Vin pages 28 04 17 e reader for web

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

APRIL 28, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.17

www.thevincentian.com

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Attorney Grant Connell has found, yet again, reason to call for a ‘bucking up’ of investigation processes and procedures by the police.

ATTORNEY GRANT CONNELL is calling on the police to find the perpetrators in several homicides here over the last 12 years, including those of nine-monthold Mozarie Lee and Glen Jackson, former Press Secretary of PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Connell’s call came during a conversation with THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, minutes after Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne ruled that Martin ‘Jahson’ James, 45, and Ricardo McFee, 29, both labourers of Villa, had no case to answer on charges of murdering baby Lee, and attempting to murder his father Mozart Lee and mother. Shelly Ann Durham, during an incident at Glen on October 7, 2016.

The Chief Magistrate discharged the defendants at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Tuesday, after upholding No Case submissions by Connell and Israel Bruce, representing James and McFee respectively.

The baby was shot to death while in the arms of his mother.

She and the baby’s father however, sustained injuries when gunshots were reportedly fired into a yard at Glen, around 7 p.m. on the date in question.

In his conversation with THE VINCENTIAN, Connell stated, “It’s time the police do proper investigations, instead of arresting innocent people to give the public the impression that they are being effective.

They have a duty to us as citizens, to find the perpetrators of these acts; that’s why they are paid.”

Connell urged the police to “shake off the shackles, move away from what the colonialists taught, and adopt

EC$1.50

a different approach.”

Police investigator crossexamined With reference to the matter at hand, Connell noted that investigator Inspector Sherol James, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Martin James hid Calliaqua, told the Court she his face even as he spent about 3 minutes on the crime left the Serious scene, then left for the Milton Cato Offences Court a Memorial Hospital, leaving free man.

Constable Joel Williams in charge.

He also noted that the vehicle PE540, reportedly belonging to Monty Hillocks of Belmont, in which the baby’s father, an audio technician, was reportedly installing an audio system when the shots rang out, never remained in police custody.

Inspector James had also told the court that PC Williams was a qualified and competent crime scene investigator and she had confidence in him.

James’ evidence also revealed that three guns, including one reportedly found in a vehicle Hillocks was driving, as well as spent shells collected on the crime scene, were sent abroad for forensic analysis, but to date the results have not been received.

Under crossexamination by Bruce, the investigator admitted that a statement McFee Investigator Inspector Sherol had given to the police James was given a thorough during an electronic going over by defence attorneys Continued on Page 3. Grant Connell and Israel Bruce.

V The violinist from Nigeria 2. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

People

started playing the violin at the early age of SAMUEL TOKA, from an thirteen years. He was early age, was enthralled introduced to and taught by the sound coming from how to play the a small wooden musical instrument by a friend instrument known as the who played the keyboard violin, which you hold and violin. under your chin and play “In Nigeria, I attended by pulling a bow, a special the Apostolic Baptist stick, across the strings to Church. The church has create sound. It was, as branches throughout the he discovered, the violin. countryside. I joined the Little wonder, church’s orchestra, which therefore, that Samuel comprised of a number of

by KINGSLEY ROBERTS

talented musicians. We performed at many church functions; at the same time, it helped me to improve my skill as a violinist,” Samuel said.

As for his arrival in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the young man explained that the Nigerian Government set up a Student Program in 2015, which facilitated overseas for students on merit.

“I was one of the several persons chosen to attend the All Saints University, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he quipped.

According to Samuel, it was a bit strange when he arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“You see”, he said, “coming from a big country with a large population, to a small island with a different

dialect, the food, the building and the layback attribute of the natives, it was a culture shock. …. I had to make some adjustments to my life, but I am enjoying every moment of it.”

His introduction to playing here in SVG, he explained thus: “I was visited to perform at a function in Layou, and I met Desmond Roberts, the organist of the St. George’s Cathedral Kingstown. Before I met Desmond, I played at the International Prayer House in Arnos Vale for a while. At the moment, I perform and worship at the Ascension Anglican Church, Sion Hill.”

He contended that

playing the violin helps with his studies. “It’s one way of easing the stress, especially when I am preparing for examination,” he said, adding, “It helps me to develop a positive attitude to my studies.”

It is the young man’s hope that, “The same way a friend took time to shape my music career, I will like to do the same for the youngsters of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Samuel was born to mother Irene Toka and father Joseph Toka in Portharcout, a river state of Nigeria, and is the youngest among three children - two boys and one girl.

Nigerian student Samuel Toka would like to make a contribution to the development of music talent here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 3.

News 3 VenezuelaÊs government seeks solidarity FOLLOWING VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro’s attendance at the recent Meeting of the OECS Authority held here, to rally support against the forces that are threatening that country’s sovereignty, Vincentians joined in with the rest of the world to express their solidarity with the government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Ambassador H.E Yuri Pimentel, while speaking at a ceremony held at the Venezuelan Embassy last week Wednesday — which was being celebrated as a ‘Day of Solidarity’ said that they were “obliged to share and alert the world, especially the friends of the Bolivarian Revolution, of the threat wrought on our country.”

Over the past several days, violence has erupted on the streets of Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas, and other cities across the country, as opposition forces protested against the Maduro led administration, claiming that it has “eroded democracy” and has plunged the oil driven economy into chaos.

H.E Pimentel explained that since

his country gained independence from Spain, and following on the death of Simon Bolivar, new forms of colonialism had crept in.

It was only until President Hugo Chavez came into power in 1999 that things began to turn around for the majority of the Venezuelan people, especially the poor.

The Ambassador stressed that Chavez sought to nationalize the oil industry — Venezuela’s primary source of foreign exchange — a move that was never supported by the United States Government, and accordingly, he continued, the US has conspired to end the Bolivarian Revolution.

“Today we are facing a similar situation, plagued by new dangers and threats against our country, and from this we want to alert our brothers and sisters of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” H.E Pimentel said.

“The international conspiracy proposes, through destabilization, chaos and vandalism to foment a foreign intervention that produces a change of regime,” he continued.

The ambassador also blamed

Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro and the international media, especially US based media houses, of playing into the conspiracy in order to oust the Maduro led administration.

International news organizations were and have been involved in intentionally misleading the public on what was actually taking place in Venezuela, Ambassador H.E Yuri Pimentel, Ambassador of Venezuela Pimentel said. to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said In fact, the international clearly that Venezuela was seeking solidarity media would not show the for its cause of building a just and fair mass support, and the large society for all Venezuelans. numbers who turned up to support Maduro in a rally that governments that had conspired to was held on Wednesday (last week), assault and destabilize Venezuelan amidst the call by that country’s opposition for the staging of what has democracy.

And so, it was with this in mind, been referred to as “the mother of all that the Government and People of marches.”

And having outlined the issue as it Venezuela were invoking international existed in his country, the ambassador solidarity with the cause of building its revolution in the service of all said that his country denounced Venezuelans. (DD) regional oligarchies and right-winged

“Find the killers,” lawyer tells police who McFee said were at the time in the shop, including the shopkeeper, someone referred to as ‘Peas-I’ and the co- accused Martin James.

James had also given a statement, inclusive of an alibi during an electronic interview in the presence of his lawyer, but it was not shown in Court.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche indicated that the DVD was not available.

Ricardo Mc Fee remains behind bars serving out an ammunition possession sentence.

Guns fired, shooters unidentified

In his no case submission, Connell Continued from Front described the Page. investigations as a interview, that he was in dismal failure. Bruce a shop at Glen when the agreed, and pointed out incident was reported to that the baby’s parents, as well as Randy have occurred, was confirmed by the persons Humphrey, an assistant

technician, who was also in the yard when the shooting occurred, could not assist the prosecution’s case, as they were unable to say who fired the shots.

Mozart had told the Court that he had heard gunshots, but did not see who was firing.

Mozart had also testified that he received a bullet to the chest which threw him onto the ground, and that Hillocks, who was close to the vehicle, ran over him, and he heard more gunshots.

Durham and Humphrey also said they did not see who fired the shots.

Durham said Hillocks was standing next to Mozart who was putting the speakers in the vehicle, about five feet from where she was holding hold the child.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche did not respond to the no case arguments, but he maintained that the investigations were not a dismal failure, and commended Inspector James.

He pointed out that Justice has two sides, and that he was seeking justice for the infant who was killed.

resumed on Tuesday, Delpleche told the Court that Hillocks was located, but that he had raised certain concerns.

As a result, the Prosecutor requested another adjournment, this time for the prosecution to make an application under the Witness Special Measures Act, to have Hillocks’ evidence provided through video In search of a witness link.

The Chief Magistrate On the first day of the did not grant that hearing, last week adjournment.

Wednesday, April 19, After the men were and following testimonies discharged on the of nine prosecution matter, McFee was not witnesses, the allowed to walk free, as prosecution requested he is serving a prison and was granted an sentence for an unrelated adjournment, so that ammunition possession notice could be given to matter.

James left the Court a Hillocks that he was free man, but was needed to testify. escorted by members of When the matter

Attorney Israel Bruce made hash of Insp.

Sherol James, particularly in relation to a statement given to police by his client Mc Fee. the Rapid Response Union (RRU) to a waiting vehicle, and whisked away.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that the security provided for James was requested by his lawyer.

V

4. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

The Frontline protest marks 500 days “We are also here to support the petitions. They all come together to ensure that this would never happen again,” said King.

She explained that their activities are mainly geared towards keeping the issue of the “stolen”election in the faces of Vincentians… “that they don’t forget.”

King spoke to the December date — the Chritmas season - for the last three general election (2005, 2010, 2015) as being a deliberate ploy to distract the electorate.

“The Frontline came out of that idea that never again Members of The Frontline have stayed the course for an would we have an election unprecedented 500 days and more. during Christmas which would THE PROTEST ACTION against the USA, returned home prior to the make it easy for them to steal results of the December 9, 2015 2015 general elections, and has and get away with it,” said King. general election which saw the become one of the main forces She assured that the protest ruling Unity Labour Party being behind the protest action. returned to office, moved, on She told THE VINCENTIAN will continue until this regime is gone, “… not just the ministers, Wednesday 26th April, 2017, into that protest (action) shows but all the people who are its 500th day. determination and, in the case involved in this election, …

Since December 10th 2015, a of St. Vincent and the Supervisor of Elections and her number of persons who oppose Grenadines, The Frontline will the results of the election ensure that in the coming years deputy.”

King lamented the absence of results have gathered outside there is free and fair elections. the Electoral Office on Bay a genuine civil society, and looks “Who would have thought Street, Kingstown to make their that we would be here for 500 to the Frontline filling this void sentiments known. The protest days. I think that in itself by forming itself into a formal and the area where it is depicts the determination that body and even become a mounted have since assumed we have on The Frontline… to registered concern. the name The Frontline. ensure we get in the future free Even as she reflects on the Luzette King, a Mesopotamia and fair elections,” said King of harassment by the police during native who has lived, studied the durability and purpose of the initial stages of the protest, and worked in the UK and the the protest.

King cites as even greater

challenge as being that of getting people interested in what around them, i.e “to get people to understand that this situation is not real, it’s not democratic and we can do something about it.”

King is currently before the court on charges of causing inconvenience to the public, contrary to section 282 of the Criminal Code for an incident that took place on The Frontline on January 6th, 2016.

She is confident that the nation will win. “If we cannot rely on our votes, then what?”

Meanwhile former Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party, Arhnim Eustace is singing praises of the protestors.

Making an appearance at The Frontline on Wednesday, he said, “I have come here today not to take part in the protest but to observe and recognize those who have been here. Without them, things could have been different, many persons would have forgetten about what happened in the last election. Because they are here every single day, that makes the difference.”

He added, “You can’t ask for greater commitment. It is so unusual, the commitment so great, that it would be very, very difficult to find another group to attempt anything near

Luzette King has been impregnable in her support for the cause and in defense of those who comprise The Frontline.

Arnhim Eustace, former leader of the NDP, was on hard on Wednesday to shower praises on The Frontline. this. … nobody expected the protest action to last this long, (and) we are going to continue.”

(KH)

Indefinite adjournment in Luzette King’s case January 7, 2016, and has maintained her plea.

THE MATTER When the matter was INVOLVING called again on Monday, OPPOSITION New King’s lawyer, Israel Democratic Party (NDP) Bruce, told the Court that activist Luzette King, has when the case was been adjourned sine die previously called, the (indefinitely), while Senior Magistrate made Director of Public an order for disclosure, Prosecutions (DPP) Colin but to date there has been Williams seeks a no disclosure from the determination from the prosecution in compliance Eastern Caribbean Court with that order. of Appeal, in relation to an In rebuttal, the DPP order by Senior Magistrate pointed out, “The law is Bertie Pompey on the quite clear- it is for the issue of disclosure. prosecution to decide what King has been charged they are going to disclose. with causing The decision as to whether inconvenience to the or not any material is to public in exercise of be disclosed is left to the common rights, contrary prosecution. We have no to section 282 of the material to disclose and Criminal Code. we are ready to proceed.”

King’s clash with the Bruce admitted that law stems from an certain witness statements incident on Back Streeet in the matter were on January 6, 2016. She disclosed, but the original pleaded not guilty when lawyers in the case have she originally appeared at since changed. the Kingstown “We are not asking for Magistrate’s Court anything additional. We

by HAYDN HUGGINS

are asking for those same documents,” Bruce said, adding that the defence is not prepared to proceed unless the material is provided.

