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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FRIDAY,

JUNE 30, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.26

www.thevincentian.com

Recent graduates of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY GAMAL ‘SKINNY FABULOUS’ DOYLE is a past student of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

In 2010 he obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies.

He is used to facing huge crowds, but last Tuesday at Victoria Park, no stranger place to him, he confessed that he is not a favourite when it comes to speaking to audiences. He is more comfortable, he admitted, with an accompanying musical band or tracks.

Whatever his confessed fears, whatever the comments regarding the choice, ‘Skinny’, as he is now affectionately referred to, was the Guest Speaker at last Tuesday’s 2017 Graduation Exercise of the SVG Community College.

Sporting his trademark black jacket with maroon trimmings decorated with intricate laces, black jersey, black trousers, shin-high boots, black hat and designer shades, he cut a dapper figure on stage, from where he told, without accompaniment, the story of his life in raw and unedited script.

He held a conversation with his listeners, in which he reminded the graduates that, while the tendency is to look at graduation

as an “end ….. climax,” it was in fact “the beginning of your journey.”

He encouraged them to be “upwardly mobile,”….. to look “for ways to achieve success and to follow that path.”

The entertainer/entrepreneur extraordinaire made it clear that “academics” were not all to it, and that an ‘A’ Grade does not entitle you.

“You have to go and knock on opportunity’s door,” ‘Skinny’ advised, adding that, even after the door has been opened, “it is your duty to work hard to ensure enhancement.”

There are two words which seem to propel the Vincentian Soca superstar. These are ‘no’, and ‘can’t’. He described them as “cousins,” and indicated, “I get excited when I hear these words.”

He urged listeners to “embrace” those words, and “soon they will turn into ‘yes’ and ‘can’.”

The feature speaker noted that ideas/innovations were in abundance, and he scolded persons not to be “afraid of failure.”

Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle had a different kind but equally stirring performance and message, at a familiar ground.

EC$1.50

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2. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Randy’s Supermarket provides a vital service to the Rose Place and surrounding communities and is popular with persons on the Leeward side of mainland St. Vincent.

Security Guard suspended

A SECURITY GUARD, on duty at Randy’s Supermarket on Bay Street, who was captured

on video clearly inflicting a blow to a woman then dragging her by her ankles, has been suspended.

This was confirmed by Randy Kennedy, owner of the Randy’s chain of supermarkets.

Kennedy confirmed that while he was not “proud” of how one of his employees handled a martter involving a customer, and that if he was there, he would have handled the matter differently, he said there were obviously mitigating circumstances that led to the fiasco.

According to randy, while he was not making any excuses, the woman involved is a known “drug addict.”

She, according to the businessman, was allowed to ‘shop’ after she produced a Food Voucher from the RC Church, a voucher which his supermarket accepts.

Apparently, the woman proceeded to take goods in excess of the

Voucher’s allowed amount, and even some cash she had on her could not settle the bill.

When told so, she became abusive and even attempted to be physical, Kennedy said he was told.

She was escorted out of the supermarket by other customers, returned, was escorted out again, returned again, at which point the security guard was summoned.

The report is that she spat on a worker and attempted to do the same thing to the security guard who reacted by hitting the woman to the floor, then dragging her outside.

“It’s not what I would have done. The first time she was put out, I would have closed the door; but I guess they took it for granted that she is a woman,” said Kennedy.

The police are investigating the matter.

(KH)

Twenty Hill man killed POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING the shooting death of 38-year-old Brian Brian Myers, Myers of Twenty Hill, according to Vermont. persons in his Myers was shot and killed at his Twenty Hill home while community, was a ‘friendly guy’. in his vehicle, sometime around 7 am on Monday 26th June.

According to Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) SOP Ruth Jacobs, the information received is that Myers attempted to start his vehicle, and it was at that point he received a gunshot to his head.

Myers’ death aroused much reaction in his home community, many openly speculating about the manner in which he met his death, since, according to one community member, he was known to be a peaceful person, who readily flashed a smile.

Other persons described Myers as a friendly guy who was not known to be involved in criminal activities or associated with any gang.

“He wasn’t a trouble-maker,” a friend of Myers told THE VINCENTIAN. Myers’ death is listed as the 14th homicide for the year.

He was a chauffeur with the Ministry of Transport and Works and the father of twin daughters. (KH)

V News 3 SVG blamed for CARICOM split on Venezuela WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO have been a unified CARICOM position on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela going into the OAS summit in Cancun, Mexico, was rent asunder last week Monday, because of, according to one Ambassador to the OAS, “Gonsalves’ backpedaling on the issue.. .”

According to Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the OAS - Ron Saunders, “CARICOM countries found themselves in the awkward and embarrassing position of having to vote on two drafts — one of which had been intended by CARICOM leaders for negotiation, and the other that had been negotiated with fidelity to the fundamental principles enunciated in the CARICOM leaders’ draft.”

This two-tiered submission by CARICOM members was precipitated when at the eleventh hour in Cancun, other CARICOM members learned that St. Vincent and the Grenadines was ‘not supporting the text of a negotiated compromise draft, despite

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 3.

The heads of delegations from 33 member states posed for the official photo of the 47th General Assembly, held in Cancun, Mexico. (Credit: OAS)

the fact that no CARICOM country had hitherto raised any objection to the negotiation or language of the agreed proposed draft declaration’.

The SVG’s eleventh hour position garnered support from at least four other CARICOM members, resulting, in what appeared to be pre-ordained fashion, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has declared this another SVG position being country’s unequivocal support for the tabled for discussion at President Nicolas Maduro (also pictured) led decision. government of Venezuela.

As such, therefore, as Ambassador Saunders political crisis that has engulfed described, there were two CARICOM Venezuela, and a call for President positions tabled.

Nicolas Maduro to “reconsider” an Added to the two CARICOM assembly to rewrite the Venezuelan positions was a competing draft constitution. declaration backed by a group of 14 In the final analysis, neither one of countries, led by the US, Canada, the CARICOM declarations nor the Mexico, and Peru. competing one by 14 other OAS That draft included a proposal for a members won the required number of ‘group of friends’ to mediate the votes for adoption.

And there was further CARICOM ‘disunity’ as far as voting on the competing declaration was concerned.

Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines voted against the resolution; Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Guyana and St Lucia supported it; and Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Haiti, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago abstained.

Reports clearly pointed to CARICOM finding itself at war with itself on an issue that has That said, she made it clear that, hemispheric proportions.

“I cannot and do not wish to be a Jamaica’s Foreign part of augmenting the process of Minister, Kamina bringing about the demise of NICE Johnson Smith, described Radio.. Hence my support for the embarrassment by Dougie’s decision to relieve the saying that CARICOM station of what appears to be the votes splintered “despite main target.” significant efforts to And even as ‘Call Dat George’, coordinate positions.” which came on air in place of the “The meeting previously slotted ‘Global Highlights’ adjourned, as it began, and as a tribute to the renowned with no declaration, but nationalist George Howard, goes with a severely wounded Douglas De Freitas, into suspension, Ms. King has CARICOM and a Proprietor of Nice appealed to her listenership and paralysed OAS,” Luzette King’s slot on Radio, worked out an followers of her Facebook page, “to Ambassador Sanders NICE Radio has been amicable agreement please get back on track with the concluded. suspended, but she task at hand, which is to help raise with Luzette King.

St. Vincent and the remains committed to the EC$210,000 to satisfy the Grenadines was ensuring the survival of corrupt regime judgment which has been hanging over that radio station, given represented at the OAS we have ever NICE Radio for years.”

Summit by Camillo its ‘enlightening Those who have rallied with Ms. King in had in SVG.” Gonsalves, Minister of programmes’.

Ms King is the ongoing protest against the general Economic Planning, currently before elections results of December 9, 2015 and Sustainable Development, the Court, having to answer to a charge of Industry, Internal Trade, other causes which she has chosen to “inconveniencing the public,” arising from herald, have been assured that she “will Information and Labour. an incident on January 7, 2016, after spend some time to work out ways of (Source: Caribbean News continuing my anti-ULP/Ralph Gonsalves police took action to remove protestors Now & other regional from in front of the Electoral Office on Bay news agencies) work.. All ideas in this regard are Street, Kingstown. welcome, as we must get rid of the most

ÂCall Dat GeorgeÊ, for the time being PERSONS WHO TUNED into NICE Radio last Saturday (June 24) morning expecting to hear the ‘Call Dat George’ programme hosted by social activist Luzette King, would have been disappointed.

Not that they would have to wait another week for another in the series, but moreso because they would have learned that the programme had gone on sabbatical.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN earlier this week, following a posting on her Facebook page in which she addressed the suspension of ‘Call Dat George’, Ms. King said that she is “satisfied with the position of NICE Radio ownership, to suspend the programme.”

She confirmed that the decision so to do had been arrived at after a “frank discussion” between Douglas De Freitas, proprietor of the station, and herself.

She explained further, “At the end of the day, Dougie and his family are running a business and he is obliged to give an account (remember the word (accountability) to them. Further, because of the enlightening programmes that NICE Radio carries, the ULP administration are hell bent on destroying it along with Dougie and his family.”

Camillo Gonsalves – SVG’s Minister of Economic Development, etc., tabled the adjusted CARICOM declaration on behalf of his father, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

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4. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

BDS Ltd. challenges Bankruptcy Petition and its receiver/manager Trevor Edwards, filed a notice ATTORNEY Kay Bacchusof intention to oppose the Baptiste, acting on behalf of petition, on the basis that it BDS Ltd, owners of Nice Radio, did not comply with the has given notice of intention to Bankruptcy and Insolvency oppose Prime Minister Dr Ralph Statute and Regulations.

Gonsalves’ petition to the Court BDS Ltd is also challenging for an order adjudging BDS Ltd the Petition on the basis that bankrupt, and that a receiving some of the statements upon order be made in respect of Nice which it is based, have not Radio. been proven to be true.

In the Bankruptcy Petition, When the Bankruptcy filed in the High Court earlier Petition came up for hearing this month, the Petitioner before Justice Esco Henry, in claims a debt of $210,000, Chambers on Monday, owed to him by BDS Ltd, Gonsalves’ lawyer, Grahame arising from a High Court Bollers, who was served with a judgement, for defamation, copy of the notice to oppose it, delivered in his favour 2009. requested time to respond.

Damages were awarded in The matter was adjourned 2012. to July 24, and both sides are The Petition was slated for to file written submissions and hearing in the High Court on list of legal authorities on or Monday, June 26, but on before July 14.

Friday, June 23, BacchusSome of the claims made in Baptiste, on behalf of BDS Ltd the Notice of Intention to Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

Oppose, are that, the statements in the Petition were not investigated by the Registrar, and witnesses ought to be summoned to prove that the debtor had made no effort to satisfy its indebtedness to the Petitioner, pursuant to the Judgement.

The claim is also made that it was not proven that the debtor, in failing to honour the indebtedness for over five years, has ceased to meet his liabilities generally as they fall due, constituting an act of bankruptcy pursuant to section 3(1) (J) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. The company also claims that the sums calculated in paragraph 5 of the Petition are incorrect, as well as the date 16 May 2007.

Paragraph 5 of the Petition states that Post Order Interest

on the total principal award of $166,625 (5% per annum for five (5) years is Matthew Thomas (left) and Douglas De Freitas $43,870.00 as were sued by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves for of 16 May defamation of character.

2007, and payment in full. continuing at the rate of Gonsalves, represented by $22.83 per day until payment attorney Grahame Bollers, had in full, creating a total indebtedness of $210,495.31. taken Thomas and BDS Ltd to On February 10, 2012, High Court for defamatory Court Master V Georgis Taylor statements Thomas had made ordered Matthew Thomas and on the then Nice Radio BDS jointly and separately to Interactive Programme ‘Stay pay Gonsalves an assessed Awake’, on January 29, 2007. sum of $155,000 together with The programme was hosted by $11,625 in costs. An order was Thomas and Junior Bacchus. also made that Thomas and On November 16, 2009, BDS Ltd pay interest on the Justice Jennifer Remy upheld Judgement debt, at the the claim and entered statutory rate of 5% from the Judgement for the claimant, date of assessment until for damages to be assessed.

American hospitalized after removal order ALMOST A WEEK after the Court made an order for United States national Mark Archambault to be removed from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he is now warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, with an illness.

Archambault, a man in his fifties, who has been residing here for the past four years, was charged with overstaying his time. He pleaded guilty when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court last week, and threw himself at the mercy of the Court.

Attorney Grant Connell, who represented Archambault pro bono, requested a very small fine, and that the American be given an extension of time to have his stay here regularized.

However, the Court refused the request, and Archambault was kept at

the Central Police Station pending his removal from the state. It was during this time he was hospitalized.

When THE VINCENTIAN went to the hospital on Wednesday, to seek an interview with Archambault, he was asleep.

Connell had told the Court in mitigation that Archambault arrived in SVG four years ago from Barbados, where he had operated a restaurant. He was granted a one-month stay, but remained beyond that period because he fell in love with SVG. Connell stressed that Archambault, who was residing at Chatum Bay, Union Island, never ran afoul of the law, and encouraged visitors to

our tourism,” Connell opined, adding, “There must be something we have that attract persons to this land. It is time that Vincentians be proud of what they have.”

