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FEBRUARY 13, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.07

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The waters at Mt. Young-Black Point beach are known to become rough at any given time, especially along the rocky coastline.

Inset: Garth Pompey became the second person within the space of six days to be taken by the sea. went to clear his line, when he was knocked off THE ONLY by a wave, which came CONSOLATION for crashing against the rock those who knew 37on which he was year-old Garth Pompey standing. of Chili Village, “At first, I thought he Georgetown well, was would be alright because that his body was I saw him coming back recovered. towards us. He wasn’t It was a usual calling out to us or fishing expedition anything,” Horne said. that went sour, But while attempting said Omoro Horne, to make his way back, one of the two men Horne said that he was who were with pulled away and another Pompey last Friday wave slammed him when the tragedy against the rocky coast. occurred.

There was very little The men went to he or the other guy could Mount Young, in have done, except to the vicinity of the leave the scene and seek Black Point tunnel, assistance from law “to catch some fish enforcement authorities. which they were Pompey’s lifeless body intending to cook was discovered at later on,” Horne told Colonarie, the following THE VINCENTIAN. Monday morning.

He explained that the water was rough, Memories will live on and that it had gotten progressively worse He is remembered as while they were out one who died while doing looking for a nice catch something he loved. to take back.

Horne said that he At a particular area knew Pompey all his life, around 1pm, Horne said, but that last Friday was they decided to throw the first in a while that their line out from the he had gone fishing with rocks. his lifelong friend.

About an hour after He was remembered as arriving in the area, a kind person throughout Horne said that Pompey his community.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

“Anything he hah, he nah fraid fo give yo,” Randolph Billy, resident of Georgetown told THE VINCENTIAN. “He polite — he was very good to know…he was a good man, he gone and we go miss him,” he continued.

Second family tragedy Pompey’s death is the second tragedy to have occurred in the family — they lost one of their beloved, Michele Bernadette Pompey, in the fatal road accident which occurred on December 31, 2009, when a mini-bus overturned while travelling along the Argyle road.

He was the second of four children for his father, Ivan Dellimore.

Dellimore said that he had returned to St Vincent in December after a stint in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

Pompey would visit regularly, he said — “he always home. Me talk to he down to Friday before he dead (and) he tell me he go come down de Saturday — he never come,” Dellimore said.

“Is me son, I love me son,” he continued.

Omoro Horne, one of three men who went on the fishing expedition that went sour.

Ivan Dellimore, father of the deceased, expressed profound love for his son.

Continued on Page 3.

V ÂHazÊ Samuel is 2015 Caribbean Laureate 2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

VINCENTIAN BORN Herbert ‘Haz’ Samuel has joined an elite Herbert ‘Haz’ Samuel is the third Caribbean alumni.

Vincentian recipient Samuel, an energy of an Anthony N. consultant and entrepreneur, Sabga Caribbean was inducted into the Anthony Award for N. Sabga Hall of Excellence.

Accomplishment, when he was named one of four 2015 recipients of the prestigious Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in the Entrepreneurship, the first time an award was being made in this field.

He joins three others in the awardees list for 2015, the others being: Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Poet, Playwright & Academic from Guyana - Arts & Letters; Prof Suresh Narine, Bio-technologist from Guyana Science & Technology; and 1989, with this country’s lone power Prof Patrick Hosein, Computer company, VINLEC, before moving on Scientist from Trinidad & Tobago to work with the Caribbean Science & Technology. engineering consulting firm CEP Ltd A profile on Samuel posted on the and with the Caribbean Electric Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Award Utility Services Corporation for Excellence websites, says this (CARILEC). about Samuel: ‘His company, Since 2007, Samuel has been an Welectricity Inc, is developing and independent sustainable energy marketing innovative solutions to reduce domestic energy consumption. consultant and entrepreneur.

Samuel joins two other Vincentians Welectricity’s main product is the who have been awarded the Anthony Welectricity web app (available at N. Sabga Award for Excellence since www.welectricity.com) which allows 2006, when the first laureates were households to track, compare and named. reduce their electricity consumption, The other Vincentians to have been without the need for any additional accorded the accolade are Plant measurement devices in the home’.

Pathologist and Geneticist Professor That same profile said that ‘The Leonard O’Garro in 2012, and Welectricity app was conceived in 2009 and funded by an IDEAS Energy Geologist and Volcanologist Dr. Richard Robertson in 2014.

Innovation award from GVEP When THE VINCENTIAN International and GiZ, was built and launched in 2010. It has subsequently contacted Samuel to congratulate him attracted international attention, has and to solicit a comment, this was his received new global innovation awards response, much in keeping with the and now has registered users from 111 humble person we know him to be: “I am honoured, excited and humbled countries. In 2010 the UK-based WWF, the world’s largest independent to join the distinguished company of my fellow laureates in the region, and conservation organization, named Welectricity as a Green game-changer; I thank everyone who has supported me, in one way or another, in my GE awarded its Best Idea for the ongoing journey.”

Millennial in its 2010 ecomagination The Anthony N Sabga Caribbean smart grid challenge, and in 2011 it Awards ‘is the only programme in the was judged Best New Sustainability Caribbean which seeks out and Innovation in the rewards outstanding nominees in Arts Knowledge@Wharton/Wipro & Letters, Public & Civic Innovation Tournament at the Contributions, and Science & Wharton School at the University of Technology, and as of 2015 Pennsylvania’.

Entrepreneurship. It has been in Samuel is an Industrial Engineer, existence since 2005, and was, till having graduated from the UWI in 1982. He was SVG’s first ever Energy 2010, a biennial award, at which time it became an annual award. The Officer attached to the Ministry of prizes are worth TT $500,000 each, Finance and Planning from 1982 — and each laureate receives a medal 1986. He also served as an engineer and citation at a ceremony in April’. and project manager, from 1986 —

V

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

News 3

Airport completion by year end?

‘No way’, says Eustace

There is no convincing the Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace, that the International Airport at Argyle will be completed by the end of 2015.

by DAYLE DA SILVA

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, Arnhim Eustace, is maintaining the view that despite the assurances given by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the International Airport at Argyle will not be completed this year.

Continuing where he left off during his presentation at the 2015 Budget session, Eustace asked, again, on his New Times Radio programme on Monday, “When will the airport be ready? For me, that is a fundamental question. When will it really be ready?” he questioned.

He questioned further, “Why are we making projections about arrivals and all these sorts of things, we have not come to any negotiations with any airlines at all, why are we making these statements? Why are we giving our people the hope of employment; that the airport will contribute to other sectors of the economy, and the airport is not ready? Why are we doing it? I understand the politics? Why are we fooling the people?”

Even in the face of the Prime

Minister detailing completed works and giving schedules for completion of ongoing works, Eustace was adamant that the international airport will not be completed this year and ready for operation by year end.

He had heard a lot of dates announced, he said, but he did not believe any of them.

Eustace followed up on Monday, saying that the international airport, once opened, was expected to generate activity which will in turn benefit the economy. One such activity was the expectancy of increased stay over arrivals in the country.

However, Eustace said, that up to the present, there was no indication of any airline showing an interest in operating here.

“So how in the hell could you expect to project an increase in arrivals?”

Eustace questioned.

“The year will pass and the airport will not be opened, and there will be no increase in stay over arrivals,” the leader of the opposition said.

Pastor Daniel: ‘Children getting their own way’

by KENVILLE HORNE PASTOR OF THE STREAMS of Power Church, Dr. Errol Daniel, declared that the children are controlling the parents, and as a result, fewer parents are taking their children to church.

The Pastor expressed the view while responding to a question from THE VINCENTIAN, during the press launch for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the church, last Monday, February 9, at the Streams of Power Church, Sion Hill.

“A lot of parents allow their children to have their own way,” said the veteran pastor.

He noted that the children of church goers are getting a type of teaching where it is ok for them to be left on their own alone to make Pastor Errol Daniel and Mrs. Daniel both spoke to the their own decisions for themselves. need for proper parenting, including guidance to their Daniel revisited a time when parents children as far as the place of church in their lives is would demand that their children attend concerned. church. “However” he said, “these days, some of the parents that we have, are allowing The female Pastor said that is the reason why their children to make the decisions, and if we allow her church visits the homes. “If you have a family that to happen much longer, then the whole nation and you see half coming to church, then there must would be in a lot of problems.” be a reason why the other half is not coming. So we Wife of Errol Daniel, Carmalie Daniel, who is go for the other half of the family.” also a Pastor, said that parents when approached on Pastor Errol Daniel urged the parents to rise up the situation, give various answers. and take charge. He admitted it “takes hard work, “You hear things like, ‘They do not have any but it is worth it,” repeating that, “it begins with the church clothes,’ ‘There is one shoe for school and it’s parents.” not very good’,” stated Mrs. Daniel.

Construction work on the project is incomplete, and discussions with airlines have amounted to nothing thus far, Eustace contended.

According to Eustace, it was obvious that there were no negotiations held to date with any airline, and there was no commitment.

“People book their holidays months before they travel. They can’t book to come to Argyle now, so how our arrivals for 2015 going to go up because of the airport? Does it make any sense at all, and you are selling that to the public, raising people’s expectations and worse, raising investors’ aspirations as to what to expect from their properties,” he said.

Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture, Cecil Mc Kie, in August last year, admitted that it was not yet determined which airlines are interested in flying here.

CEO of the Tourism Authority, Glen Beache, whose responsibilities include leading talks with potential airlines, said in a press briefing in December 2014, that this country would have to assist airlines with some of the risks.

Fishing expedition gone bad Continued from Front Page.

Regrets Ivan Dellimore went on to say that Pompey and his older sister, Deonice Dellimore, were very close.

She said, when THE VINCENTIAN contacted her on Wednesday, “He was my favourite, I used to do anything for him — there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

“We had a good relationship — nothing too good for him to give me.”

Dellimore said that she spoke to her brother Friday morning. Now she regrets not being able to express to him how much she loved him.

She told THE VINCENTIAN that she understands that her brother’s girlfriend is “expecting soon,” and that she was requesting that she remain close to the family.

“So that I can give the same love I had for my brother to his child,” she said.

Pompey’s death is the second drowning to have occurred within a week. His death followed that of 17-year-old Cauldric Williams who drowned at Petit Byahaut, on the Leeward Coast, while attending a church picnic on January 31.

Pompey is expected be laid to rest next Saturday, February 21, in Georgetown.

V

4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Law

Police officersÊ absence prompts investigations

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS THE HIGH COMMAND of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has launched investigations to determine why two police officers, who form part of the process police staff at the Serious Offences Court, were not on duty on Monday, February 9.

Frankie Joseph, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of crime, made the confirmation to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Glenford Gregg, who is in charge of the Process Office and second in Command of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been mandated to investigate the matter.

The Process Office comprises police officers who work at the Serious Offences Court, Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and Family Court.

The Serious Offences Court was adjourned

Teenager jailed for firearm possession

prematurely on Monday because of inadequate police staff.

One of the five police officers assigned to that court fell ill in court and had to leave, while two others, who had performed miscellaneous duties over the weekend, did not turn up for court duty.

When contacted on Tuesday, ACP Joseph explained that the miscellaneous team comprises police officers from Police Headquarters Office, located on the floor of the Commissioner of Police’s Office, Central Police Station Office which runs beat and patrol, Police Public Relations and Complaints Department, Human Resource Department and Process Office. The purpose of the miscellaneous team is to create a stronger police presence on the beat, one weekend per month.

The Assistant Commissioner stressed that miscellaneous officers do not work the 11pm to 7am shift. They would have to work any of the two

other shifts, 7am to 3pm and 3pm to 11 pm.

It is against this backdrop that the investigations are being carried out to determine why the two officers did not turn up for usual court duties on Monday.

When contacted, ASP Gregg declined to comment, saying that he was mandated to investigate the matter.

Adolphus Delpleche, Senior Prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court also declined to comment when contacted.

Frankie Joseph, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of crime, confirmed that miscellaneous officers do not usually work an 11pm to 7am shift.

No foul play suspected in teen’s death NO FOUL PLAY is suspected in the death of 17-year-old Cauldric Levan Williams Jr. , who drowned at Petit Byahaut January 31, according to Frankie Joseph, Assistant Commissioner of Police, in charge of crime.

Williams had gone swimming with two other persons at Petit Byahaut, a bay located between Buccament and Clare Valley, when he disappeared under water. His body was later discovered at the bottom of the sea. The trio was part of a group on a church picnic, on a beach along the Leeward coast. They had travelled aboard a catamaran, Reports are that on their way back, the group stopped at Petit Byahaut to snorkel.

A post mortem done last week Wednesday showed that Williams

LESS THAN a week after three Lowmans Leeward youths were jailed on a number of firearm and ammunition possession charges, a Green Hill youth received a prison term for a similar offence.

Deshawn Slater, 17, was on Tuesday sentenced to three years behind bars for possession of a firearm, without licence, make and serial number unknown.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias handed down the penalty at the Serious Offences Court after Slater pleaded guilty.

Slater was arrested at Green Hill last Sunday, after police searched a sack he was carrying and found the weapon. He told the court he found the unloaded gun while digging dasheen, and was going to take it to the police. The Magistrate did not believe him.

Last Friday, February 6, twins Mike and Michael Prescott 24, along with Showayne Phillips, 18, all of Lowmans Leeward, were each sentenced to six years in prison for possession of, without licences, a Lakefield Mossbery 12-guage shotgun, and six years for having, without licences, a firearm, make and serial number unknown. They also received a one-year prison POLICE Corporal 723 Nolan sentence each for having, without licences, five rounds of Dalloway and his team have 12-guage shot gun ammunition. been rewarded with a The sentences, handed down contribution of EC$2,500 for

by Chief Magistrate Rechanne their effort in clamping down Browne-Matthias at the Serious on illicit firearms and drug Offences Court, will run related activities on the concurrently.

Leeward side of St. Vincent, a Mike was also sentenced to six police release stated on years for possession of, without Wednesday. licence, an Aciato Vichor 12According to the release, guage shotgun and six months the reward came from a for having without licence, two member of the business rounds of 12-guage shot gun community who prefers to ammunition. remain anonymous.

