODAY” IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIFT from God. It is a day that is like no other. It is uniquely packed with blessings – if we would only pause long enough to appreciate them.

Unfortunately, the joys of today are often not captured or maximized when we focus intently on the sorrows and disappointments of yesterday and/or the uncertainties and anxieties of tomorrow. As best we try, there is nothing that we can do to change the past and, as best we prepare, we have no real control over the future.

We have all made mistakes that we sometimes wish we could return to the past to correct. If given another chance, we certainly would avoid some of the things we said and did. If it was at all possible, and we had to live our lives all over again, so many of our choices would be different. In a sense, we can say that, “Hindsight provides so much wisdom.” Alas, we must take responsibility for our thoughts, actions, and foibles. We made the choices. We paid (or are paying) the consequences. We now move on with enhanced wisdom and a commitment to avoid repeating those mistakes. So, today, we press on, with the clear intention of extracting all the blessings that today brings.

While our backward gaze into yesterday’s choices often appear to be clouded by mistakes and negative thoughts, we also made many good choices. There is nothing wrong with our basking in the glow of those successes. This is especially so when those reflections embrace a spirit of gratitude for God’s provision, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. In addition, we can allow those backward gazes into the past to emit feelings of gratitude for the persons in our lives who made the progress possible.

Parents, spouses, siblings, teachers, neighbours, co-workers, and friends are but a few of those persons whose shoulders we were able to lean on or climb upon to get us to where we are now. We are who we are, and where we are, because of those valued individuals who cleared the path and/or inspired us to proceed when life may have seemed rough and unkind. We are forever grateful.

The future can often appear to be very daunting. Sometimes we spend so much time worrying about how tomorrow will turn out. Will I lose a loved one through death or abandonment? Will I have enough to eat? Will diseases or accidents visit a loved one or me? Will I be able to pay my bills? Will I be laid off should the company downsize? There are a host of troubling questions about tomorrow that can burden us down. However, the future is not all dark. There are good times and blessings ahead also.

Unfortunately, we so often seem to concentrate of the negative (or bad) that can befall us. Some would say, “We are wired to be negative.”

However, today, right now, we can look toward the future with optimism and hope. In doing so, we can create

that better future that so often eludes us when we become preoccupied with worrying about what we have left behind or what lies ahead. Our thoughts and actions of the present, today, can create and sustain a much brighter and better future. So much depends on what we allow our thoughts to focus on. We control those thoughts and, to a large extent, those thoughts can influence the likely outcomes and the challenges that we anticipate.

We are all prone to worry. Some of us hit the panic button more speedily than others. Some keep the finger on that “anxiety key” for much longer than others — for much longer than is healthy. Sometimes even those of us who have placed our trust in God’s hands periodically succumb to embracing the guilt of past activities and/or the fear of the unknown. We often have to be reminded that when God forgives us, those deeds are completely wiped away and we should therefore not burden ourselves with the heavy spiritual and emotional load of our misdeeds. True repentance of those debilitating thoughts and actions of the past enable us to rise again, then fly again, to rejoice in the today that is specially crafted for us. True faith in God enables us to look towards the future with hope and aspiration knowing that the God who feeds the birds and clothes the grass, is capable of providing for all of our needs — every last one. That hope, that faith, will drive away the disappointments and uncertainties. That hope, that faith, will allow us to be free from fear and apprehension. That hope, that faith, will assist us in realising that yesterday and tomorrow are beyond our control, even though we can put plans in place (today) to better cope with the likely challenges that tomorrow will bring.

We are reminded to live one day at a time — today. When we analyse the situations that break us down and hinder our progress, we readily realise that it is not the pressures of today that often maim us — it is usually the burden of guilt and hurt from the past and/or the fear of what may perchance in the future. These gazes into the negatives of the past and anxieties of the future can dampen our spirits and defeat us.

Focusing too intently on yesterday or tomorrow could rob us of the joy of today. We are encouraged to live today considering and appreciating how blessed we really are and seeking to be a blessing to others. We are reminded that this is a day that God has made and we can rejoice and be glad in it — not distracted by the disappointments of the past or the anxieties and uncertainties of the future. We are blessed today!

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

Are America’s elections rigged?

“The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.”

Noam Chomsky Saturday April 8. The Republican Party of Colorado didn’t even bother letting people vote before using arcane rules to strip the democratic process of its democracy. According to the Denver Post: “Colorado GOP leaders canceled the party’s presidential straw poll in August to avoid binding its delegates to a candidate who may not survive until the Republican National Convention in July. “Instead, Republicans selected national delegates through the caucus process, a move that put the election of national delegates in the hands of party insiders and activists — leaving roughly 90 percent of the more than 1 million Republican voters on the sidelines.”

Unsurprisingly, Trump’s nonestablishment campaign walked away with zero delegates. They were all “awarded” to Ted Cruz.

“How is it possible that the people of the great State of Colorado never got to Wait, what? vote in the Republican Primary? Great anger — totally unfair!” Trump said on How does one lose by winning 56 Twitter. “The people of Colorado had percent of the votes? This happens their vote taken away from them by the when the political process is, according phony politicians. Biggest story in to the New York Post, “rigged” by super politics. This will not be allowed!” delegates. The post summed up this In an interview on Monday, Trump “strange” phenomenon: was even more frank. “The system is “Under the Democratic Party’s rigged, it’s crooked,” he said. oddball delegate system, Sanders’ The Colorado GOP didn’t even winning streak – he has won seven out bother hiding its intentions, tweeting – of the past eight contests before New then quickly removing – what was York– counts for little. possibly the most honest insight into “In fact, despite his win, he splits the back-door dealing so far this Wyoming’s 14 pledged delegates 7 to 7 election season: under the caucus math.

The Republican party chooses the “Clinton, meanwhile, also gets the nominee, not the voting public. What we state’s four super delegates – who had are witnessing — for the first time on a already pledged their allegiance to her. large scale — is the political So despite ‘losing,’ she triumphs 11-7 in establishment’s true role in selecting the delegate tally.” the president of the United States. The Even media pundits on MSNBC illusion of choice has become apparent. openly called the process rigged: The establishment anoints their two The super delegate process is picks for president, and the country complicated, as we’ve noted before, but proceeds to argue vehemently over the they have one essential function: to two candidates they are spoon-fed. This prevent candidates like Bernie Sanders dynamic is reflective of a prophetic 1998 from winning the Democratic quote from philosopher Noam Chomsky: nomination.

“The smart way to keep people To prove the point, even when passive and obedient is to strictly limit Sanders does win states (despite Hillary the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but Clinton’s advantage in super delegates), allow very lively debate within that the media can be reliably counted on to spectrum.” discount Sanders’s wins as nothing Ahhh, the illusion of choice. Sure, in more than prolonging the electoral reality there are third party candidates process, which will inevitably elect the who should be given a fair shake, but in presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton. our mainstream media-augmented This pervasive commentary continues reality, third parties do not exist. They despite the fact Sanders only trails her aren’t mentioned. They aren’t even by several hundred pledged delegates. included in presidential debates. This Meanwhile, according to the same is another way the media stifles healthy media, the non-establishment Trump debate, stamps out dissenting opinions, campaign is threatened every time Ted and preserved the status-quo.

