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FRIDAY,

MAY 27, 2016

by HAYDN HUGGINS AFTER BEING BRUTALLY beaten by masked men last Sunday morning, a 52-yearold watchman of Edinboro has stressed the need for ‘beefed-up’ police security in the vicinity where the ordeal occurred.

Jasbert Rodney told THE VINCENTIAN from his bed at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, that he was attacked and brutally beaten by six masked men in the area next to the back of the Inland Revenue Department office (IRD), around 2:15 a.m. last Sunday.

Rodney, a government watchman, said he was given a four-month contract to watch the area following a burglary at the Inland Revenue Department about two weeks ago, and tasked with ensuring security at the IRD and the area housing nearby buildings including the Post Office, Registry, the old Treasury building, and the building which formerly housed the

VOLUME 110, No.22

Government Printery.

Rodney explained that he was in the road between the IRD and the Registry when he saw someone behind the fence in the area close to the back of the IRD. He recalled that he poked his head through a gateway to call out to whoever was there to come out.

“By the time I do that (put his head in), they grabble me by my neck and pull me in. One man held my two hands, while another one held my feet.

They were trying to tie me up with white tape,” he related.

According to Rodney, while this was happening, two other assailants were constantly beating him with a piece of pipe about his body.

Rodney said he fought vigorously with his attackers, and each time they tried to tie him up, he burst the tape.

“I bawl ‘police, police, help, help’. One of them (attackers) told another, ‘Man, you just shoot a man down the road, tek out

www.thevincentian.com

Above: The area between the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and the Registry, from where Rodney first sighted a person who turned out to be one of the six who beat him.

Left: The crowbars and mask recovered from the area in which Rodney suffered a beating.

Right: Jasbert Rodney showing the results of his beating at the hands of six masked men.

Below: The area in the vicinity of the IRD is now an open space, the old Colonial Administrative building having been demolished.

your gun and shoot the man’,” the watchman recounted.

“I continue to scream for help and they were saying ‘shut up”, he added.

There was no help forthcoming at the time, and Rodney continued to scream and fight for his life.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

VINLEC hosts Health and Wellness Day

First cash winners in the 2016 FLOW Carnival Sweepstakes.

Winners cash in on FLOW Carnival sweepstakes SOME OF THE WINNERS in the FLOW Carnival Sweepstakes collected their prizes earlier this week, taking their share of the more than $60,000 in cash and prizes to be won daily during the carnival season.

Hundreds of patrons have already received text messages saying “CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve just won in the FLOW

Carnival Sweepstakes,” and have claimed their prizes.

Daily prizes include cash, FLOW Ahdrenalin Carnival costumes, FLOW Monday Band packs, show tickets, FLOW front line packs and credit.

The grand prize this year is an all-expense paid trip for two to Barbados and tickets to that country’s ‘Soca on the Hill’, an

all day party featuring soca artistes.

To qualify and win in the FLOW Carnival Sweepstakes this year, FLOW customers have to talk for 3 minutes or more on their mobile phones, top up $20 or more, buy any 30 days data plan, text “CARNIVAL” to 8627 or take up any one of FLOW service.

The FLOW Carnival Sweepstakes has been taking place for the past few years, with thousands of satisfied customers winning prizes each year, especially because there is no limit to how many times one person can enter and how easy it is to enter the draw.

CHIEF HEALTH PROMOTION OFFICER in the Ministry of Health and the Environment, Ms. Patsy Wyllie, says that both employer and employee have a joint responsibility for promoting and ensuring workplace safety.

Ms. Wyllie made the remarks on Thursday (May 19th), while speaking at a Health Social hosted by St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC), to commemorate the Company’s Health and Wellness Day. According to Ms. Wyllie, Employee getting blood while companies have the responsibility for developing pressure checked. policies and providing the necessary safety gear and equipment, employees should ensure they adhere to the safety guidelines and rules.

She noted that in examining health and safety at the workplace, both physical and mental health should be carefully considered. Ms. Wyllie said that a healthy workforce will ultimately lead to less sick days, less work related injuries and improved production and profits.

VINLEC’s Health and Safety Day was hosted in keeping with the Company’s mandate to promote a culture of Health and Safety companywide. Throughout the day, a number of other activities took place, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, an exhibition showcasing non-communicable diseases, and a fitness demonstration. The attendees also had the opportunity to sample healthy food and drinks.

V News 3 ÂBe cautious,Ê urges Eustace “THIS IS NOT A TIME to make rash or uninformed decisions. Customers of RBTT ought to first seek proper advice before coming to a conclusive decision.”

This is the suggestion being made by Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, with respect to a situation where account holders at the said bank have been turning up in droves to withdraw their moneys from the financial institution, after it was announced that an EC$25 charge per month, will be implemented and taken out of personal accounts.

“I am not saying that you must not move your money if you are uncomfortable, but recognise that in doing so there are implications,” Eustace said on Monday’s edition of the New Times programme.

“I am asking the public to be much more careful with how they are going to remove their money, and to ensure that minimum implications are not coming back to you,” he continued.

According to Eustace, most commercial banks across the region are not doing well at this time, and other banks have implemented fees similar to that of RBTT – just that it has not been made as public.

He further explained that banks were having difficulties in collecting payments on loans, now more so than before, and alluded to one financial institution that now wanted to sell up to 150 properties throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines – both land

and house - because the persons concerned were unable to make their payments.

“We have to bear all this in mind when we take the decision that we are taking,” he said.

There was no need for a run-in on the bank, Eustace added. “Sit down with your banker and discuss whether this is something that you should do, especially where there are instances where the $25 (charge) does not apply.”

“That is my advice to you. I am not an financial advisor, but I think I have a broader understanding of what the issue is, and I am saying take much more care before you make more decisions like that,” he said.

He called on experts in the financial sector to come out and inform the public, and appealed to RBTT to advise the people on the matter before a lot of people’s personal savings are lost.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) issued a release on Monday expressing its concern over the increase in commercial banks’ fees and charges across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), and the effects on depositors.

It however, stated that the ECCB does not have the power to regulate commercial banks’ fees and charges, but individual banks determine its own fees and charges.

The ECCB is allowed to regulate the minimum savings rate and the minimum interest paid on savings deposits.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 3.

Right: Arnhim Eustace.

Opposition Leader, has cautioned against the willy nilly withdrawal of monies from accounts at RBTT.

Left: Account holders have been converging at the RBTT Kingstown to demand their monies, in light of the expected monthly charges on their accounts.

The issue of banks fees and charges have been discussed by the Monetary Council, the highest decision-making body of the ECCB, and at the November 2015

meeting approved several recommendations including: the establishment of an office of an Ombudsman for financial services, to mediate on behalf of

customers with complaints and address dispute resolution matters; the establishment of a working group to review commercial banks’ fees

and charges, and to encourage the ECCU Bankers Association to use moral suasion to establish a defined range of fees for various products and services which would be published for public information. (DD)

Watchman brutally beaten Memorial Hospital.

Rodney sustained severe The injured man explained that injuries to his head, face, eye, he was unable to overpower his knee, back and hands. attackers. There were just too Police reported recovering a many of them, he sighed. mask and two crowbars in the “If was even about four of area, following the incident. them, I would have put them Asked whether there were any down,” he quipped. police officers in the area during The 52-year-old revealed that the time he was there, Rodney he succeeded in ‘tearing off’ one of said he was aware of a policeman the men’s masks, but was unable being in the vicinity earlier that to identify him because they kept night, before the incident beating him. occurred, but that officer was The watchman said that it was subsequently relieved by another. only after security personnel from However, according to Rodney, a nearby business place, who had the policeman who had relieved apparently heard his screaming, the other officer went to another shone their lights in the direction location within the general area, where the ordeal was taking but that lawman seemed to have place, that the attackers fled. disappeared, as he (Rodney) had He added that he subsequently gone looking for him and could fell unconscious and caught not find him. himself at the Milton Cato

Continued from Front page.

Rodney is of the view that the entire area is extremely dangerous, and stressed the need for the presence of armed police officers.

He thanked the “Most High” for saving his life, and hoped that “the police catch the culprits soon.”

Police confirmed to THE VINCENTIAN this week, that Rodney had reported the incident and the matter was being investigated.

Up to press time Wednesday, police were still investigating a burglary at the IRD, which is said to have occurred between 6 p.m. on May 12, and 7:30 a.m. May 13.

No cash was stolen in that burglary, but speculation is that burglars may have been targeting the vaults at that department.

V NDP holds march and rally 4. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Above: Arhnim Eustace, Political Leader of the NDP, and other leading members of the party making their way to Sion Hill.

Right: The party faithful gathered at Sion Hill.

(Photo Credit: NDP)

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) stepped up its ongoing agitation against the results of the December 9, 2015 general elections, with a candle light march and rally last Wednesday evening.

The march began at the party’s Murray Road headquarters and made its way to Sion Hill a major community in the East Kingstown constituency in which NDP leader, Arnhim Eustace, was declared winner in the December 9 poll.

Addresses were delivered by principal members of the party including Eustace, other members elected to the parliament, senators and party activists.

The large gathering at Sion Hill were also entertained by a number of local artistes, including Mason, aka the ‘Panty Man’, with his 2016 release ‘dem Vincy’.

Taiwan-SVG looking to the future THE PEOPLE of The Republic of China (Taiwan) have opted for a new leader in Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to manage their affairs for the next four years, but the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been assured that relations between the two countries will remain the same.

This assurance was expressed at a celebratory ceremony hosted by Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) H.E Baushuan Ger, last Friday, to mark the installation of the new president..

The new President, the first woman to be elected President of Taiwan, along with her Deputy, Chen Chien-jen, took the oath of office in Taipei, that nation’s capital city, last Friday (Thursday local time).

And according to Ambassador H.E Ger, already she has promised to maintain the friendships and diplomatic relations with countries like St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This year marks 35 years since both countries developed diplomatic relations.

H.E Ger said that the newly installed president has pledged to rejuvenate the Taiwanese economy and to further strengthen ties with

SVG. To which Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves expressed his optimism saying: “I have no doubt that we will get along very well.”

He said that he had already established H.E Baushuan Ger, contact with Ambassador of the President Tsai, Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen, newly installed and that, based (Taiwan), president of the Republic of on discussions addressing the China (Taiwan). that he has had ceremony and with former assuring other mission here that has the President Ma continuing good same type of relationship with Ying-jeou, all ties with SVG. our general population as we that he has have with Taiwan. It has gone heard sounds to a kind of brotherly atmosphere promising. which does not exist too often, and “And I expect the kind of real, we appreciate that fact.” deep relations which existed The contribution to this country’s between ourselves when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) economy and culture was very important, Eustace went on, and was in charge of the country the people of this nation recognised between 2000 and 2008.”

Leader of the Opposition Arnhim that.

He expressed his appreciation, Eustace said that the country had already enjoyed 35 years of mutual saying that he looked forward to the continued working relations respect, “And I believe there is no between the two countries. (DD)

SVG prepares for possible ‘Bird Flu’ outbreak SHOULD THERE BE an outbreak of the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) here, officials will be better equipped to handle the situation.

This after persons drawn from a number of relevant government Ministries/Departments concluded a three-day workshop yesterday, on matters related to the disease.

The exercise was designed to test the roles and responsibilities for disease Chief Veterinary control, and to coordinate Officer Dr. arrangements in case of an Kathian Herbertoutbreak.

Hackshaw wants The venture looked at the an indetification requisites of appropriate of the gaps that personnel, and funds among exist in our others. preparedness to It also discussed and agreed combat ‘bird flu’. to measures to cope with standard operating procedures and matters affecting animal health, public health, poultry owners, environmental health, and the role of civil organisations.

Addressing Tuesday’s opening of the workshop, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Kathian Herbert-Hackshaw projected on the production of a “Field—friendly” document at the evaluation scheduled Thursday May 26.

David Castellan, She admitted that ““We International need to see where the gaps Veterinary are,” and urged the Consultant, participants to take the emphasised the exercise seriously. importance of Michael Dalton of the local responses and office of the Inter-American recovery in the Institute for Cooperation fight against ‘Bird (IICA), a co-host of the Flu’. workshop, highlighted his Agency’s support for CARICOM countries, particularly in the areas of human, animal and plant life, which he identified as vital to the preservation of the environment.

Chief Agriculture Officer Ashley Caine highlighted the consequences of any disease affecting the food chain, describing an outbreak of the disease as a crisis.

He encouraged participants to be alert to the dangers that can be wrought.