The sentences will run The presentation was made concurrently and concurrently to during an Officer Corps the sentences on the joint Meeting of the Royal St. charges. The trio will therefore, serve six years behind bars. They Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, February 6, were convicted, February 6, 2015. following a trial which started the previous day at the Serious “Dalloway demonstrated Offences Court. capable leadership which The guns and ammunition yielded results that helped the Commissioner of Police were found during a search of a achieve his dream,” the house at Buddy Gutter, businessman told the Lowmans Bay around 5:40 a.m.

Gazetted Officer.

January 30, 2015 during an During the period action by the Rapid Response December 12 to 13, 2014, Unit (RRU).

died from drowning.

Speaking with THE VINCENTIAN this week, ACP Joseph used the opportunity to advise persons to take more precautionary measures while using the sea.

“You may be a good swimmer, but sometimes you may not have knowledge as to how the tide operates at certain beaches,” Joseph said.

“The greatest of swimmers can encounter problems”, he stressed.

Joseph also cautioned persons picnicking to pay closer attention to each other while using the sea.

He noted that a person or persons using the sea in crowds could easily disappear unknowing to others present.

Williams is the second person to have lost his life at sea in just

under a week.

The body of Garth Pompey, 37, of Chili Village, Georgetown, was washed ashore at the Colonarie beach Monday morning.

A post No foul play is mortem revealed that suspected in the Pompey died death of Caldric Williams Jr. from drowning.

Pompey was reportedly standing on a rock when a wave knocked him into the sea after he had gone on a fishing trip with others at Mt. Young February 6.

Businessman rewards policeman and his team Dalloway, who is assigned to the Layou Rapid Response Unit (RRU), led a team of officers on routine patrol, which included stop and searches, the result iof which was that 13 persons were charged with firearm and marijuana possession.

During that same month, the team made a total of 54 arrests, with most of those charged found guilty when brought before the court.

In accepting the commendation, Dalloway is reported as saying, “A lot of people think that I am rough, but I am not rough. I just like to see things go the right way and law and order maintained.”

He praised his team members for their effort, noting, “Whether they are tired or not, they are always ready to go.”

Dalloway, who has received training in Antigua, Belize, the Dominican Republic and

Trinidad and Tobago, will be celebrating his 10th anniversary as a police officer in 2016.

He said one of his most Police Corporal memorable occasions as 723 Nolan Dallaway a police recognised the officer was men under his heading Tradewinds command as being ready at in Antigua, all times to a U.S respond to a Southern Command — call to duty. sponsored training exercise which helps nations in the region to better respond to natural disasters and land and maritime threats, including illicit trafficking, the release continued.

Dead man found in North River POLICE here are said to be investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of St. Clair Billy of Chili Village, Georgetown.

Billy’s body was discovered submerged in the river at North River Road, Kingstown.

The dead man, believed to be in his fifties, was discovered approximately 9a.m. on February 11th, 2015, by sanitation workers.

Police say that preliminary examinations did not identify any visible signs of injury.

A post mortem was expected to be conducted on the body yesterday, February 12, 2015.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 5.

Regional

Jamaica Senate approves new marijuana law

now be a ‘ticketable’ infraction, which would require those found guilty to pay a fixed monetary fine, outside of court.

The amendment will also allow for a scheme of licences, permits, and other authorisations which will enable the establishment of a lawful, regulated industry for marijuana for medical, therapeutic, scientific and Senator Mark Golding, religious purposes, Minister of Justice, opened the latter related the debate on the Dangerous the use and cultivation of the Drugs Amendment Act 2015. ‘herb’ by the Rastafarian WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS for CARICOM to take community.

The Bill will be debated a harmonised approach to by members of the House the easing of laws of Representatives in the governing the use of new parliamentary year. marijuana in the region, Parliament is expected to Jamaica has taken a first be prorogued next week, and individual position on paving the way for the the matter. start of the new In Jamaica on Friday parliamentary year, which [Feb 7], one day after the will see the tabling of the birthday of Jamaica’s Estimates of Expenditure Reggae icon Bob Marley, and the Budget debate, who was an advocate for after which, it is expected, the use of marijuana, the the ‘ganja debate’ will Senate passed the begin.

Dangerous Drugs In a related issue, the Amendment Act 2015, Jamaica Observer quoted following two weeks of the Minister of Justice, debate.

Senator Mark Golding, as According to reports, the new law will make the saying, “Regulations guaranteeing automatic possession of up to two ounces of cannabis a non- removal of an offender’s criminal record for arrestable offence. convictions relating to the Possession of small amounts of marijuana will smoking or possession of

small quantities of ganja, are currently being drafted by the Ministry of Justice and should be ready next week.”

Senator Golding stressed the importance of these regulations, citing

Under the amended legislation, to be made law when the serious disabling effect a approved by the House of Representatives, Rastafarians will have the right to cultivate and use marijuana for religious criminal record for the purposes only. possession of small amounts employment, and get countries. (Source: of ganja had on persons’ Jamaica Observer) travel visa for certain ability to gain

Another take-over in Venezuela REPORTS COMING OUT of Venezuela last Friday said that Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, had ordered the takeover of a private supermarket and pharmacy chain, Dia a Dia, by the state food agency.

In addition, Dia a Dia’s director, Manuel Morales, was reported jailed and accused of “boycott and destabilisation” of the economy.

News reports continued by saying that soldiers and government workers were sent to branches of the supermarket and pharmacy chain to supervise sales.

Speaking on television, President Maduro accused Dia a Dia of food hoarding amid huge lines and shortages in the crisis-hit country, an accusation that the directors have rejected.

He did not say whether the move amounted to an expropriation, but he said the government’s PDVAL food distribution agency would take over “all service of this chain that

was waging war against the population”.

This latest action was the President’s latest attempt to combat what he has dubbed an “economic war” waged by the private sector and the opposition, to destabilize the recession-hit country.

It was not the first time he had accused private companies of hoarding goods to keep “the population irritated, suffering” in order to fuel discontent against the government.

He also accused the private companies of colluding with the political opposition to oust his government.

President Maduro’s action comes as Venezuela, already in recession since 2014, is riddled with inflation soaring at 64%.

The situation is compounded as oil prices dropped drastically throughout 2014, forcing the government, which is reliant on the country’s oil resources as its main

Members of the Venezuelan military moved to take control of all the supermarket and pharmacy outlets operating under the Dia a Dia name. (Photo source: wsj.com) revenue earner, to make budget cuts.

It is well known that President Hugo Chavez, whom Nicolas Maduro succeeded, expropriated national and foreign companies in various sectors of the economy, which the opposition blames for a drop in private investments in the country.

A wave of violent anti-

Inset: Once control was had, sales at Dia a Dia supermarkets were supervised by soldiers. government protests rocked the country early last year, but Maduro weathered the storm.

Shortages of food and medicine have worsened in Venezuela this year, causing longer lines than usual. (Sources: BBC and Gulf Times)

Bob Marley’s Land Rover restored ROBERT ‘BOB’ MARLEY died in 1981. Few before and since have had such impact across cultures — across ethnicities — in life and in death.

If he were alive and ‘trodding the tenement yards’ in Kingston last week, he would have been pleased on two counts: One, that his naïve Jamaica had taken a first step towards, what many hope, is the legalisation of marijuana, the use of which he practised openly; (See story on this page) Second, he would have marveled at the transformation of his old matte-blue 1977 Series III Land Rover.

Bob’s Land Rover had fallen into disrepair following his death. It was, to many, only worth a few dollars at the scrap

yard.

Not so!!

Thanks to Caribbean resort company Sandals Resorts International and its Jamaican affiliate car company ATL Automotive, ITC — the regional distributors for Land Rover — Bob’s Land Rover has been completely restored from clutch to chassis.

Adam Stewart, chief executive officer for Sandals Resorts International, said that he was immensely honoured and proud that his team could give something back to a man who had given so much to the world. …. Marley’s Land Rover is one of the most famous vehicles in automotive history, and we were delighted when the opportunity arose to be a part of its

restoration.”

Those involved in the restoration in Jamaica worked intensely with ITC representatives on the two-year renovation project, to source parts as far afield as Africa and England.

Interesting, the (new) engine came from Ethiopia. Other parts were sourced from Bob Marley’s Land Rover The restored Land Rover once owned by England, and those that showing signs of serious the legendary Robert Lester ‘Bob’ couldn’t be found were Marley. disrepair. hand crafted and rebuilt by Jamaicans, Stewart is reported as interior in a modern Rasta Hope Road in Kingston, having told the media. aesthetic.

Jamaica, to mark what would Stewart also recognised Bob’s Bob’s vintage Marley’s Land have been his 70th birthday daughter, Cedella, who gave the Rover was expected to be (February 6). (Source: vehicle the Marley touch, Caribbean news Now and more) returned to the legend’s homedesigning and upholstering the turned-museum located at 56

V Jack: Key player in SVG participation in Penn Relays 6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

People

Jack, 46, was interred on Thursday at Lowmans Windward cemetery.

“Amongst so many other things that Jack was JAMES CORDICE, the involved in, he found time mastermind behind St. and got involved in efforts Vincent and the Grenadines’ to bring SVG (St. Vincent participation in the and the Grenadines) high prestigious Penn Relays, at school athletes (Thomas the Franklin Field Stadium, Saunders Secondary University of Pennsylvania, School — TSSS) to attend Philadelphia, says the late the Penn Relays,” said the Ortis Jack played a key role Philadelphia-based in jump-starting the Cordice, who became initiative.

Jack’s close friend, and Lowmans Windwardassisted him up to his born Jack, a former coach dying moments at Cooper and sports coordinator at Hospital Medical Center. the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community Ortis was the link College, died on Jan. 26, at 11:09 pm, at Cooper Cordice —a Clare Valley Hospital Medical Center native and a former in Camden, South New president of the Jersey, Cordice said.

Philadelphia-based St. Story and Photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP), — recalls that, in the summer of 2007, he (Cordice), along with two of his daughters, travelled home primarily to engage local sports officials and stakeholders in getting a Vincentian team to participate in the Relay Carnival.

This was the third consecutive year Cordice said, he tried to convince someone that “sending students to the Penn Relays is good for the physical, mental and academic well-being of our children, and also to enhance St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ tourism product”.

Cordice said his search

led him to the Curriculum Office in the Ministry of Education and Sports, where he “met and spoke extensively” with Jack, who promised that he would help. Correspondence with Jack continued for the next two years.

During the staging of the 2010 Penn Relays, Cordice said he was upset because “opportunities were passing St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

So Cordice said he complained, about the nation’s lack of participation in the games, to the editor of THE VINCENTIAN and to Jack.

He said Jack promised to “intensify the search”; and, by May 1, 2010, TSSS Head Coach Godfrey ‘Fuzzy’ Harry contacted him.

“After Coach Harry and I talked, I was convinced that something was finally happening,” he added, stating that he, Harry, along with SVGOP and TSSS, “started working together; and, by April 2011, Mr. Dunniston Woods (Philadelphia resident and Questelles native) and I were picking up TSSS athletes at Philadelphia Airport.

“Ortis Jack was that vital link that connected Harry and TSSS to me and SVGOP,” Cordice asserted. “I will never let that go unnoticed”.

Dealing with his ailment Over the years, Cordice said he and Jack remained close friends.

“I urged him each year to attend the Penn Relays; and, each year, he recommended Director of Physical Education, Mr. Nelson Hillocks, for the trek,” Cordice said.

In mid-2013, Cordice said Jack called him from nearby New Jersey, where he had travelled to “handle a health issue”, later informing him that he had done a “procedure and was recovering” there.

Jack and Cordice both travelled to New York, before heading for the homeland at the end of January 2014.

But three months later,

Jack “needed reexamination” Ortis Jack, who addressed a in New Jersey, reception for TSSS Penn Relays and he asked 2014 team in Philadelphia, was Cordice to described as the link that made accommodate the school’s participation a reality. him.

“I was happy to pick him up at the airport,” Cordice said.

“He resided at my home. I accompanied him on most of his medical appointments until he was cleared to return to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in May. “Jack was told that he was ok, and he should return for a check-up in six months,” Cordice added.

While in the US, Cordice said Jack attended, among other James Cordice repaid things, the Penn Relays Jack’s support by being Carnival and The Team there with him through Jamaica Bickle Awards his period of ill-health Ceremonies at Franklin and up to the time of his Field Stadium, and death. addressed the reception for TSSS athletes at the Cordice said. “He wanted Calabash Restaurant on to share his knowledge Lancaster Avenue in with all Vincentians.

Philadelphia.

“He wanted to see OJ At the reception last (his son) grow up,” he year, Jack pledged the added. “He wanted Community College’s participation, for the very to finish fixing the truck so that Kendra could enjoy first time, in the Penn it without it breaking Relays. down on her. He wanted On Dec. 3, Jack, to run with his daughter’s accompanied by his longchild. time girlfriend, Kendra“He wanted to bring the Ann Primus Bennett, college (Community) track returned to the US for team to the Penn Relays. follow-up medical He wanted the sports appointments and stayed stadium in SVG built. He at Cordice’s residence in was so hyped. I did not Philadelphia. know that those deep But Jack was greeted conversations we had so by “bad news” a few days many times would so later, when medical officials informed him that soon become memories of a profound man,” Cordice “the cancer was back,” intimated.

Cordice said.

Among other things, “We sat empty and Jack was coach of the St. sad,” he said, adding that, Vincent & the Grenadines while, on his last visit to Women’s Cricket Team the US, Jack was (2001-2003) and St. hospitalized twice, before his eventual demise, from Vincent & the Grenadines Under 19 Cricket Team blood clots.

(2007-2008), and conducted training A man of high hopes sessions for Primary School Teachers in Kiddy Cordice said Jack Cricket Skills (1999). wanted to accomplish He was also Education many things, and was Officer, Physical deeply concerned about Education and Sports, others before he went to Ministry of Education the Great Beyond.

(2008 — 2011); and “He was concerned Assistant Secretary, St. about his children, about Vincent & the Grenadines Kendra, about cricket, Cricket Association (2002). about his students,”

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 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 The Budget and the Common Good LONG HAS THE EXPRESSION ‘the common good’ been with man. And as long as it has been, the concept of ‘the common good’ has had different connotations, more often than not, influenced by the setting.

