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FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 27, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.09

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Patrick Lovelace gets a reprieve on his death penalty as his appeal against his sentence goes before the Privy Council.

by HAYDN HUGGINS

Attorney Kay BacchusBrowne, attorney for Patrick Lovelace, cites the recent Privy Council ruling as a reason for retaining the Privy Council as our final Court of Appeal.

THIS COUNTRY’S lone death row inmate, Patrick Lovelace, has been granted leave to appeal his sentence to the judicial committee of the Privy Council.

The decision came close to a year after the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal refused an application by lawyers representing Lovelace, for extension of time to file an appeal against sentence.

The former long distance runner of Belmont was sentenced to death February 26, 2010, for the July 2002 murder of 12-year-old female pannist, Lokeisha Nanton of Sion Hill. A 12-member jury had found Lovelace guilty July 15, 2009, following a retrial.

Nanton’s nude body was found hanging from a mango

tree in an area at Sion Hill called London Road, on the morning of July 2, 2002. An autopsy revealed she was strangled.

In a judgement handed down March 2012, the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal had dismissed Lovelace’s appeal against conviction, but UK-based lawyer, Shiraz Aziz, who had conducted the appeal on Lovelace’s behalf, did not appeal the sentence.

On January 24, 2014, local attorney Kay Bacchus-Browne, who was subsequently retained, in conjunction with the British Law Firm Simons, Muirhead and Burton, filed an application before the Appeal Court for extension of time to file the appeal against Lovelace’s sentence.

However, in an order dated

March 5, 2014, the Appeal Court stated that it did not have the right to extend the time in which to appeal against sentence, in the case of a conviction involving a sentence of death. Lovelace’s lawyers appealed the Appeal Court’s order, to the Privy Council, and have been successful.

In a recent letter to Bacchus-Browne, lawyers representing Lovelace in the Privy Council wrote, ‘I am writing to inform you that we have just been informed that Patrick Lovelace has been granted permission to appeal against sentence to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council’.

The letter added, ‘I should be extremely grateful if you would inform Mr. Lovelace of

this development, and that in due course we will have an appeal set down for hearing’.

When contacted on Tuesday, Bacchus-Browne told THE VINCENTIAN, “Once again we see the importance of retaining the Privy Council as our final Court of Appeal. If this appeal was not approved, he (Lovelace) was most likely to be hanged soon.”

Bacchus-Browne added, “I will continue to fight for my client to have him removed from death row because I don’t believe in the death penalty. I think it is inhumane, degrading and barbaric, and that’s why I keep fighting for his (Lovelace) life.”

Continued on Page 3.

GOVERNMENT DID NOT ‘MAKE A KILLING’ PRIME MINISTER Dr Ralph Gonsalves has denied that government ‘made a killing’ on LPG gas before the last reduction.

Gonsalves said, in his response to a question posed during a press briefing last Tuesday, that the allegation was total rubbish, and that if

it were any one entity that would have made huge profits, it would be the importers of LPG — Rubis.

“The importers, that is to say Rubis, if anybody was making a killing because there is a build-up in the normal way and in relation to the pricing mechanism,”

Gonsalves explained.

He said that the government used the system of the threemonth rolling average and the bonus-malus system, which is used in a number of business arrangements which alternately reward (bonus) or penalize (malus).

Meanwhile, Rubis’ Managing Director, Mauricio Nicholls, had written to the Ministry of Trade indicating that the new pricing for LPG gas was significantly lower than the acquisition price which would result in negative margins for the company.

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2. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

Being a good digital citizen THIS WEEK’S EDITION seeks to inform you about ways you can use the internet, social networks in particular and the and technology generally, to be a good and proper digital citizen.

You can be a good digital citizen by: Communicating appropriately. Use the right language for your audience.

You might write or speak to a business associate differently from a friend, and in communicating with anyone effectively and respectfully, try to avoid the usage of all capital letters, as it is generally accepted as a sign of anger.

Keeping private things private.

Don’t share personal information, including passwords, your home address, inappropriate images, and gossip. By doing this, you can protect yourself, as well as show others that you are considerate to how others may feel if you gossip about them, and may

thus prevent them from gossiping as well.

Not lying, stealing or cheating.

Don’t try to deceive others. Remember to give credit where credit is due. It is easy to copy others’ work and download things without permission.

Reporting misbehavior. The Internet is a giant community, and you can help it be a nice place.

Following your family’s rules. If your parent tells you to avoid certain websites or to stop texting after a certain time, listen. The more you act responsibly, the more privileges you’ll get (For Children).

Thinking before you post, text, or share. Consider how you and others might feel after you’ve posted something. It’s not always easy to take back what you’ve said online, and your online behavior can create a lasting footprint.

Students at the Belair Government School raising their hands, eager to answer a question.

SVGS young leaders hit the road IN KEEPING with their intention to impress their 2015 project directly on young persons especially, the St. Vincent Grammar School Young Leaders visited 13 different primary schools on Friday 20th February, 2015.

The schools visited were C. W, Prescod, Kingstown Preparatory School, Belair Government, Calliaqua Anglican, Petersville, Lowmans Leeward Anglican, Kingstown Government, Kingstown Anglican, Sion Hill Government, Questelles Government, Sugar Mill Academy, Clare Valley Government, and Lodge Village Government.

According to a release from the Young Leaders, their representatives spoke to the Grade 5 students about their project’s theme, ‘Digital Citizenship, Responsibly Navigating

Technology’, impressing upon them that ‘a digital citizen is one who knows what is right and wrong, exhibits intelligent technology behavior, and makes good choices when using technology; highlighting the ways in which one can be a good digital citizen; and explaining what it means to responsibly navigate technology’.

The main purpose of this activity was, according to the Young Leaders, to educate the younger children in the Grade 5 class about: the dangers of not only the internet but of technology; the different cyber crimes, e.g. cyber bullying, cyber stalking, hacking and plagiarism; the effects these different cyber crimes can have on an individual; and the different ways in which they can prevent them.

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

News 3

Eustace: Action should have been taken sooner

by DAYLE DA SILVA

WHILE LEADER of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace has been commended for the part he played in highlighting the issues in St Kitts-Nevis, he is of the view that it did not have to reach the Privy Council for a decision with respect to the conduct of recent general elections in that CARICOM state.

Eustace said on Monday on radio, via telephone, that he was pleased with the outcome of last week Monday’s General Elections held in that country, which put the Dr Timothy Harrisled ‘Team Unity’ into government.

As far as Eustace was concerned, the matter could have been settled a

long time ago.

“We had to wait on the Privy Council to get a settlement on this matter,” Eustace said, adding, “We have all been discussing the Caribbean Court of Justice, but very often things have been happening in our judiciary here which erode confidence. I am very concerned about that issue, and it’s something that will haunt us for a while until confidence is restored.”

A no confidence motion was filed in the Kittitian Parliament in December 2012, by Oppostion Member Mark Brantley, but was never debated despite a ruling by the Eastern

Caribbean Court of Appeal.

A subsequent motion was filed in September 2014 by then leader of a coaliation of opposition parties, ‘Team Unity’, by its leader Dr Timothy Harris.

The whole political situation was further complicated when a proclamation surfaced.

That proclamation, dated January 15, 2015, sought to adopt electoral boundaries, and was signed by Governor General Sir Edmund Lawrence.

An appeal traversed the court system as far as the Privy Council, which, on February 12, ruled that the appeal should be allowed; that the orders made by

Madame Justice Marlene Carter on January 27 and by the Court of Appeal on February 5 be set aside; and that the interim Arhnim Eustace, Leader of the Opposition NDP, (left) injunction granted was on hand to participate in the celebration that

by Justice Carter marked the installation of Dr. Timothy Harris as Prime on January 16 be Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. (Credit: NDP Facebook) restored.

“I don’t want to action to be taken. camper” that the former be in a position where we “We are supposed Denzil Douglas have doubts in our independent countries, administration was out judicial system, and some of us 40, 50 years of office, with a new one there are doubts now old, and we couldn’t elected to direct the about it because of what settle a matter like affairs of St Kitts and has transpired,” saidf that?” he questioned.

Nevis for the next five Eustace, who proffered Nevertheless, he said years. that it was now time to that he was a “happy begin the process of rebuilding confidence in the judicial system.

Lovelace’s case before Privy Council “We really should not Continued from Front page. have had to wait for the Privy Council to say The Privy Council had, in a judgement delivered something for the correct June 22, 2009, commuted the death penalty of Daniel ‘Compay’ Dick Trimmingham to life imprisonment, after concluding that this crime of disembowelling and beheading Albert ‘Bertie’ Browne, an elderly livestock farmer, was ‘not the worst of the worst’. Bacchus-Browne had also represented ‘Compay’ at his murder trial and appeal hearings.

Vincentians of all persuasions will be waiting with bated breath on the outcome of this hearing by the Privy Council.

Government to tighten consumer protection laws

by DAYLE DA SILVA CONSUMERS are being promised more stringent laws as it relates to their protection.

This as legislators are expected to examine the issue of strengthening existing legislation.

Senator Camillo Gonsalves, Foreign Minister and whose portfolio also covers Consumer Affairs, while speaking at a press briefing last week Tuesday, described the existing laws as “weak.”

For example, the decision made by government to drop the price of LPG was one made solely by the Prime Minister on behalf of the consumers in the country, because the legal and regulatory framework was currently nonexistent, Senator Gonsalves said.

“It is an issue and increasingly in these small societies it only takes one dominant player, whether is in data, or selling furniture, or selling gas or whatever it is, to sometimes infringe on consumer rights and we have to protect those rights. …

I think we have to do a lot better on that,” he continued.

The Senator pointed to the result indicators in this year’s budget as outlining government’s plans to strengthen consumer

Both Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (centre) and Senator Camillo Gonsalves spoke to the need to ensure protection for the consumer. protection.

There was some talk about setting up an OECS competition commission, Gonsalves also said, however the OECS Heads decided that this was not the best option.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves explained at the press briefing, that the issue of consumer protection was not dropped, despite the decision taken during the 60th meeting of the OECS Authority held in Martinique on February 4.

According to the Prime Minister, under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, there is a CARICOM competition commission, and it was always the feeling that there should be individual commissions in each member state, linking with the CARICOM competition

commission.

But this approach, according to Dr Gonsalves, would not be cost effective, so the idea arose for the establishment of an OECS commission.

“But this is still a very expensive thing to run, so the idea is to have the CARICOM competition commission designated as the competition commission for all CARICOM individual member states, who may so wish to designate it and to provide supplementary staff to deal with whatever those issues are,” the Prime Minister explained.

The bulk of consumer issues are regional ones, he said, like the LIME/FLOW merger that affects consumers here and elsewhere.

The Ministry of National Mobilisation, Social Development, Gender, Family Affairs Division, Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Community Development and the residents of Paul’s Avenue express sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the following business houses for their contributions, which made the Christmas party for the children of Paul’s Avenue a reality: St Vincent Electricity Services Ltd. Metrocint General/THE VINCENTIAN Searchlight Newspaper SVG Tires and Sales Kyes Vegetarian Cuisine Dr. Francois Truchot Premium Products Gaymes Bookstore Caribbean Lab Reference SVG Teachers Union Interactive Media Jax’s Enterprise Ltd. Howard’s Auto Care Services Insurance Brookers

V Roaming Eustace sticking charges should be eliminated to his style 4. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

from individuals, who were often of the opinion that he LEADER of the Opposition, ought to be more vocal, and Arnhim Eustace says that he will press for fresh (early) elections continue to adopt a non-violent to be called here. demeanour leading up to the “We are supposed to be next General Elections. civilised countries, we are Eustace made the comment supposed to be a people who on Monday on radio, via are educated enough and who telephone from St Kitts understand enough about the —Nevis, where he attended the democratic principles upon swearing in ceremony of the which we live,” Eustace said. recently elected Dr Timothy “We are a Christian people Harris led administration. who believe in God, and Saying that his interest lay therefore, we should act and in the New Democratic Party perform our duties and speak (NDP) winning the next in that manner only,” he general elections here, he continued. expressed confidence that his Eustace said that he had party would come out had enough of the type of victorious. politics of casting aspersions “But there is due course on people’s character. with courtesy and decorum,” “We have had enough of Eustace said. that. Let us settle down in The leader of the opposition the democratic process and said that he was not conduct our elections in a free interested in some of the vile and fair manner,” he said. comments which emanated

by DAYLE DA SILVA

Arnhim Eustace, Leader of the Opposition, will not be pushed into changing his style of politics.

Police band receives new instruments

by KENVILLE HORNE THE ROYAL St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Band is the beneficiary of 16 new pieces of musical instruments, compliments the Roman Catholic Diocese.

The instruments, valued at USD 20,000, were handed over by Monsignor Michael Stewart to

Monsignor Michael Stewart formally presents the instruments to COP Michael Charles.

CHRIS DEHRING, Head of Government Relations for Cable and Wireless (LIME), says that he believes that roaming mobile charges for users within the Caribbean should be eliminated.

He was at the time speaking at the LIME/FLOW merger panel discussion on Monday, at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown, when he spoke out on the issue.

“At Cable and Wireless, we fully support that position,” Dehring said.

“We really should have a domestic space in the Caribbean where we can eliminate those roaming charges,” he continued.

The challenge was, however, that the region was made up of individual states with different regimes, Dehring explained.

So in Jamaica for example, there is a termination tax on calls that the company terminates, and that additional cost has to be passed on to someone, which is the customer, he said.

“So when those calls come in from St Lucia roaming, it’s seen as an international call by the government, and we have to pay a termination rate.”

Therefore, the issue of eliminating roaming charges was not something that the telecommunications provider was able to do on its own.

“But we are very happy to sit down with individual countries, sit down with ministers, sit down with regulators and see if we come up with a plan that works,” Dehring said.

(DD)

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, during a ceremony at the Police Band Training Room, New Montrose, on Tuesday 24th February.

Band Master Inspector Bernard Haynes expressed happiness for the donation, and said he would ensure that the instruments are put to good use. He implored the band members to COP Michael Charles, on bass drum, joins members of the Police Force Band take care of the items in giving the new instrument a ‘working over’. so that they could last as long as possible.

According to Snagg, the items were donated as Commissioner Charles expressed thanks to the part of Food for the Poor programme, which is Diocese for the donation, noting that the church and headquartered in Miami, Florida, and has been the police force have the same goal, i.e. to save contributing to St. Vincent and the Grenadines since people’s lives, therefore, it is great when both the 1990s. As recent as last year, the programme entities work together. donated over four containers, containing various He noted that the musical instruments were items including the musical instruments. costly, and appealed to the members of the band to “When we saw the instruments, we didn’t have take very good care of them. much argument in terms of who we were going to Monsignor Stewart offered brief remarks. He donate these instruments to. The Police Force has stated that music can help bring discipline to civil been helping us all along,” Snagg said. society, and the church is therefore, happy to As far as the Food for the Poor focus was partner with the Police Force to help society to be concerned, Snagg informed that the programme also more orderly. He urged the officers to continue to do makes donations of food supplies, medicines, their best, and to encourage young women and men housing materials and water. to be part of their company.

The musical items donated included 2 trombones, Integral Human Development Coordinator for the 8 trumpets, 2 Tenor saxophones, 2 Alto Saxophones, Kingstown Diocese, Rosita Snagg, gave an overview 1 Bass drum, and 1 Marching drum. of how the donation came about.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 5.

Regional

LIAT planned relocation causes concern ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA’S recent EC$8.5 million injection into regional airline LIAT, did little to prevent a recent LIAT shareholders’ decision to relocate the airlines fleet.

Since it was founded in 1956, LIAT has been headquartered on the grounds of the V. C. Bird International Airport in Antigua.

However, a recent shareholder governments meeting in Barbados, at which Antigua and Barbuda was represented, albeit not at prime ministerial level, agreed to make changes in where LIAT’s new fleet of ATR aircraft will be housed.

The decision was that Barbados will house four aircraft, two will remain in Antigua and the other two will be based in Trinidad, effectively decreasing the LIAT presence in Antigua.

In justifying the decision, Chairman of the shareholder governments, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, said, inter alia,

“… you don’t need to be a rocket scientist … (to see) the place where most people pass through in the LIAT network is Barbados; that is the reality.”

