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FRIDAY,

APRIL 10, 2015

VOLUME 109, No.15

by KENVILLE HORNE

L-R): President Hugo Chavéz’s daughter Rosa Chavéz, Vice-President Jorge Arreaza and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves about to cut the ribbon to formally declare the facility open.

THE CAPACITY of this country’s fuel storage capacity is poised to increase significantly, with the opening of the recently completed Hugo Chavéz Fuel Storage and Distribution plant, at Lowmans Bay. The facility is named after the Late Venezuelan leader, who died from cancer on March 5th, 2013.

The facility has a capacity of two (2) 10,000 barrels in diesel, two (2) 5,000 barrels in gasoline, two (2) 1000 barrels in LPG and 2000 barrels in Jet fuel. It has total capacity of 3 months selfreliance in fuel supply.

The project was completed at a cost of EC$ 31 million.

Thornley Myers, CEO of this

www.thevincentian.com

country’s national power company, VINLEC, told the diverse gathering at the facility’s formal opening on Tuesday 7th April, that the facility stands tall with respect to the size

EC$1.50

of projects undertaken in SVG. Continued on Page 3.

The storage tanks at the Hugo Chavéz Fuel Storage and Distribution Facility at Lowmans Bay.

2. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 3.

News 3 SVGÊs fuel storage capacity boosted

arrived at Lowmans Bay and discharged 10,000 Barrels of diesel for storage in VINLEC;s tanks. Later that year in December, “VINLEC again took charge of 6,000 cylinders of LPG, each at 10kg, that landed at port Campden Park as part of the shipment of LPG under the PetroCaribe agreement,” Mayers said.

He noted that VINLEC acted as agent for the Government of SVG for the importation of diesel and LPG from Venezuela until up to 2009, when A section of the diverse gathering at the opening PDV took over operations. ceremony.

In 2007, the LPG filling facility was inaugurated, commissioning of the and the commencement of Continued from Front new facility, Myers Page. referred to the coming on the Fuel Storage Facility began. stream on June 29, 2005, Myers described the “The Argyle of PetroCaribe, an oil project as long and International Airport is alliance involving first, the (Lowmans Bay) Venezuela and a number difficult, “but the project has never suffered, due to VINLEC power station of Caribbean states, SVG the commitment of the second, and now this included, which allowed Government and people of project,” said Myers. those states to purchase the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuelan oil, under Venezuela, under the From one day to three conditions of part direct leadership of the eternal months payment and part commander, Hugo In tracing the phases Chavéz,” Myers continued. deferred payment. of development that “Their commitment was On the 13th culminated in the demonstrated, when he September 2005, a ship

Technology and Health Care TECHNOLOGY HAS REVOLUTIONIZED the Health Care system. Because of advancements in technology, some tasks may now be done even more efficiently, and with less room for error.

This change has been embraced by doctors and patients alike. However, not all new technologies were readily accepted by the medical community.

Many were viewed with suspicion. In the 1930s, some doctors doubted an Xray image of the chest was as reliable as a physical examination.

Using computers was one of the most important technological changes in 20th-century medicine. One of the major benefits/advantages of computers in the Health Care system would be their ability to store large amounts of information, and this facility has been utilized by hospitals all over the world to store patient information.

Other benefits would be that

imaging techniques such as MRI or PET were possible because faster computers could reconstruct images of the body. More diagnostic tests were developed because automated laboratory machines performed tests quicker and more accurately.

Machines have also given rise to specialists in different areas of medicine, such as ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists. This specialization is so because it has allowed different parts of the body to be studied more “in-depth”.

There are still concerns as to medical machines also causing practical problems. Safety concerns and cost have limited their use.

(President Chavez) visited the site in 2007 to symbolically mark the commencement of the project,” he further stated.

“All the fuel utilized here at Lowmans Bay power station since 2005 has been supplied under the PetroCaribe agreement,” Myers disclosed “and from 2005 to Feburary 2015, the Lowmans Bay power station consumed 250 million dollars work of fuel under the PetroCaribe agreement.” Jorge Arreaza, Vice He said, with the President of the Bolivarian opening of the plant, the Republic of storage of diesel will Venezuela, described the increase from 12,000 to Facility as a small part of 32,000 barrels, President Chavéz’s dream. amounting to over 3 months’ storage.

The second in command “In 2000, we had just of the oil rich South one day storage. VINLEC America country bought fuel every single addressed the audience in day … in a few days time English we are going to have 3 He said he was proud to months storage of Fuel,” be present, because the he emphasized to loud facility serves as a very applause. small part of Chavéz’s “This is a facility for dream. “He taught us this time and for all time that our energy resources to come……. It stands as a were not only for the beacon of Firm Venezuelan people, but Coorperation” Myers also for all the people of asserted Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and An agreement that serves the even North America, people particularly in South Bronx where he donated President of Petro heating oil, and provided Caribe/ Alba Bank and facilities for financing Chairman of the Joint various community Venture, Bernado Alvarez, projects. told the gathering that the “We thank God for intention of the idea of the being here because God PetroCaribe agreement takes care of the weak, the was to give countries poor and the hungry, and energy security. “And part so did our Commandante. of the energy security was He took care of the poor, to have its own capability the weak and the hungry, of storage, and this is and that’s why we are what we are seeing today,” here, because he believed he said. in Jesus Christ, and he He cited the opening of designed his own formula the facility as another to help people,” the indication that the Venezuelan Vice President agreement is not failing. proffered.

“As you see, we have done He said the facility is a lot. but we have a huge an investment that was task ahead,” he cautioned, derived from the financial but expressed optimism formula to which the that “there is a bright alliance agreed. future ahead.”

He assured the Alverez commended gathering that President President Chavéz and Chavéz loved Prime Prime Minister Gonsalves Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and all those who and described the contributed to make the agreement as a good project a reality. business for all.

Vice President of the Prime Minister Ralph Bolivarian Republic of Gonsalves said the plant is Venezuela, Jorge Arreaza, fundamentally about selfwas greeted with loud mastery. applause.

He reminded his

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonslaves spoke to the friendship between Venezuela and SVG as being more than about cash.

Thornley Myers, CEOVINLEC, announced that VINLEC can now enjoy an interrupted supply of fuel for an estimated three months. audience that when a certain gas company wanted to present problems for Vincentians, the Government of Venezuela came to the country’s assistance.

He said the actual earthworks for the facility started in 2008, and expressed thanks to the 14 families who were once resident on the site but are now relocated.

The Prime Minister described the friendship between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as “not only in cash, kind and technical support, but in advice and solidarity.”

The overall cost of the entire facility amounted to EC$ EC90 million, according to the Prime Minister.

The National Fuel Storage facility is a joint venture between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Cornerstone was laid by President Hugo Chavéz on 17th February, 2007.

Those in attendance at last Tuesday’s opening included government officials from both countries, workers at the facility, President Hugo Chavéz’s daughter Rosa Chavéz, media personnel from Venezuela, and persons from the South Leeward constituency.

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4. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Ministry reaffirms commitment to mental health Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS WHILE Senior Nursing Officer at the Mental Health Centre, Diana Bailey, admits there are challenges at the institution, she has assured that the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is doing everything it could to address the situation.

In fact, Bailey told THE VINCENTIAN, because of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing these issues, the Mental Health Centre at Glen is currently being upgraded.

As a result, patients have been temporarily relocated at Orange Hill.

Bailey noted that refurbishing work on the Centre is expected to be completed by October this year, and patients would be able to move into an improved facility.

Nicole Sylvester, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA), told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday, that the SVGHRA had received reports that the conditions at the institution, in some instances, were far from being sanitary, and she called for an investigation into these allegations.

Sylvester said that mentally challenged persons are vulnerable and required

special care, and ought to be treated with human dignity.

She indicated that if the allegations were true, they must be addressed. She disclosed that in light of these reports, the SVGHRA intends to visit the relocated facility.

But Bailey explained that it was not easy to find a facility to relocate patients, and challenges were expected. But she assured that, even as she spoke, these challenges were being addressed. She cited, for example, a septic tank problem, but said steps were being taken to have that corrected.

“We are striving to do all that we can, despite the limitations,” the Senior Nursing Officer said.

Bailey pointed out that overcrowding generally at the Mental Health Centre over the years, threw up a number of challenges for the facility.

She noted that the institution was intended to serve as a facility to treat persons with mental illness, have them recover, and reintegrate into their homes and communities.

However, according to Bailey, over the years, many persons with mental illness, who had recovered, have been rejected and abandoned by their families. At times when they needed their families

Fire fighters use SCBAs to enter building FIRE FIGHTERS last Saturday had to don Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in their effort to extinguish a fire at a building in Middle Street, Kingstown.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joel James, second in command at the Fire Department, told THE VINCENTIAN that the police, who received a call around 6 p.m. that the building was on fire, had to use SCBAs to enter the building, because it was smoke-filled when they arrived on the scene.

The fire is said to have started in the back area of the ground floor, the front of which was used as a storeroom.

Firemen entered the building from the front, passing through the storeroom, and were able to contain the fire to the back room and then extinguish it, according to ASP James.

James said the back room was discoloured from smoke, and some of the storeroom items were wet from water used to extinguish the fire.

He said that up to press time Wednesday, he had not received information of any items being damaged.

The Department of Adult and Continuing Education occupies the first and second storeys of the building.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was carrying out investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

most.

While the Senior Nursing Officer is aware that there are some families who have limitations with respect to taking care of their relatives after they have been discharged from The Mental Health Centre at Glen was deemed to be inappropriate for the facility, she proper care of patients housed there. stressed that the institution,” Bailey explained. in addition to the work being institution is overburdened She urged families to done at the temporary location with the demands of housing become involved in the care of to expand the capacity of the persons who have long septic tank, the Vector Control histories of mental illness and their loved ones, noting that, “we are a small country with Unit was called in, and a substance abuse. limited resources, so we need committee was set up to deal “The stigma of mental the support of the with these and other concerns. illness has contributed to communities and nation as a She stressed that homelessness, but because of whole.” refurbishing work is ongoing the humanitarian aspect of the Neeka Anderson-Isaacs, at the Glen facility and is Centre, we have kept persons Communications Officer in the expected to be completed by off the streets despite the Ministry of Health, said that October this year. strain it brings on the

Police contain fire at Long Wall ASSISTANT Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joel James, second in command of the Fire Department, has lauded his colleagues for containing a fire at Long Wall, Upper Kingstown last week Wednesday.

ASP James told THE VINCENTIAN that quick and vigilant action by members of the Royal SVG Police Force Fire Department, prevented the fire from spreading to several other houses, located within close proximity to the building on fire.

James said that four houses were ignited, two of which were destroyed, while the others received minor damage.

One of the houses gutted was occupied by Princess Roberts, a 35-year-old unemployed woman of Union Island, and owned by Elvis Seales, 53-year-old musician and businessman of Kingstown Hill.

A second house, occupied and owned by Seales, was partly burnt, and a quantity of electrical appliances belonging to him were destroyed.

A house belonging to 48-yearold labourer Lennox Dellimore also sustained minor damage.

THE VINCENTIAN was unable to ascertain who and how many occupied the other building that was demolished.

James said that, despite the fact that the four houses were adjacent to each other, the police were able to contain the fire to two of them. He noted that the two which were gutted were small, old wooden structures.

The Senior Officer said that when the fire fighters arrived on the scene after responding to a call around 4 p.m., they had to manoeuver a live electrical wire which was connected to one of the houses, and was burnt and lying on the ground.

“I was there, and I must commend my staff for exemplary work despite the limitations,” James said.

Up to press time Wednesday, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was carrying out investigations to determine Fire fighters worked expeditiously to prevent the fire from the cause of the fire. spreading to other adjacent buildings.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 5.

Regional

All FoolsÊ Day prank or not?

April Fools’ Day/All Fools’ Day is one of the most light-hearted days of the year.

Adam Harris, Editor in Chief of Kaieteur News, said in his response, that the US Embassy in Guyana had itself noted the ‘sign posts’ that made the news item an All Fools’ Day prank.

AS MUCH as the Guyana Kaieteur News newspaper has gone to ends to convince the world that a recent story was nothing but an All Fools’ Day (April Fools) prank, the government of the U.S.A. is not buying it.

The U.S. government on Wednesday issued a statement, through its embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, calling on the Kaieteur News to retract immediately, an article it published, both in print and online, in which it reported that Washington had revoked the visa of four Guyana government officials.

The statement also said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is not questioning individuals, as the article said.

In response, Kaieteur News seems to have taken the demand by Washington lightly, and in the process admitted that the story was ‘purely a work of fiction and was an All Fools Day joke’.

Editor in Chief of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, is reported to have told at least one news agency that there were

Doing something about the mudslinging ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST Fr. Clyde Harvey has taken the sacrifice that symbolizes Good Friday to a whole new level.

On Good Friday, April 3, 2015, Fr. Harvey led a silent march around the Parliament Building in Port Of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Fr. Harvey and those who supported him, were demonstrating their abhorrence with what they say is the ‘mudslinging’ that has come to characterize the exchanges between rival politicians and political parties.

The priest, known for his social action and outspokenness, charged that “mudslinging is deceptive, it’s treacherous (and) over the past year, Parliament has reached a new low. Instead of minding the people’s business, Parliament has become a place for minding each other’s business.” Harvey told local newspaper, Trinidad

Newsday.

And Fr. Harvey’s whip had no bias as he declared, “No party has been innocent in this regard. All are guilty. All are responsible. This year, Parliament may well be seen as an appropriate nominee for Good Friday bobolee (..Idiot or simpleton;, stupid person or thing) A stupid person) …. Pope Francis calls it murder when you are destroying people’s character and reputation.”

He continued, “Parliament may well be seen as an appropriate nominee for Good Friday

several sign posts in the story suggesting that it was an April Fools’ Joke, and the US Embassy recognized that in its own press release.