But the DPP explained that the prosecution had already provided whatever material it had, even though it was not obliged tso o do.

He pointed out that disclosure is made to a party, not to lawyers.

The DPP referred to a recent Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal ruling on the issue of disclosure, in the Anjay Charles murder case.

The ruling stated that, “the law as to the duty of disclosure requires the crown to disclose to the defence any material which it is aware tend either to materially weaken the crown’s case or materially strengthen the case for the defence.

Non-disclosure by itself does not automatically

Luzette King (centre) in animated discussion with her lawyers – Israel Bruce (left) and Shirlan Barnwell. lead to the conclusion that the trial is unfair.”

The DPP told the Court that the prosecution has no material to disclose which fall under the two limbs outlined by the Appeal Court.

Bruce, however, argued that in the Anjay Charles case, the issue was whether or not the failure of the prosecution to disclose additional information would have

prejudiced the outcome of the case for the defence.

The DPP had also referred to the Maureen Peters case, but Bruce argued that that had to do with the disclosure of some cheques, which was also additional disclosure that the defence was seeking.

Bruce pointed out that in King’s case, the defence was asking for preliminary disclosure.

DPP Colin Williams made one of his rare appearances at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Pompey, after listening to both sides, ruled that in the interest of justice, he would maintain his previous order for disclosure, but Williams asked that it be made in writing.

The DPP confirmed to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that he would be seeking a ruling on the matter from the Court of Appeal. That procedure is known in law as ‘case stated’.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 5.

Regional

Trinidadian declared a threat after death Joan said that Trinidadian nationals – she has since been Shane Crawford at left – able to verify that as they appeared initially her son had died, in the IS Dabiq magazine through another holding assault weapons contact in Syria. It in Syria in early 2015. had taken her (Source: Dabiq Magazine) several months to do so, she said, The Middle East then disclosed that she had received Eye (MEE), founded in 2014, is an confirmation from another of her son’s online news portal covering events in associates in Syria.

US designation rebuked Now the whole affair of misinformation has hit the fan, with Umar Abdullah, the leader of the Islamic Front of Trinidad and Tobago, which seeks to build cross-religious Umar Abdullah, an Islamic activist in relationships in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, pictured here slamming the move by the Americans. with his daughter, speaks of the US Abdullah accused them of using ‘need’ to ensure that Trinidad and Shane to leverage their influence on Tobago tows a certain line. (Credit: the nation, which is the largest nytimes.com) supplier to the US of liquified natural gas.

“HOW COULD A DEAD MAN be a threat?”

MEE reported that Abdullah had That’s the question posed by Joan said, in an interview, “The designation Crawford, when reporters for Middle has nothing to do with Shane East Eye (MEE) contacted her by Crawford, but rather he is being used telephone at her home in Trinidad, to as a pawn by the US administration, inquire about her son’s whereabouts. to gain a foothold here in Trinidad and Her son, Shane Crawford, Tobago in their so-called fight against reportedly the first of more than 100 ‘terrorism’.” nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who “Trinidad and Tobago, as I’ve said have joined the Islamic State (IS) in the past, is the ‘flag bearer of Islam group, was designated a terrorist by in the West,’ and this has no doubt the United States at the end of March also been realised by the US, and so 2017, a day after his home country had has engaged and encouraged our done so. government to take a firmer stance on But Joan Crawford claimed that her issues relating to the rise and son was dead months before this propagation of Islam here.” designation.

Crawford left for Syria in 2013 and She had been informed, she told is thought to have been the first of MEE, in October 2016, by an associate more than 100 Trinidadians to leave of her son, that Shane had been the Caribbean nation for IS’s selfinjured in a US drone attack in proclaimed Middle Eastern caliphate.

October 2016, and later died.

He rose to notoriety in midc-2016 That communication had come, she after calling for Trinidadians said, after she had left a WhatsApp sympathetic to IS to attack nonmessage for her son, after he had believers in the country, in a lengthy failed to contact her as he would have interview in IS’s English-language done on a ‘regular’ basis.

Magazine Dabiq.

Digicel offers lowest mobile rates for travellers in Cuba TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS and entertainment provider, Digicel, Friday, April 21, 2017, announced its new Cuba Roaming SIM card offered in conjunction with Cuban telecoms provider, ETECSA, offering lower mobile roaming rates for travellers in Cuba.

The SIM card offers flexibility, easy access to data at 3G speeds and phone calls at great rates and is a quick and convenient way to save money.

The Digicel Cuba Roaming SIM card covers all 15 provinces including all the main tourist spots on the island, and is available at www.DigicelCubaRoamin g.com or through Amazon.

“Staying connected while in Cuba is a high priority for travellers,” says Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO. “Working with our Cuban partner, ETECSA, our goal is to provide great service at affordable prices and

help to make Cuba an even more attractive location for visitors.”

Myra Arevich Marin, Executive President of ETECSA, welcomed the partnership with Digicel, saying; “We are very happy to be working with Digicel, given its fantastic footprint and reputation across the region. We have forged a fruitful relationship, and look forward to connecting visitors to Cuba to the people and things they care about most.” (Source: Digicel)

the Middle East, which has been cited by major media publications. (Source: Caribbean News Now, MEE)

V

6. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Carnival Heat

Vincy Mas Launch: A Vincy star-studded event THE OFFICIAL launch of Vincy Mas 2017, forty years in the July sun, is set for Victoria Park, Saturday 6th May. Anthony Dennie, Coordinator of shows

hosted by the Carnival development Corporation (CDC), promises “an explosion of music from the latest decade,” of the 40 years since the change over from a Pre-Lenten

Fraser grateful to Rodriguez LAFERNE FRASER, 2002 Miss SVG and Miss Carival, and the newly installed Chairperson of the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) Beauty Shows Committee, has accorded a world of gratitude to her predecessor Cheryl Rodgriguez.

Fraser said, “We did not have to start from scratch,” as Laferne Fraser she commended Rodriquez recognised the and her committee for their work of the sacrifices.

Beauty Shows Fraser confessed that her task has been considerably Committee as eased as a result of chaired by Cheryl Rodriquez’s diligent Rodriguez. operations. She is keen to maintain the standard of her predecessor, and outlined an “empowerment campaign” to be spearheaded by the 2017 Miss SVG contestants.

This year, the Beauty Shows Committee will be spared the responsibilities of organising the Miss Carival Show which has been removed from the programme of activities for Vincy Mas 2017. The break is expected to serve as a period of reassessment.

The seven contestants in the 2017 Miss SVG pageant will make their first official Cheryl Rodriguez public appearance at the gave twenty years Launch of Vincy Mas 2017, of selfless service set for May 6. After this, as Chairperson of they will step up preparations towards the the CDC Beauty night of the Pageant, Shows Saturday 3rd June.

Committee.

festival to the June-July festival.

Of note for this year’s Launch is the removal of the New Song Competitions.

This, according to Dennie as he outlined plans for the Vincy MaS Launch during a CDC press briefing last Tuesday, is as a result of the advanced preparation by “especially the Soca and Ragga artistes.”

Calypsonians have also prompted the usual launch with their early preparation and releases.

Come May 6, Carnival City Victoria Park will be the hive of activity.

Dennie anticipates that this launch will be dynamic, especially with the strides that Ragga and Soca artistes have been making here.

The Launch will serve as the occasion of the first public appearance of

the 2017 Miss SVG contestants.

In addition, patrons will be entertained by reigning and three times (2014 — 2016) Calypso Monarch Zafar ‘Man Zingie’ Adams, and 2012 and 2013 calypso monarchs - Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd and Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams respectively.

Raeon ‘Madzart’ Primus, the 2003 Soca Monarch title holder, Shaunelle Mckenzie, along with reigning Soca and Road march winner Hypa 4000, and internationally renowned performing/recording artiste Jamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle, will further enhance the entertainment package.

The band H.S. Phaktor will provide musical accompaniment.

But even before the activity at Victoria Park,

‘Man Zangie’, Reigning Calypso Monarch, is one of the top billed performers of the 2017 Vincy Mas Launch.

‘Skinny Fabulous’ is expected to bring a much added boost to the official Launch of Vincy Mas.

Junior Soca and Calypso finalists will present their numbers at the Flow Promenade from ten o’clock that morning.

Other artistes will be able to present their songs to the public at that event.

As has obtained in the past, the evening entertainment will be ushered in by what is being described this year as a Celebration Trains — one from the Leeward and one from the Windward, converging in

capital Kingstown.

A parade from the Cruise Ship Berth to Victoria Park is scheduled for the afternoon. Pan Round Neck Steelbands, Boosie Back, Bois Bois Dancers, Mas Bands, and J’Ouvert Bands will be part of the procession.

Dennie is encouraging persons to recover any TShirt over the last forty years which will provide them with opportunities to earn rewards. (WKA)

Calypso returns to Georgetown THE PROPHET Calypso Tent of Georgetown is back.

After an hiatus of some 15 years, the tent will launch a 13-member cast at the Chilli Hard Court, Georgetown, on May 7.

President of the reconstituted tent, Lennox Marksman, said that the cast members are ready to make their presentations to the public, and, “they are working hard to make the comeback of the tent a reality.”

PRO for the tent,

Georgietha Nanton, assured that patrons will get one of the best tent shows that Georgetown has ever seen.

Members of the cast are: Lennox ‘D Dramma’ Marksman, Lennox ‘Dicki’ Clarke, David ‘Morgie Ranks’ Morgan, Doitte ‘Platsman’ Horne, Eric ‘Provider’ Abbey, Alvis ‘Girls Zing’ Quashie, Joseph ‘Isajah’ Mc Kie, Angelo ‘Muta’ Burke, Washington ‘Papa Simple’ Jones, Stephen ‘Guyana’ Woods, Roger

‘Mighty Melone’ Henry, Sydney ‘Breeda’ McDowall and PC Trevor ‘Mighty Stranger’ Grant.

Among the newcomers to the calypso stage are Roger ‘Mighty Melone;’ Henry, a teacher, and Police Constable Trevor ‘Mighty Stranger’ Grant.

Alvis ‘Girls Zing’ Quashie is physically challenged, the result of an accident, but he is determined to show Georgetown residents and the whole of SVG that ‘inability is not a disability’.

The tent will face the judges in their preliminary round of the National Calypso Monarch competition on Friday 19th June.

The Prophets Calypso Tent, in its early years, was popular across the state, with persons journeying from Kingstown and the Leeward side of mainland St. Vincent to Georgetown, to hear the likes of GAO, Prince Angle, Banco, Prince IChal, Man Kelly and Zion.

The members of the revived Prophets Calypso Tent are ready and rearing to get on the stage.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 7.

News

Repair roads immediately!

Disappointing turnout for NOBA workshop

THE CONDITION of the nation’s roads was expected “POORLY attended!” and the legal consequences, road to be among the topics discussed at yesterday’s That was how the National safety, defensive driving and meeting organized by the National Omni-Bus Omni-Bus Association’s (NOBA) proper customer service.

Association (NOBA), and held at the Sporting President Anthony ‘Code Red’ At the back of organisers too, Complex at Arnos Vale.

Bacchus described the turnout to was the need to have the persons While speaking at a press briefing last week a two-day workshop held earlier concerned realise that something Tuesday, President of NOBA, Anthony ‘Code Red’ this week. had to be done to address a Bacchus had said that for the most part, the road The workshop was organized in situation of reluctance or clear network along certain routes in the country was in light of the recent negative refusal on the part pf insurance good shape. publicity that the nation’s companies, to over coverage for He singled out the Windward and Leeward transportation sector has omni-buses. highways as examples. received, especially as it relates to But, according to Bacchus, on However, he said, there were some secondary reckless driving and the playing the first day of the workshop — roads, for example the one that goes to the Marriaqua of loud and lewd music.

Tuesday — only four Valley, that were plagued with pot holes and Targeting drivers and operators owners/drivers showed up, and warranted immediate work. or owners and conductors, the seven were present on “These roads are costing mini-buses more because workshop was expected to deal Wednesday. of the bad condition,” he said. with the areas of reckless driving It is not the first time that the issue of roads has “Imagine… we have the come under the microscope.

Back in 2014, a planned strike by minibuses operating along the Kingstown/Redemption Sharpes route was Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne A 40-year-old tattoo artist of averted after government moved to effect granted Bailey bail in the sum of $30,000 Arnos Vale, who was remedial work like patching the potholes on condition that he surrender travel remanded last week on an in the area. attempted murder charge, has documents and report to the Central And back in 2015, two minibus drivers Police Station twice a week. She also been granted bail. serving the Kingstown/Belair-Gomea ordered that stop notices be placed at all When Joseph Bailey route, were taken into police custody but ports of exit. Bailey is not to leave the appeared at the Serious later released, during protest action in Offences Court on April 17, he state without the that area. permission of the Court. was denied bail after Senior Bacchus gave no indication as to Bailey was not Prosecutor Adolphus whether or not they will be resorting to a Delpleche told the Court that required to plea to the Joseph strike this time around, but he did say charge of attempting to that the mini-bus operators/drivers have Bailey – the victim, Patrick Nero, 51murder Nero, when he year-old shopkeeper of Rose been patient. out on initially appeared in Place, Kingstown, was He said that when NOBA met with bail.

