Vin pages 31 07 14 e reader for website

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines PRINTER SCANNER COPIER FAX Color scan, Fax forward to email, Network scan, PC/Walkup Fax, Copy/Print speed of up to 35ppm, USB 2.0

THURSDAY,

JULY 31, 2014

VOLUME 108, No.31

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Investigations launched into a VINCENTIAN report High Court Judge Rajiv Persad will be recorded as giving the first ruling in an application under the Witness (Special Measures) Act 2013.

Attorney Kay Bacchus Browne contended that there was no good reason for the witnesses to be allowed to give evidence by video link.

court was an affidavit from a member of the DPP’s legal team, but no direct evidence from the witnesses to say they are fearful for their lives.

He pointed out that there was nothing in the affidavit to say that this particular murder case was different from any other, other than the fact that the witnesses were out of this jurisdiction.

He added that there was no material before the court to say that the witnesses were threatened, that anyone has done anything to them, or that there was a change in the

THE HIGH COMMAND of the RSVG Police Force has launched an investigation into a report published on the frontpage of THE VINCENTIAN newspaper of last Friday, July 25.

The report cited a Paul’s Avenue resident, Shanique Sam, as claiming Acting Commissioner of that the police Police Reynold Hadaway ordered her 78confirmed that an year-old grandmother, Beryl investigation is being conducted to establish the Sam, to strip and veracity of the report. squat during a search of their Below: Beryl Sam was Paul’s Avenue home, on suspicion reported as being subjected to a strip-search by the of guns, police. ammunition and illegal drugs, last week Tuesday, July 22.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing into the report.

Acting Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway told THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, that the investigations are being conducted to determine the veracity of the information published in the newspaper. He assured that measures have been taken to ensure that the investigations are being conducted in a very expeditious manner, and disclosed that he has personally asked for reports on the conduct of the execution of the police operation. Those reports are yet to be submitted.

The Acting Commissioner said that the Police High Command cannot condone such actions, as reported in the newspaper, if it actually occurred.

He explained that the High Command has always requested of police conducting any operation, to conduct themselves in a professional manner and with utmost regard for human decency and dignity. He noted that most of the police officers who conduct these operations are seasoned officers, and there is always a senior officer in charge of the operation.

Continued on Page 3.

Continued on Page 3.

Colin John, Assistant DPP, represented the State in this historic hearing.

Sheldon Bain, one of the accused in the matter in which evidence by video link was refused.

The two are listed to be retried for the murder of taxi operator Peter HIGH COURT JUDGE RAJIV Joseph of Lodge Village, PERSAD on Monday whose bullet-riddled refused an application body was discovered in a made by Assistant Director sheep pen at Cane Hall, of Public Prosecutions, November 30, 2004, a Colin John, on behalf of short distance from his the DPP’s office, for live vehicle. video link evidence to be The DPP’s office had given at a murder retrial. applied for the witnesses, The application, filed who reside abroad, to June 17 this year, was give evidence and be the first of its kind to be cross-examined by live made under the Witness video link, as they are (Special Measures) Act fearful for their lives.

2013. It was made in Bain’s attorney, Kay relation to Melissa Lee Bacchus-Browne, and and Ronella Clark, the Jomo Thomas, main witnesses in the representing Woodley, murder case involving resisted the application.

Webster Woodley of Villa Bacchus-Browne and Grenadian national submitted that the Act Sheldon ‘Dutch’ Bain. was not meant to replace Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS

the need for witnesses to appear personally in court; that there must be cogent reasons to allow them to give evidence by video link; and in order to make them eligible, there must be cogent evidence to show that they are fearful. She pointed out that the Act says there must be material change of circumstances to make them eligible. She noted that since the witnesses gave evidence at the first trial, nothing has changed in the circumstances.

In handing down the decision at the Criminal Assizes on Monday, Justice Persad contended that what was before the

2. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 3.

News 3

Report on CARICOM Heads 35th Regular Meeting [Pt. 3] stressed that Dominicans of Haitian descent “deserved the support of the Caribbean Community as they looked to the Community to amplify Editor’s Note: This is the final their unheard voices on the part in our coverage of the abrogation of their human 35th regular Meeting of rights,” and declared, “It CARICOM heads, held in Dominican Republic would not be business as usual Antigua, July 1 – 4, 2014. We in the Community’s trust that readers have been relationship with the The Heads of Government enlightened as per decisions said that they “maintained the Dominican Republic.” our Heads have made on our principled position of the behalf.

Community” on the September Belize-Guatemala issue 2013 ruling on nationality of Reparations On border issues between the Constitutional Court of the Belize and Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and THE REGIONAL HEADS of “reaffirmed that the ruling, Heads of Government Government also adopted a expressed support for the which stripped nationality Regional Strategic and Road Map, signed on January from tens of thousands of Operational Plan for a Caribbean Dominicans, 24 by both countries and by Reparatory Justice Program the Secretary-General of the disproportionately affecting (CRJP), presented by the Organization of American Dominicans of Haitian Regional Reparations States (OAS), José Miguel descent, was abhorrent and Commission, as a basis for discriminatory and, therefore, Insulza, as witness. further action.

The roadmap seeks to unacceptable.”

They agreed to dispatch a The regional leaders took strengthen bilateral relations Draft Notice of Complaint note of Law No. 169-14, which by setting a new date to hold under cover of a letter from successful referendums in both Newly installed Chairman of CARICOM, Gaston Browne, establishes a special regime Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda (left) gets a warm the chair of the Prime countries. for people born on national Ministerial Sub-Committee The leaders called on the embrace of welcome from fellow Head Dr. Denzil Douglas, territory and registered Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.

(PMSC) on Reparations, irregularly in the Dominican international Barbados’ Prime Minister Republic Civil Registry and on community to Freundel Stuart, to the support the Naturalization, which was “relevant European efforts of both promulgated on May 23.

Governments with a request countries and NEWLY INSTALLED But they expressed “knock on problems,” that a conference be held on “disappointment and concern” the OAS in CHAIRMAN of the from disasters, the the issue,” and suggested that with the law, viewing it as “far this endeavor, Monetary Council of the British American Eastern Caribbean Insurance Company the conference be held by the reiterating from satisfactory,” saying, “It Central Bank (ECCB), and Clico debacles, end of 2014 or early in 2015. their support did not go far enough in Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and challenges to The Heads of Government for both addressing the grave human Prime Minister of St. indigenous banks. also agreed to “advance” the right effects of the ruling on countries in As regards the Reparations case during the nationality, as it restored their “abiding Vincent and the Grenadines, has Banks, Dr. sitting of the United Nations nationality to only a very commitment Gonsalves pointed to General Assembly in 2014. limited number of the persons to the Special reiterated one of his preferred statements. problems with nonIn addition, they agreed to affected but left an Agreement.

That is about working performing loans, convene the Second Regional overwhelming majority hard, smart and and “inadequate Conference on Reparations in stateless.” productively. provisioning for September this year “to Heads of Government That repeat call came losses.” last week Friday, July The Vincentian 25, 2014, as he assumed Prime Minister the position from his St. recounted the Lucian colleague, Dr. situation which surfaced at the St. Continued from Frontpage.

In delivering remarks at the closing of Kenny Anthony.

Dr Gonsalves accepted Vincent and the Dr. Ralph Gonsalves the Assizes on Monday, the Assistant the position as an honour Grenadines Building assumed Chairmanship of circumstances since the first trial in DPP told the court, “I would have for the people of St. and Loan which the witnesses had given evidence. preferred it (ruling) to have gone the the EC Monetary Council and Vincent and the Association, and to Justice Persad dismissed the other way, but I accept the court’s immediately cautioned that Grenadines, and he challenges faced by uncertainty still prevailed application and put the retrial for the decision. I can understand the reasons Credit Unions. next sitting of the assizes. for your (Judge) decision and I accept it.” “pledged to take his over the Eastern Caribbean responsibilities seriously, All taken, he economies. but urged that, “Unless projected we work hard, smart and uncertainty and productively, we are not unevenness in the Anthony of St. Lucia, going to progress.” economies of member Grenada’s Dr. Keith He blamed politicians countries, and cautioned Mitchell, Dominica’s for contributing to the that the recovery process Roosevelt Skerrit, and belief among some in the United States and newly elected Prime Continued from person any article for home was part of a police sectors of the population, other developed Minister of Antigua and Frontpage. which a search is being operation in some areas of that they (people) could countries will have a Barbuda Gaston Browne made, such person may be Kingstown, in their get something for slow impact on the were among those in Hadaway referred to searched by a person of stepped-up fight against nothing.

Eastern Caribbean attendance.

Chapter 172 Section 42(3) the same sex and with a gun crimes and illegal The economies are Currency unit.

Montserrat’s Premier of the Criminal Procedure strict regard to decency’. drugs, during which still affected by the Seven heads of states Reuben Meade and Code which states that: According to the several residents of Paul’s impact of the “global within the Monetary Anguilla’s Chief Minister ‘When any person in or newspaper, Shanique Avenue had their economic meltdown since Council attended the Hubert Hughes about any such place is claimed the search turned properties searched, last 2008,” according to Dr. session. Former completed the list. reasonably suspected of up nothing illegal. week Tuesday.

Gonsalves. He pointed to chairman Dr. Kenny

by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT

increase public dialogue and civil society engagement.”

An academic conference will also be held later this year, as a collaborative effort between Caribbean Universities and the University of Essex.

PM Gonsalves calls for hard work

Judge refuses historic application

Investigations launched into a VINCENTIAN report

concealing about his

The search of the Sams

V

4. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Bunpan celebrates 60 years

purported to have a membership that extended to half the population.

Shallow noted, however, that, with the rush of credit unions into

by KENVILLE HORNE This was disclosed by of a minimum of offering savings accounts and death benefits in particular, membership Bunpan President, $20.00, after THE MARRIAQUA UNITED economist Theophilus which a period of showed some slackening off.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY, Shallow, when he six months must Mindful of this, Shallow advanced the view that Bunpan needed to commonly referred to as addressed a function at accrue before a broaden its scope of operation and Bunpan, will, as part of its the Fisheries member can redefine its image so as to attract 60th anniversary Headquarters on Tuesday realize benefits, membership from younger persons. celebration, heighten its 29th July, to launch the provided that Today, membership stands at drive to have its founder, celebrations. person is of sound approximately 23,000 persons, and Nathaniel ‘Bunpan’ Guy Shallow recounted that mind and body, the death benefit has risen to declared a National Hero of Nathaniel Guy founded does not have a St. Vincent and the Bunpan in 1954, to cater criminal record or EC$5,200 per member. Last year, Bunpan paid four hundred death Grenadines. to the need to ensure is a known benefits, totaling $2.1 million. “proper” burials for alcoholic.

Shallow described Bunpan as persons of the lower According to income bracket.

President Shallow, still “remaining important,” not Bunpan is not and when Bunpan was only because “it is the oldest such never was a Credit Union founded, it offered institution in the region, but also and its membership is a death benefit of because it is the most stable and reputable.” open to Vincentian $500.00 per That reputation, according to nationals only, between member. That Shallow, is borne out by the fact the ages of 8 to 60 years. benefit was that, “Whenever someone in the A membership application increased to country dies, the first thing the must be accompanied by a $1200.00 in the funeral home asks is, ‘Is the dead a joining fee of $6.00 and a 1980s, at which member of Bunpan?’” membership contribution time it was In addition to honouring its death benefits to its members, Bunpan has introduced an annual scholarship for a member or a child of a member, who performed well in the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).

Each scholarship is valued at $1050.00 annually and 5 years at secondary school and an additional 2 years if the student wishes to go on to the community college.

This year’s scholarship recipient is Jamar Murray, who placed 6th for boys and 9th overall in the CPEA. The 60th anniversary programme of activities will also Bunpan now operates with a full staff (pictured). Inset: Theophilus see, among others, a recruitment Shallow, President of Bunpan, addressed the function to launch the drive, a church service and a series 60th anniversary programme. of radio programmes.

Jomo Thomas for South Leeward ATTORNEY-AT-LAW and one of the THE VINCENTIAN’S weekly columnists, Senator Jomo Thomas, was nominated as the South Leeward constituency candidate for the governing Unity Labour Party (ULP), for the next general elections due by December 2015.

His nomination will now be advanced to the party’s Nomination Committee and then Senator Jomo Thomas is to the ULP National set to contest his first general elections.

Council for what is anticipated to be uncontentious, official ratification.

Thomas, who was one of the founding members of the Peoples Movement for Change (PMC), a third-party political and social ‘voice’, and who returned to the ULP fold and was appointed a government senator in September 2013, was nominated unopposed when the South Leeward Constituency Council met on Grenville Williams Sunday 27th July, 2014, at staged a heightened the Vermont Community pre-nomination Centre. campaign, but Earlier reports had seemed to have been indicated that it was to have convinced to stand been a three-way fight down. involving Thomas, Grenville Williams, head of the Finance Intelligence Unit, and David Browne, the unsuccessful ULP candidate for South Leeward in the 2010 general elections.