Among those sign posts was the fact that the newspaper article carried

a February 29 reference date, which is non-existent this year.

But the US Embassy in Guyana was not going to be made to take the joke any further, and said that said there was nothing amusing about the story,

and cited the Kaieteur News as having exercised “poor judgment in printing this article under the auspices of an April Fools’ joke.”

The demand for a retraction remains.

As far as THE

VINCENTIAN can discern, it is not uncommon, on All Fools’ Day, for the press and other media to report hoax stories and explain them the next day or days thereafter.

Dominica enticing more Chinese assured them that it was transparent and recognized globally.

When, according to the newspaper, observers point out that Dominica’s small population of 71,000 is less than that of the average There is already a thriving Chinese business sector in Chinese small Dominica. Here they made a donation for ongoing town, and once construction at a Primary School. an investment Additionally, there is no pitch is successfully made, reported as saying, “We property tax and no are not at all worried.” an ensuing influx of attempts to control He proceeded to Chinese Immigrants could investor earnings. describe Dominicans as cause tension and even people who see themselves Applicants are not anger among locals who required to be able to as “global citizens” , and could see their social the goal of the investment speak or write English. benefits eroded, Prime According to the programme is to increase Minister Sherrit is visitors and immigrants to Financial Daily, “The (Dominica) Citizenship by Dominica’s shores.

According to the Prime Investment Programme is managed by the Minister, there are two investment and housing ways to become a departments, and there Dominican citizen: one are aspects especially can immigrate to attractive to potential Dominica by either submitting an application investors. The first involves 200 houses built directly to the on scenic locations on the government; or by obtaining citizenship with island, and the second a minimum investment of involves the construction of 125 houses somewhere $200,000. in the mountains. Skerrit He assured that also stated that the Dominica places few Fr Clyde Harvey (left front) leads a march around government was also restrictions on new the Parliament Building at Wrightson Road, Portinterested in offering 4-5 immigrants. Successful of-Spain, on Good Friday. (Photo: newsday.co.tt) other options. The applicants only need to Government of Dominica present an International Left: Roman Catholic Priest Fr. Clyde Harvey is presently conducting ID, such as a passport, described the mudslinging in the T&T Parliament negotiations with a and there are no as deceptive and treacherous. migration company to restrictions on assets or explore possibilities.” residency. husbands, children. How bobolee, yet it is one of our national institutions. do have your children One which we would like going to school and being told the vilest of things to invest with a certain because it is on the sacredness. When it is degraded in any way, the television?”

The silent march, whole nation is at risk. which ended with a We cannot allow it to recitation of The Lord’s become a bobolee.”

Prayer and singing of God With respect to what Bless Our Nation, will be some Trinidadians have described as the ‘vilest of followed up by delivery to all Parliamentarians of exchanges’, in recent copies of Harvey’s onehistory, Fr. Harvey page statement on the warned that “When need to “rescue people do those things, they must remember that Parliament from those they are affecting not only who would degrade it.” an individual, but Trinidad and Tobago, individuals have families. like some other “We must remember that CARICOM territories, is when we do those things, locked in campaigning for Talks have already been held at the highest level that people have families. imminent general between Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and They have wives, elections.

China’s President Xi Jinping.

PRIME MINISTER Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica continues to lead the promotion of his country’s Citizen by Investment Programme (CIP), this in the face of a recent caution by US Charge d’ Affiares Mark Bysfield, not to allow the challenging economic times to cause a rush into implementing the programme.

As recent as last week, Prime Minister Skerrit was in China (Peoples Republic of China) selling the programme to Chinese nationals.

According to the China’s First Financial Daily newspaper, PM Sherrit told Chinese investors that the CIP presents a good opportunity for them, and

V Delight shines at National Awards Ceremony 6. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Youth

scholastic award ceremony.

FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW Ollivierre, who was Adventist Academy one of three students to student and Bequia native, obtain Grade One CSEC Delight Ollivierre, has won passes in 14 subjects, she this country’s award for having done so with Top Performer overall, at Grade Ones in all the Caribbean Examinations subjects, was absent Council Secondary from the event. She has Education Certificate already taken up Examinations (CSEC, advance studies in 2014.

Trinidad, at the Many proud parents, University of the relatives, principals, Southern Caribbean, teachers , Education where she is pursuing a Officials and wellBachelor Degree in wishers , converged at Marine Biology, with a the Methodist Church minor in Chemistry Hall on Wednesday 1st Her proud father, to witness the premier Anthony Ollivierre, who

by KENVILLE HORNE

is also principal of the Mountain View Adventist Academy, was more than happy to collect on her behalf. He also accepted his daughter’s award for Top Female Performer at CSEC and Top Performer in Subject Discipline Home Economics.

Richard John and Sherwin Peters, students of the St. Vincent and Grammar School, were the others who copped 14 subject passes. Kerron Glasgow, also of the St. Vincent Grammar school, passed 13 subjects.

John took the award

Some of the students who contributed to the GHS retaining hold of the Top Performing School Shield, held by Mrs. Michelle Beache, Deputy HeadMistress.

Anthony Ollivierre accepts Top Performer Overall award on behalf of his daughter, Delight Ollivierre (inset).

Below: Richard John, Top Male Performer, share a special moment of pride with his father. for being the Top Male performer at CSEC, and Top Performer in Subject Disciplines of Humanities and Modern Languages.

In other subject disciplines, Allena Hazell of the St. Joseph’s Convent took the award for Business; Kyra Matthias of the Girls’ High School Science in Science; and Javier Dickson, St. Vincent Grammar School, Industrial Technology.

Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Secondary student, Ronika Tannis was voted Top Female Performer after Remediation, while Paul’s Avenue resident, Yannick Bacchus, received the award of Top Male Performer after

Remediation, and the award as overall Top Performer after Remediation.

The Top Performers of Each Secondary School were also awarded, and students who passed 5 to 14 subjects were presented with trophies.

1 student from the St. Vincent Grammar School, Kerron Glasgow passed 13 subjects.

The St. Martin’s Secondary School was adjudged the Most Improved Performer at CSEC, and the Intermediate High School was voted the

School with the best CSEC results after remediation.

The Girls’ High School continued as this country’s top performer, retaining the title as the School with the Best CSEC results overall.

The National Awards Ceremony was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and telecommunications service provider LIME. It seeks to recognize and celebrate scholastic achievements of students who sat the CSEC and CPEA exams.

Yannick Bacchus, Top Performer after remediation, receives his special LIME award from Leslie Jack, CEO-LIME.

V Businessman fed up with break-ins News

inside revealed that his cylinder full of gas and a BUSINESSMAN ALPHEUS quantity of non-alcoholic ‘ALPHIE’ CUPID is drinks were missing. The wondering what next to do building was ramsacked. in relation to the A visibly distraught continuous burglarizing of ‘Alphie’ said his parlour his business place at had been burglarized on Frenches gap, Kingstown. several occasions, and ‘Alphie’, who owns and the recent burglary was operates a small parlour the third for the year. selling snacks, bread and “I feel disgusted, I chicken and nondon’t know what else to alcoholic drinks, do. I went to the police discovered that the several times, but building was broken into nobody had ever been when he turned up to arrested,” he related. open for usual business “Suppose I lock myself around 11am, on in here (parlour) and Tuesday. Entry was deal with the situation, gained by damaging a what would be the window at the back of outcome?” ‘Alphie’ the building. questioned rhetorically.

He told THE “I weary go barracks, I VINCENTIAN he met weary go barracks,” the his amplifier and upset man added. He equalizer on the ground believes that the person outside, and checks

by HAYDN HUGGINS

or persons who have been burglarizing his business house are familiar with the place.

“I just trying to make ends meet,” he explained.

‘Alphie’s’ business may have been burglarized between Saturday morning and Tuesday morning, because the last time he left the building secured prior to the burglary was Saturday around 11am, when he made checks to ensure that everything was alright after closing to usual business around 7pm, on Holy Thursday.

‘Alphie’ has reported the matter to the police, and up to press time Wednesday investigations were being carried out.

Bijou Real Estate relocates BIJOU REAL ESTATE has a new home.

On March 27, the Agency opened its new headquarters in the Highway Trading Building in Arnos Vale, from which Managing Director, Sharleen Greaves, promises to continue serving her clients diligently.

A brief ceremony took place to herald the opening of the office, and saw Greaves, surrounded by family members, friends, well-wishers and clients, as she cut the ribbon to officially begin operations at the new location.

An open house and cocktail took place after the official opening.

Bijou Real Estate has been in operation for the past six years, and has successfully assisted individuals in finding that ideal place to call their home.

Greaves indicted that her services are available to all, whether buyer or seller, landlord or

tenant, and that her company offers innovative ways of providing its clients with complete real estate services.

Greaves said that although the office doors may be closed at times, Bijou Real Estate is always open for business, and takes pride in turning an individual’s dream “into an address.”

(KH)

Sharleen Greaves, Managing Director Bijou Real Estate, promises the same level of diligent service from the new location.

Bijou Real Estate’s new location in the Highway Trading Building, Arnos Vale.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 7.

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8. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 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

That call for a samesex conversation

Farewell to a brother

ARE THERE CITIZENS of this country who provide an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, persons who contribute in more ways than one to the positive growth of this country, who have alternative lifestyles?

Persons, men and women, who, for one reason or the other, buck the order of our conservative, ‘ultra-religious’ society and are gay/homosexual?

If there is one Vincentian who can honestly say there are no such persons in our midst, no homosexuals who work and play equally alongside heterosexuals, then please, come forward and be counted.

The fact, like it or not, is that there are persons in SVG who live a lifestyle that does not conform to what we have accepted as the norm. And, given that this lifestyle remains a criminal offence according to our Law Books, they are encased as a closeted minority.

All of this leads to the question of whether or not, as a modern, post colonial society/economy, we are prepared to talk openly about what really exists among us.

That Senator Vynnette Frederick broached the talk of a national conversation of what she described as ‘same-sex relationships’, is in keeping with trends in a modern society, a standing of which we boast.

To have the leader of this modern society shoot down, with some measure of lightheartedness, the call for a ‘national conversation’ on a real socio-cultural phenomenon, speaks to how far we might not have come, in reality.

To be sure, this is not a willy nilly piece in support of alternative lifestyles, same-sex relationships, homosexuality, call it what you want. Instead, this is an open call for a level of maturity and support to be given to the call for a conversation on the subject.

What are we afraid of? It might just be the case that the majority of persons have a level of tolerance for alternate lifestyles.

But, not to discuss the matter with some degree of levelheadedness, is to assume something and, in the process, demonstrate our unpreparedness to respond to a sector of our own.

We should, on the contrary and regardless of our personal convictions, be concerned about the degree to which we respond to a minority class in our midst.

History abounds with proof that a society is measured by the degree to which it reaches out to the minorities in its midst. We should not want to be branded as having taken such a draconian position on this issue, so as to have others conclude that we are not prepared to reach out to the least among us.

If it is, as the Prime Minister has indicated on previous occasions, that the majority of people here want no part of alternate lifestyles, same-sex relationships, then let a national conversation say that. We have had no such conversation; therefore, isn’t it unfair to those who practise this alternate lifestyle, that we jump to taking a decision, of perpetuating this practice as criminal, without giving those who are affected an opportunity to ‘make their case’?

We deserve to have a conversation so that we can arrive at an understanding of, and how to deal with, for example, the implications of same-sex marriage for children’s welfare, for religious freedom, and for our understanding of marriage itself.

It will make us more matured for having had the conversation.

Interestingly, it was Dr. Denzil Douglas, the recently displaced Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, who, in 2013, called for people to ‘be light’ when dealing ‘with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender) people, because they have a right to express their identity like anyone else’.

It was he who urged that his people, ‘Discuss the issue, stop the discrimination, stop the stigmatization, and let us therefore discuss this matter in an open, matured and frank way…’.

Taking a lead from Dr. Douglas, and to repeat, there is definitely a need for the subject to be brought to a national conversation.

In addition to those who are affected by our continuing to deny their very existence, and against whom we take an abusive stance and action, the Church and those groups that are pursuing, in a vigorous way, the human rights of people, are also due their say on the issue.

In this age of moves to decriminalize the use of marijuana, the move in some regions to legitimize prostitution, we need not only to be guided by what is happening elsewhere in the world, but moreso by our own cultural norms. We cannot honestly do that without a national conversation on alternate lifestyle, same-sex relations, homosexuality, call it what you want.

I REPORTED THE DEATH of Cedric Harold in Jamaica last week.

‘Pronto’, as he was well known, had been a brilliant natural science student in my day. He performed in the rare scholastic sphere with people such as Dr. E.G King, deceased, and Dr. Basil Williams.

‘Pronto’ went to UWI along with the two Kings, E.G and Baldwin, and myself, in 1960; married a Jamaican and lived there for the rest of his life.

Both of us generally regarded SVG as a miniature Jamaica, so the bigger country was quite attractive to us — particularly with its University campus and the gathering of students from the wider West Indies, all then dreaming of a West Indies Federation, which was not meant to be.

A few of us, like Cedric, stayed on after the shattered dream of a West Indies Nation. He took a full part in its social life and became a computer expert at his Alma Mater.

Every now and then, he would make trips to St. Vincent, researching the Carib-Calinago beginning, of whom he was a proud descendant.

Over the years, we kept in touch regularly, and in the latter days compared our medical notes, being fellow-sufferers of the same cluster of ailments.

The last time around, he announced that he was enjoying his life which was really borrowed time; professors of medicine and their experts had actually pronounced him dead on the operation table, only for him to bounce back into the land of the living, to the pleasant shock of all.

Now that he is truly dead, he had requested that his body be burnt and his ashes be buried in the same grave as his mother and father, in his beloved SVG. What follows is an extract of an article, ‘A Socio-Political Perspective of SVG’, which we had jointly produced for the ‘Flambeau’ in 1966, tracing the genesis of our very divisive partysystem, for what it is worth.