Connell also noted that Archambault was injured by someone, and a Court date was set for the patronize the local craft person charged with wounding him; vendors. that matter is pending.

There are some The Court also heard that there Vincentians who can’t were incidents in which Archambault wait to leave; they want was taken advantage of. to go to America, but he Prosecutor Station Sergeant Elgin loves this place.

“He didn’t come here to Richards told the Court that his concern was that the defendant was be used as a mule or to not living at any fixed place. He also get involved in our local noted that there was a report of vegetation..

“Sometimes when the tourists come someone wounding him.

“I am asking for a removal order. here, they want to see somebody with For us to put him back on the street their accent, and he provided that would be very inhumane,” Richards nexus,” Connell reasoned. said.

He stressed that Achambault did But Connell insisted that not get involved in criminal activity; Archambault had a place of abode, and all he did was overstay his time. has a court date as the virtual “Times are hard, the jails are full, coffers are empty, he can help us with complainant in a wounding case.

According to Connell, the nature of the offence did not warrant a removal order because someone who overstayed their time could pay a small fine at the airport.

The lawyer added that, while the law could issue an order for removal, it does not appear that this country has the resources to facilitate that process, and Archambault would have to be kept at the Central Police Station for a long time.

But while Magistrate Pompey contended that he had no pleasure in sending a person to prison, he pointed out that if you breach the laws in the United States there are consequences, so too there are consequences here.

He reprimanded and discharged Archambault on the Immigration charge, but issued the removal order.

Grant Connell provided his services pro bono to an American national and pleaded that the man should not be removed from SVG.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 5.

News

Digicel enters Home Internet market DIGICEL ANNOUNCED yesterday, June 29, the launch of its Home Internet service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to a release on the same day, the addition of this service “is in answer to the calls from Vincentians for faster, more reliable and more affordable home internet options.”

The announcement comes as the company continues to expand its corporate footprint across the business districts, serving over fiftyfive corporate customers since it began offering internet service here.

And with plans starting as low as $134.99 per month, inclusive of VAT, Digicel describes the service as one that “opens a world of growth and opportunities for homes and businesses,” as customers enjoy a new ease of browsing, streaming and enjoying their favourite content, in the comfort of their homes.

“There is a growing demand for a reliable home internet service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Of late, the general public has become increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of the service being provided,” said Business Solutions Manager,

Carlon Browne.

“The needs of the internet customer today have evolved, service providers also need to adapt and be current amidst the changing ICT landscape.

Digicel is constantly evolving and is ready to meet the ICT needs of the Vincentian public,” he added.

Browne assured that Digicel is committed to always improving on its services as well as finding new and innovative products that are both important and relevant to all Vincentians.

One customer who is already enjoying the reliability of Digicel’s home internet said, “Digicel has made browsing and using home internet great again! Digicel has saved me from the poor service; I had no choice but to get used to!”

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6. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Vincycares conducts successful fundraiser

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net;

kingnaking@210@yahoo.com

US CORRESPONDENT THE BROOKLYN-BASED group Vincycares, Inc. has described as a “resounding success” its recent fundraising scholarship launch.

“The event was a resounding success as many Vincentian community supporters showed up to patronize the event, where they partook of delicious barbecue and a variety of drinks,” said the group’s Public Relations Officer Franklin ‘Superdex’ Richards, a former president, about the 8th annual Taswya Cambridge, Sr. Scholarship Launch that took place at a new location, at Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center. at 668 Logan St., Brooklyn.

The group especially thanked another

Brooklyn-based group, Friends of Sion Hill, which has “continuously pledged its annual support to the organization not only in monetary donations but also in personal support.

“The organization also thanks all those individuals who have pledged personal monetary support to ensure our children receive a decent educational support,” Richards said.

“We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Consul General (Howie Prince) and all our diehard supporters, who would brave any condition to lend their support to make this event a success,” he added.

Richards said Vincycares, Inc., continues to “show its commitment to the education of the less fortunate children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

At its Annual General

Meeting on Mar.18, the group said it overhauled its bylaws, and evaluated and discussed the activities of the organization.

“The organization decided that, as we go into another year, much more emphasis must be paid to scholarships,” Richards said.

“After evaluating the collection of supplies over the years, we felt that our energy would be better spent in providing scholarships, as many organizations [in the Vincentian community in New York] have now taken up collecting supplies and disbursing to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he added.

The group will hold another fundraising scholarship drive on Labor Day Saturday, Sept. 3, and its 8th Annual Dinner Gala on Dec. 3.

“The organization will continue to improve its work to better serve the

needs of the less fortunate children of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Diaspora,” Richards assured.

Besides Richards, other members of the Board of Directors comprise: Jillian Arthur, Stephanie Boyce-Herbert, Michael Alexander, Garfield Palmer, Roxanne Chambers, Aisha Cato,

Vincycares, Inc. executive members at recent fundraising scholarship drive.

Marisa Dabreo-Latchman, Ingrid Neverson Kirby, Denise Craigg, Franklin

‘Max’ Edwards and Marcia Kirton-Caesar.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 7.

Court

Man found with gun near Magistrate’s residence, jailed

by HAYDN HUGGINS THE ISSUE OF SECURITY for Court officers here may have re-surfaced for attention following a recently concluded firearm possession trial at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

The case involved 24-year-old Hezron Phillips of Enhams who was sentenced to three years in prison, June 16.

Phillips was found in possession of a firearm in the vicinity of Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne’s Fair Hall residence, March 1, this year.

Senior Magistrate Bertie Pompey handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court after Phillips, 24, of Enhams, was found guilty of having, without licence, a .380 Lorcin semi-automatic pistol.

The Prosecution’s evidence revealed that police, acting on information, were patrolling the Fair Hall area at around 4:55pm, in the vicinity of the Chief Magistrate’s residence when they met a parked car, PE353.

The police transport pulled up alongside the car and Station Sergeant Dwayne Bailey, who was sitting in the front seat next to the driver, leaned over and saw the defendant in the car putting something under the seat.

The lawmen alighted the transport

A .380 Lorcin semi-automatic pistol. and asked Phillips to exit the car, to which he complied.

Nothing was found on his person, but during a search of the vehicle, the gun, which was not loaded, was discovered under the seat on which Phillips was sitting. He was initially charged jointly with the owner of the car, Daryl Fredericks of Enhams, but the prosecution withdrew the charge against Fredericks.

Phillips, who was represented by attorney Israel Bruce, denied that he had put the gun where the officers had found it.

Four police officers testified for the prosecution.

The matter was initially taken before the Chief Magistrate at the Serious Offences Court, but she recused herself.

St. Lucians sentenced for illegal entry LAST TUESDAY, while presiding over matters at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, Senior Magistrate Bertie Pompey handed down two-month sentences each on St. Lucian nationals - Mario Chitolie and Aaron Kadoo.

The sentences were imposed after

Aaron Kadoo

Jameson Harry

the two pleaded guilty to illegally entering the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, March 10, 2017.

Mario Chitolie The men were formally charged on March 15, 2017, and when the matter was heard last Tuesday, Magistrate Pompey took into consideration time on remand, and handed down a lesser sentence (of two months.)

Chitole and Kadoo came to prominence here when they were apprehended, March 13, 2017, along with another St. Lucian national — Jameson Harry, and subsequently charged in connection with fraudulent activities at Automatic Teller Machines, at various locations around the state.

Hearing in those matters has been scheduled for July 28.

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8. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 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 CARICOM: The trail after Cancun EVEN AS SOME CARICOM members could take ‘credit’ for the defeat of the US-led resolution on Venezuela proposed for adoption at the recent OAS summit in Cancun, Mexico, the fact that there was a clear demonstration of fracture among the ranks of CARICOM members was nothing of which to be proud.

Blame for that fracture (see story on page …) was apportioned by at least one Caribbean representative, at the feet and hands of our own Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Justifiably or not, as far as that finger pointing was concerned, CARICOM has, once again, allowed an ‘outside’ issue to become a driving force towards a display of differing positions, even if those differing positions had more to do with semantics than policy.

To some observers, the Cancum fiasco was another ‘thumb tac’ ‘in the already fading unity of purpose, by allowing those outside to become the drivers of the region’s future’.

The Cancum affair threw cold water on something President David Granger said when the matter of Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s land and sea space raised its ugly head a few years ago.

Granger it was, who gave the assurance then that, “We will also continue to work with our Caribbean colleagues; we expect them to be true to their word.”

One recalls in this light, the 1983 invasion by the US of Grenada, when the Caribbean found itself potentially conflicted over a matter as important as the sovereignty of a regional nation, occasioned by the “outside’ influence of the USA. What we see developing here, and what has been morphing since the most recent round of general elections across the region, is that the “split lines’ within the region are not in themselves ideological.

Rather, they speak to a situation in which relationships have become so changed, as to bring into question the region’s future ability to take unified decisions on both strategic issues, as exemplified by the (CARICOM) votes at Cancum.

If the truth be told, and regardless of the displays of camaraderie at Heads of Government Summits, separate political identities have developed across the region that could well mitigate genuine regional integration.

If the fore-mentioned bears no truth, how then can we account for CARICOM’s unwillingness to address the decision to break off diplomatic relations with a CARIFORUM member nation, the Dominican Republic, for its inhumane stance against persons of Haitian descent born there?

How do we account for: the absence of a single relationship with China; the differences over how the question of reparations should be approached; the failure to defend the region’s rum industry so vital to the economies of the region; different approaches over the cultivation and use of marijuana; recognition of the CCJ; the failure to agree on a single Caribbean candidate for Commonwealth Secretary General; and an unlisted number of less central issues and contradictions touching on foreign relations?

Given another day, one might be moved to say that these problems — areas of indecision — can be resolved. We are, after all, a miniscule blot in a global sense. However, the heavily laden grey cloud of fragmentation, caught in a mix of systems of immature capitalism, encourages a reality that makes it difficult to see any regional basis for resolution.

What we get is an unending litany of talk, talk and more talk; decisions that lead to further procrastination.

If we are to judge from the Cancum experience, we are wont to conclude that there is little hope of the Caribbean ever being able to address issues as a whole. We can, it seems, arise out of the mess of procrastination and indecision when issues threaten security, health and climate change. But the more imposing extra-political, intra-political and economic issues, we shelve for further consideration.

But maybe, just maybe, there will arise a genuine leadership within the region, that sees the issue in light of how it affects the entire region and not in light of how what we decide can affect the polls in our separate ‘dynasties’.

“Carnival and public beaches” Calypsonians Could Sing OVER THE YEARS, the privatisation and alienation of our beaches have provided the calypsonians in the region with a colourful theme. In the good old days one could sing of “Rum and Coco Cola” with “Dorothy on the bayside sifting sand”. Or Sparrow could later tell of his exploits with ‘Mae Mae’ on Claxton Bay. Today it is a different kettle of fish.

Trinidad Chalkdust informs us that the beach is a prized national asset, for all we have is “sea water and sand”. Barbadian Gabby makes no bones about it, “The Beach is Mine, I can bathe anytime”, a song Dr, Gonsalves had invited Gabby to sing in Canouan some years ago. King Obstinate of Antigua notes that “Black Politician sell out me Black birth-right”. And in his total frustration and resentment, our own “Scorcher” has advised that we must “Fork up all dem beaches, fork dem up” It will not come to that if the Government heed that still small voice of its Party Convention and do what has to be done.

I could not have imagined that in this day and age, in the 21st century, that the colonial question of ownership of beach-lands could dare raise its head among a supposed enlightened and modern people!

Public Beaches During the last “Son” Mitchell regime, all beaches in St Vincent and the Grenadines were declared public, but the Administration did not live long enough to see their declaration of intent become a social reality.

The convention of the ruling NDP headed by Mitchell, had moved a resolution that in effect called for the nationalisation of all beaches. One hopes that in this case, the party would not be treated as a poor relation of the Government or that some self-opinionated “kitchen cabinet” would not hold that the tail should not wag the dog. In fact, there is every reason to believe that both Government and party would want to give teeth to an overriding popular wish; that the people have unimpeded access to all beaches on the mainland as well as on the picturesque, tourist-oriented Grenadines Islands. They are among our few precious, national assets.

There is absolutely no point in piously declaring beaches public if they can be reached only through private roads or boats, unless the Government intends to provide a free helicopter service! The sober truth is that the average Vincentian has to “trespass” through privately owned land on most occasions that he wishes to have a dip.

That is certainly the case with every beach that is worth its salt on the Leeward coast — Keartons, Peter’s Hope, Mount Wynne and even Bambereaux that was virtually created by the sweat of its owner’s brow. And it does not matter if the owners of the surrounding lands are

generous enough to permit public entry. Nationals want right of passage; nothing less, nothing more. The government simply have to acquire through-roads to all beaches where they do not exist.

The twin beach at Mount Wynne presents an interesting case. The Estate owners have kept the better, southern section, secluded and nestled away from the general public. Queen Elizabeth picnicked there, and a police raiding party once surprised marijuana operatives behind those locked gates.

In a kind of South-African style, natives are generally permitted the limited use of the northern beach which can be closed off at whim as a reminder that admittance is not by right, but by grace. It goes without saying, that in this day and age, Vincentians need no ugly reminders as to how “the other half lives”.