This relocation comes as Antigua & Barbuda’s recent injection of cash helped increase the country’s directors on the board to three ,and reduced Barbados’ from five to four.

Antigua and Barbuda was represented at the recent Barbados meeting

by Robin Yearwood, its minister with responsibility for aviation matters.

As the decision hit home on Antiguans, the Antigua Daily Observer reported the head of Antigua & Barbuda’s Cruise Tourism Association as warning that the move could be a major blow to the nation’s economy.

That person is quoted as saying, “…the movement of aircraft means less maintenance workers here, and probably reduced staff in the other areas. I hope

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer are seeing eye to eye on a call to hold on LIAT’s planned relocation. it doesn’t happen.”

And also, according to the Antigua Daily Observer of February 16, 2015, Leader of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), Baldwin Spencer, said he and Prime Minister Gaston Browne have agreed there’s need for a study on the possible effects of shifting parts of LIAT’s operations to Barbados.

Spencer said this was done during talks Friday morning, which also included invitees Gatesworth James, who is a former member of LIAT’s Board, Lesroy Browne who spent over 30 years working with LIAT, and former LIAT CEO Brian Challenger.

“We were of the view

that before one can properly assess the impact of this development, one has to have all the relevant information.

What is the overall plan going forward … immediately and in the long term?”

Spencer said he supports Browne’s call this week for a hold to be put on plans to move two LIAT aircraft to Barbados and let go 180 of the airline’s 800 staff.

“To that extent ,we agree with the position of the prime minister that there should be a hold on the implementation of this arrangement until the whole thing has been properly analysed,” Spencer said. (Source: Antigua Daily Observer)

Jamaica UTech in new ‘ganja’ deal EVEN AS THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARCOM) Summit of this week looked again at the creation of a marijuana commission, one member territory, Jamaica, is not waiting on the rest of the Community on advancing the recognition of the value of marijuana.

In anticipation of the full implementation of the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act, 2015, and any other relevant legislation and regulations, Ganja Labs USA and the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) on Monday, February 16, signed a three-year agreement to develop high-quality ganja strains.

The agreement is the latest drive to formalise the medical ganja industry.

According to the Jamaica Observer, the strains would grow under controlled indoor and outdoor conditions. But both parties offered no immediate plans to sell the drug as it still awaits clearance to grow it legally.

“The collaboration will involve development of a public/private

joint venture regarding a specialised laboratory, and UTech is asid to have indoor and several active MOU outdoor state-of- partnerships in various the art fields of study with greenhouses at universities and other the Papine institutions across the campus of Americas, Europe, UTech,” the Africa, Asia and the Observer quoted Caribbean.

Claire Sutherland, Inset: Jamaica is said to senior director, cultivate a variety of International and Institutional high-grade ganja.

Linkages at licence to UTech are in UTech in response to a mailed request from the Jamaica Observer. place under the anticipated She added that the collaboration Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act, 2015, and any other relevant with Ganja Labs, a subsidiary of legislation and regulations.

Ganja Inc, would allow UTech to This legislation, which has play a “leading role” in the already been approved by the development of the medicinal Jamaica Senate, when enacted, will marijuana industry. make legal provisions that will Preparations are underway, but facilitate scientific research on a definite timeline for cultivation medicinal marijuana by accredited remains undisclosed. and approved tertiary institutions Production is expected to begin after the necessary permission and in Jamaica.

Guyana’s PPP presidential and prime ministerial candidates Donald Ramotar (right) and Elizabeth Ann Harper.

Guyana gets female PM Candidate CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) member state Guyana will go to the polls on May 11, 2015.

That Englishspeaking South American country Guyana coalition APNUwill do so against AFC’s David Granger (right), President Donald presidential candidate, and Ramotar’s term in Moses Nagamootoo, prime office having been ministerial candidate. cut short by two years, after he dissolved parliament in November 2014, in the face of a combined opposition attempt to move a vote of no-confidence against his government.

And in what observers say is a surprise move, President Ramotar announced last Saturday that his party, the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), had chosen Elisabeth Ann Harper as its candidate for Prime Minister.

This means that Samuel Hinds, who has been the Prime Minister since the PPP regained power in 1992, has bowed or has been asked to bow out of the race.

Harper, the wife of former Guyana Cricket Coach Mark Harper, is Guyana’s Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is also accredited as Ambassador to CARICOM. The President described Harper as a “smart woman in the diplomatic and foreign relations community,” saying further that, “her experience, dynamism and loyalty to the betterment of our nation will complement the exceptional leadership and visionary qualities that we have displayed over the years in Government,” and ”will not only help him win the next elections for the PPP, but will regain a majority in the National Assembly.”

But observers say she has been a career diplomat who has, until now, stayed far away from the politics of the country.

The opposition Partnership for National Unity — Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC), while acknowledging Harper’s contribution to the civil service and as a career diplomat, described the naming of Harper “as an act of desperation and one that signals division in the party.”

Meanwhile, the APNU-AFC has confirmed that its presidential candidate will be David Granger, leader of the APNU, and its prime ministerial candidate will be the AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo.

Successive PPP governments, under Ramotar and his predecessor Bharrat Jagdeo, have been rocked by corruption scandals, spending money without the approval of parliament, and threats of violence against the media.

The country has also become a global drugtrafficking hub.

The European Union in late January 2015, suspended some budget assistance to Guyana on the grounds that President Donald Ramotar’s 2014 suspension of parliament “ has left the nation without adequate supervision of state spending.”

The PPP lost its majority in the national assembly at the last election, November 2011, with the Alliance for Change (AFC), then a third party, taking seven seats from the PPP at that poll.

The current Parliament of Guyana was suspended in November 2014 but, up to press time Wednesday, has not be officially dissolved. (Sources: Caribbean News Now, Guyana Chronicle)

V Hundreds bid farewell to Selwyn ‘Compo’ Cumberbatch 6. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Diaspora

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net US CORRESPONDENT IN WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED as one of the larger funerals ever in the Vincentian community in New York, over 1,000 people last Sunday afternoon-evening flocked St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, for the Home-going Wake and Funeral Service of popular community advocate Selwyn ‘Compo’ Cumberbatch.

Richmond Hill, Kingstownborn Cumberbatch, a former president of the Brooklynbased Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian group in the US, and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association of New York, died on Feb. 9. He was 70.

Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals —

Selwyn Winston ‘Compo’ Cumberbatch, Dec. 15, 1944 Feb. 9, 2015.

Daughter La Ferne Andrews reads obituary.

Rev. Glyger Beache stands close to comfort Barbara Capers as she pays tribute to her late fiancé. including Jamaicans, Barbadians, Trinidadians and Guyanese — of all walks of life, paid tributes to the former Staff Sergeant in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF), describing him as gregarious, kind, jocular, witty, charismatic, humble, devoted, committed and trustworthy,

A section of mourners, including family members in front pew.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church’s Chancel.

among other superlatives.

In speeches, poems, songs, hymns and musical instruments, mourners — including family members — showered praise on the prominent community figure in the wake and funeral service that spanned over four hours. “‘Compo’ knew how to break the ice or simply how to make us laugh,” said COSAGO Chateaubelair-born president Laverne McDowald-Thompson of Cumberbatch.

The COSAGO president also said Cumberbatch “held his own” as a cook, often preparing delicacies, including his “famous chicken wings” for the group’s meetings.

Erlene Williams-King, a member of the Chancel Choir at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where Cumberbatch also worshipped and was a lay speaker [local preacher], concurred with McDowald-Thompson.

Before reading ‘Steal Away’, to rapturous applause, Williams-King, of Upper Edinboro, Kingstown, said she had enjoyed Cumberbatch’s “friendly rice”.

Georgetown native Kurwin Jackson, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ex-Police Association of New York, said that, after narrowly beating Cumberbatch in the group’s recent election, he [Cumberbatch] still encouraged and supported him in being an efficient and effective leader.

“I loved him,” said Jackson, thanking the large number of St. Vincent and the

Grenadines ex-police officers for attending the funeral service.

Malcolm Best — president of the Barbados Ex-Police Association, who pursued police training, at the Regional Police Training Center in Barbados, with Cumberbatch and his brother, Bertram, a retired RSVGPF Superintendent — said Cumberbatch “was very dedicated to what he did.”

Dr. Roxie Irish and Lillias Hamlin of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn, used Cumberbatch’s first and last names in describing him as “stately, eloquent, loving, witty, no nonsense, consistent, unique, mannerly, brotherly, excellent, robust, brilliant, audacious, trustworthy, committed [and] heavenlyminded”.

Cumberbatch was engaged to be married on Sept. 26 to Barbara Capers, of New York.

Before “crying out loud,” Capers disclosed that she and Cumberbatch had first met 16 months ago, and that he was a “very tolerant and understanding” person.

The Rev. Dr. Glyger Beache, pastor of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, said he had befriended Cumberbatch long before he became his pastor. “‘Compo’ loved to dance; he was a funny kind of guy. …

“You’ll never see a man who was so gracious.

“His humor, his spirit of giving — whenever we had something here, if he says something, he’ll do something,” Beache added.

“He did everything he could to become more and more every day in the image of God.”

The Rev. Hoskin Prescott, who hails from Sion Hill, Kingstown, said Cumberbatch was his school mate at the former Richmond Hill Government School, renamed the Thomas Saunders Secondary School.

“Selwyn held nothing back,” he said. “He was a humble person.”

According to the obituary, read by Cumberbatch’s daughter, La Ferne Andrews, Cumberbatch “inspired his children and grandchildren to achieve degrees” in chemical engineering, accounting, finance, business administration, sociology, criminal justice, marketing and development administration.

Cumberbatch — who was born on Dec. 15, 1944 to the late Vincent and Mary Cumberbatch, of Richmond Hill — was the father of five: Colin, La-Ferne, Petrona, Larry and Curtis (who predeceased him).

His siblings include Kenrick, Noel, Brian, Bertram, Leroy (deceased) and his only sister, Yvonne, who travelled from home for the funeral.

Cumberbatch is also survived by 10 grandhildren — Leneille, Monique, Stephen, Nathan, Lauren, Tyla, Seray, Langston, Kyra and Kordel — and two great-grand-children — Braylon and Chance.

He is remembered here in SVG as an astute police officer, who, when assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the RSVGPF, led the fight against the use and trafficking of illegal drugs.

Those in the trade were known to say that, “Compo could smell drugs wherever they were.”

His colleague officer here also recalls that ‘Compo’ was shot while fulfilling his duties as Officer in Charge of the Biabiou Police Station.

Selwyn ‘Compo’ Cumberbatch was interred on Monday at the Canarsie Cemetery in Brooklyn.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 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 Humility - The basic trait of humans WEEK UPON WEEK, some of us are called upon to weigh the contents and sentiments expressed therein, of numerous ‘Letters to the Editor’.

Decisions have to be made with respect to accuracy and whether content/sentiment is slanderous/libelous or even borders on being slanderous/libelous. After all, the responsibility of the Editor/Editorial staff is to safeguard the credibility and reputation of the publication, and the interest of the ownership of the publication.

Ever so often, amidst the inundation of letters, the acceptance of some and the discarding of many on grounds listed above or otherwise, (for which the editor will receive an abusive telephone call for being a coward when a decision is made not to publish a letter), there are some ‘Letters to the Editor’ that move you more so than others.

A letter writer in today’s issue, the one that speaks to the ‘Humility of Mr. Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel’, struck in that manner.

It got us thinking.

There are those, it seems, who discipline themselves to live a life for now and the hereafter. Those are the ones who embrace life with faith and wisdom; those who put themselves at the service of man. There are others who live for today and this temporal order only. They go through life with little faith in anything substantial, and yes, with little wisdom of their own, preferring to regurgitate what their leaders say and what they are paid so to do, putting themselves, therefore, not at the service of man but at the service of a leader, a group or an ideology.

That is why, when we are called to assess those who are desirous of leading us, those who would want to speak on our behalf, that we look carefully at and within them for a basic trait, i.e. humility.

One and at the same time, it is wise to also discern, if humility is absent, whether in fact it has been replaced by arrogance, the very antithesis of humility.

More and more, even as we boast of building a modern post colonial economy (society), it seems that we forget that from time immemorial and until such time as the dawning of a new world, there have been and will also be basic human characteristics that guide our advancement through time. One of those basic characteristics is humility in those who would present themselves as leaders and those whom we elect to lead us.

But how do we develop our humility? Can it, in fact, be something that we can grow? The answer is yes.

First we must recognize that all that we do and all that we accomplish come from a greater source.

To be set on a path to humility is to remind oneself, or have others remind you, that what is being done and accomplished is not of your doing as leader, or for your aggrandizement.

And through it all, whether the times be good, bad or indifferent, that a leader takes ongoing account of him/herself and continually reminds him/herself of his/her weaknesses and shortcomings.

How many of our leaders, like ‘Bigger Biggs’, are men and women enough, humble enough, to admit to having made mistakes or fallen short of what is good and proper?

Sadly, if the truth be told, we have cultivated an attitude that speaks to humility as being a weak characteristic, not an attitude that should be applied to how we lead the national good, how we deal with others along that path, even in how our men relate to our womenfolk.

Humility has given way to arrogance, which has meant that forgiveness is but a figment of the imagination in our everyday society, and in how we deal with those who voice a contrary opinion to ours or take an opposing side on an issue of national importance.

If we were to be fair to ourselves as we reflect on what has characterized our sense of leadership and of our leaders in a real sense, would it not be in keeping with the truth to admit that the quality that has been least found or identified in those who have led and who lead our politics, has been humility?

Even those who are but mere functionaries in this mad quest for political office and self-aggrandisement, have fallen prey to the vice of arrogance over the virtue of humility.

Time we take stock of ourselves as human beings. Some are called to lead, others to follow, but in each case, in a spirit of oneness and humility.

Persons like Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel, like the letter writer points to, may be an exception to the rule, but one from whom much can be learned.

The race, they is, is not for the swift, and definitely not for the arrogant.

Final fling at “National Heroes” “This Week”, 5th April 2013 “THE GATHERING STORM stirred up by Adrian Fraser’s revelation of the case for Mc Intosh, by itself, is almost enough to see Mc through as a National Hero.

The resurrection of public celebration at the grave-side of Joshua to mark 22 years since his death, has raised hopes that Joshua, too, is likely to be politically sanctified.

Present at the ceremony were a government spokesman, Rene` Baptiste who heads the screening committee on national heroism; Noel Jackson, trade unionist and member of the ULP executive; Bishop Johnny James of the Spiritual Baptists; and Dr. Michael Joshua, a son, and Lafleur Johnson, a daughter of Joshua.

Strange how shop keeping. In 2005, this author noted that the Marriaqua N.D.P election candidate Advira Bennett had been a Cato supporter, even bearing two children for him.

That piece of news was struck out, for whatever reason. At Joshua’s memorial this year, there was a bold front page print-out of Joshua son, and daughter bearing different surnames. Cato must be protected, while Joshua is exposed for having sown “wild oats”.

Dr. Parmenos Eustace, doubtful starter; but we will wait and see how things pan out. Much depends on the advocacy of Parnel Campbell, seconding the motion introduced by Vin Samuel.

On the other hand, this columnist does not fancy the chances of Milton Cato to make the grade. On any objective analysis, he is just not up to it. His curriculum vitae is found wanting.”

In any event, we can make do with three National Heroes for the foreseeable futures.

Others will naturally emerge over time.”

“This Week”, 1st October 2013:

“This Week”, 1st October 2013

“I noticed that in his politically crafted 35th Independence Anniversary speech, the Prime Minister hinted broadly that the time was drawing near for the selection of a complement of National Heroes, which are likely to be the quartet of George Mc Intosh, Ebenezer Joshua, Milton Cato and Parmenos Eustace sponsored

by Vin Samuel. I go along with 75 percent of the choice, but object strongly to the inclusion of Milton Cato, with the support of Oscar Allen, Renwick Rose, Cecil ‘Blazer’ Williams and Jomo Thomas- all friendly disposed to the Prime Minister.

In fact, Jomo, who is at present a ULP senator and prospective ULP candidate for South Leeward in the next election, had actually resigned from a commission to pick the likely heroes, to which he had been appointed chairman by Ralph.

Jomo’s beef was that Ralph, who is constitutionally to recommend the final choice(s), flaunted the regulations in publicising his personal selection of Cato.”

