THE VINCENTIAN PDF - 25-01-19

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FRIDAY,

JANUARY 25, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.04

www.thevincentian.com

Left: Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne (left front), assisted by Commander Brenton Cain (2nd from left) and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (front 2nd from right) and CoP Colin John (right), about to cut the chord to officially declare the Capt. Hugh Mulzac operational.

The Capt. Hugh Mulzac - the latest addition to the fleet of the SVG Coast Guard service, at the Cruise Ship Terminal last Monday.

EC$1.50

Right: Officers of the SVG Coast Guard are trained and ready to take charge of the Capt.

Hugh Mulzac.

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2. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Taiwan TV series to air locally 2019 Taiwan ONE OF TAIWAN’S TELEVISION series is slated for broadcast locally beginning February 1.

The first of 24 episodes of the series entitled ‘The New World’, is expected to air on SVG TV at 8pm on Fridays, with a repeat on Wednesdays from 5:30p.m.

The series is built around the story of the reunion of four childhood friends who grew up in the same village, but then drifted apart over time.

It contains elements of suspense, crime and romance.

Speaking last Friday at the signing ceremony that formalized the arrangement with SVG Broadcasting Corporation (SVGBC), owners of SVGTV, Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan H.E Calvin Ho explained that Taiwanese series have been broadcasted across the world for some time, but this was the first in what is expected to be a long-standing partnership with SVGBC. He went on to say that 8p.m is a very important time for most families back in his native country, as it is when most families look to re-group after being out all day, and that is when these popular television series are broadcast.

But it was more than a television series, according to Ambassador Ho; it was a way of bringing Taiwanese culture into the homes of Vincentians.

And members of the public will get first hand images of the beauty of the country.

The partnership was described, therefore, as playing an important role in the cultural Paul MacLeish, Managing Director of SVG exchange between Broadcasting Corporation (SVGBC), and both countries.

Ambassador Calvin Ho shake hands following The series has the signing of an arrangement to air 24 episodes been dubbed over of an original Taiwanese television series, in English, and starting February 1. has been broadcast in 21 Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, television networks in 16 nations, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, including St Kitts/Nevis, St Lucia Uruguay and Ecuador. It has also and Belize in the Caribbean, and been aired in Los Angeles, other western hemispheric California, USA. (DD) countries including Guatemala,

Scholarship Programme

THE EMBASSY of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce the first presentation for 2019 Taiwan Scholarship Programmes.

The presentation is scheduled for Frenches House on Tuesday, January 28th from 4:30-6:00 P.M. Vincentians who are interested in applying for the Taiwan Scholarships, namely MOFA Taiwan Scholarship and TaiwanICDF Scholarship, are encouraged to attend this presentation.

The Embassy will make an introduction of the aforementioned scholarship programmes, including their respective qualifications, requirements and application procedures.

The Taiwan Scholarship Programmes were launched in 2004 to encourage outstanding Vincentians to pursue higher education in Taiwan.

It aims to enhance cultural and people to people exchanges between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

More than 143 Vincentians have been awarded the scholarships since their inception. Last year, there were 20 scholarship awardees.

The deadline is March 16th for TaiwanICDF Scholarship and March 31st for MOFA Taiwan Scholarship.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 3.

News 3

Capt. Hugh Mulzac commissioned literary environment here. (See article on Captain Mulzac on page THERE SHOULD BE MORE 5.)

INFORMATION on the life The new Capt. Hugh of Captain Hugh Mulzac Mulzac, in fact, replaced available to students here. the original Mulzac Vincentian Prime which was commissioned Minister Dr. Ralph in 1987 and deGonsalves advanced this commissioned in 2019. view last Monday at the In all, some $18 Cruise Ship Berth in million was spent to capital Kingstown, purchase and retrofit the during his address at a vessel; for training as it ceremony to mark the relates to maintenance commissioning of the and general operation of Capt. Hugh Mulzac, the the vessel; and for work latest addition to the at the Coast Guard base fleet of the SVG Coast at Calliaqua.

Guard.

According to Dr. He also suggested that Gonsalves, the It was a moment of pride undertaking was and accomplishment for copies of Mulzac’s autobiography, ‘A Star to financed by government.

Commander of the SVG steer by’, be made “Nobody gave us Coast Guard Brenton available, and that it anything. We have Cain, when the Capt. should be ensured a invested in this Hugh Mulzac was privileged place in the ourselves,” he quipped. officially commissioned.

by WILLIAM KOJAH ANTHONY

Did they get the 30%?

Sir James Mitchell has highlighted the case of a broken promise by the ULP. FORMER PRIME MINISTER SIR JAMES MITCHELL is asking whether or not teachers and other public servants ever received the 30% salary increase that they were promised, by the now governing ULP before they came to office.

During a chat with this reporter, Sir James appeared not to be moved to commenting about the recent government of granting a 1% salary increase to public officers, nor the

failure by the government, the Public Service Union and the Teachers Union to come to any satisfactory agreement.

In 2000, Sir James recalled, nurses, doctors and civil society generally played a central role in the Organization for the Defense of Democracy (ODD) that was in effect, responsible for bringing down the Sir James Mitchell/Arnhim Eustace-NDP government, during what became known as the road block revolution.

The dispute between the Mitchell administrations, the public servants and their unions over salary increase was at the heart of the NDP’s downfall.

The ULP took advantage of that impasse.

The former Prime Minister explained that when he was Prime Minister, the teachers’ union wanted a 30% salary increase, but he offered then 12% which was rejected. “And they created a lot of trouble,

led by Fitz Jones who eventually got a scholarship. Did the other teachers at that strike get scholarships?”

Sir Jame asked rhetorically.

The ULP’s promise to honor the civil servants’ demand for a 30 percent salary increase contributed to the ULP victory at the polls in 2001.

Pressed on what he thought of the 1% increase, Mitchell said, “I have nothing to say about that; all I want to know is, did they get the 30% that was promised in 2001? It is all a dem teachers that put Ralph (Gonsalves) there. If they had gotten 30%, then what would be the salary now?” asked the NDP founder.

“I don’t want them to forget the 30% that they wanted and Fitz Jones, who led them, got a scholarship. They must think about those things.

I wish the teachers and St. Vincent and the Grenadines the best,” said the former Prime Minister. (KH)

He justified the need for a proper patrol vessel, in light of the wide marine area within this country’s jurisdiction, and positioned the acquisition of the vessel in context of the need for “more Coast Guard surveillance.”

The 140-foot craft is equipped with modern technological equipment, rendering it adequate for many a marine operation.

In addition to its essential role in law enforcement, there is the capability for fisheries protection, disaster

response and medical evacuation.

Dr. Gonsalves regards the vessel as “impressive,” and as having a place in the framework of national development which promotes: education of the wider population to cater for the new areas of technology; infrastructural upgrade with projects like the airports in Canouan and Argyle; and expansion and diversification of the agricultural sector, with initiatives like the medicinal cannabis

industry; and expansion in fisheries.

But the Prime Minister returned to the significance of the occasion, saying, “There is need for more Coast Guard surveillance.”

Also addressing last Monday’s ceremony was Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves; Executive Director of the Regional Security System Captain Errington Shurland; and Alan Borde, Area Manager Caribbean from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, suppliers of the vessel.

Watch out for the lobster thief FORMER CALYPSO MONARCH Carlton ‘CP’ Hall, in one of his Christmas compositions, warns listeners to “watch out” for all kinds of situations.

‘CP’s’ message may just have another reference, i.e. in connection with a new outbreak.

Some persons here are delving into lobster nets (pots) which they do not own, have not set, and removing the catch (lobsters).

The wave in this activity One design of a lobster pot used in Paget comes with the building of Farm, Bequia. infrastructure here.

According to Prime Minister Right: Lobsters Dr Ralph Gonsalves, airport construction at Canouan and from SVG, with improved airlift Argyle have boosted lobster to foreign sales. markets, have Lobsters have gone up to increased $15 per lb. because of the exponentially extra haulage afforded at in price per Argyle by the Amerijet pound.

Company. Transfer from Miami enables restaurants in Kingstown, during the ceremony to Hong Kong to serve lobsters from mark the commissioning of the MV these waters within forty hours of Captain Hugh Mulzac, the latest airlift, Gonsalves stated. addition to the fleet of the SVG Coast But the enhanced market has Guard. spawned a tide of lobster theft.

A large gathering was boosted by That issue must be a concern of the local Coast Guard, and the Vincentian the presence of 81 police recruits, retired Coast Guard officers and leader encouraged officers to respond regular Police officers. to the crime.

Eight additional Coast Guard Theft of agricultural produce and officers have been recently assigned, animals in private ownership, has and the Prime Minister encouraged been a perennial problem. But Dr. young persons to consider making a Gonsalves is warning about the new career of the Coast Guard, especially enterprise.

He made the appeal last Monday at with the opportunities available on the Captain Hugh Mulzac. (WKA) the Cruise Ship Berth in capital city

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4. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

SVG backward in many things?

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS CHIEF MAGISTRATE Rechanne Browne is of the view that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is backward in a lot of things.

And she stressed the need to put things in place if certain industries are to be developed.

“We are too far behind in a lot of things. We have to move with the times,” Browne declared while presiding over a matter in which five St. Lucians were charged on four counts of entering the state illegally. Her comments followed a mitigation plea by lawyer Grant Connell who described this country’s Customs Laws as “colonial and flawed.”

Ericson Leo, Sebastian Edward, Chesley Jn-

Bapites, Dechad Cadette and Daniel Joseph were charged jointly with entering the state by boat other than at a port of entry, and entering the state by boat and disembarking without the consent of an Immigration Officer.

Leo was charged separately with being the master of the motor vessel, ‘One Time’, permitted it to dock at a place other than at a customs port. He was also charged separately with entering the state while being the master of the boat, without notifying the Comptroller of Customs.

The offences were committed January 19 at Owia.

The men pleaded guilty to the charges.

In mitigation, Connell told the Court his clients

had developed engine problems and came to the closest point at Owia, which was what any sensible fisherman would do. He said the captain was here to visit his girlfriend, and the others travelled with him.

“It is interesting to note that there was nowhere open to clear them. What should they do, stay in the boat tugging until 6am?

“My question to Customs and Immigration is what a man supposed to do when they want to clear customs after 6pm?

“These are laws that need to be changed. They are colonial. Our laws are flawed. They need to be updated.”

Connell further noted, and it was also revealed in the facts, that the men had their passports and

Identification Cards. But according to the lawyer, “The law failed them.

“We are backward and because of this backwardness we are here today,” he lamented.

Connell said Bapites and Edwards sought refuge by a friend in Chateaubelair. They went to the police station and were told to contact their captain, and they left.

“Any police station in the land should be able to facilitate this process, in this day and age,” he opined. He noted that all this is happening at a time when this country boasts of developing a Tourism Industry.

Joseph and Cadette were found sleeping in a house at Fancy, and they indicated that the captain had their documen-tation. Leo was

later met Chief Magistrate walking in Rechanne the area.

Browne agreed The other with defence two counsel Grant defendants Connell that in caught a some respects, minibus to this country was Kingstown ‘backward’. and went to the Central ahead to the office Police to say they were coming.

Station.

Leo was fined $1,000 Eddie De Freitas, a forthwith or six months Supervisor at the on each of the separate Customs and Excise charges.

Department, who was On the joint charges called to the stand, said involving all the men, there is an office at they were each fined Chateaubelair and the $400 forthwith or three men could have called. months.

When the Magistrate They paid the fines. questioned how would No deportation order they know what number was made, but THE to call, De Freitas said VINCENTIAN they had VHF radio, understands that they which prompted the got their engine fixed, Magistrate to further and left the state for St. question whether they Lucia on Wednesday. were supposed to radio

„We have challenges,‰ Prison boss admits SUPERINTENDENT of Prisons Brenton Charles admits there are challenges related to the conditions at Her Majesty’s Prisons, but said there are ongoing efforts on the part of prison authorities to have them addressed.

THE VINCENTIAN had contacted the prison boss on Tuesday, after Searchlight newspaper, in a front page story Friday, January 18, reported Justice Brian Cottle as saying, “I have had cause to visit Her Majesty’s Prison. I find conditions there to be absolutely appalling, and I do not understand how it is that a person who has once had that experience would risk ever

are housed there, in addition to some who are serving sentences.

The other Superintendent of Prisons Brenton Charles (inset) did penal not deny that conditions at Her Majesty’s Prison, institution, Kingstown could be improved. the Belle Isle Correctional Facility, 1872, about 147 years ago, and houses a little less than 50 Kingstown has undergone percent of the population, and Correctional widespread physical changes accommodates prisoners Facility which since. serving sentences.

