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WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 23, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.52

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HISTORIC RULING IN SVG HIGH COURT

Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo presided over an historic decision in the local High Court

HIGH COURT JUDGE, THE HONOURABLE Madame Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo has made the first Confiscation Order here, under the Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, Chapter 181 of the Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Revised Edition 2009. She did so at the High Court in Kingstown, today, the 22nd of December 2015.

In sentencing Khamal Tito DeRoche, also known as ‘Travey’, of Sion Hill, for the offence of possession with intent to supply 4,299 grammes of cocaine, Justice Latchoo found that DeRoche has benefited from drug trafficking in the sum of $686, 118.63 over the sixyear period prior to his arrest on the 14th of November 2012.

Justice Latchoo however ruled that his realizable assets amounted to $109,459.34, consisting mainly of rental vehicles and accounts at a bank and credit unions. The Crown will be at liberty to apply for further sums, if in the future he acquires new

assets. DeRoche was ordered to pay the $109,459.34 to the Registrar of the High Court by the 30th of March 2016, or serve seven years imprisonment in default.

That sum, once paid, will be transferred to the Confiscated Assets Fund.

On the substantive charge of possession with intent to supply, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the time of eleven months spent on remand to be deducted.

DeRoche was convicted at the Serious Offences Court in January 2015, following a full trial. He was intercepted by members of the Narcotics Unit of the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines DPP Colin Williams anticipates that there will Police Force at Sion Hill Bay, be an increase in the number of confiscations. shortly after 6:00 pm. A crucial witness for the Prosecution was without any corresponding legitimate source of income. a Director of Public Prosecutions, young man from Frenches, who was DPP, Colin Williams, said it was a in the trunk of the vehicle, and who good day for law enforcement and the said he was paid by DeRoche to retrieve the drugs from a vessel. Upon rule of law. In complimenting both the Narcotics Unit and the FIU for a job DeRoche’s conviction, the Director of Public Prosecutions requested that the well done, the DPP noted that he expects to see an increase in the matter be sent on to the High Court number of confiscations, as one of the for confiscation to be considered.

Based on the Prosecution Statement most important weapons against acquisitive crimes and criminality is to prepared by Corporal Pedro Harry of the Financial Intelligence Unit, it was take away the ill-gotten gains of the perpetrators. (Source: Office of the shown that DeRoche accumulated Director of Prosecutions) assets over the relevant period

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2. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Special Children get Digicel cheer TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER Digicel ensured that students of the

Kingstown and Georgetown Schools for Children with Special Needs and the Bequia

Sunshine School were not left out of the Christmas cheer that abounds this time of year.

In Kingstown, Digicel staff joined with the Leo Club to host a Christmas party for 60 plus students enrolled in that school.

Danielle Cupid, Marketing Executive, led the Digicel charge to Georgetown, where the students were surprised by a visit from Digi Santa, who brought great cheer and gifts galore.

Island Manager Gershom Dick took charge of the visit to the Bequia Sunshine School, bringing with him sack loads of toys and other niceties for the children.

In summing up the impact of the visits, a Digicel statement said that the smiles on the faces of the children were enough to indicate how appreciative they were of the gesture by Digicel.

This was

Children at the Sunshine School Bequia receiving their toys

Student at the School for Children with Special Needs Georgetown accepting his gift from Digi Santa another demonstration of Digicel’s commitment to making the Christmas season a festive and exciting time for the Children with Special Needs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Digicel statement said.

Student at the School for Children with Special Needs Georgetown accepting his gift from Digi Santa, in the company of Danielle Cupid.

V News 3 Prosecutor recalls 2015:

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 3.

Praises for police Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS WHILE SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche has assessed 2015 as generally a successful year for the prosecution at the Serious Offences Court, he singled out the case involving Kamal Garraway of Montrose and Keshon Jackson of Rockies, as his most outstanding.

The men received sentences on November 13 for firearm and ammunition possession.

In an interview with THE VINCENTIAN on Monday, Delpleche, who heads the Summary Division in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), pointed out that there were several successful prosecutions in cases where persons pleaded guilty or where there were full trials, and a number of them stood out for him; but the matter involving Garraway and Jackson stood out most because of the professional investigative approach by Corporal Biorn Duncan of the Major Crime Unit (MCU).

“As the evidence unfolded in that case, Corporal Duncan, having received the information in respect to the vehicle in which the defendants were travelling, having spotted the vehicle, having kept the vehicle under observation, the way he deployed his men on approaching the vehicle, and the manner in which he himself approached the vehicle, keeping the men in the vehicle under observation, to my mind amounted to a brilliant piece of police work. It was above average policing,” the Senior Prosecutor

declared.

Delpleche, himself a former police officer, added, “In giving his (Duncan) evidence in Court, he distinguished himself as an investigator.

He was very professional, articulate and concise. He came under rigorous crossexamination from Corporal Biorn Adolphus Delpleche, Defence Counsel Grant Connell, but he Duncan came in for head of the Summary high praise from Division in the Office of never wavered. He Senior Prosecutor the DPP, assessed 2015 stood firm and Adolphus as a successful year for answered questions the prosecution. straight to the point, Delpleche. and his demeanor in cases in the box was exemplary. In my 2015, were Sergeant Katherine opinion, Corporal Duncan is an Robinson of the Narcotics Unit, excellent police officer.”

Sergeant Nolan Dalaway and PC In that matter, Garraway was Bowens, both of the Rapid sentenced to six years in prison for possession of a 9 mm firearm, Response Union (RRU). He was and three for having seven rounds unable to recall the name of the others offhand, but used the of 9mm ammunition.

Jackson received a five-year jail opportunity to commend them all for their performances. term for possession of the gun, The prosecutor admitted, and three years for having the “Some cases fell,” but added, “they ammunition.

The sentences handed down by are what I call borderline cases Chief Magistrate Rechanne that could have gone either way.

Browne-Matthias run Justice is not only for the concurrently in respect to both prosecution, it is also for the men. defence.”

The story, headlined ‘Vigilant Delpleche also noted that he action: Two imprisoned’, was withdrew some matters because of carried on page 6 of the November the lack of evidence, concluding 20 issue of THE VINCENTIAN. that there could not have been a Among the several other police successful prosecution because of officers who, in Delpleche’s the insufficiency of evidence in opinion, stood out in giving these matters. evidence in a number of other

DPP: Other persons likely to be charged OTHER persons are likely to be charged with similar or other offences to what owner of Nice Radio Douglas DeFreitas is expected to be charged.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams made the confirmation when contacted by THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. He did not reveal who these ‘other’ persons were or are likely to be.

The DPP also confirmed that DeFreitas is expected to be charged with the publication of false news likely to cause fear or alarm. The charge is expected to be laid under Section 64 of the Criminal Code.

De Freitas’ charge reportedly stems from comments he made on Nice Radio, the morning following the results of the December 9 general elections.

DeFreitas was taken into police custody on Thurday, December 10, in connection with those comments.

Reports are that DeFreitas was apprehended at

Colin Williams, DPP, pointed to more persons other than Douglas De Freitas making false statements that could cause alarm.

the ET Joshua airport and taken into custody. He was released the following morning to facilitate his travel abroad for medical attention, and should be back by January 5.

Former talk show host Elwardo Lynch, now deceased, had also been convicted and fined for publishing false news likely to cause fear or alarm.

The charge stemmed from comments Lynch had made some years ago on the New Democratic Party’s sponsored ‘New Times’ programme on Nice Radio.

Prosecutor reveals biggest problem in 2015 SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche has reiterated a call for police investigators to have their case files ready for matters to be ventilated in Court.

Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN on Monday that his biggest problem in 2015 from a prosecutorial standpoint, was getting case files on time from some investigators. This resulted in him having to make several applications to the Court for adjournments.

Some of these applications, according to him, were successful but others were unsuccessful.

“I am asking once again for investigators to have their case files ready so that the matters could be ventilated in Court,’ he urged.

“When the police make an arrest, they have all the time in the world to investigate the matter.

However, once the case is placed before the Court, the Court now has charge of the matter, and, according to law, the matter ought to be disposed of within a reasonable time. Having the matter lingering in the court for any long, inordinate time can amount to an abuse of process,” explained Delpleche, a trained lawyer.

“As the old legal maxim goes, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’,” he concluded.

The Senior Prosecutor hopes that in 2016 and beyond, investigators would have their case files ready.

He, however, pointed out that, despite this major problem and a few minor challenges, in his opinion, 2015 was a successful year for the prosecution at the Serious Offences Court.

Medical student charged with deception A 23-YEAR-OLD Nigerian medical student here was taken before the Serious Offences Court on Monday, charged with deception.

Osunde Uyi Great is accused of dishonestly obtaining EC$10,000 in cash by deception, the property of the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Osunde Uyi Osunde is alleged to have Great committed the offence on December 16, 2015.

The Nigerian pleaded not guilty when he stood before Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne Matthias.

He was granted bail in the sum of $12,000 on condition that he report to the Central Police Station on Mondays and Fridays, and surrender his travel documents.

The court also ordered that stop notices be placed at all ports of entry and exit.

The matter has been adjourned to February 17.

Attorney Grant Connell represented the Nigerian.

V Vincy-owned restaurant is tops 4. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

New York, when he was only 10 years old, and once A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL dreamed of PUBLICATION has rated a becoming a Vincentian-owned restaurant in Seventh day Brooklyn, New York as the “top” Adventist place to eat well and cheaply in minister, is 2015. the one The New York Times said “presiding that The Food Sermon in under high Rawlston Williams, owner of and chef at the Crown Heights, in the windows at Food Sermon, is a theology-school dropout who found salvation in the kitchen. epicenter of the Caribbean this bright community in central Caribbean roti skins folded like pocket Brooklyn, is the leading counter spot, with reverence squares, or oxtail surrendering restaurant, among 10 to dine. for fresh ingredients and the its soul to the rice below, The restaurant, owned by patience to coax flavors to blackened by sofrito and Rawlston Williams, formerly of fruition.” burned sugar.”

Upper Questelles, opened its It said dishes are “generous, The Food Sermon — which is doors earlier this year. It details exacting, as with goat located at 355 Rogers Ave., at serves a clientele that is curry (otherwise known as Sullivan Place, in Crown largely White. curry goat) under a nimbus of Heights — was first opened as The Times said that cumin, presented alongside a catering kitchen, “with a few Williams, 38, who migrated to Stories and Photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT

The Food Sermon was never intended to be a restaurant, just a catering kitchen with a few dishes for standing-roomonly customers. dishes for standing guests, who quickly shared the word,” the Times said.

“Now there are stools and, painted across old electric meter boards, a phrase – ‘We believe in you!’ – that is both

Vincentian women negatively portrayed in electioneering

Sherrill-Ann Mason-Haywood, community advocate, has called for a new and realistic narrative about Vincentian women.

A PROMINENT VINCENTIAN community advocate and educator in New York has lamented what she views

as the negative image being portrayed of women, saying that they emerged on the “losing side” of recent electioneering in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Having just witnessed the conclusion of what she characterized as “a vicious election season” in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sherrill-Ann MasonHaywood told the 6th Annual Dinner/Dance and Awards Ceremony of the fast-rising group, VincyCares, Inc., on Saturday night, that she weeps for “the injured soul of our nation.

“Among other injuries, I saw firsthand how far women have not gone since the birth of our nation,” said MasonHaywood in delivering the keynote address on the theme, “Women Who Empower Our Nation”, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn.

“While there is still debate about the winners and losers of the election polls, the image of women has emerged on the losing side of our electioneering,” added the daughter of the late Vincentian cricketing legend Frank O. ‘F.O.’ Mason and Kathleen ‘Kip’ Mason, of New Montrose, Kingstown.

Mason-Haywood, a community development specialist, with expertise in education and human development, said that “the overarching images” of Vincentian women in the election campaigns were that of “sexual weapons; victims; window dressings; political pawns; sheeple; and, for the most part, supporters — not leaders.

“The issue of women generally was not shown in a positive light,” said the general secretary of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York, Inc., which is chaired by her husband, Maxwell Haywood.

“Sadly, it was used for political

expediency — and not for the genuine upliftment of women or our nation.

“This reality has demonstrated the urgency with which we must work to highlight women as positive contributors to our nation’s development,” added the Academic Support Coordinator for the Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College, City University of New York.

“We, as Vincentians, have got to show the world that Vincentian women are not only victims, but Vincentian women are strong,” she continued. “Think deeply about the resilience of our women, and you will see the strength of which I speak.”

The former National Under 23 netball captain, therefore, said that “The urgent task is to change the narrative about our women, so that women are seen as agents of change, and human beings, possessing agency to effect change in their own lives and the life of the nation.”

She regretted that much of the narrative currently about Vincentian women is “that of women as victims of domestic and work place violence, victims of rape, victims of men’s desires, sexual objects and submissive actors.

“While acknowledging these realities, we must not let that be our dominant frame of reference,” she said. “We must seek to showcase more of the stories of women like the ones who are being honored tonight”.

She said there was also need to “get to the place where, like Canadian President [Justin] Trudeau, who, when questioned about why he appointed women to 50 percent of his Cabinet positions, simply said: ‘Because it’s 2015!’”

“We must show women in a more positive light,” Mason-Haywood added.

“We must show women as courageous.”

an injunction and a promise,” it said.

Other restaurants on the top 10 list are: No. 2 Mr. Curry in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn; no. 3.

Plant Love House in Elmhurst, Queens; no. 4.

