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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 25, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.46

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

KYDD SLAIN IN HAIL OF GUNFIRE

gunshots. One resident said that he counted at least 15 gunshots.

AN INVESTIGATION has THE VINCENTIAN been launched into the understands that Kydd, death of Allonzo Kydd, who a.k.a. ‘Crackie’, was was killed on Monday gunned down within November 21, 2016, about walking distance of his 9:35pm. father’s home, about 100 Residents in the Villa metres from the Flat area , where 23Community College year-old Kydd was compound. apparently shot, said Police said that they they were awakened by received a call that there the sound of a series of was a shooting in the Villa area, and when they responded, they found the Fair Hall resident’s body in a narrow side road with multiple gunshot wounds, sometime around 9:40 pm on Monday.

A resident, whose abode is not too far from his (Kydd) father’s home, told THE VINCENTIAN that he was aware that Kydd was coming from the bakery in Calliaqua, and was on his way to visit his father, when he met his death. He also said that he heard the Allan Bobb, Kydd’s father, wants the police loud and continuous to do their duty and get gunfire.

That resident to the bottom of his described Kydd as a very son’s death.

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

humble person, who normally kept to himself.

He did, however, relate that it was rumoured that the dead man had been in conflict with persons in the surrounding area.

An obvious distraught father

Jayquan May (right) and his brother Jaafaan May in happier times.

Allonzo ‘Crackie’ Kydd another shooting victim.

he said.

Bobb said he mustered Kydd’s father, Allan the courage to look Bobb, in an interview outside, but did not see with THE anything suspicious.

VINCENTIAN, said he is Minutess after, he saddened by his son’s received a phone call, death, since he was a and the caller inquired good person. “He was a about what was taking good person. He would place in the be by his mommy or his neighbourhood, to which grandmother and he replied, “I don’t sometimes by me,” said know.”

Bobb.

It was after the call According to the that he said he decided grieving father, he was to go outside, and at that at home with his point saw residents and girlfriend listening to the police officers in his radio, when ‘the drama’ neighbour’s yard. started.

Someone eventually “I heard like informed him that his fireworks, and I wonder son was lying dead there. what that is. After, I thought it was gunshot,” Continued on Page 3.

MISSING BOY’S FAMILY NEEDS SUPPORT Story on Page 3.

Shaoma Baptiste (left – mother of the boys) and Hazel-Ann Lynch (grandmother), pictured recently with Jaafaan, have both appealed to the authorities for support.

2. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 3.

News 3 Kydd slain in hail of gunfire

Continued from Frontpage.

Bobb attempted to see his son, but was stopped by the police. “So I just stand aside and look. They (undertaker) took away his body and I still haven’t seen my son,” Bobb continued.

He said that he does not know who shot his son, but admitted that he had warned him about the “company he kept.”

He recounted an incident as recent as last Friday when his son ran on seeing a police vehicle. The police gave chase and caught Kydd, after which he alleged they administered a severe beating upon him, resulting in damage to one of his ears.

“I feel reach mash up, up to now I ain’t cry. I would like to see something come out of this. I hope the police carry out their duty, and I know those

The narrow side-road in Villa Flat, unlit, where Allonzo Kydd is said to have received the first of many bullets. who took his life will fight against one another,” Bobb expressed.

Kydd attended the Richmond Hill Primary School and the St. Clair Dacon Secondary School and was a

Missing boy’s family needs support EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Jayquan May, also known as ‘Brother’, has been missing since November 9, 2016, the day this country experienced torrential rains and flooding caused by a trough system.

On that day, he was swept away by the raging water of the river (that runs) behind his Campden Park home, into the sea.

His brother, Jaafaan, who was also caught in the flood, survived the ordeal.

The boys, along with their mother, Shaoma Baptiste, had moved into the house, her brother’s, one day before the incident.

Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN that she has been getting support from her family and the family of the boys’ father, but nothing from local authorities.

“I don’t have a home of my own. It’s rough and I still studying it (the

located at the side of their home.

While there, they began to play by running around and pouring water on each other.

“After we bin running around and throwing water pon each other, he slip. I try to hold his hand and me slip too,” recalled Jaafaan.

The water then swept the boys downstream.

“Me just feel we going down the river. The water bin going in my mouth and me get hit by a rock,” recounted Jaafaan.

He said that when the Recalling the ordeal raging river water deposited them into the Jaafaan May said he open sea at Roucher Bay, still thinks about his his brother was still brother. He said alive. According to him, repeatedly that he tried his brother was crying to save his brother, before he disappeared in and calling for his the sea water at Roucher mother during the entire ordeal.

Bay, the bay into which The powerful river the Campden Park River had pushed the brothers runs. further than the He recalled that on shoreline and they the fateful day, he and attempted to swim back his brother had gone to to safety. On their way have a bath at the tap

incident), because he was a loving child,” said Baptiste.

She said that while both 2015 general election candidates for the South Leeward constituency - MP Nigel Stevenson from the opposition New Democratic Party and Speaker of the House Jomo Thomas of the Unity Labour Party — have reached out to her, she is yet to receive any real support or counselling from the relevant authorities.

towards the shore, Jaafaan recalled that a banana tree, caught up in the rough waters, knocked his brother away, and that that was the last time he saw him.

Jaafaan managed to swim to safety, and was eventually discovered by villagers who had gone looking for them. His brother was not that fortunate.

Jaafaan walked away with injuriess to his knee caps and face, and now has a recurring earache.

Up to Wednesday, press time, he had no counseling nor has had any sort of mental evaluation.

Since the incident, he has attended school once, last Tuesday, but had to cut his time short after school mates started asking a barrage of questions concerning the incident.

A grandmother cares The boys’ grandmother, Hazel-Ann

farmer by occupation. He was the second son for his father.

Allonzo Kydd’s death brings to 34 the number of homicides for the year so far.

From Frontpage.

Lynch, told THE VINCENTIAN that Jaafaan came to her last Tuesday in tears. “I sit him down and give him some water and then he went to his bed and fall asleep.”

She said that both she and her daughter, Shaoma have decided that they would not be sending him to school until next Wednesday.

In terms of her missing grandson, Lynch professed her unwavering love for him.

“I just can’t explain how I feel because Jayquan was such a very nice grandson to me,” she said, adding that whenever she was at home, he would come to her and ask, “ ‘Granny, what you want me to do?

You want me to buy bread?’ And if he have a dream he would tell me,” said Lynch before bursting into tears.

She said that her grandson’s dreams usually came to pass.

There has been no official confirmation with respect to whether or not the search for Jayquan May has been discontinued.

“May his soul rest in peace,” declared the grieving grandmother.

Lynch is appealing to the authorities to provide support to her daughter, “because persons in those kinds of situation need all the help they can get,” she proffered.

The November 9 trough system also claimed the life of 12year-old Phillip Compton of Bequia.

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4. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

No show - prosecution’s case collapses Shabazaah George had an early introduction to the court process here.

BacchusBaptiste noted KAY BACCHUS-BAPTISTE, lead lawyer for that during the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) proceedings at Central Leeward candidate Benjamin ‘Ben’ the Georgetown Court on Exeter and NDP Youth Arm member Monday, the police court Shabazaah George, is of the view that the prosecutor who was present, prosecution abandoned their case, after indicated that he had just recognizing that it had no merit. received a message saying Bacchus-Baptiste was speaking to THE Nelson could not be there.

VINCENTIAN on Monday, shortly after Bacchus-Baptiste described the action of Magistrate Rickie Burnett, sitting at the the prosecution as being grossly Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, dismissed disrespectful to the Court. the charges brought against both men, in “There was no explanation or excuse for connection with incidents at an NDP the virtual complainants not turning up. protest, outside the House of Assembly The police prosecutor said they were December 29, 2015. warned to come to Court, but that he did Burnett’s decision, in essence, upheld an not know why they were not there,” she application by Bacchus-Baptiste for the contended. charges to be dismissed, on the basis that In reference to Nelson not showing up, the two virtual complainants did not turn Bacchus-Baptiste stated, “If he knew he up, even though they were warned, and the could not make it, he should have sent a prosecutor in the matter, Crown Counsel letter in advance, or someone else from the Karim Nelson, was absent.

DPP’s Office should have been there. The Exeter was cleared on charges of: DPP’s Office is well staffed in terms of unlawful possession of an offensive lawyers. Just to send a message to the weapon, to wit, a firearm, at a public police prosecutor half way through the meeting outside the House of Assembly; morning proceedings saying he could not assaulting Police Constable Granville De make it, is not due respect for the Court.”

Freitas causing him actual bodily harm; She added that, “When this is assaulting Corporal Cuthbert Morris and compounded by the fact that the virtual resisting arrest. complainants were not present, and that, George, who was to be tried alongside with the exception of the arresting officer Exeter, was cleared on charges of Corporal Colin May who was summoned to obstructing Corporal Morris, he being a be there, the other prosecution witnesses police officer in due execution of his duties, were not in Court, it became clear to me and having an offensive weapon without that the prosecution recognized they had lawful excuse, to wit, ‘ a zapper’. no case and decided to abandon the matters.”

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Disrespect for the Court

Bacchus-Baptiste said that Burnett, in handing down his decision, commented that the virtual complainants and the prosecutor were also absent when the matters were called at the Biabou Magistrate’s Court on September 30, after being transferred from the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court on September 13.

Defence confident She declared that the defense was extremely confident that if the matters were tried, once there was an impartial trial, “we would have won the case, as Exeter’s arrest was unlawful.

“The case never had any legal merit, it was highly politically motivated. The case

Kay BacchusBen Exeter, on all Baptiste, lead accounts, was attorney in the the primary case, was focus in this confident that matter. the prosecution’s against case was Mr. George was even worse. They never had any weak. cogent evidence against him. The police evidence against him was conflicting and confusing”.

Up to press time Wednesday, the position of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the dismissal of the charges was unknown to THE VINCENTIAN. When contacted on Tuesday and asked for a response to the Magistrate’s decision, DPP Colin Williams stated, “I will speak at the appropriate place and time.”

Two magistrates had recused themselves from the matters, the first being Bertie Pompey, who had done so during the trial on June 20, at Bacchus-Baptiste’s request, based primarily on comments Pompey had made while Assistant Superintendent of Police Timothy Hazelwood was testifying.

As a result, the trial was discontinued, and the matters were transferred to the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zoila Ellis-Browne. EllisBrowne also recused herself, at BacchusBaptiste’s request, predicated on the basis that, “There is apparent bias, or a real possibility of bias, should (Ellis-Browne) adjudicate of these matters”.

The defendants were also represented by attorney Israel Bruce who told THE VINCENTIAN, “As I have said from the beginning, the charges against Mr. Exeter and Mr. George amounted to a political witch-hunting”.

The initial prosecutor in the case was then Assistant DPP Colin John, now Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Lawyer: ÂMagistrate put in burdensome positionÊ IF MAGISTRATE Rickie Burnett did not uphold attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste’s application to dismiss criminal charges against her clients Benjamin ‘Ben’ Exeter and Shabazaah George, Burnett would have had to decide whether or not he was going to hear the matters.

Exeter, who contested the Central Leeward seat for the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) and George, NDP Youth Arm member, were cleared of the charges when the case was called at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

But Bacchus-Baptiste told THE VINCENTIAN, shortly after, that, had this development not taken place, she was going to make an application for Burnett to decline from hearing the matters.

In fact, Bacchus-Baptiste had written to the Magistrate last Friday, November 18, stating that the defendants, as well as a fair section of the general public, were deeply concerned that, “There may be real prejudice should you (Burnett) adjudicate on the matters which are highly political and politicized matters…”

The lawyer referred to media reports on comments then Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Colin John, who was prosecuting the matters, had made to the

media outside the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court,June 20, minutes after Magistrate Bertie Pompey had recused himself from continuing to hear the case.

John was reported to have said, “I just hope that whichever Magistrate, the same frivolous and stupid — in my opinion — allegation is not made because St. Vincent is a small place, there are several Magistrates, you can always find some reason to affiliate one Magistrate to something. If it goes before the Chief Magistrate (Rechanne Browne), the argument can be made that she is the sister of (Minister of Health) Luke Browne.

“If it goes before Zoila Ellis, the argument can be made that she is Mike Browne’s (former government minister) exwife.”

When asked about Magistrate Rickie Burnett, John was reported to have said, “Well, the defence might feel comfortable with him; I don’t know.”

In writing to Burnett, Bacchus-Baptiste cited, “This puts a real burden on your honour, and places the defence in a prejudicial position, so that if you hear this case, there are sections of the public which will fear that justice may not be done, depending on your decision.