The Latest How now will Jomo and Company react to Ralph’s exposure on Independence Day 2014, in the presence of the Governor General and hordes of Vincentians! Ralph, for all his democratic facade, makes it plain who is the boss of the plantation, of government and country!

The reason that Ralph is so hung up on Cato, has absolutely nothing to do with “heroism”. It has all to do with politics in general and next elections in particular. As I have repeatedly declared in various fora, the real problem stems from the fact that Dr. Gonsalves sees as crucial to his return to power, the victory of his son, Camillo, in the East St. George Constituency over Dr. Linton Lewis of the NDP. So he desperately wants to capitalise on Cato being National Hero, for the enhancement of Camillo’s chance at the polls.

Following Dr. Fraser’s tribute to George Mc Intosh, the latter’s grandson, Julian Mc Intosh, provided “the masses” with a testimony of Mc’s contribution to his fellowmen, which is overwhelming.

In fact, the authorities have been dragging their feet where the Mc Intosh case is concerned. The public has now supped full of both men Mc Intosh and Joshua, thanks partly to Dr. Fraser’s and my own submissions on them.

Meanwhile, a new hero has entered the block, Dr. Parmenos Eustace, as portrayed and advocated by Vin Samuel. Ralph Gonsalves is likely to close the book on national heroism, probably by the 14tth March 2015, though there are persons who think that it will be kept back to the same date in 2016, a matter of weeks before the next general elections in which he hopes that it will feature prominently.

Our national heroes are likely to be Mc Intosh, Joshua, Dr. Eustace and Cato despite the unpopularity of the last choice, with Senator Jomo Thomas completely changing his former stance against Milton Cato to a “Luke”warm support, not to rock the boat.

In such a case, there might be a replay of the national flag controversy down the road, with a future Government striking out the name Cato from the list of National Heroes, in much the same way as the flag was changed by the incoming NDP Government in 1985.

Heaven forbid that we should have to walk the same blighted path in securing Democracy!

The latest is that Ex Prime Minister John Compton and Ex Chief Minister George Charles have been anointed National Heroes of St Lucia; but, of course, the circumstances of unit members of the OECS are sometimes as different “as the poles are apart!”

Among the clippings in my possession, is one as lately published as 21st February 2014 by a loyal Vincentian in the UK, Avil Cupid, who notes that “Comrade Joshua’s spirit Guiding Dr. Gonsalves”…, but clearly not on the matter of choosing National Heroes.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 9.

Letters

Modern Coast Missing Black Stalin Guard vs Sea Scouts

FOR THE FIRST time in at least five decades, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago was without one of that country’s (and the world’s) greatest calypsonians. Leroy Calliste, known the world over as Black Stalin, was not seen in public, whether on stage performing, on the road liming, in the Savannah on the ‘Drag’, or anywhere else in public.

You see, Stalin was in bed and has been for some time now. The ‘Black Man’, as he is also called, is suffering from the effects of a stroke he had last year September.

The reports that we have got, here in T&T, are that the stroke has affected his speech and movement on the right side of his body.

Word is also that Stalin has promised to be back on stage, although, if the reports are correct, it will be some time before he can even sing again.

I have been resident in this country for the last 35 or so years, and I tell you, Bro, I missed the Black Stalin this year. Regardless of whether or not he was competing, you could always catch him in a Calypso tent or performing at some concert or at a club.

I don’t know how much the Black Stalin still means to the calypso fraternity and enthusiasts back home, though I understand he was in SVG last Carnival to help Luta celebrate his 20th anniversary.

If at all it is possible, perhaps you, Mr. Editor, could search the archives for a piece you published in THE VINCENTIAN, under your name, back in 1995, which was the last year the Black Stalin won the calypso monarch in T&T. That article I have always remembered and referred to through the years. See if you can find it, my friend. It would be a fitting tribute to the Black Man if you can republish it.

IT IS SAID that all members of military and quasi-military organizations - soldier, police, cadet, scout, guide, Red Cross and St. John Ambulance volunteers are brothers to each other.

Sadly, as an old soldier/boy-sea scout, I am really ashamed of my brothers in the Coast Guard, a branch of our Police Force.

You see, Sir, the Coast Guard has a lot of advantages over Sea Scouts. They have ‘motor boats’, protective gears, underwater camera, and flashlights. They also have what they call advanced military training in rescue mission. They boast about this.

We (sea) scouts were taught ‘oarsmanship’ (how to row a boat) as a means of getting us where we are going. We were taught how to approach a drowning person, regardless of that person’s size or weight.

Our training included having to row our boat to the head of Great Head about ¼ mile out into the rough Atlantic current then swim to Flat Rock in the Kingstown

harbour or to Old Woman Point or Edinboro where the hotel was. We sometimes had to take someone along as though we were saving him.

Moreover, we were made to dive at different depths, even in open rough seas.

Sir, I grew up in Canouan, and before I left in 1952, I was trained at 11 years old by an old lady, Miss Jessy DeRoche, to brave the waters off Barbruce rough side, get under the rocks, while the waves smashed on the rocks above, just to collect the larger whelks. You see, those size whelks only come out at nights.

With that kind of training, I enrolled in the scout movement in Grenada and became a Queen’s Scout, which also helped me get into the W.I. Regiment. I am proud of my achievement; but I am ashamed of the response from the Coast Guard diver and his men, socalled modern-day scouts.

Sir, waves smashing against rocks do so only at surface level.

Someone can pick or examine the lower portion of the rock there will and always will be a current down there. I used to do it without an oxygen tank.

Did the officer in that Rock Gutter incident get into the water and check visibility, especially near the rocks, and check to see if anyone was stuck down there? Did our local divers not have training from Uncle Sam? Imagine a coast guard

Winston Money Road

Should we absolve the ÂBigger BiggsÊ – government?

Mr. Humility I AM NOT ONE for writing to the Editors of newspapers, but as I read and listened to Mr. Leon ‘Bigger Biggs’ Samuel trace his trials and tribulations, and still find the humility to admit that he just might have made a mistake here and there that brought on these years of suffering, is to listen to a man that is the embodiment of our Christian faith.

Here is a man, after all that he was made to bear, not unlike the Son of Man who bore the weight of the sins of the world, ready and able to admit to his mistake. What a man!!! He stands head and shoulders above many of those who call themselves leaders.

The one thing that sets Mr. Samuel apart from the rest of us is his immense reservoir of humility.

Oh how I pray that our Prime Minister and many around him would just take an ounce of that humility from Mr. Samuel!

I wish Mr. Samuel nothing but God’s richest blessings. I hope and pray that his business will return to some level of meaningful operation, so that he can help himself, his family and all those who depend on him for their well-being.

God bless.

A first time writer

PERMIT me an observation, a view that will undoubtedly be challenged, but an informed opinion nonetheless.

It has been recorded that the majority of the population of St. Vincent and the Grenadines chooses to categorize itself as Pentecostal, and a small fragment as Spiritual Baptist. There are of course, many Christians and others that fall into lesser pieces of the pie.

“God’s Will” is an expression used by many, if not most, of the parents and/or relatives of the lost and missing, and indeed of the survivors of the tragedy at Rock Gutter; that is to say it was, by extension, absolving any human culpability of the Government responsibility for road maintenance, or a designated bus transport for school children. Government’s belated action to remedy this notwithstanding, this absolution seems to me to extend politically.

The same people support PM Gonsalves, for the very reason (or lack of reason) that they ignore Government responsibility for all that has befallen our country in the last 15 years. It is all “God’s Will”.

Government duty, control, responsibility are all effaced when

confronted with tragedy. Did God make this and every tragedy happen? Is Government automatically relieved of any guilt? If Government chooses not to fix a road or provide really necessary and appropriate transportation for school children in remote areas, choosing to use their assets elsewhere, does that relieve them of culpability? The answer of some seems to be “yes”. And a majority of certain aspects of the religious community seems to support that view.

Where does that put our country in terms of the up-coming election? To follow “God’s Elect”, God’s chosen– immune from human judgment or evaluation? No failure of Government action or policy can be held against the Chosen One; flooded rivers, washed away homes and attendant loss of life due to Government failure to institute needed and historically called for preventive action, out of control domestic violence and child abuse, incompetent and/or corrupt public housing operations, political victimization–all are “God’s will”?

Uh-huh, that’s right, and Hallelujah!

May their God help us all!

HJA

officer (diver) on a rescue/recovery mission, all suited up (wet suit) but no oxygen tank or underwater torch. Also, was the boat in which he was travelling going at walking pace? Yet, he complained of visibility.

Lord Baden Powell must be so ashamed, rolling over on his belly in his grave.

Revive scouting!!! It’s a young boy’s best friend after his dog.

Old soldier/Boy scout

MAN-ABOUTTOWN apologises for being away for a few weeks, but is back and would like to know: * Are the authorities aware of the extent of sexual abuse in the public service? If they are, is it that they are turning a blind eye? * Are persons too afraid to report this because they fear they will lose their jobs, and because of who is involved in this kind of behaviour? Is it a case of sex for favours? * When is the Prime Minister going to report to this nation the real amount of money this country has borrowed to date for the Argyle Airport. * Why are people saying it only takes a half an hour in Kingstown to figure out that this country is a lawless country?

And wonder what they see or who they talking to? * Have the purpose of those Mobile Police Units changed? Are they now ‘permanent’ police stations where officers can even sleep over like at a normal police station? Nex’ they go be movin in dey families, eh?

V

10. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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Incentives Galore for Investors Excerpt from the Honourable Terrance (Adapted from the letter written by Hans King) The issue SINCE MARCH 29, 2001, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government has been actively encouraging private sector investment, both domestic and foreign, at unprecedented levels and with a focus unmatched since independence in 1979.

The facts, figures and policy framework attest to all this, despite politicallyjaundiced comments to the contrary.

To some critics, it appears as though “encouraging private sector investment” means an unbridled “open sesame” with little or no regulatory framework and an absence of legitimate consideration for the nation’s welfare overall. Only a permission for wanton “investment buccaneering” of the Ottley Hall type would satisfy some of these politicallymotivated critics. Our government, however, has been successfully attracting substantial legitimate, private investment, domestic and foreign.

Let us, though, look specifically at the package of fiscal incentives put in place additionally to pre-existing ones, since 2001.

Fiscal incentives A summary of these fiscal incentives includes centrally: (i) The reduction of the top marginal rate of corporate and personal taxation from 40 percent to 32.5 percent, with the consequential downward adjustments. (ii) Specific incentives for the manufacturing sector, namely: (a) Tax rate of 30 percent on chargeable income derived from sales on the local market and from exports to the OECS market (b) Tax rate of 25 percent on the chargeable income derived from exports to the non-OECS CARICOM market. (c) Tax rate of 15 percent on the chargeable income derived from the exports to the extra-CARICOM market. (d) The quite generous incentive of duty-free concessions on raw materials and spare parts for all manufacturing enterprises, including agro-processors.

This is in addition to the pre-existing incentives for plant and equipment (excluding spare parts). (e) The removal of the demand charge and a lowering of electricity cost for industrial (manufacturing) and commercial consumers. A reduction in electricity tariff for industrial users with effect from March 2012: The basic charge for industrial consumers was reduced from 45 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh) to 42 cents per kwh. A system of volume discounts for industrial (and commercial) consumers has been put in place: Industrial consumers using more than 150,000 units (kwhs) per month is entitled to a 5 percent discount, and those consuming over 200,000 units per month, a 10 percent discount; a 5 percent discount is also applied to commercial consumers utilising more than 150,000 units monthly. (iii) Specific incentives for the hotel/tourism sector include: (a) A reduction of the corporate tax on income accruing from a hotel has been reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent. (b) The legislation was amended in order to ensure that hotels are allowed to claim a capital cost allowance in respect of any building used solely in the carrying on of hotel business, including buildings used for housing and welfare facilities for employees. (c) The introduction of a Tourism Development Incentive credit in respect of the development and sale of villas, bungalows and other similar properties.

This credit amounts to 5 percent of the selling price of each property, and is to be used for the settlement of the stamp duty payable by the developer on the initial sale of the property. To qualify for this incentive credit, there must be in the tourism project a minimum of 20 units and an initial investment of not less than US $10 million. (d) Hotel investments of at least US $50 million receive tax concessions on food and beverage for the hotel for

initial periods of up to 10 years.

VAT is, of course, always payable. (e) Special rebates or volume discounts for electricity used by hotels are granted. (f) Special, and generous, concessions outside of the normal hotel incentives for property-owners to build or add rooms to accommodate overseas students and other visitors. (iv) Specific concessions for the construction sector. In 2003, in order to boost housing development, the tax law was amended to exempt income accruing to a housing developer from sale of residential units up to $300,000.

This means that a housing developer is not required to pay taxes on any income earned from the sale or rental of houses valued at $300,000 or less. (v) Specific concessions for qualifying small enterprises. In 2005, the government introduced a business tax credit for these small entrepreneurs in the amount of 25 percent of the tax payable by the business. To qualify for this tax credit, the business must: (i) Have annual sales of $300,000 or less; register with the Ministry of Trade and with CIPO; (ii) Have honoured all its statutory obligations including those to the NIS and Inland Revenue (iii) Not be owned and controlled by an enterprise which does not qualify for these benefits.

This in effect means that the rate of taxation on income earned from qualifying small business is reduced by 25 percent from income year 2005. If that business is operating as a corporation, the effective tax rate is 30 percent. (vi) Specific tax credit for ICT was introduced in 2012. A tax credit in the amount of 25 percent of eligible expenditure in any given tax year, and any unused portion may be carried forward indefinitely. Further, in the application of this measure, the Inland Revenue Department will permit the carry back of any unused credit against previous years’ taxes. (vii) Specific additional relief for farmers in respect of subsidies on fertiliser and other inputs and 2 percent loans through the State-owned Farmers Support Company. (viii) Other additional tax concessions or incentives generally, including: (a) An amendment to the Income Tax Act to permit businesses which participate in the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) and other Public/ Private Partnership (PPP) programmes to claim up to 125 percent of the expenditure incurred as an eligible deduction for the purpose of computing chargeable income. This means, in effect, that private businesses may recover a minimum of 50 percent of the cost incurred. (b) As part of our government’s continuing effort to reduce the tax burden on workers, the Income Tax Act was amended periodically since 2002 to increase the standard deduction from twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) to eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000). (c) Effected pro-business reform of the tax law by the introduction of VAT and at the same time assisting the consumer through a wide range of zerorated and exempted categories of commodities from the application of VAT. Final comment Between 2011 and 2013, St. Vincent and the Grenadines had the highest rate of foreign direct investment (FDI) as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Absolutely, in the OECS, it has been in the forefront of attracting FDI, second only to St. Kitts-Nevis.

Look around and you will see the extent of FDI in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, even in the years of a global economic down turn.

Ollivierre’s 2015 Budget Presentation Dropouts at our educational institutions FOR YEARS, I have been lamenting the fact that students from the Southern Grenadine islands of Canouan and Mayreau are finding it difficult to access secondary education. Additionally, students from Union Island have also been dropping out of school for various reasons.

Hence, the dropout rate from secondary school for students from these small islands seems to be a continual process.

For Mayreau, a small island community, it is alarming that after the 2013/2014 academic year, six (6) students dropped out of school. What made the situation worse is that two (2) other students have since dropped out of school after the first term of the 2014/2015 academic year.

Accordingly, of the twenty-eight students from Mayreau who were attending secondary school on Union Island, eight (8) have dropped out within a short period.

As a result, the phenomenon in regard to dropouts in the Southern Grenadines required an investigation as to the national perspective. Without a doubt, the findings were quite shocking.

The data from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Educational Statistical Digest 2013 revealed for 2009 to 2013 academic years, that students were not only dropping out of secondary school but also from primary school. What could be the reasons for students dropping out of school from such an early age?

An analysis of the statistics indicated that two hundred and thirty- five (235) had dropped out of primary school, of which 142 were males and 93 were females. However, what is even more alarming is that some children did not even complete their first year of primary education. The dropout rate was continual from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Interestingly, the grade at which students would have been preparing to enter secondary level also saw an exodus out of the system.

