Vin pages 30 12 16 e reader for web

FRIDAY,

DECEMBER 30, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.52

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS FROM A PROSECUTORIAL perspective, 2016 has been a good year at the Serious Offences Court.

That’s according to Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche who heads the Summary Division in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that there were several successful prosecutions at trials, as well as Preliminary Inquiries (PI).

“Some were very challenging, but we were able to secure successful prosecution in most of them.”

He pointed out that there were a number of successful cases that stood out in his mind, one such being the matter involving Deran Gerald, who was sentenced to five years in prison for firearm possession.

Delpleche recalled the robust manner in which the trial was conducted.

Attorney Grant Connell represented the defendant.

All in all, according to Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, 2016 was a satisfactory year for the Prosecution at the Serious Offences Court.

www.thevincentian.com

“It was fiercely contested by both sides, and it generated a lot of publicity on social media,’’ he said.

Delpleche also recalled the drama involved.

He noted that the incident occurred at South Rivers during the 2016 carnival celebrations, and when the police apprehended the defendant, persons on the scene “stoned” the police transport, and some even prostrated themselves in front and behind the police transport to prevent it from moving. “The vehicle had to take a back route to get out of the area”, Delpleche quipped.

The Prosecutor commended Constable 208 Salvan Browne who led the party of Rapid Response Unit (RRU) officers to carry out the operation.

“Kudos to P.C Browne for the cool, calm and professional manner in which he led his men, preventing the situation

EC$1.50

from getting out of hand.

“Many nights I sit and ponder what could have happened during that incident. Had it not been for the professionalism of P.C. Browne, police officers as well as civilians could have been seriously injured.”

The Preliminary Inquiry which stands out most for the Senior Prosecutor, was the one in which Trinidadian Junior Gomez, 26, and Gabriel Hutchins, 41, of Bequia, were committed to stand trial at the High Court for possession of 10,892 grams of cocaine with intent to supply, possession for the purpose of drug trafficking, conspiracy for the purpose of drug trafficking and importation of the drug.

(More on Page 5) Continued on Page 3.

SVG COUNTS 38TH HOMICIDE FOR 2016 speculating whether or not this number would THE NUMBER OF increase.

HOMICIDES for the year Neptune died as a result moved to 38, surpassing of a single bullet to the the then record of 36 head, police sources recorded in 2014, following indicated. the shooting death of 34Police also stated that year-old Kamari Neptune the incident occurred of Campden Park. sometime before 6:00am And with one day to go Thursday, December 29, as before the New Year, Neptune was making his Vincentians are way to a parked vehicle, in

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Kamari Neptune – shot and killed. an area in Redemption Sharpes.

Continued on Page 3.

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2. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Community

Trinity SMS and AMSA make Christmas donations

IN THIS, THE SEASON of giving, the Trinity chapters the Society of Medicine and Surgery (SMS), and the American Medical Students Association (AMSA), continued to make their mark in bringing joy and Christmas cheer to children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Presentations of cash and gifts were made at the school on Monday, 12th December, by representatives of the organizations, in the presence of Dean Adkinson and Dr. Frances Jack.

The Society of Medicine and Surgery, represented by Public

Relations Director Caleb Ackermann, made a monetary donation to the members of the Kourageous Kidz Foundation, a charitable organization whose main focus makes the welfare of children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a priority. The group of volunteers is guided by a commitment to inspire, empower, nurture and protect the vulnerable children in the country.

PR Director Ackermann intimated the value to medical students giving back to their community.

“It is a really valuable thing for medical students to do because

CaMSA president Sonia Staystazin (centre) with (from left) Social Workers Karen Johnson and Kevan Glasgow, Trinity’s Dean Dr. Linda Adkinson and Associate Dean of Admissions Dr. Frances Jack-Edwards.

from — donations from organizations such as Trinity SMS and thrift the practice is about sales which we engaging in the conduct,” she community,” he stated. She explained, “Many students want to engage outlined that with the community, but the money will do not have a structured go towards the children way to do so. I think that SMS gives us a way, registered under the Foundation not only to have fun and to make the playing dodge ball, but extra effort to also to raise money for donate supplies charity.” of food to their Executive Volunteer families also.

Ms. Kimalla Cambridge This gesture lauded Trinity SMS for of selflessness SMS Public Relations Director Caleb Ackermann (centre) its donation, stating that was also shown hands over cheque to a mameber of the Kourageous Kidz it has been consistent and the Foundation was by the Canadian Foundation. Executive Volunteer Ms. Kimalla Cambridge is pictured second from right. extremely grateful. “We Medical Students are definitely elated one child’s need,” he President, Sonia about this because this is Association (CaMSA), purposed, “we try to Staystazin, who handed represented by their where our funds come over a number of barrels assist the other children in the home in order to of gifts to two Social Workers from the Milton create a better Cato Memorial Hospital, environment.”

Dean Adkinson Ms. Karen Johnson and Mr. Kevan Glasgow. “We expressed her thoughts and opinions on the tried to, at least, triple necessity of such the amount of children activities to future we are catering for this doctors. “It’s exactly year,” President Sonia what we want a disclosed, “We wrapped physician to be: to be over ninety gifts this able to talk to their year.” patients, to identify at Social worker Karen some level with them.

Johnson was simply They have to understand happy for the gesture. what the community “Trinity has come forward, and I am happy needs, who the leaders they could share and give are and how the back.” She said that fifty community works. They also have to know how children at the hospital they, interact within that were earmarked to framework,” she receive gifts, along with affirmed. She was clear other members of the to state that if the families to which the students do not become children belong. Social good, caring physicians, worker Kevan Glasgow they will not have very explained that during many patients. Trinity the assessment of the School of Medicine single patient done by continues to encourage the Social Work its students into Department, consideration is given to available avenues for excellent community other family members.

“Instead of meeting that interaction.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 3.

News 3 Langley Park man charged with murder Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

WENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Antonio Simon of Langley Park, Georgetown, will appear at the Serious Offences Court on January 4, 2017, charged with the murder of fellow villager Vancito Balcombe, 40.

Simon was not required to plea to the charge, when he made a brief appearance last Friday, December 23, at the Kingstown Antonio Simon – charged with the murder Magistrate’s Court, as the Serious Offences of Vancito Balcolmbe.

Court was on vacation.

Magistrate Bertie Pompey then adjourned the matter to January 4 and transferred it to the Serious Offences Court.

Balcombe, a farmer, died after receiving several stab wounds to the upper part of his body during an incident at Langley Park on the evening of Wednesday, December 21.

He was the father of three..

Vancito ‘Cito’ Balcombe succumbed to several stab wounds about his body.

Man fined for escaping custody A BIABOU MAN was, Wednesday, fined $500.00 forthwith or six months in prison for escaping lawful custody at the Biabou Police Station.

Magistrate Bertie Pompey handed down the penalty at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, after Moneesh Davis pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was unrepresented.

The Court heard that on December 22, Davis was taken to the Biabou Police Station and charged on two counts of assault, causing bodily harm.

While in custody,

around 1:55pm on December 26, Davis asked to use the washroom and was allowed so to do.

He was accompanied by a police officer who closed the washroom’s door behind Davis, and took up guard outside.

However, Davis made good his escape through a window at the back of the washroom.

When the police officer did not hear any sound coming from the washroom, he went inside to investigate, and discovered that Davis was missing.

The officer reported the matter, a search was mounted, and Davis was subsequently apprehended.

Bail on the assault charges, to which Davis pleaded not guilty, will be considered when/if he pays the fine.

Escaping lawful custody carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

Moneesh Davis under police guard as he makes his way to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

SVG counts 38th homicide for 2016 Continued from Page 1.

The assailant(s) opened fire on the vehicle.

Neptune, reports said, attempted to flee but was shot and killed, his body falling off the elevated roadway and lodging against a small brick building.

The deceased was arrested and charged earlier this year for having

in his possession three rounds of .380 ammunition, three rounds of 9mm ammunition and six rounds of .38 ammunition without a license.

Meanwhile residents of Redemption Sharpes which, in the past, has had its issues with respect to crime, and was at one point declared a ‘Crime Hot Spot’ by the Royal SVG Police Force. are now

saying that the rest of the country is going to conclude, on the heels of Neptune’s shooting, that the community has again become a ‘violent area’.

“They go say Sharpes ‘hot up’ again,” one resident on the scene said.

The matter is under investigation.

Mother pleads guilty to stabbing son LAVERN ‘FISH’ PRINCE, a 56-year-old woman of Lowmans Bay, who stabbed her son, Kish Prince, 38, to the left side of his chest, at Lowmans Bay, last Tuesday, will have to wait a while to know her fate.

Prince pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding her son, when she appeared before Magistrate Bertie Pompey at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. She was Lavern ‘Fish’ Prince unrepresented. hid her face from Prosecutor Station photographers as she Sergeant Elgin Richards left the Court last asked that the defendant Tuesday. be remanded, pending a report from a doctor on the victim’s condition, before sentencing.

Magistrate Pompey remanded the woman until Tuesday, January 3, by which time the report is expected to be available.

Up to press time Wednesday, her son was still a patient at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that the incident stemmed from an argument between the two, over a matter involving a key to the residence mother and son apparently shared.

Minor claims being raped by five UP TO PRESS TIME Wednesday, police were investigating a report of rape involving a 14-year-old secondary school girl.

THE VINCENTIAN was reliably informed that the girl reported to the police that on Christmas Eve night (December 24) five men took her from the bus stop at the Peace Memorial Hall, Richmond Hill, to the Grammar School playing field, and raped her.

The men are said to between the ages of 19 and 24.

The incident is reported to have occurred around 9 p.m.

“Good year for prosecution,” the operation says Delpleche executed with precision,” the Continued from Front Page.

In this matter, Delpleche cited the work done by Head of the Narcotics Unit - Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Foster Scott.

“He (Scott) did not just stay in his office and send his men out. He went into the fields himself. And he didn’t rush the operation.

He knew exactly what he was looking for, and he

Prosecutor explained.

He added that the legal arguments on both sides were robust, but the prosecution prevailed.

Attorney Grant Connell represented Hutchins, while Gomez was represented by Israel Bruce.