There is also a private entrance to Buccament beach, but that hardly poses a problem as the public road gives general access to the wide sweep of the beach which is not physically sectionalised, as it is at Mount Wynne.

Perhaps because, historically, the Indian BayVilla-Ratho-Mill Complex was once the jealously guarded preserve of the local whites and expatriate folk, and as late as the mid-seventies, one radical group referred to the enclave as “the white Coast”.

Up until the 1950s, black people were a scarce commodity in and around the Aquatic Club in Villa, Coronation Club in Indian Bay, and the Golf Course on “Canash”. Vincentians on a whole have therefore greeted the “freeing-up” in particular on the Rose Cottage and Indian Bay beach.

On the other hand, people have been expressing grave concern over the situation with Young Island. Does not the public have access to the beach as is generally thought? Vincentians certainly welcome the localisation of the ownership of that resort, while bearing in the back of their minds the well- known saying that “our own lice does bite the hottest”.

Another sore point is “the Breakers” on which Cecil Blazer Williams regularly goes to town with blazing guns. Our good friend, Bassy Alexander, who is himself a surveyor, insists that old survey maps show that there is a public road to the beach that is now closed off by an imposing property that is fully fenced. The source of public irritants should be investigated and lanced before a growing swell of social discontent erupts. The NDP has given its tools and equipment to its Government to do the job.

The problems are compounded in the Grenadines which are being created as a “Foreigners’ paradise” and playground for the idle rich whose money let us face it, we need badly. Mustique, of course, is an island unto itself. But in all the islands, to varying extents, the social tug-of-war between private and public beaches is being fought in insidious levels.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 9.

Letters

History in our schools

ANOTHER DAY, another dollar, another week, another wasted life. In moments like these, many persons tend to point fingers: poverty, drugs, police, government, parents, schools; the list goes on and on. While none of these responses are by no means without their place in the discourse on what is wrong with our beloved nation, another important question is: Why are our youths so susceptible?

I dare to say that we are failing our children: all of us. Every established nation in the world recognizes the importance of raising nationalistic citizens. It is for this reason that national history, culture and civics, though written from the perspective of the historical winner, is taught from primary school until secondary school.

American, English, Jamaican, Trinidadian children grow up confident that their music, culture, dialect are important. Even when

part values play in building and destroying relationships. In Grade Three, they are taught aspects of the Jamaican culture and how to relate to other cultures. While we should not exposed to other cultures, they are nation to recognize the need to teach adopt every aspect of their education taught to recognize that foreign is not our past to our future, so that they curriculum, it is only wise practice to necessarily better. can chart a new direction forward. learn from their experience.

A lot of lip service has been paid to Yes, as there is an increase in Our own Dr Adrian Fraser created our culture, our Garifuna heritage, inequality, there will be an increase in a series ‘From whence we came’. our history. Correct me if I am wrong, the demand for protection against the but is it still not taught in schools effects of inequality. However, we can Efforts can be made to update and recreate this series in a more child that Christopher Columbus discovered temper how this protection is friendly format for reproduction in St. Vincent? Why is local history only manifested. A start is to include schools. Another suggestion is to being taught in secondary schools and national history and culture as republish the story of Turner, the even then, it is optional? Why does it compulsory parts of our primary slave who wrote on conditions of the school curriculum. appear that Carnival is the only part Pembroke Estate, and include it as of our Culture? Why is history So, how do we proceed from here? relegated to October for The opinions expressed earlier on are required reading at some level in the education system. The options are as Independence? Did all of our history by no means new and are shared by only happen in one month? many Vincentians. I dare say that we limitless as our ideas, and would serve It should not be a surprise then, can look to our Jamaican counterparts to breathe new life into our thinking on the possibilities of our tourism, that many of our youth are turning to as a model. Students are taught in dancehall music and bleaching. They Grade Two about plants and animals culture and agricultural industries.

This is a rallying cry to all are not made aware of the tremendous in their community; how to care for Vincentians: When we fail our foundation they have to stand on. In plants and animals in their this regard, we are failing our community; how to listen to and retell children, we fail ourselves. children. Unfortunately, we have not folk tales; and how to recognize the matured enough psychologically as a Kathy Badenock

Police must build trust

West Indies Cricket: A tale of woe AS YOU WOULD be aware, Caribbean cricket fans have become grossly disheartened, regarding the state of affairs in the management of our cricket; and more so, during the last four years.

Based on some of the sentiments that I have heard expressed by these fans and some of our legends of the game and our honourable leaders, I gather that the main problem stems from a mixture of gross incompetence and arrogance, at the WICB management level. Hence, in this context, I have tried to put the mood of what they are saying into a short poem (see below). ). I did it now because I think that fans were more disenchanted this year, when they saw the Champions Trophy Tournament taking place in England, and our team was not there, for the very first time!

And, this was not because we don’t have a team that ‘would have qualified’ and even ‘won the tournament’, but because the team that was selected as a result of this perennial management scourge, was too weak to qualify!

It would appear that if things continue this way, West Indies would not qualify for the 2019 World Cup either!

Our situation is so bad that an Associates team (Afghanistan) has just drawn a series with us, right “in our own backyard”! In fact, the West Indies now has become so weak, that even their own coach has expressed concern with respect to them being able to qualify for 2019, even if they have to travel around the world to play against some of these equally weak teams, to try to gain qualification!

Hence, I think that everybody needs to find means and ways to get the WICB management to be less arrogant, and be more sensible and responsible for the preservation of what has been the institution that has contributed most to keeping the region together. So, I am trying to do my bit, by trying to speak to the powers that be, via little satire from time to time.

The ICC Champions Trophy took place this year, ‘Twas sad that once Mighty West TWELVE HOMICIDES for the year (2017) and we Indies was not there; haven’t even got past half of the year. Regardless Through incompetent goons of the number, any murder is a case for concern for shouldering heads brain-bare, all stakeholders.

Whose bizarre reign reminds one The murderers might be taking out persons like of Shakespeare’s King Lear; themselves, but that does not mean that lawTheir madness now puts our abiding citizens are not affected. One of my cricket in despair, neighbours, after the shooting last week Friday, As Afghans dip them deep down said: “Like it ain’t safe to even walk the street in to rock bottom tier! broad daylight.”

But the arrogant goons, they all Mr. Editor, that is the climate in which we live. seem not to care People are simply afraid to get out of their houses Hence, a legacy of buffoons they because of what they think might happen. Yet, I all shall share! will be the first to admit that we citizens might not Yes, never has great wisdom ever be doing as much as we could do. And there might been less wise, be good reason for that.

Than when men of honour feed Every time a Commissioner of Police has a press their subjects with lies; conference or gives some message, he always makes But exposed by their own vile a plea for citizens to assist the police. I am to schemes void of disguise, believe that this request is made over and over Right before their own because citizens are not very co-operative with the unsophisticated eyes! police.

Trust simpletons with power — Is this because they are afraid the information choose your own demise; they might pass on to the police might get into the But lo! None holds it forever — wrong hands? how much who tries; I am not saying that the police are not to be And please remember those who trusted, but if citizens are not coming forward with Hail, WICB Management abuse power guys, information, then the police have to ask Buffoonery!

It’s like a false shoot that themselves, why? sprouts, then flourish, The police have to begin to deal and let them go on all them crime spots that with this matter of distrust and then dies! everybody know exist in this country. All whatever contention there might those who hiding the criminals will also be be between citizens and Regi IF I WAS THE Prime Minister, I would give locked up. themselves. How the police the Opposition all the figures they ask for and If I was the Prime Minister, I would make conduct themselves in public — and hope they don’t choke on them. sure all them boats that shuttle people I mean all police officers: Traffic, If I was the Prime Minister, I would get out between mainland St. Vincent and the SSU, RRU, CID, officers on the me fancy vehicle and take a walk at night Grenadines have the required number of life beat - will determine how along some of the roads here and hope I don’t boats and life jackets. ordinary people respond to them. twist my ankle like what happen to my If I was the Prime Minister, I would be in Something must be done. The granny. contact with the authorities in Britain to police cannot do it by themselves.

If I was the Prime Minister, I would take a make sure that David Ames is returned to They need the citizens, but they $100.00 from my wife and go in one a those SVG to answer for the crimes he committed must first win the trust of those big supermarkets and see how much goods I against this country and its people. citizens. could buy with that $100.00.

If I was Prime Minister and I find out that I am thankful to the police, for If I was the Prime Minister, I would fire there were any big boys who helped Mr. Ames if you ever remove them from half of the Ministers I have now and do their commit his dirty deeds, they getting lock up society, is total chaos. But they work for them, since I would have been doing too, regardless of if they are government must wake up to the fact that their work from day one. I would also people, legal people, ordinary people or who there is still too much distrust demand that I get their salaries. else. between them and the people they If I was the Prime Minister, I would take And If I was Prime Minister, I would learn serve. all them policemen in black and white very quickly when to shut up. uniforms, put them in green or black uniforms Charles Robby

If I was the PM

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10. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The troubles of BDS Nice Radio Will the elections petitions be heard?

Introduction THE RADIO STATION called BDS Nice Radio is in trouble again, in terms of defamation and slander against Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and is required to pay an outstanding sum of money in damages, as ordered by the court. This matter relates to statements made by Mathew Thomas, a pharmacist from Kingstown, using the medium of Nice Radio. In cases like these, the author of the defamation, and the medium used to convey the defamation to the public, are sued by the injured party.

This is not the only defamation case that BDS Nice Radio is facing before the court. There are the defamation cases with Daniel Cummings and Junior Bacchus which are nearing closure. For all intents and purposes, both Cummings and Bacchus are in trouble in the court with their defamation cases, and it’s only a matter of time before these cases reach their final determination.

This sorry state of affairs related to BDS Nice Radio began back in 2003, when Elwardo Lynch defamed Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. At that time he stated that the Prime Minister used public funds to pay for the travel costs of his mother and daughter on a trip to Rome. The court found that this was a defamatory statement, since it was false, and could only mean that the Prime Minister was involved in public mischief. The full text of the judgement and the relevant cases can be read at the website eccourts.org.

irresponsibly, telling lies and half truths to his audience. It is this factor which has him and his business in trouble with the court. There is no move by the ULP administration or by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to silence BDS Nice Radio. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth be told, supporters and leading members of the ULP, could sue BDS Nice Radio every week for the defamatory statements made by their operators.

Performance in Court

The performance by the persons who are being sued for their comments made on BDS Nice Radio has been dismal. It is said that truth is the universal defense to cases of libel and defamation. In some cases, the explanations offered by BDS Nice Radio and its operators are so weak and feeble that the judges have been moved to state in one case that “the defendant had no realistic prospect of success, and the issue is so clear that the judge could be satisfied that no reasonable person would disagree with her finding of fact”.

Other comments by the court include the observation that the defense was “incurably bad”, that there was contemptuous defiance after the publication of the slanderous statements, and that the defendants failed to make amends as an apology.

BDS and defamation There are persons who have not been The general meaning of defamation reading the several judgments in the several defamatory cases to is the communication of false and understand the rulings of the court. injurious statements aimed at They seem to think that Dr. Ralph harming the reputation of a person.

Indeed, the owner of BDS Nice Radio Gonsalves should forgive BDS Nice has admitted publicly that the reason Radio and Douglas De Freitas.

Readers will remember that Prime why his radio is in court with Minister Gonsalves offered defamation cases is because his forgiveness to the NDP in respect of operators are saying things without some defamatory cases, and this was merit. So why is the owner of BDS refused by the then political leader of Nice Radio allowing his radio station the NDP, Arnhim Eustace. to be used by operators to defame people?

Conclusion That is the question that must be asked by members of the general One thing must be mentioned here, public. Nice Radio has also defamed and that is, there is no interest on the other members of the public, some of part of the ULP Administration and whom are not public or political Dr. Ralph Gonsalves to close BDS figures. It is clear that Douglas De Nice Radio. Some NDP persons claim Freitas is a strong supporter of the opposition New Democratic Party. His that the ULP is afraid of Nice Radio, but this is so far from the truth. Even clear purpose is to remove the ULP and Dr. Gonsalves from office, and so in the face of this extreme provocation his radio station has adopted an anti- and defamation by BDS Nice Radio, Ralph, anti-ULP position. His the ULP has secured election victories operators are desperate to prove their in 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2015; four “anti-Ralph anti-ULP zeal” that they victories in a row. rush to outdo themselves in terms of This should send a clear message to what they say on BDS Nice Radio.

Douglas De Freitas and the NDP, that And it seems as though Dougie De lies, half-truths, and defamations Freitas cannot control these operators. have not worked, and will not work.

Several times De Freitas has been They are so full of “Ralph hatred” that heard calling to his radio station, to they cannot pay attention to their admonish his operators, and philosophy and vision for the tendering apologies on their behalf to development of this beloved country. this or that person.

There are indeed some hard times So having opened up his radio ahead for Douglas De Freitas and station to the opposition New BDS Nice Radio because as the old Democracy Party to be used as a people will say, “who don’t hear will propaganda machine, De Freitas has feel”. to run the risk of persons behaving

ON FRIDAY 30TH JUNE, the High Court Judge will deliver her judgment on the motion which was filed by the respondents in the elections petitions matters, to have the elections petitions struck out.

