Vin pages 03 07 15 e reader to use

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Special offer, Live Streams, Movies and Live Radio, all in one box.

PRICE:

$390.00.

Recommended internet speed 10megs.

Call Express Data Systems Limited at 784-456-1128 for more info.

FRIDAY,

JULY 03, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.27

Left: Junior Queen of the Bands, ‘Day Dream’ portrayed by Danya Prescott from ‘Illusions – Never See, Come See’.

Right: Justin Cambridge portraying ‘Hand Shadows’ – Junior King of the Bands 2015.

Above: ‘One Moment in Time’ – winning Section of the Bands from Blondie Bird and Friends’ ‘Illusion – Never See, Come See.’

Story on Page 3.

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

V

2. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Ricardo Adams, Manager of RJR, producers of an annual J’Ouvert band, accepts sponsorship cheque from Digicel’s Marketing Executive Danielle Cupid.

Digicel supports culture in SVG DIGICEL IS ALIVE and present in Vincentian culture in general, and in Vincy Mas in particular.

The telecommunications company continues to demonstrate its support for culture and carnival in particular, with

support for a variety of carnival related activities and entities here.

As it stands, with mere days before the climax of Vincy Mas 2015, Digicel has thrown its support behind the Anti-Stush and UV Vibe Sunset party and

Slippery when wet fete; RJR J’Ouvert, Mojito J’Ouvert, A:M Jamboree and The Network t-shirt band; and the Nelson Bloc Mas band.

In addition, Digicel has heightened the awareness of these events by awarding Digicel customers, on a weekly, with a carnival visa which gives them an opportunity to attend carnival shows and events absolutely FREE. In a statement released this week, Digicel says “… it “continues to lead the

way in moving St. Vincent & the Grenadines communities forward in a positive way through its dedication, not only to culture in St Vincent and the Grenadines, but also sports, special needs, music, education and community development.”

In its 12th year of involvement in Vincy Mas, Digicel encourages all patrons to be safe, and have an extraordinary Vincy Mas 2015.

Maddzart set on taking everything “THE PLAN is to win everything.

“We plan a ‘shock and awe’ campaign.

We have been working hard, we know what we want,” Raeon ‘Maddzart’ Primus told THE VINCENTIAN. He has been included in the finals of both the Ragga and Power Soca Monarch Competitions, scheduled for Raeon ‘Maddzart’ Primus Saturday 4th July. and his team are working His songs for the ‘overtime’ to ensure that night are ‘My Queen’ their plan for 2015 ‘comes in the Ragga together’. category, and ‘No Decorum’ in the Power Soca category.

The veteran Soca/Ragga Soca Artiste, who has three Ragga Soca titles under his belt, assured THE VINCENTIAN that he and his team have the fuel and the drive, and no amount negative criticism was going to prevent them from fulfilling the plan.

“It makes you want to work even harder because we know what we want.

“And this year, we not stopping for any obstacles; we cutting we own road; we not going in it to lose, not going in it for fun, not going in it for play. We have a game plan, and we sticking to it,” Primus affirmed.

Primus also spoke of his 2015 album entitled ‘LuKunTunKuTun’, which is available digitally.

The album features 10 tracks, including his presentations for Vincy Mas 2015, and two tracks on which he collaborated with artistes from Montserrat.

The album can be obtained online for US$10, or more.

Persons also have the option of purchasing tracks individually at US$1 or more, he added.

Sales have been doing well so far, with a number of persons already downloading the album.

A limited supply of the album will be made available in Compact Disc format locally, Primus said, for EC$30 a copy.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 3.

News 3 Ten challenge ÂMan ZangieÊ

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY FROM A LIST OF NEARLY 100 who faced the judges in the preliminaries both here and in New York, the number has whittled to 11.

Those eleven will match rhyme and guile in the 2015 Calypso Monarch final, slated for Sunday 5th July, 2015, at Victoria Park.

The list includes the 2014 monarch, Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams who has given indication that he will not go down, if he does, without a serious fight.

Among the contenders to ‘Man Zangie’s’ throne are: Dennis Bowman with ‘Calypso best friend’; Glenroy ‘Homey’ Delpeche who sang ‘Youths have their story to tell,’ and a crowd favourite at the semi-final, Joel ‘Navel String’ Bartholomew, who invited nationals to ‘Come out and vote’.

The indefatigable Noel ‘Defoe’ Castello with his ‘Calypsonian Educator’ is in the final for the first time.

Junior Malcolm ‘Marshie’ Marshall has achieved something nearing the spectacular, moving straight into the final in his first plunge in the semis. His number ‘Professional Bowlers’ has created a stir and the legal manoeuvrings aimed at upsetting ‘Marshie’s’ flow may have sharpened his focus.

Robert ‘Patches’ Knights is a perennial finalist and came close to taking the crown in 2014. He will be looking to go the full distance this year. His semifinal number was ‘Massa day done’.

Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar copped the title in 2005 and 1997. He rendered

Defending Monarch Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams worked hard to get where he is, and is determined to sit on the throne for another year.

‘Appreciate carnival’ in the semifinal.

Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne is the most coveted calypsonian in the showdown, with three national titles - 1983, 1994 and 2007 — and the envied title of being this country’s first Independence Calypso Monarch.

He will be looking to add to his collection of titles after ‘Dancing at 64’ into the final.

Two women will be anxious to rekindle the female dominance, led

by Princess Monique, Joy-C and Fya Empress. That hope rests with Shaunelle McKenzie, ‘Ears to the ground’ and another first time finalist, Cleopatra Hendrickson, ‘Sexy gone crazy’.

The calypsonians will be

accompanied by the Police Band which projects no fewer than 11 brass players in its complement for Sunday’s showdown.

Each competitor will do two songs.

Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts (Three D Woman), Kahalia Beache (Nar grow at all), Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey (Monkey Man), Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis (Calypso Prime Minister), John ‘The Truth’ Dougan (Secret Weapon), St. Clair ‘Mitch’ Lewis (Give love a chance), Tyrone ‘Fabulous T’ Pierre (Change is coming), Jerome ‘Parry’ Samuel (Enemies of the State), Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph (High), and Glenford ‘Azara’ Charles (Reparation for we) were the other semi-finalists.

No illusion: Blondie takes the lead Add to those feats, the title of 2015 Junior King and Queen of Carnival THE RESULTS OF THE ‘Day Dream’ portrayed by JUNIOR CARNIVAL Danya Prescott and ‘Hand speak for themselves.

Shadows’ by Justin There is no illusion.

Cambridge respectively Blondie Bird and Friends and many would have Mas Band are off to a concluded that those remarkable start in this accolades would have been year’s Vincy Mas enough to declare that competitions for mas Blondie Bird and Friends bands. had indeed made a The reigning Band of remarkable start the year title holders But the victories didn’t copped the Junior Band of stop there. the year title with their Blondie Bird and presentation ‘IllusionFriends went on to Never see, come see’. capture the individual This after placing first sections, taking: first and and second in the Junior second places in the 5 — 9 Section of the Bands years category with their competition with their ‘Magic’ and ‘Illusions of depictions of ‘One Moment Grandeur’; and similar in Time’ and ‘Musical positions in the 10-15 Illusion’. years age group with

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

‘Optical Illusion’ and ‘One Moment in time’.

They were helped to that pedestal with Junior King and Queen titles.

Digicel Nelson Bloc with “Soccer: The Game of the people” was second in the Junior Band of the Year competition. SVG Players International Mas Band was third with ‘Masquerade’.

Players turned the tables on Blondie and Friends with victory in the Uptown competition.

Blondie’s ‘Illusion’ was adjudged second, and Nelson Bloc third.

Players and Nelson took the second positions in both the Junior King and Queen competitions.

Meshach Pierre

portraying ‘Rise of the Phoenix,’ was second in the King of the Bands category, and Brianna Baptiste depicting ‘Imagination’ was second in the Junior Queen showdown.

Lauren McGuire from Digicel Nelson Bloc’s ‘Soccer: The game of the people’ was third with her presentation ‘Vincy Heat’, and David Holder in his costume ‘Soca Warriors’ was third in the Junior King segment.

Mas enthusiasts here are already in debate about whether Blondie Bird and Friends can repeat their feat of 2013, when they won every major competition for mas bands.

‘Unfortunate development’, Ambrose admits

by HAYDN HUGGINS CHAIRMAN of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), Dennis Ambrose, has described as “unfortunate” the development regarding calypsonian Junior Malcolm ‘Marshie’ Marshall, a Dennis Ambrose, finalist for this Chairman of the CDC, Sunday night’s confirmed that Junior Dimanche Gras ‘Marshie’ Marshall was show at the asked to adjust his Victoria Park. lyrics, and he did so for Attorney his performance in the Patina Knights, calypso Semi-Finals. lawyer acting on behalf of Luis Deshong, Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, has written to ‘Marshie’ threatening legal action for what she referred to as defamatory statements, published of and concerning her client, in the song ‘Professional Bowlers’.

“It is kind of unfortunate that the PS took the meaning of the song in that context, but then again, every human being has a right to make their own analysis,” Ambrose told THE VINCENTIAN when contacted on Monday.

Ambrose agreed that the song is a wellcrafted calypso.

Ambrose said that on the evening of Friday, June 26, the CDC received a copy of Knights’ letter, and CDC’s lawyers, in the presence of witnesses, including the Calypsonians Association, advised ‘Marshie’ to make certain changes to the song, which he did.

Ambrose said that what ‘Marshie’ sang at the National Calypso Semi-Finals indicated that he had made the changes. But, according to Ambrose, even before the CDC received a copy of Knight’s letter, the Corporation had sought advice on the song from its lawyers. “We got the advice from our lawyers and the copy of Knights letter the same evening,” Ambrose affirmed.

The CDC’s chair explained that over the years when calypsonians are selected to sing at the national semi-finals, a CDC show, the CDC would ask them to submit the lyrics of their song before they sign their contract.

“If when we read the lyrics of the song, we find there is anything libellous that may compromise the CDC, we usually send it to our lawyers for legal advice”, Ambrose explained.

“If our lawyers say the lyrical content of the song needs any adjustment, then we will advise the artiste to make the necessary adjustment. If after we advise them to do that, they still sing what they have been advised not to sing, the CDC would be cleared if legal action is taken. We usually advised them in the presence of witnesses, and ask them to re-submit the adjusted lyrics,” Ambrose added.

V

4. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Female found dead in KingÊs Hill Forest

her friend on Monday, since Bess went to town, with another relative.

RELATIVES AND FRIENDS of a According to Warren, the young lady whose body was relative told her that while in found on Wednesday 1st July, in the King’s Hill Forest Reserve on town she and Bess parted ways. Bess said before going the Windward side of the her way that she was going to country, are still in a state of collect something. shock.

After some time had passed Eighteen-year-old Katisha and Bess did not reconnect Bess, who resided in Great House, Lowmans Leeward, was with her relative, she telephoned her to find out last seen by friends and where she was, since the residents of the area on relative wanted help to select a Monday morning, heading to pair of shoes.

Kingstown.

According to Warren, Bess According to Atasha told the relative that she was Warren, a very close friend of in a van at Peace Memorial Bess, she last saw her friend Hall, and promised that she on Sunday Morning. She said they attended a ‘wet fete’ in La would return to help her.

Warren said when she saw a Croix on Saturday night and picture of the dead body on after the show they went for a Facebook, she knew sea bath.

Warren said she did not see immediately that it was her close friend.

by KENVILLE HORNE

“When me see the picture, me tablet drop out me hand. Me couldn’t believe it”, Warren said, continuing rather erratically, “She slipper gone, bag gone, and she phone gone.”

A calmer Warren then said, “Them na bin have to do the girl that. Why them so wicked”, and then broke into tears.

She said she would miss her friend dearly.

“I will miss she real bad.

We had our own sign. As Katisha Bess (right) and her friend God, me still can’t Atasha Warren in happier times. believe” said Warren.

“She wasn’t somebody who would fight or cuss.

She is a former student of Katisha bin cool,” she added. the Buccament Secondary The sentiments were shared School and would have by villagers in the community. celebrated her 19th birthday in Bess is said to have receives September. injuries to her head and neck.

Katisha Bess was found dead in the wooden Kings Hill Forest Reserve, a great distance from her residence in Lowmans Leeward.

Johnsons’ tragedy increased threefold Ollivierre, and his great grandson, 22year-old Leon Denzil Johnson, A FAMILY IN THE NORTH perished in a vehicular mishap on LEEWARD area of mainland St. their return home to Charles Village.

Vincent is mourning the loss of three The mishap occurred on the main more members, 21 days after another road entering the village of Coulls Hill. was killed in gruesome circumstances, The Police were investigating how the June 7.

Toyota Sprinter, PT 505, went over the Thirty-six-year old Shardine embankment and ended about fifty Monicia Johnson was buried last yards away in the main road below.

Sunday, June 28 According to a press release from at Chateaubelair. the Public Relations and Complaints That ceremony Department, Leon and George died at turned into a the scene, while Ollivierre died at the reunion for the Troumaca Health Centre.

Johnson clan, but Kimral Williams, the driver of the the family was vehicle, was a patient at the Milton plunged into Cato Memorial Hospital. Neville deeper sorrow, Charles survived with minor injuries hours after and was discharged from that medical Monicia’s institution. interment, when Sunday’s fatalities raised road 89-year-old deaths to 15 for the year. It was the George Johnson, second most fatal road accident so far Monicia’s for 2015. Seven students died when a Leon Denzil grandfather, his van crashed at Rock Gutter between Johnson was daughter 65-year- Fancy and Owia, January 12, in what noted for his old Vinola Icyna remains the country’s most deadly technical skills.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

road affair.

George Johnson, Some one of the markings on fatalities in last the road told Sunday’s of where the accident, had only mishap recently buried his happened and granddaughter. traces of engine oil tell the tale of the ill-fated vehicle.

Pieces of shattered glass and car parts dot the path down a steep gradient, to the car’s final resting place.

Vinola Icyna Ollivierre, another fatality, had spent some time in Barbados working.

as a handy man.

Harris Johnson paid Last Sunday’s tragic incident threw homage to his the constituency, particularly Chateaubelair and Spring Village, into mother Icyna.

“I cry like a baby the whole day. I a sustained air of sadness. And as get beaten like a child. That is the expected, it triggered a range of Queen of my heart,” he mustered. reaction from family members.

Bridgette Ollivierre was George’s Family members pondered on what last daughter and told of having lost might have been. George’s sister, Damsel Johnson, aged 84, was keen to her mother when she was 17 months old. have him spend a second night with She was in disbelief when she heard her, following the Saturday night the news of the accident. “We didn’t reunion. George wanted to be at home believe it from the beginning, but the calls keep coming,” Bridgette to take care of his indicated. animals.

Alfred Ollivierre is another of Gloria John lived George’s sons. “I can’t function. Is with George from an infant. She expressed plenty pressure on me,” Alfred sorrow at his passing admitted. He had not eaten in two days. and uttered: “I go Acting Prime Minister Girlyn miss him.”

Icyna is reported to Miguel visited the Johnson family both in Spring and Chateaubelair. She was have returned from accompanied by officials from the the neighbouring Police and National Emergency island of Barbados, where she spent some Management Organisation.

This accident took place almost in 20 years working in the same spot where an accident had the tourism sector.

Denzil was referred occurred previously. It has raised debate over road repairs to that part of to as the village Photo shows where the vehicle went over, and gives an idea about the distance from that the road network. technician and noted point to the main road where the ill-fated vehicle rested.

Obvious mourning

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 5.