“It is only by studying this class differentiation, that one could understand the appeal which Joshua exercised on the lower class, and by recalling their numbers in the community, that one can appreciate his political wisdom. Here at last was a man to speak for them — in their own language — on the political platform, the only platform that makes any sense in this day and age. He came to them when they were given the vote, they supported him and he in turn directed all his policies towards keeping him in their good graces. Or so he appeared to do.

Because the laboring working class recognized themselves as a social group in their own right, and because their interests differed from those of the other members of society loosely called the Middle Class, social arrogant self-confidence, and with Joshua calling the tune, there was no question as to who would triumph. In fact, to make sure that he would win, Joshua did his utmost to discredit the clergy, the plantocracy, the civil service and all those sectors of the community around whom leadership may have coagulated against him.

Had there been any cohesion among these elements of middle class, or had they not alienated the support of their unfortunate brothers, they might have been able to rally around in concert to resist the onslaught against them. Instead, in the beginning, they only became more than ever befuddled, and because Mr. Joshua was a convincing politician, more than ever divided.

…. The PPP remained the personal apparatus of Mr. Joshua. Whereas for example, the Labour Party goes through the motions of selecting candidates by a democratic process, Joshua merely names his choices on the grounds of political expediency. Neither party is ideological. They do not battle for men’s minds, only for their votes, so that they mean different things to different people. That this is clearly the case can be seen from the fact that they are both supported by business interest as well as by the working class; that the civil service and the teaching profession are split in their support of the parties; and that politicians defecting from one have found welcome accommodation in the other. These observations have led a few thinking persons to seriously question the suitability of the two-party system in a small backward country where hatred and animosities are generated purely on the basis of party affiliation. Storm-in-teacup controversies and dog-in-the-manger fights are thus created at the expense of public welfare.

It still cannot be said with any meaningful measure of confidence, that we have developed lasting political party forms in St. Vincent. The PPP hangs on the personality of Mr. Joshua and may very well not outlive him. The Labour Party is more efficiently organized, but it housing of some independents is not really over, in fact, there are a number of thinly-veiled independents who perennially run on party tickets. The PPP is an electoral device, pure and simple. An appetite for power alone keeps its members together. The Labour Party has better claims towards developing into a bona fide party, but a third successive spell in opposition might well reduce the party to ashes. An opportunity to form the Government may, of course, have the opposite effect in binding the party and perhaps forging a definitive ideological stamp on it. Meanwhile both groups are content to mark time and remain ideologically eclectic, which probably accounts for their cross-sectional support of an electorate that is fragmented and confused.

The resultant mystification of the political process is not calculated to attract the involvement and emotional investment of the people, which are essentials of a true Democratic Government. Further, this striking equivocalism in the long term aims and objectives of the organizations and the consequent irrational schisms in the society have provided immense scope for the moneyed interest to work through the social cracks in the community and sap the strength of any massbased party. The upshot of this is that the vested interests exercise a disproportionately telling political influence and tend always to constitute a de facto, though invisible Government.

In the final analysis, perhaps all that we may safely be permitted to say is that the political situation in St. Vincent is not amenable to scientific study in the sense that it is still in a state of flux with an intractable number of floating variables. As a rider, we will add the further observation that the confused state of political affairs seems to be an accurate reflection of the malaise that has stricken the society itself, as manifested in its structure, its values and goals.”

“Au revoir,” says ‘Cahier’ to ‘Pronto’.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 9.

Letters

No conscience LetÊs talk about same-sex relations SENATOR FREDERICK makes the point that a national conversation is in order regarding same sex relations, at least in part due to impending considerations regarding aid from countries that have already regularized same sex relations.

I would point out that, more importantly, tourism related businesses and commercial enterprises are increasingly repelled by environments that have and enforce laws that prosecute or discriminate in any way against same sex relations. One need only refer to the recent case in the U.S., where a state passed a law that would allow businesses to use religious belief as an excuse to refuse to do business with homosexuals. Major corporations, businesses and athletic institutions threatened to cancel expansion plans or pull out of the state entirely.

They knew that their customers, existing or potential, as well as some of their best employees, present or future, were Gay or sympathetic to, or supportive of, Gay initiatives. It would be

cutting their own throats to seek to remain in such an environment. A number of other states who were about to, or had recently, passed similar legislation, are scrambling to undo it, as boycotts and protests have been mounting.

This country needs to talk about the issue in open debate, and the Government needs to decide what our future course will be: to continue to be passed over by the very businesses that could provide economic growth and job opportunities (do you think that Martinique which has enjoyed a 524% growth in cruise ship visits since 2010, or Turks and Caicos which in one week signed two separate new resort construction agreements, one for US $200 million, and one for US $224 million, actively seeks to exclude or is hostile toward Gay people?) Or do we want to not only cease to prosecute Gay behaviour, but in so doing encourage and support companies who may consider doing business here, but are restrained by our current discriminatory

legislation which is actively hostile to their own company policies, let alone to potential customers?

Most major corporations today have non-discriminatory company policies. It would make no sense for a hotel chain or cruise ship company which serves Gay customers, as well as employs LGBT (lesbian-gay-bisexualtransgendered) people, to look to begin doing business here. But then, we don’t really need them, do we? We are just fine with the stagnant number of cruise ship arrivals and hotel rooms, increasing youth emigration, and deficit budgets. Let’s keep our head in the sand, and applaud our neighbouring countries as their business sectors

(commercial, industrial and tourism based) continue to outpace ours...while we wonder why!

HJA

Vincy Woman

Prove thyself, Oh Senator SENATOR CAMILLO, I too share your hopes of a clean sweep at the polls on election day; but I challenge your ability to deliver the good things to the general public. I am in your constituency, and wish to show you an injustice which the whole of SVG suffers monthly.

Vote for the ULP VINCENTIANS are preparing themselves to go to the polls whether this year or next year. The race for government has begun, and it is not too early for us to reflect on the choice that we have to make. To tell the truth, the vote that we cast is part of a national decision, for, regardless of whom we vote for, the winner becomes a government for all citizens of this country, at least that is what we expect.

So, we have an opportunity to choose.

We have an opportunity to choose between a party that is all about themselves, their friends and cronies, and a party that puts ‘people first’. The latter is represented by the ULP, and therefore, should be an obvious choice to continue in government for another five years.

Ask yourself: Has the ULP not worked hard to bring a level of development to this country, that many thought could never happen? Has the ULP not brought prosperity to this land, and has made public servants, police, nurses, and teachers into hard-working citizens who now recognize their role in national development? Has the ULP not ensured that no one has trampled on our constitutional rights? Has the ULP ever violated the trust that you placed in them?

Has the ULP not brought stability to this country, and opened this small country to

I WANT TO believe that nobody in the ULP government has a conscience. And to think, the party is loaded with folks who profess to be Christian.

If there was one person with a conscience, that person would have come out and condemned Mr. Elson Crick for that dirty act he inflicted on the person of Keturah Cupid.

The things that some people will do just to score a political POINT!!

Now, I am not vouching for anybody; but this woman would have to be something else to spill her guts for the world, only for us to find out that she was lying. But that is not the case. The lady spilled the truth about her life, messed up since she was fourteen, so that we would wake up to the fact that there are men in this society, who will always take advantage of women, with some of these men not having any regard whatsoever for how old that woman or girl might be. Men in high positions, men in low positions, all kinds of men have been guilty of inflicting harm on women in this country, and that is a fact, and too many of them get away with their dirty acts.

I wonder, Mr. Editor, if Ms. Cupid had decided to speak at another forum and not at an NDPsponsored one, whether he Crick would have found it necessary to do what he did.

And by the way, I wonder if I could get information on a certain somebody from the Immigration Department. I bet you my last dollar, I could try but I’ll never succeed. You see, this society is still very bias and sorry; I didn’t vote to “own me government’.

the rest of the world?

And last but not least: We must remember that it took a ULP government to fulfill our dream of an international airport.

Whenever the Prime Minister rings the bell, I encourage every citizen to come out and vote solidly for the ULP, in order to safeguard the future for yourself and your children.

Name withheld on request.

The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA), after they took over the water system, went ahead and charged us a meter fee, which we overpaid. After much protest, that fee was withdrawn and replaced by a ‘basic charge’ which is disguised robbery with a V. Sir, my knowledge of ‘basic’ means a beginning and an end to certain things or commodities such as Cable & Wireless less basic charge on their land line where they gave us a certain number of calls free, before they started to charge on additional calls. But CWSA asks for a basic charge of $14.00 for a reading of 0001 — 9999; yet my consumption cost start, also from 0001-9999.

How can that be, when my basic has already started at 0001?

Sir, imagine, I am a client of CWSA for the 34 years. I lost my privilege because of arrears. I

A matter of politics I KNOW A LOT of people will not like what I have to say, but like everyone else, I have a right to state what I feel. This is a free country.

The call for Elson Crick to resign is a silly one. I wish people would find more constructive things to say and do.

If people are honest, they should have expected that the ULP was going to come at the NDP for the matter with Keturah Cupid.

From the time the lady chose to speak at a NDP function, the matter became political. Why did she choose to do that, I don’t know; but if she had asked my advice, I would have told her to stay away from the politics. She didn’t, and she put her foot in her mouth and opened herself to attack. That is just how the politics go in this country.

I am sorry for what happened to the lady. I am never going to support abuse of women; but when she made that decision to speak at Democrat House, she should have known what to expect.

Joe H

went to get reconnected, but was disappointed. You see, I was short of $10 to meet my debt plus connection fee of $100, plus a deposit of $50. My regular monthly bill is usually $35-45. I asked that the $10 be placed on my first month’s bill, but was told no. I am being forced to pay $14 plus $50 for goods (water) that I have not as yet received.

Mr. Senator, is that right? We, your supporters, ask that you use your office and close relationship with your father to get CWSA to give us a basic number of gallons before our consumption charge s, and you will grow old in your seat.

Your brother, Storm, who is not paid by us, showed his colours by successfully seeking aid for a school bus. Now, Senator Camillo, show us what you are made of.

Remember Storm’s seat is already secured. I see the future, we having the PM and the Deputy PM carrying the same name from the old stump.

Consumer

V

10. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The Development of Seaports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines…. Excerpt from the 2015 Budget Address Seaport development MR. SPEAKER, it is axiomatic that high quality, well-run, comparatively-priced seaports are central to the socioeconomic development of our small, multi-island, open economy for which international trade in goods and services is part of its life-blood. These are companion entities to the airports, including the Argyle International Airport.

There are currently five initiatives in the area of seaport development for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, namely: (i) The modification and extension of the CDB-financed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Rationalisation Study (Phase I) which is targeted at the upgrade, modernisation, and relocation of the main seaport at Kingstown. (ii) The effecting of a study for the elaboration of a project for the seaport needs of the entire Grenadines, not only for Bequia as was previously determined. (iii) The actual extension of the Cruise Ship Berth in Port Kingstown. (iv) The improvement of the port infrastructure at the Campden Park Container Port (CPCP). (v) The development of a berth facility at Taffia Bay, Canouan, jointly between the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA) and the Canouan Developers (CCA).

Port Rationalisation Study The scope of the SVG Port Rationalisation Study (Phase I) by the consultancy firm Mott Mc Donald of the United Kingdom, is being extended. The Consultants had earlier concluded, after careful study, that a new, modern seaport facility was required to meet our country’s needs immediately and in the foreseeable future. They had recommended that the relocation of the seaport to the western end of Kingstown (towards Rose Place) was the best option of the sites between Kingstown and Campden Park. Upon a diligent review of the Study, the CDB concluded with the SVG Port Authority that the scope of the Study ought to be modified and extended.

Accordingly, this modification and extension now include the following tasks: (i) Investigate the feasibility of the Arnos Vale (the area of E.T. Joshua Airport) site as a possible location for the future seaport development; (ii) provide a development option layout for the location; (iii) provide preliminary capital cost estimates for this development option; (iv) compare the advantages, disadvantages and cost of the development of the Arnos Vale site with the already established preferred option of the Port Study; and (v) incorporate all findings in the final Master Plan. I have been advised that this modified Study will take a further fourteen (14) weeks.

Phase 2 of the SVG Port Rationalisation on the seaport needs of the entire Grenadines will commence immediately after the completion of the Study on the Arnos Vale site. Funding for this Grenadines Study has already been approved by the CDB. The Cruise Ship Berth Mr. Speaker, an area of importance, urgently, in port development, is the extension of the Cruise Ship Berth in Port Kingstown. The Cruise Ship Berth, built as recently as 1999, is now assessed to be too short to accommodate over 80 percent of the cruise ships on order to be delivered in 2016-2017. The current trend is for these modern, longer cruise vessels to be deployed in the Caribbean basin; thus the urgency

More about the Ministry of the Private Sector Why a Ministry?

for us to extend our Cruise Ship Berth.

The project to extend the Pier has two dimensions: (i) Additional mooring dolphins extending some 50 metres to the South of the Pier; (ii) the extension of the deck to allow for additional landing and loading bays. The SVG Port Authority is actively pursuing the best approaches to achieve its goals in this project. It is expected, too, that as a consequence of the Pier’s extension, the Cruise Terminal itself would have to be enlarged and enhanced to better accommodate the anticipated increase in the number of cruise passengers per vessel.

One of the challenges in the project to extend the Cruise Ship Pier is the depth of the water to the southern end of the Pier itself. Falling sharply from 30 metres to 50 metres, the depth requires technology that is not generally found in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has been partnering in the discussion on this matter with the SVG Port Authority, the Ministry of Works, and BRAGSA. I expect to receive a final proposal on this project from the Port Authority by the end of the first quarter in 2015. Preliminarily, the visiting experts have advised that the Pier extension (not the Terminal upgrade) will cost some EC $6.0 million.

