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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 26, 2016

NDP LINKS WITH CHINA

Stories by WILLAIM “KOJAH” ANTHONY

VOLUME 110, No.34

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

L-R: NDP’s Opposition Leader Hon Arnhim Eustace, Godwin Friday and St Clair Leacock at the press conference on Monday. tourism,” and “ramifications of the upcoming round of US presidential and congressional elections.”

The opposition leader referred to “growing concerns and scepticism, in some quarters, about efficacy, and even the current relevance of CARICOM and its institutions.”

Eustace alluded to the Trans Pacific Partnership signed February 4, 2016, which he outlined was awaiting ratification by 12 Pacific Rim countries.

The NDP president pointed to “escalating tensions in South China Sea, a major shipping route

A BATTLE OF ATTRITION between two sets of people in a faraway land has taken a new frontline on the Vincentian soil.

The New Democratic Party has shifted its allegiance to the People’s Republic of China.

President Arnhim Eustace made the disclosure at the party’s headquarters, Murray’s Road, last SIR LOUIS STRAKER, this country’s Foreign Tuesday.

Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, is Eustace pointed to the remaining loyal to the Taiwanese. Sir Louis’ NDP as the “oldest remarks came on the heels of last Tuesday’s continuously functioning announcement by Opposition Leader Arnhim mass political Eustace that the New Democratic Party had organisation in the shifted allegiance to Beijing. country, and longest Sir Louis, who served in that portfolio serving in government.” between 2001 and 2010, relinquished his He hinged the decision on retirement to repossess the Central Leeward what is happening with constituency in the 2015 general elections. international affairs and He has been a staunch ally of the Republic of the effect on our economy. China on Taiwan and a Learning Resource Eustace spoke of the centre built in his hometown of Layou is United Kingdom’s named in his honour. Sir Louis noted that departure from the political parties in St. Vincent and the European Union, oil prices Grenadines enjoyed cordial relations with on the impact on Brazil, Taiwan since 1981.

Trinidad and Tobago and Straker expressed dismay that the Venezuela.

Opposition Leader endorsed the close Eustace touched on “the relationship with Taiwan up to three months expanding reach of

and important traditional fishing ground, through which trillions of dollars in products pass.”

There was mention made of “instability in several volatile areas of the world.”

Eustace spoke of “continuing malaise and mismanagement of the Vincentian economy.

“As a modern political organisation, we continue to discuss and formulate a range of appropriate measures and responses to ongoing geo-political realities,” Eustace went on.

Continued on Page 3.

Still a solid supporter ago. He described the action as “outrageous,” and said that he was shocked by the decision.

Sir Louis used the opportunity to condemn the People’s Republic of China on human rights and their version of the rule of law.

Sir Louis alluded to US$30M towards the Argyle International Airport, in a series of grants and loans by the Taiwanese.

“Without Taiwan, we would not have reached so far,” Sir Louis quipped. The Foreign Affairs Minister referred to $2.8M which was provided by the Taiwanese to take care of this year’s contingent of persons under the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) programme.

Sir Louis compared Taiwan’s contribution as being second to Venezuela in terms of solidarity with St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For that reason, Sir Louis is Minister of Foreign Affairs and promising that this country will not Regional Integration, Sir Louis compromise that relationship.

Straker.

2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 3.

News 3 Mother seeks answers into teenÊs death MERLENE SHORTTE, the mother of 17-year-old Kiara Shortte who was the only fatality in last week Friday’s crash along the Hopewell road, said that she is looking for answers.

She has, however, admitted that, while she wants to know the truth, she knows obtaining it is not going to be easy.

“I am waiting for the truth, waiting for answers,” Merlene Shortte said.

“Finding out the truth is going to be hard, and I know it will not bring her back. Even though they trying to lie within it, it will be a burden on their shoulder in hiding what they are trying to hide; but my Lord — He knows it all,” she continued.

The teenager was one of four occupants in the SUV (Sport Untility Vehicle) P 782 that went over an embankment along the Hopewell/Maroon Hill road sometime around 3 on the morning of August 19.

Merlene said that the results of the post mortem revealed that Kiara sustained a broken spine and had trauma to her chest.

The other persons were 50-

The mangled remains of the SUV in which Kiara and three other persons were travelling before going over an embankment along the Scene of the accident which claimed the life Hopewell main road (Internet photo). of 17-year-old Kiara Shortte (Internet According to present when the phone photo).

Merlene, she becomes unlocked, she said had spoken to because she said that she year-old David Charles, driver the driver, but said that he wants to be present to see who who sustained a broken leg; was still not in a condition to the messages were sent to.

Albert ‘Bat’ Williams (59) The 17-year-old had sustained two broken ribs, and say what transpired; she said recently graduated from the Kiara’s cousin, Crystal Shortte that she also met with Adelphi Secondary School (20) received bruises about his Williams.

She said that he (Williams) where her mom said she had body. gave her his side of the story. done her proud by obtaining If anything else, what is Merlene said that Williams seven of the eight subjects she still unsure is what caused the told her that Kiara pleaded wrote back in the May/June crash. with the driver not to take the Caribbean Secondary Merlene told THE VINCENTIAN in an interview Maroon Hill route — which has Education Certificate (CSEC) been known as being on Wednesday, that she had examination. treacherous and the scene of a already spoken to two of the Kiara was a good student, other occupants — Charles and number of previous road with aspirations of becoming fatalities.

Williams. either a lawyer or nurse.

Williams told the Merlene said that she was deceased teen’s mom making plans to enroll in the that the girl then St Vincent and the Grenadines said: “You all not Community College Division of paying attention to Technical and Vocational me, you all will see Education. office March 28, 2001.

Continued from Frontpage. what happen.”

A lot of negative rumours “The One China Policy will be a “That was the sad HE REFLECTED ON his party’s key international relations platform part when he told were also being circulated manifesto and plans to adjust of our party, and we will move to about her daughter Merlene me that,” Merlene diplomatic missions overseas to change from The Province to said; but she defended the said. include a “strong component for Beijing when we form the next second of her four children, The other lead trade investment promotion as government shortly,” Eustace said. she said she had to saying that Kiara was a distinct from the normal consular Eustace described the People’s disciplined individual. go on was a chat functions.”

Republic of China as a “crucial She was involved in her message between St. Vincent and the Grenadines member of the Caribbean church’s youth group, and was her deceased established relations with the Development Bank,” and well loved by all her peers. daughter and Republic of China on Taiwan in underlined St. Vincent and the At the time of her death, another individual 1983 under the then Milton Cato Grenadines as one of four countries whose identity she was spending time with led Labour Party administration. not having links with China. her father in Rilan Hill, but remains unknown.

The relation continued under Eustace pledged to keep its had journeyed to Kingstown “I do not know former Prime Minister Sir James relations with the United States, who she sent the and then eventually Mitchell for the 16 years of his Canada, Europe and most of Latin message to…right Mesopotamia to visit her aunt. leadership. Arnhim Eustace America. now the Police have Merlene recalled her last maintained the ties during the five “The People’s Republic of China the phone,” she told interaction with her daughter, months he was Prime Minister. is a major international player and THE VINCENTIAN. saying that they had discussed Prime Minister Dr. Ralph the New Democratic Party looks A request was aspects of her future, and that Gonsalves kept up the Taiwanese forward to close relations with the made for her to be she (Merlene) will continue to connection since his ascension to party and government.”

NDP links with China

Mother of Kiara Shortte, Merlene said that she remains hopeful that she will get to know the truth behind what caused her daughter’s death.

Kiara Shortte work and sacrifice to get her through school.

She carries around a photo of Kiara and her younger sister, and is yet to delete the last message left by her daughter on her phone.

“She was energetic, she was smart, always ambitious with herself, and she always had this high energy, always laughing, always smiling — everybody loved her,” Merlene said.

The funeral for Kiara is expected to take place on Sunday, September 4 — four days before what would have been her 18th birthday — at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Glenside, Mesopotamia, and then burial at the Dumbarton cemetery.

(DD)

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4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Prosecutor supports means test for offenders

-Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche is not only in support of a means test being done before a fine is imposed for a criminal offence, but he thinks such a test should be done more frequently.

Delpleche, who heads the Summary Division in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), declared his position on the issue while speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday.

Defence lawyer Jomo Thomas has repeatedly spoken about the Court’s failure, in certain cases, to apply a means test to determine the offender’s ability to pay before imposing a fine.

Another publication, last week, reported one instance in which Thomas raised the issue. He was representing someone in a drug related matter at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court over which Magistrate Bertie Pompey presides.

The issue has triggered public debate in some circles, with some persons questioning whether a means test had ever been done here.

In fact, some persons seemed to have never heard of it before.

Sion Hill man jailed for gun, ammo A 26-YEAR-OLD SION HILL man is into his second week of a 2-year prison term for firearm and ammunition possession stemming from an action by police officers of the local constabulary’s Traffic Department on Wednesday, August 17.

Kelvin McKie, a porter, was charged with possession, without licences, of a 12 guage shotgun and two rounds of 12 guage Kelvin McKie ammunition.

McKie was sentenced to two years on each charge, but the sentences will run concurrently.

Magistrate Bertie Pompey handed down the penalties at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, August 18, after McKie pleaded guilty to both charges.

McKie was charged jointly with Travis Providence, 25-year-old carpenter of Arnos Vale and Joel Quashie, 33-year-old labourer of Sion Hill.

Providence and Quashie pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecution withdrew the case against them.

The facts, presented by Prosecutor Station Sergeant Elgin Richards, showed that around 6 p.m on August 17, McKie was given a ride at Cedars in a jeep driven by Providence and also occupied by Quashie.

The vehicle, which was travelling in the direction of Kingstown, was stopped at Diamond by police officers from the Traffic Department carrying out their regular duties.

However, while the officers were speaking to the driver of the vehicle, they observed McKie acting in a manner which aroused their suspicion.

A search was conducted, and the shotgun loaded with two rounds of ammunition was found in a bag at McKie’s feet.

McKie and Providence were represented by Attorney Ronald Marks, who told the Court that McKie said, he found the bag by the side of a river, searched it, and saw the gun, but wrongly decided to keep the weapon.

Marks noted that McKie had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty on the first available opportunity, and cooperated with the police.

Attorney Carlos James represented Quashie.

But Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN that the means test has been a guideline of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal for some time.

He added that this test has been conducted by Magistrates here on many occasions, including times when he, as prosecutor, asked for it.

The Senior Prosecutor however disclosed that there were also times when he observed that it was not done, in cases in which it should have been applied.

He explained that a means test includes an inquiry into whether the offender is employed, their salary range and expenses; and based on that Inquiry, the Court would make a decision as to whether or not to fine the person forthwith, to allow time to pay, or to impose a prison sentence.

He pointed out that to impose a fine forthwith without conducting such an inquiry, could result in the offender being imprisoned there and then, because he/she may not have the means to pay the fine.

Delpleche described a means test as a good thing which should be done more frequently.

He thinks it gives persons who are brought before the Court on criminal charges, a level of confidence and trust in the justice system.

Delpleshe is of the view that not everyone who pleads guilty or is found guilty of a criminal offence, is necessarily a criminal minded person.

Senior Prosecutor But the prosecutor pointed Adolphus Delpleche out that, with the means test being applied, an offender who may not be criminal minded would have an opportunity to avoid being incarcerated, in a situation in which incarceration could have a very corrosive effect on that person.

Lawyer urges vehicle insurance awareness DEFENCE LAWYER Ronald Marks is calling on the police to use their radio programmes to increase the awareness of citizens on the seriousness of driving without insurance.

Marks made the appeal through Prosecutor Station Sergeant Junior Nero of the Traffic Branch during the hearing of traffic matters at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Marks was prompted to stress the seriousness of the offence, and the need to raise public awareness on the issue, after a number of persons had their driver’s licence suspended for one year after pleading guilty to driving without insurance.

Marks expressed the view that some persons seemed not to understand the gravity of the situation, hence the prevalence of the offence.

He pointed out that driving without licence could only attract a fine, but driving without insurance could result in the offender being disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a period of 12 months

from the date of conviction.

The lawyer explained that losing one’s driver’s licence for one year, could have serious consequences, as some persons depend on their licence for jobs, and their vehicles for very important activities, including taking their children to and from school.

In response, Station Sergeant Nero told the court that the police have used radio programmes, including the ‘On the Beat’ programme aired on NBC, to raise public awareness on a number of traffic issues, including driving without insurance.

But Nero admitted that perhaps more could be done, and he assured that the police would continue to use these programmes to inform and educate the public on such issues.

Marks then suggested that journalists could also assist in this public awareness drive.

Magistrate Bertie Pompey added his bit, stressing that when someone who is driving an uninsured vehicle gets into an accident and a third party is injured as a result, that party

may not be able to receive compensation.

A person guilty of driving without Ronald Marks insurance shall be liable on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both. In addition, that person could be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a period of 12 months from the date of conviction.

The Traffic Department is currently embarking on an islandwide traffic check, and over the weekend, a number of persons were caught driving without licences and driving uninsured vehicles. Those persons were taken to Court on Wednesday to answer their charges, and received various penalties.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Department is appealing to all motorists to ensure that their vehicles are insured, and that drivers are the holders of driving permits.

Man charged with scam operation UP TO PRESS TIME Wednesday, police were continuing investigation into reports of monies being collected from people for registration and medicals under the pretense of recruiting them to sail on a well-known Cruise Line.

On Monday, Tedroy McCree, 31, of Penniston, appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, charged in connection with the allegation.

McCree is charged with that on May 16, 2016 at Stubbs, he dishonestly obtained by deception 300 Euros in cash Tedroy McCree

from Vradick Richards of Stubbs.

McCree is also charged with that between May 18 and 31, 2016 at Union Island, he dishonestly obtained by deception EC$600 in cash from Richards.

McCree, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was remanded following strong objections to bail from Prosecutor Station Sergeant Elgin Richards.

Richards told the Court that police were investigating several other reports of a similar nature allegedly involving the defendant, and the prosecution is of the view that, should he be granted bail, he would interfere with the investigations.

The prosecutor also considered McCree a flight risk because of the number of reports made against him in connection with the alleged scam.

McCree was remanded for one week pending bail review. He returns to Court on Monday.

V Bolt Company threatens legal action

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 5.

Regional

A WARNING OF LEGAL action has been issued to entities that have been using the image of Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt.

The warning, from his company — UB Management Limited, was published in Sunday’s edition of the Gleaner newspaper. The company noted that entities that have been using Bolt’s trademark and image to advertise products and services without authorization could face legal action.