At the conclusion of that P.I, ASP Scott shook the Senior Prosecutor’s hand and thanked him for a job well done.

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4. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

More get gifted by Digicel Last Friday, December 23rd, saw the total number of Vincentians increasing to twenty (20) all winning shopping sprees for the 2016 Christmas season, compliments Digicel SVG. The latest and final batch of weekly winners in the Digicel Get Gifted

campaign are: Kate Thomas of Union Island, Romancia Robertson of Twenty Hill, Magdalin Daniel of Fairhall, Alge Lewis of Calder and Shenelle Duncan of Bequia.

The five lucky Digicel customers were randomly selected and

named winners after topping up $15 dollars and texting the serial number found at the back of their scratch cards to the short code 1130. The fourth and final group of weekly winners were all granted a 2 minute shopping spree at Bonadie #2,

amounting to over EC $2,000.00.

The very elated Digicel customers, some of whom are not new to winning big with Digicel, said the telecommunications company’s commitment to rewarding and giving back to its customers is among the key reasons why they have remained a part of the Digicel family for so many years.

The winners added that they could not have asked for a better Christmas gift, but to be allowed to carry out their Christmas shopping totally free of cost to them.

Digicel’s Marketing

Manager- Danielle Cupid congratulated all the winners, adding that Digicel stayed true to its 2016 Christmas themeGetGifted. Cupid explained that in addition to the 20 weekly winners who were all granted shopping spree opportunities, thousands of other Vincentians won cash and other prizes valued at over $150,000.00 throughout the life of the Christmas campaign, which was launched on November 25th.

Meanwhile, the marking manager said while a significant portion of the Christmas campaign has come to an

end, customers- both prepaid and postpaid still have an opportunity to win $10,000.00 cash in the text to win component of the promotion. Cupid explained that customers have until December 31st to text “Get Gifted” to 7171 to participate and for their chance to be ranked number 1. She said with the New Year just a few days away, her marketing team is already busy conceptualizing plans to reward and give back to even more Digicel customers and communities across SVG in very significant and tangible ways.

Week Four Winners and Digicel reps. From left to right: Digicel Rep-Jamisha Wright, Alge Lewis, Magdalin Daniel, Rep for Shenelle Duncan, Rep for Romancia Robertson, Digicel Rep Danielle Cupid and winner Kate Thomas.

Digicel Winners with their shopping carts.

Winner - Rep for Romancia Robertson with shopping Cart.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 5.

Regional

Prosecutor blasts police commanders

EVEN AS HE IS SATISFIED with the overall performance of the Prosecution at the Serious Offences Court, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche has taken issue with the Divisional and Branch Commanders of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), for being mainly responsible for the lack of readiness of the files for Trials and

Preliminary Inquiries (PI), at that Court.

Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday that, while the Investigators must take some of the blame, he blames the Divisional and Branch Commanders, comprised of Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents (ASP’s), for their tardiness in supervising the

More Sandals investment in St. Lucia SANDALS Resorts International has announced that it will add a fourth resort to its award-winning list of properties in St Lucia, promising a level of unprecedented luxury on the Eastern Caribbean island.

Groundbreaking for the new resort, to be named Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia and which will be nestled on 19 acres of land next to the existing Sandals Grande St Lucian Resort, is set to begin in the spring of 2017, the Jamaica-based resort chain stated in a news release at the weekend.

“The Sandals brand has enjoyed tremendous success in Saint Lucia since 1993 when it made its first foray there and the newest resort will, by all indications, be a game-changer,” the company added.

The new resort will give Sandals guests in St Lucia the option of ‘staying at one, playing at four’.

It will build on the concept of unparalleled luxury and innovation which has come to be synonymous with Sandals LaSource Grenada. As such, the company explained that Sandals LaSource St Lucia will boast an exotic infinity-edge sky pool bar offering picturesque views of the island’s beautiful north coast, 350 rooms and suites inclusive of the exotic SkyPool Butler Suites and all-butler signature swim-up Rondoval Suites, a first in the chain. The new resort will also feature an electrifying entertainment package to include a main stage with a 20’ high LED screen and a mobile DJ party scene.

“We pride ourselves on continuously raising the bar, and Sandals LaSource St Lucia will completely re-energise the tourism market in St Lucia,” the release quoted Sandals Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart, who is also owner of the “Since making its entry in 1993 into St. Lucia through its Sandals Regency La Toc in 1993, Sandals, in which Jamaican Butch Stewart is a principal shareholder, is reported to have invested millions of dollars in ensuring that its St. Lucia destinations are among the best in the world.

(Source; Jamaica Observer)

The concept of Sandals LaSource Grenada (seen here) will be used for the luxury included resort chain’s new property, Sandals LaSource St Lucia, for which ground will be broken in the spring of 2017.

Investigators so as to ensure that they get the files ready.

“They (commanders) must take the brunt of the blame because they are the supervisors,” he stressed.

The Senior Prosecutor said that the failure to have case files ready in time for prosecution, is one of the major challenges he has faced,

as prosecutor, for the past prosecution to get the several years of his tenure at the Serious Offences Court.

He pointed out that this problem has caused delays in several matters, and many of them, some very serious, had to be thrown out.

Delpleche noted that sometimes it would take up to a year, after charges are laid, for the

files.

“This is totally unacceptable,” he lamented, adding, “Justice delayed is justice denied.

As a prosecutor, one has to be fair. It is not all about getting a prosecution. It is important to secure a prosecution where necessary, but the most important thing is to see that justice is done.”

Delpleche has made several appeals, over the years, during court sittings, as well as during interviews with THE VINCENTIAN, for case files to be ready on time; but these calls seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

He sought the use of this opportunity to reiterate his call for case files to be ready on time for prosecution.

V Garifuna group endorses Blake for top US Democratic Party post 6. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT THE BRONX, New York-based Garifuna Political Action Committee (Garifuna PAC), a nonpartisan organization that provides opportunities for Garifuna and Communities of Color to participate in the American political process, has endorsed Jamaican-American New York State Assembly Member Michael Blake for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) vice-chair.

“Garifuna issues are New York’s issues, and we stand ready to work as full partners with all segments of the Bronx’s society to address our current ordeals and fulfill the promise of a bright future,” the group said. “Assemblyman Blake has worked directly with our community to help bridge the divide between our community and the local government administration.

That is why we are proud to

endorse him for DNC ViceChair.”

Blake, who was born in the Bronx to Jamaican immigrants, announced his candidacy last week, focusing on the party’s need to identify, train and help candidates win local elections and embrace the party’s diversity.

He is the representative for the 79th District in New York State, representing parts of Concourse Village, Morrisania, Melrose, Belmont, Claremont and East Tremont in the Bronx.

Under the theme of “Leadership for Tomorrow,” Blake laid out plans to “Build the Bench, Strengthen the Party, and Embrace the Future.”

Blake, a two-time campaign aide to US President Barack Obama, served as a White House Associate Director for Outreach to state and local elected officials, the AfricanAmerican community, and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.

In 2012, he served as the National Deputy Director of Operation Vote, the constituency vote effort for the campaign that helped win nine out of 10 battleground states. Blake is also a national co-chair for New Leaders Council, which trains millennials across the country to run and win campaigns.

Since his election to the New York Assembly, Garifuna PAC said Blake has proven to be a “friend and supporter” of the Bronx Garifuna Community, sponsoring an event to celebrate the contributions of the Garifuna-American community to the city and state of New York, cosponsoring a bill to include the History of the Garifuna People in New York State Education Law, and moderating an event that brought together young men of color, police officers and community leaders to “discuss healing community relations.”

Michael Blake served as a campaign aide to US President Barack Obama.

Left: Jose Francisco Avila, Treasurer of Garifuna PAC, emphasized the importance of Garifuna participation in the American political process.

The Garifuna are an ethnic group of mixed ancestry, descendants of Carib, Arawak and African people from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Garifuna live along the Caribbean Coast in Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A seafaring people, the Garifuna arrived in the United States as merchant marines during World War II, according to Garifuna PAC. New York City is currently home to the largest Garifuna population outside of Central America with an estimated 200,000 living in the South Bronx, Brownsville and East New York in Brooklyn, and Harlem in Manhattan.

Garifuna PAC said that, according to New York State Election Law, a Political Action Committee (PAC) means “a political committee, which makes no expenditures to aid or take part in the election or defeat of

a candidate or to promote the success or defeat of a ballot proposal, other than in the form of contributions, including in-kind contributions to candidates, candidate’s authorized committees, party committees, constituted committees, or independent expenditure committees provided there is no common operational control between the political action committee and the independent expenditure committee; or in the form of communications that are not distributed to a general public audience.”

Jose Francisco Avila, treasurer of Garifuna PAC, said that “the importance of participation in the American political process becomes very evident when we consider the results of the recent Presidential Election and the uncertainty of federal public policy legislation, which will have side effects reflected at the state and city level.”

He said Garifuna PAC is organized for the purpose of raising money to elect and defeat candidates. It will vet and endorse candidates.

When choosing to make a contribution to a candidate, Avila said the PAC will consider the candidates’ views on issues that impact the working class, low-income communities and the “shrinking” middle class.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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

Editorial Congrats- Learning from your success IT’S THAT TIME when we at THE VINCENTIAN Publishing Company join our sister company, METROCINT GENERAL INSURANCE CO. LTD., i.e.

Metrocint, as it celebrates another year of achievement.

Tomorrow, Saturday 31st December, will mark the 48th year since the company was founded by Edgerton ‘Uncle Metro’ Richards. It will mark the day when, from humble surroundings in Paul’s Avenue, and amidst doubt and even ill-will, that the first truly indigenous insurance company opened its doors to business in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

That the company has stayed the path through times of calm and turbulence, is enough to declare, ‘Congratulations on a job well done,’ and allow that to speak for itself.

But that would be remiss of the spirit of the Company. For there are two fundamental constituents of this success that must not go unnoticed.

The Staff No amount of words will suffice the enormous weight of deserving thanks that must be showered on the years of service and commitment of the staff of Metrocint.

The fact that there has been longevity of tenures at the Company, speaks not only to the accommodating conditions of the company, but equally to the dedication and loyalty of the staff, which, we are certain, are cherished by Owners/ Directors/Management of the Company.