Resource person, David Castellan, an International Veterinary Consultant from Canada, and one that boasts a wealth of knowledge on Avian Influenza matters, noted the prevalence with which animal borne diseases have broken out in recent time.

He observed that there are man-induced outbreaks as well as natural occurrences, and emphasised the importance of aspects of responses and recovery.

The workshop featured a simulation exercise in which teams of participants went house to house in an area supposedly affected by the disease, assessing the extent of the penetration, and looking at other requirements in the response mechanism.

According to the centre for Disease Control in the USA, Avian influenza, commonly referred to as avain flu or bird flu, refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide, and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans.

V June 6, 2016: Election Day in St. Lucia

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 5.

Regional

IN AN ADDRESS to the nation on Thursday (May 19) evening, Dr. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister and Leader of the St. Lucia Labour Party, announced that date for general election in the country will be June 6, 2016. Nomination day will be May 27,

2016.

The Prime Minister said he has already made a request for the Governor General to dissolve Parliament. Once this is granted, it officially allows for the dissolution of Parliament.

Anthony said in an address to the nation that the June 6, 2016 election date, called several months ahead of the due date of the polls, was to ensure peace, stability and certainty in this country’s affairs.

He recalled that, while there was a debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2016- 2017 which most members of the opposition did not attend, there was no presentation of a budget address.

The Prime Minister said that, given his decision to call general elections just after the passage of the appropriations bill 2016/2017, he felt it best that the government elected by the

St. Lucia Labour Party’s Dr. Kenny Anthony (inset) addressing party supporters last weekend in Castries, St. Lucia. (Photo Credit: SLP)

will of the people in the next general Below: United Workers Party’s Allen elections be Chastanet (inset) addressing his party given the supporters early last week in Castries, opportunity to present, within St. Lucia. (Photo credit: Inset UWP) a reasonable period after the general election, its economic and policy proposals by way of a financial statement to the house.

The last Election in St. Lucia was held on November 28, 2011. It again lead the SLP into a general marked the ousting from government of election, the opposition UWP will be led, the United Workers Party (UWP) led for the first time, by Allen Chastanet, a then by Stephenson King. former Minister of Tourism in the UWP And while Dr. Anthony will once Administration that lost in 2011.

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6. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Economy

Cocoa investor frustrated ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES stands to benefit significantly from the development of a viable cocoa industry, but the lack of lands to plant and specifically to lease from the government has emerged as the greatest impediment to the St Vincent Cocoa Company (SVCC), the company spearheading the industry.

This is the complaint of principals of the SVCC, a complaint they say is predicated on the failure to fulfil an expressed commitment by the Ministry of Agriculture, ‘to support the Ministry of Lands in expediting this initiative’, as per Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Government, agreed in September 2014.

SVCC became the major player in the effort to revive the cocoa industry here after it assumed the assets of

The SVCC contuse to make cocoa plants available free of charge to interested Amajaro in 2014.

Amajaro had, among farmers. other factors for its dissolution here, cited its inability to cultivate an adequate acreage of cocoa to sustain the industry. When SVCC assumed principal ownership, Amajaro had rehabilitated a relatively small acreage of old cocoa trees and established only a further 200 new acres, way short of its original target of 5,000 acres.

In the circumstances, Marriott said that SVCC committed to: continuing to supply cocoa plantlets free to farmers; purchase the produce of farmers; buy lands to boost overall productivity.

On the last decision, THE VINCENTIAN was made privy to two

formal proposals made by SVCC to the government, to lease Crown lands, specifically at Lasham and Sandy Bay. Despite these applications to lease lands, a series of meetings related to the proposals, nothing has been forthcoming. Indeed, according to Marriott, “The company has not even been provided with a formal response of any sort, despite many promises.”

When pressed by THE VINCENTIAN, Marriott admitted to Principals of the SVCC, (L-R): Andrew losing faith that SVCC would ever be Hadley - Manager, and Harry Marriott afforded the opportunity to lease Chairman, are frustrated by the nongovernment lands to plant cocoa, response of government with respect despite many thousands of acres of to some fundamental measures unproductive lands being immediately agreed upon. and easily available. He has no idea why. government to grant to the company, “We don’t want to be treated any the fiscal incentive package which is differently from any other businesses available to all businesses, especially in St. Vincent, we don’t want any those in the agriculture sector. preferential treatment, we don’t want Marriott confirmed that this issue or need any money, all we need is the was specifically referred to in the framework in place in order to be able agreement for the takeover of to grow our business and to add to the Amajaro. country’s wellbeing in terms of largeManager of the SVCC, Andrew scale employment especially in the Hadley, admitted that the absence of poorer farming areas …..and all the allowed fiscal incentives was having a other spin offs ,” Marriott stressed. direct, adverse effect on the operations Marriott has not given up all hope of the company. of the government fulfilling its SVCC currently employs 40 workers commitment, but has been obliged to full time, with another 40 employed assume they will not. part time. Marriott, however, noted In the circumstance, the company that if the company was travelling full has “taken the bold step,” said speed (with the issue of land lease Marriot, “of buying lands on the open sorted) the business would have market, in order to fill the gap in its expanded far quicker, and more people business plan.” would have been employed by now, To date, the company has acquired especially in the poorer and more 150 acres of land which has already remote areas. been planted with cocoa. The Some of these persons are employed company’s policy is to continue to buy with a spin-off, value-added venture by 200-300 acres every year, assuming it the SVCC. That venture is chocolate is suitable land and at the right price. factory.

This measure was viewed as being Late last year the company hosted a the only way to ensure the company’s ‘soft launching’ of chocolate bars survival and that of the cocoa industry produced here from locally grown in St Vincent. cocoa.

“Without government lands we will “The response was very grow, but probably only at half rate as encouraging, not only in terms of the by definition our resources are chocolate itself, but also it boosted the diverted in to buying land as opposed awareness of what the company is to employing people and planting trying to achieve with the cocoa cocoa,” said the Chairman.

And, in addition to the non-response industry,” the Chairman said.

The chocolate bars are to become to the proposal to lease land, the available on the local market during company has been waiting for some the course of the year. eighteen months now, for the Despite the challenges and government’s perceived preference for the rehabilitation of the banana industry, Hadley is confident that the Cocoa industry will make a major positive impact on the economy of SVG. Marriott, though, posited that “it would be a shame if the government was not a stakeholder in the cocoa industry.”

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 7.

Court

Police officer on trial for shooting civilian

Young female lawyer prosecutes first matter pistol and five rounds of .40 ammunition without A YOUNG FEMALE licence.

Vincentian lawyer is The matter currently prosecuting her commenced at the first case.

Serious Offences Court Crown Counsel on Wednesday and is Jimesha Prince, the expected to continue daughter of Jimmy St today (Friday).

Clair Prince, Minister of Prince, 26, who was Education, National called to the local bar in Reconciliation and October 2014, has been Ecclesiastical Affairs, Crown Counsel in the has teamed up with Office of the Director of Crown Counsel Karim Public Prosecutions Nelson to prosecute the matter involving 24-year- (DPP) for one week.

After being called to old Questelles labourer the Bar, she had been Moah Williams, who is being tried on charges of attached to the National Insurance Services (NIS) having a .40 Smith and Wesson Semi-automatic as a legal officer.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Prince described her first practical experience in the court as a Prosecutor, as exciting.

“The whole job as Crown Counsel is rewarding,” she told THE VINCENTIAN, adding, “You get to understand all aspects of the society in a practical way.”

She noted that it was also the first time that she was doing a criminal matter since she was called to the Bar. Prince received her early education at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School, Girls’ High

Eustace to take action against ÂBingÊ

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION New Democratic Party (NDP) Arnhim Eustace has indicated that he will be taking legal action against controversial radio talk show host Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph and BOOM FM. Eustace described certain comments made by Joseph during his OMG programme on BOOM FM, as “nasty,” adding that they bore “no relationship to the truth with how I selling the senator salaries.”

Joseph’s comments were Arnhim Eustace, Dwight ‘Bing’ apparently made in relation to Joseph has once former NDP Senator Dr. Linton Leader of the NDP, wants no apology again, attracted the Lewis, and in relation to the from Joseph. ire of a member of conditions under which Dr. Lewis the opposition New was made a NDP senator.

Democratic Party.

“I found his comments to some extent really unbelievable, unproven and not true, and legal action will be taken against Bing and the radio station,” Eustace said on Monday.

He continued that the matter will not sit as it was, and that he was not interested in an apology.

“The nature of the apology pales before the nastiness that was said, and I shall take the necessary legal action within the next few days,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

Often people may make statements in an effort to prove or say something nasty, undignified and incorrect about another individual, Eustace explained.

“And I tend as a person not to bother too much about these things, but the nastiness Dr. Linton Lewis re-appeared with about this one, because I heard it myself an appearance on Joseph’s OMG – and Mr Joseph, you will pay for your programme, after going ‘MIA’ mouth,” he warned. (DD) since the Dec 9, 2015 general election.

Crown Counsel Jimesha Prince began her active career as a state prosecutor this week.

School and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, before receiving a National Exhibition Scholarship to pursue law studies at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.

She also attended the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago.

Six witnesses have so far testified for the prosecution in a matter in which a police officer has been charged in connection with the shooting of a civilian.

Police constable Otwell ‘OB’ John is on trial at the Serious Offences Court, charged with wounding Kevin Neil, a 36-year-old labourer of Penniston.

Neil was reportedly shot in the left leg at Hope Bridge, Vermont, around 7:45pm, June 22, 2015, minutes after the ceremony to open the bridge had ended.

The matter commenced on Monday and was adjourned to June 1.

Evidence presented by the prosecution revealed that John was off duty at the time of the incident, and that people were enjoying themselves to the music provided for the occasion of the bridge’s opening.

The evidence also revealed that P.C. John had shot Neil from behind, shortly after a confrontation between them.

The Court heard evidence from Neil, Alvis Collis of Penniston, Grantley Grant also of Vermont, Meshack Collis, police officer Josette Scipio Galley and a doctor.

Several other witnesses are listed to testify for the prosecution.

Crown Counsel Carl Williams is leading the prosecution’s case,. while attorney Ronald Marks is representing the police officer.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne is presiding.

(HH)

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8. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 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

Our democracy and Plato (Pt 2)

Putting some pieces together

AND FOR CERTAIN, our people are allowed lifestyles and engagement in passing fads that describe our passage through and under the influences that loom large. In that sense, we are not isolated; but are we insulated? We allow an over abundance of licentiousness, even lewdness and simulations of sexual nature, in our festivals and its component art forms, and blaze them across the television media for the world to see; but we hold steadfast to a criminalization of same sex relationships, disallowing a growing number of our citizens to have to live under the cloak of darkness.

The issue is not whether an alternate lifestyle is good or bad; it is a question, under our democracy, and if we subscribe to Plato’s thinking, of our democracy denying equality of lifestyles, without weighing its true repercussions, if any, on the development of our democracy and country.

The question therefore abounds: Has our democracy, as it bloomed through the years, allowed for an increase in freedoms and lifestyles without fear or favour? Have freedoms multiplied, or have we created an acceptance syndrome fueled by fear of what doing otherwise might me mean for our individual positions and welfare? Have we become obedient citizens who either pale or become obscene (a la our leaders) in the face of criticism of our complaints, our right under the basic tenets of our democracy? Criticism, some say, is a prerequisite for success. Does our democracy tolerate criticism as having this far-reaching effect, rather than stifle it with rude and callous responses?

In the process, therefore, have we created a situation of deference (respect) for authority withering or disappearing?

One is wont to say yes, as those in authority right across the spectra of society — parliament, government, schools, public and private sector service — struggle either to demand respect for themselves, or have simply given in to the uruly demands of a populace whose expectations have been so heightened, that when the goods are not delivered, they become aggressive?

There is an imbalance in our democracy, for which we all have to take the blame. The prevailing view is that our politics have contributed in the greatest measure to this reality. If the truth be told, it is what we have demanded or failed to demand from those whom we have entrusted to guard our democracy, that has given rise to a deliberate intent of divide and rule; for we fail to see that power and the lust for and desire to hold on to it, form the very foundation of our democracy as practised — as lived.

Some will say that ours is a young democracy, and that may be so, given our history and our mere thirty-four going on thirty-five years of political independence from a past of hundreds of years of colonial rule by a distant entity.

All the more reason that we grab the opportunity to fashion a democracy that serves our interest; one that serves our aspirations; one that delivers without fear or favour; one that guarantees a government that is truly representative of the maxim ‘Democracy is all about a government by and for the people’.