Charles admitted that some became operational in April Charles noted that the 2012 when some 226 prisoners of the major problems, Kingstown Prison is a very old especially at the Kingstown were transferred there, was structure, and is badly located. Prison, are related to living expected to assist in reducing He underscored that the conditions, food and sanitation. these problems. facility was commissioned in However, THE He did not deny the VINCENTIAN understands presence of bugs that this facility if far from and rats, except to bonded for nine months in the complete, and there is no work say that there are sum of $1,500 with an alternative fewer complaints being done there currently in of nine months in prison. this regard. now of rats being According to the facts, which In response to comments seen on the three days she spent on remand, were presented last week made on social media and compound. He was sufficient to guide the Court Tuesday, Ashton was on her way interactive radio programmes, added, however, going forward. home, around 1 p.m. January 11, that persons are sent to prison that the rodent She had postponed sentencing when Greaves shouted “Kock-ato be punished and the problem is one that to inquire about Ashton’s current koo, knock-a-koo”. conditions there should form affects the general medical condition.

Ashton turned around and part of that punishment, area in which the Ashton, 61, who was Charles explained, “You send prison is located, said, “knock-a-koo look better summoned to the stand on people to prison as and assured that than you”.

January 18, told the Court she An argument ensued, resulting personnel from the punishment, not for was doing okay, but was scared of in Greaves taking a piece of Vector Control Unit punishment.” the accused, and suggested that He added that when a judge visit the prisons concrete block and hurling it at the Court impose a penalty that or magistrate sentences from time to carry Ashton, striking her in the head. would ensure that Greaves someone to prison, he does so out inspections.

Ashton had to receive stitches, doesn’t interfere with her again. to protect society against “We have and her eyes were bleeding as a Of the $2,000 compensation, crime, to reduce recidivism challenges, and we result of the injury. through rehabilitation, and to are continuously Greaves was ordered to pay $500 The Chief Magistrate had trying to have these send a message to would-be forthwith or two months described the injuries as very offenders. problems imprisonment, and the balance by serious, to the extent that Charles explained that the addressed,” he March 13 or six months behind Greaves could have been before prison conditions affect not reiterated bars. the Court on a murder charge only inmates, but persons who emphatically.

In addition, Greaves was instead. work there.

The Belle Isle

having it repeated”, as he presided over a matter involving the sentencing of two prisoners on Tuesday.

Charles said he cannot and would not dispute what the Judge said.

“I would say that the conditions are not the most inviting. We try to improve the conditions all the time as we go along. There is always room for improvement,” he said.

The Prison Superintendent pointed out that most of the problems are at the Kingstown Prison which houses a little more than 50 percent of the overall prison population that stood at 472 as of December 17, 2018. All the remand prisoners

‘Brick wielder’ ordered to pay ARLENE GREAVES, a Barrouallie woman who was remanded pending sentencing after pleading guilty last week Tuesday, to wounding her neighbour Clair Ashton by striking her with a piece of concrete block in her head, was ordered to pay $2,000 compensation to the victim.

When the 54-year-old woman returned to the Serious Offences Court Friday, January 18, she described her short experience in prison as “bad, real bad,” while responding to questions from the Court and Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne concluded that the sharp shock Greaves received from the

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 5.

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6. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Feature

Captain Hugh Mulzac: In brief CAPTAIN HUGH MULZAC was born on March 26,

1886, on Union Island, in the state of St. Vincent

and the Grenadines, to Ada Roseline Donowa, an accomplished pianist and a woman of pure African descent, and Richard Mulzac, a mulatto planter and a builder of whaling ships and schooners.

Mulzac attended the Church of England (Anglican) School in Kingstown, and upon completing his higher education, he began a

life at sea, starting with duty on British schooners and then on ships that plied the Jamaica to Baltimore, USA route.

After earning his Ship Masters Licence from the Swansea Nautical College, Wales, he arrived in the USA in 1918 and became a citizen of that country.

Within two years he had become the first black in Baltimore to sit for his Master’s ticket. Despite a perfect score, he was denied a command.

Captain Hugh Mulzac found some time to smile His effort to secure a about when he took command of the Booker T. mate’s position at the Washington (Photo source: WNWC) Merchants & Miners Transportation Co. and Masters Licence, and the tribute to Mulzac after elsewhere met with his death January 30, first black man ever to racial hurdles, and he 1971 at the age of 84, command a fully grudgingly accepted a paid homage to the integrated vessel. position as cook on an M Union Island born man Mulzac would & M liner. in a February 1 edition command and complete In 1920 he married 22 successful round-trip of the New York Times.

Jamaica-born Miriam Whitman quoted Joe voyages in both the Aris. The union Ring, a BelgianEuropean and Pacific produced four children: American wiper who was theatres of war, Joyce, Una, Claire and one of Mulzac’s crew transporting an Hugh Jr. Also, in 1920, Mulzac estimated 18,000 troops members on the Booker in those trips and never T. Washington. joined Marcus Garvey’s “The old man is all losing a crew member.

Universal Negro captain. He is as strict Mulzac was denied a Improvement job when World War 11 as hell on ship safety, Association (UNIA). ended. In fact, he could but he is the most Because of his history decent guy when it not regain a position as with seafaring vessels, comes to the way he captain. he was named a chief treats his men,” Ring Because of his strong officer on the SS testified. ties to the labour Yarmouth of the Black In recent times, the movement, he was Star Line. He resigned name Hugh Mulzac has deemed a ‘security risk’ from his position in 1921 surfaced in his native St. and was under because of Vincent and the surveillance and disagreements with the Grenadines among a list harassment by the US Garvey organization. of persons favoured for authorities.

He remained Mulzac’s life was one National Hero status. relentless for two Whether or not this is of tribulations, but the decades, in making his bestowed will not, to any way he withstood those case through the degree, take away from times of trauma, and National Maritime his place in history and Union and the National tackled racism and Organization of Masters, segregation for the evils his sphere of influence.

In the meantime, a they were and are, was Mates and Pilots. testimony of the depth of Square in his native Success came finally Union Island has been his character. in 1942 when Mulzac named in his honour.

Alden Whitman, in a was given command of the Booker T. Washington, the first U.S. vessel named for an African-American, and christened by another AfricanAmerican, opera star Marian Anderson.

Mulzac had initially refused the appointment because the crew was to be all black. He insisted on an integrated crew and got his way.

In so doing, he became famous for being the first ever black captain, the Captain Mulzac (2nd from right front) and his crew first black man to in England after the maiden voyage of the SS Booker obtain a Ships T. Washington. (Photo source: Wikipedia)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial A thief is a thief is a thief...

SO, THE PRIME MINISTER has weighed in on recognizing the heightened activity in the ‘field’ of praedial larceny.

Regardless of if it’s tannia, livestock or lobsters, when you reap that which you do not sow, you are guilty of having committed praedial larceny… you are a thief!

A technical advisor to the OECS provided by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), somewhere between 2013 and 2014, said that praedial larceny was costing the subregion up to US$ 390 million in agriculture losses annually.

Fortunately, according to the advisor, the losses were not greater than agriculture’s contributions to the gross domestic production of OECS member states.

It was clear, though, that the theft of agricultural produce was hitting at the core of survival of agriculture in the subregion.If the truth be told, Caribbean countries, including this country, have moved to introduce if not tighten legislation as it relates to praedial larceny.

The crying shame in the midst of this is the lack of real muscle behind the implementation of the legislation, not least being to enforce the authority handed to law agencies.

In the case of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to show its seriousness about confronting the reality with ‘full force’, a special squad, christened Rural Constables, was deployed to surveil the situation and to enforce the legislation.

We all know what became of the Rural Constables, even if there is yet to be an official statement on their ‘whereabouts’.

In the meantime, there has been an increase in reports made to the local constabulary, and there have been a marginal increase in persons brought before the courts to answer charges of theft of agriculture produce, livestock, etc.

None, according to the records, has been for theft of lobsters, a situation we hope will turnaround sooner than that soon.

Our Magistrates, when presented with the opportunity to act, have done so to the extremes of the law allowed them.

But sadly, we must admit, that we are losing the battle.

Farmers are on the brink of taking measures into their own hands - if they have not done so already.

We have to confront this scourge as a people. We have to be our brother’s keeper in this struggle. Those who purchase produce/commodities they suspect or know to be stolen, are perpetuating the work of the thieves and who feed off of the support they get from both innocent and knowing customer.

We must report that which we suspect to be wrong, regardless of who the supplier is.

There is enough evidence to support the conclusion that small farms, the ones that fall easy prey to these ‘live-lights’, do not have the fiscal means to protect themselves.

As a consequence of losses at crucial times, banks are likely to foreclose on their farms for non-payment of loans, and children either drop out or ‘ration’ their days at school.

Community- based protection mechanisms such as neighbourhood watches may be considered as measures of protection, but these are costly to support and sustain.

It seems to us that if we are to seriously address the increasing incidence of praedial larceny, that the state, in addition to ensuring that the legislation to combat the crime is impartially enforced, should establish a fund so that small famers can access money to assist with purchasing planting material, tools, inputs and machinery lost to the unscrupulous human beings who feed off the weak.

A register of famers, their crops, livestock, inputs and in the case of fishermen, boats and equipment (nets and pots including), would allow agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture for example, to know who were affected , the extent to which they were affected, and to use that date to study the consequences.

So the next time someone comes around offering for sale some enticing leg of pork or beef, make sure that person is a bona fide livestock farmer or registered butcher.

Buy it, and you are as guilty as the thief!!!

National Heroes Month featuring Captain Hugh Mulzac THIS COLUMN UNRESERVEDLY SUPPORTS that call for March to be designated as “National Heroes’ Month”, when there might be some officially co-ordinated activities to mark the life and times of such local historical figures as have given real meaning, purpose and direction to our lives.

Carib Chief, Joseph Chatoyer, our regional freedom fighter who in the eighteenth century waged unrelenting guerrilla warfare in an epic struggle to keep St Vincent free, fought his last battle in March 1976.

George Mc Intosh, champion of the masses, who blaze the political trail in the first half of this century and triggered off militant trade unionism that issued the first real challenge to benighted plantocracy, was born on the 6th of March 1886; almost fifty years of the day before the official launching of his pioneering Workingmen’s Association on 2nd March 1936.

Less than three weeks after Mc Intosh’s birth, on the 26th of March 1886, there was born in Union Island and the Grenadines, Hugh Mulzac whose life story in effect offers a capsuled edition on an interest period in Black History. Mulzac has been able to reveal much of the underside of that movement. He sailed on one of the boats of the Black Star Line that was in reality a flagship for political propaganda.

From Mulzac, we learn of the plight of our Black Folk in Panama, and get a vivid picture of charisma at work in Garvey that eventually led to dashed hopes and shattered dreams: “For a few brief years, Marcus Garvey fired the torch that lighted the Negro night, bringing dreams of glory and equality. Just as quickly the torch flickered and was out, leaving us in darkness as before; poorer, sadder and, perhaps wiser, despite a deep loss of faith in our own capacities”.

Mulzac had the signal honour of being the first Black Man to gain a Master’s Licence, and captained an American ship during the War Years.

With the return of peace, however, Hugh Mulzac found himself cast out, at sea, like bilge water. In the psyche of official America any thin Black was Red! And Mulzac had not only identified with militant maritime trade unionism, but also moved and had his being in such Black organisation as the N.A.A.C.P, the National Negro Congress, the Council of African Affairs and the Council of West Indies Federation. Finally he enlisted in the American Labour Party.

Mulzac’s condemnation of the historical anticommunists Mc Carthyism that drained America in the 1950s, was to have a prophetic ring. “In short, these activities have to be seen for what they are, attempts to suppress independent political thinking, compel conformity and to mobilise the people of America, to support the adventures of a war-minded group of leaders who in their desperation can think of no way out of their dilemma but nuclear war to annihilate all mankind.”

Every dissenter from this national goal was to be labelled “Communist”.

After being successfully engaged in long tedious court battles to clear his name and obtain a certificate of political seaworthiness, Mulzac left

his adopted home somewhat disillusioned but still determined a fighter.

A Personal Touch I met Captain Mulzac in the mid 1960s when he returned to St Vincent in the evening of his days. I was then Extra-Mural Resident Tutor. We warmed towards each other, and got along like house on fire.

Captain Mulzac gave two public talks sponsored by the Department of Extra-Mural Studies, as well as conducted a well-attended course of lectures on general seamanship. His legs might have been a little unsteady then, and his frame somewhat bent, but he had lost nothing of that sense of struggle which had dominated his earlier life, nor the fire in his voice or flashes of the eyes which leapt at you and held you firmly as he recounted his fight during the stormy days of yore.