Regional

Duprey wants his company back Lawrence Duprey may have been a friend of former OM Basdeo Panday (left), but it was Patrick Manning’s (right) government who bailed out CFL.

LAWRENCE DUPREY, former principal shareholder in CL Financial (CLF), parent company of CLICO, the CLICO Investment Bank and BAICO, wants his company back.

Duprey oversaw the near totally collapse of his company before its management was taken over by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, in January 2009, in what it (government) said was “to stem money problems in CLICO and CLICO Investment Bank.”

Duprey’s ‘brave’ call comes following indications from the Government and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, that CLICO had turned a profit, and was able to satisfy its main creditor–the Government–with a $7

billion payment.

There seems to be some uncertainty regarding the amount owing to government.

The amount has varied from $17.5 billion, to $22 billion, to $25 billion.

In making his claim for the return of “his company,” Duprey is reported by the Sunday Express of June 18, as claiming that he was coerced into agreeing with the Government takeover in 2009.

He, according to the Sunday Express, produced a letter which he had sent to then Central Bank Governor, Ewart Williams, “to alert him of the liquidity situation.”

Duprey said that he never called for a bailout but instead requested liquidity support which,

according to the letter to the Governor of the Bank, set out CFL assets over four areas of investment at a total of 23.9 billions.

Duprey fled the Caribbean, once the takeover by the Government came in to effect, leaving persons, organisations, even financial institutions from across the Caribbean holding ‘paper’ against their real policies and annuities.

Since his resurfacing, Duprey has claimed that he was victimised because he was a friend of former United National Congress Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, so he left Trinidad immediately after the memorandum of understanding was

signed.

“I thought they were about to put a pair of handcuffs on me and put me in jail. I thought that is the action John Jeremie (former attorney general) would have taken so I never came back,” he told the Sunday Express.

Maybe the AG should have directed his ‘troops’ to do so; it might have brought some measure, albeit miniscule, of consolation to the many persons who, up today, have not heard anything regarding whether they would recover their investments.

More World Bank $$ for struggling OECS THE WORLD BANK is poised to continue for some time, to be a major benefactor of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Last week, in St. Lucia, during the third regional Caribbean Growth Forum hosted at the Sandal Resort , the World Bank, the group announced the launch of a multi-million-dollar lending programme, to generate sustainable growth in struggling Caribbean nations.

The Washington-based World Bank Group’s board of executive directors endorsed the new Regional Partnership Strategy (RPS) for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) for the period 2015-2019, focused on creating the conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The new strategy proposes a lending programme of about US$120 million for the period and, in addition, includes an allocation of about US$92 million for Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines from the International

The World Bank Group has endorsed the new partnership with the OECS from the 2015 - 2019 period.

Development Association (IDA).

The IDA is the arm of the World Bank Group that provides interest-free credits and grants to the world’s poorest countries as well as many small island developing states.

According to the World bank, over the last decade, the small Eastern Caribbean states have been trapped in a spiral of low growth, high debt and limited fiscal space. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, unemployment has risen in most OECS countries, with youth unemployment becoming a source of particular concern, ranging from 34 per cent in St Lucia to 42 per cent in Grenada, the World Bank said in a statement issued at the press conference yesterday.

Left: The World bank describes the OECS economies as having been trapped in a spiral of low growth.

Lawrence Duprey is making a move to reclaim control of CFL, now that it is showing signs of turning around.

CLICO directors should not be paid WHILE HUNDREDS across the region wait in vain for some settlement in their favour with respect to the policies and investments they hold with CLICO, the directors who oversaw the collapse of that company have been handsomely rewarded.

Reports out of Trinidad are that an Karen Nunez-Tesheira, eventual amount of Trinidad and Tobago TT$63 million will be Minister of Finace at the paid to the former time of the CLICO directors, inclusive of collapse, has their companies and condemned payment to connected parties. At CLICO directors while least TT$39 million of policy holders wait in that amount has vain. already been paid.

At least one person associated with the efforts to bailout CLICO in 2009 is voicing strong condemnation of this decision.

Karen Nunez-Tesheira, who was Minister of Finance in the PNM Patrick Manning-led Government which had agreed to bailout CLICO in 2009, is reported as saying that “Until the policyholders of CLICO are made whole (i.e. paid all their money), none of those persons who ran the company into the ground should be allowed to benefit.”

Nunez-Tesheria, in condemning the payment, referred to the Bob Lindquist forensic report on CL Financial (parent company of CLICO, a report commissioned by the Central Bank of T&T, which, she said, demonstrated that the persons running the company did a number of things which did not benefit the policyholders, and which caused the policyholders to be in the position that they are today.

“So what you are doing (by paying the former directors), is rewarding them for alleged wrongdoing,” the Trinidad press reported NunezTesheira as saying.

The former Minister of Finance also pointed to the fact that the report of Commission of Enquiry into CLICO, and other related bodies, had never been made public, and conjectured that it was not released because it too would have ruled that any payments to directors could not be justified.

“Until those persons have been cleared of any wrongdoing, no monies should be paid to them,” Nunez-Tesheira stated. (Source: T&T newspapers)

V

6. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Vincentians receive FatherÊs Day honours- Pt. 2

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

A MAJOR POLITICAL CLUB in New York on Sunday conveyed Father’s Day honors on two leading Vincentian community advocates.

The Brooklyn-based Progressive Democrats Political Association (PDPA) bestowed the honor on James Cordice, the pioneer of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation on the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Franklyn ‘Supadex’ Richards, president

of the fast-rising Internet-based group, VincyCares.

We are pleased to highlight Franlyn ‘Superdex’ Richards this week, having done so for James Cordice in last week’s issue.

Franklyn ‘Supadex’ Richards Franklyn Richards, a former student of the St. Martin’s Secondary and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Grammar School, taught at the Kingstown Preparatory School for three years before migrating to the US. He was involved in organizations

Franklyn ‘Supadex’ Richards with congressional citation in hand, flanked by supporters, L-R: Dofflyn King, Ruby Wood, Gary Palmer and Denise Craigg. from an early age, serving as treasurer of Young Turks Entertainment Club at 16.

He designed his first CD cover and commercial T-shirt for his uncle, calypsonian and former diplomat Cyril ‘Scorcher’ Thomas, while still a student in St. Martin’s.

An active youth worker, Richards attended several leadership workshops held by the National Youth Council and New Artists Movement (NAM).

After migration to New York, he immediately enrolled at the New York College of Technology, where he received an associate degree in lithographic Offset Technology, and a bachelor’s in Graphic Arts and Advertising design Technology.

In 1997, he launched a graphics design firm, Black Shuga Enterprise, with a division called Black Shuga Graphix.

From this base, he has designed album covers for several Vincentian and Caribbean artistes, among them: Scorcher, Becket, Luta, Prince Marcus, Pat Ralph, Ipa, De Man Age, Dalpin, Clarion Haynes, Ajamu, Super P, Berbice, Val Adams, Sparrow, Kitchener, Black Stalin, Lord Nelson, Patrice Roberts, Explainer, Sugar Aloes and Earl Brooks.

Richards moved on to become manager of the pre-press department at Expedi Printing in Manhattan, and worked at Quad Graphics, the largest commercial graphic design and printing company globally.

After working for five years at Conde

Nast, a global public relations firm, Richards left in 2014 to “develop and focus on the demands of Black Shuga Graphics.”

Over the years, he also became very active with the calypso art form and joined the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent, where he served as president for about six years.

He was also public relations officer of Vincy International Connection; and, in 2013, became president of VincyCares, “an organization that seeks to level the playing field to make it possible for children in their homeland (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to receive quality education.”

Along with his fiancé, Trinidadianborn Marge Durant, Richards last month opened his latest business venture, Caribbean Spot, Brooklyn, “a restaurant serving authentic Caribbean dishes,” he said. (See accompanying story on this page.)

Richards has two children — Franklyn M. Richards, Jr. and Falani D. Richards.

“It was a privilege to be here and receive such acknowledgment, with the company of my aunt, Ruby Wood (owner of Square Deal Shippers and Movers), and fellow VincyCares board members Gary Palmer (treasurer) and Denise Craigg.

“To receive such a prestigious award was very humbling to me,” he added. “I love to help and contribute to the betterment of humanity, and especially our people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he added.

Calypso finalists throw up debate CALYPSO ENTHUSIASTS in New York are pleased that two members of the Dynamite Calypso Tent made it into this year’s Calypso Monarch finals, but question whether the other two Dynamite representatives were undone because of the nature of their songs.

Dennis Bowman, whom some have dubbed ‘Mr. Consistency’, and Joel ‘Naval String’ Bartholomew, are the two finalists from the Dynamites.

Bowman made it through on the strength of his ‘Calypso Best Friend’, a commentary on the state and status of Vincentian calypso,

while ‘Naval String’, a crowd pleaser at the semi-finals last week Friday, made it through on the strength of a number clearly supportive of the Government, one entitled ‘Come out and vote’.

The other two semifinalists, John ‘De Truth’ Dougan, and Tyrone ‘Fabulous T’ Perry, both with renditions seemingly critical of the government, were the two omitted from the finals.

Contrary to the sentiments expressed by the New York based nationals, persons on the ground here point to a number of calypsonians

Joel ‘Navel String’ Bartholomew- first time finalist. with anti-government renditions who, in fact, made it through to the finals of the 2015 Calypso Monarch Competition, scheduled for Sunday, July 5, at Victoria Park.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 7.

News

SVP encouraged by youth presence will fall,” Dr. Thio explained. dedicated to the sanctification “So we are very pleased that here in the of members through service THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUl (SVP) wrapped up Caribbean, we are seeing that the youth, who to the poor and its Caribbean Regional Assembly here last weekend. although at the moment it might not be many, there disadvantaged.

The two-day bi-annual meeting brought together is this interest of the youth wanting to come The Society is present in the various conferences from across the region, to sit forward,” he said.

150 countries worldwide with and discuss projects undertaken, and to identify The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an over 800,000 members ways of improving.

International Catholic voluntary organisation serving over 35 million poor.

According to Dr Michael Thio, President General of the International Society, “Regional meetings are very stimulating …… to build up team work in the region. It gives the opportunity to dialogue, share and reflect on how they can continue actively helping the Society to continue to achieve its mission.”

The Assembly was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Thio, Edmund Keene – Inter-territorial Vice President Edmund Keene and Regional Co-ordinator Mary-Rose Knight.

Among the issues that were discussed, Dr. Thio explained, were spiritual formation training and leadership training for members.

The assembly was particularly pleasing, given the presence of the youth.

“And their interaction has been great, it has been great; they are really positive,” Knight said.

“The young people, they want an outlet, something to do, to be appreciated, and they show that they have talent and also service.

“It is really a joy to see the young people taking part,” she continued.

Dr. Thio commented further, saying that the position of the young people Singapore born Dr was very important to the Michael Thio, Society.

President General “Throughout the Vincentian of the International (SVP) world, we are looking Society, is for and recruiting and enticing encouraged by the the youth, or young adults to participation of join the Society, because in youth in the order to continue to do our Caribbean region. work in the future, we need to have such a plan or else we

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Kenville Horne QueenÊs Youth Leader Awardee

THANK YOU Thanks to the following who made my recent visit to the UK a memorable one.

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust THE VINCENTIAN Newspaper Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. The Mustique Charitable Trust Ms. Lavinia Gunn Columbus Communication SVG Ltd (FLOW) The National Lotteries Authority Comic Relief The Ministry of Mobilization Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Jankie Glass The Unity Labour Party All other media houses in SVG

Mary-Rose Knight, Regional Coordinator-SVP, said young people want something to do to be appreciated.

V

8. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 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

A tale of two tales

TWO STORIES that broke recently bear down on our country’s profile and their essence demands a certain honesty from both sides of the political divide.

The first refers to the ‘blacklisting’ of the world’s 30 worst-offending tax havens by the European Commission.

The list named 14 Caribbean island territories, including 6 overseas British territories and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

As would be expected, opposition politicians, in particular, had a field day with this categorization, with utterances some say had no rhyme nor reason.

But we’ll come back to this ‘blacklisting’.

The other story had to do with an announcement by the World Bank Group, following its hosting of the third regional Caribbean Growth Forum in St. Lucia, of a US$120 million lending programme, for the period 2015 — 2019, aimed at generating sustainable growth in what, the Bank described, as “struggling Caribbean nations”.

The description, “struggling Caribbean nations”, attracts notice.

This, it appears, runs contrary to much of what is being purported by those who have been entrusted to guide our development. We might not, after all, be doing as well as our leaders purport.

But the aim of ‘generating sustainable growth’ is instructive, since it would appear, on that basis, that the OECS just might not be on a path to sustainable economic growth, or is in need of a serious push towards that ideal.

Whatever, the real situation in the OECS is brought to light when it is understood that about US$92 million of the amount allocated, is destined for Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and yes, St Vincent and the Grenadines, from the International Development Association (IDA).

We understand the IDA to be that arm of the World Bank that ‘helps the world’s poorest countries’. Its primary aim is ‘to reduce poverty by providing loans (called ‘credits’) and grants for programmes that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions’.

That St. Vincent and the Grenadines stands to benefit on this basis, speaks to what perhaps, is our real situation. That barring all the ‘progress’ we might have made in terms of infra-structure , we are still very much some way from attaining an economic base that reduces inequality (especially in opportunity), and improves living standards, regardless of how much we have moved to eradicate ‘poverty’.

With all our posturing that supposedly catapults us into the glare of the international community, with all our enhancement of our human resource base, we continue to grapple with the very basis on which we depend for sustaining what we have ‘built’, and for ensuring improved socio-economic conditions in the immediate future.

That we have been so categorized — that we stand in a ‘pool’ of poor nations - is something of an indictment which we must not deny, for there is no real political value in doing so. Instead, we should embrace and make proper and unbiased use of the IDA facility, while at the same time guarding closely our independence.

The first step to ‘rehabilitation’ is admitting our mistake, and then recognizing and accepting those who can set us on that path.

Back to the ‘blacklisting’.

Not for the first time has this country found itself on this ‘blacklist’.

Perhaps there was a time when, as we grappled with the challenges and intrigue of international offshore financing and banking, that, in our immaturity, we fell victim to the regally disguised dishonesty that had come to characterize that sector.

But if the truth be told, we have done much to improve and regulate our standing in this market, and in the mainstream banking sector, and would have been recognized for same.

It is instructive, as we read of this blacklisting, that we understand the concerns raised about those 14 Caribbean island territories, were done so by just 10 of the 28 full members of the European Union (EU).

Those ten comprise countries with which very few if any of the independent Caribbean territories blacklisted, do any kind of business/trade.

Could someone say, for example, what is the extent of our business with Croatia, one of the countries raising concern?

The European Union needs to play fair. It cannot and should not seek to lump together territories that are politically different.

Locally, we need politicians especially, to be cautious about the extent to which we would want to make political mileage from ‘issues’ which stop short of the real truth.

To pursue and embellish that which is not true, is to tread a path of deceit that leads to nothingness.

“All ah dat is Mas’ P.S Luis De Shong I TRUST THAT MY ADVICE is not too late; but in any event, I will urge Vincentians to exercise restraint, and grant some licence at carnival season to our calypsonians, who make social comment in song.

As a fellow Bottom Town man, I appeal to Luis simply to pad up and duck any intimidatory balls sent down by a hostile bowler, like Bajan Malcolm Marshall who had made it to cricket Hall of Fame.

I am not here concerned with the legal aspect which is available to every aggrieved citizen; but carnival traditionally accepts leeway from rigid norms, and any threat of suit affects the spirit of carnival, and ought not to be pursued unless defamation is really outlandish.