So, as we reflect on the teaching of Plato against our ‘young’ democracy, we must ask ourselves how much of Plato makes sense to our circumstances, and if there is much of Plato that we hold dear, then the question is, do we have a far way to go before we can say that ours is a true democracy?

In doing so, we must, as Plato advises, consider whether what we want as our democracy will result in greater freedom and equality as it evolves.

Democracy is not the purview of a few. It is, even in its idealism, the domain of a people who in turn must inform its leadership.

TODAY, Friday 27th May 2016, conceivably marks the day of decision on the NDP election petitions. Either the NDP wins and open-up, from their perspective a can of worms which could end up either with by election in Central Leeward and /or North Windward or, preferably from their point of view, a quashing of the entire 2015 election results and the holding of completely new 2016 elections.

Or there could be a judicial decision that confirms the election 2015 results, and set in motion further court action by way of appeal accompanied by mass action, the extent of which it is difficult to contemplate.

So, in the meantime, one may safely and usefully discuss some issues that were raised during the fracas. The most illogical and persistent has been the matter of leadership.

It has been held that the West Indian masses revere only a charismatic leader, and that Arnhim Eustace, unlike Ralph, has no charisma.

The term charisma, “gift of Grace”, was coined by a German philosopher Wittfogel, who described particular qualities akin to magical that inhered in a particular brand of leadership that emerged during crisis situations, like the throes of war, famine or natural disasters.

Transferred to former dependent countries, the term was applied to those leaders who spoke a vitriolic language against the Imperial Power, were thought to have been imbued with magical powers, and a spine-chilling speechifying style. Bustamante, Uriah Butler and Ebenezer Joshua were counted among their number.

Comrade Ralph, but not Arnhim Eustace, patterned his political style after the lot.

It was a short step from “charismatic” to strong leadership which naturally Joshua and Ralph inherited but certainly not Eustace, who aimed at simplicity, honesty and truthfulness which area defines his hall-mark.

There is no cut-off point, and so “Son” Mitchell struck the balance in making himself an ideal leader, strong, purposeful but democratic. I have stressed the point that about 60% of his Government had been members of the Educational Forum of the People, including present- day Arnhim Eustace, Allan Cruickshank and Major Leacock, so that an NDP government was never a “Mitchell Administration” pure and simple.

Forum members virtually carried the early NDP Government, albeit under Mitchell’s benign care and wise direction: Eddie Griffith, Parnel Campbell, Yvonne Francis Gibson, John Horne, Allan Cruickshank, Stuart Nanton and even Kerwyn Morris who finally entered as General-Secretary of the NDP. So important a political figure as Jerry Scott mixed and mingled with us without formally joining the EFP-DFM. Even Louis Jones had been closer to the EFP family than to the Mitchell’s. Mitchell had brought to the table some former PPP persons such as David Jack, Kelvin Gibson,

George Reddock, Emery Robertson, Calder Williams by fluke, and his first genuine recruits had been Burton Williams and Herbert Young, to whom he added new politically attractive persons as Alpian Allen and probably the model constituency representative in Bernard Wyllie.

So people must stop saying that Mitchell ran the NDP as his toy, in much the same fashion as Ralph misuses his charges like they were lap-dogs.

The man who won an “unsafe” constituency on five successive occasions and twice came within one-seat of forming the Government, has been termed a born loser without checking out fraudulence of our election set-up.

Most of all ULPites call for Eustace’s head, when if Eustace, according to their rancid reasoning remains the only insurance of another ULP victory which they hunger after! It does not add up!

Interestingly, if Arnhim were to become Prime Minister, he would be confirming his record as the only Vincy head of Government with a native wife. Mrs Joshua was Grenadian, Mrs. Cato from Nevis-Canadian, Mrs. Mitchell from Canada, and Mrs Gonsalves first from Jamaica then from Dominica.

To maintain the tradition, the NDP needs to push Dr. Friday as Arnhim’s successor!

I am so glad to note that Arnhim has at last been discovered by the people as possessing a loving care deposition, and is simply a man of his word. In other words, he is the genuine article.

From the time of his infancy, he has been misrepresented a man “born with a gold spoon in his mouth and never mixed with ordinary folks.” As a matter of interest, people like the deceased “Call it George” could have told how Arnhim grew up with the folk of Edinboro, and later fished commercially with his friend our Kerwyn Morris.

While Arnhim was at the top of the public Service, his close friends were Elias Roach and Mc Connie Yammie.

Generally, I have maintained my silence on the strictly legal question concerning the election petitions. As the ordinary man holds: “common sense mek before book”. What is a constitution but ideally the enshrinement of the culture and aspirations of a people wrapped in legal language? Technicalities ought not to get in the way of a determined people. Forms and regulations that do not remotely touch the essence of the problem must be considered not only dead, but incapable of rising to govern us from the grave.

We are truly an independent people, when all else fails, there must be APPEAL TO HEAVEN, as interpreted by you.

Let’s hope that sanity prevails and we do not have to make that appeal!

I am ecstatic over the promise later tonight and tomorrow night of the NDP Rally.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 9.

Letters

Marijuana - from pursuer to pusher IT SEEMS FAIR to say that our Prime Minister, Dr. Gonsalves, has now become our strongest advocateur for the expansion of production of marijuana in St. Vincent and the Grenadines . In recent months, that seems to be his pet subject. Some days ago, I heard him so suggest, that there was the possibility that we may be able to do some substantial business with the Canadians, supplying them with St. Vincent grown marijuana for medicinal purposes.

While the implementation rate of the projects which Dr.

Gonsalves had boldly declared has been significantly low, or dramatically unsuccessful, this new thrust in marijuana is still importantly instructive.

The failed projects which readily come to mind are: the Cross Country Road, the Owia Fishing Complex, the Cassava Factory, the Banana — Pest and Disease Control, the Feeder Road Rehabilitation Programme. The Schools Repair Programme had probably established the tone of management approaches for the regime, when $1.9 million of the funds which had been

allocated for that critically important exercise, is yet to be accounted for. There are some who feel that the error of some clerk may well have been responsible for a “straight-forward” mix-up, which caused the money to end up in some account beyond our shores.

So, with the economy crippled significantly by the abandonment of Agriculture, particularly bananas, and with no sustained alternative income-earning activity developed, coupled with the

wastage of resources, time and energy, on non-productive, ego-driven governmental excursions, we are now in real trouble. Everyone is feeling the pressure - farmers, merchants and beggars alike none escapes! So much so, that Dr. Gonsalves seems now to be relying heavily on marijuana to pull us out of the economic “swamp”.

I have been for some time observing the propensity of Dr. Gonsalves to be inconsistent, and this characteristic is being

graphically played out on the issue of marijuana. It seems but a few months ago that he had vowed to “pursue those vagabonds till they no longer exist,” a reference made to the marijuana growers in the hills of SVG. Today, he is heading towards leaning on them to rescue a crippled economy, and that prompts the question, “Has Ralph the pursuer now become the pusher ((promoter)”?

LeRoy Providence

Bring back the Religion and politics – old time days things common to both OH HOW TIMES have change! Mr. Editor.

Long ago, shows and concerts were for everyone — every age group, both sexes. Nowadays, you have shows for an ‘old people’ audience (albeit not very manner) and separate shows for a ‘young people’ audience.

I recall when the annual Music Festival attracted the patronage of both old and young alike.

As a matter of fact, the majority of performers was always young people, whose talent received the support of both their peers and an older generation.

Sadly it seems that that Festival has disappeared and there are hardly any events, if any at all, that showcase the real talent of the young people, notwithstanding the effort being made by Rodney Small of whom we must be proud.

I recall being very impressed with the first Christmas Concert staged by the Starlift Steel Orchestra. That was an exception to today’s rule — one that had a good mixture of old and young. We need more of these. The weekend block-os encourage nothing more than drinking, and inculcate no real sense of appreciation for the talent of our culture people.

Call me ‘old timish’, but I long for the days of music that soothe the spirit.

Clifton, A

Cloned meat, contaminated food and drink YOU THINK when you eat cloned meats that you are nourishing your body? How can that be when there is no life in that meat? Pray over the food, for chances are you will not know if it is cloned.

Remember Satan wants ‘to counterfeit’ everything Yahuveh has created. He does it in the name of science. Satan says he can create just as Yahuveh can create. He, Satan, “Eat my food, its better. I can create a chicken that will not have the bird flu.”

Beware when you eat ‘soulless’ meat that Yahuveh does not want you to eat. When and if we do, all kinds of sickness and disease will come upon us, for which not even the best doctors can administer a cure.

You must ask Yahuveh’s blessings and protection from this moment on for every morsel of food you eat and every beverage you drink. Thank Yahuveh for it. Learn to be grateful for small things.

Acts 15:29 ‘Instead we should write to them telling them to abstain from meats that is polluted’.

Yah descendant

TO MIX THESE can amount to mixing oil and water. They will never mix, but there are so many common features, so much so that these two can easily get along, if they were married.

Both exert great influence whether on their members or farther afield. Many terrible acts are performed in the names of both.

Heads of some religions are known to commit terrible crimes on children and adults.

But because they wear ‘a crown and a robe’ or both, the acts are simply pushed under the rug.

Some heads of religions saw it fit to bless weapons used in mass destruction.

Millions of lives — humans and animals — have been destroyed, leaving behind a trail of problems. Yet they believe that they are doing the will of God. In a sense they could be right, for the Bible

mentions many Lords and many Gods. So they ought to know which they are serving.

Politicians have their grounds men and women, and the opinions of these are invaluable.

Their duties are to check periodically on members and report to the Heads.

Punishment will then be discussed, and meted out as they see fit.

There is no set standard. If they feel like doing it in front of the masses while the sessions are taking place, so be it.

Also, information is entertained from all and sundry. A stray cat from across the road could, for the fun of it, decide to play a prank by reporting on a member, and this will be quite acceptable. No question will be asked. Names are not required, and this can be done by telephone, letter writing or any method for that matter. All that is

needed is fuel for the fire or wood for the mill.

Information to some politicians will be used for hiring or firing, replacements and refilling, a raise in salary or sometimes assisting some to another life.

Despite all that is transpiring, politicians and their supporters and

Remembering Sir Rupert John HAPPY 100th birthday to Sir Rupert Godfrey John who was born in the village of Evesham on 19th May 1916, the son of Donelly and Iona John.

He received his early education at the Evesham Methodist School and the St Vincent Grammar School, where he excelled in the classics.

Sir Rupert has been such an inspiration to so many, and his contribution to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is remarkable and historic.

He was the first native-born Governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Moreover, he was Christian, a family man, teacher, lawyer, politician, author, public servant and highlighter of the value and respect of the elderly, to name a few significant categories.

His influence has resounded both nationally and internationally. He demonstrated that one person can make a difference in the world — a lesson for all.

With discipline and a strong sense of purpose, he led an exemplary life, and has left an outstanding and enduring legacy. His was a life welllived, and he is certainly highly regarded as a pioneer in nationbuilding, adding to the list that he was perceptive enough to document for the benefit of future generations.

Much appreciated.

At this time, we reflect on his magnanimous nature and his many contributions to humanity with thanks and love.

Cheryl Phills King

Heads of religions and their parishioners remain one happy family.

Can some people of the human race get any dumber? I can’t help asking.

EMJ

* I thought the PM said we would welcome Syrian refugees?

Why then are Syrians leaving? Or are they encouraged to leave temporarily and then return? * Why did the police music to be played at the La Croix Banana Boxing Plant, in the middle of where people live, at ridiculously loud volumes, from 9pm to 7am the following day? * Are we now boxing music, seeing that there are no bananas to be boxed? * So what’s the take on Digicel not being allowed to bring a Monday Evening Band for itself for Vincy mas 2016? * St. Kitts and Nevis’s PM just made a statement on the crime situation in his country. What happen to our PM? He like he lose he mouth ina he Mooma or what, or it jus too hot for he to handle?

V The 22nd Convention of 10. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

the Unity Labour Party Introduction THIS WEEKEND, members and supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party will flock to the Campden Park Secondary School for the 22nd Annual Convention of this modern and professional mass political party. Over the last five years or so, the attendance at the ULP’s convention has been growing, forcing the party’s Chairman Edwin Snagg, and the General Secretary, Julian Francis, to seek larger and larger venues, to accommodate the large crowd. So the convention has moved from the St. Joseph’s Convent in Marriaqua, to the West St. George Secondary school, and finally to Campden Park.

The constitution of the ULP declares that some 364 persons are eligible to attend the convention.

These include twenty members from each constituency, the twenty threemember Parliamentary group, the twelve officers, the fifteen delegates at large and five members from the Women’s Arm. There will also be representatives from the Youth Arm, the political organisers and the affiliate members.