His mind remained razor-sharp, his thinking crystal clear. During this period, Captain Mulzac launched on the local market his book: A Star to Steer By”, which should be compulsory reading in all schools. He and his publishers graciously gave permission to a group of us to reprint in special issue of our Magazine “Flambeau” the first chapter of this autobiography, which deals with the near idyllic life of the middle-class youth growing up in Union Island at the turn of the century. One of my treasured possessions is a copy of this publication personally autographed by the maestro himself.

When in his later years, he was down and out in the USA owing to persistent racial prejudice and political discrimination, our hero took to painting in “primitive” style as a sort of therapy for his unending frustrations. He had originally intended to present to the local chapter of the University two of the fruits of these efforts in which he had made heavy emotional investment but, with no home in which to hang them at the time, we settled for the gift to be handed over to the Public Library.

Yet, as was the case then with many of his spiritual heirs and kindred spirit, Hugh Mulzac was in the 1960’s marked and watched in Colonial St Vincent. His name probably lingered on some official list, somewhat. On one occasion, his daughter, who runs a bookshop in Guyana, paid him a visit in the company of a “friend” who turned out to be Janet Jagan. Everywhere they went, their security people were sure to go!

To the end of his days, however, Captain Hugh Mulzac remained a fiercely proud and brave warrior in the cause of human freedom. He was himself a shining example and living embodiment of that message to future generations that concluded his book. “Fight for the liberation of oppressed people everywhere, fight for the fullest appreciation of every human need, for fighting the good life for all people, is the only way to live and win it for yourself. Thus does life become worth living”.

It is the fitting epitaph to this great Vincentian patriot.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 9.

Letters

Dry Season ahead I AM NO meteorologist; far from that. But I have been on God’s earth for some time now and, like people like Clive ‘Bish I’ Bishop, I have learned to read some signs.

From what I could gather from studying the weather during my lifetime and relating that to the signs that I see going into 2019, I want to say that we in SVG should brace ourselves for a very dry season.

You see, these are not normal times. We are victims of Climate Change (even if people like Donald Trump say this is foolishness), and what we might have expected say two or three decades ago, as far as our weather is

concerned, we cannot expect today. The whole weather business seemed to have gone bottom up.

What used to be this, is now that, if you know what I mean.

Seeing that I have been either brave or foolish enough to predict a really dry season for 2019, it is only right that I give some pointers.

The CWSA will, from very early, have to come up with a plan to manage the distribution of the water supply.

They will have to be forthright, and if it means rationing, then we citizens have to cooperate with this.

Also, it will be a good time for the CWSA to

check for any leaks in its system.

As private citizens, we will need to collect extra water to last for up to a week in any one instance. But we have to be careful with how we store this water, since we don’t want to create breeding grounds for those deadly mosquitoes.

Storing water should become a habit as we try to preserve and not overdepend on the storage and distribution system of the CWSA. And then there is the danger of bush fires which have been a problem here. I am not saying that all the bush fires here are caused by us citizens, but we have

to guard against creating the conditions for a bush fire to start; like not outing the fire after we roast the breadfruit.

Bush fires are not only threats to our housing and overhead electrical wires, but their smoke pollute the atmosphere, making it difficult for the elderly, especially, to breathe.

We have taken certain measures to deal with the rainy season (e.g. river bank reinforcements, proper bridges), there is no reason why we should not do everything possible to prepare for the dry season.

PF, Kingstown

Venvifa solidarity with President Nicolas Maduro ON JANUARY 10,2019, Nicolas Maduro Moros was sworn in as the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, for the 6-year 2019-2025 period in keeping with the Venezuelan constitution.

In the presidential election of May 20,2018 when 9,389,056

Venezuelans voted, Maduro received the support of 5,823,728 Venezuelans, 67.8% of the votes. Importantly, there were four presidential candidates representing more than 50 political parties/movements, many of whom combined to offer a single

candidate.

Significantly, that presidential election was the 24th election held in the 20 years (1998-2018) since Hugo Chavez first won his election, for various positions in the Venezuelan government.

Beginning in 2004, 19 elections have been held under an automated

electronic voting system, using the voter’s fingerprint, which eliminated electoral fraud and theft of votes.

The Venezuelan voting system is considered to be the most transparent, reliable and safe in the world.

Despite Maduro’s overwhelming victory (2/3rd of the electorate), in keeping with the nation’s constitution (1/3rd of its 350 causes devoted to the rights of citizens), some countries, including St. Lucia, following the orders of US President Donald Trump, are refusing its recognition, and are waging a political, diplomatic, economic and propagandistic campaign against President Maduro and the progressive PSUV Government. The aim of their campaign is the overthrow of Venezuela’s legitimate Government so that international and local capitalist companies can once again plunder the enormous oil, mineral and other resources as they did prior to the ascension to power of Hugo Chavez.

We, in the Venezuelan-Vincentian Friendship Association

Dishonest judgment:

Medicinal marijuana

GLOBALIST tracking us again about medicinal marijuana. Look at what they did with the banana industry, look at the WTO, look at Fair Trade, look at the crime rate in the region. Am I to say globalist bent on fooling us?

Medicinal marijuana is a big hoax. There is not enough evidence to convince that an extract from marijuana will help us to live longer or be a cure for diseases. How come the marijuana planted in the hills was no good for medicine purpose? Where did this medicinal marijuana plant come from?

Crooked law-makers for years were leading us down some dirty roads. The two most recent ones were same sex marriage and medicinal marijuana.

One leading doctor said on television that he studied about the effects of marijuana on the brain.

He said that smoking marijuana damages the brain, but some weeks after the said doctor came back on television to support marijuana usages for medicinal purposes. Who or what changed his mind? He said he made a mistake in his study.

Am I right to say that I cannot trust these people? The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes will put a big blow on the world. Police smoking recreational marijuana, doctors and teachers doing the same!!!!

Law makers do not have a backup plan in place.

Who is going to provide the scales to weigh the amount of marijuana for recreational use? How many police are needed to see the amount you smoke per day?

‘Observer’

(VENVIFA), are cognizant of the real motive of the antiMaduro campaigners– the rape of Venezuela’s resources in the interest of a handful of exploiters.

We remain steadfast in our support of the socialist programme of President Maduro and his government in the interest of the majority.

We salute President Maduro and pledge our solidarity over his upcoming term-of-office!

Mike Browne President VENVIFA

* How come the 20th Anniversary of the Police Complaints and Public Relations Department was celebrated with no pomp, style and a big recognition ceremony? * Is it because they would have had to big-up some officers (retired or transferred) who are known NDP supporters? * Why is it that the ULP government fails to ‘punish’ known associates who are employees, even Ministers of government, when they do wrong? * Where else in the world would someone, ‘under a cloud’ as a permanent secretary, be elevated to an ambassador position? * Whether or not we will get an account of the operating expenses for the AIA in this round of Budget time?

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10. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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Presenting the 2019 Budget We stand with the Teachers

Introduction IT’S THAT TIME of year, when the government is getting ready to present to the nation the Estimates of expenditure and revenue, for the year 2019. Come next week, January 29th in fact, the Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, will present the Estimates in the House of Assembly, and by extension to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

That process, called the 2019 Appropriation Bill, will detail the expenditure of the government for the 2019 fiscal year, and where the funds will come from to meet this expenditure.

There are certain services that the State must provide for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

These include health, education, transportation and security, agriculture, sanitation and the public service. The Estimate will show how much money is allocated for the provision of these services, and where the funds will come from.

Naturally, the Estimates will attract the attention of the business sector. This is an extension of the general policies of the government, and the business sector will want to see where government will focus its attention. The area of taxation, or the lack of new taxes, will also come in for some attention.

(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Press Statement)

to policy statements coming from Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

For example, this year, the Prime Minister made a policy statement in regard to a programme called “Sports against Crime”. To give effect to this, the Ministry of Sports is expected to design programmes and strategies to be included in the Budget for 2019.

The Economy

Most important, the ULP administration has to consider the state of the economy when preparing the budget for any year. By and large, 2018 was a good year for the country’s economy, with a growth rate of 2.5 percent (ECLAC figures show a 3.2 percent). The current account figures look good, the deficit is down, and the debt to GDP figure of 73%, while not optimum, is among the best in the region.

In 2001, when the ULP arrived in office, the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was in shambles. The ULP administration had to re-set the economy, correct the mistakes of the NDP, and set the country on the road to sustainable development. Readers will recall that in 2001, sixty percent of our primary school children could The Preparation not get into secondary schools. The ULP had to correct this and more, The preparation process for the through the Education Revolution. budget is very important. The The ULP had to address issues Ministry of Finance puts out the related to the infrastructure of the budget call around the middle of the country, as well as health, year, and that’s when the public agriculture, tourism, citizen security, servants in the independent and the list goes on. ministries begin preparing their On the presentation of the 2019 documents for discussion with the Ministry of Finance. These documents Budget, the ULP administration could feel upbeat about the economy. Except are called the “Advance Proposals”, for any unforeseen natural disasters, and basically, they describe the or if the world economy creates undue developmental activities that the pressure for our country, then the ministries will be engaged in during expectations for 2019, must be good. the fiscal year, and how they will be The tourism sector is booming, and financed.

Each ministry then meets with the agriculture is performing, thanks to the activities of the small farmers in full Cabinet for further discussions the State. and fine- tuning of the “Advance Into this mix we must place the Proposals”, and when there is leadership exhibited by the ULP agreement on the plans, proposals administration. Over the last and finances, these proposals go forward to the Government Printer, as seventeen years, the ULP has demonstrated a leadership that is the Estimates. pragmatic, realistic, bold and Basically, the ULP administration resourceful. This leadership has been uses its election Manifesto as the tried and tested in extremely difficult main guide to what additional features to be included in the Budget. circumstances, such as the worst global economic crisis for the last 100 Every five years or so, the ULP years, and multiple natural disasters. presents a Manifesto to the people of In all of this, the leadership exhibited St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their consideration. It is on this basis by the ULP administration has made an immense difference for the better. that the ULP is returned to office, a record four times in a row. It follows Conclusion that since the manifestoes are presented at election time, that When neighbouring countries were rejection at the polls must be a forced to slash public sector workers rejection of a manifesto. and social safety nets, our country lost Thus the rejection of the NDP by Vincentians in 2001, 2005, 2010, and no jobs, and social protections were 2015, is an indication that the people strengthened. When others had also rejected the plans of the NDP, as trouble paying salaries on time, ours arrived like clockwork. When included in the various manifestoes countries across our region were presented for consideration. And the forced into painful austerity, we re-election of the ULP, four in a row, creatively maintained our sovereignty is an acceptance of the manifesto of and independence against the the ULP, and the plans for the dangerous and destructive external governance of the country over the imposition of heartless structural next five years, to 2020. adjustment programmes.

From time to time, the relevant Look out for the 2019 Appropriation ministries have had to pay attention Bill!!!

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP), on Thursday 17th January 2019, held a meeting with the Executive of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU). The meeting took place here at my Office at Democrat House. I believe it is the first time we have had such a meeting with the Union during my time in politics.

Most of the members of the Union executive were present, including the President and the 2nd Vice President.

I invited the Union leaders to meet with me and other members of the party and Opposition, so that we might hear directly from them about the matters of concern to the workers they represent. There had been (and remain) in the public discourse a lot of discussion about interaction between the Union and the Government, particularly concerning a meeting that had been scheduled between the Teachers’ Union, other unions and the Prime Minister, which the Union leaders did not attend because they refused to surrender their cell phones to the Prime Minister’s security.

I am very grateful to the Teachers’ Union for accepting my invitation and for its willingness to discuss with us issues of concern to teachers. It is very important that we the Opposition remain engaged and informed in important matters affecting teachers and public servants. I believe it is my duty to seek to open paths of communication with the representatives of important civil society organizations such as trade unions, and to be of assistance to them where I can. Indeed, I have done so repeatedly with the Christian Council.

We must remember that the Opposition is a legitimate part of our system of government. It not an alien force to be viewed with suspicion or fear. It is an essential part of our system of government and acts with the might of constitutional authority behind it. As Opposition Leader, I therefore take my role and that of my colleagues in this regard very seriously.

At the meeting with the union, my colleagues and I discussed several matters including salaries, promotions and working conditions of teachers.

The Union also advised of proposals it has presented to the Government on behalf of its members. In particular, we learned that the Teachers’ Union and the Public Service Union, in a joint proposal, wrote to the government twice in 2017 and again in 2018 seeking to engage in collective bargaining with the government, and that the government failed to respond to their letters. In other words, the unions have called on the government to engage in negotiations to lead to a new collective agreement, but the government has refused to respond.

It is extraordinary that a government that promotes itself as a friend of labour and a progressive employer, would not even acknowledge or reply to the requests of the legitimate representatives of the employees of the government!