Deceased relative, Vibert De Shong, a former great mas man, will turn in his grave at the spoilage of carnival on legal grounds.

So, too, I imagine would have been the case of Luis’ maternal grandmother, Vivy, who was a most beautiful Black woman that enjoyed the normally innocent fun of carnival.

Queen Show In early days, the Queen show was hogged usually by light-skinned people, so that, for instance, dark-complexioned persons like Yvonne Lartigue nee Wilson or Sylvia De Freitas nee Clouden, did not stand a ghost of a chance.

Then came Girls’ High School Graduates, including chicks around Kingstown.

Now, the entire system has been democratised with time, and girls from the four corners of SVG have a fair chance of winning.

I can pinpoint even today, candidates of the middle period, whom I knew personally or at arm’s length. Here are some names: Fleur Cox, Norma King, June Baynes, Jeanette Bowman, Trilda Russell, Annelle Paynter, Judy Corea, Juliet Nanton, Julie Campbell.

Thirtieth Birthday of Carival

I had my early differences with Carnival as introduced to our package in Unbecoming Behaviour 1985, 30 years ago.

It is recalled that we had a new People have raved on all sides of the Government, an NDP administration immoral behaviour usually displayed at which won the 1984 election, with “Horn carnival season, as a more or less sure sign Fuh Dem” thrust as Minister of Culture that the Almighty is about to reclaim his under which Carnival fell, and Randy Cato decadent earth. headed the Carnival Development Generally, they have a point to make; Corporation. but I suspect that we seldom go beyond the It so happened that at its birth, we had boundary which is limited to all-night been blessed with a gracious multitalented fetes, loud noises, and “wet dances”, which Queen Donna Young, who walked away are more than counter-balanced by the with the first Miss Carival title in 1985. innocent fun, and genius on show in steel- Sadly, Donna perished in a mysterious band beating and breath-taking displays of plane crash within our borders the mas bands. following year.

In the face of all these contradictions, There followed other Vincentian Carival what I personally found most annoying Queens, such as, Roxanne Israel in 1987, was the headline of my own hosts in the Lafleur Fraser in 2002, Shevorne Peters in middle of carnival season, of the grant of a 2003, Casynella Olliverre in 2005 and commonwealth award to a youthful and Ronique Dellimore in 2008. enterprising junior member of staff.

So far, three nations are tied with 6 We are indeed an Independent member wins each, St Kitts, Dominica and St of the Commonwealth. Independence Vincent and the Grenadines. If one of these should teach us what sovereignty really records this year’s victory, it would be luck means, not subservience to the Queen, or 7 for Deyonte Mayers. worship of all things British.

This year’s carnival promises to be one The lead article was servile, to say the of the best, all round. And the real least. And the timing of its appearance champion may be fine weather! exposed an inferiority complex just when But this weekend belongs to Patches carnival was trying to hew a truly new Knight. He is getting married to Sharon path for us. I have been so troubled by the Steele this Saturday afternoon, and hopes tone, timing and meaning of that article to crown it in the top three in the Big Yard that I intend shortly to produce a fuller on Dimanche Gras. response to it.

Ring De Bell.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 9.

Letters

The significance of Calvary’s trip HOW MANY OF US KNOW the cause for the Calvary trip, when, and why it started?

Let it be known that that trip started in the Garden of Eden, when the very first law of God was given only to one sect of his creation (human beings). “Thou shall not….”, no other sect had a law. Thus, when Lucifer refused to genuflect to the human pair, he did not break any laws; he retained his heavenly position.

But because of pride and envy, Lucifer led a rebellion in heaven, which he lost. That made him a threat to the heavenly realm. He was, thereupon, thrown out of heaven. To where? Earth of course! Why earth, where there were only two humans as against heaven, where there were legions of Angels, and where he had already convinced one third of them to follow him? Even the two thirds who were left back in heaven cried foul.

Woe to the humans on earth!

Now remember that God had introduced the Angelic Host (Lucifer) to the human pair, so Adam and Even saw Lucifer and his followers (angels) as friends. They were not informed that Lucifer and his band of followers were all rebels, an enemy to mankind. There was always comradeship in the Garden between man and beast, and man knew it was only he who had the gift of speech. It puzzles me to know that Eve did not think it strange to hear a serpent talking. Lucifer had now corrupted the human pair and caused them to disobey God’s law (only)..

“Thou shall not….”

Almighty God in his confidence may have overlooked Lucifer’s cunningness.

But God accepted to pay man’s wages for the sin (the original sin) he had committed by eating the fruit. But He saw beyond that, man in his sinful state outside of the

Luta is my choice HOPE I AM not making a nuisance of myself, but I had to get this one in before the big Saturday night clash of Vincentian soca giants.

You know, if I had only known that Luta was going to compete this year, I would have told my boss, I have to rush home. I was so happy to see that one of my favourite Vincy artistes of all time has decided to return to the soca monarch arena.

The competition was definitely lacking something over the years of Skinny and Fireman dominance, and that something was Luta.

Win, lose or draw, the fact that Luta is in the competition raises the bar. No more half-pint soca with a whole set of theatrics going to get through this time.

Luta has proven to be one of the more versatile performers in the last two decades or so. In the thirteen years, as he said in the interview in last week’ VINCENTIAN, he has matured. He can only be better and different on Saturday night.

My money is on Luta, and I don’t need ‘Charlie Charlie’ to tell me that he will bring the house down.

As they say in show business: Go break a leg, Luta.

Garnet, N.Y.

Garden (lust, hate, greed) which could cause him (man) to destroy himself. Therefore, he (man) must be made to pay for ‘the wages of sins’ he committed against himself. But if he (man) will acknowledge and accept the sacrifice God has made, his Son’s blood is enough to cleanse all of man’s sin, but man had to make a contribution for himself.

Man did so on Calvary’s road. When the cross became heavy

and caused Christ to fall many times, man was asked to carry it and pay his share. A man was compelled to help Christ with that burden of sin.

That Cyrene (then part of Libya) represented fallen man paying for his sins.

Therefore, man must believe in these words of Christ: “Whosoever believeth in me and keep my commandments, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ came that man may have

life more abundantly.

All of us know God, albeit by different names. We also know Christ’s name (Jesus Christ), but do we know the personage of the two individuals, their characters and what they represent? “Come let us reason together, saith the Lord (God).” When last did you reason or try to reason with Him on any subject?

Layman

Getting back to proper English THE LAST TIME I checked, English was still the official language of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Of late, based on what I hear on a daily basis, I am beginning to question this.

Now don’t get me wrong. We have a certain dialect that is unique, but the thing that makes us and gives us a place in the world, is the English Language.

I dare say, that in my time, amidst all the

dialect we spoke in our communities, we returned always to Standard English, especially at school and in most of our homes, since this is what we and the world understood.

Today, the more I listen to our people — at work, at play, on the radio especially, wherever - the more I am led to believe that we, our youth in particular, speak or try to speak a language (use words) that has meaning

only to the ones using them and their peers.

We are fast heading down a path when generations of Vincentians will find great difficulty communicating with one another.

I suggest, that one way we can try to ensure that English remains the common and official form of communication, is that we demand that only Standard English be spoken in our schools — by students and, moreso,

Getting in on the ‘gay’ thing WHO SAYS St. Vincent and the Grenadines ‘behind God back’? Those of you who think so, think again.

Watch how up to date this little country is: Last week, a certain letter from a lawyer hit the air and gossip waves in Kingstown especially. Seems a certain person had instructed a lawyer to write a calypsonian, accusing him (calypsonian) of slandering him, by making innuendo about how that certain person was homosexual.

Same time this happening in what some people say is ‘behind God back’, up in America they were legalizing gay (homosexual) marriage.

See what I mean? The Americans put their swing on this ‘gay’ thing, and we have our own. The two may be far from similar in what they mean, but they have common ground, you will agree.

So all those who choose the ‘other style to life’, it might serve you better if you migrate to America where the law allows you to practise your lifestyle. Then, nobody will have to have a lawyer write to anybody about innuendo about somebody being homosexual. You’re free to do your thing.

And by the way, you know the calypsonian who got that letter is one of the finalists in this year’s Calypso Monarch Competition. Talk about commess!!

And, Mr. Editor, I don’t want to get too technical because I am a simple Town man, but I just want to say,

regarding this homosexual thing, that you could call down all kind of brimstone on those who practise it, you can’t change the fact that homosexuality/lesbianism is alive and well here — it is a reality. It may be a weakness in human nature, but we just have to accept it. I gone.

Charles

Carnival What’s Carnival?

It’s a time to let go, Stress, Pain, Problems.

Why worry?

Just a bottle in your right, Rag in your left, Plenty of bright colours, Children jamming and being wild, No school, For sure Summer start for some, But for now, Let the music play, As we rock to the beat, Rain or shine, We love the atmosphere, No matter what the festival is, No matter the size of the crowd, Or where you come from, Once you set foot into Vincy, The party must start!

Yanic Sayers St, Vincent and the Grenadines 2015

by teachers.

When this practice was enforced in my time, while I didn’t realize then, it helped to encourage us to speak ‘proper’ English wherever we found ourselves, and our written English also improved with time.

If we are to remain members of the world community, we have got to ensure that we can speak the English Language and not some variation of it.

‘Retiree’

* Is there a new employment policy at a certain banking institution here? Are permanent workers being retrenched and new ones employed on contract for six months to a year, with no guarantee of tenure? * Is there a rank that qualifies police officers to carry a firearm? * Is it true that a female patient of the Mental Health Centre was alledgedly abused by a male nurse and an attendant at the institution. * Was the H20 Concert an officially CDC endorsed show for Vincy Mas 2015? * Are there others lining up to put calypsonian ‘Marshie’ under ‘heavy manners’?

10. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 11.

Views

Welcome Vincentians to the 2015 Carnival festival The issue THERE IS ALWAYS an air of excitement for Vincentians living in the Diaspora, as they plan their trip for a return to their homeland, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, for the celebration of the Vincy Carnival. After months of preparation, they have arrived at the ET Joshua airport, to begin their carnival holiday celebrations with friends and family.

They are looking to catch up with the latest developmental activities in the country, and there will be plenty discussion about what is happening on the political and social scene. More than anything else, they will indulge in the many local foods and drinks, which are not available in the Diaspora. Some of them will use the visit to engage their lawyers in this or that legal matter, and we expect some of them will visit the electoral office to sort out their voter identification card and so forth.

Whatever it is, we welcome them back home with open arms, recognizing that it is a policy of the ULP administration to promote dialogue and closer relations with the Diaspora.

this will be completed.

International Airport

Many of you will take a trip to the site of the international airport at Argyle. In your travels to and from the windward side of the island, you will drive along the site of the project, and you will get a glimpse of the work that is being done. If you take a trip to the site, the enormity of the work that has been completed will hit you.

Apart from the terminal building, you will see that the fire station and the control tour have been completed, and that the fencing work is under way. You will observe the ChatoyerChe contingent working hard on the project, and you will no doubt see the number of Vincentians who are involved. More than anything else, you will see that the many rumours and lies told by members of the opposition NDP are clearly untrue.

On the ground, you will of course Changes in the country realize that many Vincentians are truly upbeat about the airport, and Many of them will be looking closer can’t wait for its completion. This is at the changes within the country as expected to be a game changer, and the nation continues to develop. At will play a critical role in the some point, they will complain about expansion of the country’s economy, the vehicular traffic on our roads, especially in the areas of tourism and particularly in and around the Kingstown/Arnos Vale axis. They will agricultural exports.

All of this is laid out in the national ask the question “where did Vincies economic and social development plan get so much money to buy these vehicles?” The answer is related to the 2013 to 2025. Please arrange to get a copy of this document, and take it wealth that the ULP administration back with you when you leave. has created in the country, in a number of ways, but mainly through Conclusion the fact that the ULP has increased salaries by over forty percent since 2002. Additionally, no public servant St. Vincent and the Grenadines is has been laid off, and there has been indeed a unique country, and no freeze on salaries.

Vincentians are indeed proud of this They will also wonder about the country. You will marvel at the level economic situation in the country, and of democracy that exists here, and you they will ask the question “why does will wonder at the many radio the country look so prosperous?” The stations that are operating in the answer is related to the management country, allowing all Vincentians to of the economy provided by Prime have a voice. You will notice that Minister Ralph Gonsalves. The global there is no censorship, axcept when world economic and financial crisis is someone infringes the libel and still affecting the country, but the defamatory laws of the country.

ULP administration has adopted a You will notice too that by and prudent economic strategy, to combat large, the level of intelligence has the effect of the crisis. Indeed, it was increased in the country. Our young Luzette King, a known critic of the Vincentians are more educated, more ULP administration and of Prime computer literate, and ready to hold Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who was moved to say that St.Vincent and their own in any debate. This is all thanks to the education revolution the Grenadines is “weathering the which has opened opportunities for all storm’, and is holding its own.

Vincentians to further their On your travels through the countryside, you will notice the education. construction work on two major road Overall, there has been a marked networks. First, there is the South improvement in all sectors, in health, Leeward highway, and then there is in agriculture, in housing, in tourism the Vigie highway, stretching past and recreation, in construction, and Crick Corner in the La Croix area, last but not least in culture. We urge where a lovely roundabout is being you to enjoy our festival, attend the created. Here and there you will see shows, patronize the bars and the signs of other road work being carried food outlets, take pictures to out by BRAGSA and other private remember your visit to this fair isle. contractors. By the time you return Happy Carnival 2015. for the carnival festival in 2016, all

The NDP in and around Kingstown THE HONOURABLE Arnhim Eustace, candidates and other members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) had a successful tour around Kingstown on Friday 26th June, 2015. It was all smiles, hugs and handshakes, as the team met and greeted Vincentians of all walks of life.

It was obvious that those individuals who came in contact with the leadership of the NDP were elated, and used the opportunity to share their experiences about the general hardship in the country, under this wicked and vindictive Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration. “I am a single parent and I have four children to send to school, and I only work two days ah week; it is real hard”, one parent said. One young lady explained to the Honourable Arnhim Eustace that she graduated from college Roof of toilet at “Little Tokyo” six years ago and was never employed. “You know how buildings, including the toilets that frustrating that is, Mr. Eustace? If it vendors, shop owners, visitors and the wasn’t for my sister in the USA, I general public have to use. don’t know what would have Shop owners complained about happened to me,” she explained the general condition of ‘Little Tokyo’ quietly, as tears filled her eyes. Her in the face of them paying their comments once again highlighted the monthly rent of $230. According to serious unemployment problem that them, the government was not making exists in the country. an effort to repair the buildings.

The proprietors and vendors along Questions abound: Why has the Middle Street also shared their ULP regime allowed ‘Little Tokyo’ to concerns about the sluggish economy descend to such atrocious conditions? and the negative effect it was having Is it because it was constructed by the on their businesses; so too were the NDP administration? Certainly, there vendors. “Mr. Eustace, I have been needs to be urgent renovation work at doing business in this town for over ‘Little Tokyo’. fifty years, and I have never seen The cry for change echoed loudly anything like this. The the economy and insistently during the NDP is dead,” said a proprietor. team’s walk through Kingstown. Most As the team entered the doors of persons were of the opinion that the several stores, it was clear that NDP should be given the opportunity business was slow for a Friday. When to govern the affairs of St. Vincent the manager of a store welcomed the and the Grenadines. And the NDP is Honourable Arnhim Eustace, he ready to take on that responsibility; exclaimed, “Mr. Eustace, we need you the party has the programmes and to rescue the country!” Undoubtedly, policies that will return this country that businessman and others have to economic growth and development, confidence in the Honourable Eustace and create the environment for the and the programmes and policies of private sector to develop. Vincentians NDP to rebuild the economy of St. must vote for the NDP. We Ready!