Take for example the ancient Greek societies. The common good meant that the state was central, and that the individual could be expendable, if it benefitted the larger good.

In Judeo-Christian thinking, the common good meant that individuals have what is necessary to fulfill their ambitions and to flourish Outside of text books on political thought and theology, the Oxford Dictionary defines it as “the benefit or interest of all.”

In this sense, it comes over as a utilitarian ideal that advocates for “the greatest possible good for the greatest possible number of individuals.”

Still, others define the common good as the ultimate goal of the State, and it requires the promotion of basic personal rights along with the opportunity to form one’s own life in pursuit of virtue.

Interestingly, the Roman Catholic Church comes closest to situating the person at the centre of what is meant by the common good, with the document ‘Gaudium et Spes, (Joy and Hope), promulgated on 7 December 1965, as one of the four Apostolic Constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council. The document defines the common good as “the sum of those conditions of the social life whereby individuals, families and groups more adequately and readily may attain their own perfection.” (GS, 74) So, what does all this have to do with a national budget? A lot, since the Budget is the nuts and bolts response of the state in its obligation to serve and fulfill the common good.

The Budget is a test of the degree to which the state facilitates or enables each and every Vincentian to fulfill his or her ambitions, and how, as a people, they can work together to foster meaningful development that will benefit all, regardless of how much that sounds utilitarian.

So we budget this amount and that amount for social services (health, education, housing, welfare); infrastructure (road construction and maintenance, airport development (Argyle); production (agriculture and manufacturing); service sectors (tourism, cultural industries), and so forth.

Year after year, as we go through this ritual we call The Budget, we are cautioned, as though to make excuses that the common good is not a factor in the scheme of things, that a fiscal and financial crisis looms afield and that will bear down negatively on us.

If this exercise, this ritual was anywhere near in intention to serve the common good, why is there no real political dialogue towards indentifying a path forward? Instead, partisan dynamics blocks the crafting of solutions that will genuinely address the enduring problems, and set us on a path to serving the common good.

Never, it seems, have major proposals been allowed to be tabled for genuine remedy of our financial state and a development path that we can afford.

One side tables a remedy; the other sees it as ‘off the table’. Those who deem the remedy ‘off the table’ counter-propose and the other side closes its ears to anything that has the slightest semblance of real sense.

The Budget is nothing short of a stalemate in which the eventual policy is dictated by impasse rather than by a genuine search for compromise on solutions that will serve the interest, the common good, regardless of the definition, of all Vincentians.

The budgetary ritual is as much an exercise in crafting numbers, as it is political in nature and/or implications. But, it also concerns deep moral questions; questions about who we are as a society: how we view our future, and whether, as a people, we can look beyond our own selfinterest (like a government looking to hold on to authority) to the interest of the larger society.

Not to sound theological, but the real reason for our political leaders’ inability to forge workable solutions to the real budget dilemmas, is the result of a serious lack of a common moral frame of reference.

To savour the political implications of the budgetary exercise over founding financial and fiscal policy on sound moral reference, is to forego a commitment to safeguarding the common good.

Ask yourself: How much is the 2015 Budget in keeping with this reference?

A grand farewell to a select band of associates I WRITE PRIMARILY of three persons, of whom the youngest was 76 at the time of departure. They are Gideon Steele, Pearl Anderson-Herbert and Geraldene Adams.

Gideon had been my neighbour from birth at Rose Place. He was the grandson of my aunt Mary Steele, who with her two sisters Ellen Maule and Arabella John (my mother) became refugees from Fancy following the volcanic eruption of la Soufriere in 1902.

They grew up in the Questelles area; Ellen stayed and married Hugh Maule. Arabella ended in Rose Place, married to Frederick John, with Mary Steele as a neighbour.

Gideon’s mother had been Elaine, and he was born in Rose Place like me and several playmates, notably Errol Agard, Lorna and Pearl Anderson, Stanley Smith,Vibert Deshong, Cameron King, the last-named and I being the only survivors.

Of that group, Gideon had been born in poverty-stricken circumstances; he did not obtain secondary education like the rest of us.

But he always remained a pleasant fellow, played with us, and fought the good fight bravely and confidently.

I recalled his working at the “Vincentian” newspaper, and his striking up a great friendship with Arthur Guy of Glen, which lasted until death.

Somewhere along the line, he was lucky to escape to the USA where he worked in the field of trade unionism, and was able to gain several awards. He was also a fervent Christian who contributed his fair share of preaching.

Gideon and I were particularly close, the bond going way beyond our blood relationship.

About fifteen years ago, he presented my wife and me with a beautiful, thoughtful and lasting gift: a leather case bearing the Christian cross, which my wife takes to church every Sunday with our bible, prayerand-hymn books securely tucked in. It certainly would outlast our earthly existence, as it was probably meant to!

Pearl Anderson-Herbert was appropriately the jewel of our Rose Place gang that together enjoyed our youth at play: checkers, cards, hide-and-seek, Sergeant O’Grady, skipping, nine-mornings, carnival and the rest.

In our teens, we enjoyed parties and beach-picnics, at which one Fred ‘Vites’ Herbert was Pearl’s favourite. In fact, they married later and are blessed with two sons Ron and Nigel and a daughter Nicole who shares similar qualities to my own daughter Andrea with whom she seems bonded.

Pearl in her hey-day, was an outstanding netballer. I have memories of her, as a feline Defence, helping to keep at bay the guileful Jean Pierre, T&T’s ace-shooter from our goal in St George’s, Grenada in 1957. She had learnt the ropes from her neighbour Grace ‘Snatch’ Daisley, both of whom played along with my sister, Rita, for “Dodgers” in the local competition.

I visited Pearl living at Willesden in

London, England whither she had gone in her pursuit of her vocation of librarianship. She was then Mrs. Herbert, a mother of three and no longer the Tom-Boy I knew in our riotous days.

Today, she is no more, predeceased by her husband, sisters Lorna and Kay, and brother Raymond. Only the first, Elton bravely carries on, despite many setbacks. May she rest in peace.

I went to Stubbs Government School in 1947, where I met students: Gerald Adams, Dorothy Trotman, Merle Trotman nee Gilkes, Celitha Wiltshire-Davy, and Myrtle Richards, among others. Strange, I can recall the boys’ names of only Leroy Roache and Alston Findlay.

My old headmaster, Cadman Fraser, took me along following an exchange of headteachers: Nelcia John of Stubbs to the Kingstown Methodist and Fraser vice-versa. I eventually resided in Stubbs at the residence of Gladys Hutchinson, mother of Alston Findlay.

The student-body was a gallant lot well trained by Nelcia John. Geraldene Adams reflected all the virtues that had been imparted by Nelcia - Cristian, virtuous, hardworking and honest.

I recalled that at school we kept a kitchengarden of ground-nuts which we sold and bought amenities for the school.

At home in Kingstown, I was known as “Finny Hands,” at Stubbs I leant to plait a mat and could also make a reasonable enough bamboo broom.

The “House” into which the school was divided took turns in tidying the schools on evenings, so that all was in place and ready to start the next day promptly at 9.00 clock.

Clearly, Geraldene imbibed these traits and more, particularly her commitment to the Christian Faith to which we genuflected each and every morning without fail, before the start of formal instruction.

I have generally known Lennox Adams for years, as a disciplined athlete and cricketer and, latterly, as a doctor, but was unaware that Geraldene was his mother, even when he related to me the varying state of her health condition.

Now I know that the Christian medic with the distinct feel for humanity and reverence for the Almighty, had to be the son of someone like Geraldene. It’s never too late.

Lennox, accept my empathy, and continue your life which in so many respects represent an extension of your mother’s.

Finally, I salute the passing of “Nappy” Hinds, Gunny’s brother, formerly of Bottom Town, and of Kenneth Wyllie in the USA, the brother of Hugh Wyllie and Frank Da Silvia, with all three of whom I have had healthy exchanges on social matters. Vive la difference.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 9.

Letters

Ashamed of the House I AM STILL a young man. I can’t recall the debates in the House of Assembly before say 1987 or thereabout.

However, based on what I can recall, I cannot remember another time since that point when the House of Assembly, the highest law-making body in this country, was brought into such disrepute as it has been, since the appointment of Mr. Hendrick Alexander as Speaker.

Now, everybody knew a long time ago (I found out only recently) that Mr. Alexander was a supporter of the St. Vincent Labour Party, and automatically became a supporter, if not a member, of the Unity Labour Party. He was deep into his politics, and someone told me recently, he might have been considered at one time, as a candidate for the Labour Party.

What appears to me is that the Speaker has not left his politics at the door. Clearly, his attempts to quell uproars in the House have left many wondering about whether in fact he can manage the duties of his office.

This is not to say that the Members of the House don’t provoke the situation, and I mean both sides.

But it seems that there is a tendency to favour one side over the other.

Can anyone tell me if there have been more walkouts of parliament under a previous Speaker?

There have been so many during Mr. Alexander’s tenure that I have lost count. Then there are the number of times members have been thrown out.

Mr. Editor, I wonder if the Speaker and the Members of the House realize that people across the world are listening to them. And please, don’t tell me that is what goes on in every parliament.

That is no justification. That is like saying there are thieves all over the world, so why complain about those we have here. This is St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and we ought to be setting our own standards, as far as how we conduct the business of the House is concerned. As it appears, we have no standards, as far as that is concerned.

I am, simply put, ashamed of these men and women whom we have elected to guide our development and make laws on our behalf.

Maybe the designation ‘Honourable’ should be removed from the names of all MPs.

LifeÊs lessons

I AM PASSED three score and ten and my life’s journey is almost complete.

My only regret is that my Mom did not take a millionaire sweet-man with my Dad (laugh).

My life started to unfold in 1952 when I came upon the book ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, categorised in any library as Christian Literature. It is a story of Christian and a friend (both human) who, on realizing they are doomed, set out to reach this ‘Celestial City’, a city of peace and harmony ruled over by a prince who loves his subjects. The book was, in effect, a dream written by John Bunyan, while serving a prison sentence. But it is also the whole Bible written by one author. Sir, many preachers today have never read or heard of it, even though it’s considered the second largest publication after the Holy Bible.

My life’s next lesson came from the book ‘Universal Spelling Book’ and the chapter ‘The stone that rebound’.

That taught me self-esteem.

Next, from the Royal Reader, I learned about managing time and laziness from ‘Solomon Slow’, who failed to catch the stage because he overslept.

Then from the West Indian Reader series, I learned about manners from ‘The Old Woman and the Crab’. That story is about two crabs who went walking. The first met an old woman by a well, who asked for a drink of water. The crab gladly obliged the old lady and was rewarded with riches. When the other saw that, he too went to the well and met the same old woman. But when she asked for water, he insulted the old

What they really want?

woman, who then took up a stick and whacked his back. The crack from that whack is still there today for all to see.

From the same series I also learned about stupidity, from ‘A cow jumping over the moon’, and ‘A woman using a ladder to push a cow on to the roof to eat the grass’.

Of tremendous impact on my growing-up, again from the Royal Reader series, was ‘The Judge and the Prince’. A prince ordered a judge to set his friend free. The judge refused, whereupon the prince slapped him there and then, in court, right there on the spot. The judge responded by sentencing the prince to prison. When the prince became king, years after his release, he sent his royal carriage to bring the now aging judge to the palace. The Judge was afraid for his life, but the King honoured him instead, making him his chief advisor with these words, “To this empire, thou are a wise and faithful citizen of character, (whom) I am proud of”.

Sir, I have not yet met a modern day author who has given me a book that teaches one civilities. Too many publications today are about technology advancement, failing to teach good character and life-long lessons.

I particularly wish and pray that all persons in position over the common man, and who profess to care for others, should get the essence of the lesson, ‘The Judge and the Prince’.

YOU KNOW something, Mr. Editor, I have to wonder what all those who oppose the ULP government really singing.

I mean, it must be that they miss going to the standpipes for water, now that they all have house borne water.

It must be that they miss signing up for a day work and not turning up to do the work.

It must be they vex with the emphasis this government is placing on education. They must be like being illiterate. They must be like the days when illdiscipline reigned supreme in the schools; when teachers had to put up with a multitude of unmanageable children.

It must be that they like the time when foreigners could walk into this country and plunder us — walking away with millions of dollars from our banks.

It must be …. I must stop here and hope they get the message.

Hutchie

HD

Response to Mr. Allan Perry

HOW ARE YOU? Previously, you said you were in St. Vincent since 1988, being respected and treated with dignity. I personally have never heard you, my friend Mr. Perry, say anything before that was negative about John, S Islam. I take it that you are from America where millions of Muslims live.

You came to my homeland, where you were accepted with In the Searchlight of 16/1/15, the February. open arms by the peaceful and writer said: “If we can realize that I am a 75-year-old Vincentian, loving people of St. Vincent, and everything is not economic or self-taught engineer, who is bold live comfortably, you and your political or social, then we, maybe enough to say that the method used family. We, Muslims, form part will find our way or bearing out of at the head of the runway should be of the population of St. Vincent our present dilemma, where a lot of stopped and that portion enclosed also, and have never disrespected lies have been told and are being with piles. We always suffer from you nor anyone else in St. told to cover up our oversighted the rough Atlantic seas, and that Vincent, to my knowledge. mistakes. alone will remove all those loose However, here we find you, a The A.I.A claims that the runway stones used. man who has never been will be operational by May 2015.

I have worked under British disrespected, now have his Impossible!! Are all the engineers up engineers and grasped their religion disrespect another there ignorant to construction laws, concepts. I also worked on Pearls person’s religion, yet you claim to such as designs and purposes?