Despite this, the numbers have always flowed into the hundreds. Last year, over three thousand members and supporters flocked to the Campden Park area for the convention, since there was some speculation that the party leader, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, was going to announce the date of the next general election.

Generally speaking, there is an unofficial competition between the constituencies, to determine who has the largest crowd. For example, at the last ULP convention, one constituency delegation comprised over one hundred members, as compared to the twenty members which the constitution specifies. All this does is to indicate the support for the ULP, in some form or fashion, in that particular constituency.

There is great camaraderie at the convention, as members and supporters greet each other and try to catch up on what has happened, or is happening, in the political circles.

Given the current political climate in the country, perpetuated by the NDP, there will be light talk about this or that statement made by the opposition. Some will seek clarity about a particular issue, and others will offer this or that advice.

and of succession. This last topic is of important for the ULP supporters, and will pay close attention to what the Comrade Leader has to say in this regard.

Following this, the convention will break for lunch and more camaraderie, before the closed session commences. This is where the ULP will conduct its business, and discuss a number of matters related to the party. The discussions will be strong and robust, but professional and courteous, as members raise issues of concern to them, as well as to their constituencies. The closed session is a serious affair, a sort of “no holds barred” session where even the party leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and the general secretary, Julian Francis, face questions.

The ULP is a political party that thrives on transparency. It believes in the principles of good governance, and that this must begin within the party itself, and then extend to the administration. This is something that the opposition NDP does not understand. Their party is split down the middle, particularly on the issue of leadership. There is no vision, no philosophy and no strategy. If Arnhim Eustace can’t mould his party into a modern professional outfit, how then can he be ready to take the reins of government, a much bigger enterprise?

Reaffirming its Vision

Above all, this convention will further confirm the philosophy and vision of the ULP. The ULP’s vision is based on the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its philosophy is that of social democracy, fashioned from universal principles and grounded in our own Vincentian and Caribbean historical and contemporary circumstances. The party’s sociocultural outlook is based on the selfevident truth, that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are a magnificent component of our independent Caribbean civilisation.

All this is well known by all and sundry and in particular by ULP supporters. They can attest to the fact that the plans of their beloved party, in every area of government, are creatively designed and implanted to uplift the lives of all Vincentians. ULP supporters have an acute The mechanics of the Convention consciousness that it is their party that has made a huge difference in The Convention will begin with the the socio economic development of roll call of members. There will be the their country, and they are justly registration process for all delegates proud. from the constituencies, officers of the Their pride is reflected more in the party and so forth. This will be fact that it is they who ensured that followed by the assembly and a period the country remained in good hands, of religious activity as party members rather than the hopelessness of a and supporters give thanks to the political leader, who, when asked Almighty. There will be selected about his economic plans, could only addresses here and there, all leading throw up his hands and say “Ask up to the main address from the Ralph”. leader of the ULP, Dr. Ralph And that is why they will wear Gonsalves. their red shirts with pride on Sunday Expect the Comrade Leader to as they attend the 22nd annual speak about the recent elections, the convention of the ULP at the state of the ULP, the work of the Campden Park Secondary School. government in the fourth term, the “Put on your red, and hurt up their political work in the constituencies, head”.

Excerpts from the Hon. Arnhim EustaceÊs Address to the nation THERE HAVE BEEN a number of recent developments in the epic that is our national fight to restore democracy, which it is my duty to bring to your immediate attention. As the people of this nation, you are entitled to know and to decide for yourselves the weight to be given this information.

The following are the facts: In our electoral system, it is the Supervisor of Elections who administers the overall conduct of the elections. She has a constitutional and statutory responsibility for their efficient and fair conduct. Section 34(1) of the Constitution of St Vincent & the Grenadines, provides that “there shall be a Supervisor of Elections whose duty it shall be to exercise general supervision over the registration of voters in elections of Representatives and over the conduct of such elections.”

Subsection (6) thereof provides as follows: “In the exercise of his (her) functions under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Supervisor of Elections shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”

Under section 25(1) of the Representation of the People Act (or RPA) “for the purposes of an election, the Supervisor of Elections shall be the chief electoral officer and he shall:(a) Exercise general directions and supervision over the administrative conduct of the elections and enforce on the part of all elections officers, fairness, impartiality, and compliance with the provisions made by or under this Act; (b) Issue to elections officers such instructions as she considers necessary for ensuring effective implementation of the said provisions; (c)Execute and perform all other functions which are conferred or imposed upon her by or under this Act.” In each constituency, the Returning Officer is the single most responsible official in the determination of the successful candidate at election. The Returning Officer is appointed pursuant to section 26 of the RPA, and was required, after issuance of the writ by the Governor General addressed to him and forwarded via the Supervisor of Elections under section 31 of the RPA, to “proceed to hold an election in accordance with the House of Assembly Election Rules.”

Under section 33(2) thereof, it is the Returning Officer’s general duty at an election to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectively conducting the election in the manner provided by the Election Rules. It is the Returning Officer, and not the Supervisor of Elections, who signs and returns the writ declaring the result and naming the winner. The Supervisor’s only role at that point is to ensure delivery of that writ to the Governor General.

Both Mrs Sylvia Findlay Scrubb and Mr Winston Gaymes, as did all other electoral officers, swore an Oath of Office under section 30 of the RPA that they shall “faithfully perform the duties pertaining” to their office “according to law, without partiality, fear, favour or affection…”.“faithfully perform the duties pertaining” to their office “according to law, without partiality, fear, favour or affection…”

This is the second consecutive general election Mrs Sylvia Findlay Scrubb, the current Supervisor of Elections, has headed. She too, should and does know the rules governing the conduct of the elections. In the embattled constituency of Central Leeward, no one but the Returning Officer, Mr Winston Gaymes, should and does know the rules governing the process by which the successful candidate is determined. Mr Gaymes has worked with the Electoral Office intermittently over the past 40 years.

Therefore, serious miscarriages of these constitutionally and statutorily

imposed duties, by these two officials at the highest levels of the State’s election machinery, are not merely instances of non-compliance but outright illegalities by design.

Consider the following partial list of illegalities: * ALL of the ballots used in the 2015 general elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were defective in design.

The space reserved for the official mark of the Presiding Officer was located in the counterfoil instead of the ballot proper, in breach of the RPA. The Supervisor of Elections should and did know better. * Some of the ballots in the North Leeward election, the final count of which was attended by the Supervisor of Elections in person, were devoid of the official mark and counted, though rendered invalid. The respective Presiding Officers, the Returning Officer and the Supervisor of Elections should and did know better. * None of the ballot boxes in Central Leeward was sealed in accordance with the law. The respective Presiding Officers and the Returning Officer should and did know better. * At least 321 ballots were mutilated by two Presiding Officers, Mr Wallis Christopher and Ms Susan Thomas, at the CL-F1 and CL-F polling stations so that, among other things, they were devoid of the official mark when placed in the ballot box. The respective Presiding Officers should and did know better. * Those 321 mutilated ballots were then counted by the said Presiding Officers at the Preliminary Count even though they were invalid. The respective Presiding Officers should and did know better. * At the final count in Central Leeward, Mr Gaymes then counted the said 321 invalid ballots, despite the several objections of the NDP representatives at the Final Count. Mr Gaymes has stated plainly in his sworn affidavit of 21st December 2015, that he knew the said ballots were invalid and counted them nonetheless. The Returning Officer should and did know better.

In light of these and other illegalities, Mr Benjamin Exeter, the aggrieved NDP candidate in the Central Leeward election, goes to the court seeking the production and inspection of election documents, armed with photographic evidence of defectively designed ballots, mutilated ballots, incorrect statements of Presiding Officers, and improperly sealed ballot boxes.

He is encouraged so to do, by none less than the Commonwealth Observer Mission, which was not represented at the Final Count in Central Leeward, but stated in its preliminary report: “As of today 12 December 2015, we have heard allegations of serious irregularities from one political party.

We call upon those making these claims to file formal complaints as prescribed in the electoral laws, and for the relevant institutions to investigate and pronounce on these allegations.”

Mr Exeter files the application for production and inspection on the 17th December 2015, which is supported by his own affidavit and that of one of his representatives at the Final Count, Ms Maia Eustace. In those affidavits, they detail among other things the improper sealing of ballot boxes, with photos; the mutilation of ballots rendering them invalid, with photos; the counting of those invalid ballots by Mr Winston Gaymes; and importantly their objections to those irregularities.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 11.

Views

Party that lies and cheats

Health and Environmental Alert

“A party that lies and cheats its way to power is not going to be a candidate for model governance.”— Sir Eric Pickles, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

VINCENTIANS have been forced to respond to one health or environmental alert after the other in recent years. The most recent of which are the Zika virus scare and the challenges of climate change. Plain Talk, however, wishes to submit that there are more pressing health and environmental issues that constantly and consistently fly under the radar. These must be given greater attention by our health and other public officials as well as the citizens of this country.

Plain Talk speaks specially of the dangerous habit of skin lightening, the dangers with the continued use of the Monsanto bestselling product, Round Up, the scary additive that we continue to import and use in our agricultural production, as well as the pervasive use of Styrofoam products.

Self-hatred is a dangerous disease.

It is really a relic of slavery which taught our people that we were nothing and had no self-worth. Eurocentric ideas emphasized alien concepts of beauty. Our hair is too unmanageable, our skin is too dark and all things negative and ‘ugly’ are still portrayed as black. In recent times, American pop culture has touted the most successful as those with a lighter hue and longer hair.

This is nothing really new because Bob Marley is said to have gain international stardom ahead of Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh partly because he is light skinned. But as social media became pervasive and television became more readily available, our people got the full glare of these mind altering images.

We have taken time to heart, and too many of us are responding dangerously. Go to any beauty aid store in Kingstown, and hair products and skin lightening crèmes are now top sellers. These products now make for a million dollar industry.

Often we see on social media the deformities that come from the use of these products. All of us may have friends or acquaintances who use these products to their peril. Many can no longer walk in the sun after erasing their protective coat of melanin.

THE DAILY EXPRESS of Trinidad and Tobago, in its publication of Friday 20 May 2016, featured an article by Anna Ramdass entitled, “Party that rigs elections will rig contracts”. Ramdass’ article provided details in relation to various opening presentations that were made at the seminar on election campaign financing reform, hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain, on Wednesday 18 May. Sir Eric Pickles, a Member of Parliament (MP) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, was one of the key presenters.

His insights about election fraud appears to be timely, as so many complaints are being lodged by Caribbean citizens in relation to election fraud in their respective countries.

It certainly seems as though many of our Caribbean political parties (and politicians) are prepared to lie and cheat their way into power and/or engage in fraudulent activities to retain power. The citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continue to cry out for justice following the December 9 2015 general elections and the many allegations of misconduct prior to and during the elections. Why would a government give away millions of dollars worth of lumber, galvanise sheets, plywood, and cement days before the general election? Why would citizens be encouraged to register as living in one constituency and live in another? Who provided and distributed the thousands of United States dollars to some citizens nights before the general elections?

Why would defective ballots be approved for use in a general election?

Why is the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, so desperate to keep the petitions for the examination of the results of the Central Leeward constituency from being examined in the court of law? These and other pointed questions continue to ricochet throughout and beyond St. Vincent and the Grenadines as concerned individuals question the honesty (or lack thereof) of our political leaders.

During a recent conversation with a resident of East St. George, where the Unity Labour Party’s Camillo Gonsalves and the New Democratic Party’s Dr. Linton Lewis were vying to represent the people of that constituency, he alleged that several homes in the Ratho Mill and Prospect area had been rented and occupied by individuals from outside the constituency, mere weeks before the general elections. The individual further alleged that most of these individuals vacated the premises immediately following the general elections; clearly indicating that they were “tricking the electoral system” to “pad the votes” in that constituency.

Could the onlooker have been right?

Were persons from outside the East St. George constituency encouraged to register as having lived in that constituency in order to increase the number of votes for the ULP’s candidate? Did similar “illegal registrations” occur in other constituencies that were considered marginal? If so, it is a crying shame when our people can be so contaminated to do wrong and make it

appear right - to give in to those who will seek political office at any cost.

The various audio recordings of a political candidate seeking the names and contact information for the agents of opposing political parties also tell a story of fraud and dishonesty. What reasons could the competing candidate have for seeking the names of the opponent’s agents? Could it be to offer them monetary incentives to “turn a blind eye” when “hanky pankys” are taking place in the polling stations?