“The inference by some sections of the general public is that you will be comfortable for us.

“We do not believe that a judicial officer should be placed in such a burdensome position.

“We are, therefore, requesting, Sir, that you decline from hearing this matter in all the circumstances.

The defence intends to Magistrate Rickie engage the DPP on the Burnett, had he not delivered a appropriate step for ruling, would him to take to have had to determine these consider a matters.” request for him The letter was to decline from copied to Director of Public Prosecutions hearing the (DPP) Colin Williams. matters.

The charges against Exeter and George stemmed from incidents at an NDP protest outside the House of Assembly, December 29, last year.

Children struck by truck POLICE WERE continuing investigations into an incident in Kingstown last Wednesday, in which two children were struck by a truck.

Police reports are that around 3:15pm, the vehicle TL258, owned by Eddison James of Lowmans Windward and driven

by Adolph Stephens of Prospect, was travelling out of Kingstown.

On reaching the vicinity of Mohagany Square at Richmond Hill, the female police officer regulating traffic there signaled to the driver to stop. She also signaled to motorists travelling into Kingstown to stop, so as to allow pedestrians to cross in the designated area.

The truck did not stop and in the process struck Kingstown Preparatory (Prep) School male pupils Israel Cumberbatch of Belair and Alpha James of Glen, 9 and 11 years old respectively.

The truck eventually came to a halt, after passing the crossing.

Cumberbatch sustained bruises to his left foot and right hand, while James received bruises to his left foot, and complained of hip pains.

They were taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, but up to press time, THE VINCENTIAN was unable to ascertain whether they were warded.

Police say that Preliminary Investigations revealed that the truck had brakes failure.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 5.

News

AmesÊ illness ongoing The British-born businessman is charged SOME FIVE MONTHS after on four counts of theft a bench warrant had been and four counts of tax issued here for the arrest evasion, allegedly of Principal Developer of committed here between the Buccament Bay Resort 2011 and 2013.

David Ames he is still On the tax evasion overseas and is reported charges, he is charged to be ill and unfit to travel. jointly with local lawyer Ames had fled the Samuel Commissiong. country by boat while When the matter was facing eight criminal again called at the charges.

Kingstown Magistrate’s

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Court last Friday, November 18, Ames’ attorney, Kay BacchusBaptiste, presented a document to the Court, to wit a medical report, signed by a doctor, stating that Ames was still unfit to travel.

The matter was adjourned to February 17, 2017, but the bench warrant remains in effect.

ÂTriple GoldÊ shot engulfed in flames, and a visit to the site KIMANI WILLIAMS, better known as showed clearly that ‘Triple Gold’ was, up to press time he had lost most of Wednesday, warded at the Milton his belongings.

Cato Memorial Hospital, recovering An injured from a gunshot which, it is reported Williams, according was inflicted by a masked man. to reports, drove Williams was at his Top Questelles himself to the Kimani ‘Triple home along with a friend - Jamalo hospital, where he Dunbar around 2:30 a.m on Monday, underwent surgery. Gold’ Williams – lucky to escape when what was described as a Molotov The country is an assailant’s cocktail was thrown into the house. currently bullet.

Dunbar fled the scene as gunshots witnessing a wave erupted. He is said to have escaped of gun- related without injury. Williams, however, crimes, which has resulted in 34 was struck in his side by at least one homicides for the year so far. bullet.

A record number of homicides, 36, His house, meanwhile, was was committed in 2014.

by KENVILLE HORNE

When the matter was called on August 5, Bacchus-Baptiste had requested an adjournment, stating that she had received a medical certificate signed by a doctor, showing that Ames was suffering from deep vein thrombosis, which made it dangerous for him to travel in the following three months.

The document was attached to a letter, dated August 2, sent to the Court by someone purporting to be Ames’ lawyer in England, name given as Howard Kennedy.

The letter did not say where Ames was.

Magistrate Bertie Pompey granted the adjournment, but the bench warrant remained in effect.

On June 17, this year, police had filed the criminal charges against Ames, chairman and Principal shareholder of Harlequin Properties, the company behind the development of the

David Ames is no stranger to accusations of fraud. He is alleged to Buccament have collected Resort, and millions of Commissiong, pounds for Principal Officer ambitious of the company. building The charges projects in the were laid in Caribbean connection with and Brazil. the alleged deprivation of millions of dollars from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, between 2011 and 2013.

Commissiong is also slated to return to Court on February 2017. He was not represented by a lawyer when he appeared in court last Friday.

Ames has never shown up in Court in connection with the matter.

He had reportedly fled the country in a fishing vessel on the morning of June 22, after clearing immigration at the Chateaubelair Police Station around 6:15 a.m., the same day he was scheduled to make his first Court appearance, in connection with the matter.

V Jackson defends decision 6. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

IT WAS BETTER to act in the interest of the workers, rather than to make a situation that was already bad, worse.

So says General Secretary of the National Workers Movement (NWM) Noel Jackson, as he defended the action taken in relation to the impasse between the management at St Vincent Shipyard Limited (SSL) and the workers.

While speaking on the issue during a press briefing on Wednesday, Jackson said that a meeting was convened between SSL’s management and the NWM to discuss what had occurred at the Ottley Hall-based company last Friday, following circulation of a letter from Daniel Ravotti - Managing Director for SSL in which he notified that the company would be closing from November 21 to December 22.

The managing director explained therein that the decision to close was as a result of a “technical breakdown of the company.”

Irate workers, however, contacted the media and stated their woes, claiming that wages and salaries were owed to them, the deduction for National

Insurance Service (NIS) and PAYE had not been paid in, and basic items such as gloves, tissue, etc. were not being provided.

Ravotti, on Wednesday, admitted that the company was experiencing some setbacks, saying that there was a plan in place, but in July this year, the economic situation in Venezuela went from bad to worse and affected operations at SSL, since the company here was being partly financed by the earnings generated from other companies operating in the South American country.

He said that there was also a slow period at the shipyard through which the company was struggling.

“And we are trying our best to continue forward and to keep going,” he said.

According to Ravotti, management has been spending a large portion of revenue earned on wages and salaries.

But Jackson told members of the media that, while he was satisfied with the explanation that the company was undergoing some financial problems, he had told Ravotti that the decision to close the company at this time, it

being close to the Christmas season, was inappropriate, and that they ought to find a way for that not to happen.

“So, he said okay, I agree, so what do we do?”

Jackson said.

He explained that the decision was taken to create a situation where workers would return to the job, and complete whatever jobs were already in train.

In this way, the pie can be shared among wages, NIS, PAYE and the other utilities, to ensure that work can continue although not in the ideal situation, Jackson posited.

“So we here have to make some hard decisions, decisions that sometimes do not allow us to sleep well, but they are decisions aimed at protecting the interest as far as possible,” the NWM General Secretary said.

The workers, Jackson assured, had been called in and the situation put to them. They agreed to return to the jobs, on the basis of the terms he cited earlier.

The agreement also makes provision for a review of the situation in three months, Jackson said, but he gave no clear indication when the outstanding wages and salaries would be

paid.

Jackson said that he was cautious not to make an already bad situation worse, adding that he was hearing all sorts of propaganda on the radio.

He continued, saying that the workers in the yard were members of the NWM and that he had an obligation to protect their interest.

“Protecting their interest does not mean creating a situation where they can end up outside the gate without the possibility of earning anything to feed their

families, or without the possibility of getting their severance or other benefits. That is not how I have been trained.”

The situation at Ottley Hall was not ideal, and as long as the workers were able to come and accumulate wages was his responsibility.

“Not to chop it down and leave my people out in the cold as it appears some people want it to happen,” Jackson said.

(DD)

Noel Jackson, General Secretary of the National Workers Movement.

Members of the Nigerian Association of St. Vincent distributing food packages to the homeless and needy at Little Tokyo, Kingstown.

Nigerians and Catholics support homeless THE NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (NASVG), in partnership with St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Kingstown, held a Day of Feeding the Homeless in Kingstown on Saturday 19th November.

The effort reached out to the homeless along a route that began outside the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and ended at Little Tokyo.

The charitable initiative was aimed at providing food to the most needed in Kingstown, explained Folu Ayanleke - President of NASVG. Ayanleke said that they intend to provide more food to the homeless in the future, “because they (the homeless) were so happy and felt loved.”

He continued, “It was a great thing to feed them and also eat with them. The response was great and it’s soul-lifting. We hope to have another one by December, and also to visit the motherless homes and people with disabilities too, this December as well.”

Ayanleke expressed thanks to the good people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, right from the leadership to the young ones. “We would also like to appreciate our landlords for their understanding so far so great. We just hope they would continue to see us as their own children. We would also like to appeal to the general public to continue to support us in this moment of economic challenges that has befallen us,” he stated.

Persons that benefitted from the outreach also expressed gratitude for the meal. (KH)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 7.

Community

New home for Loaves and Fishes THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE of Kingstown has found a partner, and it seems that relationship will outlast any season.

That companion is the St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC).

Thornley Myyers, Chief Executive Officer of the utility company, pledged his institution’s commitment to enhancing the new Rose Place location and outreach of the R.C. Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen.

Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, which operated out of the garage of the St. Mary’s R.C. Presbytery, was formally relocated to and dedication at its new Rose Place location last week Thursday, November 17.

From its old location, it served some 150 needy persons with a hot meal every day. This level of service is expected to continue.

VINLEC workers will ensure the completion of the new facility. And no cost to the R.C. Diocese.

Volunteers from VINLEC will also be part of the staff at the Soup Kitchen, according to Myers, who commended the involvement of two of his staff members, Louisa James and Joann

Richards/James, who were responsible for bringing the Soup Kitchen to Vinlec’s attention.

The Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, as the name implies, is inspired by the the miracle performed by Jesus, in which he turned five loaves and two fishes into numbers that fed thousands.

Father Andrew Roache, the ‘brainchild’ of the Soup Kitchen, reflected on the emergence of the facility as a “response to the concerns for the homeless and the marginalised.”

Demands for such needs increased and spilled over onto the streets at North River Road, which hastened the need for a more organised response.

The Most Reverend Gerard County, Bishop of the E.C. Diocese of Kingstown, welcomed the extension and new facility as “ideal in the Year of Mercy,” and cited that social services are like “prayers in action.”

Monseigneur Michael Stewart joined Bishop County in blessing the new compound, which also houses a shelter.

(WKA)

Volunteers at work in the kitchen where some 150 meals are prepared daily.

His Lordship Bishop Gerard County leads the dedication/blessing ceremony for the new location.

The Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen has found a new home in Rose Place.

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8. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Going forward NEITHER MAJOR political party in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has made any real effort to effect meaningful change as far as its leadership process is concerned.

If they had, after two decades at least, there should have been a woman in either camp, who should have been vying for the leadership position in both parties. Sadly, this is not so, and there are some who would venture to conjecture that this ’reality is way beyond the horizon’.

In all that they say and do, therefore, both the Unity Labour Party and the New Democratic Party are still very much male dominated, if not chauvinistic in the main.

Both Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and Arnhim Eustace have been at the helm of their respective political parties for well over a decade. None of these gentlemen, we are wont to conclude, has ever felt threatened in their positions. Like Eustace who has chosen to voluntarily vacate his seat of leadership, we can expect Dr. Gonsalves to do likewise when he is ready so to do, reinforcing the perception that we are still very much inclined towards a culture of cult leadership.

Our politics, as represented by our two major political parties, is still very much inclined to keep the same leader for prolonged periods of time, convincing themselves in the process, that this is a prerequisite for party stability.

The history of our political parties since adult suffrage,has taught us that to speak ill of the leader is to sentence yourself to exile.

One is left, given the public relations machinery of our parties, to accept that our parties have their inbuilt mechanisms that process leadership change, without any fuss or furor.

While this would be commendable if that is the case, this ‘honey and roses’, is this situation not the antithesis to encouraging wholesome debate, differing opinions and an avenue to hone leadership skills, and, therefore, make oneself disposed to and available for leadership?

Are we fooling ourselves when we believe that our parties are, in effect, mass organizations that allow for a process from the bottom up, that will morph leadership like good foam rising from good beer?

Every political party has to continually re-invent itself, so to speak, in order to keep abreast of changing trends, attitudes and expectations. Every political party has to chart a new path forward for itself. This process could be a difficult one, but ideally it must be pursued and be ongoing.

The juncture at which the New Democratic Party finds itself presently, could be an instructive one for our political culture/attitude going forward. It can set itself up as an example in how it unfolds from this evolutionary if not transformative experience, provided it accepts this period as so characterized.