However, in a sudden turn of events, Williams and Browne withdrew from the race and, in fact, Williams nominated Thomas, and Browne seconded the motion. Both ‘retirees’ proceeded to endorse David Browne is said Thomas’s nomination, in to have found himself their own styles and without any real carefully chosen reference.

Sunday’s outcome put an support from the hierarchy. end to what was a contentious build-up, with leading members of the ULP in South Leeward drawing swords, so to speak, in open support of the candidates of their choice. Some observers had anticipated a contentious Constituency Council meeting, but that was not to be.

There was obvious, immediate fallout to Sunday’s meeting, with supporters of Williams and Browne voicing their dissatisfaction with the nomination.

However, at the end of Sunday’s Meeting, and with political leader of the ULP Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in attendance, all seemed well, and the majority of persons present promised their support for Thomas.

Thomas’s nomination marks the second change in the ULP expected slate of candidates for the next general elections. One week ago, attorney Carlos James was nominated as the ‘new’ candidate for North Leeward.

Sources say that other changes are forthcoming that would affect ULP candidacy in the East St. George and Marriaqua constituencies.

Thomas, upon official ratification, will contest against the incumbent Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 5.

Regional

Abu Bakr makes another threat

killed in that impasse that stretched over six days.

Memories of that coup heightened last week Wednesday, when an irate Abu Bakr declared on radio, that he was not prepared to accept security forces entering a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

His reference was to the stepped up action by security forces against criminal elements and pockets of criminal activity that have plagued Trinidad and Tobago for the year.

One such security Dozens of business places throughout capital Port of Spain, Trinidad, were exercise resulted in the looted and set ablaze during the July 1990 coup. (Photo: TT Guardian) arrest of 18 people at a Jamaat Al Muslimeen mosque while, it is AS IF THE ONGOING crime on another source of Jamaat Al Muslimeen reported, members were wave in Trinidad and potential concern. group, which praying. The 18 were Tobago was not enough for Not for the first time spearheaded a July 27, released after some 63 the national security since 1990, security 1990 military coup in forces to contend with, forces have been put on that twin island republic. hours in detention.

Bakr had special they now have to keep ‘a their guard by Yasim At least 24 persons words for certain high special and watchful eye’ Abu Bakr, leader of the were said to have been

ranking security personnel.

He warned acting Commissioner of Yasim Abu Bakr, leader of Police Stephen the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, Williams, National has warned security forces Security Minister against entering mosques, Gary Griffith, and especially during the month Roger Alexander, of Ramadan. head of the North Eastern Division The Ministry of Task Force that, “the National Security issued question of coming into the mosque in Ramadan a response to Bakr’s ‘threat, saying that it and detaining people unlawfully will not, and I was advising citizens “that while there is no repeat, will not be evidence of any threat, accepted.

“Big man Alexander, if all usual systems remain in place to deal with any you think you can do or all threats to public whatever you want and safety and security.” you are not accountable Reports are that to God, Mr. efforts were being made Commissioner of Police, Mr. Griffith, this is Abu late last week, to bring Bakr, I am saying if you Abu Bakr and representatives of the continue this transgression against us, Ministry of National Security to the we will respond discussion table. appropriately, end of talk.”

Disabled persons in Jamaica get full protection Representatives, July 22, 2014, some ten years after it was first promised by then Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson.

The Bill is expected to receive little opposition in the Senate, given that it has received bi-partisan support among parliamentarians, reports indicate.

The Bill reinforces and promotes, in a direct and unambiguous manner, recognition and acceptance of the principle that a person with a disability has the same fundamental rights as any other person in Jamaica.

It (also) promotes individual dignity and individual autonomy, including the freedom of choice and independence of a P.J. Patterson, former Prime Minister person within a disability. of Jamaica, first spoke to the issue Moreover, it calls for full and effective of a Disabilities Bill a decade ago. participation and inclusion in the society of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others; preventing or prohibiting discrimination against a person with a disability; and promoting respect for differences, and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity.

The law also obligates the establishment of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, as well Disabled persons in Jamaica can now feel even more as the Disabilities assured of their place in society.

DISABLED PERSONS in Jamaica now have the full protection of the law to support them.

This comes with the passage of the Disabilities Bill through the House of

Rights Tribunal.

Disability organizations say that the Bill will give ‘teeth’ to existing legislation like the National Building Code, a message, some say, for the government to attend to the fact that there are no ramps at Gordon House, the seat of parliament, to provide for access by disabled persons.

Those organizations also recognise that one of the big tests to come is in how employers accept the provision that they must not discriminate against a person with a disability.

According to Disability portfolio minister, Mr Derrick Kellier of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security,

“There are numerous qualified persons with a disability who have surmounted tremendous odds to obtain their qualifications, and it is unconscionable to discriminate against these persons, purely on the basis of their disability.”

And Public Service Minister Horace Dalley put it more succinctly: “The country has now come to accept that within our society (persons with disabilities) are intellectuals, they are technically competent, and they are persons who contribute every day to the development of the society in many spheres.” (Source: Jamaica Observer)

V

6. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Gurley jailed for artistÊs murder by: WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Randy Gurley, on his way to prison, did not have the courage to face the camera.

RANDY GURLEY has been jailed for seventeen years for murder.

He pleaded guilty to the charge, and Judge Rajiv Persad imposed the penalty last Monday, as the Assizes wound up.

Gurley faced four charges stemming from the death of artist Jennifer Lewis. She succumbed to a single gunshot at her home at Brighton, June 17, 2012. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Collin John accepted the guilty pleas.

In addition to the murder charge, the accused admitted to possession of a firearm with intent to injure, possession of firearm with intent to aid in the commission of an offence, and unlawful use of a firearm.

He was given seven, nine, and three years on those counts, but the time will run concurrently from the time of his arrest.

Justice Persad reminded

Gurley that it was a serious According to Marks, charge.

Gurley was abandoned by ‘The circumstances leave a his father who withdrew lot to be desired,” Persad financial support owing to disclosed. For him, the act was differences with Gurley’s disturbing and unfortunate. grandmother. His client, The Justice noted Gurley’s he said, had also shown guilty plea, and for that he remorse. secured a discount.

McMillan, charged Jennifer Lewis succumbed to a Details are that Gurley jointly with Gurley, single gunshot. tried to enter Lewis’ residence pleaded not guilty to the that day, but went away when offences. He will appear at the Sheldon Gurley and Sjada Daniel in relation to Lewis’ Lewis confronted him. He next Assizes. murder, but the latter two returned with a shot gun and Randy Gurley and were acquitted in February after breaking a window, fired Yshangus McMillan were a single shot to Lewis which arrested originally along with 2013. killed her instantly.

Lawyer Ronald Marks begged for leniency for Gurley. He noted that

by HAYDN HUGGINS the judge for his Gurley coguidance and for the way operated with TEMPORARY JUDGE he conducted the the Police and Rajiv Persad described Assizes, and wished him pleaded guilty his tenure here as an every success as he at the earliest “absolute pleasure.” returns to his homeland. opportunity.

Persad was delivering The Assistant DPP remarks at the closing of stressed that the Assizes the Criminal Assizes on were conducted Monday, during his final differently from the sitting in St. Vincent and previous ones, and the Grenadines. commended the judge for Persad and Justice his case management Esco Lorene Henry were innovation, in which he Judge Rajiv temporarily assigned to went through the Persad seemed to have S.V.G. matters on the list with created quite an Persad, a Trinidadian the lawyers for the born lawyer, acted as prosecution and defense, impact, especially as it relates to case High Court Judge of the with a view to management.

Eastern Caribbean concluding them and, Supreme Court from where possible, without in the criminal justice May 9 to July 31, 2014. a trial. system. Without the Assistant Director of However, Justice police, we would not be Public Prosecutions, Rajiv, in his closing able to function in terms Colin John, and a remarks said, “It is not of law and order,” he number of defense just an effort by the said. lawyers, including Vice judge, it is a team effort, He also thanked the President of the Bar and everyone must be DPP’s office, the court Association Duane complimented.” staff, jury, and all who Daniel, speaking in the He had high praises played a significant role absence of the President, for the police. “The police in ensuring that the expressed gratitude to play a very critical role Assizes were successful.

Legal fraternity bids Judge farewell

Prison population stands at 412 by: HAYDN HUGGINS THE PRISON POPULATION in St. Vincent and the Grenadines stood at 412, at the close of the Criminal Assizes, Monday 28th July, 2014.

The report came from Chief Prison Officer Brenton Charles.

Charles reported that 230 inmates were housed at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility and 176 at Her Majesty’s Prison, while six females were placed at Fort Charlotte.

There were 313 males, and three females serving sentences while 93 males and three females were on remand.

The High Court sentenced 137 males, while 176 received sentences from the Magistrate’s Courts. Three females were sentenced by the Magistrate’s Court while none were sentenced by the High Court.

There were 50 males awaiting trial and 43 awaiting preliminary investigations, while three females were awaiting trial. No males and no females were awaiting sentencing and preliminary investigations.

There were 28 non-nationals serving sentences and six on remand.

Patrick Lovelace as the only death row inmate.

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 7.

V

8. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 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 Is the NDB a new emancipation?

WITH ALL THE LOCAL POLITICAL wrangling and other distractions, the making of small island societies like ours, few citizens might have taken note of a certain development that potentially, has mammoth ramifications for how the world, including SVG, does and will do business.

Reference is made here to the recent New Development Bank (NDB) established by the BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — as an alternative to the World Bank and the IMF, two organizations whose mere mention emits a certain toxicity into the global atmosphere.

The NDB, as we understand it, will be seeded with US$50 billion against the authorised initial capital of US$100 billion. The seed money is expected to be evenly (US$10 billion) shared among the five BRICS nations.

Clearly, this monumental act is a signal that there are nations who want to lead the world away from a stranglehold by the Western-backed World Bank and IMF. That is commendable and will be welcomed by small developing countries — including ours.

For if the intentions are as real as purported, the NDB should mean freedom from the harsh conditions of World Bank/IMF ‘assistance’, which is usually conditioned by instructions to privatise and liberalize.

The world economic landscape abounds with stories of World Bank/IMF ‘assistance’ (loans) — especially for budgetary support — which result in the privatisation of essential services (electricity) and/or removal of perceived protectionist trade policies that result in the demise of some local, indigenous industry (cocoa).

The question: Is the NDB going to make request for assistance any less demanding on fledging economies? Will it demand structural change that removes ownership from the people in favour of private, often foreign ownership?

Will there be, simply put, a removal of the harsh World Bank-IMF style conditions? Will the NDB conduct its business with developing countries with more empathy? Will the NDB fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects as is the need of low income states like ours?

All these will be put to the test through the course of time, but given its (NDB) complexion, these are legitimate concerns that low income states like ours must consider before they jump at the seemingly juicy carrot being dangled before them.

For it might be that developing, low income states might just prefer (Lord help us!) conditioned World Bank/IMF ‘assistance’ as they try to build credibility with investors, especially from the West.

In the foreseeable future, therefore, no one should be surprised if some of those nations continue to seek out the Bretton Woods (World Bank/IMF) system of monetary management.

The challenge for the NDB is to convince the developing world that it has a different view of the role of the state in the economy and therefore, it represents a viable alternative path for the advancement of economies in the developing world.

Rest assured though, there is no free money anywhere, and the NDB is no different.

Like any other financing agency, it has to build its own credibility and quickly. This need could work against low income states, for chances are that the initial CDB clients are most likely going to be credit worthy (developing) nations, which could well include the BRICS themselves.

And what if desires of hegemony (say China) prevail, as could well be given the economic variances among the BRICS themselves?

Low income states might have to wait a little (how much is little?) longer as the NDB moves to establish standards (high) of lending, and ensure minimal defaulting, especially in the initial stages of its operations.

And we must remember that the NDB has to earn profits on the loans — which it should for future expansion — and therefore, will have to charge interest. To repeat: There is no free money anywhere!

So, while things change, the more they just might remain the same.

For while low income and smaller developing countries could eventually access loans from this NDB, and not face austerity measures as harsh as those of the IMF, the onus will still be on borrowing countries to ensure viable environments for investments and returns, and governance that will ensure an ability to repay, regardless of the expected concessionary rates of interest.

The BRICS and their NDB might provide a sense of hope for small developing countries, but that hope may well be long in being translated to real meaning.

Can fledging economies like ours and CARICOM in general wait upon a consolidation of this new entity?

The BRICS’ NDB excites, but there is wisdom always in being cautious about venturing into the unknown.

Who to Blame?

Jerry Mole still at it IN THE MID-1950S, one of our principal secretaries, George Thomas, wrote a wonderful book, ‘Ruler in Hairouna’, on the shaping of our small-island politics.

In that publication, the author sought to warn us of the way our politics was headed, with the emergence of the smart-men politician fast-talker, who could make rings around the heads of his adoring followers and, in particular, how religion was being used for political purposes.

Jerry Mole could sway the masses with his glib talk, and at funerals in particular, he could produce a flood of tears on cue, even if he happened not to know the dead!

The modern Jerry Mole can be quite sophisticated, ‘learned’, even brilliant, especially in his use of the English language; but the message remains the same, guileful and tailored mainly to the aggrandisement of Papa and his chosen family.