The Court’s decision is of great interest to all Vincentians, at home and abroad, as it will help to determine finally the outcome of the 2015 general elections. We must rely on our justice system to do its work impartially and in accordance with our tradition of democracy. We are very hopeful that the results will be favourable to the petitioners so that the petitions can finally be heard on their merits. The cases help to defend our right to free and fair elections in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

We recall, following the general elections held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the 9th December 2015, two of the candidates for the New Democratic Party (NDP), Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste, filed petitions challenging the election results in the Central Leeward and North Windward constituencies, respectively. As required by the legislation governing elections petitions, recognizances were signed by persons intending to be sureties to provide security for costs on behalf of the petitioners, so that the petitions could proceed.

The Respondents in the matters, (i.e. the relevant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, the Supervisor of Elections, Sir Louis Straker, Mr. Montgomery Daniel and the Attorney General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) filed applications in the Court to have the petitions struck out, on the basis that they had not met the requirements of section 58(1)(b) and (c) of The Representation of the People Act, and Rule 9 of the House of Assembly (Election Petition Rules) 2014, which set out the procedure and conditions for providing security for costs.

The application to strike out the petitions was heard before Justice Brian Cottle on the 4th March, 2016. At that hearing, the Petitioners’ lawyers made a preliminary objection to the application on the basis that the Court lacked jurisdiction to hear it at that stage of the petitions proceedings. Despite the objections of the lawyers for our candidates, the Judge proceeded to hear the application to strike out the petitions. In a written decision delivered on the 4th day of April, 2016, Justice Cottle ultimately agreed with our candidates’ lawyers and ruled that the petitions could not be struck at that stage of the proceedings. However, unusually, he went on further to state that if the application to strike out the petitions were raised again , later, during the hearing of the petitions on their merits, it was bound to succeed.

When the petitions came before Justice Cottle for hearing on the 16th June 2016, the motion to strike out the petitions was again brought by the Respondents. The motion was granted (as Justice Cottle had previously said would happen) and the petitions were struck out. Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste appealed against that decision striking out their petitions. After much delay, and despite the efforts of the lawyers for Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste to have the appeal heard earlier, the appeal was finally heard on March 7, 2017, in St. Lucia. Mr. Exeter and Mr. Baptiste won the appeal which paved the way for the hearing of the petitions.

Unfortunately, the hearing of the petitions did not take place. What

happened instead, the respondents once again filed a motion to have the petitions struck out. That matter was heard and judgment will be delivered on Friday 30th June. We eagerly anticipate the judge’s ruling. Vincentians have waited patiently for the decision of the High Court in the elections petitions.

We all look forward to Friday morning.

SVG deserves better St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in crisis. Three years of negative economic growth and low growth rates have characterized the years of the ULP regime. Little or nothing has been done by way of policy and programmatic changes aimed at jump-starting the economy. The NDP would have done a better job.

Budget deficits are the order of the day. The capital budget is stymied by the absence of counterpart funding for projects identified. The recurrent expenditure for health has been reduced, leading to serious deterioration in that sector. Less funding has been allocated to BRAGSA and the tourism sector. And the all-important agriculture sector continues to decline as, among other debilitating factors, the spread of the black sigatoka disease has not been effectively controlled. It is difficult to imagine that today our country does not export a pound of bananas to the United Kingdom.

The NDP would have fixed most of the economic and social problems that exist in our country, had the elections been free and fair. But we were denied that opportunity by a vindictive ULP regime. As a result, the poor and the working class continue to suffer on a daily basis.

Therefore, we need to remind Vincentians of some of our programmes and policies that would have been implemented in our first year in office: remove VAT on over 100 basic items; remove VAT on electricity and pursue other options to reduce overall electricity costs; replant and rehabilitate 1,000 acres of banana fields; reinstate a development bank to support the development of enterprise in agriculture, tourism, etc.; design and implement community-based projects in every constituency, to provide local employment, under the auspices of the Constituency Development Fund; pay the fees for CSEC and CAPE exams; revive and refinance the Book Loan Scheme; develop and maintain playing fields in every constituency; tackle and reduce corruption and crime; bring to Parliament and pass integrity legislation; design and implement a national health insurance service; ensure the availability at community level of basic health care facilities and medications for sugar, pressure and other common ailments; pay down the government’s debt to the private sector by 50%; provide five hundred (500) jobs in Information and Communications Technology; and design and implement a true low-income housing program that will provide quality houses at affordable prices.

Undoubtedly, the programmes and policies outlined would have enhanced the well-being and the livelihood of all Vincentians.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 11.

Views

Interrupt with intent

“Remember, action today can prevent a crisis tomorrow.” ? Steve Shallenberger, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders MANY OF TODAY’S BUSINESS leaders are seeking to recruit staff members who are considered proactive and innovative. This is considered an imperative, as competition among firms become more intense. Such staff members tend to pursue their assignments with passion.

They are committed to constantly improving their performance. It is also encouraging to observe the many firms that are investing in training employees for improved attitudes (and not limiting training to the development of skills).

They know that the firms that embrace and encourage positive attitudes and exceptional customer care will be the ones that excel in the market place.

Some years ago, I was sharing some insights on leadership and management with a group of regional managers and supervisors. The participants were senior members of staff in the public sector, the private sector, and nongovernment organisations. Several had expressed the view that they were dissatisfied with the “poor attitude” of their direct reports and junior staff.

The representatives from government departments were especially vocal about their inability to encourage positive changes in the workforce. Some commented that the managers in the public sector, unlike those in the private sector, could not influence positive change in their respective departments.

They provided a host of reasons why this was so. However, I disagreed. I challenged them to be instruments of positive change and to intercept with intent. As a people, and as leaders, we need to resist the temptation to be observers and complainers in the game of life. We are irresponsible when we limit ourselves to merely being spectators. We can influence positive changes in the workplace. However, we must plan for those changes. They will not happen by default.

It is often amazing how speedily some positive changes can occur when we plan them well. Negative situations that may initially appear to be unchangeable, readily vaporise when we commit to analysing the causal factors and proceed to implement corrective action. For example, many managers and leaders are aware that the time and effort spent conversing with (and listening to) their members of staff, will provide a clearer indication of their attitudes, values, aspirations, and so on.

Knowing their interests (and their prejudices) can often put the senior staff in a much better position of creating opportunities for their employees to feel more fulfilled on the job. It is truly amazing how much more proactive individuals can be when they are directed to work in areas that ignite their passion and/or when they conclude that their managers really care. Having those conversations provide ample opportunities for us to intercept with intent.

Many persons in our homes, schools, workplaces, and churches will occasionally be exposed to traumatic situations. We sometimes observe their struggles (even though we may not know the cause). It takes maturity and a deep love for humanity for us to be vulnerable enough to show that we care.

It becomes too easy for us to conclude that “it is none of our business”. We sometimes hold back because we

assume that they are likely to misunderstand our expressions of concern. The suggestion here is not to encourage probing or, as the old people would say, “poking your nose in other person’s business”. But it really does not take much from us to indicate that we observe the struggle and are confident that they can make it through. That kind of intercepting with intent can go a long way towards igniting the winning attitude and the survival instinct in the hearer. We all need that encouragement from time to time.

There are so many individuals (including children) that cross our paths on a regular basis, who can benefit from our encouragement and/or support.

Words of encouragement can be like winds beneath their wings. Sometimes we need to go beyond words to provide material support at a crucial time. We should not only observe their struggles, but seek opportunities to be a brace, a harness, or a means of support as they go through their particular struggle.

We, you and I, are called to be instruments of positive change. We are summoned to the frontline of the battle against rejection, discrimination, hunger, poverty, and so on. We are commissioned to intercept with intent — to take action today that will redirect someone who may otherwise head down a spiralling road to catastrophe and pain.

One person, with a commitment to intercepting with intent, can change the life of another. That individual could then influence an entire community and beyond. History records that the music professor Peter Davis regularly volunteered his service at a reform school. He went out of his way and sacrificed his time to provide musical training to a group of boys who would otherwise not be able to afford his classes. There was a young boy there who had been abandoned by his father as an infant. His early life was filled with want and pain. He was admitted to the reform school when he was 12 years-old. Professor Davis introduced him to music and he soon excelled on the cornet (a brass instrument similar to the trumpet). Today, many recognize this outstanding musician for his smiling face, raspy voice, and his skilful trumpet playing. This boy grew up to be the world-famous Louis Armstrong.

He received a new lease on life because someone cared enough to intercept with intent.

We can share many other examples of individuals whose lives were turned around because someone cared enough to share their talents and their time.

We have been blessed in so many ways.

Sometimes all it takes is a little time and effort to be proactive enough to reach out to touch another’s life through a donation, a word or encouragement, a gentle reminder that they are winners; that they have so much potential. We will never truly be able to measure the sense of accomplishment and self-worth we experience when we pause to make this world a better place by lending a helping hand or sharing an encouraging word, as we intercept with intent.

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

Come to the tent WHEN THE JUDGES made their selection of those persons who will clash in the Calypso semi-finals tonight at Victoria Park, they did nothing more but confirm the truth in Lord Have Mercy’s contribution to the 2017 calypso season. Mercy called on calypso lovers to “Come to the tent” if they wanted to hear real calypso. He could not be more right.

Semi-final places were offered to Dennis Bowman, Chewalee Johnson, Sulle Caesar, Tajoe Francis, Vibrating scakes Alleyne, John ‘I” Oliver, Ipa Constance, Elvis Abby Jah Abby, Patches King, Wendell ‘Speeshie’ Goodrich, Glenford ‘Azarah’ Charles, Joanna Christopher, Fya Empress Nedd, Shaunelle Mc Kenzie, Cleopatra Hendrickson, Bro Ebony Joseph, Shena Collins, Cecele ‘Little Bit’ King, Brian ‘Sprinter’ John, Vivian ‘I come’ Miller, Singing Christy Christopher, Skarpyan Williams. Gosnel Cupid and Navel String Bartholomew were named as reserves.

You would not hear Lord Have Mercy on Friday night because he ‘buss’. He was not the only one to fumble, and therein lies Mercy’s point. So here’s a snippet of what you missed if you did not go to the tent.

How you could keep calypso like a slave on the plantation You have me stress sing The way you’re moving It seems that you know Very little about calypso Since you don’t really know I think you need some lessons in calypso And then this:..

‘I don’t sing in dialect I choose words that I think are the very best I know the whole world is listening And I want them to understand exactly what I am saying My examples are the calypso bards of history With original melody they use proper diction and clarity And even though calypso was born in slavery We can still make it the art form of the 21st century

After all is said and done And you decided who has won Dey say Calypso dying, but, CDC I don’t That is final there is no redress want it dead So the judges must be of the very best And even though some of us still trying, But some people don’t know their ears plenty challenges lie ahead from their elbow Every year we have good calypsos, They don’t even know what is a calypso composed with utmost care But because of social position and ego But, the way, how the judging goes, They are appointed to judge my calypso most of them, you’ll never hear It is worth more than just a once in a Some Stations have resentment, why, year show only Heaven knows There are so many ways in which So, for good songs and entertainment, calypso could flow you have to COME, TO OUR TENT So just get on board and don’t stop the SHOWS show COME TO D TENT to hear good commentaries COME TO D TENT COME TO D TENT for humorous stories, COME TO D TENT They don’t pick songs that, criticize, certain things in the country So people start recognise, the judging, is not done fairly Final night, the crowd get bored, entertainment not assured In the Tents its just not so, put clothes and HELP TO SAVE CALYPSO.’ There are a number of other glaring omissions. Principally among them are Lexi and Da Vinci. Lexi told tent goers that some calypso bards are tired and are now too ‘fraid to fight’.

But the man who most tent goers sympathized with is Da Vinci. Clearly the judges were not seeing or hearing what calypso lovers thought was a good calypso. Da Vinci might have had a premonition. He said in song that some people claim ‘he ain’t singing calypso’.

Here’s some of his lyrics: I grew up in the land of calypso With Lord Melody, Lord Kitchener and Sparrow Singing with Uncle Bob on the radio Listening next to the steel pan yard in Port of Spain I was so small a tenor pan could shelter me from the rain The bands that played music in that day Will take any song and play it in a calypso way Calypso music became the driving factor Of a movement that changed the nation forever This is why I cannot understand

The reason I am stress sing I am being excluded Your bias is beginning to show Well if I am right and you really don’t know Take this song as your first lesson in calypso.’

The words on this page do an injustice to Da Vinci’s calypso. You would have had to come to the tent to hear him belt it out. As he predicted, he was not selected for the semi-finals, but a popular uproar seems to have reached the ears of the CDC. Da Vinci will make a guest appearance tonight. Come to the Park. Da Vinci has more for you.

From Plain Talk vantage point there is no way Shaunelle Mc Kenzie, Sprinter, Singing Kristy, Skarpyan, Little Bit, Shena Collins, Joanna Christopher and Speeshie get a nod ahead of Lexi and Da Vinci. The judges seem intent on proving Lexi right in selecting calypsonians who are afraid to fight.

If we were to pick the finalists based on preliminary performances in the tents, our 11 would be Chewalee, Sulle, Vibrating Scakes, John ‘I’ Oliver, Patches, Abby Jah, Bro Ebony, I Come, Fya Empress, and Joanna. Our dark horses are Ipa, Azarah and Skarpyan.