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY recognizes that the Private Sector has, over the years, been the main pillar and engine of economic growth in St Vincent and the Grenadines. When we say Private Sector, we speak not just of those businesses owned and operated by middle and upper class Vincentians, but also the farmers; fisher folk; vendors; taxi, minibus and truck operators; push cart men and all the other honest hard working Vincentians engaged in economic activity, who in their own small way, help to turn the wheels of this economy.

It must be emphasized here that small businesses can become major consumers as well as suppliers of Private and Public goods and services. It is also a nursery for developing an indigenous Private sector. Strategic interventions must go beyond size and capacity as determined by the domestic market, and realize the critical role that small enterprise can play in strengthening the economy’s foreign exchange capacity through export growth.

Given the current state of the economy, it is critically important that producers are not just given the necessary support and incentives, but the government through the Ministry help to create and stimulate local demand. Since, in the absence of a ready export market, producers must be able to at least sell their goods and services locally.

The Ministry and its role

The Campden Park Port Mr. Speaker, the Campden Park Container Port (CPCP) requires urgent refurbishment and strengthening. The CPCP, which now accommodates 85 percent of all containerised activity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has been deteriorating abnormally. The professional advice that the SVG Port Authority has received from several experts, including Eastern Designers (formerly Nova Ports) of Canada, points to sub-standard construction of CPCP in the first place. The experts indicate that there are weaknesses in the substructure as well as the grade of the concrete mix used (some areas are showing less than one-quarter of the recommended PSI - units of pound-force per square inch. The SVG Port Authority is in the process of determining the most cost-effective approach to address the problems identified, and swiftly to correct them.

Mr. Speaker, the development of a ferry berth facility at Taffia Bay, Canouan, is of great importance to the people of Canouan, the Developers, and the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This project is closely tied to the development of a solid waste management and treatment facility; it is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2015 and is expected to take 16 months to complete. It is being financed by the CCA, one of the Developers’ companies.

As Minister responsible for seaports, I have been insisting that the Board, the management, and the other employees of the SVG Port Authority further lift their game so as to enhance productivity, improve efficiency, cut-out waste, sharpen competitiveness of the Port, and to be more customer-friendly.

I am aware that seaports are challenging to manage and operate, but there are too many examples of slipshod, negligent work, and other dysfunctional manifestations at various levels of the enterprise. Although the SVG Port Authority has been sound in its operations and alive to its mandates and challenges, the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines expect a further improved performance from it in 2015.

They know that it constitutes a critical component of our country’s lifeblood; thus the expectations.

The Ministry of the Private Sector’s vision is to foster economic development and advanced living standards for all Vincentians. This of course will be achieved by providing the environment necessary to promote and facilitate business and industrial development, promote local investment and educate all stake holders in the sector.

Some of the key objectives in the Ministry’s mandate will include: - To Promote and facilitate industrial development and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) growth, with emphasis on access to finance.

- To Increase competitiveness and employment through increased investment and business expansion.

- Provide technical support to existing businesses/manufacturers to enhance their domestic and international competitiveness.

- Modernization of industry (this includes the use of new and modern technology, equipment, methods and procedures).

- Spearhead the diversification and promotion of the export of goods and services - Promote Science and Technology advancement throughout the country - Promote and encourage a culture of Innovation - Create a comprehensive business register/database.

- Monitor and regulate business in the commercial sector - Encourage fair competition and ethical business practices Key policy areas: Small Business development: This is a critical component of private sector development that has been neglected by the current ULP administration, as indicated by the absence of legislation specifically targeting business development. The NDP will enact the Small Business Act and other legislation to support and develop small businesses and their competitiveness both locally and internationally.

- Manufacturing: A new and comprehensive piece of Incentive legislation that addresses the needs of

the manufacturing sector, and at the same time be WTO compliant, will replace the existing Fiscal Incentives Act. - Industrial Development: The Ministry will mobilize a team of private and public sector stakeholders and experts at the CARICOM level to create a comprehensive Industrial policy framework for St Vincent and the Grenadines, modeled from the CARICOM draft policy example.

- Industrial space: The Ministry will locate suitable sites and infrastructure where available, to facilitate business startups and manufacturing expansion.

- Agro-business: Specific focus will be paid to Agro based products and businesses. Technical assistance and incentives will be made available for value-added business initiatives, including Innovation. St Vincent and the Grenadines has a vast array of fruits and vegetables, flavors and essences, and needs to capitalize on this immediately by carving out its own niche market.

- Legislation addressing specific needs of the Micro Enterprise start-ups will be enacted, including the current MSME Policy framework.

- Services (including Creative Industries): The contribution of the services sector to GDP and indeed economic growth in St Vincent and the Grenadines, has either not been captured or understated in national data. The Ministry will work closely with all stakeholders in this sector to ensure that the necessary support and infrastructure are provided to facilitate its growth and success, and capture the relevant data.

Although the MSME Sector accounts for at least 55% of the local labour force, the current ULP administration has not seen the need to enhance its ability to retain its current employment levels at a minimum. Currently, there is no single Ministry or department that has exclusive responsibility for issues affecting businesses or the Private sector as a whole. Individual Ministries and agencies have responsibilities that affect the business community, which increases business completion time.

NDP’s commitment to the Private sector The NDP will establish a new credit facility (Development Bank) to arrest the important issue of access to finance.

Specific focus will be placed on farmers who face the greatest challenge in this regard. The MSME Sector will also benefit from this initiative which will offer interest rates of below (5%) and realistic terms for repayment.

The NDP will, as a matter of urgency, settle all outstanding debts owed to the Private sector, as we seek to restore what this ULP administration has taken away from you, be it directly or indirectly. The NDP appreciates the urgent need to assure owners and employees of all businesses and the entire citizenry of St Vincent and the Grenadines, that we recognize and value the role and importance of the Private sector, not just for its contribution to GDP but also for the survival and sustenance of our economy and future generations.

As the discussion on Private sector development continues, the NDP will continue to roll out aspects of the planned programs and initiatives of the new Ministry of the Private Sector.

If you are ready for a government that creates employment and understands how to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, then you are READY FOR THE NDP.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 11.

Views

Living light and weighing heavy Foreign Policy

“If things are not going well with you, begin your effort at correcting the situation by carefully examining the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it.” — Roger Ward Babson (1875-1967) American financial statistician and assessment, they secure 80% of the lecturer on statistics and economics. group’s final score. The scale continues to slide on this basis, in an effort to THE MOTIVATION to write this article emerged after discussions with a number guarantee, as best the facilitators can, that individuals contribute to the group of students and teachers (on different occasions) in relation to their frustrations exercises. But, as indicated earlier, this is not fool-proof. It is not perfect. about seeking to ensure “equity and justice” when participating in and grading There have been instances where team group assignments. Over the years, I have members form a pact and decide to give everyone full score for all of the been hearing repeated complaints about students who want to “live light but weigh variables. Sometimes, the peer pressures (and the threats of reprisals if heavy” (my description). The expression members break the vow) can be that is captured in the direct quotation intimidating. However, this can be marks would be very familiar to the older readers of this column. We were regularly circumvented when the submissions are private and confidential. cautioned by our parents, teachers, and It is imperative that we seek to guardians to be always ready to contribute encourage our wards to contribute to to group activities. We were encouraged to avoid the temptation to live light (doing group efforts. We should be encouraging group activities and little or no work), with the expectation to collaborative efforts in our homes, weigh heavy (receiving the benefits from schools, and churches. This is the group exercise). Unfortunately, even necessary if we are to see such in our institutions of higher learning, we behaviours exhibited in our see individuals who seek to “ride on the neighbourhoods and workplaces. In our backs of others” by exerting minimal own little way, we must champion team effort, but wanting to gain maximum benefit. And if we were to use an analogy effort. Group exercises in the schools play an important role in building of the farmer: They till no soil. They sow no seeds. They pull no weeds. They seem community spirit. In addition, it provides numerous teaching/learning to fold their arms in time of labour, and activities if done properly. We teach wait for the time of harvest when they and learn from each other when we then stretch forth their hands to reap. engage in group assignments. This is They are determined to live light and especially so when it involves research weigh heavy. and or academic writing. The learned Many parents, guardians, and can teach those who may be struggling. teachers can identify with such That enhances the absorption of challenges. As the curriculum evolves to have students at primary, secondary, knowledge. Peer teaching has a significant role to play in the modern and tertiary levels engage in more education system. It also helps to group activities, we hear of (and see) combat the “crab-in-the-barrel the plight of those who work tirelessly as they seek justice for themselves and syndrome” that seems to infect so many of today’s students. But they can their group mates. Our education system should not encourage “loafers” to refocus. Through group assignments, they can see how readily they gain more get by with minimal effort, and receive by sharing and giving. As Dr. Maya just as much benefit (good grades) as Angelou says, “When we pause to teach, their colleagues who appear to “bend we learn twice.” This also happens in over backwards” in pursuit of the group assignments. Those who excellence. They, the hard workers, pause to help the weaker members of often carry the load of the entire group the group end up learning so much in order to guarantee that they pass more. Those who pause to give get. with distinction.

This is especially so when the weaker Teachers and educators can be proactive in identifying the “free riders”. participants are comfortable enough to seek greater explanation and clarity The systems will never be perfect, but about a particular aspect of the we must seek to encourage fairness in assignment. grading these group assignments It would be remiss of me if this rewarding the hard workers and article ended without throwing out a punishing the ones who appear to be challenge to those individuals who may mentally lazy. We must do it in the be reading this essay and readily interest of all participants. They must all be encouraged to contribute to group identify themselves among the crowd of the “loafers” (no insult intended — just efforts, or face the consequences of not an attention-getting word selection). doing so. They must be socialised to Reflect on the words that appeared in appreciate that those who contribute the quotation that introduced this will receive a higher score than those week’s article: “If things are not going who “slack off”. Can systems be well with you, begin your effort at designed to facilitate this? Yes, most correcting the situation by carefully certainly! However, they will never be examining the service you are perfect. rendering, and especially the spirit in Some learning institutions have which you are rendering it.” But it is designed Peer and Self Assessment insufficient to merely meditate on these Forms that all group members must complete and return to the organisers or thoughts. Rouse yourself to positive facilitators privately (without discussing action and, henceforth, determine to make a positive contribution to group it or passing it through another group exercises. Be determined, focused, to member). If properly designed and, avoid the temptation to live light and thanks to modern technology, some of weigh heavy. these assessment forms can be And now, a plea to our teachers and completed relatively quickly and returned to the facilitator privately. In educators: let us not consider abandoning group exercises because of some instances, they can be sent reports about those who seek to “live through via e-mail or through a light and weigh heavy”. Let us be DropBox in Cyberspace, thereby retaining the privacy of the assessment. determined to design and implement monitoring mechanisms and feedback The simple, easy-to-answer forms can prompt each participant to assess their systems that will identify the colleagues and themselves in relation to delinquent group members and put the quality of the work submitted to the them under pressure to contribute. We would do them a special service when team exercise, the timeliness of their submissions, and so on. The scores are we do so. And we will ease the then tallied and the grades are allocated frustration of those many dedicated and committed students who silently cry out on a pro-rated basis depending on the for greater justice and equity in our said assessment. For example, if the education system. participant receives an average peer assessment score of 75% or higher, they Send comments, criticisms & would receive the full score of the group suggestions to project when graded. If, however, they julesferdinand@gmail.com receive between 60% and 74% on their

Diplomacy and foreign policy creation and articulation are a fine art. Diplomacy and foreign policy are not the domain of everyone.

Some persons are better suited for this taxing job which always demands a considered opinion and judgment.

To rush to decisions or make declarations without sufficient information is destined to result in a propaganda disaster.

But Foreign policy is critically important to governments. A country's foreign policy can do a number of things. It can open a window into the thinking of the leaders in the country. It can demonstrate whether that leadership is traditional or forward looking, opportunistic or simply engaging in real politics.

Real politics in diplomatic affairs gained currency during the 1850s following the now renowned statement of Lord Palmerton: 'Countries have no permanent friends or enemies. Countries only have permanent interest.' This view came forcefully into public display after the second world war, and the increased competition between the United States and the former Soviet Union.

Countries changed allegiance regularly depending on which of the big powers offered more.

We also saw this occurring between countries as it related to the dollar diplomacy practised by the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. As we saw in Grenada and St Lucia, a change in government resulted in a switch in diplomatic ties between Beijing and Taipei. Some leaders swear that this diplomatic nimbleness works to their country’s benefit, as more powerful countries vie for their attention and support.

But how can small, developing countries like SVG manoeuvre and survive in this difficult world? We know that our traditional friends are unwilling or unable to provide the level of assistance they once did. In fact, it takes turmoil and crisis for us to get a little attention. Three decades ago when the Grenada Revolution burst onto the scene, the attention of the US government was immediate.

It was during this period that a decision was made to flood the region with American ideas through free cable service. As well, the Americans spent millions of dollars in the Caribbean; but as soon as the revolution was lost, this assistance dried up. We are still poor and vulnerable, but the eyes of those who can help are directed elsewhere.

It is for these reasons and more that SVG must creatively select and develop relations with countries that are strategic and well placed to help us. We have done very well in diversifying around our traditional friends, and we must continue to do so.

During the last 10 years, the government has paid a lot of attention to developing relations with emerging countries in the South of the globe.

We have relations with a number of African countries, including Ghana, Ethiopia, Morocco and South Africa.

Relations with many Asian countries, Singapore, Malaysia and Viet Nam have flourished. Relations with Taiwan has been strengthened, while in Latin America we now enjoy fruitful relations with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Mexico.

There has also been a deepening of relations between our nation and Venezuela.

Foreign policy and the establishment of diplomatic relations are expensive business. To establish relations, especially where those relations are at ambassadorial or counsellor level would involve the placement of diplomats, the rental of offices and homes in faraway places where the cost of upkeep may prove prohibitive. But diplomacy does not really cost; it pays.