Okonomi in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; no. 5. Kopitiam, Canal Street (Orchard Street), Lower East Side, Manhattan; no. 6. La Morada , Willis Avenue (East 141st Street), the Bronx; and no. 7. Haldi, Lexington Avenue (East 27th Street), Kips Bay, Manhattan.

The others are: No. 8.

Izakaya, East Sixth Street (First Avenue), East Village, Manhattan; no. 9. Patacon Pisao, Essex Street (Rivington Street), Lower East Side, Manhattan; and no. 10. Crêpes Canaveral (Jean-Christophe has left his ticket-booth-sized kitchen attached to the William Barnacle Tavern since the review, but he has plans to open in a larger space, perhaps as soon as February or March; no current address; 347-278-5342).

Williams, who is also the head chef of The Food Sermon, has been creating quite a stir in Brooklyn, with rave reviews from a large number of publications in the New York metropolitan area.

He has been serving up delicious, bellies-full to predominantly White patrons.

No doubt, Caribbean food is a mainstay of Crown Heights; but “the extraordinary brightness of the flavors, as if a veil has dropped,” elevates the Food Sermon, according to the New York Times.

“With each bite, I experienced a kind of sinking in, as if I were the one yielding to the dish and not the other way around,” writes Ligaya Mishan for the Times.

Mishan says Williams has a “gift for meat”, despite being raised as a Seventh-day Adventist vegetarian.

V Cuban tourism flying high

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 5.

Regional

The arrival of tourists to Cuba from different countries reached 1,389,712 people, according to figures published on the official website of the government of Cuba.

an increase on the number of people who visited in total last year, i.e. 3,002,745, which was a record year for tourist arrivals in Cuba.

The data at hand indicate that as of the end of November 2015, Canada was the main source of tourists to the island, with an increase of 12.1 percent, followed by Germany (26 percent), United Kingdom (26.5 percent), France (33.1 percent), Italy (18.3 percent) and Spain (35 percent).

The word is that since the presidents of Cuba and the United States announced, in November 2014, their intention to move towards normalization of relations, the flow of tourists to the island has not stopped growing.

Professor and researcher Jose Luis Perello, of the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Havana, bears this out when he assessed that the change in US policy toward Cuba has acted as an incentive for all source markets to travel to Cuba.

There is the notion that Cuba remains a major attraction, given the desire for people the world over, to want to discover the “forbidden fruit” of the Caribbean, so mystified because of the The historic shift in diplomatic relations between the United America’s ban on travel to that States and Cuba could be an opportunity for the island to Caribbean island and its trade embargo emerge as one of the biggest competitors in the Caribbean in a broader sense. tourist market.

EVEN BEFORE regular and direct commercial flights between Cuba and the United States are formalised, a development that is expected to result in an influx of American and America-resident visitors to that Caribbean island, Cuba, is already proving itself to be an increasingly popular tourist destination.

According to preliminary date from Havana, from January to November 3, 2015, some 3,139,837 people travelled to the country. This figure translates into a 17.6% increase compared to the figure recorded for the same period in 2014.

In fact, the figure up to November 3, 2015, shows

Presidential pardon for 11 women in Guyana IN WHAT HE said will become a practice by his office, President David Granger of Guyana has taken the first step in that direction, and pardoned eleven women.

President Granger, in his weekly television programme, explained that he hopes to make it a tradition to pardon young women for Christmas, and young men for Guyana’s Independence.

He said special attention is to be given to mothers.

“My emphasis is on women, women who are mothers and also parents of young children. I want them to be home for Christmas.”

Many of those eleven women who received pardons for Christmas 2015 were convicted for nonviolent crimes. They were scheduled to be released last Monday, December 21.

In justifying his decision, the President argued,

according to a report in the Guyana Chronicle, that the longer a person remains in prison, the higher the likelihood that the person may become a repeated offender.

“I do feel that if a person remains in jail too long, he or she will become a habitual or President David repetitive offender, whereas if Granger intends to he was given a chance to make use his a turnaround in his life and Presidential follow a good career, a useful authority to grant career,” the Chronicles quotes pardons at least President Granger as saying. twice a year.

He warned, though, that any of those who were pardoned and who found themselves back in jail, will have to serve out their full sentences, and “would make themselves ineligible in my eyes, for release again….. If given an opportunity and they waste the opportunity, then they will serve the time,” he said.

In answer to his critics, President Granger assured that those pardoned will not have their criminal record erased, and explained that a decision to pardon will be on the advice of the Ministry of Public Security.

The decision is “not arbitrary,” he said.

Plans are afoot in Guyana to establish rehabilitation services for those who have been pardoned.

The New Amsterdam prison in Guyana that houses female (Source: Guyana Chronicle) prisoners.

Lady Saw on a new mission MARION HALL, who for years belted out some of the raunchiest lyrics under the deejay sobriquet Lady Saw, is preaching a new message.

According to a report carried in the Jamaica Observer, Hall, just a week after ‘surrendering her life to Christ’, made her way to an area in Portmore known as ‘Back Road’, ‘famous’ for its open prostitution and cheap motels, where she delivered a ‘message from God’, apparently to a particular ‘lady of the night’.

‘God has The 43-year-old Hall told spoken to me,” the Jamaica Observer that she says Marion was in bed Saturday night Hall, aka Lady when God gave her a message saw. to give to a prostitute on Back Road (Port Henderson Road), who she was informed recently got saved and is planning to get baptised. “...I went by Back Road ’cause that’s where He sent me and He gave me a name. For God to give me a name out of everybody’s name and... that was a unique name, not really a common one,” Hall told the Observer.

While searching for the young woman, Hall said she heard one person laughing. She said she was not offended, as she remembered how Jesus and His disciples were also ridiculed.

Hall, who had gone with her brother, said it took her 10 minutes to locate the young woman.

“But she say, ‘It’s not me.’ But I told her, ‘Is you God send me to,” Hall recounted. “I prayed for the person and embraced her and said, ‘Lord, whatever you send me here to do for this person, just put words in my mouth,’ and I did what I had to do and go home.”

Hall said she has been getting numerous invitations from Christians to address their churches, but she is awaiting God’s direction of her movement.

Asked about her Christian goals, Hall said she wants to become a minister, and that God has already told her that she’s going to have her own church.

Hall said that despite what critics have been saying about her, her previous baptism at the age of 12 and her previous announcements about One of the many Lady Saw images during her walking with Christ, this is the “real thing”. heyday as one of (Source: Jamaica Jamaica’s leading Observer) deejays.

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6. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 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

What is this day we call Christmas?

WHAT IS THIS DAY we call Christmas? That day that we expect should dawn with a chorus of joy?

What is this day, the day we remember as the dawn of a new message of hope, but which was in its originality, a cold almost unblessed day?

As a country — not yet a republic — that protects the right of conscience — of religious affiliation and practice — we cannot all genuflect in observance of the chorus of joy that this day brings, for that joy is all about the birth of the Christian saviour.

Yet, in our context, there is something about the day that attracts the attention, a variety of religious expressions in an otherwise and currently tense atmosphere that blankets this land.

We can all join in the celebration on the birthday of the Baby Jesus, with the hope, the prayer that that seemingly elusive gift of ‘peace to mankind on earth’ would not play coop with us and find some unreachable hiding place.

In that union, we would demonstrate that what Christmas Day promises is common to all of us, even if we don’t accept the Christ Child as the Prince of Peace. The commonality on which this day stands has something to do with the fact that we all strive towards fulfilment of a promise of perfection, even as we grapple in an imperfect world.

This is a time, more than ever, when we should sing together the praises of Christmas; praise the awe-struck children as they marvel at the transformation Christmas decorations bring; praise the resilience and capacity of parents as they scraped through the challenges thrown up by the raw edges and unequal state of opportunities of life; praise the tolerance of the elders who take unto themselves the task of bending the branches of a younger generation back in line with tried and tested values.

This is not to impose any impression that all is well, for we have made earlier reference to the imperfection of the world. For to do so is to deny that we are also obligated to ‘shed tears’ for those beyond the safety of a home; those who cry from the pains of loneliness; those who are unloved, deserted and desolate; those who are hungry and homeless; those who are aged and uncared; those who are illclothed and unprotected; those who are physically and mentally ill; those who are the victims of abuse — children, women; those who have fallen prey to narcotic drugs and alcohol; those who are helpless and are victims of crime.

Let us also remember, in our rejoicing on the one hand, and our sadness and disappointment on another, occasioned by the events of December 9, 2015, that the joy of Christmas comes with our sharing of our humanity. Even in our passion and over-exuberance so occasioned, let us also remember that we are but living our inheritance, and that the common and most demanding of commandments common to the world’s religions and philosophies, is that we love one another.

Our wish at THE VINCENTIAN is that the peace of Christmas should reign everlastingly throughout our land, and may the blessings of Christmas be poured abundantly upon each and every citizen of this land.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

ElectionSplit for Christmas 2015 THANK HEAVENS the day after tomorrow will be Christmas Day 25th December 2015.

We have emerged from a hectic election period 8 : 7 which is inconclusive in that the party of unlucky 7 is questioning the result before court, specifically asking that the Central Leeward Seat be declared theirs, not the U.L.P’s and, if successful, that the complexion of the government be changed from the U.L.P to the N.D.P and, more pointedly, that Arnhim Eustace be declared the duly elected Prime Minister of the State of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

I repeat that the electoral period was agitational in the extreme without descending to the depths of violence, which we hope and trust will remain peaceful after the final Court ruling on the result. Meanwhile, the populace is committed through sackcloth and ashes, especially during the Christmas season, that all will be well, though miraculously and contrary to the run of play so far.

There can be a spiritual intervention, a divine happening.

Speaking for myself, I have been unusually quiet through continuing illhealth, but my pen at least breathed a smouldering fire in parts.

I spent the last three months reflecting largely on recent deaths of dear friends — Dr. Erling Harry in Chicago; my close friend Pat Mitchell of Bequia, who discovered my writing gift as early as 1966; our dear George Howard, who indeed has called it George; and a legal associate Grafton Isaacs, a good human being whose official send-off was unnecessarily wreathed with questionable tributes.

The real highlight of my Christmas this year was the singing of my Kingstown Chorale one week before Christmas, which it heralded with the usual charm, joyousness, and warmth in the beautiful natural setting of the Beachcombers Hotel, next to my home.

I have to admit that at my stage of hardened arteries, they still produce pimples on me and cause real tears to

flow, especially the two pieces which were encored again and again — ‘Ponsietta Blossom’ sung by Clifford Edwards, and ‘Mary, Did You Know?’

I saw many of my old friends in the chair, and particularly the lead singing girls, who will be nameless and have had to curb their writhing movements due to creeping age. But not so the choir mistress Jeanne Horne, who still maintains her verve and excitement, and performed less than a foot in front of me, allowing me a rare rear-view.

I marvel at the Kingstown Chorale which celebrates its sixtieth year of performances in 2016. There is in S.V.G no group of persons of all classes, races, religious persuasion and political affiliation, that has kept together so lovingly for 60 years. The only devotee of the Chorale missing was Cecil Cyrus, but his first-born Helen, who lives in England, represented him at the gala presentation.

Actually, there is a niece of mine who will be 70 years old on Christmas day — Joye Browne who was born at my home, her maternal grandmother’s, at Rose Place, Bottom Town.

I had been born in the same home on 17th April 1938 on an Easter Sunday morning, rising with Christ! My own mother had been born at Fancy, of Garifuna descent, on the 24th March 1893, on a Good Friday when Christ was crucified.

Finally, my sister Inez, who for some time claimed me as her son instead of her brother, had been born on the 6th of January, the date of the manifestation of Christ, Epiphany. My birthday has fallen on three Easter Sundays in seventy-seven years.

I have to check on Bassy as to whether the birth dates form a ring of meaningful significance in religious history. Will he work some fu-fu with the double sevens of 77 years old, bearing in mind that Ralph’s number is 69 (years old) meant in an otherwise clean election that he would have been given a 6 for a 9 !

Oh, for a good laugh this Christmas, provided that the last laugh is NOT on me.

A blessed Christmas to all citizens, red and yellow alike.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 7.

Leader of the Opposition’s Christmas Message

Let us celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus in one accord national conscience and our fledgling economy.

This Christmas season, I am overcome HRISTMAS has with gratitude for all of always been the the blessings the most important Almighty God has event of the year in my bestowed on me. My wife household. Truly the most and partner, Jennifer, festive birthday still stands by my side celebration in honour of after some 40 years of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We marriage. My children, clean house top to bottom, Maia and Ajene, have prepare delicious meals grown to be principled and give gifts to our and kind adults, and my children and loved ones in beautiful grandchildren, his holy name.

Ayinde, Nneka, Kelechi This Christmas is no and Chinwe, are happy, exception. However, energetic and full of love. there is a solemn My cup runneth over. undertone to this year’s This gratitude is just festivities — a reminder half of the story, for with of the staggering task all of these blessings that confronts us as a comes great people. This is an responsibility — a duty extraordinary time in our that we all share as nation’s history. A time Vincentians. As blessed that must be faced head as we all are to be on if we are to halt the citizens of this beautiful downward spiral of our nation, the half of the moral fabric, our story seldom told is the

by ARNHIM EUSTACE, Political Leader of the New Democratic Party

C

responsibility that citizenship demands.