To go back directly to eulogies and their role in funeral services, specifically within the Anglican community of which I am a member, it was the controversial Dean Ulric Smith, who wished to excoriate them from Anglican worship, on the ground that they tended to be one-sided, to be downright dishonest, and generally hypocritical.

I recall that I was once prevented from giving a eulogy to a Mr. Graham, a patriarch of the Lowmans-Greggs community, whose children returned from the Virgin Islands for the occasion, and were solely disappointed.

Leopold Friday had been the young priest in charge, but had obviously followed the prohibition order of Dean Ulric Smith.

Then at Stubbs Anglican, took place the funeral of Hubert Daisley Jr., the father of the well-known Lennie Daisley, who was slated to present the eulogy into which was poured much research. Dean Ulric Smith again, firmly put his foot down, and Lennie was forced to steal some graveside opportunity in which to air his grievances, and publicly mention what a stalwart member of the educational fraternity and the Stubbs community in general, his deceased father had become.

As politics progressively entered the funeral business, there was one circumstance which issued its own silent warning: that of comedian Lucian ‘Saluche’ Small in early 2006.

With his ribald political jokes, Small had offended a politically over-sensitive U.L.P. pariah government, which declared Small a political opponent who was to be shut out of all government jobs, including those which were created at Carnival time, an outcast in his own country.

Small sought comfort in opposition leader Arnhim Eustace, and they became close friends at the time that Small fatally collapsed from a heart attack, many believed owing to political pressure.

Funeral was arranged according to S.D.A. rites, replete with a list of speakers that did not include the Prime Minister, who attended the services, to the muffled expressions of the N.D.P. fans, who knew of the sour relations between both men.

In the order of the service, when Arnhim Eustace rose to pay tribute, he was interrupted by the intervention of a church elder, who explained that his position was being taken by the Prime Minister, who had

been requested to do a tribute by a family member of the deceased.

Members of the N.D.P. had difficulty in hiding their utter disgust in witnessing their own hero, Arnhim Eustace, bested at the funeral ceremony of a trusted friend and supporter, in favour of Ralph, who had, up to the time, regarded ‘Saluche’ as an arch enemy.

In their eyes, they saw wilful political interference in a private (non-state) funeral, that was facilitated by the officials of the S.D.A., and they allowed their tempers to flare within limits, out of deference to the institution of the church where it took place.

So what happened at Georgetown, Saturday 19th July, 2014, was a scenario waiting to happen. In fact, the ‘Saluche’ incident had been a warning, a dress rehearsal of what took place at Lynch’s funeral some eight years later, after an interval in which politics increasingly encroached on the sacred domain of the church, with no one daring to address the issue of the rather rude, if subtle, incursion.

In fact, what took place at Georgetown was the start of the playing out of forces deeply rooted and long in the making. The basic fact was that the Prime Minister was unable, even with the protection of the church, to command a hearing in the capital of his constituency of North Central Windward!

There is much confusion over matters of detail, as to who ultimately is to blame for the fracas. One thing is certain, there are many truths competing for precedence, and many interpretations pushed by the spin doctors, that one can hardly dredge the real truth from the quagmire, especially so early after the event.

I have my own gut feeling the whole episode was a calculated risk by the Prime Minister, who knew that if he did not succeed in pulling off his conciliatory speech with followers of the N.D.P., he would, at least, have provoked them to what can be interpreted as mockery of church and Christianity, and await the public reaction.

In that context, a quantum leap is in order. The fundamental principle which had been publicly expressed and trumpeted by the Prime Minister, and for which there has never been a recant, is that he is socialist, and holds a sacred tenet that religion is the opium of the masses.

Story done, for now! We go on to the N.D.P. march of today, Thursday 31st July, 2014.

We should march, firstly, because if we do not exercise that fundamental right, it can be subtly withdrawn.

Secondly, in a so-called Democracy, no Party should hold monopoly of power in excess of three terms.

Thirdly, in our specific case, there are clearly moves to impose a dynasty which goes against the grain of our development.

Fourthly, there is urgent need of the stoppage of blatant, widespread and growing official corruption.

Fifthly, there is an NDP team, under the guidance of Arnhim Eustace, ready, fit and competent to lead this country out of the doldrums. Ring De Bell!

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 9.

Letters

Open Letter to Bishop Friday Jomo reach!

(Editor’s Note: We have carried this on our letter page as an exception to our rule regarding the length of submissions for this page. It was late in reaching us, so that it could not be accommodated elsewhere in this issue.

We consider it important enough to carry it in its full form.)

DEAR BISHOP FRIDAY, I read your response to the question of extreme misbehaviour in theGeorgetown Anglican Church on July 19th, at EG Lynch’sfuneral. With all due respect to you, Your Holiness, I was very disappointed, amazed even, and actually re-read the entire article. I could not believe what I was reading!

You may not want to be partisan, and appear to be picking sides, but we are not talking about something which occurred on the streets of our fair isle. The event under discussion actually took place in the House of God! Bishop, I totally agree with you in saying that this type of public misbehaviour has been allowed to fester for far too long. Who could disagree with that? You are absolutely correct.

Even Parnel Campbell weighed in, and called the barbaric behaviour for what it was, an illegal act. Pardon me, but I am of the opinion that God’s law supersedes man’s law.

Had such a comment as yours been made by the-man-on-the-street, it would have been somewhat understandable. However, you represent me as a lifelong practising Anglican. My parents and fore-parents served in that church for

decades, in various parishes. My father and yours were members of the Cathedral Men’s Fellowship together. I remember that. We all were overjoyed when you were elevated to the Bishopric. We have, and would like to continue looking-up to you as our spiritual leader, and we would like to think that you would not let us down.

I am not speaking for anyone else here, although I know that many others have similar sentiments. I speak on my own behalf, since my trust and confidence in the Anglican Church continues to be shaken. My belief and trust in God has not, and will not be shaken. It will remain firmer than the Rock of Gibraltar!

In recent years, the Anglican Church has accepted openly gay Priests to become Bishops in the USA, and I am unable to understand that.... period! How could a Bishop or Priest who continually commits such “an abomination” be advising me on the conduct of my life?

In our homeland, we saw Ulric Jones officiating at EG Lynch’s funeral service, and not even attempting to quell the unruly mob inside the House of God! I have known Ulric Jones for many years; our families have been very close, and I am extremely and absolutely disappointed in him. I am saying publicly that, “I am not worshiping man, I am worshiping God.” From this day forth, if Ulric Jones is ever involved in any church service in future, I will not attend. And if it comes as a surprise to me....I will walk out of the

church! This will continue until Ulric Jones apologizes for his awful and ridiculous lapse in judgement.

I believe you are in a senior position to Ulric Jones, and we expect some type of corrective and disciplinary action to be taken against him. I know that Mr Jones is not a child, but he is junior to you, and the Bible has instructed us to not “spare the rod and spoil the child.”

Bishop Friday, if you happened to be in that church while that funeral service was being conducted, would you have determined that this social/political situation has been have done? What would festering for too long, YOU have done under and do nothing to quell those circumstances, the disruptive bunch? knowing that God was What if you knew, observing and assessing Bishop, that rum and you? beer were being I believe that consumed inside the Vincentians in general, Church of God? and faithful practising Bishop, are you aware Anglicans expect a more that the unruly in-depth response from disruptive bunch actually you, Bishop. defecated on the Please do not bathroom floors? disappoint us again, as And Bishop, do you we wait with bated know that these persons breath. used obscene language in Respectfully yours in your church as well?

Christ.

How about ripping the fittings off the bathroom Cuthbert Williams walls, and trashing anything they could find, Bishop?

Where was the reverence and respect for the deceased and family.........Bishop?

Which man-ofthe-cloth could stand-up, see God’s MR. EDITOR, I know that you taught Mr. Ezekiel ‘Scatter’ house being Butcher, so you will know desecrated, and do that when I say that I moan nothing about it? his passing, you will Bishop Friday, understand. what if God was ‘Scatter’ was a student at standing next to St. Martin’s Secondary you in that School when I was also a funeral? How do you think he would student. He was in Form have felt? What do 4B while I was in Form 4A you think he would when I first got to know him. I recall that his Form was considered something of a ‘bad boy’ group, and that it was you who assumed responsibility for jobs, and thank God for them, with them when no one else caution and respect. seemed to care.

It seems that those police officers ‘Scatter’ was always a who carry out their duties, are not pleasant personality and I listening to the ongoing appeals from recall him excelling in the top brass of the Police Force, for cricket. I understand that support from the public in the fight he was an above average against crime.

English student.

Incidents like these are an But what struck me most abomination… they infringe the was the leadership qualities rights of elderly citizens, and deserve that he exhibited even to be condemned. while he was a student.

By the way, where are the When his group went on National Council of Women, the to Form 5 it seemed to me Human Rights Association and the that it was he who took Christian Council, when things like these happen before our very eyes? charge of his colleagues, and encouraged them, with Sandra your support, to ‘buckle

Police should be cautious I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST the police moving against the criminal elements in this country, but they must do so with caution and respect for others.

I refer to your front page article concerning Ms. Beryl Sam, in which you reported that the elderly woman was stripped and searched by the police. This is an action that will definitely not endear the police to the public. Regardless of whether the elderly lady is the grandmother of a person of interest to the police, there could be no good reason under the sun for inflicting such inhuman treatment on the old lady.

This is what I mean when I say the police have to approach their

WELL, MR. EDITOR, things really heating up in good old St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I see where the Hon. Prime Minister was given a more than unwelcome greeting at ‘EG’ funeral, right in his own constituency. I want to believe, like others are saying, that the people who behaved so ‘Unruly’, were not from that constituency. They love De Comrade too much to show him such disrespect.

But that is, as Lynch would say, ‘how things go in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’.

And then there is the nomination of my friend Jomo Thomas as candidate in South Leeward. I just couldn’t connect Jomo with South Leeward.

Maybe I don’t know as much about that comrade as I think I know.

You see, I knew Jomo as a ‘town boy’ who was involved in the ‘struggle’ from the time he was a school boy. I remember him selling the weekly ‘Justice’ newspaper and always ready and willing to fight down the system.

And then, he migrated to the same USA that he had called doom on in the 1970s, got himself a good education, moved up in the world, and then returned to a big job in De Comrade’s’ government. That was expected.

But then, he break with De Comrade, start what everybody but he knew was a new political party, and whoops, he crawl back to de Comrade and was made a Senator. He reach.

I know Jomo profess himself to be a principled man, but I have a problem with him jumping all over the place.

Is that ‘jumping’ that will be his undo his chance against the young man ‘Nature’, whom I don’t know.

Why didn’t Jomo not consider running in East Kingstown? That is where I know him from, not down Leeward.

I don’t expect him to win, but I wish him well.

He is a champion of the poor, just on the wrong side.

Garnet, N.Y.

Remembering ‘Scatter’

down’.

No surprise, therefore, that the once ‘bad boy’ group of Form 4 B produced some of the more outstanding students that year, with ‘Scatter’ Butcher being among them.

It was no surprise also when he returned to teach at St. Martin’s. He had always had a love for his school. That’s why when I heard of how unceremoniously, it seemed, that he was discarded as a teacher from his and my alma mater, I feel moments of sadness.

From what I understand, he had a terrifically good record as a teacher and moreso, as a disciplinarian, two attributes that the school, any school for that matter, could well do having.

My brother ‘Scatter’ has left us, but I feel assured that he has left a legacy of which his family and all who knew him can feel justly proud.

May he rest in peace.

Richie Washingdon D. C.

* Why wasn’t the National Table Tennis team registered for the team effort at the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow, Scotland? * Why are people saying that the ULP should stop mamaguying their supporters with all this talk about candidate run-offs? * What do we really want? Now that some church people (at least one Head) make statements on the fiasco at Lynch’s funeral, why are we jumping at their throats? * Banana dead. Cocoa looking to die before it grow up. What next?

V

10. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Securing Grants for St. Vincent and The Grenadines for surgeries and other medical treatment for THE RECENT VISIT of Prime Minister Ralph children.

15. $15 million for 15,000 laptops for Gonsalves and his delegation to Ecuador primary schools, mainly from Portugal, yielded, among other things, practical support for the construction of four Bailey with support from Venezuela.

16. $15 million for 12,500 laptops for Bridges (Hope, Chateaubelair Plan, secondary students mainly from Sharpes Chateaubelair, Fitz Hughes) at a Venezuela, but with support from value of US $4.2 million (EC $11.3 Dennis Publishing Company of the million). These four bridges were among the fourteen which were destroyed in the United Kingdom.

17. $10 million from the USA for the Christmas 2013 Storm.

Canouan Coastguard Base and two Predictably, minority politicallypartisan, opposition persons were quick “interceptor” Coastguard vessels.

18. $42 million from Mexico to denounce “Ralph and his beggingbowl”. Fortunately, the people of North earmarked for bridges and roads for post-2013 Christmas disaster Leeward and South Leeward, and the bulk of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, rehabilitation (not yet received).