Look what has happened as we developed and broadened our foreign relations. Out of that engagement with Portugal came thousands of computers for our children in primary schools. Soon, a different set of engagement, with another group of foreign entities, will allow every high school student the 'luxury' of a lab top with up to date Microsoft operating systems.

The same determined and confident approach to foreign policy-making and development has allowed SVG to be on the verge of owning and operating the international airport at Argyle.

Through initial discussions with former Cuban and Venezuelan presidents Castro and Chavez, the PM was able to win support for the airport. Initially, many doubted that this commitment can come to anything. Today, the only quibble is when rather than whether the airport will open.

Or we can take recent Christmas floods which caused damage of close to $300 million or 17 percent of our nation's gross domestic product (GDP). The assistance has been generous and wide ranging. Far away Morocco sent a planeload of supplies valued US$100,000; little St Kitts, if judged by per capita, has made by far the largest donation, EC$1million.

Assistance has come from across Latin America, and Caricom. Our Asians friends, the EU and other groupings have provided valuable assistance. At the last check, the US has offered, through USAID,US$50,000 in much needed assistance.

The clear point here is that we have to continue to diversify around our traditional friends such as Canada, the EU and the USA. For a combination of reasons, these countries are unable to offer assistance in the volume they provided hitherto. Every cent we collect, from which- ever source, helps to close a small hole in the $300 million disaster we suffered only 2 months ago.

Foreign policy, and all of the diplomatic niceties that go along with it, are important if small, developing countries like ours are to survive in this increasingly hostile economic climate. Our environment is destabilized. This means that we can expect more droughts, unusually heavy rainfall, floods, hurricanes and possibly earthquakes.

We simply cannot think small if we are to survive any of these shocks.

Foreign policy is now akin to national security. Let's make the linkages and become more serious in all we do.

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

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12. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

ULP regime’s VAT – idiotic and contradictory VAT was enacted in SVG in 2007, and ever since, it has been choking the economy. Many businesses, all over the country, have closed down, because of the damaging effect of VAT on the economy. Those that survive are experiencing their lowest sales levels for decades.

In an economy such as ours, VAT is used by the government as a quick and ‘short cut’ way to collect tax revenue.

It is the sign that the economicallyincompetent ULP regime lacks the ability to create sustainable streams of revenue, from sources external to SVG. VAT is a blunt tool and the wrong instrument to make the SVG economy grow and bring prosperity to our people. The net effect of VAT in SVG is to shrink the pool of economic activity and money within SVG, from which VAT can be collected. This creates high unemployment, forces many businesses to close down, and substantially reduces the amount of money circulating in the country.

This has been happening in SVG for 8 years, and the negative effect is apparent all around the country.

Poverty is rife; many thousands of

and Canouan to get away with not paying hundreds of millions of dollars in tax, by granting them blanket tax exemptions. On the other hand, the households have no mains water and of a wide spectrum of new, highULP regime is squeezing almost every electricity; many thousands of quality products for export. last dollar out of Vincentians and SVG households struggle to feed their To create revenue from abroad, it is businesses, because they lack revenue children and send them to school, and essential that SVG businesses are less to run the affairs of SVG. many thousands of households have no encumbered by regressive taxes such This financial madness must end. It parent in full-time, paid employment. as the ULP regime’s VAT. Small is time for a change in SVG. Vote When it comes to running the SVG businesses and the private sector that Green Party to abolish VAT, to abolish economy, the ULP regime is mentally are at the heart of all strong the blanket tax exemptions given to lazy, preferring just to put their ‘VAT economies and drive economic growth, Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique hoover’ on cruise-control, put their feet therefore, SVG businesses must be and Canouan, and to bring in a fair up and suck up as much money as relieved of the burden of VAT. they can from the businesses and The ULP regime’s financial policies and sensible tax system. people of SVG. And, whatever money are idiotic and contradictory. On the SVG Green Party does not get sucked up by the ULP one hand, the ULP regime allows regime VAT hoover, is being wasted on Taiwan and the super-rich of Mustique www.svggreenparty.org Argyle airport, rather than being invested in creating jobs for our people.

A Green government will turn off the ULP regime’s VAT hoover — we will abolish VAT. Instead, a Green government will implement a modern, fairer tax system that enables ABOUT SIXTY TO businesses to flourish and the economy SEVENTY years ago to grow. when our people were A Green government will introduced to powdered restructure the SVG economy so that milk, the product used it is export-focused. A new tax system to come to our shores, under a Green government will and the shelves of our stimulate innovation, entrepreneurs shops displayed the and small businesses, and the growth item properly packaged, initially in tins, on which information of the product was easily Milk is too important a commodity to too many of recognised. Today, the people in SVG, for it to be sold to them in every product exhibited unlabelled transparent plastic bags. on the shelves of our where every farmer had to comply supermarket is properly labelled. with certain standards for When local producers of commodities from our local materials production, if he wanted to participate in the market. showed interest in marketing their Suppose there is an incident where goods, they were made aware of the a family suffers ill health after need to meet high standards of having eaten food, including milk packaging and labelling, for from an unlabelled bag. How would acceptable presentation. This the authorities proceed? sensitization to the importance of Milk is too important a commodity proper packaging and labelling, to too many of the people in SVG, for began in earnest more than twentyit to be sold to them in this manner, five years ago. Today, almost all of any longer. After all, we are well into the local produce found on the the twenty-first century; it has been shelves of our leading supermarkets thirty-five years since we have been are beautifully labelled. an independent country, and we So, it is difficult to understand claim to have experienced a how/why, for so many decades, the revolution in education. authorities have been obviously Let us have our milk appropriately indifferent to the issue of the proper labelling of milk powder exhibited on labelled; it has been long overdue!

It must be noted that there are the shelves of the supermarket. The some milk producers whose milk powder is merely put into operations were recently exposed as transparent plastic bags, nakedly being far below desirable hygienic unlabelled, except for the price and standards. Some of these operators the weight. There is no information are probably located in countries at all on the origin and producer of from whom we have traditionally the product, or by whom it was bought milk products. packaged.

We must not, through Where are the Consumers’ Affairs carelessness, expose our people to the Division, the Bureau of Standards risk of adverse consequences from the and the Public Health Department?

Years ago, these bodies seemed to be ingesting of contaminated milk, keen on these matters. Is traceability which we cannot isolate. Let us treat our milk supply seriously; it is more not relevant in this area today? It is than just another commodity from an important factor in banana which to make a dollar! production in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Or rather, it was so just LeRoy Providence before the demise of the industry,

Who is producing our milk?

Who is packaging it?

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 13.

Law

Cyclists reminded to wear helmets

Stories by DAYLE DA SILVA heads. until the rider/owner members of the public signs that that It was a much cheaper returns with a helmet. against riding bicycles or individual was CYCLISTS (MOTOR AND practice, he said, for them But, violators have motorcycles after heavy drunk.

PEDAL) here are being to heed to the law rather been outsmarting the drinking.

What happens, reminded to adhere to the than to pay EC$2,000 for police, Charles “You should never Charles said, is laws which make it breaking the law, or much acknowledged. drink and drive. This that a suspect is mandatory for all riders to worse.

He told THE applies the same for taken to a wear a protective helmet.

“We have had incidents VINCENTIAN that in cyclists,” he said. medical COP Michael Charles “We (are) constantly where persons died,” the cases where a number of In the absence of practitioner, or in the giving that reminder,” is reminding the CoP said. bicycles have been seized, breathalysers. It was event that a doctor is not Commissioner of Police, Police are constantly general public that it is the owners would come in difficult to determine present, then both driver Michael Charles told THE looking out for violators, to claim them one by one, whether an individual was and vehicle are impounded an offence for VINCENTIAN. Charles continued, and using one (the same) operating a vehicle while and released only after the bicyclists to ride And his recent warned that once caught, helmet. under the influence, driver shows clearly that without helmets. reminder comes following the bicycles will be seized Charles also cautioned unless there were obvious he has ‘sobered up’. the latest road fatality involving 45-year-old Lennox Browne of Belvedere.

Browne, a pedal cyclist, succumbed to the injuries he sustained last Monday, and the bikes in question, most THE ROYAL ST VINCENT and after running off the road often stolen items, were entering the Grenadines Police Force are and hitting a tree stump, the country through some of on the lookout for unregistered resulting in him being the unmanned ports of entry, motorcycles. pierced in the throat. thus evading the Customs and This was disclosed to THE The practice of cyclists VINCENTIAN by Commissioner Excise. not utilizing the proper The right procedure, which of Police, Michael Charles. protective wear is allowed for foreign motorcycles to The issue was of growing common, primarily among concern, with as many as ten (10) legally enter the country and to the younger members of be ridden by their owners, unregistered motorcycles being the public, acccording to particularly during the local taken off the roads during the CoP Charles. independence celebrations in Easter weekend alone, the He shared that it was October, includes a process which There has been an increased interest in biking, and an common for him, while he commissioner confirmed. involves the Police and the According to Charles, the drove or walked around, to increased number of motorbikes in SVG, in recent times.

Customs and Excise and Inland majority of the unregistered meet teenage riders with Revenue departments, Charles motorcycles were coming from their bicycle helmets appears, was not also being discovered are handed over to said. neighbouring territories, strapped on their bikes, followed. the Customs and Excise rather than on their However, this procedure, it including Grenada or St Lucia, Any unregistered motorcycles Department.

Police lookout for unregistered motorcycles

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 15.

14. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Fast and Furious competition!

Digilife (left) was overall W Winner inner in the Surprise Class.

Rght: Bequia Pride and Skyler neck-and-neck in double-ender Class 7.

BEQUIA SAILING SAILING Club’s 34th THE BEQUIA Bequia Bequia Easter Easter Regatta Regatta came to a y 6th April, successful close on Monda Monday with tthe he Grand Prize-Giving a att GingerGingerbread Hotel.

A total of 29 yachts and 19 local double-enders registered to take part in this year’s Regatta. Conditions were near perfect for the four days of racing, and competition was fierce and intense, with the outcome wide open across the board, going into the last day of racing.

Addressing the Grand Prize-giving, Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture, Hon. Cecil McKie, enthusiastically welcomed the gathering of seafarers, their friends and supporters, congratu congratu-lated the Bequia Sailing Club on their continuing success in producing such a well-run event, and stressed the vital importance of yacht tourism to the nation’s tourism industry.

Sir James Mitchell, founder of the Bequia Sailing Club, also addressed all-volun-the audience, thanking the all-volun teer Bequia Sailing Club for their dedication year in year out. He also

gave thanks to Orbin Ollivierre, the Bequia Sailing Club’s recently retired Commodore, for his many long years of outstanding service, and congratulated Alo Raguette for stepping forward to take his place.

lenge) came mostly from Bequia, but also included three boats from Double- enders Marti-Canouan, and one from Petite Marti nique. Amongst the Bequia boat crews The 19-boat local double-ender fleet there were about forty talented, young that took part in the three-race series Bequia sailors as crew, keen to follow in over the Easter weekend (two Hairoun the tradition of their fathers and Chal-Challenges and a Mount Gay Chal grandfathers.

There was a tie for Overall Winner of the prestigious Bank of SVG Trophy in the hotly contested 28-foot Class 7 between Skyler from Petit Martinique, skippered by Hope Deroche, and Black Berry skippered by Orson Ollivierre. It was proposed that the trophy would stay 6 months in Bequia and six months in Pettie Martinique, to reflect IIsland sland W ater W orld Water World the tied result on 6 Die Hard of Grenada points each. crowned J24 South South-The other overall winners were: Class ern Caribbean I, Wag Service Champion.

Station Trophy - O Connie, (Evan John); Class 2, LIME Trophy - Bennita G (Royie Marks); Class 4, Mountain Top Spring Water Trophy – Y Knot (Orekay Joseph); Class 5, Caribbean Woods Trophy Camille, (Javin Morgan); Class 6, Sandrock Trophy - Eclipse, (Kimani James).

The yacht side of the regatta was officiated for the sixteenth year running

by Principal Race Officer James Benoit from Grenada, working alongside the Bequia Sailing Club Race Committee.

Regular competitors and “regatta rookies” were fulsome in their praise of what they described as the “feel good” Record crowds for the Sandcastle Competition at Bequia Beach Hotel.

competing boats that thronged the Authority; Silver Sponsors United factor, which many harbour in Admiralty Bay. Over 100 Insurance and Sandrock Bequia; commented was often additional power and sailing yachts Bronze Sponsors Mountain Top Water, missing from other people came from St. Vincent and all LIME and Action Bequia; and the Caribbean regattas. over the region, to see the legendary Bequia Beach Hotel, the Frangipani When the races were local boat races, follow the yacht races Hotel, De Reef, French House, and over, the nightly or simply enjoy being in Bequia at Sugar Reef, prize-givings and Easter.

C. K. parties hosted by the On Lay Day Sunday, major regatta Greaves, and Bequia Sailing Club and sponsors, Bequia Beach Hotel, hosted Edwin D. Platinum Sponsors the Bequia Sailing Club’s hugely Layne and Hairoun, Gold Sponsors popular Sandcastle Competition, Sons for Mount Gay Rum and sponsored this year by LIME, on the their excep excep-Bronze Sponsors Friendship Bay beach, followed by a tionally Mountain Top Water at delightful afternoon of music and generous the Frangipani Hotel children’s entertainment in the hotel’s support. and the Fig Tree, kept gardens adjacent to the beach.

Special spirits refreshed and thanks went sailors partying long Thanks to all to Deputy into the evening!