It would not be incorrect to say that the success of Metrocint lies squarely on the efficiency and the consistency exhibited by the staff through the years.

The high quality service as well as the contributions staff have made beyond the normal requirements of job descriptions, tell of the makings of a family, a cohesion bound together by fair play and equality across the board.

In short, it would be safe to say that founding father ‘Uncle Metrocint’ put immense value on staff satisfaction, knowing that this was a fundamental requirement for success.

The present Owners/Directors/ Management have continued in like vein, and have guided the company, enabled to do so by the dedicated hands of their staff, along a path of continued service to Vincentians of all walks of life.

The Clients Then there are the clients — those who have found it and those who continue to find it convenient and affordable to transact business with Metrocint.

That there have been clients who

have stayed the path with Metrocint from its outset, bears undisputable evidence that there is something ‘good and pleasing, about the company; something honest and fair that encourages a relationship that goes beyond the mere exchange of dollars and receipts.

While the portfolio is wide and varied, two classes of vehicle owners stand out as the epitome of loyalty.

Taxi and mini bus owners/operators have found it amenable to align themselves with the company.

They, like hundreds of similar mind, are confident, as demonstrated by their repeat business, that Metrocint ‘has got you covered’.

Today, Friday, the Company, as it has done annually, holds for its valued clients, an Open Day — a Day of Appreciation for its valued clients and well-wishers.

The lessons And as we look back over fortyeight years of toil in the vineyard of a highly competitive insurance industry, there has got to be some lessons that we all can learn from that experience.

There must, for example, have been a consistent and clear communication of the vision and goals of the company, in a way that they have become easily absorbed by staff and clients alike, and accepted as their own.

Without a clear sense of goals, it would have been easy for everyone management, staff and client - to lose sight of the bigger picture and get lost in the details, resulting in failure of the effort. Lack of clarity of goals and purpose can be passed down to clients, which results in misinterpreted even misguided objectives and service.

Forty-eight years tell that this is not so with Metrocint.

But there must also have been an equally weighted flip side to communicating the vision and goals.

There must have been an equal amount of time accorded to listening.

In the case of Metrocint, not only listening to management, but staff listening to clients so as to establish the best and fairest details for them.

And then there is the mother of all lessons. Forty-eight years must have resulted in strong relationships.

After all, people - clients and customers as well as employees - are any company’s greatest resource.

Metrocint’s success must be predicated on the fact that it found ways to strengthen the level of trust it has with everyone involved in the enterprise.

And as we extend congratulations to our sister company, we urge, as we would urge all private and public endeavours, to remain considerate, transparent and consistent in your undertakings.

Au Revoir Arnhim and wife ARNHIM AND JENNIFER EUSTACE have left this country to celebrate the Christmas- New Year holidays with his only sister - Merle and only son Ajane, in New York.

A holiday abroad was never more deserved of a man who was harried, targeted, and abused for all of the sixteen years during which he expended all his time, energy, knowledge and expertise in rebuilding the Opposition NDP to being a real force to replace the governing ULP, and give SVG a fair chance of re-establishing the rule of law and reinstating a viable two party system which was being undermined.

Arnhim failed in that, although he personally won his constituency of East Kingstown Five in a Row, (a stellar performance among Vincentians leaders that included Mac Intosh, Joshua, Cato, Mitchell and Gonsalves), he failed to win Government, though he came within one seat twice, 2010 and 2015, in four attempts. The election result of the latter year is still to be confirmed by the court after a full year.

Justice delayed is Justice Denied. Still, we must congratulate Dr. Gonsalves, so far, in the context which was once described by Patrick Hughes “The white peasant scoring over the black aristocrat.”

In spite of all, I rest assured that Arnhim helped create the Dream Team which was shattered in a nightmare of electoral fraudulence.

Try as he might, Arnhim could not get past especially three state officials, in order, the DPP, the Speaker Hendrick Alexander and Blazer Williams. There is, too, a suspect Judiciary who desires a quiet life in a turbulent period, and so tends to follow the lines of weakest resistance, as perceived by it. In any event, in this world of ringaround, you have to “come back to Papa!”

Throughout the past 15 years, the Government

ruled as if there were no opposition, which had only decorative value to satisfy the norms of democracy. It was only seen, but not heard, most significantly their bill for Integrity Legislation which Vincent Beache had guaranteed an easy passage 15 years ago!

For 15 years, the ULP directed their barbs at Arnhim, repeating that he was a born failure as a leader, so that his presence assured their continuous victories, which they always hankered after!

So, Arnhim has at length called it a day, leaving the party in fighting form, ready to take over the governance of a country. I will liken Arnhim as the Moses who led his people through all suffering to the sight of a brighter future, but had to leave it to Joshua to complete the journey and to take his people to the New Jerusalem. “Oh what a world is this when what is comely envenoms him that bears it” I personally knew Arnhim from childhood. He grew up in Edinboro, played cricket with the boys, swam in the sea and mixed with everybody, as George Howard’s clan would tell you.

This early mixing led him to empathise with people. Three incidents bear witness. He resigned from his job as Permanent Secretary when the Minister of Trade refused to press claims against a hotel for refusing to pay their turn-over tax, but insisted that small vendors comply.

And when he was without job and limed about town, his best friends were Mc Connie Yammie and Roache. .

I think I could add that as a “big boy” at the CDB he went out of the way to give audience, without notice, to one Richard Cox, who ended up with a Scholarship that put him on the high road to Academe.

Arnhim had breezed through our public service, ending as a Permanent

Secretary at age 32. He had become President of the Union which took on the government of the day, particularly through Touli, the Union’s mouth-piece.

The last was Arnhim’s introduction to political literature, graduating to “Flambeau” and the “Forum”, to which he sent articles of an economic nature.

Which reminds me that Arnhim is a qualified economist. Not so Gonsalves, whose BSc degree, like my own, is a misnomer. Matthew Thomas, when he parted company with Eustace, recommended Ralph’s highpowered knowledge of economics, and when his mind became disabused, it was too late to recant, most people still think that academically Ralph’s doctorate is in economics, which it is certainly not.

Incidentally, Jennifer Eustace was roughly treated by Ralph’s Government, which had her dismissed from VINLEC on charges they could not substantiate, and paid her off. It also put her off all politics, although it is well known that the women of East Saint George wished that she enter politics.

Even her daughter Maia will not enter, as indeed Zhinga Horne, John Horne’s daughter. It seems that Ralph has scored one success, that of creating a hell on earth for decent, well-meaning N.D.Pites, particularly female relatives of his rival politicians.

So, Arnhim and family must relax, with some relief that they have paved the way for others. Meanwhile, enjoy Ajane’s hospitality, bearing in mind that he is my God-son and was born on my birthday.

On your return, you will be refreshed, and can serve as an elder statesman, in an advisory position to the NDP, in Opposition or preferably in Government.

All the best to you and yours.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 9.

Letters

The music of our Christmas I HAVE NO regret saying what I am going to say.

It is one thing to ‘talk’ about and promote something we call our culture. It is another thing when those who do so don’t recognise that the thing they are promoting as ‘our culture’ is not reflective of the country or people as a whole.

Take what we have today as Christmas music.

It is all well and good to say that we are unearthing our talent with the proliferation of Christmas Songs composed and sung by local artistes, in a genre that I understand is known as soca-parang.

The truth is that this new wave is just that — a new wave that caters to a generation — the younger generation and the children in particular.

And it is the children, the impressionable ones whose minds are yet to be formed, about whom I am concerned.

If what these children think Christmas means — or what it should mean, is formed or influenced by what they hear, we are short-changing them, doing them more damage than good, if what they hear is nothing but this soca-parang.

Where have all the Christmas carols gone?

Where are the songs that tell the true meaning of Christmas gone?

We no longer pay homage and tribute to the Christ child at Christmas. Instead, we pay homage to the some god of commercialism and even politics, but pay little heed to the true meaning of Christmas.

If we are to continue on this soca-parang path, we are heading further and further away from what the true spirit of Christmas truly is.

Play the soca-parang yes, but also find adequate time and space on/in our radio programming to air those tried and tested carols and songs about the true meaning of Christmas.

From an older Generation

Lime and Flow no difference IN RESPONSE to the letter carried in your December 16th edition, ‘Something good is happening with Flow’, I felt the need to come forward as a customer who routinely got ripped off at both Lime and its successor Flow. Nothing good is going on with Flow for this customer.

Anyone who knows me, computes that my financial situation is dismal. When I do have money to put $5 or $10 on my ‘cell’, I maximize the time it affords. Lime/Flow rips me off in 2 ways. I call my brother in Florida — the ring tone is going, I glance down at the screen momentarily, to see that although the call has not been activated, time indicating otherwise is going in the red highlighted numeric digital read out. I hang up. Two minutes have passed, and I am billed $2.00 of my precious $5 for a call I did not make, and there is nothing I can do about it over and over again.

Mr. Harrison, I know you quite well, but don’t go jumping on the complimentary bandwagon because you had one good experience. Twist the several negatives you endured.

Twist me, as long as there is an intrinsic Vincentian presence at any company in St. Vincent (check weekly news edition, of the new millennium) — you will find theft, corruption, fraudulent practice…… need I mention them?

Mr. Harrison, I understand getting a glimmer of good news in the sea of mediocrity and service that is shoddy, and as a Canadian national, you feel like rigging the flog and hosting a parade.

I lived in your country, Canada, for six months, and had only one negative experience in the context of public service.

Thank you, editor for letting me have my say, and I mention last, the aggressive negative attitude of security at the new Flow towards me until asserted that I know how to use pen and paper.

Colin King - Journalist

That ‘ganja’ debate WELL, WELL, WELL, Bro Editor, you have done it again.

I see wherein you have not only chosen to raise the ‘ganja’ issue again, but that you have managed to get a most informative response from a brother I know very well - Bro Conley Rose, who shared some sharp but informative insights into this whole ‘ganja debate’, which, as you said, all of a sudden, we have gone silent on — including chief spokesman Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

I found Bro Rose’s response to your editorial, one of the more intelligent responses on the issue, and am glad to see that he is still contributing to the debate on national issues.

And as I read Bro Rose’s piece, I could not help but conclude that we in the Caribbean are stuck in a pile of mud as far as the ganja issue is concern.