Moreover, why would a staunch political activist for the Unity Labour Party position herself outside the Calliaqua Anglican Parish Hall and diligently scrutinize the East St. George polling agents as they gathered for their final briefing the night before elections? These raise serious concerns for the level of desperation and dishonesty that appears to have infected our political leadership during the recent elections. The individuals who have fallen for the lull to gain power at any cost appear to have simultaneously lost their moral moorings. How can our citizens (especially our youth) hold up such malefactors as role models and mentors? What will it take for them to rekindle some hope of decency, dignity, and respect?

We pride ourselves as being a Christian society — a people who have a healthy fear of God. May those of us who lead commit and recommit to walking the high moral road and avoid the pitfalls and moral decay that accompany those who, for whatever reason, seek to cheat their way to power. Oh for some decent men and women who our young people can look up to and say, “When I grow up I want to be like him or her! A person of integrity!”

We again cry out for the tabling and acceptance of integrity legislation.

While it will not cure the political arena of all ills, it most certainly will demand more accountability and transparency. Our people have been calling for such legislation for over a decade now. The Unity Labour Party was loud in clamouring for this when they were in opposition over fifteen years ago. Their energy where this is concerned appeared to quickly fizzle away. During that time, our people have been hearing rumours of some of the senior members of that political party having huge sums of money in accounts in St. Lucia, Switzerland, and Panama. In the meantime, we also hear rumours of large sums of money being spent on the construction of the Argyle International Airport with no overview of the country’s parliament, even though this is boasted as being the largest capital project ever undertaken in the country. That being said, why have there not been any audited financial statements generated for this massive undertaking? Our people wonder. Our people cringe to think that it is quite possible that a party that cheats its way to power is not going to be a candidate for good governance.

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

called on Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar and the ULP administration to ban the use of this dangerous herbicide. In response, Minister Caesar promised to research the problem and act accordingly. To date, there is no evidence that any serious study or action has been taken to protect our people and environment from this chemical.

There is a growing consciousness about the dangers of Round Up. This was reflected in the demonstration last Saturday. The rain may have prevented a larger participation, but much more could and should be done. Minister Caesar and our government should be our first line of defense against this health hazard.

Styrofoam

Our rivers and gutters are being choked by discarded Styrofoam containers. Our streets and by ways are littered by the disregard that our citizens hold for the environment, as cups and other containers are thrown anywhere.

The unsightly nature of the litter is the least of the problem with Styrofoam. Styrofoam is made from the plastic polystyrene, which is based on building blocks called styrene monomers. When we drink your steaming cup of coffee, or spoon your chicken noodle soup out of a Styrofoam cup, or eat our steaming hot BBQ chicken or roasted port from a Styrofoam container, you also take in small doses of chemicals that leach from it.

Once the containers are discarded, they float down our rivers and flow into the sea. Before they get to the sea, many clog drains and gutters and offer breeding ground for mosquitoes that carrying deadly diseases. As if that is not enough, our divers and fisher folk tell the sorry tale of the havoc which Styrofoam containers cause to our Monsanto Round up fishes and turtles. Turtles sometimes choke or die because the material is Last Saturday, a lively group of indigestible and are not easily protesters came to Kingstown to degradable. protest the continued importation and We need to build a new use of Round Up, the agricultural consciousness around our health and herbicide that is manufactured and the health of our environment. It’s marketed by Monsanto, the giant especially important not to consume American based corporation. anything hot, oily, acidic including Round Up is the marketing name tomato sauce-based foods or alcoholic for the Glyphosate, and there is from Styrofoam, since heat, oil, acid increasing concern about this and alcohol increase leaching. Be herbicide. The US Environmental Protection Agency has cited Monsanto especially cognizant when you’re eating out at a restaurant. Disregard for knowing and keeping secret the the temptation to take home left overs science that there is a direct if there is no alternative to Styrofoam. correlation between Glyphosate and Forget about the convenience, it can cancer for more than 35 years. prove deadly over time.

Last year, the World Health Guyana and Grenada have banned Organization International Agency for Styrofoam. We should follow their Research on Cancer declared lead.

Glyphosate to be a probable human Because of these problems caused to carcinogen. There is growing scientific the minds and bodies of citizens, we evidence that Round Up causes birth are of the view that the state has a defects, skin disease, spontaneous compelling interest in securing the abortions, neurological disease and health and safety of citizens, and reparatory illness in human. should ban the importation of all skin Consequently, many countries, lightening cream, Round Up and among them Argentina, Bermuda, Styrofoam from our shores. These are Brazil, China, Cameroon, Columbia, simple steps that can ignite a health France, Germany, Hungary, Netherland, Peru, Sweden, Sri Lanka revolution. and Russia have banned the Send comments, criticisms & importation and use of Round UP. suggestions to jomosanga@gmail.com Last August, as ULP senator, I

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12. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Taiwan’s presence destroying SVG LAST WEEKEND, the Taiwan Embassy here hosted a massive cocktail party for its friends, including the NDP and ULP, to celebrate Taiwan’s 35 years anniversary of an abusive relationship with SVG. The NDP and ULP offered continued friendship with Taiwan.

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), MSc, MBA, has been a very strong critic of Taiwan’s presence in SVG. Mr Ivan O’Neal strongly condemns Taiwan’s tax evasion given in the SVG Fish Act 2001.

SVG is losing about EC$1.3 billion dollars in fish tax annually in Taiwan not off-loading its Atlantic Ocean fish catch in SVG. Taiwan’s uses SVG’s national flag on its fleet of fishing vessels in the Atlantic Ocean, and cannot fish in the Atlantic ocean without it. Taiwan is required, under the flag of convenience, to off-load its fish catch in SVG and pay fish tax.

Taiwan has not built one factory in SVG. If they had, this would have helped to eradicate poverty in SVG. The fight against poverty is one of the biggest problems in SVG, and Taiwan’s presence is a barrier to our

progress. We need factories in Vermont, Mespo Valley and North Windward to produce eddoes, dasheen, baby food from breadfruit, arrowroot starch, farine and teabags, fruit juice and canned callaloo for export.

Taiwan came to SVG 35 years ago, specifically to help SVG boost its agricultural output. Taiwan’s 35 years in SVG has been a disaster: SVG’s agricultural sector is virtually dead now, and the rural economy is a graveyard.

Both the ULP and NDP continue to be in bed with Taiwan and allow them to exploit our country. In order not to pay tax to the SVG Treasury, Taiwan has registered its fishing vessels with offshore companies. This is a great loss to the SVG economy, but the ULP regime turns a blind eye.

Meanwhile, the people of SVG have high bills and must pay taxes, including VAT. We urgently need a fair tax system to provide revenue to drive economic growth and create thousands of new jobs.

Taiwan is a rich country and its people are much better off than the people of SVG. The GDP per capita in

Taiwan is over $96,000, many times more than SVG. Unemployment is low in Taiwan at around 5.2%, and only 1.16% of the population is below the poverty line. Taiwan has over 100 universities, yet after 35 years in SVG, Taiwan has not helped SVG to build a science and technology university.

Shame on Taiwan!

Taiwan has reserves of foreign exchange and gold of about $78 billion; SVG has no reserves. Taiwan imports around $681 billion in goods, but does not import anything from SVG. Taiwan is truly an enemy to the development of SVG. Shame on Taiwan!

Taiwan has done nothing to help sustainable development in SVG and boost our economy. They are happy to see the people of SVG suffer and go further into poverty, whilst Taiwan gets richer. This is an exploitative, one-sided relationship in which Taiwan creams-off billions of dollars, but does not reciprocate and help the people of SVG. Shame on Taiwan!

SVG needs to cut ties with Taiwan and create ties with China.

If SVG had been using its fishing licence itself rather than letting

Taiwan use it, SVG would be a richer country. Poverty could have been virtually eradicated in SVG, with all the billions that Taiwan has creamedoff, from SVG’s flag of convenience in fishing for tuna in the Atlantic Ocean.

A future without poverty for our children and grandchildren depends upon a strong economy based on exported goods and services. Presently, for every one dollar exported, we import eleven dollars with over $200 million annually on food. Taiwan is a major hurdle and distinct obstacle to SVG’s economic development.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org Editor’s Note: The views expressed are those of the writer and the Organization he represents.

Mother Hazel invites one and all

by LUZETTE KING Host of Global Highlights

“I HAVE A MESSAGE from the Lord for the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including the judges, magistrates, lawyers and police … all the men and women of God… I am inviting all prayer warriors, musicians, young people, all … Thus sayeth the Lord!”

This is an excerpt from Mother Hazel who visited the Front Line (NDP protest in front to the Electoral office, Kingstown) to report a vision, and to seek help with carrying out the instructions she received.

According to that vision, she is to invite all to an open-air Spiritual Baptist meeting to be held on Halifax Street at 3pm, on Sunday, June 5.

She has insisted that the details of the “Lord’s message” cannot be revealed before this meeting.

Now, Mother Hazel cannot be considered a Front Line protester.

Beneath that quiet and humble demeanour lie the qualities of a devout Spiritual Baptist with a near unmatched confidence in her faith and religion. Only a few months ago, Mother Hazel almost singlehandedly coordinated activities for a Spiritual Baptist prayer meeting, during which she led a march seven times around the centre of Kingstown. She was not deterred by the few whom she led on that march as she rang her bell to “sound the message.” Those who marched included well known Baptist mothers and leaders of the Faith, such as Mother Young of Calliaqua.

The importance of highlighting this event speaks to the first of the three-prong theme of the United

Nations Decade for People of African Descent, which is set out in the UN General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to last during 2015-2024: Recognition, Justice and Development. In this regard, states are asked, among other things, to “Remove all obstacles that prevent their equal enjoyment of all human rights, economic, social, cultural, civil and political, including the right to development.” Therefore, we must be cognizant of the fact that the Shakers, as the Spiritual Baptist were first known, once bore the brunt of a 1912 Ordinance which deemed illegal their religious practice.

In fact, Dr. Adrian Fraser has written on the experiences of the Spiritual Baptists who lived under that Ordinance (George Mc Intosh and the Spiritual Baptist). The powers that be at the time “sought to create the atmosphere to declare the religion illegal by inflaming passions and drawing out the prejudices against what the Chief of Police (Acting) regarded as being associated with ‘hereditary traits of African Barbarism’, and which Administrator Cameron considered not a religion but a practice ‘allied to African fetish worship’. The established Churches entered the picture and exerted pressure to have the religion declared illegal.”

This brings us to a point where we must also highlight a recent attempt by the powers that be in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to instigate fear in some Spiritual Baptists who had met one Sunday afternoon to hold a prayer meeting Continued on Page 19.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 13.

Carnival Beat

ÂCome back to the Park,Ê CBA beckons THE CARNIVAL BANDS ASSOCIATION (CBA) intends to address the fall off of patrons to the Victoria Park for Mardi Gras.

Hugh Ragguette, Chairman of the CBA, said at a press briefing on Tuesday, that it has been observed over the past decade or so, that the show, which is the last major CDC (Carnival Development Corporation) event for Vincy Mas, has not been attracting patronage as it did in earlier times.

“Of course, this could happen because of several factors, one of which is the changing of the social milieu of the country,” Ragguette said.

But Mardi Gras is a grand spectacle and demonstrates the hard work of Mas makers and costume builders, he argued.

“We believe that the countless hours spent by those who produce various presentations, 14 of which we will have in 2016, make the necessary sacrifice for

the love of a festival which comes out of our people,” the CBA Chairman added.

So the CBA has agreed on a marketing and promotion strategy, “and our Mas Bands will be placing great emphasis on the theatrical spectacle which was part of the entire process in days of yore,” Ragguette informed.

“We definitely want to bring back spectators to view these presentations, because it is on the stage that you could get a full understanding of each and every presentation,” Ragguette said.

That said, the CBA was pleased to confirm that the second edition of the CBA- X-treme Carnival Blast, a collaboration between the CBA and X-treme 104.3 FM, will come off tomorrow at the Victoria Park.

The event will feature glimpses of the presentations of 13 of the 14 costume bands

Digicel gets the ‘green light’ THE GO AHEAD has been given to telecommunications company Digicel to present its own band for Vincy Mas 2016 Carnival Monday activities.

The confirmation was made by Ashford Wood, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) during a media conference last Tuesday.

Wood explained that an application was received Ashford Wood, from Digicel to put a band CEO/CDC, confirmed on the road, and it was that Digicel has been initially approved. given to ‘green light’ However, there were to bring its own band subsequent objections to this move by FLOW, super on Carnival Monday. platinum sponsor of Vincy Mas and Digicel’s rival in the local telecommunications market, and the initial approval was withdrawn.