This must be very disheartening for the unions. Such an approach by the government is disrespectful of the leaders of the unions, and has the effect of undermining the legitimacy and effectiveness of trade unions in representing workers in this country.

I am very concerned about the failure of the ULP government to engage in collective bargaining with the unions. The last collective agreement with teachers was negotiated in 2005. This is the agreement that allows teachers to contest elections for parliament and, if unsuccessful, to return to their jobs.

The government, as you know, failed to honour that aspect of the agreement, in the cases of three teachers, namely, Addison “Bash” Thomas, Kenroy Johnson and Elvis Daniel, who contested general elections on behalf of the NDP and were not allowed to return to the teaching service. That matter is in the Court of Appeal and a decision is expected any day now. We expect that the teachers will prevail in that case, but as is necessary, acknowledge it is entirely a matter for the Court to decide.

Last negotiated salary increase Do you know that the last negotiated salary increase for teachers took place in 1999 under the NDP government? All salary increases under the ULP government have been legislated. In other words, the government says to workers and their representatives that they know best what is good for the workers and have the power to enforce it. So, instead of coming to table in a spirit of mutual respect, and negotiating an acceptable outcome, the ULP government used its power in every instance to impose an outcome.

It is a shame that a government that calls itself a labour government and brags about its labour friendliness, would intentionally obstruct and disregard the collective bargaining process. And we see it is doing so again, right now! Despite calls by the unions for negotiations on all matters, including salaries, the government has refused to come to the bargaining table.

Instead, the unions were invited to meet the Prime Minister and other members of government to be informed about what the government had decided to offer them in the upcoming budget. And what is that offer? A mere 1% for the second half of 2018, 1.5% for 2019 and 2% for 2020.

This purported imposition by the government of a so-called salary increase, is an affront to the Union and to the bargaining process. We support the unions in their calls for a return to the collective bargaining process and generally in their efforts to represent their members. The government should respect the bargaining process and engage in good-faith negotiations with them.

V From Mediocre to Meteoric

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 11.

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“Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better.” ? Gordon B. Hinckley (1937-2004) American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints from March 12, 1995, until his death in 2004.

THERE ARE A HOST OF REASONS (excuses) why so many among us settle for average performance; just doing enough to get by when we have the potential to do so much more. We see such evidence in our schools, as teachers enter these “halls of learning” ill-prepared and demotivated. In turn, they infect students and administrators with their negative vibes. We also observe it in students who have the potential to excel but settle for merely achieving a pass mark. How sad! It is also visible in other places where citizens congregate to work; sometimes arriving late and leaving early; giving little but wanting much. Our homes may also be places where such behaviours are observed, as individuals may seek to avoid simple chores – expecting others to clean up after us; seeking to exert as little effort and energy as possible. As our older citizens reminded us many years ago, “Individuals who want to live light but weigh heavy.” However, we are so very thankful and appreciative of those individuals who are prepared to go the extra mile, to avoid the mental and emotional paralysis that such negative attitudes and approaches bring, and are determined not to be distracted by the mediocrity evident in the scenarios described. Teachers who stay up late to make adequate preparation for the next class session; students who “burn the midnight oil” in anticipation of securing the highest possible grade; workers who get to their work stations on time and begin working even before the official start time; citizens who are not distracted by those around them who seek to do little but want much. These, these noble citizens, continue to inspire us. They shine like stars in a dark sky.

They invite us to join them on their journey from mediocrity to meteoric.

As we seek to expand on this most interesting topic, the life and writings of Augustine “Og” Mandino (19231996) beckon to be included. Og knew what it was like to settle for mediocrity — to merely blend in with the crowd and not strive for excellence. This was a fitting description of this American World War II veteran during the early part of his post-war years. However, while seeking to cope with a bout of depression one cold winter day, Og entered one of the libraries in Cleveland, Ohio, even as he contemplated committing suicide.

However, as destiny would have it, he glanced through several self-help books while there. These literary works invited him to refocus — to introspect and to take corrective action. This commenced his long, joyful task of changing his life and constructing a pathway to success and a feeling of self-worth. It is said that his passion for reading these self-help books aided him in combatting his alcoholism. He became a best-selling writer and motivational speaker. His book entitled “The Greatest Salesman

in the World” became a sought-after publication. Fifty million copies were sold. This sought-after publication has been translated into over twentyfive languages. Og gives us good reason to hope (and to cope) when he says, “Most humans, in varying degrees, are already dead. In one way or another they have lost their dreams, their ambitions, their desire for a better life. They have surrendered their fight for selfesteem, and they have compromised their great potential. They have settled for a life of mediocrity, days of despair and nights of tears. They are no more than living deaths confined to cemeteries of their choice. Yet they need not remain in that state. They can be resurrected from their sorry condition. They can each perform the greatest miracle in the world. They can each come back from the dead...”

Too many individuals settle for average performance — for mediocrity.

Too many allow negative thoughts to provide a lull into complacency and under-performance — sapping their energy and killing their dreams.

Sometimes the addiction to engage in such self-debilitating mindsets occur when we look at what others are doing (or not doing) and compare their activities with our own. In such circumstances, rather than continuing to strive for excellence, such individuals may unwisely settle for “sinking to the lowest denominator” — performing below standards and exerting minimum effort. However, we must forever resist such mental and emotional lures to settle for that dark place called mediocrity. We were all designed to do better.

We are not perfect. We each have flaws and shortcomings. In our own special ways, we may have fallen prey to inviting average performance (mediocrity) in some aspect of our lives. We therefore have the privilege and responsibility to engage in some aspect of introspection and, having done so, plan a new and improved course to better our best efforts — to move from mediocrity in that particular aspect of our life and to embrace the challenge to be meteoric.

Mediocrity must never do. We are all capable of much better.

Regardless of our accomplishments, each of us, as good as we are, must be encouraged to better our best efforts.

We are reminded of the Jim Collins’ quotation when he cautions us that “Good is the enemy of great.” We have the capacity, the potential, to do much greater things with the talents and abilities that God has blessed us with. We must endeavour to unshackle ourselves from thought of mediocrity and complacency in our homes, schools, churches, and workplaces. We will build better lives and communities when we accept the challenge to unleash our full potential and be meteoric.

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

Speaking Truth to Power ‘Do not pursue what is illusory— property and position; all is gained at the expense of your nerves decade after decade, and is confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over life—don’t be afraid of misfortune, and do not yearn after happiness; it is, after all, all the same: the bitter doesn’t last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing. It is enough if thirst and hunger don’t claw at your insides.

If your back isn’t broken, if your feet can walk, if both arms can bend, if both eyes can see, and if both ears can hear, then whom should you envy? And why? Our envy of others devours us most of all. Rub your eyes and purify your heart—and prize above all else in the world those who love you and who wish you well. Do not hurt them or scold them, and never part from any of them in anger; after all, you simply do not know: it might be your last act before {some grave misfortune}, and that will be how you are imprinted in their memory.’ (Chris Hedges – ‘When fear comes’)

unrecognizable to himself.

It is in the public domain that 6000 plus persons were hired for the Christmas cleaning programme. This is just about 6 percent of the population. However, if we subtract all Vincentians from ages 1 to 16, 6,000 street cleaners make up a much larger percentage of those in distress.

Now what is really wrong with bringing this problem front and centre? Why do so many of us prefer to talk about everything else except issues that touch and concern the lives of our poor and vulnerable, the voiceless and those who have not yet learned to question?

Before Dr Martin Luther King broke his silence on the war in Viet Nam, some of his strongest allies urged him to remain silent about the war or at least soft pedal any criticism. As Michele Alexander, the New York Times columnist wrote last ‘Jomo, some people don’t know what Friday, “They knew that if he told the whole truth about the unjust and is poverty. They don’t know what it disastrous war, he would be falsely means to wake up hungry. Dem men labeled a communist, suffer know how to cook food for their retaliation and severe backlash and dogs.’ A Ghetto youth. alienate some supporters.

“But Dr King did not waiver. He ‘Freedom only for supporters of the government, only for members of the rejected the rationalization and told party- however numerous they may be his audience ‘My conscience leaves me no other choice…A time comes when is no freedom at all. Freedom is silence is betrayal. That time has always and exclusively freedom for come for us in relation to Viet Nam. the one who think differently. Not And for us regarding the plight of the because of any fanatical concept of poor in our country”. ‘justice’ but because all that is Alexander went back to King’s instructive, wholesome and purifying speech of 60 years ago because she in political freedom depends on this wanted to make the point that as a essential characteristics, and its public intellectual, she was breaking effectiveness vanishes when her silence on horrible and criminal ‘freedom’ becomes a special treatment of Palestinians by Israel. privilege.’ Rosa Luxemburg.

She said of King’s decision, “It was a lonely, moral stance. And it cost him.

THE CHATTER OVER MY ‘Unity and But it set an example of what is Development’ column of January 12, required of us if we are to honor our 2019 is really a tempest in a tea pot. deepest values in times of crisis, even The disclosure that unemployment is a when silence would better serve our major problem is not news. The 2018 personal interests or the communities IMF report speaks of high and causes we hold most dear. It’s unemployment especially among our what I think about when I go over the youth. In 2004, Kiara consultants excuses and rationalizations that have pegged poverty in St Vincent at 30 kept me largely silent on one of the percent. Beginning in 2008, the entire great moral challenges of our time: world suffered the economic and the crisis in Israel-Palestine.” We financial meltdown of international ought to follow Chris Hedges wise capitalism. We cannot truly claim to words ‘Do not pursue what is have fully recovered. Therefore, the illusory–property and position; all is poverty numbers could be higher but gained at the expense of your nerves.” certainly not less than 30 percent.

Speaking truth to power is nothing Everyone would agree with these basics facts. Depending on where one new to Plain Talk. All our adult life sits, the clear and definitive response was spent on the barricades defending the poor. When my constituency office to ‘Unity and Development’ was that was burnt twice and my car tires Plain Talk should not be such a slashed, I neither buckled nor bowed. messenger. Others said recognition When threats to my life and person and acknowledgement that poverty came following mad opposition to this and unemployment are high is to or that column, I stood firm except for indict the governing party. We all bringing these to the attention of know that SVG is a nation of persons of power and prominence in listeners. Clearly, only a few persons our society. bothered to read the column. And No deters, but disciplined those who read it stylized it to suit continuation of the people’s work, their interest.

To speak truth to power is a lonely simply and humbly. The smart bet is that Plain Talk will never see piss and hazardous pursuit. In 20 plus pouring down and tell people it is years, Plain Talk has never backed rain. away from saying it as it is. There is no chance that this plain talking, Send comments, criticisms & truth seeking defender of the least suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com among us, will be bent into a form

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12. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

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ULP regime ignores SVG 1991 Census Report

THE SVG 1991 CENSUS revealed a clear correlation between university education and employment. It illustrated that the higher the level education one has, the greater the prospect of obtaining employment.

The SVG 1991 Census revealed that unemployment among males with only primary school education was 81.6 per cent at the time, whereas unemployment among males with a university education was less than one per cent (Source SVG 1991 Census Report —Researched by Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA).

The Operation of Population and Housing Census Report 1991 cost a lot of money and time, and it was carried out to be an accurate scientific guide as to what public policy is needed in SVG. The SVG 1991 Census Report showed that SVG needs to focus on education, and that SVG needs a university in order to make unemployment less than one per cent.

According to Warrant Officer Ivan

O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, it was foolhardy for the ULP regime, and the previous government, to ignore the conclusions of the 1991 Census Report. A university was never built, and still unemployment is high, as many children leave school with only primary school education.

It was a waste of money to conduct the 1991 Census and then ignore its findings. It is a disaster to ignore the 1991 Census Report findings, as unemployment and poverty are still high in SVG. The 1991 census Report clearly showed which direction SVG should take for sustainable development and planning for future generation; but successive governments blatantly ignored it. This demonstrates that governments have ignored the Vincentian people’s needs. It is arrogance by government.

Is the ULP regime not spinning top in mud in building a new jail instead of building a science and technology

Satan strikes back

university? Can a jail move our country forward and provide our people with a high standard of living?

Since independence, the Labour Party (1979 to 1984), the New Democratic Party (1984 to 2001) and the Unity Labour Party (2001 to the present) have failed to see the building our own science and technology university as significantly important to our people and country.

According to Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, who lived in Singapore from 1963 to 1965, Singapore, in contrast, built universities within the first three years of independence from the United Kingdom.

Singapore focused on building their nation on free, high-quality education, from preschool to university for all.

Now, Singapore is a World Bank success story, with one of the highest standards of living in the world, and unemployment at less than two per cent.

In the Budget Estimates, the useless

man had the right to judge him, (Imagine after crucifying Christ, they still had the guts to say they are Christ’s agents on earth!)