The statement, signed Norman

Peart, the head of UB Management Limited, said activities have been resulting in loss and damage to Bolt’s reputation and business. Peart noted that Bolt is the owner of the “To the World” pose and several trademarks that incorporate his name, nickname, signature, image and likeness.

It says Bolt’s image and trademarks should not be used to falsely represent any business or enterprise and the goods and services offered by those businesses or enterprises. Persons have

The statement that warns of legal action was signed by Norman Peart, the head of UB Management Limited.

been warned to immediately cease the unauthorized use of Bolt’s intellectual property.

The warning was issued two days after Bolt made history, becoming the first man to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 and 200 metres, and the 4 x 100 metre relays. (Source: Trinidad and Tobago Express)

Usain Bolt wins third 100m gold in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

T&T Gang leaders display sophisticated guns THREE CRIMINOLOGISTS yesterday expressed shock over a disturbing video of gang leaders displaying sophisticated guns, as they called on the Government and Opposition to hold a high-level emergency meeting to work out a national policy on the public safety threats from gangs, murders and terrorism.

The call was made by Prof Ramesh Deosaran, Darius Figueira and Ian Ramdhanie, hours after the T&T Guardian published a front page article, titled “Exposed.” The video, shared on WhatsApp, identified Rasta City gang leaders from Beetham Gardens, Sea Lots, Maloney, Port-of-Spain, Maracas, Point Fortin and Caroni, among other areas, displaying a variety of weapons, including Mac 10s, Uzis, Tec-9s, Ak47s and AR15 rifles.

A soundtrack accompanying the video describes methods of murder, including the dumping of bodies in Caroni.

It also shows a decapitated corpse with what appears to be bullet wounds to the chest area.

The video is now being probed by the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit (CGIU) and Strategic Services Agency, as they gather information on suspected criminals.

Yesterday, Figueira said what caught his attention was the arsenal the gang leaders had in their possession, in particular the USmanufactured AR15 rifle.

“That is not a common weapon. You cannot access it as easy as AK 47,” he said, adding T&T now has the highest seizures of AR15 rifles in the gang chain after Puerto Rico.

“The question that arises is

that we have a new network that is smuggling these sophisticated assault rifles from the US into the Caribbean. This is not good news for us. We are under threat from this gun smuggling ring. It’s frightening.”

Noting that the AR15 rifle had been used in the killing of gang leader Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis, Figueira said that weapon was the preferred choice of the Mexican cartel.

“When you can become linked to this network that is moving weaponry and ammunition from the US to the Caribbean and you are hooked into it, where you can display pictures of yourself and powerful guns, the impunity that you are enjoying in jail is like a vacation.”

He said the video sent a

strong message to the Government, that this was the level the gang members were willing to go. “In the underworld the video is calling out the Government,” he added.

Figueira appealed to the Government and Opposition to join hands to fight the criminal elements, saying that while they were bickering, citizens were caught in the middle of the crossfire.

Deosaran repeated his appeal to the authorities to examine how and why so many black youths persistently drifted from the secondary education system into serious crimes and gang warfare.

He added: “The regrettable delays and denials over this criminogenic phenomenon are creating havoc with public safety, as well as costly losses

within our young generation. I can do no more now than to encourage the authorities not only to enforce the law but to stop this tragic haemorrhage in our education system.”

“The reputed video and its contents are just another symptom of things Alleged members of the Rasta City Gang displaying their yet to come,” Deosaran arsenal in a video being warned. circulated on social media.

Principal of the Caribbean Institute for minuscule idea of what really Security and Public Safety, exists out there,” said Ian Ramdhanie, said the Ramdhanie. number of guns circulating in “We need answers as to how the country was come these high-powered unprecedented and worrying. weapons are so easily “Yes, the police have been available, who pays for the making raids and recovering guns and with what currency? firearms and ammunition, but Where does the money go? it seems that there is a Which institutions are bottomless pit from which involved?” he further these guns are coming. The questioned. (Source: The video is just a snippet, a Trinidad Guardian)

Soldier charged for breaking in at Antiguan PM’s home batch of recruits. It is alleged that sometime between August 3 and 10, Baltimore broke into PM Browne’s private Hodges Bay residence.

According to the Antigua Observer, the police said they are also contemplating charging Baltimore with misbehavior in public office, but there’s no word Members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force yet on whether he would (ABDF), have been removed from the residence of be charged with larceny Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne. for the two missing A 22-YEAR-OLD Antiguan defence force laptops and an Ipad which PM Browne soldier has been formally accused of a yesterday said belonged to his mother-incriminal offence, after he allegedly broke law. Up to Tuesday night, the items had into Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s not been recovered, and the country’s home while he, [Browne] his wife and son leader declined to comment further on were overseas on vacation recently. the matter.

The soldier has been identified as Baltimore was one of several defence Zavier Baltimore of Golden Grove, who force soldiers who guarded the property joined the force in May this year, after between 6 pm and 6 am daily since his training for six months with the last graduation on May 31, 2016, where PM

Browne had delivered the charge.

Browne had praised Baltimore and his 21 colleagues for their career choice on that day, saying, “Clearly, you are now part of an institution Antiguan Prime that is very important Minister Gaston to the development of Browne. this country. You could have taken the position to become bankers or to work in the aviation industry, but you have chosen a life of service, and I guarantee you there is no more significant human endeavor than a life of service.”

Commissioner of Police Wendel Robinson confirmed the accused soldier is expected in court this week. He refused to be drawn on additional information regarding the possibility of other persons being involved, saying, “That would hinder ongoing investigations.” (Source: Antigua Observer)

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6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Almost last hurrah for Walters!

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

THE ORGANIZING Committee of Vincy Day USA last Saturday gave New York Counsel General Selmon Walters his penultimate last hurrah with a send-off plaque.

The departing Counsel General is expected to preside over an inaugural St. Vincent and the GrenadinesMartha’s Vineyard Cultural Showcase this Saturday, August 27, in Massachusetts.

Rosalind Goodluck, the treasurer of the Organizing Committee of Vincy Day USA, presented the award to Walters, who has chaired the Committee since its start, before hundreds of nationals at the annual unity picnic at Heckscher State Park in Long Island, New York.

“As many of you may know, the Counsel General has been recalled after five years,” Goodluck, of Evesham in the Marriaqua Valley, told the crowd assembled in front to the huge stage on the eastern end of the camp ground. “Vincy Day USA Committee prepared a small plaque to say good bye to the Counsel General.

“We’re going to miss you,” Goodluck told Walters. “You made the Consular office what it is here.”

In responding, Walters, a former minister in the administration of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, said tersely: “Sometimes, you get things you don’t expect. This is a surprise.”

But despite the praises showered on the Counsel General by Goodluck, Walters — who will be replaced by Howie Prince, the head of the National Emergency Management Organization

(NEMO), by month’s end — has been under heavy fire in recent years.

Observers, and critics alike, claimed that Walters mismanaged the office that provides consular and other services to nationals in New York, which is considered to comprise the largest concentration of Vincentians in the Diaspora.

Walters’ pending departure comes NY Counsel Gen. Selmon Walters receives plaque from members of the about 2 ½ years after a major scandal Vincy USA Organizing Committee. erupted at the New York Consulate go, but the event must remain. are Ambassadors to Cuba and General involving Walters’ deputy, “Long live Vincy Day USA!” he Edson Augustus, a former Seventh-day Venezuela Dexter Rose and Andreas added. “Long live all our Vincy folks in Wickham, respectively.

Adventist Church pastor, who was the Diaspora and at home. May our But, despite his fate, Walters, recalled on Feb. 5, 2014, because of unequivocally, has left his indentation prosperity be guaranteed by our love what the government said were for each other and by our faith in the on Vincy Day USA. “activities outside the scope of his God of the universe!”

He made it his primary mission of employment and inimical to interests On Saturday, the Committee also ensuring the annual Vincy Day USA of the Consulate General and the honored another entertainment extravaganza was a success. The Government and people of Saint promoter, Atiba Williams, of Rose notion was first broached to him five Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Place, Kingstown; Nolan Bulze, the In recent months, Walters’ situation years ago by popular, Brooklyn-based Barrouallie-born manager of the Vincentian entertainment promoter, was exacerbated with increased Brooklyn-based Solid band; retired Ulric “Soca” Jones, Jr., who last criticism, in several quarters, of his Registered Nurse Celia Bramble, the Saturday co-emceed, as in previous stewardship.

Evesham-born former president of the years, the cultural package, with The government, however, did not St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nurses prominent Vincentian radio cite allegations levelled against Association of New York; Monica personality Don Bobb.

Walters, nor did it particularly single “I am confident that this great event Laborde, president of the St. Vincent him out in its diplomatic shake-up, but and the Grenadines Association of may outlive all of us,” said Walters in it was clear, many pundits said, that Massachusetts; and Dave Auguste, the foreword in the Vincy Day USA the administration had to take action ground manager of Heckscher State booklet, distributed to nationals on once and for all.

Park.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Saturday as they entered the park.

Affairs Minister Sir Louis Straker told “Committee members may come and THE VINCENTIAN last week, in an exclusive THIS FALL, on September 17, 2016, the SVG Association of Vincentians in the USA (CAVUSA) interview, that Diaspora Committee of New York Inc. will host its under the theme “Heritage is Everything: Walters was inaugural St. Vincent and the Grenadines Celebrating Vincentian Excellence”. among three Diaspora Heritage Awards and Gala 2016 at the Several Vincentian legends and icons will be diplomats who Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in recognized for their outstanding contributions to are being Brooklyn. The event will be held in collaboration Vincentian life in the areas of sports, culture and recalled. with its two newly formed institutions SVG-USA humanitarian efforts. Among the awardees are The others Sports Association (SVGUSASA) and Cultural Vaughan Toney, Verna Arthur, Errol “D Man Age” Rose, Lennox “Skully” Hunte, Cyril “Scorcher” Thomas, Gloria Ballantyne, Rudolph Boucher, Hermina Cambridge, Garnet Niles, Justin Stapleton, Gideon “Fessie” Yorke, Mary Neverson (posthumously), Robert McBarnett, and Donald Llewellyn.

Five persons, Gloria Ballantyne, Rudolph Boucher, Donald Llewellyn, Hermina Cambridge, and Garnet Niles will also be inducted into a Sports Hall of Fame, a flagship program of SVGUSASA. Vaughan Toney, CEO of the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The objectives of the Heritage Awards are: 1. To recognize Vincentians who have made sterling contributions to SVG or its diaspora in the USA; 2. To motivate and inspire Vincentians to continuously strive for excellence; 3. To document the legacies of the Vincentian diaspora in the USA; and 4. To promote unity among Vincentians in the diaspora to strengthen the cohesiveness of the Vincentian diaspora.

The SVG Diaspora Heritage Awards and Gala 2016 is being promoted as the signature event of the committee to showcase the best of Vincentian heritage. There will be a surprise entertainment package that will see collaborations among several of SVG’s best cultural artistes. Tickets for the event are on sale from members of the organizations. Ticket price is $80.00.

For more information, please contact svgdiaspora@gmail.com, Glenroy “Gobels” Phillips: 347-436-2953, Maxwell Haywood: 718-344-7922, Owusu Slater: 917-648-8395, or Peter Burke: 646761-0605.

SVG Diaspora Heritage Awards and Gala to be held in NY

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016. 7.

News

Be brave SIXTEEN YEAR OLD Eric Febuary considers himself to be a normal teenager who enjoys a little playtime and socialization like any other person his age.

He however admits that what separates him from most students is that he places a firm emphasis on God. “When it comes to my life, I believe that God will direct me in everything

that I do, and He will lead me to my path,” Febuary said.

The former student of the Mountain View Academy obtained 20 passes in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, setting a national record.

He obtained 17 Grade One and three Grade Two passes.

His Grade One passes were in

Trust in God; work hard TODAY’S SUCCESSFUL YOUNGSTERS are grounded by a common thread, and that’s their devotion to God. Sujith Nedd is another sample of the direction in which youngsters are grateful for life.

Nedd enters the Community College later this month. He has his eyes fixed on a career as a surgeon. The bespectacled youngster is perhaps a product of heredity; his father Conrad Nedd is a Doctor.

His mother Kaushalay is the Director of the Deanery of the Trinity School of Medicine.

She is Sri Lankan born, but once she landed at the St. George’s University in Grenada, she has been drawn into the shelter of the Caribbean shores.

For the past 20 years, she has been living in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Her son, Sujith has taken the trip to his

mother’s homeland and has grasped the diversity of the two tales.

Sujith has emerged as an emblem of global civilisation. His father is from the urban district of New Montrose, in proximity to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he works.

It is at that residence that Sujith formed his early upbringing. He attended the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School, then moved on to the St. Vincent Grammar School.

He is fond of reading, cooking, and playing the piano. Those add to his instincts.

Sujith got twelve Grade Ones in the recent CSEC examination; outstanding in Biology, Electronic Document Preparation Management, English A, English B, French, Spanish, Geography, Human and Social Biology, Information

Sujith Nedd Technology, Maths, Principles of Business, and Social Studies, along with Grade Two in Chemistry and Physics.

He will write Chemistry, Physics, Pure Maths and Biology at the Community College.

Sujith confessed that his accomplishments are rewards from God. “God propelled me,” he asserted. His advice to others is “Trust in God. Work hard.” (WKA)

Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, English A, English B, Food $ Nutrition, Information/Technology, Electronic Documentation Preparation and Management (EDPM), Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Accounts, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Caribbean History, Spanish, Agricultural Science and Human and Social Biology; and Grade Twos in Home Management, Social Studies and Geography.

All were completed during his fifth year of school, and he said he was able to do it because some of the courses were linked together.

So for example, Biology and Human and Social Biology were Eric Febuary encourages upcoming linked together, so too were IT and students to be brave choosing how EDPM, Febuary explained. many subjects to do.

He credited his teachers who he said gave him handouts, class work, As for the future, Febuary says that reading assignments and administered he still has as one of his goals to the same internal tests that the other become a pastor in his church. He students took. however believes that he can excel in “So they (teachers) helped me the medical field. through it all,” he said.

So he will be starting at the And being an intuitive individual paid off for Febuary, so he said that he Southern University in Trinidad and Tobago in September where he will be was able to pick up on each subject pursuing studies in Theology and area quickly.

“But that was not something that I Medical Biology while he prepares was born with, but developed over the himself for medical school.

And he offers this advice to other years,” he said.