FLOW’s objection was predicated on what they termed was a breach of a three-year contractual arrangement which they had entered into with the CDC. “Thus the endorsement was withdrawn; however, following further discussions held with representatives with Digicel, FLOW, CDC and other partners, the way has been cleared for Digicel to be part of the Monday activities,” Wood told the media conference. (DD)

that will be competing in this year’s ‘Band of the Year’ competition.

In addition, the mas bands will be on hand to display their designs and register would-be masqueraders.

The activity will begin at 2pm with a segment of

children-related activities, Alverne Cadougan, Secretary of the CBA, said.

An ‘Ole Mas’ component will also form part of the programme.

The show will climax with performances by up and coming Soca artistes

- and some of the veterans as well.

Admission for children is free, but there is an admission fee of Hugh Ragguette assured that $5.00 for adults. the CBA will embark on a There is a marketing effort aimed at re2:00am, Sunday attracting patrons to the morning, cut off Mardi Gras show. time for the show.

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14. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Young Vincy TV producer wins Best Dressed Competition

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

US CORRESPONDENT A YOUNG VINCENTIAN TELEVISION producer has won the Best Dressed Competition at an annual Tea Party organized by the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB).

Ronissha Marksman, 29, who is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Long Island University (LIU), downtown Brooklyn, won the competition on May 7 at St. Anthony Baptist Church, corner of Utica and East New York avenues in Brooklyn.

Marksman, who was born in Brooklyn to

Vincentian parents — Claudette Marksman, of Park Hill and Ruel Marksman, of Georgetown — was the unequivocal winner in the contest that comprised nine other competitors. The Best Dressed Competition was part of the UVCGB’s 8th Annual Tea Party.

The Post Production Coordinator for Eastern

TV in lower Manhattan, who teaches film and television production at LIU, wore a green hat, with a white and floral dress, white cardigan sweater, and lace gloves and white shoes.

She clearly impressed the judges and the sell-out patrons as she strutted her stuff on the catwalk.

“I feel good,”

Marksman told THE VINCENTIAN shortly after her performance. “It was exciting. It was a pleasure to participate in the competition. And it was an honor to win, especially with such tough competition.”

The winner of the Best Dressed or Hat Competition is usually declared ‘Miss United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn’ for the particular year in which the competition is held.

Annette Stowe, a Bequia-born Caribbean Tourism Ronissha Marksman – Best Organization (CTO) Dressed Winner and ‘Miss executive, who won United Vincie Cultural Group the Hat of Brooklyn’.

Competition in 2014, was first runner-up in the Best Dressed Competition this year.

Marksman will be crowned on Sept. 10, when UVCGB holds its annual fund-raising cultural show in Brooklyn, according to president Dr. Roxie Irish, a youth minister at the Miracle Temple Ministries in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.

Barbadian Jefferson Alleyne, who was invited to the Tea Party by his Sister-in-Christ, Lowmans Windward native Augusta Greene, won the Men’s Modeling Competition.

They worship at Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church on Prospect Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

“Lovely!” exclaimed Alleyne when asked about competing. “This is what I do. I had been doing this Barbadian Jefferson all my life; I’m an ex-party Alleyne wins Male boy.”

Modeling Competition.

Jamaican Vernal Hall Patrons were treated took the second spot in to, among other delicacies, the Men’s Modeling finger-licking chicken Competition.

His wife, is Evangelist wings, beef and chicken patties, fruit punch, and Lovinia Hall of the an assortment of teas, Miracle Temple Ministries, where several including “Bush Tea.” “Tea Party 2016 was a UVCGB members great success for us,” said worship, won the Song Irish, a former St. Vincent Competition with a rendition of ‘On Christ the and the Grenadines national netball star. “The Solid Rock I stand.’ members and volunteers The Tea Party also worked very hard, despite featured, among other things, “instrumentalities” the many challenges we by the UVCGB band, sing- faced. We were along, singing by Brooklyn determined to succeed. ....There were lots of new school teacher Zita attendees this year, and Adams, of Georgetown, the feedback is and a purse and wallet wonderful.” game.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 15.

Diaspora

‘Colors of Death’: Lessons about ‘Dead Lef’

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT THE TURMOIL that too often envelopes some families about inheritances, or ‘dead lef’ in local parlance, was played out in New York over the weekend, in the debut of “Colors of Death.”

The witty yet serious play, written and produced by prominent Vincentian playwright and actor Jerol HugginsJackson, was introduced to patrons in the United States on Saturday and Sunday at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Performed in four scenes, ‘Colors of Death’ tells the story of Desmond and his wife, Beverly Bain; their three daughters — Jacqueline, Mable or Mabeline, and Evelyn; and a cantankerous and often antagonistic aunt, Beatrice.

The family lives in a refurbished dwelling in ‘Bottom Town’, somewhere in Kingstown, set in the 1970s and beyond.

With the primary goal of improving his family’s impecunious state, Desmond leaves home and finds employment with the US-based shipping company, National Bulk Carriers.

While sailing, he gets caught up in trafficking cocaine and is busted by the Feds (FBI — Federal Bureau of Investigation) in Galveston, Texas.

Having been jailed for 44 years, Desmond is unable to provide for his family, but continues corresponding with Beverly from behind bars.

But, just before Beverly’s death from cancer, Desmond tells her where to find some “treasures” - near the outdoor latrine. Beverly uses that money to repair the house.

Beverly, though, fearful that disclosure of Desmond’s incarceration would bring shame and disgrace on her and the family, keeps all of this — jail, money, what have you - from her children and

Desmond makes an unexpected return to the home – one of the more dramatic scenes in the play. (Photo Credit : Velda Ashton) Left: Jerol Huggins-Jackson introducing cast at play’s end. L-R: Sylvia Williams-Gould, Toni Johnson-DaSilva, Bernadette Bristol and Nikki Nero.

(Photo Credit : Velda Ashton)

her loquacious sister, Beatrice.

Instead, Beverly’s story is that Desmond drowned in a “boating accident.”

The children grow up in dire poverty — hardly getting anything to eat on a daily basis — and the family was often unable to pay for basis utilities.

Beverly does “…what she had to do,” selling, among, other things, groundnuts, to get by.

Now grown, the two elder daughters — Jacqueline and Mable — migrate: Jacqueline, the oldest, went to England, and Mable, “the crack addict,” to Trinidad and Tobago. The youngest, Evelyn, remains at home, assisting her mother until she passes.

Jacqueline and Mable “never look back” on their mother; they never send remittances to improve her lot.

However, with Beverly’s death, the elder daughters return home, after decades overseas, for the funeral.

But rather than being preoccupying themselves with funeral arrangements, or demonstrating emotions over the death of their mother, they concern themselves with the ‘dead lef’.

Both lay claim to the house, but Beatrice would have none of that, and during ensuing family arguments asks them, to “get out.”

As far as Beatrice is concerned, Evelyn should be the true inheritor of Beverly’s estate.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a fully grey-

haired, old man, with a cane, knocks on the door, claiming to be the children’s father.

But, while Evelyn seems to more readily accept him, occasionally calling him “Daddy,” her elder siblings quickly reject him, querying his whereabouts when they most needed him.

Desmond eventually tells the children and Beatrice of his plight, explaining that his release comes after he suffered a stroke, and stressing that he has provided for them, even

while incarcerated.

Beatrice wonders why Beverly did not “pinch” her about Desmond’s incarceration.

Soon, the hostility towards Desmond dissipates.

Beatrice reads Beverly’s will, which confirms that Desmond, while in jail, had provided the finance to refurbish the dwelling.

The will provided that Desmond gets the master bedroom, Evelyn gets bedroom #1, Jacqueline gets bedroom #2, and Mabel gets bedroom #3.

Beverly also bequeaths a half an acre of land around the house to use to “cultivate food,” for the

family. One, however, cannot discern how half an acre of land is available for agricultural production in “concrete jungle” Bottom Town.

Beverly also warns in her last will and testament that, if the siblings refuse to “live in unity,” then her will would become “null and void.”

Additionally, the will instructs Beatrice to use $500,000 in the bank to upgrade the house, as she sees fit.

As some family members, primarily Jacqueline, express dissatisfaction over the will, Beatrice retorts: “It is what it is.”

Jacqueline does not stick around much longer, returning to England.

‘Colors of Death’ is a must-see for all, young and old, particularly for families torn apart by fights over “dead lef.”

Jacqueline was played

by Nikki Nero, Mable by Bernadette Bristol, Evelyn

by Toni Johnson DaSilva, Beatrice (auntie) by Sylvia Williams-Gould and Desmond by HugginsJackson.

“First, I have to thank Almighty God, then my cast,” Huggins-Jackson told patrons Saturday night at play’s end. “My goal is to take Vincentian and Caribbean plays to the world — on Broadway.”

16. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Wednesday, 1st June 2016 is World Milk Day. Since 2001, this special day, which originally was established by the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations), has been celebrated annually around the world.

The World Milk Day celebration is about sharing the story of milk as an important nutritional source.

Dutch Lady Milk, and a brief outline will be given regarding the benefits and origin of milk.

Dutch Lady celebrates World Milk Day in many countries worldwide including St Vincent & the Grenadines. A few schools were invited to visit the Holland Fun Farm at the Calliaqua Playing Field on Wednesday 1st, June 2016. Different activities will be organized regarding the origin of milk. During the activities, all can taste

Milk is unique because it is one of the most nutritionally complete foods. It provides essential nutrients: proteins, vitamin B2 and B12 and minerals such as calcium. We need these nutrients every day because they are an essential source of fuel, growth and protection for our bodies.

In the farm, the children will be able to milk a cow, color and play in the Bouncing Castle, and a photographer will be present to take pictures which will be converted to look like the Holland Fun Farm.

In order to get enough of these nutrients, we therefore advise everyone to drink or eat approximately 500 ml of dairy products per day (not just milk, but also e.g. yoghurt and dairy drinks). This is equivalent to three (3) glasses of milk per person per day. The recommended intake for children, adolescents and older people is different. Not only in St Vincent & the Grenadines, but worldwide, milk and milk products are recommended as a healthy food source for everybody, young and old.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 17.

News

IKTV on redevelopment path

VIEWERS OF LOCAL TELEVISION Station IKTV (channel 112) can look forward to more engaging content, as the channel seeks to connect further with its audience.

So says General Manager Irvin Durand, who indicated that channel 112 is now working to redevelop its image and presence in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“When I first came to IKTV, I got the impression that the public saw us as a platform to present music videos. As the vision is reshaped and with more clarity and definition of what the product is, the public can now look forward to much more than music videos, a wide range of programming that would be suitable for all audiences.

“We hope to bring fresh, new content to channel 112; some of it will be

engaging, and it is our hope all of it will be entertaining and educational, with more than 60 per cent of that content being local.”

Durand, a Dominican by birth, with a wealth of experience in broadcast, television production and entertainment, is calling on local producers and film makers to provide content to the station, to add to the local line up of programming that is already available on the station.

Apart from local content, Durand says that the station is also in talks with a number of regional broadcasters and producers, for the exchange of programme content that can fit satisfactorily with what IKTV will have to offer the public.

“At this point, we are looking for good quality production from the producers with whom we are going to partner, locally and regionally.

“We want our viewers

to enjoy what we deliver to them daily, and get some sense of satisfaction when they view IKTV. “When they watch IKTV, we want viewers to first see their communities, and then see St Vincent and the Grenadines, then the rest of the region as an extension of St Vincent and the Grenadines, so we can all have an appreciation of what is our own,” Durand said.

On Friday this week, IKTV, along with a number of its partners, will take to the Flow promenade in Kingstown, as part of the channel’s reimaging exercise, to showcase what they have in store for viewers.

While there, they will be interacting with the public and distributing product samples. “While television changes the demand for quality production remains, we are aspiring to bring quality production to the public, so

IKTV General Manager Irvin Durand. between 4pm and 6pm this Friday, we will give the public a look and taste of what IKTV and its supporting partners will be offering them going forward”. Drop by and get a glimpse and a taste!

18. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V Mother Hazel invites one and all

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 19.

News

working class people of the colony for trying to outside the Supervisor of serve God as their only Elections office. consolation for the halfWithout warning, a starved, naked, vehicle turned up with miserable and deplorable about 10 members of the condition in which they police force all dressed in have been kept.” black, presumably There is no question officers of the Rapid that far too many Response Unit. The Vincentians are crying practicing spiritual out for the hardship they Baptist Attorney Bayliss have had to endure.