This charge binds us as a people, and at times calls us to action. Make no mistake, such time is upon us. We will not give in to corruption, we will not be swayed by bribery, we will not succumb to fear. Over the past 14 years, this nation has already undergone its tribulation. Industries have been destroyed, peace and security are no more, our private sector is hobbled. We will not relinquish our democracy, our right to choose our government.

During these difficult political and economic times, let us all be mindful of the grace that covers us with the love and protection of Jesus Christ, whose immaculate birth millions of us will celebrate in a few days. I

know that the majority of Vincentians are incensed by the attack on our democracy in the recent general elections; we must not be ungrateful for the very life God has granted us. Use this gift to safeguard the democratic rights our ancestors wrought from the hands of our colonizers. Use your life to preserve this most sacred right of citizenship - your vote.

I have a vision for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, It can only become reality if we all commit to putting our petty differences aside, and standing for what is right and not what is politically expedient.

This Christmas, give yourselves a glimpse of what St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be.

This Christmas, let us be one St. Vincent and

the Grenadines. Let us celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in one accord.

Hug your children, embrace your parents.

Although the curtains in the window may be Leader of the Opposition, yellow, red, green or blue, go house to house Hon. Arnhim Eustace spreading the cheer and joy of the season, as brothers and sisters of in days of old, and share Yuromein. Those of you who spontaneously took your feasts with those less fortunate among us. to the streets of Place your confidence Kingstown and Layou, who have been protesting in the Almighty God at the electoral office that even against every day, represent the insurmountable odds, best in us, and I salute justice will prevail, the you. To you, I offer my Conquering Lion shall love and admiration. break every chain. Rest To those who have assured that, God sought to undermine our willing, the New democracy and usurp the Democratic Party along will of the people - God with Vincentians who and History will believe in justice, will remember your continue to fight for the judgement. democratic rights of our Merry Christmas and people. It is my honour a Just and Prosperous to fight along with you New Year to you all!

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8. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The Christmas history

“CHRISTMAS has been a season of mixed interests and meanings, but the very foundation, of course, is its religious significance. No matter what other personal desires or crises we have faced, I’ve never forgotten that this is the time to celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus, and the impact of this event on the history of the world.” - JIMMY CARTER, Christmas in Plains: Memories Adults have a responsibility and privilege of sharing insights about key local and world events with their wards. At this time of year, as we pause to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, it is important that we share the historic event of His coming to earth with those around us. It is not to be considered a “Christmas Story” — it is a “Christmas History”. It actually happened. He came from heaven and was born of the Virgin Mary.

History does not record the actual day and date of His birth. However, humanity opted to set aside December 25th as the day when we commemorate this historic event. The birth of Jesus Christ has impacted mankind for good. Many communities and cultures cherish this time of year when so many activities centre on this life-changing historic moment.

The prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, foretold the birth of Jesus Christ more than seven hundred years before it actually occurred. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah (Chapter 7:14; Chapter 9: 6-7) we discover that Jesus Christ of Nazareth would be no ordinary child — His mission would be to save the world of sin, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness.

In the early chapters of the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke, we read of the wise men and shepherds receiving the good news, and how excited they were as they searched for the Christ Child. But they were not the only ones searching.

King Herod had also heard of His birth, and was determined to destroy this perceived threat. Mary’s husband, Joseph, being warned in a dream, foils King Herod’s cruel plan to kill all of the baby boys who would be around Baby Jesus’ age, hurriedly takes his family to a safe place in Egypt.

The second chapter in Matthew confirms that the wise men that were seeking the Baby Jesus, brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Over the years, largely because the three gifts were mentioned, mankind assumed that there were three wise men. However, the biblical records never indicated how many they were.

All we know is that they brought three types of gifts.

These presents were all significant.

We are told that gold is one of the most precious metals on earth. It does not oxidise (rust). It represents the highest prestige, purity and longevity. Jesus Christ was (and still is) God’s most precious gift to mankind. Frankincense is one of the fragrances used in producing the holy incense that was regularly burned in the temple. The Old Testament book of Exodus (Chapter 30:34-38) describes the significance of this item in mankind’s early worship. We are told that this gift indicated the kind of holy life that Jesus would live and His earthy ministry. Exodus 30: 22-33 describes the use of myrrh in the

olden days. Extracts from this highly fragrant spice, preservative, and perfume, had been used for medicine and for anointing the priests. We could therefore understand and appreciate how this gift therefore portrayed Christ’s priesthood.

Having had a glimpse of the Christmas History, we should also consider how it has helped to shape the present and have a positive influence on the future. This same Baby Jesus has given the gift of salvation to mankind. The gift of salvation is the greatest gift of all.

Accepting Christ’s gift of salvation is the most significant decision that any of us will ever make. This determines where we will spend eternity. Those who accept the gift will spend eternity in heaven. Those who choose to reject God’s gift of salvation will experience an eternity of damnation. This critical choice determines where we spend eternity. Thus, even amidst the Christmas celebrations and reunions, we must not lose sight of the purpose of His coming to earth, and how that impacts our lives.

Accepting His gift of salvation makes a world of difference to how we live now and where we will live after we have drawn our last breath on this earth. Salvation is the greatest gift that we can ever receive.

As we consider the gifts that we will give this Christmas, it is so very important that we seek to provide presents that portray our noble intentions. The cost and appearance are not as important as their underlying intent. We can so very often become caught up by the packaging and the glitter, but lose sight of the significance of the actual gift. Books have been counted among some of my most treasured gifts.

They may not have cost the giver much, but they certainly conveyed many warm thoughts that seem to be renewed each time I see them. We also seem to touch a positive emotional cord when we provide gifts that dovetail with the recipient’s interest. Again, the present may not be very expensive, but will have the ability to create and sustain unending warmth.

Many of our families, churches, neighbourhoods, and workplaces are considered dreary and uninviting, as a result of strained relationships and a feeling of un-forgiveness. The Christmas history revolves around mankind’s need for forgiveness and reconciliation. That was Jesus’ purpose for coming to earth. Jesus Christ was God’s way of reconciling mankind to Himself. We can create and sustain stronger communities when we accept the challenge to be instruments of peace and reconciliation. This Christmas season, as we reflect on the Christmas history, let us seek opportunities to build and strengthen the bridges of love, peace, and goodwill throughout and beyond our communities.

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

2015 Elections: Winners, losers and lessons IT IS NOW TWO WEEKS since decision 2015. The ULP retained control of the government. Gonsalves proudly sits as one of the rare breed of politicians elected to serve as PM for at least four 5-year terms. Although the NDP cried foul and filed an elections petition in the court, evidence that the whole fraud charge was nothing more than a tempest in a teapot, can be gleaned from the fact that Eustace, who initially said that the opposition will not take up the 7 seats it won, has changed his mind, and will take the oath of office when the parliament meets next Tuesday.

The biggest loser of the December 9th poll was the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP). Not only has it lost 4 in a row, but the party will have to go all the way back to 1998 to list an election where it won the popular vote. This fact represents a big failure, and exposes the weaknesses in the party strategy and tactics, particularly around the fundamental issue of messaging.

There is no bigger loser than Arnhim Eustace. He was handpicked by party founder, James Mitchell, who has more than once expressed profound regret with his choice, and disappointment with Eustace’s performance as leader. Eustace and most of his followers must also be disheartened over this most recent loss. He is now at the end of his political career, and has nothing to show for his days in politics, apart from a string of narrow victories in East Kingstown. Signs that his end was near can be seen from the performance of Luke Browne, the star of the 2015 elections, who lost by a mere 145 votes.

Therefore, it is beyond belief that Eustace shamelessly continues to hold on to the leadership of the party.

Worse, it is mind boggling that no one in the party hierarchy has demanded that Eustace give up control of the party before they are sworn in. A new leader would have a big say in who the 2 new senators will be. The fact that no one has come forward indicates a crisis of leadership in that party. A failed and aging leader refuses to step aside, and those below him are too timid to step forward and demand change. Small wonder they could not get change in the country because they do not have the political skill and persuasive power to engineer change within their own ranks.

For the sake of our polity sections of civil society sympathetic to the NDP or for the love of the country and our political democracy, we must let Eustace and the entire NDP leadership know that the party requires a major shake-up if it is to be seriously considered as a major political player in our country. St Clair Leacock’s call for fresh legs, immediately after the 2010 elections, takes on an even greater urgency.

Another loser is Dr Linton Lewis, who was soundly beaten by the newcomer Camillo Gonsalves.

Gonsalves’ success was no mystery to keen observers, but must have been a shocker to NDP pundits and supporters, who are fed a constant diet of diatribe. Dr Lewis, known as the 2,3,4 man because he was beaten four times by three different

politicians in 2 constituencies, is dead on arrival and must kiss his ambition to lead SVG good bye. Lewis had a multiplicity of problems which should not have haunted such a self-made and accomplished national, but his biggest problem was his haughty, puffed up attitude. Ole people will say he was ‘fart frightened.’ And that was his undoing.

Another big NDP loser was Dr Ferdinand. Accomplished in business and academia, many saw him as a potential leader of the NDP and future PM. But at his age and with the margin of victory of Ces Mc Kie, Jules will have to call it George.

There are a number of big winners in the ULP camp. Camillo, Saboto, Gustaus and Jimmy consolidated ULP support in long time labour constituencies. And there are ULP winners even among those who did not win. Luke Browne and Carlos James are obvious picks. Even yours truly, considering all the hurdles and hoops over and through which we were forced to pass, came within striking distance, and put a scare in the NDP camp. The tremendous work done by Team Jomo garnered 2,620 and pushed us past the 2001 performance of Douglas Slater. With a little more strategic planning, focus intervention and tactical foresight, we could have easily gone past 3000 votes and turned South Leeward into a bastion of labour. ‘Nuff thing dey fo talk, but time nah dey’, the elders caution.

Even though the ULP vanquished the NDP again and registered a swing in the votes in every constituency except Central Kingstown, it cannot afford to gloat. There are serious flaws that a proper and dispassionate review must seek to redress. For the second election cycle, PM Gonsalves won by a cliff hanger. For the second time Central Leeward became the saving grace. Yet there is no evidence that a concerted effort was made to shore up ULP standing in that area.

In fact, the entire government rested on the return of Sir Louis to active politics. His stature saved labour in the end.

In the end, the elections showed that, while the presence of the candidates on the ground is an important ingredient for success, the governing party must do more things that touch and concern the daily needs of the people. People must be offered real reasons as to why they should vote for a given party. An attractive or enlightened candidate may be insufficient.

There is also tangible evidence that handouts just before an elections might turn off and turn away from the polls strong party supporters who watch on as persons less in need, or many opposed to their party get assistance while they remain in dire need.

There are lessons to be drawn.

Let’s see which of the parties really win the sweepstakes of 2015.

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

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THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY , DECEMBER 23, 2015. 9.

Christmas Messages- SVG Green Party & Christian Council

Moving towards a low carbon economy

by MR IVAN O’NEAL, Leader of SVG Green Party FEW WEEKS AGO, the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21, was held in Paris, France. It was the 21st annual meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 United Nations Framework

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Convention on Climate Change.

The agreement calls for zero net man-made greenhouse gas emissions to be reached during the second half of the 21st century to limit global warming. In the adopted version of the Paris Agreement, the parties will also “pursue efforts to” limit the temperature increase to

1.5 °C compared to preindustrial levels. The 1.5 °C goal will require zero emissions sometime between 2030 and 2050, according to some scientists.

As we draw near the end of the year, SVG should look to set goals in 2016 to limit its greenhouse gas emissions and play its part in the global fight

against climate change.

SVG should be moving towards a low carbon economy.

In order to move towards a low carbon economy, SVG needs to invest in renewable energy and move away from oil-produced electricity. Our country is blessed with natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain and

God is love

by SVG CHRISTIAN COUNCIL EAR SISTERS and Brothers,

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Two thousand years ago, Christ was born in a stable among the animals. There was no room for him in the inn! Today, Christ is born in our hearts, our lives and in our beloved land.

Emmanuel, God is with us!

We greet you in the name of him who loves us infinitely more than we could ever imagine; the God who became flesh and dwells among us. It is this God we celebrate in our unique Vincentian way, and made evident in our Nine Morning festivities among others.

This Christmas we are challenged again to find Christ in the midst of growing our young democracy. The December 2015 elections are over. A new Cabinet has been sworn-in and the governance of our country has been entrusted to both those who commanded the majority of votes and those who would form the opposition.

The presumption of ‘free and fair’ Elections has been challenged. It is important that due process takes its course. Our democracy makes provision for this. This is not the first time the results at the polls are contested in our beloved homeland.

But ‘what must we do’ is a rhetorical question which was asked by those who approached John the Baptist for baptism (Lk 3:10-14). This primary Advent figure, the precursor of Jesus, had the task of preparing the way of the Lord (cf. Isa 40:3-5).

And he did so without compromise. What must we do to prepare for Jesus’s coming in St. Vincent and the Grenadines today?

Each year as Christmas approaches, the obvious and worrying signs of the primacy of money, the commercialization of

the season, the obsession with possessions and possessing, seem to take precedence over the true meaning of Christmas. Even more striking is the visible presence of the poor and impoverished in the city.

God is love, he who lives in God, lives in love. Are we prepared to will the good of the other? The one who wears or is of a different color from me? The one who is of a different religious or political persuasion from me?

Love is the only thing that will not hurt my neighbor (Rom 13:10). We’re one Vincentian people under God! Let us prepare for his coming with concrete acts of love and kindness to each other.