Vincent and the Grenadines.

When the team entered the market, it was all jubilation from the vendors.

“Ah glad are yo come,” shouted one vendor. A number of vendors then related their stories to the candidates about the problems they were experiencing in the market. Some vendors complained that for the day so far, they had sold nothing, once again reflecting the sad state of the country’s economy. Several vendors reminisced about the days when the NDP was in office, and the amount of money they earned while plying their trade. They wished that those days would return.

The Honourable Arnhim Eustace and his team also visited the Fish Market and ‘Little Tokyo’. What they saw at ‘Little Tokyo’ was appalling and disgraceful. The shops were in dilapidated conditions, and holes were The roof of a shop. clearly visible in the roofs of most

V Coping with the Wilderness 12. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

“The Promised Land always lies on the other side of a wilderness.” - Henry Havelock Ellis (1859–1939) English physician, psychologist, and author.

THERE IS VALUE in struggle. And hard times are often essential for preparing us for prosperity. These two statements are considered useful reminders to those individuals who may appear to be going through a “wilderness experience”, and/or those who may be observing others going through hard times. We appear to so readily lose heart and hope when life’s tragedies visit. In so many instances, we would have put together what we thought were “perfect plans”.

We did a complete analysis of where we were, where we wanted to get to, and how we planned to get there. We may have been filled with excitement as we noted the progress that we were making in achieving those noble goals. And then, just out of the blue, all of our cards seem to be tumbling down. Someone that we depended on or invested in so heavily, is removed from our sphere of operation. In our devastation, we seem to shrink into nothingness as we contemplate how to cope with this wilderness experience. But the wilderness experience can be created in so many other ways. Our savings could dwindle away as a result of a bad investment, accident or illness.

Regardless of how and when the trauma occurs, we know how painful it is when we observe how much loss is involved.

This is especially traumatic when they occur during our twilight years.

However, all is not lost. We can reflect on the fact that there is a Promised Land that waits beyond the wilderness experience.

We sometimes become so preoccupied with physical/material possessions, that we forget that they are only temporary. Sometimes those “props” have to be removed from our lives, for us to really appreciate the “finer things in life”. The great King Solomon described material possessions as “vanity”. We can reflect on his words of wisdom and gain a new insight into what we should really be valuing as we go through life. Family, friends, and relationships are much more valuable than the precious stones and jewellery that we may have inherited as a family heirloom or worked so very hard to purchase. There are so many individuals who are categorised as rich and famous, but lack love and true happiness. Sometimes we have to be stripped of the riches and the fame to truly appreciate some of the simple things in life. Sometimes the wilderness experience creates that opportunity for us to appreciate what really matters in life.

A spirit of gratitude can often usher us into a peace of mind that money cannot buy. Sometimes that spirit of thankfulness is more precious than house and land, or a big job, or recognition. We often have so many good things going for us, even when life appears to be stripping us of our possessions or health. It is often as we pause to count those “little blessings one by one”, that we realise that we have so much to be thankful for. The wilderness does not appear to be as dry or hot as we previously thought. We find an oasis of peace when we change our perspective in relation to the traumatic situations that will periodically visit. This is not to downplay the impact that tragedy often brings. Yes, there will be times in life when we have to mourn the loss

of a loved one. There will be times when we have to realise that our standard of living will need to shrink as we cope with the challenge of having less disposable income.

However, all is not lost. We will always have a reason to rejoice … if we look long and hard enough.

As these words are being keyed in, the story comes into mind of the man who was so devastated by the tragedies that he had been experiencing that he vowed to commit suicide. He was tired and broken by not having enough to eat, and finding it difficult to meet so many of his physical needs. He got up one morning and concluded that he would end his life that very day. He had concluded that life was not worth living. He contemplated climbing the hill to his favourite look out spot over a deep ravine and throwing himself from that point. He knew that there was no way that he could survive the fall from that high, rugged cliff. He considered what he should take there as his last meal. On reaching the top of the cliff, he removed the banana from his pocket, ate it and threw the skin away in the nearby bush. He was surprised to hear a shuffle among the vegetation near to where he had thrown the banana skin. He was curious. He moved to peer through the short shrub to discover that a vagrant was nestled there. He, the vagrant, was so happy to have the banana skin “drop from heaven”, that he immediately started to devour it.

The potential suicide victim had a change of mind. He reflected on how blessed he was (when compared to the vagrant). He changed his perspective.

The “Desiderata” (Latin: “desired things”) that was written by the American Max Ehrmann in 1927 provides us with so much wisdom and encouragement. This prose poem was a very popular spoken-word recording in the 1970s. The entire poem can be read at various Internet sites (e.g. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deside rata). Among other things, the words beckon us to “Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.” And it ends with the useful reminder to all of us, “And whatever your labors and aspirations, in this noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

The wilderness experiences will come in many forms and at various times. But we can be strengthened in spirit when we realise that these, too, will pass. We can better cope with the trauma that often accompany them when we realise that there is a Promised Land on the other side of the wilderness. In addition, our attitudes as we traverse the parched experiences will often result in our discovering the Promised Land right there in the wilderness.

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

The spirit of our Americas THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT by the World Health Organization (WHO) that Cuba has become the first country in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, is a worthy achievement, which shows what a government committed to the upliftment of its people can do, even when battling against immense odds.

That our revolutionary brothers were able to accomplish this achievement, in the face of a 50+ year embargo by the United States, the most powerful country on planet earth, is even more worthy of praise, recognition and commendation. The Cuban revolution, ably led by Fidel and then Raul Castro, and the entire Cuban revolutionary leadership, is exhibit A of what can be accomplished when leaders demonstrate discipline and foresight, vision and a non-compromising spirit.

And so the announcement in Havana and Washington that President Obama and President Raul Castro signed letters establishing diplomatic relations, is not only great news, but that the Cuban people who were collectively forced to suffer because they refused to follow dictates emanating from the American State Department, reaffirmed that it is better to stand on one’s feet than on your knees.

The news of Cuba’s earth-shattering achievement in health amply demonstrates that Cuba, the country that has given so much to the world, would have been able to give so much to the world if the American Governments, since 1961, had not done all in their powers to crush the Cuban revolution, by all means necessary.

It is significant that in the letters of intent signed by both Castro and Obama, both leaders agreed to develop ‘respectful and co-operative relations consistent with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including those relating to sovereign equality of States, settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, respect for territorial integrity and political independence of states, respect for equal rights and selfdetermination of peoples, noninterference in the internal affairs of states, and the promotion and encouragement of human rights and fundamental freedoms.’

Had the United States followed the very international tenets President Obama penned into his letter, the Cuban people would not have suffered mercenary invasion, pressure and blockage over the last half century. It is no wonder that, back in December 2014, when Obama announced a change of policy regarding Cuba, he announced that the blockage of Cuba was a failed one.

Cuba’s achievement has always been heralded by international bodies, and it was only fitting that, on making the announcement, Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby. The WHO’s Director General, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible,” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.

Carissa Etienne, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which partnered with the WHO on the initiative, said: “Cuba’s achievement today provides inspiration for other countries to advance towards elimination of mother-to-child

transmission of HIV and syphilis.”

Scientists have said eradicating Aids is feasible if HIV prevention continues to grow, even if there is no cure. The reduction in infection rates in Cuba is seen as a major breakthrough in the campaign to rid the world of the virus.

Cuba’s advancements prove that small countries with limited resources can make enormous strides in all manner of human endeavour, once there is visionary leadership and a disciplined and committed people.

The other major achievement worth highlighting is the tremendous work performed by the Ecuadorian soldiers in constructing four bridges in SVG in record-breaking time.

The Ecuadorians spent less than a year in our country. They injected about 10 million dollars into our economy, and left us new bridges at Fitz Hughes, Chateaubelair and at Hope in South Leeward.

What was absolutely commendable about the work performed, was the generosity of spirit and solidarity of Ecuador in offering the assistance, the speed and efficiency with which the bridges were built, and the high quality of work performed by the Ecuadorians.

In less than eight months of actual construction work, they performed remarkably, in the face of negative commentary and suggestive nefarious motives regarding their presence in our country.

Opposition forces, including high officials of the New Democratic Party, made all manner of nasty claims about the soldiers/humanitarian workers.

They came and rebuilt what nature so devastatingly took from us in December 2013.

Compared to the snail pace with which many projects progress, and the sometimes shoddy construction of these projects, the Ecuadorians essentially erected a new sign post from which we can judge how construction project should be executed and completed. The Ecuadorians laid down a new guard of efficiency by which we should judge all projects, private and public.

This spirit of discipline and commitment, devotion to high standards and efficiency that are reflected in both the work and accomplishments of our Cuban and Ecuadorian brothers and sisters, can be and should be emulated

by Vincentians of all walks of life.

This spirit of the Americas which our Cubans and Ecuadorians display is a human spirit that all peoples possess.

We simply have to dig deeper within our collective selves, find the idea or goal that will make us want to strive for excellence and success, and commit to reach for it.

There are examples of this spirit among our people already.

Unfortunately, the spirit is still individualized. We need to transform what is now individual and episodic into a national collective consciousness.

When we do, and there is no doubt that we can, SVG will chalk up impressive achievements at which we will all marvel.

Send comments, critical comments and other views to jomosanga@gmail.com

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 13.

Views

EU joins SVG Green Party in call to abolish tax havens in SVG On 17 June 2015, the European Union (EU) blacklisted SVG and 13 other Caribbean countries for not cracking down on tax avoidance. The EU says, ‘Our citizens can no longer tolerate that certain companies, often the most prosperous, avoid fair tax contributions, and that certain tax regimes encourage them on this path.’

For almost 10 years, SVG Green Party has been calling for the Mustique Act No 48 of 2002, which was passed by the ULP regime and grants blanket tax exemptions to the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan, to be abolished. We have also called for SVG to cut ties with Taiwan, take back our deep-sea tuna fishing licence from Taiwan, and form a joint-venture tuna fishing industry with China, as this will increase revenue to the SVG Treasury by hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

SVG loses hundreds of millions of dollars every year by being a tax

haven to Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan. SVG is going through its worst economic and financial period in living memory, yet Gonsalves still allows Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan to not pay tax.

This strategy shows the macroeconomic naivety of Gonsalves and his financial and economic incompetence.

Gonsalves is not a university graduate in finance, and his incompetence has landed SVG on the EU blacklist.

Being on the EU blacklist is very bad for our people and country. It can increase the perception of SVG being a high risk country to invest in, and can negatively impact the risk rating profile of SVG financial institutions by foreign correspondent banks.

The cost of capital investment and financial transactions between SVG and other countries will increase. This means foreign investors are less likely to invest in SVG and, consequently,

DonÊt wreck your Carnival

by DAYLE DA SILVA

CARNIVAL is known for its revelry, parties and alcohol consumption, and Jaric St Vincent has partnered with Metrocint General Insurance and Sentry Insurance companies to send drivers a clear message: Take it (From left): Coline Fraser of Metrocint General easy on the roads during the festive Insurance, Terron Davis of Sentry Insurance and Shanelle Malcolm of Jaric St. Vincent, on hand at last season.

Friday’s launch of the ‘Don’t wreck your Carnival’ The ‘Don’t campaign. wreck your Carnival’ Road safety and insurance go hand campaign was launched last Friday at in hand, Terron Davis, Claims Officer the corner of White Chapel Road and at Sentry Insurance said.

Back Street, Kingstown, with the And it was with this in mind that display of a vehicle which was the insurance companies got involved involved in a real life mishap.

Shanelle Malcolm, Business Service to send a message to people to be Associate/Manager of Jaric St Vincent, extra careful on the roads, especially during this season of heightened explained that the company, which is activity. relatively new to the country, is “It’s a big step in St Vincent this committed to advocating for road carnival, and I think we should all safety.

“We also do training in other areas, support this,” he added.

His advice comes against a but road safety is our biggest background of an increase in accidents portfolio,” Malcolm said. this year, and a corresponding Jaric St. Vincent recently held its increase in insurance claims.

7th Regional Road Safety Conference The average amount paid back in here and, according to Malcolm, they claims ranges between EC$100,000 began soon after to work on a road and $200,000 annually, and the safety campaign for the carnival situation was getting worse, Davis season.

“We decided that since it’s carnival, said.

Meanwhile, Coline Fraser, Office we would not be able to do any Manager at Metrocint General defensive driving, we can’t do any Insurance, said that her company was training, so we want to educate the pleased with the idea, and willingly public, because that is what Jaric is about, educating the public about road collaborated with the other two agencies to send the message of the safety. need for road safety.

“We decided to have a static “We encourage persons to drive display, because the display itself, safely and to drive defensively because relates to what we want to say,” she it’s not only your vehicle that could be explained. wrecked, but you could die, leaving “Over the carnival season, people are not aware how much alcohol they your entire family in shock, or many other complications can result months consume; they are not alert, so we after an accident,” she cautioned. want this graphic display to resonate “So we at Metrocint Insurance, we in their minds after a fete, after a want to say to all the road users, to party, that before they drive to go drive safely this Carnival season and home, they will remember that this beyond. Take care of yourself and look can happen to them,” Malcolm said. out for the others,” Fraser advised.

fewer jobs will be created in SVG by foreign investors.

Being blacklisted also means that SVG businesses will find it harder to expand their businesses abroad, as there will be greater scrutiny on money from SVG under the suspicion of money laundering. This means that many SVG businesses will also find it harder to create new jobs in SVG. Being blacklisted will increase unemployment.

When Thailand was placed on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist in 2012, the Thai economy suffered negative effects. Thai nationals, in Thailand and abroad, were subjected to additional scrutiny when transferring money from a Thai bank.

Clarification was needed to identify the origin of the money and objective of transferring money abroad. The time taken for monetary transactions was longer.

There was a downturn in foreign investment in Thailand. It was harder for Thai businesses to trade abroad, and it impeded international trading, including the opening of accounts with international financial institutions and remittances, as additional documents were needed.

It is essential for SVG to get off the EU blacklist as soon as possible, in order to create a strong economy, attract foreign investors and create thousands of new jobs. Both the NDP and ULP regimes have assisted Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan to not pay hundreds of millions of dollars in tax to the SVG

Treasury every year, for a long time.

This has made the SVG economy weak, and contributed to the increased unemployment, poverty and destitution in SVG.

SVG needs change now!

A Green Government will cut ties with Taiwan and abolish the tax exemptions given to the super-rich of Mustique and Canouan. This will get SVG off the EU blacklist and make trading abroad easier for SVG businesses, and increase foreign investment in SVG. We will set up a joint-venture tuna fishing and canning industry with China, and use the hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue each year from tuna fishing and taxing the super-rich, to create thousands of new jobs, build factories, build our own SVG university, provide free education from preschool to university, make electricity cheap by investing in renewable energy, build a modern hospital in Union Island and a secondary school in Canouan.

Both the NDP and ULP regimes want tax havens for super-rich foreigners; SVG Green Party and the EU are calling for an end to tax havens in SVG. Vote Green Party to abolish tax havens and get our country off the EU blacklist. This is necessary in order to stimulate economic growth, help businesses prosper, and create jobs and surplus revenue.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

V

14. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

People

‘Baha’ officially recognized

Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown to see what the CLEMETH ‘BAHA’ LAWRENCE, also baptismal records showed. known as Clement, missed out on being That showed a number of accorded recognition by Her Majesty Christian names, but not Queen Elizabeth on the actual day of his Lawrence,” Horne continued.