Court on April 17. hospitalized with a bullet Minister of Transport and Works, Senator Nero was reportedly wound to the chest.

Julian Francis to discuss the issue, he shot during an incident However, when Bailey returned to (Francis) explained that the hot mix at Rose Place around Court on Monday, the Senior Prosecutor machine was not presently in operation, 11:30 p.m. on April 9 and that some parts were already ordered indicated that Nero was discharged from this year. the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. to have it repaired.

The matter has been Delpleche did not object to bail any These parts were expected to arrive further, but requested suitable conditions adjourned to July 27. sometime this week, Bacchus said they if bail was granted.

(HH) were told by Francis. (DD)

Tattoo artist granted bail

Anthony Bacchus, President of NOBA, has all but thrown his hands up in disgust with minibus drivers and operators here. insurance companies sponsoring such a programme in relation to offering a better service, and nobody shows up,” Bacchus said.

The no-show by the majority of the omni-bus operators further prompted the organization’s president to say, to THE VINCENTIAN, that whatever decision made by the authorities that may have an impact on the operations, then “they got to handle it. …. I am not going to fight for them!”

With the seeming ‘don’t care’ attitude displayed by some, Bacchus said that he could no longer “stick his neck out.” (DD)

V

8. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 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 The Soft Power of culture THE TERM SOFT POWER may be a relatively new one to the lexicon of Caribbean peoples.

The term is accepted as having been coined by Joseph Samuel Nye, an American political scientist, the co-founder of the international relations theory of neoliberalism.

Simply put, Soft Power is ‘the power of countries beyond traditional hard-core powers such as political, defence and economic might, by which they can influence other countries or attract attention to themselves’.

For example, the USA has the largest GDP and defence machinery/industry in the world. However, it is its Soft Power such as Hollywood movies that influences the globe. It is said that over half the world’s population watches movies made in Hollywood.

The English Language belongs to the United Kingdom with a population of 60 million, yet nearly 25% of the world speaks the language.

India’s food flexes its own Soft Power. The country’s Chicken Tikka sells like hot bread across the globe.

Closer home, whenever Venezuela is mentioned in cultural circles, the first thing that comes to mind is Miss Universe and Miss World, for that country has provided many winners in those coveted pageants.

Nye proffered that some resources that can produce Soft Power are culture, values and policy.

These three resources can be and are used to make other states do and like what another country does and likes. This may be done through literature, music and film.

That is why we don’t necessarily have to spend hard-earned resources to ‘pampaset’ in search of a seat on the Security Council of the United Nations, in order to wield influence.

This, in essence, might not be the best example of showing to the world that we can ‘punch higher than our weight class’.

Wielding influence in the world can come from the Soft Power of attraction. And one of the ways (of concern to this piece) that a country can gain Soft Power is through its culture.

China did it through promotion of its green tea; we can do it through our music, our dance, our festivals, our art, our cuisine and even our ganja.

If we accept that Soft Power can be defined in terms of the resources that are thought to generate attraction on the part of others, then we can focus on culture, for St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a wealth of such assets.

This country, undoubtedly, has a rich heritage and cultural legacy. And in a world where, experts say, capital and labour are increasingly mobile, choice of location for business ventures and leisure can and is influenced by cultural policies. Culture can be a major magnet for economic activity, as attractive as tolerance, freedom and political stability.

So, instead of ‘punching above our weight class’ in arenas in which we just might be spinning top in mud, why are we not seriously addressing the need to develop and institutionalise our cultural industries?

Why is St. Vincent and the Grenadines not the choice location for music and video recordings, film making, dance seminars, heritage trails and the likes?

The one thing by which we can be assured of if we choose to make culture a tool for creating Soft Power, is the fact that culture is people based, and we have much of that resource.

Yet, we spend hours proselytizing in chambers reserved for the economic and defence power houses of the world, with the wishful thinking that we will, like Joshua, be able to lead a chant that dismantles the walls of Jericho.

All this when the very essence of our being wallows in pity and disregard.

The value of culture and the arts can affect our international standing far moreso than any political grandstanding. The Soft Power culture brings and its role in driving the creation of a booming cultural industry, cannot be downplayed.

The fact that we still contend ourselves with propagating the use of our culture within the limitations of our geographical space and in an atmosphere of competition, leads us to believe that culture, in real and extending terms, is not a priority of the day, save and except for narrow political gain.

If it was otherwise, the majority of exponents of our modern culture would not still be ignorant about the benefits to be derived from the Economic Partnership Agreement (the trade and development agreements negotiated between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries), at what it takes to maximise those benefits. That is, of course, a whole different story.

Political death stalks the land I ONCE MADE A PICTURESQUE joke in the autumn of my years, of my waiting, boarding pass in hand, but as usual, AIA notwithstanding, LIAT continues to live up to its name — “Leave Island Any Time”!

Jokes apart, many of my contemporaries have been signing off at regular intervals. This Week, I say bon voyage to ex Permanent Secretary Cooke, former Headmaster Ormond Williams and the elderly gracious Carmen Greenaway.

Ormond Williams has quitted the scene, leaving a granddaughter, Karissa Clarissa Clarke whom I have loved from her playful childhood.

Stuart “Swakey” Gill whose purposeful steps at Queen’s Birthday parades were a delight to the masses, will be seen no longer; a final halt has been put to his goose-steps.

I continue with some 16 deaths that ULP pock-marked the 16 years misrule which has a political element attached thereto.

First came the sudden death of sparkling Michael Hamlet who had been the perfect link drawing the old Labour Party with the firebrands of MNU. He had unsuccessfully contested the East Kingstown seat which Arnhim won for the second of five times in a row for the NDP. Nevertheless, this buoyant ULPite was given a senatorship when he was brutally cut away by a fatal illness, and wrongly given a state funeral.

Next in line was “Sugar George” Mason, a very active ULP foot-soldier a taxi and rented car business operator. He came from Rose Hall which has always been anti-PPP and anti-NDP, but had spread his influence in the South Leeward area where he resided after his marriage.

Sugar George’s death was sudden, brought on by a heart condition. This death was a heavy blow to Ralph and his MNU. The heaviest blow for the ULP so far, was recorded in the cold-blooded murder of Glen Jackson, Press Secretary of the Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves.

Glen was multi-talented, a trade union leader in his own right, and possessed much broadcasting skills.

For sometime, Ralph was opposed to him to the point where he remarked that he would descend to the gutter and trounce Glen on his own turf.

It was at that point, through a casual conversation with me, that he learned that Glen’s mother had been the nurse who tended to him after a near-drowning episode in the Colonaire sea. After that, he exclaimed that the hatchet between him and Glen was buried forever, and Glen accordingly attained a high point among Ralph’s advisors.

There was trouble in the hierarchy, with Glen promising to drop a bomb on the eve of which he was found murdered, shot through the chest.

Ralph was not in the country at the time; Beache gave out that it is only a matter of time before the murderer was exposed.

But to date, Glen’s murder has remained a mystery. At Glen’s funeral, his widow spoke of the possibility of “scape-goat” justice, and Julian sang lustily Frank Sinatra’ s song: ‘I did it my way’.

As a possible sequel to Glen’s murder has been the shooting death of “Spanny” for which no one was charged and there the story end. Glen’s death remains a mystery. The Prime Minister who called it by its right name an assassination, and

Vincent Beache who said that the murder will soon be known, have in the end virtually accepted the “scape-goat” justice.

A greater mystery was in store for the country.

Connected with the disappearance of Menalous Joceyln who had been a constant critic of the ULP Government, with his biblical barbs issued through Lynch’s NDP programme.

Jocelyn had been seen walking abstractly, and apparently walked off the surface of the earth in Cane Garden one Sunday morning. Arnhim was contacted, and a search party of friends and family quickly mounted, to no avail.

So, abruptly, was a thorn in the flesh of the ULP removed without trace in broad daylight, in a middle-class suburb of Kingstown.

The greatest mystery was that not many persons seemed concerned, including the police service. QED. Another death which seemed to have affected everybody was that of Patricia ‘Sister Pat’ Douglas, a Roman Catholic nun and sister of Michael and Rosie Douglas, former Prime Ministers of Dominica and friends of our own PM Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

‘Sister Pat’ was naturally attracted to Ralph who is a devoted Roman Catholic and was at the time, concentrating on bringing most people into line, particularly the Roman Catholic, with visits to Rome and Mount St. Benedict in Trinidad, and won the admiration of Bishop Rivas, to the point where political critics could say in loose- talk that the RC church was becoming a colony of the ULP. Then ‘Sister Pat”, angelic as ever, was killed in a motor car accident in Barbados, the sole fatality in a packed vehicle. Pat was called home, that we know. Enemies of the ULP wonder whether her summons was made to save her from embroilment politics in SVG. I, too, suffered a personal loss during the early life of the same regime, with the death, from natural causes, of Shirley Francis, who had served the country as CPO, sitting at the elbow of the Chairman, Kenneth John. One could not wish for a more pleasant, efficient, and fair-minded person.

Naturally, after I had resigned the office, Shirley’s post was halved. She was continually being harried and accused of foot-dragging until her delicate constitution, pushed to the limits, gave way to her untimely death. I choose to say no more Shirley was loving and forgiving, and would not want any fuss about her death which greatly affected me.

There was one ‘political death’ — a person who was run over by a bull-dozer clearing the path for the Cross Country Road that was begun at both ends, and had no middle ground to meet! At least there was one sacrificial lamb.

Several persons of differing political stripe succumbed owing to applied political pressure, frustration, disappointment and disillusionment.

Among these: Julian Caruth, Jeffery Cato, Joel Huggins, Winfield Williams, Kenny Baker and later, as it turned out, Frederick Bruce Lyle.

Edgar Cruickshank paid the price of his life in a genuine accident, exposing at once the dangers of playing games between vicious political parties.

And I would end with the death of the incomparable Elwardo Lynch who gave as much as he received, and philosophically faced the pressures of political death with aplomb.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 9.

Letters

The standard Bullying in school of dress for the Church IN MY LAST discourse, I commented on music and dancing in worship.

Today, I would like to draw the attention of Christians to the matter of dress.

Speaking to and of the church in the final stage of the Christian era, symbolized by the Church of Laodicea, Jesus said: “Thou sayest, ‘I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me … white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear…” (Rev. 3:17-18) The text suggests that nakedness should produce shame in the Christian mind. But that is not the case in the Church of Laodicea. In fact, she is not even aware of her condition.

She lacks both social and spiritual sensitively in that regard. When Adam and Eve sinned and became conscious of their nakedness, they made for themselves aprons that fulfilled their acknowledged need for personal privacy and interpersonal decency.

(Gen. 3:7) But when they were to meet with God, they hid themselves; considering their aprons inadequate for that holy encounter. (Gen. 3:10) God has dictated a standard of dress for the Church. It is, simply put, “modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9). The questions that need to be asked are: “What was modest apparel in the days when the text was written”? And, “What was modest apparel in the ensuing ages up to the middle twentieth century”? In a nutshell, it was a form of dress that revealed only head, hands and feet, and concealed the vital statistics. It was the universal code in all civilizations following the flood and the dispersal of nations. All

extant religions still maintain this expression of modesty: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.

Christianity is the only one that has returned from “coats” to “aprons” against the initiative of Jehovah God. A dress cannot seriously, for from a Christian perspective, be termed modest if it: fits the body like the skin of a fruit; reveals parts of the breasts or even the cleavage; fails to cover the back and shoulders, as well as the armpits; Is too short to cover the knees when the lady sits, so that the thighs and the space between them are not exposed; and Is so tight or thin that the underwear is visible or printed; or the posterior lobes are protruding or seductively voluptuous when she walks.

Here is something Christianity needs to learn from the heathen religions she seeks to convert.

The revealing attire of the harlot (Prov. 7:10) is now generally adopted

by Western society and is creeping into the Church, as the secular music has, and the leaders are saying or doing little or nothing to discourage it. Does God accept indecency and disrespect in His worship? In His assessment of the Church of today, (Laodicea) Jesus offers the white robe of His impeccable purity and holiness, but until we are clothed in this immortal glory, He accepts us to be clothed in “coats” not “aprons”.

The enemy is succeeding in his relentless efforts to separate us from God, and make our worship unacceptable. Let the Church of Christ take heed!

Mr. Editor, I will be the first to admit that bullying in school is nothing new.

In my time, the smaller children, like me, always suffered the wrath of the bigger ones who delighted in pushing us down in the school yard, taking away our lead pencils (as they were called then) and messing up our nice, new shoes.

Times have changed. Children now take lunches to school, money for break, and are outfitted with fancy school bags and all kinds of attractive and expensive pens, pencils, etc.

According to what I understand from a neighbour, her son is a rather small boy compared to the rest of his class. Apparently, the bigger boys have been taking away his break money and even his pencils, etc. On the playing field, the bigger ones make it their business to ‘really

rough him up’ unnecessarily.

What bothers my neighbour is that the reports she made concerning the money have been brushed aside.

When it comes to taking away another person’s money, that is nothing but stealing. An act like that should never be brushed aside.