Christmas is a timely reminder that God so willed human good and human flourishing, that he ‘gave away’ his only Son so that we may know, without a doubt, that God’s everlasting love anticipates us every day. The Son rises before the sun.

‘What must we do’ as genuine inquiry into right living is also answered for us by the prophet Micah of 8th century Israel, who prophesied the coming of the Messiah (5:2). What the Lord requires of his people is ‘to act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (6:8; NIV). If indeed we allow our faith to inform our living, then Vincentians cannot overlook the imperatives of justice, mercy and humility in governance, civil proceedings and moral living.

Israel’s prophets constantly called God’s people back to the basics of covenant relationship with the Lord (Love of God and love of neighbour — Deut 6:4 and Lev 19:18).

What must we do? Our recent elections reminded us that all politicians make promises. We must hold all public figures to the highest standards of integrity and nation building.

The Christmas narrative reflects that there is really only one answer, Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God whose coming we celebrate at this time.

He assumed our humanity so that human beings could achieve God’s aspirations for us.

Through the gift of his selfgiving love, and sacrificial death, he revealed the immense love of the Father for all mankind. The question of ‘What must we do’, therefore, finds its appropriate response in Jesus Christ, the God-Man. He is the answer for the world and for Vincentian society today. We therefore offer Jesus Christ again, the one Lord and Saviour of the world, to all persons.

We wish you SHALOM — a peace which only comes when righteousness and justice walk hand in hand, together in the land.

Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Monsignor Michael Stewart, President Major Pierre Antoine, Vice President Rev’d Adolf Davis The Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday

tides.

Creating small, Vincentian-owned renewable energy companies, will help increase the amount of local entrepreneurs and also create jobs for our people. As these new renewable energy companies are Vincentianowned, it will increase the amount of Leader of the SVGGreen Party, money Ivan O’Neal circulating in our country, and significantly The Philippines’ reduce the amount of government pledged a 70 money we lose when per cent reduction in buying oil. carbon emissions as part Small, Vincentianof its 2030 agenda owned renewable energy commitment. This is in companies will bring addition to a previous prosperity to Vincentians commitment to countryand make electricity wide electrification. With cheaper and affordable. more than 7,100 islands, At present, thousands of of which many are poor households have no remote and sparsely electricity. The inhabited, delivering on technology for solar these commitments panels is not complex, comes with challenges, and it would be simple to but it is a big step in the vastly increase the right direction. amount of electricity SVG could learn from produced from solar the Philippines example. panels in SVG and At present, it seems as if provide cheaper SVG is going in the electricity to poor opposite direction to the households.

COP 21 Paris agreement During the five years under the ULP regime. from the end of 2004 This is bad for our through 2009, the environment and bad for worldwide renewable our economy too. For energy capacity grew at 2016, SVG needs a new rates of 10—60 percent direction — a low carbon annually. Grid-connected economy. photovoltaics increased Merry Christmas and the fastest of all a happy new year to all. renewables technologies, with a 60 percent annual www.svggreenparty.org average growth rate for Find us of Facebook and the five-year period.

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10. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Christmas Messages

Tell me the Story of Christmas

by DERMOTH BAPTISTE President - Seventh-day Adventist Church

VERY HUMAN being longs for a savior of some type. We look for someone or something that we can worship, that will solve our problems, ease our pain, or grant the most elusive goal of all, happiness. From the pursuit of success in business to the discovery of a perfect mate or friend, to the search for career fulfillment, we make our exploration.

The story of the Christ child entering human space and changing the course of history is a candid reminder that our search doesn’t have to be unending, for “Unto us a Savior is born, to us a Son is given, and the Government will be upon His shoulders.” In a world in which so much dreadful reports and horrific news infiltrate the news channel, which sometimes make our blood run cold and dull our sensibilities, it is heartwarming and encouraging to be reminded that God the Creator, who sets the world in motion, has not abandon this wayward planet, but is still very much with us. For in Him we move and dwell and owe our very existence.

At this time in our national history, when emotions run high and many are searching for answers or looking for solutions, isn’t it

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gratifying to again lift our eyes from that which is earthly, and recognize our beloved Savior as “the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace!” Isaiah 9:6. We are living in perplexing and dangerous times. If we fail to recognize Jesus, our Savior as the Man that the world needs most, then it is easy for us to become cynical, doubtful, fearful, contemptuous or rancorous.

Today, we need the assurance that the Lord who reigns in the highest heavens sets up Governments and takes them down at His own will for the governance of nations. Amidst the play and counter-play of nations, He is still ultimately in control, and will never surrender or retreat until His restoration plan for humanity is complete.

We need the “Wonderful Counselor” lest we wander in ignorance, pride and foolishness, and lose our way of no return. Man outside of Christ is like a walking time bomb that can explode at any time causing injury to self and others. Our Divine Counselor will guide us along the pathway of righteousness, truth and integrity.

We need the Savior who is “The Mighty God,” able to save, eager to keep and ready to preserve until the day of

His appearing. Sin is like an incurable cancer that sucks the core of our innermost being, leaving an empty shell of the likeness of God. Only our matchless, perfect Savior can lift us up from the mire of sin, and infuse in us His amazing grace for a new beginning.

We need an “Everlasting Father” who protects us from the onslaughts of the enemy

captivate our imagination and resonate in our minds until we choose to let Him into our hearts so that we can become like Him; kind, compassionate, pure, forgiving and considerate to one another. This is the only living, worthy, factual story of Christmas; “Christ Jesus invading human space to save sinners of whom I and provides our daily eventually work out am chief.” needs. A Father, who is right. The story of On behalf of the touched with the feelings Christmas is that Jesus is here with us, and will Seventh-day Adventist of our infirmities; who church, I wish everyone knows us by name, is ride out the storms in a joyous, Spirit- filled rich in mercy, and our lives, if we allow season and a prosperous, gladdens the heart when Him, so that we can happy New Year. As we we feel down and out. experience peace, venture out into the We need the “Prince of wonderful peace, unknown future, may we Peace” who can break satisfying and eternal never forget to put our peace. through our tensionfilled lives, and provide At this season of good- trust in Him, for He already knows the way! calmness, healing, will and cheer, may the Christmas message, reassurance and hope wonderful story of the 2015. that everything will loving, lowly Christ

Christmas greetings!

Rev: Harvey G W Caine [M.A] Pastor of the Barrouallie Wesleyan Holiness Church SAIAH 7:14 — “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

God uses His supernatural power to give us evidence that He; and He alone, can do amazing things.

This foretold virgin birth is only possible by God. It is important that Jesus is called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’ Jesus is unique. He is the Son of God (Matthew 3:17).

Jewish scholars agreed that Jesus would come from the descendants of King David (Isaiah 11:1-2) and be born in Bethlehem.

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, and while there, the time came for her baby to be born (Luke 2:36), This is why the Angels sang at His birth: “Glory to God in the Highest! And Peace on earth, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14.)

During the Christmas Season, people often spend more time with family than any other time of the year. And let’s face it; sometimes family members can challenge our love more than any other persons in our lives.

This year, let’s make sure that we guard the atmosphere of peace during family gatherings, and use your good intentions to help others so that they won’t open the door to offense. For example, when you see someone doing something differently from the

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way they should do it, what do you do? Do you try to ‘help’ them by offering your advice? Do you try to correct others when you know of a better way or disagree with their methods?

Most people already know their areas of weakness. They don’t really need to have someone point out their shortcomings or ‘fix’ them. If you think about it, when you set out to ‘fix’ someone, what you’re really saying is, you’re not good enough the way you are. But that’s not what people need. What people need is to know that they are loved unconditionally. They need to know they are approved and accepted, even when they may miss the mark.

People want to know that they can count on your love and support, no matter what happens.

We’re all guilty of trying to fix, teach or correct someone else. My aunt Lilius said to me as a child, “If I could open up your head and pour my knowledge into it, I would.”

But she couldn’t, and neither can I for my children or anyone else, and neither can you! Our job on this earth is not to fix everyone but to love and support them, and pray for God’s Grace to help them grow.

I encourage you to evaluate how you approach your relationships with family and friends. Begin by acknowledging the good you see in others. Tell them how proud you are of them and how they bring joy to your heart.

Use your words to strengthen others and deposit life into them.

Give people room to grow and serve up love this Christmas season! (1Peter 4:8) I wish a blessed Christmas to the government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and

a safe and peaceful 2016.

Let me extend a heartfelt “thank you” for the love and support during the past year: To my co-workers and the Board at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority, I am thankful to be working with you all, and as a new year approaches, I wish each of you Jesus, the true reason for this season!

To the Wesleyan Holiness Churches -St. Vincent District Board, all Pastors and Church workers, members and friends, may God continue to strengthen this body for the tasks ahead. The signs are everywhere.

To my family, relatives and friends, the members of my local church -The Barrouallie Wesleyan Holiness Church, you too have brought happiness into my life during my darkest hours. I am honoured to be your family and your friend, and as a new year approaches, I wish each of you love, peace, Good Health, and more so Happiness.

I love you all. I am praying that people everywhere will come to worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour this Christmas.

May Angels watch over us!

Stay Safe this Christmas.

Remember SAFETY FIRST and have a healthy Christmas.

God bless you!

Rev: Harvey G W Caine [M.A] Marriage Officer Pastor of the Barrouallie Wesleyan Holiness Church Email: harvey410@hotmail.com & hcaine@svgpa.com/www.barroual liechurch.org tel: 784-456-0296, 784-529-9083, 784-430-7370

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THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 11.

News

Francis is new Guild VP

PRESIDENT OF THE UWI Open Campus Guild Chapter of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Nick Francis, was inducted into the UWI Open Campus Guild of Students for the 2015/2016 academic year.

Mr. Francis was elected to the position of Vice President, with responsibility for Special Projects and Fundraising, earlier this year, and

participated in a special induction ceremony on Friday November 20th, 2015 with other members of the Guild Executive, at the Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal (AG) of the Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth and Campus Registrar, Mrs. Karen Ford-Warner, attended the ceremony.

The Hon. Damion Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment in Jamaica, was the featured speaker at the event. Minister Crawford shared his experiences as a past Guild President at the Mona Campus.

The Open Campus Student Guild Executive also engaged in a plenary session to address

Vincentian living abroad gives back Jones-Cupid, a product of the Dubois community, who has SOME 100 INMATES, along been residing in the United with staffers at the Lewis States for the past 35 years, Punnett Home at Glen, were on returned home specifically for Thursday, December 17 treated the event, at the same time to lunch at the institution, all using the opportunity to enjoy part of the love, joy and goodwill Christmas with her family. celebrated during this time of When contacted by telephone the year. on Monday, Jones-Cupid seemed The event was the initiative reluctant to comment much as of Ann Jones-Cupid, a she is of the view that charitable Vincentian employed in the activities should be done out of United States as an operating love and caring for the less room nurse. fortunate, and that publicity However, though Jones-Cupid would contradict the essence of organized the event using her the undertaking. own finances, it would not have However, responding to been possible without the questions from THE practical assistance of her sister VINCENTIAN, Jones-Cupid Ileen Jones, her brother-in-law said, “I just want to give back to Edison Young and the Campden my country, and one way of Park Baptist Church. doing that is to make people

by HAYDN HUGGINS

happy, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.”

She urged others to contribute to the less fortunate and under-privileged, no matter how small it is.

“If everybody would contribute a little, it would go a long way,” Jones-Cupid said, adding, “I hope this serves as a motivation to others.”

This is not the first time that Jones-Cupid has brought cheer to the Lewis Punnett Home.

She organized a similar activity there back in 2012, and for several years has been donating clothing and toiletries to that institution, with Ileen doing the coordination.

According to Jones-Cupid, “I like to work behind the scenes.”

pertinent matters and concerns of the student body, and to make plans for the remainder of their term.

Mr. Francis noted that he was grateful for the opportunity to represent the best interest of the Open Campus student body, and pledged to continue his work both locally and regionally to increase student satisfaction in the pursuit of their academic goals. (Contributed)

Nick Francis, new Vice President of the UWI Open Campus Guild of Students for the 2015/2016.

(Left to Right): Crystal Powell – PRO, Marcia DolorLashley - Vice President for Administration and Student Services, Britnee Williams – Secretary, Janiel Vanhorn - Post Graduate Representative, Aneka Lee – President, Nick Francis - Vice President for Special Projects and Fundraising, Natasha Jervier - Games Coordinator, Davinia Cartwright – Treasurer, Samantha Stewart - Returning Officer, Samantha Estell (absent from induction) - Committee Liaison Officer.

12. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 13.

News

Vincies join Christmas Cantata

America, and the The Men’s Chorale United States. rendered “We Three Vincentians and Kings,” and the Jamaicans, congregation sang on high however, “Away in a Manger;” predominate.

“Once in Royal David The over 2 ½City;” “Hark the Herald;” hour long event “Mary’s Boy Child;” “Go featured lusty Tell it on the Mountain;” singing by soloists “O, Little Town of and several of the Bethlehem;” “Silent church’s choirs and Night;” and “Joy to the the congregation, a World.” liturgical dance With congregants and scripture holding lit candles, the readings by the church’s African American youth, pastor, the Rev. Dr. encompassing the Maxine Nixon, reminded birth of Christ. them that Jesus is “the The Chancel light of the world,” adding The Junior Choir sings “Praises to the King.”

Choir sang “O that He “gives us light, Come Immanuel” Story and photos by and he gives us praise.”