100th birthday, April 2, 2014.

There was a lot of That had to do with the absence of confusion over the birth and supporting documentation. baptismal certificates.

Once that documentation was But ‘Baha’ had an I.D obtained and sorted through, the card and passport bearing process leading up to ‘Baha’s’ the name Lawrence, Horne recognition by Buckingham Palace explained. was set in motion.

When the information ‘Baha’ received that recognition, available was collected and albeit well into his 101th year, on dispatched to Buckingham June 29th, 2015. Governor General Palace, ‘Baha’ had already Sir Frederick Ballantyne bestowed celebrated his 101st that recognition. birthday.

There was another delay Documentation to support recognition in the formal handover, once Clemeth ‘Baha’ Lawrence (sitting) received the document arrived from his commendation and encouraging words Former New Democratic Party England. Governor General, from Governor General Sir Frederick Minister of Government and renowned Sir Frederick Ballantyne Ballantyne. cultural personality here, John Horne, was out of state at the time spearheaded the search for of ‘Baha’s’ birthday, and the when what is now known as the documentation to support ‘Baha’s’ official ceremony had to be postponed Calypso Monarch Competition was eventual recognition. until last Monday. held at the Botanical Gardens, and “So I learned through the late kaisonians (calypsonians) competed Winston ‘Push’ English, who is related A champion of calypso not for a crown, but a wooden sceptre to his mother, that he (‘Baha’) was wrapped in royal red, white and blue, born in Georgetown and was a Clemeth ‘Baha’ Lawrence is the commonly referred to as ‘the pole’. longstanding member of the Anglican oldest living Vincentian Calypsonian He won the title on three Church.

– born in Georgetown, April 2, 1914. consecutive years, 1951 to 1953, and “I checked with the records of the His career began in the 1940s, then moved on to forming his own Calypso tent. He became a tireless advocate on behalf of those who participated in Carnival, especially those involved in calypso.

‘Baha’ is credited for having spearheaded the move to increase payments for calypso performances from 24 and 10 cents for men and women respectively, to 60 and 24 cents.

He now makes his way around in a wheelchair, and his speech has been impaired as the result of a stroke he suffered about two years ago, relatives said.

But ‘Baha’ is still very coherent and, according to daughter Cleopatra Ballantyne, is still able to communicate. He feeds himself and in her words, “looks as though he is going to make it for some time to come.”

THE VINCENTIAN wishes for Sir Frederick Ballantyne, John Horne (back), Robert ‘Patches’ King Clement ‘Baha’ Lawrence, God’s (centre) join family members and well-wishers to mark ‘Baha’s’ official richest blessings.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

recognition by Buckingham Palace.

Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams says his latest album is a demonstration of his vocal versatility.

‘Skarpyon’ launches album

by KENVILLE HORNE POPULAR SOCA and Calypso artiste Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams, the ‘Stinger Man’, has launched his 2015 album, ‘ Voice Projection’.

The album includes seven new songs and one bonus track, the popular ‘Hammer and Conchs’.

Skarpyon said the album is a demonstration of his vocal versatility.

The album features a “mixture of old and young producers,” and ‘Skarpyon’ pointed to one of those, Neri James, as “the youngest blood in the music production scene in SVG.” James produced the song ‘Soca 365’.

Persons wishing to purchase the CD can do so for a cost of $30.00 from the Music Centre, or by contacting the artiste himself through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The album will be available soon for digital downloading on iTunes.

‘Skarpyon’ has a long and successful career. He started singing calypso at the Evesham Primary School and entered various singing competitions, before moving on to the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua where he continue to hone his craft by becoming a member of the National Youth band under the directoion of Joffre Venner.

He is a former Ragga Soca, Road March and Calypso monarch.

‘JP’ impressed with Junior Panorama standard

by HAYDN HUGGINS THE GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL (GHS) Steel Orchestra will be working towards doing the hat trick next year, having won the schools category competition in the Junior Panorama at the Victoria Park last Sunday, for the second consecutive year.

But the band’s arranger, Johnny ‘JP’ Pompey, admits they would have to work twice as hard to ensure they do it again next year.

Pompey is of the view that this year’s Junior Panorama was of a higher standard than it was last year and, once that trend continues, there would be keener competition among

the steel bands, which would be healthy for the art form.

As far as he is concerned, “Pan is on the rise.”

Playing in fourth position, the GHS Steel Orchestra, captained by Laquinta Penniston and tuned by veteran pannist/tuner Francis ‘Pes’ Llewellyn, performed a rendition of Winston Soso’s ‘Set it off’, arranged

by Pompey, to beat C.W. Prescod Primary School and St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown into second and third places respectively.

Pompey said that this year’s victory turned out to be ‘sweeter’ than the one last year. He noted

that some of the students who played with the band last year did not play this year, after indicating they were not too familiar with the song.

“Luckily, we have an ongoing pan programme at the school, so a number of new players were recruited from that programme,” Pompey explained.

“I was a bit concerned about the new players, but they learnt the song fast and rose to the occasion,” Pompey said. Apart from that, there were no major challenges.

The 2015 GHS Steel Orchestra comprised 29 members.

Nineteen-year-old Kasique Olliver, a pannist

with the Calliaqua based ‘Potential’ Steel Orchestra for which Pompey also arranges, conducted the GHS performance on Sunday.

In addition to its consecutive wins in 2014 and 2015, the GHS Steel Orchestra also won the schools category competition in 1994, 2010 and 2011.

Pompey is advising young pannists to stay focussed and dedicated, and he urges parents to support their children in positive activities, such as Johnny ‘JP’ Pompey’s dedication to the playing the steelpan. development of the steel band movement and pan The obviously elated music is inspired by the support he gets from his arranger, serving the GHS ‘soul mate’ and son. for 24 years, expressed gratitude to the school’s Bowman, Deputy Principal staff for supporting the Principal, Mrs. Andrea Mrs. Michele Beache and band over the years.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 15.

News

Carnival fever rises at the LIME Promenade was broadcast live on BOOM 106.9, patrons enjoyed LIME giveaways, and indulged in seafood delicacies prepared by persons involved in the ongoing LIME Fish Fest, and sampled SVG’s own SLR. .

And there is more to come. According to Nikala Williams, Marketing Manager from LIME, the promenade will come alive again today, Friday, “with our WHO DIDN’T MAKE IT TO SOCA MONARCH competition,” co-sponsored with Courts St Vincent Ltd, featuring those artistes who didn’t make it to the Soca Monarch Finals.

LIME is a platinum sponsor of Vincy Mas 2015.

Delroy ‘Fireman’’ Hooper got a chance to test the ‘ground’ last Friday at the LIME Promenade.

VINCY MAS

The LIME Promenade was abuzz with excitement last Friday evening as the LIME ambassadors dished out some free entertainment.

On hand, among others, to whip up the excitement were ‘Luta’, ‘Skinny Fabulous’, and reigning Soca Monarch ‘Fireman’.

Chipping in with their own enthusiasm were Orsari, Keido, JoJo, Dr. P. And while there was non-stop entertainment from the stage, all of which Rondy ‘Luta’ McIntosh woos the crown at the LIME Promenade. He is back in competition after a 13-year hiatus.

LIME Monday Afternoon Jam for Vincy Mas has taken the road by storm, and organizers promise even more excitement and entertainment for 2015. (Photo provided by LIME)

LIME ready for its Monday Jam LIME has teamed up with Hot 97.1, and Island Network to bring the ultimate experience to Monday Afternoon Jam for Vincy Mas 2015.

“The experience is going to be epic,” Nikala Williams, LIME’s Marketing Manager, said.

Two music trucks will cater to the increased patronage this year, and entertainment will come live from ‘Skinny Fabulous’, ‘Fireman’ Hooper, ‘Luta’, Hance John and Shaunelle McKenzie.

DJs powering the road jam will include ‘DJ Q’, ‘Hyper 4000’, ‘Dr Fugi’, ‘Pitbull’, ‘Chemical X’, and Keido Foster.

In addition to t-shirt, bandana, a party cup or bottle, as well as Mardi Gras beads, LIME revelers will be treated to drinks, water, rumsicles and rum shots. Even free credit awaits those who join the LIME Monday jam.

“LIME and Island Network have definitely upgraded Vincy Mas with what we have been doing on the road over the past few years, so it is no surprise that we would take it up a huge notch this year,” Williams assured.

Get G et You Y Your o ou ur LIME LIM ME ON! ON! ON N!

WIN WI W IN over o ov ve ve err

$50,000 $ $5 5 50 50,00 0,,,0 0 0 00 00 00

IN C IN CASH ASH AND AND AN ND PRIZES P PRIZE RIIZE R ZES DA D DAILY! AIL AIL AILY! ILY LY Y!!

Text T ext xt "CARNIVAL" " "C CARN ARN RNIV NIVA N NI IV VA VA AL L" tto o" "8627” 86 8627 62 27” Z ero y er our bill ou our biilll balanc b ba alan a nc n ce Zero your balance T op op-UP op UP UP $25 $ $2 25 25 or or mor mo m ore Top-UP more Activate Data A ctiv tiiv ti vat ate a 4 4G GD atta ata at a Plan P an Take T Ta ak ake up up a N NEW EW LIME LIM ME E Service Servic ic ce or o Talk T al alk a for for or 4 minutes minut minut in nutes nu e to to WIN! W N! LIM LIM LIME M Te T Terms e m and erm erms a d conditions an con nditi ditiions ons apply. o a apply pply y. y.

V

16. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Carnival

GHS, Starlift: Repeat winners in Junior Pan

appreciated by a fair-sized crowd.

The Community-based segment saw WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL-BASED Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra Steel Orchestras competitions, the Girls’ go past Sion Hill Euphonium Steel High School (GHS) seems to have it Orchestra in the numbers count, as covered. far as victories in the communityThey retained the title of top School- based Steel band competition are based Steel Orchestra last Sunday, concerned. with their rendition of Winston Soso’s Starlift soared to their fourth hold of ‘Set it off.’ the title since 2009, when the They amassed 260 points, and left competition was introduced. This year, Medical School Argyle Aviation Inc C. they achieved the hat trick to add to W. Prescod, in second spot with 230 their triumph in 2011. points, with their rendition of Alston The other three titles (2009, 2010 ‘Becket’ Cyrus’ ‘Teaser’. and 2012) went to Sion Hill.

Third place went to St. Joseph’s Starlift played X-A-Dus’ Pan Jam, Convent Kingstown who rendered ‘Life and secured the judges’ nod with their of the Carnival,’ by Raeon ‘Madzart’ presentation over Sion Hill Euphonium Primus.

Steel Orcherstra, who played ‘Mr. Bethel High School who played Music man,’ sung by Ricky Melville.

‘Vincy Style’ by Clymaxx; Troumaca Third position was taken by Government School North Stars with Symphonix Steel Orchestra with their ‘St. Thomas Mas’ by Becket, and South rendition ‘Jam Dem,’ by the band Rivers Methodist Future Stars doing Touch.

‘Afro Caribbean’ by Blaksand, compiled St. Vincent Port Authority Genesis the list of competitors.

Steel Orchestra rendered ‘Mas in the Union Island Secondary quintet hospital’ by Reginald ‘Professor’ made an appearance which was Padmore.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra, under the directorship of Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, chalked up their fourth win in the community-based Junior panorama.

A moment of concentration for the tenor players of the 2015 top schoolbased steel orchestra, Girls’ High School.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 17.

Carnival

North Union wins Secondary Calypso

Gutter, an area between Fancy and Owia, January 12 this year.

THE NORTH UNION Most of the students in SECONDARY SCHOOL has the van were heading for much to celebrate about the North Union their participation in this Secondary. year’s Junior Calypso ‘Queen Ishanna’ paid Secondary Schools homage to the fallen Competition. comrades in her rendition.

That school took first Second place went to and third places in that Kristiana ‘Singing Kristy’ competition.

Christopher from Thomas Ishanna ‘Queen Shana’ Saunders Secondary Phillips delivered a song School. Her number was ‘Rock Gutter’, to beat eight ‘Time longer than twine’. other contenders.

North Union’s Kelisa She reminded the ‘Singing Kelly’ Barker with hundreds at Victoria Park ‘Have some faith,’ placed last Tuesday afternoon, third. about the tragic loss of The other competitors seven persons, when a van were Brandon ‘C Four’ carrying mainly students, Frederick from St. Vincent careened off the road and Grammar School who did into the raging sea, in Rock ‘Domestic violence’; Larissa ‘‘sby WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

Ishanna ‘Queen Shana’ Phillips kept the NUSS flag flying high by taking the title in the Junior Calypso Secondary Schools category for the first time.

Collis of the Buccament Bay Secondary with ‘Listen; Brianca Matthias representing the St. Vincent Girls’ High School with one entitled ‘Selfie’; Bevorne ‘Crystal B’ Baptiste and Trevicia ‘Queen KK’ Lavia of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, doing who ‘Who to blame’ and ‘Aim high’ respectively; and Giovanni ‘Super D’ Collins from the St.Joseph Convent Marriaqua with ‘Teach me teacher’.

Kelisa ‘Singing Kelly’ Barker showed her versatility when she took the Soca title with ‘Love me 4 me’.

(See related story on page 19.)

Kristiana ‘Singing Kristy’ Christopher has not yet been able to reproduce her primary Schools’ winning ways since moving up a class.

18. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V ÂSinging KellyÊ takes Junior Soca

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 19.

Carnival

The Form 5 student says that she is no stranger to THE STUDENTS AND STAFF at winning titles; this is her the North Union Secondary second successful School (NUSS) just a few competition after having months ago were won in Trinidad a few years overwhelmed by grief when ago. some students from that She admitted to having a institution perished in a passion for singing, vehicular mishap. something she usually does Today, however, there is in church, or in and around reason to smile, as Kelisa her community at ‘Singing Kelly’ Barker Colonaire. copped the Junior Soca As for the future, Barker competition on Tuesday at told THE VINCENTIAN the Victoria Park, that she wants to remain in performing the song, ‘Love the music business, but is me 4 me’. uncertain in what capacity.

This was the 16-year“I don’t know where it old’s first time in the will lead me,” she said. competition, and many St Clair DaSantos, agree that she has made a Principal of NUSS, said remarkable entrance. that he too was extremely “I am feeling good,” she pleased with his students. said, adding that it felt good The school was a double to be able to represent her winner with Ishanna school and walk away with ‘Queen Shana’Phillips the big prize. walking away with the She credited her success Junior Secondary School to her teachers, particularly Calypso title as well. her music teacher, Hank DaSantos credited the Williams – who wrote the school’s music programme song — and expressed and teacher Williams. gratitude to friends and The school was now a family and all those who force to be reckoned with, embraced her song. thanks to formation of a

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Sakura ‘Soca Princess’ Lorraine, third place, to ensure a double presence on the podium for the NUSS. school band.

DaSantos said that plans were afoot to take the music programme one step further, in that, beginning in 2016, students will be given the opportunity to write Music at O’level.

Barker beat Neisha ‘Skinny Gal’ Ricahrds of the West St George Secondary School into the second position, and young Sakura ‘Soca Princess’ Lorraine into third.

There were a total of nine youngsters who

Kristian displays winning attitude THE NAME CHRISTOPHER has been established in Vincentian entertainment circles for some time now, and it has no plans, it seems, of fading away anytime soon.

Kristian ‘Lil Kris’ Christopher, who made his debut in 2014 is from the same family as Kemuel ‘Man Kemmie’ Christopher and Kristina ‘Singing Kristy’ Christopher.