Airport and Maurice Bishop be a follower of Jesus and the Let us look at basic standards for International Airport (formerly Point bible; the very bible which says an airport. Most important is the Saline) — Grenada, and Grantley to love your neighbour as you runway’s capability in deadweight Adams Airport — Barbados, so I love yourself; and so if you don’t and transit weight when different know what I am saying. love me, your neighbour, whom aircraft land with different weight Be warned of your construction you see every day, then you also and at different speed. On the actual methods. I warned you about the don’t love yourself, according to runway, what was the P.S.I before Lowmans Hill stone back wall; you the bible. and after compaction? For stability, put the cart in front of the horse and The bible also states that, in what if the concrete slab thickens, you are doing likewise on the order for you to claim that you what ribs are used to hold same Leeward highway drain slabs, love God, you first have to love together? Is it steel or BRC, and without ribs. You did the same your brothers, the men you see how many layers? What method is above Dr. Cyrus clinic corner. We every day walking the streets used to slow the process of curing have had an earthquake recently. and dwelling amongst you. until the next batch is married into Have you checked the number of I also wish to ask you to please the previous? Why and when will the cracks that are widening? make a correction to the claim rivers be covered? They cannot be you made, stating that I said to covered and properly compacted in Taxpayer you that I am not a Muslim. I two months; we are now in

Airport debate in context

never said that to you during our conversation.

I told you that I am practising Islam and I am doing studies in Islam. I even asked you to follow me to meet someone who is more learned that I am in the subject, which you agreed to. You did follow me in your vehicle, and you were not forced upon to do so. So please, my brother, preach love and not hate of another’s belief and faith.

On the subject of Jesus, his name is found more in the Quran than that of Mohammed, and any Muslim who says that they don’t believe in Jesus, isn’t a Muslim.

On the topic of the Quran: There is only one version. If you compare the one you have with the one we have, you will see that it is the same, word for word.

This shall be my final and last response to you on this subject, my brother, though you have said that you are not my brother. I, however, say that you are a creation of God and a son of Adam, therefore, you are my brother.

I will also like for the reading audience to go to the internet and check the miracle of Islam and decide for yourselves. Let as unite as one as God intends for us to do.

Allah (Islam) — meaning God; Yahweh (Hebrew) — meaning God; Elohim (Hebrew) meaning God; and Jehovah (Hebrew) — meaning God. Follower

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10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The untold story of the developments Excerpt from the Hon. Arnhim Eustace’s 2015 Budget Presentation in the health sector (Cont’d) PETROCARIBE

The issue As promised last week, we continue the chronology related to the developments in the health sector, based on the 2015 budget address delivered by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Mr. Speaker, on the capital side of the budget we estimate to spend $25.2 million on health in 2015. The major items of capital expenditure in the health sector for 2015 include: * The Modernisation of the Health Sector under The 10th EDF: $14.2 million; * The Modern Medical Complex at Georgetown: $ 4.1 million; * Improvements to Primary Health Care [Equipment and Furniture]: $1.5 million; * General Upgrading of the Health Facilities for Clare Valley and Mayreau, and other clinics: $1.0 million; * Purchase of Equipment at MCMH: $0.7 million; * Purchase of Ambulances: $0.5 million; * PAHO/WHO: $0.5 million.

Permit me to highlight the details on the first two of these items of capital spending which are directed to developing further and modernising the health sector by improving and expanding the physical plant, equipment and other infrastructure.

Through the financing of the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund, which we agreed to be utilised largely to modernise our health sector, there are seven projects currently on-going costing $22.4 million which are expected to be completed between February and October 2015.

These projects includes :* Alteration and upgrading of MCMH: $5.8 million, with a completion date set for August 2015. * Alteration and upgrading of the Mental Health Centre: $3.8 million, estimated to be completed in October 2015. * The Union Island Staff’s Hostel: $2.6 million, slated to be completed in August 2015; * The Sandy Bay Doctor’s Quarters: $0.39 million, with a completion date set for February 2015. * The Canouan Doctor’s Quarters: $0.57 million with a completion date of February 2015. * The Chateaubelair Doctor’s Quarters: $0.48 million, with an estimated completion date of February 2015; * The Buccament Polyclinic: $4.5 million, set for completion in June 2016.

Additionally, the construction of the Mesopotamia Polyclinic is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2015 at a cost of $4.6 million and is scheduled to be completed by October 2016. The Buccament and Mesopotamia Polyclinics will thus join the Stubbs Polyclinic as a trio of polyclinics to serve expanding population centres. These polyclinics are intended to provide a wide range of diagnostic (including XRay facilities) and other health services on a 24-hour basis.

The Modern Medical Complex Mr. Speaker, at Georgetown, the impending completion in 2015 of the Modern Medical Complex will add significantly to the hospital plant in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This Medical Complex will be twinned with the existing 22-bed “Smart Hospital” at the immediate adjoining location. The Modern Medical Complex will offer a full range of hospital services, including diagnostic and surgical facilities.

Additionally, it will provide the only State-operated haemodialysis facilities for kidney patients.

The Chief Engineer recently advised

me that the Modern Medical Complex is now approximately 92 percent complete with an expected completion time of May 2015. This completion date is based on the delivery of the physical building and does not include the installation of equipment and furniture, and the appurtenant road works and parking areas.

Several of the finishing activities such as painting, countertops and ceilings are well underway and are now on schedule. One area of concern has been the Electrical Installation due to the inability of the Electrical Contractor to fulfill the contractual terms on a timely basis. The Ministry of Works has opted to procure skilled electricians from Cuba to push the work to an expeditious conclusion.

Mr. Speaker, on December 09, 2014, the President of Cuba, Army General Raul Castro, in a bilateral meeting with me, reaffirmed the Cuban government’s earlier commitment to provide the medical equipment necessary for the Modern Medical Complex. We thank Cuba, yet again, for its selfless contribution to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chikungunya etc.

Two other capital projects of significance in the health sector relate first, to building preparedness, readiness, and response capacities to tackle the threat of the Ebola virus; and secondly, to continuing the fight against Chikungunya, and the control of rodents by way of a public health project.

A provision of $250,000 is made in the 2015 Capital Estimates for the Ebola project. Indeed, after the approval of the Estimates in December 2014, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) gave a grant of US $100,000 (EC $270,000) for the Ebola project. A provision of $200,000 has also been made towards the public health project in respect of Chikungunya, and rodent control.

Mr. Speaker, a Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM was held on November 04, 2014, in Trinidad and Tobago, on Ebola and Chikungunya. The recommendations and conclusions of this Summit are being implemented nationally and coordinated regionally.

This CARICOM Conference followed swiftly upon the heels of an ALBA Summit on Ebola in Havana, Cuba.

Cuba’s assistance on this matter has been critical; so, too, the initiatives of PAHO and WHO. Training of a sufficient number of health personnel (doctors, nurses, technical persons in various medical specialties) is a requisite for any proper functioning health system. Our government is dedicated to this venture.

Far more doctors, general practitioners, and specialists have been trained in the last dozen or so years than at any other period of our country’s history.

A similar process has been evident in the training of nurses and other technical medical personnel. The nursing shortage in the decade prior, and up to 2001, is a thing of the past.

Our government actually trains more nurses than are needed for our health system; thus, our programme of managed migration of nurses. Nursing students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are paid a monthly stipend of just over $1,000 to go to Nursing School; and they receive their nursing training free of cost to them!

A few weeks ago, as I have done several times since its inception in 2005, I again express concern about the PetroCaribe operation. At the outset, this concern was based on my understanding of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

This organization does not allow any of its members, and Venezuela is a member of OPEC, to reduce the price of oil to its customers. So when the government here announced that PetroCaribe will mean lower prices for fuel here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines ( SVG), for cooking gas (LPG) and lower prices for electricity surcharge, I know that could not be true.

What Venezuela did in fact charge, and what the consumers did in fact pay, was the market price for oil. In addition, they are allowing the government to retain, in some cases, up to 50% after 50% of the oil sale, as a loan to be repaid over twenty years at one percent (1%) interest. These were generous terms. We must note that the fuel surcharge and the price of diesel and LPG were not reduced.

The government did get the loan, and they used it for purposes they determined. The bottom line, therefore, is that the government used the funds as they saw fit.

In a recent analysis of the Petro Caribe published by the Bank of Nova Scotia in Toronto (and) captioned “PetroCaribe Noose or Lifeline”, much information was provided with respect to the Petro Caribe debt. At the end of 2013, the total PetroCaribe debt to recipient countries was US $11.0 billion or EC$ 29.7 billion. The same analysis indicated that SVG’s share of that debt was about 3%, which will be the equivalent of EC$900 million. But one was not able to find the level of debt in the schedule of the national debt in the estimates of 2015.

The government has since stated that the debt for SVG from Petro Caribe amounts to EC$140 million.

When one looks at the domestic debt schedule of the 2015 estimates, only EC$62 million was recorded as PetroCaribe loan, and that went to the International Argyle Development Company (IADC), and it was at 6% interest and not 1%. There is obviously, a very large gap between the EC$140 million as stated by the government as per that stated by the Bank of Nova Scotia’s study, and this, of course, remains a big area of dispute. Government has since indicated, as part of its explanation, that it has established two companies, jointly owned by Venezuela and SVG, through which most of the money so far was being passed.

We in the Parliament of SVG, have never been able to see the audited statements of these companies. I am, therefore, not in a position to comment meaningfully on the state of affairs of these companies, and we are really unable to know, without that information, the true size of the debt.

What we do know, is that the debt has to be repaid by SVG, and the greater part is not in the public debt schedule.

Also, what we do know is that the debt to GDP ratio of SVG will be higher when this is taken into account and, this ratio is critically analyzed by the international community when assessing our country’s financial status.

I have heard the Honourable Prime

Minister say, with respect to the PetroCaribe, that he attended a recent meeting aimed at maintaining the programme to keep PetroCaribe intact; but rational thoughts though, would suggest that one will think more deeply on this matter in light of the prevailing circumstances of the Venezuelan economy and the Petro Caribe beneficiary countries, such as St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Venezuela’s economy is now officially in recession, having declined in the last three consecutive quarters. The official inflation rate is over 60%. The Bolivar is trading on the black market in excess of 113 Bolivar to one United States dollar, as compared to the official rate of 6 Bolivar to one US dollar. There are shortages of many basic goods, even toilet paper. There have been businesses closures. Most importantly, President Maduro has announced severe cutbacks in public spending. When the Venezuelan budget was done for 2014, it was calculated on the assumption that they will get US$99 per barrel on their exported oil. Now, the oil is US$60 per barrel. Oil represents 95% of Venezuela’s export earnings and 58% of its revenue.

In addition to that, Venezuela has borrowed thirty (30) million United States dollars from China to be repaid with oil, and they have bought large quantities of arms from the Soviet Union, again costing large sums of money. In these circumstances, and there is no increase in the production of Venezuela oil since 2005, the Venezuelan authorities took the decision to cut back public spending.

In fact, they have to cut back their budget. So for the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines to pretend that all this is not real and will not affect Petro Caribe is unexplainable. Indeed, the lower the price of oil is, the less money we will get from Petro Caribe. Normally, we get a loan from this portion of the sale of oil above US$40 per barrel. When the price was US$100 per barrel, we could get a loan of US$60 per barrel.

Now that the price is US$60 per barrel, how much loan could we get?

Our Prime Minister continues, like the proverbial ostrich, by burying his head in the sand when danger approaches, without giving due recognition to the seriousness of this situation.

During the estimates on the budget a few weeks ago, he said Venezuela had not sold any of the PetroCaribe debt, especially in the case of Santo Domingo where the debt was US 3.5 billion dollars; but we have statements from reputable writings from financial papers as well as from the Finance Minister of Jamaica, which indicated that Jamaica had been approached to sell their PetroCaribe debt. I am indeed reminded of the story that Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

Gonsalves may fiddle while Venezuela sells their Petro Caribe debts. We should all be reminded that such debt will be sold at a great discount; but the Petro Caribe member whose debt Venezuela sold, will be required to pay the full amount to the private sector entity, which will see it simply as a business transaction.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 11.

Views

We sometimes forget

“Many of us have a tendency to forget the Gracious Hand which has preserved our nation, enriched it, strengthened it. Many of us imagine in the foolishness of pride, that our manifold blessings are due not to God's goodness, but to our own wisdom and virtue. Too many of us have been so drunk with selfsufficiency and no longer feel the need of prayer.” - Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) American church leader, Secretary of Agriculture 1953-61.

STRUGGLES, FRUSTRATIONS and disappointments seem to have a way of bringing us to our knees ... and reminding us that there is a God. So, very often, we see an improvement in our prayer life and church attendance when we are faced with life’s varied challenges: a sick child, dwindling finances, rejection, betrayal, and so on.

However, it so very often happens that, as we receive favour, and learn to smile again, we readily forget the promises that we may have made to God should He grant us the relief that we sought.

Yes, we sometimes forget to even say thanks for the new growth that takes place in our lives, as He moves us out of the “wilderness experiences”.

We sometimes see such forgetfulness demonstrated at a national level. It is readily evident that we are a “Christian nation”.

Whenever there is a disaster or tragedy, the radio stations all play hymns, and the announcers sound very solemn as they encourage the listeners to pray and seek God’s face.

However, as so often happens, whenever the tragedy is averted or the mourning has ceased, some of the same radio stations take on a totally different image — one of vulgarity and “gyration”. Some of the announcers appear to forget that there is a God ... until the next tragedy is in sight.

This need not be the case. We should all regularly carve out time to praise God and to give Him thanks for His many blessings. We have so much to be thankful for — as individuals and as a nation.

Individuals and nations that praise God and give Him the honour that He is due, will be blessed. He will provide for those who worship and honour Him. There are so many examples of this in the bible. God has not changed. He is still the God of provision. He is still the God of miracles. We sometimes forget His power and His grace. The same God who provided a way through the wilderness for His children of old, can provide a way for us too. The same God who fed His children as they went through the desert and commanded ravens to feed his prophet, can provide for us too. There is no limit to His power and His provision. We sometimes forget.

May our faith be renewed as we reflect on God’s might, His grace, and His mercy. May we commit (and recommit) to praising Him more, and spending more time in worshiping the King of Kings. He deserves our praise. He deserves our worship. We sometimes forget.

We have so much to be thankful for. Even the ability to read the words that appear on this page is

enough for which to give God thanks.

There are so many persons who do not have this privilege. Some never had the benefit of learning to read.

Others have physical challenges that prevent them from being able to see these words. We are blessed. We are tremendously blessed to not have those problems. Yes, we have other challenges that gain our attention.

Life will be boring without challenges.