Church in East Flatbush, and “Exulate Gloria,” with NELSON A. KING Rev. Nixon also noted Brooklyn, New York, in naking@verizon.net; celebrating the Christmas Registered Nurse Cynthia Jesus’s birth in a stable, Grant, formerly from kingnaking210@yahoo.com season at the church’s urging worshippers to Belmont, bordering the US CORRESPONDENT always “make room for” annual candlelight Marriaqua Valley, as Him. cantata. soloist.

With the theme ‘Unto “So we just need to The church, at the The lead choir also sang celebrate Jesus,” she said.

Us a Child is Born’, corner of Roger Avenue, is “Behold I Bring You Good “Hug on Jesus. The joy of Vincentians on Sunday dubbed a mini United Tidings”; “Glory to God;” joined congregants at the Nations, with members and “O, Holy Night,” century-odd old Fenimore from most Caribbean Street United Methodist islands, Central and South with Trinidadian Patricia Senhouse as soloist.

The Junior Choir electrified the evening with “Adam in the Garden,” “The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy” and “Praises to the King.”

The usually highoctane United Voices of Praise was solemn with “Mary Do You Know” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen;” while the Gospel Chorus “Call[ed] the Baby Jesus” and extolled that “Jesus [is] Shanelle Pringle performs The United Voices of Praise sings “Mary Do You the Light of the World.” liturgical dance.

Know”.

‘Hearts of Charity’ brings Christmas Cheer which nine persons lost their lives. Three persons ABOUT ONE HUNDRED are still unaccounted for. and fifty children from the Founder of the group, North Leeward town of Ms. Esther Davis, Chateaubelair were, on reported that she felt Sunday, 20th December, particularly moved to give treated to an exhilarating back to the” land of my experience when the birth” after that disaster.

Vincentian New YorkImmediately following based group ‘Hearts of its passage, Ms. Davis Charity’ held a Christmas commenced on a mission party to whip up some to help restore some form Christmas cheer. of normalcy to the lives of The Christmas affair Vincentian residents, was held at the specifically those of Chateaubelair Methodist Buccament and School, and saw children Vermont. This ranging from ages one to year’s fifteen years savouring a Christmas party variety of treats and is yet another engaging in fun activities, means of giving from midday to four back. o’clock in the afternoon.

The event Before departing the was coordinated venue, each child was locally by Mr. presented with a gift bag and Mrs. of other Christmas treats. Cuthbert James The ‘Hearts of Charity’ of is a twelve-member nonChateaubelair. profit organization which Group was founded after the founder Davis devastating floods of has expressed the hope to December 24th, 2013 in make the Hearts of

by GLORIAH…

A ‘little pep talk’ before the party began.

Left: Members of ‘Hearts of Charity’ and local volunteers strike a pleasing countenance after bringing cheer to the children.

North Leeward Constituency. Her organization will be Charity’s Christmas Party catering for even more children come Christmas an annual event in the 2016.

the Lord is our strength.

“God is with us,” she added. “When you wake up early in the morning, and you go to the bathroom, take a moment to be with God. Remember to just make room for Jesus Christ.”

In brief remarks,

visiting pastor Andrea Moore-Smith, a former lay speaker at the church, said: “I’m still a kid when it comes to Jesus.

“I’m still saying that Jesus is still giving some gifts,” said the daughter of Barbadian immigrants.

Vincy children at Christmas Party.

Christmas party a ‘huge success’ Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; kingnaking210@yahoo.com US CORRESPONDENT HUNDREDS OF VINCENTIAN children and their parents were on Sunday evening (December 20) treated to a special Christmas treat at the ninth annual party organized by a prominent Vincentian shipping concern, friends and community groups in Brooklyn, New York.

“Our annual kids Christmas party was a huge success,” said Atiba Williams, coordinator of the event that is spearheaded by Gideon ‘Fessy’ Yorke, owner of Standard Shippers, and co-hosted by the musical band Solid.

Williams, a community advocate, said though over 250 children registered for the event at Café Omar, many more were Community activist Garnes Byron, present. of Calliaqua, serves as Santa He said the children, Claus. Santa joined by children and organisers. including toddlers, parents and friends, were treated to free gifts, entertainment and food.

Many children also participated in dances, karaoke, arts and craft, face-painting, and sat on Santa’s lap. Popular community advocate Garnes Byron, of Calliaqua, served as Santa Claus.

“It was always a pleasure putting a smile on the faces of the kids,” said Williams, complimenting former New York City Councilman, Vincentian-born Dr. Kendall Stewart, proprietor of Café Omar, for “the use of the venue free of charge.”

Williams also thanked a number of organizations and individuals for contributing to the event’s success, including: the umbrella Vincentian group in the United States, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A. Inc. (COSAGO); St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of NewYork; the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York; VincyCares, Inc.; Vincy Liberators; Bishop’s College Alumni Association; and Sion Hill Association.

“A special thanks to the DJs, the promoters and the volunteers who made this a tremendous success,” said Williams, who is also president of the Bishop’s College Alumni Association.

14. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V Eulogy- Pat Mitchell

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 15.

Tribute

by LOUISE MITCHELL December 12, 2015

The formative years PATRICIA MAE MITCHELL was born on October 14th 1938 in Toronto to Doris and Clayton Parker. She grew up in a middle class family in Leaside, Toronto, with her conservative Protestant parents and her sister Arlene.

She lost her brother Howie when he was only 14 years old. Her parents had a deep appreciation for classical music and, as a youngster, she learnt to play classical piano, and graduated with first class honours from the Conservatory. She went to Leaside High School in Toronto, where she met and became friends with Peggy Atwood. She always moved in literary circles, and at Leaside, she was an editor of the High School yearbook, the Clan Call. She decided not to pursue literature however, as she could never do as well as her friend Peggy.

Later, Peggy became Canada’s most famous novelist.

Pat, as she was known to all of her friends, went to Victoria College, University of Toronto, where she was an honours student in modern history. At U of T, her creative side was further developed as she participated in the famous theatrical comedy show “The Bob Revue” (a show which made fun of contemporary events). At U of T, she befriended Marian Hebb, who became one of Canada’s top copyright lawyers, and remained her lifelong friend. I had the joy of accompanying her in May 2011 to her 50th University reunion with Peggy and Marian.

Pat’s mother Doris was an amazing cook, and perhaps it was her exposure to her culinary skills at home that made Pat feel comfortable to seek work in a resort. At the age of 16, she left home to work during the summertime in resorts in Western Canada, including the Banff Springs Hotel.

Marriage to Son Pat’s provincial life in Toronto did not give her the stimulation that she needed and, at age 22, she set out on a journey to explore the world, with first stop being London where she lived in a flat in Holland Park with a group of Canadian girls. In London, while working as Art Editor for Longman’s Publishers, she met James Mitchell. They started dating. He invited her to move in with him but she retorted, “But you don’t even have an iron”. So Son went out and bought an iron, and the rest is history.

The wanderer that she was, she had many sojourns across to mainland Europe, hitchhiking with friends, exploring new places. On one such sojourn, she went to visit (and work briefly with) her friend Deane Hutchinson in Costal Del Sol, where he ran a restaurant with his partner called La Ventura. Deane describes her time in Costa del Sol with him as one of continuous dancing, eating tapas, drinking wine — all this while running a bar and restaurant.

She was never one for pomp and ceremony, and married Son at the Hampstead Registry Office on October 23, 1965, with her friend Marian Hebb as her witness. Marian recalls that later that day, they celebrated with friends like Shake Keane until the neighbours had to call the police to get them to turn it down. On Old Year’s Day in 1965, she and Son set sail for St. Vincent on the banana boat, arriving on January 13th, 1966, in order for Son to start a life in politics. Pat believed in Son’s dream of changing the political landscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and to this dream she committed herself.

Pregnant with her first daughter, she worked with Son to open Hotel Frangipani

Pat with her daughters Sabrina, Gretel and Louise at Hope Bay.

Pat Mitchell

Pat with her parents Doris and Clayton Parker, her sister Arlene and brother Howard. in 1966 in the old Mitchell family home. In those days, Bequia had neither electricity nor telephones, but Pat’s creativity, sharp intellect, culinary experience and international exposure gave her the skill set she needed to turn rock into gold.

Successful businesses Pat was the pioneer entrepreneur of Bequia. While Son toiled the political fields, she created success, one dinner plate at a time, with one creative idea after the other, including inventing the recipe for Frangipani’s famous lime pie — which later Serene perfected. Pat’s greatest gift is that she had an eye for success, she knew what would work and what would not. For example, in those days with lack of proper communication, she created a post box system by building a wooden shelf with squares and she painted the letters A — Z, and offered to yachtsmen to use the Frangi post office, Box 1, to receive their mails after their journeys at sea. And so, the Frangipani (and Bequia by extension) became the hub for yachtsmen and women from around the world, as they had to return to collect their mail!!

What was it like growing up with an intellectual hard working mother and a father who was seeking to transform a nation? I have memories of our parents listening to the BBC on the radio, to Mummy playing classical music on the piano; but other than a few such peaceful moments, our parents were always simply on the move. As children, we roamed free, as one could have done in Bequia in those years, and subsequently pursued excellence, as that was all that our parents would tolerate.

Our family vacations were rare, most involved sailing trips to the Grenadines and Martinique, and one was a trip out West in Canada to visit all the resorts where

Mummy worked as a teenager, and explore the beauty of Canada’s countryside.

Mummy missed many moments in our childhood as she was so taken up by making a living — but she made up for this in her grandchildren. She loved and encouraged each of them and valued spending one and one time with them — and that she did — whether it was teaching EIla piano or taking James to London, and Ondine and Ella to Stone Henge. The gift that she gave to the grandkids at Christmas was always books with a lovely inscription inside. She loved to hear of Chavez’s swimming, and loved to listen to the original writings of budding literary giant Nile.

Pat, with the help of two other Bequia legends, Marie Kingston and Lou Keane, made a great success of the Hotel Frangipani, one which cemented the place of Bequia in the sailing and tourism world. It is her success that allowed her husband to successfully mount and sustain a long and successful political career.

I remember distinctly the night of the 1984 elections, when NDP was elected into office for the first time, amidst the wild celebrations at the Frangipani Hotel after the final numbers confirmed victory, my mother sat at one of the wooden tables looking like she had lost a part of herself. I asked her why she looked like that, was she not happy that Daddy had won?

She said “I am happy for the country, but sad for myself.”

At that moment, I hated her for making that statement. At age 14, I felt that she was betraying my father.

Some twenty years later, I understood what she meant.

Mummy knew that she hated pomp and ceremony and the demands of protocol. She was a free spirit, a pioneer, a wanderer. She could never adjust to having security and

Pat graduating from the University of Toronto. to living by a set of rules set by men as to how one should behave. Some four years later, her marriage was over.

The pioneer and creative genius that she was, she set about to start another successful business, still in business with Son, but under her sole management, that is the Gingerbread Hotel.

Mummy’s attention to detail, her love and appreciation for art and music, were key to her second business success. Every room in the Gingerbread Hotel is replete with local art work and craft, with poems on the walls and a rose garden fit to host the Queen of England.

Gingerbread became the home of the string bands, such as J Gool and de Real Ting and the Farine Band, creating nights that persons will never forget — just as she had done with creating the institution of the Frangipani Thursday night jump up with the steel band.

She also was strict about there always being at least two local juices made every day — her favourites were soursop and passion fruit, and at Christmas time sorrel.

Her community, artistic and literary spirit Mummy had a very strong sense of community, and carried the burdens of the community on her shoulders as if she owned them.

Continued on Page 18.

V Eulogy- Pat Mitchell (contÊd) 16. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

Continued from Page 17.

She was not only a thinker but a doer, and she used her creativity and intellect in the resolution of community problems.

In the early years she was taken up greatly with the cause of education, and gave up much of her time to the Bequia Anglican High School where she taught art.

She was the person who chose the motto for the school “The Truth Shall Set You Free.”

Mummy loved photography, she always carried a camera with her.

In order to aid the Bequia Gabija, Sir James Mitchell, Gretel, Sabrina, Pat and granddaughter hospital, she took Ondine. photographs of Bequia and her life, neither was she made them postcards which she sold to Savage to do a painting of island’s Pat with daughter Louise. her guests. She gave the proceeds from flora and fauna, and made posters out always happy. She of it and sold these at Gingerbread, always questioned the sale of the postcards to the the proceeds of which go to the Bequia whether she was doing Fortified by my Aunt’s beautiful hospital.

Heritage Foundation. At the enough, what her life would have been voice, I began singing duets with her In her role as wife of James

by Mummy’s bedside. Some of the like if she had stayed in London. She Mitchell, she used her critical thinking Frangipani Hotel, she would host poetry readings by her favourite poet songs that she enjoyed most were “Oh also questioned what more she could and sense and sensibility to influence island in the Sun”, “Dream a little do on Bequia. She lived with an his decisions in his various roles, from Richard Dey, and later many art exhibitions, including by her favourite existential angst, particularly in later dream” and her favourite “You are my Premier up to the time of his being sunshine” — which inevitably made her years. My role, in the face of this Prime Minister. She was a great asset artist Peter Carr. Mummy created cry. Even after Aunty Arlene went angst, was to laugh with her and to to him because of being an honest and dynamic spaces for human beings to interact and to enrich their life tell her what an amazing daughter she back to Toronto, I continued to sing to critical sounding board. For example, her. However, her insistence on had in me, and that always made her after reading his speech on tourism in experiences.