Cruz beats him — even though Trump “We The People” don’t choose our leads by a larger percentage of pledged presidents; they are hand-picked by a delegates than Clinton does. When powerful group of political party Clinton loses, it doesn’t matter because insiders- parties that have long since she already has the nomination locked sold out to the highest bidders. What we up. When Trump loses, his campaign is have on our hands in America is a in big trouble. rigged oligarchy, and that’s not a Starting to see the problem with the conspiracy theory — it’s fact. Now, media coverage? When you examine however, millions of Americans are these media narratives, a troubling becoming aware of it, thanks to the pattern emerges that goes beyond the populist campaigns of Bernie Sanders political establishment’s self interest. and Donald Trump. America’s elections You begin to see that American are controlled by a big club, but corporate media also functions as an unfortunately, “you ain’t in it!” arm of the political machine, protecting Most of the ideas for this piece came establishment candidates while from a Nick Bernabe article which attacking — or dismissing — candidates appeared in Anti Media on April 12, who seem non-establishment.

2016.

This brings us to the events that transpired during the Republican Send comments, criticisms & nomination process in Colorado on suggestions to wefirst@aol.com THE 2016 AMERICAN election has been a wild ride, with two insurgent grassroots campaigns literally giving the political establishment a run for its money. But as the events of this presidential primary season play out, it’s becoming clear the U.S. election — and even more so, the presidential race — is a big scam being perpetrated on the American people.

Events from in recent weeks have exposed the system as an illusion of choice and a farce. They have reinforced at least one study showing the U.S. is an oligarchy rather than a democratic republic.

The Wyoming democratic caucus took place on Saturday, 8 April, purportedly to allow voters to have their voices heard in the race between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Sanders lost the Wyoming caucus by winning it with a 12 percent margin.

V

12. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Human rights abuse - children of the poor being left behind in education MANY PARENTS of poor families have complained to the Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, that life is very hard financially, and it is very difficult for them to feed their children and send them to school.

Unemployment is very high, and many parents are out of work.

Consequently, they have virtually no money to pay their electricity and water bills, to buy food or to pay school-related expenses, such as uniforms, book and other fees.

Many parents have expressed their concern about the education system in SVG, saying that it does not work well for children from poor households.

Children of the poor are being left behind in large numbers. They see this as a human rights abuse and are demanding change.

Parents say that an education system is needed in which all children are

properly provided for, with equal access to resources for all the school children in SVG, regardless of their economic background. At present, many children from poor households do not have access to all the books they need, and some are kept away from school because their parents cannot afford uniforms.

With the global learning crisis costing $129 billion annually, the ‘Education for All Global Monitoring Report’ published

by UNESCO, calls for governments to commit to spending at least 20% of their budgets on education.

In the ULP regime’s 2016 Budget, of the $912.8 million, only $11.6 million is allocated to education. This is only 1.27% of the 2016 budget (source SVG budget 2016). In SVG, education spending is $170.96 million short.

Ethiopia allocates 25% of its budget to education.

The ULP regime may believe that the

cost of education is high; but it is clear that the cost of illiteracy is greater. Nine out of ten young people in jail cannot read. The cost of keeping them in jail is high and the cost to those young people personally is higher. Their lives are being wasted and their opportunities for good lives are lost.

The unfair tax system is having a negative impact on the education of the children of the poor. The situation is a gross abuse of human rights. It is immoral that our children’s education suffers whilst Taiwan and the super-rich migrants of Mustique and Canouan bloat and gorge themselves aided by tax exemptions.

It is quite obvious that with Taiwan not paying fish tax, and the super-rich migrants not paying tax, the ULP regime cannot comply with UNESCO’s call for 20% of the budget to go our children’s education.

THE HONOURABLE Julian Francis ought to be applauded for having admitted, even in the parliament, that the capital Kingstown was decidedly in a most unsatisfactory condition, from the standpoint of health and hygiene. One remembers that several years ago when Madame Rene Baptiste was the

representative of West Kingstown, that she had led a team of prominent and important persons in a fact-finding walk around Kingstown. The perception was, that the city needed a thorough cleaning-up. However, nothing was done after the well-publicised walk, and so today, almost ten years afterwards, the

situation remains the same and quite likely has got worse. A most eloquent indictment of the quality of management of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ ULP regime.

The evidences of this mismanagement are almost palpable, as one walks through the city and the rural Much ado about districts of our for sore eyes. unfortunate land.

Neglect, indifference and lack of pride are veritable prominent sign-posts today, and those who have undertaken the responsibility to manage must be held accountable. Also, those of us who empowered them with the privilege, particularly those of us who were their strong advocates, should feel duty bound to express our disapproval of these blatant deviations from promised undertakings.

I have heard that Dr. Gonsalves had made a promise to the captain of the victorious West Indies cricket team Darren Sammy, and I believe that every Vincentian would approve the gesture, but I say it would be immoral and flavoured with hyprocisy if, when the promise to Sammy is effected, the old promise to Butcher — Old George’s walking partner -had not yet been made manifest. Give Butcher that which was promised on behalf of the people!

One of the most painful exhibitions of failure to keep promises, is the abandonment of the Banana Industry by Dr. Gonsalves and his team. Vincentians no doubt would remember that in 2001 when Dr. Gonsalves and his ULP team sought the mandate from the people, they firmly promised that they were going to exert themselves to ensure the revitalization of the vital Banana Industry. Included, in that revitalization was to be the rapid restoration of the vital feeder roads. The farmers were won over, for it had been perceived that at time, the Mitchell regime was not particularly keen on agriculture. His accent seemed to be tourism, but his approaches had not been well thought through. The wastage of precious funds on the Union Island project is irrefutable testimony to that!

A government is needed that will provide free education from pre-school to university, for all SVG’s children, regardless of their economic background.

Education will not prosper in SVG with Gonsalves’ blundering economics and grossly unfair tax system and weak economy.

It is crucial that SVG changes direction to bring in a structural upgrading of the economy; move away from the dependency on tourism and begging for scholarships, and build our own university for our children and future generations.

Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan must pay their tax or pack their bags and go home.

They are major obstacles to education and sustainable development in our country.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Find us on Facebook and Twitter

The cleaning, the promises, the pressure

nothing. Kingstown remains a sight

The Banana Industry has seen better days.

Yet, since 2001, it cannot be said that a really serious effort had been made to address the securing of the Banana Industry, nor the feeder roads. Today, thanks to Dr. Gonsalves and his team, we have neither banana trade or feeder roads. The farmers were duped, and the communities, which had traditionally depended on agriculture for their welfare, became so impoverished that recently, the pre-electoral “material inducement” may well have been successful in blinding them from dispassionately examining the issues affecting them, and identifying the authors of their agony. But they will learn now through the ‘pressure’.

One cannot help but note the indifference, the failure of the intelligentsia to recognize the importance of agriculture to us. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce should have felt impelled to intervene when it was clear the agri-sector was being stifled. Merchants, traders and professionals have joined the farmers and others in the water. All feeling the pressure.

Le Roy Providence

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 13.

Crime

AROUND THE CRIME SCENE No charges for pastor and right to bring charges against them in the future.

Movie-type incident in his family THIS COUNTRY was caught up late last week in a state Vermont of utter consternation when news – including a Facebook posting, revealed that a young man had suffered severe burns about his body and face, after being doused with a hot substance, on Saturday 9th April, in Hopewell, Mesopotamia.

Some persons purported that the substance was hot water, while others, albeit a minority, said that, given the severity of the burns, it could well have been something more caustic.

Whatever the substance, Vincentians home and abroad voiced strong condemnation of the persons who had been ‘caught on candid camera’ inflicting the punishment on the young man, Cuthbert Victory of Mesopotamia.

Police confirmed last week Thursday that they had taken in a family of three — a Pastor, name given as Nigel Morgan - his wife and daughter for questioning, in relation to the matter.

The trio were subsequently released without being charged, again to much condemnation by the public.

Police subsequently assured that their investigations are ongoing, and they reserve the

time limit of 48 hours without being charged.

A check with the police revealed the staging of a movie-type incident in the lush Vermont Valley, in South Leeward.