19. $11.3 million from Ecuador for who would use these bridges, have no four bridges. time for the empty, infantile noises of 20. $13.5 million contributions from these opposition partisans.

Canouan Developers to the Canouan The unvarnished fact of life is that Jet Airport Project (the government St. Vincent and the Grenadines as yet does not have a self-sustaining economy injected $42 million in the Project).

21. Over $350 million from the to generate a sufficiency of surplus to European Union in grants mainly for finance wholly or substantially the Agriculture, Tourism, Education, infrastructural development (airports, Health, Roads, Bridges, Private Sector roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, seaports, stadia and so forth) which are Development, and Budget Support required for the economic development between 2001 — 2014. An additional EC$24 million in grants from the EU of a modern, sophisticated country. have just been announced for postGrants and soft-loans from donor Christmas disaster 2013 recovery. countries and institutions are vital in 22. $55 million from Japan, mainly this developmental effort. Without such for the Owia Fisheries Complex and grants and soft-loans, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be going absolutely Extension/Rehabilitation of the Kingstown Fish Market. nowhere; and its people will suffer.

23. $50 million approximately in Commercial loans create serious problems for debt servicing; that is why various grants for a range of smaller projects from a number of donors the ULP government has avoided including Canada, France, UK, Turkey, commercial loans. In this article, we Argentina, Mexico, Morocco, Cuba, focus on “grants” as part of the public Taiwan, Venezuela, Libya, PAHO, the discussion.

OAS, the Commonwealth, UNESCO, Mustique Charitable Trust, GRANTS 2001 – 2014 International Development Association Since 2001, St. Vincent and the (IDA), CDB, CDF. Grenadines has received over EC $1.4 billion in grants. I shall itemise the SOFT-LOANS major grants which the ULP Additionally, the ULP government government has sought and received. has borrowed by way of soft-loans on These include: very generous terms, some EC $800 1. $300 million in cash and kind for million, in the aggregate, from a the Argyle International Airport (from number of countries and financial countries such as Taiwan, Venezuela, institutions, including Venezuela Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, (ALBA/Petro Caribe), Taiwan, World Georgia, Austria, Iran, Libya).

Bank/IDA, CDB, Caricom Development 2. $180 million in debt relief on the Fund, International Monetary Fund.

Ottley Hall Project.

3. $12 million in debt relief from the All these monies have gone to the capital programmes of the central United Kingdom under the government as detailed in the Commonwealth Debt Initiative.

Estimates. Recently, a further EC$ 100 4. $57 million to assist SVG BAICO million (three-quarters in soft-loans, the policy-holders (traditional life and balance in grants) from the World Bank FPA/EFPA) from Trinidad and Tobago and EC$25 million from the Caribbean (US $127 million or EC $340 million) grant to ECCU countries. This number Development Bank, in soft loans for for St. Vincent and the Grenadines will recovery and reconstruction after the rise to approximately $75 million out of 2013 Christmas disaster. the full donation from Trinidad and SOME GRANTS NOT CAPTURED IN ESTIMATES Tobago of US $150 million (EC $405 It is to be noted that huge sums in million). grants have never been captured in the 5. $60 million approximately from a multiplicity of donors for disaster relief Estimates because of the nature of generally for the years 2002 — 2014. An those programmes such as: Vision Now, the World Pediatric Project, the additional $25 million from the World University Scholarships outside of those Bank/IDA in grants for the recent granted by the European Union, the natural disaster was announced last laptops for primary school students, the month.

6. $50 million approximately in value fertiliser from Morocco, some contributors for natural disasters for university scholarships from Cuba, generally (for example the $800,00 gift Venezuela, Taiwan, Turkey, Malaysia, of stoves, fridges and mattresses from Morocco, the Commonwealth, OAS, Digicel), the contribution of the Canada, United Kingdom. developers to the Canouan Jet Airport, 7. $10.8 million from Venezuela for and the grant from Trinidad and housing for the poor.

Tobago to the BAICO Policy-Holders’ 8. $10 million from Taiwan for Relief Programme. In short, the capital Rabacca Bridge Project. expenditure annually relates also to 9. $30 million from Taiwan (2001 — certain projects not captured in the 2014) in Civic Development grants government accounts. But they are mainly for YES Programme and the real! construction of Learning Resource Centres.

LEADERSHIP AND FOREIGN POLICY 10. $5.4 million from Taiwan for a The people of St. Vincent and the portion of the Windward Highway Grenadines know that the activist Rehabilitation Project. leadership of Comrade Ralph and the 11. $20 million from Taiwan for the ULP team as a whole are responsible Modern Public Library. for the grants sought and received.

12. $25 million in value for “Vision They know, too, that all this is Now” Programme from Cuba and connected to the ULP’s strategic and Venezuela. productive foreign policy. You cannot 13. $60 million from Venezuela for buy leadership off the supermarket construction of fuel storage facility. shelf like cornflakes. The ULP has the 14. $30 million in value from the leadership, and it shows. Even NDP World Pediatric Project (2002 — 2014) partisans know this to be true.

Another Failure by the ULP Administration

IMPORTANCE OF GRANTS AND SOFT-LOANS TO SVG

THE UNITY LABOUR PARTY (ULP) administration is corrupt, bankrupt of ideas, and does not have the moral authority to govern the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

During the general elections campaign of 2010, it was obvious that the ULP did not have any programme or policy that would have restored economic growth to St Vincent and the Grenadines. It was the New Democratic Party (NDP) that had the programmes and creative ideas to create employment, and to return the country on the path of economic growth.

For instance, the NDP told the electorate in 2010 that: a major international development group will build a 1000 unit integrated residential and hotel resort on mainland St. Vincent; an important international banking group will use St. Vincent and the Grenadines as its base to establish a chain of retail banks throughout the Caribbean; a major international construction group specialising in infrastructure project will establish a regional head office here; a major international construction group will partner with the NDP to finally get the Argyle Airport into a state of readiness; and the NDP will restructure our agriculture sector to benefit from the demand for cocoa, and utilise our joint venture infrastructure in the United Kingdom for further agricultural diversification.

The ULP went on the rampage, and they criticised all of the projects. The reintroduction of cocoa received the most criticism from the ULP. We were told that cocoa will carry us back into slavery, and the electorate was given a series of lectures on slavery and cocoa by the ULP. When the ballots were counted, the ULP won the elections. To everyone’s amazement, less than eight (8) months after the general elections, the ULP, like a drowning man, held on to the cocoa project, and that was their saviour.

After all the criticism, the ULP grabbed the cocoa project.

The ULP regime then hurriedly went and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the cocoa company, Armajaro, and carried it to parliament. The NDP objected to the fifty (50) year agreement which gave Armajaro the exclusive right in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to buy cocoa beans in wet or dry form, and to perform all sales and marketing of the cocoa within the period of agreement.

The NDP believed that the Memorandum of Understanding was not in the best interest of the farmers.

Anyway, farmers went ahead and planted cocoa.

The government had also made commitments to the reintroduction of cocoa. They, among other things, were to construct and repair feeder roads that lead to cocoa farms.

However, up to this present time, the ULP administration has not fulfilled this obligation. They have once again failed to deliver on their promise.

Then unexpectedly, there were reports that the cocoa company had pulled out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This came as a shock to all Vincentians, more so the cocoa farmers. And it took the Minister of Agriculture a considerable amount of

time to inform the nation as to the reason(s) why the cocoa company left the state; he did so reluctantly after numerous calls by the NDP for him to do so.

At his press conference, only the print media was invited. Saboto Caesar was dodging from the television; he did not want to be seen delivering the bad news. Then he blamed the poor farmers as to the reason why the cocoa company left the country, stating that they failed to cultivate a sufficiently high acreage of cocoa. Utter rubbish by the minister!

Your administration has failed to play its part in the agreement, Mr. Caesar.

You have failed the cocoa company, you have failed the farmers, and you have failed the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

As it stands, it will take the NDP and the local cocoa company to truly revive the cocoa industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The ULP cannot and will not do it. The farmers do not have any hope in the ULP regime. The NDP offers hope, and the farmers can be assured the NDP will revive the agricultural sector when it gets into office.

Corruption The ULP will not set the NDP’s agenda. We will continue to highlight the burning issues that are affecting Vincentians. These include corruption, increased crime, unemployment, the sad state of the economy, a declining tourism industry, the demise of agriculture, and the high cost of electricity. Most Vincentians continue to express their concerns about the numerous allegations of corruption that have been made against the ULP administration. The ULP in 2001 stated in its manifesto, that it would wage a war against corruption and introduce integrity legislation in parliament. Instead, it would appear that the ULP has now institutionalised corruption.

Since the ULP gained power in 2001, of all the allegations of corruption that have been made, not one person has been punished or disciplined by the administration.

They are either promoted or allowed to leave the country. There have been allegations in the ministries of agriculture and health, at the Argyle International Airport and the latest at the Registry, to name a few. To this date, we have not heard from the government as to why the former Registrar unexpectedly, left the country. This is totally unacceptable and that is one of the reasons why most Vincentians have called for a protest march on Thursday 31st July, 2014 to highlight the issue of corruption.

Vincentians have had enough of the corrupt ULP regime. They have begun the call for good governance, transparency and accountability, and it will only take the NDP to deliver on the call of the people. The NDP will also have a zero tolerance on corruption and anyone found to be involved in corruption will be dealt with swiftly and to the full extent of the law. It’s time for the NDP.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 11.

Views

Discovering Contentment (Part 2)

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6: 6-8 IT WAS MOST ENCOURAGING to receive a flurry of e-mail messages immediately following the publication of last week’s article entitled “Discovering Contentment”. One reader indicated that he had concluded that the article was written especially for him. He was able to identify with the challenges that Joseph and Moses had gone through, and felt that the article was written especially to encourage him to discover contentment amidst the challenges that he was going through. Several of those e-mail responses confirmed that it was necessary to pen the sequel. However, the idea of writing the follow-up article had actually occurred long before the email messages floated in. While I was writing about the various aspects of contentment that were visible in the Old Testament records of these two stalwarts of faith, I had noted that it would have been also useful to provide some useful insights from the New Testament. This week’s article could, therefore, be considered as a continuation of last week’s.

Many bible researchers and scholars have concluded that the Apostle Paul was one of the most prolific writers of his day. He wrote letters to encourage many believers (e.g. Timothy, Titus, and Philemon).

Some were written to individuals, while others were written to churches (e.g. his letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, etc.). He encouraged them to retain their focus on doctrine as they sought to strengthen their belief in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. However, many of his letters encouraged them to focus on building strong Christian character.

He beckoned them to live righteous lives, and to avoid the dangers of malice, envy, greed, and so on. And in so many of his writings, he encouraged the believers to be content with what they have. Those messages still ring loud today. We, you and I, must forever strive to be content.

This does not mean that we abandon dreams and ambitions to create a better life for ourselves and our loved ones. It means vigorously combating the desires to have what belongs to others. It demands that we develop the inner strength to avoid the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These “wayward looks”

can fuel feelings of discontentment.

There were other apostles who challenged the early believers to develop a life that was focused on God. This was considered essential if they were to avoid the pitfalls of sins of the flesh. We are also encouraged by the writings of Peter, James, and John, for example, who appear to regularly challenge the early believers to focus on their relationship with God, and to see the contentment that emerge from a close walk with the Lord. However, as we near the end of this week’s sojourn on In Touch, it is probably useful for us to revisit the extract from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy that was used to introduce this week’s article. The Apostle Paul’s caution to young Timothy (see 1 Timothy 6: 6-10) provided a useful lesson on contentment. He asked Timothy to note that “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Paul knew what it was like to have ... and to not have. He knew what it was like to abound ... and to be abased.

And yet, whatever his circumstances, Paul was content. And he sought to pass the wisdom of seeking and gaining a spirit of contentment to his many followers — especially those who were close to him (like Timothy and Titus). We, today, can be encouraged by his God-inspired writings. You and I can aspire to avoid the temptations to be focused on material (worldly) possessions and, instead, seek to live more righteous lives.

Lives that revolve around demonstrating more love to our fellow men. Lives that seek to build others up (rather than tear them down).

Lives that reflect joy, peace, patience, faith, and so on. Lives that reflect our willingness to share of ourselves and our possessions. Lives that demonstrate that we have discovered contentment.

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

Emancipation and Reparations ON THIS EMANCIPATION Day, 2014, I present passages from an address delivered by Dr Hilary Beckles, Chairman of the Caribbean Reparations Commission to the House of Commons, Parliament of Britain on July 16, 2014.

‘My colleagues of the Commission are tasked with the preparation and presentation of the evidentiary basis for a contemporary truth: that the Government of Great Britain, and other European states that were the beneficiaries of enrichment from the enslavement of African peoples, the genocide of indigenous communities, and the deceptive breach of contract and trust in respect of Indians and other Asians brought to the plantations under indenture, have a case to answer in respect of reparatory justice.

The case of genocide is not only in respect of our decimated native community. It is also important to recognize the genocidal aspect of chattel slavery in the Caribbean.

British slave ships brought 5.5 million enslaved Africans into their Caribbean colonies over 180 years.