Her love of photography and excellence never faded… even when smile. I always told her that her 1972, where he sought to redefine the community came together in the she had lots most of her mind to brain reason for being is because I needed visitor experience into one that cancer - one day back in Bequia, I was and loved her, and this broke her acknowledged the authentic aspects of writing of the book “Bequia Sweet Sweet” in 1994, which captured in her sadness (for a while). attempting a song unaccompanied, and Caribbean life and embraced them, own words and photographs the after I got through the first verse, she After she became ill with cancer, Mummy came up with the title — “To essence of Bequia. One of her editors is she was in perpetual awe at the love exclaimed, “Could you stop the music Hell With Paradise” which helped our organist today, Elaine Ollivierre, please!!!”, which gave nurses Tassiah that Gretel and I showed to her. For make the speech famous and put the and great supporter in this book some reason, the way we cared for her and Kim a good laugh. Even when she Grenadines on the tourism map.

Mummy had a very strong sense of project Lavinia Gunn is also here. The surprised her. She said to me, I had no was bedridden, her standards did not drop. idea how much Grettie needed my right and wrong, and was never shy to book was named after the chirping sound of our birds, and also her And finally, the eulogy would not be friendship, how important it is for her state her opinion. When she grieved favourite poem by Richard Dey. This for me to be there. She told me a dozen complete without me mentioning that the loss of her marriage, it was never book is testimony to her love of her times that the way I cared for her was in Trinidad she acquired a fourth (until 35 years later) about her daughter — Roslyn Gooding. Roslyn amazing, and she found it hard to personal loss, but rather she lamented island home which she termed “the Big little island.” comprehend. I told her that all my life, worked with her at Gingerbread for along the lines of “he would have my entire life, that she had been there many years before migrating to never done this or that if I were still Trinidad. When Mummy was Her personality for me. She said “really”? Apparently married to him,” one example being hospitalized in Trinidad, Roslyn she hadn’t noticed that she had been the Kingstown vegetable market. As visited her every day and prayed with The word “nice” could never be used my rock my entire life, because she such she felt it for the nation that he her every evening. Mummy would look to describe my mother. She was an just did it naturally. had lost his biggest critic. It wasn’t forward to Roslyn’s visits and always intellectual snob and did not suffer until a couple months ago that she said, “Roslyn you pray so beautifully, The Circle of Life revealed that her loss of her marriage fools gladly. She never hesitated to say a prayer for me before you go.” give you her opinion, and she was was also a loss that she felt The provincial life that Pat left On her final day, the names she always right. There was no pretence personally!!! behind at age 22, and from which she called the most in my presence were where she was concerned. If she did Pat was a founding member of the fled like a bat out of hell, resurfaced Son and Arlene. She kept saying, not like you, she would tell you why, Bequia Sailing Club, the group that and tell you what you are doing wrong. during her final months as she battled “Where is Son when I need him? started and still runs the Bequia My mother was my greatest critic. She cancer. Her sister Arlene visited her in “Doesn’t he know that we are ready to Easter Regatta. For many years, she hospital in San Fernando, Trinidad. go!!!” As soon as she woke on that last said to me one day, “I just can’t also edited and produced the Bequia Arlene brought with her a ukulele and day, she asked for all of her staff to Regatta Program Magazine which not understand why none of my children her magnificent singing voice. Upon come to see her. And so they did. I was are intellectuals.” Unlike her, we did only had the schedule of races, but hearing Arlene sing to her at her told by them that what she said to not read a book a week our entire human interest stories about Bequia, hospital bedside, Grettie will recall them was. “You are amazing, and you lives. But her constant critique was its people and its sailors. Bequia’s that she broke into a flood of tears, deserve the very best.” A few days always intended to make us better maritime history was of great and through her tears said “I never before she passed, she told me that she human beings, to do more, to achieve fascination to Mummy. thanked my mother for giving me needed to say goodbye and I said, As a student of modern history, Pat more. music.” As her mind deteriorated, she “What do you mean goodbye, where But my mother was compassionate saw the need to document the sailing, imagined and believed that she was in are you going?” She said, “Somewhere boat building and whaling tradition of and caring. She had a deep sense of Canada, at the side of the lake at up into the hills.” My last words to her commitment to us her daughters, her Bequia. As such, she was a founding Avery Point. on her last day, as Tai and I left to husband and to her staff. For those member of the Bequia Heritage She had come full circle, she take the boat were, “Love you persons, she would go to the moon and Foundation and remained an active recognised that it was her exposure to Mummy.” Her last words to me were, back. If one of her staff suffered, she member all her life. She worked “Thank you.” could not sleep at night. If she knew a classical music and song that she got closely with Herman Belmar, and in from her parents Doris and Clayton When I cried to her friend Deane staff member could not buy school more recent times with Nicola about why Mummy had to die so soon, books for their children, it pained her. that was the singular thread that Redway, to make the magnificent he said, “Some people dwindle away She cared about their successes in the followed her throughout her life, and museum at St. Hillary a reality. was deeply saddened that she had not passively, watching television and same way that she did the success of Another example of how she used given her parents the recognition that putting in time. That wasn’t your her creativity and the arts as a tool, is her children and grandchildren. mother.”

My mother was never satisfied with they deserved for that gift. that she commissioned artist Julie Lea

V

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 17.

Tribute

Tribute to Pat Mitchell

by SIR JAMES MITCHELL

PAT PARKER and I met in London in the nineteen sixties in literary circles, she an Art Editor at Longmans and I being an Editor of a scientific journal in Chancery Lane. She was doing night classes in Art History and I in Navigation.

Policy decisions were taken to move jobs out of London; mine was moving to Oxford, hers too outside London. I had options also to go to FAO in Rome or back to university to study biological pest control.

We were living together in Hampstead at a flat made available to us by a literary agent while he was back in New York. We decided to get married. Her father checked Encyclopedia Britannica and discovered that Bequia was a small island in the West Indies with a shortage of water, not a pleasant prospect for someone living not far from Niagara Falls. Our plan was to start up a hotel on my family home, and me to go into politics.

So, on the last day of 1965, we sailed on a Banana Boat with a few other passengers.

We had bought a few basic supplies to start the hotel business, the Norwegian ware and Austrian cutlery. A German architect living aboard his Bequia built sloop in front of our beach disclosed that our 1927 built home, with its tall roof, was like a hen needing two chicks on either side, and this concept became our bar and restaurant.

The bankers in Kingstown were not kind. One told me, “You want to build a hotel with no electricity, no telephones, no transport, no airport, no roads, no jetties?

You must be mad”.

I replied, “I am going into politics and I will see that all the Grenadines get proper infrastructure”.

“That makes it worse,” he replied. “Politicians are a bad risk”.

Fortunately, I had bought land in St. Lucia with my early earnings as an agronomist, and I was able to secure a loan there. We opened the hotel with five rooms, one cook, one waitress, one maid, one barman, and a boatman for other jobs. He had to row in the supplies and guest luggage from the basic jetty in Port Elizabeth. Ice from Kingstown in crocus bags, and vegetables ordered with a daily note to our purchaser on the mainland.

We had bought a nine foot row

boat, and kerosene fridge. We started the hotel with tilly lamps.

Pat’s first trauma adjusting to Bequia was the ants everywhere in the kitchen. The other shock was entertaining an old boyhood friend to dinner. He did not turn up and explained a few days later when an explanation was sought, he simply said, “I was not hungry.”

One of Pat’s Canadian friends from University of Toronto days, Marie Kingston, came out to visit. She stayed. She took responsibility for the accounting. She became a backbone in the business.

With a five-month campaign, I won the Grenadines constituency and became a member of Parliament, but in Opposition.

Mine was the only change of fortune of the Labour Party I had joined. After agitation in the run up to constitutional change, the British government decided new elections, out of which I became Minister of Trade, Agriculture, Labour land Tourism, a new life in politics to blend with the growing family of three daughters, and renting a home in St. Vincent to perform my ministerial duties. Bequia got its electricity.

My political fortunes expanded into becoming Premier in a coalition government.

Pat was happy to join me on a conference in Haiti. She plunged into the art galleries and found a primitive artist in the hills and bought two paintings. She discovered the banana art, brought back two specimens which inspired the local artists to start doing this craft. But in Haiti she developed a toothache, had to go a dentist one night. The electricity went off and the dentist continued his job with a flashlight. She accompanied me to Venezuela to receive my award of Simon Bolivar.

My coalition government collapsed. I had brought home our greatest poet and musician, a close friend over the years, who was very successfully working in Germany, to create our Department of Culture. His wife taught at the Grammar School. On loss of government, the new Labour administration abolished the Department of Culture. Shake Keane after a short teaching

Sir James Mitchell and Pat Mitchell on their wedding day in 1965, Hampstead Registry Office, London, England. me, my being seems to have you visited Egypt”. an infinite capacity to recover Pat and I had from shocks, shocks that wonderful times with began at eight years old when our three young my father vanished from his daughters. We sailed ship in the Bermuda triangle. often to the islands in Then left with my the Grenadines, on our grandmother when my yacht, relishing brothers and sister, mother especially moonlight in the Tobago Cays, and we and stepfather moved to St spell in Georgetown, moved sailed to Martinique to indulge Lucia, and my grandmother overseas, his wife joined us at died and was buried days the French ambience. On the the Frangipani, and with Pat before I got the news at school last night of a trip, I cooked, and Marie became the in Kingstown. and the girls had to recite a inspiring triumvirate at the I have had four close calls poem studied on the voyage.

Frangipani Hotel. Let me say with death. Dr. Ballantyne But our political life was that without this family knows about one. The last not all plain sailing. The inheritance and the financial when I was almost harassment of our girls at strength developed by these school forced us all to relocate electrocuted putting on the three ladies and one loyal Frangi wharf light one night in Bequia. But when we saw dedicated staff, the New after the PSV Regatta. I in their notebooks that right Democratic Party would never shouted, “What a stupid way was wrong and wrong was have come into existence. you died”. John Compton and right, we started home There was a time when my other friends were beside me. education with some of their establishments employed more Pat had the presence of mind friends sharing the subjects persons in Bequia than to rush and switch off the around our dining table. We government, including the mains. She saved my life. did correspondence courses. schools, clinics, police and In her last days, it was no But it was not adequate. customs. pleasure for us to listen to her Knowing that the girls had Pat did not relish the status “travelling”. On my last visit grandparents and cousins in of First Lady when I became specifically in response to her Canada, we shipped them off Prime Minister. On the first call for me, she kept saying, “I to school at Bracksome in occasion as PM and Minister Toronto. It was not easy either want to go.” I asked her of Finance attending the ‘where’. To every location I for Sabrina, Gretel or Louise, Commonwealth finance and Pat and myself. She loved suggested, she said “No, I meeting in Toronto, her old want to go”. It was no to her daughters, and home town, she resented the Gingerbread and the garden, it grandchildren dearly. presence of security was No to Helianthus, it was When I retired as Prime accompanying her shopping No to Burlington and the view Minister, I apologized to our and having to outline every from the Niagara escarpment. daughters for my frequent morning to them what was her Simply No. She gave Louise times away from home, agenda. pleading programmes. Louise the answer the next day. “I am I pleaded with her that it going into the hills,” and into had the answer, ‘Daddy, you went with the territory. She the hills we shall take her gave us a country to love”. was however pleased that I after this ceremony, to rest in Pat’s sudden illness posed could get things done for her peace. challenges for the family at a like allocating land for the stressful time. Fortunately for museum in Friendship Bay. She took on the job as secretary for the Bequia Sailing club when it held the augural meeting in the Frangipani living room. She enjoyed travelling to Japan on her own as guest of the Whaling lobby.

When the Muslim brotherhood began attacking tourists in Egypt where Louise was doing Islamic Studies, she demanded I bring Louise home. I checked with my instructional contacts and reported that Louise was safe.

She took off for Egypt. She returned without Louise and pointed out to me: “Your Sir James Mitchell with his wife Pat as he receives the Order education is not complete until of Simon Bolivar in Venezuela in 1973.

V

18. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Can’t agree on retirement location Get creative, man!!

Dear George, MY WIFE and I cannot agree on where to settle. I am Vincentian and she is Jamaican, but we both reside in the USA. We are both in our mid-thirties and have been married for 11 years. She keeps on telling me she would want to return to Jamaica after her retirement, while I insist there is no way I am going to live in Jamaica.

There have been times when the argument has got so heated that she would threaten to leave and go her separate way. Right

now I have absolutely no idea how as insignificant but can present to deal with this, and it is several challenges. stressing me out.

Your choice of a place to retire should be informed by which Holding on. country offers the better quality of life — a place that suits both your Dear Holding on, needs - rather than just being the land of your birth. If your’re still It is rather interesting that you unable to settle this question, would be arguing over something then I would suggest that that is some two decades away. It you continue the discourse with a would have been very useful to counsellor, who would be able to have had such a discussion very provide some balance to the early in the game, seeing that you argument. are from different countries. It is something that is often overlooked George

Dear George, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW is in the country for a vacation. She usually comes for just over 2 months to get away from the winter. We live in a twobedroom house with no children. The bed that we sleep on makes a lot of creaking (noise) and my wife refuses to make love to me on it at night because she does not want her mother to hear us.

I suggested to her to let us put the mattress on the floor, but she is against that idea. Her mother is an early sleeper and would turn in by 7pm.