But even amidst those setbacks and disappointments, we still have so much for which to be thankful. We have such a privilege to be able to give from the “little” that we think we have. We are blessed. We have good reason to rejoice. I like the way the American religious leader Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) puts it when he stated, “We have every reason in time and eternity to rejoice and give thanks for the quality of our lives and the blessings we have been given.”

We sometimes forget.

God has been good to us as a nation. God has been good to us as individuals. We have been protected and preserved in so many ways. We have seen His hand of protection and provision in some very unique circumstances. It is enough for us to pause and give Him thanks. He deserves it. And when we acknowledge God’s Gracious Hand (as a nation or as individuals) He will bless. He will enrich us. He will strengthen us. Ezra Taft Benson’s introductory quotation reminds us of the danger of personal and national pride. The two concluding sentences need to be repeated here: “Many of us imagine in the foolishness of pride, that our manifold blessings are due not to God's goodness, but to our own wisdom and virtue. Too many of us have been so drunk with selfsufficiency and no longer feel the need of prayer.” May God forgive us for those moments when we incorrectly concluded that the blessings that we now enjoy are solely a result of our talents and abilities. Oh, for this timely reminder that it is all because of God’s grace and His mercies. We sometimes forget.

As individuals and as a nation, we need to periodically pause and reflect on God’s goodness, His grace, and His mercies. There is so much to be thankful for. We have been tremendously blessed in so many way.

So we pause, we slow ourselves down, we reflect, we introspect ... and we realise that as we count our blessings one by one, we do appreciate what He has done (and continues to do) in our lives. We are re-energized. We refocus. We go forward knowing that our situations could have been so much worse ... but for the grace of God. We are thankful for the blessings and for the reminder of how privileged we are. We appreciate the reminder ... for we sometimes forget.

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

The economics of Debt and Austerity “WHEN THE EURO CRISIS began half a decade ago, some economists predicted that the austerity being imposed on Greece and the other crisis countries would fail. It would stifle growth and increase unemployment – and even fail to decrease the debt-toGDP ratio. Others – in the European commission, the European Central Bank, and a few universities said that austerity was just what was required if these countries were to grow and prosper.

But we hardly needed another test.

Austerity had failed repeatedly, from its early use under US president Herbert Hoover, which turned the stock-market crash into the Great Depression, to the IMF structural adjustment programs imposed on East Asia and Latin America in recent decades. And yet, when Greece got into trouble, More austerity medicine was tried again.

Greece largely succeeded in following the dictate set by the “troika” (the European commission the ECB, and the IMF): it converted a primary budget deficit into a primary surplus. But the contraction in government spending has been predictably devastating: 25% unemployment, a 22% fall in GDP since 2009, and a 35% increase in the debt-toGDP ratio. And now, with the antiausterity Syriza party’s overwhelming election victory, Greek voters have declared that they have had enough.

So, what is to be done? Greece could be blamed for its troubles if it were the only country where the troika’s medicine failed miserably. But Spain had a surplus and a low debt ratio before the crisis, and it too, is in depression. What is needed is not structural reform within Greece and Spain, so much as structural reform of the euro-zone’s design and a fundamental rethinking of the policy frameworks that have resulted in the monetary union’s spectacularly bad performance.

Greece has also once again reminded us of how badly the world needs a debtrestructuring framework. Excessive debt caused not only the 2008 crisis, but also the East Asia crisis in the 1990s and the Latin American crisis in the 1980s. It continues to cause untold suffering in the US, where millions of homeowners have lost their homes, and is now threatening millions more in Poland and elsewhere who took out loans in Swiss francs.

Given the amount of distress brought about by excessive debt, one might well ask why individuals and countries have repeatedly put themselves into this situation. After all, such debts are contracts — that is, voluntary agreements — so creditors are just as responsible for them as debtors. In fact, creditors arguably are more responsible: typically, they are sophisticated financial institutions, whereas borrowers frequently are far less attuned to twist and turns of the market, and the risks associated with different contractual arrangements.

Indeed, we know that US banks actually preyed on their borrowers, taking advantage of their lack of financial sophistication.

Every developed country has realised that making capitalism work requires giving individuals a fresh start. The debtors’ prisons of the 19th century were a failure — inhumane and not exactly helping to ensure repayment.

What did help was to provide better incentives for good lending, by making creditors more responsible for the consequences of their decisions.

At the international level, we have not yet created an orderly process for giving countries a fresh start. Even

before the 2008 crisis, the UN, with the support of almost all of the developing and emerging countries, has been seeking to create such a framework. For example, there is a fear that if Greece is allowed to restructure its debt, it will get itself into trouble again, as will others.

This is sheer nonsense. Does anyone in their right mind think that any country would willingly put itself through what Greece has gone through, just to get a free ride from its creditors?

If there is a moral hazard, it is on the part of the lenders — especially in the private sector — who have been bailed out repeatedly. If Europe has allowed these debts to move from the private sector to the public sector — a wellestablished pattern over the past halfcentury — it is Europe, not Greece, that should bear the consequences. Indeed, Greece’s current plight, including the massive run-up in debt ratio, is largely the fault of the misguided troika programs foisted on it.

So it is not debt restructuring, but its absence, that is “immoral”. There is nothing particularly special about the dilemmas that Greece faces today; many countries have been in the same position. What makes Greece’s problems more difficult to address is the structure of the euro-zone: monetary union implies that member states cannot devalue their way out of trouble, yet the modicum of European solidarity that must accompany this loss of policy flexibility simply is not there.

Seventy years ago, at the end of the second world war, the allies recognised that Germany must be given a fresh start. They understood that Hitler’s rise had much to do with the unemployment (not the inflation) that resulted from imposing more debt on Germany at the end of the first world war. The allies did not take into account the foolishness with which the debts had been accumulated or talk about the costs that Germany had imposed on others.

Instead, they not only forgave the debts; they actually provided aid, and the allied troops stationed in Germany provided a further fiscal stimulus.

When companies go bankrupt, a debt-equity swap is a fair and efficient solution. The analogous approach for Greece is to convert its current bonds into GDP-linked bonds. If Greece does well, its creditors will receive more of their money; if it does not, they will get less. Both sides would then have a powerful incentive to pursue pro-growth policies.

Seldom do democratic elections give as clear a message as that in Greece. If Europe says no to Greek voters’ demand for a change of course, it is saying that democracy is of no importance, at least when it comes to economics. One hopes that those who understand the economics of debt and austerity, and who believe in democracy and humane values, will prevail. Whether they will, remains to be seen.”

This column by Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics, and professor at Columbia University appeared in the February 4, 2015 issue of the Guardian.

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

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Recall Parliament to examine VINLEC’s alleged 2014 loss SVG Green Party is very sceptical about Prime Minister Gonsalves’ statement that VINLEC made a loss in 2014, with revenue of EC$137.4m and operational costs of EC$137.9m. Parliament should be recalled to examine VINLEC’s Financial Statements for 2014, so that Vincentians are fully aware of the real reason for VINLEC’s alleged operating loss in 2014.

Parliament should also be recalled to examine whether the ULP regime and the VINLEC Board of Directors are in substantial breach of the law, the Electricity Supply Act CAP 404, by buying oil under the pretext of oil for VINLEC to produce electricity, when in fact, this oil is given to IADC on credit, and used instead in the construction of the misfit Argyle Airport.

It is virtually inconceivable for VINLEC to make a loss. VINLEC is doubly protected by legislation.

Firstly, VINLEC has had an exclusive licence — a monopoly - in SVG for the supply of electricity for over 40 years. Secondly, VINLEC is shielded from loss by the fuel surcharge in section 10 of the Electricity Supply Act CAP 404.

Is VINLEC being driven to ruin under the financially incompetent ULP regime? Gonsalves is not

Parliament should be recalled to pass legislation to prevent IADC from killing VINLEC by giving IADC oil a university graduate in finance, and in 2008, he killed on credit for the Argyle Airport. the National Commercial Bank (NCB) with a massive Vincentians are being kept in the dark about bank overdraft of EC$185 million (Source: Audit VINLEC’s financial dealings, and may now be left in Report 2008; researched by Ivan O’Neal BSc (Hons), the dark, because of the ULP regime’s financial MSc, MBA). Will VINLEC end up being bankrupt and incompetence. VINLEC’s 2014 financial statement sold like the NCB? should be made available to the public, so that Gonsalves should tell the public the total number of Vincentians can be made aware of the real reason for gallons of oil VINLEC bought in 2014 to produce VINLEC’s operating loss in 2014. electricity, and the price paid per gallon by VINLEC Vincentians pay one of the highest prices in the for the said number of gallons of oil bought by VINLEC Caribbean for electricity, so it seems unfeasible for in 2014.

VINLEC to really be making a loss. The public has a On Friday 5 July 2013, in THE VINCENTIAN, right to know how much money is being taken out of Gonsalves explained that every month the International Airport Development Corporation (IADC) VINLEC to buy oil for the Argyle airport project. One must ask also, how much does the ULP government is supplied by VINLEC with diesel, to the extent of owe VINLEC? EC$350,000 to EC$400,000, and at any one time you A Green government will phase out the use of oil, will find always that IADC is owing VINLEC. and instead use renewable energies to produce Gonsalves noted in May 2013, that IADC owed VINLEC EC$5.1 million. How many millions does electricity, to make electricity cheaper and bring IADC still owe VINLEC, and is this the real reason for financial stability to VINLEC. VINLEC’s operating loss? The incompetent ULP regime seems hell bent on building an airport for SVG Green Party tourists at any cost, even if it means leaving www.svggreenparty.org Vincentians without electricity.

Rumble in the Valley: Godson responds to the ÂProphetÊ THANK YOU for a little space to respond to the Prophet from Marriaqua.

“Godson falls short in the area of gaining political acceptance. …

Godson is not supremely fit for current political life. … Like Sister Girlyn, he is not anymore (a) young and vigorous giant.”

These are excerpts of a judgment passed upon me by a cabal in last week’s paper. This is the pronouncement of a Prophet, and I set out to prove that this is not prophecy but nothing short of endorsement of one, Jimmy Prince. It is also a directive given by the Prophet to ULP cardcarrying members so to

do.

“Countless numbers in Marriaqua political circles have agreed that St Clair ‘Jimmy’ Prince is the most important attending ULP nominee”. Says who?

Where is the consensus on which this judgement is based? From the cabal in the backrooms and rum shops, where, in order to elevate Jimmy to public acceptance, they set about denigrating Kirk and me to nothingness, while being impervious to the slurs going around about him? I would have believed the “consensus” of the cabal constituting “Marriaqua political circles” and king-makers, if the Prophet had said,

“Countless numbers in Marriaqua had said so,” as authenticated in a good opinion poll. Mr Prophet, how representative is “countless numbers” in the cabal out of a voting population of nearly 7000 registered voters, or some 3500 ULP supporters?

On ‘Selection Day’, how impartial will the cabal be when you constitute the Candidate Selection Committee? For all intents and purposes, you have shown your hand, as promised. You are telling the ULP electorate to choose the hitherto NDP Jimmy, over trusted, hardworking comrades with years in the political trenches behind them.

This is now creating mischief, dissention and divisiveness among soldiers in the trenches.

To use your own phraseology: “If politicians in Marriaqua were to be hanged for lack of performance, Ken would have been hanged.” If politicians or would-be politicians were to be hanged for inconsistency, cowardice and dithering, as exemplified by his frequent and recent utterings, “Ah dem way want me,” “I ain’t like this thing,” “Not me.. “ etc., your dear anointed would be hanged. Ask the people with whom he comes into contact, and they will tell you that you can’t even get

a definite answer from him. It appears that he is being forced into political life, against his will.

Mr Prophet, how can you claim that “Jimmy is the most important ULP nominee,” when he has to be brought forward kicking and screaming?

You are building a theory on the assumption that, because of Jimmy’s long tenure on GIS, API and on SVGTV, he is easily recognizable and known.

(O’Neal is also easily recognizable and known).

Known for what? The assumption is: I know you: I vote for you. You ignore the fact that people are asking the question: What has he done for Marriaqua? You tried to make a case for him. The citation done in his name, toward the end of the letter, even Jimmy knows it is falsehood. What political decision making did he influence in Marriaqua? It can’t be his reluctant, haphazard and forced entry into Marriaqua’s politics?

Jimmy’s entry into Marriaqua’s politics CANNOT rival Girlyn’s — not even now with the bruises as a result of her ‘representation’. Mr. Prophet, you cannot be serious. He does not have the stature and aplomb.

Compare like with like.

This is a case of chalk and cheese. You have oversold Jimmy, and your prophecy appears ragged, and leads one to question your political judgment.

Jimmy does not have political popularity. His popularity or ‘recognizability’ is from television… pure and simple. You are assuming that he can convert his television ‘popularity’ into electoral votes. That will be good. Prophesy on that one. May I remind you what one lady reportedly

told him, “Mr. Prince, I only know you on TV, but I don’t know you.” So, if the assumption is, ‘I know you; I’ll vote for you’, think again!

People in Marriaqua will make similar pronouncements of us.

People want to know us beyond face value, to trust us. We are closed books.

We need to be honest and open up to (the) people; let them turn the pages and discover, beyond a shadow of doubt, what we are capable of. Our people are too wise to simply judge a book by its cover. This is the reason for an expose.

People want answers to give them hope; to restore the ‘bread basket” to economic health. We have become an effigy of our former selves. Imagine, in 1992, some $112 million came to us as income from the export of bananas.

Some 60% or $66 million came to farmers in Marriaqua. Thereafter, there was a steady decline in output and the death of banana industry, as we knew it. Ground provision is a very poor cousin to bananas, and we have been facing the challenges of survival in these times.

People want us to engender hope, articulate their felt needs, and take them to a sustainable equilibrium.

This is the job of an economist. Mr. Prophet, ask your anointed if he has the capacity to deliver more and better. Please, Mr Prophet, don’t dismiss me because I am older than the rest by two or so years. Remember, ‘The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune’. I am sure that I can play sweeter development tunes than the rest. I have the capacity and training.

Godson Cain

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 13.