The young man said that he trained students: “It is not that nobody else himself to be observant and to pick up cannot achieve what I did; anybody on on little details and to think in logical this island can get 20 subjects. It’s just that only a select few will dare trying patterns. to get 20 subjects, and only a select “That is something that I did for few will look at the work and say I can myself and any other student can do do this, so for anybody writing in the for themselves if they just take the future, be brave.” (DD) time to do it.”

Don’t wait for the last minute JESSICA PRESCOTT PLANS to make the most of the experience at the Division of Arts, Sciences, and General Studies at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. She acknowledges that the teaching strategy is going to be different from what obtained at the Girls’ High School, but she is confident, having overcome the trials there.

Prescott secured Grade One in English A, English B, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, French, Spanish, Principle of Accounts, Principles of Business, Electronic Document Preparation Management, Geography, Information Technology, and Grade Two for Additional Math.

Those 13 subjects rounded her success in Math which she passed in Form Four last year.

She attended the Kingstown Preparatory School before going on to the GHS. She was thankful to

Jessica Prescott pictured here with her mother and father upon her Girls’ High School graduation.

God for seeing her through, and admitted that the Seventh Day Adventist Church played a big part in her life.

Prescott served as Head Girl at the GHS, and confessed that engagement with the Prefect Body occupied some of her time.

She is advising students not to put off tasks.

“Make sure you keep

your head on.

Procrastination gets you into trouble,” Prescott instilled.

Persons must pay keen attention to their Student Based Assessments, Prescott indicated.

“When you do your SBA, try and get the most marks, so that you will be more confident going to the other tests,” she stated. (WKA)

V

8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 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 Build on examination results for national development OUR HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS go out to the achievers of the excellent results from this year’s CSEC and CAPE examinations, published last week. Those results are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of parents, teachers, schools and the Ministry of Education.

Above all, though, praise must be deservedly heaped on the students themselves. There is an old saying that “you can take a donkey to a standpipe, but you can’t make it drink”. In other words, all the efforts of the aforementioned would have been in vain if the students had not applied themselves so diligently to the task at hand.

Some of the results were phenomenal — the 20 subjects passed, including 17 Grade 1 passes by top performer, Eric February, and a number of other double digit passes recorded by some other outstanding students, to give examples. Three schools, the Girls’ High School, Grammar School and St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown, led the way with a 90 plus per cent pass rate; but rural schools were not left behind, as the performance of young February, from the Mountain View Academy testifies.

In case there are some still steeped in the old urban versus rural arguments, such is the nature of our demographics, that the vast majority of both those who sat the exams and those who passed, are in fact students from rural areas, irrespective of which schools they attended. However, with all the successes, it is important not to gloss over areas of weakness which cry out for attention.

The cases of English and Mathematics are perennial. True, the problem is not just limited to our country; but it is a challenge nevertheless which must be addressed. This calls for an all-out united effort on the part of teachers, schools and, yes, closer collaboration between Government, via the Ministry of Education, and the Teachers’ Union. It is understandable that there are differences between these two entities; but cooperation in this vital area is essential for the future of our country and our young people.

Whatever one’s views on the much-touted Education Revolution, and regardless to whether one attributes these successes in examinations to it, there is no gainsaying that the achievements are impressive. They provide a solid platform if we truly believe that education provides a route out of poverty. The returns by our students give very positive signals in today’s world. But they are not the be-all and end-all.

Given the present emphasis on passing examinations, serious attention must be paid to broadening the outlook of students and giving it a more holistic character. Socio-economic issues, matters of national identity and consciousness, environmental awareness, developmental issues, and care and concern for citizens, are all critical to that rounded outlook. The schools’ curriculum and educational experience must encapsulate these.

So, what now, after the examination results? In contrast to the past, further education is very much on the cards. Fortunately, there have been many more doors open in recent years, providing far more opportunities, and assistance, in accessing tertiary education whether here or abroad. The foreign policy initiatives of the government have brought in train opportunities to study in several countries abroad, so much so that students of today, unlike their predecessors of two decades ago, now have choices to exercise.

There are those who, understandably, raise the issue of jobs, when studies are complete. This is a genuine concern, given the economic challenges before the country, our over-reliance on the public sector, and the still underdeveloped nature of the private sector. Clearly, economic development will enhance the absorptive capacity of both sectors, but we must also recognize that the world has become a global village. A graduate in today’s world is no longer restricted to his/her own country of origin when seeking employment possibilities. More and more, the world is becoming cross-fertilized, the “One World” concept as it is called.

Another area of concern, and a weakness in our education system, is its failure to sufficiently address the matter of entrepreneurship. We still are rooted to the idea of job-seeking, rather than job creation. This is absolutely necessary if we are to fully utilize the human resource talents unearthed by the education system, and to set our economy on a more solid footing.

More to Bottom town I WOULD HAVE LUZETTE KNOW that I am a born Bottom Town boy, arrived on Easter Sunday 1938, buried my navel string and left there physically in September 1960, having spent my first 22 years there.

As to the PhD which somehow has become a chattering point these days, I have lately discovered that I have been the first from Bottom Town to have attained this mark 45 years ago in 1971 — followed by Roy Austin, Winston King, Michael Dennie and Lenford O’Garro.

Generally, we have not been book-worms, but stand out in sport for instance. Just fresh from looking at the Olympics in Brazil on T.V, I could not help saying even in jest, that Bottom Town has had our own Usain Bolt, when in our Grammar School sports in 1951, 1952 and 1953 Elton Anderson won the 100, 200 and 400! He still hops around at 83, my former neighbour from Rose Place.

As a matter of fact, Bottom Town is awash with sports people from morning, particularly those adept at both cricket and football. What follows is a glittering array: Ian Neverson, Gunny Hinds, Elliot Cambridge, Garnet Brisbane, Alfie Roberts, Sinclair Warner, Bose Lewis, Eldon ‘Muckle’ Bramble, several Halls, Bouchers and Quammies, John Benjamin and especially Babs Jones, the three Cuffys, George Hinds, Ardon Daisley and George Phillips, whose native gifts in the country bore fruit in Rose Place.

Robert “Doogan” Maucallay and Vincent “Killer” Hadaway were also fine Rose Place examples of the cricket-football combination.

Gracie Daisley and Lorna Findlay were the forerunners in the 1950s of the subsequent flood of female athletes, particularly netballers.

Carnival offered some respite from the drudgery of life, with an escape into a world of make-believe. Rose Place boasted some fantastic masqueraders — Vibert DeShong, Jimmy Waldron, Winston “Sammo” Samuel, Milton Reid and Louise Millington and her troupe of Maypole dancers, bested in later years by Robert “Patches” Knights and his bois bios dancers.

Of course, the Calypsonians were around led, by ‘Lord Baha’ Calypso King circa 1950, who died three years ago, a centurion. “Small Island Pride” from Cemetery Hill also made it big in Trinidad. Today, his replacement is Mikey “Black Messenger” who keeps the flag flying.

Of course, steel band music was imported from Trinidad and Tobago, and attained its dizzy heights recently from the work of Francis “Pess” Llewellyn, a born and bred Bottom Town man.

As to music generally, we boasted Reynold Burke who won local talent shows, and band leader emerged from Lio Smith to Bonnie Browne with his Clymax band with roots in Bottom Town.

Sanitation was always poor in spite of the singular work by Phillip the gutter cleaner and Conrad Richards the mule cart driver. Most of the night soil made it to the water-front where it created a holy mess of the beach. Likewise all

gutters deposited their wares, including hospital effluent, in the sea. One main gutter ran from the cemetery through our property and passing the homes of Sam and Raymond Debique, footballers of class.

It then crossed the very top of Middle Street where Carlye ‘Karka’ Duncan, my boon companion, lived, and on to Mona Bramble’s property before trickling past the Baisden’s underground. It was awful.

I almost lived at the Baisdens where Leslie was then my best friend, but he died on entering his teens.

The local top businesses were Cyril Frank’s grocery, Roberts’ partly hardware and Palmer’s rum-shop, especially after competitive politics was born with Adult Suffrage. Gonsalves had a thriving sweet drinks factory, Hewitt and Miss Flory’s mauby shops.

Otherwise, there were huckstering, domestic servants and fishing which held top spot unless such went to workers on “Lighters” that served the large ships in an area suffering from a lack of deep water pier, until 1964.

Mr Browne (Casper London’s Grand Dad) controlled the “Lighter” business, but shared the fishing business with Dicky “Fan” Lowe, father of Guy and Ralty Lowe of football fame.

My own household contained a fisherman, Clarence Dublin, who distinguished himself as we introduced competition during Fisherman’s week.

School boys, especially Secondary School boys were generously paid with fish when they helped to pull in the seine. And Mr Linley on return from expeditions to Battawia and Balliceaux which he owned, would generously distribute most fish caught, free of cost to his fellow Bottom Town villagers.

Another very caring business person was Reuben Manners who ran the Harlem Edge nightclub where folk were allowed to dance and frolic at very knock-down entrance fees. The more middle-class attended Conway House of Freddie Clarke.

As expected, teachers were highly respected in this poverty- stricken and backward society.

Mr. Crick, Deputy Headmaster of Grammar; The Misses Jennie Jacobs and Laura Hendrickson of the Education Department, and Miss Louie John who ran a private secondary school attended by Roy Austin. There was also Miss De Shong Private School attended by Rene Baptiste.

Altogether, until post 1950, Bottom Town had been a peaceful and not-unhappy closely knit society, despite the obvious poverty of most inhabitants.

A sudden split in the community occurred in mid-1950s, with the “middle classism” of the SVLP with its Women’s League.

That damage had been exacerbated by the politics of charlantism posing as modern day socialism. We are in for a very rough ride, the length of which is still undetermined. All we can say in Good Faith is the sooner ended, the better.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 9.

Letters

Persons who are taken for granted SOME MONTHS ago, mention was made of some workers from different places around Kingstown, who were not recognized enough for their great contributions. Somehow, the workers at the Government Printery did not make the list. Maybe the reason was because these workers are tucked away in a building in the Campden Park area, and were it for the sign at the building’s entrance, it would have been difficult to locate them. So all their efforts and their hard works are shut away.

It is a joy to enter the building, though you are not allowed to wait. Soon a smiling face approaches you to inquire how he or she can help. At times, their smiles are so endearing that it makes you feel as if you belong there. Added to their genuine way of welcoming you, is the layout of the work place.

Each to his own order, doing what they obviously enjoy doing on a daily basis.

Often times, we contribute to a book, booklet or a newspaper, or someone gives us a notepad gratis.

We use them, and then we discard them. Some of the places they are thrown, hurt the heart. Do we ever stop to ask ourselves how these reading materials come into effect? Do we stop and inquire about the effort and hard work that were put into such reading or writing materials from the start to the finish. Do we see it fit to seek out these ones and thank them from the heart, even though we may have bought these? Many people think in dollars and cents; but at times, the money paid fade into insignificance when compared to the hard work that caused the finished product.

We have skilled, very skilled, dedicated, reliable, hardworking people in our midst, and these ones need to know these things on a regular basis. We should never underestimate the power of encouragement. It helps greatly.

To this end, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to workers at the Government Printery for all their hard work and dedication. May you continue to do your work in a spirit of goodwill and joy. Even though your efforts are not recognized the way they ought to, know that an unseen eye is on you daily, and that is the eye that matters.

Thank you very much.

Estena

Demand, change and improvement!

IF YOU TALK to people in the U.S., who grew up during the depression, they say they didn’t have anything; but nobody else had anything, so they weren’t all that angry or depressed. Today in St. Vincent, people see that they have little or nothing, but that others, elected or appointed favorites, seem to do well, and are likely stocking money away in foreign bank accounts.

Some are revealed to pay less customs and tariffs

(at least that kind of favoritism is relatively above board); but how many other chosen few get the same or better breaks, that are concealed? Promises: cross country road, dialysis service, international airport, capital city cleanup/reconstruction, new resort investment— Promises fulfilled...?

The many have little, the select few have much–this under an

avowedly Marxist/ Bishop acolyte/Labour Prime Minister? What am I missing here?

The poor are squeezed, businesses are driven out or quashed or forced to surrender their successful enterprise, and the economy sinks even further. So we are just left to lick our wounds, or is it time to demand, DEMAND, change

Should the punishment fit the crime??

I WAS DISGUSTED to read the item on page 4 of your issue of 19/08 regarding the basis of the capital sentence imposed upon Patrick Lovelace.

I am not a member of the legal profession, so I cannot comprehend the basis of the appeal being “on the basis that it is too excessive”!

If stripping a 12-yearold young girl naked, strangling her, then hanging the body from a mango tree is not “too excessive”, then I don’t know what is!

I look forward to members of the legal profession to advise me

Yahuveh God is not in that

The Cybercrime laws

YAHUVEH BELOVED ONE, Yah knows your heart, and those that judge you falsely do not know what they are speaking of. Yahuveh is your judge and jury, not those at the Court without Yahuveh’s permission. Step aside and do not ask why. For if they do not defend you now in small things, they will not defend you later in bigger issues.

Yahuveh is not in the movement of the churches where foolish demons manifest and make fools out of Yahuveh’s people. Beware where anything is going on, any manifestation that you could not picture your Yahushua (Jesus) partaking in. Does your God bark like a dog, meow like a cat, growl like a lion, and mock Yahuveh’s own word?

Would the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) humiliate anyone and cause people to be uncontrollable to the point of being disruptive?

Those that stand behind the pulpits and think themselves wise cannot even distinguish these demonic manifestations and worse is allowed to continue. They also can’t even distinguish the genuine movement of Yahuveh Holy Spirit, and the counterfeit movement of the anti-messiah. They open up themselves to the congregation with demonic manifestations, possession, and oppression. Deliverance must be done and house cleaning of Yahuveh temples from who were called the most respected.

I am completely neutral in all that is transpir-ing, but I can’t help myself hearing and listening.

A few nights ago, a gentleman commented that it is geared towards hindering their ‘god-given’ speech.

If their speech is truly ‘god-given’ as he said, it is supposed to be clean, pure, and to be up-building. It should be like music to the ear, and people would take delight in listening to that kind of speech. Who in his or her right mind would even think of muzzling such speech?

So individuals with such speech, to me, have nothing to fear, so why the fuss? Makes no sense to me at all.

Yah descendent

Confused

what they consider is an excessive murder that would justify a capital sentence. Would it have to rank among the crimes of Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot? A. W. Indupp

and improvement!