When slavery was abolished in 1838, they were just 800,000 persons remaining. That is, a retention/survival rate of 15%.

The regime of enslavement was crafted by policies and attitudes that were clearly genocidal. Jamaica received 1.5 million Africans. Only 300,000 remained at Emancipation (20%). Barbados received 600,000 Africans. Only 83,000 remained at Emancipation (14%).

Caricom governments present this case on behalf of its citizens. I am sure that in its presentation there will be due regard for the principles of diplomacy and development cooperation. This process will bring honour and dignity to the people of the Caribbean as well as to the people of Great Britain and Europe.

Caricom governments, like the government of Great Britain, represent nations that are independent and equal. As such, they should proceed on the basis of their legitimate equality, without fear of retribution, in the best interest of humanity, and for a better future for us all.

I am honoured to be asked to speak in this historic parliament of the people of Great Britain. Like you I am aware that this Parliament prepared the official political basis of the crimes that defined the colonial past. It is here, in this House, that the evil system of slavery, and genocide, were established. This House passed laws, framed fiscal policies, and enforced the crimes that have produced harmful legacies and persistent suffering now in need of repair.

This House also made emancipation from slavery and independence from colonialism an empowering reality. It is in here, we now imagine, that laws for reparatory justice can be conceptualized and implemented. It is in here, we believe, that the terrible wrongs of the past can be corrected, and humanity finally and truthfully liberated from the shame and guilt that have followed these historical crimes.

We must believe in the corrective power of this Parliament to respond positively to this present challenge, and in the process free itself from the bondage of its own sins and crimes.

Without this belief, our journey here this evening would be lacking integrity, and without a doubt, would be a useless exercise.

Great Britain is my second home, and I care for it as I care for my first

home, the Great Caribbean. I wish for Great Britain, as I do for the Great Caribbean, peace and prosperity. I wish that their shared past, painful though it has been, will be transformed into a moral force of mutual respect and development cooperation.

It is for these reasons that I have joined the Caribbean and global movement for reparatory justice. I believe we can settle this case within the context of diplomatic initiatives that are consistent with our status as equal nations.

The crimes committed against the indigenous, African, and Asian peoples of the Caribbean are well documented. We know of the 250 years of slave trading, chattel slavery, and the following 100 years of colonial oppression.

Slavery was ended in 1838, only to be replaced by a century of racial apartheid, including the denigration of Asian people. Indigenous genocide, African chattel slavery and genocide, and Asian contract slavery, were three acts of a single play — a single process by which the British state forcefully extracted wealth from the Caribbean, resulting in its persistent, endemic poverty.

I wish to comment, as a result, on the 1833 Act of Emancipation, and how this august Parliament betrayed the enslaved people of the Caribbean by forcing them to pay more than 50% of the cost of their own emancipation.

This is an aspect of the history long hidden from public view.

We know, for example, that this Parliament in 1833 determined that the 800,000 enslaved people in the Caribbean were worth, as chattel property, £47 million. This was their assessed market value.

We know that this Parliament determined that all slave owners should receive just and fair compensation for the official taking away of their property.

We know that this Parliament provided the sum of £20 million in grants to the slave owners as fair compensation for the loss of their human chattel.

And we know that this Parliament determined that the enslaved people would receive none of this compensation. The argument made in this House was that ‘property’ cannot receive property compensation. This Parliament, in its emancipation Act, upheld the law that black people were not human, but property.

What this Parliament has hid from the world is that it also determined that the remaining £27 million would be paid by the enslaved people to their enslavers, by means of a 4 year period of free labour called the Apprenticeship.

This period of additional free labour by the emancipated represented the enforced extraction of £27 million by the state. It was a cruel and shameful method of legislating Emancipation by forcing the enslaved to pay more than 50% of the financial cost of their own freedom. The £20 million paid the enslavers by this Parliament was less than the £27 million paid by the enslaved to the enslavers as dictated by this House.’

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

V OECS Monetary Council is a failure and a joke 12. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

THE MONETARY COUNCIL is the highest decision-making authority of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. It comprises eight ministers, one from each of the participating governments. Chairmanship of the Council is rotated among the members on an annual basis.

The Monetary Council has been a failure for the people of the Eastern Caribbean States.

Having ministers from members states on the Monetary Council means that the Council can just influence and approve lending for their own projects, no matter how bad they are.

For the OECS Monetary Council to be effective, its members should not be politicians, but like the Monetary Council of the Bank of England, should comprise independent people (not representing individual groups or countries), and each member must have expertise in the field of economics and monetary policy.

OECS countries’ finances and economies are in a terrible state. The countries have high debt, and the countries’ leaders operate under a ‘slave mentality’, whereby they exist on begging and borrowing grants and loans from the IMF and foreign countries.

OECS countries have high rates of violent crime, (Including gun crime), rape, high unemployment, high levels of poverty and many thousands of households without water and electricity.

It is clear that the economies are failing badly, and the Monetary Council can only celebrate decades of failure.

The failure of the OECS economies has been due to the misguided focus on running the economies on tourism. The failure to build a university in their own country, and focus on free university for their people, are major factors for the failing economies. Only about 2% of children in the OECS countries go to university, compared to 50% to 70% in richer countries.

The handover of the OECS Monetary Council Chairmanship on 25 July 2014, in St. Vincent, from PM of St. Lucia to the PM of SVG, Ralph Gonsalves, is a big joke.

Gonsalves has been incompetent as the SVG Minister of Finance.

Gonsalves failed the Audit of Public Accounts of 2008, 2009

and 2010, and the SVG economy has been mismanaged, with massive fiscal deficits for ten consecutive years, 2005 to 2014.

In 2007, Gonsalves overspent by $63 million dollars without the prior approval of the SVG House of Assembly, and in 2008, Gonsalves killed the National Commercial Bank (NCB) with a massive bank overdraft of $185 million. The OECS Monetary Council did not step in and save the NCB. Gonsalves is not a university graduate in finance, and under Gonsalves, SVG is experiencing its worst economic conditions in 40 years. The fact that Gonsalves is even a member of the Monetary Council, let alone the chair, is nonsense.

The OECS economies are in utter shambles. The economies need to substantially reduce their oil dependency, as so much money is wasted buying foreign oil. By going Green and using renewable energy to produce all of the OECS countries’ electricity needs, these countries could then devalue the Eastern Caribbean dollar to make OECS exports more attractive.

Having the OECS dollar pegged at USD$1 to EC$2.7 overvalues the currency and stifles economic growth in the eight member states of the OECS. Mr Ivan O’Neal, Leader of SVG Green Party, has a BSc (Hons.) in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Brookes University, England; a Masters degree in Budgeting, Macro-economics, policy and planning from Bradford University, England, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Leicester University, England.

Mr Ivan O’Neal believes that the way forward for OECS countries is to follow the model of Singapore. These countries need a new economic model based on science, technology, innovation, small businesses and entrepreneurship, and educating their population to university level. This will create multiple streams of revenue and end the dependency mentality of begging.

Roughly one in every 30 Singaporeans was a dollar millionaire in 2012. It is estimated that by 2017, one in

every 20 Singaporeans will be a millionaire. Singapore’s GDP per person is the world’s highest at $61,567, and the IMF expects this to rise to an astounding $77,000 in five years!

Does Singapore focus on tourism? NO. Does Singapore focus on science, technology,

innovation and on educating their people to university level?

YES. Today’s world is driven by knowledge, innovation, renewable energy and competent financial management. The OECS

Monetary Council is a failure and a joke.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

Commonwealth WomenÊs Network (CWN)ÂRays of Hope on the road to Beijing + 20Ê Women. That Conference produced a Platform of Action on the twelve critical areas of concern for the advancement of women. These issues remain an excellent framework against which to measure the progress of women, taking into account Delegates at the end of Ministers’ Day at the Global Summit the provisions of the Millennium Development to end Sexual Violence in Conflict, 12 June, 2014.

Goals and the SIDS process.

At the local level, the remarks at the Summit, the RECENT EVENTS in the UK and Commonwealth Office outcomes of the First National Caribbean and in the Congress of Women provide a Foreign Secretary, William international arena have framework for assessing the provided opportunities for the Hague, had this to say: status of women in SVG “Never in my time as women’s struggle to return to within the context of the Foreign Secretary so far, on the forefront, at the domestic any foreign policy issue, have Beijing Platform for Action, and government planning and related Conferences.

I seen such an extraordinary levels.

Two other bright Rays of The issue of Reparations for and inspiring gathering as we Hope are: the statement by have had over the last few Native Genocide and African the newly appointed Enslavement must also speak days. So many people have Commissioner of Police, worked so hard for so many to the economic, physical, years on this issue and it has Michael Charles, that he will educational and sexual have as a focus the arrest of always seemed that the odds violence inflicted on rape and other forms of indigenous women of Kalinago were totally against them. physical assault on women; “But it turns out from this and Black Carib descent, as and Senator Camillo Summit that we can bring well as on women of African Gonsalves’ statement in together a whole army from descent. around the globe — an army of Parliament that he would like The chilling reports of to see more women in that people of all ages, from all incest and statutory rape of Honourable House. The girls below the age of consent walks of life, spanning every religion and every conceivable women’s movements need to within their own homes, the applaud these Champions and cultural difference, from murder of women who desire work with them towards artists to legal experts and to leave unhealthy relations, addressing two critical areas doctors, all united with the point to the low esteem in of concern in the BPFA — common vision of ending which women are held by Violence against Women, and some men and institutions in warzone rape and sexual violence, and now it has been Women in Leadership and the society. put together, this army is not Decision-Making.

This gives the lie to The Commonwealth going to be disbanded.” statistics which measure the Women’s Network (CWN) will The opportunity exists to advancement of women by launch its Campaign “When influence positive change success in institutions of Sleeping Women Awake, through this bold global learning, and the presence of Mountains will Move”, on statement, and several other more women in previously August 16th, 2014, with a points of entry. male dominated positions.

Conference to address the This year 2014 marks 20 Such statistics are used to lull years of the Plan of Action for needs of the Girl Child, -the the population into the belief 12th Critical Area of Concern Sustainable Development of that all is well with women. in the Beijing Platform for Less than two months ago, Small island Developing Action. a high level Global Summit to States. The year 2015 will mark 15years since the end Sexual Violence in Nelcia Robinson Conflict projected strong rays signing of the Millennium Coordinator, Committee for Development Goals of hope for the shaving away the Development of Women of the seemingly impenetrable Declaration, and 20 years of the Beijing Platform for Action (CDW)/ Chair, Commonwealth wall of violence against Women’s Network(CWN) for the Advancement of women. In his closing

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 13.

V

14. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Dennie Wilson (centre) displays award, flanked by CACCI president Dr. Roy Hastick (L) and Board chair Edmund Sadio.

Caribbean Chamber honors ex-envoy Tedra.

“Without her, my life would not have been the balance in which to function properly,” Wilson said. The Wilsons are originally from Campbell THE BROOKLYN, New York-based village in Ashton, Union Island.

Caribbean American Chamber of Mrs. Wilson has been an Adjunct Commerce and Industry (CACCI) last Professor in International Finance and Sunday evening honored former United Marketing at York College in Queens, Nations Ambassador Dennie Wilson at a City University of New York (CUNY), gala ceremony, marking the for the past two years. organization’s 29th anniversary.

Wilson, who is also founder and Wilson — a Union Island native, who chief executive officer of the proposed was also Speaker of the House of Rockaway (Queens, New York) Assembly in St. Vincent and the Community Stem Charter School Grenadines, under the Labour Party (RCSCC), thanked the Almighty for administration of late Prime Minister his “many blessings and for His Robert Milton Cato, in the early 1980s steadying hand on my life.

— was among 11 honorees at the fiveThe RCSCC is scheduled to open in hour-plus-long event at Tropical September 2015 and, according to Paradise Ballroom on Utica Avenue in Wilson, the group comprises “a diverse Brooklyn. background of professionals” in the During his tenure in the House, disciplines of education, law, Wilson also served as a representative diplomacy, real estate, accounting, of the Commonwealth Parliamentary social work, school safety, fund Association. development and philanthropy.

“I am deeply honored and humbled Wilson — who possesses extensive to be in the presence of such background in public policy, diplomacy distinguished honorees,” said Wilson, and real estate management, and who was Deputy Ambassador, then serves on the board of trustees of Ambassador, to the UN, from 1995Spartan Medical College in St. Lucia — 2001, under the New Democratic Party has two Master’s degrees — a Master of (NDP) administration of Sir James F. Science in Education (Queen’s College, Mitchell, after receiving the award.

CUNY) and a Master of Science in “Awards are special, but this one is a Administration and Leadership very special one.”

(College of St. Rose at Albany, New Wilson, who currently works as an York). administrator with New York City’s He also holds certificates in School Department of Education (NYCDOE), Building Leadership and School said he joins a “long line of District Leadership, and an advanced distinguished men and women” who Certificate in Education. He earned have received CACCI’s Community his Bachelor’s degree in political Service Award. science from Fordham University in He lauded his childhood sweetheart New York. and wife of 33 years, Idica, a Girls Wilson was a school teacher in High School and Grammar School Union Island and Bequia in the early alumna, whom he described as “a solid 1970s. He was also a customs/revenue rock of support and strength” for him officer in the mid 1970s, from where and their two daughters, Denica and he launched into politics.