This juncture offers the opportunity to redefine what a political leader should ‘look’ like as it (NDP) advances further into the 21st century, and with an eye on keeping abreast of the exciting times that lie ahead, also offers the opportunity to redefine its vision and a strategy for winning support for that vision.

Each of our past political leaders has been pushed or made to step aside… some deciding on their own that it was time to go, some going the way of a stern rejection by the people.

No political party can exist through time, in which the only constant is change, with a single leader and one vision. The Peoples Republic of China, once considered a bastion of closed politics, has recognized the need to avoid keeping leaders in place for inordinately long and unnecessary tenures.

And each time a change has been made in that country, a new vision and new emphases arise, signaling a sense of wanting to remain relevant and useful to the common cause of national development.

The New Democratic Party, like the Unity Labour Party, has to, if it wants to remain relevant, grab every opportunity to reorder itself.

Yet, when all is said and done, it is the people who decide how relevant a political party is.

NDP in disarray (“The Vincentian” October 7, 2005. Anon) FOR THE MOMENT I will not focus on Arnhim Eustace’s “bitter sweet” speech to the nation last Tuesday evening, declaring that he had resigned from the presidency of the NDP, and is poised also to give up his Parliamentary seat of East Kingstown which had gratefully returned him on five consecutive occasions, as soon as a creditable replacement has been identified.

The speech itself was typical Arnhim —no cant phrase mongering or self-praising, but honest, simple, positive and revealing, shot straight from the heart.

I have written reams of paper on Arnhim partly because I know that he is the epitome of modesty and humility who will let barbed attacks on him go unanswered. My grand response to this valedictory address will be presented towards the end of 2016 as a parting address to a great son of this land.

I will at this point demonstrate that, historically speaking, Arnhim has set the tone and standard by which Leaders should quit politics.

By 1951, Mc Intosh’s Labour Party had been split, and he carried along in 1954, only to try and split Joshua’s PPP vote.

Joshua himself led his PPP for twenty-eight years, reducing the PPP to shambles by the1979 Independence election year, at which both Pappy and Mammy Joshua lost their deposits.

Cato had been Leader of the Labour Party1955-1984, a period of 30 years which he quit after losing the Government in 1984. Internal internecine war ensued with Hudson Tannis, Vincent Beache and Stalky John, which so weakened the Party that Vincent finally handed the leadership over to Ralph to lead or mislead for the past seventeen years running.

Mitchell for his part had enjoyed some 20 years of progressive government, with Arnhim Eustace as a very efficient and progressive minister to whom he passed over the leadership when the going got too rough for him during his declining years.

The great irony now surfacing is the possibility of the unwelcome interference in the working of the NDP which he had founded.

What follows is a statement presumably by De Comrade, on October 7, 2005, 11 years ago, just before an election. I make no comment; let the readers be the judge.

“The name of a popular Calypso on the airwaves recently is ‘NDP in Disarray’. It speaks the truth and nothing but the truth about the NDP’s condition. More and more, they are sinking into political nothingness.

First, the matter of the leadership deficit. The nation, at home and abroad, does not see, and has never seen Arnhim Eustace as a leader. Sir James Mitchell, the founder and long-serving leader of the NDP, privately tells his confidants that Arnhim Eustace is a disappointment and is no match for Comrade Ralph. The opinion polls, done for and on behalf of the NDP, tell them that truth.

NO LOVE LOST There is no love lost between the top players in the NDP. Sir James is contemptuous of them all, save and except Linton Lewis. But he feeds Linton with a long spoon because it has been drawn to his attention that Linton has been less than full in praising Louise Mitchell (Sir James’ daughter) who succeeded Linton at the Offshore

Authority.

Linton Lewis has told Arnhim Eustace to show him the same respect shown to Dr. Lorraine Friday. Lewis insists that he be also referred to as Doctor Linton Lewis. St. Claire Leacock strains at the leash to be asked to be called Doctoral Candidate St. Clair Leacock. Since that is a mouthful, he establishes his bogus military credentials with the title “Major”. These are some real insecure people! Some may say sick!

Linton is upset that many in the NDP leadership are jealous of his apparent economic success. They are daily trying to pull him down.

They even told him that he should have waited until after the elections to start his big office building in town. Their argument is that his multi-million dollar building does not square with the NDP Thesis that investors have no confidence in Ralph’s handling of the economy. Lewis complains about their lack of ambition and crabin-abarrel mentality.

Confusion in candidate selection In every case where there was competition in the candidate-selection process in the NDP, Eustace manipulated the process to get wrong result. In South Central Windward, Israel Bruce would have been a better candidate, by far, than Brereton Horne. Similarly, Scumbo John is better in every way than Lennie Daisley for South Windward. In securing the lazy loquacious Kingsley Layne over a better constituency person (Frank Da Silva), the NDP leadership let loose their attack dogs on poor Frank. They called him “crazy”, “loose cannon”, “ignorant” and “stupid”. In West Kingstown, the people wanted Dennie, but the party hierarchy manoeuvred to push Daniel Cummings down their throats. Dennie would have made a far better candidate. In South Leeward, the NDP leadership secured the worse of two bad choices in “Nature” Stephenson, which left the NDP constituents fuming over the bad treatment meted out to Jerry Scott. Admittedly, the girl Frederick conceded to “Nature” without apparent rancor but essentially with the realisation that because her plate is shallow, politically-speaking, she was a non-starter. And in Marriaqua, Eustace discarded “Rasum” Shallow for a far inferior candidate, Advira Bennett, the cousin of Eustace’s wife...

And in the Northern Grenadines, NDP’s Friday is looking shakier than ever, especially since last Saturday night when a ULP Constituency Council meeting of over 200 persons in Bequia, endorsed Herman Belmar for the Northern Grenadines.

Vincentians must fear NDP The NDP, in disarray, has become unhinged from reality. People have all reason to fear them.

Their wild irrationality is a clear and present danger to the people’s welfare. They have also pledged; not to build the international airport; not to build a bridge over Rabacca, but instead a tunnel; not to build the National Stadium; not to expand the Arnos Vale Playing Field for World Cup 2007; not to build a Cross-Country Road; the NDP has promised to close NESDEC; to close down the YES programme; to stop the Education Revolution; to unsign the Petro Caribe agreement; and to ask America how to run St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There are some 50 cases of backward decisions by the NDP to halt or roll back the people’s advance. NDP is not serious. It has gone to the dogs”.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 9.

Letters

We ought to be more dignified IT IS WITH SADNESS that I learnt of the tragic events that took place in St Vincent on Monday 14th November. I was informed by a friend from St Vincent, who introduced me to an online news service, where I would receive more information.

Before I go any further, I would like to express my condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones Sister Pamela Williams, Nicolas Layne, Avis Israel and her son Ronald.

I would also like to extend my condolences to the family of the person who is alleged to have caused the deaths of those I have named above. They, too, will be suffering and grieving ‘the loss’ of their loved one.

I am writing, not only to extend my condolences to these families, but to plead with the various authorities in St Vincent to review how these

tragic events are reported in the media, the way crowds are managed, and how grieving families are supported in such situations.

I watched, for a short time, a live commentary from one of the homes of the deceased. These reports are seen all over the world, and I am sure Vincentians would prefer to be seen as the wonderful, caring people that they are.

I realise that human beings worldwide like to be present when such incidents occur, for whatever reasons.

Perhaps, as it happens in other countries, people could bring flowers to show respect then move on, as we saw, for example, when Princess Diana died. If it is necessary to stand outside the home, it would be more respectful and dignified to stand in silence.

Perhaps grieving family members could be offered a comfortable space nearby, instead of having to grieve in public, as the video showed.

The reporter could have been implicit, rather than explicit, in his video reporting.

Certain scenes need not have been shown and were not necessary for his live report. For the sake of decency and respect, I will not describe those scenes.

Thankfully, the later edited version was a little more respectful.

People who have suffered the loss of a loved one, and even more so in such circumstances, should be given time, respect and support, and be allowed the space and dignity they need to help them through difficult times.

Police could be helpful in gently moving crowds on, in an orderly fashion.

There could be areas that are cordoned off to the public and media, but allowing only members of that household and official members of staff wearing uniforms or forensic suits, so as to protect the scenes of crime, and members of that household allowed in.

These small

A global dearth of psychiatrists THE RECENT quadruple murders in a solitary night, allegedly committed by an 18year-old, have left the nation numb. My own family suffered more than others. The ugly emotional scars will remain forever. In seeking answers to the nightmare, the Ministry of Health

Nurses express shock, sorrow ON BEHALF of the Nursing fraternity of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the members of the SVG Nurses Association would like to express shock, sorrow and condemnation for the murder of four (4) persons on 14/11/2016.

We are anguished by these senseless killings, and denounce them. Words cannot express the horror and sadness nurses feel about these crimes, especially because the two female victims were retired nurses. Like everyone else, we are searching for answers and trying to understand why it happened.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that the retired nurses were killed in their homes. As nurses, we join with the entire nation in expressing our condolences to the families and friends of the victims; and as nurses, stand with them in their moment of grief.

SVG Nurses Association

has been labelled publicly as delinquent. They have been castigated for not having a psychiatrist on staff for some time.

Perhaps some context would be illuminating. As it happens, there is a global dearth of psychiatrists, and especially in developing countries. In the United States, only 4% of medical graduates choose psychiatry as a specialty.

At the University of the West Indies, less than 2% of them do so. The pool of psychiatrists from which to draw, is miniscule, and the law of demand and supply governs.

Every country in the Caribbean suffers from a shortage of psychiatrists, with the problem more acute in the smaller jurisdictions. It is instructive that only two OECS countries currently have psychiatrists employed in the public health sector.

I am not privy to any of the efforts being made by the Ministry of Health to engage a psychiatrist. However, I am willing to wager my right arm, that the problem is not simply one of administrative lethargy.

Carl F. Browne

Learning from the Swimming Federation SVG MAY NOT HAVE won the recent OECS Swim Championship held here, but we certainly did not disgrace ourselves. In fact, our young swimmers did us proud.

And to think, Mr. Editor, swimming has not been a competitive sport here for very long. Yet, we can produce swimmers like the Joachims, Sylvester and so forth.

I ask myself: What is it that the Swimming Federation is doing that most if not all the other sports associations are not?

I am certain each and every other sport has countless more ‘qualified’ coaches than

adjustments could be vitally important in helping those bereaved in the initial stages of recovery, after such events.

Let the world see how St Vincent manages

these situations in a caring, dignified, respectful way, with integrity and higher moral standards.

Paula Mart Cumbria - UK

Christians, wake up!

Do not be a Jonah!

THE RECENT spate of criminal activity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a very grave cause for concern. Never in my lifetime have I before heard of four homicides, in separate incidents, within a four-hour period, followed by another murder (the one at Victoria Park) less than 48 hours later.

God has called us, Christians, to go out and evangelize the world. For the majority of us, our “world” is St Vincent and The Grenadines, and each and every one of us need to do our part for the glory and honour of God. The blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, that was shed on the cross of Calvary, was spilled out for the saving of all mankind. We cannot afford to sit back within the confines of a church building and be comfortable. Our commission given by Jesus Christ, our Lord, is to “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Are we content to be like the prophet Jonah?

In the Holy Bible, it is recorded thus in Jonah, Chapter 1: “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah. the son of Amittai, saying, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”

But “Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” God gave Jonah a specific directive, but he ran away and was later found sleeping in the bottom of the ship. It is time that we, Christians, wake up and be obedient to the leading of the Lord, lest He also prepare a great fish to swallow us! It is time that we wake up and go out into the highways and byways and evangelize St. Vincent and the Grenadines for Jesus. Remember, that is the reason why the Lord left us here after He saved us: TO BE HIS WITNESSES in a lost and dying world!

Christians, wake up! Do not be a Jonah!

Theresa Searles

FLOWÊs exclusive rights

swimming; yet, we continue to struggle to earn a medal at say the OECS level. I say this because every Monday, morning I seem to hear or read about some other coaching clinic or workshop for this sport and that sport.

Football and athletics must have more ‘qualified’ coaches than they have active players.

Maybe these other sport associations should humble themselves and seek some advice from the Swimming Federation.

Congrats to the Swimming Federation and all the swimmers.

WE HAVE ALL experienced it before, “ bla bla bla” from Mr. Wayne Hull. It is an experience to see the defense of the indefensible.

Mr. Hull, I really feel for you, the stick you are getting.

The issue primarily is to do with the English BPL we enjoyed at SportsMax, which is owned by Digicel. When Flow decided to have a channel in order to screw Digicel, they did not have the consumers in mind, just their bottom line.