Indications are that the police on Friday 15th April, were summoned to the assistance of a young woman, Mewanah Hadaway, who had been held Even as this country was being commending for against her will, by a man with whom she had had a ‘leading the way’ in introducing a Child Protection relationship.

Policy, news broke of an alleged sexual molestation of an eight-year-old girl from Calliaqua.

The police confirmed that they assisted in Checks with the police did not result in any firm ‘liberating’ the young man, and that she was helping details being disclosed, but THE VINCENTIAN them with their investigations into the matter. understands that the child had had a medical Information received from the police said that examination subsequent to a report made to the Hadaway was held in a House in Vermont, from police.

January 1, to Friday 1th April.

Speculation was and continues to be rife in Calliaqua with respect to who might have Her assistance led police to arrest Vermont committed the dastardly act, and reports are that a resident Vernon Primus who, up to Wednesday this man, described by a source as a “man with a week, had not been charged in connection with the record,” had been apprehended by members of the incident. community, and given a good ‘whacking’.

One legal source here expressed concern that No arrest has been made in connection with the Primus had been held beyond the legally allowed alleged crime.

Eight-year-old sexually molested

V

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

SVG launches National Child Protection Policy

THIS COUNTRY is the first in the Eastern Caribbean to adopt a national child protection policy.

This was confirmed

by UNICEF’s Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Khin-Sandi Lwin, as she addressed the launch of a National Child Protection Policy, Tuesday 19th April, at Frederick the NIS Conference Stephenson, Room, Kingstown.

Minister of Ms. Lwin described National this country as “a Mobilisation trailblazer” in this regard, and cited the policy as being consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The National Policy, she said, sends forth the message that everyone is expected to be actively involved in safeguarding the rights of children.

Khin-Sandi Ms. Lwin also Lwin, pledged UNICEF’s UNICEF’s continued support in Representative ensuring that the for Barbados Policy works in the best interest of the and the children of SVG. Eastern

Caribbean.

Government delivers

Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Policy, Minister of National Mobilisation Frederick Stephenson, under whose portfolio the care for and service to children fall, commended his government for the work it has been doing in relation to children, the elderly and the poor, and repeated the maxim that ‘a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable groups

(of people)’.

Minister Stephenson pointed out that, with the passing of the Child Care and Adoption Act in 2010, the Status of Children Act in 2011 and the 2015 Domestic Violence Act in 2015, his government has demonstrated its commitment to the protection of its vulnerable citizens.

He described the National Child

Protection Policy as a macro-based legal and social protection strategy, aimed at strengthening national protection, building evidence and knowledge, managing and analysing agents of change.

The launch was followed by a workshop session during which stakeholders looked intensely at Policy, its framework and procedures.

Management Results Workshop held here A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP aimed at helping micro, small and medium business owners ended here last Wednesday.

The ‘Managing for Development Workshop’ was sponsored in part by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Caribbean Technological Consultation Services (CTCS) and the National Development Foundation (NDF) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (NDFSVG).

According to Hermia Neehall (Mrs), Executive Director of NDFSVG, the workshop was intended to equip participants with the tools and methodologies to assist them to design results monitoring frameworks, so that they can measure, monitor and report on results from their small, micro and or medium business operations.

“We expect at the end of the workshop, that you will be better

equipped with the capacity to manage for development results,” she told participants in her welcome remarks.

Vice President of the Board of Directors of NDFSVG, Harold Lewis, also addressed the participants Workshop participants with facilitators Mrs. and pointed out that one of Catilda James (seated 2nd from left) and Mrs. the mandates of the Foundation was to promote Beverly Thompson (seated centre) and Mrs self-help development Hermia Neehall ED/NDFSVG. among what he referred to outcomes and objectives, it (Workshop) as the less fortunate sectors, through is clearly preparing the individuals for the provision of credit, technical some key indicators in management,” assistance and training. he added.

Hence, one of the objectives of the These indicators, Lewis continued, workshop, according to Lewis, was to included: the output that the focus on management that would yield participant was expecting to get from development results, critical in today’s the workshop; the impact and how this challenging environment in which impact is measured for the businesses operate. sustainability of the business.

“And when I look at the (expected)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 15.

News

Autism brought into focus

by GLORIAH… AUTISM, a developmental disorder of the brain, was brought into focus on Friday, 15th April, when the Ministry of Health and the Environment staged a public awareness forum under the gallery of the SVG Postal Corporation, Kingstown.

This, as the country joined the rest of the world in celebrating Autism Awareness Month.

April 2 is designated World Autism Awareness Day. The forum was organized as an audio/visual station and an information desk, where interested persons had access to leaflets, pamphlets and other available material.

Persons were also afforded one-on-one access to the persons manning the station.

According to Dr. Mishka Duncan-Adams,

Paediatric Neurologist and General Paediatrician at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the aim of the activity was to raise public awareness of the disorder, increase understanding and decrease the stigmatization of affected individuals and their families.

She highlighted some relevant information about the disorder, explaining that, “Autism is a life-long developmental disorder of behaviour and personality that affects children. It manifests problems of socializing and interacting with others. Those affected have problems communicating whether verbally or non-verbally and they are found to have many repetitive behaviours and interests.”

In highlighting the situation in SVG, Dr. Duncan-Adams reported that the most common cases she has seen have

been persons who would have formerly been called ‘autistic’, and those that are of high IQ but have difficulty communicating.

She explained, “The parent would bring the child and say, for example, ‘The child is not interacting like the other children. He is just following them but not playing, sticking to himself and not looking at you straight in the eye.

He has some difficulty in school communicating and the teacher calls him ‘disruptive’ because he gets up in class, walks around touching other children inappropriately’.”

These are obvious signs and symptoms, Dr. Duncan-Adams affirmed, adding that although there is no cure, autistic children could be intervened in such a way so that they are brought to their best potential Although proper

diagnosis is best achieved after the age of two years, babies could manifest signs and symptoms of the disorder, and Dr. Duncan-Adams Dr. Mishka Duncan-Adams (standing left) explaining some advised, “Most aspects of Autism to teachers of the Vinsave Pre-school, diagnoses are during the Public Awareness Forum. made around the age of two children is concerned, Dr. get the best out of them. years when the The child should be personality comes out in a Duncan-Adams offered: “St. Vincent and the accepted as he/she is and child, but there are very Grenadines is a small should be given the best early signs as well. You community and there are interventions possible in can find children that a lot of misconceptions the earliest stage.” don’t like much contact and stigmatization, A ‘Steering Committee like hugging, they do not especially to what is for Autism Awareness and follow the mother with considered different. ....

Parents’ Support Group’ their eyes, no real cooing There is no shame in has been formed here. nor attempts at uttering The Committee is tasked words, and in many cases having a child that is different. An autistic with establishing a St. not even pointing at child, one who has ASD Vincent and the objects. These are subtle Grenadines Autism signs that could be saying Autism Spectrum Disorders - doesn’t Society (SAS), to build that maybe my child is necessarily mean that it is awareness of the disorder autistic.” a bad thing. One just and advocate on behalf of As far as advice to needs to find out the true persons on the autism parents with autistic potential of that child and spectrum.

V Five ULP stalwarts recognized 16. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Government

FIVE STALWARTS of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), all having served in the Parliament of this country, have been recognized for their service.

Former parliamentarians Sir Vincent Beache, Girlyn Miguel, Clayton Burgin and Maxwell Charles, and former Speaker of the House Hendrick Alexander were recognized at a cocktail hosted

by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, at his official residence at Dascent Cottage, Old Montrose, on Saturday, April 16, 2016.