‘Man Kemmie’ is a former Primary School Calypso monarch, and placed in the top circles of the Secondary segment while at the St. Martin’s

Cha-Chanie ‘Lady ChaChanie’ Morgan occupied the second place spot, making it the third consecutive year that she has been among the top three.

and or Barrouallie Secondary schools. This year, people have to talk about the Christophers.

‘Singing Kristy’ is a three-times winner (2011, 2012, 2013)of the Primary School Calypso competition monarch and Junior Soca Monarch (2013).

Kristian ‘Lil Kris’ Christopher continued in that rich legacy when he took the 2015 Primary School Calypso Krstian ‘Lil’ Kris’ Christopher by winning Monarch title, with a the Junior Calypso song entitled, ‘Your Monarch Primary Schools attitude determines division, continues a rich your altitude’. legacy of the Christopher He represented the Layou Primary School, family in this competition. as did ‘Man Kemmie’ and ‘Singing Kristy’ before Aquille ‘Triple A’ James who did ‘Tribute to him.

Cha-Chanie ‘Lady Cha- mummy’; Teyanna ‘Singing Diamond’ Chanie’ Morgan from the Williams from Brighton New Prospect primary Methodist with ‘Child’s took second place with world’; Shanyah ‘Singing ‘Youths we have to work Nia’ Edwards from Sandy together’, and third position went to Dale-Ann Primary who sang ‘Read’; ‘Lady Dale’ Nero from the and Oriscia Arthur from the Brighton Methodist Sandy Primary School, doing ‘Don’t waste water’. who did ‘Teach me’.

Musical The other competitors accompaniment was in the Primary Schools’ provided by the band category were Greggs’ Vikings, led by Junior Primary School student Sutherland.

Neisha ‘Skinny Gal’ Richards, took second place and split the NUSS competittors. participated in the Junior Soca competition.

Kelisa ‘Singing Kelly’ Barker took the Junior Soca Monarch title on her first attempt.

V

20. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Heritage

Students among other attendees at last Tuesday’s launch.

National Treasures of SVG launched ON TUESDAY, 30th June 2015 at 9.30 a.m., National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a media launch at the UWI Open Campus on Murray’s Road, Kingstown. The UWI was chosen for the historic significance of the site.

The non profit organisation held the

event to introduce itself to Vincentians and to let them know what National Treasures is all about. National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ focus is primarily the intangible, but also the tangible cultural heritage of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The organisation

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves assisted with the unveiling of a scroll banner depicting the organization’s logo. Anthony Regisford is also pictured.

registered as a non profit company in November 2014 and the Board of National Treasures, is made up of the following: Chairperson: Anthony Theobalds, Deputy Chairperson: Deirdre Myers, Treasurer: Tony Regisford, Secretary: Carlita Daniel, Director: John Horne; and Honorary Member and Special Advisor: Sir Errol Allen.

At the launch, a background of the National Treasures and Ms. Desiree Richards (right), Managing Director of its work was given, and Metrocint General Insurance Co. receives her polo an excerpt shown from the Treasure Trove- part shirt from Carlita Daniel, the driving force behind the formalisation of the organisation. of an interview with Alston Becket Cyrus about his career, history with carnival to see History as a core subject on the and singing calypso then soca; and the curriculum in our schools, for all change from pre-Lent season carnival students from primary to secondary up to CXC level. to June/July thirty- eight years ago The Prime Minister also pledged his in1977.

Then the guests at the launch were personal support for National Treasures, and gave a cheque for his treated to a rare unplugged membership donation; while urging all performance from our own National Treasure- Alston Becket Cyrus.

Vincentians to support National ‘Becket’ performed several of his best Treasures by donating and or joining loved tunes, accompanying himself on the organisation to assist with its the guitar. He began with his recent work. hit song ‘Mo Rush’, released to Dr Gonsalves then assisted in commemorate the 25th Anniversary of unveiling the National Treasures’ logo his song ‘Gal a Rush Me’. Then he on a standing banner generously sang ‘Vincy Mas’, and asked for donated by Multigraphics. He was requests from the audience, which then presented with a polo shirt came thick and fast. He sang ‘St printed with the logo. Polo shirts were Vincent, I Love you’, Love is the also given to Mr Derry Williams of the Answer, Hezikiah, Sweet Soca, Teaser Bank of SVG, who has provided and Carnival History. Becket’s performance was loudly applauded by financial assistance to National Treasures, and Ms Desiree Richards of the very appreciative audience.

Metrocint General Insurance Services The Prime Minister, Dr the Hon. Ltd. who sponsored the media launch.

Ralph Gonsalves came to the launch The launch ended with light straight from the air, returning from refreshments which included some an OECS meeting in Greneda, to deliver some remarks and give support items which we no longer see, such as to National Treasures. He talked about arrowroot starch cakes and lime balls.

Many individuals, business and the Government Endorsement of National Treasures and of the need for organisations assisted both to make such organisations and the work they the launch a success and to make do.

National Treasures of St Vincent and Dr Gonsalves also restated his wish the Grenadines a reality. (Contributed)

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 21.

News

The SMS graduated 36 students in their Class of 2015. (Inset): Valedictorian Raheim Robertson.

SMS anticipates further improvement

by DAYLE DA SILVA

SMS graduates 36 PRINCIPAL OF THE ST MARTIN’S SECONDARY SCHOOL (SMSS), Wendel Edwards said that he is eagerly anticipating the results of the 2015 CSEC examinations.

His anticipation is heightened by the encouraging results from the 2014 examinations, when the school was awarded the Most Improved Institution, moving from an overall pass rate of 55 percent back in 2013 to 78 percent.

But while Edwards said that this was a great achievement, there was much more to be done, because the school has the potential to surpass a 78 per cent pass rate.

He made the statement at the school’s graduation ceremony which was held at the Cathedral of the Assumption, June 23.

There were 36 graduates, a relatively small number, according to Edwards, primarily because the process of rebuilding the institution academically had begun.

“In Form 4, we beg students to settle down and get serious with their work; but too many waited too late to do so,

and they were forced to repeat,” Edwards said.

The times had certainly changed, and feature speaker, past student and Island Scholar Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, reinforced this by making reference to the many distractions that exist today, even among the increased opportunities available to students for study.

“There wasn’t any internet, any thumb drives, back then was typewriter, I didn’t have access to the worldwide web,” Caesar said, and proceeded to explain that his success was as the result of him applying himself.

With regard to job creation, Caesar called for more partnerships between past students, and the need for them to establish their own business.

Regarding their general disposition in their life journeys, Caesar implored: “We must avoid crime at all costs, we must love and respect our women in society; anger management is critical, a woman is a partner, not an opponent. ….. We must engender love and hope and be good neighbours; simply we must be the best we can at all times.”

Wendel Edwards, Principal of the SMS, anticipates that the school will show even more improvement at this year’s CSEC examinations.

He concluded by reminding the graduates that, “It is commonly said, even after leaving St Martin’ Secondary, that boys will be boys, but St Martin’s boys will always be gentlemen.”

Five special awards were distributed at the ceremony: ‘Peer Counsellor of the Year’ was awarded to Kevon John; the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ title went to Ronaldo Franklyn; ‘Dramatist of the Year’ was Jontez Horne; the ‘De La Salle Award’ went to Elias Khalil.

The Valedictorian for the class of 2015 was Raheim Robertson.

V

22. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Education

First batch of Vincentians graduate from Trinity College

ON JUNE 6, 2015, Trinity School of Medicine Class of 2015 attended their graduation ceremony at the Fox Theater in Atlanta Georgia.

The class, along with their friends and relatives, were welcomed to the occasion by His Excellency, GovernorGeneral Sir Frederick N. Ballantyne, MD. They received parting thoughts from administrators and distinguished guests, and took their Oath of Geneva.

The class boasted eight Vincentian graduates: Colette Sharlene Charles, Gomattie Chunilall (resident), Dahnesster Elmire Cole, Shakeera Kaylee Dunn, Anique E.N.A. Evans, Delroy Andrew Thomas, Kimroy Samuel Walters, and Racquel Wilson.

They were joined by twenty-one of their peers, representing Trinity’s international student population.

Two points of pride marked the auspicious occasion, the first being that nearly a third of the class graduated with honors in clinical and/or basic sciences. Beyond that, this class is the first group of graduates who began their journey in Trinity’s pre-medical programme, here

in SVG. In fact, Vincentians Charles, Chunilall, Cole, Dunn, Thomas, and Walters, all entered the MD program upon successful promotion from the pre-med program, with Charles bearing the distinction of graduating with honors. She will soon start her residency in family medicine at the Central Maine Medical Center in the United States.

Delivering the keynote address was Dr. Donna Brown, a member of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Brown is an active member of the medical community; locally, with her practice at the Virginia Eye Institute; nationally, through the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus; and internationally, through her work with the World Pediatric Project.

The World Pediatric Project brings a wide variety of medical services to Vincentians, from pediatric awareness classes for parents and professionals on respiratory health, to active medical intervention. Dr. Brown is well known to many residents of St.

Vincentians Graduate of the Trinity Class of 2015 and SVG Governor General (from left to right): Racquel Wilson, Delroy Thomas, Colette Charles, Gomattie Chunilall (resident), HE Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Kaylee Dunn, Danester Cole, Anique Evans, and behind, Kimroy Walters.

Vincent, as she has been visiting regularly for the past fifteen years, providing eye care for adults and children alike.

Dr. Brown’s address was heavily focused on perspective and how it influences the graduates as individuals and doctors. To bear reference to this, she cited two stories from her own career: that of a senior patient in an extended care facility wanting to be well enough to attend dinner outside of her room; and that of restoring the sight of a poet.

Dr. Brown urged the fresh graduates to understand their ability to directly alter the course of their patients’ lives. She emphasized that students should always remember where they came from before medical school, their time at Trinity, and be mindful of whatever comes next, and allow these to grow within them a sense of development and empathy.

The pivotal events they Dr. Donna Brown, (graduates) would who delivered the have had keynote address, experienced must told the graduates now become that their “pivotal events” experience and in the lives of training to date, others, through must not become their work, Dr. pivotal events in Brown proffered. the lives of Trinity’s Dean, others.

Dr. Douglas Skelton, closed his remarks with earnest candor, delivering his personal wish and expectations for the future of his graduating students.

“I want you, as physicians, to be a consistent, powerful, positive, ethical presence for your patients, for medicine, and your families. If you do that, you’ll be very successful, and you will have pleased this Dean,” he said.

No more one cent and two cent coins THE EASTERN Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in a release dated June 9, 2015, has reminded Vincentians and the rest of the countries under its jurisdiction, that as of 1 July, the Bankwill ‘no longer issue one cent and The ECCB has specified these rounding off measures. two cents coins to the to the fact that transactions using commercial banks operating within those methods of payments can be the Eastern Caribbean Currency settled to the exact amount.

Union (ECCU)’.

As far as cash transactions are However, the ECCB assured that, concerned, the Bank has prepared a although the coins will no longer be set of rounding rules, which will allow issued, they will remain legal tender up to 30 June 2020. This means that retailers and consumers to conduct they can be used for purchasing goods cash transactions with little and services or exchanged at financial interruption. For cash transactions: only the total payment due will be institutions for face value, until that subject to rounding up or down to the date. nearest five-cent increment; individual In earlier communications, the ECCB had explained that the decision items will not be subject to rounding; cash payments in the exact amount to withdraw the coins was based on the low purchasing power of the coins due will not be subject to rounding; fees, taxes or duties will be calculated and the significant cost of producing to the exact amount required by law and handling the coins. or by contract prior to the rounding of According to the release of June 9, the withdrawal of the coins will affect any cash payment.

The ECCB gave the assurance that cash transactions only. Transactions using cheques and electronic payment, it will continue to collaborate with its stakeholders as the withdrawal such as debit and credit cards, and wire transfers, will not be affected due process takes effect.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 23.

VINCENTIAN GRADUATE DOCTORS PROVE SUCCESS OF TRINITY MEDICAL PROGRAM One may ask the question, “Is Trinity School of Medicine a viable option for Vincentians desiring to pursue a career in medicine?” If, at all, there is need to pose the question, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” For locals with the maximum of a college education, Trinity is the perfect place.

ơ Ǧ ǡ curriculum designed to ensure that students acquire the proper foundation for the rigors of medical school at Trinity. ͖͔​͔͜ǡ Ƥ ͖͔͕͔Ǥ Ǧ ȋ͖͔͕͙ȌǤ Ƥ Ȁ and recommends it as the path to the medical career of their aspiring Vincentian counterparts.

ANIQUE EVANS M.D., decided to become a medical doctor at the tender age of nine, having witnessed her grandmother's battle with cancer. Hence, throughout her school career, starting from the St. Mary's R.C. School, she remained focused on achieving this goal. Throughout her secondary and post-secondary education at the Girls' High School and St. Vincent's Community College respectively, she chose key subjects which were necessary to achieve her career pursuits. She began her tertiary education at the St. George's University where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree, and in May 2011 continued her reading in the medical field at the Trinity School of Medicine. It is Anique's interest to specialize in Internal Medicine where, with research, she can be in the best position to realize her dreams to help the sick and injured. She is the daughter of Mr. Anson Evans and Mrs. Nicola Evans of Fountain.

RACQUEL WILSON M.D., completed her primary school education at the Kingstown Preparatory School then went on to the Girls' High School for her secondary education. After doing one year at SVG Community College, she went to the City University of New York Brooklyn College to complete a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Health and Nutrition and a Pre-med concentration. Upon graduation from Brooklyn College she was inducted into the Order of Omega Honor Society. In 2011 after graduation, she commenced her medical school journey at the Trinity School of Medicine.

Raquel is the daughter of Anneke Wilson, PAHO Country Program Specialist for St. Vincent, and Paul Lynch of Prospect.

COLETTE CHARLES M.D., graduated in June 2015 with honours from Trinity School of Medicine, where she began as a Pre-Medicine student in 2010.

She was the first Vincentian applicant to gain admission at Trinity.

Prior to that, she attended the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Girls’ High School. Colette is currently a first year resident pursuing training in full-spectrum Family Medicine. Colette is the daughter of Dr. Ellsworth Charles and Mrs. Dale Charles of Mount Pleasant, Argyle.

GOMATTIE CHUNILALL M.D., entered Trinity, having gained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Guyana. She was a lecturer in Biology at the SVG Community College for five years prior to entering medical school.

KAYLEE SHAKEERA DUNN M.D., is a former Head Girl of St. Joseph's Convent Kingstown. She completed her college education in the small UK town of Cheshire, after which she worked as a Healthcare Technician at Leighton Hospital in Crewe. Shakeera then joined the Pre-Medical program offered by Trinity in 2010 and entered the M.D program in 2011. She plans to bring her knowledge and skills home to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David and Hazel Dunn of Ratho Mill.

DELROY THOMAS M.D., is a former student of the St Joseph Convent Marriaqua, and the SVG Community College.

Upon completion of his Bachelors Degree at the University of the Southern Caribbean in Trinidad, Delroy joined the Trinity MD Program in May 2010. He is the son of Mr. Abdon and Mrs. Nellie Thomas of Calder.

KIMROY WALTERS M.D., was the first Island Scholars to enter Trinity School of Medicine’s Pre- Medicine program in 2010. Prior to this, he attended the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College and St. Vincent Boys Grammar School. Kimroy is the Son of the Hon. Selmon Walters and Mrs. Walters of North Union.

DHANESTER COLE M.D., entered Trinity School of Medicine as a transfer Pre-Medicine student from the Latin American School of Medicine of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in January of 2010. She later successfully gained entrance to the MD program in May of that same year, 2010. Dhanester is a former student of SVG Community College, the St. Vincent Girls' High School, and the Gomea Methodist School. She is the daughter of Ms. Elmire Cole and Mr. Ashford Wood of Belair.