I don’t want to cast aspersions or to preach doom, but if that is the type of disregard we demonstrate in school for acts that would be considered criminal anywhere else, then what or who are we breeding in our schools?

Please, teachers, next time there is a complaint about another student taking another student’s money, take the complaint seriously. Never brush it off as ‘just a part of growing up’.

That which we sow today we shall reap tomorrow.

Lana

Birds of a feather flock...

MILLIONS of povertystricken Venezuelans line up daily hoping for basic needs such as bread and nappies. This is a direct consequence of the socialist leadership in that country.

Venezuela has an inflation rate close to if not greater than 700%.

Four hundred American dollars will equate to a wheel barrow of Venezuelan cash. Mind up, in SVG, EC$100 is blown away within seconds, on minor snacks or beverages.

The truth is that Venezuela is wealthy — rich in oil reserves which are said to be the largest in the world - they are catching their ‘backsides’ because the price of oil has fallen drastically.

Their expenditure far exceeds their revenue.

No different from the deficit budgets we have had from the ULP here in SVG. From Venezuela, there are reports that youngsters are forced into criminal activities as a means of feeding their families. In SVG, young people kill each other as a result of drug related activity. The unemployment rate in both countries is alarming.

In Venezuela, a large percent of the population continues to demand democracy in their land.

Protests on the streets have again erupted and more persons have been killed. Here in SVG, many nationals are protesting in the capital against what they see as a fraudulent general elections in 2015, and

Save the turtles and more

(More on this and related themes in my book Christianity In Crisis available at Jujube Book Store)

AS LATE AS it might appear, I must congratulate the government on its move to ban the slaughter of turtles and the harvesting of turtle eggs. My hope is that they will continue in this vein and move eventually to ban the slaughter of whales, porpoises and all mammals that are to be found in our waters.

I must also commend those officers who recently discovered the catch of turtle eggs, and did the right thing by placing them in protective holes so that they could hatch. This is another sign that we are facing up to the realities of the world, i.e. keeping abreast with international protocols and practices.

My hope is that we, every Vincentian, would grow to value the lives of these animals (turtles) and protect them so that we can all enjoy the beauty of seeing them in open water.

I appeal to our teachers to help to reinforce in the students’ minds the need to protect and preserve these sea mammals and animals and, by extension, to preserve all the wildlife that we have in our beautiful chain of islands.

Westwick A.

AV Roberts

are also calling for true democracy.

The Venezuelan government continues to deny certain journalists entry into Venezuela.

Many journalists in SVG have told me they are fearful of speaking against the ULP regime — they fear reprisals. I would not want to believe that, in the circumstances, some journalists here have been bought out by the ULP regime.

And the similarities continue when we think of the two leaders — Nicolas Maduro and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves; neither has the qualification to manage or has shown a record that they can manage a country’s resources and finances.

Kadmiel McFee War veteran

Promote experienced workers I AM SENDING a short message to business places and companies in my country. You can’t run businesses with favouritism, and expect to achieve great success.

No way would you succeed.

What you have to do is to run the business with an unbiased approach to your workers. The people who are working with your or any company for years, and have the experience and capability, promote them, and you will see blessings in the business.

But when you denied them of that promotion, and bring in big names, I can assure you, that you will have terrible headaches.

Alistair ‘Live up’ Simon

V

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Shaping the future with Love Accountability is NOT an Option (Part 2)

Introduction

IT WAS ST. CLAIR LEACOCK, the member for Parliament for Central Kingstown, who stated in the 2015 election campaign that too many young people are following Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP. He further stated that this was a concern to him. Clearly, he was not happy that his political party, the opposition New Democratic Party, was not attracting the attention of the young people of the country.

Although there is no empirical evidence, it is clear that the young people of this country played a critical role in the 2015 general elections. The young people of this country examined what both major political parties had to offer, and decided that the ULP, led

by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, was the better party to govern the country over the next five years.

In fact, the ULP government is rightly seen by the overwhelming majority of young people, that is aged 15 to 35 years, as the most youthfocused in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ULP does not see the young people of the country as “problems”, as described by the opposition NDP. The ULP sees the young people of the country as real flesh and blood humans, possessed of immense strengths and possibilities, which must be developed and harnessed.

Excerpts from Dr. the Hon Godwin Friday’s Press Statement

this to happen.

What we have done

It would take considerably more space to detail some of the work of the ULP in advancing the youth agenda of the country. Suffice it to say that the education revolution is the central plank of this strategy. Never before has the country seen such levels of attendance at every level of the education ladder, pre-school, primary, secondary, and tertiary. All this has been supported by the ULP, through the training of teachers, and the provision of quality learning institutions. Many persons do not remember the “one laptop per student initiative” which has opened the eyes of many of our students, and their parents, to the exciting world of the internet.

In terms of work preparation, the Youth Empowerment Service, the YES programme, has provided on the job training for over seven thousand participants since 2001, at a cost of some EC$40 million. This is backed up by the Support for Education and Training, the SET programme which offers a similar training for college Central Objectives and university graduates.

All this is supported by a strategy There are three central objectives which enhances access to college and to the youth policy of the ULP university education, through the administration. The first relates to provision of scholarships, grants and the need to empower young persons to financial support through loans for make meaningful contributions to economically disadvantaged students. national development. Secondly, the All these are ground breaking ULP wants to create a deeper strategies, never before seen in the awareness of the policies and history of St. Vincent and the programmes aimed at youth Grenadines. development.

These are the flagship programmes, Thirdly, the ULP wants to foster but there are others. The government among young people, the ideals of has created a programme to assist social harmony, mutual respect, young entrepreneurs with start-up cultural heritage and the importance and expansion capital for ICT based of our Caribbean civilization. businesses, and there are more Education forms the main drive for initiatives in the pipeline. Our young the empowering of young people, to people are owning houses and are contribute to national development.

Young people are now being educated getting involved in land cultivation at different levels. It is only the ULP for living and production, based on their abilities, possibilities and goals. administration that can provide these opportunities through our policy of Education and training, including People-Centered Development. technical education, is designed to enhance the capacity of our young Conclusion people, to engage efficaciously the competitive environment nationally, The ULP administration is regionally and globally. sensitive to the concerns of our young And our young people have not people, and is always ready and disappointed. The results at the various CAPE and CXC examinations willing to respond to these concerns in continue to improve at a rapid pace. a positive way. The ULP recognizes At the level of the universities, our that our young people are the key to students continue to emerge as the further advancement of our valedictorians, as they dominate in a country, and so no stone must be left number of subject areas. Truly, the unturned, in terms of their training Education Revolution is paying huge and development. dividends for our young people, It is from this sector that our although more needs to be done, and future leaders will emerge. This is we must not rest on our laurels. where our doctors, teachers, nurses, The ULP has also enhanced technicians, farmers and avenues for self-expression and personal development, through sports, entrepreneurs will emerge. Our young people are our nation’s treasure, and the arts and culture, religion and general social activities. In short, our they must be treated as such. And that is why the ULP is committed to young people aspire to becoming the their development. They must be at best they can possibly be. They are the core of all programmes aimed at being encouraged to “soar like eagles the socio-economic development of St. with their wings unclipped”, and the Vincent and the Grenadines.

ULP is creating the environment for

THE AIRPORT has been built, it is open and the Prime Minister tells us that it’s now the responsibility of all citizens of this country to get together and “make it work”. I have said in the past and maintain that, given the large scale of the project and the implications for the country, we must do what we can to make it work. But, what about the responsibility of the Minister of Finance? What about the responsibility of the Director of Audit? What about the responsibility of the Accountant General?

All of the above-mentioned officials have legally specified responsibilities relating to accountability that cannot be shoved aside for any reason. But the Minister of Finance, who the law says has the final responsibility of “ensuring that a full account of the finances of the government is laid before the House of Assembly in the Public Accounts” has not done his job; he has not done what the law requires him to do. But he now wants to hand it over to us now and say; “here, all yo’ mek it wuk.”

He is telling us that ‘we’ must make it work. But what is the ‘it’ exactly? What actually was the cost to build Argyle? Is it $700 million as has been reported recently in some news media? But, also, a few weeks ago, Senator Julian Francis said on a radio program that it cost $1.3 billion, but that Vincentians only paid $800 million, because we got $500 million in ‘in kind’ contributions. And then we were told by Dr. Gonsalves during this year’s budget debate, that the country owes $400 million that was borrowed specifically to build the airport. But he brought no audited financial statements from the Director of Audit to support anything that he said.

So, we are supposed to take his word for it. What is the true cost? All sorts of numbers are being bandied about. Every time you turn around, you hear a different figure. Are we supposed to just believe the Prime Minister because he said so in the House? Well, that’s not how it works.

We cannot simply take his word for it.

In fact, the law says we must not take his word for it.

And, the more important question is this: How do we know that all of the hundreds of millions of dollars actually went to the airport? How do we know that some of these monies did not go through the airport and end up somewhere else? The fact is we cannot know, because there has been no audited financial statements. You see why the law of the country says there must be full and annual audited accounts?

Recall also that the IMF last year revealed that the ULP government had left $112 million dollars of debt to Petro Caribe off of the books. What was that? A hundred and twelve million dollars of this country’s debts!

Not entered into the government accounts. Was that a matter of incompetence on the part of the Minister of Finance? Or is it incompetence by design?

If the Prime Minister had done his job and ensured that the laws were being followed, all of this would have been presented, audited and reported, so there would be no doubt about any of it. But now we are left to ask, is he even capable of doing the job of Minister of Finance? Or is he incapable? Why is the minister not

doing his job? Why is it that this government is breaking the law? Why is there no accountability for the hundreds of millions of dollars that they have spent on Argyle and on all sorts of other things that we don’t know about?

I want to ask Vincentians: what would you do if you had a million dollars right now? Imagine how that would change your life? A million dollars! It’s a huge sum of money. And what we have here is a situation where this government, headed by Ralph Gonsalves, is handling hundreds of millions of our dollars, and we can’t get a straight answer from them about where the monies went. This state of affairs is simply unacceptable and inexcusable.

The Minister of Finance, who is also the Prime Minister, has systematically and consistently either neglected, ignored, or broken the laws of this country. Under this ULP administration, this country has witnessed a steady and systematic erosion of the principles and practices of good governance; the norms, the rules and regulations. The actual laws relating to accountability and transparency have been flouted, ignored and broken.

In a modern democratic society, public funds cannot be spent in the dark. The law does not allow it, and we, hand in hand with the Vincentian people, will not allow the government to break the law with impunity. In fact, such behavior smacks of the offence of Misbehavior in Public Office.

And speaking of misbehaviour, you will recall that a couple of years ago, when we were asking in parliament for the government to provide the Vincentian people with audited financial statements for the IADC which is required by law. The Minister of Finance and Prime Minister of this country asked us if he should show a man his title deed.

Imagine that! His title deed! That response from Dr. Gonsalves was nothing but a dictatorial and disgraceful expression of contempt for the law, contempt for good governance in this country and contempt for Vincentians!

This contemptuous, unlawful behaviour cannot and must not continue. The Prime Minister and his cohorts have already shown their absolute contempt for the whole business of transparency and accountability, so we in the New Democratic Party now call on the Director of Audit, who is a constitutionally independent authority and a servant of the public interest, to break the silence on this matter of vital and fundamental national importance.

We await her urgent response, but in the meantime, we shall be taking the necessary actions to see that this atrocity does not continue. Despite all the over-heated rhetoric we hear from Dr Gonsalves about “good governance” and “serious business”, he is in breach of the law.

Under successive ULP administrations, led by Dr Gonsalves, governance in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has actually fallen by the wayside and has been replaced by smokescreens, a hug-up, and a set of daily ‘ole talk’ on radio programmes.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 11.

Views

Teachers leave their mark Every cook can govern

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love for learning.” – Brad Henry, American politician (born 1963).

IT IS OFTEN TRULY amazing what experiences we commit to memory.

Somewhere in the deep crevices of our mind we have stored numerous memoirs; some good and some bad; some positive and some negative; some that inspire and others that deflate. This is true about life in general. It is equally accurate in relation to the experiences that we have had during our school years. We can reflect on the teachers who inspired us to excel and, hopefully, we have very few memories of those who seemed to place obstacles along our path to learning. This article focused on the former – teachers who leave a positive mark on the lives of students.

This introductory paragraph resulted in some readers taking a quick run through Memory Lane. Some readers reflected on those faithful teachers (many of them dedicated women) who demonstrated a self-less commitment to their profession. Many went beyond the call of duty to encourage/inspire students to excel at all that is noble.

Their interest was not limited to imparting knowledge. They were also committed to encouraging positive attitudes and the pursuit of principles such as honesty, integrity, hospitality, kindness, forgiveness, empathy and so on.

My trip down Memory Lane invited me to reminisce on several of my outstanding and loved teachers. As a young boy, I struggled with writing the number eight (8). It was Mrs. Adeline John (school teacher and neighbour) who suggested that rather than seeking to write/draw the figure in one full sweep (which was then a challenge for my young fingers, I should seek to draw two small circles — one on top the other.

That corrected my defective figure writing until my fine motor skills were adequately developed to perform the task “in a normal way”.