George, I am not going to let my wife hold out on me for 2 or more months, all because she is thinking of her mother. Right now, it is like we are sneaking around like two small children.

Disagreeable

Mistaken identity her. But in fact, she had organized to keep her sister away that night and came to my house I AM DATING one half of a twin after I was asleep. She crawled (sisters), and I made a foolish into my bed and started doing her mistake which I am paying for now. My girlfriend does not think thing. I did not know at that time it was not my girlfriend. it is a mistake, and she is To this day, my girlfriend threatening to leave me, even would not believe me, and she is though I try my hardest to about to leave me because, convince her that no one is according to her, she cannot sleep perfect. with the man who slept with her The situation is that I made love to her twin sister, thinking it sister. I cannot see how she is willing to let 3 years of was she. Her twin sister had togetherness go down the drain, shown interest in me before, and over a simple mistake. she made it her business to deceive me, and made sure that Sorry Lover her sister caught us in bed. She told her sister that I knew it was Dear Sorry lover, her and wanted to make love to

Dear George,

Dear Disagreeable, This situation should be seen as a chance for you and your wife to mix things up a bit, and to step out of your usual way of doing things.

If your wife is so conscious of the noise the bed makes, and of her mother’s proximity to your room, then she might appreciate you even more for giving her the understanding she is asking for. Rather than turn this into a flood of nightmares, why not get creative and change things up a bit? A change of venue and time might do wonders for your sex life and marriage!

You had 3 years to know the difference between your girlfriend and her sister! You are compounding your erroneous ways by insulting her intelligence; telling her you could not differentiate between her and her sister. You might have fared better had you thrown yourself at the mercy of the court, and owned George up to your cheating ways with a sincere promise never to do it again. Even then, the decision to believe you or not to believe, or to leave or not to leave would have Dear George, rested with her. This lesson is yours to learn; if you already have the breadnut, leave the breadfruit MY BOYFRIEND has just been released from jail in a neighbouring Caribbean island, and he wants alone. to continue seeing me. He claims that he was framed and had to suffer the consequences because George he could not afford a good lawyer.

George, I have two issues here: Firstly, I do not want to be with a man who has been jailed for illegal drugs, and also a man who has been exposed to other men in jail for 2 years. How do I know if he was not sexually molested there? Secondly, since he has been away, I have sort of moved on. I am seeing a guy casually because I was still struggling with whether or not to move on with some permanence. This other guy is a good guy and has the qualities I want in a man. I do not want to appear cruel by dumping my original boyfriend because he went to jail, but I am just not into him any longer.

The problem I have is that I do not know how to break this news to him.

Tell him straight up

Timed out Dear Timed out, Seems as though you have already made your decision about your future. The best way to deal with your situation is to let your boyfriend know straight up your concerns about his involvement with drugs; that it does not matter what explanations he is ready to give, your position is still zero tolerance.

You do not want to be in a relationship where you have suspicions about your boyfriend’s ‘other’ activities. It is your right to move on with your life, if that is what you want, and you should say this to him clearly. There should be no doubt about your position.

There is no need to feel guilty when making decisions that are in your best interest.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Unreliable people will be negative about your ideas. Any contributions you make to organizations will enhance your reputation and bring you offers.

Involvement in financial schemes will be followed by losses. Relatives may play an important role in your social activities.

quitting those bad habits that you've picked up over the years. Do something together and you'll be surprised how sweet a deal you can make. Those you live with may be experiencing problems.

It might be time to pick up the slack and do your share.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Old friends may not like your choices.

Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment. Younger relatives may seek your advice. Try to visit a country that excites you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Lowered vitality could affect your work.

Rewards for past good deeds will highlight your day. Secret affairs may be tempting, but keep in mind that they will damage your reputation if you decide to indulge. You can make money if you work on personal investments.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Avoid overloading your plate. Refrain from using the highway as a racetrack.

Use your charm, but don't sign or agree to anything. You need to take a long, hard look at yourself and your personal situation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don't think the worst if you hear something negative about your partner.

Your lack of responsibility and attention has been a key issue in your relationship. You must consider yourself for a change. Try not to make waves.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Financial affairs do not look too favorable this week. You will be looking for creative ways to make a little extra cash. You may want to make changes that will not be to their liking.

Colleagues may try to undermine you when talking to superiors.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You have bent over backward trying to help them and now it's time to let them stand on their own two feet. You can ask for favors but don't take them for granted. Refuse to get involved in idle chatter; it will only make you look bad.

Entertainment could be pleasing if it is of an energetic nature.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Do your own thing without drawing attention to it. Avoid boredom by being creative in your endeavors. The answers can only come from within. You need to spend time with friends and family.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Difficulties with children will surface if you try to break a promise you made.

You need to do something that will make you feel better about yourself.

You may divulge private information without realizing it this week. Short trips may be tiring but rewarding.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make a serious attempt at

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) You can buy or sell if you're so inclined.

Opportunities for romance will flourish through travel. Romance will develop if you get involved in social events that deal with children. Strong willpower will come to your rescue.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You can discuss your intentions and ideas with your colleagues or friends this week. If you can get away for a vacation, do so. You are best to get out of the house this week. You can accomplish a lot if you deal with other people's money or possessions this week.

ACROSS

bathroom 41. Hoover’s 1.Mascara spot gp.

5. Alphabet 43. “Schindler’s starters List” 8. Jailbird director 11. Movie scene Steven 12. Actress 48. Long Flynn Boyle period 14. Coffee 49. Rowing maker needs 15. Woman who 50. Ancient works Peruvian with cows 51. Chinese 17. Like pan crudites 52. Professors’ 18. __ Moines aides 19. Under (abbr.) achiever 53. PDQ’s kin Simpson 21. Dessert DOWN selections 23. Stew 1.British vegetables partnership 25. Sorcerer’s abbr. stick 2. Motorists’ 26. Story org. “guide” 3. Snow 30. Height runner (abbr.)

4. Grouped 31. Bedspring cattle shapes 5. Charitable 32. Diamond gift girl 6. Sheep’s cry 33. Used the 7. Nursery microwave item again 8. Diminished 35. __ up 9. “Are you a (engergizes) man __ 36. Gentle mouse?” animal (2 wds.)

37. Professors, 10. SSE’s e.g. (abbr.) opposite 38. Advantage 13. Gets used 40. Brit’s to

16. “Of course!”

20. Sister or cousin (abbr.)

21. Grew whiter 22. Healthy (3 wds.)

24. Trims hair 25. Major conflict 26. Saucepan 27. Embroider the truth 28. “__ Black Magic” 29. High trains 31. Famed tenor Enrico 34. “Electric” fish 35. Overriding

fear 37. Candidate, for short 39. Little argument 40. More or __ 41. Not many 42. Sound of disapproval

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 19.

44. Retirement acct.

45. They come after ems 46. Nipper’s company (abbr.)

47. Empty space

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20. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

SMSS, GSS take schoolsÊ football titles

Winners of the Senior Division – Georgetown Secondary School.

THE ST MARTIN’S SECONDARY School (SMSS) and the Georgetown Secondary School (GSS) emerged champions for the first time, of the Junior and Senior Divisions respectively of the 2015 Ministry of Education’s Inter-Schools Football Competition, which concluded last Friday at the Victoria Park.

St Martin’s ran away 3-1 winners over the Bethel High School, with Player of the Final, Diel Spring, scoring in the 60th and 67th minutes, and Chelson Hendrickson in the 40th. Desburne John had equalised in the 46th minute for Bethel High.

For the 54-year-old St Martin’s Secondary, it was the institution’s first football trophy since the senior team won back in 1992.

Georgetown Secondary lifted its first schools’ football trophy, by dethroning the Dr JP Eustace Memorial 2-1, with goals from Brendon Johnson in the 44th minute, and Metchron Lewis in the 63rd.

Dr JP Eustace Memorial had opened the scoring as early as the 10th minute, through Javid Pompey.

Georgetown’s Terris Joseph was named Player of the Senior Final.

To reach the final, SMSS outdid last year’s winners Central Leeward 4-2, after the game had to be decided on penalty kicks following a 2-2 score line at the end of regulation time.

Bethel on the other hand, stopped Dr JP Eustace from appearing in both finals, taking their semi-final encounter, 2-1.

The senior division semi-

finals, saw Georgetown trumping over Central Leeward 3-2, and Dr JP Eustace Memorial running away 4-0 winners over the Intermediate High School.

Central Leeward won both third places in different fashions.

The juniors did not require to sweat, as the Dr JP Eustace did not show, while the seniors outclassed the Intermediate High School, 42.

A number of individual awards were presented last Friday: top goal scorer Junior Division - Benjamin Williams - Emmanuel High School Mespo (six goals); top goal scorer’ Senior Division — shared between Trivis Fraser - Central Leeward Secondary and Ammein John Intermediate High School (eight goals); most outstanding goalkeepers Securing the junior award was Clinton Payne of the SMS — Junior Division, and Jahwan Peters of Dr JP Eustace Memorial — senior Division did so for the seniors.

The team awards for the zonal winners were : Junior Division - Georgetown Secondary- Zone A, Central Leeward Secondary- taking Zone B, Dr JP Eustace Memorial — Zone C and the Thomas Saunders Secondary won in Zone D. And, Zone A in the seniors went to Georgetown Secondary, Central Leeward Secondary- Zone B, Dr JP Eustace Memorial- Zone C and the Intermediate High School copped Zone D.

Winners of the Junior Division- the St Martin’s Secondary School.

Pope, McCoy in WI U19 squad LEFT HAND ATTACKING opening batsman Gidron Pope and left arm fast bowler Obed McCoy, two leading young Vincentians, cricketers, have made it onto the West Indies Under19 World Cup team, following a training camp from which the final selection was made.

The camp was held in Grenada.

Pope and McCoy were among 18 of the top U19 cricketers from the region, who were under the watchful eyes of head coach Greame West for the past two weeks.

Speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on their return from Grenada last Sunday, Pope said, “First, I would like to thank God. I am feeling very overwhelmed being selected.

“I must say thanks to all the coaches who worked with me Irvin Warrican, Orlanzo Jackson, Deighton Butler and Lindon James. I am also thankful for all the good advice I got from my family, friends and others,” Pope pointed out.

When asked what he thought would have given him the edge, Pope said, “Well, I think I batted pretty well and brought something extra to the team, not only with the bat but the ball as well”.

And as far as his expectations are concerned: “My expectation is to be a top contender for the most runs in the World Cup. I will look to bat through the innings and to help with the ball and, of course, help the team win the

World Cup.” McCoy was overcome with joy, “I couldn’t sleep the night after being told earlier in the day that I am in the team,” he confessed.

“When I sit and reflect, I believe my allround performance, bowling and fielding and work ethic, convinced the coach and selectors. I bowled good line and length and got early wickets during the camp,” McCoy said.

“Once given the chance in the World Cup, I will be looking to take a lot of wickets by bowling in the right area,” McCoy promised, adding, “I am just looking to make my country and the whole Caribbean proud.”

McCoy also recognized Deighton Butler, as well as the Neil Williams Academy, for guiding him in both the technical and mental requirements of his game.

“I would also like to thank all the players in Team Rivals and other teammates for their encouragement, also my father, brothers and friends,” he concluded.

Pope and McCoy follow in the footsteps of previous Vincentians who have made it to this level of regional cricket.

These include fast bowlers Kenroy Peters, Delorn Johnson, Steven John and Cletus Lavia, and batsmen Kenroy Martin and Sunil Ambris.

The team is expected to leave the Caribbean from Barbados on the 5th January

Gidron Pope, left hand opening batsman.

Obed McCoy left arm fast bowler. for warm up matches in India, before heading to Bangladesh for the ICC Youth World Cup from January 22nd to February 14, 2016.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 21.

Sports

Sporting revelation THE YEAR 2015 will throw up pride for a number of Vincentian sports personalities. When the award ceremony comes off next year, many of the recipients will be justly rewarded.

It was an outstanding year for football, judging from the advances that national teams accomplished.

The Senior Women’s Team was the inspirational factor having taken the inaugural Windward Islands Football Tournament in style.

The Ladies played unbeaten. Their only glitch was a two all draw against St. Lucia who gave it their maximum.

The Vincy Women took care of Dominica and Grenada both by the narrowest of margins through goals from Kandice ‘Arima’ Franklyn and Darie Ann Duncan. Those victories were sandwiched between the drawn game in which the Vincentians had to pull out their reserves to secure the draw, having fallen behind 2: 1.

Jessica Miller and Gezelle Wilson were the goal scorers in that match. Anesta Richards copped the Goal Keeper’s award and Akira Samuel Best Defender and Most Valuable Player. Coach Andrew Bramble will be due some credit for the performance of the squad. For had it been the other way, calls for his head would have been rampant.

The Women set the standard, and the men lived up to the billing with victories 1: 0, 2:1, and 3:2 over Dominica, St. Lucia and Grenada.

That served as a springboard for the World Cup campaign. The Men bounced back twice to earn a 2 all draw with Guyana at home. The Guyanese might have been satisfied with their away goals and were perhaps resting on their laurels.

It was only when the score read 4:2 that the Guyanese awoke from a nightmare. They scored two other goals to earn a draw, but in spite of their protests over the Vincentians having fielded a player without a Vincentian passport, Vincy Heat won by virtue of more away goals, and FIFA’s ruling on the complaint.