Herzen

V

10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Doing the people’s work Foreign policy review Introduction THE PEOPLE OF ST. VINCENT and the Grenadines went to the polls on December 9th 2015 and re-elected the ULP to office for a record fourth term, by giving Comrade Ralph the majority of the seats, and an increase in the popular vote. This is a clear indication that the voters had examined the plans of both political parties, listened to the debates and messages coming from both parties, and then decided that the ULP should continue its record of sound governance.

The voters rejected the NDP for a number of reasons, including issues related to leadership, and the absence of a clear development vision and strategy. They also rejected the politics of hate and spite, preferring to embrace the politics of love and togetherness, and to support the bold development vision for the future, as outlined in the manifesto of the ULP. Since that memorable date in December 2015, the ULP administration has settled down to do the work of the people. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his team are not distracted by the foolish strategies of the NDP, and are not swayed by all the talk about “stolen elections” and protests.

Doing the people’s work It has been a busy eight and a half months for the ULP administration as the fourth term gets underway. Here and there, government officials have been meeting with investors who want to conduct business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Of course, all this hinges on the opening of the international airport at Argyle, slated for the end of the year.

At the top of the list is the marina in Canouan, as work on that Grenadine island continues apace.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has already unveiled the plan by the investors in Canouan, for more work to be done there, including projects which will benefit the people in Canouan, and bring a certain level of modernisation to Charlestown. Then there is the investment in the Mt. Wynne/Peters Hope area, scheduled to get underway before the end of the year.

Earlier this year, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Camillo Gonsalves, announced that the government had identified the sum of US$100 million for port development in this country.

He further announced that monies have been secured for the financing of repairs to secondary and feeder roads in the country. The OPEC fund for international development will make available some US$13 million dollars for this purpose.

Later this year, the geothermal project will move to a more active stage, as construction and drilling activity begins in the north of the country. Funding for this all important project has come from the Abu Dhabi Fund (US$15 million), the Caribbean Development Bank (US$9.5 million contingency money) and the United Kingdom government in the form of a grant of £4 million.

All this is a direct result of the foreign affairs policy of the ULP. And talking about foreign policy, readers will notice the way that the

ULP has refreshed its diplomatic staff. There are two new appointments and one experienced Vincentian, who are taking up positions in Havana, Washington DC., and New York. The ULP has also announced plans to set up missions in Geneva and in UAE, as the country uses its diplomatic service to engage the international community, seeking aid and scholarships for Vincentians.

Education Revolution marches on Meanwhile, the 2016 CSEC results are out, with some outstanding results from our students, including young Eric February of the Mountain View Seventh Day Academy, who grabbed seventeen grade ones, from 20 subjects. The Girls’ High School again led the way with the highest percentage of passes, registering a rate of 97.19 %. Educational officials will now do their usual analysis of the performances of the students, to identify issues to be addressed.

But all this would not have been possible if the ULP administration was not elected to office in 2001. It was the ULP who pioneered the way to universal access for all primary and secondary schools in the State, a process which created the education revolution, and opened doors for our children to be educated. This week, parents and guardians are busy seeking places for their children in the Community College. A few are seeking scholarships and support for their children to attend universities abroad.

This week also, officials from the Ministry of Education will be busy making final plans for the start of the new school year, which is just about two weeks away. Teachers returned to their classrooms this week for a period of professional development, during which they will prepare for the new school year. The ministry of education will also be busy preparing staff lists, appointing new head teachers, and generally arranging for repairs to some primary and secondary schools.

Conclusion Indeed there is quite a lot of work ahead for the ULP administration this year. We have not yet mentioned the opening of the international airport at Argyle at the end of the year, the start up of work to build the new city at Arnos Vale, and one of the most ambitious road projects to be implemented in the country. Included in this is a heavy legislative agenda, as the ULP moves to parliament to update existing laws and to introduce new ones, all for the benefit of Vincentians.

Because of these plans and much more, the ULP cannot afford to pay attention to distractions created by the NDP. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, now celebrating his seventieth birthday, still exhibits great energy, commitment to the people of this country, and leadership skills to take the ULP forward.

Long live the Unity Labour Party...

ON TUESDAY 23RD AUGUST, 2016, the Honourable Arnhim Eustace announced a major strategic foreign policy decision to recognize the United Nation’s accepted norm of a One China Policy.

The following is the press statement: “In keeping with our mission and responsibility as a mature public service institution, dedicated to good governance and national development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the New Democratic Party, the oldest continuously functioning mass political organization in the country, and longest serving party in government, constantly monitors the state of international affairs, with specific emphasis on how they impact various parts of the world, our own vital economic and other interests, as a small island developing state in the Caribbean.

A number of recent and ongoing developments are portentous for international trade, global finance, immigration, development assistance, and regional security. These include: the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, the so-called BREXIT, and its aftermath; the prolonged collapse of oil prices and its impact on the economies of major global and regional players, including Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela; the expanding reach of terrorism; the ramifications of the upcoming round of US presidential and congressional elections; growing concern and skepticism, in some quarters, about efficacy, and even the current relevance of CARICOM and its institutions; urgency to conclude major international trade deals, like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), drafted 5 October 2015, signed 4 February 2016, and now awaiting ratification by twelve (12) Pacific Rim countries, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Brunei, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, Peru and Singapore; escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a major shipping route and important traditional fishing grounds, through which trillions of dollars in products pass; instability in several volatile areas of the world; and continuing malaise and mismanagement of Vincentian economy.

The NDP is observing these developments for their potential effects on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the wider Caribbean region. As a modern political organization, we continue to discuss and formulate a range of appropriate measures and responses to ongoing geo-political realities.

Recognising these changes in our election manifesto, we had promised to make adjustments to our diplomatic missions overseas to include a strong component for trade and investment promotion, as distinct from the normal consulary functions.

In this regard, fully cognizant of the ever evolving symmetry of international affairs, and the principal responsibility and obligation of our party, in or out of government, to diligently pursue and protect the best strategic interests of our country, I hereby formally announce that the New Democratic Party of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as of today’s date August 23rd 2016, has taken the decision to recognize the United Nations accepted norm of a One China Policy. Our party, under my leadership, has evolved to the world view that is embraced by almost every country in this region, and indeed the world.

The One China Policy will be a key international relations platform of our party, and we will move to change from The Province to Beijing when we form the next government shortly. It must be noted that the People’s Republic of china is a crucial member of the Caribbean Development Bank, from whose funds St. Vincent and the

Grenadines has benefitted over the years.

Of the entire 16 members of CARICOM, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is only one of four countries not in step with the internationally accepted One China Policy. Our international relations stance is in keeping with all of our traditional friends — the United States, Canada, Europe and most of Latin America. The People’s Republic of China is indeed a major international player, and the New Democratic Party looks forward to close relations with its party and government.”

The incompetence of the ULP The poor state of the economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines today is a direct result of the economic mismanagement of this country by the ULP administration, over the past 15 years.

After the swearing in in 2001, the government immediately took control of the banana industry from the farmers; a move that was straight out of the communist handbook. They took a thriving industry that was being handled by the private sector, by the farmers of this country, and he essentially nationalized the industry.

They brought it under government control.

Anyone who knows anything about finance and economic development, knows that the role of government is not to run productive enterprises. It is to support productive sectors and enterprises, and allow the experts to operate them. And in this case, the farmers were the experts. They had been managing a highly successful industry for decades.

For instance, in 2000, under the New Democratic Party, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was exporting over 30,000 tons of bananas, a banana industry that was managed by the private sector, by the banana farmers themselves. By 2014, under the Unity Labour Party regime, our banana exports were down to zero tons. The other banana producers in the Windward Islands, (Dominica and St Lucia), their production went down as well because we had all lost our protected status in the banana markets; but only St Vincent’s production went to zero.

Dominica’s banana production decreased by 40% and St Lucia’s decreased by 50%.

The ULP’s incompetence has led to the destruction of an entire industry, the destruction of the livelihoods of many farmers who were once selfsufficient and doing well, who were able to construct homes, feed their families, send their children to schools, colleges and universities, and still have cash in their pockets at the end of every week.

It has also led to low economic growth, high unemployment and more hardship for the poor and working class.

Furthermore, their economic incompetence has created the rise of the “genteel poor” and the increase of the “real poor” in this country. And now they boast about how many persons are on ‘poor relief,’ and how it has increased since they have been in power. They have failed to develop this country, over the past 15 years. Completely and utterly failed, because all we are hearing about now is ‘poor relief’, Lives to Live, and Zero Hunger.

However, there is hope. When we take the reins of government, we will turn this country around, and you will see economic development, progress, fairness and equal opportunity for all.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016. 11.

Views

Time to move on

— long before we were born. Our fore parents may have been abused and ill-treated as indigenous people, slaves, or indentured servants. But it is time for us to move on. What can we do to right those wrongs? There is nothing that we can do to go back through time and change those events. They WE WILL BE NAÏVE if we conclude that life will always happened. We are here. The time is now. It is time usher in pleasant experiences. We would be so very to learn from those atrocities, and move on to shape foolish if we assume that we will never get hurt. Be a better future for ourselves and for those yet assured that bad things do happen to good people and, unborn. when this happens, we can so easily fall prey to Questions now emerge in relation to what you becoming bitter and resentful. Bitterness can and I can do, what we must do, to chart that new overwhelm the unsuspecting when friends and coand improved course. We refocus our energies to workers betray us. Bitterness can sour our learn from the past (as individuals and relationships with others whenever we allow it to take communities) so that we are more proactive and root in our lives. It is most certainly one of the productive individuals. We will do things deadliest emotions we ever feel. However, we can differently. We will do things better now. We will choose whether we entertain or dispel such debilitating no longer wallow in self-pity, resentment, or anger. emotions. We choose. We decide. We determine We will no longer wish that our personal or whether we allow bitterness to stake us to the past, or whether it is time to move on – to be overcomers.

It is often quite traumatic and extremely difficult to put hurts behind. We know that it is so very easy to whisper those emotionally healing words, “Forgive and forget”. These three words conjure up an image of not holding on to the past — to the hurt.

It is not that we are expected to totally wipe the experience from our memories. However, these words encourage us to imbibe the wisdom of learning to forgive those who perpetrated the hurts and move on; to not let the hurt (accidental or intentional) confine us to the prison of bitterness.

We must decide to free ourselves of the poisonous venoms of anger, hatred, and resentment, by embracing the desire and will to forgive.

Moving on after experiencing some form of emotional trauma can be challenging. For example, the adult who was abandoned as a child and experienced so many instances of want during their childhood days, may feel justified in nurturing the anger and resentment, the unforgiving spirit, when the “mystery parent” emerges later in life, seeking to “rekindle the relationship”. Consider the young lady who sent out invitations for her grand wedding day, arranged for the sumptuous feast, ordered that special four tier wedding cake, paying for the floral decorations and so on, only to discover that her fiancé had “cold feet” hours before the event and walked away. Reflect on the pain experienced by the young husband who sacrificed time and money to send his wife through university, only to discover (on Graduation Day) that she had “grown away from the family” and desired a divorce. Such traumatic experiences seem to usher in a torrent of unforgiveness and the desire to exact some form of “justice”. However, holding on to such caustic emotional baggage, has a way of eating us out on the inside. It becomes so much better for us if we learn to bury the hatchet, let bygones be bygones, consider these events as water under the bridge — and move on.

Many readers of this column have discovered the peace and contentment that accompany that spirit of forgiveness. Others have not yet resolved some of the hurts of events that occurred relatively long ago, and are longing for that time when they can bask in the glow of the peace and contentment that accompany the wise choice of forgiving the unforgivable. Maturity is evident when this happens — even if spectators consider such responses to be foolish. But the choice is ours (to forgive or not to forgive). We decide. Anger and bitterness will never produce the peace that we desire. Conversely, it impacts the way we relate to others, and tends to pull us down rather than build us up. In addition, holding on to such hurts make us more susceptible to emotional, mental, and physical illnesses. We do more damage to ourselves when we refuse to free ourselves of the corrosive emotions, as a result of the hurts that we have experienced. Being bitter does not make us better.

There is value in liberating ourselves from the shackles of un-forgiveness and resentment.

Unfortunately, there are also individuals who hold on to hurts that emerged hundreds of years ago “Bitterness is one of the deadliest emotions we ever feel. You can’t look forward when you’re bitter, only backward - thinking about what you’ve lost, stuck in the past, despairing because it’s gone. In the end, it devours all hope.” - Lynn Austin

communal histories were better. We are who we are because of the past.

Some of this was a result of choices that we made.

And some of our present circumstances have been the result of the choices that others made that now impact our existence. Yesterday is dead and gone.

We cannot rewrite its script. However, we can change our focus. We can chart a new and improved course as we view the future. Despite the many challenges and disappointments, there is good reason to hope. May we have the courage and the wisdom to embrace the challenge to forgive those who may have wronged us, knowing that it is time to move on.

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

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12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Hard times for Vincentians GIVEN THE HIGH level of unemployment and poverty which has consequences for the ability of Vincentians to adequately feed themselves as per basic nutritional requirements, it shouldn’t surprise us that some quarters here would be calling soon for food aid for SVG. The continuing imbalance between what certain non-Vincentian residents and entities enjoy and what is left for the indigenous population, is an affront to a democracy that is expected to serve the majority. This is borne out by the tax and customs duty exemptions, estimated to be worth EC$2.5 billion annually, that Taiwan and the property owners and developers in Mustique and Canouan continue to enjoy.

According to Mr Ivan O’Neal, who has a Master of Science degree in Macro-Economics, Planning Policy from Bradford University, England, the consequence of this tax exemption/evasion scheme is that the SVG government lacks finance to provide the infrastructure to stimulate significant employment and economic growth.

This has led to high unemployment and food insecurity among the indigenous black population in particular. Too many households struggle to satisfy their nutritional

needs.

The situation as prevails is not far removed from a situation of economic bias against the indigenous population here, and some would say that the tax exemption scandal amounts to a ‘crime’ worthy of attention by the International Criminal Court.

Undoubtedly, the SVG economy is dangerously weak and is getter weaker, and unless there is a drastic improvement, the situation of unemployment and nutritional deficiencies will plague us for some time to come.

In addressing the nutritional deficiencies among our people, a programme of assistance must be introduced to provide food (nutritional) aid to children aged under five, pregnant women and nursing mothers, aimed at preventing stunting and micronutrient deficiencies.

Moreover, the situation begs for the introduction of a programme that provides daily hot meals to thousands of schoolchildren, so as to ensure their daily dietary requirements for proper physical and mental development.

We can find the finances to support these programmes if the tax and customs duty exemptions given to the house owners and developers in Mustique and Canouan were

abolished. They should pay tax.