Director of Good Friday’s yacht There was much thanks expressed Grenadine races were sponsored by to: Platinum Sponsors Hairoun (St. Affairs Gold Sponsors Mount Vincent Brewery; Gold Sponsors Mount Herman Gay Rum, and prizes Gay Rum (Vintages, Bequia) and the St Belmar and for the day’s races were Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism the Prime presented by Sabrina Mitchell, Managing Director of Vintages Ltd, agents for Mount Gay Rum in the Frangi-Grenadines, at the Frangi Headquar-pani Hotel Race Headquar ters.

Silver Regatta sponsors United Insurance lent their name to the J24 Class and Surprise Class three-race series on Saturday, with the Chal-United Insurance J24 Chal lenge Trophy going to Attitude from St. Lucia, skippered by Frederick Sweeney, and the United Insurance Surprise Challenge Trophy going to Digilife from France (Martinique) Sain-skippered by Vianney Sain Getting ready for Mount Gay Challenge, Lower Bay Bay.. tenoy, who also took the Overall Winner award in the Surprise Class for the three days of races.

The J24 Southern Caribbean Championship is also awarded annually in Bequia, decided by the Overall Winner of the Bequia Easter Regatta.

This year the double crown went to Island Water World Die Hard from Grenada, skippered

by Robbie Yearwood.

Overall winners in the other three classes were Racing Class: Regis Guilllemot Charter (Regis Guillemot, France); Cruising I: Palm Tree Marine (Mike Bingley, Grenada); and Cruising II: Zulu, (Eric Johnson, Nantucket USA).

Other Activities But it wasn’t only

Connie skipper Evan John (left) with W WAG A AG Service Station T Trophy. rophy.

Minister of St. Vincent and the GrenGrenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, for their invaluable assistance and intervention during yacht registration.

The Customs and Immigration, SVG Coastguard, the Bequia Tourism

Association, numerous businesses in Bequia and St. Vincent, loyal private donors, and all the volunteers within the Sailing Club were also showered with praise and thanks.

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16. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Trinity offers training in BLS ON SATURDAY, 28th March, Trinity School of Medicine Emergency Cardiac Care Training Site conducted training in Basic Life Support (BLS) for a number of individuals in the medical and security professions.

According to Coordinator and Instructor of the programme, Dr. Richard Nedd, “Basic Life Support is the assistance that is given to a person whose body function is unable to support life. This means they are not breathing and providing vital oxygen to organs, or there is no circulation to transport that oxygen around the body; either the heart has stopped working effectively or their breathing processes have been compromised. It basically involves the skill of providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR — assisting the function of the heart by chest compressions and assisting the function of the lungs by giving breaths or ventilations.”

He added, “The idea is to give this person the opportunity to be treated by assisting in this vital function until they can get to advanced help,” he proffered.

The training, which was offered for the first time to a mixed group of individuals, included: two students Ian Valmont and Candice Grant, two faculty members, Dr. Nagadharshan Devendra and Dr. Raju Panta of Trinity; four Police Officers — ASP Anthony Humphrey, Station Sergeant Hezron Ballantyne, Sergeant Renrick Cato, and Corporal Ashlyn Bute; and four Trinity Security Officers - Shemaiah Joyles, Clevon Simmons, Bradley Primus, and Otis Jack.

The training facilitators were six BLS certified instructors: Drs. Conrad Nedd, Frances Jack, Amrie Morris-Patterson, Mignonette Sotto, and Jamil Ibrahim.

The BLS programme is certified by the American Heart Association. It involves a period of training, with presentations and practice, and written and practical assessments. Successful participants are issued a wallet-sized certificate which can be readily presented in an emergency situation.

The document is valid for two years,

after which the holder must be retrained in updated course content. This training is recorded with the American Heart Association.

All participants were extremely enthused with what Police Officers proudly display their BLS was delivered at the training. wallet-size certificates.

The general consensus was that the information was relevant Trinity School of Medicine Emergency and very useful for emergencies that are Cardiac Care Training Site continues to likely to occur on the job and in the train its students in BLS. It is, in fact, a community. requirement for all students.

Digicel identifying with the young

Digicel St. Vincent Commercial Manager Dionne Emtage (right) and Commercial Manager of the St. Vincent Brewery Shafia London-Williams at this year’s Fantasy island.

“DIGICEL WILL CONTINUE to throw its weight behind young entrepreneurs who are bringing extraordinary experiences to their patrons.”

This is the assurance given by Dionne Emtage, Commercial Manager of Digicel, as she sought to emphasize her company’s continuing support for entrepreneurial efforts here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We want to see initiatives be the best that they can be, and we will work closely with whomever we partner, to ensure that their events are a success,” Ms. Emtage added.

She was at the time

recognizing the efforts of organisers of Fantasy Island, AM Arctic Dawn, Soca Fest and the Rose Hall Cultural Fest, all 2015 Easter activities supported by Digicel.

According to a Digicel release, these events were hugely successful, and “we (Digicel) were pleased to be a part.”

And as Digicel gets deeper into celebrating its 12th anniversary of its entry into the local telecommunications market, Ms Emtage has promised that, “ Digicel will not only bring epic events this year, but we will continue to support their main pillars through sponsor-

A drumming session that formed part of the Rose Hall Cultural Fest. ship. Not only does this include music, but SVG should also be on the lookout for Digicel in the community, supporting sports, the youth, education and special needs.”

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 17.

Diaspora

Vincy Diaspora ready to welcome TSSS

Story and photos by NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net naking11236@gmail.com US CORRESPONDENT

ATHLETES FROM the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) are rearing to hit the tracks and showcase Vincentian pride at the 121st staging of the Penn Relays Carnival, at Franklin Field Stadium, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

James Cordice, the driving force behind the nation’s participation in the biggest collegiate track and field event in the United States, told THE VINCENTIAN, in an exclusive interview, that all plans are in place to host the 17-member TSSS contingent.

“To date, the stage has been set,” said the Clare Valley native, a former president of the Philadelphia-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP), who, four years ago, undertook the extraordinary initiative in having a Vincentian school compete in the illustrious games for the very first time.

“What happens when perseverance combines with resilience, dreams and hard work?” he asked. “The answer has been revealing itself over the past four years.

“But this year, it’s crystal clear, because TSSS is 10 years old and will participate in the Penn Relays, as St.

Vincent and the Grenadines’ lone school, for the fifth consecutive year,” Cordice added.

He said the contingent of 13 athletes and four officials leaves St. Vincent and the Grenadines on April 17, arriving in Philadelphia the next day, at 12:25 a.m.

The athletes — accompanied by Head Coach Godfrey ‘Fuzzy’ Harry, assistant coach Ronique Dowers, and chaperons Dawana Balcombe and Farrah Bailey, teachers at TSSS — will compete in the 4x100m and 4x400m Boys and Girls events from April 23-25.

The seven-member female team comprises: Kerina Hooper, Cheslyn Simper, Olesha Ryan, Mekeila Slater, Jasmine Robertson, Zamesha Myle and Rownesha Spencer.

The six male athletes are: Rogike Thorpe, Zenron Chance, Kailon Kirby, Neilo Thomas, Erasto Da Silva and Mickial Legair.

“Special thanks to Principal John Renton, Coach Harry and Teacher Balcombe for this effort on track, working so diligently to keep TSSS in the game for the fifth year,” Cordice said.

He said, while the venture continues to be a financial challenge, “there are systematic programmess in place to ensure that our children are properly cared for while they are here [in Philadelphia].”

At the same time, Cordice dismissed critics,

Vincentians in New York surround the national flag before participating in a fund-raising walk at Brooklyn’s Marine Park, for TSSS’s participation in the Penn Relays.

Left: James Cordice dismissed those critics who continue to minimise the impact of TSSS’s participation in the Penn Relays.

whom, he said, “still, after five years, seek to minimize the effectiveness of this program.”

Cordice also rejected a recent report, in another local publication, which inferred that the mission lacks proper structure.

“Without structure, it would have been nearly impossible to navigate through the more than 40 steps on the journey from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Pennsylvania,” he said.

On completion of the games, on April 25, the athletes and officials will be celebrated that night at a grand reception and recognition ceremony at the Vincentian-owned Calabash Restaurant on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia.

During that event, the Otis C. Jack Award will be introduced and presented, Cordice said.

Jack, of Lowmans Windward, a former coach and educator, went to the Great Beyond on Jan. 26, succumbing to cancer. He was only 46.

Cordice said Jack had played a key role in enabling TSSS to initially

compete in the Penn Relays.

Last Saturday, Vincentians in New York responded to an appeal, despite the blustery and relatively frigid weather, to support the TSSS athletes by converging on the sprawling Marine

Park in Brooklyn for a fund-raising walk.

“It was very good,” Ancilla Friday, the group’s public relations officer and former president, told THE VINCENTIAN about the event. “The spirits were high. We’ll definitely do it again next year.”

As they take to the tracks on the final day of the meet, April 25, the TSSS athletes can expect to get boisterous support, as usual, from at least Vincentians in New York, who will mainly trek by bus for about 2 ½ hours.

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18. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Tribute

A tribute to my friend ÂPushÊ English PUTTING WORDS on a blank sheet of paper to say farewell to one of my closest friends is never going to be an easy assignment: “My heart aches and a drowsy numbness pains my sense”, is but all I can offer; and however hard I try, the tears involuntarily flow.

Winston ‘Push’ English, the late McVain Ollivierre and I became firm friends on the first day we entered Emmanuel High School (E.H.S.) as juniors. We bonded together, with a deep sense of loyalty and trust that spanned our entire lives. The tribulations of youth, the petty jealousies in the competitive environment of school, hardly played a part in our formative years at E.H.S. We played out our school days in an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect, and a shared desire for serious

study.

In the classroom, ‘Push’ was by far the cleverest one; Mac the curious one, and your humble servant, the budding sportsman. In those days when financial restraints defined our lives, we were enriched by sharing what little we had among us. We enjoyed being with each other, lifting weights with my younger brother Ronnie, hoping to achieve that elusive Mr. Universe physique. During school holidays and selected weekends, it was off to Bequia to savour the delights of that beautiful island, sleeping six to a room in Mac’s parents’ cottage. Mischief formed a major part of our activities. The ‘cookouts’ we had, consisted of not only the fish we caught legally, but also of chickens pilfered from neighbouring yards,

during the dead of night.

It was also in this beautiful setting, that we acquired the life enhancing skills of sailing, swimming in dangerous seas and, of course, cooking. Here in Bequia, ‘Push’ fell in love for the first time and, from that point on, developed a lifelong affection for its people, and Bequia people loved him in return.

As an honorary ‘Bequiaman’, he involved himself in the pursuits of boat-building, fishing and as an unofficial junior deckhand on the schooners that traded within the region. In the company of Ronnie, Mac and Cosmos Cozier, et al, they frequently made trips to Guyana (or British Guiana as it was then called), where they collected cement for Trinidad, and loaded bitumen for S.V.G and other Caribbean

islands. It was an adventure in which these young men overindulged.

In fact, for ‘Push’, it was an apprenticeship for his profession as a shipping entrepreneur. He built on these experiences, and was finally able to set up a successful shipping agency — providing employment for a number of Vincentians, and financial security for his family.

‘Push’ was my friend, loved and respected; our only disagreements were political — he always supported the opposition, and I the present

government.

But never once was our relationship threatened.

He leaves behind a devoted wife and two lovely children. I will miss him, but I will cherish forever the moments we spent together.

Ladd Winsborrow

Winston ‘Push’ English.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 19.

Arts/Culture

New Song Competition for Vincy Mas Launch scheduled for Wednesday 22nd April, 2015.

As has been the practice, there is no bye for last year’s winners: Vivian ‘I Come’ Miller — Calypso; Tamisha Nicholls — Ragga; and Orlando ‘Syxx Krazii’ Foster — Soca.

And while this confirms that there will be Calypso, Soca and Ragga Soca New Song competitions, there was no indication that there will be a return of an Ex-tempo (calypso) competition, which was omitted from last year’s programme.

Vincent ‘Blakie’ Cuffy won the last Extempo competition held in 2013.

The The Annual Vincy Mas launch is known to attract widespread absence of a patronage. mas preview CONTRARY TO A RUMOURS circulating here last week, the Best New Song Competition remains part of the programme of the annual Vincy Mas Launch.

A release from the Carnival Development Competition (CDC) dated April 02, 2015, confirmed that the Competition will form ‘part of the official opening of Vincy Mas, which is scheduled for Saturday 2nd May’.

Calypsonians and Soca

and Ragga Soca artistes interested in participating in this year’s Best New Song Competition are being encouraged to submit their registration forms to the CDC Office Victoria Park, by Tuesday 21st April, 2015. All registration forms must be accompanied by a copy of the song on a CD, which should be ready for airplay.

Auditions are

South East turns Seven THE SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT Incorporated (SEDI), a non-profit organization based in the Stubbs community, is celebrating its seventh (7th) year as a community group. The organization turned seven on 2nd April, 2015.

SEDI is known for its involvement in promoting community development through sports, education and culture.

The organization is the founder of South East Steel Orchestra (SESO), an initiative arising out of the Pan Against Crime programme.

Since its inception, the band has shown rapid growth and maturity.

Its production of the HEARTS OF STEEL show and a 2nd place

victory in the 2014 National Panorama Competition, are among the most recent major accomplishments of the orchestra.

On the nights of 25th and 26th April, the organization will, for the 3rd year, showcase its talents with the hosting of HEARTS OF STEEL 2015 — ‘Colours of Youth’.

The recital will (L-R): SEDI’s Immediate Past take place at St. President Albert Harry (2008 Vincent and the 2012) and current President Grenadines Rosita Snagg (2012 - current) Community at the National Awards College, beginning Ceremony 2014. at 7 p.m. nightly.

SEDI also (2011 — 2014) for Best spearheads the National Nine Mornings Nine Mornings activities Community. in the Stubbs The group also hosts community, and has won netball, football and 4 consecutive awards cricket competitions in the Stubbs community. This year’s cricket competition started on 29th March with eight teams participating.