Several years later, it was one of Mrs. Adeline John’s daughters, Mrs. Ercelle Thomas (nee John), who encouraged me to be more specific with the use of the English language. She was my teacher when I was 10 years old. I was late returning from lunch one day. She enquired about my unusual lack of punctuality. I informed her that I had “gone to follow a friend to purchase an item”. She then enquired whether my friend had walked ahead of me (and me behind him — i.e. “follow”).

As I described walking “beside the friend”, I quickly realised that this was what should have been initially presented as my excuse. I have never repeated that mistake, and am forever grateful for the warm, tactful, and powerful way that lesson was taught.

Mrs. Lucille Eustace, mother of Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister Arnhim Eustace, was head teacher during my latter years as a student at the Kingstown Preparatory School in the mid-1960s. She regularly shared short stories and anecdotes with the school population immediately following the morning prayers. Many of those stories still have a positive impact on me today. One that readily comes to mind is the story of the little boy whose mother had instructed him to clean his room. He was tempted to sweep the dust and small scraps of paper under the door mat. He had anticipated that this would speed up his cleaning

exercise and that, after all, she would never be aware of his deception.

However, he opted to do the right thing and get rid of the mess anyway. To his surprise, under the mat was the very first place that the mother inspected after he had informed her that he had completed his cleaning exercise. That early morning lesson has stuck with me over the years and reminds me that it is always better to do the right thing, even if it calls for greater effort and commitment. Her stories and anecdotes greatly assisted in positive character formation of so many of her wards.

Brother Frances was my mathematics teacher at the St. Martin’s Secondary School in the later 1960s.

We never discovered why he walked with a “hip-and-drop” (limp). This physical defect did not detract from the life lessons that he often shared with us. Brother Frances was always early to class. He arrived at least fifteen minutes before class, and would meticulously clean the chalk board. He did so with the precision of an artist.

The board was spotless. These many years later, I am conscious of approaching teaching assignments (and all tasks in general) with the same kind of dedication and preparation.

Brother Frances emphasised the need to understand the principles and concepts that are foundational to mathematics. His “short cuts” to doing square roots, and the “trick” of quickly multiplying numbers by 11 are still used to encourage others today.

However, it was his quotation that “Any dead fish can float downstream but it takes a live, vibrant fish to swim against the current” that has probably left his greatest mark on me. It reminds us that it often takes determination to follow our noble dreams and to stand up for what is right and just.

Quotations have been very useful in providing inspiration. They often give us “something to hold on to” as we seek to unearth the courage to face and overcome some of life’s greatest challenges. Over the years, as I seek to encourage myself and others to pursue excellence in community service, the John Ruskin quotation about service has been most encouraging. He said, “It is not what you get from service, but what you become by serving.” This is powerful. We can edit this in relation to providing service in the teaching profession, and note that “It is not what we get from teaching, but what we become by teaching.” Many teachers will testify that they have become more enlightened and are conscious of experiencing an enhanced state of happiness, self-satisfaction, and accomplishment as they shape the lives of those that they have had the pleasure and honour of teaching. No money, no material gain, no extrinsic reward, can be as satisfying as that peace and feeling of accomplishment that is generated from sharing knowledge and encouraging values and positive attitudes. We are forever grateful to those teachers who have left a positive mark on our lives.

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

IN 1918, Vladimir Illich Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution and one of the most important political thinkers of the 20th century, declared at a mass rally in Moscow that ‘every cook can govern.’

This statement is bold as can be, and revolutionary in content.

It was a declaration of confidence in the capacity of ordinary people. This proclamation helped to explain why the first workers revolution won the hearts and minds of the majority of people, especially the workers in Russia, and the admiration of so many persons internationally, until it was deformed and destroyed by Stalinist excesses.

Confidence in people, ordinary people, is a key ingredient of successful and popular processes. It is this confidence in ordinary people that has allowed for the successes of the Cuban Revolution and its ability to survive the assassination attempts on its leaders, as well as the economic blockage which was imposed by the United States of America.

This level of confidence also explains the popularity and success of the New Jewel revolution in Grenada, which was led by Maurice Bishop.

Confidence in ordinary people allowed for young people, some just out of high school, to take up major responsibilities in state administration and governance.

The statement ‘every cook can govern’ allows for the unleashing of the potential of the people who are most often banished from decisionmaking and real power. ‘Every cook can govern’ means that the answers to a country’s problems and future cannot always be found in the brief cases and minds of the economic and political elite.

Far too often, the majority of people in society are viewed as ‘hewers of wood and drawers of water’. The people are viewed as important only to the extent that they become oiled cogs in the wheels of production, domination and exploitation. The people are seen as important so long as they assist in amassing wealth, power and glory to a narrow band of local and increasing foreign rulers of society.

April 22, 2017 was Lenin’s birthday and there is no better time than now to reaffirm his confidence in the power and potential of ordinary people. As I said in my column two weeks ago, half of the country is ‘enslaved,’ the other half on a rampage. In 2007, thirty percent of our people were declared to be in poverty. But 2007 was before the international financial and economic down turn. We have not recovered from that devastating crisis as yet.

Therefore, we can choose to bury our collective head in the sand or acknowledge that there must have been slippage and reversals, and more people may now live in poverty than in 2007. Unemployment continues to be a major problem, especially among the youth; bad food choices, poor eating habits and inadequate health care services conspire to cause a veritable crisis in non-communicable diseases. Hypertension (pressure), Diabetes (sugar), excessive weight gain as well as heart and lung ailments are constant reminders that the little development we witness are on the margins, and has not yet positively impacted the neediest sections of the population.

‘Every cook can govern’ is a clarion call for the people to lift themselves up, end their overwhelming dependence on the political and economic elites, and develop selfawareness and a sense of self-worth that will unleash the productive forces in our country.

But there is more to the declaration ‘every cook can govern’. At its most profound levels, the statement amounts to a recognition of the vital importance of women as nurturers and sustainers of life - the virtual bedrock on which society rests.

Who are the cooks in our society?

Women! And to prove that this work is perceived as drudgery, men will work as cooks, only if they are well paid. Therefore, to proclaim that ‘every cook can govern’ is to say that our society will not be free and women will not/ cannot be free, until they can move past the drudgery of house work/life if and when they move to positions of power and authority in society.

Currently, the vast majority of our women continue to experience extreme deprivation. In many instances, women are made to work twice as hard to gain employment or remain employed. Sexploitation is on the increase, as social prostitution gains ground and even acceptability in our society. Even ‘successful’ women are compelled to battle hard to break the corporate and political glass ceilings. They speak the power of their male bosses rather than assert their own strengths and virtues.

Therefore, the true emancipation of all women will not be/cannot be realized until all women recognize and come to the bold and proper conclusion that there is a role for them outside of the house and kitchen. ‘Every cook can govern’ is a statement about women’s power. It is a recognition that women are still oppressed and exploited, and a call for their true and total emancipation.

Why have we moved away from these sound statements that lay bare the true state of our societies? Why do we refrain from an agenda for the social and economic liberation of our people? Why have so many of us become contaminated by the destructive germ of greed and selfishness? Why have we abandoned the call for genuine independence, people’s ownership and control?

Lenin’s words must be given true meaning and life. ‘Every cook can govern’ must be translated into words that we all understand: Live for self and you live in vain. Live for others and you live again.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, we have a revolution for everything.

We have a revolution in education, housing and in health. What we lack is a revolution of the mind. The French writer Regis Debray was on point more than 50 years ago when he observed that to guarantee a progressive, forward looking movement, we now need a revolution in the revolution.

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

V

12. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Venezuela & SVG are in a desperate financial mess GONSALVES is incapable of doing the work of Minister of Finance of SVG, and his financial incompetence has mashed up the SVG economy.

Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal is giving a serious and strong warning to the international community, that the financial situation in SVG is similar to the desperate financial mess in Venezuela. The financial situation is so bad in SVG; unemployment and poverty are very high, and many households cannot feed themselves adequately.

The legacy of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela is food thefts and riots, hunger, looting and shootings. The Human Rights Foundation has condemned the deaths there.

Gonsalves’ inability to competently manage the Public Accounts is creating a similar legacy for SVG. Our nation has lots of food thefts, hunger, robberies, and in 2016, had a murder rate per capita about 9th highest in the world.

Just like Venezuela, SVG is in a financial and economic crisis.

According to Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, BSc (Hons) MSc, MBA, Leader of SVG Green Party, Gonsalves - who is not a university graduate in

Accounting or Finance — has a track record that shows he is useless as the SVG Minister of Finance.

Let us look at Gonsalves’ dismal track record as the SVG Minister of Finance since 2001: 1.

In the Fish Act 2001, Gonsalves granted Taiwan blanket fish tax exemptions conservatively estimated at EC$1.7 billion every year; 2.

In 2002, under the highly immoral Mustique Act No 48 of 2002, Gonsalves granted the super-rich in Mustique blanket tax and customs duty exemption worth hundreds of millions of dollars; 3.

In 2007, according to the Director of Audit Report, Gonsalves overspent the 2007 Budget by 10%, equal to $63 million, without the prior approval of the SVG House of Assembly; 4.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Country Poverty Assessment 2007 / 2008 report put the constituencies of North Windward and North Central Windward as areas in SVG with very high poverty; Gonsalves has been the Member of Parliament for North Central Windward; 5.

Gonsalves killed the National

Commercial Bank with a massive bank overdraft of $185 million; 6.

The Accountant General’s current account was not reconciled with the National Commercial Bank account, and an amount of $112,925,578.21 is missing; 7.

Gonsalves failed the Director of Audit’s Public Accounts audit for 2008, 2009 and 2010; 8.

From 2001 to 2017, Gonsalves created Fiscal Deficit amounting to $3.659 billion, and wasted $869 million just paying interest on loans; 9.

In 2013, Trinidad and Tobago military helicopters took aerial photographs of North Windward and North Central Windward, and

revealed that large parts of our rainforest had been chopped down for firewood - just like in Haiti, poverty is killing our rainforest.

The priority in today’s world is competent financial and economic management of a nation’s Public Accounts and economy. This competence is shown in successful countries such as Singapore, Mauritius and Malaysia.

Gonsalves’ track record has shown that he is incapable of doing the work of the SVG Minister of Finance. This financial incompetence is putting SVG at risk and will descend in to crisis as in Venezuela.

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

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 13.

Culture

ÂSir DÊ says farewell

calypsonians,” ‘Sir D’ explained.

FRANCIS ‘SIR D’ MAYERS, St. Vincent and the renowned for his 1992 calypso Grenadines has produced hit ‘Woman gone, Woman dey’, some of the best calypsonians will no longer grace the stage. and soca artistes in the ‘Sir D,’ who last performed Caribbean, according to ‘Sir his ‘Sugar Pan’ in 2015 with D’, but many of them had to the On Tour Calypso Tent, migrate in order to make it after a hiatus, told THE big.

VINCENTIAN on Tuesday “I still think that we have a that he was retiring from the good product and we have a arena. lot of recording studios, but But the 73-year-old something still seems to be calysonian has made it clear lacking in taking the art form that his decision has nothing forward,” he added. to do with age, but rather with In his view, the artistes and the direction the art form has those who manage the tents, taken, particularly with the must take some of the blame. tent system.

He laments the division, as “The tent structure is not he sees it, that exists among geared towards developing the calypsonians, which, he art form, it is only geared assesses, has contributed to towards competition. There is the lack of growth in the art no incentive for young or form. aspiring calypsonians.

“You cannot get anywhere “It’s all about winning or when you are divided,” he losing. We need to get serious stressed, adding, “You have to about the art form and take it move as a united force, if you to another level,” he beckoned. want people to respect you.”

“The musicians get paid, ‘Sir D’ recalled that some the back vocals get paid and years ago, he suggested that the venue get paid, but there the tents do a compilation of is nothing in it for the songs, in order “to push their

by HAYDN HUGGINS

music,” but this was not done.

A product of the Sion Hill community but currently residing in Georgetown, ‘Sir D’ landed on the calypso arena in 1984, with the song ‘Chopper Man’. Through his 33 years in the calypso business, he has sung in Future Stars, Old Brigade, Graduates and On Tour calypso tents.

The song ‘Woman Gone Woman dey’ was a reflection of an era in which some men were resorting to drinking poisonous substances when their fiancees or wives left them.

The music was done by veteran Vincentian Producer/Arranger Olson ‘Caribbean Pete’ Peters, and although ‘Sir D’ did not place in the top three positions that year (1992), it was undoubtedly one of the most popular calypsos.

That was the only year that ‘Sir D’ made it to the National Calypso Monarch finals; but calypso for him was a love and enjoyment, and he was always encouraged by his fans.

‘Sir D’ was at the centre of

controversy in 2014, when local soca artiste Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles did a cover version of ‘Woman gone, Woman dey’.

The issue was brought to the public’s attention in a back page story of THE VINCENTIAN on July 18, 2014, with ‘Sir D’ threatening legal action. The story was headlined ‘Woman gone, woman dey bacchanal’.

Just over a month later, distinguished Vincentian musician Joffre Venner, who was at the time this country’s Director on the Board of the Eastern Caribbean Collection Organization for Music Rights (ECCO), assisted Mayers in becoming a member of that organization, and getting the song ‘Woman gone, Woman dey’ registered. As a result, ‘Sir D’ has since been receiving royalties for the song.

Venner had admitted, during an interview with THE VINCENTIAN then, that if the matter was not settled, ‘Sir D’ could have taken legal action, as the song was done over without his permission.