Ƥ Ǣ ǡ Ǣ Ǧ Ƥ Ǣ Ƥ ơ Ǥ Ǥ ǡ ͖͔͕͙ Ǥ Information could be accessed through the following means: Phone: 1+ (784) 456-9751; tsmodesk.krn@gmail.com; and http://www.trinityschoolofmedicine.org/about/whytrinity.aspx ADVERTORIAL

V

24. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Threesome worries not like the guilty feeling I get when I hear my husband boast about my MY HUSBAND believes in me 100%. He boasts that faithfulness to him. If he he could go anywhere and finds out about me, I stand to lose everything, leave me, and return to even him. What should I find me still faithful to him. He is of the view that do? there is no way on earth that I would entertain the Bind thought of cheating, far Dear Bind, less to actually cheat on him.

Such secrets, like the The truth is I have one you have just been cheating on him disclosed, do not last with his boss and his forever, and you have got boss`s wife. His boss to be prepared for the asked me to do a ‘threesome’ with him and after effects when it gets out. his wife, and promised Your situation is not a me a package I could not healthy one, to put it refuse. I agreed to it, mildly, and you need to and since that time, I clean up your act and get have been doing it on a back on the level. If it is regular basis. All my your intention to bills are paid, and my preserve your marriage, husband thinks that I then you need to start got a raise. thinking about coming I do not want my husband to find this out, clean, and let the chips fall where they may. because I am really Your husband deserves enjoying this threesome thing. My boss, his wife to know that he is not and I get along just fine, getting the deal he and we have been doing signed up for. What happens when things get this over a year now.

The only thing is, I do sour between you and

Dear George,

your boss and his wife?

Do you have a back-up plan?

Let your boss know that you cannot and will not do this anymore, and you owe it to your husband to tell him that you have been unfaithful to him. If in the worse

case your marriage does not survive this hump, you would still be able to walk away with the consolation prize of having a lighter and clearer conscience.

Under his watch Dear George,

George

WHAT SHOULD I do about a jealous boyfriend who keeps tabs on me every minute of the day?

When he cannot be with me, he sets up others to watch me. He would have different people reporting to him about my whereabouts, and would confront me with bogus Dear George, information regarding my actions.

MY WIFE and I have not been able to go on a honeymoon. I did I do not like what he is doing, promise her to take her somewhere nice for one week, but our but no matter how much I speak finances would not allow us to follow through with plans. to him about it, he refuses to stop She knows the situation, and yet she is nagging me about not taking her on a honeymoon as promised, and is even comparing us to this foolishness.

I am tired of being interrogated other couples who have gone on their honeymoon. by him, especially when the I feel bad about it, but my wife`s attitude is making me feel even situation is such that I cannot ask worse, and I am so disappointed in her that I do not have the urge to him anything about his go anywhere again. whereabouts. Do you have an Should I just forget about the whole thing? answer for this?

Honeymoon blues

Big D

Fed Up

Dear Big D,

Dear Fed Up,

While I understand your wife`s disappointment, I do not understand the reason why she would want to make the comparison with other couples. It is often said that what you would like to have and what you can afford to have are two different things.

This is not the time, however, to cave in to your emotions and shelve the idea of a honeymoon. Gently let her know you understand her disappointment, and that you are also disappointed, but that you will devote all of your efforts to see to it this honeymoon plan becomes a reality.

The happiness of your marriage should not be based on whether or not there is a honeymoon. She should be reminded that, even if she never gets to have a honeymoon, she should be contented, knowing that, at least, she has you.

If your boyfriend cannot trust you, then he has no business being with you or you with him. Why would he want to continue with someone he does not or cannot trust?

Love has to be based on tons and tons of trust, and without this vital ingredient, your relationship is going nowhere very quickly and will only result in frustration.

Talk with your boyfriend again about his insecure behaviour, and if he cannot or will not see that it is time for him to grow up, then you need to do him a favour and leave him unto himself.

George

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be sure not to burn any bridges. Better still, take your mate and let them foot the bill. You can help other people with their financial problems by setting up a budget for them.

Don't confront the situation if you don't feel you can keep your cool.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You can make major decisions regarding your professional direction. If you can put some work into home improvements, you should. You could have a tendency to spend too much on your home or entertainment.

You'll communicate easily and develop new friendships.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You are best not to confide in anyone right now. Unrealistic promises will only get you in trouble. Avoid extravagance or risky financial schemes. Take time to listen to the problems of family members.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Later in the week your boss will pat you on the back for a job well done. You will need to take a look at the renovations that are necessary and try to find the cheapest way to get things done. Don't be taken advantage of by any fast talking salesperson trying to part you from your cash. You may find acquaintances being deceptive.

things for you but be sure not to overpay them or lend them money.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You will have to help family members sort out unfortunate difficulties. Be creative in your pursuits. Your contributions will be valued and helpful. You will have the discipline to make changes you feel are necessary.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Problems with relatives and friends could surface. Don't say things that could be damaging later on. Cut loose. Don't expect new acquaintances to be completely honest about themselves. This week is not the day to try to comer people by giving them ultimatums.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You have more than enough on your plate already. Family responsibilities are mounting.

You may want to pull out some of those unfinished project you've got tucked away. You may come down with minor infections if you have allowed yourself to get rundown.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You will be appreciated for the competence you exhibit and for taking on responsibilities.

Travel will also entice you. Don't be too pushy or demanding, or you may find yourself all alone. Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Don't be too quick to judge partners or those you work with. You are best to concentrate on work. Dealing with foreigners will be most enlightening. Don't be shy; show your abilities!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You will find the perfect outfit if you shop this week. You will communicate with ease this week. Get busy doing all those things at home that you have been putting off for so long.

Favors will be offered readily.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your ideas will be well received. Your personal life will still be experiencing difficulties and you are best to avoid the issues for the time being. You can make favorable real estate offers this week. You can get others to do

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Put your efforts into making changes to your domestic scene. Avoid letting family get involved in your personal life. Compromise will be necessary. You will have some wonderful ideas that should bring you extra money.

ACROSS 1.Librarian’s admonition 4. Far down 8. Bible possessive 11. Impend 13. Beatles’ “Lovely__” 14. Fisherman’s need 15. Part of AKA 16. Employment offices 18. Arrange for a marriage 20 __ de cologne 21. Try a bite 23. Den, kitchen, etc. (abbr.)

25. Peruvian natives 28. Hem and – 30. Through 32. Opposite of sweeter 34. Wealthier 36. Vandalize 37. Min. part 39. Places for blotters 40 “__ a Rebel” 42. Garment tag 44. “Just __ suspected!”

(2 wds.)

46. Choice steak 50. Store clerks 53. Less than twice 54. Military rank (abbr.)

55. Like Arizona’s climate 56. Beef __ 57. That thing’s 58. Succeeds 59. It preceded the CIA DOWN 1.Thick piece 2. Golfer’s goal 3. Party-giver 4. Annoyed one’s words 5. __ note (quaver) 6. Summer, in Paris

7. Glazier’s item 8. Victories 9. Clod breaker 10. Cloth measurements (abbr.)

12. Building cement 17. Automobile 19. Desert rest stops 22. Attention 24. Search out 25. Suffix for a doctrine 26. Ark’s captain 27. Panaceas (hyph.)

29. Broacher 31. Monopoly’s four (abbr.)

33. Cousin or nephew

(abbr.)

35. Stringed instruments 38. __ point (2 wds.)

41. Wind dir.

43. Ties 45. “The Last Time __ Paris” 2 wds.)

47. In the know

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 25.

about 48. Frozen desserts 49. Breaking stories 50. Biology, e.g. (abbr.)

51. Quick to learn 52. Modern diagnostic tool (abbr.)

26. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 27.

„Local coaches good enough,‰ Coombs protest lodged by the GFF. “No way….I see no need to do that, based on THE ST. VINCENT AND THE past experience, in that all GRENADINES Football you get from these foreign Federation (SVGFF) will not coaches is a lot of be using its funds to secure expenses, and when they the services of any foreign- leave, the game is just as based coach, to be part of they met it or even this country’s football worse…..I will not be a programme. part of any such thing,” This was made Coombs said emphatically. unequivocally clear by Referring to what he SVGFF President Venold suggested as bad decisions Coombs, as he addressed a by previous executives, media conference at the Coombs said, “The last organisation’s person we had here as a headquarters at Bentick coach was a total waste of Square on Tuesday, June time…..he gave just about 29th, 2015. half an hour a day, and Coombs had called the spent most of his time on conference to brief the the beach…he was given a media and the public on a fat salary, stayed in number of issues affecting rented quarters totalling the sport. He was over EC3000.00 (three responding to a question thousand) per month. In over suggestions that the fact he cost about twenty SVGFF should look at the thousand dollars a month possibility of bringing on with no returns”. board a more qualified and Coombs said that when experienced coach to assist that coach left, SVG were with the senior team, in the 160s in the FIFA ‘Vincy Heat’, which could Rankings, and football go through to the next was at its lowest. He also round of the Russia 2018 mentioned the period, CONCACAF Qualifiers, 1996, under Brazilian pending the outcome of a Jorge Ramos who was sent Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

to SVG through the instrumentality of the now disgraced Jack Warner.

“He was not even a football coach as far as I am aware….he was a basketball coach, ….. that is not going to happen again because we have enough knowledgeable coaches here who can help with national teams, and we have to believe in local talent”.

He said that the local coaches have all done some work to develop themselves, and most have played at the national level: Technical Director Keith Ollivierre recently returned from a fourmonth at the University of Delaware; senior coach Cornie Huggins has gone overseas to develop himself ; assistant coach Wesley (Batu) Charles, Under 23 coach Elbir (Wade) Jackson, U15 coaches Christopher (Brazilian) Harry and Carlton (Morna) (Carlton) Dennie, were all part of one of the two CONCACAF D licence

Courses held here.

He, however, said that if an “aid package is offered with a technical director as part of that package,” that is the only how he will go for any foreign coach.

Over the years, the SVGFF have invited President Venold Coombs (left), flashing a copy of foreign coaches in the FIFA Statutes, expressed confidence that SVG will persons of Berteil prevail in the current impasse with the GFF. Also St.Clair, the team of pictured is PRO Earl Bennett.

Adrian Shaw and Ces Podd, Zoran Vranes and Disciplinary Committee, stipulated deadlines, and Colin Rowe with limited he had nothing to fear. success. Vranes, based on Coombs said that every FIFA are yet to make a report, is seen as the most request for relevant ruling more than two instrumental in lifting the documentation made by FIFA were met within the weeks after. local game, with SVG reaching an all-time high of 73 on the FIFA Rankings under his watch.

The president also dealt with the protest by the Guyana Football Federation-GFF- over the eligibility of UK-based Gavin James - and said he was confident that the SVGFF would prevail, since according to him the FIFA Statutes proved that they had done nothing Senior coach Corneilus Huggins and U23 Wade wrong. Reading from the Jackson are among the coaches who have had letter sent from FIFA

overseas exposure.

‘Smith wants Captaincy,’ say sources

Devon Smith is said to have focused his eyes on the captaincy after years of apparent non-interest.

WINDWARD CRICKET ADMINISTRATORS are said to be in what can be described as a quandary.

Reports say the state of confusion results from a demand by champion opener Devon Smith, for the captaincy of the senior team.

Dominica’s Liam Sebastien is the current captain, a post he has held for the last three years since the departure of Darren Sammy, the previous holder of the office.

Reports say the 33-yearold Smith, over the years has shown little inclination towards leadership of either his native Grenada or the Windwards. He, however, had accepted the role from time to time, especially for his country, but appeared always willing to step aside at the first opportunity.

His contributions to the teams have remained productive, both on and off the field, the latter attested to by players who have benefited from his advice.

Smith, a left-handed

opener, has been one of the most prolific run -getters in regional cricket. In the 2014/15 Professional Cricket League (PCL), he amassed 822 runs, the most by any batsman, at an average of 54.80, and struck two centuries and four half centuries.

The Grenadian was suggested as the front runner for captaincy at the exit Sammy, but is said to have declined the offer.

Consideration then focused on Sebastien and SVG captain Lindon James.

Reports say Sebastien came away winner when the matter was resolved by a casting vote.

Since becoming leader, questions have been raised about Sebastien’s ability to maintain a place in the team, on the strength of his batting or bowling. He is also deemed to be susceptible to injuries, with reports of a nagging Achilles problem seriously affecting his play.

In 2014/15, the lefthanded middle order batsman totalled 232 runs at 19.33 and took 17 wickets at over 30 a peice. The other two spinners, off spinner Shane Shillingford took 36 at 26.45 and left-arm spinner Alston Bobb 31 at 1.48 each. Bobb, batting at number nine, also got 194 runs at an average of just over 27.

SVGCA officials have refused to discuss the matter of leadership of the senior team, neither denying nor confirming Smith was now clamouring for leadership.

A vast majority of the persons who are aware of the situation, have all come out in support of Smith, with some former Windward players being of the view that the change will bring about a more balanced team.

The Windwards placed third in the 2014/15 Caribbean Premier League with five wins, four losses and one draw in their ten matches.

Liam Sebastien, current captain, is said to be prone to injury.

V

28. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

U23 footballers overcome problems to prevail U23 Coach Wade “Elbir” Jackson is proud of his team’s performance in the face of travel challenges.

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT “WE ARE CAPABLE of competing and possibly beating anyone we take on right now,” U23 coach Wade ‘Elbir’ Jackson said, one day after returning from Puerto Rico where the team topped Group Four of the CFU Olympic Qualifiers.

By virtue of this win, the team advanced to the semi-finals of the CFU Qualifiers, where they will take on Haiti on August 14th, 2015 for a place in the final and a berth into the CONCACAF play-offs, with Qualifications for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at stake.

The U23s played to a 2-2 draw with host Puerto Rico, and beat regional power house Trinidad and Tobago 5-3, after a serious of problems on their way to the tournament.

According to the coach, the team left here on Monday for Barbados to go through what was expected to be an easy process of obtaining visas from the US Embassy. This was not to be! It took them four days to make it into Puerto Rico after problems encountered at the Embassy.

There were similar problems faced by both Trinidad and Suriname, resulting in the latter being forced to withdraw from the tournament.

Visas granted, the team headed for Miami, where they had to spend a night in the airport before flying out the next day for Puerto Rico.

“The guys had to sleep on the floor, coiled up in chairs or on bags to pass the night; they kept their motivation by dancing to Vincy Soca music to keep themselves warm because it was really cold as well,” the coach said.

The team arrived in Puerto Rico, according to Jackson, just hours before the match, occasioning a pre-match ‘meeting on the run’.

And after setbacks and inconveniences, the players took to the field with such confidence and commitment that he knew they were going to give a good showing, Jackson said.

In that match, which ended 2-2, Puerto Rico twice went ahead through Cooper Nungent in the 10th minute and again with Joseph Marrero in the 75th , only for Solomon (12) and Oalex Anderson (80) minute to draw level.

“If we had lost that game 2-1, I would have been disappointed, but could not have asked for more from these guys….they really gave it their all,” coach Jackson admitted.

In the second match, from a 4-0 lead at half time,

The victorious U23 Team is anxious to meet Haiti in the next SVG conceded three round. goals in the second period of play, but rebounds from goalkeeping saves”, a confident came away eventual Jackson said. winners, 5-3.