The netball and football competitions are scheduled to take place in June and August respectively.

For its work in the area of sports, SEDI was presented with a service award at the National Sports )South East Steel Orchestra (SESO performing at Awards 2014.

HEARTS OF STEEL 2012.

is expected to continue, this having been selfimposed by mas makers in 2014.

Further, while there

was no reference to it in the CDC news release, it is safe to conclude that Vincentians can look forward to the now

established first public appearance by the 2015 Miss SVG Pageant contestants, at the May 03 launch.

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20. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

‘Ex’ still bugging me

Dear George, THANK YOU for the last advice you gave me. I am happily married to another woman who is giving me all that I can ever ask for, and more.

The reason why I am writing to you is my ex fiancée is not leaving me alone. She is doing very subtle things to cause confusion between my wife and me. The last thing she did was to send a couple explicit texts to my phone, telling me how good the sex was between us “last night” and so forth. She is giving the impression that we still

have something going, and my wife is now beginning to believe that we do have something going on.

George, just when I thought I got the rid of this woman, she is again being a thorn in my flesh.

Vex Dear Vex, Glad to know you are now happily involved. If your ‘ex’ is harassing you, you should consider taking legal action against her. Let your wife know

that you are willing to go that far in order to preserve your relationship/marriage, and that may help her to lend you the kind of support you need at this time.

It will be natural for your wife to feel a bit insecure right now, but with you stepping up on your game as far as she is concerned, she should be assured enough of your commitment to her and the marriage.

George

Time to cut the rope, man Get on with more my friend. The last thing she did was to sleep with my boss, and I AM BEGINNING to my boss is a woman. I feel that I cannot found this out when she continue with this ordered me to do friendship between me something and I refused, and my girlfriend. I and she ended up telling have given her three chances to be faithful to me that is why my me, but she still decides girlfriend thinks she is a better lover that I am. to live the way she is George, I was in so living.

I have met her on two much shock that I just walked away in shame occasions sleeping with my best friend, who is no with my head down. I

Dear George,

told her that I am done with her, but she would not leave me alone, begging me not to leave her. I want to give her another chance, but I don’t want to be hurt again.

Shocked Dear Shocked, You have given your girlfriend enough

chances to follow through on her commitment to you, and each time, she has come up short. It is time to cut the rope and let her go. Give yourself the time and space to find someone who can meet your expectations.

Leave your girlfriend to find herself, as it is apparent that she is still searching for that person who can give her what she wants. Right now, you are not that person, so move on with your life.

George

your life Dear George, MAYBE YOU can tell me why I am so unlucky with women.

I am with a woman who keeps on eating my money, and it is like there is no end in sight to the extent she would go. She is always asking me to give her money to buy this and buy that, and sometimes the things she would tell me she is buying I never see her with them.

The straw that broke that camel’s back was when one of my friends told me that she is taking my money and supporting another man. I love this woman, but I am in a mood right now that is telling me to just take her out for good. I can’t take this anymore!

BD Dear BD, There is no need to try to keep up with this relationship, as it is apparently unhealthy for you.

Be glad that you have found out her cheating ways, and use this information to move on with your life. Let her know that the qualities you are seeking for in a woman, are missing in her, and you need to turn a new leaf. Good luck.

George

Leisure

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) If everyone wants to do their own thing, let them. Don't count on getting any help from those you live with. You will find that friends or relatives may not understand your needs. You may find acquaintances being deceptive.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Go out with friends who are positive and supportive. Keep an open mind when dealing with youngsters. You may not want to spend time around family or your home. Relatives may not be telling you the whole truth about a family situation.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Don't get involved in secret affairs or underhanded involvement's. Take care of your own responsibilities before you help others. Time to deal with institutional environments, government agencies, and matters of a private nature this week. Don't overdo it. You need to enjoy yourself.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Disappointments are likely if your mate embarrasses you in front of friends. Be careful when dealing with superiors. Secret affairs may be tempting. Deal with the needs of children and get into groups that deal with self awareness.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Someone you live with will be quite unreason able this week. Don't be too eager to buy things for those who really don't deserve it. Travel will be on your mind; however, be careful and proceed with caution as minor accidents will cause delays.

Do what's best for the people you love most.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) If you can, try to work out of your home this week. You can get ahead if you work diligently behind the scenes. Be discreet with private information. Pleasure trips will promote romance. Don't let your anger

consume you and don't allow important matters go unattended to.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You can make major decisions regarding your professional direction.

Tempers could boil if someone you work with has not been pulling their weight. Such over indulgence due to emotional upset will be your downfall. Visit friends who have not been well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You are best to be discreet. Don't give in too quickly. A better diet, exercise, or a change to a relaxed atmosphere could be ways to soothe your nerves. Take a look at yourself and prepare to make those changes you've been contemplating.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can enjoy social events and meet new potential mates; however, avoid being lavish. Secret affairs will only lead to deception. Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a few days away.

You're in the mood to party.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Misunderstandings at work could easily lead to your demise. Don't let yourself get rundown. You can write beautiful love letters this week. Use your creative flair.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 21.- Feb. 19) Be prepared to make compensations and adjustments. Take the initiative and go after your goals. You can bet that you'll draw attention to yourself.

Your emotional partner may make you angry this week.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Be sure to find out all you can before you commit to anything. Make changes regarding your friendships.

Do not let them in on your plans if you want things to run smoothly.

This is not the best time to take a risk, to gamble or spend money you really can't afford to part with.

ACROSS

45. __ Blanc 48. Deficit 1. Tennis hit 52. Spherical 4. Toothpaste body topper 53. Place to yell 7. Turkish title “charge!”

10. Great anger 54. Thank your 11. Like a mushy waiter mango 55. Ram’s call 12. Singer 56. Consumed Shannon 57. One __ kind 13. Pervade (2 wds.)

15. Senior citizens’ org.

DOWN 16. Clip suddenly 17. Mattel male 1.Pitcher’s edge 19. West Virginia 2. Miners’ finds product 3. Capital of 22. Door handles Switzerland 26. Popularity 4. Top-secret 29. Grand U.S. org.

31. Jackie O’s 5. Prone second 6. Brief look husband 7. Tooth32. Simpson and pullers’ org.

Hartman 8. Where Berlin 33. Schedule is (abbr.) abbr.

9. Swiss 34. Hated mountain 36. __ and found 11. “__Man” 37. Squelched (1984 film) (2 wds.)

14. Rodents 38. Intense anger 15. Lauders and 40. R-V Jillian connection 18.Supplements 42. “__ It 20. Fifi’s friends Romantic?”

21. Surgical tool

23. “Beetle Bailey” dog 24. Babies’ protectors 25. “Begone!”

26. Short-lived fashions 27. Region 28. Fine spray 30. Actress Pinkett Smith 32. Dryer fluff 35. Hitching __ 36. For fear that 39. Maiden 41. Sch. for officers

43. Treaty org.

44. Weekendlover’s letters 45. Horde 46. “…a man __Mouse?” wds.)

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 21.

47. Basketball org.

49. Headwear 50. Flamenco dancer’s cry 51. Clean air agcy.

22. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 23.

SVGÊs Boyde earns silver at Junior Carifta

Reuberth Boyde displays his medal at the reception ceremony at the E.T. Joshua Airport.

REUBERTH BOYDE gave St Vincent and the Grenadines its first medal of the Junior Carifta Games since 2009, when he placed second in the 200meters for Under-20 males, as the 44th edition of the Games concluded last Monday.

Competing at the newly renamed Kim Collins Stadium in Bird Rock, St Kitts, Boyde clocked 21.70 seconds behind Mario Burke of Barbados (21.51 seconds), who also took the 100meters in that age category.

However, the final of the 200meters saw only five athletes facing the starter’s gun.

This was further shortened with Trinidadian — Jonathon Farinha not completing the race.

Homeboy Warren Hazel placed third in 21. 81 seconds.

Boyde became the first Vincentian male to gain a sprint medal at Junior Carifta.

It was a welcomed achievement for Boyde, who was also in the 100metres finals, but finished seventh in 10.70 seconds, after

Reuberth Boyde (left) shares the winners’ podium with Mario Burke (centre) and Warren Hazel (right).

clocking his personal best of 10.49 in the heats.

He crowned off his final year at the Carifta level, having made his debut last year in Martinique.

“Actually, when saw I had the opportunity... I realised there was that chance, seeing that it was my last year at Carifta, so I pushed as much as I can and tried very hard to get the medal and achieve something for my country,” Boyde said of his medal winning feat.

The young man expressed gratitude to all those who have helped him over the years.

Reuberth, the other half of an identical twin with his brother, Roberto, has, within the past two years, represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at various levels.

Among the Carifta silver medallist listing of major international championships, are the Caribbean and Central America (CAC) junior championships, World Junior Championships, World Youth Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was also represented at the Games

by St Kitts based Shaffiqua Maloney.

However, Maloney finished at the back of the pack in her heat of the girls Under-18 400 meters run.

The other members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines contingent included coach Chester Morgan and chaperone Jacintha Ballantyne.

St Vincent and the Grenadines last copped a Carifta Games medal in 2009, when Canada based Delhonni Nicol- Samuel gained a silver in the boys’ under-20 5000m.

(See related story on Page 24.)

The SVG contingent to the 2015 CARIFTA Swimming Championships (L-R Front): Nikolas Sylvester, Alexander Joachim and Shane Cadogan, (L-R Back): Shne Joachim, and Kyle Dougan (coach).

Joachim among the Carifta swim medalists SHNE JOACHIM continues to keep a Vincentian presence among top swimmers in the Caribbean.

Her most recent success in this regard came at the 2015 Carifta Swimming Championships, held in Barbados April 4th to 7th.

Amidst 300 of the best swimmers from 20 Caribbean countries, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Suriname, French Guyana, Trinidad, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Barbados, Shne held her own in what was her final year of competition in the 13 to 14 years age group.

In the process, she became this country’s first multiple medalist when she copped two silver medals in the 200 meter Breaststroke and the 50 meter Breaststroke events, and a bronze medal in the 50 meter Butterfly event.

On her way to the finals of the 50 meter Breaststroke, she broke her own Carifta record.

She also became SVG’s first ever official Pan Am Games swimming qualifier, when she produced a time of 2 minutes, 45.67 seconds in the 200 Meter Breaststroke.

Keeping Shne company among the finalists in the Championship was compatriot Nikolas Sylvester, swimming in the boys 13 to 14 year-old age group.

Nikolas qualified for four finals - 50, 100 and 200 meter Breaststrokes and the 50 meter Butterfly — setting personal best times in each event. He missed out on a bronze medal in 50 meter Breaststroke by an incredibly .01 of a second!

The other two members of the SVG team to the Championships were Shane Cadogan (age 13) and Alex Joachim (age 11). And while they found the competition very tough, according to reports, each did several personal best times.

Next up for this country’s swimmers are the Pan Am Games in Toronto, in July, and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, in September.

Vincentian duo retains regional doubles tennis title THE VINCENTIAN pair of Alexi Humphrey and Anastacia White pouched the girls under-14 doubles of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Scotia Bank Barbados championships.

The duo beat Jenna Harrison of Jamaica and Meggan William of St Lucia 26, 7-5, 10-6, in the final, to retain the title they won in 2014.

On their way to the finals, the duo stopped the combination of Kaymar and

Chioe Hazzard of Barbados, 63, 7-6, and had a 6-2, 6-3 win over the doubles pair of Amelia Dickson of Great Britain and Gabrielle Leslie of Barbados.

Humphrey reached the semi-finals of the main draw but lost out to Isis Lafrontiere of France, 6-2, 6-1. She had ousted Alesha Henry of Barbados, 6-3, 7-5, to get to the last four.

White, who was also in the main draw, lost to Barbados’ Tangia Riley- Codrington , 3-6,

6-4, 6-2 , in the first round of competition.

Humphrey and White have moved on to Trinidad and Tobago, where Humphrey is seeking to hold on to her singles title.

Last year, the Vincentian pair was runner-up in the doubles in Trinidad and Tobago.

Apart from searching for titles, the Vincentians would earn points towards enhancing their COTEC rankings.

Alexi Humphrey (left) and Anastacia White are proving to be a formidable doubles team.

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24. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Reuberth medals – Coach still disappointed them….that is the height of wickedness,” a visibly emotional GARTH DESHONG is overwhelmed and Deshong said on Tuesday evening. elated over the exploit of one of his Deshong said that he is in no doubt, charges, Reuberth Boyde, who won a had Roberto been sent as part of the silver medal at the 2015 Junior Carifta team, SVG could have been Games, held in St. Kitts, April 2 – 7. celebrating a double medal.

However, the coach is extremely But General Secretary of Team disappointed with the decision of team Athletics SVG, Tyrone ‘Chenear’ Athletics SVG not to have sent James, said that, while neither none of Reuberth’s twin brother, Roberto the Boyde twin made the required Boyde, to the Games. standard, Reuberth was much closer to “I see no reason why the Association times and, on that basis, was chosen to could not have sent both of make the trip.

James, who won a bronze medal in the 3000metres in 1977 Carifta Games held in Barbados, also expressed how happy he was for Boyde’s success.

“He did well despite not having the necessary facilities and equipment, and once he remains focussed, he has a great future in the sport,” James said.

Stories by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

Minister Ces Mckie (right) in discussion with Carifta 100m silver medallist, Reuberth Boyde, at VIP Lounge at ET Joshua Airport.

Carifta Medallists Tyrone James (3000m 1977 Barbados) and Jacintha Ballantyne bronze (Bdos 1972 4x100) with Reuberth Boyde at the welcoming ceremony at the E.T. Joshua Airport.

identified the workers at the Victoria Park for aiding in with a training track at times, and other coaches, particularly Godfrey ‘Fuzzy’ Harry and Orde Ballantyne, for lending some support and advice.