WHILE CHRIST was carrying out his became a champion for Christ’s cause.

On March 7, 321 AD, Constantine Father’s business on earth, the Romans Now, after Christ’s death on the cross, (Church) detested him. They tried to Romanism tried to join state and religion declared Sunday, which was already destroy Him, but they failed. They even together, thus they selected Constantine sacred to those who worshiped the failed to intimidate His followers, as their first Pope. Constantine tried to Roman Sun God Sol Invictus, an official day, of rest — the Sabbath. ‘On that day although they were faced with death all win the heart, mind, and soul of markets were banned and public offices around them. Their main prosecutor mankind by claiming he was the were closed, [26] except for the purpose Paul saw their pitfall and withdrew from representative of Christ on earth, who of freeing slaves. [27] There were, the Romans’ barbarous practices, and had the right to judge any man, but no however, no restrictions on performing farming work, which was the work of the great majority of the population, on Sundays…’ (Wikipedia), since no other days are better adapted for planting the grains or vine in the trenches, so that the advantages given by the heavenly providence may not for a short time perish. (See (Ancient Church History Div 2, chap 1, sect 59, pg 284-285).

History attested to the artful and persistent effort of Rome which had placed itself in the affairs of nations.

Having gained a foothold in the year 1204, Pope Innocent III extracted from Peter King of Arragon, the following oath: I, Peter King of the Arragonians, professes and promises to be ever faithful and obedient to my Lord, Pope Innocent, to his Catholic successors, and the Roman Church, and to faithfully preserve my kingdom in his obedience defending the Catholic Church’s faith, and persecute hereticals privately (see History of Romanism, Bk 5 chap 6, sect 55).

Romanism (Catholic) acknowledges that the change of the Sabbath was made by their church. They also claim that Christians observing the Sunday are recognizing their power (see the Catholic Catechism of Religion). In this same book, a bishop states that during the old law, Saturday was the day sanctified, but the church (Catholic) was instructed by Jesus Christ, and directed by the Holy Ghost, to substitute Sunday for Saturday.

They even tried to put fear into the lives of its followers by stating that a farmer was sharpening his plough on a Sunday to go to his fields, when the plough iron stuck to his hands for 2 whole months, thus causing the farmer great pain. Also, they claimed, a woman who was baking bread on a Sunday, and at the appointed time when she took out the bread, the oven was still hot but the bread was raw. Even further, a man is said to have refused to bake on a Sunday, but when he visited his shop Monday, all his dough was baked.

The Sabbath was hallowed by the

and hopeless ULP regime allocated Capital Expenditure on Education for 2019 of only EC$4.7 million. SVG has moved backward between 2001 to 2018 under the grossly incompetent ULP regime.

A Green Government would adopt the Singapore model for sustainable development, and focus on free, highquality education from pre-school to our own university. It would manage public finances competently and not rely on begging for Public Debt forgiveness as the engine of the SVG economy, as the ULP regime is doing.

It is utterly shameful that the incompetent ULP regime has ignored the conclusions of the 1991 Census Report and never built a university for our children. The negative consequence of this is that unemployment is high and our people are suffering.

SVG Green Party Creator, and blessed by Him. The Sabbath was kept by Adam in his innocence in holy Eden, by Adam in his fallen state. It was also kept by all the patriarchs, from Cain to righteous Noah, and Jacob. From that day to our present, the knowledge of God’s law has been preserved in the earth.

The importance of the Sabbath as the memorial of creation is that it keeps ever present the true reason why worship is due to God. Why? Because He is the creator and we are His creation. The Sabbath, therefore, lies at the very foundation of divine worship, because it teaches the great truth in the most impressive manner, and no other institution does this.

However, the claim Christ changed the Sabbath to Sunday, is false because Christ Himself said, “Think not that I came to destroy the law. No I came not to destroy what my Father has set up and hallowed, I came to fulfil a promise made by my Father to mankind in the Garden of Eden. (Read Matthew 5:17-19) Also nowhere in the bible does it record that Christ or his disciples gave orders to change the Sabbath.

On Friday 8th December 2017, Pope Francis called for a change to the wording of the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the line ‘lead us not into temptation’, which, he said, should be altered to reflect that it is not God who leads humans to sin.

Imagine, after all these years, the Roman Catholic Church now recognizes a false interpretation. Is that the only misinterpretation of the holy words, or is the little horn trying to make a great come back to sink mankind back into the paws of Satan and his demons?

Pope Innocent III declared that the Roman Pontiff is not a mere man, but a very god, because he is the Viceregent (Viceagent) of Christ, who is very god and very man. (See the Decretals of Pope Gregory IX.) Religion has become the sport of infidels and skeptics, because so many that hear the name are ignorant of its principles.

Godliness has departed from many of today’s churches, and it is time these modern day preachers stick to the plan of salvation laid down in the Garden of Eden, between the godhead and humans.

God gave laws for human to obey; He has never cancelled, deleted, abolished or made void any of these laws. Neither did his Son, Jesus Christ. Why would the Son destroy what the Father established, blessed and hallowed? All that He ask is that mankind obey laws.

Hutchie

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 13.

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14. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Arts

Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest 2019:

Ready to blast off

WITH LESS THAN ONE WEEk to go, the excitement builds for the highly acclaimed and much anticipated Bequia Mount Gay Musicfest 2019.

The Bequia Tourism Association’s annual live entertainment Festival kicks off its now five-day long event in Bequia, running from January 30th to February 3rd. With 130 musicans performing in six events in five days, the festival has grown into one of the region’s premier music festivals, patronized by music lovers from all over the region and the world.

Sweet soca vocalist Erphaan Alves out of Trinidad, headlines the Saturday Fete Night, backed by the big band Imij and Company, veterans on the regional music scene, and the legendary WCK out of Dominica.

SVG’s own icon, the ABC Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus, is back by popular demand, headlining on Soca Sunday at De Reef, in Lower Bay, along with GBK Caribbean Creole Jazz Band many of our homegrown talented headlines the new ‘Jazz Vibes and artistes, including pannist Rodney Candlelight’ event that kicks off the Small, Hance, LPank, Nicki Pierre, Festival on Wednesday 30th January. D’Termine, Kyron Baptiste, Andy Cruickshank, Hasani Arthur and Keido and the Vykinz Band.

R & B up and coming band Lennox of Barbados headlines the Saturday afternoon, ‘Music Under the Palms’ family event the relaxing vibe with music under the palms, suitable for children with five hours of great entertainment, complemented by the Plantation Hotel’s IMIJ of T&T, one of the billed acts for Saturday Fete BBQ, snacks and Night that will also feature legendary WCK out of goodies.

Dominica.

Also featured this year will be the Rey Escobar Latin Band, Bajan bands Kevan Sahai and the Crashers, and the high energy NJ30+ with talented young trumpet player Kweku Jelani and bass guitarist Marius Charlemagne. Antiguan guitarist Joshu, Bequia Blues Band, Infinity, Bequia Kids on Pan, and Rey Escobar and Soca and Ragga Soca the Elite Steel Orchestra, his Latin Band joins artiste Hance joins with complete the extensive line Becket and others in a up of music to suit all tastes. a host of entertainers for the Vincy Soca Sunday at Sound engineering is Music Under the De Reef. provided by Platinum Palms familySounds. oriented event. his unique trumpet style, New in 2019 will be the “Jazz Vibes and Candlelight” followed by the Cuban concert and dinner concept, which Latin band of Rey Escobar, guaranteed kicks off the festival on Wednesday, to energize patrons. Kevan Sahai’s January 30th. The GBK Caribbean rock and roll band promises not to Creole Jazz Band out of Martinique disappoint what will be a magical headlines this sophisticated Jazz evening under the stars. concert, along with soulful Jazz Tickets for all shows are on sale vocalist Debbie Reifer of Barbados, the online at Ticket pal Caribbean or in RS Essence Band of SVG, and Spanish Bequia at the BTA office.

Flemenco Guitarist Hector Belda Om. Sponsor Partners of the 2019 Chef Peter Ollivierre of Mustique is Festival are Mount Gay Rum, Hairoun preparing a fabulous three-course Beer, the SVG Tourism Authority, the dinner with Jazz on the side.

NLA, Bequia Plantation Hotel, 2019 is slated to be a thrilling programme of daily and nightly events Grenadine Sea Salt, Going Places not to be missed, taking place at three Travel, Cocoa Cola, Tus-T water, MasterRoom Music, as well as many official venues, the Frangipani Hotel, Bequia Plantation Hotel and De Reef. local businesses including Frangipani Hotel, De Reef, IK TV, Compass Thursday night takes place at the Publishing, Action Bequia, Outhouse Frangipani Hotel with the 14-piece Graphics, Vintages Bequia and QuikElite Steel Orchestra, followed by DJ Print (St. Vincent).

Tha Fugitive.

For more information visit Friday night Live at the beautiful www.bequiamusicfestival.com and Bequia Plantation Hotel’s open-air www.facebook.com/bequiamusicfest venue will feature Imij and Company or call the Bequia Tourism Office of Trinidad and Tobago and guitarist Joey Ng Wai. SVG New York resident 458-3286. (Source: Bequia Music Fest Committee) Hasani Arthur opens on Friday, with

Lights, tint to be reviewed IT GOES WITHOUT question that the LED lights on some vehicles make it difficult for other drivers at night and can cause accidents, and the hands of the police are tied as far as taking action is concerned.

The present Traffic Legislation does not address the issue of brightness, leaving the Traffic Department with any teeth.

Inspector Henry Providence of the Traffic Department said that present day legislation only addresses the issue of colour. Coloured bulbs (headlights) are illegal.

“But brightness, we do not have anything on the books that says how bright it (headlights) has

to be,” he added.

But it is an issue that needs to be addressed, Insp. Providence admitted.

He called for a total revamping of the Traffic Laws to address this and other shortcomings.

Inspector Providence noted that some individuals were getting their vehicles inspected with the factory bulbs, and changing them when their vehicles were passed as road worthy.

Addressing the issue of tint, the Inspector informed that this was something that the Traffic Department had discussed frequently and in detail, and is one of the areas included in the proposed new Traffic

Legislation.

He explained that the issue as it related to tint was not just a traffic matter but also a matter of public safety, since criminals often hide themselves behind heavily tinted vehicles.

According to Insp Providence, that issue will be dealt with and certain vehicles will not be allowed to have their windows tinted.

“Some people may say that it is their vehicle and the police are encroaching on their privacy; but at the same time that individual could be transporting a criminal and the police needs to know who is travelling in certain vehicles, especially

LED lights might be the hallmark of energy efficiency, but they are also hazards on the restricted roadways of SVG. rentals,” Insp Providence told THE VINCENTIAN. He said that there were times when traffic police had to stop a vehicle in order to see who the driver was.

Rental vehicles for one, he said, under the

Inspector Henry Providence of the Traffic new legislation, once Department confirmed brought and passed in that police officers have Parliament, will no longer be allowed to have no legal authority to act against the use of LED tint. lights in vehicles.

He said that he could not confirm if any other able to say what grade type of vehicle would be (tint) would be allowed. on the list, nor was he (DD)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 15.

Youth

Melisizwe Bros giving back to SVG ‘Motown Magic’, Zachary explained that they received a call from the show’s producers, who said that they were looking for someone to perform the Jackson 5’s ‘ABC’, the theme song for ‘Motown Magic’.

They had been spotted on Youtube and they were flown to Los Angeles where they recorded the song, Zachary continued.

They even performed at New York City’s Times Square in 2017, and have done a lot of travelling throughout the United States, Europe and Brazil.

Seth noted that the experience at the Apollo was one that he was not going to forget.

He told THE VINCENTIAN that they put in a lot of work, and it was Ready to perform at home this hard work that has allowed them to accomplish all that they have so far.

Marc registered that the group was “The experiences have pushed us anxious to perform for a Vincentian in far,” Marc said.

St. Vincent, particularly with all that They all agreed that it is because of they have participated in recently. them by working together as a team, “The last performance was back in and continuously refining their craft, 2016, this is 2019 and we have learned why they have achieved the degree of a lot; we have gotten better with our success they have had to date. music,” he said.

And they have certainly been The February Concert around in recent times: appearances on the Ellen Degeneres Television Kevin Rodriguez, one of the Show (2016) and on the Steve Harvey- organizers of the concert on February hosted Showtime at the Apollo Theatre 2, said that in the same way the boys 2017 Christmas Special ((where they have had an impact worldwide, so too were proclaimed winners of the they will have an impact on the amateur competition), and recording Vincentian public. the theme song for the Netflix series “It is a very humbling experience,” ‘Motown Magic’.

Rodriguez said.