Senator Julian Francis, in his welcoming remarks, referred to the five as stalwarts “who have served this country well,” some at the level of government, and described them as having played important roles for the ULP. In his feature address, Dr. Gonsalves alluded to the five as “very special persons, to be commemorated for their

immense contribution to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Sir Vincent, the PM said, was a man of details, one who has been among this country’s longest serving parliamentarians, and has held several important ministerial and government positions.

Girlyn Miguel, dubbed the chaplain of the Cabinet, was always ready and able, according to Dr. Gonsalves, to “smooth things over.” He described her work as Minister Agriculture and later as Minister of Education as “phenomenal.”

Clayton Burgin’s success at the polls — undefeated between 2001 and 2015 — can be attributed to what Prime Minister Gonsalves described as “his knowledge of every single one of his constituents” in East St. George. Prior to his entering active politics, Burgin devoted much time to work in adult literary,

Sir Vincent Beache was elected to the House of Assembly for the first time in 1974. the House. The former general secretary of the now defunct St. Vincent Labour Party “understood politics,” said Dr. Gonsalves, and “made an immense contribution to when he first entered as a parliamentary democracy in Minister of Government (2010) this country, remarked Dr. but, according to Dr. Gonsalves.

Gonsalves, “He had caught on very quickly, and represented Acknowledgements the people of Central Leeward well.”

Sir Vincent was Hendrick Alexander is the overwhelmed by the honour, longest serving Speaker of the and thanked Prime Minister House (2001 — 2015) in the Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, history of St. Vincent and the members of Cabinet, Grenadines. Dr. Gonsalves credits him with having a Continued on Page 17. wide knowledge of the rules of Girlyn Miguel captured the Marriaqua seat for the ULP in 1998, after two consecutive victories by the NDP.

Clayton Burgin resigned his position as a civil servant to successfully contest a seat in 2001 for the ULP. informed by his roots in teaching, sports and as an active member of GEMS and other civil societies.

Maxwell Charles, a former Minister of National Reconciliation, did not quite understand how the Government system worked

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 17.

Government

Five ULP stalwarts recognized administration Clayton Burgin, expressed gratitude to Permanent Secretary, Godfrey all those who played a part in Pompey, and civil servants for his introduction to politics, all their kind sentiments. and to those who worked with According to Sir Vincent, his him during the fifteen years one desire is to see the he spent in Government. completion of the Argyle Maxwell Charles said that International Airport and to he was grateful to the ULP for land on it or to take off from having the confidence to select it. him to be a Former Minister of candidate in the Education, Hon. Girlyn 2010 general Miguel, described the elections, and to the ceremony as a noble deed, and people of Central thanked the Prime Minister Leeward who “from the depths of my heart.” supported him She admitted that it was not through his five in her bones to become a years in office. He politician, and that prayer to cited Prime God guided her decision so to Minister Gonsalves do. as a leader because Minister of Health, “he is someone who Wellness and the Environment is strong and finds in the immediate past ULP solutions in the Continued from Page 16.

Right: Hendrick Alexander was a long standing member of the St. Vincent Labour Party long before any talk of its merger with the Movement for National Unity.

nick of time.”

Hendrick Alexander declared his gratitude to his Parliamentary colleagues for their confidence in him during his tenure as Speaker. He thanked Dr. Gonsalves who,

over the years, continually proposed him to be Speaker of the House of Assembly.

(Source: API)

Maxwell Charles contested a general election on one occasion (2010) and was successful.

V

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Boom SVG 106.9, the latest to hit the radio waves here, is marking its first year in operation, and the man at the helm is predicting exciting times ahead.

Chief Operation Manager and Co-Owner of the Radio Station Dwight “Bing” Joseph said that, while the first year was a challenging one, he sees an exciting and successful radio station going forward.

With some of the most controversial and exciting radio programmes, particularly on the political and carnival front, BOOM SVG 106.9 is slowly finding its footing, and the OMG morning show, anchored by Joseph and co-hosted by Danielle Veira and Stephen Joachim, accounts for much of that success.

The Challenges In recounting the challenges of the first year, Joseph told THE VINCENTIAN , “One of the things that we found out the hard way is that we were over staffed substantially .”

But despite having to scale down on the size of the staff, the station

Just a part of the ‘happy crew’ at BOOM SVG 106.9.

Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph, BOOM SVG 106.9 Chief Operation Manager, Co-Owner and ‘main voice’, admits to challenges, but is satisfied the station may just have exceeded expectation. station.

still provides employment for 16 persons.

Added to staffing hiccup was having to resort to a low-keyed launch since BOOM on air debut followed closely on that of the launch of another radio

The High Points Notwithstanding, there were two particular high points during the year.

The first, according to Joseph, was the Carnival Concert Series, a “unique” slot in the OMG programme, “that offered a platform for upcoming artistes to promote their music.”

The Concert Series was well patronized, and in Joseph’s view “was a huge success,” especially given its marriage with sister company IKTV, that also aired Skinny Fabulous and Fireman – just two of the Series. the many soca/performing icons that have The other high point was graced the BOOM SVG 106.9 radio waves. occasioned by the election campaign and the launch of the Camapign Series as part of the Right: Speaker of the OMG programme.

“That (Series) has the greatest House Jomo Thomas was one of the many impact… it made us emerge.. it candidates who was a product to be reckoned made use of the with. We basically started the Campaign Series on election campaign before the BOOM SVG 106.9. elections were announced,” said Joseph, who confessed to being a political animal.

He said the objective of the Campaign Series was to bring in most of the candidates from the main political parties. allegedly made during one of his “Listenership increased a OMG broadcasts. Joseph’s lawyer hundred fold, as more and more responded on his behalf, with a persons began to listen, as politirefusal to concede to the request. cians and political activists were However, the radio personality’s drilled on a number of issues, with lawyer wrote back to Exeter’s lawyer some even walking out of the interclaiming that Joseph would not views,” Joseph explained. apologize or pay any compensation.

Joseph admitted that on occasions, the programme was controThe road ahead versial, something Joseph confessed he “wants the station to embrace.”

“I want to create a new type of But despite the attention gained radio in St. Vincent …….. People who from controversy, there was a were not listening to radio are downside to it. In March of this starting to listen to us because of the year, a Lawyer for the opposition direction which we are going, NDP politician Benjamin Exeter, because of the content which we are wrote to Joseph and BOOM SVG offering,” said Joseph.

106.9, demanding compensation and an apology for comments that Joseph Continued on Page 19.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 19.

Feature

20. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) The key to feeling good about yourself will be to do something about it. Invest wisely. Your personal life could have you tied up in knots. You will find the excitement gratifying. If you put your energy into physical outlets you will avoid confrontations.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Don't be too quick to judge your loved ones. You need some excitement in your life, and meeting new people in exotic destinations will certainly satisfy your desires. You may meet that special person if you attend fundraising functions. You can expect insincere gestures of friendliness this week.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You might have some problems balancing your books. This will not be the day to start new business ventures or make drastic changes in your career.

Get busy making those changes to your home. Be cautious not to get involved in office chatter that will cause problems for others.

been I confined due to illness. Don't second guess yourself, just go to it.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Finish off old projects before starting something new. Try not to allow others to burden you with additional responsibilities. Your ideas can be put into action. You will be able to make financial gains.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues.

Concentrate on spending quality time with children and friends. Think twice before you pursue an unrealistic endeavor. Help others solve their dilemmas.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Someone around you may not be trustworthy. You'll stay out of trouble if you pick projects that will benefit the whole family. This is not the day to be extravagant. Take time to help children with projects that may be too hard for them to do on their own.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Don't believe everything you hear.