Diaspora

More support for Stella Boyea-Ashby

been a netball star for as long as many of us have known her,” ex-national netball star Karen Marks told THE VINCENTIAN, Editor’s note: After we stating that she first met published a story last Stella “when she was week on calls for Stella gracing the courts, Boyea-Ashby to be representing Girls’ High named Sports School.

Ambassador, there was “Her on-court work an out-pouring of ethic and drive were also positive reaction, present in her day-to-day primarily from the dealings,” Marks said.

Diaspora. We now “Ms. Boyea-Ashby always publish a follow-up aims for the sky and piece, based on that never gives up. “Not only reaction. has she helped foster my competitiveness and VINCENTIANS IN THE skill, but now she was DIASPORA have reacted inspiring me to do more. positively to calls for “Stella Boyea-Ashby former national netball has been and always will captain Stella Boyeabe an exemplary Sports Ambassador for St. Ashby to be named a Vincent and the sports ambassador, in light of her yeoman service Grenadines,” Marks declared further. “I to the nation.

“Ms. Boyea-Ashby has thank you for allowing Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT

me to speak about my mentor, inspiration and friend, and I hope this inspires other young men and women from the isles of SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to go on to do great things”.

Retired Registered Nurse and Colonel in the US Army Reserve Celia Bramble, who hails from Evesham in the Marriaqua Valley, lauded the initial story on Stella Boyea-Ashby.

“Great story on Stella Ashby!” said Bramble, a former president of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Nurses Association of New York, Inc. “She deserves this honor; she exemplifies a ‘Woman of Substance’ spiritually, socially and culturally. I am 100 percent in favor (of Stella becoming a

Sports Ambassador).”

Rose Place, Kingstown native Dr. Stanley John said it would be “indeed a well-deserved gesture for Stella”.

Ancilla Friday, former president of the Brooklyn-based cultural and educational group Club St. Vincent, Inc., was grateful for “raising awareness” on Stella Boyea-Ashby.

“Great article!” said the Ratho Mill native, who now serves as public relations officer of Club St. Vincent, Inc. Celia Ross-Latham, Director of Sales, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority in New York, said: “I wholeheartedly support the proposal for Stella to be named Sports Ambassador. She truly deserves it.”

Maxwell Haywood,

chairman of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York, said he, too, fully endorses calls for BoyeaAshby to be named a Sports Ambassador.

“She still gives her energy and time to promoting sports and wider community development,” said the United Nations social development officer, who hails from New Grounds.

“Her sports and professional achievements are exceptional indeed.”

Former New Democratic Party (NDP) South Windward candidate Stephen ‘Scombo’ John said he was privileged to see Boyea-Ashby in action on the netball court.

“Truthfully, I have never seen anyone else

Stella Boyea-Ashby continues to receive overwhelming support among the Vincentian Diaspora in the USA, for her elevation to Sports Ambassadorial status. play at that high level,” he added. “Together with that, Stella has been a ‘natural ambassador’ for our country by the exemplary life she has led. Selecting her as Sports Ambassador will be the honorable thing to do.”

Boyea-Ashby captained the national netball team from 197480 and again from 198384. Jose Providence was the captain from 198182.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 15.

14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Swimming dominates Sports Awards Award SWIMMER JOACHIM S WIMMER SHNE JO ACHIM is country’s 2014 Sports ts this countr y’s 20 14 Spor Personality of the Y ea e . ear Personality Year.

Shne was not on hand to receive her rewards last Saturday at Spring Gardens Estate, when the Council National Sports p Cou uncil held rds d awards h ld its annuall awar y She is attending att ceremony. h l in Canada.

C d school

Shne JoachimSports Personality of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

Her selection to the most prestigious sports title in SVG stemmed from her choice as the 2014 Junior Sportswoman p o the Year. of It was the nd d year second h secon running g that sh he was she d d d top Ju Junior Sports-adjudged unior S Sports woman.

Shne copped pp d the titles on the basis off some s high h h h b performances. calibre perform p mances.

Those included included: h l d d: six gold medals at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Champion Champion-ship p in St. Luci ia; silver and Lucia; b d l at the bronze medals h Caribbean Islands Swim Swim-ming Championship in Barbados; and bronze at the Carifta Swi im Champip Swim h making onships, h makin k ng h her the first Vincentian to have medalled at this champion champion-ship.

Her double award was a crowning moment for the SVG Amateur Swimming S Association.

A For the second consecu consecu-tive year, that Association was adjudged the Associa Associa-tion of the Year, and national swim coach, Kyle Dougan, g contin nued the continued d when h he h took trend, k his h second straight award as

Coach of the Year. accolades And the ac colades were still forthc coming, g with forthcoming, l k Sylvester Nikolas k l Sy S ylvester taking his first hold of the Junior Sportsman of the Year.

Nikola s’s seven g gold Nikolas’s h O CS medals d l at the OECS Championship tilted the balance in his favour.

Like Shne, he was a member of the swim team that represented this Com-country at the 2014 Com monwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland.

The y you ung g man, a fourth young fform stude dent at the St. student Vincent Grammar School, attributed his performance to “hard training,” includ includ-ing g early y morning m g sessions h Swi S Swimming at the imming Pooll at Shrewsbu ury y House, about Shrewsbury f h ten miles l away from his residence in Questelles.

He is also a musician, having already record one featuring CD featur ring g him p playing y the h steell pan, p and d finds f d p ay y football and time to pla play l hi h lf in track k involve mself himself and field.

And as far as coach Dougan was concerned, the strides ma ade in swimming g made d with h here h h have muc h to do much what he describes as the

Sunil Ambris- Senior ear e Sportsman of the Y Year

Kine Kineke neke Alexander- Senior ear S Sportswoman of the Y e Year

“colle ective strength” g of the “collective Swimming Swim S mming A Association.

That may well have been n recognised g by y those who adjudicad the h adjudica d d h made tions on behalf of the National Sports Council.

Cricketer Sunil Ambris took the Senior Sportsman of the Year Award, with track athlete Kineke Alexander taking the female category. g y Ambris, who A b h was also absent from last Saturday’s Saturday ceremony as h he was on duty with the Windwards team in the current Four-day Regional Profes Profes-sional League, burst onto g h regionall cricket k scene the in 2014, with a century in his debut match against Guyana. He followed that up, after consistent scores in between, with another century in the final against Jamaica.

The Marriaqua q h recipi native was the recipi-ent of the Cricket Association’s Cricketer of the Year Award, when that association held its recognition

Senior Seni ior S Sportspersons of th the year y The senior categories of the Sports Sp Awards were left cricket k and d track k and d icket to cri field.

Nikols Sylvester Junior Jun niorJuniorSportsman of the Y ear e Year ceremony y last year. y A fformer Windward d Windwa islands and West Indies Under 19 and current West Indies A Team player, Ambris has been earmarked, by many, for g inter interna-higher duties in interna k tionall cricket.

He secured the judges nod as Senior Sports p sman of Sportsman h Year over Garwin G the n Building), Phillips p (Body y Buildi ing), g (Cycling), C Ad (C l Cameron Adams (Cy ycling), (Foot-Cornelius Stewart (Foot ball), Jules Snagg gg (S q quash) (Squash) d Mikhail kh l Ch l s Charles and (Taekwando).

Alexander took her g Senio or second straight Senior S h Year Sportswoman off the Award after a string of top performances in 2014 p 4.

2014. h l d d gold These included: g medals in the 200m and Invita-400m at the OECS Invita tional in St. Kitts; places in the finals of the 400m at the Commonwealth Games,

Kyle Dougan- Coach of the Y e ear Year Glasgow g and th he Central the A dC American and Caribbean bb Games, Mexico; semi-final 200m place in the 200 p 0m of the C l hG Commonwealth Games; fourth p place in the 400m in the Am Fes stival, l Festival, h Pan A Mexico; setting g a new 200m meet record d at the th indoor d Reville Indoor Invitational, USA. Alexander won from a field of nominees which included Greta Primus (Squash), Mary–Ann Fredericks (Netball), Akiria Samuel (Football) and Samantha Lync y ch (Cricket).

Lynch The Sp ports Sports h 2014 S Awards, the second to be hosted at the Spring Gardens Estate, was held under the them me, ‘Fostering theme, Lasting Friends dships h Friendships Through g Sports p s’, and heard Sports’, dd b guest by g speak kspeakan address er Giselle Peters, lawyer and former national netballer.

NL NLA A borrows for spor sportt facilities development THE NATIONAL LOT LOT-TERIES AUTHORITY (NLA) has borrowed $6.5M from the National Insurance Services.

That money y will be b d ffor the h refurbish f b hused refurbishment of sporting facilities here.

A National Implemen Implemen-tation Committee will be established to manage the expenditure, p and an d to t be engineer is expected dedicated to the projects.

This was disclosed d by y R l h Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves when he addressed the 2014 National Sports Awards Ceremony, y held at th he the S G d Estate Spring Garden es, Estates, last Saturday y evening g g. evening. h initiative tak k This takes kes the responsibility p y off the S C Nationall Sports Coun ncill Council (NSC), which the Prime Minister described as not being able to “do it all.”

In fact, the Prime Minister held back no punches, and referred to the NSC as not havin ng g having h they ““the h resources and d th hey don’t have the person person-p l ” to manage the h nel..,”

refur-Speakmaintenance and refur ing bishment of all the to sporting facilities in the state.

Notwithstanding the new initiative, the Prime Minister called for communi-persons in the communi dir ties to be more directly involved. l d More is needed to carry out such works according g to the Prime P dh Minister, and he pointed p to the need for an engi engi-neer.

Dr. Gonsalves echoed the government’s g p policy sports h nationall spor that rts persons ought to be at PM Dr Dr.. Ralph Gonsalves school or working g, and g working, d that h it was h stressed w the spoke of the National Sports duty y of the Associ iations Council’ Associations s inability to effec Council’s effec-d individuals d d l to and o tively manage the mainte mainte-“demand that the e policy nance and refurbishment of be implemented.” b l d” sport facilities here.

When persons are offered scholarshi ips p scholarships l abroad, b d Dr. Gonsa G alves those procuring Athletic Gonsalves would encourage g such Scholarships, p Dr. Gonsalves d the heir l d them recipients and urged th to their associations to liaise with “make use of the facilities of the state.” the g government sso o as to ensure that h maxim maximum mum use is made of the opportunity.

Stories b by y WILL WILLIAM IAM ‘‘KOJAH’ KOJAH’ ANTHONY

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Advice

Leaving her to her boss Dear George, I WENT TO MY wife’s work place to give her the news that I had won some money. I wanted to make sure she had nobody in there, so I peeped through her office window. I was shocked to see my wife`s boss kissing her on the mouth, and then slipped some money into her hand. She kissed him back and then held hands for a few seconds.

I hurried away before he came out. I wanted to have the upper hand in this situation. If I had entered the room, there would have been two dead persons. Instead, I left a message with the receptionist to tell her that I had stopped by.

When she got home, I asked her if she was in a meeting with her boss during the day. She said her boss was out of the country for meetings. I confronted her, saying that he had to be some kind of a magician to be away in another country, and still able to kiss her

earlier in the day.

She broke down in tears, insisting that she did not know what I was talking about. When I told her that I was going to go to his house to ask his wife when he was expected back, she begged me not to do that.

There and then, I told her I was leaving her to

her boss`s pleasure. I have already initiated the divorce proceedings, but my head is still in a spin, and I need some advice on what to do.

Hurt bad Dear Hurt bad, It seems your mind is already made up with

respect to your marriage. Just be sure that you are not making a hasty decision.

I would advise you to go see a marriage counsellor to talk things over. That will also help you to get out of that emotional tail spin you might be in.

George

A question of size Dear George, WHEN MY HUSBAND was dating me, he did not consider me as fat; but now that we are married, he is labelling me as a “fat woman”. We been married now for just about a year and have no children.

Neither my dress nor bra size has changed since our marriage, so I do not know what he is talking about.

What has me writing to you is, I caught him cheating with another woman who is about three times my size. When I asked him about that, he replied that she may be fat, but at least she has good features. I was never more humiliated in all my life.

What he does not know is that I am planning on going back to my exboyfriend who is a lot bigger and fatter than he. I want to see what he would say then. Men!!

JQ. Dear JQ, Your husband may have other issues floating around in his head, and he is just using the size argument as a smoke screen. Being revengeful is not going to solve anything; instead, it would only create more conflict and lead to the possible demise of your marriage.

It is interesting that you are even considering having a fling with your ‘ex’, just to get back at your husband. If it is your wish to get your marriage back on level ground, then I advise that you leave your ‘ex’ out of it.

Both of you need to have a candid discussion about what your expectations were before getting married, and what they are for the future. It is a good idea to get some counselling to get you past this.

George

Missing husband and father Dear George, IT HAS BEEN one month since my husband walked out on me and our two children. We have not heard from him and I am worried, not so much for me, but for the children. Every day they ask ‘Where is Daddy?’ and I cannot answer.

We had a fight the night before he left, and since then, I have not seen him. He has not shown up for work either. I know his exgirlfriend was here visiting from New York, and while I don’t want, I keep wondering whether he has gone to New York with her.

The fight we had was over her. She called and told him she was coming by the house to bring a package that one of his friends sent for him; but I would have none of it. He said he was going to get it. I said no to that as well.

I really do not know what to do at this point.

Help me, George!

Sad &Angry Dear Sad &Angry, Seems like you have some insecurity issues hanging around. You need to deal with that.

Your husband needs to know, from your actions, that you are not worried about him cheating on you with his ex or anyone else.

Unless you have sound reasons not to trust him, then you ought to show him that you do.

As to where he can be, that could be anyone’s guess. In such a case, it would not hurt to file a missing persons report with the police, and then wait to see what or who would turn up.

The children need not be dragged into this, and it is entirely up to you to keep them sheltered as best as you can. It could be very easy for you to pass on your anxiety and anger to them; this you must guard against.

Get a professional (counsellor)to sit with you to help you through this trying period.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Be a leader, not a follower! Keep business dealings at a high level of integrity. When connecting with loved–ones make allowances rather than expect too much. Money is on the increase, stay positive. To understand what a friend is going through, listen to what they are not saying.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) If you want to change your life, you need to change your life – take action.