Frederick can attest to Above all, many believe this. these conditions can only These prayer get worse under a ruling meetings, though at a regime whose legitimacy different time, can only is challenged in the court be seen in the same light of law. In fact, one as what George Mc member of this regime Intosh saw then. He is admits to the hardship quoted here by Dr. when he has seen it fit to Fraser: “Great and many go ‘a-begging’ for used have been the mishaps clothes and shoes, which imposed on the oppressed he will collect in bins and Continued from Page 12.

then distribute to his constituents. Underlying this simplification of the oppression that so many Vincentians face is the deliberate denial of basic human rights of many by this same regime. These include the blatant abuses of the “right to be free from want” for so many Vincentians. The spate of heinous crimes is also indicative of the moral and social decadence which we now face. Time and space do not permit for a full reminder of the story of Leon ‘Bigger Bigs’ Samuel. So, as a means of consoling themselves, many Vincentians are steeped in the belief of their religion of choice

through which they express their faith in God! The questions arising from the modern day experiences of oppression in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are: What in a Spiritual Baptist prayer meeting could create the need for a “rapid response” by the police? Given the state of affairs in SVG, to what extent are we to expect this regime to go to “Remove all obstacles that prevent their (People of African

Descent) equal enjoyment of all human rights, economic, social, cultural, civil and political, including the right to development”?

Please be reminded that Mother Hazel

invites all to the Spiritual Baptist open air prayer meeting somewhere on Halifax Street, Kingstown on Sunday, June 5, at 3:00 pm.

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20. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Two promises of marriage everything to me, and now, I am deeply in love with her; there is no way WHAT A MUDDLE I have I can hurt her got myself in!! feelings. Instead of I have fallen in love falling away, our with this woman who relationship got stronger. resides in Guyana. We So much so, I did a silly dated for about 2 years on line before we met in thing and proposed to her. person some 4 months The truth is that I had ago. The thing is, I another woman here, never thought that since I always thought relationship would my relationship with this develop into anything serious, but once we met, Guyanese phased out, things just fell into place. and I also promised to George, this woman was marry her.

Dear George,

I know I would have to choose one, but the question is, which one?

I am very mixed up right now and I have no idea what to do. Can you help me decide?

Pressure mounting Dear Pressure mounting

Love requires honesty and there is no way you

can love if that very vital quality is missing.

It is unfair to these ladies to be toying with their emotions. The sooner you settle this question, the better. You will be appreciated in the long run for being open and honest.

It appears that you already know which of these women you prefer, so just get on with it and do what you need to do.

Once you are truly and deeply in love, you do not need a back-up love affair.

George

I feel violated!

Dear George, I HAVE TIME and time again refused anal sex with my boyfriend. He eventually agreed not to force this idea on me anymore.

To my hurt and disappointment, I woke up one morning to find he had penetrated me during the night while I was sleeping. We were drinking a little, and he kept forcing me to have more and more to drink.

I must have had too much to drink, and that is when he did this horrible thing to me.

I told him about it and he denied it. I am the one who must know what has happened to me. It is now one week and I am still in pain.

I feel violated, and no longer have the feelings I once had for him. I do

not see us going very far after this.

Emotional wreck Dear Emotional wreck, You have been sexually violated. What your boyfriend did to you was criminal. He has in fact raped you, and you have the recourse of reporting him for it. That is entirely up to you.

You need a man in your life who has respect for your feelings and values, and to ensure that you have, you should consider discussing with him the issue of mutual respect in your relationship.

You may want to have him accompany you to get some relationship counselling, should you be thinking of continuing with him.

The truth is, though, that this incident should be a warning sign that there could be danger ahead. Take note and proceed cautiously.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Arguments may flare up in your home.

There might be a problem with a will or with an insurance policy. Try not to allow others to burden you with additional responsibilities. You can enhance your reputation if you treat family and friends with respect and dignity.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You need to be careful not to make promises that you can't fulfill. You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order. You will get out of shape easily if you don't keep on top of things. Raise your self-esteem and your confidence if you want to get back into the mainstream again.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too.

Ease the anguish by offering assistance.

Someone left a real mess for you to sift through. Try looking into new ways to make extra money.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Don't bend to the pressure. Avoid getting involved with married individuals. You may need to make a choice. You will have to be careful not to let others find out about your intentions.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You may enjoy doing something musical for entertainment. Find out all you can; secret enemies may lead you astray. Bring work home if it will help you get caught up. Don't say something you'll live to regret.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You may have problems with skin, bones, or teeth if you haven't been taking proper care of yourself. Sudden changes could result in estrangements.

Keep tabs on your spending. Curl up with a good book or go for a drive in the country.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment. Club memberships or

donations could be expensive and prove unnecessary. Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate.

Quarrels will erupt if you get into philosophical debates with friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You will do well if you mingle with the brass this week. Trying to deal with your mate will be unproductive and possibly hurtful. Residential changes, renovations, or moves are likely to disrupt your routine. You will be a bit of a spendthrift this week.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don't cause a scene, but when you get home let your partner know how you feel and why. You will need to work diligently in order to accomplish even the smallest amount. You can meet a new romantic partner or secure the love connection you already have by going out and entertaining yourself. Make sure to arrange in advance to spend quality time together.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Take on positions that offer on the job training or pay for courses related to the business. You might find that the extra cash will come in handy when an opportunity to invest comes along. Be aware that a female you work with may be trying to hold you back. This is not the day to be extravagant.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You need to challenge yourself. You have the ability to motivate others.

Arguments with relatives may lead to a split in the family. Don't allow personal problems to conflict with professional duties.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Don't let your partner put you down.

Your boss may be on the rampage and you certainly don't want to be the one to take the brunt of a bad situation.

Spend time with friends and relatives.

Travel for pleasure. You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair.

ACROSS

53. Comic Costello 1.Hamilton’s prov. 54. American 4. Petroleum buffalo cartel (abbr.)

55. 9-digit item 8. Not Rep. or (abbr) Dem. 56. Reaction to 11. Olden car an IM joke 12. Break 57. Ginger __ 13. Crude one’s 58. “Krazy” one lack (2 wds.) of cartoons 16. Flight height (abbr.)

DOWN 20. One Mrs. Trump 1.Kin of assoc.

23. Lance 2. Modern 25. Lyric lines (prefix) 26. Invitation 3. Likewise letters 4. Epps or 29. Walk Bradley 31. Trucker’s 5. “El __” (Marty semi Robbins hit) 32. Bind (2 wds.) 6. Superlative 34. Resident suffix (suffix) 7. Inexpensive 35. Ripped 8. Inclined to 37. Actress Polo copy 38. London’s Old 9. “Revolution” __ Network 39. Judgment 10. Dracula’s 41. Like Zeus dislike 43. Address book 12. Economist abbr.

John __ Mill 44. Brain wave 15. Singer 46. Landon of Shannon politics 19. Bandleader 48. Space traveler Brown

20. Cartoonist (2 wds.)

Drucker 45. Small amount 21. “Farewell, of liquid Juan!”

46. “ __ Night 22. Remorseful Long” 23. Cowboy’s 47. Brighton jingler bathroom 24. Lace up again 27. Location 28. Low neckline 30. Grain measure 33. Dove 36. Wind Direction (abbr.)

40. Thick slices 42. Went jogging 44. “__ girl!”

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 21.

49. Confessor’s burden 50. Inquire 51. Made in the __ 52. High Explosive (abbr.)

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22. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Bakers/pastry makers urged to be creative YESTERDAY, Thursday May 26, winners in the East Caribbean Group of Companies National Baking Competition were determined.

Their success would have hinged on their creativity and if they took the advice of Baking Consultant and Chief Judge Ali Medjahed, local ingredients would have been an integral component of their presentations.

Medjahed urged the competitors to be original.

He noted that fruits were in abundance here and encouraged bakers to use natural products.

“It is not expensive to be creative,” Medjahed declared.

The Chief Judge welcomed students and was happy that they are involved.

The bakers gathered at the ECGC headquarters at Campden Park last week Thursday, where they received the final instructions as well as samples of products for inclusion in their presentations.

Rachel Haslam, ECGC’s Marketing Manager, expressed satisfaction with the competition. She noted that persons were anticipating the exposure and contended, “It means that we doing something right.”

Haslam traced the growth of the competition into its seventh year. She noted that ECGC had been building relationship with customers over the forty

years since East Caribbean Flour Mills, was Ali Medjahed, Rachel Haslam, established.

Baking ECGC’s Haslam Consultant and Marketing outlined that Chief Judge, Manager, is the standard urged encouraged by was competitors to the interest and “improving make more use actual every year.”

She pointed to of local, natural participation in products. the Baking persons who Competition. were returning yearly and observed that their enthusiasm matched the anticipation of the new entrants.

The competition will have four categories of judging: Bread, Cake, Pastry and Specialty items. A theme is attached to each category with Bread marked by ‘Christmas’ Cake — ‘Easter’, Pastry - ‘Carnival’ and Specialty - ‘Independence’.

In addition to attractive prizes, including $3,000 to the overall winner, the best recipes will be printed in the ECGC 2017 Calendar, which Haslam views as a collector’s item given that ECGC will mark its 40th anniversary in 2017. (WKA)

Patrons of the Windward Carnival launch last Saturday got a view of the contestants in this year’s Miss Windward Pageant.

Digicel SVG supports Windward Carnival CARNIVAL lovers from Stubbs to as far north as Fancy were placed in a festive mood on Saturday May 21st, with the launch of the Windward Carnival at the Georgetown Primary School Grounds.

The launch was facilitated as part of the overall platinum sponsorship from Digicel SVG, and featured a number of top local artistes, including Digicel’s brand ambassador, Lancelot ‘Mad Skull’ Gloster-Scott.

Digicel’s Marketing Manager Danielle Cupid said the company was pleased to be once more associated with this country’s premier national festival- Vincy Mas. She added that, while the main highlights of Vincy Mas are scheduled for June 24th to July 5th, 2016, it is rural activities like the Windward Carnival that contribute immensely to making Vincy Mas the spectacle it is year after year.

Ms. Cupid said Digicel was particularly happy to support the Windward Carnival 2016, as the activities scheduled include a schools’ pan, calypso, raga and soca monarch competition, geared at exposing the talent of the rural students.

The 2016 Windward Carnival will also include the Miss Windward Beauty Pageant and a J’Ouvert and Street Party.

The Digicel Marketing Manager emphasized that for many years, the telecoms company has been partnering with a number of rural communities to ensure the overall success of their various events.

Digicel, for example, has been a huge pillar of support for the P’tani Carnival.

Digicel, according to Cupid, is committed to be even more visible during the national festival, and pledged to support rural carnival events across all of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Windward Carnival will kick into high gear on the weekend of June 15th, 2016.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 23.

The Grenada national criocket team.

SVG National Female Cricket team.

SVG females take two, lose one

Grenadian Karina Noel hit the only half century (57) in the series.

IN A CLOSELY contested three-match limited overs series involving the Senior Female Cricket teams of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Vincentian lasses held their nerves to walk away victorious in the two 50 overs matches, but lost the lone T20.

In the first 50 overs match, played like the other two at the Sion Hill Playing Field, SVG won by 2 runs in a game reduced to 34 overs due to rain. SVG won the second match, which was a T20 match by 15 runs on Sunday. The final 50 overs match on Monday turned out to be an exciting encounter, as SVG held their nerves to eventually win by 1 run.

In the first 50 overs encounter, SVG were restricted to 123 for 5 from 34 overs. Cordel Jack made 36 and Juliana Nero 34. Akeria Peters took 2 for 6.

Grenada replied with 121 for 6 from 34 overs.

Anesha Thomas led with 40, Debbie-Ann Lewis hit 27 and Akeria Peters 17.

Cordel Jack, Camile Garrick and Lotaya Providence took 1 wicket apiece.

The second 50 overs game was even more hair-raising, with SVG holding on for dear life to record a 1-run victory.

SVG were dismissed for what appeared to be a less than challenging 148 off 45.5 overs. Camille Garrick top scored with 31. Juliana Nero hit 25 and Cordel Jack 18 not

out. Captain and West Indies leg spinner Afy Fletcher bagged 4 for 26 and Avia Fortune took 2 for 34. The victory target of 149 proved, surprisingly, too much for the Grenadians, and try as much as they did, they eventually closed at 147 off 45.2. Karina Noel top scored with a patient 57 and Debbie-Ann Lewis hit 18. Off spinners Latoya Providence took 3 for 26 and Shaniza 2 for 24.