Someone around you may not be trustworthy. Refrain from arguing with your mate. New romantic partners will evolve through group endeavors; however, the association may not be likely to last.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Visit those less fortunate than yourself; be sure to help them with their personal problems. You can make career moves that will be prosperous. Keep your mind on your work and stay away from situations that could ruin your reputation. Try to be understanding.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Dealing with in-laws or relatives will not be in your best interest. You will have a greater involvement in groups; however, they may not be to your advantage. If you take on too much of a financial burden you may make yourself ill. Try to satisfy both of your needs.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You may be likely to have difficulties with females. You are best not to nag or criticize. Friends from your past may come back into your life. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You may find that romance will unfold through business connections. Pleasure trips will be most enjoyable and should lead to new and lasting friendships.

Take time to visit someone who has

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Self-improvement projects should be your key concern. Be careful that you don't overextend yourself. Get friends to help you with the preparations.

Unexpected bills may set you back.

ACROSS 1. Epps or ER 5. Sports org.

8. GleasonCarney movie: “Izzy &__” 11. Cisco Kid coin 12. Brewton of Parker Lewis Can’t Lose 13. Prince Valiant son 14. Clucking sounds 15. Citroen’s fourwheeled cousin 16. Crossed out 17. Mideast nation (abbr.)

19. Yogi Bear’s buddy (2 wds.)

21. Silent British bumbler (2 wds.)

24. Harem chamber 25. Me, to Miss Piggy 26. Cynthia of Madman of the People 29. Laura of Enlightened 32. Absolutely Fabulous setting (abbr.)

33. Like Aunt Clara on Bewitched 35. Vintage car 36. Through the Crystal Ball host and star Jimmy 38. Aim 39. Jethro’s uncle 40. __ Burrows’ Almanac 42. Petula and

Dick 44. Emulate Gomer Pyle 47. Nick’s Kenan & __ 48. Hysterical, on-line 49. __ & Dean: Inn Love 51. Sanders of a Different World 55. Dander 56. Major ending 57. Russ Tamblyn’s role in “West Side Story” 58. __ When 59. Compass point 60. Baseball bosses Five-O’s Harry (abbr.)

12. American __ with DOWN Paula Zahn 18. Epic tale 1. Decide for Word 20.

2. Maura Isles Taxi’s and Quincy, Reverend e.g. (abbr.)

Jim 3. Funny You 21. French titles Should __ (abbr.)

4. Victim on The Killing 22. Gossip reporter 5. Weather Elliot Channel of Preview feature 6. Hazel actor 23. Barbara Stanwyck Robert P. Series: The 7. “Jungle __ (2 wds.)

Book” bear 27. Start for 8. He played Jethro Bodine 28. degradable Boston __ (3 wds.)

Emit fumes 9. Cookie that 30.

Silent bids kids lick the 31. middle out of 34. Friends actress 10. Hawaii

Macpherson 37. Geisha’s sash 41. Will of Reunion 43. Rescue 8 signal 44. Marienthal and Wallach 45. Marsha Mason’s

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 21.

Sibs role 46. Dora the Explorer fans 50. Tod and Buz tavelled #66 (abbr.)

52. Lively dance 53. Tarzan cont.

54. No __, ands or buts

V

22. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Calls creating problems Dear George, I GOT INTO a silly argument with my girlfriend some days ago, and what I thought was a simple matter, has turned out to be one big problem.

I had a conversation with someone on my cell phone while I was out taking a walk with my girlfriend. The call lasted about ten seconds. My girlfriend asked me who called, and I replied, “ It’s no one that you know.” She was not satisfied with my answer, and insisted that I tell her who the caller was. I repeated my answer. There and then she started arguing with me, telling me that it had to be one of my “women.”

I am tired of having to explain all of my calls to her, and I am getting the feeling that she does not trust me. I never ask her who she talks to when her phone rings, so why can’t she give me the same respect. I am not cheating on her and

never will, but I am just fed up with having to answer to her every time my phone rings.

Fed Up Dear fed Up,

have lovingly expressed your concerns of having A simple answer to explain your calls, and revealing who called that having to do so could have prevented gives you the feeling that that argument. Of she doesn’t trust you. course after you revealed It is important that the identity of the caller, you communicate your whether she knows the dissatisfaction with the person or not, you could way things are as it

relates to your phone calls. Even though you are together, the right to privacy ought to be respected. You have to decide between you know to where that line should be drawn.

Result of a previous relationship Dear George,

MY CURRENT BOYFRIEND and I started our relationship the very day after I had broken up with my previous boyfriend. I was crying and he was there to comfort me. It was then that we shared our first kiss and started our relationship. It turned out that I got pregnant not too long after that, and we were looking forward to our first child.

George What horror it was when we found out later that the child I am carrying was not but the money part of it is what I am having problems my boyfriend’s. Apparently I got pregnant while I was in my previous relationship. I with. Giving her this money would mean that my had the necessary DNA done and it proved Dear George, budget would be affected in a big way, and that my ex-boyfriend is the father of my it would be hard to explain that deficit to child.

I AM IN a terrible situation. I have been my wife.

Now, my boyfriend is convinced that I married now for 3 years and never This is what you call a mess, and I am was still involved with my ex after I began cheated on my wife until the case I am counting on you to help me get out of it. dating him. I cannot convince him writing about. otherwise.

A friend of my wife happened to drop by Feeling Crazy How can I get him to stop this horrible a certain house where a woman and I way of thinking? It hurts my feelings were engaged in sex. The woman I was Dear Feeling Crazy, with also happened to be my wife’s when he thinks that way, and I am at the friend.

The first thing to know here is that this point where I am ready to go my own We, i.e. me and the woman I was with, friend of your wife who met you in the way if he insists on thinking of me as an begged her to keep this between us, and uncompromising situation, has revealed unfaithful person. she promised she would, under the her true self. The fact that she is willing conditions that I would meet her sexual to blackmail you is troubling, and you needs whenever she requested, and that I agreeing to her terms is bound to land you Ready to walk pay her $500.00 every month. in further hot water. You have much Dear ready to walk, I don’t mind meeting her sexual needs, more to lose if you choose to trust this woman. You will become a A relationship cannot survive without prisoner without possibility of parole, and that is not what you trust. want.

Considering that your boyfriend did not ‘Man-up’ and admit your give you time to fully get over your infidelity to your wife, and use previous relationship before starting the opportunity to renew your vows to her. You may want to do another, he should not be this naive to think that it was impossible for you to this in the presence of a have been pregnant when he started marriage counselor. dating you. You should not have to spend Your attitude to change after your life trying to convince this man that messing up is what is important. It will be quite you have been faithful to him. It is either challenging to prove your worth he accepts you as is and be there for you after this, and to regain your like a real man would, or remove himself wife’s trust, but it can be done. from the relationship.

I am going to assume that you Your ex-boyfriend should be told of this have learned that it is not worth development and given a chance to play a it to look outside your marriage role in his child’s life. This situation is for what can be found going to require all parties involved to inside. Sometimes you have to behave like adults and do what is proper look a little harder or with in the interest of this child and the different eyes, to see what you thought was not there. preservation of peace.

Man-up or be doomed

George

George

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 23.

24. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 25.

V

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Celebrating the life and times of Leila Olneitha Daisley many children from the Park Hill neighbourhood benefitted from her love, patience and special care.