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

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 15.

16. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 17.

Diamond family gets help WHEN CAMPDEN PARK VINCENTIAN, that the company was moved to assistance, and THE VINCENTIAN understands resident Lolita Diamond, that at least two corporate entities have extended offer assistance, given the real need situation in her children and in-laws and/or made a promise of assistance to the Diamond which the Diamonds had found themselves. lost their home and its family.

The case, according to the representative, was contents to a fire on What can be confirmed is that the Campden Park one to which the company could not turn a blind Monday 16th June, 2014, based East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) eye.

Diamond made a has responded positively to the Diamonds plea.

In the meantime, some members of the Diamond passionate plea for On Friday 25th July, 2014, ECGC Head Miller, family are still housed at the Campden Park assistance to set her and Kingsley Dyer, presented a quantity of blocks to Community Centre. her family on a path to Stavias Diamond, husband of Lolita.

They continue their efforts to solicit assistance recovery.

The blocks will mean that the Diamond family for the reconstruction of their home, and those who As expected, the can commence reconstruction of their home. might feel moved to render same, can contact Lolita National Emergency An ECGC representative told THE Diamond at tel. # 497-0652.

Management Organization Kingsley Dyer – Head Miller, ECGC – handing (NEMO) responded over blocks to Stavias

by KENVILLE HORNE number 9 door. He won instead, a immediately with Diamond. large blue teddy bear holding a six A PARK HILL RESIDENT has won pack of Hairoun beer. himself an expensive car, and he is A delighted Stephens said he very proud of his accomplishment. once owned a car but had to sell it.

Lawrence Stephens, a 58 years “I had a vehicle and sold it and I old office attendant at the had needed one and because of International Airport Development Brewery I have one,” said Stephens.

Company (IADC), admitted feeling .However, giving one of his options, proud after selecting the door that he said, “If the dealer needs it back, opened to his grand prize of a I prefer the money and buy BMWZ4 car, during the final round something smaller, I’m a family “This is my ‘Beemer’ (BMW),” says the ‘Hairoun Unlock your CARnival’ man so I don’t need a sports car.” lucky Lawrence Stephens. under the crown promotion, which But based on the rules of the ended last Friday July 25th at the promotion, he will have to wait a several Hairoun beer consumers Solidarity Inc. Car Park on Bay year before he could sell it. won prizes including cash, Hairoun Street.

The ‘Hairoun Unlock your six packs, Carnival show tickets, Lawrence emerged the luckiest CARnival’ promotion was launched Carnival costumes, LIME 4G phones from among ten finalists competing on May 23rd at the Heritage Square and LIME credit. for the ultimate price. and during the two months since, June 16, 2014, firefighters put the finishing Sheldon Anderson of touches to outing the blaze at the Questelles missed the Diamonds’ home to prevent any spreading opportunity after choosing the to adjacent buildings.

Lucky Lawrence wins luxury car

V

18. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

ÂA VINCY TINGÊ promotes Phenomenal Kids Workshop local art and craft LOCAL ARTISANS now have another outlet through which to vend their wares.

This comes as the Theo Saunders Shop, yesterday Thursday, July 31, launched ‘A Vincy Ting’, which provides an opportunity for displaying and selling locally made products.

The range of products for sale includes jewellery from coconut shell, coconut products (e.g. oil and soaps), candles, silver earrings, picnic baskets, sea shell decorations, throw pillows, bags for everyday living, paintings, prints and clothing all made in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Camille Saunders Musser, shop owner, describes ‘A Vincy Ting’ as “an opportunity to give these small business operators an outlet to

market their goods.”

Saunder Musser feels it is necessary for a developing nation to value the importance of its artisans.

A craft maker herself, she will put on sale her own textile art which focuses on embroidery, along with her most recent paintings and prints celebrating the 250th anniversary of the St. Vincent Botanical Gardens.

Other artisans whose work will be displayed and sold are: Dawn Douglas - baskets made from pandanus palm; Carmet Huggins - cloth bags and sea shell decorations; Nievet Abbott Isles of the ‘Vet’s Crafts’ label - handmade items including smocked cushions; Dawn Bacchus — beach bags, hand bags and more under “immense Bags’ label is ‘Immense Bags;

Shernicia Mayers — clothing from her ‘Atelier Shernicia’ line; Merle Gellizeau of ‘Merle’s Arts and Crafts’ — craft items including fans ans baskets for children; Brio Che manufacturing coconut based, organic, ecofriendly health & beauty products, including coconut oil, scented candles and all natural handmade soaps, Camille Saunders Musser, body scrubs. operator of the Theo For over 60 years, Saunders Shop, sees Theo Saunders Shop ‘A Vincy Ting’ as a step in has been in the direction of bringing operation. It is value to the work of local artisan. renowned, particularly, for area. supplying artisans with The public is invited art and craft materials. to check out the line.

It has had several locations around Kingstown and is currently on Bonadie St., in the Heritage Square

extended

THE 2014 ANNUAL Phenomenal Kids Workshop hosted by Summer Crash Academy for children in the North Leeward area, has been extended to two weeks.

The Workshop, the fourth, to be held at the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School from 11th 22nd August, 2014, was extended to accommodate, “an element of sports which includes football, cricket and lawn tennis for the children,” explained Ms. Jolene Lewis, founder of the Summer Crash Academy programme.

The core areas of sessions in Basic Computing, Mathematics and Reading remain, and there will also be hiking expeditions and several impromptu visits from local entertainers.

Ms. Lewis describes the Workshop as an opportunity for interact for children from the various communities of North Leeward, and views it as addressing the lag in the children’s learning that sets in with the summer.

“Children easily lose a couple months’ worth of Math skills during the long summer vacation; this concern is addressed by the competent and dedicated Summer Crash team,” she said.

Those interested in attending or having their children attend the programme and are desirous of receiving more information, can request same at email address: summercrash_academy@hotmail.com. (See more on Page 17)

SVG Diaspora 4R’s to stage Talent Event

SVG DIASPORA 4R’s Organization for Youths, a New York based Vincentian non-profit organization, will launch its third local chapter in Barrouallie on Saturday 9th. August 2014, 7.00 p.m. at the Barrouallie playing field, with a community event dubbed, ‘TREASURES’, an impromptu community youth talent show.

Individuals and community groups interested in participating in the event only need to show up and registere on spot.

Performance will be allowed on a first come first serve basis.

Areas of talent may include singing, dance, comedy, poetry and any other special talent assessed to be suitable by the organizers.

The event will also mark the culmination of the organization’s first annual youth development camp for local members at Barrouallie Kingdom Life Ministries camp site, 4th.- 10th. August 2014.

SVG Diaspora 4R’s Organization for Youths New York was formed in October 2013 by Retired Inspector of Police Arden C. and Dr. Arlette Ann Tannis. The aim of the

organization is to assist in the nurturing and development of underprivileged Vincentian youths.

The organization receives new and used resources (materials like clothes, shoes, school supplies and toys) for reallocation and use by needy youths.

Currently the organization supports two local chapters, one at Sandy Bay and the other at Chateaubelair, that were established in December 2013.

Members of these groups have already benefited from the efforts of the organization.

Members of the Chateaubelair Chapter of the SVG Diaspora 4R’s Organization for Youths.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 19.

Opinion

Horrible

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES I am sorry. Sorry for the level of decadence in which we have found ourselves. The behaviour at Lynch’s funeral can only be described as HORRIBLE. How did we reach to this point where we have no RESPECT for ALMIGHTY GOD? Just listen to and read the utterances of politicians; preachers; professionals; so-called people with social consciences; social, political and community activists; journalists; disc-jockeys; business men and women, taxi drivers, columnists, political and social commentators, talk show hosts, supporters of both political parties, calypsoians/soca artistes, and you will have an understanding of who have contributed to this decline.

Every citizen has a responsibility to ensure that decent and proper social behaviours are taught to children, young adults, workers, even party supporters and well wishers; but it seems as though some people in that congregation were never taught social behaviour.

Politicians are duty bound to remind their constituents that they must show respect to everyone, regardless to colour, creed, class or political position.

So whether you come from Bottle and Glass/Barrouallie, Bottom Town, Owia, Paget Farm/Bequia, South Rivers, Roseau, Sharpes or Murray’s Village, there is NO EXCUSE, REASON OR JUSTIFICATION for such despicable and contemptible

behaviours. No decent-minded God-fearing person(s) will condone such behaviour.

According to our constitution, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is founded on the supremacy of Almighty God, yet Mr. Lilly White of the kinder and gentle party did absolutely nothing to stop the DISRESPECT in GOD’s House. And, what about the preacher? He too did nothing to stop the desecration of the Church. The irony is the same preacher once refused to shake the PM’s hand, as a sign of peace in church.

This unruly, ungovernable and recalcitrant bunch of hooligans is not the only ones who display such behaviours. The difference between the NDP supporters and the ULP is that their display in church was a planned and collective one, while the ULP supporters are more individualistic. Ask supervisors, permanent secretaries, senior government officers how they are afraid and ashamed to simply scold a junior officer. They will hear who send them; calls will be made immediately to politicians as a show of power; expletives will be sounded out in public offices. This tells of the classless behaviour and lack of respect for those in authority.

This new development in public offices just did not happen overnight. The recruitment and appointment procedures are mainly responsible for this lack of respect, show of power and the ‘we rule mentality’.

In the past, Vincentians looked to certain communities and peoples for social, cultural, sporting and political guidance.

However, in recent times neglect of those communities in all its forms has

Skinny...pushing the wrong buttons in 2014 ensured that there is a shift in moulding and shaping of our people. Hence, we have such behaviours today, because “we rule”.

The practice of geo-politics is a dangerous force that is crippling the development of our society, in every sphere of our lives. The geographic and political decisiveness is being practised daily by those in authority; giving rise to social, economic and political conflict. This practice contributes to rebellion. I am not for one moment condoning or justifying the disrespect of God or anyone else. However, those who encourage divisiveness for their own selfish means must stop and stop now, before it its too late.

The practitioners of geo-politics are not the only perpetrators, but there are the hypocrites that pretend to hate the practitioners of geo-politics, but love the practices. These mixed signals foster deviant conduct such as disrespect.

The NDP’s spiritual and redemption charter is old talk, just as TOGETHER NOW, and the Mickey Mouse ministry called Reconciliation. These phases, concept paper and ministry are all gimmicks to capture the imagination of the voters. Look at the conduct of these politicians, and tell me if they are serious.

Sometimes I wonder if ‘Sulle’s’ ‘Permanent Carnival’ is our national anthem, because we are always on our “orst behaviour”, displaying how “unruly” we are, and are proud to be “ill-discipline” and “not ashamed” to say we are “bad boys”, who stoned and disrupted a church; because we are “exercising our democratic rights”.

I guess by now, all those who participated and justified the UNRULY behaviour at that funeral are the “HAPPIEST PEOPLE ALIVE”.

The bacchanal in the church was horrible and shameful. I have never seen more mess, ugliness, lawlessness and UNGODLINESS. May the Lord have mercy on our souls!

Embarrassed

LET ME MAKE AN EARLY DECLARATION: This is not a personal attack on Skinny Fabulous. As a matter of fact, he should be guided by what I am about to write publicly, as the views expressed here are, by far, the sentiments of many Vincentians of different ages, professions, social class and status.

Almost everyone I spoke to recognise the tremendous talent which this outstanding Vincentian artiste possesses. These include his ability to write, sing and perform, and his entrepreneurial skill. I personally like to hear him being interviewed.

In 2014, it appears as though Skinny has taken Vincentians for granted; he operated in a manner which gives Vincentians the feeling he is above all, and whatever he gives we will accept.

A number of things account for a drastic reduction in support for him during Vincy Mas 2014.

They are as follows: 1. He was not slated to make an appearance on the Miss SVG show , but, to the surprise of all present, he was announced and suddenly made an appearance in a plain white t-shirt. This seemed quite odd, and everyone present began talking about his dress code, as this show is known to be a ‘dress-up’ event for all those appearing on stage and those in the audience. Many persons considered it disrespectful.

Further enquiries revealed, subject to correction, he requested to make this appearance while the show was in progress. This, of course, was to push his ‘Red Button’ Soca Monarch song.

Miss SVG was not the show for that.

The following night, he appeared on the Soca Swing show dressed in a jacket.

This move brought further confirmation of his disrespect for the Miss SVG show.

2. Luta organised his ‘White on the Dock’ event to celebrate his 20th Anniversary in the music business. Patrons turned out in their numbers, dressed in white. Two bands who appeared on the show, and all artistes who made appearances there, including elders in the business, Becket and Black Stalin, were dressed in white. The only artiste who appeared on stage, disrespecting the night’s colour code, was Skinny Fabulous — the same man who has appeared dressed in white on events of a similar nature in other countries. This was a

talking point among persons in the audience.