Francis ‘Sir D’ Mayers waves goodbye to the calypso stage after three decades and more of active involvement in the art form.

But Venner expressed the view that that route would have been very costly, and would have taken much longer.

Asked whether he would be involved in the art form in any way during his retirement, Sir D replied, “I would be watching the game from the pavilion.”

V

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Music

Melisizwe Brothers takes Entertainer of the Year Award Right: Entertainer of the Y ear e – The Melisizwe Year Brothers, (from left) Mark, Zachary and Seth James.

abroad.

The trio are not musisimply gifted musicians, but also compose and arrange many of their own songs. In terms of their music prowess, Zachary plays violin and sings; Seth raps and plays the keyboards, and Mark does the guitar work and also sings.

The website ‘Soul Tracks’ described the boys as being “as cute as three buttons, and talented too”.

They were not Granville ‘Sun Blaze’ Findlay was the present to collect the recipient of this year ’s Lifetime Achievement year’s award, but in an A ward.

Award. interview with THE VINCENTIAN, Mark James, father of the boys, we go. Thank y ou for making you expressed thanks to the SVG us feel special by presenting us with this award,” said AMP Award Committee. “It is indeed an honour to be James. recognized for hard work Other Winners and dedication. We will continue to promote our winners island and people wherever Other big wi nners on the night included: Darron Musi-Andrews (violinist) - Musi cian of the Year; Chewalle Johnson (Soca Artiste) - Best New Artiste; Hance John (Soca Artiste) and Stacey Little (Gospel Singer) – Best Male and Female (respec (respec-tively) Performer of the Year. Little also took the Gospel Single of the Year for ‘Bless Him Up’.

K-Netic took the Best Live Band Award, and Jaw Breaker by Wetty Beatz copped the Best Riddim Track. Wetty Beatz also took the Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards.

‘Dem Vincy’ b y Mason by was adjudged the Record of the Year.

Dancehall Single of the Year went to First Lady for ‘Fade Away’. Young Quin-C, Veteran e K Isles Veteran pannist and soloist Ken featuring M-Deezy, topped received his recognition from former the Hip Hop and R&B Single René Baptiste.

Minister of Culture René of the Year and Universal

THE MELISIZWE BR OTHERS, a BROTHERS, trio of musicians aged between 8 and 13 13 years years old, between walked away away with the coveted coveted walked Ent ertainer of the Y e ear A Entertainer Year Award ward (2016), (20 16), at the St. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Association of Professionals Music Prof essionals (AMP) Awards A wards Ceremony, Ceremony, held Wednesday 2017, W ednesday 19th April, 20 17, er, Event Center, at the Signature Ev ent Cent Highway.

Vigie Highw ay.

The Melisizwe Brothers, comprised of Mark, Seth and Zachery James, made a recent appearance on the popular American television DeGetalk show ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, where they performed their cover, the 1970 Jackson Five’s hit ‘I’ll be there’, a video of which had gone viral long before the television appearance.

But even before that, they had been warming the hearts of audiences here and

Chewalle Johnson – Best New Artiste.

Single of the Year categories.

The track ‘We smoking’ earned the Best Vocal Collaboration and Reggae Single of the Year for the trio Abuzza, Dynamite and Yaphatoo.

The Ragga Soca Single of the Year award went to female artiste Shaunelle McKenzie for her ‘Wet and Wild’, and Skinny Fabulous with ‘Watch Things’ took the Male category of that award.

The Soca Single of the Year however, was reserved for Hypa 4000 and his ‘No Behaviour’, and ‘Faith in Hairouna’ earned Zamfir “Man Zangie” Adams the Calypso Single of the Year accolade.

Gospel Single of the Year by a male artiste went to Chad ‘Misfit’ Durrant.

Sheridan Lewis’ video for Skarpyon’s ‘Never Forget’, trumped the Best Music Video category.

Rondy ‘Luta’ Mc Intosh’s ‘Rum Santa’ was named Best Christmas Single of the Year.

Disc Jockey of the Year went to DJ Fugitive, and Radio Station of the Year,

NBC Radio.

The night also witnessed the presentation of special awards, with the Lifetime Achievement Award being presented to Granville ‘Sun outstand-Blaze’ Findlay for outstand ing accomplishments in Calypso Performance and Composition.

The music band X-A-Dus and pannist and solo performer Ken Isles were ‘Dedica-also recognized for ‘Dedica tion to the Development of Vincentian Music’.

A ‘surprise’ presentation was made to President of recording/perform-AMP and recording/perform ing artiste Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles, for his effort to recognize Vincentian talent.

Tributes were also paid to Ken Cruickshank, Roland Sardine and P’Tani Bra, three Vincentian musicians who passed away recently, for their contribution to Vincentian music.

The night also saw performances from Stacey Lyttle, Ken Isles, the band K-Netic and X-A Dus, who brought the curtains down on the event. (KH)

Members of the Band X-A-Dus receive their token of appreciation.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 15.

Art

Owen Ralph exhibits years of art work Owen Ralph is a selftaught artist whose body of work is as varied as the stories he tells.

Right: Owen Ralph’s sense of history has a particular focus on the indigenous of SVG. Below: Owen Ralph captures a practice of old that preceded the days of the washing machine.

was always some added theatrics on the stage at Victoria Park where the official Mardi OWEN RALPH IS A VETERAN mas man Gras parade was held. from Sion Hill, who will forever be What many persons may not know, remembered for his true-to-life though, is that, at the foundation of presentations of ‘military mas’ for the Owen’s mas presentations, was an Mardi Gras parade. inherent skill and practice of the The many from Sion Hill and visual arts. His sketches and surrounding communities who paintings employed a variety of media: comprised those bands, took pride in making the journey (by foot) from Sion oil, acrylic and water colours on canvas.

Hill, to parade for those who had thronged the streets. Of course, there

by GLORIAH…

Born with the talent

Owen Ralph shows a penchant for representing the human form and moods.

As far as Owen is concerned, a sense of art and the skill of drawing and painting are attributes with which he has had from birth.

He recalled that his experimentations took off in primary school. “All the different primary schools I went to, my greatest love was art and drawing,” he began, explaining further that all his schoolmates used to share their break money with him as rewards for “doing drawings that the teacher said we must draw, but they couldn’t.”

On Wednesday, 19th April, THE VINCENTIAN grabbed a sneak peek of the exhibition mounted by Owen Ralph at the Youlou Art Centre at Villa. Owen will showcase his pieces for one whole month, ending on May 19th, 2017.

Come tomorrow, Saturday, 29th April, a special reception in Owen’s

the village river while the children honed their swimming and diving skills, Owen Ralph provides a poignant visual view to his audience.

Given his untutored talent, Owen was asked how he was able to decide, for example, the different brush strokes to use to depict different imagery. His explanation was: “I don’t really know. I just see it in my head and I paint it on the canvas!”

He did, however, admit that his love of history also contributes to what he produces. A large painting that captures an aspect of the life of the Caribs was inspired after he came to realise how creative these people were.

Undoubtedly, Owen Ralph makes for an interesting study. This exhibition is his very first but he now yearns for more. “I’ll like to be known as an artist in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for sure,” he announced with much enthusiasm, “and I’ll also like to get my paintings sold.”

He admits that without the The Display encouragement of his friends Wilbur The entire Art Center is awash with Maingot and Andre Liverpool, the exhibition may not have happened Owen’s work. He confessed that the Beyond that, Owen aspires to have pieces which remain “behind” his own showroom. And given that the constitute over 100% of the quantity euphoria that has characterized the exhibited.

The collection on display comprises showing, seems to have ignited a new spark in Owen Ralph, art enthusiasts primarily landscapes and seascapes, and Vincentians in general might just stills, and interpretations of Biblical see a whole new wave of productions and proverbial sayings. from this self-taught artist.

It is clear where his strength lies.

Whether it be single figure images or gatherings, Owen shows a penchant for the representation of the human form.

These he cleverly uses to capture scenes indicative of the culture into which he was born.

So, had one never witnessed fishermen ‘pulling seine’, children playing marbles in a traditional ‘mud yard’, whaling activities in Bequia, women energetically The Financial Complex – the artist’s impression of one washing the of the modern architectural designs that abound in family’s clothes in capital Kingstown. honour will be held at the Centre.

According to a Centre spokesperson, the aim of the activity is to provide an opportunity for oneon-one interaction between the artist and members of the public, that goes beyond showcasing his work.

Additionally, the hope is that Owen’s exhibition would motivate other artists to display their work, ultimately raising the awareness of visual arts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

V

16. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Easter Parade of Hats at VINSAVE THE CHILDREN of Vinsave and the Byesave Pre-school participated in a glorious activity in the celebration of the Easter Season.

The children dramatized the crucifixion of Jesus, and also engaged in a parade of Easter Hats.

The hats, made by their parents and guardians, depicted the theme of Easter. All the hats were beautifully done, and each section of the Centre was awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, and an overall winner for

Children of Vinsave and the Byesave Pre-school display their Easter Hats. boys and girls was chosen.

The children and parents enjoyed the festive occasion, and were treated to food and

drinks after the event.

The Easter programme is an annual feature of the Vinsave Centre. (Contributed)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 17.

News

Trinity and Vincy entrepreneur partner Trinity School of Medicine continues to invest heavily in its St. Vincent home.

The latest undertaking is the Ratho Mill Complex, a new student housing facility located within walking distance of its campus, and is being undertaken in partnership with local entrepreneur Mr. Roger Adams.

The 26-unit apartment building is three-storey tall, with beach-view balconies taking full advantage of the medical school’s elevated, hillside location. The single bedroom units are furnished by local suppliers, and include full-size kitchens and separate study areas.

The building itself also boasts full-time security for students, ensuring a safe environment.

President of Trinity,

Mr. Steven Wilson said, “Trinity School of Medicine has been so graciously welcomed by the people of St. Vincent as a part of the community, so we’re always excited when our growth can so directly contribute to the success and growth of Vincentian businesses.”

In agreeing, Mr. Adams added, “The school plays a very important part in the local economy. I welcome the growth. I’ve already recommended two other local entrepreneurs to the school for future projects. Student housing is a great long-term investment with Trinity.”

He explained briefly the origins of the joint venture, “I met Mr. Wilson through a friend that already worked with

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves signs the agreement with Taiwan on police and immigration affairs, in the company of Ambassador Baushuan Ger , and witnessed by (standing L-R): Renold Hadaway, COP (Ag) and Colin John, Deputy COP (Ag) (Photo Credit: Lance Neverson)

Taiwan-SVG agree on security co-operation THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Taiwan) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on April 21, 2017, signed two agreements concerning cooperation in police and immigration affairs.

Ambassador Baushuan Ger of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in his capacity as Minister of National Security, affixed their signatures to the agreement, witnessed by this country’s Commissioner (Ag) of Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Renold Hadaway, and Deputy Commissioner (Ag), Colin John.

Under the agreements, which took effect as of the date of signing, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines agree to combat transnational crimes through the exchange of information, cooperation of investigation, and promotion of capacity building.

The bilateral agreements, respectively ‘Agreement on Police Cooperation’ and ‘Agreement Concerning Cooperation in Immigration Affairs and Human Trafficking Prevention’; were signed earlier in Taiwan by Dr. Jiunn-rong Yeh, Minister of the Interior of the Republic of China (Taiwan), whose portfolio covers that country’s National Police Agency as well as its Immigration Agency. (Source: ROC Tawian Embassy)

the school. We quickly agreed on a contract and began the nine-month construction. We had great support on this project, from the workers themselves putting in Sunday-to-Sunday efforts, to the Vincentian government’s guidance, as well as local banks, suppliers, and my family and friends.”

Trinity School of Medicine is a fully accredited International medical school focused on

helping students achieve their goals of becoming licensed physicians in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean nations.

Trinity is known for its early clinical experience, internally supportive and externally philanthropic campus culture, and a marked dedication to the

The apartment building at Ratho Mill that was designed and renovated to accommodate students of the Trinity School of Medicine. study of excellence in medical education. To find out more, one can

visit http://www.trinityschoolo fmedicine.org/.

18. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 19.

Milestone

WEFM 99.9 Management and staff: (Back Row - Left to Right) Jamella Samuel, Demion McTair, Crystal Bynoe-Greaves, Kheron Sutherland, Naressa Bostwick, Donnie Collins (Sitting L-R) Julius ‘Jules’ Williams (Managing Director) and Susan De Freitas (Operations Manager). Missing: Nigel Bynoe

WEFM

celebrates its first 20 years WEFM RADIO 99.9 celebrated its 20th year of broadcasting on April 15, 2017. The privately-owned radio station launched its broadcast in April 1997, and is presently ranked by media surveys among the leading broadcasting entities in this country.

To mark this milestone, the Radio Station, with broadcast facilities at Windy Point, a peninsula that separates the Campden Park and Questelles bays, staged several activities driven by the theme, ‘20 years: Forging ahead with reliable reporting, entertainment and music’, throughout the month of April.

The activities commenced on Saturday April 1 with a road trip on the Leeward side of the island, with stops at Vermont, Layou, where WEFM promotional paraphernalia - t-shirts, bags, bottles and bumper stickers - were distributed to residents and shop owners.