She was also very

by LENNOX E. A. DAISLEY four months old, and I know some of you talented with her hands (Son) Mammy took care of both might be saying: “Come on and taught her friends the children until Anthony Lennie, she was only your art of dress-making, ‘ALL DEATH is painful! I was about three years of mother … don’t try to embroidery and macramé; know that too well ….’ I am age. No one could discern ascribe Christ-like she made clothes and fully aware of that maxim. that Anthony was not her qualities to her!” other stuff for her siblings But, this is not the time natural baby as she To you, I would say: “… and persons in her for weeping, feeling sad or breast-fed him; some not so fast, that is community. looking grumpy. Instead, thought that she had a precisely the point …”

She operated her Preit’s time for honouring twin. However, when How else can you explain School until she got her that fine lady we call Keith was born and things the fact that I only first paying-job as a Leila, ‘Mother Daisley’, became rather difficult for managed to get one spank teacher at the Byera Hill Mammy or Granny. her to provide her best from her as a child, or Primary School. Mammy Every now and then, care, she was forced to during my lifetime! often spoke with fond there appears in our world take the gut-wrenching memories of her students, someone that is good; decision to send Anthony, For whence she came and especially Ken Boyea - a someone that exceeds at three years old, to his thence businessman, and Errol normal human qualities, maternal grandmother in Allen — an OECS Central behaviour and Trinidad. Of course, This special human banker. characteristics. One such Mammy agonized and being, of whom I speak, Shortly after her person is Leila Olneitha cried a great deal before was born to Imelda and assignment as a teacher, De Freitas-Daisley. She she parted with Anthony. John De Freitas of Park she fell in love with and was a great lady — a I also vividly recall her Hill, on the 20th August married the Head Teacher phenomenal woman who working tirelessly at 1925. She was the fourth of the Byera Hill School, represented the best!

Christmas time with my of seven children, two of Hubert Daisley, and the father’s team at Stubbs, to whom have predeceased union produced eight Caring for more than her own ensure that all of the poor her. She is survived by children (seven sons and persons living in Stubbs, Uncle Xavier De Freitas of one daughter: Errey in Mammy loved nature, Victoria Village, Calder, Frenches, Uncle Brendon Montreal; Lennie at Bon but especially animals; Rescue, Argyle and the De Freitas of Park Hill, Homme; John at Peruvian Tanty Euvon insists that surrounding communities, Tanty Euvon King and Vale; Louis in New York; “she takes after her were provided with a Tanty Therese Punnett, and Larry, Patrick, Keith grandfather, the Scottish proper meal and both resident in the and Dionne in Toronto. veterinarian Samson otheritems that ensured United Kingdom.

Once married, Mammy Sutherland, who worked they enjoyed their Everyone with whom I devoted herself to being a in St. Vincent around the Christmas. In those days, spoke advised that housewife, and turn of the century”. the late 1950s, providing Mammy had a very happy accompanied Daddy to She was genuinely for the poor was an childhood, which was twenty-nine (29) other friendly and honest, and expression of love and not crowned by the villages in St. Vincent and selflessly supportive of yet a ‘quid pro quo’ event opportunity afforded her the Grenadines, where he persons whether they to be heralded with great to go to the Girls’ High served as Head Teacher. were friends, mere pomp, ceremony and School, Kingstown, where Finally, home was set up acquaintances, or even fanfare! she excelled. I am quite at Stubbs, where she strangers. Oftentimes, Mammy was a special sure that it would surprise became the Post Mistress Mammy took in complete cook. Perhaps, I should most of you to learn that and worked diligently for strangers and showered indicate here that I have she rode a bicycle to a salary of seventeen them with love, kindness never seen her prepare school, from Park Hill to dollars ($17) per month. and respect. any meal without there Kingstown. The routine Her (other) descendants I recall when a being enough food to during the school term include: twenty-two (22) pregnant teenager arrived satisfy an extra two or was that she left Park Hill grand children; nineteen from Trinidad to stay at a three visitors, who might on Sundays, after church, (19) great-grand children; neighbour’s home in just happen to pass by our and returned on Friday and two (2) great-great Stubbs, and later gave home. evenings. Such an grand children birth to a son, Anthony, And through it all, she undertaking would be Mammy’s passing is whom she left with was not easily ruffled. I unheard of today; it would also mourned by many Mammy when he was only can’t recall seeing her be much too dangerous!!! other relatives, including: a few days old and angry. She was a great On completing her the De Freitas, Pereira, returned to Trinidad. At mediator, but most secondary schooling, she Cabral, Da Santos, that time, my youngest importantly, she was very, opened a ‘little’ Pre-school Dasilva, Abbott, Marks, brother, Louis, was about very slow to anger. in her family home, where Mc. Kie, Francis,

NOTICE Shareholders of the St. Vincent Automotive Co-0perative Society Ltd are kindly asked to take note that the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Society will take place on Thursday 12th May 2016 at 5 pm, at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Society Building on Halifax Street.

Signed: Randy Boucher Secretary

Gonsalves, Balcombe, Henry, Rodriguez, Crozier, Crichton, Venner, Pilgrim, Browne and Sutherland families; by five daughters In-law and numerous friends, including the Hunte, Clarke and Daniel families of Barbados.

May I, on behalf of the extended family, express appreciation to all those who expressed concern, condolences and best wishes, particularly those who impacted her life in her last days among us. I speak also of her caregivers: Dr. Miriam Sheridan; Dr. Lennox Adams; Mrs. Monica David; and Ms. Juliet Ryan. Your input meant a great deal! Thanks.

Mrs. Leila Olneitha Dailey

side,and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says: The messages of life and ‘There! She’s gone,’ death there are others watching In closing, I wish to share two thoughts that I her coming, and voices ready to take hope will be consoling …

They are metaphors that I up the glad shout ‘There she comes!’ found most interesting.

One is a poem called: “The And that is dying.

Ship”, which Mammy and Secondly, my own idea about life and death is I chanced upon at Irma shaped by the fact that I Norris’ funeral; and the am an Agricultural second is my own sort of Scientist with knowledge perception about life and of the process of death. metamorphosis…

First, the poem …

Thus, there is an egg that The Ship, by Charles hatches into a caterpillar Henry Brent a very active animal - that “What is dying”? feeds voraciously on all I am standing on the sorts of plants in the field seashore.

A ship at my side spreads which cause it to grow and develop rapidly. At some her white sails to the stage, the caterpillar’s morning breeze feeding and other and starts for the blue activities slow down, then ocean.

She is an object of beauty it changes into a motionless pupa. But, just and strength and I stand when we think it is dead, and watch her remarkably, it changes until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud into a beautiful butterfly just where the sea and sky and flies away to continue life. Farewell, dear come down to mingle Mammy … Until. with each other.

May she continue her Then someone at my side rest in peace, and that the says: ‘There! She’s gone.’

Angels escort her safely to Gone where? Gone from the arms of her Maker, so my sight that is all. that all the Saints can She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as shout with glee: “Here She Comes!” shewas when she left my

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 27.

Two get local Special Olympics recognition CAMILLE JACOBS AND WOODROW WILLIAMS were the special awardees at this year’s Special Olympics which opened at Victoria Park, last week Thursday, April 14.

The two have contributed in different ways to the movement over the years.

Jacobs’ involvement in Special Olympics spanned some 25 years, during which she also served as Principal of the Sunshine School in Bequia.

She officially retired in 2013 but served for another two years, on request from the Board of Directors.

In the citation read at last Thursday’s opening, Jacobs was noted as one who carried out her duties “with passion, joy and vigour... This is a woman who does what she has to do with very little... She does not like to complain.”

But Jacobs’ joy of accepting her token of appreciation contrasted with that of Williams.

Caught unaware, Williams was overcome with emotions on hearing his name announced as a recipient of this special recognition.

Williams said after he had no prior knowledge

that he was being recognised, and stated, “I do what I do for the love of it, not for any rewards or trophy, plaque or recognition.”

Williams’ admitted that his involvement in Special Olympics was accidental. He recalled that thirty- six years ago he went to view the national games, “to get a laugh.”

That experience changed his attitude, and today, “I am sold out to these people...

They are my life,” he intimated.

Williams said he gets joy from seeing the special athletes achieve, even moreso than when persons of able body and mind do likewise.