However, I must say very quickly that that relates

to all the Caribbean islands except Jamaica.

It is, as you say, Mr. Editor, Jamaica gone way ahead, and we might just find it hard to catch up.

Imagine, for the first time in twenty years, the UN General Assembly special session, this year, addressed the global drug policy. And guess who addressed that session?

Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.

The lady told the Assembly, and for the whole world to hear, that her country had amended their Dangerous Drugs Act last year, to allow possession of less than two ounces of cannabis instead of making it a felony offense, to legalize the sacramental use of marijuana by Rastafarians, and to establish the framework for the medical, scientific and therapeutic uses of the herb.

So while we waiting on

this big time report from the so called CARICOM Commission on Marijuana, one of the CARICOM members done gone way ahead and dealing head on with the issue. All of Jamaica knows what ganja means to the country, and they are not wasting time getting on the train that will mean that they earn the most out of the herb which they have grown for generations.

But what are we doing?

I recall the days when we in SVG depended on the herb from Jamaica . Now, as I understand things, we have developed our own varieties of ganja, and growing it with great success.

What are we waiting on? Is it, as you, Mr. Editor and Bro Rose hint, that certain people waiting to set themselves up to gain the most before they move to follow Jamaica’s example?

I tell you! The more

HERE’S A CHRISTMAS quip in keeping with your issue of last week — Dec. 23.

Three former prime ministers of Caribbean islands died on Christmas Eve. Apparently they had behaved themselves while on earth, so when they died, they headed for the pearly gates, where they were met by St. Peter.

“Welcome Sirs,” said Peter, “there is just one more test you have to do and pass before you can get past me and through the pearly gates. Seeing that you three decided to die on Christmas Eve, in honour of this holy season,

you must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven.”

The first prime minister, under the strain of years of trying to please all his people all the time, fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on.

“It represents a candle,” he said to St. Perter.

“You may pass through the pearly gates,” Saint Peter said.

The second prime minister, a lean but spritely man who seemed to have defied the aging process, quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook

them and said, “They’re bells.”

Saint Peter said, “You may pass through the pearly gates.”

The third prime minister, the Don Juan among the three, who may have made recompense in his waning years, searching desperately through his pockets, sometimes trying to poke two hands into the same

things change, the more they remain the same.

Gnaja is the little man’s thing. It is they who suffered through the years, but still made vital contributions to the SVG economy and to the advancements of many politicians back home.

The little man must not be left out of what can be gained by decriminalising and eventually legalising ganja.

This is a longer piece than usual, but it reflects the passion that I have for the issue. Keep up the good work.

Garnet, NY

Entering Heaven at Christmas

Christmas time A season that brings a cheer, Smiles to everyone’s face, Family members, Gather to remember our Lord, Who was born, To sing songs, Pray, A time to share the peace and goodwill to others, Rich or poor, To give a helping hand where it’s needed, And to comfort those who have lost the ones they loved, For this season, I pray for nothing more than peace, And for everyone to love each other like brothers and sisters, For the time, We share shouldn’t be for Christmas alone, But everyone who loves the Lord, To bring us closer to his grace and love!

Merry Christmas one and all and God bless us all!

Yanic Sayers

pocket at the same time, eventually pulled out a pair of women’s glasses.

St. Peter looked at the man with raised eyebrows and asked in a stern voice, “And just what do those symbolize?”

The man replied, “They’re Carol’s.”

Who the cap fits ………

Anon.

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10. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Finding your true purpose A 2017 New Year Message from the Thusia Seventh Day Adventist Church WE BRING you greetings of grace and peace from YHWH God through His only begotten son Jesus Christ.

Everything in this world has purpose, and we see it in the ways different aspects of creation function.

Yet many persons today never answer the question “What is my purpose?”

They plunge into pleasure seeking, careers and such like, seeking purpose. Not finding it therein, they experience emptiness, boredom, depression and frustration. Even the youth, as they grow older, find that the things in which they delighted in childhood and youth, are all vanity.

Those who live to grow older have regrets, realizing they need something deeper and more meaningful; they need to find their true purpose. The Bible admonishes about the importance of purpose in living, by showing that you will be judged for how you live. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 tell us, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.”

What therefore is the true purpose of humanity? God created man and gave him purpose, and this is the first key point you must realize. Purpose is a spiritual or religious matter. No secular profession or occupation can truly give meaning and purpose to your existence. Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 reveal, “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Our humanity can only survive when we keep God’s commandments because failure to do so results in inhumane behaviour from mankind. It is your duty to keep God’s law; your purpose to obey his commandments because

He will judge everything on your day of reckoning.

Furthermore, God shows in Romans 13:8-10 that you owe our fellowmen love; love which works no ill to its neighbour, and love which fulfils the law. Yes, there is no purpose so great as a person denying themselves, dedicating themselves to glorifying God in which they love their fellowmen. If you fulfil this purpose, you will not hate and destroy each other. You will love; benefitting each other in your relation one with another, lawfully respecting each other’s rights and freedoms. This loving relation from one to the other will in turn inspire the other to love others, all through God dwelling in your hearts, giving you this purpose.

In this regard, true purpose and meaning is found in love to others.

Finally, the religiosity of purpose is seen in Isaiah 43:10-12. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD/YHWH, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.11 I, even I, am the LORD/YHWH; and beside me there is no saviour.12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD/YHWH, that I am God.” God wants you to know that He is God alone. This is your purpose; to know, believe and understand that YHWH is God alone and that there is no God and Saviour with him. Sin started when creation began to exalt itself as god with God. The angel Lucifer said in heaven “I will be like the Most High.”-Isaiah 14:12-14 and he told Eve n earth, “…in the day ye eat thereof, ye shall be as God knowing good and evil”-Genesis 3:1-5.

Thus, loss of purpose came when mankind began to exalt creation to the status of Godhood. Anything you deny God to have, be it money, a woman, man, career etc., you are giving it Godhood status, and you will find that you are still dissatisfied in the end because your purpose is not there.

Cont’d on page 16

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 11.

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Decorate your New Year Can believers harbour doubts?

“Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu (6th Century BC), Chinese Philosopher.

WE NORMALLY THINK of decorating an object … but not a year. Can we beautify our New Year? And if so, how do I proceed to enhance my New Year?

As we stand on the entrance to a new year, this is as good a time as any to engage in some introspection. We can proceed by reflecting on our successes, as well as those areas where we have failed. We could examine our strengths, skills, competencies, as well as those areas where improvements are still possible — new mountains to climb, new rivers to cross, new lessons to learn, new courses to pursue, new skills to acquire, and so on. The self analysis should aid us in moving forward with greater energy and commitment as we seek to maximize the opportunities that will emerge during this New Year. We can gain a new sense of discernment, and secure new courage to face the threats and challenges ahead.

Let us consider 2017 to be like a blank sheet of canvas given to the artist. She is asked to paint the year.

Several choices readily emerge. She must consider whether she will select to embrace the challenge to paint in the abstract with lines, shapes and colours that may have very special meaning to her, but may appear to be so unrelated and useless to others. However, she may opt to paint a portrait, an object, or a landscape. This would be more easily understood by the onlooker and, in some cases, more readily appreciated. She has the gift of choice. She chooses the shapes. She chooses the colours. She is in control.

We can take this same analogy of the painter, and impose those thoughts on the tasks for the decorator who is required to beautify the year. We soon begin a brand new year. It was never here before, and it will never come again. How will we spend the time?

How will we decorate the year? Let us visualise the decorations afforded us, bearing in mind that the list is not exhaustive. We can decorate the year with acts that portray our gratitude, our thankfulness. We could place streamers of kindness, compassion, and empathy in our year. There will also be opportunities that will emerge for us to decorate our year by providing a listening ear to someone who is seeking to cope with some degree of trauma and disappointment; someone that we may normally ignore … never noticing the burden that they carry; never pausing long enough to realise that by merely providing a listening ear, we can help to lighten their load. We have so many opportunities to beautify our year with style and glamour; by focusing on the good within us, and how these can be used to reflect and/or unearth the good in others. Sometimes we need to gaze long enough at those persons that we previously labelled as “bad” or “worthless” or “evil” to appreciate that there is good even among the worst of us — if we would only look for them. So this year, let us listen with new ears.

Let us look with new eyes. Let us see beneath and beyond the surface, and behold the good and the great that reside in each of us and in others.

Decorations of selflessness go a long way in brightening up the lives of others. As we do so, we discover that we automatically brighten up our own lives. Acts of courtesy and kindness ignite feelings of value and appreciation in the recipients, the observers, and the

presenter.

Imagine the positive feelings that emanate when we pause to say “Good day” or “Thank you” to the person who is cleaning the sidewalk or the drain in our neighbourhood. Consider the improved self-worth that is generated when we show appreciation to that stranger who keeps the door open for us to pass through. Think about the positive impact created when we correct the youth whose foul language we overhear, or the child whose slow walk en route to school speeds up when we impress upon them the value of being punctual and regular. Imagine how we help to encourage the market vendor whose sales are so very slow that she is depressed, thinking of returning home at the end of the day without having generated a single sale … until you stopped to purchase an item that you really do not need (and share a smile while doing so). Little acts of kindness can go such a long way in decorating the lives of others. And in doing so, we beautify that little corner of our lives too. We feel good, knowing that we have helped to lift someone’s spirits and made the world a little better place.

Many of the examples used in today’s essay remind us that little things can be the big things; little acts of courtesy and kindness can brighten someone’s life and lighten their load. So what will we do with the decorations that we have?

Whose life can we brighten with our adornments? Who will brighten our lives with their decorations? Life is a mixture of giving and getting. There are also many among us who can testify that it seems as though the more they give with clean intentions, the more they seem to have. This year, let us make a more concerted effort to bless others with some of what we have been blessed with. Many examples abound of persons who have embraced the habit of giving, and see their blessings multiplied many times over. Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey are two names that readily come to mind. They give millions of dollars to charitable foundations around the world. But we have local philanthropists too that bless so many with their giving; individuals and firms that give to very needy and worthwhile causes. No bells are rung, no whistles blown, no newspaper or television reporters invited — giving because they care and want to give back to the communities that enabled her businesses to flourish.