Further finances can be realised if Taiwan’s exemption from paying fish tax under the SVG Fish Act 2001 is terminated. Taiwan uses SVG’s fish licence and SVG’s national flag on its fleet of fishing vessels to fish for tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. They should pay tax on their fish sales.

SVG has gone from colonialism to economic inequality in the 37 years of so-called independence. We broke the back of colonialism, and we must break the back of this economic inequality.

Not to do so could well attract food aid for this country akin to what the UN has to do in Haiti.

This should never arise. To ensure this, we must recognise and dismantle the economic inequalities and the disadvantage position of the indigenous population in this regard that is occasioned by this dastardly and continuing reality.

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

Cybercrime Bill and attacks on women IT IS IMPORTANT that our printed press, especially, reflects the current state of SVG under a Unity Labour Party (ULP) scheme, coordinated by ‘Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves’ who loves the alias Comrade Ralph.

Accordingly, one can hardly allow the advent of the Cybercrime law to go unnoticed, and especially when a woman — Mrs. Anesia Baptiste - is referred to as “a stupid bitch”. There is no doubt that some think Mrs. Baptiste deserves such an attack because she dares to criticize certain parts of this Bill and its passage in the Select Committee, of which she is a member. For this reason, it is important that our readers take the time to write out and look up the internet link of this Youtube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPc 83zYqnX0&sns=fb In this recording, there is an exchange between an on-air caller and a member of Gonsalves’ communications team — Elson Crick.

Crick is on radio every day ridiculing every critic there is of the ULP. The other member of the Gonsalves’ team who spends what seems to be most of his time being as vicious, is Gonsalves’ press secretary, Hans King. There is hardly, if ever, a discussion on government policy by any of these communications experts whose salaries are paid by taxpayers, some of whom they attack. Interestingly, a day or so after this attack, Gonsalves disclosed on radio that some knew beforehand and via an e-mail that Baptiste was about to be attacked by the same caller. Yet, no one seemed to have intervened.

Getting back to the Youtube recording. We hear the caller sharing in public what he thinks of Baptiste who has taken to the airwaves to discuss the implication of this Cybercrime Bill. In fact, many others see this Bill as dangerous for democracy, threatening free speech and freedom of expression. Moreover, some international organizations have urged that this Bill not be passed in its present form. These Reporters Without Borders, the International Press Institute (IPI), Centre for Law and Democracy and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers. Since the passing of the Bill in parliament on

August 12, some 25 or more organizations have come out to express their alarm. Nonetheless, the observation of Reporters Without Borders is most telling: “Section 16 (3) states: “A person who, intentionally or recklessly uses a computer system to disseminate any information, statement or image; and exposes the private affairs of another person, thereby subjecting that other person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment, commits an offence.” Offenders can be sentenced to up to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or pay a fine of 200,000 East Caribbean dollars.

“Under what criteria can information be considered to expose “private affairs” of another person regardless of factual accuracy (which this subsection refrains from mentioning)? This provision could very easily constitute an obstacle to the dissemination of information of public interest. It could, for example, provide any demonstrably corrupt public figure with a strong argument for refusing to be held accountable.

For all these reasons, we urge you not to pass this bill into law in its present form and to amend the most sensitive clauses. We also urge you to amend the criminal code in order to de-criminalize defamation.”

Noteworthy, too, is that Baptiste is the leader of the Democratic Republican Party, one of four political parties in SVG. To mount this campaign against the Cybercrime Bill, she joined forces with Barrister-atLaw and parliamentarian ‘Zita’ Barnwell.

Incidentally, the attack on Baptiste perpetuates a dynamism of power-play which is akin to that of sexual attacks on and degradation of women: a woman must know her place. Most certainly, politics in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is not readily accepted as a place where women should be never mind to try dominate. So, all will be done to further deter women to venture into politics by any significant numbers.

Luzette King, Host and producer, Global Highlights Send comments to globalhighlights@gmail.com

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 13.

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Courts relaunches sales financing

L-R: Catherine Gibson and Monisia De Grads, representatives from Metrocint General Insurance Company, were also present from the insurance arena.

Lisa Veira, Commercial Officer at Courts SVG Ltd.

at items that persons might have a great need for. “We know car parts Sales Representatives from The Trend-Levi’s store were also and lumber and so on, those are things on hand to provide information on the products available at that persons would need, that persons the outlet. are always looking to purchase. We decide to look at event planning, because we know that persons are into weddings and parties, and the cost of those items upfront might not be affordable. So we try to cover as many different areas as possible,” said the Commercial Officer.

The sales financing applies to anyone who is qualified, based on a number of criteria. There is an application form that person would have to fill out, a process similar to signing up for credit at the store. “But I can see potential in our sales Courts SVG Ltd. also had their own booth at the trade fair. financing and persons who want to apply for the sales financing, it is very Managers of Jo Che Moments Latoya Deroche- General Importers. Hardware every month you just make that easy, very flexible …. Don’t just close John and husband Chris John.

Company , General Hardware repayment to Courts until you pay off it off, come in, speak to one of our Supplies, along with other the $10, 000,” said Veira, on how the sales partners, and let us see how we

by KENVILLE HORNE companies such as Fine Things, Fabric programme works. The minimum can make your dreams a reality in Plus, Metrocint General Insurance Co. amount that the company will provide owning those items that we don’t POPULAR FURNITURE and appliance Ltd, Haydock Insurances Ltd, Third for the purchase of an item or service normally carry in our store,” said the store Courts SVG Limited celebrated the Eye Security Systems, GCK is $299, while maximum is $30,000. long standing employee. relaunch of their sales financing program Investments, Fanfare Events, Jo Che The Sales Financing, along with the THE VINCENTIAN also spoke to a mewith a major trade fair.

Moments, The Trend- Levi’s, Adam establishment of an optical number of persons representing the On Friday 19th, the company Brothers Engineering Ltd, Express department, demonstrated a shift in businesses that have partnered with hosted a trade fair in collaboration Data System Ltd, St. Vincent the way the company traditionally Courts.

One such person was Latoya with several local businesses, to Jewellers and Nightingale Book Shop. does business. Veira described the DerocheJohn who is Co-owner of Jo showcase products and services that Commercial Officer at Courts SVG recent developments as the company’s Che Moment, an event planning are available for purchase, using the Ltd, Lisa Veira told THE way of diversifying and finding business that is involved in birthday new and exciting Courts Sales VINCENTIAN that the event was a innovative ways to please customers. parties, weddings, corporate events Financing product. relaunch of a similar initiative that She also highlighted that there are and other related businesses. The The event saw a number of the the company took on last year. She diversity in the businesses that are company has been around for almost 6 businesses that have partnered with said the company understands that part of the ready financing project , years the company, showcasing their they cannot sell every product since with businesses offering from general Deroche — John describes Jo as very products on the grounds of the there are constraints in what they can insurance, security systems and professional in their operation, classy Carnegie Building (Old Public carry. “But we (Courts SVG Ltd) services , hardware, to school and and caters to customers’ budget. “So Library). The general public and realized there is a need for persons to stationery supplies. “We are always we can do an event with a very large potential customers inquired and buy items that we do not sell, and for thinking of doing things outside the budget, we can do one with a small mingled with the representatives from some reason they are not able to pay box. It’s no longer business as usual; budget. We are full service, meaning the numerous business houses present for them at the same time, then courts the way that businesses are going we have tents, tables, chairs, would provide the financing and you in an effort to understand what was these days you have to think outside , decorations and then we work along taking place , with some even starting will make a monthly repayment to us you have to think new and creative with Platinum sounds, so they take based on the total amount we would the process of applying for financing. ways in terms of bringing customers to care of all our lightings and flooring. have paid out,” said Veira.

The business places that have the store, and this way we are actually We could create any event for you,” “For example, you might need to signed on to the Sales Financing going outside of the four walls that we declared Deroche-John. Persons buy some rims for your vehicle, the agreement include various popular operate from,” said Veira. present at the trade show were treated Auto repairs, care and supplies rims might cause $10,000, and you Veira said that when the company to a free meal all in the comfort of the companies such as Cash Money, don’t have the $10,000 up front. Once began the process of selecting which ambiance that characterizes the Jo Dekie’s Auto Zone, SVG Tire Sales and you qualify, Courts will pay for the businesses to partner with; they look Che Moment.

Services, Lewis Auto World and rims up front, you collect the rims and

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 15.

14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Popular opposition radio host Margaret London (c) with members of Vincy Liberators.

As he gathered his members for a photo opportunity, DeRoche’s son, Jarvis, who heads La Feters, said the group has been attending the picnic for the past three years.

“Every year, we look forward to this,” said Jarvis, Members of La Feters. who was born in Brooklyn to a Petit Martinique father, Mathias DeRoche.

Nearby, Gregory Antoine, of Layou, barbecued chicken legs and pork on an open grill.

“I’ve been coming here for five years now,” said Antoine, flanked by family members and nationals from his hometown and neighboring town Barrouallie. “I feel good.”

Samuel Ottley journeyed from Hollywood, Florida with his wife, Jennifer.

“I am seeing people whom I’ve not seen in 40 Banner displays Vincy Day USA. years,” said the Chateaubelair-born Ottley, attending the unity picnic for the very first time.

A few yards away, Tammy Kirby, of Rose Place, Kingstown, sat with her daughter, Ariel Graham, 13.

“It has grown bigger every year,” said Kirby, who traces her roots to Barrouallie, referring to the massive picnic. “I’m seeing people I have not seen in years — people from England, Canada and different parts of New York.

“It’s a good cause,” she added. “We come together as Vincentians, sharing love, reminiscing about childhood, and sharing different views about other things going on in the country.”

Friends Celita Dixon, of Spring Village, North Leeward, and Oriel Frederick-Creese, of Biabou, sat on collapsible chairs in the center of the expansive park.

“For me, I don’t want to miss it for the whole world,” said Dixon, who has been attending the picnic from its inception.

Frederick-Creese chimed in: “I’m seeing people I have not seen in a very, very long time; and you can walk and get food from everyone.

“It’s nice to see Vincentians from different places coming together,” she added, having attended the extravaganza with members of the Biabou Methodist School Alumni Association. “I had two other places to Antoine family and natives of Layou and Barrouallie gather around BBQ grill. go, but I chose to come here.”

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING that they came together, with love, in the interest of Amid the gaiety, Margaret London, a popular New naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com nationhood.

Democratic Party (NDP) radio activist in St. Vincent US CORRESPONDENT “It’s good to bring Vincentians together,” said and the Grenadines, joined members of the BrooklynViolet DeRoche, of Diamond Village, feasting on a based Vincy Liberators, wearing a T-shirt with that THOUSANDS OF VINCENTIANS ON SATURDAY trekked plate of souse, rice and peas, macaroni pie and name. from as far as Toronto, Canada and Florida for the 5th stewed pork.

“It’s a brilliant idea,” said London, of Glen, annual Vincy Day USA at Heckscher State Park in East DeRoche, who did most of the cooking, with attending Vincy Day USA for the very first time. “It’s Islip, Long Island, New York.

Shernelle Ottley, of Villa, for the relatively new, good to see so many Vincentians from all walks of life They flew, took trains and buses, and drove their Brooklyn-based group La Feters, said it was time in one place, showing unity and love, and peace.” automobiles or SUVs to the picturesque park, located that Vincentians harmonize their relationships.

After sharing Vincy delicacies with her about an hour’s drive from Brooklyn, regarded as the “We need to cooperate, stay together and hear each compatriots, Joy Parsons-Wiseman, an ardent hub of the Vincentian community in the United and everyone out,” she said. “St. Vincent and the incumbent Unity Labour Party (ULP) supporter, States.

Grenadines is a beautiful place. We’ve strayed away danced to soca vibes emanating from the gigantic In wide-ranging interviews with THE from each other, and we need to get back where we stage on the eastern end of the park.

VINCENTIAN, nationals said it was with great joy were.”

“I love it,” said the Vermont native, with the words

Masqueraders from Mas Productions Unlimited on stage.

Karen Duncan, Roslyn Phills and Yvonne O’Garro enjoy the unity picnic.

“Labor Love” emblazoned above the color red, symbolizing the color of the ULP. Below were the national colors. “I’m looking forward for next year.”

Hewitt James, an exschool teacher and police officer at home, came from Philadelphia with a busload of nationals.

“It’s a very, very Above: Celita important event that Vincentians can come together Dixon (l) with as one people and see themselves in light of their Oriel Frederickculture,” said the Service Coordinator for Early Creese.

Intervention with the City of Philadelphia. “I am able to meet family and people I have not met in Right: Sections decades.” of the party Childhood friends Yvonne O’Garro, of Higginson crowd.

Street, and Roslyn Phills and Karen Duncan, of Lodge Village — all in Kingstown — linked up at the picnic after not seeing each other in decades.

“I get to see a lot of my family and some of my old friends I have not seen in years,” said Duncan, who resides in Brooklyn and whose pediatrician daughter, Sheneka, is currently a resident at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Patterson, New Jersey. “It’s good to come out and see my old Vincy friends.”

Phills, who lives in Toronto, said she was attending the picnic for the first time.

“I’m greatly impressed,” she said. “I’m glad to see friends I have not seen in 40 years. We do hope our kids will carry on [in the spirit of unity].”

“I love it!” exclaimed Philadelphia resident O’Garro, an executive member of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP). “I just love the family affair — the togetherness.”

Tina Matthews, of Dauphnie in the Belair area, travelled by bus for 12 hours, from Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend the get-together.

Cousins Tina Matthews (l) and Mylene Matthews trekked from North “It’s good,” said Matthews, who was also Carolina. attending the picnic for the first time, Dennis Bowman performs during disclosing that her mom, a Brooklyn the entertainment segment.

Bomani electrifies the party crowd. resident, had “begged” her to attend the and reggae artistes, and cultural event. “I’m seeing people I have not seen figures and performers entertained the “I represent St. Vincent since I came from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in and the Grenadines everywhere,” Mylene added. “We massive party crowd, backed up DJ music and the 1992.”

Solid Band, at the far eastern end of the grounds. (she and Tina) were in St. Louis (Missouri) with the Her cousin, Mylene Matthews, of Belair, also They comprised, among others, Dennis Bowman, soccer team (SVG) last November [when the team trekked from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Winston Soso, Patrick Junior, Royal, Bomani, Candy opposed the United States].”

“I only missed last year because I had to work,” Girls and Mas Productions Unlimited.