With respect to the song for Proceeds from the February 2 MARC, SETH AND ZACHARY JAMES, 14 years, 11 and 10 respectively, members of the ‘Melisizwe Brothers’, are promising a performance like no other come February 2.

It will be the Brothers’ first performance in St Vincent and the Grenadines in three years, and they are ready to take the stage.

But even before that grand concert, the ‘Brothers’ are scheduled to be at ‘Backyard Adventure’ tomorrow, Saturday, for what Zachary said was going to be “lots of fun, lots of songs (to which) kids can sing-a-long.”

They promise to interact with the public and will be giving away instruments.

The Melisizwe Brothers (Back L-R) Seth, Marc and Zachary (front) when they visited with THE VINCENTIAN last week.

The Melisizwe Brothers performing at the Apollo Theatre 2017 Christmas Special. concert will go to towards the World Pediatric Project, he said.

But this was just the beginning — the Melisizwe Brothers are expected to be featured in a number of events planned for the future.

Meanwhile, dad, Marc James said that the boys have always felt appreciated here in SVG. After all, this is where they got their start and were able to hone their craft as budding musicians.

“As parents, we want to share the boys with the world. SVG has had a really big impact on their development,” he said, adding that they wanted to return and make a contribution in order that some other talented youth be given the same opportunities and success that his boys have had. (DD)

The Brothers’ appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Television Show catapulted them into the international spotlight.

Guides hold exhibition and more the Under 35 Representative of the SVG Girl Guides Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Caribbean Link of Guiding.

Leaders and Seconds of the various patrols were responsible for bringing their recruits to the Guider, and assuring her that they had met all requirements for enrollment.

Then, upon making their Promise, the new recruits were pinned, and each The recruits who were inducted into the No. 1 Kingstown Girl awarded a certificate which Guides Company. made her enrollment official.

The first set of awards for

by GLORIAH… of the SVG Girl Guides “Top Pre-Promise Association, conducted a Performance” to Azariah THE NO.1 KINGSTOWN review of their work, with the Commissiong, Adia Daniel and GIRL GUIDES COMPANY, aim of recommending those Jonique Haynes were then focusing on its tagline of Girl Guides who were deemed handed out.

‘Connect-Grow-Impac’, held its eligible for the Chief Not only was attention Chief Commissioner’s Commissioner’s Award. given to recruits. Seasoned Exhibition, Enrollment and In the meantime, members Guides were awarded for Awards Ceremony on Friday and recruits of the Guide successfully completing all 18th January 2019, at the Company assembled in horse- tasks in the Year 1, 2, 3 and 4 Coutts Hall of the St. Vincent shoe formation while parents, programmes. The Most Girls’ High School. guardians and other interested Outstanding Guides in Years An apology was made for individuals observed from 1, 2, 3, and 4 were announced Chief Commissioner Mrs. strategic positions. respectively to be: Adia Laura Browne, who was Of these, twenty-one Daniel, Halei Williamsunavoidably absent. recruits were inducted into the Douglas, Alyssa Trotman, and The projects in the Chief organization through an Tamika Miguel. Awards were Commissioner’s Exhibition enrollment in which each also given to other outstanding took up the entire stage. prospective Girl Guide was Guides in the four years of the Trainers Mrs. Jeannette presented to officiating Guider programme.

France and Dr. Monica Davis Tamira Browne, who is also The Girl Guides contending

the Chief Commissioner’s Award, were to wait until the Girl Guide Founders Day of February 22nd to receive their accolades.

Another fulfilling day in the life of the No.1 Kingstown Girl Guides Company had come to an end.

Two Girl Guides, Kristine Branch and Chayil Cyrus, preparing for the Chief Commissioner’s Award, lauded the organization for the benefits it brings to young ladies who become members.

Kristine believed that guiding allows for the “exploration of new cultures”.

Additionally, she stated, “I have become more disciplined, and more hard working. … I would encourage anyone to join, as it gives great

Taylor Oliver’s display in the Chief Commissioner Exhibition.

Left: A Year 4 Awardee being pinned. opportunities to get you far in life!”

Chayil recalled that her best activity in guiding was the “City Take Over Rally 2017” where Guides from different countries had come to SVG just for that activity. “I saw how we were similar and different. There were different styles of dress, speaking, dance and so many other things” she gushed. She similarly encouraged other girls to join the movement as its helps with a person’s time management and communication skills among others. “It gives you a voice,” she said.

16. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 17.

V Bequia resident wins Lotto Jackpot 18. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

News

JULIAN OLLIVIERRE, of Friendship Bay, Bequia, is the latest Lotto Jackpot winner.

General Manager MacGreggor Sealey headed a National Lotteries Authority delegation to the Grenadines island, to present Ollivierre with a cheque in an amount of $253,000, the jackpot for the Lotto draw of Tuesday 15th January.

Members of the media also journeyed to Bequia for the occasion, compliments the NLA. Addressing the presentation ceremony, Sealey said it has been a long time since members of the NLA had journeyed to the Grenadines to hand over prize money to a winner.

He congratulated the winner and encouraged him to spend the money wisely, adding, “From my vantage

been playing it onto this time.

Today I already done buy my ticket and I looking forward again for the 51,000 coming up,” said the Jackpot winner.

Ollivierre also admitted that he has never before had any real success with the Lotto, save and except some ‘free tickets’. But he never gave up because he had always had the belief that he was going to win.

The father of six said that part of his winnings will go Winner expressed his towards his grandchildren’s education, some on renovating happiness his boat and purchasing an Ollivierre, for his part, said airline ticket for the agent that he was very happy to be from whom he purchased the the jackpot winner. ticket.

In admitting that he has “I am not a greedy fella, I been playing the Lotto for a love to give, I love people,” very long time, he added, “I said Ollivierre, as he hinted never change my numbers (12, that he might be tempted to 2, 10, 09 and 27). Since the give money to other persons.

Lotto came to Bequia, I have Meanwhile, NLA’s Product point at the NLA, I have seen persons win much more than this, and today they have nothing,” Sealey had a special ‘thank you’ for the people of the Grenadines for playing the game, saying, “The sales in these islands are very significant.”

He reminded his audience that by supporting the NLA, persons are supporting the development of the country.

Julian Ollivierre collects the ceremonial cheque from MacGreggor to signify that he (Ollivierre) is the latest Lotto Jackpot winner.

Development Officer, Anthony Dennie said that NLA was happy that someone from the Grenadines won the lottery, since it has been a long time that someone off the mainland won a major Jackpot.

This year, the NLA will be celebrating its 35th year of operation. It has already planned a very major promotion as a way of saying thanks to the people of SVG for their support. (KH)

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 , 2019. 19.

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20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Tell her to stop

Dear George, I AM FED up of this guy pretending to be a good Samaritan to my wife. He gives her money, groceries and rides to work and anywhere she wants to go.

I have told him several times to stop what he is doing because I know sooner or later he would ask her for sexual favours. I do not want it to come to that because I can be very ignorant. What is the best way to handle this?

Getting impatient.

Dear Getting impatient,

This is quite an easy fix. Tell your wife not to go to him for any favours or accept gifts of any kind from this man. As long as she puts herself in his way and gives him an opportunity to be a ‘good’ Samaritan, then he will pounce on it. It is time that you have that crucial one on one talk with your wife. There could be more going on than what appears to be.

George

No easy way out Dear George,

MY GIRLFRIEND and I have been together for two years. Six months ago, we started putting plans in place for our wedding.

I was stunned recently when she told me that we should both have a medical, including an HIV test. She says she especially wants to know my HIV status before entering into marriage.

We have practised abstinence since being together- another of her demands. However, I have not been faithful that time and I have not practised safe sex most of the time.

So, I’m afraid to do this HIV test.

I lied and told her I’ll do it because I have nothing to be afraid of, and she believed me. She is now planning

for a wedding that might take place.

I’m looking for an easy out. Can you please advise me.

Worried stiff Dear Worried stiff, There is no easy way out here.

Before marriage, all the cards ought to be on the table facing upward.

Your fiancée deserves the truth. You too should know your HIV status for your own peace of mind.

If you truly love this woman, then tell her the truth and let her decide the best way forward. The best time to start being honest is now. You will feel better for it.

George

Tell him now

Dear George,

I’M IN NEW YORK but my boyfriend is still in Vincy. I plan to send for him later this year, but I have been keeping a deep dark secret from him. He thinks I am a legal Secretary working in Manhattan, but the truth is, I am a professional dancer in a club. I bring home a good purse and I have been able to finance him over the years.

However, I’m afraid that when he comes, he will be mad and even be tempted to break off the relationship. I know how he feels about the people who do what I do, but I’m hoping he might want me to continue, seeing that it pays so well. I do not intend to do anything other than

what I’m doing, sorry.

Should I still send for him or leave him where he is?

Decision time Dear Decision time, Why wait until your boyfriend gets to New York to tell him this?

Tell him about your profession now, and let him be the one to figure out if he can live with it

or not.

You are free to do what you want to do for a living, but once you bring someone else into your life, then there must be an open discussion and room left for compromise if it comes down to that.

Secrets, especially the deep, dark ones, are bad for relationships.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Your charm and generosity will bring new friends and romantic opportunities.

Try to slow down, and take another look. Expect to pay more than anticipated for entertainment or other purchases.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Your outgoing, aggressive nature will attract someone you’ve been eager to meet. Get busy putting your place in order. You must follow your desires and dreams.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) You will reap the rewards for your kind actions. Business conducted in your own office will proceed smoothly. Acceptance is the key. Concentrate on home improvement.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair. Lovers may no be truthful.

Your partner may blame you for everything. You need to keep the peace and you will have to bend in order to do so.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Your persuasive nature will win the heart of someone you’ve had your eye on. Verbal abuse may lead to walkouts; don’t make any rash statements you may regret later. Don’t forget that your budget is limited right now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You can have a great time if you go out with the one you love. You have more energy than the rest of the people you live with anyway. Self‐improvement projects will payoff in more ways than one.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Personal problems may be hanging over your head but don’t confront the situation. The talk you have may be eye‐ opening with regard to your present situation.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Try not to take everything so seriously.

Find ways to make extra cash. Start making things or reusing rather than buying ready made. Be sure not to reveal private information to the wrong individuals.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) New projects may lead you into a dead end. Try to curb your bad habits. Get on with your life. Do not overspend on entertainment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. You can make extra cash by moonlighting.

Losses are likely if you aren’t careful where you leave your valuables.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Changes at home might come fast and furious. Take a close look at documents be fore signing on the dotted line. Don’t let individuals with wild schemes talk you into a financial deal that is not likely to be successful.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Difficulties with your mate may lead to estrangement. Changes in your home environment may cause friction. You will upset your partner if you have spent money on things that aren’t necessary.

Use your intellectual approach to get the best results.

ACROSS 1. Legal tender 5. Seafood morsel 9. Atlas graphic 12. Dayton’s state 13. Sail hoister 14. Freezer formation 15. Desire 16. Family vehicle 17. Illuminated 18. Graceful tree 20. Fuses (steel) 22. Violin cousin 25. Naval station 27. Laudatory poem 28. Ready for customers 30. Ear region 34. Small enclosure 35. Butcher goods 37. Join closely 38. Speak sharply 40. Journey 41. Pester constantly 42. Exploited 44. Political topic 46. Perhaps 49. Explosive material: abbr.

50. Rhyming Gershwin 51. Voice range 54. Tel _ 58. Fashion a frock 59. Postal load 60. Travelled via horse 61. _ Francisco 62. Zoomed 63. Smack (flies) DOWN 1. Milk source 2. Triumphant interjection 3. Transgress 4. Tourist stop 5. Study quickly 6. Singer Rawls 7. Suitable 8. Tabby cries

9. Grinding tool 10. Sour; tart 11. House animals 19. Weaving frame 21. Snaky swimmer 22. Foes of robbers 23. Genesis sitting 24. Jazzy Horne 25. Chin hair 26. Poker fee 29. Folk musician Seeger 31. Has 32. Boyfriend, quaintly 33. Outer border 36. Dermatology focus 39. Irish bar 43. Garment junctures

45. Constellation Components 46. Lose (an Opportunity) 47. District 48. Appear drowsy 49. Recounted

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 21.

52. Track circuit 53. Stalemate 55. Formal pledge 56. Hollywood’s Lupino 57. Dog‐treating doctor

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22. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports Extra

Kendale Mercury (left) in conversation with Ian Sardine last Monday at the Sion Hill Playing Field, during the National Senior Team’s training.

Mercury sets goals

Members of the National Senior Team in a scrimmage at the Sion Hill Playing Field on Monday.

KENDALE MERCURY, returning as the St Vincent and the Grenadines Senior Male Football Team Head Coach after an eight-year absence, has set himself and his team some goals.