While the preceding paragraph has captured the philanthropic activities of business persons, we should not assume that we have to be in a flourishing business to be able to decorate another’s life — to give to others. Each of us, in our own little way, has opportunities to show acts of kindness and to engage in heart-warming giving. We can each contribute to the Salvation Army’s school feeding programme. Every little donation helps. Hundreds of children (who would otherwise struggle to get a daily hot meal) are nourished by their school feeding programme. We fuel the education possibilities and we energize their progress from poverty when we decorate our lives and theirs through our giving.

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

WHAT DOES IT MEAN to be a Christian believer? Can one be a Christian believer and yet doubt the virgin birth or the Resurrection?

Q. I deeply admire Jesus and his message, but am also skeptical of themes that have been integral to Christianity – the virgin birth, the Resurrection, the miracles etc. Since this is the Christmas season, let’s start with the virgin birth. Is that an essential belief?

A. If something is truly integral to a body of thought, you can’t remove it without destabilizing the whole thing. A religion can’t be whatever we desire it to be. There have to be some boundaries for dissent, or you couldn’t have a cohesive, integrated organization.

Q. But the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life, like the Gospel of Mark and Paul’s letter to the Galatians, don’t even mention the virgin birth. And the reference in Luke to the virgin birth, was written in a different kind of Greek and was probably added later. So isn’t there room for skepticism?

A. If it were simply a legend that could be dismissed, it would damage the fabric of the Christian message. The Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’ birth demonstrates that the power behind the whole universe was not just an impersonal cosmic principle, but a real person who could be known and loved.

John’s gospel led to a new emphasis on the importance of the individual person, and on love as the supreme virtue, because Jesus was not just a great human being, but the pre-existing Creator God, miraculously come to earth as a human being.

Q. And the Resurrection? Must it really be taken literally?

Q. Jesus’ teaching was not the main point of his mission. He came to save people through his death for sin and his resurrection. If the Resurrection is a genuine reality, it explains why Jesus can say that the poor and the meek will “inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). St. Paul said without a real resurrection, Christianity is useless (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Q. The Scriptures indicate that the Resurrection wasn’t so clear-cut. Mary Magdalene didn’t initially recognize the risen Jesus, nor did some disciples, and the gospels are fuzzy about Jesus’ literal presence – especially Mark, the first gospel to be written. So, if you take these passages as meaning that Jesus literally rose from the dead, why the fuzziness?

A. I wouldn’t characterize the New Testament descriptions of the risen Jesus as fuzzy. They are very concrete in their details. Yes, Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus at first, but then she does. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24) also don’t recognize Jesus at first. If you were making up a story about the Resurrection, would you have imagined that Jesus was altered enough to not be identified immediately but not so much that he couldn’t be recognized after a few moments? As for Mark’s gospel, yes, it ends very abruptly without getting to the Resurrection; but most scholars believe that the last part of the book or scroll was lost to us.

Skeptics should consider another surprising aspect of these accounts.

Mary Magdalene is named as the first eyewitness of the risen Christ, and other women are mentioned as the earliest eyewitnesses in the other gospels, too. This was a time in which the testimony of women was not admissible evidence in courts because of their low social status. The early pagan critics of Christianity latched on to this and dismissed the Resurrection as the

word of “hysterical females.” If the gospel writers were inventing these narratives, they would never have put women in them. So they didn’t invent them.

The Christian Church is pretty much inexplicable if we don’t believe in a physical resurrection. It is difficult to come up with any historically plausible alternate explanation for the birth of the Christian movement. It is hard to account for thousands of Jews virtually overnight worshiping a human being as divine when everything about their religion and culture conditioned them to believe that was not only impossible, but deeply heretical. The best explanation for the change was that many hundreds of them had actually seen Jesus with their own eyes.

Q. So where does that leave people like me? Am I a Christian? A Jesus follower? A secular Christian? Can I be a Christian while doubting the Resurrection?

A. I wouldn’t draw any conclusion about an individual without talking to him or her at length. But, in general, if you don’t accept the Resurrection or other foundational beliefs as defined by the Apostles’ Creed, I’d say you are on the outside of the boundary.

Q. People sometimes say that the answer is faith. I’ve found skepticism useful. If I hear something that sounds superstitious’, I want eyewitnesses and evidence. That’s the attitude we take toward Islam and Hinduism and Taoism, so why suspend skepticism in our own faith tradition?

A. I agree. We should require evidence and good reasoning, and we should not write off other religions as ‘superstitious’ and then fail to question our more familiar Jewish or Christian faith tradition.

But I don’t want to contrast faith with skepticism so sharply that they are seen to be opposites. They aren’t. I think we all base our lives on both reason and faith. For example, my faith is to some degree based on reasoning that the existence of God makes the most sense of what we see in nature, history and experience. The thoroughly materialistic view of nature can’t account for human consciousness, cognition and moral values. That’s part of the reasoning behind my faith. So my faith is based on logic and argument.

However, no one can demonstrably prove the primary things human beings base their lives on, the existence of God or the importance of human rights and equality. Therefore, much of what we believe required a leap of faith to hold to them.

I don’t see why faith should be seen as inconsistent with science. There is nothing illogical about miracles if a Creator God exists. If a God exists who is big enough to create the universe in all its complexity and vastness, why should a mere miracle be such a mental stretch? To prove that miracles could not happen, you would have to know beyond a doubt that God does not exist.

But that is not something anyone can prove.

Science must always assume that an effect has a repeatable, natural cause.

Imagine, then, for the sake of argument, that a miracle actually occurred. Science would have no way to confirm a nonrepeatable, supernatural cause.

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

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12. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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Call for a billion-dollar investment in education in 2017 and beyond MR IVAN O’NEAL, BSC (Hons) MSc, MBA, is making a strong call for an annual billiondollar investment in education, beginning in 2017. Free, high-quality education, from preschool to university, for all, regardless of the economic status of a child’s family, is needed in SVG immediately, if we are to lift our people out of poverty.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), education is crucial to poverty eradication. No country has succeeded if it has not educated its people. Not only is education important in reducing poverty, it is also the path to wealth creation.

Education can lift a poor child out of poverty, for life.

The Leader of SVG Green Party, Mr Ivan O’Neal, says that SVG can acquire about 2 billion dollars a year in revenue, by taking back our fish licence from Taiwan, and setting up our own tuna fishing and canning industry. We could then invest 1 billion dollars a year in providing our children with world-class, high-quality education, from preschool to university, free of charge.

Mr Ivan O’Neal has a very strong passion for high-quality education, and knows that if our children get a good education, then they will have opportunities for high paying jobs all their life.

All of Mr Ivan O’Neal’s children went to university; his youngest child is a doctor.

Of his seven grandchildren, the oldest four have been to university: Natasha, 27, graduating with a Masters in Engineering from Cambridge University, England; Emma, 27, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from Nottingham University, England; Yasmin, 25, graduating with a BA (Hons) in English from Bristol University, England; and Jessica, 21, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Economics from Nottingham University, England.

With a university degree, the opportunities for employment are immense. SVG’s children could get highly-paid jobs throughout the world, if we provide them with good education through our own SVG university. Generational poverty can be eliminated if a child gets a university degree, as children of graduate parents are more likely to become graduates themselves.

It is no surprise then, that the richest and more industrial countries in the world have highly educated populations. They place a great emphasis on university education. In Finland, for example, 80 percent of women are enrolled at a higher education institution. Finnish women also make up over 60 percent of all university graduates and postgraduates in the country.

Since independence, successive governments in SVG have failed the children of our country.

Generational poverty has plagued our country for all 37 years of independence, causing misery and subjecting a large part of our population to suffer in squalor.

We have the resources to implement a billiondollar investment a year in high-quality education throughout SVG. We must use the fish money and build a world-class, high-quality education system, from pre-school to university, for all our children.

UNESCO calls for poor countries to educate their people. US President Barack Obama’s advice to CARICOM leaders in April 2015 was to educate their people, because ‘if they had a highly-educated workforce they will attract a lot of foreign investment’.

We must heed that advice and invest a billion dollars a year in education, so that our children are university educated. Our children deserve prosperity and a high standard of living.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2016. 13.

14. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

V ECCB mourns loss of Honourable Sir K. Dwight Venner

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 15.

Tribute

THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN Central Bank (ECCB) family deeply mourns the sudden passing of the Honourable Sir K Dwight Venner, the second and longest serving Governor of the ECCB. On behalf of the Chairman of the ECCB Monetary Council, Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne, and all members of Council, Board of Directors, management and staff (past and present) and retirees, we extend our deepest condolences and gratitude to Lady Lynda, his dear wife; his children; his brother, John (our colleague); his relatives and many friends. May the God of all comfort, comfort them at this exceptionally difficult time.

Sir Dwight’s passing comes less than eight weeks before the Monetary Council, in recognition of his immense contribution, had planned to honour him at a special ceremony at the

ECCB Headquarters in St Kitts and Nevis. At that time, one of the buildings was to be named in his honour. It may be recalled that one of Sir Dwight’s many accomplishments was initiating and overseeing the construction and equipping of the current ECCB Headquarters.

Governor Antoine said, “I have personally conveyed our grief and gratitude to Lady Lynda. Sir Dwight was a visionary, a regionalist, and a public servant par excellence. He had a deep and abiding love for the people of the Caribbean. He truly believed that we are our best selves and secure our best development outcomes when we come together and take collective action.

“He dedicated his life to our region, and his wife and family made enormous sacrifices to support his labour of love over many, many years.

Tribute to Sir K. Dwight Venner THE PASSING of Sir K. Dwight Venner, the recently retired Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), has left a void that may not easily be filled by any single individual. This is the enormity of the Region’s loss. He was a visionary, always fully engaged, and with a tremendous capacity to work around the clock whenever he thought it necessary.

In the mid 1990s when the news broke on a Sunday afternoon of an imminent crisis in London involving a financial institution with which the ECCB had relations, his immediate reaction was to summon critical staff to the Bank for a 2:30 a.m. confab prior to the opening of markets in London, given the time difference between the two jurisdictions.