Over time, Williams has performed several voluntary duties as coach and technical official at Special Olympics World Summer Games, as well as facilitated training in floor hockey to other territories in the Caribbean.

Jacobs and Williams,

TSSS gears up for Penn Relays

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

JAMES CORDICE, the architect behind the nation’s participation in the illustrious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says preparations are well underway for hosting athletes from the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) in next week’s relays carnival.

“Preparations are on track,” said Cordice, a Clare Valley native, in a VINCENTIAN interview Monday night. “I’m very James Cordice says excited. This is the sixth that all is ready to year [hosting TSSS welcome the TSSS to athletes] — sixth time the Penn Relays for around.” the sixth consecutive Camille Jacobs (left) receives her Cordice said the 18year. award from Digicel’s representative member contingent — Danielle Cupid. which includes a manager (Larissa John), a chaperone (Farrah Bailey), a head Inset: A sobbing Woodrow Williams coach (Godfrey ‘Fuzzy’ Harry) and a female coach after hearing he was being recognised (Chantel Legair) - flies into New York’s John F.

by Special Olympics SVG. Kennedy International Airport early Sunday morning, and will then take a two-hour van ride to Philadelphia. follow other to the 2015 Special In previous years, the contingent flew directly to honorees Olympics World Summer Philadelphia. But Cordice said the new route is more Velma Games were presented financially feasible.

Jackson, the with trophies in As in prior years, the male and female track stars late Tyrone ‘Tweety’ recognition of their will compete in 4x100 and 4x400m events during the Spence, Majorie Jackson outstanding performance. three-day carnival, which starts next week Thursday, and Terrence Davis.

‘Revealing the April 29.

Also at last week champion in all of us’ was This year’s male athletes are: Mickail Legair, Thursday’s ceremony, all the theme for the staging Derold Samuel, Azare Samuel, Nigel Thomas, Neilo members of the St Vincent of the 2016 National Thomas, Edwin Weston and Zenron Chance. and the Grenadines team Games.

The female athletes are: Mickaila Slater, Cheslyn Simper, Oleisha Ryan, Zamesha Myle, Ariel Jackson, Kavesia George and Shanise John.

Cordice said Vincentian national track star Brandon ValentineParris, who continues his winning ways in track meets in the United States, is expected to grace the THE EXECUTIVE of the St ... We have to start with tracks during the Penn Relays, at Vincent and the Grenadines persons coming out of Franklin Field Stadium, at the Football Federation has been secondary school , young University of Pennsylvania. challenged to put the necessary adults , age 20 , 21 ... We Valentine-Parris, who mechanisms in place, to don’t get them crawling out of represented TSSS on two prior Penn continuously replenish the the woodwork .. Get them referee stock here.

Relays, is expected to compete for interested... Put the This advice has come from information out there, tell Claflin University in Orangeburg, two FIFA referees instructors — them of the success stories ...

South Carolina, where he’s Jamaican Victor Stewart and You won’t get a hundred, but currently on an athletic scholarship.

Joseph Taylor of Trinidad and if you get ten good young Bus and car loads of nationals Tobago. people to work with, this is from New York are also expected to The two spoke in unison at what we want to see.” trek to Philadelphia to render the closing exercise last Both men agreed that such boisterous support to the Vincentian Sunday, of a four-day referees’ a recruitment drive should not athletes. course, which falls under only suffice the FIFA list, but Laverne McDowald-Thompson, FIFA’s Referees Assistance (also) help the local football Pesident of the New York-based Programme (RAP). structure of St Vincent and Referees who attended the four- day course. Seated (from Council of St. Vincent and the “Recruit at a younger age so the Grenadines. left to right) are Victor Stewart, John Hinds (President of the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A., that we can get continuity ....

Stewart and Taylor also SVG Referees Association) and Joseph Taylor.

Inc. (COSAGO), confirmed that We want to see more people concurred that there have COSAGO was organizing a bus-load out of St Vincent (and the been some improvements in of nationals to support the athletes Apart from Stewart and three days, with the closing Grenadines),” Stewart said. commitment of referees here, on the final day of the meet, Taylor, local personnel in ceremony held at the St In his assessment of the St since they last visited to Saturday, April 30.

Lorson Lewis, Caswell Vincent and the Grenadines Vincent and the Grenadines conduct a similar exercise in Cordice said the TSSS athletes Cambridge and Earl Paynter, Football Federation’s office at situation, a situation he noted 2015. provided technical support for Bentick Square. will be feted at a reception on the was not peculiar, as several They observed from the course.

Fifteen referees who practise night of the final day, at the other Caribbean territories are interacting with the referees, The course was staged at their craft in local football Vincentian-owned Calabash so characterised, Taylor that work is beingdone , but Xpert Computer Centre competitions participated in Restaurant and Catering House on commented, “ Referees are accepted that they are never Conference Room, for the first the four-day course.

Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia. coming out from an earlier age satisfied.

Football authorities charged to recruit younger referees

V

28. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Police Two humbled

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

SALVAN BROWNE played a lone role that saved Police TWO from utter humiliation at the hands of Victors ONE, in a NLA Premier Division match played at the Stubbs Playing Field last weekend.

SCORES: Police TWO 114 & 65, Victors ONE 184.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, the officers found themselves in heaps of trouble, with half the team back in the pavilion with the score 23/5 within the first five overs. And things got worse as the score slipped to 29/7.

But Browne, batting at number six, took advantage of a number of let offs and refused to be deterred in his approach, even as wickets tumbled around him. In a

counter attacking innings, he lashed 70* in the total of 114, striking eight fours and three sixes off the 73 balls he faced, during his 114 minute stay at the crease.

Browne featured in partnerships of 40 for the eighth wicket with Darius Martin (7), and 45 for the ninth with Romario Bibby (3).

Norlan Williams, bowling pace and spin, took 4/31, while Shaquille Browne, who did the early damage with his pace, grabbed 3/8 from seven overs.

Victors ONE’s thoughts of an easy afternoon were quickly put to bed. After an opening partnership of Salvan Browne made 70* out of 114.

Norlan Williams - 44 runs and a match haul of 8/35.

22 between Atticus Browne (13) and Chrisroy John (20), they quickly jack-knifed into trouble and were uncomfortably placed at 100/7, as off spinner Kenneth Dember (4/74) once again proved a handful against his former teammates.

It was left to Williams (44) to use the long handle to good effect.

He carted five sixes and one four to grab the initiative back from the officers. Damaul Phillips made 27 as pacer Bibby 3/33 and off spinner Elmore Alexander 3/52, limited the damage.

Police TWO, with the task of erasing a deficit of 70, descended even further down the shaft, as they were dismissed for 65, to lose by an innings and five runs.

Williams, bowling off spin, grabbed 4/3 from five overs for a match haul of 8/34.

Canouan takes Mustique Invitational

A DISPLAY of clinical stroke play by the top order batsmen of Smashers ensured that they sank Prime Consulting Marriaqua into an abyss of defeat, but a century by Radcliffe Too’s Kensley Joseph could not propel his team to victory over French Verandah SVG Community College.

Both matches were played last Sunday, in the Sunday League of the First Division of the National Cricket Championship.

In a match played at Buccament Playing Field, Prime Consulting Marriaqua won the toss and, as it turned out, mistakenly putting their opponents into bat.

What followed was a veritable onslaught, as Smashers piled up 343 all out in 43 overs, with Ronald Scott top scoring with 89, Deptor Culzac getting 45, Javid Harry 39 and Courtney Joyette 32. Junior Adams, with 2 for 28, was the best bowler for Prime Consulting Marriaqua.

A totally deflated Prime Consulting Marriaqua replied with 107 all out in 16.2 overs, to go down by a massive 236 runs. Kevin Paul, 27, and Isaac Haywood, 26, offered some resistance to the guile of leg spinner Javon Samuel, who bagged 7 for 46 off 8 overs.