His energy is focused immediately on guiding St Vincent and the Grenadines to do well at the Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA) Tournament, set to be hosted here 26th February to 10th March.

Mercury, who heads an entirely new configuration, including an Assistant CoachMichael Harris , and who assumed the job last December when he replaced Cornelius Huggins, revealed, “ Our objective going into these matches, is to make the team as competitive as we can, given the short time that we have had with the team.

“We plan to have them physically ready, mentally ready, tactically ready to play four matches in ten days,” Mercury added.

He noted that whilst winning the tournament would serve as a boost, there are other facets of the team that have also taken priority.

“Even though we don’t win, people must walk out of the park and see changes that have taken place in the team’s setup, within the time that the new coaching staff has been around… They must also be pleased with our pattern of play, the fitness of the team,” the Bequia- born Mercury reinforced.

Mercury, who is a UEFA B licensed coach, said that he would be bringing his “coaching philosophy” to bear on the team.

Mercury noted that he would be fashioning the team’s style of play based on the established attributes of his players, and what he observed as working well with the team over the years.

Following the WIFA Tournament, St Vincent and the Grenadines takes on Bonaire in a crucial Nations League Qualifiers match here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on 21st March.

According to Mercury: “This is a must win game for us, because we want to be in tier B…. In that match, we are looking to win about five goals, thus increasing our chances to secure a place in that tier,” Mercury related.

“If we get to Tier B , the target is to fight to come first in which ever group that we are drawn in, so that we can get up into the top tier, which is Tier A,” he envisaged.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ showing in the CONCACAF Nations League has been wretched, with only a single win against French Guiana.

A 2-0 defeat by Nicaragua and an unexpected 3-2 loss to the Turks and Caicos Islands, have summed up the team’s campaign thus far.

But beyond the

immediate assignments, Mercury has pitched other aims.

“After the Bonaire match, we are going to restart the cycle, look for some new players, whom we think we can groom to play in a particular way, and help them to become more professional,” Mercury projected.

Mercury underscored that getting to the CONCACAF Hexagonal round of the next World Cup Qualifiers would also be a primary aim.

Mercury gained much national and regional attention as a Football Coach when in 2008/2009, he helped the St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-20 team through to the finals of the Caribbean Football Union’s Tournament.

A second place to Jamaica pushed St Vincent and the Grenadines to a playoff against Honduras, for a spot in the CONCACAF round.

However, the Vincentians were unable to clear that final hurdle, and were beaten 3-1.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 23.

Premier Division football heating up BESCO- Pastures DARREN HAMLETT’S strike, last Sunday night at the Victoria Park, was enough for BESCO Pastures to register a one-nil victory over System 3.

In doing so, BESCO Pastures retained the top position as of last weekend, in the Premier

Division of the St Vincent and the Football Federation’s National Club Championships.

Last Sunday’s defeat was System 3’s fourth straight loss.

After ten rounds of matches, BESCO Pastures sit on 23 points,

gained from seven wins, two draws and one loss.

North Leeward Predators breathe down on their necks with 22 points.

North Leeward, who suffered a shock one- nil defeat from SV United in round nine, resumed

North Leeward Predators – the 2017 First Division Champions.

normal service on Sunday.

A brace from Diel Spring helped them to a 2-nil win over Bequia United at the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Bequia. Predators have seven wins, one draw and two losses.

North Leeward Predators, the First Division Champions of 2017 which earned them promotion to the Premier Division in 2018, have shown that the bigger league is no threat to them.

Meanwhile, Hope International is on 18 points - five wins and three drawn matches.

Sion Hill follows next on 16 points, moving into the top four bracket after a 3-0 win over SV United 3-0 at the Chili Playing Field. Romario Wales, Dorian Dallaway and Omar Cupid accounted for the goals.

All of this amounted to relegating perennial contenders System 3 to fifth place, they having won five matches but lost an equal number.

Je Belle, SV United and Pride and Joy are all on 13 points.

They are separated by goal difference, with Je Belle occupying the sixth

Pride and Joy and Camdonia- Chelsea in action last Sunday at the Victoria Park. place, SV United the seventh place and Pride and Joy eighth.

Likewise, Camdonia Chelsea and defending champions- Avenues are locked on 12 points (both having won 4 matches and lost six), but are separated by goal difference, with Camdonia- Chelsea in ninth place and Avenues United in tenth.

Completing the table are Largo Height - 8 points and Bequia United- 7 points, in eleventh and twelfth places, respectively.

The new format of the

Premier Division sees the twelve clubs playing each other twice.

Following the completing of the 22 rounds of matches, the team that is ahead on points gets the winner’s purse of $20,000. The second, third and fourth places are also in for cash rewards.

In addition to the Premier Division, competition is ongoing in the First Division and Women’s Division.

An Under-11 Division is set to commence early next month.

Athletes getting accustomed to Sion Hill venue Field would not be available from 4th February to 22nd March 2019, for any sporting activities…This is to facilitate initial preparation for the hosting of regional cricket games and football CONCACAF qualifying games.

“Be advised that the venue for ALL NLA Inter Schools Athletics previously scheduled for Arnos Vale One 1 will now take place at the Sion Hill playing field.”

Athletes making their way to the finish line in the Male U-20 Zonal Heats for the Primary 100m.

Schools, are scheduled for 19th, WITH THE UNAVAILABILITY from the primary and secondary 21st, 26th and 28th February, with the Heats for the of the Arnos Vale One Playing schools, preparing for the Secondary Schools, taking place Field for this the heightened Annual National Lotteries 12th and 13th March. period of track and field, Authority Inter- Schools Athletes, though, can look athletes are getting accustomed Championships. forward to Arnos Vale One to the surface at the Sion Hill A circular dated 10th Playing Field being the venue Playing Field.

January, 2019, from the Among those who would have Ministry of Education, National for Inter Schools finals: 27th no access to this country’s Reconciliation and Information, March primary schools and 28th March for secondary schools. premier sporting facility for informed schools: “Please note Last Saturday, many their preparation are athletes that Arnos Vale One Playing

secondary schools’ athletes tested the Sion Hill Playing Field, in a Team Athletics SVG hosted Hurdles/ Development Meet.

But some coaches were not too happy with the surface, calling it “inappropriate” for any type of proper gauging of their athletes.

They also questioned the suitability of the Sion Hill venue, as it does not have a large seating capacity, compared to the Arnos Vale One Playing Field or Victoria Park.

A prominent technical official told THE VINCENTIAN that although the Sion Hill venue has limited seating, its size enables a 400m track, hence its choice as an alternative.

The official informed that during the hosting of the Heats, tents will be made available to house the expected flood of athletes and their teachers.

Carifta gold medallist- Handal Roban, on the home stretch last Saturday, as he wins the Male Open 800m.

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24. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Turtin is a happy camper

“It’s a good feeling, I didn’t expect to reach a double century… but I will take it any day.”

So said Glendeen Turtin who, last weekend, registered the first double century in National Female Cricket in SVG. The wicketGlendeen Turtin hit the first double century (204) in National Female Cricket in SVG.

keeper/batter for J.G. Tigress, accomplished her feat, 204, against Radcliffe Girls in the National Super 40 Cricket Competition.

But it took Turtin some time for the reality of her feat to ‘soak in’.

She recalled that a degree of panic set in when she got to the half century mark.

“I wondered what I was

going to do after that, but my captain, Stacy-Ann Adams, who made 104, just encouraged and supported me, advising me to stay and bat to the end,” Turtin said.

“When I reached the century, I couldn’t believe it myself. I was so excited, and then I just started playing shots all over the place, and advanced to the double

Williams hit century in Premier Division SEALROY WILLIAMS hit his first Premier Division century, to help New Haven Funeral Home North Windward take first innings points over Guardian General Saints in one of last weekend matches in the NLA Premier Division Cricket Competition.

In the match played at Park Hill, Guardian General Saints batted first and made 140 - Rayon Williams 47 not out , Ray Charles 24. Bowling for North Windward, Sealron Williams picked up 4 for 29. North Windward in reply posted 338 for 9 declared, led by Williams, 104, and Niko Robinson, 54. Sunil Ambris bagged 4 for 83 and Jahniel Walters 3 for 50.

Guardian General Saints in their second innings posted 165 for 3 when play ended - Sunil Ambris 93.

At Arnos Vale 1, Flow Radcliffe took first innings points over

century,” she added.

Turtin disclosed that her goal for the season was to score a century, not a double century.

“I was working hard and playing some softball cricket, as well as doing some hard ball training, working on my shot selection during the off season. The effort I put in on afternoons with my coach Cleton Burnette, worked for me,” she explained.

The young lady also expressed the view that her fitness carried her through her extended stay at the wicket which included running “a lot of singles, twos and threes,” Turtin quipped.

As far as her

Team Rivals. Flow Radcliffe made 253 for 8 declared, Gidron Pope 73 and Asif Hooper 42. Olanzo Jackson took 5 for 79.

Team Rivals replied with 248 when the match ended. Kody Horne led with 69 and Lindon James 49.

Leading Radcliffe bowlers: Rasheed Sealroy Williams Fredricks 3 for 65 and hit 104 and took 4 Tijourn Pope 3 for 42 wickets for North At Sion Hill, Victors Darius Martin took 7 Windward.

One walked away with for 34 for Police Two in a drawn encounter first innings points over Police Two. Police against Police Two. Police Two posted Two made 148 batting 210 for 6, batting a first, Andrew Thomas hitting 39 second time when play ended. and Sylvan Spencer 32. Alston Desron Maloney led with 80 and Bobb took 5 for 38 for Victors Kenneth Dember 44. Bobb took 4 One, who replied with 165, for 62 to claim a nine-wicket haul Chrisroy John 63, Darius Martin to add to his 10-wicket haul the capturing 7 for 34 for the lawmen. previous weekend.

At Arnos Vale 2, Victors 2 defeated Strike Eagles by 7 wickets in the NLA First Division.

Strike Eagles 183 in of 23 overs, Victors 2 187 for 3 off 24 overs.

Alston Bobb has hit early form with the ball.

accomplishment is concerned, Turtin hopes that it will serve as motivation for all the female cricketers.

She had a word of caution, though, saying, “In order for you to achieve, you must take training seriously and work hard.”

The young lady’s eyes are set on a course for the future: “I am looking to score at least another century in the tournament, and once selected, I would love to be given the opportunity to open the batting and help SVG to do well in the Windward Islands tournament, go on to represent the Windward Islands and hopefully the West Indies.”

Tigress, Survivors, Strikers record win JOINT DEFENDING Champions - J.G Tigress and United Survivors, as well as Super Strikers, chalked up victories in last weekend round of matches in the SVGCA Inc. Women Super 40 Cricket Competition.

Playing at Buccament, J.G Tigress beat Jules Anthony Northern Girls by 109 runs. Scores: J.G Tigress 199 off 29 overs, Samantha Cain 39, Zavian Stephens 34, Sueann Matthews 3 for Rochelle John, 5 for 22 off 3.5 overs and 22, bowled J.G Tigress to victory.

Venola Samuel 3 for 35 off 5 overs; Jules Anthony Northern Girls 90 off 21 overs, Shannel Mackie 29, Sueann Matthews 26, Rochelle John 5 for 22.

At Arnos Vale 2, United Survivors beat Attackers Girls by 104 runs. Scores: United Survivor 162 for 2 in 17 overs, Cordel Jack 46, Shavorne Clarke 44, Kimone Homer 23 not out; Attackers 58 for 9 in 17 overs, Sandra Samuel 17.

Alison Antoine 4 for 21 off 4 overs, Shema Wright 3 for 4 off 2 overs.

At Stubbs, United Survivors recorded back to back weekend wins when they beat Radcliffe Girls by 10 wickets at the Stubbs Playing Field. Scores: Radcliffe Girls 71 off 17.3 overs, Kendicia Barker 23, Shema Wright 3 for 21 off 3.3 overs; United Survivors 72 for no wicket, Kimone Homer 31 not out.

Also at Stubbs, Stubbs Super Strikers defeated Radcliffe Girls by 9 wickets. Scores: Radcliffe Girls 50 in 10.1 overs; Super Strikers 51 for 1 in 4 overs.

Stories by I.B.A.ALLEN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 25.

Sports

England’s 16th Test Tour to the W.I

by EARL W. ROBINSON

DayÊs work THE WEST INDIES will look to consistent performances so that they come out with pride in the first Test against England at Kensington.

Wednesday’s first day produced mixed results for the home team. They rallied to 264 for 8.

That’s the factual position. Other situations could have produced the scenario of near disbelief.

The West Indies battled with a sense of discipline up to a mark. Some batsmen got starts, but no one carried on into the three figure zone which is necessary to stamp one’s authority in any given reality.