In the lone T20 match, Grenada batted first and made 116 for 3 from their 20 overs. Rachel Cyrus top scored with 25 and Deddie-Ann Lewis hit 21. SVG’s reply was fraught with signs of a struggle from the get-go, and they labored to 103 for 7 from 20 overs.

Cordel Jack top scored with 33 not out and Vinesha King hit 22.

Captain Fletcher’s leg spin proved too much for the Vincy lasses. She returned the outstanding figures of 4 overs, 2 runs, 4 wickets. Rachel Williams took 2 for 25 from 4 overs.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN after the matches, Fletcher pointed to batters as having tried to play “too safe”, especially in the second 50 overs encounter, and therefore created too much pressure on themselves.

However, the top leg spinner was still satisfied with the overall effort from her young team. “I still think as a

young unit we need to work harder on out patience, and we can only achieve this by playing more games and having more nets sessions,” the Grenada captain said.

Looking ahead to the WICB tournament, the West Indies leg spinner, who was part of the West Indies ICC Women’s World Cup winning team, accepted that a lot will depend on her. “I am committed to start with the leadership role in the team and set good examples, show good skills, and play my role

with all round performances,” she promised.

Juliana Nero, captain of SVG team, while accepting the overall victory in the series, admitted that her team could have done better in all areas.

“I am a bit concerned about the physical fitness of the team, and while there were some good individual performances, had the unit been a fitter one, we would have performed better,” Nero said.

The issue of fitness “needs to be fixed,

starting from now in order for the team to compete better in next year’s tournament,” Nero advised.

Contrary to what was advanced in a previous article, a full Windward Islands team will compete in the upcoming WIBC Female Tournament. The Windwards team will be selected after a similar three-match series involving Dominica and St. Lucia, to be played in St. Lucia this weekend.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Afy Fletcher, captain of the Grenada team.

Juliana Nero, captain of the SVG team.

SVG Male Cricket team leaves for Championships THIS COUNTRY’S Senior Male Cricket team left the state today, Friday 27th May, to take part in the 2016 Windward Islands Cricket Tournament, to be held in Grenada this weekend.

The 14-member squad will be coached by Deighton Butler.

Butler believes once the players perform to the best of their abilities and apply what they have worked on in training, they should be able to achieve the objective of coming away as champions.

“The team has a mixture of talented players and is a wellbalanced one, and while I realize this title has eluded us for a few years, my expectation is that we can be champions again, once we do the right things,” Butler said.

The team includes one newcomer, fast bowler Roneil Jeffery, who represents Team Rivals in the local cricket

competition.

He expressed his anxiety about making his debut even as he realizes that he has to contend with the experienced Kenroy Peters, Delorn Johnson and Shaquille Browne, and Fast Bowler Roneil West Indies under-19 Head coach Jeffery, the only player Obed McCoy, for a Deighton Butler newcomer in the spot in the final eleven. hinges SVG’s The team will be led for squad. chances of the first time by winning the Windwards middle order batsman Kenroy tournament on Peters, Roneil the extent to Sunil Ambris, who is also the Jeffery and designated wicket-keeper. which his Obed McCoy. Ambris will have Miles players apply The Bascombe as his deputy, and a themselves. tournament squad that includes batsmen will be played Atticus Browne, Gidron Pope, in Grenada from May 28th. to Donwell Hector and Casmon June 3th.

Walters, batting all rounder Dominica are the defending Rodney Lawrence, spinners champions.

Kenneth Dember and Asif Hooper, and fast bowlers Delorn I.B.A.ALLEN Johnson, Shaquille Browne,

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24. FRIDAY,MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Ranieri preserving Premier status CLAUDIO RANIERI, the Italian born manager of 2016 Barclays Premier League Champion Leicester City, has his eyes on a repeat of his 2016 performance.

If he pulls off a repeat, that will be another fascinating accomplishment, and Ranieri will be placed in a class of his own.

His achievement has been seen as astounding.

Leicester City were on the brink of relegation the previous season, and their uncertainty put their chances of winning the title at 5,000 to one. But Ranieri adopted a pragmatic approach and carved out a record that has left the rest of the world dumbfounded.

A bunch of players discarded by other teams, and a squad valuing very little compared with many of their rivals, Leicester City grew from strength and emerged with their giant killer tag.

Their triumph is a remarkable story of the underdog reward. In a way it mirrored my hopes of Vincy Heat reaching the World Cup finals in football.

The Leicester City victory is an example of what players giving their heart and soul could achieve.

Raneiri confessed that the “focus, determination and spirit made the feat possible”.

Leicester City has proven to be a condensation of a global unit. The owner is from Thailand.

And five Leicester City players made it to the list of ten players eligible for the Player of the Season award.

They are Algerian born Riyad Mahrez, already awarded the African Player of the Year. Jamie Vardy, the season’s top goal scorer, could be further rewarded. Danish Goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel, Frenchman: N’Golo Kante and captain: Jamaican national player Wes Morgan highlight Leicester City’s dominance.

The other players on the Leicester City squad will not be jealous of their teammates, and any success the Club receives will be welcomed as part of their team’s accomplishment.

Danny Simpson, Danny Drinkwater, Marc Albrighton, along with Vardy ensure that Leicester City has a firm British base. Robert Huth: Germany, Christian Fuch: Austria, Shingi Okazaki: Japan, Jeffery Schlupp: Ghana, Leonardo Ulloa: Argentina, with Chilean grandparents, and Andy King Wales, reveal the international nature of the contingent.

Leicester City’s fable comes as a source of inspiration to teams decidedly underdogs. But their performance goes beyond the ordinary.

The matter of “heart and soul” is a factor that all sporting institutions will be keen to embrace.

No matter how the odds may be stacked against you, once you have the belief, nothing can prove a hindrance.

In this age of instant gratification, the Leicester City story looms large. They have shown that the road to success is not paved with ready- made provisions. Persons have to dig deep in order to achieve anything worthwhile. And once the returns start coming, there will be no obstacles to impede the progress.

Leicester City’s miracle is a lesson to all sporting outfits, one that is worth using as a template which squads, sporting and otherwise, will do well to emulate.

The Caribbean can take a leaf from the Leicester City Book. In one enthralling season, an English Club, starved of any major titles for 132 years, surfaced one spring in 2016. The rest of the world will see this as the ultimate version of the incredible in any category.

Mitres and Maple treat netball fans THE MUCH ANTICIPATED Division One clash between arch rivals Maple and defending champions Western Union Mitres lived up to expectations last Tuesday evening at the Kingstown Netball Centre (KNC), as the two provided what must be the most exciting and entertaining encounter so far in the 2016 Flow National Netball Club Tournament.

In the clash that has become the deciding match of the division over the recent past, Mitres were in the ascendancy after the first quarter, leading 10-8, but Maple responded admirably in the second quarter, taking charge 24-20.

The ding dong battle continued and saw Mitres Maple’s Vasha Adams and Juliet Cumberbatch double team Mitres’ retaking the lead at the end of the third quarter with a 37-33 Gailene Gordon in last Tuesday’s gripping encounter. Maple’s Elizabeth Caruth Glasgow watches from outside the circle. score-line.

The drama though was Samuel, Marcia Gordon, Gailene ending it a tie, their next meeting withheld for the fourth and final is also being carded as another quarter, climaxing in scores being Gordon, Delornie Sam, Shellisa Davis and Shannique De Shong. hump dinger. level, 47 apiece, at the sound of The two outfits will meet again Mitres won both the league and the final whistle.

Both teams are a either side of in the second round. Competition knock out titles, back to back, in organizers decided on two rounds 2014 and 2015. the age spectrum, with Maple of competition for Division One, featuring four former national While the division one title given that only four teams players and Mitres boasting hangs in the balance, the others registered. among their ranks, most of the are clearer. Dutch Lady The others in the fray are current national senior team.

Clinchers head-up division two, Maple, which will celebrate its Twilight Trading X- Ceed and Dr while Beta Farms Bequia lead Jules ASCO. 65th anniversary next month, division three, with ASCO youths With last Tuesday’s match making it the oldest netball club in pole position in division four. in the OECS, featured a line-up which started and ended the encounter. On court for the duration of the match were Skiddy Francis- Crick, Thelma Foster, Elizabeth Caruth-Glasgow, Rose Clair Hall, Debbie Jordan, Vasha Adams and Juliet Cumberbatch.

It was a similar case for Mitres as they did not go to their bench, opting to play through the encounter with the combination of Anella

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

26. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2016. 27.

Classifieds

RUTH VICTORIA CAMPBELL Grace & Truth Church, Layou Monday 23rd May 2016 3:00 p.m.

FELIX OSWALD ARCHIBALD µ+$16¶ Saturday 21 May, 2016 Belair New Testament Church of God 3:00pm

JAMES GUMBS Paradise SDA Church Vermont Sunday 22nd May, 2016 2:00 p.m.

WINFIELD LONNIE JAMES S.D. Adventist Church Bequia Sunday 22nd May, 2016 1:00 p.m.

BRENDA JENNETTA TONEY New Life Ministries North Union Saturday 21st May, 2016 2:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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S A L E

FRIDAY,

MAY 27, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.22

to the back of his head.

Ollivierre’s death is INVESTIGATIONS ARE ON- the third shooting death GOING into the shooting to have occurred in the death of Wendell country within a week.

Ollivierre, a 21-year-old His death follows that man of Vermont. of Sheldon Pollin who Ollivierre’s body was was shot by two masked discovered around 6 assailants while at a Wednesday morning in shop in Diamond on New Montrose, Police May 18. said.

Another man, His body, according Richard Barnwell, was to the police, showed shot in the chest and signs of what appeared hand in the same to be a gunshot wound incident, but survived.

And Wilmore ‘Tally Green’ Goodgie was gunned down in Paul’s Avenue last Saturday afternoon around 4, by unknown assailants.

The homicide count as of May 25 stood at 15 for the year.

Wendell Ollivierre was shot dead quite some distance from his native community.

Police high command discusses crime situation

by HAYDN HUGGINS THE POLICE HIGH COMMAND had recently met to discuss the crime situation in the country, and will be holding a news conference soon.

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles made the disclosure when contacted by THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday.

No date has yet been set for the news conference.

Charles declined to disclose what measures the police have decided to take at this stage, but he assured there would be an increased police presence throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that the police have since “upped their game.”

When asked about the speculation that a recent spate of fatal shootings here was drug-related, the top cop said that he was unable to say, at this point in the investigations, whether this was so or not.

He, however, admitted there were too many homicides here, and that the Police high command “is extremely concerned about the recent spate of shootings.”

He reiterated a call for the public to continue its support for and cooperation with the police.

To date, 15 homicides have been recorded here,

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

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OLLIVIERRE: HOMICIDE NO. 15

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The Police high command includes Commission of Police Michael Charles, Deputy Reynold Hadaway (pictured from left to right), the Assistants Commissioners and Commander of the Coast Guard. with 14 of them being gun-related.

Up to press time Wednesday, 12 of the homicides recorded so far this year, were still under investigation.

Ten homicides were recorded over the same period last year, with three of them being gunrelated.

Eleven of the 26 homicides recorded last year were gun-related.

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

EC$1.50

Another shooting fatality

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY LESTINA RICHARDSON, mother of Wilmore ‘Tally Green’ Goodgie, is angry over newspaper reports about her son. She was, however, reluctant to speak in detail about what she considered to be unceremonious presentations.

Richards remained blunt on her assessment, but kept her comments Lejah ‘Soup’ Alexander, already sparse on the is wanted by police in newspapers report. connection with the Goodgie died at the incident that resulted in Milton Cato Memorial Wilmore Goodgie’s Hospital last Saturday death. afternoon shortly after being shot at about 3:40 pm that day.

A post mortem report indicated that he received two shots: one to the back and the other to the left side.

The shooting is said to have occurred along the stretch of road leading from the Hinds Building to the VINLEC headquarters, Kingstown.

Goodgie is reported to have run to the Level Garden area, a suburb of capital Kingstown, from where he was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

The deceased, a resident of Questelles, selfemployed and the father of one, was, according to his brother Noel, a sports enthusiast. He played football on the street, loved cricket, and his favourite cricketer was former West Indies batsman Richie Richardson.

His death was listed as the 14th homicide for the year.

Investigations are ongoing, but the police have issued a ‘Wanted Notice’ for one Lejah ‘Soup’ Alexander, in connection with the incident.

Goodie’s death and that of Wendell Olliverre, who died on Tuesday night, have heightened public alarm over the prevalence of gun-related crimes here.

The police have promised to make a statement on the current crime situation in the Wilmore ‘Tally’ Green country.

Goodgie.

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