Work is demanding, but don’t let spending extra hours at the office cause you to neglect your health. A friendly heart–to–heart chat with someone close can prepare them for what’s to come.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Look for solutions, not problems. When you have a positive attitude, it can improve every area of your life. Tighten the purse strings – this is not a week to be extravagant. At work, use your common sense to stand out from the crowd.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Love and work can connect when you least expect. Say “yes” to business events. Your perfect partner could be closer than you think. Don’t back away from a challenge; it’s what keeps your spirit alive. A financial hic–cup will be short lived.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Be diplomatic. Watch what you say and how you say it. A sensitive comment can be taken the wrong way. Beware of being tempted to indulge in an out–of–control retail therapy splurge.

Great things are happening; the best is yet to come!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Finish what you start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, deal with one thing at a time. With money, be patient and finances will turn in your favor. If the moment of truth has arrived in your love life; it may be time to give someone the key to your heart.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) It can cause mistrust when you keep secrets from a sweetheart. If you have something to say, don’t hold back.

Divulge how you feel to clear the air.

With money, check the fine–print. You are in control of your life, keep it that way.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Your career life is headed for the top; you can take a giant step ahead now.

The right people will step forward to help you – look for the sign posts of synchronicity. Love and friendship go hand–in–hand. With money, be optimistic.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) For love to last, you need an unbreakable connection of trust and respect. Be optimistic at work, with lucky stars on your side, anything is possible. Beautifying your home creates a sense of peace and harmony for family closeness to grow.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Passionate love moments can have your heart racing. Couples can tie the knot.

Singles can meet someone wonderful.

Work life is up for review with change on the horizon. People you meet now can make life–changing decisions. Think carefully about your next moves and those you share life with.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Love and money often connect, and how you deal with this combination will determine the outcome. Don’t get confused, business is business, even if it does fall in to the personal area of your life. At work, don’t let a past incident have influence over the decisions you make today.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Be career smart – focus on the details to see what’s really happening. It is easier to make money when you are passionate about what you do. When discussing a sensitive topic, tread carefully, someone close could be emotionally fragile.

ACROSS

45. Invent 48. Topeka’s st.

1.Golden calf, e.g. 49. Fingerprints, e.g.

5. Record players 51. Lowers the (abbr.) lights 8. Address abbr.

55. Cul-de-__ 11. Clinton AG 56. Religious Janet portrait 12. Warmth 57. Nights 13. __ Lancelot before 14. Brown meat holidays 15. Merchant 58. Elected ones who buys 59. Actress from foreign Cannon sources 17. Unburden DOWN 19. Shuns 20. Needle and __ 23. Dick Cavett’s 1.Taxing agcy.

2. Low grade home st.

3. “Snakes __ 24. Color Plane” 25. Actress Foster (2 wds.)

27. Groups 4. Actor Peter 31. Designation 5. JFK’s party indicating a (abbr.) shortened 6. Geisha’s home word 7. Cooking 33. Numerals appliances (abbr.)

35. Command to 8. __ spumante 9. Competed a fly 10. Goes astray 36. Designer 12. Undisclosed Mizrahi 16. Lounging 38. Choose garments 40. In the past 18. “I think, 41. “__, hum therefore bug!” __” (2 wds.)

43. Actress Merle

20. Siamese 21. Wheel centers 22. C&W singer McEntire 26. Muck 28. Burn the outside 29. Take-out phrase (2 wds.)

30. Shortly 32. Fanatical 34. Out loud 37. __ point (2 wds.)

39. Schedule abbr.

42. From this

time 44. Called it quits 45. Lucie Arnaz’s dad 46. “__ Almighty” 47. Tayback and Damone

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 21.

50. Rollaway 52. Princeton wall covering 53. “Oh, give __ home…”

(2 wds.)

54. ID digits

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Business

Jamaica approves CWC-Flow merger THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA has given approval to the proposed merger between the Jamaican subsidiaries of Cable and Wireless (CWC) and Columbus Communications.

CWC trades in Jamaica in the fixed and mobile telephone services market

as LIME, and Columbus Communications International Inc. offers cable television, broadband and telephony services as Flow Jamaica, under two companies Columbus Communications Jamaica Limited (Flow) and

Columbus Networks Jamaica Limited (CNJL).

The merger of the two subsidiaries is part and parcel of a wider US3 billion buyout of Columbus Communications International Inc. by CWC.

Announcing the approval in January, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining, Phillip Paulwell, said a number of restrictions had been placed on the deal, including: existing interconnect termination

rates to remain in effect until a new fixed termination rate is established; CWC must comply with any limitations of the licences being transferred from Flow; customers should have the option to keep their existing package or transfer to a more favourable one; customers opting to terminate their contracts should be allowed to do so without penalties; CWC should provide access to international bandwidth on a non-discriminatory basis; LIME and Flow should be ready to enable the implementation of number portability by 31 May 2015; and CWC should ensure that other licensees are provided with non-discriminatory access to infrastructure such as ducts, poles and landing stations which could act as a competitive bottleneck.

The CWC-Flow merger was met with opposition in certain quarters, not least being from Digicel, which competes with LIME and Flow in Jamaica and a number of other Caribbean markets.

Digicel had called for the merger to be blocked, citing competition grounds and a possible return to a monopoly situation in the telecommunications services market, especially in the English-speaking Caribbean.

In what was interpreted as a response to issues raised by Digicel, Minister Paulwell is quoted by news agencies in Jamaica as saying, ‘the Telecommunications Act did not expressly authorise me to impose conditions in relation to the transaction’.

He admitted that ‘there was little the Jamaican Government could do to block the multibilliondollar merger’.

The Minister assured Jamaicans that he had sought the advice of the Office of Utilities Regulation and the Attorney General, in arriving at his decision.

Opposition wants more Meanwhile, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party took the opportunity to register its concern about the extremely slow pace of

Phillip Paulwell, Jamaica’s Minister of Science and Technology, claimed that there was little the government could do to block the merger. reforms in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

While saying that his party had taken careful note of the development involving CWC and Columbus, Opposition Spokesman on Science, ICT and Digital Society Development, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, cited the implementation of a new ICT Act and the Single ICT Regulator as initiatives that will go a far way in addressing existing regulatory and legislative weaknesses.

Dr. Wheatley said the announcement by Minister Paulwell brought into sharp focus the need to table and implement ICT legislation, and pursue policies that are in keeping with current industry trends.

He also claimed that the Minister gave no guarantee against ‘monopolistic practices and abuse’.

Jamaica is the first country in the region to approve the acquisition of Columbus Communications holdings

by Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC).

Approval by Jamaica is only the second in a series of hurdles for proposed acquisition. It is also subject to regulatory approval in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, as well as the approval of the US anti-trust authorities and that country’s telecommunications regulator.

No approval is needed from the regulatory agency for the Eastern Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (Ectel), on behalf of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Source: www.TeleGeography, www.newsjamaica.net and rjr.news)

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 23.

Windwards and Jamaica meet at Arnos Vale

defending champions.

Barbados Pride, with a victory over Leeward Islands RECORD-BREAKERS Windwards Hurricanes splitting those Volcanoes will be looking to defeats. continue their good form and, in And following the the process, exact a measure of resumption of the tournament revenge on Jamaica, when the after the break for the Nagico two teams meet for the second Superr50, the Volcanoes time in the 2014/15 crushed Trinidad Red Force by Professional Cricket League this an innings and 148 runs. It weekend at the Arnos Vale was their largest ever margin Playing Field. of victory in the history of The Volcanoes went down modern regional first class by 13 runs in the first match cricket, dating back to 1966. in Kingston after squandering They were pushed to their a golden chance for victory. victory by the bowling of leftThey went on to lose arm pacer Kenroy Peters, who matches against tournament had 5/21 in Trinidad’s 177, leaders, Guyana Jaguars, and and 3/11 in their second

innings of 75. Off-spinner Shane Shillingford enjoyed figures 3/42 and 4/25. The Windwards had declared on 400/8 in their only innings.

The 75 was Trinidad’s lowest score ever in the modern regional game against Windwards.

The Windwards finished with 20 points — the first time a team has picked up maximum points since the new points system was introduced two years ago.

On Friday, the Windwards, with home advantage, will be entering the match with their confidence very high, on the basis of their most recent

success, while their opponents will be looking to overcome a 105 loss to Guyana.

It was only the second time in ten years that Jamaica had suffered an outright defeat at the hands of the Guyanese in regional first class cricket.

The Volcanoes will take heart from the fact that both their openers, Johnson Charles and Tyrone Theophile, have scored their maiden first class century in the current campaign. Charles scored 151 against Barbados at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in December, and Theophile hit 136 in a Man of the Match performance against the TnT Jamaica’s leg spinner Red Force.

Damion Jacobs is expected They, however, to attract intense may experience concentration from the some level of Windwards batsmen. unease with a lineAnalysts are predicting up that has been that, with the absence of the woefully exposed experienced and technically against quality DESRON MALONEY sound Romel Currency, who spinners, fought a lone hand amid the especially leg spin was mystifyingly omitted from carnage, as defending the last match, the Windwards bowling. And in champions, Team Rivals, will struggle. the Jamaica attack crushed a hapless and what Led by test player Peters, are two leg appeared to be a last year’s leading spinners, Damion disinterested Carl Joseph Jacobs and Odean wickettaker, and the Law Firm ASCO by ten Browne, who have rejuvenated Shillingford, the wickets, at the Sion Hill created no ends of Windwards are expected to Playing Field last weekend, acreate their own problems. to gallop into the semi-finals worries for the Alston Bobb, who earned of the Neil Williams T/20 Volcanoes the man of the match in the Cricket competition. batsmen. In fact, A few hours before, first match against Jamaica, Jacobs has taken Victors ONE trio (From left): Chrisroy Victors ONE had brushed has also come under the axe.

John Donwell Hector and Shacquille fifteen wickets in aside Police ONE by sixty However, with the Arnos Vale Browne take close interest in Team two innings runs, to edge towards the pitch predicted to be on the Rivals/ ASCO match at Sion Hill Playing against them, semi-finals, but were only Field while Browne, who slow side, pundits here are certain after the Team expecting that Bobb will ASCO’s Desron Maloney attacks has just returned which was an achievement in Rivals victory. replace seamer Mervin to action, has also itself. When he pulled a short ball the leg side.

A win for ASCO could have Mathew in the final eleven. done well over the to be well caught by Casmond eliminated Victors ONE on run Abraham, 2 for 28. years.

Walters over his head at deep rate, since both would have lost Police ONE ended on 66/4, with square leg, to be last man out, he one match.

Sylvan Spencer being the top ASCO, needing to win to secure had scored 32 of his side’s 49 runs, score. striking three sixes and two fours. a semi-final berth, won the toss In the other weekend Walters took 2/3, Roland and chose to bat. They were in encounter, Guardian General early bother, with the first wickets Wilkinson 2/8, Olanzo Jackson Saints lost to Police TWO by six 2/10 and Deighton Butler 2/ 11. all handed to the fielding team runs, at Arnos Vale TWO. Team Rivals then pranced their through big swipes to leg-three SCORES: Police TWO 116/8 (17 way to 52/0 in five overs. bowls one LBW. Maloney looked overs) Salvan Browne stroked 37, In the earlier encounter, Victors on from the other end in utter Timothy Warner 3/13, Andrew ONE easily disposed of Police amazement, his advice to the Emtage 2 for 18 and Rolando ONE in a match reduced to 13 incoming batsman seemingly Wright - 2 for 21; Guardian overs because of rain. going unheeded.

General Saints 110/6 (17 overs), Batting first, Victors ONE Despite this, he batted sensibly made 126/ 7, with Atticus Browne, Jeron John 37, Zane Edwards, 25. in putting away whatever bad The semi-finals set for February 37, Miles Bascombe, 27, leading balls came from Team Rivals 21st will see defending champions experienced bowling unit and tried the batting, while medium pacer Team Rivals meeting LIME Gareth Henry took a hattrick to to turn over the strike with Radcliffe and Guardian General Alston Bobb (left) and Romel Currency were axed whoever faced more than six balls, end with 3/20, and Kevin Saints opposing Victors ONE. from the last match.

Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Irrepressible Rivals continue title surge

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24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

The ball’s in your court IF PRIME MINISTER Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ advice is heeded, there will be renewed interest in the sport of Boxing here. He sees Boxing as a Sport at which persons can excel, without having to resort to sophisticated facilities.

One of this country’s Commonwealth Games medals is from Boxing, by a Vincentian who was overlooked by his adopted country and fell back on his roots.

Our citizens are used to the art of self-defence from early. It forms part of the instinctive survival measures. Facilities or not, athletes have to adopt a regime of training. Potential boxers must be found, nurtured and encouraged.

The call for better use of the Shooting Range at Arnos Vale injected a tinge of irony in me. With Shooting as an Olympic Sport, there is the thought that Police Officers, in particular, could be encouraged to take up this sport and represent the nation at the Olympic level.

It will be interesting to see to what extent the Prime Minister’s words are given any appreciation.

The officers may be more concerned with other priorities rather than exerting their energies on the Shooting Range for sporting purposes.

Fencing is also named in the category of new sporting disciplines. Introducing Fencing will be ground-breaking, from base up. How quickly it will take to become entrenched depends on a number of factors.

Perhaps there was an attempt to justify the shortage of some basic needs in North Leeward.

The Cumberland Playing Field is expected to get some attention beginning in March.

There is the hope that there will be no further delays so that the North Leeward people will feel that they have a stake in the nation. Cumberland must be the main part of the show if anything is on the road.

The village of Troumaca has been left on the fence since the late 1960s. That was when the Playing Field, as crude as it was, found itself transformed for construction of the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School. Parliamentary representatives have attempted to appease the villagers with efforts at restoring the Playing Field in the community. But those attempts have floundered, once the elections are over.

Older folks of the village live with memories of the Playing Field, while the younger ones dream of something of their own.

Getting the show on the road will see a restoration of those facilities so that the people can build on the foundation their forefathers created.

Troumaca has moved into a near disaster zone caused by erosion at several points. The assault is not restricted to the German Gutter enclave.

Places such as Madame Oget, Murray and Bottom Village are under close scrutiny, and so too is an area known as Back Piece to the eastern strip of the settlement.