The documentation by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Educational Statistical Digest 2013 is even more damning as to the dropout rates in regard to secondary education. During the four-year span, the records show that one thousand two hundred and ninety-six (1296) students, of which 748 were boys and 548 girls, dropped out of secondary school. Although dropouts occurred throughout the secondary system, the records revealed that it was more prevalent at the Form 3 level. A comprehensive analysis revealed that more boys than girls dropped out from Forms 1 to 3, while the dropout rate for girls is slightly higher than the boys for Form 4 to 5. Additionally, we must also recognize that on reaching Form 5, some students drop out without completing their secondary education.

It is incumbent that all persons of compulsory school age (5 yrs to 16 yrs) receive an education appropriate to their needs. The Education Act of 2005 made provisions to ensure that parents and students are compliant to such provisions, with the appointment of school attendance officers. The act states that, “A school attendance officer shall be responsible for the enforcement of compulsory school attendance in respect to children of compulsory school age within the district or area to which he or she is appointed.” However, although the Act was commissioned over nine (9) years ago, we are still asking: a. Who are the school attendance officers that were appointed to enforce the law? b. In which of the eleven (11) school districts do they operate? c. How many cases of school dropouts have been investigated? d. What are the possible reason(s)

given for such dropouts? e. Are the resources provided sufficient to meet the needs of students? and f. Are the resources reaching the needy persons?

So we ask, is the education system failing our children? It has been reported that students are being put out of classes for all sorts of invalid reasons; thus adding to their frustration. The lack of books on the book loan scheme is simply not acceptable. This initiative is geared to assist the poor to meet the need of providing relevant learning materials for their children, at minimal cost. However, it’s sad to say that the budgetary allocation is simply insufficient; hence students cannot get the resources necessary, and are thrown out of class. Be assured that an NDP government will make the necessary provision to meet such need.

Students are dropping out of school at Forms 4 and 5 because their parents cannot afford to pay for CSEC/CXC subjects, because the assistance given is minimal. An NDP government will make sure that the cost for CSEC/CXC be paid promptly. Consequently, with the implementation of an aid to compulsion plan, an NDP government will make sure that all students receive the materials necessary to attend school regularly.

It is essential and compulsory that financial assistance be given to needy students where necessary. The Education Act made provision for it.

Section 135 states that, “The Cabinet may, on terms and conditions prescribed by regulations, award grants or bursaries to: Students of secondary schools and teachers of public schools, for the purpose of pursuing a course of study at an educational institution.”

Are the students from Mayreau and Canouan not good enough to receive such grants or bursaries to assist them to access secondary education? Does the plight they face on a daily basis in regard to boat fee payments, not critical enough for assistance to be given for successful completion of secondary education? Similarly, a secondary school on the island of Canouan with a skills training component is not only a necessity but also a right. The Education Act also made the case for financial assistance to needy students, in section 136 (1). Surely no one can’t deny that students from these islands meet the criteria for such assistance.

The problems they face to access quality secondary can be termed as real marginalization and discrimination.

What is(are) the reason(s) for our young people not being able to complete primary and secondary education?

Undeniably, it seems as if the system is failing our children. One can rightly ask why the resources are not reaching those who are in need. We must recognize that the vision must be perceived as “seeing things not as they are but as what they can be”. As a result, we must not only talk universal access, but also take into account allocation of provision to meet the needs of varied abilities. The aim in the provision of education for all is the notion that all children should not only be empowered through quality access with meaningful and multiple pathways to success, but that provision must accompany such access so as to make education sustainable. Consequently, it is critical in today’s world that all young people receive the opportunity to complete their education, be it primary and secondary.

V Removing the dependency

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 11.

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syndrome “The goals of our public welfare program must be positive and constructive. [The welfare program] must stress the integrity and preservation of the family unit. It must contribute to the attack on dependency, juvenile delinquency, family breakdown, illegitimacy, ill health, and disability. It must reduce the incidence of these problems, prevent their occurrence and recurrence, and strengthen and protect the vulnerable in a highly competitive world.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–1963), 35th US president (196163), assassinated November 22, 1963 AMERICA’S 35TH PRESIDENT, John F. Kennedy, was well loved and respected by many within and beyond the United States of America. His intellect, charm, and charisma attracted many. His speeches and writings are still used to encourage and inspire others. The quotation that was used to introduce this week’s article is filled with thoughts that can benefit societies today. These words hold true for the citizens who reside in the most sophisticated urban cities. They also hold true for those who dwell in the furthermost villages on our planet. We, too, can benefit from the wisdom captured in those four powerful sentences.

Too many of our citizens have been programmed to look for handouts. It would appear as though they have been conditioned to beg rather than to seek out opportunities to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. Many of our politicians are to be blamed for removing the dignity of work from these members of our society. Providing handouts and putting able bodied individuals on “poor relief” foster that dependency syndrome that plagues our society. We are certainly not opposed to governments, civic organisations, churches, service clubs and other such groups periodically providing assistance to those in need. But we must have programmes that will encourage them to help themselves (and help others), even as they receive assistance. We know the statement so very well; “It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish”. Yes, there will be times when we will need to assist those who definitely are incapable of fishing.

But too many able-bodied “fishermen” are removing themselves far from the shores, and are just prepared to stretch out a beggar’s hand.

Over the years, we have been encouraged by those individuals and organisations that have sought to encourage persons to participate in art and craft, agro processing, and a variety of home-based agricultural activities.

The benefits of such activities can be quite far reaching. Individuals have been able to develop a variety of skills.

Some have been able to achieve or renew their feelings of self-worth.

Many of the participants have been able to retain their dignity as they seek to “make ends meet”. Several were mature and responsible enough to share the knowledge and skills with others lending a helping hand to others in need. In their own way, they have contributed to the development of better homes and communities. They contribute to the eradication of the dependency syndrome that appears to shackle so many individuals. They contribute to the noble concept of people helping people.

We (you and I) need to be more determined and focused on removing the dependency syndrome from our various communities. We need to participate in programmes that will

help persons to do more with the Godgiven talents that they possess … not merely stretching their hands and expecting to receive from others.

Sometimes it would require that we engage in conversations and activities that will enable them to intercept their thoughts of doubt and dependency.

This may often seem to be a challenge since so many may appear to be programmed to depend on others. But they soon learn that it is really not that difficult to be re-trained. It is not that difficult to re-programme the mind to depend more on self and less on others.

But, as indicated earlier, it may take our effort and initiative to get them to that point where they realise that it is not beyond them to engage in activities to better themselves.

There are so many individuals who seem to fall prey to the negative thoughts that hold them back from trying, because they think that they have so little (or nothing at all).

However, we often need to help them to refocus; the see the glass half full and not half empty. To take a positive look at what may initially appear to be a negative or debilitating situation. Even with what is perceived to be so little, we can do so much. America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, said it so well when he noted, “The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” We can do so much with the seemingly “small” things that we have.

But we have to develop the will to try; the attitude of taking calculated risk.

As the old people say, “Nothing ventured; nothing gained”. All of us, regardless of our circumstances, can begin to better our conditions from where we are. Yes, we can embrace such an approach, develop such a positive attitude, as we move forward to remove the dependency syndrome that now appears to shackle so many around us. So let us not merely respond by saying, “This sounds good, Jules. I think we can do it.” Let us be proactive and commit to doing so … one person at a time; one neighbourhood at a time; one community at a time. We can remove the dependency syndrome!

Our decision makers and policy makers can take a leaf from the quotation fro JFK that was used to introduce this week’s article. Let us revisit the various welfare programmes and ascertain whether they are meeting our noble goals of being positive and constructive. Let us assess whether they are creating and sustaining integrity and preservation in the recipients’ families. Let us ensure that these programmes contribute to the attack on dependency, juvenile delinquency, family breakdown, illegitimacy, ill health, and disability.

Let us revisit and revamp the various programmes to ensure that they reduce the incidence of these programmes and prevent their occurrence and recurrence. As we move forward with resolved commitment to remove the dependency syndrome and to provide our citizens with the skills and opportunities to engage in more selfhelp and self-improvement projects, we will simultaneously play a major role in strengthening and protecting the vulnerable among us.

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

Development demands thought and planning THE TASK OF DEVELOPMENT is especially difficult, though not impossible, for countries that lack resources. Therefore, the persons leading the ship of state must possess a clear vision of where they want the country to go. There are few such leaders around.

Only a few countries have made the fast transition from economic backwardness to development.

Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea come to mind. The most distinguishing feature of these countries is they laid the foundation for their economic takeover when led by dictators, who were hardly concerned with workers’ rights and requirement of democratic elections.

Further, all of them were given a great deal of assistance by the Western developed countries and Japan. The sole intent of all of this aid was to make these countries into showcases in the face of the triumph of the Chinese Revolution, which in its early years was supported by the Soviet Union.

The west was afraid of the so-called ‘domino effect’, where countries would fall out of the capitalist orbit, either to become non-aligned or worse, to line up with the Soviet Union or China in what was then a fight to the death ideological struggle for economic dominance and control.

All of the above is to indicate to readers that independence and development do not come easily. So how then are we to speak of and understand development in a 21st century world dominated by an international economic and political elite primarily concerned about profits, comfort and luxury instead of the basic needs of the majority?

For us in SVG, an understanding of development demands that we are crystal clear as regards what we mean by development. If we conceptualize development by the glamorous high rise buildings we see in New York and London, or even Port of Spain or Kingston, we would have misunderstood the real meaning.

Secondly, we are told that to develop, we have to be able to compete in the world and command a market share.

But in what areas do resource scarce countries like St Vincent command a market share that guarantees development? And if there is such an area of competitive edge, against whom are we to be competing: Barbados, Trinidad and Grenada or the larger and more developed countries of the world?

It is obvious to me that we cannot even compete, and as devout regionalists, we should not be drawing development plans that pit us against any country in our region. Moreover, our development project is a non-starter if we envisage competition as between us and the USA, EU or Japan and Taiwan.

From the very start, we must think of our development as a cottage industry. Small but efficient and effective. The best way to do this is to understand our development aspirations as being solely about people, our people.

We have seen a lot of talk about food security and the need for us to cut back on our food import bill. But is this possible now or has the genie left the bottle long ago? For one thing, these are not the old days when a government could have banned food and other products, as James Mitchell attempted during his 1972 to 1974 premiership.

Those days of banning products in the

national interest are gone. Barring a total realignment in international trade regime, they may not return. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ensured that poor and developing countries will never be able to use trade and make decisions about imports in their national interest. The trading rules do not allow us to make laws to ban products because we have adequate substitutes.

Further, because the cable television and the internet, our taste has been so warped that it has been bent away from local products and directed to all things foreign. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, we will not be able to redirect the taste buds of citizens to local products which are in many cases much healthier than the imports.

Both PM Gonsalves and Opposition Leader Eustace agree that tourism is the lodestar that SVG will ride if it is to survive. Both recognize that bananas and agriculture generally have slipped, especially since Windward Islands bananas have lost its tariff protection in England. The available statistics do point to a growing place for tourism in the economy. It has to be said, though, that if the treatment meted out to employees by some employers is any indication of what our workers can expect, growth in tourism will result in few if any real benefits redounding to the country.

But this is the model of development we are left with. Showcase development.

We build projects mainly owned by foreign concerns, where the most we can expect is low end employment for our workers. This is not bad in itself, because as we have seen, any self respecting person will prefer to labour for her daily bread than to sit at home waiting for meager handouts from family, friends or government.

The airport at Argyle may offer some avenues for development. As the airport comes closer to fruition, we need to develop plans that ensure that the development at the airport and in that section of the country is driven by national concerns rather than by the ambitions of foreign developers.

It is clear that the airport is now a foregone conclusion. The ULP is committed to its completion, and the NDP cannot scrap it as a developmental project. Too much money has already been spent. So what we must do is plan for its completion beyond the obvious that its opening will make for easier transportation to and from the country.

If the Maurice Bishop airport in Grenada is to be a guide, SVG will become a little more attractive following the completion of the airport. Investors may consider coming to our shores to do business. Some may be interested in tourism development because of the sheer beauty of our country. But for national planners, even before the first plane lands at Argyle, we should think through plans that look at the ways in which the airport can assist with the transformation of the entire eastern portion of our country.

The demands of development require more thinking and less talking.

Development must be more than a dream. It must help citizens to enjoy what foreigners call paradise.

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

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12. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

Will the UN be forced to supply food for the poor in SVG? FIGURES from the Ministry of Finance have revealed that, under the incompetent ULP regime, SVG’s food security is being seriously threatened. When the ULP regime came to office in 2001, SVG’s annual food and live animals import bill stood at EC$103 million. In 2014, this figure had more than doubled to EC$214 million.

For more than 12 years, the ULP regime has been destroying hundreds of acres of prime agricultural land, so much so that over the last 5 years, the food import bill has accumulated to EC$1.039 billion. All this money is going to farmers abroad, when, instead, it should be going to Vincentian farmers and being invested in productive farming techniques to produce food and increase employment for our country.

Sadly, the ULP regime is too incompetent to set up the infrastructure needed to ensure that most of the food consumed in SVG is grown in SVG. The ULP regime has failed Vincentian farmers, and many farmers and their families struggle to survive.

A Green government will bring in a policy of ‘eat what we grow and grow what we eat’. This is necessary to support Vincentian farmers, reduce the food import bill and our dependence on foreign farmers, bring down the price of food and stimulate economic growth in SVG. SVG needs to become a net food exporter to help bring prosperity to the people of SVG. Our food security has to be a major concern for all of us under the ULP regime.

The ULP regime is recklessly destroying prime agricultural lands, often in the name of tourism.

The greater the destruction of prime agricultural lands, the greater is the importation of food.

Poor families are finding it hard to keep up with increasing high cost of imported foods, and we

regime has destroyed hundreds of acres of prime agricultural land at Argyle that was used to grow peanuts, sweet potatoes, corn, pineapples and other food crops.

Acres of prime agricultural lands were recklessly destroyed under the ULP regime in North Leeward to build the Belle Isle jail. These lands were famous for producing high quality carrots, onions and other short crops.

There are other places around SVG where prime agricultural land has been destroyed, and this wilful destruction of prime agricultural lands and the agricultural sector by the ULP regime, has significantly contributed to the decline of the SVG economy, and the very high rate of unemployment.

It is only right that we put the needs of Vincentians first, not tourists. We must stop destroying the agricultural lands that produce our food, in the name of advancing tourism, or else further down the line, SVG could turn into a country reliant upon United Nations food aid.

A Green government will put an end to the economic madness of the ULP regime. We will protect and preserve SVG’s prime agricultural lands to ensure food security for our people and future generations. We must not allow the ‘dotishness’ of a few to destroy the food security of our children and grandchildren.

wonder whether the United Nations will be forced to supply food for the poor in SVG. Or, maybe, SVG will be forced to lease agricultural lands in Guyana to grow the food we need to feed our people. It would be economic madness for SVG to end up like that.

Hundreds of acres of prime agricultural land in the Buccament, South Leeward area were destroyed under the ULP regime, to make way for the building of the Buccament Bay Resort. In the process, many farmers lost the means and motivation to make money.

Hundreds of acres of prime agricultural lands have been destroyed at Argyle also, to create the muddy chaos generally referred to as the Argyle airport. As well as wasting EC$800 million, the ULP SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

HRM Systems in the public sector of the Caribbean WHEN ECONOMISTS Lipsey and Cournot created their principal-agent theory, they probably foresighted what the situation would be in the Caribbean today: over 3000 public service employees have lost their jobs in Barbados in a downsizing of the public service, and in St. Lucia, a government bill to reduce salaries in the public sector has been undergoing severe hostility from the public service union there, the matter still not put to rest. The above situation and the principal-agent theory has led me to conclude that the salary, compensation and benefit package for employees constitute the most important challenge facing Human Resource Management (HRM) Systems in Caribbean countries.

One of my sweetest of business theories is the principal-agent theory

by Lipsey and Cournot (1996) which

Apartments at Ruthland Vale, Layou Tel: 455-1231; 528-3739; 1-347-663-6887 for more information.

goes as follows: “The principal is the person who wants something done, and the agent is the person hired to do it. For example, managers of firms may be thought of as agents, while the owners are principals. Both principal and agent are assumed to wish to maximize their own well-being, and the principal’s problem is to design a set of incentives that give the agent a self-interest in doing what the principal requires. …People put in positions of trust are often paid much more than is needed to induce (people) to take these jobs. Why should principals pay their agents more than they need to pay to fill the jobs? The explanation is that if the agent is paid more than she could earn in another job, she has an incentive not to violate the trust placed in her”.