Residents from these communities also had the opportunity to meet and greet members of staff and the management of the radio station.

Activities continued on Sunday 2nd April with a church service at Trinity Apostolic Faith Church, Lower Questelles, attended by management, staff and well wishers of WEFM. In keeping with its community focus, the station made a donation to the Clare Valley

Government School, to aid the school’s Breakfast Programme for students.

Additionally, an Old Workers Day was held on April 18, during which former employees of WEFM visited the station and co-hosted some of the on air programmes, and read the news.

On reflecting on the first twenty years, Managing Director Julius Williams said that after twenty years, he is proud of the progress and achievements made by WEFM Radio, in its thrust to remain a community-based radio station.

He explained that the station puts a high premium on ensuring the professional development of staff, and towards this end, training is provided on a yearly basis.

Training sessions have been facilitated by: Mr. Win Callender, Broadcast and Training Consultant from Barbados; Dr. Cleve Scott, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI); and Ms. Pam Barbour, Lecturer at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication, (CARIMAC) at UWI Mona, in Jamaica, among several others.

Mr. Williams takes pride in the number of radio personalities who have had their beginnings at WEFM, among these being Anthony Dennie, Colin Graham, Earl Abbott, Chris “Too Cool” Jones,

Ernesto Cooke and Val Matthias.

Corlita Ollivierre and Leslie DeBique, Manager and News Editor respectively of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), also had stints at WEFM. Williams had a special word of commendation for the late Glen Jackson who played a major role in the development and success of the “ShakeUP” programme in particular, and the overall listenership of the station.

As far as the future is concerned, Williams said, “Management aims to continue to improve the technology utilized by WEFM Radio, both in the areas of transmission and social media, so as to ensure that the radio station remains both current and relevant, in this rapidly changing technological environment.”

And from among a cavalcade of persons, listeners and advertisers who have contributed to the longevity of the station, Williams had a special word of thanks for his mother, Mrs. Grace Williams, for her guidance and counsel throughout the years.

WEFM launched its online radio station, www.999wefm.co in 2004. The station is also active on social media via www.facebook.com/wefm 99, Twitter @wefm99, Instagram wefm99svg and on an official YouTube channel WEFM Radio.

V

20. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Can’t live with our ‘witchie’ aunt Dear George, SINCE our parents died in 2013, our aunt has been taking care of us.

My sister and I are now 14 and 19, and we are having a terrible time living with our ‘witchie’ Aunt.

We live in a fourbedroom house, just the

three of us, yet my aunt refuses to let me and my sister sleep in separate rooms. The bed on which my sister and I sleep is a twin bed, and one in a vacant room is a Queen size.

There are days when we do not eat as we should. Our Aunt does not want us to touch the food cupboard, fridge or

stove if she is not at home, and there are times she would stay away for hours at a time.

I am not working, so I am at home. Yet I can’t even go out to look for work. My aunt says I don’t need to work, yet she does not give me anything.

My sister and I are planning to either run

away or say goodbye to this world where we won’t have to deal with people such as my Aunt.

Lonely Sisters Dear Lonely Sisters, There is no need to do anything rash.

What is happening to you and your sister is

very troubling, to say the least, and I think the time is right to face your aunt, let her know how much you are hurting and how unhappy you both are. Give her that chance to be a better parent. Don’t assume she knows the degree of hurt and suffering her actions are causing you both.

Talk to her, and if that

doesn’t work, then I’m suggesting you pay a visit to the Social Welfare Department and ask for further assistance. Take these two steps one behind the other without delay.

Please keep me posted on your progress.

George

From much sex, to no sex Dear George, WHEN IT COMES to sex, I find myself disinterested and have little or no desire to make any sort of love to my wife. She thinks I’m seeing someone else, and

does not believe me when I say that is not so.

Dear DV, I was a man who craved sex and could not What’s happening to sleep without it. Now, it’s you could be a result of a different. Can you tell me number of reasons, and what could be going on? you would have to sort things out one by one, Deep Valley preferably with the help

of your wife.

If you are currently going through a very stressful time or experiencing unresolved issues in the marriage, your interest in sex could be affected. There are certain foods you can eat to help increase your libido which is linked to your sex drive. Try to see a sex therapist as soon as you can to help you untangle this hopefully temporary web. Let your wife in on it and humbly ask for her help.

George

Be more considerate Dear George, I PLAN TO GET MARRIED in six months, but I don’t want my friends and family to know until one month before the date. Is there anything wrong with that? My bride to be is saying we should not wait that long. What say you?

NP Dear NP, It’s good to give at least 3 months’ notice so that your guests can plan their time off properly and , in some cases, have enough time to purchase necessary outfits etc.

If you intend to invite family or friends who are out of country, you may want to consider an earlier notice for them. A sudden notice to attend may result in fewer people to celebrate with you.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Real estate investments will be profit able. Someone may be trying to take advantage of you. You can accomplish a lot if you work out of your home this week. Moves or the possibility of having someone different living with you may be difficult at first.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Trips, educa‐ tional pursuits, or projects that could lead to new outlooks should be on your agenda.

Interaction with colleagues will only be upsetting. It's a favorable time for real estate, investments, and moneymaking opportunities to be successful. You will have excellent ideas for changing or reno‐ vating your home.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) You should be promoting your ideas. It might be time to pick up the slack and do your share. You must watch your tendency to spend what‐ ever you make. Sudden romantic encoun‐ ters are quite likely, but discretion will be a must.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you. Unexpected changes in friendships could occur. It is time to clear your decks.

Try making some changes to your appear‐ ance and your attitude that will reinforce just that.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest.

Your ability to be a self‐starter will help get things done and motivate others. You're on the right track and you can make money if you are willing to go out on a limb. Now is the time to concentrate on building a strong financial future for your family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Self‐deception regarding your own worth may lead you down the wrong path. Relatives will be happy that you dropped by. You should be setting up interviews or sending out your

resume this week. Uncertainties regarding your love life will surface if you have neg‐ lected your mate.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Past partners are likely to reappear. Don't vacillate about ask‐ ing for assistance if you need it. You may not see your situation clearly. You will have a great deal of insight when dealing with others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Money can be made if you use your ingenuity. Try to slow down, and take another look. You can visit clients and make a big impression just by giving them some hands‐on help. Try to have patience and refrain from being judg‐ mental.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) You can pick up some overtime this week. You may not have the same ideas when it comes to what you both enjoy. You need to make your lover feel wanted, not like a piece of the furniture. You have the stamina and determination to succeed.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Do not blow situations out of proportion. Encourage the youngsters in your family. Do a little shop‐ ping. You're likely to find a real bargain. It's a good time to make changes to your living quarters that will give you more space.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Your diplo‐ matic approach and rather outgoing nature will enhance your reputation and bring you the support you need. Socializing will be more than just entertaining. Do not let oth‐ ers exhaust you financially. Don't get upset.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) Advancement can be yours if you put your efforts into work related matters. Don't make excuses. Go out with close friends who understand your sit‐ uation‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ and your needs. Don't let oth‐ ers know about your private affairs.

ACROSS 1. Ink spot 5. Mountain range 11. River in central Switzerland 12. Uproar 13. So be it 14. Ingest 15. Teachings 17. Golfers mound 18. Frozen water 19. Laugh loudly 20. Roman general 23. Commotion 24. Woody plant 25. Weep 26. Donkey 27. Seventh day 31. Book of prayers 33. Fencing sword 34. Soul 35. Monetary unit of Iran 36. Oozed 37. Unit of linear measure

DOWN 1. False god 2. Gammy

3. Minerals granted 4. Ductile 23. Fireplace 5. Thorn shelf 6. Charged 25. Dish of raw particles vegetables 7. And so on 27. Identical 8. Orator 9. Annul 10. Blood vessel 16. Wood Sorrel 19. Elastic 20. Seals 21. Bearlike 22. Person to whom a lease is

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 21.

28. Capital of Western Samoa 29. Rip 30. Gripped 32. Have supper

22. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 23.

GTC condemns dearth of Junior Tennis Tournaments

THE PROTRACTED ABSENCE of a National Junior Tournament has aroused the concern of the Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC).

Head man of the GTCGrant Connell, in expressing his lamentations of the state of junior tennis and the sport in general, told THE VINCENTIAN: “It is painful…I’ve never seen such drought in Junior Tennis in St Vincent and the Grenadines… This is too much for the youths to endure.”

Connell said that his travails are excruciating in view of the fact that the GTC had offered to run tournaments at the National Tennis Centre at Villa.

“We at GTC had offered

the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tennis Association to have tournaments, plus offer to lease a court, but our proposal was bluntly refused,” Connell complained.

Expanding on the proposal, Connell said they had offered to host three tournaments and 12 events at the National Tennis Centre, and enter into a lease agreement with the authorities.

“Two things major would have happened, as we would have been responsible for the upkeep of the centre court, and certainly the facility would have been alive and kicking with Tennis and other events,” he reflected.

“Over the years, it was the Grassroot Tennis Club which was carrying junior tennis here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, in terms of tournaments…

Now we do not have a permanent home, the onus is on the national executive to fill the void,” Connell advocated.

The Grassroot Tennis Club began operations at the Haddon Hotels courts on Murray’s Road in February 2010, but ceased its hold on the premises at the end of August last year.

This was as a result of the retake of the premises by owners. Bertille and Casper Da Silva.

Connell observed that whilst the Grassroot Tennis Club picked up the

slack within the last six years, it is not business as usual, as his club does not have a permanent base at this time.

“When we just school our young players in the sport, when will they be given the opportunity to show what they worth?”

Connell questioned.

Connell also pointed to the need for local tournaments, especially in light of the fact that not all young players who are presently active are in positions to afford to compete overseas. “… The youths are frustrated and would turn to alternative sports, as is the case with two players already… One has chosen Swimming and the other Squash,” Connell

Right: Even as he condemns the state of junior tennis in SVG, Grant Connell, Director of GTC, is not prepared to sit idly by and watch players leave the sport.

complained.

Connell, though, revealed that the Grassroot Tennis Club will not stay idle, and will have to put on its own tournaments.

“We are looking at a top sixteen very soon… We

are doing this for the youths until the Association gets its act together,” Connell concluded.

TSSS heads for Penn Relays again A CONTINGENT, including seven male athletes, from the Thomas Saunders Secondary School, left here on April 21, to compete for the 7th consecutive year in the prestigious Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, USA, April 27 - 29.

The athletes will Godfrey Harry – compete in the 4x100m and 4x400m coach of TSSS – looks beyond the relays. actual competition Unlike previous years, the TSSS will for justification for Standing from left to right: Farrah Bailey (manager), his school’s not enter a female Immanuel Henry, Zenron Chance, Mourice Foster, Aaron continuing relay team this time Hazell, Javed Marksman (assistant coach), Godfrey participation in the around.

Harry(head coach). Stooping from left: Joel Jack, Inglis Penn Relays.

The team will be Daniel, Atiba Duncan. coached, as it has been for the previous “So, bench mark. six occasions, by Godrey Harry, we will have to find ways to deal In addition to Harry (coach), the who, in speaking with THE with this aspect so we can get up to other members of the TSSS VINCENTIAN, confessed, “We are that level. Until such time, we can contingent are: Javed Marksman hoping we will get into the finals, use these opportunities as an (assistant coach), Farrah Bailey but it’s a long shot, because it’s exposure path for the athletes and a (manager) and athletes Joel Jack, approximately over 600 schools way for scouting for scholarships,” Aaron Hazell, Immanuel Henry, participating in the events, Harry added.

Inglis Daniel, Mourice Foster, competing for 8 positions.”

And there is a glimmer of “extra Zenron Chance, Atiba Duncan.

Harry explained that the TSSS hope.” Harry pointed to this year’s The TSSS will be joined this year athletes are at a disadvantage since 4 x 400m team as entering the by the St. Vincent Grammar School, they are all high school aged, and Relays, having done a qualifying in that school’s debut in the Penn they compete against older and time of 3 minutes 33 seconds at the Relays. more experienced athletes from KFC Grenada National Relay, some higher level institutions.

7 seconds faster than the stipulated I.B.A.ALLEN

The jubilant RSVG Police cricket team- the 2017 Regional Security Services champions.

SVG tops in Regional Police Cricket THE ROYAL ST VINCENT and the Grenadines Police championed the 2017 Regional ServicesCricket competition, staged in Trinidad and Tobago over the Easter weekend, at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) facility.

Facing their counterparts from Barbados, RSVG Police racked up 177 for 5 from their 20 overs.

Leading the way was Desron Maloney who slammed 89. Andrew Thomas contributed 27 and Salvan Browne, 22.

In reply, the law officers from Barbados were shackled by the bowling of Kevin Abraham who snapped up 3 for 13, and West Indies Twenty/20 international bowler- Kesrick Williams with figures of 2 for 12.

The two finalists emerged after the round robin format.

The Vincentian security personnel had beaten the Barbadians in their first encounter of the preliminaries, but lost to Grenada in their second.

A one-wicket win over host Trinidad and Tobago and a nervy one-run win over St Lucia, ensured that St Vincent and the Grenadines finished with a 4:1 win / loss record, and a place in the grand finale.

St Vincent and the Grenadines last won the title in 2015, when the competition was held here.