People have been brought to the edge of a looming danger. Alternative housing must be found for some residents if the erosion is not stopped immediately.

My hope is that it is not allowed to reach proportions such as what happened at Rose Kank, for there to be an acceptance of the gravity of the situation.

The problem may have persisted whether or not the Playing Field was removed. The erosion at Back Piece is away from the line of danger spurred by the erosion from the disruption of the Playing Field, However, the repairs would have been less costly if the landscape had not been ravaged.

North Leeward has to look like it matters. If they are ignored on issues relevant to their day to day interests, they will continue to wonder if they are in for serious consideration.

Former England youth coach conducts coaching course

by E GLENFORD PRESCOTT THE ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Football Federation has played host to yet another football coaching course, as it seeks to educate and certify the many persons who are showing interest in enhancing their worth as coaches.

The latest FIFA Instructor Richard Bate in discussion with coaches. programme was all these covered, then you are making the start an Olympic Solidarity sponsored course conducted that is required for development.”

by FIFA Instructor, Richard Bate of England, and President Venold Coombs, who would be up for saw just over 20 participants going through a re-election come April, said that his executive is rigorous week of classroom and on field training.

The course covered tactics and teamwork as well keen about education and development, and by hosting another Course on the backs of the two D as developing good communications skills and licence courses, there was no doubt that their work attitude. here is appreciated by FIFA and CONCACAF. Bate, who has conducted programmes in a Coombs also pointed out that SVG has another number of countries, is hopeful that the one-week two CONCACAF/FIFA Match Commissioners in the stint will be worthwhile enough to see some persons of Dominique Stowe and Yolande London. improvement over a period of time.

He said that London is the first female Match “I know that these short programmes are not the Commissioner from SVG, and is part of an elite list most ideal to impart heavy stuff, but again, we of females from the English-speaking Caribbean expect that the people who come to these courses countries. are coming mostly to add and improve what they Stowe was last year appointed the Single Point of have learnt over the years. We have national Contact for St.Vincent and the Grenadines in Match coaches here and some people who are attending Manipulation and Integrity. their first training course …so what we are hoping The elevation of Stowe and London brings to four is that those with the experience will assist the the number of Match Commissioners from SVG, others over time,” he pointed out. with Earl Bennett and Trevor Huggins being the Bate said that the programme is not “hard and other two. fast”, but more tailored to suit the needs of the country in which the programme is conducted.

A former Technical Director of Malaysia and Canada, Bate has also featured heavily in the youth programme of his native England, being in charge of a number the country’s current stars, including Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, in their formative years.

Coaches busily noting information.

He believes that for a country to make strides in any sport, and in particular football, there must be a proper IAN ALLEN, Vincentian born longreliably informed that Allen will serve structure commencing standing coach of the Windwards as Assistant Coach to Zouks head with the schools Islands Senior Cricket Team, is Coach, Stuart Williams, in the 2015 programme, aided by the expected to join the technical team of edition of the CPL. construction of quality the St. Lucia Allen should find his duties much facilities, as well as Zouks. like being ‘at home’, since the Zouks getting the players to The St Lucia are led by Windwards All-rounder understand the technical Zouks are the Darren Sammy, and include a aspects of the game. representative number of members of the Windward “You have some team of Saint squad currently campaigning in the innate or natural talent Lucia in regional Four-day professional league, here, but that is not all the Caribbean under his guidance. to becoming a good Premier League Vincentians Sunil Ambris and Ray football country. You (CPL). It was Jordon were part of the Zouks have to have good club one of the six franchise in 2014. structure; academies to teams created The franchises down to compete in train young players; in 2013 for the 2015 CPL are the Barbados your national teams the inaugural Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, have to be handled in a season of the Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Zouks, professional manner, tournament.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and a and they must play THE new St. Kitts and Nevis franchise, Ian Allen will join a against top class VINCENTIAN which replaces the Antigua Hawkbills CPL franchise for opponents on a regular has been which campaigned in 2013 and 2014. the first time. basis; and once you have

Allen joining the Zouks

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 25.

Sports Feature

ICC Cricket World Cup reached its lowest ebb. Narcissistic leadership on and off the field has left many supporters THE FIRST MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP competition bewildered. Lymphatic performances on the field was held in England in 1975. Then, there were only six have compounded the woes and problems.

Test nations - Australia, England, India, New Zealand, So what is needed to motivate this current group Pakistan and West Indies (WI) - to compete for the of players?

Prudential World Cup. A mere fifteen matches were In 1975, the prize money earned by the WI was contested. The WI, by virtue of winning five matches, all approximately US$9,000.00. They played with pride. three at group stage, one semi-final and the final, lifted In 2015, the winner will receive US$3,750,000.00 as the cup, under Clive Lloyd’s leadership. the basic. If that team plays unbeaten throughout Many so-called fanatics have failed to the tournament, it will earn a bonus of acknowledge the facts that led to the team’s success. US$270,000.00. If it loses only one match, that In 1975, there was no official limited overs bonus will decrease to US$225,000.00. competition in the region. The first was held the On March 29, we will know which team takes the next year, under the banner of Gillette Cup. However, many West Indians were honing their skills at county clubs. Of the twelve WI players appearing in the World Cup, some had the experience of representing counties in the late 1960s, the others in the early 1970s.

Roy Fredericks (Glamorgan), Deryck Murray, Alvin Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs (Warwickshire), Lloyd (Lancashire), Viv Richards (Somerset), Bernard Julien (Kent), Keith Boyce (Essex), Vanburn Holder (Worcestershire), Andy Roberts and Gordon Greenidge (Hampshire), all played Gillette Cup, John Player League and Benson and Hedges Cup domestic competitions in England.

Before the World Cup, West Indies had appeared in only two one-day international matches, in 1973.

No preparation whatsoever for an international competition to be held two years later. Nobody blamed the WICBC, because the team won.

Interestingly, Richards, Roberts and Greenidge had never appeared in a one-day international before that inaugural tournament.

Roll forward to 2015. The eleventh edition of this prestigious tournament will commence in New Zealand and Australia later today, Friday 13th February, when New Zealand take on Sri Lanka, and Australia host England at Melbourne.

The million dollar question for us is: Will West Indies win the cup?

In Jason Holder (23), the team has a captain with only five matches in that capacity. Mind you, Lloyd had not led West Indies in an ODI match before the first World Cup. Kanhai was the skipper in 1973.

One issue which the current WI selectors have tried to address is one of the team having too many so called all-rounders.

For some time now, we have considered Dwayne Smith, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo as all-rounders. Some bits and pieces cricketers receiving great accolades, might be nearer to the truth.

As it stands, this squad has six specialist bowlers, three so-called all-rounders and a ‘buffet’ bowler in Marlon Samuels.

In the last thirteen months, three of the seven fastest centuries were recorded against most of these bowlers. Abraham (AB) de Villiers (31), Corey Anderson (36) and Jesse Rayder (46) have brought up triple-figures in less than fifty balls.

The batting line-up has five specialists, namely, Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels.

Gayle, Samuels and Smith will have to score heavily for this team to challenge In the last World Cup,2011, WI victories were against Netherlands, Bangladesh and Ireland. They got only 112 in the quarter-finals against Pakistan, and were knocked out of the competition.

by EARL W. ROBINSON

Prize money Over the last five months, West Indies cricket has

trophy and the largest share of the pie. The favourites are South Africa, and Sri Lanka and the two hosts.

Every night Captain Holder goes to bed, he may be hearing Deniece Williams singing “It’s gonna take a miracle”. India did it in 1983.

The convener of selectors, Mr. Lloyd, is the appropriate person to guide this cherubic tyro. He (Lloyd) was at the helm when West Indies lost at Lords. No hat-trick for the skipper, Greenidge, Richards and Roberts.

How will this team commemorate the fortieth anniversary (1975 — 2015) is anyone’s guess.

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26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

North Leeward youth get ICT training

by KENVILLE HORNE OVER 20 YOUNG PERSONS from the North Leeward will benefit from an intense computer training programme.

The programme is aimed at increasing ‘the capacity of the local Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry, and bridging the digital divide by linking ICT with youth development and rural transformation’.

Spearheaded by Generation Next Inc., a non-profit (charitable) organization based in North Leeward, the programme is financed by Columbus Communication (Flow), and executed by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Centre of Technological Innovation (SVGNCTI) During six weeks of training, participants will focus on practical sessions

Corey Garrett, Flow’s Marketing Manager (4th from right) presents cheque to member of Generation Next and co-ordinators of the programme. in database fundamentals, digital media, and computer and web design fundamentals. There will also be a job readiness component as part of the training programme.

During the launching of the programme at the NCTI headquarters in Kingstown, Carlos James, one of the Coordinators of the IT project, acknowledged that the participants would experience difficulty in travelling to and from North Leeward, and he promised that the programme would be moved from Kingstown to a more convenient location by the end of the week.

He commended Flow for partnering with the NCTI to facilitate the

training.

Corey Garrett, Columbus Communication Marketing and Communications Manager, said that from the moment he received the request for funding, the words ‘bridging the digital divide’ jumped out at him. Those words helped to inform the decision to support this programme.

A cheque in an amount of $4,000.00 was presented to Generation Next Inc. The facilitators for the programme are Beverly Buchanan, who will conduct the Job Readiness component, and Marlo Browne will execute the IT aspect.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015. 27.

Classifieds

MyLIME application launch The telecommunications provider LIME has launched a new mobile application called, “MyLIME Mobile App”.

The new App allows postpaid and prepaid customers to perform a host of tasks, right from their handsets.

For postpaid users, The “MyLIME Mobile App” gives the prepaid customer the freedom to pay Lauch day for the new bills, check data MyLIME App. balances, and check bill history.

Prepaid customers, who download the App, can track call and text usage, top up their smart phones, add bolt-ons and check data balance.

LIME says that the new app is simple to install and use, with only about three quick steps for android users and four for Iphone owners.

IOS or iphone customers can use bit.ly/MyLIMEforApple to get the MY LIME mobile app on their device, while our Android customers can use bit.ly/MyLIMEforAndroid.

The development of this new app now saves customers from coming in store to pay their postpaid bills, which saves them, time and money, a release from LIME says.

With this new app, it could well mean that the procedure of texting *129# could soon become a thing of the past since, prepaid users who have the app will no longer need to leave the comfort of their homes to get a top up.

ORMOND BERKELEY HUNTE

LUCY R. WILLIAMS

ST. CLAIR RUFUS PETERS

SDA Church Kingstown Sunday 8th February, 2015 2:00 p.m.

Layou SDA Church Sunday 8th February, 2015 2:30 p.m.

SDA Church Biabou Sunday 8th February, 2015 2:00 p.m.

SUNNY PIERRE

AUGUSTINE WILLIAMS

ODEL OSWALD ROBERTS

Mt. Hallibeth Spiritual Baptist Calliaqua Friday 6th February, 2015 3:00 p.m.

Glad Tiding Tabernacle Gomea Thursday 5th February, 2015 3:00 p.m.

Chebar Evangelical Assembly Kingstown Saturday 7th February, 2015 2:30 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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S A L E

FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 13, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.07

MY LONG ROAD TO JUSTICE Editor’s Note: The project. following is presented in The Enquiry centered unabridged and unedited on the Ottley Hall form.

Marina and Shipyard, built during my MY TRIUMPH in the Privy administration, funded Council in England on as Export Credit 18th December 2014, with Guarantee by the Italian my Appeal against Bias in Government, with funds the St. Vincent from a consortium of Commission of Enquiry, European banks, led by consolidates justice and the German Bank West democracy in these LB. The project aimed to islands. Caribbean courts stimulate yachting failed to recognize bias tourism and ship and shortcomings in our maintenance to help ease judicial procedure over the the strain with the years, except in one pending loss of instance - ordering retrial. preference from the My successful appeal has European Union under become Case Law in the WTO rules on the vital Commonwealth and Banana Industry. accessible around the The singular difficulty world on the Internet as with the project was the Case ID: JCPC2013/0067. denial of final payments I have also registered the to complete the ancillary judgment for circulation facilities and which through our impacted on the parent InterActionCouncil.org shipyard in Italy.

The Commission I secured a 50% debt produced a report relief from the Italian entitled “Possible Government before I left criminal acts and office. The Shipyard and offences by certain Marina functioned while individuals”, sent it to I was in office, has the Director of Public continued to generate Prosecutions, with me a millions, and is capable prime target, without of earning many more ever seeing or hearing millions if managed me, or inviting a properly. All alone, I comment from me. fought this battle for 12 Retroactive legislation years. I remained was enacted with the aim of depriving me of legal costs.

Throughout the period of the enquiry, the services of the marina and shipyard were advertised regionally and internationally, even though labeled constantly by the new Government as a failed

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determined to protect my name, my family’s legacy, my Party’s reputation, and my country’s image. My tenacity never wavered.

In the end, I secured a unanimous verdict from the Law Lords in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) as follows: “The Board will advise Sir James Mitchell and his daughter Louise, on their way to hearing Sir James’ Appeal against Bias in the St. Vincent (Ottley Hall) Commission of Her Majesty that the Enquiry, by the Law Lords in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Appeal be allowed….the (JCPC).

Respondent (Commissioner of confidence in security of Enquiry Judge investment, a Georges) should take prerequisite for no further part in the enhancing our quality of Commission…pay all life. My victory permits costs before the Board Vincentians to pronounce and in the Courts that on my watch their below.” country was justly An abiding truth governed. has now been I await response to my established that the ill-afforded costs, as longest serving Head advised to Her Majesty. of Government in the My tilting towards Caribbean did not get justice affects no waning justice from nine of my enthusiasm for Caribbean judges. political union among Where is our justice our islands. Union and without the Privy The Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard, at the centre of justice are facets of the Council? My a Commission of Enquiry, continues to offer services same coin. The Privy successful Appeal to to a local, regional and international clientele.

Council should only be the JCPC, a right removed by consent of enshrined in the appeals to this Privy the people in these the people in a sanctity of our islands, redeeming Council as a disdainful referendum.

Constitution, now poses relic of colonialism. Thus justice and democracy a challenge to all those have I won victory for all and, in its wake, SIR JAMES MITCHELL who seek to jettison

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