SportsMax is a SPORTS channel unlike Flow Sports which only show sports without the game analysis and commentary, as was done on Sportsmax, who, by the way, provided us with THREE games on Saturday Game Day and TWO games on Sunday.

Now, we are treated to cockamamie sports that you, Flow, scramble to fill the programming; then you wonder why we are so pissed.

Cas

A Defenseless Subscriber

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10. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Climate Change and the implications Excerpts from the Hon. Arnhim EustaceÊs presentation at Democrat for St. Vincent and the Grenadines House on Tuesday 22nd November

Introduction THE ATTENDANCE of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at the climate change conference in Morocco, has focused the minds of many Vincentians on this particular issue. Small Island Developing States, SIDS as they are referred to, have already begun to see the effects of climate change, in a tangible way, through the loss of lives, and the millions of dollars of damage to their infrastructure. In addition there is the threat of rising seas, which will erode the coastlines of their countries.

Thus it is important for the country to be part of the international movement that is trying to address this problem. Naysayers like those in the opposition NDP will always be critical of any such move, because they oppose everything that is important to the country. But as a national and a regional leader, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has to be at the forefront of the movement to address climate change. In fact, he has been very positive in this regard, and touches this subject when he delivers his annual United Nations address.

associated with climate change, and a systematic programme has been developed for the management of natural disasters.

Action too slow

During his 2016 United Nations address, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that “if a small resource-challenged nation like St.Vincent and the Grenadines can revolutionise its energy mix and radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in a few short years, we find it impossible to accept the dilatory footdragging of rich powerful nations that have a real possibility to radically reduce their emissions foot print”.

This statement represents the feelings of most persons in the SIDS block, that the action to reduce the effects of climate change is too slow.

Indeed, there is a feeling that we are losing time in this battle, and that the adverse results from climate change, Why is climate change important? is accelerating faster than the predictions from international scientists.

International scientists have Prime Minister Gonsalves already determined that rising levels continues “as big emitters continue to of carbon dioxide and other heatdither, more frequent and intense trapping gases have warmed the earth, causing serious issues ranging hurricanes wash away large swaths of our GDP in a matter of hours”. from rising sea levels, severe droughts, and extreme rainfall. These Adaptation is now the major concern, following the pledges made by scientists have predicted that this countries ahead of the Paris Accord in situation will continue and in some cases accelerate. When this happens, December 2015. Now, coming out of it will create serious risks for life, our the Morocco conference on climate forests, agriculture, our water supply change, there is a strong commitment for international climate action, and systems, and the list goes on. there is an agreement on a foundation Eventually, this situation will to support the Paris Agreement. affect our environment and then our Meanwhile, the ULP economies, since the damage created administration will continue to will have to be addressed, and large champion this issue. This is extremely sums of money will be required to critical for the very existence of SIDS, rehabilitate the areas affected. Even countries like the United States have and their very survival will depend on strong action from the developed been forced to pay attention to this states, whose fossil footprints are the scenario. In 2011, the United States experienced fourteen weather related main cause of the current problem. incidents which resulted in the loss of And so now the other fight must be human lives, and cost the US economy the one related to the release of funds for work in addressing the damage some 54 billion dollars in damages.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has done to climate change events. had its share of adverse storms and Conclusion droughts, and no other country in CARICOM has suffered from such Many of our citizens, especially adverse weather conditions over the those who are young and intelligent, last five years. In October 2010, the country experienced Hurricane have done enough research on the Tomas, to be followed by excessive issue of climate change, so they are rains and landslides in April 2011, comfortable with many of the terms and then the Christmas Eve storm of used in this article. They must now 2012. In addition, there were two turn their acquisition of knowledge prolonged periods of drought in early inwards, to educate their families and 2010 and 2014. friends about this issue, and urge In the aggregate, the adverse them to be more proactive in weather events caused damage and adjusting their lifestyles, to meet this loss to the country, in excess of ever present danger.

EC$600, or one third of the Gross And so we must cut out the Domestic Product, the GDP. There indiscriminate dumping of garbage was much pain, hardship, suffering which is blocking our drains and and loss of life. The resilience of rivers. We must pay attention to our Vincentians coupled with the properties, particularly those of us strenuous efforts of the ULP who live next to streams and rivers, administration and the generosity of and close to the coast. A climate our friends abroad, has seen us safely change event could destroy properties through the recovery process. It which we have spent our lifesavings means that the government now has on, and so we must be ready to do the to pay greater attention to the risks right thing.

WE ARE ALL HERE because we know that the message must go out loudly and clearly that change cannot come too soon in St Vincent and the Grenadines. We are all here because we are committed to a struggle that will end in the replacement of the incumbent illegal regime with one that is accountable to the people, responsive to the needs of everyone, and committed to good governance and transparency.

These are the values I have promoted my entire political career; these are the values that are nonnegotiable, and these are the values that must keep all of us going. I am as convinced today as I was convinced on the very first day that I joined the New Democratic Party, that this party is the only one capable of bringing meaningful change to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

I have had the distinct honour of serving the great people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as leader of the New Democratic Party, in the capacity of Minister of Finance, then as Prime Minister for a short transition period, and then as Leader of the Opposition for the past 16 years. I am honoured and humbled that you all have given me this opportunity to serve you through the most challenging times we have experienced since we gained independence in 1979. I have had the precious experience of sharing in our common struggle for true democracy, and have worked tirelessly to foster a political and social atmosphere that encourages kindness amongst citizens, integrity amongst those who seek to represent them, and the recognition among us all that we are all capable and deserving of a good quality of life.

I believe that Vincentians now have a greater understanding of the connection between Government policy and the economic realities they face every day, in part because of my persistent weekly ventilation of this relationship.

It is a bittersweet transition for me.

I must acknowledge that it saddens me that despite my best efforts, the efforts of the party in general and the overwhelming support of the citizens of this great land, I was not availed the opportunity to chart a new course for the development of our people as Prime Minister for any significant period of time. There are so many people — children whose parents struggle to send them to school regularly or even to pay for the examinations they need to take in order to have a fair chance in their adulthood, to break the cycle of poverty; young adults burdened with the hopelessness brought about by lack of opportunity and a stagnant, oft shrinking economic landscape; those lucky enough to have sustained employment through these hard times while witnessing their NIS funds misused and squandered; those suffering from the British American and CLICO fiasco; those in need of medical attention forced to rely on the inadequate health facilities (How many unavoidable deaths have occurred?); and battered and exploited women and children. Given the opportunity, many of them would have been reaping the rewards of principled, creative, fiscally prudent management of the country’s affairs, harnessing our potent human and agricultural resources.

My disappointments are buoyed by my certainty that the institution known as the New Democratic Party

is better than ever, stronger than ever and built to stand the test of time. So that when that inevitable day dawns, that day of justice for our disenfranchised populace, this team is poised to take the reins of government and create the optimum environment, for the talented Citizens of this great nation to realize our potential as a people!

As many of you might know by now — a week ago I reported to my parliamentary colleagues my desire to step down as both Opposition Leader and President of the New Democratic Party. These are two separate and distinct positions, though historically they have been held by one person.

How we choose a replacement for each position, takes two distinct forms.

The position of Opposition Leader is determined by the MPs sitting on the opposition bench. For 16 years, the MPs of the NDP have given me the vote of confidence to lead the parliamentary caucus. They did so again following last December’s general elections, and I will always remain grateful for that continued show of support.

However, since December, I have been thinking about a way to transition to a new parliamentary leadership, without destabilizing this ongoing march for change for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I have had discussions with my family, close friends, colleagues and advisors. In July, I summoned a retreat of the entire political leadership of the party to look at options for the way forward.

It was at that retreat that I first signaled my intention to step down.

Timing, I explained, was my concern.

In recent months, I held separate one-on-one discussions with candidates, and with many other senior members of the party. At every stage, I have been open and frank about my vision for the party and country, and how best for all of us to stay true to that vision, given my desire.

Of course, I had to take into consideration that the party was and is in the midst of a seminal legal battle over irregularities in the last general elections. And, so a year after those contentious elections, I determined after consultations that the party and the nation were properly prepared for this transition. I informed the candidates that I would be stepping down as Leader of the Opposition and President of the NDP. So, last Thursday, the parliamentary colleagues met, and by a solid and clear majority voted that Dr Godwin Friday, a long-standing Vice President of our party, be leader of the parliamentary team going forward.

Both my resignation as Leader of the Opposition and Dr Friday’s subsequent election were communicated to the office of the Governor-General by official letters on Friday.

As regards the presidency of the Party, the process is different. While the elected Members of Parliament on the Opposition side choose the Opposition Leader, it is all of you, the general membership of the party, who must and ought to choose the Party President.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 11.

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Igniting creativity and Innovation

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS has a devastating impact on societies, and everyone has a role to play in ending this scourge.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally one in every three women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, by an who had an idea and ventured to intimate partner or someone other than a partner. make the idea real; a man who saw Those who experience violence often lose their dignity, a need and was prepared to meet it live in fear and pain, and are prone to depression. in a most unusual way. He stands On November 25th, 2016, the SVG PSU Women’s out as the architect of a great Committee joins with the United Nations(UN) and innovation in clothing.

Civil society worldwide, to commemorate As we go through life, we will be International Day to End Violence Against Women, a bombarded by a variety of day given over to raising awareness of the fact that challenges. These trials often women around the world are subject to different contain the seeds of creativity and forms of violence, and to highlight the scale and true invention. We just have to look nature of the issue. long and hard enough to realise the The sixteen-day period between November 25 and significant potential for growth that often lie trapped within a crisis. We December 19, is expected to be a period of activism against Gender-Based violence. reflect on the fact that the Chinese The UN Secretary General’s ‘UNITE to End characters that represent the word Violence Against Women Campaign invites you to “crisis” are a combination of two “Orange the world”. The color orange has been figures signifying “danger” and chosen to symbolize a brighter future without violence “opportunity”. Our thoughts and against women. actions are sometimes paralyzed The International Labor Organisation (ILO) when we gaze so long at the danger governing body has agreed to to commence work to set … and neglect to see the an international labour standard on Gender-Based opportunities; we can become so violence (GBV) at the world place. Trade Union will focused on the challenges that we be expected to be more involved in contributing to the neglect to pay close attention to the effort. solutions.

Gender-based violence is a violation of basic human The great innovation in clothing rights, with detrimental impact on the health and that is captured in this essay now social status of victims, that extends to the wider beckons us to move beyond fabric to society. As such therefore, addressing the issue — its engage in thinking critically and causes and consequences - requires a coordinated strategically in relation to the effort of a multi-sectoral representation of actors. various obstacles that now confront Although there is a positive indicators in the us. Challenges in finance, struggle to end violence against women, statistics education, agriculture, health and show that there is still work to be done. Through so on. We just need new eyes, new stories, new anecdotes, new thought campaigns, starting at the workplace, Trade Unions must use their collective strength and power to raise patterns, to encourage us to awareness, break the silence, campaign for laws and embrace the challenge to resolve promote the action of a global International Labor many of the personal and Organisation (ILO) standard to eliminate gendercommunity based difficulties that based, wherever it exists. we now face. We have the capacity Rosa Pavanelli, Public Service International (PSI) to think creatively. We have the General Secretary says: ”Trade unions are struggling resolve to move from creative to end violence at the workplace and in the society. thought to implementing positive We stand for a peaceful solution, a cultural dialogue changes to products and systems. based on human rights to health, peace and social This great innovation in clothing protection.” can encourage us to uncover new Least we forget, the struggle also extends to possibilities in our lives. It can ensuring equality for and stamping out discrimination create that eureka moment as we against women. A strong commitment from embrace the challenge to do things governments is a vital to this particular effort. differently and create new All of us must re-commit to the effort to eradicate opportunities that will beautify the all forms of violence against women and girls. Genderfabric of society.

Based violence is a pandemic and a serious obstacle to sustainable development. It imposes large-scale costs Send comments, criticisms & on families, communities and economies. We must suggestions to show zero tolerance to violence against women. julesferdinand@gmail.com Tackling this menace requires proactive responses aimed to

by Deniston Douglas The YES Programme should be materials, that a shipment of Trade eliminate its changed from a one-year programme cement, steel and BRC be purchased St Vincent and the Grenadines is root. It calls to a two-year Tech Voc/Apprentice THE ULP ADMINISTRATION has to support the programme, with the one of the OECS countries where for longprogramme, with a heavy practical been the most successful and work given to small community there is no central government term progressive administration in St contractors. I consider this 10-15 buying agency. Government should, component to train our youth in a projections, number of critical skills that are Vincent and the Grenadines, million dollars programme if therefore, appoint a trade including needed in the communities. however, despite the successes, the properly implement, inclusive of representative to facilitate trade constant Training, financial and technical rural economies are struggling and financial prudence, in ten between St Vincent and Martinique monitoring support must be forthcoming for people are complaining about the communities within a three-year and Guadeloupe. and limited economic opportunity period, would be a poverty alleviation In addition, our representatives in local entrepreneurs, whose focus evaluation of must be both the local and export available in their communities. strategy that would create thousands USA, Canada and England should the various markets.