Come to the semis. You have to see and hear Sulle perform ‘Ah catching me ass fo me self’, I Come ‘Ah joking’ or even hear Fya Empress explain how she felt and what she wanted to do when she met her husband making love to another man.

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

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12. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Green government will reverse pension age from 65 to 60

THE ULP REGIME’S pension reform, changing the age at which one can claim pension from age 60 years to 65 years, is very cynical and sad.

When people reach old age, their health gets worse. It is very probable that a number of people who would have collected a pension at age 60, may not live to collect a pension, when the change is made to a pension age of 65.

It is very cynical for the ULP regime to change the pension age from 60 to 65, knowing that this unnecessary change will mean fewer people will be alive to claim their pension. It is sad that people are being forced to pay over 50% more in contributions, for a pension they may never live long enough to claim.

The argument given by the ULP regime is that to guarantee pensions, the pension age must move from 60 years to 65 years. Everyone knows that this is rubbish.

There is a very simple solution to guarantee pensions for all at the age of 60 years: - the SVG government should tax Taiwan and the

super-rich of Mustique and Canouan, and collect EC$2 billion a year in taxes.

The ULP regime is afraid to do this, and instead, choose to punish our people. It is a shameful situation.

Gonsalves said on SVGBC television news on Friday 23 June 2017, that pension reform is political dynamite. It is not political dynamite, it is simply about having respect for the working people of SVG, and allowing them an acceptable standard of living in their golden years of retirement, from the age of 60 and beyond.

The UK newspaper The Guardian reported that ‘increases in the state pension age could push it to the point where many working people die before qualifying for it’. It is very cynical of the ULP regime to make people wait until the age of 65 to claim their pension, knowing more people will not live to claim the pension at the higher age of 65 years.

Poorer people will be more adversely affected by the increase in pension age as their life expectancy is lower than that of richer people.

Gonsalves also said on SVGBC television news on Friday 23 June 2017, that for every dollar the ULP government receives in tax, 60 cents is paid out in wages. This is a very high ratio.

The solution to this problem though, is not to raise the pension age from 60 to 65 and hope more people die before receiving their pension.

The solution is to increase the amount of tax the government collects.

A Green government would reverse this pension reform and keep it at age 60 years. We would tax Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan and collect EC$2 billion a year in taxes to fund this.

The country urgently needs a live TV debate with Warrant Officer Ivan O’Neal, Leader of SVG Green Party, the SVG Minister of Finance Ralph Gonsalves, and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday, about whether

the pension age should be 60 years or 65 years and how to fund pensions.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org https://twitter.com/ svggreenparty https://www.facebook.com /SVG-Green-Party154937087877631/

V A journalistÊs encounter with a centenarian

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 13.

Feature

by GLORIAH…

ON THURSDAY, 22nd June, I stood on the front porch of a daintily organized house in the village of Hopewell in Mesopotamia, waiting to be escorted, I assumed, to the bedside of Jestine Walcott, affectionately called ‘Mother Walcott’, who was celebrating her 105th birthday.

Not to be. Instead I was ushered into the living room, as a seemingly rambunctious ‘Mother Walcott’ walked nonchalantly from her bedroom to the living room, supported by a what appeared to be an unnecessary cane.

My jaw dropped. Was I seeing right? Sparing no time, I approached her with a friendly introduction, telling her that I had heard it was her birthday, and was blown away by her obvious state of great health at that age.

She greeted me warmly, then told me that others had come, and how she had “dressed up for that.”

I immediately requested that she remain in the lovely frock that she was wearing, and that made it for our “relationship”.

Now, with both ‘Mother Walcott’ and I at ease with each other, she proceeded to share some information on her family tree. She showed no discomfort

whatsoever in sharing that her husband had left her to go to Trinidad and never returned.

Truth that it was, that bit of intimacy was presented with much hilarity for, as she said, it never daunted her spirit, and she had seen life go by on so many issues, that a deserting husband proved no challenge.

The hearty manner in which ‘Mother Walcott’ treated life’s situations made me feel as if I had gained a long-lost grandmother. I proceeded to treat her as such with: genuine affection; appreciation for her triumphing over her toils and struggles; admiration for the preservation of such wonderful health, and an avid respect for her phenomenal memory.

And what of her school?

An effervescent ’Mother Walcott’ launched into an account of what she called her ‘Class Three Poetry’ at the Marriaqua Primary School, with ‘Teacher Bledman’.

To further impress, and without as much as a pause or a blink, she recited a verse from the pen of William Wordsworth: “I met a little cottage girl. She was eight years old, she said.

Her hair was thick with many a curl, that clustered round her head.

Jestine Walcott and her 81-year-old daughter Ermine Walcott.

‘Sisters and brothers, little maid, how many may you be?’

‘How many? Seven in all,’ she said, and wondering looked at me.”

showed my astonishment.

My newly found grandmother kept catching me by surprise. When I asked her daughter Work and diet Ermine about how she copes now, I ‘Mother Walcott’, whose was told that she mother had lived to 103 goes to the years, continued to regale bathroom and the me with many a story. I toilet by herself, and learned that she had bathes and dresses toiled as a road worker in herself. For Calliaqua; milled breakfast she eats arrowroot at Dumbarton; biscuit and cheese, tended at the animal and drinks tea with service station in Carriere, milk. Lunch sees Journalist Gloriah, with glass of juice in hand, taking care of goats and sweet potato pie or celebrates with 105-year-old Jestine Walcott. sheep, and having to breadfruit with extract their milk to feed stewed fish on her As I drank the glass of and simply said, “Hard school children. She plate. Dinner repeats juice she offered me to work and what I eat!” eventually turned to selfbreakfast. She reads celebrate with her, I Wow, I knew that I had employment, traversing every day and sleeps a lot. asked, “What has caused encountered a phenomenal through Marriaqua and on She also loves to watch you to live so long, Mother woman. to Kingstown to sell the television.

Walcott?” She just smiled fruits and vegetables which she had planted herself. All of these, she recalled with vibrant animation and rich, gurgling laughter.

She also told of a diet of ground provisions, especially Dominic yams, plantains, grindy and sweet potatoes. For meat, she ate fish in boileen, beef, pork and corned pork. Her face beamed with a mischievous grin as she unrepentantly recounted a particular culinary exploit.

“Sometimes, I used to have a hog rearing. I will kill it, corn it and eat my corned pork,” she boasted.

As for her beverages, I followed my curiosity, having had several sessions on what I call the ‘University of YouTube’, and learned that natural herbs and bushes make life-prolonging teas. I questioned, “So what kind of tea did you drink, bush?” My self-assured interviewee didn’t miss a beat. “Me never drink bush,” she was quick to state, “Me never know nothing ‘bout bush!” She volunteered that her favourites were cow’s milk, coconut water and natural orange juice. The thing about this giant of a lady is that she never really restricted her beverages to these!

Should I say then, that I was astonished to hear her say, “On weekends, I used to put some lash on three beers.” My gaping mouth

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 15.

14. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Director Nigel Scott urges: „Finish the race.‰ Right: Nigel Scott, Director of the SVGCC, highlighted the success the relatively recent sports programme has had to date.

the tertiary stage. But he urged students to “be persistent and finish NIGEL SCOTT, Director at the St. Vincent the race. and the Grenadines Community College, “There is no reward in starting,” had a simple message for the 708 Scott went on, stressing the need to persons who comprised the 2017 persevere and for students to “finish graduating classes of the College. well.”

“Life is a race,” he said, “one that Scott begged listeners to “trust in calls for continual movement up the God.” He warned about the “devil and ladder of learning.” his craftiness,” and that “all that In delivering the Director’s reports glitters is not gold. and remarks, he surmised that there “Be true to yourself,” he directed, might be a tendency to relax and rest and highlighted the importance of on one’s laurels, having passed through being consistent in thought and action.

Stories by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

For him, people keep a level of integrity when they are pure and clean, and he advised students not to cheat, and to keep their self-respect. Such traits are “stronger than any sweet man or drug man can penetrate.”

Scott’s reports highlighted the institution’s sports programme, relatively new to the overall programme that the College offers. He pointed to accomplishments in football, Cricket squad defending their title in track and field, and cricket, especially St. Lucia then, were students of his highlighting the fact that eight of the institution.

13 members of the National Under 19

Shenika Samuel: Undaunted by life’s challenges

IN 2004 SHENIKA SAMUEL graduated from the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School with four passes at the CXC. That did not deter her.

She wrote the CXC again in 2015 and came away with eight subject area passes, after which she enrolled at the Division of Technical and Vocational SHECANIA SMALL has the overall accolade.

Education of the SVG developed her own philosophy; It has been a journey Community College.. ‘if one is to be a good teacher, of consistency and Two years later, Tuesday 2th there must be a desire for persistency for the June, 2017, she was delivering learning.’ former Girls’ High the Valedictory Address at the She received the benefits of School student. She was graduation ceremony of the that approach when she was in the top 20 when she Community College. rewarded with the Teacher sat the Common She was the top performer Education Divisional Award Entrance. among 169 students in the for Excellence, at the St. Having completed her Technical and Vocational Vincent and the Grenadines programme at the Education Division, and was Community College Faculty of Natural chosen from among a total Graduation 2017.

Sciences, Small was enrollment of 708 to deliver the Small loves to learn. That is encouraged to launch Valedictory Address. what the tutors at the Division into a teaching career.

Shenika was outstanding in of Teacher Education declared. She complied, and with her Accounting classes, and She was one of 30 persons hallmarks like received commendation from who graduated from the “planning and being Deputy Dean Janelle Allen, who Secondary Schools programme. organised,” it is almost described her as an inspiration There were 25 others in the impossible to deny her and the personified of the Early Childhood Education upward mobility. institution’s motto: ‘Nothing Programme, 14 in the Primary Shekemma Shecania Small has found her limits excellence’.

Programme, and sixteen Humphrey was the top niche in the teaching profession.

Originally from the North shared equally in Home performer in Early Leeward village of Rose Bank, Economics and Industrial Arts. Childhood Education, and Adonica Bynoe-Barnon in Samuel moved to Petit Bordel.

Small was the top performer Kelita Pope in Home the Primary School She attended Pre, Primary and in her segment, on her way to Economics and Industrial Arts Programme.

Shecania Small loves to teach Abigail Scott: No stranger to success She was the most outstanding Vincentian student on that parade, and was head of the pack on the regional stage in Information Technology and Social Studies, third for Geography, eighth for Chemistry, and 10th for Electronic Document Preparation.

She went on to represent the nation at the Student Programme for Innovation in Science Engineering and the Global Young Leaders Conference in 2016.

But even before all of that, she had set her mark. She surfaced top of the pack in the 2010 Common Entrance Examinations, now the CPEA, as a student of the St. Mary’s R.C. School.

Scott is awaiting results from Abigail Scott continues along a the Caribbean Advanced path of excellence.

Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at which she offered: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Pure Maths, THE NAME ABIGAIL SCOTT is Caribbean Studies and increasingly being linked to performances of the highest order. Communication Studies.

She is the first to admit that she The latest acknowledgement in is no bookworm. Rather, she had this regard came last Tuesday, learned to manage her time to June 27, at Victoria Park, during almost perfect proportions. the staging of the eighth St. And if the St. Vincent and the Vincent and the Grenadines Grenadines Community College Community College Graduation. ever wanted a ‘face’ to fit its Scott received the Award for mission and purpose, Scott fits the Excellence from the Division of Arts Sciences, and General Studies. bill, for she is regarded as “concordant with this institution’s It fell into a pattern that she motto ‘Nothing limits excellence’.” had already established. In 2015, Abigail Scott is the daughter of Scott broke the barrier at the Girls’ Bernard and Dawn Scott whose High School when she obtained guidance must have contributed in Grade One passes in the 15 no small measure to moulding one subjects she offered at the of this nation’s outstanding Caribbean Secondary Education daughters.

Certificate.

Shandeen Johnson DaSouza: Upholding the prestige of nursing SHE EMBARKED on a career in Cosmetology and was on course for success. But her dream was to become a nurse, for she recognised she was blessed with a caring attitude for others.

Whereas real need fed an emphasis on outward beauty as far as the cosmetology aspect was concerned, for Shandeen Johnson DaSouaza, she easily gravitated towards the more complete human endeavour, and nursing became her obsession.

Her dedication paid dividends

at last Tuesday’s 2017 Graduation Exercise of the SVG Community College. Shandeen was the top performer in the Registered Nursing Programme from which 57 persons graduated. She was the obvious choice to receive the General Nursing Council Award.

Since her enrolment in 2014, she has been nothing short of phenomenal, Dean Lucine Edwards assessed. Her leadership skills have been highly regarded by the Division of Nursing.

Edwards recognised Shandeen’s

Right: Shandeen Johnson DaSouza followed her heart and found her place in nursing, one of the noble professions of human endeavour. admirable traits which, she said, make her stand out as a symbol of that’s Division’s prestige.

Of the 57 graduates, 47 graduated in the Nursing Assistant programme and 14 in Midwifery.

Shenika Samuel put all the negatives behind her and carved a road to success for herself and her family.

Secondary schools at Troumaca.

If things had been different financially, she would have gone to the Girls’ High School.