Civil servants or public employees are now embedded in the bowels of Douglas Mc Gregor’s theory Y, and they are on the threshold of the outermost bound of Maslow’s theory of needs, all co-relying on the concept of self-actualization. Therefore, economic incentives must be addressed by the public service.

During the 80s and 90s, the Jamaican public service was very determined to pursue the salary, compensation, benefits stream for employees. It was aimed mainly at preventing the loss of their top performers to private enterprise — this

can be seen from the principal-agent theory. Together with changes in the wage structure, the Jamaican government had created more statutory bodies, linking the salaries of the professionals in these bodies with those of the private professionals.

One of the issues regarding the selfactualization concept is that employees desire benefit packages that include their own education, and their own self-interest. This is also suggestive of the principal-agent theory. Most Caribbean countries have to give in to these demands and therefore, plans have to be put in place to satisfy employees, highlighting one of the several perspectives underpinning HRM. It also highlights the continuous learning need perspective. Therefore, we see an increase of manager professionals and expert technicians in the public services of our region.

Hood’s reference to “new institutional experiences” in presenting a marketing twist to the function of government’s institutions, shows us that the public service can only be efficient if a new wave of a business type ‘managerialism’ appears.

HRM deals with policies that incorporate managers into its responsibility. Therefore, the old tradition where only subordinates needed HRM training, must be replaced by a new process where professionals, like permanent

secretaries, department heads, etc., must be included.

The situations in Barbados and St. Lucia are really related to the issue of national debt in the region. We know how important it is for our nations to pay particular attention to the informal regulations of the IMF and World Bank, which are two of the major sources of our loans, and we need not worry that it is about inefficiency in the public services.

However, the need for more efficient HRM is essential to deal with these issues. For instance, I honestly feel that the situation in Barbados could have been dealt with for a better outcome, if what the St. Lucian Prime Minister has proposed for public service employees in St Lucia was proposed in Barbados. A better HRM system all around might have prevented so many people being sent home.

Our Prime Ministers are the main managers of our public services; they need to communicate among themselves in a wiser manner, since HRM is also about them. Therefore, there is a need for better HRM systems and linkages among Caribbean nations. Finally, the Caribbean nations have got to learn to make sacrifices in order to create employment for others. Adios!

Julian C ‘Rockstar’ Williams

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

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14. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Chief Magistrate promotes SVG

by HAYDN HUGGINS CHIEF MAGISTRATE Rechanne BrowneMatthias on Wednesday played her part in promoting St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a major

Chief Magistrate Rechanne BrowneMatthias spoke glowingly about Vincentian hospitality before sentencing a St. Lucian for illegal entry.

tourist attraction, just before sentencing a St. Lucian national, Augustine Desivieres, for entering the state illegally.

“We are quite happy to have people visit our shores,” Browne-

Matthias told the St. Lucian, adding, with a sense of pride in her voice, that St. Vincent and the Grenadines “is the ‘Gem of the Antilles’.”

But she warned the defendant that in visiting

these shores, the correct procedures have to be followed.

Desivieres, 38, was sentenced to five months in prison for entering the November 30 and state by boat at December 23, 2014, and Georgetown, between disembarking without the consent of an Immigration Officer.

He was also sentenced to five months for being a committed at Vermont on prohibited Immigrant February 11, 2015. who had entered the The St. Lucian was not state without a passport. required to plea to the charges The sentences will run when he was taken before Chief concurrently.

Magistrate Rechanne BrowneDesivieres, who Matthias at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, and was remanded. He was not represented by a lawyer.

St. Lucian on robbery and gun charges

by HAYDN HUGGINS AUGUSTINE DESIVIERES, 38year-old national of St. Lucia, is awaiting a May 12 Preliminary Inquiry in connection with the robbery of minibus driver Avil Slater, of Vermont.

Desivieres has been charged with being armed with a gun: robbed Slater of a waist-purse,

valued $20, and $420 in cash; possession of a firearm, make and serial number unknown; possession of a firearm to endanger the life of Sylvanus Edwards of Vermont, the conductor on the vehicle; and using a firearm to aid in the commission of an offence of robbery.

The offences were reportedly

appeared at the Serious Offences Court, had pleaded guilty to both charges.

When the Chief Magistrate asked him what he had to say, Desivieres, who was not represented by a lawyer, said, “I was wrong, so I guess I have to pay the penalty.”

Police begin survey on crime THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Department (CID) of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has embarked on a drive to gather the ‘public’s perceptions on crime’.

Towards this end, the local constabulary, on Monday 23rd February, launched a survey of citizens to solicit their impressions on the state of crime and disorder.

The survey, initially, will be

conducted in selected areas, namely Old and New Montrose, Cane Garden, Level Gardens and surrounding areas.

A release from the (RSVGPF) Police Public Relations and Complaints Department said that police officers themselves will be conducting the survey, and requested the co-operation of residents in the areas concerned.

Focus on Plants PLANTS COMPRISE the first forms of life on planet Earth. They are vital to all life on Earth.

They use sunlight to make their food and, in turn, provide a food source for birds, insects, animals and humans.

They also produce oxygen without which

humans would not survive on earth.

Trees are the largest plants. There are about 25,000 different species of flowering plants worldwide.

Interestingly, the roots of most plants occupy a far greater area underground than the

stems, leaves and flowers do above ground.

Plants have grown on Earth for hundred of millions of years.

Plant a tree or a seedling today, take care of it and watch it grow.

Presented by: SVG Horticultural Society Tel No. 784–458-4467 or 784-457-2697

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 15.

OT Tyres Feature

Owren T. Mayers: Bringing a new service to SVG

straightening. Any problem you have with the vehicle I could fix it; transmission problems, I can tear down and rebuild engines, every electrical or computer problem; everything on the car I would fix it,” Owren declared with confidence and enthusiasm.

“So if a person with a BMW for example has an issue, they could check me because I’m qualified to do the warranty work on BMW, which a lot of people can’t do, because with BMW, they only choose a certain amount of technicians to work on a BMW car and file warranty work on it, and I’m qualified to do that as well.

“There was a time when BMW owners had to get a technician to come to St Vincent to fix their vehicles; well you don’t need to do that anymore, because we have our very own,” he said.

This assurance rests on the fact that Owren completed the BMW manufacture programmes, at the top of the class, which accorded him full BMW accreditation.

And while he was at UTI, he also was accredited (Automotive Technology with Ford Certified to handle the Accelerated Credential high end Training “FACT”), for work on Ford vehicles.

The 25-year-old young The ‘Straight A man says he started with student’/Student Of The a basic course in Class, admitted that as automotive repairs at UTI, with any course of study, but soon moved on to more there were some advanced courses, which challenges, but he trained and certified him overcame them with ease, to repair luxury vehicles, mainly because of his the likes of BMW, Audi, previous experience.

Lexus, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz and other New Clinic coming high end vehicles.

“I’m qualified to work The Auto Diagnostic on every single area on the Clinic, coming soon at the car except bodywork and Diamond Estate, will be a GIVEN HIS EARLY expressions of love for vehicles, it was no surprise when, after graduating from the St Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, Owren T. Mayers enrolled at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Division of Technical and Vocational Studies in Arnos Vale, even while working part-time at Star Garage Ltd., Kingstown.

At the Technical College, he successfully completed the NTCVET programme, a regionally certified course.

“And also while I was at the technical college and working at ‘Silky’ (Star Garage), I also got the opportunity to get my training in Kia, so I travelled to Miami and trained in Kia and I got certified in certain areas, like engine and transmission,” Owren recalled.

Today, Owren T. Mayers is this country’s most recent graduate of the Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Orlando, Florida, after spending. most of the last three and a half years at the school, sharpening his already sharp skills, expanding his knowledge and building experience.

Owren Mayers doing what he loves and does bestgetting to the bottom of a problem in a high end vehicle.

state-of-the-art automobile garage, which would cater to the needs of every high end vehicle owner in the country.

Headed by Owren himself, the Clinic will be equipped with high-tech

Owren Mayers’ family shared in the occasion of his graduation, as Student of his Class, from the Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Orlando, Florida.

automobiles. and modern Autel And as he begins a Scanners and OTC whole new undertaking, equipment, capable of he thanks his tutors, making a diagnosis on any friends and family, of the the previously especially to “my Dad, mentioned high-end Olmroy T Mayers

affectionately known as ‘OT’, and my brother, Orbilius T Mayers, because without their input and confidence in me, this would not be possible.”

V Lala London writes about grace 16. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

By Gloriah…

MANY OF US, as we go through the experiences of life, pause to take stock of our situation. We accept that ‘experience is the best teacher’, but seldom record notes of life’s lessons to us.

LaLa London has done just that — recorded her experiences — in a fresh new book she calls ‘Graced by Grace’. “’Graced by Grace’ is “an autobiography of sorts, in that it is about my life, but not limited to it — It is a call for introspection; reference to the lives of others; and reflection on the world we live in. It is an opportunity to see how truly blessed we have really been,” Lala told THE VINCENTIAN. “It is not about church or religion. It is about ‘grace’, which is a

conscious awakening and sometimes, the rekindling of the dormant human spirit!” she continued.

LaLa explained that, through her life experiences, God has been speaking to her about what has been the motivation for the book.

She was quick to add that, “There is nothing special about God speaking to me. He speaks to all of us all the time. It’s just that we don’t always take the time out to listen to Him.” She believes that false tenets are embedded in some of the religious principles which govern our lives. These, she says, mislead us, making us believe that we are undeserving of grace.

She proffers that many believe that, once we trust God

wholeheartedly, nothing will go wrong with our lives. This is untrue as, she reiterates, that it is virtually impossible to face life without ‘grace’ which, when it goes unrecognized, leads to permanent hopelessness, anger, grief, resentment and self-pity.

“Grace,” she says, “transforms these negatives into positives!”

‘Graced by Grace’ targets a new generation of on-going seekers, ‘fallaways’, crossovers, and even believers!

LaLa described the seekers as those who are aware that life is often filled with challenges which they must overcome or yield to its pressures. They search for a fountain from which to quench their thirst.

The ‘fall-aways’ are those who have had enough of drinking from

Lala London the traditional fountain of the unfulfilled, so they rather thirst.

The crossovers are those who have been drinking from the traditional fountain of the unfulfilled, yet they thirst, so they crave a fresh drink.

The believers are just that: those who have always been aware of the existence and the power of the human spirit and are out to strengthen it.

Want more? Lookout for ‘Graced with Grace’

‘Graced by Grace’ addresses the ‘power’ of grace and the importance of life’s experiences. when it hits the book stores, or find it in eBook or audio format.

This, after Lala goes to England (February 28)

where she will publish the 350-page book in the name of her own publishing company, ‘Eager Publishing’.

ÂDalpinÊ, ÂValley DoveÊ break new ground FELIX AND MONICA FINDLAY, known in the socs/calypso arena as ‘Dalpin’ and ‘Valley Dove’, are singing a new tune.

‘Dalpin’, the wellknown soca performing and recording artiste, and ‘Valley Dove’, remembered for her regular appearance in the local Calypso Queen Competition, are now ‘singing in praise of the Lord’.

Soca enthusiasts will remember ‘Dalpin’ for hits like ‘Behind the Bumper’, ‘Boogie Woogie’, and ‘Don’t hold (L-R): Monica (Valley Dove) and Felix (Dalpin) me back’.

Findlay have released their first full Gospel album.

Those who followed the Queen of Calypso Competition, organized by the Calypso DeFreitas (784-531-3225) and Pastor Lemuel Samuel.

Theatre in the 1980s and 1990s, will When contacted to speak on the recall ‘Valley Dove’ doing numbers like breaking of new ground for him and ‘Judges Decision’, ‘Vincentian Love his wife, ‘Dalpin’ said, “Look what the Sun-(Son)’ and ‘Predicament’.

Lord has done and is still doing in the Now, the husband and wife team have recorded and released their first lives of two known calysponians from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, now Gospel (Music) Album, entitled, residing in Canada and the Virgin ‘RAISE YOUR VOICES’.

Islands. We are now Praise and The album, according to ‘Dalpin’, was launched in Canada on December Worship leaders internationally, 31, 2014, and had its debut in SVG on touching the hearts of people from all walks of life.”

February 3rd, 2015, via NBC Radio.

There was no indication as to The album is available locally at whether the husband and wife team Prographix Sounds, Grenville Street, will continue to do soca and/or calypso.

Kingstown, and through Silbert

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 17.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 19.

18. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

CWC + COLUMBUS not a monopoly?

Head of Government Relations for Cable and Wireless (LIME), that was the current chal chal-lenge facing telecommu telecommu-nication providers.

“We have slain the dragon of the old Cable and Wireless, the regulators have done a fantastic job, we have all done a fantastic job,” he said, adding, “The Chris Dehring, Head of Government Relations for Cable strategy is to get and Wireless Wireless (LIME), went at length to convince his broadband into every audience that the old dragon – the Cable and Wireless Wireless home in the Caribbean, monopoly – was a thing of the past. so that the people’s creativity can be John Reid, the Chief Operations unleashed.” results in the Officer (COO) of Columbus Stories by

by DAYLE DAYLE Y DA DA SILVA SIL LVA new company As far as Dehring Communications International operating a was concerned, that was Inc., refuted possibilities of job THE MERGER MERGER between between Cable and monopoly. “the dragon that we cut by speaking to the new Wireless Communications (LIME) and However, need to collectively entity’s creation of 500 new jobs address, and we can’t do ernationInternationColumbus Communication Int the officials, in entity’s or reasons (Flow) al Inc. (Flo w) is being done ffor their respective in five years. it without investing; we potentially that will pot entially benefit the region, presentations, can’t do it without and ought not tto o be seen as the denied this, pointing instead to the raising the capital, and we can’t do it monopoly.. creation of a monopoly merger as one that will allow for the without international carriers doing That is the message conveyed by quicker delivery of new technological it.” officials representing both companies advancements to the consumers.

He described the merger, the new to those gathered at the Methodist entity, as being about investment, Church Hall last Monday, for a jobs, customer commitments and The Cable and Wireless take public discussion/consultation on the creating a brand new company. merger.

There are currently about 15,000 In defence of Cable and Wireless The remarks were made amidst out of 35,000 households in St (C&W), Jamaican born Dehring said, expressed fears that the merger Vincent and the Grenadines with “When you have other companies interwould lead to a monopoly of interbroadband access. The argument, having the same license, you don’t net/broadband services, at the least, therefore, was what was being done have a monopoly. When you have in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. to get the remaining 20,000 on insurmountable barriers that’s a eliminatThe merger was seen as eliminatboard. monopoly.” ing competition which ultimately According to Chris Dehring, compa-And according to him, the compa

ere their fears allayed?

A section of the packed Methodist Church Hall. Were

ny (C&W) that consumers all across the region had come to hate, no longer existed.

“So what is left is this small company called Cable and Wireless Communications which probably the biggest mistake we made was to keep piece of the name,” he said.

He pointed to telecoms being the future, and warned that unless the providers were able to get it right throughout the region, the people in the region were doomed.

“This is transformational, this will complete the transformation of what was the old Cable and Wireless because we are trying to inject a totally new DNA,” Dehring said.

“It’s not an acquisition, it’s a merger, and we are trying to put together the best of what we have, the best of what Columbus has, to provide the best service that we can provide.”

In order to get the best, funds were needed for investment; but to get those funds for investment, the company would have to borrow money, and scale had much to do with a company’s ability to borrow in the international market.

“The merger,” Dehring insisted, “is consistent with what is taking place in the world, ….. in that the future is all about data and fixed to mobile convergence,” a world he said that “is going to unleash some of the incredible creativity of the region.

“So why have we decided to operate in the region? Why is it we have chosen St Vincent? It is because we believe those opportuni opportuni-ties still do exist,” he continued.

The new merger brings with it new and exciting opportunities in technology which Columbus had planned, and which will now allow the company to do, the COO said.

And regarding the views expressed about job security?

Reid said that for those who raised concerns about job losses, they were right, in that every merger will create temporary adjustment; however the company was planning to create 500 new jobs over a five-year period.