V

24. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

New Professional League coming: Local footballers urged to get involved YOUNG VINCENTIAN footballers are being urged to position themselves to cash in on the prospects of the Islands Cup Competition.

The Islands Cup Competition is a Professional Football League which is set to have its trial run this year, and in which Vincentians will be eligible to participate.

The League is organised by the Caribbean Football Trust

Limited (CFTL), of which Vincentian Michael John is a board member, and the point man for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

John stated that one of the start- up franchises, Combine Islands, will, in the main, comprise players from the Windward Islands.

Apart from the Combine Islands, the Barbados Challengers, Trinbago Oilers, Jamaica

Ruffnecks and Suriname Gladiators, make up the five franchises.

John said that former St Vincent and the Grenadines football technical director and head coach- Lenny Taylor, who is the appointed technical director of the CFTL, will soon be conducting screening sessions for local footballers.

“It will be an opportunity for them (SVG’s footballers) to

The Arnos Vale Playing Field will be the venue for one of the (CFTL) matches in the trial run scheduled for this year.

earn some money and get to play in a professional setup and play football at a higher level,” John claimed.

He also thinks it is an opening for those footballers who desire to go further up the ladder, with an eye on making it (football) a profession.

“We don’t have the opportunity to expose our players… If you don’t get into the MLS (Major League Soccer), or a team elsewhere, it is difficult... And with St Vincent and the Grenadines FIFA rankings, it is virtually impossible for our players to get contracts overseas with a known club in the world,” John reasoned.

The test run for the competition commences in July, with matches slated for the Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica (6th July), the

Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Suriname (9th July), the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia (13th July) and here at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on 16th July.

“This year is just to sensitise and promote the concept of the competition… Next year 2018, we will go full speed with eight franchises,” John revealed.

Several regional and international icons of football have been earmarked to play significant roles as faces of the competition.

These faces include the likes of Florent Malouda, Rivaldo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldino, John Barnes, Russell Latapy and Everald ‘Gally’ Cummings.

And, John is excited with the prospects of these big names coming

Michael John is the Caribbean Football Trust Limited (CFTL) point man in SVG. to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Bringing a player like Ronaldino or like Rivaldo here to play at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, will be a big boost for the country’s sports tourism,” he proffered.

“It is a win-win for us.

There is a lot of work to be done, but when we pull it off, it will be a huge event for all of the Caribbean,” John promised.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 25.

Sports

Windwards on top heading into 4th round

On track, off track or abstract ONCE YOU walked around with hands free amidst scepticism and uncertainty as though they govern your existence, then a shrill of pain strikes, and the situation is one of helplessness.

Try as you may, there is no way of freeing oneself from the claws of a giant almost alien marauder, which has the capacity of completing a cycle of torture. There has to be a way out, and some means of escape has to be fashioned. It comes as a case of necessity, so that freedom path has to be trodden.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation at Carifta Games (Track and Field) which wound up Curacao April 17, left this nation without a medal.

The lone participant earned two fourth spots, which turns out to be reasonable.

But sports are decisive and those that mount the podium get recognition.

Our contingency and depth of involvement call for national response. The nonchalant approach must be changed.

The link between healthy population and enhanced academic training is not maximised. A sporting culture has to be instilled in our life from early.

It is encouraging that our Community College is incorporating structures of regional cricket.

Latching on to our emerging youngsters will deepen the pool from which our resources can be drawn.

The nation has to be absorbed. Scattered pockets of enthusiasm and zeal are not enough to sustain any programme.

Sports have proven to be a platform for the nation’s youths who carry out functions on several fronts.

Some persons have distinguished themselves in roles skirting parameters to ensure that scholarships and opportunities to develop are procured.

There are persons on basketball, athletics, and football training. Others may be involved in aspects without those doing the groundwork hardly bothering to document their accomplishments.

Wayne Williams, Michael Ollivierre and Ian Sardine spring to mind. There are others whose contribution to the nation’s development go unnoticed.

The act of selflessness must be rampant in many a host nation, even within the Caribbean where regional commitment remains deep.

By today, the finalists for the Women’s Cricket Tournament will be determined, and fans will gear up for Sunday’s showdown. Besides the bragging rights, attention will be on the composition of the squad for England from June 24.

The Windward Islands will be hoping that they can recover from last Wednesday’s loss to Barbados, and make amends when in the finals.

That Women’s version came as a tonic to the fan, bemused by the debacle to which performances by those chosen to represent the region have reduced us to.

Normal Caribbean supporters are keen on shifting the burden as regards who ought to be in charge of running our cricket. As long as we continue to lose, we drift further into the mires where frustration can spill over into acts of recklessness.

The Caribbean has advanced on its journey from invasion to evasion. That brings along its complexity. In the midst of that, we must live in partnership and cohesion with humanity. Things have unfolded so clearly at times, dramatic and traumatic in and within our boundaries, that we have become indifferent to some products of our inheritance.

In some instances, terms and conditions we are provided with, leave us with little option.

For the time, national sport will be an afterthought for some.

Attention will be on the things that seemingly matter. Not that sport is not a priority, but when other things are in the way, the balance has to be managed.

Sports personalities will have to be on guard, and stay away from unhealthy lifestyle. After the activities are over, your body will be needed to take you through those rigorous encounters when the best of you is needed. Additionally, there are exams, internally and externally. The coordination between physical and mental best enhanced in practical fashion. No one must try to separate the genuine standards.

SKIPPER AFY FLETCHER led from the front to ensure that the Windwards Islands, in defeating Jamaica, ended round three (Monday 24th April) of WICB Female Super50 Tournament at the top of the points standing.

In one of the round three matches of the Tournament being played here, Fletcher captured 7 wickets for 13 runs in 9.2. overs, to set up the win over Jamaica, in what was a low- scoring encounter, played at the Sion Hill Playing Field.

That remarkable return flattened the Jamaicans for a mere 84 runs in 35.2 overs, with only three batters getting double figures: Rashada Williams 14, Chedean Nation 12 and Jodian Morgan 10.

The Windwards batters made the victory chase an unexpected difficult one, but eventually got to 85 for 8 from 36.2 overs. Fletcher completed a good day running in a joint top score of 23 with Swayline Williams. Chedan Nation, 2 for 19, and Vanessa Watts, 2 for 25, returned the best figures for losers Jamaica.

In another of the round three matches played at Park Hill, Shamilia Connell slid through the Guyana batting to help inspire Barbados to a 41-run victory. Connell ended with

figures of 4 for Right: Afy Fletcher, captain of 16 to help the Windward Islands, dismiss Guyana bamboozled the Jamaicans with for 104 in 39.4 her right arm off spin, to claim a overs, with seven-wicket innings haul.

Shamaine Campbelle top scoring with 25.

Earlier, Barbados had made 145 from 44.3 overs. West Indies batting star Deandra Dottin top scored with 47, with Hayley Mathews contributing 20 and Shakera Selman 30. Tremayne Smartt returned figures of 3 for 15.

And veteran West Indies off spinner Anisa Mohammed took 4 for 18 from 8.3 overs, to Anisa inspire Trinidad and Tobago to Mohammed an 8-wicket win over the continues to be Barbados’ Leeward Islands at Arnos Vale. a leading Electing to take first knock, wicket-taker for Deandra Dottin had a third the Leewards were dismissed for T&T. round top score 76 from 28.3 overs. In addition to Mohammed’s 4 for 18, of 47. followed by Caniesha Isaac had 2 for 26 and Barbados on 14, Karishma Ramharack 2 for 10.

Trinidad and Tobago 10, Jamaica Trinidad replied with 78 for 2 2, Leewards 2 and Guyana 0. from 10.4 overs. Britney Cooper In what could well be the top scored with 27. tournament-decider, the Barbados and the Windwards, Windwards were expected to face with three victories at the end of Barbados in their fourth round round three, each had 12 match match beginning on Wednesday, points. However, the Windwards and Trinidad and Tobago in their earned 3 bonus points to final match on Friday.

Barbados’ 2, to jump to the top of the standings with 15 points, I.B.A.ALLEN

Peters off to English League Cricket LEFT ARM West Indies seam bowler Kenroy Peters is heading for the UK. He will leave here soon to join the English League Club Lindal Moore Cricket Club, as its overseas professional.

Lindal Moore plays in the North Lancashire and Combemere Cricket League.

Peters is expected to be in the UK for five months.

Peters, who recently represented the Winwards Volcanoes in the WICB PCL four-day tournament, said he is looking forward to another stint in English conditions.

“I played in that league some ten years ago, so I am familiar with the Club (Lindal Moore); but I played against the club during that period. The Club is known for some big names from the West Indies — like Narsigh Deonarine and Eustan Crandon from Guyana, as well as Shaun Findley

of Jamaica,” Peters said.

In addition to turning out on the field for the Club, Peters explained, “My stint there is to really help the young players in the Club.

They thought my experience in the league and in first class cricket could help the Club to move forward”, the West Indies left arm bowler stressed.

Peters also said that he is looking forward to helping Lindal move up to the Premier League, from the First Division in which they now compete.

While in the UK, Peters will be further equipping himself for life after the field of cricket.

“While I am in England, I will be participating in the ECB Level 2 Certificate Coaching Programme at Old Trafford, along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul who is presently representing Duham in the English Country League”, Peters

disclosed.

“Additionally, I am currently doing my Level 3 in strength and conditioning specifically for cricket. When I go to England, I will be finishing up my final modules”, he added.

The North Lancashire and Combemere Cricket League runs from April 29th to September 9th.

I.B.A.ALLEN Kenroy Peters is heading for the UK hoping to kill two birds with one stone.

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017. 27.

Classifieds

FOR RENT

REPAIRS

2bdrm, 2 bathroom apt furnished at Harmony Hall 498-0291

Washing machine and microwave repairs.

Home Services Call: 455-5018

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

APRIL 28, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.17

A.I. REAL ESTATE Kingstown Fenced Parking Lot for lease or sale.

7,922 sq.ft. Ready to go. Owner financing.

CALL – CC001 (784)- 457-2087 office (784)-533-0431 whatsapp (784)-493-9431 cell (718)-807-4376 office donp@vincysurf.com www.aisvg.com facebook.com/airealestatesvg

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

AMES TO ANSWER IN UK COURT DAVID AMES, principal of Harlequin Property Ltd., developers of the now bankrupt Buccament Bay Resort here in SVG, will return to court in the United Kingdom (UK), in September 2018.

The date was set when the 65-year-old Ames appeared at the Southwark Crown Court on April 19.

It is expected that the trial will last between 12 to 14 weeks.

The dailymail.online news said that Ames is set to answer to three counts of fraud ‘by abuse of position concerning a total of £390 million allegedly lost by investors in a series of planned luxury Caribbean holiday resorts’.

The first charge involves alleged dishonesty from 2010 onwards, and concerns an alleged loss to investors of around £225m.

The second charge concerns alleged dishonesty from 2011 onwards, involving an alleged loss of around £130m.

Both these charges concern UK-registered company Harlequin Management Services (South East) Ltd, based at Honywood Road, Basildon, which is being liquidated.

The third charge relates

charges of tax evasion, in connection with the deprivation of millions of dollars in taxes from the SVG government between 2011 and 2013.

When Ames failed to show up at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on June 23, 2016, a bench warrant was issued for him.

News broke thereafter that the British born businessman and his wife Carol Ames had left the country for Martinique, shortly after 8 a.m. on June 22, after clearing immigration at the Chateaubelair Police Station.

Information is that the couple left on a locally owned fishing boat.

When Ames was charged by the SFO (UK) in February, Ames sent a statement to investors saying: “I maintain that I am innocent of any wrongdoing and am confident in the knowledge that I have always sought Ames still on criminal and taken the advice of top charges here accountants and solicitors for all areas of the While Ames awaits his business.” day in a UK court, the court He has made no such in St. Vincent and the statement in connection Grenadines awaits his with the charges laid return to answer to four against him here, but did charges of theft and four

to a successor offshore company, Harlequin Hotels and Resorts (Cayman) Ltd, and alleges dishonesty from mid-2012 onwards, concerning an alleged loss to investors of around £35m.

Ames’ prosecution arose out of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), together with Essex Police, which began in March 2013, according to the dailymail.online.

The Harlequin Property group was endorsed by celebrities including former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash, golf legend Gary Player, TV property guru Phil Spencer, TV football pundit Andy Townsend, and backed by Liverpool Football Club.

The Buccament Bay Resort also received glowing endorsement from Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves, wife of Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

communicate through a local attorney that he was unable to return to St. Vincent for a hearing because he was ill.

There has been no recent statement by the state here in relation to what action is expected to be taken to have the embattled businessman return to these shores to answer to the criminal charges against him.

When a state of chaos ensured late last year at the Buccament Bay Resort, with workers lingering in abeyance as far as their salaries were concerned, a Minister of Government here was able to contact Ames at his UK abode, and he promised to have that matter settled.

Questions arose, in light of this communication, about the seriousness if any, that was being apportioned to efforts to have Ames return to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Buccament Bay Resort was seen as the flagship tourism-related development by the Unity Labour Party government.

It was the first choice venue for a number of government and regional meetings and conferences.

(Partial Source: dailymail.online)

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

A healthy-looking David Ames arriving at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday 19th April, 2017. (Credit: Central News)

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.