In her valedictory speech, Samuel recalled how she gave birth to a baby girl in 2013.

That baby turned out to be a bundle of joy, but a wake-up call for her. She buckled down, determined to ensure that her daughter was not going to suffer the misfortune she had endured, of money shortage.

“I wanted to give my child a better life,” Samuel confessed.

The journey through the Division of Technical and Vocational Education was something of a fairy tale, and she is grateful for the assistance she received from the Mustique Charitable Fund.

Now, with her feet firmly planted on the ground, she has set her eyes on becoming a Certified Accountant.

Samuel is currently employed with the establishment at which she interned during her studies.

V

16. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Children

Your support for the Blue Bucket Appeal will ensure that you have made it possible for a child to receive advanced surgical care in places like Richmond Virginia.

SVG Dove Club makes appeal to assist sick children TODAY, FRIDAY, 30th June, at a number of locations around Kingstown, volunteers calling themselves ‘Friends of the SVG Dove Club’ will be seen holding their logoed signature ‘Blue Bucket’, in an act of

Vincentians are urged to look for the Blue Bucket with this Logo and give generously to a worthy cause.

petitioning monetary donations from passers-by in their recently launched ‘SVG Dove Club Blue Bucket Appeal’.

The SVG Dove Club’s primary goal is to provide “ongoing support to the World Pediatric Project programmes, through families who are recipients of its services.”

Each year, the WPP conducts some ten medical missions to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Children from all across the Eastern Caribbean access these services.

During their now established Sunday Consultation Day, those referred to the specialists have their conditions either seen for the first time or reviewed. During the week which follows, a number of surgeries or other medical procedures are undertaken at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

The more complex cases are referred for interventions in the United States.

The SVG Dove Club, therefore, was formed to give support to those children who have been referred for medical procedures in the USA. In most

cases, these children spend between three to six months in the USA. In their commitment to assist with expenses for those children, the ‘Friends of the SVG Dove Club’ has organized the “Blue Bucket Appeal” for two weekends — Friday, 30th June and Friday 7th July.

Persons walking along the streets of Kingstown will be asked to donate by placing money into the blue buckets held by the “Friends”. They could expect to encounter these volunteers between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on both Fridays.

On June 30th, the following locations will be collection points for the “Blue Bucket Appeal”: RBTT Bank at Heritage Square; SINGER store on Back Street; COURTS store on Bay Street; and ACE Home Centre next to Little Tokyo.

On 7th July, the locations will be: RBTT Bank at Heritage Square; SINGER store on Back Street; CK GREAVES on Bay Street; and ACE Home Centre next to Little Tokyo.

All monies collected from this appeal will go towards the children and parents from current and upcoming WPP missions, who will undertake complex procedures in the United States.

Remember when you do good to one of these (children), you do good for yourself.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 17.

Arts and Culture

Three debutants in Calypso Semis

THE UPSTAGE (Calypso Tent) captured eleven places in the Semi Finals of the 2017 National Calypso Monarch competition.

And while the eleven include only two former Monarchs — Shernelle ‘Skarpyan’ Williams in 2013 and Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd in 2012 — Upstage has provided the three semi- finals debutants for 2017.

Interestingly, those debutants are all females, namely: Joanne Christopher, Shena Collins and Kristianna ‘Singing Kritsty’ Christopher.

Of course, that tent also boasts the reigning Calypso Monarch, three times winner - Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams.

Joining ‘Skarpyan’ and ‘Fya Empress’ as former Monarchs who have made it to the 2017 semis are: Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyene (1983, 1994, 2007), Elivis ‘Abbijah’ Abbey (2002) and Grantley ‘IPa’ Constance (2006) from the On Tour Tent; Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar (1997, 2005) and Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis (2011) of the Graduates Tent.

In addition to the forementioned, the panel of judges, comprised of Earl

L-R: Kristianna ‘Singing Kristy’ Christopher is also a finalist in the 2017 Junior Secondary Schools Calypso Competition; Joanne Christopher, semi-finals debutant, spent many years doing background vocals in the calypso tents and Shena Collins, semi-finals debutant, showing signs of growing from strength to strength.

Paynter, Roddy Dowers, Marla Nanton, Daniel Hall and Kenelm Beach, selected the following for the semis: Dennis Bowman from the Dynamites Calypso Tent; Chewalee Johnson from Graduates; John ‘I’ Oliver, Robert ‘Patches’ King, Wendell ‘Speeshie’ Goodrich and Glenford ‘Azarah’ Charles from On Tour; and Shaunelle Mc Kenzie, Cleopatra Hendrickson, Fitzroy ‘Bro Ebony’ Joseph, Cecil ‘Lil Bit’ King, Brian ‘Sprinter’ John, and Vivian ‘I Come’ Miller from Upstage.

The semi-finals, dubbed Fantastic Friday, is set for

Victoria Park, Friday 30th June, commencing at 8:00pm. Each calypsonian will render one song.

Guest appearances are expected from three times (1985, 1986 and 1998) Calypso Monarch Carlton ‘CP’ Hall and Lance ‘Da Vincy’ Chapman who was a crowd favourite in the 2017 cast of the On Tour Calypso Tent.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that Malcolm ‘Marshie’ Marshall of ‘Professional Bowlers’ fame and also a member of On Tour, was also invited to be a guest artiste, but he refused.

Carlton ‘CP’ Hall will down the bass guitar to return front stage to show the ‘newcomers what ‘Man-About-Town’ can do.

SOCA MASTERS 3 – not to be missed CALYPSO AND SOCA enthusiasts here can rest assured that they will be served up another dose of this country’s premier postcarnival concert.

The Becket Benefit Organization (BBO) has confirmed that the post-carnival Soca Masters concert has been scheduled for Saturday 15th July, 2017, at the Layou Hard Court.

Dubbed Soca Masters 3, the concert features as its billed acts, Winston Soso, Cyril ‘Scorcher’ Thomas, Ron Pompey and the indomitable Alston Becket Cyrus.

Also included in the cast are rising soca/ragga performing artistes Chewalee and Ozarie, together with the versatile Shaunelle Mc Kenzie.

Enthusiasts will especially want to welcome home Ron Pompey of ‘Banana Police’, ‘Keep Loving Me’ and ‘Wine Maria’ fame as, according to a relase from the BBO, he returns home “to these shores to cement his title Soca Master.”

Pompey, himself a Layou native and a CDC Awardee of 2007, is said to be “pumped up” and “ready to explode” at the Layou Hard Court. He promises to deliver a performance that will leave patrons ‘loving him’.

Rest assured too, that the elder masters Becket, Soso and Scorcher - on the same stage on the same night, representing a cumulative total of well over ten decades as recording and performing artistes, and a treat that could easily be described as the envy of music crazy persons across the Western hemisphere, will be inspired by the records and accomplishments of each other, to deliver like only they can — hit after hit after hit.

All of this mastery, coupled with the exuberance of a younger generation of artistes, backed by the energy resources of SVG’s leading backing band K-Netic, supported by the wizardry of DJ Morgan Judge, and the stage is set for another memorable, not-to-be-missed experience.

Soca Masters 3, like the Soca Masters concerts before it, is all about Vincentian talent for Vincentians.

It comes but once a year. All are invited to share.

V

18. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Opinion

Make Luke Browne Chairman of Kingstown Town Board

The article informed that COHSOD was established by Article 17 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramus, and one of its principal functions is the development and organization of efficient and affordable health-care services in the Caribbean.

Readers were also informed, that as Chairman of the CARPHA Executive Board, “Minister Browne, will provide strategic direction for this organization which is charged with addressing regional public health priorities, such as environmental health issues and matters to do with the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases”.

Considering the foregoing, and taking into account our pressing needs here in SVG, it would be good if Mr. Browne could be induced to accept the chairmanship of the Kingstown Town Board, so that he will also provide for our city, “the strategic direction in the The Plot of land (right) adjacent to the property of addressing of the public health priorities”, which the Kingstown Town Board in Paul’s Avenue, has are seemingly become a garbage dump site.

FROM A NEWSPAPER article of 21st October 2016, I learnt that our Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment - Luke Browne had assumed the chairmanship of three important regional organisations, on the 1st of October 2016.

They are: CARICOM’s Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD); the Executive Board of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA); and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP).

The abandoned site for the BAICO office has become a garbage dump and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. overwhelming us at this time.

A few of the areas which may be considered for Mr. Browne’s immediate attention, as chief officer of the K’town Town Board, are: 1. The removal of that derelict container, which has for years been rotting in the foreground of the Public Health Department’s head office.

Certainly that picture of wanton neglect is not an exhibition of pride and decency.

2. That plot of land adjacent to the property of the Kingstown Town Board in Paul’s Avenue, has been crying out for attention for over a year. The excuse has been made that the particular plot of land referred to, is private property. But in fact, the perpetrators of this exhibition of “naked wutlessness”, are not the owners of the property but other citizens.

I am finding it difficult to understand why, in this age, the Public Health Department seems powerless to address matters, which in the 1940s would not have been tolerated. Mr. Browne’s chairmanship of the Kingstown Town Board, should hopefully enhance his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Board of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), “to provide strategic direction for the addressing of regional public health priorities such as environmental health issues and matters to do with the prevention and control of mosquito borne diseases”.

3. Another area where the approach of our administration and technocrats is baffling is the seeming assignment of the former British American Insurance office site, as a garbage dump. This has been evident for Container rotting in the foreground of the Public Health Department’s head office, on Bonadie Street.

years! On that “garbage site” also, there has been a rotting 30 ft. container for years, not far away from the offices of the Ministry of Health. It almost seems as though the Ministry of Health, could be identified with “rotting containers”. That’s a shame!

One can imagine that we could be faced with a major environmental problem even before this Carnival season is ended. The leadership of Mr. Browne will certainly be tested. The Ministry of Health, on the 19th October 2016, pledged their support to Mr. Browne “in all his related endeavour”. He will certainly need that!

If the foregoing observations and suggestions are acted upon in good faith, we could well be avoiding ugly embarrassment when Mr. Browne as Minister of Health, is called on to be host to his distinguished Caribbean colleagues of those important regional bodies, of which he is now the chairman.

Responsibility does not rest only on the shoulders of Mr. Browne, the Ministry of Health, to act with firmness and expedition in the correcting of this “primitive wutlessness”. Those of us who consider ourselves to be responsible citizens, also have a duty to act in harmony with decency, in the protecting of the environment, “OUR ENVIRONMENT”.

LeRoy Providence

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 19.

V

20. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Sex with my cousin My cheating wife all along, was that the girl is my cousin.

Needless to say, I slept A FRIEND of mine did with her for the something to me that I remainder of my stay. don’t think I can ever It was when I forgive him. returned and showed I travelled to New pictures of the girl to my York where he lives to folks, that I was told that spend some time with him. During my stay, he the girl was my cousin. I did not tell my folks that introduced me to a girl I had slept with her. who, he said, was his Now, it is a case where buddy.

One night we were out the girl wants to visit SVG. I have not told her having drinks, with the that we are related. girl, and he whispered The truth is, George, that she liked me. What he never said, and I have this young lady is extremely beautiful and I found out that he knew won’t mind having some more time with her before spilling the beans to her. What she does not know cannot hurt her. Am I being selfish?

Whatever, I remain very annoyed with my friend in NY. Friends don’t do that to friends.

Dear George,

Dear George,

HOW MANY TIMES must a man forgive his wife for cheating? I have been for five years, and she has cheated on me from day one to now. During the wedding reception, someone saw her kissing one of the groomsmen in a way that cannot be described as a ‘congratulatory kiss.’ We discussed it and she otherwise. admitted that the said groomsman had a thing for On the other score, Deceived. her and had “passed his bounds”. only you can decide Two months after our wedding day, I caught her whether or not it is Dear Deceived, in bed with the same groomsman at his house. I worthwhile to continue was tipped off that she would be there, and caught It was awful what your friendship with your them red handed. I forgave her again. your friend did, but it New York friend. Your Last year I was given a picture of her and would me even more heart will guide you in another man on the beach. The guy took a selfie of awful for you to continue that regard. both of them and it made its way to me. I forgave this sexual relationship Take the high road her one more time, George. with your cousin. and have that talk with Very recently, she took a sick day from work, but You need to your cousin. She may did so only to accommodate another sexual escapade immediately end this very well say to you with a man. I got home that day earlier than she (sexual) relationship with what’s done is done, let expected, and I met two used condoms under the your new found cousin us make the corrections bed. I have no reason to use condoms with her. She and let her in on what and move on. admitted to what she did, but would not name the you know. She cannot man she was with.

George blame you for what you I am very bothered by didn’t know but, if you all of this, and I am now don’t come clean, she just wondering whether to might hold it against continue forgiving my you, if she found out wife for her failures or Dear George, inability to keep her legs MY WIFE IS pregnant with our fourth child, and closed. to be honest, I do not think she should give birth to this one as we absolutely cannot afford it.

Fed up She was the one who wanted this fourth child, and I told her that if she does not get rid of it, I Dear Fed up, will have nothing to do with her or the child. I don’t know why she could not be satisfied with Clearly, there is a what we have now instead of going for another problem, and one way it one. can be dealt with is by Some women are just all about themselves, and your wife acknowledging my wife is one of them. her weaknesses and Angry bud making a conscious effort to get professional help.