“I do not know everything, and when there are things which I do not understand, I will go to ‘Fuzzy’, who is highly qualified, and ask him for assistance, and he will freely do so”.

With respect to Ballantyne’s assistance, Deshong said: “Just before Reuberth went to the Games, Orde Additional help (Ballantyne) came to me and said he noticed Reuberth had a problem with The ‘Boyde Twins’ have been his start, and he wanted to work with under the coaching tutelage of him.

Deshong for just about four and “He worked with him for four days, a half years. They have been and by the time he (Reuberth) left spoken about as being serious here, his start had improved prospects to give SVG some significantly”. profile at the regional and Reuberth qualified for the final of possibly international level. the 100 metres, but finished seventh Deshong said that he was in a time of 10.70 after doing 10.49 in always confident that Reuberth the semi-finals. would have done well, given his But indications are that Boyde level of training and the support could have won the gold, had he not from other coaches. He appeared to tire in the final few

metres.

“My legs just gave out in those last metres, and I tried as hard as possible, but just could not hold on,” he told a welcoming gathering at the VIP Lounge at the ET Joshua Airport Wednesday afternoon.

Deshong, who also spoke at that event, thanked all who supported, but reiterated his disappointment that only one half of the twins was selected to make the trip. Sports Minister Ces McKie, TASVG President Keith Joseph and Boyde also addressed the event.

Boyde, along with Shafiqua Maloney, represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Carifta Games.

Boyde was selected to run the 100m and the 200m in the Under 20 category, while Maloney was selected to run the 200m and the 400m in the Under 18 category.

Maloney finished 8th in the 400m heats, during which she injured a hamstring. Reports say that Maloney was removed from further competition by the team officials, on the game doctor’s advice.

Women’s regional football comes to Victoria Park ON TUESDAY evening, April 7th, 2015, Victoria Park, with its distinguished past matrimony with history, gracefully slid into the annals for yet another time, with its hosting of the inaugural Windward Islands Women’s Football Tournament.

The historic event saw the female teams from the four Windward Islands of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and host St. Vincent and the Grenadines in attendance.

President of the Windward Islands Football Association (WIFA), Venold Coombs, made it known that he was instrumental in the resuscitation of Windwards Islands Football, when he addressed the Tournament’s opening

ceremony.

“I was president of the SVG Football Federation when we brought back the men’s tournament in 1985, and after it fell off, I once again saw to its return when I became president again two years ago; and today we not only have a male competition, we are here to open the first ever Windwards Female Football competition,” Coombs, who is also president of the SVG Football Federation, said.

“Fifteen years ago, president (of FIFA) Sepp Blatter said that the future of football is feminine, and we are here to support that call with this tournament,” he added.

Chairperson of the Windward

Islands Women’s Football Committee, Yolande London, was also happy with the opening of the female tournament, and expressed the hope that each country will increase the effort to spread and develop female football.

Competition begins In Tuesday’s opening match, St. Lucia and Grenada played to a 2-2 draw.

Saint Lucia started brightly, with captain Ellaisa Marquis converting directly from a corner kick, within the first five minutes of the contest. But Grenada replied late in the half, and then went ahead on the stroke of

halftime.

In the second half, winger Shamalyn Albert surged into the box and was up-ended, earning a penalty.

The spot kick was converted by Marquis and the game ended in a stalemate.

In th evening’s second match, SVG, through a brilliant team goal, edged out Dominica 1-0, to top of the table, despite missing a penalty.

The goal was scored by Kandice Franklyn who finished beautifully after her team was able to string a serious of passes together, in the final third of the field. A few minutes before that, SVG had missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when they won a penalty, but Shadel Cyrus hit her shot just wide.

The tournament continued on Wednesday, press day, with Grenada against Dominica and St. Lucia versus SVG. The Tournament concludes today, Friday, with Dominica facing St. Lucia and Grenada squaring off against host, SVG.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 25.

Sports

Allen responds to ÂVincentian players under friendly fireÊ NOW THAT THE 2014/15 four-day regional First Class Cricket season is complete, with the team I coached, the Windwards Volcanoes, settling into third place, (far from being disgraced), I have found the time to respond to an article, captioned ‘Vincentian players under ‘friendly fire’, carried in THE VINCENTIAN of March 13, 2015.

The article, carrying the byline E. Glenford Prescott, sought to draw conclusions based on the writer’s perception of my role as Coach of the Windwards Volcanoes. I would like, Mr. Editor, to set the record straight.

Not a selector First of all, let me state categorically, that I am not a selector under the Windward Islands cricket structure.

Further, when the final eleven is selected for a particular match, it is arrived at after consideration, inter alia, of the pitch conditions and the nature of the opposition. I, as coach and the chairperson, am not the only person to make that final decision; so why am I getting the blame (as per the writer) for not picking Vincentian players in a final eleven?

On tour, there is a selection panel, comprised of a minimum of four persons, who makes the final decision.

Why, therefore, am I the one taking the (sole) blame for the exclusion of Vincentian players?

Never have I been involved in an exercise that selects players based on where (which island) they come from.

A subsequent article (‘Windwards seeking second spot’ — THE VINCENTIAN, March 29, 2015), by the same writer, one of the accompanying photographs was captioned, ‘Kenroy Peters dropped again’.

Now, commonsense will tell you that a team will not willy nilly drop its leading wicket-taker and Man of the Match in its previous match, for the next match. No investigation was made with respect to the basis of the decision, leaving me to conclude that biasness abounds, and a deliberate attempt is made to finger the coach, me. I am, to say the least, not surprised at the writer’s position.

I was not going to single out any player because of their nationality. If there was any obvious indication of this, would I be in the position today?

In any sport, an honest athlete would take personal responsibility for his/her performance, make no excuses for failure, and look to work harder to improve his/her game. This forms part of the advice I normally give to the players. I have had, and continue to receive, my fair share of (this kind of) battering since I took this position, e.g. taking the brunt of criticism when a player is omitted form a final eleven, especially when it involved/involves Vincentian players.

I am not looking for any credit for Windwards’ progress over the past years; this is something I leave for others to determine. My satisfaction comes from: seeing players from all four islands improve their game, and knowing that under my watch, some have gone on to represent the West Indies at different levels; and my cordial relationship with all the players, Vincentians included.

A note on Vincentian players

Particular reference was made of some Vincentian players, including Donwell Hector, not being included in the pool for consideration for selection.

Incidentally, Donwell and I have a very good relationship, one that transcends cricket. I have always encouraged him. I wonder, at times, whether those persons who are close to the young man, and to other young persons, are being honest about what they impart to these players. Young minds are impressionable; honesty is always the best policy.

Comments were also made about Vincentian Alston Bobb’s omission from the final eleven, and allusion made to this being some kind of dislike for the young man and Vincentians, by the coach. Did the team not win those matches when Bobb was omitted?

Perhaps the writer thinks that because I am Vincentian, that I should always seek to include as many Vincentians as possible? Does the writer not have anything good for the performance of the team?

One has to be careful that conjecture does not infect the minds of Anti-Vincentian the players. Bobb, in or out of the final eleven, has demonstrated The writer’s purported position that commitment to his game, his team, I am ‘anti-Vincentian cricketer’ is and understands the basis for a factless, based on hearsay, and is his decision to omit him. On every such own conjecture and bias. occasion, he has been spoken to before Funny that there was no mention of the team was announced. Why would the progress the team has made under anyone, with the welfare of Vincentian the same anti-Vincentian coach, and Windward Islands players at during a period when Vincentians heart, want to spew doubt among contributed, and continue to those players? contribute, to that progress. Credit Stick a pin: Why didn’t the writer must be given to ALL the players. mention that Bobb was given the final Coaching any team comprised of contract in the Volcanoes Franchise? persons of diverse backgrounds, is no That would not have supported the easy task. The writer, obviously, has motive, eh? no real sense of this responsibility.

When the Windward Islands Decision regarding captaincy Cricket Directors first offered and I accepted the position of coach, (circa Why wasn’t either Kenroy Peters or 2005), I did so with the intention that Rommel Currency handed the

captaincy against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), in the absence of duly appointed captain, Liam Sebastien?

Perhaps the writer, if he understood the basis for his question, should have also factored Devon Smith (Grenada)98 regional and over 100 plus first class matches — and Shane Shillingford (Dominica)- 77 regional and 101 first class matches — into the mix.

Is the motive here one of implying that I have some extra liking for any one or more of the players?

Peters has stressed, over and over again, that he is not interested in being captain of the Windwards team.

He is even reluctant to captain his local club, Saints. Tyrone Theophile led Dominica in the absence of Liam Sebastien in the last Windward Islands tournament, which Dominica won. Under the circumstances, is it wrong to bring other young captains into the mix?

Also, how could you make a noncontracted player captain of a franchise over other contracted players?

The Windwards went on to beat T&T in the match.

Persons who know me, might be surprised that I even thought of responding to the article referred. I would, under normal circumstances, brush off such comments.

Ian Allen, former But the consistency with West Indies which the writer speedster, was first appointed the has chosen to voice his venom, Windward Islands Senior cricket ill-founded and therefore, one of team’s coach in 2005. questionable motive, has raised the ante, and occasioned this uncharacteristic response.

Vincentians, and all Windward Islands people can rest assured, that I have had nothing but the interest of the sub-region’s cricket at heart. My record speaks for itself.

Conclusion

Ian Allen

26. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015. 27.

Classifieds

VASHTI NAOMI ARRINDAL JOHNSON

MERCY SCIPIO

JERITA BROWN

Kingstown Methodist Church Kingstown Saturday 11th April, 2015 3:00 p.m.

St. Bethel Spiritual Baptist Church Chateaubelair Sunday 5th April, 2015 2:00 p.m.

Apostolic Faith Mission Church Campden Park Saturday 28th March, 2015 2:00 p.m.

SHIRLEY HADLEY

DENNIS NIGEL BIBBY

Bethel Gospel Assembly Georgetown Saturday 28th March, 2015 2:00 p.m.

Chebar Evangelical Assembly Inc. Tuesday 31st March, 2015 3:00 p.m.

MARVA CARMETHA PROVIDENCE Full in the Spirit Pentecostal Ottley Hall Saturday 28th March, 2015 2:30 p.m.

The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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VINCENTIANS ARRESTED IN BARBADOS

Kevin David Christopher, Allison Blugh did not escape the youngest of the trio interception. now on remand in a Barbados prison. legal conditions for the the speedboat in which they area, on Friday 10th August admissibility of evidence by (2012)’. were travelling was Almost a year ensued before the analyst, because the Jack was reported then to intercepted some four nautical Jack was granted bail, this cocaine to be used as evidence have been jointly charged with after he had secured the miles off Mullins, St Peter, of a connection with the cash, Barbados, on Wednesday, BVI resident Leon King, with services of Jamaican defense was destroyed, and only a possession of the proceeds of April 1, around 2:45 a.m. attorney, Hugh Wildman. small sample was seen by the The three men were taken criminal conduct When the case was called analyst.

(US$178,060). into custody following the on the 5th November 2014, Jack is said to have discovery of, what is said to He is said to have Wildman successfully argued returned home soon after his be, a bale of marijuana, on the unsuccessfully appealed for that the case should be thrown acquittal. He is now hoping bail in a BVI Magistrate’s boat. out, on the grounds that the that he could be twice times Court on October 18, 2013. Crown had not satisfied the The interception was lucky. conducted as a joint operation between the Drug Squad and Marine Unit of Barbados.

Reports say that the three men were denied bail IT IS STILL DIFFICULT for the entire VINCENTIAN on when they appeared in the Brighton community, as they try to deal with Tuesday that she District “A” Magistrate’s the circumstances surrounding the death of was still in a state of Court earlier this week, and Lennox Browne. shock. were expected to appear in Browne, 45 years old, originally from “I couldn’t Jomo Jalon Jack faces new the Holetown Magistrate’s Georgetown, but who resided in the believe,” she said. drug-related charges not long Court later this week, to Brighton/Belvedere area, died on the spot Melina, who still after being acquitted of answer the charges related along the route to the Brighton Salt Pond resides in similar charges. to possession of and beach, after running off the road on a pedal Georgetown, said trafficking in illegal drugs. bicycle and hitting a tree stump. that she was not

by KENVILLE HORNE Readers of THE According to the police report, “pieces of allowed to see the VINCENTIAN will recall a sticks pierced his throat.” body of her son at AFTER SPENDING the last two story carried on the back The incident took place on Monday, around the scene of the years under the watchful eyes of page of the newspaper’s 5p.m. accident.

Police authorities in the British edition of August 17, 2012, For those who knew him dearly, they say “I am still in a Lennox Browne was Virgin Islands (BVI), Vincentian which said, inter alia, ‘Jomo that he was a hard worker, and that he will be state of shock; I just the victim of what Jomo Jalon Jack is now on Jalon Jack, a 28-year-old missed. can’t ketch myself,” some say was a freak remand at the HMP Dodds in Vincentian truck driver, is He worked as a painter, but he was also the woman said. accident.

Barbados, accused, along with among five men charged known to do carpentry and masonry work.

“I am trying to two of his countrymen, of drug with money laundering and One resident said that he had a cope; he was such a related crimes. drug related offences in the conversation with him earlier the said day, nice guy,” Browne continued.

According to reports from British Virgin Islands (BVI), and he (Browne) said that he was ‘going out’.

Browne’s death brings the tally of road Barbados, Jomo Jalon Jack, after a police operation He returned to his home sometime around fatalities for the year to 11.

30; Allison Agustus Blugh, 31; discovered the drugs and a lunch time and said that he was leaving again The result of the post mortem was expected and Kevin David Christopher large sum of cash, in the — that was the last they heard from him alive. to be released to the family yesterday. (DDD) (Joe), 28, were arrested after Mother, Melina Browne, told THE Road Town Cruise Ship Dock

MAN RIDES TO HIS DEATH

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

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.