A plethora of Vincentian religious, soca, calypso she said. “I always have an awesome time.

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16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Special Olympics gets computer from FLOW

L-R: Mr. Errol Allen, Chairman, SOSVG, Miss Laverne Allick, Athlete (Bocce and Track and Field), Ms Andrea Liverpool, Acting Country Manager – FLOW and Ms. Sezevra Joseph, National Director, SOSVG. CHAIRMAN OF SPECIAL Olympics St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SOSVG) Errol Allen has praised telecommunications company FLOW for their recent donation of a computer to SOSVG. Speaking during the handing over ceremony this week, Allen noted

that SOSVG is in the process of further growing the organisation and, as a result, a Peace Corps Volunteer will be joining the team soon.

“This equipment comes at the right time, because we had to provide office equipment for that person”, stressed Allen, who said that they are very grateful for the Dell OptiPlex 3040 personal computer (PC).

Also present at the handing over were Special Needs Athlete (Bocce and Track and Field) Laverne Allick and National Director, SOSVG Sezevra Joseph.

“It’s always good when the community

can get together”, said Joseph of the donation, while adding that the SOSVG initiative is of great importance because, “athletes get more exposure and can interact better with persons because of involvement with Special Olympics activities”.

She added that the activities are focused on taking a message to Vincentians, as there still is stigma around persons with intellectual disabilities so when FLOW supports an initiative like this, it is a show of great corporate responsibility. Allick thanked FLOW on behalf of the other athletes.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 17.

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They have done it!!

THE GROUP comprising Mark Sardine, Michael, Nigel and Shem DaSilva and Christell Allicott successfully paddled their way to Bequia last Saturday, doing it in one hour and thirty-five minutes.

According to Nigel, the conditions allowed for the team to make it from Brighton to one of the northernmost points in Bequia, in what now appears to be a record- breaking time.

They anticipated that it would have taken just under two hours and a half; however the team feels so motivated by the achievement, that Sardine is now planning on extending his

kayaking expertise to the youth of the nation, and has plans to organize the activity in an effort to take a team to the next Summer Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Japan in 2020.

But they have not forgotten their first objective — that of standing against hunger in schools. “[We] hope that people will now see what we are doing; so we are once again making an appeal to the business community to come forward and stand as grown people,” Sardine said.

“Go to any school and make a meal

Deron Grant makes generous donations DERON GRANT, the well-known former tennis player and philanthropist, has contributed over $10,000 in donations to the Enhams Clinic and the Zero Hunger Trust Fund, with another $5,000 going towards the medical expense of a sick friend.

Grant, who is now the Head of Tennis at the largest Sporting and Recreational facility in the Sultanate of Oman, was born at the Enhams Clinic on the night of December 7th 1982. His donation includes an air condition unit, a refrigerator, three standing fans and various medical supplies. The value of his donation to the clinic MP for East St. George Camillo Gonsalves is over $6,000. Also, Grant has accepts cheque from Grant’s aunt Deno secured $4,000 in donations from Ballantyne, with Grant’s mentor and some of his international former MP for West Kingstown Rene colleagues in Oman, which was donated to the Government’s Zero Baptiste (c).

Hunger Trust Fund. He stretched and providing his generosity even further when he training to students donated $5000 to a fellow church from the member in the community of Enhams surrounding who urgently requires medical preschools. attention.

Baptiste said that The handing over ceremony took when Grant got his place Tuesday at the Enhams Clinic. break, she was Among those in attendance were there to provide Speaker of the OECS Assembly Rene words of Baptiste, who is also Grant’s mentor; area representative Camillo Gonsalves, encouragement and spiritual along with Grant’s aunt, Deno motivation. “He Ballantyne; Community Health Aide always said ‘I must Mrs. Noreen Murray- Harry and other make a members of staff.

Deron Grant contribution’,” said Mrs. Murray- Harry expressed thanks to Grant on behalf of the staff at Baptiste of Grant’s desire. She said that he will be making the Health Centre for the generous donation, noting that the gesture will go more contributions and has pledged his commitment to the development of the a long way in serving not just the tennis facility in New Montrose. community but the country as a whole Cecilia James, Senior Nursing Officer Ballantyne said she feels proud, and for Community Health, also expressed the family is delighted to assist the clinic. She said Grant is happy to make thanks on behalf of the staff at the clinic. She said it is her hope that the the donation, and she is confident that contribution serves not only Enhams the assistance will go a long way in serving the community. “I know he has but other communities as well.

Delivering the feature remarks, area a big heart, and he is very passionate representative Camillo Gonsalves said about assisting persons, especially the needy ones, and I know he is extremely that Grant’s contribution and his rise to becoming Head of Tennis at the largest delighted that he can make this Sporting and Recreational facility in the donation,” said Ballantyne.

Former MP for West Kingstown Rene Sultanate of Oman make a wonderful Baptiste is one of Grant’s mentors. She story. He said that Grant is dedicated to making the clinic better, and that he recalled the great friendship they both had negotiated with a number of developed while she was canvassing persons from The USA, Oman, and Iran young voters in the constituency. She said she instantly took a liking to Grant in order to provide the donation. because of his positive attitude and his Gonsalves therefore likened Grant to a “walking, talking ambassador”, and physical and intellectual up-keeping.

She said Grant built his skill to become commended him for his great works and a tennis pro. Grant would spend most of commitment.

Mark Charles, a member of the his time at Cemetry Hill in New Montrose, and he was actively involved Church of Christ, collected the cheque of $5,000 on behalf of Bert Smith, that in teaching youths tennis. He also will go towards his medical expense. assisted in keeping the facility clean (KH)

Team en route to Bequia last Saturday. available to any child,” he continued. businesses to become inspired by what For Michael, it was one step closer they have accomplished, and make a to accomplishing his vision: “When we positive contribution. (DD) started out, we said that we wanted to do something different; we often look at Bequia and see that it is just there.”

The five will not go down in history for being the first to kayak to the northernmost Grenadine island, however they have created a record by doing it in the time that they did.

And with it, they are once again sending the The group pose for a photo before heading out to sea. appeal for

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18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Peace Corps sworn in Cuthbert James, Associate Director (SVG Office).

SIX NEW Peace Corps Volunteers were sworn in on Monday at Frenches House in Kingstown at a ceremony of the 88th group of PCV Trainees.

And according to Cuthbert James, Associate Director at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Peace Corps Office, the recently sworn in volunteers will continue to put some focus on the primary English literacy project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The six will work in various primary schools across the country, including the Sandy Bay Government School, Lowmans (Wd) Anglican School, Langley Park Government School, Troumaca Government School, Lauders Government, Barrouallie Government and Richland Park Government School.

“To this end, we have assigned a volunteer to the curriculum office and, from all reports, she has been doing an excellent job so far,” James said.

He however added that while work was continuing in the English literacy project, the team was Mary Von Ah- Gregory, David Gregory, Kiernon Dunlop, Amanda also mindful that, there is still Reeves, Maya Tims and Stephanie Bahr take the Administration of more work to be done.

Oath.

Based on the results of the ministry,” he continued. various external examinations, students were Minister of Education St Clair Prince said that he having problems with both English and was heartened that the Peace Corps had decided to Mathematics. “[We] have already started that conversation with assist the ministry of education with its literacy the officials at the ministry, to see what we may be programme adding that the volunteers have worked throughout the country, and some of the able to do in the area of numeracy,” James said. communities have had previous interactions with “Because they go hand in hand, sometimes we tend to neglect one for the other. We are going to see the Peace Corps before: “I am sure they are looking forward to working with you.” (DD) what we can do to try offer some support to the

Sixty-eight receive assistance SIXTY-EIGHT first formers each received a one off payment, bursary, worth EC$350, to assist in the purchase of school supplies last Friday.

The quantity of money was donated by Vincentians living in the Diaspora through this country’s High Commissioner to the UK, Cenio Lewis.

Some of the funds were also raised by other members of the UK High diplomatic corps, Commissioner this according to Cenio Lewis.

Lewis.

“It is a small amount, but every little helps,” he explained.

He however noted that he was working on a plan to accumulate more funding so that more of the nation’s The funds were raised to assist needy students throughout the country. children will receive assistance.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime important and have the title,” he said. down to the benefit of the people of St Minister Sir Louis Straker explained “I want every one of them to do Vincent and the Grenadines,” Sir that the selection process sought to their utmost best in order to reach Louis added. (DD) identify needy students from each of the 15 constituencies.

He explained further that there was not much time allotted to the ANOTHER group of diplomats to raise the funds required; Digicel customers however he believed that the amount were all smiles to was sufficient. the bank to cash According to Sir Louis, this country their cheques, after had a number of diplomats serving participating and abroad, and he has given them the winning big in order that he did not want them to sit Digicel’s July Text behind their desks. to Win promotion.

The July Text to “I don’t want them to look Win promotion formed part of Digicel’s Bring the Beat summer Norsha Davis receiving campaign, which her cheque from Digicel Anthony Edwards receiving saw both prepaid Rep. Jo-Ann Ollivierre. his cheque from Digicel and postpaid Rep. Jo-Ann Ollivierre. customers texting expressed much ‘CASH’ to the short code 7171 for a chance to win thanks to Digicel for continuing to give over $15,000 dollars. In back to its customers addition to the grand and rewarding them prize winners, the in very meaningful campaign saw a total of and significant ways. four weekly prizes of The winners added $300.00 each being rewarded to Vincentians. that the monies will assist tremendously Securing the first as they continue to prize of $7,500 in the prepare their July Text to Win children to head back promotion, was Alexander Ollivierre to school.

Alexander Ollivierre of receiving his cheque from Digicel’s Bequia; the second place Marketing Manager- Digicel Rep. Jo-Ann prize of $4,000 went to Danielle Cupid said Ollivierre.

Norsha Davis of and earn a significant Overland, while the third the Text to Win promotion in July was amount of cash while place of $2,500 went to one of the major they do so.

Anthony Edwards of highlights of the summer Cupid added that Campden Park. Among Bring the Beat Digicel places high value the weekly cash prize Campaign, which she on its customers and will winners were Victor said was strategically continue to conceptualize Daniel who won a total designed to not only give engaging activities to of $600 for two weeks, back thousands of dollars reward its customers. and Leslie Ashton who to Digicel customers, but won $300 cash prize. to allow customers to Continued on Page 26.

The winners all play games, have fun

Vincentians win over $15,000 from Digicel

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 19

News

Vinsave Summer Programme 2016 fruitful THE VINSAVE SUMMER Programme came to a close on Thursday 18/8/16 with a display of talents by the children and an exhibition of their work at the Vinsave Auditorum.

Over 60 children participated in the six (6) weeks programme which looked at the Theme “Be Happy and Peaceful.”

The children were engaged in a number of activities such as Craft, Dancing, Nutrition,

Science and Language.

They also went on field trips, participated in an educational tour of the Byesave poultry and Biogas production at Byera.

The programme also found time to treat the Elderly in at the Lewis Participants at the closing Punnett Home at Glen Dance Group” headed by in song Nicolette Thomas and Two outputs/Sucesses the “Young Drummers” of the Programme were with Nigel Duncan. The the formation of the young groups have “Vinsave Past Students pledged to share their

Creations from the participants during the 6-week-long summer programme.

ceremony. skills and time for the continual development of the Centre.

Guest speaker at the close of the programme was Deacon Alison

Samuel of the St. George’s Cathedral, who spoke on the topic “The importance of prayer,” where she encouraged the children to pray at all times and worship God. Remarks came from the

Director, Mrs. Janice Fraser, and an overview of the programme by two facilitators Mrs. Denise Parris and Ms. Yolande Jack. Prayers were done

by Mrs. Shimika Pope, and Vote of thanks by Ms. Floreen Thomas.

The Vinsave Summer Programme is an annual feature organization.

Forestry Summer Programme enlightening

Youth in the classroom session at the summer programme.

Participants displaying certificates at end of session.

THE FORESTRY Department completed its annual Forestry Summer Program 2016, once again with youth mainly from the rural communities. The Summer Program ran for one week, from 8th-12th August for children in the North Windward side of the country, spanning the villages from Rabacca to Sandy Bay. It was held at the Agricultural Training Institute at Rabacca, under the theme “Climate Change — Its effect on our livelihoods and the environment.”

According to the coordinator, Forestry Officer, Mr. Joel Poyer, the purpose of the summer program is to continue to expose the youth to the importance of the forests and its environs to our livelihood and its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, especially so, the potential effects of global warming.

He added that the intention is to create an understanding of how susceptible the forests are to this phenomenon, and people’s responsibility, as future guardians of the forest, to be aware of some of the things they can do to reduce and possibly reverse the impacts.

In addition to the indoor sessions, the thirty (30)

youths were taken on a number of field trips to some of the areas formerly affected by extreme weather systems, to view some of the measures being put in place by the Department, especially to reduce the impacts on our wildlife and waterways. They also visited one of the proposed sites of the geothermal project now being implemented in St.Vincent.

The field trips were extended to the agro-forest plot at Kissme, where a variety of fruits trees are maintained for the parrot, other birds and reptiles; the water distribution and filtering station at Perseverance, where they also observed the changing course of the river due to the storm systems of 2011 and 2013, and the subsequent regeneration of the forests also affected by these systems.

The youths, at the culmination of the programme, took the opportunity to express their gratitude for having been a part of the program, especially so, having been made aware of a number of things formerly taken for granted. They also look forward to being a part in the following year.

They were issued a certificate of attendance.

The programme was sponsored by GECCU, ECGC, Digicel, Allan’s Family Bakery and Island Recycling Inc. In addition, a quantity of school supplies to assist the kids in the new

school year was donated by GECCU. The Forestry Department expresses gratitude to the parents, guardians, children and sponsors for the success of the programme.

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20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Is there even hope?

Dear George,

A FEW DAYS ago I followed my boyfriend to the house of a woman he claimed he was not sexually involved with. I took several pictures of him entering the house, and even went as far as taking pictures of him and her inside the house wearing next to nothing. I listened to them with their carrying on for a long time, and even taped some of it. I confronted him with the information, and he got very violent, accusing me of spying on him and not trusting him. I cannot believe that would actually take a defensive position, seeing that I have so much condemning evidence of his worthless ways. Things got so heated that he even raised his hand to hit me because I told him that I am going to end the relationship. Do you think there is hope for us as a couple?

Doubtful Dear Doubtful, I take it that when you fell for this man, you thought you met the man of your dreams and felt good about the future. He has since proven to you that he cannot be trusted, and that he is awful at making and keeping a commitment; at least the one he made to you. He is not only a cheat, but he has shown that he has the potential to be violent.