It will be farfetched to suggest that someone proved me wrong on the second day. But being the die-hard West Indian supporter, my wish was that Hetmyer find his grove and stabilise the order.

He had Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel to accompany him, and that will not be any genuine encouragement.

The West Indies seem to rise against England especially on home soil. The rivalry stems from the colonial past, and there is that enigmatic relationship between British and Caribbean citizens.

There is also the tendency of the traditional West Indies collapse. For having struggled through most of the day with resolute if not convincing stroke play, the second new ball worked wonders for the visitors.

The late surge balanced out a first day clash.

The West Indies will have to produce their best bowling performance to keep themselves in the game.

Crucial to this encounter will be how the batsmen acquit themselves the second innings.

Speculation is in order, but one session in a Test Match far more one day can be decisive. And it is not down to crunch time yet, for with typical Caribbean weather, what’s behind the clouds can spell doom or delight.

One thing for sure is that the West Indies are not shying away from the challenge, and as dominant as the visitors are, they will have to face up to the regular Caribbean bravado.

Economic reality hits home to the psyche of many a Caribbean citizen. And there is the practice of extending loyalty to the British. It is a hangover from the past. Barbados in particular has a strong British inclination. No wonder thousands of Britons flock to that island for any reason.

It has become a norm for more English supporters to be in the ground at Kensington than locals.

What has been unfolding is a gravitation towards foreign spectators, because that’s what the region seems to thrive on. A cricket tour involving Australia and England serves as pillars to boost the region’s economy.

Agents invest in entry tickets and capitalise on retailing them at increased prices.

That reduces the regional presence and props up the visitors. West Indian players are used to hostility, and once they stick to their task, that should be perhaps the inspiration they need. They are up against it in any form. Whatever happens in regional cricket seems to be the ingredient for stirring up controversy.

That puts the mission in more difficult straits.

Whatever the situation, there remains a core of Caribbean support who stick to the cause.

Those of the sinister type justify their outlook, and there will always be millions of ways at heaping scorn on others. For as much as the region has emerged as a global melting pot, those very elements contribute to what makes us who we are.

TODAY MARKS day three of the first Test of the 2019 series between England and the West Indies at Kensington Oval, Barbados. Of the previous fifteen Tests played there over the last 85 years (1930-2017), West Indies hold the ascendancy by winning five matches against the visitors’ three. Except for the encounter in 1948, the other seven Tests were high- scoring draws. Who could forget the record fourthwicket partnership of 399 between Gary Sobers (226) and Frank Worrell (197) not out in 1960? Then in 1974, the second-wicket partnership (249) between Lawrence Rowe (302) and Alvin Kallicharran (119).

A new beginning No doubt the England captain Joe Root on the 2019 tour, will be trying to emulate three of his predecessors - Peter May (1960), Colin Cowdrey (1968) and Michael Vaughan (2004) in the modern era, and become only the fourth captain to win a series in the Caribbean.

England’s first visit to the region dates back to 1930 when the Honourable Frederick Calthorpe led a team with ‘grandpas’, on these small grounds under the Caribbean sun. Wilfred Rhodes (52 years old) and George Gunn (50) were two members of his squad. Rhodes is the oldest man to have played Test cricket.

West Indies had a different captain at each venue.

Thirty years later (1960), May, with a galaxy of stars including Edward ‘Ted’ Dexter, Cowdrey, Ken Barrington, Fred Trueman and Brian Statham, won a solitary test at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad, of the five matches played, to earn a series win.

This series closed a major chapter in the history of West Indies cricket. It was the last time a white player, this time Franz ‘Cuerry’ Alexander, captained the West Indies team. By the latter part of the year, Frank Worrell, a black Barbadian, born on Emancipation Day 1924, was in command of the squad on tour to Australia. Since then, only cricketers of African and Asian descent have captained the home team. In 1973, Rohan Kanhai became the first player of East Indian roots to lead the WI.

More wins for England In 1968, yet again at the Queen’s Park Oval, England under Cowdrey won the fourth Test by seven wickets, to win the five-match series one-nil. Garfield Sobers declared twice to add life to a dull contest. He was criticized for his enterprise. The previous three Tests had ended in draws.

Although England were showing signs of improvement throughout the 1990s, no one

expected the results of the 2004 series. Michael Vaughan’s team achieved what no other English touring team had done in previous series.

At Sabina Park, Jamaica, the venue for the first Test, they won by ten wickets.

History was created in the West Indies’ second innings when they were bowled out for 47. It is their lowest total at home against any opponent.

At the Queen’s Park Oval, England won the second Joe Root, Captain Jason Holder, WI Test by 7 wickets and in Captain, has set Barbados, at the Kensington of England, his aim at retaking coming off of Oval, they won the third the Wisden some success, Test by eight wickets. West will be hoping to Trophy, symbol of Indies were bowled out for cricket supremacy emulate his 94 in their second innings. between England predecessors At that time, it was the and the WI. third lowest total in a home and beat the WI in their backyard.

Test. Last year, Sri Lanka bowled out Jason Holder’s Roston Chase, team for 93 at the same venue.

Shane Dowrich Vaughan’s achievement and Alzarri matched Steve Waugh’s exploits Joseph. This of a year earlier, i.e. winning three consecutive Tests in a series team, on paper, should against West Indies in the be good Caribbean. enough to The final Test in Antigua, at compete with the Antigua Recreation Ground, England over was a stalemate. A total of 1,458 five days. runs were scored and only 20 “Obviously, wickets fell. Brian Lara regained my goal is to the world-record by scoring 400 be the not out. But the bigger picture Sir Frank Worrell number one was: England won the series was on the WI all-rounder, three-nil. but there is a team which lost In 2009, like in 1998, an bigger picture to England in additional Test was played in front of me, 1960 and was, because of a poor outfield, this and that’s for later that year, time at the Sir Vivian Richards appointed the WI stadium. The intended four-Tests us to lift this first ‘black’ Wisden series was extended to read five Trophy.” The captain.

Tests. West Indies won the first Test in Jamaica by an innings and words of twenty-three runs. England were captain Jason skittled out for 51 in their second Holder. innings.

Will he be That was to be the home team’s holding that only victory but enough to give trophy aloft at them the series. the end of the Although England came into 2019 home the 2015 series as the favourites, series? the West Indies, under the It’s been leadership of Denesh Ramdin, ten years and were very competitive. A Jason counting; time Holder century (103 not out) and patience assisted the home team with a are running draw in Antigua. A massive out. Captain, century (182 not out) by Joe Root no more Sir Gary Sobers, went a long way to earn England rhetoric; we Captain of the a nine-wicket victory in Grenada. need action.

WI during The final Test in Barbados was a Don’t let England’s visit low scoring affair. West Indies did England’s in 1968, was not score 200 runs in either sixteenth enterprising, but innings but were able to win by Test tour of the WI suffered five wickets and by so doing, drew the another home the series.

Caribbean be defeat as a a walk in the consequence.

Home series 2019 park for them!

With the nucleus of this team Enough is comprised of Kraigg Brathwaite, enough!

Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Holder, Shai Hope, and Kemar Roach, who all Honourable appeared in 2015, there is no Frederick shortage of experience.

Calthorpe led Joining them to make up the England on its final eleven, are John first ever tour to Campbell, Shimron Hetymer, the West Indies.

26. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019. 27.

Classifieds

GABRIEL MCKIE Clare Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church Sunday, 20th January, 2019 Viewing: 2:00 p.m. on the Bayside and 2:30 p.m. in the Church Service: 3:00 p.m.

CLEMENT QUOW Saturday, 19th January, 2019 St. Peter’s Spiritual Baptist Church, Dasent Cottage Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Kingstown Cemetery

EVELIN PATRICIA DASOUZA Overland Baptist Church Saturday, 19th Jan, 2019 Viewing: 1:00 p.m.

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Interment: Overland Cemetery

GRACE ROSALIND LONDON Hill Top Tabernacle Saturday, 19th, January, 2019 Viewing: 2:00 p.m.

Service: 3:00 p.m.

Interment: Calliaqua Cemetery

THEODORE CORNELIUS ANDERSON better known as Nolton Johnson or Webb Sunday 20th January 2019 Church of Christ Langley Park Georgetown Service: 3:00 p.m.

OLGA ADAMS St. Patrick’s Anglican Church Saturday, 19th January, 2019 Service: 2:30 p.m.

Interment: Bottle and Glass Cemetery

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

JANUARY 25, 2019

VOLUME 113, No.04

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BRUCE IN, BARNWELL OUT He informed the media that, in keeping with his obligation as per the Constitution, he had advised the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne last Friday afternoon, January 18, 2019, by letter, about the change.

In expressing gratitude for her services, Dr. Friday described Barnwell as having “served well in Parliament,” and commended her for having done “her duty to the Opposition and the people of our country.”

Meanwhile, in a statement Shirlan Zita Barnwell released to the press on tried unsuccessfully Monday, Ms. Barnwell said to be elected a Vicethat it was “… a pleasure and President of the NDP. an honour to serve the people “Quite of St. Vincent and the Grenadines naturally, I through the New Democratic Party. will have to “I would be ever grateful to the use this Honourable Arnhim Eustace for his Israel Bruce will contest the next wisdom and courage for appointing me opportunity election on an NDP ticket, and this to the benefit as Senator in December 2015. I am must have contributed to the of the people also grateful to Dr. Friday for his decision to have him ‘wet’ his feet in of my courage to extend my appointment this Parliament. constituency, under his leadership for the last 2 and the years.” country,” the designated candidate Barnwell responds As for her “development work and

by KENVILLE HORNE said. interests, especially with respect to & HAYDN HUGGINS Asked how he felt about the He introduced Bruce as a person advancing the agenda involving the appointment, Bruce replied with one who “has been active in public affairs protection of the rights of women and ISRAEL BRUCE, candidate designate for word, “Humbled.” for all his life,” and referenced his children,” she assured that that “will the Opposition New Democratic Party And when asked whether he service as a teacher, a former most certainly continue… .”

(NDP) in the South Central Windward thought the appointment was overdue, President of the National Youth constituency, has been appointed an he replied, “I do not have an Council, Vice-President of the Taking it to another level Opposition Senator. entitlement to this position. I feel Caribbean Federation of Youth, a Bruce replaces Ms. Shirlan Zita honoured, and I am happy for the former General Secretary of the St. Bruce, for his part, intends to use Barnwell, who was appointed a confidence that has been placed in Vincent and the Grenadines Football his position as an Opposition Senator Senator following the 2015 general me.”

Federation, and Public Relations to help advance the cause of the elections. Both Barnwell and Bruce Bruce who is expected to be home Officer of the NDP. people. are lawyers. next week, is looking forward to A lawyer by profession, he is Dr. Friday assured Bruce that “My Opposition Leader and President of participation in the debate on the 2019 the New Democratic Party Dr. Godwin colleagues and I are looking forward to currently in the British Virgin Islands Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure handling a legal matter, from where working with him in Parliament, and I Friday made the announcement about to be presented in Parliament on he spoke with THE VINCENTIAN on know he relishes the opportunity to the senatorial change, during a press Tuesday, January 29. serve our country in the Parliament.”

Wednesday, via WhatsApp. conference last Monday.

Mrs Olive Phillips-Comas: 100 years old

THIS COUNTRY welcomed its most recent centenarian on Saturday 19th January 2019.

That was the day Mrs. Olive Phillips-Comas, a resident of Lowmans Hill, celebrated her 100th birthday.

In her honour, a short service of Thanksgiving was held at her residence on that day.

There to celebrate and give thanks with Mrs. Phillips-Comas were her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many other friends and relatives, and His Excellency Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne.

Also, in attendance were members of the Anglican clergy, including Lay Reader Jennifer Glasgow Browne,

Rev’d Deacon Rosemarie Alleyne and The Very Rev’d Dean O Samuel Nichols.

Mrs. Phillip-Comas is a longstanding member of the Anglican Church.

Following a short service of prayers, some singing, scripture reading and communion and a special birthday blessing for the lady of the moment, it was time for a boisterous rendition of the ‘Happy Birthday Song’, which was followed by short tributes from her daughter Anita, son Winston, Businessman O.T,.Mayers, Anita Da Silva, Mrs. Verna Shallow and area representative Mr. Daniel Cummings.

The Governor General presented the centenarian with the traditional bouquet and congratulations from her

Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

The celebrations continued the following day at the Campden Park residence of one of her sons.

The still articulate and outspoken centenarian, who makes every good use of the telephone to keep in contact with relatives and friends and abreast of developments, mothered seven children — five boys and 2 girls. She is predeceased by three of her sons.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Mrs. Olive Phillips-Comas on the achievement of this milestone, and wish her God’s richest blessing.

Olive Phillips-Comas bridging the generation of family and even technology.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.