Sir Dwight succeeded the ECCB’s first Governor Sir Cecil Jacobs in December 1989 and immediately started to build on the early foundations that had been laid. He arrived at a time when the initial plans were already in train for the construction of new headquarters for the Bank. However, Sir

Dwight succeeded with the approval of the Monetary Council in restructuring the plans, with the future very much in mind. During his tenure, he lifted the Institution to a higher level where it commanded peer respect throughout the CARICOM Region and internationally. Indeed, when the European Union was planning the establishment of the European Central Bank, an official from the French Treasury, who was based in that Country’s Embassy in Mexico, visited the ECCB headquarters in St Kitts for discussions and to learn from the experience gained by an existing Multi-state Central Bank.

The vision of Sir Dwight led him to restructure the Organization, laying the foundation for the establishment of institutions (The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange and the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank) and Instruments to operate in an OECSwide financial market.

He was particularly pleased that the Securities Exchange operated from the most

technologically advanced platform in the CARICOM Region. He forged close relations with the sister Institution, The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States for the purpose of deepening the integration process for which he was very passionate. In the mid nineties he began to urge the OECS Indigenous banks towards a policy of consolidation as he saw that the time was fast approaching when small stand alone institutions could no longer survive in a fast changing and highly competitive world environment.

Nevertheless, he held the view that there was a need for strongly capitalized Community type institutions to serve the region side by side with the International banks. It would be most fitting if, as part of Sir Dwight’s legacy, our region could fully embrace this policy which he fought so hard to bring to fruition.

Sincerest Condolences from my family to the entire Venner family. He has served our Region well. May his soul now rest in peace.

Sir Errol Allen

Those of us on whom the mantle now rests have a duty of care to continue his exceptional service.

“Sir Dwight had a dream for the development of our region, and he regarded the ECCB as a veritable vehicle to pursue our common destiny as small states and territories.

“I again express our appreciation for his colossal contribution to the development of our region.

“Our region owes him a huge debt of gratitude.”

During Sir Dwight’s tenure as Governor, the ECCB grew in stature and service. He led many reforms.

The banking and financial system expanded and remained stable throughout various financial crises.

Above all, the EC dollar remained strong.

Sir Dwight wrote extensively on the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, development of the Caribbean and central banking. He was the architect of affiliate institutions such as the

Sir K. Dwight Venner Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange, the most modern in the Caribbean, and the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank. He was an avid sports fan especially cricket and football. At the ECCB, he led and actively participated in sports.

Sir Dwight demitted office on 1 December 2015 after 26 years as Governor. Following his retirement, he continued to serve as Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange and the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank. He was recently reappointed as the Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange, and chaired a meeting of the Board earlier this week.

An illustrious Caribbean son has passed on, but the legacy of Sir Dwight lives on. May his soul rest in peace.

Press Statement on passing of Sir Dwight THE EAST CARIBBEAN Holding Company Limited (ECFH) and all its subsidiaries, including Bank of Saint Lucia Limited (BOSL) and Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Limited (BOSVG), mourn the passing of Sir Dwight Venner, former Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).

Sir Dwight served as a stalwart of the financial services sector in Saint Lucia in his earlier days, followed by his over 25

years as the Governor of the ECCB. Over the decades Sir Dwight’s contribution to the sector was tremendous, inclusive of extensive writings and publications. His passion for regional and subregional integration was strong and demonstrated through his contributions to institutions such as Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), University of the West Indies and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

As part of the indigenous banks in OECS, ECFH, BOSL and BOSVG worked closely with Sir Dwight over the years, and always respected his wisdom and guidance. In his honour flags will be flown at half-mast.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff, ECFH extends sincere condolences to Mrs. Venner and the rest of the family. May he rest in peace.

V Flow Lend wins award 16. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

News

FLOW HAS BEEN KEEPING its prepaid mobile customers connected with its cashless mobile top-up app, Flow Lend, which advanced more than US$1Million in less than six months in mobile credit – and, in partnership with JUVO, won the Mondato Innovation Award for Digital Finance and Commerce (DFC) earlier this month.

James McElvanna, VP

Products, Cable and Wireless, operator of Flow said, “We are proud to have partnered with JUVO to develop an app that addresses the needs of our customers, which in this case is anytime, anywhere access. Since many of our prepaid customers don’t use credit cards, and usually rely on in-store cash top ups, Flow Lend gives them the assurance that they can

always stay connected, even when they are out of cash and can’t make it to a top-up station.”

C&W is a true partner Steve Polsky, Founder and CEO of JUVO said, “C&W is a true partner and we are thrilled to be working with their team to offer Flow customers real time access to credit to help them stay

connected. Receiving the Mondato Innovation Award, along with the high volume of credit advances issued via Flow Lend, reaffirms the real need for this solution — and we’re excited to provide the Identity Scoring technology that powers it.”

All prepaid mobile customers who top up regularly are eligible for credit advance from James McElvanna, VP Flow Lend. The app Products, Cable and tracks the frequency of Wireless. top ups and other usage patterns to determine amount must be repaid which customers have within 30 days via any met the requirements for regular Flow top up an advance. Once method. By consistently approved, customers can paying back on time, they use Flow Lend to request can gradually borrow instant, interest-free more and never have to credit when they’re worry about running out running low. The loan

Steve Polsky, Founder and CEO of JUVO. of credit.

Flow Lend is available in all Flow’s mobile markets across the region for both Android and iOS smartphones.

which is to love Him and to love your fellowmen in sinfree living. May you From page 10 find this true purpose and meaning for your life today before it is too late.

True purpose is to know the one true A purpose-filled new year 2017 to all!

God YHWH and to glorify Him as God Thusia Seventh Day Adventist Church alone, by keeping his commandments www.thusiasdaevangel.com

Finding your true purpose

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 17.

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20. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

All is not lost

Drumming Headache

news from home and he could not stay Dear George, to chat with me. I suspected that someone had called my wife, telling I AM IN A tailspin right now, and my her I was on my way home. I went mind is in a daze. I did not expect my inside the house, to find my wife in loving wife of ten years to do me what the shower. In her haste to tidy up, she did.

I have been swearing for her, much she forgot to remove the condom from the bedside. to the amazement of some of my The next day, I called my friend friends who kept telling me I was back to the house and handed him the naive. Little did I know one of those condom in front of my wife. I have friends was having an affair with since moved out from the house, and her.

The whole thing was exposed when will be filing for a divorce soon.

I am not saying I won’t get involved I got home early from work, to find again, but there is one thing for sure: this friend leaving the house in a hurry. He told me he got some urgent I will never swear for another woman.

For you to have a meaningful relationship with anyone, there has to be an element of trust. In time, you will learn to trust again.

Give yourself time to recover from this experience, and there is no harm in getting some supportive counselling while you are at it.

Do not punish yourself for fully trusting your wife to be faithful. You are not at fault for her slip-up. Take all the time you need to get past this one, and give yourself a fair chance to love again.

Dear Drumming headache,

George

Clean the slate Dear George, I JUST GOT NEWS that my boyfriend is in one of the Grenadines Island instead of being in Barbados, where he was supposed to be, according to him, attending a course. He left some two weeks ago.

I understand he is in that Grenadine Island with somebody from his office. I have one thing to say to him, which is, I hope his ticket to wherever he is, is a ONE WAY ticket. Men!

Hurt and now single Dear Hurt,

Big belly – like it or hate it!

Dear George, IN THE FIVE YEARS of our marriage, my husband has put on over 90 pounds. He now weighs 240 pounds, and he is only five feet tall. His stomach is as big as a pregnant buffalo, and no matter how I talk and make suggestions — e.g. exercise - he is not interested in losing weight.

I was made to find out that a young woman whom he is seeing, is the one who loves to see him with a big belly, so she could rub. She told me that herself when I had a run-in with her. My husband has to choose: either he continues to get his belly rubbed (i.e. she) or make an effort to lose some weight (i.e. me).

It’s bad enough he is messing around with this young woman, but I can’t stand it when he wants to throw all his body weight on me in bed. I will not put up with that anymore.

I’m sorry.

Plain and straight It is anyone’s guess why your boyfriend would want to go through all of this, to have time away from you with someone else. He should be instead directing his efforts to spending time with you, and in building the relationship.

You need someone who wants to be with you, not away from you. Good for you for finding out about his movements. He has made it easy for you so go ahead and wipe your slate clean.

Please, do not blame “men” for what one man - your man has done.

George

Dear Plain and straight, It’s a shame your husband has chosen to compromise his health for a mere sideshow. He has to see the need to lose the weight in the interest of his own health and for the sake of the marriage.

It is he, and only he, who has to decide whether he wants to take the risk of losing you to someone, who is likely to move on after she has had her bellyful of fun.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21‐ April 20) Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. You will feel better about yourself and you may also meet potential lovers. Unexpected bills may set you back. You're likely to encounter new partners if you take short trips.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 ‐Oct. 23) Losses are likely if you have left your financial affairs in other people's hands.

Be tolerant, but don't let anyone take you for granted. Don't count on correspondence to clear up major problems. Emotional deception is evident.

TAURUS (Apr. 21‐ May 21) Insincere gestures of friendliness may be misleading. Be cautious while traveling to foreign countries. Your boss may be pushy. Your mate will be pushing you to do things that you really don't want to do.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 ‐ Nov. 22) Short trips will prove to be more fruitful than you imagined. Social events will be plentiful. Take time to relax. Stress and pressure at home may have worn you ragged. Try to keep an open mind.

GEMINI (May 22‐June 21) Don't bend to the pressure. You should not get involved in joint ventures. Keep the promises you've made or you can expect to be in the doghouse. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul‐searching.

CANCER (June 22‐July 22) It is time to clear your decks. You can open up to your mate and let them know what you expect out of this relationship. Involvement in groups will be favorable and lead to valuable information. Business trips might prove unproductive.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 ‐Dec. 21) Make plans to mix business with pleasure. Dinner with clients or business associates should be successful. Spending too much time talking to friends or relatives could easily turn into a debate that could lead to estrangement.

Communication will be your strong point and you should be able to persuade others to see things your way. Your own small business on the side could ease your financial stress.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.‐ Jan. 20) Try not to overspend on luxury items. You can make changes that will enhance your appearance. You need to get involved in groups that offer physical activities. Hard work will not go unnoticed.