CommunicaCable and Wireless Communications and Columbus International Inc. announced in early December 2014, the pending formation of NewCo, a new company they say will revolutionise telecommunications in the Caribbean by "putting customers at the heart" of their business.

Making the announcement yesterday, CWC CEO Phil Bentley said then that NewCo will invest broadUS$400 million to expand its broadband infrastructure across the region.

The Columbus umbus TTake ake a

MANAGING DIRECTOR of the Telecommunica-Eastern Caribbean Telecommunica tions Authority (ECTEL), Embert Charles, disclosed that licences were granted to LIME and Columbus as individual entities; however, because a licence has not been granted to the new company, there was very little the regulatory authorities could do in terms of intervention.

Charles made the comment in reference to the new company that is proposed to arise out of a merger of Cable and Wireless Communications Communica-(LIME) and Columbus Communica tions Inc. (Flow), at Monday’s panel discussion on the merger, held at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown.

Charles pointed, though, to one area of concern, i.e. wholesale cable services, which were related to the wholesale prices of the use of under under-sea cables, and given this concern, ECTEL, he said, was trying to ensure that fixed services do not fall under regulated prices anymore.

“So that was the recommendations

John Reid, the Chief Operations CommuOfficer (COO) of Columbus Communications International Inc., followed on, saying that the commitment to the region by the new company had not shifted from that of its individual component.

The telecommunications compa compa-nies that currently operate in the region have all taken the decision to invest in the region and, according to Reid, the decision to remain and make that further investment was evidence that the company believed that there was great potential for expansion and growth.

“The word monopoly is more than a board game, and it strikes concern in the mind of consumers and government and regulators; and rightfully so, but if you invest in a country, because you believe in the compapeople and the growth of the company, it’s because you do feel that you can grow,” Reid explained.

Senator Gon Gonsalves salves concerned about employment WHILE SENATOR Camillo Gonsalves, this country’s Minister with responsi responsi-bility for Telecommunications, admits that there is very little that can be done to stop the merger between LIME and Columbus, he is cautioning that, even as times have changed, “we have to inform ourselves with our recent history.”

Addressing Monday’s panel discus discus-sion and public consultation on the proposed merger between Cable and Wireless Communications (LIME) and Columbus Communications Inc. (FLOW), Senator Gonsalves outlined some of the issues which were of impendconcern to him, regarding the impending merger. highlightOne of those concerns he highlighted was the issue of employment, although it did not fall directly under his ministry.

“In the past, entities have merged in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the first thing they have told us was that there will be no layoffs; and always, layoffs come,” he said.

Merged entities often exploit synergies and overlaps, he continued, and get rid of the fat; however, when this is done, the majority of the jobs, for example the customer care centre or the technical support centre, go to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica, Gonsalves proffered.

“I would be surprised, if not scepti scepti-cal, if anybody stood in front of us today and say that there would be no

job cuts. I hope that they would say that their expanded business would lead to new jobs in new areas,” Gonsalves said.

The Minister explained, however, that “We could theoretically deny a licence, and say well, we are not giving licence to the merged Senator Camillo Gonsalves did not rule out the probability probability of entity,” job fallout from a merger between LIME and FLOW. FLOW. But if this is done, he continued, “the merged entity will continue to move forward and operate that consumers get a fair shake. in the other regional markets, and we He reminded that “we can’t pretend would become what he termed a that the bad days of monopoly did not Gren‘technological backwater’. happen in St Vincent and the Gren“They would get around to us adines,” and he advanced the view that eventually, but they would first deal whatever licences are offered, to the with the markets which they have,” he new entity, that they will have to come explained. with certain conditions to deal with Then there are pre and post approval issues relating to consumer protection and the protection of access to markets. options, Gonsalves said, which would place conditions on the licensee to ensure competition, and to ensure

ECTEL E CTEL has little room for intervention intervention made to our minsters,” Charles assured.

The impact of the merger on fixed voice and broad band, especially for residential and business customers, and the impact on data services on these lines, were also areas of concern to ECTEL. “Businesses have been crying for servic-some time of the cost of data servic es,” Charles admitted, and wondered whether the merger would bring relief or further consolidation, the latter having implications of monopoly control.

But even as the talk of the merger continues, Charles said that ECTEL expla-was yet to be given a detailed expla nation for the merger.

“The information that we had was that Columbus was not a failing company, which was one of the reasons why one can accept an application for a merger,” he said.

He conceded that there have been a number of acquisitions that has taken place in the region within

recent times, but never before has there been the potential impact that this one indicates.

“In our own review at the level of the regulator, there are provisions under the regulatory act to intervene certain-if, in the minister’s view, and certain ly guided by his experts, the merger is not at the level of the public interest,” Charles explained, pointing to the varied interpretations of ‘public interest’, on which, in the final analysis, the minister can rule.

Telecom-The Eastern Caribbean Telecom munications Authority (ECTEL) was established on 04 May 2000 by the Caribbe-Governments of five Eastern Caribbe Domini-an States - Commonwealth of Domini ca, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Senator Gonsalves concerned about employment Senator Gonsalves concerned about employment It is the regulatory body for telecommunica telecommunica-tions in those OECS states, and is made up of three components - A

Embert Charles, Managing Director of the Eastern Carib Carib-bean Telecommunications Telecommunications e Authority (ECTEL), pointed to the ‘minister ’s’ right ‘minister’s’ to act to safeguard the public interest.

Council of Ministers, a regional Directorate, located in St. Lucia, and a National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in each Member State.

20. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 21.

Grenadines

Mayreau patrol boat back in service AFTER three years of being without the Constable Owen Isaacs recognised all those service, the people of Mayreau have who contributed to the welcomed back their patrol boat. refurbishment of the Constable Owen Isaacs, assigned boat, and underscored to that Grenadines island, reported that, “The patrol boat is now back in the important services that the boat provides. action, providing timely transportation to emergency medical care, safety in our bays for visiting yacht and cruise ship passengers, regular patrols in the Tobago Cays Marine Park and much more.”

GARBAGE collection in the According to Constable Isaacs, “This Tobago Cays Marine Park is now accomplishment simply wouldn’t have in the hands of a single authority. been possible without the involvement of The Southern Grenadines the Marine Park.

Water Taxi Association is now “In addition to the expert responsible for this service, recommendations on repairs and following a decision of a meeting materials from Albert Hanson, we also involving the Association and very much appreciate the donated representatives of the Union fiberglass liquid, plywood, sandpaper, Island Tourist Bureau, The paint brushes and fuel, not to mention Tobago Cays Marine Park Board, the engine the Marine Park provided”.

Central Water & Sewerage He also emphasized that Mayreau Authority and Uni-clean. residents stepped up and contributed The need for a single authority significantly to the project. Local was recognized after expressed businessmen Dennis Forde and Evlyn concern about the haphazard and (Bonnie) Forde paid for the electricity ungainly manner in which used during the repairs; Glenroy Forde garbage was collected and donated the replacement spotlights; disposed of from the Tobago Cays.

Aaron Alexander, James Alexander, As it obtained, untrained boat Victor (Bertam) Hazell and Owen Isaacs operators collected garbage from volunteered to overhaul the engines, as yachters, with a promise to well as complete the repairs and dispose of it on Union Island. repainting of the boat itself.

However, in many if not most Restauranteur Alexander (Zannie) cases, the operators deposited the Adams fed the volunteers. garbage in the mangroves, sea or “The SVG Coast Guard donated an beaches along the way, causing an engine as well as fiberglass liquid for unsightly and environmentally repairs, while the Marine Park and unfriendly build-up.

Canadian businessman Chris MacLean Yearly records of clean-ups of contributed the second engine. In these areas showed that a large addition, a visiting yachtsman provided amount of the litter collected was the antifouling we needed,” Isaacs said. not of local origin, with the The importance of the patrol boat largest single item being plastic (service) was underscored by Constable bottles.

Isaacs. “When we previously had the Towards preparing itself for patrol boat up and running for five years, assumption of this new responsibility, nine persons were there were absolutely no yacht break-ins trained in Sustainable Solid here in Mayreau waters,” revealed Waste Management on Thursday Isaacs. “And, as we’re the closest island 05th February, 2015. to the Tobago Cays, we expect we’ll The service was officially continue to be called upon to respond to launched with a ceremony at incidents there,” he stated.

Union Island Tourist Board on The hope now is for the partnership, which resulted in the re-launching of the boat, would continue going forward.

“Our biggest concern as we move forward, is the ongoing costs for fuel, preventative care, maintenance and repairs. We can’t do it alone, so we’ll be calling on all those who benefit to help cover the expenditures,” Constable Isaacs appealed.

When THE VINCENTIAN spoke with Constable Isaacs on Wednesday morning, he was on patrol, safeguarding the waters off Mayreau for the visitors who had arrived on a cruise liner that day.

The satisfaction of being able to provide this service, once again, was This boat will be used in the obvious in the excitement that collection and disposal of characterised his side of the garbage from the Tobago Cays conversation.

Marine Park.

The refurbished Patrol Boat will now ensure vital service is extended to residents of and visitors to the island of Mayreau.

Tobago Cays gets garbage collection service Friday 06th February, 2015. A wide cross-section of persons, including teachers and hoteliers, were present.

Funding for this service is being provided by the United Nations Development Programme, through their Global Environmental Facility — Small Grants Programme, under a project entitled, ‘Strengthening the water taxi operators capacity to reduce the amount of garbage entering the A section of the persons who attended the official launch of the service, having a look at marine environment in the the boat.

Tobago Cays Marine Park’.

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22. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

Secondary schools highlight historical figures at the same time, each contestant was requested to identify, research and THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, through present an argument to distinguish a the Social Sciences Department within local person as a national icon. the Curriculum There was no restriction with Development Unit, respect to historical era or field of held its inaugural endeavor.

Local History Figure Contestants were encouraged to Contest last week incorporate technology, as well as the Thursday, 19th various strands of the performing arts February, at the into their presentations.

Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown.

Participants and their chosen icons The activity involved Form 3 Eight schools participated in the and 4 students competition. They were: the Adelphi from the secondary Secondary, represented by Kiara schools, and was Shortte, presenting Captain Hugh Cedeira Bonadie held under the Mulzac; Buccament Bay Secondary, of the Girls’ High theme: ‘Know Yo’ represented by Lennese Hepburn who School, History: Come and presented Robert Milton Cato; George presenting her Speak!’

Stephens Sr. Secondary, with student winning piece on Organized Srekresna Small who dealt with Erica Dr. Earl Kirby. primarily to McIntosh; Girls’ High School remind students represented by Cedeira Bonadie, that History and presenting Dr. Earl Social Studies can Kirby; Petit Bordel be intellectually Secondary with stimulating and fun Vashieka John who presented George Ralycia Andrews of the Thomas Srekresna Small of Saunders the George Secondary School Stephens Sr. copped second Secondary with her highlighted Erica presentation on McIntosh and Thomas Saunders. placed third.

Stories by Gloriah…

McIntosh; Ralycia Andrews of the Thomas Saunders Secondary who spoke on Thomas Saunders; Troumaca Secondary’s Deland Alexander speaking on Alpian Allen; and Georgetown Secondary with Britney Medica presenting Jestina Charles.

Several schools took to the challenge of creating innovative ways of delivering their presentations. These ranged from simple costuming to imitative voice-overs to full-scale strategic dramatizations.

In the end, the judges, whose task it was to award points for each speech’s organization, content, presentation and conventions of language, selected

Cedeira Bonadie, GHS, as the presenter who had best represented the topic. In second place was Ralycia Andrews (TSSS), with Srekresna Small (GSSS) coming in third.

The event was sponsored by Nelson Thornes, Part of Oxford University Press, Gaymes Book Centre, and JuJuBe Book Centre partnered with the Ministry of Education in this inaugural effort, which rewarded each contestant with a certificate and book prizes, and awarded a trophy and gold medal for the winning school, silver and bronze for the second and third places.

Methodist Youth in Action COMPETITION in the 2015 edition of the Youth Month activities of the Kingstown-Chateaubelair Circuit of the Methodist Church climaxes this weekend.

Conducted under the theme ‘Claiming Our Generation for Christ’, the Competition featured a Quiz on the Bible and about Methodism, and Public Speaking, Choir, Dance, and for the first time, Drama contests.

Arnos Vale Methodist Youth – winners of The youth groups registered to the Dance segment. compete were drawn from the: Brighton, Calliaqua, Arnos Vale, Gomea, Kingstown, Chauncey, Barrouallie, West Wood, Rose Hall, and Chateaubelair churches.

All activities were scheduled for the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown.

Public speaking

The Gomea Group took top hionours in the contest for choirs.

The Competition began on Saturday 7th February with the Public Speaking segment. Participants came from the Arnos Vale, Calliaqua, Chateaubelair, Gomea, Kingstown, Barrouallie and Chauncey Churches, and each spoke on the topic, ‘With each generation, things get a bit more complicated, and God’s purpose is often ignored and abandoned. How then can we bring back the spiritual balance in our generation?’

Sharing the podium at the end of the speeches were: Rhea Cain from Calliaqua in first position; second place Jaykwarn Payne from Arnos Vale; and Jevanni Straker from Gomea in third.

Choir Eight Choirs - Gomea, Rose Hall, Arnos Vale, Chateaubelair, Calliaqua, Kingstown, Brighton and Barrouallie — matched voices on Saturday 14th February. In addition to the set piece, ‘Jesus Shall Reign’, each choir also

rendered a song of choice. Gomea, with their choice piece ‘Love, Oh Love’, placed first overall; Arnos Vale, singing ‘Sold Out’ placed second; and Calliaqua, doing ‘Blak Up’ came in third.

Quiz and dance The third and fourth segments saw competition in the Quiz and Dance areas, Saturday 21st February. In the quiz, Arnos Vale placed first, Barrouallie second and Gomea third.

Other churches competing were, Chateaubelair and Chancey.

The Dance category featured six groups - Gomea, Kingstown, Chauncey, Calliaqua, Arnos Vale and Rose Hall. Arnos Vale also won this segment, with Calliaqua following in second position and Rose Hall third.

Drama

The competition will make its crescendo this weekend when the groups vie for supremacy in Drama, at the end of which an overall winner will be decided.

The action takes place at the Methodist Church Hall at 3:00 pm tomorrow, Action in the Quiz which was won by the Arnos Vale Saturday, 28th February. group.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 23.

News

Five to contest Miss PBSS Heritage and splendor: Remembering North Leeward’s unsung FIVE YOUNG LADIES from heroes’. the Petit Bordel Secondary The five young ladies School (PBSS) will will represent various compete for the title of persons who have made Miss PBSS Heritage 2015, contributions to the when the pageant takes development of the North place today, Friday 27th.

Leeward constituency.

The pageant will take They are: Rana Kydd place at the Petit Bordel Miss Isa Haywood, Hard Court under the sponsored by Festus theme, ‘Celebrating our Murray; Mollisa Bowens heritage with brilliance - Miss Inez Delpesche, Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

Morrissia Williams

Ciara Delpesche

Davern Lewis

Mollisa Bowens

sponsored by Robert Delpesche; Morrissia Williams - Miss Grafton Audain, sponsored by Jean Audain- Hinds; Davern Lewis - Miss Stuart Louie, sponsored

by Caldrick Lewis; and Ciara Delpesche - Miss Bertram Stapleton, sponsored by Hazell McKenzie.

Pageant Coordinator

Rolmina Matthews is urging everyone to come and give their support to the girls. “We have an exciting package that awaits everyone,” promised Matthews. “It is very important for us to remember our culture, and as we celebrate black history month, we are hoping to display heritage through brilliance and splendor,” Patrons attending the show will also witness performances from reigning Soca and Ragga soca monarch, Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper, along with soca artistes

Madskull and Royal, while the Shallow House Cheerleaders and the Unruly Divas will entertain with dance routines.

Besides Mathhews the other Event Committee Members are Miss Latoya LaBorde as Chairperson and Kennica Thompson in the capacity of SecretaryTreasurer.

The Miss PBSS Heritage show is a precursor to the National Miss Heritage pageant.

It starts at 6:30pm and the admission fee is $10. Rana Kydd

Health Worker wins Lotto Jackpot THE FIRST PERSON to win the Lotto Jackpot since the government remove its 10% percent tax, has been announced.