For example, two local As a community organizer, I want of jobs in the rural communities. begin the progress of looking for steps taken. to put forward a grass-root markets for our agriculture and non- persons have constructed electrical We invite machines to grate coconuts. Twenty development and job creation Agriculture agriculture products. you to join such mills placed in different areas agenda.

With respect to this sector, I Moreover, there should be the rest of in the country can increase the suggest that some monies allocated aggressive support for our the world in production of local coconut oil.

Community Infrasructure Development to fishing be reallocated to Orange traffickers, especially with their raising I recommend a massive Hill tissues lab, to propagate and currency exchange problem in awareness of Utilities community road building and repair replant the following organic crops Trinidad and Tobago.

Remove the practice of poor people the need to programme similar to the “gouti which have huge market potentials: Serious consideration also has to bring about track” programme in 1984-89, to be at least fifty (50) thousand coconut be given to establishing a marketing having to buy poles and pipes to change. facilitate a supply of electricity and undertaken by the Ministry of Rural trees to replace the present plants and production unit, to guide our Development, and funded by the next that are very old and past their farmers in the production of various water to their households. This PSU measure will help to support local cycle of BNTF funds with matching prime bearing stage; a similar crops, as informed by market building and the agriculture industry Women’s funds from the Central Government. number of breadfruit trees, keeping research in our export markets.

Committee and remove the awesome burden on I further recommend that instead of them to a height of ten feet; citrus people. another shipment of building and sour sops.

Community Entrepreneurship a genuine experimental genius. He is considered one of the most influential scientists of all time — even though he had no formal tertiary level education in this field.

That being said, we must understand and appreciate that INNOVATION HAS BECOME a buzz individuals who are exposed to the word at many institutions of higher “helicopter vision” provided via learning. All of the campuses of the advanced studies in music, University of the West Indies are now mathematics, the sciences, etc. will engaged in programmes that have some greater insights in terms encourage faculty and students to of how to enhance the performance participate in activities that will fuel of various aspects of these creativity and innovation. This is as it disciplines. should be. We need to develop a We need to ignite curiosity in all cadre of citizens who will be of our people, the schooled and energized to seek to improve unschooled, the poor and the rich, products, services, and structures. our girls and our boys … everyone Companies and countries that push has the potential to be creative and citizens to develop and improve to innovate. Mary Lou Cook (1908products and services through 2013) reminds us that “Creativity is creativity and innovation, will always inventing, experimenting, growing, have an advantage over those cultures taking risks, breaking rules, that do not. making mistakes, and having fun.”

It must be noted that creativity When we embrace the challenge to and innovation are not the purview create things outside of the of the educated; academics do not ordinary, we ignite imagination and have an exclusive right to creativity move in the direction of inventing and imagination. As a matter of products, services, and systems that fact, some of the world’s greatest improve businesses and innovations have emerged from the communities. The following bowels of the “uneducated”. example brings this point home (as Trinidadian Winston “Spree” Simon described in the Daily Bread (1930-1976) has left a legacy Devotional Booklet and its issue for surrounding his invention of the November 10, 2016): steel pan. This is a classic example History records that in the 1800s, to remind us that creativity and during the height of the Gold Rush invention can emerge from among of the American West, the gold the “unlearned”. He never attended miners’ work pants were unable to a school of music. He never withstand the rigours of the gold received any formal training in mining exercise. They wore out reading music or playing a classical rather quickly. Jacob Davis, a musical instrument. He never tailor by profession, contemplated entered the lecture room of a how he could best resolve the tertiary level institution. However, problem. He needed to come up he had an idea that by creating with a solution. And he did. Davis indentations on the flat surfaces of needed to use material that was steel drums, it would be possible to hardy. History records that he create different musical notes — and purchased tent cloth from a dry the steel pan was born. There are goods company that was owned by many other examples of innovative Levi Strauss. He used this robust ideas that emerged from the material to make work pants for the “unschooled”. Michael Faraday miners. He was not deterred by the (1791-1867), for example, had no way the pants would look or the formal education. He was employed challenges the wearers would face in a bookshop in London, England, when it was time to do the laundry. but believed in himself and his Although considered quite ability to contribute to science and challenging to do, his idea paid off, society. He revolutionized our and today (over 200 years later) the understanding and appreciation of denim blue jeans remain popular. electricity. Faraday is described as We are forever grateful to the tailor “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” Theodore Levitt (19252006) American economist and professor at Harvard Business School.

Resetting the strategies for Rural Development

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12. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Gonsalves – Climate Change hypocrite THE MOST RECENT UN Climate Change Conference took place from 7-18 November 2016, in Marrakech, Morocco.

This was the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Gonsalves’ speech to the Conference mentioned, inter alia, ‘Thus all peoples and governments have an obligation to act responsibly to protect the global commons and our common humanity.

There is really no other option for survival and sustainable development.

This is a matter of existential consequence to humanity.’

Coming from Gonsalves, this is a load of climate change mumbo-jumbo.

Building the Argyle airport and encouraging people to fly thousands of miles across the world to visit SVG, is actively promoting more pollution and more destruction to our environment.

Aviation is very damaging and substantially increases climate change.

According to Friends of the Earth, aviation generates nearly as much CO2 annually as that from all human activities in Africa.

For countries such as SVG that have low-lying islands, tourism is very dangerous.

Global warming is expected to lead to a rise in sea levels of up to 95cms over the next century, and many parts of SVG will be affected by rising sea levels and could disappear altogether.

Gonsalves went in to begging mode at the Conference, and called for the quadrupling of adaptation finance for

developing countries.

Gonsalves is a climate change hypocrite. Rather than being given more money for climate change adaptation, the ULP government should have any climate change funding withheld from them, until they run the country in line with reducing their harmful contribution to climate change.

Building the Argyle airport and encouraging more tourism, shows that when it comes to reducing climate change, Gonsalves talks and thinks with the same part of his anatomy.

Aviation increases global warming.

He mentioned that political will is a necessary ingredient in solving climate change, something which he lacks. He mentioned that all states, especially small island developing states, must remain focused to address concretely and urgently man-made climate change.

Hypocritical mumbo-jumbo!

In what way is increasing air travel and aviation pollution helping towards fighting man-made climate change?

Can Gonsalves really be so stupid as to believe that increasing aviation pollution helps to reduce global warming?

Argyle airport is very bad for our country. Some say that about EC$1.3 billion has been wasted in the construction of the airport. This is a massive amount of money that could

have been better spent protecting SVG against the negative effects of climate change.

At the COP 22 Conference, Gonsalves mentioned how, since 2010, SVG has suffered damage from natural disasters, highly abnormal torrential rains and landslides. But rather than spend EC$1.3 billion protecting our people from these natural disasters, he spends EC$1.3 billion building a new airport and encouraging global warming, putting the lives of our people more at risk of these disasters.

Far from being the saviour of SVG, tourism will kill SVG and leave parts of it under water. SVG must urgently

move away from focusing on tourism as the engine of our economy.

As Gonsalves said at the COP 22 conference ‘There is really no other option for survival and sustainable development. This is a matter of existential consequence to humanity.’

Gonsalves is a climate change hypocrite.

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

WhoÊs in control?

THIS LETTER is for those who are in control, but let’s first look at strength in numbers.

I remember in my village, seeing a man commit a crime. He was taken to Court. This man took a lawyer to represent him in court. He won his case. When he got home, he said, “My lawyer is good, he won my case”.

The law is designed for the lawyers; they got to work with the law. The law is like a vehicle; when it is not fixed right, it can start to backfire on you. Nothing is wrong with the law, the law is good, but you have to keep it perfect. But man can’t keep it perfect because, don’t we sometimes let go the killers to kill again?

Magistrates and Judges are supposed to think like kings. You don’t have to tell a king what to do.

He already knows what he has to do.

A Magistrate and a Judge got to use his/her wisdom to judge a matter in Court. If a Magistrate or a Judge sentences a man to ten years in prison, a lawyer could only ask leniency, say three years instead of ten. The lawyers can’t decide for them.

When a man or a woman becomes a doctor, they got to think like a person sent from God. They got to consider themselves like a disciple sent to work miracles, to heal people from their infirmities and to try to discover medicines for diseases like cancer, not to bring sickness on people. A tradesman cannot do his

work properly if he doesn’t have his own tools. Private doctors need to get the right tools to monitor their patients. Stop guessing, stop giving your patients any kind of medication.

Doctors who don’t tell their patients the whole truth are not being honest with their patients. This is dangerous.

A dentist once gave me a tablet to take. When I took it, it made me sick. It gave me agonizing pains all over my body. I would describe that tablet as a chemical weapon.

I went to as many as ten doctors in this country. I told them of my pain and suffering, and none of them could find the answers to ease my pains. I got a little ease when I went to the hospital with a hip pain. I got an injection and some treatment, so I have no pain in my hip.

The doctor then gave me a form to get an X-ray. I didn’t feel like going.

But after a week passed, I decided to make a check to make sure nothing had formed in my hip, I took the Xray. When I got the results the next day, the reading said I had arthritis.

I went back to the operator and said to him, “I don’t have any arthritis in my hip. Maybe it could be a pinch nerve”. I further said to the operator, “I can’t take this to the doctor, I will get treatment for arthritis”. One thing I knew for sure, is that the operator made a mistake.

Alistair ‘Live Up’ Simon

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News

DIGICEL on Weight Loss for Charity drive

Digicel Staff tracking weight loss.This weight loss drive will also mean that local charities will benefit from a cash input.

ALREADY COMMITTED to offering the best service and deals as it relates to mobile telecommunications here, Digicel SVG has added a whole new dimension to its corporate outreach.

On November 4, 2016, the company launched its Weight Loss for Charity programme, geared at encouraging its employees to live a much healthier lifestyle, while at the same time making a contribution to a number of local charities across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Weight Loss for Charity initiative requires as many of Digicel SVG’s 120 staff members to collectively lose a minimum 500lbs by March 2017.

And for every pound loss, 10 dollars will be donated to a charitable organization here.

According to Digicel SVG’s Country ManagerJohn Davies, the weight loss exercise is not only very innovative, but was specifically designed to encourage employees to seriously consider the benefits of practising healthy lifestyle habits, and so reap the benefits that such practices can have on their personal and professional lives.

Additionally, Davies said the programme will see Digicel again demonstrating its commitment to giving back and positively impacting the lives of all classes and groups of Vincentians, through the donations of a minimum of $5,000.00 to two or more charitable organizations here.

To help ensure that Digicel as a whole records a weight loss of at least 500lbs by March of next year, a programme of activities has been devised to motivate staff members.

Digicel staff members are to include in their daily routines, some form of physical activity, and to increase their fruits, water and veggie intake.

On days of every week, employees will come together in joint efforts aimed at losing weight.

Tuesdays at Digicel have now been dubbed ‘Salad Tuesdays’ and will see staff indulging in a garden salad for lunch. On Thursdays, employees come together to participate in a very rigorous workout session.

Fridays have been designated for weigh-in to track individual progress and the overall weight loss, as the countdown continues to March 2017.

A prize will be rewarded to the member of staff who contributes the most to the weight loss challenge.

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16. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Carnival

40th Anniversary of Vincy Mas launched in NY

Heights Educational Center.

The event also served kingnaking210@yahoo.com as the simultaneous US CORRESPONDENT launching pad for the St. Vincent and the A FULL CAST of soca and Grenadines Diaspora calypso artistes Mapping Project, entertained an exuberant organized by the crowd on Sunday evening Regional Integration and (Nov 13), as officials from Diaspora Unit (RIDU), in the Carnival Development partnership with the Corporation (CDC) and the United Nation’s Ministry of Sports and International Culture led the launch of Organization of the 40th Anniversary of Migration (IOM).

Vincy Mas in Brooklyn, Briggo, Bomani, New York.

Scorcher, Dennis Hundreds of nationals Bowman, Drakie, made it their top priority Hibiscus, Madzart and to witness and Winston Soso were participate in the fouramong artistes who hour-odd-long ceremony performed at the at the Friends of Crown anniversary launch.