In another Sunday match, French Verandah SVG Community College continued on their winning path, edging Radcliffe Too by 8 runs, at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

French Verandah SVG Community College took first knock and registered 210 all out in 43.5 overs, Jeremy Layne leading with 45, Cody Horne contributing 33 and Jeremy Haywood 27. Canute Lewis took 4 for 40 off 6 overs for Radcliffe Too. Haywood returned to complete a good all round performance when he took 4 for 16 in 4 overs, to help restrict Racliffe Too to 202 in 25.5 overs.

Interestingly, one batsmen, Kensley Joseph, who registered a season high of 117, accounted for more than half of Radcliffe Too’s total.

I.B.A.ALLEN

NeroÊs heroics stifle Survivors

by PAUL JAMES THE ANNUAL MUSTIQUE T20 Club championship was launched on Sunday 17th April, at 10:30am, with an invitational four-team, 10overs-a-side showdown.

A visiting Canouan Eleven joined with a Mustique representative Eleven and local (Mustique) teams, Alumbrera Sweepers and Salanga Tama Hawks in that showdown.

In a low-scoring first match, the Mustique Eleven romped home winners over Alumbrera Sweepers.

Mustique put up a less than challenging 78 for 1 in their ten overs, to which their opponents replied with a more than disappointing 32 all out in 10 overs.

Nicholas Baptiste, 55 not out, was Mustique’s top scorer, and Trevor Mc.Fee and Lyndon Cain, three wickets each, accounted for Alumbrera Sweepers’ demise.

In the second game, Shem Browne with 51 not out helped Salanga Tama Hawks get to 86 for 1 in 10. Canouan Eleven eased to victory, closing at 88 for 4 wickets in 9.5 overs, with Dwayne Charles unbeaten on 38. Coswell Dorsette 2 for 6 and Wilson Thomas had two wickets a piece for Tama hawks.

In the much anticipated finals clash between visitors Canouan Eleven and hosts Mustique Eleven, Canouan ensured their travel was worth it, when they downed their hosts by a commanding 9

Smashers crush Marriaqua in Sunday League

Shem (right) and Rasine Browne led Salanga Tama Hawks batting in a losing effort against Canouan. wickets.

Mustique batted through their allotted ten overs, closing at 72 for 10. Lennon Cain’s 22 proved crucial against a wily Orlando Wright, who had a return of 3 for 11.

Canouan, seemingly in haste to make sure they caught the early boat back home, raced to 76 for the loss of one wicket, in a mere 5.2 overs.

The 2016 Mustique T20 Championship will begin in earnest in May.

Nicholas Baptiste scored the first half century (55 not out) for the 2016 Mustique cricket season.

WEST INDIES player Juliana Nero may no longer be a first call-up to the West Indies Female cricket team, but she continues to perform locally at a consistently high level.

Nero did just that last weekend in the National Female Limited Overs Competition, when she ‘murdered’ the United Survivors bowling attack, to score an unbeaten, strokefilled 124, in a total of 201 for Juliana had another outstanding her team, Garifuna Stars. weekend with both She was supported by bat and ball.

Nyasha Williams, 22 and Hazelann Foster, 21.

Camille Garrick took 3 for 37 off 7to be the best bowler for United Survivors, and Clea Hoyte picked up 2 for 40 off 7 Unfortunately for United Survivors, Nero was not done with her day’s work. She bowled seven overs in Survivors’ innings that totaled 159 all out off 30 overs, and claimed 3 wickets for 39 runs.

Cordel Jack was United Survivors’ best batter with a score of 48. Shavorne Clarke had 22 and Samantha Lynch 15.

I.B.A.ALLEN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 29.

30. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016. 31.

Classifieds

Gideon Earl Browne

VIBERT THOMAS

MARY ASHTON AKA AMBER

Holy Trinity Anglican Parish Church, Georgetown Thursday 21st April, 2016 Service at 2:00 p.m.

Sunrise: 5/1/1957 Sunset: 3/4/2016 S.D.A Clare Valley Sunday 17th April, 2016 1:30 p.m.

St. Peter Spiritual Baptist Church Dasent Cottage Saturday 9th April, 2016 2:00 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 22, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.17

A.I. REAL ESTATE Bonadie Hill 8,911 sq. ft @ $12.00 p.s.f. - $106,932.00 BB117 Queensbury 22,186 sq.ft @ $10.00 p.s.f - $221,860.00 BB165 Rivulet 11,229 sq.ft @ $13.00 p.s.f. - $145,977.00 - BB800

www.thevincentian.com

(784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 office (784)-493-9431 cell 718-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com

EC$1.50

STRIKE ACTION AVERTED of Labour, by the relevant parties St. Vincent Shipyard Ltd. STRIKE ACTION at the St Vincent The impasse at the Shipyard Shipyard Limited has been averted, intensified after the union failed to following the intervention made by the have Management renew the initial Labour Commissioner and Prime Minister collective agreement signed in 2002.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Jackson explained that the Noel Jackson, General Secretary of difficulties in this regard were the National Workers Movement attributed to the transition from (NWM) told reporters at a press liquidation to full ownership by the briefing on Tuesday, that the strike government, and the tardiness of the action proposed for commencement on members of the Board of Directors, Monday of this week, was called off, especially during the tenure of Ken after the union received a copy of the Boyea as chairman.

Prime Minister’s letter to Daniel The Ottley Hall Marina, as it was Ravotti, Managing Director of St known then, was then leased to St Vincent Shipyard Limited.

Vincent Shipyard Limited and initial Shortly after the receipt of the PM’s talks began, which, according to letter, the union was notified that a Jackson, were cordial. draft of a new collective agreement But things changed, when the was done and sent to the Department management of the new company

by DAYLE DA SILVA

began to challenge the union, although the existing agreement stated that it (collective Noel Jackson, General Secretary of the NWM, is confident agreement) only becomes null and going forward as far as relations between his union and the St. Vincent Shipyard Ltd management are concerned. void if the company is sold, making it noncompany, first apply and obtain the binding to the new owners. appropriate paperwork and residency The union exposed the issues taking permits. place soon after and asked the “It appears as if the government Department of Labour to intervene, wants the project to work and may leading up to the events of last week very well bend over backwards in and the threat of strike action. order to make the project work,” The union’s General Secretary Jackson said. described the letter issued by Dr. The NWM did not have an issue Gonsalves as “firm,” saying that it with that, he continued. outlined a number of issues that the “The difficulty we have is for Mr union believed were sufficient to Ravotti and company to respect the revoke the lease at the Ottley Hall laws, the culture and the practices of facility. this country, and if this does not That letter said, inter alia, “I advise happen, the project will always have that you properly follow the directions problems because we are going to be and guidance of the Labour eternally vigilant as it relates to the Department. St Vincent and the interest of the workers.” Jackson Grenadines is not a ‘banana republic’; posited. the laws and industrial relations According to the NWM’s General system of our country demand certain Secretary, the provisions of the lease minimum standards and conditions of agreement state that the company work.” invest just over EC$2 million over a It went on further to state that the three-year period. However, as far as company needed to ensure that it kept the union was concerned, nothing of up with its payments of all the sort was done. outstanding monies owed in respect of Jackson admitted that he was yet to PAYE deductions, VAT, NIS see a physical copy of the draft contributions, and that it ensured that collective agreement, but after all non-nationals who work with the consulting the legal representatives for the company, he was confident that The Shipyard and facilities at Ottley they would adhere to the union’s terms Hall was is expected to have an and conditions, and that trust would injection of EC$2 million over a three obtain between both parties concerned. year period.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.