Last Wednesday, Shelly Mc Fee of Campden Park and her common-law husband, Errol George, walked out of the National Lotteries Authority headquarters in Paul’s Avenue, EC$ 164,000 richer.

The couple, together McGreggor Sealey, General Manager NLA, encouraged jackpot winners Errol George and for 12 years, had Shelly McFee to use their winnings wisely. already planned to get married in August, and check the ticket, she watch me, a admitted that the winnings had come watching she still, then she surprise, at the right time. she say, ‘Boy, yo ah $164,000 rich The ticket, with winning numbers today,’ then me head raise, me feel 7,19,26,34,36, was purchased at the good. I just collect the ticket and just Sion Hill Sports Club outlet, and was move up,” said George. drawn on Friday 20th February.

He contacted Mc Fee and they George, who is originally from Chataubelair but resides in Kingstown visited the National Lotteries headquarters to claim his winning.

Hill, is a Public Health worker.

He said the money has come at the According to the visibly excited right time. He was planning on man, after he had finished working, getting a loan to fund the wedding and Friday 20th, he purchased EC$60 in build his home.

3D and Play4. He used the change “The first plan is to get my little from that transaction to purchase two place,” said George, but some of the quick pick Lotto tickets, never imagining that one of them would be a money will go towards the wedding, and some will be put on fix deposit for winning ticket.

Putting them aside, it was not until his children’s future.

General Manager at NLA, the following Monday, February 23, McGregor Sealey, in his that he realised he was a winner.

He related that he was involved in a congratulatory remarks at the handing game of dominoes when he decided to over ceremony last Wednesday at the NLA headquarters, said the check the tickets from the previous EC$164,000 is a lot of money, and week. “from my vantage point at the NLA, I He checked at another lotto outlet, have seen persons winning more that i.e. not the one where he had purchased the tickets, for the winning this money, and today there is nothing to show for it.” He encouraged the numbers.

“So when she (the lotto booth clerk) Jackpot winner to use the money wisely.

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24. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Move out and move on

Dear George,

I HAVE BEEN going out with this guy for six months and, to me, he is the perfect guy, at least that’s what I thought.

During the Christmas season, my womanly voice inside was saying that something wasn’t right, so I asked him if he had sex with another girl.

He said no, and completely shut down.

I am the type of person who does not leave questions unanswered, so one day his phone was lying around and I went through it. I found pictures of the next girl on a bed, and messages also from the girl, and his

replies to her. I got mad and cursed at him and asked him why he had to lie. He gave an excuse that the girl was before me, how he is sorry that he messed up, and asked me to forgive him. Well, I did, because I like to give 3 chances.

Everything was good until one day I got a message from the girl telling me to watch my back. I asked him about it, and he said the reason why she is behaving like that was because he told her off. I let that one go again. Now, my problem is, he keeps going through my phone and calling numbers to see who will answer, which I find to be childish. He said he does not trust me, and that women

usually take revenge on men who have messed up like he did. Now, I have to be on my P’s and Q’s.

I am 23 years old and good looking and the only thing that is eating me out is finding a job. That is hard to find.

being to tell you outright that he does not trust you, although it was he who messed up - not you.

You are in a very unhealthy relationship, and for someone who is 23 years old and full of promise and potential, you need to be free of excess Fetish baggage that would hinder you from finding your way.

Dear Fetish, Finding employment ought to be your priority right now, so get on with I get the feeling that you are with it. If and when you find employment, this guy because somehow, you are you will have a clearer mind to financially dependent on him. You concentrate on finding a suitable said for yourself, that you usually give mate.

3 chances, and so far your boyfriend has used up all three, the last one George

Let her go, man

Addicted to sex without.

Now, here is my next YOU HAVE BEEN most problem. There are four girls that I sometimes helpful with what you share with other people, feel like having sex with. The only thing is so here is my problem now, and let us see if you three of them are under age and one is driving can help me. me crazy. To be honest, I am addicted, yes, I am addicted to sex, porn I am not to be trusted and anything that has to around little children because I don’t know do with sex. I cannot what will happen. live without it and sometimes when I cannot Please, help me.I am get it, I masturbate. To devastated. me, sex is like a drug Devastated that you cannot do

Dear George,

Dear George,

Dear Devastated, Thank you for sharing with me. You have identified your problems, and have reached out for help. The next step is to physically go and get this help, and my immediate suggestion is to see a counsellor/sex therapist who can help you understand why you are the way you are. That person can also help you, through extensive

therapy, to manage your urges or redirect your sexual energies in another direction.

It is important to understand that having sexual relations with an under-aged individual will have serious legal consequences. In order to avoid such, it is imperative to seek help right away.

Yes, there are people who are addicted to sex, and they require professional help to deal with that addiction.

Seek that help before your addiction destroys you and, in the process, destroys others. Go get help, NOW!!

George

I DO NOT want to be married. As a matter of fact, I do not believe in marriage.

People who get married do so because they are insecure. They think that is the best way to tie down their loved one so that they wouldn’t leave and be with someone else.

My girlfriend does not agree with my view point, and we argue about it almost every day. I am sick and tired of her bringing this up. I don’t understand why she just doesn’t get it. I told her I would be writing to you, so I know she will be reading this. Please explain to her why she should drop the subject.

Fed Up Dear Fed Up, What I do not understand is why a woman who believes in marriage and would like to be married one day, is with a man who hates the very idea of marriage.

You need to take your honesty one step further, and tell her that she need not waste any more time being with you, because it (marriage) is just not going to happen. Let her go! If you can’t let her go, then she needs to wake up and cross you off as an error in judgement, and move on to seek someone who shares her ideals and interests. etc.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) When everyone wants your attention, make sure you have quality time with loved ones. Think before you speak, a throw away comment could be taken the wrong way. Money matters are changeable, but it all looks good. Hold your judgments till all the facts are on the table.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) If you need to share a secret, make sure it’s with someone you trust. Trust and sincerity are qualities needed for a relationship to be long–lasting. If you need to speak up at work, find out the facts before you say anything. At home, make your space a peaceful haven.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) When everything is so hectic, be organized with your schedule so you don’t miss anything. With love, be careful of giving mixed messages. If you have something to say get straight to the point. If you’re too subtle, the message can get lost. Reassess money.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Don’t confuse love with friendship – mixing the two can spoil a special bond.

To give without wanting in return builds good karma. Keep the lines of communication open at work. With money, don’t get emotional; keep your mind on business.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Life gathers momentum. You might say that lady luck is on your side, but really, it’s the result of hard work. Don’t over–react with a personal situation, chill out and go with the flow. You are about to enter a powerful period, use this time to get your plans set in place.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Accept someone at work for who they are. Keep in mind that people only change when they want to. Be careful of creating extra work that you do not have enough time to do. Don’t jump to conclusions with love; take it one day at a time. When dealing with money, don’t get emotional.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Get ready to think and move fast. The treadmill of life is about to pick up. With so much to fit in your calendar, keep your to–do–list close to make sure that nothing is missed out. When it concerns money, with Mercury the communicator still being affected by the retrograde transit, choose your words carefully.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Career advancement is destined! This is a busy, but exciting time. Be practical with your calendar, you can’t do everything. Friends in business can take you to new heights. With money, think big, but also be realistic. When you’re ready, love will come.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Leave the past behind to embrace new love. With business, don’t repeat past mistakes, learn from them. Be careful of making a judgment about someone before you have a chance to know them. At work, taking a risk could pay off. Take charge and take control.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) If you’re stuck in a routine, get out of your comfort zone and do something that stretches your mind. An ’ah–ha’ moment can provide a different viewpoint. Don’t let stress take over; there is no point worrying about things you can’t change. Enjoy love for what it is.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) This is a powerful week; new moon energy signifies a new start. When it concerns love, look for a sweetheart who has similar values. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to change, you are perfect just the way you are. Money news may be delayed, but it’s on the way. To be a winner, be different, think outside the box.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) The pace of life speeds up and there is no time to entertain anyone who is not considered a priority. Make sure you look after your own needs first and foremost. Love is hot and happening, but you need to be proactive to keep someone interested. At work, keep discussions going, communication is crucial for a successful outcome.

ACROSS

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LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 25.

42. Pen 43. Intense rage 44. Herbal drink 45. Made a lap 47. Feel remorse 49. Immense 50. Holy men (abbr.)

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26. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Business Customers got a feel of the ambience of the refurbished office, and a first-hand view of the new services offered by The Spectacle Shoppe during a Customer Appreciation event.

Kudos for Spectacle Shoppe IT HAS BEEN just over a month or so since The Spectacle Shoppe, located at White Chapel, Mc Kie’s Hill, launched this country’s first ever 1-HOUR SERVICE for spectacles.

Since that time, reports indicate that there has been not only interest shown but, even more gratifying to the management, a regular use of the actual service.

The 1-HOUR-SERVICE, supported by new state of the art equipment on par with that found and used in more developed countries, offers full prescription spectacles (including multifocal lenses) from start to finish, on site, instead of having to send overseas.

All of this is provided in an improved ambience, the result of major refurbishment of the Spectacle Shoppe’s office and laboratory.

And the service is a one-stop one, since the operation is amply staffed to provide full acuity screening and screening for common eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

And in reaching out to past and potential customers, the Spectacle Shoppe staged a Customer Service Appreciation event from January 28 -30, during which persons got a first-hand view of the equipment, the processes involved from tests to production, and received invaluable information on the services available, and on eye care generally.

It follows that there was an outpouring of commendations, and THE VINCENTIAN is pleased to share a sample of those: Margaret Wilson: Union Island Great idea! As a person living in the Grenadines, I was able to go around doing my shopping while my spectacles was making, and catch the boat on time. It’s the best move Specatacle Shoppe has ever made. Am happy I was able to benefit from this service. I will recommend everyone to try this new service.

Dr Hughes Dougan: Ratho Mill After the removal of my cataract surgery (a) few years ago, I was able to get my prescription glasses within a week in the States, so the introduction of it here is a perfect move, and it’s a big difference for the Spectacle Shoppe. As a surgeon, I needed my spectacles in a timely manner, therefore, I was glad for this service, and was willing to wait for the hour. Well pleased!

Mark Isaacs: Harmony Hall Excellent service! I was happy to know I can get my spectacles within an hour, rather than the average 2-3 weeks wait. Massive improvement for The Spectacle Shoppe and for St Vincent and the Grenadines as a whole, because this service is available almost anywhere internationally.

Congrats on a first class service, and thanks for a well done job. My spectacles are working superb!!

A Satisfied Customer of Sion Hill Bay Knowing I can get my Spectacles within an hour was like “wow!” The service was excellent, and I was well satisfied. It definitely raises the bar in the spectacle world within St Vincent and the Grenadines. Must say workers are outstanding. Job well done!

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

Slim Furniture Shop is owned and operated by Mr. Suedam Francis of Byera Village on the Windward side of the Island, specializing in creative use of designing hardwood furniture for your home, churches and schools across St. Vincent.

The designer-maker produces a wide range of affordable and low cost pieces including dining tables, bedroom furniture, chairs, cabinets, stairs,kitchen cupboards and coffee tables among others.

According to Mr. Francis, his success depends on the quality relationships with our customers, vendors, and the communities in which he is proud to serve. You can visit the shop or telephone 784-451-1191 or 5272312.

L.A. UNIQUE UPHOLSTERY opened its doors in June 1996 with only three employees including the owner Mr. Lennox Antrobus.

It is nineteen years since we have been serving our customers with quality and unique upholstered furniture.

This small business delivers international standards at low cost. L.A. Unique Upholstery is the brainchild of Mr. Lennox Antrobus who travelled to Canada to work and gain knowledge and experience in all aspects of this business. There is no job too big or small for us; we satisfy the needs of our customers.

28. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

MAIN COMPANY CONTACT: Mr. Montgomery “Mont” Dyer Spring Village (North Leeward) St Vincent and the Grenadines Office: 1784-4582410 Mobile: 1784-5288198 Fax: 1784-4857618 Email: DMG@vincysurf.com Website: dmgfurnitureltd.com

Producers of Wooden Furniture, Kitchens, Banisters and Staircases

GETTING TO KNOW US Sole Proprietor – Limited Company Incorporated 16 Nov 2007

ny has the ability to produce customise work that requires special joinery which increases the strength and durability of that product.

COMPANY HISTORY

VISION STATEMENT

DMG Furnituer Enterprises Ltd was started in 1987 by Mr George Dyer and son (Montgomery Dyer) as a local business catering for only a small community. The ownership and management of the company were taken over by Mr Montgomery Dyer in the early 90s and have since been expanded and modernised to cater for higher demand and specialist joinery.

DMG Furniture Enterprises focuses on tomorrow’s trends whilst perfecting today’s. We aspire to not only be the best but to provide work that is over and beyond the expectations of our clients.

WHAT THE COMPANY DOES DMG Furniture Enterprises Ltd manufactures wooden furniture, fixtures for residential and commercial clients; including (and not limited to) trims, mouldings, kitchens, banisters, staircases, desks, chairs, external and internal hard wood panel doors, flush doors, windows and frames. Significantly, the compa-

MISSION STATEMENT Producing the highest quality furniture by using the finest quality products and meticulous workmanship throughout.

MEMBERS OF STAFF Mr. Montgomery Dyer: CEO / Manager Mr. Kelron Ashton: Supervisor Mrs.: Susie Davis-Ash: Office Manager

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 29.

Finishing and Furnishing Co Ltd is one of the indigenous companies in the furniture industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The business is a dream pursued by Omroy ‘OT’ Theophilus Mayers, Governing Director and founder of the business. He is also the proprietor of Finishing & Furnishing - Arwe Store and a furniture factory at Diamond.

In 1959, Mayers started building furniture as an apprentice of the late Carlton Cole at the Public Works Department at Arnos Vale. It was with great dignity and pride that he moved on to establish his own furniture business in 1978 as a cabinet maker. In his quest to lower the cost of furniture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to consumers who had to pay substantially higher cost for the furniture products, he was motivated to establish his own furniture retail outlet in Kingstown on October 15, 1983.

In an interview with the Vincentian Sales Executive personnel, Mr. Mayers stated “When I considered the price they pay me and the cost that the consumer had to pay, I figured I could have done something better. I decided to cut the merchant mark-up in two.

Take half and give half to the consumer. In other words, I get a little more for my furniture and the consumer pays a lot less.

That was my main reason for getting in the retail market,” said O.T. Mayers also said “O.T.” stands for “Overtime” or “On Time”.

He is originally a Lowmans Hill resident whose hard work and determination have made him one of this country’s most productive and prominent businessmen.

Currently, consumers are urged to place their special orders at the Factory in Diamond at telephone number 784-457-1374 or contact the Finishing and Furnishing store in Kingstown.

The business is now run by his sons Orbilius, Omri and Owen who took over the operations in 2000.

30. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 31.

FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali visits SVG Associations receive about USD one million annually from FIFA , to ST. VINCENT AND THE assist with their GRENADINES can look programmes and forward to receiving more technical development; benefits from FIFA. but Prince Ali believes That is the promise of that more can be given, FIFA Presidential especially to countries candidate Prince Ali bin who do not possess the al-Hussein, to be fulfilled wealth to fund their if he is successful in programmes. unseating current office “ I think whatever we holder, Joseph ‘Sepp’ can do to make national Blatter. associations more Prince Ali, a sustainable, we should Jordanian, gave this do so….it should not be commitment at a media one system for all, since briefing Tuesday there are some countries afternoon, following a which do not need that meeting with SVGFF assistance, and that President Venold could be given to those Coombs; Sports Minister, who are more in need,” Ces Mc Kie and other he reasoned. officials, at the Foreign A kin of the famous Affairs conference room. King Hussein of Jordan, Responding to a Prince Ali is on a question about what Caribbean journey to changes he will whip up support in his implement to help fight to to depose FIFA countries such as SVG, strongman Blatter, who Prince Ali said that he is seeking a fifth fourwould be moving to have year term after the current Financial indicating that the fourth Assistance Programme would have been his last.

(FAP) increased to However, Prince Ali, benefit developing who appears to be countries. fighting an uphill battle Currently, member to secure enough

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

CONCACAF votes to beat Blatter, is also seriously handicapped by the indication that he may even struggle to get a majority of support from his own Confederation, the Asian Football Confederation, led by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain.

Reports say that Sheikh Salman, AFC President since 2013, is a strong supporter of Blatter.