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net;

Among officials were Tourism, Sports and Culture Minister Cecil “Ces” McKie; Tourism Authority chief executive officer Glen Beache; CDC chairman Ricky Adams; Immediate Past Chairman and Chairman of the 40th Anniversary Committee Dennis Ambrose; New York Consul General Howie Prince; and president of the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), Laverne McDowald-Thompson.

“Our mission, at this time, is to extend an early invitation to everyone to join us in promoting the special

celebration of 40 years of June-July Carnival — Vincy Mas 2017,” said Ambrose, adding that he was pleased to be invited to speak to “this wide cross-section of persons, who have been identified as a great audience for assisting SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) Team to link with other sources in the Diaspora.”

Ambrose said the Diaspora “has worked well” with the CDC in the past, and “We anticipate your participation at multiple levels in this landmark festival.”

Ambrose said the 40th Anniversary of Vincy Mas Committee hopes to introduce some new shows in the Vincy Mas programme, which starts as early as January 2017.

“Our presence here is, of course, to give you an early little teaser of our special program for Vincy Mas 40th Anniversary celebration,” he said.

Newly installed Chairman, Ricardo Adams said his focus as new CDC chairman goes by the acronym “madness.”

He said “m” represents marketing; “a” for accountability; “d” for development; “n” for natural interest; “e” for embracing change; “s” for shows; and the other “s” for synergies.

“I invite all to Vincy Mas 2017, where we will

Section of the audience

Dennis Ambrose addresses audience.

boast [of] a whole calendar of events in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Put your hands to St. Vincent and the Ricky Adam delivers his Grenadines,” he urged. maiden address to the “For the next 10 years, Vincy-NY Diaspora.

St. Vincent and the continue to celebrate the Grenadines will be the envy of the Caribbean.” hottest carnival in the Beache appealed to Caribbean,” he said. the audience to speak “Congratulations to all well about the homeland. predecessors who “I hear a lot of people brought Vincy Mas to complain,” he said. “We this point. need to stop being so “We are now 40; and, when you turn 40, it is a negative about St. new era when you can be Vincent and the Grenadines.” more confident and New Consul General explore new Howie Prince said: opportunities in life,” he “You’ve asked for change, added. “So, too, will Vincy Mas embrace this and you got it… So it is for you to get behind new era.”

Minister McKie urged these people, behind carnival in St. Vincent nationals not only to come home for Vincy Mas and the Grenadines.”

The official launch of but to come home for Vincy Mas 2017 is set for other activities, stating: May 6. Vincy Mas 2017 “We have now reached runs from June 30 to the stage, where we can July 11.

Winston Soso entertains with “I Don’t Mind.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 17.

Development

WINFA’s Coordinator on speaking tour THE CONCERNS OF FAMERS associated with the Windward Island Farmers Association (WINFA) have been impressed further in certain European markets.

This, after Kozel Peters-Fraser, Coordinator of WINFA, participated in a 14–day speaking tour from the 22nd Kozel Peters-Fraser, October to November Coordinator of WINFA 5th, 2016. used the opportunity of a Peters-Fraser, in Speaking Tour to highlight partnership with 23 and spread the intentions other European of the Make Fruit Fair! partners, including Campaign.

Banana Link, attended seminars, and interviews in Austria, the United Kingdom and Portugal, as part of raising awareness of the Make Fruit Fair! Campaign.

This campaign, initiated by OXFAM Germany, brings together 27 organizations from 23 countries around the world, and aims to improve the living and working conditions of the thousands of small farmers and plantation workers, people who supply the tropical fruit that is shipped to Europe every day.

In Austria, Peters-Fraser met with EUROBAN, a network of European civil society organizations that collaborates with civil society groups in other continents, to protect the vulnerable tropical fruit industries. She discussed the work WINFA does on behalf of banana farmers in the Windward Islands, and what more can be done to encourage and ensure global fair trade.

In the United Kingdom, Peters-Fraser spoke on BBC news radio, where she highlighted the concerns of Unfair Trading Practices, committed by large supermarkets that drive fruit prices down and undercut farmers. “The UK is the Caribbean’s biggest export of bananas. WINFA represents 4000 farmers in the Windward Islands,” she stated, “These are a lot of persons whose livelihoods are reliant on the export of tropical fruit. Unfair trading practices lead to suppliers obtaining fruit from cheaper producers, who use pesticides, chemical fertilizers and excessive manual labor,” she said inter alia. She went on to discuss the importance of sustainable farming and Fairtrade.

The speak-a-tour concluded in Portugal, where Fraser spoke with the country’s national newspaper, ‘da Madeira Tribuna’, and met with Portugal’s biggest supermarkets. Here, she emphasized the importance of consumer demand in regard to ethical Fairtrade products. “Supermarkets will provide sustainable products if consumers demand it. I believe that the Portuguese want to consume responsibly,” she told the supermarkets. The WINFA Coordinator, then went on to encourage the Portuguese supermarkets to reduce their profit margins, ensuring tropical fruit trade is fair for both the producer and the consumer.

Her visit culminated with a presentation at an International Conference on the “Route to 2030”, where she addressed the conference on the issue of Sustainable Production and Consumption.

The trip marks a successful event in WINFA’s mission to protect the livelihoods of Windwards farmers, allowing their voices to be heard worldwide.

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20. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Dreams: No basis for accusation Dear George,

What I do know is that my wife is having an affair and she does not know that I know.

sound basis on which to accuse or suspect your wife of infidelity.

Your marriage should be worth more than having to narrow things down to events in a dream.

You may have to look deeper inside yourself to understand the real issues you are having with your wife and or the marriage. Your subconscious mind may be trying to get you to face these issues head on. The best way to do so is to have an adult talk with your wife and let her know what is bothering you about her and the marriage. You may need a marriage counselor to help you get to the bottom of things.

I HAD A VERY disturbing dream about my wife, and I am not sure Convinced how to interpret it. Usually when I dream something, it comes to pass.

After dreaming about my wife, I was Dear Convinced, convinced that what happened in my I will not advise that you dream was what really happened in reality. I dreamed that my wife was introduce unnecessary conflict into your marriage, all because having an affair and, after I confronted her, she confessed that you had a dream. It is simply not George she did in fact go with another man, and admitted that she did not love me anymore. I woke up very disturbed, and since that money. time, I noticed a different Dear George, My girlfriend informed behaviour from my me that ‘this guy’ is MY GIRLFRIEND and I wife. The way she was willing to lend her the have argued consistently moving was testament to money with no strings over a guy in whom she the dream I had. attached, including claims she has no I have not spoken to repaying him anytime interest. I know better her about it, but I know with no interest. than that, and when I that I would not have I was very angry that say that to her, she gets gotten this message in she went to him without mad. my dream if it was not my knowledge, especially We are about to start so. knowing how I felt about a business, but we find George, should I him. confront her with this? I ourselves needing more George, I know this money to do so than honestly do not know guy, and there is no way originally planned. We what move to make. he would do all this for do not have the (extra)

Bad move!!!!

her without asking back for something. My girlfriend does not see it that way. We are still arguing.

Rocky Place to be Dear Rocky Place, I agree with you.

Your girlfriend should not have discussed this business with the ‘guy’ in question, knowing how you feel about him. Any request for loans should be done in total agreement between you two.

Even if this ‘guy`s` intentions might be honourable, your girlfriend ought to have known that it is not a wise move to involve him in your affairs; that his involvement would only serve to stir up more accusations and suspicions.

Both of you will have to find another way to get financing. This idea of getting it from the man you deem to be your competition will never work.

George

Sex should not be the focus Dear George, I AM THIRTY-NINE years old and have been living on my own since I turned twenty-one. I do not only live alone, but I have no one in my life and I am very frustrated. I need a man in my life, but do not know how to go about finding the right man.

I look good in my body, and there are a lot of men who want me but only for my body. I need a man who wants me for me.

There is this guy to whom I am attracted, but all he wants is sex. I need more, and he is not willing to give more.

The truth is I have would hook up with a man, but when, after a few months of exciting sex, I ask for a long term commitment or mention the word marriage, they vanish as though I have the plague or something, I want to know how I can get a man and keep him.

Frustrated Dear Frustrated, Maybe, just maybe, you are starting your relationships from the wrong end. Sex should not be the first and/or primary focus. It should come later down in the relationship, when you are certain the man you are with is committed to you and in for the long haul.

If sex is the only thing you offer, as soon as a man gets his fill, there would be nothing else to keep them attached to you.

It is better that you reset your goals. Keep in mind also, that you assess the circles in which you move, since it is the circles in which you move that you are more than likely to find people of like mind and quality.

George

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Sign up for tours or courses that will enlighten you. Accommodate others but not before you do your own thing. Do the proper safety checks before you go out. Make plans to mix business with pleasure. Dinner with clients or business associates should be successful. Do not be surprised if your partner doesn't understand your needs.

grievance regarding your mate, or it may be hard to rectify your relationship.

Children could cost you more than you can afford.

Taurus (Apr. 21‐ May 21) You may have major blowups with someone you love if you don't back down. You should include children in your activities. Your relationship is undergoing some changes. Don't let jealous friends put you down, making you insecure about your capabilities.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Joint ventures might prove to be unfavorable. Catch up on your reading and correspondence. Your talents are likely to be discovered. You may have problems with skin, bones, or teeth if you haven't been taking proper care of yourself.

Gemini (May 22‐June 21) Romance will unfold through business trips. Your partner may push buttons that infuriate you. Make those phone calls and pay your bills. Go out with friends.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You may have a rather hectic day due to events that children are involved in. Don't try to twist things around so that they sound more enticing. Get busy on projects that improve your own image; you'll have the discipline to succeed. You can make personal changes that will enhance your reputation and give you greater self‐confidence.

Cancer (June 22‐July 22) You need to take a good look at all sides of an issue before making a decision.

Self‐deception is likely. You are best to ask questions if you aren't certain about issues that are confronting you. Take a second look; difficulties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident.

Leo (July 23‐Aug 22) Advancement can be yours if you are assertive in your approach. You should focus on moneymaking matters and stay away from emotional disputes. Stick to your work and avoid emotional confrontations. Social events should be the highlight of your day. Stretch the truth, and you may get blamed for something you didn't do.

Virgo (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) You can make changes to your living quarters, but not everyone will be pleased with your efforts. Opportunities for travel must be carefully considered.

Don't lament to a friend about any

Libra (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Your mate may not be too sure about your intentions. You are best to be discreet. Visitors may relieve the tension.

You can make progress professionally.

Capricorn (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Be prepared for an active but rewarding day. A lot can be accomplished if you organize your time. Ideas may sound good, but be careful if people are just looking for handouts. You can prosper if you invest in property or mutual funds.

Aquarius (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) A day at the beach may satisfy the whole family. Don't let your family put demands on you. Pleasure trips will induce exciting and passion ate encounters with those of foreign extraction. Try to curb your bad habits.

Pisces (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Financial difficulties may be worrying you.

Finish up any correspondence by early afternoon. Your creative talent may well be recognized by others this week Travel and creative hobbies will be your best outlet.

ACROSS

40. Actress Roberts 1.Pocket‐sized 42. “Memoirs __ bottles Geisha” 7. Morse Code (2 wds.) component 44. Safeguard 11. Ray of 45. Reveres “Everybody 50. Shaq and Loves Ryan Raymond” 51. Overlook 12. Earhart of the 52. Nervous __ air 14. “__ Twist” DOWN (Dickens) 15. Bedding 1.To’s partner 16. Poetic “ever” 2. Reaction to 17. Clever an IM 18. Irks Joke 21. Digital music 3. French friend players 4. Reserves 23. Mine stuff 5. Deep__ bend 24. Company exec 6. More (abbr.) regretful 25. Mention 7. Lisa Bonet on 29. Cable news “The Cosby sta.

Show” 30. Get up 8. Baldwin of 32. Island garland “The 33. John Jacob __ Aviator” 35. Landscaper’s 9. Kitchen basin stock 10. Owns 36. Stately tree 12. “The Sun __ 37. Push or force Rises” 39. Football 13. “__ Pierce” action (1945 film)

18. Veggie burger brand 19. Flower containers 20. Fellow with manners 22. Ease of manner 24. Variety of red 26. Dog’s pest 27. Snaky swimmers 28. Lips 31. Wise ruler 34. Tankers 38. Writing tablets

39. Discussion group 40. “Star Wars” knight 41. Aliens’ crafts 43. “A __ Romance”

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 21.