LEO (July 23‐Aug 22) Don't count on getting any help from those you live with. Deception regarding joint finances or investments will cause upsets between family members. You will accomplish the most in the work environment this week. Focus on your domestic scene. Get together with friends or relatives.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.‐ Feb. 19) You may think gifts will win their heart, but it could add stress from lack of funds.

You can certainly gain popularity; however, don't do it by paying for everyone else. You can have an enjoyable time if you socialize with friends. Positive connections can be made if you get involved in environmental organizations.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 ‐Sept. 23) Before you proceed be sure to talk your plans over with those they will affect. Do not get involved in joint financial ventures. If you put your energy into physical outlets you will avoid confrontations. You will not impress others by being foolishly generous.

PISCES (Feb. 20‐Mar. 20) You need to get down to basics with regard to yourself. You may have the day off but your thoughts will be on your work and your cash situation. You would be best to work late in order to avoid such disharmony. Bring work home if it will help you get caught up.

ACROSS

42. Mah‐jongg seat 1.Sphere 43. Milky gem 4. Legendary 45. Provisions of stories a contract 9. Overwhelm 49. Actor Erwin 12. Architect 51. Canadian I.M. __ flag leaf 13. Be 54. Native of 14. Altar vow (suffix) (2 wds.)

55. Gives 15. Scared one’s approval shout 56. German city 16. Pavarotti, for 57. Basis of one heredity 17. Poor grade (abbr.)

18. Cary Grant 58. Ballerina’s had one __ 20. Mayberry’s shoes Barney 59. Started aside mouth (hyph.)

10. Poetic work 22. Not Reps. or suddenly 11. Job’s lot Inds.

60. ID digits 19. Drug‐regulat‐ 25. Alcoholic ing org. strength DOWN and __ To 21.

28. Faith, hope, 23. Immodest and __ 1.petroleum skirt 31. Andy Taylor’s cartel (abbr.) boy 2. Highland fling 24. Boulder 26. Greases 32. Common 3. Bicycle article 4. Hunting dogs 27. Opposite of masc.

33. Hair net 5. Lumberjack’s 28. Voucher 35. Slippery __ tool 36. Boxing match 6. Martini liquor 29. Chicken coop 30. “Star Wars” site 7. __ today creature 38. Cleveland’s (now, 2 wds.) ball club 8. Kind of mine 32. Three (Ital.)

40. Vermont’s 9. Like a dental 34. Expand 37. Space Allen patient’s

39. Had a bite 41. Christens 44. Cowboy LaRue 46. Disposes 47. Alps, e.g. (abbr.)

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 21.

48. Actor Penn 49. Drunkard 50. Boxing win (abbr.)

52. 23rd Greek letter 53. Grant’s foe

22. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 23.

Ian Allen set for new Windwards challenge Crafton, who is the Volcanoes’ present team manager, is tipped to take over from Allen.

Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, Allen said, “Coaching will always be part of me, and I will always be open to any opportunity; but I am excited to take up another challenge at this time… I have been Ian Allen offered the post of the Territorial AFTER TEN YEARS as Development Officer senior coach of the (TDO) for the Windward Windward Islands cricket Islands, which I have team and lately the accepted, and will begin Windwards Volcanoes in January....I am franchise, Vincentian Ian looking forward to the Allen is set to take up challenge which will another appointment with allow me to make further the Windward Islands contribution towards the Cricket Board of Control development of (WICBC).

Windwards Cricket.”

Allen’s current Looking back on his contract ends stint over the years, 31st December, and was Allen believed that he not renewed, but will see has impacted positively him re-assigned to a in some ways on the different post. development of several St Lucian Alton players.

“...I believe I would have assisted a number of players, especially those who would have gone on to represent the West Indies teams (senior and A teams), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and other franchises around the world…I think I have facilitated and assisted the players to the best of my ability and knowledge, and my satisfaction came whenever the team and players do well...

“When I took over the coaching job, we were basically called the Cindarellas of West Indies cricket, but we have gained recognition from all the teams and have become one of the most competitive teams in the region,” Allen added.

Allen, who, and Dominican Lockhart Sebastian, formed a long standing coach- manager partnership, have together been ridiculed for the Windwards’ sporadic success, whilst

the two have been in charge.

“Winning championships is important, but my other objectives were making sure players develop as cricketers and as persons, and I think I have achieved such...

During my time, the team won the 50 Overs and also got to the playoffs on a number of occasions… also at the Caribbean T/20 and Four Day format…I would have liked to have won the Four-day title which was the ultimate, but we were consistent in the top three for a couple years back and, on few occasions, finished in the number two position,” Allen reasoned.

“I want to thank the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) and the Windwards Volcanoes franchise for giving me the opportunity to serve as coach of the team over the years, (and for) the professional advice and assistance from the

Ollivierre not relenting TRACK AND FIELD COACH - Michael Ollivierre, has deemed Team Athletics SVG’s silence on his inquiries regarding the holding of the long overdue general meeting as “disrespectful”, to the local athletics fraternity.

Ollivierre, over the past weeks, has sent a series of emails addressed to Team Athletics SVG’s general secretary — Tyrone James, requesting confirmation of the general meeting, as listed in the organisation’s calendar for 2016.

The calendar shows 9th December as the date allocated for the general meeting.

Ollivierre’s first inquiry to James, dated 29th November, read, “I am asking you kindly to issue a release regarding the apparent cancellation

of the scheduled annual event”.

A follow-up email by Ollivierre to James, 30th November, asked, “Can you now address the inquiry about the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING scheduled for 9th December?”

On 9th December, Ollivierre, on behalf of the IT- DAT Academy, of which he is founder and head coach, indicated to James in another e-mail , “Mr James, I note that you did not have the common courtesy to respond to my inquiry about the General Meeting…The scheduled date has passed and still there is no information, no apology issued ...It is over a decade since there has been a General Meeting and I think it is time that respect is shown to Athletes, Coaches and the Public…I am asking you

kindly to issue a release regarding the apparent cancellation of the scheduled annual event”.

Ollivierre also stressed, “This year has been a very poor one for Team Athletics as far as Development, Events and Administration are concerned, and there seems to be an obvious reluctance to meet with the stakeholders”.

Then on 18th December, Ollivierre again used the medium of email, “Still awaiting word from TASVG concerning the Annual General Meeting that was scheduled for Dec 9th.The Gen Sec was not even courteous enough to advise members about the status of the years’ overdue General meeting”.

Ollivierre further told THE VINCENTIAN that, while he is the one in the forefront of requesting a

Michael Ollivierre general meeting, other clubs and coaches hold the same view.

Ollivierre said that the actions of Team Athletics are a slap in the faces to all concerned and recalled that James, in releasing the calendar for 2016, stated: “TASVG will inform of any changes to this programme”.

Not relenting on his call, Ollivierre said that it is for good governance practices that Team Athletics SVG holds such a meeting.

board members of the WICBC and directors of the franchise”, Allen concluded.

The 51-year-old Allen is a former St Vincent and the Grenadines, Windwards and West Indies fast bowler.

He has played 46 first

class matches, 29 One day matches and two Test matches.

Other than coaching the Windwards and the Windwards Volcanoes franchise, Allen was selected as coach of the West Indies A team to a tour of Sri Lanka in 2005.

Taj Ballantyne to embark on US tennis scholarship ONE OF THIS COUNTRY ‘S Under18 tennis players, Taj Ballantyne, will, in a few days, leave these shores for the USA, where he will be enrolled at the St Benedict College, South Carolina.

Ballantyne’s pursuit to the US institution was procured through a tennis scholarship, which would facilitate Taj Ballantyne a study programme with focus on Economics.

Ballantyne’s ranking, 1296 among the Under18s in the world, according to the International Tennis Federation’s table, aided him in being accepted.

Additionally, Ballantyne had already completed one year and a semester at the SVG Community College.

“Apart from my ITF rankings, and having played in Under-18 tournaments in Tobago, St Lucia , Barbados and here in St Vincent (and the Grenadines) , I also sent videos of me playing, and that too helped me in getting the scholarship... I also want to thank one of my coaches - Samantha (Goodluck) for helping me with this scholarship as well,” Ballantyne said.

Ballantyne revealed that his liking for the sport of tennis came against grains of family traditions, as his father — Junior ‘Midge’ Ballantyne, is a former national footballer and a former junior SVG table tennis player.

Also, Taj’s paternal uncles and aunts have all represented St Vincent and the Grenadines in Netball, Table Tennis, Football and Track and Field.

“I got into the sport because I liked it, and my parents (Junior and Terri) supported me all the way, and to them I am grateful.” Ballantyne stated. “ I will also like to thank my other coachesOnike Spann, Kebajah King, Tony Boyea and Peter Nanton, who all helped me along the way,” Ballantyne acknowledged.

Now set on a mission to make the best of the tennis scholarship, while unlocking doors for others, Ballantyne revealed that getting a scholarship was always his ambition.

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24. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Conflict resolution THIS IS THE TIME when resolutions are made. Some plans will be rigidly maintained, but for others, drawing up the list forms part of a ritual that is abandoned in different stages of the year. The Israeli/Palestinian matter continues to be one of the hidden items on the world’s agenda.

For the Palestinians, taking part in worldly sporting events becomes secondary in the wake of the daily battle for survival.

The land grab and expansion operated by the Israelis with tacit and open approval from the most influential parts of the world, suggest an imbalance that some sectors of humanity are finding difficult to interpret.

There is a subtle indication of blasting the Palestinians into oblivion, or to subject them to such a prolonged assault of humiliation that they have lost or forgotten how it feels to be treated as normal human beings.

That’s the irony that the world remains hypnotised to the extent of the degradation forced upon a people. For the Israelis, it is a case of once bitten, twice shy. They have lessons of the holocaust deeply etched in their minds.

They have adopted this pre-emptive approach that they will never be exposed to any form of abuse. If a people are to be displaced, uprooted, and subjugated as to ensure one’s security, that is what they will continue to do. They have carried their acts of aggression and destruction with the rest of the world in full international glare, but with the leaders in complicity. The Arab world seems incapable of mustering a cohesive front to resist the avalanche of Israeli dehumanisation.

Everyone seems willing to compromise or sell out their principles for a “how much more,” or for that matter concerned about one’s own business.