According to reports, a good friend of UEFA boss Michel Platini, Prince Ali will look to draw on support from Europe and parts of the African Confederation.

With his task seemingly a major one, Prince Ali said he was

Sports Minister Ces McKie chats with Prince Ali. Left: SVGFF President Coombs and Prince Ali at Press conference.

still confident of beating Swiss Blatter.

“I have full confidence in the member Associations, and if they believe what I stand for and want change, I am confident that the change can be made,” he said.

Prince Ali will be

Jerome, van Praag, Figo and Ginola: Others who have indicated interest/intention in running fior the top FIFA post include (L-R): Jerome Champagne (France), Micahel van Praag (Holland), Luis Figo (Portugal) and David Ginola (France).

attending the CONCACAF Congress and he is hoping to meet with many of the Associations to put his case forward for the May Elections.

On Tuesday, he gave what can be accepted as a vague commitment to provide possible assistance towards playing fields and other related areas.

President Coombs who was still mindful of the “Bin Hamman Affair” when some CONCACAF members were said to have received what turned out to be a bribe to support him in his candidacy against Blatter, is said to have turned down several invitations to meet with Prince Ali and his team over lunch and dinner.

“I am a man who will

FIFA President ‘Sepp’ Blatter heading for a fifth term? not allow any doubt to be raised about me…..everything must be transparent….I will give no one any opportunity to speculate,” Coombs said in explaining why he declined the invitations.

Coombs said it is quite normal and respectful to welcome such persons like Prince Ali, who indicated their intention to visit, and “that was all that was in the visit”.

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32. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

New winner emerges in local cycling circles ENROY LEWIS upstaged Vincent and the the field in last Sunday’s Grenadines Cycling Union.

Dasco Pharmacy 44 – mile The Calder Ridge road race, staged by the St resident who said he rides “off and on,” led from the start on Halifax Street to Georgetown, finishing at the Sion Hill intersection, defying his more experienced competitors, in a winning time of two hours 18 minutes 29 seconds.

Lewis had in the past, competed in some races, but was never a podium finisher. He said that he Peter Durrant belies his age and continues to offer stiff competition to the best and younger riders in SVG.

has resumed competitive riding since his relatives responded positively when he requested a bike.

He admitted, though, that he would compete primarily in the longer distances since, according him, “Me ain’t no sprint man, I am a long distance man.”

Taking the second place overall in Sunday’s race was Peter Durrant in two hours 19 minutes 48 seconds. That also gave him the top place in the veterans’ over-35 category.

Lucky Antrobus, winner of the two previous events for the

year, placed third in two hours 21 minutes 09 seconds.

Zefal Bailey, the 2013 and 2014 top cyclist, had to catch up on the others after experiencing a puncture on his way to Georgetown. He finished a commendable fourth overall.

Cammie Adams and Oral Johnson, however, dropped out of the race, after encountering mechanical problems with the bicycles.

Orel George clocked two hours 41 minutes 19 seconds to finish seventh overall.

Second place among the veterans was Marlon

George Stephens buckets basketball title THE GEORGE STEPHENS Secondary is the new holder of the schools’ Basketball title.

In bucketing their first hold of the discipline, they dethroned the 2013 champions — the Union Island Secondary.

It was all George Stephens Secondary last Friday afternoon in the final, played at the New Montrose Basketball facility.

They led in all quarters - 22-7, 45- 16, 61 -30 - before closing out the contest 78-42.

Brendon Smart , the Most Valuable Player of the final, had 37 points for the victors, while Joul Mills scored 13 points for the dethroned champions.

George Stephens had steamNew champions – George Stephens rolled their way to the finals, Secondary. beating the Bishop’s College Kingstown 106-32, while Union the tournament and had the Island Secondary had edged out Bequia Community most three pointers (17).

High 66-63.

The Petit Bordel High In the third place play off which took place before School was adjudged the most last Friday’s final, Bequia Community High doused disciplined team.

Bishop’s College Kingstown 111-35.

For Kathleen James, Brendon Smart scored the most points (181) in Physical Education teacher at the George Stephens Secondary, the victory is a boost Brendon Smart of for the school.

George Stephens “It’s a good feeling, seeing we Most Valuable Player of the were in some people’s eyes the tournament. under dogs, given the history of Basketball on Union Island... Our next focus is retaining the Volleyball title,” James claimed.

With no tournament last year, this year also proved problematic, with teams after opting out after they had started or had indicated their intention to compete.

Dethroned – Union Island Secondary.

Quazim Thomas was the lone competitor in the Mountain Bike category.

Enroy Lewis copped his first podium finish, first place, in local cycling.

Wilkinson in two hours 29 minutes, and thirdSteve Ollivierre, who timed two hours 33 minutes 39 seconds.

Another new person to the sport , Quazim Thomas, who was the lone competitor in the

Mountain Bike category, did his route from Kingstown to Bridgetown in Biabou- a distance of 25 miles, in one hour 50 minutes.

The next events on the 2015 Cycling calendar are set for 1st and 15th March.

Inter-Firms softball battle continues MATCHES in the 2015 Government Printery Sports and Cultural Club’s Firms 20/20 Cricket Competition continued two weekends ago and are continuing at the Dauphine Playing field.

On Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 1:00 p.m., Physical Planning’s 113 all out in 10 overs was easily overturned by Government Printery, who closed on 114 for 5 in 16.4. overs.

Bristol Scott topscored for Ahmed Baptiste, Physical Planning with 26, with figures of 4 wickets for 21 in 4 while Elrice Patterson did over, bowled likewise for Government Agriculture to Printery with 33. Kevin victory over Medford 3 for 23 and Campden Park Kamara Penniston 2 for 22 Strikers. were the leading bowlers for Planning and Printery respectively.

Saturday’s second match between Bank of SVG (BOSVG) played against Smart Strickers, was abandoned because of rain, with BOSVG on 63 for 6 off 14 overs. Points were shared evenly between the teams.

Sunday’s first match never materialised, as Ministry of health failed to show for their encounter with Customs.

In the second match, Campden Park Strikers went under to Agriculture by 59 runs. Scores in the match: Agriculture 133 all out off 16 overs, with Rodger Francois making 42 and Lawrence Shoy 38 not out, with Jose Charles taking 4 wickets for 9; Campden Park Strikers 74 all out in 12.4 overs, Ahmed Baptiste taking 4 wickets for 21 in 4 overs.

Last Saturday from 12:30 pm Media House were scheduled to play Smart Strickers. Sunday should have seen, from 12:30 p.m., Government Printery against Agriculture, then at 3:00 p.m.

Cole Trucking Bombers versus ECGC. All matches will be played at the Dauphine Playing field.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 33.

Sports

Team Rivals continue impressive run seepage at the southern end of the wicket, LIME Radcliffe were off to the worst possible start when the talented Gidron Pope (0) was adjudged LBW by DEFENDING Umpire Ivan Williams, off the bowling champions, Team Rivals, powered their of Casmond Walters. The batsman showed his dislike for the decision by way into Sunday’s remaining at the wicket 45 seconds final of the national after the decision was given, Neil Williams T20 illustrating that he was struck outside tournament, with an the off stump. In fact, the new impressive sevenwicket win over Lime batsman arrived at the crease with Pope standing just off the pitch, before Radcliffe at Arnos slowly making his way off.

Vale TWO last One for none became 10/2, with Saturday, and will Verbert King (3) bowled swinging meet Victors ONE wildly at Orlanzo Jackson. Romano from 2pm this Pierre (7) then had his stumps Sunday, in the final. disturbed by the sharp Roneil Jeffrey SCORES: LIME (3/14), to make it 19/3. Team Rivals Radcliffe 75 (17.5 overs), Team Rivals were celebrating even more a few runs later when Captain Lindon James (7), 77/3.

Batting first in a attempting an ill-advised booming match reduced to 18 drive off Deighton Butler’s left-arm spin, only succeeded in playing onto overs after a his stumps.

The demise of James was quickly Gidron Pope contesting his LBW followed by those of Michael St. decision.

Hillaire (1) and Richie Richards (0) for

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

the addition of a single, to make the score 31/6. Rodney Lawrence (22) attempted to soldier on, but he too was guilty of indiscretion when he tried to swing the foxy Jackson to leg, and was bowled playing Kesrick Williams, Team too early.

Rivals pacer, had a bad Roneil Jeffrey turned tricks The innings ended day. for Team Rivals with figures off the penultimate of 3/14.

10/1, ball to mark what can best be Marvin described as yet another poor display Small (22) at 64/2 and Walters (25)

by LIME Radcliffe. Jackson finished 64/3. with 4/25, but the Team Rivals camp Shallow was bowled by Westrick was less than happy with pacer Straugh, Small caught off Lawrence, Kesrick Williams, who sent down a series of wides and no balls, which saw and Walters caught off the bowling of his final over comprising 12 balls.

Richie Richards.

Team Rivals, with the chance to Team Rivals appear to have the defend their title in their hands, went upper hand going into the final, into a bear hug and a clinch to secure having beaten their opponents by victory in the 13th over. They suffered seven wickets in the preliminary hiccups along the way, with the round at the same venue, three weeks wickets of Hyron Shallow (7) going at ago.

Victors One marched over Saints in semis spinner Andrew Emtage (2/14) into the hands of Timothy Warner at deep midoff . He struck FORMER CHAMPIONS, Victors One, strolled into five fours and two sixes. Hector, who struck the final of the Neil Williams three sixes and two fours, was stumped when T20 competition with a 49-run he was beaten attempting a big drive off the triumph over Guardian General impressive Emtage. The decision was not one Saints, at the Arnos Vale initially accepted by the batsman. He Playing Field last Saturday. lingered at the crease a few seconds longer SCORES: Victors One 178/5 than is permitted by the code of conduct.

(20 overs), Guardian General His departure was quickly followed by Saints 129/9 (20 overs). those of Chrisroy John (9) and Shacquille Calling right at the toss, Browne(3), as Victors ONE then went from Victors ONE started the impressive 147/2 to 168/5 with what confidently, with Miles looked like an unmanned vessel speeding Bascombe (44) and Atticus through reef-filled waters. They added a Browne (57) batting with further ten runs to eventually close with what assurance, in raising 83 for the looked a reasonable total on a good batting Atticus Browne hit a match high 57. first wicket in ten overs. surface.

The partnership was broken Left-arm spinner Rolando Wright finished regular periods, and only Emtage 29 (3x6) showing when Bascombe went by the with 2/29. any initiative and desire for a fight. His dismissal, runout route. He struck three Guardian General Saints, asked to go at just bowled by Atticus Browne going for another of his sixes and four fours in an under nine an over, suffered an early blow when most productive shots —the sweep - confirmed the innings of dominance. Browne Zane Edwards (4) was bowled by Norlan Williams inevitable: a comfortable win by Victors One. was joined by captain Donwell with the total on nine. It was 21/2 when Shacquille Andrew Emtage Shacquille Browne 3/22 and Renaldo Coombs 2/20 Hector (33), and the pair added Browne, replacing Ray Jordan from the Airport End, did the damage for Victors One, who will meet Team looked the only fighter for Saints 64 for the second wicket, to inflicted a head wound to the Saints cavalry by Rivals in Sunday’s final. with returns of press home the advantage. yorking Romel Currency (0), with his second ball.

2/14 and an Browne, with conditions and the Jevorn John (0) and Rickford Walker (13) both went innings of 29 bowling favourable for a at the same score: 28/4. runs. possible century, then lofted offIt never got any better, with wickets falling at

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Shacquille Browne, 3/22, helped Rivals One to victory.

34. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. 35.

Classifieds

RUDOLPH BILLINGHURST

ELVIS GARNET GUY

MR. LAWRANCE RUDOLPH HAMLETT

Chebar Evangelical Assembly Rose Place Tuesday 24th February, 2015 3:30 p.m.

Marriaqua Methodist Church Monday 23rd February, 2015 3:00 p.m.

Kingstown S.D Adventist Church Monday 23rd February, 2015 3:00 p.m.

EUNICE MERCURY Apostolic Faith Dickson Village Sunday 22nd February, 2015 3:00 p.m.

EDMUND WENDELL FRANCIS

GARTH POMPEY

Better known as EDDIE

Gospel Hall Georgetown Saturday 21st February, 2015 2:00 p.m.

Lowmans Wd S.D. Adventist Church Sunday 22nd February, 2015 2:00 p.m.

F O R

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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SHOOTING TO BE INVESTIGATED

By KENVILLE HORNE

COMMISSIONER of Police Michael Charles has promised that a thorough investigation will be conducted, to determine why a young man from South Rivers was shot by a Police Officer.

The back page of THE VINCENTIAN Friday 20th

February, 2015, carried a story of Nicklan King, a young man, who, while handcuffed, was shot in the leg by a Police Officer on February 13, at Park Hill.

Commissioner Charles confirmed that King was indeed shot by the police, “But there is nothing we can say here, because he is in hospital

and the matter might be taken to the court.”

He reiterated that the situation is being investigated.

Asked if the matter should have been reported right away to him, the Commissioner explained: “It is the responsibility of the Officer in Charge of the station where the Officer works, to report the matter to his Division Commander.

The Division Commander will then report the matter to the Deputy. The Deputy will then report it to me.”

He continued, saying that at the time of the shooting, the Deputy was out.

‘The ACP acting is the person who received the information. When he called for me, he didn’t get me,” said the Commissioner, on the reason why the he was unaware of the shooting incident.

Charles said that any time someone is shot, whether by a police officer or a civilian, “it is cause for concern.”

In the case of a shooting by the police, he intimated that he would always ask whether “other means to address the situation could not have been used.”

As far as the shooting of Nicklan King is concerned, Commissioner Charles appealed to the public “to show patience…. bear with us and the truth would be told,” Nicklan King was still and re-assured “that the a patient at the MCMH matter would be properly up to Wednesday. investigated.”

Commissioner of Police Michael Charles has assured that there will be a thorough investigation into the shooting of Nicklan King by a Police Officer.

Up to press time on Wednesday, Nicklan King was still warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that attorney Nicole Sylvester, acting in her capacity as President of the SVG Human Rights Association, has written to Commissioner Charles expressing condemnation of the shooting of King.

Connell: Look at the broader picture

by HAYDN HUGGINS ATTORNEY Grant Connell has declared that a legal gateway could be explored to allow the planting of cannabis (marijuana), for certain purposes, and with the appropriate conditions.

Connell, who has been very outspoken on the marijuana issue, was responding to curator of the Botanical Gardens Gordon Shallow, who told THE VINCENTIAN, during an interview last week, “There will be no planting of any species of cannabis at the Botanical Gardens as long as it remains an illegal narcotic, at least during my tenure”.

The story containing Marijuana trees are the quote, headlined, ‘No grown as ornamental ganja tree for the plants all over the world.

Botanical Gardens’, was carried on page 4 of THE VINCENTIAN of Friday 20th February, 2015.

Connell explained that a firearm is a deadly weapon, but once it is justified for someone to have it in their possession, an application could be granted under the law for the appropriate licence.

He noted that similarly, a legal gateway could be explored to plant a marijuana tree for a specific purpose. “The good man (Shallow) must understand that the marijuana plant is like any other in the Botanical Gardens, and with permission from the respective minister it can be grown there.”

Connell pointed out that Shallow needs to look at the bigger picture. “It is about educating the public about this plant. Not only would its presence within the Botanical Gardens have a significant impact, it would also act as a catalyst in the process of people getting to understand its origin, the medicinal qualities and the possible ramifications of people using or abusing the plant,” Connell explained.

“I am sure the presence of those (marijuana) trees would increase the tourism flow to the Gardens, then we can explore the possibility of marijuana farms which can be visited by tourists as part of our

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

eco-tourism.”

Connell expressed the view that the curator’s statement is a perfect example of why St. Vincent and the Grenadines is lagging behind.

“We have to take off our blinkers, see the bigger picture and think for ourselves. That’s why, like many other things in this country, we have the perfect oyster, but we don’t know how to create the pearl,” Connell said.

“It would take some testicular fortitude to take a strong stance on the marijuana issue, but I think we have the right leader to do that,” he opined.

Attorney Grant Connell, known for his forthrightness on the marijuana issue, sees nothing unbecoming if a marijuana tree is grown in the Botanical Gardens.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.