Dear Angry bud, I am not going to suggest you throw in the You are trying to make out the case against your wife for getting pregnant all by herself, but it towel just yet, as your marriage should be is not holding water. Am I to believe that your worth fighting for. You wife unilaterally decided to get pregnant, and are the one to determine made it happen all to your surprise and how much fight you need discontentment?

You need to embrace this pregnancy and tell to put up in order to save your wife that together you will find a way to your marriage. ensure that this child’s basic needs are met, and Be open minded to the there will no shortage of love regardless. This is idea of getting help for the time to show your worth as a responsible your wife and take it husband and give her the support that is needed from there. at this time.

Can’t afford another child

George

George

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Your stubbornness coupled with your mate's jealousy don't make for a favorable time. Do not overspend on entertainment. You could find that children will be a handful. Catch up on any correspondence you've neglected. Travel for business or pleasure.

Taurus (Apr. 21‐ May 21) You may have problems with those you live with.

Involvement in fitness clubs will be conducive to engaging roman tic connections. Changes in your home will be positive. Property investments should payoff. Be primed to use your intellect in order to get what you want.

Gemini (May 22‐June 21) Make amends if you can. Conflicts over joint finances are likely. Don't let your emotions interfere with your professional integrity.

Problems with your partner are apparent.

Cancer (June 22‐July 22) Sort situations out as best you can. Watch your spending habits. Make alternate plans just in case you need to make a career shift. Knowledge can be acquired if you listen. Now is the time for completing hobbies that you've been working on for a long time.

Leo (July 23‐Aug 22) You may find yourself in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Expand your knowledge and sign up for courses and seminars. Make changes that will heighten your appeal. New love connections can be made through group associations.

Virgo (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Romance will unfold if you take trips or get together with friends. Travel opportunities should be your first choice. Don't overspend to impress someone who interests you. You can make changes that will enhance your appearance.

Libra (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Try not to be too emotional with those around you. Need some adventure in your life? Exotic

destinations beckon you. Opportunities for romance will develop through activities with large groups. Coworkers may not be completely honest with you; try not to rely on help from others.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Get involved in the activities of children. Be careful not to consume too many spicy foods, or minor health problems could put you out of commission for the day. You won't have much time for your mate this week. A little volleyball or other outdoor sports should be on your agenda.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Changes in your home environment are likely.

Your self‐esteem will come back if you take part in organizational functions that allow you to be in the lime light. Do something together and you'll be surprised how sweet a deal you can make. You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work.

Capricorn (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) You could have a need to make some changes this week. Don't lend or borrow money or belongings. Compromising could be on the agenda this week. You have to know what your boss wants if you expect to do your job correctly.

Aquarius (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) Be prepared to take care of the issues at hand.

Stick to your own projects and by the end of the day you'll shine. Good day for romance.

Overindulgence may be a problem.

Pisces (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) You may be up for some changes in your home.

Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. You must take care of health problems that have been lingering. Be careful not to push your luck or take too much for granted when dealing on either a personal or professional level.

ACROSS 1. Rage 5. Having a tail 11. Sewing case 12. Bearlike 13. Relaxation 14. Agile 15. Having the shell removed 17. Sweet potato 18. Father 19. Visage 20. Indian of Mexico 23. Covered on the inside 24. Reward 25. Writing instrument 26. Tavern 27. Grope 31. Hyrax 33. Having wings 34. Doze 35. Metal containers 36. Plaid 37. Young guinea fowl

16. Resinous deposit 19. Rorqual 1. Professional 20. Among charges 21. Harem 2. State in the 22. Muscle 23. Meadow W United States 3. Trick 4. Ceded 5. Adjusted pitch 6. Parched 7. Doctrine 8. Pertaining to Libya 9. Intertwine 10. Judged

DOWN

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 21.

25. Primp 27. Suburb of Cairo 28. Blue-gray 29. Alley 30. Formerly 32. Drunkard

V

22. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Over $6 million worth of drugs

destroyed Left: EC$6 million worth JUST OVER EC$6 MILLION of drugs up in flames. worth of cocaine, rock cocaine and marijuana have gone up in flames.

This when the RSVG Police Force destroyed by burning some 99.4 pounds of cocaine/rock cocaine and 6000 pounds of marijuana.

The exercise was conducted last week Thursday, June 22, at the Rabacca Dry River.

Speaking at the site of the exercise, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations Christopher Benjamin said that most of the drugs destroyed was intercepted by land. He estimated that the street value of the marijuana was EC$5 million, the cocaine EC$1 million and the rock cocaine EC$100,000.

“We are here to uphold the law, and once we confiscate these drugs, rest assured, we are going to burn them,” Benjamin told members of the media present.

The Assistant Commissioner also explained that the time when an exercise of this nature was conducted, was determined by how much of the capacity of the storage area for the drugs was being utilized, and whether or not matters involving the drug(s) in storage had been pursued to

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations - Christopher Benjamin speaking with the media at the site of the burning exercise. completion through the courts.

The drugs destroyed last week Thursday were seized by the police during the period 20102016.

The event was witnessed by members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), the Special Service Unit (SSU), as well as members of civil society organizations and representatives of the Magistracy, including Magistrates Bertie Pompey and Ricky Burnnette.

The police waited until the fire ceased to ensure that all the contents (drugs) were thoroughly burned. (KH)

Officers of the RSVG Police Force preparing what would become a huge bonfire.

V A decentralised 2017 WISG promised

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 23.

AS ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES prepare to host the 2017 Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Winlott Inc. Windward Islands Schools’ Games (WISG), the local organising committee has mapped out a plan to decentralise the various disciplines.

The annual schools’ games take place 22nd to 29th July, and involve the four Windward Islands- Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines - who engage each other in Track and Field, Football, Netball and male and female Basketball and Volleyball.

At a media briefing last Tuesday held at the Curriculum Development Unit ‘s Conference Room, Education Officer for Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education - Rosmund

Griffith, listed the venues to be used.

“We plan to use various venues across St Vincent and the Grenadines for the hosting of the games…

We have Arnos Vale, where we are hoping to have male Volleyball, Football, female Basketball, Track and Field, Netball and male Basketball; .. the Girls’ High School hard court for female and male Volleyball… Georgetown (Chili) Playing Field) and hard court for male Basketball, Netball, Football and female Basketball… and the Keartons hard court for male Basketball and Netball,” Griffith outlined.

Meanwhile, Dougal James, a Director of Winlott, the Games’ primary benefactor, said that the taking of the WISG to the rural

communities was one of the “concerns” of his entity. “ One of the ideas we tried to push is to take these games out to the rural areas where communities exist and where persons are identified and where sporting activities are supported by all young and old”, James stated.

Winlott Inc and the CBN pump in EC$ 400 000 towards the annual games, but James admitted that the sum was insufficient.

The governments of the four islands make up for the short falls.

Apart from the input of CBN, Winlott and central government, Griffith noted that the SVG Football Federation (SVGFF), SVG Basketball Federation, Team Athletics SVG, SVG Volleyball Association and the SVG

Netball Association are partnering to have the various (local) teams ready for the Games.

Additionally, the RSVG Police Force, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, the Department of Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture, as well as the National Sports Council were also on board, Griffith assured.

Other speakers at last Tuesday’s media session were Elizabeth Walkerchair of the Local Organising Committee of the WISG, and Woodrow Williams- Technical Officer of the 2017 WISG. Over 200 student athletes and officials from the three overseas territories will begin arriving on 21st July and will be housed , along with their Vincentian

Rosmund Griffith headmaster of the St Vincent Boys Grammar School — FW Revees and JF Blackman of the St Mary’s College in St Lucia.

Reports are that this continued yearly until 1924, with Grenada was admitted in 1925.

Dougal James But there was a lull in counterparts at the West the hosting, during the period of World War II. St George Secondary It was not until 1947 School, which is the that all four islands were designated Games able to contest the Village.

Grenada has won the games, which were held in Grenada. overall title for the past The Games, though, five successive years, went through periods of 2012 to 2016.

The Windward Islands dormancy, until it was Schools Games date back revived in 1987, and has been consistent since. to 1922 through the bilateral co-operation of

Bequia basketballer heads to Taiwan AUSTIN DERRICK, a 21-year-old resident of Paget Farm, has secured a Basketball scholarship to attend the Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology in Taiwan.

Derrick, former student of the Bequia

Community High School, left last Sunday, and will join another Vincentian — Brendon Smart, who was enrolled at the same institution last year.

The young man, who also plays cricket, said

Austin Derrick (right) arrived at the airport in Taiwan and was greeted by Brendon Smart (left) and coach Craiglee Sam.

that it is an opportunity that he has been looking forward to for some time now.

“I feel excited at this opportunity… It is something that I have been looking forward to for the past two years,” Derrick stated.

A late developer in the sport, Derrick began playing Basketball at age 16. “ I started playing about five years ago with the Rising Stars team in the second division of the Bequia tournament and developed my skills during that time as center,” Derrick related.

Within that period, Derrick has notched up some personal achievements, as he copped the most blocks, most rebounds, his team’s MVP and the division’s MVP at the 2013 Bequia Basketball tournament.

“I must thank my coach — Tauran Ollivierre, Craiglee Sam,

Austin Derrick – the latest Vincentian to obtain a scholarship to Taiwan. development programme as it continues to turn Wayne Williams (left) presents 3x3 balls to Tauran out young basketballers.

Ollivierre.

Williams also used the opportunity last Sabrina Mitchell, scholarships for Sunday, to present Cornelius Farrell, Vincentians. basketballs to Tauran Michael Peniston, my “The SVG Basketball Ollivierre for the 3 x3 team mates, family, Federation wishes to programme for the friends and members of thank Craiglee Sam, a secondary schools on the the church for supporting Vincentian who is island of Bequia. and encouraging me over coaching in Taiwan, for Both the Bequia the years,” Derrick his ongoing efforts of acknowledged. securing scholarships at Community High and the Bequia Seventh Day President of the St universities in Taiwan Vincent and the for Vincentian Basketball Adventist were participants in the Grenadines Basketball players,” Williams inaugural schools’ 3 x 3 Federation — Wayne commented. tournament, which was Williams commended the Williams praised the played last April. efforts of Craiglee Sam, Bequia Basketball for seeking out Association’s

V

24. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

North Leeward Predators: National First Division Football champs NORTH LEEWARD Predators are the 2017 First Division champions of the National Club Football here.

They beat Petro Caribe Largo Height on penalty kicks last Sunday afternoon at the Chili Playing Field, to take their first hold on the title.

In a competitive encounter on the wellkept surface, the youthful Predators made early, inroads into the opponents set-up, and there was no surprise when the promising Diel Spring put his team in the ascendancy.

But Nicholas Ollivierre equalised for Largo Height, to leave the match on a knife’s edge for the rest of regulation time.

Predators threw everything at Largo Height, who responded in spurts with dominance of their own.

Regulation time plus ten minutes of extra time could not break the 1 — 1 deadlock, sending the encounter for final settlement by penalty kicks.

The first round of kicks ended 5- all, before Predators won in the second round of the sudden death kicks.

It was joy

uncontrollable for the North Leeward Predators and their supporters, who responded with “wild” celebrations to their own Fireman Hooper’s 2017 soca song ‘Wild’.

An ecstatic Bishon Williams, coach of the North Leeward Predators, declared, “(I am) very proud, very happy… We have been working for this for two years now and to have an unbeaten season and to have never lost a game, fighting every single game even when it looked easy.”

Williams accredited much of the team’s success to its youthfulness and togetherness.

A forward looking Williams is already entertaining the challenge of the Premier Division, stating, “Once we stick together, once we keep this togetherness and brotherly love, we are going to make it because we are going to continue working hard”.

Both North Leeward Predators and Largo Height have earned promotion to the premiership of the next national club championships.

They will take the

place of the eleventh and twelfth places of the premiership.

The Premier Division which has two rounds of matches to go, is set to resume 15th July, after a break for Carnival celebrations.

As it stands after nine rounds, Avenues United

stay undefeated and heads the standings with 21 points, followed by BESCO Pastures- 20, System three -19 and Hope International — 18.

The other teams in that division are Sion

North Leeward Predators.

Hill, Bequia United , SV United, Je Belle Camdonia Chelsea, Richalnd Park Pride and Joy, Greiggs and Volcanoes.

Diel Spring of Predators was the stand out player in the final.

Vincy Heat in pursuit of repeat title SEVEN NEWCOMERS have been included in a Vincy Heat — SVG’s National Senior Football team - to defend the champions title of Windward Islands Football.

The newcomers currently with the team in Grenada where the Windward Islands Football Tournament is in progress, are Kemron Osment, Zenroy Lee, Sherwin Alexander, Chavel Cummings, Kishawan Johnny, Deno John, Deron Hamlet.

Before departure for Grenada, Head Coach Cornelius Huggins said he had the fullest confidence in his team’s ability to retain the title.

“While it will be very important for us to retain the title, more importantly, our aim is to include new faces to see where we are and the depth of players we have, in preparation for the next FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” Huggins said.

“I know it’s not going to be an easy walkover to retain the title, but the players believe they can achieve their goal, once they work

within the team plan and execute well,” Huggins added.