44. Beaver project 46. Pres. Coolidge 47. Manning of Super Bowl XLII 48. Opposite of NNW

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22. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Medals awarded

by British Army to two Vincentians

by BEN HARRISON International Correspondent SERGEANT RANDERSON QUOW, whose parents live in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Corporal Daren Lewis from Chateaubelair were recently honoured by the British Army with the presentation of The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC), an award from the Queen for 15 years irreproachable military service.

The medals were presented by Lieutenant Colonel M Stewart MBE, the Commanding Officer of their (From left): Sergeant Randerson Quow unit. and Corporal Daren Lewis.

Both soldiers, who did not know each other previously, were on the same flight when they first enlisted into March for ‘Help for Heroes’. The charity helped raise £4000 for wounded soldiers the British Army, and went through from recent campaigns. While deployed basic training together before joining different units. By sheer circumstance, to Afghanistan he also received an Operational Coin from ‘Brigade-General Sgt Quow and Cpl Lewis who had not Van M. Uhm’, for his part in organising seen each other since they left basic a charity March named ‘Tab for Heroes’, training, both received the LS&GC which raised money for the Children in medal at the same presentation.

While Corporal Daren Lewis (LEwie) Afghanistan.

Corporal Lewis served in the Royal was assigned to the Catterick Training St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Regiment, Quow was assigned to the Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn. Force Special Services Unit (SSU) for two years. Since his enlistment in the Sgt. Quow completed his trade Army in March 2001, he has seen duties training at the Royal School of Signals as an infantry soldier with Princess of in Blandford, qualifying as a Class 3 Wales Royal Regiment, in Canada, Area Systems Operator. His Cyprus, Kenya and on Operations in assignments have taken him to Iraq and Northern Ireland.

Germany, Poland, Italy, Chech Republic, Netherlands, Afghanistan and Editor’s Note: Thanks to Warrant Northern Ireland.

Officer Class One (Regimental Sergeant During his time with the Royal Signals, he became an Army sportsman Major) SG Gibbs from Upavon, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, England, for providing THE representing his Corps in Army VINCENTIAN with this information.

Basketball. He organised a Charity

FSA Celebrates 4th Anniversary

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (FSA) commemorated its Fourth Anniversary on 11th November, 2016.

The FSA was formally established on November 12th, 2012, with a mandate to supervise and regulate the non-banking financial institutions and international financial institutions registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The highlight of the 4th Anniversary celebrations was a church service officiated by Bro. Monty Maule, of the Methodist Church, Kingstown. The theme for the service was “Stewardship”.

In his message, Bro. Maule challenged the FSA to ensure faithfulness in the conduct of its business and representation of St

Vincent and the Grenadines.

In opening remarks, Deputy Executive Director Eleanor Astaphan, congratulated the staff of the FSA on its accomplishments to date, but noted the ever present need to remain relevant as an organization, and to remain focused on meeting the consistently higher standards demanded of Regulatory Authorities, through

Below: FSA staff members at the 4th Anniversary church service.

excellence in delivery of its services.

The event was attended by members of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the FSA, and representatives of financial institutions.

The FSA thanks the Methodist Church for its accommodation, and the financial services industry for the many congratulatory messages received.

V Vincentian athletes show off in NACAC 10K

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 23.

L-R: Tamara Woodley, Akani Slater and Sorenya Miller.

Akani Slater of IT- DAT Academy was first in 45 minutes 27.60 seconds.

Second was Slyford Lampkin, also of IT- DAT Academy, in 49 minutes 26.10 seconds, and third was Sabato Mc Dowald of X- Cel, who clocked 51 minutes 49.90 seconds.

For the top three places, Slater gained EC$ 400, Lampkin- $200 and Mc Dowald- $150.

Winning the Female Under20 title was Tamara Woodley, also of IT-DAT Academy.

Woodley’s time was 1 hour 10 minutes 57.40 seconds, ahead of second place Shaquilla Laborde of the Petit Bordel Secondary in 1 hour 14 minutes 44.30 seconds. Third was Amanda Solomon of the Central Leeward Secondary in 1 hour 18 minutes 20.1 seconds.

The top three finishers

Above: Junior Ashton

Linda Mc Dowall

VINCENTIAN JUNIOR ASHTON won the Male segment of the NACAC Chatoyer Endurance 10 K. The race, dubbed the ‘‘World’s Most Challenging 10K’, took place last Sunday afternoon, from Gordon Yard `to the Chateaubelair Playing Field.

Ashton, a Carifta medallist whose participation in road races here has been sporadic in recent times, outran those who contested the international segment, to win in 41 minutes 17.20 seconds.

Ashton, though, revealed that he was “training for the race,” expressed delight with copping the top prize, and vouched to restart his running career, following Sunday’s fillip.

The second and third places respectively went to the St Lucian duo of Michel Biscette in 43 minutes 07.00 seconds

and Winsbert Sylvester- 43 minutes 48.50 seconds.

They were followed by Dominican Bram Sanderson in 46:01.30 and ace Vincentian distance runner - Pamenos Ballantyne in 47:52.90.

Ashton pocketed US $1000, while Biscette earned US$700 and Sylvester US$500.

Champing among the Females was Vincentian Linda Mc Dowall, who completed the distance in 47 minutes 53.60 seconds. She secured a US $1000 cash prize.

Taking the second place behind Mc Dowall was Vincentian Kerina Hooper, who timed 59 minutes 41.60 seconds and collected US $700.

Third by some distance was Dominican athlete Nelecia Nelson, in a time of 1 hour 20 minutes 53.10 seconds. Her cash award was US$500.

In the Male Under-20,

gained the same cash awards as the males.

Cyron Lewis of X- Cel champed the Male 20 and over. Lewis’ winning time was 44 minutes 21.60 seconds.

Mesach Dublin of IT- DAT Academy was second in 45 minutes 49.90 seconds, and taking the third place was ITDAT Academy’s Caswell Lewis — 46 minutes 29.40 seconds.

For their efforts on the afternoon, Lewis got EC$600; Dublin - $300 and Lewis $200.

IT-DAT Academy’s Sorenya Miller cashed in on the EC$600 prize for winning the 20 and over Female, as she timed 1 hour 8 minutes 21.50 seconds.

Second and taking the $300, was Peace Corps volunteer Heather Higgins in 1 hour 18 minutes 20.00 seconds.

IT- DAT Academy won the Team award of EC$300. The team award was computed on the positions of the first three

athletes from each team crossing the finish, in which one must be a female.

But the first athlete to cross the half way mark of 5 kilometres was 17 year- old Maxie Edwards of the Petit Bordel Secondary. He pocketed US$100.

This year’s race did not attract last year’s international category winners - Kenyan Kenneth Rotich for males and Trinidadian Tonya Nero, the female winner.

Unlike 2015, in which athletes from Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya , Martinique, Cuba and Grenada were part of the event, only four athletes, two each from St Lucia and Dominica, contested the international component of the race.

Thirty-three athletes took the starter’s order, and thirtytwo (eight females, twenty-five males) completed last saturday’s Sunday’s race.

Overseas athletes from left to right- Michel Biscette( St Lucia) Bram Sanderson (Dominica), Nelicia Nelson (Dominica), Winsbert Sylvester (St Lucia).

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24. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Barrouallie Football League concludes THE 2016 Barrouallie Football League came to an exciting end last Sunday at the Keartons Playing Field, with the staging of the finals of the Digicel/ Norrell Hull Under-17 and the Bank of SVG Senior Division l.

North Leeward Predators took the Under-17 title with a one nil win over Adare Two. Predators’ win came compliments an Adare Two own goal conceded in the first minute.

The afternoon’s big affair, the BOSVG Senior Division, pitted Best Goal-keeper in the Senior Divsion- Amall Francis.

home team Keartons United against Sharpes United of Chateaubelair.

A goal-less draw in normal time, sent the match into kicks from the penalty spot.

Pandemonium broke out as Keartons United won 4-2.

Supporters took over the playing area in joyous celebrations.

It was Keartons United first hold on the title since the competition moved from the Barrouallie Playing Keartons United – Senior Champs.

Field to Keartons. award was Layou’s Chelson Meanwhile, on Saturday, PYOLA registered a 2- Hendrickson.

0 win over RSVG Police in the Hairoun Beer Knock The awardees in the Bank of Out final.

SVG Senior competition were A goal in the 2nd minute from Dustin Lewis and Amall Francis of Keartons a Lemus Christopher strike in the 39th gave United- Best Goal keeper; PYOLA the title.

Philron Lavia of Sharpes United PYOLA received $600 and five cases of Hairoun — Best Defender, and Kurtland products.

Williams, also of Sharpes United — the Best Midfielder.

Awards Copping the Most Goals was An awards ceremony after the games, recognized Benninton Stapleton of North outstanding performers in the league.

Leeward Predators.

In the Digicel- Norell Hull U-17 Division, the League organisers also Best Goalkeeper was adjudged to be Jolando John of presented Ossie Cunningham, Adare Two, while Lesron Craigg of Adare One was with a plaque for his years of voted the Best Defender. service in the Taking the Best Midfielder was North Leeward area of Best Mid-fielder in the Under-17 Predators’ Diel Spring, and taking the Most Goals officiating.

Division- Diel Spring.

Road Tennis to take root in SVG PYOLA - Knock Out winners.

SVGOC facilitates governance workshop AFFILIATES of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee will on November 25 and 26 be part of a workshop dealing with governance.

The workshop takes place at the Xpert Computer Centre’s Conference Room, and is a result of the work of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) Academy.

Michael Pederson It is aimed to facilitate an appreciation for the best practices associated with good governance of NOCs and National Associations.

Michael Pedersen, an internationally recognised expert in good governance, transparency, ethics and integrity, will be the workshop’s main facilitator.

Pederson, who is an integrity coach, a thought leader and a street volunteer, will, over the two days,, introduce participants to areas such as: The Strategic Imperative of Good Governance in Sport; Governance Issue Mapping; Board Professionalisation; Conflicts of Interest; Democratic Structures and Processes’ Transparency and Accountability; Stakeholder Engagement; Ethical Behaviour of Staff and Volunteers; Sport Event Integrity; as well as Integrity in ‘sport for development’ projects.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines’ workshop follows on a similar forum held in Guadeloupe in late October.

THERE IS A plan to make Road Tennis a staple sport in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The framework for this undertaking is being crafted by local authorities, with assistance from the Professional Road Tennis Association.

Part of the continuum was realised last weekend, with the visit of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados based, Professional Road Tennis Association (PRTA) Dale Clarke, and that organisation’s Business Development Manager — Michelle Straughn.

“We want to establish a road tennis circuit for regional players and officials throughout the Caribbean...We want to get the road tennis going throughout the region,” Clarke said enthusiastically.

He continued, “We are looking at doing similar things like the Cubans, where we send coaches to work through government to teach athletes, the physical education teachers or anyone who is interested in getting to know

Road Tennis being played at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex. the specifics about the sport. “ We want to have someone based here, where they can oversee the programme, where they can give the basic coaching, so that can be transferred into the schools, then into the communities at large...That will create employment for officials ...

That way the sport will grow,” he added.

Noting that the sport has been popularised in Barbados, Clarke conceded that it would be unwise to keep the sport confined there.

“Road Tennis is indigenous to Barbados, but it is not indigenous to the Caribbean ...

We as a Caribbean region should be happy that we have a sport that we have been getting requests from all over the world... It is something that we (From left): Michelle Straughn and Dale Clarke.

can get behind and rally it ... It is a tremendous sport,….the health benefits,” he articulated.

In citing the economic benefits of Road Tennis, Clarke outlined that it can be part of the sports tourism product.

“We have sunshine all year round. There are so many people from North America, from the UK (United Kingdom) who would fly in and utilise the facilities because of the climate,” Clarke proffered.

Part of the first step in getting this new effort going here is the hosting of a competition during this year’s Nine Mornings, in which the winners of both the male and female divisions will get a cash prize of US $1000 each.

Top performers in the junior division of the competition, which will be known as the ‘SVG Road Tennis Blast’, will receive inkind prizes.

And going forward, come 2017, there is a proposal to have a schools’ competition in 2017. The PRTA is expected to play a major role in this exercise.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 25.

Sports

North Leeward brightens The VINLEC North Leeward T/20 competition climaxes this Sunday. A keen tussle is on the cards.

Ajuba, from Spring Village, the most southern part of the constituency, blazed their way into contention with commanding semi-final and quarterfinal performances. They disposed of Police before dethroning last year’s winner - Circumstance in clinical fashion.

Their opponents will be on home turf. Peto Stars came close on many an occasion, but their route to the finals came in rather a ruthless fashion.