For some, it does not matter how the cradle rocks, as long as the wind is not blowing in their direction. The wind can change in any moment, as it is wont.

Then in keeping with the trend or realisation of what transpires, the wind changes its direction.

Such occurrences are natural and, like it has been stated, climate change is a factor with untold consequences.

Many factors contribute to the changes in the weather conditions. Houses built in the riverbed have little chances of survival if one day floods takes your residence away.

A house carved out on the hillside with heavy soil removal, will lead to continuous erosion if steps are not taken to ensure adequate drainage and conservation techniques are entrenched.

Humans have to maintain a balance of nature which entails that the full circle of human existence be guaranteed. Lessons about conflict resolution have become part of the classroom routine. More this trend increases given the prevalence of outbursts triggered today which have become seemingly embraced.

Certain aspects of order appear to be a pattern of past experiences. It is not that one must be part of the technological era. Things have a way of ironing out themselves.

Many can have many ways pf trying to solve a problem. Whatever solutions we arrive at, only the answer. Our duty is to stick to the script as close as possible.

In that regard, we will always be assured that the dosage applied to any ailments that we are faced with is sealed in majestic approval.

SVG stages inaugural Nine Mornings Road Tennis Blast THE FOUR winners of the first ever Capita Financial Nine Mornings Road Tennis Blast were decided last Friday morning at the Calliaqua hard court.

Taking the top male prize was Terrence Prescott, who made light work of Imani King, 21-8, 21-9, in the final.

Prescott, a Barbadian by birth but who qualified to be part of the tournament by virtue of having a Vincentian spouse, had the better of Senior male Wally Mc Kie in the semiMaudlyn Blunt (left) and Samantha Lynch winnerfinals, beating him 21-12, 21- at it in the senior female final.

9, while Imani King Terrence beat Nimron Daniel 21-14, 15-21, triumphing 21-15, 19-21, 24-22, in Prescott. an entertaining semifinal.

Blunt 21-19. is Barbadian — born, and the son demonstration Prescott received US $ 1000 sessions at the and a trophy, while King pocketed of the women’s champion.

Michael, likewise, had to fight Byera Hill hard $ 500. Mc Kie and Daniel each earned US $100 as the two losing hard to resist Denzil Bascombe in court and the Clive their square off for a place in the Tannis hard court semi- finalists.

In the women’s final, Maudlyn final, eventually coming away the in Bequia. winner 21- 18, 22-20 Blunt trumped over Samantha Seventy-two players in all Lynch 22-20, 21-13, to earn participated in the tournament, herself a trophy and US $ 600, played from 16th to with Lynch getting $300.

23rd December.

Blunt, Vincentian — Preliminary matches were born, formerly of Chateaubelair, held at the Layou hard court, but who has been living in Barbados for the past eight years, the Kingstown Netball Centre, the South Rivers hard stopped Roxanne Williams in court and the Calliaqua hard straight sets, 21-10, 21-14, when court. the two met in the semi-finals.

The latter venue also hosted Lynch’s berth to the final came the quarter finals and semi-final after she inflicted a 21-11, 21-12 phases. beating on Melissa Bellingy in The Tournament was staged the other semi- finals.

Like the male bracket, the two as a collaborative effort between the Professional Road Under-18 female winner- Alexi who lost at the semi-finals were Tennis Association (PRTA) of Humphrey (right) gets her rewards recipients of US$100each for Barbados and the Ministry of their efforts. from Mark “ Venom” Griffith.

The Under-18 male and female Tourism, Sports and Culture here and, according to the organizers, titles were claimed by Paulson Mack and Alexi Humphrey, more such tournaments are on the respectively. agenda.

Facing Augustus Michael in the Speaking at the presentation final, Mack came away champion, ceremony last Friday morning at 21-10, 23-21, while Humphrey the Calliaqua hard court, CEO of overcame her Tennis doubles the PRTA — Dale Clarke partner- Anastacia White, 21-13, promised, “ We kept saying 21-8. inaugural because we gonna be The two champions got tablets back next year , much bigger and and trophies as their earnings, better.” with the losing Taking a positive outlook of the semi-finalists tournament, Clarke envisaged, set to receive Senior female Dale Clarke – “We want in the next three to five championprizes as well.

CEO of the years that we have people coming Mack, before Maudlyn Blunt.

Professional from Trinidad (and Tobago), meeting Road Tennis Grenada, St Lucia , Martinique, Michael, had to Association of A primary everyone converging here in St withstand the Barbados. schools’ Vincent and the Grenadines, for tide of Adjah tournament and having a coach the SVG Road Tennis Blast.”

Blunt from Barbados to work with eventually Apart from staging the personnel here, are the immediate tournament, the visiting team plans of the PRTA, as they aim to from Barbados, which included Paulson Mack – root the sport in St Vincent and Mark ‘Venom’ Griffith, one of Under-18 male the Grenadines.

Barbados’ top players, staged champion.

Vincentian footballer gets US look in VINCENTIAN footballer Vasbert Ledger will be looking to make an impact for future references, now that he has been signed with US Cajun Soccer Club for the 20162017 season in the Gulf Course Premier League.

Ledger, 21, joins the Lafayette outfit after travelling to the USA with aspirations to further his education and continue to develop as a football player.

Ledger, who made his international debut for St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2014, was

part of the St Vincent and the Grenadines’ team in its sojourn in the CONCACAF Zone of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, and was a member of SVG’s Under-23 Olympics team which reached the Caribbean Football Union’s semifinals last year.

More recently, Ledger was a member of System 3 win in the 2016 premier division of National Club Championships, staged by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation.

The young man, who hails from

Barrouallie, has helped the Barraouallie Secondary School to national school titles, as well as Barrouallie league teams at national agegroup and senior Vasbert Ledger competitions.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 25.

26. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016. 27.

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RUTH CHARLES Layou S.D. Adventist Church Wednesday 28th December, 2016 2:00 p.m.

RITA MILLICENT ALLICOTT 6W -RKQ¶V &KXUFK Belair Thursday 22nd December, 2016 3:00 p.m.

MIRIAM FLORENCE ALEXANDER Petit Bordel Evangelical Church Friday 23rd December, 2016 2:00 p.m.

OCTAVIA ROBERTHA JOHN

EUELLA EURINA TRIMINGHAM

Aka Athalie John Arnos Vale Methodist Church Wednesday 21st December, 2016 2:00 p.m.

Bethel Gospel Assembly Church North Union Tuesday 20th December, 2016 2:00 p.m.

F O R S A L E

FRIDAY,

DECEMBER 30, 2016

VOLUME 110, No.52

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www.thevincentian.com

Roxanne Saxon Joseph (sitting extreme right) with other honorees at awards ceremony.

EC$1.50

the precinct.

“I am the liaison for the precinct and the West Indian Community,” added Saxon Joseph, one of five Vincentian female police officers in the 35,000-strong NYPD, “What I do is ….try to bridge the gap between the police and the community.”

She said policing runs in her blood, stating that her aunt, Ilene Maloney — who retired last year as a supervisor in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after 35 years in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force [RSVGPF]— inspired her. Saxon Joseph’s uncle, Winston Maloney, is currently a corporal in the RSVGPF. From 4, Saxon Joseph said she was raised by her grandmother, Cecilia Saxon, in Union island, and migrated to New York at 14 from Union Island to join her mother.

She graduated from Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn and went on to New York City Technical College, where she completed studies in the human services.

After graduating from the NYPD Academy, she was assigned to the 67th Precinct’s Impact Unit. She was also assigned to patrol the streets of East Flatbush, and was a member of the 67 Precinct’s Conditions Unit and the Community Policing Unit.

Her recent honour adds to a list of accolades that include: the 2015 Police Officer of the Year Award; the Woman of Distinction Award; Congressional Recognition from US Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke; New York State and City citations; Distinguished Service Awards; and Civil Service Awards, “plus an array of community citations, awards and certificates.”

VINCENTIAN NYPD DETECTIVE HONOURED distinguished it as a event. “I was really honored diverse place of great for being there. opportunity for hard“Considering the current working people from temperature between the everywhere,” said police and the community A VINCENTIAN-BORN detective with the Jennifer Goodstein, nationwide, it was an honor New York City Police Department (NYPD) publisher of Caribbean to be there, because it’s very has been honoured with the Impact Life and its parent rare for police officers, Award by the leading Caribbean-themed company, Community especially a Black publication in the United States.

News Group (CNG) Caribbean woman, to be Det. Roxanne Saxon Joseph, 36, of Publishing, in her honored,” added the Clifton, Union Is., received the award introductory remarks. daughter of the late cultural Thursday 17th December, at a gala Goodstein said the figure Eustace “Slum” ceremony, hosted by the Brooklyn, honorees are Maloney, of Richland Park.

New York-based Caribbean Life “ambassadors of change, “It’s definitely an honor for newspaper, at Paradise Catering Hall ranging in age, me.” on Avenue U in Brooklyn. experience, and Saxon Joseph — who is Joseph, a Community Affairs Officer representing myriad married for 15 years to in the 67th Police Precinct in East Caribbean countries, but Grenadian Rory Joseph (the Flatbush, Brooklyn, was among 25 they are equally worthy couple has two children) other Caribbean-born or Caribbean of praise as our 2016 said she has been a NYPD Americans to be honoured at the over- Impact Awards Det. Roxanne Saxon officer for 12 years and has four-hour-long ceremony. honorees.” been working in the Joseph poses with Another Vincentian, Rawlston While the background Community Affairs unit at award after honour Williams, of Questelles, a chef, who of most of the honorees — ceremony. the 67th Police Precinct for owns the Food Sermon Restaurant in who were also presented seven years. the Crown Heights section of with Certificates of Recognition by She described the 67th Police Brooklyn, was also honored but did not New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio — Precinct as being comprised of 90 show up to receive the award, nor did was diverse, most of them were percent West Indian. he send a representative.

Haitians, Trinidadians and Jamaicans.

“All the Caribbean islands are really “The contributions of “It was really a nice event,” said saturated in East Flatbush,” she said, entrepreneurial Caribbean Americans Det. Saxon Joseph in an exclusive disclosing that she works directly for have helped to improve our city and VINCENTIAN interview after the the police commander, “who’s running Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

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