The Vincentians were piloted to victory by Tevin While admitting Slater with a hattrick ( 17, 38, 85) Anderson (19) that it was too many goals to let in, Jackson said and UK-Based Bard Miguel ( 42), while T&T got that fatigue had eventually set in, plus there was a goals from Ricardo John (64, 88) and Akeem Roach critical injury concern.

(75).

“Our top defender Danroy Edwards had picked up Jackson and his team are looking forward to an ankle injury, but because of his importance to meeting Haiti, since many of the U23 were part of the team, we just could not take him off, but we the U17 team which was hammered 6-1 by the were never in any danger of losing that game….we Haitians in Trinidad, in 2008. always had everything under control…yes they got The team returns to training next Thursday. some late goals, but two of those goals were

Audain has not lost passion for cricket MARK AUDAIN, a former national Under-19 cricketer, migrated to the United States of America in 1988, but has not lost his passion for the sport.

Audain represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a youth cricketer from 1985 to 1988.

He rose to national youth prominence after representing the

Mark Audain, former national Under-19 player, is keen to assist where he can.

SVG returns to Caribbean TT Championship A four-man Table Tennis team left here on Wednesday 1st July to participate in the 57th Caribbean Region Table Tennis Championship, to be held in Martinique from July 3rd to 8th.

The Team comprises: Damion Dublin (Team Captain), Romano Spenser, Deighton King and Javier DeShong.

DeShong is eligible to take part in both the open and under 21 divisions of the tournament.

The team is coached by Joseph Carrington, and Orville Haslam OD is both Manager and Technical Advisor to the team. Carrington is expected to participate in the Masters category of the Championship.

St.Vincent and the Grenadines last participated

Troumaca Ontario Secondary School in the United Insurance Secondary Schools Cricket Competition and later, the Victors Cricket team in the National Cricket Competition.

On migrating tto the US, he joined the Cavaliers Cricket Club, but has since moved on to founding and playing for the Middlesex Cricket Club that competes in the New York cricket competition.

His life-long dream of playing for the West Indies may have eluded him, but he was able to fulfill one other dream — that of playing semi-professional cricket in England.

In May this year, during a sojourn in the UK, he turned out for the Hampton Cricket Club, in the Hunts League Division One. He also represented the Hampton Development Team, coached the BPP University Team at Lords, umpired at a University championship game, and represented Catford & Cyphers Cricket Club in London, England.

His short stint in England saw him compiling a total of 188 runs

from 4 innings, with a best of 65 not-out, and taking 7 wickets for 99 runs from 28 overs in six matches, with his best bowling being 9 overs, 1 maiden, 37 runs, 4 wickets matches.

Since returning to New York, he has recorded 104 for Middlesex Cricket Club against The Diplomats, a Guyanese team, and 63 versus his former club, Cavaliers.

He has also turned in a creditable 7-1-37-4 match haul against the Pakistani team, Janoon.

Apart from his actual play, Audain said that he has assisted “other Vincentians resident in new York to find places in teams playing in New York”.

And he has not forgotten his homeland. Through the years, he has donated cricket gear to several teams and individuals here.

“Regardless of where I am, I am committed to my homeland, to to encouraging young players there,” he said.

I.B.A.ALLEN

in this Championship in 2012, when it was held in St. Lucia.

Meanwhile, in a release earlier this week, the SVG Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) disclosed that it will host an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Umpire and Referee Course, the first of its kind in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, from the 20th to the 25th July, 2015.

The course aims to train twenty-five SVG Table Tennis Team to the 57th Caribbean umpires and referees from across the Championship (front row left to right): Romano Spencer, country. These are expected to come from Javier DeShong, Damion Dublin (Capt), Deighton King, among Physical Education Teachers, Sports Joseph Carrington (Coach); (back): Orville Haslam OD Department Officers and Table Tennis Manager - and nine times singles Champion at CRTTF players.

Championships and 13 times English Champion.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 29.

Sports

Football High ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Football will improve its ranking the next time the positions are released. A number of good performances in recent matches is certain to add to this country’s points standing.

Even though there is uncertainty over the protest by Guyana, the nation continues to astound.

The next outing will be August 14 against Haiti. Where that match is played will be determined. It could be Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, or right here. The other two nations will also be in the shoot out for a place in the Caribbean Zone of the Olympic Qualifiers. The winners are guaranteed to qualify for the Men’s Football tournament at the Summer Olympics carded for Brazil next year.

While that approaches, attention will be on the next Round of World Cup Qualifiers.

That’s assuming that everything is in order with our squad.

Barbados had their platform dismantled when they were eliminated after fielding an illegitimate player in the second playoff with Aruba.

Opportunities are numerous for our players to be exposed on the International market. Vincy Heat beat Trinidad and Tobago 5: 3 to top their group, having drawn with Puerto Rico 2 all in their first encounter.

The Vincentians had to come from behind twice to earn the draw. Puerto Rico scored in the ninth and 75th minutes. The equalisers came in the 12th and 80th.

Scoring goals is the surest way of ensuring success on the field of play. That’s something the coaches seemed to have instilled in their players.

How else can you explain the rampage that went on against Trinidad and Tobago?

The Trinidadians scored their goals eventually, some might argue too close for comfort, as far as the Vincentians were concerned. But the damage was already done.

Commendations must go to Tevin Slater who has announced himself as a striker with a high conversation rate. In addition to his three goals against Guyana in two matches, Slater notched up more goals in the qualifiers and will find himself in contention for Sports Personality awards when candidates are put forward for the event next year.

The third placed team in the Olympic qualifiers have a chance to make it to Rio. They will have to play Colombia in March next year.

All things being equal, Vincy Heat will have staked their claim for advancing along the qualification process.

The potential to promote this country will be manifold, beyond the realms of expectations, and exceeding the price any authority could pay to promote this nation on the world stage.

Such is the power of sports. Additionally, Sports is a rally factor, and a pillar of solidarity for many nations.

There is also the element of patriotism that it engenders, and in this time of possible political division, football is a unifying force.

There is also the spill over effect whereby success breeds success, and youngsters will be ever so keen on keeping that impact that the sport is engendering.

There is nothing to lose from this direction in sports. The local Football Federation must be encouraged to continue inspiring the youths. As long as the direction is positive, there is no greater benefit for any emerging nation. We must build that support base and ensure that the foundation remains strong.

Females battle for places THE NATIONAL trials leading up to the selection of a national female cricket team to compete against Grenada, continued last weekend.

The Vincnetian ladies will square off against their Grenadian counterparts in search of places in a combine GrenadaSVG team which will compete in the West Indies Limited Overs Championships.

Two trial matches were played at the Arnos Vale playing field featuring teams led by Stacy-Ann Adams and Juliana Nero.

In match 1, the Adams X1 batted first and made 160 for 4 from 45 overs. Latoya Providence led with 45, Adam hit 43, and Shevorne Clarke 24 not out.

Bowling for Nero‘s XI, Shaniza Daniels 2 for 24 from 8 overs.

In reply, Nero’s XI made 129 all out from 41 overs, leading scorers being Shaniza Daniels 32, Glendeen Turtin 31, and Julianna Nero 22. Cordel Jack took 3 for 13, Latoya Providence 2 for 18

and Roshelle John 2 for 35.

In match 2, Adams XI dominated again, beating Nero X1 by 34 runs. Adams XI was asked to bat and made 163 all out off 45 overs. Cordel Juliana Nero hit 53 in a losing Jack led effort for her with 26, team.

Gianni Marshall hit 19 and Shevorne Clarke 21 not out. Daniels was again among the wickets, taking 2 for 29 off 8 overs.

In reply, Nero’s XI were dismissed for 129 off 37 overs.

Julianna Nero hit the only half century, 53, of the trials. Kimone Homer made 28. Bowling

Cordel Jack tuned in two useful bowling performances and also contributed with the bat.

Latoya Providence displayed good all round effort across the two matches.

for Stacy’s XI, Jack showed her return to form and attention, taking 2 for 13.

Latoya Providence had 2 for 20 and Adams 2 for 16.

I.B.A.ALLEN

Cyclists head for OECS Championships

Lucky Antrobus is also part of the Vincentian contingent.

FIVE CYCLISTS will represent St Vincent and the Grenadines in this year’s OECS championships, set for Anguilla this Friday.

The team is headed by Cammie Adams, and also includes Zefal Bailey, Enroy Lewis, Orano Andrews and Lucky Antrobus.

Shimano Bailey, Peter Durrant and Orel George comprise the management team.

After the 53-mile OECS championships, the Vincentian cyclists will stay on for the John T Memorial which is set for Sunday.

Meanwhile, in last Sunday’s 65- mile event held here as a warmer to the sub- regional championships , Cammie

Adams copped the first place in three hours 14 minutes 41 seconds; Enroy Lewis was second in three hours 19 minutes 30 seconds and third was Zefal Bailey — three hours 22 minutes 13 seconds.

The 65-miles route took riders from Howard’s Marine in Villa Flat, to the Round About in Arnos Vale, then to Georgetown, and a return to the Round About. From there, they cycled to Diamond- Round About route twice, finishing from where they started.

In the Masters category, which Cammie Adams (left) and Zefal Bailey covered a distance of 49 miles, are expected to lead the SVG challenge Peter Durrant took the top spot in at the 2015 OECS Championship.

2 hours 21 minutes 36 seconds.

Second was Randy Wilkinson —two About and finishing at Howard’s hours 21 minutes 37 seconds, and Marine. third Orel George in two hours 42 In the juniors, Samuel Lyttle came minutes 16 seconds. out top over the prescribed 41-mile The Masters’ route started route from Villa Flat to Georgetown Howard’s Marine Flat to the Arnos and back. He clocked two hours 19 vale Round About then to minutes 12 seconds.

Georgetown, returning to the Round

Warriors, New First Division Cricket Champions MARLON FARRELL, with five wickets for forty-three runs for Combine Youths against Ruddy’s Electrical Unique Warriors, would not have been faulted if he thought he had done enough to earn his team the title of champions of First Division Cricket in SVG. Unfortunately, Farrell’s effort turned out to be a worthwhile effort in a losing cause.

In the finals played over two days — Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June Warriors were asked to bat first and put in a useful effort, closing at 168 after facing 68.2 overs. Peter Campbell was the top Warriors’ batsman with 70, and veteran Sylvester Vanloo chipped in with 22. Farrell claimed his ‘five-for’ and Nickie Antoine took 2 for 41.

Combine Youth appeared to be closing in on their first title, but stuttered along the way, and had to thank their outstanding bowlers, Farrell, who hit 36, and Antoine, 25, for getting within touching distance, 157 all out in 62.5 overs, of victory.

I.B.A.ALLEN

30. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015. 31.

Classifieds

ENID SAM

ELETHA VICTORIA CAIN

Kingstown Methodist Church Tuesday 30th June, 2015 3:00 p.m.

Richland Park Methodist Church Tuesday 30th June, 2015 3:00 p.m.

CLARIBELLE THEODOSIA GLOSTER/ HEPBURN At The Grace and Truth Church Barrouallie Sunday 28th June, 2015 2:30 p.m.

LYNHURST BRENNON LAVIA

SHARDINE MONICA JOHNSON

S. D. Adventist Church Fountain Sunday 28th June, 2015 3:00 p.m.

St. Bethel Spiritual Baptist Church Chateaubelair Sunday 28th June, 2015 1:00 p.m.

ALBAN FITZROY JACK 3rd April 1926 10th June 2015 Bethel Gospel Assembly North Union Saturday 27th June, 2015 3:00 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

F O R

A.I. REAL ESTATE Langley Park 3 bedrm Property on 4,646 sq.ft. - $140,000.00 - H511 Prospect 8,966 sq.ft. @ $19.00 p.s.f. - $170,354.00 - BB162 Queensbury 22,186 sq.ft @ $15.00 p.s.f.

S A L E

FRIDAY,

JULY 03, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.27

- $332,790.00 - BB139

Queensbury 45,193.2 sq.ft @ $13.50 p.s.f. - $610,108.20 - BB161

www.thevincentian.com

Other listings are available Office: 784) 457-2087/533-0431 Cell: (784)-493-9431 Office:718-807-4376 Email: donp@vincysurf.co Website: www.aisvg.com

EC$1.50

‘MARSHIE’: “PS PROMOTING MY SONG” he responded, the song has become more popular by far.”

CALYPSONIAN Junior ‘Marshie’ Marshie’s ‘Professional Marshall has commended Bowlers’, a crafty double Permanent Secretary (PS) in the entendre, seeks to address the Ministry of Health, Luis Deshong, for need for good bowlers on the West indirectly promoting his song Indies cricket team.

‘Professional Bowlers’.

One line of the song originally ‘Marshie’ received a letter from went, ‘If you check the Ministry of attorney Patina Knights, acting Health, yes they sure to get good on Deshong’s behalf, on Friday, results from SPS’, and the chorus June 26, threatening legal action follows, ‘He is a bowler, a if the calypsonian did not, with immediate effect, cease and desist professional bowler’.

Knights’ letter, copied to the in continuing what Knights Carnival Development described as defamatory statements of and concerning her Corporation (CDC) and local radio stations, stated, ‘My client client. contends this is a less than veiled ‘Marshie’ is also required to attempt to indicate the post of tender, in writing, a full and PS’. unequivocal apology to Deshong, It continued, ‘Those words you and to give an undertaking not to repeat, what the letter referred to published mean and were as allegations. understood to mean that my The letter stated in part, ‘If we client is a homosexual and as have not received a satisfactory such implies my client engages in reply within seven days of receipt unlawful acts, that being criminal of this letter, my instructions are offences’. to institute legal proceedings But Marshie told THE against you, in the meantime my VINCENTIAN, “He (PS) move the client reserves all his right’.

S from SPS and get PS. He is But Deshong’s response, making his own song.” through his lawyer, may have On advice from the CDC, made the artiste one of the most ‘Marshie’ made adjustments to popular calypsonians this season the song for his performance at and, according to some calypso the National Calypso Semi-Finals, enthusiasts, the controversy may June 26 at the Victoria Park. He not only have helped to promote replaced the reference ‘Ministry of ‘Marshie’ and his song, but also Health’ with ‘Ministry of the Dimanche Gras show, where Progress’.

‘Marshie’ will perform in the ‘Marshie’ views the recent national calypso finals. development as an attempt to ‘Marshie’ is aware of this and stifle calypsonians and to destroy told THE VINCENTIAN, the art form.

“Thumbs up to the PS for “People love my song, they love promoting my song, because since

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Junior ‘Marshie’ Marshall made adjustments to his song for his semi-finals performance (pictured here), and the song still stirred the audience into rapturous response.

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

the way it is crafted,” he said.

But he pointed out, “People take songs and twist them to suit themselves, and this one is no exception.”

With a chuckle, ‘Marshie’ insisted that “the Ministries do have good bowlers because we recently had inter-ministerial sports.”

‘Marshie’ is an employee at the Central Medical Stores in the Ministry of Health.

“If the West Indies get good bowlers, I will do ‘Professional Bowlers’ Part 2”, he promised, and made it clear that there would be no apology forthcoming from him to Deshong, since, as he sees it, there is nothing that warrants an apology.

“He just trying to scare me, he just trying to wild me up,” he opined.

‘Marshie’, who sings with the On Tour Calypso tent, made his calypso debut in 2012. This year is very special for him, having made it to the national semifinals and finals for the first time.

His second tune, ‘Play your role’, is expected to hit the airwaves today (Friday). He promises patrons a good performance on Sunday night, and urges Vincentians and visitors to come out and support calypso.

And as calypso lovers look forward to ‘Marshie’s’ performance on Sunday, one keen observer simply declared, “Carnival without controversy is no carnival.”

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.