3. While it was clear to all that the standard of the Uncle Skinny’s event had taken a nose dive this year, there were significant increases in the cost for various things there. This left many parents to concur that this was really a money- making venture for Skinny, and it’s not really about doing an event for the children. Can anyone tell us to which institution or organisation Skinny has made major contribution from funds raised at Uncle Skinny’s Kids Carnival?

4. Certain circles here also question operation by a certain radio station to bombard their airways with Skinny’s music, e.g. ‘Red Button this year, at the expense of other songs of good quality recording and good content. A whole barrage of foreign soca was also played on that station with which Skinny is believed to have a ‘hot’ relationship. He is not known to be a part of the management of that radio station, but given what people believe, they find it difficult removing him from the plan to lock down the airwaves and deny us the right to hear all of his competitors. As a result, many Vincentians switched to other radio stations which were playing a much wider variety of songs.

These are just some of the matters under consideration by various persons, which resulted in the public’s perception that Skinny Fabulous was rubbing Vincentians the wrong way.

There was a strong antiSkinny movement across SVG during Vincy Mas 2014. I was in no way surprised at the lack of support he received at Soca Monarch. Many are still of the view that two other artistes should have placed ahead of Skinny, leaving him in 4th position.

I am in no way condoning what manifested on the night of Soca Monarch, but what transpired was really a resistance built up by all the issues raised, but the biggest contributor was the radio airplay mentioned in #4 above.

Let’s hope that the owner of that radio station, and the DJs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines realise that there is a certain level of consciousness as it relates to the ratio of foreign music to local music on radio, and at events. We are listening attentively, and the people are waiting to react.

Many Thanks!

Countryman

V

20. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

He’s afraid of DNA tests

Dear George, MY BOYFRIEND OF FIVE YEARS has given me the shock of my life, but I still want to keep him as my boyfriend, despite the advice from my friends.

We both were in the bridal party of a friend’s wedding. Now, I am learning that he has gotten three of the six bridesmaids pregnant. I checked with each of them after I heard the rumour, and they all admitted that they were six months pregnant with his child.

Two of them admitted they were virgins before sleeping with him.

I confronted him with the information, and he denies having anything to do with any of them. I then told him that the girls agreed to have DNA tests done in the future to confirm that he was the father of their child. His response was that if I do not believe him now, then he wants nothing further

to do with me.

I love this man and do not want our relationship to come down to this. I, however, want to know the truth. I do not know what to do.

Confused Dear Confused, If your boyfriend is as innocent as he claims, then he would have no problem waiting for the results of the DNA tests, whenever they are done.

His reaction, as you described, points out that he is not as innocent as he wants you to believe he is. It is not up to him to call the shots on this one.

Waiting on DNA results in this case is only prolonging the inevitable.

If you do not want to scrap the relationship at this point, then at the very least, put it on hold until confidence has been restored.

George

Caught in the act picture was he.

George, I want to know that if I would I WAS TIPPED OFF with not know what my the information that my husband’s back looks husband was having an like after 14 years of affair with a woman 20 seeing him naked. years his junior. I acted To this day, he has on the tip, and caught him in the act. I stood in not admitted that the person in the the doorway of the pictures was he, and I bedroom, where they were so into what he was am furious about it. doing, that neither he nor Our marriage has been moving downhill since she noticed me. I took several pictures of them then, and to me, it is in the act. His back was just a matter of time turned to me at the time before we go our of taking the pictures, so separate ways. I want to save it, but I do not when I showed him the think he wants that. pictures hours after he came home, he denied Disappointed that the man in the

Dear George,

Dear Disappointed,

One picture is worth a thousand words, and you need not engage yourself in a debate as to the identity of the man in the picture.

You know it is your husband, and your husband knows it is he.

The bigger question is whether or not he wants to risk the life of the marriage over an issue that can be resolved by not coming clean and getting his

act together. You need to state your position clearly to him; that you will not be taken for a fool. Give him an ultimatum to own up to his cheating ways or else. Your efforts to save your marriage will amount to naught if he remains unwilling to admit his faults and get help.

George

Cheating right under my nose The next night, she gave the same excuse of having diarrhoea, and again I AGREED TO ALLOW A FRIEND of locked herself in the bathroom. This time, I checked on our guest, and he my wife to spend a period of 11 days was not in his room. There was only at our home. He came in from the United States. This is someone whom one other place he could be, I thought.

When she got back to the bedroom, I got to know through my wife. Since I did not say anything to her, but the his stay with us, my wife has shown him the expected hospitality for which next day, I asked her to leave with her friend. She has not left the house as she is she is known.

However, during the last two nights yet, but I still want her out. I am still of his stay, some unusual happenings shell-shocked by this development! took place. My wife got up from her Peeved bed in the middle of the night and went to the bathroom. I heard her Dear Peeved, running the tap and flushing the toilet, so I know she was there. She It was good that you kept your cool came back to the bedroom and said throughout all of this. A marriage she had diarrhoea and went back to cannot survive in a climate of distrust the bathroom. and infidelity. You need to go back to After 30 minutes, she was still not back, so I got up to check on her. The the drawing board to see whether or not it makes sense in continuing with bathroom tap was still running and someone who has no problem she had the door locked. I asked her to open the door, but she said she was deceiving you, right under your roof in the shower. When I asked her why and nose. the door was locked, she gave the George excuse she wanted to be private from our visitor.

Dear George,

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be careful not to divulge secret information this week. Try to be patient and understanding. Travel will promote new romantic encounters and additional cultural knowledge. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. Upheavals may occupy your day. Anger might lead to carelessness and minor Injuries. Don't make any rash decisions that may affect friendships.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Your charm will attract someone special. Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away. Plan a nice evening for two.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Try to keep your cool; you may be a tad frazzled by all the rushing around. Don't share your dilemma with those you work with. Confusion at an emotional level will cause you to make wrong decisions concerning your personal life. Talk about your intentions and confirm that you both feel the same way.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can make personal changes that will enhance your appearance and bring about greater social activity.

Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you this week. You must follow your desires and dreams. Try not to be too harsh with loved ones; there will always be two sides to an Issue.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest. You can expect to have a problem with your lover. Don't put off the things that they have asked you to do. You may find that your family responsibilities are piling up.

Overexertion and negligence will be your worst enemies.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. Peers may not be on your side. Think be fore you act. Unforeseen circumstances will disrupt your daily routine. You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Opportunities for romance will flourish through travel. You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Be prepared for an active but rewarding day. You will be able to borrow money in order to invest.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Being unappreciated by your boss could make it hard to do your work effectively. Don't be too quick to sign documents. Try to visit friends or relatives you don't get to see often. Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. You need to make changes that will raise your self esteem, such as a new hairstyle or a new image. You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target. If you're feeling uncertain, spend some time alone and reevaluate your motives as well as your needs.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Unforeseen changes in your location are apparent. You may find yourself in an opportune position if you are willing to take a bit of a risk. Don't forget family obligations. Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Do your work at home, if you can.

Someone may be trying to make you look bad. Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. You should be looking into making changes around the house. Look into career choices and courses being offered.

ACROSS 1. Humble 5. Serving board 9. Spanish “one” 12. Choir singer 13. Vineyard beverage 14. Kenny G’s instrument, for short 15. Local community center (abbr.)

16. Wayside taverns 17. Compass letters 18. Skinny and tall 20. Clinging wrap 22. 6/6/44 (hyph.)

24. Life (prefix) 25. Short stop 26. Sitting rooms 30. House wing 31. Table support 32. NBA’s Unseld 33. Lynx, e.g.

36. Luster 38. Father, affectionately 39. Went to the bottom 40. Supped 43. Dec. 25 45. Twenty-one, Roman style 46. Actress Moore 48. Those folks 52. Having the flu 53. Under’s opposite 54. British nobleman 55. Hanoi holiday 56. Artist Magritte 57. Scrambled _ DOWN 1. Mother _ I? 2. Shade tree

3. Common abbr.

4. Australian marsupials 5. “_ Peaks” 6. Hockey hangout 7. Actress Sheridan 8. Polite response to an order (2 wds.)

9. Manipulator 10. Buzz Aldrin’s gp.

11. Work animals 19. Positive vote 21. Internet service (abbr.)

22. Artist Salvador 23. Yawn-causing 24. Pursue 25. Sunday chair 26. _ peeve 27. Author Wister 28. Smell bad 29. Social Security no.

31. Young Highlander 34. Eisenhower’s inits’

35. Frankness 36. Retirement benefit agcy.

37. Move quickly 40. Depart 41. Wheel spindle 42. Pinball error 43. Wolverine’s

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 21.

group with “The” (hyph.)

44. Muck 47. Adam’s companion 49. Glutton 50. Unit of energy 51. Drs.

22. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 23.

Ash giving back to Football ONE OF THIS COUNTRY’S former national footballers, Orandi ‘Ronnie’ Ash, continues to make his contribution to sports.

Ash, a Barraouallie native who now resides in the United States, has once again staged a Football Summer Camp for young footballers from throughout the state, at the Keartons Playing Field.

Some 150 persons, ranging in ages 4 to 20 years, participated in the Camp held at the Keartons Playing Field, and organized in the name of Adare Soccer Inc., a nonprofit organization established

by Ash. “We have been doing this since the summer of 2009, and

we bring lots of equipment for the kids,” Ash told THE VINCENTIAN. Of note is that work continues with the participants every Saturday, and Ash Participants in this year’s Adare Summer Camp. pointed out that, “Our kids from the first group Ash recognizes that the big initiative this Fall (third (three to date) have since requisite skill, as well as the term of school) is to form an official club so that these kids represented the U15 national technical and tactical aspects team. Some have also got into of the sport, should be can participate in Under 13, the high school teams. … imparted as early as possible, 15, 17, and also men’s league There are also players in the but stressed that the games”. programme also aims at And as far as the success of Barrouallie Eleven team and the national team who now instilling a sense of team the programme is concerned, are involved in the work.

Ash declared: “I am happy programme, so we are making “If you want to become good with the development of the footballers, we need to train as kids that have been here since progress, and I want to see that continue.” a team, as a group, with the the first year. Some of the goal of accomplishing things together. That is what we stress,” Ash emphasized.

Ash is expected to spend some time after the completion of the Camp, support for which was received from the St. Vincent Brewery, canvassing ongoing support for the Camp.

“I am here for another three weeks, and as soon as this is Camp is over, my job is to

Female coaches committed to the cause

Orandi ‘Ronnie’ Ash, former national footballer and the man behind the Adare Summer Football camp. present what we have done to business places,” the head coach stated.

“I understand there is a commercial bank which is behind the Barrouallie Eleven team, which is good; but I want to stress to them (businesses), that the only way that kind of success can continue, is to invest in the 150 kids that we have … who love the game and want to play and develop,” he added.

Orandi Ash represented the national football at age 19 in the 1996 Gold Cup, and again in 2000.

He is presently a full time coach at the university and club levels in the USA. I.B.A. ALLEN

Participants of FIFA/CONCACAF Women’s Coaching Course.

Field on afternoons.

“I laughed and said if I go there, I will do much better than what they are doing…..I Not dropping the ball: saw it as a joke……but since Simone Richardson poses this course, my impression with FIFA Instructor Andrea has changed,” she said.

Rodebaugh.

Richardson, a coach employed at the Ministry of

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT Sports, thought the course was timely; that it gave her, “I NEVER REALISED that and her colleagues, the this course would have been opportunity to try and create a so exciting……it has changed platform for the development my perception of women’s of the game among juniors. football”.

“We, my co-workers and I, These were the words of some of whom attended this newly certified women’s course, will be moving to start football coach, Simone the process. It will not be a Richardson as she spoke to hurried thing, but done in a THE VINCENTIAN shortly systematic and organised after collecting her certificate manner…..and will need the at the closing ceremony of the support of the PE teachers in FIFA/CONCACAF Women’s the schools and those Coaching Course, at the Arnos individuals on the YES Vale Playing Field.

Programme who currently Richardson, a former work along with the schools.” athlete and Under 23 Richardson noted the prenetballer, said that before requisite of getting the coming to the course, she was approval of the Ministry to get very dismissive of the females things up and running, but whom she saw training at the was confident that there Grammar School Playing

would be little or no problem in that regard.

She said that they would look to put together a fouryear plan starting with the grassroots, the schools, the communities, and this should culminate with a national female competition by 2018.

The course, conducted by FIFA Instructor, Andrea Rodebaugh, covered a number of areas, including the demands of football, fitness for football, analysis of fitness testing, planning sessions, marketing women’s football, developing an annual programme, strength development and the importance of nutrition, among other things.

Rodebaugh commended the participants on their “one hundred percent” attendance, during a closing ceremony that also heard addresses from SVGFF head Venold Coombs, Director of Sports Nelson Hillocks, that preceded the handing out of certificates to each of the 22 participants.

Stubbs Hairoun Football kicks off THE 3RD EDITION of the Stubbs Hairoun Football competition is set to kick off this weekend at the Stubbs playing field.

Sixteen teams, including two from Georgetown and one from Marriaqua, are down to compete. This marks an increase of three over last year.

Yoland London, the main organizer, said the feature of this year’s competition will be the introduction of the Under 17 division.