This is good a time as any to hang up and dial again. You deserve better.

George

Why so reluctant?

Dear George,

rent from her?

I AM TIRED of this woman who is renting my house and not paying her rent.

Time and time again I have begged my husband to put her out because he was the one who rented her the house in the first place; but he is afraid to do so, all because this woman is the girlfriend or I should say one of the girlfriends of his boss. I told him that one has nothing to do with the other, and that it’s either she pays the rent or get out of the house. All he has to do is to deal with the matter, and he is not even willing to do. He does not want me to get involved, saying it is disrespectful to him to have me talking to her about the rent. I do not agree, and this is why we are at loggerheads right now. I am even wondering if he, my husband, is involved with her as well.

Why then is he so reluctant to demand the

Suspicious Dear Suspicious, I do not consider it as out of place for you to ask your tenant for the overdue rent. You have given your husband the respect in giving him the first opportunity to deal with the matter. His failure to do so has given

you the green light to tie up this loose end.

Suspecting him of being intimately involved with her can be stretching it a bit far. Once you keep

things strictly as business, there should be no back lash to ask for what is rightfully owing to you. Go get your rent!

George

Who is he expanding for? what he has, and would hate it if he was any GEORGE, hear this one. more endowed. I have told him this repeatedly, My boyfriend came up with this ridiculous idea and yet he is bent on doing this nonsense. I of getting his penis am wondering if he is expanded. He bought doing this to meet the this silly looking apparatus, and keeps on needs of another woman. trying to do what I think How could I not think is the impossible. I asked this way? him one simple question Peeved which is, who is he expanding his penis for?

I asked him this because Dear Peeved, I am quite satisfied with

Dear George,

Your boyfriend’s priority should be to please you at all costs, and you have stated categorically to him that you are very satisfied with his manhood and do not need it to be more than what it is. The fact that this does not satisfy him is cause for concern.

Putting his ego above your wishes is certainly not the way for him to go. Maybe if he realizes that you will definitely leave, once he does not get the message, he will finally come to his senses. The question is a good one to ask; if he knows he not pleasing you with the experiment he has taken on, then who is he aiming to please?

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be careful not to hurt the ones you love. You can meet new and exciting lovers through work related projects.

Socializing will be more than just entertaining. You can help a close friend find solutions to personal problems.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Get involved in groups that are creative in nature. You mustn't make promises that you won't be able to keep. Your magnetic, outgoing personality will capture hearts. Your emotions may be hard to control if your mate is forcing you to undergo drastic alterations in your relationship.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can do well on stage or behind the scenes, the choice is yours. Do not make rash decisions about your personal life. You can stabilize your financial situation if you make property investments. Plan to visit friends or relatives.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your lover will cost you dearly if you let them. Communication will be the source of your knowledge and you must be sure to spend time with those who have more experience. Secret information will be eye opening. You are best to sit back and think it through, rather than add to the ranting and raving.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your determination may make you a little overbearing when dealing with others. You may have a rather hectic day due to events that children are involved in. Problems with your partner could be reaching a high level of concern. Be diplomatic and honest, and that person will only be made to look bad.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Be aware that you don't get anything for nothing. Try to keep any mood swings under control; they may result

in alienation. You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. Much knowledge can be obtained through the experiences you have.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) New romantic relationships will develop through group activity related to sports events. Try to be understanding. Try to do things with children that will enable you to bond closer to them. You need to spend less time daydreaming and more time accomplishing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Delve into worthwhile causes that will show results if you put in the effort.

Uncertainties about your personal life are probable. You will be up and down emotionally. Listen to the advice given by others.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Helping children may be rewarding and challenging. Take action. Children may be on your mind. Take care of the needs of elders in your family.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You can expect to feel confused about your personal prospects. Be careful when dealing with female members of your family. Don't get involved in joint ventures. Concentrate on work or make changes to yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You may want to stay in the background this week. Your position may be in question if you haven't been pulling your weight. For best results get out of the office and do your job en route. You can expect your mate to get fed up and make the choices for you or back off completely.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Close deals that have been up in the air and move on to new ones that appear to be profitable. You may be thinking of starting your own business. You will be erratic and quite likely to make personal mistakes. Do not let the reactions of others get you going.

ACROSS

46. Sheik’s group 48. Heredity ini1.Part of DJ tials 5. __ de Triomphe 49. IM provider 8. Biography, for 50. Station selecshort tor 11. Beehive State 52. Mama’s mate 12. Wrestling 56. “Gidget” match actress 14. Common abbr.

Sandra 15. Half (prefix) 57. Ending for 16. Facts, major informally 58. “Oops!”

17. Nero’s (hyph.) language 59. Dentist’s (abbr.) degree 18. Reaction to an (abbr.)

IM joke 60. Lobe’s locale 61. Touches 20. Ornamental lightly touch 13. Holy scroll 22. Chaplain 19. “…man __ DOWN 24. Cul-de-__ mouse?”

25. Your brother (2 wds.)

26. Actress Jullian 1.Teen’s retort 21. Frosted 2. Ending for 28. Reddish22. __ colada suburban or 23. U.S. native colored meteor (abbr.) hair rinse 3. Actor 25. __-heaven 32. Draft status Waterston 27. Ship’s course (hyph.)

4. Toddler (abbr.)

34. Finish 5. Kansas city Iditarod 29.

36. Accomplishes 6. Director destination 37. Clothes Howard Adolescent 30.

39. Ages and ages 7. Shirt-sleeve outcast 41. __ Fields parts 31. Braying beast cookies 8. Church ringer 33. Etc. e.g.

42. Urban 9. Printing type 35. Telephone pad transport (abbr.) artist 44. Lubricated 10. Nov. preceder 38. Hippie’s vest

material 40. Diarist Anais 43. Strike, Bible-style 45. Drink like a dog (2wds.)

46. Removed weeds

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 21.

47. Pub drinks 49. Tack on 51. __ loss (2 wds.)

53. “By Jovel!”

54. Kitchen utensil 55. Delighted sounds

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22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Taiwan hands over Funds for SVG 2016 Civic Development Programme

Back to school programme.

ON AUGUST 19, 2016, Ambassador Baushuan Ger, on behalf of the government of Republic of China (Taiwan), presented a

cheque to Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves at Cabinet Room, for funding 2016 Civic Development Programme.

The Hon. Prime Minister, on behalf of the people and the government, expressed his appreciation for Taiwan’s

continuous support for the SVG Civic Development Programme over the years. Ambassador Ger stressed that Taiwan has

been very glad to be the long-term partner to collaborate with Vincentian people on the national development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Civic Development Programme was an initiative of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1998, which has funded major priority projects allocated by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on various areas — youths, health, infrastructure, and human resource, and so on. Since 1998, it has been carried out over the past 18 years.

Many Vincentians have enjoyed the projects.

The grant handed over on August 19 is part of Taiwan’s annual sponsorship for 2016 Civic Development Programme, and will be used in the implementation of five agreed projects as below: 1. YES Programme: contributing to a reduction in poverty through the provision of training and employment for youth. In 2016, it will provide work experience and training to 700 persons over a twelvemonth period. This programme was launched in 2001, and more than 6000 Vincentian young persons benefited.

2. Rapid Training and Skills Development Project: enhancing the employability of the

population by providing an opportunity for the beneficiaries to gain critical on-the-job experience through an apprenticeship component.

3. Purchase of Equipment for Modern Medical Complex: The equipment is intended for the complex located in Georgetown and in its final year of construction.

4. Enhancement of the SVG Financial Regulatory Framework: enhancing and strengthening the financial regulatory system in SVG through the provision of software, hardware and training to key agencies, including the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Ministry of Finance.

5. Rehabilitation of Government House: repairing and renovating Government House, restoring a safe work environment for the staff of the Office of the Governor General.

In the years to come, the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) wish to continue working with Vincentian friends in promoting cooperation projects conducive to sustainable development and the best interest of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

2016 YES Programme.

Taiwan Medical Team at the MCMH.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 23.

Senior male volleyballers finish second in group... Take most awards ST VINCENT AND THE Smart was one of two Grenadines Senior Male recipients as Best Middle Volleyball team had to settle for Blockers. the runner-up spot in Group B of St Kitts and Nevis’ St Clair the NORCECA Zone FIVB World Hodge copped the MVP award.

Championships Qualifiers at the Other individual awards Laborie Indoor Facility, last also went the way of the St Sunday night.

Kitts and Nevis players, with The Vincentians were the Best Digger and Best beaten by St Kitts and Nevis Opposite taken by Jason in straight sets, 25-19, 25-22, Liburd, and Kemoroy Percival 25-22. was presented with the Best It was the only loss suffered Libero title.

by St Vincent and the And Grenada’s Nikel John Grenadines, who went into the was the other Best Middle Brendon Smart - Best Shevron Caine - Best Setter. final undefeated , having Blocker awardee, while Kevon Blocker. whipped St Kitts and Nevis Noel also of Grenada got the Cassius Franklyn - Best Scorer, and Bermuda by 3-1 margins, Best Server, and joined work Third place Grenada had Receiver and Spiker and blanked Grenada threeFranklyn, as the other Best on two wins and as many losses, nil, in the preliminary round. Outside Hitter. loss in the final, St Vincent them as we go forward to the while Bermuda registered one And, despite placing second, By virtue of reaching the and the Grenadines’ coachsecond round”. win and conceded three losses.

St Vincent and the final of the group, both St Vance Andrews, looking ahead St Kitts and Nevis Final standings: 1. St Kitts Grenadines bulked most of the Kitts and Nevis and St to the team’s progress to the completed the group with 2-1 and Nevis, 2. St Vincent and awards which were presented Vincent and the Grenadines next stage of the qualification win/loss ratio and St Vincent the Grenadines, 3. Grenada at the closing ceremony. advance to the second round of process, proposed, “We have to and the Grenadines 3 wins to and 4. Bermuda.

Accounting for three awards the qualifiers. look at this tournament, a solitary loss. was team captain — Cassius Commenting on his team’s analyse our weaknesses and Franklyn, who was named the Best Scorer, one of two Best Outside Hitters and Best Receiver.

Two other Vincentians were named among the awards list, with Shevron SOME DETAILED planning has gone into Qualifiers on Friday 2nd September the visit by the United States of America at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

Cain taking the Best Among the plans are increased Setter title, and Brendon Men’s Football team, set to face St Vincent and the Grenadines in the World Cup security checks, improved marketing and public relations, better management of the event and regulations in the traffic on the day in Chateaubelair defeated and around the Arnos Robertson Surveying Vale Playing Field.

Future Legends of Rose At a media conference Hall by 2 wickets.

Venold Coombs Nelson Hillocks held last Tuesday at the Robertson Surveying St Vincent and the complimentary passes along with 150 Future Legends 136 all out Grenadines Football tickets for travelling fans and 10 media off 17.3 overs, Marcus Federation’s office located at personnel.

Castello 30. Cklon McKie 4 the corner of Higginson and President of the St Vincent and the for 24.

Melville Streets, chair of the Grenadines Football Federation Venold Upsetters 138 for 8 off Local Organising Committee Coombs speaking at the conference, said 17.5 overs, Maxwell (LOC) — Nelson Hillocks said that because of the high level of officials Edwards 36. Amansford “We have to be good hosts”. coming in for the match, several security Richards 2 for 28 and Hillocks noted that the US and protocols would be enhanced.

Vernando Primus 2 for 27. team’s travelling party “We are dealing with the most powerful The tournament comprising sixty members will nation in the world... We are soft target... continues this weekend arrive on 31st August. Apart There is Isis in Trinidad”, Coombs pointed Defending champions – Circumstance. with 4 matches. Fourteen from the 23 players, there are out. teams would be THE 2016 VINLEC North Leeward T20 the coaching staff and Among the security undertakings will be participating in the tournament.

Cricket tournament commenced last managerial staff of 22, as well the shutting down of the Arnos Vale venue Saturday 27th August, 2016 10:00 weekend in fantastic style at Petit as security detail. from 29th August, whereby only staffers Bordel Playing Field with two matches. am RSVG Police vs Sharps United The LOC Chair also revealed and persons having legitimate reasons to Defending s Circumstance of Fitz that President of the US Soccer enter the venue will be permitted.

Hughes trashed Coulls Hill Rangers by 1:30 pm RSVG Police vs Starlight Federation — Sunil Galati, On match day, patrons will be required Sunday 28th August, 2016 — 10:00 a massive 182 runs, while Darren along with other members of to be frisked; while there will be traffic am Peto Stars vs Rose Bank United Greaves helped himself to a solid 134 the Federation and US diversions to avoid heavy backups. not out last Saturday.

Ambassador to the Eastern St Vincent and the Grenadines has lost 1:30 pm Somerset vs Big League Circumstance 291 for 2 off 20 overs, Caribbean — Linda Taglialatela all their matches in this round of the Deron Greaves 134 not out, Desron will be here to witness the qualifiers, and is out of the running for Julius Anthony-Chairman, Cricket Maloney 97. match. advancing.

Committee.

Coulls Hill Rangers 109 all out off Hillocks stated that the US The Vincentians have been defeated 6-1 Mobile 528-6953 16.3 overs. Desron Maloney 3 for 9.

Soccer Federation had also by the USA, 4-0 by Guatemala, and 3-2 Email:juleslanthony@gmail.com On Sunday, Upsetters of requested 20 VIP and 172 and 6-0 by Trinidad and Tobago.

SVG planning thoroughly for USA football team’s visit

VINLEC North Leeward Cricket bowls off

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Everything is everything NO ONE WILL forget the 2016 Rio Olympics, and if you are Jamaican, you will be proud. Caribbean athletes shone to some extent. They featured, but the Olympics are hinged on medal count, so good performances, personal best, pale in the distance once they don’t turn up gold. It’s Usain Bolt, people are talking about. When one mentions Bolt, there is hardly any comparison.

When next will a Triple/Triple be secured?

The curtains came down on Rio while the regional Under 19 competition wound up in SVG. It must have been some sojourn for those youngsters who passed nearly a month of cricket on Vincentian soil. Some will progress to play for their territories and the West Indies.

They will defend the Under 19 World Cup Trophy in New Zealand 2018. By then, we will not be casual participants, and arrows will be aimed on us.

The team wriggled their way into the top zones in the last tournament and, once the path was clear, they achieved the goal in systematic fashion. That was a factor which senior players have been hesitant to display.

The triumph by the youngsters, jolted their elders into action, and they delivered across gender lines.