The head coach stressed that he would have liked to see more quality practice matches in their preparation; he is satisfied with the confidence level in the squad, and believes the more senior players will have to lead the charge towards competing for the full 90 minutes.

As far as actual play, Vincy heat went under to St. Lucia 1-2 on Wednesday. No score was avilable, up to press time, for the other Wednesday match Grenada versus Dominica.

Today, Friday 30th June, Dominica play invitees Barbados, and Grenada face St Lucia.

Sunday July 2nd, Barbaods vs. St Lucia, and Grenada vs. SVG. Tuesday 4th SVG vs. Barbados, and St Lucia vs. Dominica.

Thursday 6th Dominica vs. SVG, and Grenada vs. Barbados.

Vincy Heat is led by striker Myron Samuel and includes goal keepers Lemus Christopher and Kevan Henry; defenders, Kevin

Francis, Jolanshoy Mc Dowall, Akeem Williams, Jahvin Sutherland, Kishawn Johnny, Danroy Edwards; midfielders Wendell Cuffy, Deron Hamlet, Deno Cornelius Huggins, Vincy John, Kyle Heat’s Head Edwards and Coach, is Dennis confident that Prescott; his team can strikers repeat as Chavel Cunningham, champions of Windward Nazir Mc Islands Football.

Burnette, Azinho Solomon, Zenroy Lee, Sherwin Alexander and Kemron Osment.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Sandy Bay, Owia teams take National Netball titles THE SANDY BAY Secondary School and the Owia Sports and Cultural Organisation (OSCO) Warriors champed the Division 4 and Division 3 titles respectively of the FLOW National Netball Tournament.

The first timers in the national tournament had earlier secured the league titles, playing unbeaten, and completed their doubles last Tuesday at the Kingstown Netball Centre.

Crowning off the debut season, Sandy Bay Secondary overcame the Buccament Bay Secondary 19-14 in the Knock Out final of Division 4.

Then, OSCO Warriors warded off SVG General Maple, 35-18, to also put the icing on their sojourn.

Before reaching Tuesday’s final, OSCO Warriors had defeated X- Ceed Sports Club 33-24 in the semi-finals, and SVG General Services Maple outdid Blue Horizon Pacers, 25-19 in the semi- finals.

OSCO Warriors has previously contested the Sion Hill Netball competition.

Meanwhile, the hosting of a Division 4 competition was a late Sandy Bay Secondary School netball team. addition to this year’s championships.

General Insurances Limited Maple.

That Division featured all French Verandah X- Ceed were set to face Nice school teams, which also included Radio Clinchers in last Wednesday’s Division Two the Bethel High School, the Intermediate High School and the knock out final, and yesterday, Thursday, Metrocint General Insurances Limited Maple was to have Girls’ High School.

Seeking double titles like Sandy extended its rivalry with Western Union Mitres in the Division One Knock Out finals.

Bay Secondary and OSCO The tournament was scheduled to conclude last Warriors, were French Verandah evening with the closing and presentation X- Ceed and ceremony, following the Division One Knock out Metrocint final.

OSCO Warriors

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. 25.

Sports

Congratulations to Sunil Ambris NOTHING HAPPENS before its time, and some will declare that God has everything in control. It is ironic that Sunil Ambris, named after the legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar, will make his debut against that very nation.

The West Indies are suffering from a dearth of batsmen. One hopes that Ambris fills the breach admirably. He endured a period of neglect; the cupboard was so barren that the selectors were left with little choice.

Ambris has been pounding on the doors for ever so long, and analysts were convinced that the only reason for his exclusion was his origins.

Vincentians are not the type of people to wager over injustice. Things will play out in the course of time.

Whoever wants to parade and carry on, they are free to do so. But the Caribbean is filled with many sayings and parables, some adopted from their African heritage, and others spiritual/biblical, other natural.

Additionally there seems to be something of a siege mentality where cricketers are seemingly asking for greater returns for their talents. While the West Indies have perhaps seen the worst in industrial upheaval, the virus has caught up with the Australians. Given the way things are panning out, there may be differences in the cricket circles, sooner than we anticipated.

The Vincentian footballers are into a Tournament in Grenada. But with ranking of no consequence to the current administration, one wonders to what level of seriousness they have attached the development of the game.

Affiliates of the game here have to put their house in order and make sure they put measures in place to improve the status of football here.

The talent is there. The passion is plentiful.

The will is rampant. But just at the point when we ought to show some initiative and step up to the big league, we descend to wallowing in the depths of despair. And when the inevitable strikes us, we cry and whine and blame everyone else for our misfortune.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has shown its propensity to be competitive on the world stage.

On a personal note, I would prefer that the Caribbean go for the regional option in whatever form they conceive. But just like the raw island politics, we hang on to to the individual approach, with the false hope that it might break through.

We remain a divided region, so thoughts of integration will be regarded as a perpetual pipe dream.

Sometimes some events unfold in such dramatic fashion that it is difficult to keep up with reality.

However, all is not lost, and I am sure that those genuinely interested in seeing football rise, will surface and take matters in control.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is blessed with individuals and organisations whose passion and quest for the sport are beyond question. How we managed to reach to a level where the zest appears to have dissipated is a cause for concern.

It boils down to an attitude problem. We are keen to point out everything that is wrong with someone else. And when we get the chance to make amends, we fall into line with the status quo, and those upon whom we rode in order to achieve our goals are abandoned like the principles on which one was elevated.

Williams, Layne wreck Dominica CAPTAIN JEREMY LAYNE and fast bowler Ryan Williams ensured that SVG made a strong start in defense of the Windward Islands Under 19 Cricket title.

The stylish batsman captain and his fast bowler helped inflict a convincing 10-wicket beating on Dominica, in one of the opening matches of the Winlott Windward Islands Under 19 Cricket tournament 2017.

Dominica took fist knock and were dismissed for 90, Williams accounting for 6 of their wickets for 25 runs in just 9. 3 overs. Offspinner Jeremy Haywood was just as miserly and penetrating, returning figures of 3 wickets for 12 runs in 10 overs.

Captain Layne took command of his team’s reply and was

unbeaten on 86 Ryan Williams when the attracted attention with a match haul innings closed of 11 wickets. at 269.

Opening Jeremy batsman and wicketkeeper Jaheil Scores: Grenada Layne, Walters made his mark with 55.

73 and 221; St. Dominica showed an improved Lucia 152 and 143 captain, approach in their second innings, for 5. There were opened his 2017 but were again undone by no half centuries, Windwards Williams, with figures of 5 for 41 centuries or fiveseason with in 11.4 overs, and closed on 226 wicket hauls in an important all out, leaving SVG to score 47 that match. half century. for victory.

The second The target was reached without round of matches the loss of a wicket, Sealroy in the tournament began on Williams hitting a breezy 39 not Wednesday, June 28, with SVG out off 26 balls, in which he hit 8 taking on St. Lucia, and Dominica fours and a six. The other opener, looking for a win against Walters, was left not out on 6.

Grenada.

In the other opening match, host St. Lucia defeated Grenada.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Howard heads Pre-Cadet TT trials CALEB HOWARD romped home winner of the final round of trial matches geared towards

selecting a team for participation in the Pre-Cadet Caribbean Table Tennis Championships, scheduled for Jamaica from the 22nd to 26th August, 2017.

The final round, played at the West St. George Secondary School, Belair, also included participants from mainland St. Vincent Caleb Howard finished ahead of the field in the and Bequia National Table Tennis Howard played trial matches for Preunbeaten to come away Cadet players here. with the most points in

the three trials and top the standings. Those follow-ing Howard were Michel Creese (second), Joshua Joseph (third) and Kristian Christopher.

Meanwhile, the National Championships is set to serve off from on July 1. They will run until July 8. All matches will be played at the West St. George Secondary School.

The National Championships will consist of male and female divisions and will feature competition in Precadets, Cadets, Juniors, Seniors and Veterans categories.

Defending champions, as decided at the last National Championships PROVIDENCE Electronic Solution qualifier Smashers in the semi-finals, are: Carlton Daniel North Leeward and French Verandah with the last berth to be decided by (senior males) Andre SVG Community College booked Rudy’s Electrical Unique Warriors Mitchell(junior males) semi-finals places in the 2017 NLA and Radcliffe Too match this Sunday, Leah Cumberbatch First Division Sunday League50 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

(Junior girls) and Caleb Cricket competition, with victories Howard (Under 13 boys) last weekend.

NLA Premier Division French Veranda SVG Community College earned their berth by beating I.B.A. ALLEN In NLA, the lone match played last Victors Two by 3 wickets. Scores: weekend in the NLA Premier Victors Two 122 from 31 overs Division, Police Two took first innings Kishore Shallow topscored with 25, honours over Victors One, in a rain Jeremy Layne 3 for 9; French affected match.

Verandah SVGCC 126 for 7 from 32 Police Two’s edge was due overs - Urnel Thomas 36. Leon primarily to Romario Bibby who took Quashie took 3 for 32.

5 first innings Victors’ wickets.

Providence Electronic Solution Scores: Victors One 118 for 9 — North Leeward beat Combined Ray Jordan 39, Miles Bascombe 34 — Youths by 6 wickets in a low scoring Bibby 5 for 32 and 140 for 3 — Atticus game. Scores: Combined Youths 91 for 7 from 20 overs - Deron Wyllie 28 Browne 83; Police Two 125 for 8 Desron Maloney 39, Jordan took 4 for - O’Jay Mathew, Windward Islands Michel Creese.

41. under-15 all-rounder, took 3 for 10; We apologise for The First and Premier Division Providence Electronic Solution North misrepresent-ing him in games are suspended until July 15th, Leeward 92 for 4 from 14.3 overs a photo carried in our Michael Joseph hit 26 not out - Kevin 2017, with the exception of this issue of Friday 9th June. coming Saturday.

Samuel took 2 for 19.

The photo carried then North Leeward and the SCVG was that of Juwan I.B.A.ALLEN Community College join earlier Howard.

Two more Ist Division semi-finalists

26. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2017. THE VINCENTIAN

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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

JUNE 30, 2017

VOLUME 111, No.26

www.thevincentian.com

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AMBRIS REALIZES A CHILDHOOD DREAM VINCENTIAN-BORN Sunil Ambris, the most recent standout batsman for the Windward Islands, has been called up to join the West Indies cricket squad, who are currently involved in a home ODI and T20 series against India.

After months of speculation from the public and cricket pundits, Ambris, who represents Guardian General Saints as a wicketkeeper/batsman in the Premier Division of local cricket, became the second Windward Islands and Vincentian cricketer to have been called up in recent times, for WI duties. Fast bowler Keswick Williams made his WI debut last year following a prolific CPL for the Jamaica Tallawahs.

Ambris’s call up could be attributed to his successful WICB 2016 Super50 season in which he scored seven half centuries, ending the season as the third highest run-getter in the tournament and the highest for the Windward Islands.

Upon receiving the call, Ambris spoke to the THE VINCENTIAN just

before his final training session at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex last Monday.

“Actually, when I got the call, I couldn’t recall that feeling. I was shocked, but I just started to get the feeling.

It’s a great feeling.. something that I always wanted to do as a youngster. It was a childhood dream to make the West Indies senior team. … I have waited for a while… it’s probably the biggest step that I have made,” he said.

“It’s going to be challenging, Sunil Ambris is the most recent but I think it’s going to improve addition to an illustrious group of my cricket and my life as a Vincentians who have done service whole. I really don’t know what for West Indies cricket. to expect, but I am mentally prepared, and I believe I would brilliant One Day be able to handle whatever is thrown tournament, and I think even at me,” the young man added. though I didn’t score a Ambris acknowledged that his century that I wanted, I was performance in the recently held the top batsman for the WICB Super50 tournament was the Windwards Volcanoes and the reason for his selection. “I had a third best batsman in the tournament. I also believe my consistency would have caught the selectors’ eyes.”

When asked if he thought his call up to the senior regional team should have Sunil Ambris’s versatility extends to him come before, he replied, doing wicket-keeping duties for his local Club philosophically, “I am – Guardian General Life Saints. someone who believes in destiny and nothing happens And what does his selection mean before its time, so no.” for others, he views it “as an Ambris is forever grateful to the encouragement to the young players in persons who have been close to him the region and SVG to work hard at through his development, and their game. Once they believe and expressed, “I must say I owe it all to work towards something they want, my father — he has been bringing me they will always achieve it.” around cricket even before I could Ambris joins a celebrated group of walk; my brother Romel Currency…he Vincentians who have represented the believes in me more than I believe in West Indies at the international level. myself, and he is always pushing me These include, Alphonso Roberts, to do the extra; also my teammates.”

Michael Findlay, Winston Davis, Ian The stylish batsman admits that Allen, Cameron Cuffy, Nixon McLean, “there is room for improvement,” but is Deighton Butler, Miles Bascombe and bent on becoming “a permanent figure Kenroy Peters.

Sunil Ambris on the go in on that team… which will take lots of THE VINCENTIAN congratulates hard work.” one of his innings that Sunil Ambris on his outstanding As for those international players contributed to him being achievement, and wishes him who have inspired him, Ambris the top Windwards’ runcontinued success. identified Rohit Kohli, currently getter in the 2015 Regional India’s captain, as his favourite player. I.B.A.ALLEN Super50 Championship.

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.