Then came the Aruba showdown. That was expected to have been an easy walkover, but one should know that you do not take anything for granted when it comes to international soccer.

The Vincentians beat Aruba 2:0 at the Arnos vale Playing field. Four days later, it was a revival effort by the ever present Tevin Slater to give the Vincentians the cushion of an away goal to seal the aggregate 3:2. The Arubans sent shock waves into the Vincentian camp with strikes in the early minutes of both halves.

By that time, the name Tevin Slater had broken through on the international stage. He was the top goal scorer in the Concacaf zone in the World Cup qualifiers.

Since that time he has not scored. But there is no tarnishing of the image he has created. Slater scored the equaliser at home against Guyana to throw them a life line. When goals were needed in Guyana he came with two. He broke the deadlock at Arnos Vale to keep the Arubans at bay. And there is no value to his conversion in Aruba.

In between, Slater notched another harvest at the Under 23 Olympic qualifiers, including a hat trick against Trinidad and Tobago.

Slater was already named Footballer of the year when the Federation staged its annual ceremony.

Sh’ne Joachim will provide perhaps Slater’s stiffest challenge for the honour of Sports Personality 2015. Sh’ne continues a phenomenal rise on her own, and with the strides that organisation is making, they seem likely to feature on the rewards list when the ceremony comes off.

Other athletes and coaches played their roles in ensuring that this country’s sporting landscape remained fertile and watered over the years.

When their moment of recognition arrives, no one should envy them their accomplishment.

Road Tennis taking off THIS YEAR’S NINE Mornings activities have shown indications of increasing interest in what some call the ‘side activities’.

And one of those ‘side activities’ that falls into that category is Road Tennis.

Sean Stanley, Sports Officer and Internationally Certified Table Tennis One of the games played on the specially Coach, just back from marked court on Back Street.

Barbados where he De Freitas 11/2. attended a Road Tennis One semi-final saw Ted Roberts Workshop, once again coJr beating Maurice ordinated Road Tennis games as Robertson 11/4, and the other part of the Nine Mornings Denzel Bascombe beat activities.

Mathew Jackson 11/4 And he is excited! “Excited,” he In the finals played the said, “with the increased interest following morning, Ted Roberts and participation especially from Jr came from one set down to the youngsters.” beat Denzil Bascombe, In games played on the 8/11 12/10 11/9, in what Stanley morning of December 21 in the described as the match of the specially marked area in the road competition. that runs in front of the BOSVG Stanley told THE headquarters , on Back Street, VINCENTIAN that Road Tennis Ted Roberts Jr beat David’ is earmarked to be placed on the Holder 11/6, Denzil Ministry of Sports’ agenda.

Bascombe beat Neeko Jack 11/9, “This is a growing sport, with Mathew Jackson Barbados, the home of Road beat Xeshaughn Bailey 11/2 and Tennis, spreading the game Maurice Robertson beat Patrick

(L-R): Denzil Bascombe and Ted Roberts Jr, finalists in the first Nine Mornings Road Tennis Competition. worldwide, and we intend to be part of that growth. The sport in Barbados has attracted overwhelming sponsorship, and we hope to duplicate that here,” Stanley said.

A World Road Tennis Championship is planned for 2016 in Barbados. “There is no reason,” Stanley says optimistically, ”why this country can’t be part of that.”

Simple Boys - TBPO Triple Champions GAIRY CONSTRUCTION Simple Boys made it simple in capturing their third consecutive champions’ title in the NLA TBPO Softball 20/20 Cricket Competition.

They did so by registering a convincing 120-run victory over Nice Radio Clinchers in the finals played last weekend at the Dauphine playing Triple champions Gairy Construction Simple Boys. field.

In what was simply a one-sided affair, Simple Boys took first knock and amassed 179 for 4 from 20 overs. Desron Maloney, national allrounder, led the scoring with 78, which included 10 sixes and 1 four. Stein Joseph chipped in with 37 that included 4 sixes, and Jabari Cunningham’s 30 lent valuable support.

Nice Radio Clinchers, from the get go, found batting difficult, or as some observers said, made batting look difficult. They were humbled for an unentertaining 67 in 18 overs. Elric Morris was the pick of the Simple Boys bowlers with 4 for 20, and Maloney completed a good allround performance taking 2 for 7.

Maloney shone even brighter when individual Desron Maloney, MVP of awards were handed out. He copped the MVP of the competition and Raymond Sayers, top the Tournament award on the back of having scored highest run-getter. the most runs, 330, which included one century. He wicket-taker. was also deservingly awarded the Man of the The Most Improved Finals.

Player Award went to Danroy Hazell of Georgie Raymond Sayers of Gomea Bombers took home Valley Saints. the award for the most wickets, 16, which was Stingers was adjudged the Most Disciplined highlighted by the only hat trick of the competition. Team for the second year running.

Jabari Cunningham scored the second most runs, 28, and was the competition’s only other century I.B.A.ALLEN maker.

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22. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

SVG gets its own RC Bishop once again

Editor’s Note: The following is a release issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown-Kingstown in the name of the Most Rev. Charles Jason Gordon.

THE HOLY FATHER, Pope Francis, announced in Rome today the appointment of Fr. Gerard County C.S.Sp., as the third bishop of the Diocese of Kingstown.

In 2011 when Bishop Jason Gordon was appointed, he was given the unusual appointment of two independent dioceses: that of Bridgetown, Barbados and Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

After extensive consultation, the Holy Father has returned the Diocese of Kingstown to independent status, appointing Fr. Gerard to be a residential bishop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Fr Gerard will be ordained a Bishop in St. Vincent during the

month of February.

During this ceremony, he will be installed in his cathedral. Bishop Jason will continue as the Bishop of Bridgetown.

The Catholic Church in St. Vincent and the

Grenadines prays for its new Bishop as it prepares to welcome him as shepherd.

With Gratitude The Most Rev. Charles Jason Gordon

Fr. Gerard County, C.C.Sp. will be the next RC Bishop of SVG. (Photo Credit: Catholic News of T&T)

GTC brings cheer to Home for Girls LAST SATURDAY, December 19, Our Lady Guadalupe Home for Girls was presented with two washing machines, a stove, a microwave oven and an electric kettle, along with a cheque for $5000.

Facilitated by the Grassroot Tennis Club (GTC), the items were handed over to the administrators of the Home, during a ceremony which took place at the Haddon Hotels courts on Murray’s Road.

In handing over the items, Grant Connell of the GTC said his organisation was alerted about the plight of the home, hence their action.

“Tennis for Hope in the past was for Breast Cancer Awareness and donated to the SVG Medical Association, but this year we changed it to Our Lady of Guadalupe Home for Girls... I was informed of certain needs that they had, and we sought to address them in time for Christmas,” Connell announced.

Connell revealed that the Bank of Nova Scotia’s monetary donation was able to purchase one of the washing machines , the microwave and the kettle, while Finishing and Furnishing donated the

other washer and the stove.

He added that Beacon Insurance assisted with the printing of the T-shirts which were sold to raise some of the funds, with the T- Shirt Store pitching by providing the shirts at half price.

“Deron Grant, who is all the way in Oman, wired his input almost instantly during a programme on Boom FM last Friday, while Stephen Joachim and Bassy Alexander, also came forward with additional funds,” Connell said. “...What happened in this event is a manifestation of what happens when community come together to assist a cause...Like many of the issues in St Vincent and the Grenadines, they can be solved by us the people...just search your conscience, have a heart...live and let your brother live, and all will be well...”, Connell continued .

Donnette Dowers — house mistress of the Home For Girls, which is located at Cane End in the Marriaqua Valley, said that efforts by the Grassroot Tennis Club could not have come at a more opportune time, as they were in dire need of the

Our Lady Guadalupe Home for Girls received a donation of household items and cash through the instrumentality of the GTC ‘Tennis for Hope’ programme. items donated.

An initiative by the local Catholic Church here, the Guadalupe Home for Girls was established in 2007. It is an initiative of the local Roman Catholic Diocese and provides a safe haven for high risk girls between the age of 12 and 18 years.

Set up to house 16 girls, the home at present has a population of 19.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015. 23.

Classifieds

The New Kingstown chorale: Sixty years young Last Friday evening, my husband and I joined a capacity crowd at Beachcombers Hotel to hear The New Kingstown Chorale. The strong and lyrical vibrations from this outstanding group are still resonating through my body, soul and spirit.

I feel so uplifted, as if I have just absorbed a beautiful symphony, or witnessed an outstanding Shakespearean production or ballet. I feel nourished!

The sounds from the Chorale were crisp, clear, certainly harmonious and at times humorous, or ethereal. Their bodies swayed and their heads moved like a miraculous wave. I shed tears of joy and admiration that here, in St. Vincent, the true, spiritual part of Xmas is obviously so very much alive. Thank you.

Dr. Sheila Pennington

A Merry Christmas To all our customers, and advertisers.

VICTORIA MARION HAZELWOOD

SAMUEL CORNELIUS WILLIAMS

DOROTHY JOHN Solomon Spiritual Baptist Church Brighton Sunday 20th December, 2015 1:30 p.m.

Layou Methodist Church Monday 21st December, 2015 3:00 p.m.

S.D. Adventist Barrouallie Sunday 20th December, 2015 2:00 p.m.

EFFIE ALMINA WILLIAMS

RAPHEL MARTIN HENRY

JANE SCARBORO

New Testament Church Rose Hall Sunday 20th December, 2015 2:30 p.m.

Cathedral of the Assumption Kingstown Thursday 17th December, 2015 2:00 p.m.

St. John Spiritual %DSWLVW &RXOO¶V Hill Saturday 19th December, 2015 2:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A.I. REAL ESTATE Building Lot at Little London (near Evesham), 9,056 square feet at $4.00 per square foot.

S A L E

WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 23, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.52

Contact A I Real Estate at 457-2087, 5330431 or 718-807-4376 Other listings are available Office: 784) 457-2087/533-0431 Cell: (784)-493-9431 Office:718-807-4376 Email: donp@vincysurf.co Website: www.aisvg.com

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

OPPOSITION WILL BE SWORN IN THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NDP) has decided against an earlier decision not to attend Parliament and therefore not be sworn in.

Political Leader of the NDP, Arnhim Eustace, read from a statement on Monday’s ‘New Times’, saying that he had been legally advised that the decision could lead to the loss of all their elected seats in the House.

He said that he hadmade the statement being fully cognizant of comments he made following the December 9 General Elections, and one he made at a press

briefing last week Saturday, i.e. that he and his team would not be sworn in to office, neither will they attend Parliament when it convenes on December 29, for its first Sitting since the last elections.

“This must not be viewed as a sign of weakness, but must be seen as a strategic move in the interest and for the benefit of all,” he cautioned.

“I want to reiterate that we do not accept the result, and will continue with court and protest action. We want fairness and justice for all, and we are

determined that our people and Arnhim Eustace, country must prosper again,” Leader of the NDP, he continued. explained that those “We do not wish at this time elected to parliament to take the action in order not on the party’s ticket to lose the seats that we will be sworn in to currently hold.” avoid possibly losing Eustace explained that on their seats. several occasions, the opposition has walked out, refusing to take part in Parliamentary debates on Bills.

This option is always open to the opposition, he said.

“We therefore will adopt a practice that will help to further our aims,” he concluded. (DDD)

Parliament ready to sit

NDP remains firm ON ANNOUNCING that the elected members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) will be present at next Tuesday’s meeting of the House, Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace said that his team remains firm in

their intention to keep up the pressure to have the results of the December 9 General Elections reversed.

Eustace said on Monday that, with the assistance of their supporters, they were going to make every

possible effort to do so.

“We know that the majority of people of St Vincent and the Grenadines think that we have won the General Elections, even some Unity Labour Party (ULP) party supporters, and we will not

Arnhim Eustace has assured that his membership will remain firm in its quest to have the results of the Dec. 9 general elections reversed.

disappoint them,” the NDP political leader said.

He continued, saying that the party will continue with its planned protest and court action, until they get the required decision.

Eustace has come in for some criticism following his announced change of position with respect to the NDP members taking their seats in the House.

However, he defended the decision, saying that he was acting on some legal advice which he had received.

Immediately following the General Elections, the NDP maintained that it clearly won, and that there were a number of irregularities that prevented them from declaring victory.

The political party has since filed a petition at the High Court to contest the result. (DDD)

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

THE FIRST SESSION of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 29th December 2015.

Proceedings are set to commence at 4:00pm.

In accordance with established protocol and practice, the First Session will feature the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.

The Unity Labour Party, which commands a oneseat majority (8-7) in the House following the December 9 general elections, has put forward Jomo Thomas as its choice of Speaker, and Senator Carlos James, a debutant member of the House, as Deputy.

All members of the House, from among whom a leader of Government business and a leader of the Opposition will be recognised, are expected to take the Oath of Allegiance.

The Tenth Parliament will welcome newcomers St. Clair Jimmy Prince, recently elected representative for the Marriaqua constituency, and Deborah Charles, who will serve as a government appointed senator.

It will welcome back former senator Camillo Gonsalves, this time as a full parliamentary representative for the East St. George constituency, and Sir Louis Straker, who returns as representative for Central Leeward after vacating that seat in favour of Maxwell Charles during the last parliament.

There has been, up to press time, Tuesday 22 December, no indication about persons named as Opposition senators.

The ceremonial opening of Parliament comes after the swearing-in of an eleven-member ULP Cabinet last week, during an event held at Heritage Square.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.