“We are introducing an Under17 division for the first time, because we recognize there is a lot of interest from the youngsters in the area.

We have seen them on the park religiously developing their skills, and outside of national youth tournaments, there is not really any other competitions for the youths,” London explained.

The opening will witness addresses from

Yoland London, main organizer of the competition highlighted the introduction of an U17 division. representatives from the local football federation, the ministry of sports, the area representative, the national sports council and the sports department.

Propsect are the reigning league champions, and Stubborn Youths the knock out champions.

I.B.A.ALLEN

V

24. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Cricket Association on the front foot

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Reviews and previews MAYBE THE WORLD CUP Football competition grabbed so much attention that none was left for the other events. The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is one of those casualties.

St. Lucia Zouks has not gotten off to a flying start, and their supporters have been left to ponder as to what has gone wrong.

Jamaica Talawahs, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and Guyana Amazon Warriors are battling for the top tier. Barbados Tridents and Antigua Hawkbills complete the list.

Zouks and Hawksbills have set themselves on a lower threshold, and will likely miss the bid for the championship.

Promoters of this year’s CPL appear to have taken the spectators, viewers and listeners for granted. Persons have not been fired.

Once Zouks continue down the path they have taken, you can bet that the support will decline.

Traditional Caribbean patrons abandon the losers, and that has been the case with Zouks.

It is interesting that the West Indies Cricket Board has been bold enough to introduce the franchise system at the Four Day level. The idea is to raise the standard. Franchises will have ten home-grown players as a nucleus, with the 15member squad made up of regional and international campaigners.

Tough First Class cricket will help our players to mature. We have seen time over time how difficult it is for some of our players to focus. What is needed by Caribbean players is consistency.

Flash in the pan innings, a quick fire half century or swashbuckling ton will arouse admiration, but will they help to instil a genuine team performance?

There is a breakdown in the application of the basics in many aspects of the game. Our batsmen continue to disappoint with their lack of footwork.

Batsmen are afraid to use their feet to the spinners. And they are also tentative about getting in line to fast bowlers. The art of putting away the bad delivery seems to have been lost, and batsmen using their mental capacity to overcome difficult situations seems to be a waning attribute.

There are too many instances of people’s action under the microscope. That is an indictment on our coaches. It is unacceptable for persons to launch a career with an illegal action. The tendency for players to fall under the radar has left some people wondering where they learnt their cricket.

An array of deficiencies also plagues many of our administrators also. They are not adjusting to certain unfolding trends.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has moved on to a path of declining morals. The lines cross with alarming regularity, and the consequences of a full pitched national confrontation looms large and ominous.

There are signs of an Israeli type intransigence and atmosphere of ignorance and arrogance has been visibly entrenched. English cricket Moeen Ali was conscious enough to put his conscience on the line and come out in solidarity with the Palestinians, but he has been reined in by the International Cricket Council and sections of the nation whom he represents.

Ali must be applauded. His forthrightness has marked him as one with some dignity. He has been reprimanded or quietly reminded of the regulations of the ICC. That is about mixing politics and sports.

The repercussions of his actions will reverberate. He has spoken loudly and has exposed a level of hypocrisy in sport. The ICC will do well to look into their level of operations and come up with recommendations that make the game of cricket more acceptable and accessible to more people on the global arena.

THE REINTRODUCTION of primary and a junior secondary schools cricket competitions are among decisions which the SVG Cricket Association have agreed on, as they search for ways to redevelop youth cricket here.

THE VINCENTIAN learnt that a number of decisions were taken following what was described as constructive and serious discussions at the Association’s Retreat last Saturday, at the administrative building at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

According to information reaching THE VINCENTIAN, delegates and coaches representing a number of clubs, knocked heads in what is said to be the commencement of the road towards the finalisation of a Strategic Plan, first devised almost a decade ago.

The junior secondary schools competition will be played between

The SVG Cricket Association Executive is making an assertive effort to address some deficiencies in the sport here. students from the first to third forms, while the primary schools competition will seek to involve all the schools in the country, according to one person who was close to the discussions.

Among the other major decisions was the setting up of a Talent Identification Programme (TIP) which is under the chairmanship of former executive member and national coach, Otis Jack. The committee also includes Paddy Thomas, Cleton Burnette, Orlanzo Jackson and Wendell Ogarro.

The committee will be charged with the responsibility of identifying young players

from across the island, following which they would be brought into the SVGCA programme, with a view to helping to develop not only their cricket ability, but other aspects of their lives, including academics, the source said.

In addition, mentorship will be sought for these young players from among “upright persons” to help and guide them in their attempt to build careers, the source said.

Saturday’s session was geared specifically towards the effort to revive youth cricket, following what many say was the fall off under the presidency of Julian Jack.

SVG Under 15 teams, who previously dominated the Windwards tournament, have finished in the cellar position in the last six tournaments, and failed to win a solitary match in the last two.

According to the source, the Association is hoping to complete the Strategic Plan before November, when they would be able to discuss it before the AGM and Elections.

The executive, under new president Kishore Shallow, was elected to office in May following a Vote of No Confidence in Jack over what many say was his mishandling of the Association’s affairs.

Five Newcomers in SVG Squad

Shonica Campbell, Ronique Fergus, right arm medium. left arm medium FIVE NEWCOMERS HAVE been named in a Juliana Nero led 14member national Female Cricket team to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines in the upcoming West Indies 50 overs cricket tournament, to be held in Dominica from August 5th to the 21st.

The five are Nyasha Williams, Ronique Fergus, Jophenia Joseph, Sue Ann Martin and Shonica Campbell.

Nero believes the team will give a good account of themselves, notwithstanding that there are five newcomers in the lineup.

“Once we, the senior players, support the others and play our role, I expect the team will

Jophenia Joseph, all rounder

Sue Ann Martin, right arm medium.

compete well,” Nero said, adding, “I just want the players to go and enjoy themselves and make use of the opportunity representing the nation, and work hard towards their goal.”

The team’s batting will be centred on the experience of Juliana Nero, Hazel-Ann Foster and Samantha Lynch, who regains her place in the team after being omitted last year, and wicket keeper/batter Kaylene Garrick who also missed last year’s tournament.

The bowling department will be carried by Vinisha King, who also is a capable batter in the middle; seamer Stacy Ann Adams and the experienced leg spinner Xavian

Nyasha Williams, left hand batter

Stevens.

The full team reads, Juliana Nero (Captain), Latoya Providence (Vice Captain), Nyasha Williams, Ronique Fergus, Jophenia Joseph, Sue Ann Martin, Shonica Campbell, Hazel Ann Forster, Stacey Ann Adams, Kaylene Garrick, Shevorne Clarke, Vinisha King, Samantha Lynch and Xavian Stevens.

Reserves are Rochell John, Edlin Turtin and Kemone Homer.

The team is coached by Cleton Burnett and managed by Gwyneth Anthony.

I.B.A.ALLEN

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 25.

26. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014. 27.

Classifieds

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ACKNOWL LEDGMENT

In Memory of

TThe he family of the la late te

Irma Irma Agatha Agatha Norris Norr M.B.E. of Cyrus Cyrus SStreet, treet, New M ontrose, or iginally Montrose, originally fr om B elmont, B equ from Belmont, Bequia, departed this lilife who departed Thursday 17th July Ju on Thursday 2014, w ould like to to would express its deep express appreciation tto o all appreciation those who ttelephoned, elephon sent cards, wreaths and floral arrangements, offered prayers, attended the funeral or in any way extended their sympathy and support during its time of bereavement.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant……….. enter thou into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25: 21 Lovingly remembered by children Lynette (Norris) Glasgow, Josette Norris, Cecily Norris, Audrie NorrisSimmons; adopted child Michael Norris in Canada; grandchildren Ayana Hypolite, Kimya Glasgow, Dr Malaika Glasgow, Perry Norris II, Samara Murphy Burch-Smith in Guyana; and great grandchild Zahra; nephews in the USA – Irwin, Cecil, Sydney and Dennis Thompson, Clarence McMaster and their families; niece Lynne Thompson; In-laws Karl; Yvonne; Cecile, Bert, Ron John and their families; cousins Norma Walrond-Small, Mary Walrond, Brenda Walrond-Belcon; caregiver Judy Fraser, other relatives and friends.

EHUD EMISHIEL BUTLER New Life Ministries North Union Saturday 26th July, 2014 Service at 2:00 p.m.

WILFRED PATTERSON

DELPHINE EUGINA ³(8*,(´ &$,1

St. James Anglican Church Layou Saturday 26th July, 2014 3:00 p.m.

Calvary Baptist Church Arnos Vale Monday 28th July, 2014 2:00 p.m.

BENJAMIN THEOPHILUS FREDERICK

MRS. LUANN ALAYNE ALEXANDERMALONEY

St. Bethel Spiritual Baptist Church Byrea Saturday 26th July, 2014 Service at 2:00 p.m.

Sunrise: 07.01.77 Sunset: 12.07.14 6W 3DXO¶V Anglican Church, Calliaqua Thursday 24th July, 2014 3:00 p.m.

Charles Quammie of Choppins Village who departed this world on August 2nd, 2002 We knew a man, he was the kindest man We've known in all our days.

Then one day God called on him, and now he's gone away.

We loved this man with all our hearts, and in our hearts he'll stay…

This kind man he was our Dad, he meant the world to us.

He was always there when we need support… …even when he disagreed.

He always tried to make us see.

The things in life that matter most, are truth and family.

Missed by your children.

AGATHA POPE Mt. Moriah Spiritual Baptist Church Chester Cottage Sunday 27th July, 2014 3:00 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R

A.I. REAL ESTATE South Union 3 bedrm Property on 8,404 sq.ft. - $580,000.00 - H538 Questelles 3 bedrm Property on 7,977 sq.ft. - $325,000.00 - H714

S A L E

THURSDAY,

JULY 31, 2014

VOLUME 108, No.31

North Union 7 bedrm Property on 7,848 sq.ft. - Open to offer - H287

www.thevincentian.com

Other listings are available Phone: 457-2087 Fax: 457-1382 Toll Free (USA): 866-978-0951 718-732-0545 Email: donp@vincysurf.com Website: www.aisvg.com

EC$1.50

ÂGOLD TEETHÊ SCORES MAJOR LEGAL VICTORY

Inspector Calvin ‘Gold Teeth’ Glasgow won judgement in his favour in his appeal against a contempt of court charge.

by HAYDN HUGGINS FORMER CHIEF MAGISTRATE Sonya Young had no power to charge and convict police Inspector Calvin ‘Gold Teeth’ Glasgow for contempt of court.

Young had held the Senior Police Officer in contempt while presiding over traffic matters at the Serious Offences Court, January 22 this year. He was fined $200 forthwith, which he paid.

Section 32 of the Magistrate’s Act, that section deals with misconduct before the court, not contempt, and even if she charged him, he should have been given a chance to be heard.

Bacchus-Browne also pointed out that under cross-examination, Annetta Rodriguez, clerk at the Serious Offences Court, over which Young had presided, admitted that she was unaware that Glasgow had “sucked his teeth” and she (clerk) High Court Judge Esco Lorene Henry ruled that the Section of in fact, thought the sound was merely someone’s law under which Magistrate shoe scratching against Young purported to charge the tile. Rodriguez said a Then Chief Magistrate Sonya Young had ‘Gold Teeth’ did not make statement to this effect moved swiftly to act against what she provision for contempt. was provided to Young’s perceived to be disrespectful behaviour. lawyer. Bacchus-Browne However, High Court Judge Esco Lorene Henry contended that this was not reflected in the final ruled on Monday that Young, then Chief affidavit prepared, which merely alludes to having Magistrate, had no power to charge and convict heard a sound.

Glasgow for contempt of Court, and that she Young, currently a presiding judge in Belize, did exceeded her jurisdiction. As a result, the judge not turn up for the trial, but Rodriguez had sworn ordered that Glasgow be repaid what he was to an affidavit which stated in part, “Suddenly the ordered to pay the Court, and that he be paid legal claimant (Glasgow) entered the witness box. Court cost in the sum of $500. was in session and hearing a matter in which Mr. Lawyers Kay Bacchus-Browne and Nicole Andre Moore aka Julian Moore was the accused.

Sylvester represented Glasgow while Attorney Mr. Moore was in the dock. The Chief Magistrate Duane Daniel appeared on Young’s behalf. was in the process of explaining the court procedure The lawyers had filed an application in the High to him. The Chief Magistrate asked the claimant Court, February 10 this year, initially asking for a why he was in the box as she was not ready for him, remission and/or repayment of what Glasgow was and she asked him to step out of the box. He turned ordered to pay the Court. The matter went to trial, and as soon as he stepped down, I heard a sound.”

July 16, before Justice Henry.

Glasgow was alleged to have sucked his teeth.

In her written submissions, Bacchus-Browne Efforts to reach Daniel for a comment were challenged Young’s decision to charge and convict unsuccessful up to press time Tuesday.

Glasgow of contempt of court, contending that only Justice Henry is expected to deliver a written the Supreme Court had that power. She argued that judgment. though Young purported to charge him under

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.