They overcame arch-rivals North Stars in the quarter-final, and did likewise to Carlos James Troumaca Starlight to enter the final stage. They will feel that the odds will be in their favour. They can count on familiarity of the conditions, for no other team will have had as much exposure to the surroundings as they have.

Cricket is what it is, and there are the 120 deliveries that matter. Bowlers will have to be disciplined to ensure they serve up no wides. And with the no balls punishable with the bonus of a ‘Free-hit’, bowlers will be wary of transgressing.

There will be the inevitable bouts of contention, as persons take the liberty of being ‘beyond the boundary’, to engage in all types of speculations that sometimes carry a diverse focus on the main event.

Besides, persons are prone to some types of erratic behaviour, once the adrenalin starts rushing.

Many at time, that rush is induced and catalysed with an absorption of the atmosphere.

In such circumstances, the wit tends to go astray.

Spectators may be reminded of their duty to maintain some level of decorum. It is easy for one to endeavour to recreate aspects of dissatisfaction if they conceive that things may not have proceeded in the manner they might have wished.

There must be a sense of inner control, for no matter how one may want to take a position of selfpity and wallow in a state of despair, it must be remembered that there are always worse situations others are faced with.

North Leeward has lots to be thankful for, including the staging of Sunday’s final. Home spectators will be buoyed, knowing that they will not have to go very far in order to be in the midst of the action.

In ideal circumstances, they would have had to take the journey over to Cumberland where a new playing field has been completed.

Sunday’s game is expected to be a clash of the bats. Ajuba has shown its fire power, and persons like Kenny Stapleton, Roneil Jeffrey, Harley Skerritt, Michael Joseph, Leon Samuel will be determined to complete the journey. Their bowling, spearheaded by the fast bowling of Kimali Williams, supported by Ronaldo Franklyn and the experienced Reginald Jeffrey, will be up to any challenge Peto stars brings out.

Shamon Hooper has been something of a prodigy as far as cricket goes. He once bowled nine maiden overs in a ten over spell playing for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Under 15 Cricket team.

He has rounded into a full-fledged cricketer. His batting ability will be needed in this final. He has the knack of being deceptively explosive, and with more sedate players like Otis Matthews, Vidal Edwards, Jeffron White to bat around him, Peto Stars will fancy their chances.

Ronique Laborde, captain of the Peto Stars outfit, is a capable all-rounder, who can be a match winner.

Allison Samuel is another no-nonsense striker, and will have to be kept on a leash if Ajuba is to prevent themselves from running into problems.

Kesrick Westfield, a left arm medium pacer, has proven his ability with the ball, and his spell could prove another vital aspect of this final.

The North Leeward Sports Association will be relieved that another tournament has come to a successful conclusion. Enthusiasts, affiliated to Football, Basketball, Netball and Athletics, will feel that their sport has been sacrificed on the altar of the cricket field.

All is not lost, and the prospects of improvement for any and all disciplines rest in the minds of the individual. We have to take a cue from Independence Calypso Monarch Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne, and put our hands and hearts together and build this nation with pride.

Cyclist passes RANDY WILKINSON was, without question, on his way to copping the title of Top Masters Cyclist 2016, at the next SVG Cycling Union awards.

Wilkinson was, from all reports, enjoying his best season in that category, outriding the likes of veterans Peter Durrant and Orel George, the former having dominated that category for many years.

As fate would have it, Wilkinson will not be able to accept his award, if and when it materialises.

He passed away last week Thursday, November 17. A report said that he was electrocuted while at work on a construction site in Mount Pleasant, Bequia.

As expected, the cycling fraternity here was thrown into a state of shock.

The following is a statement on Wilkinson’s passing, made by the SVG Cycling Union: “The Executive of the SVG Cycling Union and the entire

cycling fraternity are saddened at the news of the sudden passing of RANDY —BOMWILKINSON. Reports indicate he was the victim of an electrocution at his work place on Bequia.

“Randy was a competitor in the Masters’ Division. He represented SVG at numerous events around the region. His latest assignment was the 2016 TOBAGO Cycle Classic in September.

Wilkinson, at the time of his passing, was the points leader in the Masters’ Division of the local cycling programme.

“The cycling Union extends deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers.”

THE VINCENTIAN extends condolences to Wilkinson’s family, friends and the cycling fraternity, on his passing. May he Rest In Peace.

Randy Wilkinson was enjoying his best year, 2016, as a road cyclist here.

Circumstance dethroned in North Leeward THERE WILL be new VINLEC North Leeward T/20 Champions.

When the curtains come down Sunday, November 27, either Peto Stars or Abuba will be crowned.

Ajuba make certain that a new champion would be crowned when they disposed of defending champions Circumstance in their semi-final, by a comfortable six wickets.

Kenny Stapleton 43 and Leon Samuel 37 guided Ajuba to 153 for 4 off 18.2 overs. Circumstance were dismissed for 147 off 19.3 overs, with Rickford Walker getting a game high 54 and Omar Tucker 27.

Ronneil Jeffrey 3 for 34 and Kimali Williams 2 for 29 were the leading wicket-takers for Ajuba.

Ajuba’s semi-final berth came at the expense of RSVG Police Force, whose 186 for 4 off 16 overs was expected to be a challenge for their opponents. But Ajuba, on the heels of a sizzling display by Ronneil Jeffrey 59 and Michael Joseph 58, who racked up a fifth wicket stand of 142, cruised to victory, closing on 187 for 4 off 14.1. overs.

Peto Stars raced to a sevenwicket win over Carlos James Troumaca Starlight to earn their place in Sunday’s final.

Troumaca all but handed Peto Stars victory when they were dismissed for 114 off 17.2 overs.

Nicklon Alexander ensured that they crossed the hundred mark with 66. Kesrick Westfield 4 for 27 and Ronique Laborde 3 for 16 were the main wicket takers for Peto Stars, who hadm a walk in the park, reaching r 117 for 3 off 11.4 overs. Shaman Hooper, 46,

led the chase for Peto Stars, with Otis Matthews 29 not out giving solidarity.

Carlos James Troumaca Starlight earned their semi-final berth with a narrow two-run victory over Big League. Scores: Troumaca 176 for 9 from 20 overs

- Donald Delpesche 61; Big League 174 for 8 off 20 overs Omalie Lavia 42, and Ozico Williams 38.

Sunday’s final will be played, like all the games in this year’s competition, at the Petit Bordel Playing Field.

Masters T20 Semi-finals this weekend NORTH EAST MASTERS and St Vincent Cooperative Bank P’tani Masters have booked semi-final places of the SVG Masters T20 cricket competition, following victories in their respective quarter-final matches on the weekend.

North East Masters earned a comfortable 62-run win over Sion Hill Masters. North East Masters made 178 for 7 off 20 overs, Peter Campbell and Rawle Baptiste leading the batting with 31 each and Arnold Gilkes contributing 28. Ronald Medford with figures of 2 for 27 was Sion Hill’s best bowler. Sion Hill Masters in reply folded for 116 off 19.3 overs. Lauren Baptiste top- scored with 31. Olanzo Jackson was the pick of the North East bowlers with figures of 4 for 16. Winsbert Springer took 2 for 33.

St. Vincent Cooperative Bank Ptani Mastersdefeated Computec Belfongo Masters by 20 runs, to secure their spot. Alfred McKenzie’s top score of 38 helped P’tani to 141 for 8 off 20

overs. Rohan King took 2 for 14, Elvis Browne 2 for 22 and Bradley Brooker 2 for 32.

Computec Belfongo Masters, chasing what seemed to be a ‘gettable’ target of 142, failed to get on top of the bowling of Orville Richards, 4 wickets for 9 runs, and Ian Haywood, 3 for 21, and were all out for 121. Elvis Browne hit 24 and Sylvannus Morgan 22.

Tomorrow Saturday will see the completion of the quarterfinal round, when Mustique square off against J.G & Sons Glamorgan, and RSVG Police face Stanley Browne’s Stubbs, from 1.30 pm.

The competition will move into the semi-final round on Sunday, with North East taking on the winner of RSVG Police Stanley Browne’s Stubbs match, and SVG Cooperative Bank P’tani up against the winner of the Mustique - J G & Sons Glamorgan clash. Matches begin at 1.30pm.

I.B.A.ALLEN

26. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

VERTILLE VENETA FRANKLYN

LEROY AUGUSTUS DELECIA GEORGE

Sunrise: 29th October, 1956 Sunset: 31st October, 2016 Sunday 20th November, 2016 3:00pm

New Testament Church of God Georgetown Saturday 19th November, 2016 2:00 pm

NOEL LESLIE RICHARDS aka Super and Bossy

MARY WARNER

New Life Ministries North Union Saturday 19th November, 2016 2:00 p.m.

Church of the Transfiguration Lowmans Leeward Saturday 19th November, 2016 3:00 pm

JOYCELYN THOMAS Gospel Hall Church Union Island Sunday 20th November, 2016 3:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

S A L E

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 25, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.46

www.thevincentian.com

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DR. FRIDAY:

NEW LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Arhnim Eustace took over the NDP at a time (2000) when the party had, perhaps, its lowest rating ever among the electorate.

IT IS NOW official. Dr. Godwin Friday will be the new Leader of the Opposition in the current Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Dr. Friday, the New Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines and a Vice-President of the party, is expected to be officially accepted into his new office when the full parliament meets, barring any unforeseen circumstances, on Thursday 8th December, 2016.

Communication with the office of the NDP confirmed that the office of the Governor General was in receipt of letters on Friday 18th November, informing about Arnhim Eustace’s decision to step down from that position, and of Dr. Friday being his replacement.

That communication also confirmed that Dr. Friday had received

overwhelming support for his elevation by the elected members of parliament on the Opposition side who, according to the party’s constitution, are the only persons who hold the right to ‘elect’ a person to that position.

Dr. Friday first entered the parliament of SVG after he successfully contested the Northern Grenadines seat on an NDP ticket, in the 2001 general election.

It is said that Dr. Friday was handpicked by Sir James Mitchell to replace him (Mitchell) in that constituency, upon his decision to retire from active politics in 2000.

The 2001 general election had been called for March 28, 2001, more than two years ahead of the constitutional deadline. This was agreed by then Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell and opposition leaders, and was occasioned by a wave of antigovernment street demonstrations sparked by, among other things, Parliament’s approval of new pensions and gratuities for parliamentarians.

Dr. Friday has successfully contested that Grenadines constituency in every general election since - (2005, 2010 and 2015.)

But while Dr. Friday will assume the position of Leader of the Opposition with anticipated ease, the position of leader of the party will be another matter. The position became vacant after Eustace also indicated (last week), that he was stepping down as leader of the NDP. Unlike the position of Leader of the Opposition, the position of party leader will be decided by the general membership of the party, at a full Party Convention scheduled for November 27, 2016.

Up to press time, there was no confirmed indication of persons who have made known their intention to contest for that leadership position.

Arnhim Eustace assumed leadership of the New Democratic Party in 2000, taking over from longstanding leader and former prime minister — Sir James Mitchell, at a time when the party had its lowest ever approval rating.

Dr. Godwin Friday entered the SVG parliament after his very first outing in a general election here.

Ottley Hall workers still owed

by DAYLE DA SILVA DANIEL RAVOTTI - Managing Director of St Vincent Shipyard Limited (SSL), operators of the Ottley Hall Shipyard, has cleared the air in relation to the non-payment of wages and salaries of workers in the company’s employ.

According to Ravotti, both daily paid and monthly paid workers at the facility have been receiving full payments up until now.

He explained that back in July, workers received half salary and wages, but since then, persons have been paid in full.

It was revealed during a press conference hosted by SSL at its Ottley Hall base, on Wednesday, that daily paid workers are owed for 12 days to a total amount of between Daniel Ravotti – Managing Director of St. EC$15,000 to $16,000, while Vincent Shipyard Ltd., gave an account monthly staff are owed for 15 of monies owing to workers at the Ottley days which amounts to EC$6000 Hall Shipyard. to $7000.

He addressed the claim made by Operations Manager, Sylvester ‘Steve’ Ollivierre who, in another publication, noted that he was owed EC$36,755.13 from a first contract, and $17,160.08 from a second contract.

Without going into detail, Ravotti said that that matter was a completely different matter, given that Ollivierre and SSL had entered into a separate contractual arrangement.

The managing director admitted that the company has been facing some financial challenges within recent times, and that the bulk of money was being allocated to the payment of wages and salaries.

He made the disclosure after workers were up in arms last week, following the circulation of a letter indicating that the facility would be closing for a month, and cited a “technical breakdown of the company,” as the basis for the closure. (Related story on Page 6)

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.