Instead of us revelling in the glory, we chose to tarnish our image by washing dirty linen in public. The same thing continues with the Sammy saga.

West Indian cricketers appear to aim at wrong targets. Our concentration should be on performances on the field of play. That is where the talks echo loudest. When the activity subsides off the pitch, there is ample opportunity to engage in other matters.

Perhaps, the fourth Test might have been scheduled for the Arnos Vale Playing Field. I am sure that whatever amount of rain would have fallen, the time lost would have been to a minimal. In fact, reflections of commentary from Arnos Vale while a storm was raging in and around SVG, bear witness of the ground’s ability to drain.

The Under 19 competition might have been enough for the local Association.

The Americans are here, that is for the September 2 fixture against Vincy Heat, as the World Cup Qualifiers take another hurdle. It is sad that this encounter is of academic purpose only as far as St. Vincent and the Grenadines are concerned. The occasion is there for the team to assert itself as a credible force which showed themselves worthy of advancement to that stage.

Guyana fought tooth and nail for the spot after they complained that SVG had played an ineligible player. Aruba enjoyed a reverse when having been beaten, it was revealed that the Bajans had infringed.

The Aruba clash was a gruelling affair, and the berth came amidst heightened tension.

We entered the Group stage with expectations; our dreams were shattered.

There must be some strategy to sustain our efforts. Football and sport on a whole, can transform many a youth and rebound to the nation’s benefit. We have to find the goal.

Greaves shoots down Rangers DARREN GREAVES has reason to be satisfied. He showed his batting skills with an unbeaten 134 at the Petit Bordel Playing Field last Saturday.

Playing for defending champions Circumstance in the Vinlec North Leeward T/20 Championship, Greaves joined Desron Maloney at 24 for 1, and when they were separated, the scored read 229. Maloney fell LBW three short of his century. Rickford Walker, Man of the Match in last

year’s final went for 22.

Rangers were dismissed for 109 off 16.3 overs, with Hector Cordice 22 putting up some resistance.

Desron Maloney 3 for 9 completed a good allround performance.

Fitzmore Edwards 2 for 11, and Kesroy Debique 2 for 31 were also among the wickets.

Upsetters of Chateaubelair defeated Robertson Survey Future Legend by two wickets in Sunday’s game. Maxwell

Edwards 36, steered his team to 138 for 8 off 17.5 overs in response to Future Legends’ 136 all out off 17.3 overs.

Marcus Castello 30 was the leading batsman for Future Legends in an innings undermined by Cklon Mckie with figures of 4 for 17.

Action continues tomorrow Saturday, with Police engaged in back to back fixtures against Sharpes United in the first instance then Starlight. Home team

Darren Greaves Peto Stars face Rose Bank United in Sunday’s first match. Somerset play Big League in the other.

Hornets U16 Bequia Basketball Champs HORNETS are the 2016 champions of Under 16 Basketball in Bequia.

They beat Dragons 40 to 24 in Game 3 of a best of three series last weekend at the Clive Tannis Hard Court, venue of the 2016 Bequia Vita Malt Basketball Tournament.

A deciding third game was necessary after Dragons defeated Hornets, only to have Hornets turn the tables in Game 2.

Tristin Stowe with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 9 steals was outstanding for Hornets in Game 3, while Omario Louie with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals and 1 block, stood out for Dragons in defeat.

Meanwhile, Young Duke and Southern Stars are set to face off in the finals of the Second Division.

Young Duke dispensed of Rising Stars 73 to 65, to book their spot in the finals, while Southern Stars assured themselves of a finals berth with a 67 to 51 victory over The 2016 Bequia Vita Malt Basketball Blazing Heat.

Tournament climaxes this weekend.

Camal Bess with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals, 1 assist and 2 blocks was Southern Stars’ top I.B.A.ALLEN performer.

Jermaine John with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assist and 5 steals was Young Duke’s star in their semi-final encounter.

And basketball enthusiasts are in heightened Continued from Backpage. expectation, as First Division East Blazers and Wizards continue their best of five series this “His progress as a player makes me smile,” weekend, with each team having taken one game Connell remarked. against each other.

Steveon Taylor with 27 points, 3 rebounds, 5 “The Da Silva brothers have worked hard all steals and 1 assist, led East Blazers in a 79 to 62 in their life, ascending from the grassroots a Game 1 victory. Wizards’ Dareo Glasgow turned themselves, so this multimillion dollar glass on the pressure with 20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 showroom will be the crescendo of their assists, 1 steal and 1 block, to lead his team to a achievement and hard work, and setting the narrow 63 to 60 victory in Game 2. foundation for the next generation of Da Silvas who, seemingly, are embarking on the entertainment industry... Whatever the purpose for eviction, I wish them all the very best in their endeavours... The property is not mine, and I will THE SION HILL NETBALL Committee will be give it back to who says it belongs to them,” lunching the opening of its Netball Tournament on Connell related.

Sunday October 9, 2016, at the Sion Hill Netball “The Grassroot Tennis Club will move on, as Complex. the objective for which the club was set up is alive All teams who are interesting in participating and well... We are not defined by a club house and in the tournament, please contact the Sion Hill two courts… It’s (all about) the development of Lottery Booth Kingstown for registration forms. tennis, youth and by extension a people,” Connell Registration closes on September 28, 2016. concluded.

Grassroot Tennis Club gets evicted

Sports Announcement

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 25.

News

Coast Guard Officers excel in academics manager or supervisor.”

LS Charles, a former student of the Bethel High School and the St. Vincent Technical College, also pursued a two-year programme in Electricals with Penn Foster University prior to his studies in Taiwan.

Both SL Beache and LS Charles are encouraging Vincentians to seek out scholarship opportunities in non traditional countries other than the United States, Canada and England, because they are equipped with top ranking universities that can offer a quality education for free.

Sub Lieutenant Kemron Leading Seaman Gordon Petit Officer Juanna Holder PO Holder said her studies Beache.

Charles. concentrated on international nursing and health care, which allowed THREE COAST GUARD universities and by her to gain in-depth knowledge in OFFICERS have excelled in their academic using an App that helped people to learn nursing, hospital management and pursuits. the Portuguese language. health care administration.

Sub Lieutenant Kemron Beache He said his experience has helped “I realized at the Coast Guard, we do graduated from the Federal University him to become more independent as well a lot of medivat and there wasn’t a of ABC, Sao Paulo, Brazil, recently, with as proactive. qualified medic at the base, so I decided a Master of Science degree in Charles, on the other hand, said his to do Nursing. I had the option of doing Mechanical Engineering; Leading greatest challenge was returning to the it here or in Taiwan. I decided to do it in Seaman Gordon Charles from the classroom and learning the Chinese Taiwan where I can pursue it in an Kushan University, Taiwan, with a language.

Bachelor of Science degree in However, he said he has benefitted Mechanical Engineering (major) and considerably by his experience in Business Management (minor); and Taiwan, by becoming more open-minded Petit Officer Juanna Holder from the and acquiring a vast amount of National Taipei University, Taiwan, knowledge. He said he intends to use with a Bachelor of Science degree in this to be better able to develop himself Nursing. and his organization.

Sub Lieutenant Beache, a member of “I got a better understanding of what the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines management is. We did a study in Police Force for the past 10 years, said automotive engineering, electronics, and he is grateful to God, the Government of labs. We did shop work; modern St.Vincent and the Grenadines, the technology on a whole,” said LS Charles.

Government of Brazil, and the “I think that every area of my studies Organization of American States (OAS) will enable me to work better in the for providing him with a scholarship to Coast Guard, whether it is in the pursue his studies.

Engineering department, Electrical, or Beache said his academic pursuit in Navigation department, because the Brazil was a challenging one because all programme covered a wide variety of of his courses were done in the subject areas that deal directly or Portuguese language, but he succeeded indirectly with work. For instance, by making friends who had done the Automotive Engineering and Electronics courses before and were able to guide were aspects of my studies that directly him. He also gathered information on involved my work. The management subject areas posted online by other component enables one to be a better

Man still missing POLICE SAY THAT THEY still have no solid leads regarding the disappearance of Kahili Tupac Ollivierre, alias ‘Q’.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruth Jacobs, head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said that the investigation into the missing 23-year-old was on-going.

According to a ‘missing person’ report issued by the police, Ollivierre, a resident of the Golden Vale/Calliaqua area, was last seen around 4:47 pm on August 4 at Dougan’s Shop in Calliaqua.

The report stated, however, that the young man’s dress code was unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Assistant Commissioner of Police, or the officer in charge of the CID/CRO/MCU at 4561810, or the Calliaqua Police Station.

Kahili Tupac ‘Q’ Ollivierre

advanced international country as well as a second language,” said PO Holder.

PO Holder said she intends to utilize her training at the Coast Guard where she plans to stage training sessions on health related areas such as diabetes and high blood pressure. She said her studies also allowed her to concentrate on pathology, anatomy, epidemiology, psychology, organizational behaviour, innovative management and comparative study best practices, and she intends to share her knowledge on these areas as well.

PO Holder is desirous of pursuing a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. “We in the Caribbean use Western medicine, but there are benefits to Traditional Chinese Medicine such as the curing of insomnia and fertility problems, etc,” said PO Holder.

“Where traditional medicine is concerned, sometimes as the old people die, it passes with them. So I am trying to revive that,” said Holder.

All three officers expressed thanks to the Coast Guard leadership and members for their support, as well as the respective entities that granted them the scholarships.

V

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

The GHS 84 Fund Inc. awards Scholarship THE GHS 84 FUND, a scholarship fund started by members of the GHS graduating class of 1984, on August 13, 2016, awarded its first scholarship to Sahge Warren of Georgetown. Sahge attended the Georgetown Government Primary School, and placed 30th among girls and 66th overall in the recently completed Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). She will be attending the St. Vincent Girls’ High School in September, 2016. Sahge lives with her grandmother Herlen Warren, who says that she is an avid reader and quite excited about attending GHS. The scholarship fund was formed by a group of Old Girls who recognized that the GHS provided to them, an education which prepared them well for work and life, and wanted to ensure that others could also be so equipped. The scholarship, therefore, is awarded to girls from families in need, who have been accepted by the St. Vincent Girls’ High School and

may not otherwise have been able to attend. It awards a sum of $1,400 per year from Forms 1 to 3, and $1,600 per year for Forms 4 to 5.

The Scholarship Fund, whose directors are Terry PaynterBallantyne, Simone Keizer-Beache, Meryl De Bique, Monique Hull and Mikasha Matadial-Ramsaran, would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the Norma Keizer Scholarship Foundation in the application process; and the remarkable fundraising efforts of Old Girls Alana Gumbs and Wendy Diamond, who brought in Sahge Warren with grandmother Herlen Warren and Directors of the contributions from alumnae of the scholarship fund. graduating classes of 1985 through to 1993.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can do so at the BOSVG to Continued from Page 18. discussing ideas and putting plans in account number 201183 in the name of place to launch a series of big and GHS 84 Fund Inc. For further The Marketing Manager said now rewarding campaigns that will benefit information, email messages to that summer soon comes to an end, Digicel customers throughout the rest ghs84fund@gmail.com. her marketing team is already busy of 2016.

Vincentians win over $15,000 from Digicel

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

FOR SALE

One Nissan Skyline good condition (Standard) Call: 533-1528

REPAIRS Washing machine and microwave repairs.

HOME SERVICES 455-5018

FOR SALE BMW car (2004) Buying Price $185,000 Selling Price Negotiable Call: 456-8627 496-9940

FOR SALE Toyota Hiace Passenger Van Contact: 433-2543

VACANCY Experienced Baker needed Call: 593-8129

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R

A.I. REAL ESTATE Twenty Hill 3 bedrm Property on 15,210 sq.ft. $550,000.00 - H199 Cane Hall 5,991 sq.ft. - CALL - BB124

S A L E

FRIDAY,

AUGUST 26, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.34

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Queensbury 22,186 sq. ft @ $10.00 p.s.f. $221,860.00 - BB173 (784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 whatsapp (784)-493-9431cell (718)-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com facebook.com/airealestatesvg EC$1.50

GRASSROOT TENNIS CLUB GETS EVICTED THE GRASSROOT TENNIS CLUB (GTC), unquestionably the heartbeat of Tennis in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the past six years, was given notice of eviction from the facility at Murray’s Road by its owners.

Director of the GTC Grant Connell confirmed that communication from Mr. Casper Da Silva, one of the Directors of Star Garage Limited, owners of the property, asked the Grant Connell club to “make observing the arrangements to removal of the make the property Grassroot Tennis Club sign at Murray’s available on or before the 1st of Road.

September 2016.”

Connell said the proprietors were “ready and able to commence construction on the 19th September,” according to the notice.

Connell lamented that, “It was indeed unfortunate that it could not be worked out another way in the interest of children over vehicles; but such is the case”.

He added, “...I thank Casper and Silky Da Silva for giving me the opportunity to transform the facility from the dump it was to that which is seen today… I spent quite a bit on it; but when you see what has been produced, giving kids an opportunity they did not have…creating the nexus between talent and opportunity, the returns thus far are priceless.”

According to Connell, since beginning operations, there have been several pluses, inclusive of the emergence of young players such as Antonio Caine from Byera Hill.

Continued on Page 24.

The Grassroot Tennis Club sign being removed last Wednesday.

MIDEAST AIR CONNECTION WHEN THE ARGYLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT becomes operational, there will be mideastern air connections on offer. An air services agreement was signed here last Monday by Saif Mohammed al Suwaidi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority, and Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

As far as Dr. Gonsalves was concerned, the arrangement fits into trade and investment overtures undertaken by his administration in that part of the world. He pointed out that ships from Dubai were registered under the Vincentian flag, and that many Vincentians were working or studying in that sphere.

He viewed the air services agreement as part of the agenda. The Vincentian Prime Minister projected on similar arrangements with Qatar.

He expressed delight that the UAE was working along.

Al Suwaidi echoed his country’s aviation objective of ensuring “the steady growth of the aviation sector while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security.”

He noted that his country’s air transport policy was formulated after careful analysis which showed the potential of a “liberal approach to the governance of international civil aviation.”

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Mohammed al Al Suwaidi was modest in his Suwaidi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates’ declaration of his country being the third busiest airport by passengers and sixth for General Civil Aviation Authority sign the air services agreement. cargo.

He noted that UAE was home to four rate.” carriers: Emirates, Ethihad, Flydubai, and Air He is anxious for the setting up of links directly Arabia, which are “expanding at an exponential or through partnerships.

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